Big Changes

Obviously, I know about the changes that are coming our way in November - she doesn't let me forget for too many moments of the day :) But this week, Nate has showed me that even more changes are coming, and coming a little sooner than I expected.

For several months now, we've known that Nate would move into our basement bedroom when the baby arrived. But even though it is a great space, with it's own private bathroom, he has been adamant that he is not moving down there. To the point of tears he has expressed his lack of interest in moving from his current room. Scott & I have just dropped the subject when it becomes too intense, but we always bring it back up again at least once a week, just hoping that the idea would sink in.

When the plan to convince him failed, we decided that we would draw the line in the sand and start the transition after we got back from Disney in a few weeks. We figured we'd have some major parent points going on then. We ordered a trundle bed for him and talked up the fact that he would get to sleep in a new bed in the new room. Still, even with the promise that he could basically have anything he wanted if he would move down there, he continued to protest.

Until last Saturday night. He asked if he could take a shower down there when it was bath time. Sure, we said. And then I hear Scott coming up the stairs to ask me if it is okay for him to sleep down there - that Nate wanted to. I said that I would rather him wait until we got the bed (it was coming in 3 more days). Really. Was I really ready for this? Did that just come out of my mouth? Scott relayed the message to Nate and I heard screams from the basement. Okay, okay, I give - he can sleep down there.

And that he did. And did it again the next night, and the next night. And the great part is that he is having no problems going to sleep, sleeping through the night or getting up to go to the bathroom by himself. He even shared that he would never be sleeping in the upstairs room again. So I should be happy, right?

Well...I am....but I'm also sad and a little weirded out that Scott & I are the only ones on the top floor and that I'm not sharing a bathroom with a 4 year old anymore. I want to go into his room right next to ours and kiss him when I get up to go to the bathroom at night. I want him to need me in the middle of the night (really?) I want him to be as close as he can be to me so that I will know he is okay.

The fact is that he is okay. He's more than okay. He's choosing to grow up all by himself and I'm proud. And I'll have an infant to go into that room before too long that we will all love. And that will be more than okay too.

Megan's 5th Birthday Party

Our little God Daughter, Megan, is turning 5 this week. She had an awesome birthday party on Saturday with all of her friends. Isn't she so pretty???? Like I can't believe Nate will be 5 in a few short months, I can't believe Megan is 5 either. It just doesn't seem possible that time can pass by so quickly!

I love Nate's scowl in this picture. You just have to ask him what our cat looks like and this is what he does. He's not too far off.

Opening presents with master party helper, her sister Avery.

One of our wonderful hosts, who I'm pretty sure was thinking more about Mizzou football starting this weekend than all the princess presents. Priorities, right?

Blowing out the candles!

Happy 5th Birthday Megan! We love you!

Boyle-Odom Summer Visit

Mimi, Aunt Amanda, Noah & Gavin came to visit us last weekend. We had a great time and got a little reprieve from the hot, hot weather. It's amazing what low 90's can feel like when it's been over 100!

On Friday, we took a picnic to Library Park. We had the park to ourselves and even a little breeze. Love the fake smile Nate seems to be sporting alot these days...

Little Gavin - so sweet and desperately wants to be like the big boys.

The cousins - wonder how a girl will fit in this mix???? She's gonna have to be tough, that's for sure.

Noah on the monkey bars - fearless!

I'm pretty sure Nate only got in this position because Aunt Amanda was also taking his picture.

I really can't believe they are both big enough to balance on these things by themselves. I'm sure I'll be saying that about baby girl before too long. Time does fly.

On Saturday, we went to City Garden downtown. Such a fun place and we remembered to wear swimsuits this time.

Wading in the big pool - I was wishing I had brought my swimsuit! It was a little warm that day.

Follow the leader - or whoever is the bossiest :)

I guess Scott was wishing he brought his swimsuit too...I had to get this picture of him looking like an ad for a nature magazine.

In the fountains...

