Developments

I forgot to mention 2 new developments yesterday.Reese said the word bubbles and pointed out his bubbles.That's the fun one. The not fun one is that the day has come that my little child can open a door. I was reading books with him and getting him ready for bed when he darts to the door, opens it and heads to the living room. I thought maybe the door wasn't closed all the way- but escaped again. Its time to put the locks on the door knobs.

Reese had a fantastic day. I guess his unknown ear ache was causing his crankyness because he is so happy now. He played forever this afternoon-- no whinning at all. Tonight we went to Outback Steakhouse with Bryan and he was a perfect angel.

Its been a sad couple of days around here. My great aunt died this past weekend and now we found out this morning that Bryan's dog has cancer. He has had Amber for 9 years and she has been fantastic with Reese. Her cancer is very aggressive and all throughout so there is nothing they can do. We are all heartbroken by this news.

Reese and Amber

The Clark Family Dogs (1 for each of us)

Goodbye to Belton and Ben

We had a great time in Belton. I am so appreciative to my in laws for suggesting we come for the weekend. I was able to rest and get a little time to myself. It was so nice to have help with Reese and not be on the go with him 24/7. I am so lucky to have such great in laws. Reese is so lucky to be the only grandchild so he can get their full attention!!! He was such a show boat and a ham for them. He was 99% perfect all weekend long. I am glad he was so perfect, since they are about to get him for several days when I go to Seattle.

We came home this afternoon to go to Ben's goodbye party. Ben and Sharen Leigh have been really great friends of ours and so of course the army is moving them away. Ben is headed to Alabama for flight school (to be an Apache helicopter pilot) and Sharen will be leaving shortly to join them. Reese and I went over there to spend time with them and wish him well. It was a lot of fun and it makes me miss the old times when he and Rusty worked together at the armory. It was fun to see several of our military friends there and to catch up.

Climbing up in grandpas chair
Uncle Brad and Aunt Molly
I swear he was happy all day and loves them. He just didn't want to stop playing to take the picture for me!

Grandpa and Reese

Saying goodbye to Ben

Synopsis

The days have gotten away from me-- its been 4 days since a post. I am sure most of you are greatful to not have to hear about every detail of my day:)

Synopsis of me:
I hit my deadline on Tues night for work- yeah! Wed and Thurs nights were busy with ADPi. 2 hr conference call on Wed for the house corporation and then on Thurs I started the alumnae group back up with a kick off meeting. I think its really going to somewhere this time and we have some great plans in place. My deep freeze also came-- now I just need to get busy ordering the cow- especially with beef prices going up

For Reese:
Reese had Kindermusik on Thurs and then on Friday we went to the pool with our playgroup. HE SLEPT UNTIL 10:15 AM. I have no idea where that came from but I was loving it! I was able to get in about 4 hrs at work and be all done when he woke up. After the pool we headed to Belton to spend the weekend with his grandparents. We are having a good time with Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Bryan. Today we will also get to see Uncle Brad and Aunt Molly. Reese is being a true show boat and taking every opportunity to show off his new skills to his grandparents!

Rusty is off today and part of tomorrow and then starts rotation #3 tomorrow. His sleeping schedule is crazy and he lives out of a hotel, but otherwise I think things are going well.

2 weeks until Disney World

Deadline met

I am proud to report after working around the clock that I met my deadline about 5 min ago! yeah! 1 more hard week and then off for 2 weeks worth of vacation!

This afternoon I went to the goodbye party for my friend Angela. We will miss her dearly. She has been Reese's favorite babysitter and has been a fabulous house director for ADPi. They had a really nice ceremony and reception for her at the Corps center today. Thank goodness for my friend Jenny, who watched Reese for me while I went.

My Tues night babysitter was sick so I wasn't able to go to bible study tonight--so Bryan and I went to dinner. I thought I would be nice and get Reese a child size lemonade. Who knew it would be so big! He took it out of my hands and sucked it dry. Such a big boy now with his straw. He has been so hysterical today and having a blast.

