The Keene's

Happy 4 Months Gracie Girl!

2012-01-25T23:24:00.001-05:00

Wow! 4 Months Already?!?!

I'm Back (at least I hope!)

2012-01-24T15:32:00.000-05:00

Oh my gosh, it has been FOREVER!
But, in all that time, this blog has not been forgotten. I have wanted to come back so many times, but life got in the way. Yeah, something about having baby #2 that does that to ya.....

I am always worrying that Gracie will think I don't love her as much as I do Tucker due to the lack of posts on her.... I feel very guilty about failing to document her life the past (almost) 4 months as much as I did Tucker's first 4 months. I'm hoping that she will understand how much more time I had when it was only Tucker. Besides, a large portion of my lack of time to dedicate to this blog is in fact HER fault! That girl does not sleep! She's a night owl who views the hours between 8:30 and midnight as her chance to have Mommy and Daddy's undivided attention while Tucker Bug is snoozing away. And during the day, well that's no different. Why sleep at the same time as Tucker does (or why sleep at all!) when that is time she can have Mommy all to herself!? Yeah I'm not quite sure why when I was 9 months pregnant and enduring sleepless nights due to insomnia, my literally larger than life belly, and Gracie dancing on all my organs that I looked forward to her actually getting here so that I could sleep. I've definitely grown accustom to surviving on very little sleep these days.

But, with all that said, sweet Gracie and that devious brother of hers are way worth it. In every way possible.

So, Gracie, know that when Mommy wasn't blogging about you, I was instead spending that time loving on you, smothering you with kisses, making silly faces at you, NURSING you, rocking you, singing to you, changing a GAZILLION of your dirty diapers, dancing with you in the kitchen, and just plain staring at your gorgeous-ness!

Pretty much, we've been busy, the FOUR of us, living life versus documenting it. I do plan to do a quick photo recap of Christmas. (After all, it was Gracie's first!) And I HAVE to update you on Tucker, and give you a glimpse into Gracie's ever-developing personality. So, stay tuned!

Until then:

Do you think my babies look alike?

Taken 12/17/2011

What about Daddy & Tucker? Everyone says Tucker's "Lil' Wes" :)

Taken 12/18/2011 After church service

And what about my little princess? She's got my eyes, right?? Yeah, I'm probably pushing it...

Taken 12/24/2011, before bed on Christmas Eve

And just to prove that even with two kiddos, Daddy and I still manage to get out ONCE in a while:

Date night, 12/23/2011

Thankful

2011-11-30T23:10:00.001-05:00

Thankful. That simple little 8-letter word is not near enough to describe the overwhelming gratefulness that is in my heart. I am beyond thankful for so much in my life.

At the very top of my list is God's love for me. As a mother, I am able to get a glimpse into what a sacrifice God made by sending his son to die on the cross for ME. There isn't anyone on this earth that I would give up either of my children to save, but God did just that for me (and for you!). I am grateful for his unfailing love and grace. I am grateful that he loves me when I don't deserve it. I am grateful that he cares about every aspect of my life.

I am thankful for my family. Our beautiful little family of four. My healthy babies. I could not ask for more and could not be happier than where we are right now in life. Wes, Tucker and Gracie are my world and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I am thankful for the rest of our family. Our parents and siblings, niecies and nephews. I am so thankful that Tucker and Gracie have cousins to grow up with and to make many memories with. I am thankful that they are surrounded by so many family members that love them.

I am thankful for the amazing group of friends that Wes and I have, and their children. I am thankful for their support and encouragement in our lives.

As the season of Thanksgiving comes to an end, it's nice to just take time to reflect on what all we are blessed with. Sometimes these are things that we take for granted in our day to day lives. The small things and the big things.

God,

Help us to be thankful not just in this season of Thanksgiving, but all year round. Thankful for the small things and the big things. Help us to not take for granted the blessings you have graciously provided us and place a desire in our hearts to use those blessings to spread the gospel and glorify you.

Father, Thank you for sending your son to die on the cross so that we can spend eternity with you. Thank you for first loving us, even when we did not deserve it. Thank you for swiftly forgiving us of our sins, and freeing us from any guilt.

Thank you.

Amen

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His mercy endures forever." 1 Chronicles 16:34

Here are a few attempts at a family picture this Thanksgiving. Getting two little ones to look at the camera simultaneously is near impossible!

Our Hearts are Forever Stretched

2011-11-28T14:45:00.006-05:00

8 weeks old

My Sweet, Sweet Gracie,

Wow how time flies! You are 9 weeks and a day today! (Your "updates" are coming soon!) I cannot believe it has been that long ago that you entered our family, then again, I can't believe it has only been 9 weeks! You have fit seamlessly into our family and have stretched our hearts beyond imaginable! (Now, don't let that lead you to believe things have always been smooth sailing! We have had our ups and downs, but every 'down' has been worth it by far!) I confess that before you were born I wondered how I would ever love two babies....but when you came, you brought with you an ability to love more than I ever dreamed possible. And love you we do!

You have your Daddy wrapped all kinds of ways around that little finger of yours! It makes me smile and tear up at the same time to picture the way he looks at you. He would do absolutely anything and everything for you. He would literally move heaven and earth to make you happy! Man do I feel bad for your future boyfriends! They are gonna have it R-O-U-G-H! You are "Daddy's Little Girl" for sure.

2 weeks old

However, you and I have a very special bond too. Gracie, Mommy loves you to the moon and back times infinite! I can't look at you without feeling an overwhelming love for you that I struggle to put into words. My heart over flows with love for you. I thank God a thousand times a day for stretching our family and our hearts by blessing us with you.

6 weeks old

And that brother of yours has loved you from the day he laid eyes on you. You are HIS Baby Gracie. Any time someone besides Mommy or Daddy hold you, he immediately becomes concerned. "Mommy, get her!" he will direct me. "That's MY Baby Gracie!" I have a feeling that protective instinct he holds for you will be with him always. While your future boyfriends may have a rough way to go when it comes to your Daddy, I'm thinking the one they will really need to watch out for is that big brother of yours! Every chance he gets, he lays a kiss on you, hugs you, holds you. He has to watch me change every diaper. If you start to fuss he'll say, "Where's her paci at, Mommy?" and start to shush you or sing to you. He loves when your hand touches him. "Mommy! Baby Gracie touches me!" He is completely in love with his baby sister. This makes Mommy's heart smile SO big!

Tucker 24 1/2 months, Gracie 4 weeks

Tucker 25 months. Gracie 8 weeks

And just look at the way you look that big brother! You adore him and love him right back. When he starts talking, you stop and listen then start to look around the room for him. I'll tell Tucker, "Gracie's looking for you!" and he will come running with a huge grin on his face! He can always make you smile and when he does, he'll say, "Gracie say I funny!"

My babies

In one of the letters I wrote Tucker, I remember saying, "Our lives are

forever changed, forever better." Little did I know then what our life would be like once it was again forever changed.

Gracie,

We love you more than words could ever convey! You are our "Lil Momma" and you have turned this family of 3 into a family of 4 and we are forever grateful for that!

Mommy loves you!!!

XOXOXO,

Mommy

Tucker Meets His Baby Sister for the First Time

2011-11-28T13:17:00.000-05:00

First Peek

Saying he was in love is an understatement! It was so sweet to see how infactuated he was with her!

Of course, it helped that Gracie managed to get Tucker a blue semi-truck as a special "Big Brother" gift ;)

He even came back for more the 2nd day :). As soon as he walked in the room, he said, "Where's my Baby Gracie at?"

And what did Gracie think? Well, she thought meeting her big brother was a a lot of work!

Welcome Baby Gracie!

2011-11-16T00:03:00.000-05:00

Way WAY over-due.....

Anna Grace Keene

September 25th, 2011

9:54 pm

9 pounds, 1 ounce

20 1/2 inches

Absolutely perfect!

BFF's

2011-09-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

Tucker has so many friends to grow up with. I am so thankful for that! Boys and girls whose Mamas and Daddies Wes and I LOVE. We feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing friends who have lil ones that are Tucker's age (and Gracie will have the same!).

I tear up just thinking about what awesome plans God has for these kiddos. There is no doubt they all will do wonderful things, many hand in hand :)

Here's Tucker with a couple of his BFF's! These 3, along with several others, will undoubtedly make many memories together!

Welcome Baby Nash!

2011-09-21T23:03:00.000-04:00

Michael "Nash" Yates

September 21, 2011

8:25 am

7 pounds, 15 ounces

20 inches

Perfection :)

I'm Bringing Sexy Back

2011-09-20T14:46:00.000-04:00

I am so pregnant.

I mean I am REALLY pregnant.

I could write a book on some of the comments I've heard recently regarding just how pregnant I am.

Just this morning, while getting a pedicure, the lady asked me what I was having. After I told her a girl, she responded in her Asian accent with, "A BIG girl!" then her and the guy doing the pedicure next to me starting talking in a language I didn't understand. I'm 100% positive it had something to do with the size of my stomach.

I am getting ZERO sleep at night. Okay, maybe 20-30 minutes here and there. My hands and wrists hurt from the pregnancy carpel tunnel and I'm feeling so much pressure "down there" that it keeps me up at night in pain and I'm surprised every morning that I wake up to find that Gracie hasn't stuck a hand out or something. (Sorry if that was TMI...)

I have like two tops that fit well enough to cover my ever-growing belly. My poor husband. I'm sure the day he said "I do" he had no idea what he would have to put up with from his wife parading around in shirts that allow half her stomach to hang out! It's a good thing he has a great sense of humor! Last night, I sent him a picture text after I got out of the shower (he was in the basement) with the caption "I'm bringing SEXY back!" What was the picture? Well, it wasn't what you are probably picturing (and shame on you!). It was something close to this:

Sexy, uh?

I'm pretty sure all the ice cream I've been eating this pregnancy has contributed to Gracie's larger than life size. My doctor assures me this is not the case. I think she's just being nice.

I have been praying for labor since last Thursday. Now, I don't want Gracie to come at least until Friday. My sister is having her c-section in the morning and my mom is keeping Tatum. I need my mom to keep Tucker when I go into labor. It will probably be my luck that I'll go into labor tonight or tomorrow!

Tucker bit a kid at school today. I know, it's not really related to this post, but I probably won't get a chance to write a post on it. Every day, his teachers have raved about how good he is, how well he listens, and what a great eater he is. Today, I pick him up and before his teacher even has a chance to say anything to me, Tucker says, "No bite! Not nice! [and something about a kid crying]." My stomach sank. Then his teacher proceeded to tell me how he bit a kid in the FACE! I feel awful about it. I talked to the other parent and made Tucker apologize even though his teacher had said he hugged the kid and said "sorry" right after he did it. What do you do in that situation? That's the first real biting incident we've had and I pray it's our last....

Last night I stayed up until midnight cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer. I'll end on that.

Potty Days

2011-09-19T14:02:00.023-04:00

This is not an unusual siting thing around these parts:

Fortunately, the owner of the abandoned diaper can usually be found here:

Tucker is doing really well with peeing and pooping on the potty! Right now, we're just making it fun, not really pressing the issue. We ask him throughout the day if he wants to go potty. Sometimes we get a "No thank you" and other times we get, "Yes!" Then there are times he initiates it himself by either telling us he has to go potty or tearing his diaper off and running to the bathroom. If I have the patience and attention span to let him keep his diaper off, he will actually go potty several times.

When he does go, he gets stickers (1 sticker for going pee pee, and 3 stickers for going poopy) for his Potty Chart. After 6 stickers, he gets a prize (a small match car, his favorite thing!). He has really taken to the Potty Chart and is quite proud of it!

*Please don't make fun of my lack of creativity regarding the Potty Chart! I really do not have a hidden teacher inside of me and the only creativity bone in my body is probably found in my pinky finger... Hey, it works lol!

He goes back and forth on how frequently he wants to use the potty. Three days ago, he earned 8 stickers in one day! Then, yesterday and Saturday he didn't want to use the potty at all.

We're still proud of our almost-two-year-old (gulp!)!!!

38 Weeks and 2 days

2011-09-17T10:49:00.000-04:00

That's where we are.

I found this representation of how big Gracie should be now at that gestational age:

The What to Expect App on my phone says she should weigh about 7 pounds.

Well, Gracie has been measuring big recently. At my 37 week appointment (which was the day before I actually turned 37 weeks), my doctor scheduled an ultra sound to get a better gauge on her size. At that point, she was estimated by the U/S tech to weigh approximately 8 pounds, 14 ounces (though she pointed out this could vary by a pound in either direction)!

At my 38 week appointment, my uterus was measuring 44 centimeters! What the big deal about that? Well, the number of centimeters you measure should be consistent with the number of weeks you are. That means I'm measuring 6 centimeters bigger than I should be.... (And, yes, I passed the glucose test with flying colors.)

At that appointment, my doctor offered to induce me. I declined. I'm barely dilated at 1 cm. My body and my baby are just not ready yet (even if she's the size of a 3 month old right now!). I was induced with Tucker due to high blood pressure at 38 weeks. It was a very difficult labor, on both of us. My goal this time has been to avoid induction if at all possible. My doctor shared risks associated with having a big baby. Though she also expressed that she didn't feel I was at the point where I HAD to go in that direction just yet. She said it was up to me.

I hear about women giving birth to 10+ pounders all the time, without complication. I also hear lots of stories of women who were told they were having 10 pound babies and birth 7-pounders.

I have prayed about it and feel peace with my decision to not be induced last week. I'm really hoping that Gracie makes her debut soon because at my 39 week appointment, if she has continued to grow at the same rate, induction may be the best route to go....

On another note, what's your thoughts on whether Gracie's going to look like her big brother or not?

Here is a glimpse of Gracie at 34 weeks:

And Tucker at 35 weeks:

22 Months

2011-09-12T22:35:00.002-04:00

Tucker will be 23 months in a few days (WHAT?!)....

But I have his 22 month "fun fact list" saved in the Notes App of my phone, where it has been since a few days before he turned 22 months.... As I read back over it today, I realized that I cannot just skip it, there are too many cute things that make me smile and that I want to remember about my Tucker Bug at 22 months.

1. You are a little under 26 pounds and wear a 7 1/2 - 8 size shoe.
2. When it's time to clean up, you sing the Clean Up Song.
3. You ask where something is ALL THE TIME. You will say, "At?" over and over and over again. No answer is ever good enough.
4. You saw your first movie, Winnie the Pooh.
5. You are sleeping in your big boy bed and have been since day one. Knock on wood, we have not had any issues (though you have fallen out twice...ooops!). You have also not yet gotten out of your bed on your own from a nap or night-night. Through the day, you get in and out while playing, but you know when your sound machine is on that you are to not get out. When Daddy or I come in your room after you wake up, you will tell us, "Turn it off" indicating for us to turn your sound machine off so you can climb out of bed.
6. You typically pee in the potty once a day.
7. You always ask for a treat afterwards.
8. You usually pick out cereal for your night-night snack.
9. You will ask if something is "ours" so you can touch it. This comes from times when we are out and you want something or want to touch something and we tell you that you can't because it's not ours. For example, when we go on walks, you will say, "I wanna touch it" about every truck we walk pass. I will tell you, "We can't touch that truck, it's not ours." So, when we walk pass another truck, you will say, "Mommy, red truck ours?"
10. You refer to yourself as "Tucker Bug".
11. You always want the orange stars from your night-night turtle.
12. You will always ask someone if they want what you want. For example, if I say, "Tucker, do you want some pretzel sticks (or whatever)?" You will ask Daddy, "Daddy, want pretzel sticks?" And you will have your head cocked to the side when you do. It's so cute and shows how much you care about others :)
13. We hear "do myself!" ALL THE TIME! You are so independent!
14. You have started to say "thanks" instead of "thank you". It makes you sound so grown up!
15. When you're going to do something mischievous, you will smile and say, "I stinker butt!"
16. You always pick out a purple vitamin.
17. You are into Big vs. Little. If you have more than one of something that is two different sizes, you will always point out which is the big one and which is the little one.
18. You cut your top two 2-year old molars.
19. If you hear someone pass gas, you ask them if they have to poop.
20. If you hear someone say, "Owe!" you always ask if they are okay in a very concerned voice. You are so caring :)
21. Daddy taught you to say "Blue and White!" if you are asked what your favorite color is. (But you leave out "and" and just say "Blue White!" :))
22. You are truly Daddy and I's world! (A spot that for only a short time longer you can claim as all your own....) We love you to the moon and back times infinity, Tucker Bug! Our hearts are overwhelmed with love for you! Everything about you is absolutely perfect!

Lots of Love has been Going into Gracie's Nursery :)

2011-09-07T22:19:00.000-04:00

Memaw has spent HOURS sewing basket liners and the crib skirt!

Papa & Daddy hung the chandelier

Even Big Brother Tucker has gotten in on the action!

Helping Daddy!

Or maybe just being mischievous!

All that and loads more in preparation for our sweet baby girl!

Tucker's First Day of School!

2011-09-06T09:32:00.000-04:00

Today is Tucker's first day of school!

(Actually, it's "Parent's Day Out" every Tuesday and Friday morning from 8:30-12:30.)

I'm so excited for Tucker because I know he is going to love it!

Fun crafts and songs and games and lots of new friends!

If all the fun he had at orientation is any indicator, he is in for a great time!

Checking out all the toys!

Tucker & Charlie

Tucker and Makenly

Yup, he was definitely excited to be starting school this morning!

Sportin' his big boy backpack

All ready to go to school, Mommy!

Now, Mommy just needs to figure out how to be at home without my Tucker Bug and not feel weird lol!

A Smelly Milestone!

2011-09-05T21:55:00.000-04:00

Tucker poopied in the potty for the first time last weekend!

No, we are still not "officially" potty training, but that's because Mommy is being L-A-Z-Y. I'm thinking Tucker's definitely ready (which means Mommy needs to get on the ball...). Anyway, about once or twice a day, I'll let him go around without a diaper on. We usually hang out around the bathroom, just in case he doesn't get that "gotta go" feeling until the last minute. This typically consists of him sitting on the potty reading book after book, running to his room to grab a new one, and then returning to the potty. Mommy hangs out in the hallway because, well, Tucker tells me to. Yup, he wants to do his business in private. He'll tell me, "Shut door Mommy" or "Do myself." The funny thing is, he will read his books for about 20 minutes, decide he's done in the bathroom, run to the kitchen and then stop after a few seconds only to dart back to the bathroom and pee in the potty. (What is it about the kitchen that makes him have to pee??)

Ok, back to the poopy. Last Saturday morning, we were going through the whole routine. I was sitting in the hallway waiting to hear his potty sing indicating he had peed when I heard, "Uh oh.... Mommy??" The way he said, "Mommy" made me think to myself, "Wonder what this is about..." I knew I hadn't heard his potty sing. I opened the door to find that Tucker had pooped in the potty! I think he wasn't quite sure what had happened. He seemed kinda confused until I became all excited and said, "Tucker! You poopied in the potty!" and yelled for Wes to come see. And it wasn't just a little bit of poop, it was A LOT of poop lol! (Don't worry, you're not about to see a picture of my son's poop below!)

