baby brother names

I just wanted to add Tony's contribution to the baby naming...
We have settled into the name Samuel, but still toying around with middle names. Jon likes Samuel Titus and I think it has stuck. Anyway I was cleaning out the closets and Tony was playing with all the old baby toys I was pulling out. He was telling me how he was gonna give everything to his baby brother and what a big helper he was going to be. I told him I thought he was being so nice and he was gonna be a great brother to Samuel. He was rocking on a too small rocking horse, looked at me, wrinkled his nose, and told me he did not like the name Samuel. I asked what he wanted to call him and he firmly said Daphne and resumed rocking.
He's stuck with it for a few days now insisting that Samuel is a bad name and Daphne is much better. He will go into the baby room and tell me what book or toy Daphne is going to like.
We will see.

I thought it was terrible twos...

So I could only write about the nice things with Tony but any mother would tell you I'm full of crap, so...
I have gone around and around with Tony for ahwile now. He digs his heals in and just refuses to do what I ask. Could be everyday things like get dressed or wash your hands a chore like pick up your toys. No matter what it is, he makes it into a HUGE ordeal something that could take 5 minutes is now a battle for an hour. And i do mean battle. I have tried different techniques including time out,seclusion to his room, spanking, talking(HA) yelling, crying on both parts, and then exhaustion. I stick it out and do not give in and usually an out of breath, tear stained, and worn out Tony submits. Sometimes it is comical how persistent he is but mostly it is frustrating and tiring. I remember throwing horrible tantrums like this, beating the walls, kicking, screaming, the whole bit so when I am on the recieving end I can only smile and thank God for teaching me this lesson of patience. And then finally like a rainbow after a storm, Tony woke up last weekend and was my sweet boy again. He was actually following instructions without a fuss. It's amazing how much extra time we had without all the fighting. I kept thinking when will he revert but he did not. I know there will be more trials ahead but it was nice to finally see a payoff and know that somehow I was getting through.
I guess he's just a bit stubborn. Wonder where he gets that from...

All Boy

Tony you are 100% certified BOY! Last weekend the Gard side of the family came in for the fourth of July and all your girl cousins were here to play and my oh my what a difference in play styles. I used to think it was in how you raised the child but there is definately a difference in how boys and girls are wired. You wanted to climb, jump, splash, roar,with everyone you came in contact with. I guess your Dad and are used to this kind of play but it was so funny watching you interact with a bunch of girls. As we have looked at the pictures this week it has been funny to listen to you recall memories you made with each person. It is hard to not have family close by all the time but that makes me so grateful for the time we do get to spend with them. I hope we have many more summers of fun to spend with family. At least in the future you will have a little brother to be wild with...

I know this picture is blurry but I so love how it captures the joy and fun of all the children. Plus is was sort of a theme of dancing in the backyard and I could watch it all day.

Critterfest

Since it has been 110 all week we opted for some morning fun and afternoon air conditioning. So last weekend I took T to critterfest. Basically they turn the science spectrum into a mini zoo, they had all sorts of animals from dogs to camels, ponies, and elephants. We started by "petting" the ducklings and Tony held one, although I think he was squeezing the poor thing rather than gently holding it. We moved through the whole exhibit stopping to touch boa constrictors, giant turtles, hedgehogs and our big finale was an elephant ride! Wrinkles the rescued elephant took Tony and his friends Luke and Maylee around  a small section of the grass. I could hear Tony squeeling and saying whoaaaa the entire way around. And everyday since he tells me about about his fun and bumpy elephant ride.

We finished the day by watching a tiger show, it was sort of part circus and part tiger education but at one point the tiger didn't like what the trainer wanted him to do and he turned around and roared in his face and I think the entire audience (and the trainer) jumped. It was sooooo loud and for a minute I was a little scared for the trainer. I started wondering what kind of mayhem would break out if things went south, but of course nothing happened and the show was very entertaining. We finished up our HOT saturday with a yummy snowcone and a long nap!!!

Karate Chop

So when Tony turned 3 I thought he might like some type of martial art but all the studios here don't start teaching until 4 years old. Makes sense, 3 is pretty young for them to undertand the idea, but then I saw a summer program through a community center for karate tots. Only 30 bucks and no uniforms. I thought "perfect" it will be a fun Saturday morning teaching basic karate moves in a kid friendly environment. Or maybe not. We had missed the first class so I arrived early and asked if we could watch. The class was only 4 other boys and again I thought "perfect" lots of one on one. Let me say I undertand marial arts are serious and teach disipline and respect -both attributes I would like Tony to undertand but this guy was a bit harsh. He started simply enough by talking about the colored belts and how karate can help you in everyday life and even had some funny names for a few of the moves, but then he proceeded to bark out positions like these kids were supposed to automatically remember from last week. At one point I asked T if he wanted to stand near the back of the class and practice with them but he shook his head no and gave me the "big eyes" None of the other parents had any reaction so I thought I was being overly sensitive but near the end he wanted to teach a kidnapping hold. He was "trying" to demonstrate on a boy but the poor child was not following instructions or understanding (or maybe he was terrified) and the teacher was getting so frustrated he finally gave up and let the kids play basketball for the last 10 minutes...Huh Although it was the only time the kids looked like they were enjoying themelves!
Afterwords while we were driving to the park Tony said "That guy was mean I don't like karate." And I had to wonder what those other 4 boys said on the way home.
Maybe this was his first attempt at teaching or maybe I have no idea what to look for in a good teacher but I felt like it was karate boot camp instead of karate tots. I believe we will wait until Tony turns 4 and try again at a reputable place.

Happy to be home

I recently took a haitus away from Lubbock to visit my sister in Denver. I was able to sleep in,  not do any chores, laugh, hang out with my nieces, shop, and just simply relax from everyday life. While all of that was fantastic my heart literally ached for Tony. I would look at pictures before I went to bed and send prayers for him as soon as I woke up. I felt like every 10 minutes I was thinking about him and couldn't help but blurt out random facts about you. I have been away from T before and I am a believer that time away from your kids makes for a better Mommy. Even though I knew you were safe and having fun with Daddy for some reason this time seemed harder, blame the prego hormones but I have never been so happy to pick you up. You squeezed my neck so hard and told me over and over how much you loved me and missed me. And it was everything I needed to hear!

Ima gonna toot on you...

So apparantly the joys of farting are found at an early age. We have always been pretty open about bodily functions -I mean come on how can you not with a 3 year old around but lately Tony is obsessed with farting. And he has no shortage of it in fact I am rethinking what I feed him because of the amazing amount of gas this kid has. I remember when he was a baby and I too would giggle when he would let such a cute little toot out but now Tony will walk up to you turn around, fart on you, and then laugh this crazy laugh. Uuuuuhhhhh gross is my first reaction and then I thought maybe no reaction would squash this behavior but nope he does it for his own pure pleasure. To me, the dogs, stuffed animals, the tree, I just pray he doesnt start doing it to total strangers in walmart. I can assure you this is not something Jon and I do to each other so I am sort of dumfounded at his love of putting his hiney on anything that will sit still.So if you decide to visit consider yourself warned...