Baby Fight Club

Luke's face always looks terrible!  He's a super active boy that seems to always be getting hurt.  Sometimes other people's fault, but often just his own.  Looks like he seriously goes to a baby fight club.

Last week he got a black eye.  The pictures didn't turn out well, but his face was so funny!  He had a busted lip, a black eye, 2 big scratches, a massive goose egg, and then just 3 regular greenish/purplish bruises.

Gotta love crazy little boys!!!!

Too Much TV

Look how his places is set.  Yes, he does this all by himself.  He puts everything in it's right spot and is crazy OCD about it. If I only put a fork on the table, he goes and gets the rest of the stuff.  He also has not been a fan of the paper goods we have been sporting lately during survival mode. "The fork goes, here, the knife goes here, the cup, napkin...etc"  I asked him how he knew all that.  "I learned it from TV."  Is that a proud mom moment?  When we are in survival mode and the amount of tv he has watched in the last 5 weeks is enough to make me sick, I have to think, "Well, at least he learned something."

I Guess They Do Catch Something

Playing with blocks, Isabelle said, "Look what I made!"  I had her tell me about it.  "It's the Jaredites crossing the sea to the promised land.  The blue is the water, and the triangles are the boats." She then proceeded to tell me the story and that it was one of her favorites.  So often, I feel like what we try to teach our kids is going in one ear and out the other.  Sometimes I wonder why we even try?! Then they surprise you with stuff like that.

Isabelle does love scriptures in general.  We were having issues with going to bed.  I put scriptures on my laptop in the hall outside the kids' bedrooms when they make it to bed on time. Isabelle loves it.  She often will cry if she's gone to bed too late and I won't let her listen to scriptures.

We also have some animated scriptures recorded on our tv.  One Saturday morning, Michael came to our room, "I HATE Jesus!"  Mike and I looked at each other, What?!  "Sister only ever wants to watch Jesus movies!  I don't always want to watch Jesus! I want to watch Cars!"  It is often what she chooses any day of the week if she gets reign of the remote.

I love seeing her love the Scriptures.

Happy Birthday "Woot!"

Luke turned 2 last week. This little boy makes me so happy.  His vocabulary has gone CRAZY the last 6ish weeks.  He barely spoke words, just yelled sounds or was quiet.  Now, he will say anything.  He just points to things and says what it is, words, words, words, all day now.  He says his name "Woot."  We asked him who's birthday is it, "ME!" and how old are you, "TWO!" Holding up his first finger and thumb.  A few things I don't love, "MINE!"  Yes, it is always yelled. and "NO, WOOT DO IT!"  Also always yelled. But he's still cute.

We started with breakfast balloons, book, and candle. He was so cute when he saw his balloons on his chair for breakfast.



I didn't actually shop for his birthday book this year, obviously.  He doesn't really like stories.  He likes photograph books.  He's going to be my non-fiction kid.  I tried to read this book to him lots of times throughout the day and he got all excited, "George!" but one sentence in and he was off my lap for a different book he liked, with real pictures, none of this illustrated, story business.  He did sit and look at the pictures a few times, just wouldn't let me read it to him. My big kids, however, love his new book.

Then we had our normal school, preschool, chaotic day.  Mike came home from work and then we had some of his favorite foods for dinner, chicken, stuffing, peas and grapes. Then present time!  He got a small basketball.  This kid went NUTS!  He was jumping and yelling, "BALL! BALL! BALL!"  If anyone got close to it, he yelled and got very protective. He also got a big car ramp, a couple of cars, and some more GeoTrax pieces from our Craigslist buy from a few years ago.  We've almost given the boys the whole lot.  He was a happy happy boy.  They've all been great presents!




He wanted a basketball cake.  Not my finest cake by any means.  I was rushed.  (Isabelle had a school project. I'm going to have to figure out how to do beginning of the school year stuff and Luke's birthday because I have a feeling I will be doing lots of "All about me" projects on Luke's birthday.)



Luke is such a fun little boy to have around.  He likes to sing.  Anytime he sees a picture of Jesus, he sings, "ahhhhh BEAM...." and sings Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam.  He likes Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and the ABC's, but he sings along to lots of the music in the car.

This last month he has learned lots of new tricks, talking, climbing out of his crib and he opens doors and the fridge.  I put a fridge lock on because every time I turned around he had cheeks full of grapes (and the awesome diapers that go along with it).  He's very interested in the toilet, and asks to sit on it alot.  I'm not super encouraging on this note these days. The first day he could open doors, he came out of his room a few minutes after I put him down for a nap, dragging his blanket, "I no night night."  It was cute, but didn't get him out of his nap. :)

He makes the funniest faces.  He has a very expressive face.  Funny this coming from the baby that only had 2 faces for MONTHS.  Every Sunday whoever sits behind us in church makes a comment on his expressive face.

He has the teenager whine down already.  He protests with the high-low-high, "MAAA-AAAAAAA-MMMMMYYYYY.

