I'm Back
11 years ago
I completely forgot to put this on here, but last week I went to take a shower after putting Sophie to bed and Christopher was playing with his trucks in the den. I told him that if he had to go poo poo (hadn't been all day and knew he had to go) to come and tell me so I could help him. A little while later he comes darting into the bathroom and tells me he needs to go. I told him to go and get his potty (the kind that goes on the toilet) and bring it here and I'd help him. He runs off and comes back to tell me, "it's too heavy so I just brought this part" I pulled the curtain back to see he was holding his potty in his hand, the exact one I told him to get, but quickly realized he thought I wanted him to bring the entire toilet! I'm just glad I didn't slip in the shower from laughing so hard. I might have to send that one in somewhere...
*Please read with an open mind and a closed mouth..... unless you can relate! This is a confession and nothing more. ; )
(my sweet Sophie giving her first on command smile)So, you would think that being a girl, having a girl would come easy or natural. For me, not so much. I'm not sure if it's b/c Sophie and I had a rocky start to our relationship or that I always pictured myself having all boys, but I think I finally figured out that I need to dig down deep and find my "inner girl." A lot of you who have had girls first may not understand what I'm talking about, but let me explain. As a child, I was kind of girly. I always wanted to wear dresses and didn't like getting dirty or playing outside all that much. I don't remember the dress phase, but my mom does. She's the one who had to hunt around Montgomery, of all places, for knit play dresses for her daughter. (She's from the north, so smocked items were new and not play clothes to her, but that's a whole other story b/c though they are cute I agree with her.) I don't mind getting sweaty and dirty, if I'm dressed and prepared for it.
As I got older I went through the same phases every other pre-teen and teenage girl did with trying to fix your hair just right and make sure you looked just right, but deep down, I really didn't care all that much. I still remember the day in 6th grade when I found out people showered before going to school in the morning. I was never the person you wanted to go to for hair, makeup or fashion advice. Now, I wasn't an "Ugly Betty," but those things just weren't important to me. I wasn't a tomboy either. I was terrible at sports, but I enjoyed watching and cheering for them. I kind of fell somewhere in the middle.
So, when we found out that we were pregnant with our second, I was actually hoping it was a girl. The idea of doing her hair and picking out little dresses was very appealing. Fast forward to now and I have been just about as lost as a girl can be! Once Sophie got to where she could play with you, all she knew was trucks and cars and diggers, the things her brother knows and therefore, I know. But she's a girl. At first I loved the fact they enjoyed playing with the same things b/c in all honesty, the whole idea of a princess obsessed girl totally freaked me out! (Please to not tell me all about it, I already know it's great.) I guess b/c I was never the princess type and was absolutely terrified that she would turn into a bratty princess who always wanted her way. Besides the thought of explosions of pepto bismal pink and glitter was more than I could handle. I'm not a feminist by any means, but I just think there are so many other things that girls can play besides princess. Think back to when you were little, what did you play? We played house, teacher, library, cops, ice cream shop, theatre, all kinds of things! (Some of you are probably laughing b/c my son is known for his deep passion for all things construction, but it doesn't bother me. He has other things he loves too, like animals and trains and farming and bikes, etc.)
Lately I have felt completely lost and unable to relate to her and can't figure out why. Then it hit me. We actually have something in common, we are both... girls! (duh, I know.) Every time she has been introduced to "girly" things she has eaten it up. You paint her toes, she shows everyone. You say the word "shoes" and she runs to get a pair for everyone. You show her a pair of shoes and she plops down where she is and sticks her foot in the air. (I actually got $5 off a pair b/c the woman selling them thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever seen!) You turn on music and she twirls. You show her fairy wings and she won't take them off. So, I decided, I need to find my inner girl and bond with my little girl. Ever since I realized this we have had so much fun together. I think we just didn't know what to do with each other. Now I'm really excited I have a little girl! I always have been, just didn't know it until now!
