Magical

Thursday morning, dad had heart surgery! He’s had an aneurysm in his aorta for a couple of years that they have been monitoring and apparently it had grown since his last exam/checkup, so they decided to put a stint in. It’s a fairly standard procedure these days, and with 2 small incisions in the groin area, it’s much less invasive than when they would have to cut your chest open! I had a test that afternoon, so we couldn’t leave early, but after dinner, the kids and I loaded up and headed to stay with Granny & Granpa, intending to see Grandaddy at the hospital the next morning before he was released. It was nice to see G&G even though it was already bedtime by the time we got there and they both had to work the next morning. Granpa had gotten some little math workbooks at his store and brought them home. Even though they were 1st and 2nd grade level, Dellaina wanted to work on them, which meant, Wyatt did, too. She did really well, even catching on how to do “some traction” (as she reported to Greg) and take things away with her fingers.

The next morning, we woke up leisurely, ate breakfast and then headed over to Granny’s school for a quick visit. They were in the library and just going into the Star Lab when we got there! It was a big inflatable bubble we got to crawl into and they projected constellations, phases of the moon and map of the earth and the stars in the sky as we see them. It was really dark and Wyatt got a little nervous and wanted to sit in my lap, but once they saw the Lion! and the Wolf! and the snake! and the bear! it was pretty cool. By the time we left, Dad had been released and was ready to go, so we decided we’d just meet up, since the hospital was across town for us anyway and they’d be coming back by. I drove them through my old neighborhood and pointed out my house and the creek we used to play in (it’s now red/orange?! and yellow trim. with a dark brown garage door) and then went to play on the playground at McDonald’s. We ate and then went over to meet up with Mammie & Grandaddy, who’d gone to eat at the clubhouse at Jennings Mill. They were just finishing up when we got there and I was surprised how well dad looked. Other than his hospital hair and PJ pants, he was very active and alert. I was just expecting more feebleness, I guess! (Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers! He seems to be doing really well) So, naturally, I loaded the kids up and sent them on with the guy that had just gotten out of the hospital from having heart surgery! They headed to the lake and after dropping off birthday cards in Morgan’s mailbox, I headed back home. The had a great weekend with beautiful weather and lots of doting from aunts and uncles at the lake.

I got in a little nap and then went for my run. On which, I fell. Totally busted in the first cul-de-sac, running back down the hill, so lots of momentum. I stepped on a pinecone or sweetgum ball and rolled my right ankle, landing hard on my left knee and hands. I laid there and cried and watched my leg jump and shake for a bit and examined the layers of skin now on the inside of my pants, but I managed to get up and walk a bit and then kept going for my “run”, even more of a hobble than usual. My ankle didn’t hurt much, thankfully. I’ve rolled and sprained it so many times, it’s been stretched out a bit by now, I think. But my knee is very banged up, bruised and sore. I’ve been limping around all weekend. It’s especially hard on the stairs and I’m doing the Dellaina: taking them together – right steps down, left joins it; right steps down, left joins it; rather than right on a step, then left on the next step below, then right on the one below that, etc. After showering and icing it for a bit, I went out to dinner with my kickboxing gal pals. Good company, yummy salmon tacos and 2 “street margaritas” served in mason jars helped nurse my wounds! And the long island and divine lemon cupcake accompanied by live music was soothing for the soul as well!

Saturday, I got to sleep in, then went up to the neighborhood pool with Greg and trimmed the Crepe Mrytles around the pool area. We had to use our ladder to climb the fence because the lock box with the key in it wouldn’t open. We are the pruning bandits! Look out! It was nice to be outside in the glorious weather, working side by side; sometimes quietly, sometimes easily conversing. It was like old times, before the kids, but typically, we’d remark on the kids and what they’d be doing or saying, so also different.

I finally went to the dentist that afternoon for the first time in 2 1/2 years since losing my job/insurance. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, although it did take a long time. A few weeks ago, I felt like I had food stuck behind my permanent retainer on my bottom teeth and was trying to floss and popped it off one side! So, I had to pull it off the other side and realized, I just had that much buildup behind the bar from not being able to get to it well! So, it’s been nice to have free access for a change and it was great to have the buildup professionally cleaned off!

