Walker-18 months

Dearest Walker Man,

You, my sweet love, are one and a half! I don't even know how it happened, but you've become such a big boy in the blink of an eye. Some of the early days with you seemed to drag by when you were so fussy, but now I'd give anything to go back to you being a baby, for a few minutes anyway ;)

You often give the impression of a grumpy, unhappy boy with the frequent eyebrow scrunch and scowl on your face. But that's just part of you and those who know you well know that you are almost always happy and can be so silly at times.

You are a feisty little thing at times too. And don't tell him I told you this, but I think you are going to be the one giving your big brother a run for his money. Although y'all have plenty of rough moments, you and Gray love and adore each other so much. He's often the first person you ask for when you wake up in the mornings and from nap if he is still asleep. You follow him around and imitate everything he does. You often initiate hugs and kisses too, every time making my heart explode into a million pieces. 

You had your well check up last Thursday and I am just so thankful for your good health. You were almost 33.5 inches, which puts you in the 79th percentile. You weighed a smidgen over 24 pounds, staying around the 50th percentile for weight. Of course your smart self has a head measure my that's almost in the 80th percentile! You are wearing size 18 month clothes, size 4 diapers and size 5-6 shoes. 

A few things you love most in life are Sophie and any and every animal you see, being outside, the toy vacuum cleaner, tractors, trucks (especially mail trucks and fire trucks), being tickled and chased and books. You must bring me 50 books a day and I try my best to always make time for you to plop down on my lap and read it to you. You also love music and we still can't seem to get enough of watching you dance around the house and in the car. Things you don't love are: loud noises (hair dryer, the real vacuum cleaner, the blender and the leaf blower) and when someone takes something away from you. You don't love when the lawn mower is on unless you are riding it with Daddy.

You are talking non-stop, from the second you wake up until the minute you fall asleep at night. I bet you say "hot" a million times a day. You are obsessed with any and everything being hot, even if it's not. If anything is turned on and has power to it, you point to it constantly telling us "hot, hot!". You are really into pushing buttons and opening things and we hear "open, open, open" all day every day too. You will repeat anything we ask you to and your little voice is just the sweetest sound to my ear. One of my favorite things to hear you say right now is "ok". You understand so much and are doing great at following commands. We tell you "obey" as a reminder if you look like you're about to do something you know you shouldn't. So now you love walk around putting your hand up at brother or Sophie and saying "obey, obey!" 

Your other four teeth finally broke all the way through a month or two ago, making 16 total. I hope we will have a break before your two year molars start coming up. 

I am so thankful that you continue to be a good eater. I give a little credit to Daddy and myself because as much as we can, we make you eat what we are eating, but I do think you just naturally aren't picky at all. I can count on one hand the kinds of foods you don't like.

You are also a champion sleeper. You take one nap a day and it's almost always 2-3 hours long. You go to bed around 7:30 or 8:00 and sleep until 7:30/8:30. Thank you Jesus!!!

You are pretty much over your separation anxiety and don't have any trouble being dropped off at the Y and at church. You have always been a big time Mama's boy but within a week or two of soccer season being over, you've become quite a Daddy's boy unless you are hurt or just really exhausted. He really is the best, buddy and I'm so glad he is who you and brother have to look up to.

I can't wrap my head around the fact that you'll be two the next time I write to you. But since life with you and brother and Daddy just keeps getting better, I reckon I'll take it.

I love you to the moon and back,
Mama

Thanksgiving 2015

We had the BEST five days with Daddy off work! We started the Christmas decorating first thing Wednesday morning. I've almost always waited until after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas but- 1) pretty much the only Thanksgiving/fall decor I put out this year was outside and 2) there was no way we could get it all done after Thanksgiving and before Paul had to go back to work. Last year we hit a huge sale at Michael's and got wreaths and garland for all of our windows. I just love coming home to such pretty, cozy Christmas decor.

We spent the rest of the day outside enjoying the almost 70 degree November weather! Although, our full of life and imagination three year old wanted to make snow angels. Bless him.

Their cuteness is so hard for me to handle.

Nanny and Papa stopped in Wednesday to stay a night with us on their way to Boone. We kept it a surprise for the boys and they were sooooo excited to see them at the door that evening. They brought their big Christmas gift for the boys since we wouldn't have room to bring it back in our car after visiting them over Christmas. Paul and Papa couldn't get this thing together fast enough. It was a huge hit! 

Thanksgiving morning we had breakfast at Cracker Barrel and then came home and let the boys take their new tractor outside. 

The box was almost as much fun as the tractor.

