Ford’s Hero

From day one it was obvious that Ford loved his Daddy.  That love has only increased the older he has gotten.  His second word was “Da” and he loves to say it.  I mean loves to say it.  The reason?  The answer is so simple, it is because he loves his Dad so much.  He will say “Da” or “Dada” with a questioning inflection and look at me like “where is he?”  Ford will look out the back door and say “Da?!”  Today he saw Jeff’s jacket on a chair at the kitchen table and started his “Da” routine.  Early this morning Ford woke up (around 2:15) and I fed him.  I held him in my arms against me for a bit and then I heard a soft but very clear “Dad.”  Not “Da” or “Dada” like usually comes out, but “Dad.”  He had taken his pacifier out and was calling Jeff.  He actually said it two times in a row “Dad, Dad.”  It made me smile and was such a sweet voice calling for his Daddy.  I didn’t fall for it however, and he went back in his crib to go back to sleep.  The other day Ford and I were sitting in the hallway playing.  My back was facing the back door and Ford was facing it.  All of a sudden he said”Da!” as he smiled one of his huge smiles.  He then started booking it towards the back door.  I turned around and Jeff was standing at the back door about to come in.  Every night Jeff comes home Ford gets a rush of energy.  He perks up, is very talkative, and extremely smiley.  He loves his Dad very much.  We are both very thankful for him and love him a lot!

    

Our last few days

This past weekend we had a fun visit with one of our friends from TCU, Colin, who was here from Branson with work.  It was fun to have him here Saturday night and Sunday and to catch up.  It had been quite a few years since we had seen him last.  He and Jeff went to the men’s basketball game on Saturday night, we all went to church on Sunday, and then out to eat afterwards.  Our weekend went by way too fast and here we are in a new week already. 

Yesterday we had a fun visit with our friend Jennifer, who lives in Charleston.  We hadn’t seen her since last spring and it was great to have her stop by!  We actually bought our house from her and her husband, Ron, and have enjoyed their friendship ever since.  Ford loved having Jennifer here to play with!

Yesterday we also had a visit from the plumbing company, twice.  Back in December the bathtub in Ford’s bathroom got clogged, and despite our great and hopeful efforts to unclog it with Drain-o and Hot Power, it wouldn’t budge.  So, the plumbers came out, unclogged it, and also found a leak in the extra bathroom sink pipes.  Lovely.  So, for Christmas, we bought some new pipes.  Side note- we don’t recommend using Hot Power- it consequently ate our bathtub, which one day we will have to get re-done.  How is this linked to yesterday?   Well, last week the toilet in that bathroom wouldn’t flush.  So, we checked in the tank and there was no water.  So, we filled the tank, flushed the toilet and it worked, but would not fill back with water.  Jeff looked down in the garage at the pipes and it appeared that the pipe under the toilet was not hooked to anything.  So, the plumbing company came back out and sure enough, the first guy had forgotten to hook the toilet back up!!  They hooked it back up and threw in a new pump in the toilet and we were so thankful that we wouldn’t have to pay this go round.  Well, after they left I went to go clean the bathroom up and noticed a ton of water on the floor and then found the source.  The toilet was leaking where the knob is that turns the water coming into the toilet on and off.  Great.  So, called the company again and they came back out, again, and found that whatever it was just needed to be tightened for now.  During my cleaning, Ford had quite a good time exploring the contents of the cabinet under the sink (side note that all chemicals are kept up high in a different place).  He especially had fun unrolling the toilet paper and thought it might be a good snack.  However, he quickly decided it wasn’t as tasty as he was hoping for. 

After playing in the bathroom Ford had some fun playing on the stairs. . . as always.

This morning Ford and I ran some errands and then had a nice surprise at lunch when Jeff came home to join us!  Ford was so excited to see him.

Good-bye old friends. . .

Last weekend Jeff installed curtain rods for Ford’s new curtains.  Yes, a year after he was born, he finally has curtains.  I finally went out and found fabric that matches his room and had someone make the curtains and got them back after Christmas.  Up until last weekend Ford had some pretty classy and fancy window coverings.  Back in mid April when we were going through the first round of sleep training we put a sheet on the window that looks out to the front of the house, and we put aluminum foil behind the blinds on the side window that no one can see from the street, to help make Ford’s room darker.   So, for 9 months we have lived with the blue/purple sheet that I had back in college hanging above his changing table, subject to Ford pulling it down just about once a day.  Am I sad to see the beautiful and classy window coverings gone?  No. Not at all.  In fact, every time I walk in Ford’s room I think how much I love the curtains and how his room looks with them hanging in there.  Maybe before his second birthday we will hang the plates I have and actually finish decorating his room. 

