What a week

I think this may be the first time I ever say I am thankful it is Monday and the start of a new week. And also, I am so glad the Lord makes everything anew again. Our week last week started off great and ended with a horrible sickness called hand foot and mouth disease. Awful. But there were definitely some good moments sprinkled amidst the screams. Lets get started on a recap:

~1~ Strawberry season is in full swing at our house. It is delicious. Strawberry jam making, strawberry coffee cake, muffins, shortcakes, and just plain ole' strawberry eating has begun.

One night worth of strawberry picking...

~2~ Beautiful storms that rolled in producing nickel size hail and amazing lightning. Make me love living in the Midwest.

~3~ Hand foot and mouth disease struck our sweet boy. It is definitely a disease from satan, I mean aren't all diseases but this one in particular is heart breaking to see. 104* fever, sores in mouth, sores on feet and hands and bottom. And then sores over the rest of his body. On top of that joint pain. It was awful to watch and not be able to do anything but hold him and love on him. 

Start of the sores on his feet (sorry these are all IPhone pictures so they aren't the best to see)

 How we spent most of the day Thursday and Friday...cuddling and whispering secrets to his sweet baby sister. Saturday and Sunday he wanted nothing to do with me and just wanted daddy.

~4~ Our saving grace this weekend. Friday night we got a total of 1.5 hours of sleep. It was brutal.

~5~ Luckily, the weekend ended with a beautiful baby shower hosted by some of the ladies in House Church. Seriously I am so blessed to have these women in my life and to help raise our sweet little lady. What a great cloud of witnesses to surround my daughter in. Also, a great group of men to surround our son in. 

Isn't that just a beautiful set up? You all know I love food and the food table was awesome including a chocolate fountain...yum!

~6~ Finally we are very interested in the potty these days but not so much going in it. LB loves to drag it out of the bathroom showing it to everyone who comes over. He loves to sit on it and pretend to poop. He tells me he is pooping when he really is but has no interest in actually using the potty to relief himself. I know he is still young but I dreamt he would be potty trained by the time little miss entered the world. At least he is interested in it. Baby steps here. 

Multiple times a day he runs into his room grabs a book of the shelf, runs to the bathroom, sits on the potty and tells me poop poop. At least he is getting the concept right? And I love that he has already figured out the man way of using the bathroom... (im sure he will thank me later for this picture)

Linking up with Carissa. Hop on over and join in yourself.

Hey...

Im still here. Little miss is taking all my energy away. I keep thinking I should update my blog so I get on and start to update and then fall asleep. I have about 10 drafts waiting for me to finish to post. I do plan on getting a bump post finished this week. I love doing them for the kids and one day hope to put them in a pregnancy journal book. Which means I actually have to get better at writing hers or else her book will be quite lame.
Also, blogger has been acting up on me. I go to post a comment on someone's blog and it won't let me then I rewrite the comment again and it still won't post. So annoying. But I have been reading you alls blogs and hopefully soon I'll figure out this comment problem. I think though it may be more of a problem with blogger mobile then actually blogger but I rarely get on the computer anymore as most of our days are spent outside.
Life is moving fast around here and if baby girl keeps growing at the huge rate that she is we may be celebrating her birth very closely to LBs 2nd birthday. I still can't believe LB is turning two in two months!
And I'll leave you with this picture of LB helping start our garden... (yes that is a tennis ball he is attempting to plant for us)

Thoughts for Thursday

Life has been moving rather quickly around here lately leaving this mama wiped by the end of the night. Lots of things going on and lots of fun now that spring has sprung.

~1~ We moved LB to his toddler bed Sunday night! So far it has been a huge success! He loves it. It makes me a little sad how easy the transition was because it now officially means my baby is no longer a baby but a full grown toddler.  He has taken all his naps and bedtime in there without a peep. Although this morning I found him laying by his toy box and his cheek was dotted with the carpet, meaning he slept there for part of the night. But as long as he is quiet I'm not going to push the staying in bed part. Growing too fast on me for sure.

~2~ We had an ultrasound for little miss last Thursday. She still didn't give us a face shot but she was oh so cute. Sucking her thumb, waving at us, giving me some good kicks, and best of all she flipped herself so she is now head down ::praise the Lord:: But we did find out I have a small complication which isn't cause for alarm but could stunt her growth so we will have to keep an eye on it. Apparently, I have pools of blood inside the uterus, in most cases they disappear naturally but if they continue to grow they could stop her from growing. Although, she is still measuring 2 weeks ahead which would land her to be born on our anniversary. So far it looks like the blood pools haven't stopped her. 

