Williamism #2

Playing in the tub last night with WD's bath letters and numbers that stick to the side of the tub.

ME: What's this letter?
WD: B!
ME: No - it's a D.

ME: What's this letter?
WD: Cat!
ME: No - it's an O.

ME: What's this letter? (it's a G)
WD: (pointing at the O) Actually Mama, it's a zero.

Can't argue with that (they're one in the same in this set).

Williamisms

Today we were putting on socks. I asked WD which sock we were putting on - the Right or the Left. He said with enthusiasm - "THE LEFT!"
I said, "No - Guess again."
Silence...
I said "If it's not your Left foot, which foot is this?"

Being the thinker that he is, WD replied "It's the other foot."

Playing Catch-up

So I'm perpetually playing catch-up these days. For example - I'm suppose to be studying right now - but instead I'm updating you all on our lives. So that's totally my choice - I know this. I'm really digging into the psychology behind my procrastination lately - not that it's helping me but I'm getting to know it really well.

Anyway - onto our lives. Not much really new. I'm working more hours at work than I have since CIGTP, the job I had about 4 years ago. Even thought I'm working long hours I'm loving my job. Big change of pace (residential substance & gambling treatment when I used to be at out-patient where about 20% of the clients didn't show). And school is challenging but with help and support from my family I was able to get 100% on my midterm exam in Social Work Policy & Practice! That was a big boost that I needed as I just don't think I do well in that class. A lot of governmental & legislative stuff - and that's just tough for me to grasp - but apparently I'm getting some of it.

William is doing well. Here he is in his bibs from Grandma Karyn - and I'll be darned if I could get him to stand with his back to the cupboards - he had to stand like this - as if he were modeling. It was hilarious and adorable!

Next poster child for Calvin Klein.

So WD is pretty-much potty trained! I say this as we had an accident today - but they are getting fewer and farther between. He still wears a diaper to nap and sleep in, but other than that - he likes being "a big boy" and using "the big boy potty". His language skills are flourishing as well. He tells us all sorts of stuff that shocks us almost daily. Most are good (he has his own knock-knock joke but it's not really a joke) and some make me cringe (Mama you shut upa you mouth). Guess parenthood is taking the good with the bad.

Dave is doing well too. He is still working from home, and does SO MUCH to help with WD so that I can work and go to class. He's a total blessing in our lives! He recently had a birthday as you can hopefully see in the video below. (If no video to watch - I didn't have luck uploading it - sorry.)

Recently, while on a play date at Bass Pro Shop with WD (so that I could study), Dave treated himself to a new toy with his birthday money. I knew they weren't just going there so WD could "see the fish" and that Dave wouldn't be coming home empty handed. He purchased a new shotgun. He said his old one was in bad shape. So now I'm trying to get him out of the house on occasion to play with this new toy. Anyone interested in getting out with him, just call him!

PS - he also has a compound bow and target he doesn't get to play with much if you'd prefer to get together for that.

WD's speech update.

WD has been seeing the AEA specialists for speech since he was just older than 18 months. Well - we have all decided it's really pointless. Anyone who has interacted with him lately can tell you there is absolutely nothing wrong with his verbal ability. We asked the AEA to close out their file on him, and they agreed. While the program was free - why waste it on a child who doesn't need services? While they were here this week to close things out, he told them that "My mama had owies on her body." This was in reference to when I had to wear the heart monitor - I told him the electrode patches were owies, so he wouldn't try to rip them off by the cords. They got a kick out of that. Then tonight on the way to the grocery store he begged and begged "I want to go to the toy store Mama & Daddy!" as we passed by Toys-R-Us. I accused Dave of taking him there without me - as I just couldn't believe he would know what that store was any other way! Guess mom is right when she says "He's no dummy!"

Stewart - Bettis Reunion 2010

The 2010 Stewart-Bettis reunion was held in August as usual. Here are some highlights from our perspective.

WD enjoyed helping me make the chocolate hot fudge cake.

WD partaking in one of the best highlights - all the YUMMY FOOD!!!

The Bettis first cousins posed for a picture together before headed outside.

(Back L-R: Les, Diane, Elaine, Sue, & Janet. Seated L-R: Larry, Linda, Lysle, Gene, Karyn, Debbie, Bob. Floor: Lloyd & Cary.)


The Bettis cousins get the rules of their water balloon toss from Rob - the game coordinator.

When the adults were done, the kids got their turn at games - pictured here is the "cucumber relay".

WD picks his prizes from the prize table - or should I say he pickles his prizes???

Dave doesn't waste any time making friends, as the kids gang up on him and squirt him with water (here Addy, WD and Hanna all squirt him).

Here Dave puts just one of his special skills to work - popping water balloons over the kids heads upon request (it was REALLY hot that day).

And even the bigger kids wanted their turn.

WD on the way home... I think he had a good time.

Ozarks - Kluver Vacation 2010

The last week of July we packed up the car and headed south to the Lake of the Ozarks, staying in Linn Creek, just a few minutes from Osage Beach, MO. (Buddy & Raspberry spent the week with Grandma Karyn & Grandpa Ray.) It was a long car ride (longer coming home) but it was so worth it.
The house we stayed in, with 8 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a game room, a hot tub (which we never used) all on 3 levels (4 if you count walking down to the water.

Our room. WD checks out the view.

The view from our room. Not too shabby, but being out there was actually way better.

"The Kluver Kids" - Tricia, Cindy, Dave and Kathy.

SMORES TIME!!! Believe it or not - this is a smile! He was trying to say "CHEESE".

Monkey See and Monkey Do as I began calling them. William Duaine and his cousin who's just
weeks younger, Caeden Jennings Neumann, whom we don't see as much as we'd like since he lives in Arizona.

Warren, Caeden, Dave and William tubing.

Each night a different family made dinner. Wednesday night was Mexican Night with Amy & Dave. And I must say... We Rocked it!!! Fajitas (shrimp, chicken, and steak), black beans, refried beans, chips, quaso, tons of salsa options, lime, and cilantro! Oh - and with assistance from Bob & Cindy - MARGARITAS!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about it now!


Don & Caroline and all the grandkids (and 2 great grandkids).

Our Parenting Skills

Dave and I were sitting on the couch tonight with Goldfish crackers and all eyes were on us. WD laid down and rolled over for a cracker. Dave said "There must be something wrong with our parenting skills. We have 2 dogs who think they are kids and one kid who thinks he's a dog."