Y3W: Mothers Know Best

Before I was a Mom, I was a perfect Mom.  I remember getting annoyed in restaurants when parents couldn't get their kids to be quiet.  I pictured perfectly dressed, smiling kids that never cried, poo'd, or talked back.  I remember thinking, and even saying, "oh, my kids will NEVER do that!"  Well, I'm eating those words now!

Ty kissing Acey...this makes me happy!

Then I had a nephew.  (and just so you know, I have the cutest nephews ever)  Nephews are great.  They LOVE their Aunts and you can spoil them rotten, then send them home.  But, it sort of let me see that those kiddos you love SO much and the babies that you could just eat because they're so cute...well, it showed me that they're not perfect. 
And, then when I had Ty, the advice started coming.  It started with names.  Everyone had an opinion.  For someone who had their sister do their first baby registry for them, I was listening.  I listened to everyone's advice...really, I did. 
But, the best advice I ever heard was...
all of it!
Why?
Because MOST of it came from people I love--people that love my boys.  Now, I may not have acted upon it or "did" what I was told, but I sure did listen.  While I'm very opinionated about some things, my best parenting advice is to be OPEN-MINDED.
Others experiences can HELP you.  Every child is different.  Personalities are different.  Sizes are different.  Kids hit milestones at different ages.  So, talking to other Mom's is a good thing.


Ty and Ace...you'd never know that this photo session was not perfect...
Can you say melt-down city?

And, for the record my Mother Knew Best.  She still does, and I ask her about everything constantly.  Except for you know, sleeping on our bellies as an infant and when kiddos can come our of carseats because she was a Mom of infants in the early 80's. 
So...do what's best for you.  Sometimes it's not worth the "fight" so do what makes your kiddo happy (you know, like wearing a Spiderman suit to Kroger). 

Acey playing with Big Bro's cars = Pouty Big Brother
Sometimes it's okay to let them figure it out.  Life's not always fair...neither is sharing!

They're only little once and you only get one shot to be a Mama.  So, pat yourself on the back and smile.  God gave you a gift.  Enjoy!

Linky Love

What I really want for my Birthday

Being that tomorrow I turn the Big 3-0, the most popular questions of the week are, "so what are you doing for your Birthday?" and, "what are you getting for your Birthday?" Well, watch these:

Jesus Loves Me...

And again:

And, last but not least...

That is what I want.  Happy, healthy boys that laugh and smile and think I'm pretty cool...boys that play with choo-choos and sing Jesus Loves Me.  Talk about making a Mama's heart swell!
God has blessed me beyond words during these last 30 years.  These boys are my life.  My family is amazing.  My friends are my family.  And, my God is an awesome God. 
I'm so thankful for my life.  I'm a Mom.  I'm a Wife.  I'm a Daughter.  I'm a Sister.  I'm a Friend. 
And, I can't wait for what is yet to come...In My Next 30 Years!

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday LINKY

I-Phone Pic's and a 3 Year Old Update

Toy trunk 3, Ace 0.  It's padded.  I don't get it...

Ace fell into the toy trunk for the 3rd time yesterday.  Above his left eye is a scrape and this morning it was bruised.  He gets all excited and just nose dives faster than you can even blink...Mom of the Year here...I know!



Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills!

