Good-bye to the Three’s…

Wednesday May 16 was Ford’s last day of school.  His last day in Mrs. Frannie’s 3′s class.  The last day with his current class of Isabel, Hayes, Harris, Marett, Rebecca Ann, Charlie W., Jay, Bo and Ella.  This year has been a fabulous one.  Ford has grown up in Mrs. Frannie’s class.  There is no “baby” ot “toddler” left.  He is all little boy.  He has learned so very, very much.  He has learned things like knowing his rights verses his left, counting beyond ten, being able to count actual objects, knowing the days of the week and the order of the days, identifying letters, learning some letter sounds, recognizing printed numbers, rhyming, cutting, and much more.  I am so thankful for this year at Kilbourne Park.  We continue to be so pleased with the school and are so thankful to be a part of it.  We are very thankful for Mrs. Frannie and not only what she has taught Ford, but how she has loved and enouraged him as well.  She is a special lady and we are so blessed Ford was placed in her class.  This time of year is hard.  On one hand I am so proud of and thankful for how much our Bean has grown and learned, how much he has changed and matured.  But on the other hand, I am sad.  Our four-year old is growing up and so fast.  We are one school year away from kindergarten.  And as I already said, there is no “baby” or “toddler” left in him.  Our days of “preschool” are more than half over.  So, as last year, I did shed a few tears.  Even though they are sad tears, they are also thankful ones too.  KPS has provided such a loving environment for Ford and has taught him so much in the last two and a half years.  I am extremely grateful.  And I am so very proud of Ford.  He is a smart boy who listens and obeys his teacher and truly enjoys being at school learning and playing.  I have loved seeing what he has learned and how his friendships have grown this year.  It has truly amazed me.  I know next year will hold wonderful things as well.  So, good-bye to the sweet, amazing three’s class, and hello to summer!

Monday

Back:  Mrs. Frannie, Harris, Ella, Ford, Rebecca Ann, Jay, Isabel                                                      Front:  Marett, Hayes, Charlie, Bo

Tuesday before the school picnic

Henry, Ford and Bo

Rebecca Ann, Ford, Bo, Ella

Last day!

Happy Birthday Ford!

Happy Birthday to Our Boy!

I wish I took more time to write my thoughts on this blog like Allison does such an incredible job of doing.  There are not enough words to express my thanks to her for doing this for our family both near and far.  The chronicling of our boys growing up will be something we and they will always treasure.

It is truly unbelievable to think that Ford turns 4 today.  Time has absolutely flown by, just like they all told us it would.  The relationship I have had the privilege of building with Ford has been nothing short of a wonderful blessing.  Ford literally makes me laugh every day…what an amazing gift!  I thought I would share and document some of the things that I love about our oldest boy.

1. My favorite part of the day only lasts about 30 seconds, but every day when I come home from work Ford greets me (at the back door, but sometimes in the driveway) with an enthusiastic, “Hi Dad!”.  His huge smile melts my heart and immediately eliminates any problems of the day.

1. I love how much Ford loves his family.  A day rarely, if ever, goes by that he does not spontaneously tell Allison and me he loves us.  He regularly and unprovoked goes up to Crews and hugs/kisses him on the forehead.

1. I love that Ford likes to work with me in the yard.  He never turns down the opportunity to “help” me with grass mowing, leaf blowing and the like.  In fact, one of our neighbors recently said to me that he could not believe that Ford was always in the yard with me.

1. I love how much Ford loves sports.  I could write an entire post on this topic alone.  When it comes to sports, Ford does not discriminate.  In the last month, we have played tennis, “volleyball”, basketball, football and soccer.  He loves playing on the “field” he has built in the hallway and the “locker room” he has built in the basement.

1. I love how inquisitive Ford is (especially about sports).  For any game that is on he wants to know who the teams are (“What’s their team name, Dada?”)after every Gamecock game (any sport) he asks me what color jersey they had on and before every Gamecock game wants to know who they are playing.

1. I love that Ford never turns down an opportunity to watch sports with me.  We go to every Gamecock sport they play.  In the last year alone, he has gone to tennis, softball, football, baseball and basketball.

1. I love the funny way he says certain words…”impertation” for presentation, “Auburnt” for Auburn

As we celebrate this birthday of our big four year old, I am most thankful for an incredible first four years and am excited for what the next four years will bring.

I love you, Ford….Dad

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday To The Best Wife and Mom!

I guess it is fitting that I write my first entry in way too long to say Happy Birthday to Allison.  I wish I could find the words to describe my love and appreciation for her.  I will attempt to do that, but thought I might share with our loyal readers 10 little-known facts about Allison.

