Tater Tot Update

Yes, I sometimes call him Tater Tot, and yes, I’m sure he will cringe and roll his eyes at me in a few years for that. But for now, he’s my little Tater Tot. And wow, what a difference a few months makes.

He seems like a different kid just since December. The level of communication and understanding is crazy. In fact, his communication has increased so much, that he was released from Speech Therapy…woo-hoo! As much as we hated to not get a chance to see our sweet friend, Kendra, every week, it is a true celebration.

I’ve heard several parents say that one day it will just explode. It seems like that is what happened the month of January. All of a sudden, we had a parrot in the room with us, and he was repeating everything we said. Exciting and scary at the same time. And then all of a sudden, he was speaking in full sentences…four, five, and maybe six words at a time. So, we’ve entered the world of ABC’s, counting to 20, and identifying everyone as a boy or a girl. He’s right 80% of the time on that. I try to run away the other 20%. :)

There is a still a lot of what he says that may need to be translated from Tateish, but I can usually figure most of it out if I think about the context and look around a little. One my favorite quotes of his recently was while we were in the car and had stopped at a stop sign. As I continued going straight, he said “Bye-bye T for Tate. Have a good day.” He was talking to the letter “T” on the stop sign. (Thank you Sesame Street and the “T” letter of the day episode.) I know I’m his Mom but things like that crack me up.




In other good news, this week will be his last week of occupational therapy. Another woo-hoo! He has been doing great lately, and it looks like he is caught up to where he should be on fine motor skills. His OT therapist, Teresa, is wonderful with him and so sweet. Again, we’ll be sad not to see her but are so thrilled the he’s doing so well. (These pictures are some of the things we do at home for OT…coloring, drawing lines, and playing with beads in putty.)

So that leaves physical therapy. I’m thinking we still have a few more months on that one. Our attitude is that we’ll continue to do as much as needed, but I’m hoping by the end of the summer, he’ll be where he needs to be.

A lot of people see him running 100 mph everywhere and wonder why he’s still in PT. Well, if you watch him for an extended period of time, you’ll see that he still falls a lot. Most of the PT work right now is dealing with coordination and balance. It’s almost like once he started walking, he went straight to running. So he’s still on the clumsy side, but it doesn’t slow him down or hold him back much at all.

This video is actually a month or so old, but a new skill that he just started was jumping. That is one of the coordination skills we’ve been working on, and you can tell that it isn’t mastered yet. But he’s trying hard, so it was pretty exciting. Since the video, he has made a lot of progress and even clears a little air. Now, he even has a jump shot with the basketball.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

I continue to be so proud of all of his hard work. We’re just about at the 18-month mark of when I started taking him to Our Children’s House….sometimes 3 sessions a week! Hard to believe, but so glad that all of the help is really helping!

33…Really?

I don’t get upset about getting older, I just get surprised. How is it possible that I’m 33? That one rounds up to 35, which rounds up to 40! Crazy! And I wonder if I should change the name of the blog? I started the blog three years ago (pre-Tate), as my little place for randomness, self-reflection as I neared the big 3-0. I guess the name still fits somewhat, since I cant’ believe I’m in my 30’s.

My birthday was great. Complete with an ice cream cake (yum!), dinner with my in-laws, breakfast with my parents, a pedicure, lunch with great friends, an afternoon with Wade (thanks again M & D!), and a delish dinner together. Good thing I got the Wii Fit as a birthday present, because I’m sure I gained 33 lbs. with all of the celebratory meals.

I’m grateful for another year of a healthy, full life surrounded by more blessings than I can count. I eagerly look forward to everything this next year will bring...even if it does get me closer to the mid-30s!!!!

The Rebuttal

So did anyone else read Wade’s recent blog post? I believe my idea to avoid buying a new dress was pretty genius. Wear the existing black dress I already had…then buy new shoes and a small little purse to dress it up and make it feel new.

And look…they were even cute shoes!

