Chomp!

This is Layla's favorite at-home toy. The other day, she was literally growling as she went at it!

Such a funny girl.

I was tagged by my friend, Emily, and I always love to play!

Rules: take pictures of the following AS THEY ARE... no pre-cleaning.

**Disclaimer: I am currently renting... need I say more?

My Favorite Room:

I chose Layla's room for 2 reasons: 1) I created almost everything in it during my last trimester of her pregnancy. 2) It is the only room in the house with a light peach-ish color that totally creates a warm atmosphere. (when the sun filters through the maroon curtains) When I am holding Layla in the chair in her room, facing out and seeing all the light, blue walls, it feels like a cozy embrace. It was the EXACT feeling I wanted.

My Kitchen:

I could lie and say that I had just barely put those dishes in the sink, but to be totally honest, I usually have a couple of dishes in/around my sink. My dishwasher is tiny and I hate hand-washing dishes. Dan loves it, really, so I kinda wait for him...

My Bathroom:

I was doing laundry... hence the hanging, drying shirts.

My Laundry Room:

First of all, I am just grateful this very old house (duplex) even had washer/dryer hook-ups. This is just a cement pad in the basement. The foundation is a bit crooked, so I have to keep that heavy bin on top of the washer to prevent it from walking away!

My Favorite Shoes:

Don't these shoes just totally explain my personality? The best part: I got them for $16 at Famous... because I had a coupon!!

My Self-Portrait

While the rest of my pics were taken last night, I forgot about this picture until just now... Josh says I have a funny eye.

My Refrigerator:

Yes, we are pilers even on the fridge.

Inside my Fridge:

I have to admit that there was nothing to be "ashamed" about. I do have a 2nd blog, with major goals, to be true to. I have tons of produce, hummus, yogurt, eggs, and cheese. Yes, there is one Diet Dr. Pepper in the back!

My Closet: 

As I looked at a couple of other sites who had done these pics, I notice that I really don't have a ton of clothes... Dan and I are really good at making sure we don't keep anything around that we don't EVER wear, or that doesn't fit... 

What My Kids are Doing:

Sweet Layla has been sick with a cold and off-and-on fever for a couple of days. She is nicely propped up by the quilt that I made before she came... to go with the room... when I pretty much went nesting-nutty! And that cute bear-thing must be next to her face for her to nestle in to as she falls asleep.

I didn't want to get in Jack's face, since he had already woken up twice, screaming because of some nightmare. He is quite the nestler on his bottom bunk. Sometimes it seems like a cave. I would love to have a space so plush and dark.

Yep, Josh has a sticker on his head. And, he MUST have his 2 favorite (from birth) blankets in order to fall asleep. Otherwise, he visits me around 2:00 AM to look for them.

I tag: Jamie, Amanda, Alison, Barb, Larrie... and whoever else wants to play.

Tagged

Mom: "Josh...?"

Josh: "It was Jack."

Mom: "Josh, Jack doesn't know how to write the letter 'A'."

Josh: "Or the letter 'Q'."

Case Solved.

(Can you read 'Josh' written going backwards on the left of the panel? Funny and incriminating!)

Going Green

Happy (late) St. Patrick's Day

*green milk*

*green streamers*

*green toilet water*

*green German pancakes*

(I couldn't choose my favorite picture.)

Josh had never heard of leprechauns before, practiced and practiced the word.... but still ended up begging to "hunt for lepers" all day long!!

This was like a behind-the-scenes shot!!

5 Months

"Layla Girl"

We love this girlie! She truly completes us, and it is so fun to watch her personality develop. She has come with the most patient dispositions, so much so, that at times she will be left playing in her room for 10 minutes. That's forever in baby-time!! But, really, she won't make a peep! She is often last on the totem pole, but just keeps herself entertained until it's her turn. She's perfect!

Layla loves:

*going anywhere in her carseat   *bath time   *sucking on her fingers, LOUDLY   *playing with her toes   *swinging   *her hanging lion toy   *anyone who givers her attention   *Josh and Jack   *listening to her musical play mat   *grasping fingers   *out-yelling her brothers

What's coming up:

*rolling from back to tummy   *more solid food experiences   *grabbing momma's earrings/jewelry   *hiking, with Layla in the backpack   *road trip to St. George   *plane trips to CA and OH   *more and more belly laughing

Toot!

Josh: (belly laughing at Layla... then starts "tooting" at the same time)

Me: Josh, you're tooting when you laugh!!

Josh: Yeah, mom, just like you.

**That never happened until after baby #3.

Total Kid Blag!

I am so proud of my boys this week... both as their mom and a teacher. Wow, do they know how to shock a mama!!

(disclaimer: EVERY home should own Leap Frog's Letter Factory)

Uncle-Elder Thomas Goates is the lucky one to be the recipient of Josh's FIRST EVER signature!! (I promise the H is there) 

(this is how I am having Josh practice as well as strengthen those hand muscles)

This video shows Jack's new skill that surprised me the most!! 

(To his credit, he did say the right letter... but he left of the final sound, which threw me off.)

By the way, all of this was totally spontaneous! Nothing rehearsed here!

The reason I laughed at Jack was because he is totally mimicking the Leap Frog movie. Who knew he would remember the sound of a Q!! 

This video is EFG (especially for Granny) who lives in CA! By the time we see her in May, this skill won't be as new and cool to Josh... maybe.

** The next morning, Josh totally rocked the day by showing Dan and me that he could READ 'MOM,' 'Dad,' and 'Layla.' (he already know Josh and Jack) He is so stinkin' smart!!  

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