Trip to Arkansas

Aunt Julie moved to Arkansas last week, so the boys and I decided to go up for a few days to visit her and try to help out a little. Jean Mommy was there also, so we had a great time. Daddy is skiing this weekend and having a wonderful time. ( I am SO jealous!)

While we were there, we got to celebrate Jean Mommy's birthday which was a lot of fun. The boys had a great time playing with their cousins and while I do not think I was much help, I had a nice time visiting with our family! Aunt Julie was sweet to let us come crash for a few days while trying to move in!

M really enjoyed the cake and tried to stuff the whole piece in his mouth at one time... he is such a mess!

Raines and Davis have lots of grown up toys and were so patient with letting their little cousins play. Here are some pictures of M having a turn as a drummer in the rock band game! He thought he was so good!

Playtime

I snapped these pictures the other night of the boys playing with their Daddy. They have regular wrestle / playtimes with Daddy in the evening and they are always eventful and fun for me to watch. I am just so happy that I have a wonderful husband who loves to wrestle and spend time with his boys. He always makes time for them and is a great Daddy. I am truly blessed!

Baby update

I went to my 14 week appointment today and had a great checkup. My nausea is better and my energy seems to be slowly on the rise. I have gained 4 pounds and measured normal. My Dr. found the heartbeat immediately and it was 157. Overall, it was a quick appointment. It is so exciting to hear that heartbeat. It is such confirmation and never gets old. I feel so blessed!

Potty Training, Part 1

I have finally decided to get serious about potty training M. He is definitely ready... he tells us when he has done #2 and sometimes #1 and will lay down and wait for us to change him. He will sit on the potty at MMO, but not at home. I have been waiting until we were all feeling better and the weather was a little warmer and until I had a few days where we could just hang out at the house and do nothing but potty train.

The funny thing is that I guess I have had this preconceived notion that since he is the 2nd boy, he would be easier. I also had the idea that everything that had worked with N would work with M... boy, was I wrong!

I took M to the store and let him pick out big boy underwear and candy. N didn't want to wet his big boy characters, so I assumed this would work with M... Not. He really doesn't care. I finally figured out after about 3 accidents that he would use the potty if he had nothing on. So far so good. He will go #1 on the potty if he has no pants on at all. He only wants his little potty and not the big potty (also unlike N). The funniest thing is that he pulled his little potty into the playroom and put it in front of the TV all by himself. He is so lazy! He would totally be a couch potato if I let him! I figured I would let this go for a day or so if it would work and it has. He has gone #1 for 2 days in the potty (except for naps and bedtime of course.) We haven't left the house so I haven't tried to let him go in public yet.

I'll post again in a few days with an update on our progress...

Kindness

N's teacher informed me on Tuesday that he would be getting a special award on Thursday and she would like for us to attend. Unfortunately, J had to work, but thankfully I was able to go. His teacher also informed me that it was a surprise, so not to say anything. N goes to a Christian school that we just love and they have ben learning different Godly character traits. Evidently, every few weeks a few of the children get a special award if they have been a good example of this particular trait. Our sweet N received the award for kindness. N is a very sensitive, compassionate, and kind boy so I was not surprised. He was so shy when they called his name and was very happy that M and I were in attendance. The principal presented the award to N and we are so proud of him!

Sports Night

Tonight was sports night at Awana's and the boys were all too eager to get in costume... anything to play dress up for real! I have to say that they were among the most dressed up. Most of the kids just had on a favorite jersey or hat, but my boys were head to toe dressed up. It was all we could do to keep the cleats and football helmet at home. (I figured the church might appreciate that! )

Valentine's Day

We had a fun, but pretty relaxed Valentine's Day. The boys were so excited about the holiday which made it so much fun. They each had parties at their schools and received a lot of candy. N loved all of his valentine's and looked at each carefully. He is so observant and meticulous.

Gracie and Bob-O arrived Wednesday afternoon just in time to make Valentine's sugar cookies with the boys and take cupcakes to N's party.

Mommy and Daddy went on a group date Friday night with some friends and Bob-O and Daddy grilled steaks on Valentine's night.

The boys each got a Valentine's balloon from us and a new movie to share as well as some candy and silly string. They got some cards from family members and a few goodies from their Grandparents. We had a fun weekend!

These are the boys in their Spiderman 3-D glasses that Jean Mommy sent them. They thought they were awfully neat!

Here is N waiting for one of his gifts with his "Eyes cyosed and hayunds out!"

On the Mend

I am happy to report that the Jones family is finally feeling better. I finally got on an antibiotic for my flu / sinus infection. The boys are still a little runny, but seem to be over their colds and Daddy was only puny for a day or two. (Not fair! )

The month of January seemed to just be a month of sickness, so I apologize for my lack of blogging. I promise to do better in the months ahead!