My Son, The Clothes Horse....

So, I was doing a little maintenance on Billy's closet this morning (which is funny, because I never thin out my closet), and pulled out all of his 12 month and starting-to-get-too-short 18 month clothes. I tried to add what I pulled out to the 9-12 month tub of clothes in our recently cleaned out (only to be filled up again) guest room closet, only to find I could fit no more. I crammed them into a Central Market bag. My son, the 18 month old, has three tubs and a brown grocery bag full of clothes he's outgrown over the last 18 months. When I say tubs, I'm talking about those tubs with the hinged lids that interlock to close (when there aren't clothes spilling out of them). I have two more of them in the attic with Christmas decorations in them - they're good sized tubs. But my little man has managed to fill up THREE of them. Stuffed to the gills! How can a child this young have so many clothes??? I was looking at the stack this afternoon, and I suddenly began feeling very thankful for all of our friends and family who have so sweetly given us these pieces of clothing. I know we didn't even buy half of what is in those tubs, and that is amazing to me. That little boy is so adored by so many people - that they see things in the store and just grab them up! It is bittersweet to see all the clothes, because it seems like only yesterday he fit into the smallest of them. And I know it will be no time at all before I'm in the same situation as my Best Friend with her almost 7th grader buying new uniforms to compensate for a 2 inch growth spurt! Ahhh...if only I could just slow down time a few seconds each day!

A Sad Day for Mama...

I am writing this blog as my summer is rapidly coming to a close. I "officially" have two more weeks off, but this week I'm enrolled in a staff development course on Life Science. It is a great course, but this morning was very, very sad. Instead of running to greet my boy in his PJs and then slowly starting our morning (either with breakfast or an episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), I had to get him dressed and then get ready myself. Now, me and Eric take turns in the morning during the school year - but I wanted to do it this morning. This first of what is about to be 180+ mornings where I've got to rush, rush, rush to get my already rapidly growing boy off to the sitter (whom he LOVES) so I can get off to work. If any of you have seen him lately you'd agree - there's very little baby left in him as he transitions completely into toddlerdom. I just hate that it seems that time moves so quickly! And, don't get me wrong, I love my job, BUT - I spend just about every moment wondering "what is he doing now?", "what is he learning?" "what absolutely amazing thing is he going to show me when I see him this evening?"

I know next summer will be here before I know it....and before that I've got Christmas and Spring Break as little teasers...but some days I wish we could just keep on hanging out at the house, doing our little routines and playing our little games every day. That is why weekends during the school year are so precious. That is why I tend to put everyone else on "ignore" on Saturdays....the only day me, Billy, and even Eric can just have our quiet, family at home time. So I guess this is not only a "highly emotional" post from a mom who is starting to think staying home wouldn't be all bad....but also a bit of an advance apology to everyone - since once school starts I'll either go MIA a lot, or say no more often than I want...to protect the precious few weekend days we have to play while Billy still wants to hang out with his parents ;)

That said - if you're really wanting to see us and you know we're caught up in the constant whirlwind of life...give a call and stop on by. Just know, I very strongly hold to this poem given to my by my mom - "Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow, but babies grow up, we've learned to our sorrow. So quiet down cobwebs, and dust go to sleep - I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep" -Anonymous (this means, there's clutter, dust, and maybe even (gasp) dishes in the sink...so deal with it! :)

And here's a photo of my rapidly growing boy....I have some video, but all the little toot wants to do is "see" what is recording when I turn it on:

Busy bees at the Keltner household...

We've been busy around here! Between swim lessons and Tiny Tots gymnastics, there has been a LOT going on! I'm just so sad that there is less than a month left of my summer with Billy, and I really wish it could last a little longer! Next week is Billy's 18 month appointment. I cannot believe it has been a year and a half since he was born! I was looking at photos today, and he's gotten so big, and sounds so big when he talks (we're getting two word sentences now) that it is just amazing how quickly they grow and learn. I swear, by next summer I have NO IDEA where he'll be. And I know that we'll be at next summer in the blink of an eye. I wish I could slow down time a little. But, as it is, I am enjoying every minute of my summer home with Wild Bill....even when all he wants is to "come here"...because I know that soon enough he'll barely remember he used to ALWAYS want to be on my hip or sitting in my lap. Here are some recent pictures of my sweet boy having his summer fun!

swimming at Lala and Grandpa's "other" house in Temple.