We had a really good weekend here at the Hemphill house. Brandon woke up very early Saturday morning to go deep sea fishing with some resident friends and so Tiffany and I took the kids to the zoo near Pensacola. We had never been so Christopher was really excited. We had a great time checking out all the animals and Christopher loved feeding them. He's always scared once he gets up to whatever he is in awe of, so I was very surprised he would even do it, but like I said, he loved it! After the zoo, we went to Panera Bread for lunch and Publix for a few items and a free cookie. Everyone went down for naps and then the boys called to say they were back and to head on over when the kids woke up. The families all met at the "departure" house and we had fresh fish for dinner. It was fabulous! And I'm not much of a fish eater, but this was by far, the best I've ever had! The kids were more Sophie's age, which thrilled her like crazy b/c she's always around 3 year olds. I have never seen her have so much fun at someone else's house. Christopher has always loved babies, so he was giddy and would run up and touch the twin girls that just turned one and run away laughing. It was fun to watch!
On Sunday, I got to sleep in, I know, it should have been the other way around, but it was much appreciated. We had breakfast on the patio and the kids were in the pool by 8:30. We were going to the later service at church, so it was a very nice and relaxing morning together. Then we were off to church, home for lunch, finished the step stool and down for naps. Christopher and I were going to have a "date" that afternoon, but he slept so long that we didn't make the movie. Instead we went to dinner with one of my oldest friends. She and her husband were in town without kids and we haven't seen each other since we were pregnant with #2. It was great seeing them again!
This morning Brandon got to sleep in and I fixed coffee cake and we has breakfast on the patio again, followed by a dip in the pool. As I am typing this, the boys are back in the pool again and Sophie should wake up from her nap any minute. I've already done some laundry and cleaned up the kitchen. It's a great day! Brandon is starting his night rotation today, so I'm planning our morning adventures for the week to get us out of the house while he sleeps. Hopefully it will go smoothly and we will just pass each other as we come and go. Hope you all have a great week!
You know, I got on here to post something I thought about while I was lying on the couch last night to go to sleep (Brandon came home sick from work and I didn't want to catch it) and I can't remember for the life of me what it was! Don't you hate that? I guess I'll just have to come back later. Oh well! Instead, let me get a vote on something. I bought some unfinished adirondack chairs and I'm trying to decide what color(s) to paint them. Would you go with the classic white or a pastel or a fun bold color? I was thinking I'd just do white b/c I know it will come in a spray can and will be able to find easily, but I just picked up a Pottery Bran Kids catalog I got yesterday and on the back were two chairs, one a dark pink and the other a navy. Now, I know they were kid chairs, but it was cute! So it got me thinking about doing something different. I can't remember where I saw it, but a magazine I got the other day had the back panels painted in 2 different colors giving a "striped" look. I thought white and pale green would be pretty. Can you see why I'm undecided yet? Ok, I better run, the kids are fighting. Probably why you shouldn't blog while they are still awake, but we do it anyway. Have a great day! (and don't forget to vote!)
Ok, here's the rest of the photos I wanted to add on here. I haven't posted this many posts in one day (much less one week) ever!!!! I'm going to start with one that makes me laugh. Sophie has figured out how to give a "mean" look. Not sure where she saw this, but she scrunches up her eyebrows and gives an evil eye pretty darn good! This was the first time I caught it on film, but it still doesn't match it in person.
I told you I was sick and the following photos will show you what my house has looked like all week. I didn't care one bit. I will let you know that none of these items are still out. I finally feel well enough to put them all away. So, for all you neat freaks, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Oh and yes, that furniture is s-t-i-l-l sitting out for all to see. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will be bought and removed by the end of June.
(Next!)
The other day, Tiffany and William came over to play and she said she had bought some bird seed for the kids to make bird feeders and asked if we wanted to come over and craft. I, of course, jumped at the chance and the kids followed. She found huge pinecones down the road from our houses and grabbed the peanut butter and some other supplies. Christopher got frustrated with trying to spread the PB and was more interested in eating it. I had no problem taking over, but let him put the seeds on. I had been wanting to make these, but wasn't sure where to put it b/c I didn't want the critters that would be eating from it to be literally outside my door. We found a tree with branches low enough and proudly hung our lovely creation. Here's Christopher showing it off to Brandon.
