Okay, I know some of you don't care about this, but I just think it is so adorable that Christian has started sucking his thumb. Pretty much anytime you put him on the floor, he will find it and go to town. Just recently, when he is in the swing, he will get it and fall asleep. Now that he has found his thumb, ummm, yeah, he is like sleeping through the night now. Not to brag ;-). Last night was the first night in more than 2 weeks that I had to nurse in the middle of the night. He probably would have gone back to sleep by just sucking his thumb, but since we are all in the same room, I didn't want him to wake up Joseph.

Just chillin' at a park in Rockwall.

This face is not usual for Christian during bath time. He will usually have a huge smile on his face and be talking the entire time.

Something Joseph loves to do around here...play in the pool. The water was freezing, but as you can see, he didn't mind it. My goal is to teach him to swim this summer because he loves the water and I will feel a little better with him around the pool if we have lessons.

Easter Weekend

This weekend was much anticipated mostly by me because I was ready to be out of this house. We went and had lunch Friday afternoon with Grandma and Joseph seemed to be doing better, but during nap, he proved otherwise. I was so bummed, so we stayed home from the McDaniel's movie night. Then Saturday morning, there was going to be an egg drop by helicopter. Jeff and I were excited to see this. We loaded up and headed over to Pearland High where I saw the biggest church event that I have ever seen. There were so many people!! We didn't do any of the free games, inflatables, or booths because of the lines. Plus, we would totally have waited in line and then once we got to the front, Joseph would totally tell us no. I wasn't about to do that. Jeff ended up not taking Joseph on the field for the egg drop, which turned out to be a great decision. He said that it just didn't look like a good idea. Tons and tons of people lined the field and he just knew that he would wait all that time and end up with nothing. So, we just watched from the stands which was fun.
Then Sunday we went to church and then to Marnie and Poppy's for lunch and the annual egg hunt. It was great fun, but both my boys had melt downs during our time there. Christian's was during the photo shoot and Joseph's was during the egg hunt. Ahh, the joys of parenting. C-bear was mad because I woke him up and J-dog had fallen off the dining room chair onto the wood floor...I guess they both had good reasons to be upset. Mark and Jack were so sweet and gave Joseph some of their eggs since he wasn't wanting to participate in the hunt.
Once we got home, Joseph and Jeff hit the sack while Christian and I hung out. He was so happy and I hadn't taken any pictures of him yet, so we went outside and I took some photos of him. Then, once Joseph woke up and was happy, I went and took some pictures of both boys.
So, a great and long weekend. Please be in prayer for Jeff as he is going to France on Saturday. :-( Next weeks post will be brought to you from Dallas.
Peace, LLK

This is only half or less of the stadium.

Bustin' out the candy. He was on cloud nine yesterday because he hasn't had anything sweet for 5 days! I was refraining since he had been sick and didn't think his stomach could handle it.

I love how this Easter Basket is getting fuller each year.

This is what having a virus for four days will do to you. You put a bucket on your head and walk around saying, "Ye Haw!" He is much better now and not doing such crazy things.

Two days

This picture says it all. Joseph has had a virus for the last two days. Tuesday morning he woke up really fussy, but I just thought he didn't get enough sleep, but when I went to kiss him, I could tell that he had gotten sick. Yup, he got sick in his bed...again. Such a sweet way to start your morning. Have to clean up the mess that has been there for who knows how long, give him a bath, and try to keep the smallest member of the family happy without touching him. We had actually had a follow-up appointment for Joseph to the pediatrics to look at his ears that morning, so we talked about him being sick. Of course, there is a virus going around and the vomiting would last about 24 hrs and the other stuff, several days. When we got home, we made a bed on the couch and stayed there until 12 today. Before he went down for his nap today, he had eaten some food and was drinking more...all of which he was keeping down and in. From this picture, you know he doesn't feel great because he has his sucker in his hand which he opened in the car on the way home from the doctors. He didn't want me to take it, but didn't want to eat it either. And then there is the Sonic powerade which he barely sipped on and the amount that he did drink, came back up later on the couch. So, needless to say we have been home just hanging out and washing and lysoling everything we own, touch, or breath on. We have a busy, fun filled weekend ahead so I am going to keep him home the next couple of days. I really hope no one else gets sick and misses anything this weekend. We have a lunch date with great-grandma, movie night, 30,000 Easter egg drop (from a helicopter) on Saturday, and of course Easter on Sunday. More pictures and follow-ups to come. Pray that we all stay healthy and that all Joseph's cousins stay healthy too...more fun when they are all together.

