Swimming Day Four

January 31, 2009

Today was my turn in the pool with Max. We have come a long way, baby. Instead of crying and screaming for the entire 30 min class; Max only had one whinning spell today. No screaming and no tears!! It was great. He did really good. As you can witness inthe video, he swam to the wall while coming up for air and then climbed out like Spiderman. Later today he got to get a game at the store for doing such a good job. Ahh Briberly is Great! Right now Unk Jon and Max are playing the Hungry Hungry Hippos that he got. I forgot just how loud that game is! He is letting Unk Jon be the pink Hippo. Isn't that nice? Tune in next week to see if we make it for a whole 30 min class without any fits!!

Nursery Blues

January 27, 2009

Well, the day has come to say goodbye to Max's Baby Nursery. 24 hrs after to big event I am taking some time to remember. Here are some pictures right after Scott finished the room in 06 before Max's arrival. We thought it was great. The story behind the change is simple . . . as you will see. Since November, Max has had issues with his bedroom. At first he didn't want to sleep in there at night. He claimed he didn't like his room. So reluctant to paint over the wonderful murals, we agreed that he could sleep in the spare bedroom. (Great parents, huh?)

Finally sometime in December he voiced what was wrong with his room. He told us that he didn't like his animals. He wanted them to be painted. So still not wanting to paint over them, we continued to let him sleep in what he now called his "big bed" (the queen in the spare bedroom). He hoped and prayed he would get over the animal thing and come back in his room. Guess what? Yea, it never happened. By Christmas, Max was sleeping in his "big bed" (spare bedroom) for all his naps and at night. Except every time he woke up he hollered and screamed because he was "scared". He asked us not to paint animals in the spare room. Like we were going to paint more "scary animals" or something. When he awoke in these fits, most nights he was ending up in our bed. No, no, no. It is sweet for about 30 minutes, until he was good and asleep and started throwing arms and kicking feet. So our next move (remember not wanting to paint his room because "he will grow out of the scared stage" right?) was to place the toddler bed in our room. So when he got up in the night from the "big bed" he could be safe in our room, just not between us. Good thinking, huh. This arrangement last a few days and then he refused to even go to bed in the spare room. He wanted to start the night in our room in the toddler bed.

Are you following me? Why can't we just slow down sometimes and listen to our babes? All he asked months ago was for me to paint "Scott's animals". So on Monday I got up on a mission after a night with him in the toddler bed at the foot of my bed . . . we were painting. I got all the brushes, rollers, and paint out from when we did the room before his arrival. I placed the sheet on the carpet and a brush in his hand. We went to work. With tears in my eyes and a grin on his face, we first took out the elephant . . then the lion (he wanted to do the scary ones first) . . . then the ostrich . . . next the giraffe with its plant and lizard. Finally I moved to the monkey corner and started on the vines. From behind me he said I quote "WHOA, WHOA, Momma, what are you doing?" I turned around exhausted at this point and tired of controlling him with paint. I said "painting the animals, Max." He told me "No, not the monkeys, they're nice." Great !! I thought, here we go. So I stopped where I was and inquired about the zebra . . . "he's nice, Momma" . . . the bird on the closet? "He's okay too, Momma."

I knew better than to ask about the mural of Kix. I was refusing to paint that one anyway. But my little man of few words (NOT!) spoke up without me asking and said "Kix my dog can stay too, he's a good boy." Whew, missed that one for now. Here's Max at 7mo petting the Kix mural. It really used to confuse him.

So, now you know the adventure of his room. It is all blue now except for the monkey/zebra corner. We have no plans of what to do now. But I know one thing . . .he loves it. He couldn't wait to take a nap in there yesterday or to go to bed in there last night. So we are only one day into it, but he is happy. Again, remind me why we think we always know what is best . . .why sometimes we can't get on there level . . .and realize they might know what they are talking about . . . (I did say sometimes!) Until next time . . . . Here are some pics of the blank walls and my babe sleeping soundly in his "new not scary room".

Music changes

January 25, 2009

As I was viewing my new posts to the blog I realized that my wonderful hubby has changed our music. I think he did a great job. With the cold weather of January, we have been dreaming of the beach this week. So, Jay put some of our beach music on the blog. I actually think I feel the sand between my toes as I blog this morning. Only 6 months from now and I will be blogging on the balcony watching the waves roll in!!!

