Amazed

Our family is truly blessed to have the best family, friends, and co-workers! They are always amazing me with how much they care for us. Friday, was a teacher in-service day at Springwood. The teachers had secretly been planning a little baby shower for Thomas. Little did most of them know, there are a few blabber mouths within their midst and the secret got out to Thomas. Well, Friday it snowed, and pretty heavy for around here. Thomas had a baseball meeting he had to attend in Auburn, and so his mom called me to see if I could come to the shower because she didn't think Thomas would make it back. Well, his meeting got cancelled, of course after he had driven all the way to Auburn, so he made it back in time. Because of all of the snow, we both ended up getting off of work early. When I arrived home, Thomas said he had something to show me...

Thomas had been trying to keep his "secret" shower a secret from me, which I knew about because his mom had called me! However, Thomas and I both were so surprised by all of the gifts we recieved from the not-so-secret shower! How blessed we truly are!

Thankful

I've probably mentioned a time or two that TJ is a very talkative child...well, that is unless I ask him about what he did at school that day (see post below). He tends to get chattier as he grows sleepier, so maybe that has been his problem the last couple of nights. But, he has literally talked my ear off! Thomas and I take turns reading him a book and tucking him into bed each night. Tuesday night was my night, so he chose to read Hanzel & Gretel, during which he was actually quiet. As soon as I shut the book closed he started up again. Finally I just cut him off and said, "it's time for bed, you need to stop talking." He whispered, "But Mom, I just have to tell you one more thing." So, of course, being a semi-push over, I agreed to let him say one more thing.

TJ: "Mom, do you remember in the dinosaur movie (Jurassic Park...and yes, I let him watch Jurassic Park...he loves it, just get over it, I know he's 5!) when the T-rex saves those people from the velociraptors?"

Me: "Yes" (That was a random thought...)

TJ: "Well, do you know what I would do if a T-rex saved me from velociraptors?"

Me: "No, what?"

TJ: "I'd write him a thank you card!"

Me: (Giggling uncontrollably...in other words, laughing loudly, but trying to hold it in) "Well, isn't that nice."

TJ: "What do you think the T-rex would do when he got my thank you card?"

Me: (I don't know...eat you?) "He would probably give you a big, slobbery kiss."

Memory Loss...What Age is too Young?

Should I be worried that my 5 year old already suffers from memory loss? Thomas swears that he has never been able to remember the small stuff, and I always just shook it off as a "man excuse"...for those of you who don't know, that is a real phenomenon! Most every night (I like to think so at least) I cook dinner, and we all sit down at the table together. After we dig in, I start the usual conversation of "What did you do at school today?" To which TJ's answer is usually "umm....ummm....ummmmm, I don't remember." This continues for a minute or so, until I get tired of hearing "umm." Then, I turn to the direct line of questioning.

Me: "What letter did you learn about today?"

TJ: "Ummm...P."

Me: "What sound does 'p' make?"

TJ: "pa pa pa."

Me: "Did you go to PE today?"

TJ: "Yeah, but we didn't get to outside...it was still wet!"

Me: (No kidding, really, I couldn't tell!)

Well, I guess that was a little better...but, day after day of pulling teeth to get out of him what he does each day is mind numbing and obviously he thinks the same. Last week on the way home, and I had not even mentioned school, he says

TJ: "Mom, I really want a photo-camera."

Me: "A photo-camera. Ok, maybe the Easter Bunny will bring you a little camera."

TJ: "But Mom, I need one now. And not for pictures...for movies."

Me: "Ok, why do you need one now?"

TJ: "So I can photo (video) myself at school to show you what I do every day...that way you don't ask me EVERY day!"

Lack of "memory brain cells"... I don't think so!

