The rest of the weekend....

Was just as crazy, busy and fun :)

Let's see, Sunday was church (which started with us screaming at Benjamin the whole way there so he'd stay awake ...so he'd sleep through church, haha! It worked!) And then we grilled out for dinner Sunday night.

Today, we packed up and headed to The Purple Cow Dairy & Zoo. We weren't really sure what we were going to see upon arriving, but, we headed on anyway!

We ate lunch there and then headed 'out back' to see the animals - every thing from dogs, to goats, to kangaroos (that were not dead, just simply hot & tired, haha), to camels and peacocks! It was quite...interesting! :)

Then we headed back in to get some yummy ice cream!

After stuffing ourselves to the brim, it was time to head home to NC. We got in the van and Benjamin was asleep before long. Keaton had lots to "talk" about before finally falling asleep. Then it was Zach's turn. I had to (wo)man the van and stay awake. It was hard, but Zach deserved the nap - as I took Benedryl the past two nights to sleep and didn't really realize he woke up with the boys at 530 in the morning, well, I KNEW he did, but I didn't KNOW he did...good ol Benedryl! ;-)

We got home, unloaded the van and let the boys have some freedom....before loading them back up, heading to our old apartment to get a van load (only a handful on things remain! whew!) and then to get yummy Mexican for dinner (no one wants to cook after driving all day!) The boys were super tired, but in all, did a great job being "patient" while we waited and ate.

So, now, pictures :) From the whole weekend....

Benjamin could really care less about the animals....

Keaton could care less too, rocks are more exciting!

The Benjamin Paparazzi

They had a bunch of benches out front, Keaton had to try them all out :)

Yummy ice cream!

Me: "Look, Keaton! Baby Goats"
Keaton: "Whatever, mom, look rocks..."

I'd never seen a real peacock (that I know of) I was amazed!

We knew he was ok...see below

See... :)

What was he so excited over? dogs...

(Detour back to Zach's parents house...) Huge bubbles!

Pitiful Benjamin...

16 months apart...about 5 inches apart...

My sweet boy!

Keaton on the John Deere stool (he LOVES John Deere....that's my boy!)

My Mother's Day/weekend

We had a jam packed, super fun Mother's Day weekend.

Friday afternoon, Zach's parents got in town and we (we meaning every one but Zach b/c he was still at work) went to Chili's for dinner...

Saturday, we went to Lowe's to get some things to fix our couch (it broke when we moved...I tried to move it and well, b/c of the brokenness, it got stuck in a place I hated it). My flowers that Zach ordered arrived for Mother's Day (they are gorgeous!) Then, my mom got here around 11 with lunch. My mom gave me my Mother's Day gift - some yumy Bath & Body Works lotions and a super fun cupcake book! After lunch and naps, Zach mowed and then my mom & I headed to Marshall's. Zach met us at Zaxby's for dinner (yummmmy!) After dinner, (and after my mom and I got lost trying to get back home!), we got the boys in bed and then my mom and I headed to Target for groceries and supplies for our cook out the next day.

Sunday morning, we had baby dedication at church - always a fun morning! After church, we came home and had a cook out -
burgers, dogs, chicken, deviled eggs, pistachio salad, beans, watermelon, potato salad, drinks, and pound cake with whipped cream and strawberries.

Zach's mom bought me a gorgeous flower as well.*

Whew.

The boys napped and then, my mom and I went back to Target to get non-grocery things (and some grocery things) and brought home yummy Taco Bell.

Yesterday, my mom came and helped me with the boys most of the day. We were going to go to the Farmer's Market in Raleigh, but opted just to visit the little fruit stand near our house and got some green beans (for B), some squash, cucumbers, and kiwi as well as two gorgeous plants...one hibiscus and one....other pretty one* ;-)

We also went to World Market because I finally found curtains I liked for the living room!

She left around 4, I made pancakes for dinner and, surprisingly, for the first time ever, I think, Zach got off work early! So he rushed home before class to see the boys and put Keaton to bed.

Whew!

