Meet You at Thunder Road

We had Clayton's birthday party this weekend at his current favorite place: the go-kart track! He was in heaven showing off his driving skills to everyone and bragged all night about who all he had passed (Momma included!). We had a blast and I definitely think it was his best birthday party to date!

Click on this next one to see just how much fun he has passing people!!

He did have his usual reaction to the group singing of "Happy Birthday" though--I'm hoping he'll grow out of this by adulthood!

He managed to get his smile back when he started opening up the presents and he even managed to fit in a game of air hockey with Daddy's help. :)

Thank you, Rhonda for taking the pictures!!!!! (And for my blog readers--it was wonderful having a photographer for the party--I just enjoyed myself and let her capture the memories for our family! You should try it for your next party or event!)

Preschool Graduation

It's blurry and out of focus, but this picture is worth a thousand words--CLAYTON DIDN'T LIKE GRADUATION CEREMONIES!! (And don't you love the look Brian is giving the teachers--DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS?!) He gets so nervous in new environments and I feel like this one was just sprung on him willie-nillie. He wasn't able to practice with the class since we were in Florida, so it was his first time in this particular building and definitely his first time in front of this crowd! He screamed the ENTIRE FIRST HALF of the program--Brian had to go up there to help the teachers because his tone kicked in and he was one little stiff body! He finally settled down during the slideshow but he still wasn't happy about the whole thing. He did perk up when he realized he was getting the award for "Most Improved."

And he had a smile when he got his diploma as well--I think he knew it meant the whole ordeal would soon be over!

And here he is giving me the look "why do you make me suffer through these things, Mom?!!"

Just another reason I'm glad our short journey with organized education is over for now!!!

Other Trip Highlights

Our first family picture with Jackson (besides the hospital one)--it's too bad Clayton and Jackson weren't cooperating!!!

The view from our second condo (that's another blog post!):

Jackson was raring to go from day one--he didn't mind the shades at all!

But instead of beaching it, he and I went off to scrap with my sister-in-law, Amy, and her friend Heather. Jackson was a happy camper hanging with the girls!

Meanwhile, Clayton was just happy to sit and flirt with his cousin Emily . . . he had to do everything she did!

Jackson found a new lap he liked:

The boys went night fishing and Clayton loved it when the fish "peed on Daddy!"

Jackson and I were content to watch (well, he was content for a total of maybe ten minutes that is!)

The view from our first condo:

We visited the Museum of Science and History:
It stormed every single day except our last day:

And on that last day, Clayton finally got to go swimming:

Our last night was spent walking around downtown. They had a band playing and lots of pirates hanging around--Clayton was glad to get his set of beads!

We ended our walk at the harbor where Brian took some great photos that captured the peace of the night. I'll leave you with one:

A Trip to Grandma's

Brian has only one living grandparent: his mother's mother. We talk on the phone often, but it's been over three years since we've seen her. It was a must that we get to her house while we were in the state of Florida. She had no idea we were coming, so she was overjoyed when she realized it was us pulling into the driveway! We were so glad she got to see Clayton and how much progress he's made. We stayed long enough that he came out of his shell and started talking to her, and I think it helped her realize just how smart he really is---she says "he's gonna be alright." And she was really excited to see her newest great-grandbaby (don't ask me how many she has because the woman has many a generation under her!). Grandma turned 90 last year and she's still going strong--in fact, she was about to mow the yard when we pulled up!

Now you see where Brian gets his height from (or lack of)!

(Pay no mind to Jackson's weird face--he was making crazy faces in all these pictures!)

I really think we made her day (or even week) with our visit. I'm glad we were able to bring a smile to her face.

Back From Florida

We spent last week in North Florida visiting Brian's family. We stayed in Fernandina Beach and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the ocean. I don't think I could ever get tired of listening to those waves roll in at night!

