Our summer

So, this is what happens when your kid can run and talk and ask 1000 questions and stay up later? You fail to blog his life. I am worried, though, that I will forget some of the shining (and not-so-shining) moments that happen. I simply MUST get some of this in writing.

Just this week, Shepard has thrown over "blue blankie" (of which we own TWO) for "Lovely Carrot." Lovely Carrot is an elephant lovie that was given to us by our friend Sarah DeShields at a shower before Shepard was born. He found her in his stuffed animal bin and named her. She is neither a carrot nor a rabbit. I have no idea where he gets this stuff.

He also threw himself on the floor with a power fake-cry because "I can't smell things the way Regis (the dog) can!!!!!!! Why can't I smell like the dog!?" I think he just wanted something to cry about.

In other news, he might end up on the street with no teeth, since he cannot be bothered to clear his plate from the table, pick up books off his floor, or brush his teeth, since these things are all "too boring." Last week he told me he likes to eat "fun cake" more than "work cake." He asked me a few weeks ago why people have to go to work and do a job. I told him that the Bible says we need to work in order to eat (and have money for things like fun and a home, etc.). He said he would invent a machine that would make food for him (so he doesn't have to work...). I'll just leave that there. Hopefully, he'll go far with his toothless smile and creative spirit.

We had a blast at Edisto with our cousins and Jones family last week. I think Shepard is part fish. He has taken round two of swim lessons this summer, and is getting very, very close to swimming on his own.

Here's a pic from the angel tree near Charleston, SC. He was acting like the opposite of angel on this morning.  ;) 

More to come. I'm getting this thing updated IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!

Coming soon...THREE. THE MOVIE.

But until that big ole video uploads...amuse yourself with this. "Froggie" and Shepard recently. An interview.

You cut my French toast! And other calamities.

I just read THIS WONDERFUL LIST, entitled 46 reasons why my three-year-old might be freaking out. (no, really, you should at least browse this.)

So, I'm feeling pretty inspired now. While our little man is only 2 and a half and some change, below are actual moments of freak out from HIS life. In no particular order and grouped by category.

Reasons that Shepard might freak out/melt down: 

(based on actual experiences...could also be titled "reasons that I think sometimes I might be legitimately crazy")

BANANAS:

• Someone peeled the banana. We are only to "open" it.
• The banana "broke." Into pieces. Cannot possibly eat it now. The taste is altered.
• There is a sudden remembrance that we aren't to eat seeds. (i.e. apples) Cannot eat banana.

DOORS:

• He indicates a desire to enter a particular room (usually sunroom) and the door is locked. Person unlocks door to help him enter the room, but carefully refrains from actually opening the door because person knows better.
• However, person unlocked the door of the room he wanted to enter.

BATH:

• Eager to take bath, we ensue ritual of removing clothing items before entering the water.
• While he is not actively participating in removing items that he is able to (i.e. socks), and seems ready to bathe, he is not complying with any sweet requests to assist in clothing removal.
• Socks are removed by an adult.

MERE PRESENCE:

• Mommy walked into the room. A shared room, such as a kitchen.

MILK:

• The sippy cup has suddenly become empty.
• The milk has been lost. (i.e. under the sofa, on a coaster/side table, in the fridge). These locations are all LOST/GONE!!
• Preference is water after asking for milk.

TOYS:

• Person looked at toy.
• Person put away a toy that had not been played with in at least two days.
• Person attempted to engage him in play with toys that seemed age-appropriate and fun.

GENERAL FOOD:

• Stirred yogurt.
• Cut French toast.
• Suggested salad.
• Did or did not put lid on snack-catcher.
• Used a bowl.
• Used a blue bowl.
• Used a red cup.
• Used a blue cup.
• Filled an empty cup.
• Sampled a bite to be sure it wasn't too hot.

DIAPERS/POTTY:

• Adult attempted to assist with sitting on potty after desire to sit on potty expressed and multiple attempts at climbing up unsuccessful. For the record, adult asked, was given permission in advance.
• Adult attempted to change a really wet diaper. "MY WET DIAPER!!!!"
• Adult suggested potty.
• Striped big-boy underwear are unacceptable today.

