Birthday Girl

We had a wonderful birthday celebration for Grace. She had so much fun. Thank you to everyone for driving over to celebrate with us.

Thank you to my sister Erin for hosting it at her place. She is a busy mama- so I truly thank her for this.

The day started with the first picture - PANCAKES!!! I made her her favorite breakfast. Then we all headed to my parents house for family pictures. After that.......the party began. We arrived at my sister's house where we had the party. The kids played and played. Then we got out the Pinata. That was so much fun. They all loved. We had pizza, cake, and presents. We then drove home. Grace stayed awake the entire time. Which was ok - because then she would go to bed when we got home. John was a stinker. I knew he would be. But oh well.... we made it home.

Now- the night ended with Grace being a FOR SURE 2 year old. I said , "Grace it's time to go to bed!" She looked and me and said, "NO- I don't want to!!"

I was soooo surprised. She's never said that before. Now everything is NO I DON"T WANT TO!!

Uh oh!!!!

Tomorrow I Am 2!!!!!!!

Grace gave me a photo shoot today so I had to post it for her "day before turning 2".

I am so happy that we are in MI so that she can have a PARTY!!! WE will be celebrating in Grand Rapids with the whole family. I am sure she will have so much fun. I just can't believe she is two!!

Floor Time

Grace is turning out to be the BEST big sister!!! She is now so sweet to John and really acts so motherly. Today he was drooling so bad while gnawing on his hands. She said, "John get a wipe?" I said ok- so we left the room, came back with a wipe, and started wiping his hands off. It was so cute. Also- do you notice the swimsuit? My sister gave it to me for Grace and she's been wearing it every night for the past 3 nights (since we've had it). It's so funny. She will see it and start taking off her clothes. She tries to put it on herself (as they are teaching her in school) but she can't quit get it yet. I let her try though. They teach her in school how to put her clothes on. Oops- I guess I've just been doing it myself. BUT- with her starting to be potty trained- I guess she does need to start. By the way- I am starting her potty training next week. See I couldn't start until she got used to her classroom for one month (according to them). Which makes sense. She has to feel comfortable b/c it will affect her training. Anyway- she's already gone a few times on the potty anyway. She will say, "mommy - potty" and I know to take her. I am sure she will do good next week. The scary part is that they don't do training pants or diapers of any sort. So... she will start wearing underwear next week. I am ready for this- however I know it means more trips to the potty (when I'm with John it will be harder), more laundry, and MORE patience!! But I guess that's what motherhood is all about! :) John is doing ok. I thought he was doing better - and I guess he is- but some days he still will only eat 2-3 bottles and cries a lot. Other days are good, so I am thankful for that. He did really good at the gym though. He talked and giggled they said. I think he likes seeing other people and kids. He is almost rolling over sooooo close. He does tummy time so well now too. His head is fully up and he is looking all around. I can't believe how much he is changing. This is going too fast!! Well tomorrow I probably won't have time to post anything- but I will post her 2nd birthday as soon as I get new pictures of her party.

Zumba

Grace and I are working out with our Zumba friends. If you don't know what Zumba is, it's basically dancing to work out. I like it a lot. We will see if it works. I still have 15 lbs to loose. I am hoping Zumba helps me. Grace really tries to dance with the dancers. It's soooo cute!!

Happy Birthday Gamma!!

Happy Birthday Gamma!!

It's Grandma Momoh's Birthday today. We wish her a Happy Birthday!! It was Grandpa Momoh's Birthday last Monday... so Happy Birthday to him too!!

We love you and will see you soon!!!

Love -

Grace and John

Cousin Mason

Mason stayed a night with us last weekend. Grace LOVES to have her cousins stay over. I hope to do this more often. It really does help to have a friend (cousin) to play with. Mason is so good with her. He loved reading her stories. Sometimes Grace would wonder away- but Mason would just follow her all while reading. Ha ha ... it was so cute. WE are going to Grand Rapids tomorrow for the weekend. I hope Adeyiza enjoys a nice peaceful house. I can't believe Grace's birthday is less than 2 weeks. Where or where does the time go!! That's why I keep telling myself to enjoy EVERY minute (even the hard ones) because you can't get them back. I am leaving after school is over. I am hoping they both sleep the whole way. I am kind of nervous b/c it's my first time going alone with them that far, but I am sure we will be fine. OH and Grace has school pictures next week. I can't wait to see them when they are finished. How cute is that!!