Scott & Mimi

We did sparklers on Saturday night and the boys loved them. Nothing better than playing with a little fire.

It was a great weekend! Thanks for coming to see us in hot STL! We love you!

Think Before You Speak

Scott has really been trying to teach Nate the concept of "Think Before You Speak" lately. And I have to say he has had some success.

Last week, I asked Nate to wash his hands. He was quiet for a minute and then said, "Mom, I was going to say 'No Way Doodie Head', but I thunk about it and decided not to say it."

What can you say? I laughed hysterically instead, it totally caught me off guard. When I recovered, I told him that I was glad he thought about it and good job on thinking before you speak.

A couple of follow-ups to this story...

1. Nate doesn't say Doodie Head, or worse, think it's okay for one second to call us Doodie Head. So I think it's kinda funny that he would choose this word to "think" about.
2. I told Scott that his plan was working, although Nate still gets to say what he is thinking, even if it is terrible.
3. Scott said #2 was no big, the point is that he isn't saying it with aggression. He was happy his plan was working

Now we hear, "Mom/Dad, I was going to say XXXXXX, but I thunk about it and decided not to," many times a day. But according to Scott, the plan is working, so I'm going with that. So the next part of the plan needs to be teaching him to not actually say what he is thinking, but instead "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

One concept at a time...

First Day of Pre-K

I know that Pre-Kindergarten is not one of the monumental milestones in a child's life, but when it is your child and you realize that in one short year they will be in Kindergarten, well, it seems pretty darn monumental. Nate was so excited for his first day and Scott couldn't even keep him around long enough to say goodbye. My how times have changed.

We are very excited about his teacher, Ms. Julie. She seems very excited about these pre-Kindergarteners and on the first day, they started a science experiment and learned all about the sun. I'd say we are in for an exciting year. And as we've already discovered, Nate loves experiments.

The best part of yesterday was when I went to get him, he was sitting quietly on a couch, reading a book. I asked Ms. Julie how the day had gone and she said and I quote, "He is such a well-mannered child." Really. Are we talking about Nate Boyle? Not that I don't think Nate has manners and can even use them on occasion, but he just doesn't always choose to use them around me. Having someone else, a teacher no less, say that he was well-mannered, well, it made my day. Maybe my week. Heck, I'll be happy about this for some indefinite period of time. I had to call my mom right away and tell her. She said politely, "Abatha, this is exactly what they used to say about you. And sometimes we just couldn't believe they were talking about the same child."

Like mother, like son.

This & That - Weekend Edition

We had another weekend at home - hanging out, relaxing, and trying to stay cool. The past couple weeks have felt a little like winter because we are confined to the indoors and the AC. It has been too hot to do just about anything outside. But a "cold" front blew in today and it was only 91 - it actually did feel cool!

On Friday afternoon, Nate & I made instant chocolate pudding. It was actually the first time I have whipped up instant pudding if you can believe it. It was kinda fun and since we had purchased mini marshmellows at Target that morning, Nate cooked up a fun snack. And ate it with his wizard hat on. Always a funny kid.

Continuing with the indoor theme, Nate played with play-doh while Scott & I did some chores on Saturday morning. While playing, he told me about all the experiments he did at Dad's work that day and said he really liked being his assistant. So sweet.

Since around the time Nate turned 1, he has been a great napper (not so much before that, wonder if our little girl will be the same??), so I really have nothing to complain about. Still now, he will nap 2 hours most days, especially at school. Lately, we have at least 1 day on the weekend that he doesn't choose to take a nap, but he is quiet in his room and let's face it, he is 4.5, about time to give up the nap period. Saturday was one of those days. When I went to tell him he could come out of his room, this is what I found. Like I said, always a funny kid.

It's been too hot to go outside in the pool lately - and it's weird saying that but the heat is just oppressive and the water is not refreshing at 100 temps, in my opinion. But this weekend, we got a little reprieve and were able to enjoy some time in the pool - even me. Boy are those maternity swimsuits stylin, no pictures to follow...I wouldn't wear them at all but I don't want to stretch out my regular swimsuits. So I'll just be stylin for a little while longer.

