I'm here.

I've been encouraged by some mom friends and photographer friends to "get in the picture".  Like most moms, I'm always the one behind the lens... So here I am, captured showing some love to my baby.

She might be a Gator fan!

A Cowgirl is Born

The fourth time is the charm.  At least in the case of GL's experience with horseback riding.  We've attempted pony rides on three previous occasions, but never following through until today!  Grace Louise decided she wanted to ride horses (not ponies) at Lake Wales Pioneer Days this afternoon, so I paid $3 and hoped she would make it past the helmet fitting before changing her mind. (The oversized helmet is only part of what made this little ride so comical).  She was brave-- didn't seem to be nervous at all.  We might need to work on her posture in the saddle, though...

Giggles

We heard our first chuckle from James H this morning. He gave an enthusiastic giggle in response to my silly "ticky ticky" singsong and then this less obvious (but still cute) laugh once I broke out the video camera. Sigh.

I'm looking forward to hearing his precious laugh on a regular basis!

A First

This was one of my mobile blogging attempts and apparently the text didn't come through.  Let's try this again...

So, here's my big guy hanging out in the exersaucer, probably a little too soon!  We tried it out last week and he enjoyed the 5 minute bobble head routine, but it was a little scary for me.  In the name of healthy neck and spines we decided to postpone this activity.  (What can I say, I was eager to provide new entertainment without contributing to the bald spot on the back of his cute little head!)

Boktoberfest

I love this time of year.  There seems to be more activities than usual in the community and, of course, the weather is so lovely.  While Jimmy was hunting this morning, I took the kids to Bok Tower Gardens for Boktoberfest.  Mom and I took Grace Louise two years ago when she was just a year old.  This year it was just me and the kids.  Call me brave, supermom, or just plain stupid.  There were thousands of people by the time I got there at 9:30 this morning and I sat in the car for a good 5 minutes deciding on the best plan of attack... to take the stroller? carseat? diaper bag? some or all of the above?  

Well, we survived.  Corn dogs for lunch... the only food that could be eaten with the one hand I had available.  Grace Louise worked with her 4H group from homeschool co-op at the petting zoo.  She enjoyed "taking dollars" from folks buying food for the animals.  She painted a pumpkin, watched a magician, and rode on the back of the stroller as we checked out the plant vendors.  James H slept in the wrap most of the time and then rode like a big boy in the stroller.  (I decided against taking the car seat so he didn't have much choice).  He loved every minute!  

[I snapped these pics with my iphone and sent them via mobile blogging but couldn't figure out how to the get them all on one post.] 

I'm sexy and I know it.

Painting pumpkins.

Talking Boy

Learning at home

There honestly hasn't been a whole lot of structured learning going on here lately, but don't be fooled... there's plenty of learning :-)  At least in the back of my mind, I'm focusing on numbers and counting... and of course the Fall season.  (I pinned some fall learning and play activities that I can't wait to do this week!)

This is one of the last activities we did using some colored bears that sweet Aunt Lindsey gave Grace Louise.  (We love these bears and their cups... so much do with them!) One yellow bear in the yellow cup, two in the purple, three in the red... She sorted the bears into the cups to begin and then matched the numbered clothespin with the corresponding bucket with the same number of bears.  A simple but fun game!  Then she tried dropping the bears in the cups using her toes.  Oh her many talents.

If you can't tell, I'm just eating up this life right now, to God be the glory.  I get to hold and nurture a snuggly baby boy all day.  And watch my pride and joy grow and learn and become her own little person... 

BLESSED.

2 Months

Jamesy Boy is two months old! 

• wearing 3-6 month clothes 
• big boy!
• coos and smiles
• but has a 'serious look' most of the time
• likes to hear me say "mama"
• is a morning baby
• isn't fond of the car seat
• loves mama's milk
• watches the mobile
• focuses on and even grabs the bumble bee toy on his bouncer
• enjoys being outside
• has stinky little hands
• loves bath time
• sleeps with a binky
• snuggles so sweet

And now for a few blooper shots... the sibling torture begins...

 strangling hugs.

rotton faces.

 forced smiling.

relentless tickling.

Tummy Time

Look at this handsome guy hanging out on his belly! Update coming real soon!

Going cloth

Well we broke out the cloth diapers today and somebody looks happy! (Not Jimmy. He abhors stuffing them.) GL helped me get them ready today and thought they were so cool she wanted to wear them herself! She acted like she had never seen them before...apparently she doesn't remember her diaper days. Kind of sad- then again she's been potty trained for over a year!

Here's to big diaper booties!

Grace Louise's first big diaper booty!

God's Boy

Almost three years ago I posted God's Girl, about Grace Louise's baby dedication service.  Last Sunday we stood before our local church body and publicly committed our intentions to raise our baby boy to know and love the Lord.  In doing so, we acknowledge our responsibilities as Christian parents, but also submit to God's sovereign hand in the life our son.  What an honor, a gift, to be entrusted with the precious lives of these children!

I'm just in love with this little linen outfit.  The lion seems so fitting for a son- strong and brave.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might! -Ephesians 6:10

Oh, my sweet baby James, that you would be mighty for the Kingdom of God!

Love this girl

I have to take a minute to write a bit about my growing little girl.  So many fun/cute/crazy/gross things she's done lately, I found myself scrambling for pen and paper, knowing I will soon forget the details of these days.  

For starters, she's reading in her bed right now, A House is a House for Me.  Flipping through the pages, reciting the words she remembers, chatting about the pictures.  In a few minutes (hopefully) she'll curl up with Baby Sophie, making sure everyone is adequately covered up with blankets, and drift off to sleep.  

Or, like yesterday, she'll boycott nap time, roll around on the floor, stare at me like a martian in the video monitor, holler "MAMAAAAA" a hundred times, and kick at the gate on her door until she finally tastes freedom.  Uh huh.  

She is certainly discovering her own desires.

On to some funnier happenings that inspired this post... like booger chicken.  

We had lunch on the go at Walmart last week.  Popcorn chicken.  Finishing up her tasty snack, she holds up a finger with what appears to be breading from the chicken and licks it clean.  

Mmm, a piece of chicken!  I say.

No, mama.  A piece of booger.  *Insert big cheesy grin*

(Good thing she didn't offer to share!)

Onward in Walmart she pulls a Wick air freshener off the shelf.  I told her that we already have candles that make our house smell good.  

I asked her, What does our house smell like?

And in this matter of fact, confident way she usually replies, she says, Walk in Water!

(Hopefully our house doesn't smell like the lake... but at least she knows where we live!)

I found her opening and closing the utility closet door yesterday.  

What are you doing? 

Just checking the kombucha!

Really, people, I can't make this stuff up!

And by far, the cutest, most memorable words that come out of her mouth are loving and encouraging words that you just can't believe are exiting the lips of a 3 year old.  Things like, Mama, let's pray if she hears of someone being sick.  Or It's okay, mama, take a deep breath...  God will take care of you when she senses that I'm overwhelmed or sad.  She rubs her hands on my head and around my shoulders when she hugs me at night.  She has such a nurturing spirit, and I believe, the gift of exhortation. 

I'm the luckiest mom alive.  I really feel that way.