peek-a-boo

Peek-a-boo, I am watching you mama, I am watching you all the time, day and night.  Does anyone's almost 1 year old not sleep through the night at all? Anyone?  This boy is determined and strong willed and speaks his mind and resilient and will never give up!  These are all qualities we will one day be very proud of. We let him cry it out and boy does he cry it out.  I am talking about hours and hours of crying.  It used to make me sad, but now I am so used to it I just lay in my looking at my iphone, read a book or go catch up on some basketball scores.  I even wake up around 2am before he does some nights, I have been sleep trained by my own son!  Every single night I hope for the best, tonight I hope again...

Don't give up, don't ever give up! -Jimmy V & Nash F

Pep talk

"It's everybody's duty to give the world a reason to dance..."

true southerner

I have zero 'snow' pictures to post.  Not that it really snowed, but we did have a little bit on the ground.  When Jackson woke up on the first 'snow' I told him to look out the window at the pretty white snow.

'Why it snow mommy?  I do not like it, make it go away.'

'Do you want to put on your big coat and go outside for a little bit?'

'No I don't like my coat and I don't like to be cold and I don't like snow.'

Spoken like a true southerner, I agree Jackson, let's pump up the heat and run around with no pants on.

baking

We have got some cabin fever around here.  It has been cold and wet the last few days and I have completely run out of things to do.  But, I guess you can never bake too many cookies.  Lucky for me I have a little boy that is always willing to help.  Jackson has the exact same fun loving goofy personality as his dad, but when it comes to sweets, well he gets that from his mom.  This is a serious delicious business.  Who wants to come over for dessert?

At least his hands are clean...

I gonna do it like this mom.

Nowwww can we put these in please nowww?! (the choc. chip, he knows what's up)

Can I have ONE bite, just ONE bite...

11 months!

Well look at you Mr. Big Stuff.  Already breaking hearts left and right with that sneaky little smile.  Happy 11 months.  I've said it once and I'll say it a thousand times more, I can't believe you have almost been with us for one whole year.  You have started to walk by yourself but would rather your mom hold your hand.  In fact you would rather your mom do any and every thing with you.  This is a sweet gesture, most of the time.  You eat everything on your plate and have some molars coming in so you can really get down to business.  Your night time sleeping has improved, we will keep it at that.  You are a copycat that loves to get whatever your big brother is playing with.  Jackson is working on sharing with you and I am working on distracting you with something else.  If it is oddly quiet in the house I can be sure to find you in Greta's dog bowl.  What is it with babies and dog bowls? (and stairs!)  I love you, I love you, I love you Mr. Nash William Farris!

What's up now10 months!

mr. president

Today President Barack Obama was sworn into office for his second term.  I showed the parade to Jackson on TV.  'Why he do that?' 'why dat policeman der?' 'why they clapping?' 'why he wear his coat?' were just a few of his concerns.   Check out these other letters of advice to the president. Like every good mother I told him one day he could be the president.  He told me he wanted to be a policeman and watch Dinosaur Train.  I can deal with that.

I have a dream...

(sorry I couldn't help myself)

greta

Poor Greta.  Poor Greta until she pees upstairs in the hall.  I know she does it is on purpose.  She is frustrated and she knows nothing frustrates me more than stepping in dog pee.  I take all my frustration out on her.  Babies are crying and have dirty diapers, Greta get outside.  Nash wakes up from a nap, probably from Greta barking, get outside.  The house is a mess and there is a chewed up dinosaur, get outside.  She had an annual check-up the other day.  Everything looked great except she had gained 6 lbs in a year.  The vet wondered why, oh I know why. She doesn't go for runs anymore, she drinks from the toilet because her bowl is empty and she follows Nash around the house because he gives her food and they both find it amusing...

bachelor

The Bachelor.  Come on, you now you watch it.  You don't want to watch it, but you do.  Every single season it sucks you in. Well it does me, embarrassingly it is the only TV 'show' that I actually watch.  I used to stay up late into the night, drinking my wine and watching it with Charlie.  (yep he loves this crap too) Now I record it and by chance both boys take a nap at the same time I fast forward through that 2 hour episode in about 20 minutes and love every minute of it.  I think they should make a reality show about 2 year olds.  You just follow a 2 - 3 year old around all day and listen to the stuff they say, it really is hilarious.  Until then I leave you with the next bachelor...

