Cousins n stuff

So we went to Greensboro last weekend to play with my cousin, her husband and children. I have to say this was one of the most fun trips I’ve ever had. Yes, in Greensboro, Alabama. Don’t get me wrong, we have done some pretty fun things over the years but never have I been so relaxed with my children! Nothing super spectacular happened but we just hung out, played with the kids and talked. I know sometimes the most fun times can be had when you’re not even trying!

Jennifer and Chris’ kids were fantastic to both of ours. Eve is 7 and loves babies. Reagan turned 4 and played with Troy like they were the same age. It was funny hearing Reagan talk to Troy like he was big. Things like, “Troy, you are too big to ride on that play tractor” and “Troy, please don’t put your leg on me in the bed” or “Troy, you can play with that one more time and then you need to give it to me”. His response? “okay”.

Sleeping in the bed with both kids turned out okay. At midnight Troy fell asleep in the bed with them after watching Madagascar. Never-mind the fact that Eve and Reagan were asleep by 9:30. Who was up at 5:30 in the morning? That would be Troy. His little voice could be heard from the room next door saying “Hey Eve, Hey Reagan”. They wouldn’t wake up for 2 more hours. We were quite entertained. Fun times.

Justin was a breeze and got a lot of lovin’ and attention.

The three on Eve’s 4 wheeler. It was a hit. One moment Reagan wanted to ride alone. He would see Eve driving Troy and would want Troy to ride with him. He’d tell Troy to come over and they would ride for about 30 seconds before Reagan told Troy he was finished. Ha!

Here Troy is with Reagan.

We made it to Reagan’s 4th Birthday party. I suppose it gave us an excuse to make the trip and stay a couple of nights.

Below is Evelyn (almost 12 weeks pregnant) wit Justin. Little J’s sweet face.

Here is Jennifer with Justin, Sharon (her mother) and Evelyn (other daughter). Don’t they look alike?

Reagan seemed to have a great time at his party. He had a 4 wheeler party! His mother made it very cute but said it was hard to find things dealing with a four wheeler.

Aunt Sharon basically took over Justin (which was very welcome with me). She was wonderful with him. I mean he lit up and smiled at her the whole time. It was so sweet! She was so good to him. I realized for the first time where Jennifer got her sweet demeanor from.

Kenny gave Reagan a John Deere bicycle. The boy loves anything John Deere. Troy thought he was big enough to ride the “bicycle”.

I thought this was hilarious. So here is Reagan with his new hat (one ear tucked into the hat), his new “high tops” (aka Chuck Taylors), playing his new paper guitar (it’s plastic but is called paper for some reason). That guitar was less than $20 and even though it’s  quite annoying, it is pretty cool. Troy figured out how to play it, too.

And my child is the one who wants to kiss the animals. He’s either all about the love or screaming at them while jumping around. Ugh.

Troy at 22 Months

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.

Sunday

with my boys…

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!!!

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

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

T trying to catch up with KK.

One of many fits Troy threw…

AttiTUDE!

It was fun nonetheless.

Beach July 2011

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

We think so, too.

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

Everything was honky-dory…..

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

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:

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

Justin’s Christening

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:

 

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

Christening gown I made with Mom’s help:

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

Brothers

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

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

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:

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