Poetry, Sheer Poetry...

My sister sent me a few notes I had written that were found in my Mamaw's things.  I was probably about nine when this letter was written.  It captures me perfectly.  Hope it gives you a laugh.

"Dear Mama and Pop,

How are you.  I am fine.  Natalie Birthday is soon.  Today is the 13th of July.  We are going to have 12 people come.  not incuceding ME MOM DAD.  We are getting a LOT of stuff for it.  She cant wait!  But I CAN!!  Her list of TOYS is as big as the fence!  I'm seruios.  I'll see you soon!  But before you go I have to tell you something.  YOU see I have a JOB.  AND it ends next week on Friday.  So maybe I can still come to Dollywood with within the month.  SEE you Then Good bye! 
LOVE, Melissa  LOVE You!"

Hmmm.  Where to begin?  Can you tell I did not enjoy having any attention directed away from me, even on my little sister's birthday?  We have an old picture of my sister in her high chair, with me holding her gifts and pouting.  I'd be willing to bet there was not a "list" of presents as big as the fence.  I'm seruios.   I was just a wee bit dramatic. 

My JOB was to let my neighbor's dog play outside and clean up and feed him while they were away.  I was so prissy that I had my sister lift the dog, Baron, out over his gate because I could feel his ribs and it freaked me out.  I've always been a bit peculiar.

What a neat gift to stumble upon.  Don't forget to call (or write) your Mama, as Lewis Grizzard would say.  I wish I could call mine.

Thanks, Natalie!   You have thrived despite being my little sister and you are a wonderful one.  Seruiosly.

Time In A Bottle...

My sweet baby girl turns one in a week.   Last January, our Sunday School class had a marriage conference and we are going through marriage topics again this year.  I feel like we were just preparing to go the hospital.  And now she's taken her first steps just this Friday.  She's just gotten her front two teeth.  She's saying "uh oh".  Pointing.  Waving.  Being a total spitfire.  The child has more baby dolls than you can shake a stick at.  Several options for her birthday party outfit.  May even have a wardrobe change midway through her Princess Belle party.  Ah, time.  Just can't stop it.  And I guess I wouldn't really want to. 

There are first days of school.  Recitals, hopefully.  Cute boys on the playground.   Just the right outfit.  Doing the mall crawl.  Girl Scouts.  Disney World.  Boy bands.  Crushes.  Dances.  Sleepovers.  Memorizing lines to cheesy girl movies.  Best friends.  Barbies.  Childhood.

I can't wait.  It makes those hard days of missed naps, achy teeth, poopy diapers, and crying jags worth it.

All my love to sweet Sarah Anne.  Your mama and daddy love you.  

Ms. Neal and the Easter Bunny Basket

Here's my Flashback  Friday...

I'm a big reminisce-er.  As my little one begins his long sojourn in education (or plays puzzles and eats snack with other two year olds), I'm reminded of my wild elementary school days.  I'm sure they (the college of education) tell young elementary teachers that they must scare motormouths into compliance. I once was a motormouth, but the system broke me. I know that is harsh, and I love teachers (and I am one), but it seems to me that all my primary school teachers wanted me to sit down and hush up.  I didn't get my "All A" hat in third grade because Ms. Ford gave me a C in conduct.  Because I talked in line.  I'm working through it.

Which brings me to Ms. Neal.  My first grade teacher.  Me: pale little white girl.  Scared during the meet and greet time at big church.  Ms. Neal: large and in charge.  Gregarious, single, black lady (is it okay not to say African American?  'cause I don't think Ms. Neal would mind).  Now, as a first grade teacher, I know Ms. Neal was kind and patient.  But I have three strong memories of her.  One was when I told my mom that it was MISS Neal, not MISSUS Neal.  That was important to her.  Second, I still have my Christmas ornament, a picture of me and Ms. Neal, framed in green felt, that still hangs on my parents' tree each year. 
But the stand out memory is the bunny basket.

For some reason, I did not want to bring in a empty, 2 gallon milk jug to cover with pink cotton balls for some Easter celebration.  Day after day passed and I did not bring in my bunny jug.  Finally, Ms. Neal made me STAY BACK from recess to decorate a jug she provided.  I don't know why this stays with me.  Maybe bunny jugs are a 1st grade standard.  A rite of passage.  I don't know.  This was my first foray into getting on the teacher's list.  A rebel at six. 

I'm a rule follower.  Just don't make me craft.  Unless you're MISS Neal.

