Perfectly Sweet

The other day I watched a sappy Facebook video from a mother whose children were grown.  She gave a very touching speech about how desperately she missed the days when her kids were young...the days that seem so exhausting, overwhelming, never-ending when you're in the trenches living it every day.  She talked a lot about how the days she missed the most were the days that seem the hardest to me - those that have no agenda.  No where to be, no outing planned.  The days spent around the house doing ordinary things.  So far this weekend we've been lazy homebodies and I can't stop thinking about this lady's message.  I truly can't imagine a Saturday when our two boys don't crawl into bed with us upon waking and beg to watch TV, or making pancakes without Cade sitting on the counter begging for a taste.  Without hearing Lukey's little bare feet pitter patter around in pursuit of Cade...or grocery shopping without Luke biting into tomatoes through the bag and Cade singing "I've Been Working on the Railroad" from the car on the front of the cart to anyone who will listen.  Days without snacks, sticky hands, bedtime stories, toys EVERYWHERE.  UGH!!...  I can't even bear the thought.  As much as I try to soak up every minute, time seems to be slipping through my fingers at an alarming rate.  I just pray that EVERY stage in their lives is as perfectly sweet as this one. 

Labor Day Weekend

I <3 three day weekends!  I've been very sick for the last two weekends in a row (some luck, huh?), so this three day weekend came right on time!  We've tried to make the most out of our extra family time.  On Friday we ventured out to Happy Panda.  On Saturday we had breakfast at the park and played for a while and then went to the Braves game.  Both boys did great at the game and loved clapping for the players, taking in the sights, and of course...the ice cream!  On Sunday Cade and I went shoe shopping and then to Everland and today we went to the Suwanee fountains.  They both had a blast!  Tomorrow morning both boys are getting ear tubes (yikes!) so we will have one last lazy day at home before heading back to work on Wednesday. 

We need to work on our selfies...

New Year...New School

This school year we decided to make a change in daycare.  We love Ms. Debbie, but I felt pulled to try something different.  Over the summer we slowly transitioned over to Fort Daniel Children's Academy and we could not be more pleased!  I feel so incredibly blessed to have my children go to this amazing school!  I love it almost as much as Cade and Luke do!  They are both so happy there and Cade is learning so much.  Cade got bumped up to the 3 year old class so he's the baby in the group, but so far he's hanging in there!  Here he is on his first day of 3 year old pre-school. 

1 Year Old!

Sweet, sweet Lukey Bear....YOU ARE ONE YEAR OLD!!!  You spent your first birthday with your friends at school.  You guys had cupcakes and you got lots of extra love!  At home, we had a family birthday party. You LOVED your birthday cake and opening your presents!  You got a train, a super-cool trike, and a ride-on tractor toy.

There is so much I want to capture about you at one year!  It's impossible to perfectly sum you up with words, but I'll do my best!

• You weigh right around 22lbs.  We haven't had your 1 year check-up yet so we'll come back with weight and height. 
• You wear size 18 mo. clothes, size 5 diapers, and size 5 shoes.
• You drink 5 bottles of milk (with 2 oz of formula) and eat 3 meals plus snacks each day. 
• You have 8 teeth - 4 on top, 4 on bottom.
• You're sleeping better!  Some nights you sleep all the way through, but usually you wake up once. 
• Your favorite foods are chicken, ground turkey, salmon, mashed potatoes, bread, cheese, yogurt, squeezy pouches, and Goldfish.  You eat very well and aren't too picky. 
• You've been walking for about 3-4 weeks now and you are FEARLESS!!  You climb everything!  You will climb on top of boxes, stools, stairs, slides...if it can be climbed, you will climb it...always keeping us on our toes!
• You are FULL STEAM AHEAD!!  You have tons of energy and you are quick, quick, quick!  You won't let anything hold you back.  If we try to stop you in your tracks, you protest with screams and cries.  You aren't afraid of anything (so far) and you will go after anything and everything you want.  There's no stopping you!  You are, without a doubt, going to give us a run for our money.
• Your personality right now is bold and independent.  You get a little clingy at times (particularly when we first get home in the evenings) and you still like to be held, but you are happy to explore on your own. 
• You're a happy, smiley little guy!!  Your teachers at school describe you as the happiest, smiliest baby ever...they love you and you love them!  You give your teacher, Ms. Kathy, the sweetest hug every morning. 
• You are very, very chatty!  You can say:  mama, daddy, uh-oh, more.  I've heard you say Cade (or some variation), all done, whoa, and bye, ball, but you don't say these words often.  You will repeat some words that we ask you to say.  You happy scream a lot when we're in public...sometimes it's really loud and non-stop!  Thankfully, most people just smile. 
• Your favorite things are playing in the bath, eating, walking around and exploring, giggling with Cade, being outside, throwing a ball and going after it. 
• Things you do NOT like are getting your diaper or clothes changed, having your teeth brushed (our greatest struggle), Cade taking something from you, not getting what you want, being put down after being held for a while. 

We love you like crazy and are so honored to have you as the last little addition to our family!!  We truly cannot wait to see how you grow and change during your second year.  :)