90 Years Old!

Yesterday November 14th, 2010 Granny Fagan turned 90 years old! Amazing this woman has continued to be in great health, share her stories and though she doesn't have much she shares all she has with others.  It was neat to see the entire family come into town, some family mind you I have never met in the 10 years that Byron and I have known each other. It was great to see that Granny enjoyed herself with her birthday hat, her Hawaiian lays, and surrounding family and friends. The celebration was complete with records playing music in the background, a dear friend brought his accordion and played music, friends from McDonalds, friends from Payless, and other people with whom she worked back in the day. Of course there was food, cake, sweets, flowers, a little dancing and a lot of catching up.

Growing up?...

It seems as though Ty is coming into his own independence with statements of, "Mommy I do it myself!" and actions such as getting up in the middle of the night to turn on his light and crawl back into bed to sleep. It is amazing to watch all of the new and incredible things he does and says and makes me realize that time is precious. He shows empathy and caring about others, things, people and our animals. For example, we put Jake's pillow out for him (he is getting old and gets stoved up) and all evening Ty kept asking where Cali's pillow was and if we could get it for her. He brings smiles to our hearts and faces and is truly amazing. 

Leveled Up Means Growing Up!

Several Parent-Tot swim lessons ago the instructor mentioned to me that Ty was close to the age where he should really be in a different class with peers his own age (though there were a few with us in our Parent-Tot class still) and that he seems to take direction well it might be time for him to move on. I wasn't sure how I felt about that. But I looked around our particular class and realized that he was one of three that were of age to move on. All other students were 6 months to a year old.  Clearly we were old enough. But the question was, is Ty ready and hmm.. better yet how did I feel about this move?


I thought about it for the rest of the lesson and came to the conclusion that Ty was not 3 years old yet and that we could stand to participate in this class at least another month. So we attended a few more classes until this past Friday. October 22nd, 2010... the day I made the decision. I hadn't thought about the decision until I was in the car hurrying home to pick Ty up for Swimming. I hadn't even made the decision on the way there. I made the decision as I walked into the "Courthouse" gym! I spoke with Ty and he was excited to try a new class.


Here's how it went. We walked in a little late. I spoke with one of the level 1 instructors who had their hands full with 8 kiddos already. Ty was shy. I sat on the floor next to the pool for 10 minutes waiting for Ty to warm up and get in the pool. They played the "car wash" game and Ty was hooked. I moved back to sit with the parents.


Boy isn't that a weird feeling, watching this little man participate, follow directions and swim with others in the pool. He took to the first instructor and a few of the kids.  I looked at the Parent-Tot class and realized that there were many additions of young moms with young 6 month old's and that class was overflowing. What a timely decision.  My thoughts originally were if this didn't work out this time we would continue with the Parent-Tot class. Now my thoughts were to stay here!


Ty continued his swim lesson by participating, taking breaks, popping out of the pool to wave at me, smile and give me a thumbs up. He then pointed to the second lap pool, deeper and colder pool and asked to get in there. I nicely said no and explained he should stay in the warmer pool with his friends and teacher. So he did. The parent next to me smiled a few times later and said boy he is a character isn't he.  Yes he is!


So I guess the ending of the story is this. Ty is growing up. He will be three years old soon. He is capable of many things. It is nice for me to step back and let him experience the world of swimming on his own. He was so proud to tell his father on the way home and I couldn't have been more proud~

It was time for the annual pumpkin patch trip to Bauman Farms!

 We enjoyed the Punkin PATCH as Ty says with vigor! This trip was great. we picked out three fabulous pumpkins which we will carve this weekend. We bought our favorite freshly made apple cider by the carton as well as the apple cider donuts which has become a tradition for us! Ty made many friends on the play structures and then we visited the farm animals. Oh how I love Autumn activities.


Halloween is next. I can't get the boy out of his costume. We are having to wash it almost on a daily basis. I do hope that it holds up. We are still loving TOY STORY and BUZZ LIGHTYEAR! As you can see Ty is  Buzz on a daily basis. He has named the rest of us as well. Byron happens to be ZURG and I get to be JESSE. If only I had the adult costumes. (And no I am not going out to buy them this year) Maybe some day we will do a family Halloween dress up.

