See ya later, old friend

 

It's not official, yet. 

But the process has begun {thanks to some diligent teachers at school} to be 'ra-ra' free.

It's a big ordeal in the Farrar House.

 

About a month ago, they {teachers} put him down for a nap and didn't offer his ra-ra.

He asked for it, but they just told him it was in his bag.

He went right to sleep.

The next day, same thing.

 

This went on for about 2 weeks.

Then I decided we'd stop taking it in school at all.

We did that for about a week.

 

Then last week, we left it in his bed all week long.

He has it when he wakes up and when he goes to sleep but other than that it's in his bed.

 

I really thought this day would never come.

I know he won't have it forever, but it's nice to see him letting it go slowly, and somewhat on his own.
He understands he's a big boy now and doesn't need it.

My big boy.  He's not a baby anymore.

I stressed over him having it, because he's 2 and a half, but really, I'm learning, they'll do things when they're ready.

 

Just like potty training.

He's been hit or miss (literally) for about a month now.

However, Friday when I picked him up from school he had gone on the potty every time!

And all weekend when we'd ask if he needed to go, sure enough he'd go!

SUCCESS!

 

Sometimes its nice to just go with the flow and not get so stressed out about age or mile markers or what others are doing.  Just let it be.

Keeping up with the Jones's so to speak.

I hate keeping up with them.  Or trying.

 

Happy Tuesday Friends.

Praying for all of those who experienced Sandy last night and are facing the destruction today!!!

 

 

 

 

 

{a first} potty edition

Milestone Day in the Farrar house!

Easton used the potty for the FIRST time!

We've tried several times, they've tried at school several times, but no luck.

...until yesterday!

They sat him down after nap...and as you can see below...SUCCESS!

Boy, was he proud of himself too!

It was so fun to see how excited he was to tell us! 

I don't know if it was fluke, or what, but I'll take it! 

You've gotta start somewhere.

Maybe once we get moved and settled, we'll try some big boy undies.

I don't know if I'm ready for all that just yet!

Way to go Easton!

Two Year Molars & A Fresh Start

Last week was one of the most challenging weeks of toddlerhood yet.  The whining and clingyness was at an all time high.  The normal early morning singing that wakes me up right on schedule was replaced with grunts of an unconsolable toddler.  The nights of peaceful uninterrupted sleep from 8-6:30 were interrupted with cries almost hourly over the monitor. 

I chalked it up to a full weekend last weekend but that simply was not the case.  Wednesday he was all kinds of out of sorts.  Waking up grumpy at school, crying because Claire took his "choo choo", tears all the way home that couldn't be sung away. 

Friday it clicked.  Teeth.  Two Year Molars.  Why had I not thought of this sooner?  There were signs that I missed.  Wet shirt neck, diaper rash, fussiness, biting on things {luckily not children or people}.  I checked my ever faithful BabyCenter Toddler timeline and sure enough.  Molars.  He has one set but that second bottom set were on their way in. 

This make so much more sense now.  After a good dose of Motrin at night time, we are back on the road to happiness. 

A trip to Sonic always makes things better.  For him, a vanilla 'shake milt', for mommy, a Sweet Tea.  Sonic helps everything.  And, being with my boy at Sonic, and handing him back his ice cream, hearing him saying 'yummy shake milt' erased the past week of difficulty. 

Weekends are always good for naps.  For whatever reason, he insists on napping with one of us on the couch.  We tried the bed on Sunday {by his request to take a 'nap bed'} but it was a fail.  So, being the sucker that I am, I laid down with him.  The sacrifices I make for this child.  Oh.  You didn't know naptime on the couch for 2 hours= sacrifice.  Well, now you do.  

Some weeks are hard.  Some weeks are down right miserable.  Some weeks I too want to cry myself to sleep.  But.  The sun always comes up tomorrow, it might just be hidden by the clouds. 

