The Wedding

Jackson has long said that he wanted to "put Alexandra on a big white dress and marry her." He got the idea when he went to a wedding with us and made his decision then. This week, my friend Renee from Ohio and her daughter Alexandra came to visit us here in AL. Lucky for Jackson, he just now got his chance. She was all in for dressing up for the big day! Armed with my mom, the photographer, we had a pretend wedding. I hummed the bridal chorus in an attempt to get the two of them to smile simultaneously. Photographing 3 year olds getting "married" is easier said than done but this is what it looks like. I guess the odd thing is they look more like siblings than spouses!

Marriott mini-vacation

What do you call a one night vacation, 10 minutes from home? We deemed it a "stay-cation". Mom and the kids and I packed ALL our stuff which sufficiently filled the back of my SUV and drove 10 minutes to the local Marriott Hotel and Spa. With rooms overlooking the Tennessee River, this is by far the nicest hotel in town and it just so happens to have the best pool area in the tri-cities too! We packed our food, down to the coffee creamer, each child's own bed, computers, swimsuits and toothbrushes. We actually needed a cart just to get to our 2nd floor room for our unique one night stay. We checked in and set up camp at the pool with our surplus of snacks and baby paraphernalia. That night we ordered pizza delivered by Daddy and watched TV from the hotel room. Mom and I each had our own heavenly bed since dad decided not to stay with us and each child's bed traveled with us. The next morning, we enjoyed breakfast from our cooler in tow. We again made the most of the pool facilities. Jackson really loved the waterslide and I liked the cave and waterfall as did Lincoln. He liked the sound of the water falling and was mesmerized by the warm outdoor air. I even sat for a while in the graded-entry shallow area and read some of my new library book "The Memory Keepers Daughter."
So long are the days of packing light... Who am I kidding, I was never one to pack light so adding a little more kid stuff is no big deal to me! This just goes to prove, you don't have to go far to experience a taste of luxury.

Jackson-isms

This blog is to chronicle all the hilarious things my 3 1/2 year old says on a daily basis. He's always been a chatty little guy but never as much as now. We've even had to stop answering his questions or asking other questions to get him to stop asking why after every explanation. He still does it, even if he already knows the answers. I guess he's learning every day but my question is, "WHY?"

-recently during a trip to the river Jackson was remembering his last 4th of July in Birmingham when he rode on a "winter tube" with Papa Rex. That translates to the inter tube pulled behind the boat.

-On Monday, Jackson and my mom were sharing a snack and he came to me and announced that he liked "pepper-mint cheese" and wanted to know that the green stuff was in it, and what makes it hot. That of course, would be pepper-jack cheese to the rest of us!

-While listening to Disney songs for about the 1,000 time in the car, I caught Jackson singing along to The Little Mermaid's "Under the Sea" but his translation continues to be "I'm in the Sea". I guess that works as well!

-Jackson has been infactuated with Michael Phelps ever since the Olympic games and all the gold medal talk. He turned into Michale Phelps every time he bathed or swam. At the last race I ran, he took my medal and proclaimed he was Michael Phelps. He still hasn't caught wind that Michael Phelps might not be the greatest role model anymore, better yet, maybe he's giving him some slack...every body's entitled to have a little meltdown under pressure.

-Jackson is a fan of the music from era's past. We listen to a broad array of music in our house from Elton John to the Eagles, Beach Boys to Johnny Cash. Jackson chooses his favorites and sometimes even makes up new lyrics to them...maybe he'll write music along with all his other ambitions in life. He and his dad regularly listen to a little know blue grass band called Old Crow Medicine Show and he can sing "Wagon Wheel" like no other 3 year old. He also has a fondness for Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire which he knows the entire chorus. Something funny about hearing him sing it. Jason's father's day card even sings "Ring of Fire" at Jackson's choosing. It's also one of those "record your voice" cards which is cool for us long distance parents! Another favorite song of his is the Eagles "Heartache Tonight" but his version sings "there's gonna be a Par-tay tonight, a party tonight, oh yeah". What can I say, like father, like son!

