My Big Girl

We have been blessed over the years with the hand-me-downs of our dear friends, the Berry family. From toys in our playroom to clothes for both kids to this fancy bike for Carlee Scott! She was SO excited about her new bike. She saw it this morning on the way to preschool and didn't forget about it on the way home. After her nap, I put the helmet on her and said "Have at it!!" She hopped on, flashed me this huge smile, and while I'd like to say she rode around happily...I can't. She pedaled forward once and then tried to go backwards. Well, on a big girl bike, when you pedal back, it's the brake. After trying it a few times, she informed me that it was broken, took her helmet off, and rode on her tricycle instead. Hmmmmm.

Playgroup!

Today was my first experience at playgroup! It's every Wednesday at a neighborhood pool. Carlee Scott had a good time and it was fun visiting with my friends. Can't wait until next Wednesday!

Thank You

Therefore encourage one another

and build each other up,
just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Friends, thank you so much for your encouragement! It gave me a "second wind" to finish off the day with a bang (and with some confidence). We went to the splash park in the afternoon with Laura and the kids, splurged on some McD's (Who can resist those fries?), had a nice walk around the neighborhood with Jack, enjoyed a tantrum-free bathtime, and both children went to bed beautifully. I finally got my shower after that, and then I worked on three of my part-time jobs on the computer. It was peaceful, productive, and relaxing. Even Jack has been chewing on his toys at my feet, causing only a few problems here and there (Why did I think I could hang CS's swimsuit cover-up on the doorknob to dry? Did I really think Jack wouldn't tear it off?).

I really appreciate everyone's advice, encouragement, and support. I will be referring to your comments a lot in the future - such good tips and sweet words! This is a huge adjustment for all of us. Our whole family dynamic has changed and while it is a good thing, we are all going through our growing pains as we get used to this new life. I'm sure things will fall into place in my new role, but there will likely be more frustrated posts as we all continue to adjust. Hope you don't mind! I can't tell you how much you encouraged and built me up. I love you! Hugs and squeezes to you all.

I will leave you with a picture from yesterday. Carlee Scott isn't very interested in her playroom, but Owen is! Here she is "watching" him for me while I was in the kitchen. I told her to make sure he had a toy or two and look how many she dumped around him. Too cute.

Prayers Please!

It's my first week - at home, with kids and puppy, no family, all day long. We've been traveling so much and had company since I quit my job, that yesterday and today have been my first experiences as an official stay-at-home-mom. While I'd like to say that it's been fabulous, I'm finding that the days seem to drag on forever. I can't seem to keep Carlee Scott busy and entertained, and my patience is running very, very low. I came up with a tentative and very flexible schedule so that my days don't seem aimless, but I budgeted way more time for certain things than they are actually taking. Owen's easy - he's a baby - eat, play, sleep, and do it again. It's Carlee Scott that I'm struggling with. I budgeted an hour for crafts in the morning. What I had prepared only entertained her for 10 minutes. I budgeted an hour for outside play and she was only interested for about 15 minutes. I'm then trying to figure out what else to do! Today, I decided to just "wing it" and not have a morning schedule...just let her have free play. That didn't work out so great either because Carlee Scott said she was bored. She doesn't seem to have any interest in the entire playroom of toys. Not only that, but Carlee Scott appears to be testing me at every turn and I am struggling to remain consistent, firm, and patient. On top of all that, there is Jack. I love him, but I really don't like him right now. He is uncontrollable around the children...trampling, jumping, licking. I have basically spent my days keeping the kids away from him, which is totally not what I want to do. I want him to be part of the family! However, with just me here, it's tough trying to keep the peace. When the kids are awake, he's either in his crate (barking) or outside (jumping on our back door, ripping off most of the paint, and barking). Only at night when the kids are in bed does he roam nicely and keep me company. I want him to be best buds with the kids, but I'm not sure how to make it happen. I think Jack is my main source of frustration right now. He's just a puppy, but it sure would be nice for him to behave. So there you have it. The adjustment phase is full-on and I'm in need of prayer!!!!!

