10 Things...

1.  We are close to getting started on the kitchen renovation...finally. Meeting in the next week or two for final conversation(s).   Yay!  No more teal floor, countertops, and backsplash. And bye-bye stark white everything else!  We won't be sad to see you go. 

2.  We got a swing set a few weeks ago and the kids love it. Love. It. Drew can climb up the ladder all by himself. And although we do try to be right there when he's climbing, he has been super fast and climbed up before we could get to him a few times. David Scott calls the actual playhouse his office. 

3.  Drew can eat as much as his big brother at mealtimes. DS still drinks like a camel throughout the day. 

4.  These boys...they ARE my heart. Between DS spontaneously saying he loves me and Drew's sweet kisses...my heart could burst every time sweet things happen. Or when they're laughing. Or when they're being sweet and playing with each other. Or when they're wrestling. Or when they're sleeping. Being their mother is the reason I was put on this Earth. My (occasionally) sweet boys...what would I do without them?!?

5.  We got a black Tahoe back in August. Scotty is driving it for now, but I will eventually end up with it once we're ready to trade in the 4-Runner for something else (probably a car). DS calls it "Daddy's Batmobile."  

6.  Drew is saying so many words:  hey, bye, go, out, up, down, Mama, Daddy, David Scott (Da Cott), eat, yes, no, nose,  mouth, head, ball, bubbles, Lola (still living with Gran and Papa!), balloon. The other night, he told me, "Mama!  Get. Down."  He was ready to get out of his high chair. 

7.  David Scott starts "big school" in the Fall. I can't believe it. But I can. He's excited and is looking forward to making new friends. He can't wait to be a St. Luke's Shark!

8.  Drew is still going to sleep around 7-7:30 each night. DS is usually an hour or so later. This has given the hubs and I lots of time to...watch tv!  Getting to watch tv on a regular basis again has been glorious!  We've watched almost all of "The Wire" (skipped almost all of the last season b/c we became disinterested in it).  After that we watched the up-to-this-point released seasons of "House of Cards" -- awesome!  And presently, we are on the final season of "Breaking Bad" -- really good!  I have no clue what we'll watch next.

9.  Scotty surprised me with a new phone a couple weeks ago. I'm so excited to have the data capacity to take more pictures!  Maybe I'll now be inspired to write more blog posts more often. :)

10.  I can't really think of a tenth item...we are just not that interesting.  I guess this is the first weekend in almost a month that we've been home in BR the whole time -- trips to North LA, an adults-only weekend in NO, and Easter in Winnsboro. And now Scotty is gone for work which has had him traveling a ton the first part of this year. But I'm going on a business trip for a couple of days in mid-May. I hope being a single parent for a few days is survivable for him, lol. DS already told me he would be very good for Daddy. Of course he will be. And so will Drew...  :)

 

Bonus:  Scotty just had a birthday...34!  Here's a sweet pic of two young kids approx 17 years ago...

...And today!

Boy do I love this guy!

Catching Up...

Since I haven't made a timely post in a while, this will serve as a catch-up post for what's been going on this first part of 2014. In one word:  Sick. And not in a good way like "2014 has been awesome!" kind of way. But in a "we have caught every cold virus possible and been on numerous antibiotics while missing work and school" kind of way. Although Scotty and I did go to Las Vegas with the Duhes in mid-January, so I can't complain too much since we did have a great time. Our families kept the boys which helped out a lot so we were able to not worry about them while in Sin City. But other than that, due to the various ear infections, coughs, colds, fever, sore throats, etc., I think I was in the pediatrician's office every week for a month with one kid or another. Scotty ended up at Urgent Care just once with what we were sure was the flu but apparently was just an awful upper resp infection.  and for this Mama Bear, I've just soldiered through my sickness and am hopefully over the cold/sore throat combo I've had for over a month. 

What else?  We had Drew's birthday party in January. "Snow Days" were called for at the end of that month, which was...interesting since there wasn't much snow...enough to make a snowball, though!

