We got up and went to Church before heading to Hickory Ridge for lunch and Christmas with the Gibson side of the family.
We had dinner and Christmas with the Staggs that evening. Stratton and his cousin Archer had so much fun playing with their new toys!
We always have dinner on Christmas eve with the Wilson's. This year was really a lot of fun! It seems like Christmas time is the only time the entire family comes together, so it was really great seeing everyone!
Stratton & Grandma
Smiling with Grandpa
Cutting up with cuz Wilson
Stratton & Adrian
After dinner we had to lose the shirt. He got pie all over it trying to sneak oreo bonbons!
Present time!
Our family
Uncle Doug reading the night before Christmas!
We had Christmas with my parent's and Dillon and Brandye on Christmas eve morning. My mom has been so busy taking care of my Nanny and Papa, I didn't want her to have to worry about having us over to their house. It really worked out well. By the time they got there around 9am, Stratton had already opened all his Santa gifts and we had exchanged gifts with each other. I made a breakfast casserole and bacon and my mom brought fruit and Brandye brought muffins, so we sat down and ate breakfast and then exchanged gifts.
D & B got him this squishy frog. . .he wasn't a fan!
He thought it was funny to jump in the pile of paper!
He found a band-aid (gift label) and put it on his head
We had such a good time visiting and we put in Christmas Vacation before they had to leave to get ready for dinner at Grandma's house. Stratton did eventually pass out and take a long nap!
We signed up for Santa's "Early Delivery Program" this year. Santa delivered Stratton's gift's on Friday night, the 23rd, since we were going to have such a busy day on Sunday. It worked out great!
Christmas morning was a little different for us this year, as it was our first at our house. The last 2 years we have stayed the night with my mom and dad on Christmas eve, but we were ready to start our Christmas morning traditions at our own house this year.
Stratton got us up around 6am
Santa brought him a backhoe, dump truck and train set! Exactly what he asked for!
Santa filled his stocking with goodies!!
He also got lots of neat stuff from Mommy and Daddy!
"Daddy, Open it!"
We had such a good time, but it sure goes fast! All that shopping, wrapping and preparing and it's all over in a matter of minutes!! We have been so very blessed this year and went a little overboard, but it's worth it when we saw that big smile on little man's face!
Today was Stratton's school party and PJ day. The kids drew names and exchanged gifts and then got a visit from Santa before having snacks. Stratton didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but he didn't want him to leave either! I told him he had to go back to the North Pole to finish making toys for Christmas. So as soon as Jarrod got home tonight that's what he told him- Santa had to leave to go home to the North Pole to make presents! I was surprised that, that stuck with him!
After the party we ran home and got some clean clothes and some toys and I dropped him off with Uncle Dillon and Aunt Brandye for the evening, so I could go get a few things done and some presents wrapped! We also took Dusty her Christmas presents, a new bed and some treats and a "John Deere green heart toy" all picked out by Stratton.
Stratton had his 30 month evaluation at school today. According to his teachers and the daycare director he is way above average for his age. They also sent home a packet of questions to fill out and I was surprised at how much my little man knew and could do. I mean, I know he's smart- but I didn't realize how smart!! He can draw really well, and most of his sentences are at least 7 words long, which according to the evaluation, most kids his age only use 3 to 4. His favorite word right now is "Yep" and while he is usually is really polite and will say please and thank you, we just can't seem to get him out of the habit of saying "yep". I'm sure he's just repeating what he hears, and he says is just like his daddy does!
Lately, he loves to sing, and tell stories. His imagination is really starting to develop. The other night, while putting his dinosaur pj's on him, I asked him "what does a dinosaur say?", he responded "Bologna! Bologna!". . . I mean, where in the world did that come from?! He is still all about tractors, backhoes and dump trucks. He is so curious and asks us all the time "whatcha doing?" and he usually wants to help. He is also very independent. He likes to do things by himself. He is using the potty more often. I don't want to really start potty-training till after the christmas chaos is over, but he goes at night before his bath and sometimes during the day at school.
He has been going through another "phase" recently, where he doesn't like to go to bed and gets up several times a night. What's really strange is he wants Jarrod to take him back to bed! He doesn't want anything to do with me! Which is fine with me at 2am. . .hahaha. He is also being quite a little stinker and testing his limits (and our patience!). Sometimes I find myself needing to go to "timeout" and cool off!! He has started back talking already (I think I hear my mother laughing. . .) and flat out being rebellious! But he's quite the little charmer, especially when we are in public. He knows how to turn it on and pour it on!!