Sending lots of love and pink cotton balls wishes out there to all the hard-working, grief-taking, under-paid, under-appreciated, but very needed and truly heroic teachers.  May your tribe increase.

Personality Snapshot

Since we took the road trip this weekend, Jay's sleeping patterns have regressed! We took the poor baby everywhere with little sleep and I have paid the piper. We were back to 1 a.m. screaming without consolation... yes, my trained nighttime feeder/sleeper reemerged. However, by last night, he stirred at 1 and 3 and put himself back to sleep.

The snapshot this title of this entry refers to is the position I found Jay in when I checked on him after the crying ceased at 1. He had turned himself over on his stomach, thrown his arm outside of the crib, and was hugging the crib bumper. Despite my coaching, Jay does not like to turn over on his stomach during playtime. It cracked me up to see him showing me up by turning over when he felt like it. And it was so cute to see him cuddling! It was, however, not a "Kodak moment" at 1 a.m.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I, like everyone else, can't wait. Holidays are so hopeful, even though the reality can sometimes be that they are also expensive and trying due to all the demands we place on ourselves to have the perfect Thanksgiving and Christmas.

As my husband will attest, I am incredibly nostalgic and always love talking about favorite memories. Here are some favorites:

1. My little sister as a preschooler repeating bathroom humor at the Thanksgiving table (and my grandparents being oblivious to what was so funny).
2. My Nanny's chocolate layer cakes, dressing, English peas, and sweet tea.
3. Seeing MaMaw and Pop at the head of the table for every holiday meal.
4. A-train meeting my family the day after my Pop's funeral. It helped.
5. The Savannah Truck Stop. Home to many pre-Thanksgiving and Christmas meals as we were en route. For you, Mom!
6. Kabula lights. For Dad.
7. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It's not American if you don't love and identify with that movie.
8. My first Thanksgiving as a "married lady" where I made real dressing, roasted the Turkey, and showed my mad hostess skills. And used my "good" china.
9. Huddling with my sister in our beds as kids, waiting for our parents to wake up so we could go see what Santa left us. For Aunt Nat: Snugglebunnies!
10. This year, and all the sweetness that Jay will bring to our family!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Storing it up...

Today we went to MOPS. First off, my preparation for these monthly meetings has drastically changed, which I find humorous. First month, I was up early, showered, feed and bathed Jay, makeup, wardrobe decisions, out the door in plenty of time. Month two: popped the casserole in the oven for the meeting (which I had prepped the night before, no less), and continued the pendulum swing of baby-mommy prep. This month?

After feeding Jay around 5:30 (he's sleeping beautifully without interruption, but I'm still holding out for at 10-7 sleepfest), I burrowed back in bed and A-train, to his credit, hung out with Jay as he prepared for work. Jay was back in bed with me for a feeding/mini-snooze when we finally began the day in earnest at 8 a.m. The meeting begins at 9:15, but since I now live in Middle Georgia, the commute of 10 minutes is nothing.

While Jay and I were well attired (well being him in an adorable hoodie jumper, me in jeans and a sweater that only had a few spit-up & coffee stains), no baths this morning! We made it in plenty of time and I really enjoyed myself.

I even saw another lady from my Sunday School at the meeting, which makes 4 of us that attend MOPS and my church! These women will be in the Thursday a.m. bible study that starts back up in January, which I plan on attending. Slow and steady makes the friend :).

Today as I was burping Jay, who has been going through some growing pains (i.e gas & constipation), he put his head on my shoulder and I said aloud, "This is going in my memory bank." An older friend told me that when she had her second child, she consciously paused to enjoy those first moments with her baby, as he would be her last. Even though I probably should write more in his baby book and have yet to paste in his ID tags and photos, I'm trying to heed the advice of this mom. These simple, ordinary moments really are so fleeting and cannot be duplicated. So I'm enjoying them!

6 Months

Jay reached his 6 month milestone yesterday. Here are some sweet, fleeting memories I don't want to forget.

Jay's face. Especially his sweet mouth, chin, and cheeks. No picture can capture how perfect it is to me.

Jay's smile. How he can just give me a huge grin. He loves to bounce, "fly" on my knees, roll around with me.

When Jay places his head on my shoulder when he's tired or not feeling well.

The feeling of being able to "fix" his problems for a short time. Being his little world for such a brief window of time.

Jay laughing at me and my trying to keep him laughing.

So, dear readership, what are your favorites? Please share your favorite memories of the children in your life.