Scott & Nate are super into Legos right now. Scott bought a "lot" of Legos from Craig's List on Saturday and it turned out to be over 6.5 lbs. The amount of Legos is obscene. But both boys are happy and have been building all weekend.

We are excited about Mimi, Aunt Amanda, Noah & Gavin's visit this week/weekend! Thankfully the temps will be more seasonal, or so the weather man says. We will see!

Halloween 1982

I was going to save this for Halloween, but truth is, I'll probably misplace it by then. I know that's hard for some of you to believe, but another truth is that I'm pretty good at misplacing things these days.

I'm not sure where I came across this picture, but I think it's one of my new favorites. I found it right after Hamil got married, and of course was very sentimental that day.


A few notes:

1. We had this yellow cape for YEARS. In fact, it is probably still somewhere in my dress-up/dance costumes that I forbid my mom to trash. I loved it. Can't you see why?? It IS truly fabulous and I was all about being fabulous. Still am.

2. I love how I'm gazing off into the distance while Emily is doing exactly what she is told and looking at the camera. Sums us up pretty well at that age. I was just trying to add something to the picture.

3. And Hamil, sweet Hamil in his little overalls. Isn't he the cutest?? Yes, he is.

4. And finally, I don't remember the cat's name, but since when do the Corse's put collars on their pets? Must have been something Emily or I wanted, or maybe it was the cat that liked to eat birds, so he had to wear a bell around his neck. I seem to remember the collar didn't last very long, and hence neither did the birds...or the cat.

I hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane as much as I did!

Busy Is The Way We Roll

Busy is the way we roll, and the last two weeks have been no exception. Not many pictures have been taken, but keep reading if you would like to see Nate working with Scott today. Precious.

Scott & Nate went on a canoe trip last weekend - 2 nights, 3 days - and had a wonderful time. Nate was a little fish, putting his face in and swimming in deeper water with his life jacket on. Big success. He also caught 5 fish by himself, tying Scott in the fishing contest. He is so big, makes me happy and sad at the same time! While they were gone, I cleaned, shopped, and rested. It was a fun idea in theory to be myself for 3 days, but I was ready for them to come home by the first night. I enjoyed it as much as I could, as the days of quiet are numbered around our house and we couldn't be more excited about our new addition.

Last week, I had to go back to Nashville for a day meeting and I didn't want to leave Nate again since I had just been gone two weeks ago. Thankfully, my wonderful mother agreed to come with us to Nashville and watch Nate while I worked. I absolutely loved having them there - it was so nice to not come home to an empty hotel room. Thanks Mom!

Then to round out our week, Baby Girl got a checkup. Nate got to see his little sister on the ultrasound - he was so quiet and studied her the whole time. He was quite good at picking out her hands, feet & face. She is doing great. Right on time to the day and moving around more and more. The time seems to be flying now and November will be here before we know it. For those of you that are wondering, she does not have a name yet. Scott & I are truly undecided, but are working diligently at naming our daughter I can assure you.

We have rested and played this weekend - enjoying being back together as a family. Scott & I went to the MUNY on Friday night to see Footloose - one of my birthday presents. It is my favorite movie of all time and the musical did not disappoint. It was the first cool night in over 2 weeks, so we really lucked out. Nate starts pre-K on August 16th and he seems to be excited about the transition. I know that he will like all the new material the teachers have in store for him.

Nate went to work with Scott yesterday and today, if you can believe it. He is quite good at pipette-ing apparently, and was very excited to go back today. He even reported to me that he put his "work" in the cold room before leaving. I swear Scott has the patience of steel.

Happy August! I'm excited for some cooler weather - although not sure it is coming any time soon. But FOOTBALL season will be here soon, and I'll take that instead. Go Tigers!