Mr. Potato Head

Chase's latest movie obsession is Toy Story.  Uncle Jeremy put Toy Story 1, 2 and 3 all on a DVD for him and he is HOOKED!  We watch it a lot.  Haha.  Cute part of this story is that every time he watches it he has to go get his Mr. Potato head out to play with.  His favorite accessory is the mustache.  : )  Cute boy!

Snow Balls

Last Thursday evening it snowed freaking snow balls!  It was crazy!  I had honestly never seen such big snow "flakes" in my life.  It was awesome and amazing how fast it accumulated.  I wish I had taken a picture a half hour after this one to see the difference.  Insane!  Chase thought it was pretty exciting too. 

Wrenchin'

My car had needed some work done to it for quite a while - and Josh finally got a day off where we didn't have anything going on that he could do it.  (by the way - I love that he is capable of doing these things.  Not only does it save us money but I find it attractive)  So since it has been so cold out we went over to Mom and Dad's to use their garage since theirs is heated.  The boys and I hung out inside with Mom and the kids while Josh worked on the car.  Dad came out mid morning to supervise him. ..haha.  Josh said he actually helped too.  : )  I think Dad likes that Josh can wrench on cars and isn't afraid to get his hands dirty.  Gives them an area they can relate. 

Eventually it got to the point where the big boys were in the garage too and I couldn't contain Chase anymore either.  Grandpa helped with him so he could be outside with the guys for a while. 

Mom put a couple of roasts in the oven and had the family over for supper that night.  She learned that 2 roasts for our family isn't quite enough anymore...but it was all still really good. 

Silly cousins : )  Out of all the boys Liam and Owen give Chase the most attention.  They like him and I'm pretty sure he likes them back. 

I gave Mom a dessert idea to make a peach upside down cake instead of pineapple.  I saw it on pinterest and thought it sounded yummy.  It was pretty deelish but I'd say I still like the pineapple one better.  ...and yes, I can still eat gooey cake like this AND lose weight at the same time.  MODERATION!

Chase

Okay..so I know I am non stop full of Chase stories - but I think every little thing he does is AWESOME and I want to remember every single thing.  Here are a few I've been meaning to share.

1.  He calls his blanket a "gonket" and he stretches out the word  "up" more like "uhuuup" to say cover up.  Every night when we lay down in his bed he says "gonket....uhuup" (so sweet!).  Then we always say prayers with him.  The parts he has down are the beginning when we start with the sign of the cross he says "otter" for Father and then the very end he says "maymen" for Amen.  We say a little bedtime prayer and then we say what we're thankful for and pray for certain things.  He has a long list of people he is thankful for every night.  It always includes Daddy (if he's gone), Meemaw, Peepaw, Owie Owie, Ty Ty and Asher.  Once in a while he'll throw someone else in there or something completely random like Doctor.  Haha.  At the end of his list of names we say that we are thankful for all of our family.  : )  I love the way he says things and hope I can always hear his little voice in my head saying things so sweetly even years down the road. 

2.  Chase is beginning to turn into a big kid.  It makes me incredibly sad.  He is starting to call us "Mom" and "Dad" than "Mommy" and "Daddy".  : (  I don't like it!  I wish I could be Mommy and Josh be Daddy FOREVER!  I hope Milo doesn't skip the stage of calling us that since he will be hearing Chase say Mom and Dad all the time.

3.  I had a few downer weeks where Chase and I were just flat out butting heads.  If Josh was gone and I would scold him he would cry for Daddy.  If Josh was home he wanted nothing to do with me at all.  It literally made me cry the first time he cried for Josh after I scolded him.  I just worry that he looks at me as the bad guy and Josh as the fun guy and that he is going to hate me.  I really don't want that!  Josh is bad at coming home and just being his friend and not disciplining him because he's been gone and doesn't want to have to do that...which I can see - BUT that ends up being me as the only disciplinary and that isn't good.  SO Josh has been working on that and I have been working on not losing my cool and taking a deep breath and trying to understand how his little 2 year old mind is working and feeling.  It has gotten a little bit better and I have been getting some snuggles and fun attention even when Daddy is home.  I'm feeling a lot better but I had a rough couple of weeks.  This age is so fun and so testing at the same time. 

4.  Chase is saying "sentences" now.  They aren't sentences as you and I would say them but he is definitely connecting words and putting them together as they are supposed to be used.  It's amazing!  When Josh comes home he will tell him all about what he has done and who he has seen and everything.  He is a genius!  We say this ALL the time. 

5.  I was nursing Milo on the couch and Chase comes out into the livingroom naked carrying his pants, undies and a clean shirt out of his dresser.  I asked him why he was naked and he said "pee, duhdoh" (duhdoh is poop...don't ask why - nobody knows.  That's just what he calls it).  I asked him why he didn't do that in the potty - figuring his clothes were wet from an accident so that is why he took them off.  So I sat Milo down and followed him to his room where he ran off to.  On my way by the bathroom I noticed the door was open and the floor was wet - so I went in and looked and he had peed and pooped on the potty all by himself!  Then my frustration immediately turned into celebrating!  That was the first time he ever did that alone.  So I wiped his bum and praised him and then started putting his clothes back on him.  I got on his undies and pants and started putting his shirt on and he said "wet".  So I looked at it and sure enough it was.  He must have had it on the floor and peed on it on accident.  Then I realized my little problem solver knew that he had to have a clean shirt and that is why he had a clean shirt in his arms when he first came out to me.  See!?!?!  He is a GENIUS!  His problem solving skills are getting really good.  I love it!