From the Mouths of Babes

Let me just start off by saying that this pregnancy has been a learning experinece for TJ...and that probably goes without saying since he is 5 and old enough to notice differences! He has been really sweet. He likes to rub his hand in circles on my belly, and most of the time I don't think he is conciously doing it, which makes it even cuter! He talks to "his baby" and kisses my belly regularly. I am just hoping this continues AFTER the baby is born. I'm afraid he may turn green soon after he realizes he isn't the only one that needs attention any more! But back to the story.
Yesterday I picked TJ up from his KK's house after work. When I got in she asked, with a huge grin on her face, if TJ's teacher had emailed me today. First thought..."Why, did he get on yellow?" TJ pipes in, "No, I was good today, I didn't get on yellow or red!" He usually tells on himself, so what could he have done that was so funny? So, KK tells me that she ran into his teacher, we'll call her Mrs. D, in the hall. Mrs. D has lost a lot of weight lately, and is really looking great! KK told her as much, to which she responded "Well, obviously not!" She explained that TJ got to be the line leader and was hugging on her before leaving the classroom. He began to rub her belly and told her "You've got a bun in the oven!" Oh yea, he did! And where did he get that phrase, because we certainly don't refer to it like that?! Well, we asked him...he got it from Ice Age~Dawn of the Dinosaurs! He is really big on quoting movies right now. We tried to explain to him at dinner that he can't just ask or TELL people that unless he knew for sure that they had a baby in their belly. He said, "Well, Mrs. D laughed when I said that...she thought it was funny!" Yea, I'm sure she did...

Christmas Eve Dinner

Every Christmas Eve Thomas' Aunt Lyda invites the family (and some "extended" family) to dinner. We all bring a dish...decided on by Lyda, and stuff ourselves with food and dessert until we roll into the living room to watch football and mingle around. This year Aunt Lyda added a few more invitees to her list: My Mom and brother, Lee...this was a very nice addition and was wonderful to be with both sides of the family! Thomas' cousin, Laura, also brought a new invitee, Ronnie (sp?). This, in itself, was a very fun addition! In bringing a boyfriend, Laura was sure to have Granny-isms flowing, whether she wanted them or not. I will only mention one, since the other is not G-rated and Laura may not approve of me posting that ;) Not long after Ronnie had been there, Granny began telling him that she cross-stitches Christmas stockings for each family member. She goes on about how she used to sell them and also give them as gifts, but she has stopped that now and is saving the remainder for future family members only. She goes on to tell Ronnie that she'll give him a stocking, "but only if he's gonna marry Laura!" Way to scare the poor boy off...sorry Laura!
We started a new tradition at last year's Christmas Eve Dinner...playing Left, Right, Center. For those of you who aren't on the up and up...it is kind of a gambling game...but super fun...and the only kind of gambling I will do...I can stand to lose 3 quarters! You each start with 3 quarters and there are 3 dice. You roll the dice, which contain a dot, L, R, or C on the sides. You either do nothing (the dot...which you want), or pass one quarter to the right, left, or center. Once the quarter goes in the center it is no longer in circulation. Whoever ends up with the last quarter, gets the pot in the center. TJ enjoys playing too, that is until someone else wins and takes "his" quarters! Uncle Mike won the first round, and after a little pouting gave TJ back his quarters, plus one! See how happy he is posing with Uncle Lee...

A Cause for Serious Concern

I really need to catch up on Christmas and all, and I promise I will, but I had to share this HUGE problem I am having first...

It's called "Mommy-Brain," "forgetfulness," "absentmindedness,"I-have-to-much-on-my-mind-edness!" It is a serious concern as you will soon find out what I have done, or forgotten to do...on numerous occasions. I have heard of contracting "mommy-brain" while pregnant. Supposedly your hormones have something to do with the scatter brained issues and forgetfulness, but who knows?! I don't remember being this bad with TJ, but this time around, who knows what might happen!

