Tater Tots

Embarrassing

2010-02-03T07:51:00.000-08:00

OK, so I have to admit it is embarrassing not to have a post since six months ago. A girlfriend just said she checked out my blog to get an update since we had not talked in a while and I had not updated anything since JULY!!! Ooops! I could go on with a list of excuses, but I won't. I'll just give an update and hope to follow up with pictures before too long!

We had a great celebration of Caleb's 3rd birthday in August in Illinois. My mom threw a wonderful Cars party for him for an entire weekend!

We went on a wonderful vacation with my parents in October to Hilton Head Island. We stayed in a beautiful villa on the beach with wonderful views of the ocean and dolphins. We ate lots of great seafood and did a lot of fun and different activities. It is always fun to explore a new place with family.

In November we went to Pennsylvania to spend time with Jeff's brother's family. Caleb and Luke had so much fun with their cousins, Jake and Danny. Luke started crawling at their home and I think he just wanted to keep up with the other boys. Then we all went to Jeff's parent's home in Virginia and enjoyed Thanksgiving at their home. We traveled almost 1900 miles so it was a lot of together time in the car.

For Christmas we traveled to Illinois to spend a wonderful, snowy Christmas with my parents. Caleb went ice skating for the first time, and Jeff and I really enjoyed being back on the ice. Caleb and I decorated a gingerbread house, and we both got really into it and did a beautiful job, if I may say so! =) We had fun making sugar cookies and lefsa (our Swedish Christmas tradition). As soon as we got home Luke started pulling up on everything around the house, and Caleb took the word "challenging" to a new level. His teachers noted in the parent teacher conference that after Christmas he was really different and is asserting a lot more independence.

I feel like lately I am just trying to keep up with the basics of life. Life is full of fun right now with Luke into everything and Caleb challenging everything. If we make it through the day with everyone alright and in bed then it is a successful day! =) I realized this morning that Luke is getting his first tooth, and it was really exciting. You can't see the white of the tooth yet, but it broke the skin and I can feel it. I am planning his first bithday parties and in shock that our baby is almost one. He is saying all sorts of words, but I think Jeff believes I hear more words than Luke is actually speaking! Caleb is full of fun stories and questions, and is looking forward to the celebrations and cake and balloons for Luke's birthday!

The Little Things

2009-07-13T06:48:00.000-07:00

I was thinking this weekend how the little things make it all worth while. Caleb is at a challenging stage and Luke is wanting to nurse often, and all of this leaves me tired a lot of the time. However, there are so many precious moments I treasure.

When Luke was a few weeks old I was holding him while he was crying and his head was near my lips. Caleb suggested that maybe Luke was crying because he thought I was going to eat his hair. Too funny! - Friday night we got home and I was trying to get cereal ready for Luke in an unsuccessful attempt to help him sleep through the night. While I was preparing the cereal Caleb started entertaining Luke with a game of peek-a-boo. All of a sudden I hear the sweetest sound in the world - Caleb making Luke laugh for the first time. I went out to the van to get the video camera and was still able to get a couple minutes on video of Luke cracking up over Caleb. This was Luke's 4 month birthday so it was fun to mark it with his first laugh and first cereal, along with the first time he ever had a blow out diaper on Mommy. Unfortunately for Aunt Peg, Luke's first blow out was with her on her last visit...sorry Aunt Peg! - This weekend Caleb told Jeff he wanted Daddy to build him a tree house. When Jeff said he didn't have any trees to make a tree house Caleb suggested that he had a pair of scissors he could use to cut down trees. - Yesterday I was getting Caleb ready for Sunday School. I reached in his underwear drawer and felt a couple underwear were soaking wet. I was talking out loud to myself trying to figure out what happened, and then Caleb told me that the day before when he soaked through his diaper at nap time that he had used the underwear in an attempt to clean his bed. Gross, I know, but after I confirmed that was the only thing Caleb used for clean up then I told Caleb how good it was that he tried to clean up the mess and that next time he could just tell Mommy and Daddy so we could help. It is interesting to get a glimpse of how a young mind works. - Caleb overheard me talking to my mom on the phone this weekend saying that we could all share one hotel room next weekend when we meet my parents. When I got off the phone Caleb expressed his concern that all of us could not sleep in the same bed because we can't sleep with Granna and Granpa on top of Mommy and Daddy in one bed.

There are so many funny things and the sad thing is that I am too tired to remember most of them! I am going to start documenting the comments so I can look back and smile at my sweet and funny boys.

