Ready for Santa

The Christmas tree is up...with lights...and ribbon...and finally ornaments. It only took a week to get that accomplished! Will and Jack are ready for Santa. Ok, so maybe more so Will than Jack, but we've made our visit to the man in red. Will has asked for an bicycle (that's white with "fire" on it {white & orange}) which he's getting. I'm hoping we'll be posting uber exciting photos and videos from that! When I asked Will what he was going to tell Santa that Jack wanted he said, "I dunno...a baby book?" Gee thanks kid, you're asking for a bike and all Jack should get is a book! =) Jack is truly a "jumping Jack", so he'll be getting a bouncing toy although I'm sure the wrapping and boxes will be all he wants.

Christmas Program

Here's a video I shot of Will's Christmas program at his daycare.



Sorry if some parts are a little shaky, I was holding Jack while filming.

Busy Busy Busy

It's been a couple of weeks and I have yet to post anything from Thanksgiving or Ben's graduation. And here it is almost Christmas and let me tell you, I don't have any more time than I did before! So, here's the review in photo form!

Really all the pictures I got from Thanksgiving were from an outing to the park!


Here's Ben's graduation, the snow, and our trip to Roswell where we ate in the UFO McDonald's, went to the International UFO Museum and Research Center (ha ha) and then we took Will to see the movie Planet 51.


Will has become a photo bug. Here's what things are like from his perspective.

10 months

Ok, so the time for Jack's 10 month photo came and went. With all the hustle and bustle of Thanksgiving and Ben's graduation, I just forgot. So, when I get his 11 month photo up (which I will this time), just look at it, go back to the 9 month photo, and figure the 10 month photo would have been somewhere in between. Not like you'll be able to tell that much of a difference anyhow! =)

Will performs

After Ben left from his first visit home, Will made up a song which he occasionally stands in the window and sings.

"I miss my Daddy"

("I miss my Daddy. I miss my Daddy. I miss my Daddy.....and I want to hug him.")

And performing a gospel medley (sort of)


This starts as "This is the Day (that the Lord has made) and begins to transition into "I've got the Joy (joy joy joy down in my heart...). But he got distracted by the camera and wanted to watch himself. =)

Jack's new trick

As soon as he takes a step, it'll all be over.

*Edit- As I'm in process of posting this, Jack has taken two or three steps from the coffee table to the couch.*

San Antonio Zoo

I took the boys on an outing to the San Antonio Zoo. It was a really nice day, so Will was able to play on the children's beach. Most of the day was lost on Jack, but he did seem to enjoy the swinging monkeys. Will really enjoyed all of the "amnals", but like the elephant and the train ride the best.

Halloween

Ben came home for a visit Halloween weekend. We took the boys to our friends Leslie and Rob's house to trick-or-treat in their neighborhood.

It was their son Jon's 15th birthday, so I made "spooky" werewolf and moon cupcakes for the occasion.

Their daughter, Lauren, wanted to be a vampire for the evening, so I vamped up her hair and make up while Ben and Will carved pumpkins with Rob. Rob often assists in surgeries, so he brought home some supplies for the carving and was showing Will the finer points of slicing and dicing.
Will was eager to go trick-or-treating and as soon as kids were ringing the doorbell, he was clamoring to put his costume. Last year I had bought a cute horse for him to wear and be a cowboy. Once purchased and home, it was scary and he didn't want anything to do with it and we substituted with a stick horse. This year he was all about the horse, but he was not a cowboy. In his words he was a "pardner...on the range". Once he was dressed, he was out the door. Luckily I caught him before he made it off the porch!

9 months

Here's Jack's 9 month picture. Keep in mind, he'll be 10 months in a matter of days!

Stats:
21 lbs. 10 oz. 75th percentile
30" 90th percentile (he grew 3 inches in 3 months)

He can point, wave, clap, and play peek-a-boo (in his own hilarious sort of way).