Nanny and Papa stayed until nap time and it was so nice because we hadn't seen them much since the summer. By the way, Paul's dad's team lost in the semi-final game so they didn't get to play in the State Championship this year. But what a great season they had to make it that far. Papa was named Regional Coach of the Year and is even being inducted into the Coach's Hall of Fame!!! He is almost as good of a soccer coach as he is a dad and Papa! 

We left first thing Friday morning to head to Boone to spend time with Paul's aunts and cousins. There are now 17 kids between his cousins and with our boys that made NINETEEN. It was straight up Dugger and I loved every minute of it. They are the most well behaved, sweetest, most polite and grateful children I have ever been around and I take lots of notes every time we visit. Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Laura came this year too. We had our big meal that afternoon and spent the rest of the day enjoying a rare 60 degree mountain Thanksgiving. The army of kids went to bed early and the adults had so much fun catching up and playing games that evening. 

Typical Walker face, although he was having the time of his life!

Saturday morning we hung out, played some more and most of the children took a trip to the Mast General Store to pick out a few items from the candy barrel. This has become a Thanksgiving tradition that Uncle Kevin (Papa) does for all the older youngins (although there is no age limit with Papa's grandchildren ;). 

Walker has turned into a Daddy's boy lately. I can't blame him.

Then it was time for our annual tradition of finding the perfect Christmas tree. I talked Paul into letting us get a tall, skinny tree this year because  I really wanted it to be able to go in a different spot in the living room this year. 

After we got our tree we went back to Aunt Missy's for another hour of eating and playing before heading back home. Both boys were sad to leave but were asleep within minutes. 

Look at that sweet, dirty face.

I love the grumpy face and drool on his chin!

We got home and unloaded the tree and got straight to decorating. Within minutes Paul said I had converted him to a skinny tree fan because it was so much easier to decorate and fit so much better in the living room. Gray was so into the ornaments this year. He wanted to know where they had come from, who gave hem to us and he even figured out how to hang them by himself. Walker was enthralled with the lights but did well with "no touch" when it came to the tree. 

Perfect hand me down shirts!

Finishing the tree the next morning.

She's a beaut!

Nanny and Papa stayed with us again on Saturday on their way back home from Boone. We ate take out and watched Polar Express by the tree. In other words, it was a close to perfect night.

Those would be Gray's feet photo-bombing. 

We skipped church Sunday so we could see Paul's parents for a bit before they hit the road. That afternoon we had my family over for Thanksgiving round two and to celebrate my Gram's 80th birthday. We had so much fun that I forgot to take one single picture. I really am just so thankful for the wonderful family we have on both sides. We are blessed beyond measure!

It was hard to go back to reality on Monday but we are so thankful for all the family time we had last week. And less than three weeks til Chrsitmas break with Daddy!

A little bit of lately

Paul had his first play off game almost two weeks ago. My mom watched Walker so Gray and I could go cheer them on. Unfortunately they lost in over time. I was so sad for Paul and the team, especially for the seniors who will never play another high school soccer game. It's tough on Paul and the team to lose in the first round after being State Champs last year. But they did have a great year and a lot of things to be proud of, like taking home the Conference Champs title for the second year in a row! The good part about it is that Daddy has been and is going to be home a lot more! The day after they lost their game he was home by 4:15 and it was amazing! Paul loves to coach and we know it's part of what God has called him to do right now but the days, weeks and five long months of the season are hard on us all. We are all so excited about having more family time during the week now!

Gray likes to call this "monkey climbing".

Yay for Daddy being home on Saturday mornings again!

After all the rain we got a couple weeks ago, we have been soaking up the sunshine and warm temps lately. 

Helping Daddy blow leaves and drag them to the street, redneck style. The boys then get to take a ride on the tarp. Yes, our neighbors do actually love us :)

My first sweet little love

Gray is really into building tents and forts right now. He uses all of the cushions on the couch in the basement, finds as many blankets as possible and pretends it's either a pirate ship or Noah's ark or something of the sort. But of course Daddy is the ultimate fort builder, so that's another reason we're all glad he's going to be home more.

Walker and I have been enjoying our one-on-one time while brother is in school. 

Little buddy is obsessed with some mail trucks!

And apples too. And not taking off his pjs.

That boy is such a ray of sunshine. Though he doesn't usually have the outside look of a happy baby, he really is pretty happy and content these days. He looks so serious lost of the time but can be super silly too. He keeps us laughing constantly and I could just kiss his chubby cheeks right off. There will never be a way to describe the love I have for my boys!

Paul and I got to enjoy a fancy date night out last week. Some friends of ours hosted a table at the NC Family Policy Counsel Dinner and invited us to come. Paul and I aren't big country club people and as a matter of fact, he doesn't even own a suit (shocker, I know!) but it was fun having a reason to dress up. 

My *much* better half.

My beautiful friends, Mary and Laura. Life is just better because of these two.

