Pajamas & PawPaw

Last night Owen and I have a night to ourselves without T. He went to a "meeting" as Owen called it. Really he was at a research thingie. :) Needless to say, we were on the go all night. It is literally a battle to get Owen to go down and last night wasn't anything different.

It started off with a bath that last for about 45 minutes. He was squeaky clean! Ha! After that he got into his new jammies that Nana gave him. He said they were "monster cookie" pajamas. Not cookie monster, "monster cookie". They were so cute on! Once we were dressed, had apple juice, and blankie, we headed upstairs.
















I decided to call my dad because it had been a few days since we have talked. I didn't get much in before my dad wanted to talk to Owen. He loves talking to his PawPaw. I don't know what they talk about, but Owen always has a smile on his face.









It was getting close to bedtime and I noticed he was getting tired. He told me he wanted to go in the "big bed" SHOCKING! We went down there at about 8 & I was SO tired! I was dozing off and he would lay his head on me and say "wake up mommy" Oops! I was tied. After about 45 minutes of trying to convince him to RELAX, I took him to his bed. I just don't sleep well while he is in our bed.

He finally relaxed and went to sleep about 9'ish. Tony got home about 10:30 and I was still up working on my PowerPoint for class. I finally decided to give it up and head to bed. Little did I know I would be woken up at 11 by Owen crying.

As soon as I hear him I pop right out of bed. I went in there and this is how our conversation went:

Owen-Mommy I am crying
Me-Why?
Owen-I am said
Me-Why are you sad?
Owen-I want to go with you in the big bed!
Me-Owen
Owen-Please! It will be fun! Please get my blankie & pillow and take me with you.
Me-Ok. I will take you.
Owen-We can snuggle and watch cartoons

I gave in and took him with me. I am such a sucker and he wasn't kidding when he wanted to snuggle. I didn't realize that snuggling meant laying right on top of me. I work up at 1 and took his little butt back in his bed. I rested well for the rest of the night.

Off to relax and make some coffee for tomorrow.

SWL

Sun, Sand, & Sanity, Oh My!

It has been many years in the making...a {VACATION}!!!! It will be 5 years in May since we have had a true vacation (7 days) on the beach, but that's all about to end! We have already booked our condo in FL for my Fall break! I am so excited, but I think I am more excited for Owen to see the ocean! I had really hoped to be thin, but that's a joke. HaHa! I am going to make the best of my week and really try to get some sanity back.

The weekends go by so fast. Its like I am so happy it's Friday and then I wake up and it's Sunday. :( I started off my weekend by seeing Wicked with two of my wonderful friends, April & Cori. The play was AMAZING! We ate dinner at Maggiano's and then off to see the play. I was tired from a long week, but I seemed to managed. I would highly recommend the play. I have waited 3 years to see it & FINALLY I got to. Well worth the wait & money.

Owen has started a new thing at bedtime. When it's time to hit the sacks, he starts saying "I want to lay in the big bed(our bed)" and it is really hard to deny him! So, like a sucker of a parent I allow him to lay with me before bed. Most times it's only for about 10 minutes, but other nights he falls asleep. This was taken yesterday.







Yesterday we did our normal dinner..."Las Thomas" as Owen calls it. Nothing better than taco, beans, rice, salsa, and guacamole.



Today was the first home Titans game and they really stunk it up! Before Tony left for the game O had to put his jersey on & I HAD to get a picture! He looks like such a big boy in his KVB jersey! We lost the game, but I gained some really cute pics!



After Tony got home from the game, he put his hat on O's head...he wore ir for an hour. Even on our way to HHGregg.







While I was trying to make my crack, AKA Starbucks, Owen insisted on playing with the flour. Once again, a sucker of a mother gave in! He loves scooping the flour an dumping it out. What did it hurt? NOTHING!







Well, I am off to bed! It has been raining here for about a week and I am feeling a little suicidal! I couldn't live in Seattle! I need to see the sun!!! Please GOD, let the sun shine this week. I am going a little crazy. OK, so I am crazy, but it is getting worse!

SWL

Milkshakes, hula hoops, & music...

It has been {FOREVER} since I have posted a blog, but there was a good reason...my camera was "sick". Something was wrong with the zoom & my year warranty expired the day before I turned it in. I knew it was going to take 6 weeks & I waited till the last possible minute to give it up. Basically there is going to be 6 weeks of Owen's life that doesn't have photos.

Monday was a sad day...my washer went out. I currently have my Nanny's old ones & I swear they are like 30 years old. I knew this day was coming, but I wasn't prepared for it. We spent all week looking for a new pair and finally decided on these Samsung pair. We don't have them, but they are scheduled to be here on Monday. I am looking forward to having some quiet ones. When we are washing clothes with the old ones, Owen says "shaky shaky". They are SO loud.