This past weekend we had our annual MAP conference in Branson. While I worked Stratton and my mom had lots of fun. The meeting was a success and we had lots of fun hanging out with my parents! We got to Branson late Wednesday night, we stayed at the Chateau again (where are meeting is) and when we got there we took Stratton walking around. He loved walking around and seeing the trees and the huge gingerbread houses and all the christmas decor! I had to get up early to start setting up for the meeting, so Jarrod and Stratton hung out before coming down to visit me. After the meeting on Thursday we went to The White River Fish House for supper and had to get the chocolate chip cookie in a skillet- it's the best thing on the menu!! Stratton had a "Bucket of bait" - chocolate pudding with oreos and gummy worms!
Having a "bucket of bait" at WRFH
The meeting on Friday started bright and early! So we let Stratton spend the night in Gigi and Pop's room so Jarrod could get some sleep (he had an ear infection and sinus infection) while I got up and went to the meeting. After the meeting was over- about noon, we packed up and grabbed a bite, then we went to find our cabin! We decided to stay in a cabin Friday and Saturday night. It's just easier when were all together. We stayed at Stonebridge resort and it was so nice. We had a cute little cabin with two master suites. Friday night we all went to the Dixie Stampede! Stratton LOVED it! He could hardly eat he was so mesmerized! After we got out of that we went back to Branson Landing and did some shopping. We also saw SANTA! Stratton was shy and so mommy and daddy had to have their pictures taken too!
Saturday we sort of slept in before heading out to lunch and then to the outlet mall for shopping! We spent the afternoon at the outlet and then had dinner at Mel's Hard Luck Diner, then shopped for christmas ornaments before ending the night at Coldstone Creamery!
We got up Sunday and headed home! It was a long trip! Stratton got car sick and threw up when we stopped in Harrison to get gas. Luckily we were stopped, so we cleaned it all up and got back on the road. He fell asleep soon after so we didn't have to stop again till Hardy. We got home around 3pm got unpacked and headed to chuch! Whew! What a weekend! I think I need a day to recover before going back to work!
I wish I had gotten a family picture of us at the Chateau- I think I have one from every year J and I have been married! I was just so busy with the meeting it slipped my mind!
Crazy, crazy weather! It was 70 degrees, and we had the air on the day after Thanksgiving and now it's snowing?! Well, we do live in Arkansas! It started about 4ish and by the time I got across town to pick Stratton up it was really coming down! I don't like driving in such blustry weather! Then it just kept coming. . .and kept coming. I don't think the weather folks expected it to be more than a dusting! But we ended up with 2-3 inches! It didn't get cold enough for it to freeze, so the roads stayed clear and it didn't cause any problems, which is the best kind of snow!
Note the pumpkins still on the porch?!
The past week was one I will never forget. I keep thinking that eventually things are going to be less crazy and I'm starting to realize maybe "Crazy" is my new "Normal". I think the sooner I accept this and move on the better!!
[MONDAY 11/7/11] So, I pick Stratton up at daycare like any other day. On the way home he said "Mommy, there's a rock in it". So I ask " a rock in where?" thinking there was a rock in his shoe. He says "In my ear!" I thought, he's had a ear infection in the last week, he probably just feels some of that fluid or pressure- I mean he's 2 he says crazy nonsense stuff all the time. We get home and he doesn't say anything about it, and I forget all about it. So we are sitting on the couch, after his bath reading some books, and he says "MOMMY! Get this rock out of my EAR!" So I was like, ok I will check- I thought I would just pretend to pull a rock out since I knew there wasn't anything there. . . well I look in his ear and There's a rock in it!! One of those little pea gravel rocks! I asked him what he did and he tells me he stuck a rock in his ear at school today. So I try to get it out but can't reach it with regular tweezers. We call Brandye and she and Dillon stop by. She takes a look at it and thinks we need to go to the ER. . . I was hesitant to spend hours (and $$) in the ER over a rock so just to be sure I call one of our good friends who is also a PA, she says bring him over and she will try to get it out. . .it's 8:30pm now, mind you and Stratton goes to bed at 8pm most night sometimes earlier- so he is cranky!! Anyway, she tries to get it out but he won't be still. She thinks its ok to wait and take him to sick call the next day and I am OK with that since he is already mad and sleepy, I really didn't want to fight with him in an ER for 5 hours. So we go home, he goes right to bed and sleeps through the night.
TUESDAY: We get up and head straight to sick call at 8am. The Dr at the children's clinic takes one look at it and says we need to see an ENT (great that's $20 down the drain. . .) Luckily the ENT is right down the road and they say we can get in immediately. We get to the ENT wait FOREVER (it's a good thing I had thrown some m&m's in my purse!) Obviously, their definition of immediately and mine are different. He looks Stratton over and he can't even get a good look because S is moving and squirming even with 3 of us holding him down. It's amazing how strong a 2 year old can be! So the ENT tells us there is no way he can get to it with Stratton awake. He needs to do it with him asleep aka surgically. That's right!! A pea gravel rock is the reason our 2 year old had to have surgery for the first time. I would like to refer to it as a procedure, surgery sounds so scary!
