Story-time for Easton

Last night, it was really late and I was trying to get Easton to settle down and get ready for bed. I told him to climb on the couch with me and I would tell him a story. I was deep into this story about him going on a hiking trip when Easton said, "I need to go to the bathroom." I said okay but that I was almost finished with the story. He said, "Can you put your story on pause for a minute?"

-- Oh me, the world of digital is taking over!! ha ha!

It was FREE!!!!

Yes, that's right folks - FREE! We have been wanting a piano but there was no way we could afford one. Someone posted a "free to good home" piano on the Searcy.com Classifieds and since Mat is the one who approves those ads- he was the first to call. He didn't tell me about it, but left Saturday afternoon and came home with this. It was a great surprise! Thanks, baby!

I used to play when I was younger and wish that I had never stopped. As most of you know, my mom plays like a pro - well she is a pro in my book. We hope that the boys will be interested and want to take lessons someday. If nothing else, maybe I will take it back up and we can all sing songs at Christmas!! The piano was a central location at my home growing up. I loved singing with my family or hearing my mom playing. I hope the boys will inherit that love and appreciation for music. 

Now all this piano needs is a good cleaning, a little furniture polish, a good tuning, and someone to sit down and tickle those ivories!!! 

Fair 2008

Okay, so I am little behind. We took the kids to the good ole fair this year - mainly for Easton to ride the pony. He still remembers riding it last year. I think he would be a great little cowboy someday. He loves horses! He wanted to ride some of the other rides so we gave in and let him ride a few. He had a lot of fun and was pretending even this morning about having "tickets" and riding rides. He was making "rides" out of pillows and his bed and chairs. He is a creative little fella. Lawson didn't ride anything this year, but it was a beautiful Saturday and we all enjoyed being outside. 

First Day of Carpenter's Kids

Well, we made it!! Today was Easton's first day of Carpenter's Kids. We woke up early this morning and started preparing for the day. He was supposed to bring something that started with the letter A, so he chose his yellow airplane and put it in his new backpack. We packed his lunch (PBJ, pretzels, baby carrots, and a Capri Sun) and I showed him how to get all the baggies open and made sure he could do it by himself. I was so nervous about him going away with people I don't know. Having been a teacher, I know how little things can get overlooked so I wanted to make sure he could at least eat his lunch without much or any help. 

While we were getting ready this morning, he wasn't too thrilled about the whole idea and he kept saying that he was going to school "tomorrow" and I had to disappoint him that it was in fact "today". He was not sure about it and was still insisting that he wanted me to stay with him. I think he likes the thought of going and playing with the other kids but he just wanted me there too. While I was putting on his cute little Nike shoes, I explained that it was just like at church when he goes to class and I leave him for a little while. He plays with the kids and then I come back and get him. I told him that I would be back in just a little while and pick him up from school, too. That seemed to click with something in his little mind and the morning started to turn around. 

I took his picture, of course with his new backpack. A while back I decided to get him something special to make going to school a little easier. This new backpack and lunch-box was the perfect thing. He has been carrying them around for days - talking about what to put in them, what food he wants in his lunch box and how everyone will be so happy when they see them. I let him help me pick them out on the internet and then we waited for them to be delivered. He has been thrilled ever since they came in. I think they are absolutely adorable!! Maybe a little pricey for a backpack and lunch-box, but not really for a special treat.

We got there and I walked him in and he showed off his backpack to his teachers and then I helped him find a chair. He started playing with some cars and I told him I would be back in a little while to pick him up. He agreed and I took a few more pictures and then left. I waited in the hall to see if I heard any crying and it seemed the coast was clear. I left and got teary myself as I was getting in the car. 12:30 seemed so far away. I know some of you think I am nuts. I mean, it was only 4 hours, but to me this morning, it seemed like forever! My baby boy is growing up and it is all part of learning to let him grow. 

I was nervous all morning until I went to get him. He was playing happily when I walked in and was happy to see me. His teachers said he did really good - no crying, kinda quiet, but did everything they asked. I was proud and relieved they didn't have to deal with any breakdowns. 

He was very glad to be home. He immediately got down in the floor and started playing with Lawson. I couldn't help but smile to see how much they had missed each other and were glad to be back together. They were both smiling and laughing right away. 

I praise the Lord for taking care of my baby during his first day at "school". I know this was just a very small step, but it seemed big to us. God cares about every aspect of our lives and I was comforted to know that He had Easton in His hands. Easton seemed to have a good time, I didn't have a major breakdown of tears and all three of us took an afternoon nap. What a great day!

Carpenter's Kids Orientation

Today we went to Easton's Orientation at Carpenter's Kids. This is his first year to do anything like this. We met his teachers and saw his little classroom. He will just be going 2 days a week for a half a day but it will be quite an adjustment for both of us. He was so excited about seeing his "new school" (actually it is at a local church but he doesn't realize that yet).  When we first got there, we were walking down the hallway of classrooms and he was saying, "Look momma, look at my new school!!" He was so excited. The excitement left though after we met his teachers and saw his room. He thought I was going to leave him today for school. He started to cry telling me, "I don't want you to leave me." I am afraid we are gonna have quite the ordeal next Tuesday when we go back. I am sure that there will be tears for both of us (for him when I leave and for me when I get to the car). Going to Carpenter's Kids will be a great thing for him and for me but he has just never stayed with anyone that wasn't family or that he didn't know really well. I think after a few weeks, he will love it. He absolutely loves going to children's church and class at church so I am sure he will get in the groove of this as well. I can't believe he is already 3 and growing up so much. I was holding his hand when we walked into the gym for the "Family Meeting" this morning and he looked up at me and said, "You don't have to hold my hand momma" What! Yes, I do. Your 3! It's for me as much as for him. : ) Oh me!