I'll be honest with y'all, the whole potty-training thing is not something I'm looking forward to. For one thing, I learned today that cleaning poop out of a potty is a lot more yucky than changing a dirty diaper, why is that? Secondly, it means that accidents are inevitable. Having pee (or poop!) on my carpet is not something that sounds appealing. Thirdly, it probably means a good 3+ days of house arrest until some kind of consistency is established. Fourthly, anything that requires even the slightest bit of mental and/or physical effort is way too much right now for this 36 week and 4 day pregnant woman! Maybe we'll hold off until after Christmas.....

On another note, Daddy and I are so proud of you, Tucker!!! :)

*The above picture is a couple months old and from Daddy's phone, so please excuse the quality. I realized I haven't taken a picture of Tucker on the potty in quite some time and posts are much more fun with at least some relevant picture, so this was the winner ;) Also, I have had this post in draft form since last Saturday, waiting on an appropriate picture. I've learned that hundreds of my posts go unpublished because of that very reason, waiting on a picture. Therefore, in an effort to keep this virtual baby book up to date and document my babies regularly, I can't wait on the perfect picture ;)

Happy Birthday (a lil late) to My First Love

2011-08-25T21:08:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Wes!!!!

To celebrate Wes's 32nd Birthday, here are 33 random things (because you need one to grow on!) about the man who still makes my heart skip a beat:

1. He is the best father ever. Tucker and Gracie are so blessed to call him Daddy!
2. Also, the best husband ever. Seriously, there is not anything else that I could ask for or from him. He is amazing!
3. He is one of the most selfless people I know. He would do anything for anybody.
4. He is a man of God. Truly. He lives his life to follow Jesus and is the godly leader of our family. I don't know what I did to deserve him and I don't deserve him, but I am so thankful to have been given such a gift from God.
5. He used to never miss an episode of The Young & the Restless. Yup, he started watching it when he was younger. We watched it together when we started dating, and he got me a little hooked. We haven't watched it in a long time now though. However, I'm willing to bet he still looks things up on line about Y&R just to see what's going on.
6. He is funny. No, hilarious!
7. He is a remote hog.
8. He has this 'move' or imitation that he does of a dinosaur from Jurassic Park. It's pretty good too. (lol!)
9. He has every line of every old movie memorized.
10. He is a true romantic at heart. Seriously, the gifts he gives me and the letters he writes, so sweet. He's way better at that stuff than I am.
11. He would have liked to have joined the Airforce and been a fighter pilot. (I'm very thankful that is NOT our lifestyle!)
12. He loves pumpkin seeds.
13. And Sea Salt Carmel Ice Cream, Kroger brand.
14. He eats a bowl pretty much nightly, and always in bed.
15. He is an amazing cook and grill-master.
16. He was in the marching band and can still get busy on the snare drum.
17. He pitched on the baseball team in high school and threw a really mean curve ball.
18. He is always calm, cool and collected.
19. He always knows the right thing to do.
20. Has nick names that include 'Wuz', 'Lucky Dog', 'Wheels', & 'Collaliah'.
21. His first car was a 1982 Oldsmobile '98.
22. He sings in the shower, really loud.
23. He used to be a teacher's pet in high school.
24. He enjoys video games.
25. He likes his stake medium-rare.
26. He loves a good nap, especially on Sundays!
27. He is really good at his job, which allows me to be a stay-at-home-most-of-the-time mom.
28. He is a great spider killer.
29. He has two younger sisters who look up to and admire him.
30. All of his sisters' friends think he's super hot (of course I couldn't agree more!)!
31. He scored almost a perfect score on his driver's test.
32. He has a pair of aviator sunglasses that make him look like Usher.
33. He used to sing me "Yeah-Yeah" songs (and I kinda miss them!).

Happy Birthday, Baby!

"Cheese!"

Love,
Mommy, Tucker & Gracie

Funny Thursday

2011-08-25T14:53:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Wes was changing Tucker's dirty diaper. For Wes, this takes some concentrating. So, he wasn't as attentive to Tucker as Tucker would have liked. Here's what Tucker did about it:

Tucker: "Daddy. Daddy. Daddy! Daaaaaaddddddyyyyy! [Wes still doesn't answer because he's focused on the 'dirty' task at hand.] Wes! Weeessss!!!"

Daddy: "What did you call me?!"

Tucker, with a smile on his face: "Daddy!"

I guess maybe it's time for Mommy to only refer to Daddy as Daddy!

I thought that was funny and thought I would share.

Happy Thursday! :)

And She Shall Be Called....

2011-08-21T22:55:00.000-04:00

Anna Grace

But around these parts, she's known as Gracie :)

Or, as Gracie Bear by Daddy and I.

"Anna" is the name that Wes and I have had picked out for our future daughter for quite some time now. Somewhat of a family name since my Mom's middle name is "Anne". It's close enough to claim being named after Memaw, right?

My Sweet Gracie Bear,

Right now you are kicking and punching the heck outta Momma! And I love every one of those jabs and drop kicks! I am so excited to meet you, to hold you so close and kiss those sweet cheeks! (But, no rush, you still have several weeks of growing to do yet!)
There are so many things that I look forward to about having a daughter! I hope that we will be best friends. I hope that you will always know that you can come to me about anything and everything. I hope that I'm the first person you want to come to about everything, good or bad.
I look forward to the special bond we will have. I can't wait to watch you and Tucker together, to see the look on his face when he meets you for the first time. To watch you try to follow your big brother around. And I am especially excited about the special bond that you and Daddy will have. Daddy loves you so much, he lights up every time you're name is mentioned!
Gracie, it's like you've always been a part of our family, like you've been in Mommy's belly forever (lol! thank goodness that's not the case!). When Tucker says his night-night prayers, he always says, "Thank you Gracie Mommy's belly." And, of course, Daddy and I always thank God for our sweet Gracie Bear!
We all love you SO, SO, SO, SO much, way more than words!
Love,
Mommy
XOXOXO

Baby Nash is on His Way!

2011-08-08T21:58:00.000-04:00

Y'all remember that my sister's due date is only 2 days ahead of mine? Well, did I tell y'all that she's having a boy!? She already has the most beautiful 2 1/2 year old little girl, Tatum (her and Tucker are 8 months apart), and now, Baby Nash is on the way! I know, isn't the name "Nash" so cute! It's Holli's husband's great grandmother's maiden name. There's just something I LOVE about family names like that! "Michael Nash" is scheduled to be here on September 21st.

To celebrate his upcoming arrival, I had Holli and Nash a small baby shower at my house this past weekend. Here's a few pics :)

Holli & Shelby

Isn't Holli absolutely beautiful?! She's glowing!

Some silly shower games :)

Me & Holli (Baby Boy Yates & Baby Girl Keene :))

And can y'all PLEASE tell me what is wrong with this picture?!?!

Why am I like ten times bigger than Holli?! Remember, she's due 2 days before me! Now maybe I know why people look at me with pity when I tell them I have 7 1/2 weeks left....

Congratulations Holli! I am SO excited to meet Baby Nash!!! I love you so much!!!! (And hurry up and grow a big belly already! You're really making a sista look bad lol!)

Tucker's First Movie!

2011-08-08T12:41:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday, Daddy and I took Tucker to see his very first movie, Winnie the Pooh!

What's a movie without some pre-movie video games?

There's something about a giant bag of popcorn that makes my Tucker Bug look like such a big boy!

Tucker was so good throughout the movie (which was only an hour and three minutes, including previews, so it's the perfect "first" movie!). During the previews, he kept saying, "Winnie the Pooh at?" I'm with ya, Tucker Bug! Why show previews of anything other than Winnie the Pooh at a Winnie the Pooh movie?

He was pretty entertained by the movie and only started to get a little restless during the last 20 minutes. We decided to get out while we were ahead and skipped the last 10 minutes of the movie, at which point I asked Tucker, "Are you ready to go?" He responded VERY loudly with, "Bye bye movie!" and continued to tell the movie "Bye Bye" over and over again until we exited the theatre!

I think we have lots more movies in our future!

Wordless Wednesday - Vicariously

2011-08-04T14:07:00.000-04:00

Please check out one of my very good friend's blog (who also allows Tucker to hang out with her and her son, Jayden, while I'm at work) here. I didn't do a Wordless Wednesday yesterday, but she did and it pretty much sums up a favorite for both our babes :)

Children Grow Up When You're Not Looking

2011-07-29T15:10:00.000-04:00

When I was growing up, my mom had a sign in our kitchen that said, "There will be years for cleaning and cooking, for children grow up while you're not looking."

As a child, I'm sure I didn't pay much attention to it. I think the only reason I remember it is because it hung above the toaster and so I would read it while waiting on my bread to toast.

Now, I understand every single word of it. Children really do grow up when you're not looking! I look at Tucker Bug sometimes and I am blown away at how big he is already! Where did my baby go? No, I mean really, where? and when? It just happens so fast. Wes and I were laying in bed the other night talking before we went to sleep. Somehow, our conversation turned to silly things that we did or that happened years and years ago (like the time our sophomore year in college that my computer crashed and I lost an entire 21 page business proposal for my business class at Transy, at 2:00 am! And, yes, it was due the next day!). After reliving a few good and maybe not-so-good times, I asked, "Can you believe we have an almost 2-year-old son and a daughter on the way?" How is that possible? Some days it seems like yesterday that I was in a panic because of that lost paper and as a result stayed up all day, skipped my first class, and re-wrote the entire thing from scratch (and actually produced a much better paper, I might add!). Most days, I don't feel much older than that naive 19-year-old. Other days, it seems like a life time ago and I feel much (MUCH) older lol! Anyway, the point is, time flies. Add a child in the mix, and it moves at the speed of light!

Tucker is at an age, and maybe it's just his personality and not really his age, but he likes to be played with. Now, don't get me wrong, he can definitely sit and play independently, but he enjoys being played with so much more! I hear the words, "Mommy, up!" and "Come on, Mommy!" all. day. long. Even when I am already playing with him. He and I can be sitting on the floor, playing trucks and he will get an idea in his head of something else he wants to do and I hear, "Mommy, up!" And keep in mind two things: 1) The attention span of a toddler isn't very long. Which means we had probably only been sitting on the floor for 3 minutes. And 2) Sitting on the floor to only get up again and repeat the whole process every 3 minutes isn't necessarily the easiest task for a 31 week pregnant woman!

Knowing that "Mommy, up!" and "Come on, Mommy!" really mean, "Mommy, please play with me!" and "Mommy! I'm so excited! Come see what I found/did!" make it really hard to resist following his commands. My son wants to play with me! How can I say no to that? And believe me, when there are dishes piling up in the sink and I've just started to unload the dishwasher, or I barely started eating my breakfast, or whatever other household chore I happen to be trying to accomplish at the minute, gets interrupted by those phrases, my instincts are to say, "Tucker, Mommy's busy right now. You go play." but then I am reminded of the sign that resided in our kitchen for so many years.

There really WILL be YEARS for cleaning and cooking, for children REALLY DO grow up when you're not looking. So, I want to look as often and as long as I can :)

And as I just wrote those two lines above, tears welled up in my eyes. Not only because my baby boy will be turning into a young man one day and it will seem all too soon, but also because in less than a few short months, Tucker's baby sister will be here and there will be times that I will HAVE to tell him that Mommy's busy, and that breaks my heart....

Until then, I'm enjoying playing trucks, hide 'n seek, chase, building towers of blocks that get knocked down by a boy and his garbage truck, shooting hoops, fixing toy airplanes with toy tools, pushing trains around a track, playing catch, finger painting, reading books, listening to Tucker read me books, eating toy food, wrestling......

And I'm sure to keep my eyes on that little booger that's doing all that growing while Mommy's not looking!

Tucker at 9 months :)

21 Months

2011-07-28T13:13:00.003-04:00

1. You're real into what belongs to who. It's always "Daddy's car," "Tucker's choo choo train," "Mommy's shoes," etc.

2. You are trying to actually dribble your basketball.

3. You love Special K Fruit & Yogurt cereal. Of course, you pick out all the yogurt pieces and then wonder why there's nothing but the flakes left by the time the box is half empty. Mommy is seriously considering writing Special K a letter asking them to PLEASE put more of the yogurt bites in their cereal! It would make many of Mommy's mornings go a lot more smoothly.

4. You prefer to sit in your booster seat over the high chair.

5. When a picture or video is snapped you say, "I wanna see!"

6. You're getting good at guiding your trains around the track, but you still get frustrated when they come off.

7. You say, "Thank you" and "Excuse me" without prompting (not every time of course), and when you do it melts Mommy's heart! The other day, you fell on a tricycle at your friends' Caden and Charlie's house. When we got home Mommy was cleaning up your boo boo and you looked at me and said, "Thank you Mommy." My. Heart. Melted.

8. You love to wash your hands and want to be in the bathroom all by yourself when you do it. So independent.

9. You still L-O-V-E cars, trucks, trains, buses, tractors, helicopters, and airplanes. I would say trucks are your favorite.

10. And balls.

11. You are so sweet. You will come up to Daddy and Mommy at the most random times and hug and kiss us. I hope you never stop doing that ;)

12. You know how to unlock Daddy and Mommy's iPhones.

13. Before bed you always ask for the "Bus Book" and the "Daddy Book".

14. The "Bus Book" is a book of four short nursery rhyme songs that starts with The Wheels on the Bus. In the book, The Hokey Pokey comes right after Row Row Your Boat. Anytime you sing or Mommy and Daddy sing Row Row Your Boat you immediately follow up with The Hokey Pokey. I think you just think it's the ending to Row Row Your Boat!

15. You love chapstick, but it sounds like "chap poop" when you say it!

16. You love soup, any kind of soup.

17. When I ask you want you want to eat, you always say, "Chicken rice!"

18. You're real into colors. You know all of the basic colors and always say what color things are. It's never just "my car" but "my orange/white/blue/yellow/ect. car." The other day we were in the car and I pointed out a "Big truck" to you. You corrected me with, "Mommy no! WHITE truck!" (Really?! Correcting Mommy already!?)

19. You want to pick out your clothes in the morning. I'll have an outfit picked out and you'll demand your "yellow truck shirt" or "baseball shirt." Last Sunday you wore a pair of khaki shorts with the shirt to one of your pajamas because that was the shirt you insisted on wearing. I expected this stage would come, but thought I had at least another year!

20. I would say hide'n'seek is still your favorite game. Anyone who comes to visit has to play hide'n'seek with Tucker!

21. You're understanding turn taking which is helping with the very difficult concept of sharing.

I absolutely cannot believe my Baby Bear will be 2 years old in 3 very short months [tear!]......
How in the world did things go by so fast?

Mommy & Daddy love you Tucker Bug!!!!

Kidnapped

2011-07-27T10:27:00.001-04:00

Is there anything better than great friends? I mean, seriously! I am so blessed to be surrounded by some amazing girls that I am truly lucky to call friends. Girls that know just what you need, just when you need it. Girls that don't take "No that's okay" for an answer because they've been there, done that. Girls that I look up to.

KATIE GAITHER is one of those girls and I love her for it! This morning I get a text from her that says, "Bring Tucker to play for awhile and you go home :)". After texting back and forth for a while, it was evident that she met it and was not taking "No" for an answer. Katie, Chris, and their two boys who I LOVE, Caden and Charlie, live at the end of our little street (which Wes and I LOVE!). So, Tucker and I headed that way, only to be greeted by Katie running towards us to meet us.

It was really funny, the whole scene. Tucker LOVES Katie and all the Gaither's (he talks about Caden all.the.time!). He sees her and yells, "Hi Katie!!!" and starts running towards her. When they meet up, Katie swoops him up, says she'll text me when I can come get him and to not come before then, and starts running back towards her house with Tucker in her arms. And don't think for one minute that Tucker was thrown off by this. He just yelled, "Bye Mommy!" because he knew he was going in the direction of all the fun!

Besides being a great friend, Katie is an amazing mother! Her boys adore her, her house is always clean, and she always has lunch planned like the night before! Not to mention, she can simultaneously respond to an email from our pastor, change a diaper, kiss a boo boo, and stop a fight before it happens! Super woman, really :)

Thanks, Katie! And, my house thanks you because it's about to get a swift cleaning :).
I totally owe you one (well, several really!)!
Love ya!

Here's my kidnapped boy only moments before the incident:

Tucker's Big Boy Bed

2011-07-26T13:55:00.001-04:00

Okay, I have been so hesitant to write this post for fear of jinxing us..... So, before you read any further, knock on wood with me and when you are done reading, pray for us!

Tucker has been sleeping in his big boy bed! He's been taking naps in it since Friday (5 days now) and sleeping in it at night for 4 nights now! I am still in shock. First of all, I'm in shock at the fact that my baby is even big enough to have a big boy bed, let alone to be sleeping in it! Secondly, I'm in complete and utter shock at how incredibly smooth this transition has been! I keep thinking this is the honeymoon phase and the bad stuff is yet to come.... (That's where the wood-knocking and prayers come in!)

We bought Tucker's big boy bed out of necessity. We are at the point where we need to get a move on with his little sister's room. I needed the changing table/dresser combo over in her room which met a new dresser for Tucker. I wanted to get the bed and dresser as a set, so we did with the intention of having his big boy bed in his room along with a borrowed crib for him to sleep in until he was ready to make the switch. I thought this would be happening MONTHS from now!

He was so excited about his new big boy bed (mainly because of the bedding covered in cars and trucks :)). The day after it was delivered, I was changing Tucker's diaper in preparation for nap time. He said, "Night night big boy bed!" I asked him, "You want to go night night in your big boy bed?" to which he replied, "Yes." I admit, in my head I thought, "Okay, I'll put you in, but as soon as I walk out, you're gonna be at the door begging to come out." We had been reiterating to him that he could not get down from his bed without the help of Mommy or Daddy, even though it is clearly low enough for him to do so independently. Anytime we put him in the bed to play or anything, we always told him we had to help him down. We even "practiced" him being in his room by himself and calling for us to come get him when he was ready to get down. Again, at this point we had only had the bed a day so I'm not even sure how much Tucker got out of our little "practice session"....

So....for nap that day I put him in his big boy bed and placed pillows on either side of him (we hadn't even bought the side rails we planned to buy yet!), and walked out of his room. I ran to get the monitor so I could see what he would do next. To my surprise, he stayed in the bed! He rolled around for about 10-15 minutes, occasionally sitting up and talking to himself, and then was asleep! Just like he does when he's in his crib! Seriously, I was in shock. I'm telling you all, I had been expecting the worse. You just hear so many horror stories about this transition. I was so excited to see what he would do when he woke up that his 3 hour nap felt like an eternity. But, again to my surprise, when he got up, he fussed a little and called for me. He never even tried to get out of bed.