Sweet lil miss sucking her thumb

~3~ On vacation LB fell in love. He was smitten for this little lady and they often were caught hugging and kissing one another.  I couldn't get enough of the cuteness and can't wait to show these two lovebirds pictures when they are older ;)

 adorable

~4~ Anyone else as excited as me that Easter candy has hit the shelves? I should really buy stock in starburst jellybeans. They are my favorite and I love all the displays full of them. Although, I will admit I miss getting reeses peanut butter eggs. But the sacrifice is worth it to never see LB swollen up again. But I'm thinking of convincing W to buy me one during a date night.

~5~ I can't wait for this weekend to arrive. We are going to get plants for the garden and new flowers for the front. I love spring time and all the colors coming into bloom. But most of all I love planning our garden knowing that our table is going to be full of home-grown goodness in a few short months.

~6~ We finally picked out lil misses verse. This may be my favorite part of decorating the nursery. LB's verse has been so fitting for him and each day he has us read it to him and lights up at the thought of God's angels watching over him (Psalm 91:11). I can't wait to have those moments with lil miss, putting her to bed while reading her verse over and over again over her. Her room is coming together beautifully and hopefully by the end of the month it'll be finished so I can post a nursery blog for you all.

A day in the life...

I have been wanting to do a post like this for awhile but never really got around to doing it. I think it'll be fun to have this to look back on in a few months when I have 2 littles in the house. Each season of life looks so different and its always nice to have a reference of just what that looked like for those moments in time. So thanks, Linds for asking what my day looks like and giving me the motivation to sit down and do it :)

I'm doing what a typical day looks like and not a specific day as each day around here looks so different. I am not a very structures person and like to have time to just be and do so I try not to have every Monday look the same instead I just wait until we wake up and then see what the day brings. 

6:30~ I wake up as hubby is getting up for work. I use this little time before LB gets up to pray and read the Word on my IPhone. Judge if you want but it is so nice to be able to stay and bed and connect with God without having to turn on a bright light or make my body move before its ready. 

7:30~ LB's awake and ready to play. Some mornings he will come lay in bed with me for a few minutes and watch PBS kids. Most days though we are pulling all the toys out of his toy box and racing around the house as cars.

8:00~ Breakfast time! LB loves blueberries and I mean loves... Every morning he has a cup of them along with either oatmeal, yogurt, or cereal. While he is eating I eat as well, usually steal cut oats and a piece of fruit.

8:15~ I clean up the kitchen. Unloading the dishes from the dishwasher and picking up whatever I missed from the night before. LB "helps" me unload and then runs away to play at his work bench, hammering away as I work.

8:45~ LB decides it is time to clean so we usually vacuum the upstairs. He loves the vacuum and daily will get it out of the closet for me and grab his toy vacuum to begin our task. Some days though he decides the kitchen floor is dirty and pulls out the broom for me. So glad one of us is staying on task ;)

{Some mornings we will do playdates, run errands, or go outside to play. But if not here is what the rest of our morning looks like}

9:00~ Sesame street time! LB lately hasn't really been watching it but insist on us coming downstairs and turning it on. For the majority of the time he pulls out all his downstairs toys and we build blocks and race cars down the slide as it is on in the background. That is until Elmo comes on. Once Elmo hits the screen he is frozen. He loves that puppet. So I spend those 15 minutes switching out and folding laundry. 

10:00~ Snack time. This boy can eat so we usually make a smoothie then eat some fruit and toast. 

10:30~ I start lunch. I usually do something with pasta or a panini or quesadillas.

11:00~ Lunch time and reading books before nap.

11:30-1:30~ Nap time!  This is the time of day that I usually play on the computer, eat my lunch, shower, put away laundry, do one of my daily "chores" or nap. 

1:30~ Up from nap and ready to play.

2:00~ If we didn't go do something in the morning this is when we get out and go somewhere. Since it is getting nice out again we usually play outside on the deck or go to the zoo or park.

4:00~Snack time and I start getting dinner together while he plays by himself.

5:00~Daddy home!

5:30~ Dinner time. 

6:00~ The boys play while I clean up from dinner and bake. 

7:00~ Bathtime followed by dancing with the Wii just dance game. 

8:00~ Start getting LB ready for bed. Which includes about 30 minutes of reading books with him followed by praying and singing with daddy.

9:00~ LB is finally asleep and its time for mommy and daddy to hang out. 

10:30~ Lights out :)

I really love this stage with LB. He is so curious and loves to play. He is into everything and just wants to figure out how each toy and item in our house works. Lots of days he helps me make dinner or cookies or whatever else I am doing. These are the moments I want to soak up with him knowing that this stage is only going to last so long. He is the sweetest.

Monday Randoms

It's been a while since I did a random update for you all and boy do I have lots of random thoughts today. 

