Doin' ????

Ty's favorite new question is, "Doin'???". Not Why, Not How, Not Where....Doin'! He says it in a manner of different ways, such as:

Mommy Doin'?
Daddy Doin'?
Mocha Doin'?
Doin' Mommy?
Doin' Daddy?
Doin' Ty?

Hundreds of times a day we answer the simple question, Doin'? Sometimes he asks the "Doin'" question 15 times in a fifteen minute drive to Target...all the time receiving the SAME ANSWER! Jeff and I have learned that it is easier to laugh at the question than anything.

So today...
We are rushing home from Mrs. Debbie's because Ty didn't want to leave (all of his friends had returned from summer break and they where having a blast playing together and making a huge ruckus). We had to rush because Adams Exterminating was to be at our house at 3:30-4:00 to spray for a plethora of spiders that have invaded our humble home! Spider webs drive me CRAZY, by the way. So, after many pleas and moans my sweet husband called and made an appointment for them to spray INSIDE, not just outside.

In the car, I am talking with Ty and letting him know that the Exterminator will be at the house very shortly. Of course Exterminator doesn't register with Ty...so I say...The BUG MAN will be at our house and we need to get home quickly.

We arrive and the BUG MAN is already spraying the perimeter of the house for our normal outside pests. Ty automatically says, BUG MAN doin' Mommy? I answer..."Spraying for Bugs". We unload the car, enter the house, put away our things and all in a manner of minutes Ty has asked me 10 times, "BUG MAN doin' Mommy?" I reply..."Spraying for Bugs, Ty."

The BUG MAN then enters the house and commences to spraying the entire interior of the house...Ty then commences to following him from room to room, all the time asking, BUG MAN doin'? BUG MAN doin'? BUG MAN doin'? Now, mind you the inflection ranged from extremely curious to downright confused. After many, many, many responses of "Spraying for spiders, so we don't have to clean up anymore spider webs. Spraying for bugs so that bugs won't live in our house, they will stay outside...so on and so on.. He then would throw in a random, BUGS doin' Mommy? Mommy's reply = "Running for their lives, Ty".

I am absolutely positive that the BUG MAN probably did not appreciate being called the BUG MAN...but he heard it at least 100 times in the 20 minutes it took him to spray our house. The BUG MAN fascination didn't leave with the BUG MAN...it lingered into the cooking of dinner and even into our bath time! The replies changed...I'm sure the BUG MAN is eating Dinner too, Ty. I am sure the BUG MAN is watching TV, Ty!

Oh...the things your children say and do! And oh...the lessons we learn when we teach children titles. Yes, chalk that up to a lesson learned by Mommy! I will remember next time to just teach him the word EXTERMINATOR. Maybe saying that 100 times will be a little too daunting!

Wrappin' Up Summer

Well...Summer is OFFICIALLY OVER! All I can say is YUCK! I needed about another 2 months to feel like I had enough resting and playing with Ty. I went back to work full time on August 1st and there is no looking back. What little summer we had, was FABULOUS. We have enjoyed playing in the swimming pool, taking long naps, and doing TONS of cooking (one of Ty's and Mommy's favorite things to do, he is becoming a pro...cracking eggs and everything!).

So here are some of Ty's favorite things to do right now...things that we want to remember FOREVER! First, he is really into singing. He will sing the entire way to Mrs. Debbie's and the entire way home. He sings on his way to church and while playing. Now we have added singing to the tub...nothing better than a few Tub Tunes!

He uses his locking beads as his microphone...which he's obsessed with!

Hmmm..What song should I sing next?

Here is the Tub Tunes Live and in Action! We purchased a book called Dooby Dooby Moo, about singing cows. That is why he and I are singing the Doobies!

More Tub Tunes...in a true rocker fashion...he is in charge of when to start the solo and when to stop!

Our new favorite books! He loves to watch himself in the mirror! It makes him CRACK UP! Of course we follow suit.

More Silly Faces!

Makin' Muffins (his favorite) and some Quiche! We think he will be an engineer/chef who has an acute sense of weather and sings in his spare time.

We have had a wonderful break together, and I am cherishing all those fun moments with Ty! I hate that I won't be able to remember them all, but know that the best ones will always replay themselves over and over in my mind, and if they don't I will have video and pictures to keep them alive.

We are so looking forward to our new bundle, yet still wondering if we are crazy to have TWO children. We can't imagine being any happier, laughing any more or being any more tired...but I am sure that God will bless us with all those in due time!

Be looking for the new bedding (which should be here Monday) and the update on decorating the new babies' room. I haven't gotten the GIRLIE bug yet, but know that it will come when I start decorating.

