Tested

So Carson officially tested my patience more than ever yesterday. I know that it's probably ridiculous that the majority of it was over a haircut, but it has been so unbelievably frustrating.

We went to try to get a haircut TWICE and still only have half of a haircut. In the past I've been able to do little trims at home in between, but not today. Unfortunately, I think we may have passed a point where he's now officially traumatized and has a phobia of haircuts. He's not just a kid that's crying, he is hysterical and is genuinely terrified of scissors. I regret how we've handled some of the haircuts in the past (essentially held him in a bear hug while he screamed bloody murder) because I know we just made it worse, but I was so set that he HAD to get it cut that I wasn't thinking what long-term implications this would have. I think it's going to take a long time and take lots of baby steps for him to ever be comfortable again.  Oh, I so wish he still had those precious curls so that it would actually look cute long.  I'm just going to have to deal with the ragamuffin look.  Like I said, this is going to take some serious baby steps and "therapy" to overcome.

Oh, and the whining in general. Don't even get me started on the whining. 

I was not proud of myself yesterday.  I usually am good at not overreacting to Carson's behavior, but  I certainly lost my patience more than once yesterday. 

I don't think I realized how tired I was until I talked to my mom on the phone last night. I definitely had one of those mommy breakdowns. Between the trials of a very hard headed toddler, certain work engagements that seem to NEVER end, being pregnant, our disaster of a house, and other family matters, I finally just had a good cry.   Like I said, I don't think I realized how emotionally frustrated I was until I started talking it out with my mom.  I don't think I've had the time to process my thoughts and so I just broke down. 

I really wish a sabbatical was a realistic option. I could certainly use one. What sounds so nice right now would just be a night or two at a nice hotel...with the spa, of course! I need two of these, one alone and one with Andrew. When I get overwhelmed and worn out, I lose all motivation to actually get things done. That's totally where I am right now.  I need to recharge.  Bad.

I hate when I get into these little slumps because I know how many blessings I do have and I feel stupid for ever feeling like I actually have it rough.  I don't.   I just have to remind myself that everyone goes through these periods and that it's normal, AND that is SO important to recharge.  I know that I can't be the wife and mommy I need to be when I feel like this.

Some of the work projects are {hopefully} ending soon, and I do have a little PTO on the calendar, so I just hope that I can actually take advantage of that time off and truly recharge a bit.  I need to get out of this house....without a computer... and with a little help with Carson.  I'm certainly wondering how in the world people do it with more than one.... I guess I'll find out soon enough. 

To end on a lighter note, Carson was unbelievably sweet to me yesterday when I put him to bed (which was a MUCH shorter process than usual - no bath, only one book, short prayers, and no singing).   A little while later he did cry out for me to come rock him and sing.  That it usually such a special time for us each night, and I felt guilty for pretty much skipping it because I just wanted that part of my day to end.  Afterwards, he gave me the biggest hug and kiss... so at least he still loves me. :-) 

No One Told Me, Part III

That my kid would be the worst backseat driver.  EVER.  "It's RED, Mommy!!!! It's RED!!!  Gotta wait for GREEN!!!  It's GREEN!!!  Go!!!"  "Yellow is slow down!!"  While it is beyond cute to have him yelling these things, it does get a little old too because he does NOT stop the entire time you are driving around town.  On the flip side, if he's already learning how to drive at 2, I hopefully won't have as much anxiety when he turns 16!

That telling Carson that there were spiders in his ear has been the best lie we've ever told him.  He willingly lets me look in or clean his ears because I've got to check on the spiders.  He needs drops right now, and I told him they were the spiders' food.  I have to feed them breakfast and dinner.  He's totally bought it.  He even told the ENT doctor about the spiders and hasn't thrown a fit the last couple times we've gone. Amen!

That the funniest thing I would hear on a given day would be "coming out the hole."  Carson was acting VERY interested in trying to go poop on the potty.  He pees on the potty regularly at school and consistently before bath time at home.  (He'll never tell me he needs to go, so we are FAR from being potty trained... grr.)   I've never seen him poop on the potty though. Anyways, so he was sitting on the potty at home, and had been for a while, and I asked him where the poop was.  He told me it was "coming out the hole."  I about died laughing and was pretty excited if it actually was.  Unfortunately, it wasn't.  :-(  At least he knows how it all works though and hopefully it will actually "come out the hole" pretty soon (in the potty!).

