Trucks, trucks, and more trucks!!

Jake and daddy in a big rig (Jake was scared...)


Momma, Jake, and Drew (my nephew) in the fire engine


Jake in front of the cop car


Jake hanging on the back of the fire engine!!
Take me to the fire!!


Jake and Momma in a bus

Today, we visited the annual "Touch a Truck" event. We went last year and Jake loved it, but this year was even better!!! Last year, I was pregnant with Michael and didn't feel well. I was hot, irritable, and didn't feel like walking around. My stomach hurt and well, let's just say that a porta-potty wasn't cuttin' it. I know, TMI.

This year was a million times better. The weather was absolutely beautiful- 72 degrees, a light breeze, and heck... I WASN'T PREGNANT AND MISERABLE!! Ha ha! ;-)

Michael had fun, too, people watching (except when the garbage truck's horn blew and scared the pants off of him!!!) Heck, I was scared, too!

We got to see such a variety of big trucks.... ambulances, garbage trucks, buses, police cars, milk trucks, hot air balloons (not a truck, but whatever... LOL), and the most important... the fire engine!!! Jake was ecstatic!! We stood in line so that he could spray the big fire hose, but he chickened out once we got up to the hose. He gets so darn shy! Maybe next year...

We got there early, because we knew the crowds would pour in the later it got in the day. It was truly, another wonderful family outing. I have to say, I'm addicted to making happy family memories. It makes my heart smile.

We had a relaxing Saturday night. Chris worked in the yard and my mom came over to eat dinner. We chatted, caught up on life, and just hung out. What a nice night. The house is almost clean.. just a few more loads of laundry to do tomorrow. Jake and I have to also make our weekly trip to the library. We have so much fun getting books.

Lots of love...

The Best Invention

The other day, I came into the room, to find Jake sitting in Michael's highchair. Mind you, it's really HIS highchair... but still! He looks like a grown man! I don't even know how he squeezed his way in. I burst out laughing and had to take his picture.... Too funny...


Okay, I am going to sound so dorky, but seriously, the public library has become our favorite place to go lately! We go at least every 2 weeks, but lately, it's been closer to weekly.

Now, let me tell ya, we have a TON of books in our house.... I have books from when I had my own classroom and built up my personal library for my kids (ranging from kindergarten level to novels, not that Jake is readying novels yet.. although I'm sure Chris will be happy once they are done taking up space in the garage). Plus, we have bought hundreds of book since Jake was born. Everywhere I look, there are books. He begs us to read to him "More books, Momma" "More books, Dada" at night time. How could one possibly ignore that request?? No way....The boy screams for joy when we enter a book store. One time, at Barnes and Noble, he said, "Momma, I love this place... it's the best!" I couldn't stop grinning.... and then I saw the 20 books he threw in the stroller and though to myself, "There is no way we have enough money to pay for all those books!!" I am smitten with the fact that Jake loves to read. He has his favorites that he begs to read repeatedly (and that I know the words to in my sleep) and that's okay.

However, now that a new public library just opened up less than 3 minutes from our house.... we are in absolute joy!!!! There are rows and rows and rows of great books!! Small board books, thicker, classic stories, books about fire engines, garbage trucks, Thomas the Train, Dora, Blue's Clues, the Backyardigans... you name it, they got it! We carry a basket and Jake can't stop adding books. My arm starts to go numb by the time we leave. Not only can you check out books, but they have children's DVD's!! Woo hoo! Now I don't have to watch the same ole' Bob the Builder for the 100th time!!! The limit is up to 50 books. The first week I don't think we checked out more than 15 or so..then the next time it was like 20, then 25 and today, we checked out 33. I feel that we will soon meet our 50 book limit next time we check out. And, another wonderful feature is the self "electronic" check-out. I have trained Jake and he checks out the books himself! He knows how to scan the books and I just pack them out! Great team work!!
Maybe one day, I'll be able to go the library by myself and actually browse the adult section.... I'm sure there are some good books there, too!
Happy Reading!!
:-)

p.s.- Reminder to self: ALWAYS HIDE THE MARKERS!!! I went to rock Michael to sleep... and came back to GIGANTIC letter "J"'s all over the couch.... that's right, made with a red, permanent sharpee marker. I will keep breathing.... I mean, yeah, I'm happy he knows how to write the first letter of his name, BUT NOT ON MY COUCH!!!!!!