When I got back, I took a little nap and then hobbled around the neighborhood. Then got in a walk with Greg & the dogs; also like old times. We watched some shows and both observed by this point in the day, it was much different than our normal routine, because the kids would be upstairs in bed. But they weren’t.

I slept in again on Sunday while Greg went in to work for a couple of hours. I did some laundry and cleaning around the house and then headed outside. I limped around the neighborhood again and then helped Greg dig up and roll a massive rock to border the flower beds in the backyard. We spread mulch there and up at the mailbox and felt fairly accomplished. Can’t believe it’s February and we’re out in short sleeves sweating so much!

Then, after a brief nap, I drove down to Pemberton Park, near the World of Coca-Cola and the GA Aquarium and met up with mom and the kiddos. They were eating at Johnny Rockets and their hair was very bedraggled and endearing. They were animated and excited about the upcoming show. We walked over to the tent to see Peter Pan! It’s called a 360 degree theater, where the stage is in the middle and seating goes mostly all the way around. They project scenery up onto the tent walls and ceiling behind you and all the way around and it’s a fascinating experience. You felt like you were flying along with them and ducked when they went under bridges or flinched when the cannons were shot out at you and boomed! We also all jumped at the end with the crocodile had a very large, deep burp after eating Captain Hook. The kids were enthralled. Wyatt was on the edge of his seat a lot and would sit with his hands covering his mouth at times, anticipating. Dellaina was giggling and also clinging, but it was just so wonderful to experience with them and the light and joy in their eyes. Tinkerbell was a hoot – so expressive and definitely the comic relief. The crocodile was a very cool puppet clearly controlled by 2 men, but the growl vibrated your chest and it was very cool. There was so much wire work with acrobatic flying scenes and the Mermaids were ribbon trapeze artists. Tigerlily, the Indian girl had a dance that was entertaining. The end fight scene had a “slow motion” part acted out that was amusing (like The Matrix) It was fun to have the kids clapping right along with everyone after different scenes and at the end when all of the actors come out to take their bow (or aerial flip as Tinkerbell did). We kind of jumped up at the end to leave and Dellaina broke down. It was late and a long weekend, I think she was let down that it was over and then she started crying that she wanted to go back to the lake. Wyatt cried about going back to the lake, too, until I reminded him that Daddy was at home waiting to see him. Then, he started crying about wanting a sword he saw 2 other boys had, but we’d already exited the tent by then, thankfully.

Overkill

If 1 is good….4 is better, right?

 

as far as reviews go, the black tree next to the couch was the easiest to work with – less sticky and could remove and redo very easily. It also seemed a little more “dull” so the light doesn’t reflect off of it as much to make it look like shiny plastic (good thing). It didn’t come with numbered pieces, though, like the others, which was a bit of a pain, but worked out. The biggest and most expensive tree was the most difficult to work with having multiple layers to peel off and not removeable/restickable (does come off with hair dryer, supposedly, but couldn’t work with it as well, not like the “stickers” the others came with) They did send a few extra pieces (leaves and birds) which was nice. For the price, especially, I love the whimsical kids swinging. And like the colored leaves and birds, too. I had similar issues with orientation, but worked it out. It is the smallest, but I think has a cute impact.

News

My family has some exciting things going on recently.

• Yesterday, I got the Best.Valentine.Ever when I opened my “Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into the KSU nursing program starting this summer” letter. Yesssssss!!!! Now, I can officially say I’m in nursing school, not just “I’m hoping to go into nursing” as I’ve been saying when asked why I’m going back to school. It feels like it’s already been such a battle just to get to this point figuring out all of the deadlines and classes and tests and stress of an interview, but now the real work really begins! Once I make it through the current semester!

 

• Doug & Morgan are expecting!!!! We found out at Thanksgiving (I was really slow on the uptake, but Greg got what Morgan was trying to tell us much more quickly and clued me in) and have been super excited, but I realized I hadn’t officially announced it on the blog yet. So, Blog readers, I’m going to have another niece or nephew and I’m REALLY excited! They aren’t going to find out if it’s a girl or boy and that excited me, too. S/he is due on August 5th! Which, ironically is Emily & Daniel’s anniversary. And Samuel’s birthday is August 3rd!