-On a recent trip to an outdoor mall, Jackson wanted to throw coins in the fountains so our friend Nicole gave him a nickel to toss in. When he tossed it we asked him what he wished for and he thought for a second and said...."mmmmm, I wish for............. MONEY!" Now THAT's what I'm talkin about! His idea was more money to throw in the fountain but I'm thinking deep down, he meant mommy some "new Jessica Simpson shoes" money!

-And lastly, several months ago, when Jason was still home we were having dinner together. Jackson often eats before and after us because he protest eating his vegetables and we go into an all out WAR about it. One particularly difficult night, he must have fulfilled his requirement but reluctantly. After Jackson was put to bed we sat down to watch DVR. An hour later, we heard him talking in his room and muted the TV to hear him. I walked over to the door and heard Jackson loudly singing(from the Madagascar movie)..."I like to move it, move it...I like to move it, move it...but I don't like to eat my vegetables! It was priceless and a great laugh for us.
Now that's it for round one of Jackson-isms. There's sure to be more where that came from!

And we'll have FUN, FUN, FUN...

Jackson is really living the good life in AL for the summer. His days consist of riding the 4-wheeler, fishing in "the holler" (yes, that is a real term here), swimming and LOTS of ice cream. My dad and Jackson spend a lot of time together talking about things most 3 year olds don't care much about. He's learned all about the dams and locks on the river, he's gardening and picking squash and learning to drive the tractor.
Last week, Jackson attended VBS each morning. We would walk him there and drop him off. The baby also walked with us, sometimes in a carrier and sometimes a stroller. Everyday we asked Jackson what he learned about and he'd proclaim, "GOD, and Jesus". I guess he got the right idea, he wouldn't be more specific. Me, Jack and Linc went on Thursday to have our hand imprints made. We had our hands molded and will have statues made of our hands together in 12 weeks! Now that tiny little baby hand will be remembered forever.
On Saturday, we ALL went to the waterfall and Jackson walked around in the stream of water. He was supposed to walk in it but before it was over, he was face down in the water on purpose.
Today we went to the local splash pad. Jackson loved it, he said it was like Great Wolf Lodge. Not quite in my opinion but fun is fun to him.
My fun is getting to sleep in to 730 then wake up and feed the baby while drinking coffee in my cool cup (thanks, Mari!) and read the entire paper, cover to cover. I've been scrapbooking several times with girls from church and while Tracie was still here, we got in our sisterly shopping time! I even ordered an awesome new cover for my baby bjorn carrier. It's the cool designer colors and I LOVE that carrier so was excited to get it in. I also experimented with a new wrap/sling that I'm really enjoying. OK, yes I'm addicted to baby carriers! I'm still walking most every day, I hardly even had to slow down with the birth of the baby. I was lucky that the recovery came VERY easy for me. Well, a squeaky baby tells me it's time to eat again and the blogging to end.

Hard Labor + Modern Technology = Long Distance Daddy

Ok, so a week has past since Lincoln arrived. The story of his birth and the events that occured were chronicled by my mother on camera. I've wanted to share the details of the birth for a week now but every time I try to blog, someone's hungry. I'm happy to have accquired a new title as milk maid




I had a doctors appointment at 830 on tuesday morning and I went in with my bags packed, I was banking on him keeping and admiting me. I was already at 5cm and I told him I was ready to do this today! I checked into the hospital about 930am.





I had pre-arranged with Jason that today may possibly be the day and was expecting his call at anytime. We had also arranged for him to go to someone's room who has internet access for him to be able to be on webcam. We hadn't seen Jason in 6 weeks and we didnt' know what type of connection we would get from there. I was ready with all my mondern technology....cell phone, check, laptop, check! All the essentials for having a baby!




HE CALLED! He was excited and maybe a little nervous. He waited and rode a bus across the base to the room where he would watch his second child born from a world away.



Me and my birthing coach (aka the sister). She and Mom really came through for me during the tough points of labor.


The contractions were getting stronger and were about 1-2 minutes apart.


At 12:20 we called for the epidural! I wasn't in immense pain...YET but he said when I was uncomfortable to call him.


Jackson came in to visit me and as I imagined, he had A LOT of questions. What's that on your arm? (IV), Why do you need medicine? Are you sick? Where's the baby? When can I see him? Can I be rough with you yet?


