(Her 2011 in pics per my facebook page)

I realize that this year has brought lots of changes for us, but mainly that Eliza has turned from a cute, squishly baby to a fun, toilet paper unrolling, sweet, screaming, playful toddler. This past month has even been a big change when she finally realized she could scream and get a reaction from her brothers.

Manipulation, much?

So, um, yes. We have to start working on discipline and obeying instead of peek-a-boo and find the cereal underneath my chins. Danggit.

And, I don’t know if you noticed, but she has red hair. And every 3rd person in the world tells me some (different) stat about red heads becoming extinct. Something about red hair and blue eyes and how they will only be found on Mars in the future. I don’t know. I just nod when strangers go into their speech now because I’ve heard it so often. They could be telling me red heads eat free on Wednesdays somewhere and I’m missing it.

The other thing that every person in the world will ask is if she has a red-headed temper. In a word, yes. Big time. I don’t know why, how or when we noticed, but YES. If her sunglasses don’t fit on her the right way, she throws them across the room and screams. If she doesn’t get her vitamin at the same time the boys get theirs, she stomps away and screams. It’s like watching a little Lucille Ball… who screams. Very dramatic. (But super cute. Don’t tell her.)

In between screaming, she blows kisses, plays hide and seek and makes the world fall in love with her. It’s easy really. You just ignore the screaming (like I do) and she’s perfect. An absolute gift. Who can make her daddy melt with a MUAH of slobber on his face.

Jason even looked at me once this year with her wimpering and said, “You are going to have to discipline her. I can’t do it.” And he was serious. Great. That’s a note for the therapist.

In general, the boys love her, too. They know that she tears things up, so they get to blame her for a lot and that, my friends, is about the only joy of a little sister from a 4 and 6 year old perspective. Ollie is her protector. Henry is her antagonizer. Put them all together and they are a riot… if they’re not your kids. If they happen to be your kids, well, they are entertaining and they make you pray.  Often. Mainly for their teachers. And anyone who happens to encounter the wrath of Red.

A. Year.

And for many various reasons- the majority of which I’m sure I’ll cover- it’s true. And I miss the blog fill-in-the-blank: blog friends, blog readers, the blog community, the blogginess of it all. And every time you left encouraging posts on facebook or sent me an email to ask me if I was dead, I really did appreciate it. You people, if there are still any of you out there, are truly friends. Thank you!

Back to the poo.

Our O-man, who is now big and 6, has an assortment of allergies. For a while, they were making him do crazy things and act funny. We have had him tested at every center, hospital and medical facility under the sun and- a year in- we think it’s a combination of ADD, allergies and a few genetic quirks that he was *lucky* enough to pick up from me and Jason.

A year ago we suspected he could possibly have been on the autism spectrum. Six months ago we had been given 4 different answers. Just a month ago we finally decided to give ADD prescription medication a try  (after I had fought against that like a Jerry Springer guest) and he had wonderful results. As in, his teacher called us at home crying (the joyous kind). He was focused, did all his work and then some, talked to and played with friends, laughed, enjoyed school and had a great day. I could probably have counted days like that on one hand before then. So, we do not have all the answers, but know that this might be a temporary solution to help. Or- heck- a permanent solution. Who knows. We are working on this a day at a time, but are so thankful for some positive news. He is probably still on a spectrum somewhere- depending on who you ask/ what test results you read- but you probably wouldn’t know that now by being around him.

Like I said, we have explored many, MANY options. We’ve adjusted our diet (several times), added supplements, demanded sleep times and read enough books to put your library extension to shame. In our research, we are convinced that we can do our best to find out WHY his brain is acting like it is- not just throw medications at the symptoms. Not that that’s entirely BAD, but I’d rather treat the WHY than the what.

So, about 8 months ago we tried to get in to see a new-fangled, highly-recommended doctor in the Nashville area and we finally got in to see him in December. (You see, new-fangled and fancy-schmancy = wait-a-long-time.) While we were there, O-man had blood drawn (an experience about as much fun as your yearly GYN check up) and we were sent home with 2 boxes. One was labeled urine and the other stool.

Yep. You guessed it. We collected the urine without a problem and currently have a pee-cicle in a test tube in the freezer. The stool, that was a different situation. It’s actually difficult to convince a very smart 6 year old to poo in a bowl. So he held it for 2 days. And I chased him around asking him about poo.

Wanna come over sometime? Our house is a GREAT place to hang out!

We finally conquered day #1 of poo (I haven’t told him there is a day #2, yet) and Ollie made the best observation of all.

O: “Ok, mom. So what am I officially allergic to, now?”

Me: “We don’t know, yet. I have to send the poo to poo doctors and then they will tell us.”

O: “You send it in THE MAIL?? Does the postman know about THIS?”