That it would seriously be TORTURE to get Carson's hair cut.  I know I've written about this before, but MAN.... Seriously, kid.... WTH?!?!?  Because the last experience was so horrible, I went ahead and bought hair-cutting scissors to attempt to do it myself.  I watched a lot of videos and did some research to give a little boy's haircut, but I was happy to just trim his bangs, neck, and around his ears.  Easier said than done.  I was able to trim the bangs and a little off the neck, but it took about a week and a lot of bribes.  That was a while ago.  It was time for the professionals again.  I took him in this morning after his quick ENT appointment hoping that no one else would be there getting their hair cut.  I wasn't that lucky, but that didn't really bother me.  He LOST it... AGAIN.  I seriously don't get WHY this is so miserable for him.  Haircuts are the only time I have ever see him throw full-blown tantrums.  Amidst the struggle, we were able to get half a hair cut.  Of course, it wasn't the parts that really needed to be cut - the bangs, ears, and neck.  She was able to get some of the length off, but I was told to come back when there were more girls that could "hold him down."  Having four people try to keep him still was the only way we were able to get through it last time.  Apparently, this hair cut was becoming a "safety issue" for the stylist and Carson, so we will attempt to finish this disaster later.  I'm sure this traumatic experience isn't helping matters, but I don't know what else to do.  We've tried the kid places, but that didn't work either.  I wish he still had his beautiful curls because I would just let it keep growing, but it's straight now and he looks like a ragamuffin.

My Little Bro is Getting Married!

Last Saturday morning, we drove to Dallas to celebrate David and Erin's upcoming nuptials.  Guy and Connie Smith and Rita and Gary Griffith graciously hosted a lovely couple's shower for about 50 people.  It was so great to catch up with old friends that I sadly don't get to see very often.

 

They had a pool that Carson DESPERATELY wanted to get in the second we got there.  He was a little toot (to put it nicely) for the first hour or so we were there.  He was whining and crying that "Daddy said no" and expressing how bad he wanted to go swimming.  Eventually he got over it and was his typical wild man self. 

 

He was a big "help" opening presents... poor David & Erin.... Carson was all up in their business and trying to steal the spotlight!  Typical.

 

Greta and I were excited to take a "bump buddies" picture together!  She's due 2 weeks after me with a little boy!

 



 

Carson had so much fun playing with her little girl, Lily.  The were roaring like lions at each other and then played the whole party a lovely little duet!

 

 

Fun times!!!  Congrats to the happy couple (and I mean David & Erin, not Carson & Lily!)!!!

17-Week Update

Other than the big news that we found out we are having a little girl, the other big news is that I am finally starting to feel some movement!  I remember with Carson that I wasn't sure if I was feeling anything or not until it was very obvious that I just took a kick to the bladder or ribs.  I'm not having those movements yet, but I'm definitely "feeling the bubbles" and occasionally a little more.  I certainly recognize it now way more than I did the first time.  I still remember with Carson when I was farther along how weird it was to look down and see some body part move from one side of my stomach to the other.... creepy but cool!

I'd also say that I have "popped."  There hasn't been one person say to me, "Oh, you don't look pregnant."  I heard that for a long time with Carson.  Nope, not this time.  Definitely looking pregnant.  Andrew and I did crack up at the pool a couple weeks ago when we met the parents of one of Carson's little friends.  When they asked if he was our only one, and I told him we were expecting, he joked, "I thought you just liked to drink beer."  Haha... We thought that was pretty hilarious.   I can easily feel the top of my uterus just below my belly button and my lower abdomen is hard.  It's getting very real...

It's a _______!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

"GRILL!!!!" (as Carson says), and she says "Howdy!"

