Future Mommies of America

These girls right here - they are, the future mommies of America. Funny story. On Tuesday and Thursday, I watch a sweet little girl from our church, and she has become one of Ellie Kate's buddies. They do everything together all day long, and they usually cry when they have to leave each other.

This particular week, Peyton has been teething very badly. She cries pretty much all day, and mommy had to hold her just about every minute of the day. After spending all day Tuesday watching me in action, they were ready to be the mommies on Thursday.

Every time Peyton would make a noise in her crib, I would head in their only to find this -


If you notice, Peyton is all smiles. Tatum and Ellie Kate were standing on the bottom rail of Peyton's crib - singing to her. So sweet. It about melted my heart. While I was having my sappy mommy moment, it dawned on me that this is about the only smile I had seen from Peyton in a few days. So I tiptoed out (after snagging this photo), and let the girls sing until their hearts content. Mostly, they sang the Barney song, Jesus loves me (which they only sing about every 3rd word), and Twinkle Twinkle little star, which is only recognizable by a mom.

So there they are, the future mommies of America, however, unlike the FFA, this one has an enternal reward someday!

I thought I would leave you with this closing video of Peyton, in the full swing of teething, refusing to be soothed by anything - but Barney. Here is the proof:

yummy!

I love sweet potatoes (and daddy apparently)!!!!!! (sorry to all of you who were hoping for an entertaining story - this one is for the grandmas)

Isn't he handsome?

A look into my life come 9:00 on an average evening:

As many of you know, when Ellie Kate was born, Ben and I committed to eating healthier and more natural. While we have done a pretty good job and love this special gift we are giving to our children, there are a few things we just can't give up!

For me, its Jelly Belly jelly beans. Thanks to my big brother, Neal, who always had them stashed in his bedside drawer, I will be forever enslaved to these tasty delights.

For Ben, its double stuffed Oreo cookies. Oh, and it has to be with a mug of cold milk. He just can't do without.

However, with every dark cloud, there is always a silver lining, and this predicament is no different. First of all, when devouring these delectable morsels of undiscipline, we always wait until the kids are in bed. Second, I did give up Jelly Bellys while I was pregnant. And lastly, but certainly not least, my hubby does look pretty good eating those Oreos. I guess if he can accept my undying love of gourmet jelly candies, I can overlook his obsession with chocolate cookies filled with creme filling - as long as there are no crumbs in the sheets.

Where did I go wrong?

This past weekend, we headed back to Oklahoma City to visit my parents who were conducting a marriage conference in a nearby city. I was thrilled at the rare opportunity for my kids to spend time with their Memaw and Poppy.

While they love their Memaw and Poppy very much, their is a special place in my girl's heart for their aunts and uncles, especially ones of the teenage variety. Ellie Kate love her uncle Josh, uncle Lie-Lie (Elijah), Uncle No (Noah), and Aunt Yily (Lily).

Because my parents were busy teaching both days, we got to spend lots of time with the aunts and uncles. I really do appreciate their enthusiasm as they are up to wrestling all afternoon, participating in late-night tickle fights, and going up and down and up and down the stairs. I wish I could hire them full-time.

Like any out-of-town doting family member, they put up with much for our girls, throwing all discipline out the window. "I can't get on to her, I only see her twice a year" was the phrase I kept hearing. Just to prove the craziness, I had to show you my darling two year old, abusing her fourteen year old uncle. I am positive he wouldn't take this kind of abuse from anyone but his "sweet" niece.

Just to make sure you all didn't think I was a horrible mom, laughing at my daughter's cruelty, here is my proof of apology:

She gets her orneriness from her daddy, I swear.

Healthy Toys

Thanks to a wonderful friend of mine, I have been introduced to a world called, "disgusting things that live in your kid's toys." I know, depressing thought huh?

Normally, I would look the other way and pretend I didn't read that there are elements in your toys that can result in reactions, poisoning, and even future infertility! YIKES!

However, once I learned how easy it could be to change at least SOME of the toys that can make your kids sick, I just had to pass the news along to my blogging buddies.

While you can choose to get rid of all your toys that contain chemicals, you can also just find out the specific parts of your toys that have lead, chlorine, mercury, etc. and rid your house of those. For instance, I did a search on all the toys we currently own and found some surprising news. Peyton's jumper, which she loves (clearly seen in earlier post), has a low chemical rating. It received this rating because the blue eye on the frog as well as the red cloth parrot contain Bromine. These particular pieces simply dangle from the top of the jumper. I simply yanked them off, through them in a storage container, and that was that. No more Bromine on my babies toys! I know, super easy right?

