exhaustion...

Ethan and I went skating tonight- so fun! A bunch of my kiddos were there and it was fun to see E interact with them. It was crazy because he doesn't need to hold my hand anymore. It freaked me out, but i had to let him do it on his own. The whole time i was in position, ready to catch him, but he caught himself... my little boy!! How do you let go? I can't!!

We were on the way to skate and I told Ethan we were going to go and get some money. He said, "Oh, call Upa?" I laughed really hard. Then we got to the bank and the ATM was out of order. Ethan said, "It not work? Need batteries? I have batteries at my home!" I laughed again. That kid cracks me up!

Lucas has taken to squealing. And he loves his daddy. He just laughs and laughs at Brian. I'm jealous, but I just don't have the same touch. It'll come. Ethan was a total daddy's boy for a long, long time. It's funny how he goes back and forth.

I had such a great weekend, I'm now exhausted. Back to that "fall asleep in your mashed potatoes" sleepy... And so the papers sit for yet another night.... oh well....

So much fun... Back to work....

We had so much with my parents. I'm sad that they're leaving tomorrow- but oh so happy they came! Ethan and Lucas both loved their time with them. Lucas is all of a sudden a real little guy with a real little personality. It's crazy how he's kind of seemed in the background and now he's taking over! He squealed and squawked so much this weekend. It was so much fun.

Yesterday we went to church and then over to Uma and Upa's hotel. We ate at Fuddruckers (don't ask Ethan to say that name) and then swimming!!! Ethan loved, loved, loved the water and I think Lucas had fun too. We were all exhausted by the end of it though and came home to snuggle and play.

Today we played at the park, went grocery shopping, watched movies and played, played, played. Ethan and Uma made cookies for Brian and we took them to Papa J's. We had a fabulous dinner and a great time goofing off afterwards.

I'm so not ready for work tomorrow. Ugh- but it'll be fine once I'm there. What a fabulous weekend! I even got a brand new toy! - a mini laptop, so Brian and I don't have to share the computer anymore. We decided it was cheaper than therapy. Ha! I love it. So tiny and light. I just keep opening random things by accident. I'll get used to it.... fun!

First there was this....

A bunch of old friends, together for breakfast and play time. It was so crazy to see where life has taken us all. It was fun to catch up, but even more fun to see our kiddos interact. Of course, little man Liam slept the party away, but we were happy to take turns holding him. Lucas was wide eyed in terror when he saw the crowd, but quickly warmed up. He shared his toys much better than Ethan, who got a bit of a selfish streak. 9 month old Jillian followed him around everywhere and just wanted whatever he had. Oh goodness, 4 months from now, when Lucas is in that stage, is going to be a whole new thing, isn't it! Jesse and Lucas are really close in age. He just took it all in, all smiles and giggles and rolled his way around the living room. All such cute kids (if I do say so myself), but then again, look at us! Ha! To think of the times we spent growing up together! I never pictured this- where we're all guzzling coffee in our various sleep-deprived states! It was a lot a lot a lot of fun!

Then we had this....

We picked up my parents from the airport and spent the afternoon/evening having lots of fun! Ethan started by showing off all his valentines- which Lucas wanted oh so bad. He even came so so close to rolling over just to get them. But alas, no rolls yet (besides the ones on his thighs).

As the night went on, the oldest got sillier and sillier, and ended like this...

Lucas just looked on, and read his valentine card from Nana....

All in all, a great day- but you can see that we're tired. Let's all hope for a long, long night of sleep!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I realize it's a day early- but this is when Brian and I got engaged 7 years ago, and so we've always counted this as V-day. I have some beautiful flowers sitting on the counter to celebrate! Ethan loved his party and brought home all sorts of goodies - as did I! Too much candy!

Tomorrow, we start the day with a Valentine's breakfast with a bunch of my friends from growing up. I'm sure I'll take lots of pictures of all of the babies playing together. Crazy how we've grown up! Then the boys and I are off to the airport to get Uma and Upa!!! We are so excited!

Lucas' head now has a nice bruise on it. Ethan was playing with him in his jumper and swung him into the door. Oops. I feel as though we're going to see a lot of this over the years.....

Cookies~

Ethan made cookies for Liam and Ella today. All I did was measure the ingredients and pour them in, and he did all the rest. He's quite the little baker. And we walked down the street to deliver Liam's. I got to hold the little guy for a bit as well as Jess' other friend's little guy, Luke (3 months). Fun! Then Ethan decided he had to go potty- the kind that takes a long while. He sat on the toilet for a good long time serenading us and shreiking. Jess said the acoustics in there were good- I think she was right, he just enjoyed listening to himself.
Lucas spent the evening giggling at his daddy. No one can make him giggle like Brian. Brian's always had a thing with babies. I'm jealous!
This week is going too, too slow! I want our fabulous V-day weekend to be here with our friends and especially our Uma and Upa!

Blockin' it all out!

It's hard to see (bad lighting) but Lucas dragged his hat around to cover his eyes and fell asleep in his carseat. I guess the world was too much for him.

And the boy loves squash! He finished his oatmeal today and was still looking hungry, so I broke out the squash. It was a hit as you can see from his squash mustache. I picked squash because it kind of seems halfway between a fruit and a vegetable. (I do realize it's a vegetable, but it is sweet. Wait, it is a vegetable, right?)

Ethan's learned that Kenya is no longer the biggest threat to his food. If he leaves it, I have a mean habit of taking a bite. So today at Costco, he had to go to the bathroom. Brian took him and he was yelling across the store- Mommy don't eat it! Mommy don't eat it! Brian said he was even yelling it as he was going potty, in the bathroom. Whoops.

This full moon is killing me! Full moon, Valentine's Day week, and Friday the 13th. Aaargh!

Disclaimer...

Before you rail me for taking my sick (though really not that sick today) baby outside- the doctor told me to! It's apparently just as good for the nasties in his chest to be in the cold air as in the steamy bathroom. So, we trekked to the park in the 40 degree air. Actually we had a great time. Ethan is a pro at the playset now, so Lucas and I just watched and giggled.

Lucas really did feel better today. Brian and Ethan went to church and Lucas slept the entire time they were gone! I got (almost) caught up on grades and some (not much) housework! He took another long nap this afternoon and has been in great spirits. I LOVE our electronic nasal aspirator! I really think that's why he's getting better so fast. (I am knocking on wood, don't worry.)
Ethan is in dire need of an "inside voice". He's developed this AWFUL habit of yelling everything he says in the house. As I look over all the capital words and exclamation points in this entry, maybe it's a family trait- he's doomed to be overly enthusiastic! Oh well.....

Here's to a fabulous Valentine's Day week! We're counting down the days until Uma and Upa get here, as well as a couple of friends I grew up with. It's going to be a fabulous weekend!