Now and Then!

Holy cow, I am done!!! I had my LAST statistics test today online and I made a B, good enough for me! After I hit enter to submit the test, it hit me...theoretically, I never have to do another homework assignment again, study for another test, write another paper, pull an all nighter...theoretically, but I'm going to graduate school in the spring so that is not the case, but it could be if I wanted it to be! :) I do have a nice 7 month break though! I immediately ran and grabbed Tristan, gave him big smooches and told him that mommy is done with school. He could see how excited I was and he got SO excited. He started dancing, singing, running and I decided to join him! I don't think I have been THIS excited since the day I gave birth to him. Graduation means so much more to me than being done with school, so much more. I thought it would be fun to look back at "then" when it all began, me going back to school after having Tristan. I'll never forget introducing myself to my class, a "DBU thing" ha! The classes are no more than 20 students so every teacher always has you say your name, classification, major and something interesting about you or that you enjoyed doing. My first day back in one of my religion classes I said that I enjoyed spending time with my son. Everyone immediately turned around and looked at me, lets face it, most people at DBU are not parents, the traditional students anyway. My teacher asked, "How old is your son?" I said "4 months." He replied, "Wow, you must get no sleep!" Little did he know how true that was!!

When I started back at school....

Tristan was just 4 months old.

He was still getting use to "tummy time" and learning how to hold himself up to play.

When he wasn't on his belly, he enjoyed time in his bouncer where he would watch mommy clean, get ready, cook etc.

The number one way to get him to sleep was his baby swing...

And he could still fit in his infant carseat!

He loved to stand but needed help doing so (thanks aunt Ashley)!

But at the end of the day he just wanted to vedge out in his boppy! :)

....Now, he is 2 years old (almost!)!!!

He loves to run and chase mommy around the house...

and always, always has a pacy and blankie with him.

He slobbers A LOT due to his 2 year molars coming in and teething!

He is SO smart that he loves playing with mommy's calculator. :)

But most of all, he is the same sweet, precious, gift from God that makes his mommy's graduation day 1 million times more special than it would ever be with out him.

Thank you to all my dear family and friends for your never ending love, support, encouragement, free babysitting and more. I feel so honored and blessed to have been given the opportunity to earn my education, something I value very dearly, and be a mother while doing so. I give all the glory to my sweet Jesus and pray that when people look at mine and Tristan's situation they see His unfailing love.

Thursday Thinking...

The graduation count down is coming along, only 8 DAYS!!! I can't believe it. The lovely food poisoning hung around for 3 whole days, I thought I was going to die, awful! Yesterday was a busy day, I was still very weak and thought I might need to go to the hospital to get hydration through an IV but I told my mom that before doing that I HAD to go to DBU math lab and get help on my statistics project...she wasn't very happy about that! After 3 hours there I left to come home and by the grace of God started feeling SO much better, I even got to enjoy a good home cooked meal, the first real food in 3 days that I had!!

It seems as if Tristan has hit yet another milestone. He is talking, and singing so much these days it is precious! He has some funny phrases that I have no clue where he picked them up from but I love them.

- " Mommy, I yuuv you."
- "Oh dude."
-"Here you go mommy!"
-"Don't weave (leave) me."  (If you're going some where outside the house and he wants to be taken along!)
-"Yook over der!" (look, there)
-"Mommy...Mommy, I wanna go OUTside!" (for some reason the out is much more pronounced. :)
- "Hi Mel." If anyone walks in the house you get a special greeting, his favorite person to greet is my little sister.

My child has always insisted on wearing shoes, at all times. He would wear them to bed if I let him! This morning he had his first wardrobe meltdown when I dared to take off his Thomas pjs to get him dressed. He was pretty upset with me for a while after but he got over it. :)

Tristan's new favorite song to sing is "This is the day the Lord has made". My mom has been singing that to him since he was a little baby and now he is old enough to "sing" along. I HAVE to record him doing it, it is the funniest thing you have ever seen. I don't know if I would call it singing as much as very loud shouting! :) He sure does get into it though. It continues to amaze me how deliciously sweet this little guy is. He really does have the most tender precious heart. It is so fun to see his usually serious personality turn into the loud, goofy little boy I know is in there!