While Ben and I would love to buy high-end chemical free toys, all organic products, and give our babies the absolute best, it just doesn't fit a preacher's budget. So we do what we can, and bathe our kids in prayer for the rest. This, however, is a no-cost way to help your kiddos live healthier and happier, even on a strict budget. They may never thank you for it, but give yourself a point on the unappreciated mommy card, and maybe we will get a crown in heaven someday for our unknowingly good deeds.

Here is the site - watch out, it can be addicting.
www.healthytoys.org

My favorite things

Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens

Ok, so we may not be the Von Trapp family, and I am certainly no Julie Andrews, but here is a compilation of Ramsey favorite things, Ellie Kate style.

1.) oh what did we ever do before the wonderful aquarium??? It is her night light, puts her back to sleep in the middle of the night, and entertains her for a few more minutes in the morning. 2.) "I love you as brilliant as each sparkling star, and as way out as space, I love you that far..." Mommy and Daddy can quote this book by heart, and often do in our sleep. Thank you Marianne Richmond for authoring the book that entertains my child for hours.

3.) "wak, wak, wak, wak" (aka. rock, rock, rock, rock). Daddy sits in the pink chair while Ellie Kate "Waks" back and forth, reading books for hours. A favorite pastime, and a favorite sight of Mommy's.

4.) Oh, Bo. I am so sorry that Ellie Kate pulls your ears, yanks on your tail, and tries to ride you like a pony. Thanks for loving her unconditionally. You guys are best buds. I know you miss your Ellie Kate too.

5.) Every toddler likes bubbles, right? Trust me, no child likes her bubbles more than Ellie Kate. SO much so that she mauls the story time lady at the library when it is bubble time. What a blessed day it will be when she can blow them herself.

6.) After nap time, we stand on mommy's dryer in the laundry room and pick out our "snack." Sometimes we spend fifteen minutes in this very spot, picking out our "snack."

7.) The beloved shopping cart. She got it for Christmas and has put 100,000 miles on it since.

8.) Mommy: "Ellie Kate, go get some shoes so we can go bye-bye"

Ellie Kate: "No thank-you."

Mommy: "Thank you for saying no thank you, but you must go get your shoes"

Ellie Kate: "Red shoes, please mommy?"

We wear our Dorothy shoes everyday mommy lets me.

When the dog bites

When the bee stings

When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember my favorite things

And then I don't feel so bad

I am remembering your favorite things tonight, baby girl, and mommy doesn't feel AS sad.

Two more days! I miss you!

One sad mama.

Today I said goodbye to my sweet Ellie belly. It was quite possible one of the saddest days of my mothering years.

About a week ago, Mimi called to ask if she could come and get Ellie Kate for the weekend. Mimi and Papa (Ben's parents) live about 3 hours away and are always looking for an excuse to visit any grandchildren. She must have been dying because it has been almost three whole week since she had seen any. Quite a feet.

At first I was reluctant. I have only spent one night away from her in her almost two years of living, and I just wasn't sure I could handle the whole weekend. I mean, the milestones I might miss. She might say a new word, grow a new tooth, or maybe even learn Newton's Theory of Gravity. Yeah, a lot can happen in one weekend.

After further consideration, I decided to let her go. The reason is three fold. 1.) Mimi and Papa could use some tender loving care from their grand baby this weekend, 2.) It was Addie's (her cousin) birthday party this weekend and she would love seeing them, and 3.) it would give Ben and I time to spoil Peyton. Therefore, reluctantly and with a tear in my eye, I sent my kiddo to Mimi and Papas.

In her honor, I will devote my upcoming blogging to my firstborn. Mostly because I miss her like crazy, but also because she always makes life interesting. So put up with a sappy mom these next few days as I divulge into the life of Miss Ellie Kate.

Mommy loves you baby girl! COME HOME SOON!

Christmas Holiday part 2

The second part of our Christmas vacation, as promised.

After spending our morning in our own humble abode, we traveled up I-35, through the endless acres of cornfields, to good ole Oklahoma. Of course, neither girl slept on our journey, which made for two very sleepy girls when we arrived.

After a quick nap, and the arrival of the Stillwater Ramsey clan, we proceeded to open countless presents and enjoy each other's company. The kids are approaching the ability to outnumber us, but don't tell them that...

Here is a picture of Ellie Kate with her Mimi...
And sweet baby Peyton with her Papa... (notice Ben and our little Addie in the background)

Of course, we had to go see Uncle Neal, Aunt Jennifer, and Addison... don't bother looking for dirt or clutter in this background, Jennifer's house is immaculate. I need to take lessons.

Morgan, or Mor-Mor, as Ellie Kate calls her, reading books with Daddy aka Uncle Ben.

We had such a great time visiting our Ramsey family. Ellie Kate always loves to play with her cousins, and hasn't stopped talking about them since. Of course, Mimi and Papa did way too much as usual. Wish we lived closer. Can't wait to see them again.

