Weekly Recap

I never got around to blogging about the week before last and the two weeks before that weren't worth blogging about thanks to three out of four of us getting the stomach bug. Oh, except for the Dixie Classic Fair, which I'm hoping will have a post of its own at some point soon.

Anywho, last week was a good one! 

Monday started with a playground date with my friend Allison and her two kids. No pictures were taken but the boys had all the fun running around playing while baby Natalie napped and Allison and I actually got to catch up a little. I went to my body pump class at 5:30 which made for a challenging evening by myself with the boys. It was almost dark when we left the Y and they were beyond ready for dinner. It was one of those moments I felt like a bad mom but quickly gave myself grace, realizing that it's not wrong to carve out time for myself and if the boys don't eat dinner until 7:00 every now and then, it's not the end of the world or even close to it. Meanwhile, Paul's soccer team was busy winning a conference game that went into double OT, then penalty kicks, then sudden death PKs. It was an exciting win that put them tied for first place in the conference. 

Tuesday I volunteered at Gray's preschool for a nursery rhyme party.

Check out those amazing sheep cupcakes that my friend Laura made for the party. Surely you didn't think I made them! ;)

Gray napped four days last week which means he's good for a few weeks. I always put him in his room to at least "rest" but most days he is singing nursery rhymes so loud that I have to get him outside before he wakes up Walker man. It's frustrating because I get very little done around the house (not to mention I rarely even get to sit down for a minute) but then we do get some sweet one-on-one time outside while brother naps. My friend Ashley and her two girls came over to play that afternoon. 

Add caption

Taking Selah for a cruise. 

Oh this boy.

Wednesdays are so busy but I look so forward to them! I am always so excited for Wednesday morning Bible study and Gray and Walker have so much fun playing in their classes. After lunch and naps we have a little time to play and then it's back for fellowship meal and Awana. Gray LOVES Awana and is memorizing a Bible verse every week and learning so much. Walker won't be old enough for Awana until next year but he has fun playing and riding in the bye-bye buggy and when soccer season is over, he will get to just spend that time with his Daddy. So while Gray is in Awana and Walker is playing, I get to hang out for an hour and a half with a group of some of my favorite friends-kid free-and it's just so fun and refreshing! 

Gray didn't have school Thursday because the whole day was reserved for Calvary Day School to hold parent/teacher conferences, including the preschool! The preschool assistant teachers played with the kids on the indoor playground while their moms met with the teacher. Mrs. England had such good things to say about Gray and I am just so thankful he has such an amazing teacher! Oh, and I got his school pictures back. Get ready to squeal...

I didn't get the digital copy so this is just a picture of a picture. I love my handsome big boy so much!!

That afternoon turned into a spontaneous play date at the Tanglewood playground with three of my good friends and their sweet kiddos. We did not lack outside time last week, that's for sure!

Add caption

Static hair, don't care.

Unfortunately Paul's team lost their game in over time on Thursday. They still have a slight chance to tie for first place in the conference if they win their last two games this week and depending on what other teams win and lose. BUT, this is the last week of regular season games before play-offs, which means I have almost survived another soccer season. Can I get an AMEN?!

Friday morning we went to the Y and then played on their playground, since we hadn't done enough of that earlier in the week. Sometimes I allow myself to get caught up in comparing myself to other moms and feel guilty that we aren't at home practicing the alphabet or doing some amazing Pinterest craft. But then I remind myself that these boys are growing up so fast and there is going to be plenty of time in their future for serious business like that. So for now, we play about 90% of the time they are awake!

Paul's team doesn't have practice on Fridays so I normally tutor because since he's gone so much right now, I have to squeeze it in while I can. This week my Friday student canceled because she was sick so we actually had some family time that afternoon before Gray's soccer.

Saturday morning Daddy called us on his way home from practice to say he really thought we needed some doughnuts from Krispy Kreme (have I mentioned we have a brand new one here in Clemmons?!). Good idea, Daddy!

