Monday, January 30, 2012

Proud Momma

Having a toddler who is two and a half has definitely been challenging! The tantrums and whining about put me over the edge almost daily.

That being said there are many things I love about the age 2. I love that Ryan is learning new words every day. He is like a little sponge right now and picks up on everything we say.

The other day Matt was sitting at the table talking about Joe Paterno and out of nowhere Ryan starts saying "Joe Paterno", clear as day. We were both amazed and so proud.

It's hard to believe that just last September, only 4 months ago, I was worried about his speech and worried he had some kind of delay.
He has amazed us over the past few weeks. For Christmas he got the cute little colored bugs that snap together. He loves playing with them.

We have been working a lot on colors for the last couple weeks and he has picked up on them like you wouldn't believe. Maybe all kids his age know their colors but we are impressed.

He LOVES to point out colors to us and 9 out of 10 times he is right. Matt and I are convinced we have a genius on our hands, ha, j/k. We are seriously impressed and so proud of him.

Today his report from school said he did an outstanding job with shapes and colors today.
This weekend we had fun laying around and running a few errands here and there.

Matt took Ryan upstairs yesterday after church and I told him to change Ryan out of his church clothes. After nap Ryan comes down in these mixed matched pajamas. Hilarious!!! I couldn't stop laughing. I'm pretty sure they are both size 18 month pi's.

Poor Matt has no fashion sense but we still love him.
Colton and I got to spend some sweet time this morning while Ryan was at MDO. The boy seriously gets cuter every day. He is so sweet and always so happy.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Seven Months

Colton - you are SEVEN months old!!!!

How in the world did that happen???

What have you been up to this month???

You are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes. You are now wearing size 3 diapers.

You are a great sleeper! You sleep through the night and go to bed around 7pm and wake between 7:30-8am. You take a morning nap anywhere between 30-60 minutes. You take a great afternoon nap around 3 hours. I am SO happy to have two good sleepers!

You LOVE your wubby. It always calms and soothes you. You now have a monkey and elephant wubby. We always have one on hand.

You are a great eater. You are working your way through stage one foods. You have had peas, green beans, carrots, applesauce, pears, sweet potatoes, and bananas. I think your favorite so far are carrots and bananas. You eat twice a day - in the morning and at night. I'm thinking we will start solids at lunch soon.

You LOVE your jumperoo! You jump so hard and just laugh the whole time.

You are doing so well in the nursery. You will usually take a nap and like to snuggle with the childcare care workers. I'm so happy you love the nursery workers and they love to shower you with love. They always brag about how good you are.

You roll from your belly to back all the time but haven't mastered rolling from back to belly yet. You love to stand up while holding on to my hands. You are sitting up more every day. You do great sitting up supported but we are working on you sitting unassisted.

You don't have any teeth yet and I don't think you have any signs of teething. Ryan had at least two teeth by this age. It's fun to see your differences.

Today I was playing with you on the floor and Ryan came over to lay down beside you. You looked over at him and just smiled so big. He started playing peek a boo with you and you just smiled and laughed so big. I love that you think your big brother is pretty amazing. You love to watch whatever he is doing. You adore him. Ryan loves to call you "Tolton Bear".

You are so easy going and so easy to take places. You do love attention too. You are so sweet and smiley all the time.

Before you were born I couldn't imagine loving someone as much as I love Ryan. When you were born God totally made room in my heart to love you just as much as your brother Ryan. You are such a precious and special gift from God! I cannot imagine our life without you. We love you so much!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Winter "Wet"land and Prayer Requests

It has been so rainy and gross around here lately. I am very glade it's actually above 35 degrees in January but the warmth brings the rain and I'm so over it. It's so weird that it's almost February and we haven't had a good snowfall. That kinda bums me out. I am glad I've gotten some good wear out of my new rain boots. I think there were about ten of us this morning with rain boots on.
We had a great morning at MOPS. I have four new girls in my group and I just love em. They are sweet girls and I'm so glad they came back after their first visit a couple weeks ago. I can't wait to get to know them better.

I have been wanting to make some snowman and snowflake cookies so I thought I would make some to take to mops. Even though it's not snowing outside, or anything close, I thought they were super cute.

I have a few prayer requests that have been heavy on my heart this week! One of my best friend, Katie, who lives in Florida, just had twin boys in late November. They were born at 34 weeks. One of her boys, Rooks, is at home and doing fantastic. Her other little boy, Joseph, is still in the NICU. He had a hole in his heart that was fixed last week with surgery but he has another issue with his heart (not exactly sure what it is) that will need another surgery down the road. He is in the NICU at a hospital about an hour away and they have a 2.5 year old little girl at home as well. They have lots of family helping out but I know it's a stressful time right now. I know they just want to bring their little boy home. Their prayer is that Joseph would be off oxygen, gain weight and continue to take bottles. He is also having an issue holding his breath so that needs to stop before they can bring him home.

