Jace 18 months

Jace turned 18 months on Dec. 10.
Weight:22 lbs. 15.8 oz.
Height/Length: 32"

In size 3 or 4 diapers. Mostly in 18 month clothes, but can still wear some 12 month clothes as well.

I about danced a jig and sang the hallelujah chorus when I saw his weight come up on the scale. I am so excited to see it going up again. Between ear tubes being placed and the addition of supplements, he has gained almost 2 pounds in the last 3 weeks. Thank you, Lord for answered prayers. He literally jumped up on the growth chart. So thankful. The pediatrician said there is no longer need for concern.

His language and speech have also improved since having the tubes placed. Right after he got the tubes placed he just jabbered and jabbered. I guess he sounded different to himself. He has gone from maybe 5 words consistantly to over 20 words in the last 3 weeks. He still will not say Barrett. If you ask him to, he points at Barrett. You tell him "No. Say Barrett." Then he just shakes his head no and smiles.

He remains very busy and very independent. Entertains himself well. Very pleasant demeanor. Happy boy; though we are entering a stubborn/tantrum stage. He knows his yes and his no and he means it!

He loves to play with balls, cars, trucks, trains and anything that is Barrett's. Enjoys reading now and pretends to read by himself. Fascinated by dogs and animals. Enjoys putting on shoes that are too big and walking around in them. He loves the outdoors and in unphased by the cold.

He has 11 teeth. He has become more picky in his food choices. His favorites right now are yogurt, applesauce, fruit (especially blueberries and strawberries), cereal, sweet potatoes, okra, "finch fies", pizza, sausage, sweets, and anything mexican.

He just started sleeping with a pillow this month and has become attached to a blanket in the last 2 weeks. Only uses his paci to sleep and when in new situations or not feeling well. Dreading taking it away :(

So thankful for his life. Enjoying watching him develop each day and grow into the person God has created him to be.

Sitting in Santa's Lap

the official picture

Love this!

The boys got reindeer ears from Santa.

Barrett wanted to be Rudolph.

Here he is with his "nose so bright."

Grandaddy had no idea he was related to such royalty!

Thanksgiving 2010

So much to be thankful for!

The festivities:

Barrett (in his cape--he and Jace wore these the majority of the weekend at Ghee and Grandaddy's) and Grandaddy making an Easy Bake Turkey Day Cake

The finished product and of course we HAD to sing:

"Happy Turkey Day to you"

A duet

The happiest Thanksgiving!

My happy baby returned!

Jace had tubes placed in his ears the day before Thanksgiving after a resistant ear infection.

We went through 4 antibiotics without success.

He was running constant fever and wouldn't eat.

One sick buddy.

Thank you, Dr. Elledge for stepping in and helping get my sweet baby Jace healthy again.

Words cannot express my gratitude.

Heath and Yeh-Yeh with Grandmother who graciously prepares our delicious

Thanksgiving feast each year

the family in attendance:

Adam, Grandmother, Aunt Sharon, cousin Matthew, Uncle Dave, Uncle Phillip, Heath, Yeh-Yeh, Haley, and cousin Amanda...

...Ghee, Jace, Barrett, and Grandaddy (taking pictures)

Barrett and Amanda

Great Aunt Sharon and baby Jace
playing with the walnuts



Mommy a Barrett playing in the leaves

Reading with Ghee

after the bonfire where they roasted "smarshmellows."

We celebrated with Nana, Pop, Uncle Josh, Aunt Lindsey, Griffin, Uncle Chris, Kirsten, and Lucas too, but I forgot my camera :(

A great holiday weekend!

I Almost Forgot...Gentry's Farm (Oct. 9, 2010)

We went to TN for Adam's 10yr high school reunion the weekend of Oct. 8-10. We enjoyed the festivities related to the reunion and had a little time left to visit and partake in other activities too. Last year we went to Gentry's Farm in Franklin, TN and we had such a good time that we decided to go again this year. Ghee and Grandaddy came with us! Afterwards, we went to Grandmother's for a visit. Here are some pictures...

Jace sweeps the cabin as Barrett prepares the meal.

Ghee buys some produce from Barrett's store.

This was in the activity barn. The boys played in a human spider web, built Lincoln logs, played "I spy", and learned how to weave among other things.

Bean bag toss.

After this, we went on a hayride around the farm.

The boys enjoyed seeing all the cows best. Jace said "ooo" (Moo) for much of the ride.

Barrett going through the hay maze.

Playing with the grain was easily the favorite again this year.