There are no words to describe what these three do to my heart!

We spent the rest of the morning playing outside and doing some yard work. I think two out of three of these guys are going to be sad when mowing season is over!

After we got the boys down for naps, my mom came over and Paul and I headed out for a five hour date day/evening! We ran some errands, piddled around, had dinner and just enjoyed each other and uninterrupted conversations. It was GLORIOUS! Thanks, Mom!

Sunday after church while Walker napped, I took Gray to a birthday party. After that we ran home and scooped up Daddy and Walker and headed to a preschool fall festival. It was hot and neither of the boys were into wearing their costumes but the bounce houses and trunk or treating was a big hit!

It just so happened that Gray had this Batman shirt on under his fire chief's jacket. No one seemed to mind his mix-matched costume.

This adorable owl costume is a hand-me-down and Walker is the third boy to rock it. Too bad he was happy in it for only about 2.5 seconds.

Even cute when's he's ticked.

And is this not the most adorable baby costume you've ever seen? My good friend Abbie's sweet chubby-cheeked Weston was perfect for it. 

Hope y'all have a good week!

A Walker update (16 months)

Dear Baby Boy,

You are 16 and a half months old. At your 15 month well visit you weighed 22 pounds, 8 ounces (42nd %tile) and were 32.5 inches tall (87th %tile). I predicted you would weigh more but be shorter than your brother was at 15 months but you are the complete opposite. It doesn't matter what the numbers are though, you both couldn't be more perfect to me. You wear size four diaper, size 4-5 shoe and mostly 18 month clothes. 

You've been slaying me on the daily for almost 17 months now, sweet thang.

Teeth numbers 13-16 have been coming in very slow and giving you a rough time off and on. Mostly though, you are a happy boy, even if your face doesn't show it (you still have that scrunched eyebrow, serious/grumpy look on your face quiet often). You are much more independent than your bother is and ever was/is. As long as I am in your sight, you are content playing by yourself and do not need to be entertained by me constantly. At the same time, you have many moments throughout the day of bringing me books and plopping down on my lap. You LOVE books and I know that's one reason you are talking so much. Tractor and animal books are your favorites.

You are saying so many words these days and though you do plenty of baby babbling, a lot of them are completely intelligible. You have even started saying some two word phrases consistently like "all done, all gone, love you, night night, thank you, hair cut, French fries, hot dog, oh boy, oh wow". You love to see and say "airplane, golf cart, truck, bus, apple, tractor, and dog ". 

You pretty much transitioned yourself to one nap shortly after your birthday. Sometimes you can't make it and take a cat nap in the car but you usually go down around 1:00/1:30 and sleep 2-3 hours. You are able to make it a little longer at night now and don't normally go down 7:30 and sometimes 8:00. You still suck your thumb while you're sleeping (or if you're tired/cranky) and it is just the sweetest.

You have a little separation anxiety when I drop you off at the Y and at church but within seconds you are fine. The past several times I've picked you up from your class on Sundays, the teachers go on and on about how sweet and content you are. 

You are still a champion eater. Though we don't give you a lot of choices, there really isn't anything you don't like. Your favorites right now include: broccoli (you could eat your weight in it, for real!), green beans, peas, watermelon and any kind of fruit (new to the list are apples, which you can have now thanks to all those teeth), bacon, chicken, yogurt, cheese and French fries. We are always cracking up at your excitement for food and how much of it you can manage to handle.

You still love music and will start dancing at the slightest sound of it. In the car you'll have the most serious look on your face but be jamming out, bobbing your head and moving your whole body up and down. Daddy and I can't get enough of it and have laughed until we've cried just watching you.

A few other things you love most in life right now are: balls, books, Sophie, animals, school buses, tractors, mowers, airplanes, bubbles, food, your push mower toy outside, and brother's toy vacuum cleaner. You adore your big brother too, although y'all already have your moments. Oh yeah, and you love a little morning yoga.

