Wedding Dress Fiasco

So...I felt the need to reflect on something other than potty training, since we are celebrating four years of marriage today.  (But really, potty training does more accurately reflect our marriage at this point).

And I realized that I have never written about the near disaster caused by a wedding dress that just wouldn't cooperate.

Soon after Scott and I got engaged (which I never told the story, oh well, maybe next year), I started thinking about wedding dresses.  Okay, I had already been thinking about wedding dresses for a very long time, but I started thinking specifically about what wedding dress I wanted to actually wear, on my actual wedding day.  I had three specific things I was looking for--a big skirt, box pleats, and a dropped waist.  Oh, and I was fairly certain that I wanted strapless.  Well, it dawned on me that Ann's wedding dress had a big skirt, with box pleats, and a dropped waist.  Perfect, right? 

So we took the dress to a local Scottsboro shop to see if they could change it from an off the shoulder to a strapless dress, and they said, sure, no problem.

In the mean time, I began to diet and work out, you know to get in shape for the big day.  What girl doesn't do this?  I mean if there is ever a time to look your best, this is it.

Well, I was going to fittings, and of course I noticed that the dress was rather heavy, and I noticed that they were having to take it up quite a bit in the bodice, but no big deal, right?

Wrong.

On the day of my wedding, when I finally had the dress on, and I began to walk around, I realized we had a problem.  The dress would not stay up.  This dress was not meant to be a strapless dress, and it was just too heavy.  Plus, I had lost some weight between the final fitting and the wedding day.  Combine these two things, and I was in a bit of a panic.  Luckily, I had 13 bridesmaids to help me out:)

We tried duct tape.  We tried holding my arms very tight against the dress as I walked.  I tried panicking and crying and racking my brain for an alternate plan.  Guess what?  I had no back up wedding dress, which is what I announced to the room.  "This is my only dress option,"  I announced.  You think?  And we went back to holding my arms against my side in an attempt to hold the dress up.

Well, we hoped this would work, and I went on with the day.  And soon it was the big moment.  Time to walk down the aisle. 

I am so very happy, eyes on my groom, believing that everything is going just as it should, and I reach the end of the aisle.

And then I feel my mother walk up behind me, and give a big jerk on my dress--as in she pulled it up.  As in, this was not done in the rehearsal.  And I had no idea how low my dress had been as I walked down the aisle.  In horror, I imagined that I had walked down the aisle flashing the world.  Oh the horror. 

My back was to the crowd at this point, and every one of my bridesmaids could see the terror on my face.  The guests were singing the hymn that I had picked, and I was silently pleading with Ann to reassure me that I had not, in fact, flashed the entire sanctuary.  on my wedding day!!!  She, along with the other 12 bridesmaids, kept huge smiles on their faces, as they were facing the crowd, and she kept mouthing, "it's okay, it's okay." 

I managed to get through the ceremony, and actually pay attention to the vows I was making--the covenant I was entering into--but in the back of my mind, all I could think about was my mother pulling my wedding dress up. 

As soon as the ceremony was over, I did find out that it wasn't as bad as imagined.  The dress was coming down in the back, but my mom pulled it up in order to prevent anything worse happening. 

I loved my wedding, and I often wish I could relive the day.  But if I did, and I once again opted for a strapless dress, I would choose one that was made to be strapless.  Single girls, learn from my mistake.

p.s.  Ada has used the bathroom in the potty twice!!!  And on our anniversary, I have called Scott three times at work, not to tell him how much I love him and how happy I am that he married me, but to update him on the potty training progress.  Now that is what marriage really is, right?

Potty Training Update

Well yesterday didn't go so well.  Ada seemed so miserable, that I finally gave in and put a diaper on her, and as soon as that diaper was on, it was full--proof that she is able to "hold it."  I was so frustrated.

So...I woke up this morning with new resolve.  Plus I have promised that if Ada can use the potty all day today and all day tomorrow, then we can go to Target to pick out new panties, new Color Wonder markers and paper (we love these!!), and, best of all, chocolate!!!  She is back in panties this morning, and I am more determined than ever. 

Thanks for all the advice, friends.  It really helped!!

By the way, I have totally dropped the ball on the anniversary posts.  You know, the best laid plans...

But I do have a wedding dress story I want to tell...I'll hopefully be back later today.

Happy Anniversary, Scott.  I love you!!

The scene at our house...

"Clementine" is also being potty trained.  Ada decided that Clementine should wear "jingle bell" panties (translation=tinker bell).

We've got Elmo on tv, and you know, weights.  What can I say, we like to multitask around here.

