From my phone

Just some recent pictures I don’t want to forget about! (And my phone froze up the other day before I got these pictures off, so that gave me extra incentive to back them up!)Love. them.

The Park

After picking our share of strawberries, we headed to the park to play.  The Duprees were up for it, and Katherine and Mary Mac met us there, too!   We’re more than happy to be outside taking advantage of this beautiful weather while it’s here!

Cottle Strawberry Farm

The boys and I went to the Strawberry Farm with the Duprees this afternoon and had so much fun! Well, at least most of us did! Jack was not in the strawberry picking mood.  I woke him from his nap, and while he was super sweet when I woke him (He rolled over when he felt me rubbing his back and said with the sweetest smile, “It’s my mommy!  My mommy wakin’ me up!”), I knew he’d be a bit out of sorts.  He didn’t pick a single berry.  As a matter of fact, he dumped over our bucket at one point! Emory showed the boys how to run up and down the rows of berry bushes, and then all was well!Thanks for the fun playdate, Duprees!  We can’t wait to go pick our blueberries!

The Royal Wedding

I’m so in to all things Royal Wedding right now!  I’m so fascinated by the years of tradition and history that surround the Royal family and of course I love a wedding, so to see the pomp and pageantry unfold-ahhhh!!  I loved watching Kate handle all the attention with such grace and poise and still appear to soak up every moment.  She looked so happy and so beautiful!  And I loved how Prince William loved on his new bride-so sweet!  Even though there were billions watching, they seemed to make it their day!This is one of those “I’ll never forget where I was” moments.  I was glued to the TV with two precious little ones playing at my feet.  This one built a fort and then took a break to read a magazine and wait to see the royal flyover!A funny note, when Jack sees the new couple, he says, “That’s the Princess…and him!”  Should we get our chance to meet the Duke and Duchess, we’ll work on his royal manners!

wedding picture from Google Images

More videos!

Mark, Jack, and I looked through some old videos the other day, and we all loved it!  Mark and I enjoyed remembering what baby Jack was like (and thinking of the fun we have to come with Sam!) and Jack got so excited watching himself sing, jump in the pool, talk, and fall like daddy.  So, I’m taking more videos! 

Jack is so much fun to talk with.  He reasons, imagines, and gets so excited!  I love playing with him! 

And this boy is just so happy!  His little giggles are contagious, and I love him so much!

Our boy in action

He rarely stops!

Videos

Jack loves to be by Sam, and almost always joins in during tummy time.  Here he’s helping Sam wave and then tells him not to lick him!  And sweet Sam-he’s just taking it all in!

And here’s where he learned to talk to his brother in a high pitched voice. :)

Four Month Well Check

Another visit to the doctor, and another great report!  He was a good boy while Dr. Trey was checking him out and even pretty good while he got his shots.  He did the hold-your-breath-and-turn-red-then-let-out-one-loud-shriek cry and then was fine.  Jack was really good, too.  He listened to what Dr. Trey had to say and watched as he checked Sam.  The sweet part-when Sam cried, so did Jack.  And he told me, “Get him, mommy!”

Weight: 16 pounds, 8 ounces-75th percentile
Height: 28 1/2 inches-off the charts!
Head Circumference: 17 1/2-93rd percentile

What a pretty girl!

And what a pretty mamma!  We love you girls!

15 and a half months old

My Easter Bunnies

18 weeks, 2 days and 26 months, 4 days

My boys. Love. them!

Sam’s Baptism Day

Sam was baptized today, and he did great!  He was sleeping when Mark handed him to Dean Bolle and then startled awake as he was being baptized.  No crying, though.  As we processed around the Cathedral, I just looked at him in awe with a heart overflowing with gratitude.  I’m so thankful that God gave us another healthy, happy baby boy to love and raise.  The promises we made are a huge responsibility, but we intend to keep them-with God’s help.

It was a special day for Jack, too.  He’s always gone up to the altar with us to receive a blessing, but today he held out his hands and received communion for the first time.  What a precious sight.Sam is blessed with two wonderful godparents who stood with us as we prayed for our sweet boy.  Laura and Bryan, I know you will come to mean as much to Sam as you do to us. I did a terrible job taking pictures of everyone after the service (and I’m kicking myself for not getting some by the beautiful font!), but we celebrated the occasion, and Easter of course!, at a brunch at The Summit Club with our families and friends.  Thank you all for being with us!

And since I didn’t get any pictures of Sam in the gown at church, I put it back on a little later in the day. I love these outtakes! Sam, today you were sealed by the Holy Spirit in baptism and marked as Christ’s own forever!  Amen!

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful day-and for so many reasons!

Mark and I started our day before the boys, so by the time Jack woke up, we were ready to head downstairs and see what the Easter Bunny left.  (Side note:  I was downstairs after having put Jack in bed last night and I heard a handful of thumps.  I went to check it out, and Mark said Jack was out of bed and bunny hopping down the hall!  He was so excited!)

I’m not really sure what this face is, but let me tell you, Jack was so excited-he sprinted down the hall, and then face-planted right in front of their baskets! He hopped up, tried the Easter Bunny’s leftovers, and then checked out his and Sam’s goodies! Jack loves band-aids right now.  If he bumps into anything, falls down, gets a scratch, you get it, he’ll immediately say, “I hurt myself.  I need a band-aid.”  (Usually followed by, “Kiss it, mommy!”)  So when he saw the band-aids in his basket, he told us he hurt himself and needed one on his arm.  Silly boy! Daddy got an Easter treat, too!  As soon as Jack moved into his big boy bed, Mark started telling him bed time stories and made up a character just for him.  Paul, the friendly elephant with the long tail.  I commissioned an artist I found online to paint Paul and Jack, and Mark loved it! After a very special Easter Morning at church (that deserves it’s very own post!) and brunch, we came home and Jack and Kendall went on an Easter Egg Hunt!  They found a few eggs and one or two made it into the basket, but they were mostly interested in the candy (surprise!), and just playing outside! Sam didn’t play outside, but he did check out his first Easter basket.  He seemed pleased!We had a great day celebrating with family and friends.  We’re so thankful for what Jesus did on Good Friday and that we can celebrate the blessing of Easter Morning.  Alleluia!