Beautiful Day!

Today was a BUSY, BUSY, BUSY day. I worked 6:30-10:30, came home fed the kids lunch, Jenni took Sophie to the park while I cleaned the entire house (I actually got a ton done). Then, my old roommate, Julie came with her two little ones from Minnesota. They are staying with us for the rest of the week. All the kids refused to nap, we played and played, ate dinner, and early bed! Whew....I'm tired!!!

Her Ady is playing with Vollen. Addy is going to be 2 in May.

She had to give him a smooch!

We went outside. It was a beautiful, warm, sunny day.

Bubba wanted to eat the grass.

He didn't mind it on his feet. I think he actually liked it!

The kids ran around and played.

They liked being outside in the fresh air.

Stand Up

Brave little boy. Standing with no hands!

Before bed.


Little man has been standing all the time now days. He can do anywhere from 3-5 seconds. He loves trying to see how long he can stand up before he falls or has to hold on. It's a challenge for him and he loves it. I have a video, but it is too big to put on here. : (

Communication!!

It was a break through day today!!! We had back to back therapy this morning because of a scheduling conflict (I am starting him early with two-a-days, jk ; ).

Vollen only got 2, 5 minute naps in the car from one appointment to the next. Anyway, at the second one we were working away and seeing what he has been up to lately. All of a sudden Mrs. Kelly said, "Is that his sign for 'more' and 'eat'?" I looked for a moment and cocked my head to the side and looked again and then thought, "Well, maybe!"

So we tested it. I ran and got a puff and he went nuts! He was so excited and started doing 'more' several times in a row and then would do 'eat' too. It was AMAZING. I started tearing up. He ate that and then started making the signs again!!! I was so excited and went and got more and he gobbled that up. I can't believe I didn't pick up on this earlier!!! I would see him do those movements, but just thought he was clapping or having fun. I couldn't believe I had not put two and two together. It took someone else coming in and pointing it out for me to realize it.

It has been so exciting to have him understand me and the signs I have been using this whole time and vise versa!!! What a gift it is to be able to communicate with him! I feel like we connected on a deeper level today. I think he was thinking, FINALLY mom you understand what I have been trying to tell you!!! I am so excited to try more signs now that I know he 'gets' it!

And, you would think it wouldn't be that difficult to get a picture or video of it....well, it is! But I am working on it!!!

Pre-Easter

Since my parents are going to Jamaica, we had Easter with them this Sunday.
Easter egg hunt.
Vollen had fun taking it all in.

She had fun!

Vernon was still at work during the hunt. Thank goodness aunt Lindsi and uncle Robby helped with Vollen. I couldn't take pictures, video and try and keep and eye on both kids.

Trying to get her to look at me real quick was impossible. There was too much going on that she thought she would miss if she took time out to look at me and smile.

I love how excited she got when she saw an egg. Precious!

My cousin Stevie, wife Emily and their baby Ella. They came too to celebrate because my parents are going on vacation with my dad's brother (Uncle Steve) and his wife (my Aunt Gina).

Trying to get a good picture of 5 kids 3 and under is nearly impossible. But I think we did pretty good. You should have seen all the paparazzi taking pictures.

Separating the eggs into every one's baskets.

Baby Ella.

Vollen loves playing with the eggs.

Cousin Skyler & Rylee

Bubby what did you get in your Easter basket?

Thanking great grandma for the Easter basket full of goodies.

Giving great grandpa a kiss.

They had to get a little singing in.

Dying eggs.

Great grandma playing with the baby.

Yumm...Dessert!

Names

Here are all the names the kids are called or have been called by me!

Sophia:

Sophie

Soph

Boo boo

Boo

Boozie Boo

Sissy

Sis

Biz

Bizzy

Vollen:

Little V

Baby V

Buster

Bubba

Bubby

Bubs

There are probably more, I just can't think of them a the moment.

It's a wonder they even know what to answer to!

Guess What???

Grandma Linda found a little hidden gem! Ummm...not so little!!! She asked me when he got his upper tooth? I said, "I don't know?" His front tooth is coming through. It is huge! I can't believe I haven't seen this before today. Poor guy was not feeling well today. He was crabby and he is NEVER, EVER crabby. I could tell he didn't feel good and it was bothering him. Poor guy.

We snuggled and cuddled and I nursed him and gave him a little Tylenol and a teething ring.

He also has been standing a lot. He will climb up and hold onto the chair or an ottoman and then he will let go. He is able to stand for a few seconds and then plops backwards down on his butt. He is getting too brave. Scaring mama half to death!

Lettuce Wraps

Tonight I made Asian Lettuce Wraps. Yummmm! Vernon said they were restaurant quality!!! Thanks babe!

Ground Pork, Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Carrot, Mushrooms, Green Onions, Tofu, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Rice Wine Vinegar, Jasmine Rice. Easy and very good!
We also had Organic Miso Soup with Tofu in it.

LONG DAY!

I had a busy, busy day today. It was one thing right after another. I was running the entire day. It is nice to finally sit.

I ran up to the hospital to visit my former co-worker, Jen's new baby! His name is Stephen "Stevie" Norman Prasch. He is a sweetie and so soft. His mommy and daddy could not be more proud!!! It was great to see them. Glad I got a picture of him with his eyes open. Playing.

This little Mr. man is getting brave. He lets go all the time when he is standing up next to things. I do not like this when he is on the tile, because he falls almost every time. Some times on his butt and sometimes all the way back on his head. He doesn't even cry, he is a tough cookie.

This is my silly girl.

She likes making funny faces.

Her new favorite things is NOT smiling for mommy.

Lil' pill

Then we negotiate and get a smile out of her!