Getting Off the Nipple and Tiger Love

Yesterday I went to pick Timothy up from daycare and one his teachers stopped me to tell me that he will be moving up in the next month or two to the next class. She then went on to say that in order for him to move up, he has to be off the bottle. I then, in my nicest, {not.at.all.neurotic.mommy.bear.way} explained that while I am fine if he drinks his formula from a sippy instead of a nipple bottle; he is NOT going to be taken off his special {costs me a mortgage payment to buy} formula until his doctor gives us the ok.


I really wasn’t trying to be difficult or mean, but I have news for yall, if our doctor wants him to have something—he gets it! Regardless of what daycare thinks. Then, last night I thought—“with all the DHEC rules and regulations, you would think that something that is required to give your child by a doctor, the daycare can’t tell you, you can’t.” Wouldn’t yall think that? Really and truly, I am over it. But it really did bother me.

On to other more fun stuff. My dad got Tbird a stuffed tiger and gave it to him the other night at dinner. Timothy is obsessed with this tiger. Here are some pictures of him since Wednesday when he got it.

He loves his new friend!

Hope yall have a gggrrrrrreat {the way Tony the Tiger says it}Friday!

Tbirds Occupational Therapy

Timothy went to his usual Wednesday morning Occupational Therapy appointment yesterday and he did so well! 

I cannot tell yall what a difference a person makes. Our other OT was just not working out. And I felt like she was holding Timothy back by wanting to work with baby foods when he was already eating solid foods. Our new OT agreed and has done an amazing job in just a few weeks.

As a mommy it is a relief to come in a leave with a happy baby, rather than one that thinks he is being tormented in a torture chamber! His whole attitude has changed and he loves Miss Belinda so much. I just really can't put into words how different he is. Plus how differnt our experience is each week.

I used to dread taking him and watching him get so upset and look at me like I was betraying that sacred trust between mommy and baby. Life is so good now and he is learning to tolerate so much more! She even thinks that he is moving away from some of his texture issues!! Praise God!

We also talked about the fact that it takes a toddler 12 times to try, like and then recognize foods. I find that so interesting! I've also decided that if I was a young college student again, I would of enjoyed being an OT.
I just know what an incredible impact they have made on Timothys life since his days in the NICU until now.

Have any of you other moms had a similar experience with therapy?

Where Has Timothy Been?

I know that has to be what y'all are asking! We've been busying living life people! I am trying to get better about spending more time with my family. Which equals less time on Blogger, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and random online looking. But here are some highlights of whats been up...


Making my wreath for football season. Timothy, Aunt Hey and I had a great time making these!


My sweet Tbird hasn't gotten his "sea legs" yet with this walking thing. {I.E. the police would arrest him for being in the sauce! :) } he got a ouchie report at daycare! Poor T. Right in the eye too! :(


We got a sweet letter from The Marshalls. We just love them, and couldn't be happier for their double bundle of joy on Friday!


We got Tbirds lunch stickers from Erin Condren!


He has been a lil monster from time to time!


Y'all this is one of my new all time favorite pictures of Timothy. I just adore it!! This is him and Henry playing outside.


Doing a little swaanging on his new swing set. He seriously loves this thing. He has a meltdown every time we take him out!


We've been loving each and every second we have with our sweet boy! How could you not love this face??!!??

Pitter-Patter of Stride Rite Sandals

Happy Friday!

I wanted to share a video with yall of T walking! Now, in this video-- he is not doing his Michael Jackson pose.His hand is on tummy instead. But I figured this would be a great way to start the weekend! Oh yeah.. tilit your head, you know how blogger is!

My Erin Condren Planner Vlog

Hey Guys!

I have been trying to get this vlog to post for like 12 hours. A few things before you watch. I have a zit, frizzy hair {thanks, South Carolina} and sound very stuffy. I am feeling very a little apprehensive about this whole vlog thing. I feel like it really opens me up. Anyway, please do not be too critical.. Oh, and ignore the insane amount of times I say love, awesome and uh-um..

