March Madness!

Sorry I have been MIA for almost 2 whole weeks. We have had no shortage of busy days around here. Work is in.sane. I have picked up some extra hours and fortunately for me, I am being allowed to complete those hours from home. This makes for some late nights since I can't seem to get any work done with a toddler near my computer. If mommy is working, so is Deuce. So I have been up until the wee hours of the morning working. The work day is just slammed packed and we have been in training rooms for the past several weeks, away from our desks and piled around conference tables. I have had no time for much else.

With the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NCAA tournament being in Greensboro, I took Deuce over to the coliseum last Thursday to watch the Tarheels practice before their first game on Friday. He had a great time. I have been fortunate enough to see the Heels play in the NCAA tournament the past several years {twice in the Elite 8} and I want Deuce to have that experience also. We didn't go to the games but Ed & TJ went to the game on Sunday.

The practice was about 45 minutes, which was perfect for Deuce. I think he was ready to go by the time it was up. He really just wanted to walk up and down the stairs but after I got yelled at by some old man "guarding" the stairs because I was letting him walk to our seat on his own {he was holding the railing, mind you} I decided that wasn't going to work. These ladies in front of us were just so amused by Deuce and how excited he was every time he heard the fight song. One of them asked could she record Deuce on her iphone fist pumping to the fight song and saying "TAR...HEELS" during the practice so she could show her husband. Her mother was amazed at how early he had developed his love for the Heels. That's because we are Tarheels born and Tarheels bred and when we die, we'll be Tarheels dead. See for yourself!

Go Heels!

Ramses Geer.

About 2 weeks ago I had an appointment with Amanda to get my hair did. I asked my sister if she could pick up Deuce from Ed's parents house and occupy him for about an hour so I could go to the salon. She picked him up and took him to University Mall where they roamed around for awhile. There is still a Roses in the mall and they have a huge selection of Carolina gear. So naturally Deuce left the store with a new purchase, thanks to Aunt Wawa. As it turns out, he walked away with a musical Ramses that is the exact same one that Harrison has. Laura said he walked up and down the mall playing the fight song and fist pumping the whole way, just like Harrison does.

Ramses has not left Deuce's side since Deuce adopted him and I started sending Laura a daily picture of Ramses & Deuce. Here are a few shots. Deuce props him up in the seat and talks to him, explaining that they are watching Elmo or Toodles.

We had dinner with Harrison last night and both boys had a great time playing with the Ramses'.

Hopefully the Heels will be able to come away with the ACC Tournament Championship this weekend to go along with their regular season title!

Sappy Mommy Moment

I am not too much a of a singer. Actually, let me take that back. I love to sing. Really loud. Especially to country music. But I only do it when I'm in the car. I like to rap too and I think I'm pretty good at it. I have no fear of spitting some flow for Deuce. He smiles and laughs. But don't get too excited. I only sing in the car remember? I sang in the church choir growing up but I was never a powerful singer. I did sing a solo at the Christmas service one time in front of about 700 people but that was when I was in the 5th grade and everyone thinks you're cute, even if you suck.

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Anyway, I've never really sang to Deuce. I always hear people who say, "Oh, my mom used to sing that to me" or "That was my favorite song my mom sang when I was little." But I just don't feel comfortable singing, especially acapella. Even if it was for a screaming baby I was trying to calm. I did hum to him some when he was really little and sort of colicky but I haven't done that in quite awhile. We went to the Family Christian Store on Friday so I could pick up a few new books and I got Deuce a few books about Easter and Jesus and God while we were there. I picked this one up too.

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That night, I started to read it to him and it just sounded funny. I was reading the words to Jesus Loves Me. I don't think I've ever stated those lyrics without actually singing them. After a few pages I was just uncomfortable. So I stopped, closed the book and then started again. And this time I sang it to him. As soon as I started my voice was a little shaky but he turned his head around, looked me straight in the eye and smiled the best smile ever. Amazing how much confidence a 1 year old can give your mommy skills. The book includes 3 verses to the song but after the first verse I glanced down at Deuce and he was asleep in my arms. It was such a defining moment for me as a mom. Why? I'm not sure because it's not the first time he's fallen asleep in my arms. It's not the first time he slept in his new big boy bed.

Maybe it's because I've subconsciously been seeking some sort of affirmation that I am doing a good job as we enter these terrible two's {and boy are they here}. Maybe it was a higher power giving me a sign. Who knows. But I want to sing to him more. I want to be the best mom I can and I want to raise my son to be a big, strong, self sufficient man with a respectful, soft, nurturing personality. Ed uses the term "Gentle Giant" when he refers to our nephew Jalen and I think Deuce may be the same way. At least I hope so.