A Visit to the Dentist

This past week, Grace and Emma Kate had their first dentist visit.  I'm noticing a trend with my feelings about my children's "first experiences".  No one told me beforehand that I would get this invested in worrying about every minute detail.  I mean, it's only a dentist appointment for Pete's sake!  But nevertheless, I found myself worrying if they would be scared, if their little teeth would hurt when they were being polished, if the hygienist would be patient, if the tools would overwhelm them...  Seriously, I need a 12 step program.

Anyway, as we pulled up to the dentist office, my little big girl asked me to carry her in.  I'm sure the sight of Grace's long legs wrapped around my 8 months pregnant belly and Emma Kate hanging on for good measure was one to behold.  After that though, Grace put on a brave face and hopped in the chair to be the first to undergo the cleaning and prove to her little sister that it would be okay.  Even though she is becoming this big girl who accepts certain situations as inevitable and faces them head on, that little moment of her needing her mommy's arms reminds me that forever she will be my little girl.

Before she started cleaning, the hygienist, Angel, showed the girls all her tools, explained what they do, and told them exactly what was going to happen.  The cleanings went off without a hitch.  Grace used Mr. Thirsty like a pro and grinned from ear to ear when it was over.  Emma Kate wasn't a fan of the bubble gum flavored toothpaste and requested a new kind.  Strawberry was "much better" she proclaimed.  Each girl got to pick out a new toothbrush - hot pink for Grace, orange for Emma Kate.  I would have bet my big toe on those choices.  And, bonus - 0 cavities for either girl!

I took a couple of pictures for documentation purposes.  They let them wear little sunglasses during the cleaning so the light wouldn't bother them, which I thought was neat - especially when you're accessory loving girls!

Ok, one hitch.  I took this picture of Grace mere minutes before she threw up.  She started saying her tummy was hurting and apparently it's not uncommon for fluoride to make you vomit if you swallow too much.  Poor Grace, I think I'll owe her a pony some day for sharing this one.

So, that's it.  0 cavities, new toothbrushes, and a "first" met with flying colors.  

Gettin' Crafty

In recent weeks, nesting has reared its head in full force.  In addition to all the cleaning and organizing (not to mention driving my husband crazy) that's been going on around here, I decided to finally make a bow holder for the girls' millions of bows. I didn't want something pre-made - I couldn't find exactly what I wanted, so here's what I came up with:

Pretty, but a bit too stuffy for what I had in mind.

Add hot pink spray paint and ribbon, and Voila!  Now that all the bows have been added, you can't see those pretty coordinated ribbons, but at least I know they're there. :)

Now all those bows have a home and we can find just the ones we need at a glance instead of having to rummage through baskets!

Girls Only

The day my post-planning ended, Mimi, Grace, Emma Kate, and I set out on a girl trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  This would be the last of our annual girl trips before it became girls + 1 for at 6 months pregnant, I don't see squeezing in another one before Reece joins us.

My favorite thing to do on a girl trip: shopping!  And with 3 generations of shoppers together, bargains will be found!

Exhibit A.

Before I had princess loving little girls, the Disney store got on my nerves.  Now, walking in and seeing that flip flops were buy one, get one free and t-shirts were half price made my heart go pitter patter, and the only question was which ones to get!  Grace and Emma Kate's prize find was a pair of Cinderella glass slippers that light up in the heels.  Fash-ion-istas!

The little girls favorite thing was a toss up between swimming and Dolly World.  These gals are like little fish in the water.  They love swimming, so even though we didn't get to our hotel until after dark, I had promised they could go swimming when we got there.  It was the only way I could convince Grace that eating is important and we did have time to stop for dinner.

We like this particular hotel because it has a splash pool, kiddie pool, and regular pool.  The only problem is the same problem we have every time we go swimming - getting the girls to leave!

