The Volcano Room

I know I haven't blogged in forever, but I thought this story was too good to pass up.

Last night, Neil and I were getting in his bed about to say his prayers when I sat on a teddy bear that Mary Robin made for him - it growls, I mean REALLY growls! I could almost see the fear take over his body and he said, "Mommy, my room is going to turn into a volcano." I had no idea what to say or where this comment had come from, so I just tried to comfort him and let him know that his room definitely wasn't going to turn into a volcano. I showed him the bear that had actually made the noise and we pushed the button a few times. Thinking the volcano scenario had been forgotten, we bowed our heads and put our hands together for our nightly prayer. The volcano scenario DEFINITELY was not forgotten. We didn't get past "Now I lay me" before he was in absolute hysterics screaming about his room turning into a volcano.

A brief bit of history on this - Neil has seen a volcano exactly ONE time in his 2 1/2 years of life. We played putt putt back in March when we were in Myrtle Beach and in the middle of the course was a massive volcano that would erupt with fire and a loud noise every 15 minutes or so. The first time it went off we talked Neil through it and he seemed okay, the next time he was less okay and by the third time we were right beside the volcano and Neil wouldn't even put his ball down and play putt putt because he was staring at the volcano just waiting for it to erupt. It wasn't a terrible situation, but definitely one I remember. Never in a million years would I have thought that he would remember it - especially after almost 3 months.

Long story short, Neil ended up in the bed with me and Rodney and woke up about every 3 hours crying about his legs hurting. Poor kid - I remember having terrible growing pains as a child too. Tylenol was a sleep saver about 3:00 this morning. Needless to say I'm a little tired today, but at least we have a good story to tell!

Lyla - 1st word?

I finally captured Lyla talking this morning! What do you think? 1st word/phrase?!

Neil and Lyla are beginning to play so well together and it's SO CUTE! Neil actually wants to share too often with her sometimes - like the cookies he was eating for breakfast this morning. Probably not the best breakfast for him or her!

5th anniversary

Things have been great around the Hancock household lately. Rodney and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary on Friday, March 19th and Rodney was full of surprises. We had planned to go to lunch on John's Island on Friday, but the Fat Hen wasn't open. Since we were already in Johns Island, Rodney suggested we go out to Kiawah for lunch - I thought nothing of it.

Lunch at King Street Grill at Freshfield Village was great - we sat in the sun and enjoyed a "hair of the dog." Rodney and I were both feeling the effects from a LONG night of drinking the night before. I honestly thought I may throw up if I drank anything, but Rodney was, so I had to do it too! Couldn't be shown up on our anniversary - it was a day off work and we were going to enjoy it. When we were getting in the car, I suggested that since we were already out at Kiawah that we should go and try to check out the River Course clubhouse that had burnt down previously in the week. (I played RIGHT into his hand and didn't even know it!)

When we were driving to the gate we were scheming about how we were going to get through the gate - Rodney said that he was just going to tell them we were staying at The Sanctuary. Again, thought nothing of it and told him to use the last name Brown, just being silly. Of course when Rodney gave them the last name Hancock, the guard said first initial "R" and handed him a pass with his name on it. I honestly was still utterly confused - I didn't have any clothes or any other personal stuff in order to spend the night - I didn't even have my pocketbook!

Rodney was awesome - he had packed my clothes, makeup, flat iron, dresses, stuff to ride bikes, shoes, all kinds of stuff. We had the best time - we drank most of the day, rode bikes late in the afternoon, ate a wonderful dinner and passed out about 9:30! Saturday morning, we rode bikes for almost 2 hours on the beach and around the Island - went to check out the Ocean Course where the PGA Championship is going to be held in 2012. Really neat course!

We checked out about 11:30 and headed for Nancy's - my choice of clothes were the 4 or so dresses that Rodney had packed for our dinner out the night before. I was under the impression that we were headed to a nice lunch to thank Nancy for keeping the kids the night before. Rodney told me that we had to stop by the complex behind Lowe's to pick up Neil because he was playing with the granddaughter of one of Nancy's friends - again, I thought nothing of it. I realize now that I don't ask enough questions! I just thought they were in town and they were supposed to go to lunch with us to.

As most of you know, when we drove by the clubhouse, all of our friends and family were there to surprise us (well, I guess only me because Rodney obviously planned this!). It was the most beautiful day we've had this year and it was such a blast spending the day with everyone. I have to thank everyone for coming out and really pulling off an amazing surprise! THANK YOU!!

