The Fair

The County Fair is in town! I was looking forward to entering a couple projects in the arts and crafts competition, but it kind of snuck up on me... I sure didn't expect the fair to be in February.

We went yesterday and had a lot of fun looking at the contests and animals. There were some really big cows and pigs there! The kids liked seeing that. And there was a little petting zoo. It had a few goats and lambs, some really fluffy chickens, a large, black rabbit, and a young camel. Abe took the Theona and Jecoa in and the biggest goat (who was bigger than Theona, but a miniature anyway) come running over to them. Theona hid behind her papa, and I was a little nervous for them, but I think she was just coming over for some treats (we didn't get any). After being greeted by Abe, she was on her way. The kids liked seeing the animals up close, but the only one they petted was a chicken! It was pretty cute, I would have captured the moment, but our camera battery died right before they went in.

Then we had to go play a game. My favorite game is the throw the dimes in the glass, you get one in you get the glass, you know... Well we threw a couple dollars worth of dimes at the glasses. It was pretty cute, Theona got the hang of throwing them up high, Jecoa threw 4 or 5 straight at the ground, and Abe and I had fun trying our hand at it. We went home with three glasses, actually! One of them was a mug that said "2000" on the handle. Ha ha.

We also went on the "BIG SLIDE" - the only "ride" Theona has gone on. I took Theona and Jecoa

So, Abe was invited to be part of judging the barbeque contest on Sunday afternoon. I know he'll enjoy that! And we will probably go back then to walk around and see the animals again.

Dress-Up Animal Costumes!

** I see a couple of these are turned sideways. I'll come back and fix them tomorrow with Abe. I thought I turned them, but I guess he'll have to show me how to keep them turned. oops.

Yesterday, when we went to town for church, we stopped by Target for a couple things and since we were early we decided to kill a little time and check out the left over costumes. We had been wanting to pick out some dress-up play clothes. I was thinking butterfly wings; Theona has a small pair and I had seem some really cool big ones I thought she might like. We didn't find any wings, but they had some really cute animals left!

Jecoa loved his puppy. He was giggling when Abe showed it to him, and we just had to throw it in. It was only $4.00! We decided it was totally worth it, and I'm glad we did. He loved wearing it and running around and would tell us "Puh-ppy" over and over.

Theona loved this horse. I didn't think she'd like it so much. It was a horse and rider outfit, so her legs are the horse's back legs and there are some little legs in stirrups hanging down and it's held up with suspenders. So funny! When she walks she kicks out the front legs of the horse. It's really cute.

Coa is the cutest little puppy! He kept clapping the paws together.

Theona and her horse, galloping! 

She loved running back and forth with it.

Abe and I didn't notice the tail until it was on him. It totally cracked us up!

A day in our life: Skateboarding, Watermelon, and A Nap Time Walk

Last week we had a very fun and busy day, and since Abe was home (I think it was Tuesday) he was glad to take plenty of pictures.

Theona figured out how to ride Papa's old skateboard

We had a watermelon plant (vine??) appear on our back patio. It grew up from next to our telephone utility box and just sprawled out on our brick patio! It was pretty cool, but it didn't come out until very late in the season. At one point we had at least eight small melons growing but only two ended up getting very large. One rotted from the end, and we decided decided a few days later that we better pick the other big one while we still had a chance. It was pretty big, but an odd shape.

Theona helped carry it in.

We sliced it after lunch, hoping for a special treat for desert, but sadly it wasn't ripe enough. We didn't want sick tummies, so we decided to pass.

The kids absolutely would not go to sleep for nap time. (This has never happened, and I decided we needed a creative solution this day.) I don't know how they were able to fight sleep for so long, but after a while I kind of gave up and loaded them up in the stroller for a walk around the neighborhood . We were barely out of the drive way and Theona was out. Jecoa held on for a while and fell asleep sitting up propped up on his elbows. Abe and I had a very nice walk and put the kids in bed when we got back home. Theona's eyes immediately popped open and she said, "I don't want to sleep!" 