Precious Moments

You know those times when you look at your kids and think, "Awe... this is what it's all about!" !?!?! Well I had one of those moments today. Of course I have many- especially when they just make you smile, but this is what happened today. So we were in Grace's room - Grace, John, and I, playing under a floor mat toy. John started to cry and this is the EXACT words Grace said, "Shh, shh, shh, it's ok John, don't cry!" ( all while rubbing his head) MY heart melted. I said good girl Grace. That's a good big sister. DO you get why this is soooo precious? First, Grace is being motherly, but also- I've said those exact words to John in that SAME order. It just goes to show that kids pick up what we say more than we know. It's also so cute to see her concerned about her brother. She's been like this more and more lately. Always in his face talking to him, touching his checks while kissing him, and just being really good with him. She even gets me diapers, wipes, and anything I ask her for. Now I see how this is working out!! ha ha!! MAMA's little helper!!! No but really, it's just so sweet and I love it!!

Big Boy

Well I'm getting out some of Grace's old toys. John loves this chair. He is started to change everyday. He giggles, smiles a lot, stares at his hands, and is just well,,,,, more fun now. He is eating, pooping, and sleeping more. Thank GOD!!! We've had a rough patch with him. It's now settling down. Of course we have our days, but for the most part he is doing great. I can't believe he only used to eat 8 oz a day!!! Now it's more like 20 - 28 oz!! I love it!!!

3 of a kind!!!

I have to laugh at these two kiddos!!!! They are early risers just like mama!!! Although these days I wouldn't mind sleeping in..... but nope !! Not with the two of them. John is up around 6 and Grace at 6:30 or 7. Today we were all dressed and ready to go at 7. BUT- we have no where to go. It's raining outside so I hate leaving. Grace doesn't have school on Mondays. So far we already played play dough, painted a picture, read books, built a house with blocks, played in her room,,,,,, and it's now only 9:30. Gee..... no wonder why we all nap so early. Now they are watching a home video. Grace loves to watch her cousins and meme and papa on tape. Actually John has been crying and stopped as soon as he heard papa's voice. Hmmmm perhaps I should play this more often.

As I look at this picture of us,,, it seems as though John has my ears. See Grace has itty bitty ears like her dad, but I think John has mine!!! Ha ha Kind of funny!!!

Below- Today

I don't know what happened, but it deleted all my words. I just said that we all went to church today. We found one in Plymouth that we like a lot. Grace has been twice now, and today was John's first day. He did GREAT!! He stayed the whole time. I was soooo surprised since he won't stay at the gym nursery (well ok for 12 minutes). I am glad they both like going to church. It's very important to have a church with a good children's program. This one is AMAZING!! Anyway.... Happy Monday!!

Today

Today

3 Months Old........Oops 6 days ago!!!

I guess I've been too busy to blog that much anymore- but John turned 3 months old on the 16th. I totally forgot to post a 3 month old picture. What a bad mama!!! Well ok.... it has been a bit busy- but I guess I should take time to post his monthly pictures. Anyway- he's doing ok. I say ok b/c some days are good and some are not so good. Like the day before yesterday he ate 5 bottles, well today and yesterday he had 2 each day. SO I don't know. I'm just taking it day by day. He is also really spitting up lately so that's something else I am watching. But other than that, it's been good. Grace is doing great at school. She's my new little eater, sleeper (90% of the time), and just all around doing good. I mean she has her jealous moments, toddler moments, and all that- but she is a good girl!!! OK I will get some new pictures soon!!!

Story Time

John loves looking at books. Grace does too of course, but I really try to read to him and just spend extra time with him when she is at school. I started re6ading to Grace when she was a baby- and she still LOVES books. So I am hoping John will too. He is doing ok. I can't say he is great. We just went to the doctor today. I sweat it feels like one thing or another with him. But- he is healthy- just maybe now we are going to address the reflux issue to see if that helps with his eating. He only eats on average 8 - 12 oz of milk a day.
Which is obviously way below what he should be doing. Every feed is a challenge. HE just plays and/or fights and doesn't want to eat. Anyway I could go on and on.... but I won't. I will see if some reflux medicine helps. His weight is still ok- but it is going down a bit. Still a tad about average- but just for him it's going down (as far as the charts go). So we'll see!!!OK I am sooooo tired. I better go to bed. John decided to stay awake last night from 3-6 then Grace got up at 6:30.....so I'm tired. Good night!!!

Big Smile!!!

John does like to smile now!! He is so silly. He even started to giggle the other day. I just love all the little things they do at this age. It makes me want to have another one!!

"Sit down John!".....says Grace.