Day #2 in Florida

Day #2 Was a Relaxing Day at the Pool...we woke to cloudy, stormy looking clouds and found that it was a double red flag at the beach. It seems that the Tropical Storm Dolly was sending more problems our way. There was a red tide coming in and the under current was so strong that they didn't even want people walking in the shallows of the beach. The waves were quiet enormous and scary. We watched them from our balcony and decided that we would head all the flag warnings and head to one of the condos two pools!

The pool was great! It was one of the pools that went from shallow to deep...deep being 3 ft. 5 in. Ty loved it. He didn't need a life vest, could walk on his own, and was very much the independent "swimmer". He is very much in the "My do it phase". My put shirt on. My put fip fops on. My cut sandwich. My do everything! So, he loved that he could do everything in this pool. There were sprinklers, games and much more to keep us entertained.

After about 4 hours playing in the water we headed back to the condo for lunch and a nap. Ty didn't take much of a nap and decided that he had been missing some of his favorite toys and just wanted to play quietly with BOZ playing on the t.v. in the back ground.

The whole family playing in the pool! Pop is in the green shirt, Nonna is sitting on the side of the pool, Mommy is sitting in the water, Aunt De is standing and cousing Clayton is the tannest person in the picture! Which...Ty loves cousin Clayton! They are the yin and the yang, the dark and the light, pure opposites, and oh such a fun pair to watch play together.

Here is Ty with his favorite pool toy...the AAAAIGATOR! He was coming to CHOMP Mommy!

He was saying.."Duh...Nuh...Duh...Nuh..." just like the jaws movie! Too Funny!

Chomping Mommy!

Trying to use the AAAAIGATOR as a step to get a ride on Mommy's back!

We went to Reggae J's in Panama Commons (a local strip of restaunts and shops, a lot like Southlake Square with a Florida flare) for a yummy seafood dinner and had ice cream at a local shop (to die for). The Panama Commons Shopping area was a blast. But the best thing about the
commons was the Train Ride! Ty loves trains and there was this little train that rode around the shopping center filled with laughing children. We asked Ty if he wanted to ride and of course he couldn't say no! He was thrilled.

Here is the shiny engine...TOO COOL!

Ty with Daddy and all the cousins...can you tell how excited he was?

The entire cousin clan!

Are we leaving yet?

We're Off!

Jeff said that he was giddy for the entire 10 minute ride. He waved at every passer by and said "Hello Ladies" to a few groups of girls and women. Clayton taught him to say "What's Up" and he parroted that saying quiet a few times on the ride as well! Here are a few videos of the train ride!

All Aboard! They are off! Watch how madly Ty is waving at the crowd.

Ahhhh! It's over! Ty said, "Gan, Gan" to let us know he wanted to go again!

Tune in for Day #3 and our Adventure back to Texas!

Day #1 at Panama City

Well...WE MADE IT!

Here is the run down of our trip...

Sunday, July 20th

7:50 Left Home on our Adventure to Florida (or Fooda as Ty says)

9:30 Stop #1 at Canton for Restroom Breaks and Treats

10:15 Ty finally crashes out! This is the latest he has every stayed awake!

Monday, July 21st
1:30 Stop #2 somewhere in Louisiana for Restroom Breaks ONLY! Ty woke up and was

very interested to see where we were and find out what we were doing. He ate a quick snack and talked himself back to sleep!

2:30 Ty finally crashes back out!

4:30 Stop #3 somewhere still in Louisiana for COFFEE and Restroom Breaks. Ty wakes

again due to all the excitement. This time he is exhausted and just plain upset! He

finally calms down to a Praise Baby DVD and heads back off to Sleep.

5:45 Ty drifts back off to sleep

7:00 Stop in Mobile Alabama to eat at Cracker Barrel! Ty had TWO pancakes!

8:30 Back on the ROAD!

9:30 Stop #4 we all needed GAS and something sweet to get us the rest of the distance!

11:30 Arrive in Panama City! THANK GOODNESS!

11:40 Tried to Check in...the rooms weren't ready! FOILED!

11:45 Headed out for lunch...smelling fabulous and looking even more glamourous!

1:00 Back to the Condos...SCORE!

1:30 Make it to our Condos, Unpack, Set-Up, Get Familiar and CRASH FOR A NAP!

4:00 Up from Naps! Aunt De and Mom head to the Grocery Store for Goodies while Ty and

Dad head to the pool. No pics sorry!

7:00 Dinner...Fish Tacos...YUMMY!

8:00 Play Time in the Condos

9:00 Bedtime for Mommy and Ty! Daddy and Aunt De headed to bed soon after!

This was our first true day at Florida, but it wasn't much to take pictures of or blog about!

So....HERE IS OUR FIRST REAL DAY in FLORIDA!

All sunscreened and ready to head to the BEACH!