 

1. Allison has found a way to squeeze 26 hours of motherhood, volunteering, and loving her boys (all three of us) into a 24 hour day.
2. Allison has the ability to make dinner, hold Crews, play soccer with Ford and solve Chi Omega problems simultaneously. 
3. Allison can operate at a high level with less than five hours of sleep a night for months at a time.
4. Allison is a volunteer extraordinaire.  She spends endless hours volunteering for Ford’s school and Chi Omega.
5. Allison is smarter than me.
6. Allison single-handedly keeps our household intact.  This includes, but is not limited to, feeding, changing, playing, washing, cleaning, fixing, driving, and shopping.
7. Allison can play sports.
8. Allison can make a mean chicken tender and macaroni and cheese dinner.
9. Allison is a fantastic photographer.
10. Allison loves her three boys, even when they are acting like boys.

I know you already know this, but Allison is nothing short of amazing.  There is something about the love between a mom and her boys.  Most of you don’t have the opportunity to see what I see every day.  Every day I get to see the look that all three of her boys give her.  As our boys watch her, I can literally see love in their eyes.  Like me, they have a look of love, respect and awe.

Not long ago I heard someone say that the best gift a father can give his children is to love their mother.  Today, we celebrate, thank, and appreciate Allison.  Today, I thank God for the opportunity to be her husband and give the gift of loving her to Ford and Crews.

Allison, we hope the love you give us can be returned to you ten-fold today and every day.  We love you so much!

Jeff, Ford and Crews

 

Back to back National Champs!

Last night our South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Florida Gators in game two of the series to win the National Championship, again! It was amazing to watch our team win game after game of the College World series over the past week and a half. It was even better to watch the game last night knowing that if we could hold onto our early lead we would be back to back champs. . .and that Jeff would come home today! Jeff has been out in Omaha since June 16th and Ford and I are very excited and ready for his return! When I told Ford this morning that his Dada was coming home today since the Gamecocks won last night he clenched his fists and pumped them over his head saying “yesss!” He has been telling me the last few days that when his Daddy comes home he is going to snuggle him and hug and kiss him. Ford is ready to see Jeff for sure, and so am I! We are definitely looking forward to seeing Jeff this afternoon and helping to welcome home our Gamecocks, our back to back National Champions!

23 plus

23 plus weeks and Baby Peanut has really started moving a lot.  Rather than just feeling the movements at night, I am now feeling the little one move and kick and squirm throughout the day.  Last night Ford felt Peanut move for the first time and then also saw my tummy bounce as Peanut kicked.  When he felt the baby I asked what it was and he said “he kicked!”  Almost every day Ford has tried to feel Peanut, but it has seemed that every time we put his and my hands on my tummy that Peanut stops whatever movement has been going on and is still. 

In the last few days Ford has now started referring to Peanut as a boy. . . not sure what caused his change of mind, but in the last few days when we have asked what Peanut will be he has told us a boy.  Today in Target a worker walking by me asked “Are you having a boy?”  I said we didn’t know but asked if I looked like I was having a boy and she said yes.  However, in the San Antonio Airport I had a lady say she thought I was having a girl.  Funny how everyone has their own thoughts. 

Yesterday out of the blue Ford asked if Baby Peanut was getting bigger and then told me how he was going to help feed Baby Peanut, and change diapers.  He was being so sincere and it was so sweet, especially since we were not even talking about anything to do with the baby.  I know he will be a great big brother. 

My mom is coming this weekend to help me tackle a huge list of things I want/need to do.  The big one is making the extra bedroom into Ford’s new big boy room.  Included in that is cleaning out both the nursery closet (which is a mess) and the big boy room’s closet.  I am looking forward to having her here to help, and to help motivate me to get things done!  Ford is also looking forward to it and knows that Gramma will be here to help make his big boy room ready for him, which he seems very excited about.  He has asked for his stuffed animals to be moved, and wants a picture of him with Donald and Goofy from Disney World out in his new room too.  Good thing those are easy requests to satisfy. 

Next doctor’s appointment is a week away at 24.5 weeks for my glucose testing.  Can’t believe we are already at that point. 

June 4:  22 weeks 4 days

14 weeks plus

Came across this draft that somehow did not get published with the rest.

