Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Troy at 22 Months

funny face

At 21 months, Troy is starting to put more and more words together and is becoming more coordinated. I suppose this is the most significant change going on with him these days. We are having some work done in our back yard and have had skid steers (sp?) in and out of the yard. At least one is left overnight at a time. Troy saw one and called it a “bull gus” – aka school bus. After correcting him and me calling it (incorrectly) a backhoe, he said, “drive, drive, I want daddy drive backhoe pees”. He often says he wants different people to drive vehicles. He will say, “mama drive big car” or “daddy drive big truck”. His Grandy has a truck and he often says “go see Grandy big truck”. There is a healthy obsession to lawnmowers and tractors. We have to think of creative ways to get him off of the lawnmower every morning (he has to pass by it to get to his side of the car to get in his car seat).

This week he started calling me “Mom” every now and again. He is beginning to pay attention to other adults around him and will call other parents mommy or daddy or will use their proper names, if he hears them.

Yes, I felt VERY guilty for putting the darn thing in the washing machine while he was awake (and aware). But, it’s hilarious, too.

One of Goli’s daughters is dating a guy named Brad. Troy now calls him “bbbrrrrrad” (while blowing through his lips like a motorboat, you know what I mean?) and has now begun trying to do the same thing with anything beginning with “b” – like his blanket (yes, he adds an “r” sound behind the b), boat, ball. He is constantly asking to see people: I wanna see…..(fill in the blank) – he remembers many people and asks to see them often and at very random times.

While in the car, he will say hello to the trees, mailbox, cars, trucks, bicycles (this includes motorcycles), houses and interstate (I yell hello interstate when we cross over one). Gotta make time in the car somewhat interesting, right?

Television – well, we’ve given in. I kept it away from him for a while but it has become easy if we need a distraction for him while cooking dinner or while I’m tending to Justin. He has decided he LOVES Mickey Mouse and Cars. This past weekend he was introduced to Madagascar and has decided he likes the “zebra, efafant (elephant), tiger and kitty”. The DVD player in the car has made recent car trips out of town actually bearable.

His love for his brother seems to grow daily. Total, complete, utter adoration. I am looking forward to their relationship grow. No, I’m not ignorant enough to think that they won’t fight. But, knowing that love is the foundation of their relationship makes me feel pretty darn good! When we tell him to be sweet to Justin, he apparently thinks that means it’s time to kiss Justin and rub his head. I have tried to allow Troy to play with Justin (to an extent) and not completely restrict him from being around a baby. I hope this has helped with their relationship. Only time will tell.

looking at camera on chair

Monday, July 11, 2011

Sunday

with my boys…

florida edit with kids

Quick trip to see KK and Papa

Very quick, as in less than 24 hours. Hopefully to everyone else it seemed effortless….to me, well, it was work! What isn’t when you travel with 2 children under the age of 22 months, right? They did travel well.

My step niece and nephew came Saturday morning and played. Knox was SO good with Troy. Troy became quite jealous and threw many fits (see the photo of him running from the tricycle). What do you do, right? He’s too young to understand the concept of “share”. Whatever!

J is the best baby. Here he is with KK. MG loved on him so much!!!

MG kissing JJ smiling bwJustin with finger in his mouth

Knox hugging Troy….then MG hugging Troy. Troy….not a hugger!

knox and t hugging bwmg hugging t

MG with babies….apparently her baby needed some floor time, too.

mg with babiesmgPapa and KnoxPapa and Troy

T trying to catch up with KK.

T following KK on tricycleT on trike

One of many fits Troy threw…

T running from trike

AttiTUDE!

T serious

It was fun nonetheless.

Beach July 2011

My in laws live in Florida, about 15 minutes from Destin. Nice, huh?

We think so, too.

E and J feet

We feel almost like pros with taking an infant. Stick him in the stroller and he’s good to go (for a while).

J in strollerE feeding J

Everything was honky-dory…..

T buriedT sitting in chair

Until he got sand on his cup. Uh…this is the kid who was eating sand a month ago. How quickly things change!

T with sandy cup

For the first time we went to the bay for one of our three trips to the water. It was calm and peaceful and had virtually no traffic getting there (took maybe 10 minutes, if that). Water, of course, isn’t as pretty there but it was pleasant. We had a nice picnic, thanks to Memama cooking!

At the bay:

Memama feeding J

Troy put on Grandy’s hat and just sat there, we got a kick out of it.

