To Grandma's House we went...

Last weekend we headed south and stayed at Great Granny D's house, Joe's Grandma. It is always a treat to see her. Not only does she make the most amazing food - the best corn bread, potatoes, baked chicken, peach cobbler, biscuits and gravy, eggs, oh my I am hungry again... but she also makes us feel right at home.

Grandma also tends to always give Reece whatever treats he wants and then gives him a few more when Joe and I aren't looking. :) Is that a grandma and great grandma given right- is there a contract that you sign somewhere once you have grandkids that no matter what you will spoil, spoil some more, and then come back and add a little more spoiling? Anyway, Reece loved it. He loved the ice cream that Granny D gave him and then the two of them had a great time hysterically laughing as she tried to feed him with a 'flying' spoon. Thanks Grandma Davis for a wonderful time.

Baseball and friends...

After a morning of being not so stellar, I was really worried about taking Reece out to the Ravens ballgame. Especially since it looked like rain and could quickly turn chilly. What a worrisome mom I am. Reece absolutely loved being outside among friends, family and even better - ballpark food! The weather stayed perfect and as you can see, Reece found a new girlfriend. I have posted pictures of Bella and Reece before, but this is a keeper. Not be left out, Sam was there and it is always so much fun to see how well Reece and Sam get along. They are old pals who seem to know each other so well. What a gift that is. Speaking of gifts. Joe and I both caught up with friends from college. I was able to sit and relax with my girls (as we laughed at the little ones). I cannot tell you who the Ravens played or what the score of the game was, but I can tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed the entire evening!

Yay - outside pictures! We're so glad to be able to get out and about around the neighborhood with Reece. We kind of forgot that last time it was nice enough to be outside he wasn't really old enough to walk yet - so he's literally never walked outside before last week. Which kind of explains why he can't get enough of walking around the neighborhood now. We've spent some time in the back yard watching daddy move around mud and dirt, and lots of time circling the neighborhood in the stroller and in the Radio Flyer wagon that Nana got Reece for his birthday.


Other events of the past two weeks include an all-day party at Paul and Janelle's with all five kids and three stressed moms, several Reece tantrums, trips to work with Mom, and blowing chunks all over the car seat on the way to Lowe's. All in all a relatively tame couple of weeks. Hopefully you enjoy some of these random shots.

Knock, Knock...

Who's there - you ask... Well, let's just say that if you want the short story, then I was knocking and Reece was locking me out. Yes, Reece has learned how to open, shut and lock our doors. And to top off his feat - we didn't have any keys to open the door. However, he is out and fine.

Now, if you want the longer and always dramatic side of the story - then I'll do my best in telling it: Reece and I were at home playing in his room, I gathered up his dirty clothes and headed out the door asking him to follow me. Typically, I can count on hearing his laugh and steps right behind as I flow into the next room. However this time I heard the laugh followed by the door shutting and a click. I didn't even have time to place the laundry basket down before Reece had locked the door. My heart start pounding, Joe and I had just discussed the fact that we couldn't find the keys to any of the doors and how Reece was opening them more and more on his own --- we really were going to go and get child proof door knobs to prevent him from locking himself in somewhere. My stomach was literally in my throat, luckily Reece was in his room and not in the dark bathroom or laundry room where he so often likes to hide. I immediately looked for a paperclip, coat hanger and a screw driver. Anything that might help me in this nightmare. Our door knobs are the kind with a small hole that need a skinny long key - so I way keeping an eye out for anything that might fit. I also ran my hand over every door frame again just in case we had missed that key we thought we hid long ago..nothing. My heart is still pounding hard and fast at this time, but I can hear laughter coming from the bedroom (at least he has toys to keep him busy)the paperclip isn't working, okay I am now calling a neighbor to see if they have a key, the coat hanger isn't working.. Ugh, my stomach is going to come out of my throat... The neighbor doesn't have a key... That's it, I am taking the door handle off... Okay, it is coming off - wait Reece is trying to take the door knob off on the other side - no don't do that ( and is that his pajama drawer that I can see now spread all over his room as I look through the little space in the door knob, ugh!)... Okay, deep breath, think. think. think (now I am quoting a Winnie the Pooh cartoon -- Lisa concentrate)... Get another screwdriver and drive the hole again... I run down to the junk drawer - and HALLELUJAH I have found a key (where was this earlier)... I run back upstairs (literally tripping up the stairs) and YES it worked! Reece is out! Wait, Reece doesn't seem to care as much as I do. Oh well, at least now I won't have to get sick! And why is it that now I find 5, yes 5 keys in the junk drawer -- I know those weren't there earlier. Welcome to our crazy world!

And time goes by...

