Big Boy Undies!

Wednesday I went with sweet little Monkey to Target, and we bought some "big boy" underwear for Johnathan as he begins potty training!!! Woohoo!!! We have a small training toilet that we purchased a week or so ago, and that, combined with his new undies...and lots and lots of patience (and probably laundry!) on mommy's part...is going to translate into the phase of transitioning from diapers to diaper-free!!! Hopefully by the time little brother comes along Johnathan will be able to say..."I'm a big boy now!"

My sweet little Monkey...before his latest hair cut! Look at those "bangs!"


First time wearing his big boy underwear!!!


More power to ya!

This boy LOVES puzzles...here is one of his newest ones, which of course he figured out in no time at all...we are now working on mastering jigsaw puzzles, which have proven to be a bit more challenging for Johnathan...which is just what he was needing!


Picking his first wedgie! Haha! Oh, boy, is he going to kill me later over these pictures or what?!!


What a cute little undies boy!!!

Happy Friday/Weekend, Y'all!!!

*Grace*

I Feel Sad...

...because earlier today when Johnathan was throwing a huge tantrum I yelled...at him...loudly. He was kicking me, and I told him to stop...my patience had worn thin, and I took out my frustration by yelling. What a humbling moment when I realized how I had failed to let Christ control my emotions, failing to give my tired toddler grace when it was most definitely needed. *Jesus, please help me to be patient when my nerves are wearing thin.*

Johnathan cried.

I cried.

I asked for his forgiveness.

And he wanted me to sing him to sleep.

All is forgiven.
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*Grace

Things I Don't Want to Forget...

These days Johnathan is doing so much, and he has so many cute little antics. I know that each funny little thing that he does won't last long, and when he moves on to his newest and cutest thing ever, I don't want to forget what just was...so here are some of his latest "cute things" that I want to remember:

-When he throws a ball and misses or otherwise "messes up", he'll say "aw, man!" I am guessing that he got that from me since I have noticed myself saying it now that he does! He also could have gotten this from Dora the Explorer from Swiper the fox...either way, he says it a lot!

-Sometimes when he is having a hard time falling asleep, he'll call for me and want to snuggle! How sweet is that?! He'll point to the bed and say "nool, nool" and it just warms my heart each time. He is a very affectionate little boy, and loves his mommy time! I love it when he runs up to me and offers a kiss or a hug all by himself. It is precious to experience the love of my little boy!

-He loves his baby, and likes to listen to little brother using the doppler. Every time he sees my tummy he says "baby, baby!"

-He has a weird fascination with keeping his hands clean now, and asks to have them wiped several times throughout his meals if they get anything on them! And, when I clean them off if there is even just a little speck of a crumb on them he'll bring my attention to it until it's gone too! Weird! ;)

-He has learned all his major body parts, and can say them and point to them on himself and others...he likes to do this right before bed, especially...we'll be going along, singing right before he goes down for the night and he'll start saying "eye, ear, nose"...etc, and touching them on Aaron's or my face. He likes practicing what he has learned right up until he hits the hay!

-He has become quite adept at working puzzles, and the shape puzzles are a bit too easy for him now. I just ordered some jigsaw puzzles, and they'll be in sometime this week. I can't wait to see how he does with those! He loves his "puv-puh!"

-When he drops something by accident, he'll say "woof!"...his version of whoops! It is totally cute!

-He has this little battery operated gorilla toy that spins and flips all over the floor...all while being extremely obnoxious with its loud hollering...anyways, Johnathan will grab his nearest baseball bat when that thing starts spinning around and hits it over and over with all his might! He used to be afraid of it until he figured out that it wasn't going to get him, and that he could smack it into submission with his bat!

-Johnathan asks for "knuckles" and "noggin'" all on his own now, wanting to bump knuckles with us or head-bump. It's pretty cute too!

-One of his favorite meals right now is PB&J...and if I ask him if he wants that for lunch his whole face lights up and he laughs like I just offered him the world! He can eat a whole sandwich too, both slices of bread smothered with peanut butter and jelly! He has an appetite, that's for sure!

-He really enjoys helping, and especially likes throwing things in the trash...which is also another new word that he has learned. "Tash, tash" is frequently heard in our home now...even the smallest specks of paper aren't missed by his sharp little eyes.

-Probably one of his newer words that he uses the most is "play"...as soon as he wakes up he wants to be let out of bed to play. And from then until naptime (if he takes one), it is non-stop action!

Those are just a few of the things that I can remember right now. I just love experiencing each stage of Johnathan's life, and I adore being his mommy...especially when he's asking to "nool." Sweet, precious boy!

Happy weekend!
*Grace*

21 Weeks!

Last night Aaron took my 21 weeks Belly Baby Baby Bump photo...and here I am, in all my baby bump glory! (Notice that it is a belly shot only...yeah, my face wasn't exactly camera-ready!) Anyways, here I am at 21 weeks (over half way there!):


Let's see...what are Belly Baby's "stats"...he should be about 11 inches long, and is getting close to being almost 1 lb...probably between 12-14 ounces! His little arms and legs are almost proportionate to the rest of his body, and he is already putting on some fat...thank goodness, because I know that I have been!!! His heart is getting stronger, and in a few more weeks Dr. Aaron will be able to hear it using his stethoscope on the outside of my belly...that was really cool to be able to do that with Johnathan...but you do have to listen very closely...there are a lot of gurgles and whooshes going on in there!

