This weekend the boys got their table. It's a birthday gift for both boys but is staying in Blake's room. We got 4 chairs but only had room for 3 so I stuck one in Andrew's room.... which might become the time out chair!!

The table is just tall enough for Blake to steal stuff off of it.

Hopefully they will get a lot of use out of it!!

well visit and lovie

Yesterday I finally took Blake in for his one year well visit. I'd been anxious to go to this visit so I could compare him to Andrew at a year. :) I know...here I go comparing again. But, people all the time tell me how big he is compared to Andrew and now I can prove them wrong! :)

So, I had B's appointment all set up for Thursday morning and Wednesday night he wakes up running fever. I called the Drs. to let them know and see if I needed to reschedule but since it wasn't a 24 hour notice they wanted me to bring him in. I talked to the Dr and he said with these shots he wasn't worried about the fever....until he looked in B's ears....he's got an ear infection! I totally wasn't expecting that. I'm not sure if it's in both or just one because Andrew decided he needed goldfish AT THAT MOMENT and by the time I got him settled I forgot to ask the doc. So, no shots for B and I'm pretty sure he's okay with that. He did weigh in at 22 pounds which is 2 pounds lighter than Andrew and is 30 1/2 inches tall...1/2 inch shorter than A was. I'm not sure if that length measurement was right tho because he put up a good fight with the nurse on that. That boy is strong!

Today I'm going through his winter clothes and packing up baby toys...baby tub...things like that that have been in his closet and need to go in the attic.

And lastly I leave you with Blake and his lovie...

I'm not sure exactly when this obsession started but it started with a blue bunny lovie. I remember last September at my parents he was obsessed with it. I had put him to bed and he started fussing. I asked my mom to get his lovie out of the dryer and take it to him. She couldn't get over how he nearly yanked it out of her hands and went right to sleep with it. It was hard keeping up with just one. He was napping 3 times a day at that point and I had all to do to get it washed and dried in time for the next nap. When we got home I ordered two more!! I thought about throwing away bunny at that point (because it was Andrew's and pretty worn out) but I just couldn't do it. So, now he sleeps with ALL three! It doesn't matter if all three are in bed with him tho. He's content with just one. But now he's been getting up with them in the morning. It's cute! Here he is from this morning...

pool time!

After the boys nap we've been going outside to swim. I love it because it wears them out! Here are some pics I took yesterday.

the rest of our trip

Well, we left Thursday and cut our trip down by stopping at my parents. We no more than got there and had to go on a boat ride...

Daddy and Andrew love being outside!

Blake loved driving but hated his life jacket. It was a wee big.

We woke up early Friday and headed to Shreveport for the big festivities! Cheryl and Mallory came from TN too so we all followed each other to Shreveport.

Andrew and some of his cousins on the trampoline...

Saturday morning was the graduation. Andrew did really well. I wasn't down there by him so unfortunately I didn't get ANY pics of him using his cool coloring/chalk mat. He LOVES it and it definitely kept him quiet and entertained. I got it from Michelle (not sure why it won't highlight her name) and she did an awesome job on it. Thanks, Michelle!!! I stole this picture from her blog. It doesn't have the notepad but it goes under the crayons....it's really cute and a great idea!! Blake, on the other hand, was a yapper. Not sure why. I took him out and my niece would trade off with me so I could see some of the graduation. Thanks, Kat!

Here's the graduate and Andrew. So sweet!!

Afterwards, they had a pool party. Andrew would NOT get out of the pool! I can see what I'll be doing this summer. Here he is with cousin Emily...Blake didn't stay in the pool long. That was my choice, of course!

Aunt Kristy and Blake...
Then we opened gifts. Stephen LOVED the iron Matt got for him. Matt says he'll put it to good use when he has some hot dates. I'm assuming Matt only knows this from his hot dates with ME in college!!! As you can tell...Stephen was thrilled!!