He has RISEN indeed! I hope that everyone enjoyed and truly set aside time to reflect upon the meaning of this glorious weekend. Don't let it end, continue to seek His love and truth.

The last we wrote we were heading to Boston for my (grandmother) Nannie's funeral. It was a beautiful ceremony and wonderful to be with our Baldwin side family. Right before we left, we got a scare as Reece was crying for hours and after a rush to the doctor's office we found out that he had ear infections. Luckily we got him on antibiotics and started praying for peaceful travels. Prayers were answered. Reece was AMAZING, as always (I am his mom and this is my blog, so I will brag often and enthusiastically). He was so good and quiet on the plane both to and from, was great while we stayed in a hotel, slept wonderful at night, even sat quietly during the funeral service, and had an overall great attitude the entire trip. Reece did demonstrate his first signs of jealousy during the trip ---- my dad was playing with Reece and then pick up my cousin's little boy and when Reece turned around and saw dad holding Nolan, man was he mad. Reece's face and stance just froze, then he scrunched up his nose and just stared at my dad. It was so funny. He quickly forgot his jealousy though when he made a couple of new friends shortly after the funeral - Molly the dog and Max, Callie, and Cleo the cats. We stayed a couple of nights with Aunt Sharon and Uncle Robert and their kids, the aforementioned pets. Reece loved having Molly chase him around the house and the two of them played so well together. They even developed a secret language and used it to share their food (I was seriously grossed out when I caught Reece allowing Molly to lick his food and then Reece would proceed with eating it... ugh).

Once we got back to Indy we were all drained from the travels and had to take a few days to truly recuperate. However, now we are hitting everything full force. Joe is reading, writing and hitting the books again. I have taken on another project that is going to eat up a lot of my time in the evenings. Reece is chatting all the time (still sounds Chinese more than actual words, but using sign language a lot), can climb up and down stairs, can climb off couches and beds, loves to tackle Joe, can drink from a big boy cup, and we had to get a new car seat due to size - he is now weighing over 31 pounds and we will go Wednesday for even more updated stats.

Today, we went to Easter Service with my parents over on the west side of town. I think it was the first time in years that my entire family actually went to service together. It was nice have everyone there. Afterwards we had dinner and then did an egg hunt with Grant and Reece. I really didn't think that Reece would have any interest in the hunt except to throw the first egg he found. Well, we had three rooms - a Grant room, a Reece room, and a combined room. While Grant was hunting in his egg room, we took Reece into his room to see if he would want to 'hunt'. To our surprise, Reece picked up the basket and went right to work. He would laugh every time he found an egg, and while yes he did throw an egg or two, he had so much fun searching and finding the hidden treasures. He did such a great job looking behind chairs and in plants and behind doors. I was very impressed! I was even more impressed with Grant, this 4 year-old came and helped his baby cousin and was a saint about it. While they were searching in their combined room Grant would steer Reece in the direction of some of the eggs and then if he thought that Reece wouldn't find it himself - Grant would get it, show it to Reece and then put it in Reece's basket for him. They were SO cute together. Of course, Grant kept wanting to hug his younger cousin and protect him, and all the while Reece just wanted to tackle Grant --- guess I better get use to watching football games. :)

Reece is really in a fun stage right now, I know that I will probably say this about every stage we go through; but I love how he actually understands what Joe and I are telling him and will shake his head yes or no in response and then do something to demonstrate that he really does understand what we are saying. I love when he runs to me with his arms wide open and gives me the biggest hug and then a sloppy wet kiss (yes, I thought I would always hate those wet kisses, but I truly adore them). And best of all, I love his laughs ---- there is nothing, nothing better than his laughs. They are so sweet and innocent... and even cuter when he squints his eyes and wrinkles his nose. Can you tell that we adore this kid?

Cuts, Shades and Goodbyes...

Again - the one thing I didn't truly believe from all of you with wisdom of a toddler, was the sickness that either you or your little one may have for during a number of months. Reece was so healthy for the first year, and I swear, since January someone in this household has been sick every week (typically Reece). This past week it was me - ugh, I caught the dreaded strep throat monster who has been ransacking all the schools, businesses and homes in the area. IT was horrible! God was amazing as always, and protected Joe as he needed to be in Terre Haute for classes and Reece escaped healthy (except for a little yeast infection).

We took Reece to get a professional hair cut. Yes, I said professional. Joe and I enjoy cutting Reece's hair, yet we figured the poor boy deserved to have someone who knows what they are actually doing to clean it up and give it shape. But really, what kid would prefer to go to a store where they get to sit in a car, play with a steering wheel, have a pretty young lady cut their hair and all the while watch 'Diego' on a tv? Personally, I would think that Reece would prefer to sit on my lap in the bathroom bawling at the sight of Joe coming at him with the clippers, kicking trying to escape, and at the end look like he just crawled out of the movie 'Edward Scissorhands'. I guess some choices are just easier than others.

