Fun around the Peck house

Bella.

Play-do on cold rainy days.

Silliness.

 

Cuddling on Saturday morning.

 

Absolute perfection.

“We Heart Kisses” Photo Challenge! {I heart faces}

I just found this photo blog with a weekly contest via Amanda’s blog.

This is the first picture that I went searching for when I saw that it was a KISSES contest…of course this was taken in the summer with my point and shoot camera- it’s not the picture quality that I love, but it’s the girl loving her Daddy. In their favorite place: Outdoors. True love. True kisses!

Cole’s Cupcakes at School

I’m gonna have to backdate this one- Just a few pictures from Cole’s actual birthday.  I kept him and Shelby home from school that day, but we went up to school after naptime to provide the afternoon snack- Cupcakes for the HoneyBees!

As always, Cole washed his hands like a good boy :)

 

And I love this pictures of Cole and his little food friend that I have mentioned before.  They are totally in their own little world here in their seats.

Ruby

Yesterday- what a day.

It was set to be an awesome day- Matthew and Gram had arrived, the house was clean, a turkey was smoking, and lots of good food in the works, followed by some Super Bowl watching. Nonnie, Poppy, Anna, Millie & Luke were going to come over in a bit, and I was prepping food in the kitchen with Gram. As usual, Shelby was begging to hold and pet Ruby, as she had been SO excited to show off her little hamster to Matthew and Gram.

Although we were all busy and the house was loud and hectic, we let Ruby into her little hamster ball to run around. Normally (well, ya know, for the past week) we are so careful and have the dogs put away in crates or behind gates before we do this, but for whatever reason we just weren’t careful this time. A few minutes later, Jeff calls me into the living room and Ruby was there, out of the ball…lifeless. Somehow her ball had opened and Mary had tried to play with her. There was no mess or blood- Jeff says probably a broken back or neck. What followed was one of the hardest times we’ve had as parents, to see our little animal-loving daughter’s heart break into. I walked in and told the kids that Ruby was dead. Shelby was shocked but wanted to see, so Jeff let her look at the little body he was holding wrapped in a paper towel. Then he hugged her and it was a long hug- when they let go baby girl’s tears were flowing. They didn’t stop for an hour. Through her tears, Shelby found a box for Ruby, and stood next to Daddy in the cold air outside as he dug her a little grave. I asked Shelby if she wanted to make Ruby a card, but she asked me to do it. She asked me to write “I love you Ruby.” So she folded up the little pink piece of paper and put it in the shoe box on top of her little hamster. When the grave was ready, Shelby put the box down in it and Daddy covered it up. Shelby was so brave but so sad. When I got her back inside to sit and watch tv, the sobs really started. It was heartbreaking to hear her tell me through her sobs “I don’t want Ruby to die” and not be able to do ANYTHING about it. She knows that Ruby is in Hamster Heaven, but for most of the day yesterday she still kept hoping that “God would make her better and she can come back.” She kept wanting to go check on her in her grave. During her prayers last night, she asked God to take care of Ruby until we get to see her again in Heaven.

These are some pictures from last week…during her short little life with us, Ruby was LOVED a lot.

What came next was a decision made by 2 parents who wanted to stop their baby’s hurt- we joked that if this leads to counseling one day, surely the root of some problems will be found here :) …We have a new hamster.
After Aunt Anna heard what had happened, she called and offered to get a new one before she came over. Jeff and I talked it over, and also talked it over with Shelby. Shelby gave us plenty of insight into rules we need to have to make sure an accident doesn’t happen again, letting us know for sure that she understands the seriousness of it now. She said that the little dogs have to go into their room behind the gate and Mary has to be outside with the doggy door closed or in her bed (crate) before the hamster is ever out of her cage. She knows that it is not only Mommy and Daddy’s, but her responsibility to make sure of this. Then she called Aunt Anna all by herself, and through tears and sobs, asked her to please bring a new hamster.