Every weekend we must go to the car show at Chick-Fil-A for three reasons.

1. To dance to the music
2. Milkshake
3. Hula Hoop

Owen has such a blast & everyone loves watching him dance. All the cars there are really old & the average age is about 60. We fit in...HaHa!All-in-all it's a great time.

I have been busy with work...it is kicking my butt this year. Starting off great, but a lot more work that my other years.

Headed to bed...will most more soon.

Enjoy the pics!

This pic Owen has figured out he can get out of the outfit by putting his hands in it.

♥ Dear Nanny ♥

It's hard to believe you have been apart of my life for 30 years. It seems like yesterday when I was spending the night with you as a child and then living with you as an adult. I still have vivid memories of all of our precious times together, but I am sure that yours have been robed by the evil disease that has taken over...Alzheimer's.

I knew there would come a time that you would no longer be able to put sentences together, remember my name, and all the precious memories we shared. That time is here. I remember you taking care of me for many years and then I returned the favor when you were in dire need.

If I had to pick some of the best memories I had with you I could easily say that they are:

*Going to church & sitting on the back row with a bag of goodies including the ones I would put on my fingers and then eating them. You always said "Shhhhh"

*Spending the night with you and being allowed to IRON!!!

*Your famous rolls...they are better the O'Charleys :)

*Craving your green beans...I would love to have some right now.

*Christmas time was such an important part of the Weather's house.

*Peony Bushed

*Hanging clothes on the line

*You making me endless grilled cheese sandwiches

*Sewing...you made many of outfits, altered pants for me, and sewed on buttons.

All of these things that once filled your life are no longer there...not by choice, but by the disease. No only do you bring joy to my life when I see you, you now bring joy to Owen's life. He knows who Nanny is and constantly asks about you. However, he will never know the Nanny I knew and that makes me sad.

I know when you reach those Golden Gates all of your frustration will be taken away. You will be able to remember what you ate, your age, your children, grandchildren, great grandchild, and all of the memories you no longer remember.

I want to thank you for all you have done for me, my family and my parents.

I PROMISE to visit you weekly with Owen, bring you treats :) and be there for the remainder of your time here on Earth. Just know you are with me daily in my thoughts and prayers. I pray everyday for you and the future elders that a cure is found for Alzheimer's.

I LOVE you and hurt with you...I wished I could take it all away! I want my NANNY back, but I know God has another plan for you.

Love,
Stephanie

Choo Choo's & Cars

Yesterday was a very eventful day in the Lankford house. We started off by taking my "sick" car to Honda for a little....well A LOT of work. Next we swung by Target for Blake's birthday present, then home to mow the yard, and then it was nap time. Owen went down a little later than usual, but still managed to get his 2 hours in. I had to wake him up @ 230 for Blake's party. The party started at 2 and ended at 4. We managed to arrive at 3 & it was just the right time.

Blake's theme was trains and I knew they were going to have a train to ride, but I wasn't expecting it to be that long. Owen was eager to get on and go around the neighborhood. As we were riding I noticed that he started looking a little flushed. I believe he was getting motion sickness because once he got off he was fine. I thought he was just not into it and we went for a second ride. I felt bad b/c he looked like he was going to be sick. He never got since, but I don’t think we will do that again.



Here he is with the conductor.



For some reason he likes walking under these bushes & let them tickle him.



For some reason I love this picture.



Here Blake and Owen are playing with the balloons on the ground.



I thought this was funny...he was staring out the window looking at this teenager in a bikini. Typical male. :D




Owen really loved looking at the train...



Isn’t he just precious?



I absolutely LOVE this face!



He had to touch the light on the train.



This is his friend Blake. They have been together since they were born.




Last in the afternoon we decided that we were going to head to Chick-Fil-A for their car show. They have this every Saturday in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. It is packed! People literally get up there at about 1 to get their spot. The have a DJ and it is mainly old cars. When we got up there Owen immediately want to dance and not get a milkshake, but we convinced him otherwise. :) Needless to say he only drank about 5 sips. We weren’t there for more than 10 minutes and I looked up and he was pooping. Wouldn’t be right for him to not poop out in public.






On our way to the restroom Owen noticed this HUGE puppy that was really friendly. He was so excited to touch him and give him some hugs.



These pics are after the poop...he was a dancing machine. Everyone was just in ahhhh over him. He is my child :)

Dancing Machine

CAllInG ALl bUiLDeRs...

I knew that Owen's {2nd} Birthday Party was going to be a fun one! He is very much into dump trucks and digging. So, the theme was easy...Digging & Dumptrucks. I had his cake made at Unique Flavors here in Nashville, TN. Not only is her cakes wonderful, her food is too!