This picture is funny.  Ty looked at it afterwards and laughed at himself.  We talked about how "bad" he looked and for the rest of the day it was "Mama, I'm bad" or "Mama, I'm bad to the bone."  Really?
So, for an update on my little 3 year old...Ty Cannon Wittlepop (yes, having Lillpop for a last name is going to take some practice):
46 lbs, 41 inches tall.  Vocab:  phenominal.  Numbers--up to 30, but he can now count backwards from 20.  Not sure why or how that started, but he counts in reverse on his breathing treatments now.
Speaking of breathing treatments...
We do one per day (at night) with 2 med. vials.  He's a pro now.  The whole nut allergy is annoying, but we deal.  I reserach it often--and lately I've been spending quite a bit of time on "Doing" Disney with a nut allergy kiddo. 
Disney...OMG I cannot wait to take him.  We are staying in the "Pirate" hotel and sleeping in a pirate ship.  He LOVES Jake and the Neverland Pirates and he's obsessed with them.  That's in November.
The beach is first.  We're going back to PCB in October and this time, DADDY GETS TO GO!  Yahoo!
He likes:  pizza, drinking sips of Daddy's Mt. Dew and hiding it from me, cuddling-when you want to, saying "we are the family" when we all cuddle in bed together, having people over to our house, Cars (lets add that to the obsession list), McDonalds (ugh, he can spot one a mile away!), going to Target (lol!),  playing with Mama and Daddy's i-phone, and his Acey.  Okay, and another addition to his obsession list:  Ethan or E-Fan.  He wakes up randomly throughout the week asking where E-fan is or if he gets to see E-fan that day.  Todd and I may or may not have bribed Ty a few times with soemthing E-fan does.  You know, like, "Ethan eats broccoli" or "Ethan never pouts because he's a big boy".  Hey, it works.
Ty is strong willed, head strong, and is a typical 3 year old.  He tests our limits often....yet always says sorry, please, and thank you.  Time Out is used and it works...almost daily.  But I guess that's him testing our limits...
His teachers have told use that he's a leader.  He's social, but likes consistancy.  He's independant, but needy when he's sleepy.  He's a ham--witty when he wants to be, and a little joke-ster when he wants to be too.  He knows HOW to listen and WHEN to listen...and often times tends to do that better to people OTHER than his Mama and Daddy. 
Next week, Ty starts tumbling/hip-hop/and contemporary dance.  Yes, dance.  They're offering it in the gym of his school and we're going to try it out.  I'm hoping he enjoys it and I would LOVE to be a fly on the wall to watch him!  He like to shake it at home--wonder if he will show his moves at school too?!?

Link up @ http://www.agoodlifeblog.com/ today!

Hello Cuteness...if I do say so myself!

We had these picture made a few weeks ago of the boys.  Vintage Baseball.  My fav!!! 
True Reflections took these pictures and we actually had to do 2 sessions.  Let's just say the boys didn't really want to be there EITHER day.  I will never do a 5:30 photo sessionon on a school day again.  Geeezzzz it was embarrassing!
You'd never know it though!  Emily, the photographer, is married to a former player of Todd's.  She did a great job and WE LOVE THESE PICS!!  (Ace - 13 months, Ty - 2 weeks shy of 3)

So...here's the sneak peak.  These will be in the decor on the blog soon.  Now to make some selections on who/what/how/etc. I want this blog to be updated.  Suggestions are WELCOME!  (oh, and notice the new playlist now?)

Happy Weekend Ya'll!

Y3W: Married to Baseball

Meet Todd and Audrey (circa July, 2006)...

Posing at the Park

These pictures were taken 5 years ago...just a few months before OUR WEDDING...

Oh, what I'd give to be "that" size again...
this is one of my fav's!

These pictures make me happy.  We were SO excited to plan our wedding--to make "US" official.  Todd proposed on May 25th, 2006 and we were married on November 25, 2006.  Yes, planning a LARGE wedding in 6 months CAN be done.  We also squeezed in 8 showers, a Bridal Luncheon, and a Bachelorette party in there too.  More on that in November...

Dippin' Me.  Just Married!

Until then...
(We're linked up with Kelly's Korner Show Us Your Life:  Your Best Marriage Advice today!)

Marriage Advice from a Coaches' Wife

Before Todd and I had our boys, the whole "Baseball" gig was kind of nice.  I mean really, baseball uni's for life?  Ummm, yes.  Eye Candy!!!
The schedule wasn't so bad and we didn't know any different (Todd had coached since college).  He was gone most of the day on Saturday and Sundays (hello...shopping and girlfriend time!), but we had date nights afterwards.  Having no kids allowed that. 

If he was in town during the week (I was also working during that time), we both stayed up late to see each other.  I went to the gym after work typically, so we actually got home at the same time.  On the weekends if he was in a different city, I usually headed to Louisville to spend time with my family and friends.  That was our "norm". 
Here we are, 2 baby boys later.  I'd be lying if I said it was easy.
Sure, Todd has times during the year when his schedule is more flexible than other jobs allow, but it's few and far between.  We have to work at making time for us.  Lunch dates are great--eating a meal together even at Subway can be...nice.  So is the rare occasion we get to have a (gasp) DATE NIGHT!  