Snap shot of our last two days.

My little man that I am trying so hard to keep from getting sick. My hands are soooooo dry from washing them so much. We also had his 2 month check-up last week. He was 11'13 oz and 24 in. Oh, and he is sleeping so well at night. Last night, he went 8 hrs from his last feeding-his first morning feeding... such a great baby!!

Joseph (this afternoon), this was after he finally arose from the couch and started playing and eating. This is what a smile looks like with toast in your mouth.

Yea, back to his old self...the look we have all come to know and love. The look that says, "Whatcha lookin' at punk?"

Taken last week...just thought it was cute.

Randomness

Just a little update about our family:

Christian: Is growing like a weed. I guess I should have waited and made this post next Thursday after his 2 month check-up, but last week he weighed 11 lbs. I think we are going to have another big boy on our hands. I just can't imagine him being bigger than what Joseph was at 6 months. Jeff mentioned the other day what if we had 4 big boys like the Thomas' (Jeff has a set of cousins that are all brothers and they are all over 6 feet tall...huge boys!!). I just shook my head and can't imagine. Can you imagine the grocery bill?!?! Jeff and I laugh at what we finish off at meal time just between the two of us, I can't imagine four boys. That actually might be a good diet plan for me. There just won't be any food for me to eat. Anyway, back to Christian. He is a sweet little baby. Sleeps a lot during the day which is nice because I can tend to Joseph and get things done. Around 5 pm, he starts to wind down and get fussy. I usually cook dinner with him strapped to me in the jeep carrier. Talk about tiring! I remember my pilates instructor telling me before he came, I should focus on strengthening my arms and back because having a two year old and baby can be very tiring. I just shrugged and thought, "I carry Joseph around all the time, I am conditioned enough to handle this." Boy was I wrong. Christian loves to be held a lot and walked around, so that came be very tiring. During the day, he will sit in the swing and bouncy chair, but at night he is ready for some mommy touch. I spend most of my evenings walking him around the living room and kitchen while Jeff and Joe play. Christian loves being outside and baths so that has become a routine for us. Dinner, clean-up, walk, keep baby happy, bath, and then bed. He has recently found his hands and chews and sucks on them constantly. He is cooing and smiling like crazy which is always sweet. He's real chatty in the morning and at bath time. It seems like he is cooing much earlier and much more than what Joseph did. When I think about this, I wonder if that means he is going to talk more than Joseph...something I can't imagine.

Joseph: Is getting so big and at such a joyous age. He is at an age where he is learning, repeating, remembering everything! He is starting to make sentences which is really cute. One of my favorites is "Mama, see me now." So demanding! My least favorite phrases are "No" and "No, mine." He is going through the two's right now and that is all I have to say. I told Jeff that I am going to introduce him as, "this is Joseph and he's two." So whatever he does or whatever happens....he is just a normal 2 year old boy. He is amazing with Christian. He just gets on the floor and talks to him and Christian just coos and smiles back at him. We have had a few close calls with Joseph injuring Christian, but for the most part he is very gentle with him. One night Christian was in his bouncy seat (unbuckled) and Joseph ran by, grabbed the back of the seat and let go. Yep, just about catapulted Christian out of the seat. I was eating and when I turned to see what was going on, all I could see was the whites of Christian's eyes. He went right back to sleep like nothing had ever happened. Joseph is becoming a little boy in all sense of the word. Loves getting dirty, stinky and playing rough. He does this thing where he will run by you and slap you on your back side or leg and take off running. If he ever does this, he is playing and not hitting, because as he runs away he will yell, "get you!" Very cute, but when you're not expecting to get slapped, it can sting a little. He is doing great in his bed. We have a bottom rail so he doesn't fall out at night anymore. Jeff said we didn't need one, but I kept saying we did and then one night he fell out and he had a nice shiner to show for it. Ummhhmmm, mama knows what is best ;-) Last week Joseph had his first round of ear infections. We finally took him in after a week of runny nose, cough, and finally a high fever and vomiting. I never thought it could be an ear infection because he never once pulled on his ear or mentioned his ear hurting. She said there was a lot of fluid in both so I was bummed to hear that because I have had to battle with fluid in my ears for years. I have significant hearing loss due to chronic ear infections and fluid, something I would prefer my kiddos never have to deal with. This week he has really bounced back and been his old chirpy self.