Playing in the foam pit!

Front Roll! This is his favorite move. If you say front roll, he bends over and waits for you to flip him!

More fun with Lala (my mom) this time.....

Chocolate pudding - and his "surprised" face. If you ask him if he's surprised, this is the face he makes.

Swim lessons. Billy HATES having to float on his back. He'll finally do it about halfway down, but he screams the whole time.


1, 2, 3......
Dunk! Finally got him to submerge without drinking half the pool on the second to last day!

Food Allergy Strikes Again...

Well, I have now spent the last two hours doing as much research as possible on food allergies - specifically peanuts. Went to dinner tonight, Billy, my mom, and me, at Olive Garden. Ordered Billy the ravioli, and mom and I each got a pasta dish. As we waited on food, Billy gnawed on a bread stick and we ate our salad. When the food got there, we got cheese on our dishes and mom offered Billy some of her shredded cheese (he is a CHEESE MANIAC) while he waited impatiently for me to get his food ready. Shortly after this, three hives appeared on his chin and the skin over his mouth. My mom noticed it first. I wiped his face and hands and we continued our meal, thinking he looked better. After a bite of the ravioli, more hives appeared, all around his mouth. Panicked, I dug in the diaper bag to find the Benadryl, which I found quickly, and the medicine dropper - which took a minute. I gave him the Benadryl, and within minutes his hives were going away.

I asked the server if any of the food was prepared with nuts, and he gave me a blank look. Then he said, "I don't believe so". I have since emailed Olive Garden (they really don't have any info on their website available as to allergens), hopefully I'll get a response. We assumed it had something to do with the cheese grater or the block of cheese, because that seemed to be the thing that kicked off the hives. Somehow, I think something came in contact with peanuts (or, since it is an Italian place, I'm thinking pine nuts), or he's allergic to something else now, too.

Fortunately, there are a ton of moms of food allergic kids in cyberspace, and I've been reading many of their stories tonight. I'm also going to visit Amazon and purchase a couple of books, and it looks like I might be baking his birthday cake from now on (too many scary stories of bakery incidents). After this event, I'm going to have to be much more vigilant, and make sure EVERYONE who takes care of Billy knows to read EVERY label. Probably ought to make sure there is always Benadryl ready for him, too. I guess I'll need to attach the medicine dropper to the bottle in the bag, because seriously, I was panicked trying to find it.

You know, just when you think you're getting the hang of this parenting thing, here comes a curveball, and it's back to square one. Oh well - off to research more ways to keep him safe around peanuts....

Just Do It.

No, this is not a blog recommending Nike shoes, it is a blog directed towards all my new parent friends. If you think you and your spouse aren't getting time to work on your marriage, if you think all you do all day is watch kiddie movies, wipe poopie diapers, and maybe get in a late night shower before crashing into the bed, or if you just feel like you need a short break - JUST DO IT. Take a mini-vacation. If grandparents just aren't able to take the baby/toddler/kids, then find friends with kids (or experience keeping kids) that you know you can trust. Set up to take 2-3 days away and just do it.

Eric and I just got back from 3 days in Eureka Springs, AR (fabulous romantic getaway place - and it is NOT in a dry county), and before we left, I didn't realize how much we needed the time alone together. I sat in a rocking chair on the porch of our B&B and read an entire book, something I haven't done in a LONG time (well, except for such literary selections as "Good Night Moon" or "Mommy Hugs"). Eric took a nap in the middle of the day without worrying that I would get ticked because he wasn't helping with Billy. We got to eat two breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners without rushing or getting a little person convinced he needed to eat something besides his ketchup. I slept, without waking, a full 8 hours. Twice in a row. And, of course there were sightseeing activities (I finally got to see the Passion Play - Eric had been), bar activities, hanging out with the other B&B guests until well after midnight (the cops drove by - we figured we might need to tone it down a little), and of course there was alone time.

I couldn't believe how energized we both felt after this little trip. I didn't know how much we needed it. I will say, originally, we wanted to go on a cruise - but I just couldn't be in the middle of the ocean with no way to get home quickly if there was an emergency. This was just the right distance, and just the right time. The moral - GO AND DO IT. I highly recommend doing this - and I am forever grateful to my mom for putting in the time and energy to keep Billy while we had a quick vacation. I can't thank you enough mom!

