Branchism, in the tub

He points to his nipples and says, "What's names?" (Which means, what are these called again?)

I asked him if he remembered and he brightens and says, "Yes! They are my headlights!"

Illness

Branch's very first brush with a stomach virus was this weekend. Of course, Parker was out of town for work. (He's actually in Rio tonight as I type this- but just got there from Argentina today.)

Branch was pitiful and had no idea how to communicate he was going to be sick (at first). He said, "My stomach hurts, OW!" Then BAM! We were off to the races-

He also cried while throwing up, which tore me to pieces, and said things like:

"I don't want to do this!"
"I don't like throwing up!"
and
"HELP ME, MOMMY! HELP!"

All of which were so hard to hear, but, were all so stinking cute-

Since B isn't a cuddler, only when he's sick like this do I get unprovoked hugs and cuddling. I can't say I wish he wasn't still a little sick- becuase I might get one more head-on-my-chest hug from the little man. So, we laid in bed together, watched Toy Story 3, and veged out all day. Ginny is holding strong- no illness her way as of yet.

Grandpa came over for a time today to help, and G squealed and squealed for him.

Daddy's Gone

So, Parker is on his big trip at the moment. He's flying to Argentina RIGHT NOW, but has spent the past week in Kuwait.

Branch, Ginny and I have been on our own for almost a week. It's not been bad at all, but I've just had to plan ahead and let certain things go... like vacuuming.

Ginny has started squealing- SQUEALING! She's grinning, squealing, with blue eyes sparkling... for looooong periods of time. It's so wonderful to listen to.

This week has been hard, because I'm so busy getting ready for what's about to happen or to help get ready for the next morning- I can't just HANG OUT with G or B. I miss them. I feel like Branch is tired of playing all alone, and Ginny just wants me to hold her and I'm too busy picking up or washing bottles to do it. At least I'm staying ahead of the housework, some, but I'll be glad when the house gets vacuumed next week. A good ol' machine is coming over and I think it will make SUCH A DIFFERENCE!

School starts tomorrow morning, and things only will get crazier from there.

Branchisms

nock-a-ners: binoculars

“How do you get inside?”: what he said when he didn’t understand something… ex: he sees a goat watching a train go by. Or when he sees an empty swimming pool.

cuter: computer

bistick: biscuit

bastek: basket

rockstargoplay: All Star by the band Smashmouth (he plays it on his little plastic guitar)

Mater Juice: apple juice with ‘Mater’ character on the juice box

Lightning THE Queen/Lightning A Queen: Lightning McQueen character from the movie Cars

Go Cookies!: Go Hokies!

Changing Directions

I've decided to take this blog on a different path. I simply want it to be a place I can log all the things that my kiddos do (OH YES. THERE'S TWO NOW. IT HAS BEEN THAT LONG) that I don't want to forget. The little stuff, the big stuff, and all the things in between. I hope I can commit to it as much as I think I can. Again, we'll see.

So many new babies!

So, yeah, it's been awhile. I get it. I know. We'll move on- and just get back in the groove of posting and let this become more of a regular thing. (We'll see.)

Since I've last posted, three very important women in the lives of the Swords have gotten pregnant and had babies! Sarah, my sister had Liza Jane Burns; Lisa, my soul-sister, had Mollee Kate McClain; and Jen, my friend who lets me be myself at work, church and home, had Graham Joseph. (Let's not forget that Henry Hite also joined our little Bristol family last September!)

All three babies have been held extensively by a Katie and two of whom (Graham is still very new, you see) have been kissed by a Branch. It's amazing how much a kiddo can change in an amount of time that seems to have barely elapsed. It really feels like B was that small just a few months ago... I truly hope Branch can roll around his little life with these little guys firmly a part of it.

Speaking of B, he's such a little boy now. He wants his "shoos-on" (sounds like one word) so he can go "ou-syde"... and he even tells me this in the middle of the night. Oh, yeah, AND we've moved since I posted last, too! The Swords have moved over to a house in my parents' neighborhood- and are still getting situated. It's porch and patio-tastic and allows for dog and toddler exploration for sure.

I think Parker and I are having a year of change and transition. Between getting 612 ready to sell, and moving in our new house, amongst all the new babies and all that goes with them, we've been moving at a pace I'm not in a hurry to continue. I'm working out and running a lot, and I think that's helping me deal and handle the stress and anxiety about all this new-ness. Sometimes I am just too busy to just BE. I don't think P and I have had a moment to do that since last fall...

Branch's friends

I love that Branch can recognize my family, but in a way, I expect him to and hope he would...

BUT NOW:

It's when he recognizes my friends, his friends I'm sure to him, is when I get really tickled. He loves them as much as I do, I suppose, and appreciates their excitement for him in the same way that I do, etc. etc.

Jon and Lisa came over for dinner, and he played so much and so hard with them he was out like a light for the night ten minutes after they left the house.