Sunday April 10

Here we are at 14 weeks but if you were to see me I think you would guess I am much further along. For the last week plus I have not felt the nauseous/yucky feeling throughout the day which has been nice. I have not had the fierce hunger and trouble getting satisfied like I used to. The thought of making dinner still does not sound great and that meal is usually the only one I have trouble with. It is hard to think of things that sound good to eat for dinner. Other than pizza that is. Pizza always sounds good. Always. Some other things that have tasted especially yummy include red grapes, cheese and Townhouse crackers, a glass of orange juice. Oranges are still good but I am not eating as many of them as I was a few weeks back (and I can’t remember the last time I bought an orange prior to this pregnancy). Peanut butter still tastes even more delicious than usual and even though I have cut down my initial crazy consumption, I still eat peanut butter a lot, but now just usually on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I of course still love sweets and have enjoyed Hershey kisses and my favorite candy only available at Easter the hershey chocolate covered eggs. I also have continued to love my sour apple os. One thing I have not been craving or eating much is ice cream, crazy enough. Grape flavored water has been a”treat” the last two weeks too. I continue to have what I think is a pinched nerve on the right side of my tailbone area that causes quite a bit of pain. On the bad days it throbs even when I sit or lay down. Some days I barely feel it at all. I first noticed it not long after finding out I was pregnant and thought it was due to “old” running shoes. However, I bought new shoes not long after first feeling it and it has only continued to hurt and get worse. I will be asking about it again at my next appointment, but know that hormones can cause similar things to happen and most likely could be the cause of my pain as well.

Ford continues to talk about Baby Peanut and continues to say it’s a girl. We always remind him that God chose already and whatever He gives us we will love and be thankful for. But, Ford is not budging on wanting a girl. If you ask what Baby Peanut’s name should be once it is born he continues to say “Crackers.”. Ford is definitely noticing my growing tummy and at times before bed when we are reading in the bed he will ask if Baby Peanut is getting bigger as he looks at my tummy. He will also lean on my tummy and say quietly “hi peanut”.

The cake that Ford bought

I took Ford to Zoe’s on Thursday to say hello to Gran and Meme and so he could give them a thank you note and painting for his Valentine’s card and money.  He had been talking about buying cake at Zoe’s since they gave him his card so I also brought some of his left-over money from his Target shopping trip with the money Gran and Meme gave him.  He was excited to tell Gran and Meme all about his soccer practice and they loved seeing him as always.  He also loved giving the money for his big piece of chocolate cake.  He alternated between saying it was for Gran and Meme and for himself.  In the end we took it home.  He was sweet enough to share it with his Momma, which is a good thing because it was gigantic!  Ford basically ate the frosting off and left the cake (which gave me a great dessert for the next day).  He was a happy boy eating the cake that he bought.

Three-year stats

On Tuesday, January 18, Ford went to see Dr. Greenhouse for his three-year well check up.  It was the first time that his height was measured by him standing up against the wall!  Such a big boy now.  His height is 37.5 inches (49%).  On the big scale he weighed 27 lbs, 6 oz (9%).  It was the week after Ford was sick, so Dr. Greenhouse said his weight could have been affected by a pound or pound and a half.  We get to go back in three months for a weight check to make sure he is gaining weight and that it was being sick that caused the lack of gain.  His weight remained the same from when we were in three months prior.  Ford did a great job letting her listen to his heart, look in his ears and in his mouth, but was not excited when she said he had to get a shot.  He kept telling me “I don’t want to get another flu shot!”  Luckily it was only one shot and he recovered quickly like always.  It was also the first time they didn’t measure his head!  Another sign that our “baby” is a ”boy” now. 

Here is a picture from last night.  I am running a 5K with my friend, Holley, tomorrow.  It is the Red Nose Run and in the race bag was this clown nose.  We all had fun with it last night, including Ford who said “look at my Clown No!”  For whatever reason when he is talking about a clown nose he calls it a “no.” 

Happy 3rd Birthday Ford Bean!

Today are precious little “Bean” turned three.  He was so excited it was his birthday and he had a fabulous day.  I will post about it tomorrow, but until then I wanted to write down some “facts” about Ford, now at age three!  We continue to be so thankful and feel so blessed to have Ford as our little boy! 

Favorite TV shows: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Max and Ruby, and Olivia.  He watches Mickey Mouse every morning at 8:00 and likes to watch the other shows on DVD (we don’t usually see them on “live” TV).

Favorite drink: chocolate milk (made with whole milk still and carnation instant breakfast) and lemonade

Favorite questions: “after (insert activity) where we goin’?”. “what I smell?”. “what iisss it?”  He is not in the “why” stage yet.

Favorite sport at the moment: football

Favorite things in his bed: Giraffey and Mickey and Duffy.  Also had Big G, Polar Bear and usually a few others at the end of the bed with a sippy cup of water.

Drinks from sippy cup only in bedwith water.  During the day he is drinking out of cups with a regular straw, or the kind that has a lid with straw.
He is wanting to sit in the “big boy chair” at the kitchen table rather than highchair, but at least half or more of the time we still put him in the high chair.  It is a lot easier (not just to clean, but also becuase it keeps him sitting during the meal). 

He is no longer wearing a bib.

His last two molars are coming through on the top, making his mouth full of all the baby teeth he will have.

Still loves bath time and bubble baths.

Wants Momma to put him Night Night and Momma to get him out of his crib in the morning.

Likes to sing, but rarely sings on command.