Dolly Wood is an amusement park owned by, you guessed it, Dolly Parton!  The girls had a blast riding the ferris wheel (where Grace kicked off her shoe), a Veggie Tales roller coaster for itty bitties, flying elephants, river boats, and tea cups.  Do you know how many rides there are for pregnant women?  Zero.  Even the little cars that can't veer off their track for more than 6 inches and don't go over 15 miles per hour have the little sign of a stork with a big slash through it.  So, I was the designated stroller watcher/photographer while Mimi got to ride in enough circles to make an elephant dizzy.  She definitely took one for the team.

The only ride an adult couldn't ride on was the Veggie Tales roller coaster.  We waited anxiously at the first hill, ready to yell at the conductor to stop so our terrified girls could get off.  Instead, we found them giggling incessantly shouting "Again, again!"

Emma Kate, in full 2-year-old glory went back and forth between being her adorable, sweet self, to a hormone raging, fit pitching, fireball.  I am convinced that this is the peak of the terrible twos and it can only get better from here.  It doesn't help to have a sister who loves pushing buttons.  On the plus side, as a mama who's been through the terrible twos before, I can honestly say that it does not last forever, and in a year or so, I will be glad that I did not eat Emma Kate like I've contemplated.  No, not like "You're so sweet, I could eat you up."  More like, the concept of why some animals eat their young is not as horrifying as it was before I had children.  Yes, I'm only kidding.  Today.

Despite the heat, and the tantrums, and the bickering sisters that have become such a normal part of every day life, our girl trip was a blast.  I am so glad that we are able to make these memories.  I hope that Grace and Emma Kate remember these times as fondly as I do.

Mother's Day 2011

"There are only two lasting bequests we can give our children - one is roots, and the other, wings." 

 - Hodding S. Carter

School Days

Dear Grace,

We just wrapped up your first year of school.  Though it was only 3 mornings a week, it was official.  According to you, it is what separated you from the "little girls."  On that first day last September as I wiped my tears that my little big girl was entering a new phase, I prayed.  I prayed that your first day would go well, that you would like your teacher, that you would get along well with the other kids, that you would feel secure and confident.

Yes, I prayed for those things so many times leading up to the moment I dropped you off in your classroom.  And then, I prayed for them at least 1000 times over the course of the school year.

It didn't take long for my worries about you liking school and it living up to your expectations to seem silly.  Every day when I got in from work, you were bubbling with excitement over what you learned, who was line leader, what you had for snack, and dozens of other details about your day.  I love getting to see your work each school day.

It also didn't take long for me to realize how much you love Ms. Cyndi.  You had Emma Kate participating in a pretend world of school in no time where you were the boss.  I can tell by the tone of voice you used as teacher and the way you handled "discipline situations" that Ms. Cyndi was loving, patient, and full of energy.  We were so blessed that your first teacher was Ms. Cyndi.  Not only did she teach you about letters and how to correctly hold a book when reading to your students :), but she taught you about waiting your turn, sharing, and treating others with kindness.  We were also blessed that you were able to learn truths from the Bible each week at school.

You met your first school best friend this year.  You and Madison are like 2 peas in a pod with your love of pink, cosmetics, and jewelry.

As preschool is fading and pre-kindergarten is approaching, I hope your love of school and learning will continue. Remember to always do your best and treat others with kindness.

It's so hard to believe that I'm typing a post about your first completed year of school.  It flew by in a blink.  It makes me scared about how quickly the next years of school will pass.  Remind me not to blink too much.

Love,
Mama

PSA: Restaurants

Take Heed: Top reasons to refrain from taking your children to a restaurant that does not boast a play scape:

The children will bounce in the booth seats like they are in the lead at the Kentucky Derby.

Butter will become the main course for at least 1 child.

After eating all the butter she can with her spoon, 1 child will lick her plate to get any remnants the spoon may have left behind.

Meanwhile, the other child, after eating all the butter her heart desires, will use it to moisturize her hands.  And her hair.  And probably your hair.

One child will inevitably poke a hole in her styrofoam cup soaking her meal in milk.

The waitress will ask if you need a drop cloth.  She'll say it in a joking manner, but you recognize the smirk behind the tone.

