Happy 1/2 Birthday Leo!

My dear, sweet, little boy is now 1 1/2 years old!

He celebrated his 1/2 birthday on Sunday. We went out for his favorite meal: pizza! Then we came home and had cake. Ok, in all honesty, he still doesn't like cake so he had a healthy banana!


Who could resist that sweet smile?
Not me!

Three Christmases

Hasn't life changed in the last 3 Christmases?

Christmas 2006:

Christmas 2007:

Christmas 2008:

Leo's Merry Christmas

Our week has been crazy busy with family & friends. Leo has made quite the haul. I'll start at the beginning.

Jus had to work on Christmas Eve (bummer), so Leo and I were finishing up last minute details while he was gone. I put Leo down for a nap, and he wouldn't fall asleep. I think he knew what was coming!! So at 1 o'clock he finally fell asleep, so Jus and I could get his presents built. Yep, built. We ordered him a Little Tikes sports climber. It was pretty easy to assemble... :) (Another story for another time...)

After an incredibly SHORT nap (45 minutes), Leo was up and not too impressed with being awake. We thought it might make him happy to see his new basketball hoop. Oh boy, were we right! He started smiling and shooting hoops right that second.


After about 10 minutes, I thought we could move into the other room and open the rest of his presents. Um...yeah...This is what Leo thought of that idea.

I'll remember that for next year...

Anyway, we brought his presents back into the family room, and I opened every single one of his. He wanted nothing to do with any of them. But he was a good sport and let me take a picture of him with all of the "stuff" he got from us.


After we finished at our house, we quickly picked up, cleaned up and packed, and made a mad dash to LR to spend Christmas Eve with my family. Our first plan had been to stay home, go to our church, and then to G'pa & G'ma's. Oh well, plans change and we are flexible. (Ok, those of you that know me, know that MY plans don't really change, and I am NOT flexible...).

My sister and brother were home and the kids were creating quite the racket. We went to church, and I'm sure that the people behind us thought we were pretty entertaining... After church our friends, the Graves, came to G'pa & G'ma's. We ate, played and opened presents. Here are the kids after the party and before "the wheels fell off." (Remember that 45 minute nap...multiply that by 4 kids and you'll know how happy G'pa & G'ma's house was...)

Our triplets: Katelyn, Leo & Adri
All 4 Grandkids: Gavin, Katelynn, Leo & Adri The kids with their "honorary" cousin: Lane, Katelynn, Leo, Adri & Gavin

We went to bed in hopes that Santa would bring a Silent Night and happy babies... Well, most of them went to bed. Leo & I went to couch. (Now might be the time to mention to my parents that it'd be super if they could add an extra bedroom to their house...with a queen size bed...:))

On to Christmas Day. We got up early and opened presents. Again, Leo wasn't too into the gifts or the wrapping paper. Oh well, maybe next year. We saved his present from G'pa & G'ma until last...a basketball hoop that can go outside!!! (See, I'm learning...) So for the rest of the day, minus nap time, he played basketball. Sharing is something that a 1 1/2 year old isn't too much into...sorry Kate & Adri!

Leo got a "John Deere" water bottle in his stocking, and thought it was so cool. But, he doesn't know how to suck from a straw. Any ideas how to teach him?

Here is the glorious basketball hoop and a shot of Leo in action!
Next we move to Christmas on the other side of the family. Yesterday, the 26th, we went to Justin's parents for the day. Leo & Jaina had a blast opening their presents and then playing with all of the "old" toys at G'pa & G'ma's. Isn't that how it always works?

Don't mind Leo's bib in these pictures...He has been drooling like crazy again, and it was his 3rd bib already...oh, we opened presents at 10 o'clock!


He has been getting the John Deere toys that are also books. He loves them! Here he is with Corey Combine. :)
And Miss Jaina is opening on of her presents. She kind of had a "horse" Christmas, even though G'pa didn't get her a real horse...He's the only one with enough room. Maybe she can keep asking, he could cave! (Although, I'd be ok if he didn't...I'm afraid of horses...and dogs...and...)

Over all we had a wonderful time with our family, and can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. One gift we are very thankful for is that my brother is home safely. (Last year he was in Iraq.)

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well!

Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

May you and your family have a blessed Christmas.

With all of the parties and food and presents and traveling, remember the true meaning of Christmas: a baby boy born, to save us all.

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to all whom God favors." Luke 2:14

Have a very Merry Christmas.

Let's Have a Sleep Over!

Miss Jaina had her first sleep over at our house this past weekend. She was supposed to stay at G'pa & G'ma G's house, but due to the blizzard, was lucky enough to stay with us!

Leo was excited...well, as excited as an almost 18 month older can be...

Jaina was excited...she didn't even mind that I told her that her bed was out in the snow. (Don't worry, I was only teasing!)