Meet our Fearless Leader

The beautiful waterfall we were searching for...

Jake and Momma


Daddy feeding the little monkey


Our fearless LEADER, Jake!


Momma carrying the monkey on the way up!



Daddy carrying the monkey on the way down....


Hello! We are so lucky that the weather in Las Vegas is warming up beautifully this week. Chris and I decided that it would be a perfect time to take Jake on his first hike. We decided to go to a place called the Children's Discovery hike... and let me tell you, it was not as simple as we thought it would be!!
On the way up, I strapped Michael to me in a baby carrier (a whole extra 20+ pounds to carry!!) and he was so content. He was screaming in joy and laughing the whole way. I had him facing outward, so I'm sure it seemed to him, like he was actually walking. I had a cute little hat to protect his head from the sunshine. Chris carried the backpack with all the supplies, and well, Jake declared to us that he was the LEADER! He had an adorable Sponge Bob backpack on (with the essentials of fruit snacks, carmex, and cheetohs, of course) and sun glasses.
It truly is a memory ingrained in my brain and heart forever. The hike had some huge rocks and steep inclines. Jake navigated the entire way ... at some points, he used Chris's grip to help him get up. I was pleasantly surprised at what an amazing hiker he was and how much bravery he showed. At the furthest point in the hike, there is a beautiful waterfall. It's tiny, but still amazing. Chris fed Michael on a blanket while Jake and I creeped to the very back to get a closer look at the waterfall. There was some shade, which was nice, and we all enjoyed a snack.
On the hike back, Chris strapped Michael to HIM this time (which I was pleasantly surprised again! What a great daddy and husband). Jake led the way back, but he kept saying, "Momma, let's hold hands and do it together, like team work!". My heart just melted every time he said it. Afterwards, we stopped for lunch and ate a delicious, well deserved lunch. It was a perfect day.
I feel so blessed to have my family. We are making many happy memories together. :-)
I see many more adventures in our future...

Smiling Eyes

Here are my boys' "smiling eyes... I could just gaze into them all day...

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone!! Tonight has been one of those ideal, relaxing Friday nights... where we are all just hanging out, enjoying the beautiful weather, knowing that we have no constraints this weekend. Jake has been just precious this evening, so sweet and caring. He just makes my heart melt. Michael is good, too! Getting so strong. He has such a great laugh and sense of humor. He laughs at anything and everything. He smiles with his eyes, too. His whole face just lights up when you wave, smile, or talk to him. The time change has made the nights seem longer, which I like. It seems like I have more time to spend with the family. When it gets dark at 5, it seems like it's time to go to bed so soon. Maybe the light is just playing tricks on me...
I'm off to feed that crazy monkey. I know he's starving and getting fussy.
Keep your prayers close for Chris's dad, who has to have bypass, open heart surgery on Monday.

On the move!

Michael is on the move!! That boy is going to be walking before I know it!! He isn't full on crawling yet, but almost there! It's so great to watch the development all over again. Gosh, how time flies. I love when he is laughing and giggling. We joke now that he sounds like a Teradactyl- all screeching and making these weird sounds. It's so adorable. I just want to eat him up!!!
I'm going to a training for work the next two days, which will be nice. I'm looking forward to it, besides the long drive I have since it's across town. I'm going to bed now. Lord knows one of those boys will be up soon wanting something.... not that I mind.
:-)
Lots of love

