Monday's visitors

I have probably mentioned that I have been cooped up in this apartment more than I would like. More than Holden would like also. Just me and the boys, mostly. And things get a little hum-drum. But that is starting to change. We are beginning to see people and trying to get out and go places lately. You will see what I mean in later posts. But this week has been great! We have stayed busy playing with some friends. Amanda and Camryn came to visit us on Monday. We didn't go anywhere, but the company was good. Here are the 3 little friends.We are so thankful that Josh, Amanda and Camryn are now only 1 hour away. And there are many fun places smack dab in the middle of our locations where we can meet. I have a very strong feeling that we are going to be seeing these sweet friends more than twice a year. Amanda and sweet, smiley Camryn, thanks for making the drive this time and spending your time with us. It was much appreciated and much needed for me. We love you so much!

Sunday

We visited our first church on Sunday. And we loved it! It seems to be an incredible place, where God is using an incredible pastor and group of people to do some big things in DFW and also internationally. It gave me hope that this church hunt isn't going to be as difficult as I first imagined. If anything, I am going to have too many good options rather than none.

I have worried about sending Holden off to a new church nursery every week. When we got to the nursery door on Sunday, he knew exactly what was happening. He laid his head on my shoulder in hesitation, which has been pretty typical lately, even at our regular church in OKC. But I mentioned the word TOYS and he couldn't get out of my arms fast enough. He was wiggling down and down and down to the floor and ran right in. Sigh of relief. As long as Holden's class has toys as we visit churches, we are in the clear . . . at least for now.

Paxton joined us for worship and was a quiet little mouse the entire time. I had to get a picture of our little guy dressed in his Sunday best. It's a little outfit from nana and I love it!

Tummy time with baby #2

With Holden, he watched no TV. Only at 1 year did he start watching Baby Signing Times for about 30 minutes each morning during breakfast. And that is still all the TV he watches. Consequently, he has no interest in TV yet. Recently, we have tried to turn on cartoons, just to have him sit still while we tend to Paxton. But he has absolutely no interest. And I do actually love that. I am not much of a television fan myself. Holden would much rather curl up in a lap and have you read him books. My kind of boy! Or throw his toys clear across the room, but that's beside the point. With Holden, if the TV was on, we would purposely turn him the other way. We didn't want him watching the busyness of the screen. Jeremy had read something about ADD/ADHD in children who watch television before they are 2. I know, I know. You're thinking we're crazy right now. But look how much we've relaxed with Paxton.
Not only is he watching TV during tummy time. But his daddy has him watching UFC fighting! Something that Holden is forbidden to see. Mainly because I'm a little afraid he would learn to put me in one of those awkward looking leg locks. He's smart like that.

I thought we were relatively laid-back parents with Holden. Well, maybe with the exception of the television. We were just trying to do everything right, I guess. Which I quickly learned is IMPOSSIBLE. But it's funny how different it becomes the second time around. Wonder what our 4th child will be doing at 2 months old??? Riding her bike without a helmet? Quite possibly.

National Adoption Month

November has snuck up on us in this household and that means it is National Adoption Month! So let's talk a little more about adoption. Oddly enough, sometimes I feel like our story isn't as "weighty" to some people because maybe you're thinking "well, they HAD to adopt." Oh, but that is just not the case. Yes, we had some fertility issues. But as many of you know, there are many roads we could have traveled for children, even biological children if that were oh-so-important to us. Adoption was our choice. A happy choice. One that we were excited about. And such a blessing only 18 months later down this road! But among all of the options we had to grow our family, adoption was the road we felt good about. I'm just not sure it's something that only a tiny handful of us are "called" to. But instead of me possibly stepping on your toes, I'm going to let this girl do it. There's part of me that thinks since this girl has a bio kid, maybe her story is more "weighty". Not sure why I keep using the word "weighty" and not sure why I keep putting quotes around everything. I'm not one of those people that quotes everything with their fingers when they converse. I promise! I never do it. Anyways, read her words. Maybe convicting, or maybe you're just hard-hearted. :)

Costco vs. Sam's

I've never stepped foot into Costco, so really I know nothing about the place. We let our Sam's membership expire because we knew we would have this option once we got to Texas. Let me tell you about options! It is amazing! I have 3 nice grocery stores within 1 block from me: Albertsons, Kroger and Tom Thumb. I love it!! So, a little about me and shopping. We like low prices. And don't tell me everyone does because that's just not true. People may say they do, but sometimes I don't believe them. We are the generic shoppers. Generic-brand food, generic-brand diapers, generic-brand soap. You get the point. So now tell me about Costco vs. Sams. I know I could just go and check it out, but I'm hoping that you all will save me a little time. Give me the run down on Costco and the comparison of the 2 stores. Thanks!

Just because . . .

Mommy and Paxton having a moment. Oh we have lots of sweet moments. He is just plain sweet!Now you agree, don't you? Look at that big toothless grin!

one and a half!

Today Holden turned 18 months. One and a half. Wow! It's a fun age. But it's also been a challenging age, if I'm being completely honest. He is a passionate little boy. And that passion swings both ways. I just want to steer him to use his strong personality in a positive way. And I don't want to squash it. God gave him this big personality and so I want to direct him, but never try to change him. So yes, things have been challenging lately, but still lots of fun. Holden has always been our little parrot. He will attempt to repeat anything you say. Some of the cute words we hear alot are:
daddee (daddy) I hear this one about 412 times per day while Jeremy is at work.
bobble (bottle) Paxton takes the bottle, NOT Holden.
Babby (Abbie - the dog)
yeah (meaning yes. I think he hears that one from me)
bubba (always checking in on baby Pax)
manna (banana)
bapple (apple)
wawa (water)
Bibul (Bible)
na-na (no no) while pointing at something he shouldn't touch
and then there are other words:
mama and mommy
papa nana
Carson (this is the only cousin name that he has learned to say)
Paxthton (Paxton)
babee (baby)

Holden is a busy busy boy! And he is into most everything. Wow! He keeps me jumping, that is for sure. I have told people that I think twins might have been easier than 16 months apart in age. And I still believe it. It's fun, it's just super busy most of the time.
We took Holden to the doctor 2 weeks ago for his 18 month appointment. That was something else we got completed before the big move. He weighed 26lbs. and 4oz. and was 35 inches long. I am proudly announcing that he is now off the charts for his height. He is a tall, skinny boy. Lately his 18-24month pants have begun to look a little high-waterish. And now we know why. Here are a few pictures of our big boy.He is becoming a big boy, but I still think he is one of the cutest things my eyes have ever laid eyes on.