There is really such a thing as two mama's....

Amy and I were chatting today or another day ( my brain is SHOT) about mama's and how she and I tended to act as mama's to all of our 6 boys down here, and she got nervous I think and said well you can't have 2 mama's but I beg to differ (can I say right now how grateful I am that Leland will have a sane mama...aka Amy). Today we took our boys to the aquarium where an accident occurred before we even made it inside. I am a freak... and so I freaked out. Leland's wrist somehow got smashed in the van door. He of course choose his sane mama (Amy) to get comfort from and I panicked (Uhmmm when did that happen? I used to be the one who took care of all blood, bumps and bad bruises and now I can't even function when it happens, its like my brain stops completely, guess its good Amy is so close) I panicked that is until I saw the childs face who felt responsible for the accident and then it clicked almost like a switch and I realized I was making it worse for this boy, not the one who was physically hurt not my little boy but for the other boy. He was crushed and suddenly I realized Leland wasn't the only one that needed consoling. I made sure to tell him that is was an accident it could have happened to any of us and not to worry I wasn't mad at him at all. And so as Amy went on being Leland's second mama I went about getting the car locked up so we could go in and see some animals and fish. And as I was locking the doors this boy came around and got a hug from me, said he was sorry and was glad that Leland wasn't old enough to tell everyone who had done it like Noah had when Amy accidentally got his hand in the door. (which is why he remains nameless in this post) It made me smile. And it made me grateful to have my sister back from vacation. I didn't realize how much I depended on her for support and friendship until she was gone for three weeks. So I guess I just want to say how thankful I am to families, to knowing that Leland will grow up (as long as she stays put here in Texas) with a second Mama, who he adores and who I adore. I am grateful that I have someone who loves me here too and who watches out for me and helps me when I need it. Sisters are the best and I only wish my other sisters were closer so Leland could have lots more mama's. Sorry this post doesn't make much sense its all over I think and I am having trouble focusing... So I will leave it where it is.

Awesomest Parents Ever!

I have the greatest parents on Earth!

I get to go to California at the end of August because they love me!

(or maybe they love Leland the most....)

At any rate I am super excited!

They called me at midnight (Amy assured them I would be up... and she of course was right) to get some info from me. I was pretty stoked and went right in to tell Brian (yes he had to be up at 4 that morning... but he'll live right) I think he is thrilled that I will am getting to go so he doesn't have to listen to me complain about missing my parents and sister and brother who are out there.

It should be noted that I did also call my mom the next day to make sure I wasn't dreaming... and she said I must have been because she doesn't remember that conversation...then she started laughing... Only my mom...

SO EXCITED!

Stole this Idea:D

My I wants ....

A vacation

To meet Charlie ( My newest nephew)

To suddenly drop 30 pounds I gained while taking hormones

An organized house

A helper with Laundry that does not involve unfolding everything I have just folded (looking at you Leland)

And an extra car;)

And of course to be pregnant

What I got...

An adorable 2 year old (who turns 3 in September)

A hard working Husband ( who keeps a roof over our heads and food on the table, and thankfully clothes on our backs)

A good Family

A car that works

and for now my health!

Trying to be grateful for what you have is hard till even when you realize there are so many people that would love to have what you have. So its something I will have to work on for life it seems to be happy with what I have. God provides for us and maybe if I can let go of my illusion of control I will be grateful for what I have:D

Zoo Again

We went to the Zoo again but this time Brian got to go with us so we took many of the same pictures but this time we stayed an watched the elephants longer Jenny and Gypsy seem to be more comfortable in their habitat and were out and about today. Brian held Leland up so he could watch them eat and Leland just kept saying "she's eating, she's eating" over and over again. Brian I think tried to explain how an elephant uses her trunk to get food and water to her mouth and Gypsy or Jenny then walked over to their pool and helped herself to some water. We fed the giraffes again today because Brian really likes that kinda stuff, but I think my favorite part was watching Leland "play" with the Lioness. I would tell him not to pound on the glass to which Brian would respond they aren't fish. So whatever a zoo employee was there and would have told us if we were doing something they didn't approve of. I don't know if you can hear it but I tell Leland that the big kitty is playing with him... to which another more stodgy mom informs her kids that the Lion is NOT HAPPY and He shouldn't be doing that. When the girl pressed her mom more she said the Lion was angry. So whatever I guess we all think we know what is best for wild animals.... I am personally just glad there is glass between the Lioness and my son... because as Brian comments she wouldn't be playing without the glass. You can see more pics on facebook... or I will post them here eventually:D

Binkies....

I know half of my friends absolutely despise that I call them Binkies... because they are pacifiers but whatever you know you still love me. Lately everyone and their dog have been telling me its time to cut the use of these for good. Those of you that know us know he only gets them at church on Sundays (this greatly helps with the noise level during sacrament) and naps/bedtime. Now while I totally agree and he will be 3 here in September there is part of me that just can't let go of his last bit of baby. I have shaved his head so he will be cool and got him learning to drink out of cups (which he is pretty handy at till he starts playing.... this one will take a LOT longer I am afraid) and we have been starting the talks for the potty training. That last one he isn't ready for so we just "talk" about it for now. But still we are moving in the direction of big boy faster than I wanted to. And since we are struggling to get another baby here its even harder to give up the binkies. As someone stated on their blog, its the last shred of baby. Sure Leland still uses diapers but man nothing says baby like needing a pacifier. I think though that once Amy gets home from her vacation and things return to a semi normal happenings we will try to back down the use one thing at a time. That way he doesn't have total withdraw. I guess this post is just to inform those of you who are wondering why it hasn't disappeared yet. All in good time.....

New Exhibit at the Zoo...

Dallas Zoo has a new Wilds of Africa exhibit. It is fairly similar to San Fransisco's set up but on a much smaller scale... and you can feed giraffes and get right up close to them... as well as getting fairly close to cheetahs and lions. It is pretty awesome. Leland and I braved the heat and went today... and boy was it hot! Leland got to feed some giraffes (his first and probably last time since it is $5 dollars for 3 lettuce leaves, but you gotta let them do it at least once right Amy?) I probably should have waited to feed the giraffes till we went with Brian, but maybe he will get to do it twice that way.

These are the 4 new elephants

This is Leland trying to get in with the elephants he is pretty fond of them.

You can barely see them but Jenny and Gypsy are back in that little cove. I don't think they are yet comfortable in their new exhibit.

Right at the beginning of the trail...

This truck is half in the Cheetah exhibit... so they can actually jump up into the bed of it if they want... but its too hot for them to do much of anything:D

See how close you can get!

Leland was sure the benches were there to help him see:D

I love the way her paws are

Leland likes to talk to strangers and follow them and ask them for drinks....

The cheetahs... I think there were 3

Feeding the giraffes

And of course to round out the event we rode the Merry go round 3 times... He Loves the merry go round... but not as much as fries... all I had to do was mention the fry word and he was ready to go.

With the membership we have we can ride it as much as we want. However now you have to get a ticket printed out at guest services or whatever its called... its not far from the merry go round but having to drag your screaming child in 98 degree heat to get a dumb ticket is not my idea of fun and I may have thrown a little fit of my own. Had Amy been there I could have left him there and run over and gotten all of our tickets but sadly I did and he screamed the whole way. I got a form to tell them how irritated I was about it. If they change policy (granted it really wouldn't have been difficult if I had been made aware) they really need to let their members know!

This last picture Leland is asking for Amy. He knows she is usually there with us and it was a little sad for him when he realized she was really not there. Also when we pulled into the zoo he started saying where's Amy... he has been trained well:D

:D

A littles laughter is the best medicine out there for the blues!