Check out this great MSN video: Twin Baby Boys Have In-Depth Discussion

This video was on www.msn.com this morning and made me think of Brody and Wade...We are so lucky to have twins!!!

Click HERE:
Check out this great MSN video: Twin Baby Boys Have In-Depth Discussion

Hamsters and crawfish.

Hamsters and crawfish...interesting combo, eh? Let me explain...

Little hamster (a small, stuffed animal...not the real deal!!), Brody's class pet, came home with us for the weekend! Remember Daisy the duck, Wade's class pet? Same thing, different pet, different weekend. He came along with us on all of our adventures and taught us lessons about not hitting. In his little overnight bag, was a book titled, "No Hitting Hamster". It taught the boys' how to use their words instead of hitting and how if you treat your friends badly, no one will want to play with you. Super cute!




Little Hamster went for a dip in the dogs water bowl this weekend as well. Brody said he was dirty and needed to be cleaned. Poor Hamster. He then proceeded to tell his entire class on Monday morning that Wade was the one to dip little hamster in the bowl...let the fibbing begin!!

Funny little tid bit that had Todd and I dying laughing: Along with the "No Hitting Hamster" book, Miss Jamie sent home 2 other books about saying please and thank you and one about saying excuse me. The excuse me book showed different scenario's about friends being in your way and how you need to say excuse me to get past them or to play with them, or whatever.

Well, we came to a page where the scenario showed 3 kids blocking the entrance to a tent, and Todd prompted the boys, with, "You see, there are friends in the way to the tent. What do you say to them?"

Brody, serious as all get out, points to the page, says "You tell them to move and then push them!" Never cracked a smile and was so proud of his answer. Todd and I died laughing. We of course corrected his answer, all the while peeking at each other, trying to contain our laughter. The raw honesty of a toddler...

It was a beautiful evening after school on Friday, so we pulled our chairs off of the porch, grabbed a few cold drinks, turned the radio up and enjoyed some quality family time...in the driveway. Gotta love an impromtu driveway party baby! Todd even rigged a temporary fence to keep the monkies wrangled. The boys' had more fun with the excess fence than anything else!




We even pulled out their water table from last summer...all dirty and 'mildewey'...boys didn't seem to mind! They were a little disturbed to find that part of the pirates face was bitten off by Buckley or Miller. Check out how dirty my boys fingernails get everyday. Gross. Thank God for baths, soap and fingernail clippers!!


We went to a crawfish boil at the Cotton's on Saturday afternoon...what a fantastic time we all had! While the adults socialized and chased kiddos, the kids explored crabs and snails from the bay, collected sticks, went for wagon rides and enjoyed the Spring weather! Thank you Byron, Julie and Callie...we had a blast!

I am in love already!

Oh sweet baby J...you already have my heart. Nana and I watched you squiggle and squirm against the pressure of the ultrasound transducer on my belly yesterday! You are already a whooping 3 pounds and 6 ounces...and we still have 9 weeks left to grow!  Your little head is measuring 3 weeks ahead, just like your big brother Brody...thank God for a scheduled c-section...hehehe.  All 4 chambers of your heart appear to be working perfectly, as well as the vessels and arteries that pump blood to and from your little heart.  We saw all of your toes and fingers and you were actively kicking the entire time, as well as practicing sucking.  Hurry up and get here already!! You cannot really tell from these pics...but your profile mirrors your other big brother Wade's at this same gestational time period!

2 of the ultrasound pics from yesterday:

My Mom and I are headed over to Pensacola tomorrow for my 30 week ultrasound appointment!  I am so excited to see how much Jack weighs and to see the little guy that swims around my belly!

A family kind of weekend!

This weekend was a blur. It flew by and I feel as though I did not have a chance to catch my breath!!

Wade's class celebrated St. Patty's Day on Friday...a fun time was had by all. Wade drank so much juice that he was on a sugar high...Brody joined us for snacks and the whole class glued Fruit Loops to a rainbow!


Friday night, Todd and I headed out to dinner with friends at Cuvee Beach and the boys' stayed over with Nana and Gator! When I pulled in the driveway the next morning to pick them up, I found them helping Gator with yard work and found out that they had just gotten back from visiting the duckies!

We then headed back home and were greeted by Grammie, Pop's and cousin Caden! After a quick lunch and naps, the boys' all loaded up in Pop's Jeep and took a tour of the neighborhood...they thought this was super cool!




We then headed out to check out all of the HUGE planes/jets/helicopters at the Armament Museum...




Yesterday was all about laundry, park visits, picknicking it at Colonel Gates' house, yard work and falling into bed..........gotta love a jam packed weekend! We are incredibly blessed to have both Grandparents so close by...

Milk, juice and Cheerio's

For some reason, the boys' decided to watch Jake and the Pirates up against the dining room floor/wall this morning. They also wanted juice, milk and cheerios. Why not?? I love you punkies.............


(Pretty much the only time my boys' actually match, is at night time, in their jammies!! I just cannot resist!)

First Parent Teacher Conference!

