Happy Birthday To You!!

While I typically stay in the background on the blog and help when needed (because as she says, "It's only my friends who read the blog!"), I thought I'd at least wish my lovely, talented, and georgous wife a happy 32nd birthday today.

Happy birthday Jennifer!! From Tommy, Tyler, and Carson!!

Wheels In Motion

We finally caught Carson walking a respectable distance to put on video. He has been pulling up and cruising along furniture for several weeks. A few weeks ago he started to try out his legs behind his walker, but would only take a few shaky steps. We have caught him standing a handful of times without assistance and look for unaided steps very soon.


Carson takes his first steps behind the walker!

Eagles Fly Into Knoxville

The Eagles came to Knoxville last night in an event that rumors hint might be their last tour. Let me start off and just say how incredibly OLD I feel. These men stood up last night and gave the most moving, energetic, captivating performance from 8pm-11:25pm (with one 10 minute break). I don't know how they do it! Every song they belted out sounded awesome and they had so much energy it was hard to believe they are in their 60's! I was tired just watching them...especially after my dancing rendition to "Witchy Woman". The seats we had were amazing- first section second row. That was one wonderful night.

Snow Day!!!

Maybe I should clarify...snow day for Knoxville Tennessee. Enlarge the picture and then squint really close and maybe you can see what I am blogging about. It has snowed all morning here, but with a wet ground- not too much to see here. Regardless of the lack of accumulation, Tyler did not want to miss out on the fun. We bundled up and headed out to "play" in the snow. Without actual snow to play in, he had to settle for some croquet, soccer, and twirling around his wind sock.

Tyler trying to catch the flakes in his mouth.

I am not sure if he was bird watching or just aiming to get a better look at the flakes.

The Capture

If you lived in my home you would understand the saying "Hide and Go Seek Infinity". Tommy and Tyler are ALWAYS playing. ALWAYS. Same scene every time: Tyler yells or taunts Tommy and then takes of running. Tommy considerately gives him about a 15 second head start before charging after him taunting and yelling back. Tyler somehow makes a u-turn while evading Tommy only to run back into the playroom and "hide" (I say hide loosely- it is the same hiding spot every time, so somehow Tommy knows where to look). Tyler crouches either behind the trunk or contorts himself into the big bucket. Tommy pretends he cannot find him only for Ty to jump out screaming and turning himself in. When the game started this morning I decided to sit prettily on the couch and capture the expressions of the prey.

Full Load

It really is true that a child could possess all the toys in the word but would be most content with a cardboard box...or clothes basket. Another COLD morning is how this day started, meaning another day inside. Lucky for us, our clothes hamper doubles as a rocket ship, steam engine and airplane. After about 20 minutes, Tommy exclaimed, "You know, they are not that light to push around." When Tommy's back starts to chronically ache in about 10 years, we will have to make up some good sports injury to relay to our friends. Somehow, pushing kids around in a hamper just does not paint the same battle-wound picture.

Steam engine.

Tyler holding on to Carson as the "boat" starts to rock.

Not sure who is the captain, but someone is giving orders.

Meeting Dr. Bass

Tonight I was able to attend a presentation at the University of Tennessee by Dr. Bill Bass, the world's leading forensic anthropologist. Anyone from Tennessee (in particular Knoxville) is very familiar with "The Body Farm"- a parcel of land on UT's agriculture campus that studies decomposing bodies in various stages and environments. Dr. Bass' work has not only made him famous in his field, but he is also a renowned author. His first book, Death's Acre, details his work on the body farm and follows high profile crime cases he assisted. Tonight's presentation was on cremation. It was fascinating to hear him talk and gave new incite to a funeral ritual that I knew little about (and after tonight something I would NEVER consider).

This may come as a surprise to most, but I am not shy when it comes to introductions ... or getting what I want. Before the presentation started, I basically bum rushed Dr. Bass with book and camera in hand. He was the nicest man I have ever met and humored me well past the point of what I deserved or what the majority of the population would have.

I got a little carried away half way through the photo op and was overcome by his generosity. He was a really good sport to put it mildly. 

 

After the presentation, the auditorium was opened for questions. Only a handful got selected to ask Dr. Bass a question. My hand was the second one in the air, followed by the insightful question of "What happens to bones and prosthetics that are too large or just unable to process? Does the funeral home give the remains to the family or dispose of the excess?" He said that most the bones were ground up but sometimes a really fat person has bone left over and they usually give it to the family in a separate bag. Nice.

