Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Baby Food!

So....I figured it was time to start the baby food with Sam.  He has been doing okay with his rice cereal...still not loving it...but eating a little more now than he spits back out....So, for our first veggie we started with squash this past Sunday.  It wasn't love at first sight....but he did eat most of it!! So far so good!  Of course he much prefers the entertainment he gets during his meal times to the actual food...but if my crazy dancing to "Like a G6" gets him to eat it....then I guess it is worth it:)




And because Sam seems to outgrow his clothes at an alarming rate....I have opted for Target shopping for the majority of his wardrobe.  I love when I can find matching shirts in sizes to fit both Sam and Joseph... 
Here are my two little crazy ones....





We're almost over the hump for the week...

Friday, July 22, 2011

Swimming Lessons

So.....wouldn't you know....our two week mid-afternoon swimming lessons just HAD to land during the hottest weeks of the summer!  Whew!!!! Just sitting in the heat watching my little fishies was enough to exhaust this mama.....or maybe it was trying to hold my (I'm guessing) 20 pound almost 6 monther while trying to keep on eye on both Sophia and Joseph's lessons.

Here is my little Sophia....I was worried she would not like these lessons since she had a few way back when with a "not so friendly teacher".



And here is the little trouble maker...oh my...


S and J were so lucky to get these lessons with this family who actually grew up in my old neighborhood.  I knew these kids when they were itty bitty....and now they are all grown up and soooo sweet.

I had a hard time getting pictures of Mr. J swimming with his coach...because well...he spends most of his time just getting out of the pool and wanting to jump in.  His poor coach tries to get him to watch him...and J will be looking the other way.  This little guy is so curious...and let's just say he has a hard time staying focused.  He's three...nuf said.




I am sooo proud of Sophia....she is doing wonderfully.  From being afraid to put her head in...she now is learning to freestyle...move her arms out of the water...


backstroke...


and even dive.


When she puts her mind to something...


she works her "darndest" to succeed.


I don't think I have ever been more excited about the weekend than I am this afternoon.  I. am. simply. exhausted.   These kiddies have worn me out this week.  It seems this HOT weather has persisted  a bit too long....We can't spend as much time outside....and the heat just seems to make everyone a bit more grumpy.  There is a little more bickering....and seems to be a lot of "fist-fighting" going on when I turn my back on S and J.  Who would have thought that teaching a three year old to "keep his hands to himself," to not bite or pinch (even if it is in fun) could be soooo difficult.  This stuff is much harder than anything I ever had to learn in school.  Of course "the teasing sister" doesn't always help matters.  Hmmm....I think we all need a little vacation. 

Pics of Sam will have to wait till next post....I had intended to take a picture of him with his cute new hat today...but spent most of the day with repairmen working throughout the house....our pile of damaged equipment (from the lightening strike) is growing in the garage....but s-l-o-w-l-y everything is getting back to normal....and at least J has made many new friends along the way.....I think these repairmen may just go home as exhausted as I am, after J asks each of them his usual 20 questions.  

TGIF:)

Monday, July 18, 2011

Christening Part Deux!

A few months ago when our Priest told me I would be required to take yet another baptism prep class (with our third child)....I was not too happy.  The class was scheduled for 9am Saturday morning over the 4th of July weekend.  I learned a lot from that class, however, as it turns out.  Even though we've been through baptisms before...I don't know that I really understood the true meaning behind it.  During our class we talked a lot about how introducing the child during the sacrament of baptism by name was so important.   So that made me spend some time learning more about Samuel's name.  I had researched the Biblical meaning behind it obviously before we named him... so I knew a lot of the amazing things Samuel had done....but I had forgotten the story of Hannah.  I didn't realize that Hannah was one of Elkanah's TWO wives.  His other wife was able to have children and Hannah struggled.  She prayed to God to give her a child....and when He did...she named him Samuel.....meaning "God Heard" or "Asked of God."  This is remarkably significant to me...because we, in a sense, did the same thing...we prayed so long for this sweet little boy.....and though the journey was less than easy....God was definitely"hearing" us all along.  We struggled with a name for this little guy....and even when we chose "Samuel" it was so hard to get used to...but now I know....it truly is the perfect name for him.  I love it so much and it fits him  perfectly.  We asked... and God Heard.


And of course I can't forget the other details of the day....I enjoyed finally getting to make some treats and cookies for my own little guy!!












And of course I can't leave out Mr. Joe.  Don't you love the horrible bruise in the middle of his forehead?  Makes us look like good parents huh??? Well...as you can imagine...this little guy happened to be messing around in the bathtub when he scored this injury!  He's our little accident waiting to happen:)  He sure loves his frosting though!  He was a little squirrly during the ceremony....but always the life of the party!


Sophia was soooo excited for Sam's baptism.  She has the sweetest love for him....and he loves her right back.  They have the most special little bond.....She has always been the one to make him laugh....and her voice makes him smile every time!

J was sooo excited to open presents and little Samuel got so many beautiful things...it was like a birthday!  Sam's sweet God Parents even brought special presents for Sophia and Joseph.  Can you imagine Joseph's excitement when he got his very own basketball...and Sophia the Magic Tree House books she has been BEGGING for???  So special!!


And last but not least... a picture of the cd I made for Sam's baptism.  I love to do this for the kids so they can see pictures from their birth till their baptism day....Time goes by so quickly and they change in the blink of an eye.

You can watch the video below...(probably need to pause the music at the bottom of the blog before pressing play...so you can hear the music on the slideshow!)




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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Samuel's Christening Day

What a special weekend we have had....Little Sam finally had his Christening today!  Such a pretty ceremony....and he was such a good little boy!!! I have sooo many pictures to sort through....so I'm just going to post some of my favorites tonite...and I'll share more party details later!!!

We love you so much Samuel William.....God certainly heard our prayers when we prayed for you!!!

















Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Spoon Fed

I love summer.  I love not having to wear coats and mittens.  I love not having to leave the house at 7:30.  I love being able to sleep just a tiny bit longer in the mornings.   I love not having to do math facts homework...but my oh my....summer can be exhausting.  I feel like summer has been slipping us by sooo quickly....and we haven't even done that much yet.  Our intense swimming lessons don't even start till next week!  I really want a catch-up day....and some days I just want a "do over" day....like those days when I spill my entire cup of coffee all over me...or those days when we get to tennis lessons and someone has forgotten a tennis racket:)  Such a busy time....but I know some day Brett and I will look back and miss all of this craziness....

Speaking of craziness...our littlest man has reached the 5 month mark and made it to the cereal stage....the dreaded RICE cereal.


Apparently Mr. Sammy dreads it too...


Like S and J...he has not been too fond of this stuff...and I can't wait till I can just add some fruit to it or switch to the jar cereal altogether...can't seem to remember when I can do this....And for those of you with little ones...I would appreciate any suggestions you might have to get this little/big guy to swallow this stuff!


The second day was just a smidge better....He appears to like the high chair...even though we can't find the missing shoulder strap..hmmmm...


Pulling the high chair out....just added more clutter (which of course I don't like)....so we spent much of the weekend...in organizing mode....still not happy with my progress though and I foresee more changes in the future.


Have I mentioned how much I love this little guy and his smile too???


Finally a chance to make some just because cookies for US...and a special little girl who celebrated her birthday last weekend!!!



Sammy's Baptism is this Sunday... so it will be a busy week ahead getting things ready.  I hear the rain starting to fall outside tonite and I'm praying it brings some cooler temps our way so we can get back to spending more time outside!!  Happy Tuesday....is it really only Tuesday????