Dear Children,
               Yesterday Mom, Dad & Rebecca went to Cici's Pizza for lunch. We had planned on going straight over to the UK Medical Center to see Papaw Lawrence but it was about an hour too early. We decided to take a little drive through downtown Lexington. We came to Triangle Park and Rebecca hollered out "Waterfall!" when she saw the fountains at the park; so we stopped to let her see them. There's a fountain right on the corner of Main & Broadway; a few little girls were splashing in it in their bathing suits and Rebecca wanted to splash too. Rebecca is spoiled so she got to splash in the fountain with her clothes on. Momma went across the street to the Civic Center Shops to buy you a wildcat outfit to wear to go see Papaw Lawrence. She bought an outfit and we put it on you after we were finished at the park and it was the crappiest piece of clothing we have ever purchased. It was stained and the silk screen writing was all screwed up. We would have taken it back but you spilled soda all over it later that day when we went to Wal-Mart where we put a hundred dollars worth of fall/winter clothes on layaway for Rebecca. We had a pretty good day yesterday.
      Momma's appointment with her baby doctor has been moved up to tomorrow. I can't say I am sorry to see that happen because I would like to see a doctor so he can tell us that everything is as it should be.
      Well, Rebecca is with Mamaw right now at the store. I went to pick her up at Granny's but she wanted to go with Mamaw. Rebecca, you should be back any minute now so I will close out this post and start fixing you some supper. You are having a hot dog, a few chips, a cheese slice, pickles, ketchup and a clementine orange. We both love those little expensive clementines. Daddy loves Rebecca and the unnamed child!

Dear Rebecca,
               Well, what do you think of your Mom's big news? Pretty exciting, huh? This was not the big announcement that I have been promising you for a little while though. That may be postponed for a year or maybe two. But hey this is even better. Wow, a second child. I am amazed. I thought we had been struck by lightening when you came because to tell you the truth I had kind of given up on being a father by the time we found out about you and now we might have a second child. That is beyond my wildest dreams.
      Like I said before, I went back to work this past week. Monday we did something we have never done before. I took you swimming at Falling Springs on a Monday after I got home from work and we both had a ball, especially me. It was hot at work Monday and I was all sticky and miserable and while the water in the pool was surprisingly warm it was such a refreshing experience. I tried to take you back Thursday. We went out there and I paid my money; you are still free until you are three, and we both got in the pool. Ten minutes later they blew the whistle for everyone to get out of the pool because a storm was coming. I should have checked the weather before heading out to the pool with you. We were both extremely disappointed. You cried on your way out of the pool and I felt like crying. We'll try to get a few more days in before the pool closes down for the summer and even after that we might go to the indoor pool. It won't be near as much fun because in the outdoor pool you can wade around and play on the jungle gym type thing they have in the pool and go down the children's slide.
      Monday you went down the slide and some little girl who was maybe four or so was trying to climb up the slide. You bumped into her good and got a fat lip out of the deal. You cried so hard and I felt so bad. That little girls mother didn't make her apologize or anything. I was livid. Eventually you cried your self out as I held you in the deeper end of the pool and you went down the slide again. I know you had to have gone down the slide twenty times at least. I was so very proud of you.

Dear Unnamed Child,
               I am your father. I can't wait to meet you. We found out about you this Wednesday. Your Mom had originally taken a test just a little while back but it was negative but she still felt she was pregnant. She paid a dollar for the original test. Just recently we have had some issues with your Mother paying a dollar for things that really should cost more, like batteries for my digital camera that last all of seven pictures. She decided to go out and spend a whole whopping five dollars on a real test and there you were on the test in all of your plus sign glory.
      Your Mother has been pregnant six times and she has two living children at this point. So, as you can see she has had a few heart breaks so if she doesn't post as much to you in the beginning it will be because she is afraid. She was the same way when we began this blog for your sister back in December of 2003. I am nervous as well. I have my hopes up and have already made a page for you on babycenter.com so we can track your development.

Dear Children,
               I'll be addressing you like this from here on out I suppose. I barely post enough now as it is; Lord knows I can't address individual posts to each of you so I reckon y'all will just have to share. Unnamed Child, your hard copy will be much thinner than Becca's and that is because she takes up so much of our time so we can't post like we did when it was just Momma & Daddy; So blame her.
      It feels kind of impersonal to address my child as Unnamed Child but we really don't know if you are going to be a girl or a boy. If you are a girl your name will be Rachel Marie Lanham and if you are a boy we are leaning to Ryan Marlin Lanham. The girls name is set in stone and has been since before your sister was born but we have always been undecided about a boys name. I like Ethan but your Mom doesn't care much for it and she likes Benjamin but I can't see you as a Ben. Your Mom initially didn't care for Ryan at first because there's a restaurant in Lexington called Ryan's but I think it's grown on her. Anyway, though it may sound impersonal I will be closing out my posts with the following salutation, at least until we know more about a name or a gender; Daddy loves Rebecca and his Unnamed Child!

Dear Rebecca,
                        Hello my little sweetie bird. Right now you are taking a nap. I want to be taking a nap but I also wanted to write you this blog before I lay down for a snooze.
                        There is big news, little girl. We may be having a baby brother or baby sister for you to play with and help take care of. Daddy and are pretty excited but we aren't trying to get our hopes up too much. We've had bad luck before, but then again we've had wonderful luck with you, my little sweetie pie. We are so proud of you, you make us so happy, and it would only make us happier to see you having fun with a little sibling of your own. We were worried about you growing up all alone and hopefully now, you don't have to.
                     You and I have had a wonderful day together so far. We got up and had some cereal and watched an episode of Max & Ruby and then we got dressed and went to K-Mart where we filled Daddy's prescription and we picked out a brand new nightgown for you with a puppy dog on it. We also looked at some baby stuff and some toddler beds and almost bought the newest baby a little giraffe sleeper but we decided we didn't want to jinx it, even though the little sleeper was super cute and only five dollars. It looked like the little giraffe sleeper we bought for you not so long ago when you were just a little bitty thing. You held your new nightgown all the way home and you called it your "Favorite Dress". You are the sweetest little thing and I love you more than words can say. I know we've done a lot of things that were fun together these last few weeks and you've said and done a million cute little things but I am so tired right now that I can't think of a single one of them. Mostly what I want to say to you is that you are still my best girl and my best friend and you always will be. You are the light of my life and watching you and your brother grow up together will be the most rewarding thing that God could have ever given me. I thank him for you every day... I love you, Rebecca. I promise to write more soon.

Dear Rebecca,
               Well, I have to go back to work tomorrow. I'm really not looking forward to it. I guess that the best way to look at it is that the sooner I get back to work the sooner Christmas will be here and the sooner something else your Mother & I have planned might happen. I have had a great time with you the past three weeks. You have been an absolute joy to be around.
      You are still an excellently behaved little girl but you are developing a stubborn streak. It used to be that when I told you to come to me in a stern voice you would obey right away; now we seem to have minor productions out of situations like that. You usually eventually do come to me but a time or two or maybe three or four I have had to run you down. I think I'm doing an okay job of disciplining you though. I have learned that your Mother is a bit more lenient with you than I am. I'll tell you to do something three times and if it's not done on the third time something will happen that neither of us like. We do use spankings but we also use time outs and we deprive you of privileges if the offense has to do with the abuse of the privilege. Your Mom will beg and plead with you to obey her because she hates to punish you. She eventually does punish you if you remain stubborn but she hates to see that bottom lip poke out so much. I can see where she is coming from because I hate seeing that poked out lip as well but maybe eventually you will learn to jump as high as I did when I was a wee lad. I think that all in all I was a pretty well behaved kid growing up. There were maybe a few hiccups in high school but I was never into drugs or anything destructive like that. High school kids are going to be stupid and make some mistakes along the way but I had enough decent raising that I didn't get too stupid.
      I didn't take you to daycare Friday because I wanted to spend my last day of vacation with you. We had a grand time. We spent all day Saturday together as well because your Mom had to work.
      My camera is not dead you will be happy to know. It's just that your Mom has been purchasing our batteries at the Dollar Tree and you are not going to get a decent set of batteries for a dollar. I was so glad that the camera isn't busted. I was super bummed out over that. I would have loved to have had a brand new camera but we have so many other items on our plate right now that we would have been lucky to get a new camera by Christmas, if then.
      Mamaw & Papaw, Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney and the kids left for Florida last night shortly after midnight and got into Orlando around 4:30 or so that afternoon. They are in Orlando and have no plans to go to any of the Disney parks. I just can't fathom that. I would have to go to see Mickey Mouse. Papaw says it's because I am a big kid and in a lot of ways he is correct. I do love Disney World. We hope to take you some day. I went when I was a child and I went quite a bit when I was dating my ex-wife, Christy Hess, because she lived in Florida but the best visit I have ever had was the most recent one. Your Mother & I went in 2000. It was her very first time in the Magic Kingdom and to see the look on her face when we stepped through the gate and she saw Cinderella's castle for the first time was priceless. I hope to one day have that experience with you. Anyway, everyone will be back next Sunday. We were going to look after Sadie but Mamaw & Papaw decided that Ruffie would be too lonely without her so they left her down there. I think Butch, Uncle Rodney's dad, will be looking after the dogs this year. As you will recall we looked after them last year.