But, one of THE most important things we do is make time for ME time.  ME time for each of us.
I struggle with Todd having such a social job.  Many of his friends to go baseball games to recruit.  While he is working, it's fun for him.  It's not "work".  So, when he is off on a Saturday and he wants to go golfing, I struggle.  But, he needs his me time too...
He also knows I need my ME time.  I try to hit the gym before work to start my day off right.  Yes, that means getting up at 4:45am.  But, that's MY time.   And, it's a great way to start the day off right.
I'm typically thrown for a loop if he doesn't take the boys to school in the morning...like when he's out of town or has to be at the field at 7am for a tarp pull.  It's all about routine...and when he's here, we have one.  Most of the time.
When Todd's gone, we text pictures to each other about 10 times a day.  I send him videos of the boys non-stop.  We use our i-phones to coordinate calendars--he takes the responsibilty of taking the boys to their Dr. appt.'s and I take care of the day-to-day "production". 
Being married to a Coach is not always fun.  I'm not going to sugar-coat it.  It's ALWAYS busy.  Sometimes, it's lonely.  And, there are times I want to throw his cell phone away.  It's always on, and it's always ringing.  Players and recruits call at all hours of the day-even in the delivery room of the hospital-but, that's normal to us.
It's our life.  I married baseball too when I married Todd. 
My boys think it's cool to see Daddy's Field. They love to run the bases and play in the dirt.  I like to see Todd in his baseball uni. What can I say...he's still got it ;).  And, that makes it worth it.  To see the boys smile and run to their Daddy after a game...
THAT is worth it.  To see Todd get so excited about the team he's put together for this fall...he's like a kid in a candy store.  THAT is worth it.
We work at making us work daily.
*Communication is key.  Todd and I go over our week on Sunday nights.  Typcially Monday nights Todd can get away by 5pm, so it's nice to know that's my night I can get errands complete or just go home directly from work without any stops. 
*Give your husband some down time too.  Attending a baseball game doesn't count (okay, unless it's an MLB game!).
*Utilize family.  My in-laws live near us and they help us out so much.  It takes a village to raise a child.  Use the village!
*Be their #1 fan.  I'm guilty of this.  I'm guilty of getting mad when my plans are changed at the last minute and getting upset about it.  I'm guilty of getting annoyed when a potential walk-on just pop's in on campus and Admissions wants Todd to talk with them--and it ruins my dinner plans.  But, it happens.
I chase the boys around the ball park when the weather permits (although, double headers make squeezing naps in tough) and I'm exhausted afterwards.  And, it never fails that a parent (or grandparent) is feeling a little "mouthy" at the game.  You know, their kid isn't playing.  I'm the one who gets to hear it.  What I really want to say is, "Okay, come on.  What Coach would play a less talented kid?  Coaches want to win people!"  However, I usually do pretty good at ignoring them.
*Don't go to bed mad.  We tell each other straight up how we feel.  Daily.  We're not the lovey-dovey sweet-talkin' kind.  Some may think we're not nice to each other all the time, but we're real.  Yes, we both get stressed.  Yes, we get on each others nerves.  But, we laugh.  We laugh at each other every. single. day.  We play jokes on each other and we give each other a hard time DAILY.  That's just us. 

Last but not least.  Talk to God.  He's the miracle-worker.  Keep him first in your marriage.  Always. 

