Are We There Yet?

Top 10 Random Things I Learned on the Cox Family Road Trip

10. Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again" is a delightful distraction from the boredom that sets in after you pass Ardmore. Too bad I only know the chorus so it doesn't last long. It also helps get your mind off having to pee, because we all know Jason doesn't stop and restricts my fluid intake on road trips!

9. Nolan is a great traveler. He watched "The Elf" for much of the 5 times it was shown due to his sister's authority over the DVD player, ate fruit, and rocked out to Bon Jovi. Bailey did really well, too. We were nervous after she asked us if we were in San Antonio as we passed the Warren Theatre in Moore (about 30 minutes from home for those of you not familiar with OKC).

8. I, apparently, am afraid of heights. Upon our arrival in S.A., we proceeded downtown to stroll the Riverwalk, eat Mexican food, and take the kids up to the observation deck of the Tower of Americas. I remember Jason taking me up the tower when we came to S.A. the first time when we were dating....and I don't remember anything crazy happening. This time, however, I couldn't look out the glass elevator and, when we got to the top, my legs felt weak and I couldn't walk anywhere close to the edge (it's all glassed in, but that didn't seem to me to be a rational argument for looking out). The kids' hair was blowing and I felt the gentle swaying of the entire building. Yep, that's when I wanted to go. Funny, my brother had a similar experience in Vegas....but we've known he's afraid of heights since he was a child. Me? Just add this to my running list of anxieties now.

7. We are not Six Flags people. We made plans to spend Day #2 at Fiesta Texas. Soooooo fun, right? When it's 105 degrees and one of your children is only big enough to ride one ride in the entire park (but doesn't understand why he can't do whatever he wants), this adds up to one thing: being miserable. We wore our swimsuits as our plan was to get hot and sweaty and then cool off at the water park. We only made it a couple of hours and then pondered why we shouldn't just go back to the hotel and swim there....less people, more relaxing. So, we were pathetic and left. We had fun in those 2 hours, though, so that's all that matters (trying not to think about the price per hour we paid for that fun!).

6. I will never again use Expedia to book travel arrangements! We booked our stay at a hotel where friends always stay and right by Sea World where our other friends live. It's beautiful, we got a good deal, the end. However, when we arrived (after our long journey to get there and when all the kids wanted to do was hop in the pool), they said that they didn't have a reservation for us and were completely booked for the holiday weekend. Say what? Apparently, a confirmation doesn't really mean anything. Long story short (or as short as you get with me!), Expedia had booked 7 families at that hotel and had not provided that information to the hotel. Jason proceeded to get angry, they told him to lower his voice and suggested we do as another family did and go to the Days Inn down the street that was sure to have availability. They lost him at Days Inn.....smile. It's funny now, but we were not amused in the moment. One of the managers ended up really helping us....calling Expedia, talking to supervisors there, etc. But, Expedia did nothing. They wanted to put us up for one night at a hotel downtown but charge us more for it. Regardless of the various arguments about our inconvenience, they were worthless. Finally, the hotel manager simply said that THEY would take care of us and they paid to put us up at the Courtyard Marriott down the street....one of only a handful of hotels with rooms available, only because they had just opened on Tuesday. All's well that ended well, but it was not a good start to our "no worries" vacation!

5. Salt water pools must be the new thing! Both the pools at the hotels where we stayed had salt water, which I'd never seen before. While disconcerting, I think it actually helped Nolan's wound heal faster! Nolan thoroughly enjoyed jumping off the side of the pool 500 times (he'd say, "NINE" and then jump.....his version of a countdown!) and Bailey is really doing well swimming, at least for short distances. She has a hard time transitioning from taking a breath to swimming again. Once she starts bicycling her legs and gets upright, it's downhill from there. But, she's making great progress and even jumped off the diving board a few times this weekend with the aid of a life vest.

4. When you do a lot of swimming, do your kids REALLY need baths? I propose the answer is no. That's all I'll say about whether our kids DID or DID NOT get bathed regularly on our trip.

