Happy Birthday GQ!

I'm late posting this but it's been a busy weekend between me working 4/5 days, WB doing school work, and GQ's birthday. My youngest is now officially 2. It was a good day. Doc and GQ started out the day playing nicely together.

They chased each other around the "circle" (what I call the path through the kitchen, laundry, hall, and living room) while driving trucks and cars.

They enjoyed playing in a box from the store.

It was so nice having them play well together. Doc kept letting us know that it was GQ's birthday but he didn't want us to forget that he's a "big boy" too.

At the store, GQ got to pick out his own birthday cake. I don't know if he realized that's what he was doing but he got the one that he kept pointing too.

It was just a small cake with 10 cupcakes around it. We didn't need that much but it worked out well anyways.

Here's his small stack of gifts. He got 3 packages in the mail for his birthday too! This stack of gifts included the gifts in the packages as well.

After his nap, it was time to open gifts.

Discovering what WB's parents sent him.

Showing me the sticker off his new clothes.

Looking at his new book with Daddy. He loves to read.

Doc was more into the presents than GQ was. He was "helping" open them.

Trying on his new helmet. He desperately needed one.

Wearing his new crocs and playing with his new stuffed dog that was sent to him.

He was intently trying to figure out how to get Thomas out.

The three boys have played with this Thomas set for the past few days. They all like it; unfortunately, this means they all try to get territorial with it as well. They play together well for a little while though before it becomes troublesome.

Gift opening made GQ thirsty and he must've been really thirsty as he walks around double fisted. He insisted on having both cups.

After dinner, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came for cake and ice cream. We enjoyed their company for a couple hours. My nephew, A, is so adorable and loved watching the boys play. He has just become mobile and had a blast exploring. That is one of the pluses to being here in FL. I get to see that smiley boy and spend time with my brother and sister-in-law. I haven't lived near my brother in 10.5 years so this is really nice. Anyways, I digress. GQ thought the Birthday Song was great. He tried so hard to blow out his #2 candle. Doc ended up helping him (doing it for him) in the end because he just couldn't blow hard enough.

It wasn't a huge birthday for him by any means but it was a nice day. He isn't going to remember this birthday down the road, and having just moved here, we did what we could. I was not in any position to throw a party for him anyways with working so much surrounding his birthday. We are discussing when to start potty training him and when to move him out of his crib. He climbed into the crib today. He doesn't climb out, but he climbs in. Not sure what that's all about but if he can climb it, then it's probably time we start thinking about taking him out of the crib. It's a drop-side crib anyways so it won't be going anywhere but the trash. It isn't a recalled crib but drop-side cribs are no longer considered safe. I just don't feel right giving someone else a crib that might not be safe. It's 7 years old and has been through 3 kids and 3 moves (4 if you count pulling it apart to move it from one bedroom to the next). It's time for the crib to be retired. As for potty training, GQ loves to sit on the potty. He tries to disrobe. He tells you when he wants a diaper. He demands ointment on his butt if he poops. He has had some successful attempts at going in the potty. I'm not sure why we would wait at this point. The sooner he's out of diapers, the sooner we don't have to buy them anymore. It's just the process of potty training that I dread. We are thinking April. That way WB is distracted by school and can focus on bringing him regularly to the potty if I'm working. My baby is growing up and that's a good thing. He is still just as adorable as ever though.

Proud!

I am so proud of my kids. The biggest event today was Mr. X taking off on his bike. We have practiced a few times riding a two-wheeler. About a week and a half ago, WB took the training wheels off Mr. X's bike and refused to put them back on. He has only tried to ride a couple times since then. The other day, he wouldn't hardly attempt to pedal. Today, he took off, literally. He started just a flying around the culdesac but I didn't expect him to be confident enough to go too far. He went around the bend in the road, went to the stop sign, and turned around. I saw him on his way back. After that, we readdressed that he needs to stay within sight when outside. We live in a fairly low traffic area and he watches for cars so that's not really an issue. I just want to make sure I know where he is at all times and I don't want his brothers following him. Even with him taking off like that, I am so proud of his accomplishment!

The kids in the neighborhood lined up for a bike race. It's so cute watching them all ride around. Even GQ was in there!

I got a few cute pictures of Doc today. He can be such a ham. I am so glad I'm taking more pictures.

He was playing with legos and concentrating. Not sure what's with the tongue.

He loves Mr. X's toolbox of legos. 

He loves to pose. The sunglasses on the shirt take after WB. He puts his sunglasses on his collar and so Doc does it too.

He is generally a very happy kid. He doesn't ride much in the car anymore so I wanted a picture just in case he never rides in it again.

I'm not sure what it is with laundry baskets, but kids love them. Today they made a "bridge" out of ours.

And then they broke one of them. I think it's still usable but they definitely won't be able to play with it in this manner anymore.

GQ is totally fascinated by the moon these days. He points it out in any book that has one (usually his bedtime stories). He insists on looking for it all the time. Every night we run out to look for the moon before he goes to bed.

Mr. X was jumping and pointing. Had we grabbed the camera in time, we would have caught them all looking like that. Mid-jump pointing at the moon. GQ has started something with this moon thing. It's a pretty good ending to the day though so I won't complain too much......that is until it gets cold again next winter.