And books.  Lots and lots of books.  We've got to kill time, after all.

And, best of all, brownies in the oven.  Just in case we have success and need a reward.

p.s. that is Santa Claus on her pajama top.  That was Scott's doing. 

Potty Training Advice, anyone?

Today, in an impulsive move on my part, I changed Ada from her diaper to panties. 

It is the understatement of the century to say that I am ready for her to be potty trained.  So...she put the panties on.  And very soon after, I hear a panicked voice and turn to see tee-tee trickling down her leg onto the floor. 

I was not discouraged. 

I simply picked her up and rinsed her off in the tub.  I changed her panties, and I cleaned up the floor.  And we discussed that next time she should tell me if she needs to go to the bathroom.  She said okay, and we got on with the morning. 

I continued to ask her if she needed to use the bathroom every ten minutes or so, and she continued to say no.  Then, in a moment when I was upstairs "seeing about John," I heard the same panicked voice, and sure enough, another accident.  Again, I picked her up, rinsed her off, and put clean panties on.

At this point, Ada told me that she wants to wear a diaper because panties are "too hard."  I told her, no, you can do it, and we went over a list of all of her little friends who wear panties instead of diapers.  She didn't care.

My question...am I going about this the right way?  I just don't know what else to do.  She really needs to use the potty.  I am sick of changing her diaper.  It's time, ya'll, it's time, to cross over to "big girl" land.  Any advice?  Please share. 

Monday Morning

So...this isn't the proposal story.  I'll get to that at some point, I am sure.

Instead, I thought I would give you a little glimpse into our Monday morning.

First of all, there are two things you should know.

1.  Scott and I thought it would be fun to pull out the old wedding video on Saturday night.  You know, to kick off anniversary week.  And it was fun, the first time we watched it.  And then, I thought it would be fun to show it to Ada yesterday morning, giving her something to do while we got ready for Church.  And again, it was fun, the first time she watched it.  Now that we are on the 100th viewing in about two days, well, I am really sick of watching myself get married.  The funny part is that every single time she watches it, Ada cheers at the end when the car drives away, as if we were all on the edge of our seats wondering what the outcome would be, the outcome of our wedding video. 

2.  Ada went to a birthday party yesterday, a pirate party to be exact.  Hence the eye patch.

Then we moved things upstairs, so we could do things like get dressed, wash faces, and, you know, get on with our day.  I put John in his bed where he could stare at himself in the mirror, something that he thinks is just hilarious.

And soon the pirate joined us.

And John became her own personal baby doll.  Bless his heart.  And I just took pictures while it happened.

And then I rescued him and dressed him.

And that's all before 9:00.  Oh the excitement.  I can hardly stand it.

Anniversary Week

On Thursday, Scott and I celebrate four years of marriage, so I thought I would use this week to take a little walk down memory lane.

What you see above is a picture that was taken when Scott I had been dating for maybe two weeks?  We were headed to ADPi's Spring semi-formal, and we were new enough that I was feeling a bit nervous.  We were double dating with my dear friend and future bridesmaid, Shannon Farrar (now Vinsen--she married Allen, the guy in the picture).

What is significant about this night?  Scott held my hand for the first time;).  I know, big deal, right?  But I still remember him reaching back to take my hand as we made our way through a very crowded room, and I felt a bit "giggly" on the inside.

I was a senior in college when Scott and I started dating.  I lived in a very big old house with 12 other girls, and Scott and his guy friends often hung out at our place.  Scott had a class with Shannon (pictured above), and he came over to study one night.  I shared a room with Shannon, and I had just changed my major from fashion to English second semester of my junior year.  I remember sitting on my bed, clumsily making my way through The Canterbury Tales written entirely in middle English.  Every once in a while, I would say something out to loud to Shannon and Scott, venting my frustration over the language of the story.  From that night on, Scott and I were good friends, though it would be many months before the relationship would become anything more than that--good friends.  Scott was liking someone else at the time, as was I, and we had the luxury of getting to know each other apart from any complicated games that often come with guy/girl relationships.

I think discovering that we liked each other as more than friends came as a surprise to both of us.  My life was in a messy place at that time, and I was somewhat confused that this was when God decided that my future husband should show up.  I remember thinking, as I waded through the mess of that year, that surely Scott was going to decide that it just wasn't worth it.  I prayed, oh I prayed, because it didn't make a lot of sense that he was sticking around.  But he stuck.  And we stuck.  And here we are, two babies later, and my life is still pretty messy most of the time.  From the very beginning, Scott has been a calming force in the midst of my mess, and I am so thankful for who he is.  It was his kind heart that first attracted me to him.  He seemed like the safest person in the whole world at the time, and he continues to be my "safe place."

