Cereal and Pajamas

We finally started Colton on rice cereal tonight. I started Ryan at four months but have been waiting with Colton for some reason. I was going to start him on cereal a couple weeks ago but he wasn't taking to it well and with traveling over Thanksgiving I thought it best to wait til things calmed down.

At first Colton wasn't too sure about this cereal thing but after a few bits he was wanting more. It took Ryan a long time to figure out the whole spoon feeding thing. He did the tongue thrust for a long time. I remember thinking he was never going to get it but of course he caught on.

Colton did well for his first feeding. Of course most ended up on his bib but he did get some down. And he took an 8 oz bottle after that.

Ryan was curious about Colton's rice cereal. Maybe one day Ryan can feed him but I think that will be awhile, ha!

Ryan was sporting his brand new pajamas tonight. They are called escapee-jays!!! Last week when we were in Memphis Ryan slept in the pack n play. On saturday when Matt went to get him from his nap he found him completely naked, including his DIRTY diaper!!! My worst nightmare come true!!! There was poop on everything! Ugh!!!! Matt was so helpful and cleaned up the pack n play while I got Ryan in the bath and cleaned up.

I had heard about these pajamas called escapee-jays. They are "escape free" pajamas that zip up the back. I honestly think he's taking his clothes off because he has figured out he can take them off and it's something new! I'm praying these new pj's do the trick. Nonetheless he looks super cute in them!

Thanksgiving 2011

Alright, so I know this post is way over due! We just got home last night from Memphis where we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. I was so glad we got to spend six days with my family. The boys got TONS of love from their sweet grandparents.

We always stay with my parents and it's like an invasion of the Deepe's, ha! Of course we travel with Annabelle and Gracie and now with two kiddos in tow it's a little crazy! We kind of just take over when we get there.

This was my mom's rocking chair and then mine and my brothers when we were kids. I was so excited to see Ryan and Colton sitting in it.

My 92 year old Granny holding Colton. It was her first time to meet Colton and she couldn't wait to hold him. I was so glad she got to hold him and feed him his bottles.

Thursday morning Matt and I got up early (well we got up early every day since Colton was still on Cincy time and woke around 6am). We got up early so we could run the Turkey Trot. It's a four mile race and lots of hills. Needless to say it's a tough run. I'm happy to say I ran most of it and I beat my time from last year. I finished 3 minutes better than last year. Woohoo!

We always have Thanksgiving lunch at my parents house with my aunt, uncle and cousins. We had all the fixins including turkey and dressing, PW mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, sweet potato casserole and rolls. I totally forgot to take a picture. It was so yummy and we were all stuffed after lunch. It was a great day of great food and sweet fellowship with family.

My parents were so generous to watch the boys some last week so Matt and I could go to the gym and go on some date nights. We enjoyed some VERY yummy Memphis BBQ. I never noticed before but Memphis has SO many restaurants and places to eat. We enjoyed some great eats but now it's back to eating better and working out.

Ryan had SO much fun with his grandparents. He loved crawling up in my dad's lap and watching mickey mouse. So sweet. And he loved wrestling with my brother Matt.

They also got in some sweet Colton time. My mom loved holding and feeding him. He is such a good baby! Both boys did awesome on the drive down. The drive home yesterday was a little tougher. I think both boys were exhausted as were Matt and I.

Colton's schedule was so out of whack while we were in Memphis. He would wake up about 6am every day. When we are home he sleeps til 7:15/7:30 so 6am came waaay too early. Today we chilled at home and I did tons of laundry and dug out some Christmas decorations. I feel so behind since we don't have much Christmas stuff up. Planning on getting the Christmas tree up this weekend.

Today Colton fell right back into his schedule with such ease. I was worried that it would take a few days for him to adjust but he surprised me and napped and ate so well.

It was an awesome week with family and I can't wait to see them again in a few weeks for Christmas. How is it Christmas already??? I've got all the boys gifts done and just have a couple more people to mark off my list. Cannot believe Christmas is really here!

