Cute Kalebisms

So I've wanted to do a little something like this for a couple of days now because he is just at that really cute age. Here are just a few of the things Kaleb does right now that make me SMILE! (and a few pics)

Cars and trucks and all things mobile, put into containers, and carried around, or pushed around, all over the house.  Doesn't matter what kind of container it is, as long as cars and trucks and things of that sort can be put inside. This time the container of choice was a Pampers box. 

 

 

"One of these things doesn't belong here..." (the old Sesame Street song...) Don't think we'll be needing to fight crime in the refrigerator any time soon but - you never know.

 

 

THIS is after every meal. Yep. Still learning about throwing food down. And now we have two messmakers!

A rarity but it does happen. 

Yes, we love our cars.

And some other things..

* "She's 'seeping,'" means, "She's sleeping." (Sister)

* He always greets us with, "I got cars," in the morning when he wakes up and comes into our room, and when he's talking to one of his stuffed animals, that's how he greets them too.

* "Muk," is chocolate milk, which he has to have first thing in the morning with his breakfast of toast or waffles and his Flintstone vitamin.

* He has recently discovered Tigger cartoons, which he loves.

* He put on Daddy's boots recently, walked in them for a minute, then took them off because they were, "Too big".

* Frog is "fok".

* He loves talking to his stuffed animals - and loves any one of those stuffed animals to "chase" him (translation -  momma or daddy take the stuffed animal and chase him with it). Right now, a a little tiny penguin, which we use with bathtime, or a small beanie baby monkey are his favorite "friends".

* Cranky time is always before dinner and late afternoon. It usually includes at least one temper tantrum, or, five. Yes, we have personality and are not afraid to use it!!

* A mid morning snack  is always on the agenda.

* "Yuv you," is "I love you," followed directly by a hug.

* "Elphant" is elephant

* "Biyd" is bird

* For the longest time he called peanut butter, "buttay," for some reason but the other day he said it perfectly for the first time.

* "Nak" is snack

* He likes to use a napkin over his mouth when he coughs.

That's about all I can think of at the moment, but just wanted to record these sweet things for future reference (and blackmail). :)

Have a great day!

Crazy Christmas!

It has been a crazy last few weeks for us, so I am just now getting around to writing this!

This Christmas has been busy, and I didn't even get my Christmas cards out. Oh well. Just been too crazy- with the kiddos, with planning showers, and with general Christmas "stuff". 

 Guess I will start with before Christmas, since that's when I left off here...

We started the holidays off to a rough start with the kids and me getting sick for about three weeks with yucky crud that is going around, so didn't get as much done during that time  as I'd have liked! Mommas, you know how it is...you make a "list" for the day, and you are determined to get the stuff on that list done that day....and then a kid gets sick, and well...your "to do" list has completely changed! Lol. Snuggles (and not to mention, meds:) sneak up to the top of the list and the rest can wait. :)  But anyhow, Justin's mom, my mom, Justin's sister, Justin, his dad, and  Brooke ALL have holiday birthdays (or birthdays very close to the holidays) so not only did we need to prep for Christmas but all the birthdays!! So, needless to say, it's a busy time of year for us. 

But this year, I decided a family photo was definitely in order, since we haven't gotten any real "family" photos since Brooke was about two months old. Figured it was due time! 

So, here are a few of those photos that my sweet friend Maria Duncan took, who, by the way, is absolutely awesome and I would recommend her to anybody. :) So, that said, here ya go. 

Just a few of my favorites!

      

 Doesn't she do great? It was a frigidly cold day too (the one day Snyder decides to be frigidly cold!), but we managed to get a couple outside even. The one in the black and white is the one outside, and you can kind of tell by Brooke's expression! Lol. 

Spent Christmas day at GG's house (my grandma's) and Nana and Grandpa came to visit, along with my aunt and uncle, Wayne and Dena and their kids, and of course, it would not have been a holiday without Aunt Deb/our family photographer for holidays (one of my best friends - we go way back). 

