YIKES! That is HALF a year!!!!! Wow, time flies!

I'm so sad! He's outgrowing so many things and I get all choked up putting them away. Some because he's growing up but mostly because he may be our last. *sniff sniff* Let's just pray not! :)

Joshua is such a big boy. He sits up perfectly well and is really close to crawling. Too close. He's so strong too! I sat him down next to Jeremiah's recliner to play while I folded clothes and I look up to find that he is STANDING up. Yup, he pulled himself up to a standing position! ACK! I ran over to grab him for fear he'd fall over and hit his head on a toy. He's growing up WAY to fast for me! Later that day, Daddy sat him in the laundry basket (he loves to sit in there... ???) and he pulled himself up in there too! Every now and then he attempts it in random places. I just sit him away from climb-able furniture when I have to be farther than grabbing distance! He is still not very interested in baby food but loves to eat foods with more texture like Jane's apple pie crust and my banana. You have to watch Mr. Swift Fingers...

Without further ado, here he is with the truck, He is much too wiggly so I decided to have him sit outside the truck like maybe he was too big and therefore dumped out:


It was late and I kept putting off taking his pic that day so we ended up grabbing a white blanket and setting him and the truck up in the make-shift kitchen studio. haha! He had just finished slobbering up a teething biscuit and was headed for the bath. I knew he was going to be ready for bed when his bath was done so I had to get it while the getting was good, right? Hence the diaper instead of some fancy big boy clothes! heehee

Previous Truck Pics: Clicky!

Actually, there was no caffeine involved, just a 4 year old ~ what more do you need to go Jingle Bells Psycho? Check out the video to see what I'm talking about:

See what I mean? Who cares if you forget the words and revert to Jeremiah-ese? Joshua loved it!

And here are a few pics of the boys with the infamous hat I worked on all week.

I think he liked it? This one reminds me of the pic of me in the hat (see previous post). Does that mean he takes after momma? If so, pray for him!


This next one cracks me up! Jeremiah is being typical Jeremiah - CRAZY - and Joshua has been doing this lately with his hand on his chin. It's so cute and in this pic it seems he's wondering when his psycho brother will calm down so mommy can get her pic and stop shooting!

Joshua: "Oh, dear... what has gotten into Jeremiah?"

And the halfway decent one I got of them together. At least they are together and not too wild looking!


A little slideshow of the outtakes if you are bored and want to see more pics of my rascals:

Mommy Moment: See Joshua's cute little First Christmas outfit? It was Jeremiah's cute little First Christmas outfit! I get all sentimental when Joshua gets to wear Jeremiah's old things. It gives me warm fuzzy feelings ~ I love it!

It's done! With all of the usual life chaos, it took me about a week to finish this but it's finally done! It's so imperfect in so many ways, lots of should've/would've/could've... but it's done and it's really not too bad for my first attempt, right?

It does fit Joshua, although a little loosely. It fits Jeremiah perfectly and it even fits me! (Not sure what that says about any of our heads...) Maybe it's actually a one-size-fits-all? I'll say that it is. lol

I didn't get a moment to snap the kids pics in it before they went to bed so I set Jane up with the camera to catch me in it so you can see it. Please overlook the really tired/ready for bed mommy behind the stripes!


Mommy Moment: When I finished this, I showed Jeremiah and he said "Oh! I love your hat!" He's mommy's biggest fan! lol

Just showing off a beautiful family...





Mommy Moment: I gave Jeremiah a 10 minute warning that a bath was coming and he said, "No, thank you." (He always hates to get into the bath but then has so much fun he hates to get out!). He stood at the table doodling on a notepad while singing "No bath... no peepeeonthepottywashmyhands (yes, it seems to be all one word)..." When I came back a few minutes later to see what he was drawing, I found he filled the notepad with the word "No" over and over and over! lol

For my little Josha-roo...


Can't wait to get him in it! And yes, of course, there will be pics!

Mommy moment: I was helping Jeremiah get into his socks and he started fussing at me that I was somehow doing it wrong. I pulled the socks on and said, "See? It's okay." He put his little hands on his hips and gave me a "Duh, mom" look and said, "Mooooommeeeee... they are on the wrong feet!" Now, how does that happen???

So we're just hanging out, eating pizza and watching a DVD and I look over and see that Joshua is really getting into this toy. He was so proud to grab a hold of the little balls and then he tried to put them in the hole! I got so excited I ran to get the camera, of course! I didn't think he was ready to do this so I lazily didn't work with him or even really sit down and show him but more than a couple times over the last two months. But he remembered...

Here he is inspecting his prize (love the drool! lol):


Now he's trying to figure out how to get it where he wants it to go:


And right there as I was watching and shooting, he did it! Slam Dunk!


I was so proud! We cheered and clapped and I think he was quite proud himself:


I'm so proud! He is growing up SO FAST. I feel bad for underestimating his abilities at his age but will for sure start giving him more big boy stuff to do! He's so busy and already getting into everything and learning how to get across the room to get more stuff! Watch out, world!

Need I say more?


Yes, this is from the FALL. Like Thanksgiving day. Yeah, I'm a little behind, ok?

Mommy Moment: I often have to lean in and get Jeremiah's face close to mine so I can tell him something as he's so easily distracted and on top of that, he has a hard time understanding and communicating at times. I was trying to ask him a question and he was having a hard time staying in the conversation (really, he had no idea I was even talking to him) so I leaned in closer and when he turned to see what I was doing, he smiled and gave me a kiss!