We're in full swing contractions and as I had feared, the epidural wasn't working. It was the ONE thing that made me know I could handle this labor and it wasn't working on one side. At 2:05 they had done all they knew to do and called the doctor back up to check on it. I was having to do all the breathing techniques that you've read about, none of which I had to do with Jackson. It was defining LABOR and I didn't like it.


Connected! It was so good to see Jason for the first time in 6 weeks. This deployment left us both in a bit of a whirlwind so close on the heels of his last deployment. I had missed talking to him face to face. It was long after midnight there and he was in a room with about 6 other guys trying to sleep while he was helplessly trying to coach me through some HARD contractions.


Soon after we made the connection, Tracie had to take over the typing because I was concentrating on OTHER things! I hated I hadn't been able to talk to him more but without the epidural, I was basically going all natural and that was NOT in my birthing plan.


After another failed attempt to make the epidural work, the Doctor finally arrives but has ANOTHER delivery to attend to. During that time, the nurse announces that I'm fully dilated and ready to have this baby! The Doctor shows up and 3 pushes later, Lincoln is born! That was actually the EASIEST part of the last 2 hours!




I finally get to hold my baby! It's amazing after waiting 9 LONG months for this moment! He was just perfect. He even made sure to wet the doctor AND the nurses right after he was born.





Now THIS is the person I could NOT have done without. She is a great encourager and besides, she's done this twice before so she's got experience. I couldn't ask for better help with the baby then or now that we are home. I'm lucky to have her AND to have her off work for the summer! How convenient!


I introduced Jackson to his baby brother Lincoln. He said is was HIS baby, and that he would still be MY baby.



Jackson LOVES to hold his little brother, he looks like he's saying, "What do I do with him if he cries?" He thinks if he kisses him, it'll make him All better.



Lincoln Rex deFoor, born at 3:33 pm weighing 6lbs 15oz and 20 1/4 inches long.


Ten perfect little toes! What a wonderful gift from God!


The best soggy chicken salad sandwich I've ever tasted! That didn't change, I was hungry after Jackson and I was starving after Lincoln. Food after hard labor is GOOD!!!
(By the way, some people commented and I TOTALLY planned the makeup and earrings that morning...I KNEW there would be a photographer in the room and there's no reason to not look your best, besides, I wanted Linc to think his mommy was pretty!)



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Is this what 4cm looks like?

On tuesday of last week, I went into the Doctor expecting to get a grim reminder that it's not quite time for the baby yet. As I read the expression on his face, I still thought that. Then he announced that I was 4cm dialated and 75% effaced. As I see it, that's nearly halfway to having a baby! I was very excited AND began to panic into nesting mode just a little. No mom wants to come home with things less than perfect for her little one. I had already been walking with Daddy mornings and late evenings but this really put that walking into action. We walked 3 or more miles EVERY day. We walked the 3 mile TVA trail, we walked a large route in Sheffield and we walked the neighborhood street by street. We also cleaned my car. I know my car hasn't been this clean since Jackson was born! I bought all the necessary cosmetices for baby on a few target runs.
I also did all the necessary mommy things. I know one can only look so good when you're 28lbs overweight but what kind of girl would I be if I didn't at least put some effort into it. Those who know me KNOW I'm going to try. I got my nails done and even got a spray tan. I quickly fell in love with the results of the spray tan as it was quick, easy and healthy for a pregnant girl. I also picked up a dress that will support breastfeeding AND show off my "transition" figure.
Jason is still living in sub-par conditions but is working on getting internet for the day of delivery. He's on stanby for me to contact him, just in case something happens anytime of day.
Jackson spent the weeks end with the deFoors for Jason's little sisters graduation in Birmingham. I was told that it was best I stay closeby the doctor. His world is made up of fun, fun and more fun as always.
We made these pics last tuesday after the doctors appt. I was attempting the suductive urban look with a splash of color. I loved the urban garage place I ran across during one of our walks.