Ty's first look and feel of the OCEAN! Pop and Cayleigh join Ty and Daddy!

He's Got a GRIP! He wasn't too sure about those big waves!

He loved playing in the sand! Here he is starting on a sandcastle!

Just the Family on the Beach!

I think I have sand somewhere...very uncomfortable.

Chillin' with Mommy! I wouldn't go near the water without Mom or Dad!

Gettin' Dirty with Cousin Cayleigh (or Cadee)

Down for a THREE hour nap after all that beach time!

After our THREE hour nap and snuggle time...we got gussied up to head out on a PIRATE ADVENTURE! If you every go to Panama or Destin and have children this is the ONE thing you MUST do! We all climbed aboard a HUGE Pirate Ship called the Sea Dragon. There were men and women dressed as real pirates. The ship was TOTALLY made for KIDS! The crew was focused on giving the kiddos the best time of their life.

They started with learning how to be a pirate...Pirate Speaking, Pirate Dancing, Pirate Eating, and Pirate Manners! It was hilarious! Ty got ARRGGGHHH really well. There was then a huge, soaking water gun fight with another ship! The other ship pulled up right beside our boat and the kiddos fought their hearts out. The crew even helped soak the others with buckets of water. I have never seen so much JOY and LAUGHTER at one time!

Next, the boys had to swab the deck and the girls went to get their face painted and their pirate hats on. They then switched jobs and the boys got painted up! Ty wasn't a fan of the pirate hat.

The next job was for them to watch for dolphins. We saw quiet a few! Ty and I actually spotted three together about 3 yards from our ship. We were some of the only to see, because everyone else was pirate dancing!

There was then a huge SWORD FIGHT and all the kiddos got involved in defeating the CREW. It was quiet comical, and the crew were amazing. They had a great report with the kids.

The kiddos then headed below deck to hear an amazing story of buried treasure, pour over a treasure map and head back out to deck to direct the captain to the treasure. Once the treasure was found all the kiddos helped HEAVE-HO the treasure box out of the ocean (REALLY). It was a sight to hear all those children pulling on a huge robe calling out...HEAVE...HO!

They then opened the treasure and divided up the loot. We ended the tour with a fun limbo game, conga line (tamborines for each child included), a pirate Birdie Dance, and then a free for all Pirate Dance! The crew then passed out PIRATE BEADS to all and gave PIRATE tatoos to all the children. Ty was fascinated with his manly tatoo and had to have his pajama sleeve rolled up so he could see it as he went to sleep talking about Pirates!

Ty was a little taken back by all the activity, but he enjoyed watching his cousins.

It was a BLAST. Ty is still talking about it. We will definitely do that anytime we make it to Florida!

Off on our PIRATE ADVENTURE....ARRGGGGHHHH! Posing with Daddy in front of the Sea Dragon Priate Ship! Ty was THRILLED, and has talked about this for days!

Looking down from our seats! Too Cool!

Mommy and Ty! Ty is saying "Piate Chip".
The whole family! Look at how HUGE that belly is! YIKES!

Ty getting PIRATE LESSONS! He wasn't so sure....he did get ARRGGGGHHH!

Getting' Ready for the Sword Fight!
I want my HAT back! I don't like this silly pirate hat.

On to Dolphin Spotting!

Mommy and Ty as the sun is setting.

Check back in for DAY #2 of our Florida Vacation!

We're BACK!

So sorry for the blogging sabbatical. I ended the school year on a Friday and then the next Monday started SUMMER SCHOOL. I know you are thinking, "What is she ridiculous, summer school too?" But...honestly summer school is a really good gig! I get to work half days, meet amazing teachers and administrators, and be inspired to be a better teacher and co-worker. Plus..the money is great and we have to pay for Ty's babysitter all summer to hold his place, so it was worth it.

Summer School was a lot of work and kept me busy, as did our two year old whirlwind. He is constantly busy! SO MUCH FUN...but so EXHAUSTING. We have been playing every minute that we can..and I have been soaking up as much Mommy and Ty time as possible. I just keep thinking, "In a few short months it will NEVER be Ty and I again." I want to relish the last little moments of giving him the attention! So, to say the least, blogging was the last thing on my mind as I passed out on the couch and drooled my way into dreamland every night at 9:30!

We are now almost 6 months pregnant...which BLOWS my mind. With Ty I remember every movement, every milestone, and every thought was focused on being pregnant. Oh...I better put my seat belt on, I'M PREGNANT! Oh...I better not drink caffeine, I'M PREGNANT. Oh...I better not eat THAT, I'M PREGNANT! With this pregnancy I lay down at night and try to remember if I felt the baby move! I haven't had time to think longingly about bringing a newborn home, about hours of laying with a cuddle bug, or all the STUFF that I need to re-equipped my house with. I know that many of you already know but for those who don't...

