I had my 32 week ultrasound yesterday. It was nothing less than AMAZING! I haven't had an U/S this far along since Delaney (when I was having them every 3rd day to measure fluid), so it was very special. Her cheeks are chubby and she has full lips - maybe her name should be Angelina;) Her eyes were opening and closing as was her mouth. I said "Maybe she's trying to mouth to us what her name should be." If she was, I think it had an O in it - maybe Sophia then. She yawned 3 times. Her hands were up by her face and you could see her moving her fingers around and sucking on them. She even gave us the "#3" sign with her fingers - guess she knows she's the 3rd - ha - we all laughed! Delaney loved it. She was talking to her on the screen. Maddy, of course, didn't "get" it. Squirt's no longer measuring 2-3 weeks larger - THANK GOD! She's right on target. My bet is 7lbs. 9oz. 20in., born on Feb. 15th (8 days early), between 5:18am and 5:24am... just like my other 2. Wouldn't that be cool? She's definately making up for lost time in the movement department. She was pushing Dr. Berault's hand away and kicking the machine like crazy. She feels like Maddy did about 11pm every night, about to bust out at any moment. Anyone seen the movie Humanoids? Like that;)
Let me tell you, being pregnant at 30 is a COMPLETELY different experience than being pregnant at 24. An additional 6 years of life experience makes a huge difference when being a Mom, at least for me. I recommend everyone try it;) I see the world, my life, my past, my future, and priorities so much clearer. It's hard to explain. I definately wasn't this grounded and knowledgeable and peaceful 6 years ago. Of course, as everyone does, I thought I knew it all then, too. I didn't know JACK compared to what I know now and what I'll know in another 6 years. Back then, I thought we were doing good with our list (which I still have) of things we needed to accomplish before we had our first baby. It consisted of:
1. Find a church home
2. Start my IRA (Ryan already had one) and a seperate joint savings
3. Start college/savings funds for the baby
4. Finish my Masters Degree
5. Pay off our credit card
We did all of those things within a year of Delaney being born. Obviously, we thought that if our finances were in order, we were ready to be parents - HA! My list this time consists of:
1. Get Madelyn potty-trained
2. Get Madelyn moved into a big girl bed in Delaney's room (dreading this one)
3. Get one of those huge calendars to write down weekly activities on to hang so everyone can see and help keep me with the juggling whenever possible
4. Have a huge garage sale
5. Find a good babysitter
A little more practical I must say. Finances are important, but let's get real here. Of course, we've already started a college fund and separate savings (for car, wedding, and any other unforseen expense like illness or school for the genius) for this one, too. DUH! Thank goodness for Edward Jones. Dan keeps us squared away in that department. We've gotten to where we don't even miss the THOUSAND dollars that gets deducted automatically every month - YIKES! If I actually thought about that for a while, I might get really sad...or get a full-time job - NAH! Do you know the awesome vacations Ryan and I could be taking for that amount of money? Oh - children are priceless, right?
Anyway, all I'm saying is that I've lived and I've learned and I'm so glad each life experience is different so I can compare them and laugh at stupid things I did in the past. Otherwise, life would be boring, right?
I'll post Squirt's new big mouth bass pic soon (he only printed one and it's of her open mouth and nose) and a pic of my ginormous belly, too. In the meantime, we're heading to the BEACH! WOO-HOO! Peace out...
12.29.2005
32 weeks
12.28.2005
12.27.2005
Our Christmas Story
Christmas was fabulous! We went up to Ruston on Thursday and celebrated with Linda's family (the Wright side) on Friday. Then we had Christmas again with Dean's family (the Dick side) on Christmas Eve. And then we came home Christmas day to see what Santa left. If you remember, the weekend before was Christmas with my family. My kids had 4 present fests...lucky girls! They definitely got everything they wanted...plus some! You've never seen a kid tear into a present faster than Maddy can, and then move right on to the next one. Delaney spends more time on each present saying "I love it. It's just what I wanted!" We've been playing with all the toys since. My house is a disaster! Oh well, that's part of it. Now it's time for a humongous garage sale!