~1~ We took LB to an allergist last week and did the long skin prick test with him to find out just exactly what he is allergic to. Good news is he came back only being allergic to walnuts but it is a very severe allergy to them. So we are still advised to avoid all treenuts. And because his blood test came back with the slightest positive for peanuts we must avoid those to for now. BUT the best news of all was the doctor is very optimistic that if we avoid all treenuts and peanuts for a few years he will be able to tolerate them by school age! Huge blessing. 

~2~ On Saturday my MIL came in town and watched LB for us for the afternoon. It was wonderful. W and I went out to lunch then got all of LB's Christmas shopping done. It feels good to be finished with his gifts. Now to get in gear and finish the rest of our list. 

~3~ Last week was a snowy one for us. It was beautiful snow though so I couldn't complain too much. We took LB out this weekend to play in it and he LOVED it. The only thing that made him happy about being indoors was the hot chocolate I made for him. He took the cup of it and shut himself behind a door to enjoy it, must've thought if we saw him drinking something that good we were going to take it away ;)

~4~ Our house church adopted a family for Christmas. I am so excited to show LB that Christmas is about blessing others and sharing the love and goodness of Christ with them. I am thankful that we get to do this as a group this year and as a group get to go meet this family. I think so often we get wrapped up in blessing our own family for Christmas that we forget the true meaning of Christmas. I am excited to start this new tradition with LB and our house church. Not only does it bless a family in need but it reminds us of the charity Christ has given to us freely, undeservingly, and wonderfully.

~5~ Little love just woke up, so I gotta go start my day. But if you haven't read the story of Jesus' birth yet this season spend some time in Luke 1 and 2. I have been reading those 2 chapters all month and it is life changing. I will soon update you all on what the Lord is teaching me through those words but man are they powerful. I am in awe of how God chose to send His son down to earth and how wonderfully He orchestrated it all. Beautiful, powerful love.

Join in the randoms yourself by heading over to Carissa's blog and linking up.

Wordless Wednesday

{So serious}

(please excuse the nose crusties he is fighting off a nasty cold.)

Monday Miscellany

Today's post is brought to you by the random happenings of our last week. Enjoy :)

~1~ LB picked out his outfit for halloween. He was the cutest train I ever did see.

See so cute :)

 Daddy and LB ready to trick or treat

~2~ We had are first snow! It was 70* one day and the next snowing. Only in the Midwest. But luckily it was all gone by that night and warmed back up to the 60*. (although, we may get some more this week) It was such a beautiful snow fall. Big, beautiful flakes. I loved watching it come down and so did LB.

He sat there on his rocking airplane for awhile just watching the flakes fall.

~3~ I made a fall yarn wreath a few weeks back. I love it. I am now debating on what colors to do for a winter wreath. What do you all think...silver and red, cream and green, gold and white? Here's the place to learn how to do one yourself.

Perfect front door welcome to fall

~4~ How long is it acceptable to leave carved pumpkins on the doorstep? Ours is still out. See...

~5~ My mom and her boy still don't have jobs or an apartment. They are living at an extended stay up the road but still hang out over here most days and nights. Please pray they find something soon. Not just for my sake but for theirs ;)

Link up your own randoms over at Carissa's blog and check out her fun giveaway while your there!

Word(less) Wednesday

Pumpkin carving is much more fun when you make someone smell inside ;)

Also, I'm guest blogging over on my dear friend, Lisa's, blog. Check it out here and show her some love.

Word(less) Wednesday {Strike a Pose}

How LB and I spend cold dreary days ;)

 

Word(less) Wednesday

Surrounded by pumpkins and his favorite thing is the corn stalks ;)

Word(less) Wednesday

This is what happened when I left hubs to entertain LB at our latest trip to the pumpkin patch...silly boys

Monday Randoms

Our life has turned a bit busy around here this last week. Probably due to just returning from vacay and the little one figuring out how to run. Oh boy, let the games begin! So I'm linking up with the lovely Carissa to bring you some miscellanies.

Hop on over and join in the fun.

{1} Last Monday I had the fun opportunity of shooting and editing a first birthday party for some dear friends. I had so much fun doing it. Their little girl is adorable and the party was a perfect pink party for a little girl. Here is one of my favorite pictures of the cake smash:

{2} LB is figuring out so much these days. It has been such a joy to watch him learn and concur new task. Some of them scare me. Like his need to climb on top of everything. His favorite thing to do is push the chair in his room up next to the window and then climb up the chair and onto the window ledge. The other day he was trying to attempt a jump from the window to his crib. Not looking forward to him figuring that one out.

{3} LB has become quite the helper lately. He loves to push the step stool around to wherever we may be and help.While doing the dishes he encouraged daddy by saying"rub rub rub". So cute

{4} The Lord has been telling me no a lot. To things He normally says yes to. It's been a humbling experience to hear God say no to things I love. I know it is for a good reason though, even if I can't imagine what those reasons are now. Luckily, He has been blessing me in so many ways and giving me beautiful clouds, sunsets, and sunrises to remember how great He is.