Some of Tristan's favorite things right now are:

• Cars, trucks, trains...anything transportation. He can hear an airplane a mile away, spot a big truck down the road and get lost in amazement as an ambulance blares by, he is ALL boy.
• Yogurt and milk. For a few months I took Tristan off all dairy b/c of his tummy issues but I have let him have usually 1 yogurt and 1 cup of "yilk" as he would say each day. It is funny to me that he loves them so much even though he rarely has had them in the future, well the milk anyway.
• Mimi's car, he gets so disappointed when we take my car. I love my Honda civic! :)
• To be chased. The second anyone gets home and greets him, he takes off around the living room in hopes of you running after him. He thinks this is THE funniest thing ever.
• Popsicles, lucky for him mommy was on an all Popsicle diet and has about 20 left in the freezer!
• His toddler bed, he is doing so good sleeping all through the night and giving me little to no trouble at bedtime.
• Cuddling; Tristan has always been my snuggle bug and I was worried as he grew up that would change, luckily it hasn't! He loves to lay with me and watch one of his shows or watch me on the computer. Last night I looked up and he was scratching my mom's back! Such a sweet boy.

Well those are the random, scattered thoughts for this Thursday. I'm off to get little man from school and get some BIG kisses!

Talk About Tuesday

There is lots to talk about today! For starters Sunday night I got food poisoning from Rosa's, one of my FAVE places to eat, so you can imagine my disappointment. I got food poisoning from McDonald's last January and I haven't eaten there since. If you have ever had food poisoning, you know how absolutely horrible it is, hence the "poisoning" part. I got SO very sick Sunday night and all day yesterday. I lost 5 lbs in one day...5 lbs that I really didn't have to lose. I am finally able to keep down popsicles and I ate a whole box of them yesterday. I was so dehydrated but my stomach could not handle Gatorade, luckily popsicles did the trick. I forgot how good they are too! :) Thank you to my amazing mother who took care of Tristan non-stop so I could sleep, throw up, sleep, repeat. ha! Tristan came into my room yesterday and said "get up mom!, mom, I wuv you." Ohh how I wanted to get up and kiss that baby but I literally could not move. We thought I was going to have to go to the hospital and get an IV put in me because my legs were starting to stiffen due to dehydration but now that I have eaten popsicles and gotten liquid in me I am feeling a lot better. Still very weak. I am so thankful this happened this week and not the week of graduation, I would have been devastated.

I took little man to school today, I looked pretty rough! But, I wanted to let my mom get some much needed rest. She kept Tristan's baby monitor in her room Sunday night so she could hear me when I got sick. She would come running down the hall like a mad woman to take care of me. I love that even though I am 22 and a mother myself, when I am sick the only person I want is my momma! I went to the store after and got a box of 24 popsicles, that should last me through the day, I am going to try and eat some soup later, fingers crossed. Tristan's principle informed me that they split his class since it has grown so much. She was telling me how his teacher begged to keep him in her class even though he was really suppose to go with the other. I guess they made a deal because he got to stay with Ms. Devin! :) It made me so happy to hear how much his teacher loves him, I don't blame her one bit!! Well this is my last week of school. I have a huge project due tomorrow that I'll be working on all day and one more test to take. I must brag and say that I made a 91% on my last test. I can't even explain to you how hard these test are so I was very happy! Next week I will be going on interviews and enjoying my last week of summer vacay. I can't believe I am about to graduate, so surreal! Ashley got our tassels last week and gave me mine at breakfast Sunday. I also found Tristan and I the cutest color coordinating outfits! Well I am off to take a much needed shower, do some laundry and lovely statistics.

Happy Tuesday!

3 days, 3 nights and 3 kids...whew!!

Wednesday morning at 8am I went over to begin a 3 day journey, and let me tell ya...it was a JOURNEY! Cheryl and David, good friends of mine have 2 kiddos, Hope and Tripp. They had asked me a while ago if I would keep them for 3 days while they went out of town. Tristan loves playing with them and they are precious children so of course I agreed. They all had such a wonderful time together but boy was it work! I learned one thing and that is that Tristan will not be having a sibling for quite a while.I don't know how parents with more than 1 child, especially close in age do it. We got to play and go places but I definitely did not get the one on one, quality time that I am use to with Tristan...that is something I am just not ready to give up yet! My sis Natalie was a life saver and came to stay with us all 3 days and by the end we were both exhausted! I better get use to staying alone for when Tristan and I move out...but in my defense that house is massive and I do a great job of freaking myself out with noises that I think I hear. There parents left us the Range Rover to drive so I could fit all 3 carseats in it, spending money to go places and free reign of the place. I really am grateful that they trust me with not only their children but their brand new home and car. They are the people hosting mine and Ashley's graduation shower, at their house. SWEET, SWEET dear friends! Here are some pics of our crazy 3 days together!

