Easter | Part 3

The most important part of Easter happened Easter morning.

After going over the reason for celebrating Easter with Addie (the resurrection of Jesus) and opening our Easter gifts at home, we got ready for the 11:00 service at church.

We chose to keep the kids with us rather than putting them in the nursery since we knew it would probably be packed in the preschool building. They did a great job in the service, although Bud thought he had some insights into the service and decided to share them with everyone around us. Brian got up and took him out to the lobby whee he continues talking to whoever would listen.

After the service was over, we headed to Brian's brother's home for a family dinner/ cookout with a lamb barbecued on a spit. Awesome!

After letting our dinner settle, it was time to enjoy the pool. Ian got in on the action for a bit with Daddy. I sat on the edge of the pool and held Ian for the most part.

We enjoyed our weekend very much and are now trying to catch up on some much needed rest.... "trying" being the key word here.

Easter | Part Two

Easter Part Two was our annual Easter egg hunt at my aunt Elsa and Uncle Johnny's home. Once again, my father had his camera handy and captured our special moments as only he can. Enjoy this Smilebox put together by my dad.

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Easter | Part One

Easter celebrations began for us on Saturday morning. Our church held it's annual Easter Party from 10-12:00. We arrived just before 11:30 since it was a come-when-you-want, do-what-you-want, leave-when-you-want type of event.... and Brian had a lot of errands to run that morning (which included picking up a new camera for me from his latest recycling trip... he wanted me to have better quality photos on the blog. Is he not the sweetest!) Today's photos are from my "old" camera since I didn't have enough time in the car to figure out my new one.

After registering, our first stop was in the fellowship hall for the preschool egg hunt. I'm sure the eggs were originally partially hidden but because we arrived towards the end, they were obvious to find. Ian "found" five and we told Addie to only find ten.

We were headed to the bouncy house when we saw the petting zoo area..... and you know Addie was all over that! (Look at my little guy! He is such a little version of his daddy, which obviously means he is one handsome little dude!)

Most children are happy just to pet the rabbits. Not my Addie! She asked to hold the rabbit, and the worker (who used to watch Addie when she was in the nursery) caught it and handed it to her.

We showed Ian the rabbits, too, and he was anxious to pet them. But, because he is the pulling-yanking-scratching stage, I let him pet my hand while I pet the rabbit. I was just picturing him getting a hold of the rabbit's ears......

Finally, we made it over to the bouncy house where Addie found one of her little friends from Sunday school and Awana. The two bounced around, held hands, and jumped all over the teen attendant. Of all the photos that I took of them, this was my favorite. It just looks like they are sharing some fun little secret that only four year olds can dream up.

We stayed at the bounce house until the crew came to take it down. Brian and I packed up the kiddos and headed off to Part Two of our Easter celebration.....

Easter

We have had a wonderfully busy weekend. My munchies are overly tired but very happy. And thank God we have a dentist appointment this week for Addie girl! After all of the candy she has had over the last two days..... well, I'm sure you get the idea.

More photos from the weekend to come over the next few days..... I wouldn't want to overwhelm you all at once.

So Much Fun

My sister, Faye, is on spring break this week, so we took yesterday off and spent the entire day with her.

We had so much fun with her...
...going to the playground
...going in the pool
...enjoying smoothies and peanut butter, chocolate, and cheesecake cake
...playing Kinect
...watching Addie play Kinectimals
...eating quiche
...and spending time with each other

Aunt Faye is Addie's best friend.

Ian looks at her and you can tell he's smitten.

School is back in session for us today..... until our next adventure.

Growing

He is such a big boy, my little Ian man is. He had his 6 month appointment on Monday, and he did an excellent job at topping the charts.

Weight: 18.5 pounds (75%)  Surprised me. I was expecting him to be heavier.

Length: 26 inches (90+%) When the doctor showed me the chart on her computer, his little dot wasn't even on the lines of the growth curves! That explains why we are moving into 9 month sized clothes when we just turned 6 months.

