Liam is playing soccer...well kinda ;)

I am so thankful to my friends Kristi and Kelly for telling us about this.  Perfect little activity for Liam right now.  He is doing great in school but I also wanted him to have something fun to do in order to burn some energy and to reinforce taking turns, etc.  We joined the Sharkies Indoor Soccer team last week and were super excited for our first game on Saturday morning.  The coach and team were so welcoming through emails and facebook (since we are starting a little late in the season) I knew rightt away it was an awesome team!!!

We ran around on Friday trying to find a light blue shirt (they were not sure they would have a shirt leftover for him--long and short, went to 10 stores and finally found one at--wait for it, DOLLAR TREE!  oh my...then, I put it on him on Saturday morning and he says "No no mommy not nice!  Too big!"  in other words, get this off I am not wearing it.  ;))  Aaaaaand, when we got there, they had a shirt for him anyway. All worked out!

We also had to buy his first pair of shinguards and soccer socks.  And we got Liam a size 3 ball and of course our sweet girl needed one too, so she got a size one.  SHE LOVES BALLS!

Lookin good right?  Well, THAT lasted for 2 minutes and then he decided he did not want to play.  ;)  Rick and I took turns holding him on the field mainly so he would STAY on the field.  He did get down one other time ran after the ball and a little boy took it (which they are SUPPOSED to do!!!!  ;)  But Liam did not like that too much and then he was for sure, ALL DONE!  ;)

He LOVED the snack after and we look forward to small progress each week.  I just feel lucky he has the opportunity to experience something like this.  I think his fave part may have been the snacks afterwards.  ;)

Next week is Rowan's bday party at 10 am.  But Rick is going to take him with his grandparents and dad (who arrive tomorrow night) and leave quickly after to make it to the pumpkin farm on time--yikes!. Maybe Liam will show off for them and score some goals.   We are very proud of you big boy!

Sidenote...And I wish I had a pic.  Rowan is ready to play NOW.  She dribbled the whole time outside the field.  This girl is going to be a natural at sports we think!  Maybe she takes after her mama.  ;)  Miss Rowan you crack us up!

Florida part 2

Sidenote...Liam RAN into school today waving and yelling "BYE MOMMY!"  He LOVES school and I am SOOOOOOOOO happy!!!!  And Rowan is sleeping after a busy morning at the park, storytime, and Panera Bread.  I am a happy mama!  :)))

Back to our trip...

Days 3, 4 and 5 were rainy and yucky but we made the best of it all.

Friday, we relaxed in the morning and then took the kids to the park while Gigi and Pop did some shopping.  It was very wet, but we had lots of fun!

After naps, we let Rowan have a cupcake for the first time so Gigi and pop could see her since they will not be here for her bday.  She LOOOOOOVED it!  And so did Liam!  ;)

 

Here she is sitting with her fave person!  ;)

That night, we went to a DELISH italian restaurant. Rowan LOVED Gigi's pasta with garlic sauce and tried to lick the table when she could not get any more up.  ;)  Pop and Gigi then graciously dropped Rick and I off downtown to have a date night.  It was POURING rain, but we had an awesome time listening to a band at an awesome bar.  We took a cab home.  LOVE the little downtown area and it is soooo close to my parent's place!
Here are the two kiddos with the baby whisperer at the head of the table.  ;)

Saturday morning we went to Ft. Myers beach.  It was VERY humid and drizzling, but we had a delicious lunch on the water and the kids got some playing time in.

The men looking at the ocean...maybe wishing we could actually swim??  ;)

Rowan playing at the sand play area.

That night we relaxed and grilled.  Then, Rick and I had a special date with Liam for some ice cream.  He was IN HEAVEN because the ice cream shop had "choo choo trains"  EVERYWHERE!!  That is our fave right now!!!

Pop and Gigi left for the airport early Sunday morning and we spent the morning at the Seashell Factory with the kids and then back to clean and pack up for our evening flight. 

We cannot wait to see Gigi and Pop again in November at their Jersey house!  ;)  And this time we sing happy 60th bday to the baby whisperer!  ;)

Florida trip (days 1 and 2) and School Update

First, Liam had his second day of school last Tuesday.  He went right in, sat down, blew me a kiss and had an AMAZING day!  No tears and stayed dry again all day.  He is SOOO ready this year.  Hope tomorrow is the same after he missed last Thursday.  But, for good reason...we had an AH-mazing trip to my parent's condo in Florida!!!