Aunt Anna arrived at the house with a new hamster AND a new pink cage! At the pet store, there was one hamster there who was up for adoption, because her last family didn’t want her- so Anna decided to rescue her for us. She came with a name and it is Bella. Bella is already full grown so bigger than Ruby was, and she seems to be very sweet. Shelby and I got to hold her and pet her last night and she was pretty calm and even crawled right into my hand, so I think she's used to being held and loved on.

It was so hard and challenging to see Shelby with such sadness yesterday, and gave me just a painful little glimpse into how hard dealing with these serious life issues is going to continue to be as a parent, when even harder and much larger hurts come along. There’s so much we don’t know, and so many words that we don’t know how to use- I guess we just do the best that we can. Shelby had lots of laughs and play time yesterday as well. What a life lesson to learn at 4 years old!

Rest In Peace, little Ruby.

Coleman’s three year checkup

Yesterday Cole had his 3 year checkup.  I wanted to document it on here, though there is nothing to report except perfect, blessed, normal health!

Height: 38.5 inches  (75th percentile)

Weight: 35 lb 6 oz (80th percentile)

The percentiles surprise me because he is SO skinny and tall right now, so I thought his height percentile would be higher than his weight.  Maybe ALL boys are tall and skinny at this stage ;)

The doctor asked all the “is your child on track” questions and she was very impressed (as was I) about how well he behaved.  He sat in my lap and let her do whatever she needed to do.  He stood up for her, bent over for her to look at his back, and even stood on 1 foot for her.  The only developmental question I wasn’t a positive YES on was if he could draw a circle, since he rarely shows any interest in drawing at this point.  So she had him do it on her chart- and sure enough, he drew a little circle.  So I guess that means he passes being 3 years old! :)

He got his second Hep A shot.  We could have waited until age 4 but they have to get FOUR shots at 4 so I decided to keep it at 4 and get this one over with.  He layed there for the nurse, held my hands, and didn’t even cry.  He winced and said, “Ow!  What was that?!?”  Haha.  The nurse said that makes her job easy!

Cole’s about as perfect as can be…now if we could just get him to stop jumping off countertops, throwing objects into everyone’s drinks, and breaking everything he comes into contact with…  :)

  

…on second thought, that day will come, too quickly, I’m sure.  For now, we will embrace our little Destructo and know that he is our three year old who is normal and happy!

School pictures

I never posted these sweet sibling photos that they took at the kids’ school in October.

Bad samples but cute pictures!

 

 

Wordless Wednesday

Sweet kiddos

Yesterday I picked the kids up around 4:30, then took them to feed the ducks. After that, we picked up Nonnie and drove to meet Daddy in Las Colinas. Daddy took them in his truck at 6 to take them to eat and home...so I was only with them for 1.5 hours yesterday. This morning as I was carrying Cole into school, he grabbed my face and kissed me and said, "Mommy I missed you so much!" Then when I was leaving his class, he said, "Bye Mommy I'll miss you." Awwww. Yesterday when it was nap time one of his teachers told me he was the first in his class asleep, and he had said that he'd had a busy day and was tired.
While they were at home last night, Shelby found a box and wrapped a present for me, using toilet paper and a hairbow on top. So sweet!
This morning I told her that I wasn't sure if we should use Ruby as the name for the hamster (because it is such a good baby name that I almost want to save it!) and I asked her if she had any other names in mind. She said, "Well, we could name her Rosalinda or something." ROSALINDA?!?! Where does she get this stuff??
Of course later, she said she doesn't want to changer her name, and that we could name a baby Jasmine instead. Great solution.

Colemanism

Shelby was asking Cole the same question over and over...trying to irritate him. His best and final answer: "SISSY I already TELLED YOU FIFTEEN TIMES!!!"

Shelbyism

On the way to school this morning, radio (news) on, Coleman jabbering as usual :)

Shelby: "COLEMAN!! SHHHhh! They're talking about Haiti! Be quiet!"

He’s a Hard-workin’ Man

We saw one of these coolers at a garage sale several months ago but missed out on buying it ($60)

So…my handy man decided to make us our own…with scraps we already had or acquired from trash piles. (Free!)