In Eureka - I highly recommend the Peabody House (where we stayed) - it is a great place, and the innkeeper is fantastic (and fun - she might just join you on the patio for drinks). I also recommend the Grand Taverne restaurant for a fancy dinner. It was the BEST food I've had. Amazing menu, amazing drinks, just fantastic.

We did take the laptop and webcam, and each evening spent 15 minutes or so talking to the little man - and that was sweet. Except for the one time when he wanted me to c'mere....that made me a little sad.

PS - Special thanks to Ashley, who gave me the encouragement to go through with this - and you're right, it really is the planning to be gone that's the hardest!

Pictures are - Our B& B - nice sized rooms, and excellent location - up the "hill" from Main street, and me in a silly pose at one of the pubs in town:

Reflections.....

For those of you who may not know, my sister-in-law, Allie gave birth to her son, Elliott, on June 12th (picture follows!). He is cute as can be, and Allie did an amazing job during labor! The newest addition is home, and, aside from jaundice, is doing quite well in his new home.

As we all anxiously waited for Elliot's arrival, I began to travel back in time and think about how I was feeling, and what I was thinking in the moments leading up to Billy's birth. I also began to think of all the things I wished someone had told me to be prepared for. I was good, and I waited until I was asked for advice before dispensing it (at least, I'm pretty sure I did). As I answer her questions, I keep thinking about how tough the first few weeks were, and I make sure to remember her and my two other friends who all had babies last week in my prayers (three babies, one week!). Being a mommy is wonderful and amazing - but it isn't easy, and it is an emotional roller coaster, especially at first. For me, last week really has made me reflect on those first weeks. Man - it is weird to look back.

I remember I was on the edge of a nervous breakdown for what seemed like forever, and even had a couple, thankfully with people there to help me through. I remember thinking "what is wrong with me??" as I couldn't seem to get the hang of nursing. I also snapped at Eric for every little thing, and he didn't deserve it. I think the problem was that I tried to be supermom - which is probably why I was constantly on the edge of tears for 3 weeks. As I thought of these things I realized the biggest problem was that I didn't ask for help. I just assumed I was supposed to do it all and tried to. OOPS. Thankfully, I had wonderful people come and help me who could tell that I couldn't do it all - and wouldn't take no for an answer.

I also remember being scared about everything to do with Billy. Terrified he was breathing too fast, not eating enough, sleeping too much, crying too much, not pooping enough, that I or someone else would somehow drop him, that his cry sounded too hoarse....the list goes on and on. Oh, if I'd only known then about the knots on his head from diving out of his crib, or falling out of the chair he was STANDING in - I am pretty sure I would've worried less about that stuff (and worried more about what would happen as he learned how to walk, climb, open doors, you know, the really scary things).

I am so thankful that I have such wonderful friends and family who were there to help me through and answer the questions when I FINALLY started asking them. I am also thankful that Eric asked me (about a zillion times) if I was okay and what he could do - because he knew I wasn't okay, and he knew that I wasn't going to ask for help (don't know why, just the way I'm built I guess).

I also realized something as I held little Elliott - babies are such a precious miracle and all that worrying, stress, and agonizing gets in the way of just enjoying them as newborns. Because, as I have very quickly learned, they seem to fast forward through each wonderful little stage and move on to the next one before you can blink - and if you worry too much you'll miss something amazing!

Now - some pictures - one of Elliott and a couple of Billy.....

Newest addition to the family - Elliott Arthur England - 7 lbs, 12 oz, 21 inches long!

Billy in his big boy bed - we got it the same day he took a nose dive out of the crib.

My little man enjoying a bounce house...he thought it was AWESOME.

Helping mommy do breakfast dishes....water is fun!

Life is a Whirlwind!!!

Everything is crazy right now! The school year is winding up, Billy is growing faster than I thought possible, and I think we've got something every weekend between now and forever! But, all that said, it has been a wonderful couple of weeks! I have a better post I want to write, but for now, I just want to post a fun collage of the things Billy's been up to (thanks to Aunt Shelly for the cute "faux hawk"):