The Wedding

After the wedding ceremony John was very tired. I took him to the room, he ate, and then fell asleep. Mummy held him for a bit while he slept.

Soon it was time for the reception.

Auntie Kiesha holding John at the reception.

This was the night before the wedding. We just arrived- got dressed and headed down to the beach. The kids stayed with Grandma and Grandpa.

At the wedding. The kids did great.





CHEESE

What an awesome wedding it was!!

My sweet girl!!!

That's all for now. Tomorrow I'll post hair pictures.

We're Back.....

WE made it home. I have soooo many cute pictures that I don't even know where to begin. I don't have much time now- but I will soon. Here are just two quick ones of us at the wedding. I have pictures of us swimming, playing, horseback riding, Grace getting her hair braided- and of our hotel. We had a great time!!! The kids did wonderful!!! The plane ride there and back was a piece of cake. Grace loves the water and can swim ALONE!! She really doesn't kick yet but she floats by herself and WILL not let us touch her. John LOVED the water too. He even fell asleep once while he was in his float boat. Anyway- more to come. I just had to let everyone know how we did and I can't wait until the next trip!! OH and the wedding was BEAUTIFUL!! Cabo is a nice place. I would visit again. OK more to come..................

Oh and everyone was healthy and happy. John ate and slept good. Hmmmm maybe he likes the warmth and/or traveling!! ha ha

Ready to go!!!

This has been a fun week so far. Grace has been home every day. I just realized how nice it was to have her here more. Which leads me to tell you that I was already looking for a new school prior to this week. See...I only wanted her to go 2-3 days per week just to get out and socialize with other kids. BUT- Montessori requires 4 or 5 because of the program. I get it, it makes sense, but it's just too many days now. Or maybe that's because her and John play more and since he's older it's just easier to handle the two of them. Anyway- my plans for next school year are that I am looking for a 3 day a week program that's closer to our house or NEW house. Probably in Saline. I know she loves school and she LOVES playing with other kids- so I need to keep her in something structured like that- but not for 4 days. I plan on taking the two of them out more once it's warmer out, once John is better, and once I do my research on different play groups. So those are my new SCHOOL year goals.

John went back to the doctor's office today. Grace went with us. It was so cute- she kept saying,"Dr. Waier" over and over again. She LOVES her doctor. Every time a kid would come in- she would go right up to them and see what they were doing. She's so silly. She just wants to play with all kids all the time. (Another reason to keep her in school.) It was finally our turn- we all went back, and Grace was just sitting so nice the whole time. I don't know why I get nervous to take them both out with me. I always think something is going to happen to where they are both acting up or something- but you know what- they are always good. I am soooo thankful for well behaved kids. John surprisingly loves to shop, and Grace does to. I take them to the grocery store and they are so patient. I am not saying they are always perfect- and that I don't bribe Grace from time to time- but overall they are good when we go out. OK ANYWAY- my point was that at the doctors John had a fine health report. His ears are great- lungs are great- just a runny nose that can't be explained. So he gave me a prescription nose spray. I will try that and see if it helps. He did so good. Both kids have always just let the doctor look in their ears- throats- nose- and such and they honestly just sit and let him do it. I love it!! So now that i know John is ok- I will just pray he is ok on the plane. They should be fine. I am soooo excited. I am packed and ready to go as we speak. I am not a procrastinate. Actually it's kind of opposite. I have to have things done WAY in advance to where it's probably more annoying than anything. But it's how I function. Even teaching- I used to have to plan out and have everything ready to go was in advance. It's just how it goes. So I will not post tomorrow. Expect NEW pics in a week or so.

Angelina Ballerina

Theme of the week..... Ballerina!! Angelina is a mouse ballerina on TV. So we looked through her clothes and found the perfect outfit. She will get all dressed up and dance around!! I found one book with ballerina's in it- so we read that too.

3 days until we go to Mexico. I've started packing a couple days ago. I'm getting excited and can't wait to take the kids swimming. It's so funny - people always ask me if I'm nervous about going. Here is the truth- I'm a tad nervous about John eating and crying on the plane- but over all no I am not nervous. Since we've already flown to Canada- this should be about the same. As far as international flying. I was more nervous for Canada than I am Mexico only bc I know what to expect now. Grace is a piece of cake- and plus Adeyiza takes care of her. It's John that may scream on the flight - but last time on our way home from Canada he was SOOO good- so I am hoping for that. I'm packing lots of treats and new toys so it should be ok. I am only a little concerned with his congestion. I don't want the pressure to hurt him. But I will give him some medicine before we fly so it helps. He is going to the doctor tomorrow. He wants to check him again since he still has congestion. Overall he is doing better though. Just a runny nose with lots of congestion. So I will try to post more tomorrow- but if not we will all be fine. I can't wait to post our trip next.

Technology.... wow how the times change!!