28 + 3 years and 8 months

So, here's a much belated birthday post!
September was birthday month for Will and me. I had my 28th birthday last month and Will celebrated his 3rd birthday two days later. We were so happy that Ben was able to come and spend the weekend with us. After seeing "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs," we had friends and family over to our house for food and fun.
Another two days later, Jack turned 8 months. As on-the-go as he is these days, this was the best shot I could get. He turns nine months in a few days, so maybe we'll get a better one then =)
Will is really something else. The day after he turned 3 so many things "clicked". His vocabulary and pronunciation advanced. "Nilk" became milk, however juice still remains "nuice". T's are still often K's, so we don't "like it", we "like ick". And our C's and L's transpose in words like color. They become "locor" and (my favorite) when combined with the "ick" T, chocolate is "lockick". He's starting to use the words remember and forgot and is very interested in matching and sizes (bigger/smaller). Here recently, he is always "the leader" and we must wait and follow him. His fascination with music never ceases to amaze me. He grooves differently to each style of music whether playing or listening to it. He's started singing along to songs on the radio and never performs at home without a "stage" to stand upon. As always, he has such a sweet heart. As I was putting him to bed I was reminding him that he has daycare in the morning and that he'd get to see his friends and play. He looked at me and asked, "you miss me at school?" Ah, sweet boy, how could I not?

(Someone ate his brother's crayons)

Jack is just happy. He cruises along playing with Will, playing alone, just hanging around. Unless Will is trying to ride him like a horse, there's not much that bothers Jack. He says mama, dada, and uh-oh and Will says everything else. He still only has two teeth but manages to gum table food well like soft veggies and tiny pieces of chicken. His size 12 month clothing will attest to his appetite. His new favorite game is to sit in my lap, facing me, and throw himself backwards and hang upside down. So a warning to anyone holding him...he might decide to play without telling you first! He has yet to take his first steps like I figured he would have by now, but I'm ok with that. I realized how much more difficult that would make my life at the moment, so I'm content to let him work it out in his own time. He gets into enough trouble as it is now!

Birthday Pictures

Pumpkin Patch Kids

I took the boys to take pictures at the pumpkin patch. I started doing this with Will when he was only a few weeks old. This year was double the fun!!

This is my favorite shot from the day.
Look at that sweet face!

Academy: Round 2

After giving his all, we're in for another round at the academy. I couldn't have asked any more from Ben than what he gave, bless his heart. Running with a broken foot put him a very painful (emotionally as well as physically) 6 seconds over the mark. Without much time for recuperating, another attempt was made, but it was not meant to be this time. But, it wasn't for lack of trying.

Ben's been given the opportunity to "re-tread" and start the academy over again from day one. Day one starts tomorrow. No rest for the weary. If his foot continues to worsen, there is the possibility of being granted some time off to heal. He'll just have to take it one day at a time. At least he knows it's nothing he can't do. He's done it all already, and quite well at that.

So, as with everything, it's all in God's timing and we leave it in His hands. The boy's and I will have to make it without a daddy for a little while longer. And Ben will have to keep pushing on. We may never know God's reasoning for this little speed bump, and maybe we should be thankful we don't know. But, we remain ever faithful that we are working for His will and that He knows the greater good; a plan greater than we could imagine, tenfold.

6 and 7 months

Ok...so you can't blame me for procrastinating, what with Ben away and lonely little me to tend to everything on the home front.

Example:
Even though in our prior way of life I was only managing an average of one post a month, needless to say, blogging has indefinitely taken a back seat. Just think of this as a two-for-one!

Jack turned 6 months (last month)

weighing in at a hefty 18 lbs. 15 oz. and 27". That's a good two pounds on what his big brother was at 6 months.

And, as chronologically anticipated, he turned 7 months yesterday.

Ever the sweetest little one, he is making great strides in his development. He is quite agile as he maneuvers his way through the house, cruising along the furniture. He can pick up a toy with one hand while pulling up to standing with the other. Occasionally, he will let go with both hands and slowly lowers himself into a seated position on the floor. With a little more balance, it would only be a bit of practice and he would be walking. His frustrations manifest into a babbling of "mama mama", which makes my heart happy and all the more eager to assit him. He is a healthy eater. Just today, for lunch he ate an entire nectarine mashed with enough rice cereal to double its volume. I have taken it upon myself to make his baby food from scratch. It's not as difficult as I had anticipated and it allows me the opportunity to get Will to partake in trying new foods as well, not to mention the economic savings.

