Mammaw's Walker Part II

I've posted before about my mama's walker.  It was my daddy's before he passed away in September of 2010, the day before Jubal turned 8 weeks old.

This particular walker is special to me.  My daddy used the walker for everything after losing part of his leg to diabetes.  When he came to see Jubal in the hospital right after he was born, this was where my daddy was sitting when we placed his firstborn grandson in his arms.

Jubal walked while holding onto this walker before he learned to walk unassisted.  He loved being pushed around on it as well.  It was one of his favorite things to do at his Mammaw's house.

Now, my littlest boy is pretty infatuated with this old walker, too.  He is using it as something to hold onto to walk around at Mammaw's and he gets mad if you don't push him around on it.

As you can see, Jubal hasn't given the walker up yet, either.  He refuses to let his baby brother have all the fun.

If you look closely you can see where the black, soft rubber foam has been chewed off by (none other than) Jubal through the past couple of years.

This walker has turned out to be useful for many things.  It helped my daddy, it helps my mama, it has helped Jubal learn to walk and been amusement for him while at Mammaw's, and now my youngest is using it as a way to get around and loves playing on it, too.

I'm not real sure I'll be able to get rid of it should we never need it anymore.  There's just too much sentimental value invested in it.  It's certainly been almost like a part of the family. :)





Playtime

We've been having lots of fun on the weekends playing outside in the beautiful sunshine.  Jubal's buddy (my BFF's little girl), Olivia even came over for awhile to play.  She's a little diva so we couldn't hardly get her to get dirty, but Jubal tried to show her how to climb trees and he let her ride the four wheeler with him.

The day was gorgeous.  While Olivia jumped on the trampoline, Jubal pulled Gentry around in the wagon.  He's such a good big brother.

They played their little hearts out all afternoon.  When we finally went inside, Jubal got up next to me on the couch and fell asleep.  After I got up, he was still sitting just like he was up against me.  I had to get a picture.  So sweet!

It wasn't too long, though, and he & Olivia were back outside riding the four wheeler again while Darla & I sat on the back deck and enjoyed some adult conversation since Mr. Gentry was napping.

We've also been going to the park more lately.  When we took the boys last weekend, it was packed.  There were more bigger kids than kids Jubal or Gentry's age, so we decided to go to a little park owned by our local FBC.  They were having a birthday party there and we didn't want to intrude, so we ended up taking them to Mickey D's to play on the playground there.

It worked out fine and we were able to grab a bite to eat there, which kept me out of the kitchen that evening, too.  Thank goodness for night's off. ;)

At first, I kept Gentry with me, but he's at the age now where he wants to go, go, go.  He saw his brother and daddy having fun and he wanted in on it, too.

It's been really nice to be able to get out and enjoy playtime with my boys.  Poor Jubal, however, is severely allergic to mosquitoes we have found out and we've been going in a little earlier before they get so bad.  We'll just have to keep him sprayed down so he can enjoy being outside more in the evenings when it gets hotter.

We've just been having a great time with our boys and being together as a family every chance we get.  That's what's important to us. :)



That Face

I didn't realize how much my boys favored until Gentry started making the same face as Jubal used to make when he was little, too. It's also the same face I used to make when I smiled when I was a toddler about their age. I need to post a picture of me doing it, but for now all I have is this comparison of my boys.

Click picture to enlarge

I know one thing's for sure...I sure do love both of those beautiful smiles. :)

Sweet Onion Festival~2013

We spent this past Saturday enjoying our small town's annual Sweet Onion Festival.  We got up bright & early Saturday morning so we could ride in the parade like we do each year.  Jubal really enjoyed throwing candy and waving at everyone.  Gentry fell asleep in his daddy's lap as the parade started and slept all the way through.

Sitting in the parade lineup getting ready to go.

After the parade I had to go back to work for a little bit and then we went out to the festival.  As always, we enjoyed walking around and seeing friends and neighbors that we don't get to see as often as we would like.

Jubal had fun in the bouncy house and the big slide.  He wanted to do the bungee jump again like he did at the Rattlesnake Roundup, but they weren't set up for ones as small as him.  He was heart broken.



I'm ready, Mama. Let's go.

Gentry always likes just looking at everybody.  He's amazed at all the people scattering about.  We didn't stay very long.  It was hot and we had been up since about 6:30 A.M. and we were all tired and wanted a nap.  Even Gentry was ready for his afternoon nap by this time, so we all went home and took us a nice, long nap.

Larson & I had a babysitter lined up for the night so he could take me out for Mother's Day, but we decided to stay home and watch movies with our boys instead.  It had been a long day and there's nothing better than sitting out on the back deck watching the boys play in the backyard, just taking it easy.



Jubal hanging out with the Shriner's clown.

