"Farm City"

My parents went with us to "Farm City" a few days ago. It was a gorgeous evening and there was plenty to keep the children occupied - there was a man doing "rope tricks", a horse show, all kinds of animals for the children to see and pet, free food, crafts to make, a trailer full of items from the early 19oo's that the kids could touch (EB was interested in anything he could spin, including an old corn grinder), lots of land to run, fences to climb, and of course, ponies to ride! EB rode his very first pony! He actually did pretty good until the pony started walking. He started saying, "ALL DONE MOMMY". As soon as I walked alongside of him, he was fine, sat back and enjoyed the ride. I was super proud of him for hanging on - they probably walked in a circle 15 times.


My big boy on his very first horse!


Looking like a pro


Gorgeous evening - it just doesn't get much better than this


One of very few family pictures that we have!


E-Daddy, Bebe, and their sweet grandson. They definitely adore each other.


Looking into the future of possibilities with E-Daddy :)

"Reflection".....

"Signs"...

"PK's", otherwise known as, "Preacher's Kids", can usually be spotted miles away - for better or for worse sometimes. Lately, our almost 2 year old has been giving us a few clues that he might be a "PK":

Me: Elijah Brooks, where are we going (anytime we get in the car) ?
EB: Church, YAY Church!

Me: Where are you driving (I say to him while he is sitting on a construction vehicle)?
EB: Elijah Brooks go to church

Me: What did you and Bebe do today together?
EB: Played Church

Bebe: Where do you think the geese are going?
EB: To church

"1st Haircut"...

According to Webster's Dictionary, the word "mullet" is defined as such, "A hairstyle in which the hair is short in the front, but left long in the back". Well, if Mr. Webster is indeed correct, then my son officially has a MULLET! Okay, so he will be 2 next month and honestly, he hasn't had very much hair his entire life. He was bald, with only some "peach fuzz" until he was 1 years old. But all of a sudden this kid's hair starting growing and growing fast...., but only in the back on the the sides! The front it still short. I admit, I don't know that much about hair, and really don't care (I am just one of those women I guess), but I do know when someone needs a haircut. I took the pictures of him outside yesterday morning, looked back at them, and was shocked to see that he really does have a mullet! Someone told me that since we lived in Alabama that he could get away with it. I don't know whether to agree or be offended by that comment. Anyway, I promptly called my Mom, aka, "Salon Bebe", and asked her if she would give him his very 1st haircut. We sat him on the highchair at her house, gave him a grape popsicle, and she trimmed the back and the sides. He did amazingly well. The first time she snipped, he kind of gave her a
"what are you doing lady" look and said, "all done", but then proceeded to sit as still as he could be and contentedly ate his popsicle. I have heard horror stories of the 1st haircut from friends, but fortunately, this one had a happy ending. Going to his 1st dentist appointment next month might be a different post!


So silly....




THE MULLET! Oh how embarrassing - but he's still so adorable.


Maybe he was offended by my laughter?


"Salon Bebe"






Looking better


Looks strikingly like a "big boy" haircut now....., sniff, sniff


"ALL DONE Bebe"!

"Pumpkin Patch"....

To celebrate Elijah Brooks being officially free of RSV, we took him to the pumpkin patch. It was so different taking him this year as opposed to last year. Last year, he just sat on top of a pumpkin with his little chubby legs dangling and squealing with delight. This year, he was tough to keep up with! He ran from one thing to another wanting to try everything from the bouncy toys, to the duck race, to riding the "cow train", to feeding the goats, to "driving" the tractor, riding on a hayride, picking pumpkins (and throwing them - YIKES), riding on the mini tractors, and jumping hay bales! Since Jay was going to be traveling this weekend, he was able to take half a day off and we spent it together on the farm. Good memories for sure, and a great way to kick off my most favorite time of the year!


As soon as we pulled in the parking lot, he said enthusiastically, "John Deere Tractor".




His face cracks me up here


Bouncing with Daddy


In "heaven" driving the tractor


Mommy and EB on the "cow train". That was a tight squeeze.


Playing in the huge "Corn Sandbox". Ingenious idea in my opinion. Way less mess :)






Waiting for the hayride to begin


Lovin' life on the farm


The Pumpkin Patch






Feeding the baby goat :)


I asked him to "pose" and put his hands by his side. This was what I got! Not too bad for a 23 month old.

"Just a few"...

No news on this post. Just catching up on some pictures of my happy boy from about a month ago. I am trying to keep this blog as current as I can - will one day be a book hopefully - just not sure when that day will be :)

"All in a Day...."