Circus Night

January 24, 2009

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Each year for Christmas, Jay and I give each of the Kelley Kids a Circus ticket for the show in January. Last night was our exciting trip out to the circus. We all had lots of fun. We met for pizza before the show and then arrived one hour early to meet all the acts at the preshow. Finally at 7pm it was time for it to begin. Again this year we were each amazed at the production. I can't wait until next year!

Swimming Day Three

January 24, 2009

This morning was Max's third day of swimming lessons. Each week gets a little better. Today he did not cry for the entire class like in the previous weeks. He only cried momentarly at different parts. He wore his 'warm belly' wet suit for the first time today. I think it really helped him keep warm. Here's a video of him swimming underwater to the wall.

The Snow

January 19th, 2009

Yes, this entry is titled 'The Snow'. Don't make fun. For those of us around here, this is our winter snow. Some years we are lucky enough to get a couple inches, but this is the most we have gotten so far this year. Max had lots of fun playing it the dusting of snow.

Swimming with Mom

January 17, 2009

Today was my turn to get in the pool for swimming lessons. BRRR, COLD! Max is doing better each week, but he cries the whole class. It is kind of pitiful. He follows all the teachers instructions through his tears. He continues to go under, jump in, and float just like he is asked to do, but with lots of tears. It is hard as a mom to keep making him do it. I figure this is the first of many moments like that as a parent. I love my little guy!

Photo Play

January 13, 2009

After the tacky sweater party my mother put out her old Santa pictures of the 3 Parsons kid-os. She has one with Josh and Jon in the sweater Max wore to the party. So now that the rush of the holidays is gone I have had time to touch it up. Check out how I photo shopped me out and the 3 of them together. Then place all three of them under my tree. Ha! It is a good example of how much Max looks like Josh and Jon when they were little. Jessica, Josh, and Jon in Santa's lap at Rivergate Mall circa aprox 1988-1989

Obviously . . Max, Josh, and Jon . . . . 2 decades apart

The "triplets" under my tree this year!! Josh, Jon, and Max

Swimming Day One

January 10, 2009
This morning we conquered another first for Mr. Max. Today was his first day of swimming lessons. Whoa! I think it was shocking for him. Shocking cold water . . . shocking going under . . . shocking that Daddy couldn't hold on to him . . . . shocking that he had to jump in-go under-swim to Daddy (not just jump and be caught) . . . The list could go on, but he was excited (after some tears) and says he is ready to go back next week. He did good once he kind of understood what was going on. (Sorry for the grain-y, blurr-y pictures. I was behind a glass wall and didn't have my good camera with lots of zoom. We will be in lessons all spring, so I should have lots of chances for better pics.)

Here is Max jumping in and swimming to Jay.

Here is Max swimming under water to the wall and then climbing up the wall and out.

Our Moon

January 9, 2009 We have a full moon right now in our little piece of the world. This is what it looked like from my deck last night. What does your moon look like? Is it full in Mexico? Is it full in Alaska? Is is full in Virginia? Where are you in the world and what does it look like? It is really amazing how God shares the wonders of the universe with us in our own backyard. Many times I don't stop to take a moment to marvel at his creative works. The moon and stars are some of my favs. The vastness of them never ceases to amaze me, and it can be compared so easily to God's love. Wow! Take a moment this weekend and simply just look up . . . he sets it out there every night for us to enjoy . . . what does it look like? Last night it was beautiful here . . . . let us know about your moon!

2 Year Old Conversations

January 4, 2009

Today on the way home from church we were chatting with Max about the police car we had passed. Max then announced "Daddy, I got a booger on my finger." Jay asked Max if he needed a kleenex. Max said "No, Daddy, I put it back in my nose." As Jay and I were trying to hide our giggling faces he then asked, "Daddy, you happy for me? (pause) I put my booger back in my nose. That make you happy, Daddy?" As we were laughing our heads off (on the inside, you know, can't let a 2 year see humor in that, or he will repeat it to everyone her meets) He continued asking, "Daddy, that make you happy? " TOOO FUNNNY!!

Dance Dance Revolution

January 1 & 2, 2009

Happy New Year's!! We spent our New Year's with our culdesac friends at a Pajama Party. All the adults and kidos wore their pj's and hung out playing games. We enjoyed eating a huge breakfast for dinner meal with lots of eggs, biscuits, bacon, potatoes, and other fabulous goodies. Following 2008's expiration we began 'Dance Dance Revolution' contests. January 1 and 2 evenings were spent dancing the night away in our bonus room with our culdesac-ers. Adults and kidos competed the night away to make it into the winners bracket of the competition. Cody was our champ both nights!! Go Cody!!