Tuesday, August 30, 2011

How quickly time fleets by!

I was driving home yesterday and was  consumed with thoughts regarding where my day had gone. Things I set out to do at work did not get done because it was our teachers first day back to work.  The pace of the day picked up and before I knew it I looked at a clock and realized it was 1 pm.  Whew where had the day gone? So I gave up trying to stick to my plan but began just working on one thing at a time (really which was whatever came through my door).

Before I knew it, it was time to go home and so I headed out. Looking into the distance I noticed plumes of smoke.  Ah, they (farmers) must be field burning today a typical activity during this time of year. Fall is certainly around the corner. Then it dawned on me wow where did the summer vacation and break go? It has flown by as well. We packed it in with lots of activity in fact maybe too much and Byron and I are trying to slow it down a bit and not cram things into our weekend times now in order to complete major projects such as the dog kennel, the baby room, and getting our plans in order for potential time off.

So right now as I sit blogging I am trying to slow time down.  Is it mind over matter? Nope the clock is still ticking.  Maybe I should take the batteries out of all the clocks around here! Though that certainly wouldn't help because no matter which way I look at it time is still quickly fleeting away.  It is amazing to me how certain days, weeks and months seem to fly by faster than others, and it is always when you don't want the time to fleet away.  When you want to relish in activity and don't want time to fly away is when the time seems to disappear before you know it.

Today marks the 29th week and first day of pregnancy.  As I am looking ahead I am realizing that there are really only around two months and a week or so remaining until our due date.  There is so much to get done at work and at home that I feel like the time is picking up tempo and pushing me to the limits.  I will function and get by and things will get done I will just have to reevaluate all that will be on my to do lists and plan.  If I could slow time just a little bit I might, but then maybe not.  I can't wait to meet little Caleb! And am super excited to share him with the world. Ty is excited as is Byron too. We are all getting mentally prepared for an addition.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

28 Weeks & Counting!

Well today marks the 28th week and first day of my pregnancy. It also reminds me that I have the ever so wonderful task of having the glucose blood test exactly one hour after I have to drink a terrible glucose sweet orange drink (while at work I might add).  Oh the things we do as mothers.   Let's recap and catch everyone up to speed.

Last week we revealed the name of our second son to arrive in November.  Caleb Edward Williams is his name. We are proud of this name.  It is funny to talk with people throughout your pregnancy who are pregnant or who reminisce about their time being pregnant in the past.  The name is of great importance.  There are many who struggle to pick names and others who know right away. For our first son there was much discussion. A list of what not to name your child was made.  A list of do not name because of the terrible nick names that could surface years later was made and a list of a few potentials was made until we decided on Ty Anthony Williams.  Caleb was a  bit different. We had decided (when Ty was born) what the second child's name would be if it were a girl.  So we were thrown for a little bit of a loop when we found out our second child would be another boy.  But not for long.   Byron and I spent about a week throwing names out that we enjoyed, that were not really trendy (meaning top 10 for that year) but that sounded good.  Caleb was always at the top of our list.

We were in full agreement about the middle name and really Williams was a known quantity.  I spoke to someone recently about naming children and both of us felt like parents just know what fits, whether it sounds right, feels right or what have you, parents just know.  Kind of how we know Caleb is right for our little one.  A strong name! A proud name! A somewhat biblical name! This kid is going to do great things.

So we revealed Caleb's name via our baby website http://margoandbyronbaby.ourbabychannel.com/ where we posted a few family professional pictures we recently had to document our baby bump and time with Ty prior to Caleb's birth. I wanted to do something a little different with this kiddo during pregnancy than I did with Ty.  When pregnant with Ty, I would have Byron take pictures in our home of the growing bump at least once a month.  I was determined to document the growth.   But this time.. I felt like doing something a little different.  So I found through a few referrals a few up and coming photographers that wouldn't be too costly but saw their work and felt like they were really great photographers and someone that I could build a relationship with for the long haul.  So I connected with K. Ritchie Photography here in our lovely neck of the woods.  Kamren is a mutual friend of a friend of mine.  (That was a mouthful) In any case we booked her services to begin at our home and then to Pioneer Park for photos.  She had great ideas, use different items that we have for Caleb (blocks, ultrasound pictures, shoes, and or a toy and we picked his new blankie).  Ty was also part of the pictures we let him pick some toys as well. He also showed off a bit for the ladies.
Here are a few of the photos:
The baby bump.. The girls were so impressed that currently I do not have any stretch marks! So am I quite frankly. But happy about that none the less.
The three of us plus one! This was not posed. Ty decided to climb on daddy's back while we were shooting a  parent photo. Too cute though.