We flew out last Wednesday at 2 pm, hoping the kids would nap on the plane, but um, nope.  They were still REALLY good though!!!  Rick and I passed Rowan back and forth.  She only wants to run around now, so keeping her seated was quite the challenge, but overall, it was really smooth!  My mom and dad had been there since Sunday, so we arrived to some snacks, drinks, and pizza and a clean, spotless, very homey feeling place!  I am so happy for them that they have this place.  It is in such an amazing location and we just all have a lot of fun there!!!

Thursday was the best day weather wise, so good thing we went to the pool for a little bit.

How sweet is this???

That afternoon after nap, we had a dance party.  Both kids just love to dance these days and it is the cutest!

Rowan cried the first few times my dad tried to talk to her...she was FOR SURE playing hard to get because she was GLUED to him the rest of the week...just followed him around.  SO ADORABLE!!!

That night, we headed around the corner to an outside bar and grill.  YUMMY food and great atmosphere.  Here are the kids walking around with my dad looking at the boats after dinner.  SO FUN!

I just love this time with the grandparents!!!  Kids just woke up from nap, so this is to be continued....  :)

Fall is here!

So what a fuuuuun weekend!

Ok!  So got a groupon for SEARS...yes Sears of all places.  42 dollars and lots of pics.  AND I think they did a great job.  Getting everyone out on Saturday morning at 9 am was a challenge, but we made it and it was GREAT!

So after the pics, I had a baby shower for my sweet friend Ashlea who will have twin boys in a few short weeks!!!  Amazing shower at Patrizios and cannot wait to meet the little men!!

After, we headed to Grapefest.  The kids took pretty good naps while I was gone and we were really excited for a fun festival!

Then, we forgot shoes for Rowan...now that she is walking, I just ALWAYS FORGET that she needs shoes when we go out.  SOOO, we made a pitstop at Grapevine Mills to get shoes that were so big for her...a size 5, but they were good for the night and will get use in the future.  ;)

Above, is a pic of us playing in the kid area....um, we were sooooo looking forward to this but had NO IDEA how crowded it would be on a Saturday afternoon...not too fun navigating the double stroller through the crowds and then we went the wrong way to the kids area and had to treck all the way back to exactly where we had come in!  AGH!  But at least they had good wine and beer to make it all bearable.  ;)

Rowan had SOOOO much fun in the kids area.  Liam had some meltdowns but he has had a cold, so was not in the best of moods.  :/  Anywho, it was great to see the both of them have such an overall great time while at the same time WE (mama and dada) could be outside AND sip some wine---PERFECTION!

Rowan LOVED the animals!

And Liam LOVED dancing and listening to the acoustic music...has his mom heart!  I LOVED that too.   The kiddos ran around and we sat at the table and sipped some wine...well, chased them too, but it was still the most relaxing part of the festival and they had a GREAT TIME!

And sister is always in the mix...kinda feel bad for Liam, but at the same time, he is SOOO sweet with her and they really are best of friends!

So, today was relaxation, but very productive!
We went to church.  We all made a trip to home depot. We came home for lunch.  The kids went down for naps.  I went out for a pedi (for out FL trip on Wed. to my parent's condo, WITH my parents!!!  WHOOT WHOOT!)  Rick decided to SCRUB our tile floor with grout cleaner and spackle a bunch of things around the house.  This stuff somehow makes him so happy...more power to ya buddy!  ;)

Then, after nap we took a trip to get some treats and toys for the plane and some fall decorations for the house.  It was so much fun decorating this year.  Liam just "gets it" and I am SOOOO looking forward to Christmas for that reason!!!!
Here is our "Fall" mantel (sp??)

FUN!  Love love love this time of year! 

We have such a great week ahead of us.  Rick is done work on Tuesday.  We head out to Florida on Wed. thru Sunday!!!!  My parents will be at their condo and we are super excited to spend some time with them and also have some fun times in FLORIDA!

Have a great week all!!!

1st Day 2012

Well, started out positive...

No problems with wearing his new shoes.

No problems with the outfit I had picked out (other than he told me he had a "boo-boo" from the tag in the shirt, and I had to cut it out. ;)

See he is a happy camper.

He wore his bookbag all the way in!

Then, he sat in the wrong seat.
And he did not like the color crayons by his nametag.
He did not want to answer the question of the day...well, let me rephrase..the ? was "Are you excited for school?"  He said "NO!"  I told him I thought he was and would have so much fun so we would stick his little nametag under "yes"...he was ok with that and then I did not put it in the exact spot he wanted...
He quickly realized mommy's were leaving and the meltdown began.

