Sweet Sundays

I don’t know why, but I love Sundays.  Maybe it is because it is church day, or because it is a day we usually aren’t out and about running errands or because it is usually a day the three of us can hang out.  Whatever the  reason(s) I love Sundays.  Today was another great Sunday.  We started out our morning as usual, breakfast and then play time.  Ford went downstairs with Jeff for a bit and while Jeff was moving some luggage around Ford thought it was fun to play in them.  At least he thought it was fun until he got himself caught in the handles of one of our bags. 

 

The weather was so beautiful this morning that we took a long walk in the neighborhood before church.  Ford sported his hat and this year’s sunglasses while drinking some water as he strolled.  The dogwood trees are in bloom and are so beautiful.  The azaleas are blooming as well and the streets are lined with blossoms everywhere.  Made for a really nice walk. 

We had a great church service and an even nicer nursery pick up!  Ford has been crying/whimpering when Jeff drops him off and when we pick him up after the service he is usually in someones arms and begins crying/whimpering when he sees us.  Today’s drop off was the usual.  Jeff put Ford down on the floor to start playing and Ford proceeded to cry, which then set off two other little ones in the room.  However, as we were walking to his room after the service we could see him getting a toy off the shelf to play with!  We were so happy and even happier to hear that he cried at the beginning but was great after that!  Yea for Ford!  Here we are after church.

Jeff and Ford after lunch.  We took Ford’s church shirt off so it wouldn’t get lunch all over it.

 A little manual labor does the body good. 

Ford loves the swiffer.  While he ate lunch I cleaned our floors and when he was done eating he decided I didn’t do a good enough job so he proceeded to “clean” them again for me.  After Ford’s nap we went to campus and walked around for a bit enjoying the pretty weather and the azaleas that were blooming.  All in all we had a wonderful day and now the only thing I don’t like about Sundays. . . sadly, our weekend is over.

Peek- a- boo!

Ford has loved initiating peek-a-boo lately.  He covers his face (or close to his face) with his hands, sometimes peeking, and then throws his hands away from his face and grins.  Clapping for himself often follows.  

Our guest. . .the kitty intruder

Saturday and Sunday brought a great visitor. . . our neighborhood kitty!  We were so excited to see him walking towards our back porch.  No one was more excited than Ford.  I took Ford outside and we spent some time petting the kitty and giving him some good lovin’.  After we went inside we gave the kitty some water and milk, which he loved.  The next day brought our furry friend back to visit!  Again, Ford and I headed out to the back porch to love on our kitty friend.  Jeff was finishing up a little yard work while Ford and I were outside with the cat.  When it came time to go in I opened our back door and before Ford and I could make it in, our little furry friend beat us to it.  The kitty was very curious and went exploring in our kitchen and hallway, Ford following (and at times guiding him).  Once back in the kitchen (from his short tour), heading towards the back door, Ford decided he wanted to pet the kitty again.  The cat is so sweet and just sat there while Ford pet him and in some ways squished him.  I finally decided that the best way to have our kitty return outside was to pick him up and take him outside myself.  As I walked out the door Jeff saw me holding the cat and asked “why was the cat inside the house?”  Jeff isn’t a huge cat person so was not too thrilled about our visitor.  I tried to explain that he snuck in and every time I tried to veer him back towards the door outside Ford would veer the cat in another direction.  Even though Jeff wasn’t too excited about the visit, Ford sure was.  So excited in fact that once I put the cat out and shut the door Ford proceeded to cry and scream at me.  A true animal lover not too thrilled that “his” kitty was no longer with him. 

I’m going to follow my kitty wherever he goes

 

the sweet kitty didn’t seem to mind Ford squishing him

The next American Idol

Who knows, we just might have the next American Idol in our midst.  Ford has been enjoying his microphone lately and has even started copying the sounds I make.  It has been cute to watch and hear.  However, if Ford ends up with my singing voice we can give up the American Idol dream right now.   

Duffy!

I think I have mentioned Ford’s dog Duffy before, but don’t think I have ever included pictures.  Duffy was one of Ford’s Christmas presents from my parents and it was love at first sight. 

Bailey also loved Duffy and we think it is because Duffy looks like Bailey’s mom

Duffy is so soft and cuddley and Ford loves to crawl over to him, lay his head down on him, or lay his whole body on Duffy, roll over on him, “wrestle” with him, bite him, you name it.  Ford loves his Duffy Dog.  Sometimes he will crawl into the family room and I will hear him laugh and I will walk in and see him playing on Duffy.  Duffy is a loyal friend.   Ford has been feeling under the weather the last few days and his energy level has been decreased.  Duffy still makes him happy and he has been spending more time laying down on Duffy over the last few days, taking little “rests.”  Duffy has been a great addition to our family and family room. 

Ford thinks it is so funny when Jeff puts Duffy on his head and says “Ford, where’s Duffy?  Where did he go?”

Having fun rolling over Duffy Dog

Just having fun with his good pal Duffy!

