Pool Time

With the summer in full swing here in Austin we had to get our annual play pool.  Here are some cute pictures of the boys having a great time in the pool.  Davis goes in head first it is classic.

GO DODGERS

Thanks to Aunt Denise and Uncle Greg the kids have adorable Dodger outfits now.  I am thrilled about this as is Jeremiah.  He wore my Dodger hat because it "matches" and played ball in the back yard.  He was too funny removing the hat each time he ran the bases. 

Sea World!

We decided to brave the world of theme parks and take the boys to Sea World.  We waited until Davis was ready for his AM nap and drove the hour and 15 minutes down to San Antonio, piled on the sun block and headed into the park.  The first thing we did was the Shamu show, it was amazing.  Both boys were fascinated and it nearly brought me to tears.  These whales are so big, beautiful, and graceful.  We sat in the last row of the "splash zone" so that we got the effect of the splash without the wet-fishy aftermath.  

After that we went to the kids play area where Jeremiah and I went on his first ever roller coaster.  He was very excited until we got onto the ride and then he told me he didn't want to do it.  Unfortunately it was too late to get off and the ride began.  He did OK, until it got really fast and turned a corner.  We almost purchased the picture because his face was classic but we passed it up.  Now when you ask his favorite thing he says the fast train, although he did not want to do it again.  If Davis could talk he would tell you that he loved the foam play area for little kids.  The place was so empty we had almost the entire play area and had a blast.    

The rest of the day was filled with alligators, penguins, and the icing on the cake...feeding the dolphins.  It was a great day, I would suggest it to anyone.  

 

I Love to Clean!

So I realized that I really do love to clean, it is therapeutic for me.  I know it sounds wrong but I have finally come to terms with it and have decided to embrace it.  I realized it yesterday when I went to clean a little pee from a little boy on the bathroom floor.  It turned into a full out clean the bathroom and while I am at it scrub the kitchen floor on my hands and knees.  While I was cleaning I thought about my cleaning habits.  It seems to happen like this...

I put the boys down for their afternoon naps with the intention of resting myself...in front of the TV, with a book, taking a nap who knows.  I take a seat on the couch and notice a crumb on the floor from morning snacks.  I get up to pick it up and realize that there is a little trail.  I decide to sweep it and notice a couple spots where Davis dribbled his milk so I grab the swiffer to mop the mess.  Well, I have the swiffer I may as well do the kitchen.  But if I mop the kitchen I should clean the counters first.  I should empty the dishwasher and load it with the items in the sink from breakfast, this dish towel is dirty I should put it in the laundry room.  Oh, look I can do a load of towels, I guess I should fold the cloths in the dryer.  You get the picture I am sure.         

Once I am done I think...wow I need to sit and have a little down time.  Right, I just spent the last two hours cleaning and now the kids are waking from their naps.  As soon as they get up the mess begins again and after I put them to bed I find myself doing the same routine.  I need to find a hobby.

Davis Turns One!!!

It is hard to believe how fast time goes by.  It was a year ago that I was so ready to have this sweet baby boy never knowing how much he would bless us.  He was born on May 27th weighing 7lbs 15oz....my big boy.  

We had his birthday party on Saturday with a handful of friends.  We filled up the little tyke pool, had the t-ball, soccer nets, basketball hoop, and football for the kids to play with.  Do you see a theme?  Davis loves balls so we thought we would do a ball theme.  We had pizza and cupcakes, a perfect day for a perfect party.  We had a wonderful time, I feel very blessed and fortunate to have such loving people around to love my children and be a support to Ben and I.

I look forward to another amazing year with my sweet boys.  

    

Balloons!

Jeremiah is all about sword fighting, we went to the Pecan St Festival and there was a man making balloon animals and such.  Jeremiah asked for a sword and the man made him a sword and saber.  This was the focus of most of his play for the next few days until the balloons became flat.  So I got inspired, I went to Youtube and found some videos on how to make balloon art.  It was pretty easy, I am not great but I am super cool in the eyes of my boys and they always have a soft balloon sword "For Narnia".

Eyebrows

Tonight while putting Jeremiah to bed he asked if I would cuddle him for a while.  Typically when we cuddle at bedtime he chats about whatever may be on his mind at the time.  Tonight he asked me why my eyebrows were big (ok, I thought I was keeping them well trimmed).  So I explained to him that God made me that way.  Then the conversation turned to what else God made.  It went a little something like this...