You can say a prayer for Belly Baby's big brother. Johnathan came down with RSV (a viral pneumonia) on Friday. We took him in to the doctor Saturday morning and got him started on some breathing treatments and oral steroids to help keep his airways working properly. Poor little guy also has a recurring ear infection in his left ear, and is on some stronger meds (he was just treated for a double ear infection 2 weeks ago) to help clear it out. He is doing much better today, and even by Saturday evening he was already showing signs of improvement. We always try to be quick to react whenever he shows any signs of illness. More often than not it is something that needs to be remedied and monitored. Thank you, Jesus, for already showing Your healing hand to our sweet Monkey!

Okay, folks, this mama's got to go. Have a fantastic Monday!

*Grace*

First Day of School!

Tuesday of this week marked Johnathan's first day of school! And I have to admit, that scene from Finding Nemo on Nemo's first day of school did play in my head several times...I wanted to tell Johnathan to be careful...really careful...you can never be too cautious! I can see a lot of Marlin, Nemo's dad in me! Haha! Johnathan's "school" is really just a mother's day out program, but school is a much easier concept for him to grasp, plus he can say it...and since "mother's day out" is quite a mouthful, school it is!

If you know me (and most of you do!), then you know that this was a huge step for me to take. If I think back over his almost two years, I can probably count on one, maybe two hands how many times I've been without him for any length of time. Sad, maybe, but what can I say, I just love my sweet boy, and I love being with him! So, thinking about letting him go somewhere on a weekly basis was a lot for me to think about, but I think that the rewards and benefits for him are going to be numerous, which is why I was able to "let go" on Tuesday and let him have some great time away from mommy with his new friends and sweet teacher.

Monday evening as I was thinking about taking him the next morning, I really did put up quite a fuss...crying and making Aaron wonder what the heck was wrong with me...I was very emotional to say the least, but I made it through the tears, and as I was going over in my mind what a big step this was going to be, I had some thoughts about a wish that had been buried deep inside which was just about to be fulfilled...

...several years ago, I was the nanny for my pastor's children, two, precious boys about 2 & 4 years old. They also participated in a mother's day out program, and I would pick them up from their classes at the end of their little "school day" and bring them back to their home to watch them until their folks got home. The fall that they started attending the program was the fall where we lost Daniel, so needless to say things were tough. I can remember picking those sweet boys up at the school and wishing that I was like the other parents, who most likely thought they were my boys, not knowing the anguish that was inside as I ached for my own two sweet boys, my boys who were in Heaven. I think that I maybe even pretended that they were mine, if for only a few moments to help me get through the hallways as we lugged their backpacks and looked at the treasures they had created that day. Like I said, it was tough, but I made it through and hoped that someday I would be picking up my own child, a child who knew me as Mama and who called me so. That happened on Tuesday, and it was like a little miracle. I still melt every time Johnathan says my name, and I don't think that anyone besides Jesus really understands what it means to me. I am so thankful for my sweet boy, he truly is a Godsend.

So, back to Monkey's first day...I am crying here and need to regain the focus of this post! Here is the progression of his first school day!

Eating a healthy breakfast, morning of, to have plenty of energy for the full day ahead!

I decided that it was fitting that he wear a tie on his first day...first impressions are important, right?!! Haha! (I LoVe this shirt, Tia Kayla!)


On the way to school, and Monkey looks as cool as a cucumber...mommy on the other hand was a bit apprehensive, but doing okay (i.e. no tears).


A quick shot as we sat in the parking lot, what a happy boy!


He looked so tiny in front of those big ol' Preschool doors.


As soon as he entered his room, he didn't waste any time finding all the cool hiding spots!


Bye-bye, sweet boy...have fun on your first day!!!


Back at home that evening, my silly boy is goofing it up for the camera as Dada helps to open a package that just came in the mail for Monkey.


What's in the package????...


...it's his backpack, half a day too late for his first day of school, but that couldn't be helped...I was NOT going to pay almost $35 in shipping for it to get there in time!


My precious boy likes his new backpack!


Those eyes, now how could you resist those big brownies?!!!


He had fun wearing his backpack, which I thought was just the cutest thing and the perfect size for him too...okay, maybe a little bit big, but it's just the right size to hold all of the stuff he has to bring to school!


I am in love with those little legs! They are so squeezable and kissable!!!


What a goofball! A pretty darn cute one though!!! ;)

Alrighty folks, I guess I'm about through for today. Although, you can say a quick prayer for Johnathan. Sadly, my sweet Monkey was up for several hours last night sick with the tummy bug. It was heartbreaking to see him like that, but I also had a "mommy moment" where I felt like a real mom...I actually had a feeling of joy as I was cleaning up puke...only "real" moms do that, haha!...and I felt blessed to have a little one who needed my help in that way. Aaron on the other hand was more than happy to pass that job along to me! :)

Much love and happy weekend!