*Linky Love*

Ace: 14 month update

Ace-14 months

It happened again.  We blinked and Ace is walking around like a big boy!  Riding tri-cycles in the family room...really?
So here's some updates on Ace Man:
Size 5 shoe, I'm going to guesstimate a height of almost 30 inches (???), and a weight of about 27 lbs.  He wears 2t/some 3t clothes, size 4 diapers, and he is into EVERYTHING.
He loves big bro's toys, anything moving (cars, trucks, trains), all balls, and toys that have compartments to hide things.  I think just likes to say "uh-oh Mama!".  He also likes to brush his teeth, play "catch" , and hide behind things (such as the island in the kitchen and doors) and peek around to "get" you.  He cracks himself up!
Words:  Oh geez...I'm going to forget several because he'll repeat words!  Mama, Daddy, Bye-Hi, Ball, shoes, Eat, Bubbie, Ty, Ouch, Shhhhhh, Shooo-weeee (as we change his diaper), Mimi, Papaw, Nana, Pop, car, vrroooooom, Crrrraaaaaaaaaaaaash, 'side (outside), Mi-Mouse (Mickey Mouse) and he's starting to put 2 words together.  He loves to eat--anything.  Favorite food:  doughnut holes (Sunday morning ritual).  Ace is loving the pool even more now that he can stand up in it and walk a little.  We put an inner-tube around him and it works great.  His hair is whiter than white and his eyes are bluer than blue.  Ace loves cabinets, tupperware, and opening doors. 
He busted his lip on Sunday by falling INTO the toy bin (our coffee table/ottoman/decorate trunk turned toy-box).  He took a nose dive into his toys (he's done it before...)and sliced a part of his lip open.  I'm not going to lie.  It was bloody.  But, the picture of his legs up doing a handstand in his toys was...well, it was funny. 
Acey Babes, you little flirt you...you make us smile.  You make everyone smile because it's contagious.  You are so stinkin' loveable.  Your mischevious...my goodness you're going to keep us on our toes.  Ty Man and you--you all already have a bond that is special.  We're looking forward to seeing you both grow up together and keeping Mama and Daddy busy!
Love you's big boy!

Linked Up!

Just Another Manic Monday...

Are you singing now?  I am.
I wish it was Sunday...oh, woah...cause that's my Fun Day...!

Acey, Brock, Ty and Brayden.  It's National Ice Cream Month.  Celebrate!



Acey eating Brock's Ice Cream.  Brock started singing "We Are Family" tonight when they were leaving to go home (soaking wet thanks to Todd and the water hose!).  So sweet...they are our family!

Here's some random notes--that's how I roll...
-Friday night, Ty was mooching off my sandwich.  There was 1 pickle left and he told me "Mama, you be my best friend if you give me that pickle".  I told him I really wanted it, and he said "but Mama, I'm your favorite". 
Seriously?  You just turned 3 last week dude. 
-Ace kind of has an obsession with his big bro's cars.  He "vroom's" and "crrrrraaaaaaaaashhhhhsss" all the time and it cracks us up!
-Saturday AM, Ty woke up at 5am.  In my bed.  I'm an early bird...but Saturday I like to wake up without an Alarm clock.  (that's usually no later that 6am on a good day).  I kept him snuggled with me until 5:30 when he asked me to read him books.  He grabs 4, hops back into my bed, and we read.  The Highlights "book" had a hidden object search.  Ty found 3 of the objects before me and I was trying to really look for them.  My competitive side kind of got a little mad...whatev.  My Mama side tells me I have 1 smart cookie on my hands ;)
-Ace's new trick is hitting furniture and then saying "ouch".  And dancing.  The kid will dance for food.  Not kidding.
-All this Cars 2 movie hoo-rah has got Ty all into race cars.  He was "hooked up" on his birthday and now he's my little backseat driver.  He's busting out the "ca-chow's" when the lights turn green while I'm driving.
-Okay, okay so I'm doing Insanity.  There's a good reason they call the workout Insanity.  It's freakin' INSANE.  I have played college basketball.  I have ran 3, 1/2 marathons.  I GET working out hard.  But, this is insane.  It's 5 days a week at the crack of dawn.  I've completed 9 workouts so far.  Cardio Plyometrics gave me nightmares.  But, hopefully this will get me over the hump of the baby weight be-gone era of my life.  You know, cause Ty's 3 now and Ace is 14 months.  It's time. 
-I love Pinterest.  Need an invite?  Let me know!
-I think my blog needs a makeover.  Or, at least pictures of my kids in the header that were supposed to be there ummm...like over a year ago?  Gosh, I'm a slacker!
-We're getting our agenda ready for our Disney trip and O.M.G I'm already SOOO excited.  We're going to sleep in a Pirate Ship bed in a hotel that has a beach.  We'll be there for the Epcot Wine and Cheese festival AND Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party.  I just may be more excited than Ty Man.
-Check out my other blog:  The Real Moms of Owensboro !
-Mondays are not fun at all.  I think I told myself 100 times today "Quit sweating the small stuff Aud!"  God's in control.  I'm not.  And, I need to quit trying to be! 

