Welcome "mommy cards" friends

I'm giving out my personal business cards (aka "mommy cards") with this blog address, so I thought I'd better update my blog and let you know you have come to the right place! Jackson tore most of the keys off of my keyboard this morning so this will be a very short post (the touch-pads under the keys still work but I have to remember which key is which, and I never learned to type the right way, so hunt and peck is really hard with no keys!). Purchasing a new keyboard will be a priority today!!

I did it!

I am so excited. I actually made it through my first night on my own, since Ron went back to work last night. Not only that, but I got all 4 of us dressed, fed, and out the door on time, with all necessary backpacks, school papers, lunches, and diaper bags! I even got a shower, and Jackson a bath (a necessity thanks to another playing-in-his-poop episode this morning).

Lainey was dropped off at preschool and Jackson at Mother's Day Out, both on time. Then I ran a quick errand with John Robert, came home to take care of a few things online and feed John Robert, and now we're off to run another errand or 2. I jut felt the need to brag on myself a little; it's amazing what a small accomplishment becomes a big deal with "3 kids 4 and under and only 2 hands"!!

I must admit, I almost forgot John Robert. Lainey and Jackson and all their stuff were loaded in the van, and I was sitting i the driver's seat to put the key in, when Lainey reminded me that we didn't have John Robert yet. I hope I wouldn't have actually left without him!! Thank goodness for big sis!!

John Robert Wayne Sisson

He's here! John Robert, as we call him, arrived 9:49 Tuesday August 26, weighing 8 lbs 2 ozs, 19 inches long. He is the smallest of our 3; Lainey and Jackson weighed 8-4 and 8-15. He was also a very easy delivery: 1 and 1/2 pushes! God is good! Big sister Lainey is delighted, especially with the tiny finges, toes, ears, and more. Big brother Jackson is indifferent at times, then suddenly begins his mantra of "Baby! Bubby! Bobby!" (the pronunciation varies) while pointing at his wee little brother and wanting to pat much harder than he should, but at least he's enthusiastic!

Tomorrow is THE DAY

Well, unless he decides to come in the next 4 hours, before the clock strikes midnight. Otherwise, baby #3 is going to be induced tomorrow morning at 4 am. As you might imagine, our house is a flurry of last-minute activity, and I'm trying to get in bed early! My brother is already here, my parents are on their way, and I know many other family members are here in spirit if they can't be here physically. I covet your prayers for a quick and easy delivery and a healthy baby! On a side note, I took the kids to the doctor this morning, originally planned only as Lainey's well-child check-up and to make sure she's up-to-date on shots for pre-school, only to find out that the rash on her face and arms is Fifths Disease (did I spell that right?) and Jackson has an ear infection. When it rains, it pours!!

Lainey's New 'Do

A few quick photos so Grandma and Grandpa can see the new hair-do while galavanting around Europe. Lainey and I both cut our hair off for "Lots of Love" as Lainey puts it, meaning "Locks of Love," although we actually ended up going with Pantene's program because they need only 8 inches instead of 10. Our ponytails will be made into wigs and distributed free-of-charge through the American Cancer Society to chemo patients.

My Song

Before improvising lullabies for my children, I had written only 2 songs in my life: both during my early teen years, neither very impressive. One was about Christ's incomprehensible sacrifice, and the other about pondering as a child (although I thought I was so mature at the time), whom I would marry. The lyrics have evolved over the years as I met that man, married him, and had my first child with him, to whom I sang her verse of the song. For the first time at bedtime tonight, during what seemed like endless rocking and singing to our fitful second child, our oldest son, I thought to sing him his verse.

(The original song, as I sung it as a child, also recorded and played at my wedding as the flower girls walked down the aisle):
Sometimes I wonder, what he is like,
The man that I will marry and cherish all my life.
Often I wonder, "What is his name?"
Sometimes I wonder if he asks the Lord the same.
Whether he is handsome, or kind or brave or strong,
I know that forever my heart to him belongs.
And Lord I know that he must be
Above all else, eternally
Committed to You first and then to me.