A few photos from the holidays...and some just random!

Just before Christmas Eve service!

  

I am LOVING doing this girl's hair...but yeah, I know, I already mentioned that!

Breakfast these days is always toast with jelly and chocolate milk. Oh, but it's called, "Muk." And it's not complete until it's ALL over the face!

Nana and Brookey Christmas Day at GG's!

S'mores, thanks to our lovely fireplace we hardly ever use! But...it's definitely K approved! He kept asking for "more, more!"

The following Tuesday we had to make a fast trip to Lubbock that morning with the kiddos to get some things for Brookey's birthday and a shower I'm planning...and, yes, of all days, it was the one day it decided to snow. We were pushing strollers around in the ice....

Sweet cousins Abigail and Brooke!! They are going to be good buddies! Christmas Eve at Aunt Shelly's.

Just a for fun pic!

Another one! She can fall asleep sitting up! She's skilled. 

And one of her crawling through the toy I bought for that specific purpose! Finally! I have been so ready for this stage - it's so fun! And....she's EVERYWHERE! Yikes. Today I found her doing the same thing I used to catch Kaleb doing - so funny. She was putting her head on the vent underneath the oven and feeling the air blow out (I was baking). So funny that they have done some of the same things. Must be from the same family. ;)

 And so, we've been busy! Here is a monthly update on the sweet ones, and I won't keep you any longer! 

Brookey, you are:

*saying LOTS of things. You say all sorts of sounds, but you also say, as of TODAY, :), "outside," "uh oh," and "fell down". Yes, I like to brag!
*CRAWLING!! Praise the Lord! I feel like it is so long awaited. I LOVE this stage, even though it opens up a whole new arena of things for you to get into, and get hurt with, but it's SO FUN!
*pulling up too. So I know it's not long before you take off on us!
*still loving having me as your comfort. You are very cuddly, and you LOVE having me hold you. I think I have spoiled you rotten!
*loving your brother. He is your WORLD! You love him so much, and every time he comes around, practically, you squeal in delight. 
*still sleeping in momma and daddy's room in your crib. Pretty soon, we will transition you to your room with brother!
*waking up in the morning about 7:30 and going down to bed about that time. You are a good sleeper!
*are different from your brother in that when you are sick, you don't sleep. I am not used to this, because he always sleeps MORE when he's sick. But you....like to stay up and cry. This last month, you were teething (four teeth at the same time) and had an ear infection at the same time, and you cried from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. one night (when daddy was on nights of course) and then throughout the night. THAT made ME cry!!
*LOVING books. You laugh so much when we read, even though I am sad I don't get to do it as much with you as I did with your brother, because there simply is not enough time! 
*still taking a bottle, but you are eating with us at every meal and loving everything!! Which, is awesome. You ate broccoli today, and bread, and carrots, and apples, and squash and pork loin. You are such a good little eater.
*learning how to use  a sippy cup. :) I am planning on buying you one just like brother's, because I think you will like that best, just like he did.
*loving soft things, but crawling is your new pastime. You are all over the place. Still love music, though, and you still dance when you hear it! You are our little musician girl! 
*wearing size 12 month, and some 12-18. Wow.
*still about 22 pounds. You are petite, but long, like your daddy!

Sweet pea, you are so precious to us!! 


Kaleboo, you are:

