Trick or treat

Halloween was a treat this year! The little lion had fun but peeled out of his costume pretty early. I will post what little pics I got later.

This is after the parties back home... He even got to pass out a little candy before bed. We have some adjusting to daylight savings, our early bird just got earlier!

Today is also bella's birthday so she gets a treat herself. Maybe a whole chicken breast- that's huge in Bella's book!

Ear Infection #3

One more, and we are being sent to the Principal's office...the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. I took DF to the doc this morning to check on his old double ear infection from 2 weeks ago. They checked his ears, both still very red. Throat, red. Temp, 102. I didn't realize he was running a temp but I had suspected his medicine wasn't kicking it with the ears... They did a flu test and I was panicked.

On our way to the doctor this morning, we stopped by a neighbor's house for a last minute play group. The moms were baking cookies and the boys were just playing with each other. There were 5 boys all under the age of 2 1/2 playing (sharing the same toys, and for David Franklin that means putting them all in his mouth). Most of this discussion was the hot topic of whether to get the H1N1 vaccine or not. Flu season, etc. There were 6 mommies there and 2 are expecting and very nervous about getting sick...rightfully so!

I sat in that waiting room thinking about all of the phone calls I would have to make after exposing them to the flu but thankfully- it's just the ears causing all of this! I obviously didn't realize he was running a fever or I wouldn't have stopped by.

After we got home his fever was still not breaking, so he got a treat. His first full pop ice! What a little trooper. I hope he feels better soon. I'm sorry about his ears but so glad we escaped the flu...crossing my fingers and praying. I know we aren't through the woods yet.

Hear me ROAR!!!

This weekend we hung out with friends and took it easy...which was a change of pace for us and really nice! We watched the (very sad) Razorback game on Saturday and got started with our first Halloween celebration tonight!! It's going to be such a fun week. I know this is Halloween #2 for DFB, but he was 3 weeks old last year so this is going to be different. I know he's still young though.

On Saturday, Bentley and Sam came over to play with DF, and their parents came to play with us :) We just hung around all day and ate, and ate, and were super lazy.

Tonight was the Fall Festival at David Franklin's school. There were so many cute kids and costumes. We worked hard for these pictures with Kate and this is one of the best. He is a lion and we have been trying to teach him to ROAR. It's pretty funny when he does it which has only been a few times. It's basically a low grumbly, ahhhh. He sure is a cute lion, but he isn't a fan of his big mane and tries to pull it off constantly. That is going to be a challenge, which I knew but couldn't resist. I want to dress up too. I think it would be cute if I was a tiger and Franklin was a bear. Lions, tigers, and bears...Oh my! Franklin is pretty hesitant and has only agreed to wear a Baylor sweatshirt and count that as a "bear." Maybe I can at least talk him into some ears. We'll see.

After the festival tonight, we were walking to the car and Franklin said so sincerely and so casually...."I love being a parent." I just thought that was so sweet.

Pumpkin Head

DF and I are trying to go to a local pumpkin patch with his buddy, James. We've been rained out and haven't rescheduled yet. Hopefully we will find a time, but just in case, he and I went to a little pumpkin patch in town. Ok, it's not really a pumpkin patch at all. It's basically a lot with pumpkins dumped on it. It's pitiful but it's the best we could do for now.

David Franklin had fun though and tried to pick a few of them up (unsuccessfully), and even ride a couple (successfully)... He was totally confused with what he was supposed to do with these things!!

Nostalgic Friday

Mr. Mac

Miss Caroline


Madelyn and the Jr. High Cheerleaders

Lady Ram Volleyball- Holla! :)

Miss Lyndon Lee

Yesterday was LHS Homecoming and it brought back a big ole dose of nostalgia for me. Lyndon was a sophomore maid and so I went watch her. I have pictures of me holding her as a baby in my homecoming dress, so it was just crazy to see her all dressed up and looking so big and so beautiful. Not to mention Caroline who is one of my best friend's, Helen, little sister. She is a senior this year and gorgeous and I remember when she was born.

