Punkin Time!!!!






ok.

Talking, Dancing, Playing and Painting

Sounds like I'm writing about myself, I know--but I'm writing about our Iddle Biddle. Over the last couple of months we have seen a developmental explosion from which Charlie Mac has emerged quite the party guest. He not only is talking so much more, in a wonderful combination of English and Iddlese, but is so EXPRESSIVE! Two days ago, he pointed at his lamb that my dad gave him and with his eyebrows up, nose down and a very serious tone informed me that "dis is Baa" wherupon he tucked the newly christened critter under his arm and requested to be removed from his bed.
Yesterday I heard music coming from the back of the house and through very little investigation found a rave going on in our bedroom--Charlie Mac and hid daddy were jukin' up a storm with impressive moves that included spinning, arms in the air like you just don't care and a head twist that could only be accomplished with a mop of golden curls. Mama and her belly joined in with what she could---let it suffice to say that Charlie Mac looked a lot better snapping his fingers than I did.
His favorite song is that Wilco song about walking by yourself and within the first three beats he is rocking out like nobody's business. I need to get that on video for sure. He sings along with the bass at the end "duh duh, duh duh, duh duh" while nodding his head in time and I swear it makes me want to scream like I'm face to face with Jerry Garcia. Like I've told him since he was born, he's better than any band I ever saw.

PLAYING! Everywhere all the time--he especially enjoys Falkner's yard where he literally blows kisses to and says "bye" to every tree before he leaves (where does he get that?) and the swings at our church. He goes to story time every week with his nanny Amber H and a paint your own ceramics place too. He picks his project and his colors and goes to town.

Well, it's time for me to get ready for work now--I'm going to post some pics that Amber H. got amongst the oak trees the other day very soon!

Much love,

Big Boy with his fork

Wow! We have sure been busy in our new town! I am almost thankful for the threats I have received from Augusta re: this blog because otherwise I may not have sat down to post for another month!! We are getting settled, Bradley is loving working for Square Books, I loved my time in Senator Cochran's office and have started permenant job hunting (hunting for a permenant job that is, not permanently job hunting I hope!), Charlie Mac has made some friends at the church nursery and beyond and will hopefully start his music class at the Yaknapatawpha Art council soon. I hope that suffices as an excuse for the lack of frequent updates here.
SO, without further ado...




Here we are on our way to church--lots and lots of young families that we are getting to know!




















Charlie Mac loves to get into the doggie treat cabinet and Guero loves it too!


















We still love choo choos....















Ole Guero can get his lean on like no other dog I've ever seen....

















Big Brother would like to show everyone how his new little brother or sister is growing...

Apparently I'm the only one who needs to "adjust" to babysitters....

Well, we are finally getting settled here in Oxford. As I write this, Bradley is driving the most enormous U-Haul and towing a trailer here from Texas. I can't wait until he gets here! He's been gone a week and we sure have missed him.
I've been working for our Senator Cochran in his Oxford office and I love it. I get to do a lot of work with constituents and knowing that I'm actually helping people really makes me happy. I'm just in here for the summer, so I am still looking for something permanent. Bradley starts at his job as assistant to the General Manager and Buyer at Square Books on Monday. It's a perfect job for a literature buff like him--and I know he is going to enjoy his duties of working with and entertaining the visiting authors most of all.
Charlie Mac has taken to babysitters like a duck to water...if I weren't so happy about his apparent well adjustment my feelings would be hurt! Every morning he greets his sitter (we have three different ones) with a smile and a request to be picked up. He does this by tapping a leg and saying "up" while lifting his arms. Soon after that he starts kissing the air in my direction and saying "bye bye!" Today I actually had to ask for my kiss and was presented with his cheek! I said "nuh uh, Mama needs her kiss! And then he giggled and kissed my face a couple times--much better! What's a mama got to do to get some love around here? Apparently waiting on someone hand and foot doesn't get what it used to...well, I'm sure any of you moms reading this are just laughing right now. I'm sure mine is!
He at least gets excited when I get home....most of the time.
I think his great experiences with Kristin in Georgetown have helped to make him this way--so thankful for her in so many ways!
His Aunt Katie will be here soon and we are counting down the days to her return!
I'll post some pics soon,
love, elizabeth

Addendum:
When I went home for lunch today, he wouldn't go down for his nap, so he was awake when I left again. He chased me to the door bawling. While I of course can't stand to see him cry, I have to say that my confidence in his love for me has been fully restored!

