School Work

Today, Bryson came home with some school work that made me happy (even if the "G" is backward)

A couple of weeks ago, he also brought home some school work that touched my heart.  This school work is very special to me because more than anything I hope that Bryson knows and loves God.  This means more to me than if it said "I will always love my mommy". 



First Soccer Practice

Today was our first soccer practice of the season.  Bryson was being such a ham.  I told David...since when did he become the class clown.  Right after telling the coach his name, he proceeded to tell the coach that his hair is long because it grows fast.  I have no idea where that came from because in my opinion his hair doesn't grow fast.  It took 6 months to get it that length, and soon his dad will cut it L.  He was being super silly and had the other teammates laughing at him.  But in these pics he looks serious. 

No training wheels

A couple of weeks ago, Bryson starting riding his bike with no training wheels.  We tried to get him to ride without training wheels before, but he just wasn't interested.  I guess he was finally ready.

20 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 20 Weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Like I'm gonna tell

Maternity Clothes: Mix of regular and maternity

Movement: Really starting to feel her move

Sleep: Actually better now than in the beginning.  In the beginning, I was getting up about 4 times a night to use the restroom.  Now I'm only getting up once or twice.

What I miss: Nothing yet

Cravings: Nothing in particular.  But I am surprised that my craving for Mexican has decreased since becoming pregnant.

Symptons: A little bit of heartburn every now and then
Best Moment this week: Seeing our baby on the ultrasound

Things I Love

I am so in love with Hardee's hand breaded chicken tenders.  They are some of the best chicken tenders I've ever had.  And the honey mustard is mmmm  mmmm good.  And an extra bonus....I saw in a magazine article that they had the least amount of calories and sodium compared to other fast food restuarants including Chickfila, Zaxby's, McDonalds, and several others.

March 15 Ultrasound

We decided to take Bryson to the ultrasound.  I didn’t tell him until the morning of the ultrasound.  I woke him up and told him he would get to go to the doctor with me today and see the baby.  He was excited.  He hugged me and said…oh, thank you mommy.  Our appointment was at 9:00.  At first the baby was not cooperating very well.  The baby was keeping the legs closed.  The ultrasound tech even shook my belly a few times trying to get the baby to spread those legs.  Eventually the tech got a good view and told us it was a girl, but we already knew thatJ.  During the ultrasound, the baby opened her mouth a few times.  It was precious.  We also got a cute picture of her feet.  We got to listen to the heart beat.  She had a heart rate of 167.  The front view of the face was not very pretty.  She doesn’t have much fat around her face at this stage in the pregnancy, so she looked alienish.  The ultrasound tech told us she weighed 9 ounces based on her measurements.  Her measurements were on the small side.  Based on those measurements, our due date was calculating to be August 12^th.  But I think she’s just going to be on the small side, like Bryson was.  Speaking of Bryson, about 3 minutes into the ultrasound, he was ready to go.  He kept asking where papa was.  Papa was going to pick him up after the ultrasound and take him to school.  He was so worried about being late for school.  After the ultrasound, we met with my doctor.  He said everything looked good.  He said there was a light spot on the left ventricle.  He called it an echo….something.  He was speaking way too fast to comprehend anything.  We asked him questions about it, but I never felt like I fully understood what it was.  He told us it was not a heart defect.  He told us it was not a hole in the heart.  It was not a heart murmur.  He said that he sees about one every month, and they usually they go away before birth.  So, not feeling like I understood a word he said, I did some googling after my appointment.  I googled light spot on left ventricle on ultrasound and found lots of information.  The word he said that I couldn’t remember…..echogenic focus.  It is a calcium deposit.  Well, come to find out, this is a soft marker for Down Syndrome, which the doctor never mentioned.  Of course I became overwhelmed with fear.  I continued to read and learned that there are many babies born with echogenic focus, but do not have Down Syndrome.  But just the slight chance of her having Down Syndrome scared me.  I felt like I was becoming a nervous wreck.  Then, God brought a verse to my mind.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7.  After repeating this verse several times, my fear subsided.  I decided that it’s in God’s hands.  I will love her the same with or without Down Syndrome.  And that my God will never give us something that we can’t handle.       

3/7 Week Recap

Tuesday David & I attended the Growing Kids Sale.  Charlotte & Phyllis came along to help, and I am very grateful.  I am also very grateful for my wonderful husband participating.  He got a little stressed out, but what man wouldn’t.  We got a pack n play, swing, and bouncer for the baby.  Oh, and lots of little girl outfits.  There in great shape, and we paid less for all three than we would have for one of the items brand new.

I did not feel good Wednesday night.  I was completely exhausted and lethargic.  I’m not for sure what the deal was.  Maybe it was all that shopping the night before.  I decided to stay home from church, which doesn’t happen very often.  When I told Bryson we were staying home, he began to cry.  He was crying because he wanted to go to church.  This was a bittersweet moment for me.  On one hand, I was happy because he was crying.  This showed me how important going to church is to him.  On the other hand, I felt like a horrible mother.  My son was crying to go to church, and I was telling him no.  Hopefully, I didn’t damage him too much J

I got a text Saturday night from Bryson’s dad.  He sent a picture of Bryson with his lost tooth and said the tooth fairy is coming.  This made me sad.  I wasn’t there when he lost his first tooth, and I wouldn’t be able to play tooth fairy.  It’s not fair!!!  I know I’m being selfish….just keeping it real. 