I've mentioned before about my friend Lisa whose daughter Zoe was diagnosed last fall with a brain tumor. Zoe is now 9 months old. The tumor was non cancerous and she had surgery to remove 95% of it. The remaining 5% was attached to blood vessels and couldn't be removed without some damage being done. They had a follow up MRI done in December and the tumor is growing again. They are in the process of getting another MRI for further evaluation and will decide if they are going to start chemo or keep monitoring the tumor. Please keep baby Zoe and her family in your prayers. Lisa is always so calm and optimistic but I know she needs encouragement and prayer just like we all do.

Whenever I get stressed out with the kids I remember these sweet friends and feel bad for even complaining. My silly issues are nothing compared to the road they are on.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Girls Night Out

Last night we had a going away party for my sweet friend Leah. She and her family are moving to NWArkansas in about a week. Leah is one of the sweetest people I know. We are in the same small group, do MOPS together and in the same tuesday morning Bible study. She always has a smile on her face. She has the sweetest spirit and a true zest for life. I am going to miss seeing her smiling face!

Laura, Meredith and Emily
We met at Maggiano's, a great Italian restaurant. We enjoyed some amazing food and drinks. It's family style dining so we all had plenty to eat. It was so nice to get out of the house and hang out with the girls!

Tammy and Leah - we are in small group together!

Tammy, Lisa, Leah, Kristin, Elizabeth and Megan
Love these girls! We laughed SO hard and shared the best stories!

Leah and Laura
Laura is seriously one of the funniest people I know! She cracks me up!

This morning we went to the gym. I picked up CFA for lunch and brought it home. I got Ryan the grilled chicken nuggets in his kids meal. He ate them the first few times but lately he won't eat them. I'm so frustrated with his picky eating. Two weeks ago I felt like he was doing so good and this week has been horrible!
It's been a frustrating day and Ryan has pretty much spent the whole day in time out.
Praise the Lord tomorrow is a new day!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Weekend Wrap Up

This is pretty much how we spent most of the weekend! Lounging around the house in our pajamas. We missed church on Sunday because Ryan had a running nose and was sneezing quit a bit. I'm not sure if it was just allergies but we didn't want to infect any other kids. By late Sunday afternoon he seemed fine and no runny nose.

Saturday night we had some of our sweet neighbors over for pizza. We had a fun time and Ryan loved playing with their kids.

Colton is working his way from stage one foods. He has had peas, green beans, carrots, apples, bananas and today he had pears. He has loved all of it. I think his favorite so far has been bananas.

I planned to start sweet potatoes this week and had the ambitious idea to make my own. I had every intention of making Ryan's baby food but I never made any of it. It's honestly easier just to open a jar and go. I only have a small food processor so after I boiled the potatoes I pureed them in the processor.

It took some time and created a big mess but I hope Colton loves them.

Funny story: I made almost three ice trays worth of sweet potatoes. I started to feed Colton and he was not going for it. I realized quickly that I didn't puree them enough. So I went back and threw all the potatoes in the blender and added a lot more water. Got almost all of them pureed and I started smelling a burning smell. Uh oh! I quickly turned it off and now it won't turn back on.

Pretty sure I burned out the motor on the blender. Matt makes spinach and fruit smoothies about every other day and he's never had a problem. I try to make baby food and I break the blender. Oops! Looks like I will be getting a new blender for valentine's day! Ha!

I loved spending some one on one time with this little bundle of joy this morning while Ryan was a mother's day out. We laughed and giggled and played!

Friday, January 20, 2012

One Wild Week

It's been one wild week around here! Between taking Annabelle to get her teeth cleaned, HOA meeting, open house at Ryan's preschool, lunch play dates and small group tonight we have been super busy.
(Look at the wild hair on this boy!)
Ryan has been challenging this week. He tests my patience all day long and many times I just have to take a deep breath to not lose my cool. He is really a good boy but he can throw a tantrum with the best of them. Some days I feel like he lives in time out and I'm trying to understand his two year old ways. Thank the Lord for sweet friends who totally understand this whole parenting thing.

Last night at Ryan's preschool open house Colton suddenly started screaming his little head off. There was no exit and I was fumbling to get his bottle ready. My sweet friend Heather put her arm around me and whispered "I promise, it's louder to you than anyone else in the room". I can't begin to tell you what that meant to me and how it was exactly what I needed to hear in the moment.