Brian and I couldn't help but laugh on the way home about how crazy it is with two kids now. Clayton has always kept us running in circles, but now that Jackson is here it seems that all we do is put out fires! ("Fires" usually equals POOP in this family). If one isn't pooping the other is, and if neither are pooping, at least one is crying (or whining in Clayton's case), and if that isn't happening, then it's bath time, feeding time, or meds time!!! I guess it's that way here at home, but it sure seemed to be magnifed when we were on the road or visiting with relatives. Seems we never all just sat down and talked--one of us was always taking care of the current crisis!

At any rate, I'm glad to be home in my little safe zone. Nothing like familiar surroundings for a homebody like me!!

Happy Birthday, Clayton!!!

It's a very special day! Today, Clayton turns SIX YEARS OLD!! Can you believe it?? I sure can't! Each year just gets better and better as Clayton reaches both big and small {smilestones}--the blessings he brings are neverending!! And even though he is officially and most definitely all little boy, he's still Momma's baby in my eyes!!

Play by Play: A Trip to the Mall

Okay, so Brian and I were super brave today and decided to take both boys on an outing to the mall. Easy, right? HA. HA. Here are the highlights of the trip that wore both of us out:

1. Pull up in parking space, take almost 15 minutes to unload and decide what was most important to take along on the wheelchair and stroller. All this while trying not to wake up a sleeping Jackson because I knew he'd be hungry the moment he woke up.

2. Decide that two diapers per child and a box of wipees in my purse should be plenty. Oh, and just in case (because with Clayton, there is ALWAYS a case), I threw in a pair of shorts too. All these things in an already packed purse . . . also had to take the feeding supplies for Clayton since we would probably be there during supper time.

3. Walk in the mall, stop at restroom for Brian.

4. Walk around the corner and decide that before we can shop we must get our energy up by consuming some yummy ice cream.

5. While we're eating, Clayton decides to poop and laughs the whole time we are finishing our ice cream. Meanwhile, Jackson starts stirring.

6. Go back to the restroom so Brian can change Clayton's diaper. (I'm impressed the men's bathroom in this mall has a changing table!). Unfortunately, he had to use the extra shorts since it was a bit messy. (Don't you love the detail?)

7. By this time, Jackson is knawing on his hand, his sure-fire signal to momma it's time to eat.

8. I just can't bring myself to breastfeed in front of strangers, and the only option I had at the time was the handicapped stall in the women's restroom. So Jackson and I spent thirty minutes in a restroom stall listening to some CRAZY conversations that I never knew went on in the restroom! Brian and Clayton spent the time cruising the mall.

9. With diapers and feeding done, we set off to "shop." I managed to get some clothes tried on and bought and so did Brian. Most of my shopping was done while holding Jackson on my hip and pushing the stroller--he even threw in a good amount of spit up to deal with just to test my skills big time. By then, I was needing another pick me up, so we headed for the food court.

10. And of course Clayton had a pee-pee diaper. And since it was time for him to eat, Brian got diaper duty again while I got the pump ready. And with all the commotion, Jackson started getting fussy again.

11. Then it was my turn for a bathroom break!

12. While we sat at our table, Jackson wouldn't give up, so I knew it was time for him to eat once again (story of his life!). Thankfully the food court bathroom had a nice couch and chair, so we were saved the annoyance of balancing on a germ covered toilet. (Although I'm sure there were plenty of germs on the chair we sat in).

13. Brian found some live music to entertain Clayton during their wait.

14. After that we sat off for a few more stores. While I was looking for a dressing room, Brian announced that Clayton had once again pooped, and this time it was an emergency since the poop was about to come out of the top of the diaper (are you getting a visual yet???). (By the way, we deal with this ALL THE TIME which is why it's always imperative to have at least TWO changes of clothes for him!!). But who knew we'd need them both within a couple of hours?!

15. And if you've been paying close attention, you'll note that we had already used the two diapers I had put in my purse. BUT THANKFULLY, I had one buried at the bottom in a wadded up ball that I had put in there who knows when.

16. By then Brian and I were wondering what the heck we were thinking bringing the family to the mall!!!

17. I was so glad when Brian managed to get the diaper changed without getting poop everywhere.

18. After that, I quickly tried on my clothes, paid for them, and we made one more stop before making our way out. Again, once we got to the car, it took about 15 minutes to actually load the boys, their stuff, and our packages.