The best news of the day (other than meeting my deadline) is that I fought my house appraisal and won! Especially proud since Rusty fought it last year and go nowhere! I guess I am more persuasive.Big thanks to Courtney's house for that one:)

Nursery fun

Reese got a new Strasburg outfit when we were in Houston. I think he looks like a doll and until he is 2 I can dress him however I want:) We were off to church in our Sunday best (I know I am one of the few who still cant wear pants to church) and I was doing my first day of nursery duty (after all he is 18 months so its time to give back). I was assigned the 2 year old class and everything was going fine.My neighbor dropped her daughter off and was telling me how she doesn't do well if she leaves, so the mom usually stays in Sunday School with her. Well I guess she decided she might be ok so she left to go to church. I was trying to calm the daughter down when she VOMITED ALL OVER ME! When her mom came back in, she mentioned that if she leaves her she gets nervous and vomits. Would have been nice to know before I tried to hold her child and calm her down! Good thing I got some gum to cover the smell for all those sitting around me during church! On a funny note, the mom did find me and bring me clothes to change into, but I opted to stay in my own. Your day can only go up from here!

After much debate I decided to attend the ice cream social for our Sunday School class. I went to HEB for the sole purpose of getting milk free ice cream (its so fun to drag Reese in a store for 1 thing of course). So we got our $4 pint of milk free ice cream and off we went. I bought the ice cream thinking he would be upset that he couldn't eat what others were. Well, he could really care less and wanted to play instead. Who knows if we will ever finish off that ice cream. It was ok - but its no Blue Bell Cookies and Cream
Reese has really taken to helping me clean. I can hardly sweep when he is around because he steals my broom and doesn't care a thing about his small hand broom

Tonight I cooked dinner for Bryan, Sharen Leigh and the boys, Crystal and Shane. Dinner went really well and we had a good time. Its going to be sad to see Sharen Leigh and Ben move in a few weeks. However- they will be back in TX after a year and I know we will run into them at army events.

I happen to have a portable swing in my trunk that I got back from Stacey yesterday. We got it out for Sharen Leighs son, and Reese went right for it on his way to the bath tub!

Work has been insane. Deadline is tomorrow so it will all be better soon. I actually forgot to eat lunch until 3 today (and I never forget) so that tells you the sort of day its been. On the positive side, I did get to talk to Amanda and Christine on the phone and catch up. I am really trying to be better about returning to my former self and keeping up with everyone!

Rusty had a few days off and went to Mt Rainer. He found gas for $4.50 a gallon. Can't wait to go and drive all over the state at that price! He returned back to a long shift today and will be back on night for 4 more days.

Houston

Item to ponder for the day:I bought this new outfit for Reese in a 12-18 month. I know he is skinny so I thought a size smaller. Well-- I had to take it back and get 6-12 in the pants. Whats crazier is I just bought an 18 mo swim suit at the same store and it fits!

I really thought with Rusty gone that I would have all this time at night to get things done (since I don't have anyone to hang out with ) WRONG! I seem to still get to bed every night at 11:30, my magazine stack is still huge, and my DVR is building! Tonight I worked (for my job) and then by the time I did facebook and emails the night was over!

Reese and I went to Houston yesterday to visit my mom and shop. It was a quick 22 hr trip. I had a very successful shopping trip. We are getting set for Disney World. Meanwhile, Rusty had a rough night in the field with poorly performing cadets and he got 1 hr sleep all night.

Playing with another kids tractor at the park by my moms house

After our shoe shopping trip I began to think- how many pairs of shoes is it acceptable for a child to have? He now has white and brown tennis shoes, sandles and crocs. All for very different uses but still seems like a lot now that I see his shoe pile.

Reese and I had a good time visiting my mom, my sister and my cousin Kim.

Reese is still throwing food like crazy off his high chair, but some how was an angel last night and tonight at restaurants.

Tonight we went to Jason's Deli with Crystal, Shane, Sharen Leigh and the boys. We were there almost an hr and a half and he was sooo good. He ate his spaghetti like a champ. He also had a juice box for the first time -- and acted like he had them all the time. He was so good with it

This afternoon we broke out the sidewalk chalk and started to let our creative energy flow onto the patio!!! It scares me sometimes how much he is like me with organization- as you see he put them all back in.

I am proud to say that he is actually finally starting to wave and say bye. I think he is also saying water, dog, hi, hot and of course no!

Momma!

For all those who live in my sorority world (go ahead and laugh Kelley) here are articles on the ZTA house tear down. Its really quite sad. While I would love to have a new house, the thought of mine being torn down would be horrible.
http://www.theeagle.com/local/Crashing-the-party
http://www.theeagle.com/am/Sorority-house-will-be-demolished

Reese woke up really early again today- I blame Bryan's alarm! I think its really because its daylight so early.