(As sung to Lainey, our oldest, since birth):
Sometimes I wonder, what he is like,
The man that you will marry and cherish all your life.
Often I wonder, "What is his name?"
Someday I know, he'll ask about you the same.
Whether he is handsome, or kind or brave or strong,
I know that forever your heart to him belongs.
And Lord I ask that he might be
Above all else, eternally
Committed to You first and then to Lainey.

(As sung to Jackson, our second, for the first time tonight):
Sometimes I wonder, what she is like,
The girl that you will marry and cherish all your life.
Often I wonder, "What is her name?"
Someday I know she'll ask about you the same.
Whether she is pretty, or has the gift of song,
I know that forever your heart to her belongs.
And Lord I ask that she might be
Above all else, eternally
Committed to You first and then to Jackson.

(As sung to our third, a yet-unnamed son still in the womb, also for the first time tonight):
Sometimes I wonder, what she is like,
The girl that you will marry and cherish all your life.
Often I wonder, "What is her name?"
Someday I know she'll ask about you the same.
Whether she is pretty, or has the gift of song,
I know that forever your heart to her belongs.
And Lord I ask that she might be
Above all else, eternally
Committed to You first and then to him.

Lord, I do not know if my children will marry, but if they do, I pray that each will find a companion to accompany and encourage for the rest of their life, always on the path to You.

Jackson the Ripper, Part 2

The little man's teeth continued to wreak havoc on many household items since my last blog post on the topic. I had been sad that he weaned earlier than Lainey, but at the moment I am very glad he is not still breast-feeding!!!

* One morning Lainey and I went in to see him in his crib after hearing the sweet sounds of baby babbling from behind closed doors. When we walked in, Lainey said, "Look, mom! Clouds!" There were clumps of cotton batting on the floor and in the crib. He had bitten the head off his "Baby's First Doll" that was supposed to be baby-proof and safe for all ages! Well, I exaggerate a little: he actually ripped open the back of the baby's neck, I'm assuming with his teeth, and proceeded to pull out clumps of batting and throw them around. Needless to say, he no longer has any baby-doll privileges unless supervised.

* This incident was not a purposefully destructive use of his teeth, but destroy they did: he climbed up in the swivel office chair by my computer and leaned his full weight against the back of the chair, sending himself crashing face-first into the corner of the coffee table. I was in the room with him -- boy, is he quick -- but just could not navigate my 9-months-pregnant body around the coffee table and across the toy-strewn floor fast enough to stop his fall, so I saw it all happen and arrived at his side just as he hit.

Blood was flowing! He had a nosebleed that stopped quickly, but the main source was 2 gaping holes inside his lip where his teeth went in, 1 apparently as deep as the tooth could go. I immediately called a nurse friend from church who assured me that unless he had bitten through or almost through the lip, the doctor would not stitch it, that there was really nothing I could do except avoid salty foods, and that it would heal remarkably quickly. We saw her that evening and she looked at it for me and assured me there was no need to take him to the doctor. She was right; although he had fat top and bottom lips for a few days, it appears to be healing rapidly. Thank goodness for the anti-bacterial properties of saliva, and that the coffee table has rounded corners!

Although not related to his teeth, I cannot help but add that the next day he wiggled slyly out of his seat belt in the grocery-store shopping cart and, in a mere instant, stood up and threw himself headlong toward the ground. I thank the Lord I was standing right beside him and caught him by a leg (or maybe it was around his waist; I was too stunned to remember) mid-air, a few inches from impact: impact between the floor and the top of his head, that is.

When I got him right-side-up, he was panting in a panicked way I have never heard before, so I hope it scared him enough that he won't try it again, but I'm afraid it was simply because he had the wind knocked out of him by my miraculous catch. Someone involved (Jackson, myself, Lainey, or the cashier who witnessed) must have cried out, because once I began to recover, I noticed the whole grocery store -- or at least everyone within eyesight -- was staring at us. This child is a MONKEY and knows NO FEAR!

