Let's Talk: Moms

Today I'm linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals to talk about Moms.

 

Looking back I feel like I had a near perfect childhood.

My mom stayed home with my sister, brother and me. We always felt loved and protected.

She made each of us feel individually special.

 

Looking through old pictures I am always struck by how beautiful and elegant my mom is in them. She would take us to get pictures made at Olan Mills and oftentimes would have pictures made of her and the three of us to give my Dad for his office.

 

She has 100 times more patience than I do. She taught me to sew and during Elementary school I (we) sewed a couple dresses. I felt incredibly proud of myself.

She would often sew my sister and me matching outfits.

 

 

She celebrated and decorated for every holiday, which made the everyday seem special. I remember her putting out our flag on President's Day, Labor Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, and MLK Day.

 

She always encouraged us to be ourselves. When my sister wanted to wear a Bunny costume to school for Easter even though no one else would be dressed up? Why not?

 

She did her best to protect us from bad influences and was able to keep us innocent far longer than we otherwise would have been.

 

 

 

She is a Science/Psychology teacher at heart and loved to explain things to us at the youngest ages.

 She attempted to teach my brother and I about mitosis and meiosis before we could ever understand....not that I understand today. ;) We heard a lot about birth order personality traits and I still find myself referring back to that theory when I deal with people.

 

She was the President of the PTA while we were in Elementary school and volunteered on numerous boards to generously give to the community.

 

She remembers when the first black child was placed in her class and the

Civil Rights Movement of her childhood.

 

She is really talented at decorating, throwing a party, keeping plants alive.

I really think she can do anything, actually.

 

Last year, she wiped up this gift basket and I asked her where

she saw that idea and she said she just did it herself.

Ah, the mindset before Pinterest.

 

When I was in college she went back to college to get her Masters Degree and become a Counselor. She currently works with Elementary and Middle school kids and

I really think it is her calling. She is able to love little ones so well. 

 

 

She loves being a grandmother and is so good to all four of her grandbabies.

Her and Dad practically beg to take the boys for weekends.

 

She has her home set up so comfortable for her family and I love being there. She prepares meals, makes sure we have a drink if we want one and will practically wait on us.

 

A few years ago they purchased a new home that was larger for our growing families to be able to visit and she made sure she has a swimming pool and swing set for her grandbabies.

Even though I've never lived there - it was immediately home.

 

Also, recently they purchased a condo in the mountains so that we can have more family memories. They are beyond generous with it and are happy to have anyone use it when we are not there.

  

 

She still teaches me to this day. When I vent about someone/something she is excellent at putting everything in perspective and having me understand how different people are and how wonderful that is.

 

 

She's the best Mom and I'm forever thankful that I have her as my very own.

Friday Favorites - March 25th

 

 

My FAVORITE guys

 

We went to a new church on Sunday -- Palm Sunday. We visited a church right down the street that Cecil's coworker invited us to. I think we both like the church, but I was disappointed they didn't do the traditional (is this only Methodist??) palm branches.  

 

I mean? Aren't they both so handsome? My boys in pink and purple.

 

 

 

 Connor's first egg hunt

 

After church they had an Easter egg hung

He actually walked and carried his own basket and totally understood the concept.

Cecil was one proud Daddy!

 

 

 Home for Easter

The only thing we have scheduled on Saturday is Easter with my family.

We get to go to my parents house - one of my favorite places in the word.

Home, actually.

We will do another egg hunt and I'll get to spend time with my favorite people in the world.

 

 

 

School pictures

 

I mean, look at this baby face. He looks like a big kid!

 

 

 Aggies greatest comeback of all time.

 

 The aggies played on Sunday and it was THE GREATEST COMEBACK OF ALL TIME.

No, seriously. Not a hyperbole.

With less than 40 seconds remaining, Texas A&M overcame a 12 point deficit to force overtime. The Aggies ended up winning in the second overtime and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.

I was watching it at home with Cecil and he went to bed before the end. I was sweating it was so good. It was truly MADNESS. Everything happened in our favor and somehow, miraculously the Aggies won the game.

The tough win just makes my Alma Mater getting into the Sweet 16 that much sweeter.

 

 

St Patty's Day Parade

 

I had the best time with my sweet friends. It is always a huge mess and this year was no different.

I haven't laughed that hard in months and fun memories were made.

My sister and her friend actually came with my group of friends this year. They left early, but then we randomly ran into my brother and SIL at a bar later.

Connor at 14 months

Connor turned 14 months on the 21st and I thought I would do a post about what he is doing right now at this really cute stage.

Walking

He has really started walking. I mean he is officially a walker! He's been walking short distances for a few weeks, but now he is walking more than crawling and this morning was the first time he walked out of his room into the living room. I know it doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but it is. He is typically upset when I leave a room and right now expects me to carry him room to room with me. So if he starts walking around and following me it will really improve my productivity! 

 

Talking

Just this week I feel like he is communicating better. Monday morning he was saying DaDa and looking around for Cecil. I told him that Dada went to work. Blank stare. I said Dada went Byebye and he repeated me 'Dada byebye' and waved his little hand. It was precious.
I felt like we had our first conversation.
swoon.

