A Note to the Tooth Fairy

Dear Tooth Fairy,

Thanks for visiting last night to mark such an exciting occasion in our household...our first lost tooth.  Sam was so excited to go to bed and place his damaged little tooth under his pillow.  He was even more excited when he woke up today and suddenly remembered to check for the surprise you left him.  So imagine his disappointment (and my horror) when he threw his pillow off his bed to reveal nothing laying beneath.  He was a little shocked and his smile was replaced by a frown.  Luckily, Daddy called just as we were searching for Sam's surprise.  It seems that he, the Tooth Fairy, left a five dollar bill under Jack's milk cup on the ledge of the bunk bed.  The Tooth Fairy thought I could slide the bill under Sam's pillow when I went in to get early bird Jack out of bed.  And you see this would have worked if Jack hadn't spotted the money before I came into to get him and stolen the money.  I didn't check under Sam's pillow at the time because I didn't want to wake him.  So I was as shocked as he was, Tooth Fairy, when there was no treasure under the pillow.  We searched under the bed, pulled the sheets and quilt off and checked under the rug.  No money!  I had to sneak away to my room and find a crumpled up bill in my jeans pocket from the day before and throw it back under the pile of bedding when Sam wasn't looking.  I asked Sam to check under the sheets one more time and he pulled them back to find the crumpled up bill.  He was thrilled and I as relieved.  And Jack stood by with a grin and guilty look in his eyes.  I asked him later if he had seen Sam's money.  "Yep," he said, "My got it!"  He refused to tell me where he hid it and it has yet to be found.  So Tooth fairy, next time hide the bill under the pillow so Jack "Sticky Fingers" Standley doesn't take off with the treasure.

The Tooth

Last week at Cade's t-ball game, Sam crawled up the fence behind home plate. He was up pretty far up when Jack grabbed his foot to pull him down. Unfortunately, on the way down, Sam hit his mouth on the metal pole. I ran to him, fully expecting to see blood everywhere. His eyes were full of tears and when he opened his mouth, I saw it. His front tooth was completely cracked across the front. He hit so hard he had the silver metal color across his tooth. I rushed him home and called our dentist. We went to see Dr. Lee early the next morning and he said we needed to go to a pediatric specialist. I found a specialist and they said the tooth would have to pulled, but they couldn't do it until the following Thursday. One week later! Thankfully the tooth died and he wasn't in pain. He mastered biting and chewing on the side, but as the week passed the tooth continued to loosen and push further back in his mouth.

This morning we headed to the dentist to have his tooth pulled. They called Sam back and Jody and I both walked to the door with him. At which time the hygienist said, "Um, mam, we encourage them to go back by themselves, without their parents." And at which time I looked at her like she had five heads. Was she crazy? Jody and I looked at each other in shock. There was no way we were sending him back there alone to have a tooth pulled. So I ever so nicely told her, "Um, I don't think so." and marched myself to the back with Sam. They made me wait in a central area close to his chair but not by him. After then telling another hygienist how I felt about the whole situation she told me I could go get Jody and bring him back too. I'm sure they all thought I was a nutcase but they were the crazy ones to think I'd send him back there without me or his Daddy. Sam did remarkably well. He did cry and I had to sit there and listen to him, knowing he was hurting and there was nothing I could do about it. It was agony. Five long minutes later he was done and sporting a new smile.

I must admit this whole situation has been hard for me. Between him getting hurt, the crazy folks at the dentist office and him losing a tooth, my nerves have been torn up this week. I couldn't bear the idea of him having to have a tooth pulled and walking around for the next few years with a big hole in his mouth. I mean he is my baby, you know. Jody even kindly told me I was getting on his nerves. So I am trying to suck it up and be grateful that it was just a little baby tooth. And I must say that toothless grin is starting to grow on me.

Before, with the damaged tooth...

And after, my toothless cutie...