We do not have a receptionist at our office, so we all answer the front door. One day, several months back, I answered the door. It was Tyler; she works for Corky (one of my bosses) at his other company. She asked to see Tanya...she had a gift to give her. So, of course, I said "no problem" and headed off to get Tanya for her. So, the next day Corky comes in my office with a smirk on his face and kind of stares at me with this questioning look. He says, "Ashlee, I was talking to Tyler this morning. She said she came by yesterday." I replied, "Yes, she came by to see Tanya." Still not knowing where he was going with this, he went on..."did she see Tanya?" It hit me like a bolt of lightning..."OH MY GOSH!!!" I had forgotten to get Tanya! From the time I answered the door, to the 5 yards to Tanya's office!!! I have no idea what happened...who stopped me in the hall for conversation, what fax did I picked up off of the machine??? It's gone, like a black hole...I don't know what happened to me! Corky busted out laughing and said that poor Tyler had waited up front for 15 minutes, and then just left her gift at the front because she didn't want to ring the bell again! How awful is that!

Well, then there's more...today I had a Dr.'s appointment. I had to do the glucose tolerance test so I drank the deliciously sweet orange mixture (just kidding it's pretty nasty) and then went into the exam room to talk to the Dr. 5 minutes later, I am done with the Dr. and still have 45 minutes before my blood can be taken for the test. So, they said I could run a few errands, but had to be back in 40 minutes. I was excited not to have to sit there so I made the most of it by running to Party City to grab up some last minute birthday party gift bag things for TJ's party this Sunday. When I got back in the car it was around 3:30 Eastern Time, so I thought it would be a good time to call Thomas since he was in between school and baseball practice...just to fill him in on all of the stats at the Dr.'s office. While talking to him, I drove back to the Dr.'s office. Once there, I hurried Thomas off of the phone so I could make it back by the 1 hour mark. I pulled out my umbrella since today it is trying to snow, rain, and sleet all at the same time and headed in. I got there with 5 minutes to spare, so I had to sit and wait. Had my blood drawn, the tests run, and made my next appoitment. When I walked out, I grabbed my umbrella out of my purse and reached my hand into the pocket where I ALWAYS keep my keys...only they weren't there! Maybe the fell out into the black hole that is my purse. I felt around, still nothing. I shook my purse to listen for the keys, still nothing. What could I have done with them? I decided to walk over to my car to check if I might have left them on the seat by accident. As I got closer I heard it...my car STILL RUNNING! I left my car in the parking lot, with the keys in the ignition, still running, unlocked, and went about my business at the Dr.'s office!!! I guess it's a good thing that I atleast put in in PARK!

Whew! That was better!

Well, the Children Worship the Christ Child program was last night. The kids have been practicing every Wednesday night and Sunday before Sunday school starts. This year's program was much anticipated by all, especially us (see post below)! The organizer of the program wanted to have a short practice session right after church let out yesterday, just so the kids could find their spots, and know where to go. Man...that was pure CHAOS! There are only about 5 kids that are TJ's age, and they were scheduled to perform first. First I see "Baby Jesus" again, placed right in front of the children...so I think "here we go again!" So during the practice, we had one little girl standing off to the side of the stage, crying; one little boy (who shall remain nameless because his mom might pass out) had his pants unbuttoned and was zipping his zipper up and down, up and down, over, and over, and over...absolutely HILARIOUS!!! TJ was singing, with a little umpaloompa up and down dancing action. And one little girl was picking out pieces of hay out of "Baby Jesus'" bed and putting it in her mouth. Seriously, I know this is a church program and all, but I was thinking "Maybe we should just skip tonight!" And believe me, I wasn't the only one! You could hear the threats all around...nice Christmasy threats!

All of the children were supposed to get there around 4:15 for a little extra "cram session" right before the program. It's 5pm, and the program starts...first up, TJ's preschool group! They all made it up on stage, without tripping, falling, pushing, etc...first step, success! The music starts, still no crying...second step, success! The singing begins, and TJ is about the only one you actually can hear singing...and he knows the words! He looks over at Thomas and I while in mid-song, then holds up his thumb and gives us a wink...just to say "I got this guys, no need to worry!" It was too cute! They finish up their 3 songs and make it off stage with no hiccups...WHEW, that was better!

Next up, Tuesday night's school Christmas program...guaranteed giggles!