Tristan and Tripp are seriously the best of buds, rarely fight and they crack each other up. All of Tristan's other friends are girls so I think he really enjoys his guy time with Mr. T!

HOW sweet is this??!!

I don't think they left each other's side...

See what I mean?! They thought it was funny to scare the life out of me by standing close to the stair rail. I was very surprised how well both of them could climb up and down the stairs.

We went to Southlake, played at the Owl's Nest, Barnes and Noble and visited this fountain. They all thought it was the best thing ever to throw coins in the it.

We tried to do something fun each day so yesterday we went swimming!

I love that Hope has her arm around Tristan, and that she happily agrees to be photographed...def a girl thing! :)

The boys...and their pinkies (binkies) as Hope would say. This should show you how big my son is. Tripp is 6 months older than Tristan and only about half an inch taller!

Well I can truly say I am beyond exhaustion. Back to life with one child!! Natalie and I did enjoy the in home theater each night after the kids went to bed and some good sisterly bonding. I am looking forward to a relaxing evening, church tomorrow then my LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL!!!!

Nap time for me and Tristan! :)

Dear Tristan

Dear Tristan,

Our lives are constantly changing and the Lord continues to do amazing things in them. It seems like just yesterday I saw you for the first time on the sonogram machine, held you in my arms, reached my hands out for you to take your first step, heard you speak your first word. This journey has been long, and sometimes felt like it would never end, but every day I see a bit more of what our wonderful God has in store for us. In just 2 weeks mommy graduates from college. I know you will not remember this time or the months proceeding it but I want you to know that everything I did, I did for you. Every paper I wrote, test I took, all- nighters I pulled, mile I drove to DBU, it was ALL for you. You are my motivation to keep going when I am tired and want to give up. Your sweet spirit and little personality give me a laugh right when I need it. Hearing your precious voice say "mommy" melts every frustration away and those big brown eyes give me the will to persevere. Our past circumstances do not define us, what we make of them does. I never dreamt at the beginning of my college career that my focus would take such a drastic turn from a social life, living the college life to a baby. At the beginning I was going to school for my future children, in the middle of that process I found myself going to school for you, my baby. I pray that you see God's amazing grace through this situation. That you understand NOTHING is impossible with Jesus Christ. I pray that you set your standards high and realize that you are not where you are in life because of your mistakes, rather God's grace despite them. I cannot wait to see the young man you become, to hear your beautiful testimony and see it impact the lives of others. I made a decision after finding out I was pregnant with you that I would do everything in my power to give you the life you deserve, to not let our circumstances define us and to give you the same opportunity that children with 2 parents your age would have. The love I have for you is indescribable. I would do any and everything for you. You are my heart, my love, my little prince charming. I am so excited so share graduation day with you. August 6, 2010 will be a monumental day for us, one that will shape our lives for forever. I cannot wait to hold my diploma in one hand and you in my other! I love you, I love you, I love you. Happy Graduation day to you and to I.

love always,
Mommy

Weekend Wrap Up!

I know I say this every Sunday but we had SUCH a busy weekend! Thursday afternoon we went to Grace's house for a nice swim! The babies enjoyed the water and Popsicles!

Saturday was my little sister's friend's wedding shower! It was beautiful!! Melody is the maid of honor so my mom helped out with all the decorations, cupcakes etc. It turned out amazing!! Of course we brought little man and the women couldn't get enough of him. He was SO excited when he saw the food and let me tell ya, there was a TON of food!! I'm talking chocolate covered strawberries, cake balls, cupcakes, wings, chicken sandwiches, queso, guacamole, hot sauce (all homemade!!), meatballs, pasta, fruit, veggies and more. I was in heaven and I think I gained 5 lbs! ha.

