the great outdoors

We managed to salvage spring break by spending the final weekend at the Bryants' lakehouse. Even I (homebody extraordinaire) needed to getoutofthishouse! Peter is of course quite familiar with the lakehouse so upon arrival he went on his merry way to find the logging truck Reenie keeps for him. Not to mention the oodles and oodles and oodles of (ahem) vintage toys from when Hayes and McCall were little. Honestly, I'm so glad she kept them because they sure don't make toys the way they used to. Davis is somewhat less familiar given he has the memory of a goldfish, so we explored a bit before naptime. Peter was on the mend at this point, but Davis was still suffering from the world's most persistent fever. Honestly, I think the change of scenery and fresh air was really good for him.

 Last year we implemented the June rule, mandating that Peter cannot even so much as ask to go swimming in the lake until June. Poor Boopah got suckered into going swimming in April of last year and I'm afraid even his grandfather's hypothermia wouldn't have gotten Peter out of that water before he was good and ready. So June it is. Maybe we'll surprise him in May since it's been such a mild winter and warm spring so far. But we won't tell him that quite yet. Instead of swimming, we went on boat rides, we took walks, we lazed around the house and had picnics. Pretty much a dream weekend.

the first (and coziest) boat ride of the season

But the biggest activity of the weekend was teaching Peter how to fish. His Mickey Mouse fishing rod got quite a workout with 48 hours of "casting practice." He actually got pretty good at casting without hitting anyone! Next up - we add a hook and bait. Looks like I may need to run to Bass Pro Shops to "outfit" and "equip" him properly.

Davis had his own agenda with his fishing pole (a stick with string handmade by Resourceful Reenie) - how many times can I splash Reenie/Mommy/Callie before I swing around and hit them with my stick?

Hayes had his first race of the triathlon season in Birmingham on Sunday morning and he won 1st place in his age group!  Out of 140 participants he finished 35th, so he's off to a great start.  He's worked really hard in preparation for these next three months, so we're super proud of and excited for him.

As for me, I was so happy to return to normalcy on Monday.  Yay for school!  Yay for no more fever!  Yay for life beyond our house!  We could finally go play outside and got busy picking up sticks in the Gator and dumping them in the brush pile.  It's never too soon to put these boys to work!! Peter began his digging season so he and Chief are competing to see who can dig more holes in all the flower beds.  Davis is more than a little obsessed with bubbles so he would occupy himself with that or by playing on the playscape.  Although, I do recall a few time outs for throwing rocks at me, Peter, Chief - and even himself. (?) Our week culminated in a trip to the zoo on Friday to see the new dinosaur exhibit.  It's a fantastic setup outside with robotic dinosaurs that are life-size and LOUD.  Peter loved every bit of it, but of course his favorite was the T-rex at the end.  Davis growled back at them but I think he was a bit overwhelmed by their size and volume.  They weren't quite as cutesy as the dinos in the cartoons.  I so wish I had pictures and video but to be honest, my hands were full with the double stroller.  Peter kept hopping back in the stroller because his legs hurt... if only he cared how much mine hurt pushing 100 extra pounds up those hills!  We won't even begin to discuss the extra weight that has taken over my torso.  Suffice it to say, Mommy needed a nap yesterday.

Today we took advantage of the sunshine and went straight to the dirt pile after our breakfast date.  For three hours the boys climbed, dug, scraped, slid, climbed, ran, built, dug, hiked and splashed all over.  We saw a snapping turtle and watched tadpoles, hiked along the creek trails and even waded into the creek.  Peter (not surprisingly) maintained some sense of cleanliness, although (not surprisingly) Davis was covered in dirt and mud within 60 seconds of our arrival.  Both boys were in heaven, so Hayes and I just got to enjoy watching them do their thing.  How nice to just sit back and watch them get along with each other and other random kids without having to play referee or get in there and do the work for them.  We were so proud of Peter for offering some of our shovels and rakes to some other boys there - without a prompt!  This is the same kid who got in trouble two weeks ago for demanding tickets from random children before going down the slide at the park.  It's good to be reminded of his sweet-natured heart.  It also reminds me how hard it must be to be 4 and keep track of all of these rules and expectations while still trying to remain the center of the universe.  (sigh) 

 

Creek study

Tadpoles everywhere!!

