Because she's just too cute...

He's Back

I haven't spent much time on the computer recently so let me redirect you to my brother's blog for some light, easy reading.

The Birthday Gang

We celebrated Lydia's first birthay this weekend in Columbus at the annual Smith Family Summer Birthday Bash. My uncle, my mom, my cousin, and Lydia all have birthdays within days of one another. I'm stealing this picture from my cousin's blog since I STILL can't find my camera cord! Thanks, Wendy!

My Sweet Lydia?

Last week Lydia turned one year old. This week she's decided to bite Jonah when he frustrates her.

She bit his hand three times today.

What's happening to my sweet girl?

Thoughts on our New Life

I've been annoyed with the fact that I can't find my camera cord that uploads pictures to my computer. Many of you have asked about the kids' transition, the move, and life in our new town. Let me give you a few random thoughts:

- The Oreo Mint sundae isn't $1.32 anymore. I was a college student a long time ago.
- I love our new house although it's far from being settled. I especially have grown to love our view-- corn, weeds, and the Hess farm. It's so peaceful; of course, that also means lots of grasshoppers and spiders in our house!
-We've had a lot of excitment in our "neighborhood" recently. They've started to build two other houses on our street so once Autumn arrives we won't be the only house. Both families work on campus and have four year old children.
- We've enjoyed some time with my cousins, Eric and Brittany, and their son, Jack. It's nice to have family in town, but it's also weird. While driving home recently, we passed Eric and Jack on their bike. "Wait, that was Eric and Jack...wait....oh, they live here too." My initial split-second reaction was that I needed to go back and talk to them, but no, we'll see them all the time!
- Our house doesn't really feel settled. I think it's because: a) we ordered new couches and they're not here yet and b) we don't have grass/landscaping. Since we're used to spending the majority of our time in the yard or in the family room, it's no wonder that we feel a little out of sync at times. And we need window treatments. What happens if Finfrock returns to campus?!
- Mike is enjoying his new job. It appears this job is a perfect fit for his gifts and talents. I think he's energized by the change.
- Every day it appears that we're getting closer to creating our "new normal." I went to dinner with some girls on Friday night. It was good to make some connections with women I enjoyed. I have plans to see them this week, too, with their kids.
- We're working to discover the most frequently asked question for this town, "So what do you do for fun?" I'm always asking moms I meet. I think we'll head to the library and petting zoo tomorrow.

My Scream

I had been waiting all day. I anxiously drove the 25 minutes. My palms were sweaty. My heart was racing. I leapt out of the car, purse in hand, dashing toward the door with my list.

Oh no.

Heartbreak.
Sadness.
Disappointment.

I wanted to fall to my knees.

Hobby Lobby was closed.

It's a Different World

While playing with Jonah at the playground yesterday, I couldn't help but notice what the other moms were wearing. One mother was wearing her Harley Davidson shirt-- the other was wearing her Mustang t-shirt. I became self conscious in my pastel blue eyelet shirt. Contemplating the fact that I wasn't quite fitting in with the other "playground moms, " I turned my head to discover a 30-something man parking his 4-wheeler in his front yard across the street. Laughing, I looked to the left (this is no exaggeration) and saw a 50-something man meticulously drying off his red mustang; apparently, he had just been at the car wash. He shined that car for at least the next 20 minutes.

So I learned a few things from my trip to the playground yesterday: cars, motorcycles, and 4-wheelers are a big deal in this town.

Video Mama

I remember a time when my mother continuously played a game of Pac-Man for a couple of hours. I remember it because it was a Friday night, and we sat around the console television in our small family room with our eyes peeled, watching her in awe. Her hands were cramped, no doubt, and Troy and I decided we were having such a good time watching her play that we were willing to forgo our usual Friday night habit of Dukes of Hazzard and Knight Rider.

I was reminded of this night when, after much prodding, I sat down to play a complete game of Wubbzy's Amazing Adventure on www.nickjr.com. Jonah continually squealed in delight, especially when I advanced to another next level. At one point he even said, "You're good at this game, Mom."

My mom played Pac-Man for hours and we were enthralled. I played Wubbzy's Amazing Adventure for 10 minutes and had my son on the edge of his seat. Not bad.