Feeling blessed

I am feeling blessed today. Nothing huge happened to make me feeling this way.... just appreciating the boys in my life. I took today off in order to take Jake to the doctor. Chris got the boys ready and took both to the babysitter/preschool so I was able to enjoy a morning to myself. Gosh, I didn't know what to do with a few hours to myself! It was great, but weird!! I took a leisurely nap, make myself something to eat (without anyone crying, hanging on my leg, or wanting to "help") and ran a couple errands. I don't know if he realizes how wonderful it was for him to do that for me.
Jake's dr. appt. went okay. The doctor said he is concerned about the fluid in his ears and the fact that he is still so congested. He says he has a "hearing loss". Hmmmm... I don't know exactly what that means.... the doctor prescribed antibiotics and some allergy medicines and we go back in 2 weeks. Jake was such an angel. We waited for over an hour and he was such a gentleman in the waiting room. He was good during all of the tests they had to run, too. Then, because he was such a good boy, we got slurpees, which he loves. He's got such an amazing, fun sense of humor and I just love hanging out with him.
Tomorrow I am taking the boys to see my grandmother at her nursing home. I am somewhat nervous because I haven't seen my grandfather for awhile and he will be there. I am supposed to pick up my brother (as long as he wakes up... he works till early in the morning, so we'll see..) I am going to take both boys so that now Chris can have a few hours to himself. It's the least I can do to "repay" him. Not that he asked me, or expects it, but I know how important it is to let him have some "me" time, too.
I weigh in tomorrow. I did pretty good about tracking my food during the first half of the week. Not so much towards the end. I still ate well though and didn't indulge too much.
We are invited to a surprise birthday party tomorrow night. My mom will babysit as long as she's feeling better. She had the flu really bad this week.
I hope everyone else is having a blessed day, too!
This video is of Jake "reading" a story (really, singing a song) to Michael. Just precious...

Poor angel!!

My Monkeys!

So, last night, around midnight, I awake to hear Jake SCREAMING!! I run out of the bedroom, in a haze, and see that he has thrown up all over the floor. YUCK! But, he is grabbing the back of his head. I don't know what order it happen in...but he tried to run to the bathroom to vomit, and he slipped (either because he was running too fast, or he slipped on the throw up) and he hit his head. He had a goose egg bump SOOOO big! He was hysterical. Then, he just stood there and kept throwing up. Poor angel!! I grabbed him (which of course, it got all over me then, too) and ripped off his clothes. Chris ran out to start cleaning it all up and almost threw up himself. He wasn't bleeding, but I was still so worried. I've never seen a bump like that before! He eventually fell back asleep in my arms on the couch. He didn't get sick again, thank goodness, but I was worried he had a concussion! Needless to say, I didn't sleep all that well because I was holding him most of the night and kept checking on him.
He's a brave boy though.... he seemed fine today and made it through the whole day at school. Momma worried the whole day though....
The bump is still there, but has gone down.
Thank goodness for caffiene. Gosh, I should invest in Starbucks. It got me through the day today with out falling asleep under my desk.
I'm off to bed... hopefully nothing traumatic happens tonight.
:-)
Michael started crawling tonight! He only moved a few inches, but it was movement! Here we go!!! He gets all determined and makes a lot of grunting noises... I have video and will post it later in the week.

does it have to end?

Ahhhh... another wonderful weekend. Took the boys to Peter Piper Pizza last night for some fun! It was Jake's reward since he didn't have an accident all week. It was fun. (I did pretty good on the eating front... a big salad, not too much pizza and a couple beers....) My mom met us there, which was nice. We were in bed by 10:30. Gosh, what old fogeys were are.... LOL just kidding... today, we ran some errands as a family and then I went to do a little shopping by myself, which was nice. I bought a few nice shirts at Kohls for work and a few casual shirts for the weekend. I'm trying to NOT spend a lot of money on clothes since I'm still losing weight and I know I'll just have to get rid of them eventually. The house is clean, the boys are ALMOST in bed, and I'm going to hop in the shower and cuddle with my hubby. Jake and I painted this afternoon, which was fun. He is very artistic and loves to paint pictures and little wooden toys that I get at Michael's Arts and Crafts. I hope I never forget those moments. They are precious to me.
Hope everyone has a great week!
:-)