He has also started handing me things I ask for.
Specifically, he will hand me my phone or his ball when asked.
He says the following words consistently:
"Uh uh (uh oh)
Baba (bottle)
Da da or dadadadadadada (Daddy)
Baaaa (ball)
He also still loves to point. He will scream duh duh and point at what he wants.
It's not talking, but its the way he communicates the most. LOL
 

Loving

Right now Connor is very much into stuffed animals. He has become attached to one at school. The teachers told me that when Connor gets upset he is happy after he has been given 'his bear.' Even his friend Harley (teacher's daughter) will bring him the small bear when he is upset.

He has loved his blankets for a long time, but the love for soft things has expanded into all stuffed animals. Lately he will put his head down on them and say 'aww.' Cecil told me he taught him that.

 

Eating

I am starting to become concerned about his eating. He is refusing anything that is a) not pureed/smooth or b) a carb. It's really frustrating when I try to give him healthy things and repeatedly have to throw them all away. He will eat fruit and vegetables in baby food form and always eats his beloved yogurt. He loves crackers and pretzels. I'm hoping its a phase and it will end soon.

He still loves his bottles and takes one on the way to school, one before his nap, and one before bed.

 

 

 

 

 

School Pictures - Spring 2016

Connor had his school pictures taken last week. I'm going to show you our three favorites that we picked and then the other ones they showed up at the bottom.

 

Now they are LIGHT YEARS better than his school pictures from the fall.

 

I just love school pictures so much. I love that everyone has awkward ones.

They took pictures on a Monday and of course I forgot about it Monday morning and didn't remember until I was walking into the school. I like his little striped shirt from my sweet friend Michelle, but would have put different pants and shoes on him if I had remembered.

 

This is my favorite because it is reminiscent of the standard school photo taken for yearbooks.

I mean! Where did my baby go??

 

These two are Cecil's favorites. 

 

And these are the other ones they showed us:

Sorry for all the wonky pictures. They are clearly pictures of pictures.

 

 

 

Show & Tell Tuesday: Your Mixed Tape

Today I'm linking up with Andrea at Momfessionals to share the mixtape to my life.

 

At first I thought I didn't think I would like this topic because I've never been that into music. I can definitely drive somewhere and never turn the radio on and not even mind. But when I started thinking about it - there are definitely songs/albums that are big memories in my life.

 

My Mom played the Carpenters Christmas album constantly around Christmas time and I still love it. I can already start singing the next song before the other one is completely over. Its like one continual song that is stuck in my brain. And I love it.

 

When I was in Kindergarten - 2nd grade I was obsessed with New Kids on the Block. Now, I'm not so sure that I liked their music as much as I liked the idea of having a crush. I had lots of merchandise. I had the sheets, the sleeping bag, a button the size of my head, etc.

 

When I was nine I fell HARD for the song Stay by Lisa Loeb. I just felt it. haha

I remember my Mom taking me to the mall to buy the tape(!!!) and the saleslady showed us the album for Reality Bites and warned us that there was a cuss word in another song.

Somehow I convinced my Mom to allow me to get the tape anyways.

I've still never seen the movie. Maybe I should watch that.

 

When I was an very emotional middle schooler I was obsessed with Alanis Morisette. I remember sitting on my bedroom floor reading the lyrics and singing along. I learned every word and was partial to, "Perfect," "Ironic" and the secret track "Your House"

 

My other favorite song in middle school was Strawberry Wine. Its a classic.

 

Looking back I'm realizing I was really into country music in high school. I memorized every song from Dixie Chicks' albums Wine Open Spaces and Fly.

 

Tim McGraw also had my heart

 

And OF COURSE Garth. I remember listening to "When you Come back to me again" every morning in the bathroom while I got ready for school my Junior year.

 

 

Now these lyrics also put me right back in high school, but on my own I remember listening to more country during that time.

 

I also remember looking through my brother's LARGE CD case and loving

Limp Bizkit and Kidd Rock. I listened to them on my travel CD player and headphones while we were in the van on long trips.

Remember how the songs skipped when we went over bumps?

Man! We had it tough!

 

 

I also fell in love with Billy Joel on a road trip out to Lubbock with my Dad.

 

 I graduated high school in 2002 and feel like I spent a lot of time driving between College Station and my hometown during the next four years. I was introduced to Texas Country and had some serious love for Pat Green. The entire Three Days album was my favorite.

 

My freshmen year I listened to Maroon 5's Songs About Jane thousands of times.

It was just a solid album. These songs still make me think of living in the dorms. 

 

My senior year of college I was very much into Jason Mraz and "The Special Two" by Missy Higgins

 

 After college I don't really feel like anything stands out much....until......Adele and her 21 album.

It was L.O.V.E.

 

Thinking about this ended up being more fun than I actually thought. I think I actually want to make a playlist on my phone of these songs in the order of my life.

Thanks, Andrea!