I have got to get focused back at work and less on the trip to Seattle! I have it all booked now and I have moved everything around. I now fly in on Friday and we will spend Friday-Sunday at three different lodge/hotels around Olympic National Park and then Monday-Wednesday in Seattle. It took a while to devise the plan but now its all set and Rusty is in agreement.

Reese was very fussy for some reason today. We went to the backyard about 5:30 as a result. My neighbor heard us out there and invited us over to her pool. He had a lot of fun and it was so convenient!

I have been meaning to mention that he is starting to finally say momma alot. The other morning when I went to wake him up, I stood over his crib watching him move around (very rare since he is always awake when I go in ). When he opened his eyes he said = MOMMA! It was adorable. His vocabulary is starting to expand in all sorts of new ways. He likes to say hot alot and now he puts his hand over his food to make sure its not hot before he eats it (since he hears me say its too hot and blowing on it all the time). Smart little guy.

Today he dropped a piece of food on his lap in the highchair- he moved the shoulder strap out of the way to get it- got the food- and then moved it back in its place. I must admit that he has a bit of my OCD on organization and everything being in its proper place!

He has a bit of a cold but is doing great!

My head is in the clouds

Reese can now move his school bus with his feet

I must be honest and say that my head has been in the clouds the last 2 days when it comes to work because all I can think about is planning the trip! I am all booked and have got everything planned out. Change of plans from Sunday and now I will be gone for 5 days instead of 4. We will spend the first night in Olympic National Park and then the other 4 in Seattle. Its a good thing I am in shape because I think we will be doing a lot of hiking

Reese has been such a joy the past 2 days. He returned back to MDO yesterday and seems to be doing well with his new teachers . I had a moment of panic when they were about to give him a cookie but they have since been briefed on his allergies.

Reese slept until 9 yesterday am -of course I was up working at 6:30- he never sleeps late on the weekends for me :). We went to the grocery store and he had a blast. Today we went shoe shopping and he did really well. He has gotten a lot easier to run errands with for sure. He seems to like going out- at least for a while.

We spent this afternoon over with Angela and Austin. I was telling her that we need to do a temporary toy exchange because he was going crazy with the new toys that Austin had. They had so much fun together and for once it wasn't too hot out. We rushed home so that we could meet the babysitter so I could head off to the work night. Our bible study group decided that instead of study tonight, we would go and help with the remodel of the new Southwood Campus of the church. It was really neat to see how its coming together (grace-bible.org). Its especially neat for us to see since Rusty went to the Church of Christ that used to occupy the building when he was in college. It opens Aug 17.

It is very clear that he really understands what I say now. Every morning I say lets go to the car and he goes to the garage door. After I open the door he puts his hand up to open the garage door (somehow it magically opens when his hand is 3 feet from the switch:)). He is such a joy and so much fun.

Rusty started his first rotation with the cadets out in the field today. I hope the day went well and that time will start to speed up now since he is bored.

This picture made me laugh- Reese was carrying around a picture of Rusty he took of the nightstand and untied his shoes so he fell

Matching from his head to his toes

The Ups and Downs

Happy Fathers Day!

Our day got off to a rough start but had a great ending.

Reese woke up hysterical at 6:30. I couldn't get him back to sleep and he kept running to our room and hitting the bed saying dada. He was knocking on all the doors looking for him. I guess it just hit him that his Dad was gone. He apparently said Dada all through church nursery as well. Since he was so tired I assumed he would take a good nap this afternoon- of course not.

After he woke up I decided to get us out of the house and to the mall. I found several good deals at Gymboree so it was worth it. I have been trying to not spend a lot of money, but then its boring to stay home all day-- so we go out- which costs money. And round and round we go! I did see several people I knew there and Reese was excellent. Sadly, he did seem to notice Barney playing in Gymboree - not a habit I am ready to undertake!

The day ended with me spending the whole night researching and booking my trip to Seattle! I am so excited that Rusty's days off weren't during my Disney World trip. Rustys parents will watch Reese and Rusty and I will be taking a much needed vacation together for 5 days and 4 nights. Even more exciting, we got a military rate on a car and at the Hyatt so that makes it less painful. While the airline ticket wasn't cheap- atleast I only had to buy 1 so I consider this trip a bargain. I am so excited! Rusty is in WA, his parents are in CO, my Dad is headed to FL this week- now its my turn!

