Waiting...

and waiting for a new camera. I mentioned again to Tim that I was starting to get anxious without a camera since Hayes is really scooting all over the place now and starting to cut a front tooth. I would hate to miss these milestones with a photograph. I think we are both just waiting for a free moment to sneak away to buy one. We rarely get those around here. These are a a few pictures I snapped about a week ago before his morning bath. He is changing so much these days!

Addie is doing really well without her beloved paci. She doesn't even mention it anymore, although we can definitely tell that she is acting out and feeling a little more stressed than usual. I have to remember to take a deep breath sometimes and be patient with her when she is trying her hardest to get my attention by doing something she knows she shouldn't do. She no longer naps during the day, but will play quietly in her room for a while Hayes snoozes, and bedtime is pretty much a nightmare these days...but...we are still taking it one day at a time around here. Losing her paci "is a big thing for her" as my mom (Addie's biggest fan) says. I have to keep reminding myself she just gave up her biggest comfort for the last 2 1/2 years.

Paci Update #2

Well, yesterday we went the entire day without even mentioning the paci in this house. She's still not napping without it, which makes for a very grumpy little girl come 5:00, but I do believe she is slowly forgetting about it. Last night she went to bed without the usual drama, although I think she was just too exhausted to put up a fight. She is a drama queen!

Unfortunately, I went to snap a picture of Addie playing on the computer yesterday and found my camera was busted. The screen looks like black ink was spilled on it. Who knows what happened? Yes, Addie loves to "take picshas" with it, but for all I know, I might have layed it in something wet or dropped it myself. I guess we need to get a new one, which isn't really in the budget. I told Tim however, that I can't miss all the new things Hayes is doing these days, so I am off to Walmart to see if I can find the same camera for a decent price. Don't worry...we won't be cameraless for long!

Hayes

He has perfected the art of sitting up, and he had long ago figured out how to make you smile with his little grin. For the most part, he is a happy little guy. He just sits back and lets Addie snatch the "good" toys from him and replace them with something much less cool, and he still smiles from ear to ear when she gives him the slightest bit of attention.

He's napping on schedule twice a day now. (I know... I know... I am almost ridiculous with my daily schedules.) It makes for a very smooth day, and the nighttime routine is much more pleasant when they have both have their daily rest. My mom is the best babysitter ever and doesn't fuss a bit when I present her with an hour by hour "idea" of how his day should go. Just as she did with Addie when she was small, she follows the schedule perfectly and he is always right on track when I pick him up from her house (I love you mom!)

He also happens to be very, very cute when he naps.

He is scooting all over the place. This morning I realized that I can no longer avoid mopping/sweeping my kitchen floor after I picked him up and saw how dirty his little outfit had gotten after following me around the kitchen. Yuck, I know!

We are busy trying to stay cool these days and find things to do inside besides watching too much T.V and getting into trouble. I am ever grateful for this time with my little ones, especially when I know how hard Tim works to make it happen.

Paci Update

Oh, and by the way, she's actually smiling here. Yep, that is how she smiles these days...not crying, but grinning from ear to ear. Gotta love that!Night #2 minus the paci = Disaster at bedtime which resulted in a third body in my bed for the remainder of the night (hoping to avoid waking up the other sleeping child in the room next door)

Night #3 minus the paci = An improvement in bedtime routine with only one middle of the night waking up screaming episode

* No daytime naps since the paci fairy's visit

We are taking it one day at a time around here.

Watch Out World...

He's on the move!

Day 1

Today was a very big day at our house. I am a very proud Mommy this morning.

We made it through night one without the paci. She woke up one time and was crying. I went into her room, and she sleepily rubbed her eyes and said..."I'm so sad". Then she fell back to sleep. I went right then and threw the last paci in the trash.

I love my Daddy!

I love spending weekends with him when he is home and doesn't have to go to work...

...and when he has to pressure wash and I can't go with him, I just pull up a chair, grab a pop-tart and watch.

Driving in Cars with Boys

Should I be worried?

They were awful cute in that little car, and Addie loved carting little Ben around the neighborhood.

Reminder

Today I got a nice little reminder that it was time to update my blog....Love Dad. He says he checks it every day and "if you have time to sit down on your computer, how about you work on your blog?"...he he....this one's for you Dad.

Here's a little Hayes fix.


Charming little guy isn't he? A bit wet these days too. I believe he's teething, but still so happy!

Of course Addie is busy being a diva these days. She is still being stubborn and refusing to use the potty. I have a feeling though that the urge to wear those pretty princess big-girl undies will help push her a long at her own pace. For now, I just diaper her and smile. My days with a cheezy-smiling, diaper-wearing little girl are getting numbered. I'm not going to rush them along (atleast not until it's time for preschool).

Hayes is getting cuter and cuter each day, and I have lately been faced with the realization that my "last" baby is getting less and less like a baby each day. He no longer can use the swing because he is too heavy, and it won't work if he sits in it. His bouncey seat is just no fun for him since he recently learned to sit up on his own, and the little play pad that lays in the floor is totally off limits since it would mean that he has to lay flat on his back and not scoot around the floor trying to crawl. This past weekend I took out his infant carseat and put in his big-boy seat since he was much too long and heavy for the other one. Where has the time gone? I know that I am beyond blessed with my two healthy, happy babies, but part of me is saddened that those baby things will soon no longer have a purpose in my home. I thought about putting the swing away last night, but I have decided today to just let it be for a while longer. I have plenty of friends with little ones on the way. Perhaps their little baby will want to swing while they are here visiting. I'm just not ready, and that's that. Slow down.....please...slow down!

Busy as ever...

Well, it's June, and as always, we are super busy with birthday parties, graduation parties, book club meetings, Jazzercise, Little Gym, doctor appoinments, play dates and more! I thought I lost my calendar the other day, and I knew I was in for it! How would I keep everything straight? Luckily, it showed up just in time for Hayes' 9 month check-up scheduled for this Thursday. We'll keep you updated on how much he's grown!

He certainly loves the water. Unfortunately, the hot sun is not very good to his poor skin, so we don't get a chance to get out in it enough. I have a feeling he is going to by my little swimmer.

Addie has been working really hard at the whole potty training thing here lately, and for a while, she was doing so well. I thought we were going to move on to big girl undies for sure. However, like most things, once she realized she had a hand it, she decided to use it to her advantage. Now, she seems uninterested and totally content with being diapered. The excitement over her princess big girl pants and pull-ups has worn off. She pees in her diaper and then runs over to tell me with a big grin on her face. I have learned that she wants me to react, so I smile and tell her to go lay down so that we can change her diaper. Oh well, I guess she will start going on the potty again when she is ready. For now, I'll stock up on two different sizes of diapers and keep my mouth shut...stubborn little girl.

Hayes

He's getting so big, so fast. Slow down little man. You will always be my little baby...even when I am having to look up at you in the near future. Imagine that!

Grandma Julie's Barn

Remember this treasure that Grandma Julie found for Addie at a yard sale down in Florida?

Well, we had some fun and painted it, and boy did it turn out good!

Addie enjoys pulling it out and playing with it and all the animals. The little boys that were here the other day for a play group really loved it. I can bet that it will also be a favorite of Hayes' one day soon too! Thanks Grandma Julie!