Though Paul was super bummed about how his soccer season ended, it's meant he has been able to focus more on cheering on his dad's team, who is playing in the Eastern Finals tonight and Paul is going to be there coaching by his side. If they win they will be playing for the 2-A State Championship on Saturday. Go Bulldogs!

We've busted out some Christmas pjs around here. Mostly because Walker needed some fleece feety pajamas for the chilly nights we've been having, but also I am not one to get wound up about doing Christmas things before Thanksgiving. I do love Thanksgiving and try not to let anything take away from its meaning and celebrating, but I am not mad about Christmas music already being on the radio either. 

I'm pretty sure Gray was just wearing these pajamas YESTERDAY!

I'll end this little catch up by bragging on my man. We got the boys down early enough to watch a movie the other night so Paul headed out to grab us a Redbox.  When I came out the next morning to have my coffee and read my devotionals, these pretty flowers were waiting on the table for me. Later that morning when the boys were down in the basement playing, I noticed these on the shelves. It was so thoughtful and sweet and I am very thankful to have such a wonderful husband and godly example to our boys. 

Happy almost hump day, y'all!

Last week

I really can't believe it's November. October almost seems like a blur, which makes me thankful for the few posts I manage to get done on here since I can barely remember what we were doing just weeks ago.

Last week was a good one. Gray didn't nap at all and Daddy was gone a lot with soccer so both of those things always make the week even more challenging. But the one-on-one time with Gray is sweet and such a treasure to me and the floors can get cleaned in a few years, right?!

We did most of our usual last week-preschool, the Y, Bible study, Awana and all kinds of playing in between. 

Thursday after a 4-0 victory against Reynolds, Paul's team was announced Conference Champs for the second year in a row! They actually tied with Mt. Tabor and Parkland but out of the three teams total, Reagan had the number one seed. Their first play off game is this Wednesday and when/IF they lose, their season will be over. Of course I am hoping they make it all the way, but I'm also excited that the longest it can go at this point is two more weeks. I'm not even going to know how to act when Paul gets home at a "normal" time every afternoon. I cannot wait, and I know two boys who will be very excited too!

Friday I hosted a Halloween play date for the third year in a row. It's always so cute to see the kids in their costumes. I consider this picture a play date miracle y'all. 

It's a shame Walker was not a fan of this adorable owl costume.

Gray and his good buddy, Evelyn. I mean, Elsa.

Cute and easy Pinterest idea but Walker got to most of them before they dried so we had some very smudged pumpkin-faced oranges.

Ghost Tootsie Roll Pops-a Pinterest success!

Little stinker happy to be out of his costume.

Friday night Gray had his last soccer practice and game of the season. A good part of Gray's first go-around at soccer was spent taking himself out for frequent water breaks and stopping in the middle of the field to look at airplanes, but I think he learned a little and had a LOT of fun so I consider it a great first soccer season for our big boy!

Thanks to this amazing Daddy for making the time to be Gray's first ever soccer coach!

The Elmos, minus one player who wasn't there on the last day.

We spent Saturday morning running errands and then Gray and Daddy worked in the yard while Walker napped and I got out of the house for a few hours BY MYSELF! 

That night we went to Center Grove's big "Harvest Festival" (what us Southern Baptists like to call HALLOWEEN ;). We hadn't been there in years and they have really gotten big time with this event. It was totally free and they had a ton of delicious food-hot dogs, chicken stew, chili and all kinds of other soups, cotton candy, a million trunk or treat cars, horse rides, bounce houses, rock climbing and probably more than we didn't even get around to. It was really crowded and a little chaotic with young kids, but the boys probably consider it one of the best nights of their lives. ;) 

Gray got hot so his costume didn't last long and we didn't even bother with Walker's. There are worse things, right?!

Even serious-faced Walker was grinning and laughing the entire time he was on this horse!

The boys were up earlier than usual Sunday morning thanks to the time change, but nothing too crazy and we were very much on time to church so I'll take it. You win some, you lose some. I do however, HATE it getting dark so early. I would give up an hour of sleep any day for more daylight. 

Because of the early morning, Gray actually took a nap that afternoon! Paul worked on soccer stuff and I went to the grocery store BY MYSELF! Y'all, two outings alone over the weekend really helped me start this week off a little more refreshed. It's the little things!

That evening we kept my friend Ashley's little boy, Carson, so she and her husband could have a date night. He and Walker are only a few days apart and see each other every Wednesday and Sunday at church so they are practically best buds. Walker was so excited and sweet the whole time he was here. 

We are off to a rainy start this week and I feel like the boys are already going through outside withdraw. Paul has his first play off game tomorrow night. Go Raiders!!

Have a good week, y'all!