Mom of the Year

It was bound to happen, at least that is what my friend Garrett told me, although I think she was just trying to make me feel better.  I had just put the baby down for one of her afternoon naps, was chatting on the phone and cleaning my desk when I got the call….

I HAD FORGOTTEN TO PICK MAYSIE UP FROM SCHOOL

My sweet little (now middle) child who constantly entertains herself, and who just yesterday I spent a special day with to make sure that she didn't feel lost in the shuffle, I forgot.  Paul had my SUV so I quickly woke up the baby, put carseats in his F250, and drove that big truck, with the 6 foot porch swing in the truck bed to school as fast as I could go.

And there she was, bouncing down the hall, holding a teachers hand, with her signature big smile.  And I promised my sweet, agreeable middle that it will never happen again…right after I set a timer on my phone to remind me of pick up every day.

Ansley: Three Months Old

What a month of milestones!

At 2 1/2 months, you rolled over for the first time and just to prove that it wasn't a fluke, you did it about ten more times over the next week.  Then, you decided to stop.  Just fine with me, I was having visions of a walking ten month old.

In your two month old post, I mentioned that you were sleeping 5 - 6 hours stretches at night.  Unfortunately, this all went away after daylight savings time.  That is, until I talked to my neighbor Amy.  Her daughter had been sleeping through the night since she was something crazy like 3 weeks old and, after four kids, she must know what she is doing.  So on March 26th, I borrowed her swaddle, the Woombie, and you have been sleeping through the night ever since.

We are following the Baby Whisperer and have been using the EASY schedule for the past two months:

6:00 - Wake and Feed
7:30 - Nap
9:00 - Wake and Feed
10:30 - Nap
12:00 - Wake and Feed
1:30 - Nap
3:00 - Wake and Feed
4:30 - Nap
6:00 - Wake and Feed
6:30 - Bath
8:00 - Feed (You don't like to take naps in this time period)
8:30 - Bed
10:00 - Dream Feed

You went on your first boat ride and either you aren't a water person or the life jacket was choking you.  Jury is still out on that one.

No baby stats this month but I am excited to see how much you have grown at your four month appointment.  Hopefully we will graduate on from the Neosure to regular formula!

Zac Brown Band in Chattanooga

We decided to continue the birthday celebration and take the older girls to the Zac Brown show in Chattanooga, TN.  Ansley must have been upset about being left out, because about 30 minutes after we left town, she decided to roll over for the first time at 2 1/2 months.  Next time I leave town without her, she will probably do a cartwheel to spite me!

We rode up with The Crawfords and even though I didn't bring my good camera, I snapped a few pictures with my Iphone.  After sitting in our seats for a few songs, we decided to watch the rest of the show from the side of the stage so we could be with Paul.

Sweet T-Bird is always so good about gathering the kids to do the t-shirt toss.  It is the highlight of the trip!  I think I would have been terrified at that age to be in front of thousands of screaming people!

Children and Sports: How Much is Too Much?

How much is too much when it comes to sports?  Currently, Railey participates in soccer, gymnastics and stroke lessons.  Doesn't sound too bad.  Except when you take into account that she has Spanish after school on Tuesday, soccer practice on Tuesday night, piano on Wednesday, gymnastics on Thursday, and a soccer game on Saturday.  Wait, I forgot about her stroke lessons, which usually fall on Monday or Friday.  

Not to mention homework…I will save that for another post though!

Railey led the prayer at this weeks soccer game..wish I had that on video

Paul and I were both pretty athletic growing up.  Both of us being more of the all around athlete rather than specializing in one sport.  So it is no surprise that we want our children to participate in sports as well.   And while Railey enjoys sports, she would much rather be at home playing in the cul-de-sac.

You hear all different philosophies.  Articles about helping them find their niche early and other that say to let them participate in everything and their niche will find them.  I have seen it done both ways. I have one friend who is signing her kids up for a different sport each time I talk to her….baseball, flag football, wrestling, and I think they even do basketball.  And they love every minute of it!

Yet another friend whose son plays baseball and piano.  Equally as happy and at the ripe old age of six he is composing songs!  

So I have tried to start focus on happiness. We are trying to encourage participation in the same sport over multiple seasons to give her a chance to develop her skills but I always give her the choice of participating.  Because when it really comes down to it, I want her to excel in sports because I believe that will make her happy.  But life might take her in a different direction.  Acting, art or music.  And that is fine too.  As long as she is happy.

A big smile and a wave for Mama

Miss Railey was not happy that the other team scored.  Maybe we need to have a little lesson on sportsmanship

I couldn’t help but include these adorable pictures of Ella and Maysie playing in the field while Railey played her game.  Too sweet.