That was day one, and we are on day 5 for naps and day 4 for sleeping in it all night. He has done just as wonderfully every single time. He has never tried to get up, not even the time he didn't feel like going down for bed time and threw a complete fit in bed including throwing all four pillows to the floor. Every time he has woken up, he has stayed in the bed until either Wes or myself goes in his room and "help" him down. (PLEASE knock on wood!)

Am I crazy to get my hopes up and think it might actually stay this way???? Could Wes and I really be this lucky???? Oh my goodness, I hope and pray that a complete different post isn't in my near (or not so distant) future!

Here is a picture of my sleeping babe only minutes ago. He fell asleep reading one of his favorite books "I am a Bunny."

(Did you knock on wood???)

The Perfect End to the Perfect Daddy Day :)

2011-07-25T22:51:00.000-04:00

Words cannot began to convey how very much I love these two boys! :)

Beating the Heat

2011-07-25T13:43:00.001-04:00

Let's face it folks, it has been H-O-T lately! Some days, too hot to even go outdoors (at least for a 30 week pregnant gal!). And that is H-A-R-D when you've got a lad who wants to do nothing other than play outside all day long! The drop in humidity today was awesome! The timing couldn't have been better because Daddy took off work to hang out with T-Bug and I today. I love when Wes takes a random day off work because it usually means we don't have anything planned and can just do whatever we feel like! Normally, our weekends are so jam packed that we don't get many days like today.

So, how did we beat the heat today? We ventured to a near by splash park and playground. Tucker had so much fun! At first he wasn't sure about running through the tunnels of water and fountains shooting up from the ground, but it didn't take long before he was running all around, screaming with excitement!

"I'm gonna get you, Mommy!" (Notice the hot guy in the background?!)

Then he decided it was so much fun that he wanted Mommy to experience it. "Come on, Mommy!" "Okay, Tucker!" :)

I think he enjoyed this bridge on the playground more than the water!

And the slide was so much fun that he wanted Daddy to go down too!

Happy Monday y'all! :)

Happy 7th Anniversary!!!

2011-07-15T21:30:00.000-04:00

On July 3rd, Wes and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary! We were in Florida at the time and thanks to some awesome friends, we got to celebrate with a rare date that involved a wonderful, slowly-eaten meal with real conversation (though much of it centered around Tucker :) ), and capped it off with a banana split and a stroll down the beach (where we witnessed a marriage proposal!).

So, in honor of our 7 years as a very happily married couple, here are 7 things about Wes and I that you may or may not already know:

1. We were high school sweethearts. We started dating the summer after our sophomore year. And not one of those on-again/off-again couples, we never broke up all through high school or through college until we were married after we both graduated college.

2. In high school, we were both nominated for the "Most Talented" superlative. (I'm still a little bitter over the fact that we didn't get "Cutest Couple". Ok, I'm just kidding, I don't even know if that was a category lol!)

3. The first gift Wes gave me was the North Star. Yeah, kinda corny but way sweet, right??

4. Even after all these years (15!) we still love to just hang out with each other and can have a conversation for hours (given there's not many opportunities to talk that long without being interrupted by our beautiful 21 month old!).

5. We get each other cards for every occasion and even no occasion at all. And we always write in our cards. I don't mean a simple "I love you, Love Tiff." I mean a sweet note that's at least 200 characters. (Okay, so I made the 200 character part up!)

6. We still make each other laugh, I mean real belly laughter that has you running to the bathroom. (Well, maybe I'm the one running to the bathroom these days ;)).

7. I asked Wes to give me a fun fact about us and he said, "We like to take naps." There you have it folks!

And just for the entertainment of any loyal readers as well as my children who will hopefully one day read back through this blog, here are a couple pics from Wes and I at prom our senior year. (Please excuse the poor quality, these are actually pictures of old pictures I came across.)

I am so lucky and so blessed to be married to my best friend! Thank you, Wes, for being such an amazing husband, and an even more amazing father! Thank you for loving me the way that you do, unconditionally and un-ending! I look forward to our next 7, and the next 7, and the next 7, and the next 7, and........

I love you more than you could ever know!!!
Love, Me :)

Baby Girl Keene

2011-07-14T14:14:00.001-04:00

I have this fear that my daughter will think she's not as loved as her older brother due to the lack of posts while she's snuggled in Mommy's belly. That is not the case at all! Her Daddy and I very much love her! Probably even more than we loved Tucker at this point simply because Tucker has shown us what it means to be "Daddy" and "Mommy" and the love that we are able to have for our children. I just hope she understands how busy her big brother keeps Mommy and how much less time I have for blogging now than I did when he was in my belly. (Not to mention how much more tired I am this time around!)

I cannot express how excited we are to be having a daughter! Tucker is going to be such a good big brother, so protective of his baby sister, I already know it. That makes my heart smile :)

A GIRL! That's right, I haven't even given her a post announcing that she is in fact a SHE :).

Already, at 29 weeks in utero, this is what I know about Baby Girl Keene (who does in fact have a name, but that has to be a post in and of itself....I have to at least give her that! Remember, this was Tucker's.)

* She is a mover. Busy. Active. There is not a time of day that she doesn't move. And when she moves, she moves. Not a little jab to remind me that she's there (not that my over-sized belly would let me forget anyway), but rolls and jabs and kicks and more rolls and jabs and kicks. I read that if you want to count kicks you should count at least 10 per hour. I did this one day and had 10 movements within the first 3 minutes!

* She gets the hic-cups. Tucker never did this. She gets them pretty regularly.

* She loves sweets. I have a huge craving for sweets, it has to be because she loves them so much, right? ;)

* She is a night owl. She moves what seems like all night long, and considering she moves at all hours of the day too, I'm not sure when she sleeps! I'm hoping this isn't a sign that she will be one that survives on very little sleep! Please, Baby Girl, PLEASE like to sleep!

* She likes attention. She made herself known way early and in a BIG way. I think I said this in a previous post, but I started showing with her WAY earlier than I did with Tucker. And not just a little bit like "Is that girl preggers or did she just eat a Thanksgiving dinner?" but in a "Please don't have your baby in my check out lane!" kind of way. (Yes, a lovely cashier at Target said that to me, and I think I was all of 25 weeks or so along. Gggrrrrr!)

* She LOVES Daddy and Tucker! She always moves when she hears them playing! She just can't wait to join in on all the fun!

* Even as much as she likes attention, she can be shy. When I tell someone she's moving and they put their hand on my belly, she will stop. I like to think that she's extra smart and can tell that's someone else's hand and is playing a little trick ;)

* She is happy and likes to smile :). We have a shot from our ultrasound to prove it.

*She already has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. Oh my goodness, this little princess is going to be spoiled by her Daddy, that is for sure. He can't even talk about her without getting this huge grin on his face (of course, he gets the same silly grin when he talks about Tucker too!). Mommy can't wait to watch their father-daughter relationship form!

* I asked Daddy to give me something about her and he said, "She's strong-willed because when she's supposed to be sleeping, she's not." For some reason, I think she will undoubtedly be strong willed. She'll get that one from her Mommy, and that will be something that turns Mommy's hair grey.....

* She is SO loved!

Baby Girl,

You already hold such a special place in our little family. And a very special place in Daddy and Mommy's hearts! We are so anxious to meet you and hold you and snuggle you and spoil you! Even your big brother is excited (well, sort of!). It's amazing how much we can love someone so small that we haven't even laid eyes on yet, but we do! We love you to the moon and back times infinity!!!

Love,

Your Mommy

xoxoxo

Funny Thursday :)

2011-07-14T07:00:00.003-04:00

I have so many posts, many long over due.... but I have to share this funny little thing real quick with y'all, and mainly because I want to 'journal' about some of the funny little things that Tucker (and eventually his sister) are bound to say over the years.

Last night, we were all three in the basement. Tucker was playing with one of his (gazillion) trucks on the couch, running it along the back side of the couch. Wes and I weren't too far away and were talking about how much time I would be taking off work once the baby arrives. Tucker seemed in his own little world, interested in what he was doing with his truck and making 'truck noises.' In our conversation, I said something that involved "....six weeks...." Immediately, Tucker jumped in with, "I want 6 weeks!" Wes and I died laughing! Obviously he doesn't know what '6 weeks' is, which is why he wanted it! I'm telling you, he hears EVERYTHING! This boy does not miss a thing. A little scary, isn't it?!

Yup, he's one funny boy, and this Mama LOVES him!!! :)

I'm sure there will be many more things that come out of his mouth that are much more funnier than that, and I'm sure you all have heard some way more funnier things from your little ones, but I just had to share that one :)

And if there is anyone that still stops by this forgotten blog now and then, leave a comment with your most recent thing said by your little one that left you in tears! I would love to hear it! :)

Wordless Wednesday -- "Sweet Dreams"

2011-07-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

19 & 20 Months

2011-06-30T15:36:00.000-04:00

I look so innocent!

Don't let the smile fool you!

I can be rotten!!!

At 20 months,

1. You love babies! Every time you see a baby, you point it out to us and want to go see it. You are very gentle with babies and even have this form of "baby talk" you do. It's so sweet! You're going to be such a great big brother!!!

2. Daddy and I are back to 2 syllables! That's right, we're no longer "Da" and "Ma", but "Daddy" and "Mommy/Mama" (you go back and forth on what you call me).

3. You LOVE LOVE LOVE trucks, buses, trains, tractors, helicopters, and airplanes. You know each one by name (though for some reason, you call helicopters "statues" lol!), and you have discriminating sounds/motions for each one.

Ready to go to the Tractor Pull at the County Fair!

4. You also LOVE the song The Wheels on the Bus. You know all the words, sounds and motions. Sometimes I'll hear you singing it when you're playing by yourself or we're riding in the car. You'll go through each one of the things (horn, door, wheels, people, babies, mommies, wipers, etc.), doing the motions and making the sounds then you'll say, "all through town."

5. You're talking in phrases and sentences. Most of your sentences start with "I want (fill in the blank)."

6. You are known to most people as "Tucker Bug." Even many of your friends call you "Tucker Bug." Other nick names at this point include "Buddy" (mostly by Daddy), Baby Bear (mostly by Mommy), Bubby (still occasionally used by Mommy & Daddy, though I think you're out-growing it), "Tuck" (by a few other people, Daddy and I rarely call you this).

7. You consistently know the colors blue, orange, yellow, and white. You will refer to things by these descriptions as well. For example, you will say, "Blue car!"

8. You count things and also count before you shoot a basketball. But you always count, "9-6-8." Not sure why, but it's pretty cute! :) If you have 2 things, you will say "1-2."

9. Daddy has raised your basketball goal up and you have to actually shoot the ball up to make a goal. At first Mommy thought it was too high and told Daddy to lower it, then I saw you in action! You are really good!!! (Still shooting left-handed.)

10. You drink milk a lot and ask for it a lot. At one point in time, Mommy thought you would never drink milk unless it was Mommy's milk. I was definitely wrong!

11. You love other kids and know many of your friends by name. You get so excited when your friends come over! You're very caring towards your friends. The other day, our friend Makenly was over and it was lunch time. Mommy told you it was time to eat and you went to Makenly and said, "Ninley, wanna eat?"

12. You pick out what you want for breakfast. When we get up in the morning, you run to the kitchen and start rummaging through the cabinets deciding what you want to eat.

13. You LOVE to wrestle with Daddy :)

"I'm gonna get you, Daddy!"

Giving Daddy a kiss :)

14. You have peed in the potty several times. We haven't actually started potty training, but Daddy and I noticed that if you had to pee while in the bath tub, you would always stand up and get this 'look' on your face, indicating you knew it was coming. So, we got a potty and started sitting you on it before bath time and anytime you stood up like that while in the tub. Before long, if you had to pee while in the tub, you would stand up and say, "Pee pee!" and pee in the potty. One time, you came to me in the middle of the day and said, "Pee pee!" I asked you, "Do you want to pee in the potty?" and you replied, "Potty!" and ran to the bathroom. We took off your diaper and you peed in the potty! That's been a couple weeks ago and it hasn't happened since then, but you do go in the potty sometimes before your bath and you come to me after you've had a poopy and tell me, "Ew! Stinks!" So, we're thinking we might be getting close to the time to start potty training....

15. You have finally started to ride the four wheeler the Easter Bunny brought you. Before, you were only interested in pushing it around, but didn't want to sit on it. You're getting better at steering it too!

16. You still love to sing "Happy Birthday" and will break out in that song at any random time. You always sing, "Happy, Happy, Hap Boo Mommy Daddy Tucker!"

17. You finally cut your top 2 canine teeth and are working on your 2-year-old molars.

18. A warning that you will have to go to time-out usually corrects any behavior pretty easily. You do not like being in time-out, but will sit in it for the full minute.

19. You are sleeping about 10-11 hours at night and take a 3 hour nap.

20. You are real into doing things yourself and will always say, "Tucker do it!" Sometimes if I start to sing you a song or read a book, you will say, "Mommy, no. Tucker!" and sing the song or take over the book.

21. You pick up on things that Daddy and I say in conversation, even when we think you're not listening. For example, if we even mention ice cream, (even if we whisper it!) you are sure to jump in with, "I want me meam!" ("me meam" is what you call "ice cream" lol!) The other day, we were on our way to the zoo and Daddy and I were talking about our upcoming trip to the beach. You jumped in, "I wanna go to beach!" For the remainder of the drive to the zoo, anytime I tried to get you excited about the zoo and tell you what animals you would see, you would say, "Mommy no. I wanna go to beach!" Just goes to show, Daddy and I have to be real careful about what we say around you! There's no telling what you'll pick up on!

22. You're real into pretend play. You will pretend you're cooking and bring it to us to eat, pretend you're leaving and walk out of the room saying, "Bye, Mommy. Car. Work," (meaning you're leaving to go to work in your car, like Daddy does :)) and shut the door behind you, pretend you're talking on the phone,

23. You love to do art projects. Finger painting, coloring, playing with play dough, making things for Daddy, you enjoy it all!

(I went a little over 20, but I'm combining two months into one post, so I'm allowed lol!)

Tucker,
It just seems like you are growing up so fast! You have really turned into such a big boy these past few months! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of all the things you can do and how smart you are, but you are no longer our little baby, that's for sure! You're becoming more and more independent and have developed such a sweet personality. You're so happy and loving! There are many days that I miss the little baby I held in my arms and I just can't believe you are now such a big boy! Daddy and Mommy love you so much, Tucker Bug!!!

Easter in June???

2011-06-25T16:19:00.000-04:00

So, while I'm posting from the archives, I thought I might as well do an Easter post. I like to do holiday posts for many reasons, but a top one is that it gives a great reference point to see how my baby boy has changed. I can look back at last Easter's post and compare it to this pass Easter. It's crazy to think that by next Easter, we will have a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 month old! I took a million and one photos this Easter and had trouble narrowing them down to a few for this post, so here's several that I'll have next year to look back on and think how much time flies!

Tucker was way into the Easter Bunny this year, a huge change from the melt down we got when we tried to get a picture of him on Santa's lap at Christmas time! He was waving to the Easter Bunny and saying, "Hi Bunny!" from the line. When it was his turn to sit on the Easter Bunny's lap, he gave him high-fives and knuckles and was so excited! Too bad once he got on his lap, he was so into looking at him that he didn't smile for the picture. A great memory, none the less!

Tucker enjoyed coloring Easter eggs too. His favorite part was fishing the eggs out of the dye with the spoon. He kept saying, "Mine!" and wanted to color all the eggs himself.

Before church Easter morning

Tucker and all his friends at church sang some songs during "Big Church". We had been practicing these songs for weeks and Tucker did a great job! He shook his noise-maker and danced during the songs. I am one of his Sunday School teachers, so I didn't have the camera to take pictures and Daddy was so busy watching and clapping for Tucker that he didn't get many pictures either. This is about the only one that turned out. I remember feeling so proud of Tucker as he danced, sang, and shook his noise-maker! I was smiling ear-to-ear and had tears in my eyes! I wished I could say the other children did a great job too, but I don't know. I had my eyes glued on Tucker the whole time! I'm such a proud Mama!!!

After church, Tucker came home and looked for his Easter basket. He seemed to know right where it was!

The Easter Bunny hooked him up big time! His favorite was the 4-wheeler!

After a long time of pushing and sitting on (not yet riding) his 4-wheeler, he finally checked out what goodies were in his basket.

After a brief nap, it was time to go to Papa and Memaw's house. And can you believe it, the Easter Bunny hid a basket for him at Papa and Memaw's house! His favorite item, a chocolate bunny. I believe this was Tucker's first experience with chocolate. He was definitely a fan!

Then, it was time for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Tucker was really into finding the eggs. He took it very seriously, and even had to count his loot when he was done!

I am so thankful to have all these and many more memories of celebrating the resurrection of our Christ.....for the last time as a family of three....WOW!

18 Months (WAY late!)

2011-06-25T14:11:00.000-04:00

So, Tucker turned 20 months a week and a half ago, but I have a list of his 18-month updates already written out and I just don't want to forget what he was doing and into at that age, so I'm doing a way late 18 month post anyway.... Hopefully, VERY soon, I'll have a combined 19-20 month update. I say VERY soon, because as I read through my list deciding whether to do the post or not, I cannot get over how much he has already changed and grown! And when I read through his 17 month post, he is no longer near the same boy! In the past few months, he has grown so much! It really makes me aware of how badly I need to stay current on this blog....things change at the blink of an eye, and there is so much that I just want to bottle up and save!

1. You are left-handed. I read somewhere that you can't really determine what hand an individual will use dominantly until about 2 years of age, but there is no doubt you will be left-handed. You are much better at fine motor tasks with that hand and it's the first hand you use to do things. You shoot and throw a ball left-handed, eat left-handed, draw and color left-handed, pretty much everything.

2. You picked up the saying, "Not nice!" from a good friend of yours, Walker Webb. I think the time we spent with him in Hilton Head sealed the deal. You use "Not nice!" when you fall or trip or bump into something. You will 'tell' whatever caused you to trip or whatever you bumped into "Not nice!" You will tell Daddy and I "Not nice!" if we do something you don't like such as take something away or prevent you from getting into something. You use it pretty frequently.

3. You think the sound of any bodily function is funny. I completely attribute this to Daddy. Now, don't get me wrong, you are polite about it. If you burp or pass a little gas you will say, "Excuse me." But then you crack up and immediately have to produce a fake burp, followed by more laughter. Oh, and you don't stop there. Then you want whoever is with you to also burp and say "Excuse me" (if they don't, you will remind them to!). A few weeks ago, GG and your 2nd cousin Lindsey were down to visit from PA and as we ate lunch you made everyone go around the table and burp. Daddy would have been so proud. (Thanks, Daddy!)