Here are the cousins, all squeaky clean in their green jammies.

Every night before bed we read three stories to Leo Beo, and Saturday Jaina got in on the stories. Leo was so sleepy that he rested his head on Jaina's shoulder, and she rested her head on his head. Oh my gosh, so cute.

There was this strange sensation that took over my body. It was a feeling of "hmm... maybe Leo should be a big brother...he would be so kind and loving to his baby sibling. "

I think it's the first feeling of baby fever.

Hmm...interesting...kind of exciting...could be alright...

Let's talk to Justin about it...

He says, let's wait and see... Bummer... I have a whole list of names that could be perfect for a sibling for Leo...

I'll have to see if I can work my magic on Jus...

Anyway, back to the sleep over.

We put Leo to bed, and Jaina told us, "My mom says I have to go to bed at 8 o'clock so that I am not a crab tomorrow." She cracks me up with her "My mom says" stories.

So, she went to bed and fell asleep on her own by 8:45.

We had a very rough night. Leo was up crying a lot. I'm going to say it was teeth, but I can't back that up. I had him lay on the couch with me so we didn't wake up Jaina, and the computer restarted. So he heard the noise and thought it was time to dance and play. Sorry kid, it's sleepy time!

Jaina cried once, but she was dreaming, and Leo was up too many times to count. I don't think I like nights like that...

Here are the two in the morning eating the rolls that Justin made for them. They were watching Mickey Mouse Club House.

I got to do Jaina's hair, and if I do say so myself, it was pretty cute. I love doing hair! (not my own...) We headed out to church shortly after this picture.

Oh, and for those of you still wondering about the baby fever: With a night like that...

NOT A CHANCE!!!!!!!!!

*Maybe when Leo is 18 years old!

"Verbose Friday"

Well, the bottom is on the mend! It looks much better and we are back to wearing clothes!!! I must say I am glad that is over. It hurt my heart to have to change his pants or give him a bath. We'd have to cuddle for about 15 minutes after each change. Poor baby. I'm glad that's over. We're up for whatever is next...I think...


One of the blogs I read has "Wordless Wednesdays," which means they put up pictures that "don't require words."
Well, you all know me and I am one of MANY words, so here's my "Verbose Friday."


I caught Leo in one of the bathroom drawers recently...Needless to say, his daddy was NOT impressed with Leo's find.





Yeah, let's not play with those...



Here's a few pictures of me and my little man...It's almost his 1/2 birthday. Yikes! Only 6 months until the terrible twos start...

We are supposed to go to my parents tomorrow for a little Christmas party, but the weather isn't looking so hot; in fact, it's supposed to be pretty cold.

Enjoy the blizzard...Melia, can you see Tom's house?

Living Room Make Over

I've been bothering Justin that I wanted to give our living room a make over. I wanted to get new furniture, new window "stuff," and paint. He said no...



Well, Leo must really like his mommy because he came up with a way for us to have a living room make over, but we hope this make over doesn't last.



Leo has been on medicine for 5 days, and for 5 days he's had runny diapers and a HORRID diaper rash. I have never seen a bottom so red. When I called the clinic tonight, they told me to let him run around our house "nakey" all night.



Um...ok...hence the make over...




Poor Leo. He screamed when we changed him or gave him a bath. I've been using a blow dryer to dry everything out before the diaper goes on. Thank goodness for my mom and Justin's mom; they are watching him tomorrow so he can "let it all hang out" all day.



Here he is hanging with daddy. Notice he is sitting on a towel. For being a boy, Justin sure is concerned about getting dirty!

There was one little spraying accident, but it ended up on the towel. Yeah for smart thinking parents!

V-I-K-I-N-G-S!!

All we want for Christmas is a Super Bowl Ring!!!

Oh, wait, we are realists... All we want for Christmas is NOT to be embarrassed...

Did I Tell You I Love Daycare?

Have I mentioned on here that I love Leo's daycare? I mean besides the constant runny nose and the "we have this" signs on the doors, I love Leo's daycare. I also love his room teacher, Alissa. She does such an awesome job with the kids, and teaches them so much. I swear he learns something everyday.

(As a side note, I wonder if people out there think I teach their kid something every day...something to ponder...hopefully all good stuff...)

So anyway, she taught them "Ring Around the Rosie." I didn't know they'd done this until one night when I was giving Leo a bath (flashback...Leo does his best "work" in the tub) and he started saying "down." Being naive, I thought he was saying, "Sit down," because I tell him this about 100 times a bath, but nope I figured out what he was singing. So I started singing it, and he could do it all. It was so cute.

We've tried and tried to get him to do it for the camera, but he now likes to be behind the camera, rather than in front of it. (He's somewhat like his daddy, in that respect.) Justin secretly started taping him while I was singing. You can tell by my crazy laughing that Leo has figured out our trick. He does finish singing the song with me, however. (Please don't judge my pjs or my laugh...or my singing, for that matter...)