3. Next time we go somewhere, I will pack less for Bailey and more for Nolan. She wore the same 2 dresses through the whole trip (and her swimsuit/cover-up) so much of her suitcase went untouched. All of my meticulous "outfit planning" based on the proposed daily activities went by the wayside. Nolan, however, can't eat anything (and I do mean ANYTHING) without it ending up smashed into his hair, shirt, on the seat of his pants, etc. So, note to self that Nolan needs 2 outfits per day if we plan on keeping him looking nice which isn't something we concern ourselves with at home that much.

2. There are ALOT of Cracker Barrel restaurants between here and San Antonio. I would not have known this had we not decided to stop there on our way down, and then saw one at almost every exit thereafter. I do have to say that their Campfire Chicken is pretty tasty!! There IS such a thing as travel food - sunflower seeds, beef jerky, Big Red drink (the drink from the gods, if you haven't tried it), and I'm now adding Cracker Barrel to the list!

And the #1 thing I learned is:

1. We have great friends and only wish they lived closer! We had a wonderful time with everyone (except Danny and Julie, who were greatly missed) and it makes me sad that we can't just have impromptu dinner parties all the time....or go see one of the kids play soccer....or be at birthday parties!

And, for the pics.....these are arranged from last to first (end of trip to beginning) and I'm too lazy to go through and change it around since there are so many of them!

Nolan looks like he's really playing...waiting for the rebound!

Fun with a Hannah Montana game!

Nolan did NOT like us putting the Hannah wig on him!

Bowling with the Flores clan!

I may just have to arrange for Nolan to marry little Maddie!

He's a ladies man already....they couldn't stay away from him!

The "firecracker dance" when the first one went off!

Nolan liked the fireworks, but had to sit in daddy's lap for the duration.

Hot and sweaty Bailey and Ava Sammon.

Family pic!

The kids anxiously awaiting the fireworks. This was after the battle of who got to sit in what chair!

Bailey was proud of her "July dress" that Aunt Pat got her. She thinks she can never wear it again.

Bailey thinks she's a photographer.

The kids liked to pretend to take naps in the big hotel bed.

Our suite...courtesy of Expedia's oversight.

I guess you really can't tell, but Nolan has fallen asleep in this picture. He almost fell out of the car after Six Flags.

Nolan did NOT like this experience!

Hey, it's the guy from the Six Flags commercials. CREEPY!

Some Wiggles ride that I thought I could handle!

We waited 45 minutes for this picture of daddy and Bailey at the end of the log ride.

Hanging out in the room.

We had to go to the Alamo.....for 2 seconds to take a pic.

She poses like Paris Hilton sometimes. Scares me.

On the river....there were bees everywhere which I hated.

On the observation deck of the Tower.....yikes.

A Marilyn Monroe moment.

Love a sleeping kid when you have hours of driving ahead of you!

And, not trip related, but funny nonetheless.....what do you think my son likes to do now that he's acquired a head injury?

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....

Bailey's Best Friend and Nolan Updates

I've had so much fun watching Bailey this year. Pre-K is now over and she will start Kindergarten in the fall....WOW. I can't write too much about that or I will get really sad, so we'll save that for when the transition is right around the corner and the sentimentality is replaced by excitement for a new year!!



One of the great things about Pre-K was that Bailey really developed a great friendship. She's always found friends wherever she goes (remember me telling you about how she latches on to kids at the McDonald's playground and then thinks they're going to be BFFs?), but she has really developed a best friend in Kate and they are adorable together. I think, as a mom, I'm always worried that kids won't reciprocate Bailey's intensity, but Kate seems to be just as crazy about Bailey as Bailey is about her. Their teachers say they are inseparable and the only time they have problems is when one of them feels the other has been mistreated by another classmate. They go on playdates most Fridays after school (Kate stays with her grandmother just like Bailey does with Jeanne), and I have now traded info with Kate's mom so that we can keep it up over the summer. Bailey's first words after waking up the first day after school concluded were "I miss Kate." So cute.

Here are some pics of Bailey and Kate from recent end-of-school activities.

We didn't plan the semi-matching outfits, but you better believe they LOVED that they were similarly dressed.