4. You are a Mommy's boy 100%. Of course, you love your Daddy to the moon and back, but you are going through a huge Mommy's boy stage right now. You want Mommy to be the one to do everything for you. If Mommy's home, I gotta be the one to change your diaper, give you a bath, put you to bed, everything! While I feel bad for Daddy sometimes because I think it hurts his feelings, I'm trying to enjoy it and soak it up because I know one day you will realize just how much cooler your Daddy is.

5. You LOVE to be outside. Almost immediately after breakfast you start saying "Outside!" and "Bye bye's!" begging to go outside to play. We spend a LOT of time playing outside.

6. According to your 18 month appointment, you weighed 25 pounds (40%) and are 33 inches tall (75%). I'm a little skeptical on the 25 pounds....I think you're a little lighter than that.

7. Your language has grown leaps and bounds lately. At our 18 month check-up, the "developmental check-list" said you should be saying between 5 and 21 words. That evening, Daddy and I tried to think of how many words you were saying. We stopped counting around 30 something.

8. Your favorite color is blue. Anytime we ask you what color something is, you immediately say, "Blue" sometimes without even looking at what we're asking about.

9. You love shoes. You will get in your closet and pull out shoes and demand that they be put on. (Mommy has to be good about putting up shoes once they're too small because you don't understand that concept and demand they be put on anyway!) You try on Daddy and Mommy's shoes all the time. You especially love putting on Daddy's shoes.

Daddy's got some BIG shoes to fill, Buddy!

10. You finally cut your bottom canine teeth. Those canine teeth, top and bottom, have been on their way for months now. The bottom ones have finally cut through and the top ones are not far behind.

11. You love to dance and have your own signature dance move. It's a combination of clapping, bouncing, and a little chicken wing thing thrown in for visual interest.

Here's your "chicken wing" thing! Not sure what's going on with the facial expression; I think you were really into the music lol! :)

12. You LOVE your paci! We have been good about only giving it to you during nap time and night time and it has never really been an issue through the day. However, you have recently started asking for it through the day and will even go to your crib and try to get it out. Every once in a while, you will walk out of your room with one in your mouth and I have no idea where you found it. I've said this before, but I seriously think you have a stash of pacis hidden somewhere!
13. Oh my goodness, a HUGE update, we are completely done with nursing! It happened at about 18 1/2 months. I think I said in a previous post that if Mommy wasn't the one putting you to bed, you did fine without nursing. Well, one night Aunt Shelby put you to bed while Mommy and Daddy were on a date, and the next night Daddy put you to bed. So, after two nights in a row of not nursing before bed, on the third night, Mommy put you to bed and when it was time in our routine to nurse, Mommy said, "Tucker, nursies are all gone." You said, "All gone?" I said, "Yes Baby, all gone." You said, "Paci," and I gave you your paci and that was the end of it! I could not believe how easy it was! I was prepared for a fight when the time came. The next night, as we were getting ready for bed, you signed "nursey" and then said, "All gone" without me even reminding you that they were all gone. You never demanded to be nursed or anything. What's funny is at the most random times in the day or when we were just driving in the car, you would come up to me and sign "nursey" and then say, "All gone!" It showed me how often you thought of nursing, which was several times a day. But, you were fine with the fact that they were gone and you have never asked for it since the first night I told you they were gone.

14. All day long, while Daddy's at work, you ask about him. You'll say, "Da, car?" And I'll say, "Yes, Daddy went to work in his car." All. Day. Long. Just goes to show you that even though you're a Mommy's boy, you think about that Daddy of yours all the time!

15. We have learned the word "Mine!" This has been a fun one, let me tell you. Everything is "Mine!"

16. You say "No" in a really sweet voice. It's like you're playing, but even when you mean it, you say it in this really sweet, sing-songy voice. How do you correct something like that?! It's so sweet!

17. You say and wave "Bye bye" to everyone! When we leave somewhere, like a restaurant, you want to stop at every person along the way and tell them "Bye bye!"

18. You call me and Daddy "Ma" and "Da". Yup, somewhere along the way we have been reduced to one syllable. I'm not sure when this started, I think it has been longer than a month now. And you say our names and want us to say, "What?" back, but you don't really want anything. You just like the fact that you say it and we respond with "What?" If we don't say anything, you will get louder and louder until we do.

Oh my gosh, I could go on and on! There is so much you're doing, and then again, so much of the things listed above you have already out-grown! I love you Tucker Bug! More than you will EVER know!!!

Wordless Wednesday -- "I Wanna Be Like Daddy"

2011-06-21T14:30:00.000-04:00

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!!!

2011-06-20T14:50:00.001-04:00

I have been MIA from this blog for so long! But, my son and daughter (to-be) wouldn't let me pass on the opportunity to tell their Daddy HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! (And, yes, you read that right, we are having a GIRL ;) Oh my goodness, the posts I have missed!)

So, here's a Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the world! The one who will sit in the bathroom and feed his son yogurt and read Dr. Seuss while his son sits on the potty and does his "business".

To the man in my life who does SO MUCH more than sit in a bathroom, read, and feed Tucker yogurt.... I LOVE YOU & SO DO OUR BABIES!!!!

MIA

2011-04-16T12:21:00.001-04:00

I've been MIA from my blog for over a month now! We have had a lot to go on, much good but some bad. Many posts since the last one coming soon.

I've had Tucker's 17 month post typed in draft form just waiting to add a couple pics for over a month now. I finally added the pics and posted it today. See below. Unfortunately, I'm so late that he turned 18 months yesterday. Those updates to come soon.

I'm back in the saddle, so look for more updates from the Keene's coming soon ;)

17 Months

2011-04-16T12:17:00.000-04:00

1. Boy Boy Boy! I know I said it at 16 months, but it deserves saying again at 17, you are all BOY! I find bumps and bruises on you daily that I have no idea how you got. You are tough, a dare devil, and rough as all get out. I wouldn't have it any other way!

2. We have had a string of family birthdays over the pass couple months, all your older cousins with the exception of Joshua who will be 8 next month and Elyjah who will be 2 in May. O'mauri's was Feb 7th, then Tatum's was Feb 20th, Xavien's was March 2nd, and we celebrated Makenzie's last weekend. You LOVE to sing Happy Birthday or "Haa Boo!" as you say! After we sing Happy Birthday at the parties and the birthdayee blows out his/her candles, you sign "more" wanting to do it all over again. If I put even a muffin in front of you or you see a lit candle, you start to sing, "Haa Boo!" It's so cute :)

3. You still love balls and trucks. You're finally distinguishing between cars and trucks. You love trucks so much that we have decided to do your big boy bedroom in trucks. (And it just so happens Mommy found the perfect bedding ;)

4. You are skinny. It's not from a lack of eating, you eat. It's just in your genes. You're built just like your daddy. I didn't really realize how long and lean you have gotten until I looked back at some of your pictures and thought you looked so chubby compared to now. At your 18 month appointment next month we'll find out where you fall on the charts, but I'm betting you've dropped some percentages in the weight department.

5. Speaking of eating, some of your favorite eats right now include watermelon, talapia, cantaloupe, tuna-noodle casserole, corn on the cob, vanilla wafers (you would eat the entire box if we let you), peas, cheese, grapes, ice cream, and crushed ice (go figure!).

6. You can entertain yourself very well. You will play with your trucks, shoot hoops, read your books, "cook" at your kitchen, or just go around getting into whatever you can.

7. When you want more of something, you tell me "one more time", not by saying it, but by holding up your finger and giving me this really serious face. It's from me telling you that you can do/have something "one more time." It's really funny! The problem is, you don't get that one more time means ONE more time!

8. You are so cute when you 'read' your books. You will jibber jabber away, pointing to the pictures like Mommy does. And you remember what some of the pages say from us reading to you. For example, in your book "All the Things I Love About You," there's the page where the boy is eating and he says he's all done. You sign "all done" when you get to that page. And when you get to the page where he's sleeping, you say, "Shhh!" with your finger over your lip. In your book "Llama Llama Red Pajama," you get all excited on the page where the Mommy Llama runs frantically up to the Baby Llama's room. I'm glad you really are paying attention when we read to you ;)

9. You jabber and babble away ALL the time! You are such a talker. And you don't know a stranger. When we're out somewhere, you will go right up to someone and just talk, talk, talk. And based on your body language, you totally know what you're saying. Sometimes Daddy and I wonder if we're not getting a little back talk every now and then....

10. Of course, you are saying lots of words now. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of how well your vocabulary is developing! You're such a smart boy!

11. Speaking of your developing vocabulary, you have learned and mastered the word "No." Really, I'm surprised it has taken you this long, but am glad that it has. You say it loudly and even with attitude. We are working on when you are aloud to use "No" and when you are not, especially with Mommy and Daddy.

12. Sharing is VERY hard for you. We're working on it. But it's hard.

13. You play very well with other kids and LOVE to play with others. You get so excited when one of your friends come to visit you. You just don't like to share your toys. You don't mind sharing the ones that aren't really favorites, but if a friend reaches for a favorite, we hear, "NO! NO!" and you're quick to retrieve it. You do better when you're at your friends' houses because you're not so defensive about the toys lol!

14. You're down to one nap a day now. It has taken us a while to get there and we still get a little cranky if we get up too early in the morning, but one nap a day has been great. And, it helps that you sleep for a really long time for that nap, usually about 3 hours, sometimes longer.

15. It is almost impossible to change your diaper. It's like wrestling a WWE wrestler sometimes. Not a favorite activity for either one of us.

16. You prefer big boy cups and straws over sippies.

17. Your hair is WILD. Especially on top. 24/7 bed head. Daddy's says it needs cut off. Mommy loves the curls :)

p.s. You had yours first Happy Meal from McD's.... Chicken nuggets, fries, apple slices and milk. I would like to say the apples were your favorite part, but of course it was the fries!

p.s.s. We did finally get your hair cut a couple days after you turned 17 months. No more wild hair on top. It was really hard for Mommy and I admit I shed a few tears. You look REALLY grown up now without that wild mop on top :(

A couple pics post-hair cut:

Bye Bye Nursies!

2011-03-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

It's time. Time to reclaim my "girls" (remember that post?!) for at least a few more months. It's time to wear a bra that doesn't in some weird way resemble a jock strap. (At least that's what Wes has referred to my nursing bras in the past. I've actually never seen a jock strap in place and have no idea how they work. Nor do I really want to for that matter.) It's time to nudge Daddy when Tucker cries out "MA!" at 5:00 am. It's time.

Sorry, Bubby, but it's time to say, "Bye Bye" to your "nursies."

I've decided to wean Tucker. And even though my OB assured me she sees no problem in continuing to breastfeed while pregnant since I'm not considered at risk for pre-term labor, I have several reasons for doing so.

At the very top of my list is an innate need to have my girls back before going through the whole process all over again with Tucker's brother/sister. Right now, the thought of hooking myself up to my pump is enough to send me into tears. Not that pumping was painful or problematic, it just SUCKED (literally and figuratively)! And, it's an inevitable process in the beginning stages of breastfeeding and pretty much throughout the first SEVERAL months unless you're able to be with your little one 24/7.

I think I will need a few months off in order to muster up the get-up that it will take in order to breastfeed Baby Keene #2 for as long as I did Tucker (or for at least a year, we don't necessarily have to go 17+ months, Baby Keene #2!).

Another huge reason for this decision is that I have NO desire to tandem nurse. (Read: I WILL NOT TANDEM NURSE MY CHILDREN!) I want Tucker to have forgotten all about his "nursies" by the time his brother/sister makes his/her debut. I already have all kinds of guilt about the time that this baby will inevitably take away from Tucker. I don't want him to also feel like he is giving up something else that he loves, or that the baby is allowed to nurse but he is not.

I have read that pregnancy can really change the taste of your milk. As picky as Tucker is about milk (remember it took forever before he would really drink cow's milk?!), I thought for sure that alone might be enough for him to make the decision to wean on his own. Oh, but not my lil' boob man! He obviously didn't let a little change in taste come in between him and his Mama's milk!

While Tucker can definitely go all day without nursing, and has when I'm not around, he prefers to nurse several times a day. When I'm home with him, he nurses morning and night, and about 50% of the time he also nurses a couple times throughout the day. BUT, he asks for it ALL DAY LONG. It really requires a lot of redirection to distract him during the day, especially before naps.

When I'm not home in the evenings and Wes puts Tucker to bed, he has no problems. A bath, a book, a song or two, and in his crib he goes. No problem. He cuddles up with his silky, blows Daddy a kiss, and is off to dreamland. BUT, when I'm home he demands to nurse first. He will throw a fit if Daddy tries to put him to bed if he knows I'm in the house. However, for the first time last night, he nursed for literally 5 seconds then wanted his paci. So, a quick song of Jesus Loves Me and I laid him in his crib, told him I loved him and walked out. I thought, "He's gonna change his mind and wanna nurse," but nope, he was out for the night. Maybe he's thinking it's about time too....

Funny thing, he only nurses for a few minutes per session. It's not a hunger thing. It's not a nutritional thing. It's a comfort thing for Tucker. Seriously, he can stub his toe and will be in tears, holding his toe with one hand and signing "milk" with the other hand. It just makes him feel good. And, I'll admit, it makes Mommy feel good too. I love the closeness that breastfeeding has given Tucker and I. One of Tucker's top love languages is very much physical touch and nursing fulfills a large part of that. It's time with his Mommy. And, for me, it's time with my Bubbas! Weaning will be just as hard on me as it will be on him. But, we are ready.

Tucker will be 17 months next week. I plan to start only nursing him at night. Ugghhh! It's gonna be hard taking away that morning "nursey time"! Hopefully we can do that for a month and then work on fading out the night time session. I still plan to embed plenty of 'Tucker and Mommy' time in our daily routine so he's not missing out on that. The hardest part is going to be those mornings when he wakes up at 6:00 am, wanting to nurse and then returns to sleep for another couple hours. I guess I'll try giving him a glass of cow's milk or water to see if that works. Or worse case scenario, we'll eat breakfast and be up that early for the day...

Does anyone have any advice on the weaning process??? Before getting pregnant, I said I would nurse Tucker as long as he wanted, hoping he would just wean himself and I wouldn't have to do it. Now, things have changed and I need some advice on tried and true methods!

My lil' Boob Man!

A Few Random Things...

2011-03-05T22:03:00.001-05:00

Right now, as I type, Wes is making some of his awesomely delicious guacamole! Then, he's putting a pork roast in the crock pot for lunch tomorrow, along with home made potato salad! Can you tell how excited I am about this??? Like the excite-o-meter is WAY up there! I'm not sure what has gotten into my hubby as of late, but he has been cooking some amazing, feel good meals for Sunday after church! Two weeks ago he made a whole turkey breast with dressing, greens, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry sauce, and rolls! Then, last Sunday he baked a whole chicken with all the fixings! Yummy!!! I'm definitely looking forward to coming home tomorrow from church to some pork followed by a good nap!

Aside from bragging about all the good food we've been eating around these parts, this post is partially to vent about a pet peeve of mine. Smoking. If you know me even a little bit, you know that I HATE cigarettes. (And I don't use the "H-word" lightly.) I have never been able to tolerate smoke. Even when I was little, I hated it! If I was riding in a car with an adult who was smoking, I would pull my shirt over my mouth and nose and chant, "I hate smoke! I hate smoke!" I have never even tried a cigarette. I think they are DISGUSTING!

What really gets me is that smokers feel they have "rights"! Are you kidding me!? Seriously! Rights for what? Sorry, but I completely feel that my right to breath in clean, smoke-free air and NOT pollute my lungs with that filth definitely out weighs any right to your freedom to smoke. I hate when smokers choose to smoke right by the exit/entrance to a building. In order to get out or in, you have to breath in their smoke. Then they actually hold the door open for you! What I want to say is, "If you wanna do me a favor, MOVE 50 feet away!" I hate when smokers smoke in a public place, like the bleachers of a football game, walking in front of me down the side walk, anything that causes me to have to smell or breath it in because of the bad decisions that they are making in regards to their health. Let me tell you, I will mean mug a smoker who is smoking near me in a minute! I think I've probably embarrassed Wes a few times doing so. The whole idea of a "smoking section" in a restaurant is ridiculous. Sorry, but smoke doesn't read and always wonders into the non-smoking section. The smoke-free decision in cities like Louisville and Lexington was one of the best things ever. I wish Shelbyville would go smoke-free.

That brings me to the motivation behind this need to vent. Today, we went to our nephew's birthday party at the Pizza Hut in our good ol' hometown of Springfield. Now, I don't know, maybe only in the little town of Springfield would this happen, but the Pizza Hut is a smoking restaurant. No, there's not a smoking "section," the whole restaurant (read: the whole one small room of the restaurant) is open to smokers. There are ashtrays on every table. So, there we are, with Tucker and surrounded by about 8 other kiddos, celebrating Xavien's 3rd birthday and people are smoking! I was so mad. We would have left on the spot if we thought we could have. I felt like such a bad mother for subjecting my son and my unborn child to that for the entire 40 minutes we were there. I felt like such a bad aunt for wanting to leave my nephew's birthday party. Where were our rights? It was worse than being in a house of someone who smokes because at least in a house there are windows that can be opened and the place can be aired out. (Not that it helps much.) We were trapped in that place.

Afterwards, we went to my sisters where I changed Tucker's clothes and Wes and I changed our shirts. It helped us tolerate the trip home where we could get baths!

So, the last random thing? While at my sister's Tucker picked up Tatum's piggy bank and literally threw it on the floor, breaking it and scattering all the pennies, nickles, dimes and quarters everywhere! It was like he knew there was money in it and was trying to get to it. He did it so quickly that none of us had time to react even though Wes, Holli, and myself were all within arms reach of him. I felt awful! Holli was just telling me this morning on the phone how much Tatum liked putting the money in and out of it. On our "To Do List" is get big cousin Tatum a new piggy bank....

Here's to hoping y'all have had a belly-filled, smoke-free, no mishap Saturday :)

Pregnancy 2.0

2011-03-03T22:01:00.000-05:00

So, yup Baby Keene #2 (or "Baby Bug" as one of our friends has already coined him/her) is warm and cozy in Mommy's tummy.

Here's the not-so-skinny skinny on him/her....

1. I'm a few days shy of 10 weeks.

2. This time around, we were a bit surprised, but it's a welcomed surprise ;)

3. Due date is Oct 2nd, though my 8 week ultrasound put me at Sept 29th. Considering I know the date of conception, I'm keeping the Oct 2nd due date, not that it's a huge difference or anything.

4. My sister is only days ahead of me. Based on her 8 week ultrasound, her due date is Sept 27th! How awesome is that! Tucker is 8 months younger than her little girl, so both of our kiddos will be super close!