From a little “white trash” decorating. . .

to actual curtains!

And some decorations on the wall. . .

Maybe in the next year you will see a picture of the sweet plates I have for Ford’s other wall (assuming we actually eventually get them up there).

Our Snowy Morning

The buzz all day yesterday and last night was the snow that was coming our way.  I think every school district cancelled school completely, as did day cares etc.  Jeff stalked the university’s website hoping for some news of a delay or cancellation.  He didn’t get the news until he got up this morning and checked again, but at least there was a little delay.  The university opened at 10am.  So, not the “snow day” we had hoped for, but still a nice break.  As Jeff said last night, Ford and I get a “snow day” every day.  I am so thankful for that and continue to love being home with him and feel fortunate that Jeff is making it happen for us.  When we got up this morning there was a tiny bit of snow on our cars, shed, grill, plants, and some of the grass.  As the morning went on, flakes continued to fall, but not stick.  Ford had fun watching the snow come down, especially when it was the big, soft, fluffy flakes.  He stood or sat in front of our back door pointing and talking away.  We even went outside to feel the snow coming down on us.  It has continued to fall, alternating between big, fluffy flakes, and tiny ones.  Snow doesn’t happen very often here so it is fun to have it fall and to be home to enjoy it. 

During lunch Ford and I watched the inauguration of the 44th president, Barack Obama.  At first Ford was excited the TV was on (I rarely have it on when he is awake), but eventually got “bored” with it and focused on eating his lunch.  However, when the crowd cheered loudly a couple of times Ford clapped right along with them.  Always wanting to be part of the party.    

The rest of the day (after Ford wakes up from his nap) we plan to spend indoors, watching whatever snow might continue to fall, playing, and just staying warm.

Snow watching!

We put Ford’s snow pjs on last night in hopes that it would in fact snow!

Ford’s Pajama Weekend

It has been quite cold here (finally), including this weekend.  It also rained some which added to our decision for Ford’s weekend in his pajamas.  We decided he might as well stay in his pjs since they were warm, fuzzy, and footed.  He did have a pajama change after his bath on Saturday night, and he eventually did get dressed in “real clothes” after his nap on Sunday.  Ahhh, the life. 

Trying to get Jeff’s attention.  Jeff was down in the basement on the computer.

Look closely and you can see Ford’s top two teeth!

Having fun with his ball popper.  Ford discovered that if he tilted the toy towards him the air would blow his hair.  Much fun.

More fun with his toys!

Ford’s new ride

Last week the three of us hit Babies R Us for some “big boy” car seat shopping.  I had been looking on line and talking to other Moms to figure out which car seat we should purchase for Ford and had found the one we thought we liked best.  I wanted to make sure we really liked it before taking out a loan to pay for it (not really, but they sure aren’t cheap!).  We found the one we were looking for at the store, the Britax Boulevard, liked it, bought it, loaded it up in the back of the Yukon and headed home with Ford’s new convertible car seat as they are called.  On Friday Ford had his last ride in his infant car seat.  It probably should have happened last month some time, but thankfully, he remained safe, although a quarter of an inch too tall for the height restriction. 

Saturday we installed Ford’s new ride and he has been travelling in style and comfort in his new big boy seat ever since. 

My Mom…

Hi friends!  As you know, I turned 1 last week and thought it was time to check in again with you.  My post is going to take a little different twist this time.  Usually, I try to add some humor to the blog, but this time I want to tell you some things that have been on my mind.

 

I really want to tell you about my mom.  I think she is absolutely the greatest.  Not only does she keep you all informed about me, but she literally has spent every waking (and some sleeping) moment with me for the last year and nine months.  My mom is a lot of things but some of the things I like most are that she is loving, patient, kind, funny pretty and smart.