T with hat bwT with hat color

Justin’s Christening

Outside church family photo

Was magical, wonderful and most importantly, I know God was in it all. We sure can’t raise this child – so He will have to guide us.

I was not stressed whatsoever (cannot say that about Troy’s Christening). Could be because we had brunch? I didn’t cook as much? My MIL made just about all of the food? All of the above? Either way, we had about 15 or so more people this time around but it went off without a hitch (in my opinion). Others may have helped much more this time which made it easy for me. Yes, Brian helped, too!

First, we took J’s boots and braces off. Thought he should feel “free” for most of the day. I don’t even know how long he had them off (definitely more than the 1 hour we should have kept them off) and I don’t care! It was a special day – and he deserved special treatment. So he got it.

I held Justin while Brian held Troy. Justin was the youngest baby but was very good. His innocence is wonderful and allowed him to immediately go to Josh (our pastor) without crying. He watched Josh intently as he spoke. I even heard the crowd say an “awww” in unison which melts my heart!

Justin wore the Christening gown my mother and I made while I was pregnant with Troy. Many, many, many hours were spent on that gown. I hoped that I would be able to have more than one of my own children wear it. What a joyful occasion that my hopes became reality (yes, it may sound silly but it’s just one of those things I wanted).

Photo I used for the invitations:

 For invitation1

Many photos were taken but I’m only posting a few (for nothing more than my sanity).

DSC_0104DSC_0121

Christening gown I made with Mom’s help:

Christening gownchristening gown 2

After Christening outfit I made for Troy and now worn by Justin:

button on suit 2

Brothers

TandJ1

The one thing I did make (well, I made muffins, too, though).

fruit kabobsCauseys and kidsMamama and grandkids 4

Ryder (6 months), Colt (2 years), Justin (4 months), Troy (21 months)

Sisters cousins 2Sisters with kidsToulmins1Grandkids with Corbitts

Corbitts

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Sewing June 2011

Not too much was done this past month. It is much more difficult to sew with two little ones. I wanted three matching/coordinating outfits for Troy and Justin so I was able to get them finished. It only took me 4 weeks to do what I used to be able to do in 2 days! Whew!

Here’s what I completed:

DSC_2118DSC_2120DSC_2129DSC_2132

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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Justin at Four Months

Justin is the sweetest child. Just precious. He will study an unfamiliar person’s face for quite a while before he decides to grace them with his infectious grin. It is just that – a grin – from side to side. At the time he throws out that grin, he often looks downward as if he’s shy. A person whom he knows will quickly see that grin grace his beautiful face.

J 4 month photoJ smilingJ smiling 1

He loves to be held and prefers one hold him so he can see what is going on around him. More often than not, he enjoys watching his brother running around the house. He has begun cooing more and more and often throws out some “la” and “ma” consonants. I’m working on him accidentally saying mama first. We’ll have to see what happens with that little project of mine.J at bay smiling

Justin is trying to sit up, enjoys the bebe pod, loves the swing and laying underneath his mat. Despises the bouncy seat. Is okay with tummy time for 5-10 minutes at a time. He can still roll from tummy to back but doesn’t do it every time he’s on his belly. Loves outside (and it’s so hot these days).

His feet are still quite sensitive. It is normal for this to happen since they see the light of day only about an hour a day, sometimes more and sometimes less. Putting him in the pool or trying his feet in the beach water results in cries from him. It is just too cold. Warm bathwater is fine for him. Speaking of his feet, they look great. He’s doing great with wearing his braces and I sometimes think he is more comfortable with socks on his feet. They have caused the fat in his legs to accumulate above the brace line on his calves. Hopefully this will resolve itself when he doesn’t have to wear them 23 hours a day.Mama with T and J

Rarely cries – because we won’t leave him alone long enough to cry too much. I’m still nursing him and it is going well. I’m very thankful that I’ve been able to stick with it this long. Initially it was difficult with Troy running around but it has become easier and easier to deal with. I really don’t know how much milk he gets in a day. He eats wonderfully for Goli. You know those people he’s familiar with and smiles for? Goli is his favorite – by far. He adores her. Much more than me. And I’m not kidding! The child lights up when he sees her!

Justin is wearing size 2 diapers.

Here are his stats (he has grown a lot and moved up the growth chart a ton):

Weight: 14 pounds, 12 ounces (50%)

Height: 25 inches (50%)

Head: 15.5 inches (3%) – both T and J have had heads on the lower end of the scale