5. I have been SO sick, which is a complete 180 from when I was pregnant with Tucker. When I was pregnant with Tucker, I had no pregnancy symptoms. No nausea, no smell aversions, no taste aversions, no cravings, nothing. This time around, I have "morning" sickness that lasts all day long and is worse at night. Luckily, I have started to feel better about a week or so ago. I still get nauseous at night.

6. I have been EXHAUSTED! I remember being really tired during my first trimester with Tucker too, but it's definitely different this time around. I can't come home from work and take an evening nap. I can't go to bed at 7:00 pm. I can't take a 4 hour nap in the middle of the day. I'm chasing a 16 1/2 month old who is constantly on the go. I'm nursing. My body is worn out.

7. I almost fell asleep at the dinner table tonight. Actually, I think I did for a few minutes. (See #6)

8. I paid $200 for a boot camp to help get my body in shape before getting pregnant with Baby #2.

9. Did I mention that #8 happened only 2 days before getting pregnant? That gave me a lot of time to get in shape, uh?

10. Tonight was the last night of that boot camp. Over the past 60 days, I've gained 11 pounds. Yup, we weighed in tonight. Can you believe it?! 11 pounds!!! I didn't gain anything with Tucker in the whole first trimester and now I'm 11 pounds up?!

11. To celebrate my 11 pound gain, I stopped by the Homemade Pie and Icecream Kitchen and got a double scoop of Reese's icecream.

12. Did I mention that I've been craving Reese's Cups? No? Well, I have.

13. I'm hungry ALL the time. Seriously, I won't be surprised if at my 20 week ultrasound the tech says, "Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Keene, you're having a.........(drum roll!)...........middle school boy!" Yup, I'm that hungry.

14. Tonight, after finding out I had gained 11 pounds, a 17-year-old, all of 83 pounds, girl told me if I was having a girl I was gonna get REALLY big because that's what happens when you get pregnant with a girl.

15. When #14 happened, I smiled but inside I was hoping that when that girl goes to college she doesn't gain the freshman 15, but a freshman 50!!! Yup, I felt a little better then.

16. Did I mention that I have pregnancy hormones surging through my body right now?

17. I'm already showing. We didn't even tell people we were pregnant with Tucker until I was 11 weeks. This time around, we starting telling people at 6 weeks. I started showing not that long after that, so I really had no choice but to go "Facebook Public" with it because it's getting obvious.

18. I wore a pair of pants to work today that I wore last week. Last week, I was able to button them up. Today I wasn't. So, I did what any pregnant girl who is in absolute denial that at 9 1/2 weeks pregnant she might be ready for maternity clothes, I hooked the bottom clasp and wore a longer shirt.

19. I think 2 years is the perfect age difference between siblings. Just remind me of that when I'm chasing around my 24 month old with a newborn on my boob.

20. It's amazing how I have fallen even more in love with my absolutely wonderful husband.

21. Did y'all know that corn on the cob is even better when it has spaghetti and meat sauce on top of it? Just ask Tucker. Could this be some kind of pregnancy craving by proxy?

Baby Keene #2,

We are so excited that you will be joining our little family!

Take your time, stay nice and cozy in Mommy's tummy!

We already love you more than words!

Love,

Daddy, Mommy & Tucker Bug

xoxo

Tucker's been keeping a secret....

2011-03-01T20:57:00.000-05:00

16 SWEET Months

2011-02-28T21:25:00.000-05:00

1. You are ALL boy! Rough, tough, rambunctious, always throwing things, always getting into something! There is never a dull moment in this house.

2. You are becoming I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T! You insist on doing everything yourself! Feeding yourself, holding a big boy cup, putting the lid on your sippy, stacking blocks, coloring, stirring the pancake mix in the morning when helping Mommy, getting in and out of the tub.... If we try to help you, you move our hands out of the way. I knew this stage would come, I just had no idea it would be so soon!

3. Your favorite song right now is the Itsy Bitsy Spider. You do all the hand movements and love to watch the YouTube video. You will come up to me at the most random times and request that I sing it to you. You sing, "itssssyyyy". So cute :)

4. Your favorite things right now are balls and trucks. Or "baw" and "thuck"! You LOVE them! If we are somewhere else, you will bring all the balls and trucks to me one by one and say "Baw!" or "Thuck!" I love watching you play with your trucks. You push them around and make a motor sound. You just look so grown up doing it!

5. We finally turned your car seat around forward. We were hoping to wait until our Hilton Head trip at the end of next month, but after a visit to the Newport Aquarium with some of our besties, the Webb's, we turned your seat around so you could watch Walker's DVD on the trip home. (Really, it was time, you were having to bend your legs when you faced backwards.) You LOVE being forward. You point to everything. Your very favorite part....seeing all the trucks! When we pass a big truck, you say "Whoa!" then hold your hands palms up and say, "AT?" in the most cutest voice! If we don't pass another one soon, you sign or say "more"!

6. You are saying so many words! You bring me things wanting me to tell you what it's called. When I do, you study my mouth and then try to say the word back. Oh, you put two words together for the first time a few days ago. You brought me a cup from your play kitchen and said, "Mo mo wawa!" (Read "More water.") Of course Mommy had to call Daddy right away to tell him!

7. You know lots of animal sounds and body parts and love to go through them. (But for some reason, you keep mixing up your wrist and knee!)

8. You love to dunk your basketball! And run as fast as you can from one side of the room to the next! These are two things you and Daddy do a lot of together. Daddy will say, "GO!" and you will run as fast as you can to the other side of the room. Then you say, "Doe!" and run to the other side! I think Daddy is secretly conditioning you! It's a little early, Daddy. Just a little.

9. You L-O-V-E being outside! Seriously, consistent warm weather cannot come soon enough. Every time you hear us letting Baby out, you RUN to the door hoping to sneak out. Even if you hear Daddy and I talking about letting Baby in/out, you run to the door. You get so mad when we don't let you go out. Mommy tells you it's cold outside and you say, "Brrrr" making me think you understand, but then you still want out and still get mad when I don't let you. Tucker, Mommy wants to let you go outside and play just as bad as you want to go out and play, trust me!

10. Another one of your favorite activities is climbing. On and off furniture, over couch pillows when Daddy makes you a pile on the floor, on and off the dog bed, up and down the stairs (on two feet, refusing help!), the higher the better. You could spend hours climbing the play equipment at the park. And the slides, oh my goodness! NO fear! You literally dive down the slides head first. If we're not on our toes, it could be bad.

11. Yet another favorite activity is playing hide 'n seek. You like to find us and you also like to hide so we can find you. You will whisper "ide" when you want to play, I guess because we always whisper to you when we tell you to, "Go hide! Shhh don't let Daddy/Mommy find us!" You crack up when we find you or you find us! You love it!!!

12. You have shown us some hints of what might be some tantrums.... I will admit, this scares Mommy a little bit.... You are generally pretty easily redirected, but you definitely know what you want when you want it. Of course, this is much more evident when you're sleepy. I hope those aren't previews for some bigger things to come, lil man!

13. Still nursing. We are working on cutting it back some. Sorry to say Buddy, but I think starting next month we're gonna get a little more serious about it.

14. You still LOVE music and to dance. You are in love with Sara Bareilles. Mommy won't even pretend that I like it. I don't. You say "uh uh oh, uh oh" when you want to hear her song King of Anything because the song starts out that way. You will point to the laptop or one of our phones and want us to pull the video up on YouTube. Daddy got you started on this. Again, Mommy is not pretending to be pleased about the fact that another girl has taken a small part of my baby's heart. I fully blame Daddy. What's worse is Daddy apparently gets the song stuck in his head and goes around humming it for hours after you've listened to it. That girl is gonna need to find some new boys to mesmerize!

15. Absolutely nothing in this house, or anywhere for that matter, is safe anymore. The top of the counters, the inside of drawers, the top of dressers, the ice and water dispenser on the refrigerator door, everywhere. There's no where too high. Just when we think something's out of our reach, you pull a basket or stool up and there you are with it in your hand. I can almost picture items in drawers scrambling for position furthest away from the opening when you walk into the room, "Tucker's coming! Quick, hide!" :)

16. You still love your silky. You sleep with it for bedtime and nap time and will go to your room and get it when you're sleepy. And your Taggie, you love it too.

17. You got your first haircut! (Pictures to come! Mommy's so far behind!)

(Okay, sorry that was 17 things for 16 months, but I didn't do a 14 or 15 month post and you're doing so many things!!!)

Tucker Bug,
You are just so full of personality! So full of life and laughter and love! Mommy and Daddy cannot get enough of you! You are the center of our world! The past 16 months have been the absolute best time of our lives!!! We love you way more than you will ever know.
Happy 16 months, Bubby!
xoxoxo
Mommy :)

Only One Way to Travel -- Tucker Style!

2011-02-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

I mean, does it get any better?!

Home Alone

2011-02-19T10:04:00.002-05:00

It's exactly 10:00 am on a Saturday morning and I am home alone.

"Home alone." That's such an odd phrase. Odd because it's such a rarity. I cannot even remember the last time I was home alone. Probably sometime more than 16 months ago! Ok, maybe not that long. Wes does take Tucker to the store with him occasionally and on other errands, but with the way our schedules are, it's very rare that I am home and Tucker is not here with me.

This morning Daddy took Tucker to play basketball at one of the high schools in town with some of our other Daddy friends and their sons. (Special thanks to the Gaither's for the father-son opportunity!)

So, what does one do when you are home alone? I've already worked out this morning (remember my boot camp?), not that I would choose to do that during my home-alone time.

I'm definitely not cleaning, though with the exception of some scattered toys, the house is in pretty good shape anyway.

I could take a nap, but I've never been a 45 minute napper. I need at least a good 3 hours!

We have a birthday party later this afternoon, I could start getting ready for that, but it's still early and I wouldn't want to taint my always-makes-a-fashionably-late-entrance reputation. After all, it's me taken years to perfect that reputation!

I think I'll catch up on some of my blog reading. Things have been a little crazy and I'm way behind.

What do you do when you have those precious few minutes to yourself? Obviously this mama needs some suggestions ;)

To My Valentine

2011-02-14T21:54:00.004-05:00

When I think of us,

I think first of two people falling madly in love,

talking for hours,

finding out all the reasons why we were "made for each other."

Then I think about two people getting married,

starting a home,

fulfilling dreams,

and finding out what being together through all of life's ups and downs is really all about.

Now I think about two people who know what it really means to love each other.

I think of best friends who share each other's dreams and sorrows.

I think of lovers who still find moments of passion in everyday life.

I think of two lives made one by God and a love that will last always.

When I think of us, my heart is so thankful to God and so full of love for you because you will always be the one for me.

Happy Valentine's Day, Wes!

I LOVE YOU TODAY, TOMORROW, ALWAYS!

Way Too Fast

2011-02-09T21:20:00.004-05:00

Tonight, when putting Tucker to bed, I realized just how fast he's growing up. It just hit me all of a sudden! Okay, maybe not all of a sudden. I think every monthly update I have done has included the words "You are getting SO big SO fast!" But still, I never fail to be amazed at how fast Tucker is growing up! I mean where did my baby go?! He is such a big boy, so independent, so NOT a baby. That makes his Mama very, very sad. :(

After nursing him tonight, I rocked and rocked him. He put his hand in mine and his hand was just so big! I have always been in love with his hands, well every part of him for that matter, but his hands are a favorite. I hold them and wonder about all the things he will do with them through out his life. How he will play catch with Daddy with those hands. How he will hold my hand as we walk into his first day of school. How he will hold his baby brother or sister with those hands one day. How he will shoot many winning basketball shots with those hands. How he will hold his own baby with those hands. Okay, I jumped WAY ahead there with that one. The point is those hands aren't so little anymore and neither is my boy. He is growing up so fast.

I rocked him as long as he would let me before he started pointing to his crib. He's such a big boy that he just doesn't need Mama to rock him until he's sleeping. I kissed each hand and then those delicious cheeks before laying him in his crib. He blew me a kiss and then rolled over, snuggling his silky. Such a big boy.

I just hope that big boy always thinks his Mama Rocks!

I love you Bubby! Just don't grow up on me too fast. Mama needs her baby big boy for at least a little while longer!

All Kinds of Tired

2011-02-07T21:20:00.002-05:00

After a busy weekend and a Monday at work, I am T-I-R-E-D!

So tired in fact, that I might have encouraged Wes to stop for take out on his way home from work even though I spent $180 on groceries only days ago, just so I wouldn't have to come home and wrangle up some dinner.

So tired that I might have allowed my toddler to eat preztels that I had previously told him "No" to after he decided he was done with his take out after only a couple bites.

So tired that in an effort to make sure my son ate more than just pretzels for dinner, I put a saucer of peas on the living room coffee table for him to eat while he played with Daddy.

So tired that I might have finished my dinner and hit the couch, leaving Wes to entertain Tucker till his bath time (not that Wes minds that at all!).

So tired that I allowed Wes to bath Tucker, get him ready for bed, give him his night-night snack, and clean up the kitchen. (Thank God for an AMAZING husband!)

And, yes, my kitchen was a mess even though we had take out! Mostly from breakfast and the dry oatmeal that I allowed Tucker to graze on until Wes got home with the food! (He loves dry oatmeal! Weird, I know, but Wes said he also liked it as a kid. Can something like that actually be genetic?!?!)

So tired that I might have pretended to not notice when the dog ate the peas that Tucker had dropped on the floor. (She'll pay for that one tomorrow! She probably won't eat all day. I hope those peas were worth it! Talk about a natural consequence! Do dogs get natural consequences? Sure they do, but that is a little too delayed to be effective...).

So tired, that I am now obviously in stream of consciousness mode!

Here's to hoping y'all had a tired-free Monday, but if you were tired, I hope it's because you had a weekend full of busy activities that involve the ones you love!

Aunt Jenni Pooh!

2011-02-03T22:21:00.003-05:00

Yesterday morning, bright and early at 7:20, Wes, Tucker & myself headed east to Eastern Kentucky University to cheer on the Washington County Commanderettes, specifically Wes's sister Jennifer, in the All "A" Classic Tournament.

Tucker was only slightly more interested in climbing the bleachers and up and down (and up and down...) the stairs than what was going on on the court. However, he still knew who he was cheering on!Okay, so that was an honest attempt at getting a picture of "Jenni Pooh's Biggest Fan" when sitting in Daddy's lap was the absolute last place he wanted to be! I think Jennifer was the only one who could wrangle him in! Tucker LOVES his Aunt Jenni Pooh!Unfortunately, the Commanderettes lost a tough, tough game. They played really hard and put everything out on the court, and we are so proud of them! The team that beat them, Owensboro Catholic, has a girl on their team, a sophomore, who is the 3rd leading scorer in the nation. Yes, you read that right, in the NATION! She's pretty bad too! We'll be seeing her playing for a D1 school in the next few years.

Anyway, after our long morning and probably a thousand flights of stairs, Tucker was ready for a nap.

We're so proud of you #22!!!!

Not My Son....

2011-01-31T22:16:00.004-05:00

Tucker bit a kid for the first time yesterday at church. Okay, he really didn't succeed in actually biting the kid, but he did try. I witnessed the whole thing.

One of Tucker's really good friends (sorry Melissa!!!) had Tucker's sippy cup at Sunday School (yes it happened at church!). Tucker took the sippy cup from his friend and his friend took it back. Tucker responded by going towards his friend with his mouth open wide. I wasn't far away and really just thought Tucker was going to kiss him because when Tucker kisses, he starts out with a wide open mouth and then puckers up right before he lays the kiss on. No, he was not intending on kissing his friend. He was going in with all 12 teeth for a school-yard bite! Luckily, because this child's mother always dresses him so dang cute, his friend was wearing a thick sweater and Tucker got nothing more than part of the sleeve. I don't even think the other boy even realized Tucker had tried to bite him until I reprimanded Tucker and made him give his friend a kiss and hug. And it was obvious Tucker felt bad....he loves this boy!

Oh, puuulllleeeeaaaazzzzzeeee don't let my kid be a biter! Can there be anything worse than your kid being "the biter" that everyone has to watch out for?? I was really surprised that Tucker had that reaction. He's way more of a lover than a fighter. He loves to kiss and hug his friends. Typically, when I'm giving a lesson during Sunday School and all the 1 and 2 year olds are sitting in a circle, Tucker is the one leaning over to hug and kiss the child sitting next to him.

I mean, does this face look like the face of a biter??? Let's just hope it was a fluke.....

This is why you never leave a toddler unsupervised, not even for a minute....

2011-01-27T17:13:00.002-05:00

I came across this picture in my December folder, can't believe I never posted it. Tucker seems to be saying, "Well what did you think was gonna happen when you walked out of the room leaving your bowl of cereal within reach?!"

Part B

2011-01-25T21:22:00.006-05:00

First, make sure you've read my previous post below.

Now picture Wes sweeping the kitchen floor, sorting laundry, washing laundry, cleaning the kitchen.....all right now while I check my Facebook page and stalk blogs. I feel bad.

However, I was up until 1:30 am working, and then back up at 3:30 am because Tucker, for reasons unbeknown to me, decided he wanted to wake up and stay up until 4:30 am. Not sure what was going on with him.... Then, I had work all day today. Oh, and he told me to go relax! What am I to do with that? Not relax? Come on now!

Besides, after last night and working all day today, I don't have the energy to clean right now. And, I'm glad Wes does because we will have a house full of people tomorrow for our weekly Community Group.

Tucker and I love him way more than words. And for much better reasons than laundry and a clean kitchen!

On a completely different note, here are a few pics of Tucker from tonight. He was "cooking" while I cooked dinner. All that practice he has gotten on his kitchen from Santa has really paid off! I have never tasted water-soaked raisins like that before! We just may have a future chef on our hands, folks.

(That is my great grandmother's hand made apron! I will have to get him his own little apron...)

Is There Ever Enough Time?

2011-01-24T23:41:00.006-05:00

Do you ever just feel like there is no where near enough time to get it all done?

Surely I cannot be the only one....can I???

Between work (which I'm realizing "working part time" is an oxymoron! I think I do something for work just about every day, whether it's checking my email, taking calls, working on reports, reviewing cases, it can really be non-stop....with a part-time pay check! Yeah, something's seriously wrong with that picture!), raising a toddler, being a wife, keeping up with the day to day requirements of a house hold, there just.isn't.enough.time.

In order to get a handle on the laundry, I have to devote an entire day to it. Well, that means everything else falls behind. If I neglect the laundry for a few days to catch up on other stuff, it gets outta control - fast! If I go without cleaning the kitchen after breakfast and lunch just one time, it can quickly look like a tornado touched down in the middle of my kitchen.

And other tasks that aren't part of the day to day ins and outs, like organizing the filing cabinet, cleaning up the junk, uh I mean guest room, cleaning up the garage.... You can forget about those things unless you're prepared to lose all control of the house!

