Close Your Eyes

The other night we were on our way home and we told Beau he had to close his eyes.  He REFUSED to close his eyes because he did not want to fall asleep.  We told him, the sooner you close your eyes, the closer it will be to your SuperBowl party.  (Beau is now determined to have a party for him and his elephants every weekend)  This certainly did the trick, and this is what Beau looked like when he was "trying" to keep his eyes close....

Baine-Joe

Baine is developing so much everyday.  His latest new trend, is blowing bubbles at you and sticking his tongue out at you.  Mary sent me videos of it yesterday, so cute!  His personality is starting to shine through and I love it!

Baine's bedtime is now 7:30 at night and he still sleeps all night.  I think he is taking after his older brother when Beau was a baby :)

First Sleepover at Scott and Michelle's

Last week I was sick with Influenza A, so to help out, my mom kept Beau one night (my dad did another night) and Michelle and Scott kept Baine.  It was Baine's first time staying overnight with Michelle and I don't think she believed us when we told her that he goes to bed at 7:45ish and will sleep all night.  She now believes us since he slept all night for her :)

Bowling Night at Church

Last Wednesday night was bowling night at Church.  I was sick, and Joe was working, so Nana helped out by taking Beau bowling.  Needless to say, he still loves it and does NOT like it when you help him.

Before bowling, Nana and Beau had time to kill so they went to McDonald's.  Beau was excited to "wear" his new toy :)

Beau Quotables- Part II

Beau has two new friends that he has been very fond of lately---his elephants.  He knows they are imaginary because he will tell you "they are just pretend".  But wherever we go, he wants to "bring" his elephants.
"Mommy, can my elephants come with me to school?"
"Mommy, can my elephants  come to church too?"
"Mommy!  You just shut the door on my elephants.  They were waiting to get in the car!"
When we are getting ready to go to Mary's in the mornings, Beau has to bring his pretend peanuts along because his elephants will get hungry during the day and need a little snack :).

The other night I was talking with Joe and Beau chimes in saying, "Mommy, just chill out."  I could not help but bust out laughing.  Who teaches him these things?!

Beau LOVES to tell people he has a baby brother.  At dinner the other night we were discussing having another baby in the house.  "I want another baby daddy.  I want to name him ELEPHANT!"

We never have a dull moment in the house with him these days :)

First Night With Aubrey

Saturday we celebrated Clint's (and Caleb but he was out of town) birthday.  It was the first night that both boys were alone with our babysitter Aubrey, and she did a great job with them!  It is such a wonderful feeling to know that you can trust a non-family member with your children.  Aubrey had both boys asleep and in bed by the time we were home from dinner.  I think we'll keep her around ;)

Aubrey sent me this snapchat of her and Beau while we were gone.  Beau never even cried when we left!  And all he kept talking about Sunday morning was how much fun he had with Aubrey :)

Special Boys

One thing is for sure, I am LOVING being a mommy of two little boys.  I know most women say that they would want to have a little girl.  But I am clearly made to be a mommy to boys.  I love how ornery Beau is, how dirty and messy he gets, and I know it is just going to get worse the older he gets and now with two boys :).  Beau and Baine are the light of my life and I just could not imagine my life without them!

School Christmas Party

Friday night I had my school's Christmas party.  I truly love my co-workers and we had an amazing time at Pepper's playing games, socializing and playing Cards Against Humanity---yes, teachers can have fun too ;).  Afterwards we took the party to the Cellar and ended the night with way too many laughs!

Joe was picked right away
to participate in one of the games by making "the best rack" out of balloons and pantyhose.  :)

Baine at 3 Months

     I cannot believe my little Baine-Jo is 3 months already--can time slow down a little bit?!

     Baine, you are growing so fast and developing so much in many ways.  You love to be cuddled and rocked, which mommy has no problem doing with you :).  You don't always love your pacifier, but you absolutely love to fall asleep with a silk blanket over your face.  You are smiling all of the time and even laughing now.  Your first laugh was with Mary at daycare.  Even though mommy was said I missed it, Mary did send me a video of it on SnapChat :).  Whenever your big brother, Beau, comes over to see you, your eyes light up and you give me a huge smile---you definitely love your big brother already!

*Sleeps 10-11 hours at night

*Eats 6 oz at every feeding---big boy!

