2 2morrow

Lana Mae- My dear little niece who will be 2!!! tomorrow.

Where did time go?

A few of her cute little saying this morning:
I not reach that. U help me? (what 2 yr old knows the word reach??)
Grahammy that is my cup!
I go downstairs play.
I watch Elmo.
That my baby Dax.
I want sucka too.
I have tea party.
spin around.
my smoothie not come out.
I tired. I get pillow, blank.

As I sit on the couch writing this they are jumping up and down making war cries! and spinning in circles... It couldn't be the suckas they are eating at 9:30 in the morning.

What happened to the days they laid on the floor not moving? Or slept in the swing?
Or drank ba-ba's and had to be spoon fed? She is all grown up!!! I can't wait to give her all her new purple clothes!

sometimes the truth hurts...

but you can be sure I will always tell it to you anyway.

sometimes it is too little too late.

some think it is my greatest attribute.

I consider it my biggest weakness.

I don't do it to hurt you but rather to give it to you through my eyes.

I appreciate when people do the same for me.

sometimes I need to hear it like it is.

sometimes you do too.

it's my way of being a good friend.

it's why so many of you call me with your problems.

so don't get mad when I tell it like I see it.

I will be the first to admit I'm not perfect.

but none of us are.

that's why being reminded of our wrong doings make sense.

telling the truth does not always make me feel good.

most of the time it is hard and leaves me sad.

because I would love to sugar coat everything.

and tell you everything you do is great.

but it is simply not the truth.

it doesn't mean I love you less.

it is not so that I feel better.

It is because I know that sometimes you need to hear the truth.

even when it hurts.

Grahammy-I love you through and through...

For one of Graham's baby showers- instead of a card, attendees were asked to bring a book and inscibe a little note to Graham. He recieved everything from Little Golden Books, to my childhood favorites and firsts (The Big Hungry Bear and The Gingerbread Man) to books that are so precious to read over and over to little ones like "I Love You Though and Through". I had never read this book by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak. It was a gift from my husband's great Aunt Dorothy. I love reading it because it is so true to life. I love every little quirk about this kid.

Tonight he had to sit on his potty and promptly requested a book. I think he is going to be a reader like his mommy. He proceeded to then lead me in his room and picked out several books, climbs up in his rocker and starts singing "rock bye baby". He is also going to be a singer like his mommy. This afternoon he comes carrying in a frying pan, two measuring cups and a hairbrush. He cooked and cooked and cooked those poor goldfish. Yep, he's going to be a cook like his mommy. He takes the camera often and says cheese. He's gonna be a ham like his mom. But he's like his daddy too... Five minutes after dinner he asks for a "snack"- a kid after his daddy's own heart. In fact, after all the "ideas" given to us on how to administer medicine to him, his daddy comes up with the idea to put a little in a spoon and cover it with M&M's... Oh how I love my boys. Through and Though.

Update on Grahammy Sickypoo

We saw a "real" doctor today for Graham. He was in disbelief that the doctor at Prompt Care did not even look at his ears or throat. He says he has double ear infections and possible strep. The blisters are all over his throat and clear to the tip of his tounge. He prescribed an antibiotic, gave more advice on tylenol and Motrin administration. My frustration is that with a decent doctor yesterday, we could have started him on the antibiotics 24 hrs sooner. I am grateful that we got some answers today and have a way to take care of him better.
Thanks to you all for your continued prayers.

I'm # 1...

For years now, on the Roberts side of my family, I have referred to myself as #1. I don't do it to be conceited, you see, I am the first (#1) grandchild on that side. I also lived with my grandparents and developed a closer relationship with them than the typical grandchild/grandparent relationship. I consider my grandmother my best friend, #1confidant and like a mother to me. I considered my grandfather the same. Sadly, he passed away unexpectedly in 2001 and left my grandma and I to grow even closer. My grandmother was the Maid of Honor in my wedding. I had always planned on my grandpa and dad walking me down the aisle together. My son is first named for my grandpa. The two of them have changed my life in so many ways. To this day, I always turn to grandma for advice, to vent or just to go to lunch. I also quite often turn to my grandpa Charlie in Heaven for answers, wisdom and strength.

