Hanging with the Lackey Family

Chad's family has always celebrated monthly birthdays since I can remember but recently we stopped doing that for various reasons.  Finally, we are back on track and had a dinner not too long ago.  The kids loved playing with each other and it was really fun to catch up with everyone.  Here are a few pics of Sarah, Tyler, Dayton and Dalton.  I would add some of the adults but they are just not as fun.

It's my birthday, I am 2

We celebrated Sarah's 2nd birthday yesterday.  She was so excited that all the people were coming to see her and loved telling everyone that it was her birthday and she was 2.  I, however, cannot believe that she is already 2.  Although, as a family, we have had some interesting times since she was born and some days seemed r-e-a-l-l-y l-o-n-g for all of us, the past 2 years have flown by.  To be a tad cliche, it seems just like yesterday (at this time actually) that we were packing up the hospital room to take this little 24 hour old baby home.  And now, we celebrate this 24 month old little girl and all that she has brought to our lives in these few short months.

Sarah, you are one of the most caring children and are very social.  You love to play with anyone as long as there are babies involved at some point along the way.  You love to read, cook and sing and most of all you L-O-V-E all your babies, all of them.  You have brought so much joy to our lives and we love to watch you grow.  You make my heart smile bigger than I knew possible and have shifted my priorities in life even farther.  I am honored to be your Mom and as you shed the title of being a baby and move into a full-blown toddler, I am beaming with the anticipation of what you will bring to our lives.  Thank you for being such an amazing little girl.  I love you more than you will ever know!

Some of your favorites and things to note right now:

• As I mentioned above, you love your babies....all of them and you have to have them with you at all times - morning, noon and night.
• You have been potty trained for almost a month and you make sure that everyone knows that you are a big girl and how proud we are of you.
• You love balloons - in pictures, books, television and especially in person.
• You like to sing the "Bible" song (Jesus loves me) and love to read the Hungry Caterpillar.
• You like to eat chocolate and candy the most, corn, olives, pickles, yogurt, cheese, coke (thanks Daddy), ham, ice cream and popsicles to name a few.
• You know your ABCs, can count to 10, know all of your animals and their respective sounds and we are working on all your colors.
• You have terrible nose bleeds anytime someone even touches your nose.
• You haven't passed out in over 6 months!
• You grit your teeth and have a great "mean" face when you are angry.
• You give the best hugs and have a great pucker and an Eskimo kiss!
• You have a great set of "pipes" as Daddy says.
• Your determination is unmatched and you give T a run for his money on a daily basis.
• You have the biggest, brightest blue eyes.
• You love Nana & Pop and Papa & Gran and Corey more than they know.
• You love to watch Shrek, UP and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
• You love to share my coffee with me.

Some of your favorite sayings:

• "Yee-haw Cowboy, giddy up"
• "Come on, (insert name), Come on"
• "love you" and "love-up sign"
• "I have it"
• When cooking in the playroom: "Very hot", "Very good", "Eat it"
• ABCs
• "Dinner time"
• "Mack and Molly, stop"
• "Tyler squeeze face"
• "Good Morning Sunshine"
• "Coffee.  Mmmm, hot?"
• Maybe not a favorite but an often: "Go poo-poo.  Go out there.  Privacy"
• And just good ol' squealing

We love you, Sarah.  Happy Birthday baby girl!

Thanks Tom and Ashlee - this horse is not going to know what hit her!

Wonderfully handmade dolls from Nana.

Getting at least one hit at the pinata.

Ending the day with coffee, definitely my child!

A Visit to Dr. Kwon

The kiddos had their first dentist visit and it went very well all around.  Dr. Kwon is right around the corner from our house and has a great practice for kiddos.  The staff was great for keeping them calm and unafraid of the dentist.  They checked out their teeth and they have no cavities, are brushing pretty well and have no reason to return for 6 months.  T was just excited that this is one check-up where there were no shots and he got to keep his clothes on!!

Potty Trained

I am so happy to report that all of the Lackey's are diaper-free as of August 1st :)  For the first time in over four years, Chad and I do not have any diapers to change.  We are shedding the diaper bag and putting away all of the changing tables and items that go along with that.  I am so proud of Sarah for accomplishing this with really few accidents before her 2nd birthday.  She is really excited about her 'pincess panties' and just prances around the house - wedgies and all :)

Good Morning 30, Nice to Meet You.

Today I turn 30, and I have to start this by saying Happy Birthday to my Mom.  She has always told me that you should really honor your mother on your birthday since you would not have a birthday if it was not for all that she did to get you here.  I did not truly understand this until I had children of my own.  So, for the last four years, I have started my birthday by telling my Mom "Happy Birthday" first.  Happy Birthday, Mom.  Thanks for all that you have done for me and continue to do for me daily.

I am really excited to be turning 30.  And with a big smile, I say goodbye to my 20's.  It has been my experience that the 20s are a time of "finding yourself" so to speak.  Trying to determine who you are, who you want to be and be with, what you want your life to look like and what you stand for, defining the important things in your life and the important people as well.  Just a decade of finding.