I must kiss your cheeks a million times a day.

Our friend Hannah had her third birthday party at a gymnastics place and you LOVED it!

One of the many things about you that I love is the way your chubby cheeks jiggle when you run.

I'm pretty sure it's safe to say you have some natural born talent in the soccer department. For two months now, you've been able to dribble the soccer ball well. You use both feet and can keep dribbling half way down a soccer field. When the ball gets somewhat stuck or up against the wall if we are inside, instead of picking it up, you know how to put your foot on top of it and roll it out. Daddy didn't even teach you that, you just started doing it on your own. Almost every time you dribble the ball, you shout "gooooal" the whole time. It is PRESH! You don't limit kicking to just soccer balls though, you will kick any and every thing you can get your feet on. The other day a little thing of Vick's Vapor Rub was in the floor and you kicked it all the way across the living room. It's so amazing to watch you and I can't wait to see you on the soccer field one day.

We've gotten to have some good one-on-one time together since brother started preschool almost two months ago. Sometimes we just come home and read books, dance and chase each other around the house. We also run errands, go to the Y and to the playground. For the first couple of weeks you would cry when we dropped Gray off at school but you are used to it now and are loving the special time we have together.

One of my favorite times of the day with you is bedtime. You are so into your books and I can't get enough of your sweet little finger pointing to everything on the pages. And then you do the sweetest humming sounds while I sing to you. After we read and say our prayers I stand up with you in the cradle position in my arms and sing another song or two. You have a death grip on your blankey in one hand and your thumb in your mouth with the other. You just look up at me with the sweetest, most content little face with those big blue eyes and killer eye lashes and I just want to freeze time so bad. It's perfection. It makes me feel so happy and blessed that I get to be your mama. 

I fall more in love with you every day. I truly can't imagine our life without you in it. I love you to the moon and back my sweet boy and I promise to spend every day of your life showing you that. 

With my whole heart,

Mama

Last week

I reckon since this week is about over, it's time to get last week's recap out of draft mode.

Last week was looooong. Paul had three games and had to go scout a game another night, which meant he was gone for four bed times, which meant the boys didn't really see him during the week. I know a lot of people have it worse, but we miss him when he isn't here and it definitely makes my days with the boys long and challenging.

Gray got to go with me to their first conference game lastt Monday night. It was against Mt. Tabor (their biggest rival aside from West) at Mt. Tabor but the Raiders pulled off a 1-0 win. 

We busted out some fall pjs thanks to the cooler temps. 

Gray on the left, a little older than Walker is on the right. Both equally cute and sweet. Insert a million heart eyes.

The temps might have been chilly at night but during the day we got to enjoy dinner on the "porch". Gray enjoys taking his shirt off at random times.

We marveled at this sunset leaving Awana Wednesday night. 

Which led to this conversation with Gray...

Me: "Look at that beautiful sunset God painted for us to enjoy."

Gray: "But did he get paint on his clothes?"

Me: "I don't think so buddy and even if he did, it comes out in the washer."

Gray: "When we go to heaven can we take Sophie with us?" (Sophie is our dog, aka Gray's BFF)

Me: "Yes buddy."

Gray: "Will the mean king (Pharoah) be there?"

Me: "I don't know buddy, he acted very ugly."

Gray: "I think he will be in Nineveh!"

My heart smiled and laughed at the same time. He is so smart and his little brain is just constantly thinking about all of these things he's earning and trying to piece them together. The questions are going to start getting tough and I pray I am ready to answer them in the right/best way. 

Thursday morning Walker had his 15 month well check. He is closer to 16 months at this point but we had to reschedule with a new doctor after ours got a new job, which I am still pouting about. But I think I'm going to like Dr. Brown just as good as we liked Dr. Bill and she is already in love with Walker, so that helps too ;) Hoping to do an updated post on Walker soon.

Meanwhile Gray was busy as school leaving about community helpers and hanging out with a police officer and going to art class. To say he is loving school is an understatement!