He loves to play in the truck.  Anytime he gets unbuckled he runs around.  He's very tricky to catch and then has to be literally dragged out every. single. time. Close the door and then it's a tantrum all the way into the house.  He's a mess every time we come home from something.

He asks to "rock rock" all day.  He loves to sit with me in the rocking chair.  I love to have him sit with me in the rocking chair.  However, with my disappearing lap, he's getting so frustrated he can't get comfy, which makes him ask more often, like it won't be there next time he asks.

He loves milk, which comes out, "Noke." He loves to brush his teeth.  He loves to dance. He loves basketball.

One of the funniest stories about Luke that I never wrote down anywhere.  We were at some friends house for the 4th of July (apparently never blogged it!). There was a little girl a few months younger than him.  They played so cute together playing Legos, Luke so cutely touched her back.  The dad of this little girl, jokingly said, "Hey Luke!  Keep your hands off my daughter."  Luke looked at his Dad and pointed his finger and started shaking it, yelling toddler gibberish at this dad.  It looked like he was saying, "Look here, you!  I'll touch your daughter if I wanted to touch your daughter."  He completely told this Dad off.  It was hilarious!

Oh, I love this little boy!

"It's Just What Boys Do"

A few weeks ago, Michael was being excruciatingly loud.  We kept discussing the volume level for inside and he was welcome to go outside with that voice....blah blah blah.  After what felt like the 100th time, he looked at Mike and said, "It's just what boys do!  We're loud."  Not sure where this came from, but he has said it about quite a few things lately.

He pulled Isabelle's hair, "That's not nice."  "It's just what boys do!"

He was jumping on my couch, "Where is it ok to jump?"  "It's just what boys do!"

Bathroom talk at the dinner table, chasing, belching, making a mess in the bathroom, throwing toys, hitting, being a pesky little/older brother...the list goes on, "It's just what boys do!" Is his automatic response when he looks at me, like it will get him out of trouble or something.

It always makes me giggle inside, because so many of them really are just things that boys do.  However, I'm not about to admit this to him.  So instead, I just keep my chuckles to myself and attempt to raise this boy. Needless to say, some days are more successful than others.

A few other funnies from him lately...

I put door knob covers on the doors for Luke and he came to me, "MOM!  I don't like all those traps you put out!"

Anytime he's feeling tired, he says, "I need more energy!"  He guzzles some water and comes back, "OK!  I've gotten more energy!  Water gives you energy!"

Clothes...He loves to wear his one cars shirt.  It's long sleeves.  It's summer.  We live in Florida.  He doesn't seem to care one bit.  If it's not his cars shirt, it has to be a t-shirt, preferably one with a pocket or a picture.

Never a dull moment with this boy around!

Rescued by the Mother In Law

I have been taking almost no pictures lately!!!!  The only picture I have of her here with the kids was the snickerdoodle one!  SO bummed!  It doesn't mean we didn't appreciate her or love having her here!  Thank goodness for help!!!!! When I started having problems, Mike's parents already had the Daytona trip planned.  I called to see if Mike's mom could stick around another week after the reunion to help me. I knew we would be coming home from vacation, Mike would be out of town, it was the first week of school for the kiddos and I still can't do anything.  I knew I was going to need some extra help 24/7. She changed her flight home and boy am I glad!!!!! Sure enough, I wouldn't have made it without her help!!!! This is Mike's busy season.  He flew out the morning I started having really bad contractions (29/30 weeks) and other than weekends, has been gone since. This week makes 4 of the last 5 weeks he's been gone, and I've been on modified bed rest the entire time.  Can I tell you how awesome that combination is?! (I'm 100% aware of the fact it could be way worse and plenty of women have survived far worse, it doesn't mean it hasn't been an adventure. An adventure that just has to be added to this entire Florida life adventure we seem to be on.)

Last week was wonderful!  We got to eat on real dishes, no paper anything!  Mike's mom made delicious meals for us, my house was picked up the way a mom would pick up at the end of the day.  I had someone chase the toddler and fight the toddler when he didn't feel like walking to his room to go to bed (yeah, how often does that happen?).  She was able to get kids in and out of the car for school pickup and drop offs.  She was here to push the grocery cart, and just do everything I can't right now!  She was also here for babysitting, dr appointments, school orientations, and so many other things that were going on that week. Although I'm not super pleasant when I'm pregnant, and even less pleasant when Mike is gone, I'm sure she'd have rather gone home to recover from vacation herself.  But instead she put up with a grouchy pregnant lady, her unruly children, and worked like crazy.  I'm so grateful for her help!   We are at the final stretch.  35 weeks.

Perfect Part 1

For Mike's family reunion this year we did Daytona Beach. We stayed right on the beach and the place we stayed had a bunch of different pools.  It was a perfect week.  We spent our mornings sleeping in (kid permitting), then hit the beach until we ran out of snacks.  Headed to our condos for lunch, then Luke and I took naps while everyone else hit the pools.  We made it down after he woke up and we all swam until we were too hungry to play anymore.  Dinner and then evening fun.  The little girl cousins wanted sleepovers every night.  After kids were in bed we visited and played games.  It was so much fun and relaxing.

