ELEVEN YEARS

Today my baby boy is 11 years old. Eleven years ago, he arrived in this world at 8:16 pm weighing in at 8 lbs., 6 oz. He had a head full of hair and was all wrinkly, he came fast, and made us laugh from the beginning - something he still loves to do! This may be a long post, and I apologize for that, but I want to share the story of his arrival as well as some other fun things about him. (feel free to stop reading when you are bored)

Here is the story: My actual due date was September 3, but I told everyone and convinced myself his due date was August 31 - you see, if I said September it seemed like another entire month, and I just couldn't take the thought of one more hot month, so August 31 it would be. Well, obviously my little one had other plans, and arrived even earlier.

The day: It was a beautiful Sunday, clear skies, hot but not to the extreme. My parents came up to visit for the day; my dad and Hunter were doing somethings around the house, and my mom, Flicka and I went shopping. I was feeling great, in fact better than I had in over a week. (Little did I know that the constant back and leg discomfort I was having for the past week was most likely labor! LOL!) Mom and dad got ready to go and mom said to me: "We're not going to get home and then get call to come right back up here, are we?" I laughed and said no way, it's still too early, and I am feeling fine. So, off they went back home about an hour away. We went on with our afternoon, I cooked dinner and we - Hunter, Flicka & me - all sat down to eat. All of a sudden, I just didn't feel right, I got up to go to the restroom and halfway there my water broke, it was definitely time. We called my sister to come pick up Flicka - she lived on the same street so she was there in approximately a minute or less. We put the bag in the car, reassured Flicka that mommy was OK, and off we went to the hospital. The labor pains hit hard and strong w/in 5 mins. of the water breaking - much worse than any I had had w/Flicka. It was only a 10 - 15 minute ride to the hospital. Before leaving, we called mom & dad and said we were on our way to the hospital. They thought we were kidding and when we finally convinced them it was real, they headed back up.

A little more background: Flicka had to be delivered by C-section due to some problems with her heart rate. My doc w/Camo was convinced I would not be able to deliver him vaginally due to the previous c-section and his size. I was adamant that we give it a shot, so we compromised. We scheduled an OR for a c-section about a week before my due date of Sept. 3, with the decision if he did not come before then, it would most likely be needed.

At the hospital: I was pre-registered so we were escorted straight to labor & delivery upon arrival. We checked in at 7:20 pm, I changed into a gown immediately. Before even making it to the bed for my first check, I had a sudden urge to push. I announced this to the nurse as soon as I finished putting on my gown, she just laughed it off and said, I had not been here long enough, it was probably just nerves. I again told her of the urge and was very adamant that it was not nerves. She got me to the bed and checked me and her eyes became as big as plates (not saucers!). She then ran into the hallway and screamed page the dr. stat (remember it was a Sunday night, and there was no OB in the building, just one on call - it just so happened that my OB was out of town so they would have to use the on call dr. who was one of the other drs. in the same clinic as mine.) She came back and talked to us, checked the monitors, etc..., checked me again, and again went hurriedly out and we could hear her asking if the dr. had arrived yet, and then a "we need someone in here stat!" She came back in (along with another nurse or 2, but no dr.) sat down at the end of the bed, and tried to convince me not to push, I insisted that I was not going to be able to stop it much longer, she finally gave in and let me push. The dr. walked in, basically just in time for the last 2 pushes and to catch the baby. Camo was born less than an hour after we arrived at the hospital (less than 2 hours of my water breaking), we signed the paperwork giving them permission to deliver him and administer care after the birth. Needless to say, his birth was 100% natural, they didn't have time for anything. He came when he was ready, and there was no stopping him! It was perfect! My mom & dad arrived, and when they walked in they could not believe I was already holding him; they were just expecting to get to see me for a minute before being asked to leave so I could be prepared for the delivery! (Lynn's parents decided to wait till the next morning to come up, since it all happened so fast.)

OK, that may have been more information that you wanted, but I just love that memory and wanted to share it. Now for some of the fun stuff.