      Your Mom bought a bicycle for herself Friday morning at Wal-Mart in Frankfort. We didn't really intend on purchasing one when we left the house so we took the car and it was not a fun ride back home for either you or your Mom because you two were made quite uncomfortable by the bike we had wedged into the car. I dropped her and her bike off at work Friday afternoon and she rode it home. She said it nearly killed her. She wants to ride it a bit on the bike path before she begins using it as transportation to and from work because she says she needs to get used to riding again. Aunt Mary had a bike down there in Hazard that her ex-husband, Kelly Sacra, bought before he found himself another lady to put up with his incredibly low intellect. He never had any money but it never stopped him from buying the best of whatever he wanted so I'm sure the bike is top of the line. I just hope it hasn't been stolen yet. There are some unsavory characters down there in Hazard, Becca.
      I'm going to close for now. I probably won't post again until next weekend. I know I am going to be flat dead this coming week after being off for so long. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               This is the last day of my three week vacation. Actually I only had two weeks of vacation and the last week of layoff. I am a little worried because I haven't received my unemployment card yet and I usually get that early in the week that I am laid off. I suppose it will all work out though.
      We had some bad news earlier this week. Your great-great Aunt Lila passed away. She was such a card. She danced the chicken dance in an actual chicken suit at Aunt Louise & Uncle Tommy's 50th wedding anniversary party earlier this year or maybe it was last year, I am not sure. You just looked at her like she had lost her ever loving mind. I have some pictures of her at the baby shower your Mom had shortly before you were born of her in a big old pair of panties. I also have one of Aunt Lila and Aunt Lynn in the panties together. If you want to know what Aunt Lila was like then just imagine her a whole lot like Aunt Lynn.
      The visitation was Wednesday. Your Mom had to work Wednesday so you and I went to the big outdoor pool at Falling Springs. I think I screwed up a bit while we were there. There has been an oppressive heat wave in the country for the past week so I thought it would be a nice way to keep cool by going to the pool. The water was bath water warm but you certainly did enjoy playing in the water. We got there at 1:20 that afternoon and didn't leave until 5:20. I kept you well protected with regular sunblock applications but you still got a little burn. I on the other hand didn't use any sunblock on myself and I ended up with a mild case of sun poison. My burn isn't as bad as it could have been because I already had a little tan to begin with.
      I just realized that our digital camera is screwed up. You can only take a half dozen or so pictures with the camera on a set of brand new batteries. I hate having to purchase another camera especially since there are so many other things that our money could be going for. There may not be as many pictures of you in the coming months because of the faulty camera but eventually we'll get another one.
      Well, I'll close out this post now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               We had a pretty good time yesterday. The three of us went to the Cracker Barrel for lunch. You had a scrambled egg and orange juice; Momma had the Sunrise sampler platter which includes two eggs which she had scrambled, biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, baked apples, country ham, sausage, bacon and grits; I forgot what my breakfast was called but it included two eggs which I had over medium, hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, bacon and grits. I ate your Mom's grits because she doesn't care much for them. Your Mom and I also had a large orange juice and coffee.
      After lunch we went to the children's museum in the Victorian Square. It's called the Explorium now I do believe. You had a real good time. You got to sit on a statue of Barbaros, the horse that won the derby a few months back, you got to play in some water, crawl through a model of a human heart, sit on a big molar inside a huge mouth and a whole bunch of other fun things that you seemed to enjoy. Your Mom says that your favorite part was climbing inside a cave that was set up as a geology exhibit. You just liked climbing around inside the cave.
      After that we went and had some ice cream and rented a few movies. We got Final Destination 3, Sin City and March of the Penguins. You watched the penguin movie with us and you seemed to like it a lot. You wanted to kiss the baby penguins on the screen. You had to get the penguin that we got you at the aquarium last week. I'm glad we rented that movie.
      Well, I'm gonna close out for now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Yesterday was your Mom's birthday as you already know. Your Mother & I had a very nice time. This morning when you saw your Mother's cake you were convinced that it was your birthday again and you kept pointing to yourself and telling yourself happy birthday. We told you that it was your Mom's birthday but you would have none of that nonsense. A little later we took you to Mamaw & Papaw's for the day so we could go out together and have some adult time together. We missed you as soon as we pulled away. We like getting time to ourselves but we hate not having you with us. You are such a part of who we are that we kind of feel incomplete if you are not around.
      Your Mom & I went to Logan's Steakhouse for lunch and then we went and saw a movie at the new Cinemark Theatre at the Fayette Mall. We saw M. Night Shyamalan's latest movie Lady in the Water. The critics have been vicious in their opinions of the film. We really don't pay much attention to critics because they are oftentimes wrong. We both enjoyed the movie. We then went to Wal-Mart and bought a whole bunch of art supplies and some Flintstone gummie vitamins for you; we also purchased a necklace and a Dean Koontz paperback for your Mom for her birthday. We then went to get you from Mamaw & Papaw's. We enjoyed watching you play in the tent we got you for your first birthday that I just got around to setting up this week.
      You do love tents. Every night recently after you give your good-night kisses you tell us you are going under your tent now and then you pull the blanket over your head. It drives your Mother crazy because she still has it in her mind that you will suffocate under your blankets. I tell her that you are old enough now that you can simply remove your blankets at any time you wish. If you can root your Momma & Daddy around in our big old bed like you do whenever we let you lay with us then you would have no trouble at all with a blanket.
      The three of us went to the Kroger store after we got back to Versailles from Mamaw & Papaw's and bought some groceries and then we came home. Your Mom fixed you a supper of pizza poppers and an orange and after you ate we all had some of your Mom's birthday cake. I got up super early yesterday morning and baked her a cake for her birthday because she has always harped on the fact that I had never made her a birthday cake. Anyway after the cake I gave your Mother a Harry Potter book that she has been wanting. Your Mom gave you a bath and then we all watched some Little Bear and then you went to bed. Your Mom & I stayed up and watched a couple of episodes of House and an episode of a new show we enjoy on the USA network called Psych. Your Mom went to bed after that and I watched a professional wrestling show called TNA Impact. I know wrestling is absolutely fake and kind of white trash but I think it's funny.
      Like your Mom said we went to the Newport Aquarium this past weekend. We all had a grand time. You even got to pet a real live shark. There was one place in the aquarium where there was glass floors with water underneath where you could look down and see the fish. When we cam up to it you just stopped in your tracks. You really weren't too sure about stepping on it. It looked just like a big pool of water. You looked down at it and up at me while I was standing on the glass and you took one hesitant step forward and then another and you smiled up at me like you thought it was all such a neat trick. You also enjoyed looking at the baby gators but as your Mom said your favorites were the otters and penguins. My favorite was the huge tanks with all the big sharks.
      Like your Mom said, you took your first out of state trip that day as well. We had a fabulous adventure in Ohio. The last sentence is a reference to a line from Duck in one of your Little Bear episodes. We all stopped at Frisch's Big Boy in Georgetown and had almost comically bad service. Your Mom, Mamaw and Aunt Linda all had a go round with the night manager.
      I have enjoyed spending these last two weeks with you. You are even becoming a little bit of a Daddy's girl which I love. We are both going to hate it when I go back to work the week after next. You have come to expect me to be asleep in the bedroom when you wake up in the mornings and when I go back to work I will be long gone by the time you raise your pretty head off of your pillow.
      Well, it's getting late and I really should think about going to bed soon so I will close out this post for now. I will get your Mom to tell you in her next post about how you are becoming a little hypochondriac. Your knee hurts, your heart hurts, your head hurts, your toe hurts and even your nuffin hurts from time to time. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Hello my sweet. As you know by now, tomorrow is Mommy's birthday. I will be 29 tomorrow. In all my twenty nine years I have never loved anything or anyone as much as I love you. You are the light of my life in every way and this year on my birthday I give thanks for everything I had to endure to get to you and Daddy. I have the best husband a woman could ask for and the sweetest little girl on the face of the planet. I have people who care about me and a decent job that helps pay the bills. Today someone asked me what my biggest birthday wish was and I honestly couldn't give them one. All of my dreams have come true and all of the wishes I ever wished for are right here at my finger tips. No one is as lucky as I am.
