February Fun!

I have gotten so behind in posts!  Sometimes I feel like I go through a drought with nothing really to post about.  Doesn’t happen often though since I have the world’s cutest, funniest kids.  Haha.  The past couple weeks have definitely NOT been a drought.  I have posted often, and I still am going to do a “catch-up” post.  We have had abnormally warm weather so we have made the most of it playing in the backyard and even making a trip to the zoo!  Jordan LOVES the swing!  I think she would stay in it all day!

Cole has gotten baseball fever!  Granted we had to use a soccer ball, but he didn’t care.  We have since gotten a better ball and bat set to play with.

I had the cutest video of Cole hitting the ball and running the “bases” Murray had set up.  The best part was when he jumped on home plate and did a victory dance.  Here is where you use your imagination because somehow (to my extreme disappointment) I have deleted it from my camera and computer.

Attempting a big girl cup… right now we just enjoy chewing gumming it more than anything.

Resting up after all our fun play time.

The animals were really active at the zoo when we went.  I guess they were enjoying the cooler weather! 

Cole wasn’t quite sure what he thought about the baby polar bear… it was a little too noisy in his opinion.

My 3 monkeys checking out the monkeys…

The funny part about this is that Murray says “Roar,” and the lion did.  Even the king of beasts listens to my husband.  Me on the other hand… 

“Momma… Those giraffes are SO tall!!!”

Murray showed Cole the spiders and scorpions so then he had to show me and Baby Sissy. 

Cole helped Jordan ride the rhino for the first time too and showed her all the best spots.  (Murray was hiding on the other side- I wasn’t that bad of a mom…)

Daddy tickles the best!

Trying to enjoy some dessert… Murray thought it was funny.  I thought it was pretty typical.

Murray and I got to go out to celebrate his 29th birthday!  Thanks Jay & Lucille for taking such good care of our kiddos!

Superbowl Sunday and ready for the big game!  Especially since we got NEW boots from our best buddy Ethan!  He is so proud of them.

Random pictures but so cute!  Love them holding sweet hands…

And Murray is such a good daddy and husband.  Cole kept having bad nightmares the other night so Murray slept with him on the couch so he wouldn’t be scared and so I would actually get some sleep.  They were so cute all snuggled up the next morning that I couldn’t resist a picture.

Sorry for the crazy assortment, but I’m now caught up… until after this weekend with my family in Memphis. 

9 Months Old!

I really almost tear up writing the title to this post!  Some of you probably think I am crazy… it’s ok.  I think that with Cole I always rushed his growing up.  Not that he is all the way grown or that I haven’t cherished each step of the way, but each month was a new milestone, and he would start doing this next, and this next, etc.  Now looking back, I realize how short of a time they are babies.  Even though I LOVE where Cole is and that he can express himself so well, make me laugh like no other (except maybe his Daddy), and definitely has his own big personality, I miss those baby times.  So… I guess with Jordan, realizing she is 3/4 of the way to 1 year old, I just realize those baby times are fleeting!  Ok… enough emotional stuff about me and on to the good stuff- my sweet girl!

For the stats:

Length- 27 in (5%)

Weight- 16 lb (24%)

Head- 16 3/4 (10%)

As you can tell, she is our petite little girl!  Funny though because she definitely has the rolls despite her low percentages on the growth curve!

I feel like each month brings on more personality and more changes, but this past one has brought on several milestones!  She is pretty much sleeping through the night now (8-5 or 6 and back to sleep till 8).  Hallelujah!!!  We also had to lower her crib back down because she is getting more and more active.  She has gotten pretty good at pulling up into my lap and even turned around in her carseat one time (she wasn’t buckled in yet) and was standing in it looking over the back when I turned back around to her.  Needless to say, we didn’t want to hear a thud in the middle of the night.  Haha.

She has started eating a little table food here and there.  Mostly cheerios (SHE LOVES THEM!), these rice cake things, crackers, and pizza crust.  I have also tried bananas, but she isn’t much a fan of those yet.  She is doing better with her baby food too which I am so thankful for.  She is still pretty picky about what she likes and doesn’t like, but she will at least open her mouth for me now. 

One of the biggest and most exciting changes is that she is finally mobile!  Still working out some kinks, but she can get to whatever she wants!  And boy is she proud when she gets there!  Here she is crawling a little bit and demonstrating the “jump” for you.  Watch for that “I did it Momma!” smile at the end too!

Little bit more organized crawling.  So proud of our big girl!

This has begun a whole new chapter of messes, but it is just so nice to be able to set her in the floor again without her crying that I will pick up toy food and puzzles all day long and never say a word about it- until my next post. 

Close-up of her “busted” look.  Too cute!

I have already mentioned in other posts that she has become quite the flirt.  She goes automatically to the church nursery now so that she won’t distract everyone behind us with her “flirting.”  She has also started waving hi & bye-bye, and today she pulled the blanket up over her face to play peek-a-boo all by herself!  She will look at me, Murray, and Cole when asked “Where’s Momma? Daddy? Cole?”  She loves to look at touch and feel books or lift-the-flap books right now.  Her favorite activity by far is still watching other kids play- particularly her big brother.  She just smiles and squeals!

