Picture Perfect!

It was picture day at Layla's school last week, and she was determined to wear her "new" shoes that day. I must explain about the shoes. We were in Beall's Outlet one day and she declared that she found something she had to have. Trying to be patient, I asked her what shoes, at which point she exclaimed how they were so adorable and she HAD to have them. If you know Layla, and her dramatic expressions, it was one for the record! At this point, I'm tired after a long day of work and my patience is wearing thin. She produces a shoe box from around the corner and my eyes bulge. In this box is a pair of ballet slipper type dress shoes, which doesn't sound too bad, except that they were hairy, zebra patterned shoes! My mouth opened to say "NO! What are you thinking?!?!", but I saw the look on her face. I looked closer at them, showing her my interest, as she says "Mom, don't you love them?" Thankfully, on my second glance, after determining that they were in fact her size, I saw the dot. If you shop at Beall's you know that dots mean clearance, and this dot was 95% off! I decided to make a deal, and this is what I said, "Layla, if you PROMISE to NEVER wear these SHOES outside of the HOUSE, you can get them. But, you MUST understand, you CANNOT wear them anywhere!"

After getting home and getting children ready for bed, Layla picked out her clothes for school that day - it was the day before school started when the "shoes" were purchased! David was not home, so I decided that he could go through some of what I did. (snicker) I carefully placed her clothes, two chosen outfits for Daddy to ultimately decide, on my bed with those shoes placed out to the side. Upon arriving home, I asked him to decide which outfit for Layla. His expression was priceless! (And then I explained the deal....)

These shoes have been worn around the house ever since. But, the night before picture day, she wants to wear them! (I secretly think she had this plan all along!) So, still working on my patience, I give in! Of course, my mind is also thinking, school pictures are only from the torso up, so I don't have a problem. We, again, picked out two outfits for David to choose, and he agreed with me to just let her wear the shoes. Well, she was thrilled the next morning when she put them on. She couldn't wait to show them off....

When I got home from work that day, I asked her how her pictures went. She said they were great and that she had a good day. And then, giving me a dramatic look, she exclaims, "My feet were killing me!" I haven't seen those shoes on her little feet since then....

First Birthday!

A year of bottles, diapers, sleepless nights, spit up and pacifiers... 365 days seem so long, but so short. It feels like yesterday we woke up early to drive to the hospital to "get him out" as Layla would say. The day of his birth went great, no drama, no emergencies... oh wait, how could I forget that David had to lay down on the floor because he looked at the epidural needle and almost fell out? How could I forget when the nurse came in to "check" me and told my visitors that they didn't need to leave? I'm laughing as I type this... realizing that it was one of the best days of my life, the joy and wonder of bringing a baby into the world after 9 long months.


Isaac was born at 4:34 pm on September 4, 2007, weighing a healthy 7lbs. 4oz. He was so tiny compared to his big sister who weighed a pound larger when she was born! During the 9 months of carrying him, I constantly rubbed my tummy and said "You are going to be my sweet, cuddly boy... Mommy's boy!" It must have worked! First, we found out he was a boy... and then he was so snuggly.... and now he is "attached" to Mommy! I love it! Every minute of it, even when David complains. Layla loved her Daddy from the first minute she took a breathe of air, I carried her for 9 months, but she loved him!


Overall, Isaac is one of the best babies that I have ever known. I know, I'm biased, but ask someone else! He is on a schedule, he eats anything (sometimes this can be bad), he has slept through the night since about 2 months, he cuddles, he smiles, he giggles at everything and most importantly he is mine.


We had a party for him on Saturday with a Sesame Street theme. He woke up feeling yucky, wanted his Mommy all day and was extremely sleepy and sensitive. But, he enjoyed his party, he got lots of wonderful presents from people who love him, and passed out as soon as everyone left.


A few highlights from the day...

Mr. Birthday Boy's own cake to destroy!

What a cute face... all covered in icing... getting clean!

(and no, if you know me, he didn't last long like this before getting cleaned up)

A tired, sick boy... too tired for presents...

Mommy and his guests had to help him open presents,

and he seemed more interested in cards!

Overall, we had a great day! A wonderful celebration of our son's first year of life! He truly is a special boy.... Happy Birthday, Isaac!