The remote controller

On Friday Ford found the remote control to the TV within easy reach and quickly snatched it up to start playing with it.  He then learned that by pushing the blue button in the top corner he could turn the TV on and off.  Every time he heard it turn on he would get excited.  He was so proud of himself.  He doesn’t really watch TV, so wasn’t too interested in what was on, so much as he was interested in the process of turning it on and then off and then on again, all the while hearing it turn on and off.  This kept him busy for quite some time and was fun to watch.

 

To see Ford controlling the TV in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_bUOuvaiBY

Good ol’ San Anton’

Ford and I had the opportunity to go to San Antonio for a long weekend this past weekend.  On our way to San Antonio Ford had his first McDonald’s experience.  Our plane left late from Columbia, so we had to take a later flight from Dallas to San Antonio.  I had only packed lunch and needed to feed him dinner during our second flight.  So, I got him some chicken nuggets from McDonald’s.  I felt a little guilty introducing that to him so soon, but he loved them.  When I told Jeff I felt bad he asked how they were different from the nuggets we give him at home.  My answer. . . slightly more grease.  Oh well, at least he liked them and had some protein that day.  

It was Ford’s first trip to San Antonio and it was so good to be back. It had been almost two years since I was last there.  One of my oldest friends, Eric, whom I have been friends with since 2nd grade and lived down the street from, got married on Saturday.  I couldn’t imagine missing it and my parents decided they wanted to be there too, so we all  met up to celebrate with him and his bride, Ashley.  Going to San Antonio also meant that Ford and I got to spend time with Briana and Hunter (we stayed with them), as well as Kim, Marlo and Bethany!  A bonus for Ford was that he got to meet and spend time with Duke, the Mellums’ big yellow lab.  It should be no surprise that he absolutely loved Duke Dog.  Every time we went over to the Mellums and drove into the driveway Ford started making his dog sounds “woo, woo, woo” and kicked his legs in excitement!

Ford “barking” at Duke (he rounds his lips tight as he says “woo, woo, woo!”)

The day after Ford and I arrived we headed to the store to pick up a few more things for him.  A new HEB Plus grocery store (which if you aren’t from Texas I just don’t think you can fathom how amazing they are) was just built almost across the street from Briana.  Driving up to it I saw people getting off of a bus and taking pictures of it, seriously.  Walking into the Central Market side I felt at home.  In Ft. Worth we had a Central Market within walking distance.  I called Jeff to remind him how amazing Texas stores are.  Being away I tend to forget how big things really are in Texas.  And they are. . . always.  I stopped to talk to a guy working in the Central Market side and he told me the roof of the store is 4 acres!  How is that for big?  Ford and I toured both the Central Market part and the “regular” grocery store, picking up things here and there.  I was excited to find my Central Market Dip, Love Dip, along with my favorite thin tortilla chips, and my grape/walnut/blue cheese salad.  I was in heaven! 

Every time I go to San Antonio our days are planned around food and my trip is filled with eating.  There are so many yummy places that I try to go to when I visit San Antonio so we literally plan around which place we are eating from that day.  The Mexican food here in South Carolina  is nothing like Tex-Mex, so I had to try and get my fill.  Ford had his first trip to Alamo Cafe where he tried their amazing tortillas, tried some bites of his first Taco Cabana bean and cheese taco, tasted La Madeline’s amazing tomato basil soup, and went with us to my very favorite Chinese restaurant anywhere, Ming Tree (although he didn’t eat anything of mine that day).  Briana, Ford, and I surprised Hunter with lunch on Friday at his school which was a lot of fun.  Ford loved seeing Hunter and the other kids.  Hunter can make Ford laugh and smile at any given moment.  He has such a way with Ford and it is precious to see them together.  Hunter even tried to teach Ford how to play Mario Cart on his Wii.  Unfortunately, Ford wasn’t quite ready, but he did enjoy holding the steering wheel! 

Eating his first Taco Cabana bean and cheese taco!

Ford’s first masterpiece.  .  . and really his first time to ever draw/write!

With his Wii steering wheel

On Friday night I had the privilege of going to Eric and Ashley’s rehearsal dinner and was able to go with one of my best girl friends in high school, Callie.  We had a great time together and were  glad we were able to be each other’s ”date.”  Briana was a sweet aunt and watched Ford both Friday night and Saturday afternoon and night.  I appreciated her watching him very much- and he loved his time with her!  The wedding was on a family farm which was just gorgeous.  They were married under a canopy of oak trees and the weather was perfect.  Their reception was in the grass around the house and had such a beautiful and classy Texas feel to it (like antlers and prickly pear cactus in the centerpieces).  Lights were strung up in the trees and the ”barn” behind the house was the dance floor, with beautiful fabric and huge lamp shades hung from the ceiling.  Four of the girls from high school were there and we all had a great time catching up and dancing some.  Some of the guys from high school were there as well, along with some of our old neighbors.  The best part of all was watching my friend’s face as his bride got out of a horse drawn carriage and walk down the aisle to him.  I loved seeing how happy Eric was and felt honored to be there to witness their vows and celebrate afterwards. 

