My sweet boy...

You know they don't feel well when they randomly fall alsleep on the couch...



-- Post From My iPhone

refreshed

This morning has been so calm and enjoyable. I have worked the past two mornings, and so I am really treasuring this time to be home with my children. The fog has cleared, the sun is shining, and it is going to be a good day!

My little lady is 5 1/2 months old. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. Fiona is a joy. She is now trying to sit up, and does really well. Last night was the first time she sat up by herself for a while. After a few minutes she got excited then tipped over... silly girl. I absolutely love watching Fiona and Duncan together. She is mesmerized by her big brother. When we are driving around, Duncan explains what is going on to her and points out all the trucks, bridges, and sounds around us. Every morning he runs into to see her and greets her with a hug and kiss. He gets so excited to see her. I love it.

Duncan is in the process of potty training. He is doing remarkably well! He has been dry for five days now (not including sleep). I started about two weeks ago and after a week of numerous accidents, and going to sit on the potty every 15 minutes I was ready to give up. So I had some errands to run, and I put his diaper on him and thought I would just have to try again in a few weeks. We were in a store and he told me he had to go. I was a bit surprised, because not only had he not told me about needing to go before, but he had never actually gone on a big potty. So I ran him to the bathroom and he went!! I was shocked! Ever since then I think he has had one accident. I am not setting the timer anymore, and he tells me when he needs to go. He has pooped on the potty several times, but that is the thing we are still working on. He isn't to keen on pulling his pants up or down and so he needs help, but I figured that he will start doing that soon enough. I will worry about night time in a little while. :) I am so proud of my big boy!

He is singing his ABC's really well too. He sometimes gets to "Q" and starts over, but I think he is getting the hang of it. He is like a little sponge. He repeats everything! Hearing thoughts and his interpretation of the world is so dear. I wish I could think of an example right now... oh well. He is also going through a stage where things are "scary" or he is "afraid". It is sad to see him afraid of things. I try to be reassuring and explain what is going on to make situations understandable. Hopefully it is a short lived stage. I am really looking forward to the warmer weather. I think he is getting bored just staying indoors... I think we all are.

This past Saturday, I went to a breakfast for moms with young children at the church. It was wonderful. I felt refreshed, and left feeling more hopeful. Joanna did a wonderful job sharing her experiences and feelings as a mom, and as a result I felt as though a burden was lifted off my shoulders. She pinpointed what so many moms are feeling... the feeling of inadequacy as a mom and as a homemaker. I loved hearing that doing the small things we do as moms are glorifying to God. I am so grateful for that time and the food was delicious.

I will post pictures later...

Apple

Yesterday I was feeding the baby, and Duncan was drawing on his Magna Doodle quietly on the floor. All of a sudden he jumps up and says "Momma, look an apple!" And this is what he held up...




I was pretty impressed :) But that doesn't take much! haha! Pretty good for a two year old.

Snow...

It finally snowed. The funny thing is, for the schools, Monday was the makeup day for the previous "snow" day. The thing is it snowed on the makeup day and did not do anything on the actual snow day! Ha! Silly weather people :) Duncan loved playing in it, even if it was just a dusting. As soon as he got up, I bundled him up and we ran around for a while before it melted away. He was chilly when we came in so he cuddled up under his blanket while I made oatmeal. Such a cozy morning.

Bathtime with her big brother!

Fiona absolutely LOVES taking a bath with Duncan. From the second her feet hit the water she is all smiles and giggles. She kicks like crazy. She is so yummy. Duncan likes helping to wash her hair. Every single night Duncan wants to take a bath with "Fona" (which is what he now calls her). It is definitely an arm workout after a bit. Look at that bottom... don't you just want to pinch it :) hehe!

Our January...

I can't believe it is already February! Fiona will be four months on the 9th. We have been busy this month. Mostly working and recovering after two weeks of having a sick house! The transition back to work has been easier than I imagined. Haha! That's how it generally is... I build it up in my head then God, in his grace, works it all out seamlessly. Not to say it hasn't been challenging. Thanks to my dear mother!!! She watches the little ones at my house and I could not ask for a better situation. She loves them so dearly. I know that they are in very capable hands. My little Duncan is so talkative these days. He just goes on and on in these conversations. They are hilarious. It is super fun to hear what is going on in his head. He LOVES animals and trains. He continues to be an amazing big brother. He is so affectionate and loves to go in with me every morning to see her wake up. He gets super excited and says "Good morning Baby Fi!" My dear little boy. And my little lady is growing everyday. She is still so good natured and content. She loves to be a part of things. She likes to sit up. If she is lying down she lifts her head like she is trying to sit... it is funny. Here are some pictures from this past month...