I love this!! The other day Grace spotted the boppy's in the closet. Duh,,,,, why didn't I think of this!! She wanted me to get them down. So I did! I put them in her room. She sat in the purple - one and then pointed to the green one and said, " Sit down John!". It was sooooo cute! I said ok... this is John's seat. So now every time we go to her room she will tell him to sit down. He loves it!He will just sit and look around. It actually works out really well b/c not only is he using his neck/back/stomach muscles, he does last a long time in it. Just what I needed!!! :-)

Today

This was today..... in the morning. They were both fed, changed, and ready to head out the door. Guess what time it was.... YUP 7:30. We are early risers. I realized a while back that I'm not one of those moms who ounge around until late in the morning. Even when it was just Grace we were both dressed and ready by 7. I know- sounds early. But once they are up- I like to get the day started. It's been a good routine for us. John gets up first and I get him all ready. Then Grace gets up, and then it's her turn to get ready. It just works. PLUS- now that school started- traffic is much heavier. We have to leave the house by at least 8 to beat some of the traffic. It's still heavy though. John and I went to the gym again. I love it b/c they have those TV monitors that you can watch if you want to while you work out. SO I just keep checking on him while I'm trying to get a workout in. Today one of the ladies just held him the whole time. He loved watching the bigger kids play. This is good for him. Even when he is hear- if i hold him up to watch Grace- he will just stare the whole time with an occasional smile. SOOOO cute!! Today I got Grace's first fund raiser for school. I thought it was funny to give this age one- since it pretty much means here parents go out and sell. But whatever- I guess they have to include the little ones. See her school is infant - 7th grade, so it's pretty big. But it doesn't feel too big. Just right I guess. She will be REALLY ready for school now :). Ok- time to relax!!!

Healthy Boy

I just had to post a belly shot. He is just so cute naked!!! He looks so chunky and yet he is such a picky eater. He still sometimes goes 6 hours before he eats. Like today for instance,,,, he ate at 9:00- and then would not eat again until 3:30!!! I don't know... just when Grace becomes a good eater, this one is picky. At least it's not everyday that he does this, just some days.

Today

We had a great day today. Our first day with an official routine. Well..... kind of that is!! Here is how the day went. John and I usually end up sleeping downstairs half the night. He is not the best sleeper still- so he ends up sleeping on me so that we can both get a little sleep- anyway- he wakes up at 7. I know Grace will soon wake up so I try to have him fed, changed, and dressed before she wakes up. YUP- I did!!! He was happy and just smiling at me when i heard Grace. SO I run up stairs- get her, bring her down with us, and let her watch a show of some sort. She usually watches "Bible". It's the Bible on DVD with songs and such. Anyway- then she has her breakfast and "coffee". (Carnation milk- yippy she drinks milk now). OK so after the two of them are fed, changed, and dressed- I start the loading process. I pack her lunch, load him in his car seat, put her shoes on and out the door we go!!! John and I dropped her off at school and off to the gym we went. Oh and she only cried for a second. See they had the week off last week- so I expected her to cry- but she stopped right away. Anyway- I decided to take John with me to the gym. I knew he would be fine while I ran for 30 minutes..... and he was. He did great. He was awake and just cooed and smiled the whole time. Hmmmmmm perhaps he just likes to be out and about. So after I ran we both came home. We read books, did tummy time, spent some QT together, he ate, slept, and then I took a shower. It was really nice to have extra time with him. We soon left to get Grace. That was pretty much our morning. It went well. I just hope it's like this everyday!!! It went smooooooth..!!! I love this cool weather. I missed the seasons when I was in Texas. MI weather is still my FAV!!!! OK that's all today. I need some Zzzzzzzzz............

Awe.... Aren't they cute!!!

Grace and John are doing good. John has his days still. He is a little better at times, but still a fussy boy. We went to the Lake house to be with my family on Saturday. Man.... I love being so close. We left and came home all in the same day. I JUST LOVE IT!!! Grace loves being around her cousins, grandparents, and aunts. I am so thankful to be in MI. Anyway- she had off all week of school. Tomorrow is her first day back since a week ago. I am sure she will be glad to be back and kept busy. I am tempting to take John to the gym tomorrow if he eats ok and sleeps ok. We will see. The gym I go to is busy- but the childcare is not. I think he will be ok for a 1/2 hour while I run really quick. I have a wedding in November to get in shape for. Good motivation :)!!! Other than that, I;m going to try really hard to establish a good routine here now that we are all alone. We will see how it goes. These two kids are keep me busy- but I need to get them structured. OK that's all for now!!!

Hang On John!!!

I had to buy one of these to carry John around in when Grace needs me too. It works pretty good. Grace wanted to wear it and put John in it. NOPE!! I told her he was way too heavy for her. It's day 2 that Adeyiza's mom left. We do miss the extra help, but things are going pretty good. I am trying to get them on a routine. Grace didn't have school all week b/c they are cleaning- so it's been busy. John is doing SOOOOO much better. Eating, sleeping, and pooping on his own. Oh and did I mention that Grace is drinking milk now? Ok I have to add that instant carnation breakfast to it, but it's packed full with vitamins- so it's all good. She calls it her coffee. I am so glad. She is a great eater now too. I used to struggle to get her to eat. But now she will eat most things with no fuss. I am glad she is growing up in that area. It gets hard when she is difficult to deal with on top of John. BUT things are going much better with the two of them. We are going to my parents lake house tomorrow for a cook out. Pretty soon it will be cold.... so we are enjoying this hot weather while it lasts!!!