Mr. Independent

I awoke to the sound of a toilet flushing...this is weird only because I knew Jeff had already left the house and I was in bed, so who would be flushing a toilet? I rolled back over sure I was imagining things. A few minutes later I get my typical "Good Morning, Mommy" at the side of my bed from Christian--I rolled over and hugged him than gave him my typical "go take off your diaper and go pee-pee" Side Note: We are just conquering this whole potty thing during the day and haven't worried about night time so much. He still wears a diaper only to sleep, but we had two dry nights last week, so we may be on our way. With the biggest smile on his face he responded with "I already went in the animal potty" (the kids bathroom down the hall has a jungle theme). He was fully clothed so I had to ask if he was wearing any underwear which he proudly responded "YES, I AM". This is the first morning he has ever done it all by himself before even coming to our room. I am so proud of my big boy!! He will be four in a few short months and so much is changing--for the good. My friend Mary Ann told me that shortly before her daughter turned four so many things began to 'click'. Things that they had been working on forever that she just thought would never happen began to work--I could only dream the same would be true for us. It's only one morning, but you have to start somewhere right?!?!

Happy St. Patricks Day

An early wish of a happy day I know, but I had to show off Baylor's new skirt. My neighboor made this and the pictures hardly do it justice...it is WAY CUTE!! Mainly b/c the skirt has more material to it than Baylor has to her...which is saying a lot:) We got so many compliments on it and my neighboor would like to get into making them (so she told me). So if you like it call me--other fabric could be used for holidays or just fun patchwork colors. Look out Gina--you told me I could be your advertisment so here it is:)

Spring Program 2007

The class wore sunglasses while they sang "We are Family"

Made muscles to look like Daddy while singing the "Thank you..." song

Otter Creek had their Spring Program today...and it was as cute as could be. This years theme was Noah's Ark--some classes were the animals, the builders, the raindrops and rainbows...we were Noah's family. To look like 'mommies and daddies' the boys wore ties and the girls had on aprons. Our class sang "Noah was a Good Man", "Thank You for all that You Do (a song about mommies and daddies) and "We are Family". All of them did well and actually participated in all they were suppossed to do--Miss Dele did have to ask them to sing louder, but all in all it was a cute little show. After each class did their part of the performance the whole group performed several songs for the finale...Christian spent much of this time waving at us or yawning!!! He woke up REALLY early this morning so he is currently knocked out upstairs. Baylor even found him onstage and started waving...it was so sweet. I'll try to get Jeff to post some video later-until then enjoy the still shots:)

Again?!?!

We spent Saturday morning AND Tuesday afternoon at the doctors office. Both children have ear infections AGAIN!!! I mean really, can this keep happening? Baylor has barley eaten enough to keep a flea alive since Friday--good thing she has all that fat to live on. Christian has been snotty for a week and last night said "my ear hurts, mommy." So it was back to our second home where it was confirmed that each of them had infections and needed meds--I think we could have bought stock in antibiotics by now and made some money.

No one tells you that when you have a second child you will literally LIVE at the doctors office. Is spring/summer here yet? We need to get out of this rut...it makes for some long, hard days around the McInturff house:) It's all good though...it could be much worse. We have a little 2 year old in our neighborhood that has cancer. His family is having a really hard time right now and he can't get strong enough between chemo treatments to come home. Poor guy had to shave his head b/c too much hair was falling out AND his mom is pregnant with #2, due in May. This family weighs on my heart and I feel like they could never get enough prayers...so if you are still reading by now will you lift the KELLY FAMILY up to the Lord? I know He can do remarkable things and I want to see this family feel 'normal' again.

Hair

Christian at 12 months

Baylor at almost 14 months

If my girls hair is wet with the help of conditioner she can look a little like her brother used to. Christian had so many curls between 12 and 24 months--we don't see much hope for Baylor's:) The picture of her was taken a week or so ago in the bathtub. I was so impressed that I made it look like she had curls. Just wanted to share:)

Time with Nana

Nana asked us to meet her at Discovery Center in Murfreesboro on Saturday. It was their 20th Anniversary free day and we had so much fun!!! The center had so many cool stations for Christian to explore. He loved the water station where he was able to create waves, push fish up a tube w/ bubbles and float a boat down stream. There was a fire truck to climb, an airplane to fly, fossils to dig up, an indoor tree house to climb and a two story slide. There were some real birds and fish to look at too:) Baylor was able to play with a few things, but mainly it was for Christian's age and older. Nana had fun watching the kids and taking pictures. We topped off the morning with a lunch at McDonalds--every kids favorite. Papa was working so he couldn't join in the fun--here's some pics for him to enjoy--We missed you Papa!!

My Daddy

Yes you read it correctly--I'm almost 30 years old, but I still refer to the first wonderful man in my life as "Daddy". We all took a whirlwind trip to Atlanta this week to honor this special man and his retirement from United Parcel Service. He has worked there for 34 years!! Almost unheard of anymore. He started WAY BACK when he was in college helping sort packages, worked his way up to driving a big brown truck, into management and even helped start some of their newest "side business stuff" (don't really know what to call them--they are companies within the company--you might could call them divisions, but I dunno). Anyway, the point is he has been very successful. I've always known that, but to hear the 20+ men that gathered to honor him at lunch yesterday say so was an awesome experience. Some had known him for many years, some only a few. Some of his biggest friends weren't even there for one reason or the other--it didn't seem to matter. My daddy was showered with much deserved praise of all his many accomplishments. The running theme (besides making fun of some of his 'country ways') was faith and family. Almost every single man spoke of how much they knew those two things meant to Mike Mack--They said to know him was to know about his faith and his family. Some of those men had met us (the family) maybe once or twice, but they felt like they knew us b/c Daddy told them about us all the time. They talked of his faith--which lead to talk of his integrity--and how they knew of his love for God. One man even went so far as thinking of 'The Good Shepherd' when he thought of my dad. It was so amazing to hear these men thank my dad for all his help with their own careers. A lot of 'you made me what I am today' kinda stuff. They recounted funny stories and good times they had with my dad. They told him how he was always on the 'short list' of people they knew would get the job done and most importantly get it done right. His current boss spoke of Dad's hard work and integrity--that meant a lot b/c it was no secret to many at the table that they did not always get along very well. My dad's presence will be missed at UPS--we knew that, but it was nice to hear others express the same.

They presented Daddy with a nice glass remembrance, if you will, of his 34 years of service. A few cards of well wishes and a BIG gift card to the PGA store in Atlanta. He already spent it before leaving town and I believe you will see some golf memorabilia in their new basement.

Now if you do not know my father very well let me paint a mental picture. He is a big man, proud to be from Texas and from the South. I also describe him as the most executive redneck you'll ever meet:) He can look like a CIA agent walking through the crowd with his suit and sunglasses--a very don't want to mess with me persona, but in his jeans and cowboy hat he looks like any good ol' country boy!! He can look (and act) very tough, but at the heart he is a big teddy bear. That big teddy bear was brought to tears several times yesterday. I may not have cried then, but the thoughts of the nice things have brought tears to my eyes today.

I love you daddy...you have always been a success in my eyes, but yesterday many others expressed it too. Cheers to you for many years of faithful service to God, family, friends and work. The official 9-5 (anyone that knows how hard you worked knows those hours are a joke) job may be over, but the fun is just beginning. We can't wait to make tons of fun memories with you and Mom. Living so close together will provide a lot of time together and your grandkids are going to love it--be totally spoiled, but love it!!