B-man's teacher, Miss Jamie, held parent-teacher conference's all last week...kind of an insight to how your child is progressing, developing, interacting, etc...

We met Miss Jamie and Miss Cristy at the public library and learned all about how our boy "operates" at school!

In a nut shell, he is able to:

• problem solve and complete whole thoughts
• knows all colors, shapes and the difference between small and large
• complete sequencing (repeat exact order of numbers or words)
• run, jump, climb and balance, as well as ride a bike which is at a 4-5 year old physical level!
• draw vertical/horizontal lines, lace beads and cut with scissors
• follow gestures, tell you who he is and tries to socially interact

Some things they are challenging him with are:

• Instead of playing by himself, learning to socialize and express his feelings to his classmates and teacher in an appropriate manner.  He has always relied on Wade to be his friend.  They gravitate towards each other, so it is challenging for Brody to play one on one with another child.  Partly age, partly his personality and partly from being a twin.  For instance, if you were to watch B...he will play at a center on his own, being the onlooker.  Miss Jamie is trying to get him to use his words and feelings to encourage this behavior.  "Can I play with you?"  or "Can I play with that toy?"

I am so thankful for the boys' school...they continue to praise our children, help them grow, challenge them, reward them, un-cover them, encourage them, all the while, promoting early literacy and learning through play!! 

(I will not post the name of the school on this here blog...but most of you know where they attend, and if you do not and are interested, just let me know! :)

Happy Birthday Great Grandmother and Madeline!

We took the good old "mini" for its' first trip down I-10 to visit the East coast Harrell's in Macclenny for Grandmother's 85th and Madeline's 3rd! The thing travels VERY well and gets much better gas mileage than the Suburban...but it did not come with a DVD player...Needless to say, we made a pit stop at the Wal-Mart in Tallahassee, purchased a dual DVD player, and were finally all settled!!

While celebrating birthdays, we painted and played at the park with cousin Madeline, rode bikes with Uncle Andy, read stories with Aunt Marilyn, helped Grandmother open presents, explored the backyard with Miller and Buckley, camped out in the RV with Mommy and Daddy and chased after a kite with cousin Andrea! It was a wonderful visit...but went by too quickly, as always! Thank you all for another fun adventure in Macclenny!

Baby J at 27 weeks...

Sweet Baby Jack!!

Wacky Wednesday

The B-man's class celebrated Dr. Suess' birthday...and in honor of him, they dressed WACKY!!

Nana and Gator, big boy beds and mini vans, oh my!

Last weekend, the boys' slumber partied it at Nana and Gator's house!

While they explored new playgrounds...




and learned to earn their keep...


and practiced sleeping in big boy beds...


...Mommy and Daddy were busy working at the office, trading in our beloved Suburban for a mini van...ugghh...yep. Just really wrote that. And transitioned the boys' room from their original "nursery" with sailboats, fish and pirates...into their new BIG BOY sports room! Thank you Nana and Gator for allowing us the time to get things done!

OK. Back to the trade in...I swore, with my best friend Kelly in college, that I would never, ever, ever, ever drive a mini-van. We swore and agreed...and low and behold, I broke the pact!!! I still cannot believe it...and although our needs at this time greatly outweigh our wants, it still stings, just a bit. I am driving the Mommy bus. But, what choice did we have? We will have 3 children under the age of three. That means 3 carseats and all of the 'boyness' that comes with it. So, a tearful goodbye to the Suburban, and hello Toyota Sienna! Todd actually shed a tear driving off of the lot...poor guy. The trade in will be WAAYY better on gas mileage and a lot cheaper a month in payments. And functional. And, I actually LOVE it! I am truly grateful that we are able to have a vehicle that delivers such functionality, is VERY nice inside and rides as smooth as pie, baby.


We have waited as long as possible to move the boys from their cribs into big boy beds. Simply because they share a room and we had no idea how they would do...would they play all night long? Run around like a bunch of banchies? My Mom urged me to do it before Jack gets here, so that we will not have that worry added on to the stress on a newborn. So that is what we did all weekend! We originally planned on converting their cribs into twin size beds. Bought the mattress, sheets, mattress covers and protectors, quilts, shams...you name it, we were ready. Until Todd pointed out that they actually converted into FULL SIZE BEDS. Ended up buying 2 bed frames and said to heck with it. This way, we will not have to buy Jack a crib and when the boys desire it, they can turn their beds into full size. The only thing left is buying 2 box springs and bed skirts...viola:




To say the boys' were excited would be an understatement. They were thrilled...ran around the room for a good 1/2 hour...shreiking in delight!!


They love to sleep in them, as well, and have gone immediately to sleep for naps and bedtime...so far so good!!


Listening to their Daddy tell them the rules of the new big boy beds...so sweet. I cried when we tucked them in for the first time. Last time we decorated this room, I was pregnant with the boys....


Starting to enjoy Spring...all of the sunshine, cool breezes and bright blue skies! Bring on the flip flops baby!


This also means parades and Bowleg's events. Gotta love the hut!




Don't forget to look for me in the mini-van!!!! Oh boy...............Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!