There are so many stories from the day about surprises, pictures, Facebook posts, letters, and the list goes on and on. Thanks again to everyone that helped make it the best surprise I've ever had! And of course I have to really thank my wonderful husband for all the work he put into our weekend - how will I ever get you back?! HA HA. Love you!

March Madness

We've started branching out with Lyla's food and it's so much fun. She's been eating baby food and some things from our plates - like green beans and rice, but now we've moved on to graham crackers and fig newtons. She loves graham crackers - and Neil is getting in on the fun too! When things fall on the floor Neil yells for Daisy to "come get this!" Too cute!

We had a great time this past weekend celebrating the good weather with some good ole baseball. Rodney's buddy Kyle Bunn coaches with the University of Alabama - we went to watch CofC vs. Alabama. Sad to say, but Alabama beat CofC both Friday and Saturday! Oh well, the games were fun anyway. We took a big blanket and had a picnic on Saturday before I headed to Hartsville for a wedding shower for Ashleigh. I was trying to get a picture of Neil and Lyla, but it never worked out. You can see that I tried!

We also went to Meet the Citadel Bulldogs recently

Everyone is pregnant!

Well, everyone but me that is! Gotcha! Could you imagine - 3 under 3, that would be more than I could handle! But, two of my best friends in the whole world ARE pregnant - congrats to Caroline and Lindsay. Belated congrats, but congrats nonetheless. Lindsay is about 11 weeks and Caroline is about 16 weeks - seems to be flying by to me, but I think it's because it's not me going through it this time!! I just can't wait to have two more babies to play with - and for Lyla and the two new ones to be only a year apart is going to make for WILD get togethers in the future and I just can't wait! The more the merrier!

Rodney and I took our little family and Nancy to Hilton Head this past week for some work, some play and some 2010 strategic planning for our family. The trip was a Christmas gift from my mom - THANKS MOM! We had a great time and the kids were great. Selfishly, we decided to do some hard core potty training while were were there - better for Neil to have accidents on someone else's floor besides mine! Terrible, I know. He is doing SO well - making it to the potty most every time for #1 and usually for #2. His teachers will be so proud when we go back after Christmas! Honestly, it's about time - he's been doing this for more than 6 months!

Lyla decided to sit up while were where away and is really starting to crawl around. It's funny - she scoots around and around in circles! And she wants anything and everything that Neil has. If she gets something in her hand and you take it away from her, she SCREAMS. Definitely a hard headed child. The doctor warned us that she will most likely be a feisty little one trying to do things that Neil does and getting mad when she can't - Dr. was right! I've got to get a new camera - the only pictures I have are from my sad camera on my phone. Maybe that can be a Christmas present to myself!

Lyla Francis Hancock, June 25, 2009

So, I know I'm VERY behind in updating this blog but I'm going to try and post a few things to get at least somewhat caught up on my life over the last 3 months.

The night before Lyla's arrival we decided to keep the tradition alive and eat at Sweetwater Cafe - just as we had done the night before Neil arrived. Mary Robin was here for the birth so she was able to join us too! Me, my mom, Rodney, Neil, Lindsay and Mary Robin all had a great dinner - just perfect for my "last supper."

Rodney and I checked into the hospital as planned about 8:15 Thursday morning, June 25th and things moved pretty quickly. We were back in the OR about 10:15 and Lyla was born at 10:34 AM. It was definitely a different and more difficult experience than the first time, but I really think since I knew more of what was going on that I thought about it more and got myself a little worked up. Needless to say, it wasn't a pleasant experience, but I'm sure it could have been worse. Rodney had a more interesting experience this time too - he'll have to tell that story!

Getting ready for surgery

This is my first glance at Lyla's beautiful face!

She was 7 lbs and 7 oz. and about 19 1/2 inches long. DG and Nanny were there to greet her as she came into the nursery. We had wonderful friends come to meet her - I honestly don't remember much about the first day or two, but I do know that we were very well taken care of and shown much love and attention! It's amazing how much Lyla looks like Neil when he was born. I need to get those pictures and post them too - it's just crazy!

Lyla Frances Hancock - update

Just a quick update - went to the doctor this morning and I am 1 cm dilated and she is head down! Not exactly what I was expecting today.

If things go as planned, Lyla will be born on Thursday, June 25th at 10:00 AM at St. Francis Hospital. Robbie is watching Neil on Thursday and Mary Robin will be here all this week, so we'll have LOTS of help! Hopefully we'll be home on Saturday and will have Lyla all settled in by the first of the week. I CAN'T believe it's less than one week away!

If you'd like to visit Lyla in the hospital, I think after 5:00 on Thursday would be ideal - that way we'll have a little time to get to know her :) Can't wait to see everyone!!