            Well as you know we went to the Newport Aquarium. You were the best little girl and behaved so well that I almost forgot you were two. You only got aggravated and pitched a little fit toward the end when you were getting sleepy. We went with Mamaw & Papaw, Aunt Linda and Granny and of course You, Me, and your Dear Old Dad. It was a nice trip up there and we stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way and had a big breakfast. You mostly ate oranges off of everyone's plate so we could have ordered you a drink and let you share in the biscuits and gravy and that would have been great. When we got there you saw the river and were in awe. You said "See Water Da-da?" and he informed you that he did indeed. The line was sort of long for the Aquarium and when we got there the place was jam packed. You stopped and admired everything for a good long while and I think some people were a tad impatient with us because we took extra long because of you and Granny. In fact I can't recall one person that was nice to us on that trip. Except for maybe the lady you met at the otter exhibit. She said you were the most polite two year old she ever met, according to Daddy. Daddy is so proud of you he could bust at the seams. Your particular favorite exhibits at the Aquarium were the Penguins, and the Otters. Although you enjoyed all the fishies, snakes, turtles, birds of prey and things of that nature, you were enthralled with these fuzzy and feathery creatures that you so often see on cartoons that you enjoy. You got scared of a man in a scuba diving suit feeding the fish when he waved and made silly faces at you only trying to be nice. Ever since then you have let it be known that "Man care me" and you were "Cyin" and of course, that he " Got Helmet". You remember that stuff 'until this day. I am unsure if you will ever forget it. I hate to think that your foremost memory of that trip was being scared.
               After the trip Papoo drove over the bridge into Ohio just so that we could say we all went out of state. It was your very first time in a state other than Kentucky and like the rednecks we all are we made a big deal of it. I don't think you thought too much of it because the road was the same road we had traveled the whole way there. However, as Duck would say, we did have a fabulous adventure to Ohio. Or at least almost in Ohio. You even got to get a Penguin and some Candy at the Candy store and Gift Shoppe at Newport Aquarium. Then we made our way home and stopped in Georgetown for something to eat. We stopped in at Frisch's and had a fiasco that I would rather not tell you about because Mommy and Mamaw almost tackled a waitress (and I use the term loosely) and her manager (also used loosely) because they felt the need to make a scene over three dollars.You did get to have a yummy hot fudge cake however and that was a sight to see because you had your whole face covered in fudge. You're so cute.
                  Mommy has had to work a lot since Daddy has been off but it has really been a blessing for us that I have this job because now we don't have to stretch out money out so tight week to week. We've always had what we need and the basic comforts of life but Mommy's job allows us to do things like go to the Aquarium and take you out to eat from time to time and just have a good time in general. Soon Mommy's money will be saved so that she can go to school and further her education so our little family will be even better off later on down the road. I want to do whatever I can for you but always remember that I will spend every spare second with you my sweet because there's nothing better than being with my little baby and her Daddy.
                  You had a terrible night last night and got up on several occasions, Daddy said. You didn't get much sleep and I am hoping that you do better tonight, I really am. You've got to be a big girl and sleep in your own room. On that note I am going to let you go and put out the office light, finish my soda and lay down on the couch. I don't want to disturb Daddy and the couch would feel better on my back tonight anyway. I love you, my sweet little baby bird. Sleep tight!

Dear Rebecca,
                  Yesterday was your very first day of day care. From what we heard from the staff at Haley's Way Day Care you did okay considering this was your very first time for any extended period without someone you have known all your life. You would get interested in whatever was going on there and then you would go to the door and look out and cry a bit and then you were okay again for a few minutes. When I asked you if you wanted to go back you told me "Go back. Later."
       Both your Mother & I are very proud of you. Your Mother shed some tears over leaving you but everyone concerned feels like this will do you great good. You will still be going down to Mamaw's two days a week but Fridays will be your day care day. We want to socialize you with children of your own age. Gymboree was okay for that but you always had Mama there and at this point in your life you would rather hang out with Mama or Daddy than play with the other children. We want you to learn to interact with your peers. I never had that opportunity when I was a child and I think I have suffered as a result. I don't think I socialize very well.
      We dropped by Taylor Manor Nursing Home where your Mother works for a few minutes because I thought that your Mother would enjoy seeing you after you got out of day care and I was correct. After that we went over to Granny's and visited with her and Mamaw for a few hours. You & I went upstairs where you banged on Aunt Linda's piano for a good long while. We got home about the same time your Mom got off from work and then we hung out for awhile. You watched The Doodlebops and an episode of Little Bear and then you went to bed.
      We're all going to The Newport Aquarium tomorrow. I think you might really enjoy that. You do so love to see fishes swimming about. Mamaw & Papaw are coming with us and I think maybe Aunt Linda will be joining us as well. I have never been myself and am looking forward to it. I asked you today if you were excited about going to see the fishes; you didn't answer me. A little later you asked me if I was excited. You asked, "Dadda Cited?"
      I said I was excited and then you informed me that you were also excited. The exact words you used were "Becca too".
      I've had a pretty pleasurable week with you this week. I have loved being woken up by you all week. I hate being woken up but being woken up by you does take a bit of the sting out of it. It's been unseasonably warm this past week so we haven't spent a whole lot of time outdoors where you would prefer to be but a cold front moved in today so next week should be much cooler and we will spend a whole lot more time outdoors.
      My 20 year high school reunion is tonight but I am afraid I will not be attending. I would have liked to attend but there are some personal issues that kept me from going. A guy I graduated with is a stand up comedian who played the local comedy club last night and there were supposed to be a bunch of people from my class go to the show but I also decided not to attend that. I reckon I'm just an old fuddy-duddy.
      I had a doctor's appointment Tuesday and your Mother was called today about an appointment that she will be scheduling. I know that information seems like a silly and useless piece of information to record for posterity but hey, they might be important appointments or maybe not.
      Your mom works later today from seven in the morning until seven this evening so I will be getting up with you in the morning so I had better hit the proverbial hay; plus I am kind of tired. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                                 Hello my sweet. I had such a fun day with you today. I was off of work today and as you already well know, Daddy is on vacation. I told myself last night before I went to bed that I was going to clean the house up today and I fully intended on doing it when we got up this morning but you were so cute coloring your pictures in the color wonder book that Aunt Lynn got you for your birthday that I just had to join you. We had a good time coloring in the floor together, you and I. Then and I went and made us some toast for breakfast spread with marshmallow creme for you and butter and jelly for me. You're not big on peanut butter and you will eat jelly but you make less mess with the marshmallow creme because it doesn't drip from your toast. In addition to that you really do like it a lot. Daddy had a good idea when he got it for you
         After breakfast we watched the Doodlebops. You do love the Doodlebops. It's a Canadian show that has three singers dressed up as .... I don't know what they are dressed up as. I reckon they are dressed up as Doodlebops. One is pink, that is a girl, DeeDee, one is blue, a boy named Rooney, and one is Orange, another boy named Moe. Moe plays the drums and DeeDee plays the keyboard and Rooney plays your favorite, the guitar. You always make it a point to show me the guitar in the show. Maybe someday we can get you some guitar lessons when you get old enough. You like that show because it is so musical and you love music. Granny gave you a harmonica of hers and you have been tooting the daylights out of that thing. Funny thing is, you don't sound half bad on it. You sound better than me or Daddy either one.
               After the Doodlebops I took a shower while you watched little bear and then we blew dry my hair and curled yours a little bit. It looked really good for about two seconds until you went and rubbed your head across the living room carpet. After our snack of a lemon cookie we went and woke Daddy up and Daddy didn't see a curl one anymore. You told him all about it though and also about how it was 'too hot' for you to touch. You are so smart. I know that we go on and on about that but you are two and your vocabulary is huge. More than any other two year old I have ever heard speak. You have even started asking little questions like "Is it my turn?" or "Is it wet?" Or "Did you broke it Mommy?" I get more and more amazed by you every day and I couldn't be more proud of you.
            After we woke Daddy up we all got dressed and drove to Lexington where we went to Mi Mexico for lunch. You had a taco and Daddy and I both had a Chimichanga lunch special and Daddy had a great big old mixed drink which he said didn't do much for him and you and I had a virgin strawberry daiquiri to share but you didn't share hardly an ounce of it with me. You really really liked it. In fact you called it an "I Team Drink" - which as you well know now means and Ice Cream Drink. Then we went by the Movie Store and you ran all over that place like a wild monkey. Daddy even got you in trouble once and smacked your bum bum, although he says he is too afraid to smack it too hard in public because crazy people might call the police. Well, I tell you one thing little girl, you don't get spanked often, but when you do it still isn't hard enough to make a dog wince. You already know by now that Mommy and Daddy are head over heals in love with you and hate to get you in trouble for any reason. Lucky for us, (so far) you are a pretty good girl. You were going to get a movie at the movie store but because you were in trouble you didn't get to get "LeRoy and Stitch". That made me a little sad because your dear old Mom loves Stitch: I would have watched it with you end to end. I know, by now you already know that your dear old Mom is a kid at heart. That's okay because that means that you and Daddy and I will have us one grand life together.
