My little tough guy

Nick was playing around with Bradley's hair tonight and created this awesome, tough mohawk. We all thought it was funny and cute on our tough boy. He's really so sweet and sensitive and his feelings/emotions are always right on the surface (good or bad). He reminds me of someone, but I can't put my finger on who. (haha!) Right now he's currently obsessed with Rachel's bike. He loves riding it and is really good at it. He just got on it one day and started riding...hardly any apprehension at all. I guess we know what to get him for his birthday! :) He's so naturally agile and athletic, just like Nick. (thank goodness!)

Yesterday, I hurt Bradley's sensitive little feelings...

Trenty's been sick all week with a fever, which lo and behold was actually strep. Unfortunately, I waited 3 days to take him to the dr., so the poor baby has been suffering all this time. Anyway, I put Trent down for a nap yesterday and told R & B what I was doing and NOT to go into the boy's room. I thought they both were listening, but apparently not. As soon as I left Trent in his crib, fussing a little, I walked into the laundry room to start a load of laundry. 2 seconds later, I hear footsteps in the hallway that end at the boy's room. And then I hear the door open. I looked over and sure enough, Bradley's opening the door to his room. I ran over, closed the door quickly and then start yelling at him: "what are you doing?" "get away from the door!!" "he's trying to sleep..." Yell, Yell, Yell!!! Bradley takes off crying for the den and sits in the chair, bawling his eyes out. I finish my load of laundry and take some deep breaths. Perhaps I did overreact a little bit. So, I go in to talk to Bradley, who has huge tears and a pitiful cry that makes your heart break. He's really pitiful when his feelings have been hurt. I hug him and talk to him, explaining that when Trent's going to take a nap, he CANNOT go into their room. Blah, blah, blah, this is all stuff he's heard a million times before. And, usually he's very good about not going into the room. But, for some reason, my instructions didn't register yesterday. Anyway, through his tears, Bradley says, "I'm just a little boy...I don't know better." It was absolutely pitiful, and hilarious and cute all at the same time. He was right, he IS just a little boy, who makes mistakes and doesn't always listen. He DOES know better, but he didn't mean to interrupt Trent's nap. And, I did overreact a little bit. But, hey, I'm human, I'm a mom, I'm tired sometimes and silly things do sometimes make me snap. Bradley and I hugged and talked and made up and felt better. It's hard to be tough all the time...for anyone.

Rachel's loses her first tooth

the tiny tooth
the missing tooth is front, left bottom

With the exception of knocking out a tooth in '08, Rachel hasn't lost a tooth until this past weekend. She had really wiggled and wiggled that baby tooth, but it seemed to be hanging in there. Finally, last Saturday night, Nick was able to grab the tooth with a cloth and barely tug and it came out. Rachel was SO excited!!!!!!!!!! She put it in a baggie and slid it under her pillow. The tooth fairy thankfully didn't forget to visit and left a $1 wrapped with a note that said: Nice Tooth! Love, the T.F. and tied with a ribbon. Also, the tooth fairy will dip her wings in a glass of water if you leave a cup on your nightstand so you can see what color her wings are. The tooth fairy's wings were purple this time. The whole experience was fun, exciting and proof that our little girl is growing up! :)

Just a little trim

Trenty-poo pre-haircut
the back...untouched

the result...no more hair on his ears

before

after

after

before

I love Trenty's hair...I think it's pretty and sweet and soft and suitable for a baby! However, his hair has been hanging over his ears horribly. Not only does this look unkempt, it also bothers him some. So, today I decided to trim Trent's hair a little around his ears. I didn't touch the front, top or back. I don't know what I want to do with that yet, and don't want to butcher his pretty hair. So, here's the precious result...now I can just see his sweet little ears better! He's still a handsome, precious baby and doesn't look like a big boy yet!

Rachel's new hobby

Rachel and her teacher, Ashley and the horse, Barney

Rachel started horse lessons today! The little girl who loves all animals, all bugs, all creatures, has finally gotten her wish of taking horse lessons. She has been asking to take lessons for about 2 years. We are lucky enough to know a sweet family in our homeschool group who has horses and the 2 daughters have ridden for years. The oldest daughter is just starting out teaching and Rachel is her first student. I was very impressed with this little girl's organization and patience with Rachel. Rachel loved every minute and absorbed everything she said. The horse she rode was Barney and he's 27 years old. He's very gentle and calm, so there were no worries of him taking off with Rachel on his back. The family has 3 dogs and Rachel loved petting them too. Today she learned how to groom a horse, feed it treats, saddle and unsaddle a horse and mount and dismount. She definitely loved every minute and was very calm and relaxed on the horse. I'm not surprised that she is a natural! We can't wait to see where this hobby takes us!

Gooooooooooo Braves!!

pre-game...ready to go!

all "dolled up"

ready to catch a foul ball!

Bradley and his souvenirs

Rachel and her souvenirs

Papa and Nick took Rach and Brad to the Gwinnett Braves game the other night. They had never been to a ball game of any sort before, so they didn't know what to expect, but they were SO excited about going. And, they had such a good time! They were impressed with the field and set-up and that there were actually players playing baseball. But, the most exciting thing was the over-priced junk food (foot long hot dogs, dippin' dots, nachos, cotton candy, peanuts, cokes, etc...) and the over-priced souvenirs. They enjoyed a fair share of each, thanks to Papa! Also, they had fun jumping in the bouncy houses that were available for an additional fee. :) Anyway, everyone had a great time and Bradley's now convinced that he wants to be a "real baseball player" and loves wearing his new batting helmet all the time. I can't wait till I get to enjoy a Gwinnett Braves game too!

Swimming on Nick's birthday

We had so much fun swimming on Nick's birthday. It was a nice, warm day but the water was still a little cool. Trent loved it and is going to be very challenging watching him around the water. Can't wait to have more swim days!

Nursing- a silly poem

Nursing- By “Dr. Angie Seuss”

I love to nurse, oh yes I do
Should I stop before he’s 2?
I can’t decide, because it may be
My favorite way to bond with baby.
It’s been easy to nurse wherever we wish-
Like in a car or in a house or even by a tank of fish-
Or on a train or on a plane
under an umbrella in the rain.
In a field and on a boat
Anyplace that is remote.
Nursing always removes a sad frown-
If I didn’t do it, would I ever sit down?
But, alas, it is now time to wean
Even though it makes me feel mean.
I’ve felt sort of emotional and weepy
But maybe my days will feel less sleepy.
I’ve so enjoyed this special chore
My life has been anything but a bore.
So, nursing I now bid you adieu-
And will never forget all the wonderful things we went through!