REUNION TIME - MYRTLE BEACH!

So the family decided to get together this August for a little relaxation at Myrtle Beach. There were 11 of us in all and we stayed at the Seacrest resort. It had pools and a kiddie water park type thing. Most of our time though was spent on the beach, which was nice. I love everything about the beach except for the sand ahahhaa.

This was Khyri's second time at a beach. Last summer we went to Cape Cod in August (shout out to the Landrys). He had a blast trying to jump over the waves and see to the bottom of the ocean floor haha. Keith was his shadow most of the time - making sure Khyri didn't run out into the Atlantic.

Khy did play a little bit in the sand - but mostly he was in the water! We were able to get him to slowdown a bit when we had a hydration break and reading time! I'm glad we stayed at an oceanside resort, because when we needed a break from the water we just went inside, since Khyri wouldn't last long on the beach.

Kielle didn't really take to well to the beach. 1. I don't think she's a fan of hot weather and 2. The waves were just too much for her. My baby likes to lounge in the pool. ahahhaa. Even though she wasn't a fan of the beach - boy was she a fan of the sand!!! ahahah she ate A LOT of sand. Her little bathing suits were really cute! haahhahaha girlfriend was styling. I mean really!?!? is there anything cuter than a ladybug swimsuit with a matching hat!?!?

Well the Mosleys have gone and got saddity! hahahaha While we were on the beach Keith said "I'm over this east coast beach thing. I want crystal blue water like we saw in Mexico and Jamaica". Uhhhh really?!?!?! Sir - we are middle class.. ahahha middle class folks take family vacations to Myrtle Beach, Virginia Beach and even closer to home - Tybee right outside of Savannah. hahahaha maybe we might could (yes I said might could) swing Destin. maybe. hahahahah.My cousin Kenya did remind us that we have to take time for ourselves, so maybe we can sneak in a trip for just us two. On this trip though, we took time out to snap a few pictures of just the two of us.

5 years from K-squared to K-quad wow!

My grandparents had a wonderful time! I didn't think my grandpa would get in the water, but he was doing it big! Grandma on the other hand had two inches of water over her toes talkin' 'bout " Look Kay I'm swimming!" ahahhahahaha. Ma'am you are barely taking a bath! ahhaahhah But she had a good time.

Its great to see the two of them enjoying life :-)  Seeing them together with all of us reinforces just how important family is. Kielle absolutely loves my grandma. She just completely relaxes when GiGi holds her. Everybody else -  not.so.much.

We took full advantage of everything the resort had to offer. I even went down one night and listened to the karaoke. That I could have skipped. hahahaha. Khyri and I liked the lazy river pool they had though. It was tough getting into the inner tube but once I was in, we were good to go!

We planned the trip around my Grandpa's 88th birthday. I think this will definitely be one he will remember. Happy birthday Grandpa!

READING IS FUN...DAMENTAL!

I grew up around books - literally. When I was young, my mom was a Children's Librarian for the New York Public Library. Books have always had a special place in my life.

Me! circa 1978

So when I had my baby shower for Khyri, I requested that my friends and family bring books to help start his library. I wanted start Khyri early with a love of books. We received so many great books that it seriously looks like a library reading room! Whatever we don't have, I can usually find on quick trip to the Smyrna Public Library. *Sidenote* Founded in 1936, the Smyrna Public Library is the oldest city operated library in Georgia. It does not receive funding from the State of Georgia or Cobb County. Everything is funded through the city of Smyrna, federal grants , and community supporters like the Mosleys ;-) If these books don't get completely ruined, they will for sure end up in the Smyrna Library for others to enjoy. This book below isn't going to make it.

Apparently top right corners are Kielle's favorite

I love sitting down and reading with Khy. He is very attentive and loves to listen as I explain what is happening on the pages. Recently he's started reciting a few of the books! We'll be riding in the car and I'll hear him say "On Monday he ate one apple, but he was still HONGREE" Yes hongree not hungry ;-) hahahahaha gotta love The Very Hungry Caterpillar!