Barrett and the billy goat sizing each other up.

The pumpkins! We later made Jack-o-lanterns :)

At Grandmother's.

Grandmother shares some of her wisdom with Barrett

while they pick peppers and okra.

Barrett and Jace get a ride in the cart.

Weee!

They also enjoyed helping Grandaddy clean up the walnuts and throw them in the bucket.

We had a great weekend! It was the perfect kick-off to fall.

Trick or Treat! Halloween 2010

Barrett had 3 occasions to dress up for this year and he dressed up differently for each.

1st occasion: 3K Halloween parade, concert, and party.

(No masks allowed. This ruled out his original costume.

We added a few accessories to some pirate PJ's and, Voila!, one party-ready pirate.)

"Cheese!"

2nd Occasion: a friend's Halloween-themed birthday party.

He dressed as a clown in Adam's childhood costume.

3rd Occasion: Halloween.

At last, Spiderman!

Here he is shooting his web.

He really thought he was Spiderman and wanted to be addressed as such.

"I'm not Barrett. I'm Spiderman. "

On the way to the trunk or treat, he had his mask off and said,

"Hey, Mom. I've got my Peter {read:Peter Parker} mask on right now."

We went to the Fall Festival at First Methodist where Barrett attends 3K

and then to Light the Night at our church. They played games, trunk or treated, heard the Gospel presented at story time, went on a hayride, and ate hotdogs, popcorn, and cotton candy.

Jace: my little sock monkey!

Happy Boy

"My! What big muscles you have, Spiderman!"

Spidey and Monkey after all the festivities.

Sam Turner--Request for Prayer

It has been a while since I updated on Sam's illness. He was doing well, finished up all of his chemo and laser treatment and the tumors had scarred over (gone)--several eye exams completed with good reports. Monday, he went for another eye exam and the tumors have begun growing back in one eye--3 tumors, about the same size as when they started. He had to begin chemo again today. Please, please keep sweet Sam and family (mother Beth, father Brandon, and big brother Brooks) in your prayers. I simply can't imagine what they must be going through at this point. They have always been such an inspiration to me of strength and faith during trial. Pray that the Lord's hand would continue to uphold them and that the Lord would heal this sweet child without complications and with the least amount of pain possible. We know He is able! When we gather in His name, He is there. Let us gather mightily!

Too much time has passed

So...I have been terrible about blogging. I will attempt to catch up. Warning, this will probably be a long ramble.

It seems as if I would have more time since Barrett started 3-K and is gone for 3 hours each day in the week and Jace is at MDO 2 days a week, but somehow I seem to get less done. On the days they are both gone the times vary and I feel like I spend much of the day in the car.

Barrett continues to love 3-K, except for the days he stays all day. That has been a rough adjustment for him. I have had the privilege of adding a new title to my resume. I was asked to be a clinical instructor for Auburn University at our hospital. I am doing that 2 days a week and the boys both stay all day at their "school" those days. Jace has adjusted just fine. Barrett not so much. Yesterday I picked him up and his face was all red and swollen, big alligator tears streaming down his face. His teacher said he spent much of the day in her lap and after trying all the gentle approaches, she said, "Barrett all that crying is starting to hurt my ears. If you don't stop crying, you are going to have to go sit somewhere else." She said he just looked at her, took a deep breath, paused, got down, and went and cried somewhere else. Said it just broke her heart. I can so see it though.

It has been so interesting to see the differences in the boys personalities. Barrett will let you baby him to the end. Very cautious about trying new things. Feels safe as long as you are in sight. Very much a mamma's boy. My snuggle buddy. Jace is Mr. Independent. No qualms about entertaining himself. Ever the adventurer. If he can't reach something, he will go get the stool out of the bathroom so he can. Too busy to snuggle much, so I CHERISH each one. Very much a roll with the punches and if life throws you lemons, make lemonade kinda guy. Except when he is sick or teething--then a bit of a drama queen. Barrett on the other hand is quite the stoic with pain or sickness unless it is imagined or made up and then it is dramatic. Barrett has an enormous imagination. Lately that imagination has morphed into manipulation/lying at times. Trying to teach him against that and in the best way possible. Any advice from mothers who have dealt with this before is welcome.

About my new title of clinical instructor. I just started not long ago and it has been a learning experience. For one, I am doing clinicals on a med-surge floor. I have never worked med-surge except to orient for these clinicals. And two, I have never taught before. I feel a bit out of my element. I feel like I am on a wobbly pair of training wheels and need to gain a bit more confidence. I am such a perfectionist. I just hope that I put my students in good-stead for their future in school and once they get out. I am very much enjoying it though. Will be thankful when I feel comfortable taking off the training wheels and riding solo.

