September update

Life in the Big Potato has sure been an adjustment for everyone. Joel is loving his new job, the kids are enjoying school, and me...well...lets just say its no picnic. If it weren't for the fact that I have an amazingly supportive husband and two fabulous kids, you could say that I hate it here. Trying to stay positive though, so we won't talk of such nonsense.
T turned 7 months yesterday. He can now sit up, has 3 teeth (2 bottom, 1 top), and army crawl/scoots/rolls/slithers all over the place. He has become so in tune to everything around him and incredible active. I'm not sure what happened, but I feel like I took a long nap and my infant became a little boy. Is there a slow down button?
M is great! At 2 1/2 she has days where she is the sweetest girl in the world and days I swear she has been possessed. She is literally a sponge and recites remarkable amounts of new material daily. She has recently learned how to spell her name and "party". She loves singing songs, coloring, dancing, and most of all she loves watching tv and reading books. Dora, Mickey, Clifford, and Curious George are among her current favorites.
She says that for Halloween she would like to be Swiper the Fox (from Dora). I am trying to think of a cute coordinating set of costumes for her and her brother (and if possible, the whole family). Ideas are currently being accepted.

Daycare is the pits

M & T have fallen in love with daycare. Some days Mai is hesitant to get out the door, but once she is there, she blows daddy kisses and is off to play with her friends. She comes home and talks about her teacher and all her friends. She wants to have them over to "Mai's house" to play. T loves flirting with all the ladies and enjoys the extra attention he gets.

Unfortunately, even though we are happy with the staff at the daycare, the daily germ dose has been enough to send out family into a tizzy. The kids have been sick since day 2; runny noses, no big deal. Week 2 brought a whole new level of sickness, including high fevers, green snot, runny poo, and phone calls to pick up the babies because they are banned from daycare. It has been a juggle trying to balance skipping out on work and getting a job done.
Luckily, the kids, despite their grossness, are full of smiles and giggles. We are all looking forward to 3 day weekend at the beach and hopefully some germ free kids.

Trying to Crawl

He is ready to go!!

Can't stand how cute this little guy is!

T is 6 months old

 My sweet baby boy is 6 months old. I can't believe he is already half of a year. It seems like yesterday that he was born and now he is rapidly changing from a baby to a little boy.

 T has 2 bottom teeth and attempted crawling last night. 

He rocks on his knees and can move his leg for one brief crawl.

T continues to be the happiest kid. He loves daycare and flirts with the ladies there all day long. He has the biggest smile that takes over half his face, gives the wettest kisses, has the most energetic laugh, and loves playing with his dog, London and his big sister.

At his 6 month check up, he weighed in at 16lb 2 oz (25th percentile) 

and was 26in tall measuring in the 50th percentile.

Looks like our fatboy is slimming down. Don't worry, he still has the healthiest thighs for kissing.

Swim lessons

 Scared to go in "no under water"

 Every time Mai went under water she wanted to "float on back" and sing twinkle twinkle to calm herself down.

Lazy, silly days

 taking care of baby brother

"Mai sad. Need binky" 

Just testing it out for a moment.

Sweet days with my sweet girl

 While T naps, Mommy and M enjoy pina colada smoothies

 and make m&m cookies 

(LOVE how she stands on her tip toes)

Big girl started swim lessons.

Lesson 1- no tears, so brave

Lesson 2 & 3- LOTS of tears "no under water mommy" "Go home", but as soon as the lesson was over, M and friends were playing in the water, trauma forgotten. She even gets excited everyday about going. Today she said, "Mom, favorite part under water". She also loves having a "new teacher" and loves to make her proud. "Teacher proud Mai".

July catchup

 We moved to Grandma and Grandpa's house mid July and while mom & dad are house hunting, Mai and T have been enjoying spending their days with Grandma. Grandma is now hooked on Dora books. Joel is enjoying his new job and I am loving being home with the kids. Some days are pretty overwhelming looking at houses, calling doctors, visiting daycares, dreading the start of a new school year, but nothing could kill the joy of spending the day with my sweet babies.

 At 5 months old, Thomas is the happiest, gigglest, bounciest baby. He he is mid flight in his command center.

 On July 25th T got his 1st tooth! He has been chewing on his poor foot all week.

 LOVE that my days are filled with many moments like this......

 Best buddies love reading and playing together.

 Mai had her 1st swim lesson and was a champ. No tears. "Teacher so proud!" More swim pictures to come.

I'm the luckiest mom!

Mai-ism and other cuteness

I adore everything Mai says because her voice is so cute and everything sounds funny when she says it. Below are some of my favorite phrases. Some can only be appreciated in person.

When interrupting and trying to be polite: "Scuse. Ask question."
When she is going to check on a crying Thomas: "Hold tight baby brother"
When saying goodbye (later alligator): "Bye gator"
When surprised: "Oh my gawsh"
When calling Joel and he's not responding: "Daddy. Da-ddy. Joely Poely."
When calling Christina and she's not responding:  "Hey Foxy Mommy"
When getting in trouble while chasing the dog: "No chase. Spposey walk"
When you tell Mai no: "No. Why? Cuuuz"

In other news, Thomas learned how to make raspberries, so silly. He can also push himself all over the place in his walker. What a big boy. At his 4 month checkup, T was in the 42nd percentile for weight, weighing in at 15lb 6 oz and 91st percentile in height. Still has the best fat thighs in town.

Moments of sweetness

 As any mom will tell you, there are really great days of being a parent and really overwhelming ones. I'm fortunate enough to say that my life is full of sweeter moments than I ever thought possible and those moments outweigh the stressful ones a million times over. While packing yesterday Mai came up behind me, wrapped her arms around me, and said "Mom. Best friend. Aww. Mom"

 If that was not enough, she spent the better part of the rest of the day holding hands with Thomas, kissing him, and telling him that he was her best friend too :)

 While Thomas looks like Joel, I hear from several people he has some of my features as well. I don't see it, but he sure does talk like his momma. He loves to talk, giggle, squeal, and do anything that gets attention from anyone who will talk to him, especially his mom. Joel went to Orlando yesterday to do some prep work for his new job and also to look at houses. We are some possibilities and are excited about things progressing. Mai is very excited to stay with Grandma and Papa!