How much fun can you pack into a week?

Well, it has been a while since I was able to post. (This little ol' thing called work got in the way. You can tell my parents there is no need to hide that secret trust fund any longer.) We recently wrapped up a whirlwind tour of Lee County, East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I must say, I could move to Asheville, but that is beside the point. Adrian and I got to take our first vacation since Egypt with Teddy!

We went down to Jonesville for the 4th of July with my family in Lee County. We had an awesome time (if you don't count the food poisoning that kept me from all the fun on the 4th, but it's not a holiday if someone isn't sick in our family). Little Philip is getting huge and Teddy had so much fun with him. We also had fun seeing Ava Grace and little Logan and having such a big playdate that I think it was a big ol' dose of, um...reality, with more than one child in the house (is that a diplomatic way to say it?).



However, Teddy loved it and did not miss daycare quite as much when he had all of these people to bully, I mean play with, around. (Have I mentioned that he is still quite the bully, but he loves that girlfriend of his, Olivia....made me bring in a passy just so he can give it to her, what a gentleman. She is now leaving daycare and he is getting some infants in his room....they better watch out.) We had a little pre-first birthday birthday party to celebrate with all the Jonesville folks and Nanny! It was a Cookie Monster cake and Teddy really enjoyed it (side note, Kami Harber is a VERY talented baker and cake artist and does amazing work). Daddy put a quick stop to the sugar rush, but Teddy just played and played and played in that icing.

Nanny got him his very own 4-wheeler like his Daddy and Papaw so he can ride around like the big boys.



He likes to make it rev the engine (this scares me for when he is 16...which feels like it will be tomorrow.) We have also had a spate of teeth come in and we are now up to 8 teeth in total, and Lord help me, I cannot wait for that to be over. Little Vampire Teddy now likes to bite me all the time, especially on the neck. It looks like I am necking with Adrian from the bruises but its little Teddy trying out his True Blood impressions.

Did I mention that Teddy is now trying to walk? Did I mention he thinks he can walk, so he let's go, then falls? Did I mention he did this and cut his gum? Yeah, it was traumatic for me because I was not there and I freaked out when I saw the cut. Poor little man, he just cannot catch a break with those front teeth. But he did officially take his first steps. I would like to thank the Grove Park Inn for the nice long hallways it provided to help us with this milestone. Teddy and I would "walk" up and down the hallways and by the time we got home, he just thought he was walking. (Okay, you caught me, I am overstating his capabilities. He can take 2-3 steps then fall but I count that as walking.) He is really enjoying this independence and Mommy and Daddy are having fun chasing him around. (On his first day back in daycare they wrote me a note that he is climbing on the tables and what a big boy he is now climbing. The real story was that he climbed upon the table and was peering over to see where his girlfriend was in the nap area. Imagine a height of say 1.5 feet. I smell trouble....lock up your daughters, no seriously, lock them up.) He also got so used to seeing us that week that he had a hard time transitioning away from us. (Okay so I sort of made this up. He walked into daycare and basically shut the door in my face.) He loved all the attention he got at the Grove Park Inn but could not figure out who the annoying kid was following him.



All in all, I have to say I am just truly blessed. I could not have imagined how fun it would be to get married, have an awesome baby, a boy no less, and watch him play with grandparents and greatgrandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles. It really has been the most fun thing I have ever done to watch my son play with his family, especially his Daddy. Now I know I call Adrian out a lot (hello, he totally deserves it), but there is nothing that makes me happier than watching the two of them chase each other around and play hide and seek. I think Teddy is going to start really talking soon, so watch out, actually just listen up, you will definitely be able hear him!

Please disregard

I am pretty sure we have all done it before, you know, asked someone to (or assume that they will) disregard something we said, we wrote, we did or did not do; ordinary, garden variety things that happen on a daily basis, most of us generally disregard. (I think we also tend to take things for granted in the same context, like oh yeah, I totally said thank you to you for handing me that, holding the door, picking up my shoes, it was totally implied by my look/nod in your general direction.) So given that this is our daily existence, I find it hilarious that most people cannot disregard children misbehaving. As a Mommy, I have learned to disregard the looks of disdain when I am hauling Teddy out of a store as he screams at the top of his lungs because I would not let him throw each box of cereal into the aisle (yeah, I really don't hear it anymore, really). I also disregard the stares of people as I pick up that spoon he dropped on the restaurant floor and stick it back in his mouth, because, well, germs are a way of life and I believe in the 10, 20 and 30 second rule (whatever is appropriate applies).