We have noticed lately too that she is going to be a little singer like her brother.  Anytime we are holding her and singing, she will start making noises right along with us.  I promise she is trying to sing too, and it is so sweet!  She loves bath time, and I really have to hang onto her tight before she gets in because, as soon as she hears that water start, she is wiggling and straining toward that tub!  Here are a couple pictures from a rare bubble bath- even more of a treat!  Cole kept putting the bubbles on her head, but she didn’t mind one bit.

As you can tell, we love this precious girl just a little bit.    Murray has obviously loved her from the beginning, but Jordan has definitely tightened him around her little finger the last couple months.  To say he is smitten is an understatement.  I love watching him melt when he gets home and she waves her arms and squeals for him and then snuggles into him once he picks her up.  All his stress is wiped away!  There is truth to the phrase “Daddy’s girl”… at least in our house!  Cole and Jordan have the sweetest relationship too.  Not to say that they don’t get frustrated with each other- especially now that she is into his toys- but overall they are great.  He loves to talk to her, kiss her, and make her smile.  She loves to play with him, touch him (sometimes a cause of frustration for our little touch me not- haha), and laugh at him.  And it goes without saying how my heart swells when I think about Jordan and Cole both.  I truly can’t even put my feelings into words except to say “Thank God for his precious blessings!” 

Truly Humbled

Yesterday on the way to church, Cole started talking to us about his fingers.  He was holding all of them up and pointing to the one closest to the middle said, “This is Jesus, and these are ALL the children.  Jesus Christ came to the world and loved all the children.”  We of course told him he was right and that Jesus loved him.  Then he said, “See my hands?  My hands are just like Jesus’ hands!”  Emotional mommy was starting to tear up at this point.  Around this time we pull into the parking lot.  Cole got really excited… I mean really excited and said, “We’re here!  Is Jesus going to be here?”  I told him that Jesus was always at church.  Then he said, “Can I see him?!?!”  uh…. Murray to the rescue, “Cole, Jesus lives in our hearts.  He lives in your heart so he is with you all the time.”  I truly wish you could have seen Cole’s face.  I thought he had been excited before when we pulled into the parking lot.  His eyes were big as saucers, his smile across his whole face!  You know I was crying by now.  Haha.

So… where was my mind on the way to church-  Did I forget anything, was I going to have enough milk for Jordan’s bottle, we can’t hit this light or we won’t make it on time?  Do I realize that my hands are like Jesus’ hands?  Do I follow through and act that way- serving others, healing others’ hurts, leading others to Heaven?  Am I ever so excited to pull into the parking lot?  Am I longing to see Jesus when I get to church?  Do I live with the daily joy and comfort that Jesus lives in me?

As if God wasn’t touching my heart enough through Cole, we had- for me- a service that led to a lot of self-examination and confession.  I thought I was safe once I left church, but we went to lunch with some of our good friends Brian and Nicole afterwards.  Audrey- their 6 year old- led the sweetest, most heartfelt prayer thanking God for the church building so that we could have a place to go worship him, serve people, and learn from His word, and this wasn’t just recited from memory or repeated from her parents’ prayer.  Granted her parents are wonderful and very intentional about teaching their children and helping them have a true relationship with God, but still… what 6 year old prays that way? 

It’s times like these that I truly understand the scriptures that say we need to become like little children if we want to enter Heaven.  I pray that God continues to work on my heart, thank him for lessons learned, and ask him to continue to bless Cole and Audrey with hearts so pure and in love with him.

I’ve Been Tagged

First Things First, The Rules:
You must post the rules.
Post eleven  facts about yourself on the blog post.
Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.
Tag eleven people and link them on your post.
Let them know you've tagged them!

Eleven FUN Facts:

1.  I drink a large McDonald’s coke (in a foam cup per request) almost every night. 

2.  I can’t watch scary movies (or scary tv shows) because I have VERY vivid nightmares.  Just not worth it!

3.  My favorite chapstick is Lip Smackers Strawberry Kiwi, and  I won’t wear anything else.

4.  I tell my husband things are wrong with my feet- even though they aren’t- just so he will mess with them.  He’s a podiatrist so it works.

5.  I really don’t like the toilet paper to pull from the bottom, but we have had it that way in our house for a while now because it is harder for Cole to undo the whole roll as quickly as if it pulls from the top.

6.  I LOVE to sleep… I think I could take a nap at any moment.  Maybe it has to do with 2 little ones 22 months apart, still getting up at night with Jordan, or maybe it’s just in my DNA to need sleep.

7.  I played 2 sports in college- volleyball & tennis.

8.  I’m a nurse turned stay-at-home mom.  Most people who know me now don’t even know I have ever been a nurse, but I did love my NICU babies at work!

9.  My favorite stress relief is running… my next favorite is chocolate.  Good thing my first one cancels out the effects of my second.

