And we're back...

We got back from Texas last night. Bless his heart, Jonah had been buckled down for 13 1/2 hours and reacted to the sudden freedom like those old Daffy Duck cartoons. Woo-HOO, woo-HOO, woo-HOO!!! I put him to bed after his insane-over-tired-bouncing-off-the-walls spurt of energy and he was asleep before I sang the second song. But not before he mumbled with his eyes closed, "I had fun at Marmee and Grandpa's house".

Barber chair rides and Cheerio books. Nothing better! Except for someone who is willing to play chase as long and as loudly as you want. (Thanks Em).

On the way there...

Our road trip to Texas is in full swing.

Jonah managed to talk incessantly during the 12 1/2 hour drive (except for the 15 minutes he fell asleep in New Mexico). He was full of questions, stories, strange noises, and a couple of meltdowns. Mama and Daddy had their own meltdown somewhere around Shallowater, TX. Daddy ended up ordering Jonah to stop talking, OR ELSE. We had silence for a blessed 60 seconds before Jonah coughed, then whispered loudly, "that was just me coughing".

It was worth the bleeding ears, though. We're enjoying time with grands, great grands, aunties, and Rowdy Girls. Gracie thinks her cousins are hiLARious, and Jonah's been loving all the friends to play with. He will be oh so bored with Mama when this is over.

Family Resemblance

I found some old pictures of my dad at Nana's house yesterday. Jonah looks so, SO much like his Grandpa. I mean, seriously! Look at this...

I showed Jonah this picture of Dad at 4 years old and asked him who it was. He said, "me".

White Tanks

The White Tank Mountain Regional Park is practically in our backyard. This time of year, it is a beautiful place. If you click on the picture, you can see everything more clearly. The wildflowers were everywhere!

8 months old

Gracie's 8 months old today. She's just the sweetest thing evah!

She started saying, "Mama", a couple of weeks ago. It melts me every time I hear her calling.

p.s. She also started saying, "Dada". But Daddy has yet to hear her say it, so it's not quite official.

Fire Station Playdate

Our playgroup took a tour of a fire station today. When they led us into the garage where the fire trucks were parked, Jonah was in total awe. I mean, we had a moment of SILENCE, people.

The firemen did an awesome job of explaining WHO is in that scary costume, and they really drove it home that firemen are there to help and our kiddos should not hide from them.

Little firemen :)

Blessed

Gracie was in her bouncy chair this morning eating a pancake (torn into teeny tiny pieces, of course). Jonah was kneeling beside her, talking in his adorable falsetto-baby-talk voice, when she got a bit of pancake up her nose and sneezed all over him. Without missing a beat, Jonah hollered, "Mama! Gracie blessed all over me!!!"

Meltdown in Progress

Stage One: Having fun

Stage Two: Happily taunting Jonah, but a little tired

Stage Three: Manic Laughter (sure sign that meltdown is in progress)

Stage Four: Face Rubbing


Stage Five: High-pitched Whining/Brow Furrowing

Stage Six: Total Meltdown - not pictured. Trust me. You don't want to see it.

Guardian Angel

Jonah has ventured into the world of things that go bump in the night. I don't really think he's scared of the dark. He just has a flare for the dramatic and it's oh so fun to hide under his blankets and reenact episodes of Caillou.

The other night, he was going through the list of things that are scary, and I finally said, "Jonah, if something's scary, and Mama isn't there, just ask your angels to help you. What are your angels' names?" Jonah looked up and appeared to be lost in a memory. A few moments later he said, "Mama, my angel is Toby."

I sometimes wonder if babies see angels, and I think Jonah may actually have a memory of an angel named Toby. It's good to know who's watching after my J-Bear!

Spring Baby and Little Rebel

FLA (Future Lawyers of America)

We are raising a future lawyer. It's funny. But it's not. Jonah seems insistent on finding the loop hole in every rule.

For Example:
The rule has been declared. It is no throwing ANYTHING when Gracie's in the room.

(Just for clarity's sake, Puppy is Jonah's stuffed animal. Not our actual dog. And Jonah has already attempted to throw Puppy twice.)

Attempt #1 to find loophole:
Jonah: Puppy's gonna FLY!
Me: No throwing anything when Gracie's in the room.

Attempt #2:
Jonah: I'll jes frow it behind the couch.
Me: No throwing anything when Gracie's in the room.

Attempt #3:
Jonah: Free, two, one....blast off! *Puppy is catapulted across the living room*
Me: No throwing anything when Gracie's in the room. Time out.

Jonah: *sitting in time out* *wailing* *nashing of teeth* *tearing of clothes* * more wailing*

Jonah: Sorry Mama. I not gonna frow Puppy anymore.

Attempt #4:
Jonah: I'll just frow this little bitty bear
Me: Jonah! No throwing ANYthing when Gracie's in the room. Understand?

Jonah: Yes mam.

Attempt #5:
Jonah: *teeny tiny underhanded toss of Little Bitty Bear*
Me: Time out.

Jonah: *sitting in time out* *wailing* *nashing of teeth* *tearing of clothes* * more wailing*

Jonah: Sorry Mama.

Jonah: I'll go frow Puppy in my room.

Great Grandpa

Gracie got to meet Great-Grandpa this weekend...

Without delay, she attempted to steal his best accessory...