Delaney experienced a huge milestone on Christmas day...she lost her first baby tooth!!! I just can't believe it. Do most Moms bawl when their firstborn loses their first tooth? Or is it just because I'm overly hormonal? Anyway, I did have quite a "happy cry" over it. I just kept picturing those first 2-tooth grins she had as a baby. I just want her to STOP growing. The Tooth Fairy brought her a letter and 3 bucks and sprinkled fairy dust, too. Ryan said he only got 50 cents for his teeth. I told him she must be taking into consideration inflation since 1978;)
Congratulations to Gina, Justin, Falyn, and Faith! I didn't get the message until after Christmas that she had her baby on the 22nd...via emergency C-section. I don't know any details. I've tried calling her three times and she hasn't updated her blog, but I'll pass info. on when I do.
I hope everyone had as wonderful a Christmas as we did. We're heading to Gulf Shores for a long weekend and will be back for New Years Eve/Day with my family here. Can't wait!
Love to all - Have a blessed New Year!
12.21.2005
Hey Gina!
Thanks to you, I'm now have a new blog obsession - stinkin' Blinkies! I was up half the night last night (unable to sleep anyway) putting blinkie after blinkie on this thing.
I hope that baby boy decides to grace us with his presence VERY SOON! I know you're more than ready, Sista! Thinking about you. Lemme know when something happens...
12.20.2005
12.19.2005
Fa la la la la...
'Tis the season to be sick...I mean, jolly. We had a great time at my Sister's for the annual Jackson Christmas bash! Everyone had runny noses, congestion, cough, fever, or all of the above. But we had fun swapping germs anyway;) Even without a working refrigerator, it was a very festive occasion. Beth has a friend who is an caterer and the food was amazing - and for only $15 per family!!! We will be doing that from now on, let me tell you. Who wants to slave in the kitchen for hours before and after a 20 minute meal, anyway? Not me! I'd much rather be sitting my lazy butt on the couch, enjoying the company.
The kids had an extremely loud, rambunctious, chaotic blast! The noise level in that house was off the charts. I used to think Ryan's family Christmas was loud, he said there is no longer any comparison. I believe it. There were no bloody incidents, only a couple bonked heads, I think. Pretty good for 7 rowdy kids. I can't believe there will be 8 next year;) Kewl! I'll post pics of the festivities soon!
My big brother found out this morning he's really, for sure, moving to Las Vegas in February. It's so hard to be happy for him (which I genuinely am) when I'm so sad for my selfish self. I have loved living closer to them the past 17 months. Being away for 8 years was hard. I was glad it was over. I've always envisioned the cousins being close like siblings and it hurts my heart that they won't be able to see eachother more that a couple times a year. On the other hand, it will be so good for him (job happiness-wise) and his family, too. I just wish he could have been happier here. Screw the a$$ munches he works with for not making him happier!!! Yes, I'm just being the "youngest child", throwing an internal fit because I'm not getting my way. I really do, deep inside, know it's for the best. And maybe someday, my dream of us all living on one big plot of land could still come true. On the upside, it will be fun visiting Vegas;) At least he's not moving to Wyoming or something.
Ryan's busy putting our new computer armoire together...guess I should go help him. He likes it when I do - probably makes him think of Pamela Anderson on Home Improvement or something.
12.13.2005
If you don't want to hear me brag about my brilliant kids, don't read any further!
My kids are nuts! I swear I spend over half of my day laughing at/with them. Have I ever mentioned that Delaney never. stops. talking? Sure I have. It's not just that she talks, as in speaks words, constantly. It's that she incessantly has some kind of sound/noise coming out of her mouth... a song, humming, whistling, sound effects, smacking, babbling, etc. I love her, love her, love her, but I'm losing my mind with it. I feel guilty half that time because in order to maintain my sanity, I just have to tune her out. I hate telling her to "Be quiet" all the time, so I do that fake nod and "ummm hmmm" thing that I hate when people do to me. Although, I hear she gets it honest. Someone once told me a little boy (the one who grew into a man and helped create her) was the same way;) She's so incredibly smart, too. Did I tell you she figured out how to multiply on the way to Baton Rouge one day. Yes, multipy, as in what kids do with numbers in the 3rd or, in my case, 4th grade! We were just talking about it and she "got it" in an hour and a half. Amazing, I'm telling you! She learned how to add and subract when she was 3 and started sounding out words at 3.5 so I shouldn't be suprised, I guess. She can now multiply single numbers in her head...no, not by memorization, she actually pictures and counts fingers in her head. I know, scary. She's an amazing child. The other night, she held "church" for us in her bedroom, complete with a sign on the door, mini-pews, hymns, scriptures, and a lesson she read to us from her "nite-nite" Bible. It was very organized and wonderful! The blind faith of children is something we should all learn a lesson from. She's ready for Christmas, but ever since she was 2 she's always wanted to give to kids who don't have much. This year we adopted a Hurricane family that was displaced with 2 small kids and a Soldier in Iraq to buy for. It has been fun. My compassionate child...I'm glad she gets the REAL meaning of the holiday and focuses on it being Jesus' birthday and a time for giving, not just a day for free stuff from Santa.
