fish and penguins and urine, oh my!

Boo on it being Thursday.  My yearning for summer starts NOW!

Moving on though---

Lofton graciously offered to take a day off so we could do something fun with Reese.  A day off without his work phone.  It was AMAZING.  We decided that since we already visited the zoo {last Spring}, maybe we should try the aquarium.  To Atlanta we went...

Y'all we had the best time!  Yes it was crowded, but we got there shortly after it opened so things weren't too bad.  We arrived right at feeding time for the whale sharks and had a front row seat.  We chose not to take the stroller in which was probably our best idea of the day.  Maneuvering a stroller through the masses would not have been fun and Reese would have been constantly in and out of it anyway.  Lofton and I just took turns holding him.

I could go on and on about how amazing it is to watch something like this through your child's eyes... just incredible!  But instead, how about some PiCtUrES?

watching the whale sharks being fed

refusing to look at the camera

not such a fan of the japanese crabs

Harry the sea otter.  Reese wanted to name him "peter rabbit" but we steered him  in a different direction.

pooped

And now we come to the urine part of our little field trip.  So, about mid-tour I decided little man could probably use a diaper change.  He hadn't had one since we left Opelika, and after breakfast and the car ride I just knew it was time.  I also had NOT packed a spare pair of pants.  I like to live dangerously.

Long story short {and this is much funnier in person} I take Reese into one of the large handicap stalls.  It had lots of room and since I refuse to use on of those pull down--eww gross--changing things a large stall is necessary.  You see, I have mastered the art of changing Reese while he stands up.  Patent is pending.

I take Reese's diaper off and reach behind me to toss his wet diaper in the trash.  All the while I'm saying "Hold up your shirt Boo so I can put your new diaper on."  I turn around and imagine my shock when I see my child pee-ing EVERYWHERE.  On the floor, his hands, his only pair of pants, did I say the floor?  I flipped out!  I was saying "Stop! STOP!"  But obviously he couldn't.  I have honestly never seen so much urine come out of a two year old in one sitting.  And he, of course, thought the whole thing was hysterical.  He was saying "Mama, dare is tee-tee everywhere" and laughing!

Needless to say the second half of our aquarium adventure involved him in some semi-wet pants.  Luckily, he only tinkled on the top part of his pants and his shirt covered that up.

Goodness.  Life with a toddler is never boring. Ever.

lucky in love

Can I tell you something?  I am one l.u.c.k.y girl.  Sweet husband returned last night and we've done nothing but celebrate his arrival.  If you could have seen the look on Reese's face when he woke up from his nap and realized that Daddy-O was finally home.  Melt my heart.

I am oh so thankful for many things in my life but one of the main blessings is that the hubs has a job where he only travels twice a year.  I mean, seriously, I don't think I could survive without a husband around.  While maybe I could survive without a husband but not my husband.  He's a keeper.

And speaking of keepers, today we celebrate a glorious occasion in the Buckley-Beasley family:  my parent's 33rd anniversary.  If you are a frequent blog reader you know the whole story so I won't go into it again, but let's have a round of applause for these two:

Thirty-three years is quite an accomplishment.  And I would like to emphasize they really, really love each other.  And we really love them.  So happy anniversary Emo & Buck!  Reese is blowing you kisses  from Opelika...

while the cat is away...

Three days is a super long time.  Especially on the weekend. A time change weekend no less!  That's how long Lofton has been gone--three whole days!  Lucky for my sanity, he returns sometime tomorrow.  I love my alone time with Reese but I also love my alone time with Reese and his Daddy.  Don't really need anybody else, but those two together just make a better package.

I can admit to you, my closest friends, that while changing Reese's diaper today {for the fifth time} he kicked me... hard.  And then he yelled "Get off me, mama!"  I popped his leg equally as hard.  Of course, he promptly burst into tears and yelled "I want my Daddy-O!"  Me too, little buddy.  Me too.

And so, a little recap of what the sassy toddler and I have been up to since we began our Spring Break.  It hasn't been all pops and tears, I promise!

Seed planting with our super cool new watering can. We planted some marigolds and some zinnias.  Usually I plant actual plants, but I thought growing seeds might be fun for a change.  Reese certainly enjoyed it.  Bet his G is super proud!

An almost accident in the bathtub.  And no mom, he isn't cold.  He is actively concentrating. And then he decided it would be funny to yell "Mama is a pooper" all night.  

Baking cupcakes for Daddy-O and just generally being adorable.  The cupcakes are vanilla with orange frosting because someone insisted orange is Daddy-O's favorite color.

And the best part of our time together?

