Sometimes.....

you're just all tuckered out. This was after enjoying a late lunch at Cracker Barrell- just the four of us. Jeremy and I were completely amazed at how well both boys behaved (well, Caleb particularly). We kept Caleb entertained with food and Eli seemed to love just watching and observing the people around us.What's for dinner? Eli has finally started eating more consistently. He obviously prefers vegetables over fruits as he makes the most hilarious face when offered fruits. I remember when Caleb would do this exact same thing and I thought it was just as funny then! I call it "smoking the spoon." Sometimes your older brother tries to make you look silly by putting a hat on your head.

Brothers

The other day I tried to take some pictures of Caleb and Eli together as I had looked back on pictures taken when Eli was a newborn and I couldn't help but think how quickly the time had passed. I had no idea what a gag reel the pictures would turn out to be! They were a perfect and literal description of what transpires between these two!Lots and lots of love!

Too much love sometimes that you just have to try
and make an escape....

"What Mom? You're trying to take a picture of us?"
"You want me to use this block to get his attention?"

Oh, okay, here's a smile- no make that 2 smiles!

Now, please, may I have some peace?

Must.Get.Away.Now.

Seriously, more pictures?

"Love you Eli", "Love you Caleb"

That's my brother!

Cousins

We recently enjoyed a visit at my mom's with my brother, his wife and their two boys Radnor and Ace. Radnor and Caleb are just 3 months apart so it is always interesting to see what they will be into when they get together. They are both the type to get into anything and everything and they have some of the most hilarious antics. Radnor does a wonderful Pants On the Ground solo as well as This Land is Your Land. While taking a break from supervising them, we were able to enjoy watching Eli crawl around and snuggle with sweet little Ace. Rad is quite the big brother and quite the loving cousin.

This little guy will just melt your heart.

Wonder of wonders that my kids look like they are BOTH on some kind of illegal substance.

There were many outtakes in trying to pose 4 boys ages 3, 8 months, 2 1/2 months and 3! Although Rad sort of does have a "Gap" type pose going on here.

My sister and her two boys came down from KY just the other day to attend the Vandy-UT basketball game. As there were only 3 tickets and my brother Luke was going, one of the twins had to stay with Grandmama. Ethan was kind enough to let his brother Clark go, which is a decision he no doubt later regretted as Grandmama stayed at our house after his mom and Clark left so they could hang out with Caleb. Caleb was perfectly beside himself over the visit of his cousins, so much so that he couldn't even take his nap after I told him they were coming. He chased poor Ethan all over the house and wouldn't let him 2 inches away from him. He did settle down a little when I put a movie on, but the boy thinks the world of his older cousins. I'm sure they would say he has a most interesting way of showing it, however, as he most often will jump on them, hit them and just basically pester them to death. Thanks guys for being such good sports- you truly are baby celebrities!

A moment's peace for Ethan.

Yummy!

We just made these vegan Buckwheat pancakes and they were so good! We served them with bananas and maple syrup and they were just yummy! Next time I think I will add some ground flax seed since we are "no nuts." Jeremy even loved them and he isn't usually to crazy about the off-taste soy milk imparts on baked goods. Seeing that I have about 3#'s of buckwheat flour to use before it expires in March, we'll be making these again soon- several times in fact! I couldn't even take a picture because we didn't have any leftovers!

Potty-training

Caleb has been doing exceptionally well the last day or so of his potty-training. He had ZERO poopy or pee pee accidents yesterday. He is still wearing a pull-up for naps and a diaper at night, but we are thrilled with his daytime success! We have been giving him life-savers for every successful trip to the potty, but that has now changed to just when he poops. Yesterday he must have pooped 4 or 5 times on the potty- a couple of 'big' ones and a couple of 'little' ones. His very last one was somewhat loose, so I just quickly flushed the toilet after wiping him off (Oh the joys of motherhood!). Anyway, after I flushed it he said, "Can you flush that back up? I didn't see it." I couldn't help but bust out laughing. I quickly explained that once it's flushed, it's flushed- THANK GOODNESS! He usually inspects what he has done in the potty after he is finished as I think he is still somewhat surprised by what happens- sort of like, "How'd that get there?" I have to say 3 is turning out to be a fun age!

Isn't he a cutie?

Hard to believe this little guy is 8 months old already! Where does the time go? He has been crawling for about a month now and easily pulls himself to a sitting and/or kneeling position. He is a very content baby and manages to take his brother's pestering in stride without so much as a wimper (most of the time anyway!). He has some of the sweetest baby babbles! He does have a little bit of a temper. On occasion he has cried and arched his head and back as if to say, "Give me what I want and give it to me now!" Most often this is in regards to nursing or just wanting to be held by his mommy. He does not care for riding in his carseat for long periods. He is most content when down on the floor and free to do what we have termed "pooze toozing," meaning crawling about and stopping to investigate whatever may attract one's attention. At this point, his temperament seems to be very much like my brother Seth's. Seth is sooo very laid back but watch out if you make him mad! (For most of his younger years, Seth dealt with the daily pesterings of my oldest brother Josh and the daily naggings of my youngest brother Luke.) Caleb's temperament, on the other hand, has most reminded me of my brother Josh's (his aggressiveness and independent nature) and my brother Luke's (his being very particular). Neither temperament is any better, but in certain situations one is easier to deal with than the other. How wonderfully blessed Jeremy and I are with such great boys!