What's Up With the Boys?

Brooks

• Trying so hard to crawl- he can go backwards and frequently gets stuck under furniture!
• Is very mobile compared to Jackson
• Wants all of Jackson's toys
• Has two more teeth coming in- one top one has already broken through
• His teeth have been bothering him
• Loves to eat especially fruits
• Makes all kinds of noises now
• Sleeps in his crib
• Loves Jackson (they wrestle)

Jackson

• Going downstairs (not our inside) by himself- this is huge for him- school has helped
• Loves Brooks "Where's Brooksie? Where's that huge baby?"
• Loves to wrestle and run
• Loves to play Hide and Seek
• Jumps with both feet off the ground
• Loves Cars and trains
• Still says "locka docka da" which means?
• Has eaten bologna and hot dogs and asks for strawberries and banana (who is this child ?)
• Says his best friend is Brooksie

Even though some days can be difficult, I love the age the boys are!

Snow Day!

Snow was predicted for early Tuesday afternoon, so we got out of school early. I was home by 12 just in time to nap with the boys. The snow started around 2 and fell until 7. We got about an inch to inch and a half. We took the boys out around 5. Jackson was scared. This is his first time seeing snow. Brooks was happy to sit in it and even tried to eat it. Jackson really wanted nothing to do with it. He hates coats, hats, and gloves, so he was cold and not happy. We were outside for maybe ten minutes. We definitely spent more time getting bundled up than being outside! The snow was too powdery for a snowman or snowballs.

We had a snow day on Wednesday, so we enjoyed laying around and playing. We eventually got dressed and went to Noni and Papa J's to sled ( We don't own a sled.). Jackson fussed at first, but then he liked it. Brooks did not like being outside today. Jackson fussed when we went back inside.

Tim is out again tomorrow, and I have a two hour delay! Most of our snow has melted, but some roads are still icy. It was an interesting first snow for the boys. Pictures coming this weekend.

Lots of Birthdays

After a very stressful work week, we enjoyed a fun weekend celebrating birthdays!

Jackson was excited to take Snack Basket to school on Thursday. Noni and Jackson made precious snowman cookies!

On Saturday we celebrated Kelin's birthday at Pump It Up in Greenville. We had a great time jumping and sliding in the jumpy houses! We even got Jackson to go down the slides and through the obstacle course. What a fun place!

Then we drove to Charleston for Brynlee's birthday party. We got there late but had lots of fun! We all spent the night with Mike and Mardie. Jackson was a little scared of their dogs. He and Brynlee always have to figure out which one is boss before playing together. They fight over the same toys, and then they are fine. Jackson wanted Brynlee to come home with us. Brooks loved all of the attention and that Mike would rock him to sleep. Mardie fixed us a wonderful breakfast before we left.

We all went downtown before going home. One of the carriage companies was giving free tours away so we thought that was perfect for the boys. It was a beautiful day in the 60s too. We had lunch at the Crab House. Brooks ate some grits and loved them!

Brooks slept through the ride, and Jackson wanted to be the tour guide. He talked non-stop. I kept passing him snacks, but he kept talking. He kept asking, " Where is everybody? Where's the party?" He kept Kristi, TuTu, and Noni entertained! We hope to take advantage of the free tour again next year. We got home late, but it was totally worth it!

January.

I think January is a never ending, cold month! Along with a full moon and testing, this past week dragged! I was so exhausted by the time I got home that I just wanted to fall into bed. I always feel guilty for being away from the boys from 7-4, but I felt extra guilty for being so tired and not wanting  to play. Thank goodness for a long weekend!

Brooks has been sleeping in his crib for the past week. He has done a great job adjusting. He will let out a cry every now and then, but he usually goes right back to sleep. He loves to stretch out! I am so proud of him. Jackson wakes up asking for "that baby."

Jackson has been full of himself  this week! He has not wanted to nap and has just been wild! Poor Noni!  I think the full moon got to him too. If you ask him who is best friend is, he immediately answers, " Brooksie." I truly pray that they are best friends.

