Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was so busy this year that we didn't even do baskets and eggs. Helen and Jeremy were in town so we spent a lot of time with them and on top of that, we had a big surprise birthday party for my dad on Monday. It was all fun stuff, but just kept us on the go. We made it to church on Easter Sunday, despite the bad storms, and enjoyed a delicious Easter lunch at my mom's house after church. It was a really great weekend. I didn't take any pics though. Helen found this one on her phone:

As Perry just said upon seeing this picture, "Aw, that's really cute".

Perry LOVED playing with Helen and Jeremy this trip. Oh, and I should also mention that H and J brought the boys a pretty awesome Easter gift from Colorado. Perry got an egg with a mardi gras baby inside and Mills got an egg with a sonogram picture! They're having a baby! Due October 18. We're so excited for another October baby!
My mom, Helen, and I took the boys to the park on Tuesday morning.

Treading Water

I feel like I've barely had my head above water recently. Both kids were sick (Perry with virus and mild ear infection; Mills with flu and bad ear infection) for nearly 2 weeks. We've been inside a lot and not going anywhere. It makes for very long and boring days filled with dispensing meds, wiping noses, managing meltdowns, preparing meals that don't get eaten, and entertaining sick kids. I'm really glad we are getting back to normal! However, normal for us has actually been way too busy lately. One small contributing factor has been that Perry started Swim School. Now, on our formerly open Monday mornings, we pack up and head to The Swim School. It's a fun outing though. I'm hoping that Perry will get more comfortable in the water. Right now, he's too scared to go under or jump in without some force. He's always been cautious, so this doesn't come as a surprise. I know he'll be "treading water" before too long!

two sick boys watching a video

Perry Funnies

There is no way I can keep up with all the funny things Perry says/does, but here are a few cute things.

He likes to find George Washington on quarters and Mr. Bincoln (aka Mr. Lincoln) on pennies. I love hearing him say this!
Seems like there's been a good bit of bedtime drama:
When he's caught by Alex for getting out of bed, he'll say, "My bed cold, I need fireplace"
One night when I was on my own Perry had gotten out of bed several times. At one point, he walked into the den and said "My bed cold", me: "Perry go back to bed " (It was almost 10pm and I was so ready to sit down and relax!), P: "No, I hot, I hot, I hot mamma". I stand up to address him (and likely spank him) and he says in the sweetest/most sleepy voice ever, "You come tuck me in and make me nice and warm?" So I giggled inside and said "Yes, I'll come tuck you in". I definitely let him get away with lying to me, but his attempt was just too amusing and adorable. He might need to work on a consistent story for next time.
To procrastinate bedtime, he'll ask for "laaaaast more drink", meaning one more sip of water.
He likes to pray all by himself at mealtimes and bedtime.
The other night as we finished dinner, I mentioned to Alex that I was exhausted. Perry asked, "You run out of batteries, Mama?"
He still does the funniest dances that can only be experienced through video.
We love our silly little guy so much!

Happy Valentines Day

Our hearts are full of LOVE for these boys!

Alex and I opted out of giving one another gifts this year (not sure we've ever given V-day gifts) and instead had some friends over for a Valentines dinner the Saturday following V-day. It was such a fun and meaningful evening spent getting to know one another better. It was 12:30 am when the party broke up...I couldn't believe how late it was! I wasn't asleep until after 2 and definitely payed for it the following day. I can tell I'm not young any more!

Mardi Gras 2013

We went to the Highland Parade again this year. We arrived right when the parade was beginning and Perry had a freak out/melt down moment for some unknown reason. We were standing pretty far back from the street consoling him when out of nowhere a Moon Pie landed right next to us. I knew it must of been an angel sent to care for us, because as soon as Perry saw that Moon Pie, he forgot all about his "fit" and joined in on the Mardi Gras spirit! :-)

 Mills enjoyed every minute of the parade 

 Happy Mardi Gras!

On Cold and Rainy Days...

Daddy makes fun pallets with the pillows so everyone can jump and crawl around

 The boys push the wagon around the house (Perry always walks backwards)

 And there's usually a request to play in the puddles (this day wasn't so cold...just wet)

Mills 16 months

Mills,
You're such a happy, fun little boy. I just can't get enough of you! There are so many special and funny things going on. Here are just a few:
One BIG development...you're starting to walk!! It's not your primary mode of transportation yet, but I know it won't be long before it is. In a matter of several days, you've gone from walking just 5 steps at a time to down the sidewalk (just today)! You're very excited about this new accomplishment...and so are we! It's beyond adorable to see you working so hard at your every step. Before long, you'll be doing it without any thought!

(side note: Suzanne walked at 12 months; Alex at 18 months; Perry at 15 1/2 months; Mills at 16 months)

You're cutting two molars on top....ouch! There have been several incidents of you digging in your diaper when it was dirty. Need I say more? Now, we usually make you sleep in one piece outfits/pajama's. When you're wearing separates, we layer you with a onsie that snaps at the bottom. If given the chance, you still like to undress yourself when in the crib. The other day (when I was lazy and kept you in separates) I found you with your shirt on backwards! That means you got both sleeves off, turned it around, and put it back on by yourself! I was just relieved there wasn't a dirty diaper involved.

You like playing "crawling chase" with Perry and you really LOVE playing "make a mess of everything everywhere". You love being outside--walking behind push toys, playing with balls, and going down the slide--and you've finally decided that the bounce house is fun. You still enjoy reading books. You also like stacking blocks (and knocking them down). You're now wanting to feed yourself with utensils. You still need a lot of help with that though. You're a good eater--most recent favorite food is steamed broccoli. We're going to a dermatologist in a couple weeks since your skin is still giving us trouble. Hoping she'll have a better idea of how to help your eczema.

 cool dude

This one is for me...I love chubby baby legs and know they won't always be this way. Sigh.

I was writing a check today and as I wrote the date, 2/7/13, I immediately thought, "2013...Mills will be 2 years old in 2013". I looked up and saw you sitting in your highchair right next to me and almost started boo-hooing. Mills, you're growing up too quickly. I love you so much!