To the zoo to the zoo to the zoo zoo zoo

We went to the Zoo in Houston yesterday. It was really hot, so we bought the kids a fan to keep cool. We looked down and saw Sullivan holding hands with Sophie

and fanning her. He is such a good brother, I swear.

Watermelon!!!!!

Tonight we had some of the best watermelon I have ever had. Even Miss Sophie got her first taste. It didn't stop there- I hope she doesn't have a reaction, because she ate ALOT of it. She wouldn't quit!!! She enjoys anything she thinks her brother does. Sullivan ate about 15 pieces- seriously. We had to mop the floors, there was watermelon juice everywhere. It probably would have been wiser to eat it outside, but hey, it was fun. Don't look at the cabinets wide open- I had just cleaned out the dishwasher. I hope you are enjoying your summer. I read a quote the other day that explains just how we live with these two bundles of joy. I hope it inspires you-

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you will realize that they were the big things." I hope Sullivan remembers silly nights where we ate watermelon for dinner, hosed him down, then played Candyland for what felt like three hours!!!

Goodbye Jake

One of Sullivan's favorite friends is moving to Dallas. When Jake and Sullivan first had a playdate last fall, we had to convince them to play. We met at a park, and they were "ok" with being together. Sullivan chased Jake around begging to hug and kiss him, and Jake just wasn't the "touchy feely" kind. Then, we had a few playdates over here at our house, and they were better, but argued a bunch. Jake's mommy helped me out a lot when I was pregnant with Sophie, watching Sullivan for me and generally entertaining him. Anyway, a few weeks ago, we had Jake over to swim and play, and the boys did fantastically together. No fighting, just general playing cars and enjoying each other. Jake got the idea, he told Sullivan how he didn't appreciate him throwing toys in his direction, and Sullivan obliged. We had a fun going away party for them last week. They will be dearly missed. Its not often you can find a fun friend that shares your same interests :) Good luck in Dallas Jake.

Madame Sophe

Well, Aaron's mom is really girly and froo froo ey. I don't know how you spell that. But, she always has the cutest stuff. She has made Sophie these little socks that I am in love with that hoave crochet around the ankle. Yesterday, she totally outdid herself with these hats. They are totally adorable. We will have to find some kind of a tea party to go to now!!!

*I have lots of pictures from the aquarium and a going away party we had last week, they are coming, but getting these hats in the mail superceded anything else I could post!

How much fun can one day be?

My parents came in town yesterday (with Uncle Charlie), and we spent the whole day at a local pool. Living in a small town has its perks- this is a public pool in College Station (its the most expensive of the public pools- $5 a piece). Sullivan was so brave- he did all the slides, over and over. Sophie had fun with new faces to smile at. My boy is definitely growing up. Thanks for the fun day mom and dad!!! Family is fun :)

Well....

Life is going slowly but surely over here. Sophie had her six month check up yesterday (she was late because she was sick when she turned 6 months), and she was 16 pound 7 ounces and 24 inches long. We have another short one- tenth percentile for height. So, we celebrated by getting her a new exersaucer toy from my good friend Brandy. She LOVES it!!! She has been in it for about 15 minutes, and keeps finding new things and squeeling with delight!!! This is gonna be a toy that gets lots of use I can tell!!! Anyway, at the six month checkup yesterday, Aaron promised Sullivan that he could go to the store and get any toy that he wanted if he was good (any toy usually is a car from the movie "Cars" that costs around 3 dollars). So, I decided to try something new, and take him to a resale shop to pick out a toy. We found some great treasures for only a few dollars. But, what was the toy that he just "HAD" to have was the following for $6.50:

That's right, a dollhouse! Complete with a family and furniture. He has been playing with it nonstop. It was quite funny when Aaron got home and I had to show him what Sullivan had picked out. He couldn't believe that "I let" this be his choice. Like, was I to brainwash him into not wanting the house? He has had so much fun playing house. This morning he was walking around with the play toilet asking all of his trains if they needed to go to the potty. So, he may not be totally manly, but he is enjoying his childhood!

Kids say the darndest things

So, Sullivan just woke up and asked where his daddy is (the first thing he says every morning). I told him that he had gone to work, but that today is a great day because he will be coming home early (I am getting my first ever massage this afternoon). Sullivan saysm "Well, that's just perfect, I couldn't have planned it better myself." Come on, does he think he is 40? Then, he is scratching at his back and I ask him if he needs me to itch it. He says, "Oh ok, but I think its a better idea for me to get a new back, this one is always itching me." Anyone know where I can get a new back? He's three, almost four, a little on the short side, and quite tan. Anyone?

That's my boy!

So, Sullivan is really turning into a boy. There is no toddler left, gone are the days when he relied totally on me. With every new day, a little more of his "person" is showing. I know I am prejudiced, but I have to say, I really like the person he is becoming. He is (as you can not tell yet from the picture) a very sweet boy. I can not tell you how many times a day he just randomly tells me he loves me. He is constantly kissing on me and his sister. He tries his best to be sure everyone is happy and will accomodate if not. In the car, even if he is watching a movie, he stops and pays all attention to Sophie if she is upset. I've started going to a gym, and the girls in the nursery tell me that no matter what he is doing, if he hears his sister cry, he comes and does whatever it takes to make her happy. I have been more than blessed in the transition of bringing Sophie home.

