Touch-A-Truck

To kickoff Wade's birthday week of celebrations, we met the Crawford boys at Kennesaw's Touch-A-Truck event.

When I heard about the event - every type of motorized equipment you could ever imagine available for climbing/honking/riding - I thought it would be perfect Wade. We drive around every day talking about each truck and bus we pass, so why wouldn't he love the opportunity to sit in them all???

Well, I thought wrong and it was a total bust. Maybe not a total bust, but pretty close. He was so overwhelmed with the crowds and very loud honking surrounding you he wouldn't try anything and just wanted me to hold him the whole time.

I guess I can say at least I tried to expose him to new and interesting things! Better luck next year...

He did like this mini train. It wasn't quite as intimidating as the big rigs....

Not so excited about being stuck in this army vehicle (no clue what it's called)...

We did luck out to see a real train passing right next to the park

Our BIG 2 year old!

Happy Birthday Wade!!!2 years old, 2010

1 year old, 2009

2 weeks old, 2008

Oh how time flies!

I have tried desperately for 2 years to cherish each an every stage and phase with you Wade. I can honestly say it has been one of my greatest efforts as a mom, but still as I look back at pictures or see how grown-up my baby looks today, I can't help but be sad and sentimental. I MISS you teetering back and forth trying to learn how to crawl or discovering how fun bubbles were for the first time. I remember how perfect you looked to me from the first moment I laid eyes on you. When everyone else only saw your bruises and battle wounds, I only saw an angel (with a massive amount of BLACK hair). I remember how I cried with you when you got your first shots an how you can make me laugh out loud with your silly personality. I remember how quickly you knew Cali and Orwell were your best friends and that when daddy gets home it's time to have FUN! I LOVE your smile and goofy nature. I DO NOT love your tantrums and strong willed fits, but I'm willing to take the good with the bad :) The only thing I love more than watching you grow up....is watching how much your daddy loves you too. I have the two most wonderful boys and I'm lucky enough to realize that every day.

All of our lives are about to change when your sister arrives, but yours will probably change the most. Just remember you are still my baby and always will be, no matter how independent you want to be and tell me "no Mommy, Wade try". I will always love you more than anyone else in this entire world. That's what moms do.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Double Trouble

Wade and his buddy Finn had a few hour rendezvous as Finn and his mom Robin were passing through town. We don't get to see them often, so we'll take any slice of time we can get.
I of course HAD to run to Target and pick-up something for them to wear for their "matching outfit phot op". And while I still want to keep up the tradition, keeping them in one place to take the picture is getting more and more difficult. I had to resort to M&M bribery to snap these few shots. Wade knew exactly what was happening here (aka: smile when mommy says cheese and you'll get more M&Ms), but Finn was just excited about the chocolate!
THANKS Robin and Finn for stopping by to see us!

W: "CHEESE!!!" thinking...Finn if you don't get your act together and start smiling, their going to cut off the M&M supply. WORK with me here!
F: "HUH?" thinking...this kid is like a trained dog. what is his problem?

W: "GET OFF OF ME!! You're not getting my last 2 M&Ms!"

F: "I'm older and I'm bigger. Those M&Ms are mine!"

I guess I lied about the last post being the last time you his long blond hair. But now I really think this is the LAST time you'll see it. Enjoy...

Brady turns 3!

Wade celebrated Brady's 3rd birthday at one of Wade's favorite places, Southern Prep. Brady had a great time and led the way for all the other kids on the obstacle course, zip line, and swing. Happy Birthday Brady!Brady's mom is my friend Becky who is STILL in the hospital on bed rest with twin girls. And when I say STILL, that's a very good thing. One of the baby's water broke 8 weeks ago and she's been at Northside waiting on pins and needles ever since. Through complications, insulin shots, constant monitoring, and horrible hospital sleep, Becky is holding up beautifully proving she's just as strong and we thought she was. The girls are now 30 weeks and could be delivered safely. HALLELUJAH!!! But Becky's hanging in there hoping to get a few good more weeks of development before their arrival. Meanwhile, Shawn (with Brady above) has been super dad (with the help of family, friends, & neighbors) and juggling daddyhood, work, and back and forth from the hospital. Becky has started a blog to keep everyone updated. Please feel free to read and keep the Slemons family in your prayers: slemonadestand.blogspot.com

Please take note of Wade's hair in these pictures. You may never see those beautiful blond highlights ever again. These pictures were taken just a few days before we went to the butcher, I mean barber, shop for a haircut. The lady must've been scissor happy that day because "long in the front, just a trim, cut less than more" meant nothing to her. Hair was flying like the shrubbery in Edward Scissor Hands. I was speechless. Good thing Beau was with me to have enough thought to actually pay and exit the shop. Otherwise, I might still be there picking up strands and glueing them back on Wade's head. He looks like a totally different child to me now! Those pictures to come.....