When we were little, I remember playing dress up or school before heading to bed. Well I guess these days it's a bit different. Grace is a master on her IPAD and now she's becoming a master on the IPhone. And now John is loving the IPAD and IPhone too. So funny!! No really- they don't play with them all the time. Just once in a while. I guess it's ok as long as it's not too much. At least they have great games to play. She has the memory game on her IPAD and she's really good at it. Anyway- I'm going to post some different pictures so I'll talk more about what's going on. I just loved these technology pics.

I am 8 months old today!!

This is going to be quick. I just put both kids down, and before John pops up in 5 minutes I thought I should post his 8 month picture.

John, John, John!! He is something else. So he is still congested with a runny nose and cough. So once again I called the doctor and told me to now try a little bit of Benadryl (SP) . So I gave him some after we all went to the pharmacy to pick it up. I just don't know why he's having such a long cold. BUT- he is eating better and not too fussy. He just shouldn't be coughing still this much and have such a runny nose. Not just runny but a combo of runny and congested. So if that doesn't help- then he has to go back to the doctor Monday or Wed. I'm hoping he gets better over the weekend. I know I've mentioned we are going to Mexico- maybe that will help clear things up!! Oh and by the way- we are going for a wedding. Adeyiza's whole family will be joining us. It's his close family friend who is getting married. So we are excited. Most of the trips we've been on are work related and/or holiday trips. So far nothing that we've planned for a family vacation. We kind of turn it into one, but those will soon be coming once John is older. Anyway- so John is also moving around a lot more. Not crawling yet- but rolling and trying to crawl. I love this age. He wants to get down and explore on his own. It's so cute!! OK that's all today. John is still sleeping so I need to play catch up with house work and such.

Pinkalicious Fun!!!!!!!!

Grace still loves books..... so I thought instead of just reading them, I could bring some of them to life. I mean I have all these creative "teacher" ideas right? So I should be using them with my own children. I've decided to take a book a week and do some sort of activity with it. We read so many that I can't do all of them- so realistically I should be doing something like that for one book a week. We read Pinkalicious ( a book I got from her baby shower) over and over again, and then I asked her if she wanted to eat some pink cupcakes. She said, "Oh Yeh!" ( I love when she says that.) So we all went to the store- I got all the ingredients, and then I put them all back. I noticed they had pre-baked some yummy looking mini cupcakes that would work just fine!!! LOL ( I know- I should have baked them.) But the truth is, Grace saw the pink cupcakes and said, "Mommy- pink cupcakes- want it!" SO I thought yes... that would be much easier. Anyway- It was still fun. I brought the book downstairs, I placed all the cupcakes around her, and then we read it again. She was so excited. At the very end I let her eat a cupcake. She only likes the frosting- so she ate 2 "frostings" off the cupcakes.

Good times!! Now what to do next week?!?!?! Oh I will think of something tropical since we are going to Mexico. That will be fun!! I'll have to look for another book tomorrow.

Happy Valentine's Day!

To kick off the Valentine's Day Holiday, yesterday I made them "heart" toast and eggs. This morning they both got a Valentine's present and then had heart shaped pancakes. We also did an activity yesterday but I'll post that separate. Grace LOVES chocolate- so I have to limit how much she eats. She must have Aunt Erin's chocolate sweet tooth. It was really snowing today on our way to take Grace to school. We made it safe though. I really don't like driving in the snow. I don't mind snow in general- but not to drive in it. Especially with kids!! It just scares me sometimes. OK well John is patiently waiting for me to play with him- so I have to go now. I just wanted to post our valentine pics before the day is over.

Date Night

As I mentioned below, we were able to see a movie and get dinner Friday night. It was so nice to be able to go out. Much needed after the week we had. John seems to be doing ok. At least he is eating better now. Still a bit sick but not too bad. This week will be good. I'm starting it off with a massage. Only my 2nd one my whole life. I'm soooo excited. It was my birthday gift from the kids but I haven't used it until now. I can't wait. OK that's all for now!!

What A Great Weekend!!

We had a wonderful weekend with Grammy and Papa. Grace and John always love when they come. They play and play and play!!! But......... the best part was me sleeping. I know... simple but true. Mom and dad slept with John for 2 nights and let me tell you I haven't slept like that for at least 2 years. NO kidding!! It was great!! I went to bed at 10 and slept so soundly until 4. Then I would get John around 5:00ish to let mom and dad get a good hour or two before the day begins. I know it's exhausting to deal with John at night-- I appreciated it so much. Adeyiza even got to go out for Valentine's Day. I'll post that picture next.

It's a GOOD thing I had a boy!!!

I keep trying different hair styles.... but I just can't seem to master one I really like. I do kind of like her hair like this picture, but not really. Perhaps I need to do just plain pig tails or take my time. Her hair is in 4 braids in this picture- actually now that I'm thinking about it, 2 would look good (I guess that 's what you call pig tails.) So I may just try that next. We'll see.