With Polly, Callie and Alice

On Sunday Ford and I had a day with just my parents.  They had a very short weekend so it was nice to be able to have the day with them.  We went to breakfast and then to the San Antonio Zoo.  During breakfast Ford kept asking for my mom’s orange juice.  He doesn’t get juice often and I think he loved the sweet taste and enjoyed drinking from her straw!  I think he drank most of her drink!  At the zoo Ford especially loved all the bear exhibits.  The bears were all out and very visible and Ford thought they were great.  He also liked the rhinos and it was actually the first time for him to ever see a real rhino as the Columbia zoo does not have any.  We spent the afternoon at Briana’s apartment (she was working that day) and let Ford play.  For dinner we went to another of our favorites, Salt Grass, where Ford had his first few bites of rib-eye steak (which he enjoyed).  Ford loved his time with his Grandma and Grandpa.  Each time they walked through the door he kicked his legs in excitement!  It was a short visit with them, but a fun one!       

Ford having fun talking on Grandpa’s cell phone

At the San Antonio Zoo

Looking at the Grizzly Bear

Our trip went too fast, but was wonderful.  I am so thankful we were able to travel so I could go to the wedding, spend time with the Mellums, and have a bonus of seeing my parents too!  Ford was such a fantastic traveler, and as always, I was extremely proud of him.  Here are some more pictures from our trip.

Having fun with Hunter, Aunt Briana and Aunt Bethany at lunch

Playing with Grandma and Grandpa at Briana’s

Ford lovin’ his Aunt Briana

Ford’s sweet sandals next to mine.  The weather was so nice that he was able to wear them every day.  They were a baby gift last year and he can finally wear them!

Ford’s latest tricks

Here are some of the newest “tricks” Ford has learned lately. 

1.  He is standing on his own.  Every day he gets more and more stable without holding on to anything and is standing up by himself for longer periods of time.  Also, Ford can now stand up while holding an item (like a toy), clap while he is standing up, or drink from his sippy cup or straw cup while standing, all without holding on to anything.  He also continues to be such a strong walker when he holds onto our fingers.  It really seems like we aren’t providing much of anything, but he isn’t quite ready to try without us yet. 

2.  His vocabulary has grown a lot.  Although his words are still approximations we can definitely make out the meaning to quite a few new words.  He now says “that” which comes out as “dat” (always accompanied by him pointing to something), “yes,” “cheese,” “bar” (for Nutri-grain bar), “ball,” “eat” (which comes out as “eeeee” which he says as he makes the sign), and he said “light” after Jeff the other day.  He also says “buhh” for “up”  and “buhh” for “puffs.”  Ford is also making more animal sounds.  His animal sounds tend to be the ones that involve the same vowel, but when asked what a dog, cow, or owl makes, he knows what vowel to make.  So, he knows a dog says “woo, woo”, a cow says “oooo,” and an owl says “ooooooo.”    He also just learned on Sunday (3-8) what a sheep says. . . “ba.”

3.  On Saturday (3-7) Ford learned a new sign!  He now signs “please!”  Such a sweet mannered boy (well, most of the time, like when he isn’t throwing his cup or food off of his tray).

4.  On Saturday February 28 Ford demonstrated he knew his first body part!  I asked him where his head was and he showed us by putting his hand on his head!  We wondered if it was a fluke, but the next day when I asked him again where his head was he showed me!  Way to go Ford!  He has also continued to do this trick as well. 

It has been so amazing to watch Ford learn and meet various milestones.  We feel so blessed that he is developing as he is and feel privileged to be able to experience it with him.

Being silly

Last Saturday I brought Ford into the bedroom and on our bed to say good morning to Jeff.  He got pretty silly and decided it would be fun to sit up and then launch himself backwards on to the soft bed.  He kept doing it over and over, laughing hysterically as he did.  Jeff and I were laughing right along with him.  Any time we would sit him up, he would start arching backwards towards the bed.  Silly boy!

To see him in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqg3QeP3fs0&feature=channel_page

More, more, more

A few weeks ago Ford started using the sign for “more.”  He also does his version of “all done.”  The cute thing is he now uses the “more” sign to mean anything he wants.  So, if he sees food on the counter he will point to it and sign “more.”  If he is sitting in the glider with one of us he will point to his bookshelf and sign “more.”  If he wants to read more books, he will sign “more.”  If he is wanting food he will go in the kitchen and sign “more.”  He will also point to something on the counter and say “dat” (that) while signing “more.”  Or, he will just sign “more” out of the blue and we have no idea what in the world he wants.  We have been working on the sign for “eat” which he is learning and starting to use, and the sign for “book,” and I am realizing we need to teach more specific signs as well (like cheese, or crackers) to help us have a little more luck with getting the meaning of his “more” sign right the first time.    He loves making the sign for “more” and will often make it over and over and over again, very emphatically.  And then sometimes he will alternate “more” and “all done” so we have no idea what he really means.    We are proud of him for learning the signs and for using them very appropriately.

To see Ford’s signs in action:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_OZtI8lEHI&feature=channel_page

And just becuase I can’t leave you without a picture. . .

A very happy boy with his beloved Giraffey Lovey