*In 3-6 month clothes

*Size 2 diapers

*LOVES to cuddle 

*Smiles and laughing now

*Loves to hold a rattle

*Hair is growing in THICK and DARK :)

*BROWN EYES

*Looks just like mommy's baby pictures 

Book of Mormon

Saturday was date night for Joe and I.  My mom and Dennis had the boys overnight so Joe and I could go to the Book of Mormon at the Civic Center.  It was hilarious!  I would only recommend seeing this play if you have a good sense of humor :).  While we were in Des Moines, we had sushi with Alex and Gina, and then headed over to Prairie Meadows after the play to help celebrate my cousin Grant's birthday...the big 3-0!  We had a great time and it was a much needed night away for Joe and I :)

As soon as we got to my mom's, Beau wanted to put on his slippers Nana keeps there.  Quite the character these days !

Go PACKERS!

Last Sunday, we had a Packers vs. Cowboys party at our house for the game.  Of course, the Packers pulled through with the big "W".  We love having people at our house, and there always seems to be a party at the Pierson household.  We wouldn't have it any other way!

Back to Reality

I have officially been back to work for over a week now, and I must say, it has been much harder than I truly thought it would be.  My mind is constantly thinking about Beau and Baine.  What are they doing?  Is Baine smiling or laughing?  Is Beau finally learning to write the letter B for his name?  Has Baine had any blowouts? :)  I just can't seem to focus the best yet, but I'm sure it will get easier....I hope so at least!  On the other hand, I am enjoying seeing my co-workers and friends again.  I have truly missed their company and just popping into my room to say "hi".

Mary has definitely made my transition back to work better by sending me constant snapchats of Baine throughout the day.  It makes me feel like I'm not missing as much :)

Last Day of Maternity Leave

Well, it is that time again where my maternity leave is over and I need to head back to work.  With Beau, it wasn't that hard to go back because I didn't know any different and I just didn't know what to except for emotions.  This time, with Baine, I am dreading it more than anything in the world.  I am so grateful that I took the full 12 weeks off to be with Baine, however, I have become accustomed to our routine at home and I am quite fond of it.  I love our snuggles throughout the day, his continuous smiles to me, and his "talking".  I am not ready to leave him.  However, I do know that Mary is going to take amazing care of him and send me pictures every chance she gets throughout the day.  Even though I have been crying all day, have been mopey all weekend, and having terrible anxiety about leaving Baine, I know I love my job.  I do miss my students dearly and I am every excited to see them all.  Not only do I miss my students, but I miss my teacher friends.  A few of them have been so amazing with getting me excited to come back to work and just being a shoulder to cry on.  I am forever grateful for these women :)


The other night, a few of my teacher friends came over to catch up and share a bottle of wine, or two :).  Kim is always a baby lover and she was so amazing with Beau!  I think she played with Beau more than I was able to catch up with her.  After playing trains and Beau's new tent, it was time to call it a night.  Nights like this do make me excited to get back to work to see everyone on a regular basis again.

Baine and I cuddled all day today and we had a long talk about how even though Mommy has to go back to work, it doesn't mean I don't want to be home with him.  But like my Aunt Joi has told me, being a teacher is the best job while being a mommy.  Yes, it is hard while they are little because we want to be home with them, but once they are in school, I am excited to always have the same schedule as them and, of course, have my summers off with them too :) 

 

New Years Eve

This year for New Years Eve was a little different for Joe and I since we now have two little ones at home.  While I would have been perfectly content staying home all night with the boys, we decided to have a little mommy/daddy time once the boys had been fed and were ready for bed.  Papa and She-She offered to keep the boys and I knew they would be in great hands there!  Thank you again Dad and Shari :).

Joe and I had Clint, Tara, Dustin (my step-brother) and his wife Megan over for dinner.  We had a FEAST with crab legs, steaks, corn, and cheesy potatoes.  After several rounds of cards, we decided to go out for just a little bit.  Ringing in the new year with some of my favorite people was a great way for me to start the new year, and to forget about the stresses I have right now in life, ie going back to work from maternity leave. 

This is what I mean that the boys are always taken care of at my Dad and Shari's...he had breakfast made for him, and delivered to him so he could still watch his morning cartoons.  SPOILED :)

Coloring/Painting = New Love

For Christmas, Beau really wanted paints and colors because that is his new favorite hobby.  So, Daddy decided to really spoil him by getting him an art easel and an abundant amount of art supplies.  Even though Mommy did let him paint one day (which resulted in Beau getting the paints back out afterwards and painting all over the carpet in his playroom), he is doing a great job with it and keeping it nice and clean.  We are trying to work with him on coloring in the lines, so we have him practice as much as possible, and he loves it!