I tried to take a picture of him this morning before we left, but he kept closing his eyes. I thought he looked so cute and grown up.  

Lawson 9 months

Lawson is 9 1/2 months old now. I can't believe how fast time as flown. I have not been as good on documenting his milestones. I think the last monthly pictures I posted were his 6 months pics and his last milestones I posted were at 7 months. So much has changed in those few short months. He is still a very happy baby and we constantly get comments on his smile and how he gives them out so freely. Lawson has felt like a more demanding baby to me than Easton did and I don't know if it is because now I have 2 children or just because he requires more. He definitely keeps me hopping all the time. He is into everything and I have to watch his every move - probably aiding to the reason why I haven't posted much lately. I love him so much and I praise the Lord for giving him to me and Mat. 

My Milestones at 9 months:

I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and I weighed 22.7 lbs. I am a very big boy!

I love to eat baby food. I still like pretty much anything momma gives me. Momma is still working with me on table food with  more texture. She has given me lasagna, bananas, mashed potatoes, and peas. I still gag and even throw up with the more textured food. I guess I am just not ready to venture out much yet. I don't even really care for crackers. With time.....

I drink anywhere from 5 1/2 - 7 oz of my bottle. More at night and less during the day.

My sleeping habits are still not the best either. All together I sleep 9 -10 hours a night, but I wake up to drink a one bottle in the night usually.  Sometimes wake up at other times in the night and momma either bounces me back to sleep or just lets me cry it out. She is starting to let me cry it out more and more. I don't like that much! I have some nights when I sleep all night long without waking up - but they are just not regular. Momma says it is hard because my brother and I share a room and we kinda wake each other up.

I can clap my hands really good now. I have been clapping since the end of June.  The other night, momma was feeding me some of my Aunt Katie's whipped potatoes and I clapped after every bite. I was really cute. Everyone stopped to watch me. : )

I started waving on July 5th. I wave to people all the time now, but not always when asked to. I am my own person.

I started standing alone on July 23th. It may have actually been before this but that is the day that it started happening a lot.

I took my first steps on August 14th - one day after turning 9 months. I have taken as many as 5 steps in a row now. The full "First Steps" story is in it's own post.

I said, "Da Da" on July 24th. Momma was really wanting me to say her name first but so sorry "da da" is just so much easier!! 

I haven't had anymore ear infections (that we know of) which means I am still without tubes. Praise the Lord!

I can crawl extremely fast!! Momma almost has to run to catch up to me. I crawl with both hands and both knees when I am just playing around in the floor, but when I really want to get somewhere. I just use my hands, my right knee, and my left foot. I push off with that foot and I can go super fast! 

I know when momma doesn't want me to do something and I look at her and crawl really fast while laughing to the object or room that momma doesn't want me to get. She says it's my run-crawl!

I love knobs and handles. I like to try to chew on them. The other day I was standing in my room next to my dresser on my tippy toes trying to chew on the knob of a drawer. 

I love all types of music. I bounce every time I hear a beat and smile really big. 

My dad tried to nickname me "Tank" because I am always into something - running it over, and I am pretty tough. Momma didn't want him to call me that, but they both laughed when Easton said, "Come on, Tank."

Momma thinks I am really smart and have good coordination. I am fascinated by outlets. I know - momma tells me "No, no" all the time. She was really surprised though when I tried to plug up the air purifier in the outlet. (It had an outlet protector on it - so I didn't get hurt.)

I might be getting a tooth on the top left now. I have not felt well the last few weeks and momma said she thinks she saw the tooth under the skin. Maybe it will come on through and I will feel better. 

I have big, big cheeks that make my smile extra cute! 

I absolutely love my brother. I smile each time I see him. I want to play with him all the time. I want whatever toy he has. I think he is very funny. And I try to do whatever he is doing even though I am much smaller. I think he loves me, too.

Easton Stories

Here are a few "Easton Stories" that I want to remember:

We were driving down Main Street and Easton saw the clock on the Simmons First building. It is a regular clock with hands and it was 7:40. He said, "Momma, it is 8:00!" I said, "It is?" He said, "Look! The clock says it's 8:00!". I was so proud. Both of the hands were pointing to the 8. We have a book where you move the hands of the clock and we had been talking about time. Very observant little boy!!! : )

We were sitting in Lenny's (my absolute favorite lunch spot!) and Easton said, "When I get big, I will be able to go back there." And he pointed to the kitchen area. I said, "Are you going to work here?" He said, "Yeah, when I get big, I can go back there and make food." A few days later I was telling Mat what he said and Easton heard me. Easton said, "Yeah, and I will put those things on my hands (gloves) and make sandwiches and then I can carry the plates!"  Ahh.... his first ambitions!

This is a story within a story. It may not be funny to you, but I laughed really hard. We were driving in the car and Easton and I were talking about the rain. Easton said, "It rains so the plants will grow." I said, "yeah". He said, "The rain helps the plants grow really tall and they will grow up to the sky - to Heaven." I said "Wow, yeah!" I thought his comment was insightful so I started telling Mat what he said - word for word. I was saying "and Easton said 'this' and Easton said 'that'. " When I was finished telling Mat, Easton piped up and said "And momma, you said, "Yeah."