Tomorrow I will share the proposal story...I know you can hardly wait;)

One of those days

It's just one of those days, ya'll.

I am sleepy, and the house is a wreck, and John has cried all day long.  Yet, when I try to nurse him, he doesn't really want to do that either.  And that walk we tried to take to get us all out of the house--he screamed then too. 

Finally at 12:30, I threw in the towel and put them both down for a nap.  A little early for Ada, but it provided me with some much needed alone time.

I am sitting here wasting time and thinking that if I am going to complain about the state of my house then I just need to get off my tail and clean it. 

I do have hope for our house, though.  With renewed energy that just didn't exist during pregnancy and those first weeks of sleepless nights, Scott and I plan to finally finish painting the rest of downstairs over the next few weeks.  Oh that will lift my spirits.  And we have heard of a very reasonably priced carpet cleaning company, so we also hope to have the carpet throughout the entire house cleaned.  Those two things, as simple as they may be, will really help my state of mind, I do believe.

By the way, after the carpet gets cleaned, there will be a new rule in the Moore household, especially when it pertains to my children--no eating outside of the kitchen.  Now if I can just get John to follow the same rule with his spit-up and occasional diaper explosions.

So what is the point of this post?  I am not entirely sure.  Maybe I just needed to let off a little steam, and now I am actually going to get off my tail and do something about the mess that is around me.  And be thankful for these children that cause the chaos.  Along with the frustration they bring so much joy and fun and laughter and cuddles to my life. 

Oh Lord, give me peace in the chaos.  Give me a heart to serve, and give me joy in the serving.

What we do on a rainy day

We were headed to the library today, when I realized that by the time we got there, got John wrapped up tight in the moby wrap, and made it in the door, we would all be soaking wet.  So...my car found itself going through the drive through at Sonic and back home to our driveway. 

And I began to rack my brain.  What were going to fill these rainy hours with?  How was I going to avoid a day full of mindless cartoons?  And then I remembered the watercolors stashed away for such a time as this.

And what's a rainy day without cookies?  Oatmeal cookies with butterscotch chips, that is.

And of course, as always, there were dishes to unload.

And some fun to have with the camera.  Check out these classically Ada faces.

and at the end of this rainy day, when Ada is still painting, she has appropriately announced that tonight she is Sarah, artist Sarah.

Two Months

Oh little John, I just want to kiss you.  All of the time.  And squeeze those chunky legs.

And that smell, that baby smell.  I can't get enough.

What else, you ask?  That fuzzy hair that tickles my chin when he sits in my lap. 

He's beginning to coo, and that just makes me melt.  I will do just about anything to get him to smile and coo.

We went for his two month check up today.  He weighs in at 12.5 lbs, putting him in the 50th percentile.  So the jury is out on if he will be big or small.  He seems like such a chunk to me, but who knows what will happen.  Ada didn't drop to the 1st percentile until she started walking around.

He also had to get four shots.  That will break a mama's heart.  He screamed so hard that his face turned purple, and I thought he was going to pass out.  (He tends to do that--scream until his face is purple, and I am begging him to breath).

Ada was with me, of course, and she was so relieved that it was John's "turn" and not hers.  She loves going to the doctor when it's John's turn.  All she has to do is play with the toys and pick out a princess sticker. 

Everything else looked great.  He is as healthy as can be. 

And before I say good-night, I have to tell a funny Ada story that will probably only be cute/funny to my family. 

As I have mentioned, Ada loves to pretend, so tonight during bath and bed time, Ada announced that she was Luke, I was Ann, Scott was Steve, and John was Andrew.  (We had no one to "play" Ellie).  We were out of the bath and onto pajamas, I began to discipline her for disobedience (which is at an all time high).  Her little face began to crumble, so I started to explain that the reason I had to discipline was because I love her, and I said, "Ada, do you understand," and through her tears, she looked at me so seriously and said, "I'm, Luke."  So, I replied, "Okay, Luke, do you understand why you have to obey?"  And we went on with the rest of the conversation.

And there's an update on the kiddos.

Addition to the Ada post

Okay, there are two stories that I have to add to the Ada post below.

1.  Ada has a pink bath towel with Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and the Little Mermaid on it--a Christmas gift from my mom.  Well, the other night when she was getting out of the bath tub, I had just a plain white towel waiting on her.  Her response to this, "I want the sleeping Tutti towel, mommy."  Oh I laughed so hard.  I certainly didn't correct her, so now, in our house, Sleeping Beauty is known as sleeping Tutti.  Tutti, you're a famous Disney Princess.