Okay, time to brag a bit about Madelyn. She's just adorable. There's no other word to describe her. She amazes me with the way she figures out stuff - complicated, mechanical stuff. She can work the TV, DVD player, VCR, and computer without any help - yes, she know's what every button does. She can turn them on, put the movie/software in and watch/play (yes, she plays computer games with a mouse) and be content until she's done and turns it all off. She just reached the height of being able to turn doorknobs...uh oh! I never know what she's into. I've begun to notice that she's pretty OCD (don't know where she gets that from;). She lines up all the refrigerator alphabet letters and matchbox cars in perfectly straight lines. She doesn't like one thing to be out of order in the bedtime routine. She gets all freaked out and we have to START OVER! She's "Miss Independant", too. Don't even think you're going to help her into the car, her booster seat, onto the potty, get undressed, into/out of bed...well, anywhere. If you do, you'll hear, "NO, Maddy DO IT all by self!" Okey-dokey. The potty thing is almost licked (that sounds gross). She's good until it comes to #2. But don't dare ask her if she has to go...she'll tell YOU when she has to. It's always fun to find a turd at the bottom of her pantleg:( Ewww! And she'd just as hysterical as can be. You never know what funny comment is going to come out of her mouth. And laughing at her just eggs her on. She keeps us all rolling. I adore that hard-headed, stubborn, independant kid!
Well, I just finished up my 6-week Tiny Tots Creative Music & Movement for the Holidays class. It was fun to teach. I had to make up the curriculum all by myself last minute, but it turned out great. I had 3 classes back to back of 3 different age groups (babies, 1s, 2s). It was exhausting considering we don't have access to the big, open fitness room anymore and had to have the classes in our little Parenting Center classroom, moving equiptment in and out, but we made due. Tomorrow I'm working the Parent/child Support group Christmas parties and then I'm off for 2 paid weeks! WOO-HOO! I love my jobs! Monday was Maddy's Mom's Club Christmas party and Friday is Delaney's class Christmas party. I'm co-room Mom, so I'll be busting my butt tomorrow and Thurs. getting ready for that. Why did I volunteer again?
My Pampered Chef party rocked! I was able to get $300 worth of FREE product for selling over $1400 worth at my show. Merry Christmas to me (or should I say Ryan)! That bought a whole lot of cool stuff so he can cook for me more;) Because, I definately need to eat more - I must have gained at least 20lbs already in this pregnancy and Santa and I are in close competition for the roundest tummy.
The town is getting back on it's feet. Well, I think that until I go a mile south or west still see remnants of the devastation. One thing I'm thankful for is the fact that I don't have to see open caskets in a field across a 4-lane highway from the cemetary on my way to work anymore. That was so disturbing. The flood waters just washed them right over. Many, many businesses are still closed (which explains the traffic on my side of town) and so many families are still fixing their homes. (I'm glad the Carter's is all better now;) Sad that so many families won't be in their own homes for Christmas. In our Hurricane Response Play Therapy session/class we held for kids at the hospital, one of the things we focused on was reassuring them Santa will still find them. We had them make special Santa keychains, so he'll have the key to their FEMA trailer and won't have to worry about a chimney. You wouldn't believe how much that put their little minds at ease. We also did a lot of art therapy and talking to them about the "helpers" they've come in contact with (police, EMS, construction workers, FEMA staff, Red Cross, etc.). The children around here have been much more affected by all this than you would think, even now, over 100 days later.
Okay, I've babbled enough. Ryan is waiting for me to come watch a movie with him that I'm sure to fall asleep during. Love to all!
12.12.2005
12.11.2005
Happy Birthday, Pop!
Popadopalus~
I love you! I love you! I love you!
