Fun Portraits and a Trip to Urgent Care

So, we had our first major boo boo. Daddy was on kid duty as Jeanne and I were privileged to enjoy a night out to the YWCA's Purple Sash fundraiser. As we were enjoying a New York style fashion show, disaster was brewing at the Cox household.

Bailey and Nolan were playing in his room right after their bath. Jason was in there, too, messing with the television that hasn't been used since the pre-Nolan days when that room was our workout room. Bailey had removed the lid from Nolan's plastic toy box and was brilliantly using it as a slide. How, you say? Well, a precariously propped up toy box lid makes an equally dangerous slide. When they got tired of going DOWN the slide, Nolan decided to climb up as he does on our backyard slide. When he did this, the lid gave way and crashed to the floor, taking him with it. We think he hit his forehead on the sharp edge of the rocker part of the rocking chair. Anyway, I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say Jason found out that head wounds do, in fact, bleed profusely.

So, Jason called me about 6 times. I, of course, had my phone on silent and was enjoying the show....or my key lime pie.....or my glass of wine. Oh, yes, perhaps all three. Jason didn't know where the insurance cards were or anything. Fortunately, I had only taken my id and check card in a small purse, so he dug through my wallet and found them.

By the time they got to the urgent care center (can I get an amen on the awesomeness of mini-meds?) Nolan wasn't even upset anymore. Just bleeding. He managed to play in the waiting room and show the doctor and nurses his bodybuilder impression before they worked on him. They used liquid stitches, which are better on facial wounds, and all is well with the world. Perhaps it's shallow of me, but I'm hoping that we can avoid a scar!

Needless to say, when I finally connected with Jason after the show, I felt terrible that I wasn't there to hold little Nolan's hand through the ordeal. But, on the other hand, it might have been a good thing that I wasn't there as I probably would have flipped out. Come to think of it, I was on a business trip when Bailey had her first (and worst) fall. Thanks, God!

Now, on to something a little more pleasant!

Jeanne and Philip decided to get some portraits taken of the kids for a Father's Day gift to Jason. It was supposed to be a surprise, but Bailey told me the day after they went for the sitting. Jason didn't know, though, which was the important thing. It was a spontaneous trip, so we didn't dress the kids any certain way....fortunately, they were wearing complementary colors that day.

Without further ado....

Have a great week!

It's Summer, Y'all!

Lots going on lately, as I'm sure you've assumed based on the infrequent posts.

A couple of Bailey stories before the pics....

The kids have been spending quite a bit of time at the neighborhood pool. One day, I took them both (which was an experience and an exercise in my best "watch both kids like a hawk" skills!) and Bailey was trying to jump into the pool from the side. She's not super comfortable with the water yet, so we're doing things with her to increase her comfort with water on her face and whatnot. She had floaties on, but was being very hesitant. She was poised on the side of the pool, ready to jump, and she kept saying, "I'm nauseous. Momma, I'm just so nauseous!" She meant nervous! For some reason, this makes me laugh.

We've been planning to send Bailey back with my parents on Father's Day when they'll come spend time with us at my brother's house in Edmond. She will spend a few days there alone so that my mom can teach her to swim. Anyway, plans changed and my mom now has to stay the night in OKC, go to an appt. on Monday morning, and THEN she will take Bailey back to Clinton. Given the fact we've been counting down the days "til Grandma day" (forget Father's Day), I needed to break the news to her. I said, "Bailey, I have some news. Do you think it's good news or bad news?" She answered, "Probably bad." So I told her the new situation and she immediately started to cry. I said, "Honey, don't get upset. It's not the worst news. The worst news would be that they aren't coming at all." She straightened up a bit, and responded with, "Momma, the worst news would be that I'd have to have surgery."

I guess she's right! Again, laughing....

Such a big boy - he looks solemn in this picture, but I must have not snapped the picture at the right time. He had been running through the water and decided to take a time out and swing. Jason is just off camera because he doesn't balance extremely well on a regular swing. But, he thinks he's ready for it, so we let him and then hover in case he looks like he's going to fall.