Here is the most awesome stroller ever! I love it! This was Fiona's first time sitting in it like a big girl! We went to the Zoo with Daddy soon after Christmas on one of those pretty days. The stroller is compatible with her carseat so it usually just pops right in.







my girl and her bows






Looking at her big brother...



Duncan and his cousin Henry at Claire's 4th Birthday Party


Hanging out with Daddy



Loving the exersaucer!


My sick kiddos... aren't they sad!



Duncan's first self portrait! Ha!

It's almost Christmas...

This was taken at the Chesapeake Christmas Parade. It was actually a lot of fun. I don't think I have ever been to a Christmas Parade so I didn't realize how loud and long it would be. Duncan loved seeing all the emergency vehicles and lights. He was truly amazed. I think Fiona enjoyed it as well. :) She was wide awake just taking it all in.

I am super close to being completely done with my shopping. Just one thing to pick up tomorrow. Every year I tell myself that I will have it all done by the beginning of December and for some reason I am still finishing up at the last minute. Oh well! Maybe next year.

The little ones are doing so well. I am a blessed woman. Duncan has adjusted very well to filling up those big brother shoes. He is very caring and thrives on being helpful... i.e. getting diapers, throwing things away, turning off the tree when we are leaving, ect. He gets upset if she is crying. He will tell me over and over "Mom, baby... crying." As I try to appease Fiona I am reassuring him again and again that she is ok. He has a tender little heart. Fiona is such a joy. I cannot imagine a better baby. She has nestled her way into our little family. She is an amazing baby. She has slept through the night since she was 5 weeks old. She goes to sleep about 9:30 or 10 and sleeps till 6:30 or 7 in the morning. I know with a baby everything come and goes in stages, and so I am waiting for it to change. While enjoying every minute. :) She is very smiley and has started cooing and talking all the time. It is so fun to see her little personality come through. Transitioning from being a tiny little helpless baby to a happy spunky sweet little girl is incredible to watch.I can't believe she is almost 3 months old!!



I have loved being home with my children. I am going back to work next week. I am dreading it. On one side, I am grateful to be able to have a job that is so flexible and provides insurance to employees who only work for 20 hours. I am an assistant manager and have completed all my training to be a store manager and have just been waiting for an available store. But now that Fiona is here, I am stepping down, and am transferring to a store that is super close to our house (I could walk if I wanted to)! We have our family insurance through Starbucks and so that is why I have to return to work. On the other side, everything in me wants to stay home with my kids. Brian would love for me to be able to stay home as well, but this is where we are right now. This is going to have be something I have to totally trust God in. I feel kind of frantic when I think about balancing work, home, and my family. If you think to pray for me I would truly appreciate it!

I am sorry for not being more diligent in my posting. I am always checking on other people. I am really going to be better :). I hope and pray this Christmas finds you among friends and family and that you will genuinely feel God's pleasure and love in your life. Merry Christmas!!

My babies...

I took this with my camera phone earlier this afternoon. My little Fiona is three weeks old today! She is such a pleasant baby... very easy going like her brother. She is becoming more alert everyday. It is so fun to watch how Duncan is with her. I couldn' t ask for a sweeter boy. I am really loving being home with my little ones. Now I am off to feed baby Fi...

Enjoying PB+J's

Earlier this week, Duncan and I went to play at Fun Forest at Chesapeake City Park. We had such a fun time. A little date with my boy. He is so happy and good natured... just a pleasure to be with. He is my dear boy.







This face makes me laugh!

My little artist

The other afternoon, Duncan brought his magna-doodle to me and made his little elephant impression (which means he is telling me what it is). I was pretty impressed... I mean, it kinda looks like an elephant... right??? He was so proud.



Soon after the elephant, he was drawing another picture and he pointed out that this was the moon.

Like his daddy!

Duncan and Bri were playing one afternoon and Brian was able to take a few pics of him playing with his trucks and cars. He loves trucks he pushes them all over the house and has different noises for each vehicle. It is fun to see what excites him since I grew up in a house with all girls. I do love having my boy :o).











For those of you who are Pride and Prejudice fans this is his "Mr. Collin's" wave :)



Trying to be like his Dad. He walks all over the house wearing Brian's shoes. Pretty funny to watch.