My almost 2 year old managed to lock himself in my car today AND call 911 on the phone - 2 separate incidents in case you are wondering, but on the same day. Thankfully, I was able to talk to him through the window and told him which button to push to unlock the door - to which he complied obediently and unlocked the door! I also very kindly and apologetically explained to the 911 dispatcher that there was no actual emergency, but rather my child was playing with the phone. She was kind and thankfully didn't say anything to humble me further :)

Always an adventure!

"Brighter Days...."

Thank you all for your kind words and prayers for the recovery of Elijah Brooks. I am happy to write that after 9 days of being quarantined in his home, he is officially "over" RSV! He was very generous to give some of his germs to his mommy in the form of a severe head cold, but the Doctor said to expect it. I am just so thankful that he is healthy again - at least until he starts playing with his friends again! What to do though - can't keep them in seclusion their entire lives.

Here's to brighter days!

"Our week with......"

RSV! Yep, Elijah Brooks contracted RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) from who knows where. He doesn't even go to MMO anywhere. My guess is Wal-mart. Jay, can I please shop at Publix now?? Just kidding.

We have had one sick little boy this week. I noticed 6 days ago, that he was starting to drag alittle bit and was coughing off and on. The cough was nothing to be concerned about at that point though, just sounded like an allergy cough and one that I have heard many times. However, the next day his cough started to sound more like a deep "bark". His energy level was relatively the same, but the cough was becoming more frequent. Monday night, he was up a few times. I thought he was just getting a really yucky head cold. Tuesday, his cough was steady and deep and he was running fever. Tuesday night we got about 2 hours of sleep total, as did he, because of his coughing. His symptoms resembled a head cold, except for the cough. It was unmistakably something more than just a head cold. After the terrible night Tuesday night, we headed for the doctor on Wednesday for his 2nd sick baby visit in 2 years. We have been so blessed. They did a strep culture, which was negative, but the RSV test came back positive. If any of you have dealt with this before, you know there is no "quick fix". There are no antibiotics you can take because it is viral not bacterial. Now if this goes into something bacterial like an ear infection, he could get an antibiotic. But for now, the doctor's instructions are:
1. Keep him comfortable
2. Push fluids like his life depends on it
3. Keep him cool and keep his room cool

So, that's what we are doing. I have actually been fixing him a "treat" to drink, or so he thinks. He has been sipping on lukewarm water mixed with a tsp of honey and a tsp of lemon juice. Fortunately, he is drinking a ton. However, he has not eaten anything in almost 48 hours. He just has no interest in food right now. I offer it all day long, but so far his answer is always "no tank yoo". I am making him fruit smoothies with some wheat germ and spinach leaves thrown in there so he is getting at least some nourishment.

Today is Day 6 of it and he is still running fever and coughing his little head off. His head congestion is out of control, so I am doing lots of saline nasal spray (which he doesn't like, but tolerates). I don't know if it is helping or not, but it can't hurt. I think he tolerates the spray because he knows he gets, "baby nose rub" afterwards! He likes the "all natural" baby rub that I rub underneath his nose. He also likes to have his chest rubbed with "Baby Vicks" rub and take a bath in "Vapor Bath".

I have to brag though (and it's my blog so I can), he has been the most compliant, sweet, tolerant sick child I have seen in a long time. He has not once complained or whined about this, even though I know he feels miserable. I can see it in his weak eyes that he feels terrible, but he truly has not whined once. He gets this trait from his Daddy and NOT from Mommy! The only thing he has said is "bad cough" when he coughs. He is just taking it in stride. We have been doing lots of cuddling and rocking and just spending time together. Since he can't be around other children right now, he and I have been taking drives in the country to look at the cows and horses while listening to his favorite CD's in the car. He is starting to ask for "the drive" now, and I am secretly loving this precious time with him. It has been so therapeutic for both of us to just drive and listen to music. We have no agenda and do not have to be anywhere at any particular time. We have just been driving country roads until I feel like turning around. The weather has been absolutely beautiful too, and we have both just looked out the windows at beautiful land and animals. He doesn't say much on "the drive" except for the occasional, "mommy wuv yoo", and that's all I ever need to hear.

I really am so proud of him for how he has handled this and will be so thankful when he is healthy again.

Here are a few pictures from the week. And yes, they were all taken on the same day. I just didn't feel right about snapping pictures of him at the beginning stages of this. I waited until he was feeling somewhat better - and that was today! Although looking at these pictures, his eyes still look so weak.


Drinking LOTS of smoothies, otherwise known as a "moothe"


Watching LOTS of "shows"


I highly recommend this 3 DVD set of Classical music, art, and dance for children. It is great exposure to all 3 art forms from various genres and wonderful for exposing the ears, eyes, and mind to the different sights and sounds of the arts. Thank you Bebe and E-Daddy! We love them!


And doing LOTS of puzzles and reading of books


And MORE reading.....




And LOTS of this......


and this......


and definitely THIS......