Friday was soccer day! Paul had a rare Friday night game so a sweet parent took over as coach. Gray wasn't happy about it one bit, but when his best buddies showed up to watch him he quickly forgot about it.

Saturday was spent running errands, I tutored and we had a few couples from our new Bible Fellowship class over that night. It was all fun and games until one of them was used the term "middle aged" to describe someone in their mid to late THIRTIES. I about died! But we are loving getting to know these YOUNG, newly married couples.

We enjoyed church and just hanging around the house on Sunday, soaking up some quality family time before another busy week started.

It's looking like a rainy weekend here but you won't hear me complain one bit because that might mean Daddy gets to be home all weekend instead of being in Raleigh for games all day and night tomorrow. Rain is a good thang, y'all!

Happy weekend!

Weekly Recap

This week flew by thanks to Labor Day and being super busy.

Tuesday while Gray was at school Walker and I played at home and finished unpacking from the beach. Then we went to the playground and to Y before picking brother up from school. Some mornings it's hard having Gray at preschool by 8:00 but I do like that he is there four hours because although I miss him, it actually seems long enough to be productive and spend some good quality time with Walker man.

Daddy was home from practice in time to eat dinner and play for a few before Walker went to bed. If Gray has a nap we don't put him down until around 9:00 because he is still awake in his bed until at least 10:00. It's crazy I know. But he is happy in his bed and he just seems to not be needing as much sleep these days. After Walker went to bed Daddy helped Gray finish up his first homework assignment. 

The women's Bible study started back at my church this week. I've been going since Gray was three months old and I honestly couldn't imagine life without it. It gives me a structured study that helps me stay in the Word daily, it's time with friends-my age and older ladies with so much wisdom, and it's two hours away from the boys to get refreshed and for them to get social interaction and even a little Bible lesson. The study I am doing for the next six weeks is called Seamless, by Angie Smith. I just finished the first week and I love it already!

Both boys took a long nap and as much as I felt like I needed to do around the house, I did this instead...

Wednesday night Awana started back at church. This year Gray is in the 3 year old Cubbies program. They do very structured Bible lessons and even memorize a Scripture verse each week. They even had child care for Walker while brother was in Awana which meant I got an hour and a half of down time in the lobby talking to some awesome mom friends. While we were at church Paul's team was busy getting a 3-0 win...Go Raiders! They are off to a good start this season but conference games start on Monday and things will start getting tough. 

Thursday Gray had music class at school. This is right up his alley so he was so excited to tell me all about it. I am so happy with his preschool already. He is learning a lot and having so much fun and his teachers are awesome! The main teacher sends an email EVERY DAY the students are there giving details of their day and what they did. When I picked him up Thursday Mrs. Andrews, his assistant teacher, told me she had a funny story to tell me as she was putting Gray into the car. Apparently he had some business to take care of in the bathroom and when he came out he shouted, "that was the biggest stinky OF MY LIFE! And it was GREEN!" Oh. My. Word. I almost died y'all. And Gray was looking at us the whole time like, "what's the big deal?!". 

I think the most exciting part of the whole week happened on Friday evening. Gray had his first official soccer practice! Last year he did a Soccer Tots program but it was more just running around, two year old chaos and they barely even touched a ball. This year, it's all business! ;) Gray was so excited that he didn't nap and was dressed in his uniform approximately two hours before practice started. As busy as Paul is with his high school team, he wasn't going to miss the opportunity to coach Gray's first soccer team. There are six boys on the U-4 teams and they have a 30 minute "practice" followed by a 30 minute "game". The kids listened so well and stayed focused better than I could have imagined. And I couldn't get enough of my big boy in his uniform.

This picture, this reality-it's like a dream come true! Be still my heart.

Coach Daddy!

Walker was such a good boy at practice and I'm pretty sure he had as much fun as the boys on the team.

