Saturday, December 24, 2016

Wells Is THREE!

Happy Birthday, Wells! Oh how you've loved celebrating your birthday this year. You're into so many things: transportation, sports, Tennessee Vols, food. We celebrated the beginning of your third year with a transportation party, and it was so fun! You chose the guest list, and your closest friends came to celebrate you.


We had a family birthday party the weekend before when family came through town, and here's the picture from that celebration.

Now to describe you as a new three year old...  You love cheese and yogurt. You request 'mo-milk' (oatmeal) for breakfast every morning. Apple and cinnamon and plain mixed. Big eater. 
You love fish sticks, strawberries, GRAPES, and sweets. Recently we discovered your love for raspberries and apples that have been peeled. A go to snack for you is Greek yogurt and apple sauce with 'cimmamon'. 
Your little language is adorable, and I scowl at any attempt to correct your vocabulary. It'll be fixed as you age, but I want to enjoy little you as long as possible. So when you say 'I lug you, mommy' I will always lug you back. :o)
You're a big kid. You are much bigger than M and P were at this age, and your expanded and articulate vocabulary is attributed to the little mama you have in Paisley and older siblings. 

When you awake from nap or night, you are the most snuggly. When you're tired, a thumb goes into your mouth, and the other hand wraps around the wrist. You still love to play with your ears to settle. 

This summer over July 4th weekend we potty trained you. It was a REAL struggle the first two days. You are oh so busy, little man. It's hard to get you to stop, even now. I just watch for the cue of a dark spot or dancing, and we rush to the bathroom. 
You're gentle with animals and babies. We learned this year that you're allergic to dogs and that hypoallergenic doesn't really mean anything. :o(
Mickey is still the favorite, although Paw Patrol is a close second. Being the fourth, you're lucky to choose the show on tv. Because you're such a busy bee, you won't sit still anyway. ;o) And boy do you love to go somewhere. It doesn't matter where, just be on the go. 

We love you, sweet Wells. Wild Wells. Wellsy. 

Thank you for being our number 4. 

-Mommy and Daddy


Thursday, September 1, 2016

The Whole Hand Birthday




Five. FIVE YEARS. The precious little ones we learned would be our first boy and girl are five.years.old. Yes, cliche, but they were just born yesterday, right?

I mourn the yesterdays, but boy have I enjoyed their growth and developments and personality traits that have surfaced with each passing day. I would't trade them for starting over again because in reality, I savor all our days and time together. I'm not great at keeping up with the world outside our walls, but this part of my story is raising kiddos. The kiddos I prayed and longed for.. the kiddos that we've been able to borrow for our short time on earth. And I have 4 of them. Blessing after blessing times two.

Mac is Baby A so I'll start with him....

Our Mac Man,

Buddy. You are sensitive with a capital 'S'. I probably have said this before, but it still reigns true. You are kind, loving, and sometimes whiny.  More than sensitive, you're aware of others and their feelings. Treading lightly not to hurt any feelings, sometimes when Dad and I tease you get protective. You love snuggles, the story of 'Nosus' (Moses), tickles, books, superheroes, your family, routine, watching sports with dad, showing us that you can swing yourself, your friends, tv, Jesus, Mr. Dots, George, flat (fried) eggs, sweets, turkey meat, familiarity, jumping into the pool, playing at 'the big Y', and being home.

Every night we read a story, say prayers, and sing a song. Often it's Silent Night, then you made up a song called 'my mom', and now you sing VBS songs. Oh, hearing you sing melts.my.heart. Your words don't always make sense, but your heart is so pure.

You and Scotty have a special bond where she always chooses your company over anyone else. Probably because you don't get into her things, use manners, or ask too many questions. You're protective of Wells, and you keep Paisley grounded as well as anyone can.

Recently we've discovered you're lactose intolerant after a couple bouts with ice cream that left you in tears from stomach cramps and in the bathroom. You've never been a fan of cheese except on pizza, and so far processed dairy doesn't seem to bother you. We don't really do cow milk anymore, and you prefer almond or cashew milk anyway. Ice cream seems to be the biggest upset, but you're patient in understanding there are alternatives-- and we don't want that tummy pain.