Fried Pies and Butterflies

No Iddlemethis fans, this is not a recollection of one of Lizzie's world-famous dreamscapes ~ it is daddy's first authorial cameo. Indeed, brace yourselves, I do know the excitement may be difficult to contain but we must - neighbors, the general public, and above all else the man don't take too kindly to pandemonium in the streets, so let's keep our thundering cries of supreme joy to gentle whimpers of undying enthusiasm. Onward...

Last weekend, in order to acquaint ourselves to our new satellite metropolis Memphis, we loaded up the gang and, three hours later, hightailed it northbound up I-55. Our plan included a brief stint at the Memphis Farmer’s Market (the Oxford version is a little on the small side and leaves a bit to be desired) to pick up some fresh veggies. We hoped for a king’s bounty an indeed found a cornucopia fresh, local, and tasty summer veggies –tomatoes, okra, eggplant, beans, and more. However, the true paragon of local delectability was found as we made our exit – a true fried pie, so damn good it was just downright sinful. (I almost slapped Lizzie, but after considering how hot is was outside, decided it wasn’t the best day for a walk to Oxford.)

Though the Farmer’s market was quite a time, and Charlie did get to do a little dancing - number 3 on his “Favorite Things to Do in the World List” – behind (#1) snuggling with his mama and just barely losing out to (#2) screaming bloody-murder five minutes before we are done eating in a restaurant – we were off to the main attraction, the reason for the season – Charlie Mac’s first trip to the Zoo!

This is an event not without much anticipation as yours truly has somewhat of a, how shall we say, obsession with “The Zoo” and passing on a somewhat unhealthy love for a place that smells like the business end of an elephant is just something that fathers are for. For an added bonus, Charlie Mac has recently become quite fascinated with the animal kingdom, not just mimicking their noises, but just watching the little fellas run amuck. In fact his new entertainment during our walk through the woods is doing a bit of bird and dog-rabidly-chasing-poor-innocent-squirrel watching. To be honest with you, the whole event was just amazing – it’s proving a task to provide a linear recount of the hours we spent there so I’m just gonna let it go. Flamingos – um yeah, pink giant birds (I feel for some odd reason I must describe these to you (unhealthy attachment I say)) - blew. CharlieMac’s. mind. Simply greatness. [Aside] There is nothing like blowing a toddler’s mind. Whether it is giant pink birds or a water hose, the look in their eyes, the stillness combined with that tangible appearance of a running mind – my God, it is better than fried pie. [End Aside]

I'm on a tiger, not on a panda, I'm on a TIGER, not on a panda, not on a panda, not on a panda...

The butterflies deserve their own paragraph. Love may not be the right word, and obsession is too grown up of an idea, just innocent OH.MY.GAWD. may be the best way to describe Charlie Mac’s reaction to the butterfly area. We have some great video of this and I will get this up here, as well as sending it to every news station in the WORLD because my baby is the CUTEST THING EVER. Sorry, that happens every once in awhile – parents, you understand. Strength in unity. Meanwhile, Charlie Mac’s chasing butterflies all over the place. He’s telling everyone about it, shouting it from the highest mountain “SSZzzzDAT! EEEEEEEEIIIIII!” Next time we go to the Zoo – it’s a nice picnic lunch, maybe even some blue-cheese stuffedolives, a spot on a corner bench, and hours spent watching our pride-and-joy chasing what seems to appear to him as little bursts of sunshinebeautifuljoy floating around in the air. In Charlie Mac’s eyes, and in ours, it was the Memphis zoo’s pièce de résistance.

There were other encounters – monkeys, penguins, fish, turtles, giraffes, elephants – which in their own right were exciting but as we spiraled into a tired, sweaty abyss of getmetothecarbeforeidie, we powered up for the pilgrimage to the Choo-Choo. Again, I promise to have some video up of the ride (knowing me let’s safely say sometime before next President’s Day.) It’s interesting how Charlie Mac developed his love for Choo-Choos – he never really watches Choo-Choo shows and only recently has had the toys – but the Choo-Choo is his thing. Some of us covet our jewelry or patchy pants – but for CMac it’s gimme Choo-Choo or gimme Choo-Choo. And, as we all well know, the Mecca of 18 month old Choo-Choo lovers is, without a doubt, the Barnyard Choo-Choo ride ~ A real life Choo-Choo, a real life cow, a real life goat, a covered bridge, a waterfall ~ somebody call the fire department because THE ROOF IS ON FIRE!