The evidence of most disrgard is hidden-stares, sideways glances, etc. But not with a baby, no sir. No sooner did Teddy get his front two teeth than he promptly went around and chipped one of them. I mean really, seriously, how did that happen. Oh, it could not possibly be because he puts EVERYTHING in his mouth (everything is not an overstatement, if he touches it you can assume it's going in the mouth; door knobs, hands, TV controls, scent diffusers, vases, whatever it is will be tasted by Teddy). All I really know, and the facts here are not certain, is that I was making Memorial Day dinner and when I checked in on Teddy, I noticed that a tooth was chipped. Adrian saw nothing, heard nothing and said nothing. The next day the pediatric dentist said that if it's not lose or changing color then no worries. But, hello! I look like the worst mother who lets her 10 month old baby run around and eat things that break his teeth (side note: Teddy will put everything in his mouth except food, which is a mystery, especially to his porky mother).

Then there is the issue of visiting other people's homes who don't have a child Teddy's age. (Disclaimer: We have not really childproofed because I want to prepare him for the reality that life is not about being protected, oh, did I say that online, I mean, it's actually just for this situation, other people's homes are not like ours and "Teddy Ready".) So when we went down to visit my Mother, little, precious Teddy proceeded to break 2 vases in the first hour we were there. (He is fast at that crawling stuff.) I mean you turn and he is across the room, in the drawers pulling everything out. Or you put him down, switch the light on and it looks like a Tasmanian devil spun out of control. I just overlook these things, I mean broken stuff is the norm at my house, but I am super embarrassed when it happens outside our home.

So PLEASE DISREGARD any broken items that Teddy leaves in his wake. If I don't acknowledge that he broke it, just send me the bill. Please disregard that broken tooth, I really do watch him and try to pay attention, but he is fast. Please disregard if he hits you, pulls your hair or steals your toy. I cannot punish him just yet and he smiles with such love and affection when he gets his way that its just hard for me not to melt and forget he just ripped a handful of hair out. Please disregard any implications that it may have on our parental oversight capabilities because it is simply out of my hands.

I am going to work on disregarding people who shoot me death stares, don't hold the door when I am struggling with a stroller and look at me with those disapproving eyes. I am going to work on disregarding an invitation to compare stages of advancement of my child vs. their child because, well, that just cannot be good for anyone. I am also going to work on disregarding Teddy's crying just a little more when it serves my purposes...

A Celebration of Sandy Roberson

We sang, we danced, we loved and we remembered. Sandy would have been so joyous to know that everyone had an amazing time on Saturday night at her celebration. Roland gave an amazing speech that would have made Sandy so proud and I am so proud of both Roland and Nazrin. Sandy and Jim have raised two amazing children who possess such grace and humility.

Sometimes as an only child you miss out on things, like having a constant playmate, having someone to call and share your good news with or cry with at the bad news. If I try to describe the relationship I have with Roland and Nazrin, I always end up saying that they are like a little brother and sister to me. I love them as if they were my siblings and each of their children will always be a nephew or a niece to me.

It was an amazing night to celebrate our beloved Sandy. I can just imagine how much she would have loved having two bands, more food than 2 armies could eat and more friends that we could count at her house. I know she would have been the first person dancing and singing and she would have also been the last to leave. She will always be that firefly dancing, smiling, laughing, singing and dancing with us.

And, of course, there would be photos for all of us the next day....enjoy!

A tribute to Sandy

Many of you have only known me as an adult, which bless your hearts, is probably enough. One person, other than my parents, who has had the distinction of being at virtually every significant event in my life was Sandy Roberson and the entire Roberson clan. If you ask me a memory about my childhood and I cannot recall, I am likely to call Roland and Sandy for clarification, because they were there for them all. I love the story, as Sandy told it, about me storming into the hospital and demanding that everyone move so I could see "my RORO" and making all the adults move away from the newborn. (Being a mother now this makes me even more embarrassed but I just imagine that it made Sandy laugh and laugh to watch a 2 year old demand to hold her newborn son.) Then there were the countless trips to the river to float and camp out (yes, I used to camp out folks, I know its hard to imagine me doing that now but we did it every weekend and I LOVED it). It felt so exotic, but really we were just going down the Powell to the fake beach (which I thought was so cool) that Jim had made for us at the river. Over countless campfires Roland, Naz and I would come up with different ways to eat our hamburgers (some weeks it was ketchup only, then ketchup and mayo, or maybe ketchup mayo and mustard) and then roast marshmallows. I specifically remember one time we dug a huge hole in the sand and stuck Nazzy in there, which she did not like (we were not always the nicest of kids). I can also remember playing in the basement of the A-frame and having "experiments" with painting and other chemicals. Sandy was never afraid to let us make a mess and learn; she always encouraged our creative side, whether it was exploring rocks or making a mess, she never got angry with us for spilling paint, gasoline or traipsing through cow paddies.