So I took John to the doctor again. The doctor gave me an antibiotic- so we will see if that clears him up. I really hope it does. I feel bad for him. Of course sleeping is still an issue- but it's worse when he's congested. I tried letting him cry a little bit the other night and he threw up ALL over. The kind that looks as if he just got rid of 2 days of food. I HATE that. So I cleaned him up- held him, but then put him back down. HE did go back to sleep - but then it just started all over again. He did ok until 5:30 when he wants to wake up. So, we woke up and stayed awake for a while. It does get exhausting, I have to admit. It's just the night after night kind of starts to make me tired. I don't need a ton of sleep anyway- and was always an early riser- but I'm starting to feel pooped. Some day..... maybe in a year or two.... both kids will just SLEEP ALL NIGHT LONG !!!

Anyway- I just hope John starts feeling better and gets rid of his cold. We are going to Mexico in a couple of weeks for a wedding and I really hope both kids are healthy. I am keeping Grace home the whole week before we go JUST in case she catches something at school. I hope this idea works. We shall soon see.

We are going house hunting again Saturday. Not too many house right now on the market that I like. I know.... kind of weird. But I guess I don't feel the pressure. If we find something- we move and if not we wait. I WILL NOT just "buy" a house that I am uncertain about. It's got to be the house I want for the next 10 years or so. So we will keep looking. In the mean time I am TRYING to get this house organized. Man it's hard. I feel that even though I'm a stay at home mom- time just goes by so fast.

Big Sister - Big Helper

Grace is really stepping up to the big sister role. She helps me all the time- and I love it!! She was throwing away a diaper in the first picture and putting John's seat together in the second picture. She loves to kiss him and give him hugs. Of course she has her "mine"' moments. Oh and of course she has her "not wanting to share" moments- but that's normal I guess!!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

John loves being pushed around, and around, and around!!! Almost too much. Grace made me bring this stroller up to the living room- which is fine, I guess something else to do. ha ha~ One day John was having his fussy time- so I put him in this and just started pushing him around. As you can see it worked!!! He loved it. When I took him out he began to cry. Awe man... what did I start. As is I'm not on my feet all day with these two. Now I have to go around and around at a fast pace. Oh well.... whatever works right?!?!?

I think I may have to take John back to the doctor this week. See he is still not 100% over his cold. It's much better- but he still coughs and has a runny nose. At his last apt the nurse said to bring him back if it's not gone in another week. So I know it won't be. Actually he sounded worse today than when we were there. Anyway- I'll call tomorrow and see what they say.

I've still been struggling with him to eat. Yesterday was bad- 2 bottles total. Hardly NO solid foods- he shakes his head at me and spites it all out. So........ I keep trying and feel bad that he's not getting enough food. But I am always thankful for his health and know that many kids have bigger issues- so I'm not complaining- just telling you about Johnny boy!!!

Before John's Haircut...............

This was John's hair before we decided to cut it. It was too wild and out of control. But- the biggest reason we had to cut it was b/c he keeps digging at his head. He will then cut it open and create little scabs all over. I feel so bad for him. He has such sensitive dry skin- and I know his head itches. BUT- it's helped a lot to cut his hair so that I can apply the cream right on his head. So far so good. I like his new look too. It makes him look so handsome. Below are after pictures. Adeyiza had one little oops but it's all good- I'm not picky. Plus- John doesn't mind!! :)

After............

This was John after his haircut. Now I am able to apply lotion to his head w/o all that hair in the way!!!

Cousin Kaitlyn

I know it's been a while.... I guess I've been pretty. The truth is, John has been wanting me to hold him during nap time- which is the time I usually spend doing this blog and other things. So.... I've been holding him- ONLY b/c he has a cough/congestion still. But his sleeping is still an issue- so come March I am going to get serious. I hope by then we can be in a better routine. We are going to Mexico in 2 weeks so by the time I start any sleep training we would get up and go. So I will wait. Anyway- Grace is great! She loves her bed and is sooo easy to put to sleep now for naps and at bed time. We started house hunting a week ago and will continue to do so until we find our first home. I am so excited to be looking. I need to finally feel settled and I REALLY need to have more space, a pantry, and storage. That's all. See... I am sooo easy to please. Ha ha I know- I do want a few other things but that's all I need to share. But I will keep you posted on our hunt. Other than that- nothing else is new. OH John did have an apt. next week. I will post pics of him next time. But he is doing ok- still a picky eater and will not eat when he is awake. So we are going to try occupational therapy to see if that helps. I don't know though-I think it's all habit. BUT at this age he should be able to eat awake and/or at least want to. He doesn't really take his solids either. BUT again- I keep working with him. All together he is healthy and happy so I am thankful.

This weekend Erin and Kaitlyn came Friday night, and Krista came Saturday. I love having company!! We all had a great time. Krista is here now and we are watching a movie. OK well I am blogging but I am about done. I was just talking to her and she said she kept checking my blog and nothing new. So I am SURE some of you did the same thing. I will try to post more frequent. OK that's all tonight. BUT I do have a LOT of new pics so I will try to post more tomorrow.

HAPPY SUPER BOWL!!