Me-God made the sky, the earth, the animals

J-the trees, fish and flowers

me-yeah

J-and stars, frogs, elephants

me-that is right 

J-(very excited) oh, and God made pizza

My boys, always thinking of food.

Practicing Pilates.

Jeremiah is totally into fitness.  Working out with Ben, doing yoga or pilates with me.  Today I was working out and he just really got into it...I on the other hand gave up.

Davis is walking!!!!

Wow, my baby will be a year at the end of the month and he is so motivated by his older brother that he does all he can to keep up.  The attempt to walk started about a month ago when he would take three steps here and there, fall and crawl.  It slowly graduated to 5 steps, 8 steps and now he walks, stops, looks like he will fall but regains his balance and walks again.  

Jeremiah didn't really go through this stage, on his first birthday he discovered he could walk and he was off no stopping him.  It is so neat to see how they differ in their development and personality.  I think this shows that Davis likes to "test the waters" and Jeremiah is a "dive in head first" kind of guy.  Either way I realize now it is all about to change and my work is about to increase now that Davis is walking tall. 

what's the harm?

While making dinner tonight the kids were playing in the kitchen.  Not anything out of the ordinary.  Not until Davis grabbed the container of cheerios out of my purse, dumped them onto the kitchen floor and grinned with joy.  Cheerio Heaven.  

Sippy Cups

I have been finding sippy cups in Jeremiah's toy kitchen.  I just assumed it was Jeremiah playing with them.  Tonight I found Davis stuffing his water cup and Jeremiah's milk cup in the kitchen and closing the doors.  Stinker!

Nap Time

Since returning back from CA we have gotten back into the swing of things and back onto a schedule.  Davis knows when it is nap time and has a new way of telling me.  The past few mornings he removes the pillows off of the couch and lays on them...letting me know it is time.  Too cute.

Three Little Steps

Davis is starting to walk.  This week he took three steps in a row and has done so several times.  This evening, after dinner, Jeremiah and Davis were playing chase.  They both crawl very fast around the living room.  I told Jeremiah that very soon they will be able to play chase running and not crawling.  Jeremiah looked at me, looked at Davis and said "I will be so excited, Davis is getting bigger."  I just love watching them two of the interact.

I look Stupid!!!

This morning Jeremiah dressed up in his pirate bandana, construction goggles, sword and shield (tupperware lid).  I told him he looked silly...he proclaimed "I don't look silly, I look stupid."  

Missing Imhotep

This past week we went on Vacation to CA.  I traveled with the boys...by myself...I will create a completely separate posting about that with pics.  Never the less, while we were gone Imhotep (EMO) or dog was being watched by an old co-worker of mine.  Unfortunately it rained and when it rains he digs in the mud.  He tracked in muddy prints throughout the downstairs with twigs and leafs.  But the sad part is that he got out on Monday night and has yet to be seen since.  He has a collar with number on it and most of the neighbors know him.  Anyway, today the boys and I are going on Imoquest...wish us luck.

Jesus Loves Me

I walked into Jeremiah's room tonight to hear him singing Jesus Loves Me.  This is how it went...

J-For the Bible tells me so

Me-Jesus loves me this I  know

J-No Mommy... Jesus no hit me this I know for the Bible tells me so, Daddy tickle me this I know for the Bible tells me so.  Yes the Bible loves me for Daddy tells me so.

The chase is on...

This video is a little old (about a month) but I am finally getting around to posting it. I have another one but I can't seem to get it to load properly. Enjoy...THE CHASE.

Bluebonnets

One of the prettiest aspects of living in Austin is the Bluebonnets that grow wild in the Spring. Local tradition involves forcing children to sit in them and take adorable pictures. This is as adorable as a forced photo session can get around our house.

Rolling with my Homies!

I don't really need to explain....I thought I had at least 13 more years.

Home furnishings - Opinions?

We are trying to make our living room a bit warmer.  The white walls are so blah but cost way too much to paint.  So we have done a couple changes and I need opinions.  We put some sconces with candles on the stairs, new curtains, cute photo frame near the kitchen and a very colorful painting in the dining room.  I like all of what we have done but am unsure about the painting above the couch.  Take a look and let me know.  

Dodging Davis

We allow Jeremiah to eat breakfast in the living room while watching cartoons in the morning.  Now that Davis is all over the place Jeremiah is always on the defense with his food.  This morning he got wise and found a place to watch his cartoons and eat in peace.

God made the Fish and Rocks!