There are hundreds more, but we'll just leave it there for now.

Just like a rock star

It was nearly bath time. I had gotten as far as getting clothes off and was tending the bath. I came in Shepard's room to find him performing, so naturally I flew to get the video camera. Thank God I caught some of it for you. Rock on, little man.


I have more videos to upload from July, but it's been a little nuts here lately. More to come!

Dance fever

It was a lovely crisp spring morning at Grandma's. There were two cousins to play with, and there was dancing on the patio. In his socks and jammies. Enjoy.

Family and Friends

We've gotten to visit with lots of family and friends this week. And little man is saying all kinds of new words. Just about anything he hears he'll give a try. So, let's all make sure he hears nice words. ;)

{remember to click on pictures to see larger size}

Cousin Jonathan, Uncle Carl and Aunt Debbie

Great Aunt Linda and Grandma talk to Great Aunt Jim on facetime

Grandma and Shepard share silly face time

Making raspberry sounds for about 30 minutes straight

More raspberries...what can you do?

I'm a silly little guy!

Th-bbbbbhhh-bbbbhhhh!!!

Everyone's looking a pictures

Look, my other cousins are on the screen!

Climbing while Scooby watches

Uncle Matt makes crazy eyes

Aunt Debbie gives me some love

My friend Sophie is playing at my house!

The finer points of triangle-playing

Here, Shepard, these are maracas.

Yay! Maracas!!!

The boy wonder.

:) We are getting to the really fun age when Shepard starts identifying stuff, making animal sounds, etc. I was able to capture our "body parts quiz" earlier today...

Yuck Yucks...

We've been having lots of fun lately. Learning some animal noises...you never know which animal you're going to get. He's still working on it. Also, we're learning that some items you shouldn't put in your mouth. Instead of saying NO, I have been saying "Yuck yuck." I don't know why. It just happened. My yuck yuck noises were cracking Shepard up the other day as he kept trying to eat the purple crayon. Here's a little glimpse into our Sunday afternoon.

Stayin' Alive

I know, I promised a beach video, but this was just too much to wait on!
Shepard and I were listening to a little disco music in the kitchen before bedtime this evening. He has really been learning some sweet moves lately. I credit his dad's and my awesome dance skillz. And maybe Miss Brandy and Miss Whitney at school. I know they do "music and movement" every day. Forget the alphabet and colors...this is PRICELESS LEARNING!
Enjoy.

Here doggie, doggie!

When Grandma came to visit last weekend, she brought lots of smiles and giggles. And a sweet little dog named Tux (or "Batfish" as we like to call him too). Tux was ever-present under the high chair when baby-feeding time came. Shepard realized quickly that Tux would jump up and join the feeding and decided to take a more active role (as in, more active than just accidentally dropping a cheerio...).

Enjoy the moment.

Rocket Man!

We took a random Saturday trip to Concord Mills recently...but we didn't think about the fact that it was back-to-school mania there. Not being a crowd-people, we quickly decided we weren't staying long. Just long enough to change a diaper, feed the "fishbowl," and take a trip on a rocket ship.

Here's ROCKET MAN.(in his robot shirt)

Adventures in parenting

Shepard has been under the weather, so we've had lots of time to hang out this weekend. We've been giving him several remedies in droppers and plastic syringe style medicine dose things. (my brother is clearly the doctor, not me)
In light of that we've said some pretty funny sentences around here over the past few days. Some are not really sick-related...just part of the package when you raise a curious kid.
File these under sentences we never thought we'd say...

Jerod: "He just gets suspicious of us when we come at him with a syringe."
Me: "Shepard. Stop licking the door!"
Me: "Did my child just lick the carpet?! Jerod get him. He's trying to lick the carpet like Barley!!"

I also managed to dive over the baby gate and land knee-first on the kitchen floor. An umpire would have ruled me "safe!" Let's say that I won't be trying to step over it again any time soon. I was going for Shepard's sippy cup at the time. I laid on the floor for a solid five minutes before I dared to move anything. I'm intact. I just feel like the umpire beat my knees with a bat. And, Shepard was NOT in my arms at the time.