Ryan and his friend Bret at CFA

I've noticed that at dinner Ryan says "mommy help" a lot. Colton is usually taking his late afternoon "cat nap" during dinner. I think Ryan is really just wanting and needing our attention at that time. Sometimes he will only eat his meal if I feed him with his fork. It can easily drive me nuts but as long as my picky eater will eat, I will do it. He has been eating so good the last week or so. He has eaten taco salad, spaghetti and roast. I am not above bribing him with a cookie to get him to eat his dinner.
There is a good chance we are going to get freezing rain and snow overnight. I'm looking forward to staying in this weekend, getting things done around the house and relaxing!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Mr. Independent

Mr. Independent is exactly who Ryan is right now. He wants to do EVERYTHING himself. I love that he has a servants heart and wants to help me feed the dogs, do laundry, sweep the floor and the list goes on. Sometimes however, his sweet servants heart doesn't understand he can't do it all. For instance, on Monday when we were getting ready to leave the gym, in true 2.5 year old fashion, he threw himself on the floor in a full out tantrum because he wanted to put his shoes on without mommy's help. Sometimes I think if we make it to three it will be a miracle!!!

It's funny how we can be just like a toddler in God's eyes. We think we can do it all and we don't need anyone's help. The reality is we NEED God. He is waiting in the wings patiently for us to call on Him. God wants us to trust Him and come to Him with not just the big things but the little things too.

I'm a pretty independent person. I have a hard time accepting help from other people. Motherhood definitely teaches you humility and how much you need and depend on other people whether that be your husband, your friends, you parents, the childcare worker at the gym/church, or the person who holds the door for you, with your hands full, and smiles saying saying "yup, I remember those days".

Yesterday I started a new Bible study at church and I'm SO excited about it. It's called MotherWise - Wisdom for Mothers. It's a study based on Proverbs 31 that teaches women how to be the wife and mother God created them to be. We will get to hear from some amazing mentor mom's and their journey in motherhood. I am so excited and can't wait to see what God teaches me over the next 10 weeks.

I've been looking at old pictures the last few days and I cannot believe how much Ryan has changed in the last 12 months. He almost looks like a different kid. He totally looks like a little boy and less like a baby now. He is growing up way too fast! I saw it all the time but two is a fun age but it is HARD!!!

I remember that one of my favorite ages with Ryan was 6-8 months old. He could sit up by himself and play but still couldn't go anywhere. Colton is just so sweet and such a good baby. He LOVES his jumperoo like his big brother and will play in there forever. He is almost sitting up by himself but usually prefers to be laying down on his back or belly.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Miscellaneous Monday


We had a very quiet weekend around here! Saturday Matt went to the gym early and I took Annabelle to the vet for a consultation on getting her teeth cleaned. She will be 7 in March and we've never had her teeth cleaned. They really need it but it's SO expensive!

Saturday afternoon I worked on Ryan's year two photo book. I finally got it done and just need to proofread it. Yay! Now I need to start on Colton's first year and Ryan's third year books. Yes, I'm doing two books until Colton turns 2. Since both of their birthdays are in June I do July-June!

I made pioneer woman lasagna for dinner Sunday night and it was SO yummy. Even Ryan enjoyed some.

This little boy loves looking in his mirror. He will lay there forever just staring at himself.

Today Matt has the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. day. Our idea of a vacation day is going to the gym early, getting our tail beat in crt, pick up chickfila for lunch, then head home to relax and clean a little. Sounds like a good day to me!

Friday, January 13, 2012

My boys

My boys in their matching camo outfits.
I've never been a huge fan of camo and I guess that's because neither my dad nor Matt hunt or fish but I do think these two look adorable! I showed Ryan this morning how he and Colton matched and he got so excited!

This sweet picture makes my heart smile!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Fun Stuff

Yesterday I picked up Chick-fil-A on our way home from the gym. I am SO excited about the new healthy kids meal now available at CFA. They have grilled chicken nuggets and applesauce.
At first Ryan was a little resistant to the grilled chicken but after some coaxing he took a bite and loved them. Ryan loves applesauce and eats it at least once a day. He put up a big battle of wills for at least 45 min BUT he finally ate it! Oh my! I love they are now offering this healthy choice! Way to go CFA! Like I needed another reason to love CFA, ha!

I got these super cute new rain boots this weekend! I got them at Charming Charlie's! I can't wait to wear them! I've never had rain boots! I needed something to wear when it rains and when it snow!
We might have our first snow day of the year tomorrow! They are calling for 1-2 inches of snow by morning. I'm hoping we can make it to the gym but if not we will have a fun pajama snow day! Regardless I'm looking forward to spending time with my boys!