Little man was all about Mimi that day, can ya tell??!! 

Mel and Erika, the beautiful bride-to-be!

Such a little mess! :)

We came home, rested a bit then went out to dinner with Tristan's little friend Faith and her family. The babies were not on their best behavior so no pics of that! Ha.

Today we had church and then Elliott's birthday party. Her momma did such a wonderful job decorating and organizing it! It was a "night owl pj party"! The kids all came in their pjs and got to build their own pizzas which were then cooked on the grill, for dessert they had an ice cream bar where we built our own ice cream sundays, YUM!! Tristan wrote Elliott a sweet love letter and got her some pjs, 2 lullaby cds and a pic of him framed. She loved it! :)

I'm not sure why this is so blurry but here is our weekly "before church picture"!

I'm realizing as I dress Tristan each day that for a lot of his outfits it will be the last time he can squeeze into them. This shirt is one of them! ha ha

Tristan and Aunt Ashley before the bday party. Of course he is wearing Thomas pjs! :)

Sweet Elliott, the bday girl!

 Some of the adorable decorations!

 Chowing down on pizza!

 Eating her cake!

Some of the kiddos playing!

My camera died pretty soon after this so I'll have to get some pics from Miss Briley's mom, Melissa! She got some of our babies together and of all four of us which is very special since I have known her since I was 6 years old! I need to dig up some old pics of us. :)

After our night of partying, we are pooped!

Tomorrow Tristan has pj day at school, he is going to love all of this comfy clothes time! Well I am in for a pretty hectic week,  we have more party planning for mine and Ashley's graduation reception, be expecting invites this week! I need to find myself a graduation dress and little man a graduation outfit because its just as special and monumental of a day for him as it is for me! And a possible trip to the zoo Thursday, as well as finishing up with school. I have this week and next week left then I am DONE!!! Phew...I am off to bed, this momma is T-I-R-E-D!

Lots to update on!

Where do I begin?! For Starters here are 2 adorable picture from my girls night out with the FAB 4 that I forgot to post last week!

Can you tell how much they love him??!! 

Wednesday Tristan had SPLASH day at school so he got to wear his swim suit there! His teachers said he has a blast, I could tell because his swim suit was still soaking wet at 2pm when I went to pick him up!

  

He thinks it is SO funny to run from me while I take his pictures so I have to get in front of him and run backwards...the things I do for a snapshot! :)

Thursday Tristan got to "skip" school. Since April he has been going everyday for about 4 to 5 hours each day. When I was in school it was a tremendous blessing for both Tristan and I. He now naps by himself, with out having to be rocked, has developed great social skills and is totally fine when we go to church or anywhere I have to leave him. He has certainly gotten some self confidence which makes me SO happy. I absolutely love his school but my mom and I both agree that we miss him very much when he is gone, especially since I'm only taking one online class and not working currently. We've decided to cut his schedule in half, and either take him MWF to school or Tues Thurs and the alternate days he will stay with us. My mom is no longer working so you can imagine she wants lots of "Mimi time!" Which will be perfect once graduate and start working.

My silly little guy!

Ready to run errands with mommy and Mimi!

We went all over the place! My mom is SUPER mom and planning many events so we had to go to Party City and Hobby Lobby ( my FAVORITE place) to get party stuff. We have a wedding shower tomorrow,  mine and Ashley's graduation reception on August 8th, a friend's going away party the following weekend, and Tristan's birthday on Sept 18th! Whew!!

Look at this boy climbing all over his momma!

No outing is complete without lunch! So, we ate a Boston Market. Tristan and I shared and I think he got most of the food!! That little man loves mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and chicken!

And of course we can't go to Southlake with out a trip to Sprouts!

We got home and Tristan was so ready for a nap. I changed his diaper, took of his shorts and told him to get in his bed. He grabbed his blankies, a pacy and climbed right up. I left the room for about 10 minutes, when I came back he was out! Thank you children's court yard and Graco for getting my son on a great schedule and recalling the crib! Ha. With out either of those things I'm sure I would still be rocking Tristan to sleep which I loved doing but it was time to move forward and grow!

Well,  I am off to Target ( I haven't been there all week...shocking!!) then lunch with Jill and to take her to pick Tristan up and show her his school.

Happy Friday!