Waterpark

Guys' Weekend

Mike was able to spend time with good friends from college last weekend. I think I can speak for all the wives when I say that we like when our husbands can hang out. We know it's good for them to get away from family/job pressures. Between the five of them, they have thirteen kids with one on the way! He just showed me these pictures tonight. Look at them closely-- I didn't know I was married to such an expressive man!

Handy Manny

Troy and Ashley, my brother and sister-in-law, arrived last Saturday. They're spending time with us before they move to Seattle. I feel we've been a little removed from life for the past 10 days and a big part of that is because we've taken full advantage of Troy's skills. Between our house and my parents' house, he's painted exterior trim, hung laundry room cabinets, installed a garage door opener, taught my mom how to cut crown moulding, finished shelves for the playroom, made toy boxes to match those in the Land of Nod catalogue, added shelves to the pantry, etc., etc., etc.

I think he needs to move to the Midwest when he's done with his counseling degree. Not only has he been a handyman, but he's been a man nanny for Jonah and Lydia, making him our very own Handy Manny.

A New Bargain

I was excited to learn about a new clothing line developed by Sarah Jessica Parker where nothing is over $20.00. I read about it in the Oprah Magazine, and heck, I'm always up for a good bargain.

It's found exclusively in Steve and Barry stores. We visited one today. I spent $40 and walked away with a shirt, a pair of shoes, a purse, and a pair of sunglasses. Not bad. Check it out.

Good News

We have a purchase agreement on our house. We're not breathing a huge sigh of relief until after the closing (it's supposed to be in two weeks), but we're certainly feeling a little better. Is it typical to be totally annoyed with the person buying your house? After dealing with this man-- and taking offense to his initial low offer, I don't want him living in MY house.

Assuming that our house could sit empty all summer, I left curtains, a shelf, a few bath cabinets, flowers, etc. because I thought it would "show" better. Now this man is going to get everything. He asked about the things we left and Mike said he could have it all so that it wouldn't hurt the sale.

I did make one thing clear: he's not keeping my hanging baskets. This man will not enjoy my flowers!

The important thing, though, is that WE'RE HERE!

I'll post pictures later.

Recent Events

Uncle Mike

We're enjoying a visit with Tricia and Davy.

My Life for the Next Week

Pictures of the Day

Experimenting

I've been working a little more on my photography. Here's the results of today's photoshoot with Jonah. The aerobic intensity of a photoshoot with Jonah is the equivalent of a 5 mile run. I'm pooped.

Family Fun

In the midst of our long "to-do" list, we decided to take a break and go to the children's zoo. Here are some fun pictures from our fun day.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

There once was a boy who sat in his room, trying to go to sleep at night. To get his parents' attention, he shouted, "I gotta pee! I gotta pee!"

His parents came running up the steps to let the boy out of his room. But when they arrived in the bathroom, he could not pee. The boy talked about the clock on the toilet, fidgeted with the magazines nearby, asked for some coins to put in his piggy bank.

They returned to his room. "Don't cry 'wolf', my son," said the mother, "when you don't really have to pee." She went grumbling back down the stairs.

A little later, the boy shouted again, "Pee! Pee! I go pee!" To his delight, he heard footsteps approaching his room, giving him permission to use the restroom.

When his father saw that he was not going to pee, he said, "Don't cry 'wolf' when there is NO wolf!"

The boy protested and insisted he stay in the bathroom. His father did not oblige, and the boy was sent back to his room once again.

Later, the boy really did need to pee. Alarmed, he leaped to his feet and shouted, "I need to go pee!"

His parents thought he was trying to fool them again, and so they didn't come.

So what's the moral of this story?

Rock 'n Roll

I was enjoying a "mommy moment" while talking to Jonah on the way home from school today. I was driving Mike's car and nonchalantly turned on the music. "Number one...that's Back in Black, Mom.....Put it on #2. That's Pearl Jam."

"Who's on #1?" I ask.

"The rock 'n roll man."

I chuckled. I chuckled for a few reasons. First, I was APPALLED that my innocent boy knew "Back in Black" and Pearl Jam. But I was certainly thankful that he referred to AC/DC as the "rock 'n roll man."

So yes, I learned a little something about Mike's trips to school every morning with Jonah. They obviously listen to Daddy's music.

Here I am, trying to teach Jonah songs like Deep and Wide, Jesus Loves Me, and Baa Baa Black Sheep...

Gee whiz.

My Husband the Hoosier

A conversation this morning:

Mike: That's a picture of a wheelbarrel, Jonah.