I hope you had a wonderful day celebrating your life. You're a wonderful father and great friend. Thanks for teaching me by example how I should be treated by a man, how a father should protect and provide for a daughter, and most importantly, how to bait a hook;) I can't wait to see you on Thursday!
Shorty
12.08.2005
One Tough Cookie
Maddy is a real trooper, let me tell ya! She jumped on Santa's lap after only about 300 questions about him. Then she didn't want to leave. Delaney went back up to tell him she wants a Star Station;) At least she didn't say "cash" like last year when he asked her and she was star-struck. I'll never forget that!
The VCUG was awful. Traumatic. Exhausting. Basically she screamed (and when I say screamed, I mean you could hear her throughout the entire radiology dept.) for 45 minutes straight. During the catheterization I was allowed in - yeah for me. Turns out her urethra is at a strange angle, so about the 3rd or 4th try (it took about 6 or 7) Ryan and I looked at eachother and both had tears in our eyes. It was hard to be strong for her when we knew how scared and painful it was and we just wanted to take it all away. I just encouraged her to yell "That hurt's Maddy!" and "I don't like that!" and "Stop it!" as much as she wanted. Boy did she!!! I think it helped that she knew her feelings were appropriate (that would be the play therapist in me;) I definately didn't want her to suppress any feelings she was having for our benefit. Then, I had to leave the room. It took about 30 minutes to fill her bladder and then let it drain out, all while being looked at and recorded on an MRI looking machine. Hearing her scream on the other side of the door was excruciating. I kept hearing her say "Otay, Daddy" so I knew he was talking to her and it was helping somewhat. Afterward, she kept saying "Maddy NOT like that nurts!" and "Maddy pee-peed on the table. Dat's so silly." We took her to Cracker Barrell for lunch and Ryan was really quiet. He said he's never wanted to hurt someone as much as he wanted to hurt that nurse. It made him feel good that when she got her hands free and was pushing people away she never tried to push him, only the nurse, radiologist, and tech (yeah, it took 4 adults to hold her down this time as it did when they were putting in the I.V. last time). We drew pictures about what happened and she angrily scratched out the sad faces and drew happy faces. He bought her whatever she wanted and we both hugged her a lot and told her she was a very brave girl. I thought for sure she'd at least regress potty-training after such an event in the privates, but she hasn't had an accident since we've been home. She told Delaney all about the experience, too. She's back to her old funny, nutty, outgoing self. I'm glad it's over and we've thanked God countless times all day that we don't have a child with a chronic illness such as cancer. I just don't know how I'd ever handle that. I'm just so glad Ryan was there this time. This was one of those experiences we didn't really "sign up" for when we became parents...but it's all a part of the gig, I guess. Wish someone would have told us that becoming a parent is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body. When they hurt, you hurt worse. I never believed my parents when they said that...now I do.
The dentist visit was a breeze. I'm telling you, that place is Disneyland to a toddler. All they did was look in her mouth and give her a bunch of prizes. It was great! She doesn't have her first cleaning until she's 3. Who woulda thought the DENTIST would be a special treat?!?! She took a picture with Bippo the Hippo (the dentist mascot...yes, seriously) so I'll post that soon.
So, that's that. Today will be a mellow day. Only playgroup, shopping, an afterschool playdate, and gymnastics to worry about. Yippee! Dr. Carter should call sometime today with the results of the VCUG, but the radiologist let us know it looked okay. The urinalysis came back normal, too. I'll keep you posted.
12.06.2005
What tomorrow brings
Please just let me get through tomorrow without losing my mind! 1st thing on our itenerary... pics with Santa at Delaney's school. My far-fetched hope is that they will be good enough for Christmas cards. HA! Madelyn has already stated several times that "Santa sarey" (she's right about that one) and "Santa NOOOO touch Maddy!" This should be interesting.
2nd item on our agenda.... dum, dum, duh, dum... the DREADED VCUG (Voiding Cystourethrogram). I know it has to be done... but it's been nice putting it off since the hurricane fiasco. Dr. Carter reviewed her ultrasound we had done in Ruston and believes she has a "collecting system abnormality" due to her Pylonephritis (febrile UTI hospitalization episode) and possible permanent scar tissue - I'm telling you, this woman is awesome. She had a second opinion done and he concurred. I guess it's something the doc in Ruston didn't see or didn't want to deal with. I was never convinced he was certain of anything...he rarely dealt with peds. anyway. Also, since she had the highes grade (level 4) kidney infection and they basically shut down for a day or so, she doesn't want to miss the possiblility of chronic reflux because it could cause her to have kidney failure later in life, most probably during pregnancy. She knows all this first hand because she has only one functioning kidney due to a misdiagnosis as a child. Since it's one big long 30 minute X-ray, I can't be in there, so Ryan's taking the day off (which should also help with the Santa escapade only moments prior). So, he get's to experience the catheterization and strapping down of our strong-willed unsedated toddler. Pray for him;) Lucky me gets to hear the screaming from outside the door. Ouch.