Has been asking Jeff and me if Jesus lives in our hearts.  When we tell him “yes” and then ask him if he wants Jesus in his heart he says yes, but when we ask if he wants to pray to ask he says no.  It is awesome to see his understanding and “faith” blossoming and growing.

Ford’s imagination is incredible.  We love watching or even just listening to him play and talk.

He continues to be happy, joyful, loving, and sweet.  He continues to tell us so often that he loves us.  This morning he said “Momma, I really love you!” and patted my arm as he said it.  He then wanted to hug and give me a kiss.  He does this through out the day with both Jeff and I.  He will also then mention other family members that he loves, and usually always will tell us “I love Kitty Girl too!” 

Doing great using utensils when eating.  He still uses his left hand more often than his right. 

Favorite thing to do at the park: swings

Very social most of the time and is starting to engage with other kids he doesnt know (ex. at park or indoor playground).  He is very social with adults, especially ones he knows and will call them by name when talking with them. 

Great at letting me brush his teeth and then he gets a turn

Great at letting me clip his fingernails and often now tells me he needs them clipped.

Every morning asks where we are going after breakfast and getting dressed and then asks “wheres Grace Kitty?”

Loves his books and to read.  Prefers to read them himself rather than listen to us read him a book. 

Loves to read books in our bed as a family before going Night Night.  After dinner Ford typically takes a bath, gets his jammies on, brushes teeth, and then we get in our bed and read.  He gives Jeff hugs and kisses and then I take him in his room, we say prayers, and I place him in his bed. 

Snacks he loves :  goldfish, welchs fruit snacks mixed berry only, string cheese (but won’t eat cheese slices or cubes), wheat thins, gogurts (mixed berry flavor) sometimes, sometimes cheese rice cakes, apple slices and just starting to like peanut butter to dip the apple slices in

For lunch Ford still loves grilled cheese, chicken nuggets with both ketchup and honey mustard, and peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches.

Says his favorite colors is green.

Can spell his first and last name but does not recognize the letters

Counts one to ten

Fav book to read: Max and Ruby Bunny Tales with three fairy tale stories in one book

Wears 2t clothes with adjustable pants cinched tight to hold pants up. Winter jammies are 3 t. Doesn’t mind wearing hats and his penguin mittens when it’s cold. Winter keens size 9 (but can still fit in his tennis shoes from the spring which were size 8).

Bedtime used to be 7 but lately more like 7:30 by the time we read books.

One of his favorite sayings:  “I like (insert item, activity, person etc).  It/He/She is my favorite!”  Ex.  “I like that oreo ball.  It’s my favorite!”  or “I like that truck!  It’s my favorite truck!”

Here is Ford at his birthday breakfast this morning!

Gamecocks are making history!

I tried to tell you all that this was the year.  2010–The Year of the Gamecock.  Beating the #1 team in basketball, baseball, football and now playing for the SEC Championship–pretty awesome.  Seems to me that the Gamecocks have started to reach their potential since I started cheering for them. 

As Coach Spurrier would say, “well anyway”, let’s move on.  I wanted to update you all on my predictions.  As you will see, I am still on pace to predict the season ending record for the Cockies.  Also, after my dad came home from the big win this weekend at Florida, he and I celebrated with a little Sandstorm dancing…it’s a song we play at the Gamecock games and the crowd (and I) love it.

See you in Atlanta!

Ford

× Gamecocks vs. Southern Miss–LOSE (Actual Score-Gamecocks 41   Southern Miss 13)

√ Gamecocks vs. Georgia–WIN (Actual Score-Gamecocks 17   Georgia 6)

√  Gamecocks vs. Furman–WIN (Actual Score–Gamecocks 38  Furman 19)

√ Gamecocks vs. Auburn–LOSE (Actual Score—Gamecocks 27  Auburn 35)

 × Gamecocks vs. Alabama–LOSE (Actual Score—Gamecocks 35  Alabama 21)

  × Gamecocks vs. Kentucky–WIN (Actual Score—Gamecocks 31  Kentucky 28)

   √ Gamecocks vs. Vanderbilt–WIN (Actual Score—Gamecocks 21  Vanderbilt 7)

  √ Gamecocks vs. Tennessee–WIN (Actual Score—Gamecocks 38  Tennessee 24)

   × Gamecocks vs. Arkansas—WIN (Actual Score—Gamecocks 20  Arkansas 41)

    √ Gamecocks vs. Florida—WIN (Actual Score—Gamecocks 36  Florida 14)

    Gamecocks vs. Troy—WIN

    Gamecocks vs. Clemson—WIN

    Ford’s Record to Date–6-4

    Ford’s End of Season Record Prediction–9-3

    Gamecocks’ Actual Record to Date—7-3

Here’s a video of Sandstorm from Williams-Brice Stadium….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoQ0wgad2Nk

Here’s a video of my Sandstorm after the Gamecocks beat Florida….http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNrDg3pXS8A