This Weekend

My sister's birthday was Friday and to celebrate we all went to Rogersville, AL to a cabin for dinner Saturday evening. Gentry gave Papaw a workout marching up and down the stairs "searching for monsters". It was quite amusing to all of us who weren't following Gentry up and down, and up and down, and up . . . . the stairs.

WAR EAGLE!

Well, it was a very nice Thanksgiving all though I did not take many pictures. Gentry did find an Auburn Pom-Pom that he carried around the house shaking yelling " GO EAGLE".

He's doing much better this year (compared to the medical drama of last winter). We've had to start his breathing treatments again and was complaining of an ear ache yesterday. Even with those ailements though, we've been lucky so far. I really hope we make it through this winter without all the issues that we had last year.

Sick or not, he's still cute (even with a runny nose).

Doc & Gunner

The Smilebox link above will open a new window to show you some pictures of Doc (light brown and black) and Gunner (Brick with white blaze on chest). They have been doing really well together since we first introduced them (yesterday). Just thought you might like to see some pictures.

No pics . . . yet

Today we got another dog. His name is Gunner and he is a Vizsla . I'm hoping to get some pictures tomorrow. He and Doc (our other dog) are getting along well. It took them about an hour, but they will be best buds by the end of the week. Gentry keeps saying that Doc is his dog and Gunner is daddy's dog. Pictures coming soon. . .

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

So, for Halloween this year Gentry is a Pirate (he says Parrot). I doubt that we'll get many pictures tomorrow night since we only have a few stops but I did get some pictures last Saturday at the church Fall Festival. He has really enjoyed dressing up and telling everyone "AAaarrgg, Matey". He's just so cute (even though the outfit was a little big on him).

This will actually be his first time to trick-or-treat since last year he came down with an ear infection the day before Halloween.

I have one little disclaimer. I put the make up on him before I left and then his daddy actually dressed him. . . . so I can't take responsibility for the shoes and cap. :)

His favorite part of his outfit, by far, was his "nocunars".

Farm Day Fun

Today we went to Cullman (about 35 miles from home) for Farm Day. It was actually much larger than I anticiapated and we all had tons of fun!

Gentry really enjoyed all of the antique tractors. It was hard to keep him from trying to ride them!

. . . And of course the animals! He loved petting the bunny, sheep, cow, and piglets. He did, however, get a little skiddish after the piglets started squeeling. He asked me "make the pigs no oink at me" I tried, with no avail to explain how that I had no control over when the piglets "oinked".

I did get him to sit still long enough in the barn for me to get a quick snap shot.

The Pumpkin Painting was one of his favorite activities. He was concentrating so hard on getting his pumpkin just right.

I wasn't sure he was quite big enough to plow with the mule, but the men working were great with Gentry and he did pretty well. . .

. . . for the most part :)

After plowing he decided to tell "Jake" (the donkey) thank you and to ride him for a moment.

We all really had a good time today.

and now, we are all REALLY tired and going to bed early.

Just thought I would post some new pictures. Gentry's temper tantrums have really gotten better over the past couple of weeks. He is still testing us, but the full out tantrums have stopped. Gentry got to go to Papaw & Mom-B's house last Saturday to play and he was so excited!

I have to say. . . that looking at that smile makes me (temporarily) forget about all the fits. I feel so very blessed!

one more . . . .

His favorite thing to watch right now is what he calls "The cow mooobie" (BARNYARD)
We have to limit his intake. He will actually sit and watch the ENTIRE movie multiple times, if you let him. He got to watch a little bit of it tonight and I just thought he looked cute. . . he caught me with the camera though, and had to pose.

Sunday Best

My baby looked like such a little man today I had to share the pictures. He's growing up so quickly. . . he is now going to potty all on his own (he gets quite upset if you try to go with him). I had recently told Josh that I really wanted Gentry going to potty alone and able to get in and out of the car on his own before we tried for another baby. Much to my suprise, Gentry has all ready mastered both of these tasks. . . I now have to find a new goal ;)

Floffer Biscuit

So. . . . Gentry, Josh, Katie and I went to Red Lobster last night for dinner. Gentry enjoys looking at the bish (fish), dofins, and floffers (lobsters). Katie was enjoying getting Gentry to say each of those items and then she recieved her Lobster Bisque. Gentry kept asking what it was and finally Katie explained the name of her soup. Gentry replied (loudly) "FLOFFER BISCUIT?!?!?"

