Wow, what a Day!

Let me start by saying that I was ready for a break by 9:00am today. I had two kids crying and Reese had been up since 6:00am. After breakfast we loaded up and headed to the library for family story time. JJ was still crying till we got out of the car and headed into the library. Once we got in there he was amazing. He actually listened to the stories that were being read and his dancing skills were in rare form. Despite one story where he went to start the craft early, he did great. It was so funny because at the end of the time the woman leading the story time was reading a book I Spy, at the end of the book there is a hole in it for the kids to look through. She said, "what do you spy?". One boy shouted out, "a boob!". It was hilarious. We then ventured out into the library where JJ was playing with all of the fun things in the children's section. His main focus was on the kitchen section. It was so cute, he was grabbing the play food along with other things and playing with other kids that were there. JJ's main task that he took upon himself was to pick up everything and put it back in it's spot. He enjoyed picking up after others. Then we went in a scavenger hunt for Katie L, the library elephant. We found her hiding in the top of a tall wall, so went and told the librarian and JJ got a sticker, which he then went and put on the KDL elephant cutout. As we left he was sad of course, but he had picked out a great big board book to read so he was happy. We enjoyed our day and had some ups and downs (4 timeouts to be exact). Then some friends came over to hang out, Elissa and Laura. We had a great time and the kids really enjoyed having them over too. JJ was the star of the show of course with his dancing skills. Than as we said goodbye, JJ and I did our nightly routine. We read his new library book and I told him that he had to be very, very, careful with the book while reading it in bed. Well, he did not listen. I was hearing him read the story then I heard silence. I thought that he had fallen asleep so I went into his room to get the book. To my horror he was ripping off the front cover. Pieces of it were everywhere in and outside of the crib. I told him how disappointed I was in him. As his bottom lip began to get bigger and bigger I had to tell him that although I love him, he will not be checking out any books from the library anytime soon since mommy was now going to have to buy this book. He shook his head yes and I told him to lay down and go to sleep, and that he did. Ugh, I'm so upset with myself. Now I have to pay $20 for a book that I never would have bought in the first place. Oh well.

I will miss these days.

At this point I feel so blessed with all that God has given me. As we were going through our nightly routine it started as Reese was closing her beautiful little eyes while eating. As I laid her down she smiled, put her little fingers in her mouth, and closed her eyes and fell asleep. I then went back to the living room where I joined JJ as he finished watching his favorite show, Little Einstein's. As he is fixed on rocket zooming past the Sphinx I'm watching him and thinking how lucky I am to have him in my life. When the show is done he gets off the couch, we brush his teeth and then go to his room. He picked out 2 books to read and we changed into his pj's. He was rubbing his eyes showing me how truly exhusted he was from all of our activities today. We sat down in his chair and we read two books. He was trying to tell me the names of the animals and helping me count various things on the pages. He then put his books in his crib (that he will read out loud after I leave). We sang out little song and danced (he was singing out loud with me). When I put him in his crib we said our prayers as he held my hands and he closed his eyes. What a wonderful moment as a parent. When we were all done he said amen, "or something similar to it" and gave me a kis goodnight. As I walked out of the room he was smiling and blowing me kisses. This was such a great moment, one that could make me cry. These are times that parents dream of. Thank you God!

Mini Playtime

Today we took a little trip over to Todd and Hannah Coates House to see baby Hunter and have JJ play with Tana.  We had a great time, Tana and JJ played together and Hunter and Reese did what only little ones will do.  Tana had arrived a little late because she was over at her grandparents house.  We were told that they arrived a little late because Tana insisted on having her hair combed and lipstick put on as she was about to see her "boyfriend."  It's amazing what kids will say.  ha ha

A Tradition Continues

Papa was teaching JJ something that I use to do With my dad all the time. We were at breakfast when my dad was walking with his index and middle finer in the table moving toward JJ. When he got to JJ he lifted his index finger up to meet up with JJ's. Ahh, memories.

First Summer trip to the cottage

Today was a great day. We got up to the cottage on Thursday night. Great trip up with me, the kids, and Slyder. On the way up Reese slept the whole way, and JJ slept for 40 minutes, but he was a trooper watching the Bee Movie (with no sound). The sleeping arrangement was a bit tricky. Jj refused to sleep in his portacrib so he slept with me. He was the opposite way so his feet were by my head. Reese decided that she wanted to sleep on her stomach so I was constantly waking up to check on her. Although I did not get a lot of sleep I did love beng able to watch my baby boy and baby girl sleep. On Friday my mom, JJ, Reese, and myself got up and went to the local farmers market in Elk Rapids. It was slightly raining, but everyone was a trooper and we bought some carnal corn, which JJ just loved! He couldn't get enough of it. After the naps we went into Traverse City to go to Meijers and Khols. On the way JJ was kicking the set I asked him to stop and he kept doing it. So I asked him if he wanted a timeout and he shook his head yes.

Reese's first tooth!

It's official, Reese has her first tooth. This morning we were playing around on her mat when she started to get fussy. I went to check if she was hungry and that's when I found it....her first tooth. Now I feel that this makes her really advance since JJ didn't have his first tooth till he was older. I'm so proud of her, this makes perfect sense why she has been drooling so much. What a little trooper.

Like Mother like daughter

No more thumb for Reese, she has now decided to suck on her 2 fingers on her left hand. Like mother like daughter. Those were the same fingers that I use to suck on when I was younger. I just hope that Reese will be able to give them up before I did. Otherwise we may need to go back to Dr. Keck to give her $10 to quit just like he did for me.

What a big boy.

