Growing Babies-34 mos and 9 mos

It didn't seem like I ever thought about time/months/years before Hayes was born. Now life seems like it is rushing by at lightning speed. Maybe it's because we live on a Wed/Fri school schedule and every week seems like it lasts 2 seconds and then it's a new week again. I completely feel the need lately to truly embrace and cherish these days at home while my babies are so little. I've always tried to do that, but then the fussiness, crying, nobody wants to nap, and the need for mommy breaks start about 1:00 and then I just can't wait for Nathan to get home!! But, this time with them being little will be gone in a flash I know, and I'm beyond grateful for all the days. I never want to take it for granted. I love kissing and squeezing them 1 billion times a day and I hope they always remember that. Just today Hayes used the words-Mom, Dad, and thanks-as opposed to Mommy, Daddy, and thank you. It seems small, but let me tell you that is proof right there that my baby is growing up. I'm not ready to be condensed to MOM quite yet!!



Hayes was 34 months last week. She is changing daily. It's funny that now we can talk back and forth with her like she is an adult. She is so into helping in the kitchen, loves to sweep, help with laundry and anything else. She's my little Martha Stewart for now. She has rest time on the sofa every day now. Some days she will fall asleep and other days she doesn't. (I've accepted that I am never going to have a break again in the afternoons and it has made life much easier-I was completely spoiled with her long afternoon nap 1-4 for 2 1/2 years!! She is in a very easy stage so it doesn't really matter.) She loves playing with a ball, being outside, boots, Caillou, suckers, cupcakes and is obsessed with anything blue. Her new favorite toy is a little plastic Thomas train that I got for $1. I love the simplicity of what makes her so happy. It's innocent and refreshing.



Watson was 9 months last week. Everyone always told me that boys love their mamas. That is 100% spot on for Watson. He is all about being close to his mama! He loves to laugh and smile at everybody, but wants to do that from my arms! He loves his Daddy too and thinks he is hilarious. He likes to wrestle and climb all over Nathan (and me and Hayes or whoever is on the floor at the moment.) He is way more into eating food than drinking milk. He cares almost nothing about his bottle anymore. He will not sit in your lap to let you feed him, he prefers to crawl around and play while you try to hold the bottle in his mouth. It doesn't work well! He is standing and cruising around holding onto the furniture. He eats everything we eat which is very nice at mealtime. He sleeps good at night and naps twice a day. He is on his 2nd ear infection in 3 weeks. I am hoping tubes are in the near future for him. I love being his mommy so much. He is totally in love with Hayes. It's hard to describe how much they love each other. They have the best time playing and are so entertaining for each other. The best sound is hearing them laughing together.
I love you my sweet Hayes and dear Watson so very much!!

H-34 months
W-9 months

Feeling Thankful

Counting my blessings for this family God gave me. We had a great Thanksgiving holiday with both sides of our families-lots of playtime and too much good food. Hope yours was a good one too!


Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

H-34 months
W-9 months

Thanksgiving Music Program

Today was Hayes' first Thanksgiving music program at school. All the 2's were turkeys and it was very sweet. They sang 3 songs, so their part lasted about 3 minutes which is really all the time they needed on the stage! She participated about 3/4 of the time so that seemed pretty good to me. She LOVED that her grandparents were there to watch her-Nana, Papa, Shug and Pop Pop-thanks for coming-Grandaddy, we missed you but don't worry- there will be another program in the spring for you to come to!!

We love this little turkey!






Hayes-33 months

Potty Training and Prayers

This little turkey will have her first Thanksgiving music program tomorrow at school. We are waiting for all the grandparents to get here this afternoon (minus Grandaddy-we will miss him!) and can't wait to see our little turkey onstage. Nathan and I are very grateful they are willing to make the trip up here and hope they will see a little more than her standing up there for 3 minutes sucking her thumb. She knows the words and motions well-thanks to a little bribery-so we will see how she does tomorrow. Whatever it is like it will be so cute!!



I feel the need to give her a little praise on the blog w/all the potty training progress she has made in such a short time. I have not pushed PT w/her at all, mainly b/c since W was born I haven't had any time/energy/effort to devote to it, I just haven't thought she was ready, and seriously diapers are just too easy! And I knew she would do it when her little mind and body were both ready. So I'm so happy to report that she's about 95% trained and most of it w/out my help. And I love it. Has she had too many treats and sweets? YES. Now the girl is all about a treat or some candy. If she has any cavities at her next appt I will blame it on the potty training. But, she knows how to use the potty and then wash her hands and I'm super proud. And yes, I do have plans for that diaper money we'll be saving every month!