The next morning we peek out the window and saw exactly what I was afraid of... a squirrel eating our treasure. Now, we have probably as many, if not more, squirrels than roaches around here and am thinking of starting a petition to allow the "maintaining" of these critters b/c it's so crazy. This particular morning was extremely windy and it was hanging on for dear life. I looked out later and noticed another squirrel was trying to join in on the snacks while two more were circling the tree. We banged on the window to try to scare it, but it couldn't get back up the string due to the insane wind that was blowing. Not too much later all the seed was gone and by that afternoon they realized no more was coming, so they scampered somewhere else. Today I noticed the string was chewed off and the pinecone was no where to be seen.(Next!)
This is one of the million reasons I love my son, he's so sweet and sensitive (90% of the time!).
He's definitely got game! How do you think his daddy won me over? : )(Next!)
Here's a peek at the progress of the wildflower seeds we planted a few weeks ago. I knew they wouldn't fill up the entire area b/c the seeds were only $1 and it's probably half dust, but I bought more at Target this week and plan to add to it if needed.
See this???? Look really close at the teeny, tiny green blades poking out....
It's my grass that I planted last week! (the taller ones are the weeds) I know my neighbors still think I'm crazy b/c I've been going outside every day to check and see if anything has happened. I also haven't let the kids go back there since I spread it all out. Honestly, I really didn't think anything would grow. And it hasn't everywhere, but the fact I have little patches like these makes me so happy!(Next!)
Here is the crafty project I was talking about that I started months ago. Caroline made Christopher's and I made Sophie's to match. I hung them on either side of the mirror in the kids bathroom. I couldn't get a photo of them hanging b/c they face each other, mirror on one wall, pics on side walls.
That's the end. I'm headed to bed now to cuddle with my lil' man. He reminded me that he gets to sleep in our bed with me when Daddy's gone at night. How can you say no? Good night!
Last weekend we went to Montgomery to get away for a few days. Brandon hardly ever leaves base, much less town, so we loaded up Friday night and hit the road. We went to the zoo Saturday morning, napped in the afternoon and grilled steaks for supper. We skipped church Sunday morning b/c I wasn't up for wrestling the kids to get ready for church and then coming home to wrestle the kids to load in the van to go home. It ended up pouring all day, so it would have made everything that much worse had we tried to get out more than once. It was just the weekend we needed and we always love going to see Mimi and Papa John!
The crew walking around at the zoo. The weather was nice. Close to hot, but wasn't hot enough to be miserable.
One of the many amazing animal shots that Brandon took with his new lens. He's having fun playing with it! I'm just glad he finally spent the money he got for graduation on himself. He always wants to spend little, but tends to spend it on us instead of himself. He deserves this!
Me and my lil' man! I love this boy so much and my heart melts every time he wants to hold my hand or cuddle up in my lap. I know those days will soon end and I don't like to think about it.
Little miss priss free from her stroller checking the animals out. I'm not sure if she was more excited to see the animals or point them out to Christopher.
She's definitley Miss Independent! Unlike Christopher, she refuses to hold anyone's hand and wants to do everything by... her...s e l f!! I have a feeling we have a long road ahead of us with this one. But we sure do love her!
After he woke up from his much needed nap, he went to play in the baby pool outside. I don't know two kids that love water more than mine (except maybe my nephew, Hunter). He splashed and splashed and splashed some more.
Sophie enjoying a little snack on the back patio. We spent pretty much our entire time at home out here. Mimi has the most gorgeous jasmine growing back there and it smells amazing! That was all I wanted to do was sit outside and breathe it in.
Christopher playing with some toys outside. He knows exactly where to find them when we arrive and loves the different trucks they have.