This was at "Happy Happenings" and I'm sorry it's a dark picture. "Happy Happenings" is where the pre-schoolers and Kindergarteners gather in the chapel and sing songs first thing every school day. We got to see them in action at both Moms and Muffins and Dads and Donuts. They sing all Christian and character-driven songs, and then recite the Pledge of Allegience and Pledge to the Christian flag. It's pretty amazing how much they know. Of course, Bailey can sometimes only remember the words when she's actually doing it with the group, but that's okay!!

This one was at "The Amazing Race," their Spring fundraiser. Each class got pledges and then ran a race in the field behind the school. I didn't have enough sense to turn around so they weren't looking into the sun for this picture. Scrunched noses!!

What Nolan is Doing...

-Says hello, bye-bye, Bailey, momma, dadda, grandma (sounds an awful lot like momma), pop pop (grandpa), more/no more, all gone, uh oh, doggie, bubbles, bathtub, bottle, cold (accompanied by a hand on his cheek because I usually touch his face with cold things), hot (accompanied by him acting like he's blowing on something since that's what we do with his hot food!), pancake, and pee pee (when we're changing his diaper). This actually seems like quite a few words, but he doesn't say them very often.

-"Sings" (it's jibberish) songs and knows when to do the right motions....i.e., "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands." My favorite part is the 3rd verse when we sing "say amen" and he very emphatically does the hand motion.

-Gives real kisses with a closed mouth. LOVES to hug, especially Bailey. Is very sweet, but you may not always catch him in "affection mode."

-Runs everywhere. Not sure what his walk looks like anymore.

-LOVES to look at all the pictures on the walls. This is usually our after-bath routine. I point out every family member in the pics, and talk about what we were doing at the time. I'm not sure if he knows which ones are of Bailey and which are of him, but he definitely likes the Bailey pics best.

-Still a hitter. We pretty much take objects away from him as soon as he acquires them.

-Still not sure what he likes to eat. The only constant is pancakes or waffles. Everything else is subject to mood, temperature, texture, ability to be flung across the room at sister, etc. Oh, he is also a psycho about ice cream and coke. We have to hide drinks from him or he'll freak out. And, we went to Braum's on Mother's Day and Nolan literally almost hyperventilated as he watched the guy make Bailey's cone. He does tell us what he doesn't want to eat with a very exaggerated head shake and accompanying "uh uh."

-Is finally starting to get the hang of drinking out of a cup, but is still attached to nap and bedtime bottles. I think I'm just going to have to throw them away (maybe this weekend??) so that we don't revert back to the routine when he's screaming and crying for one.

-Mimics us playing the Wii.

-Is around 23 lbs. if we accurately weighed him (Jason holding him on the scale minus Jason on the scale alone). If this is correct, he'll be out of the 5% range and into the 10-15% range.

Here are a couple of cute pics of the kids. Bailey decided to play like she and Nolan had long hair by putting tights on their heads. Surprisingly, he let her. Anyway, I think they look more like they are about to rob a bank or something! Also, I think you can tell that Nolan has put on some lbs. in this picture!


Finally, here's a great picture of Bailey and Jason. Aren't they cute?!

Growing Up

Bailey got her ears pierced.

I never thought I'd let her get pierced ears at this age, but she has been asking and Jason and I finally decided that, as long as she is mature enough to leave them alone during the healing process, it's not that big of a deal. We told her exactly what would happen and let her think about it for about a week. She even went to Claire's last week and watched several kids get theirs done so that she would know what to expect. And, after all that, she was still determined.

So, we took her on Saturday evening. I expected it to be a big crying ordeal and I was right. However, SHE didn't cry....I did. Something about seeing her sit there like a big, brave girl was a proud and sad moment all at the same time. She did great! As you can see, she had a little fear in her eyes, but came out smiling.

Here she is waiting...a little nervous.

And, as her ears were getting cleaned.

Right before the piercing gun came out.

About to be pierced.

After it was all said and done. Note the pink studs.

Well, one growing up moment down, 1,000 more to go....