I have to confess that my first thought when they handed him to me was "oh, my gosh! he's a monster!" I know this may sound like I was a terrible mom, but not really, it's just that Flicka was only 6 lbs. 7 oz. and with him a full 2 pounds bigger, he just looked huge! He was just so beautiful - head full of reddish brown hair, big blue/gray eyes, no smushed head from delivery, just beautiful. He was very laid back from the beginning and still is, not much flusters him or gets under his skin (except for his sister now - LOL). He never lost his hair as some babies do, it just turned to snow white - my little cotton top! His eyes are still a beautiful blue/gray - they actually change colors from bright blue, deep blue, gray and sometimes a greenish color depending on his mood. I tell him I can always tell when he is happy or sad by the color of his eyes.

He loved to eat from the beginning, and that is something he still enjoys, he is definitely not much of a picky eater. He has had a very sweet, and different sense of humor since he was very young, he loves to make you laugh. He has a very unique outlook on the world around him, his interpretations of things are sometimes so simple, it just makes you think - yeah, you're right; and sometimes makes you think - that is so funny! He rarely meets a stranger, he is very friendly and most people fall in love with all that is him after only a few minutes of getting to know him. He has always been a good kid, a bit mischievous at times, and about 500% boy, but very good - he has a good heart and it is easy to see. Also, he is very smart - he has always been an A student (sometimes some Bs sneak in and that's OK w/us too.)

He loves all things outdoors - hunting, fishing, riding his bike, swimming, camping, baseball - I could list things for days! I like to say he is a country boy locked up in the city.

I have decided to share his real name with you because I think it really is a part of his personality and have decided since I will be sharing so much about my family on my blog, I want everyone reading to know the real family (and besides I use their real names on myspace & facebook, why not here!)

So, today, you have met - Travis Lynn - my eleven year old wonder! Sorry, for such a long post, but I could ramble on for days about my kiddos and all that is great about them. And just thought since it is his birthday, it was a good time to share some things.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of him:

6 weeks - still w/reddish hair

1st bday - loving the cake!

2 1/2 yrs - a very brief stint w/gymnastics - not his cup of tea, he needed more activity & something that was outside!

10 yrs. - his first deer (sorry, if this offends anyone, but this is who he really is!)

Eleven and a cell phone!

A new gun & new phone - life is good. He chose the gun over a birthday party (we couldn't afford to do both.) For those who are not used to seeing an 11 year old with a gun, please remember he is a hunter and the love of it was born in him - his dad loves to hunt as do both of his grandpas. This is not his first gun, but is one he has been wanting for a while - it is a pump action, 20 gauge shotgun. Also, for those who are concerned, please know that all guns in our house are used for hunting only, and are kept in a locked gun safe. Travis is not allowed to hunt alone yet, and all gun usage for him is strictly supervised by an adult.

We went out to dinner to celebrate - Travis chose one of our local restaurants that serves catfish and all the fixings (fries, hush puppies, slaw). This photo was taken outside the; they have a nice sitting area, this bridge leads to it. There is also a pond and the provide bread and other goodies so you can feed the fish & turtles.

Travis had a very good birthday & we had fun celebrating with him.

FISHING DERBY

I think I may have mentioned previously that Camo and Hunter like to fish. Flicka and I also enjoy it, but it seems to be more of a daddy/son event the last few years. Tonight it was a family event. Our local parks & rec dept holds an annual fishing derby each August. It is free at a local lake in our community, and is open to all children under 16. Basically, we just show up with rod/reel/bait, sign in and then fish for 2 hours weighing in each fish, hoping for the biggest in your division. Last year, this derby is what Travis chose as his birthday party, he loved it. This year it was just the four us, and it was a good night. Here are a few pictures:

One of the beautiful lakes in our community. It has a very nice walking trail all the way around it and it is right behind our library.

Our local library. You can check out fishing poles, walk out the back door and fish!

Beautiful skies & beautiful weather for a fishing derby!

The first catch! 1 lb 12 oz -she is in first place!

A rainbow blesses the event!

Uh-oh - dark clouds start rolling in! (but they are beautiful)

Brother & sister fishing together in the rain! The rain held out till the second hour (only a 2 hour event), but it was still fun!

Finally another catch - it's raining and hard to hold it up!

And the winner is... he won his division (10-11 yrs). He won a new rod/reel and new tackle box!

