Like little ants

After we wrapped up things in the fountains, we wrangled the kids and carried them to the concession stand. Paola and I already decided we would let them end the day in a big way - poppies.

With my stroller overloaded by our belongings and Lane on my hip, I handed the girl working behind the counter three bucks and requested three vanilla popsicles. Paola had both her hands full with Andrea and John Oscar but I handed over the poppies so she could serve the kiddos.

Like three little ants, they followed her in a single file line from the front of the concession stand to the shady side of the building.

One of them chanted, "Poppie, poppie, poppie," the entire way.

Need I tell you who's child was doing the chanting?


Paola could not get the paper off the poppie quick enough for Lane. He stood in awe with his hand up waiting for his cool treat.

We could see their little minds working. "Oh," thought Andrea. "That's how it works." Up went her hand and in her mouth went her poppie.

Now, we're not sure how often JOA gets a cool treat. He seemed a little timid. Not quite sure what to expect when he put his hand up, was given the ice cream and sent to the bench to enjoy it.


"Is this how you do it, Lane."
We love that boy but could not help but laugh at him as he cautiously ate his poppie.


And getting these three to stay still long enough to photograph all of them together is near impossible.

Add poppie to the equation - instant photo op.

This is where JOA told us to let his mom know he didn't like it one bit. We forced him. He was only eating that poppie to make us and his friends happy.

See, mom, he didn't really want it.

All joking aside, the kids enjoyed their $1 poppie treats. Paola and I enjoyed watching them eat theirs while we ate ours.

As a stay-at-home mama, I get this a lot:
Oh, he doesn't go any where? You don't have him in day care at least twice a week. Well, a little socialization is good for them.

And, I even got this last week:
Don't forget, your raising your child to be an adult - not a child for the rest of his life.

My thoughts:
Blah, blah, blah.

Sure, I want Lane to have manners, to grow in to a responsible, hard working, honest man.

I also want him to enjoy his childhood.

He's 18 months old. Right now, I'm teaching him to say please, thank you and sorry.

I spent years of my life sitting behind a computer, making small talk, going to meetings and being nice to every interview and client I came in contact with.

Before that, my parents let me live it up as a kid.

That's just what Papa and I intend to do with Lane.

One day, he'll start following papa to work. Learning how to survey. Listening to him talk to clients on the phone. Following in his footsteps.



Right now, I'll socialize him - by taking him to the water park and letting him play with his friends.

I'll let him enjoy the feel of the shade and the sun mixed together at the end of the day.




I'll let him stuff himself silly - until he decides he just can't eat any more.



I'll let him enjoy the fact that he's one and a half and can let the chocolate and vanilla from his poppie drip down his belly.

I'll let him lick up every bit of that poppie - until the very last bite.

And I will enjoy it just as much as he does -

because he's only a kid once.

The three amigos

First off, now that the cat is out of the bag, I'll tell you that I did have a little of the first trimester blahs. My energy level was zapped by the end of the day, and blogging fell to the bottom of my to do list..

However, that does not mean we have not had a ton going on. And, I've got pictures to prove it.

Now, back to blogging.

Last week, Paola and I took the three amigos to a little water park in Roswell.

They loved it.

One jumped right in as soon as her feet touched the ground.


Another squirmed out of his mama's arms while she was trying to cover him with sunscreen and ran right to the water.

Another took a little time getting used to it.

With a little coaxing from his cousin, and prodding from us, eventually John Oscar took to the idea of water shooting out of the ground.

And they all spent quite a bit of time splashing around. I spent most of my time chasing Lane who couldn't stand staying still and ran from one side of the park to the other getting his little body wet under every fountain he could find.








Don't let the face fool you. He liked it.





All three of them played and explored - sometimes playing alone and sometimes coming together.

And the only time they stopped was for a snack and juice break.

Which Andrea could have skipped.

And to meet up every once in a while for a smooch.

The next time they needed a drink, these two smarties figured out they did not even have to stop playing. Monkey see. Monkey do.

The fun lasted for a while. The boys got tired. The mamas got hot. We retreated to a bench to feed our babes a little snack.

Return tomorrow for pictures of the gang enjoying their special treats.

(It might be the post that convinces John Oscar's mama to never leave him alone with me and Paola again!)

Our little secret

For those of you who don't already know ......


We are 13 weeks down - only 27 more - until we become a family of four!


That's right, our babe's going to be a big brother.

We hope you will stay with us

I'm not going to beat around the bush.

Papa and I have decided to make Our Life with Lane private. I can't tell you that there is one particular reason why. However, we just feel like it is the right thing to do at this point.

I considered giving it up. Not blogging any more. I took the week off. I felt sad.

Papa told me not to quit. Then, he requested this afternoon that I make it private.

See, we don't want to stop sharing our life with so many of you. It means a lot to us that you like our little babe. And, we've got a lot going on. A lot of wonderful things going on. I planned to share some of the news with you today. I think I'll wait until next week.

