Anniversary Squared

Hola folks! Simultaneous afternoon naps = free time for Momma! And, I have been overdue for an update so here we go!  This current week I have proclaimed as "baby boot camp" here in the Douthitt house.  We 've been away, or sick, or had company most of these summer months, and I admit that I have let the boys get away with WAY too much.  So, after a few motivating books and pep talks with family/friends, I told Luke that I was putting the house aside this week and focusing on the kiddos (i.e. dirty house, minimal cooking, etc.).  Well, I'm more than halfway through the week, and trust me, I'd rather be cleaning than "enforcing", but I know it's best for all of us (and our sanity!).  Let's just say that by 8am on Monday, Elijah (in tears) said, "I wanna go to work and see daddy."  I'm not sure if that was a success or failure, but the tone was set and we're plowing ahead at full steam! 

Last week, E was "helping" me clean out the car while M napped.  It got really quite

(which is never a good thing), and I found him in the driver's seat with an empty

gum packet...there were at least 6 wrappers in his lap...hard not to laugh!

what a stud!

engrossed in books (pre haircut as you can plainly see)

Grandma D snapped this one...he was just laying in the grass in her yard watching the sky

and making grass angels apparently

the boy is obsessed with ties...

...and, naturally, Miles doesn't want to be left out!

this cracks me up!  he palms the bottle in one hand while getting the paci in the other

ready for an immediate trade-off once the bottle is empty

Pulled his blanket from the laundry basket before bed, and I asked

him if he remembered who made it for him.  He thought for a bit, and then said, "Aunt Larna!" 

Very excited about a potential visit from Aunt Lauren in the coming weeks!!

Anyway, on to more FUN things!  My cousin, Laura, and I have a pretty unique relationship as cousins.  I mean, how often do you grow up with your cousins next door and mutual grandparents across the street?  So, it is pretty cool that we share the same wedding anniversary, July 12, at the same church, separated by 5 years.  So, when we saw them as we passed through B'ham on our way home from the beach, we proposed the idea for an anniversary weekend in Memphis! They had been wanting to come up for a visit, and it just so happened they were free to come the weekend of our anniversaries!  We had a GREAT weekend with Laura, JD and their little man, Thomas!  They are so fun and laid back.  It really was a treat to have them here.  

Flowers from my main man!  He also surprised Laura and I with in-home massages (shout out, Adri!!) while he and JD played golf.  He coordinated with Adri (friend from church) who is a massage therapist to come over and give us massages while Grandma D watched the boys!  I will admit that we were quite impressed with the planning!  It was wonderful!

We took in the zoo while they were in town, and the weather couldn't have been better!

We also (despite hungry, overly-tired children) went to Gus's downtown for some authentic,

Southern fried chicken!  It was a bit loud and crazy in there, and somehow we managed to let Miles crawl out of the high chair and onto the cement floor (parents of the year, right?!).  After a good pat down and physical exam from Luke, we found absolutely no red marks, bumps, or bruises.  It really is

amazing that kids survive past the age of 3...God knew what he was doing when He made kids so resilient!

Anyway, we got home from the zoo and lunch, and we all got ready for a dinner out, sans kids!  Props again to Granma D for watching all the boys (including dinner and bedtime for all 3!) while we enjoyed a nice evening out.  We went to Bleu, a place downtown, and it was quite yummy!  Afterward, we walked to the Peabody to get a rooftop glimpse of the city.  Side note: apparently you now need your ID to get onto Beale St.  I did not have mine, hence, no Beal St.  But, it was a great night out nonetheless!

They new we were celebrating, so this came out for dessert! Fun!

so classy and refined

who doesn't love jumping on couch cushions??

exploring downtown Collierville

his, "put the camera down, mom" look

ok, so the next several photos are inclusive of the "here comes a train, wave to the train, 

get me outta here" picture series...

(yes, Luke is laughing)

Luke showing Elijah what he looked like

Again, we had a GREAT weekend.  We wrapped up Saturday night with a burger from Dryer's on the square (overrated), and cheesecake to-go from City Hall Cheesecake (AH-mazing!).  We ate the cheesecake over an intense game of Settlers of Catan after the boys were in bed.  So thankful for an opportunity to be with them and looking forward to many more weekends like this!

In other news, Miles turns ONE next Thursday...a week from today!  Where did that time go??  He is huge!  I am currently buying him 2T clothes, he is SO close to walking pushing chairs and boxes all over the house, he's coming up with a few words: "uh oh", "bye bye", "mama", "dada", "lijah", "daas" (dance).  He's had his 5th haircut which is insane!  He is starting to give up his afternoon nap (no!!!!).  As much as he loves food, he's pretty picky with what he'll actually finger feed.  If he doesn't like something, he'll give us a look, pick it up, and purposefully drop it to the floor (while my blood pressure sky-rockets!).  But, he is so stinkin' cute and has a killer grin to make up for almost all of the screaming he does! :-)  We go for his 1 yr check-up on the 31st, and I'm anxious to get his current stats!

Elijah is constantly coming up with new words.  It really is amazing the words he retains.

 He is also developing a great imagination which is so fun to hear/watch.  Yesterday, he was putting his snack (nuts) into the back of his Hotweel jeep, and driving them all over the floor and walls.  This morning, he was laying in his bed (while I put away clothes) and doing his bedtime routine with his stuffed animals...even sang them Twinkle Twinkle.  So precious.  

Last night, Luke was encouraging him to say a prayer before dinner.  It went as follows...

L: Dear God, thank you for...

E: Granma D, Papa D, blapes (grapes), stawbeddies (strawberries), drink, plate, light....(basically, everything within eyesight)

Luke finally interjected: And, thank you for Jesus.

E: Thank you for cheetos

L: (paused, contained his laughter)...and, thank you for JESUS

E: In his name, Amen!

Hilarious! So thankful for these boys, and the opportunity we have to raise them together!  

 The kiddos and I are headed to Bham next week, and looking forward to seeing family AND two of my oldest college friends!  Next time perhaps I'll have some Bday pics from our big guy! 


Have a great week!