2.  This story happened this morning.  We were in the car--the whole family--and Scott had to slam on his breaks when the car in front of him stopped.  Ada said, "daddy, don't hit the red car, right?"  And we said, "right," and she said, "if we hit the car, it would break, right?  And it would fall down.  That would be silly." and she broke into loud laughter as if it was the funniest thought ever.  So true, Ada, so true.  I would hate for the car to fall down.

p.s.  Luke always says something followed by the question, "right?"  for confirmation.  Well, Ada has picked up this habit, so she always ends her sentences with "right?"  and we have to confirm that she is right.

Ada

Oh she makes me laugh, ya'll. 

Because this blog serves as a recording of my life with these kiddos, I have been meaning to record a few things that are just so Ada.

1.  Every morning after she wakes up, she goes with me into the bathroom where I brush my teeth and weigh.  And she always asks, "can I wave too?"  And then she climbs on the scale.

2.  For some reason, she thinks Colonel Sanders (as in KFC) looks like my dad, so whenever we pass the KFC sign, she says, "there's Charlie."

3.  Again, we are working on obedience, including attitude.  We tell her that to obey means, "doing what you're told to do, when you're told to do it, with the right heart attitude."  (Life Action Ministires anyone?) So...in two year old speak, we will ask, "are you happy?" when she is obeying.  And if she is not happy, we often stop to pray about it.  Well the other day, John was screaming, I couldn't get the phone or internet to work, and the house was a mess.  In my frustration, I snapped at Ada, 'and she said, "are you happy, mommy?"  I immediately said that no I wasn't, and I apologized.  She keeps me on my toes.

4.  She lives in a pretend world nearly 24-7.  For instance, the other day on the way to the library, we had to pretend that we were going to the park instead, and our entire conversation consisted of what we would do at the park.  Afterwards, when we were driving home, and I forgot that we had "been to the park," she got so upset, to the point of tears.  Oh my, two years is building my patience.

5.  Speaking of pretending, at night when we are putting her to bed, she imaginary hugs different people.  What I mean is, after she really hugs Scott and me, she then hugs the air and says, "good night, Near, good night Mae-Mae, good night, Mary Ann" etc.  It can really take a while to finish "hugging" everyone. 

6.  On the same trip home from the library that I mentioned above, Ada said, "mommy, when I grow up, I am going to be a daddy and go to work."  I explained that girls grow up to be mommies, not daddies (Lord willing, they become mommies, I mean).  She got really upset and insisted that she would grow up to be a daddy, so I decided not to push it, and at dinner that night she told Scott that she would, in fact, grow up to be a daddy.

And I could go on and on.  She's a hoot.

(here she is "building sand castles," in the empty lot next to our house.)

Normal

Thanks to a little thing called sleeping at night, my life is starting to take on a new routine of normalcy.  Thank you, Lord. 

John doesn't do six and seven hour stretches every night.  He likes to mix it up with three hour stretches every other night, but even then, he goes right back to sleep once his tummy is good and full, so it all adds up to plenty of sleep for me.  (Granted plenty now compared to plenty before children are two different things). 

And the sunshine outside is really helping the situation.  When Ada starts to get a little too "cooped up," I just send her out the back door.  One of these days I would love to get a screen door, but until then, I just leave it wide open while I clean the kitchen or cook dinner or do whatever needs "doing." 

And Sunday when Scott and I were still eating lunch, and Ada requested cartoons, I just opened the door and sent her outside instead.  We are trying to cut way back on the cartoon watching because the last two months have been cartoon full, as you can imagine.  By the way, she did not wear the crocs with that dress to church, but they were the better option for outside play.

And that green dress in the first picture, Ann made it!!  I'm so impressed with her newly acquired sewing skills.

In other news, Sunday afternoon, once both kids were sound asleep, I headed out the door for a little alone time.  With a Sonic diet coke in hand, I decided to scope out the nearby outlets to see what clothing deals I could find.  Scott and I are both in dire need of new clothing.  Goodness gracious, our wardrobes are a sight.  I am so thankful to live so close to such good outlets.  J. Crew has polos for guys for 19.99 a piece.  Can't beat that, and kakhis (sp?) for 24.99.  I wouldn't mind if Scott wore only J. Crew.  I love their guy clothing!!  Plus, while pregnant, a new BCBG outlet opened, and I was finally able to see what it had to offer.  It had some very cute pieces for only 9.00 a piece.  Can you believe it?  I didn't buy anything this past Sunday because I am going to try to be very strategic and buy only what we really need, but I wanted to see what our options were before I developed a game plan.