GG & Aunt Peg & Cereal

2009-07-10T12:54:00.001-07:00

Caleb is such a big helper these days. This morning I said we needed paper towels and toilet paper so I was going up to the laundry room to get some more. Caleb immediately said he wanted to go with me so he could carry down the paper towels, and this is a fairly typical routine. However, today he took the paper towels and then asked me if the toilet paper was really heavy. I told him it was just really big and not heavy. He took the toilet paper right out of my hands, told me he could handle really big, and then he proceeded to carry both items all the way downstairs for me. What a wonderful son!

We decided to make an extra special treat for Trevor today - Caleb and Aunt Peg filled a kong with peanut butter and put it in the freezer. Caleb was really curious how Trevor was going to get the peanut butter out of the toy.
I guess Caleb's curiosity explains this next picture. By the way, Trevor thoroughly enjoyed the treat!
Trevor is not the only one in our family who enjoys treats. This is a picture of GG treating us to some good burgers and fries when we picked up Jeff from work for lunch.

We had lots of fun times with GG and Aunt Peg this week. I am not sure who was having more fun...GG or Luke????
This afternoon while Caleb was sleeping I came to the realization that Luke is just too hung to withhold cereal from him any longer. This is his first time in the high chair and I am telling him about the meal of cereal that he is about to experience for the first time. He really liked the sound of it all.
This is my sweet little Punker just trying to get the cereal in a little faster. As you might imagine and determine from this picture...he did just great!
Here is precious Luke, satisfied after his first cereal meal. I guess I'll keep it coming his way and hope for more sweet moments like this one!
My mom and I were just talking today on Luke's 4 month birthday day about how "hungry" is one of the main adjectives we would use to describe Luke these first few months of life. He started off on day 1 as a hungry little boy and nothing has changed! We love you Luke! Happy 4 months!

4th of July Weekend

2009-07-06T13:00:00.000-07:00

The other Sunday Caleb and I had a lot of fun making a pizza, and Jeff was able to capture our creation!
My best friend from Baylor, Gracie, came up to visit with her husband, Paul, and daughter, Isabela, for the 4th of July holiday weekend. Isabela and Caleb had fun playing on our playground while the guys were grilling.

They had not seen each other since Thanksgiving, but quickly became good friends again!

On Friday we all went to the Farmers Market and picked out lots of fruit and veggies to eat over the weekend. We made a festive fruit pizza with all the berries.
At the market, Caleb and Isabela loved eating watermelon, and it was so much fun watching them!
Then we loaded up and walked to the park.
Caleb quickly showed Isabela how things go at the fountains.
Caleb does not hold back at all!
Isabela enjoyed "baby Uke".We went to Arrington Vineyards on Friday and it was a beautiful evening to enjoy being outdoors. The kids were big helpers pulling all our picnic gear in their wagon.

We found a nice spot on the hill to set up for a picnic.
Luke enjoyed the cool temperature.
Caleb and Isabela played on the hill with their ball toys.

Bubles are always fun no matter when or where!
It was such a peaceful night listening to the live music while visiting and watching the kids play.

After dinner we walked down into the Vineyards.

Caleb and Isabela had fun exploring and finding grapes.
On the 4th we spent the morning at the Monkey's Treehouse, and Caleb knew he liked Isabela when she went straight to the trains to play!
After grilling out a fabulous meal while the kids were napping, we all went to our neighborhood pool. It was raining off and on so we had the pool to ourselves and visited on the covered patio when it rained.

Gracie and Paul had brought us Texas dirt before Caleb was born so his first step on soil could be Texas soil. It took us a little longer with Luke, but Luke had his first steps on that same Texas soil while Gracie, Paul, and Isabela were visiting.
Our friends made it back to Texas today, but we already miss them a lot!!!!

Fun Summer Times!

2009-06-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was water day at Caleb's school, and he seems to like the beach ball sprinkler that they have on water days. After school we went to Maggie Moo's for Caleb to get my free birthday ice cream. It was no surprise that he picked the bright blue ice cream with gummie bear topping!
We've been doing quite a bit of walking this summer. Last night after Jeff grilled for dinner we went over to the Warner Park near our house and went on a family walk. It was a lot of fun trying to keep up with Caleb most of the trail!
Caleb and I got up early this morning and worked in the flower bed out front since Luke slept in a bit. These are the boys hanging out together after breakfast. In this picture Luke is showing off how he has learned the past couple weeks to talk and smack his lips together to make kissing noises.
This is Luke making some of his first attempts to sit up. You can see the look of determination on his face!
Everyone has to take a little break to enjoy life after working so hard on new things!
It appears Luke is as affectionate as Caleb...it was so cute as they were giving kisses to each other.
Caleb is learning how to be such a great big brother. He does a wonderful job holding in Luke's paci as we stroll and this morning Caleb thought he'd try his finger paci with Luke. (Thank goodness Caleb just washed hands after going potty!!)