Time Flies

I can't believe that my youngest child is going to be 2 in just a few days. It seems like just yesterday, my first was born. And now he is looking like such a big kid. Mr. X is smart and sweet and quirky. He is still quiet most of the time and loves to learn. He has a funny way of saying things sometimes and likes to throw out factoids at the oddest times. He just has a way about him that wins you over.

Mr. X is a big brother to not one but two little brothers! Doc is getting bigger every day. He is growing by leaps and bounds. He informed me today that "I big boy now, not baby." His semantics are a bit off and his words aren't always clear but it's improving. I love that I can understand more of what he says now. He is so attached to me and he knows how to melt me. I don't know what it is about that boy. Doc is just a charmer I guess.

Doc is full-speed ahead all day long. He is exhausting. He has always been happy-go-lucky and usually still is. He takes good naps and he just loves to be with other kids.

He wants so badly to keep up with his older brother. And yet, Doc is still attached to the blanket and the thumb. He is leaving his blanket behind more though and sometimes I can get him to leave it in his room. He even wanted his blanket washed after dinner the one night. He insisted on it even though it meant he had to go to bed without it. He did great! I was so proud of him. Of course, that didn't last but it's a baby step.

Doc loves to be outside and has always enjoyed the outdoors. He loved watching the trees when he was a baby. So Mr. X is my bookworm/computer kid and Doc is the outdoorsy type. I think Doc is going to be active and love all things outdoors. I could be wrong but that just seems to fit his personality.

So then what about GQ? I have yet to figure him out. Like I said, I can't believe he's almost 2. Yet, at the same time, he is so different than he was when he was born that it seems like it has been much longer. GQ was kind of grumpy the first 7 months of his life. He didn't sleep the greatest and he wanted you to hold him and move all day long. He is prone to his tantrums if he doesn't get his way even now.

He is determined to keep up with Doc and has become our little escape artist.

He tries to sneak out the back door when he doesn't think we are looking. Unfortunately, there is a pond back there with no fence so we have to keep a VERY close eye on him. As renters, there isn't much we can do about it.

He also takes off down the street on his plasma car and we have to chase him down to get him to come home. He thinks it's HILARIOUS. Mom and Dad, not so much. Oh well, it's good exercise for us.

He is goofy now. As a baby, he was more serious. This goofiness has come out of nowhere. We love it though. He sure knows how to ham it up.

He doesn't sit still much and you have to chase him down for most anything whether it's meals, diaper changes, bedtime, or the like. However, GQ is usually very compliant when it comes to baths and leaving for outings.

And he isn't as grumpy these days. I just love that handsome smile and his curly hair! He went from being practically bald to having wonderful curls. How is it that the sullen, grumpy, and clingy baby from 2 yrs ago has developed into the outgoing, crazy, goofy, happy boy with a temper that we know and love today?! In two short years, GQ has changed so much. Some things have stayed the same in his personality, but for the most part he is a completely different kid. He is most likely our last, and as I watch his 2nd birthday approach, I am just more in awe of who he has become each and every day.

Switching gears now... I wanted to share a meal that we stumbled across. These are Southwestern Turkey, Corn, and Chile Enchiladas.

They are delicious and it has become one of my favorites as of late. I stumbled across a coupon for V8 soups. This is a recipe from the V8 website to go with the V8 Southwest Corn soup.

That just makes my mouth water. They are so good and it's not too hard to make. Now if only we could inspire the kiddos to want to eat them. Anyways, here is the link to the recipe. You should try it!

Heart Singing Today

This weekend has been wonderful! Kids have a way of making your heart sing when you least expect it. Many times it's little things that just give your heart an extra starburst of love for your kids. You feel your heart swell with love for them. It's not that I don't love my kids all the time, I just have moments that are like a quick burst of extra love. Other times, it's the big things that just make your heart sing.

Yesterday GQ looked so adorable helping Daddy carry in groceries. The crack he's stepping over in this picture, he made sure to step over every time. He would stop walking to make sure he didn't step on it. Not sure what that was all about but he made me giggle with it.

GQ was working so hard at getting his pants on after bath time. I can't believe how big he's getting.

GQ was pointing out his eye. He was very insistent about it and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. He's getting better at naming some body parts. Eye he knows well.

GQ was very thirsty after playing outside and found a BIG glass. He was determined to do it himself. I just had to laugh a bit when WB tried to take it away and GQ spilled it down the front of him.

This is Doc's first time jumping on a trampoline. He had so much fun. I love watching them experience new things!

Mr. X's friend has the trampoline. This is the first time I've seen Mr. X truly enjoy. I am so happy that he is making friends because that has been a struggle for him in the past. He enjoys being with other kids now and he's such a good big brother that he doesn't even mind Doc tagging along.

Mr. X lost another tooth. He gets so proud of it and loves to try to show it off. This time though, it just fell out of his mouth. He wasn't messing with it or anything. WB found it on the floor!