While we enjoyed our Christmas holiday very much, I need a vacation...

An ode to laundry

Oh endless pile on laundry
Piled high upon my couch
I hate, despise, and loathe thee
Do I sound much like a grouch?

Its not the sorting and washing
That seems to bother me so.
It’s the folding, hanging, and putting away
Shoe shopping I must go.

Of course, there are the mishaps,
That really bother my being
The dreaded red sock or forgotten receipt
Their absence would be so freeing!

Sometimes I don’t check the pockets

even though I know I should.

Toys, pennies, and gum I find

Oh, ruined clothes are just no good.

My underwear is now part blue

With blobs of pink and green.

Ellie Kate says crayons are cool!!!

But they just don’t get clothes clean.

Maybe I shouldn't be blogging,

but folding my pile instead.

Maybe I'll wait until Ben gets home

"I want to help," I think he once said.

Please tell me I’m not alone
In my hate for all things laundry
Go away big, heaping pile!
Oh relieve me from this quandary!

Its a Wonderful Life...

As previously promised, it is now time to blog about our Christmas holiday. I will post it in two parts, because that's how I remember it. Part 1 - at home and Part 2 - at Mimi and Papas. So onto part 1...



We had a wonderful time celebrating our first Christmas Eve and Christmas morning in our own home. It was so wonderful to go to our own church service, go to dinner just the four of us, get into our pjs, and into our own beds. It was wonderful.

Here are the girls in their cute little pjs.

Santa Clause brought Ellie Kate her first big girl tricycle. Hr face was priceless when she came around the corner and saw it under the tree. Her feet don't touch the petals yet, but she sure can scoot!

My Christmas surprise was my first pair of pearl earrings. Ben took this picture, and then told me to scroll through the pictures he had taken. When I came across this picture, I initially passed it with just a "I wonder why he took that picture" thought. Once I came to and realized his masterful plan, I was ecstatic. Such a wonderful husband I have.

I had to include this picture. In my family, we draw names because there are so many of us. My little brother, Elijah drew Ben's name. He gave him 12 pair of puma socks. This was his reaction...

Six Christmases with this man, and I have never seen him so excited. Weirdo. His first comment was "I don't have to wash sock for two weeks!" Like he ever washes socks, sheesh.

I love being with my sweet little family. We enjoyed a leisurely morning of coffee, donuts, and presents. No schedule, no agenda, just us. And I loved ever minute of it.

Part 2 to come...

Jump, Pey Pey, Jump!

With a wild, rambunctious toddler running around the house, entertaining us all, its so easy to forget to blog about sweet Peyton and all her adorableness.

She is almost six months old (tear), and remains a wonderful baby. She loves life and is content with all it holds. I thought she would never roll over, I mean, she was five months old! However, she did it in her own time, and is now a rolling machine. She really had no desire to roll over. She was perfectly content laying wherever I put her, and playing with whatever toy I placed in her hands. Then one fateful day, she saw it....the purple toucan. It was staring at her, in all its purpleness, just dying to be picked up and gnawed on. She had to have it and in three seconds, she rolled to her tummy, grabbed it in her tiny hands, it went straight to her mouth, where it remained for a good several minutes. All the while, her mommy looked on with such pride.

Besides her grand rolling escapade, she is getting new hobbies everyday. She sits in her bumbo seat and watches mommy do dishes, loves to be tickled by her big sister, and sits up for a good five minutes at a time (until she gets lazy and topples to the side. But most of all, she jumps. She loves loves loves her jumper. She would sit in it all day and be perfectly fine. Of course, I have to get her out to explore every once in a while. I mean, its not like she can go to college in that thing!

Please don't get mad at me for making fun of my daughter's chunky thighs. They're so cute I could just squeeze em.

Love you baby girl, Mom.

I caughtchya.

Trying to escape. Very Sneaky.

She's a daredevil that one....

Praying for Addison Joy

My sweet niece, Addison, has suffered from horrible food allergies all of her life. Her parents, Neal and Jennifer, have exhausted all of their efforts trying to find the root cause to help their sweet baby.

After some initial lab tests that were abnormal, they doctors feel it necessary to do a biopsy. On Tuesday morning, January 6th Addison will have a biopsy done of her small intestine as well as a close look at her esophagus and stomach. We are praying (1)that the procedure will go quickly and without any issues. (2) That God would give the doctors the wisdom and direction to make appropriate decisions. (3) That Jennifer and Neal have patience and strength.

Please say a quick prayer for our sweet Addison Joy this morning. Ellie Kate loves her Addie.

We love you Uncle Neal, Aunt Jennifer, and Addison. Feel Better soon!