Father's Day

2009-06-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

My parents came down from IL and we had a great weekend with them! We celebrated my birthday and then followed it by putting in a completely full day doing yard work. My dad was a huge help doing yard work with Jeff and I while my mom focused her attention on Luke and Caleb. Caleb made ties for Father's Day so here are the guys sporting their ties on Sunday!

After our fun and busy weekend with Granna and Granpa, we decided to take a "night off" and enjoy a pizza and movie night. We seem to do a pizza and movie night about one or two times a month, but it has been a refreshing tradition we really enjoy.

This morning was a really fun for Caleb, Luke and I as we did two things in Nashville that we had never done before. We spent the morning with Rebekah and her children, Caden and Elaina. We met at the Farmer's Market downtown. Caleb had fun picking out fresh veggies and fruits, and this is Caleb with all the yummy food we purchased.
Then we strolled over to Bicentennial Park and let the kids play in the water. Caleb had so much fun running through all the sprinklers! Rebekah and I found a walking trail in the park so I hope this is something we will get to do again soon along with checking out the walking trails!

Community Group Cookout

2009-06-19T06:57:00.001-07:00

Luke and I decided we were happiest hanging out in the van with the A/C, so this is where we spent our evening. Just kidding! This was before the cookout just after I fed Luke in the air conditioning in the van. While I was feeding Luke, Caleb had to go potty so we had a first experience with Caleb getting out of the van by himself, going potty in the grass and then getting himself back into the van. It worked! =) I think he really did have to go potty, but Caleb has decided that it is a great thing to have to go potty at the park or on a walk where there are no bathrooms nearby!

There were swings and a rock climbing toy near the pavilion where our community group had the cookout. Caleb had a lot of fun climbing the rock with some of the other boys in our group.He made it to the top more than once. I don't know if I would have been able to let Caleb climb up by himself, but Jeff took him and it was fun to look at him from across the park after he was at the top!
Caleb said his favorite part of the night was chasing and catching fireflies with the other kids. They also had fun kicking soccer balls. Caleb was literally covered head to toe in dirt, sweat and ouchies by the time we got home last night, but he had a blast along with Jeff, Luke and I! The thing I don't understand...how did that not translate into sleeping in this morning?????

All About Caleb

2009-06-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe how big Caleb is getting. We took Caleb to the park the other night to ride his bike on the flat path since our neighborhood has so many big hills. My parents got Caleb this bike and helmet and I am surprised that he is already using it, and using it so well. He did great on his bike ride at the park! Today I cleaned out our basement a little so that Caleb will be better able to ride his bike in our basement, but we'll hope for many more trips to the park for bike rides!
I was feeling sorry for Caleb today because it is so hot outside and just getting worse. So, I decided to shorten up his haircut, but this is officially the last haircut Mommy will give Caleb! The last time I tried to use the clippers on Caleb at home (this was also the first time I had not used scissors on him) he decided it hurt so badly that he had to scream as loud and high as possible. I guess he does not forget that type of experience because today he let me get it one little swoop with the razor and then he decided we were done when he started screaming for his life. You can see the result. Jeff got home a few minutes ago and took Caleb to Great Clips to get a quick cut. Caleb begs me to get his hair cut at the store instead of me cutting it, and I guess he has won this one!
p.s. I was not going to let anyone know about this little mishap, but Jeff thought it would be a good thing to document on my blog so this one is dedicated to my hubby! =)

Our Weekend Celebrations

2009-06-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

We decided to do some early celebrations this weekend. This is a picture of my boys before Jeff and I went out for dinner to celebrate my birthday. Caleb is holding the baby bottle filled with m&m's that we used to announce our pregnancy with Luke to some of my family.

Krista, Brian and Krista's mom took wonderful care of our boys while we went out for the evening. Luke was very happy with his first babysitters, and Jeff and I were very grateful for the wonderful evening!
Caleb and I got up early this morning to make a Father's Day gift for Daddy. We will be celebrating next weekend with my parents, so we thought this was the perfect opportunity to surprise Daddy. Caleb put together a wonderful breakfast. Caleb wanted to be very thorough with the breakfast preparations, so he even licked some split apple butter off the counter...you can't waste a good thing! Caleb created a beautiful breakfast tray for Daddy.
Then it was time to take breakfast upstairs and get Luke in on the surprise. The boys had made a card for Daddy with their handprints.I was not ready for Caleb to carry in the breakfast tray this year so we improvised and Caleb pulled in breakfast!
Daddy had slept through all the preparations, was happy for the extra sleep and enjoyed his breakfast in bed with his two favorite boys!
Happy Father's Day! We Love you!!!