In February, we had Valentine's Day and more sickness so not much fun stuff happened that month. 

And now we are in March.  The boys and I (and Katelyn, one of our baby-sitters) went to Memphis for my cousin Meredith's wedding. Katelyn had a job interview so she rode along and helped me with the kids on the 6-hour drive (Scotty had to work so he stayed home). The boys slept for a lot of the drive up there and back which was nice. And while we were up there, they were pretty well-behaved, which was even better. We got to visit with B&A and got to go to the Children's Museum where we met up with Gran and Papa and Anders. I think everybody enjoyed that visit. We also ate at our regular eating spots (Nagasaki and Coletta's...yum!). And of course, got to visit with our "Memphis" family as well. All-in-all, it was a great trip!  I wouldn't attempt it by myself with the two kiddos, but it was a nice, but quick getaway. 

And then of course, on my dad's birthday, we took the boys for ice cream. His favorite snack. I like this little tradition we have of celebrating Bud Bud's birthday. And I'd say the boys do too...

From a "fun" perspective, 2014 is off to a good start. Lets hope we've turned the corner on the sickness part. We ate our black-eyed peas on New Year's Day, but maybe we need to incorporate them into meals on a weekly basis!

Drew Turns One...

Baby Drew turned a year old on January 9th. We celebrated with a small family gathering (and a few close fiends) at the house the following weekend. It is I fathomable to me how quickly this past year has flown by. At some point, I know that we will have to start calling him "Drew" and not "Baby Drew," but he's still a baby!  Even if he is walking (some) and eating only adult food!  And in the next month or two, he will be moving to the toddler class at daycare...just blows my mind. 

Sweet Baby Boy. My Love. Drewsky. Drew-Bear. Drew-Baby. So many names for my Littlest LoveBug.  Here are your stats at a year old:

• 23 pounds

• 30 inches tall

• wearing size 3 diapers

• wearing 12/18-month sized clothes

• wearing 3.5 size shoes

• eating only adult food

• taking a few steps here and there and getting more comfortable

• 8 teeth -- 4 each on top and bottom

• still an excellent sleeper -- not a great napper, but I'll take that trade-off

• saying several words -- Mama, Dada, this, bye, hey. Watching you say David Scott's name is cute -- it's completely indistinguishable -- but you certainly know who you're talking to/about. 

You are loud, and raucous, and all boy. You love to eat, and I think you would absolutely snack all day if we'd let you. You love me. The most. DS would be a close second, though. And you like to be held. A lot. By me. Only me. But I'm ok with it. While you and DS will always be "my babies," you won't always be babies in the literal sense of the word. So I try not to rush things and just let you do things on your own pace which we've learned is very much your style -- when you're ready, that's when you'll do whatever it is we've been trying to help you do (ie walking -- you've been cruising on furniture and such for 2 months!). But it's coming!  Much like so many other milestones in life. You are such a smart and determined little boy.  These two things -- along with your cute dimple and beautiful eyes -- will take you far in life. We love you so much and are so thankful that you are ours. Happy Birthday, Baby Drew!

Love, 

Mama

Christmas 2013...

Christmas 2013 was memorable but alas, is over. For one, it was Baby Drew's first Christmas. Two, it was the second one we spent at our house. And three, we got to find out what Baby McGehee is...(a boy!  Sorry, Boo, you should update your blog more often. My almost-1-year old boy is older than your 2-year old in blog posts...).

Both David Scott and Drew seemed to love Christmas. DS is starting to understand the reason for the season...even if he gets a little (or a lot) sidetracked by all the presents. And Baby Drew spent most of his time this season crawling over to the tree to mess with ornaments, or pull down lights, or just try to get under the tree. I know plenty of people who don't put up a tree or who put up a really small one when the kids are little, but we are not some of those people. We went with a ceiling-grazing 10-ft tall tree this year...Note to Self:  9.5' would be sufficient for future years. 

Spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at our house was really nice. Traveling with one child had gotten more difficult with all the "logistics" involved. And last year, I was so close to delivery, that we had Christmas at our house and everyone pretty much catered to me (really nice!). So this year, with two kiddos, we asked out families ever so nicely about making some adjustments to our typical holiday festivities. Having been there and done that with us when we were kids, everyone was more than accommodating. So MiMi, Mamaw, and Lee came to our house Christmas Eve and stayed through Christmas Day. Then we left te day after to go to Winnsboror for Christmas with Gran, Papa, Boo, Dusty, and Big-brother-to-be, Anders. Both gatherings were nice, not stressful, and semi-relaxing. And although we were able to continue most of our respective family traditions, we did have to miss out on some. So who knows what we'll be doing in the future for Christmas, but I feel like we may have more holidays at home than we've had in the past.

My LoveBug...

Pre-Christmas excitement!

Really, Mom...more pics???

It's a Christmas Gift Explosion...

"Now can we eat banana bread???"

Baby's First Christmas...

Finally, Boo is having a baby in May!  She and Dusty found out a little before Christmas what the baby's gender was. But they were waiting until Christmas to share it with the families. She had a pacifier ornament wrapped up and when DS opened it (Anders was too involved in playing), it was revealed to be a BLUE pacifier!  Another boy!  A sweet baby brother for Anders!  Another nephew for "Aunkie Sayah" (Aunt/Uncle Sarah :/ )!  Another cousin for my boys!  And a FOURTH (!) grandson for Gran and Papa (and Bud Bud, too!). 

11 Months...

Drewsky,

You turned 11 months old on December 9th!  I can't believe you're almost a year old. Time has certainly flown by. You're starting to say little words here and there and it's so cute. Like when David Scott was a baby, we LOVE watching you reach each milestone, learn new words, and become your own little person. People are always commenting on how happy you are -- and you are a happy baby...especially if I am holding you or are nearby. My little Mama's Boy...I love it!  You have the sweetest smile and gorgeous green eyes; and your strawberry blonde hair is the cherry on top of all your gorgeousness!

Drew, currently you are:

• 28 1/2 inches tall

• 22.5 pounds

• wearing 12-18 month clothes

• wearing size 3.5 shoes but you're growing out of them

• wearing size 3 diapers but I'm about to put you in size 4s to sleep

• still on formula and taking about 4-5 bottles a day; we'll be moving to whole milk soon!

• eating a bunch of table foods but I still give you baby food too 

• saying words:  Mama, Dada, this, hey, bye-bye, Dav-s (David Scott). You've also said Papa and thank you a couple of times. 

• so close to walking!  You've taken two steps in succession a few times but that's all. You use everything as a prop to help you stand and cruise all over the place. It won't be long!  For now, you just go Mach-10 crawling everywhere. 

We can't wait to celebrate our first Christmas as a family of four -- and your very first Christmas!  

Love, Mama

4 Years Old...

David Scott Rainwater, Jr.  My boy.  One of my greatest blessings. My Lovebug turned 4 on the 18th; we had his superhero-themed birthday party two days before. A great time was had by all as we celebrated the boy who loves Batman. Superhero costumes/apparel were worn by most of our guests. And the cake. Oh my!  It was amazing. 

Most importantly, though, here's an update on my favorite 4-year old:

David Scott,

You are your father made over.  You are full of life and character. You also seem to have a pretty good sense of right and wrong...and we've figured out your "tell" if you are not telling the truth...you avert your eyes. You are strong-willed and won't hesitate to throw a fit if we want you to do something you don't agree with -- like going to bed, or wearing something besides a Batman/superhero shirt. You recently told me that "listening is not my favorite thing."  We know that, because, if you get in trouble at school, it is almost always for not listening -- to your teacher, the soccer coach, or your TumbleTime instructor. But you love to help and will do almost anything if it involves "helping." You have such a big heart. And you love to snuggle with Daddy or me and you do not hesitate to say you love somebody; you love your family. You love, love, love Baby Drew and he unequivocally returns the love and adoration. I can't wait to hear him say your name which you are trying to teach him is "David Scott Rainwater, Jr.," which it of course is, but there's no way your little brother is going to be able to say your whole name any time soon. But it's still cute for you to occasionally request it. You are a great eater and will try just about anything...including sushi -- you recently are a few bites of my crunchy roll...delish. 