 

Monday was the big day for our gender ultrasound. I was SO much less anxious this go round than I was with Carson. I was super excited but surprisingly very calm.  We would have been happy either way, but part of me always wanted to be able to have one of each just to experience both sides.  Andrew and I both came from a family with one boy and one girl, so that naturally fit.  We also have TONS of boys in the family, so there needed to be more girls to balance everything out.  On my dad's side, there were 9 grandchildren and I was the only girl (I wasn't spoiled or anything!).  There are 2 great-grand kids, both are boys.  My cousin (in law) Kristine joked that I was the only hope for the Morgan family to get a girl since Andrew was the only non-Morgan blood responsible for a baby's gender.  In Andrew's family, boys are definitely the majority as well in the youngest generation.  Charlotte helped even up the score a little bit, but there's still a long way to go!

Ready to go find out the news (16w 4d)!

I think the general consensus from most people was that they thought it was a girl.  This was due to 3 primary factors: 

1) Higher heart rate.  It was 180 at 10 weeks, 169 at 12 weeks, and was 154 on Monday.  Carson's was always higher too, so I didn't really take this as 'evidence' that the old wives tale was true.

2) I was sick the first month of my pregnancy.  I wasn't sick with Carson. 

3) This was somewhat of a "surprise" pregnancy vs. "trying" when you knew you were ovulating.  This baby was not conceived that close to my ovulation day at all.

Well, they were all right!

Little Miss was stubborn though and must have wanted us to keep practicing our patience (does she not know how much her big brother already does this!).   She was not cooperating when we first went in.  She was OUT.... hand behind the head, not responding to the pokes and prods, OUT.  Well... after changing positions and poking at my belly for about 15 minutes, the tech decided to give me a peppermint and a couple Dum Dum's and take a break.  She was hoping a little sugar would get the baby to start moving around.  We were joking that maybe this kid would actually be CALM, something that we are NOT used to AT ALL.  I went and did my quick OB check-up and then came back for Round 2.  I guess the tech's trick worked because baby girl finally started to move around enough to expose herself.  I saw what I thought were those "3 little lines" right before the tech pointed out those "3 little lines."  This angle looked a lot different than Carson's, so I knew right then that it was a little GIRL!  I was seriously shocked.  I thought we'd have all boys and since everyone else thought it was a girl, I went the opposite and thought it was a boy.  I think one of the first things we said was "our moms are going to be SO excited!"

Baby Girl Peters was SO cute during that second round of the ultrasound... she was just waving away.  The tech was able to get some cute pics for us!   Can't wait to meet this sweet baby GIRL!!! 

 

While we are thrilled, I have to admit, I think we're a little terrified too.  I know I was not the most pleasant teenage girl at times and there were some showdowns at the Morgan house over boys, dating and going out.  I have a feeling this will be payback!  Andrew and I already joked that he's had to shoot at one guy in our house and he's not afraid to do it again!!!  He'll be the dad that cleans the guns when her dates come over.   Haha!

 

Until those days a LONG time from now, we'll embrace the bows, dolls, sequins, tutus, etc.!  I've been good at not overdoing it on Zulily, but I have a feeling I'm going to be in trouble now.  Girls stuff is just too stinkin' cute, especially after having a total boy who's most happy in a hideous lizard t-shirt!

 

SO EXCITED!!!

Swim Lessons - Day 1 & 2 Report

It's that time of year again... SWIM LESSONS!!

Day 1:  Carson is taking from the same people he did last year; however, he has a different teacher this year.  I failed to take a picture (whoops) on the 1st day, but for the most part, it went down the same as last year.  He was fine when I dropped him off, but was crying when I picked him up.  It wasn't mad crying though.  He was happy and proud of himself, it was just a new thing to go underwater like he was.  For a lot of the younger kids, this is expected.  There were quite a few tears from the kids before us too.  When I asked him why he cried, he told me he was scared.  He's been scared a lot lately.... the thunder, the trains passing, etc.   The teacher did tell me that he told her she was mean. Ha. She's a sweet high school kid, I think Carson thinks anyone is mean that is making him do something he's not sure about. 

The parents don't get to stay in the swim area and watch, but this year, the way the pool is configured, you can be on the other side of the fence, not really seen by the kids, and still hear what's going on..... except that I ran to the bank.... One of the other dads gave me the low down when I got back.  He said there was quite a bit of crying at the beginning but that it got much better as the lesson went on.  I'll probably stick around the parking lot tomorrow to hear how things are going. 