A special thanks to everyone that helped us celebrate... thanks for enjoying the day with us, thanks for the wonderful presents, and thanks for loving our son too!

For pictures of his birthday cakes... check out my cake blog at www.sprinklesoffun.blogspot.com!

"Learnings" from Layla

Layla has decided that it is her job to teach Isaac new things... and I heard her tell him he needed new "learnings"! So, on Sunday she decided he needed to learn to color. I think he is doing quite well, considering Mommy checked the box to make sure they were non-toxic. Picture below shows just how intent he is on his "studies". He actually looked like his Uncle Jody for a minute with that tongue sticking out like that while he was concentrating.

Her first lesson was with the white crayon. Well, that didn't fly for very long because Sissy's crayon showed up on the paper and his did not! He finally grew bored and decided to go find some more shoes to crawl around with. (Yes, he is still doing this, it is getting to where we just accept the fact that we will be buying him shoes for his feet and hands eventually!)

Layla is such a great little teacher though! Very patient, except that they were her new crayons and she was worried that he would break them... Isaac is very lucky to have such a loving big sister as Layla!

Ball, Bubbles and Buns...

Softball is in full swing. Friday and Saturday Tattnall County hosted a tournament (David's school) and the weather turned out great. Saturday morning we got up early and headed to the rec department, the sky was overcast and cool. Layla, Isaac and I worked at the gate while David coached. Unfortunately, the girls just couldn't find their groove, and they lost the first game. Thus, setting them up for a game against SE Bulloch. Let's just say that game went down the same way as the other. On a good note, they did win their first game against Claxton! With two hurt players, I worry about the season which has just opened. David's goal is for at least one more win than last year...

Layla loves to go to the games when they are at the rec fields because they have playgrounds. She enjoyed swinging and sliding all day while we watched the games. Isaac has decided that he is too big for the stroller and he needs to "walk" everywhere. However, he still can't balance just right on those tiny feet and needs to hold your finger. As much as it was a nice day, it wasn't that nice of a day to be bent over walking around with an 11 month old, usually in circles, once the sun came out. It was hot, and the kids and I called it a day after Tattnall's last game.

I can honestly say that I never believed that I would be "into" softball. Anyone who knows me knows that I am clumsy and extremely un-athletic! Yes, I've fractured my leg while bowling... does that explain it? But, I find myself clapping and cheering and getting upset over loses and excited over wins! I admit it... when I was working the gate and the first team that Tattnall was up against came through, they were talking "smack" about how bad they were (granted, last year was their first winning season... ever!). So, what do I do? Text David instantly to tell his girls to get their game on!!

On the other hand, Isaac should be voted best sportsman! He claps for everyone. He proudly claps his tiny hands together, showing off his newly learned skill, whenever anyone claps or cheers at the game. And, unfortunately, the game we were watching, there was not much clapping for our girls... but Isaac clapped for every hit or out!

I have decided that I need to try to take things a little slower in the evening, enjoying time with the kids as much as possible before bedtime. We have a routine, but sometimes just get rushed. So last night, I decided that Isaac could take a bath by himself instead of trying to save time and bathe them both together. Well, it didn't end up happening until after Layla went to bed. But, I stuck my little spaghetti faced boy in the tub and decided to slow down. I poured a capful of bubble bath in there upon realizing that he had never taken a bubble bath. Oh my! What a delight! It was worth it, even though I got to bed late and everything didn't get completed... He thought it was super cool that he had bubbles and was a clown in the tub. He would lift his arms up in the air, then slowly bring them down into the bubbles, then clap them together... laughing the entire time. The funniest part was that he would stand up in the tub - holding onto my hands - and try to get the bubbles off of his feet... Too cute! Anyways, here are a few pictures from the event. Layla was not happy this morning that she missed out on it, so I guess it is her turn tonight!

Okay, so now my title makes sense, right?!? Ball - softball season has started, Bubbles - Isaac's first bubble bath... and buns? I'm sure you've guessed! I couldn't help myself, they were so cute! (By the way, look how much his hair is growing in on the back... I'm so impressed! I thought we would have a hairy bodied, balding baby forever!)