He also has gotten quite the grip on English. He is really starting to explore words, and has a very large vocabulary. So, last night, we went out to eat barbecue. There wasn't much he wanted to eat, but he gave it all a try. When it was time for him to FINALLY get his dessert (banana pudding), he gleefully opened it up and started eating. He says in a very contemplative tone, "You know, this dessert is just perfect for me. I can feel it making me stronger already." Then, on the way home, Sophie had decided she had gone long enough between feedings and was ready to tell the world. She was screaming at the top of her lungs. Sullivan, gets very serious and says, "Sophie, screaming is not the right solution to this problem!" He always gets frustrated with us and tells us, "Mommy, you are not gonna behave this way." I mean, does he think he is 30?

So, on to the picture. Although it might look like one mean kid, it is actually the opposite. He and Sophie had been playing for quite some time, when I decided to come into the playroom and take a picture. It upset her, and she started to fuss. This is why he looks so angry, he can't believe I have the nerve to disturb his little sister!!! What a sweetheart!!!

Wine Baby

A friend of mine gave me this onesie, and I love it (thanks Brandy!). I just thought I would share our creation with you :) Have a wonderful day!

Learning Young

So, last night we went to Kyle Field (Texas A&M's football stadium) to watch the firework display. I have to tell you, I never thought I could learn so much from a three year old. But, just in case any of you reading don't know how they make fireworks, let me tell you what Sullivan told me (just so you can be "in the know" too). First, you wait for the sun to go down and the moon to go up. Second, they shoot the fireworks in the sky (pronounced guy). Third, you watch them. Then, its over. And, that's how you make fireworks. He is so brilliant, this kid. How he knows it all I have no idea- we do watch alot of the History Channel around here. The second picture is Sullivan calling the shots in the video lab. That's where they control all of the Texas A&M games- football, softball and baseball. He knows much more than his daddy, so he had to give him a few pointers.

We went to eat at TGI Fridays last night. The manager was coming around making sure everyone's food was ok (since there was NO ONE in the restaurant). He was remarking at how cute the kids were and how lucky we were to have such a wonderful family. Sullivan stands up and puts his finger in the air and says "I wub my wonderful great big family." It was so cute and so heartfelt. All of the waiters had fun learning how fireworks are made. I hope you enjoyed your Fourth!

Happy Fourth

Happy Fourth of July!!! Man, I only wish we could spend it with family. But, know that we miss all of our friends and family, and will do the next best thing, and spoil our kiddos rotten. It is with great sadness that I tell you that Sullivan is officially a big boy. He must sense that his fourth birthday is coming up, or perhaps, something has just clicked in him. Its amazing. Seriously. (and kind of funny, but more of that later).

Some of his new big boy things, he has now decided that "I can sleep by myself". He has to have long discussions with Sampson (our big 75 pound black dog) each night about how he no longer needs anyone to sleep with him. Unfortunately, Sampson isn't ready for this milestone. He sits outside of the door whining and crying until we have to trick Sullivan into letting him in. We open the door as if we have something to say to him and let Sampson sneak onto the Winnie the Pooh Couch. Sullivan gets very upset in the morning :)

Secondly, he has decided that he will eat whatever we eat. He has eaten what we have for about a month now. This may sound like no big deal to you, but he has an incredible gag reflex. He throws up all of the time, and so to accomodate the reflex, we have always just let him eat whatever would not make him puke- chicken nuggets, fries, and mac and cheese. I assure you, he HAS lived on those food groups for two years, and he is thriving, so get off my back :) Just kidding (kind of). My aunt told me that her oldest boy lived on nothing but McDonald's fries for a year, so I figure, he will live. (Mika is now over thirty and a father himself, so surely its true)

He always comforts his sister when she cries. He runs to her (there is no crying it out in our house, he will have no part of it). And, tonight, he started jumping in the pool and swimming to the side by himself. Its like a whole new kid. Gone is the "I can't get my face wet" boy, here is the "I am brave, watch me!" kid. Its so fun to watch him grow. I have bragged about every stage he is in being my favorite, but its true! And now, getting to really know him as a person, is really exciting. He is a very caring, loving boy who has about a ten second patience (just like his momma). He is very easily agitated, and has a mind of his own. If he says he isn't going to do something, its a waste of time to try and convince him otherwise.

So, the funny part. I have friends, family, and acquaintences who have made terrible comments about the way I parent. And, they may think I don't know, but trust me I do. Anyway, if you let a baby sleep with you, they WILL sleep in their own room when they are ready! He is, Amazing huh? If you let them eat what they want, they WILL eventually eat what they need. Wow!!! If you love hold them too much, they WILL turn out brave, and able to do new things on their own without being timid. I love the attachment parenting I have done. I would not trade one second of breastfeeding, cosleeping, or holding my babies in for anything! I think my boy is turning out wonderfully well rounded, and exceptionally fun to be around! Anyway, enough of my soapbox :) Enjoy your Fourth of July and know that we miss each of you terribly.