This is what you find . . .

When you live with a little boy.  I just smile and walk by. :0)

He's Already a Warrior

Deklan that is, drool and all!  I purchased two of these swords at the Dollar Spot at Target (Woo Hoo, I LOVE the Dollar Spot) a couple of days ago. They're great because they're made out of foam and are relatively harmless.  I know this for sure because Grafton, Vince, and I have been having sword fights all around the house since Tuesday evening.

While I was making lunch this afternoon I handed one to Deklan and realized he already looks like a little warrior. Right now he enjoys his sword mostly by chewing on it, but it won't be long and he'll be running around the house joining us in sword fights too!

I Highly Recommend this Book

Left to Tell is not a book I would have chosen to read on my own because of its intense subject matter. However, my book club chose this for our current reading selection so I decided to give it try. I am glad I did!

It's the true story of Immaculee Ilibagiza, a young woman who lived in Rwanda during the genocide in the mid-90's. She survived by hiding in a 4 foot by 3 foot bathroom of a pastor's house with 7 other women for 3 months! What makes her story so incredible is the way that God remained close and faithful to her during this horrific time.  He definitely was her "refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble" Psalm 46:1.

Reading this book helped me to put my own trials into perspective, encouraged me lean on the Lord like never before, and understand the freeing power of forgiveness. 

Keeping Busy

This past week Vince went to Minnesota to celebrate his grandmother's 90th Birthday. I was not looking forward to him being gone, so I kept myself and the boys busy.  Very busy, in fact. Here's a few of the things we did...

We went shopping and then had dinner at Paradise Bakery with my Mom (aka Grandma H.). When we were done having dinner and walking to the car, we saw the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile.  If you look closely, you'll notice that Grafton is trying to open the door!

The next day I took Grafton to get his haircut.  It had been almost two months since his last one and was desperately needed.

We went straight from Snip Its to the mall to have lunch and play. We usually go to the play-place outside, but Grafton wanted to play with the train set at Barnes and Noble.

This is the self-portrait I took of Deklan and myself at Barnes and Noble.  I had to get in a picture somehow!

After our day of haircuts, lunch, and playing at the mall, my sister and her son came over to visit and eat pizza.  I decided to trust Grafton with markers again and then he and his cousin drew beards on their faces.... Will I ever learn?

The next morning I took the boys to our play-group.  Deklan is such a content baby that he was happy sitting in this exer-saucer most of the time.  Grafton spent the morning eating donuts, building towers, playing with trains, and drawing on a chalk-board.

The weather was so beautiful in the afternoon that once the boys woke up from their naps, I took them to the park in our neighborhood.  When we got there it was empty, but a few minutes later some of the neighborhood kids came.  Two of the girls kept telling me that Grafton was "so cute".  They were both five-years-old, and now Grafton keeps telling me that he's five too.

On our last morning without Vince, the boys and I went to a birthday party and Grafton decided to have a fish painted on his cheek.  He liked it so much that he ended up having an ice-cream cone painted on his left arm and a snowman painted on his right arm.  I hope this doesn't mean he's going to love tattoos when he gets older.

After four days of Vince being gone, we were so happy to have him home!  He brought Grafton the crayon you see in his hand.  It looks like a stick, but has a brown crayon in the middle.

I hope it's a while before Vince has to go out of town again.  Staying busy helped, but the house feels lonely without him!

They're Finally Here

Yep, our Girl Scout cookie order finally came in.  There's even a new flavor this year, Dulce De Leche. We purchased enough boxes to enjoy the yummy goodness for a few months (hopefully).

I think I'm going to open a box of Thin Mints right now!

Flying High

On Saturday when Vince's parents watched our boys, Grafton went on his first ride in his Grandpa's airplane.  I am not particularly fond of heights, so it did make me a little nervous knowing he was going, but I didn't want to deny him this memorable experience.

He didn't get scared at all and said that his favorite part was seeing the horses on the ground.

He is much braver than his mother!

Valentine's Weekend

Valentine's was celebrated for two days around our house.  On Friday I was fighting a sore throat, so we stayed home all day and baked cookies.  Grafton has baked with me before, but this was the first time we used cookie cutters and decorated the cookies with icing and sprinkles.  He was a great help!

Unfortunately, Deklan did not make it into any pictures because he was napping when we baked the cookies, and then in bed for the night when we decorated them.

Vince and I do not exchange gifts for Valentine's Day, but we give each other cards and he always brings me my favorite flowers, tulips!

On Saturday, Valentine's Day, our initial plan was to stay home and have dessert & watch a movie once the kids went to bed.  However, Vince's parents called on Tuesday to see if we'd like them to watch the kids so we could go out.  They didn't have to ask us twice!  It had been 3 months since we'd gone out for a meal just the two of us.  So, we dropped the kids off at my in-laws and went to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch.  Afterwards, we walked around the mall and were actually able to hold hands!  This may not seem like a big deal to most, but we're usually pushing a stroller or carrying a child.  We will not be waiting another 3 months to go out on our own again.  

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Weekend too!

6 Month Check-Up

Deklan went in for his 6 month check-up today.  He's 18 pounds 6 ounces and 26 3/4 inches long. The doctor said he's perfect in every way.  Of course, we already knew that!

Before we left for his appointment, I told Grafton that Deklan would be getting some shots and Grafton's response was, "I don't want him to have that."  At the pediatrician's office Grafton informed both the nurse and the doctor that Deklan did not want any shots.  I'm glad he's already sticking up for his little brother!

Never Leave a Toddler Alone

Or you might find something like this.....

This afternoon Grafton asked me if he could color, so I gave him some markers and paper.  I got busy talking on the phone and doing laundry, and wasn't paying much attention to what he was doing.  BIG mistake!  Next time, he's getting crayons.

Our Puppy Dog

A few nights ago I was helping Grafton put his pajamas on. While I was putting his shirt over his head he said, "I'm a puppy dog".  He looked so cute I had to grab my camera. He's such a silly boy!

First Feeding & First Post

I've finally created a blog!  It's something I've been intending to do since my Dad visited in September.  I hope it will keep all of our loved ones current on the daily adventures in our life.

I think it's appropriate to start this first post with some pictures of Deklan's first feeding.  He is exactly 6 months and 8 days old, and I had not given him any solids yet.  I wanted to wait for 6 months to make sure his digestive system was ready, and I waited an additional 8 days because we weren't ready to film it.

Deklan ate like a champ!  He grabbed the spoon and tried to feed himself.  

He ate all of the rice cereal in his bowl and then started kicking and grunting for some more. So, I made him another one and he ate all of that too!

I hope he'll act the same way when eating his vegetables. :0)