19. Once Brian started the car, we literally just sat there recovering from the whirlwind trip!!! I'm thinking we'll sleep well tonight!! It's just too bad I didn't even get to look for the boys some clothes--guess that means we'll have to do it all again soon! :)

Loose Ends

I cannot seem to get into a routine with both boys being at home. And I'm a routine kind of person. May be a weird routine, but I need one to function well. But these days I'm constantly chasing my tail, and nothing ever gets done all the way. My house seems out of sorts (more than usual) and I feel like I'm rushing around just finishing what needs to be done at that very moment. I'm working on lots of stuff for Clayton's schooling, trying to entertain him in the meantime, and nursing Jackson in what seems like 30 minute intervals! I know it will all eventually get ironed out, but man, am I feeling lost these days!!

One of Those Days

When you simply ask "WHY MY CHILD, LORD!?" Clayton was scheduled for dental work in the O.R. this morning. Has to be done that way since he won't let the dentist near his mouth for any good length of time. Brian's been snowed under, so I left Jackson with my mom and took Clayton to the hospital by myself. As soon as we sat down in the waiting room the crying started. Slow at first, then all out screaming and sobbing. I held him, I rocked him, I sang to him, we called Daddy, nothing worked. And to make matters worse, the waiting room was packed with crazies that seem to come out of the woodwork at that hospital. He literally cried and screamed for two hours straight. "DADDY, DADDY, DADDY!!!" "NO!" I felt so horrible. I just wanted to break down and cry myself! And I would've if it wouldn't have upset him more . . . He just kept saying "I want to get in the van!" And all I could do was say I wanted to get in the van too!!! A well-meaning nurse said "oh, is he having a bad morning?" I was like, "um, he was having a fine and dandy morning until we showed up at this place!" Don't they understand that he's sick and tired and SCARED of all the crap he has to go through!!?? His anxiety goes through the roof in pre-op and all I can do is watch him wheel off to the O.R. helpless. Over and over again we have to do this and it's not getting easier. Getting extremely harder in fact. But what do you do?????????????

Made it to the Lake

We made it to the lake this weekend, but it turned out to be a bust--the weather was cloudy, then rainy and the water was COLD!! We took some new friends and of course Clayton spent most of his time flirting with the teenage girl!!

12 Years!

We've been gone all day, but I couldn't let the day end without saying a Happy Anniversary to my hubby!

(flashback to November 1998!)

Another Pair

Clayton got his second pair of glasses yesterday. I'm thinking these frames fit his face a little better, although I like the actual shape of the other ones he's been wearing. The guy that helped us this time was a little more on top of things--he took both pair and shortened the ear thingies so they wouldn't hit the back of Clayton's chair constantly and move down his nose. I think we're all set to go on the glasses now!

Bike Ridin' Fool!

Clayton rides his bike almost every single day! He absolutely loves it and it's given him a whole new sense of freedom. He is getting great at propelling himself, but the steering is still an issue. He mainly goes in circles if you let him loose since his right hand is the stronger hand (we have to beg him to use that left hand). And even though he isn't great at going in a straight line, he has figured out what he likes most--driving in the grass! He can't drive straight down the road, but he can always figure out how to steer into someone's yard! Loves putting it in four wheel drive, I guess . . .

And he even managed to drive right into Jackson--good thing Jackson just slept right through it!

I ♥ Faces: Feet!

This week's theme over at I Heart Faces is FEET! A total change from all the pretty faces we see on their site!! My entry is a pic of Clayton's foot from just over a year ago. I used the photo on a layout for a contest on a scrapbooking website. I think I've posted it here before, but I'll post it here again today for those who missed it the first time around.

Check out the other entries at http://www.iheartfaces.blogspot.com/!

Journaling: Clayton's little feet went through so much during his NICU days. Any blood that was needed came from pricking his feet. And during his sickest times, that sometimes meant up to four pricks an hour. ALL DAY LONG! It's no wonder his little feet are so sensitive!