New Adventures for Lawson

This weekend has marked yet another first in the life of Lawson - sleepovers. Since he was little, Lawson would not spend the night anywhere but home; he even hated being on a trip with us because, come bed time, he wanted to go home. Before he turned 2, he would get physically ill by the third day of our trip and halfway home, he would be fine - he actually got "homesick".

The past year, he has spent the night with my grandmother one time, and that was an accident. It was while Charlie was in the hospital and he fell asleep waiting on my Dad to come pick him up. Well, Thursday night he decided he was going to have a sleepover with Nana. So, I got his stuff together and told her to call me when he got ready to come home, which is usually around 9:00 pm. As 9:00 pm came and went, he was still at Nana's; I looked out the door and noticed there were no lights at her house...he actually spent the night!

This opened up a whole new door for him because Friday night he decided he was going to have a sleepover with Papaw. This one didn't go as smoothly as the first night. Around 9:15 he came walking in the door because he decided he wanted to come home. He was here for a few minutes and then something made him decide to go back; he said "Ok, I will go back and try again" - it worked because I didn't see him until the next day! Dad said he went back to his house, laid down and was asleep in about 5 minutes.

Saturday night comes around and he decided he again wants to stay with Nana - and he did. He was planning to go to church with her anyway so it was easier for him to sleep at her house. I gave him a bath, got his pj's on, and sent him on his way with his church clothes and a movie to watch before bed.

My little man is growing up - and too fast! It feels weird to even sleep without him in the house and makes me realize how independent he is becoming. I feel sadness and joy at the same time. The sadness comes from the fact he is growing up and, some day, he won't need me at all; the joy from knowing that he is growing up and, some day, he won't need me at all...when that day comes, I will know I did something right!

Kindergarten - The Beginning

Tuesday night was Kindergarten meet and greet and Dandridge Elementary. Lawson was very excited about meeting his new teacher, Mrs. Cline, and seeing his classroom. He was able to meet a couple of other students he will be in class with and explore some of the different learning areas set up.

On Friday, we had a one-on-one meeting with his teacher. I was able to sit down and talk to her about any questions/concerns I might have. It was great to speak with her and learn some of the great things she has planned for her class this year. I know Lawson is going to love her class and all the things he will be learning about throughout the year.

It is hard to believe my little man is going to be in school, but I am so excited to see what all he brings home with him! He is thirsty for knowledge and I am blessed to be on this journey of life with him...God gave me an awesome gift when he sent me my awesome little guy and I cherish every moment I get to watch him grow and learn!

This was his favorite part of Kindergarten night at DES :)

The beginning of a new routine...

Tonight marked the beginning of Lawson's new bedtime routine - it went better than expected but not great! I have decided that 8:00 pm will be his bedtime on school, just for the simple fact that sometimes it will take him a good hour to go to sleep (thank you ADHD). Even with the melatonin, sometimes his mind will just not wind down very fast.

He went down pretty fast tonight because he was so tired. He wasn't in the best of moods today anyway, and he just did not want to listen at all. So, the new routine got off to a rocky start because he got put to bed in trouble. Luckily, I can turn a movie on for him and he is out pretty quick - the exact opposite of what doctors tell you to do, but it works for us! You learn the tricks with an ADHD kid and I have an inside scoop on that one ;)

If we can figure out how to get him to sleep through the night without waking up and getting into our bed, it will be great :) But, for now, I will enjoy that snuggle I get when he wakes in the middle of the night looking for Mommy and Daddy!

Hopefully each night will get a little better and a little easier - and the routine will be a lot smoother as he gets into his new school groove!

Sometimes it takes a while, but he finally gives in to sleep!

Everyone has "stuff"

A couple of days ago I got in a slump and decided to have a small pity party for myself. Certain things weren't going the way I planned and some other things had crept up that added to the craziness of life. So, I was sitting around just being bummed about the "stuff" that had me in my funk.


After talking to my awesome Godparent's and a good friend, I pulled myself out of my slump and decided this...everyone has "stuff"! Some people have little stuff and others have big stuff - but, no matter what size the "stuff", God will take care of it all!


I may not have everything I want and I may not get to do everything I would like to do, but I have everything I need and I am blessed beyond measure! So, from now on I am remembering that someone out there has "stuff" worse than mine and I am praying for everyone's "stuff" no matter how small! Will you join me?

Let's go to the dentist...

Yesterday I took my little man to the dentist for the very first time. I was very nervous that he would not do well, but he definitely surprised me - he did great! They were able to clean his teeth and get x-rays with no fuss at all from him, which is absolutely amazing - and, I didn't even have to go back in the room with him! The only problem he had was after the tech put the vitamin rub on his teeth - the taste really got to him, so much that he eventually threw up because of it :/ But, I was so proud of him and the big boy he was during it all :)


I think the main reason he did so well is because of the awesome doctor and techs he had working with him. We went to Children's Dentistry of Knoxville, upon the recommendation from a friend, and their entire office is nothing but kid friendly. They have a great play area for waiting and once in the back for the dental work, they have tv's hanging from the ceiling - awesomeness! I don't remember having such great experiences at the dentist when I was little - ha!


Unfortunately, he will have to go back next week for a small filling and the doctor is watching a couple of his other teeth to make sure the very small cavities do not get any bigger. But, overall his teeth are in good shape and, with a little change in his brushing routine by adding some extra flouride, he should be good to go!


I definitely recommend you check out Children's Dentistry of Knoxville if you do not currently have a dentist. Dr. Britton was great as were all the techs and ladies in the office! They were very patient and caring - a go with the flow kind of place which is great when working with kids!

In the waiting room - it looks like a jungle!