TWO MEN & A LADY

This is Our Life ~ Our Photo Book ~ Our Journal that will never sit on a shelf, be placed in a chest or find its spot in the attic but instead put on display for all of you so you can share in our joy and sorrows that come complete with life. Learn from our mistakes (THERE ARE MANY) or give advice when needed. Welcome!
Clint ~Teri & Dax
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Monday, March 30, 2009

We Have Syllables

Actually we've had syllables for a while. Combined, alone or a whole sentence full run together. I think Dax did it the difficult way first. He now has picked one of the two most important repetitive syllables he could blurt out (for us anyway)

"da-da."

Yes, we know that he probably doesn't know what he's saying, but that hasn't stopped Clint from repeating "da-da" to him with no abandon for quite some time waiting for him to repeat it and I did the same but with "ma-ma."

Early last week while I was bathing him he just spit it out. I wish Clint could have heard it, but it's okay now because he repeats it over and over and over. No need to rub it in Dax. ;)

I grabbed the camera and video taped him saying it and it's just sweet. It's kind of shaky, but that's because Dax kept jerking the cord of the camera along with giving me a couple of kicks in the chin.


Sunday, March 15, 2009

Mama Should've Known Better

Dax is such an ... eager eater. He usually slams his hand on the high chair tray like he's sayin "I'd like another one please, right here and right now!" [spoonful]

However, that changes very quickly when you try mixing things up a bit.

I've noticed that going shopping for Dax food on an empty stomach is just like going Clint and Teri grocery shopping on an empty stomach. When your hungry, everything sounds good - even baby food.

So I guess when I picked out mixed vegetables (potatos, carrots and peas) it must have sounded good under the influence of an empty stomach. I can't think of any other reason why I'd think that combination was particularly appetizing. Mixed together like that - now reminds me of pig slop.

Dax let us know real quick too.


Monday, March 9, 2009

The Snow Ball Effect

Being at home and trying to keep the house clean, for me, is impossible. I've noticed the snow ball effect.



Like yesterday, we start off with the house being spotless and as tidy as it will ever be. Then it becomes time to feed Dax his oatmeal and applesauce. Here we go, Dax somehow manages to stick his hand all the way in the bowl. So, I let him be as messy as he wants to be. I'll just clean it up later.



After dropping the excess in the floor, touching his buckle on the highchair and then getting it in his hair, he decides that's enough and from there on becomes very cautious of what he touches.



What? Can this be? Have I been fortunate enough to have a son who doesn't like to make messes?



Probably not. But I was shocked at the moment.



Since he got oatmeal in his hair, we went straight to the bathtub. Since Dax's favorite thing is to splash water, it was everywhere. It takes two towels to wrap up a wiggly wet Dax. From there it's to the bedroom to quickly get him dry and put a diaper on him. So, so far we have managed to make tiny messes and clutter in 3 rooms.



1st is the dining room and high chair which has oatmeal on the try, buckles, seat and a little on the floor.



2nd is the bathroom that now has water everywhere, a used diaper and dirty sleeper on the sink and a yellow soaked munchkin sponge with duckies scattered everywhere.



3rd, Our bedroom (where we end up changing diapers or etc. because the bed is high and easy on our backs b/c we don't have to bend over too far): now has 2 wet towels strolled on the bed along with yet another wet ducky on the floor.



Oops, forgot the 4th: Dax's room where I went into next to grab him something to wear but his clothes were jammed packed all in one drawer (don't know how that happened?) and searching for something while holding Mr. wiggly Dax at the same time just pulled everything else out with it and is now scattered on the floor, with the drawer still open.



And just think that was just after one meal and he's only 7 mos. This is small fries to what lies ahead when he's a toddler. I know the messes are going to get bigger by the week. I would like to say I got it cleaned up by his first nap, but somehow I needed a nap myself. I did, get it taken care of by the 2nd though. :)



So glad having a clean house wears less on my mind by every day that passes. I haven't got use to having company over yet while it's still in chaos. But I'm sure that will pass too.



From Oatmeal is like glue



From Oatmeal is like glue



From Oatmeal is like glue

Taking Chance

I have seen so many military and war movies. I’ve seen many military and war documentaries.

I’ve often wondered myself ‘why is it I’m drawn to them in the first place.’ I mean it’s not your usual chick flick. I usually root for the anti-hero. Well, the humble hero anyway.

Seeing that I’m neither for or against war, (I’m not speaking of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I’m speaking of war in general) and the fact I wouldn’t make it two days in boot camp, the only explanation I’ve been able to come up with is that since I believe to get to know someone you must know as much as you can about a persons steps in life if you are to truly understand who that person is. Maybe I watched them trying to figure out my Grandfather “Paw Paw” in my efforts to get as close to him as possible while he was on this earth. He was in the Marines and the Navy.