Day at the Aquarium

Wade and I had an awesome day at the aquarium with Aunt Michelle, Wyatt, Lauren, Nonna, and Nanny. Wade hadn't been there in over a year, so it was such a thrill to see his excitement at each new tank. Not to mention he had his idol Wyatt to follow around the whole day (in matching W shirts. Which for the record I did not purchase, but love). When we first arrived, Wade was so excited to hold Wyatt's hand, then Wyatt needed a few minutes to warm up to the idea, then Wade dropped his head and pouted, Wyatt gave in, Wade smiled from ear to ear. SUCKER!!! Then they started a chain with Lauren and the adults...

Please notice the toddler on the leash behind us. I ended up calling him monkey boy (that's the animal on his leash). He seemed to make it in more of my pictures than Nanny. Luckily I was able to crop him out of most of them. But there's something about a kid on a leash that just doesn't look right in pictures. Not that I'm against the idea. I understand the function completely. We actually have one that was given to us as a gift and I've considered using it many times, but never quite have it at the right moment.

The jelly fish kept falling down below where Wade couldn't see them. So he watched each one disappear and said "dropped it"

The tank with the waves and divers (don't know the names sorry) was especially exciting. The was a diver inside the tank talking to the kids. Wade kept calling her a "shark". When I corrected him and told him it's a scuba diver, the other staff person in earshot corrected me and told me "actually, it's called surface supplied diving not scuba diving". Seriously? Cut me some slack lady, we were calling her a shark.
Pointing to infinity and beyond!!!I got a kick out of Wade and Lauren interacting. They're so close in age (and height!), but have just started really noticing each other. But what they've really noticed is that when we're all together they have to share Nonna. They were fighting over her lap whenever they could! Must be tough to be so loved, huh Nonna?

Can you tell how excited Wade is by the blurriness of his feet?Wade and Nanny walk hand in hand to the next exhibit...

I call this tank the Tunnel O Fish. Wade about peed his pants when he saw it was a tunnel with fish swimming over your head AND a moving "train track". All of his favorite things in one place!

I added this picture just to prove I was there...

Admiring the Whale Sharks and other aquatic life. Back off Monkey Boy.

This Manta Ray (I think?) was putting on a show for us, doing flips over and over again right up to the glass. It was quite a sight to see!

After all the aquarium fun, we finished the day with lunch at Johnny Rockets! What a day!

Avery turns 2!

Miss Avery celebrated her 2nd birthday with a pony party this year. We thought we were going to have to miss it, but unfortunately for Avery she was sick the weekend before and the party was moved. So fortunate for Wade, we were able to be there to celebrate with Avery AND ride ponies for the first time.

Wade and Maggie look like they're having an eating contest. Wade buddy, just eat the pizza, not your entire fist...

Buie Crawford: Real cowboys wear pizza on their face...

Birthday girl blowing out her candle...

After pizza and cake, it was time to bring on the ponies. We weren't sure how Wade would handle the new experience. And either was he.....at first

Then he realized he had a cheering section (the Heinz family!) and decided to saddle up and wave to his fans...

Then it was all smiles and "more horse" from then on out...

They even had cuddly bunnies to pet...

Wade finished the festivities with some time on the swings. Haley Buice on the left, Cowboy Hayes on the right...

Then his best bud Mason jumped in next to him. These two are inseparable. I'm lucky Mason is a patient "big boy" with lots of practice at being a big brother, so he takes good care of Wade.

We always laugh because Wade calls Mason "Peter" (sounds like PITA) and sometimes "Petey" for short. We had no idea where that came from, but I did recently realize that's what he calls Mater from the movie Cars. And we read a book called BEST FRIENDS about Lightning McQueen and Mater. Maybe Wade's just trying to tell us Mason is his best friend???

Cali is 7!

Happy Birthday sweet Cali!!! Thanks for being such a good big sister to Wade. We couldn't ask for a better dog and member of our family :) We love you.
P.S. Hope you enjoyed the cake because we're back going straight back to your diet!

Wade giving Cali birthday kisses

Someone seems to be hovering waiting for his piece...

Yummy! Nothing like eating on the floor with the doggies!

Don't worry, Orwell had his fair share too. He had his head in my lap as I took these pictures, so I didn't quite get one of him.