A few firsts....

This week was a week of a few firsts for the Pittman household. Madison learned to ride her bike without training wheels, and Audrey moved to a "big-girl" bed. We are behind on both of these things, but better late than never. For Madison, the training wheels have come off about 2 times before now, and quickly put back on. BUT....this time...she breezed through it. I was amazed at her first time on the bike - she went all the way down the road. Her stopping was a little tricky and there was a fall or two, but she is doing great now. She quickly learned to start going by herself, which I think is a major task!! So...her time was NOW!!

And I know what you are thinking - Audrey was still in a baby bed?? OH MY! Well...she has LOVED her bed, and NEVER tried to crawl out of it. Anytime we would ask her if she wanted to sleep in a "big girl bed" she quickly answered a resounding "NO!" So...we never pushed it. But...I just decided it was time for that too!! So...we went with baby steps for a short time. As I was taking the bed down, I realized it would convert to a toddler bed (didn't know this or I would have done that sooner!). She slept that way for a couple of nights, and then on Tuesday morning - the baby bed left the room!! She has been sleeping in it with no problem. One afternoon for her nap, she didn't want to go to sleep, so she sat in the bed and cried for an hour - but she never got out of the bed!! (I know that that is coming, but will take what I have and be glad for it now!) She has figured how to crawl out of the bed (because I do have a side rail up), but she still sits there and cries for me until I come and get her. I figured it would be Audrey for sure, that would get up in the middle of the night by herself, and find herself a little snack - but so far so good!!!

And I am saying (holding my breath a little) that Audrey is potty-trained (well...at all times but naptime and overnight!)!! She is doing a great job with that also. So...the next big hurdle is the pacifier - which she loves, I love, Grant loves, Madison loves! We like that it will keep her quiet sometimes, so this one might be a little while coming!!

Happy Veteran's Day!

I just wanted to say Happy Veteran's Day to all of you serving now or who have already served our great nation. A special shout out to my hubby who served in the Marine Corp, my brother-in-law David who served in the Navy, my brother-in-law Rob Bourne who was in the Army and deployed to Iraq for 6 months several years ago, our friend Lee Henry who is still active in the National Guard, and my new friend Mrs. Kay's son, Everett, who is serving in Iraq right now. To these and all the brave men and women, we thank you!!

I found a poem that I had written for Rob on his return from Iraq and wanted to share with you now. Austin was very young (around 2) when Rob left, and Ella was born while he was deployed - she was 2 months old when he returned. (Austin is now 7, and Ella 5). Here is a picture of them meeting Rob off the bus. It was such a moving experience being there to watch that reunion. (Check out Abbey's blog as well www.bournebuzz.blogspot.com).

Welcome Home Soldier

We sat with our eyes so wide,

Watching blast after blast.

Asking, "Had the war just begun?"

And "How long would it last?"

Explosions and Bombs.

Rocket propelled grenades.

These are the images we saw

Over and over for days.

As we watched with great horror

From our limited view,

We prayed to God above

To put his angels around you.

For there was nothing else that we could do,

Though we wanted it to be so bad.

We just had to patiently wait

For our prayers were all we had.

To the Heart of Iraq

Our brave ones forged ahead.

"This could be a slow process,"

Our President had said.

So we celebrated our victories,

And wept for the fallen men.

For these were our brave soldiers:

Husbands, Sons, Wives, Daughters, and Friends.

We were in a state of awe

As Saddam's statue fell to the ground.

The Iraqi's were celebrating.

Had freedom been found?

Only time will tell

The final outcome of this war.

But we're glad you've fought for freedom,

And that we'll continue to fight for more.

They say rebuilding and restoring Iraq

Is the mission of today.

So a successful endeavor we want,

For that is what we pray.

We thank you for your efforts

In this war that you have made.

And applaud you for the progress

And the price that you have paid.

"Operation Iraqi Freedom"

"The Fall of Baghdad"

"Shock and Awe"

Are the headlines we had.

But the headline today

Is much better you see.

"Welcome Home Soldier"

You've come back to thee.

We're so glad you've come home

All safe and sound.

Open arms of the ones you love

Are the first things you found.

For there was Abbey and Austin,

Baby Ella was knew.

Let's not forget Frankie

For he missed you, too.

We'll never know in full

The things you've had to do.

But we know how glad we are

That you have made it through.

For you were a brave soul you see,

But others were brave as well.

This story is about Austin,

And this is one I'll tell.

After a phone conversation with you,

I saw him lower his head.

"What's the matter baby?" I asked.

"I want to go to Baghdad" is what he said.

For all that Austin knew

Is that is the place his dad had gone.

And he wanted to go to you

Since you could not come home.

But he was brave throughout,

And kept the family one.

He put food on the table.

A hunter he has become.

From turkey to deer,

to little piglets, too,

He's shot, skinned, and cooked it all

And become just like you!!

Now there's the matter of another.

This story's about your wife.

Perhaps the strongest of us all.

Your love, your friend, your life.

As Ella came into this world,

I saw tears stream down Abbey's face.

And I knew that she was wishing

That you were in a different place.

But as true to her nature as she could be

Her face always portrayed a smile.

For she had birthed a miracle.

Your precious little child.

A stronger person I've never known

In my entire life.

She's held it together through it all

For she is a soldier's wife.

So from now on and forever

Rob, Abbey, Austin and Ella it will be.

For you went to war a father of one.

But came back to more family.

A brave soldier you have become

For that there is no doubt.

But a greater husband and father you've always been

That's what life is all about.

Isn't it great to raise a family

In the country of the USA?

A place where freedom rings,

And where red, white, and blue are the colors of the day

So we welcome you home, soldier.

Be proud of the path you've helped pave.

You’re back in the land of the free

America the Beautiful. The Home of the Brave!!!

Halloween!!!

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz (Madison)
and the Bride (Audrey) - Grant's already trying to give her away!

"I like this trick-or-treating thing!!"

"All you've got to do is look sweet!!"

Scariest thing for us to be - LSU FANS!!!

Lori (cavewoman) and Me!

After it was all said and done!

"Let me get a little more comfortable..."

"Now...that's what I'm talking about!"

We had yet another great Halloween!! The girls had a lot of fun, and we enjoyed getting together with our good friends for hot dogs & chili and taco soup! I had to bring the rice krispy treats - and it was almost like being at home growing up!! ha ha. (What is it with hot dogs & chili on Halloween, anyways?) OH, well...I just know that it has been my family's tradition for a long time, and when I met my friend Lori and she told me they did the same thing - I knew we would be great friends (ha ha - that's a little dramatic) - I knew we'd be great friends either way!

Well... hope you all had a great Halloween as well. Dorothy had a great time and found that "There's no place like home" after a long night of trick-or-treating, and unfortunately, the Groom said the Bride was too much for him to handle - so she's stuck with us for quite a few more Halloweens. (We love you Audrey - we really do!!) You're a beautiful bride!!

Lots of love,

Amber