And...for #3 on the itenerary... Madelyn's very first dentist visit in the afternoon (naptime to be exact). Whoa - I KNOW I'm pushing it. I didn't even realize it was tomorrow until a few hours ago when I looked at the calendar. She's going to chomp down on someone, I'll bet money on it! She loves to go to the dentist with Delaney b/c it's like walking into a Storybook, with aquariums and murals and toys and games all over the place. Of course, she's never had anyone sticking yucky objects and creams and liquids in her mouth there before, either. Depending on how the morning goes, I may just have to reschedule - even though it will be months before they can see her again. There's a good chance I'll be highly sedated and in bed at that point.
Yippee, tomorrow is a guaranteed fun-filled day. Anyone want to join in the festivities? You're more than welcome to take my place. Right now we're off to Delaney's school for a Pajama Christmas Party. Yes, the entire family gets to wear pajamas out in public. How cute am I gonna look? Children are adorable in Christmas pajamas... pregnant moms with rears as large as their bellies...not so cute. And, of course, Ryan is working late so he convienently gets to miss it. Sucker.
Anyway, in all seriousness, pray that this test for Maddy goes well. I'd love to put all this kidney stuff behind us for the holidays and... um... forever.
Oh - hey - my web counter hit 10,000 today! Kewl! I love you guys, too;)
12.02.2005
11.29.2005
8 years
Here's a picture of the happiest day of my of my life, except for every single day that's followed...
You know how before we got married we were always saying things like, "I've never felt this way. This is SO EASY!" and "You shouldn't have to work at a relationship. If you're working, then it's not working" and we always did obnoxious things like never going to bed angry at one another and would freak out if we had so much as a disagreement over which soap to use? Yeah, we were immature, and dumb, weren't we? We've come a REALLY long way together.
What I've learned after 8 years of marriage is that it takes more than being in love. A lot more. It takes friendship, respect, vulnerability, the ability to say "I was wrong", and a whole host of other qualities. Marriage to Ryan has been joyful, happy, painful, and heartbreaking at times...it has been "real". Being married is hard work, especially when both people are as stubborn as we are, because life is a constant compromise. Then add in 2.5 kids and now we don't even get to compromise anymore, everything revolves around them. Then add in work (with him being gone about half the time) and the house and the bills and the stress of everyday life and the equation seems almost never ending. We often forget what alone time feels like with ourselves, and especially with eachother. It's easy to get wrapped up in every day stuff and put the relationship and romance on the back burner, because that's the only thing around that isn't tugging at our waistbands, begging for attention. But he never does.
He always kisses me first when he walks in the door from work. He always makes sure to ask me how my day went before he runs off to play with the kids or fiddle in his shed. He still surprises me in the shower. He still pinches my butt when I'm bending over to unload the dishwasher. He calls me out of the blue almost every day to say he loves me, just because. Almost every Saturday morning, he makes the kids breakfast and plays with them outside so that I can sleep in, without me even asking. He tells me that he loves me multiple times a day and tells me how much often. He still goofs around with me: wrestling, tickle fights, dancing. He laughs at my jokes even when they're not funny. And he still gives me that look that tells me that I'm the most important person in the world to him. He tells me how beautiful he thinks I am, what a good mother he thinks I am, and how proud he is that I am his wife. All of this, plus so much more has caused met to love, admire, and respect him as a man, husband, career person, and father so much more intensely now than when we were younger.
We're both very different people than we were 9.5 years ago when we met. He proposed after only 6 months of long-distance dating and I moved to California after graduating from college to be with him 4 short months after that. Thinking back on it, we barely knew eachother the day we were married. We decided to have our first baby with only 3 years of marriage under our belt (which to us equalled about a 1.5 years of being physically together). With luck and God's grace, we have evolved into an even more compatible duo, instead of growing apart like many couples do.
