Charleston Reunion 2009

We just got home from an amazing family reunion in Charleston with my side of the fam. I honestly think this was one of the best family get togethers we have had in a long time. We all know that when family gets together, there is usually some drama. This time, however, the drama pretty much stayed away. Everyone seemed to have a great time enjoying each other's company, exploring Charleston and eating good food.

Dylan and I went down a few days before everyone else to spend some time with my cousin Keighly. She is staying with my parents for a month and has been SO excited to see Dylan. The first day we were there, my parent's neighbors took us out on the harbor in their boat. It was Dylan's first boat ride and my little fish was in heaven! We went to the beach a couple of evenings, visited the market in downtown Charleston, had family pictures taken and ate some yummy food. It was such a great time and I was really sad to leave yesterday. It's hard now that we all live in different parts of the country and only get to see each other once a year. At least we have some memories to tide us over until the next time.

My sister Kathleen and her sweet baby Noah. Dylan and Noah absolutely loved each other.

We celebrated my mom's 51st Birthday on July 3rd. My Dad bought her a new oven that she's been wanting for a long time. A kiss was his 'thank you.' It's so nice to see my parents still love each other after 30 years of marriage.

Gram with her cute boys.

Chunky Monkey Noah...he's almost as big as Dylan and he's only 8 months old!

Me and Dylan driving the boat...he had a hard time giving up control.

Gram helping Dylan enjoy his first boat ride. We had to keep his mind off the life vest...he wasn't so into it.

Keighly was the best babysitter ever. I hardly had to take care of Dylan the entire time I was there. Such a nice break and Dylan loved having someone play with him ALL the time.

My little fish just couldn't be bothered to stay out of the water. He ran in, clothes and all.

Kathleen and I got a little distracted while Jen and Karl grabbed some ice cream.

Blaire, me, Kathleen and Jen. It's so fun that my brothers are both dating girls that we all like. The last night I was there, we all went on a Ghost Tour in downtown Charleston. It was so cool to hear all the stories and see some of the city's sites.

The Men in My Life

I am well aware of the importance of having a Father in the home. So, for just a moment, I would like to take a minute to say Thank You to the men in my life.

To My Daddy: Thank you for being the wonderful man that you are. For always providing for the temporal, emotional and spiritual needs in my life. For being someone I can always confide in. For always reminding me that I am blessed. Thank you for always pushing me to achieve something greater. For teaching me right from wrong. For being a wonderful example of service. For supporting my dreams. Thank you for always being there, no matter what. For praying for learning experiences. For being faithful. For being worthy. You are my Hero.

To My Papa: Thank you for my childhood. For always making me feel special. For taking me on so many fun vacations...these memories will be cherished always. Thank you for sharing your talents with others. Thank you for being an example of hard work. Thank you for your service for this great country. For your great love for my son.

To My Grandpa Daniel: Thank you for sharing your knowledge. For encouraging me to reach beyond myself. For making the time for me (I loved all those times you stopped to see me on your way to CA or MO). Thank you for making your home a place I always want to visit. Thank you for always making me laugh.

To My Father in Law: Thank you for raising such a wonderful son. For being a wonderful example of humility. For welcoming me into your family. Thank you for being understanding. Thank you for always being willing to help.

To My Husband: Thank you for being a great provider for our family. Thank you for taking the time to play with Dylan. For not raising your voice when I frustrate you. For trying to distract me and make me laugh. Thank you for not laughing at my crazy dreams. For encouraging me to be me. For always letting me know that you love me. Thank you for being a partner in parenting.

To My Heavenly Father: Thank you for giving me all of these wonderful men who have helped make my life so wonderful.

We love Summer!

The lazy days of summer have hit us head on and we are loving every single minute. Well, except this week when it rained 3 days. Our days have consisted of waking up, eating breakfast, watching some cartoons, hit the pool for a few hours, shower, take a long nap and then it's time for dinner and bedtime. IT IS AWESOME! I completely understand why my parents always had a membership to the swim club when I was young. It certainly helps matters that Dylan loves to be outside and loves the water even more. The days we can be at the pool are awesome days...all signs of him being in the terrible two's disappear. Summer (so far) has made for a happy toddler and a content Mom & Dad. The pool doesn't get old to a toddler...does it?

It's the small things

I know you have all been wondering how Dylan's speech therapy is going...ha ha ha. So, here is the update. The first 6 or 7 visits were terrible. Dylan and I both really like the therapist (Mindy), but Dylan was so not into doing what we wanted him to do. He is in the terrible two's and it is all about 'ME' right now. His sessions are only 30 minutes long and he basically threw a fit for 25 minutes of it each week. Mindy comes at 8:30 in the morning, so Thursday's were always getting off to a rough start. I was at the point of taking him out of therapy until he turns 3 and can go through the school system into a classroom setting where I don't have to be there. I told Mike two weeks ago that if the session went like the others, I was telling Mindy 'No more.'

Wouldn't you know that the kid was a complete angel! He was so agreeable and was repeating everything either Mindy or I said. It was awesome. So, I decided to test the waters another week. Lucky me, same thing. That is some serious progress, folks.

I have been working on teaching Dylan the letters of the alphabet for a few months. He knows all of them, but has refused to say 3 particular letters or make their sounds...F, M and P. In therapy we have been concentrating on 'P.' Dylan knows the letter; he can point it out and he will often pronounce it in place of a 'T', but the stinker will not repeat us when we try to get him to make the 'puh' sound. I walk around saying 'P says puh' all day long...I am tired of hearing that darn letter. Tonight, while Dylan was eating a bowl of colored Goldfish crackers, I was having him name all the colors as he shoved them in his mouth. When he pulled out a purple one, I did the normal 'P says PURPLE.' Lo and behold...

