Stay Tuned

I'm going to take a little break from blogging. I love to do this and wish I could write just about every day. But then, life happens and I can't always get to the writing and uploading photos. And then I feel bad. I'm going to take the month of November to come up with a better plan for managing all that running a household of five involves as well as making time to enjoy my family and life. I want to be more proactive in training and raising my kids instead of just going through the motions and making it through the day. I also would like to spend time with the Lord again. And I'm afraid all of this means I have to start getting up really early. So, I'll see you again sometime after Thanksgiving. We do have a fun-filled month ahead: Disney on Ice, visits from grandparents and to grandparents, Thanksgiving week at Callaway Gardens with my mom's family to name a few. And I have high expectations after last year's crazy Thanksgiving. At least I know there won't be any pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.

Before I sign off, here are a few pictures from last Sunday's trip to Oak Mountain. Grady cannot get enough of the farm and animals. It was beautiful weather. We picniced by one of the lakes and had an awesome time together. And we each brought some germs home with us. This week's trip to the pediatrician was a diagnosis of croup for Grady. My diagnosis is that we all have had some form of it this week. We are hanging in there though, and counting our blessings because they are many!

Four Months

We took our weekly trip to the pediatrician's office last Thursday for Reese's four month check-up. Elle and Grady were happy to tag along and receive their flu shots. Thankfully, Daddy was able to tag along as well and enjoy the happiness. Reese was a champ and is growing perfectly. We are still dealing with a sometimes goopy, sometimes teary eye that I'm confident will result in his trip to Children's South Outpatient Surgery Center one day. But maybe not. There's still time for it to resolve.


Big boy weighed in at 15 lbs 8 oz and was 25 1/2 inches long. He is rolling from stomach to back. He can push up on his arms pretty well. From his back, he can only manuver his 15+ pound self over to his side and then he smiles. I'm sure it won't be long until he makes it all the way over. The drool faucet has been turned on and we have to have a bib on at all times. He is smiling, talking and giggling a lot. I am enjoying him so much. I know people say it all the time, but the more you have, the more you are able to just relax and enjoy them. I am so thankful.

And Elle and Grady really do love him. Although Grady did ask me to "lay him in the sandbox" last week. I was holding Reese and Grady wanted me to play pitch with him. I explained that I couldn't because I could hurt Reese with the bat or ball. And that was his solution: put him in the sandbox and then you can play with me!

Free Fun

We had some fun coloring our own pictures yesterday. That is, until the printer crashed. I thought I would pass along this fun, free activity with hopes you will get a little more than three pictures out of the deal. Go here and use code PR24QCHT and get 24 hours to print. Thanks to Parents magazine for the info.

Craziness

My friend Hillary asked me to take part in her first ever Linky Hosted Event and talk about something "crazy". I originally planned to write about this craziness going on the Salter household.

But then, I happened upon even more craziness last night. There is a show on TLC, and I promise I am not making this up, called I Didn't Know I was Pregnant. Are you serious? These women went in to labor and had no idea what was going on. And both of them had two older children. I really cannot understand how this is possible. I can understand a few months, maybe even 4 or 5 months. But can you honestly go nine months and not know there is a baby in there? Let me throw a little piece of advice out there for you: If you are a woman of child-bearing age, all your child-bearing equipment is intact, you are involved in the activity that leads to child-bearing, and you are experiencing some unexplained symptoms for a few months, TAKE A PREGNANCY TEST. You just might be pregnant. If you only get one line, then cross that condition off your list. I can't even write any more about it because it is just too ridiculous.

So, anyway, back to the "normal" craziness. Grady has started using the potty. Or trying. He went Sunday night in the little potty and was so excited. He and Elle got in the bath tub and we celebrated with a few chocolate chips. Then he pooped in the tub.

Yesterday he went about 5 times. Two times in the potty. Two times in front of the potty. And one time he brought the little insert in to the den to show me and poured it out on the way back to the bathroom.

But we're proud of him and he's proud too. I don't have any big boy underwear yet. Instead, there is a little boy with just a shirt on running around my house. I am letting him call the shots on this process, but any advice on potty training sons is welcome! Happy Crazy Wednesday to you!

Grand Ole Pumpkin Patch

Grady grabbed the first one he came to and claimed it as the biggest.

Elle didn't understand the "you only get to pick one" rule.

"Mae" was with us for the weekend. She had just a little bit of fun. And we could be man on man at the patch. Although we did lose Grady for a few seconds.

I thought this was sweet. Grady was leaning in to snuggle with Mommy. Steven later told me he was trying to see something but couldn't because my shoulder was in the way.

He took Blossom for a little spin around the pony ring.

Elle and Mae took a ride on the Twactor Train. Grady refused to ride because he couldn't ride in the front with the man driving the twactor. But all in all, one spectacular afternoon at the farm.

All you blog whizzes out there

Could someone please tell me how I make it so I know when people post without having to click on their sites every time? A lot of you have those little sidebar things that show how long it's been since people posted. I would like to have that same thing. Please share your technological wisdom with me. I'm single-parenting it for almost two days while my dear hubs is in Atlanta at a car auction and I'm too tired to think and read and figure it out myself. Help a sister out, please.

All is well

The surgery was a success. Elle was a wonderful patient. God's peace was evident. She was not anxious for a second. No crying. All smiles. It was time.

She did a little coloring and sign making before hand.

We walked down to the double doors with a big clown on it. She laughed, took the nurse's hand and slipped in to surgery land. She even got to pick out what flavor the sleepy gas was. Even though Dr. Pepper was a flavor, she chose orange.

And then, a mere 20 minutes later, the doctor was in the room telling me she did great and that those were some massive tonsils (really?) and adenoids. I blinked again and she was back.

Thank you for all your prayers. Like I said, God's peace was evident. It could not have gone any better. We are drinking the Lortab like water around here. Just Elle really, although I've thought about taking a swig. To recovery, of course.