Saturday, August 1, 2009
We're moving...
to a new blog address! As we anxiously await baby Joseph's arrival and after debating several different blog addresses, we have finally decided that we will now post on: www.fountainboys.blogspot.com. I'll do my best to keep it updated with pictures and news about Jack and Joseph! Now, whenever you're ready Joseph, we're ready to meet you!
Monday, July 13, 2009
Jack goes to Memphis
Brent's brother and sister-in-law, Todd and Rebecca, have been living in Rochester, MN for the last 7 years. A couple of weeks ago they FINALLY moved closer to home. We are so excited that Uncle Doc and Aunt Bec are in Memphis! They invited Jack to come spend a few days with them. This was Jack's first time to spend the night away from home without Mommy and Daddy! It was an exciting milestone for all of us!
Jack and I met Aunt Bec in Tupelo on Thursday afternoon. The first big event of the trip occurred before they even left the parking lot....I couldn't get Jack's carseat out of the minivan. (It was SO securely fastened, Rebecca and I both tried with all of our might and couldn't get it to budge.) So, we went to Toys R Us, and Jack got a big boy seat! (He has been developmentally ready for a booster seat for several months, but we were just planning to leave him in his convertible carseat until we needed it for the baby.) I think having the new "big boy seat" made the first leg of the trip even more special. He was happy to climb into it in Aunt Bec's car.
That evening when they arrived in Memphis, after Uncle Doc got home, they took Jack to a special bookstore. Aunt Bec thinks Uncle Doc may have had as much fun as Jack playing with the hats and looking at the books.
After talking Uncle Doc into reading three books before bed, Jack slept all by himself in a twin bed in the guest room. The next morning, Aunt Bec and Jack went to the Children's Museum of Memphis. It was such a big museum with so much to do that they needed a map to get around. Jack went fishing, built a treehouse, dressed up in various costumes, went shopping at the grocery store, and more!
After the museum, Aunt Bec took Jack to lunch at an old-fashioned diner where he at a peanut butter and jelly sandwich followed by a vanilla milkshake. (Such a treat!)
After a nap, Aunt Bec and Jack played with playdoh and did some other crafts. They made travel coffee mugs for Brent and me with Jack's picture and a picture that he colored in them. Saturday morning Uncle Doc, Aunt Bec, and Jack went to the I-Max Theater to see the "Under the Sea" movie. He seemed to really enjoy it.
When Brent and I arrived right after lunch, Jack and Rebecca were playing in the front yard. When he saw us, Jack's face dropped and we could see him say, "I don't want to leave." I can't say that was the welcome I was expecting, but we were both happy that he was having such a good time in Memphis.
While we were there, we got to see where Todd works and the lot where they plan to build their house. We took Jack to a Build-A-Bear store. He picked out and "built" a bear to give to baby Joseph. From there we went downtown to have dinner at Rendezvous. We finished the day with ice cream at Ben and Jerry's. When we got in the car to go home, Jack whined quite a bit about not wanting to leave and wanting to stay with Uncle Doc and Aunt Bec. So, needless to say, he had a fabulous time and didn't seem to miss us a bit. It was a great day, and it was so nice to know that we can just jump in the car and see Todd and Rebecca!
Jack and I met Aunt Bec in Tupelo on Thursday afternoon. The first big event of the trip occurred before they even left the parking lot....I couldn't get Jack's carseat out of the minivan. (It was SO securely fastened, Rebecca and I both tried with all of our might and couldn't get it to budge.) So, we went to Toys R Us, and Jack got a big boy seat! (He has been developmentally ready for a booster seat for several months, but we were just planning to leave him in his convertible carseat until we needed it for the baby.) I think having the new "big boy seat" made the first leg of the trip even more special. He was happy to climb into it in Aunt Bec's car.
That evening when they arrived in Memphis, after Uncle Doc got home, they took Jack to a special bookstore. Aunt Bec thinks Uncle Doc may have had as much fun as Jack playing with the hats and looking at the books.
After talking Uncle Doc into reading three books before bed, Jack slept all by himself in a twin bed in the guest room. The next morning, Aunt Bec and Jack went to the Children's Museum of Memphis. It was such a big museum with so much to do that they needed a map to get around. Jack went fishing, built a treehouse, dressed up in various costumes, went shopping at the grocery store, and more!
After the museum, Aunt Bec took Jack to lunch at an old-fashioned diner where he at a peanut butter and jelly sandwich followed by a vanilla milkshake. (Such a treat!)
