Christmas Card blues

So I have a gripe! Each year there are two times to really look forward to opening up your mailbox (cause any other time you just get bills!) --- that's your birthday and Christmas!

I look forward to getting those photo cards, year-end letters, and even the few hand written ones people still do! It helps me connect to those I only hear from maybe once a year; to see how big their kids have gotten; and what they've been up to all year!

To those of you who sent one! I loved it! THANK YOU!!!!! I hope you received mine! I take it very seriously and pine over which photos I include, how it looks and be sure that it's a bit different than last year's.

YES, yes ... I know that some people never send cards, but come on now! Have our lives seriously gotten that busy that we have lost the touch of physical communication. I guess I should consider the FB posts to my wall or the mass texts sent as my Holiday wishes from some of you. But I refuse!!!!!!

That's right I am stomping my feet, fists in the air, yelling I REFUSE!!!!! I am so bummed that out of the 45 cards I sent..... I recieved 10! (one doubled as a birth announcement for their child from June!) I was gone for 3 "mail days" and received none!!!!

So - where has our life taken us? As I have mentioned to Family and Friends; soon we will all be walking around - clueless of things and people around us - as we carry those i-pads and do all our communicating thru a computer. Hell I'm doing it right now and not that I am against this new age of communication - heck I talk to more relatives on FB than ever before -

but all I ask is once or twice a year (keep Hallmark/shutterfly/post office employed). Send a holiday card - especially to someone who takes time to send one to you!

Ho, Ho, Ho! Merry Tex'mas Y'all!

So here we are, just a few days before the blessed holiday of Christmas. As I scramble around to find just those perfect gifts for my last minute shopping, I read a post on facebook that reminds me of all the things I should be "worrying/focused" about and grateful for. This will be our 3rd Christmas without my Grandma, plus numerous other loved ones. This year we will have 2 celebrations of gifts as our family is split (Klay will be at his Dad's this year), but instead of focusing on all the time consuming events/tribulations of shopping, traveling back and forth, and frustrating traffic... I thank God that I am with my family, that I am helping create memories for my child that I hope he treasures forever as I have with my memories. So please take a moment in the hustle bustle of the holidays, shopping and traveling to hug on a loved one, stop and read a story with your child, be amazed by the lights and sounds around you, and cherish Christ.

Ok - enough with that..... what's Trevor been up to?

Well his love for Ninja turtles has stayed strong....enough to send us into a shopping frenzy trying to find something so that "Santa" will not disappoint. His visit to Santa was interesting as well. He was all excited until he sat on his knee; then he went limp noodle and needed coaxing by Klayton and me to even muster a look at the camera. AS you can see by the picture - I did NOT get a smile out of him! Then he panicked after we walked away that Santa did not hear what he wanted for Christmas. Luckily Klayton had passed his message along.

Trevor also got an Elf on the Shelf for the holiday season. He named his elf Thomas and has been really into it. It helps when he is having "one of those days." So I totally recommend it for any of you with youngsters! What a great tradition to start as well!

This year has been full of ups and downs....but thankfully we still have each other, good jobs, a roof over our heads and lots of family and friends love! So here's to you and yours! Happy Holidays!

Long time, no blog....

Sorry it's bee awhie since I last blogged. A lot has been going on needless to say!

Trevor is doing well in school. Totally a typical 3 year old. stubborn,witty, playful, imaginative and bossy! He writes his name now, can state facts about apples, bats, spiders, owls, and Thanksgiving; and is completely potty trained!

We spent Halloween with my parents in Houston. Trevor quickly catched on and enjoyed trick or treating. In fact the other day he wanted to "dress up again and go ask for candy!" He somehow became obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) awhile back. Obviously, this is a fad from the 80's that isn't as popular now - so we found it lucky to find a costume in his size....not much else though!

We also got a new addition to the family. One night as we took an evening walk we heard a crying from the boat we have stored in the driveway. Turns out a lone kitten was there, seemingly abandoned by his momma. We took him in and Tevor wanted to keep him. So we have - bottle feeding in all. I know, I know - why did we let a 3 year old make a huge decision!??!?! Ask my hubby! Trevor named him Hook'em mostly due to his orange in color! We are all learning a new type of patience and tolerance; some of us gentleness!!!

As we made a new addition, my parents lost one. My sister got Princess over 11 years ago. She could fit in a pocket then! Well, through the years, as many children's pets do, Princess became my parent's dog - moving with them to Houston. She was always onry, moody and snippy - but she was loved! Trevor would read to her, pick her up and tote her places and take her for walks. Just a few weeks ago - my parents chose to end her suffering (she had been losing a lot of muscle mass/weight and wasn't herself, ultimately losing control of her bowels) and she went to doggie heaven. I have had to make this choie as well in the past and know how hard it can be.

