More conversations with a 3 yr old

More conversations with Summer...

She just woke up from her nap and came into the living room and sat down while I am feeding Zane.  The following was said in a monotone, grumpy, just woke up voice.
Summer: Daddy no call me "big sister"
Mommy: What did he call you?
Summer: Just Summer
Mommy: What should he have called you?
Summer: confused face (so I reword)
Mommy: What do you want him to call you?
Summer: Princess Summer.  I a princess.

On a sweet note, when Daddy left this morning I told him to "be safe."  Summer asked why I said that and I explained I wanted him to be safe on his drive and she responded, "God keep Daddy safe."  What a good reminder that God is in control.

Martin Funnies

These days there are lots of humorous moments at our house but here are a few I have from today.

Conversation between Summer and Mommy this morning...
Summer: Where my pink purse? I need my pink purse!
Mommy: Which pink purse are you talking about?
Summer: It's round and pink.  It hangs on your arm. It nice. I love it so so much!
Mommy: Oh, ok let me got check...pull out a pink purse that somewhat meets that description (not round) and she says YES.
Mostly I love the detailed descriptions she gives...it hangs on your arm. oh my!

She is into the cd from VBS and loves two songs on it.  We listen to them in the car.  The other day she asked me if I "hear the beat?"  I was like, where did you get that from?

And as far as Zane is concerned I have formulated my own NEW WIVE'S TALES.  Maybe you have heard of them:

• The more your baby cries, the better mother you are.
• The louder your baby screams the more intelligent he is.
• The less your baby sleeps the bigger he grows.

Just a few to add to the OLD WIVE'S TALES circulating out there.

Zane at 4 months old

Brace yourself for the cutest 4 month old boy!

This sweet little guy went to the doctor today for his check up and shots.  He weighed in at 16.2 lbs and 25 inches tall.  That is 75% for weight and 50% for height.  He, of course, did not like his shots but quickly recovered and then took a nice long nap.  I am hoping for a full nights rest.  

 

Zane and Grandad (the new slim and trim Grandad that is)

So I started Zane on rice cereal about 2 weeks ago and then added in bananas, which he loves, and I wanted to add some veggies too.  I baked a couple sweet potatoes, put them in the food processor and then froze them in my mini cupcake pan.  

This way I can pull out a couple as needed. By the way, Zane is a big fan of sweet potatoes too.

Training for the Asheville Half Marathon is coming along on track.  My wonderful brother is training with me (although in Alabama) and we email each other after each run.  It is a huge encouragement and motivation to have an accountability partner.  Currently we are running 15 miles per week but our long run is increasing each week.  It is surely harder to train this time as time is hard to come by. Also I am training in 3 months verses 6 months for my previous half which means I have to increase my long run each week rather than getting used to it for a few weeks. 

However, besides committing to a goal and achieving it I am also trying to shed some baby weight so that I can fit into my wardrobe by the fall.  I am so tired of struggling to get dressed because nothing fits!  Good news, I have lost 3 pounds and can fit into 2 more pairs of shorts. Hooray!

Week 1 of Swim Lessons-Check!

We missed swim lessons yesterday as Summer got attacked by a 24 hour stomach bug however we are back in action today feeling like normal. 

Summer's personality in a group setting is to stand to the side.  She doesn't jump in front to get attention and that equals lack of attention in some scenarios.  So I coached her, telling her not to sit on the end (as you can see that didn't sink in) and to stay close to her teachers so she can get a turn practicing each of the swim techniques.   

Stay close to the teacher...THAT she understands!  She is going to be a teacher's pet as she loves to love on her teachers.  She practiced her kicking on the kickboard.

As much as she is timid about putting her face in the water to blow bubbles, she will do whatever her teacher asks her to do. Good job! 

When I showed her the picture from earlier in the week of her on her back I asked her if she was relaxed or tense...her response, tense. I didn't even know she knew what that word meant. 

Look Mommy, I'm swimming! Are you watching me?

Zane my sweet sugar love! 

He is getting big enough for me to sit him up and say, pour myself another cup of coffee (without him tipping over).  Everytime I pick him up he feels like lead.  Can't wait to see how he measures next week at his 4 month doctor appointment. 

Summer's Swim Lessons

Today was Summer's first swim lesson at the local community pool. The class is held before the pool opens and lasts 30 minutes long. The lessons are for two weeks so this Mama will be pool certified by the end...hopefully it won't take me that long to get the hang of what to bring.  She was excited...a little hesitant to put her face under water but on the drive there she said she would try it!  That's my girl!

Before they got in the pool, all ages did stretches together.  It was really funny seeing her interpretation of spread your legs apart and touch the ground (hers was more of a squatting version).  Then they broke off into groups and I walked away and told her to follow her teacher's instructions.   

The class was playing red light, green light-by kicking their legs.   

 She had her mouth open the entire time during this game. Cute.

She was just bouncing around in the water...I realize that this is probably the first time that she can remember being in a pool without her puddle jumper float on. 

Her teacher had her put her face in a scoop of water.  Yay Summer! 

She floated on her back...either she is very tense or very relaxed. 

That wasn't so bad...all your classmates are doing it too. 

Ok, so I walked back to the stroller to check the time and when I came back I noticed Summer wasn't with her class...my eyes quickly scanned to find another instructor helping her back to the shallow end.  She had wondered into another class in the deeper section.  Notice she is in 2 ft 6 in and she is only 3 ft tall.  Her class is held in the 2ft section of water.  Girl! I have to keep my eyes on you. 

She had fun and we plan on staying and swimming tomorrow to practice our skills.  Being her mother is so much fun!

Cow Appreciation Day

We love Chick-fil-A!