That is how Jeremiah says it! And it's so stinkin' cute when he says it at just the right time!

Anyways... HOLY MOLEY COW! I clocked in over 20,000 visitors as of this weekend. I don't remember exactly when I put the counter on there but it's been in the past year and a half or so, I think. I was watching it and wanted to have some kind of drawing or contest to celebrate (and just 'cuz it sounded fun!) but I almost missed it because the last 200 visitors slipped on me in the past 2 days ~ SERIOUSLY?!?! Who are all of you?!

So... I am giving away something really cool. I just don't know what yet. lol Maybe a gift certificate to Starbucks can keep someone warm this winter??? If you're not a coffee drinker, they've got some yummy hot chocolate too! Or it makes a nice re-gift! haha!

All you have to do is show yourself (friends and family can play too!). Make sure to put your name and maybe how you found my blog or why you visit but you have to answer the following question to qualify and so I can maybe get to know you better!

Question: Would you rather have one year of free chocolate or a lifetime of free potatoes?

(I love these questions, I may have to do this more often...)

Okay, so I'm sporatic in my posting lately so you may be sporatic in your visiting, I'll give you until this friday (Dec. 19th) to comment ON THIS POST. K? Oh, and even if you don't want to win anything - please post a comment so I know who is stalking this blog!

Ok... Go comment already!

This is "Cutie":

When Grandma was still in the hospital, a friend brought this little puppy to cheer her up but Jeremiah intercepted it and claimed it for himself. Grandma didn't mind. Jeremiah (for reasons unknown) named the dog "Cutie" and so began our life with little puppy in tow.

He never took to stuffed animals. He might play with them for a moment, but never stuck with one, not even the Curious George. But little Cutie goes to sleep with Jeremiah about half the time and often travels with us when we run errands or go to church. Cutie is loved and it's so sweet to see Jeremiah tending to him. But no, Cutie has not replaced his beloved "Ba-Ba"!

Another Cutie around here...

I love moments like this when he's all snuggled up with Daddy watching football and falls asleep. So Sweet!!!

Mommy Moment: Jeremiah slept in our bed one night and when Joshua woke up to nurse, I sat down on the bed next to Jeremiah. Joshua fussed a little and Jeremiah semi-woke and muttered "Mmmmm... I looooove Joshua!" with a big smile on his face. Then went back to sleep. *swoon*

My Niece wanted some pics of her and her beau so right before Thanksgiving dinner, we ran outside to snap a few of them. I had to put them on the back burner while I finished up some clients but I'm finally ready to get these to them. It was my motivation to get the others done!

We wandered around my Bro&Sis-In-Law's farm (and their neighbor's) and had so much fun! We tried to hurry because we were all starving and knew dinner would be ready any moment! Well, that and the light was going fast. Nonetheless, here is your sneaky-peeky!

Yummy Warm Evening Light...


I wanted some over by this old barn and it was SO COLD in the shade and I'm so mean I made them sit on a small patch of concrete that was even colder! It was that or sit in the grassy mud! haha! Notice her kitty that followed us everywhere...


Brad wasn't too thrilled with the kitty that had just been rolling around in the mud and how she wanted to cuddle with him! lol


I told them we needed something more classic for Grandma's frame...


And I got this creepy feeling someone was watching us...

It was one of her cows peeking at us through the fence. Is this the one that just arrived in our freezer last week?

And one more of the sweet couple...


Brad, you are HILARIOUS! I crack up everytime I see the pic of you walking like... well, you know. You two were so much fun in those 20 minutes of freezing around the farm. Thanks for letting me capture these memories for you! Dani, there are lots more and I'll get them soon, I just couldn't wait to peek at these (finally!) and post a few as a teaser for ya!

...is my two front teeth!


In this case, the bottom ones! I have a feeling they will be here just in time for Christmas dinner!

When I'm finished changing his diaper, he sometimes flips over onto his belly so he can chew on the side. Somebody's getting a stocking full of chewable toys this year!

More snapshots...

Joshua's seal impersonation:

This seems to be one of his favorite things to do while lying on his belly. He'll glance at some toys but is happy to just strike this "skydiver" position (as Daddy calls it!). Jane is jealous of his incredible strength to keep his legs up like this for so long. lol By the way, don't you just love the unmatching striped socks? Go Mommy! lol

And the time is approaching...

Yes sir, it won't be long now, will it? He gets up like this then "revs" back and forth. He's going to figure it out soon and then nothing is safe... Jeremiah better keep close watch on all his toys that Joshua has been eyeing!

So, where have I been? Swamped! Under tons of editing (fall turned out to be a VERY busy time for pictures!), spending more time with the family, the usual Thanksgiving stuff, a nice & relaxing vacation... just life! When I get more time, I'll post a few more images of work I've been busy with but for now, enjoy these snaps of our silly little life!

Mommy Moment: Jeremiah went to the potty one day and, as usual, left the door open. I thought he was in there for a bit too long so I ventured down the hall to peek only to find him flushing the toilet then putting his head almost IN the toilet to watch it swirl down. ACK! This germ-a-phobe mom freaked out and scrubbed him all over while lecturing him on how nasty that was. He still thinks it was funny. *sigh* Boys.