He brought our little discussion out to the battle of the blogs, so I figure I should make sure a rebuttal is fully heard. Now, I won’t even go down the road of explaining that I wasn’t asking him if the shoes matched the dress, but rather if the peep-toe heels coordinated well with the cocktail attire dress. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on that one.

But I think my logic is pretty smart in the way of avoiding having to buy a new dress, as much as I’m sure I would’ve enjoyed that.

Anyone else with me?

And in case you were wondering, the shoes were so much fun to wear. Despite the enormous blister. I’m sure that is from my feet going into shock that they were in a shoe that was elevated off the ground more than my assortment of flats I wear just about everyday.

March 6 in Two Years...See Anything Different?

March 6, 2008

March 6, 2009

Don't you just love Texas weather?

Cashola

So we’ve been trying to be all Dave Ramseyish around here lately and have started a new budget using the cash/envelope system. The new year created a need for a new budget, and our upcoming 10th anniversary has created a need to save up for the exciting trip we have planned. It’s a $$$ strategy I’ve known about forever but am just now taking the plunge. Anyone else a casher?

We’re 5 weeks in, and it’s gone fairly well. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, it’s basically pulling out most of your spending $$$ and budgeting it out into specific categories (envelopes). It’s a pretty simple concept that you are forced to follow…if you don’t have it, you can’t spend it. I still use the debit card or checking withdrawal for bills and gas but pretty much everything else is cashola.

And because this is a major change from using the debit card for everything, I have discovered something a little surprising. People seem annoyed at me for using cash. I now often find myself having to make correct change, which takes a little longer. I can’t get over the looks of pure annoyance I feel as I fumble for the quarter, nickel, and two pennies. It takes 10 seconds folks...patience anyone?

Easily Replaced by the Crazy Red Guy

Funny conversation this morning:

K: Tate, I love you.

T: Bye-bye, Momma.

K: Bye-bye? Where am I going?

T: To the office.

K: Then who would take care of you?

T: Elmo.

Kari

My friend Kari Firestone Heil would've turned 33 today. I still think about her almost every single day. I miss her so much and continue to hope that her two sweet daughters will one day be able to know and understand what a beautiful, talented, and loving mother they had. Here is the post from last year with many more pictures and memories.

2008+: My Year...ish in Books

I’m way overdue for a book review update. When I looked back at this list, I was pretty shocked that I had read so many books over the last year…ish. I remember the days just a few years ago when I yearned to read a book that wasn’t related to my job somehow. I guess I’m making up for lost time.

• I started the year with Traveling Mercies and Identical Strangers.
• Audition by Barbara Walters – Really enjoyed it. There was much more substance to it than the focus of the publicity (Barbara’s marriages) including her family, daughter, and career path. It’s really impressive to see how far she has come when you read about how male-dominated the industry was. I would not have wanted to be her back then. The book was also historical and educational to read about all of the presidents, world leaders, and entertainers she’s interviewed.
• Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas – Our class at church did a group study on this book. Wonderfully convicting and powerful. I encourage any married couple to read it and find another mentor couple to discuss together.
• What To Expect the Toddler Years – STRESSED me out. I’ve heard this from other parents of toddlers as well…a lot of the milestones are presented in a way to freak you out if your kid hasn’t done them yet. Tate is so across the board, ahead in some areas and behind in others, that I eventually tucked the book away for several months.
• There was Twilight, of course.
• It’s a Boy: Women Writers on Raising Sons – Several of the essays cracked me up. Several were a little too out there for me. And several seemed like maybe I had written them myself.
• Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See – Probably the most unique storyline of any I read. Although it’s a novel, the historically accurate story about 19th century Chinese feet binding is fascinating. Great story of friendship.
• Just Who Will You Be? by Maria Shriver –This is a tiny book, but she wrote many things about finding your identity in the midst of motherhood after leaving a successful career. Granted I was not a network journalist, but I was surprised with how much I related to what she shared. And it couldn’t have been at a better time, as it was the same time our minister was doing a sermon series on identity. The combination of both made a true impact.
• Stepping Up: Psalms of Ascent by Beth Moore – Very different than her other studies but a good perspective on some often overlooked pslams.
• Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall & Denver Moore – My favorite of the year. I love true stories and this one is amazing. The fact that it happened just 25 miles from where I live makes it even cooler. A must-read book that will change your view on homelessness, poverty, wealth, faith, and good people!
• The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – Loved it, loved it, loved it. Beautifully sweet story. Can’t wait to rent the DVD.
• New Moon by Stephanie Meyer – Ran to get this second book of the series after I saw the movie based on the first. It dragged on more than the first but definitely adds a whole new twist to the story. It takes me back to my pre-teen Sweet Valley High days when I couldn’t put a book down.
• Born Standing Up by Steve Martin – This autobiography is about his stand-up career. I love him, love his writing, and love his story. He was born in Waco and worked at a magic shop in Disneyland. Who knew? Great book. Would’ve love to see his act back in the ‘70s. Sounds like my kind of goofy humor.
• Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer – Just finished this 3rd book in the series. Was so glad Edward was back and think it is my favorite of the three so far. Not sure about the Jacob plot but enjoyed the drama.
• 2007: My Year in Books
  
