Busy, Busy, Busy!

We are in the middle of a whirlwind 10 days. This past weekend we Dedicated Cooper and had our families down for the weekend. What fun we had! Layla ran around outside with Sam and Henry all day Sunday and all day Monday. Let's just say the girl was pooped out Monday night. She layed her head on the table as she ate dinner and was in bed at 7pm and slept until 8am. Dave and Ben began a building project Monday. Right now, it looks like we're adding a single car garage out in the middle of the lawn. I guess this is what happens when you give 2 grown kids the creative liberty to build Layla and Cooper a playset/house. I've included a picture so you can see that I am not exaggerating! It's so large that you can't even see our existing swings and slide from the garage. Monday night, 10 minutes after the last of our family left, we had friends over for grilling and game night. It was so fun!

Tuesday we had Cooper's 2 month appt. He woke up with a cold and it didn't help that we pumped his body full of vaccines. He's a little grumpy still today! I keep telling you that our boy is a chunk and the numbers now prove it. He is 14.4lbs (95th percentile) and 23.5" (80th percentile). This is the exact opposite of Layla at that age and a full 2 pounds heavier. He's chunky but funky and we love him to death!!! He's the sweetest little guy, or should I say big guy.

Tomorrow we are off to Nashville, IN to help our great friends and pastor, Jerry and Jaime, make their big move to a new church. The kids are splitting time between Uncle Ben and Aunt Kari's and Mama Faye. It will be a great adult get-away and a great opportunity to help friends, but I always miss Layla and now Cooper! Layla has an especially close relationship with Jerry and Jaime and although I've tried to explain that they are moving I'm afraid the poor girl just won't get it until they're gone. The above picture is of Jerry, Jaime and Layla. Jer and Jaim, we love you guys and pray many blessing over this new adventure!

Our little Cyclones

When I saw Cooper sitting in his bouncy chair wearing this ISU shirt it was dejavu. I remember Layla in the same shirt, same bouncy chair and I was sure I had a picture of it. So, here they are. Layla is about 3-4 months old in this picture and Cooper is just 8 weeks. Slight size difference! I weighed the little man today and he is 14 pounds. No wonder that car seat is getting so heavy when I'm hauling him in and out of the car.

Happy Birthday Mama Faye!!

Happy Birthday Mama Faye! Layla has always called her grandma Faye "Mama Faye." Why? I think it started because "Mama" was the closest she could come to saying "Grandma" when she was younger. But it has stuck and when you see the two of them together, you understand why. Mama Faye is like a really fun, indulgent, over-the-top loving mother. You have never seen grand kids so in love with their grandma as hers. When Mama Faye comes to visit, she sleeps in the other single bed in Layla's room and they talk forever.....or should I say Layla talks forever! On this day we celebrate one of the best gifts God gave us...Mama Faye. Mom, I pray that someday I can be half the believer, mother, wife and grandmother you are! This is a picture of Mama Faye holding Cooper the day he was born, 3-27-08. She was able to be in the delivery room with us.

The best way I know to describe my mom is this...
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." -Proverbs 31: 25-31

Motherhood

Maybe motherhood is more glamorous than I think? I always tell my friends who don't have kids that motherhood is not a glamorous job, especially with infants. I stay home with my kids (86% of the time) and there are no cute shoes, jewelry or complicated outfits worn around this joint, they just get in the way of the job at hand. Well, Layla came into the kitchen wearing this outfit the other day and I asked what she was dressed as. Her reply? "I'm a mommy like you. Isn't it fabulous?" Yes it is, its just not always this pretty!

Our Little Cheesers

Praise God for my smiling babies! Dave was out on the road this week and that makes for some long days. And, it never fails, the kids always sleep less and whine more when Daddy isn't home. But, it's little moments, like these smiles, that make the days bearable. So, we thank God for the smiles, the coo's, and the words of encouragement from Layla. Yesterday, she looked at me and said, "I love you babe. You're my best friend." Have a great weekend!

"You're Freaking Me out!"

This is a phrase that I obviously say a lot. Because today Layla has said it at least 10 times. I'm not convinced she knows exactly what it means, but here is how she uses it.......

"Wind, you're freaking me out." (she was playing on her swing set and it was very windy)

"Daddy, your words are freaking me out." (he was talking very loudly on his phone)

"Mommy, my fwip fwops (flip flops) are freaking me out." (she couldn't decide if they were on the right feet)

"Uh! My library books are freaking me out." (she was trying to carry them all at the same time and kept dropping them)

"Mommy, these waffles are so good they're freaking me out."

Oh the Life of Cooper!

He eats, he poops, he smiles and "talks" your ear off then he goes to sleep. This is our 2-3 hour cycle throughout the day. Oh the life of Cooper is good. Here are a few pictures of the little man in his second favorite place, the swing. His first favorite place? Anyone who will cuddle and "talk". The funniest thing about the first picture is his left hand. The boy was sleeping hard yet his hand was suspended in mid air for his whole nap. Cooper is starting to sleep in longer stretches at night and it is so nice. He eats around 9:15 and will go until 3am and then again to 5:30 or 6am. That longer stretch at the beginning of the night is wonderful. Our night time feedings are down to 30 minutes so when I do need to get up, it's not for long. Oh, the life of this mommy is good too.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I'm a little behind on posting this, but we celebrated Dave's birthday this week. We had a great adult night out with friends on Saturday nights (thank you Grandma Marcia and Aunt Miriam for the overnight babysitting!) and then I made Dave his favorite dinner on Wed (his actual birthday). What was on the menu? We grilled steak with sauteed mushrooms, green beans almondine, potato casserole, spinach and strawberry salad and homemade cherry pie complete with Grandma Holles' pie crust. Since Layla was about 20 months old, she loves steak! So we all enjoyed that dinner! Happy Birthday Dave. You are a treasure to your family and a true gift from God. You are our hero.