Sense of Humor
Growing Up
I feel like life with Renn since he turned two has been a whirl wind of change, change and more change. Here are a few.
Sentences: I feel like I was just getting used to all the words he was saying when all of the sudden he moved onto sentences. Is he even legal? A few of my favorite's are:
It's coming.
It's a happy dog.
Build a word. (thank you Word World)
Daddy is home.
Mama is coming.
Love you, (insert name of choosing)
Let's close it. (said often...to me)
I am marching.
Awesome Daddy.
Mommy has pink flower.
Potty Training (kinda): Renn has been telling us for awhile when he "poots". With the new baby I wasn't up for tackling potty training till recently. He has a frog potty now and a kido seat for the big potty. We have had one successful attempt when he was in the bath tub and declared he had to "poot". There is no pressure what-so-ever. Just want to help him start associating how it all works.
Big Bed: I am convinced I know what it will feel like to send Renn off to college. The same as when he got his big boy bed (a big ole full size bed). He has been ready for awhile, but I wasn't ready. I couldn't let go of his baby days and him in his crib. But, alas it was time. Actually, Eric just said he was doing it and I better order the bedding I wanted (911 call to PBK was placed). In order to fit his full size bed in his room we had to remove his rocker and ottoman that I have used with his since he was a baby. Many a nights he was rocked to sleep as he was teething and many a mornings we sat together in this rocker drinking milk and singing songs. Just moving it brought me to tears. Eric set the bed up while I was at work. And the result was that Renn LOVES it. I am enjoying getting to lay together at night and read book after book after book. He looks so tiny in the bed and is still not used to sleeping with sheets, comforter and a pillow. When he wakes in the morning though he loves just hanging out in his bed.
Some days the change is overwhelming. But, most days I just love being able to be in conversation with him, read with him, build and create with him. Two days ago one of his teachers gave me one of the greatest compliments I could EVER get. She was sitting with me and she said "Renn has one of the best imaginations." My heart just lept with joy! Read more...
UV expressed
Tonight was a huge night for the tree frog and his parents. Since the moment I can remember we have told Renn that we love him prior to bed. As his vocabulary has grown we have been hoping/wanting "love" to become one of his words. But, to no avail. We would continue to say it each night (repeatedly) hoping for it to be reciprocated but it never came in words. The last few weeks he has become such a parrot of all we are saying we thought certainly he would say it but it did not come. Till TONIGHT! I was carrying Renn to bed and Eric was doing dishes. Eric said "love you, son" and out of no where Renn turns his head and says "uv you"! I screamed!!! DID YOU HEAR THAT? DID YOU HEAR THAT? Eric was giddy with laughter!
It was so real and heartfelt. It didn't feel like he was just repeating daddy but that he got it!
IT WAS AMAZING! AAAAmazing!
P.S. - I will admit there was a tinge of jealousy in me that wishes it was said to me but I will take it however it comes.
WE LOVE YOU TREE FROG!!!
Parrot
We recently got a Parrot. It is male and 2 years of age. He is very colorful and energetic. Our parrot is also extremely quick to learn and literally repeats the last word(s) of everything you say. You have to be cautious with your words, music and TV around our parrot. Our parrot also helps us realize the words we use the most:
I don't know
yeah
I got it
yeah
okay
everywhere
yeah
it's coming
okay
what's that?
yeah
this way
okay
yeah
okay
yeah
okay
and yeah, yeah, yeah.
We are attempting to replace the yeah with "yes"
If you would are worried about being mimicking then beware of our parrot, his name is Renn.
P.S. Our parrot also loves the word ausaurs (dinosaurs)
Brought to you by the letter R!
Renn turned 2! We are calling it the TERRIFIC TWO'S. Because he is terrific! Energetic, playful, talkative, independent, loving, caring, creative, organized and just plain wonderful. He brings us plenty of joy and teaches us new ways to be the best parents we can be. I became a bit obsessive over his birthday party despite a new baby in our lives. I wanted him to know how special he is to us and I wanted him to have a fun day all about him. I am thankful all the hard work paid off. He had a blast at his Sesame Street themed party!
We made our own version of the Sesame Street sign for the front yard welcome. We filled the back yard with bubbles, balls, sidewalk chalk, crawling tunnel, crayons and a canvas. I replaced the dining room drapes with paper chain "drapes" in primary colors. We also turned an emptyroom in our house into a mini theater with red curtains and a large TV showing Elmo. I actually wasn't expecting this room to be used as much as it was.
The lunch table had white paper bags that kids could decorate and then pack their own lunch of chicken nuggets, applesauce, raisins, carrots and their choice of chocolate milk or juice. The desert table featured cupcakes with toppers I made to match the invitations. We also had chocolate chip cookies made by Grandma. We figured if Cookie Monster showed up we should have his favorite food. There was also Blue Bell ice cream served. When you come from Texas that is a MUST!
These are just a few pictures that capture the day more can be found in The Gallery section. We are so thankful for all the help we had and our event photographer Ginger Morby.
Read more...
Getting Adventurous
It's Official!
On February 16th at 10:02 a.m. Renn Jackson Bailey became a big brother. His sister is Miss Avery Elizabeth Bailey. Due to swine flu children are not permitted into hospitals which meant Renn was unable to meet his sissy untill we came home from the hospital on the 19th. And thankfully the reaction is LOVE! Renn loves his sissy, The "B" or vry vry. He is very concerned for her at all times, wants to peak on her in the crib, "ug" (hug) her, touch her hair, ears, nose and mouth. We are having to work with him a bit on being gentle and he tends to want on the lap of the person holding her but all in all it is best reaction to a new sibling I could have hoped for. We are praying constantly that they are a loving and caring brother and sister pair forever.
It is also official that we have begun using "time-outs" with Mr. Renn. I will never know if it is simply the age (22 months) or a sister coming along that caused a few new behaviors (throwing toys, choosing not to mind, some face whacking). I am having to find a "mom" voice that he actually responds to. I always thought I had one but right now it is only evoking laughter from him. He sits well in time-out and I wish he wasn't so cute when I get him. He sits there all smiles and when I approach he looks up and says "all done" in his sweet little voice. Not sure it is all computing but it makes me feels like I am taking the right step???? Eric is having to work really hard at finding the "dad" voice in him. Right now he simply has to turn his face to hide the laughter. And then I have to work really hard at not joining him. Last night we had a huge FAIL! Renn plopped both feet on the kitchen table after he was done eating. Eric tried telling him "no" and then just busted out laughing, I couldn't help but laugh and soon Renn joined us. We were all giggling.
The whole thing is truly helping me examine what is a "no!" in life. Want to make sure the little guy hears the word yes! in life more than he hears no! Parenting is always teaching me something.