Day 2:  Again, very similar to last year.  He was a little hesitant to be dropped off today.  He started running around the back yard and tried to hide from me.  Didn't work.  I heard him cry for a few minutes after I left, but not for long.  When I picked him up, she said he did much better today.  He was proud of himself and told me he got the toys!  He still had red eyes and you could tell he had been crying, but again, it wasn't mad crying.  I don't think he'd let me put goggles on him, but that would probably help.  I never did like opening my eyes under water either!

Ready to go!  Check out that mop... that's what happens when your child won't let ANYONE touch his hair!

 

Happy in the car!

 

Looks like a pro!

 

RED eyes but a big smile!

Donuts with Dad

My sweet boys enjoying Donuts with Dad at school today!

 

Pretty sure I see chocolate icing remnants on C's face!

Trooper

We were supposed to go in today for a normal, QUICK, tube check-up at the ENT.  Well..... we sat in the waiting room for AN HOUR AND A HALF.  Yep, 1.5 HOURS!  I have NEVER EVER had to wait that long.  Normally we book an appointment with Walter, a nurse that pretty much just does tube checks.  You are usually in and out pretty quickly.  I purposely booked with the doctor because I knew one tube had fallen out (swim lessons are next week), and I wanted to save myself $40 by asking a "general ENT question" for myself (I end up with a sinus infection just about any time I get a head cold and wanted to know if that was normal and what they could do.  Obviously nothing major can be done when I'm pregnant, but he said to definitely come in after the baby was born for a CAT scan to see what my passages look like.  I'm guessing they don't look good because they don't drain worth a flip.  Anyways...) 

Well.... apparently Walter is out of town and must have had a lot of appointments on the books that they didn't reschedule because that was the only explanation that I could get, "Walter is out of town."  When I called to book, they told me he was out of town, so I don't know why the doctor was having to pick up the slack.  I know there were a lot of unhappy patients today.  I was becoming one of them.  I rarely complain at a doctor's office, restaurant, etc., but I did today.  It was ridiculous.  One guy and his son noticed I had been there a long time and asked me which doctor I was waiting for.  After I told him, he complained and flat out walked out after 1.5 hours.  Anyways, I digress. 

I have to say, Carson was a trooper though.  He HAPPILY played in the kid room for that full hour and a half.  I didn't even have to bust out the iPad or Mommy's phone.  He was content playing trucks and glancing up at Dora on the TV every now and then. 

 

Once we finally got into the room, I laughed that the eye chart... "KVD" were the letters at the top. Haha..,. Carson loves KVD (the fisherman). 

 

I'm glad we did stick around because he wasn't sure if the one tube that was still in was still in the right place.  Carson actually let the nurse and doctor look in his ears.  He wasn't such a fan last time.  If you've read my blog before, you know he HATES, and I mean HATES, getting haircuts or going to the dentist.  He does NOT like people messing with him.  I was so proud of him.  He even would jump and turn around and tell the doctor to look in the other ear.  What?!?  I was shocked!  Sweet Carson had to go lay on the big table and have his ear looked at with the big microscope (which we referred to the "big flashlight binoculars").  He did GREAT for the most part.  He started fussing toward the end because they had to hold his head firmly in place.  He started crying and told the nurses he was trapped... poor thing.  He kind of was, underneath their arms!  The tube was in the right place, but there was some gunk growing back on it (Emily's technical recollection of the medical terminology).  He needs ear drops and to come back in 2 weeks.  Again, glad I stuck it out.  I just hope and pray we don't have to wait like that again next time.  On the way home he said he wanted to go again!  Whew... glad that went well.  I just wish we could get him to act like this at haircuts!

 

Carson LOVED the elevator and trying to drink out of a water fountain.  I think it was the first time he'd tried that and it clearly showed!  He loved all his stickers and made friends with everyone he met.  To celebrate a good appointment, we had a Chick-fil-a date!

Farm Fun!