Dylan said 'Pur-Pel.' We had a mini-party right then and there. Now it's on to 'F' so Mike and I don't have to hear the word 'Haaaan' (Fan) anymore.

For the past few months, Dylan and I have been attending a Toddle Time class at our local community center. It was a lot of fun. The teacher guided us through song & dance, finger plays, free play time, and many other activities. I loved spending this time with Dylan, knowing that he is learning new things and participating in a structured class to prepare him for future adventures. All of his little friends were in the class, too. Friends always make everything double the fun!
Mommy and Dylan playing telephone with the cones.

Dylan's favorite part of class was free play time. He loved climbing through the tunnels.

At the end of class, each kid gets a turn for something special during the 'Goodbye' song. Normally they each get to pound on a drum. This week, however, Miss Michelle pulled out the fun stuff...a trampoline! Dylan might be getting one of these for his Birthday...he has turned into quite the jumping bean lately.

We will definitely miss our weekly class. Good thing we have the pool to take over. Yay for summer!

I should have listened...

...to myself.

I have always wanted a cute pair of white capris or shorts. I am sure I owned some when I was a kid, but in my adult life I have never worn any. Partly because I couldn't find that perfect style and partly because I worried that, knowing my clumsy self, I would stain them shortly after putting them on. While on vacation in Utah, I found my perfect pair of white bermuda shorts. At Old Navy, of all places! I have been home over a month now, but had not even attempted to wear my cute shorts because of my stainage fear. Well, I decided to finally go for it yesterday. It was a slow moving day, and I didn't end up getting ready for the day until around noon. My plans for the day involved going to the mall with my Aunt and Dylan. So, I figured 'Hey, I surely cannot ruin these shorts by walking around the mall.' I pulled those shorts on with a little bit of excitement (lame that is all it takes, I know). It was only 20 minutes before we were going to leave. It took me about 10 minutes to decide on a shirt, 5 minutes to put Dylan's clothes on and with 5 minutes to go, I needed to use the restroom. As I walked to the sink to wash my hands, I see something in the mirror. Look down at my shorts and to my disdain, there is a huge, green stain on the front of my left leg. Noooooooooooooo! I have no clue where that stupid stain came from. I treated and washed them immediately and that stupid green is still there. I knew I shouldn't have bought white shorts!

Another short story for you. Dylan has had exactly 4 big kid pukes in his life. First time was last Halloween. He ate pizza and macaroni for dinner. Second time was in February shortly after he moved into a big kid bed and I had, just that day, put his new surfer quilt on his bed. He ate macaroni for dinner. Third time was just last month when my parents were babysitting him. My mom fed him macaroni and hot dogs for dinner. Now I must tell you that Dylan is the pickiest eater I have ever seen in my life. His meal rotation includes quesadillas, grilled cheese, crackers & cheese, and macaroni. That's it folks...that is all he will eat...for meals (snacks are a different story). In the past month, I have tried to feed him macaroni once or twice and he hasn't eaten more than one bite. Last night I cooked up some of that tasty mac & cheese and the kid actually ate an entire bowl. All was well. We went through our normal bedtime routine and I was at the part where I sing to him. He thought one particular song (This Old Man...) was funny, so he sat up on the bed and was laughing at me. Next thing I know, he starts heaving. Next thing I know, he is spewing mac & cheese chunks all over his quilt. Luckily Mike had just walked in the door from work and helped with the clean-up. Obviously, the constant in every single pukefest is the Mac & Cheese. So, that is now going out of rotation. I had told myself that before, but Dylan is so picky I didn't know what else to feed him. What the crap is my child going to eat?

All Things Two...

When I first found out I was pregnant with Dylan, I had this grand idea to keep a journal of my entire pregnancy. Then when that didn't happen, I had the same grand idea to keep a journal of all the happenings in Dylan's life. Alas, this did not happen either. I am forever coming up with these grand ideas, but they remain just that...ideas. I suppose this blog is used to record some events that occur in our lives, but I am quickly forgetting all the fun day to day stuff that happens in Elkington land. Or should I say, Dylan land? Because honestly, Mike and I are pretty boring people still trying to make the switch from college student to adult. So, here is my attempt to bring one of my grand ideas to fruition...make a record of the daily things Dylan says and does. He is growing up so quickly and I am so sad that he is not a baby anymore. This two stage is so freaking frustrating, but it is also my favorite stage so far. This kid is hilarious!

Scenario 1: I always lay down with Dylan in his bed at night. It seems to help calm him down and we can talk about what we did that day. His newest add on to our bedtime routine always cracks me up. It started with a simple back scratch while we talked about our day. He has now added a scratch to several other body parts. After scratching his back, I must scratch (in no particular order) his arm, fingers, palm, nose, belly, chin, nose, eyes, hair, forehead and as of last night, neck.

Scenario 2: "Mommy, be a horsey!" Anytime I kneel down, Dylan is immediately jumping on my back. Occasionally I get knocked over and then it's time for "Suuuuferman".

Scenario 3: Dylan eating a banana. Takes too big a bite and with banana mushed up in his mouth "Mommy, I dun ike it". At which point, I immediately need to produce a trash can or hand or paper towel for him to spit the mush into. If nothing is available, it lands where ever.

Scenario 4: Dylan, "Daddy's at work." Me, "Yes Dylan, Daddy is working." Dylan, "Daddy makin' moooonnney!"

Scenario 5: Tale of the Mighty Knights (Backyardigans)...over and over and over and over and over...you get the gist.

Scenario 6: It's hot outside, the humidity is bordering on unbearable. No matter what the air conditioning is set at, the humidity manages to invade the house. What is Dylan wearing? A diaper and a zip up hooded sweatshirt (or as he likes to call it, jacket). Try to take it off and you will hear a tantrum like you've never heard before.