That conversation went something like this:
Me: "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" slam, kaboosh, pow, bam, bang
Jerod, bursting into the kitchen from outside..."Talk to me. What happened? Are you ok?"
Me: ".............." (silent)
Jerod (freaking out) "Talk to me. Can you move?"
Me: "I think so. I just need to lie here a minute." (on the kitchen floor)

And then, this morning. Shepard is staying home one more day just to get all rested up. I left for work, and he was peacefully sleeping. When I talked to Jerod at 9:15 or so, this is what I heard...
Jerod: "What did you leave me with?"
Me: "Oooh. Is he fussy?"
Jerod: "Oh my God. Nothing is making him happy."
Shepard (in the background): "AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Me (thinking): "Oooh. Bummer."

Shepard has roseola, which is basically a fever-rash virus. He now has the rash portion, which should not be troublesome at all...except that one of the symptoms listed is fussiness. He definitely has THAT.

I am interested to see what else ends up flying out of our mouths. Feel free to pray for patience for us.  :)

Here is yesterday's "sick day" picture. He was watching Thomas and Friends. I promise I'm getting the haircut and great-grandpapa visit up this week as well.

Little observations

Shepard's hands smell of graham crackers, whether he's eaten them or not. Now I smell graham crackers and think of him. He's literally sweet.

He likes to hum along and make sounds. He's definitely got the "bzzzzzzzzz" of the bee. This morning he was trying to match the tone of the coffee grinder. I made a chord with him by singing the third. It kind of made my day.

He really likes it when I do the frog's "ribbit" and do my froggie tongue. He tries to mimic me.

He can put more stinky poop in a diaper than I ever imagined. Contrary to what I thought before he came, it doesn't make me hurl. That would be not-so-sweet, but only ok.

He will kind of sit still for a book now. He really likes the books with the "peek-a-boo" windows to open.

He sleeps 11-12 hours a night without hardly making a peep. I think this is because he hardly stops moving all day long except for a shortish nap.

He already has a mischevious grin and sidelong glance. It already makes me nervous.

He is laughing at my best "Mama means it" strict-face. This makes me nervous too.

And did I mention his little deep-throated maniacal laugh? (you can hear that here) Sometimes he will use it in context of doing something slightly naughty. I am going to surely be a woman of prayer.

Greased Lightning...Go, Greased Lightning!

It's birth-week, so we decided to go ahead and start breaking out some presents. Grandma Jones got Shepard a little car for his birthday a few months ago. Daddy put it together today so it would be ready for the party this weekend. I had no idea that Shepard would like it so much. It's the first time I've really seen him attach to a toy that way. He will usually play with something for a few minutes then move on. We were considering having to feed him in it, and I was thinking he might curl up with his blankie and go night night in it too.

(disclaimer: I had just gotten home from work and threw on a t-shirt with my dress pants and fancy earrings. Don't judge. We only had about 45 minutes to play, so I changed and ran outside before I missed any of the fun. I didn't know I'd be on camera.)



Vroom! Vroom!

Super-Shepard!

I got the walking on video today along with some other fun. FINALLY!

Crazy baby laugh

Shepard has a new laugh. I won't lie...it sounds a little maniacal! We haven't captured the full-on crazy version quite yet, but here's a teaser...



He pulled out the real thing while I was trying to change his diaper and wrestle him to stay still...let's just say there was poop, poop on his foot, poop on me, kicking, rolling...and the crazy laugh. There is no video of that exchange of course. It's like he was plotting the most insane diaper change ever and his evil plan was coming together just the way he thought it would. Of course, he was smiling and thoroughly enjoying watching Mama trying to keep his limbs and body from going over the edge.

Oh my. If this is a taste of what's to come...this really is going to be a crazy roller coaster ride!

Jones Look-alike Meter

Perhaps unscientific, but I like the results.  :) I see mostly Jones in Shepard, except I think he has my chin. Thanks for the link, Aunt Jessica!



MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Uncle Harry is 40 years OLD!

A message from Shepard...



Happy Birthday, Harry!