You love to sing and tell stories. You've done puppet shows for your classmates at preschool, and you're always up for imaginary play.

Yesterday I asked you a few questions, and here are your answers...

Favorite color: dark blue
Favorite food: pepperoni pizza
Favorite place to be: with Mommy and Daddy
Favorite place to go: Rock City
Favorite place to eat: Jackson Belly (Jason's Deli)-- random
Favorite song: 'Say Tomorrow' (Geronimo)

When you grow up, what do you want to be? Police officer and fireman... can I be both, Mom? Buddy, you can be whatever you want.

You prefer the whale side up on your quilt. George is your monkey lovey you still sleep with every night- you rub the tag on your ear. When I check on you in the middle of the night you're sprawled out every which way. Often I'll adjust you so you won't fall off the bed. You love cereal for breakfast in the morning-- often 2 bowls. When I sing to you at night it's no time before your eyes are closed. I love the special night time song routine where my voice soothes your soul.

We love you so very much! Happy 5th birthday!
-Mom and Dad

********************************************************************************

Paisley Grace, Sweet P, P, Pai-Pai, Sweet Girl, PGA, Peezy,

You have changed so much in these five years, yet so much of your character still remains the same. I can look back and little things you did as an infant and laugh because that was just a small window into the person you're becoming. It's enlightening and so incredible to see this loving, care taking, girl you are. You are such the little mama, fixer, questioner, persistent little thing. I often remind you to worry about yourself as you're always curious the whys about someone's actions, clothing, piercing, hair color, you name it. If it's off your grid, there will be 384932 questions about it. We are still working on tact. To those who hear her purely innocent questions about any of the above, I'm so thankful I haven't seen the reactions on your face when I stutter over words.

When anyone is going anywhere, you're on board. Whether it's Dad running things to the dump or me leaving for Target, there you are. You never want to miss a beat or a bit of excitement. Even if dad and I are discussing something, you're actively listening.

The care taking nature you have is ever-present. You have attention to detail about people and circumstance. You love helping others from little tots not much smaller than you to Paw Paw trying to find a Chattanooga destination. I rely on your little self when introducing the family to anyone new. You always step up to the plate and help. Oh, my sweet girl. I'm so proud of your heart.

You still sleep with Mac's zebra (even monogrammed 'Mac'). This started last year when Mac and Dad went on a boy's trip to Chicago. You missed him so much you started sleeping with his lovey. That lovey then became your's. The zebra is held a certain way up to your nose while the same hand's thumb goes into your mouth.

Mosquitos love you. You love little ones. You adore your big sister though sometimes you aggravate her just for attention. You laugh so hard sometimes you get hiccups.

Here are your questions and answers...

Favorite color: toy-quoise (turquoise)
Favorite food: muttermelon (watermelon) and oranges
Favorite thing to do: play with the baby Emery
Favorite place to go: Superfly
Favorite place to eat: Chick-il-a (Chick-fil-a)
Favorite song: Let It Go and Shake It Off
When you grow up, what do you want to be? Hair stylist and doctor

You prefer 1 pillow instead of two. You love to snuggle and ask for extra cuddles and hugs every night. When we paint your fingernails we have to skip your thumbs so the polish won't be yucky for sucking your thumb at bedtime. The songs we sing at night are VBS tunes or He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.

This month you cut yourself some bangs and layers while I was at work. I was thankful it wasn't a bob cut, but you were so remorseful by bedtime. It's just hair, thank goodness.

Every morning you want 2 packets of plain oatmeal. You like cinnamon, brown sugar, and milk on top. Not stirred and enough for you to see it. If not said before, you know exactly what you want.
2012
May 2012
2012-- Penicillin/Cephalosporin allergy discovered

April 2012

August 2013 
May 2013
September 2014
2014
July 2016 
May 2016

You two are quite the pair. There are so many differences between you, but the bond of twin-ship is always apparent. Paisley encourages and cares for Mac while Mac just lets Paisley do those things, ha. Mac, you are so patient with Paisley's care taking ways. Sometimes you get tired of marrying her at preschool, though. Then Paisley decides she doesn't care for whomever you choose over her. 