*I'll look at the names and take pictures later! :)

Valentine's weekend

It started Thursday night with Zach bringing home some beautiful roses - because he thought V-day was Friday....teehee :)


Saturday included two trips to buy fabric & then a fun family dinner at Zaxby's - yummmmmy! I couldn't have asked for a better Valentine's Day spent with my 3 guys! I'm one lucky woman!!!

Today included church, lunch at Applebee's, watching the first 3 minutes of the Daytona500, another fabric run and small group - only to find out that our leaders were at the hospital having their sweet baby boy!!!!!

Speaking of sweet "baby" boys :) Here's a late picture of B enjoying his avocados :)

Our Christmas Morning

I started off the morning making a cheater's version of these. I didn't make them from scratch, I used canned bread sticks....sue me ;-) I did make the drizzle for it...fo rizzle.

Ok, so daddy got K dressed...he's in a Halloween shirt...on Christmas morning...That's what you have to do to keep up with the Jones'!

Keaton woke up very early (I'll explain in a minute) and by 7am, had played with "All" his gifts. By 8am, he had a CD punched into his face trying to grab it out of Zach's hands and by 11 had run into a wall or door...I forget how many times. Poor kid. We had to start breathing treatments last night and he was awake most of the night with a wheezy-cough. I'll be taking him in first thing tomorrow morning before we head out of town.

K digging into his stocking - Teething biscuts and lots of Mega Blocks (don't tell him it was only half the pack - he gets the rest for his birthday!) :)

Clipo, Clipo, Clipo...He got SO excited every time this commercial came on TV...

Today consists of cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning for me. I refuse to come home to a dirty house Sunday night!

I made out like a bandit this Christmas :) I got a craft mat and rotary cutter, as well as a paper cutter. I got a Sugarland CD, $20 in iTunes cards, a cookbook, some yummies from Bath & Body Works and 2 wristlet keychains from JimmyPickles. Yes, it was a fun morning... (and I'm probably forgetting something, sorry honey!)

Here's B enjoying his Christmas toy - the ONLY toy for his age left at Target by yesterday afternoon....(well, that he didn't have... there were 2 others, but no sense in having duplicates...) Look at the pudgy hands...agggh, I'll eat him :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Merry Christmas!

Our weekend

I feel like it has just flown by! I'm not even sure what all happened, except we just stuffed ourselves with my chili. We pretty much finished Christmas shopping. I swear, next year, we will NOT wait this long. It's driving me batty!

Keaton said some new words this weekend...
"gotcha" :)
Unfortunately, I can't remember the rest right now :)

Benjamin is super close to rolling over! I have to stop cheering when he's so close, it keeps scaring him (OK, I'm getting excited and ok with this milestone!)

This week, we will finish up Christmas shopping, have Benjamin's 4 month appointment (see below) and we'll head to VA for a quick, Christmas celebration on Friday. whew.

Picture Time!

Yes, you're looking at this picture the correct way. B thought this was comfy. How do I know? He slept for an hour like that?? (Dr. Davis - are you wondering why he won't nurse on one side?! haha!) P.S. - Check out the thigh rolls....love it!

Zach practicing for Sunday morning service...sorry, "practicing"

Not sure what was above him as the tree is only a couple inches taller than he is, but I love the look of amazement :)

I was trying to be creative...eh...not so much

I think "TAAAAIN" (train) was coming from his mouth...I think...?

"Oh Wow"

I'm normally pretty anal about what Keaton eats. I mean, we're NOT healthy eaters, but I don't let him drink juice, have lots of sweets or anything like that. If I'm having a dessert, I'll let him taste, usually the least sugar-filled part of it...

Well, the holidays have ruined that. He's been eating Sandtarts with me, we stand by the Peppermint Marshmallows and munch all day...

Wednesday was the straw that broke the camel's back though...

When my mom was in town last weekend, she bought us some egg nog. The only time I notice it was when I'd open the fridge for meals, and I couldn't drink egg nog with meals...it has to stand alone!

