Good bye Pensacola!

We had so much fun...got to Pensacola on Tuesday night, had some dinner and came back to the room for baths and bedtime. I was so proud of myself...in bed at 9 with both of the kids. I don't usually go to bed until 11 here at home, which proved to be true again last night...when we got home.

Anyway, Wednesday we took the kids to Pensacola Beach, which is like it's own little town by itself. It was absolutely beautiful. White sand...what would probably be warmer water in the summer, and clear! It was gorgeous! I was a little upset with myself for forgetting my camera in the room, but thank heaven for camera phones...this was the only picture I took while we were there!



Yes, I do realize he was naked at the beach, but it's hard to tell a 3 year old to put his clothes back on when his little rear is as cute as his! I actually did tell him to keep his clothes on..3 times...and he just did it anyway. It was really funny though. He even got checked out by 2 little girls that were walking by with their Grandpa. They were giggling and telling secrets as they passed...it was funny. One little girl wouldn't quit staring at his peeper...oh well, I'm raising a nudist, I guess!

Thursday night we had Sushi for dinner...it was ok. Not like our Monday night sushi nights that we used to have in college!

Yesterday, driving home...it took us 6 hours when it should have only taken us about 3 1/2. We stopped to have dinner at IHOP and it took us 2 hours there...the cooks continued to mess up our order, the server ended up yelling at them and then breaking down in front of us. They finally got our order to us and then Christian decided he didn't like what he ordered, so we had to wait for them to make him something different. It just took forever. I did sneak in this picture of the kids on the way home.



We made it home though, and all is well. I thought that I would get myself to bed last night shortly after I got the kids into bed, but I saw 11. It all worked out though because Brooklyn slept until 5 this morning! Yeah! I love sleeping!

On our way...

Since Shane is in Italy and my neighbor Jonell is going to Pensacola...and I'm supposed to watch her little boy...we're going to make the 3 hour drive to Pensacola with her. She invited us and I don't want to be here by myself...so we're going too! I can't wait...see the ocean, walk on the beach...it's going to be great! Love you all and miss you...let you know what happens!

Funny pictures!

Not much to say, just wanted to post come cute and funny pictures up.

To start with...we went to play group on Wednesday like always, and the little boy had a doctor's kit...enough said when you see these.




It took me about 5 tries to get that picture of Brooklyn and I had to wait about 20 minutes until Christian wasn't embarrassed enough to take his picture. They're so funny.

Then this morning...I took this one...mainly for Noni, Grandma and Auntie Megs because I know you love the baby feet as much as I do.



Then, this afternoon, a few of the guys from Shane's softball team were having a BBQ down at the field with the wives and kids, so we were invited. It was pretty much all of the play group Moms that we always hang out with. We got there first and I let the kids play on the field...they got SO dirty. Shortly after we got there, the other families arrived and all the boys and Brooklyn were playing in the dirt. Here's some of the pictures from that (I took them with my camera phone, so they're not top quality, but you get the picture).


This wasn't even half as dirty as she got. She even started eating the dirt. It took a whole wipe just to clean her face from the nose down!



These are Chief Blish's boys, Wes (left of Christian) and Dean (right of Christian). They're so funny together...

Enjoy!

We Won!!!

Today marked the end of my volleyball season with MATSS-1 (don't know what it stands for, so don't ask). We ended with a record of 5 - 3, enough to give us second place amongst all the teams...there's more to it though, I'll explain in a bit...and we took the Captain's Cup Tournament with an undefeated record. It started this Monday and finished today. We were 3 - 0 for the tournament!!

We're a little dissapointed with our second place though, because we should have had first and I'll explain why. Up there...we won 5 times, but all the other two teams that had a play off for first, had 6 wins and 3 losses. So, because they had more wins than we did, their win percentage was higher. The thing that happened was that a team started the season and then dropped out. Well, those teams that had 6 wins...they played that team, we didn't. So, by no fault of ours...we could have only won second place. A little upsetting, but second is pretty good!

Now, since Shane thinks he's the only one who can play volleyball...he told me..."when I was playing, we took home 2 trophies" I can say..."SO DID I!!!" I'll see if I can get a picture of the trophies to post on here...they're really nice looking...and I'm so proud of my team. We kicked butt tonight!

I'm going to miss playing, but I'm definitely not going to miss the bruises and floor burns!

I loathe Christian's bedtime

Every single night, I have to deal with Christian whining and crying because it's bedtime...I'm about sick of it. He makes me so mad, and I'm fed up tonight. I give him warnings, I spend time with him...just the two of us before it's time to go brush his teeth and still he doesn't come when I ask him to. I tell him at least 3 or 4 times that it's time to brush, but he just sits there. I end up having to raise my voice for him to actually listen to me. That's not just at bedtime though, that's anytime! Ahhh!