This past weekend we headed up to the farm to try to enjoy it one last time before it gets miserably hot.  Andrew and Carson went up Thursday night but I had to head up by myself on Friday after Deloitte's Impact Day.  I stopped at Bass Pro on the way there to get one of Andrew's birthday gifts and found myself with this pretty awesome truck/boat/trailer/4-wheeler/jet ski set that I had FULL intentions of waiting to give Carson at his birthday.  This little toot was stuck inside and didn't want to come play on the porch, so Wanda just said to go ahead and give it to him.  Well... she was right.  He played ALL WEEKEND with that thing.... definitely worth the $30-something bucks to have him entertained for a full weekend. 

 

He played with that boat in bed and the bath.  The little man that came with the set was "KVD" (Kevin Van Dam... the best pro fisherman of all time).  It's so funny to hear Carson talking about KVD.

 

This kid also loves 4-wheeler rides and playing on that trailer in the background!

 

 

 

Pretty Farm Sunset!

The Brush Busters, Inc. were out in full force destroying the mesquite trees that were blocking our view of the lake.

Kids love "tents"!

 

The upstairs looks better than it EVER has!  We all pitched in to varying degrees, but Dan, Amanda, and Steven got four beds put together!  The upstairs "suite" is ready!

This kid LOVES to play in the mud at the pond!

 

Shot a little skeet.... considering how long it had been, I didn't do too bad.  Andrew showed off, as usual! :-)

 

Got to protect those baby ears!  (I only shot a few times!)

Carson liked watching Daddy "shoot the birds"!

 

We tried fishing for a little while... C's attention span is pretty short.

He actually pretty much took caught this one from start to finish...

 

Throwing it back is his favorite part.

 

 

We celebrated Andrew's birthday a week late with a FABULOUS sugar-free cheesecake from Three Brothers Bakery!

 

Fun times with family!

No One Told Me, Part II

That my child would be obsessed with drinking gross water... The bathtub, blow up pool, public pool, dog bucket. No matter how many times he's reprimanded, he keeps doing it.  I'll take away anything that resembles a cup and he still manages to try to drink it with a diving ring, squirt toy, toy boat, etc.  I know he's not really thirsty either... he's cracking up the whole time he does it and looks at me to see my reaction.

That I would randomly sing Amazing Grace to him and now he often requests it.

That he would be a budding songwriter at 2... His original bedtime songs are just that... Original.  "The Door Song" always starts with "The door is closed.  The [boat] motor hurts my ears."  It's usually followed by something about the stickers and pictures on the wall, etc.

That I would become a budding songwriter at 31.  He likes me to make up songs like his that pretty much don't rhyme and just put my observations in the room to a little tune.  I'm always sure to end it with something along the lines of "... and now it's time for Carson to put his head on the train pillow and cover him with the train blanket. It's time to close our eyes tight and have sweet dreams all night." 

That one of the hardest things to do is come up with a discipline system that works... Timeouts alone aren't cutting it anymore. We've started taking favorite toys away which has definitely gotten his attention, but it's too soon to tell how effective this will be.  Suggestions welcomed.

That Mommy has control of the thunder.  Yes, I had to push a button on the window to turn the thunder off {even though there wasn't any that night}.  He cheered for me when I was done.  Silly boy.

That he would already be one of those people who can't sleep if the closet door is open.

That he loves to pick his jammies and shirt for the day.  His favorite shirt is probably his ugliest (sorry, Mom).  It's one my parents got in Arizona and is bright orange with lizards all over the front and back.  His favorite jammies shirt is without a doubt his Ranger Boats shirt.  He'd sleep in it every day if he could.  Andrew has already brainwashed him.

That he can frustrate the heck out of me, but then those dimples and precious voice just still make me smile.  Every. Time.  {I just have to hide my smiles some times if I'm supposed to be upset with him.  He'll probably be like his Daddy and crack a joke or make a silly face when I'm mad at him just to make me laugh even though I try so hard to stay mad, or at least pretend to be.}

That Carson would be one heck of a tomato-picker!  That kid LOVES harvesting from the garden.  He's so funny and reminds me, "Not the green ones!"

"Wannatrademe" is one word.  He loves to trade toys, drinks, food, etc.

That he would LOVE cows from a distance but does NOT like when we get too close {at the farm}.

Playing "high five" where I pull my hand away so that he misses would provide endless entertainment.