And I had to get a picture of Stevo and Blake....
So, it was a good trip. It's always good seeing family and having the extra help with the boys. Blake was a little under the weather and hasn't completely recovered. I also realized when we got home that he has 3 molars coming in. That makes 11 teeth for this kiddo. So that explains some of his clinginess! Anyway, I'm trying to get the kiddos back on schedule and my house back to normal!!

trip so far..

Well, our trip to Natchitoches went well. It took us a little longer than expected because of some road work but we made it! We all stayed at a bed and breakfast and the wedding was on the front porch area. It was a small wedding with just immediate family.

Here we are waiting on the rehearsal to start...

The wedding was Saturday at 5 PM. It was SO stinking hot! Poor Andrew was wearing a tux and was just sweating sitting there.

Here's the bride chasing cousin Jack!

This was the only decent picture we have of the bride and groom. (I obviously wasn't in charge of the camera!)

Andrew in his tux. He was sitting on my lap eating a breakfast bar before the wedding.Immediately after the wedding we changed the boys. It was too hot outside for them to wear what they had one. We didn't take a family pic...and the boys don't cooperate...so here I am with my hottie hubby!
They had a live band and Andrew definitely got his grove on...


We left LA at 5AM and got to TN about 3ish. We were ALL ready to get out of the car but the boys did great. Poor B had started feeling a little under the weather with a cold.


So, now we are in TN and Andrew is definitely having a ball. He's enjoying all the attention. He's become VERY attached to my niece, Mallory. Every morning we stand at the door and wait for Mallory's bus to come...
as she runs out the door...Andrew just CRIES!!! All day long all he can do is talk about how Mallory is at school and how she'll be home after nap!!
We also have to go look at the fish about 500 times a day!! (I usually pawn that off on one of the girls!)
Here's cool cousin Megan just coming in from practice.
And Mady who has been such a help with little B.
We have DEFINITELY enjoyed our stay here. It has been very relaxing....probably because someone is playing and watching our kiddos! Last night Matt and I even got to go to dinner WITHOUT KIDS! I can't even tell you the last time we enjoyed dinner alone!! It was SO nice!

We leave tomorrow and heading over to my nephew's graduation on Saturday. I'm happy to report we are all well rested and ready for the big event!!

my OCD child

You may remember a couple of blogs back me taking the boys to Dillard's to look for Blake shoes and Andrew saw some whatever they are called for his Crocks. Well, at first he wanted the $6 Nemo ones but then spotted some $12 turtle ones he HAD to have!! I wasn't paying $12 and he didn't want Nemo so I left with one unhappy kiddo. (Blake could have cared less because he was too busy eating goldfish!) Anyway, we were back at Dillard's the other day and picked these up for Andrew... Those things are a pain to put on but at least he can't pull them off. So, I get them on and he immediately wants them off so he can hold them. I explain to him that if he doesn't want them on his shoes then we will throw them away because they are too little for him to play with! I won that battle and he was content just staring at them over the tray of the stroller.

We get home and Andrew starts walking around and notices that Nemo and Dory keep turning and it drives him crazy!!! He was having a fit! I kinda thought it was funny and at times just wanted to turn them myself on him because this is how he spent half of his day...

Seriously, my child will probably be in therapy one day because of these shoes!

A friend of our let us try out their laptop for our trip. Andrew is obsessed with it! We'll see if it's just a phase or if he will continue to play with it after a couple of days. And, of course I have to add a pic of little B. Yeah, he's making a big mess with his yogurt! He's all into feeding himself these days .

Happy Mother's Day to all you moms!!

c-ya

We leave Friday for our week long trip. Matt's sister is getting married in LA on Saturday so we are heading there Friday morning. Then we head out early on Sunday to TN to see my sis and her family. It will be a VERY long haul. Friday we will be heading to Shreveport for my nephew's high school graduation. It's crazy to think he was born on my first day of high school. My time flies!! Anyway, then we'll head out Sunday morning. While I would love to see some of you Shreveporters (is that what you're called?)....I'll be consumed with family fun!! Anyway, I'd like to come back to Shreveport one day and then head to Monroe to see some of y'all...but I need to get to Dallas first. Okay, I need to get back to packing!!