Today is Cow Appreciation Day.  If you dress like a cow you get a free meal.

Who doesn't love a restaurant full of cows especially when you see your friends dressed like cows too.

Between the rain and the carseat, Summer lost a few spots on the way but she still had her ears, sign and tail! 

I was pumped when I saw a starter kit to print on the Chick-fil-A website, ears, tail, nose, tail and sign.  Thanks for making it so easy to get free food!

Zane's 1st Meal

At 16 weeks I couldn't hold off any longer...Mr. Zane got his first taste of real food, rice cereal! And the verdict is in-he loved it!

And Big Sister was dying to get in on the action. Lots of practice ahead, don't stick the spoon in too far, don't spill it before it gets to his mouth!  I told Summer we were going to feed Zane rice cereal and as I was preparing it she got the box of Kix out of the pantry...makes sense!

Mama loving on a sleeping boy! 

 Zane and his buddy, Dylan

Raise your right hand and repeat after me..."I promise not to grow up and tease my big sister."

Flying Solo

This week the kiddos and me are flying solo as we dropped daddy off at the airport for a business trip.  I am slowly checking things off my list, mostly necessities like grocery shopping, laundry and dishes but this morning I did something crafty which is fun for me.  I painted this scrap piece of wood with chalkboard paint.  In addition, I spray painted a blah Christmas wreath and rearranged some decor from other areas of the house .  

I figured I would need a heaven-sent reminder (hourly) to be the christian mom I want to be.

My verse of the week: James 1:19 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

Zane Zane Zane, you will become a manly man but for now you will be surrounded by PINK.

Summer loves getting in all of her old baby toys, exercauser, baby swing, bounce seat and the high chair...only now she can climb in and buckle up all by herself.   

Backyard Fun

I know some moms don't nap with their kids but I do so this post will be short on description as I am missing out on my precious zzzs.

As we have been inside nursing our colds Summer has been using Zane as her entertainment...and he finds it fun too.  She is reading him (and her doll) one of daddy's marketing books in this pic.

Zane has started sitting in his exercauser and can hit the piano keys as well as turn directions using his feet.

Saturday night, after the sun went down, we hung out in the backyard and the temperature was actually nice.  Zane swung in his new baby swing for the first time.  Big Sister loved the idea of pushing him. 

 He enjoyed the breeze and movement and he dozed off fairly quickly.

 Summer climbed around.

 Stopped to hydrate.

 Big smile for mommy!

 This little dress was one Chad bought for her in Mexico last year.

 Today she wanted to go outside so she went and put on sunscreen...in case you can't tell she is COVERED in sunscreen!

 Cutie!

 First she put her baby doll in the baby swing...next she wants to swing in it...she loves playing with all of Zane's toys.

 Love this sweet bundle of fun!

Happy 4th of July

Did I mention that Summer, Zane and I all have been tackled by a cold?

Well we have.  In combination with the heat wave we have been under this past week we have been spending alot of time indoors. 

We are doing our best to kick the cold.  Summer has been praying for God to take her cold away.  So sweet! I just realized that Zane will be 4 months in about 2 weeks and then I can start feeding him rice cereal! I am so excited.  I know that some of you, Mimi, want him to stay a baby, but I like moving into the next stages.  Summer is going to have so much fun feeding her very own baby brother...I can see it now.  

Zane Video

Zane is 3 months old and he loves watching the Baby Einstein dvd, Baby Mozart.  He kicks and smiles and can watch it completely without getting distracted.

Bible School

This week was VBS or known at our house as Bible School. We kicked it off with a fun day (minus the blazing sun) with Dora, inflatables and dancing the funky chicken with the Chick Fil A cow.

 Equally as important as Dora is a picture with Backpack and Map!

Daddy and Zane trying not to burn up...planned picnic got axed as it was just too hot! 

Summer was SO EXCITED for her first day of Bible School.  She was so ready to wear her new backpack and meet her teacher.  So excited that as we walked to the car she stopped to smell a blooming flower and bam fell to her knees.  Queue the tears and blood! 

This was after VBS.  They tried to bandage it for her as we didn't have any bandaids large enough but she said "Big Sisters don't wear bandaids." 

Day 2 of Bible School.  This afternoon she told me that she "missed her teacher" and that she "no miss mommy."  Wonderful! 

 Day 3 still loving school! Meanwhile, Mommy and Zane were grocery shopping, cooking new Pinterest meals (a future post), exercising, showering...however 3 hours goes by fast!

Last day of Bible School.  By this time we had our morning routine down!  We drank a spinach & fruit smoothie every morning, had our backpack ready and were out the door by 8:35.  Can't wait for the real Pre-School to begin!  Zane on the other hand...this was a character building week for him.  He had to learn to Go With The Flow.  Poor guy's naps were constantly interupted to get in the car to drop off and pick up Big Sister.   

In addition, I transistioned Zane to his crib this week.  Up until now he has been sleeping in a cradle (in his room) but I just decided to try the switch on Thursday.  It went terrible!  He was up 3 times in the night.  Next day he didn't nap at all, crying after about 2 minutes of being laid down.  I almost broke and went back to the cradle.  But then realized I didn't want to have to endure this Mom Torture again next month so I re-energized and stuck with it a second night.  He was up 3 times again.  Next day he napped better.  Third night he slept like normal, up only once. 
Sidenote: unfortunately for mom and dad, the night that Zane slept good Summer was up at 2:30 sick with a cold and couldn't sleep-lovely.

Summer likes to pull out her own clothes in the morning.  On one of the hottest days of the Summer she thought it would be appropriate to wear a long sleeve Halloween shirt and some summer leggings.  I helped her think that one through...like Daddy had to rationalize with her last Sunday when she wanted to wear her snow boots to church.