If you are wondering, we did make it back to the car in 3 pieces - 3 whole somewhat soggy pieces. But not before a gloriously failed attempt at the Barnyard animals show. Sorry to offend any Komodo Dragon lover’s out there - nothing against their cold-blood or prehistoric existence – but give me a break…and some of that sweet, sweet AC.

5 minutes later – approximately 54 seconds into our car ride home – we turn around and are blessed with this sight. Better than fried pie and butterflies.

Hooooome on the train, won't you put my monkey on the train...

Beachside fun

While our house was on the market we realized that there was no way we could live in it and keep it staged to the point where we could zip out at a moment's notice to show it. It's too little and we are just too "active." So, at times like these it's best to go to the beach.
Charlie Mac really got into the fun that is the Gulf Coast a lot more this time and it was just a blast to watch. Bradley and I got to have some fun crabbing and visiting with our friends the Weirs and their daughters Kathryn and Lucy along with the rest of the Frye clan who were staying a couple houses down from us. Brad and Trey has some luck night fishing and it was great for me to sit around and gab with Susan and Kathy. From Lucy Charlie Mac has learned that high chairs are so last month and that forks are where it's at. He's not really good at it, but he tries his darndest!
We stayed through the 4th of July and the fireworks were pretty, even if the Iddle wasn't as impressed as we thought he would be.

Here are some pics from the pier and the beach:


sleepy puppies on the road

Leaving Las Georgetown

We are in the process of selling our house in Georgetown--in escrow now, woo hoo!--and before we put it on the market we "staged" it to sell. For those of you who are less obsessed with HGTV than I am, that is the process whereby you take the "you" out of your home and make it a more generic place that potential buyers can imagine their own happy lives in. There were parts of it that were really hard (like Charlie Mac's room--boo hoo) but all in all, it was really worth it--here are the final results in a totally random order:

Communication, Iddle Style

Gahk--it means to look at something, there are very slight variations that mean "dog," "cat" and "car" although today he said "Cah" when talking about a car and he says "dug" sometimes for dogs. Gahk is really his go to word when he doesn't feel like thinking too hard before he gets his thought out.

Chuh Chuh-- "Choo Choo" he LOVES them

Wuhtidis--"what is this" We hear this a alot. Sometimes it is shortened to "dis" accompanied by a pointing little finger

wuhsdat? -- this means he hears something and is asking what it is

Ahtch -cracker or any other food he sees or wants

Haht -- "hot" he points to things that we've told him are hot like coffee mugs, electric cords, candles, etc. and lets us know that he knows they are "hot." Today, his little grilled cheese roly poly was still warm when I gave it to him and he pointed at it and told me "haht."

Gego- Guero our dog

Mama--either of us, but he's starting to say Dada too and pointing at me more when he says Mama. Today he said "Disismama" about me and I just about died. Seriously, a child will make you learn the meaning of "and I just melted" more than any crush will. Except of course Bradley.

Pbbbbt --he makes this sound after he poots and then he laughs. Don't ask me where he got it because I won't tell you.....

"Oooo"--any big animal. It started with cows as his version of "moo" and now it just means big animal. Horses, giraffes, elephants...

Ah ah --monkeys or any other ape.

pa pa pa --fish because of the "sound" they make with bubbles. I taught him this and it stuck. He seriously loves animals and really pays attention when they come up.

Caw Caw --birds--either when he sees one or hears one

Eee Eeee-- whales or dolphins, he would probably say it for sharks or other gray fish, but I can't say for sure. He learned it while we were watching a special on Nature.

bye bye --"bye bye" Blowing kisses and/or waving means this too. My son, the star...

mmmmmmm --he sees something he wants to eat

Up --he wants up in a chair, his stroller, the car, etc. "if you would please put me where I am pointing, I would greatly appreciate it" is really what it means.