Petting the bird

so, so, so very dirty

"Addy!  Lp! Addy! Lp!" [Daddy! Help! Daddy! Help!]

King o' the Hill

Houdini - headed for the hills...

While uploading these pictures, it has become apparent how negligent I have been these past several weeks when it comes to the blog.  Another post of various adventures will soon follow.

trapped

There has to be a name for the phenomenon of events that are highly anticipated but always seem to disappoint. New Year's Eve, for instance. It just never works out quite how you had it in your head. That's why we re-evaluated and began doing a family pizza party with friends and we are all happy to be asleep as the ball drops. Morning comes early no matter which year it is, and this mama is no morning person. But I digress.

I'm adding Spring Break to the List. I had such high hopes for this week full of beautiful weather. Zoo adventures at the new dinosaur exhibit. Park-hopping picnic. Dirt pile. And then a looooong weekend at the lake house.

I have left the house twice in four days; both times to go to the pediatrician.

Peter developed a fever on Sunday that has persisted ever since. Ibuprofen makes him comfortable but I can tell when it's wearing off - fever keeps coming back. He has thrown up a couple of times so his menu is limited, making for some fantastic negotiation practice. It's a virus, so we just have to let it run its course. Davis has been quite a trooper given our homeboundness. (?) Well, until today.

Sweet boy had another seizure this afternoon as he was waking from his nap.

Thank goodness for video monitors. Thank goodness for maternal instincts and thank goodness for the ability to text "911 D seizing" and have my husband fly through the door in 5 minutes, no questions asked.

To see him tonight you wouldn't know a thing was wrong. In an hour and a half he had emerged groggy, droopily tolerated an exam at the pediatrician, and then began pointing out rescue vehicles and machines on the way back home. By the time we had supper, he was chatty, inquisitive and demanding as ever. Add a cookie for dessert and as far as he was concerned, life was perfect.

Now we are setting alarms to dole out ibuprofen during the night to both boys. As my friend Carolyn pointed out, Spring Break does call to mind "viruses" but they are usually preceded by too much beer or rum.

So as I document this run of bad luck, I feel compelled to include how proud I am of Peter for his positive attitude this week. Being sick is a drag but he has managed to get by with only a couple of meltdowns, mostly surrounding the exclusion of milk from his menu options. Tragic, I tell you! I have rolled my eyes and complained about the circumstances, all the while washing my hands every 5-7 minutes. But I must admit that if I have to be stuck in a house for four days without so much as a grocery run, I'm glad I'm stuck with them.

a four year old's version of a pulse check

I know I have been negligent. I have been a busy bee with a project for our preschool as well as taking advantage of SPRING by spending as much time as possible outside.

Just had to drop a note today to let you know that I've added another skill to my curriculum vitae. Plumber.





Apparently when I say "3 squares" he hears "3 squares over and over until you use the whole roll!"

TGI Quiet Time.

missed a twister

After two days of buzz about the violent tornadoes and storms headed our way, we hunkered down.





Thankfully, it was not nearly as bad here as expected. We are safe and sound!

we laissez-ed les bon temps rouler

It's just so hard to resist a Zaunbrecher wedding. On Mardi Gras weekend. Yes, please! So the boys and I made a quick trip to Loozyanna last weekend for some facetime with the family. We even managed to spend a couple of nights in Birmingham with Reenie and Boopah while en route.

We spent a morning with cousins at Aunt Myra and Uncle Sonny's house, an afternoon at a dinosaur exhibit, and another afternoon at my grandparents' house, I had hoped to make a parade or two but tornado warnings and cancelled parades made that difficult. That's okay - king cake and a shrimp poboy more than made up for it.

Separation + DVDs and audiobooks + 7 straight hours = little boy bliss



Borrowed a jacket from Aunt Myra - doesn't he make a pretty little girl? ;)



At the foot of a T-Rex - "never in my whole life have I seen a foot so big!"



Waaaaay into pillow forts these days. You can imagine how much he covets my full body pregnancy pillow.



How on God's green Earth is this even remotely comfortable?!



The wedding was beautiful and festive and fun - exactly the reason I love my family so much. We have 3 more weddings this year; I'm crossing my fingers I can travel for all of them. I know this much - I won't be able to crawl to the back seat again to regulate until after BabyBoy comes. Let's just say I learned that the hard way!