I failed to mention how much this has already helped me with Timothy. And being able to see my days laid out in front of me--AMAZING!

Go get your Erin Condren Life Planner today!!

WILW

I haven’t played along in a few weeks.. so here I go!

I am loving my life planner! I am doing a post on it later so be on the lookout!

This sweet sleeping baby

And all the amazing smocked goodness I just got on Zulily!

Hope yall have a great Wednesday!! :)

What's In Your Fruit Basket?

Last night I was packing up Tbirds lunch and just had to laugh at myself. I looked at my “fruit bowl” full of T snacks. Now, before you jump down my throat for not having fresh fruit in it, T like the cut up fruit cups. And they are more cost efficient for our family because I can split them into three separate meals.

Now when I go to the grocery store I am always on the hunt for small bite sized snacks for T. I found a new one! These probably aren’t new to anyone else, but they are to me. They were in the buy one get one free bin. Cheez-It Gripz. T loves them!

Other exciting news, T is really starting to like and get the hang of this walking thing! One downside though, he walk with one arms out to balance himself and the other one firmly placed on his err “pelvicish region” --it’s funny/strange. The physical therapist suggested that we give him a ball to carry around to see if he will stop. She said this while dying laughing at him! Here's who he looks like...

And yes, I just did a google search for this! Ha!

Happy Tuesday yall!

Life Lessons Taught By My Child

I did a devotional for a group of 20 people today. Speaking about the Lord and all his blessings fills my heart and makes me emotional.

I spoke on a few things..

How God has to practically slap me in the face with something before I get what he saying to me.

The Lord gave me Timothy to enrich my faith. I get so frustrated with T when he won't listen to me.. I can only imagine how God feels when I make him slap me with things. It humbles me and reminds me that I can be a rebellious toddler with God. {Why Tiff??}

Understanding how to be a servant leader. When you make your focus to live like Jesus and be a faithful servant to Him and those around you, the Lord will bless your life in ways you can't even imagine.

Patience is a virtue. Not one I am really blessed with. BTB can't hide presents around our house, because I will seek them out and peek! { I know, what am I? Seven?} I think the Lord is trying to teach me to be more like Job right now. It is so hard. But I know the reward is worth all the lack of patience I have.

How do y'all stay patient with life?

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.

What Day is Today?

I am having a hard time keeping each day straight this week. I don’t know if I am a day behind or a day ahead. I just know I didn’t think it was Wednesday!

Timothy is really starting to enjoy this walking y’all! Last night he was playing “bawwll” {ball} with my dad after dinner and he would walk back and forth from the couch to the table and to his toy box, with ease. And sometimes without even realizing it. The whole time, my dad of course watching every step making mental notes and commenting on what a great arch he had. {Probably something most grandpas aren’t doing}

BTB had to work late, so I picked up Chinese for dad and I. It was really nice to just spend the evening with him and Timothy.

After dad left to go back home, T and I did some artwork for BTB. He is getting a brand spanking new office with lobby and a conference room, so I figure he is going to need some additional art work. And really, what’s better than Tbird art?

I do have to ask all the moms out there, how do yall make time to do activities with your children?? Sometimes I feel like we are totally chasing daylight—everyday!

"Be Somebody Today, Punk!"

Last Thursday we went and got Timothy fitted for his inserts. Really they are foot braces. The doctor told me that they try not call them braces anymore because that scared the kids.


Here’s what they look like.

When I got on the web site to pick out Timothy’s pattern I showed everything to BTB. He was a little upset with the look of them. I guess he thinks it’s going to make people look at T differently.

I grew up in the home of a orthopaedic surgeon. I am totally used to and get why kids wear these. I just know that they help children so much. And with T being so little, he won’t even remember wearing it! But, If the insert doesn’t work; or takes too long to work- my dad has already said he is going to cast Tbird and in two weeks the situation is fixed. But it is better for them to have the brace on even if it takes longer, because they can still work on their walking skillz!

