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.