Let's see what else.... Just the in and out of the daily grind of work and school! We are excited about the holidays and seeing Trevor really get into understanding it all a bit better! I think we will invest in an Elf on the shelf! I hear it's great for behavior!!! Here's hoping you all are doing well! Next post won't be so long coming - promise!

summer Goals

I had Summer Goals set for TRevor this summer....let's see how we did

1)potty train!!! YES accomplished that in a little less than 3 weeks
2) put clothes on/off (including some shoes) - We are about 90% with this. Shirts are still causing some trouble but we def have shorts and most shoes!
3) write letter R and V: He currently writes his name THROR
4) sleep in his bed all night!!!!! --- we have yet to accomplish this one...wanted to start school and get through potty training before we threw this one in his boat! I think this one will be the toughest for all of us! I secretly LOVE snuggling with him each night...but every inch of room in my bed helps me sleep oh so much better. It will be a bittersweet victory when it it happens.

So....any tips out there folks?!?! I am leaning towards the whole closed door approach, but hopes that i can stick out the baby whisper method!

So about 3 out of 4 wouldn't you say!? Not bad!

updates

So it has been a bit since my last blog effort. I was getting ery frustrated and hve been boycotting my blog. I am not able to upload the 2 videos I want to share: one of revor swimming and the othe singing. Then to add to matters I have tried numerous times t add photos to the last blog to no avail. Needless to say I am bummed with my blog.... but time has passd and I felt I needed to upate you all.

School is in full swing for both Tevor and I. He is doing well - a few potty accidents here or there and a few non-listening moments :( but other than that he amazes many and shows off to all! He loves his friends, class and teacher. He truly enjoys going to school and I just LOVE that!!! It totally makes my heart swell. Work is work for me...keeps me busy!

Justin has finally gotten some help at work - his partner had left and they had been looking to hire someone for almost 3 weeks now! Needless to say Justin had been coming home exhausted - doing much of the land clearing himself. He even worked his "tri-atholon" boss into dehydration!!!! So --- how does he repay Justin???? With a raise of course and a promotion. He will now be the crew leader and eventually have a temporary crew of 3-4! Oh yeah --- his benenfits kicked in earlier than we thought and the company pays for most of it!!! His newest crew member...his brother Matt. So he is loving his job even more now!

We have been busy here and there. Went to the opening UT game against Rice in Houston at the Reliant Stadium. Awesome!!! Trevor wasn't too into it - but he did great! Horns won of course! \m/ We've been swimming and taking lessons with Trevor's dear friend Saia as well. We also took a nice trp to Surfside with the Denton's again. Trevor loved the beach and the ocean!! Next thing...celebrate my (gulp) 32nd birthday!

Lots of pic posted on my picasaweb page. ttyl

RockStar in the making

Trevor is way into music - if you didn't already know! He can hear a song once or twice and get the beat and chorus almost immediately! He loves to dance and has perfected this bounce he does with his hand twisted out.

So when my hubby said he "went to town dancing and singing" the other night to music - we just had to get it on film. Well of course he didn't let loose as well as before (perhaps the 3 sets of eyes watching hindered him?!) But I did manage to catch a few pics!

and you know he's been hanging out with the guys too much when he tells his uncle matt that a 7up is his beer! ooooppsssss - guess we need to limit "guy time?" lol

When i figure out how to upload videos I'll be posting one of his songs (as well as a swimming one I have been working on!)

Rock on!!! \m/

potty update

So.... we are about one month in full potty training mode. Trevor has been baring it all at home in our efforts to get him to use the potty. He has been about 90% successful with peeing in the potty 0% with pooping. He began school again just 3 days ago..and was slow going there with his peeing in the potty. I feel bad that at 3 and in preschool he wasn't already out of diapers (hey I know how it is...no changing table and 3 year olds poop is not any easier to change) We are firm believers in NO PULL-UPS! I mean seriously WHY teach a child that it's ok to go in them but not underwear??? Aren't they pratically the same?!?!? Why bother - especially when they cost so much more for so many less than pampers!!!

SO ...also in our efforts to potty train (and by no means is this the "right way" or "wrong way" to potty train per ECE) - it's just our way that works for Trevor....he earns money for every pee and gets immediate toy for poop! So far he has earned 2 trips to the store (which he gets to do when he earns atleast $5).

Well today he finally did it...as I sat on FB playing Family Feud and my hubby sat watching TV - Trevor announced "I have to pee again momma!" I say " GO ahead!" (he had just peed and I had not yet cleaned out the potty chair) "Pee on top of the other pee" I said as he was saying something about the potty being dirty. I asked Justin to go in and help him as I couldn't hear what all he was saying. NExt thing I heard was "Trevor...that's not where it goes." (Bless my hubby's heart - he didn't quite see that Trevor had done an incredible feat not a "no-no") I walked in thinking oh no...he pooped all over the floor. I was wrong. There was a nice little pile of poop right there ON his potty. Not quite in, but ON the lid of his potty chair. Trevor was crying as he knew that wasn't quite where it went! But I took that moment to Congratulate him...what a feat! He put poop on potty - just not in the bucket for easy disposal!

I tried to console him with proudness, Justin followed as well! Needless to say -Trevor pooped on the potty (Literally!!!) So later we will head to HEB (town as he just informed me) to snag up a special Potty toy!!! I wanted to photograph this significant event but Trevor said no! I think I have enough "embarassing" moments as it is! I will post a pic of his toy asap!!!

Let's just hope that next time.....it goes IN the potty!