Head: 17.5 inches around (50%)

He received 1 oral vaccine and 3 shots. I thank God for my aunt Elsa. She held him while he was getting the shots and screaming his little heart out and then whisked him away right after to calm him down while I made our next appointment.

Yesterday was pretty rough. If he reacts to the vaccines, it is usually a few hours after he gets them. However, Monday night into Tuesday when I went to check on him, he had a fever of 100*. I knew his body was fighting back against he vaccines (which is their purpose to begin with), but I didn't want his fever to get any worse while we were sleeping, so I gave him some baby Tylenol (actually, the generic equivalent since the Tylenol brand is off of store shelves currently due to some issues at the storage facility.... our pharmasist explained it to me).

I could tell Ian was uncomforable for most of the day since my generally happy-go-lucky boy who only fusses when he is really hungry fussed quite a bit and was slightly feverish.

I guess I'll be going through his drawers this week to weed out another group of clothes that no longer fit.

And hopefully he feels better today because he is getting his first real haircut from someone who knows what she's doing..... our Aunty Katrina!

Pajama Night

This past Wednesday was Pajama Night at Awana.

Addie was all decked out in her pj's, I was not.

I was trying to convince her that it was okay to out in public in her pajamas just this once. She wouldn't buy it.

Not until I put on my pajamas.

Then it was the cool thing to do.

Only for the love of my daughter.

Kids

As we were driving to lunch on Sunday, Brian and I were talking about how quickly kids become friends. There are no inhibitions, walls, or gaurds put up. There was lots of hand holding, encouragement, and laughing. From the moment Chuck and Kathy arrived at our home, the four older kids became instant friends and were inseparable the entire time (Ian was just passed around among the four adults).

It was surreal at some moments  looking at the kids playing with each other and realizing that their mothers were teenagers together.

And somehow, those four kids all teamed up on my Brian and he ended up at the bottom of a stockpile.

It makes one wonder why adults can't get along as easily as kids can.

Weekend

We have just spent a most wonderful weekend with dear friends. I'll be back tomorrow!

Our World | A Photo Peek

I have definitely had some favorite photos from the past few weeks.Here they are in no particular order.

One of my favorites from Addie's birthday. Such a little lady!

Another favorite from her birthday. We let her pick out the color for her cake. Pink is our current favorite color.... with purple coming in at a close 2nd. Her cake was pink with brown polka dots and brown sugar bow.

This is my current "usual." Baby on my hip... and in my old jeans again! Oh, yeah! Doing the happy dance! Still have a little work to do, but I am happy!

On Saturday, Addie and I went to a local high school where our library was conducting a book fair. It was a Mommy/Daughter date. Daddy and Bud stayed home and had some guy time. There was a local author at the fair. She wrote a book when she was ten (she is now 14), and she was there reading her book to the children who came to her table to color a picture based on the story. We bought a copy of the book, had her sign it, and Addie got a picture with her.

 

Speaking of Bud, here he is! His legs are perfectly round.... and so are his arms, cheeks, tummy, feet, hands.... oh yes, he is deliciously plump! His hands even have those cute little dimples! He has somehow managed to wiggle his way out of the bumpers we have for him so he won't roll over while he is sleeping. I haven't slept well for a few nights now because of that. We usually find his bumper at one end of the crib and him, on his belly, at the other end. I can't wait until he learns to roll back onto his back.

"Mommy, can I hold Ian?" I am always hearing this question. I think she forgets that he is a real person and not a doll. Oh, but she loves him and lives to make him happy.

At the library book fair, we got to meet some firemen. Addie tried on part of the uniform. Last week, she had mentioned that when she grew up she wanted to be a "fireman lady." I will encourage her to be the best at whatever God wants her to be... and I'll keep praying that He chooses something that is a little safer.