 

She has taken such good care of me from day one and I love her for it.  I can still remember before I was born how she would talk to me and tell me everything that was going on out in the real world. 

 

She and I really bonded last January…on the 2^nd to be exact!  Ever since that day, she has been so patient and loving…even at 3:00 in the morning.  She has loved me on my good days and even on the bad days…of which there are not many.  What can I say?

 

My mom makes me laugh on a daily basis.  Dad tells me that she gets her sense of humor from him, but I don’t believe it.  She can stand on her own in that department.  She is constantly saying funny things to me and tickling me.  I love it when she makes me laugh.

 

I am so glad that I get to stay home with my mom everyday.  She is so smart (and I know she didn’t get that from my dad) and teaches me new things everyday.  I have to be the luckiest kid in the world because I get to spend everyday with the greatest mom in the world.

 

Did I mention that she can really throw a party?  Let me tell ya something…I have not been to a lot of parties, but my first birthday party was awesome. 

 

My dad always tell me how much he “digs” my mom.  I don’t know what “digs” means, but I can tell you, I dig this chick too.  She is the greatest!

 

Just wanted to make sure you all knew how much I love my mom!

 

Over and out—Ford

 

P.S.—Thought you might like to see some pics of just me and my mom!

 

Ford’s 12 month check up

On Monday (1/5) Ford went to see Dr. Greenhouse for his 12 month well-visit.  He was measured and is now 30 and a quarter inches long, putting him in the 65th percentile for height!  He now weighs 19 lbs, 14 oz, only 14 oz more than he did 3 months ago.  His lack of weight gain now puts him in the 11th percentile for weight.  The doctor was not too thrilled about his lack of weight gain, but said that it is common during this stage where they are so mobile and burning so many calories.  Even though she said she sees this often, she wants us to check back in a month.  We have an appointment on February 5th to have him re-weighed and to then discuss the results.  Until then, she suggested snacks and giving him any food that is not a choking hazard.  Ford has decided he is not into baby food anymore, especially the vegetables.  I can still sometimes get him to eat the fruit, but not all the time.  It is great to see him want to feed himself, but hard since it takes so long and is a little difficult at times for me to think of things to give him.  Also on Monday he started drinking cow’s milk!  He has been drinking it every day since at lunch time and is doing OK with it overall.  I am still trying to figure out how to get him to drink a larger quantity of it, but am hoping in time that will come.  Sometimes to get him to drink I have to hold the cup for him and cheer after he takes a sip.  Works every time.  He is such a ham and loves putting on a show.  Here are two pictures from Monday, his first cow’s milk experience.

Ford’s First Birthday Bash!

On Sunday we celebrated Ford’s first birthday with a jungle animal themed party here at the house.    Ford had monkey invitations, cupcakes with different jungle animal faces on them, jungle animal plates and napkins, a special blue plate with a monkey face and his name on it to eat his cake off of, all the jungle animal toys/stuffed animals we had were placed out in the living room and dining room to help decorate, and in our doorways we hung bright colored jungle animal cut-outs, each with a picture of Ford on his various month birthdays.  We had some of our friends and neighbors come over to celebrate with us and Ford loved having people over!  It was fun singing “Happy Birthday” to him while he just smiled away, but the best part of his party by far was his cupcake experience.  He loved it.  Every bite of it.  From the frosting to the cupcake, to the crumbs, he loved it.  Once we took the overlay on his tray away he was still looking for any crumbs that might have fallen underneath the overlay.  We stripped him down to clean him up, changed his clothes and he was ready to party some more with his friends.  It was fun having another day to celebrate our special one year old. 

Just getting started

Covered just a bit in blue icing

All cleaned up and ready for some new clothes to play in!