Head Down

My little Milo wasn't a baby for very long it seems.  He rarely lays his head down on me.  He only does it if he's asleep.  I really enjoy our early morning feeding because usually he will fall back asleep for just a little bit and it's just the two of us while everyone else is still asleep.  I always take a minute after he's done eating to just sit and enjoy his snuggles and listen to him breath and look at how perfect he is.  He is beautiful. 

Yesterday he actually laid his head on my chest while he was awake...for just a second - but it was still the best feeling.  I think Josh got a kick out of how excited I got about it.  Milo has just never really done that so it was really special to me. 

Train

Josh and I were in the kitchen doing dishes and Chase runs in there from his room and says "train!".  Josh said OK just a minute I'll be right there.  So he runs off and we went about finishing the dishes because we were almost done.  Josh goes back to his room to see what train he wants and finds Chase INSIDE his toy box.  He couldn't reach it himself so he was asking Daddy for help but apparently he wasn't patient enough so he took matters into his own hands and figured out a way to get it himself!  Haha.

He was proud of himself too!  We were equally proud...it's pretty cool to watch your baby problem solve.  Although it does make me sad that he is starting to not need us as much as he used to.  So fun and sad at the same time watching him grow. 

This is what he was getting the train for.  He was wanting to add to this.  He was getting all of his cars and trains and what not and lining the table with them.  Cute!

Funeral

The Sherrill's lost their Dad, Rick last week.  It was a little unexpected and a very sad day for all, of course.  They had an afternoon service followed by a gathering at Julia's house.  It was nice to see all the family and friends gathered around to support them all.  John spoke at the funeral and told a little joke that they found in Rick's handwriting about "a fart".  That was perfect for them.  Rick was always a joker and a laugher and so is John.  He concluded by saying that their Grandma Sherrill always said laugh when you're together and cry when you're alone.  He got a little choked up but never really let lose.  These guys feel like family to us and I think always will.  They have our sympathy for sure.  RIP, Rick!

Barbies

Ruth still has a bunch of Taylor's old barbies and a few other girly toys she gathered when Cammie was born.  Chase has discovered these and enjoys playing with them as well.  She got the barbies and clothes out for him and he was playing away and then came in the kitchen a few minutes later saying "house"...he wanted the barbie house too!  Haha - Josh didn't find this to be so funny but it really doesn't bother me.  

Milo always has his hand so far in his mouth you can't hear his awesome giggle.  He is a tickle bug and Grandma was finding his tickle spots. 

Funny Guy

Lately Milo has started really laughing at Chase.  He will just turn his head and watch Chase wherever he goes..and out of the blue he will find something that he does funny and just bust out laughing.  It is absolutely adorable!  I love love love it!  I think Milo is going to have a good sense of humor.  I love his little personality already.  His little laugh is contagious.  : )  These moments always make me stop and realize what this is all really about.  Look at them - they are perfect and so happy with not a worry in the world.  ..and I am lucky enough to be the one providing that loving worry free environment for them.  Being a parent is a dream come true.

Oh My..

Holy chocolate face!  Haha these fudge bars made a MESS out of Chase...and he thought it was hilarious!  It's actually unusual to see him so messy because for a 2 year old he is pretty darn neat most of the time.  He knows to lean over his plate and use napkins and everything.  He's pretty much awesome! 

Valentines

Josh and I typically don't really do much for Valentine's day.  It seems like a day that is just there as an excuse to spend money.  I do like it and I more get into small thoughtful things than big elaborate gifts or outings.  The boys and I made these for Daddy.  I saw them on pinterest.  On the first hand it says "I love you" and then on the inside it says "this much".  Then I stuck them inside this book with a little note.  He also got swiss rolls and beef jerky.  Our boys got new bedtime "toys".  Milo got a little monkey that plays lullabies and Chase got a turtle that shines stars on his ceiling.  We were going to get these for the boys anyways so I guess they just fell into being their Valentines day "presents".  Mommy got snuggles and kisses this year.  Josh is not a romantic type and while sometimes I wish he was - I have pretty much just accepted that he is just not that way and I love him anyways.  Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

He Likes

Sandy picked up these bath wall thingy's for Chase and he loves them!  They are pretty sweet actually.  They just stick after getting wet wherever he puts them and then there is a mesh bag to keep them in.  Chasey says thank you! 

Running Around

The boys and I ran around with Mom last Tuesday afternoon when she got off work.  She needed to go to Carthage and so did I.  I went so I could go to the DMV and renew my license stickers and we get there and it was closed for Lincoln's birthday!  So - we really got out for no reason other than to just get out I guess.  I have kind of gotten away from doing that with her since Milo was born because it is just so much more work to drag around 2 babes than just 1.  That and I have found that they really just do better if I stay home with them and stick to our routine most of the time. 