Come on springtime!!

queen bee

peter has an announcement to make 

In an effort to make it a family affair, we had our ultrasound tech write down those three magic words on a card for Peter to read to us after school today.  While neither of us cheated, both Hayes and I thought we may have seen an extra little appendage when she was measuring the leg bones.  We are thrilled, Peter is excited, and Davis is too now that he's napped.  Ha!

chattanooga, take two

So we had such a good time last month that we decided to hit the road for another visit to Chattanooga.  This time with the added bonus of a hotel stay.  Peter’s eyes have never been so big as they were when we told him that we got to ride to Chattanooga in the minivan with a DVD on AND stay in a hotel AND go to the aquarium AND more surprises if little boys cooperated.  I mean, the only way it could’ve been better is if he got to hold the garage door clicker the whole way. 

So after our Saturday breakfast (where Hayes actually tried something new – kudos!), we hit the interstate with Hayes at the wheel.  I had the owner’s manual on my lap; we piddled and scrolled until we figured out how to have a DVD on for the boys and listen to our own music/podcast/quiet up front.  Once we figured that out, I think Hayes wondered why he didn’t convince me to get a minivan four years ago.  He really, really, really enjoyed the perks.  I really, really, really enjoyed two quiet boys in the backseats for two hours. 

Upon arrival in Chattanooga we treated the boys to the first surprise – a train ride.  The Tennessee Valley Railroad has a little museum from which you can take a ride on a real passenger train to another station at which point you watch the locomotive turn around on the turntable, see real trains in a workshop, and then ride back.  Did I mention bridges and tunnels?  Yes, Davis was so excited by the tunnel that he learned how to say it.  Unna.  We heard a lot about unnas this weekend.  Big hit -  I think we’ll be doing that again. 

Beside an old locomotive

An old red caboose!

We checked into our hotel for a late naptime.  Instead of the usual two adjoining rooms situation, we tried a Residence Inn that has a two bedroom suite with two bathrooms and a full kitchen and living area.  All for the same price (less, actually, than two adjoining rooms).  Any traveling families should take note – it was a relatively blissful hotel experience with little ones.  Ironically, the only one who actually got to nap is the one boy who never naps.  As tired as we all were, Davis was just too wound up so Hayes and I took turns with him while Peter slept.  After naptime came surprise #2 – swimming at the pool.  Now, I couldn’t seem to find my maternity swimsuit (bummer!) so Hayes was on his own with two boys who can’t get enough of anything that splashes.  I just took pictures and decided to order pizza for dinner.  Swimming, pizza, movies in a hotel?  Kid bliss.

To the pool!

Splish splash

His lips are blue because the water was so cold, but he would NEVER admit that.

Yeah, he looks like an angel....

All showing their muscles -- Davis hasn't quite grasped the "raise your arms" part

This morning, we woke to a full breakfast at the hotel.  Actually, Hayes returned from his early morning run and brought breakfast up to care for the kids while I slept in.  He’s a gem, I know.  After some cartoons and packing up, we hit the aquarium.  It just doesn’t get old.  Peter was as mesmerized now as he was a year ago, only his questions and observations were more mature.  We all learned a little bit as a result of his curiosity.  Davis just loved to press up on the tank glass and point and grunt at each fish that passed.  His expression of approval, to be sure.     

Do sting rays have mouths?

Can I jump in?

Shark bait

Up high on a bridge!

Since we had happened on a balmy February day, we decided to See Rock City before heading home.  We had nixed this attraction last year because we wanted Davis to be walking, as strollers are really inconvenient for this place.  For those who have never been, Rock City sits atop Lookout Mountain.  It was once a private estate but has become a botanical garden/amusement park.  No rides (except some for the gnomes you see all around), but there are huge boulders everywhere with just enough space to allow for small pathways.  There are caverns and tunnels and bridges and waterfalls, not to mention a lookout from which you can see seven states.  The boys hadn’t expected much, but they loved this place.  The tunnels helped. 

Entering Fat Man's Squeeze -- lighting was not conducive to many  other good photos!

Lunch at the grill, two tired boys and an increasingly impatient pregnant lady later, we waddled (or maybe that was just me) to the car and made our way down the mountain toward home. 