Priceless

Good Times

IT WAS GREAT!!

Shellie, Julie, me, Stacie, Laura, and Wendy

SOOOO EXCITED!!!

I am SO excited! In just under three hours, I get to leave for this!

First Day

Carlee Scott and Owen had their first day of Mother's Day Out!! It's once a week in the summer from 8:30-2:00 (it will be twice a week when regular school starts). Carlee Scott was SO very excited about it. She has asked me several times over the past month where her friends are, where her teachers are, and where the playground is. I guess since it's all she's ever known, she finds it abnormal to not be in the classroom. Mom and I enjoyed a nice day of Outlet shopping. When we picked Carlee Scott (and Owen) up at 2, she was thrilled to see us and had oodles of fun things to share about her school. She told us all about her new friends, her new teacher, and the new playground. She was almost giddy about the whole thing. Let's not forget Owen - he did well too and his teachers adored him.

I snapped a few shots before we left for school today. The second two crack me up. I've heard about the phase in toddlerhood where the child hates having her picture taken and will look the other way. Looks like we're there!

Cute and Silly

Jessica and Johnathan came to play tonight and I couldn't resist posting this sweet pic of Jessica and Owen after his bath.

If only Carlee Scott had decided to be sweet instead of doing this!!!!!!

New Toy

We have a new toy over here in the AlleyFam household. A new double jogger! "But you already have a double jogger," you say. Why, yes. However, we ended up with a new one and here's the story. When we drove across country, we took our double jogger. As our 2+ week trip progressed, we kept accumulating more and more things (gifts, some of my old stuff from my parents' house, a small TV they didn't want, etc.) So as I was packing up the car on the day before we were set to leave, I quickly realized that we were very overloaded. It was late in the day so we needed to act fast. I took the stroller to UPS to see how much it would cost to mail it back to TX. They gave me a quote of $210 - are you kidding me?! That is RIDICULOUS. It's more than the stroller is worth. So then I tried mailing back a suitcase and that would have been $130. Again, RIDICULOUS. I thought about leaving some things for Will's parents to take to Will in SC in September (which he would drive back in his car), but my dad had a great idea. He would buy my double jogger to keep at their house and I would use that money to get a new one. At first I thought it was silly and unnecessary, but then he explained. If my parents had a double stroller in Virginia, I wouldn't have to bring one each time I travel and therefore, I would also have that space in the car for other things. Besides, my bro and his wife just had a baby and will likely have another, so they wouldn't have to travel with a double jogger either. It's a win-win. Brilliant! My plan was to buy the exact same one I already had. Well, when doing my research, I noticed that I had the 2007 version. For the same price, I could get the "new and improved" 2008 version - YES!!! Not only that, but I could get it in red. Our other one was yellow and I wasn't a fan. The new jogger arrived today and let me tell you, it is fabulous. It's about 5 inches taller than the old one (I'm 5'10" so that's a plus), the kids sit more upright, the basket is much larger, the straps are padded, Carlee Scott has more leg room, and this one has drink holders! So thanks, Grandpa, we love it!!

Our old one:

The new one:

Random Shots

Owen loves how Jack is guarding him.

I adore this shot. Here are my two sweeties in their PJ's on my bed while I was getting ready for church this morning. Carlee Scott doesn't care much for TV, but she loves watching Barney on PBS on Sunday mornings. Looks like Owen is following in her footsteps...sucking thumb, holding blankie, watching Barney.

This picture cracks me up. You can't see it on the TV, but Carlee Scott was watching a local church service (it came on after Barney). She heard the choir and was mesmerized. She was even clapping along.

The girls at Taco Cabana.

Gamaw and Mr. Owen.