This summer has been a "doozy" of a summer as one friend put it. Bob (my mom's husband) was arrested and I have very strong opinions about it all, putting more than a small strain on my relationship with my mom. This leaving us to not start a day care together which was a HUGE relief on my part because I doubted whether I could handle it anyway. My brother has also felt neglected and had turned to us for a temporary place to live before moving to FL with my dad. More than one friend has had marital or relationship issues and turned to me for advice, help, etc. All of you know, we moved into our first home earlier this summer and there is much left to do before it is done. I guess what I am saying is there has been no shortage of STRESS!!!

Granny keeps reminding me no matter how bad it gets, don't forget all the GOOD in my life. She tells me over and over that I have been blessed with the most amazing husband, the sweetest baby boy, and the most supportive in laws I could ask for. My brothers are pretty great too. But I often wonder when she will realize she is one of God's greatest BLESSINGS to me?
Praise the LORD for me being her #1 and for her being mine.

sickypoo :<(

Grahammy has caught something. I babysat Wednesday for a little boy who found out Saturday he has strep. Graham started running a fever yesterday. He won't let us actually let us fully take it though. He takes the thermometer and whips it across the room. and proceeds to throw a full on fit for 20+ minutes (which can't help the fever). This last time it was 102.5!!!!

We made the decision to take him to Prompt Care this morning. Our thought being, get him a strep test, and hopefully start him on some meds a day sooner than if we wait to go to his primary pediatrician tomorrow. Tiffany goes back to work tomorrow from maternity leave and I was supposed to have Dax and Lana. So much for that. Back to Prompt Care visit...

BIG MISTAKE!!!

One- they are not equipped (nor did they seemed trained) to handle kids.
Two- by the time we were seen G's fever had started to creep back up sending him into a tither again...
Three- The female doctor was RUDE, SHORT, AND INCONSIDERATE, and UNPROFESSIONAL!


They called it an Upper Respiratory INFECTION. INFECTION to me usually means antibiotics. NO I am not one of those moms who demands one when not needed and I do believe it they are over-prescribed but if you are going to say it's an INFECTION then at least tell me on what basis u found that. Because I find it really hard to believe when she didn't even examine my child. The extent of "seeing" the doctor was her coming in to help the nurse who was afraid to do the strep test alone on my child.

We came out knowing what we did going in. HE has something (UH DUH REALLY??) Give him Tylenol for fever. (one better than that...alternate with Motrin...) keep him hydrated (yea? ya think?)

And all that delivered by a nurse who we hadn't seen yet... YEA, neither person came back in to tell us that that had previously been in there. (it took all of 20 seconds and the doctor was sitting at her computer when we walked out)

I have to say, in their defense, Graham was absolutely uncooperative, inconsolable and screaming his head off. But to his defense- that has now become another symptom... AS even on his worst days I have never seen him like this and he has done it with no reason every 2.5-3 hrs at home all day...

We bought a temple thermometer on the way home as well as stocked up on Tylenol and Motrin. Our day has consisted of hand feeding him ice, tiny bites of soup, and Popsicles and pushing fluids. He has also had two cool baths. HE has hung out on mommy or daddy's lap all day. Not my typical kid...

Tonight we called our on call doctor with the pediatrician's office to ensure we were doing all we could for him... We are.. But somehow that still doesn't put me at ease. It's not easy at all to see our child obviously hurting, and sick like this.

We could use some prayers that this passes quickly and that mom and dad have somewhat of their sanity left when it's over.

Out of the mouths of babes...

One of the reasons I love my job so much is because I don't miss a second in the little ones lives... Something new pops out of their mouths everyday. Graham has really been having a language explosion lately, as has Lana for a while now. Here are just some things I have heard the past two days that made me giggle!


Graham(19mo)-"bess u mama" (after me sneezing last night)
"bye bye Mare-ee-sis-ee-tom-ee" (when aunt Mary Beth, Cousins Sissy and Tommy left)
"hack, hack, hack"- me- "snack?" G- "nack nack nack" almost there haha!


Lana(not quite 2)- "u not play wit it eadder Dammy" (either is her new favorite word)

Parker(4)- "Hayden- I think playing your DS will make me feel better" ( I should have given him the DS- he threw up all over the place an hour later...)

Hayden(8)- "she sleeps all day until we sit down to eat and then she is like can u spare me some of that?"- talking about his 4 month old sister...
"I've got Miller Lite, Bud Lite, Miller Genuine Draft, Bud Lite Lime"- taking orders for BEER (????) from his 4 yr old brother...

And the most famous one (Wylie) is in FLORIDA this week...

