To Big To Fast

I am amazed everyday at how much Jake is growing up.  Every day he does something new and I have to think to myself, he isn't my baby anymore.  On the way back from Hawaii he was in the middle seat sleeping.  It hit me like a ton of bricks that he is a toddler....a little boy...almost out of diapers...having conversations...when did this all happen????

He's riding around the yard in tricycles and big wheels.  He's swimming, he goes to swim lessons and gets in the pool all by himself, without his mom.  He sings/yells his abc's to me.  He helps with Sam.  He's a little person.  I never thought I'd be glad to have him in bed with me still at night, but I have to say, I love cuddling up to him each night.  He says "Goodnight Mom" in his cute little voice, "I love you." and closes his eyes for the night.  I love that he grabs my arm to put it around his little body.  So even though my baby is growing up, I'm happy to say he still loves to be held by his mom.  I dread the day that will change.

Until that day I'll keep snuggling with my guy.

Menu Mondays

Although I didn't post my menu last week, I'm happy to say I stuck to it 100%.  Once we were back from our trip we didn't eat out dinner once.  That is HUGE for the Latimer family.  Hopefully I can stick with it this week!

Monday - Chicken tenders w/spinach strawberry salad
Tuesday - Spinach Quiche
Wednesday - Spaghetti
Thursdsay - Fish Tacos - our new favorite!
Friday - BBQ something -- shrimp, salmon, steak....we'll see, its the start of the holiday weekend, gotta do something good!

A Week in Pictures

We took a trip to Oahu last week.  Jake loved the sun, beach, pool, everything about it...Sam took a little more time to warm up to the sun.  I wonder sometimes if he's really mine.  How does he not worship the sun???  We invited my brother Ty and his wife Mel to come along and we had a blast.  It was so much fun to get away and to have some help with the kids.  Mel and Ty are due to have their first baby in October and I hope we make this a tradition to pack up the kids and head to Hawaii every few years!  Mike and I tried to find rooms to stay an extra week, but it didn't happen.  We all didn't want to come home, it was wonderful!  Here are a few pics to remember the trip by.

 

The cabana boys hard at work.

Sam puts everything in his mouth, including sand

A view from our resort

 Sam trying to walk on the beach

 Jake and Sam at the Dole Plantation

Ty and Mel at the Dole Plantation

Visiting the Dole Plantation

 Sam sitting in a high chair for the first time

 Ty and Mel tended the kids one morning so we could go golfing.  This is just one of the beautiful shots we got from the course.  It was so nice to be able to get away for a bit. 

 Another cool golf course picture

Another view from our resort 

Sam on the beach

 

The boys hanging out on at the beach

 

Sunset at our resort

 

Ty and Mel at Turtle Bay

 

Swimming with the kids

 

Mike and Jake on the Dole train

 

It was tons and fun.  I had never been to Oahu before and I think it just might be my new favorite Hawaiian destination! 

Buried Alive

Our attempt to contain Jake in one place for a period of time.

Surfs up

Sam's first surf day....

This picture makes me smile and giggle a little.  What a cute little guy I've got!

New Twist on the Disappearing Nine Patch

I've been a little obsessed with this new quick and easy 9 patch pattern.  The newest tutorial I found here is a quick an easy way to make a patchwork square quilt with sashing and posts.  I amazed at what people in the blog world can figure out!  I will be trying this out with a few of my current favorite fabrics. 

12 Days of Christmas by Kate Spain for Moda

Using the charm pack for my blocks

A little Bella Solid for my sashing

And this cute red print for the posts. 

Can't wait to get it going!  I'll keep you posted on the progress. 

I'm Alive

We've been on a little vacation.  But I'm back and trying to get into the swing of things.  I'll be uploading a few pics of our travels soon!

Menu Mondays

Monday - Steak and fruit
Tuesday - FRESH pineapple strawberries
Wednesday - Mai Tai anyone?
Thursday - Ahi Tuna
Friday - anything Seafood

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Wrap Up

Another great weekend.  Spent Friday night quilting and binding a quilt to get it ready for a bridal shower on Saturday. 