So today I bought JJ a stool at the store. Tonight when we went to brush our teeth he used the stool for the first time. The look on his face was priceless. You could tell that he new that only big boys use a stool.

Fourth Day of Summer

Today was a day full of events and all before noon. Once JJ woke up we went to meet Mimi and Papa for breakfast at the Fortune Chef. All I can say is that JJ knows what he wants. Then it was off to the library for story time with Mimi. This was our first of many story times at the public library. JJ pretty much took everything in. He was so enthralled with the girl sitting behind him shouting out all the answers. He finally got the hang of all the singing and dancing. It was so cute to see his first structured learning setting. As my mom would say, "he was trying so hard to keep up with the big kids.". Then after the lesson was over we went out into the children's library section and had JJ pick out three books to check out. We headed over to the checkout and JJ did it all by himself. He remembered from the last time which is impressive seeing as how he only did it once before. He put his books in his bag and carried them out. Both kids are now signed up for the summer reading reading program so will make sure to mark down the times that we read. We will definitely return next week.
As Mimi, JJ, Reese, and myself returned, we saw Papa fixing the broken sprinkler. JJ ran right out to him to help him. This was also the time for James to encounter his first sprinkler. His face was full of excitement and his mouth was wide open as he was trying to run away from the water. However he was running away in the same direction that the water was going. He finally broke free from the water and ran right to Papa with his arms outstretched. JJ then decided to help Mimi with the trimming of the lilac bushes. He grabbed all of the trimmed pieces and through them in the weeded side lot. After all that excitement it was time to go take a nap.

Third day of summer

Today on our third day of summer, it was a bit cold and rainy so we needed to stay inside. What a fun day with the kids though. Reese was constantly spitting up, but her constant smile made it easy for me to look past the continuous changing of outfits and 5 loads of laundry. The moment Reese is laid on her back she is over on her stomach. She is moving so much and it think it will only be a matter of time until she is sitting up by herself. Today JJ was such a big help. He helped me vacuum (by pushing his own), got me a burp cloth from the container, helped me with laundry, and finally helped me with getting a diaper. I was out in the living room with Reese and JJ and I was organizing the diaper bag. I needed a diaper so I asked JJ if he would go get me 1 diaper. He ran down the hallway and I heard this rustling coming down the hallway. As JJ got to the opening of the hallway I noticed that he was pushing amfull box of diapers. As he reached me he stood up proudly and had the biggest smile on his face. He was so pleased with himself for getng me the diapers I needed. I love that boy. We had some play time outside at the sandbox. JJ would play for a little bit then sit down on the towel by Slyder with his legs straight out and his arms propped up behind him. In that moment he looked like a little man.
As we were all getting ready for bed, I put Reese down first. JJ wanted to be lifted up to see her so I did. He noticed that she didn't have her binky in so he grabbed it and tried to put it in her mouth (it was upside down), but it seemed to work for a bit. He then blew her a kiss and it was his turn. In his room we picked out a book then sat and read it. We then sang our little song and danced (which he sings with me). I ask him if he loves me and he shakes his head yes. I ask him how much and he throws his arms out to the side then throws them around my neck with a little chuckle. A little kis come next, and with that everyone goes to bed.

Papa as a teacher

When Papa was over he grabbed the animal book and started to read it with JJ. He was doing such a great job that he decided to teach JJ two new animal actions. When it came to the butterfly JJ will now slowly flap his arms like they are the wings of the butterfly. Then when it came to the chimpanzee he says, ooh, ohh, and scratches his belly. He really loves this one because he was showing me and he started to tickle my belly. Even writing it right now makes me laugh.

A Day of Milestones

Today was an amazing day for Reese. The day started out very well with Reese waking me up at 6:30. She was all smiles of course and after she finished her bottle we were playing around. After playing I put her in her bouncer because she was getting tired. After a little bit I noticed that her whole hand was in her mouth, but within a minute she had managed to convert that into just her thumb. As she sucked on her thumb I could tell that she was very pleased with herself as a smile kept creeping across her face.
Then we had a fun first day of summer. We had a last minute garage sale, which went well. Then we went to Nana's for a summer kickoff cook out. It went so well. JJ and Reese did so well. JJ was the hit of the home again. He kept going up to the residents and smiling and waving. He had his first hotdog (when Jim found out he was not to thrilled. Ha ha). He was feeding the ducks and the staff gave him 9 balloons to take home. As we packed up the car JJ wanted to make sure that he had his balloons. I kept telling him that Kiki was putting the balloons in the back of the car, but he must not have believed me because he said, "I want it!". I was so proud of him. Kiki must have been too because she ripped a balloon out of the bouquet and gave it to JJ. Then we went to the car wash and JJ didn't cry. :). Finally when we got home, JJ and I were having our bedtime snack and Reese was playing on her mat. We were sitting watching her and SHE ROLLED OVER!! I couldn't believe it. What a great kick-off to summer.

JJ is getting so big I can't even believe it. Everyday he makes me laugh. From his high pitch scream when he gets so excited to high sly lying when he is asked if he has gone poop. :)today I brought home some beach balls for JJ to play with. He went absolutely crazy as he was throwing them up, catching them, and chasing after them.

Try New Things

Today as I was talking to Reese she was smiling back at me and she started to blow bubbles. So I proceeded to blow bubbles back at her and she smiled. This continued for 2 minutes. Every time I tried to record this she would stop blowing bubbles. When I took the camera off her face she would do it, I put it back on her and she wouldn't do it. What a cute girl. I then noticed today after Reese has tried putting her full fist in her mouth she has now found her thumb. No more binky for her, she would much rather suck on her hand. :)