Will is the little man of the house. Nearly 3, he's growing up far too fast. He's constantly displaying his little boy-ness with "he-yah" kicks and running and jumping from low pieces of furniture. Forever wanting to be chased, there is always a bear or monster to run and hide from. But the evenings always bring tender cuddling. His thoughts are coming in complete sentences now. Action/reaction has taken hold, the memory is strengthening and events are beginning to string together. And our conversations are lengthening due mostly in part to the ever unsatisfied "why?". He also thinks it's hilarious to refer to me as "Mom", to which I will not answer. I am not ready to be "Mom", yet.

We're looking forward to Ben's much anticipated graduation. He's been doing extremely well in his training. With only two weeks left in the first phase of training, the biggest hurdle left is "the run". As it is required to pass the academy, Ben must run 1 1/2 miles in 13 minutes (Sept. 10), all the while hindered by a fracture in his ankle and heel. It is our daily prayer that God heal his pain and guide him, swiftly! We are looking forward to making the trip to New Mexico to attend his graduation (Sept. 16) and spend a few hours with him before he returns to his studies as he begins the Spanish portion for the next two months. I cannot adequately express how immensely proud I am of him and how grateful I am for his commitment and the sacrifice he is making to provide a better life for our little family. We are all looking forward to the day when we can reunite and begin this new chapter in our lives.




As I write, I am distracted by a tiny, fleshy-colored gecko trapped in the fluorescent light above me. In fear that it might escape and fall on my head, I will sign off for now with hopes that my next blog will not be so delayed...and that the gecko will petrify in the light and become the next tenant's problem.

5 months

Needless to say, with Ben away, I'm a bit behind with the blogging.

We're all making it day by day while Ben's in training. I would venture to say that he needs your prayers much more than the boys and I do. He's tackling a very difficult challenge and I'm so proud of him for it.

Will is doing well and is ever becoming more independent. He wants to do everything "myself" and will undo and re-do whatever it was that I did for him. He is quite the character full of funny faces and silly things to say. He's becoming less of a toddler and more of a little boy every day. Yesterday we got our first "big boy" hairstyle.



Jack turned 5 months June 28th and is about to turn our world upside down!

This boy's
- rolling both ways
- sitting unsupported
- pushing up from his stomach to his hands and knees and rocking back and forth
- pushing up from his hands and knees to his hands and feet
- pushing up from his stomach to sitting up
- scooting around (backwards) in the sitting position

That last one has gotten him to Will's toys and stuck under a few pieces of furniture. We've also started "solid" food and let me tell you, this chunk eats like a champ!

Now that I have filled you in on all of Jack's new accomplishments, I will leave you with this:

Uh-Oh!

West Texas

We dropped Ben off at sector headquarters at the end of last month to then travel to Artesia, NM to begin the training academy. The slide show below documents the trek from San Antonio west to Fort Stockton, then south through Alpine, Marfa and Presidio. It is a vast and somewhat desolate landscape, but really beautiful. The pictures don't do it justice.

Family Reunion

Oops!

I never seem to blog the same way twice. Last time didn't work. But I think I've fixed the problem.

Note to self: whatever you did last time...don't do it again.

Four Months

Jack is now four months.

He's making a sweet new noise that sounds a little like a "razzberry" He is starting to sit when supported. When in his glider, he can pull from a recline to sitting.


He has such a sweet disposition. Always smiling. He's beginning to laugh more. Sometimes at Momma's tickles or Daddy's funny noises, but always at whatever big brother is doing!

Caught in conversation

Check out this "chunky monkey". We head to the doctor next week, so I'll have his stats then.

Four months

Three months

Two Months

One Month

The spider bite

All this for a spider bite.


Will woke up the other morning with a very swollen hand. A splint, sling, some steroids, Zyrtec, and a few days later, he's doing much better.