Last night was funny though, not bedtime, just in general. So, I usually wake Christian up an hour after I put him into bed to empty his bladder and then he's good for another 3 or 4 hours. Well, last night, I didn't make him go to bed until almost 11 (I know, it's much too late) anyway, I set my alarm for 1 to take him to the bathroom. I figured that since he went to bed so late, he wouldn't need to go to the bathroom as soon as usual. So, 1 came around and I was so tired, I shut off the alarm sound, opened up my phone and shut off the snooze that it automatically switches to when you shut the sound off. Put my phone back on the floor...and went right back to sleep. Not only did I pass back out, but I didn't wake again until Brooklyn woke this morning at 4:15am. Talk about being tired! I hardly ever do things like that! The last time I can remember not getting up when my alarm went off was in college. Megan woke me up about 30 minutes later when her alarm went off. I was passed out on my bed, under the covers, hand hanging off the bed, holding the remote to shut off the alarm on the stereo. Yep, true story. I don't know how I kept ahold of that remote though.

So, in conclusion, I realize that Christian's getting older and gaining more independence and I need to just relax a bit...and try getting more sleep. That's where all my frustration comes from...sleep deprivation. And, on the days where I'm having trouble with him being a good boy, I look at these...and try to remember.






He's such a joy to have around, it's hard for me to handle him not listening to me. All part of being a mother...and another thing to remember...when he grabs his sister around her waist, this is what he's trying to do (most of the time), just love her.







It makes me so happy to see that they love each other so much already. The girl's funny when Christian's asleep, she will crawl down the hall to his room and knock on the door to wake him up to play. Either that or sit at the end of the hallway and call out "Ba! Ba!" I'm hoping that's her way of saying Brother. Ok, time to work on getting to bed.

on the go

Today was quite busy. My day started at 5 this morning to get ready and take Shane to the airport...lucky guy. I checked to see how much it is to surprise him and fly out there...yeah, umm...$1043 per person. Don't think so...maybe next time!

After we came home, we had some breakfast and waited for Jared to come over for a while. Jonell (my neighbor friend) is involved in a retirement ceremony this weekend and so she had to practice, while we played with her son. I couldn't imagine if I would have had twins when I had Brooklyn. They're so close in age, that's what it feels like to me when I watch him.

Around 11:45, Christian's new dresser/media cabinet was being delivered...it's so nice! Lucky little boy.



After we got that squared away, we finally went and got a rug for Brooklyn's room. It's a nice, big, shaggy carpet that fits in so well with her room. I love it! Now we're just waiting for the rest of her dresser to come in so that I can put it together...stupid Wal-Mart.

Poor Christian was so tired, he passed out on the couch while I was putting Brooklyn down for a nap. Little boy...I love him.

But here is the best part of our day...bath time! It signals the beginning of bedtime and the start of Mommy's relaxation. Here are some fun pictures from our bath!






This is his new haircut that he did so well with. He cried a bit in the beginning, but shortly after stopped and watched her in the mirror. He's so brave...what a big boy he's becoming.

After bath was over...we all piled onto Christian's bed for some wrestling time!




Afterward, Christian cleaned up while Brooklyn cuddled my puppy from when I was a baby. Remember him Dad, Mom, Auntie's and Grandparents???




Too much fun for one day...time for bed...for everyone.

Long time...

I feel as though I haven't put anything on here in a while...it's been a week! Anyway, things are going well and the kids are doing fine, Shane included. Speaking of Shane, guess who's going to Italy for 3 weeks...yeah, that would be him. He has to go do his teaching thing over there while were stuck here in stupid old Meridian! Lucky bum. I asked him if he was excited to go and his response...indifferent. Yeah, I know. I would be jumping up and down, especially because he leaves Saturday!

Christian has discovered a new friend...our new next door neighbors that just moved in about 2 or 3 weeks ago also have a little boy who's 3. His name is Justin and the two of them are like peas in a pod. They are so cute playing together and hardly ever fight or argue...that I know of. I've seen Christian hit Justin a couple of times and he gets into trouble for it. I feel so bad, Christian's got the "Japanese" temper...supposedly it's pretty bad, but my Mom says that he's got my temper...oops, sorry honey!

Brooklyn's doing well with her walking. Last week she took her first two steps and this week she will walk about 3 or 4 feet at one time. She's still not too sure about walking from the table to her toys, but she'll walk to me just about every time. I'm so proud of her! She also has a little playmate too...Emily. She's Justin's little sister who's also 1 (funny coincidence huh?). Brooklyn hasn't quite figured out how to play with another child yet, but Emily loves bringing Brooklyn toys. She starts out with just a couple, but within 5 minutes time...Brooklyn has a TON of toys surrounding her. It's really cute. I'll have to take a picture of all of them and post it. They're cute. Speaking of tempers...Brooklyn's got a bad one too. She already hits too...even at me. Especially if I tell her no, she'll get upset and swing at me, hit me, and I'll tell her no again. Then, she cries and lays her head down on my chest. She's so funny...and cute, but Christian's got it coming when she gets older. I told him that I'm not going to save him either.

