Growing Up...

Things have settled down a bit here now that we've finally spent a consecutive 3 weeks at home for the first time in (what seems like) forever! Unfortunately, we came home from Atlanta only to say goodbye to our friends, the Bradleys.  Erica, Sarah and their 4 sweet girls moved to Oklahoma City, and we were thankful to spend an evening with them before they hit the road.  Sadly, this is the best pic from that night...oops!  We had a lot of fun eating, talking, and letting the kiddos enjoy each other. You all will be (and already are) very missed around here!

I came home from our last trip determined to get the boys on a better napping routine! Miles was already giving up his afternoon nap, but that was the only time Elijah would nap. So, we started keeping Miles awake in the morning so that he would take one, long nap in the afternoon.  Elijah was just altogether fighting naptime, but I was determined that he have some sort of "quiet" time (and knew he really needed that nap, too!).  

I found this cool alarm clock called the "OK to Wake" clock.  It turns green at whatever time you set it in the morning as well as after your prescribed "quiet time".  It worked like a charm for the morning! He actually stayed in his room until 7am when I set the alarm to turn green!  (If you remember, the boys went through this 5:30-6am waking up routine recently.) Anyway, I also set it for his light to turn green after he'd had 90 minutes of quiet time in his room.  I loaded him with a special snack, new crayons and stickers (only to be used/eaten at his desk), and this was the result....

 Yep, totally fell asleep at his desk! Now, I'll say, this did NOT happen the first day.  In fact, it took a few days for him to actually stay in his room (at this very moment he is sticking his head out of his door...but, he's at least being quiet!).  I finally compromised and told him I would stay in the room across the hall and keep his door open so that he could see me.  His biggest complaint was me leaving to go downstairs and shutting his door.  So, now, I use the time to read, work on Bible lessons, or on days like today, update the blog. :-)  He doesn't always fall asleep by himself.  Sometimes, if it's been over 45 min or so, I'll go in his room and read and make him lay quietly on his bed...that always results in a nap!  Anyway, sorry for all of the details! I'm just thankful for an hour or so of peace and quiet every day!

The following picture really doesn't need any explanation.  Miles loves to eat, and he really LOVES his (soy) milk in the mornings - more on the soy later.  In fact, if I don't have it out and ready when I get him up in the mornings he proceeds to throw a rather impressive (and sorely obnoxious) fit!  I try my hardest to stay calm (even though I can feel my blood boiling), and absolutely not give him the milk until he is perfectly quiet and not crying.  Any other suggestions are welcome!  

I have deduced that about 75% of his tantrums (and, yes, full-out tantrums is exactly what they are!) are food-related...not fast enough, not what he wants, not the right temperature, not the right drink, not eating when others are eating, etc.  It's quite an interesting thing, really, when I sit back and think about it.  

Oh, and the soy milk? Yeah, started him on it about 3 weeks ago and he's had his first normal BM since June...guess there won't be much ice cream in his future.  Sad times for this lactose-sensitive munchkin!

The kid loves eggs...EVERY morning.  He can out-eat me in an omelet-eating contest any day!

Miles' latest funny face and the only way I can photograph his teeth!

One afternoon this is what Elijah did during his "quiet time".  He was being quiet, so I didn't complain. It's amazing what comes out in that imagination when he's given some time to put it to use!

Last week our playgroup met at the Memphis Botanic Gardens. You've seen some pics of the kids there in the past.  We always enjoy our time!

Miles' also has a new love...climbing! He climbs up chairs, on tables, on the steps...you name it!

Charlie and Elijah taking a sip

Miles not really loving the simulated rain storm...

Lucy and Elijah playing in one of the tree houses

This picture is to remind me that although I really dislike taking the boys to Walmart, my opinion has changed with the addition of these new, improved, buggies!  Seriously, they are great and drive almost as good as the Publix carts (that's a compliment!).  They are side-by-side forward facing seats AND a 3rd kid could sit in the regular spot (or, one of the two when they start pulling each other's hair...that may have happened). So, thank you, Walmart, for making our shopping experience much more tolerable!

Evidence of Miles walking...and Elijah sharing in the excitement!

Our new art! Actually, we have had it for over a month now, but we just haven't taken the time to get the ladder out and hang it!  If you're interested, a friend of ours, Kyle Cochran, did this and has many more AWESOME pieces displayed on his Facebook page!  It's really exciting seeing what he comes up with so check him out!

Waiting outside at Brother Juniper's for a big ole breakfast to kick off our day spent at the Cooper Young festival!  Erica, my SIL, and her sister, Mallory, are sickeningly (I mean that only in the nicest way!) creative and always have a booth at the show! So, we were really happy to spend a little bit of time with Robert & Erica and see all of the girls' art and jewelry!

The Sweets also were in town for the weekend, so we had everyone over for pizza (Erica's bday dinner request) and dessert.  We had our first successful fire for the season and roasted marshmallows.  

Robert & Erica truly are the most thoughtful, helpful people we know.  They left our house after we had already gotten off for church Sunday morning.  When we got home, we found the house tidy, clean, and organized...even the boys' rooms!  

Meanwhile, Luke was on-call the entire weekend and it was BRUTAL!  So, he and Elijah took a much-needed nap after lunch Sunday and BEFORE Luke had to go back to work that afternoon! Honestly, I don't know how he functions on so little sleep. When he hasn't been working, he's been studying! He takes his orals in two weeks, and I think we're all ready to have those behind us!

So, Erica's bday was Monday and we have NUMEROUS outtakes from trying to get the boys to sing her "Happy Birthday." This was my favorite...

Miles and Elijah stayed in their PJs all day yesterday (and most of today, too!).  They've come down with a cold that Luke brought home last week.  Despite the pj's and unkept hair, they're still pretty cute! 

  

blurry, but you can see those big, gappy teeth in the front!

We got Elijah a "glider bike" a while back to help him get used to balancing on a bike.  It doesn't have pedals so you're meant to propel it Flinstone style while learning to handle and balance the weight of the bike. Supposedly, it eliminates the need for training wheels and teaches the kid to balance first. Just this past week he has really taken to it and is enjoying it!  

And, as you can see, Pork Chop is officially walking!  He is now walking more than crawling so it's legit!

And, there they go, our two big boys!  

And, as usual, we'll end on some funny Elijah-isms...

"Mommy, I like bar-b-cute!" (as opposed to bar-b-cue...guess that's good since it's kinda what Memphis is known for!)

And...

"Mommy, I want to burp."  He then proceeds to sing the word "burp" over and over! Hey, I guess that's better than the actual thing!

Hope you guys are having a great week! Since the boys are still puny (nasty coughs and crusty noses) I think we will stay home from Bible study.  Hoping they are on the mend quickly! 

Happy Wednesday!