*Grace*

Two of my Favorite Boys!

This isn't going to be a long post...but I just had to share some recent pictures of two of my favorite boys! I walked into Johnathan's room a couple of days ago and found this...

...it was just too cute of a photo opportunity to pass up!



And I even got them to pause for a moment for a quick pic before they returned to watching their movie. What wonderful boys I have! I love you guys!

I am Blessed!

Half Way There!

Today marks 20 weeks of pregnancy with our sweet Belly Baby. It is crazy that I am already half way there...it seemed to take f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get to this point when I was preggo with Johnathan...but I guess having him around makes the time fly this go 'round...which I am VERY grateful for!

When I had my visit Friday...when we found out we were having yet another precious boy!...my doctor said that everything is looking awesome! I am doing totally fantastic, which I am so thankful for...I was concerned that all of my chasing after Johnathan would put too much stress on the cerclage...but it hasn't! So far things are progressing just as they would if I was a "normal" pregnant woman...normal as in not high risk...not normal as in sane...because we all know that pregnant women aren't normal! The moodiness, the food-cravings, the constant having to go to the bathroom...there is nothing normal about that! Haha!

So, what's going on with our little Belly Baby??? Well, he is about 11 oz. and is about 10 or so inches long! He loves to move, and usually kicks a lot in the morning, right when I wake up, and then kicks off and on throughout the day...but at night is when he really starts to get going! Even though he's small that boy can kick! ;)

Well y'all, I wanted to write more...but I hear a little boy yelling "mama, mama" from his bed...so I think I had better go get him up!

Blessings, Grace

{B} is for.......

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{B O Y}
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We found out on Friday that we'll be welcoming another sweet baby boy into our family. It seems as if boys are our track record, so there wasn't much doubt in our minds that this little one just might be a "snips and snails" baby instead of a "sugar and spice" baby. Looks like I'll be the pink in my house of blue for a while longer, and you know what, that is just fine with me! I plan on training my boys to wait on me hand and foot, jumping at my every whim...nah, not really...but it will be nice to be the girly one among the rough and toughness of my boys! And, I know that I am going to have to get back in shape pretty quickly after our new baby boy arrives...I can see lots of sports, outdoor activities and adventures in our future. If little baby brother is anything like his big brother, Johnathan, then it will be all I can do to chase after them both!!! Phew, I'm already worn out just thinking about it! ;)

Have a blessed Sunday, and a great start to your week!!!

*Grace*

Mommy Confessions: Edition II (Preggo-Style!)

Mommy Confessions: Edition II comin' at you Preggo-Style...it's Big...it's BOLD...it's painstakingly honest, it possibly, no probably, includes too much information, but it is full of good ol' belly laughs...

Here we go.......

.......I Confess That:

-I burp like a boy who has just guzzled a 12 oz. warm soda...you know the kind of burps that feel like they rattle the whole house???...yeah, I've got those!

-I don't feel (too) bad about getting a second helping at dinner...I'm eating for two right?

-I nearly cried when I saw the cute little undies that I used to wear...compared to my maternity ones they look like little toddler panties! Will my butt ever shrink down to it's previous size again???!!!

-I look like a frump most days...but I am oh, so comfortable!

-My hair is falling out like crazy even though it's supposed to be nice and thick right now---am I going bald?!!

-I still drink coffee, daily, and consider it a favorite part of my diet! I drink lots of water to make up for it!

-I worry about if I'll ever have time to take a shower once I have two little ones running around...and then I think about it, and heck, I just have one running around right now and I still haven't showered yet today...so I guess it will be okay!

-I slop on the belly butter like crazy every night, hoping that it keeps away the stretch marks from my tummy...there is no hope for my booty though, it's already scarred up like a cat clawed at it!

-I bought a pack of Oreos at the grocery store a few days ago "for Johnathan"...but I have eaten a row of them by myself!

-I said it was a few days ago that I bought the Oreos...actually, I think it was just this past Sunday night!

-I love feeling my baby kick and worry if I haven't felt it in awhile...so I try to "wake" it up and make it move.

-I love having my doppler so I can hear my baby any time that I want to!

-I have let my house fall into disorder on more than one occasion...it is so much easier to take a nap than to clean up!

-I don't like swallowing those huge horse pills they call prenatal vitamins...seriously, do vitamins have to be that big?!!

-I like looking pregnant, and enjoy wearing snug shirts that show off my belly.

-I don't mind that my boobs are bigger...I just don't like the saggy part!

-I sometimes "sneak" a small bag of Doritos to eat on the way home from the store...for some reason they have been my craving lately...I bought the baked version last time, but they aren't nearly as good as the regular ones!

-I sort of hope we have a boy...that way we don't have to buy much of anything after delivery...and so Johnathan can have a brother close to his age.

-I wouldn't mind a sweet little girl either...pretty dresses and hair bows...I can deal with that!

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Alrighty folks, that's it for now...I think that I hear Oreos and Doritos calling my name! Haha!

*Grace*