P90x...trying again

It want pretty but it's done. 89 more days to go...

Pillow Talk

Craig went out of town last week and while he was gone I got in the habit of laying down with Brantley in his too small toddler bed.  We'd cram up next to each other nose to nose and just talk.  It is a habit that won't be easy to break and I don't think I'm going to even try.  It has become my favorite part of my day.  He snuggles in to me (which he rarely has time for when he's going during the day), HE covers ME up with his blanket, and the conversations we have are some of the best because it's just him and I with no interruptions. 

I want to write tonight's down because it cracked me up and I want to remember it.  And unless you know the inflection in the way Brantley says things it won't translate as well written down.  But I'll remember it and that's the important thing.

Brantley:  Anilah was being so bad today.  She hit me.
Me: She hit you?  Why?
Brantley: She wouldn't sit up and Ms. Cindy and Brantley told her to sit up and she hit me. 
Me: That sounds like one of those times when you should be worried about you and let Ms. Cindy worry about Anilah. 
Brantley: It was circle time and she wouldn't sit up. (My little rule follower, just like his mama.)
Brantley: And anyways (this is a new phrase he busted out tonight) Ms. Constance didn't hit me.  And anyways, Hunter didn't hit me. And Zoey didn't hit me.  And I sat with Ava.  (He gets a little starry eyed here talking about Ava.)
Me: When did you sit with Ava? Did you go to her class? (She recently moved up to the three year old class which has been constant conversation in our house.)
Brantley: No, I am not three.  I am two.  (holds up two fingers - he's no longer using the thumb and index finger.  He's rocking the peace sign kind of two - I'm so proud.)
Me: So where did you see Ava?
Brantley: In the office. I sat with her.  I love her. I love her this so much. (stretches out his hands)
Me: Did she have to do a breathing treatment?
Brantley: Yes, hers is gray. 
Brantley: I was on the playground and I lost my candy.  It popped out of my pocket.  It fell under the steps with the spiders and bugs.  I couldn't get it. 
Me: Who got it for you?
Brantley: Ms. Cindy did.
Me: Did she give it back to you?
Brantley after a long pause: No! She didn't!  (He's stunned like he never thought to get his candy back from his teacher and how dare her keep it.)

This morning when I dropped him off at daycare he was a little clingy so I held his hand and said I'd walk him over to the table to eat breakfast.  Tonight as I'm getting off his bed I tell him I'm going to go run on the treadmill and he needs to go to sleep.  He grabs my hand and tells me he will walk me to the treadmill. 

This kid...he's the best thing to ever happen to me.  Hands down.  

Brantley Says...

Brantley: you close the window in your closet? You not want to see the neighborhood?
Me: I'm naked. I don't want them to see my goodies. These are my goodies not their goodies.
Brantley: That's your goodies? And that's Daddy's goodies.

Brantley Says...

Brantley: who you just talking to?
Craig: your grandpa. Who you talking to?
Brantley: I not talking to anybody. I don't have a phone.

Poopie in the Potty!

Yes I am THAT parent that is blogging about her kid going poop in the potty. I can't help it I am so proud of him! I was giving him a bath tonight and he said, "mommy you going to change my diaper?" This normally means one thing - he's already gone. I looked in the bath tub and it was all clear so I pulled him out and plopped him down on the potty. I started talking to him about the big boy Mater underwear I brought home from the beach for him but he couldn't wear them until he started pooping in the potty and not his diaper. I told him to concentrate really hard and push it out and he did! His face lit up. He was so proud of himself. He have me a high five then Craig then back to me again "for a really big high five".

The best part...
Tonight before bed we were saying our prayers. He said "God bless mommy and daddy, and uncle Jake, and Steve." Then he pulls his head up off my shoulder and looks me straight in the eye very serious and says, "we don't bless poopie".

My. Kid. Is. Awesome.

2013

This year my main goal is to take better care of myself. It is a broad goal and I have small goals to accomplish them but overall the theme for 2013 is to take care of Kristen - physically (run half marathon in March), emotionally (make more time for me, get organized at home), regarding my relationships with others, financially (save and pay off some debts), in motherhood, and as a wife. I love the new year because I love the feeling of a fresh start! So looking forward to what this year will bring!

Brantley Says...

<p>As i finish my toast this morning he says, "i proud you eat all your peanut butter toast mommy."

In the words of Brantley...