A lot of our friends always tell me how "perfect" our relationship is. That always makes me laugh. Although I do agree that we have an amazing relationship, perfect it is not. But no relationship is perfect and anyone that wants to delude themselves into believing that is living a lie. We fight. We argue. We get on eachother's nerves. We have crap to deal with in our relationship and in life, just like the rest of the world...and sometimes more because he's gone so much. Life is messy, sometimes doesn't make sense, and doesn't always seem fair. But there is no one else in the world that I would rather have by my side through everything, even when I threaten to strangle him while he's sleeping, than Ryan. And I know that he knows just how much I really do love him just over the simple fact that I have agreed to follow him around the world for his job, live without his presence half the time just for the times we are together, and make an incredible family with him.
Being married is hard work, but it's good work. Ryan, thank you for living this life with me, for giving me the best, most fulfilling years of my life. Thank you for my beautiful family. I hope you have a happy 8th anniversary, and I can't wait to live an eternity with you. Love, your wife Stinky
11.23.2005
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
I have SO much to be thankful for this year. An outstanding husband, who finally came home late Monday night after being gone for a really LONG month! Two amazing, healthy children and another life growing inside me. Healthy, happy, and no longer homeless (Rick and Beth/Jennifer and Marcus) extended family. And wonderful friends and neighbors. I am reminded every day, just by looking around my community, just how truly blessed I am!
We're leaving this afternoon for Ruston. If you need me we'll be on our cell phones 985-788-3815/5592. Love to all!
11.20.2005
11.17.2005
Angie's Sevens
*stole this from my sister (and some of the answers, too)
7 Things I Want To Do Before I Die
1. Spend enormous amounts of time in traveling the world with Ryan
2. Watch my children's dreams come true
3. Figure out what I want to be when I grow up
4. Hold hands with my grandchildren (and great-grandchildren)
5. Know what it's like to not dread Ryan's next trip/deployment
6. Live on the water (wherever my sister is, and brother hopefully, and dad, too, and in-laws, and anyone else I love who wants to come;)
7. Witness the day a cure for cancer has been found
7 Things I Cannot Do
1. Work in a profession I don't feel passionate about
2. Be away from my children for very long (or Ryan, but I have not choice in that matter:(
3. Hit my children
4. Feel compassion for anyone who abuses a child
5. Support abortion
6. Decide on a name for this baby
7. Fly (I couldn't think of anything else;)
7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Me
1. I HATE being tickled
2. I hold a running conversation with God all day long
3. I have OCD (okay, most of you knew that;)
4. I've been in an abusive relationship
5. I have always wanted to foster/adopt a child
6. I changed the spelling of my name in high school
7. I have cryptic tonsils (I know, gross, but I'm getting them removed as soon as I pop this kid out)
7 Things That Peeve Me Beyond Words
1. Disrespectful children
2. Ignorance/close-mindedness
3. Ungrateful people
4. Being asked if we're going to try again for a boy
5. Dirty floors - when crap sticks to the bottom of your feet
6. Not being listened to
7. The Navy (other than the paycheck;)
7 Things That Attract Me To The Opposite Sex
1. Sense of humor
2. Trustworthiness
3. Honest eyes
4. Sexual chemistry
5. Bod - for #4 and snuggle factor
6. Good teeth
7. Involved, loving father
7 Things I Say Most Often (Or Too Much)
1. Use your words, please
2. Gimme sugah!
3. Knock it off/stop it/quit it
4. So, what day will you be home?
5. Was that fun?
6. Why do I have to keep repeating myself?
7. I'm sorry, but I don't understand whining.
7 Celebrity Crushes
1. Matthew McConaughey (yeah, baby)
2. Enrique Igelsias
3. Ricky Martin (but only recently)
4. Matthew Fox
5. Jon Bon Jovi (Ryan is currently laughing hysterically at this one)
6. Vince Vaughn
7. Johnny Knoxville (I know, sick and demented - but hot!)
Delaney's latest masterpiece
She worked on this one for 2 weeks in art class. "Mommy, it's my very first oil on canvas!" (that sounds so grown up). It's for Ryan for Christmas so "SHHHH";) She picked it b/c she knows he loves tree frogs (he catches them for her and has a tatoo of one - and he's a "frogman" for goodness sakes;). So thoughtful.