*saying "I love you." Melts my HEART!!! Today, I came in from the grocery store, and you ran up to me, hugged my leg, and said, "Momma, momma, I love you!!" Sigh. Oh, it's just the best thing for a mommy to hear!!!
*but definitely going through a "twos" stage. You are still throwing tantrums when you don't get your way. And, we spank you. One of these days (may be twenty five years from now), you will thank us for these. ;) 
*putting two words together ALL the time. You are putting sentences together too, but it involves about three or four words strung together, such as, "Truck fall down."
*knowing your colors, your numbers, your letters and what most animals say. You are SO smart!
*learning to SHARE. It's a very HARD lesson, but you are learning. And, sometimes you do, with sister, and it's SO sweet.
*giving hugs to your sister. And that is so, so cute.
*loving your pink blanket. Lol. For some reason, the pink ones are the best. In your opinion. Probably because they're sisters!
*sleeping in a big boy toddler bed. But we are still having to help you go to sleep. You love to get out of bed and play! (of course)
*learning that the potty is good, but still not quite there yet as far as using it. You know that you're supposed to, but are really not into it. But one of these days you will be!
*coming and getting into momma and daddy's bed in the morning to snuggle. 
*having your toast and your jelly and your "Muk" every morning, along with your Flintstones vitamin.
*saying our prayer for us at dinner.
*saying prayers before bedtime (with help).
*going to bed about 8:30 and waking up about 8:00
*reading a book before bed with momma or daddy.
*eating a ton. You are totally boy. You have breakfast, then about two hours later, a "nak," then lunch, then after your nap, another "nak," then dinner, then probably another "nak" after that. I call you the "eatingest boy" I know! I honestly have no idea where you put it all, but you are most definitely a growing boy! 
*are STILL very, very picky about what you eat, though. That is probably the biggest thing that causes your tantrums. But...we are working on it, and we won't give up! :) You still love bread, and cheese, and yogurt, and bananas, and lots of fruits. Veggies are most definitely the downfall. 
*loving running around in circles these days when you get hyper, and we play, "Ring around the Rosy," and we do Pat a Cake, and we play with playdough, and we color with crayons and markers. You are not a HUGE fan of coloring, but you like it occasionally. 
*still going to Bible Club on Thursdays, and we have planned a playdate with a friend (Jaci) on Tuesdays that we have yet to get together with every Tuesday, but we will! We want to have kind of a crafts day that day with Jaci, who is about your age. 
*LOVING your cars and trucks and airplanes and motorcycles, and "fast cars!" The other day, you came up to me when I was eating at the table, and said, "Momma, fast!" I consider anything having to do with "fast," from you, as a BIG compliment. When you play with your cars around the house, they are ALWAYS "fast cars". 
*having a great sense of humor. You laugh at SO many things, and your laugh is hearty! :) 

K, you are a JOY!!  


Will leave you with the words to one of my favorite worship songs, since we sang it this last week at church, and it reminded me of God's goodness....

"You are so good to me. You heal my broken heart. You are my Father in heaven.
You are so good to me. You heal my broken heart. You are my Father in heaven.
"You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song, 
You are beautiful, my sweet, sweet song.
And I will sing again...."

"You ride upon the clouds. You lead me to the truth. You are the Spirit inside me...."
 
"You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song.
You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song.
You are beautiful my sweet, sweet song."

And one of my favorite new songs by Kari Jobe...



Amen to that! He is good, all the time. Thank you, Jesus, for busy holidays!

Look out world....

Here she comes...
At eleven months and two weeks, we have a crawling Brookelynn!!


 


 So excited!  The last few weeks, I could tell she was attempting it, but couldn't quite get the legs down. Not a problem anymore! She is officially crawling. It started after she went after my chip today. :) She really wanted it, and she got it!

Look out world, here comes Brooke!

I will get some Christmas photos on here and some real updates soon. Just wanted to share the awesome news!

 

A very thankful holiday!

Just a few little things to be thankful for this season!

The first, and foremost, is our new little Thanksgiving turkey, born the day before Thanksgiving, my CUTE nephew, Timothy Daniel Bradberry. He is a little 6 pound, 15 ounce blessing! I was so very, very grateful to my sis in law, Shelly, who let me be present for his birth. Wow, what an amazing day!

Isn't he cute as can be??? I think he's a keeper!

And what a sweet little turkey!

And then, here are a few cute little pics from our other little turkeys on Thanksgiving day at GG's house!

Auntie Deb and Brookelynn 

Watching the Macy's Parade!