PT with Daddy

A month or so ago, Rodney started a nightly tradition with Neil. Before bed, Neil climbs up with Rodney on the couch or in the bed - wherever Rodney may be - and Rodney does a TP with the covers and they snuggle under the TP. It's precious! Well, Neil doesn't say TP, he says PT - which makes it even cuter.

Can you say MINI RODNEY?!

I read some great advice on babycenter.com recently. A lady on the site was talking about how to introduce your new child to your older child. I loved the advice she gave - she suggested that the older child have a present to give the new child and also have a present to the older child from the new baby! Isn't that smart? So, Rodney and I have been searching for the perfect gift to give Neil from Lyla. I think we've settled on a set of golf (gaulk, as Neil would say) clubs. At Caroline's suggestion, which I think it a great one, we'll also have something that will occupy Neil's hands at the hospital - like an Elmo toy. That way, he's not running all over the room hitting people with his new "gaulk" clubs! At least someone is thinking ahead for us. Gaulk clubs will be better suited for the house, not the hospital!

Lyla may be coming early

I received a call from my doctor's office yesterday that Dr. Wilson will be out of town on the 26th and they'd like to reschedule my C-section for the 25th of June.  One less day being pregnant is OK with me!  Not sure of time yet, they are going to confirm with the hospital today - I'll update later!

Bed confusion

Last night when Neil and I went upstairs to take his bath, I asked Neil if he'd like to go see Lyla's room.  We've been spending some time in her room in order for him to get more and more used to it.  Well, last night Neil realized that his old bed was in Lyla's room - it was so cute.  He asked to get into "his" bed and proceeded to lay his little head on Lyla's blanket and curled up with her "lovey."  It was SO cute!  I explained to him that this was now Lyla's bed and she was going to be home soon to sleep in it - he seemed okay with it...for now.

I honestly can't believe that Lyla will be here 3 weeks from this Friday.  My belly feels so tight and Lyla is moving around in there like crazy.  I guess the quarters are getting tight and she's as uncomfortable as I am.  You should see it - I just waddle down the hallway at work.  It's bad!  I don't know if I'm ready for Lyla to be here mentally, but I am definitely ready physically.  I told Rodney that I'm starting to get nervous about the C-section.  BTW - we got to take a peak at her position in my belly at our last visit and Lyla is pretty much transverse (sideways across my belly).  I have another appointment on Friday - we'll see if she's moved at all.  So, looks like a C-section may have been in my future regardless of my preference!

Finally - got my OLD camera working again

As many of you have noticed AND COMMENTED, I have been doing a TERRIBLE job of updating this blog. Well, I promise to start doing better because I finally got my old camera working so I'll have it with me all the time (like I used to!). It was going to costs me at least $75 to send off my old digital Kodak because I dropped it and the battery closer thing broke off - so it wouldn't hold batteries anymore. Well, this morning I decided to get out a tiny screwdriver and take matters into my own hands. Granted, I dropped the camera almost a year ago (July), but what the hell - I finally fixed it and it didn't cost me a penny!

Ah Dude

Too cute for words - Jen kept Neil a week or so ago while I went to a meeting and he had a TERRIBLE diaper. When she was changing him she said, "Oh Dude" because it was awful and Neil thought that was hilarious! So, here it is a week or so later and he's still saying it. I think this picture says it perfectly, but I included a video as well!

Neil's vocabulary

Mulk = milk

Beyes = bread and bird (not sure how that happened)

Gaulk = golf

DD = DG (Ashley's mom)

MiMi = Mary Robin (Ashley's sister)

Nanna = Nanny (Rodney's mom)

Guck = duck

Boon = balloon

Munie = movie

Peese = please

Buball goal = basketball goal

Feesh = fish

Boo = blue

Ball, juice, up, down, baby, bug, book, egg, light, boat and moon.  And the most special word of all - LYLA!  I can't think of anything else, but I am sure he says more than that right now!

Talking, talking, talking

Neil is definitely a talker - just like his mama.  He has begun to repeat things that we say, which is terribly scary.  Guess we are going to have to really watch the potty mouth now!  Neil's best words come from the books that we read over and over and over again.  Right now, he points to and says, "moon, choo-choo, juice, milk, ball, bug, down, up, dog, cat, amen (at the end of his prayers!), DG (my mom), nanna (Rodney's mom) and a few other things that I can't think of at the moment.  But, he's doing SO well and really starting to enunciate things.  I can't get enough of him right now - he's SO much fun to hang out with.  And he knows all his body parts - he can say nose, eye and mouth, and point to (but not say) hair, tongue, teeth, ears, belly button, knee, arm, hands, leg, foot, shoes, toes and fingers.  Such a smart boy - so proud!