Other career news...I have begun the application process for graduate school. I have decided to go back and get my masters in nursing. Hoping to start next fall in the nurse practitioner program at UAB. Excited and nervous about it. Haven't done the school thing in quite some time and never with having to balance life as a wife, mother, and employee as well as a student. A bit daunting to think about, but I know I can do it. Just hope to do all of the above well. I have always performed well under pressure!

For all the time that has elapsed since my last post, I feel like there is a lack of exciting news to share. Sorry. May think of more later. If I do, I will share.

Barrett has his Halloween part at school tomorrow and then there are Fall Festivals this weekend. Excited about the boys dressing up! I'll post some pics Sunday evening.

Our Rejuvenation Vacation (Aug. 19-23, 2010)

Adam and I had not vacationed or spent much of anytime together without kids since they were born so we were super excited when we went on our cruise last month. Adam's parents kept the boys for us. We did miss them, but knew they were in great hands (THANK YOU) and we had a FANTASTIC time.

We went on a Carnival cruise to Cozumel, Mexico from Mobile, Alabama. We had never cruised before and didn't know what to expect, but we got our prescription ear patches for motion sickness and set sail. The food was plentiful and quite good. There were loads of activities to do or you could just a relax on the deck. Adam treated me to a spa-topia package on board which included a facial and a hot stone massage--amazing! In Cozumel, we went to see some of the Mayan ruins and then enjoyed a little beach time and shopping. All in all, a great experience and one we would love to repeat. Here are a few pictures (wish I had taken more)...

The happy couple :)

Turn down service with our "Funtimes", chocolate, and towel animal monkey.

The cabins are surprisingly spacious.

The arch/roads at the entrance of the ruins

One of the many structures remaining at this site.

The site we toured is thought to have been more of a ceremonial/worship site than a residential site.

We enjoyed a beach break after our tour at the ruins. The water is beautiful and the sun is SO much more intense than anywhere else I have experienced.

September 10, 2010 -- 15 months old

Jace turned15 months today. We went to the doctor and here are the stats:

Weight: 21# (10th %)--we have had a few setbacks with an apparent intestinal infection that caused diarrhea for nearly a month and a stomach virus or food poisoning episode, but thankfully all is resolved now and he is just above his weight when it all began again.

Height: 30" (25th %)

A few of his favorite things:

Food: KETCHUP. PIZZA. Bananas, peaches, blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, applesauce--fruit, fruit, fruit, fruit, fruit; our newest favorite is a sausage biscuit--he'll eat the whole sausage patty and one side of the biscuit. He is becoming a little more picky--has been eating 2 meals really well and picking at one. He has learned that if he doesn't eat he waits until the next meal and he is okay with that. He'll hold out, SURE there will be something more enjoyable at the next meal!

Play: LOVES to play with toys. Anythings that moves or makes noise. Anything that is not his or he sees brother, mommy, or daddy using (cell phone, broom/dust pan, dust cloth, kitchen utensil, anything Barrett's). He has just gotten to the point where he will sit long enough to enjoy a short book and I am really enjoying that time together. He loves to play "I'm gonna get you" and runs away with biggest grin and the laugh that once you hear you will never forget and as a mother I think to myself--oh dear, is that really going to be his laugh--poor thing, but I digress, I really do love it--so Jace. Loves a tickle war. Loves to make a mess!!! He has such an infectious laugh and a vibrant, adventurous spirit. Love my baby.

Misc: loves shoes--will go get them and hold up his feet for you to put them on--gets upset when you take them off at times.

Loves dogs (has no word for his brother yet, but says "Bri-Bri" and "dog-dog" for our dog Briley; also has a "buff buff" barking sound he does when he sees her)

Remains VERY independent. Resists eating if you try to feed him now.

VERY BUSY. Perpetual motion except for an occasional snuggle before bedtime or if Barrett or Adam wants to sit with me (jealousy, but it does warm a mother's heart).

He is still in 12 month clothes for the most part, but wears some 18 month. Size 3-4 diapers.

He has just gotten into Bear's first shoes he wore at 9 months. Tiny, sweet, extremely ticklish feet :)

Still a good sleeper. Has started crying when you lay him down at night again, but once he goes to sleep he sleeps 10-12 hours. Can't complain! He also naps about 2-3 hours in the afternoon.

