Could thumb sucking be hereditary?

A few weeks ago, I began to wonder if I had somehow passed along the thumb-sucking gene to my boys. Is it possible that this is hereditary? Like tongue-rolling? Or attached vs. detached earlobes? As my parents (and many others who knew me as a little girl!) will attest to, I was a die-hard thumb sucker until probably sixth or seventh grade. They tried every enticement, reward, and/or punishment to help me break the habit. Miraculously, I do not have bucked teeth or any other deformity...or major deformity, anyway (My thumbs are shaped differently!).

When Riley began sucking his thumb, I thought, "Aww! That's really cute!" (and a lot easier than keeping up with a pacifier!). Now, he's three and still sucks his thumb as soon as he sees or comes in contact with his beloved "bally"...or anything that feels like his bally. He frequently asks to "borrow" baby brother's bally when we are in the car because his stay at home now. Is it still "cute" at 3? Do we need to start trying to break the habit?

Last week, Eli really started trying to get his thumb into his mouth. He gets the knuckle in position and seems to be content with that for now, but it seems like only a matter of time before he figures out the logistics. Will he, too, fall victim to the soothing of the thumb?

April 2010

Eli @ 11 weeks, Riley @ 3 years

5K done!

Last Saturday was the big race day! I finished (officially) in 34:14, but I'm thinking the times were a little off and I was probably closer to 36 minutes. Nonetheless, I'm pretty excited! I'm considering a 10K the second weekend in May. I'm planning to do my long run Thursday on a new 5.3 mile route and see how it goes. If I can do that, I may feel ready. If not, I'll probably go with another 5K before the June 12 10K in Ridgeland. Who knows? I'm just starting to enjoy this so we'll see...

So, the race discussions at the Walton house have led to some pretty funny Riley-isms. He associates all "races" with Cars.

A few of the funnies:

R: Mama, are you gonna have a flat tire?

R: Mama, are you gonna go race?

Me: Yes! You and daddy are going to meet me at the finish line.

R: Alright! There's gonna be fire...and smoke!

(I think he was really disappointed when I rounded the corner toward the finish line...and was not driving a race car!)

After my run last night, Riley wanted to "race" around the circle. He decided he was Lightning McQueen and I was Sally. As we left the driveway, he told me, "The race of the century is on!" as he ran up the street. Too funny!

Hoppy Easter! Part II

Easter morning began with Riley's discovery of the Easter bunny loot. He was sweet enough to offer to help baby brother with his, too, since "He's too little." The Bunny brought Riley Toy Story and a Toy Story book. He also got some sweet new Nike sandals for the summer! Oh, and more choc-o-late that he, of course, wanted to eat before breakfast! Eli got new pjs and a fun new toy for his carrier.

Both boys seemed pleased with the Easter bunny's efforts this year!

We attempted to take some photos before we left for church, but those didn't go so well...Riley wanted his book in the pictures and we had to wake Eli up from a cat nap to get him ready for church thus he was not in the greatest of moods.

So, these are the best of the worst.

We enjoyed a wonderful Easter service with our church family. Following the service, we moved to the front steps of the church to release butterflies - a special tradition at FUMC.

The beautiful cross in the sanctuary

Waiting for big church to end

I promise that's not a butterfly he's about to stomp!

After church, we loaded up and headed to Gran and Granny's in Starkville for a wonderful meal and some more egg hunting. Riley really enjoyed finding the eggs, but the candy inside made them even better!

We also gave family pictures one last go, but Eli was asleep so they're still not all that great! We did manage to get a pretty good one of the boys with Gran and Granny in the swing!

Maybe one day...

5K Update: I decided to give the route a trial run while the boys napped Sunday. It was TOUGH! I finished the whole thing, but had to finish three hills walking. So frustrating! Ten days to race day, and I'm still optimistic that I WILL run the entire thing!

Hoppy Easter! Part I

We had a very full Easter weekend at the Walton house. The weather was spectacular Friday so the eldest three Waltons spent the better part of the afternoon working in the yard. Riley was a BIG helper - a "happy helper" more importantly. We bragged on him constantly...the point he began to tell us, "You're so lucky...I'm a big helper!"

Picking up the gum balls, leaves and sticks so Daddy could mow!

Hauling the trash to the burn pile! He loves his wheelbarrow!

Saturday morning, I ventured out with both boys by myself for the first time. We went to Starkville for Jack Fountain's birthday party at Jumpin' G's. Riley had a ball! Thanks for the invite, Fountain family! It's always great to see our "Starkville friends" - wish we could get together more often!

Avi Grace Anthony

Emily Adkerson

After we left the party, we came back to Louisville for the FUMC Egg Hunt at Moe and Peggy Yarbrough's house. Mr. Moe and Mrs. Peggy are also Riley's Sunday School teachers, and he was too excited about going to play at their home. He had a great time hunting eggs and even enjoyed a spin around the yard in Mr. Moe's golf cart before we left. Eli spent the Egg Hunt hanging out with Abbie - she is such a blessing to all the Waltons! She will be keeping Eli a couple of days a week for us this summer when I begin "easing" back into full-time work.

Waiting to hunt eggs

A rare picture of Riley and Mama

One of Mama's favorites

Already looking for the next egg

Abbie and Eli

Needless to say, after that full morning, we were ALL looking forward to nap time...

We spent more time outside Saturday evening before it got dark and then tried to get the boys into bed in anticipation of a visit from the Easter bunny.

The loot the Easter bunny left