Honestly, I am excited about it. Let me back up. I dread the stigma that is going to come with it. But I am delighted to know that when he has the insert his walking will most likely, really take off! I know, you moms whose wee little tykes are walking already are thinking, “whoa sister, be glad he isn’t walking yet!” But I think it is going to go down much like crawling did. He learn to love it and I will be so proud that he is doing it, I won’t mind chasing him around. And let’s be honest, I could stand to lose a few pounds, so maybe him walking will help me be more active!

Y’all will be happy to know my family drama is over. Thanks for the many prayers. Calmer heads prevailed, and I am glad it is behind us. My cell phone has decided that it doesn’t like my friend Tina again. It goes through stages when it will let me text her and then it won’t. The last week, it hasn’t let me. I imagine our phones {hers iphone, mine driod} as a middle school couple. They break up they get back together and they break up again. All the while totally not communicating with one another, but by friends {BTB sends my texts to Tina via his iphone}. Strange little droid I have!

Final thought for Tuesday: my BFF Heth’s husband Ray always tells her to "Be somebody today, punk” and gives Heth little pep talks from time to time, like a coach. {I love this about Ray!} Also, punk is a term of endearment for them, not a slam.  I am being my own coach today and I will be a coach for y'all today too… Be Somebody today, punk!

Late Night Post

Happy Monday!

I hope y’all had a great weekend! I am so in a blogging funk! And days, count them days behind in any sort of update! What is wrong with me?!? I need to get my mojo back, yall! 

So, instead of a bunch of paragraphs, here are the highlights

·         Timothy walked! Whoo-hoo! (Watch video.. ignore my obnoxious voice.. And turn your head, (sorry))

·         Had lunch with the amazing Megan at The Sweetery. The Sweetery gives you a piece of cake with every order.. That’s why I love it! Megan had never been before--so it was time for her to have the experience! 

·         Made a caprese salad for BTB. The tomatoes and basil are from my garden! Doesn't it look yummy?!?

·         Went to a sip and see and seriously saw one of the cutest babes ever! Love baby Houston! And he rolled over for the first time at the party! 

·         Took T for a night swim for the first time.. He loved it! And this picture was taken about 10:45. He is such a party animal!! 

·         And of course daytime swimming.

I am going to try to get my mojo back, yall. Sorry for being such a bad blogger. (I just slapped my own hand!)

{Not So} Wordless Wednesday

I am totally overwhelmed right now. So I am being sort of lame and just showing pictures. The first is the fortune cooke fortune I got last week. Which ended up being really relevant to my life...



Then these are some pictures of T working on his fitness at physical therapy Monday!! And PT works wonders y'all. Timothy took like 5 or 6 steps last night!! whoop-whoop! :)

Hope yall have a fantastic Wednesday.

Fatherly Love.. Needing Prayers

We had a friend tell us the other night that he has given up his relationship with God. I am still so upset by it.

We have some family drama going on right now. { Nothing that's going to appear on blog.. because my blog is about my sweet baby and the drama isn't worth the time it would take to post about it } But the situation put Gods grace into prospective. We are born dirty sinners and God still loves us and takes care of us unconditionally.

I can't imagine going through life not knowing his love or grace. Or even worse, knowing it and then giving it up. I guess all I can say is this: As we weather our current storm, knowing I have the Lord makes me know we will get through it.

I'm sure everyone has heard the saying, "you are never taller than when you kneel before God". I am kneeling right now, arms stretched out to him. Turning it all over to Him. Knowing He will take this hurt and frustration and bless us. I will also continue to pray for our friend. My hope is that his heart is soften, and he comes back to His kingdom.

I pray for Timothy. I pray that BTB and I will raise him as Lord wants us to. I pray he becomes a strong, Godly man. I pray for his future wife.

I want these dark days to be behind me. But I know they are happening for a reason. I ask for your prayers as we weather this. I hate these sorts of things and don't do well with conflict, so any prayers will help!

I hope y'all have a great a Monday. I am know I am going to try to make the best of it. Holding my head up high, knowing Gods got my back! :)