Mike's family was fantastic for me.  I was nervous going that I would end up doing too much and going backwards baby wise.  But from the second I walked in the door I was told to sit, and not move.  People fed my kids, brought me food, refilled my water, and wouldn't let me carry anything down to the beach or pool.  Packing and getting ready to go was more than I should have done. By time we got there Sunday night and then Monday, I definitely had overdone it.  But after just a day or two, thanks to the family, I was in good shape again. I did miss out on quite a few events and therefore didn't get very many pictures.  Once I have them all, I'll do a picture post.

Both of Mike's sisters have had babies this year, little Cassidy is 4 months old, and Joshua is only 2 months.  The babies were so fought over. My kids are so excited for a baby around here!

Luke was wherever Joshua was.


One afternoon after beach and pool, getting some much needed downtime.


Michael busted his chin open Wednesday night on the stairs at the pool.  Just a few days later, Sarah busted her chin in the exact same spot but in the pool itself.  Another trip to the er.  The dr. she had did dermabond and steristrips instead of stitches.


My kids playing "puppy."  Isabelle is the human and the boys are her puppies, she puts them in places and locks them up and brings them treats while they bark.


Waiting for Mike and Grandpas planes to leave, we hit up miniature golf.  Well, they did, I sat. :)




Tons of other fun pictures and stories to come....this is all i had on my camera!  I'm so grateful to be a part of such a wonderful family.  I always have so much fun with them!  Wish we lived closer.

Sad Day Part 2

(This was written last week.) Today was a rough day for this mommy that loves having her little kiddos home.  Not only did Luke move out of the crib today, but kids started school. My kids are getting big.  While I know this is good and exciting, it's still hard to grasp that my kids are growing up.

Isabelle started Kindergarten.  It's all day here.  I'm devastated my right hand woman is gone ALL DAY! I'm not sure how I'm going to survive this "modified" bed rest with her gone. She is ridiculously excited about her Barbie backpack and only let me take one picture without it.  She loved her first day but was exhausted. She got in the car bubbling with excitement and then seconds later burst into tears over a locked seat belt.  She cried pretty much the rest of the day over the funniest things.  Definitely a long day for a little girl.  She'll get used to it in a few weeks or so, until then I'm prepared for lots of tired tears and early bedtimes.  She insisted on dressing herself and fixing her own hair.  This outfit was infinitely better than her choice for day 2.  Haha.  I didn't have time to walk her in because of Michael's start time. I pointed to the door and off she went.  She was so brave.



Michael started preschool.  I wasn't going to put him in this year, but since I haven't been able to go to the gym, he is really needing something.  He has been going to the gym 3-5 times a week since he was 6 months old and is definitely used to getting out.  He has had a very rough month with me on bed rest. So I took the plunge.  He wanted to pose by this tree and insisted in front of the green box.  He was funny.  I had an orientation for his school after his school started, so I had to park and walk in.  I offered to walk him in.  "No mom, you drop me off by the playground!"  He knows the daily drill from Isabelle's preschool last year and didn't bat an eye.  Off he ran! He loves his teacher and played with "new girl friends and boy friends."


We came home from our first day of school and made snickerdoodles to celebrate starting school.  SO grateful Mike's mom is here to help out while Mike is out of town again.  Today (and the whole week) would not have gone well with my limited solo self.   Michael woke up from a really loud thunderstorm and was up from 4-5:30ish am, so when it was time to actually get up, he was a beast!  I was supposed to take both kids and drop them off, but he was screaming, naked, and unfed when I had to leave for Isabelle.  So I took Isabelle, and came back for Michael, who was fed, dressed, and somewhat happier when I came back.


Happy school days start for me!  Here's the beginning of the next chapter of my life for the next 20 years.  I'm not looking forward to parent pick up line, fewer kids at home, or making lunches daily, but I'm sure I'll find parts I love.  So far I love the excitement on my kids faces at the end of their days.

Sad Day Part 1

Alright, I have quite the backlog to blog here.  The last couple of weeks have been busy. The same day Isabelle and Michael started school (Sad Day Part 2 coming), Luke decided he was done with his crib.  I haven't been able to lift him in quite a few weeks and consequently helped teach him how to climb in and out of his crib.  In general he gets stuck in the corners and cries in his sleep and is just getting too big for it.  He loves to lay in Isabelle, Michael, or our beds anytime we tell him it's bed time.  Tonight, I said bed time, and he ran for Isabelle's bed not wanting the crib.  I took the side off and he stayed in, didn't move and LOVED it!  This is one milestone that always makes me sad even when I need it to happen. Getting him all the way out is next week. The good news....it's always been because it needed to be emptied out for another baby. :)  So grown up!

It's Time

The time has come, I'm making my blog private.  The purpose behind my blog is my family journal of sorts and I have found myself editing more than I want for an "unknown" audience and it's not quite what I would blog for me. I'm happy to still share with people I actually know.  If you would like to keep up with us, please leave me a comment with your email address or email me at juliemae11@gmail.com and I'll add you to the list.  Thanks!