10.  I become “delirious” when I get really tired.  I will laugh at anything.  Murray loves these times.

11.  I love picking out cards.  Finding the perfect card for somebody makes my day.

 

Jacqueline’s Eleven Questions:

1.  Tea or coffee?  Which and why?  Iced or hot?       Neither to be completely honest… I do not like coffee or tea.  I will take a Coke (see above) any time though!

2.  What is your favorite age of children? {This isn't implying you don't like other ages, but what is the stage/age that you just relish and delight in}? Why?       This is so hard!  Each stage seems to get better and better.  I am loving the age Cole is right now (2 1/2) because of his ever-changing personality, desire for independence, brain that is soaking up SO much, and sense of humor.  I have to say too though that baby snuggles are one of my VERY favorite things!

3.  Do you prefer to text or to call?       Depends, but probably text mostly.  Hard to find the time to have an actual phone conversation with my 2 babies.  Plus besides Murray or grandparents… nobody really wants to hear all the racket in the background. 

4.  What do you consider your greatest personality trait?      Trustworthiness

5.  What's your favorite snack for TV watching?       Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream

6.  Would you rather read the book or watch the movie?       Read the book, but let’s be honest… not much time for book reading or movie watching these days.  Although redbox helps!

7.  If you could describe your college experience in one word, what would it be?       A blessing- met my amazing husband!

8.  When it comes to Valentine's Day, would you classify yourself as one with high expectations, or more it's-just-another-day beliefs? Explain.      I’m not really an over-the-top kinda girl when it comes to Valentine’s Day.  I do like to have a nice night out (around Valentine’s Day) with Murray, but I don’t need it to be anything extra special.  Although Murray proposed to me on Valentine’s Day, and that was pretty stinking awesome!

9.  If you could eliminate one part of your daily routine, and not completely rock your world, you would stop doing what?       Daily- dishes, Weekly- laundry

10.  If you could go back and tell your High School self one thing, what would it be?       Their clique is not a big deal… who cares what they think. 

11.  What is your favorite month of the year, and why?      July… I love the warm weather, being able to be outside, and playing at the lake doesn’t hurt either!

My Eleven Questions:

1.  What would your dream vacation be?

2.  If you had a whole day with no electronics… what would you do?

3.  What is your favorite meal… what you would ask for on your birthday?

4.  What makes you feel closest to God?

5.  What do you do to keep your feet warm at night?  (Mine are ALWAYS freezing!)

6.  Pepsi or Coke?  Why?

7.  Name one thing in nature that makes you happy every time you see it.

8.  What’s the most physically challenging thing you have ever done?

9.  What is the best gift you have ever received?

10.  What’s your idea of a great date?

11.  Warm or cold weather?  Why?

 

I TAG:

1. Amanda

2. Audra

3. Kacie

4. Kelsey

5. Adrienne

6. Lydia

7. Katie

8. Liz

9. Mallorie

10. Carla

11. Jennifer

Visiting Friends & Family

We had the last minute opportunity to travel to Huntingdon this past weekend.  We were excited it worked out because our brother and sister-in-law are due to have a sweet baby boy mid-February, and there was a diaper poker party for them.  Murray got to go to the party and hang out with the guys while me and the kiddos spent some quality time at Mimi’s with the girls & Easton.  I had to share a few quick clips of Cole in the car.  Both Cole & Jordan are wonderful travelers for as little as they are, but Cole was getting a little antsy towards the end of the ride.  Luckily our Veggie Tales CD saved the day and put him in a good mood.  Here he is singing in his best Veggie Tale voice…

Getting sillier…

Pretty delirious now… Luckily we were really close at this point. 

Another highlight to the weekend besides the party for Joseph & Harlon was that we were able to see our friends Walker, Liz, Davis, & soon to be here Baby Emmy.  They drove over, and we all went to a place called Little Monkeys that has every kind of bouncy imaginable.  Very fun!  They boys were so excited to see each other, and the adults enjoyed catching up some too!  Happy to see Mrs. Liz!

Ready… Set…

Go!!!

Cole parting the Red Sea!  The next time down, he made his Mimi take him.  I don’t blame him!  Those are some big boys!

We tried for a posed picture, but Davis started slipping down the side of the bouncy… this was our best shot.  Haha.  Poor guy!

We love & miss our sweet buddy!

Before we left, Murray taught the boys how to blow the air up their shirts… it was pretty comical!

My sweet girl!

Davis is going to be a really sweet big brother.  He just smiled and was so gentle with Jordan.

To top off a great weekend, we also celebrated Murray’s birthday a little early with all of his extended family!  The boys were more than happy to help open presents.

Getting spoiled by the great-grandmas.

Family shot!

Jordan was so funny with her Uncle Joseph all weekend!  She was the biggest flirt!  Anytime he would look her direction or try to talk to her, she would bury her face into whoever was holding her.  When he would start to walk away after a few minutes, she would lean towards him and make a noise to get his attention back on her.  We seriously may have our hands full with this one if she is already this good at flirting and not even a year old… poor Murray may have a stroke!

Finally giving up the “hard to get” game for some sugars!

As you can tell, we didn’t slow down much while we were there, but we definitely made the most of our time there.  Looking forward to our next trip back when we can meet Baby Harlon!!!