Catch Up!

So....I have let some time pass since my last post. Boo for me right?! Well as usual things are busy at the Pierce household. We have had meltdowns, beat downs, let downs, and a whole barrel of things that have happened since the last time I've posted. It's all good though.
Lets see.  Where do I start? Well I guess I will start with Dr. Poops! As I told you Shiloh had been having bouts with chronic poops. We went to our pediatrician who referred us to "Dr. Poops" and he sent us on a wave of tests. Thankfully all tests came back normal. Shiloh is now doing his business as a normal toddler should.

The cabin we rented in Mentone, AL

We also took a vacation to Mentone, Alabama! It was Shiloh's first time ever to go to Mentone. He had a blast. We took his Nana , Gigi, and Papa T! We had a nice relaxing time out in the woods. We took a day trip to Chattanooga, Tennessee one of the days we were there. We all had a really good time and it was nice to be able to share it all with family.

Shiloh at the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, TN

We've had my husband Charles' 20 year high school reunion. If you want a reality check , then go to your 20 year reunion. Nothing says, "Hey you are a middle aged mother/father that can't stay up past 10 p.m. anymore and are officially old!" like a high school reunion does!
We had a spring cleaning yard sale! I got rid of clutter and some of Shiloh's toys and clothes he has outgrown. I made a few bucks too! Cha-ching!
Finally, the saga concludes with little man taking his first swim lessons! Ohh wee! He is a water bug! He loves it. This is something we are definitely going to continue.
That about brings you up to speed...oh I forgot! I said there were meltdowns and beat downs. Since the last time we visited my mischief making little boy has proven that there will be no dull moments in his child rearing. Shiloh has managed to take off a dirty diaper himself and throw it across the hall and then proceed to pee in my living room. Yuck! He has managed to open a bottle of baby wash and pour out all the contents while running through the house. Try cleaning that up! He's gotten stuck under our couch trying to get a toy he has lost. He has tortured my two dogs in delight by chasing them and taunting them with screams and laughter. He has broken numerous sippy cups by throwing them to the ground. There are probably other little tidbits I've forgotten, but give me a break it's early.
 Through it all I have loved every minute of it. I love my little boy and I wouldn't change a thing. Except maybe the fact he is a early riser. Five o'clock every morning! Really!?!

Play Date Fun and A Visit to Dr. Poops

We had our first visit to the McWane Center  on Thursday. What fun!!! We met another mommy friend and her little girl, who is a little older than Shiloh. We all had a blast!  At first I could tell he was a little hesitant. He just stood there taking it all in.

 Then some sort of switch  flipped on inside and he just let loose and ran into the Just Mice Size exhibit. Shiloh discovered the water table and I couldn't pry him away. He splashed and screamed with delight. That little guy was having the time of his life and I was enjoying every minute of it. To see him happy makes me happy. It was a good day!

The next day we had a appointment with a pediatric g.i. doctor to figure out Shiloh's digestive issues. The physician told me to start him on a high fat diet. Feed him bacon, lard, pancakes, etc., he said. He went on to say he would need to get other  testing done to see if his body could digest sugar and carbohydrates. Then I could not believe my ears what came out of the doctors mouth next. He said I would have to get a stool sample.  He went on to say to make sure I kept the sample refrigerated. What?!?!? You want me to do what and keep it where?!?!? Oh my goodness!!! The things Mommies have to do. Gross! 

Loving Life

Time flies when you're having fun! It's been a few days since my last post. This little guy is keeping me on my toes! We have been moving and grooving! Sunday we went to The Picnic for the Planet at Railroad Park .

 That was awesome! We had the best time. As far as the eye could see there were people with picnic baskets and blankets. Music filled the air and Shiloh was feeling the music. He walked. He ran. He danced. He had his first nap outdoors. Good times.

Shiloh and I have met other moms in the Birmingham Mommies for mall walking and a park play date. I am very proud of him. He was great. The only party foul I can speak of is for some reason he wants to take kids pacifiers away. Who knows?!


Yesterday, when his Daddy came home, he looked up and plainly said, "Hey Daddy!" We both just laughed. It surprised us and made us both happy. He also fell asleep sitting straight up drinking his sippy cup and watching Sprout. Too funny!


Today we finally got to pull out the wade pool and play in it. Shiloh had a blast! He kind of gave me a puzzled look at first like he was making sure it was okay.  He splashed. He threw his toys. He had fun.