This coming week was going to be a little get-a-way for us. Time for Joe to take a break from school and a chance to visit some of my mom's family. We had plans to head to New Hampshire to see my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Robert, and my grandmother (Nannie). However, we sadly received news that Nannie passed away last night. This wonderful woman of God was a true inspiration and I am extremely sad that I didn't make it out there again before her passing, but what a blessing that we already had tickets and I won't have to go alone - both Joe and Reece can be there for the funeral as well. Nannie was 92 and let me tell you, this woman was strong! Strong in her faith, strong in her convictions, strong in her love, and mentally strong. She has been through more in her life, through the death of her husband, loss of her son, loss of other family, physical pain and yet she never doubter, not once, that her Lord and Saviour was there to care for her. She always had words of wisdom to pass on to those of us willing to listen. May I praise my Lord as willingly and comlpetely as Nannie - that is my goal!

Fun with Nana...

It was a lot of fun to have Nana visit for a long weekend. She hung out with Reece while Lisa and I were able to go to Weber Grill on Friday night for a Valentine's dinner. That place was great - you should definitely try it out. The rest of the weekend was just good hang-out time. Reece entertained us for hours with his new deep laugh.
I'm not in the writing mood...so I'll just post a few great pictures. Have a great week!

Valentine's Day...

We hope you enjoyed your Valentine's Day.
Reece blew kisses out to all his fans and family.





He picked two for his Valentine -- Frances the Frog, and Maggie the Monkey. He loves taking the monkey for rides around the house in his walker. I tried getting a great picture, but man this kid can move! I was lucky enough though to sneak a picture of Reece snuggling with the frog. I love watching him talk and play with his stuffed animals -- it is sooo cute.



Our Valentine's Day was a busy one, we started with a bath and decided to run around the house in the robe that my Aunt June gave Reece when he was born. Yes, this is for a newborn and so you can see that it didn't quite fit; but Reece was loving it anyway. He strutted (does he have any other walk?) all over the upstairs proud to be wearing the robe and showing off his skin.


Later that morning, we finished getting ready, and fresh from a nap, headed to Anderson University to see daddy (and so Reece could flirt with all the girls). Reece had a blast roaming the halls, peeking into classes, and eating at the Haven. He couldn't resist waving to all the college kids as they walked by, probably either in a hurry to get to class or craving a snack... what a transition -- it was just over 10 years ago that I was there in school... I think the highlight of the visit for Reece was getting to act like a big guy. Reece showed us what he will look like when it is his turn to go to work.

After leaving the University, Reece and I drove over to my parent's house for a quick visit. He spent the afternoon trying to chase the cat under the beds, climbing up and down the stairs, chasing Papa around the kitchen island, and convincing Grandmama that he can have cookies.

We love you all!

Breathing, painting, and stylin'

What a fun week! Even with the "downs" of life, like having to put Reece on a daily breathing machine regiment, we are so incredibly blessed.

For the last two Saturdays now we've spent time at New Life painting some life into the place. It has been a lot of fun getting together with church family and throwing some coats of paint on the bright white walls. This weekend the eight grown-up Davis/Daniels/Denniston/Galema's and the seven youngsters took over the church lobby (Narthex for you old-timers) to add a little green to the hallways and a second coat of yellow. Here's a great picture of the little ones with their snacks...they were incredibly well-behaved for us both weeks! We spent more than 6 hours both Saturdays, and they hardly complained at all. They didn't even hurt each other...Reece's rug-burned nose is a standard result from early stages of Ring-around-the-rosie...

Yes, as you read in the first sentence of this post we have a health-update on the little guy. It seems that he's still having some adverse effects (or is it affects?) from the pneumonia last month. Dr. Rupp (pediatrician extraordinaire)thinks that Reece will need to be on this breathing machine for at least a few months to treat some coughing and shortness of breath that he's been experiencing for the past several weeks. Keep him in your prayers - it would be great if this is something that can be treated and grown out of.

Reece's favorite new trick is to climb up on his overstuffed Red chair, over the arm of the couch onto his face, and then to slide off of the couch...then start it all over again. It keeps him (and us) entertained for a long time! The climbing thing is pretty new - up until a couple of weeks ago he was relatively unadventurous, but now he's getting a little more daring. We often catch him standing on the car seat of his little orange speedster, rocking back and forth, clapping, and smiling ear-to-ear.

Happy Valentine's day to all of you. We look forward to celebrating this weekend with a dinner "out on the town" Friday night.