All I’ve ever heard about any of his military career is that he lied about his age so he could join up with the Marines. While he was stationed in Guam, Pearl Harbor was bombed. Since my Nanny Swann had not heard word and didn’t have a clue where he was, she sent a letter in to his commanding officer asking if her son was okay. In her doing this they found out how old he really was and sent him back home. By the time he finally got home, he was then old enough. So, he decided to go into the Navy. And that’s pretty much it - other than a couple more minor details.

So anything I’ve read or seen regarding War has never moved me as much as Taking Chance did. They say that Saving Private Ryan made it as real as possible for someone who’s never been in combat, and it absolutely terrified me but this movie said it all without the violence. Really!! And the best part about it. There’s no politics. Or not any that stood out. If there are any, I think they are spoken as truth w/o spin instead of politics. To tell you the truth, when I saw the previews for it I really didn’t want to watch it. I figured it was made by just another director spitting propaganda either for or against the war. But after flipping through the channels it seemed to be the only thing on and after 2 minutes I was hooked.

The movie is taken from true accounts that were recorded in the journal of Marine Lieutenant Colonel Mike Strobl as he escorted the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps home to Wyoming in 2004. This really brings home the sacrifice these men and woman make everyday while they are over there.

And let’s not forget, they are still there. Most of us go on about our lives whining because we are possibly living like paupers due to the economic crises. But, they are over there (again, still) and some losing their lives.

They are putting their life and/or limbs on the line – there is no greater love for your country as far as I’m concerned.

I’m not going to say this movie will affect you as it did me. But to warn you in advance – I started dropping tears early on and they just kept getting worse. Mind you I am now off the drug I like the call “apathy in a gel cap” that I took for having insane Baby Blues or what the doctors called a milder form of PPD that I started taking 7 weeks after having Dax. (It’s so nice to have the old Teri back…) I might cry easily when I’m happy or get all emotional over a sad movie, but at least I’m my own TRUE self again.

I still think it’s a possible tearjerker for all. That aside, you should watch Taking Chance. Do it when you don’t have the kids or aren’t preoccupied with something else. It really deserves full attention because it's the tiniest details in this movie that make the most impact. I think every citizen of our country should be made to watch this. To see what it takes to live in the land of the free.

**Side note unrelated to the movie: I referred above that the anti-depressant they put me on was like “apathy in a gel cap.” I’m in no way referring that I don’t believe in these drugs. I had issues with it before, but after having Dax and I started crying for no reason at all that would last all day, running out of breath from just walking across the room and had the huge feeling of impending doom that didn’t seem to be getting better. I pretty much asked the doctor what he was waiting on (prescribing Lexapro) after he diagnosed me with mild PPD. It helped me out a great deal until my hormones got back to normal. I’m not taking it now because my hormones have stabilized – we all hope anyway… ;)

So if you need those anti depressants, by all means take them w/o shame no matter what anybody says. I did.

However, I do think and I believe most agree, they are WAY over prescribed.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Mr. Blue Eyes


From Spinner Dax


A friend of mine told me when I was 7 mos. pregnant that when we look at our babies, we think and feel as if they "are" the most beautiful thing in the world. The most beautiful thing we've ever seen. And then later, we look back and notice that they were actually kind of funny looking. A crooked nose or etc.
I remembered Ashley's comment when I was looking back at Dax's pictures in the 1st several weeks. At the time I did think every thing about my baby was just heavenly and beautiful.
When I look at him now and then look at those pictures I totally see what she meant. He's so much prettier now than he was when he was a newborn. Dax had huge hands for his proportionally smaller body. His eyes were so squinty and swollen while his head looked like a flesh shaped bullet. haha. But he was still beautiful.
Now Clint makes fun of his ears, we both throw in jabs about his head (Paw Paw says poor boy hasn't got a chance with all our name calling). :)
But all that aside he's still guess what? You got it. Gorgeous. He steals my heart whenever he stares at me with those big blue eyes or pokes that bottom lip out just like he did the first time I held him after the doctor plopped him on my stomach. Meghan the nurse saw that face with that lip poked out and said "oh he's going to melt yawl's hearts, I can tell."
But, it's not just him. I've now got a newly found love for staring at babies that I don't think was present before. And I could stare at mine or anyone's baby all day long. They are all just beautiful. With their peaceful sleeps, gentle sighs... goodness.
Actually I take that back (about not believing babies were so beautiful before mine).
The first time I saw my niece Natalie Ellen I almost cried. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen to that point hands down.


Snow Day and Dax is 7 Mos. Old

Boy, it seems to be something eventful every time Dax turns exactly a month older. 5 mos. was New Years Day and This month was his 1st snow day! I didn't get a lot of good pictures with Dax in the snow. He saw it in the morning and got excited, then took a nap and by the time he woke up and/or the wind wasn't blowing hard enough, most of it had already melted. But we got at least one picture of Dax and the snow.

I think just about everyone had fun with the excitement of snow and how beautiful it was - while it lasted that is. :)


From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.



From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.



From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.



From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.


Two Doves using the huge oak tree as cover


From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.



From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.



From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.



From Grandmother visits and Dax's 1st Snow Day- 7 Mos.