Traci: Did you just say wheelbarrel?

Mike: What?

Traci: Wheelbarrel. Did you just say wheelbarrel?

(With a look of confusion, Mike says nothing)

Traci: It's wheelbarrow...w-h-e-e-l-b-a-r-r-o-w.

Mike smirks. He pauses.

He clearly never knew that before.

Hot Days = Water Fun

Jonah with his good pal, Dietrich



A little grass never hurt anyone!

Cheese!

Little Miss Lydia has decided she wants to talk. She has a rather extensive vocabulary for a ten month old: cheese, kitty, doggie, bye-bye, all done, and hi. Perhaps she's following in the footsteps of Thelma, Ginny, Linda, and Traci....

"CHEESE!"

Jonah's Race

Jonah "competed" in the Highland Festival's annual Kids Fun Run. He had to run about 50 yards to a cone, circle the cone, and run back. It was a big deal. We coached him beforehand, explaining that it was important to run in a straight line. He did well. And he was so proud of himself. You can click on the pictures to see his face close-up.

Our Little Fairy

Dentist Disaster

I go to the dentist today during Mike's lunch hour. I expect to be gone an hour. I'm at the dentist for 1 1/2 hours-- chatty hygienist, chatty doctor, chatty receptionist-- time flies when you're having fun.

I return home. There's a message on Mike's phone from the receptionist. "Traci, please call our office immediately."

I'm alarmed. I payed my bill before leaving the office. I didn't leave my purse. Hmmmm. I call.

My hygienist is on her way to the occupational health clinic. She had an accident involving a tool that was used on my teeth. Because my teeth enamel were on the instrument, I must have my blood drawn at the clinic to show that I have no diseases.

What? Are you kidding?

I call the clinic. "I have two young kids. I'll come and give my blood, but I will not wait, and someone must tend to my kids while I'm in the chair."

They oblige.

The office is filled with bleeding workers. I guess that's what "occupational health" means. Jonah is good. He's dumbfounded by the blood. He keeps staring and saying something about the "bloodstream in your legs" that he no doubt learned from the Magic School Bus video we rented from the library last week. A teenager from church works there and holds Lydia-- with her dripping nose and fever.

It shouldn't be a big deal, but when does one dental check-up ever take 3 1/2 hours to complete?

Note to Self

When you are of childbearing years, people will assume you're pregnant if wearing the style pictured below:

Pardon me, I better do some sit-ups...

Update

It's been a whirlwind. Here's a list of what we've been doing:

- We bought a house yesterday. It's a spec home. We met with the builder on Friday to sign papers. I was able to pick out a few things: the color of the wood floors, faucets, and door knobs. Everything else is finished. I guess that's a good thing. It would have overwhelmed me to choose everything!

- We've had three showings at our house while it's been "For Sale by Owner." We're listing it with a realtor tomorow. Our stress will decrease dramatically when we sell our current home. The housing market is terrible in this community.

- We've worked on improving our current home every night since we knew we were moving. It has been consuming.

- I've been working on paperwork, medical history forms, etc., for Jonah's transition to the special ed. program in our new town. I just finished emailing his new teacher. I've been told over and over and over again that I am my child's advocate, and although it's not in my nature to be aggressive, I know I must be proactive so that he gets the services he needs. I believe wholeheartedly that this will work out in the end. I've said repeatedly that "God isn't going to forget about Jonah in this moving process."

- Speaking of Jonah, he's good. He's obsessed with the tire swing on the playground and will spin on it continuously until someone tells him otherwise. He has the computer skills of a 4th grader-- printing, minimizing, pulling down the Bookmarks menu, and typing his name, my name, and Pop's name without any prompting from me. He's enjoyed watering the flowers, finding "secret treasures" in the yard (pinecones), and Dr. Seuss books. The phrase I hear him say most often is "What's that say?" He ALWAYS wants me to read words to him. I, of course, don't mind a bit!

- Lydia is, well, she's getting older. I turn my head, and she's climbing the stairs. I turn my head again, and she's stuck under the table. I turn my head again, and she's trying to lift the toilet lid. I tried to firmly tell her "no" the other day. She just grinned. It made me smile too. She loves throwing her pacifiers out of her bed, watching Jonah play with his friends, looking at simple picture books, eating tahini sandwiches, and removing everything from my wallet.

Happy Mother's Day!