Flashback Friday - Old Friends

Just for fun . . .

I was thrilled to find this on Kelly's Facebook page!

This picture dates back to somewhere in the late 1990's (as to not incriminate anyone, we'll keep the details blurry!) . . .




Pam, Kelly, Christa, Heather

Caption: "28349" . . . not "90210", but close?!?

Playdate at the Park

What a beautiful morning! We had terrific park weather this morning for our weekly playdate with the Fitts and the Lails.

We met at Ms. Charity, Siena, and Britain's house and walked to their neighborhood park. The kids ran, played, and ate lunch (and all of the Fitts' goldfish crackers . . . we promise to bring a community snack next week!).

Just some pics of the kiddos in action!

Big Teddy's Birthday!

Yesterday at breakfast, Quinn announced that it was Big Teddy's birthday. We decided to have a little party to celebrate the occasion. I was able to find some birthday hats (Big Teddy is "3" not "1", but he didn't seem to mind!).












We even baked brownies to celebrate Teddy's big day (really, I just wanted an excuse to make something chocolate)!

Team: Hooray for Holden!

The March of Dimes is hosting their March for Babies in May.

We are proud to announce the formation of our family team "Hooray for Holden" honoring our precious Holden, born 8 weeks prematurely.

We would love for you to join our team by helping to sponsor us and/or by walking with us! The event should be a lot of fun!


Event details:

May 2nd
Nortel Networks, RTP

Walk distance - 3.1 miles
Registration time - 9am
Start time - 10am


If you would like to join our team, please feel free to contact me at hspesshardt@aol.com or click on the March for Babies box located on the right side of this post.

On behalf of Holden and our family, thanks for your support!

Chase Turns 3!

Last night, we attended the 3rd birthday party of Quinn's buddy Chase. The big bash was held at Chuck E. Cheese. I don't know who was more excited to go . . . me or Quinn! I haven't been to Chuck E. Cheese since I was a kid (and it was Showbiz Pizza). We (I mean Quinn and Holden!) were given tokens to go and play for an hour or so, followed by a visit with Chuck E. Cheese himself and pizza and cupcakes. The boys (and Mommy and Daddy) had a great time . . .



Holden must be thinking . . . Move, Mister, it's my turn!








Finally getting his turn at the tractor!




Quinn's favorite "ride" . . . the train, of course!




In the BIG rocking horse!




Okay, how does this thing work?




Oh, I see . . . I think that I've got it!




Finally making his way down the climber/slide . . . we lost him a few times in there . . . I was super nervous, but he came out smiling!




Chase - the birthday boy


As far as the next 2 pictures . . . my little baby boy, my first-born son is such a big guy! This was one of the first times at a party/event that the kids have had their own section to sit, eat, "hang out" with their buddies. The parents helped them get seated and started, but then we had our own section to sit and eat and socialize (while keeping a close eye on our kiddos). I watched my little guy . . . he's his own person! He was talking and goofing off with his buddies, eating, watching the show . . . totally not needing Mommy . . . I must admit that tears filled my eyes a few times! When did this happen? Who's this little Mr. Independent? Where did the time go?






**Also, a funny (or not-so-funny) side note . . . notice the red pitcher of fruit punch close to Quinn. My little man ran out of water in his cup and decided to pick up the pitcher and try to drink directly from it! Thankfully it was only 1/4 full at the time, and the waitress was able to quickly stop him. There were a few comments as to his future as the social director of a fraternity . . . visions of my baby in college one day and the chant of "chug, chug, chug" worried me greatly! Let's hope that he amends his ways before then!

My Oldest Friend in the Entire World

Yesterday, I had lunch with Kelly. We refer to each other as our "oldest friend in the entire world". She's exactly 2 weeks older than me; I've known her my whole life (all 30 years of it).

There are so many things that I love about our friendship. My favorite thing is that we can let a year pass by, and when we do finally get together . . . we can just pick up right where we left off! I also love the fact that we can always be so open and honest with each other (and not worry about what the other person will think . . . there's a freedom and security there that's priceless!).

When I think of Kelly, I think of all of the things that we have shared and all of the great (and the not-so-great . . . b/c those are important, too) memories: K-ville, middle school dances, bad early 1990's hair, first loves, good ole JK, a year as roommates in college, Kelly serving as one of my bridesmaids, and so many more.

It's so good to have old friends . . . friends that knew you way back when!


**I even remember Kelly chasing a girl around the Hardee's parking lot with a baseball bat . . . or that's how the legend goes! Fun times!?!

Just a Cute Pic

Just a cute picture of Quinn (taken yesterday before church) . . . he loves to try on Daddy's "big shoes"!





I'm including the following pic as a most recent photo of Quinn's best friend (after last week's homage to Big Teddy). This pic shows only a small part of the poor bear's wear and tear (his right paw has lost all of its fur) . . . I just pray that poor Teddy makes it . . . sometimes it seems he's on his last leg!

