What's the Word, Yo?

I know I've been distant recently. I've been head down in a lot of other stuff. Trying to get my blog into book format as a family keepsake, trying to get our family videos to DVD and trying to get caught up on my scrapbooking. I don't really have a TON of free time so any and all has gone to those things.

Life here has been pretty normal - chaos, chaos and more chaos! Natalie has decided herself that she'd like to potty train. I think she's more ready than I am. I still am leery of doing potty training on the go so we're mainly trying to do it at home. Something appeals to her about wearing big girl underwear (rather than a diaper). Hey... I had previously tried EVERYTHING I could think of to coerce her to use the potty, so if it's HER idea, that's perfectly fine with me. I better just get used to this sort of "reverse psychology" for the rest of her growing up years. =)

Liam can sit up by himself for short periods of time if you prop him just so. He also got his first haircut the other day (thanks for the great job, Debbie!). Natalie was TWO before she had a haircut. He was quite the trooper and was happy to slobber all over the smock. What a kid!

5 1/2 Months

Liam,
I can hardly believe that you're 5 1/2 months. Can you slow it down already? People stop me all the time and ask how old you are. They're shocked to hear you're only 5 months as you look much older with all your hair. It doesnt help that you're much bigger than other babies your age. Just today I weighed you in at a whopping 19lbs!

You're a good kid, but you've gotten much louder than you used to be. Sometimes I wake up to hear you "talking" to yourself in your bed. You're not mad - just awake and interested in making lots of noise as you entertain yourself in your crib. This should be interesting because your sister's quite vocal. I'm sure between the two of you I won't be able to get a word in edge-wise.

I love your bashful grin when you see me walk into a room. The way you are GLUED to your sister (and the TV?!?!) and how you LOVE it when I sing (I think you're the ONLY one). And then there's the way you get all excited when you realize you're getting fed.

You're quite reserved with your giggles and dole them out one at a time (mostly for your sister). Bath time is your favorite and you're getting better at standing in your Johnny Jump Up. Hey, I know it takes a lot to hoist up all your chub. You're doing a good job!

Buddy Bear, I love you SO much. It was hard for me to believe that it was possible for me to love someone as much as I loved your sister. But incredibly, I do.

I look forward to taking you to your soccer games, helping you with your homework, comforting you when the first girl breaks your heart (and every one thereafter) and watching you graduate from high school. But until then, I hope that time passes by a little more slowly. Because I dont want to rush through the spit-up and the exploding poopy diapers and miss this face that makes getting up everyday absolutely WORTH IT.



I love you kiddo,
Mama

Would You, Could You In A Box?

We bought a generator on Black Friday and had this box lying around waiting to be recycled. I thought we could put it to good use and have Natalie play in it. Jody helped her decorate it and it became quite the toy. I LOVE imaginative toys!

Liam is always fixed on what Natalie is doing and we know it's just a matter of time before he's tagging right along. He seemed rather content to hang out with her in her new digs. I can imagine she won't like that for long. I can already hear it..."Mom! He's touching my stuff!!!"

Christmas in Pictures

Things have gotten away from me recently and I find myself overwhelmed at trying to sum up the past couple weeks. So, pictures it is...

Christmas morning was so fun this year. Natalie got the present thing a little more this year and we really had a good time with it. Kevin knew what he was getting for Christmas, so I sent him on a scavenger hunt for everything. We have three levels so he was hoofing it from upstairs to the basement and then back again!

He worked up an appetite for this little concoction that I came up with mid-day...

Roasted Red Peppers, Red Onions, Eggs, Italian Sausage, Provolone, Mozzerella, crescent rolls (on the bottom) and Rosemary Olive Oil bread toasted on top. A veritable "Party in your Mouth"
A few days after Christmas we all got on a plane (not a small feat with 2 small kids) and headed to Kansas. Natalie decided to have a meltdown of epic proportions as the plane pulled away from the gate. Liam showed his excitement by pooping through his clothing as the plane took off. Good times.

While in Kansas we saw my grandparents (Mommo and Poppo), my Uncle Mike, my parents and my sister. It was nice having some extra hands for the kids for the week.

Poppo and Liam

Uncle Mike and Liam

Mommo and Natalie

Dad and Liam
All in all it was a good trip. And all of us (and our 7 bags) made it home safely.