Well, I went to get Keaton's sippy out of the fridge and I saw it. I couldn't take it anymore. I had to have a sip!

So I poured myself a cup and wouldn't you know, Keaton turns around - he knows something is amiss. He is being left out!

I looks and says, "Guh" (which I'm thinking this time meant, "Give" haha) I said, "Say please" (Forgetting that he has that one down now...) "Peeeeease" So I give him a tiny sip.

This is my son. I know he was birthed from me if for no other reason the second that delicious, thick drink touched his tongue, his eyes lit up and "OH WOW" escaped his lips - complete with a tummy rub, followed by "yummy yummy!" hahahahahah, I love it!

I had to chug the rest and show him it was "all gone" so he wouldn't beg for more (ie: wailing and gnashing of teeth!)
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Benjamin discovered his voice a week or so ago. If you see us and we have blood pouring out of our ears, that's what is going on. This kid can screech! I don't remember Keaton being this loud - of course, up until this point, he'd spent the better part of his short four months screaming and crying all day....and all night. So, noise was kind of relative by that point. But B is loud. That's the only way to describe it.

When I taught pre-school, one of my 3 year olds had given me an ornament (I'm thrilled her mom wrote her name and the year on the back - I will never forget Meredith McGimsey...Seriously. I loved those kids. I can see the whole class now...Noah, Beth, Carter...ok, I won't name all 13, but I bet I could! haha!) Anywho, the ornament. It's a felt bear and super cute. Well, I was sitting at the "tree" tonight with B and he starts YELLING at this bear, grabbing for it. I tried to show him lights and other shiny ornaments...He'd push them out of the way to get to that bear! It was hysterical!
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I keep thinking of things to brag about them throughout the day and when I sit down to write, I can't remember it all...

Oh well...maybe tomorrow. :)

4 months

Well, silly me posted pictures instead of talking about B yesterday! He turned 4 months! How quickly this time has passed!

He is usually a very happy baby (compared to K up until this point!) He loves "talking" - he jabbers all day long! He is super smiley and makes me melt with every gummy grin! He is trying so hard to roll over (I'm not encouraging it!) He loves his toes (who doesn't?!) He loves chewing and sucking on his hands. He still would rather be in the wrap snuggled up next to me than any other place (and I would rather that too!)

He's been sleeping thru the night since about 6 weeks (minus the snafu with HFM and a few days after...) He just doesn't like to nap (taking after Keaton)

He loves being in his jumperoo and jumping and making the silly thing make all sorts of noises.We've had to move it up to the 2nd level - we're not sure if it's because he's that long or if it's his weight weighing it down (I'm not kidding!)

He loves his big brother and watches everything he does (and laughs when K gets into trouble! hhahah!)

We go on Monday for his 4 month check up and 2 vaccinations (1 shot and 1 oral) ((I promise soon, I'll write about what we're doing and why!)) I'm SO excited to see how much he weighs, I really do feel our scale was pretty accurate in saying 18lbs....we shall see!

So that's my baby at 4 months! I could eat him :)
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On the mommy front, I'm just about done with Christmas. I've been busy doing a lot by hand this year and it's been so much fun.

To go along with my peppermint marshmallows I "made" peppermint all purpose cleaner! I bought some 7th Generation All-Purpose cleaner and some peppermint essential oil. In a separate spray bottle I poured 4 oz. of cleaner and a bunch of drops of oil. I shook it & started cleaning...ahhhh, Christmas on my counters! yummmmmy!

I can't wait to show off some of my hand made goods, but not til after Christmas!!

I was also accepted to write for another blog, 24 hour menu. It's a recipe blog that I really enjoy reading. I'm super excited about this! I've really been enjoying coming up with ideas and writing for {busy mommy} as well.

Time to throw dinner in the oven! Til next time

How to make your mama proud!

Atleast how Keaton does it anyways...