Newborn
1st Birthday
2nd Birthday
3rd Birthday
4th Birthday
5th Birthday

October 2011

Christmas 2012
February 2013
Summer 2013
January 2014


August 2015
August 2016

Friday, May 20, 2016

The End-of-the-School-Year Emotions! 2016

So I've found myself in tears on several occasions over the past week or so, and I know it's because the end of a school year is here. My emotional and mental calendar run not on the standard calendar but the school year. So the end of a grade or preschool class turn my emotions upside down. Or rather, turn them waaaaaay up.


Last week as I met with Mac and Paisley's preschool teacher, we discussed next year and even their graduation-- next year. My eyes swelled up with tears at the mere thought of no more preschool and my tiny tots in actual school-- for 7 hours a day. With this year ending I am grasping the idea that we only have one more year of preschool. Change isn't easy for me, in fact, Jordan jokes that I cried every time I left my parents to head back to college. True story. I like familiar and comfort. Yeah, yeah, I recognize change is healthy and good, but I'm never really ready to close a chapter of our story.

I come to the blog because I love to write, and that's the best way to express my emotions. I am an ugly-faced, gasping for breath, snotty crier-- especially when my chest is heavy with emotion and I am confronted with just how fast time flies.

This year Lilly Scott will finish her second to last year of elementary school. Second.to.last. So next year I may need medication as I endure THREE graduations. Lord, help me.

                                                                      August 2015

My kiddos have been so loved this year. Lilly Scott has received huge praise from teachers as she has accomplished so much. This year she was named one of the 'most improved' in her classroom, and she has worked her booty off. She got to go to the local baseball field where she paraded with others awarded the same and received dinner and a certificate. Even Paw Paw drove into town for the evening.

                                                                         April 2016

May 2016

Mac and Paisley have been so loved and adored by their teacher that I don't want to move on quite yet. When Wells started at the end of January, I didn't think I'd feel so attached to his precious teachers either. But here I am- ugly crying- thinking of another year to end. These women have adored, taught, photographed, painted hands, zipped up costumes, written notes, changed (Wells') diapers, washed hands, text me notes and pictures, shared stories, captured moments that I could not, and so much more. These women loved on my three littles when I entrusted a huge part of my world to them. Ms. Melissa, Ms. Norma, and Ms. Carol all get an award for how much they've 'mothered' M, P and W. All the teachers have a place in my heart just for faithfully teaching and loving our little ones. Even Ms. Brenda (Mac and Paisley's teacher from last year and Wells' for next year) shared her lunch when _________ forgot to take in Wells' lunchbox.

                                                                    September 2015

January 2016

May 2016


Teachers have signed the books that I designate to each of my babies, and I digress to even more emotion as I reflect the story and read their words and memories of the year with each Allen baby.

Paisley asked why I had tears when I picked her up last week, and I hugged her and just said because she's growing so fast. Mac asked if we could pray for him to stop growing-- probably because he's sick of my watering eyes. I smiled and reminded him that his growth is according to God's plan, and I have no doubt that God's plans are huge for him.. for every one of us, really. They/We have to grow in order to become what God created us to be.

                                                  Ms. Paula, Ms. Jennifer, Ms. Brenda
                                                                        May 2016
                                                               
                                                                 Ms. Carol, Ms. Norma
                                                                           May 2016

These sappy books, the fb posts about 'the last baby', and the end of the year are too much. I am a 'gift of time' love language mama/friend, and time doesn't slow for me. When I see how much we wanted and experienced for Mac and Paisley, and now they're 3 months shy of FIVE years old, I know that time is truly precious. I am so much more cautious to leave social media, texts, errands and open my arms and agenda to these precious kids that I've been entrusted with for however long He allows.

End of the year party


On to SUMMER 2016!!
Please tell me I'm not alone on this emotional roller coaster! Friends! Anyone?!