Remember that butter?  It will be used to put out the open flame on the centerpiece.  You'll remember that restaurants with play scapes don't have open flames on the table for a reason.

You'll go through enough cloth napkins to make a large load of laundry and wonder if you should write an apology note and include a bottle of Shout.

You will swear under your breath to never again take the children to a sit down restaurant all the while being unable to ignore that little voice in the back of your head telling you that you will indeed find yourself in this same situation next week.

And then, you'll leave the restaurant, capture this, and realize it's all worth it, and you wouldn't change a thing.

Another Round of "Isms"

I'm trying so hard to write down the especially funny or cute things Grace and Emma Kate say.  I'm sad that writing them down can't possibly convey the expressions on their faces, the tone, or the mood of the situation, but as I read back over these, it brings back the memories and makes my heart smile.

Spaghetti is one of the very few ways Emma Kate will eat meat.  When I told her it was on the dinner menu, the following exchange occured:
Emma Kate: Febetti, yay, febetti!
Grace: No, Emma Kate, It's PUH-sketti.
Emma Kate: Fe-bet-ti
Grace: No, say PUH-sketti.
Emma Kate: PUH-febetti.
Grace: No, Emma Kate, say "PUH" first.
Emma Kate: Puh-first-febetti.

For Mother's Day, Justin took the girls shopping.  When they returned, I was giving Grace (who has just learned about keeping secrets) a hard time asking her what they got, where they went, etc.

Grace: I can't tell you where we went, but I can tell you the charms we didn't get you.

Lo and behold, for Mother's Day, I unwrapped new charms for my Pandora bracelet.  Sweet Grace was so very pleased with herself for not spilling the beans and telling me what they DID get me.

"When I get fru sickin' I won't cough anymore."

"I wish it would quit darkin' so I don't have to go to bed."

"I'm tryin' to pick my up self"  -Translation: I"m trying to pick myself up.  Now, to correctly paint the picture, imagine EK with her arm between her legs standing on her tippy toes. :)

"Mexico don't have sketti."  We were trying to convince Emma Kate that she would find something edible at a Mexican restaurant; remember her spaghetti infatuation.

     All by Emma Kate, age 2 1/2

Watching coverage of the Royal Wedding:
Me: Look, Grace, there's a real, live princess!
Grace: Oh, like me!
Yes, Princess Grace, just like you. :)

Out of the mouths of precious babes.

A First Letter

To My Little Boy:

After weeks of anticipation, we found out last week that you are a boy.  A "he".  We are overjoyed that you, YOU, are joining our family.  We've known for what seems like forever that another precious baby was on the way, but knowing that it is you, Baby Boy, that is on the way makes it seem all the more real.  Even before we found out you were a boy, I had your nursery planned out (now the real test is whether you sleep in it more than your sisters did their's) and your name chosen.  But now that the ultrasound confirmed a boy is baking, I can picture your trucks in the play room, your little blue layette, and your dirt stained knees.

Even though I have yet to hold you, or gaze in your eyes, or kiss your cheeks, and even though I don't yet know the shape of your lips or the color of your hair, or the sound of your cry, I am learning more about you every day.  I know that you are growing.  The little flutters that I began feeling weeks ago are turning into full blown kicks.  During the ultrasound, we watched you flip your little self in complete circles.  Now that I can feel you all over my tummy, I like to imagine your acrobatics.  I also know that you like Cadbury Eggs as much as I do for it doesn't take long for your little feet to get busy after I eat one.  And, I know that you are active in the late evening.  I can't wait to lay down each evening and wait for your tumbling to begin.

Something else I know is that you have 2 big sisters who are anticipating your arrival probably more than I am.  At first, they weren't so sure they were game for a little brother, but as soon as Daddy and I told them they would indeed be receiving a baby brother, they have launched into full on excitement.  Grace and Emma Kate each kiss "Baby Boy" every night at bedtime right between prayers and being tucked in.