You would not believe all the crap, um… stuff… we have to go through to get this poo in the mail. There are haz mat  bags, overnight shipping info and I’m pretty sure you have to slip the FedEx guy a $20 to get your crap delivered.

Oh my.

More to come on the developing story and I can’t wait to fill you in soon! 

 That one time of year when you can walk into a room and know that everyone in there knows what linky parties, html codes and blawgs are {at least that’s what my grandmother calls it}. You always have to explain a blog to real life friends, and try to tell them that you really aren’t weird, secretly famous or writing your memoirs, you just BLOG {as much as you can, at least}.

As you might know, I started a business this year- Mint Julep Monograms- and had a baby this year- Eliza Jane- and wisely *ahem* decided to do them at the same time. {About as wise as the man who designed our home.} BUT… I am so thankful to have a booming business, that I can’t complain. Except that my blog is not updated regularly, finished or how I want it to look.

But, I’m not going to let that stop me! I will be at Blissdom because my friends will be there. I can NOT wait to hug my BBFs {Bloggy Best Friends} and catch up with them.

Are you headed to Blissdom?
If so, here is my list from last year about how to prepare.

This year, here is a quick Top Ten Rundown of What I’m Throwing Together at the LAST Minute for Blissdom:

10. Going to try to jump into Twitter again

If only to find out the meet ups/ tweet ups/ bargains/ secret plans, etc. You know, the good gossip. Follow #blissdom for the scoop

9. Have GOT to find some comfy & cute clothes

Must remember those peeps don’t see the 3 outfits I have, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be wearing those.

8. Lose 30 pounds

Might not happen in a week, so I’ll settle for 2.

7. Catch up on all my friends’ blogs

So that I can say “Heeeeyyyy!! Read about your Gluten-free/ house redecorating/ Disney trip and it sounds wonderful!!” (picture lifted from Mary)

6. Reminisce about Harry and Get Excited about Chris Mann

Ahhhhhhhhhh

And saw Chris Mann at Blissdom ’09 and he is FANTASTIC!

5. Get my proverbial ducklings in a quasi row

This is Ollie reading to his sister a-la reading circle at school. If only that sweetness lasted more than 2 minutes, I’d have a great babysitter!

Oh my word. It is SO much trouble to get everything ready to go out of town. Can I get an “AMEN!” from the mamas!? But SO worth it for a trip to the bathroom without an escort.

Here is my usual escort. Looking… um… well, what he usually looks like.

4. Get cards printed

I have MJM cards. I have Other Mama cards. I need a handy dandy 2 sided card with both and some sort of lipstick/ chocolate/ air freshener attached. Asking too much? I think not!

3. Get gifts ready

Oh, that Mary {my bestie and roomie}. She is the one with all the gifts each year and I forgot that EVERYONE comes bearing gifts, so I’ve got to get on the ball!! I’m pretty sure they will be monogrammed.

2. Thank the awesome sponsors

We got a pre-bliss package in the mail today. You should be jealous. It has a big box of wonderful goodies including a book that you can read the story into so that your voice can still read to your babies while you’re at Blissdom! I love it!!

This babe might be a smidge confused, but we’ll go with it.

1. Get to NASHVILLE pronto!

Can’t wait!! Who’s in? See you there!!

*This post linked to 2 Bliss-tastic and real life friends: Her Royal Nester-ness and Oh Amanda!

I “knew” Edie from the blog world and met her last year at Blissdom. We had the  *BEST* time at the Harry Connick, Jr. par-tay and she’s just as amazing in real life as she is on her blog. You want to know her, be around her and be as cool as she is- maybe one day.

I found out right before Christmas that Edie’s beautiful lake home burned to the ground. Everything. Gone. In a flash. The week of Christmas.  

By the grace of God her entire family was safe and injury free. Her response to this amazing tragedy has been nothing short of an inspiration. She is obviously devastated, but has been overwhelmingly thankful throughout the situation. Go to her blog and read more. She will inspire you. She will encourage you. Seriously, go now. I haven’t swiped pictures, but you need to know Edie if you don’t already.

Edie, God is going to make something amazing come from your ashes. He is already using you to minister to people all over the world! You are special. I love you, friend! Happy birthday!

And that’s when I realized that I love to write and such a huge part of me is missing when I don’t update my blog. So I am here picking up wherever and whenever I can and knowing that like a good friend, we can just pick up where we left off in high school.

Tight roll those jeans and let’s go.

Eliza Jane {Jane because it just goes; maybe like Matilda Jane? I don’t know… it goes} is a thumb sucker. The boys have both been big passy fans, so I’m not quite sure what to do with this little gal.  {Henry still has his passy to go to sleep and also has them hidden around the house and I know when he’s quiet that he’s off somewhere sucking that passy. He’s a sucka- a passy sucka.} She LOVES her thumb-y. And we happen to think that whatever she does is cute.