Outdoor fun

I could not have asked for a better Friday. Reese slept 14 hours-- he slept until almost 9 am (of course I was up working at 6:30) which never happens. We went to the pool with our playgroup and then came home and took a nap. The biggest excitement of our afternoon was that Crystal watched Reese for me so that I could get my hair cut. I ended up getting a lot more than I planned cut off, but its starting to grow on me.

Saturday is the day that I dread the most without Rusty because its very long! The day started off well with us going to the park and the gym. Everything was right on schedule until Reese decided to only nap for an hour. Luckily after a few hours he decided to take a short second nap (which he never does) and my happy baby was back. We went out this afternoon in search of a George Foreman grill (not thinking with Fathers Day on Sunday that it would be impossible) so that I could start grilling for the two of us (my Dad sold us on the grill last month at his house). So we ended up with Mi Cocina take out instead for dinner and the search for the grill will continue tomorrow.

I had always wanted to see High School Musical (as cheesy as that is) so I am embarrassed to say that is how I spent the night:) Rusty is equally as bored right now. The cadets show up this week so that will all end. Its funny to hear how cold it is up there compared to here. We are dying of heat and he is freezing every time I talk to him!

Reese is really starting to try to repeat whatever I say. I said- stop throwing your food at the dog- and he looked at me and started shaking his head no and going - nanananda- meaning no no dog. It was hysterical! He has also started to be able to sit on his bus and make it move back and forward.

He wanted to read his books in the big chair all by himself

My little Climber

This was our second week at Kindermusik and he loves it. I am going to try to enroll him for the fall as well. He really likes to play with the instruments. Yesterday when I put on the cd he started dancing-- a first for him. He must get that from him Mom because Dad has no dance moves:)

Reese is very very tall (from two short parents) and he is always the climber of the group. Lacey has been commenting that after watching Reese these past 3 weeks, her son is now a climber- haha. Today, he walked off into the bedroom as he always does and this is what I found when I walked promptly in. Makes me a nervous wreck. We had a little talk about how dangerous this was (I know you can tell from this picture)

Good thing Bryan lives here because he was able to fix my garbage disposal. Little things like that can send you over the top some days!

Time with Friends

Reese and I have been having a lot of fun. Yesterday we took a spur of the moment trip to the park with Lacey and Angela. Reese loves playing on the big kids playground of course and didn't have a lot of interest in the playground for kids his size. He really liked to go down the tunnel slide (I guess since its slow).

Last night I had bible study and tried out my new babysitter. Everything went really well with the new sitter. She refused to accept my regular rate saying that it was too much for the little she had to do. FANTASTIC! She came highly recommended from our current babysitter who is sadly moving to NYC this month. We will miss her dearly- however now I have an excuse to go back to NYC!!!!

Today was a crazy day personally and at work. Reese slept late so I ended up having to work out after dropping him at Lacey's. It feels weird to be at the gym instead of work at 10 am. It makes me a bit jealous for those moms who are off during the day and can come and go on their own schedule:) Then Lacey called to say I forgot Reese's lunch (surprisingly the first time this has happened in his entire life) so back to her house I go. In the midst of this, I had to get my dinner for tonight ready since it is a crockpot recipe and needs to cook for several hours.

This afternoon, Angela and Austin came over for a playdate. Both of the boys had a ton of fun listening to the Kindermusik cd, dancing, playing with instruments and being boys. Surprisingly, we were able to keep them happy without having to go outside and have a heat stroke.

Tonight I had a dinner party with Sharen Leigh and Crystal .I finally got to meet her boyfriend and he was so nice. It seems like years ago we were all in the military support group together. Sharen Leigh has a 4 month old who weighs a pound or two less than Reese which is pretty amusing.

Trying to get Reese to sit next to Crystal for the picture

Success!

Tomorrow we have Kindermusik, but otherwise a relatively calm day. If Reese is up to it, we may go to the Childrens Museum with friends before Kindermusik.

Reese has really been doing well with his discipline and his signs. He decided in the past week to sign and talk non stop:)

Moms Night Out

My playgroup has a monthly Moms Night Out. Last night we went for coffee and desserts and talked for almost 3 hrs. Its always a lot of fun to get out and spend time with friends. Rusty's brother is now living with us, so he stayed home to watch Reese (Reese was asleep the whole time of course). We are so happy to have him back in town and for him to be so involved in Reese's life. Bryan gets home about 5:15 and is a welcome break in our long afternoon.