Every morning and night we say prayers out loud. I have been hoping she would catch on for the longest time and want to have her turn, but so far she's content w/mama just praying for/with her. She is finally getting to where she wants to pray at night, and it is so incredibly sweet and hilarious. I just need to document here all the things/inanimate objects she prays for...
birthday parties
doors
doorknobs
eyebrows-yes God did makes these
teeth, mouth, nose, etc
our house
Ms. Grace's car and house
Ms. Grace's swing and door and windows
and occasionally Mommy and Daddy, my grandparents, Watson's grandparents (they do have the same ones but she doesn't quite know how to combine things yet!)

She mainly starts a list going with whatever she sees at the moment, but I'm hoping before too long her praying will become more from her heart and not just her eyes. I think it's a good start. It's pretty hard not to laugh hearing what she comes up with though!

And now onto Thanksgiving! I cannot believe it's almost here and then Christmas? We are looking forward to a family filled hectic week next week. And then back home to do some decorating for our 1st Christmas in our new house. I didn't pull out any decorations last year since we were just about to move, so now I can't wait to see what all I've forgotten about!!

Hayes-33 months

Firetrucks and Motorcycles

A few weeks ago Vestavia had their firetrucks, police cars and motorcycles out at the boy scout lot. They also had a bouncy house, so of course we had to stop. In Hayes' world there is absolutely nothing better than a bouncy house, except for cupcakes.

Our little firetruck driver


W had his turn too and loved it


Has to taste everything-this is what he does ALL day long. Every time I turn around he has something in that little mouth! So, so yucky!


The only time they will ever, ever, ever be on a motorcycle... I hope they enjoyed it!


Fun in the bouncy house. Thank you city of Vestavia for some good entertainment before rest time!!


H-33 months
W-8 months

Monkey See Monkey Do

He thinks he is just as big as she is.



He loves all toys or anything he can put in his mouth or anything Hayes is playing with at the moment.



New favorite spot-standing at the windows. He loves to look outside, and that little wooden strip in the window panes is just his mouth level!



Big smiles. He does not mind a camera in his little face!



H-33 mos.
W-8 mos.

Pre-Trick or Treating Hugs and Wrestling

Here are some hilarious moments I want to remember. I LOVE their ages right now. I know it won't always be like this!





H-33 months
W-8 months

Halloween Weekend

We have had a full and fun few days celebrating Halloween. Hayes has thankfully already forgotten about all the candy she accumulated, which is good for her but not for me as there are about 100 pieces of chocolate in the top of the pantry. She definitely ate her share over the weekend so I don't feel too bad about not reminding her. Although Little Bo Peep did work really hard for those treats!


We had our neighborhood party on Saturday night-food, bouncy houses, candy hunts-it was entertaining for the little ones and big ones. We put Watson in the little bouncy house and he loved it! He just died laughing the whole time he was in there!


She was pretty selective about her candy, I don't blame her.


A baby in a costume is hilarious to me. He looked like a waiter in his little blue bowtie!


We painted pumpkins Halloween morning for the porch...


Halloween night we got ready super early since we didn't know how long our duo would last. They were both in really good moods, which is rare at 5 pm! Our trick or treaters were ready. For the first few houses Hayes thought she was supposed to give out candy when the person came to the door. She would take what they gave her and give back some in her bucket. Bless her heart. It didn't take too long though before she got the hang of it. We went to another party down the street where she did NOTHING but eat candy out of her bucket while we talked. For a good solid hour, that little mouth was full of sugar, piece after piece after piece and she was in heaven with nobody stopping her.





W man and I came back home because the sheep was expiring, and sweet Daddy took/carried her all over this hilly neighborhood to get more candy. He said she was so afraid that every house she went to was her last house! I really think it was one of the best nights of her almost 3 year old life. She was completely wound up and stayed up super late. She had an absolute blast and we did too watching them both. Everything has new meaning with your kids. They make holidays so much fun!

H-33 months
W-8 months

Little Bo Peep and her Sheep

I have alot to post about later, but for now here is one of 100 snapshots of our crazy Halloween weekend. Lots of partying, bouncing, too much sugar, and staying up late. It was memorable! Be back later w/a recap!