Deja Vu

My mom brought over pictures of me when I was Carson's age tonight while I was at my grandmothers. The irony was that Carson was trying to climb the same steps all night and crawl around in the very foyer where I sat with my Raggedy Ann doll 31 years ago (Incidentally, I am told I took my first steps where Carson and I are both sitting). I could not resist taking a few pictures of my baby sitting in the same place, enjoying the same company. The memories of my grandmother's house are wonderful growing up. My sister and I spent an immense amount of time there before and after school and every summer. Nothing makes me feel better than watching my children crawl down the same halls, attempt the same stairs and sit in the same laps of the people I love.

Captivated

 

The boys and I spent the day over at my grandmothers house visiting while Tommy prepared for a presentation. After dinner, Tyler and Carson were joined my cousins Samantha, Daniel, Dawson and Sophia. Aunt Becky brought over a toy piano for Carson to play and for some reason the entire group was mesmerized. I think this is the stillest a group of kids ages 10 months to 11 years old has ever sat. I had to document it for the non-believers.

New Year, New Look...

My friend Beth inspired me. I went to her blog and she had a fresh new look for the season and since I had been wanting a face lift for a while- I decided now was the time. My blog felt so blah. And the dots that floated off in the margins made my eyes cross. I already have my eye on another background that I am going to tryout next time. It is almost like a new handbag or shoes- I feel like I am accessorizing my words and pictures. I will try not to make my readers dizzy and will stick to this one for a while.

Cover Your Necks Ladies...

Carson has his fangs in. An added perk is finally being able to eat apples, at least the ones that Tyler drops on the floor.

 

 

Bullies

With the weather nasty and rainy for weeks(when we returned from The Bahamas to be exact, is that a sign?) and Tyler wilder than a caged velociraptor, we decided to head to the mall to let him release some energy. From the moment he heard where we were going, all he talked about was playing on the indoor playground (aka 300 feet of rubberized climbing toys covered with every germ known to man and packed with unimmunized screaming kids all with cabin fever racing around while there parents sit on the sides rubbing their temples vaguely watching them while talking on their cell phones). So we were all excited to go...

Once we sanitized and took our respective seats (I left Carson in the stroller beside me too afraid he might reach behind and lick the seat and catch something), we tried to sit back and relax and enjoy watching Tyler play. And then it happened. I knew it would. It was just a matter of time. Tyler was getting bullied by some kid that looked at least 7 or 8 years of age. Now Tyler is big for his age- he can easily pass for 4- maybe even a really small 5, but he was not even close to this kid. This kid was getting off the airplane toy when Tyler started climbing on. Only when Tyler started to take a turn did the kid try to re climb and start telling Tyler to get off and that he was there first. With Tommy and I both only maybe two feet away, I could see every expression on Tyler's face. He looked anxious and confused and not having the maturity to verbally match the kid- he then just looked defeated and started to climb off. I could feel myself tense and my eyes felt strained, like they were dilating. For the Twilight readers, imagine Edward smelling blood or Jacob seeing a vampire. Same physiological reaction. I am his mother, that is my excuse. An inborn instinct to protect my young ingrained biologically for centuries. However strong the tendency was to react by pulling the kid off the toy by his young throbbing earlobe- I sat repeating to myself "Unless Tyler cries or it turns physical- I will not get involved. Let Tyler try to work it out. Let Tyler fight his own battle." Ready for the next part? As I am finally sitting back in my seat feeling good at my decision, I realized I should have been paying more attention to Papa Bear. Tommy was leaning forward as close to the boy as humanly possible without touching him, nostrils flared, glaring and hissing for him to get off the toy and leave now.

Needless to say- the boy left and Tyler remounted the toy. I am not really sure the moral or point of this post. I guess some might take from it that we are really immature and just bullied an 8 year old for bulling our 3 year old. Others might take a scientific perspective and come to see that the father also has really strong protective tenancies - and it is not always the mother baring teeth. The obvious message is this...don't let your overgrown kid bully my son or my overgrown kid will give him a verbal thrashing and he will never want to play on the airplane again. So there.

Carson Is 10 Months Old!

This first year is flying by! Carson is 10 months today and Tommy and I are looking for him to walk soon. He is pulling up on everything and is starting to push lightweight items around the room while standing. Besides his two bottom teeth, he now has his "fangs" in. Watch your throats ladies...

 

Carson is still the best sleeper and eater and is happy 99% of the time- or at least when he is being held (which equates to what seems like 99% of the time). He is still a thumb sucker and we think he has added "Da Da" to his vocabulary over the weekend (vocabulary being "Ma Ma" and now maybe "Da Da"). We love you Carson and cannot wait to celebrate your first birthday around the corner!

Happy New Year!!!

I cannot believe Tommy went along with this picture. Repeat 100 times. I wanted to officially document that first, we officially rang in 2009 (wet hair, no makeup and in pajamas) and second...we stayed up this year to see the ball drop! See, we are not that old after all....(she types as she yawns). Hope everyone has the best 2009 ever, and feel free to try to get me back by grossing me out on your blog.