She slept anyway.

It was a good day, and Theona talked about the watermelon that we had to throw away "'Cause it's yucky. It'll make our tummies sick" for the next few days.  Maybe we'll have to plant one on purpose next year!

Pictures

I know I've been way to long without sharing pictures of my growing little ones.

Here are some from a little trip to a playground before church on Wednesday:

The three of us getting ready to play.

Jecoa climbing up.

Theona climbed to the very top!

**There will be more to come soon. This new computer isn't quite as simple to use as our little Mac, but I'm getting the hang of it, so I'll try to avoid any more excuses and post pictures more often.

**Ahh, I thought I posted this yesterday, but I guess somehow it didn't make it up... I don't know what happened, but here it is, a day late...

Mr. Muscles

Jecoa is getting too strong!

Last week he picked up Abe's glasses off his bedside table and ripped them apart! He tore one ear piece completely off. And they were the kind that gives when you tug on them...

Abe wore them anyway with a little scotch tape for about a week. (He's braver than me. I'm a big wimp about stuff like that.) We couldn't find anyone to fix them, and we were having trouble ordering a new pair of frames because of moving and the store here didn't think they had the same ones... anyway, I drove to McAllen on Tuesday and when I was half way there the store called Abe and told him his frames had arrived. Surprise!! We hadn't ordered them, but we had told them exactly what we were looking for (though they couldn't find them in their computer when we'd been there previously...) I was so thankful to get them for Abe. We got his old lenses put in and he was set. 

Then I got home.

I took my glasses off (I only wear them for driving or watching movies) and set them on the table. Bad move. I was straightening up the house for bible study, and turned around to see my little guy snatch the glasses and rip an ear piece off... bummer.

But it's not just glasses.

The next morning the kids were playing in their room while I was changing laundry, and I walked by to see Jecoa ripping the lid off of the CD player that Abe got me for my birthday last year! Ahhh! I rescued it before it was too damaged, and though it takes a little coaxing, it still plays. 

So, wonder why they had my CD player in their room? (Sorry for being silly, but this is one of the only things that is special and mine.) 

Somewhere during the last two moves their CD player was misplaced. I have no idea where it is, but I'm pretty sure it has one of our favorite bed time, worship CDs in it. After moving the second time (from OK to here) and still not finding it, I'm pretty sure it's just lost... 

Needless to say we are being much more careful about our glasses (especially Abe's new ones) and breakable things are not going to be so easily accessed by the little Mister. 

We'll see how many more things are damaged before I really learn how to spot what is attractive to and easily broken by a one-and-a-half-year-old boy. 

This is a new level of baby-proofing. Or toddler-proofing.

Happy Birthday, Jecoa!!

My Baby is one.

What a busy weekend we had. On Saturday we had a little pizza/swim party at a friend's house. Theona and their four-year-old swam in their back yard kiddie pool. Jecoa even took a dip. It was a nice hot day.

We had cake in the afternoon. I made a big chocolate and white checkerboard cake per Papa's request. Jecoa had a good time with his first cake (oh, there will be pictures!)

Sunday was the actual birthday. It was filled with church and friends and playing. What a big boy he is!

He's walking. (and loves to chase his sister)
He says Momma, Papa, bye-bye (and waves), night-night, a few times when he was mad He said neh-neh-neh with a head shake (It was definitely him saying "no").
He signs more and all-done (sometimes he signs it when he's tired, too.)
He loves his sister and papa and loves to hug and kiss them.
He loves to be silly and make people laugh. (When he gets a good laugh he laughs back and when he laughs hard he snorts! He has a great laugh like his papa that just makes you join in.)

I can hardly believe a year has passed since he was born. I remember so vividly, preparing for Marla's baby shower then the little surprise coming to join the festivities. I know it was a little crazy, but wonderful, joyous, fun-crazy!

