Happy 6th Birthday Owen

This time 6 years ago, I was admiring my first born child - Owen Glenn Lyford. He was born at 9:20am on October 30, 2003. It is a day I will never forget! I remember telling a co-worker earlier in the week that I was ready for Owen to be here. So, after school that day, we went out for a pedicure. The lady at the pedicure place commented on how "huge" I was. I was like, "gees lady! thanks!". Well, that night I started having contractions but they were sporadic and anywhere from 20-30 minutes apart. The next morning, I go up and dressed and headed to school. Around 9am that morning (Wed., Oct. 29th) I wasn't feeling too hot and called my OB/GYN. She said, let's be safe and come on in. So, we drove down to Conroe (we were in Huntsville at the time). We get in right away and sure enough, I was at 2 cm and having contractions abou 3-5 minutes apart. The dr told me to head to Target and walk for an hour, then report to the hospital. So...doctor's orders were followed! At 12noon, October 29th, I was admitted into the hospital. I hadn't had lunch or anything and was STARVING! But NO food was allowed, only those WONDERFUL ice chips! Well, they monitored me through the afternoon and started the petosin at some point that afternoon. My contractions got heavier but I didn't dialate. So...I went through the night and by 7am, my contractions were every 30-60 seconds but I still wasn't dialated past a 2. My doctor came in and the nurse had the nerve to tell her that she thought I could go another few hours to see if I would dialate. I started crying immediately. The contractions were horrible; I had not be allowed to have an epideral because I wasn't dialated enough. I was beyond tired and ready to be un-pregnanted! Well...the doctor basically kicked the nurse out and we had a heart to heart! By 8:30 am, I was being prepped for surgery. At 9am, I was wheeled into the operating room and Owen was delivered at 9:29 am, October 30th, weighing 7lbs 11oz and 20 1/2 inches long. See...told you it is a day I wouldn't forget! Starting contractions on a Tuesday night and not having him until that Thursday morning was not too good. But...the outcome was WONDERFUL!

In these six years, I have gotten to watch Owen discover many new and exciting things. I truly can't believe he is already 6 years old and in kindergarten. Where, oh where, did the time go? I am posting a picture of when he was born and one that was taken recently. Enjoy!

School Days

I can't believe tomorrow ends the 4th week of school. Where has the time gone?

Owen is loving kindergarten and really likes his teacher, Mrs. Cox. Everyday is a new day. This summer we had been getting onto him for just "scribbling" and not staying in the lines when he colors. If he takes his time, he does great. But...he usually gets bored and just starts to scribble. Well, this week I have noticed that his coloring is getting a lot better! Thank goodness! He is also learning to read. YES! READ!!! I am so excited. Each week he brings home a new reader that we must read every night for homework. On Mondays, either Steve or I read it to him. Tuesdays, we read it along together with us pointing at the words. By Wednesday, he is reading the book pretty much all by himself. I know he could just be memorizing it, but hey! can't a mom take pride in her little boy reading?!

Eli is doing GREAT in pre-k!!! He absolutely LOVES to color and I am not exaggerating. That boy can color! Hate to admit it, but he does better than big brother. Seriously! He is also getting much better at writing his first name and is learning to spell/write our last name. I am so proud of him!

At times, I feel that I am going through the motions of school. It feels like I just finished making mums for LAST year's homecoming and we are wrapping up THIS year's homecoming mum session in floral design. I love doing it, but 55 students trying to make mums is madness! I wouldn't trade it for the world though!!!! I love teaching the class!

Steve is teaching at WCJC again this year. He has said that it is going really well and the students are more verbal than the previous two semesters. He said he really enjoys the questions and discussions that take place. Last year, he said it was like pulling teeth to get any of the students to talk! Oh well...with time, it will get better!

Well...time to grade papers!

Summer is almost over; School is almost here...

I can't believe that in less than 20 days my oldest, Owen, will be starting kindergarten. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. All of his polo shirts have been bought, along with new shorts. We have his backpack ready, except for needing to label each and every single crayon, marker, etc. I am NOT looking forward to that! I guess they have to grow up sometime.

Then there is Eli. My precious little Eli, who will be moving up to the Pre-K room on Monday. He is very excited about the move because he will get Owen's teacher from this year. I am happy, too, because Eli will have the same teacher Owen did. It makes me feel better to know that he will be well taken care of.

