More Pictures!

Brady and Beckett playing trucks in the hotel room...

Almost too cute for words!!  Two little blonds in their diapers....

The beginning of pool time.   

Still tolerating Drake... 

Brady has had enough of Drake.  Drake was acting like a puppy & I haven't laughed this hard in a long time!!  He demolished Brady's bucket, watering can and towel too!! 

Pity Party

I've been having a pity party for myself lately.  Sometimes, I just get tired of having to budget.  Ironically though, I feel like we have more money now then when I was working.  Apparently figuring out where you money goes does help.  But still, I can't help but want things - a bigger house, a new vehicle (I am loving the new Ford Explorers), clothes, things for the house.  I just want to shop and not feel guilty.  I'm also sick of my weight, sick of having to count every calorie and failing majorly the past few weeks.  And we are finally a car payment free family and I was so excited and within two hours of mailing the last check, my service engine light came on (and this is after putting over $400 in my car two weeks ago!!!).  So as you can see, I was just not able to stay positive the last few weeks.

And then three sweet little precious babies were born this week and I've already been able to meet two of them.  I spent a wonderful hour snuggling with little Bowen Kempers (congrats Kate and Brian!!) and was able to meet my cousin's handsome little boy John Steven Slattery (congrats Ashleigh and Ryan!!!).  Tomorrow I get to meet little Miura and I can't wait to snuggle her!

And as I sat there holding Bowen, all my negativity just disappeared.  Babies can do that you know.  The world is just a sweeter place when you are around a baby. 

Now, here are some pictures to catch you up on our past few weeks!!

Sprinkler time!!

Re-enactment of getting dirt in his mouth for the first time!

Chillin' and snackin' with Mattie & Drake 

Pizza Ranch with Beckett!!  We love spending time with him & his mommy during the summer! 

So busted.  He knows he's not supposed to be standing on his chairs.   

Another place where he knows he's not supposed to be...

I love kissing this face!! 

Pre-pool time with Brenten...

Pool time with his cousins Brenten & Lyvie!!

18 month thoughts and pictures

I keep thinking about Brady being 18 months.  It's just unbelievable how fast time goes and how fast they grow up.  He's already so tall.  And it's just amazing how much he's learned in the past year and a half.  I was thinking a lot about how different last summer was compared to this summer.  I was thinking about how we get in a routine, and then about every six months it changes.  18 months seems like a big milestone to me. 

* It took me 18 months to be able to just run into Casey's (with him) to buy beer.  :)  I never wanted to be that parent, but I did it this month.
* It took us 18 months to feel like we needed to do more with our days.  Not that we were getting bored, but we were now ready to get out and do things.  We have a play group on Monday mornings and we try to go to library time a few times a week.  So this means we try to get up and get going to the gym right when daycare opens.  We do tend to have busier mornings and it's nice for both of us.  I actually think he needs a little more play time so I have to figure that out yet. 
* It took 18 months for me to turn his car seat around to the forward facing position.  I know they recommend to age two now, but I felt ready and he seems to enjoy it more.  Not to mention he can feel the AC now and doesn't get so hot!!
* It took me 18 months to realize I could no longer use the excuse "I just had a baby" for my weight.  So this past month, I buckled down and lost a few pounds.  I hope to keep it up, but this week is an off week for me and I'm having trouble staying on track.  I blame it on vacation...  :)  But, I have around 4 pounds to go for the baby weight and then I can tackle the "pre-Brady" emotional eating weight I packed on the couple of years before Brady.
* It took 18 months for Brady to consistently sleep through the night.

And here are some more pictures!!

Grandpa came to visit!!!

Waukee's 4th of July parade.  We were headed back to the stroller but he apparently needed a break. :)