              After the movie store we went to Baskin Robins where Daddy and I had a chocolate sundae and you had a scoop of bananas & strawberry ice cream on a cake cone. You kept spooning at your cone and when Daddy couldn't eat any more of his sundae you decided that you would take over and got ice cream all down the front of your shirt. Luckily it was an old shirt. Then we went to the Dollar tree where we bought batteries and a few other odds and ends that we needed plus some color and shape Pooh flash cards for you, some plain paper for you to scribble on, and you got a "grab bag" full of surprises. A grab bag is a bag of stuff that is a surprise for kids in stores such as that. Mommy used to get them at a place called the "Second Handy" store with her Mommy when she was a very little girl. Sometimes these bags were filled with toys and other goodies like candies for me; other times that had a lost shoe or a half colored in coloring book. That was just the way it was. The ones at the dollar tree are much nicer. I think from now on you will get a "grab bag" whenever we go to the dollar tree. You got to play flowers, a hawaiian lei that I won't let you wear because it is made out of plastic bags, and a kit to make paper dolls. You and I will do that together this coming up Tuesday and I know that will be fun. This coming Sunday you, me, Daddy, Mamaw and Papoo are going to the Aquarium. I can't wait to see your face light up at all the fishes and penguins and whatever else we may get to see while we are there- like sharks. They even let you pet them now. However, I don't think that I will be doing that. You can knock yourself out petting them. I like my fingers. A close encounter with almost losing them once was enough for me.
               After the Dollar tree we came home and you took a nap and so did I. We were both very tired. When I got up you got up a few minutes later and I went and got Daddy and he took you down to Mamaw and Papaw's house and I think you may be staying the night, if you have clothes. Daddy and I are going to spend the evening together doing laundry and watching movies. Sounds like a blast doesn't it? You would rather be down at Mamaw's playing and running around, I know. Daddy has a doctor's appointment tomorrow so I know that you will enjoy a nice long visit in the country.
            On another note, next week you will be starting day care one day a week. It will only be for three hours a day, unless of course Daddy has to work late, and they only charge five dollars an hour up to four hours. After that it is thirty dollars. That is very expensive for the whole day but you won't be doing that often, if ever. That's a nice day care though and it is still cheaper than any other day care I have checked into over the last few weeks. I was looking into day care because Mamaw and Papaw are going to Florida in August and Mommy and Daddy have to work. Auntie Linda said she would take care of you but Auntie Linda gets busy with things an awfully lot so I decided it would be the responsible thing to do to look into day care facilities as a back up. Anyone with kids already knows that you can't depend on one sitter and one sitter alone. Unless of course it's Mamaw. She's always been really good about keeping you whenever I need her too. She loves you very much, little girl. You're the one that almost wasn't for her. You're the one that almost wasn't for all of us. We all love you beyond words. Back to the daycare; I know two of the girls that work there personally and your Aunt Lynn knows the woman that owns it. It's a nice place and I can't wait for you to meet some nice friends. I know this will be so good for you.
            Well Daddy will be back soon and I want to do Quicken (our checkbook) before he gets here. I love you, my sweet little baby bird. I will miss you to pieces until I can see you again! I know you have fun, though. Mommy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  This was the first day of my vacation. Well, it really wasn't a vacation day because I didn't get paid for it. It was, as they call it at G.E. a "lack of work" day or more accurately it was inventory day. Anyway I have two weeks of vacation and then I'm laid off for a week so I have three more weeks off and I am as pleased as punch about that. Maybe you and I will get to go swimming at Falling Springs a whole bunch while I am off.
      I had another bought with cellulitis this past week. I came down with it while I was here Tuesday night after work. I had a small temperature, I was chilling and I was so very sore. I hate it when I get that. I went to bed directly after you. I had a very restless nights sleep Tuesday night. I was up and down all night. I woke up around 3:30 in the morning and sat up for awhile. I was still very sore but my temperature had broken. I thought about trying to go on into work but after I stumbled on the way to get my work clothes I decided to call in. I think I made a good decision because I went right back to bed after I called in and ended up sleeping until 10:30 Wednesday morning and I felt so much better. My leg was still a bit red, swollen and sore but I wasn't quite as sore and the soreness along with the fever is what really makes cellulitis such a burden. Well, maybe if some things your Mother & I have in the works pan out I will not have to worry about cellulitis for much longer. Enough about that.
      As I was mowing Monday afternoon I noticed that we had a small rabbit burrow in our backyard with three tiny baby rabbits. I showed them to both you and your Mother and you we all enjoyed looking at them. I was looking forward to having three little tiny baby bunnies living in our backyard. Then tragedy struck. I had planned on making up a happy story about how the three baby bunnies grew up happy and healthy in our backyard but I really don't believe that would be the right thing to do. One of the bunnies survived and two of them passed away. I was very disappointed by that. I was more excited about the rabbits than either you or your Mother. One rabbit made it and I suppose that in the wild that is what happens.
      I'm sure I will be writing a lot more often in the next few weeks so I will close this out. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               You really do love fireworks. You had a ball on the fourth. We had a few lame fireworks down at Mamaw & Papaw's after our annual barbeque. You enjoyed them but everyone primarily enjoyed watching Sadie freak out over the fireworks. It was super late when we got home and we intended to put you straight to bed but there were so many good fireworks going off all around our house that we decided to sit out in the back yard with you and watch some real fireworks. You had a ball.
      I see where your Mother told you about your getting your ears pierced. That is such a big deal. I'm gonna close out this post. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
            It is very early in the morning here on Saturday morning July 8th 2006. I woke up at about three and laid in the bed til nearly four thirty and I never could get back to sleep. I finally came and laid down on the couch but when I started to drift I got worried I wouldn't wake up in time to make it to work today at seven o'clock. I am thinking of taking you with me for a little while today so that Daddy can get a little more sleep and maybe mow the yard. We'll see.
            Before I forget I want to tell you about a little conversation you and I had together one late night last week when you woke up and laid on the couch with me. You saw a kitty cat on your sippy cup and you said "Momma, Kitty Cat!" to which I responded "Oh Yeah? If you had a kitty what would you name it.?" You then informed me you would name it Kitty. I asked you if you wanted a cat and you shook your head yes. I asked if you really wanted a cat and you said "No." I said how about a doggy, if you had a doggy what would you name it? You then informed me that you would name your doggy "Doggy". I asked if you really wanted a doggy and you said "Yes Mama!" That little conversation was so sweet. I think in all my days I will never forget just lying there with you talking deep into the night about what you'd name a cat or dog if you had one.
         Thursday I was in the bedroom putting my earrings in after you woke up from your napand you asked me "Whassat?" amd I told you they were Mommy's earrings. You said "Becca Earrings!" So I got down my little box of earrings and we searched all through them for some clip ons. I couldn't find any although I am sure I have some somewhere so we hung two hoops over top your ears. You looked a bit silly but you thought you were the cats meow. When we got done putting on our make up I took the earrings off of you and put them away because they had little beads on them and I was worried you might get them off somehow. You fussed and hollered and said "Becca Earrings!" I asked you if you really wanted some earrings and you told me that you did. Or rather you said "Becca earrings!" once again. So I told you we'd take you to the store and get earrings put in. You hopped down off my bed and excitedly ran to get your shoes. You weren't even dressed yet. I fought to get you dressed while you were running to and from the door wanting to go to the "stoe".
            I had to go to Wal-Mart anyway and return some bras that I had bought for Sister Agnes. You really like Sister Agnes and I am so glad because she thinks you are the sweetest thing that ever walked the earth. So do I. Anyway I decided we'd get your ears pierced at Wal-Mart so I called on the phone to see what steps I had to go through to get that done. They told me I had to come and get a paper and get it notarized at the bank and when we got there that was the first thing I did. When I got that done the elderly woman who was doing the piercing didn't want to pierce your ears because she said you 'wouldn't hold still'. Of course you wouldn't, you are a kid. Kids don't hold still. Who do they think will be getting their ears pierced at Wal-Mart? Not eighty year old women. It will be children. Anyway, Daddy suggested to take you to the Piercing Pagoda in the mall and get it done, he said they'd probably do a better job anyway when we tallked to him on the phone. I agreed and I wanted to buy him the bath sponge he'd been wanting at Bath and Body works as it was our annivesary and I wanted to get him a present.
         We went to the mall and the lady at the piercing place was taken aback when I told her what had conspired at Wal-Mart. She got you right up in the chair and pierced on ear and then the other. You cried two tears because you wanted to keep sitting in that tall chair and staring at all the pretty earrings. She gave you a sucker and you told her Thank You like the polite little girl you are and then we took off to Bath and Body works where you picked out a pink duck and we got Daddy his sponge. Then it was time to go and see your Daddy and pick him up from work. We all went to Texas Roadhouse and had a real nice time eating there. We came home and played with you for a while, gave you a shower and put you to bed. You've been getting scared at night and I went and bought you a night light yesterday and it seems to be taking care of the problem so far. You went to bed very easily last night and have slept pretty sound all through as far as I know.
            On a different note I took you to get your hair trimmed at Cost Cutters in Wal-Mart and that was a mistake, She didn't do the bangs right and I had to get them trimmed to short for my taste but they still look pretty good to me. They will grow out before long and you will be more comfortable this summer without your hair hanging down in your face all the time and withought having to pull it up on your head morning noon and night. I took you to Cookie Cutters and they fixed you right up.