* The best (or "worst," depending on how you look at it... perhaps I should say, "most impressive") use of his teeth was today as he woke from his nap. I suppose in hindsight the headless baby doll should have been foreshadowing for this waking destructiveness, but I did not see it coming. He surpassed even my expectations for what kind of impact he could make with his teeth. Up to my elbows in dishwater, I heard him talking in his crib post-nap but let him babble cheerfully for a few minutes. When I went in to retrieve him, Lainey and Helena (our visiting 13-year-old friend) were immediately summoned: "Come quick, you have got to see what he did!"

Somehow -- I am assuming using teeth, but it could have been fingers -- he managed to pull the sheet off his crib mattress and RIP the COVER off the entire top of the mattress, exposing the cottony stuffing inside, which he then began to pull out in clumps. When I walked in, he was sputtering and spitting, trying to rid himself of a mouthful of it; evidently it was a lot dryer and less flavorful than he anticipated! I don't think he actually ingested any of it.

For tonight, Ron duct-taped the mattress top securely back on and turned the mattress over where he has no access to any of the compromised area, and I will be vigilant at any noise I hear from him during the night or in the morning. Tomorrow we'll be going mattress shopping. Hope we can find an affordable but sturdy mattress! (On a side note, the mattress was borrowed from aforementioned nurse friend!! So they'll be getting a new mattress out of the deal.)

My "I-did" list

I'm forever making to-do lists, a habit I think I get from my mom. But unlike mom, I'm not good at actually accomplishing what's on my list, because I put too much on there to start with. One of the better tips I've read since becoming a mom myself is to make an "I did" list and celebrate the things I DID get done. So here's my "I-did" list for the last 2 days. And it makes me feel good!

* Baked zucchini-carrot-banana bread, using up produce that was about to go bad
* Packed 3 lunches of homemade BBQ sandwiches and chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting (leftovers from a family dinner) for Ron and his co-workers, at his request; Sarge asked if there was any way he could get me to make him a whole cake - high compliments!
* Sorted, rinsed, and soaked black beans to cook tomorrow for Mexican lasagna and other recipes

* Washed dishes at least 4 times, including a backlog of dishes I had rinsed and then bagged in a garbage bag in a moment of frustration with my lack of counter space (dare I admit that online)
* Washed and dried 3 loads of laundry (not put away yet...)
* Soaked and washed a load of blood-stained items from Jackson's latest climb-on-a-chair-and-crash episode; this time he hit the corner of the coffee table full-on with his mouth; thankfully no stitches needed (the blood stains did NOT come out 1st try so we air-dried and have to try again)

* Fed and dressed myself and 2 kids, 2 days in a row, and got out of the house ON TIME for morning appointments!
* Toured 1 potential preschool
* Discussed, debated, asked Ron and a few friends for advice, and generally agonized over which preschool to choose; the main factor was distance and whether to make her the youngest in a class of 4's or the oldest in a class of older 3's; we opted for the closer program where she'll be with other 4's (I think she's ready)
* Talked to chosen pre-school's director, filled out and mailed preschool registration
* Drove by the preschool (closed for the summer) so Lainey could see the building

* Found a sitter for kids so Ron and I could spend a little quality time
* Spent said quality time with Ron (3 1/2 hours!)
* Took the kids to VBS both nights, but came home to rest myself

* Planned Kroger shopping trip, matching coupons to the Mega sale, and gathered coupons
* Made the Kroger trip with both kids, paid $21 for over $80 worth of groceries, and still came home sane and praising Lainey for her good behavior as she happily munched her skittles reward

* Ate popsicles outside with Lainey as she splashed in the pool and I enjoyed the peace of Jackson's nap
* Dumped the wading pool and turned it on its side to dry (with Ron's help, of course)

* Registered my Starbucks gift card online and then drove through Starbucks for the Vivanno Tuesday free smoothie promotion
* Sent text messages to keep my friend Elizabeth up-to-date on recently-found bargains
* Took the kids for 99c Wednesday waffle cones at TCBY

* Checked the online banking and bills, transferred money between bank accounts for preschool registration and other "extra" expenses
* Looked up motorcycle safety classes online for Ron, who has sold his bronco and is currently motorcycle-shopping

Whew, that makes me feel REALLY good! I'm going to have to blog an I-did list more often!

