a man and his toys

The racy cars have landed.

bathroom reno-part three: meet perfection

I'm in love.

We met many, many months ago.  I was blown away by her smooth interior, cast iron finish, and extra six inches of length.

She's a beauty, for sure.  Spectra is her official name.  Sure, it's a little white trash sounding, but whatever...

And after a long two weeks of inhabiting the driveway, her rightful position has been assumed.

Right underneath my mold-free window.

Next up:  drywall.

it's hit

I looked at Lofton last Monday night and asked a serious, not even remotely sarcastic, question:  Where did we go wrong?

You see, I've always been pretty proud of our parenting abilities.  Sure, we've had a few snafus along the way, but overall we've been trucking along pretty well.  

Until now. 

Either my child has become possessed by some demonic creature OR the terrible two's {which I never really believed in} have hit full force.

Cue the song Miss Independent.  Except change Miss to Mister.  And maybe play some It's my party and I'll cry if I want to-- minus the party part.

Case in point #1:  Reese now hates Jake.  If Jake comes even remotely close to him screaming ensues.  Along with flailing arms, running away, and repeated use of the words "Mama", "back", "No", and "mine."  This could cause a few problems folks.  And truthfully, Lofton and I are currently on team Jake.  Aside from a few "food-related" instances, Jake is as sweet and loving toward Reese as any dog I've ever seen.  My new phrase?  Get a grip, son.

Case in point #2: Reese no longer believes in getting out of bed in the morning.  Not during the week and not on the weekends.  On the weekends I don't really care, but on weekdays {i.e. school days}???? Houston, we have a problem.  I have been scooping him out of bed eacg morning {and wrenching my back in the process} while he shrieks "MY BAH!" or "NO MAMA NIGHT NIGHT" ad nauseum.  

Case in point #3:  The words no or please don't do that or stop Reese no longer phase him.  Evidently he has developed selective hearing.  Any type of behavior redirection is just another reason for him to continue causing mischief.  And he gets the most devious/adorable look on his face.  Lofton and I don't know whether to laugh or smack him.  

And so it's off to read up on discipline again, before we lose total control and have to ship Reese off to toddler reform school.

ring ring

Chatty Cathy loves to talk on his daddy's phone.  Usually he "calls" Bob for a pretend chat.  Tonight though, Lofton asked Reese whom he was talking to and he said "Bull."  Bull is Lofton's brother Luke.  Reese picked the name Bull out of nowhere but it is perfectly appropriate.

Sorry the quality sucks.  It's from my phone.

Here's a brief transcript:


L:  Boo, who are you talking to?
R:  Bull
L:  Oh really.  How is he?
R:  Gooh. {i.e. good}
L:  That's great. 
R:  Hey Lee Lee.  Hey Mags.  {Mags = Maggie the dog}
L:  Oh, you're talking to Analee and Maggie?  How are they?
R: Gooh, Daddy.
L:  Okay.
R:  Luh you, Bull.  Buh-bye.


A real conversation.  With his uncle.  Except not really because it was pretend.  Yep... he's almost two and changing every day.

the many faces of Reese, part II

The big, bad two is trucking towards us at warp speed.  With it comes an increase in sassy attitudes and funny faces.

I laughed so hard I cried.  


That nose, those chunky cheeks, and the pouty lips... I die. 

fast and furious

I scooped Reese up early on Friday and we trucked it down to good ole P'cola for the weekend.  Lofton was left here to do "man-work."

Not much happened while we were home.  A little shopping {and by little I mean I only bought one pair of shoes this trip}, some eating, and then the usual watching Reese torment the cats.


A few highlights:

• Reese got a haircut.  A big haircut.  This mama still isn't sure how to tame those beautiful curls, so until the weather cools off permanently, we have a shorter style.  I teared up a little cause he looks so much like a big boy, but it's only temporary.  Reese's hair grows so fast the fro will be back before I know it.
• On our Saturday morning shopping excursion, Reese got naked at the mall.  Yep, he did.  One minute he was in the stroller clothed, the next minute he had shimmied out of his jon-jon.  I turned around and almost had a heart attack when I saw my child riding topless in the stroller.  And yes, my dad {who was pushing Reese} saw him take off his clothes and said NOTHING.  Little stinkers.
• The drive back felt like it lasted ten hours yesterday.  Reese napped only briefly then proceeded to whine the entire rest of the drive.  Around Greenville he tried to climb out of his car seat.  I seriously contemplated dropping him off on the side of I-85.  Knocking on the door of terrible two's... I think so.

Lastly, can I get a War- we finally have a decent quarterback who can throw and run- Eagle! I LOVE me some Auburn football.

coming along

Work continues here at Casa Beasley. 

Mold-free window.  Installed by the handy-husband.

Goodbye Reese's closet. 

I can honestly say I've had more than a few moments of "Why the hell did we decide to do this NOW?"  I know we were living with mold.  And yes, the window was literally rotting into the tub.  And okay, the rotting floor was causing the tub to slowly sink through the floor.  BUT... I really, REALLY miss long showers.  Our "second" bathroom tub is not exactly shower-friendly.

In other news, Sassy Pants is cracking me up.  He now has an opinion on EVERYTHING.  And usually his opinion involves the phrase "Umm, no."  

Do you want to go to bed? Umm no.

Are you hungry? Umm no.

Are you excited about school today? Umm no.

Let's try and potty... umm no.

Great.  Thanks little man. 

 

Time is racing by.  My baby will be two in exactly one month.  Wow.  He's going to be a heartbreaker, but right now it's this mama heart that's breaking.  As much as I love the little boy he is becoming, I miss my little baby too.  

Such is life, I suppose. 

Birthday party preparations are underway.... so GET EXCITED!