Yesterday, we had our Friday/weekly playdate with the Fitts and the Lails.

It was freezing cold outside (where are you spring?) . . . so we chose play time on the indoor playground and lunch at Chick-fil-A. What a great, low-key, low-stress playdate! The kids ran around, climbed, laughed, ate wonderfully . . . Quinn thinks that nuggets are their own food group! Lots of fun!


Just a thought . . . the kiddos now outnumber the adults on these outings! Scary!!! When we sat down for lunch (after much moving of kids, cutting up of food, cleaning of hands, etc.), a thought came to my mind . . . there are 6 of them and 3 of us!!! Now, once they figure that out, it could be trouble!

My Wish for "Brownie"

For Christmas, Holden received his "lovely" from Papa and Mama Quinn . . . a teddy bear that we have named "Brownie". Shortly after Holden's first birthday, I started putting Brownie in the crib with him for sleepy time. We occasionally bring Brownie out for playtime, too. We are hoping that Holden will bond/attach with Brownie and find security in the special bear.

Papa and Mama Quinn gave Quinn a teddy bear (before he was born). Later, Quinn named him "Big Teddy", and he will tell anyone that he loves Big Teddy and that Big Teddy is his best friend! Quinn never goes to bed without Big Teddy. Big Teddy travels with us in the car (he has to stay in the car during school, shopping trips, playdates, etc.), to grandma's house, throughout our house, etc. Quinn must always know where Big Teddy is and that he is okay. I have also told him that Big Teddy is special and that he never has to share Big Teddy with anyone . . . he belongs to Quinn, only!


So . . . my wish for Brownie . . . may Holden love you as much as Quinn loves Big Teddy!

May you lose your fur from being rubbed during naps. May you have your limbs sewn back on (repeatedly) because you are pulled/pushed/dragged everywhere! May you get sweet hugs and kisses from Holden. And, may you be allowed to travel with us and go along on all of our adventures!!!


Introducing: Brownie!



Just a few photos (trust me, there are many more!) of Quinn and his best friend over the months/years! The love blossomed shortly after Quinn's first birthday.
















Lucky Big Teddy . . . you sure are loved!

Playdate with Landon

At MOPS, I won a gift card for 10 free admissions to Jumpin' Beans (one of Quinn's favorite places). So this morning, we treated Landon and his Mommy (Ms. Laura) to a fun playdate. The boys had a great time!




Holden exploring the jumper. Crawling around and pulling up in the bouncy house was probably better than any PT session!




Having fun!




Look Mommy . . . I did it! See that proud face!




Quinn playing on the "bus" in the playroom (I told him to "watch his head" . . . I think he's going to make it!)




Quinn on the "mushroom"




Landon in the jumper




Landon and his Mommy (Ms. Laura)




Taking a much needed break to refuel!

Little Brother Syndrome (LBS)

The time has come . . . the time is now . . . the place is our family room . . .

Holden has developed a dreaded case of "Little Brother Syndrome" or LBS. The following are characteristics of LBS (all of which have been exhibited by my "baby"):

1. total lack of interest in "baby toys",
2. total lack of interest in toys belonging to little brother,
3. total interest in big brother's toys,
4. total interest in the toys that big brother is currently playing with at that particular moment,
5. if pushed to the limit (tired, hungry, etc.) and not allowed to take toys from big brother, little brother will exhibit strong emotions such as crying, whining, and screaming!

Now, yes . . . I knew that this day would come. I have 2 boys that are 20 months apart; I just didn't see the power struggle happening so early!

So . . . I have been left to scramble for some sort of solution to the problem . . . the following are the policies that I'm using right now (all of Mommy's policies are subject to change at any moment and for any reason!):

1. In Quinn's room, Quinn is boss. He decides what Holden can and cannot play with. And, bless his heart . . . he gives him toys and shares really well . . .
2. In Holden's room, Holden is boss. If he wants a toy, he gets it . . . works pretty well . . . will probably work better as Holden gets older.

3. In the family room and the bonus room/playroom, if a toy is out and not being played with, it's fair game! But, of course, you cannot take toys from your brother . . . but, you're free to play with anything else that you can get your hands on . . .

#3 causes a bit of an issue . . .
Quinn has gotten smart to my policy and has decided to "hoard" toys for future play and to keep them from Holden . . . see pics below!




Quinn's prized possessions for the day piled on top of the chair . . . the spider bag is full of cars!




Quinn is "on guard" . . . smiling because he knows that he found a way around my policies!!!


Maybe I should rethink the situation (esp. now that Holden is pulling himself up everywhere . . . Quinn's chair tactic will not work for much longer!)!!!

I was not quite ready for LBS!