And while gone, John took a bottle!!  His first since the hospital, really.  I had 3 ounces of milk in the fridge, and he drank it all.  I have no idea how much milk he normally drinks, but that 3 oz was enough to get him back to sleep, and it bought me a little more time out on my own.  Yea.

So, yes, life is starting to look more and more normal, and I am so very thankful.

More prayer time with Ada

I have tried to teach Ada that in order to do anything good, you know like be sweet, obey, pick up toys--those toddler type things--she can ask Jesus to help her.  I want her to understand to the best of her ability that it is Christ in us that enables us to obey His word.

So...most nights when we pray, I always have her repeat after me, and we usually pray, "help me to obey mommy and daddy." 

Tonight, she was praying on her own, not repeating after me, and she said the usual, "thank you for mommy, daddy, and John," and then she listed everything else in her room including the box of wipes on her chest of drawers, and then... "help me to be obedient." 

Oh my word, Scott and I immediately locked eyes, and he whispered, "what did she say?"  and I know, of course, that she is simply remembering what we have prayed all those nights before, but at the end of a very long day, it sure does help to hear my two year old pray for obedience.  Oh man.  Now if God will just answer that prayer ;)

Friday Dreaming

Guess what?

John slept for seven hours last night!!!  Glory Hallelujah.

And you know what else?

He and Ada are currently both napping.  at the same time.  Again, glory hallelujah.  We are going to make it.

And for the third thing, I spent the morning having some adult time--thank you, Jessica, and happy birthday!! 

It's a good day.

I am using this down time to dream a few little dreams.

Thinking about things like ripping up my terrible, horrible, makes me want to scream carpet, and replacing it with hardwood floors.  Maybe one day.

And more realistically, the plan to pay off so much debt over the next six months.  Thank you taxes and a car that is finally paid off.  Debt snowball, here we come.

Maybe after that...hardwood floors.  And some new jeans.

What else?  Dreaming of a house that is painted, every room, in just the right colors.  And new tables and lamps for the master bedroom.  And you know, a wall in the kitchen painted in chalk board paint just for fun.  (Thanks for the idea, Sarah).

And, of course, I am dreaming of losing these stubborn last ten baby pounds (though I want to lose 15).  They are hanging on tight.  But...thanks to John's new ability to sleep, I have started the Thirty Day Shred, and I hope to fight those pounds and come out the winner.  A bonus would be to lose them in time for summer and the dreaded bathing suit post baby.

Oh how different our life will look if we can really get that debt snowball rolling, so that dream is what mainly occupies my mind. 

What's on your mind, this Friday afternoon?

More on yesterday's post

Obviously, the idea of the cross is heavy on Ada's mind.  I don't think she understands at all that this was a sad or painful or difficult to the point of sweating blood thing.  Her two year old mind just sees it as a fun thing, I think.  Who knows what is going through her head.  I have tried to explain it to her, but you know....she's two.

Anyway, she drew this picture yesterday, and I had to post it.

Ada explained that this is a picture of Jesus dying on the cross, and then she ran into the kitchen to hang it on the fridge.

(Mary, how crazy that Abbie is thinking some of the same things.  I am sure the whole concept is very confusing at this young age.  At 27, I certainly don't fully understand it, so I can only imagine how they are processing the information)

One more Easter thought.

At our house, we eat eggs a lot.

They are healthy, frugal, and Ada likes them.  So, almost every morning I scramble eggs for both of us.  Especially now as I am trying to satisfy my nursing appetite all while losing weight.

Well, Ada found the perfect use for the leftover Easter eggs from her basket.  I thought this was a great idea.

Last Night's Prayer Time

Mom:  Ada, do you want to pray?

Ada:  Yes, (and she folded her hands)

silence

Ada:  I can't know the words (translation--I don't know what to say)

Mom:  okay, "Dear Jesus"

Ada:  Dear Jesus

Mom:  thank you for loving me

Ada:  thank you for loving me

Mom:  help me to love you

Ada:  help me to love you

Mom:  thank you for dying on the cross

Ada:  thank you for dying on the cross and thank you for mom dying on the cross

Wow...I don't think she fully understands exactly how the gospel works yet.

Easter

Sunday School with Ellie

after church, coloring with her new color wonder markers (those things are the main reason we survived the doctor's appointment yesterday, by the way).

sweet boy in daddy's lap--does his hair look a bit red to you?

Ada's response to my request that she stand beside Ellie and Luke for a picture.  Did I mention that she didn't feel well?

My two stinkers.  See John's face?  He loves it when I kiss him ;)