Funny little Lainey

(I'm cheating and borrowing this post from an email already sent to my mom, but these funny stories just have to go on the blog!)

Lainey and I are going to get our hair cut for locks of love this week, unless she changes her mind. When I was telling her about why I was going to cut my hair, she said she wanted to too, and Daddy is OK with it, but I halfway expect her to change her mind. When I was telling her about giving my hair to someone who doesn't have any, she said, "Like daddy?" (He shaves his head bald.) I laughed and explained it was for sick people who took a special medicine to make them get better but the medicine also made their hair fall out. She then wanted to know if she could give them ALL her hair and then have none like Daddy!

We were in the store the other day and there was a young black woman shopping with 2 white children. We visited with them and afterwards Lainey whispered to me, "Why is there a black mom with 2 whites?" I explained that maybe she was their babysitter not their mom, or maybe the children were adopted like Joshua and Jonas (2 mixed-race children at church whose parents are white); they have different colors of skin but they're still a family. It was a good learning experience. It's the first time she's ever mentioned race, and I have the feeling it will be the first of many conversations. Living in Memphis, I think it will be difficult to raise colorblind children, but that is our goal. God loves us all the same!!

In the post office they had a little wire grid for hanging supplies on, and Lainey went behind it and said, "Look, I'm in jail." I laughed and said what did you do, thinking she would say, "I was bad" or something like that, but she replied, "I killed someone." That got a little gasp from the other people around us. I told her to come stand with me and explained that we don't kill people, only monsters.

Jackson the Ripper

[Note I had the description of his teeth wrong but it's now corrected.] Jackson has cut 2 new teeth on his bottom jaw, one on either side, in between those 4 middle/front teeth and the 1 back tooth on each side. He had 6 before: 1 - space - 4 - space - 1, and now he's fulled in the spaces, if that makes sense. Make sense? I must be tired because I cannot think how to explain it any better short of linking to a diagram and I'm definitely too tired for that!

Anyway, I don't know if it's the new teeth or just his general gusto for life, but he has recently been ripping into anything and everything with is teeth. A few examples:

* Several nights ago, we were snuggling in the rocking chair and he sweetly (yeah, right) buried his head on my chest. Aw, how cute... RIP! He leans his head back to look me in the eye and grins open-mouth, revealing 3 seed pearls swimming in drool! He wasn't cuddling after all, but rather ripping pearls off my lovely maternity blouse. Thankfully he left the fabric intact.

* The next day, forgetting the pearl incident, I absentmindedly let him have the calculator from my purse. It's a favorite distraction of his in the store, and usually he puts it to his ear like a make-shift cell phone. He amused himself innocently enough with it in the store, pushing buttons and such, but it wasn't until we pulled up at home that I realized he had ripped off each and every number key pad with his teeth and deposited them in his car seat! I thought I got them all picked up, but evidently not: the next day, as we arrived home from an errand, I went to unbuckle him and was greeted with a gleeful grin, a round belly protruding under his pulled-up shirt, and a calculator number key pad FIRMLY wedged in his belly button!

* He found a vanilla-scented, or should I say -flavored, tea-light candle somewhere in my living room and took 2 distinct bites out of it: about half the candle. Since I cannot find the pieces anywhere, I am assuming they were ingested!

* Dear big sister handed him 2 of her bouncy balls in the car as a sweet gesture to keep him happy on the road. (Are you picking up on this strapped-in-car-seat-and-bored so let's-see-what-I-can-rip-with-my-teeth theme?) When unloading the car later in my futile attempt to keep it clean, I noticed the bouncy balls were both missing chunks of rubber. I sure hope he didn't eat that!

Welcome

Welcome to my second blog. In my original blog, I'm attempting to save $100 a day, but I had definitely bitten off more than I could chew; no promises of anything resembling a regular post schedule on that blog until life settles down (yeah, right) after #3's birth! But this blog's a little more fun and less business, so I think I can keep it up-to-date. We'll see! (I've always been an overachiever.)