First scone!

His new favorite food of all time, "Pie!"

First scone!

Gotta love the Fischer scones. Yum. This picture brings back memories since my first job ever was working in the Fischer scones booth at the Puyallup Fair in Washington state. Good times.

Lots to be thankful for. And...thank you, Auntie Deb, for taking the pics! I have labeled her our official family holiday photographer because she is just good! :)

God bless and let the holidays begin!!

Colds, stomach bugs and double ear infections, oh my!

HAIR!!!

 Okay, so here's this month's update! I will start it off by saying, officially, that Brookelynn has hair. That makes a momma so happy!! It's so fun to work on this lovely little head!

 I am afraid, though, that she may already at ten months (yes, ten months..wow!) be objecting to momma fiddling with her head. She is beginning to realize there's something up there, and taking it out...ALREADY!! Nooooo! :) Lol.

Did a fun photo shoot this week with Baby Legs also. I just have to say they are my new favorite accessory for our girl, even though I know they've been around for a little while. Winter hasn't, though, mind you! And my sister in law just brought me over some really adorable ones the other day (thank you, Shelly!) and reminded me of all the fun that these little accessories are. So...here ya go. :) She was in a good mood!

 Brookelynn loves blocks. She also loves to throw them!! Lol. I try not to condone it but it's kind of cute anyway.

Miss Brookey, these days your milestones include:

* hair! Curly hair!
* still loving to sit. You just love watching your brother and you are SO happy doing it that you forget about doing other things...like crawling!
* clapping
*playing in your walker. You DO love to walk, however, and I am wondering if this is what you'll do first even before you crawl!
*can scoot. We leave you in a spot on the floor and next thing we know, you've moved. On your bottom! Maybe this may be your preferred method of transportation in the near future...I don't know! :)
*are actually tolerating tummy time these days. You can push up really far and you will tolerate it for longer than ever...like, two minutes. Haha.
* are SO happy. Hardly ever do you cry and you LOVE to play by yourself.
*like to play peek a boo, a lot! You are a flirt with daddy, and you LOVE him! You laugh and giggle around him so much, and you love to play peek a boo with him. Tonight at the dinner table you would move to one side, then the other, and laugh when daddy would do the same, and you did this a bunch!
*love to dance when there is any music on at all! 
*can say, "hi," "daddy," "uh oh," "mama," and we are pretty sure you've said, "hi, daddy," a number of times! You are very verbal, just like your brother, and we LOVE this!
*love your ba ba in the morning, and then you eat lots of different solid foods during the day. You don't feed yourself yet, but we are getting there. You love fruit. But not peaches!
*are going to move into your brother's room and out of our room really soon, after he transitions into his toddler bed. Wow, can't believe that is actually going to happen! Momma's going to have withdrawals from having you in our room for so long! Makes me sad to think about!

Love you to pieces, sweet pea girl!

Here's a little on our little man...

You are FUNNY!!

K boo...

You are too funny. You like to make us laugh! The other day you wanted to be just like sister, so we put a pink barrette in your hair too and that made you happy!

These days, you are...