This was a Saturday morning session of "let's play VBS." Bailey was teaching Nolan a lesson on Jesus. Somehow, the picnic blanket, seashells and 4th birthday invitation were integral to the lesson.

They love each other and hugs and kisses are part of the daily routine. So cute!

Pardon the naked butt. Nolan had been running through the sprinkler and his oh-so-heavy (with water) diaper literally dropped off seconds before this photo op. I just thought this was cute that Nolan wanted to "help" daddy paint the fence.

Nolan LOVES the Wii Fit. And, I think he has pretty good form, don't you?

Nolan has started to enjoy the sprinkler after days of just standing and watching his sister have fun.

Thanks, dad! Slam dunk!

Bailey during a downtown walk on the river. She knows how to stop and smell the "roses!"

Again, Jason just off camera. He thinks he's so big! On a side note, have you noticed that Bailey is in dresses in every picture lately? She has decided that if it's not a dress or pink, it's disgusting. Sigh.....

Last, I leave you with a snippet of Bailey's VBS parent night. She had a lot of anxiety about not knowing the songs (she told me that she was going to have to sing by herself....still don't know why she got that in her brain), but she did pretty well for being one of the youngest!

Parenthood Rite of Passage

Two nights ago, Bailey dropped a bombshell.

"You're mean. I want to run away from here."

This was a new one. She's shared her view of me as mean mommy before, and I always answer her the same way - she may think I'm mean, but it's my job to teach her right from wrong and I will not tolerate her bad behavior. But running away? She's just 4.....going on 24. But, still 4!!!

My initial reaction was sadness. I couldn't believe she was breaking my heart this way. But, then, something took over me and I became very calm. Here's the rest of the conversation.

Me: "So, you want to run away. Well, I guess the first thing you have to decide is where you're going to go."

Her (with an incredulous look in her eye): "I'll just go to grandmas."

Me: "Okay, that's probably a good place to go. So, how are you going to get there?"

Her: "You're going to have to take me."

Me: "Well, that's not really how it works. If you're going to run away from home, you have to do it on your own."

Her (with panic setting in): Pause....."Will you at least give me a flashlight???"

Me: "We'll figure that out in a minute. First, I guess we need to pack a bag for you."

At this point, I went into my bedroom and got my suitcase that just happened to be sitting there from my recent work trip.

Me: "Let's go to your room and pick out some clothes. I know you'll need some underwear and your toothbrush...."

While I was talking, she took exactly 2 steps toward her room, bent her head down, and started sobbing uncontrollably.

Her: "I-I-I-I-I would miss you so-o-o-o-o-o much." (Sob, sniff, sob, sniff)

Jason (who has been trying not to laugh hysterically, the exact opposite of me trying not to spill tears down my face): "Bailey.....good news. You don't have to go!!"

Visibly relieved, she began hugging me, saying, "I love you, mommy."

And thus concludes my (first) threatened runaway story.

Nolan Philip Cox - 18 Months

Nolan is officially 1 1/2 years old....can you believe it?

Our trip to the doctor today was rather uneventful. No tantrums or dramatic reactions to the shots....just a happy boy who felt betrayed by the needle for approximately 4 seconds. He did bonk his head on the door on our way out, so the doc got to see firsthand how he receives the majority of his baby bumps and bruises!

Stats

Weight: 22 pounds 4 ounces - 10% (yeah, we broke out of the 5% mold)

Length: 31 1/2 inches - 25%

He's added a few more words - hello (which he's said for awhile, I just forgot to put it on the list last time), bird, doggie, dirty, and shoes.

As for his eating habits, I'm definitely going to take Ilena's advice and start secretly putting vegetables in things (Deceptively Delicious cookbook). The only catch is that they will have to either go in yogurt, pizza or pancakes, because that's about all he will eat. Well, and chicken, but I don't think you can put vegetables in chicken. :-)

Peace....