            Well I reckon that's about all I have to say. I better think about getting dressed and getting you up if I am taking tou with me. I still haven't made up my mind yet. We'll see what kind of time frame I am running on and if you are alert enough to come with when I am ready to go to work. I had a ball with you the day we went out to get your Ears pierced and that can be considered my special gift to you for your second birthday. You are such a big girl now but you will always be my little baby. I love you, baby bird.

Dear Rebecca,
               Happy second birthday, Becca Boo Little. This is my first post of what I call volume four of the hard copy of this blog. I'm sorry I didn't close out the last volume with a summation of the past year. I wanted to but I got so busy editing your birthday party videos that time just slipped right by me. I am also way behind on printing out pictures for the hard copy of the blog but that is because our photo printer doesn't print photos anymore. It will print out text perfectly but the photos look like crap.
      I think you had a great birthday weekend. As your Mother mentioned in her last post, we had your party yesterday because your Mom was supposed to work today. I think you had a ball. Everyone who really mattered in your life was there; Mama & Daddy, Mamaw & Papaw, Uncle Rodney & Aunt Lynn, Jon & Jacob, Allison, Granny, Papaw Lawrence or as you called him once yesterday "Other Papoo", Aunt Mary, Aunt Linda, Aunt Louise & a friend of hers and of course the birthday girl herself. It started out with you getting fascinated with your new basketball goal and then you moved on to your new playhouse. You opened tons of presents and then we all ate. You got in your little pool with Jacob & Jon. You had a big time in the pool with the big boys. I think that maybe Jacob is a bit more patient with you than poor old Jon is. Then we hooked up a sprinkler ring toy you got for your birthday in the back yard. We couldn't have done that if Papoo hadn't helped me put in a new water faucet in the back yard. The old one never worked and that was a big pain in the keister. We had to drag the water hose from the front of the house through the living room and the kitchen out to the deck so we could fill your pool up. That was getting rather old. Anyway, Jon, Jacob and yourself had a grand old time running through the sprinkler. Eventually things wound down and everyone left. We decided to put you down without a bath or shower because it was extremely late for you; probably around 10:30.
      The next morning your Mom woke me up around eleven o'clock to inform me that she was ill and had called in sick at work. She asked if I could let her sleep and get up with you. I was glad to get up with you and allow your Mom to sleep in because it was obvious that she didn't feel very well at all. We watched an episode of Bob the Builder which you really seem to like and we started on your new copy of Cinderella. You seemed to enjoy it but by this time you were tired so I put you down for a nap. When you woke up I opened a can of play-doh that you had gotten for your birthday at the party last night and we played with that stuff forever. Your Mom woke up as the two of us sat on the kitchen floor making pancakes out of hot pink play-doh. You rushed to show your Mom what we were up to when you heard her coming down the hall.
      I had planned on taking you to the pool while your Mom was at work and since she wasn't feeling very well I thought I would kind of let her relax a bit today so we decided to go ahead with our trip. After lunch your Mom got you ready for a trip to the pool at Falling Springs while I got myself ready and away you and I went. We drove through the Colony and into the Village when I realized that I had completely forgotten to bring towels so we had to go back to the house. Once we had our towels we were on our way again. I noticed as I drove by our old house on Powhatan Trail that it was for sale again. I wonder what the asking price is. The house is three times better than that old house and the neighborhood is five times better that the old neighborhood but I am curious about what they are asking and I will be especially curious to know what it brings when it finally sells. Finally we make it to the pool.
      You see the pool and become very excited about it. We have to wait in line at the reception desk while the receptionist deals with a bunch of children checking in or rather trying to check in. It seems that there were six girls all aged fifteen except one that was maybe five or six and the receptionist told them that there had to be someone at least sixteen years old with them for the youngest one to be allowed entry. They have some stupid crazy rules out there and some individuals out there are way too strict in the enforcement of these stupid rules. You didn't like waiting at all. You kept informing me that you wanted to swim. Eventually we made it out to the pool. You had a big time. You went under a whole bunch but I think maybe the chlorine in the pool was too strong because eventually you started rubbing your eyes a lot and telling me that you didn't want to go under the water anymore. There was one funny thing that happened today. We were wading in the shallow part and you saw a lady sitting on the edge of the water sunning herself. She had a very tiny bikini top on and you walked up to her, pointed, looked back at me and said "Daddy boobies!" and I thought I would have liked to slide under the water but since the water was only six inches deep I just turned three shades redder than what I already was, which was quite impressive since I had a nice burn by this time.
      I also ran into an old friend from high school while we were out there, Daniel Padgett. I was best friends with his brother, Matthew Padgett in school. Daniel had a little sixteen month old girl with him named Samantha Padgett. If Daniel still lives here in Woodford County you will be going to school with her in the future. What shocked me was the fact that some young girls went on about how pretty Samantha was and didn't say a thing about you. I was taken aback by that. That had never happened before. Your Mom says that the older you get the less people will be commenting on how cute and pretty you are. I still don't know how to take that. I am used to all the praise you have gotten in the past two years. I reckon all of this is just the rambling of a crazy daddy.
      We left the pool after about two and a half hours. When we got home you got in your own little pool but the water in your pool was down right hot so you decided to play in your new playhouse. I decided to set the toy sprinkler up for you and you ran through it a bit but quickly lost interest. That's when I had an epiphany regarding your sprinkler ring toy, a lawn chair and a neat way to beat the heat. I sat the lawn chair in the middle of the ring and sat myself in that lawn chair and lounged under the beating sun in complete and total comfort. I had the most wonderful time watching you dig in the dirt under the pine tree all the while adding to my already considerable burn.
      Mom eventually called us in for supper, left over burgers from yesterdays cookout, mac & cheese, cucumbers and ice cream. At supper your Mom told me that she had spoken with a doctor via the telephone and he told her that she was probably suffering from the effects of a mild heat stroke. Mom gave you your shower after supper because I think she missed spending more time with you on your birthday. We all sat in the floor of your room and had a grand old time playing and talking. You then watched an episode of Little Bear and part of an episode of Bob the Builder and then we played with you for awhile longer and then we put you down. You did not want to go to sleep at all. You hollered for us for what seemed like forever but eventually you got to sleep.
      This is the longest post I have done in awhile. I'm pretty proud of myself. Your Mother read over it a few minutes ago and ended up correcting about ten grammar and spelling errors so I don't know if I should be proud or not. I'm just kidding. I'm closing out the very first post of volume four now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
Happy Birthday! I can't believe your Dad didn't post a blog last night. There were big goings on yesterday as yesterday as yesterday was your birthday party even though today is your birthday.You had a backyard Bar-B-Q party with burgers, hot dogs, chips, baked beans, potato salad, a big old fruit salad, iced tea, and tons of other stuff. You really had a good time. You got a great big playhouse for your birthday, from Mommy & Daddy, a basketball goal, also from us, a sprinkler, Dora purse, Cinderella movie as well which were all also from us. You got some pretty clothes from Aunt Lynn & Unlce Rodney and the kids and also some Color Wonder color paper which you will love I just know because you love to draw and color. As a matter of fact when we very first opened it you wanted to open it all the way up and draw a bit. You di, too for a moment and then we were putting off the festivities so we decided to go ahead and start back up. Aunt Louise got you two outfits and her friend Betty gave you two dollars which made you pretty happy. Allison got you some ABC flash cards and Auntie Mary got you a tricycle, a roll to ride scooter, and a ton of other stuff that just made you smile so big and happily. I just had to pause this post for over nearly an hour to tend to you so I will pick back up later and tell you the rest of the story... as Paul Harvey says. Daddy is asleep and its just me & you. We've had our birthday breakfast. Tell you all about it later. Right now you are requesting a shower... and the pool.

Dear Rebecca,
               As your Mom has already mentioned you didn't do so well with the movie yesterday. It was all Mamma & Daddy's fault. We tried the theater thing way too early. Your attention span isn't all that long yet. You were quite impressed with what you called the "Big T.V." though. You also seemed to enjoy the Curious George preview but after the preview was over you hopped down from your seat and informed us that you were done. Your Mom had a really rough time trying to wrangle you at the movie theater. She nearly bit my head off a few times later that day but I understood her frustration; it didn't make it any easier but I did understand it. We'll try another movie next holiday season maybe when you are three and a half or maybe around your next birthday. It all depends on when we think you will be able to handle it. Of course our judgement regarding that particular subject has now come into scrutiny because we thought maybe you would do okay yesterday.
      Before the movie we stopped off at Burger King on Clays Mill Road and had lunch. We ate it while we sat in the Explorer. You wanted a bite of our burgers so Mom broke you off a small piece of her sandwich and said, "Give her this" and then you said, "Give me this". It was so cute. As we stood in line for tickets to the film I heard some people behind us talking about how beautiful you are. It just filled my heart with pride.
      I'm sorry I haven't been posting to the blog more than I have in the past but as you get older and life evolves I am finding that I just don't have the time to set down here and share with you all the things I would like to. During the week you do and say a hundred cute things that I intend on putting in this blog but when I am finally ready to set down and write I draw a blank.