Focus

My littlest is now focusing on objects and gazing at things for the longest time. He loves the animals that hang in front of him in his bouncy seat and gets so excited that he nearly bounces himself out of the chair. He loves to look at people and he tries his hardest to talk back to them, cooing and making the sweetest sounds. He can have the most intense look on his face and them he smiles and his whole face lights up. He smiles so big and throws his head back in delight. He just continues to make every day wonderful and sweet for all of us.

Two Month Well Check

Will has his two month well check today. He is 14 pounds 10 ounces (95 %) and 23.75 inches (75 %). There was another little boy in the waiting room who was there for his two month check. He was ten pounds at birth and looked so small beside Will. Will is so big and looks more like a six month old than a two month old. I sure wish he'd look like an infant a little while longer. Dr. Mann says he's big and precocious and will probably do things early. My response..."Lord, help me." He had two shots and ended up having a reaction to his dpt vaccine so I had to take him back to the doctor this afternoon. His leg is very sore and he just cries and is inconsolable at times. Ironically, his Daddy had the same reaction at his two month shots. He'll get a little more loving tonight (as if that's possible) in hopes he's back to normal soon. My big, big boy...I love every ounce of your chubby arms and squishy legs, sweet one.

Thankful Today

Today I am thankful for my mom and all she does for me and my family. She is always there when I need her and I am blessed to know her as my mother. And I am thankful for my mother-in-law. She is wonderful and giving and all a girl could ask for in a second mom. And I'm thankful for my grandmothers. I appreciate their kindness and the Christian example they've shown all my life. And I'm thankful for Jody's grandmothers. They are angels on earth and I treasure both of them.

But today more than anything I am thankful for my sons. For the joy they bring me and what they've taught me about love. My heart overflows for each of them and I feel so blessed to be their mom. They are the best thing I've ever done and being a good mother to them is my greatest purpose in life. I thank God for entrusting them into my care and for the amazing little beings that they are. Sam, Jack and Will...I love you.

Mother's Day Surprise

A few days ago Jody surprised my mom and his mom with a limo ride and lunch for Mother's Day. Ally, Bec and all six kids came along too. Nana and G-Ma knew we were going to lunch but had no idea that Jody had rented a limo. Nana was thrilled to get out of the house since she's unable to drive because of her recent shoulder surgery. G-Ma's reaction when we picked her up at school was priceless. Landry and Jack were terrified of the limo and took a little while to realize they were safe. Will slept the entire ride. The older boys loved it and ran around inside like wild animals. We were nearly the only people at the restaurant and we all enjoyed our late lunch. It was a wonderful day for all of us. We think we should make it a yearly tradition (hint, hint Jody).

Caught You

Jack,

I appreciate you trying to help Mommy. You were obviously concerned for my new hydrangea plant with all this hot weather we've had lately. You must have thought it needed a little water. And since the garden hose was way on the other side of the house, you did the next best thing. You peed all over my plant. And I caught you. And I didn't say anything, because I am certain you were just trying to help me. And I am sure there is some reason that prior to this plant sitting on the porch, you chose my tennis shoes to pee in. Over and over again. And it would dry before I wore them. And I couldn't understand why my shoes smelled so bad and in turn why my feet and socks reeked after removing those shoes. But I figured it out when I walked outside to find you peeing in my shoes. I immediately yelled for you to stop and Sam sold you out by telling me, "Mama, Jack always pees in those shoes of yours." So into the trash can went my shoes. Thankfully, the hydrangea withstood your generous showers and is now planted in the yard. And I'll be shoe shopping this weekend.

Love,

Mama

Growing Up

From this...

to this.

Where does the time go? It seems like only yesterday we were pulling these three around in that little red wagon. And now they are riding four wheelers, bicycles and scooters. Their little boy bodies have begun to show muscles and they are nearly too heavy to pick up. But they are still the best of friends...no matter how old they get.

