The Boyz

Wesley started basketball. He is learning how to run, shoot and dribble. The actual game is a bit overwhelming. He usually just runs around and watches. He needs to learn to be more aggressive and not just look at the scoreboard! He is really innocent in his love for the game. He loves his Jordan shoes and will show me how he shoots hoops while wearing them. He came downstairs last week wearing AUSTIN'S pants. He honestly thought that they were his and couldn't figure out how to zip them up. We had to hold our laughter.

I love his 6 year old picture.

Isaac and Wesley were so cute on Sunday playing on the Firetruck before church. Aren't they handsome! Isaac is also OBSESSED with the fax machine. He climbs on it every few hours everyday. We call it his "office."




I asked Wesley to listen for Isaac waking up from a nap while I went to pick up Austin at the neighbor's house. It was his first time "alone" at the house. Where did I find him when I came back? In Isaac's crib! He was singing him a song and it was precious.



The trampoline finally got up, a late Christmas present. It took Jared three times to link up the bands, but it is up and the boys have enjoyed it (when it's not raining).




Austin is quite the creative boy...he loves to dress up (especially like Grandpa Lowe). He also has begun to find a passion for Legos, namely the barcos and Santa Claus' he can make (with exact colors and shapes). How does he even walk in a Men's size 11 sock and shoe?






4 years old and quite the charmer.

One thing is for sure, the LOVE being with Jared on a more consistent basis.

Jared's ride

Since I won't let Jared have a motorcycle, I allow him to go on Harley rides every few years (ok, so this is only his second ride since we've been married). He found a great deal on Craigslist for his gear and alongside his Uncle Larry, they put 400 miles on the bike. He rode long and hard and had a serious headache when he got home from so much wind. I am so grateful he is alive! The boys loved going for rides, and even I enjoyed a night ride as we cruised around. My sexy Jared.

Ornery

Something is wrong with me: I am super irritable these days and I am snapping for no good reason. My back hurts, I had a headache for two days (which I rarely get), and I have just felt not like myself. Even after I shark mopped my floors and Jared cleaned the bathrooms, yEditou'd think that I would be in a better mood.

Tonight I made some chimichangas for dinner, a new recipe. I immediately got offended when Jared wanted to melt extra cheese over the top. I told him, "You always want to alter my recipes! You don't appreciate me!" What kind of hormonal woman am I? As Wesley was doing his homework, "Things that are HOT. Things that are COLD," my patience was wearing very thin. He kept doing his numbers backwards and couldn't focus. Austin also was buggin' as he was literally jumping and screaming all afternoon long.

Does crying about losing my Argentina journal and blog posts account for anything?

Dear Self:
I don't know what is wrong with you, but please get back to normal soon!

PS...No, I am NOT pregnant.

Lifesaver

Jared contributed this to the family blog:

Isaac...what an experience yesterday! So, I'm sitting there watching Transformers with Mama, Wesley, and Austin. I was laying down on the over-sized recliner, which butts up against the side of the stair case. Just a few minutes prior, I had asked Austin where you were and what you were doing. He had reported that you were in the adjacent toy room playing with a truck. As I'm sitting there watching, I hear a thumping noise behind me. Without delay, I spring to my feet and literally dive around the recliner, extending my arms, just in time to catch you. My hands caught you perfectly. Your little head landed right in my hand.

Everything went into slow motion for me. My sense of hearing was heightened and I literally made a split decision as to whether to dive or just jump in front of the stairs. I could tell from the sound of the thumping that you were close to the bottom. I could hear your little grunts as you banged yourself to the bottom.

The miracle, you ask, was this....your head literally hit my hand at the same time I dove. Had I not been there, you would have smacked your the back of your head on the hard tile, with tons of force. You gained momentum as you tumbled down the stairs. I thank our Heavenly Father that I was prompted into action. You are safe...and I am grateful! We even said a little prayer as a family...all 5 of us kneeling on the carpet. We love you!

SuperNanny

Jared went out for a movie tonight, so I had my entertaining Supernanny show all to myself. I always enjoy watching the episodes b/c it makes me feel like my little boys are not as crazy as some of the kids I see on TV. I think her techniques and suggestions can only help us with parenting. For example; eating consistent meals together as a family and at the same time everyday (which we do at least 5-6x's a day, especially now that Jared is around more. I have enjoyed making up the meal menu and creating dishes to share), or having your children finish their sippy cup at the dinner table (to stay hydrated), and of course her time outs are great.

Tonight Wesley had a power struggle with papa. I know he was overly tired (came into my bed at 6am b/c he was cold and played hard from that time on). For whatever reason, he got his feelings hurt during teeth brushing and started getting physical with Jared. Jared did a great job handling the situation. Parenting is hard, and we don't get a handbook to let us know the do's and do not's with each child. Wesley is more sensitive with words and can cry deep tears. Austin is more of a whiner and doesn't care about physical pain or giving up privileges. We are still trying to figure out how to discipline them in the way that is most effective to their needs.

Overall, especially after watching Supernanny, I think my kids are on a good track right now. They do eat their food at the dinner table, don't use cuss words, don't hit or punch, and are pretty respectful. Of course they have their meltdowns, can be very annoying, tattle tell and demanding...but, I love 'em! It's right now that will determine what kind of teenagers and adults they will be, so hopefully we can raise them to be grateful, clean, and honest boys.

Isaac 1st birthday

Happy Birthday my sweet, sick and snotty baby.

Stats: You weigh 24.2 lbs, love to eat oranges, oatmeal, yogurt and chicken. No steps or balancing on your own yet. If you want to be held, sometimes you will just sit up and cry until someone comes to get you (you have been spoiled by us all). You love to gnaw on your crib and there are teeth marks to prove it. Your hair sticks up in the back, just like Wesley's and it's still pretty thin, but your eyelashes are growing in! You have been sick for the last two weeks, so my smiley baby has gone into hibernation. The only things I see now are dry coughs, vomits, mocos, and tears.

It's hard to believe that an entire year has passed by since I was laboring with you in my belly in Maryland. What a long delivery you were for my back! The boys have loved you since they could feel you kicking inside my tummy, and your papa and I have loved you since...well...since before time began.

Thank you for coming to our family, for filling our hearts with love and laughter and for being the calm and low key baby that you are. Feliz Cumple










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Brother's Birthday

We celebrated Wesley's (6) and Isaac's (1) birthday together this year at a wide and spacious park. Invited were a few close friends of Wes and the Wilson family. I think it turned out well. Simple but fun.


Batman was the pinata this year. We had the park for entertainment, nachos and lemonade for snacks and a large chocolate Ben 10 sheet cake for dessert. Isaac was recovering from the stomach flu (which really hit him harder the following day), so he was very low key and I was surprised he even touched his cake. Wesley was busy playing with all his friends and cousins, which was his favorite part of the party.

After 2 hours (unlike Argentina where the b-day parties last 5+ hours), we loaded up all our gear and headed over to our place where we had a BBQ with the Wilson's and opened up our Christmas exchange gifts. It was kinda crazy with 20+ people all crammed into our downstairs, but it was worth it.

Gifts this year included Legos, Bakugan balls, a Kindergarten workbook (my favorite), a scooter, and Wolverine. Isaac got some clothing, floor toys, an Elmo puppet book and a his first haircut.























The snuggies were the best part.