Jeff and I: We are doing good. Just trying to get into a good routine where we can actually visit with each other at night. We get to talk about our day at dinner and then we split up for the night each taking a boy. Jeff is a common request from Joseph, so I take Christian and just try to keep him happy and awake until bath time. I can't wait for Christian to be able to play with the boys and we can all be together in the evenings again. Jeff's job has been going pretty good...he is just happy to still have one. They have been laying off left and right at his place. He may be going to France for this project so that is a week that I am not looking forward too. He is my savior at 6 pm. Someone we are all happy to see walk through that door!
I have been getting into a routine as well. I have started going back to the Y and that has been awesome. Joseph eased right back into it and of course, Christian sleeps the entire time. My back has been hurting ever since the epidural, so I am wanting to get back to pilates, but going by someone else's time isn't going to fly right now. We are all pretty much on Christian's time. I am feeling pretty rested. I don't get a solid couple of hours of sleep every night, but I do get sleep. Christian wakes up at 1, 4 and then is ready to be up for the morning at 5:30. The 9:30-1 is always good, and he will usually go down pretty easily after the 1 am feeding, but after that, I just hold my breath that he will go back to sleep. I fall asleep in the glider a lot, but the other night I just couldn't take it anymore, so I nursed in the recliner...much more comfortable and better for my back. Jeff has been such a big help with the second baby. He will get up sometimes in the middle of the night if Christian wakes up and he knows that I just nursed. He will bring him to the living room and walk him or rock until he goes back to sleep. So nice! He will do this on nights he has to work, which makes it more amazing. That is pretty much it with all our latest news. I will let everyone know Christian's 2 month results next week, so stay tuned. Peace

It is hard to picture that Christian was spittin' mad right before I took the above picture. Many of you have heard that his little guy sleeps a lot. He does!! I just thought this was so typical of him to fall asleep right before bath. The evenings are hard for him and last night was no different. I grabbed the plug to keep him happy while I prepared his bath. It took like 5 minutes and this is what the result was...I guess I took a long time getting the stuff out.

Still asleep after getting him undressed and dunked in water. He stayed asleep a little after the plug came out too. Heavy sleeper I guess.

Trying out the bumbo seat. He did so much better than Joseph did the first time in this seat. Poor Joseph had much more to support (head wise), but this little guy just plopped in and held up his head pretty well. I have a feeling this is how my pictures are going to be with two boys. They just aren't going to care at all. Too bad.

Most of you don't care to see this picture because you see me everyday, but it is for the folks who don't. I am always asked why I don't post more pictures of Jeff and I. It is because I am the one taking the pictures and it is while Jeff is at work.

Weekend

This past weekend my sister Stacey joined us. We were so blessed with her company. Just having another girl in this male dominated house was a real treat. We went shopping, took Joseph to the Rodeo, ate out and had some much needed girl talk. Joseph L-O-V-E-D having her here. "Stacey play," was heard a lot this weekend. And one time, Jeff and I were in the living room and we heard Joseph tell her to sit down (they were in his room playing), I guess she started to get up to leave and he just wasn't done playing with her. Thanks Stacey for coming down!
*Sorry for the lack of pictures taken from this fun filled weekend. I really dropped the ball on that one.

This is how Christian took in his first Rodeo.

Christian after the Rodeo. Must have been so tiring sleeping the entire day.

My manly gardener ;-)

Joseph loved all the animals and am pretty sure that he would have stayed in the petting zoo the entire time if I would have let him. Since he loves animals and can't keep his hands to himself, he only got snipped at by one chicken. No tears from Joseph though, nothing like the snatch from the ostrich.

Joseph's eyes just lit up when he saw this tractor. As you can see, I couldn't get him to look at me for a semi-decent picture. He was just to distracted.