Outer Banks Beach Trip

Well... we are home from vacation and I already want to go back! The Outer Banks is such a beautiful, peaceful place! We had so much fun!

We ended up splitting our drive into two days and caravanning with the whole family. Eli was able to ride with all of his cousins in a separate car, which he loved, and Jude slept most of the way. We really lucked out with the good-traveling-genes that they acquired!

The house we stayed in was HUGE and awesome! When we arrived we were all running around to see every square inch! The top floor had a big open area with a living room, kitchen, dining area, and of course a gigantic deck to sit out on and watch the waves. The floor below that housed all of the bedrooms and a small sitting area. The lowest floor had a theater room, a game room, and some more bedrooms. Then there was a pool, hot tub, and the boardwalk out to the ocean!

                                      

As soon as we finished exploring we went straight for the water. I was expecting Eli to run right for the waves like he did last year.... but NO! He was terrified! I think it was a combination of the loud crashing and the constant forward movement. It was so crazy to see him apprehensive and to know that he could now comprehend a dangerous situation. He was afraid the waves were going to "come for him" and he didn't want ANY of us to go too close! He remained this way for the whole week, although he did get a bit more comfortable with playing in the sand near the water as the days went by. He reminds me so much of Uncle Sean!

Eli did enjoy the pool though! Luckily we had a heated pool and a jacuzzi because the weather was kind of chilly while we were there. The kids were like fish all week! Wanting to be in the water or near the water constantly! They had so much fun!

While we were there we were able to do so many things. We stayed in the town called Duck, which was the adorable little beach town. We explored the town boardwalk on the sound, ate at Duck donuts, played miniature golf, went to Roanoke Island and saw the first settlement recreation, went to the aquarium, Kitty Hawk Kites, Jockey's Ridge State Park, and took a tour in Corrolla to see wild horses. Eli loved finding little crabs on the beach that all came out at night! Such amazing experiences!

Not to mention, while on this vacation, Jude must have missed the memo that we were supposed to be relaxing... during our trip he got up into a crawling position for the FIRST time and began rocking AND he cut his first two teeth on the bottom!

Can't you see why I want to go back already? :) We had a wonderful time!

A Roadtrip and Kaysi's Graduation

This weekend we were in good old Searcy, AR for Kaysi's graduation weekend!

The boys did great in the car for a full day of driving! We got to the hotel on campus after midnight and went straight up to our room. We smooshed both of the queen beds together and up against the wall, then all fell into the bed and went straight to sleep! Even with all of that space, I ended up being right next to all of my boys... they are the snuggliest bunch I know!

It was so fun to have the boys at Harding and get to walk around campus. We sure do have some great memories there!

And of course it was awesome to see my little sister walk across that stage to get her diploma!

We are so proud of you Kaysi! Congratulations! 

A Little Comparison

Another Half Birthday post... but I just had to share these comparison pictures of my boys. Here are Eli (left) and Jude (right), both at 6 months old.

They are so uniquely different, but share similar features and similar expressions. My handsome boys!

Potty Trained?!

This picture was taken a week and a half ago. Eli and I were having a potty training stand-off. He was refusing to go (out of stubbornness) and I was refusing to let him out of the bathroom til he went (also out of stubbornness). We have come leaps and bounds in such a small amount of time!

When he decided he was ready to start using the big boy potty, he was READY! That made it so incredibly easy on our part. He started to pee on the potty consistently after only three or four days of teaching. We tried out training pants at first, but quickly learned that they felt too much like a diaper to him. We quickly nixed that route and then decided to have a couple of days pants and diaper free around the house.

After those three days we went to the store and he picked out his underwear: Spiderman (his favorites), Thomas trains, and Toy Story. Once we transitioned to underwear it was like he was fully (pee) potty trained.  He hasn't had any accidents since we started wearing underwear full time, over a week ago. He has been going to the bathroom by himself, wearing underwear to the daycare at the YMCA,  and even waking up dry!

Good ole number 2 was a different story. At first he was afraid to go on the potty. He knew what to do because on more than one occasion he would get up, then get down, then get up, then get down... like he was debating on whether or not to just do it. Finally we whipped out the "baby" potty which he seemed a lot more comfortable sitting on. Then we made up a story about a fish that lived in the potty and needed to eat... it was game on from there.

(Okay, this whole post... I can't believe I am actually going to put it all out there. If any non-family members are reading this.... I'm sorry, you can't unread it now. But people, you can't blame me... as a mom, this needs to go down in the books!)

My 2.5 year old was potty trained in a week and has had no accidents SINCE (AND is waking up dry in the mornings). I am allowed to be overly excited about this!

Eli, you rock.

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY JUDE

Jude Lawrence. You are 6 months old today! How is it that you are growing so fast?! For half of a year we've been blessed with you and for half of a year our lives have been brighter and more joyful. You are such a special little boy to us and I thank God for you every day.

You are such a happy baby, Jude! I mean, I may be a little biased about how awesome you are, but I am not the only one who has noticed! You just seem unfazed by bumps and falls, by a brother who is incessantly bothering you or wanting to be all over you, by loud noises or discomfort... you smile through it all (I guess I should qualify that with: as long as you're not hungry or sleepy). Not only are you a happy baby, you are so easy-going. Sometimes I forget that you are on the floor happily playing and observing because you are so content and quiet. I love this about you, you quietly and contentedly take in the world around you. My strong, but silent baby boy.

You've grown quite a bit from your 7.7oz start to life. At your 6 month check up you more than doubled your birthweight, weighing in at 16lb 4oz. You also grew 5 inches and are now 26 inches long. Like your brother, I think most of your weight has gone to your thighs! 

At this point we have tried several different foods, but baby boy, you just don't like to eat! At this age Eli was devouring everything in sight... but you are just content with a bottle. Sometimes after we try a new fruit or vegetable you look at me like I am a crazy person with a spoon! Most of the time you just blow raspberries and let the food spray out of your mouth! We've tried sweet peas, sweet potatoes, apples, bananas, and prunes... but I think for now we will hold off a little longer until you are ready.

Eli loves that you are becoming more interactive. He loves having a little buddy. He is constantly calling you "baby Judey" (sorry about that), but he also refers to you as "little guy" which is so sweet. He loves bringing you toys and pushing you in the swing at the park, but mostly he just loves climbing all over you and picking you up. He loves being your big brother, there is no doubt about that! When I told him that today was your half birthday he said, "He just can't have cake! He's too little and got no teeth.... I'll have his cake." He's always got your back! Ha!

We love you so much, Jude! I pray that you keep growing and thriving, that we can foster your personality and help you develop into the beautiful person that God made you to be. Happy Half Birthday my love!

International Bereaved Mother's Day

Today is International Bereaved Mother's Day. Some days I still can't believe that things like "this" pertain to me in any way. Some days those months of grieving and heartache feel like a nightmare, like I am bound to wake up at any second. Then I remember the beautiful baby girl I carried in my womb, the 8 months we had together, and the first time I held her, and I know that this journey is meant to be. 

Today I think about the brave women who have trodden this path before me, the fragile hearts that will follow behind me, and all of our children whom we must hold in our hearts because we can no longer hold them in our arms. Please don't forget them. Don't forget our babies.

Until I see her again, I take comfort in the fact that my baby is in the arms of a God who remains faithful to me day by day! Hallelujah!