We went through Hamilton on the way home and made Dad take us out for supper.  We had Mexican.  Yum Yum!  Chase was well behaved.  He makes me proud. 

Good Morning!

I love everything about first thing in the morning with these 2 babes.  I love the sleepy looks in their eyes.  I love that they both wake up smiling.  I love the good snuggles they give.  I love that they give me a reason to smile first thing ever single day.  I love that I am lucky enough to get to spend every morning with them.  I love them!  : )

Bright Out

A few weeks ago Josh and I had plans to get up early and go out to breakfast and do a little shopping as a family.  We like taking Chase for breakfast because he usually eats it really well when we do.  Our plans were stomped on when we woke up and it was rainy cats and dogs.  We decided it probably wasn't a great idea to drag the boys in and out of a bunch of places in the cold and rain...but he had already taken the day off...so we left then at Mom and Dad's for a bit and still went just the 2 of us.  We ended up having a really good day date.  We had a late breakfast and did some fun shopping.  It was fun shopping because no groceries were involved - and I bought a smaller size pair of jeans that day.  Yep, fun stuff.  I was pretty proud of myself at breakfast too.  I ordered fruit on the side (never would have done that before) and only ate half of everything else.  It was such a great feeling because I felt satisfied and full and still did well for myself too.  On the way home Josh was complaining that it was bright out.  Every time he does I offer him my sunglasses and he always refuses.  So I looked in the glove box to make sure he didn't have any of his own in there and found these awesome glasses Chase got in a happy meal once.  Haha - nice huh?!  I do love him : )

The Guilty One

Do you see this??  It is adorable and precious.  However - he always makes it sound like it was my fault that Chase was addicted to sleeping with us.  I will agree that it was partially my fault...but obviously he is guilty too!  If he is still tired when baby wakes up  he just throws Milo in bed with him if I'm in the shower or gone so he'll go back to sleep.  Guilty guilty he is!  He didn't learn his lesson.  I actually have only done this with Milo 2 times.  Honestly.  Not for any other reason than I don't want to start something again.  I will say it is tempting and I do miss it sometimes though. 

Snoring

Josh went in to lay Chase down one night and I stayed out in the living room and was on the computer.  About 5 minutes later I hear something.  I guess Josh was pretty tired too!  He crashed so hard he was snoring!  Haha! 

Happy Baby

Daddy was kissing his neck and he was laughing his little belly laugh.  : )

Really grabs his toys and puts his binky in and out of his mouth.  His hand eye coordination is amazing!

Happy naked baby!

How do you like my rolls?!  ; )  Mommy loves them!

Cute new little robot outfit we found for him on clearance at Target.  His smile is contagious isn't it??  I do that my little Milo man!

Hamburgers

Chase calls any sandwich a hamburger.  He says it so cute too.  We went to Subway last Saturday and had "hamburgers" for lunch.  We don't get to eat out very often anymore so this was a treat for us.  Chase behaved and ate very well too. 

Milo slept through it all. 

This was the first time we actually got him his own meal at Subway.  He's growing up and is to that point now.  We showed him one time how to hold his sandwich so everything wouldn't fall out and then he picked it up and held it like that every time.  He catches on to things really quickly.  It makes me proud.  He also saw us smash it down so he could fit his mouth around it too and so every time he sat it down he had to smash it too.  Haha.  I like simple little lunch dates like this with my family.

Am I On The Floor?

Josh was getting ready to get back on the train so I pulled him up on skype for a minute so Chase could say bye.  I was letting Chase carry the phone around to talk to him and then I hear "am I on the floor??".  Haha - Chase put him on the floor to show him what he had in his hand.  I do love technology.  Josh being gone would be even harder without it. 

Boys

Owen came over after school last week for a bit.  Tyson called just a few minutes after he got here to see if he wanted to stay a while or to go home and he decided he wanted to stay a while.  Him and Chase went down stairs and drove Chase's jeep around in the basement.  At one point Owen shouted my name up the stairs like something was wrong and then said "Chase is a terrible driver!".  Haha - he is so right!  Chase needs a driving lesson or two.  He still wasn't ready to go when Tyson got here to get him.  If I wasn't going grocery shopping I would've let him stay longer.  I like that he likes it with us and feels comfortable here. 

"Feet"

I had a done really good on my points one day and had exercised and everything so I thought it deserved a treat.  I went to Caseys and got me some laffy taffy (which I found out the entire thing is only 4 points - SCORE!).  I got Chase a "feet" too and I'm pretty sure I got the best Mommy award that night.  Haha - win him over with candy! 

Race

These little cars are really cool.  They go fast and far and will even climb our front door.  They're magnetic and everything.  Josh and I even think they're awesome!  Anyways - Josh and Chase were having a race the other night.  Chase would run down the hall and get both of their cars every time and giggle.  He was having so much fun (and I think Daddy was too).  It's the simple things!  : )  Happy times!