You love to watch movies and totally get engrossed in them blocking out everything else (...not listening). Your favorites are -- what else -- anything superhero-related. Daddy took you to see the second "Thor" movie on your birthday. You had a great time and I hope you're able to continue this tradition as you went to another movie on your birthday last year.  To celebrate on your birthday, we also went to eat "bread, french fries, and fruit" (aka Outback) for supper. 

I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday -- helped by the fact that I kept a time log of the events. It doesn't seem like you've been mine for just four years. In some ways, it seems like my life began on November 18th four years ago. And in a way, I guess it did. I literally have no clue what I did in my "spare time" before your arrival.  I know I went to a lot more football games and movies than I get to go to these days. But I also know that life wasn't nearly as joyful as it is today. I know I got to sleep later on weekends.  Both you and Drew are early birds like your Daddy. I've never really been the sleep-til-noon type, but sleeping til 7 is a luxury these days. Because even when Daddy takes parental duties to let me sleep later some weekends, I can hear you laughing and having such a good time that I usually don't sleep in past 7:30 or so as I want to join in on the fun/can't sleep due to all the fun happening throughout the house. 

At four years old, here are a few fun facts about you. You are:

• 36 pounds

•  ? inches tall (I need to measure you)

• wearing 3T pants and 4T shirts with size 9.5 or 10 shoes

• capable of dressing/undressing yourself but you prefer to have help

• loving pizza, cereal, and guacamole as your favorite foods

• changing favorite colors -- blue has always been your favorite but you've recently expressed a love for green

• wanting to be a daddy and an "animal doctor" when you grow up. Two excellent choices, in my opinion. 

I am so proud of the boy you've become and will continue to evolve into. I can't believe you're almost big enough for real school. It's so bittersweet to see your child getting older and growing more independent and confident. But mostly, being your Mama makes me proud:  Proud of your concern for others and the love you show to your friends and family. Proud of the good manners you use most of the time...something many kids these days don't exhibit, strangely enough. Proud of the sweet, funny, lively, always-on-the-go, curious, talkative boy that you are. My heart is full...

Love, 

Mama

10 Months...

Gah!  Here we are at the end of another month and I haven't done my monthly update on Baby Drew. But for the one or two people who actually read my blog, here it is:

My Sweet Baby,

You turned 10 months old on November 9th. And boy are you growing!  Currently, you are:

• 21 pounds

• 28 Inches tall

• wearing size 3 diapers (still)

• wearing size 3.5 or 4 shoes

• wearing 12 months-sized clothes -- even some that are 18-months!  I don't think you are that big, but you're bigger than some of the over-12-months old kids who will be in your next class at daycare. 

• still taking 4-5 bottles a day and eating more and more people food and less baby food. So far you've had at least a bite twelve of pretty much everything we eat. You especially like guacamole, ravioli, and anything with rice. Mama's Boy...

• still cruising on the furniture -- but more than you have been...really cruising now, though. 

• cutting your 8th tooth -- the fourth one on the bottom. 

Baby Drew, you can be so sweet, giving me kisses...just before you try to bite me, always wanting to be held...only by me. You really are a Mama's Boy.  I love it!  Really, I do. I know this time is fleeting and one day you and David Scott will be bigger and won't want to be with your mom. So I will continue to purposefully enjoy the chaos, exhaustion, and frustration because it comes along with much joy, excitement, and pride with each new milestone you boys reach. 

Love, 

Mama