Met at my cousin Rachel's beautiful house on Saturday morning to celebrate my cousin Shanae's big day.  I think everyone should be able to re-register every 10 years or so for new everything!  So much fun to watch her open her gifts and get marriage advice from everyone. 

I was amazed at how so many of us had no idea what to write as advice when the time came to fill out a card.  Seems everyone just feels out what is right and goes with the flow.  I was happy to see I'm not the only one who has no answers!  What I ultimatley wrote was try to always have fun with each other.  Try to date, travel, and keep things fresh.  Young love....so sweet.

Saturday afternoon I hit the movies with my good friend Elizabeth and then I hit the mall.  Decided to do a little shopping for Mike.  WITH HIS BLESSING, it was fun to go and spend some money and pick out outfits for him to wear.  I haven't done that in ages.  And what a money saver, that Sunday he took most of it back!  So I got my fill of shopping and money spending and he got the thrill of getting his money back.

While I was out, I got a call from Jake -- WARNING TOO MUCH INFO ABOUT TO BE SHARED -- "Mom, I pooped in the toliet!  And I want Sparks."  We have told Jake to get him going on the potty training thing that we would get him a toy if he'd poop in the toliet.  So as soon as he did, he called me with the toy he wanted already picked out.  He and Mike had gone through all the Toy Story 3 toys online and he had decided which one he needed me to bring him home.  He was so excited and proud of himself!  So I ran to the store and loaded up on a few items to help us get this journey in Jake's life going.  I had planned to start in a few weeks cause we've got a trip planned, but I guess Jake had other thoughts.  I'm happy to report he's gone a few more times since on his little toliet.  Let's hope it sticks!

Jake went to church with Grandma and Grandpa on Sunday.  He is feeling it out and deciding what the future holds for him.  I feel he is old enough now to make his own decisions and if he wants to go I fully support him.  Joking aside, I think he enjoyed himself.  In the car later that day I could hear him singing "if you're happy and you know it" to himself.  It was very cute. 

We spent the afternoon out in the sun swimming!  Jake thinks he's a fish and stays under the water for as long as possible.  Comes up for a breath and goes right back down.  I'm enrolling him in some swimming/survival lessons at the end of the month.  Sam on the other hand can only handle little bouts with the pool.  He did well for about 20 minutes in his floater and then was ready to get out.  I'm happy to report I do think he finally got a little sun on his face.  Its about time that boy got a little color on his WHITE skin!

For dinner we hit the local bowling alley, ate some pizza, played a game, and then hit the arcades.  It was so much fun to see Jake pick up the big bowling ball, run over to the lane and dump it down the ramp.  It amazes me daily how big he is getting.  The conversations we have, the way he runs all over the place like he owns it, the going to the potty on his own.  I've got me a little boy here, not a toddler!  Can't believe my baby isn't a baby anymore! 

All in all, we had a fun great weekend.  Even got caught up on Lost  - I know I'm a little behind.  Still have the final hour to watch but we got through about 5 hours this weekend!  My house is a wreck, but we had fun.  And in life isn't having fun and making family memories more important then a clean house? 

I woke up this morning wondering how much fun we were going to have today, then realized its Monday...back to the grind.

Menu Mondays

Monday - Spaghetti
Tuesday - Chicken and Aspargus
Wednesday - Grilled Hamburgers/ hotdogs
Thursday - leftovers
Friday - Tacos

German Pancakes

                                                                                       
I made these for breakfast on Tuesday.  Easy and Jake ate them up.  I think they will become a regular breakfast item in our household.  This is a great site for meals!

Image from http://thisweekfordinner.com/

Completed Projects

FINALLY I got a few of my projects done and for sale at the shop.

I finished the Verna quilt.  I love how the hot pink binding made it pop!  I couldn't find the fabric anywhere so I had to order it online.  I'm sure glad I waited, I think it makes the whole quilt.

I also finished the disappearing 9 patch.  I'm so happy with how it turned out.  I have to say thanks to my cousin Kelly for the inspiration from her cute little quilt that got me going on this!  I love a project that a) I could complete in a weekend from start to finish and b) using ALL STASH fabrics.  I haven't done that in a long time and I LOVE IT!!!