Luke & Caleb's Summer

2009-06-13T03:36:00.000-07:00

This summer Luke has been enjoying naps and hanging out in his swing that he loves very much. This picture also captures he favorite leg position. I don't know what it is about this position, but some of his favorite moments seem to be when we put him on the changing table, he lays like this and we take off his diaper!

Luke also enjoys laying down and being entertained by Mommy, Daddy and Caleb talking to him and making silly faces. This is the cute blanket that Luke's Nana Sandy (Jeff's adopted mom) made for him.
Caleb is enjoying the summer playing with friends! This picture is Caden, Elaina, Aiden and Caleb enjoying the whale pool, slide and sprinkler that my mom got at one of her fabulous garage sale finds. I was glad that our friends got to come over yesterday because it made me find the water toys and get them set up!
After all the water play the kids were hungry and enjoyed a little picnic. Aiden didn't eat much more than what is shown in this picture, but Caleb did eventually got lunch when I quit taking pictures and returned the one drink belonging to Caden...don't want you to think I made him just drink his lunch!
We are blessed.

Zoo Day

2009-06-05T12:52:00.001-07:00

I woke up this morning expecting to take a day to do some work around the house, but as soon as I heard the forecast I decided I would get the boys outside as soon as I could. It was a beautiful day and we headed for the zoo. This was Luke's first trip to the zoo and our first time this year.

The zoo was sort of a good idea. I say "sort of" because when we left I was worn out and Caleb was ready to play. Caleb had to ride a lot in the stroller when we saw the animals, the water play area was not running, and the playground was too big for me to be able to watch Caleb while also taking care of Luke. So, we stopped at a park on the way home. Caleb played a little, but then I strapped Luke to me and Caleb and I went on a walk (Tara)/run (Caleb) on the mile loop around the park. At the end of the loop we saw the sprinkler system was on for the large soccer field area so Caleb went running for a while through tons of water!
This was Caleb making Luke smile while I was changing Luke's diaper in the van. Caleb also enjoyed holding in Luke's paci while they were sitting next to each other in the double stroller at the zoo. He is a fun big brother!
Luke was really good for us today while at the zoo and park, but I think the part he enjoyed the most was when we came home and got to kick and play in his bouncy seat!

Luke's First Trip to the Pool

2009-06-03T14:43:00.000-07:00

We took our first trip of the season to our neighborhood pool. Caleb wore a float vest for the first time, and we think it will be good for Caleb to have this on especially when I take both the boys to the pool by myself.

Luke took his first dip in the pool and was not sure about being in the water, but he was very entertained by the evening at the pool with his big brother!
See...Luke looks much happier out of the water! =)
Luke has just been in his exersaucer a couple times, but he enjoyed it today for a few minutes while Caleb demonstrated to him how to play with some of the toys. I enjoyed watching Caleb go to his brother and try to play with him!

Opryland Weekend

2009-05-27T09:31:00.000-07:00

Granna and Granpa came down to spend the weekend with the boys while Jeff and I celebrated our anniversary at Opryland. We all met up together on Sunday at Oprymills Mall. We ate at the Rainforest Cafe and at first Caleb was a little afraid that the animals were going to come after him but then he got really excited!

Then we went for cookies and Caleb said "that guy looks funny without hair" about the guy serving us at Great American Cookie Co...I hope he didn't hear! =)

We came back to the hotel for Caleb to have a nap and Luke got to experience Opryland Hotel for the first time!
Caleb went home with Granna and Granpa for a few days so Jeff, Luke and I have been having fun, and it sounds like Caleb is having a blast along with his Grandparents!

Giving it a shot

2009-05-20T07:17:00.000-07:00

I am going to make a humble attempt at a blog...I guess you'll see how it goes! Sarah, Rebecca, and Corey came to visit us this weekend from Jackson, and April and Philip joined us from Dickson. We had a fun time eating, playing games, and visiting!

This beautiful blanket was made for Luke by our sweet friend, Sarah. Luke loves it!

Caleb decided one morning that he wanted to get his balloons and try to fly like Hermie!!

I wanted to attempt to post a video clip, but our computer does not have enough space for me to even attempt this process. =)
I definitely need to document happy diaper changes. Keep it up sweet Luke!

Even bathtime was fun this morning!

Philip & April gave Luke this adorable outfit that Luke is enjoying!

Caleb and Luke having fun with their rainforest animals from Rebecca and Corey. Luke is already entertained by Caleb!