Caleb's blanket and blocks. Love this because we are hugging him while having pictures taken too!
Love this picture of Ty climbing on a stump to show us his CAT machine! In any case just a few of the shots that we had taken to document this wonderful time in our life! The bump, the name, Ty, Byron and I could not have asked for much more.

In a previous post I shared that we have said goodbye to our famous binkie.  It is gone for good. Another summer feat mastered.  Ty is now one full week without it. He no longer cries for it (though that was minimal at best) he talks about how it lasted for three years, broke and then the garbage man took it away.  Very factual.  He no longer asks for it either.  So we are super excited for that and are now prepping Ty to get ready for his preschool adventure this school year.

So there is much to do before the due date! And I am sure we will get it done!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Bye Bye Binkie?

Well three days ago Ty officially said goodbye to his binkie! What a crazy ride we have had with that suck 'em.  How did we do this you ask? Well it was planned.  We had come up with several different ways in the last 6 months to get rid of this security item that Ty has become attached to in so many ways.

First we thought we would send it to Santa Claus. We discussed this with Ty and he thought it would be great!. We would give it to Santa Claus and he would then receive lots of gifts.  But when it came time to write Santa a summer letter he was not having any part of it (despite many efforts).

Second we came up with the notion that we would give it away to another little person.  This stuck around for a while until Ty picked our second son to give it to and I realized that was more months away than what I wanted him to have the binkie for.  The goal for me was before he begins preschool Ty would give up his binkie.  Now he only used binkie for night time sleeping. We have pretty much not had binkie during the days since he's been to daycare.

I then realized that we really needed binkie on the trip to Hawaii because he was familiar with it, it could help pop his ears and truly I DON"T THINK WE (BYRON AND I ) were ready for what may lie ahead. The potential of screaming, a big fit or something was going to occur and I just quite frankly did not want to deal with it.  Was Ty giving up the binkie or were we?  It was so easy to just give him the binkie.  But I kept thinking it was time.  Sooooo..

When we came back from Hawaii, I decided to begin poking small little holes in the suck 'em portion of the pacifier.  No one knew, not even Byron.  A week went by and one morning Ty looked at me and showed me his binkie asking what had happend?  I simply said to him, "the binkie is three years old and it is starting to crack.  When it is cracked all the way then you will have to throw binkie away and say goodbye." He looked at me and said, "ok." Well I knew what that meant.  Okay for now but when the time comes good luck!  Over the past few weeks the discussion continued as Ty began to realize that the binkie continued to break down and the nipple was hanging by a last little piece of plastic.  Worried about this Byron and I continued to assure Ty that he would be fine without the binkie and that it would need to be thrown away once the piece was completely off because of the safety issues.

Monday morning, August 14th, 2011 the binkie completely broke.  Ty looked at me and said, "momma it broke" and of course asked why.  I explained again that the binkie only works for so long and three years is a long time.  I also explained it was time to throw binkie away.  He thought he might take a stab at keeping the bigger portion and put that piece back into his mouth but realized that that really wasn't worth it.  So he put both pieces on the counter and asked if I would throw it away.  So I made sure that he said goodbye to it and thank you for the special times and then we both watched as it was placed into the garbage!

Whew... He watched a little TV that morning and had a very special Sunday.  There was no mention of the binkie when I returned home that evening.  In fact, Ty decided to fall asleep on the couch at 4 pm and slept through the night.  We of course moved him into his bedroom for the evening but a surprising turn.  Maybe he was growing.  Monday morning he awoke in a great mood and there was still no mention of the binkie.  Wow, were we lucky?  This seemed easier than I thought.  Again Monday evening Ty fell asleep on the couch around 4:30 and was moved to his room around 6:30 while he was sound asleep. He slept until the following morning when he awoke.  No request for the binkie, no mention of it and no sign of it anywhere.  Byron and I were amazed. Truly it was too good to be true.

Tuesday evening, I returned home from work and Ty and I played, he helped to make dinner  and to water my flowers.  Byron came home from work, he played with Ty, we ate dinner and then the "REQUEST" came.  "I want my binkie." I looked and Byron and he looked at me and we smile we knew it was too good to be true.  I explained to Ty what we did a few days back and he began to cry.  We calmed him down and watched a little TV while we put PJ's on and then went to brush our teeth and go to the bathroom.  We typically read a  book or two or three before he falls asleep but tonight.... Ty just curled up in bed and cried himself to sleep repeating over and over, "I want my binkie." It didn't take long though for me maybe the longest 3-5 minutes. Whew it could have been worse.