 {5} As you all may have gathered I love Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I have been working on recreating an at home version. I've tried just about every at home version that is published on the web but none of them get it just right. So in the meantime, as to not blow my whole budget, I have been ordering a Coffee Misto with pumpkin spice syrup. It taste very similar but cost about half the price. So if you are a PSL lover like me, give this one a try. Also, another Starbucks secret (from a former partner) order a kids steamer with pumpkin spice in it then take it home brew a cup of coffee and pour half the steamer into it. It'll make at least 2 drinks and cost you under $2. I order the kids steamer for LB and he drinks about 2 sips so the rest goes to my cup. Win-win :)

{6} I've been slacking on the hairdos. The sickies have been flying around our house this week and weekend which left me little time to do much except take care of my men. I'll try to do a style or two this week to make up for it. But I have been straightening and leaving my hair down more. That's a step, right? ;) And just to prove it here is a picture of LB and I with my hair done. (Doesn't LB look thrilled to be taking a picture with me ;))

Fall

Fall is upon us friends! This last week we were away having a mini family vacay to visit my extended family in Ohio. I loved the break from routine and LB did so good traveling. I almost don't want to tell you all about how well he did. Let's just say he slept 11 hours each night in a pack 'n play with no fussing. Granted, we missed out on many nightly family activities but it was worth it to get some alone time with W and have LB behaved during the days. 

To celebrate the beginning of fall here are a few pictures I took on vacation when we visited the fair. 

LB with his cousin (who doesn't need a picture in a pumpkin head)

Checking out the giant pumpkins

Love the colors of fall

Have you all got out and had a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks yet? I had my first one yesterday morning while it was in the 50* and it was so good. The only thing that would have made it better is if I could have shared it with you or you.

Word(less) Wednesday {Man Chant}

W has taught LB to chant men. They do this all day long whenever they complete a task deemed "manly". LB loves to clap at the end of the chant. During our family photo shoot we found a sign to the men's restroom, so of course W decided they should have their picture taken by it while chanting men. 

{photo credit}

Word(less) Wednesday

We had some family shots taken a few weeks back. They turned out fabulous. Here is one of my favorites. LB looks like one tough toddler ;)

{Photo Credit}

Weekend Playdate

We had a wonderful weekend long play date. Our good friends  Amanda, Ben, and Charlotte came up for the weekend to hang out with us. It was so fun to see our babies interact and give each other tons of kisses. LB would sneak them to Charly whenever we weren't looking. It was adorable. And it was wonderful to have like-minded friends up here to discuss life and our relationships with each other and our God. Only wish we lived closer to them. 

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from this weekend.

 Chatting up a storm

Slide time with daddy

Cute family at the swing

Wordless Wednesday

{Hair} Messy Bun

Anyone who knows me knows that 9 times out of 10 my hair is up in a messy bun. But this weekend I decided to try something different and instead of just throwing it back I would actually work to make the messy bun workable. If that makes sense. Basically I wanted a messy bun that looked pulled together. I didn't get a good side picture this week so you'll just have to imagine that angle.

Front view

Back view

How I did it: I let my hair air dry. Then teased it a little to give it extra volume and pulled it back in a loose pony tail. I then went through and bobby pinned sections of it all around the pony and tucked some of the hair in. I also bobby pinned back my bangs and fly-aways then hair-sprayed everything to hold it together.
Time investment: 5 minutes
Product: Bobby pins and hairspray
Longevity: All day.
This is definitely a hairstyle I enjoy. Easy to do and last all day. I liked that this one looks cleaner than my usual messy bun and kept my hair out of my face all day long. I may be converted into working a little harder each day to make the bun more manageable.

In other news LB started walking! He is still only taking a few steps here and there himself but he definitely is on the move. It is so cute to see his big smile form across his face when he takes steps and makes it where he wants to go. My baby is growing too fast. 

Oh and he also discovered his belly button. Here is what he thinks:

 

Happy Monday y'all! This is the day the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad.

Wordless Wednesday {life on the edge}

LB loves to wrestle while making bear noises. And this particular day he wrestled me all the way stairs. We don't have a baby gate. We live life on the edge here. Isn't he just the cutest though? I wish you all could hear his roaring in this picture. It is so funny.

{water fun}

LB loves his water table! Especially when he has a friend to share it with. I love that they are both little enough and still sweetly innocent so they can play in their diapers and it not be a problem. I love these long summer days. Being able to keep our babies entertained with water while us mommas drink a cup of coffee and chat together. Summer living at its finest.

 Starting out sharing sweet...

Then when she least expects it shower her with water

Don't worry I fight back

truce?