A Trip to Jackson and a Week of Ice

Last weekend, I took the boys down to Jackson to see DeeDee, John Eric and Jane. Poor DeeDee recently had shoulder surgery so she is trying to do everything with just one arm. Anyone who has ever had a toddler knows that is nearly impossible. The three kids had such a fun time together, and I loved getting to spend time with DeeDee.

 

 

Can you stand this sweet, beautiful face? She is such a perfect mixture of DeeDee and John Eric.

 

Lots of pink and girl toys at the Hesters!!

 

Three carseats all in a row. This certainly is precious cargo if I have ever seen it. Lots of Elmo and Frozen to be seen while we were riding around.

 

 

Foreman Thomas at the Children's Museum of Jackson.

 

Early morning cartoons and snuggles.

 

Sharing the ipad.

 

Right as we pulled up to the zoo, we turned around and all 3 of the kids were asleep. DeeDee and I enjoyed our lunch in the car and some much needed time to catch up while they napped.

 

The boys and I rode the train. Poor Jane was brave until it was time to board. She waited for us at the station.

 

 

Watching the turtle.

 

 

This sweet boys took in the zoo from his stroller the whole time.

 

A lap full of cuteness while we read some bedtime stories.

 

This past week, we had 4 days of ice and days off from school. There was not any snow...just solid ice. Thomas took a cue from Frozen and decided to chop ice. Henry and I stayed inside and watched. Henry laughed and laughed as Thomas chopped the ice.

 

Playing some video games on the Wii with our stylish glasses. Mr. Personality here.

 

Today, we went to lunch after church with the Harris's and Stines. We still had our 3rd car seat in the car so Harris rode with us. The snow monster from Frozen was on and the boys were mesmerized.

9 Months

Henry turned 9 months old on the 30th. We went for his checkup that day and he weighed 21.7 pounds (75%) and they said 27 3/4 inches, but he was all curled up and mad at the nurse, so I think he is longer.

 

Look at his new moves...ALL.OVER.THE.HOUSE! They seem so much older once they are mobile.

 

We don't go without clothes very often but I had just snatched their pjs off of them to throw in the wash and they both scurried off in a hurry happy to be a "naked jaybird" as Thomas says.

 

This picture reminds me so much of a similar picture (see below) I have of Thomas around the exact same age! They look different but similar.

 

 

I had to capture the full effect of these legs...extra jumbo gigantic thighs which are all the better for squeezing and tickling.

 

Somehow he is flexible - I would think all of the "rolls" would get in the way but those toes make it to the mouth easy enough!

 

These two have really started playing together. Henry already adores Thomas. When he first wakes up, he is frantic looking around to find Thomas. Thomas likes to show off his toys to Henry and maybe steal a few away (we are working on sharing). Henry doesn't mind as long as Thomas is nearby. Thomas can still make him giggle like no one else can.

 

 

A cool dude in double sunglasses. Love that grin.

 

 

"Mama, take my picture with my tower!"

 

 

Last Saturday morning, I took the boys to Teddy Bear storytime. It was really cute and they both enjoyed it!

 

Can you stand the cuteness? Henry's first time in hard soled shoes - these Keds make him look so old. He hated them! Stood on his tippy toes until I took them off.

 

 

We love the taxi at the grocery store.

 

 

Super Bowl Sunday at the Stines. Spent more time chasing after kids and putting together toys than watching the game. Such is life these days.

 

 

I was trying to get a picture of Henry sitting on this stool so I took away his paci so you could see his face. You can tell from the middle picture that he didn't appreciate that. He was extra happy once I gave it back though. This baby loves his paci!

A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That

Thomas has become quite the Grizzlies fan. He loves cheering them on during the games.

 

 

Look at this sweet face...still my napping buddy most afternoons.

 

 

 

Last weekend, Nana and Papa came to visit. We all loved getting to spend time with them. We made our first visit to Build A Bear. Welcome Grizzly bear to our family. Thomas was in complete awe of the whole process. Here he is giving the bear a bath. Such a cute place!

 

 

Grizzly is dressed like a soccer player with his very own ball too!

 

Henry had a great time watching Thomas and looking at all of the bright colors and stuffed animals!

 

Thomas also got to ride the train and carousel while we were there! Fun day!

 

 

Lately, the boys have been taking baths together. Henry thinks it is the greatest thing to play with Thomas in the tub. Thomas has fun too - most of the time. Henry can "cramp his style" at times but he is very patient.

 

This weekend, Patrick and Thomas spent some time putting out some mulch. Who know that a trailer full of dirt could provide so much entertainment? One of the benefits of boys - easy to entertain and rather helpful at the same time.

A Birthday, 8 Months and New Years

Before we move on from Christmas, I had to include these two pictures of sweet Jane and the boys. She is so precious and is as feisty as that red hair. By the end of the visit, Jane and Thomas were having a pretend picnic. Love that these children get to grow up together.

 

 

I tried to boycott my birthday this year...getting older isn't as much fun any more. My birthday was on a Sunday this year, so I snapped a cute picture of the boys before church. Not the best picture but I just love those smiles!

 

 

Baby boy can feed himself now. Big milestone! And just look at those legs...could just eat him up!

 

Henry turned 8 months old on the 30th. He is developing a personality more every day.

 

 

Loves to clap...you can either say, "Clap, Henry" or start singing "Patty Cake" and he will immediately start clapping. He is just starting to wave too.

 

 

He is so happy when he wakes up...never cries and just lays in his crib until I come get him. Then I get a big smile when he sees me.

 

This is his newest "trick." When he thinks he is being funny, he makes this silly face. He wrinkles his nose, which makes his eyes squint and he smiles really big. It is the most precious thing...you can't watch him do it without laughing, which is why I think he does it so often.

 

 

He is almost crawling...been rocking on his hands and knees for a few weeks. I'm not sure if I'm ready for this. He also got two teeth last week - both bottom teeth broke through at the very same time.

 

For New Year's Eve this year, we all went to Pickwick with the Campbells. The kids had so much fun playing together and Caroline loved helping with Henry. She loves babies. Wes and Taylor Morrison came with us and we had a great time. The kids went fishing and shot the BB gun. Thomas was in heaven because Wes farms and he already thinks "Mr. James" hung the moon. They talked trucks, hunting and tractors!

 

Passed out on the way home clinging to the bird dog magazine that Mr. James gave him. You can't see it, but he is also wearing a Sayle Oil hat from Mr. James too.

 

Bundled up in the FREEZING cold weather for our weekly Target visit. Yes, Thomas has a Icee in his hands even though it was below 30 degrees. Henry is just happy to sit next to Thomas in the cart.

 

Such a cool dude.