We are currently fish sitting "the fish" for the Beards while they are in CA.  This morning we fed the fish and Jeremiah was patiently waiting for the fish to eat.  He began the normal string of why questions.  Why is there water?  Why is the fish in water? Why are there rocks in the water?  Then he said "God made the Fish and Rocks."  I was impressed, he proceeded to say "and God made me, God made Mommy, God made Daddy and God made Davis."  It was so sweet.

Waxing Philosophical

The other day Ben was lying on the couch and Jeremiah was climbing all over him, as he is prone to doing. He then jumped on Ben's stomach and Ben said "ouch." Jeremiah, in a very consoling voice, said "Don't worry Daddy, boo-boos can only get better." Ahh, blind optimism.

Blueberry Love!

Davis is teething so I decided to let him enjoy some frozen blueberries.  I remembered that it really helped Jeremiah, not to mention he LOVED them.  I guess I forgot the mess of the blueberry.  Here are pictures of the boys enjoying their frozen berries.  The top two are Jeremiah just before his first birthday followed by Davis at nine months...I still think Davis is much bigger.

9 Month Check Up

Davis had his nine month check up on Friday and all is well.  He is a happy, healthy baby with two teeth on the bottom (the second one popped in on Thursday night).  His percentages have gone down but that is to be expected considering how mobile he is now days.  He is 20.2lbs (50%) and 29 inches long (75%) close to Jeremiah at the same age, he was 19.4lbs and 28 inches long.  It is funny since I can't help but to think of Davis as being so much bigger than J was.  He is eating most everything we are willing to give him and Jeremiah is very gracious with his food.  They are so much fun to watch together, they are very interactive and seem to really love each other.

Bath Time Fun

It is so much fun to see the boys really becoming interested in each other. They play together now and laugh at each other all of the time, it is really sweet. So for grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends....here are the boys in the tub.

Hot Dog!!!

Last week I watched a Arias and Titus one afternoon. The kids were having a great time dancing in the kitchen so I grabbed my camera to capture the moment.

Smart Baby or Lab Rat

On Friday Davis and I took a journey to the University of Texas at Austin (UT) Department of Psychology Children's Research Laboratory.  We got a call earlier in the week asking if we were willing to participate in a study on how infants discriminate small numerosities (specifically two versus three).  I thought this would be fun so we volunteered.

The procedure was rather simple.  I held Davis on my lap while he watched images on a computer monitor.  I was asked to close my eyes because babies are very connected and sensitive to the feelings of their caregiver.  I was told that the images were safe, birds, trucks, etc. so I agreed.  We will be receiving a newsletter once the testing is all done and the final results are in.  It was a nice experience, the staff and students were great and they all loved Davis.  He got a gift upon departure and happily drooled all over it as we left.  They asked if we were willing to do any additional tests in the future and we said, well I said, yes.   

Nightmares

At 12:40am this morning, Ben went into Jeremiah's room because of blood-curdling screams. Jeremiah was having his first nightmare. The covers were torn from the bed and Jeremiah was sitting up in a cold sweat. When Ben asked what was wrong, Jeremiah whimpered "chench coast." Ben couldn't understand. 

Ben: What do you need?

Jeremiah: Chench Coast.

Ben: New clothes, do you need new clothes?

J: Chench Coast.

Ben: You have cold toes?

J: Chench Coast (screaming), no Chench Coast.

Ben: You need to blow your nose?

J: No, Chench Coast (whimpering), Chench Coast.

Ben: (long pause) Wait, french toast? Do you want french toast.

J: French Toast. Imho get my french toast.

That is our child's deepest subconscious fear. Not monsters or burglars or even giant snakes, but the dog eating his french toast.

Baby Dedication February 15, 2009

Today was the annual Baby Dedication at our Church.  There were 27 babies dedicated this morning.  Can you find Davis?  (Hint: bottom right) 

Naked Exercises!

I admit, I have sequence headbands, I don't wear them but they came in the package with the other headbands that I wear to keep my hair out of my eyes when I exercise.  This morning we opted to exercise at home instead of the gym.  I was getting myself together when Jeremiah ran into the bathroom to go potty.  That is when it happened, he stripped down naked and said he wanted to swim.  I told him he could pretend swim for five minutes.  I walked out of the bathroom to grab my shoes and clothes for Jeremiah.  That is when Jeremiah decided to meet me downstairs.  When I got downstairs there he was stark naked, sequence headbands, on the eliptical machine.  So I had to take a picture.