The Crane-3 Christmas

I haven’t had a chance to post about Christmas yet, so here it goes (finally!).  For Christmas we all flew out to Colorado Springs to stay with my parents and see my Grandma too.  This was a very special Christmas, not only because it was Ford’s first, but because it was the first time in years that the Bux family and the Mellum family, our neighbors from San Antonio, were together to celebrate again.  Growing up our families spent almost every holiday together as both of our extended families were out of state.  Each of us has so many fond memories of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Fourth of July, all spent together.  Briana, Brittany, Bethany and Brackin are more like sisters than friends, and Kim and Marlo claim me as their “fifth daughter” (and I do the same).  As you can tell, our families have a special relationship.  My parents moved from San Antonio 6 years ago and since then, the only time we have all been together is for weddings, which you all know is not great quality, relaxed time, and never mind the fact that there are usually at least 100 or more “extra” people there as well.  So, over a year and a half ago we started talking about meeting up in Colorado for Christmas 2008.  This past July we all made it ”official” by making our reservations and detailed plans to make it happen.  In all, we had 12 adults (me and Jeff, my parents, Kim and Marlo, Briana, Brittany and her husband Brian, Bethany, Brackin and her fiancee Brook), one 7 year old (Hunter), one 11 month old (Ford), one dog, and three cats, under one roof.  It was so much fun and it went by way too fast!  We staggered our arrivals, starting the weekend before Christmas, and staggered our departures, but were all together for the 25th, 26th, and 27th.  Ford loved seeing all his family, and loved meeting the couple of ”aunts” and “uncles” he hadn’t yet met.  He also enjoyed the excitement and action, and attention, that came along with having 14 people in the house.  I am afraid he is a little bored with just me now during the day and misses the hustle and bustle of a house-full of family. 

What did we do while we were there?  Well, we had fresh snow on my birthday (the 23rd) before heading out for a great dinner. 

On Christmas Eve a couple trips to the airport were taken for pick- ups, we celebrated the birth of Jesus by going to a Christmas Eve service, and then we all (including my Grandma) crammed into the dining room for a yummy dinner (and actually did this most meals which was fun). 

Our blue-eyed boy

Ford with my Grandma Elaine

Ford and his Grandma trying to get a sneak peak at some of the presents on Christmas Eve

 

Christmas morning was a fun one.  We were all ready for the much anticipated Christmas 2008 to officially begin, as we were (finally) all under one roof.  Hunter woke up early, and somehow Briana held him off until about 7:30 or so, at which point Jeff and I went into Ford’s bedroom to wake him up.  We all met downstairs and watched Hunter excitedly open the gifts from Santa.  His face was priceless when he opened a Wii- sheer surprise and excitement! 

Next it was Ford’s turn. 

Santa brought him a couple books and a fun snail toy that (of course) lights up and sings/talks.  We had a yummy breakfast and my Grandma joined us at that point and spent the day with us.  Once she was there we did stockings and gifts, hung out, and ate our huge meal.  All in all it was a special day, and a special time in general.

Enjoying opening one of his favorite gifts, “Fifteen Animals”

Ford and his Grandpa reading his new book “Fifteen Animals” which he has been slightly pre-occupied with ever since

The rest of the trip included a (very cold) trip to the dog park, a (very cold and windy) trip to Garden of the Gods, a beautiful day at the zoo (complete with feeding the giraffes), the Broadmoor, and just having fun being at the house together.  We even had the special chance to go with Brackin to look for and buy her wedding dress and look for our bridesmaid dresses (the four of us are the 4 bridesmaids for their July 11th wedding).  It was fun to have an afternoon with just “the girls” and to see Brackin in all the pretty dresses.   

All bundled up leaving the dog park

In the freezing wind at the Garden of the Gods

At the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

With Santa bringing the Wii for Christmas we didn’t see much of the “boys” once it was set up (down in the basement).   However, much fun was had by all I assure you, and the wives encouraged them to enjoy the Wii while they could, because they weren’t getting one themselves.  :)   Ford also had a great time playing with Bailey, and loved the cats.  In fact, Ford learned 3 new words while in Colorado: “doggy,” “kitty,” and “Bailey”.  He used them quite often, especially when he was trying to pet one of them, or chase one of them.  Ford also liked enticing Bailey to kiss his face, even though the entire time we were constantly reminding Bailey not to lick (which he did a great job of controlling, except a few times).  Another exciting thing happened while in Colorado:  Ford’s top two teeth broke through!  The top right tooth broke through on December 26th and the top left tooth broke through on the 28th.    

Bailey loving his Ford baby

Ford loving his Bailey doggy

Having fun petting Tyler “kitty”

Laughing at Nellie “kitty” right before touching her nose

Christmas 2008 was indeed a special one, and one that will be remembered fondly.  The only negative:  it just went too fast.

The Whole Christmas Gang