I Buzz!

I got my yasers..pshhh

We are planning to engage in more Autumn activities.. carving pumpkins, trick or treating, hunting, and continuing our swim lessons.

Whew.

You all watch T.V. right? E.R., Grey's Anatomy or watch movies like John Q and other health institution related shows. You all know that at one time or another there are the practice drills for bomb threats and intruders and something always inherently goes wrong? Well  our family experienced something similar but all WENT well. There is nothing like a text message earlier in the day from your husband indicating they are sweeping the hospital due to a "bomb threat" to get the juices flowing.  You remember in times like these that being calm is important. Though you are not there you are now  in the know so how you react is also important. That happened last Friday. It was 6:29 pm and Byron has now spoken to me on the phone indicating the hospital has called and "all clear" and he is on his way home.  At 2:30 pm I was unsure what our evening or weekend would look like when I received the text from Byron stating he was going to be late this evening due to the threat. He was clearing each of his areas.  I immediately went online looking for "BREAKING NEWS" but nothing. This was either very good or bad. Maybe it was a surprise practice drill for the hospital. I texted Byron indicating that we love him and to be safe. I love you was stated all around. It might be real and not a drill. A few text messages a lot of silence in between.

I left work early in order to spend time with Ty and remove myself from work.  Thoughts of worry certainly enter your mind in these situations because you never know.  The press has been instructed not to air the information by police and staff. But all ends well.

WHEW just thankful to see Byron, to continue to have him and his presence in our lives!

We've reached the pedals!

Today was extraordinary and for special reason. Today was the day that Ty used his tricycle pedals and rode his tricycle around the garage! He looked like such a big boy and proud I might add. He even decided to put on his helmet.  He spent 30 minutes telling me about the pedals, and asking me to watch him (though I was already). We celebrated this little milestone by cheering, clapping and he even gave me a hug! Next it is on to a bike.

Lately Ty has been using different words in his language, physically demonstrating his kicking and throwing skills and always amazing us at every turn.  I am proud of my little man!  I hope to post video soon.

Evolution of Coffee

This morning's cup of coffee is much needed.  I think getting used to the busy schedule called LIFE has been a rough one for me this year. Although I will say it hasn't deviated much from what Byron and I have been doing for the past two and 1/2 years with little sleep.  There are days when I think I should give up drinking coffee and others when I say, "you must be on crack!"  That is my crutch for sure.  If nothing else a treat, habit and my time. There is nothing better than a good cup of hot coffee to start your day! The aroma... the taste... the touch the feel of cotton the fabric of our lives.... Oh sorry I digress.... ha ha ha.

I was trying to remember the first time I new about coffee or when I first  began to drink coffee. I know it was early on in my either preteen or teenage years. Certainly in high school it was important.  I remember I was just like my brother Mike, dumping mounds of sugar into black coffee with a splash of milk. I believe the brand of coffee might have been MJB Coffee (the big can) or some other generic brand of canned coffee. Then I moved to putting a packet of hot chocolate into my coffee in order to replicate a mocha type of drink.  It wasn't bad however, the best parts of working as a teenager and the best part about working at a theater was I could have all the espresso drinks I wanted. Boy howdy. I remember feeling buzzed with caffeine all day long with the number of shots, flavors and what have you.  GOOD TIMES..

There is a point to my rambling and that is ... Ty is at the stage where he needs to do things like his mother and father do.  We order a coffee from Starbucks, he must order a coffee from Starbucks (really a kids hot chocolate that he calls coffee. He has to be part of the group. He is growing up. Each day he surprises me with something new, a new phrase, word, sentence, action, showing feelings such as empathy, potty training. He makes us smile, laugh, chuckle to ourselves when we know we are not supposed to laugh.  


There are days that I wonder what it will be like in 5 and 10 years with our little Ty man.. and then there are days I go back to drinking my coffee only to enjoy the moments and adventures we have that are daily and hourly because these times will go by quickly!