Dill Pickle

I have a favorite new quote from Will. When he and his daddy come to a compromise they'll shake hands and Ben will say "deal?". To which Will follows with a "dill pickle!"

We had a nice family outing this past Memorial Day. We've decided to take advantage of the time we have left with Ben before he gets called to the academy and spend some time doing the fun things around this city before we ultimately move.

We started with a stroll on the riverwalk. We learned from a passing tour guide that these birds from the gulf comes to nest in the trees above the river.I love the "hairs" on the top of his head.

We then headed to the Rainforest Cafe. I thought Will would love it....but, not so much. He spent the entire time like this


But I guess you would too if you were two and sitting directly across from this


Jack, however, was enthralled.


We then headed to the San Antonio Botanical Garden. We even had our own "little guide".


I think the orchids were some of my favorite flowers there.


But we got some potential ideas for our yard, pending our relocation!


After an enjoyable day, what trip wouldn't be complete without admiring the local wildlife.


Isn't he cute. This little guy was on the steps leading to the garden entrance. I felt bad that we made the poor thing feel trapped, but we couldn't help but get some shots of him.
{Lauren, this should be your next "thing" to create. Couldn't you see it, using some fuzzy/hairy yarn?}

Mother's Day

I had a very nice Mother's Day today. I was able to sleep in until 9 this morning (that is a huge deal for me!) I was brought breakfast in bed. Scrambled eggs and donuts, which I had to share with Will. But hey, that's what we moms do, right?

After breakfast we headed outside where I was given a beautiful hibiscus plant. We spent the rest of the morning working in the vegetable garden. The sun was warm and a nice cool breeze was blowing. As I picked green beans, I could smell the tomato and onion plants. There is something very self gratifying about growing your own vegetables.

We finished up the morning watching Will splash in his pool while Jack snoozed in his bouncer.

It's been a wonderful day!

Firsts

It was a week of firsts this week.

Jack rolled over for the first time. Doesn't he look so proud.

And, he gave his first real chuckle. He seemed to get a kick out of the funny noises I was making!
Will got his first black eye. I'm not sure what he was doing, but I think it involved roughhousing at daycare.

We're also making advances in potty training. Apparently, although I was totally aware, he'd been going potty at daycare. One of the other boys finally started going and now he's following suit. This is one time I'm ok with giving into peer pressure. Will's started wearing pull ups during the day and he's aware of a certain candy jar filled with rewards if he goes potty at home. I thought I was the only one with a child who refused bribes. It took about a week, but he now tells me he needs to go and he'll try, but nothing yet. And with pull ups now come the pull downs along with waving "it" around while making a "sshh" sound. I think I'll let that go for fear of discouraging potty-ing.

Three Months

Jack turned three months this week. This smiley boy is thisclose to rolling over (from back to stomach). He loves to watch his big brother. His favorite time to play is 11 at night...kicking and "talking" and smiling as if to say "Aren't I cute?" Of course you are my darling, but I've got to get up in 6 hours and I'm sure we'll meet again some time between now and then!

Three months

Two Months

One Month

This is gonna be a long one...

We had a very busy Easter weekend. We went home to have Jack baptized, visited as much family as we could, and fit in a few egg hunts.

So here it is in pictures...

We started by visiting Ben's Grandma and Grandpa Lewis



Then it was on to my Mom and Dad's.



We went to Ben's parents for the evening and spent some time with his siblings. We were sorry Jon's family couldn't make it. Hope they're feeling better!



The next morning Will and his Momee made cookies. I think all Will really did was eat the cookie dough.



We then had lunch with Ben's Grandmother and Granddaddy Autry.



Jack was baptized later that evening at the Easter Vigil Mass.



The weekend wrapped up with an egg hunt Easter morning. Unfortunately the rain forced us inside to hunt eggs in the Sunday school classrooms.

Two months

Jack turned two months a couple of weeks ago. But, due to the computer trouble I was having, I'm just now able to post his pictures.

At two months Jack weighs in at 13 pounds 3 ounces and is 23 inches. And this smart boy, developmentally, is mastering some 4 month tasks such as playing with his hands, vocalizing, and bearing weight on his legs.