new kicks

I finally gave in and bought myself some fancy (i.e. expensive) running shoes. If I'm going to run in 10k & 15k races and eventually a half marathon, I need the proper gear! My right knee has begun to ache and I've been feeling the onset of shin splints, so it was time. I felt a little ill paying the nice young man who helped me but now I'm really fired up to run in the Autumn Breeze 10k tomorrow morning!

you outta get ya one

I am very fortunate to have "Tootsie" aka my mom in our lives! Not only did she and my dad keep our trio last weekend while Jason and I had a get a way to Fayetteville for the AR/AU game, but she has been watching my sick baby boy since Tuesday afternoon! Poor Sam has been running a fever for days now; he really has no other symptoms except for a cough here and there and some snot. He didn't eat yesterday which is VERY abnormal, but his energy level remains high and he has enjoyed his time at his Tootsie's house.

Even at age 32, I have a mom who sacrifices almost daily to help me and my family. Not only do I appreciate her help but I marvel in the constant love she bestows on to her adult children. I pray I am in a position to be there for my children and grandchildren (and eventually my elderly mom) as she has been there for us. We've both told the kids that I'm Tootsie's baby and she's my mama to which Haley responds "you're not a baby, mommy...that's silly"! True, I may not be an infant but my mama's first born I'll always be (and thankful for that MOST of the time!)!

Yes, he is sick!

Some recent observations

Another summer come and gone in the Greer household. I thought certainly after the girls' birthday, that things would calm down. I don't know why I thought that, but I was wrong! Each night I fall into bed with a long list of things not yet accomplished that day. I wake up ready to tackle the tasks and yet they cycle continues to repeat itself. Even though time seems to fly by, I've noted subtle changes in my children as they personalities continue to blossom. Here's what I've noticed:
Haley:
This is a mama bear in training! She loves baby dolls, especially her "blue baby" Sally. She is very concerned about the nature and well being of those around here. She tells Gracie to be careful not to bump her head as she gets into the car. She tells Sam "it'll be ok baby brother" when he starts to cry. She wants to know if I have any boo boos that need band-aids so that I'll feel better.
She is a sensitive soul. I must admit, I raise my voice (a lot!)...one my call it yelling. To defend myself I have several voices to speak over! Anyhow, Haley cries anytime my voice goes over a certain decible level, even if the unhappiness is not directed towards her. She is a peacekeeper.
She is super smart and loves being in the big girl class.
She loves all things girly...pink and princesses. She will be some variety of a Disney princess for Halloween but being the girls she is, her mind changes daily!
Gracie:
She is an inquisitive one! She likes to sit on top of my toilet each morning while I get ready and asks what every single item in the bathroom is. Sometimes its like "Groundhog's Day" as each morning is a repeat of the prior one. Even if I tell her three mornings in a row that it is my clip on the counter, she still asks. Oh, she knows its a clip because if I don't respond, she'll tell me what it is, but she just likes to ask.
She is not a girly girl. While she will wear pink, she gravitates toward red. She only has one red shirt and it is her "Noel Methodist Children's Center" shirt that they wear on Fridays. She wears it to school on Friday, to bed Friday night, most of the day on Saturday and has been know to pull it out to wear to church on Sunday (it does get washed!). And what goes with a red shirt? Well her red keds of course! If I don't hide them, she will wear them with every outfit...and as I mentioned, she has nothing else red to wear! Her favorite combo is red shoes with pink socks....lovely!
As a non girly girl, she prefers cars to dolls. Oh, she'll sleep with pink baby but she also sleeps with Lightening McQueen and Doc. She prefers racing cars with Sam than watching Sleeping Beauty with Haley.
She is stubborn. She still is not potty trained. I don't think it is for a lack of trying on our part. Peer pressure, candy, prizes, coaxing, yelling, praising...nothing works. So, when she's ready, that's when it will happen. Don't try arguing with her as she always seems to win.
Sam:
His favorit word is "no". The answer to nearly every question asked of him, is no. It is getting a little frustrating. However, when I ask him to give me a hug, I don't get a no thank goodness!
His new obsession is Cars. Everything is Cars and Lightening McQueen. He played nicely by himself over at a friends house while we watched the LSU game because the little boy had a plethora of Cars gear. So, if any friends or family memebers are reading...make a note for Christmas presents! =)
He is finally paci free! It was lost for real and has not been replaced. He doesn't sleep quite as soundly in the morning but I'm glad its gone!
He is crazy about his sisters. I kinda feel sorry for any boys that want to date them in the far off future...baby brother may scare them off!
He is a little drummer boy! He loves to drum on anything and everything. He drums to the beat of music very well. Jason still has hopes of a sports star but realizes his talent may lie elsewhere!