*very, very, very into cars.
*loving a certain book (the same one) every night, and guess what it is about...Cars.
*reading a bible story with us every night.
*having to have your night light on now. Every night.
*eating like CRAZY!!!! I sometimes wonder where it all goes! You eat breakfast, then have a mid morning snack, then lunch, then after your nap you have a snack again, then dinner! Growing boy!
*starting to tell me when you need a diaper change. Yes, we are going to do potty training again! We stopped for a bit because you didn't seem quite that ready. But momma bought a new potty seat tonight and we are going to try again. Oh, and big boy underpants with...cars on them.
*sometimes throwing tantrums, so we now put your in your room until you stop crying. After a few minutes, you come out laughing after throwing one. Not sure if it's because you're so happy to get to come out of your room but it has become humorous. Almost.
*loving hide and seek. It is your FAVORITE game, and you laugh so much!
*still eating the little pouches we buy for you from Plum Organics to get you to eat your veggies. They have spinach in them so we know you are getting some greens...along with the green drinks we make in the blender. It's HARD eating those veggies but we've got to do it!
*saying your ABC's, your numbers from 1-10, and a lot of colors. We are still learning shapes!
*LOVING Dora the Explorer, Bubble Guppies, Chuck and Friends, and Diego. Bubble Guppies is your absolute favorite these days though.
*still in love with cheese. ANY kind.
*are going to transition REALLY soon into a toddler bed. Like, in a few days. I think.
*saying SO many things, and you are SO verbally advanced! You pretty much say sentences now. Today one of them was, in not so many words, but I totally understood you..."I want to go to Oma's house in the car." Some of the cute things you say include, "Oh, man," "Oh, boy," "Wow, cool!" "Oh, no!" and now just recently, "Ew, yuck, poo poo!" when I am changing your diaper. Lol!!! Another reason to transition to the potty! You are getting too big to put on the changing table and change that yucky poo poo diaper!
*loving the outdoors. You LOVE the park!
*also loving the IPad. You showed me today that you know how to work it pretty well!

Love you so much, little man. You are growing into quite the character!

A couple more things before I go....This will give you an idea of my days!! Here's a small story and a peek into my life. :) 

So, it started as a normal day today. I had plans to make some cookies for Justin's work party tomorrow, give the kiddos a bath together, and put some stuff in the crockpot for dinner. But that changed fast while I was changing Little Missy's diaper. Aside from getting to the bottom of the wet wipes and finding my wedding ring I had lost along with another ring and two dimes, I realized I had run out of diapers for Brooke and the changing pad cover had gotten poop all over it. So...I set her down on the floor in the room while I ran to the laundry room and grabbed her bag to find an extra diaper in there and to grab another changing pad cover. I returned to the room to find her...covered from head to toe...in poop. She evidently had not been finished as I had thought. And not only her body, but the dresser next to her had been smeared with poop. It was in her hands, all over her legs, and ALL over the floor. And she was smiling just as big as ever, not even realizing I had seen her yet, just playing and having a good old time smearing it everywhere. Oh, the sweetness of innocence. Sigh.

Thankfully it did not end up in her hair...but that was the only place! And of course, Kaleb came in while this was going on, and said, "Ew, yucky poo poo!"
It did make me laugh despite the circumstances.
So, I promptly moved her to the bathtub, where yes, the poop got all over the place in there, and no, I did NOT let Kaleb join her in it this time as I had planned! Instead she splashed and it got in my face...

So, after getting a very, very clean (probably cleaner than she's been in awhile since I made sure I used more soap than usual!) Brookelynn was transported to her very clean spot in the living room, I let the disenfectant do it's job in the bathtub while I scrubbed the poop off the floor and the dresser in the kids room.

Kaleb finally got his bath but it took a little longer than I'd anticipated. Goodness!

And, mind you, this is following the last three weeks, which began with a cold Brooke had, which she passed onto Kaleb, then a stomach virus, which he passed onto her, then Brooke getting a double ear infection. When it was all said and done, we had six bottles of different kinds of medications on our counter. And the stomach bug included a total of six days of diahrrea, which meant there were 14 days of that because Kaleb got it first, then Brooke. (And to think my sweet sister in law has five children going on six. I am in awe of her strength right now.)

So, yes, I am tired of "ew, yucky, poo poo." And, I have learned a lesson about thinking Miss Brooke is done and setting her down after she's had a bowel movement!

But...every day is an adventure with these kiddos, and I wouldn't trade this adventure for ANYTHING. Despite the stomach bugs, the double ear infections and the "ew, yucky poo poo," nothing beats being a momma. Absolutely nothing beats the loving hugs, the games of hide and seek, or the girly accessorizing.   

So...motherhood is not all glamorous. But, it is an adventure.

And it's one I am happy to be on, craziness and all. :)