I just can't ever get a handle on everything!

Could it be that between running meetings with parents, playing hide'n'seek with my 15 month old, trying to prevent dirty socks from overtaking the house, that I just don't have the energy needed.....

I will say that I am VERY blessed to have a hubby who jumps right in. He cleans bathrooms, does laundry, cooks, baths Tucker, vacuums, etc. after working all day long and driving an hour one way. Very blessed. I couldn't imagine where I (or Tucker or our house) would be without him.

And STILL we are never on top of things! How does that happen?

I have to be honest with you.... I've just given up.

When I was growing up, my Mom used to have a sign in the kitchen that read, "There will be years for cleaning and cooking, For children grow up while you're not looking."

If more time playing with Tucker means other areas suffer a little (or a lot!), then so be it. I don't want to look back and remember, "Wow, I did a fantastic job at keeping up with the house work. Wes always had a pair of clean dress socks."

I want to look back and remember Tucker's laugh when I find him hiding in his bedroom closet, the look he gets in his eye right before he knocks over the tower of blocks I built, the way he runs around doing his victory dance after a slam dunk, the way he takes in every word I say when we read his favorite books, how he attempts to 'scare' me with his toy bugs, how he loves to dance, and his sweet kisses and 'squeezes'! Those alone are enough to never do housework again!

Yes, that's what I want to remember.

In the meantime....

You know those little fairies that come and clean while you're gone or have been sleeping? You know the ones that wash, dry AND fold laundry, unload the dishwasher before the sink is full of dirty dishes patiently awaiting their turn, dust before the dust bunnies have taken up residence?

Yeah, I don't know those fairies either.... But, if you ever do meet them, PLEASE send them my way!

In the meantime, Tucker and I will be cooking in his kitchen and making balls out of play-dough on the kitchen floor!

Finally On the Mend

2011-01-23T10:42:00.005-05:00

The past several days have been rough.

Not only has Tucker had Strep Throat, but we pretty much concluded he has had a stomach bug on top of it.

Between explosive diarrhea (you know, the how-do-I-even-pick-you-up-let-alone-get-these-clothes-off-of-you-guess-it-will-be-ANOTHER-bath-should-I-just-get-the-scissors-and-start-cutting kind of diarrhea), the projectile vomit, forcing disgusting medicine down my toddler's throat, disinfecting the house, and washing sheets, blankets, lovies, and the bumper over and over, I am worn out!

Finally, Tucker really started to feel better yesterday. He felt like eating and was able to keep it down without an explosion at one end or the other. We only had one dirty diaper yesterday!!!! (This is where you stand up and clap, folks! That.is.huge.)

I kept him home from church today because I just couldn't deal with the possibility that he might be exposed to any more germs within minutes of finally feeling better.

Yeah, today I'm that kinda mom. The kind that spots a runny nose from across the room and gives the kid's mother a death glare that says, "Keep your kid as far away from mine as possible. How dare you bring him out with the sniffles."

Tomorrow I'll be back to my a-little-snot-never-hurt-anyone old self.

But today, Tucker's in his bubble. For one last day.

One last day because I think if Tucker and I have to stay bottled up in this house one more day we both might lose it.

(We're also ready for some warmer weather around these parts!)

Here's to hoping you and your little ones are healthy and that we can all stay that way!

Happy 1st Birthday Jayden

2011-01-19T09:20:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was the birthday of Tucker's very best buddy, Jayden. Jayden and his Mommy play with Tucker all day long on days Mommy works. Jayden's birthday party was last weekend.

This little boy knows how to party!!!He was slightly unsure at first....But one little taste is all it took to go from this...........to THIS! "I think I'll wash this down with some milk now."

Love from Mommy, so sweet! :)

I'm not sure if Daddy & Mommy realized it or not, but I think what Jayden really wanted for his birthday was a doggy like Tucker's!Just to show you how much Tucker loves Jayden, here are some pictures from a day that Jayden surprised Tucker when he woke up from a nap.

They were SO excited to see each other!Tucker loves to give Jayden hugs and kisses :)
Best Buds!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAYDEN!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!

p.s. Jayden's Mommy has a brand new blog. Check it out here. Trust me, it's bound to be very entertaining; after all, her facebook status updates alone have me laughing out loud sometimes! :)

Streptococcus

2011-01-18T11:16:00.006-05:00

Another first in the Keene household.

But this one is not one to celebrate....

Tucker has Strep Throat.

This is the first time he has really been sick other than the sniffles.

It's not been as bad as I thought it would be. Tucker is just so good and so sweet, even when his little body feels awful! To be honest, I was really surprised when our pediatrician told me the strept test came back positive. I probably wouldn't have even taken him to the doctor except that he started vomiting EVERYWHERE yesterday morning. Talk about scary! It was out of no where. Well, maybe not no where. The night before he hardly touched his dinner. He would take bites of his broccoli (a favorite) and then spit it out. I thought that a bit odd, but he does have some days that he just doesn't feel like eating as much as usual.

Fast forward to breakfast the next morning. Same thing. He didn't touch his food. No sooner had I lifted him out of his high chair when he started vomiting over and over. I didn't know what to do. I just kinda stood there, allowing him to throw up all over me. It might of been funny had my precious baby not been suffering through the ordeal and had I not been covered in vomit from head to toe. I just held him saying over and over, "Tucker! Oh my gosh!" And the vomit just kept coming. Poor baby! I felt so bad for him.

So, it was to the pediatrician's office we went and sure enough, the Strep test was positive. I don't think Tucker was happy about it either.... Just this past Sunday he was blowing kisses to our pediatrician at church. Yesterday, he didn't want her near him! When she came in the room, he started signing "open" wanting me to open the door.

Strep Throat has been going around here like the plague! Seriously, so many of Tucker's friends have had it. Our *wonderful* pediatrician said you can pretty much walk in Kroger and come out with it right now. I was hoping we would somehow avoid it. It's things like this that make me want to keep Tucker in a germ-free bubble. I hate knowing that his little throat probably hurts so bad! :( And I HATE giving him antibiotics. As much as I know they're fighting off all that nasty strept, I don't like them. I've stocked up on probiotic as well (something I HIGHLY recommend giving to your little one anytime they're on an antibiotic!)

Dear Streptococcus,

We do not like you! Please leave us alone!

Signed,

A Momma That Has Given You Your Eviction Notice

Tucker, up from his morning nap, not feeling hot, double-fisting some carrot sticks :)

Bootcamp!

2011-01-17T01:05:00.005-05:00

Bootcamp.

Just that word alone has come to elicit pain!

That's right, I started a bootcamp last week. It's a 60-day-long intense workout program. There's about 15 of us in the class that I'm in. It's 3 times a week, including Saturday mornings at 8:30 (!!!!). And includes a manuel with diet information and workout schedules for off-days. I even signed a contract saying I would follow the terms laid out in the manuel!

One week in and I haven't had a day where I'm not sore. But that's okay, it means it's working, right? According to the manuel, beginning on week 2 we are to start following the diet plan. Ughhh! I think I would rather workout 6 days a week than to diet, but I know there's only so much working out alone can do and that dieting is a HUGE part of weight loss. I haven't dieted in SO long and am NOT looking forward to this. I've already given up a few guilty pleasures, including this one, but I have a lot more to do to follow the rules in the manuel. Thanks to breastfeeding, I've lost most of my baby weight. I have like 3 pounds to go to be at my pre-pregnancy weight. But after carrying a baby for 9 1/2 months, 'things' don't just go back to the way they were, even if the scale says you're there in the pounds department. I know plenty of hot mamas who manage to lose their weight and fit even their skinny clothes only months after having a baby. Secretly, I hate them. Okay, maybe "hate" is a tad strong.... I've come to conclude that age counts against you in this area. (Really, is there an 'area' that age doesn't count against ya??) Maybe if I had been pregnant when I was 23, then maybe I wouldn't be shelling out $200 to some body-perfect, though well-meaning, trainer to come up with body-torturing, fat-burning, heart-pumping exercises guaranteed to help me shed those inches and pounds....

Before starting this bootcamp, I had to be comfortable with the fact that all the exercising and dieting may effect my milk supply. I would be lying if I said I've come to terms with that... But I am SO ready to reclaim my body! So far I haven't noticed a change and Tucker is still demanding just as much. I will probably not restrict myself quite as much in terms of calories since my body is still making milk and I have been trying to drink lots of water. Fingers are crossed that I can manage to keep my milk up.

Well, help keep me accountable. Ask me if I'm following the diet. Ask me if I've done the workouts on the days off. And in 60 days, ask me if I reached my goal.

Any encouragement is greatly appreciated!

He's definitely worth it!

(Gotta love that bed-head!)

Christmas Season 2010

2011-01-03T21:04:00.016-05:00

Wow! We were so busy over the holiday that so many of my "post ideas" went unpublished, many not even making it to draft form.... I hate that! I really want to be better about posting more frequently. A New Year's Resolution perhaps? We'll see....

Anyway, one post that cannot go unpublished is our family Christmas. Tucker's 2nd Christmas was so much fun! He is such a fun age right now! He just takes everything in. It's so neat to just watch him take something new in, process it, and then watch him react. I could never get bored of watching him experience life! He never fails to amaze me with what he figures out.

We set the video camera up to catch Tucker's reaction to seeing presents under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning, so no photo of his reaction, but this is what he saw:

Santa brought Tucker 4 gifts and some smaller gifts in his stocking. At first, Tucker took the 'nice-and-easy' approach to opening his gifts.....

BUT, once he realized there were toys under all that wrapping paper, he got to work ripping them open!

That is until he came across his remote control car! By far his favorite toy!

He immediately had to try it out, meaning his other gifts and stocking had to wait. In fact, he played with his car, bongos, and kitchen so hard that after breakfast he was ready for a nap! Then, it was time to go to Memaw and Papa's so the rest of his gifts had to wait until the day AFTER Christmas!

The verdict's still out on who enjoys the car the most, Tucker or Daddy....

Wes and I spent a lot of time this year talking about what family traditions of our own we wanted to start. I am a girl who LOVES traditions! I hold memories of Christmas traditions as a child very close to my heart. In a way, it really makes me sad that I am grown up (that term is used very loosely sometimes lol!) and due to our family dynamics, many of those traditions have changed. For example, the timing of our family Christmas at my mom and dad's has to be scheduled around families of spouses and significant others. Up until only a few years ago, Wes and I and my sisters would go stay at my parents' house on Christmas Eve and we would all wake up on Christmas morning to see what Santa had brought everyone. While I do miss that, I want our own little family of myself, Wes and Tucker to have our own family traditions.

We immediately decided that we wanted our traditions to focus on the reason for Christmas, the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. How easy it is for that to get over shadowed in all the gift-giving, money-spending, and ripping and running. It's sad that keeping 'the main thing the main thing' (in the words of a great friend) requires you to be intentional in doing so, but it does. Luckily, we have many friends that have wonderful family traditions that we were able to 'borrow' and make our own.

To start with, we sent birthday party invitations to our family members inviting them to the Christmas Eve service at our church and then back to our house for a birthday party for Jesus! We sang Happy Birthday and blew out candles. Put it on your calender for next year!

We also decided that we would only give Tucker 3 gifts, minus the smaller gifts in his stocking, just as the three wise men gave Jesus. Many of our friends do this and we LOVED the idea from the get go. What better way to keep the number of presents your little one *expects* (because, really isn't that want they do, they expect toys on Christmas morning) under control. "I get 3 gifts from Santa on Jesus' birthday because that's how many gifts Jesus got." (It's confusing enough to even explain why WE even get gifts on Jesus' birthday.....we might need to put some more thought into that one for when Tucker's old enough to ask those questions....any ideas???) Jesus gave the ultimate gift, one that we don't even come close to deserving. To shower Tucker with a million gifts just doesn't seem right. We immediately loved the idea of giving him 3 gifts symbolizing the 3 gift Jesus received from the Magi. I do have to admit, I had a LOT of trouble with this one, hence the 4 gifts Tucker received. I found myself saying, "I think I can shove this one in his stocking and it won't count..." (For the record, the LeapFrog Fridge Phonics does NOT fit in a stocking!) We need to commit to doing better next year.

Tucker may be too young to really understand the meaning of Christmas, but it's never too early to start teaching him about Jesus and His love for us. We have a play nativity set from Little People (which is now on sale for $19.99!) that we set up on our coffee table.
When Tucker plays with it, we always take the opportunity to tell him bits and pieces of Jesus' birth and even though much of it goes over his head, it's laying the foundation for future learning and understanding. Tucker knows which character is Baby Jesus and will pick him up and kiss and hug him. If you ask Tucker, "Where is Jesus?" he will point up (toward Heaven). If you ask him, "Who does Jesus love?" he will point to himself. Tucker already loves to pray. He will hold his hands together indicating he wants us to pray at the most random times! After we pray, he always signs "more". That's my boy! :)

There's a few other traditions Wes and I have talked about, but that's a start!

Since I missed the opportunity to post individual posts about our holiday activities, here are a few (okay, a LOT, but I'm combining like 4 posts into one!) pictures from our holiday season:

Papa and Memaw with Tucker at our birthday party for Jesus.

Papa reading Tucker the Christmas Story

A few pics from Christmas at Nana's:

This is what Xavien does every time he takes a picture! He's smiling for the camera, but he's looking at the person beside him smiling! Hilarious!

Tucker LOVES his big cousins! He is so lucky to have 6 older cousins ranging in age from 7 years to 19 months. I don't even want to think about the trouble, I mean fun, he will have with all those cousins in the years to come!

This was Tucker's reaction to Santa this year. Poor Buddy! I have to admit, I have this fear that my son will be in therapy when he's 16 years old and it will all come back to the fact that his Mommy put him on the lap of some scary guy with a white beard when he was 14 months old!

Nothing a few Cheerios won't cure!

Braving the cold to help Mommy and Daddy finish up some Christmas shopping!

Tucker posing before church on Christmas Eve. Future GQ model?

Daddy, Mommy & Tucker Bug after church

And this is what Tucker spent the whole Christmas season doing. We had to move all the ornaments from the bottom of the tree so they were out of his reach.

On Christmas Day we headed to my parents' house. Here are a few pics:

Everyone waiting to open presents. It always starts out nice and calm, but it doesn't take long before wrapping paper is flying and kids are screaming with excitement! It really is bit of a crazy time!

Aunt Holli & Tucker Bug (drinking from the sippy of one of Tatum's baby dolls lol!)

Tatum INSISTED on opening EVERYONE's gifts!

Mikie, Holli & Tater Bug!

Tatum putting make up on Makenzie. Please notice that she is putting eye shadow in Makenzie's hair!

Bridgette and Holli are going to kill me for this!

O'mauri and Tucker playing hide 'n seek with Memaw! They LOVE Memaw!

Can you tell that Tucker was up way pass his nap time?

Sleepy eyes :(

Daddy, Mommy & Tucker Bug on Christmas day

Me and Mom. (Mom always wears her PJ's all day long on Christmas day ;)

Shelby & Tucker (when we first got there, before Tucker got dressed lol!)

I didn't end up with many pictures of the guys (Dad, Wes, Mikie, Luke, Nick, Joshua, & O'mauri)
because when you have 2 new Playstation 3's and a new Wii, they tend to hibernate in the basement!

Yes, Christmas this year was a great time filled with spending time with family and reflecting on the reason for celebrating.

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -Isaiah 9:6

The Coolest Couple Time Group Ever

2010-12-30T22:03:00.002-05:00

I really want to show off some pictures from our Christmas, but not tonight.

Tonight, Daddy and Mommy had some much-needed adult time with some amazing friends that we LOVE! Wishing all of y'all a great New Year's Eve tomorrow ;)

Happy Birthday Jesus!

2010-12-25T22:48:00.001-05:00

We love you!
Love,

The Keenes :)

Old Man Winter

2010-12-16T15:01:00.002-05:00

A few days ago it was snow, and today it was ice. Yuck! I guess Old Man Winter is making his presence known around these parts.

Poor Daddy had to shovel the ice off the driveway this morning before leaving for work.

"Daddy! Can you hear me, Daddy?!" "Mama, Daddy needs my help! Can I go play?" Maybe later, Tucker Bug....maybe later!

"Muah!"

Happy 14 Months (yesterday...)

2010-12-16T10:05:00.003-05:00

Tucker turned 14 months yesterday.

To celebrate, he had a chocolate chip cookie for the first time.

Here's my chocolate-covered 14 month old :)

(Actually, he's protesting b/c Mama won't give him cookie #2!)( He also had his first time out yesterday..... The offense: playing in the dog dishes for the millionth time. More on that in a later post.)

Thanks, Shutterfly!

2010-12-14T21:26:00.012-05:00

Have y'all realized just how last minute I am yet lately? Seriously, the whole "pregnancy brain" turned "mommy brain" is like a very bad joke! I used to classify myself as a very organized, got-it-all-together kinda gal, well at least around this time of year. What would that look like this time of year? Well, Christmas shopping would be done with the exception of a few last minute touches like the perfect pair of socks to incorporate into the bow on my sister's gift, or the Flor de Lis Christmas ornament to dangle from the gift basket for a counselor at one of my schools. Tucker's Christmas outfit would be ordered, monogrammed, and hanging neatly in his closet awaiting it's debut. Christmas cards would be mailed. The gifts would be wrapped and placed perfectly under the tree. By this time, I would be enjoying the snow from the stress-free bubble I so carefully positioned myself in.

Well, "Mommy Brain" has taken all that and turned it on it's head. I.am.serious. I can't seem to get myself organized enough to get anything accomplished these days! Christmas shopping.....let's just say I had great intentions of gettin' it both started and finished last Saturday but spent over half my time helping my brother, Nick, shop for his girlfriend. I was able to get 2 people checked off my list, leaving about 20. Which means I will be like all the other last minute shoppers this weekend and next week fighting each other for a parking spot and last minute deals. Woo hoo! And let's not even talk about Tucker's Christmas outfit. I'm just hoping it actually arrives before Christmas or it might become a New Year's outfit....

Then there's the Christmas cards. You know, the chance to put your beautiful family's picture in the mailboxes of your nearest and dearest, along with every other person you've ever met and manage to 'whitepage' their address. Not only have I not ordered our Christmas cards yet, but I have yet to nail down that perfect picture. Yes I have about a dozen recent pictures of Tucker Bug that would do, but the goal is to top last year's card, right? Remember ours:

That was my newborn baby! And while I do happen to think that my toddler has gotten even more delicious with each passing month, he would rather push around toys and hide behind closed doors than to take a posed, Christmas-card-perfect picture these days!