Thanksgiving Blessings

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

Psalm 107:1

Good Weekend

We had a great weekend! Saturday I went to the Cincy Holiday Market while Matt stayed home with the boys and actually made beef stew. Matt never cooks so it was nice to come home to dinner on the stove. I love going to the holiday market. Such fun boutiques and shopping and glad I got some gifts marked off my list.

Did you watch the Tennessee v. Vanderbilt game on Saturday night? We were definitely watching and boy was it a good game. I am a huge TN fan and Matt graduated from Vandy so we were a house divided, ha! I was pulling for TN and Matt of course was pulling for Vandy. Vandy is pretty good this year and put up quit a fight but TN pulled out a win!

Sunday morning we went to church then right after we took Ryan to get his haircut. His hair is definitely growing faster now. He did really well and getting better every time we go. We take him to one a kids haircut place where he gets to sit in a race car and watch mickey mouse. They even spiked his hair. How cute is he? He looks so grown up to me here.

We came home and Colton went down right away for his nap. He was only asleep for about an hour when he woke up crying. I went in to get him to calm down and go back to sleep but he was WIDE awake. I knew he wasn't going back to sleep any time soon. I had to run some errands so I told Matt I would take him with me. He's super easy to take shopping and he usually falls asleep in the car any way. He did great and fell asleep on our way home.

We are so excited about Thanksgiving week! I think this might be one of my favorite weeks of the year. I love getting together with family, enjoying some Thanksgiving goodies and watching some good football.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Today I went to the gym to be tortured...I mean do my cardio workout class! After class we met my friend Jennifer and her son Bret at our favorite place, Chick-fil-A of course. Seriously, we are there at least once or twice a week. The food is fabulous and the service is unbeatable. The employees know me and the boys since they see us all the time.

I was getting a refill when we were there the other day and the manager asked me how the boys were. He sees us all the time and is always so helpful when my hands are full with two little guys. I don't think we could live somewhere that didn't have a CFA. I know, I'm obsessed!

Bret and Ryan had so much fun in the playground and LOVED their ice cream cones. Ryan was so funny. He promptly finished all six nuggets in his kids meal and asked for some ice cream!

I've been thinking about doing an advent Christmas calendar with Ryan this year but don't really know what to do! I need some fun ideas! Do you do an advent calendar with your kids? And if so what kinds of things do you do with it?

So Big

This morning we went over to our friend Anissa's house to play with Elizabeth and Quinn. Ryan had a blast playing with Elizabeth and all her toys! They are so funny! I was getting Colton ready to go and Anissa was feeding Quinn when these two little trouble makers snuck upstairs and climbed in Elizabeth's bed. They were giggling and so cute. Ryan saw the cd player on the dresser and said "music, music" signally me to turn the music on so he could nap. Hilarious!!! We were laughing so hard!

These two are getting so big I can hardly believe it!

This afternoon we were watching Ryan's new favorite show Bubble Guppies and both boys wanted to sit in my lap. Sweet Ryan always wants to sit in my lap when I sit on the floor. And Colton is usually playing on the floor or in his jumper. And of course Annabelle and Gracie usually come over and want some love and attention as well. It's tough keeping everyone happy!!!

Rainy Day

Today we met Ryan's best friend Will at Chick-fil-A for lunch. It was kinda wild! Ryan didn't really want to eat and Will was a hyper. The boys finished eating (at least all they were gonna eat) and sent them into the playground area. Yup, we were those parents who send their kids in there by themselves. Ha! They were fine and we could see them in the window.

Ryan eating cake the other night after he ate his whole dinner. He is a picky eater but he loves cake and cookies.

Annabelle loves to play tug of war with her bobo. Ryan was playing with her today and throwing it for her. In the picture Annabelle is tugging on her bobo and Ryan kept saying "stuck, stuck"! Hilarious!

Girls Night Out

(I know this pic is super fuzzy but I thought it was so cute of all the girls)

Friday night I went out with some mops ladies for a girls night out. We went to Brio for dinner first. It was so yummy and great to catch up with everyone and chat with any interruptions from the kids.