He had a pretty awful temper tantrum by the door of the classroom.  I have not called because part of me does not want to know what happened after I left...:(  I KNOW he is so ready this year.  It will just take some adjusting and time.  And I LOVE his teachers!!!  I just hope he behaved for them.  :/

To be continued...;)

Rowan and I went to the gym and Sprouts and she fell asleep on me at 11 am and is still sleeping...PARTY POOPER!  haha!

Ricky Blake is 35 and Liam meets his teachers

Well I feel like I am talking about somebody else when I say Rick is 35...when did we move into our mid-30s???!  Anywho, we had a fun date night last Friday night to celebrate at the Lemonbar in Frisco which I LOVE now!  And then, last night we went to Texas Land and Cattle with the fam for dinner and back home for cake or "cack" with a short a, as Liam calls it!  I whipped up some cupcakes during the day for daddy and we sang to him.  Liam's look is priceless and so sweet!  I did not ask Rick what he wished for, but I THINK it may have been for #3  ;)  We are in our second month of "trying", which is not a real secret and I told Rick before we started he could pick out the names for this one...he ALREADY has and is SOOO hoping for another boy to use the boys name.  I actually liked both!  Quinlen James or "Quinn" for a boy and Cadence Laine or "Cady" for a girl...why didn't I just have him pick in the past???  ;)  We are bothing making some wishes for a a healthy addition, but if it does not happen after this next month, we will be happy with our two little angels we have now.  A little off track, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK!!!  Hope all all of your wishes come true!

We also went to meet Liam's teachers yesterday.  What a difference a year can make.  He is SOOOO ready to go this year and his teachers are AWESOME!!!!  Super friendly and sweet, sweet, sweet!  I love his classroom and the other moms were really great.  Rowan got right in the mix and had us cracking up the whole time....such different personalities these two.  She is ready THIS YEAR!!!  ;)

Okay this was last year....

And this is kinda far away, but this is this year...

And another (sidnote: do I like brown for Meet the Teacher days or something???!  wth?)....
WHERE DID OUR BABY GO???
We are very excited for his first day tomorrow and looking forward to a great year!

Here is Rowan right in the mix!

And just a little something we will probably look back at someday and laugh hysterically about.  But for today I was very close to a heart attack.  See that little pink dolly laying on the floor behind our sweet girl?  Um, yeah.  This thing is her LIFE LINE people.  She will NOT go to sleep without her.  She will really not do anything without her.  We thought she was gone this morning.  I drove around Frisco for one hour re-tracing our steps of the morning.  I even called the school office to the playground we were playing on.  Nope, nothing.  I was sick.  I tried to give her a different doll and she cried and cried.  I almost did too.  Then, like magic, after nesrly 2 hours, I took out the trash and she appeared...UNDER the trash bag at the bottom of the can.  OMG!  I was SO relieved and so was she!  Rowan is VERY into putting things into containers these days...who knew dolly would almost die because of it???!  ;)

Happy Wednesday!

Rowan is 11 months old :-)

What a big month sweet girl!  You took your first 3 steps on your 10 month bday and by 10.5 months you were fully walking.  You have hands down THE.CUTEST. little waddle EVER!!!  You do laps from the kitchen, the the playroom, pick up a few toys, and loop around back to the living and repeat many, many times.  It is so adorable.  You love walking with something in each hand. 

Lighting is awful on this one, but this is one of your fave spots.  You try to sneak up the steps all of the time, but you sometimes just chill out here.  You look so cute.

You are wild in your high chair, stroller and shopping cart.  I MUST strap you in at all times or you try to make a quick getaway.  And you are QUICK!

You LOVE going to the park and the splash park (but unfortunately they are closed now :/ ) 

You LOVE LOVE LOVE balls and can throw and catch and dribble.  I am so not exaggerating and we are convinced you will be some sports star!  We went to the park this afternoon and you saw a boy playing basketball.  You plopped yourself on the slide and watched him and clapped.  You finally got up and reached to him for the ball and he nicely shared.  You threw it and kicked it and carried it all over.

You sat yourself on the slide and watched

You got it!!  And were SO excited!!!

You are so much fun!!!

You are completely obsessed with your binkies.  You now need one in your mouth and one in each hand.  :/

You are eating very well.  Still not a big veg or fruit fan, but you eat good meals.

You are finally down to 4 bottles...sometimes 5, but usually 4 and you will finally take up to 8 oz. sometimes!

You are taking one nap...occasionally two (maybe once or twice a week).  You go to bed at 7 pm and wake up between 3 and five for a bottle and go back til between 7 and 8.  MUCH better than before and I am LOVING the snuggles at night. 

