Zoo Escape

It has possibly been the weirdest Summer weather wise that I can possibly remember.  It's been really wet and cool (compared to 100+) and pretty bearable compared to what if could be.  One Sunday night, I checked the weather and saw it was expected to be cool and overcast  Immediately thought of our zoological society membership and thought it would be a great zoo day.

 It was!  We only toured the Africa side so we could see our favorite animals.  Both the baby gorillas were celebrating their first birthdays around that date.  They are SO cute.  One of the zoo volunteers arrived, walked up and banged on the window.  The baby ran up and banged his fist too to say, "Hello!"  We walked around a little more and saw the big animals.  Perfect weather and small crowds made it a perfect experiment for me to see how the boys would do in a "theme park" type of environment.

Aaaaaand it was....ok.  Not perfect, but I know what to do to help make things better.  Thank goodness we are not doing it alone!

End of Summer Impressions

 Recently, theres been a trend about "mommies complaining too much" whether it be on facebook or blogs or in person.  I understand.  Kids don't want to feel unloved.  Kids are a blessing.  We don't want to hear your complaining.  I get it.  Totally.

 However, I do feel compassion for these folks.  It's tough here in the trenches.  From sun up to down I have two little ones with me.  Their needs come before mine.  I work on their schedule.  They have no filter.  Their emotions are floodgates that explode with out a moments notice over the mere presence of the other.  We have no cleaning lady.  We have no family close by to pop in and watch our kids for a few hours to give mom and/or dad a break.  It's all family all the time.  And it can be hard.

 As you've read, we started summer off with a bang.  It will be our last "true" summer for a long time.  All of our assigned schools are year round.  After 12 weeks of non stop togetherness I think that will be a great thing.  I have loved waking up and not having to be somewhere by a certain time, packing lunch, making sure everyone is in the car and then getting in the carpool line.  We play, we talk, we watch a show or movie (GASP), we play outside, eat PB&Js, take naps, etc, etc.  But, Moses and Sutton are starting to tire of each other....and me.  Annoyed party of three no one wants to see.

My sanity has been saved by the very people who are taking it.  Sutton insisting on eating any cake with a party hat on.  Moses, finally starting to get 12-20 right...and then counting higher.  Anytime they are sweet to each other or us.  It completely turns our day around.  I'm clinging to these moments as The last week of Summer begins.  Our Fall is jammed packed with activities, parties, weddings, volunteer work, traditions, football, and a big trip.  Shew.  Might want to get some rest while we can!

Mommy Goes to Football Camp

 You are reading and seeing this correctly.  I, Stella Barker, attended the NCSU Women's Football Clinic.  And you know what?  It was awesome!  My friend Lindsey's husband signed her up and begged someone to go with her.  I volunteered because I had been curious about going before and kind of wanted to see and meet our new coach. 

 I have to tell you I was really impressed.  The Athletic Director is Debbie Yow and she is super impressive.  I highly respect how she is thriving in a field dominated by men.  She knows her stuff!  She spoke briefly as did Coach D.  Then our group was left with a small panel of current players (pictured above).  These guys are the captains of the squad.  They were well spoken and SO nice.  Some of them have already gotten a degree, and are working on their masters in a specific field like Math or engineering.  The others are Seniors and are scheduled to graduate in December or the following semester.

Someone asked them what they wanted to do after college.  One answered he wanted to be a good husband (he is engaged) and one day good father.  Every.single.woman clapped.  Another player talked about his hopes for a professional football career.  He added his father always reminded him that the NFL stood for Not For Long.  Love that!

 After question and answer portion Coach D gave us a little power point presentation about  the xs and os.  Not going to lie, I spaced out a little and checked facebook on my phone.  I really do understand a lot about football, but I can only handle so much.  I did snap this photo of the clock that was counting down till the first game!

 We also toured the locker room and tried on some gear and practiced our Heisman pose.  Watch out world!  We also had demonstrations at the aquatic center and weight lifting room.  When they were going "best on best" in the weight room, the coach there asked up what happened when they continued to try to compete and beat each other.  The answer?  They got better.  I thought that was a great way to look at it and not be discouraged.  Why it's good to compete!

 After the tours they took us out on the field and got to run some plays with the players.  We ran into Jen who we went to school with.  She has done the camp before and showed us the ropes.  I loved it!  I have to say it again.  I was SO impressed with how nice and polite the players were.  They really made it so we all had a good time.

We decided to train for a year and come back so we can show the players and coaches how awesome we really are next time!  GO PACK!!