This mama is a huge football fan, particularly, college football. I am a die hard UVA & UNC fan, however, there are other teams that I really enjoy watching, one of those being Alabama. Yesterday, was an AMAZING game versus Auburn (where Auburn didn't score a single point...wonderfulness!!!) So, what would any mother teach her son? How to say "Roll Tide", of course! K doesn't have it down perfect, but there's a destinct "oll ide"to it! And if nothing else, if I say, "Roll Tide!" He throws his arms in the air and says, "YAY!" haha!!! (For my MTSU'rs, we're working on "Go Big Blue") ;-)

I made chili again today and the weather finally coorporated with me! It was so cold and rainy and yucky - perfect chili weather! Keaton made me proud once again, by saying "yummy yummy" after most bites. He impressed us with "Bean" and pointing to beans! And calling his spoon a speen - close enough (Roll tide!)

I have also, gasp!, decorated for Christmas!!! I even did this....before Thanksgiving Day! I guess to make up for the fact that we have done absolutely NO Christmas shopping! haha

I think that's the news from here...

Finally, some long awaited pictures :)

"Hello" from B! Check out the thighs! ;-)

My sweet Sweet Pea

Our "tree" (tee) with lights (liiiiiii) ;-)

The stocking were hung by the ...bookcase?

Zach joining in on the babywearing fun ;-)

Our little Santa!

Experimenting with the camera...you might get a cavity from how sweet this picture is!

haaha.....love it!

Please be patient as we experience technical difficulties...

Ahhh, I can breathe again! A very scary thing happened when I opened my laptop this morning...the "mouse" (touchpad) and keyboard were not responding!!! ACK! I get Zach's laptop and once we figured out what my login was, his laptop disconnects from the internet!!! And really, all I wanted to do was check my email to see if 1- a friend had her baby yet and 2- if I needed to make a wrap for a friend.

I've had a lot of issues with my laptop as of late, but I love her too much to send her away. However, tomorrow, she'll be taking a trip to the Geek Squad. Hopefully her stay will be short and she'll come back better than ever.

It all started with my E's and S's...sometimes the E doesn't show up...and sometimes I get double S's...usually when I'm typing the word "as" (eek!) ;)

Then, it started having problems booting up. I'd have to shut down, restart in safe mode, shut down and restart again as normal.

About 2 weeks ago, it stopped detecting my battery, so if it became disconnected, it would immediately shut down - and I'd usually have to restart in safe mode...etc...etc...

Then this morning...My mouse was going all wonky. It would avoid any thing I needed to click on - flying all over the screen. And then if I could get it to a place to type (say, my gmail login) I'd have to punch the letters/numbers as hard as I could 5 or 6 times before anything would show up. As soon as I'd hit enter, it'd do what I'd need it to do...until I wanted to click on an email or try to read something in Reader.

So that was today!

We celebrated Thanksgiving at IHOP last night since we weren't able to make it home. It was super yummy, however, Keaton decided to display his toddlerness and throw a couple of really good tantrums while we were there. No one seemed to mind, but I was rather embarrassed. He enjoyed his create-a-face pancake with bananas (nay-nays), strawberries (mmmm, haha!), yougurt and whipped cream. I had (I think it was called) Butterscotch Rocks pancakes - pancakes filled with butterscotch chips and granola, sprinkled with granola and drizzled with caramel syrup. And of course, a dollop of whipped cream on top! :) Zach claimed he was going to get belgum waffles...but settled for something gross looking (Though NOT a cheeseburger!) instead!

I also wanted to share what I've been putting off for awhile! About a month ago, I was accepted as the Stay At Home Mommy topic editor for {busy mommy} blog! I'm so excited about this! You should be able to go here and read the articles I've written so far. It's been fun coming up with ideas and taking off with them.

Well, the battery is running low on Zach's laptop! Pray I get mine fixed quickly!! :)

"Happy" Halloween

Is that not the cutest pumpkin ever!!!! :)

Well, we had to make another trip this morning to the pedi. & long story short, K has "baby asthma" & we are 'proud owners' of a nebulizer. I know in the long run this will be a good thing (we can battle colds much quicker from home). He also has an ear infection in his right ear. So, yeh, that was our morning.