Baine's Favorite = Bath Time

Baine's favorite thing to do, other than eat, is to take a bath. He can stay in there for an hour if I'd let him! He loves the bubbles, splashing, and trying to float even :) What a cheeser!

Spoiled By Babysitters

Beau and Baine are definitely in love with our babysitters---especially Kaylee these days. She is so good with the boys and is extremely patient with Baine. He does so well for her and never throws one of his tantrums. Maybe we just need Kaylee around all of the time? :)

Mommy's School Helpers

The other day the boys came to meet me at school so we could get to an appointment on time. The boys loved being in my classroom for a few minutes while I still had students in my room. Baine walked around with my candy jar handing out candy to all my students and Beau showed everyone how he can write his name on the board :) They are teachers already!

Cousins Prepping for Christmas

Well, we tried for a nice picture of the cousins. 3/4 is pretty good :) Thank you Bond for being YOU! :)

Aunt Brookie decided to dress Bond in match PJ's with Beau and of course needed a photo op :)

They actually sat still and watched Pete's Dragon at family dinner

Trying to pay attention at children's moment

Seeing Santa 2016

We took the boys last weekend to Mahaska Drug to go see Santa. Beau loves seeing Santa, and last year Baine did too. But this year, Baine was terrified! He started screaming instantly, held on to me for dear life, and wouldn't even look at Santa. So in order to get a picture, we had to do a family picture :) Maybe next year will go better!

Christmas Parade 2016

This year Osky did an AMAZING job with our Christmas parade. Not only were the floats beautiful and creative, but Osky "lit up" the square. It looks phenomenal! Nothing like adding a little Christmas  spirit to see every time you drive by at night.  The boys loved the parade. Baine kept calling the horse and reindeer "cows", but he's learning! Beau did have one important question: "Um mommy, why did I see two Santa's on two different floats????" "Oh Beau, Santa hurried and went and got on the 2nd float because he wanted to stay in the parade"  What else do you say to that?!: )

Papa's Farm Help

Baine is definitely going to love helping out on the farm---because he already does! He loves to go look at the cows. Every animal the size of a cow is a "cow" to him :) And of course, going on the "mombine" is a must. Baine gets so excited when he sees Papa. And he is just anticipating that truck ride out to Grandpa's Farm.

Update on Baine

Baine is making so much progress with his speech therapy. In fact, Miss Lindsey said he only needs a couple more sessions until he has tested out! He has definitely mastered the 50+ word mark, and is able to identify most body parts: eyes, nose, ears, head, hair, mouth, tongue, chin, elbow, knee, foot, toes, hands. I am so impressed by this! Some days he will talk as clear as can be, and it makes me want to cry. A year ago, I was desperate to hear my baby say "mamma". And now, he doesn't stop talking! I really didn't know he would make this kind of progress. We are so proud of you Baine and your hard work, keep it up Buddy!

Karsyn's Birthday Party

One of Beau's good friends, Karsyn, had his birthday party last Sunday. All of the kids had a great time playing, and Beau decided he wanted to help Karsyn put together his lego sets---imagine that! I love that Beau is slowly branching out and wanting to be more social.

Time With Nana

Since Jodee went on vacation a couple of weeks ago, that meant we needed to find daycare arrangements for the boys. Nana took Baine for a few days and was able to help us out! He is such a motor head and loves to play outside. He made sure to check out Den-Dens's "mombine" (another new word for Baine!) and play on the swing set. I think he was spoiled with his alone time :)

Thanksgiving 2016

Thanksgiving was quite the event this year.  We were able to see most of our family and spend a lot of quality time with cousins.  Joe and I hosted one Thanksgiving at our house and we loved seeing all the kids playing together and getting to spend time with one another. We always take for granted the life we have, and that is something I am really trying to work on. We have so much to be thankful for, I need to sometimes slow down, stop and remember what is really important. Joe and I are so blessed to have our family and with a new baby on the way, I cannot wait to watch our family grow.

Beau worked on puzzles most of the night :)

Beau is SO GOOD with Regan. He loves to play with her and help take care of her :)

He wanted to fall asleep holding her hand, and they both did :)

Banx's 6th Birthday

We helped celebrated Banx's birthday with two parties for her...special girl :)  The kiddos had so much fun at the play center at the Nazarene church, and Baine especially loved it! He couldn't get enough of the jungle gym and was able to do it all on his own. When did he grow up so fast?!  Banx had a Paris theme for her party and she was dressed to a T of course :)  On Sunday, her actual birthday, we went and watched her dance at school first, then went to Happy Joe's to wrap up the night. The kids love playing the games there and always have the best time.  Happy birthday, Puntin! We love you!

To treat Banx to her special day, she met me at school and we went and got her a special pedicure and ice-cream, just the two of us. I love this special one-on-one time I get with her :)