Surely this can't be comfortable?! 10 minutes in, I crawled back there and moved him from his booster to his big carseat. 

Home again, home again, jiggety jig!

It's back to the old grind tomorrow but as Peter said, 

"It's nice to be away from home in a hotel for a night with your family." 

Yes, Peanut, it sure is.  

I think we have a Chattanooga, Part III in our future!

two

Dear sweet baby Davis,

It is with a heavy heart that I put on a smile for the occasion of your second birthday. Sure - I’m thrilled to celebrate you and the special day that you came into our family. It’s just that I can no longer get away with calling you a baby since you are capable of running, jumping, disagreeing and generally escaping me at nearly every turn. You are a little Houdini, indeed. Your charm is undeniable, which is good considering you’ll need it to get out of the predicaments into which your mischievous spirit will find its way.

As a second child, you have introduced us all to a new dynamic as a family of four. You have been such a good little brother for Peter, although he might argue that you knock over his buildings a few too many times. You have taught him about compromise and also how to still love while disagreeing. You are affectionate and love to hug and cuddle. One of your favorite ‘phrases’ is telling people “I love YOU!” You are a tough cookie, Davis. You hang in there with the bigger kids and you love every minute. You are quick-witted, stubborn, and smart – an explosive combination. One of our favorite stories about you is the day you saw another kid push Peter out of the way and you ran from across the room to push him back. You may be quiet at first (or maybe that’s because you’re not a big talker yet), but you are dynamite. Four years ago that kind of attitude would have frightened me but now I can appreciate that spark in our family.

This year holds lots of changes for you but I know you’re up for it. You’re up for anything. This baby in my belly is going to be your best friend and look up to you like you hung the moon, you and Peter. Won’t it be nice to be the big brother for a change?! We just really need to work on the throwing thing – or at least improve your aim.

Happy second birthday, little man. Thank you for your sweet, adventurous spirit and your ubiquitous smile.

I love you,
Mommy

He is part monkey, afterall...

Enough of all this - when can I go back to the ball pit?

Where's Peter?

Honestly, I think Peter had more fun than Davis.  And Davis had a blast.

Puppet show

Davis emerged from the back room on a motorcycle to the tune of "Bad to the Bone"

Peter and his future bride, Bailey :)

Bubble Bliss

i used to be cool

Yes, I go to bed early enough to sleep almost 11 hours at night. Yes, I have become one of "those" people who thinks Coke in the newfangled white cans tastes different. But that's not what I'm talking about. I swallowed a jagged little pill this weekend, folks. Goodbye, twenties...


...and hello, thirties (three years of 'em, anyway).


Every morning when I announce that it's time to go, Peter asks if we get to ride in the minivan. He hasn't quite grasped the idea of our new car, I suppose. What he does grasp? The sliding doors. OBSESSED.

payback is hell

So, where were you at 2:53 this afternoon?

I, friends, was crawling out of a window.

Back story - in a recent text to our parents, I wrote: "Your eldest grandson is in solitary confinement. Lock on the outside of his door and a potty pass when necessary. The little $&;! smuggled five snack (cookie) pouches and a bowl of fruit into his room and stole my iPad from the charger beside my bed. Found him watching a movie with cookie trash all around him and a chocolate mustache. Game on."

Now I admit to a few hormonal outbursts, but this pattern of behavior (and the methods used to reach such ends) breaks umpteen house rules and pushes almost every button I have. I was done. I recognize a door lock is drastic; I was desperate.

Fast forward to today, after enjoying some peaceful quiet-time, I decided to go up and get Peter early. Just before climbing into his bed for a story, he opened his door, locked it and closed it again. Smiling. @&;!

Davis was waking up and I could not get to him. No phone. Couldn't jimmy the top hinge. Couldn't find any small sharp objects (mother of the year) to pick the lock. Peter was full of "ideas" until I banished him to the top bunk to think. I then crawled out of Peter's window - into the snow - without a jacket - and jiggled every doorknob and window. To no avail. I knocked on neighbors' doors to call Hayes. Nobody was home. I crawled back through the window to warm up and attempt to settle Peter, who was both wildly excited by the adventure and a little confused by the crazy woman crawling in and out of the house.