Today is always a new day.  It started out with clouds, {literally} but the sun is shining now.  Praise the Lord for fresh starts. 

Mondays are good for fresh starts.

Happy Monday!

21 Months

This weekend we took advantage of the slightly warmer than usual weather and sunshine.

And it fell right on Easton's 21 Month Birthday.

Here are my favorites from the day.

21 Months is proving to be even more fun than the rest.

More conversations.

More words.

More teaching.

More learning.

More instruction.

More helping hands.

More smiles.

More laughter.

More work.

More discipline.

More love.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could love a child this much.

But every day my heart fills with more love.

This time last year...



6 months



This time last year he was 6 months old.

How is he 18 months old???

Where did the time go?

We were just getting used to cereal and butternut squash.

He was nursing 3 times and having 2-3 bottles of pumped breastmilk at school. 

He had 2 naps at school and 1 on the way home from school.

I nursed him to sleep.

I can't even remember if he slept all night.



18 months



Boy how things change in a year.

Tonight he had pizza and pigs in a blanket and peas.  Random- I know.

I did my best to get the veggies in!

He takes 1 nap a day.

He walks in and out of school, holding my hand.

{except when I carry him because I want him to still be little}

We have funny conversations.

We laugh together.

He's my little side kick.

He loves his daddy.

The baby times were good, but toddler times, they are a BLAST!

I can't wait to see what other fun changes are in store for next year.

Jibber Jabber...

So, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of words that Easton can say...you know, for the baby book...oh...wait...there's not one...right...proceed...

So, here goes the words...and translations...

daddy, mommy, eat, bath, bed, row row {as in row, row, row your boat}, out, off, car, truck, big truck, diaper, papa, Ali, Bob Bob, GG {sounds more like geeg}, bumbaba {bumble bee---in reference to the bumble bee song}, up, Chris {pronounced kish}, bye bye, hi, sing {swing}, side {outside}, poop, duck, baby, bik {book}, ball, baa-ba {baseball}, bat, bee, hot, wow, whoa, nana {banana}, wa wa {water or milk}, ta tu {thank you}, ra ra {passi- I'm not sure where ra ra came from---but I think it's cute}. 

I'm sure there's more but that's what I can think of right now.  It's really funny having conversations now.  He really understands what we're saying and can communicate in his own little way.  We had a conversation on the way home from school the other day that had me in stitches.  It might have been our very first 'conversation'. 

Easton: side?

Me: yes,  you were outside.  your friends are outside playing at school.  we'll play outside when we get home.

E: car?

M: yes, we can play with your car when we get home.

E: vrrrm, vrrrrrm

M: that's right buddy, the car does go vrrrrm, vrrrrrrm.

E: daddy?

M:  daddy's at work.  but he'll be home soon after we get home

E: ooohhh

M: easton, you are so smart! 

E: mmmhmmmm

M: and funny

E: hahahahaha!  {no joke, started laughing just like he knew laughter = funny!}

Oh that boy.  He cracks me up!  So much fun to have a conversation with a little person. 

Also, he knows that

cows say moooooo

dogs say woof woof

cat says meow {with a little bit of a shoulder shrug and a squint}

lion says roooooaaaar

And he can sign the following:

more, water, please & happy- there may be more of those that I just don't pick up on. 

Wilson County Fair

Well, it's official.  We have conquered the great Wilson County Fair!

Funny story about that cow...

biggest dang cow I've EVER seen in my life...

we were up in his face talking to him and all of a sudden,

he let out the biggest loudest moo.

Me and E took off running the other way!

The food...

that's the REASON we go to the fair

Swirly Taters & a GIANT sweet tea for me

Corn on the cob for Lance

Corn Dog for Easton

Dessert...Chocolate dipped Bacon (NASTY),

Horse Made Ice Cream & Chocolate dipped strawberries!

Mmmm!!!

Horse Made Ice Cream- It's really a mule.

On a ramp.  As he walks up this ramp the ice cream churns.