Wah -- "wow" He says this at times that may seem random, but remember, everything is new to him and what may apear to simply be a lighted sign, book shelf or wire rack is actually a feat of design as far as he's concerned.

Dipe --"diaper" He will go get one out of the package if I ask him to. Then he remembers what's next and we play chase.

Schahtch-- "shoes" He's working hard on this one and I suspect it will be "Shootch" before long.

Ooohhhhh Ta! OH! -- Roll Tide Roll! This is done with hands up high and fingers wiggling...one guess who taught him that....yes Daddy and Katie, we are working on Hotty Toddy!

Ohhhh --this can simply mean "oh" or with a head shake it can mean "no thank you, I would not like those peas right now"

He signs a lot too with little signs he's made up. my favorite is when he either hears or wants to hear music; he bends his little arms and shakes his fists by his face. It was his first dance move and I just love it with all my heart. If he notices a flower, he leans forward and sniffs really hard and then points. He sticks out his tongue and pretends to brush his teeth when it's time to brush his teeth before bed. Another sign is banana, but we taught him the real one for that, he didn't make it up.

He can point to his eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, tongue, feet and toes. And yours if you ask him to. He will also point out trees.

He gives the very sweetest kisses--on the cheek please!

He pats and rubs our shoulders if he can ever reach them. Like if I'm squatting down picking up crayons or something. Then when you look over at him, he is smiling so sweetly. He just wanted to give a pat.

He tries to make music on little bottles like he's in a jug band. It's ridiculously cute.

He says "ahhhh" after he takes a sip of a drink with a satisfied smile.

He's learned that chewing with your mouth closed is something to be very proud of and that if you say "mm mmm mm" while you do it you can often get somebody to join you and tell you what a good job you are doing.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some but is't after nine p.m. so I am therefore quite exhausted. I would love to hear how any of the little ones in your life are letting you know what's on their minds!
Pictures to come soon!

Love, Elizabeth

Time spent in the corner

Time spent in the corner

The painter is coming tomorrow, so we had to go ahead and pack up the baby’s room this afternoon. I say “baby” but he’s really a toddler now. Our sermon at church today was about the tough passing of times in our lives being like little deaths and resurrections preparing us for the big one on down the road…perfect for us right now. So I was very stoic about it all and carefully packed up his little keepsakes and sent the changing table and rocking chair on to storage to await their “resurrection” at our next stop, wherever that may turn out to be. The day wore on with more preparations and bedtime drew near. Bradley was making one more trip to the storage unit and so we decided it would be a “ride to sleep” night. We’ve done that before, more often lately as we are weaning.

Only this time as I strapped my precious little boy into his carseat he was so undone—the hard play of the day was sending tears running down his face. My first impulse was of course to change course and take him into his room, cut the lights and rock him to sleep with prayers, our special lullaby and the sounds of his wave machine. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks—I will never again sit in that corner and do that. The very last time was last night and I hadn’t stopped to appreciate it, hadn’t realized it until it was too late...then I joined Charlie Mac in his tears. Sweet Bradley offered through his own misty eyes to bring the chair back with him, but as with anything about love--to contrive it is just not right. I took a deep breath and went back inside as they pulled away from the house.

I know that it sounds silly—that the same rocking chair, noisemaker and most especially the same sweet boy will be at the next place, but that spot on this earth of ours is where I grew from who I was before to who I am now, where I really grew up. To leave that spot is to leave a quiet place I shared with my son and God alone.

This spot is where I learned the beginning of what it takes to be a mother…and just how much that really is. I’ve logged countless hours of nursing, rocking, singing and most of all praying in the cool darkness of that room. Sometimes well after the baby was sleeping soundly in my arms I’d rock on looking at him in wonder, throw caution to the winds and risk thirty more minutes to steal a kiss from his little lips. There were times when I begged the Lord above for guidance or wept in frustration over how scared or lost I felt. It was there that I learned not just to ask, but to listen for the guidance that's always right there and to see that I'm right where I'm supposed to be. I learned to overcome myself, and I learned it in that corner.

I’ll always remember that spot, just the way it was. I’ll remember it the way I remember the Gulf under the moonlight and winter stars in the Delta. It’s part of who I am, so it will always be with me wherever I go…wherever that may turn out to be.