  Any other good ones out there to suggest? Happy Reading!

Valentine's Day 2009

Poor Tate doesn’t have the craftyiest of mothers, so this year’s Valentine’s Day card was pretty basic. He loved getting to scribble everywhere and put on the heart stickers.



Valentine’s Day started Friday night with a Date Night for me and Wade at one of our favorite Fort Worth restaurants, Lucille’s. I had the camera with me but completely forgot to take a picture. It’s funny when we remember back in the pre-Tate days how we used to eat out all of the time and totally took for granted what a treat it is. These days we relish any opportunity to go to a restaurant just the two of us. We can take our time, talk about anything, and just enjoy being together.

The Big Day...complete with festive shirt. Tate is sitting on his great-grandfather's rocking chair.

And Valentine’s Day itself was pretty low-key, but we left church and picked up our dinner. This is the first year that we tried the Papa Murphy’s heart-shaped pizza. It was surprisingly really yummy.

After some coaxing (if anything looks different than what he’s used to, he’s hesitant), Tate enjoyed it too.



And then we had some fun camera time.

On a day to celebrate love, I'm thankful for these two handsome guys in my life. I love you both!

Love puts the fun in together, the sad in apart, and the joy in a heart. ~Author Unknown

The Latest

I used to think a 4-hour road trip by myself would be so boring. These days, I find it quite nice. I made a very last minute and fast trip to San Antonio this past weekend. I loved the drive and loved listening to ‘80s music the entire way. No Wheels on the Bus for this trip. It did however make me wonder when my listening to the good ‘ol ‘80s music will be just as annoying as my when my parents listened to the good ‘ol ‘60s music. Has it come to that yet?

I headed down to SA to see my friend Garyn and sweet Baby Campbell before they moved to Atlanta. Yes, Atlanta! I’m so sad that they’ll be that much further away, but I’m also excited for the opportunity that Zach has there and the new chapter they are beginning. Even just 24 hours together is a fun time with my sweet friend, and of course, we found time to have a long, leisurely lunch at Alamo Café.

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And speaking of Garyn, she is the one who taught me my newest obsession…shopping at CVS. I have turned even stranger. I now get a tad giddy on Sunday when the new CVS sale circular comes out. With my CVS card and Extra Bucks in hand, I am a woman on a savings mission. I have saved a total of $52 over the last 3 weeks there. Recession…Schmeression!

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The other fun this week has been on Facebook. Not only did my sister finally cave in and join the addiction…I mean fun…but I have reconnected with friends from elementary school, junior high, and high school. I moved around a lot growing up, so I didn’t always stay in touch. It’s been so interesting to see where people have ended up. If you haven’t already, you so need to jump on the bandwagon.