Which leaves Mama ordering Christmas cards at the last minute! It's a good thing there is still time to order that perfect card from my favorite site, Shutterfly!
Once that perfect picture is snapped, the hard part is then to decide which card will perfectly accent that pearly white you managed to bribe your precious lil one to flash. Shutterfly has so many greeting cards to choose from! My favorites are the folded greeting cards because you can include more than one photo and there's room for a personal letter. Of the 221 folded greeting cards to choose from, here are just a few of my favorites:

I like the simplicity of this one, but yet the freedom to include multiple photos:

And maybe I'm just drawn to this one by the cute kid:

I love the fun font on this one:

No matter which card you choose, you can be confident that your pictures and card will turn out great! I have used Shutterfly in the past for invitations and photo books and have always been more than satisfied with their products. I have no doubt my Christmas cards will turn out great too!

Thanks for helping to take one thing off my list, Shutterfly!

Now if only Shutterfly could take care of my shopping and gift-wrapping, and even more importantly, this whole "Mommy Brain" thing!

* They are, however, helping out somewhat. By posting this blog post, they are giving me 50 free holiday cards! It's a special they've been running for bloggers. Score!

What I'm Thankful For - Tucker Bug Edition

2010-12-13T15:54:00.002-05:00

If I wasn't a mother.....

*I wouldn't have scratches all over my coffee table and end tables.
*My favorite big candle holder from Pottery Barn with the river rock and the big red candle in my favorite scent would still be the centerpiece of that scratch-free coffee table.
*You wouldn't have to look under the rug and couch for coasters.
*I wouldn't find smashed peas and blueberries in my carpet.
*I would sleep until 10:00 am (possibly even later) on Saturdays.
*It wouldn't take me 2 hours to get out of the house in the mornings.
*When I try to schedule a last minute hair appointment with my favorite stylist and they say, "Can you come in 20 minutes?" I could answer, "Absolutely."
*I would be on time more often.
*My house would actually be clean, not just straightened up 20 minutes before expecting company.
*I might not be drowning in laundry. (Okay, well that's not entirely true.... I hate doing laundry, so I would probably still be drowning in it!)
*I wouldn't have tiny hand prints all over my windows.
*I wouldn't know 50 children's books by heart.
*I would still be able to wear low-rider jeans without fear of resembling a breakfast item.
*I wouldn't constantly trip over toys.
*My make-up and hair would be just right instead of 'that-will-do'.
*I wouldn't need to buy a gazillion batteries every couple weeks.
*I would have an additional cabinet and drawer in my kitchen to put actual kitchen items in.
*I wouldn't be too embarrassed to take my car to get it cleaned out because of all the Cheerios and who knows what else in it.
*I would never know true love.

God,
Thank you for the scratches on my furniture and the hand prints on my windows; it means my son is curious and able to explore his curiosity. Thank you for the smashed food in my carpet; it means my son is eating and healthy. Thank you for less sleep in the mornings and the 2 hours it takes me to get out the door; it means I have more time to enjoy my son. Thank you for the toys I trip over and the children's books I have memorized; it means I am able to provide those things for my son and that he has a passion for learning and exploring. And, yes, even thank you for the trouble with low-rider jeans; it means I was able to carry my son for 9 1/2 months and experience the indescribable joy of giving birth to the most beautiful baby boy! THANK YOU for loving me enough to bless me with the most wonderful, priceless gift ever - being a mother, and not to just anybody, but to the most perfect child in the world - the one you created all for me! Thank you for showing me only a glimpse of your love for me through my love for Tucker. For all this, I am eternally grateful.
-Amen

There isn't anything in the world I would rather be than Tucker's Mom!

I am SO thankful for him and what he means to me and Wes.

Don't Judge Me & I Won't Judge You

2010-12-13T13:57:00.003-05:00

Sitting in a high chair is WAY too boring for Tucker. After about 7 minutes, he begins to sign "all done" even if he still wants to eat his lunch. Solution: A few YouTube videos of his favorite Sesame Street songs. Result: An entire lunch eaten before he knows it.

We don't do it every time Tucker eats, but we do do it more than we would probably like to admit..... *Sigh* Another habit we will one day have to break him of!

Does that make me a bad Mama?

Yummy Yummy!

2010-12-11T23:14:00.006-05:00

Meal time is a fun time around here! You never know what might get flung your way! Fortunately, when I was recording the video below, Tucker was on his best behavior. (A side note, the noise you hear is Tucker kicking his legs :)

"All done Mama!"

Sneaky Little Guy!

2010-12-09T11:26:00.003-05:00

Tucker only gets his paci during nap time and at night. (Well, and in the car when all else fails.)
He knows this. There's usually about 3 pacis in his crib (so if he wakes up mid-nap or in the middle of the night one is always within reach!). When Tucker wakes up in the morning or from a nap, he always turns on his mobile and then plays around. One of his favorite ways to entertain himself in his crib is to put his pacis in between the mattress and the bumper, the crib and the wall, or go all out and toss a paci across the room. Which means when I get him out of his crib I hunt down his pacis and we tell them "Night Night!" and Tucker puts them back in his crib. Well, it never fails that there is always at least one paci I can't find. I look in between the bumper and the mattress, the bumper and the crib, under the crib, behind the rocker, everywhere! No paci. But that little stinker, I believe he knows right where he hides those pacis that go missing and sneaks them later! Like he's thinking, "Let's see, Mommy won't think to look here. I'll stash it and will be able to get it later."

This morning was one of those times. After breakfast, I was putting away some of Tucker's clothes when I turned around to this: Yup, that's the missing paci that I looked everywhere for! I have no clue where it was, but obviously Tucker did! Look at this face. He knows he's a sneaky little guy!

2010-12-08T23:11:00.002-05:00

Tonight, Tucker had some sweep-you-off-your-feet kinda fun with a couple of his buddies!

What could possibly be more fun than a pile of pillows just begging for 3 cuties to jump on?

Caden mid-air

Eli mid-airAnd Tucker trying to balance on the pillows! (No pics of Tucker mid-air. I knew the big boys could handle themselves, but I was too nervous to get behind the camera when Tucker took his plunge!)

I can only imagine what these 3 will get into just for fun in years to come!

Hello Caffeine! Oh How I've Missed You!

2010-12-08T16:44:00.004-05:00

I haven't had any caffeine since November 2008. I gave it up a few months before Wes and I planned to start trying to get pregnant. (Ha! I have to laugh at the word "trying" in that sentence! We got pregnant with Tucker the first time we didn't try NOT to! Something I am very thankful for!) While I know you can drink a limited amount of caffeine while pregnant and nursing, I have this fear that one day some break through study will surface showing how caffeine is linked to ADHD, reading problems, having 6 toes, I don't know! I know it's probably completely unvalidated and that there has probably been a ton of research done to show that a limited amount of caffeine is absolutely harmless. Maybe my real reason for steering completely clear of it is driven by the fact that I was borderline addicted to caffeine. I had coffee in the morning and at least 4 diet Cokes throughout the day. If I went without it for a length of time I would develop a headache.

Well, today I had a 100% fully-caffeinated coffee for the first time since November 2008. And oh how I missed it! In the mornings I usually dump out what's left of Wes's coffee and make my own pot of decaf. (Actually starting a couple weeks ago I started mixing some regular coffee in with my decaf.) This morning I was too lazy to make a new pot and drank what was left of Wes's coffee.....one wonderful energy-filtrating cup of java. Hello caffeine! A couple years ago, I could have drank 3 cups in the morning and needed another come lunch. Today, that one cup seemed to last all day. I don't know, maybe it was all in my mind, but it worked!

I'm almost looking forward to tomorrow morning! Almost.

Here's to hoping y'all have that little something that gets you going in the morning and keeps you going all through the day!

What I'm Thankful For - Family Edition

2010-12-06T11:55:00.009-05:00

After Thanksgiving dinner at my parents house, our entire family went bowling to celebrate Nick's birthday. Bowling after Thanksgiving is something I hope we make a tradition (do you agree Mom?)! We had so much fun and it was something that allowed the adults AND the kiddos to have fun!

This was Tucker's first time bowling. When we walked in the bowling alley you could tell his little wheels were turning....."Balls everywhere!"

Tucker loved bowling! He got the concept right away, I mean throwing balls and knocking things down come pretty natural to this boy! And he held his own on the kid's lane! 7 pins his first time up, not so bad!But what he REALLY enjoyed was the Cosmic Bowling! You know, when they turn down the lights and turn up the music.

"This is what I'm talking about, Mommy!"(Sorry for the poor picture quality....this is what I get with my camera when you're trying to take a picture of something or someone on the move and Tucker and I were dancing in the shot above. That is why I'm asking Santa for a new camera!)

Daddy and Tucker
Our Family :)

I tried to get pics of everyone......

Bridgette's "strike pose"

The Birthday Boy (who passed his permit test and drove me home from Louisville the other day, on the interstate, less than a week post permit!)

Luke and Shelby

Mikie and Tatum

Holli and Tatum

The other 3 kiddos were too much on the move during bowling, so here's pics of them at Dad and Mom's from earlier in the day :)

O'mauriJoshua, Makenzie & Tatum (again)
And of course, Dad and Mom :)

I am SO thankful for my family! I am thankful for times of just hanging out and having fun with each other. I am so thankful that none of us live too far away from each other and we get to do that pretty often. I am thankful that we are all so close. I am the oldest of 5, and since I already gave away my age when I told you in Nick's birthday post that I was 15 when he was born, I'll go ahead and tell you our ages..... Me - 30, Bridge - 29, Holli - 26, Luke - 18, & Nick - 16. Growing up, Holli was the bratty little sister. Bridgette and I have always been pretty close. Holli would sit outside me and Bridgette's bedroom door as we made plans on a Friday or Saturday night and then tell Mom and Dad what our 'real' plans were. That made it a little difficult to get away with anything! But, it wasn't long before Holli grew up and became my best friend as well. I talk to Bridgette and Holli every day, sometimes multiple times a day. My brothers are my babies and I'm really close to them too. I love that I live close enough to make all their football games, banquets, award ceremonies, and anything else. As much as I think it would be neat to move somewhere much different for a bit, like California or the Carolinas, I could never live far away from my family. I love when I get a call from Luke that him and Shelby are stopping by after a date or a text from Nick telling me what his football coach told him at practice. I love that Tucker will grow up so close to his cousins. I love that we all tell each other "love you" when we get off the phone. I love that Luke and Nick never went through a stage where they wouldn't tell me they love me. I love that if I don't say it, they'll say it first.

And then there's Mom and Dad. Seriously, I don't know where I would be without my parents. Growing up, they were undoubtedly my number one fans, always supporting me. They always told me I could do anything and be anything I wanted and that I would always stand out in a crowd. They might seem like just words, but they gave me the confidence to follow my dreams and to let nothing stand in my way.

I will never forget the day I was leaving for college. Mom and Dad were helping me to pack everything up and we were loading up the car. Luke was 5. He had been following me around all that day but not really saying anything. Finally, I asked him what was wrong. His response, "Did you find a new family?" It still makes me cry to think about that. In his mind he just couldn't understand why I was moving out, where I was going. Why would I want to leave home? It shows just how important "family" is to us. Even at 5 years old, he understood the meaning of "family." My family is one of the most important things to me!

God, Thank you for blessing me with such an amazing family. Thank you for the memories we've made and the ones yet to come. I pray that I never take my family for granted. I pray protection over my family and that we always stay strong as a unit and always support each other. I pray that Wes and I are able to instill the same importance of family in Tucker.

-Amen

It's almost impossible to get a picture of our whole family. We have gotten SO big! The most recent one I have is from Mikie and Holli's wedding:

Bragging or Blogging?

2010-12-06T10:11:00.003-05:00

So, my absolutely wonderful hubby has recently informed me that I might do a little too much bragging on my absolutely wonderful son on my BLOG.

I'm slightly confused..... Isn't Bragging on your Lil One's Greatness what BLOGging is all about?

Maybe he won't feel the same way when I publish my "What I'm Thankful For - Hubby Edition" post :)

Cheese!

2010-12-03T19:14:00.004-05:00

Here's my cheesing boy! And this cheesing boy is cutting 4 teeth at once! He's working on the two on either side of his bottom middle (my sister the hygienist would be so mad that I didn't know the name of those teeth....do they even have a name? I know she would refer to them as numbers...). He's also working on his bottom molars. Here, allow me to zoom in for ya. You can see the left molar has come through and the right on is on it's way.

Is it bad that I didn't even know he was working on his molars? He was mad one night when I made him get out of the tub and when he opened his mouth to show me just how mad he was, I noticed he had this HUGE tooth! I immediately called Wes, who was on his way to play basketball, to tell him. He could hardly hear me because Tucker was still protesting from having his bath interrupted. Wes said he was literally stopped in the middle of the street trying to figure out what I was saying and if he should turn around or not! All he could hear was Tucker screaming and "Tucker has a ...." I can only imagine what he was thinking! Anyway, I guess it's a good thing we haven't had any sleepless nights due to teething. (Knock on wood!) I'm assuming the top molars will be right behind the bottom ones, so I'm praying we'll continue to sail through this.

On another note, can you tell Tucker's saying "Cheese!" in this picture :)

I'm Not Going to be THAT MOM

2010-12-02T21:42:00.005-05:00

Tucker LOVES pizza! Now, he doesn't get it very often, which apparently to him is not nearly enough. A couple weeks ago, we had some friends over and had ordered pizza. Tucker had a few bites before going to bed. We left the empty pizza boxes on the counter, waiting until the next day to take them to the trash can (tell me we're not the only ones who do that!). When Tucker got up the next morning and saw the pizza boxes he refused to eat his breakfast. He kept pointing at the boxes and signing "eat".

Anyway, tonight Tucker had Mommy's turkey "surprise" meatballs (ground turkey meatballs with spinach, carrots and zucchini baked in), broccoli, and carrot sticks for dinner. Wes got home from work a little late tonight and he was feeling pizza so I made pizza for Wes and I. Of course, Tucker wanted in on that action!

(I promise the title of this post is relevant.....)

After Tucker finished his pizza, he signed all done. I asked him, "Are you all done?" hoping to get the last 3 bites of my pizza down before I had to clean his off of him. WELL, Tucker looked at Wes and said what sounded just like, "I done Dada." Wes and I looked at each other. I repeated Tucker, "I done Dada!" Wes said, "That's what it sounded like!" Okay, okay, I am NOT going to be that Mom. You know, the one who says her son crawled at 3 months, walked at 6 months, solved all the world's problems at 10 months, or said a 3-word sentence at 13 1/2 months. I know it was more likely a string of sounds ending with "dada," but it sure sounded like "I done Dada!" But again, I am NOT going to be that Mom.

On that note, Tucker has recently started repeating words. He's had some words that he has used for a while, but I mean trying to repeat words you randomly ask him to. His vocabulary is really expanding. Even if he's not able to say the word we ask him to, he still tries. Well, unless it's some big word, then he just says a word he knows or looks at you like you're crazy! I'm so impressed with him and even though I'm bias, I think I have the smartest 13 1/2 month old on the planet (even if he's not saying 3-word sentences)!

Hello December!

2010-12-01T22:32:00.004-05:00

What could be more fitting for my first post of December than my lil' man watching the morning snow fall?

"Mama! Can I go play in all that white stuff?"

"But I REALLY want to!!!"

What I'm Thankful For - Thankfully Humbled

2010-11-30T23:46:00.014-05:00

So this wasn't planned to be my first "What I'm Thankful For" post, however, it's so relevant.

Last night, myself and some great friends from my church shopped at Walmart for 91 kiddos. (Huge thanks and props to Katie for organizing!!!) These were 91 kids who may otherwise not stumble anxiously out of bed on Christmas morning to find gifts wrapped under a Christmas tree with their names on them. We shopped for pillow pets, Zhu Zhu pets, My Littlest Pet Shops, Pokemon cards, backpacks, Webkins, Barbie dolls, footballs, basketballs, and so much more. It was so much fun to play Santa and think about what the children on my list might like the most!

After it was all done and we had 6 shopping carts overflowing with toys, we prayed in the middle of the toy isles of Walmart for the 91 children who would receive those toys and I was HUMBLED. How many times had I gone to Walmart for groceries or to pick up pictures or to get a birthday gift or for shampoo and found myself making a quick detour to the toy isle to grab a random toy for Tucker without even looking at the price. Countless times. And here I was, trying my best to find the top two toys on each child's list and get him or her the best 2 toys for under $20 total. I keep thinking about the 10-year-old girl who listed craft supplies and hair accessories on her wish list and I hope she'll really like the stamp kit I picked out. And the 5 year old little girl who wanted a backpack and I imagine how cute she'll look in the one I picked out that wrapped around to make her look like a fairy. And their parents. I can't imagine how it must feel to not have that $20 to spend on your child for Christmas. I hope that they will see joy in their daughter's face Christmas morning and feel a sense of peace and overwhelming love, God's love.

And me.

I've spent that and then some on Tucker just about every time I've been to Walmart or any other store. I've taken the ability to do that for granted. I've taken it for granted that the only reason I have to wonder what in the world we'll have for dinner is because I haven't been to the grocery in a few days, not because we don't have the money, but because it's not something I enjoy doing. I've taken it for granted that if I don't want to wear socks in the evening I can just click the heat up a few degrees and not worry about how that will effect the electric bill. I think about how frustrated I've been that Wes and I have not had a weekend to look at carpet and wood samples so we can get a move on our floors, taking for granted that I own a home and don't stress about how the mortgage is going to get paid. I take for granted that if Tucker gets a runny nose and a cough that I can take him to the pediatrician without thinking about how much it will cost. I have a beautiful home, 2 nice cars, a closet full of clothes, a son who has more toys than he cares to play with, a TV that's much bigger than necessary, cabinets full of food, the list could go on and go. And the families we shopped for may not be able to say the same.

Humbling.

And in all that humbling, God convicted me. He gave me all those things. I don't deserve it. I don't even come close. But He gave them to me.......to use for HIS glory. I pray that I am continually reminded of that. I pray that I take advantage of the opportunities God gives me to use those material things to His glory and to just love on others....like inviting people into my home, giving someone a ride in my car, paying someone else's bills, or just shopping for someone else's kids at Walmart. So much of it seems so small to us, but we don't know how those little things affect someone else. We don't know if someone is praying about how a need of theirs will get met when we offer to pay for their gas at the pump and are used by God to answer a prayer. Or if we notice a mom adding up the cost of her groceries as she checks out at Kroger and slip her a $20, how that small gesture will show her someone cares. Or when we see a young mom with two small children walking in the cold, how giving them a ride could be just what she was praying for.

I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given me. But, I am even more thankful for humbling opportunities like this one that remind me of the many blessings I have and what I am met to do with those blessings.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T23:01:00.004-05:00

Wow, so much to be thankful for....

When I think about what all I have to be thankful for, I'm completely overwhelmed! So much, in fact, that I've decided instead of briefly listing each in one post, I'm going to do a chain of "What I'm Thankful For" posts. Look for my first one coming soon!