Brett's Birthday!

Brett's birthday was July 29.  I can so for sure that he really needed a nice relaxing day.  Brett's company, Cisco, has it's end of fiscal year in July.  Usually Brett's birthday falls on that day or within that week.  Luckily, this year it was after.  Even so, Brett was pretty worn out from having worked lots and lots of extra time to ensure everything closed out well.

We treated him to a round of golf.  The front nine were played all together.  It was not the relaxing experience that he had in mind, but I really enjoyed driving him and the boys in the cart.  We left him to finish up while we took naps and ate lunch.  Later that afternoon, Brett and I had a conference call with our Disney vacation planner and booked our trip for October!  All of our funds for big birthdays are going towards this trip!  I did however secretly contact our Sunday School advisors who were at the college world series where State was playing and asked them to bring Brett back a shirt.  He loved it!  Mission surprise accomplished!

There's nothing like having a daddy as wonderful as Brett.  He works hard and plays hard and loves all of us so much.  Family is so important to him and we feel so blessed by his love everyday.

A trip to Pullen Park

 A few Saturdays ago, we spent the morning at our favorite play place, Pullen Park.  The boys ran and played, road the train, boats, and carousel and generally had a grand time.  Anytime we take the boys somewhere like this, I feel like I have run a marathon.  Luckily, Brett was with me so it was more like 13.1.  They are so agile and strong and amaze me with how far along their motor skills are.

 The following day, we went to pick Sutton up from Sunday School and found him curled up taking a little nap.  I guess he was worn out too!

While Moses is Away, Sutton and Mommy Will Play!

 Back in July, Moses spent a week at Nana's house so he could go to golf camp in their neighborhood.  He had a great time and learned a lot!  He also got the chance to go swimming, meet a new friend, and go bowling for the first time.  That left me and Sutton Bug alone for five days!  Life is much slower and less interesting without him around!  However, Sutton had to fill his time (and space in the stroller) with other things besides his brother.

 It was exhausting work for the both of us.  We took walks and played more "toddler" geared games.  But it was so quiet!  We missed our favorite playmate!

 The one thing Sutton did enjoy the most was watching and trying to touch the butterflies that congregate in our landscaping.  He would squeal and run around the bushes for half an hour.  That is a very, VERY long time in a toddler day!

It was nice to have some time with this little boy.  He chose this opportunity to really start talking.  He hasn't stopped since!  Love hearing what he has to say!

Sutton's Hair

 I feel like Sutton's hair has become such a "thing."  I know I think it's great and cute, but apparently the general public agrees.  We cannot go anywhere without being stopped or someone commenting on his luxurious locks.  I swear he must feel like a troll doll with all the head rubs he gets from perfect strangers.  (FYI people, please do not do this to a perfect stranger's child.  The mother is silently screaming inside.)

 This summer, we did not trim his hair.  He's had several haircuts, but I knew I really wanted to enjoy this aspect of his babyhood while I could.  See that curl right in the middle of his forehead?  It's mine.  I have dibbs.

 See how long we let it get!?  Can you believe his hair went to about his shoulder when it was wet?  With the humidity, it curled right back up.  Love.it.

 But, finally it was timed to get it snipped.  With instructions not to get too much off, Gaga gently shaped up that sweet mop of curls.

 See!  Not too much!

I think some friends shrieked aloud when I posted the photo of him getting a trim.  Don't worry folks, for right now those curls are still rocking strong!

Moses Turns 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a special note, I do have other posts to write but my phone is holding hostage many crucial photos.  so hoping to change that and blog more soon

 This year, just like with Sutton, we are only doing small family parties for birthday celebrations.  We have all (us AND the Grands) decided to go to Disney in October.  And ya'll the "happiest place on earth" does not come cheap.  So I thought small birthdays big Disney fun!!  But honestly  we did have BIG birthday fun.

The last few years I had been running around like a crazy person with a theme and a pinterest agenda planning birthday parties.  I mean, the Olympic 4th Birthday Extravaganza was my sign I needed to slow down and spend more time with children and family on that day.  So that's exactly what we did!  Moses requested pancakes from McDonalds for breakfast.  Yes!  Done, easy request!

 After breakfast and some play time or as my dad calls it "run papa!  run!!"  it did not help matters when I returned with over a dozen inflated balloons.  That started the "Bam" game.   And the "cannon ball" game.  We lost one early on and after that things got a little more gentle.

 As soon as all the grandparents were here, we let him tear into his gifts that we hadn't given him yet and the ones from them as well.  All transformers and ninja turtles for the most part.  He also got two portable DVD players for our trip.  He said he would share the other with Sutton.  I thought it was a good choice.