 

• Garris proposed to Mary this week and she, incredibly, said yes! We are excited for this sign of responsibility and growth and looking forward to a wedding most likely on Tybee this summer!

Lots to celebrate and be thankful for!

View

I picked out a couple of tree decals for the playroom and the first one (only $6 on Amazon!) arrived yesterday. Wyatt and I put it up this morning. It was oriented to go the other way (really, to stand up like a tree, rather than a branch) so don’t inspect it too closely, but all in all, I think it looks good. I’m excited to see the bigger ones I got.

Here’s the window with the new cordless blinds and awesome valance Greg constructed from left over baseboards from Dellaina’s room!

Impromptu Zoo 2

The last Friday in January was actually a gorgeous day. And Emily called and planted a little seed and we ended up taking the boys down to the zoo! It really makes that annual pass feel so valuable when we can just pick up and go! It was a great day, without many people there at all. We didn’t have a stroller and just let them RUN all around the zoo. It was awesome. We heard the lion roar – almost like Boss barks. And the Lemurs made a loud racket and we took off running to go see what it was about and we met up with another dad and his daughter racing to see as well. It was just amusing for us all to be booking it towards the tree house area – running towards a loud screeching noise rather than away from it and “protecting” the kids! Several animals weren’t out, but we did see a good many and had a fun time. We even rode the train and carousel before heading, grabbing our McDonald’s to eat in the car on the way home and then going to pick up Dellaina, who handled learning about our adventure without her surprisingly well (at least until talking to Granny about it, when she started tearing up for her benefit. And she’s mentioned going a couple of times since.)

 

		Let’s go to the Zoo! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

LOL

You’ve gotta love when the kids point out things you say regularly. Dellaina was telling me how Daddy says, “I strongly suggest" mostly to Wyatt. As in, “son, I strongly suggest you get in the bath tub now.” Apparently, I say, “that's not appropriate”

Wyatt was questioning something Dellaina said and she snaps, "I remember everything" guess she’s heard us say that one a lot, too.

Wyatt gasps a lot when something happens.

Wyatt sits on the edge of the tub, with his legs stretched out, crossed at the ankles and leans back and proclaims, "ah, what a beautiful day" I have no idea where he got that one, but I love it.

 

One night Wyatt tells me (seemingly out of the blue, after spying his Batman mask) that the next day is “show and share” at school and that he’s supposed to wear his Batman mask. CJ is going to wear his Captain America mask, he claims. The next day is actually Mama & Wyatt day, so he doesn’t go to school, but on Thursday, he insists again, so I let him go with it on. I check in later and sure enough, he’s wearing it and CJ has on something as well! Greg picked him up that afternoon and said Ms. Krystal said he wore it all day long, except to eat, she made him take it off.

When tucking Wyatt in, he asked me why I go back downstairs. I explain, “because, I talk to Daddy, watch TV and look at the computer before bed. adults just get some alone time while the kids are sleeping.” He remarks, “but...that's not fair.” I ask, “why not?” He just repeats, “that adults get alone time while kids are sleeping.” I try explaining, “well, kids need lots of sleep and one day you'll be the adult.” He declares, “when I'm adult, I'll do lots of adult things. like...cherry coke. and I'll be just like Daddy.”

They have A LOT of directed play, telling each other, "say, '....'" I have to remind them they each have good ideas and to just let the other one come up with things to say (otherwise, just play by yourselves!)

 

 

One day Wyatt was playing and acting out with his toys, “the boat is sinking, rescue, then a fire, all my friends are dead” Dellaina, watching him very matter-of-fact, declares,"its a dangerous world."

When driving by the place where we got our Christmas tree, they point out that the trees are all gone and then Wyatt states, “next Christmas, we'll get the one on the concrete!” And I look, trying to see where there is concrete and then realize, he’s talking about the concrete of our driveway. where the tree still laid until a week or so ago.

er, what’s up doc? more of his half-smile/lip thing.