This weekend my goals are:
1 - quilt and bind a throw quilt needed as gift for shower tomorrow (got a lot of work ahead of me tonight!)
2 - quilt a very large quilt for Judy - goal is to have it done by Sunday night
3- pick fabrics for Father's Day quilt for Mike.  Want to surprise him with his very first quilt, can't believe I haven't made him one yet!  That being said, I have a week to get it done, so I will probably pick something that has presewn fabric and just add borders.....

Hope I can be extra productive this weekend!

Six Months

Sam -

I can't believe how quickly 6 months has flown by.  We are so lucky to have you join our family.  You are a bright, happy, smiling, laughing, squirmier, and we can't get enough of you. 

I love how you smile every time someone new walks into a room. Your face lights up when you see me or your dad. I love watching you watch Jake. You expression says it all when you look at him. Always smiling and trying to push your way over towards your big brother. I'm so excited to see the two of you be best friends.

When I hold you at night or before laying you down, I love how you put your arms around my neck. Already giving little hugs and showing your love. Your sweet little smile gazes up at me as we rock to sleep. Your little blonde hair is coming in now, it tickles my face when I hold you close. I can't wait to see how it grows and how you continue to change. I love when you're laying in bed and about to fall asleep and you start kicking your little legs as you fall into your deep sleep. I love how in the middle of the night you wake up (I don't love that part) but when I come in to feed you, you've flipped over and are waiting and so excited when you see me. Kicking and smiling, as if its 3pm instead of 3am! Always puts a smile on my tired face.

You are such an active child. You love to walk and play in toys where you can stand. You are up on all fours, trying to move across the room already. Yesterday you even sat up in your crib on your own for the first time! You have the tightest grip. You love your toys and your shows. I've never seen a child so excited for a Baby Einstein. You smile at funny parts and at the puppets. I can already see your mind working. What a smart child you are.

You are stubborn and know what you want. For the most part you are a very good baby, but you have days where you want to be held A LOT! I love how when I try to put you into your walker you lift up your legs and then cry out. Telling me you don't want to be put in there, but want to be held. You make it as difficult as possible to get you in there, protesting the whole time. Usually within minutes you are happy and content playing though.

I love watching your dad play with you. I can often hear your little giggle as he's getting you ready for bed. Always playing games with you trying to make you laugh. Often times you giggle before he has even made him move, anticipating what he's going to do next.

Every morning when you wake up at your very early hour, I pull you into bed with us. I love watching you interact with Jake. Grabbing at him or trying to lay right next to him. I am so excited to see the two of you grow together, play, whisper, and be the best of friends. I can already see the love between you and hope it continues for years to come.

The best little baby we could ever hope for falls asleep in my arms each night. I love you so much and am so grateful you came into our lives.

I can only imagine what you will accomplish in the next 6 months. I love watching every minute of it!

Love you,

Mom

Weekend Wrap Up

What a fun LONG weekend we had.  I took Friday off, so I had a 4 full day weekend.  I did NOTHING but play with the kids (and a little yard work, but the kids were right there with me) and it was so much fun.

Friday my mom and I headed over to Gardner Village to the little petting zoo they have.  The boys were pretty good.  We had a little lunch, browsed through a few shops, and then went for a pony ride.  Jake didn't love the ride or the animals for that matter, he was a little scared, but he had a great time telling everyone that he rode a pony.

I've decided that I can't wait for Sam to be able to sit on his own, its very hard to take pictures of both boys in Sam's current awkward fall over state.  We had a great time being out in the sunshine. 

ON Saturday we tended cousin Benji and the boys had a ball.  It is so much fun to see this little ones interact with each other.  Saturday night was girls night with all the cousins and aunts.  It was a lot of fun to get together and catch up.  We ended the night with a little Sex and the City movie.  It was a much needed girls night out.

Sunday Whit and I took the kids to the Zoo and then met my family to visit the graves.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  I love that the sun has finally come out!

Monday we stayed at home and did some yard work and swam in the pool.  Jake loves to be outside, and I'm trying to train Sam to love the sun too!  He doesn't last quite as long outside, but we had a fun busy weekend. 

I love spending time with my 3 boys.  We had a great weekend together and with family.  Wish every day was like this last weekend!