After a nap, Aunt Bec and Jack played with playdoh and did some other crafts. They made travel coffee mugs for Brent and me with Jack's picture and a picture that he colored in them. Saturday morning Uncle Doc, Aunt Bec, and Jack went to the I-Max Theater to see the "Under the Sea" movie. He seemed to really enjoy it.
When Brent and I arrived right after lunch, Jack and Rebecca were playing in the front yard. When he saw us, Jack's face dropped and we could see him say, "I don't want to leave." I can't say that was the welcome I was expecting, but we were both happy that he was having such a good time in Memphis.
While we were there, we got to see where Todd works and the lot where they plan to build their house. We took Jack to a Build-A-Bear store. He picked out and "built" a bear to give to baby Joseph. From there we went downtown to have dinner at Rendezvous. We finished the day with ice cream at Ben and Jerry's. When we got in the car to go home, Jack whined quite a bit about not wanting to leave and wanting to stay with Uncle Doc and Aunt Bec. So, needless to say, he had a fabulous time and didn't seem to miss us a bit. It was a great day, and it was so nice to know that we can just jump in the car and see Todd and Rebecca!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Waterpark
We decided to make a family trip to Geyser Falls (the Waterpark) on Friday, July 3. We went with the Adkersons and the Edelblutes and met our friends, the Meyers, from Jackson there. It was a great day! (This was Jack's and my fourth time to go, but it was our first time with Brent this summer.) We got there when the gates opened at 10:30 and stayed until around 4:30. (That was the longest we've ever stayed.) Jack fell asleep on the drive home and, despite our attempts to wake him up for dinner and a bath, slept until 6 a.m. this morning!
Enjoying the summer fun with Daddy
Jack & Em (wonder what they're talking about)
Playing chase on the beach
Kayleigh, Emily, & Jack posing with Mr. Jeff's creation
Caleb & Mr. Kevin
Clay & Brent with Merrin, Jack, & Will
Emily getting a bucket of sand for the sand castle.
Kayleigh sporting her floaties.
Enjoying the summer fun with Daddy
Jack & Em (wonder what they're talking about)
Playing chase on the beach
Kayleigh, Emily, & Jack posing with Mr. Jeff's creation
Caleb & Mr. Kevin
Clay & Brent with Merrin, Jack, & Will
Emily getting a bucket of sand for the sand castle.
Kayleigh sporting her floaties.
July 4th Parade
Three of the church preschools in Starkville are located within a few blocks of each other. Every year they have a parade for the children to walk down Main Street. This year the parade was held on Thursday, July 2. Here are a few pics of Jack and his classmates waving their flags and sporting the hats they made. Jack was very proud and excited about marching in a parade. In preparation for the event, he "practiced" marching around the house quite a bit.
This is Jack's class (From L to R: Ms. Janice, Anna Karen, Jack, Madeline, Judson). There are actually 10 children in his class, but there were only 4 there that day....lots of people have been in and out for vacation over the summer.
This is Jack's class (From L to R: Ms. Janice, Anna Karen, Jack, Madeline, Judson). There are actually 10 children in his class, but there were only 4 there that day....lots of people have been in and out for vacation over the summer.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Summer is flying by (and this is a very long post!)
We've been having a great time this summer! In June we went to the BB King Homecoming Festival in Indianola, went to the movies (these were Jack's first "real" movies), went to Geyser Falls waterpark three times, played with our playgroup several times, and went to Lafayette and Natchez. Unfortunately, I only have a handful of pictures from all of these events. (I hear the groans from Lafayette and Natchez...sorry!) The battery on the camera died at the B. B. King concert, and I just don't want to risk using my good camera at the waterpark. As for Lafayette and Natchez, well, I don't really have a good excuse. Grumps (my dad) took some pictures in Lafayette that I'll try to post when I get copies, and I tried to get a picture in Natchez, but Brent didn't cooporate. (If you don't want to be bored with all of the details, just scroll down to see the fishing pictures...those are the best.) So, this post is just going to be a long boring update on the events in June....
B. B. King
Every year B. B. King does an outdoor concert in Indianola, MS. They call it his homecoming, and he talks about "coming home." But, I don't think he is actually from Indianola...not sure how that works? Anyway, it was a fun day. The concert doesn't start until around 4:00 in the afternoon, and fortunately, it was probably the coolest day we've had this month. So, we watched the first act from a small patch of shade but were able to move to our front and center seats for the rest of the evening. There were several good opening acts and fireworks before B. B. King took the stage. I really thought Jack would make it through this year, but alas, he fell alseep after about two of B. B.'s songs. At least he can say he saw B. B. this year. (Last year he fell asleep before B. B. ever came out.