As I spend time with my son and experience all his "firsts" I am finding so much more joy with myself and my life. Nothing compares to having sticky hands on your cheeks or a wet slobbery kiss smack dab on your eye. You can't replicate the feeling you get when he hugs you or calls your name while reaching out for you. To see his joy and excitement for life ignites something inside of me. He makes me want to be a better person. That little miracle is my blessing from God.  No one can describe what it is really like to become or be a parent. It is a journey you have to find out on your own.  I never knew how much love you could feel until I had a child of my own. I am honored that I have the privilege to be Shiloh's mom. I thank the Lord everyday that I am getting to live my dream of being a wife and mother. Dreams do come true and prayer works!

One Year Anniversary of "Gotcha Day"

Man! What a day! Shiloh was all over the emotional board yesterday so I really didn't get to sit and reminisce too much about his Gotcha Day like I planned to. I didn't have time! My sweet and adorable son turned into a screaming, throw himself onto the floor, crying, little hellion! I actually looked at my child yesterday and was scared! Charles and I are discovering that behind those big brown eyes is a very determined and strong willed child.

Yesterday I had a few errands to do before leaving for my monthly Moms Night Out with my ladies that evening. We had to deliver cupcakes, tea, and wine to the church for the annual book sale. I wanted to go to the thrift store. I had to go to the bank. And so on, and so on. Well...we made our delivery and on our way to the thrift store the screaming started. I chalked it up to being hungry and needing a nap. We got some lunch and the screaming subsides. He falls asleep in the car on the way to the thrift store. I was almost home free, a whole shopping trip with him fast asleep in the stroller, when I saw it. Eyes opened! Then the his face contorted into a awful mess. Then, without fail, the screaming and crying returned! Yikes! I am faced with the decision of just leaving everything I had intended to purchase or fight through the ridiculous long lines at the thrift store. I decided to go ahead and tough it out. I got into the checkout line that I thought would be the quickest. Wrong!!! There was some sort of problem with a price or something. I was two customers back. Patiently waiting. And all the while I am holding my little precious, who is squirming in my arms like a fish out of water, and going limp like a noodle, screaming and crying to the top of his lungs! Of course everyone gave me a glare. I was really losing my patience! People kept looking at us and staring at me like I could somehow magically stop his crying. I spotted a line in the far corner that looked to be freeing up, so I made a mad dash. I got to the counter and the clerk and the customer were chit chatting and taking their sweet time moving it along. I mean come on! I still have a screaming kid wiggling in my arms and they are discussing the weather and Martha's hip replacement! Give me a break! Well I proceeded to place my items up on the counter trying to shoo the customer away, who mind you has already paid, so I could have my turn. Finally! I'm up and the clerk asks me how I am doing. Really?!?! It was like she didn't hear or see a fit throwing kid on my hip! I answered, "I'm a little stressed!" On our way home Shiloh calmed down and had another nap. The calm lasted until his Daddy got home. Shiloh woke from his nap to find his Daddy home. That made him very happy. Daddy is his best buddy you know. They played and hugged and hung out for a while. Then with a blink of an eye the bottom fell out. Charles put Shiloh down. Shiloh proceeded to throw himself down onto the floor and it started all over again. It was getting near time for me to leave and meet the girls. I kind of felt guilty leaving Charles with Shiloh in the mood he was in. He survived the night though. Thank goodness! I had a great time with my friends. I painted a plate to commemorate this years "Gotcha Day". Even though there are days like this I wouldn't change it for the world. Being Shiloh's mom is what I love! No matter what.

Day Before "Gotcha Day"~April 19, 2012

So I have had quite a year! I can't believe it has been an entire year already. A year ago Charles, my husband, and I were impatiently and anxiously awaiting the following morning. We were scheduled to have a meeting with the owners of the adoption agency we were working with. Little did we know that the next day would change the course of our lives forever. April 20th, 2011 finally came and so did the answers to our prayers. We became Mommie and Daddy to Shiloh, our son.

I've been reminiceing all day. Going through old photos. Placing photos in an album chronologically by event, and doing so strictly by memory. Memory. Ah! It all just seems so fresh in my mind. I can remember the first time they placed him in my arms. I can remember the way my heart skipped a beat when I held him near. I remember the touch, the smells, I remember it all. What a day! I'll never forget it! Looking through the album I made today it is just amazing to see the growth and changes in my baby. He is not the chunky little cutie pie anymore. No. Now he is a independance seeking toddler.

I just love looking at him and I love to watch him just play and be free. I can't believe how lucky I am to have such a special and wonderful gift as my son. He is my light, my love, and my life. Now and forever and always. I can't wait until morning. So I can see my little boys face and wish him a Happy Gotcha Day.