Happy 4th birthday girls!

Then: August 19, 2005

Grace Talbot 1 pound 2 ounces, 11.5 inches long

Haley Higgins 1 pound 4 ounces, 12 inches long


The first set of goals...17 more weeks to go!


Now August 19, 2009

Gracie

Haley
Wow, is all I can say about the last four years! The girls surprise arrival into this world four years ago, changed life as we knew it. Not that we didn't anticipate change when we saw the two little heartbeats back in my eighth week in pregnancy, but we were not prepared to watch our babies develop primarily outside of my body! When they were born, their little eyes were still sealed shut, their skin was paper thin, their lungs sticky, wet and deflated. For weeks, the ventilator kept them breathing and a thin layer of saran wrap over a bed warmer acted as their womb. I could talk for hours about all the emotions we experienced, the struggles, the highs, the lows, the goals achieved, the set backs, the surgeries, and the lessons learned, but I'll spare most of the details. The last two pictures are from their birthday party on Saturday and as one can see, we have two perfect, little miracles. God has big plans for these girls and I continue to look forward to what he has in store for them!

Every day is an adventure in our household; there is never a dull moment. Sometimes I let my lack of patience get the better of me...raising three little ones is tough! But, last night after I got Sam out of the bathtub and the girls were in there by themselves, Jason called me to come listen to them. They were playing with their new Little Mermaid bathtub toys and singing the song "Beautiful One"..."beautiful one I love, beautiful one I adore, beautiful one my soul must sing". This song has been a favorite of mine for a while and our church band made a little 5 song cd on which is "Beautiful One". We listen to it every morning coming and going to school. They know that the beautiful one is Jesus. Even though they don't completely get it, they were singing the way you sing when Jesus is in your heart. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking back to it. We've come a long way and the Beautiful One has been right there with us every step of the way. Praise the Lord and thank you God!

Flashback Friday

This is hard...I've got lots of pics of my little trio! Here's just a sampling of some oldies but goodies.
More to come later on my thougths/memories of August 2005 and the birth of our amazing little girls. The entire month is usually full of mixed emotions for me!

Sam May 2007

Sam 2/24/07

Girls on their 2nd birthday 8/19/07

First family photo on the beach July 2006

Girls December 2005 still in the NICU

wordless Wednesday

beach time

The Greers went to the beach! Well, 4 out of 5 of us! Jason had to stay home and work as he hasn't quite worked long enough for vacation time. Two years ago, I drove back the 8+ hours by myself with the girls who were almost three and Sam, age 4 months. I'm smart enough to realize, that should never (I repeat never!) be done again! Fortunately, Tootsie graciously volunteered to make the ride with us there and back while Pop followed in a separate car. In retrospect, the drive wasn't that bad, but I am choosing to forget some of the bad moments.
We had fun despite daddy's absence (but we certainly look forward to his attendance next year!). We went to the docks to see all the fish the rest of our family caught; we made princess cupcakes; we enjoyed morning breakfasts on the porch overlooking the beautiful blue water and white sand; we made a trip to Perdido see our friends, Jack, Candace, Anna Grace & Zeke; we took a trip in town to Target; we played with Aunt Becky, Uncle Dave, Aunt Martha, Jay and all our Flournoy cousins; and of course we played on the beach and in the water. Despite all the help, mommy worked her little tail off and it really was no vacation for me, but it makes me so happy to make these memories with my children. While each day varied a bit, just wanted to share our typical schedule:
6:00-6:30 am up with the sun
6:45 am on the beach in pajamas
7:00 am breakfast stage 1
7:21 am back to the beach/to the baby pool/morning cartoons
9:00ish am everyone in the house gets up
9:15 am breakfast stage 2
9:45 am back to the beach in bathing suits and sunscreen
9:50 am Sam back to the house occupied with the water hose
10:15 am girls back to the house to be with Sam
10:20 am snack time!
10:30-noon tv, pool, beach, whatever
noon lunch
12:30 pm start the nap process
1:15 pm everyone asleep, but in different rooms...mommy juggles keeping all other house occupants out of napping rooms
1:30 pm mommy studies =( (and promptly falls asleep)
2:30-6:00 snacks, beach, pool, snacks, tv, beach, pool, snacks...you get the idea
6:00 dinner stage 1
7:00 baths
7:30 dinner stage 2
8:00 bedtime hell begins
8:00-9:00 fighting sleep; 3 little monkeys in one room, jumping from one twin bed to the other
9:15 ahhhh quiet
9:20 mommy in bed
...and it started over the next morning!