I absolutely L-O-V-E doing anything crafty, but don't always have the chance. I can't really involve my kids b/c Sophie's too young and Christopher won't listen and something always gets dumped, poured, broken or thrown and I end up yelling so I just have to wait until they take a long nap, the laundry is done, the house is clean and dinner is prepared, which you are probably laughing now b/c everyone knows that never happens! But, I'm getting back into it again. Aunt Caroline made the cutest wall art for Christopher's first birthday and I proudly hung it in his bathroom (no room in his room) and when we moved here I wanted to make one to match it for Sophie. I started on it about 10 months ago and just finished it today. When you see it you'll laugh b/c it's so easy, but it just shows you how long it takes me to do easy things with my kids awake. It doesn't happen. I'm so excited b/c I finally got it done and am about to get working on the kids' new step stool Pop made them. I finally painted it and just have to add the little details to make it special. Last night as I was surfing the net, I found this and fell in love. I want to paint it on the empty wall in Sophie's room.
Isn't it so cute???? I already bought some wall stickers that are flowers to put around the bottom. (thank you Dollar Tree!) The kids are both going to mother's day out twice a week starting mid-June and I am so excited b/c I will finally be able to get these things completed. I better run, I haven't washed my hair since Wednesday and we have a "green" birthday party to go to later. I love the idea of regifting instead of buying new. How genius!! I didn't have any gently used toys around that a little girl would want, so I pulled out a princess game I bought for my niece at a consignment shop before Christmas and forgot to wrap. Worked out well b/c she got the same one (brand new) anyway! We made our own card too. I'll definitely have to remember this for next time we have birthdays in our house. I'm out, have a great Saturday!
I have many things to catch up on b/c I've been too busy to post any photos lately. I'm going to spread it out over a couple posts instead of one. With my luck I'd get to the end and it would delete! So, enough said, here goes...
First, I'll talk about the yard. You all know I've been working on our backyard in hopes of making it look nicer. There's only so much that can be done, but here's what I could take care of. I spent three days working on things b/c it was way too hot to get it all done by myself in one day. I have day 3 to thank for the way I've been feeling this week and I finally know what everyone was talking about when they would say, "Ohhh, you have live oak trees." We don't have one in our yard, but the all neighbors do and therefore the leaves end up in ours. Try raking that up with the dirty sand and you'll have a serious allergy attack like never before. There is a little more left to do, but I am waiting until next month to cut into it's budget before doing any more.
Here's the backyard before I get started on day one. Blah, blah, blah, boring, nasty, gross...
Christopher enjoying the pool in the newly pinestrawed area. I raked the old stuff up and put down that black "sheeting" that blocks the weeds. My biggest goal was to block the dirt (and the weeds) in hopes of keeping the pool clean.
The pool after an hour of being played in. I joined him b/c it was so hot and I was really sweaty, but I'm not about to post those photos! I think my work was definitely a success! Before it only took 2-3 minutes at the most to get the water dirty and yucky.
Here's the other side, my project on day two. I'd run out of black stuff on day one, so I had to wait to go get more before starting the other side of the patio. This area is extremely weedy so I just wanted to make it look nicer by adding pinestraw here as well.
The finished product. I'm very pleased. I know my neighbors thought I was crazy b/c apparently nobody else in the country uses pinestraw in their yards, but I like it. It's cheap and looks nice when taken care of, just like anything else.
I moved two pots from the front of the house to the back of the house and I'm waiting for that budget to get flowers to plant in them. Right now the kids are having fun playing in the dirt left from last year.
I want to wait until I finish everything before showing a final photo. Sorry! I was going to post photos of the flowers I do have, but as I looked closely at one of them, wondering why one of the stems didn't have any leaves, while the rest of them did, and noticed tiny bugs all over it eating away. I checked the other plants and saw bugs on them as well. I'm not sure I want to spend money on anti-bug stuff b/c the plants were free and aren't as "full" as I thought they would be anyway. I think I'd rather spend the money on new plants that you can actually see. I'm off to bed, but I'll be back soon with more photos of our life lately.
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