Friendship

Now this is what I call a true friend. We came home from Target this morning to find Laura in our backyard, mowing the lawn. She had already done the front! Not only must it have been physically exhausting, but remember that we live in Texas and it is H-O-T down here. I can't tell you how great it is to have such giving and wonderful friends. Laura is quite possibly one of the nicest, most helpful people I have ever met. She is always there to lend a hand, provide support, and most importantly, be a sweet sister in Christ. Thank you, Laura! We love you.


Sidenote: Big thanks to Laura's hubby, Josh, who also helped with the lawn...helped me get my rooftop carrier off the car...helped with the sprinkler system...and the list will go on and on as Will continues his stay in South Carolina.

Post Vacation

Hi friends!! I am sorry I haven't posted much in these last few days. We've been super busy with unpacking, laundering, washing beach toys and chairs, getting food, re-training Jack, and just trying to get settled back in. It's amazing how much needs to be done when you are gone for almost 3 weeks. There hasn't been much time for blogging!!

Everyone's doing well. Carlee Scott and Owen seem thrilled to be back in their house. I took Owen to his 6 month checkup today and he's doing great!!! For lunch, the kids and I took Mom to Crawford for lunch. She had never been so that was fun. When we got home, we all crashed. I haven't caught up on sleep from the vacation so I was zonked out for 2 hours. Big thanks to Mom to holding down the fort while we all snoozed. Here are a few pictures from today. The first is of Mom and the kids in Crawford and the second is Carlee Scott and the pizza she helped make for dinner. The third is of Jack just hanging out on the floor.

Jack

Look how big he's become!!

Giggles

Home Sweet Home

It's 9:29...we're finally home. I'm off to unpack.....

Halfway There

We're in Memphis!! We are a little over halfway back to Texas! Mom is driving back with me and this leg has been ten times better than the 18 hour marathon trip we had from TX to Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. Our trip today took 15 1/2 hours. Tomorrow's leg is supposed to take 9 hours but it will likely take us 12. Having to stop for nursing sessions, bottle feedings, potty breaks, meals, gas, and jar-food-feedings sure does delay the process. Today was a very pleasant trip. Mom and I had a great time driving through the mountains of Virginia and Tennessee. The children were wonderful. We only had one toddler tantrum and that was when we were having a potty break at a gas station. We weren't finished in the bathroom yet and Carlee Scott wanted to leave. When I told her no, her world fell apart. Other than that, she was a total joy to drive with. She talked about mountains, big trucks, other cars, and her music for most of the day. I'll be making another post tomorrow once we arrive back at my house in Texas!! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!

Side note: This will melt your heart. CS randomly told me in the car today that she cried last night in bed. When I asked her why, she replied, "Cuz I miss my daddy. He's at work." Pray for her (and him)!

Missing Daddy

Carlee Scott is missing her daddy terribly. There are several indicators which are letting us know that not having her best bud by her side is hurting her heart. Today, Grandpa took her to Build-A-Bear and had this little Army puppy dog made. I just checked on her and it was sweet to see that she gave the puppy her pillow while she fell asleep off to the side.

Professional Portraits

Emmy's Baptism

As always, please forgive me for the blurry photos. One day, I'll get the settings on my camera just right.

The Trick

What's the trick to getting a 2 year old to behave during a 2.5 hour fancy dinner? You make these fun things!!

So Fun

My brother and sis-in-law (along with Emmy!) arrived yesterday and we have had so much fun playing!! This morning, we reconnected with GG and B-mama. In an earlier post, I said we had not seen them in 6 years. I totally forgot about a brief "hello" a few Christmases ago!! It was so brief that I had totally forgotten. At any rate, Mimi and Papa (along with M and T's Mimi) took all the kids up to church to play while the adults visited. It was wonderful. The guys got all caught up, and B and I chatted as though we had known each other since childhood. I simply adore her and loved our conversation. Big thanks to Mimi and Papa for watching the children! As an added bonus, Catherine, Andy, and Alley were there!! It was fun seeing them again. Below are some random shots.