Volleyball was going well, until tonight. We were in first place and then lost tonight to the "Tigers." They weren't that good, but we weren't either. In fact...we really kinda stunk tonight. We weren't passing, we couldn't hit...just smelled it up in the gym tonight. Oh well, I think we might still be able to be in the running for first, just have to have a little play off. Oh well...so our latest standings, 5 - 4. Sounds pretty bad, but it's a lot better than some of the other teams...promise. So now, I'll get to the good part!


He's pretending to sleep again...I'll get one of him with his eyes open yet!


She loves attacking Daddy!

Funny babies!

I know I already posted once today, but I thought these pictures were too cute not to share. Yesterday started out with me making some scrambled eggs for breakfast...this is what happened in the bowl after I cracked the three that we were going to eat.


Don't they look like they have a sideways smile going?

Last night, after I put Brooklyn to bed and gave myself and Christian a shower I decided I should do the dishes. As I'm standing there with the water running, I heard a funny sound. I turned around to find Christian playing in our ever-popular hamper. He had gotten his puppy-shaped pillow and Spongebob blanket and had thrown them into the hamper and was climbing into it to sleep! So silly. When he realized I had grabbed my camera to take pictures of him he was going to get out until I convinced him to lay back down. This was the result...


He was pretending to sleep...look closely at his eyes, you can tell they're not relaxed shut.

Then, he rolled himself over and I snapped this.

Sometimes I wish that I was that small still! Oh, by the way...if you noticed the ring of black that circles his mouth...we had been eating Oreo's and milk. He hasn't quite learned to take more than two bites. Sometimes I think that he thinks his mouth is as big as mine.

Skipping over to this afternoon...Brooklyn woke up from her nap before Christian, as usual so we were cuddling on the couch. Shortly after we got all snuggled into the blanket, the phone rang, so we both jumped up to get it. Well, more like I jumped up with her in my arms and ran over to the phone while she bounced along beside me. After I finished on the phone, she decided she wanted to talk too, so I handed it over.


She pretended like she was talking to Daddy.

I was able to get these other funny pictures of her...she's just getting more silly every day. Non-stop giggles happen for us daily.




I love my babies!!!

Two steps!

Yesterday marked the beginning of the end of my more lazier days. That's right...no more sitting on the couch watching the girl crawl because yesterday at our neighbor's house...she took two steps! It was so cute. She was standing with our neighbor Sheila and just took two steps toward Christian!

I was so excited, but also sad at the same time. I know that she can't stay a baby forever and she will always be my little girl, but now, she's growing up even more. It all goes so fast! I guess that I should be happy considering Christian was already running when he was Brooklyn's age. It could be worse, she could have been walking since she was 8 months old like my cousin and Jonell's little boy.

This also is the beginning of toddlerhood for her. So I say, bring it on little girl! I can't wait until she's running to me hugging me just like Christian does! That's my favorite part of being a mother is getting the love back in return. It helps to realize that you may just be doing something right.

fun times!

This weekend was great! We didn't have to go anywhere or do anything. We just got to stay home and spend time with one another.

The best part was that the kids actually started playing together, not just side by side. Christian would chase after Brooklyn and she would scream, turn and crawl to my lap. Then, Christian would tackle her once she was laying on me, so they would both get me. We were all giggling so hard and both the kids were perspiring...but they were cute! After a while, I starting moving so that Brooklyn had to crawl farther, which just made for more baby screaming and Christian squeals. It just reaffirms to me that my children love each other, no matter what happens. That makes me really happy too!

I also made some mashed potatoes tonight with dinner...Brooklyn liked them a lot, but then started getting tired while eating. She started out just rubbing her nose and...



this was the result. She had it everywhere, hair, cheeks, ears, nose...and yes, even on her eyelashes. It was so hard to get it off her little eyelashes that she still had some when I pulled her out of the tub this evening. After I started taking pictures, Christian decided he wanted his picture taken...



Thank goodness he decided to keep his mashed potatoes IN the bowl. So, seeing brother getting his picture taken, the little princess (she's spoiled already) started doing her little "I want what you've got" grunts wanting the camera.



Big brother, not wanting little sister to get more pictures taken than him, started flexing his little arm muscles for me. Sidenote: When prompted by Daddy to do things, most likely he will do it...no matter what it is, good or bad.



This was just after he kissed his muscle. Yes, a Daddy prompt was involved. It's ok though, we all had a fun time and lots of laughs for me!