And wa-la...horse churned ice cream!  DELISH!

There's plenty to see & do at the fair

Games, tractor pull, farris wheel, rides. 

SO MUCH FUN!

The Boy was too short to ride any rides.

Only by about an inch...but he could ride the Carousel.

He has improved on his riding skills since vacation.

He now LIKES the carousel.

Maybe it's because Daddy's riding with him!

So- 1st Wilson County Fair is in the books.

A great time and a late bed time was had by all!



I initially had plans for a Marshmellow Game Post, then when I got to school, there was a Happy Gram on his clip board so I thought I'd post that...but tonight, tonight plans have changed. 

I have a lump in my throat.  My nose is tingling. 

Saturday when we left Florida on the way home from vacation, last Saturday (23rd) to be exact, I didn't nurse Easton in the morning.  We got up and got busy packing up the car and he was happy with milk and blueberries, so I left it at that.  Sunday.  Same.  Monday.  A little whimper when we walked past his rocking chair as if to say 'wait mom, don't you want to sit down?"  Tuesday still a whimper.  Wednesday.  Fine. 

At night's I've been giving him a cup of milk with supper and what he doesn't finish I save it for after his bath and he gets it before bed.  Before I nurse him.  Most nights he drinks it all. 

So, for the past 2 weeks, we'll walk in the living room, tell Daddy 'night night' and go get a passi out of the cabinet, get our cup of milk and head to his room.  Once in his room, we turn on the noise maker, turn on his lullabies CD that has played every night since his birth and turn his lamp off.  Routine.  We like routine. 

I put the milk on the side of his crib and offer it to him one last time before I nurse.  I assumed I didn't have much milk left, so I thought this way he'd go to bed with a full tummy. 

And most nights, we'd rock.  We'd kiss.  He'd be still for 2 seconds for me to love on him. I'd tell him how much I love him.  I'd ask him if he knew.  I'd ask him if he loved momma. He'd shake his head yes.  Every time.  We'd make goo-goo eyes at each other as if it was the first time we'd looked into each others eyes, with that connection that only we share.  Say our prayers.  But without fail he'd pull out his passi, hand it to me, say ta-tu (thank you), and tug at my shirt.  And I'd nurse him.  Right side, then left.  He'd slowly drift off to sleepy town.  Every time.  I'd stand up, hold him a little closer, kiss his cheek and whisper 'I love you' in his ear.  I'd lay him down, he'd roll to his left and put his arms under him.  He'd settle in and I'd leave the room. 

But tonight.  Tonight most of that was the same, except one part.  Tonight, I cuddled him against me.  I laid my head on his head.  I closed my eyes and just waited for him to hand me his passi.  I heard his breath slowing.  I looked down and his eyes were shut.  I kept rocking thinking he'd lean back and do the same thing he has for nights now.  But then I heard it.  His passi clicked.  It fell out.  He was sound asleep.  The kind of sleep that has in the past only come after that left side.  But tonight, tonight he didn't need that. 

I sat there and felt the sting in my eyes.  I felt it coming.  Someone turned on the water works.  I prayed that if the Lord wanted me to nurse him that he'd wake up on his own and hand me his passi.  He didn't.  I cried some more.  I sat there and rocked.  Longer than normal.  And cried.  And rocked.  And cried some more.  I put him up on my shoulder. I kissed his cheek and whispered my same 'I love you' that I've whispered for many nights now.  I laid him in his bed.  I just knew his head would pop up once I laid him down.  Nope.  Without fail...he rolled to his left, tucked his arms up under him and drifted back to sleep. 

My baby.  My baby went to sleep without my milk tonight.  If it's going to happen, which it is, I prayed it would happen like this.  That I wouldn't have to wean him, that he'd do it on his own.  So, I know it's how it should go.  How I prayed for it to go.  But its still hard. It still makes my stomach hurt.