Here are some recent snap shots for your enjoyment.

Our gracious neighbor brought Gentry the "Gator" and small 4-wheeler that her son had outgrown. Needless to say, Gentry was completely ecstatic! He's ridden both toys until the batteries are completely dead. I'm glad we have the extra room that he can ride on.

As Gentry gets older he is learning to express his own personality (that's putting it EXTREMELY liberally). Basically, he's throwing temper tantrums and Josh and I are just trying to figure out what to do. What I think is most interesting though, is that through the entire time that he has been the worst at home, the ladies that keep him during the day always tell me what an angel he is. "If every child acted like Gentry we'd have it made," they would tell me in the afternoons. (Personally, I was starting to think they had inhaled too many markers. . . )

THEN IT HAPPENED - yesterday I arrive to pick up Gentry to a frazzled looking daycare operator who was glad to see me. I find out that my "little angel" not only bit 2 children but he also kicked and hit a little girl (the point needs to be made here that this particular little girl has a history of biting Gentry and other children). He had been punished and had not responded to any discipline all day, and had basically just given all the workers fits . . . ALL DAY.

Part of my sadistic personality was proud that they knew I wasn't lying, and then I also felt EXTREMELY sorry for them. I know what it's like when Gentry gets in his moods and I can't image what it was like having to protect other kids from this normally docile child.

Most importantly we (the adults) are learning how to deal with Gentry's personality. Any suggestions at this point are welcome ;)

Snuggle time

So, Josh and I have been really good, since the beginning, of putting Gentry in his bed and expecting him to go to sleep on his own. No co-sleeping (except for the one time when Gentry had RSV and Josh was out of town on work) and we haven't even rocked him since he was about 9 months. But, last night after bath Gentry laid down on the couch with me and watched the food network with me until he fell asleep. It was so nice. I know he isn't going to want to do this much longer and I just savoured the moment. At one point Josh tried to take Gentry to bed. . . . I think I growled at him.

I'm trying to remind myself that in-between the 2 year old temper tantrums that the sweet moments still exist and when I see them I've got to enjoy the moment. My baby has all ready turned into a little boy, and he's growing up so quickly.

Momma's little helper

So, a friend of mine made a comment today that she didn't see how I kept this blog so up-to-date. It made me feel bad because I keep chiding myself thinking I don't update enough. . . Cest la vie.

Gentry is officially into the "I wanna help" phase. Last night he asked if he could help cook. Unfortunately I was too busy helping him "help" that I didn't get any pictures. Well, lucky for me he wanted to "help" again tonight. So I was ready with the camera. . . .

We worked together to make Chicken Parmesean. First you have to grease the pan. . . .

Then you have to mix the parmesean and breadcrumbs.

That's about all he got to help with. I was a little paranoid about letting him work with ANY heat, sharp objects, or raw meat. He was a little dissappointed and got creative with what I would let him play with. . . .

8/8/07 - 8/12/07 Trip to Florida

Sorry it's been so long since I've updated. We've all been running crazy with work and were gone to Florida for 5 days, as most of you know. We stopped on the way down to Florida in Adalusia, AL. Our friends Tim, Ashley, Caroline, & Luke live there. After a night at their house we made the final leg into Florida.

As we got closer to Merritt Island we figured out that the time was going to be too late to go to the beach once we reached our final destination. So we found a public beach just north of Daytona so that we could see how Gentry would react to seeing the ocean for the first time.

He was very excited about seeing the ocean. It was all he had talked about for days. . . .

He seemed a little dissapointed, however. I really don't think it was what he was expecting.

He was absolutely terrified of the water.

This became a reoccuring sight. We would all walk down toward the water and then Gentry would take off back toward the sand dunes, alone.

We finnally arrived in Merritt Island and were settled in for the night. The next morning we went back to Cocoa Beach with some of my family. We rented a beach umbrella which was one of the smartest things we did the whole vacation. Gentry and cousin Claire sat under the umbrella playing in, what Gentry calls, "big sand box" until the both had sand in every crevace on their body.