 

 

Welcome Ruby Hamster!

Sunday Jeff played golf.  After nap the kids and I needed to get out of the house so we set off looking for a place to get Cole’s hair cut.  After we did that, I ended up accidentally driving through a shopping center and noticed PetCo, and remembered that they had our dog food on sale, so I decided to stop.  The kids love to wander around PetCo and see all the fish, critters, and birds.  We ended up at the checkout stand with a 40 pound bag of dog food, a hamster, and a “My first hamster” set-up kit.

Shelby has been asking for a hamster for a while but I have been saying no- then I saw THIS hamster.  She wasn’t sleeping like the rest of them, or eating.  She was running around and stopping to look at us.  We could tell she had tons of personality, and she had to be ours.

Say hello to Ruby-doo:

She likes to climb

And the kids LOVE to watch her.

We also got her one of those balls to walk around the house for exercise and she LOVES that.  She will go for a long time just circling the kitchen and exploring everything.  (The dogs even leave her alone.)

DVSP: The Blue Trail

The hike we took went halfway around the state park.  It was about 1.5 hours and close to 1.5 miles.  I was proud of Shelbs for hanging in there and enjoying it!  Cole spent lots of time on Daddy’s shoulders :)

To get started we had to cross the river- it wasn’t impossible but was a bit difficult.

 

Jeff carried Shelby over then went back for Cole.

(Say hi to Poppy in the background!)

Our hero!

Across the river is one of the dino track sites.  Here’s the only good picture I got:

The kids had no problem with getting wet or dirty!

 

Then, we started up the mountain…

 

 

 

 

She’s probably telling Daddy how to do something! :)  Look at those hands on hips!

 

 

Mary LOVED it!  She led the way most of the time.

Finally at the part of the trail where the map said we could cross back over the river…scared me a little.

It really doesn’t look that bad in this picture but we had to start over where that man is in the back, and that first curve before you got to the big rocks was kind of deep and slippery (you had to balance on rocks.)  Jeff took Shelby, then took Cole, and I took my shoes & socks off and rolled my pants up to cross.  It wasn’t possible to do it without fully submerging your shoe and I prefer DRY feet!

But we did it!

Still smiling kids after the hike!

Back in time to see the sun set.  What a great adventure!

DVSP: A few of my Favorite Things

Sweet Mary got herself wrapped up just a few times!  She is VERY good off the leash but we do have to put it on her some, since it is the rule there.  Off the leash, she stayed right by us, always came when we whistled, and was very excited to walk with whoever went to the bathroom and wait for them.  Good dog!

The kiddos enjoy kicking around a soccer ball.

And then all the relaxing!  My FAVORITE part!

And the campfires!  (And my man who builds them!)  Another favorite.

 

Saturday it rained for a few hours.  That morning Poppy and Jeff took the kids on the bikes and they were gone for a LONG time.  The rain didn’t phase them at all…in fact our little hot-blooded Shelby wouldn’t even wear a jacket.  They explored dino tracks and shoreline along the Paluxy river.  Shelby even built a sand castle (which Coleman promptly destroyed.)  Nonnie and I stayed at the campsite, I slept the morning away (now, maybe THIS is my favorite thing!) and Nonnie was bored to death.  (Sorry, Non!)  Later on, I went into “town” to fetch everyone Butterfinger Blizzards.  HEAVEN!  (Butterfinger Blizzards are my favorite!)

Dinosaur Valley State Park: The Dinosaurs and Deer

We have been wanting to visit this camping destination in Glen Rose, TX since we got our camper, but it is ALWAYS booked full through all the “camping” months. They don’t have many elec & water spots (40 maybe?) and it is a popular family/kid destination. So when I saw the forecast for the weekend and had wanted to do something fun for Cole’s birthday, there were plenty of spots open since it’s January, we booked it!

As soon as we got all set up, we used the last hour or so of daylight and set off on bikes to see the life-size dinosaurs.

The deer just stood by the road and watched us as we biked by.

The kids thought the dinosaurs were so cool! I can’t even remember which kind this is- starts with A, ends with “saurus.”

