Teething....

I'm thinking Everson is trying to get a few more teeth. He has 4--two on top, two on bottom...what do you think? Those hands have been in his mouth for 2 days now!

Big Boy Car Seat!!

FINALLY!! I ordered Everson's Britax Marathon over a month ago, knowing that the new models (which I pre-ordered) were not being released until August 20th. But when August 20th came around, I was SOOO anxious, I was checking the website everyday to track the status of my order. Well, last week, it shipped, and I got it 4 days later!

I order alot of stuff from Albee Baby. I think they have great prices, and they have the BEST selection--alot of things and prints you can't find in stores. www.albeebaby.com

I love Britax. I love that my kids are in the safest seats on the market. I love that they go to 65 lbs. Most of the kiddos around here STAY in their Britax car seats until they are through Kindergarten, so it's not an issue of "why do I have to sit in a stupid car seat?" I pray that I won't ever be in an accident, but I truly do not trust other drivers...and I'm not going to let my kids suffer from the negligence of some dumb-ass who is texting, while eating a burrito, and driving 15 miles over the speed limit.

So....check out Everson's new ride:

Halloween Costume Ordered!

So Jackson and I have been talking about Halloween ALOT the past few weeks. We LOVE Halloween...really! I'm a sucker for costumes and dress up and such. This year, since Everson was too little last year to really BE anything (and Mommy was too tired to actually PLAN anything...) we wanted to dress the kids up as something TOGETHER....like matching...those of you who know me, would you expect anything less?!

So I asked Jackson what he wanted to be for Halloween. I started throwing out ideas, and he said "Can I drive my Gator?" So I said, "Sure. If you are a Farmer." Well, he loved it! So I started brainstorming what Everson could be....a cow...a pig...a CHICKEN. Then the hunt ensued for the CUTEST chicken or cow costume I could find...because let's face it, I get something in my head, and sometimes it's just impossible to find! I would settle for either one! Then, I found THIS:

Click here to see the image bigger!

Jackson will be Farmer Jack and Everson will get to be the cute little chicken in the back of the Gator, sitting on a bed of hay!! He'll have to hold on tight!! More pictures to come as soon as I get it in the mail this week!

Great Lil Sunday

This morning, we got up, got dressed, and were actually on-time...without Mommy being stressed! Typically, I get about half way dressed, then I'm running around getting kiddos dressed, and shoes, and clothes ironed, it goes a little something like this:

"Are you guys going to get ready?"
"I still need to dry my hair!"
"Adam, are you ready to go? No?"
"Come on, dude, how long does it take to brush your teeth and throw on some pants?! Really?"
...get the boys outfits ready, get Everson changed/dressed, get Jackson dressed...
"Jackson, did you brush your teeth? Take your shirt off and get in there and brush your teeth."
"Where the heck is my good bra?"
"Everson, why do I get the feeling you just pooped?"
"Turn that TV off."
...finish getting myself ready, perfume, shoes, jewelry..
...we finally make it down stairs...
"Can you grab the sippy cup and a snack for Everson?"
"Jackson, go get your shoes on."
"Are we taking your car or my van?"
"Where is my camera?"
"Crap, I need lipstick!"
"I'll grab Everson....Jackson, get in your seat."

But this morning, I was up and ready before the boys, and Adam got dressed and ready with me having to prompt him, and Jackson brushed his teeth without being reminded, and Everson, well, I dressed him and he didn't poop.

We met up with Mom and Dad at mass. We made it to 10:30 mass this weekend. We have a new priest at St. Mary's and we were excited to see him and hear his homily. So far, I think he's fabulous! I really enjoyed how he spoke about kids and being anxious to see them grow.
After mass, we wondered around the school to get a feel for whether we want to send Jackson there. We are still up in the air about it. I'd love to see him go to Catholic school, just as Adam and I did. But, Clear Creek has so many opportunities for him....it's a tough decision.

After mass, we all went to Skippers for breakfast, then Jackson headed back to GG Jane's to play puzzles (he's on a BIG puzzle kick right now!), while Adam and I ran errands. I needed to get a new light for the stairwell, and 2 new knobs for the dining room french doors. Adam was on a mission to get mold stuff for the side of the house. And then, we hit Micheal's to pick up supplies for Jackson and Adam to build a castle. We found a really cool castle to make in a craft book, and we've been collecting the supplies for MONTHS, and we just needed to get paint and paint pens and glue to assemble it all!

Apparently Everson thought he could drive home.....