His first favorite book was Brown Bear now we've moved on to growing a good collection of favorites! The current books that we read on a daily basis are:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Cat in the Hat
My Friends
Green Eggs and Ham
Please Baby Please
Goodnight New York City
Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now!
The Foot Book (5 month favorite and counting!)
Curious George Rides a Bike

Clifford The Big Red Dog (we also have this on CD for the car)

Of course reading with cousin Brianna is the most fun! These pictures and videos are from May when we went to visit the family in Virginia. Khyri was just beginning to speak.

Kielle tries to get in on the action too!  Hopefully she'll pick up his love for books too. Khyri loves 'reading' to her...

 

 ... until Kielle inevitably tries to eat the book ;-(

Usually you can't tear Khyri away from his books... but if there's a phone call from Aunt Pat, he can take a break ;-)

There's always time for reading with Daddy!

And of course everyone likes to curl up with a nice book in a quiet spot...hahahahahah. From March to July and still no poop or pee *sigh - that's a whole 'nother thread* By the way he loves the book - It's Potty Time and Everyone Poops but clearly he is not getting the message. hmph.

My friend Jennifer asked me how I got him interested in books and reading. I don't know really. He just has always had an affinity for books and words that rhyme. Now when we start getting into Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and Dickens we'll see if he's still excited?!?! 

I surely hope so!

MARKING TURF WITH MARKERS

Khyri LOVES coloring. Yesterday he had a run in with the pens! ahhahahaha. The boy is very artistic. He explores all mediums... paper, walls, and legs! And yes, Keith and I were both wide awake... Hey you never know this could be the start of something fabulous! Move over Picasso and your tired old paintings... Later for Henna Tattoos... Here comes Khyri with his wearable art ;-)

skin is waaaaay better than paper!

He even did his toes!

Tuckered Out!

It started out innocent enough - we were drawing shapes and writing words. Then it got out of hand! But he was having so much fun and he was seriously concentrating on his scribbles. You can't interrupt greatness - you gotta let the creativity flow.

Now comes the hard part - washing it off! hahhaha

BLING BLING

I'm not a big jewelry person, but one thing I feel completely naked without is my earrings. Now don't get excited I don't have a bazillion pairs of earrings. Quite the contrary.. hahaha I only wear sterling silver studs and small hoops. That's it. Nothing fancy - but they are my favorite and most necessary piece of jewelry. Its weird. I don't like touching my ears - or even having the proverbial 'sweet nothings' whispered in them. Actually, just typing about it is giving me the heebeejeebees - yuck. Let me unclench my shoulders...

I've actually had holes all my life. I got my ears pierced around the time I was christened. I don't remember wearing earrings in elementary school, but I certainly remember them in middle school. I remember wanting cute Mickey Mouse earrings. Oooh and one year I begged for emerald earrings (my birthstone) I got some green stone studs - but I can guarantee they weren't emeralds hahahahha. I liked wearing earrings but I couldn't look in the mirror and stick the post in my ears. For a good 2 or 3 years, my mom would put my earrings in while I was asleep because I just couldn't do it. No lie. But I was soooooo cute when she got them in ;-)

By high school I had gotten over my fear and was rocking big silver hoops like a pro. I still didn't like messing with my ears, but all the cool kids got their earrings from the village - I had to be down ;-)

So... when Kielle was born in the back of my mind I started thinking about getting her ears pierced. I was not looking forward to it. I thought about the two options: 1. Pierce her ears now while she can't touch them and most likely won't remember the pain or 2. Wait until she is old enough to decide for herself.  I opted for getting her ears pierced now.

Kielle's pediatrician doesn't pierce ears. I called and they recommended taking Kielle to Piercing Pagoda or Claire's in the mall. Not. Gonna. Happen. For my little girl I wanted someone who is a professional, not a teenager working a $8/hr. summer job. I didn't want chicks picking out bangles and headbands watching my poor baby cry while getting her ears pierced. Not to mention at Claire's the ear piercing chair is always located at the front window... um no thank you. Most importantly though, I wanted a sterile environment.

I was able to ask my sorority sisters - shout out to Alpha Kappa Alpha - if they had any suggestions for pediatrician offices that pierce ears for walk-ins. I decided to go with Atlanta Pediatric Partners. I made the appointment for a Tuesday. I had three weeks to mentally prepare.