 

This is the scene at dinner. Our table is full. Our hearts are full. And Ian is loving his oatmeal cereal and sweet potatoes.

They are always together. The one who cannot go anywhere and the one who can.... but chooses to stay nesr her little brother.

She enjoys playing near him, and he can't wait to get his hands on what she's playing with. Can't you just see the wheels turning?

When I see this picture, I think of the song "These Are A Few of My Favorite Things."  Dinosaurs and tea cups and cute baby brothers, Elmo pajamas and playing with others..... these are a few of her favorite things.

This Week.......

......bathing my little man became a challenge as he learned to lean forward to try to grab his toes. And because he is all delicious pudge, all I had to work with was a ball of wiggles and rolls.

.......award patches were passed out in Awana. However, because it was a spur of the moment thing and they wanted to be sure to give all of the kids some of their awards, Addie was given two of her workbook patches. It was also show your team spirit night. And being the Bucs supporters that we are, Addie wore her Bucs cheerleading outfit for the last time. You can get away with a 3T outfit as long as leggings are involved! 

......we had a new teacher at the library. I liked her. But my favorite part of the story time was how excited Addie was. She went and sat right in front of the teacher (all of the other kids stayed back), answered questions, and smiled at the teacher the whole time.

.....at the library, they had to make a little poster saying what they wanted to be when they grew up. Addie cut out pictures of a mommy and stuck them on her paper and then she started drawing. I asked her what she was making. "A boat!" she said. I reminded her that she was suppoed to draw or cut out pictures of what she wanted to be when she grew up. "I want to be a boat!" Later, she told Grandma that she wanted to ride in a boat. I'm still trying to figure out where the whole boat thing came from.

Then we went to McDonald's with Grandma for lunch and played on the equipment outside. There was a little girl who was only two and was a bit nervous about playing on the jungle gym. I told Addie to take the little girl with her. Addie began talking to her in baby-talk and the two of the disappeared in the tunnels.

A few minutes later, Addie came down the slide... alone. "Where's the little girl?" I asked. "Oh, I left her." Gulp! The little girl came down the slide a bit nervous, and we tried it again. I told Addie not to leave the little girl. A few minutes later, both little girls came down the slide. "Mommy, I didn't left her. She followed me!"

Brian stayed home on Tuesday. Ian woke up for his first feeding and Addie came into our room. Within a few minutes they were both snuggling with their Daddy and watching "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse." And that's what the best mornings are made of.

A Very Happy Day

There is a special relationship between siblings, especially when it is fostered by parents.  Faye and I have always been very close.  When we were little, Mom would always say, "Look at each other.  This is the only sister you have.  Always take care of each other."  Now as adults and married women, our relationship has grown even more.

On Thusday, Faye invited Addie and me over for lunch and some fun.  We arrived to some fun crafts for Addie to work on while Faye and I caught up and she prepared lunch.  Then we headed out to the community pool and park.  We had a blast!  Aunt Faye also bought ice cream for Addie which she talked about nonstop for the next two days.

Thanks for having us over Aunt Faye! We are looking forward to our next get together with you!

One of Those Weeks

These types of weeks are rare around here. 

The type of week where there is something- or multiple things- happening every single day.

The type of week where I have fallen asleep on the couch every single night.

The type of week when everything needs to go according to plan... and usually doesn't.

The type of week where I actually laid down with Addie for a nap- that never happens around here!

The type of week when you can sit back after it is all said and done and thank God for the blessings, joys, and adventures that it held.

The type of week that the most ridiculous and inopportune things happened........ 

For instance, on Tuesday night Brian had a softball game, and I had a VBS leaders meeting (my dear husband talked me into teaching one of the 3 year old classes) at the same exact time.  I called my cousin to ask her to watch Addie for me at the park that Brian was playing ball at.  Everything was all set up.  As we were preparing ourselves to leave, Addie had a horrible case of upset stomach and didn't make it to the potty on time.  About a half an hour before we needed to leave, we had to call Grandma and pops for emergency back up.  (Grandma and Pops, you are awesome!)