After our errands, we played at GGs for a bit, then went home to get some chores done (hang the new light, spray the side of the house, mow, edge, water the lawn, attach the door knobs, take out the trash, etc....)

After bathes tonight, Everson crashed, while Jackson and Daddy-O worked on reading skills. He has gotten all of his letters by site and all the sounds. He can read MOST three letter words by sounding them out...we'll get there!

For now, I'm rounding up my day with a load of laundry and going down stairs to do 40 minutes of yoga...then BED.

Tomorrow is a new day. We are getting up early and going to TRY and get much accomplished. It's our last official day of summer before Jackson starts to school on Tuesday....goodnight!

My Brown Eyed Boy

Morning Mommy!!

This is where I find Everson EVERY morning, noon, and night. He wakes up, cries, and stands at the end of his crib, closest to the door, crying "Momma! Momma!" until I walk in and pick him up!

And after getting dressed and ready and making it downstairs, we are all smiles....

Fresh Baby Boy

I love a baby fresh out of the bath!! There is nothing cuter!!

Sleeping Angel

I love watching my babies sleep. I used to sit and just stare at Jackson and cry. Now, I quietly sit and stare at Everson and just admire him. I was so sad to think that Jackson would grow up, and I'm still sad that Everson is going to grow up, but I'm savoring the moments and living in the now, and not worrying about the future. I love them both so much...and I love them most when they are sleeping peacefully, dreaming.

Everson and Knox

Although, to date, they are nearly the same size, at one point, Everson could have eaten his cousin Knox...

Sweet Baby Boy

Everson's First Trip--Baltimore, MD

This past April, we took the opportunity to go to Baltimore, MD and walk in the Walk for Juvenile Diabetes. My cousin and her husband have the most amazing little boy, whom they adopted as an infant, who was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. He just turned 2. It's amazing the things he must go through, just to live a "normal" life. Sugar shots every day, monitoring EVERYTHING that goes in his mouth, watching the amount of water he takes in...it's something that takes a lot of patience and time, and my cousin does it flawlessly. She makes it look easy, when I know, it's super hard.

I haven't seen my cousin in 16 years. I know....that's a long time. Too long. In the months leading up to our trip, we'd been Skyping and the boys got to know each other (technology is wonderful!). This trip was freaking AWESOME!! To be able to see family, new family members, and raise money for a great cause...one of the best things I've done.

Mom, Aunt Stacey, GG Jane, Me, Jackson, and Everson all packed up and flew to Baltimore. This was Everson's 1st flight...and he did great! Jackson colored and Everson just hung out and slept!

Upon arriving at the hotel...isn't he just the cutest thing?! HA!

Baltimore is about 45 minutes from Claymont, Deleware where my mom grew up. We took the boys to see MeMaw and GG's old house, MeMaw's grade school, and the church that GG was SUPER involved in.

The creek that MeMaw grew up playing in...

Holy Rosary

The Convent

While in Claymont, we HAD to go to Claymont Sub Shop! The BEST sandwich shop in the United States!!

Nice Diet Coke Mustache!

The next morning, we got up early and got ready for the walk!










After the walk, we headed to lunch in the Inner Harbor. We found a great little place that had crab cakes--yum! As we were leaving the restaurant, the huge ship outside shot a canon. It was LOUD! The funniest part? Jackson panicked and RAN for the door that we just walked out of. There were people sitting outside eating, and all of them were laughing. Poor baby! It was too funny, but he was scared shitless!! :)

After lunch, we saw a Pirate Ship, that looked like people were riding it. So we asked around, and yes, it was a touristy Pirate Ship ride for kids! We called and made reservations. In the meantime, we went shopping, and then, got LOST on the way back! UHHHGGG!! Lost and speeding all around Baltimore--it was ridiculous! And not safe. But in the end--WE MADE IT!!








































The Inner Harbor





After all the excitement from the day, we still had Matthew's birthday party to celebrate at! What a day! Cake, ice cream, yummy pizza, lots of presents!! Great day!

The next day, we spent the entire morning and afternoon with Matthew, Lauren, and John. We ate at a great HOLE IN THE WALL restaurant that was literally, in the parking lot of a strip club--and we LOVED it!! It was featured on Diner's Drive-Ins, and Dives....and it was awesome! (although GG would disagree b/c she was throwing up the entire ride home--on the plane and all. Poor thing!)
After lunch, we took Matty bowling. Although, the kiddos were more interested in the arcade games...oh well!

It was a great visit. I can't wait to see them all again....we are so much alike and we have fun together! They rock! :)