Just Say Cheese!!!!

Phoenix & Isabelle are best buddies and always love being together. Last night we went over to Aunt Lori's house so Phoenix could play with Isabelle and we could watch the Alabama game. While we were there Isabelle would go up to Phoenix and say "Cheese" and then Phoenix would look at her and say "Cheese" and they would smile & giggle. Well apparently that is what Phoenix thinks her name is...or what he plans on calling her. I have no idea why they say cheese to each other, but he kept calling out for "Cheese" on the way home and also today. I think he misses his "Cheese"!!!

They had so much fun playing together last night. They got a bath together and then we put their pajamas on and they snuggled on Aunt Lori's bed and watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (their favorite show)! It's going to be so great when they want to spend the night at each others house...right now it would be a little too crazy for them to do that...but it won't be long!

Couch Potatoes

Every morning, Phoenix has his milk and watches a couple of episodes from his favorite shows (usually Mickey Mouse).

Ordinarily, he sits in my recliner and doesn't want me to sit with him. However, this morning he crawled up next to me on the couch. I know that he won't want to cuddle with me forever, so Im taking advantage of every moment.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Mr. Strong Man

Sometimes you talk to your children and you try to teach them new things, but you aren't sure whether they are listening or whether they understand.

Several months ago I tried to teach Phoenix how to show off his muscles. He didn't seem to be paying attention and I left it alone. Well, last night I learned that children ARE paying attention, even when you don't think they are.

Phoenix was playing with his blocks and as I watched him, I happened to say, "Can you show me your muscles?" He immediately turned to me, put his arms against his side, and flexed his little arm muscles. I was surprised, because I hadn't tried to teach him that in several months. He definitely has a good memory.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Everyone needs a good foot rub!

Every Tuesday Phoenix & his cousin Isabelle stay with my Mom...aka MamaC. They have been staying together with her since August 2008. They have a blast playing together. They are best friends.

Around 11AM each Tuesday MamaC settles them down on the couch to watch their favorite show, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". On this particular day they happen to get in this position on the couch and Isabelle started rubbing Phoenix's foot! Well, Phoenix loves a good foot rub and sat so still while she rubbed his foot. Isabelle...LOOK OUT! You might have to start doing this every week!

Isabelle loves Phoenix so much! She follows him around everywhere. I LOVE that Phoenix has a cousin so close in age. Being only 5 months apart, they will grow up having so much fun together. Also, Cousin Brady is 11 months apart from Phoenix, so he will grow up being close to him too! Once Fox gets here they will be little stair steps...When Isabelle is in 3rd grade, Phoenix will be in 2nd, Brady will be in 1st & Fox will be in Kindergarden! It will be fun times for sure!

Trick or Treat

Phoenix is just shy of two years now, and he can comprehend a lot more about the world around him. We've been trying to teach him the concept of Halloween. Last year we dressed him up as a bear, but he wasn't exactly sure what was going on. This year we were unable to take him out trick-or-treating because we were too busy moving into our new house.

Now, our new neighborhood has a LOT of kids. Phoenix and his brother Fox will certainly have several kids to play with over the years. So, while we were working around the new house last night, the doorbell started ringing. We took Phoenix to the door and showed him all the kids who were dressed up for Halloween. Then we showed him how we place a piece of candy in every kid's bag, After the first couple of trick-or-treaters came and went, Phoenix was really excited to help pass out candy. He sat in the hallway and pointed at the door, waiting for the next group to show up. When the doorbell would ring, he would get so excited and immediately run to the front door. I would give him the candy and he would drop it into each kid's bag. Then, as they left the porch he would stand there and yell, "BYE!!"

And when he woke up this morning he went to the front door and pointed, waiting for more trick-or-treaters. I guess now he thinks that passing out candy to costumed kids is a regular occurrence at our new neighborhood.

An Apple a Day Doesn't Keep the Contractions Away

Wendy had a rough couple of nights last week. It seems that Fox has hit a growth spurt and that is causing all kinds of discomfort, including contractions. For at least three nights last week, Wendy didn't get much sleep. One night (around 9:30) Wendy's contractions were so bad that they were overlapping each other.

She called the on-call doctor who told us to come in to labor & delivery. We drove up to Brookwood so they could monitor her and check on the baby.

We were there until about 11:30. Thankfully the contractions weren't serious. And the nurse told us that Fox was doing extremely well.

Wendy went in to see her doctor yesterday for a regular check up. Fox is developing as he should and thankfully the doctor didn't have to put her on bed rest. I am really looking forward to meeting my second son. He looks beautiful on the ultrasound.



-- Posted from my iPhone

All Work And No Play

Wendy and I are incredibly fortunate that we have family living in town that can keep Phoenix while we have to work.

Today he stayed with my mom. He loves playing outside, but it was raining when I dropped him off. Fortunately the weather cleared and when I stopped by for lunch later in the day he was out in the driveway. But he wasn't playing with a toy or kicking a ball. He was wiping down my mom's car with a small towel.

There are two things you need to know about Phoenix - he is extremely observant, and he is extremely meticulous. He HAS to have everything in it's place and everything needs to be nice and neat. So, when he noticed all the raindrops on my mom's car, he was compelled to wipe them off. He was hard at work when I arrived and I had to admire his diligence.

-- Posted from my iPhone