Embrace the Camera:: Vacation Edition

Out of the 1600 pictures I have in my "Vacation 2013" folder, I am in about 75.  And, 27 of those, Easton is not smiling or cooperating, and 31 I took of us with my iphone.  Needless to say, I have a FABULOUS selection of Easton and Lance.  

 

Easton went through an 'all about daddy' phase while we were on vacation.  I'm pretty sure it had something to do with the fact that I was put on light restriction from my doctor to not lift and to take it easy.  It doesn't take them long to realize who's picking them up and who's not.  Despite that little hiccup, I did manage to get in a few that were pretty special and that I'll cherish forever! 

 

 So, here are a few of my favorites from our vacation!

 

These 2 beach bums.  I love them so very much.

Dog Races:: A tradition that started way back, before Easton.

I always want to remember this picture.  We'd had a rough start to the morning.  Lance had run to Wal-Mart to get some more groceries and a few more beach items and Easton was having a hard time listening and obeying.  I sat him down with me and explained to him that just because I couldn't pick him up didn't mean that I didn't love him or didn't want to love on him.  I told him I could sit and hold with him any time he wanted me too.  I told him if he was feeling like he needed me to do that then say 'Mommy, stop what you're doing and love on me.'  That did the trick.  He then realized that I'd stop anything I was doing to fill his little love tank.  This worked like a charm.

 

Even once we got home, Monday morning, we were getting ready for school.  He was having a slow morning, having a hard time getting going.  He was rubbing his head against my thigh and he finally said 'Mommy!  Stop what you're doing and love on me!'  I did just that.  We sat right down in the bathroom floor and had a few minutes together and he was all good, ready to go. 

 

Little thing is such a lover.  I'm so thankful for his loving personality.  The way he needs to show and feel affection.  Such a tender soul.  He has been from birth.  I'm glad it's still carrying on.

 

Thankfully the restrictions have been lifted and my doctor said just 'listen to your body' as far as lifting and carrying goes.

 

I'm so thankful for this vacation and the sweet sweet time we had together.

I will cherish this trip, the last trip to the beach just the 3 of us, forever.

 

Country Living

I think it's safe to assume he thought there would be a man hopping out of the truck in front of him.  The dump, after all, isn't really a girly place.  We waited for the truck in front of us to pull out, then we pulled in to the next 2 spots, ready to empty our trucks of our trash.  You see, when you live in the country, you take your trash to the dump.  No more trash pick up, remembering to push the canister to the curb.  You load it up and take it yourself.  Its glamorous.  I know. 

Instead of a man getting out of the truck, he saw me.  Me, in a long Target maxi skirt with a vintage t and flip flops. I hopped up on the tailgate, hoisted over and grabbed our trash.  My first toss into the garbage container was our bag of Chick Fil A from Friday night.  I tossed it up and over and a gust of wind grabbed the bag and waffle fries came raining down on me. 

I guess it was at that point he decided I might need a little help.  Seeing as the top of the dumpster was a good 12 inches above my head, some assistance might be needed. 

He reminded me of my grandfather.  A good-ole-boy in his workin' clothes and pick up truck.  He helped me like it was his job.  I told him we were new to the area and this was my first time as a 'grown up' to take my own trash to the dump.  I told him I grew up here, but we lived in the city for a while, but just finished our new house here. 

We got all the trash out and I thanked him.  As we got in our vehicles, I thanked him again.  He tured towards me with the kindest grin and said 'welcome home'. 

I tell you what, this living in the country is turning out just fine. 

Little Tiny Buz Lightyears

At what point did my child become old enough to look at undies in TarJay?  And at what point did someone say it was a good idea to buy them for him, then, to actually try them on and wear them?  Didn't I just give birth to this tiny human?  Didn't I just quit nursing him?  Didn't I just witness his first steps?

Well then tell me how in the sam hill is it possible that my child, is almost 3 and has now worn Buzz Lightyear's to school 2 days in a row now, accident free.

It's not possible. I don't believe it. Perhaps if I keep denying it, it won't be true.

However, on a positive note, he's basically taken this roll on himself. No one really pushed the issue. He did wear undies 2 Tuesdays ago when we stayed home from school with the fever of all fever's (that lasted a week!!!) and had no accidents but I didn't make the switch to wearing them to school until yesterday.

He'd been asking to go potty here and there. He'd mention others at school that wear undies. School by the way, is probably the main reason that I'm not cursing Potty Training. They are very routine in going to the potty and encourage it at every chance. He has an obsession with flushing, but they can only flush if they use it, thus encouraging them to use it.  So, Potty Training is happening.

Now, he'll probably kill me one day for posting this...but here goes.  All for memory's sake, right???

Friday night we were working at the new house, and he said he needed to go potty.  Did I have a potty?  Did I even have a spare diaper?  Nope.  We'd moved the car seat to Lance's truck and the diaper bag didn't make the trip.  So, as fast as I could, I found an empty cabinet box and set him on it.  And.  He went.  And. Just last night, we had the same scenario, except with undies and not a diaper, and I located the nearest 5 gallon bucket.  That brough a new obsession.  He thought he was SOMETHING going to the bathroom on that bucket.  He told us he needed to go potty about 17 times.  I think we did more of that than painting. 

Can we please get toilets in the new house, ASAP, Boo?

I hope I haven't created a problem here!  We will be living in the country.  Eventually.  Perhaps we'll teach him to just go off the back porch!  Save some money on toilet paper.

Ahhhh.  The joys of boys.