WEDSDAY: We went to work and all is well in the world. Until I get a phone call from my mom about 11am. She and my dad are at the hospital with my Papa, my mom's dad. They think he might have had a stroke. They are running tests to find out more. I ended up meeting them for lunch while they take a break from the ER. We talk more, they really don't know much, and then I go back to work. By the time I get off work they have admitted him to the hospital and he is in a room. So I go pick up Stratton and we head to the hospital. Most of the family is there. Papa seemed disoriented, but he seemed to know who everyone was and even though he was having trouble moving his right hand, he honestly didn't look too bad to me. We stay at the hospital for a while and then run to get a bite with my mom and dad and Dillon and Brandye.
THURSDAY: We get to the hospital at 7am. Yawn. . . oh and Stratton is totally fine, by the way. Other than us talking about it and family and friends wanting to see it, he doesn't even seem to notice it anymore. We are 3rd on the list for the morning and it took forever! Especially since he couldn't have anything to eat or drink! He did pretty well, considering. We went with him from pre-op to down stairs right before they took him to the OR. The nurses and doctors were all so great. Stratton warmed right up to them. Before they took him back they gave me some medicine to give him that was to relax him. Well it made him really funny. First he was super hyper then he got really drowsy and goofy. He laid down in his bed and looked up for awhile, then he said "I See Stars!" haha, he was being really silly, too! I think he went back about 10:30, the OR nurses and doctors came out and got him and they acted like his bed was a train. . .he was totally into it and could care less about us. We ran to the snack machine and got a coke then went to the waiting room. It took them about 45 minutes and then they came out to the waiting room to get us. The nurse said that he was sooo sweet. I asked her how much medicine they had given him and if they were sure they were talking about our son! We walk into the recovery room to find about 6 nurses surrounding his bed giggling and smiling. Stratton was sitting up in his bed with his blanket and shaking a cup which contained the notorious rock. He was in a good mood and after some apple juice and a snack they released him!
We decided since we were already at the hospital we would run by and see Papa. Stratton was in a pretty good mood and showed everyone his rock. Then we grabbed some lunch and headed home. Jarrod and I had both taken off work, so we told him if he was really good we would take him to Chucky Cheese later that afternoon. So after he got up from his nap we took him and he had a great time. I am pretty sure he learned nothing from this whole experience!
I know this will all be funny. . . .someday. Let's recap. Stratton has had the pinkeye, stomach virus, ear & sinus infection and now a rock in his ear all within the last 3 weeks. And that's not including all the falls, bumps, bruises and burns he's received during this time. I think he's got a bucket list of injuries and sicknesses he is trying to mark off by the time he's 3! So, life is back to normal. . . which in our case "normal" = absolute craziness!!
I'm fine, pretty much back to 100%. . .it's a good thing, too! Work is crazy, I just got a small promotion! In additional to what I do already with Armor marketing, I am also going to be the Marketing Director for U.S. Seeds & Halo Soybeans. Jarrod is working like crazy, it's the end of the year and they have all these requirements and stuff they are supposed to meet. I love this time of year for SO many reasons but man is it busy and crazy! I know things aren't going to slow down anytime soon, but I am hopeful that it will involve less trips to the dr!
Our little man is all about football these days! He constantly talks about it and wants to go to game and watch it on TV! We've taken his to several ASU games and he loves it!! Oh and we "play" football ALOT. We have been concentrating on teaching him how to catch it and hold it while running, and throwing. He's a quick study, we might have a future QB on our hands. . . but hopefully not they get sacked way to much for me!
One night this was his helmet- a reindeer hat!
The church has "Trunk-or treating" and this is the first year we've went since Stratton is a little older we thought he might actually enjoy it. It gets bigger every year. This year they had a small Ferris wheel, bouncy houses and slides, hay-rides, the trunk or treating of course and all kinds of games and snacks inside. They even played movies outside at the pavilion! There were SO many people there- a lot of visitors, so hopefully some good was done for the Lord!!
The evening started off kinda rocky, but we managed (by a miraculous, divine intervention- I think) to get him dressed and to the church by 6:15. In all the rush, I forgot his bucket- I'm a great mom, huh! That was ok though! The first trunk we went to gave him a sucker and he was set! We walked by all the trunks and visited and got a few treats.
Livy & Stratton
Jarrod and Ryan doing what guys do best.
Trick or Treating the monkeys! I think he thought they were real! We also got to see Mr. David! We've really missed him!
Stratton loved the hay-ride!