I am a wuss so I called in for backup. My friend Eulene was able to come with me to appointment. Nervous does not begin to explain what I was feeling! I don't know why either. When the kiddos get shots I'm a rock - but this!?!? pure-dee-wreck. My legs were shaking literally 2 weeks before the appointment.

Poor Eulene. She thought she was there for Kielle - nope. She was there to comfort me! The appointment was at 11am. We arrived 5 minutes early. I handed Kielle to Eulene while I filled out the paperwork. My hands were shaking. I think it was mostly because I knew she was about to be in serious pain. We got called in and the wheels were set in motion.

Most of this was a blur... The nurse showed me the sterile packages with the earrings already attached to the ear piercing gun. She said something about the procedure and how we needed to clean the ears daily. Blah blah blah. I wasn't listening... I was cross-eyed. Luckily she had everything she said printed on a blue index card - perfect. She then laid my baby down on the table and marked both ears with a blue marker. Kielle cried the whole time. Its rock and roll time. I got ready - "what do I need to do? Where should I stand? Do we need boiling water and clean towels??" But - - short reprieve. The nurse stepped out to get an assistant. Kielle - she looked at me and Eulene like 'that wasn't so bad!' I couldn't look at her... I felt horrible, I knew what was coming.

With both professionals in the room, it was time for me to participate in the brutality. I was instructed to hold her arms and legs still while the assistant held her head and the nurse pierced her ears. I literally could not feel my legs. My stomach was all types of gurgling and I swear there was a moment when I thought I was gonna upchuck. Eulene asked me if I was going to look at Kielle to give her some comfort - ummm NO! You can do that - C'mon super friend step in riiigghhhtt now! I on the other hand will nicely nestle my head in her stomach while performing my duties and hum loud enough to hopefully throw myself into a trance.

As soon as I locked her limbs down, Kielle started wailing... and then I heard it - POP!. My heart sank.. and I swear a little throw up rose in my mouth. Then the tears started. It wasn't a lot - just a mist (I didn't want to be that mother), but it was enough that I had to wipe my eyes real quick. My job wasn't finished. I wanted to just give up right then and leave the office, but I buckled down and held her for the second - POP.

Seriously it was as bad as I thought it would be. How about afterwards, the nurse looks at her on the table and says "well let me just check..." check what!?!?! you think we're doing this again!?! um.. no ma'am...wrap up your tools and go 'head on... she'll just have to be crooked eared hmph... feeling weak. I need food - we're headed to Olive Garden. No time for 'redos'

Turns out the holes are absolutely perfect and she looks great. I don't think she even realizes that her ears are pierced (Luckily Khyri hasn't either. Khyri + Kielle's earrings = Disaster waiting to happen). Keith is in charge of maintenance due to my issues. He puts alcohol on her ear and rotates each earring to keep the holes from closing. Beauty is pain - Kielle is learning that lesson early.

I'm glad we got them pierced now - she looks absolutely adorable with her 14k bling bling don't you think???

 

 

BIG BOYS USE THE POTTY

He streaks past me and I catch a quick whiff. I start to pray - please let  it be bright enough that I can find it this time. The worst is when its camouflaged by the carpet. Is that it? Over there in the corner?? Nope. Where is it? The stages of hope start: Hopefully its more water less solid. Hopefully its just in this room. Hopefully its just upstairs. Later for hopes - focus on the search...

Eyes and ears are on full alert. The culprit - chilling. Playing with toys and having a grand ole time. Me!??! Stressed. Its too hot not to find it. Can you imagine the smell!?!? Gotta find it. No choice. Focus. 

There it is - yellow, brown, with a slight tinge of orange. Its a small spot near the wall. Not so bad.  Get out the rug spray this will be easy... wait. I should retrace his footsteps... dang a bigger spot but manageable. A little further - the motherload.

Why did I think 'naked time' would be good? Why don't we have all wood floors so this can be an easy clean up? Why couldn't this be the nice hard solid poo? Why did I think that corn and beans for dinner last night was a good idea!??!?! I scoop it up. Its lesson time. I take it to him and say - "poopoo goes in the potty." we walk to the potty and drop the poo inside *blank stare* I know he understands me. This is a battle of wills. I'm in it for the long haul and will win - clearly he doesn't know who he's dealing with! hmph.