She sucks her thumb to go to sleep. She is not partial to a specific thumb- left, right, hers, yours- whatever. She sucks her thumb when she’s bored. She sucks her thumb to show you she cares {maybe}. She sucks her thumb in between bites of rice cereal. I have a theory that it’s a little salty and a little pinch is just all she needs to get by.

You get the idea- she’s a sucka- a thumb sucka.

Here’s my dilemma: it’s so stinkin cute now, but it’s not going to be that cute when the orthodontist hands me the bill. My dentist cousin told me at Christmas that they make some sort of device that they put in the roof of kids’ mouths now that scrapes their thumb or something similar if they suck their thumb. {This kind of torture is reserved for children who are older and need to break the habit somehow, I am assuming. Waterboarding your own child is the next step, I think.}

Obviously I don’t want to get to that level, but when do I stop thinking it’s cute and start pulling that chewed up thumb out of her mouth? Is there a rule about it? Clearly, I don’t follow said rules {since I just admitted my 3 year old hides passies}, but I need to know when to start feeling guilty about it. This is a whole new area of guilt-to-be for me.

*This picture completely and totally a picture of a picture from Eliza’s 4 month panel. Taken by the lovely and talented Melissa Tash, of course.

Thoughts, please {if anyone in the world is reading besides Melissa’s attorneys??}?

One of the follow up questions was “How can we thank God for our food?” or something of that sort. Ollie looked at me funny and I prompted him with, “What do we say before we eat?”

He mustered his meanest, grown up voice and said, “EAT YOUR FOOD“.

And this is how God has a sense of humor.

She’s Got Legs from The Other Mama on Vimeo.

Yes. This is a silly video of a baby dancing.

Similar to one Ally McBeal baby a la 1997.

• Yellow-ish baby brought to you by {God and} bad lighting.
• Polka dot diapers brought to you by Target.
• My Southern Accent brought to you by my mama {pronounced maw-muh}.

Enjoy.

Jason has accused me several times of writing things like “Brush Teeth” on my list, just so I could cross one thing off first thing in the morning. I don’t know if I’d admit to that, but it sounds like a good idea to me.

Here is the list that has plagued me lately- the one that is supposed to be completed by mid-November:

1. Have Henry potty-trained.

2. Buy a van. {My thoughts on the matter here.}

3. Have all Christmas shopping done early.

4. Lose 20 or 30 pounds.

5. Have Eliza on some sort of schedule.

6. Clean hall closet.

You might as well add “World Peace” and “Not let children watch TV” on there. Because not one of those things has happened. Not ONE, I tell you.

And in case you are wondering, lots of things are happening this month. Here is my rationale for the list:

1. Have Henry potty-trained. This child is SO ready to be potty trained. Yesterday he told me that he “would like to sit down and eat ‘wunch’”, but he “needs a new diap-ah, pwease. Dis one is poopy”. If you can complete a sentence with logic and planning, I think you can probably be potty trained.  I wanted to get this done before Christmas travel and craziness, but it’s not gonna happen.

2. Buy a van. {My thoughts on the matter here.} We’ve got to travel this month and we aren’t going to have time to get a van. It’s going to be ugly, friends. The likes of which can only be compared to the Griswold’s Vacation with the dead aunt on the roof of the car.

3. Have all Christmas shopping done early. Yeah right. I say this every year and Never {NE. VER.} get it done. You’d be really surprised at the number of people who do! A lot of people ordering from me are saying things like “These are the last few things on my list!”.

Crazy talk.

I think everyone on my list will be getting something monogrammed that doesn’t sell this year. That sounds thoughtful, kind and in the spirit of Christmas, doesn’t it?

4. Lose 20 or 30 pounds. Don’t get me started. I wanted to lose weight before my cousin’s wedding this month and Christmas card pictures. We took the Christmas card pics yesterday. My pants were so tight that I sat a child on my lap to cover myself. That’s the perk of having 3 kids! They can completely hide you in a family picture!

5. Have Eliza on some sort of schedule. Y’all. This baby girl is fabulous. She just goes along with whatever we’re doing. I love her so. But it would be nice if she was on some sort of a routine- not really even a schedule. She does eat, play, then sleep- but none of those are set to any sort of clock.

My 1st-time-parent self would fiercely kick my 3rd-time-parent self’s butt.

{Eliza with my sweet friend and blog reader, Amy, being held at a Halloween party at pre-school. (Hey Amy!! I probably should’ve asked before I slapped you on the blog!)}

6. Clean hall closet. This thing has a life of it’s own. It has all wrapping paper, luggage, large picture frames I’m not currently using, extra sheets, my high school yearbooks, etc. It was supposed to be my project while I was on maternity leave, but never happened. Puh-lease tell me you have a closet like this. I used to think they only existed in the movies and overly exaggerated sit-coms, but I really do shove things to the back, then close it as quickly as possible.