He is studious.

A handy man.

An inspiring paleontologist.

That likes to have a good time.

And is not afraid to continue the date back at his house, late night ice cream.

morning!

Good morning! Welcome to Shiney Hiney Cafe, what can we get ya?

pause

I have to remind myself that these boys will not stay young forever.  Soon they will no longer want me to hold them.  They will not want me to give them 100 kisses, get their sugar or give group hugs.  They will not yell 'I lub you mommy' in front of friends.  I have to soak up all of this wonderful innocent love.  Some days I count down the minutes till nap time or bed time or daddy time or baby sitter time to just have a moment for myself.  But it does not take long to miss them.  Today at the park a neighbor asked how we were doing and who was watching the baby.  The 'baby' is toddling around eating sand over there.  She could not believe the baby was no longer a baby.  For a minute I could not believe it either.  What happened to my babies?  I must remember that these boys will not stay young forever.  Yes, I am ready for potty training to be done, to stop washing bottles, and to quit patting backs at 3am, or at least I think I am ready.

'ohh my goodness a ladybug is in our house! why it do that? get outta here ladybug!'

solo mom

It was just me and the boys last week. We made it but wow did we miss dad.  I have no idea how single moms do it.  We stayed up late, got up early, ate a lot of pizza, had a lot of dirty diapers and watched our fair amount of tv.  A good friend sent me this article, "Why You're Never Failing as a Mother."  It was perfect timing and exactly what I needed.  Go mamas go!

I am not against cookie bribery.

Farris Brothers

Get your 'Farris Brothers' CD now. Classics such as ABC's, Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle-Twinkle and the never seasonal Jingle Bells.  The CD also features Jackson's solo, I'm a T Rex from the ever popular Dinosaur Train.   This can be yours for just 3 M&M cookies and some diaper changes.  

brothers

To the outside world we all grow old.  But not to brothers and sisters.  We know each other as we always were.  We know each other’s hearts.  We share private family jokes.  We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys.  We live outside the touch of time.  ~Clara Ortega

Jackson and Nash are starting to become good buddies ol' pals.  Whenever Jackson walks into the room Nash eagerly points his way and grins (or maybe he is warning me, here he comes mama!).  Whenever Nash isn't in the room Jackson ask 'Where is my baby Nash, I need him.'  They are very similar but at the same time different in their personalities.  Jackson more rambunctious and outgoing always looking to get a laugh. He loves to tell a 'knock-knock' joke. Nash is more reserved, he doesn't give out smiles for free.  No goofy baby jokes for this guy.  

"Look at me mama! Cheese! Let me see that picture pleeasseee..." -Jackson

"Really, you are taking a picture of this?  Jackson doesn't even have clothes on.  You better not post this..." -Nash

Happy New Year

2012 was a good year for the Farris family.  I am in awe of all the things that God has blessed us with and look forward to what the future holds.  Like everyone else in America I would like to say my New Year's resolution is to lose some pounds and get in a little bit of shape.  But like everyone else in America I will probably stop 'working' on this by January 7th.  So as I ponder over my last big bowl of ice cream I resolve to -

1 - Run more - This should not be hard since currently I run about once a month.  To keep it simple I am going for twice a week.  We have the annual Cooper River Bridge run coming up in April.  No pregnancy excuses this year, we will run.

2- Read more - If you know me at all then you know this should not be hard either.  I have a terrible habit of starting a book and not finishing it.  Sometimes I even start it and then skip to the last chapter.  I know, book lovers everywhere are cringing.  So we are keeping this simple too.  12 books this year, one a month.  Send me your can't put down recommendations please. 

3 - Rest more - This should not be hard either.  I need more sleep.  To get more sleep I need to go to bed earlier and sleep through the night.  Do you hear that Nash?  Sleep through the night.  Yep, my 10 month old still does not sleep through the night.  We can do this.

Bring it on 2013, bring it on!

Our attempt at a final 2012 family photo.

  I just noticed we are all in need of some haircuts, add that to the resolution list.