 Sutton spent most of his afternoon doing important work with Pops.  They learned that they both have a yen for putting things together.  Today it was puzzles.  I really think this went on for an hour or more.  It was so funny to watch.  After Pops finished, Sutton would yell for anyone he saw trying to get them to help him.  Luckily, big brother was there to save the day.

 I had been a little concerned all week with how Sutton was going to react to all of the Moses promotion going on.  If you asked me about the cake, he would respond loudly "BUZZ CAKE!"  I would gently remind him that we were having a transformer cake.  He would exclaim, "Two Cakes!  BUZZZZ Cake!!"

 At this point, Sutton would have eaten a cake with Barbies on it.  He just wanted cake.

 I love these photos.  This was the most excited he was about anything all day  He was so ready to blow out these candles!

 And he got every single one out!

 And of course he loved the cake.

And so did brother.  Side note, If you are around us at dinner time, you know we sing "Thank you, Jesus" as our blessing and Moses is always the one who does it.  When we started singing "Happy Birthday,"  Sutton thought we were blessing again and folded his little paws into his "prayer hands."  It was hysterical!

The rest of the evening and time in between was simply family time.  We REALLY got to enjoy Moses party and birthday as a family.  He was a little concerned when I had to run out to the grocery store.  He wanted everyone there for his day.  This evening he also kept asking if his party was over.  When I finally said yes.  He said, well is my BIRTHDAY over?  I scooped him and told me that even after he went to sleep it still would be, but when he woke up it would be over.  Sigh.  Remember those days!

Moses Jackson, I had to wait until after 9:05pm to let out a big deep breath and know that NOW the anniversary of the hour of your birth, you were truly 5 years old.  That Sunday morning I woke up from a (my last!) deep sleep at 8:00am.  I soon realized my water had broken and it was hospital go time!  It was a long day, not gone as planned which finally ended with my epidural had worn off and I was not ready yet and they felt you were a big baby.  So with no pain medication and in transition labor I agreed sadly to the c-section.  You came out perfect and big 9lbs 3oz.  You looked absolutely liked everything I had dreamed.  It was late in the evening and I had been so very sick so there was not much time to be with you.  When I finally woke the next day, your daddy had you brought to our room and you both were peering at me hoping I'd feel better.  It worked!    I held you and fed you and all my vitals began to improve.  Since that day, you have that effect on me  You can make me feel better in a heartbeat by beaming those brown eyes right at me.

Mo-man I am going to try something new for you.  Since we had a rough start as a mother/son couple on your birthday.  I think we should begin to treat August 18 as our anniversary.  A special mommy/moses time to catch up on the things I might be missing from you.  I think you'll like that night.  Might have to twist your arm when you are older!  But, I'll enjoy it while it lasts!

My first born, you are precious, curious, and smart.  We love to you no end and we loved celebrating you !

Dum da Dum...DENTIST

Oh this sweet smile.  It's just enough to make you want to bring right back at him.  To make sure that the pearly whites keep doing their job, we took Moses to the dentist for the very first time.  Luckily, a pediatric dentist has opened up next door to our Pediatricians office.  The staff at the doctors office gave positive feed back so off we went.

I had been talking to Moses about dentists, what they will and will not do.  We read some books and even watched a few TV shows that spun going to the dentist is a positive light.  Brett and I both have very positive experiences with our dentists.  I also did not want to overdo it so it would constantly be on his mind.

Well.  So.  Do any of you see any cute photos getting his teeth cleaned?   Wearing cute special sunglasses?  Oh, heck NO.  The second after they tried to do the back x rays he was done.  I coaxed him into trying to sit in the dental chair.  No way.  I even did the thing I SWORE on all the childrearing books I would never do.  I BRIBED him with a new toy.  Still shaking in my arms.  Sweating, I finally bent him over so that his head was in Dr. (Boo) Lee.  (no, i'm no kidding about her name, it's her married name and her husband is in practice with her.)  She was very good with him.  Spoked with him about transformers while she counted his teeth.  He began to calm down quite a bit, but still seemed like he would bolt at any minute.  They polished and painted his teeth and that was it.  WHEW.

Just praise the sweet baby Jesus that not a single other patient was there that morning.  I wanted to just become a Stella/mommy puddle and have them mop me up later.

So good news?  Moses teeth luck great!  Bad news?  We have regular check ups every six months, meaning, we have to go back in January.  We have some work to do.