Two Months

Today you are two months old...where do the days go? You are the sweetest, happiest baby and you fill our days with so much joy. Everyday you wake up a little prettier than the day before. You are big and cuddly and look like a six month old, not the two month old you really are. You are wearing six month clothes and even some nine month outfits. You have the sweetest rolls on your legs with the deepest little crevices. There's really nothing like a chubby little baby to kiss on and I could spend my entire day kissing those chubby legs and your sweet head. You are really focusing on things now and will fixate on faces and objects for a long time. You still love your bath and your nighttime cereal. You are cooing and trying so hard to talk back to whoever is talking to you. You smile all the time and it is amazing to see. Your entire face lights up and your eyes disappear into little slits when you smile, just like your oldest brother. Those smiles sustain me sweet boy. When I am tired or frazzled and looking around a disastrous house, one of your smiles makes everything better. It's as if you're telling me, "Hey, Mama. Look at this. This is what is important." And I thank you for that. You are constant ray of sunshine and unending sweetness and I love you more than you could ever imagine.

Directions

Sam was riding on the gator with Jody, Jack and Aunt Boo.

Boo told him, "Okay, now we're going to go this way. This way is right."

To which Sam replied, "Boo, which way is wrong?"

Until

I never thought life would be this wonderful. Or that things would work out so perfectly. I never imagined you would fit so seamlessly into our family. You bring me such joy and peace in this crazy life of mine. I never knew I could love like this again. Until you...

Smile

Jack...oh, how you make me smile. And laugh. And sometimes pull my hair out. But mostly just smile. Like when you make me go into my bedroom every morning when Will wakes up and pick him up and then put you on the other hip. You grin and say," Mama's got two boys! Mama's got two boys!" until we make it to the playroom and I plop you on the couch. We must do this every morning. No exceptions. And I smile when you walk up and kiss me in the strangest places like the elbow or on my back. And when you tell me your Daddy works at "Two Lions " and I have no idea what you are talking about. And how you always say "thank you" or "thanks." And how sometimes you ask me, "Mama, can I have your hair?" when you're ready to go to sleep and want to play with my hair. You make me smile by simply being you. I love you, Jack.

7:00

7:00 am. That's when things get rolling around here these days. And it's kicking my tail. Sam spoiled me when it was just us. He loved to sleep in and has been known to sleep until noon. If he wakes up too early, I can usually tell him, "Sam, honey, it's too early to get up. Go back to sleep." And he does. He is a lot like me in this sense. He appreciates a good night's sleep. Will is currently doing his best sleeping in the morning. He will usually sleep fairly late and once he wakes up, he is only awake for a short time before taking a good morning nap. I'm crossing my fingers that he'll follow in Sam's footsteps when it comes to sleep. Jack is just like his Daddy. He is an early riser. If he sees light trickling in his window, he is certain it is time to wake up. And there is no telling him it's too early to get up and getting him to go back to sleep. I muddled through the days before Will was here, knowing I could go to bed early if I needed to or catch an occasional nap. But now 7:00 is killing me. I would pay good money to anyone that can tell me how to keep my middle child in bed longer.

Jack doesn't nap 90% of the time and by 2:00, he is a hornet. If Sam gets woken up by Jack, he is unbearable by dinnertime. So afternoons are tough around here lately. Everyone is done. Including me. Jack is asleep for the night usually by 9:00 and Sam goes to bed around 10:00. It's usually 10:30 or 11:00 before I get Will down for the night and I piddle around until midnight most nights. Seventeen hours of constant business. Seventeen hours without one minute of free time. It's tough. And I am tired...very, very tired. But I sure love my days with these three sweeties. I just really need a nap.

The Stink Eye

This is the stink eye. Eyebrows arched and furrowed, all seriousness, all business. Usually it is a little more pronounced. I get this look when I take too long to get him from his crib after naps. Or if I don't feed him in a timely manner. Or if I insist he ride in that dreaded car seat. I get the stink eye from my baby. Luckily, he is just sweet enough that one good squeeze and kiss from Mama makes the furrowed brow go away and the smiles appear. I love this little one. Stink eye and all.

Hollywood

Move over George Clooney and Brad Pitt...there's a new man in town.