And your naps last 2-3 hours when you take one. 

You are not really talking tons because of that binky constantly in your mouth!!!  But you clearly say uh oh, ball (surprise!), book, ba-ba, dada, mama, up (I think), and you try to repeat a lot of things that I say.  You play peek a boo, so big, and patty cake.  You gesture a lot for things you want.  When you are hungry, you go to your high chair and reach up.  Very good at getting your point across...also when you are mad--a tad feisty these days, throwing yourself back quite a bit!  :/

You really like interacting with other kids now. 

You have started to pay some attention to Elmo on TV.

You love your dolls, a puppy pillow pet we have (anything soft) and cleaning toys. 

You love to put things in containers now.  Dump them out and put them in...over and over.  It is so cute.

You play pretty well on your own for a bit now.  That is very new.  You are not as needy and I am not sure how I feel about that!  :/

You are such a SWEETIE!  I cannot believe I sent out the evite for your birthday party last Thursday!!!  We are so excited to celebrate with you and all of your friends at the pumpkin farm on October 6th!!!!!  Love you big girl!!

Potty Update...

It is starting to get a LITTLE easier!  ;)  We had a great day.  I was a little scared because Liam was really only going for Rick yesterday.  However, we woke up this morning and had a "talk".  He was amazing!

We went to the drs. for flu shots at 9 am and he went as soon as we got there.
We then went to Walmart for some groceries and he tried once, did not go, and then I took him again right before we checked out and he went!
We were gone from 8:30-11:30 and accident free!
He went after lunch and then it was naptime.
He slept 2.5 hours and woke up DRY (but had a pullup on just in case)!!!  I put him on the toilet right away and he went ALOT!
We had a snack and he drank a juice.  We went to the bank and then to the gym.  We tried as I dropped him off to the childcare and nothing.
I came down after 25 minutes of a workout to take him to the potty again.  He went!
As you can see, no poo poo YET! 
I went back up for 20 more minutes.  I came down to get them out of the childcare, and right away he said poo mommy!!!  But I was strapping Rowan into the stroller and unfortunately it was too late then.  :/
Totally mommy's fault and if we were at home, I bet it would not have been an accident!
He went one more time on the potty before bath, but did start to have an accident (pee-pee) only because he was in time out for not being nice. 

All in all, a GREAT day!!!!!!  I am so proud of my little man!!!  HOPE and PRAY he keeps up the good work!

Not sure why this is turned this way and do not have the energy to change it...tried to get a pic of the cutest little tush in his big boy undies, but as you can see, he was not having it.  ;)

Rowan loves to eat these days!

AND make a HUGE mess!  She has grown into a pretty amazing eater.  LOVES meat and carbs.  She will also eat pizza now and will at least try whatever we are eating for dinner.  She usually spits out all of the veggies, but at least she tries them.  And as for fruits, she will really only eat peaches, banana, grapes and watermelon, but others can be hit or miss sometimes.  Meat and potato kinda girl I guess!  She wipes her hands in her hair after almost every bite and we could pretty much give her a bath after every meal, but instead we just plop her in the sink and hose her down.  She is the CUTEST with it all!  Tonight, she insisted she feed herself with her spoon. 

She is a trip!  Love her!!!

What did you do for Labor Day weekend?

Oh, well, we figured we would stare at our son's wee-wee and run back and forth to the half bathroom 50 times a day.  ;) 

All jokes aside, I guess it has been going pretty well.  I am exhausted.  And, it is so far from easy.  BUT, other than a few dribbles on his underwear here and there, he has only had one "real" accident each day.  And, we can blame ourselves because we both got distracted both times with other things we were doing, and should have known to take him to "try" before we got pretty involved with something else.  He did go poo-poo once in the toilet yesterday, but held it all day today and threw a FIT when I tried to get him to go before bed.  Oh well, just hope he does not get a belly ache.

We have adapted to good ol' 3 day plan a bit.  He is so not ready for making it through the night at this point so we are still using pull-ups for nap and night sleeping.  I was very against it at first, but I think Liam just really needs baby steps with all new adventures.  We are using a treat box...

which he LOVED yesterday, but although we told him to get a prize each time after he went today, he just really did not even need or want one.  He kinda "weened" himself.  Yep, 50 bucks at the dollar store.  All of the money we will be saving on diapers.  ;)

I am so sick of looking at these two things.  ;)

Added this gem at the last minute and his been his favorite thing.  He gets a sticker for every time he goes pee-pee on the potty and a star for a poo-poo.

This will be continued, but I think we are on the right track and I am proud of my little man.