Making the "switch"

"Just another Saturday night and I ain't got nobody, I got some money cause we just got paid....how I wish I had someone to talk to" I begin my blog with this because after using this catchy cliche several times today, it is now STUCK in my head repeatedly.
This week has been relatively slow and uneventful. Rain has taken up several of our days into being secluded to the house. I'm not complaining much though. It's about all I can do to make one trip 10 mins down the road for swimming lessons and I'm exhausted again. I'm telling you, an extra 28lbs can really weigh a girl down. Jackson's 2 week swimming lessons are now over. He was a wild man in the pool, mostly splashing and keeping his head and ears underwater so as not to hear the directions given by the teacher. I think his expressions kept them laughing though. He is certainly animated while trying hard to be still enough to float.
My doctors appointment this week revealed that we will try to have the baby on either the 27th or 28th of May assuming I keep progressing. I'll be seen every week from now until then. I was happy to at least have a "date" in mind to let Jason know and was also happy that his (the Doc) date was about the same as the ones I had in mind.
Jason's living situation apparently hasn't changed much and other than that, I know little about what he's doing or his daily tasks. He can only check email about every 3 days so communication is still "rustic" as he put it nicely. I can only hope that this gets better. I've jokingly ( but with serious undertones) stated that it seems like the only things we have in common right now are that we share the same bank account and children. And I'm managing both of those things at the present time!

So in an attempt to get serious with Jackson for pulling the backtalk of "I"m just gonna..." or "no, I'm doing ______ first" when I ask him to do something, I have decided to make the switch. That is introduce the switch. I no longer feel my hand or my threats have much bearing on him and I am hoping that this friendly character will really make him understand that I am the parent and he must obey me. (they are learning that in Sunday school) Well, I explained to him that I would now be using this tool to help him learn that he must obey me and I would not be giving continued threats, there would be one chance and then he'd meet his fate. Oh how quickly a 3 year old forgets. I asked him to come and let me put his shoes on when he replied "I'm just gonna put this money in the piggy bank" so I got up and got the switch and there they had their first encounter. Well, his response wasn't at all what was expected or desired as he yelled at me to "STOP doing that" which lead to yet another stronger encounter with our new discipline tool. I think he understood this time but I clarified that this was our new method of "learning to obey." After our talk, he had many more questions about this new friend. He seemed both cautious and interested in it. Knowing he doesn't forget anything, he won't soon be forgetting about this incident and I feel certain that it will be effective. Today I was reading on the porch when he brought the switch outside to me. I asked him what he was doing with it and he said "I'm going to break it up and throw it off the porch." Oh, Jackson...just as there are plenty of fish in the sea, there are also plenty of sticks on that tree!
Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Ephesians 6:1-3
Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them
are diligent to discipline them. Proverbs 13:24

Top 10 things I LOVE about being a Mother

10. No need for alarm clocks anymore. Kids make the perfect replacement. They are sure to
NEVER ever let you sleep in, even when you can. Every morning since we've been in AL, he's found a reason to come into my room and make sure I'm awake.

9. Uncomfortable in a situation? Need to get off an annoying call? KIDS are the best reason to have to run...and if it gets serious, kids can always provide you with a crisis. Beware, sometimes this crisis can be real!

8. Admit it, you think that toy on the infomercial looks pretty cool and lucky for you, there's a holiday or a bribery issue coming up really soon! So go ahead, get out your credit card and order that toy "for the Kids!"

7. Kids are like playing paper dolls, you get to dress them however you want to reflect your own style...at least until they form an opinion (which begins around age 2!)

6. Kids make the perfect excuses to go to all the places you secretly want to go yourself...the Zoo, DISNEY!, Great Wolf Lodge, amusement parks, etc... AND you get to see their enjoyment while you fulfill your desire.

5. Self-esteem issues? Kids can be brutally honest, but also amazingly complementary, even in the times you least expect it. There's nothing like waking up to a 3 year old saying, "Mom, you're pretty!" but also "Mom, you're belly is BIG!"

4. Your manners and your core values are reinforced while teaching them to kids. You must remember words NOT to say, remember your "thank yous" and your "yes, ma'ams" lest you be reminded and corrected by your 3 year old.

3. Google! It can be the most useful and loved tool by all mothers, you can look up "bug bites", what to do IF..., and the answers to all the questions asked by your 3 year old that you just don't know the answers to.

2. The distress call..."Mooooooooooooooommmmmmmm" It could be something serious, like needing a butt wiped or something with less significance like spilling milk on the carpet or a sibling rivalry gone bad. Either way, you won't very often hear, "Daaaaadddddddyyy" because these are jobs best suited for the one they call Mom!

