Feeling Better

I know I stated in a previous post that Brock has an ear infection, but I didn't tell how sick he has been all week. It all started 2am Monday morning and the baby did absolutely nothing but lay in my lap all day and night. He didn't sleep for 3 nights and would not eat anything, only taking fluids. It was so sad to see him feeling so terrible. After the doctor visit wed. morning and finally getting antibiotics going, he was feeling much better today. I was able to put him down and he slept on his own. However, he still wouldn't eat, until Keira brings out chocolate. That's my boy. Keira and I were playing the Wii and I turn around and he had gotten into the Russell Stover box and obviously loved what he found. I was just glad to see him eating something.

Last party for Brock

Due to some of our family being gone on vacation - we waited to celebrate with them until everyone was back. We love our family time and would have waited another week if necessary. My babies don't realize how much they blessed to have so many people love them and go above and beyond the call of duty. I hope they will realize all this as they grow and it is something I know I have always taken for granted until you meet people w/o close families. We would rather spend time with family than anywhere else in the world - unless I was vacationing on a tropical island - just kidding, it wouldn't be as fun w/o family there also. A BIG THANK YOU to Papaw and Mamaw Leffew for hosting, preparing, and decorating. Keira gets a big shout out also, she was a helper to them. Poor little man was sick, but tried to be happy. After 3 nights of no sleep for me and him and having a fever, which I thought had broken yesterday, but didn't, I took him to the doctor this morning and he has an ear infection. Dr. Blevins said he is close to going to the ear specialist, my vote is to go now, since this is his 4th or 5th infection. Plus, once fall/winter roll around, the cycle will begin again. A Huge Thank You to Papaw Leffew who rode his motorcycle to Knoxville to get medicine that was not available in Kingston pharmacy's. Brock is finally resting right now, hopefully he will take a loooooong nap.

Caroline

Welcome to the world, Caroline Elizabeth Rhea Foster, our newest cousin. The kids and I got to meet her last week when she was a week old. Brock and Caroline's birthdays are 2 days apart. I was sure they would share the same birthday. She is absolutely beautiful and has such black hair. And of course, already spoiled by grandparents and great-grandparents.

What a face! She couldn't wait to hold the baby and has told me several times she would like to have a baby sister. And as I told her, not anytime soon. HA!!

Brock was intrigued with her, I think he thought he could handle her like one of Keira's dolls. Which means he is rough with them and they get thrown.

Playset

The kids got this playset for their birthdays from us and all the grandparents. We purchased this from Hops Fun Factory in Cleveland, TN and I am so glad we did this instead of buying one from toys r us. These are the best I have seen and he built this in less than 2 hours. When Keira woke up she had a big surprise. It is so durable and strong that Brandon and I can get in the fort with them. We are going to move the sandbox underneath the fort.

Play day

I sat up the slip and slide late afternoon while Brock was asleep. We had a great day at home. Sarah came to visit us and we played and caught up alot. I miss her so much. We have been friends forever.

Brock has finally decided to feed himself. Drinking from the cup is also going much better. I am thinking about putting the bottles out of sight and see if he asks for one. He says "bottle" in his language, it may not be clear but he really comes close. Or at least I can make it out.

Another party

We celebrated Brock's birthday Friday evening at my grandmothers home. We also celebrated Father's Day and one of my uncle's retirement. My grandmother had 12 children, so there is alot of extended family. Keira has a blast anytime we have a gathering.

Brock with Grammy Em and Mamaw Sherry. He loved his balloons and presents.

My aunt Phyllis did Brock's cake and he also had one just for him, which he didn't dig into. She did an excellent job, as she always does, on it and it was yummy!! Anyone that was at our wedding had a taste of my aunt's cakes. Phyllis and another aunt, Pat, did our wedding cakes.

Pint-sized volleyball

Party at Duncan's

We celebrated Brock's birthday tonight at my grandparents home. I took the kids up in the afternoon to swim. Then all the family came for dinner and party time.

Big Papaw with his little man. They truly are pals. So sweet!

Keira was so good today and did not complain once about it being Brock's birthday. She was a great helper, decorating, handing out cake to everyone, opening presents, and kept telling Brock "Happy Birthday" She was a doll!!

more party pics

Keira picked this sprinkler out for Brock, and he had a ball. Absolutely loves the water and especially when it is shooting out.


















Pool Fun! Swimming with Papaw Woody and cousin Madison. Uncle Jared got in also and had some fun with the kids.

Happy Birthday Brock!!