Lindsay, Rusty, Jen, Neil and I went to eat breakfast this morning at Three Little Birds - if you haven't been there, it's one of my favorite places.  SO GOOD!  The weather in Charleston is beautiful and I'm so proud of the people that ran (and walked) the Cooper River Bridge this morning.  Lindsay and I vowed to do it next year.  I honestly haven't done it before because I've heard it's such a nightmare getting over there in the morning - not really a good excuse I guess.  So, next year - I'll do it next year :)

Neil is doing so well with his health and his sleeping patterns.  He has been sick a time or two, but I do feel that keeping him at home has been good for him so far.  Rodney and I are working out a pretty good schedule now too - both of us are home one day per week with him and Rodney's mom is keeping him the other two days.  We alternate on Friday's, depending on what is going on that week.  I can't believe this beautiful day today - after breakfast, Neil and I went to Wal-Mart and bought him a little tikes basketball goal.  He's napping right now and I'm about to put it together.  I will try and capture his face when he plays with it for the first time.  The kid is COMPLETELY obsessed with basketball - just balls in general, but he really loves basketball.  We have a standard size basketball goal in the driveway and Neil will literally stand below the goal and try and throw the ball as high as he can.  So sad - so I couldn't help myself - I had to go and get him his own goal that he can actually reach.  It will be fun!  And he LOVES to be outside.  I'm telling you - he is SO much fun right now.  I just love this age.

Caroline and Emily are in town to walk the bridge, so hopefully we are going to have a big ole group of people going out on the town tonight.  I can't drink, but I can definitely eat!  

I hate that I don't have pictures to post - I actually do, but I don't have a way to get them from my camera to the computer.  I'll be sure to do it at work this week so we can share the new videos and pictures ;)

Neil's 1st spaghetti dinner

Neil, Rodney and I had a really nice family day today.  We had a great morning cleaning and organizing some things around the house then went to lunch for Jody's birthday at California Dreaming.  I had something I've never eaten there before - and that is really saying something!  If you've never had their BBQ chicken nachos, you MUST order them next time you're there.  So good - seriously!  Now every time I do to eat there it's going to be a toss up between the BBQ chicken nachos and the creamed spinach nachos.  Ugh, decisions!

After lunch we all had a great nap.  Thank goodness for Saturday (and Sunday) naps - I think they really help me make it through the week!  Rodney made spaghetti for dinner tonight.  Instead of feeding Neil the spaghetti with a fork, we decided to just let him go at it.  As you can see, he LOVED it.

So Rodney and I traded off watching Neil tonight.  I went out first for Lindsay's birthday dinner downtown, then came home to keep Neil while Rodney went out with a fun group for Jesse's birthday.  So much for doing things together!  At least we both had a good time :)

Merry Christmas (a little late)

So where have we been over the last two months?  I've had my head in or around the toilet for the most part - yep, still sick!  I'm now 20 weeks pregnant with a little GIRL.  Can you believe it?  How am I so lucky to have God bless me with a little boy and now a little girl - I'm still in awe and shock from finding out on Thursday.  

I promised some friends that I would be better about updating the blog.  I know I've been terrible about it, but one POOR excuse is that it's been so cold and we don't have heat in the office where my computer is - so it hasn't been convenient to go up there and update the blog.  So, I'm using Rodney's computer while Rodney sleeps and Neil sits beside me watching the baby crack movies (Baby Einstein) and playing with a balloon.  He is completely obsessed with anything that is remotely similar to a ball and has been since day one.

Christmas morning was a blast.  Neil LOVED his wagon and his climbing castle (thanks to Santa's little helpers).  We were crafty and a did re-gift some toys that Neil already played with - heck, he doesn't know any better and we saved some money!  He just loved having all the toys on display for him to jump into.  So cute and so much fun.

A few days before Christmas, Rodney and I took Neil to go see Santa (and the Christmas lights) at the James Island County Park.  Santa and his photographer helper were the best I've ever seen!  We rode the train around the park to see the lights and had a great little family night.  If you've never done the train before, I honestly do suggest it - especially if you have kids. 

Oh yeah - Happy Valentine's Day!  My plan was to make today SO special for Neil - get a card and small gift...yeah, none of that happened.  Maybe next year!  Next Valentine's we'll have a 2 year old and a 7 month old - crazy to think about.