In a last ditch effort, I thought that maybe the contractor's key was still out there. Nope. But I did have the sense to check all the drawers and cabinets on the screened porch and I found a very old key. Unsure if it even belonged to our locks, I held my breath and gave it a turn.

Thank you, sweet Jesus.

Boys were safe and I finally had access to a restroom. Clearly, we will be re-evaluating our "security measures," both inside and out. Not exactly the results we had in mind.

(sigh)

I can laugh now.

auld lang syne = times gone by

Happy 2012!!

So when it's been weeks since my last post, it's hard to know where to begin.  Add Christmas, a new year and two weeks of vacation from school and I'm as lost as someone who hasn't even been here.  Good thing we've taken pictures to document. 

First thing's first:  "I'm going to be a big brother!"

Indeed, Davis is going to claim that dubious title of "middle child."  We are expecting another Bryant in early July, and by most accounts it will either be named "Captain Hook" or "Daddy."  Have I mentioned that we are clueless when it comes to the mere possibility of a girl?! While I am still exhausted 10 minutes after waking, I'm not feeling sick anymore.  I'll take it!  I'm not the spunkiest gal to begin with, so I can function fairly well on low energy.  Add all-day-queasiness and I'm not so adequate a parent.  Glad to enter the second trimester along with a new year!


While the boys have been out of school I have tried my best, especially given my aforementioned energy level, to provide quality adventures to get us out of the house most days.  We have taken advantage of some nice days and played outside, but we have also met friends for playtime and story time at the library.  Frankly, I didn't have room in my bag for the big ol' camera, but trust me.  We went.  We saw.  They tired out. We napped.

We love Saturdays, "because Daddy doesn't go to wook!"

So many of you know that I adore Christmas card time.  I love receiving pictures of all the precious children in our lives and I love sending out cards that capture our family in a moment.  I arranged to have professional pictures taken several weeks early, as it had been pre-Davis the last time we had a family portrait.  Despite a very spirited session, the photographer assured us that she got some great pictures.  Then I found out it would be mid January before I'd see them. 

Whoops.

So off to the backyard we went for a quickie photo shoot.  Yes, bribery and threats were involved.  Here are some outtakes (not all silly - Peter was a dream due to promises of treats!):

The winner - now see what came next...

Always so smiley.  Always up to something.

And then came Christmas.  Quickly.  Peter was of course full of anticipation and questions, so we detected a bit of a cold coming on and gave him some Benadryl before bedtime.  (There was a doctor in the house!) Didn't want a repeat of last year.  We had quite a few laughs as we witnessed the medicine take effect, and before long he was conked out in bed with Davis soon to follow.  Luckily, we didn't have a whole lot to accomplish that night so we all went to bed early.  At 3:43am, we heard footsteps in our room and a little voice exclaim, "Daddy!  Santa came and he brought me the most wonderful bike I could ever have!"

So up we were, and down we went.  He was enamored.  In addition to Santa's bike he received several dress-up costumes and books, a space ship and a space tee-pee... Boopah was up for the morning so the rest of us enjoyed Peter's initial bliss and excused ourselves for a few more winks of sleep.  When Davis woke at 7:20, we did it all over again with much less fanfare.  All he wanted to play with was a new Thomas train.  Reenie ended up opening his presents but it took a while to get him to play with much else.  Even Peter enjoyed most of Davis's presents - and still does!

Trying out the new ride

One excited boy

Over the past week he has practiced in all different conditions, and we finally decided to put the training wheels on to boost his confidence.  He had mastered the balance bike so we thought he'd be okay without them, but he's about a quarter inch too short for a perfect fit.  He's doing really well and we hope to take the "stabilizer legs" off again soon.  At the rate he is growing, it won't be long at all.

So, now it's the first day of 2012.  When Peter and I talked about all the fun things happening this year (turning 5, new baby, summer vacation, etc.), I asked him what he was most excited about.  His response:  playing in the snow.  Old Man Winter, please throw us a bone!

That said, we are readying ourselves for a very special year.  While there will be lots of changes, we are blessed to have the support of such good friends and family. I wish the same for all of you.

And if you see me driving a minivan, please withhold your laughter.  I assure you, I'll be chuckling enough for the lot of us.