Laura, Leah, Heather and Colleen. After dinner we went bowling. It had been a LONG time since any of us had bowled so it was a fun activity to do as a group. We laughed so hard my sides hurt. We had such a wonderful time. We all can't wait for the next girls night out.

I can't tell you how thankful I am to have girlfriends who understand what it's like to be a mom and wife. I know my girlfriends are there for me for support and encouragement.

Kristin, Lisa and Jayne.

Ryan had school this morning and on his daily report his teacher said he is talking so much more. I'm so happy to hear that!

His teacher also mentioned that he had been yawning big in the last hour or so. Colton was up crying from 4-5am last night and it woke Ryan up. I was watching them both on the monitor and Colton was crying and Ryan was talking. I think Ryan was trying to tell him to go back to sleep, haha! When we got home today Ryan was eager to go upstairs for naptime. He was out within minutes.

Thirty-Two

Today is my birthday and I'm turning 32 today! So hard to believe that I'm really 32 and the wife to a wonderful guy and the mother of two boys !

My day started great! Colton woke up a little after 7am and Matt got up to feed him. I got up soon around 7:30 to jump in the shower and get ready for church. I was happy that we all got ready on time, took pictures before leaving the house and actually made it to church on time. That's a birthday miracle!!!

After church we went to a restaurant called Parkers. They have a Sunday brunch and I've been wanting to try it so some time. I absolutely LOVE going out for breakfast but of course with two little ones we never get to go. Colton did great and slept almost the entire time we were there and Ryan was on his very best behavior. We have not gone out to eat with Ryan in months. The only place we really go eat with kids is Chick-fil-A. I was so relieved and glad that Ryan did great.

Tonight I made chicken parmesan which is my absolute favorite. It's been a long time since I made it. It was very yummy. Matt got me a gorgeous cake from Busken. Ryan and Matt sang to me and Ryan helped me blow out the candles. Ryan only ate his peaches at dinner so we didn't let him to have any cake. He was so upset and it just broke my heart! I hated it for him but I know it was the right decision.

Friday Favorites

My three favorite boys!!! How cute are they??? Matt is off today in honor of veteran's day. I am so happy he is home to help out with the boys and also so we can hang out together.

This morning we did a class at the gym called No Limits Cardio. It is a crazy and an insane workout. It's like a biggest loser last chance workout. Matt loves the class and wishes he could go every week.

Matt is so wore out that he is upstairs taking a nap right now, haha! I told him I do this class every Friday plus workout every day of the week and I never take naps in the afternoons. I do need to brag on him a little here. This morning he took my car in to get the oil changed but before he left he brought up Colton's bottle so I wouldn't have to go downstairs! And since I was driving his car I have to move the car out of the garage to put Ryan in, well, he had already moved it for me before he left. Isn't he a gem?? It's the little thoughtful things that matter so much.

Here are some soccer balls I made for a friend today! So fun!

Happy Boys

This little guy is such a sweet and happy baby! He smiles all the time and loves to play patty cake now. I think he has finally adjusted to the time change. He got up early this morning but hoping it was just a fluke and he will get back to sleeping til 7:30-8.

We had MOPS this morning and it was so great. It was nice to get dressed and put make up on, hear a great word for our mentor mom and spend some sweet time with friends!

Today was a good day and I enjoyed the boys so much! Ryan is talking so much and I love that he can carry on a conversation with me now. His language has really exploded. Colton is completely enthralled with Ryan and will just stare at him and watches everything he does. I can't wait for them to start interacting together.

I've enjoyed doing crafts with Ryan this week. The other night he was coloring while I was making dinner. I walked over to the table and was shocked to find Annabelle and Gracie were EATING THE CRAYONS that had fallen on the floor! Ugh...Seriously?!? I couldn't believe they were eating them! They ate at least four crayons!!! Thankfully I found online that crayons are not harmful to dogs, just makes for a colorful mess. Some days I feel like the dogs are more work than the kids!!!