All in all my 20s were amazing as I had some major, life-changing accomplishments over the last 10 years.  I graduated college, landed my first "real" job that I am still employed at today, married my best friend and built a family with two great kids, loved unconditionally and have been loved unconditionally, met my best girl friend and truly learned what friendships were about.  I have grown in my relationships with my family as well and love them dearly.  I also experienced some heartache and disappointment, loss and even death.  I learned how to trust people and how not to trust people which has helped shape who I am today.  And through it all, I have learned that Chad and my family will always be there for me.  Thank you for that.

I feel like I am very solid in the person that I am today.  In my faith, my personality and the core of who I am.  I am happy with myself and my family.  I have great friends and know that I have a group of people that I could call at any time of the day and they would be here in a flash....with a smile.  I am so blessed and I look forward to everything that the 30s has to bring.  I hope that you will join me in my journey into a new decade.

So, Mom, does this mean that I am 4 now?

Yes, Tyler Andrew, you are four.  It is hard to believe that four years has flown by.  It seems like yesterday that we were eagerly awaiting our induction appointment bursting with excitement to meet God's latest miracle.  We were so excited, nervous, unsure and just plain inexperienced in the world of parenting and the experience of bringing a life into the world.  Little did we know that 4 hours after they started my labor that you would enter the world.  With a fabulous set of lungs and the most perfect little person that I had ever seen.

You still continue to amaze me to this day.  Your tenderheartedness is unsurpassed.  You have a deep love for your family and are always concerned with their well-being.  You love, love to learn anything new and to share that knowledge with others.  You are a quiet thinker and really don't like to be the center of attention.  You often take the 'back seat' to others and allow them to take the full attention of the show.  You are one of the fastest learners and smartest four year olds that I know.  You have a photogenic memory and can recite things that I am not even sure how or where you learned.  You love your sister and ask for her first thing in the morning and the last thing you say before bed is that you love her.  You always lend a helping hand around the house and even though a few good 'fits' have been pitched, you still complete the task asked of you, eventually.  You are very headstrong and determined.

My hope for you is that you continue to be that great thinker and genuine character that you are now.  I am so blessed that God entrusted your Dad and I to be your parents.  You have been life changing in more ways than I can express.  I cannot imagine a day without you in my life.  My heart has grown bigger than I knew it was able to in order to hold all of the love that I have for you.  I so look forward to this year, your last year before elementary school.  I cannot type too much about that because I get really teary eyed.  Not because I am sad for a new chapter, but because I know that the years are going all too fast.  I have immense enjoyment in being your Mom and I know that will never change.  But I also know that you can now dress yourself, potty alone, fix your own breakfast, clean your room, feed yourself, ride a bike, swim and so many other things that you just don't really need me to do for you anymore.  As the days go by, the 'things' that you need me to do for you are replaced with things that I can do with you and that makes my heart smile.  I can read with you, color with you, play with you, chase you, sword fight with you, pretend with you and most of all just love you.

You, Tyler Andrew, are such a blessing and I am honored to be your mother.  Thank you for helping to shape me into the Mom that I am today and for growing with me as we both learn the ropes of being a parent and a child.

Here are some of your favorite things right now:

• Movie: Star Wars - all of them except for the ones that are PG-13.  You also love Toy Story, Little Rascals and Davy Crockett.
• Favorite TV Show: Wipeout, Imagination Movers and Curious George (especially at bedtime).
• Favorite Foods:  Any type of fruit, olives, pickles, peppers from Pop's garden, Superman ice cream, cucumbers, carrots and chocolate milk.
• You never sleep in your own bed and have a very hard time falling asleep without holding a handful of my hair.
• You love your dogs - Mack and Molly - and even help me take care of them during the day.
• You like to watch movies in other languages (not sure about that one).
• You have a really hard time being separated from Mom and Dad for any long period of time.
• You are 100% boy, worms, slugs, guns, swords are all included.
• Height: 45ish inches.  Weight: 45ish pounds.  Shoe Size: 12
• Favorite Color: Red
• You adore your grandparents and Corey more than they know.
• Favorite Saying: 'No, harm done.  We can fix that.' 

Brand New

First Birthday

Second Birthday

 

 

 

 

Third Birthday

Fourth Birthday

Tyler's 4th Birthday Party

We had Tyler's 4th birthday party today and he enjoyed himself so much.  The day started off a little rocky, T just hates being the center of attention so the thought of him having a big party is slightly overwhelming to him; this year, we just stuck to our family members to make it a little more comfortable for him.  We celebrated with only four kids and it was fantastic.

We had sandwiches, fruit salad, pasta salad, chips and cupcakes.  It was a stress-free day for Chad and I since we decided to keep it simple this year.  Tyler was great during the party as well.  When opening his gifts, he would hug each person before and after opening the present to express his gratitude.  We were proud since he was not even prompted to do that.  When everyone left, he thanked us for his party and very excitedly asked, 'So, does this mean that I am four now?'  Yes, baby, you are four (not really until the 13th but that is too much to explain).  Happy Birthday T, I cannot wait to see what year 4 holds for us.  It is certain to be a wild ride.  We love you!

6:45 am: rolled out of bed for a pizza breakfast and making cupcakes.

He just hates being the center of attention.

Happy 4th Birthday T!