When brushing teeth at night, I talked about brushing off recap of all the food eaten, milk, and Wyatt piped up, clearly distressed by my statement, "but, milk goes straight down"

One night Wyatt was crying that he couldn't find Betty in the bed with him. I had to come in and look around for him and found her on the floor with Buzz. For some reason, he just doesn’t like his stuffed Buzz as much and often throws him out of the bed and must have thrown Betty at the same time without realizing. He talks about his animals being bad or good, too. It’s interesting.

  

Wyatt still requires so much more most nights than Dellaina ever has; getting up or chattering for long periods of time. I just love the nights he gives up the fight and goes to sleep. Or even the night’s he assures me, "mama...I'm gonna go straight to sleep. I just need George."

While Dellaina was playing creatively with her dolls, meanwhile, this is what Wyatt was doing: picking up the crayons he’d dumped out and I’d found while he was outside playing, so clearly it had happened days before!

Listening to Plain White T's "Rythm of Love" Dellaina remarks, "this is kind of soft, beatish. It’s soft, but beats." precisely.

“Daddy comes home around dinner-ish.” – Dellaina 

One night, while washing hands, Wyatt leaving water running and I tell him to stop playing and wasting water and Dellaina, who has already efficiently washed her hands firsts, wistfully remarks, "I wish I was Wyatt sometimes, because if I went first, I'd get to play a little." Aww, but she can’t play, because she’s herself and does the right thing.

At night, I asked Wyatt, “how did you get so sweet?” And I ask him if it’s from Mama and Daddy? Do we sprinkle sugar on you at night when we come check on you while you are sleeping? And then I told him that whenever I get mad, he just needs to say, “sprinkle, sprinkle, mama" to make me sweeter.

Not long after, I got mad at a drawer that they’d pulled out and I couldn’t get to line back up to go back into the cabinet and I hear Dellaina whisper to Wyatt who then comes over to me, "sprinkle, sprinkle, mama!" It’s hard not to smile, but it was smart of Dellaina, not sure if it was going to work, to get Wyatt to say it to me!

Wyatt takes his shoes off by scraping the heel off, using the shin of his opposite leg. I use my opposite toes to take my shoes off, but hadn’t seen the shin method before.

We went by the other morning after dropping Dellaina off at school to get some kisses from Daddy. As he’s closing the door, Wyatt asks him something I couldn’t make out. I ask him and he says, “I wasn’t talking to you!” I know, but I wanted to know what you said, “can you check traffic?” haha, too cute! I ask Greg that often when we are coming by to get kisses before heading to the lake or Athens, so we know which way to go on the Interstates.

 

Wyatt pushed a button on the answering machine tonight (that we’ve moved up into the dining room so we actually check messages regularly, rather than it being in the basement where it was neglected) and I start fussing, “Wyatt, now I have to re-record the message” and Greg says something about a recording from “Big One” which is what he calls Wyatt and then I realize, it’s all still recording, so we play it and just laugh and laugh. And Wyatt keeps playing it over.andover.andover.andlaughingandlaughingandlaughing.

New

Dellaina & Wyatt got some new kicks from Mammie (& Grandaddy). From the orders placed at Christmas, we had earned “Crazy Cash” to be redeemed during a week in January, so we loaded up on shoes! Dellaina got some Twinkle Toes that she has been wanting, bright yellow shoes, sparkly dress shoes and some boots! Wyatt got brown suede slip-ons, pin stripe slip-ons and sandals, which he is excited about being able to walk in the water with when it warms up. On Mama & Wyatt Day last week, he went through several wardrobe changes throughout the day and wore each pair at some point!

 

 

 

Emily got Dellaina a new leotard for dance and I forgot to snap a picture the first week, but remembered last Thursday. She was kind of embarrassed, but I managed to get her to do a few poses, even!

  

 

Mom & Dad got a new puppy! Meet Gizmo.

He’s a small Pomeranian and it pretty darn cute. The kids enjoyed him (except for his sharp puppy teeth) and Dellaina was teary for a while about wanting a puppy (so much so, she wasn’t even playing with him, just moping around!) but then she started having fun and actually playing with the puppy we had available.

he was very curious about the camera!