So far my experience as a Mama has been filled with pink, tutus, princesses, and nail polish which has come easy.  More than one person has told me, no, warned me that my world is about to be rocked with the arrival of a little boy.  Even though it makes me a little nervous, I'm ready for the rough and tumble, the mud pies, the "snakes, snails, and puppy dog tails".  I am ready for you.

Long before we knew it was a little boy that would be joining our family, we had your name chosen.  It's been our "boy name" for so long, that part of me was afraid it would wear out it's appeal.  But, now that it is your name, I love it all the more.  Your name is important to us.  It is filled with meaning, and it was meant just for you.  Your name is Reece Paul.  Reece is my mama's maiden name.  Paul is your Daddy's middle name, his daddy's name, and his grandfather's name.  You are named after many people who are important to us.  Many people who have had great impact, many people we love.  I hope you will be as proud of your name as we are to give it to you.

Precious Reece, though we have yet to look upon your face or cuddle you, you are already so very loved.  From the minute we knew of your impending arrival, we loved you.  And now, that we are anticipating our Reece, we love you more and more each day.  We can't wait for your arrival and pray for you daily.

Love,
Mama

An Easter Prayer

Dear Grace and Emma Kate,

Today we celebrated Easter.  We've hunted eggs, perused Easter treats, and gussied ourselves up for Easter pictures.  Those are all fun Easter traditions.  But, I want you to remember they are just that.  Traditions.

 The real reason we celebrate Easter is because of fulfilled prophesies.  Because of an empty grave.  Because Jesus died and was resurrected.  Because God loves you so much that He allowed His only son to be crucified so that through His glory, you could receive His free gift of salvation.  That's right.  Because of YOU.  Even 2000 years ago, you were planned, thought about, and loved.

One day, when the time is right, you will have the opportunity to accept Jesus' free gift.  I know this because Jesus offers this gift to everyone.  I pray that you will accept it and embark on the most wonderful journey of your life.

I could not begin to count how many times I've prayed that prayer.  I started that prayer before you were even conceived, and now, each night before I go to bed, I lay a hand on each of you and petition to God that it is in His plan for each of you to have a sincere relationship with Him.

My sweet girls, you will make many, many decisions in your life, but this decision to trust in Jesus is by far the most important.  I pray that you will realize the joy, peace, and celebration that can only come from Jesus.

For now, we will partake in these fun traditions, and I will try to teach you as much about the true meaning of Easter and Jesus as you can understand.  For even now, Jesus rejoices each time you pray to Him, sing to Him, and worship Him with your words, songs, and actions.

Remember that Jesus loves you so very much and wants to have a close, personal relationship with you.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Happy Easter, Loves.

Hippity Hoppity

Because Santa visits were such a royal mess in the past, I had never even brought up visiting the Easter  Bunny.  I mean, if you don't like a grandfatherly guy with rosy cheeks, I could only imagine the heebie jeebies an oversized rabbit could evoke.  But, when Grace asked about him, I thought, "Sure, why not?  Surely we're past that phase."  And we were past it.  Right up to the point when Emma Kate's eyes fell upon Mr. Easter Bunny.  That's when things started to fall apart.  Grace was game, so, I pried Emma Kate out of the stroller thinking she just needed a little extra coaxing or maybe a bribe with candy (Hey, I never said I was a perfect Mama.).  Grace, the big girl, climbed up beside the Bunny.  "Beside" is the key word.  As Emma Kate screamed "NOOO!" I realized the only way we would get a picture was if I sat down too.  As I sat down, the EB pulled Grace onto his lap.  As quickly as he pulled her up, she slid down his other knee and dug her finger nails in my arm.  At this point, the realization set in that we were a mess of princess sized tears, flails, and death grips.  So through smiling, gritted teeth, I growled "Snap it.  Snap it!"  I figured if the photographer thought his stuffed frog with jingle bells was going to turn this catostrophe around, he was sadly mistaken. 

Here is the result of the Bramlett Girls' first (and possibly last) Easter Bunny visit.