That Carson would suddenly NOT be so opposed to teeth brushing if I used my electric toothbrush (with a different head) and told him his teeth were black and I needed to make them white again.  I'm obsessed with brushing his teeth; however, I obviously wasn't doing that great of a job because I did notice they were still dirty around the gums.  And like he'll let me floss... yeah right!  My toothbrush works wonders!  Now, just to teach the kid to spit... why is that so hard to teach?!?

That when he tells me something scared him, it makes my heart melt.  He does NOT like thunder!

That he pretty much would show no interest in talking about the baby.  Last fall, he always told me it was a girl.  He also would kiss my tummy.  Now, half the time he says its a boy and then he'll say in his silly voice, "Noooo.  It's a 'grill'."  If I ask him to talk to the baby, he might say "Hi, Baby", but that's about it.

That one kid could have SO much energy!!!  It is seriously UNREAL.

What's the Deal with {Almost} Three?!?

I know I am not alone here, but the "Terrible Two's"... missed those apparently.... but this {almost} 3-year old stuff is TOUGH!!!  Carson is only a little over a month away from "3", so I'm sort of lumping him into that category already.  In general, the "2's" have been a breeze... sure, we've had our moments, but lately this kid is really testing my patience!!!

-He doesn't listen.
-Time-outs don't work any more.
-He whines.
-A lot of the time he flat out acts like a brat {because he's whining and not listening}.
{Don't get me wrong, he's as precious as ever at the same time.}
-He fights everything {getting dressed, diaper changes... yes, still in diapers, taking a bath, etc.}
-He's ridiculously strong for his age.... this preggo momma has to watch out or she might accidentally take a kick to the stomach. He's not violent, but just flails and swings everything if you try to grab him to do all the things in the bullet point above.

It seems like it's just gotten bad lately.  It's usually at home too.  He was an angel at the farm and is usually fine when we're anywhere but at home.  Like I said, at the same time as all this, he's as precious as ever and when he's not being a brat, is just the cutest thing.  He says the funniest and sweetest things, but WATCH OUT... that little monster inside him may pop out at any time!  The kid knows when he's doing things wrong, which may be what's so frustrating to me.

The not listening and whining are probably what drives me the most crazy.  You tell him not to do something, he just grins at you and then does it anyway.  Twice.

He was in time out at school when I picked him up yesterday and they told me he had a rough day.  Apparently he hit two friends in the face and kicked someone.  WHAT?!?  Not cool.  I know they all have their days, but I certainly don't want to have "that kid."  Granted, we don't get those notes very often, but still...

Ugh.

We've started taking his favorite toys away and putting them on top of the China cabinet so he can still see them.  He asks about them constantly, which gives me a continuous avenue to drill the point home as to why the toys are up there.  We'll see if this works at all. 

I wish I had the parenting creativity of Dr. & Mrs. Huxtable.... I have a feeling we'll need it for this kid!

Yesterday at least started off good....

 

Let's hope Tuesday brings a much better report at school!

 

Such a toot...

But a really cute one!

Farm Fun/Beautiful Bluebonnets!

Well... This is nearly 2 months late, but I figured I better post before our next trip to the farm.

 

I LOVE spring time at the farm, especially right around our anniversary in April because the bluebonnets are usually GORGEOUS!  Who doesn't LOVE bluebonnets?!?!

 

This will mostly be a picture post, since I just can't help but take a million pics when there are bluebonnets (too bad Carson is so OVER posing for me!)

Just a boy and his pups...

  

 

Instragram filters & frames just make it look cooler.

 

 

 

Goin' Fishin'

 

Worms!

 

Got one!

 

Mommy caught one too!

 

Wannie and sweet Harper Grace

 

The extent of the interest Carson showed in Harper...

 

After this pic, he was over it... (better get use to the idea of a baby, Little Man!)

 

Checking out the trail riders with Wannie

(B&W makes him look like a serious cowboy... pretty sure he was a drunk cowboy!)

 

Sweet girl!

 

QT with Auntie Amanda

 

 

Pirate hat.  Check.  Pirate book.  Check.

 

 

Carson was a big fan of "Khaki's Cart"

 

 

Ahh, so sweet...

 

Our little family!

 

Six years of marriage!

 

Fabulous Weekend!!!