A Couple of Videos...Enjoy!

REMEMBER TO TURN OFF THE MUSIC (press pause) before playing videos.

Here is a quick snip-it of Sam loving on Kate. He is so sweet with her, but a little rough as you will see. She seems to take it in stride though.

Ok...first, please excuse my singing (thank goodness Randy, Simon & Paula aren't around.)

Sunshine and 50...We'll Take It!!

A glorious day in January...I can already feel Spring Fever coming on!! I love it when it's crisp outside and the sun is out. The kids love it too and we took advantage of it today. After lunch we headed out into the back yard for some vitamin D. A blanket and a few toys did the trick for Kate and Sam ran around from one end to the other. Their both sleeping right now so I think it was what the doctor ordered for sure or at least mama!

Kate loves to massage Sam's head. (i.e. poke his eyes and pull his hair)
Hooray for Sunshine!!!

We might even make it to the park after naps!!

Almost Crawling...Sort of??

Kate has been cheered on by everyone to motivate her to crawl, but for right now she is most satisfied with the backwards military crawl. She's mobile and for her that is all that matters. Quite honestly, she is content just sitting up playing with her toys and watching every move that her big brother makes, which is ALOT these days. I can already see her strategy...slow and steady wins the race or at least keeps her out of harms way (sam) and trouble from mama. She is 8 1/2 months old and has an award winning smile and personality. Watching her grow is such a delight!!

Look Mama...Bubble

Just yesterday the kids and I went up to our neighborhood park to get some fresh air. It was cold and I didn't put gloves on Sam so our visit was short and sweet. As soon as we got there he wanted to swing, so swinging it was!! It was about 4:30 in the afternoon and as he was leaning back to get the full effect of the swing he looked up into the sky and said with great excitement, "Mama...Bubble." I looked up and there in plain sight was the moon. Right then and there I realized that we had never had a discussion about the moon. Probably because we put them to bed at 7:00 and are rarely outside to discuss the moon & stars. Shame on us!! Anyway, I took that moment to tell him about the moon. He seemed quite excited to give it a name and talked about it the rest of the afternoon and it was the first thing he wanted to tell daddy when he got home. I thought it was very insightful and imaginative for him to make that connection, but I glad that he now knows about the moon. I can't wait for the next teachable moment...tomorrow!!

Blessings Big and Small

Blessings are sometimes given to us and we don't even recognize them. One of my 2008 New Year's Goals is to take time to stop and acknowledge all of the blessings that the Lord gives, especially the ones that I may not want to acknowledge at all, for instance sickness. The reason sickness comes to mind is because over the last 5 weeks one member of our family has either been catching, enduring or running from some form of a cold. It has been the darndest thing, just when I think we are in the clear, somebody starts sneezing, wheezing or coughing. Having said that, I have had time to discover the blessings that are uncovered during "sick" times. I have had more opportunities to hug, cuddle and kiss my babies in the middle of the night than ever before. I have had no guilty feelings associated with running for my bed as soon as I can get both babies down for a nap or bed. I have learned all sorts of patience within myself when I thought I had none left. The thankfulness I feel that it is ONLY a cold and not some terminal illness. The funny memories of watching Sam and Kate both laugh when mommy and daddy blow their nose. The blessing of seeing Sam hug Kate (probably passing on another germ:)) The blessing of grandparents helping out and risking getting sick themselves in order to preserve some of my sanity. All in all it hasn't been that bad at all, but I am glad for the moment for the blessing of a well family on the horizon! The two blessings in the picture above take the cake for sure!! Many blessings to you....

Two Tiger Fans just having Fun!!

Sam's First Haircut

Sam is 2o months old and has never had a haircut, nor has he needed one. He really didn't start getting hair until he was 12 months and even then it was very fine and just wispy. Well, over the last 8 months his hair has begun to grow and grow in all different directions. He still doesn't have a lot of hair, but what he does have seems to have a mind of its own. It was time for some intervention...so today we ventured to "Jelly Beanz" a real cool childrens haircut salon. They were very prepared to handle any situation, but fortunately Sam handled himself beautifully. He was wiggly, but stayed in control the entire time and even said "please" and "thank you" to Jessica (his stylist.) He got a balloon on the way out (which mama accidentally let fly out the window while strapping me in the carseat.) Nana came along for the ride, held Kate during the haircut so I could take some photos of the big event! I couldn't have managed without her because she was ready to eat the moment we walked in the door:) Here are some of the before, during and after shots of sweet Sam. He makes a mama proud.

Every Which Way Hair

Waiting on Jessica
Checking out the local magazines in the waiting area


The first couple of snips

Whoa Mom, don't let her get my ear!!

Just like Daddy

Thank goodness for Elmo Ernie and the Gang

I said please and Jessica let me hold the yellow wand that she used to brush my hair off my clothes.

This is pretty fun!

Look how smooth and even...Intervention Successful!!