I was feeling so many feelings being there yesterday. It was exciting I was remembering how it felt when I was in school and it was Homecoming week. I was thinking of the future, and David Franklin going to Lakeside. I was also mostly feeling very OLD! There are lots of differences between how it was then and now! Our dresses were not nearly as fancy and pretty. There was a parade now that we didn't have. We sat on the back of my car and watched at the Middle School (which also wasn't there when I was in school). I saw so many old teachers and familiar faces. One of my very favorite teachers from Jr. High, Mr. Mac. in particular. He was my Pre-Algebra teacher and math is by far my worst subject so go figure. He got tears when he met David Franklin and asked if he could hold him. It was so sweet!! He asked me how old I was now (again with the old thing) and said, these kids aren't as much fun as your group. He said it's just different. I thought he was just saying that- like every teacher says your class is their favorite, but Abby said an old coach told her the same thing at the pep rally. The looks of the school sure have changed- it was like Lakeside has become a University!! They "tailgate" now and everything.

It was such a fun afternoon being there. I know many people hated high school and don't have fond memories that I do, but it high school holds some of my most dear memories. I had a GREAT group of friends and strong friendships, most of which are still strong today. I know we are very lucky for that.

I never thought growing up, in college or even after college that I would live in Hot Springs again or that my kids would go to Lakeside. But life's path just lead the way here. There are some things that aren't my favorite about "moving back home again". But there is a history here, and some really special things come along with that, which continues to surprise me.

I'm afraid all of this nostalgia probably can't only be attributed to the Homecoming parade. My mom is cleaning out her storage building and garage and she is giving boxes of my old keepsakes to me. Tubs of old pictures (of my first birthday) and my old art projects, and toys and awards, blankets, notes, etc. It has been quite a trip down memory lane for me with with a mixture of happy and sad feelings. David is just such a part of who I am, and I miss him terribly. But it's strange because- with every tear, there is a smile, and with every bit of sadness there is hope and joy. God's love endures.

'Well Child' Visit

My sick baby- can't you tell?!

Today was David Franklin's "12 month Well Child" visit. We learned that developmentally he is right on track. Here are his stats:

Weight- 23 lb. 10 oz.
Height- 30 inches
Head- 45 3/4 cm

They were pleased with his growth and he was above the 50% in both weight and height.

We also found out that he is anemic. I have been trying to wean off of formula on to Whole Milk at his 1st year birthday, but back on to formula we go. I heard there is no nutritional benefit to formula after 1 year. I don't believe that anymore!! She suggested we move to the 'Next Step' Enfamil which has 34% more iron than cow's milk.

I also learned while we were there that David Franklin has a double ear infection! No fever, (in fact his temp was 97.8), no ear pulling, no fussiness, so I was very surprised. He has been a little needier and pretty clingy lately. He's actually in my lap right now throwing everything out of my desk drawer but it hasn't been that much of a difference. He always is my little shadow and I don't mind it.

He got his shots today and the seasonal flu shot. 4 shots total, which I hate. I have heard mixed reviews on the H1N1 vaccine, but I think I'm going to pass on it for him this year. I don't like all of these vaccinations and I'm very leery. I have asked numerous doctors about them and done some research of my own. I have decided in trusting my Doctors and pediatric research and doing as they say. All mixed in with a healthy dose of prayer, of course. He has four band aids on his thighs and he screamed a gut wrenching cry when they poked him. So much so that I teared up too, and I haven't done that since the first time!

Rough day at the doctor for a "well child" but we are so grateful that he is growing and right on track.

Thanks Chris!!!

I didn't realize until late last night that it was Columbus Day and Franklin had the day off today! It has been so nice having him home with us and such a treat. He even got to join us in music class this morning. We've had such a lazy day. We went to chick-fil-a after music, got caught up on little things around the house, watched movies on HBO, I read my book (which I have almost finished- The Time Traveller's Wife), and DF and F even squeezed in 2 naps.

I opened my fridge to think about dinner tonight and David Franklin just climbed right in. He usually likes to pull salad dressing out of the drawers but tonight I guess I was taking so long (because the fridge was so empty) that he just climbed on in. He got comfy at one point and crossed his little feet at the ankles. Hilarious! Thanks Columbus. First and foremost, for sailing the ocean blue, but also for giving us our family day today!