And the winner is.... she won her age division (12-15 yrs) as well as the overall winner, her fish was the biggest all night. She also won a new rod/reel and a new tackle box.

It was fun night. They were both very happy they won, and Flicka was ecstatic that no one caught one bigger than hers! (Not to mention how happy I am they both won, no disappointed one to break my heart!!!)

TWILIGHT ZONE

Hunter and I thought we must have been in the twilight zone tonight.

I guess first I must explain the relationship between Flicka and Camo so that you will understand. It is not that they never get along, but on any given day there will be arguments of many different natures. They do have days that they co-exist w/out much incidence, and days of non-arguing. I know w/out a doubt they do love each other tremendously and would battle for each other till the end of time - I have actually seen this: Flicka got hurt at school one day. A little boy on the playground was running and knocked her down, she did get a really nasty cut and scrape on her knee, but it was truly an accident, nothing more than a playground mishap. Now this was a few years ago, Camo only 5 or 6 years old. When he heard what happened he wanted a complete description of the boy, and I do believe if I had let him and my nephew out of the car at that moment they would have taken care of it, they were ready to defend her. I have also seen Flicka exhibit this type of behavior towards those who have wronged her little brother.

But I have to say for the last few years, their relationship is more of a battle ground. Well tonight was just crazy - we do get nights like this from time to time, but definitely it is not all the time.

What am I talking about??? Well tonight Flicka and Camo got along all night long - not one argument. When Flicka started towards the door and announced to Camo she was going to ride his scooter (it is an electric scooter), he said OK - this usually causes a big discussion of disagreement. When Camo said he was going outside for a little while, Flicka said she wanted to go too, he asked if she would open the garage door and she smiled and said sure. Several other events like this occurred all night long.

Hunter and I just kept looking at each other and wondering if someone had replaced our children, or if we were being "punked", or perhaps on an episode of the twilight zone???

I, however, for this night, choose to believe that they are growing up and realizing they do need each other.

(I do have to confess before I close though, I had much of the same type of relationship w/my little brother. He was the same distance in age from me as Flicka and Camo are. We did finally reach a point were we decided all the arguing was counter-productive and it was better when we worked together. We turned out fine and get along well today.)

So, do you ever have "twilight zone" moments?

THE KIDS - the boy

Now here comes the hard part introducing the kids. I wanted to do it in two separate posts, but there are risks involved with that - if they find out, whichever one I do first will rub it in to the other and someone will come out mad. However, I do believe they deserve their own post, so I am flipping a coin to make the decision. My son will be first this time.

I have decided his name will be Camo. Yes, he is definitely following in his daddy's footsteps, and loves all things outdoors (yeah, no video junkies at my house.) He especially loves to hunt (deer, duck, squirrel, etc..) and fish.

Camo is 10 (will be 11 in August). He is laid back (like his dad) and he is funny. He keeps us laughing alot. Everyone he meets falls for him immediately - he is a definite charmer. He is also very sweet and loving, he will still cuddle w/me and still calls me mommy sometimes (that is the best!) Camo also is very kind to others and is very compassionate.

Baseball is his life in the spring and summer - he loves to play and has played since he was 3 (yes they had a t-ball team for 3 year olds). The last several seasons he has been catcher. This was really scary for me at first because he got hit so many times, but he always shakes it off and seems to be fine; he loves it and that is his favorite position so I am fine with it. I absolutely hate to miss any of his games, and don't if I can help it. I love to watch him play!

As I said before he also loves to hunt and fish, of course right now w/summer time here fishing is his favorite past time and he and his dad go when they can. There is a little lake in our town just a mile or 2 from our house at a park, and they can go over and fish in the afternoons - they love it! He is a boy scout and loves the camping and meetings involved with it; and I know he will achieve the Eagle Scout rank some day.

The picture was taken the day of his 5th grade graduation. He will go to middle school in the fall. (BTW - he has always been an honor student) He got braces this summer and that really made him look like less of a kid and more like a preteen boy - everyday he seems to act and look a little older; time flies!

I feel like I have made this post a little too long, but wanted to make sure you had some background on Camo. I can assure you, I will have many more posts about him to come; he is so adventuresome and loves life that there is always a new story (some funny, some of not so good things he might pull, after all he is 100% boy!) I have to share w/someone.