They played so well together! I was very proud of both of them. Also, as you can see in the picture, the wagon that Papaw and Mom-B gave Gentry for his birthday was very useful at the beach.

We played at the beach until it was lunch/nap time and then all headed back for lunch, naps and showers for a family dinner out.

At dinner that night Gentry got to meet his Noni (Great-Grandmother) for the first time. He was pretty grumpy since he didn't have a nap but everyone was understanding.

The next day we had breakfast with more family, packed up and went back to the beach for a little walking and then had lunch on the peir. After naps we went to visit Noni again. Gentry was bouncing off the walls but seemed to enjoy spending the time with Noni.

He gave kisses - and let Noni show him the propor way to show someone his age (he's been putting out all five fingers when he says "I'm two").

He also posed well for some pictures with Noni before leaving. I hate that the trip was so short. We really didn't get to spend as much time with everyone as we would like. There were also some family members and friends that we didn't get to see at all this trip.

This was really my first full family trip to Florida in 13 years (to the date) the last time I remember being there on a "family trip" was for my 16th birthday. It was really nice seeing everyone and Josh and I hope to be able to go back soon.

Gentry actually did pretty well on the drive home. We stopped over night in Valdosta, GA and were home before dinner on Sunday.

7-28-07

We went to brunch today at my grandmother's house. Gentry ate pretty well but wanted to stay outside with a small group rather than inside with the crowd. So we were outside soon after eating, and found Gentry talking with the chickens that my uncle brought up for my sister.

Speaking of my sister. She is doing much better today after havings a wreck on thursday. She had no severe injuries and looks pretty good. Unfortunately the car had a little more damage.

After leaving grandma's Gentry fell asleep before we got home. We put him straight in the bed when we got home, but that didn't last 30 minutes. He was back up and playing and there was no amount of discipline, bribing, or coaxing to keep him in bed. So, when katie showed up he was more than happy to play and get riled up.

Later that evening we had company over and he was watchin tv while we talked in the kitchen. I went in the living room to check on him and he was sitting straight up while sound asleep. He hasn't felt real good the rest of the day but is finally in bed. We'll see what tomorrow brings. :)

7-25-07

There is nothing like not having a camera for a while to make you appriciate the convenience of digital cameras. Mother and Josh went in together and got me a camera for my birthday. So, today you get to see new pictures!

Gentry LOVES being outside. It's actually quite difficult for us to keep him inside so most of the time we are running around outside, when we are home.

Mom-B & Papaw got Gentry a wagon for his birthday. He aboslutely loves riding around in it.

He also tried to pull dad around tonight. . . it didn't work very well.

I'll do my best to keep the new pictures coming. I had to go to the Dr. today and was diagnosed with tendonitis so. . . . typing should probably be limited. Not real sure how feasible that is though.

7-22-07

Wow, what a week. On Thursday Gentry's sitter told me that he was ready for "big-boy-underware". Josh on the other hand wasn't so sure this idea would work. After I explained that our sitter has potty trianed more children than we will ever train in our life time, we headed off to WM to get some underoos. I actually was upset purchasing them. While glad that my little man was growing up and that extra money for diapers would be coming to an end. I also knew that this was just another step to his growing up.

The next day I packed a sensible bag. . .
3 extra pair of underware
2 clean shirts
3 clean shorts

When I got back to pick Gentry up I was amazed to find out he was still in his original outfit. He hadn't had an accident all day. I was so proud! We got home and no sooner had he told his daddy the good news, but came back in the room and proceeded to tell me he was stinky (in the new underware of course). :) Ain't life grand.

One other side note. . . he is getting his ABC's down fairly quickly. He's only skipping a couple. and his color recognition now includes Blue, Green, Red, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Black, Pink, and Purple. It's so amazing watching him learn!

7-15-2007

Well, Gentry is officially 2 years old now. His pool party went fairly well, other than the fact that Gentry did NOT want to swim and made that very clear by throwing an all out fit any time somebody tried to get him in the water.
He did however seem to have a good time. He got more gifts than he'll ever get to play with. Thank goodness these things are only once a year. :)
Check back in the next couple of days for more pictures.