Brantley and Craig were on their way downstairs to the man cave and this is the conversation that took place...

Brantley to Craig:  Don't fall down stairs like Mommy.
Craig to me: Did you fall down the stairs?
Me to Craig: Yes, the other day. (I missed a few steps while walking down the stairs in front of Brantley and it apparently left a lasting impression on him.)
Me to Brantley:  Stop being such a snitch, Brantley!
Brantley to me: I not a fish!

Praying with Brantley

I feel so heartbroken for the families that lost their loved ones last week. I can't imagine what losing a child must feel like and in such a senseless, evil way. It breaks my heart to see the faces of the children who were killed and think of how terrified they must have been in those final minutes on Earth.

Craig and I were talking about it this weekend and I asked him if he had ever said his prayers with Brantley. He hasn't and I told him he should the next time he puts him to bed. Because he will never feel closer to God than having Brantley's forehead mashed against his, hands folded over his and hearing his sweet little voice saying, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep." We then pray for specific people who Brantley feels compelled to pray for (which sometimes includes Santa and deer and consistently includes Uncle Jake and my cousin Steve).

If I really thought about what his world will be like in five, fifteen, twenty years, it would terrify me. I want to keep his innocence and wonder in tacked for as long as I possibly can.

In the words of Brantley...

Tonight on the way upstairs to put the boy to bed he says to Sadie: you coming upstairs Saie? I proud of you.

Brantley's First Day of his New School

Brantley started his first day of his new school today.  It was a hard day...for both of us.  I could not wait to pick him up this afternoon.  Seeing his reaction to me walking in the room to pick him up was both the sweetest thing and the saddest thing he has ever done.  He bolted up from the couch he was sitting at during story time and sprinted towards me saying "Mommy, Mommy!"  And then when he reached me he just lost it with tears.  Almost like he had held it in all day and finally felt like he could just let it all out. 

I can't even begin to describe how much I love this little boy. I worried about him so much today.  I know it will get easier for him and we will both adjust to this new routine but today was tough. 

Opinionated

<p>While I was putting on my bra this morning Brantley grabs another one off the floor in my closet, brings it to me, and says, "No Mommy, wear this one."

Love him.

I love this kid more than anything in the whole world. The end.

Happy Mother's Day!

 

Motherhood changes you.  It makes you better.  You really learn what it means to put someone else before yourself 99.9% of the time (because that .1% that you put yourself first is what keeps you sane).  I don't know what I did to deserve to be this munchkin's mom, but I'm grateful.  At the end of the day my main goal is to make sure he knows how loved he is.  I couldn't imagine this life without him. 

My Sidekick

Right now he follows pretty much every little move I make. My little shadow. He copies what I say. He helps me fold laundry, unload the dishwasher,  and unload the groceries. I cannot get enough of him.

Craig has been out of town since Tuesday and this little munchkin has kept me company. I am so lucky to have him.

All on his own...

We were playing today and I looked over to find his Easter basket on top of his head. Silly boy!

Little Butt

I check on Brantley every night before going to bed. Watching him sleep so peacefully is one of my favorite parts of my day. Love walking in and seeing this little butt up in the air. Its when you know he is snoozing good.

The Mustang

When I was a little girl I used to love riding in the front seat of my dad's Mustang. We would stop at red lights and I would go ahead and rest my head against the back of the headrest to prepare for us to go once the light turned green.

A couple years ago he passed the Mustang down to us. The other night while I was making dinner Craig was entertaining Brantley outside. When I came out to check on them this is what I found. Brantley has a habit of holding his hands together when he gets nervous. He sat so still in the front seat while Craig revved the engine. The whole time holding his hands together and taking it all in. It was adorable.

My Little Helper

I got a little help unloading the dishwasher last night. I love this age that he is at. He is picking up on so much and loves to help.

I was running!

(Said in my best Forrest Gump voice.)

Running with Brantley is pretty much all I know. This time last year I was really starting to get in to running and we would rush to the park after work to get a couple miles in before heading home for dinner. Now that its nice outside and days are longer I'm ditching the treadmill for the park. But the boy has gotten a lot heavier since then. So Sunday when we went to the park Craig stayed on the playground while I ran by myself! All by myself! And without pushing a toddler I felt like I could go for miles and miles.

Craig caught this picture on my last mile. That's me in the background. Brantley spotted me all the way across the lawn and started towards me. Love this kid. So so much.