And this, of course, is T Rex.

Friendly, huh?

Turns out sitting on the fence wasn’t a good idea. Cole fell off flat on his face.

He cheered up when we let them touch the toes.

Shelby says, “It wasn’t me!”

As we checked out the dinos, deer looked on.

They let us get pretty close before they took off! (ps- do not understand how people can shoot these animals!!!)

Next up: Soccer/relaxing and a big hike with dino tracks!

Wordless Wednesday: Fred and Ted go Camping

I just called Jeff at work to ask him if he remembered something that I had wanted to blog about (I wrote it down at home.)  He said, “No, sorry, guess it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.  It is wordless Wednesday after all.”  Good point, dear!!!

 

 

The things kids do...

Our little Shelby likes to be in charge, and she is becoming sneaky too, to try to get around obeying. At school just this morning her teachers were saying what a great helper she is, and that there is nothing she won't do for them when asked. This is good- but the bad part of it is that she thinks she's in charge and she likes it! Lately Cole has taken up the nasty habit of yelling "SHUT UP!" when he's mad. My current mode of dealing with it is to usually ignore it, because he is most definitely trying to get a reaction by saying it. So this morning, he was about to be allowed a donut but told Shelby to shut up for some reason. A minute later, she walked up to him and said, "I need to tell you a secret Coleman" as she sneakily eyed me, standing right there. Since she's not very great at whispering yet, I heard her lean into his ear and say, "You don't get a donut now because you said shut up." I guess she knows that I won't allow her to parent/discipline him so she will just attempt to do it in secret.

Every time Cole goes to the bathroom, he tells anyone who is near him, "I need privacy." He won't allow anyone in the bathroom with him when he takes care of his business!

Coleman has been fighting bedtime a bit lately and has slept on the rug in his room (on the tile floor) for 2 nights this week. I remember going through the same phase with Shelby!

Shelby has been very into dressing like Mommy lately. Yesterday we dressed in the same dark purple shirt, jeans, and both had a scarf on. She also matches my pajamas, and last night she put on her pajamas first and then told me what to wear (blue tshirt and shorts!) Then, she told me she wanted piggy tails in her hair for school, and she wanted me to wear piggy tails too. She didn't understand why I said I can't wear piggy tails to work!

Coleman spits every time he walks outside. He also tries to spit inside but gets into trouble for that.

We say our prayers nightly in Shelby's bed, but she always wants to say some stuff first before we say the "Now I lay me down to sleep..." Every single night she starts of with "Thank you God for our doggies..." Then later, after she's thanked Him for our house and other stuff, she then thanks Him for each dog by name "...and thank you for Rusty and Roxxy and Mary." She usually finishes up with "and please help us to make good choices." but 2 nights ago, instead of that, she said, "Please help Mommy and Daddy to make good choices." AMEN!!! :)

Guess what we did last weekend?

2 hints:

+

(is this picture even appropriate??)

I’m hoping to do a couple of posts about our weekend soon!  IN the meantime…

Shelby got herself all dressed for school yesterday morning as soon as she woke up, to surprise Daddy. She knows that getting dressed means more time to watch her Tom & Jerry in the morning!  She said she wanted to do it again today so we picked out her clothes and set them out last night. 
This “morning,” she walked in to Jeff’s side of the bed and was very proud, all dressed, with shoes and everything.  She said, “Look Daddy I’m all dressed and I want to watch Tom and Jerry.”  The problem?  It was 1:00 am.  Poor little baby crawled up into bed with us and slept the rest of the night fully dressed and even left her shoes on.  I told her from now on she has to check the clock and it has to start with a 6 before it’s time to get dressed!  Made for an easy morning of getting the kids ready though! :)

Cole has been loving playing basketball in the driveway, and last night was hitting a baseball pitched in the air really well.  He has an awesome stance! :)  Can’t wait to work with him more!

Last weekend Jeff was getting Cole excited to watch football, and Cole said, “FOOTBALL IS MY FAVORITE!  Is it your favorite sissy?”  Sissy replied, “No, I like to play, like with horsies and stuff.”  Such a girl!