Movies
The Starkville Downtown Neighborhood Association (or something like that) hosts "Movies on the Green" once a month in the summer. Some of the movies are for preteens and older kids, but in June, the movie was Cars. We went with several other families and sat out in the grass, ate popcorn, and watched the movie. It was a fun Friday night! Then, Jack and I went to see Up in 3-D at the theater. It was Jack's first movie theater experience. I wasn't sure if he would want to sit still for the whole movie, but he seemed to enjoy it. He started in his own seat and ended in my lap. The movie really seemed to keep his attention, and I thought it was good, too!
(Sorry this one is so blurry. The ones I took after it got dark just didn't come out well; I guess I need to figure out how to use my camera.)
Waterpark
Geyser Falls Waterpark is in Philadelphia, MS which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from Starkville. Along with several other families friends, we bought a season pass this year and have been going about once a week since it opened in early June. There is a beach (soft white sand and clear blue water with no waves...perfect for a toddler and pregnant mommy) and a toddler area complete with water fountains and small slides that are just the right size for Jack and his friends. The mommies are able to sit and monitor and let the kids play. It has been a great way to spend the hot summer days! (We went once at the end of last summer; I splurged on a waterproof camera on that trip, so you can look back at the pictures I posted last year if you want to get a feel for the park.)
Playgroup
We have a wonderful playgroup of mommies and friends who are all very close in age. We've played at each other's houses and have really enjoyed spending time with them. They get together twice a week all year long, but since I work during the school year, we try to spend the summer days with them as much as possible. (And, since our new baby boy is due in August, we'll get to continue playing through the fall!)
Car Trouble!
You know how when you travel down the interstate you feel a twinge of agony for the people who you see stranded on the side of the road. Well, last week, "those people" were Jack and me. That's right, my 7-months pregnant self and my 3 year old stood on the side of Hwy 55 south just outside of Hammond for about an hour while we waited for the state trooper and tow truck. It was quite an adventure. We were headed to Lafayette for one last trip before the baby is due. The plan was for us to spend Tues-Fri in Lafayette and meet Brent in Natchez on Friday for the weekend. On our way down on Tuesday, the car died. I was able to coast to the side of the road, but it was completely dead. Fortunately, my dad was at his desk and was able to locate a Chevy dealership and towing company that were in Hammond, just about 10 minutes away. While he located that help, I called 911, and they sent a state trooper to sit with us while we waited. We stood in the shade of the trees on the side of the road because it was just too terribly hot to wait in the car. When the state trooper arrived, he let us sit in his air conditioned car while we waited for the tow truck. Jack was SO well behaved. (I think he sensed my nervousness at first and then was a little awstruck by the policeman.) All in all, the whole ordeal was much smoother and less stressful than it could have been. We made it to the Chevy dealership and my uncle who lives in Covington met us there. The plan was for us to hang out at his house until my dad could pick us up, but Dad got there so quickly we just grabbed some ice cream at McDonalds and jumped in the truck with Grumps to continue the journey to Lafayette. (I probably should have taken a few pictures of the scene to document everything for Jack...the trooper, police car, Tahoe on the tow truck, but I didn't)
Visiting and Fishing in Lafayette
While we were in Lafayette, on Wednesday I got a prenatal massage (It was AWESOME!) while Jack and Grandmommy went to storytime at the library. (Grandmommy was very impressed by the storytime; Jack thought it was alright.) Then, on Thursday we went fishing in the pond in Grandmommy's neighborhood. Jack has been asking to go fishing for months, and I was nervous that it would be a big letdown. Once we figured out what we were doing we caught THREE fish using cheese and crackers as bait. It was very exciting. The fish were brim that were about the size of my hand. Jack thought we should take them home and eat them, but we explained that we needed to throw them back. It was lots of fun!
We ate really well while we were there and got to visit with lots of people. We had dinner at Grandmommy's, Gramps', and Grumps & Mimi's. Our good friend Jananne from Kenner was also staying at Grandmommy's, and Aunt Joanna (Mimi's sister) drove over on Thursday for dinner. Then, on Friday, it was time to get back in the car for a long drive to Natchez. (Long because it involved a detour through Hammond to pick up the Tahoe, which had to have the engine replaced.)
(OK , so I actually caught the first two while Jack ate the crackers that we were using as bait.)
Twenty year reunion and a car purchase in Natchez
Brent's 20 year high school reunion was in Natchez last weekend, and while we were there we bought a new-to-us (i.e., used 2006) minivan. (We decided the Tahoe was worth repairing, but that it was time to get a more road-worthy vehicle to replace the 1994 Acura.)
Brent's reunion kept us busy with events Friday night, Saturday during the day, and Saturday night. It was a good reunion, but we were pretty exhausted by the time we left on Sunday.