7-12-07

Wow, I'm planning Gentry's 2nd birthday party. Time has flown so quickly. He's such a "grown" little man sometimes. But, he never ceases to suprise me with baby fits.

I'm truly in awe, watching him grow. His ability to absorb knowledge so quickly is completely amazing. He's been counting for a month or more now. I got him a alphabet puzzle for his birthday and let him play with it tonight. He sat in the floor with Josh repeating each letter's name after Josh and placing it in it's spot on the board. You could see he was enjoying the learning experience.

I'm interested and anxious to see what comes next. :)

Also, watch for new pictures over the next couple of weeks.

7-7-07

We went to my aunt's house today to swim, eat and celebrate July 4th (a little late). Normally I would say, that "Unfortunately, it was raining". . . but due to the extreme drought we are going through the rain was a wonderful sight.

So, we ate and even swam in the rain. Well, actually I swam in the rain while Gentry clung to me like a baby orangutan with a death grip. Oh, and did I mention the screaming? He loves swimming in his little 1 foot pool where he can stand up the entire time. Larger pools where he can't touch bottom and that he is sharing with 10 loud cousins (all of whom are 7 or older) seem to make him nervous.

So after 5 minutes, we were out of the pool and back to eating.

Gentry has done well in his counting. He can count items from 1-8 and demonstrates at complete random moments (of course never on command). He does however have a conflict with the number 3 and has refused to say it for close to a month now. He either counts "one, two, one, two" or skips 3 all together and goes straight to four.

Now we also have been trying the counting trick. Before he gets severe punishment he is given three warnings noted by the numbers "one, two, three". This has worked fairly well for us, only getting to three on occasion and having him call our bluff. However this afternoon after returning home from the family festivities Gentry refused to go take a bath. After he hid under the kitchen table I began to count. It went something like this. . . .

Me: Gentry Corbin come to the bathroom now.

Gentry: (hiding under the table) NO!

Me: One

Gentry does not make any moves

Me: Two

Gentry: THREEEEEE!!!!!!

7-5-07

I'm trying to get all of Gentry's pictures uploaded, but since I'm 2 years behind it may take a little while. I did find out that you guys have to sign up for the blog to be able to view this site, but I really prefer a private site. So, sorry for the inconvenience. . . but I think it's better this way.

Ashley and Tim Jones are in town. She's the first baby sitter Gentry ever had. She kept him for about 6 months when I first went back to work. They have a little girl named Caroline who is about a year older than Gentry and Baby Luke is now 3 months old. We all went to dinner and then came back to our house for some chocolate ice cream cones and play time.

Gentry and Caroline played very well together. I was so proud of them. They would take turns leading each other around, pausing every once in a while to speak to "Baby Wuke". Eventually we all got tired and they went back to "Poppy D's" (Brother Darryl's House). We all had so much fun. I love seeing old friends.

NEW SITE

Due to issues with the other family website, we'll probably just use this one for new pics of Gentry. It doesn't have as many features but you aren't required to have a membership to view the blog (at least I don't think you do). Let me know what you think. . . .

7-3-2007

Spud Fest Picture (6-30-07)

So I guess just before G's 2nd birthday is a little late to start a memoir style blog of his childhood but, better late than never. . . This evening was so much fun. We played outside after dinner.

G has a little jeep that we got from his cousins a few weeks ago. In the Jeep is a cb radio toy. While playing tonight he picked it up. I told him to call papaw. And. . . sure enough we heard him say "Hey papaw, wanna eat go brefast?" I guess after hearing me say this a minimum of 3 days a week, that's what he thinks we're suppose to tell papaw.

Josh found a grasshopper and placed it in G's "bug collector". G enjoyed watching the grashopper and instructing "jump . . . pees (please)". Eventually the grasshopper was released much to G's dismay. He followed it around for about 10 minutes placing the "bug collector" on the ground about a foot behind the insect instructing it to "get in it . . . grass-whopper jump in it".

We finished the night with some bubbles and a good fit thrown when we had to come inside. But we promised to swim "bunches" tomorrow. He went to bed fairly easily after an episode of "Pooh-Tigger" (Adventures of Tigger and Pooh).