New words

Canon has had a word explosion over the last couple of weeks. He is combining two to three words and other people can understand him besides just me! Here is a run down:

"chainsaw"
"mower"
"blower"
*"screw driver"
"Dola" name for grandparent's dog, Lola
"Pawpaw"
"There it is"
"Bob the builder" you have to know what he's talking about to get this one.
"tractor"
"airplane"
"airplane Daddy"
"guitar"
"no please"
"excused please"
"running"
"bus"
"ice"

These are some of his favorite words or manners, that we hear often. He has also started learning all of his aunt's and uncle's names and their dogs. "Dadey" for "Lacy", "Winnie", "Abae", and "Dadie" for Sadie are some of his favorite dog cousins. It has been so fun to hear him say words for the first time and for him to be able to communicate and me understand! This is definitely helping ease the communication gap that leads to frustration!

First Cereal

I have been bouncing around the idea of starting Bo on cereal. He has been sleeping pretty well, so I decided that I'd wait as long as possible. Well, a couple of weeks ago his sleeping changed. So, the next day I offered him cereal. He probably thought I was crazy. I put it in his mouth, he pushed every bit back out. I tried to trick him by putting a spoonful in, then giving him his paci....all of the cereal came out around his paci. So, I figured that he was not quite ready. His sleep returned to "normal" and I decided to hold off. Well, the last couple of nights have been terrible. Everyone around here has been sick, so I thought that might have something to do with it, but being up every two hours is not good for anyone. After the second night of this, I decided to try the cereal again. Today I was more persistent. I gave him one spoonful, then continued to scoop it in until it was eaten. I think he actually enjoyed it after he got it figured out. So, it is now 2248 our time, he has already woken up once by pulling his own paci out.....hopefully that is the last we will hear from him until about 0700. Happy sleeping!

Dog Whisperer

For those of you who have been to our house in the last two years, you know that our little Piper dog is extremely hyper. While I was staying at Aunt Karla's house, she introduced me to the "Dog Whisperer." Now, I think he is a little off in some of his beliefs, but his theory seems to work. He says that we, the humans, have to be the pack leader and that all dogs have to be number two. Also, we have to treat them like dogs and not like children or therapist. Piper has shown great improvement already. Even though there is no oxygen in the air here, I can take her for a walk and talk and breath along the way! That is much different then this time last week. Also, if I take one step towards her and tell her to sit....she obeys. She is even laying down either on the carpet or right by my feet during meals! No more stealing food from Canon. (See previous post about how well that went over.) I am enjoying her even more now that she is so submissive and not stubborn towards me! It looks like we might have a great dog after all!

Out of the loop

Sorry that I have been out of the loop for several weeks. The boys, Piper and I are enjoying a very relaxing vacation. Of course, no vacation can really start without a nice long road trip! We started out with a 12 hour drive.....yes, that's right, two little boys, a dog, a mama and a granny in a van together for 12 hours. It actually went a million times better than I thought. Hopefully the return trip will be even better. Since we've been here we've enjoyed some amazing weather, my lungs have adjusted to the lack of oxygen and we were able to celebrate cousin Cousin1's first birthday. Along the way almost everyone has gotten sick and we were able to spend several days with Albert's aunt. As you can see, our vacation has had a lot of random parts, but has been extremely enjoyable and the boys are especially spoiled!

Just a Mom

I think all of the stay at home moms will enjoy this one! I received this as an e-mail, but do not enjoy forwarding things on, so here it is for your convenience. Also, be aware that this blog may bring about a swelling of your pride. This is not the objective, but is likely to happen due to our societies lack of interest in our "career" of choice. Enjoy!

JUST A MOM?
A woman, renewing her driver's license at the 'S office, Was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ..?' 'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.' 'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself In the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, Efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed. What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.' The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and Looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, In bold, black ink on the official questionnaire. 'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) And already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) And I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers And the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.' There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she Completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, Testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more Distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.' Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' And great grandmothers 'Executive Senior Research Associates?' I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts Associate Research Assistants.'

Trucks and Chainsaws

Some of you know that we had a terrible ice-storm in December. It left many limbs on the ground and just as many trees in terrible shape. We have had several crews cleaning up the base over the last couple of weeks. Today they were in our front yard. Literally. They started working during Widdle's nap, and I thought he would miss all of the fun. Thankfully for us, not so much for the guys, they were still working when he woke up. Widdle has learned the words "chain-saw" because of all of the work they have been doing. We have listened to some sort of outdoor cleanup almost every day for several weeks. He was thrilled to sit in our driveway and watch the men work. We had a dump truck in our drive way, a chainsaw to the right, a "claw" tractor to the left, and five men wearing hard hats. What could be more entertaining for a 20 month old little boy? He sat as still as a little boy can, watching the tractors going back and forth. We also had a stump grinder visit our yard. All of the men were very friendly and seemed to enjoy having an audience. We talked to a couple of them while the dump truck emptied his load. It was interesting to talk to these "good ole boys" and get a small glimpse into their lives. They have all been out here for three weeks or more. One man has an eight year old boy waiting for him at home. His grandpa is taking care of him. The dad is a single parent with a job that forces him to travel. I thought my job was hard! Another man is single. He has a couple of grown daughters and was married. But, as he said, "My wife said she didn't marry me to sleep alone. She liked the money, but not being alone all the time." Another man has 3, 6, and 8 year old kids waiting for him at home. I am thankful they are here cleaning up the storm mess and thankful for an afternoon of entertainment. I can understand the sacrifice they are making of their families for us.

Interestingly enough, one of these men came down to the Pensacola area for hurricane Ivan clean up!