Weekend Recap

Weekend Recap

Bryson had a friend sleepover Friday night, which helped me out because he had someone to play with while I was still getting my stuff ready for the Growing Kids Sale.  Saturday morning we dropped of our sale items and headed to Academy for a much needed pair new pair of shoes for Bryson.  His toes were popping out his other shoes.  Hopefully, the shoes were not like that too long, or people might think I’m a bad momma.  That evening, we ate at Lin’s Garden for grandma’s birthday.  Chinese is definitely not my forte, but I took one for the team.  We finished up the night with some marbles.  While getting ready for church Sunday morning, Bryson informed me that he had a loose tooth.  At first, I thought he didn’t know what he was talking about.  But then I felt, and it was definitely loose.  This will be the first tooth he will lose.  For me, that is really sad.  It’s just another milestone showing that he is growing up.  That afternoon, we had Bryson’s birthday party at Monkey House.  It was fun.  Even some adults acted like monkeys.  Oh, and I took out my friend Sara on the inflatable race thingy J




Even adults had fun

 


Razorback cake from Harp's

 

Teaching 'em young

Bryson got a school fundraising candy bar from someone at church.  His first comment...."Mommy, look there's a coupon".  I was proud of him!!

Letter to Bryson

Bryson,

It’s hard to believe your six years old today!!!  Time is flying by so fast.  Soon, you’ll be graduating high school, and just the thought of it, makes me cry. 

This past year has been a good one.  You started school, and throughout the school year, I have seen several circumstances that remind me of myself.  Just like me, you hate to disappoint others.  You get upset if you get on yellow…only though it’s happened a couple of times.  Your teacher said one time she put you on yellow.  You were upset, so she gave you the chance to return to green.  Those times you’ve gotten on yellow, you always said you were sorry when you told us.  I think you were more upset about disappointing me than the act that got you on yellow.  Oh, and the time you left your speech homework at home.  You called me about it, and I told you it was okay.  You could take it tomorrow.  But you called nana crying, so she went and got your homework.  That is definitely an all mommy characteristic.  I just wonder if you’ll freak out about being late to school or school events like I did.  Hmmm…we’ll see.  Your teacher was also amazed by your incredible math skills….being able to add large numbers before addition was even taught.  This is definitely another all mommy characteristic.  

This past year we also continued to grow as a family of three, instead of a family of two.  I think you have handled it pretty good.  Actually, I think it’s been less stressful on you and more stressful on David.  It’s just all new to him.  But bless his heart; he is doing an awesome job.  I’m looking forward to the relationship y’all have to grow even more.

I pray that you will continue to learn more about Christ, and eventually accept him as your personal Savior.  It melts my heart to hear you singing Christian songs on your media player.  I pray that your desire to sing songs about the Lord doesn’t change.  Since I can’t be with you every moment of every day, I pray very frequently for protection over you.  That no evil may come against you and cause physical, mental, or emotional harm.  But most of all, I pray that you love the Lord with all you heart. 

You are such a loving boy and will always be momma’s boy.  I love you so much.  I’m so proud of you.  I cannot wait to see where this next year takes us. 

Birthday Boy - 3/2/11

Today was Bryson's birthday.  I have taken off work on his birthday ever since 2009 (the first non tax season birthday......HALLELUJAH!!!).  This year was a little different because this is the first year he's been in school, which means we couldn't have a whole day of fun.  However, I tried to make his day still special.  I guess I could have taken him out of school.  Oh well, hindsight is 20/20.  We started off with breakfast at J&J's.  Bryson ordered a pancake.  The waitress began to talk to him, and I informed her it was his birthday.  She said she would have a surprise for him.  She brought out his pancake in the shape of Mickey Mouse, and she sang happy birthday to him.

After breakfast, I dropped him off at school.  I don't get to take him to school very often since I have to be at work by 7:45, so he thinks it's cool when I do get to take him.  I took him some Geno's for lunch (I think he's going to turn into a pizza) and picked him up after school.  After we came home, he wanted to play  basketball.  I distracted him for a little bit while David pulled his birthday present (basketball goal) out of the garage.  We've been using a 5 gallon paint bucket for our goal.  We went outside and Bryson grabbed his ball.  He headed out to the drive way.  Eventually he spotted his basketball goal.  He dropped his basketball as he said "Oh my goodness!!!!".  He was ready to play, but we had to get ready for dinner. 

We went out to dinner at Chili's with my parents, David's parents, and our neighbors.  Some staff and others seating nearby sang happy birthday to Bryson.  I was surprised in Bryson's reaction.  He actually acted very shy and timid.  We ended the night with Uno and marbles at the neighbors, and Bryson went home wit Nana (which was perfectly fine with me after all the sugar from the cake, ice cream, coke, sweat tea, 7up, etc.).