So thankful for this precious gift of Jace Addison Tipps! I feel like I will be blogging his 15th bday before I turn around.

Peanut

Ironically we call baby Jace "peanut" at times. On the fourth of July we came home from church and sat down for lunch. Adam, Bear, and I were eating peanut butter and honey sandwiches. Jace had not tried peanut butter yet. It is on the list of forbiddens if you will. When Barrett was a baby I think we were told to wait til 18 months or 2 years to try it do to the risk of allergy. I had not heard so much of the warning this time around and no one in the family really has food allergies, so even after Adam asked about it, I decided we would try it. I gave Jace a few small cuts of sandwich. He ate them and seemed to enjoy the first few bites. Then he started getting really fussy and crying. He threw his food off his tray and we sternly told him no. The crying escalates now. We put him down in the floor as we cleaned up. I prepared to put him to bed, thinking all the fussiness was due to being overtired. Adam picked him up and I looked at his face. It was covered in hives. His eyes were swelling more by the minute. We headed to the ER. By the time we got there, his bottom lip was fat and his left eye was nearly swelled shut. The hives still present. Fortunately, his breathing was never effected. His oxygen saturation remained 100%. Such a blessing! The Lord was watching out for Jace. A dose of steroids and Benadryl, and a bit of observation and we were on our way home with orders to follow-up with his pediatrician.

We continued Benadryl for 48 hours and steroids for five days. The following Wednesday we followed up with our pediatrician. He ordered a blood test to check for allergens to specific foods. The test came back with allergens to milk, eggs, and peanuts. We were instructed to follow-up with an allergist. We found a pediatric allergist in the Birmingham area. We followed up last Thursday. The performed more allergy testing. Thankfully, the milk didn't really show a reaction under the prick test. The eggs and peanuts were both quite reactive, but the peanut was definitely the most severe. Fortunately, he did not react to any other substances such as tree nuts or shellfish. He tolerated the whole thing very well--such a tough little guy! We have an epi-pen now and feel better equipped to care for him. We follow-up again in 6 months unless necessary to do so sooner.

All in all this was a very scary ordeal, but it could have been SO much worse. We could have lost our sweet baby. It really makes you think. I am certain he will have a reaction again at some point. And it may be worse than before, but fortunately we are better prepared. We trust the Lord that he cares for our sweet child even more than we do and that he will take care of him and us as we walk through this trial. In the grand scheme of things a peanut allergy is a grain of sand.

Mr. Independent

Jace is now walking as of Wed. July 7th. He is up to about 10-12 steps consistently. So proud of himself. He just beams and claps. Too cute. According to big brother, Barrett, that is when you officially lose the baby status and begin to morph into big boy status. "But he's not as big as me yet," he says. Jace is becoming more and more independent by the day and into all sorts of things now. He loves the Tupperware cabinet, pulling books off of bookshelves, dumping out the toy baskets and getting into them--in short, he has already perfected the art of making a mess :) Today, he discovered how much fun it is to unroll the toilet paper.

Just look at that grin.

Even in mischief, I could eat him with a spoon!

Barrettism

A funny Barrettism from today:

As we were driving home from Mother's Day Out...

Me: Barrett, you and Jace can stay up until Mommy is through doing the dishes. Then it is time to take a nap.

SILENCE for a few seconds, then...

Barrett: Mommy, I put my watch on (a kids' meal toy that he plays with in the car).

Me: [Glancing quickly] Good job, Barrett. What time is it?

Barrett: It's a...a...It says it's not time to go to bed yet. That's what time it is.

Can't blame a kid for trying. Love that little booger.

Boot Camp

This week it became even more evident that my eldest child can be stronger than I at times. I have to focus on being stronger. Yesterday, I carried him kicking and screaming out of the McDonald's--quite a scene--because he hit a child. I had reprimanded him and put him in time out and then let him go play again with the warning if I so much as saw him act like he was going to strike someone we were leaving. Well, he played nicely for a bit and then acted as if he was going to hit again and I said "Barrett Alan Tipps, that's it. We do not hit. Let's go." He ran from me screaming "no" at the top of his lungs and I had to pull him down the slide, tuck him under my arm, and gather our things and go. It was humiliating and mortifying. I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment and the penetrating stares of a full playroom. But he had to know that I meant what I said. We are now officially in boot camp. Both of us. He misbehaves. He gets a warning. If (or WHEN) he misbehaves again it leads to an immediate consequence. It is difficult, but I am already seeing the fruit. He didn't want to take a nap today, but after a gentle warning he said "yes, ma'am" and crawled right in. Thank you, Lord for small miracles.