Here's Andrew and his new haircut for the wedding....yes, he and Blake are in the wedding. Don't look at his nappy shirt. It has Lightning McQueen on it and it is NOT cute. My bother-in-law picked it out but Matt paid for it so I can say that. I only let Andrew nap in it. :) I'm mean, I know!!

the party

Well, the party has come and gone!! :( I know Blake hasn't really turned one (he will next Saturday) but his party kinda made it official. He's no longer a little baby. awww! I really can't believe it. This year has really gone fast. Anyway, as for the party I think everyone had a really nice time. Everyone just sat and watched their kiddos. And, I wasn't even stressed which is more than I can say for Andrew's first birthday. The weather was awesome and it was such a gorgeous day. We were so thankful.I have to show off Blake's invitation that a friend made. They were PRECIOUS and I got lots of comments about how cute they were. I'm sure I drove her crazy and I'd tell you who it was but I'm not sure if she does them for just anybody...so, maybe she'll leave a comment and take all the credit for them..who knows. Anyway, thank you, friend. They're adorable!!

The birthday boy!Birthday boy with Mommy. Daddy was socializing, I guess. We had 10 friends show up and 3 couldn't make it.

They all enjoyed the pizza and juice!
The kids were funny because they would all pile in the same pool. And yes, all 3 pools were still filled with air at the end of the party. The water, however, was disgusting at the end. The kids were in and out of each pool. By the end they were filled with grass and muddy water. That didn't stop them tho! One little girl even got back in the pool after she had her dry clothes on. It was funny!
Just a random shot... Group shot of some of the parents.Okay, now I have to brag on another friend! Most of you know Jennifer. Here she is with her hubby, Don....
She made the most adorable cupcakes I have EVER seen!!!! I'm serious! My birthday boy was not the hit of the party. These cupcakes were....
They were DELICIOUS! Seriously, they tasted like wedding cake!!! She was so sweet to do them for Blake and bring them all the way from Katy. THANK YOU, JENN!! And, yes, there were more cupcakes. We just had a few out until it was time to pig out!

There were cows, pigs, chicks, sheep, horses and roosters. Am I missing one? The pigs look a little lighter in the pic..
I couldn't get the candle to light because it was so windy. It was a good thing because Blake just wanted to eat the thing!!!
Blake had to smoosh the cupcake up first to see what it was...
And then he chowed down! He loved it. I loved that it didn't make a huge mess! I know it's cute to see kids make a huge mess with cake and smear it all over but I only think that when it's not my kid! :)
Here's Andrew enjoying the party.
The only family that was able to make it to the party were our cousins or as we call them our Aunt Ann and Uncle Ron!
Here's Ron opening the train. Andrew is anxiously awaiting him to get all the twisty ties off so he can steal the toy and run from Blake. Andrew still doesn't understand that the new toys are Blake's. We have a bit of sharing issues we are working on!
Well, that's it! I wasn't even pooped that evening! Matt was tho so I guess he did more work than me!

Oh and our garage sale went well. We sold a lot of stuff. Well, I'm off to get my house back in order!!!

big day

So, tomorrow's the big day. We've been getting ready for the garage sale and birthday party. I have a few more finishing touches for both. I have to remind myself that Blake's birthday isn't until next weekend!

Anyway, some of you asked for details on the party...we are having it in the backyard at 4 PM. I'll have 3 pools set up (one a baby pool), the kids can swing and such, do sidewalk chalk, and play in these kiddie tents that I have. We'll do pizzas for dinner and then Jennifer Massey is doing the cupcakes. It's a farm theme so I can't wait to see them. Well, I've got some things to do but just wanted to fill you in...

The almost one year old!