I didn't know there would be swimming at the family picnic on Saturday, so I didn't have Jack's swimsuit with us. He managed to get nice and wet playing in the fountain at the edge of the pool anyway.
B. B. King
Every year B. B. King does an outdoor concert in Indianola, MS. They call it his homecoming, and he talks about "coming home." But, I don't think he is actually from Indianola...not sure how that works? Anyway, it was a fun day. The concert doesn't start until around 4:00 in the afternoon, and fortunately, it was probably the coolest day we've had this month. So, we watched the first act from a small patch of shade but were able to move to our front and center seats for the rest of the evening. There were several good opening acts and fireworks before B. B. King took the stage. I really thought Jack would make it through this year, but alas, he fell alseep after about two of B. B.'s songs. At least he can say he saw B. B. this year. (Last year he fell asleep before B. B. ever came out.
Movies
The Starkville Downtown Neighborhood Association (or something like that) hosts "Movies on the Green" once a month in the summer. Some of the movies are for preteens and older kids, but in June, the movie was Cars. We went with several other families and sat out in the grass, ate popcorn, and watched the movie. It was a fun Friday night! Then, Jack and I went to see Up in 3-D at the theater. It was Jack's first movie theater experience. I wasn't sure if he would want to sit still for the whole movie, but he seemed to enjoy it. He started in his own seat and ended in my lap. The movie really seemed to keep his attention, and I thought it was good, too!
(Sorry this one is so blurry. The ones I took after it got dark just didn't come out well; I guess I need to figure out how to use my camera.)
Waterpark
Geyser Falls Waterpark is in Philadelphia, MS which is about an hour and fifteen minutes from Starkville. Along with several other families friends, we bought a season pass this year and have been going about once a week since it opened in early June. There is a beach (soft white sand and clear blue water with no waves...perfect for a toddler and pregnant mommy) and a toddler area complete with water fountains and small slides that are just the right size for Jack and his friends. The mommies are able to sit and monitor and let the kids play. It has been a great way to spend the hot summer days! (We went once at the end of last summer; I splurged on a waterproof camera on that trip, so you can look back at the pictures I posted last year if you want to get a feel for the park.)
Playgroup
We have a wonderful playgroup of mommies and friends who are all very close in age. We've played at each other's houses and have really enjoyed spending time with them. They get together twice a week all year long, but since I work during the school year, we try to spend the summer days with them as much as possible. (And, since our new baby boy is due in August, we'll get to continue playing through the fall!)
Car Trouble!
You know how when you travel down the interstate you feel a twinge of agony for the people who you see stranded on the side of the road. Well, last week, "those people" were Jack and me. That's right, my 7-months pregnant self and my 3 year old stood on the side of Hwy 55 south just outside of Hammond for about an hour while we waited for the state trooper and tow truck. It was quite an adventure. We were headed to Lafayette for one last trip before the baby is due. The plan was for us to spend Tues-Fri in Lafayette and meet Brent in Natchez on Friday for the weekend. On our way down on Tuesday, the car died. I was able to coast to the side of the road, but it was completely dead. Fortunately, my dad was at his desk and was able to locate a Chevy dealership and towing company that were in Hammond, just about 10 minutes away. While he located that help, I called 911, and they sent a state trooper to sit with us while we waited. We stood in the shade of the trees on the side of the road because it was just too terribly hot to wait in the car. When the state trooper arrived, he let us sit in his air conditioned car while we waited for the tow truck. Jack was SO well behaved. (I think he sensed my nervousness at first and then was a little awstruck by the policeman.) All in all, the whole ordeal was much smoother and less stressful than it could have been. We made it to the Chevy dealership and my uncle who lives in Covington met us there. The plan was for us to hang out at his house until my dad could pick us up, but Dad got there so quickly we just grabbed some ice cream at McDonalds and jumped in the truck with Grumps to continue the journey to Lafayette. (I probably should have taken a few pictures of the scene to document everything for Jack...the trooper, police car, Tahoe on the tow truck, but I didn't)
Visiting and Fishing in Lafayette
While we were in Lafayette, on Wednesday I got a prenatal massage (It was AWESOME!) while Jack and Grandmommy went to storytime at the library. (Grandmommy was very impressed by the storytime; Jack thought it was alright.) Then, on Thursday we went fishing in the pond in Grandmommy's neighborhood. Jack has been asking to go fishing for months, and I was nervous that it would be a big letdown. Once we figured out what we were doing we caught THREE fish using cheese and crackers as bait. It was very exciting. The fish were brim that were about the size of my hand. Jack thought we should take them home and eat them, but we explained that we needed to throw them back. It was lots of fun!