Saturday was filled with a birthday party, tutoring, grocery shopping, cooking, playing with neighbors and enjoying FALL weather!! 

This morning was our first day in our new Bible Fellowship class. We have been so excited about it and just could hardly wait. And then Paul got his first ever migraine that put him in the bed for over 24 hours. He rarely gets sick or has regular headaches and he was in bad shape. He missed church and the first day in our new class and we had to cancel plans for friends to come over for dinner. He still isn't 100% but is hopefully going to be well enough in the morning to work and coach Reagan's first conference game tomorrow night. Our BF class was awesome! We had a good crowd for the first week and I can't wait to be a part of these young married couples' lives. 

Here's to a great week ahead!

Last week and Labor Day Weekend

We kicked off last week with a trip to the Y followed by a playground date with my good friend Abbie and her boys. It was hot y'all! I have always been a summer girl but by this time I'm over the heat and humidity and ready to welcome fall. That afternoon we met my friend Ashley and her girls for an ice-cream date at Chick-fil-a. I never turn down time with friends if we can help it. Plus, Chick-fil-a always makes a Monday a little more bearable.

Walker and Sophie

This was Walker's first time holding the ice cream cone-he was in heaven!

Tuesday I dropped Gray off in the car line at preschool. One of the safety patrol students from the day school helped get him out of the car and walked him in. It was way harder for me than walking him in on the first day. He just seemed so big and so grown up and independent. Walker and I went back home and played for a while, then ran errands before my body pump class at the Y. It gets over at 11:45 which is perfect timing to go straight to pick up Gray. Our big boy was  "star of the day" at school which meant a lot of cool things. He got to be line leader, lead a prayer, sit in the rocking chair during snack, help the teacher during calendar, choose the book for one of the group times and he was most excited about wearing a special star around his neck all day.

Gray kept his nap streak going until Thursday when he was just too wound up from a big day at school. Most of the excitement came from celebrating his friend Evelyn's birthday with juice and cupcakes. But his first trip to the school library was a big hit too. A friend of ours was at the church/school for some reason that day and caught Gray in line going back to his class from the library.

\

Here is Gray devouring a cupcake in honor of Evelyn turning FOUR!

Walker was a bit of a mess last week. Teeth numbers 13 and 14 have been hanging out right under the skin for the longest time and one finally broke through. He already has his four baby molars but these sharp teeth have been his biggest complaint yet. He is usually my champion sleeper but didn't nap very well last week and was very fussy and clingy. Still cute as ever though, not that anyone would doubt.

Bless those little scraped up knees and legs.

It's amazing how easy he falls asleep in the car without big brother ;)

Friday morning we took Daddy to work so we'd be able to pick him up right when he got off and hit the road for the beach. The boys were the best travelers yet on this trip and I was expecting the worst after our last trip/vacation was cut short from us all being sick, making for the longest and loudest ride home ever. 

It was a quick weekend but such a good one. Nanny and Papa (Paul's parents) drove up Saturday and stayed for one night. Being with our whole immediate family was so special. I had my doubts about Walker loving the beach this year but he proved me wrong. He was such a trooper and a happy boy the whole time, until it came to sleeping somewhere that was not his bead. But other than that, both boys were so happy and well behaved and we just had the best time. I was pretty slack on my picture taking and didn't manage to get any of my mom and Gram with the boys but at least we have the memories!

Gray woke up earlier than normal every morning-he was SO excited! We enjoyed playing on the beach early and watching the sunrise.

Papa was the best hole digger!

This boy loves his Nanny!

True story-Paul and I fell in love over all you can eat crab legs on a beach retreat with our old Bible Fellowship class. We had just started dating a couple weeks before and he loved that I didn't hold back and could put away some food. We celebrated with a date night back to same exact place. Seven years later, I am still so excited that he chose me!

Gray and cousin Bryan

My brother tried to get some good pics of the four cousins but this was about as good as it got.

We had to hit up the Berry Patch for homemade ice cream on the way home!