Crazy Weather

We have had some crazy weather here the last week.  We had a two hour delay on Tuesday because of subfreezing temperatures. Today we had a tornado warning complete with the sirens.  We also had several thunderstorms.

Brooks slept in the crib last night.  He has outgrown his rocker.  I fell asleep with Jackson, but Tim said he cried for about an hour.  I woke up at 3 and sent Tim to bed.  Brooks slept until a little after 7. The boys were really sweet today.  Tim asked Jackson who is best friend is and Jackson said, "Brooksie."  How sweet is that.  I hope that they are truly best friends.

My dad and Tim went to the Clemson v. Duke basketball game.  The boys and I stayed here and watched it on TV.  It was a great win for Clemson!

Brooks is 8 months old!

I feel like Brooks is growing faster than Jackson did. These last 8 months have flown by!

• Wears some 9 months and mostly 12 months
• Eats 3 meals a day-oatmeal, fruit- apples, pears, bananas, peaches, raspberries apricots, and vegetables/meats- peas, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, rice, chicken. He pretty much likes anything. He has tried pancakes, biscuits, and cake.
• Weighs 21 lbs 13 oz ( thanks to numerous doctor visits)
• Still has 2 teeth
• Sits up on his own
• Goes from sitting to stomach
• Rocks on hands and knees but no crawling yet ( does not want to try)
• Scoots on bottom to get what he wants
• Rolls from tummy to back
• Says hey and Da Da. 
• Cries Ma Ma when he is upset
• Can easily find his paci and put in his mouth
• Loves toys (especially Jackson's)-cars, fabric books, walker, anything that makes noise, balls
• When he is tired, he gets fussy. The second he is picked up, he is out.
• Loves to cuddle!
• Loves to jump when being held and in the jumperoo
• Loves his new toys- Billy Beats, cars, blocks, balls
• Definitely a mama's boy!
• Thinks Jackson is hilarious!
• Nicknames- Brooksie, Brooksie Bear, Little Man,  Jumping Bean, Little Baby (Jackson- beby)
• Things Jackson says to him: " Wake up, baby!" " What's that baby doing?" "Brooksie!" 

Fun fact for Brooks:  It is supposed to be 9 degrees tonight with a wind chill below zero!

Back to Reality

Well today is our last day of break, and I am sad. I hate that my boys were sick, but we spent a lot of quality time at home. I will miss our morning snuggles, play time, and afternoon naps. I will miss spending time with them. The four hours I get to spend with them each day is not enough. I will miss Jackson saying, " Lay with me." and Brooks wanting to cuddle and play with my hair. I will miss playing cars and trains and even watching hours of "Doc McStuffins." I will miss them. January always seems like an endless month to me, but I know it will fly by, and they will be closer to one and three.

Orange Bowl Champs

Clemson won the Orange Bowl last night in a back and forth game against Ohio State.  It was exciting!

This morning we celebrated my dad's "retirement" with breakfast. Brent, Whitney, and Parker came too.  Then we went to the museum to say good-bye to Clifford. The exhibit ends this weekend. Jackson and Brooks have loved it. We went to a of our favorite exhibits-Clifford, farm, blocks, and water table.

Then we picked up my parents and went to Clemson to welcome the team home!  It was cold but fun! There were lots of people there, and the team was appreciative! Jackson had fun seeing the players. We warmed up with dinner at McAlister's!

Goals for 2014

I always seem to come up with lofty goals for each new year. I have a few very specific goals, but some general ones too.

• Lose 15-20 pounds by June ( Once my thyroid is finally under control, I think this will be doable.)
• Earn my Master's + 30
• Spend more quality time with family ( no school work or screen time until after the boys are asleep)
• Get more rest
• Organize weekly chores to reduce stress
• Create a realistic plan to get out of this house. I love the porch and deck, but the house just doesn't work for our family anymore. The road is so dangerous that I don't even like to take the boys outside.  I want a house where all the bedrooms are on the same level and the boys can play outside safely. 
• Take some sort of vacation this summer (even if it's only for a few days)
• Read
• In general, be more intentional with my time.