      You are at Granny's right now with Mamaw while Momma naps and I just enjoy some Sunday afternoon quiet time.
      Your birthday is next week and you will be two years old. We have a few really nice gifts for you. Your birthday is not nearly as extravagant as it was last year but it's still turned out to be a little bigger deal than either your Mother or I had planned. You are our only child, you know so you are getting spoiled and I don't really see that changing any time soon.
      You have fully gotten over your fear of riding with Papaw on the mower. We are all very glad about that. Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney got rid of Jon's ATV so that will never be a problem for you again.
      Well, I am going to close this post out. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                        Hello my little sweetheart. I know you really didn't have a very fun day today, although we definitely intended for you to. We took you to see the movie "Cars". You watched the previews and informed me that you were 'done'. So you and I spent the rest of the time outside in the hallway and lobby and you spent almost every minute of it getting in trouble one way or another. You tried to sneak into other movie theatres. We tried to go back into the Theatre where Cars was playing and you ran out of it and I had to jump up and run after you. We tried to switch seats but that didn't seem to help. You are just too little to be doing things like that I reckon. It really wasn't fair to you to stay but we payed almost eighteen dollars for the tickets and I know Daddy really wanted to see it. I really wanted someone to see it anyway. I was very upset after the movie; I don't like having to put you in trouble and I especially don't like spanking you. On this trip I had to do both. Bless your heart, you are so sweet. I am so sorry that I had to do that. You were trying to run out the door of the theatre into the parking lot. I about had a heart attack. I'd rather spank you so that you know better next time than to see you get hurt or worse. That would absolutely take the meaning from my life.
               Well, at least we had a better time when we got home. You and I went outside to set up your pool and fill it up with water. Then we both plopped in the ice cold water and swam around. We are silly, you and I. But we had a lot of fun. I love you so very much that I don't mind acting a little crazy with you now and then. You are such a good little girl. Even at the Theatre I know it was only you being two and not being bad. You could never be bad because you are just too sweet. I said you were bad but I was frustrated. I didn't mean a word of it, you are the sweetest best little child anyone could ever ask for.
                  Thursday you drug your stuffed Pooh, my bed blanket, your sippy cup, a fake piece of cake, a play bowl, and a pretend chicken leg into the hallway. You told me to come and sit down with you and your friends. I asked if you wanted to have a picnic. You said "YES!" and you had strategically placed the chicken leg in pooh's hand. You thought that was fantastic and had to get me to look. I stopped everything I was doing and sat down in the hallway and had a picnic with you and your Pooh Friend. You are so creative and imaginative sometimes that it's hard for me to think of you as still being a little baby. We tried to rush you into that movie today because we know you are smart and well behaved and you generally take directions very well but we forgot all about you just wanting to run and play and be a baby while you still can. I want you to be a baby while you still can, too; If I could freeze time and stay as long as I wanted in that moment where we were having a picnic on a blanket in the hallway I think I might stay there with you for years. I love you so much Rebecca and I want you to know that I will try to be the best mother I can to you.
                 That's all I have to say tonight because my eyes are filling up with tears thinking about how you will be two so soon and it seemed like only yesterday that I could hold you in one arm and rub your fuzzy little head and you'd lay on mine and Daddy's chest while you slept and you wouldn't roll over .... and then you did.... and then you crawled.. and then you walked.. it goes so fast that I don't want to push it anymore. I love you, my baby girl.

Dear Rebecca,
               We have plans to take you to the movie theater for the first time in your life in the morning. We are going to see Cars, the new animated film from Disney and Pixar. I hope you do okay with it. You are normally a very well behaved young lady but sitting in the same place for two hours might test your patience a bit though. We are going to the brand new AmStar theater between Lexington and Nicholasville.
      We had a buggy infestation this week. Your Mom woke up and said there was dozens of bugs in the kitchen. I said I would take care of it when I got up; this was around 4:30 in the morning. When I finally got up the bugs had multiplied like you wouldn't believe. There was hundreds of winged ants in the kitchen. We had some bug spray and we killed them all but we bought some heavy duty spray and I am going to spray the whole house and around the outside as well.
      I had a whole bunch of stuff to tell you but I can't think of any of it right now. Maybe I will try again later tonight and more will come to me. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Yesterday was father's day. You and I fixed Daddy a big breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. It's what Moose from Noggin fixed his Daddy for breakfast, too. You woke him up excitedly and told him to 'Come Eat!' He came to eat and while we were all at the breakfast table you told him "Happy Faders Day". That touched his heart down to the core. Then you ran him his surprise which was a card with his mud jug receipt in it because it was on it's way here. He thanked you and gave you a big hug. Daddy is a good father to you and a good husband to Mommy. We are both very lucky to have him.
                 After our big breakfast, which was actually our lunch, you were tired and went down for a nap. You slept about two hours and during that time Daddy and I watched the tail end of a TV show he had been looking at. Then Daddy laid down just as you got up and I got you and your diaper bag ready to go down to Mamaw & Papaw's house. Daddy only slept about forty five minutes and then we went down to take Papaw the hat and T-shirt you bought him. The hat said #1 Grandpa and the T-shirt had a bunch of funny sayings on it about being a granddad. I wish we could have afforded to get him a little more because Papaw has been very good to all of us. He has been especially good to Mommy and he really didn't have to be. Sometimes when I hear a song by Brad Paisley called "Half The Dad He Didn't Have To Be" I think about your Papaw. He is a good man and I know where your own dear Dad gets a lot of his good qualities from. Mommy and her Daddy, your Papaw Lawrence, have never been very close. I don't know why it's just that a lot of things happened to get in the way of our relationship. Someday you will learn all about it but right now your only job is to grow up and enjoy all the love and affection that you get from a family who truly loves you deeply.
            When we got down to Papaw's his weed eater had gone whacky and he wasn't having too good of a Papa's day. We decided we'd take him out to the KFC buffet in Nichlosville for supper. We all had a real enjoyable time there in at the corner table in KFC, watching you put on a big show the way you always do. Papaw loves you better than a hog loves slop. And take it from a piggy, hogs love slop. After supper it started to rain and Daddy and I wanted to get you home and get you in bed because it was getting very, very late. You cried and cried because you wanted to go in with Mamaw and Papaw. Poor Mamaw's heart was breaking but I think she was making it worse by prolonging our departure. You cried until we got off Lillard's Ferry and then you settled down and started hollering bye-bye. When I took you there before work today you asked if you could "go in". I informed you that you indeed got to stay today. You were pretty happy about that. When it comes to loving Mamaw and Papaw, you also love THEM better than a hog loves slop.
            We spent the entire morning, you and I, doing nothing and hanging out. Around eleven o'clock we went to the grocery store. At first you were not too pleased because you expected to go down to Mamaw's house and we were no where near Mamaw's house. Then you got in the store and you were your normal friendly little self speaking to everyone and showing off the cookie you got a the deli. You felt the need to tell everyone in passing that you had a "Cookie!" Everyone thought that was cute.
               I had to leave you at twelve thirty today so I could be at work by one. I told Mamaw if the old Nuns I worked for didn't depend on me so badly that I would have called in sick today. I was so enjoying just being with my precious little girl. I got off work a little early though so I got to give you your shower and spend a few minutes with you before you went to bed. You went to bed at eight tonight because Mamaw said you did not have a nap today. You're getting older and getting wiser and not wanting to miss anything. If you miss anything, don't miss this: I want you to know that I love you more than anything in this world and I will try to be the best mother, friend, and confidant you will ever have. I love you, Rebecca.

Dear Rebecca,
               As you know, your Mom worked yesterday from seven to seven. We had a really great day together. You and I went to the pool at Falling Springs. It was your first trip over there this year. I don't think you can remember the trips you took last summer because you were very young. You really didn't know where we were going but you went right along with me like the trusting little angel that you are. You saw the water and all the other people out there having fun and you knew then that a day of fun was ahead. You had an absolute ball. You don't mind getting your head dunked at all. I worked my way up to dunking you though. After we had been there for a few hours you heard a train whistle and you lost all interest in the pool. You just wanted to know where the train was. We left a little while after that and had some lunch at McDonald's and we came home and since you were already in your swimming suit I dropped you in your little pool out back. You had big fun there as well. I did a little better job of sunblocking you yesterday but your Mom says I missed the area right under your eyes so that now you look like a football player with red under your eyes instead of black. I on the other hand forgot to use any sunblock at all and my face, tummy and upper back are all now the approximate shade of a coke can.
      That's it for this post. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Monday I did something that may potentially be a huge giant big deal in our lives. I don't want to get into it too much right now because I don't want to jinx it but let's just say that I haven't been this excited about something since you were born and that includes getting this house. I just hope it all works out. I am so excited and also incredibly afraid that something will come along and dash my dream. Okay, I won't mention it again until we can get things under way and if you never hear about it again you can just assume that things went terribly wrong.
