2011 Talky Talky

Good morning all - yes, it has been quite a while since I posted last. I am going to "try" to post more often. I realize these days that Foster is changing so quickly that I can't keep up. Honestly, I want to use this blog as a way to track some of the funny things he is saying a doing right now!

Talky Talky - is the way of the Ratliff home right now. Foster is talking up a storm and is beginning to elaborate on many details. His expressions are priceless. He is also becoming a little "bossy", making sure to tell John and I when we can and can't talk and when we can be on the phone! He told John this morning, "Daddy, you come back inside now, it is cold and you don't have any clothes on". That was as John was coming in from getting the newspaper.

Foster and his art

Dear Crayola – thank you for creating WASHABLE Markers. Foster is really enjoying coloring more these days and this is what happened when I left him in the kitchen to brush my teeth. Yikes. But, it came off very easily – off his body, the table cloth, etc…..

Fun times and learning ones for Mommy and Daddy too.

Thomas the Train

O.k. - so my dear friend Katie Cashion has impressed upon me the need to blog more often, so I proclaim an more directed effort to blog more often!!!

John, Foster, and I ventured to visit Thomas the Train in Calera. A day out with Thomas comes once a year, and we will make it a yearly outing. Foster has a blast, got to play with other kids, rode on the train (and unbelievably sat still) :)

He was fascinated by all of the trains in the depot and wanted to climb on and in all of them. He wasn't crazy about the grown-up or teenager, that was dressed as Sir Topham Hat. He said, "I do not like that Mommy". So, that was that!

A fun time was had by all - then we tried ice cream in the car which wasn't very smart.

I go through the tunnel

Funny things kids say: While I was laying in bed this morning I had my leg propped up on the bed, so there was a space underneath. Foster looked at me and said - I go through the tunnel Mommy. Then he proceeded to climb through - underneath my leg. I guess you had to be there, but I thought he was so creative to call the space under my leg - a tunnel to crawl through!

That Way ------

In the fall, Foster started saying two words together and his first two were "that way". He would use this as he referenced which way he wanted you to go - while riding the lawn mower, in the vehicle, or while riding his scoot around car in the house.

His two words quickly developed and by Christmas he was saying many phrases, but not quite complete sentences.

Gobble, Gobble

For Thanksgiving this year, Foster first started the week with a party at school and it was his "responsibility" to provide dessert for the class. I (Amy) had that handled and decided instead of messy cupcakes - I sent what John referred to as "jello shooters", but of course kid and church friendly. :)

We traveled as a family to Toxey, AL to be with the Ratliff/Speed Family. We had a blast until John and me, started suffering from cold/allergy symptoms and headed home a little early. But, not to early for Foster to enjoy a little bug catching time with his cousins, Cooper and Trinity and with the help of Uncle Nathan. It was the first time ever: Foster held a grashopper and a grandaddy longleg! He now refers to grasshoppers as ---- hop, hop!

We finished the week, trying to recooperate, after have a run in with swollen eyes, we are finally resting. Foster did get to attend Jackson's 2nd birthday and had a blast - he even painted an ornament - well make that two. We even made it to the Foster family get together - but not for too long.

On the move to Co-op

Hi all, just an update: I have accepted a position to serve as the Senior Coordinator for the Cooperative Education Program here at UA. I am excited about this opportunity for growth and will join Co-op in mid-December. I am going to miss the Career Center - I have learned so much and have great co-workers, but the good news is that I will be just across the street.

A door has opened and I am walking through. Let's hope and pray for the best.