This morning we continue to explain what occurred to the binkie and reassure Ty that he is just fine and old enough to go without.  That conversation didn't last long. So maybe by the end of the week we will have the thoughts of binkie, buying a new one as he would request, completely out of our minds and discussions.  It is time and we are ready.

This entire process has made me think twice about the binkie usage and what I might plan to do with our new addition.  It has been a long journey to break this habbit and not an easy one I might add.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Coconuts, Pineapple, & Sand and Surf!

What a wonderful time we had in Kauai, HI.  From preparation to the final late night arrival it was well worth the trip.  Our family absolutely loved Hawaii.  To share a few moments we begin with the departure routine.  It was a great thing that I decided to fly a short flight with Ty to Seattle for the Thanksgiving break because I learned a lot!  One, don't have your son wear a coat, hat or shoes while going through security because you will have a screaming kiddo when you are trying to remove all items mentioned above to put on the security conveyor belt to be screaned.  Two make sure you have thought of everything (don't forget items).  Finally, make sure you have the discussion well in advance and over and over again of what to expect throughout the travel day.  Knowing that from one thirty to forty minute flight truly prepared us for the not one but two flights and travel of about an entire 8 hours of a day. 

We arrived at PDX airport and were dropped off early in the morning, checked our one bag had two and half carry on items and truly made it through security in probably 5 minutes or less.  Ty was a trooper. He followed his daddy's lead taking off his shoes and putting them on the belt while I took care of the carry on items, electronics and the like.  Ty actually walked through the beeper machine. Forgive me I am having a prego moment and can't remember the name of it at this time.  WHEW.  So we made it and now to get breakfast and wait at our gate to get on the 5 and 1/2 hour flight to Honolulu International airport.  The first flight was truly uneventful (which was great). We had three seats together in the middle of the plane where Ty was able to lay down and nap almost the entire way.  Once we landed at Honolulu  airport we ran into a few familiar people Aunt Amy and Uncle Bob! What a surprise (not) it certainly was planned to spend a little time with our family together in Hawaii. 

Ty was super excited though. We spent a little time at that airport with a little more heat than we would normally feel at PDX, a few birds flying in and out of the gated area and then boarded our plane a smaller plan that would fly only 37 minutes to the island of Kauai.  Again this flight was uneventful except Ty was so excited to see Amy that Byron and Amy were asked to switch seats.

Once we landed we made our way towards the baggage areas where a lovely Hawaiian woman provided us with lei's. Each one of us! Though Ty was not having any strange woman place a lei around his neck.  Good stranger danger awareness, I guess.  In anycase we collected our baggage and headed out to the rental car agency where we spent a few minutes getting the suv we were prepared to have for 2 full weeks. Once there Amy and Byron directed themselves and the car with the rest of us and cargo to our Condo at Waipouli Resort and Spa! It really was a seemless trip over there.

I won't go into great detail about the two full weeks on the island but I will say that Byron, Ty and I spent a ton of time on the beaches there, exploring the ocean, playing in the sand and just relaxing to the breeze, ocean sounds and smells.  We swam in the lovely river pool at the condo which was equiped with waterfalls that you could swim under into caves, two slides and a toddler rock/sand bottom pool that was shallow enough for any toddler to swim, stand and jump into.  We took many drives to the southern part of the island and Northern part of the island spending time in shops, eatting puka dogs, snorkeling, swimming with turtles and sipping on coconut milk.  We spent time with Amy and Bob finding the Secret Beach (the most picturesque beach ever), Queens Bath, Spouting Horn, Lava Pools for snorkeling, and trying many different places to eat. What a great time!

I believe we all enjoyed the time on the island and were truely sad to leave.  We spent Friday the 29th traveling home. Ty again was great on the trip home considering that we arrived to our house at 12:30 at night.  Byron was smart to take the following Monday off, however I was the glutten for punishment and only had Saturday and Sunday to recouperate from the trip.  Work again on Monday morning. 

We take away from the trip wonderful memories, wants to enjoy the next time we go, and above all two weeks of much needed vacation.  It truly was nice for Byron and I to be unconnected for two full weeks. I believe we only used our phone a few times and the iPAD was to pay the bills we were missing.  We made it a point to not work and it worked we were relaxed!