I came out of his room and shut the door.  Lance could hear the crying from down the hallway.  He looked confused and asked me what was wrong.  I told him my story.  He held me and let me cry.  He doesn't understand, but he understands. 

It was such a struggle for me in the beginning, is he getting enough milk, how much, how often, etc but I am so glad that we worked through it.  Lance was right there with me every step of the way.  Getting up with me many times in those first few months, laying on the floor while I'd nurse our new baby.  It was a group effort.   He was my cheerleader.  I love those memories. 

I have WAY to much to say about breastfeeding so I'll save that for another posts. 

But, tonight as I calculated, because you know I like to know numbers, last night's feeding was the 500th night since he was born that I nursed him! (minus maybe 5 nights that someone other than me, has put him to sleep- with my breastmilk).  WOW!  Lords timing?  I think so.  I'm sure if I took enough time I could tell you exactly how many times I nursed and pumped over those past 500 days.  In my spare time I'll try to work on that. 

Anyways.

Maybe he'll want it tomorrow night.  Maybe not.  I don't know.  But tonight, I know I have bittersweet tears rolling down my face.  Big ugly shriveled up can't catch my breath crying face happening.  It's ok though.  I have a healthy boy in the next room over who's growing up.  And I love him more than I ever dreamed possible. 

Teething

Oh shoot.  I've heard about teething horror stories but they haven't applied to us. 

Until NOW.

Easton's got 2 bottom molars coming in. 

Bottom teeth 1 and 2 came in without so much of a drooly bib and

even top molar 1 came in and we didn't know till we stuck our finger in his mouth.

BUT, these bottom molars...holy cow.

We are a whiney, fussy, drooly, misreable mess. 

Happy times of the day are happy, but fussy times (hungry, tired) are magnified by one zillion.

Thank God for Motrin & Tylenol.

Here's to hoping we ALL get a good nights rest and wake refreshed and happy.

This day last year

This time last year, I had completed my very first day back to work after maternity leave.  What a day that was.  As I reflected thoughout the day I thought about how much different this day was from last year.

This day last year, I woke with a hungry 3 month old that wanted momma's milk and fell back to sleep with daddy after nursing.

This day last year, I cried most of the way to work.

This day last year, I carried my baby in school in his carseat.

This day last year, I had to pack 2 bottles of breastmilk.

This day last year, I left my baby in a strangers hands, not knowing how much she'd end up loving him.

This day last year, I went to nurse my 3 month old baby on my lunchbreak.

This day last year, I picked my baby up from his first day of school and he slept all the way home.

However, a year changes things.  Even though I don't like leaving Easton and I'd love to stay at home with him, we have a new normal.  A new normal of going to work and school.  And for right now, that's what works for us.  This is a little piece of our new normal.

Today, I nursed my baby boy when he woke up and I fed him oatmeal with cinnamon on the kitchen counter.

Today, we rode in silence.  Easton in the back with his foofie and me in the front zoned out from a tiring weekend.

Today, I carried my big boy in school on my hip.

Today, all I had to pack was his foofie and some diapers.

Today, I dropped my baby off on the playground and had to try 3 different times to get out the door, eventually having to leave him crying in the arms of his new teacher.  {I watched through the tinted door as I do every morning and just like always, he had stopped crying once the door had closed and I was out of sight}

Today, he drinks whole milk with his snacks and lunch and he eats big boy food.

Today, I picked my sweaty baby up from the playground where he crawled through the big tree with his friends. 

Today, he was awake on the way home- as he always is now- and we sing songs to keep the peace.

Today, I nursed my baby to sleep and I can sit on the couch with confidence knowing that he'll rise like clockwork at 6:15 ready to start all over again. 

We are creaturs of habit. 

We do good with a routine. 

Some days the routine seems mundane and repetitive but we throw a kink in every now and then. 

Like today. My boys went to the golf store to get daddy a new driver while I stayed home and did chores.  I did those chores with a little more pep in my step as I had an hour or 2 at the most to myself.  Even though I miss yesterdays, today is so much more fun. 