Here's the plan. I'll leave this post up for the next few days - giving all of you time to read it. If you decide you would still like to follow along, send me an email. Once the blog goes private, all I have to do is give my account permission for you to view Our Life with Lane by plugging in your email addresses.

I know I might lose some followers. But, really, don't be shy.

As I stated before, I started this blog as a way for my mom to see Lane every day. Given that alone, Papa and I don't want it to end. And, speaking of Papa, he's my biggest fan. He is usually the first one to look for a new post. I love when I get a call from him telling me he liked what I wrote that day or how cute our Hoo Bird looked in the pictures I posted.

And, there's all my friends who log in to see what we are up to every few days. I wish we could see Lanna more but I know she's reading. Stephanie takes a look a few times a week. Paola gets on to me when I go too long without posting. Kelly and Val come here on their study breaks. Just a few more weeks girls. You can do it!

Wait, there's more. All my old work acquaintances. I miss you girls. But, I still feel a bit of a connection knowing your still around. Please say you'll stay.

If you are coming here from my sister-in-law Elizabeth's blog, feel free to keep looking. If you've got your own blog and it is listed on the side of her blog as one she follows then I've probably peeked at your family too. Your an amazing group of online, blogging friends, and I've been so impressed by how you have all come together to help a friend who is hurting.

Then there is all my other family members and my mom's friends. I would love for you to keep reading.

There's more. There's the members of my friends' families who check out Our Life with Lane. Whenever Mama Luz visits Colombia, she always logs on. It is a way for her to stay connected with her grandchildren. Paola's sister, who lives in Canada, visits too. It would be a shame for them to stop reading.

Then, there's those of you who I don't know. However, I know you read. There must be some reason you read. Maybe a family member sent you here. Maybe a friend. Hopefully, you read because you think our babe is cute. Maybe your just nosy.

Who knows? I can tell you this. I read a lot of blogs written by people I don't know for inspiration, for decorating ideas, for parenting tips and just because I find the authors interesting. I don't know them but I like what they put out online.

We've got a lot to say - Papa, Lane and I. Summer is in full swing around here. I have a feeling the fall is going to be pretty exciting. And, to give you a little hint of what we've got coming up, we are going to be starting off 2011 with a real big bang.

I haven't said it before but I appreciate those of you who enjoy this blog. I like getting emails from friends remarking on a day's post. I enjoy your comments. It makes me smile when someone tells me someone they know took a look and wants to know such and such.

And your support for our family has been tremendous. The phone calls, emails, messages sent through others and handwritten letters that came to us in December after I mentioned our miscarriage really helped us out. Really showed how much you care. Thank you for your kind words.

So, just shoot me an email. I'll add you to the list. The babe will keep making all of us smile. I'll keep blogging. You'll keep reading.

We will all keep enjoying our life with Lane.

Sincerely,

Lana
lanadrucker@hotmail.com

Broken record

We've got a serious poppie problem on Allison Drive.

Lane's addicted. He's like a broken record running all day long, "Poppie, poppie, poppie."

Any time any one walks near the fridge, he asks, "Poppie?"

This morning, I walked in his room upon hearing him call for me.

"Papa," he asked.

"He's already left for work," I informed him.

"Pool," he wondered.

"Yes, we can go to the pool today," I answered.

"First, we have to do our morning chores and eat our breakfast," I continued.

"Poppie," he replied.

So, I gave him a poppie along with his cereal.

Memawmaw solved our poppie problem.

Homemade poppies Lane can eat any time of the day.

Made from yogurt, fresh strawberries and fresh blueberries.

That's a treat I'm alright with Lane asking for over and over.

Spitting image

From his funky little toes to the dimples above his buns to that "Mama get that camera out of our faces we are trying to eat our Krispies" look on his face, Lane is his papa's son.

Cure for the grumps

Sometimes, Lane comes down with a case of the 5:00 grumps.

(Sometimes = Days when he does not take an afternoon nap.)


So, I have devised a few ways to cure the grumps.

1. Prepare a dinner I know he will enjoy eating.

A few nights ago that dinner turned out to be spaghetti.






Let him have fun while eating dinner and take as much time as needed.

2. Then, I come up with an interesting, out of the ordinary evening activity that will keep him focused and keep him from fussing.

Well hello sink. You look like you will do the job.




Strip him down, turn on the water and let him go.

Two easy steps to curing the 5:00 grumps.

Exactly what it looks like

That's Lane wearing nothing but his new blue Converse One Stars. With red poppie all over his face. Playing at the top of the stairs.


Anyone handing out Parent of the Year awards?

I'm pretty sure James and I deserve one.

Weekending

Summer style.....

Heading out for his first man day



Happily home to his Mae Mae

Coloring in the Sunday morning sun



Hanging with his Cousin D at the pool
































Playing with trains and munching on Cheetos