He's looking at me crazy - almost with a smirk. I look down... is that!?!? on his!?! what in the world?!?! Yup. Poo. down his legs, on his ankles, and between his toes. Really!??!! Gotta get to the tub - and end this tomfoolery right now. He's snatched up and dumped into the tub. scrub.scrub.scrub. This is ri-damn-diculous. He's still smiling - always the clown. Nothing phases him. Towel dry, new diaper (no more training today mommy's d.o.n.e.), and new clothes. We cleared this hurdle. I done gone and worked up a thirst.

Walk down the stairs to get a drink. Hit the last step, turn the corner. Stop. Look. Grumble. Not one, not two, but three neatly formed doodie piles right by the play table. All gleaming in the Georgia sun. Why did I let him go downstairs??? Don't beat yourself up - this is not your fault... this is not your fault! Deep breath. Start again. Get the the rug cleaner and scrub brush. Spritz, Spritz, Spritz, Scrub scrub scrub. Finish it off with some Febreeze.

Look at the clock - it's 9:37am and I am literally pooped.

FAMILY KEEPSAKES

On my trip to NYC, my dad swore that Kielle looks just like me when I was her age. I can't see it yet, but it sure was nice to hear that this munchkin resembles me - Lord knows Khyri is a mini Keith hahahhaa. He showed me this picture of me and my Great Grandmother. In the picture, I am wearing my white christening gown and I have a little white bow in my hair. I remembered that I still have that gown in my dresser drawer. Clearly baby chunkiness runs in the family.

Me and my Granny circa 1977

I love personalized handmade gifts. My cousin Lyndell made Kielle a beautiful yellow crochet blanket with white trim. Kielle also received a pink crochet blanket and matching hat from my Grandma's friend. These are going to be wonderful keepsakes. I can't wait to pass them on.  Kielle's newborn photos are with her in my keepsake teal crochet outfit that my Great Aunt Eva made for me when I was a baby.

Keith and I  thought of our own keepsakes that we can purchase for the family and collect throughout the years. Although they are store bought, they still have meaning and value to us - and hopefully the generations after us. We have 3 basic themes 1. Education  2. Holidays and  3. Marriage/Births. For education, we are buying class rings from each school we have attended from High School up to Grad School (So far we've got 3 out of 6 institutions represented...I smell a Christmas present coming). We envision this being something that each generation can keep adding to.

Our holiday heirlooms started randomly one Christmas when we came across the Swarovski annual edition Christmas ornament on sale in 2004. We decided to purchase and then got hooked. We bought some off of Ebay dating back to 1991. So far, we've got 11 in our collection. The ornaments alternate between snowflakes on even years and stars on odd years. We collect the stars. For Easter 2009, Khyri received the White House Easter Egg set from Auntie Netta. This has started a great new annual collection for us!

Now the marriage keepsake we haven't started yet - but my idea is to have an anklet that I design that all of the women in the family can wear. My thought is to have the anklet made with blue stones maybe blue topaz, tanzanite, or turquoise that each woman can wear under their wedding gowns on their big day! I plan on having my linesister Halle of HAR Jewelry www.hallerichardson.com design it for me. It will be completely original and special. I figure I have some time to pull that together so no rush :-)

For births and marriages we've been mailing an invitation/announcement to the White House. Then we receive a congratulatory letter from the Commander in Chief! (White House Greetings Office, Room 39, Washington, DC 20500) We've got a letter from George W. Bush for our wedding and a letter from Barack Obama for Khyri's birth. We're still waiting on the letter to welcome Kielle into the world. Another thing that we do to commemorate births is to buy a brick in downtown Smyrna. Buying the bricks supports the Veterans Memorial Association of Smyrna and puts a lasting mark from our family in this city that we love.

Aaaaawwwww where it all began!

Kielle and Khyri!

Of course we are also keeping the traditional keepsakes - locks of hair, first tooth, bronze shoes, etc. But we wanted to try and do something a little different. Its weird to think that one day we'll be sitting around talking to our Grandchildren and showing them our family keepsakes. Who knows I might be talking to my Granddaughter holding my Great Granddaughter on her Christening day - in my heirloom  white christening gown with a little white bow in her hair.