I broke our cardinal parent rule and allowed Little Boo to sleep with me.  At first I was a little concerned when he brought Fletcher, both rabbits, two blankets and a pillow with him.  But he has cuddled up next to me both nights and slept soundly.  You know, until he decides to wake up at like five in the morning.  But I'll take the early rising because I do love seeing this sweet face right next to me.

crazy good

Run to the store immediately, buy the ingredients to make these delectable brownies, and bake them.  Then call me and thank me for changing your life.  They are divine.  I promise.

White Chocolate-Coconut Brownies

Yield: 24 brownies

Prep Time: 25 minutes | Bake Time: 30 minutes

1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

11 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 cup (8 ounces) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces

1½ cups granulated sugar

½ cup packed light brown sugar

5 eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup shredded coconut

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the sides and bottom of a 9×13-inch glass or light-colored baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour and salt together.

3. Put the white chocolate and butter in a large bowl and set it over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and smooth. Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl over the water and add the sugars. Whisk until completely combined, then remove the bowl from the pan. The mixture should be room temperature. {Or my own shortcut:  Microwave the butter and chocolate together, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted.}

4. Add 3 eggs to the white chocolate mixture and whisk until combined. Add the remaining eggs and whisk until combined. Add the vanilla and stir until combined. Do not overbeat the batter at this stage or your brownies will be cakey.

5. Sprinkle the flour mixture and the coconut over the chocolate mixture. Using a rubber spatula (not a whisk), fold the flour and coconut mixture into the chocolate until just a bit of the flour mixture is visible.

6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through the baking time, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies comes out with a few moist crumbs sticking to it. Let the brownies cool completely, then lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares and serve.

7. Store at room temperature in an airtight container or wrap with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.

(Recipe adapted from Baked: New Frontiers in Baking) via Brown Eyed Baker

boo on belly problems

Shoot.  We've had some stomach issues here in the Beasley house and after contemplating, over and over, whether or not Reese really needed to see the doctor-- we took him.  Verdict?  Let you know Friday... his diaper has been sent to the hospital for testing.  What we do know is that it is a very odd consistency {cause you really wanted the deats, right?} and full of mucus.  And other than that we have no real fever and no real pain {other than when he is going}.  He isn't sleeping well, but who knows what that is about!

So, for your amusement, I present the funny things Reese has said the last few days--

• Last night we went to Durango's, a local Mexican establishment we frequent.  When our waiter, who basically knows us by name, came to the table Reese promptly piped up with "Hola!"  Thank you Handy Manny for teaching my child how to greet people in Spanish.  I was worried we had offended the man, but he laughed it off.  Whew.
• Reese may or may not have been allowed to sleep with us last night.  I'll never tell.  I will say that after a few nights of near negative sleep, Daddy-O and Mama were d.e.s.p.e.r.a.t.e.  With a capital D for some zzz's. And if Reese did sleep in our bed, I can assure you that is is the first time since he was a wee infant with stomach problems.  For real.  Anyhoo-- this afternoon when I was rocking him, I sweetly told him that he would be sleeping in his big boy bed tonight with his friends: Fletcher, Peter, and Bla Bla bunny.  His response, "No.  I sleep outside."  Really?, I replied.  "Uh-huh, on da porch.  Wif Raleigh and Jake." 
• At the doctor's office, while undressed, he points to his chest and says, "Dees my boobs."  Yes son, they are. "You no touch dem.  Okay?"   

And because when your belly hurts you pretty much get to do whatever you want:

A little afternoon Bambi watching.  Are they sweet or what?

we are...

• Tired.  Someone decided to pull an all nighter last night.  We aren't sure why-- we think maybe he's cutting molars-- but Lord I'm feeling it today.  Lofton and I took shifts but I'm just not as young as I used to be.  Evidently neither is Lofton.  He sent me an email that said "I picked up an iced coffee with breakfast this morning.  Bad idea.  Feel like I'm on speed."
• Ready for some down time.  Hello Mr. Friday! Can you please hurry up?  The spring break countdown has begun.  If you need us we will be doing absolutely nothing.  No trips, no traveling, just rest.  We have decided to take Reese somewhere fun for a day.... but I'll share the surprise later.
• Proud.  Lofton is heading to North Carolina this week for work.  Don't tell him I told you but he is being presented with a huge award: bronze level salesman.  For someone whom hates sales evidently he's not too shabby at it.  

family picture

No words.  Just cuteness.

All of my babies.  Sweetness abounds.

I asked Lofton the other night if he thought other toddler parents sat at the dinner table and just admired their child.  He rolled his eyes and got up to get more pizza.  But really-- I sometimes watch Reese from across the table, pretending his orange segments are dinosaurs and growling, and I think he is just amazing.

What a wonderful gift God has given us.