Where has the past year gone? I cannot get over that my little man is 1 today. It seems like he should be around 6 months or so, not a full year. He is such a happy little thing and loving. We started off today with his 1 yr check up and all was well. He weighs 24 lbs and 3.5 oz (72%) , Length was 30 3/4 (80%) and Head was 49cm (98%). He has been on whole milk a few weeks now and is slowly coming around to table food, but he is very picky. Still taking his bottle and has drank from the cup several times, but would prefer the bottle. Also, still refusing to hold anything himself to eat. Lazy!! He has held a bottle 2 times, not kidding here. But he will come around and I have learned boys are totally different than girls at every stage. We are not having a big party this year due to we left Shiloh and originally I was having the party there, but he is having multiple family get togethers beginning tomorrow night.

After the doctors visit we had pictures made and they are so good. I will share when I get them in a few days. Keira is having difficulty adjusting to his birthday and does not like it one bit that it is not her birthday. She pitched a fit wanting her pic taken today and never, ever has wanted it taken so bad before. She doesn't understand that her birthday is next month. She wants to know why her birthday isn't first? Why she isn't getting any presents? However, she did get something today at Wal-Mart after the doctor's visit. I can only imagine what her little thought life is like right now, when it seems like all the attention is on Brock, which isn't true. I guess this is just the beginning to the birthday wars on down the years.

Funny thing happened today. We got home and Keira went home with Mamaw and I had stripped Brock down and went to get something. I got distracted for a moment and finished something in the kitchen, I then came back in the living room and Brock had pooped. Well, it was everywhere! On him, all over the rug, on the couch, and he had taken a bat and obviously was hitting the poop. My dear husband would have gagged and had to left the house. I just laughed, there was my son in his birthday suit, playing in poop. Oh the joys of being a mother. Only my kids could do something like this and it not gross me out.
I thought about getting my camera, but thought I should get him in the tub as quick as possible. What a boy.

Papaw Woody's Birthday

Today was my dad's birthday so we went to have dinner at his house. Mamaw Peggy, Papaw, and my brother, Jared, fixed a great meal! Of course, Keira didn't eat much, because she wanted to go play.

Both kids love the water and Brock was having a blast! I didn't get anymore pictures beside the water time due to the fact that my camera got wet as I was rushing to get Brock who went under twice. He was on his knees and was getting so excited that he fell backwards and went completely under twice. The first time my camera survived, the second time water went through the lens, so I don't know yet if it will work. But at the time I wasn't worried about what I had in my hand, it could have been a million dollars and it wouldn't have mattered. Brock was on his back, all the way under and my heart nearly stopped. It was just a couple of seconds but it seemed much longer. The first time he didn't mind it and went right back to playing, but the second time he took in more water and we took him out for a few minutes, but he was raring to go again.

The funniest thing happened in the pool. After Brock's second time underwater, I had stripped him down to nothing and he went back in. Well, I am of course right there beside him and I notice something in the pool. I am like "What is that?" My brother comes over and grabs it, and Brock had a bm. We all start laughing and making jokes about the contaminated pool water. Especially that Jared had grabbed some. The kids get out and water time is over. Now, who gets to clean the pool? I guess Papaw since we left it like that and went back upstairs for dessert. LOL Happy Birthday Papaw!!!

Sand Box

Brock had so much fun in the sand. He was throwing it everywhere and digging all in it.

Needless to say, he was covered from head to toe!

Standing Up!!

Keira was tuckered out after a hard day of playing. This never happens- her falling asleep on the couch.

Some tidbits of info

I forgot to post some things that have happened recently.blame it on my scattered brain at the current time. Anyways.......Brock got his first pair of shoes last week and yes I have a pic, but I don't feel like scanning it in tonight. Stride Rite was kind enough to take a pic since I forgot my camera. He was so funny! We got the stage 3 shoes, which are a little bit heavier, and he was high stepping in them. I think he will be walking soon, maybe not, but today he has learned to balance w/o holding onto anything. Still cruising along well too. Sat. evening after his bath, he received his first haircut- again, no camera. I did this at my mom's house and we both cut on his hair. It was getting way to long in the back and curling upwards. Keira has been such a battle everyday with her attitude, moods, back-talking, and just plain hateful. I think some people have it wrong about the terrible two's b/c it looks like the age of three is going to be terrible, and it is not from lack of discipline, I could beat her silly and she would still give me a terrible look or back talk me. She tells me " You are mean" and points a finger at me. Then she might turn around the next minute and be sweet as sugar. You never know what is coming next. I honestly think some of this is attention problems due to having a baby brother. She says she is a baby and has actually gone and put on diapers. She wants to be fed from her cup by Brandon or me at night. Once Brock is down for naps, she is fine. And when she spends the day with the grandparents by herself, good as gold. Other things also lead me to believe this is all due to having a sibling and sharing the spotlight, which she isn't too thrilled about.

Teeth

Brock loves to brush his teeth. I just finished them and then let him take over.

The end result.