It is a daunting task--motherhood. To train a child up in the way they should go can be very difficult. It hurts to not give them what they want. To see them cry. But it hurts even worse to see them be completely self-serving and unkind at times. It makes me feel like a failure when I witness those behaviors in my children.

I am blessed to be involved in a wonderful Bible study with some amazing women, all mothers, whom share in this learn as you go journey of parenting. We are going through The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. One of the things we learned in scripture is the power of prayer. There is a passage in Deuteronomy that talks about the power of one with the Lord behind them being able to chase away a thousand and the power of two can chase away ten thousand and we have all heard the passage that says when two or three are gathered in His name, He is there. What has struck us so strongly is not only the power we have in prayer, but that there is such an abundance of powers or evil out there vying for our child's attention--not just a thousand, but ten thousand or more. Also, there is the passage in 1 Peter (5:8) that warns us that "your great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." That someone is our children and us as parents. May we arm ourselves mightily with prayer and join together in prayer for the souls and lives of our children. I consider myself truly blessed to know such great women who join me in this quest. I am praying for a joyful attitude and a spirit of obedience for Barrett. For me I am praying for the strength to be consistent in discipline among other things.

Our church had a very patriotic service for the 4th. We stood together singing songs of our country and pledged our allegiance to our country's flag and it made me tear up as I recited "One nation under God." That seems to be becoming less and less true in our society. I mourn the fading of this principle and stronghold on which our country was founded. Then when driving home I passed a good old southern church sign that stated something to the effect of the way to make our country a better country is to make you a better you. This is what I commit now, that no matter how far this country as a whole may turn away from Him, "as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord(Joshua 24:15)." I am NOT perfect and I fail miserably each day. I am certain I will serve as a hypocrite more times that I will be able to count. But I have been convicted (with the assistance of a few disappointments in attempts at career advancement or shut doors, the shared wisdom of those who embarked on this journey before me, the trials of others and the strength of their faith during affliction, and the gift of guidance from above--I'm a slow study sometimes) that the greatest role I can serve is to serve as a godly mother to my children. That is my purpose for this season of my life.

Barrett's First Movie

As many of you know, Barrett has a slight obsession with Toy Story. It started on his birthday when he received Woody and his horse bullseye at his cowboy party. It was easily his favorite. It has continued. His favorite movies--Toy Story and Toy Story 2. His favorite snack--Toy Story gummies. He even sleeps with his Toy Story figurines and calls them his "buddies." It seemed very fitting for his very first movie in the theatre to be Toy Story 3. He and I got invited to go this past Monday. He LOVED it and I loved that he loved it. He actually cried when the movie ended.

Too excited to focus on the camera--ticket in one hand and 3D glasses in the other. Next stop, popcorn and a coke. Then the much anticipated adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Bear and his friends pose in front of the 3 after the show.

Back in the car with his buddies. One happy Bear Bear. And one happy Mommy.

The Simple Things

The boys had the most fun the other day playing with an empty laundry basket. It is times like those that remind me, it is often the simplest things in life that bring the most joy.

Celebrating Jace

Jace's 1st Birthday Party and Cookout

June 12, 2010

Friends and family gathered around to celebrate baby Jace. He had a monkey-themed party and we dined on BBQ that Adam smoked, baked beans, slaw, potato salad, chips, and cake of course. He was showered with gifts and love. The perfect punctuation to the end of his first year.

Mommy and Jace pre-party

Monkeys holding balloons decorated the tables.

Jace's monkey hat picture that inspired the theme sat in the foyer next to the goody bags (banana puffs for the little ones & barrels of monkeys for the older ones).

Feasting.

The cake (My friend and co-worker, Shey Laurin, made this).


My little monkey.

Not sure what to do. Wouldn't use his hands at first. A very timid start...

...but, he figured it out (Sugar rush! Squishing the icing in his hands.).

Want some? Quite the giver.


Jace's Guests (from left): Bryce, Anna, [Birthday Boy], Sam, and Tate.

Their families attended as well as Nana & Pop, Ghee & Grandaddy, Heath & Yeh-Yeh, Blake & Holly, Miss Shirley and Miss Melinda from Mother's Day Out, and of course Mommy, Daddy, and Bear

Opening gifts (after a quick bath--baby wipes just wouldn't suffice).

...and sugar CRASH! Poor baby Jace was done. He napped well.

Well rested and finally getting to play with his toys.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this day so special.