flashback

Zoey, 2012                                                      Jack, 2010

I just love comparing the two.

And yes. John is wearing the same shirt 2 years later. And he looks exactly the same.

I, however, do not. We're working on that. ;)

beginning of summer

A cold front came in this weekend and it couldn't have come at a better time. Just when I thought summer might be here to stay we get a nice little chill (low 60's) to remind me that the heat hasn't arrived. Yet.

We have been playing outside as much as humanly possible. I am dead set on teaching Jack to enjoy the outdoors (a life skill I didn't practice nearly often enough.) I love the outdoors, but preferred playing inside as a kid. That mostly had to do with the fact that growing up in Ohio it was often raining, snowing or just bitter cold. Summer days were often spent outside in an above ground pool, at friend's houses and exploring the woods behind our neighbor's house. Oh, summer. 

Since moving out west I quickly realized that the warm, Arizona sun could either be my friend or my enemy. After years of fighting it in the valley, I'm choosing to embrace it with these beautiful mountains and pine trees. It's not nearly as warm as down the mountain and on days that it is, I shall welcome it with a kiddie pool and a tall glass of iced tea. I'm done fighting the sun (that is there almost 344 days a year. ;) and want Jack to enjoy it as much as he wants. Because, this boy loves it. He would live outside if he could and has already asked his dad to sleep out there. Oh, young boy. Enjoy it. Run free. (and get alllll that energy out before bed time.)

Here's to summer, lots of time outside, playing in the sprinklers and eating Popsicles. and Childhood.

Here's what Zoey has been doing lately.

a dad and his boy. And the boy too busy to turn around for the picture ;)

Those adventure eyes with specks of dirt/boogers on his cheeks.

Jack after asking him over and over to look at the camera. I think he was telling me something. haha.

This is what happens when we ask Jack to hold Zoey. He loves her, he really does.

upload

 I finally uploaded my pictures from my phone. Yikes. I need to do that more often. 600 some pictures later, here are a few of my favorite moments of the last couple of months. (600 pictures in a couple months?! No way.)

I love having this blog as a memory keeper, a journal, a scrapbook, a baby book, all the above. So I'm determined to post more. To remember more and to have something to reflect on when another year has passed and see the beauty, trials and faithfulness of Jesus in the last year.

Today, John and I laughed on the couch before he left for Night of Worship at the square (TONIGHT! Last year about 6,000 people came and perhaps more this year. So excited to see what the Lord has planned.) I told him how when you're a mom it's hard to plan "free time" It's not like you get to clock out at 5 and then have an evening planned. Your roll just keeps on ...rolling. (haha) But truly. There are not many breaks, just little pauses and when I get an hour to myself I typically just sit on the couch and reflect, check facebook, listen to music, watch a show. Do very little productive activity. 

He laughed. And we talked about if its being lazy or just resting. I reckon a bit of both. All that to say, I want to be more proactive to write on this blog more. To capture moments again. Having two really does make the day fly by. I barely have time to shower (for reals. Sometimes I don't.) but these moments are passing so quickly and how fun to have something to show the kiddos when they are older and those times are gone.

Here are a few of my favorite latest moments. They're uncut, sometimes a little raw and show me in my pajamas. (yikes!) but more than that they are real life right now.

Zoey practicing tummy time.

MORNING TIME.

Jack had a restless night which ended with both guys in the guest room and John on the edge of the bed. Haha.

 Such a proud big brother.

Jack in his fort

Jack and his dad in his "space ship" reading a book

good 'ol Morning and Evening. Such a great reminder.

after nap cuddles with daddy

John and 2 and Jackboy

me at 2 months and Zoey

ever flood of nursing pads

Time. It goes to quickly.

new favs

Some of my new favorites and current loves...

spring 2012

Firefox just changed their layout and I don't dig it at all.

I should have refused the update but it kept freezing up on me and then closing.

Oh well, ya live and ya learn.

Speaking of living, I've been kind of crazy busy lately. And I don't love being busy. I enjoy it, but it's not my favorite. I enjoy casual days of hanging out and having a few laughs.

Last week we had an illness that spread like wildfire in our house. It was a nasty bug with a fever and horrible cough. Everyone got it, even Zoeybird, but thankfully she got it the least. 

It was kind of fun to get extra snuggles with Jack and let him eat Popsicles and crackers. After a feverish night he awoke in a hurry and rushed out to the family room to see "the helicopter" outside. He insisted that it was out there and kept asking for it all morning.

So, when I went to walmart for some goods I picked him up a little helicopter. I'm not sure what he was dreaming, but I know this. Fever dreams are crrrrraaazy.

 Zoey is THREE months! I can hardly believe it! A few weeks ago we noticed that she was starting to get a little flat spot on the back side of her head. My doctor recommended a therapist come and take a look at her and I took her also to see a lady in town who does Bowen work. After Zoey got her neck realigned she was like a whole new baby! Looking both ways and stretching her little neck. That with intense stretches and changing her sleeping position and I am really beginning to see a difference, praise Jesus! The therapist kind of freaked me out (I am easily intimated by doctors & professionals who act like they know what's up) and she basically told me not to put her in the bouncy seat, the swing or on her back any longer than 20 minutes a day. What?! So I did it. I was intense about it. I made John get into it with me and my parents. Then, last week I noticed the other side of her head was looking a little flatty. Oye vey. All in moderation. I need this tattooed on my hand or something.

So, our little girl is moving her head like a pro these days, thus I canceled the other therapy session and feel confident that she will figure it out in good time. She's almost ready for the bumbo, but not quite yet. Maybe another week. She's so much smaller than Jack was at this time that sometimes I forget how old she is and how much more she's capable of doing than I'm encouraging her to do.  ;)

Speaking of Jackboy, he's a real boy. All baby is gone and he's this talkative, funny, passionate, imaginative little two and a half year old. I read Peter Pan to him the other day and he just loved it. He's started to pretend with me and asks me to play back.

And of course I do.

I love, love this age and if they came out at two, I'd have a dozen. I love it when they start exploring through back yards and in box tunnels and build forts. I love it when they play in the bathtub and curl up in your arms before bed. I love it when you see that light bulb magically appear above their heads when they understand exactly what you're saying and something that used to frustrate them so much just connected. I love that. I love it when they learn their name, how old they are and ask questions like "What's your name?" and "I missed you." and "I love you, mama." 

Oh, man. That line gets me every time.

The line between Spring and Summer is very thin here in AZ, so we are trying to enjoy "spring" for as long as can.

 

I love this little crusty face. 

Little Z wearing the outfit I came home from in the hospital. 

I love this little face!