So what’s on your list right now that has been lingering there for a while?
Go ahead, fess up.

Look what got crossed off mine tonight! {I might or might not have added it when I was finished writing.}

The bottom of the list is my real list of things that have to be ordered for my store. B’ness is great!! Thank you! :)

In other news, I am monogramming stuff/ running a business all the time. My “part time” job is actually several full time jobs as many wise people warned me. The kids that live here are still hilarious, messy and kind of loopy, so I’m trying to remember so I can write it here. This is for your entertainment of course, but also because I don’t have a scrapbook. Not. A. One. This is all they’ve got.

Henry has taken to being particularly funny lately. We heard him crunching in the way back (you call it that, too, right?) on the way to church on Sunday morning. I turned around and saw him chowing down on Fritos… from 3 days before. Nice.

Me: “Buddy, those are yucky. I don’t think you should eat them.”

Him: *Wimpy crunch, chomp, grind-these-suckers-any-way-I-can*

“They’re still good, Mom.” * Chompy, scrunch, chomp*

Boys are gross from the get go.

Cute, but gross. {the best picture I got from 3 Halloweens}

Ollie has taken to spelling words around the house and asking “WHY?” to every single thing in the world. You know how they depict 5 year olds in movies as always saying, “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why do we have to wear clothes?” and “Why are boogers yellow?”- for once, they’re dead on. Hollywood may have Southerners all wrong, but they’ve got 5 year olds pinned.

He also is starting to think he knows everything. Today he tried to teach me about “medium” showers. They’re rocks that fall from the sky in case you’re wondering. He also has vast knowledge of robots and their capabilities and will quickly correct you if you are not-so-up-to-date on matters. These conversations run like this:

Me: Why don’t you and Twister Robot pick up those toys you left out?

Him: Moooom. Twist Robot can NOT pick up toys.  He only throws them out. Claw armed robot can push them to the box and then Stomp Foot Robot can kick them into the toy box. *disgusted tone that I have offended the robots and their made up capabilities*

Oh my.

Sweet baby girl is the most precious thing we have ever had in this house. She still has red hair, round cheeks and can light up a room with her gummy smile.

Here she is with her great grandmother GeeGee. There is something special about their hands- experienced and wise combined with fresh and chubby- that just makes me happy.

She really is just adorable and so much fun to have around. Jason and I made her promise to stop growing since she’s pretty perfect right now. I’m sure she nodded, so we’re holding her to it.

Eliza was a baby bumblebee for Halloween, but again, this is the best picture I got. She looks thrilled to be strapped in, doesn’t she? She really is a smiley baby; I just need to be a better picture taking mama.

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Some other quick info: Look out for several of my blogging buddies hosting giveaways to Mint Julep Monograms in the next few weeks. My last day to accept orders for Christmas will be December 3rd.

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My latest article for our local parenting magazine is here. It’s on raising a grateful child. I think I’m going to leave it out for my children to read so they can get a few tips. *snort*

I hope people don’t see me at Target screaming at my children telling them they can’t have all 42 toys that they’re begging me for.  Hmmmm. Must not go to Target with children while this article is out…

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My iTunes list has played through Toby Mac, Tone Loc, {I had to skip Toto! What?? Let’s blame my husband. Explain yourself, Jason.} and I’m on to Train now. I think it’s safe to say I have an eclectic taste in music- and it’s time to go to bed.

Yes… that’s it…rehab.

Wait. That’s not true. 

Every time I sit down to write about life/ business/ kids/ funny stories, etc, I feel like there is SO much to cover and I don’t have time to do it accurately/ with edited pictures/ precise haikus or limerics… you know… how I’d like to do it. So I’m going to be playing catch up over several posts as often as I can.

Here, in 8 words or less, are the top 10 things that have happened in the past month (or so):
1. Ollie turned 5 and had a superhero party.

2. Jason lost a gall bladder (not like on the side of the road; surgeons took it out).

3. Henry turned 3 and had a Thomas party.

4. Eliza was baptized.

5. The boys have loved fall.

6. My business is booming (but I don’t sleep).

7. Ollie landed forehead first into the fireplace and had 6 stitches.

8. I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no way in the world to get 3 children smiling and looking at the camera in a picture.

OK, so that last one is more than 8 words. (And those name cover ups were way more fun than they should have been.)

Hopefully I’ll be back to elaborate and overwhelm you with my wit and funny stories. I bet you’re probably just glad to not stare at that cookie dough anymore.

*I have not really been in rehab. This is just a bad joke and I’m sorry if I offended those of you who have been in rehab. You should have taken anger management courses or something, so I think you’ll be okay.