On Thursday, after spending a wonderful morning and afternoon with my sister Faye, Addie and I arrived home to a phone call from Brian that he was running late and he needed me to take all of his softball equipment to the park and meet him there.  A little while later, he called to say that he was making great time, woud be home to change into his uniform, but we needed to be ready to walk out the door.  No problem.  While I was having a great "catch up" conversation with my cousin Belinda, I got another phone call- Brian had a flat tire! He now needed me to leave the house ASAP and meet him at the Tire Kingdom where he was going to leave his work truck.  Even after all of that, we arrived at the ball field 45 minutes before game time.

And today is the type of day where Addie and I are going to hang out in our pajamas all day (Edit: it is 8:09 a.m. and Addie and I just got home from taking Brian to the Tire shop so he could pick up his van and head to work. Yep, we are in our pj's!), do the bare minimum in terms of chores and responsibilities, watch Sesame Street to her hearts content, and just wait for Daddy to come home to relax with us (at almost 6 months along, I really am feeling the need for rest).  Have a great weekend!

Our Memorial Day Weekend

Sigh.........

Just thinking back on such a great weekend.... good memories... great food..... time spent with family..... watching Addie connect with my mother's side of the family....

On Friday after Brian arrived home from work, we began the preparations for heading south- washing our vehicle, mowing the lawn, making sure all of our laundry was done, laying out all of the clothes, and planning the fastest way to get out of the house in the morning. (Isn't she cute helping Daddy wash the car?)

Saturday morning we were out of the house by 8:15 and on our way.  We were making great time until we came upon a horrific accident.  The interstate became a virtual parking lot as we watched a medivac fly in and whick the injured away.  When we reached the scene (an hour later but only a mile away from us), we saw a vehicle overturned and crushed.  All we could do was pray that the passengers survived.

About 2:15 we arrived to love and hugs and kisses from GrandTiti, Uncle Jack and Cousin Belinda.  Addie and Ian opened gifts (I opened Ian's gifts) and Addie's eyes practically popped out of her head when she saw the three story dollhouse that Uncle Jack and GrandTiti bought her. They also gave us Addie's new bedspread set complete with a big girl pillow, sham, bed sheets, dust ruffle, and curtains.

We celebrated Belinda's birthday and ate more food than I needed too. After a nice walk looking for ducks a chasing them, too (a yearly tradition), it was time to call it a night.... after Addie got her toe nails painted by Cousin Belinda.

On Sunday night we asked Addie, "What was your favorite part of today?  Was it.......

Making blueberry pancakes with GrandTiti?

Riding the Merry-Go-Round?

Going down the slide on the playground?

Eating ice cream?

Spending time with Uncle Sammy (my mom's brother) and Grandma (my mom's mother)?

Being in the pool?

Playing with the dolly house?

Eating pizza?

Her answer was "yes" to it all.

Monday morning after our favorite GrandTiti breakfast of bagels with cream cheese and apricot jelly, Addie began asking for Grandma Che-che.  Brian, Addie and Uncle Jack went to the pool again while GrandTiti and I went to pick Grandma up.  We spent some more time at the pool until it was time for lunch and to pack up the car. 

Addie is now old enough to feel the emotions of leaving loved ones behind after a long trip.  She stuck her little lip out and whimpered that she didn't want to leave GrandTiti, Uncle Jack, and Belinda.  She was a sad little person for at least the first three hours of our trip back home (when she wasn't napping).

I love our visits with family.  The conversations that happen.  The way you can speak without being corrected, criticized, or ridiculed.  The way Addie can be a three year old without being questioned on why she is doing or saying something.  The way we can be totally free with each other without having to keep our gaurd up to protect ourselves.

Thank you, GrandTiti, Uncle Jack, and Belinda for you generosity and love.  We love you, too.