1. To your child, you ARE like God. You can kiss a boo-boo and make it better. They can ask and food simply appears in front of them. Wet bed sheets and clothes are amazingly clean and dry. Dirty diapers are clean and noses are wiped right before their eyes. And your reward lovingly comes as hugs and kisses which to a mother are worth more than gold!

Bring on the Rain

I guess we arrived in Alabama just in time for the "rainy season." It has rained a significant amount since we got here 2 weeks ago. It rains so hard at night, it's awakened me a few times. The parks are muddy and the river is overflowing. The spill waves are fully open and that is a sight to see! On Sunday, I was beginning to feel sorry for myself because I think I left my "good" umbrella in Jason's truck in NC and I only have my dollar store one here. I have to "waddle" to the car more quickly than normal to keep from getting my pants legs wet. I'm in church for 2 minutes when Jason calls. I'm always glad to hear from him and he seems to be in fairly good spirits. He asked if I wanted to know about his latest drama and of course, I like to know anything about what my husband is doing for the next year of his life. He says that they had a bad thunderstorm on his base last night and that their 100 man festival tent had flooded and had about 1/4 inch standing water in it. So much for feeling sorry for myself about a little rain! WOW! So you already have to sleep in a big tent with 100 other smelly guys and now all your stuff on the floor is wet and you have to stand on your bed to change clothes. Now I begin to count my blessings! He was actually laughing about it. I asked him what you do about a flooded tent and he says "you sleep in it!" Then I asked him if that wouldn't cause mosquito's to invade and he said "that's why we're taking malaria pills." I guess you might as well laugh about it. And again I'm reminded, I'm just not that Tough!

These pictures are of Wilson Dam, with the spill waves fully open to allow for all the rainwater to pass through. Wilson Dam is part of TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) the hydro-electric energy producer here in the Tennessee Valley. I read in the paper that over one million gallons of water is passing through them each second! These were taken by a friend and were too awesome not to share. (thanks, Joy)

Mama Mia!

On Monday I hit the 35 week mark in this pregnancy! The baby is done developing for the most part and now just puts on weight. We ALL know what that means for BIG mama! I can feel the belly getting bigger and the clothes that are SUPPOSED to be for maternity fitting a little tighter these days. I can also feel it when I want to roll over in bed at night. Sometimes, I wake up, contemplate moving and decide it's not worth the effort before going back to sleep. Otherwise, I have had more energy and felt better this week than I did even last week. That is good for me but bad for the hope of the baby being "ready" to come out anytime soon. I guess it does help that I have gone from being a single parent to having 3 adults to share 3 year old care with! I do most of the cooking and planning of the meals around here but other than that, my responsibilities are small and somewhat selfish (scrapbooking, shopping, etc!)

My mom is our official photographer. She does it a little on the side and A LOT for us! It comes in really handy especially with the baby's arrival and lucky me, she's really good at it! You will be seeing more and more of her work in the near future with Lincoln's arrival. These are some of the maternity pics that she took on Monday at a nearby park. If you only knew the amount of bribery and threatening it took to get these pictures, you'd know how much to appreciate that sweet face of his!

Why is the sky blue? and other toddler questions.

Jackson has always been quite a talkative toddler. He's never met a stranger and doesn't mind striking up a conversation with any passerby. His questions sometimes seem never ending! Although I've been impressed at times with how intellectual they really are. He doesn't just ask the normal WHY? WHEN? HOW? kinds of questions. He usually puts thought into it.
After Christmas, we were traveling somewhere and he asked us "Why don't you use the ABCS (translate GPS)? We had just gotten it and he was remembering what it was and what it did. Anytime you ask Jackson, "How are you doing?", he'll reply not just good but "I'm doing good!"
Today at Wal-mart, I spent a relatively long time browsing the cosmetics while dodging his questions and answering a few along the way. He was running out of things to ask and started looking around the store. He got my attention with this one, he asked, "Mom, why are the ceilings so high in Wal-mart?" Hmmm...Jackson I've never actually wondered that one so I had to admit I had NO idea. I'm thinking I should teach him how to Google. They always have the answers to my questions!