What a smart boy!

And for today's lesson from Kid's Club...

Let me tell you about my nephew, Gavin. At his daycare when he has a bad day or makes bad choices he gets a "red face." (green=good, yellow=ok, red=bad) He (Gavin) has been getting a few red faces lately, which is kind of comical, because he isn't mine...

When I went to pick up Leo today, Alissa said they had a rough afternoon. I thought for sure he was coming down with the strep that was posted on the door.

But, she said, "Oh, no. He's been climbing. And climbing on the table. When we tell him no and get him down he laughed and did it again. And again. And again. So we put him in time-out, but that didn't seem to work."

Me, "Oh, really. Why?"

Alissa, "He got out of the chair, tipped it over and walked away laughing."

Me, "He gets that from his father..."

So...Leo would have gotten a red face, if Kid's Club had red faces.

*That's my boy! ;)

5 Dancing Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Ho Ho Ho!

You better watch out. You better not cry.

You better not pout, I'm telling you why...

Santa Leo is learning to Ho-Ho-Ho!

Happy Thanksgiving! (A Day Late!)

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays!

I love fall (as you know!); I love food; and I love seeing my family.

One thing that I don't love: turkey.
I know, I know, everyone things I'm a picky eater. I'm really not that bad. I just don't like turkey. Nobody in my family really does (ok, mainly me and my mom...).

This year for Thanksgiving we went to my parents before we went to our Thanksgiving get together with Greg & Faye. My dad and I were sitting at the dinning room table, when I put a bet in front of him. I had this feeling that my brother was going to tell us something, so I told my dad that I'd put money on him announcing that he and Jill (his wife) were going to have a baby. My dad laughed. So, I shook off the idea and went on with the conversation.

We went to church, and ate dinner. When we got back to the house I was playing with Leo & Adri (who by the way, is so cute!), when Eric came in and gave me $10.

I asked, "What is this for?"

Eric said, "It's from Dad."

Me,"Why?"

E, "He lost a bet or something."

Me, "A bet? What do you mean?" (Ok, yes, I'm a little slow on the up take...)

E, "I am not sure. Some bet."

Light bulb!!!! "I got it! When's the baby due?"

E, "July!"


Yeah to them! I'm so excited! I was telling Justin the other night that I wanted to be an auntie again. I wanted to hold a baby, and then give it back when it cried. :) Being an aunt rocks!


Later on in the evening we went to Greg & Faye's. Leo & Adri had a wonderful time chasing Pounce. The poor cat spent the night under that table, while the trouble makers ran around and tried to get her.




On Thursday we spent the day with Justin's family. Leo had a ball running around chasing Dylan, Landon & Ross. Leo & Ross are 5 months apart. In fact, yesterday was Ross's 1st birthday! Happy Birthday, Ross!

The two of them were hilarious to watch. They ran around and around.


And then they cleaned Tami's window...With their chubby hands. :)


We had a wonderful time with our family, and I hope all of you had the same. We have so much to be thankful for and should be thankful in everything.


"Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God." Philippians 4:6


Happy Thanksgiving!

TAG

My friend Andrea tagged me, and this is how it works:

1. go to the 4th folder in your pictures folder
2. post the 4 picture in that folder
3. Explain your picture
4. Tag 4 friends to do the same!

And here's my picture:

This is when Leo was almost 9 months old with his best friends, his pacis. We were on the way to Redwood Falls to see my brother, who had just returned from Iraq.

Anyone have ideas on how to get rid of the paci? He only gets it at night and nap time, but I worry about his speech... Can't get away from being a teacher to be a mommy...

So I TAG these friends: (In no particular order) Melia, Jill, Elizabeth and Erica. Enjoy reading their blogs as much as I do! :)

I Just Couldn't Wait

to give you the next "sneak peak." (Look at his socks in the first picture!)

I've Got a Question For You...

Do all kids start out jumping like this or do we have a problem?

A Little Bit of Everything

We lead a very uneventful life here at 711 S. Adams St. Little things make us laugh and smile. Here are a few of the little things that have been happening here over the last week...

Boyz in the Hood (or wearing a hood!)

Now if you knew where our old house was, you'd laugh harder because it really was in the hood. I used to say we were always "slumming it." :)

We are having a lot of "vest-ivities" this week due to Thanksgiving. (I know, very bad play on words, but we are cute in our vests.)



Leo got his hair cut on Thursday night. Doesn't he look like he's about ready to go to school? I told Becky when she cut his hair that I didn't care how she cut it or what she did, just as long as she didn't feel bad that I'd go home and cry my eyes out because he looks so big...