In the meantime, here we are, The Keene's, on Thanksgiving 2010!

Isn't my lil man so stinkin' cute!?!? (And my 'big man' ain't so bad looking either!)

It is unbelievable how much changes in a year's time!

I hope you and your family had a very blessed Thanksgiving! I'm very thankful for YOU!

Sweet 16!

2010-11-29T22:39:00.005-05:00

Yesterday, my baby brother turned 16! Wow, those words just don't even seem right! I remember when he was born! I was 15, one year younger than he is now.... Not only is he 16, but he is taking his test for his driver's permit tomorrow. So, my baby brother is 16 and is driving!

Our gift to Nick, a license plate for the front of his car.

Tucker's bib pretty much sums it up! Both Nick & Tucker are complete chick magnets! Tucker LOVES his Uncle Nick!

Happy Birthday, Nicholas!!!! We had so much fun celebrating with you this past weekend! Good luck tomorrow, I'll be thinking of you and can't wait for my text!

WE LOVE YOU!!!

2010-11-26T21:40:00.003-05:00

Both Wes and I are OBSESSED with this ice cream! Seriously, it is the bomb diggity bomb! It's the Kroger brand, Private Selections, Sea Salt Caramel Truffle. To die for! And I'm only slightly ashamed to admit to y'all that we've been eating it every night for a bedtime snack (usually in the bed!) for the past 2 weeks! (Good thing I'm still breastfeeding.....need all the help I can get to burn off those extra calories!)

On another note, I just want it documented that I suggested to Wes last week, you know when the weather was in the 70's!!!, that he go ahead and get the Christmas lights up on the house. It is now in the 30's with snow on the ground!

Thanksgiving post to come! We still have my family's tomorrow, so I'm waiting till were all done before posting pics. Instead, I'll leave you with a pic of me and my little turkey last Thanksgiving :)

An Experiment & Some Turkeys!

2010-11-24T19:47:00.003-05:00

Today, Tucker and I had a few visitors. My 2 nephews, Joshua and O'mauri, niece, Makenzie, and one of my little brothers, Nick, spent the whole day with us! I didn't know we were going to have any company until late last night. That's okay, a few change of plans for the day, and we're good. After all, it isn't very often that I get to spend the day with my nephews, niece, and little brother. I'm sure Bridgette wouldn't mind her kiddos coming to my house for the day a lot more often, but the thought of having 4 little ones under the age of 7, well that's a little more than I can handle on most days!

It might have been more than I could handle today if I didn't get creative. I mean I'd like to think my house is pretty entertaining. We have lots of toys but they're toddler toys. We have an Xbox, but most of the games aren't for little ones to play. We have cable and I'm definitely not above using the TV as a form of entertainment, but not for the whole day. These kiddos need some stimulating activity!

So, during Tucker's nap, we conducted an "experiment." We had glasses of water and food color and made "hypotheses" about what color two colors mixed would make. We made a graph to track our guesses, whether we were right or wrong, and to draw "conclusions" about our findings. (And, yes, when you have an Aunt who is a psychologist, you get fun little lessons on what all those words mean!) I'm not sure how well they'll remember the details, but I'd like to think they will remember the fun they had. :)Then, afterwards, they had to drink the water to see if it changed the color of their pee! You gotta love innocence like that! We also made turkeys for Thanksgiving and talked about what Thanksgiving means. I was only slightly surprised when Nick jumped right in on the activity; after all he is a big kid at heart!
Then after Dad picked up Nick and Jay went downstairs to watch a movie, O'mauri and Kenzie helped me to bake some cakes in preperation for cake balls (yummy!). They were really helpful too! Kenzie poured in the water and the "oil vegetable" and Mauri did a great job cracking the eggs all by himself!
All this fun, and I didn't get one picture of Tucker playing with our house guests. How did that happen!? I think I'm slacking on my picture-taking responsibilities!

Now for rolling some cake balls in chocolate and up next, a sweat potatoe pie! Yup, it's gonna be a late night!

I hope y'all have a Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and enjoy time with your family! I'm so thankful for days like today, no matter how hectic and crazy they are!

Tucker & Thomas

2010-11-22T22:43:00.003-05:00

So, this is just a random picture of my Tucker Bug, but isn't that what blogs are good for?

I could eat his little sweater-vest-wearing behind up! Love him!

(By the way, doesn't "Tucker and Thomas" sound so good together? Hmmm, maybe a name for a little brother? And don't y'all get any ideas! There is NO, I repeat - NO - bun in the oven!)

Thanks to "My Girls!"

2010-11-20T21:12:00.006-05:00

I just want to take this opportunity and say "Thank You" to my boobs. Yes, you read that right. And sorry if that's too 'graphic' for you. If it is, just stop reading now, come back in a couple days for my next blog post. A "Thank You" is the least that they deserve and I am going to feature them on this blog post (NO not in the form of a picture, don't worry I'm not getting THAT graphic!) to give them the respect and appreciation they've earned.

Seriously, I am going on my 14th month of breastfeeding (from the source), with never substituting formula or having to take any medication to increase my milk supply. My 'girls' have really pulled through for me (and ultimately for Tucker). It was hard in the beginning, that's for sure. Not as hard as it could have been, I've definitely heard some horror stories involving blisters and incorrect latches. Thankfully, I didn't have to endure that. Tucker had a champion latch right from the beginning. He was a slightly lazy eater in the beginning, meaning he would rather nurse for 5 minutes then sleep, wake up after 20-30 minutes and nurse again but that wasn't too difficult to correct and had nothing to do with 'the girls.' There was pain in the beginning, but that's normal. After all, there is a toughening-up process that has to happen! That was definitely not fun, but I made it through without shedding too many tears, with the help of some Lansinoh. [I fear that with baby #2 things may not go as smoothly...I'm really hoping they do!]

There were times when I wasn't sure I would have enough milk to send to the sitter's the next day (remember, Tucker never would take milk that had been frozen....My freezer is STILL half filled with frozen bags!). But, they would never fail me! I would pump and get exactly the amount I needed! There were times I would have just finished pumping and 15 minutes later Tucker would wake up wanting to nurse (I did a lot of on-demand feedings, wasn't-and still am not-a real stickler for a schedule). I would think, "He's not gonna get any milk out of these!" but sure enough, he would!

I was worried that with Tucker now nursing only a few times a day on most days and only for a few minutes with the exception of our morning feeding, that the amount of milk I produce would drop drastically. And, while it has in comparison to what I was producing, I am still able to pump what I need to send about 6-7 ounces to the sitter for the days I work.

I am really hoping that my 'girls' continue to pull through for me and that I'm not jinxing things by giving them their own 15 minutes of fame on my blog! I don't want to be forced to ween Tucker because I'm not producing milk. I'd rather it be because he and I decide it's time.

Which brings me to the 2nd reason for this post....

I am often asked how long I intend to nurse Tucker. Well, usually it's asked more like this: "You're STILL nursing!? It's time to stop!" When I started back to work in August, Tucker was only a little under 10 months old and people acted as though they could not believe I was STILL nursing. Not in the sense that "Oh, that's really good! Good for you!" but more like, "You mean you still have to pump through the day and I still have to schedule things around your pumping sessions?!" I'm glad my family and a handful of friends are supportive of BF and have been there themselves because sometime I feel like I am all alone in my efforts. Like I'm crazy for doing it this long. Hello! Breast milk is the BEST thing for Tucker! Why would I switch to formula unnecessarily? Even though he is now over a year old, he can still continue to benefit from my milk. I'd like to think the milk that God intended for him is somewhat better than that from a cow lol! If that makes me crazy, that's fine by me.

As for how long I intend to nurse Tucker, I'm not really sure about that. He doesn't have much of an affinity for cow's milk, though that's not the only reason I haven't weaned him yet. After all, cow's milk doesn't have as many nutrients in it as we are led to believe. After the process it goes through in order to be safe for us to drink, most of the nutrients and calcium are stripped away (though we do buy organic to get every bit we can!). {Ever read Skinny B*#ch? Scary!}

I'm not sure how long I'll nurse Tucker. Right now I don't mind it at all. Maybe I'll reach a point where I'm D-O-N-E and that will be the driving force behind weaning him. I would like to not have to pump while I'm at work, but I'm only doing that once a day now and I only work 2 or 3 days a week, so even that isn't bad. Right now, I would like for him to drink cow's milk (or even soy milk) through the day when I'm away from him and just nurse in the morning and night. I think if I really tried hard enough I could probably distract him through the day and get him to only nurse in the am and pm, but, like I said, I'm really not in a hurry to do so, right now anyway. Check back with me in a few months; maybe I'll be way over this whole BF thing by then lol! For the time being, I'm perfectly content with the way things are now (minus the pumping at work!) and I think Tucker is too!

I will promise you one thing (and this is what my sister always makes me promise), I will NOT be breastfeeding my 4 year old!

So, here's a pic of my little mommy's milk-drinking not-so-baby boy! He had just gotten done taking a bath, but had to get a quick ride in his wagon with his friends before going to bed :)

(By the way, we have finally installed a real gate at the top of the stairs, this picture is about a month old!)

**Disclaimer: This post is in NO way intended to make anyone who chooses to formula-feed their lil ones feel bad. Breastfeeding is a personal decision and as a mother, you know what is the best choice for your little one. It may be BF and it may be formula, or it may be BF for a little bit and then switching to formula. And that is just fine too! :) Either way, you rock! :)

Cheerio Dust, Anyone?

2010-11-19T23:05:00.004-05:00

I was cleaning up from breakfast the other day, doing dishes at the sink, when I turned around and saw this:

That Cheerio box was sitting by the trash can, empty. Well, that's what I thought anyway. Apparently Tucker thought it was wasteful of me to throw away the"dust" left from the Cheerios. He had dumped out the bag and was licking it off the rug!

Yup, here's my Cheerio-dusted little boy! (Sorry for the bad picture quality, I was laughing too hard to keep the camera still!)

"What Mom?! I didn't do it!"

Not My Favorite Thing to Do!

2010-11-19T22:50:00.002-05:00

One thing I do not like doing is changing the sheet on Tucker's crib. There is just no easy way to do it! The mattress is HEAVY. The bumper gets in the way. The skirt gets all messed up. It wears.me.out!

However, Tucker thoroughly enjoys it! "Come on, Mom! This isn't so bad!"And then he's distracted by other favorite activities!

When I was pregnant someone told me about these sheets you can buy where the middle part of the sheet that goes over the top of the mattress unzips and you just zip a new one on, or something like that. (Have y'all heard of these?) I should have paid more attention to her! Instead, I battle the sheet, mattress, bumper, and crib every week!

13 Months!

2010-11-18T21:32:00.006-05:00

(First, please excuse the fact that Tucker has on the same shirt he did in his one year pics that I posted on his 12 month update.... I took these pics a few days before Tucker turned 13 months. He was in a silly mood and I took advantage of it and snapped a few pics, not really intending for them to be his official "13 month pics". He happened to be wearing the same shirt he wore in his one year pics and I haven't had a chance to take some official "13 month pics" since then, so we're going with these!)

13 months and happy as ever :)

Tucker signing "book" :)

And, alas, his favorite thing to do!

Books with flaps are Tucker's favorite right now.

Reading to Mommy

And this, folks, is why Mommy's getting a new camara for Christmas! One that can capture on-the-move moments and not come out blurry!

At 13 months, Tucker.....

1. loves to snuggle and give kisses. He is always giving hugs and kisses, he's SO lovable! That's why Mommy calls him her "Love Bug!"

2. is a little sponge! Seriously, he absorbs EVERYTHING! I told Wes tonight, "Quick, think of something to teach him! We need to be teaching him MORE!" Is it normal to stress over whether or not you're teaching your toddler enough? I'm so amazed at how quickly he picks things up. Just tonight he was whining because Wes was opening a new toy and he wanted it NOW. I explained that he had to wait for Daddy to OPEN it and I showed him the sign for "OPEN." He imitated me and I reinforced him, then he looked at Wes and said, "Da!" and signed "open"! Then he found a cord that went with the toy that was in a plastic bag. He showed it to me and signed "open." Later, while he was in the tub I told him to show me "open" and he signed it. A.LITTLE.SPONGE.

3. still loves music and dancing! As soon as he hears music, he "snaps" his fingers and bounces and dances. Even if we're in Kroger. Yeah, he doesn't discriminate.....grocery store music, elevator music, sesame street songs, Daddy's playlist, he likes it all!

4. LOVES his chair with his name on it. Seriously, that has to be the best purchase we've made thus far. Tucker will climb on and off his chair all day long. He takes all his snacks to that chair to eat. He drags his books to that chair. He climbs on it for no reason, and then babbles away to Daddy and Mommy. Oh, and he moves his hands the whole time! Yes, he takes after Mommy and talks with his hands :)

5. is a GREAT eater! Yeah, with the way we started out, you remember - we couldn't bribe baby food down that boy's throat! - I never thought he'd be a great eater! But, he is! He will eat about anything. Veggies, fruits, meats, and everything in between. This makes Daddy and Mommy very happy :)

6. says, "Yay!" in a high-pitched voice, which has made Mommy realize that's how she says it!

7. says, "Da Da!" and goes to the basement stairs when he hears the garage door open. He can hardly wait for Daddy to come up those steps!

8. Speaking of the basement steps, Tucker loves to throw things down them. I can't tell you how many times a day I say, "Tucker, we don't throw your cars/blocks/balls/fill-in-the-blank down the steps." It doesn't phase him.....down the steps it goes!

9. knows that a cow says "moo" and what sound a monkey makes. When asked, "What does a cow say?" he responds with, "mmmooo" and then claps and says in a high-pitched voice, "Yay!" When asked, "What's a monkey say?" he responds by trying to scratch under his arms and "uh uh!" So cute! (Actually, he was doing the cow at 12 months, but I forgot to include it!)

10. has taken steps! Yup, that's right, he's well on his way to walking! It's only been a couple steps and only because he didn't intend to (like moving from the chair to the coffee table) and they're not well controlled steps yet. But, here's a sneak peak into his 14 month post now that we're officially three days into the 14th month.....we're wearing our walking shoes around here! :)

11. might be moving to one nap a day. And Mommy is ready for that! We're still doing a morning and afternoon nap, but most days Tucker's morning nap is pretty long, about 2 1/2 - 3 hours and the afternoon nap is getting shorter and shorter, some days only 45 minutes. (Then again, some days he takes a 2 1/2 hour morning nap and still naps for an hour and a half in the afternoon.) Maybe over Christmas break we'll work on moving him to one nap a day, so any tips are welcomed!

12. loves to color and write. Don't leave a pen laying around, he'll demand it! Then you better find some paper before something else becomes his canvas!

13. can climb out of the tub! Yeah, baths aren't as easy as they used to be. It's no easy task to keep a wet, soapy 13 month old in the tub once he's realized he can climb out. And when he's not trying to climb over the side, he's letting the water out.

Wow, 13 whole months! I still cannot believe it.....

Mommy loves you, Tucker Bug!
xoxoxo

My Boys!

2010-11-17T23:05:00.001-05:00

Man, do I LOVE them!

Highlights of our Weekend...

2010-11-14T20:56:00.003-05:00

The 1st birthday party of one of Tucker's very good friends, Makenly!

Makenly eating her cake like a champ!Makenly with her Daddy & Mommy!And I just had to get a picture of her beautiful cake!

Then, the annual Light Up Shelbyville ! Wes, Tucker and myself helped out at a table our church had up. People came out from all over the county for the festivities and the main attraction - the lighting of the lights on the big Christmas tree across from the courthouse. Tucker enjoyed all the lights and the people watching :)
It's nice to have a weekend that's pretty relaxing and for the most part, uneventful. It's been awhile since we've had one of those! Tucker actually got to play with his toys on a Saturday afternoon!

Hope you had a great one as well!

12 Months!

2010-11-11T23:28:00.008-05:00

Here's 12 things my little man is doing at 12 months :)

1. You LOVE to play with doors. You open and close them over and over and especially love to go in a room, close the door, and then have Mommy or Daddy knock on the door so you can "answer it." You think it is SOOO funny!

2. You know and independently use, without being prompted, all the signs we've taught you. That makes me think we should be teaching you more.... You have even made up a few of your own. For example, you touch your middle finger and thumb together and then shake your hand trying to snap your fingers when you hear music. Daddy is always playing music on his i-phone and we have our own little dancing parties. Well, the other day you picked up Daddy's i-phone and did your little "snap" with your hand to let him know you wanted him to play some music :) Daddy said, "I guess we have a sign for music now!"

3. You LOVE books! You can occupy yourself for quite some time just flipping though book after book. We read probably 20 books or more a day, no exaggeration! You've even started this habit that after nursing, you will sign "all done" then immediately sign "book!" There are times when we might be in a hurry (like the mornings Mommy works), but how do I say no to reading a book (or 10!)?!

4. Speaking of nursing, there's no end in sight. You still LOVE to nurse. You do so no less than 3 times a day, sometimes up to 5 times a day. You really only need to about 3 times a day, but if we're home all day you tend to ask for it more frequently, which is fine by Mommy.

5. You tried cow's milk and do not seem to care for it. I'm hoping it grows on you if I keep giving it to you with your meals because, well let's face it Tucker, you really can't nurse forever!

6. You know where your hair, mouth, nose, feet, and belly are and will point to them when asked.

7. You're not walking yet, but are so close. You can stand independently though as soon as you realize you're standing, you fall down. You don't like it. I am confident that if you mustered up enough courage to let go, you could walk! But, there's no rush!

8. You still love to be outside. One of your favorite things to do is to go to the park and climb on the playground. I can't tell you how many times Mommy and Daddy have almost gotten stuck in the round tunnel!

9. You are SO funny! You really have so much personality! You know how to make Mommy and Daddy laugh and you enjoy doing it! We are always saying, "He is so funny!" (I might have said that on your 11 month post too, but you really are SO FUNNY!) Speaking of laughing, you break out in laughter whenever you hear others laugh. The other day we were at a restaurant and there was a large group not far from our table. Every time they would laugh, you would laugh as though you were in on the conversation!

10. You love to play with cars! One of your toy cars require you to shake it up and then it goes. Its probably your favorite, but really any car will do. You also play with non-car items like they are cars. For example, you will get in the drawer in the kitchen that has all the tupperware lids and pull a lid out then proceed to "push" it around the kitchen!

11. You try to put your socks and shoes on your feet.

12. You blow kisses and even make the "mwuah!" sound. When we say, "I love you!" you respond by blowing a kiss - your way of saying "I love you too!"

The list could go on and on, but you'll be 13 months in 4 days (I'm behind on my posts!), so I'll save some things for then!

I'll leave y'all with some pics from Tucker's 1-year photo session :)

Blowing kisses "MWAH!"

Tucker still snuggles, hugs, kisses, and rolls around with his bear. He loves it!

Mommy loves you Tucker Bug!