Sandy also started many traditions for us that I treasure now and we have continued though we live far apart. Every New Years Eve, we all call each other right at the stroke of midnight to say Happy New Years. We also spent many Super Bowls, Fourth of July's and Christmas Eve's together with memories that are irreplaceable. Sandy took so many photos of everything that we all have it documented. I used to love coming into Jim's office and seeing what photos might be in my chart from our recent adventures together. (In some ways, I have tried to emulate this about Sandy because I loved it so much.)

At my wedding, Sandy was honestly one of the most excited for me and was one the first to promise to attend. She had such a wonderful time at my wedding and at the Jonesville reception. We still talk about her dancing and dancing with my Mom and my Mother in Law. She really was the life of the party! Then when I found out I was pregnant, Sandy also showered me with love. She sent me her favorite books to read to Roland and wrote in each one. I called her right before I had Teddy and she gave me the advice my own Mother could not-how to raise an amazing and devoted son. She was incredibly proud of Roland and Nazrin and was an amazing friend to everyone. Sandy never forgot a birthday or special event and she always made you feel loved and special. I will truly miss her and I will do my best to make sure that Orlando and all her other grandchildren know how wonderful she was.

I love you forever Sandy! Thank you for being there and always making me feel special; you will be missed but I know you are smiling and laughing with us each day as you watch over us all.

Tall and Thin are not words Mommy knows

Teddy just got back from his 9 month appointment today...turns out he is tall and thin. If you know me, you know that these two words were never part of my vocabulary. Short, pudgy, thick and mushy are more my speed and tall never even appeared on the reading list...more like average. So when she handed me his percentages, you can imagine my shock when she said the two words I have longed to hear my entire life..."Teddy is TALL AND THIN." It is just not fair that my son gets to be this cute and be tall and thin.

I always used to say that if I just had a few more inches, it would spread everything out a little more evenly. I suppose I will just have to wait on the plastic surgeon to make that a reality.

Anyway, Mr. Teddy is super healthy and happy at 19 and 1/2 pounds and 29 inches. He is hugging and kissing everybody in sight, with more teeth coming in everyday. Pretty soon he will need to drink some TruBlood if we are not careful with the "kissing."

Here is a good shot of the teeth he has in now. We may have to change his name to Bugs or Eric or I suppose he could just use Edward (but I hate Twilight) (for the TruBlood fans...Eric!).

Lots of Teddy Love to go Around

Well ladies, its official...Teddy is out to get a girlfriend. I came into daycare this week and his teacher, Miss Helena, told me that he pinned down both little Olivia and Na'ama to give them kisses. Apparently, he also chases them around the room to give them kisses. I am only slightly scared about our little Lothario but he is such a sweet baby, I cannot stop encouraging him. Here is some video of the kisses he likes to give now, feel free to stop by and get one for yourself.....if you can take the pain.....

Learning some Life Lessons

Thank you to each of you who emailed me or messaged me about Little Miss Hudson.  I have no idea why God chose this little angel to join him now, but I know that she is smiling down now with her big smile.  Her passing has really forced me to re-evaluate my priorities and think more thoughtfully about the direction that I am walking in this life.  It was so touching to see how many people have reached out to Mandy and Ed in this tragedy and that is all a result and testament to what amazing people they are.  Mandy is definitely an inspiration to me as a mother and a mentor.  I am hoping to carry these lessons on and be the best mother to Teddy that I can possibly be. I also want to be a better wife and friend.  I want to make sure that I tell people how important they are to me and make them feel appreciated for everything they have given me.  I am at a leadership training conference right now and something the professor said today really hit home for me as I am soul-searching.  He said that its not only important to be self-aware of how you portray yourself, but also be cognizant of how others perceive that portrayal.  After everything last week, I just really need to start making others know how much I value them and making my family and friends my priority.  I want to make sure that Teddy knows he is our number one priority, the joy of our lives and the absolute best thing that has every happened to either one of us.  I hope he can one day appreciate all of the things that we are doing to make sure he has all the advantages that we can provide and all of the opportunities that we want to provide.  I think that life lessons come to you in different forms and things happen that force you to review your life and confirm choices and paths. 

I want each of my friends and family to know that I am sorry if I have not always been as good a friend to you as you have been to me.  I always talk about what amazing friends I have and how supportive they are in every facet of my life.  I want to strive to be the best mother I can be and focus on spending quality time with Teddy and Adrian.  I am going to try to appreciate people for everything and acknowledge their presence in my life as a gift.  There are no guarantees in life and we have no assurances about what the next day will bring.  I can only control my reaction to it and I need/want to begin being a more positive force in the universe.  Thank you again to everyone, you are such an inspiration and it has given me a renewed belief in community and family.  Again, thank you and I love each of you.