      It's been a real nice week. You spent lots of time down at Mamaw & Papaw's this past week while your Mom worked and I got to ride Papaw's dirt bike some this week. We got a few more items for your birthday. The plans for your birthday are shaping up quite nicely, by the way.
      Your Mom's Taurus needs another drive belt. That car has caused us more problems than any other automobile I have ever had. Your Mom doesn't like driving it while it has the old belt on it because it makes a loud squeaking noise and she is embarrassed by it so she has been driving my Explorer. I ride with Papaw to and from work most everyday so that's not a problem.
      We got your pool up and running and you absolutely love it. I got off work at noon today and you and Mom came to get me at work. Your Mom left for work as soon as we put you down for a nap. I filled up your neon green pool with fresh water while you slept. You got up with a dirty diaper and was extremely upset that you didn't get a chance to do it in the potty. You want to use the potty you just haven't mastered the art of holding it just yet. It won't be long before you get it; I know I have been saying that for a year now but I feel you are very close now. Anyway as I was changing your dirty diaper you wanted your swimming suit. I said yes and your eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning. We both went outside on the deck where we keep the pool and you and I both had a ball. You splashed in the water for two and a half hours. I even got in for twenty minutes or so because I got extremely hot. I even burned my big fat belly. You had big fun while I was in the pool with you. Your Mother and I both got in the pool with you the other day and I forgot to take my wallet and a brand new can of Copenhagen out of my pockets. This time I remembered to take those things but I left my belt on.
      Yep, all we had today was fun except when you got sunblock in your eyes. That was not fun for you at all. You cried and screamed like a crazy person. I thought maybe you were overdoing it just a bit until I got it in my eyes too and then I cried and screamed like a crazy person. That stuff hurts bad. And for all that I didn't get you sunblocked around the edges of your bathing suit legs and you got a little burn there. I am such a terrible daddy.
      After you had a shower I fixed you a supper of leftover salad, cottage cheese, pickles, cheese nips and grape drink. You seemed to enjoy supper so I reckon I did okay. After supper we had an oreo cookie and watched Little Bear until your Mother got home.
      You are most definitely a Mama's girl right now and I am perfectly fine with that. You have figured out that you and Mama have similar parts and when Mama is around she is the only one you want to change your diaper. You'll begrudgingly allow me to do it when Mama is at work but you most definitely prefer Mama over your poor old Daddy. Also you must be carried to bed by Mama; Daddy just will not do. You make sure that I follow the two of you into your room but Mama must be the one doing the packing. Yep, you are a Mama's girl.
      You have started doing something that just drives your Mother and I both up the proverbial wall. Everything you get your hands on that you like and do not want to part with has magically became your own personal property. "Mine! Mine! Mine!"
      I have a feeling that will soon become your catch phrase. This week when we were down at Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney's you got your hands on one of the boy's beach balls. You loudly proclaimed for the world to hear that the ball belonged to you. I informed you that the ball belonged to Jon but you would have none of that. You informed me that I was mistaken and that the ball belonged to you. Your Mom told me the other day that whenever you say that she informs you that whatever it is that you are talking about belongs to her and that she is graciously allowing you the temporary use of said object. I don't believe a word of it though. Your Mother would give you her right arm and left leg if she thought that would make you happy. Your Mother is a soft touch as I am sure you have figured out and used to your best advantage by now.
      Well, I have to get up with you tomorrow because your Mom is working from seven to seven tomorrow so I will close out this entry. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                                 What a good girl you were today! At the spur of the moment we decided to go to the Wal-Mart in Frankfort to replace the pool that daddy poked a hole in. You really love to play in the pool. You are a little water acrobat. Our water bill is gonna be sky high this month. Anyway, that's besides the point.
               We went to steak-n-shake for lunch and you had a grilled cheese and fries. You were very hungry and you kept hollering for the waitress to bring you your fries. You wanted them right then, no questions asked. You also had some cottage cheese. You love cottage cheese. You ate a lot of that. You ate pretty good and so did we. We had steak-n-shake hamburgers. They call them steak burgers but they are hamburgers. Anyway, after dinner we all shared a chocolate peanut butter milkshake. They call those sippable sundae's but they are milkshakes with hot fudge and chocolate chips on them. Come to think of it I don't think there was even a cherry in this one. If there was, we all missed it. Unless Daddy ate it. You really enjoyed dessert, as we all did.
            After dessert we went to Wal-Mart. You had a big time in Wal-Mart. We put you on your Elmo harness and let you run around the store. You found a huge ball and played with that for a moment, until I had to take it from you and put it in the cart because we were getting in people's way. You also found a baby, two puppies, seven or eight other items we had to put back on the shelf. You also rode a tiny little push button four wheeler on the floor of the Wal-Mart toy ailse. I was amazed you weren't afraid of it. However, it was just your size. You took off on it like you knew what was up. Then we put that up and your 'rode' a Dora bicycle which will probably be your next birthday present. Everyone thought you were adorable and so very sweet. You always get lots of compliments wherever you go. You're a good little girl.
         Daddy just informed me your new pool is full so I am going to go and heat some water up to dump in it so you can take it for a tiny test run. It's a bit cool out back but the deck is shielded pretty good from the wind and I know you're going to want to hop in it any old way. By the way, you're birthday is an Elmo themed party this year. I know you will love that. Mommy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               I was planning on doing a nice long blog regarding Mommy & Daddy's day out together yesterday but it's storming and lightening so I don't want my computer on during this so I will try to make this a short one.
      Mama took you down to Mamaw & Papaw's while I stayed here and got ready to go. We ate at Logan's and each had a yummy steak. We looked all over two towns, Lexington and Nicholasville for your playhouse and eventually found it at the Northside Wal-Mart. But they didn't have your basketball goal so we are planning on getting that next week. We got you a new pool as well. When we got home Mama went down to Mamaw & Papaw's to get you while I stayed here at the house so I could blow up your inflatable pool; I busted it. We are going to have to get you another one.
      I'm gonna close now. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Auntie Lynn & Uncle Rodney sold the four-wheeler that has caused you so much trouble with loud engine noises lately. Mamaw convinced Aunt Lynn that Jon was just too wild on the thing. I have never been a big fan of four-wheelers. They turn over much too easily for my taste. It was okay while you rode it with someone who knew what they were doing but if you don't know how to drive one or if you do not respect the machine they can kill you.
      Granny, Mamaw & Papaw joined us for supper Thursday night. I mowed the lawn while you and everyone else stayed in the house and talked. Just as I finished up weed eating around your swing set your Mom informed me that supper was ready. We had Pizza Hut pizza and salad. We had a super supreme pizza, a pepperoni pizza and my personal favorite, cheese lover's pizza. It was fun. I know Pizza Hut is much more expensive than where we usually get our pizza from, Little Ceasar's, but we were in the mood for really good pizza and Pizza Hut is much better than Little Caesar's. The only reason we primarily order from Little Caesar's is because they are much cheaper; a one topping pizza costs $5. Later that same evening when it was time to start winding down you wanted the living room light off, as usual but this time you decided that you had watched Mom & Dad turn it off enough that you thought maybe you could handle it on your own. You fumbled around with it for awhile and Mama asked you if you wanted her to do it for you and you said "Becca do it" and sure enough you got the job done. I was in the kitchen sweeping the floor or maybe I was just making another mess so I didn't get to see you do this but I heard it all and Mama said that you were very proud of yourself. Mama & Daddy were proud of you too.
      This afternoon you and I had supper down at Mamaw & Papaw's house. Granny was there as well. We had white beans and greens. You absolutely love greens and that fact just fascinates Mamaw. You ate a whole plate of greens and a few beans.
      You and I took a walk down to Aunt Lynn & Uncle Rodney's after supper but it wasn't because you had any great hankering to visit with them. It was because that's where Jon & Jacob's pool is at and you wanted to "Play water", as you say. You've been spending quite a bit of time in their pool while Mamaw watches you. We got your pool you had last year down out of the attic this past week and discovered that you had outgrown it. You still love to splash around in it but you really do need a bigger pool and I think maybe you will get a little bigger one for your birthday.
      Your Mom & I are going birthday shopping for you tomorrow and we are going to go out to eat at Logan's Roadhouse. We are going to see if we can't get you a playhouse for the backyard, a toddler basketball goal because you love basketball, the pool, of course and a Cinderella DVD. We have already ordered the DVD from Amazon.com. It came out at Christmas and Disney only has their classic films on the market for a limited time so I was afraid that we wouldn't get it but apparently we did. I hope someone else gets you Dumbo. That one was released just this past week.
      This past week you rode with Papaw on the tractor of your own accord. I am so proud of you. Ever since the four-wheeler accident you have been afraid of it. I could see in your eyes that you desperately wanted to ride but were just too afraid. I think it was Wednesday we were down there and you saw Papoo on the tractor and you said "Papoo ride", I asked you "Becca Papoo ride?" and you thought it over a minute and you finally decided "kay" you would ride with Papoo. I handed you over to Papoo and you didn't fuss at all. You still looked a little worried but that lasted about as long as it took to get the tractor in motion and then you were just concentrating on having fun. I still don't think you are as comfortable with riding as you were before the accident but you are coming around and for that we are all very happy; well, maybe not Mama. I think she would be happiest if you never ever wanted to ride anything without a roof again. I'm just kidding. Your Mama loves seeing you happy and riding does make you happy.