So like I was saying before. We really don't have a lot to do on the weekends. (or the weekdays for that matter) Anyway, Friday night we were playing with "the BIG bowl" and I decided it would be fun for us to wear hats. Jus wouldn't let me take a picture of him with his bowl hat, but I did sneak a little video with him in it! Don't we just look like a bowl of fun?!? :) (Ok, I'm done...)

Simon Says...

watch this video!

It's Amazing What You Can Learn in a Week

It's been a week filled with learning opportunities!

Monday we had in-service and I got to learn more about the new technology that will soon be appearing in my room. I love SmartBoards! :) Justin again had basketball Monday evening, so Leo and I had a date night. He's so cuddly now, it's just so much fun!

Tuesday Jus went to our church's meeting hoping NOT to win the election and become a Deacon of the church. It isn't that he didn't want to do it, it just made him a little nervous I think. He did not get voted in. :) (I finally won an election this year!)

Wednesday we found out that Leo can now do the following things: Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes, Simon Says, 10 animal sounds, and do his shape sorter (by himself...watch out TAG...here comes Leo!). He is so funny to watch!

Thursday I learned that taking 17 5-year-olds on a field trip is more work than a day of school...

Friday, we learned that Cheetos are Leo's new favorite food group!

Here he is eating and enjoying this great food!



2 pictures of the after effects!


We also learned he loves blueberry yogurt. Well, he loves the yogurt part, but not the blueberries. He spits those out and then wipes his tongue! Don't you love that yogurt-y smile!

But, the most important thing I've learned this week is to "Let Go and Let God Be God." Ok, why, oh why do I think I can solve every problem that comes my way? It makes me crazy that I try everything else and then remember to go to the person I should have gone to in the first place. I think, next time I'll go to God first, why can't I remember that when the problem comes up?

Let me back up and start from the beginning...

Last weekend Leo woke up Thursday, for the weekend (as his daddy said...) :). We had a really rough weekend with coughing and sneezing and gagging and whining and crying. On Sunday morning I had had enough, I was going to take Leo in to acute care (where they know us by first name I think...). Justin told me to wait it out. So, I did.

On Monday Leo was a little better, so we sent him to daycare. He did alright, but was really coughing when we got home. I was afraid the wheezing was from his lungs and not the snot in his chest (sorry if you are eating as you read this...). So that night when I went to bed, I was reading my devotion and the title was "Let Go and Let God Be God." The scripture was 2 Chronicles 10:12, I'll wait while you go and read it.

Ok, so it went on to say that we can't handle our problems, we need to trust in God. So All day Tuesday I thought about that. When I got home from school and Leo was still wheezy, I wondered if I should call "our nurse" Melissa. :) I remembered my devotion, and decided to wait a little bit. I went and took a shower, and prayed that if I was supposed to talk to Melissa that I'd see her, or she'd call me. I was letting go and letting God.

I went to bed not really thinking about what I'd prayed about. The next morning at 8:05, who should show up in my classroom...Yep, Melissa (side note, her son is in my class). She was bringing her son's boots. I mentioned to her about Leo's wheeze, and she said it was probably just the snot (again, sorry).

I would love to say that as soon as she left, I turned right around and prayed and told God thank you. Well, I'm a little slow. I went through the morning, and was sitting down to lunch, when Duh!?!?! it hit me! There was my answer to prayer. God was listening, as always, I just had to listen too. So, thank you Melissa for being our angel (yet again!). And thank you God for helping me trust in Your timing and wait on You.

I know the problems and worries will never go away while I am here on Earth, but I do know that I will try my best to go to God 1st and not last!

Leo's been doing really well the rest of this week. He slept through the night 2 nights in a row! (I realize that is not a big deal to some, but to us, it's HUGE!!!) Enjoy the pictures of our little farmer who learned to ride his tractor this week!

Watch out NBA...

Here comes my Leo! My little Leo loves basketball! At least, he loves it in the tub. He's always saying, "2 points," "2 points!" I hope he loves watching the Lions this season...

This video was not an easy task to record. He kept standing up and turning around and showing his "junk" to the camera. I started out this video hoping to get him to say a few words. He always does his best "work" during his nightly bath. My mom was not enjoying the fact that she has never heard him say "Grandma," which he can say and does often (when she isn't around). He was not really into talking this night, so I gave up (after about 8 other videos) and moved on to letting him show me his skills.

Sorry Grandma Jan, we'll keep working on it!

One Man Band

We've got ourselves a one man band show. :) Tickets are going fast. Get them while you can!

Leo & his drum.

Leo's playing the maracas. He can really shake a beat!

Um, Leo with his rain sounding shaker thing...

Leo with Daddy's favorite instrument ~ the recorder. :)

Leo playing the kazoo.

Someone (Justin) asked me why in the world I bought Leo the "Band in a Drum" set. Well, duh, listen to that beautiful music!