Grahammy le gusta

(Grahammy Likes)

ice cubes for a snack.
vacuums.
bottles of any kind.
spinning in circles.
dog piling on mom, dad or anyone else who lays on the floor.
meows (cats).
anything that sprays or spritzes.
cheese, milk, juice, broccoli, bluberries,fruit snacks, popcorn and chips.
trains, cars, trucks, bikes.
rides on the lawnmower.
watching Elmo, Thomas the train, or Bob the Builder.
dancing like a crazy man.
playing with Nana Rebbec's glasses.

Grahammy ama (loves)

his best friend Lana, except when she bullies him.
his aunts and uncles and gma's and gpa's.
his mommy and daddy.
learning new words.
baths or swimming.
being outside.
animals of all sorts.
sharing pop with Nana Rebbec.
CANDY!

cookout excitement over, concert excitement to look forward to!

The cookout is over. The brother is gone... Now what to do?

The cookout was fantastic. We could not have asked for better weather, better food and better company. We had a fabulous time hanging out outside, showing off our new place, and stuffing our faces with delicious cookout food! A run down of some of the things we had to eat:
Grandma's Tater Salad- one bowl with onions and one without (special for me, her # 1 granddaughter)
Patti's (MIL) "Chinese salad" with cabbage and uncooked ramen- requested by Martin
Aunt Cheryl's deviled eggs
My friend Erica's delicious Rhubarb cake (FAVE amongst adults) and mostacoli (sp)
Another friend Billie's Fruit Pizza, complete with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries on a sugarcookie with homemade icing- SO FESTIVE!
Kelley's chocolate chip cookies- a FAVORITE amongst the children
Aunt Debbies baked beans
And we can't forget Mary Beth's- cupcakes, butterscotch brownies and sweet tea!
Martin and Marty grilled burgers and hotdogs but with all the sides we didn't hardly need them!

The kids enjoyed riding trikes, being pulled in the wagon, and playing with the Bott's adorable puppy Baxter! We wound down the night by packing up the truck and saying our goodbyes to Will, Travis and Wylie who left for Florida at 5 AM on Sunday.

The troops made it safe and sound to Pa-Paws house! I know Wylie is thrilled to be down there. Travis too, as this is his first time visiting dad down there. Will is staying and I couldn't miss him more already. I was really getting used to haing him around.

The next few weeks hold lots of excitement for me! I am resting lots this week and next because on the 13th- 7 girls and I are going to the state fair in Springfield to see the band Lady Antebellum. And then on the 20th- 6 of us are going on a "sister in law" trip to see Sugarland at the Indiana State Fair and staying the night for shopping on Saturday! I am in GREAT NEED of these girls trips! I can hardly wait.
Over the next few days I should also be recieving the Tupperware, Partylite and books I just ordered. Something more short term to look forward to!

In the meantime, I will be looking forward to hosting many more dinners/cookouts for family and friends here! And they are all very excited that visting us no longer means a hike up 26 stairs!

I should more than mention the talent my 13 yr old cousin Nick has for photography... All of these pictures were taken by him.
Smiles,

A Mother's Sacrifice

You know all those cute little poems and chain emails about A Mother's sacrifices for her child? Let me tell you about a few of my own.

I should first start by informing you all- I have a 16 yr old "new born". My brother will has been living with us for a couple of weeks. Boy has it been an experience. Not only is he all the usual:smelly, loud at inappropriate times, cranky, lazy, and goofy, but he has also opened my eyes to what is to come with Graham. Let's just say I have been researching boarding schools... J/K. I love the kid and it has been fun to have him here and I will sure miss him when he leaves to go live with our Dad. He has been helpful (with many, many, many pleads and reminders), and goofy (sometimes waaay to late at night, when he is at his best, when all I wanna do is go to bed), and Graham loves having a "big brother" around.

During this tumultuous (but very rewarding) time in our lives I have sacrificed (gladly) many things.

a relationship with my mom (we have yet to agree to disagree)
a giant load of savings to get him down to dad's
a spare bedroom has been turned into what looks like a sight of a natural disaster and quite frankly smells like one too...

Not all sacrifices I make are for him though, more silly ones like realizing today that it was the firs time I had blow dried my hair in weeks... or last night finally getting Graham's room "done"... as well as getting cabinet doors put on, shelves hung, and a few more steps in decorating..

These things all seem so silly and insignificant in the grand scheme of life, because at the end of the day I know that my husband, my child and my baby brother are happy. And I know life will go on without me or my house looking "put together"... without a little more savings in the bank, without that spare bedroom looking neat when people visit...