Tonight, we sat on the deck and felt the cool summer nights air on our skin and pushed bathtime a little later than usual.  It felt good.  Easton is monkey see, monkey do these days.   Lance would fake cry into a tshirt and Easton would do the same, coming up with a smile each time as he knew he'd made us laugh.  We were also late to bed.  Easton wanted a book before bed tonight.  He wanted the touch & feel book with the baby farm animals. Lance taught him that once he got to the chick with the soft yellow belly they would discover it together and laugh as if it was the funniest thing they'd ever seen.  Lance saying "ooooo, the baby chicky" would tickle Easton's funny bone and they'd just laugh and laugh.  He is so full of personality and spirit.  He blesses my soul. 

I will try to remember each day's a gift and be thankful for each day as it is life's greatest blessing.  These are the moments that I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

Saturday Fun

So, really, who takes their newly repaired D3100 to the Zoo but forgets to charge the battery???

Yeah, me.  Dang.  SO, all of our lovely 1st trip to the Zoo pictures are from my phone.  It's a shame I don't have some swanky iphone that takes marvy pictures...so these will have to do.

We had a great time at the Zoo.  I didn't know if Easton would be to young to enjoy it but he really had a great time.  The smaller animals, like the birds and some of the monkeys that were hiding in the trees were hard for him to find, but the giraffes, elephants, pink flamingo's, cows- those he could spot. And, he could even make a moooooo sound and do the sign for monkey along with the noise.  Seriously, this kid is amazing.  He's like a little sponge, soaking up anything you put in front of him. 

But....never fear!  I wasn't missing this next event.  Camera's charged!

This was pretty much Easton's face the entire time.

He had a blast!  LOVED IT!  Loved the water, loved the splashing, loved watching all the hoopla.

He does like some hoopla.  Not sure where he gets that from?!?!?!  ;)

Happy Saturday y'all!

Baby Boy got a lil trim

Loveys hair was getting a little wild!  With our upcoming wedding, we knew we had to look our best.  So, today Easton got his FIRST PROFESSIONAL HAIRCUT!  He was quite the champ.  We did have a few tears but for the most part, PERFECT!

I didn't think he {Easton}could get any cuter...but this hair cut has about done me in.

It's a good thing he can't talk cause I'm sure I'd give him anything he asked for!

Soon enough!

Might I add, that little noggin has rounded out quite nicely!

Walking

I can hardly contain my excitement!!!!

We're on the move now.

Lance has been practicing with Easton for a while but today he really took off!
When I got to school to pick him up Ms. Brittany was in the hall waiting for me.

She had something she wanted to show me.

I went to the door to look in and he was standing, on his own, in the middle of the floor.

Once he saw me, he TOOK OFF!

They said they put his shoes on to go outside and stood him up, where he normally plops down,

 he just took off!!!! 

Ms Kayla said he'd been walking in circles, hands out, for about 20 minutes!

They couldn't wait for me to get there!

He was SOOOO proud of himself once he got to me!

And I was so proud of him once I got to him too!

When we got home I sat him on the front step while I tended to Kirby and he stood up and walked down the sidewalk!

Little lovey's walking!

I can hardly believe it as I type!  My baby is walking!!!

We've got to master this walking deal by June 4-

he's gotta carry the ring down for Uncle Tyler and Aunt Jamey.

And...just like that...he's walking.

Easton, please slow down.  You're growing up way too fast!

I'll bet you Kirby, that's the cutest kid you've ever seen!

Wittle Bitty Toofie

Well, tonight, while Easton was gnawing on a piece of pizza crust, I noticed a little white spot on his gum.  I swiped my finger in there to see if it was crust or paper from the napkin and low and behold, it was sharp!

A little tooth!

My little baby has his first tooth peeking through, one day before his 1st birthday!

YAY for teeth!  Let the brushing begin!