I can't believe another year has come and gone.  It seems as though the days pass more quickly after you have children.  I wish I could keep them little longer.

Mother's Day~2013

I had a great Mother's Day weekend.

 I got the most special gifts from each of my boys.

I will treasure these gifts forever.

First Best Friend

When Jubal began going to daycare at 9 months old I was a blubbering mess. After him being with my mama, GiGi, and Granny Pauline his whole short life, I was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rockers to leave him at daycare.

Jacob's last day at daycare~5/7/13

Anyway, Jubal transitioned easily going to daycare versus staying at my mama's.  He met his very first best friend in that little nursery and they have been best buddies ever since.  Born only days apart in July 2010, they even had the same initials, making their teachers have to write their whole name out instead of simply writing their initials on certain things.

This little fella's name is Jacob Seefeld.  Every day when we wake Jubal up for school and ask him who he's ready to go see, he always, always says Jacob.  He talks about Jacob at home all the time, too.  They had their little squabbles, but they were the best of buds.

Jacob's last day at daycare was Tuesday.  His father is in the Army and they are moving to another state.  I was so sad for Jubal Tuesday afternoon when we picked him up and he had to tell Jacob goodbye, not just until the next day, but indefinitely.  He may never see Jacob again and it makes me sad because this boy was my boy's very first best friend.  They hugged and chattered for a bit, then we had to leave.

This is one of the first pictures I have of them together.  They were about 15 months old.

Jubal may be young enough that it doesn't affect him much and he will more than likely not even remember his first best friend later, but that's what I'm here for...to save these sweet, precious memories.  They may not mean much to him one day, but right now they are everything to me.

Eleven

Gentry Slade,

You have grown into such a fun, happy, sweet little soon-to-be ONE year old!

You are full of attitude & one bossy little boy. ;)

I can't believe how well you get around. 

You still haven't let go of your little walking buddy toy, but as long as you've got your hands on something, you're walking around. 

You'll definitely walk unassisted before you turn one.

You only say "Dada", "baba" and "Bubba" right now. 

You squeal a lot, though.  I love to hear you laugh.  You have the giddiest laugh ever.

Your cry is pitiful.  Much more pitiful than your brother's ever was.  It's usually him making you cry.  He doesn't mean to, he just thinks you're tough. ;)

You're beginning to look like a little toddler boy.

You wear all 12 month clothes and could easily transition into 18 month clothing already.

You have six teeth.

Four on top and two on the bottom.

It's so funny because instead of your top two middle teeth coming in first,

the two on the outside did.

It looked like you had fangs for awhile.

When your daddy took you to the doctor 2 weeks ago, you weighed 21.7 lbs. 

He couldn't remember how tall they said you were. 

We'll find out at your 12 month visit, though.

We bought you your first pair of walking shoes this weekend.

I've been trying to find you some but couldn't find a size 3 anywhere.

We finally got them, though. 

It was so funny watching you when we first put them on you. 

You high-stepped like a Clydesdale. 

So funny!

We've already begun transitioning you to cow milk.

You seem to really like it and it hasn't affected your tummy at all.

You only drink 2-3 milk bottles a day anymore, and 1 juice bottle.

You love trying out different table foods, but aren't real good with different textures. 

You prefer smooth foods. 

You like mashed potatoes with lots of gravy, grits, and you still eat some cereal.

You love Cheetos, Puffs, and puff corn.

If you could stay outside all day you would. 

Only thing better would be staying outside in your wagon. 

You love that wagon.

I can't wait until you first birthday party. 

I've already got your little shirt and hat for the occasion. 

The cake is actually going to match you shirt.

We're going to celebrate your first year of life with us so good! :)

Here's a sneak peek...

This girl is awesome when it comes to embroidery.

Well, I guess that's about it for updates this month. 

The next time I post about your age you will be an entire year old. 

Goodness, little one, slow down.

Just always know that no matter how old you get or how grown you think you are, you will always be my baby boy. 

I love you.  We all love you.  You are so, so loved, Gentry.

Love Always,

Mama

Up On The Rooftop

Larson thinks it's funny to scare me with this, but at least I did get a picture of it without shaking too badly.

FACT: I am terribly afraid of heights and/or falling.

Jubal saw Larson get on top of the house to get a toy/ball that had gotten thrown/kicked up there.  I don't even remember now.  This traumatized me, literally.  Jubal wanted to get up there, too, so Larson let him sit with him for a few minutes.  No fear in this kid I tell you.

Almost gave his mama a heart attack, though.  Now, Jubal even asks to get up there.  Larson will call me out and tell me to come look.  I can't bring myself to look and tell Larson he better get my baby down right now!

He just giggles at me.  Boys.  My boys. :)