A January swim

 

       

January 21, 2010

Buddy,
It is the night of January 21 and we just put you down to bed. I can't believe it's already been 3 years since we drove to the hospital to have you, 4 weeks early, but you were ready to come! You were so tiny and precious, and I have such vivid memories of that day. I remember that after you came out, someone held you over my face so I could see you, but they had to take you to the special area to check you out and make sure everything was healthy since you were born early. I didn't get to hold you. Daddy got to follow them and he came back and told me that you had a big birth mark on your forehead. (Which turns out was just a pretty dark "stork bite" that has faded to nothing over the years) Then Mommy had some problems and they gave me a bunch of medicine to help me sleep, and the next time I woke up I was in a different room, and you still weren't there. It was 4 or 5 hours, and the nurse kept telling me that they would be bringing you soon. I finally started crying and told her that I hadn't gotten to hold you yet. Just remembering how I felt at that moment, so desperate to hold my boy, brings tears to my eyes. So the nurse went and got you, and it was just Poppy in the room with us the first time I got to hug you and kiss you and tell you how much I love you. Since that moment, you have been Mommy's boy- my baby, even though you won't let me call you a baby anymore. You're a big boy, a big boy that we are so proud of!

When you fall asleep you always have to toss and turn and talk yourself to sleep. Life has been so much easier since I realized this. You talk and talk, and then one second later there will be the heavy breathing of a sleeping Coleman. Telling you to be still or Shhh only draws out your falling asleep process. You've always been like this- even as an infant you had to fuss and cry a little bit before falling asleep. I always imagined that you just had to get that last bit of energy out for the day. You always have a full supply of energy!

You like to kiss. Taking my face in both of your big boy hands and pulling me to you so you can kiss my nose or my eye or my ear, forehead or lips...it just melts my heart. Multiple times a day! I never get tired of it. Your hands have such a tenderness to them- it's indescribable, but I know I'm not crazy. Your teacher Ms. Yolanda told me one day too.. she said she couldn't describe it but you just have a precious little noticable "thing" when you hold hands with her too. She said you are a ladies' man!

Speaking of ladies' man, today you and Shelby stayed home from school with Mommy. We went to each lunch with Daddy and then we took a cake up to share with your class in the afternoon. Ms. Debra has told me how you and Mary sit next to each other for lunch and snack, and are always in you own little world, talking and feeding each other. Today I saw it. It was precious! Ms. Debra told me that Mary couldn't eat lunch today without her buddy there to feed it to her and share it with her! Awww (Ps- Mary's REALLY cute, so good choice Bub!)

You run, not walk, everywhere you go. You hit things and destroy things that are in your way.

You have an amazing vocabulary...you've been able to say anything you want for a long time now, and we love having conversations with you. You are also GREAT at talking on the phone. Nonnie is always amazed when she talks to you on the phone, how you can just carry on your own long and educated conversation. When Mommy and Daddy went out of town a while back, we talked to both Shelby and you on the phone but couldn't tell the difference between your voices! Voices that we love! :)

Top Ten Coleman phrases:

10: "It's wakeup time!"

9: "BUTTCHEEKS!"

8: "You're silldy!"

7: "Mommmmy! I kissed your booty!!!"

6: "I can do it by myself!"

5: "I'm not your best friend!" (when you're mad)

4: "I'ma give you a wet millie!" (meaning wet willie) (One time you even said you were gonna give me a aunt millie!)

3: "I want choco-milk / a bar!!"

2: "No, I'm a big boy!"

1: "I wub you Mommy/Sissy/Daddy!"

The other day when you were napping (you are still such a great napper!) your sister asked me about thirty times, "When is Coleman gonna wake up?" She kept saying, "I want to play with him! I want to dance with him!" She loves you so much.

Coleman, you bring such joy to this family. You have a precious heart full of love to share, and such an excitement about life. You love your sissy so much and I can't wait to see your relationship grow- brothers and sisters are so special!

Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet big boy! You are my heart.

Love,
Mommy