Some of you all know that Neil stayed sick in day care, so we decided to take him out for a while.  He didn't go back after Christmas "break."  I can honestly tell a huge difference in his health already.  We've started him on a multi-vitamin with iron and I think that has helped tremendously too.  Nancy, Rodney's mom, keeps Neil twice a week and we hired a Nanny to keep him two other days and I was keeping him every Friday.  That worked for a few weeks until our Nanny found another job last week.  So - if anyone has a good suggestion for a Nanny, please let me know.  There are a few good leads I've gotten from Craig's list, but I really want someone that is going to be reliable and is interested in staying on for at least a year or more.  

Well, we are going to explore downtown Charleston today with the million other people for the 

Southeastern Wildlife Expo - should be fun!

Happy 1st Birthday (party) Neil

Long weekend! We had a fantastic time with Neil at his 1st birthday party on Saturday. Thank you so much to everyone that came and made his day extra special. For those of you that weren't there, we missed you! And, I promise I'll post some pictures as soon as I can.

He did pretty well opening presents - those that weren't opened by the other children that were there - so cute! After he opened his presents he literally PASSED OUT. I was holding him, he laid his head on my chest and was OUT. I've never seen the kid pass out like that -he was completely exhausted. I let him sleep about 30 minutes, then we woke him up to do cake and ice cream. It wasn't a good situation with the cake - he HATED it. Definitely didn't like everyone staring at him and shouting happy birthday. My friend Carissa said it best when she said something to the effect that it must be completely frightening to be a 1 year old and have a flaming cake placed in front of you and everyone shouting at you for no apparent reason.

Rodney and I went for our 1st baby appointment for little hancock #2 - everything was great. We saw a heartbeat - yes, only 1! I don't know why, but I had more than one person ask if we are having twins. NO - there is only 1 baby in my belly. The doc set the due date for July 3rd - it's going to be a HOT summer.

Halloween surprise

What a special 1st Halloween for Neil. He went to school in his BOO shirt his Aunt Caroline gave him and even though he was sick, we took him to our immediate neighbors to show off his costume. Some thought he was a dinosaur, others a lizard and some a dragon - whatever he was, he was VERY CUTE!

And doesn't he look all grown up in his hat? Since it's been chilly, Nanny bought Neil a hat to keep his ears warm. I think there are many more of those in his near future - he LOVED to look at himself in the mirror with the hat on. Check out his hair when he pulled the hat off - ha ha. He's going to kill me when he gets older! I took the video this morning - Neil has gotten really good at walking with his walker. I know it won't be long until he's walking on his own!

And we definitely had a Halloween surprise. Rodney and I found out that we are expecting another child!! We are completely thrilled. Both of us were born in July and it looks like we may have a July baby - we'll see. It's VERY early in pregnancy, so please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers. Here we go for round two!

Hancock family update

The last month has been nonstop action! Jamaica was a BLAST. Caroline and Jason had the most perfect wedding. Everything about it was beautiful - couldn't ask for more. Rodney and I completely enjoyed our week in Jamaica. If you haven't done an all inclusive resort before, DO IT! It was the best experience - service was fantastic, drinks were great (duh) and the food wasn't too bad either. There were so many restaurants at the resort to choose from - we never got bored. Here are a few shots of our vacation.

We got back from Jamaica on Thursday and I left for Hartsville Friday for my 10 year High School reunion. It was a BLAST. Had a great time with many friends I hadn't seen in a long time. Jessica, Dani and I ROCKED it out! We missed all of you that weren't there (Lindsay and others, slackers!) Neil got to hang out in the big city of Hartsville too - spent some quality time with his DG!

So, I returned from the HS reunion on Sunday and left for my friend Rachel's wedding in Michigan on Thursday. (Told you I'd been busy!) Her wedding was absolutely perfect too - she is going to have the most beautiful pictures. Her photographer was amazing! We did a little Bachelorette party on Thursday night - too much fun. I could not get over the colors of the trees - just gorgeous.

Believe it or not, I actually worked a full week the next week and got to spend some quality time with my son! This past Friday night we went to Widespread Panic in Charleston and Saturday I headed back to Hartsville for Caroline and Jason's wedding reception. It was at Lawton Park - so much fun! Caroline and I took Neil to the pumpkin patch on Sunday afternoon and tried to play like we were photographers. After many many many shots, we came out with these. Not SO bad, but oh how I wish Lindsay was there!

And finally, REST with two of my three boys. But not for long...this weekend is Citadel Homecoming, next is a shower in Hartsville, then Neil's birthday, Thanksgiving, Clemson vs. Carolina, then it's basically Christmas! Oh how the time flies. I can't believe Neil is almost 1!