The Little Guy

Sorry, you're gonna have to tilt you head... I couldn't figure out how to flip them... Different program.


He's getting so big! He was putting a clean shirt on. We were about to go out.

So, do you think he looks like his sis?

Tortilla

We made fresh tortillas yesterday. They were such a good treat! This morning My Big Girl was having one for a snack, and Coa came over to see if she wanted to share... He pulled himself up using her shirt and waited. She tore off a piece of her tortilla, flicked his paci out of his mouth and gave him a bit in his hand. He promptly ate it and asked for more. 

They are getting so big. She likes to take care of him. How sweet. I just love to see them loving each other.

Which reminds me, isn't our Heavenly Father good?! Seek His face today. Be filled with His Spirit!

"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?"     Matt. 7:9

Workin' in the Kitchen

The kids are playing together in the kitchen. Come on in...

"I'll wash my hands. I have to do some cookin'."

"Turn up the heat."

"Thanks, sis, I was hungry."

"Huh. Maybe this side is better."

"Uh, you might want to check the recipe on this one, sis..."

(Abe just got us a new camera, so hopefully soon we'll be able to catch some good pictures of the girlie. She's been too busy lately, and our camera is way to slow to catch her without being blurry. We're so excited about it!)

Go To Sleep Little Baby... (Continued)

Well, honestly, I have been a little stressed about the sleeping situation with baby boy, but wasn't I pleasantly surprised when I woke up at a quarter after eight (!) this morning after having last fed him at 12:30. I don't know why I was stressing. He's always been a night owl.

I think where Theona would sleep her longer stretch first, then wake to eat every four hours, he settles in for his longer stretch later in the night. He did sleep in his crib last night, which I think helped him sleep really well. Yay.

So, problem solved. Why was I stressing?! I should know they're all different; I can't expect him to be just like Sis.

Thank you Lord for clearing things up for me.

Go To Sleep Little Baby...

I am so disappointed in myself. I have totally messed up my baby boy's sleep habits. And I knew better. Our vacations, move, then trip back to OR certainly didn't help, but what can I do now? I kept him out of his own bed for over a month, though I tried to keep a similar routine, I was very generous with night time feedings that probably weren't as necessary for nourishment as they were for comfort (uh, I was probably too concerned about the comfort of my parents and sister as I was staying in their homes and I didn't want to disturb them with midnight fussing.) He's gone from sleeping an eight hour stretch at night to waking and wanting to nurse every four hours.

I just feel so guilty. This is totally my fault. My mistake. And I don't see a way out of it. I know that's not realistic. It will take work at this point, but I am willing to work. I know it will be in the best interest of my babe to help him get back into a better sleep pattern.

I've been praying for wisdom. How can I help him adjust to sleeping through the night? I know he can. I just don't want this to be torture or traumatizing (for any involved).

The plan now is:
* He is sleeping in his crib! He was still sleeping in my room, his own space, but my room (bad habits, I think, for both of us).
* I am going to encourage a six hour stretch of sleep by putting him back to sleep if he wakes before time to eat. I think this should work well for him because I know he can go that stretch without nursing.
* I am going to PRAY that God will give me wisdom and help him sleep well!

After we establish this we'll make a next step. Pray for me!

And if anyone has any encouragement or suggestions I'd welcome it.

All Night Long

The baby boy was up ALL. NIGHT LONG. We have never had such a bad night.

I got a total of TWO and A HALF hours of sleep.

Total. Not consecutive. One hour from 9 to 10, and one and a half hours from 3:30 to 5.

It was a long night.

I feel pretty bad. He has really bad gas. He's the stinkiest little breastfed baby I've ever seen...or smelled. I think this is because I ate a could eggrolls the other day. What was I thinking? I'm swearing off eggrolls. Til he's much bigger, anyway.

I'm so tired. Gotta make it through today and Papa will be home tonight.