Other than getting ready for school to start, we are all doing good. I have been doing a lot of scrapbooking, especially here lately. I finally finished our wedding scrapbook and am now working on Eli's first year scrapbook. It is sad to say that Owen's first year scrapbook was done just about a month after he turned one. How bad is that?! Your son's book gets done before your wedding. Gees...oh well! at least I can say it is finished and I just need to get Eli's done!

Until later...

Christmas is in the air!

Man! I haven't posted in over a month. How time flies when you are busy! Let's see...I am off for a two week vacation from school. HOORAY!!! We have been busy getting gifts bought for the family and I think we are all done...finally! We had Christmas with part of Steve's family this past Saturday. I didn't think the boys could receive so many remote control cars, but they did! They love racing them around the house and outside. Christmas Eve, Steve's dad will be visiting and staying with us through Christmas day. Then, Christmas Day evening, I will get to see my brother!!! We haven't seen him since September. I am super excited about that! We went to the Festival of Lights in Dickinson this past Saturday and the boys loved it. We actually got a really good picture of the family while we were there.

Since my last post, we have also had a few additions to the family...NINE basset hound puppies. They were born November 25th. Here are a few recent pics of them. We brought them in last night since it was going to be down in the low-30s. Owen and Eli loved playing with them. Aren't they precious!




Other than playing with puppies, live in the Lyford household is going good! We wish everyone a safe holiday! Merry Christmas!

Wonderful weekend

The 'Birds won their first playoff game this last Friday. We play Yates this week. I really hope we can make it far. One of my freshman students was moved up to varsity and both his mom and I are really excited for him. He was one of only two freshman moved up. Isn't that awesome!

Well...I attended my first quarterly meeting at church in which we were discussing budget for '09. I will admit that I was hoping my grading would take longer, but it didn't so I was able to attend the meeting. I had heard these weren't always the friendliest of church meetings and was dreading going. But...things went VERY smoothly and the entire thing was over in a little less than a hour. Steve and I were both impressed!

I think I have an addiction....to the Wii. Steve's brother and sister gave us the Wii Sport for our birthdays combined. Steve and I just played three games of bowling. It is FUN! No more spending money at the bowling alley. We can play every day, as many games as we want, for FREE! Owen really likes it as well. Now we can all play a "video" game together as a family.

Weekend Starts EARLY!!!

We have early release tomorrow! Whoo Hoo!!! Our football team has their first playoff game in Brazosport and our varsity volleyball team has a game in Spring Branch against Brenham. Because of these two events, buses are needed for both. To allow for ample time to get students home before needing buses, we are getting released at 2:30pm. What will I do with my free time before picking up the boys????? I have NO clue. Maybe a pedicure. Maybe a nap. I just don't know! OH! or maybe both!!!

Rainy weather!

Why is it that rainy days make your day gloomy? I guess it is the gray skies with ZERO sunshine. Granted, yes we do need the rain. And...I have known that we were going to be getting rain thanks to our trusty weathermen! :) But...why is it that rain makes you gloomy. I guess it is true when they say your body needs energy from the sun! I know I could have used some sunshine in my life today!

Two more weeks until Thanksgiving break! Thank goodness! We don't have much planned. I will be celebrating my 30th birthday that Monday. Not sure what my wonderful husband has planned, but I am sure it will be special. He always makes me feel like a princess on my special day!

I got Owen's test report back from Pre-K. He is in a readiness program with his preschool, which tracks him through the 5th grade, I believe. Anyways...though he is doing wonderful with numbers and "math", he is struggling with his letters. You ask him to sing the alphabet and he does great. But...when you randomly point out letters, he doesn't quite get them all. I know he is "only" 5 but it is amazing what they expect children to know going into kindergarten. Man! Things have changed since I went to Kindergarten!

Elijah is doing great! Trying to keep up with big brother. Just over the last week or so, he has learned to focus more when coloring and is staying in the lines really well. We are impressed. He is learning his alphabet as well, and LOVES the letter E. Anytime he sees an "E", he points to it and yells "That is an E like in my name!" It is too cute!

Well...I have rambled enough! Until later...gotta go get the boys out of the bath and mop up the water that they have managed to splash everywhere on the floor!