And, that is all...

Y3W: Sliding and Tackling

So we went on a Park Playdate last night with Brock and Brayden. 
Have I mentioned how cool it us to have your friends you consider family living across the street from you?  Yeah, well it is. 
Ty has LOVED this rocket ship since he was too young to be climbing ladders "all by myself Mama" as he says (like, since he was 1.).  It's really tall and this was funny because the slide is actually usually fast.  But, sweaty legs don't like metal slides...

Next we have Acey walking.  I swear, it's amazing what tubes have done for him.  He had taken up to 6-7 steps before tubes but he was so off balance.  He has since taken off in the walking dept.  He could always win baby crawling races (dang, I should have entered him), but he is now holding his own walking like a little Frankenstein with his hands up in front of him. 
One day, Ace is going to beat the $*#& out of his Big Bro...

Maybe one day, I'll actually upload videos from our real camcorder. 
Agenda for the weekend:  survive :)
Todd's playing in golf tourney's with my Dad the next 2 weekends.  Where's my Wife of the Year Award?
Oh, and I am loving QR codes these days.  Check out the Blog QR code on the right...scan it on your smart phone and wa-laaa...you have Ty and Acey at your fingertips!

Linked Up !

Ty's Tota-LEE Cool 3rd Birthday Race

Sunday, July 10th (the day after Ty's birthday) we had a party.  We celebrated Ty Man, and we honored my Papaw all in one day.  What's the correlation?
My Papaw, who is in a nursing home and has Alzheimer's, enjoyed going to Churchill Downs.  He didn't go often--once a year was enough for him.  It was usually with family...and often on Thanksgiving day.  Papaw ALWAYS bet on the 3rd race and he bet the 3rd horse each time.  It was a joke, "3, 3" he would say over, and over again. 
As he is now unable to communicate with us, there are times he still says, "3, 3, 3, 3, 3".  We always laugh and get a smile out of him when he does this--almost as a glimmer of hope that he does understand what's going on when we visit.  He always liked to see us smile, and that makes us smile. 
So, on Ty's 3rd Birthday, we sponsored a horse race at Ellis Park and named it "Ty's Tota-LEE Cool 3rd Birthday Race". 
Here's the invite: 

Jenni from 9 Designs Made them (LOVE THEM!

My Papaw's name is Bobby Lee--that's why we altered the spelling of totally.  That's why we had the "3,3,3" theme!

Birthday Boy before the Race (this is the banner that was the "trophy" for the horse!)

But, lets start with the beginning.  We started with a brunch at our house before heading to Ellis...

Each kiddo got a Jockey Cap and a different colored jockey silk shirt from Mollie at Rags 2 Riches Designs

E and Ty Man--love this one!

Each Family got a REAL horseshoe froma  horse at Churchill Downs!

Then, we went to Ellis Park.  It. Was. HOT.  Miserably hot.  110 heat index, Kentucky humidiy HOT.  But, we still had fun! 

How cute were these kids...

Aunt Brenda and Jan...crack me up!

Maycy, Lauren, Brock and E

Trying to sit in the shade...SOOOOO hot!

Amy, Mom, Me, and Acey

They even did Weiner Dog Races in between some of the races!

And, the grand finale:

Horse #3 WON!  It WON!!! 

#3 race, #3, horse, on Ty's 3rd Birthday

Yes, my Papaw was with us yesterday.  We all said before the race, "wouldn't it be cool if the 3rd horse won the race!" We all bet on the race--I actually bet $2 across the board (risky, I know).  But it happened.  It actually happened.  Horse #3 won the 3rd race on Ty's 3rd Birthday!

