Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to my sweetie!  Today Chad and I have been married for 5 years, but it feels like we've been married longer.  And I don't mean that in a negative way, it's just that we've packed a lot of great experiences and changes in those five years. 

Chad's mom once told me that she always prayed for her children's future spouses and that her prayers were answered when Chad married me.  Chad was an answer to some prayers as well - I can't imagine being a wife or a mother without him. 

My Creativity Escapes Me When I Try to Think of a Title

I'm still working on decorating the house and getting things just right.  It's a work in progress - if I had unlimited amounts of time, money and creativity I would be done, but what fun would that be, right? 

I have to show off my most recent project: a curtain rod, artwork, and a wall quote combining to give me a spot to showcase Beckett's creations.  It makes me happy whenever I look at it!

The cute card on the left was for Mother's Day!

12 Weeks

Tomorrow my little snuggle bunny will be 12 weeks old.  Overall the time has gone by pretty quickly, but I will be honest and admit there were some pretty long days.  I don't know if it's the chiropractor visits or nearing the 3 month mark (supposedly when colic is supposed to subside) but Liam has been much happier and more comfortable the past two and a half weeks.  The ever-present maternal guilt nags at me that I should have tried something to help him earlier, but I'm very thankful for whatever it is that's working now. 

Friday is my last day of work until August 9.  I am very much looking forward to my summer with the boys!  I'm a little nervous about getting out of the house enough to keep Beckett entertained and engaged and having an infant in tow.  Getting the groceries with both is a big task, so I'm a little nervous about going to the pool without Chad to help me conquer and divide.

I noticed I haven't had many pictures of Liam lately.  Here are a few recent ones! 

It Keeps Going and Going....

Some toys are built to last.  And some toys are built to withstand a nuclear attack.  This Fisher Price McDonald's play set has been in my family since I was little.  Marissa, Emily and I served countless orders of fries through the drive thru and now our children are doing the same.  And the griddle still sizzles! 

Making change for my McNuggets (which are also in fine shape).

That cute McDonald's worker could get me to order anything!

Liam's a customer too!

Happy Mother's Day

On this Mother's Day I'm thinking of all the women in my life - aunts, sisters, daughters - all who are loving and nurturing whether or not they are mothers.  Here are my two cutie pies with their great grandmothers - two women who have a whole lot of love to give! 

The Park

On a recent sunny (and windy!) day we took Beckett, Liam and Selene to the park.  We had a great time, and in looking at these pictures I'm struck by how little things like slides and swings can bring such delight to children.  And their delight brings a smile to this momma's face! 

Dress Up

Beckett loves to pretend and dress up. I'm always on the lookout for clearance Halloween costumes and crazy hats and clothes from thrift stores for him to wear. Here are some of his recent looks.

 God Bless America!

 We let him wear hats at the table...

 Diego sunglasses and a Mickey Mouse nose.  Or some cap that we have no idea what it goes to!

 Dad's camo fishing hat.

Sword-wielding, bear-carrying superhero.

 Beckett calls these headphones a telephone.

 Super Beckett swoops in to spend time with plain-clothes Liam. 

 The bucket hat completes the superhero look.

Showing off his muscles.  This superhero hand-me-down from the Kleinhans is a family favorite.

The Circus

Last weekend we took Beckett to the circus.  Kaden and Marissa came along and Kaden brought the book I had made for his third birthday when I went with him to the circus.  Kaden and Beckett read the book on the way there so Beckett knew what the circus was, and both were very excited to see the big show.  The best part of the Shriner's circus is that children qualify for free general admission tickets.  I'm fairly certain they make up their money in adult ticket sales, concession stand food, and the light up souvenirs. 
 

 Two boys very excited for the circus!

 Contrary to the look on his face Beckett wanted to take a picture with Poppy the clown.

 A circus is not complete without fire and tigers.  And 80's hair and leather for the tiger trainer.

 I think Chad enjoyed the show too! 

 Reminds me of My Little Ponies.

Elephant tricks never get old.

Potty Training

Since April 12 Beckett has been potty training.  I hesitated to post about it because I wasn't sure how it would go and I didn't want to jinx it.  In usual Beckett fashion he has taken to it quickly and is doing a great job!

I can't take credit for starting him training.  I wasn't ambitious to start him because of all the changes we've had lately, and let's face it - it's not the easiest to race to the potty when you have another child hanging on your boob!   Three other kids happened to be training at daycare and Beckett did not want to be left out.  So, an ambitious Angela and peer pressure started our potty training adventure. 

He loves to wear his big boy underwear and loves sitting on the "big potty" and the little potty that plays music when he goes.  He also loves the "Potty Dance" song from Huggies (clearly a marketing ploy to promote expensive Pull Ups!)  And I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to put a character on the butt of undies, because Beckett insists on wearing those pairs backwards so he can see the character.  Oh well, as long as he's wearing the undies and not going in them I can handle them being on backwards.  Way to go Beckett Russell!     

 Beckett and Maddie gives 2 thumbs up for using the potty chair.

 Beckett is very pumped that Lightning McQueen is on Pull Ups.

 I'm sure the neighbors enjoyed Beckett dancing on the porch in his undies.  =)

 Beckett's version of the potty dance.

Houston and Chase also potty training.  Gotta love peer pressure!

Liam Update

Here are the stats from Liam's two month checkup.  He is having no problem growing and the doctor said things look good.  He now weighs 12lb 6oz and is 23 1/2 inches long, which puts him around the 96th percentile for both.  His head is also big.  =)  I'm kind of shocked by how long he is - is it normal to grow 4 inches since birth?!?  At any rate, I hope both of my boys continue to grow taller and have their daddy's long legs.

Today I took Liam to a chiropractor.  Since about 2 1/2 weeks old he has had times where he cries for no apparent reason.  I know babies cry, but the amount he cries doesn't seem right.  And people that have been around Liam for an extended period of time notice, so I know it's not me being a paranoid mom!  To try and figure out why he cries I cut out dairy, strawberries and gave him formula.  Each tactic would work for about 3 or 4 days and then he would cry again.  Our doctor really didn't have any advice on what else I could do or why he cries like that, so I decided to try a chiropractor.  Beckett never went to one, so this was new territory for me!! 

The Dr. adjusted Liam's lower back and said I should notice a difference in a day or two.  He is taking a really good nap right now, so I'm hoping it did the trick.  I'm also hoping this doesn't "wear out" in 4 days.  We shall see!  For now I am enjoying a little boy that seems a bit happier and more comfortable.