We ate really well while we were there and got to visit with lots of people. We had dinner at Grandmommy's, Gramps', and Grumps & Mimi's. Our good friend Jananne from Kenner was also staying at Grandmommy's, and Aunt Joanna (Mimi's sister) drove over on Thursday for dinner. Then, on Friday, it was time to get back in the car for a long drive to Natchez. (Long because it involved a detour through Hammond to pick up the Tahoe, which had to have the engine replaced.)
(OK , so I actually caught the first two while Jack ate the crackers that we were using as bait.)
Twenty year reunion and a car purchase in Natchez
Brent's 20 year high school reunion was in Natchez last weekend, and while we were there we bought a new-to-us (i.e., used 2006) minivan. (We decided the Tahoe was worth repairing, but that it was time to get a more road-worthy vehicle to replace the 1994 Acura.)
Brent's reunion kept us busy with events Friday night, Saturday during the day, and Saturday night. It was a good reunion, but we were pretty exhausted by the time we left on Sunday.
I didn't know there would be swimming at the family picnic on Saturday, so I didn't have Jack's swimsuit with us. He managed to get nice and wet playing in the fountain at the edge of the pool anyway.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Summer Fun
Jack and I have been having a great time this summer! Jack likes to dig for worms in the evenings before bathtime. Tonight when it was time to go inside, I told him he would have to leave his collection outside. I told him to tell them goodnight. Just as I was about to close the door, he turned and said, "Can I sing them a song?" So we went back outside, and he said, "I'm going to sing them the Mockingbird song." He looked at his container of worms and actually sang, "Hush Little Baby." Then he said, "Goodnight worms." And, he looked at me and said, "They really liked that." It was so sweet! I had a vision of him singing to his baby brother in a few months.
During the day, we've enjoyed getting reconnected with our playgroup friends. A couple of weeks ago we took the kiddos to play in some fountains on campus that spring up out of the ground. They were the perfect water activity for a hot summer day. One of the other moms, Vika Jones, took some pics of the fun.
Alex, Jack, & Luke playing in the fountains on campus.
During the day, we've enjoyed getting reconnected with our playgroup friends. A couple of weeks ago we took the kiddos to play in some fountains on campus that spring up out of the ground. They were the perfect water activity for a hot summer day. One of the other moms, Vika Jones, took some pics of the fun.
Alex, Jack, & Luke playing in the fountains on campus.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
How's the baby going to get out of your belly?
This is the question I've been dreading. I've thought several times that I should ask friends and do some research on how to answer it, because I figured it was only a matter of time before he asked. Well, I didn't do my homework, and he asked. The conversation went something like this:
Jack: "Mommy, can we make fish fingers?" (I'm not sure what prompted this. He was in the bathtub. We've never made fish fingers??)
Me: "Well, not tonight, but maybe some other time."
Jack: "After my baby brother is out of your tummy?"
Me: "Sure. We can do it sometime after the baby is here."
Jack: "When is he going to come out of your tummy?"
Me: "In August. It is still a few months away."
Jack: "When you spit him out?"
Me: "Well, no. I'm not going to spit him out?" (Maybe this is where I went wrong.)
Jack: "Then how is he going to come out?"
Me: "The doctor is going to help me get him out."
That seemed to satisfy him. He did go on and ask a few questions about who my doctor is and if I was going to get a cast. I told him I didn't think I would need a cast because I wasn't going to have any broken bones. That pretty much ended the conversation. I guess it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Thankfully, he didn't probe for any additional details about the baby's exit from my womb. (Feel free to leave a comment if you have any suggestions should this question arise again later!)
Jack: "Mommy, can we make fish fingers?" (I'm not sure what prompted this. He was in the bathtub. We've never made fish fingers??)
Me: "Well, not tonight, but maybe some other time."
Jack: "After my baby brother is out of your tummy?"
Me: "Sure. We can do it sometime after the baby is here."
Jack: "When is he going to come out of your tummy?"
Me: "In August. It is still a few months away."
Jack: "When you spit him out?"
Me: "Well, no. I'm not going to spit him out?" (Maybe this is where I went wrong.)
Jack: "Then how is he going to come out?"
Me: "The doctor is going to help me get him out."
That seemed to satisfy him. He did go on and ask a few questions about who my doctor is and if I was going to get a cast. I told him I didn't think I would need a cast because I wasn't going to have any broken bones. That pretty much ended the conversation. I guess it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. Thankfully, he didn't probe for any additional details about the baby's exit from my womb. (Feel free to leave a comment if you have any suggestions should this question arise again later!)
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