I just know Memaw and Aunt Dorothy were up in heaven cheering yesterday!  It was such a unique way to celebrate Ty and honor my Papaw--Ty's Great-Grandpa.  And, it was bittersweet that Papaw couldn't be with us. 

But, he was.  He was with us all day yesterday. 

3, 3, 3!

Ty's Weekend...he's KIND of a BIG Deal (#3) !

I'm typing this with toothpicks holding my eyes open.  I'm half kidding.  The boys are in bed and I'll be there soon.
Lets cut to the chase.  Here's how the weekend went down:
Friday after work Todd and I worked like busy bee's to get "stuff" together.  I didn't have luggage until Thursday night from my FL trip.  It shouldn't have thrown me off all week, but it did.  Each day I had to go to the store for  "a few things" and I was in a tizzy with laundry. 
Anyhow, Friday night most of the "stuff" was done.  And, my sister's fam came late Fri. night to start the weekend off with a little slumber party.  Ty was on CLOUD 9!  For the record, we call her Aunt Sis/Sissy, Brian-my bro-in-law is "B", Ethan is usually "E" and Blake is always "Blakey"!
Saturday AM, I went to the grocery and the gym all before 8:30am.  Steph came by and surprised the boys with an AM playdate, doughnuts, and cupcakes at 8am!  That made Ty's day!
We went to the museum and the boys had a BLAST:


Huh?  Ace and Blake



Ethan and Ty next to the Mammoth...Boys, you're tattling on yourself here!



Acey and Blakey ringing doorbells



Ethan motivating Ty...he was ummm...SCEEERRRRRED!



Bro's...totally going to be mad at me for this pic one day!



Blakey and Acey sitting in a tree...



Weeeeee!

 and then we hung out the rest of the day.  It.was.HOT! 
The guys took the big boys to see Cars 2 and we played with the baby boys.  Oh yeah, we went down to the Burgers to play for a little bit Sat. night and Amy and I played basketball against Brock and E.  LOL, we're old.  Sunday AM we prepped for Ty's party.  A HUGE picture post will be coming soon (I'm actually already working on it...just waiting for more pictures!)
Until then, here's a short little sneak peek at the Winner's Circle:

And, some real jockeys with Ty Man:


Ty had NO idea what to think of the real jockey's!

Okay, okay, and here's some cute kiddo jockeys too:


Shirts by my friend Mollie at Rags 2 Riches Designs

Yeah, it was good.  3,3...it happened!

Y3W: Ty is 3!

3 years ago today, I went in to labor.  Early labor.  5 weeks too early.  Ty Cannon was ready to meet us!  My water broke gradually and I didn't know that was "it".  My sister yelled at me and Steph came to my work and said she wasn't leaving without me to take me to the hospital.  She talked with Todd (who was on the golf course) and my co-workers.  They told her "she's about to have that baby" and I was sitting in a review with my bosses!  I thought I was being a wuss and that it was a part of being hot and pregnant. 

At 1:16am--on the 9th of July, Ty arrived.  There were some scary times during the process.  Like, when the Dr. prepared us that he was early and our hospital may not have the equipment needed to care for him.  The plan was for my Dad to stay with me and my Mom to go with Todd to Kosair in Louisville-my hometown.  He screamed loudly when he had his lungs cleared and he was absolutely fine. 

Or, when my oxygen levels dropped and so did Ty's.  They had to place oxygen over me and they had to start rolling me back and forth.  The doors flew open and the sounds in the nurses voices scared me.  So did Todd and my Mom's face--stoic and nervous.  I was getting sick and I had no idea what was going on.  But, it all turned out fine.

Proud first-time Mama!

Todd said it best..."if you don't believe in God then watch a baby being born.  If you don't believe after that, something is seriously wrong with you!" 

And this picture...one of my ultimate favorites.  Ethan was so excited to meet his new baby cousin.  He was so proud to hold him.  It's hard to believe that now Ty is the same age E was in this pic.  These boys...my goodenss they're fun.  Amy and I never thought we'd both be boy Mom's!

Ty had a little party at school today, but we'll celebrate him this weekend because he's kind of a big deal 'round here!



I linked up!