Sometimes, I can't quite put my finger on what makes my heart swell for my boys. The pictures above are some examples but not all of them have a real clear rhyme or reason. However, my heart is just singing this weekend for an even BIGGER reason. Mr. X has started reading the Bible.

And not just a kid's Bible, but the full on version!

Mr. X spent a short while studying it yesterday while Doc looked at the Story Bible. Then today, Mr. X was glued to the Bible for a few hours. I'm sure he doesn't fully understand (and probably isn't even fully reading it) and that's OK, but he's showing interest and that just warms my heart. I have been so worried about his lack of interest in God and Jesus. This weekend he was all about Our Savior! We had a good talk today led by him. We talked about disobeying God and how it all started with Adam and Eve. He told me that he learned in church today that Jesus died on the cross so we discussed why Jesus died on the cross. It was wonderful! My heart is just soaring and singing. I am so amazed at the changes I've seen in Mr. X lately, but this takes the cake! He told me to remind him that he's on Ezra 2. God is working in Mr. X and I am so thankful. Mr. X's interest has also inspired Doc to be somewhat interested. Almost every night we read Chuck & Friends for his bedtime story. Tonight he wanted something different.

This is a Beginner's Bible for kids that reads more like a set of stories. This is the Story Bible that Doc looked through briefly yesterday. And THIS is what we read at bedtime tonight by Doc's choosing. I love it!

Quiet Day

We didn't have a whole lot going on today. WB worked on school work and I hung out with the boys. It was a sweet day indeed.

GQ is so silly dancing to his own tune.

Doc just loves to have his picture taken so he poses so sweetly.

GQ was climbing on me when I snapped this picture.

The boys sat and watched the little lizards outside for a little while. They are so fascinated by the lizards here. Here was our conversation at lunch time:

Me: "Boys it's time for lunch"

Doc: "The newt is hungry too"

WB: "We don't have any food for the newt"

Doc: "Eats grass"

WB: "No, the newt eats bugs"

Mr. X initially called the little lizards "newts" so that's what they are called here. I did some basic research today and I'm not entirely sure what kind of lizard we have but the lizard doesn't really look like the online pictures of the newts.

Mr. X gets his love of books and reading from me. We were like two peas in a pod today. He is a lot like me in some respects. He got home from school with his new AR book and decided to plop down next to me on the couch to read.

I was made aware of the wine Colby Red through a blog I read (this post at The Journey of the Johnsons). It is a wine that was developed to help support CHD research after the winemaker's son, Colby, had 2 back-to-back open heart surgeries. The wine is unique and made from 5 different types of grapes. You can read more about it at www.colbyred.com. We decided to give it a try but we are saving it for when the kids go to bed.

If it tastes good, it will be my new favorite just because it supports a good cause. For some reason, CHDs sit heavily on my heart. I feel drawn to them and would love to someday be involved in helping victims of CHDs.

Tender Moments Amidst Chaos

I'm not going to lie...Today was a rough day. Some days are like that in our household. For whatever reason, some days are just utter chaos in our house, and today was one of those days. The boys feed off each other which only adds to the chaos. It's days like today that I have to look at the sweet moments that can bring a smile. It's only then that I can remember that I am blessed. Somehow, kids have a way of making you smile even on some of the worst days. So here's a few tender moments from today. Maybe it'll make you smile too.

"Dgka Dgka Dgka I'm a robot!"

WB says that the "dgka" sound Doc made reminded him of Dr. Evil from Austin Powers doing the Macarena.

Doc and GQ emptied out the toy box and climbed in together. I love it when they do things together happily.

Mr. X did the first part of his homework today without a problem. After that, it was a struggle like most days are. I relish the days and times when he does his homework quickly and without us having to be on him about it. That was how today started and for that I'm grateful. It would've been nice if it had continued but he had extra work home today. It would have taken a very long time to get him to get it all done if Mr. X has decided to put up a fight from the get-go. Doesn't he look so grown up and studious?

GQ danced his little heart out after dinner to Pandora radio. I put on some background music hoping it would have a calming effect. It may or may not have worked but they did settle down some at that point.

This has to be one of my favorite moments of the day. WB read to the boys this morning. He just started a couple online classes and yet he took the time to read to them when they asked. I am incredibly blessed to have WB. He is sweet, kind-hearted, generous, loving, and patient. He would do anything for me. Most of the time I can count on him to be a calming presence. He is thoughtful and he is there for me when I need him. He loves me despite all of my flaws and I have many. He helps me around the house more than he should. He does so much around the house that I really have no right to complain if he leaves his dirty socks on the floor (though I admit sometimes I still do). He puts up with me. He is my sanity and my rock. But best of all, he is a wonderful father to our kids. He takes them places, he plays with them, he gets them outside almost every day. He has really stepped up to the plate to take good care of the kids while I'm working. He does a great job with them. He even takes them to church by himself if I have to work. He has no problem bringing the kids along on errands if they want to go. He prefers not to take all 3 but he'll do it if they all really want to go. He will allow me those sweet moments of "me" time. I think he takes all of them with him for me and for the kids. He really doesn't complain about it either. He is a wonderful husband and father and I couldn't be more blessed. I don't know what I ever would do without him.