Rusty is waiting to hear on his schedule but it looks like he might have a few days off so I may may a trip to Seattle. If you have been there and have any recommendations please let me know.

My old neighbor Courtney was in town last week and it never worked out to meet up with her. I was so happy to get to talk to her on the phone yesterday. We miss having her next door and having the boys play together.

Reese has started trying to really talk and repeat everything I say. I was playing with the Noahs ark and going saying doot-doot-doot-do as the walked up the ramp into the ark and he was repeating. He wants to repeat all the fruits in his cheerios book. He of course calls strawberries dada! Pretty much everything in dada:) Sadly, I think he will take after me and talk alot.

Solo day 1

Rusty left yesterday morning for 2 months. He has gone to Ft Lewis Washington to train the cadets at advance camp (now called LDAC for you military professionals). I was really lucky because my father happened to be in town this weekend for a family reunion. He came on Friday night and watched Reese so that we could go on a date and stayed home with him on Saturday morning so that I didn't have to haul him to the airport at 6 am. He stayed through lunch today and was able to help me last night-- one of the most difficult nights I have ever had getting Reese to bed. Maybe he knows something is different. Rusty and I take turns putting him to bed so thats nothing new. My Dad claims its all the salsa he ate at dinner:)

Reese has been looking out the front window and saying dadda. Today he heard a lawnmower going and started screaming dada because he thought it was him. While I will miss Rusty while he is gone, I have known this is coming for a long time and I am prepared. I did 14 months without him -- I can do 2-- the difference is now I see the sadness in my childs eyes when he looks for his dad and cant find him. I think this is especially hard on Rusty because 2 months at Reese's age is a lot and he is going to come home to a different child. Just think, 2 months ago he couldn't even walk!

The family reunion was a lot of fun. It was at Washington on the Brazos State park. Since the reunion is always somewhere in the B/CS are, I am always the one with the short drive! There wasn't a huge turnout but it was a lot of fun. Reese and Conner were the only kids there, so he got alot of attention. My Dad and my cousin Shea helped out with Reese tremendously. It was especially nice to get to talk to my cousins Matt and Shea who I rarely see. Shea actually lives in town and now I have her information so we can hook up. She is also a great babysitter so that is very handy. Its interesting how many relatives I have in town (seeing as how my Dad's side hails from this area I have alot of cousins here) and never run into them. I was reminded when talking to Shea about how precious life is. She is 20 and fighting cancer and I can't even imagine what that is like. All of the students around her live a much different life than she does. I am so impressed she is still in school and still has a positive attitude.

There was nothing on tv last night so my Dad and I watched the Doors movie. I wanted to see that so bad when it came out but I wasn't allowed. I read the book and had the cd's but never saw the movie. It was a huge disappointment and very strange.

Reese took a great nap this afternoon which was a huge blessing!!! I never take a nap when he does, but today I did for sure. Reese was a handful today and half way through the afternoon it hit me that its just me and relief isn't on its way. I spend every afternoon with Reese but today he was especially cranky for some reason. Daddy missing maybe? I am going with teething.

THANK GOODNESS for the church picnic tonight. I was watching the clock all afternoon. We were both exhausted from all the climbing on the playground he did, but it was alot of fun. We went to a great park with a playground for kids more his age and I was so excited. Of course 5 min later he was on the big kids playground next to it. That's my climber.

I am especially grateful to Chris and Angela and Charissa for helping me. I was thinking today how lucky I am to have such great friends in this town and to have such a great church. I am going to be really sad when the army moves us away! Charissa gave me a hug and said I needed it. Angela was so great for helping me and for giving me plans for the week!

Next weekend I have no plans at all and I am trying to create some. Too bad it costs so much to drive to Houston all the time! I always counted the weeks when Rusty was in Afghanistan by focusing on what I had going on the next weekend. I think it really helps to go week by week rather than looking at the long term. I of course never hope you are in a deployment situation and have to think like that

Sorry this is so long. I decided to start this so that I could document the daily happenings for Rusty and to help with my sanity of not speaking to an adult all day!

Here are some pictures from our watermelon eating experience on Friday