Memorial Day Picnic 2010

This morning we decided to go to Chupousa Park for a picnic. The shorts that Tyler is wearing did not make it home with us.

About 15 minutes after arriving at the park, Tyler had a nasty poop blow out. It so bad that the shorts had to go into the garbage can. After that, we had a good time.




My friend Carole and her daughter Megan joined us as well. We went around 10a before it go too hot and left around 12. Just enough time for the kids to burn off energy. Came home, took baths, and went to sleep. Quite the relaxing day which I needed anyway.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday!

Freedom. Sweet Freedom

Well, mommy stopped rebelling and I finally removed the gate from Tyler's crib. It is not a toddler bed, per se, but it serves its purpose until we move. He was so excited the first night. He kept climbing in and out gathering toys and walking them back to the bed.

The first night, I was awakened by the inevitable "THUD" sound. Yup, you guessed it. He feel out the bed. He rolled too far and the floor. He started crying and I carried him to my bed where he fell back to sleep.

Last night, he started calling my name and I could see him standing in the hallway looking around. NyCee did the exact same thing when we moved into this apartment. So, I called his name, he walked to my room and climbed into my bed where we went back to sleep.

Tonight after bath, he went in the bed with his toy in hand and fell asleep. He is such a big boy.

Breakfast Bonding

This morning, I decided to take the kids to IHOP for breakfast. I figured it would be a nice treat. NyCee barely ate anything. Whereas I could barely tear Tyler away from his pancake.

Side thought: Why was the pancake from the child's menu larger than the one I ordered? Really people?!?! That is extra crazy.

Gifts from Nana Ida

It never ceases to amaze me how Nana Ida "finds" dresses for NyCee. Little Fred received two outfits as well. Notice the big smile on his face.

Thank you Nana Ida!

Update

I secured an adjunct teaching position with another university. The good thing: the course to which I am assigned in an entry level course. Same amount of money less work. I am believing that it will convert to a full-time position in August. Tuition would be covered and I can work from home. That would be glorious!

Kid Free Weekend

I left Thursday night to travel back east for a business trip. I put the kids in the bed and left on a red-eye. This was the first time Tyler has ever been away from me. NyCee use to spend the night with my niece Taliyah when we lived in Michigan but I was still pregnant with Tyler then.

So the rat pack, Jade, Susie and Rachel, took care of the kids for me while I was gone.

Friday night -
Apparently, there was a bubble bath involved with an attempt by Tyler to eat the bubbles.

Followed by a superhero dress up contest.

Saturday morning-
The kids went to the water park. In the picture below are NyCee, Jade and Tyler.
At some point on Saturday, Rachel (seen below) and Tyler had a text-off. Every time Rachel sent a text message, so did Tyler.
Sending text messages apparently takes a lot out of a dude.

As for me, I was in Atlanta so I was able to have lunch with some friends. I did not see my cousin Phebe. She works a night shift so the schedules just didn't coordinate.

It was humid to say the least. I had forgotten about the humidity back east. I also forgot how pretty the green trees were. (Do not get any ideas. The Valley of the Sun is home. I have no plans to move back east.) I think I slept for like 10 hours one day. Obviously, I needed it.

When I arrived home this morning, I headed straight for church. I landed at 10:00a and by 10:30a I was at church preparing for the 11:00a service. It was good to get away. I very rarely have breaks from the kids. So, it was long overdue and well deserved. Plus, the squeals that came from NyCee and Tyler when I picked them up from their respective rooms at church made it worthwhile when I came home.

Transition Time

Lately, I have been thinking about how to transition Tyler to a "big boy" bed. This morning he woke up around 4a and called my name. When I walked into his room, he had his arms up saying, "out." So, I picked him up and walked him to my bed. He drank a small cup of milk and went back to sleep.

While putting him to bed tonight, he began crying a screaming. I could not understand why. Normally, he just lays in the crib and goes to sleep. I laid him in my bed up on the pillows and allowed him to watch TV for a bit. He was quiet and actually just laid there. I walked into the room to check on him. He looked at me and said, "Mommy, Bye-bye" and began waving.

Well, of course he couldn't stay in my bed. So when I took him back to his bed the crying and screaming began again. Eventually, I put a pillow in the crib. He arranged it according to his liking, laid down, and went to sleep. Not sure if it is the whole want to sleep in a big boy bed thing or he just wanted a pillow thing. Tyler staying in the crib is really about me. He is contained and I can get things done. I just have to teach him to stay in his "big boy" bed when it is time for bed.

My Mother's Day

Well, my mother's day was filled with sick and whiny children. NyCee got sick at church and I had to leave early. Thankfully, the 3rd service was about to begin and I only left about 30 minutes early. She hasn't eaten anything this afternoon. She has just laid on the couch watching T.V.

She has used the potty so I can rule out constipation. If she is not better by tomorrow evening, I will take her to the after hours clinic.

Tyler was just whiny. After he had a nap, then he was just overly hyper. I finally gave him a bath and put him to bed. He was out like a light.

As for me, I rebelled against mother's day this morning by not wearing heels to church with my suit. I celebrate mother's day for others but I do not like it for myself. I think it reminds me that I am not a very good mother. Although, given that I love my children, attend a church were I can learn to be a better parent, am putting myself through school to make a better life for us, I am a pretty good darn mom. Doesn't always feel like it though.

Happy Mommy's Day to everyone!

Patio Picnic

NyCee wanted to have a picnic at the park. Well, we had to compromise. So I let them eat their "treat" on the patio. (Once a week, they are allowed to have McDonald's as a "treat" provided behaviors are in tact.)

Couple hours of relaxation

Women's Conference 2010 kicked off Thursday night so I have been going since then. It was powerful time in God. The building looked amazing! Our maintence team worked, I don't even know, how many hours this weekend to make the building look amazing. I saw the maintenance supervisor when I arrived back at about 430p. He just laid on my shoulders he was so exhausted. His eyes were bloodshot red. After service, I told him just go home and fall in the bed.

We did not have singles' service tonight so after church the kids and I came home. They watched a movie while I grilled meat. (This time of year I like to grill meat and freeze it. Helps to cut down on my dinner time preparation after work.)

I have one more week off from school. I am going to try and rest. I am teaching a new course for one University and completing a training session for another. The second school will lead to a full-time faculty position in August. Super excited about that. More money and I get to work from home! WAHOOO!!!! And my tuition will be covered by the school! No more student loans!

I just have to hang on a couple more months. Please pray for my strength!