HERE IS THE NEWS...We are having.....drum roll please!!!!

A sweet baby GIRL!

I know..we are in shock! What will I do with a girl? I have gotten really good at finding cute boy clothes, learning to wrestle, teaching him to tinkle on a tree outside and the list continues. Now I will have to learn how to add bows, ruffles, and all the things girls are made of! I can't wait. A little scared, but I can't wait!

We are sitting in Florida as I type enjoying the Sun, Sand and Seaweed! Yes...the beautiful Panama City beaches have been covered with seaweed, and the water is a lovely shade of green due to all the algae. The tropical storm Dolly isn't sitting well with the beach this week! We have still enjoyed playing for the last two days and I will be posting all of our fun a little later.

Off to the beach! Come back VERY soon for the VACATION UPDATES!

All Ty

Here are some videos to make you smile...our little boy doing what he does best...being TY! God is so good.

And Now some of our favorite pictures from the last couple of months! Glimpses of our Joy!

That's my boy...wash those sticks!

Hard at Work in his Jammies!

Too Cool!

Always in the kitchen with Mom...today was wash the dishes! A little too much soap

Mother's Day Picture

Mother's Day

Being a Mom...WOW...how do you explain...I know, you say, what my mom always said, "Just wait until you have three children in five years and let me know how you feel," or "you will never understand until your a mom." Boy was she right. She was right from the moment I laid eyes on my amazing Ty Carter. My first thought was...what happen to his nose?

Preface Break:
I have something called a Bicornuate Uterus..I know TMI..but it is shaped like a heart! Yes, literally a heart. Well, Ty was trap in one of the heart's lobes at the top with his feet pointed toward the point of the heart at the bottom (BREACH). His sweet little face was mashed up against the lobe of the heart and it caused his nose to be smushed along with his ears and other things. To say the least...he came out looking like a little boxer who had gone a couple of tough rounds.

Flashback to Reflection:
Even with his smashed nose and crinkled ears I had the overwhelming sense to grab him and protect him from any and all that came around. Of course he was whisked off as I was put back together and left in a room all to myself to ponder the blessed gift that had just been given me. I giggled a little, I sighed a lot, I tried to wiggle my toes, and then I just wept. I wasn't sure what to feel. I realized the the Lord had just bestowed on me the ultimate gift of my life, another life to protect and guide. How was I so lucky...didn't God know that I was a total fowl up? Didn't he know that I made bad choices, and silly mistakes hourly? Didn't he know that some days I felt as if I couldn't be trusted?

He Knew all of it, but now I am realizing that he also knew: My heart would swell with pride at a simple giggle, my eyes would brim with tears over the word Ma-Ma, that I would fall more in love with my husband watching him try to swaddle a 7 pound baby close to his chest when he had way to much arm to get him close, that I would be able to teach my students to a deeper degree because I could look at them as some one's child and not just a student, and that I would yearn for a closer relationship with God to try and understand the sacrifice that he made for me. What an awe inspiring God, with whom I cannot thank enough for the gift of Motherhood.

Now the Mother's Day Bloopers!
#1 No...Mommy
So on Mother's Day, Ty totally got the idea that it was Mommy's day. He and Jeff got me breakfast on the bed (a little late for in...but who's counting we had church at 8 am), and Jeff kept reminding him that it was Mommy's day. So in the car on the way to church here is the script:
Ty: Cackers..Peese (what manners)
Dedra: Shuffle (getting cracker cup...to deflect a meltdown)... Jeff can you hand these to Ty.
Jeff: Here you go Ty
Ty: Noooooooo...Mommy
Jeff: Here you go Mommy
Dedra: Shuffle...Loosen Seatbelt...Turning...Here Ty.
Ty: Welcome
Ty: Juice...Peese
Dedra: Shuffle (getting juice cup..once again no meltdown needed)..Jeff can you hand these to Ty.
Jeff: Here Ty...
Ty: Noooooo...Mommy

Do you get the picture! Daddy did all wrong and Mommy had to do everything. At church Mommy had to draw, Mommy sing, Mommy hold, etc. etc. I think we will work on the correct picture of Mother's Day next year. Just kidding.

#2 Me, Me, Me
So, later on Mother's Day we were playing in the sun room. Ty was climbing on a little climber/slide that we have (which is now known as the Rooket Sip). Jeff and I were having a nice conversation when Ty stands at the top of his slide and yells...Mommy, Mommy! We both stop and look to make sure he is okay and he then continues..Mommy, Top It (stop it). I just look at Ty, and then using both pointer fingers he points to his chest and says "MEeeeeee". Oh yeah he's got Mother's Day down.