      I have been using my trips to pick you up from Mamaw & Papaw's as an excuse to ride Papaw's dirt bike. I am jonesing hard for a street bike of my own. I would love to have one but right now we have other things to worry about. Your Mom has decided to get her CNA license so she will be able to get a better paying job in the healthcare field. Right now, as I am sure you know, she is a sitter for two elderly nuns at Taylor Manor. She does most of stuff that a CNA does but doesn't get CNA pay because she is not a licensed CNA. The plan is for her to get her CNA and then to go back to school and get a degree in nursing. Nursing pays very handsomely and there is always openings for qualified nurses.
      Well, I gotta start thinking about maybe getting ready to start getting ready to get in bed so I will close this post out. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
            I've just put you down for a nap. I don't think you've gone to sleep yet; I can still hear you 'talking' to your stuffed animals. I always think that is so cute. I had put some ice in your milk before I put you down today because it wasn't very cold. You heard ice rattling around in the cup and you were convinced it wasn't milk. I finally got you to taste it and you were satisfied that was, indeed, your beloved 'chocate miyuk'.
            You spent the day with Mamaw yesterday while Mommy was at work. She said the two of you, and Papaw, had lots of fun. You saw a frog, and a rabbit, but most of all, you got to see a baby deer. It was just born. Whenever I ask you if you saw a deer you reply, "Baby Deer!" You feel the need to stress that it was a baby deer. You and Mamaw are much more brave than I ever would have been. I know how protective wild animals are of their young; it's only natural. Humans are the same way. Of course, we are animals too. That's odd to me, but we are. Sometimes I think you are an animal. You are my little destructive darlin' today.
            Earlier today you dropped something you had been playing with behind the couch. I pulled the couch out so you could pick it up and you got excited the way you always do and you took off running. You smashed into the large picture stand Mommy has with your pictures in it in the living room and shattered one of the glass covers in the frame. I know that you were convinced that you were in big trouble because your eyes got really wide and you looked at me and said "Momma, Broken!" I know you didn't mean to do it so I told you not to worry about it and got you interested in the drink I had so that I could get it all cleaned up. I am pretty confident that I got most of the glass up; it didn't shatter too badly but I vacuumed all around the area just in case. I don't want you or Daddy getting your foot poked. I don't want to get my foot poked, either.
            Some time later after that incident I was on the phone with Mamaw and you were playing in the bedroom in the big blue rocking chair. You got up and wanted to look at your self in the 'miyyo" - the mirror, and you climbed up on the white wicker laundry basket we used to use when you were a tiny baby. Now I can barely put three or four outfits in it. You were doing alright on your knees looking at yourself but you decided you wanted that full-body view and stood up. Just as soon as you did you came crashing down and almost hit your head on the wall. Nearly scared me to death. We are getting rid of that basket today. Daddy is going to put it in the attic or the garage or somewhere. Somewhere out of your reach and temptation.
               After that incident. we went into the living room and tried to watch and episode of Bob The Builder to calm down. You really like that show for some reason. You weren't interested in today, however. You wanted to go in your room and climb in and out of your big grey toy bucket and dance on it and roll around in the toys inside it. Which also made me nervous. Sometimes I wonder why I haven't suffered a heart attack yet. You always seem to bounce back from your little bumps a lot better than I ever could these days. That's one thing that's good about being a baby; baby's heal fast. Sometimes babies don't learn though, but you're a pretty good remember-er. You won't go near the four wheeler to this day.
         After you were done fooling around in your room, we played some in the living room while we waited on your lunch to finish. You had your lunch and I put your clothes back on you and put you down for a nap. Which is where you are now, and I think you are finally asleep. Mommy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
                  I'm not real happy with the picture I put up on your blog for your twenty-third month birthday. We really didn't get a good one today. Well, we got a lot of good ones but not one that shows you smiling from the front. I thought for sure we would get one today. I can get one tomorrow or the next day and use that one instead. It doesn't have to be exactly your birthday to be posted just pretty close.
      We all went to the park today after your nap. You swang forever. Mama said you were still kind of groggy from your nap. After you swinging we went and played on a balance beam with another 23 month old toddler. You loved bouncing on the beam. Then we took a little walk around the trail because you wanted to see the fishies. There was some young hooligans running their bicycles into the water at the first bridge so we didn't get to see any fish there so we went on to the second bridge. There you got to see some fishies.
      We continued our walk and a super skinny kitten came upon us. He was so friendly. Your Mom wanted to take him home but I didn't think it was a good idea. Eventually I agreed to take him to the humane society if we could get him to the car. The cat came almost all the way to the car with us but we he got nervous when some kids I don't think were all that bright tried to "help" us with the kitty. They made the poor animal so nervous that he just ran off. He was a very friendly kitten so I am sure he will be rescued. As we walked along you kept calling for the kitty to follow us. He would rub up against your legs and you would giggle and tell us how much that tickled. We had a real good time at the park.
      After the park we went to McDonald's for some ice cream or i-team as you like to call it. We ended up getting supper and shakes. You got a hamburger & fries and your Mom and I got one of their new asian salads. We both hated the salad. It was spicy. I really don't think that a salad should be spicy. I ate all of the chicken and mandarin oranges out of mine and your Mom went and got herself some fries and a double cheeseburger. You didn't touch your burger. You kept annoying your Mother by crawling into her lap. She was annoyed until she realized that you wouldn't always want to be crawling up in her lap forever. I could see the annoyance drain from her face and I knew what she was thinking. I know some of the most annoying things that you do now will probably be the ones that we will miss the most when you get too old to do them.
      There's one thing I will not be sorry to see you stop doing and that is pooping in your diaper. You have been sick the last few weeks and you have had some thin & toxic poops. I think you are feeling better from your virus but are having trouble getting over your diarrhea. Which is reason enough to go for another visit to your pediatrician. Your Mom doesn't think you are feeling better at all and the diarrhea is simply proof of that. Either way your Mom is going to make an appointment with your doctor Monday.
      We bought philly cheese steak subs and baked potatoes for Mamaw & Papaw at Arby's and took them down to their house so we could all visit for awhile. It was really just a ploy on my part to put off mowing the lawn and of course so I could ride Papaw's dirt bike. I rode the dirt bike for maybe an hour while Papaw mowed the back field and you, Mama & Mamaw stayed on the deck and talked. Eventually your Mom made me get off of the bike and we went home.
      I started on the yard as soon as I got home and you went in for your bath. You visited me once after your bath as I was finishing up the front yard. I was glad to see you because I knew I wouldn't get to be with you and your Mom when she tucked you in for the night. I finished up the yard at almost nine o'clock. I'm glad to have gotten that done. It was starting to look a little ratty. The weather people kept predicting rain so I didn't during the week. It didn't rain as much as they said it would. I could have mowed it during the week like most of our neighbors did but I just didn't. It looks okay now though. Except for the massive amounts of weeds that I just can't seem to get rid of. The weeds are driving me bonkers. I hate weeds with a passion.
      You did something so cute the other day. We were putting you to bed and you both were holding you and kissing on you when you started pushing Mommy & Daddy's faces together so we could kiss. You have been doing that for a long time now but the other day you pushed our faces together and you stuck your pretty little face into ours and we had a big family sugar and then you said "friends". That was so cute and so true. Through the years to come you will come to think of us not so much as your friends from time to time because we will make demands of you that will think unfair and maybe even cruel but everything we will do will be because we love you. Remember your Mother & I are the two greatest and most loyal friends that you will ever know in your life.
      Well, I think that I am getting up with you in the morning so I had better close out this post. Daddy loves Rebecca!

Dear Rebecca,
               Right now you are sleeping. At least I think you are. Shortly I will be joining you for your nap. We went to pick up my first paycheck at Taylor Manor today. I was expecting $240 dollars or so and I got $235. Pretty right on the money, wasn't I? We got to see Sister Agnes today, she thought you were the cutest little thing ever. When we finally got out to the car is when you started yelling "BYE!" at her. You are so funny. You acted all shy in the nursing home but everyone still thought you were very cute indeed. You wore the little skirt and shirt Mamaw and Aunt Lynn bought for you. I was going to put you in your yellow dress & put the yellow flower Sister Agnes gave you in your hair but I couldn't find it. (The dress, not the flower)
               We then set off to go to the cable company and the grocery store, in which at both places we spent most of Mommy's hard-earned money. Whoo,nothing like shooting the moon, so to speak. I want you to know that I had an extremely fun time with you today, as I always do. You are the sweetest and most wonderful company anyone could ask for. I love you dearly & am so glad that I have you. Mommy loves Rebecca!