MOVIE NIGHT

Miss E and Brayden came over for movie night- I'm not sure why we haven't come up with this plan before!  Baby J was fast asleep, and the Big Kids were in their jammies before the playdate even began.  AA made it until 7:20 (after picking out the M&M's of her popcorn bowl and tossing the rest).

The boys (who never fall asleep while watching movies) almost made it through two movies before we called it a night.  (And Miss E and I may or may not have have split a bottle of wine!).  Pretty sure this was a win for all.

SHOES

Epic Parenting Fail #368.

BACK STORY:
As a new parent, I obsessed about JP's clothes … if he spit up on one portion of his outfit, I never thought twice about stripping him down to a diaper and then redressing him in a clean completely matching set.  Multiple times each day.  And even at the age of two months, his outfits included matching little shoes.  And then came AA … I was probably even more obsessed with her apparel.  She had more baby shoes than I care to admit.   The point is, my Big Kids had fashionable shoes on their feet from the moment I could squish their chubby toes into a pair.

PRESENT STORY:
For the most part, Baby J wears clean clothes.  Maybe even pajamas all day long.  And probably not matching.  And, I've only had his Baby Toms on his feet a handful of times - and they've only lasted on his toes for a handful of minutes.  There was really no point on insisting he have footwear.  He's a baby, after all.  And he's always indoors.

As I've watched his stocking foot strides behind a push toy turn into sprints, and his barefoot unassisted tiny steps increase, it dawned on me that I should probably introduce him to shoes.  Epic Fail.

After purchasing Baby J's first official Stride Ride shoes, I grabbed my phone to snap his first few steps.  The result:

Mama, get these shoes off!  I refuse to stand up in these things!

And instantly after taking off the shoes, he leaps up and runs behind his toy all around our main floor for nearly fifteen minutes.

So I figured I'd try again after dinner:

He, again, refused to even stand up

pouted, and then threw a baby tantrum.

LESSON LEARNED:
Although ridiculous, getting a baby used to shoes before they start walking may be an easier transition!

DISCOVERY

Baby J:  Oh … the play room has a door with a glass window that I can open and shut?!?!  This is going to drive my mom CRAZY!!!

BRAYDEN

Today was Brayden's 4th Birthday Party!  Brayden is one of JP's and AA's best friends.  I mean, their friendship goes way back … like 3. 9 years back.  At first, Brayden seemed so much younger … back in the day when there is a noticeable difference between a six month old and a nine month old.  But now, all these little ones seem the same age.  

Gwen is another one of JP and AA's (and Brayden's) friends.  The four of them play so well together.  These pictures will probably be priceless some day!

TOOTH

Hard to see it here … but Baby J popped a new tooth!  In addition to his two bottom, he's starting to sprout the top four.  The first outer left front (Aunt K probably has a better name for this one!) poked through and his main upper left will likely be through tomorrow morning.  I can't stand to look though … it looks so painful!

UPRIGHT

These days Baby J prefers to be upright ... we are all betting on his first (intentional ) step!  

LOVE

Happy Valentine's Day!

MIDDLE CHILD

Yes, her drama can be exhausting … but this middle child makes my soul happy.

GOOFY

I'm pretty sure this one will be the class clown:

GRANDMA K

Happy Birthday Grandma K!  I still cannot believe that you live just twenty minutes away - we are all so blessed to have you in our lives.  Thank you for all the little things you do.  My heart leaps with joy when I see my kiddos run to you when they see you (even though they often ask, "wait … where's Grandpa A?").  My Grandma H was one of my very favorite ladies of all time - and I'm certain this is what my kids think of you.  Thanks for a fun day!

DANCE

TEN MONTHS

AWAY

Grandpa J and Grandma S came to town for the weekend while A was away at work and I was on Girls Weekend on the East Coast.  The hand off in child care was actually between Miss Jeffre and the Grandparents.  The counter was filled with lists and notes and tips - but I'm pretty sure Grandma S didn't need any of it.   I came home to a clean house, happy kids, and two tired looking grandparents.  Maybe after they rest up, we'll do this again!