Catching Up

It's July 4th?! The year is half over?! Well, we've been up to a lot since my last post so let's see how much I can remember...

First of all, my week-ends have become a lot busier. Will has given up naps - at home, any way. He takes one every day at the babysitter's. I think he's taken one nap in his crib since my last post. He still sleeps in the crib, (he's climbed out a few times); we haven't started potty training; no major changes, (or even minor ones), so I'm just chalking it up to the fact he's (almost) 2 1/2. We've tried everything to keep him on his daily nap schedule on the w/e's, so instead we have "quiet time" now for half an hour to an hour, which entails preoccupying Will with the iPad. It works. Having a toddler going at full speed all day, all w/e is pretty exhausting. By the time Monday morning rolls around I'm ready for the w/e. Wait, that's not how it works, is it? For the first time since Will was born I can say with all honesty I am glad to be a working mom. For one thing, I have no idea how I would keep him entertained and occupied all day every day by myself. He is so much like Bill in that he cannot sit still. Like it's almost physically impossible for him. I also don't know how I could deal with the tantrums and just every day/hour shenanigans of a two year old. Will is a good kid - great kid. But it is rough. So now by the time Monday mornings roll around it's no longer tearful goodbyes...but 'bye Felicia' kind of goodbyes. I know this phase won't last forever, and I know it's sad to wish it away and take it for granted, but some days I just do. When he's on his 856,667th tantrum of the day, I just do. This about sums up everything there is to know about life with a toddler:

Now that that's out of my system, onto the nice things I have to say about my kid ;-P

Will is talking really well! His babysitter always comments how well he's doing with his words and how fast he learns. She thinks he's going to really love school, (I agree!). She said he picks up everything she teaches faster than average, (they have daily lessons). He can count 1 - 10 without any errors and he can say the alphabet with about 60-70% accuracy. He loves singing the Alphabet Song and 'Twinkle, Twinkle.' He's obsessed with all things cars and trucks and trains. He loves animals, (especially kitty kitties) and chocolate, and being outdoors. He's not sure if he likes swimming, (we've recently started taking him to the pool every w/e). He's afraid of the vacuum but other than that he doesn't have too many fears right now. He's extremely loving and empathetic. He's recently learned the concept of saying 'sorry.' We're working on learning about our emotions. I bought four different books that teach kids about their emotions I've been reading to him every night. I've heard it helps so why not. I myself am reading a book recommended to me called, "Raising the Spirited Child." I would classify Will as "spirited" in many ways and it's helping me understand better about why he does the things he does and how to cope and help him grow into a happy, well-adjusted child. Hopefully...

I can't end this post without mentioning the newest addition to our family: Bill's 2015 Ford Mustang GT. If you know anything about Bill, you know about his love of Mustangs. It's been his dream car for a long time. Cue Billy Ocean..."Get outta my dreams..." I will admit it is a FUN car. I think second to our wedding day and Will's birth day, Bill's crowing moment in life was the evening he took me to a fancy restaurant for our anniversary, just a few days after he bought it. He left it with the valet and they didn't drive it away yall. They left it on the Hall of Fame, Look at Me, front valet car line! There is a lot to be said about seeing the person you love so happy.

If his smile were any bigger all of this teeth would fall out!

We went to Grandma and Guppy's house to celebrate Mother's Day. Uncle David, Aunt Raine, and baby Adilynn came too.

Will loves giving kisses!

Happy family

Bill made my Mother's Day very special with homemade tote bag for my lunches, picture for my desk, and book. 

I printed and framed this photo as a Mother's Day gift for Ms Kim, Will's babysitter. I made her husband a Candy Bar Pie for Father's Day. We love them both so much. 

1st trip to the Dallas Aquarium! Will LOVED it! We still look at the booklet we brought home from it with all the animals and fish in it.

Grandpa had a good time too :-)

The Oldenburg Family came for a visit in June and we met Grandma and Gupppy's new boat!

Uncle Chris with Liese

Will wasn't too sure about this boating stuff. We'll break him in.

Cora, 6 yrs

Grandma and Guppy worked so hard to keep the entertained and it certainly worked! They had a ball all day every day.

From Left: Raine with baby Adilynn, David, me, Chris Oldenburg, baby Marin, Carolyn, Chris Prater, Nicki, baby Aria, Mom, Dan, Will, Analiese, Cora

Adilynn, 6 mo's

Marin, 12 mo's

Looking so grown up!

The Oldenburgs came to stay at our house for a long w/e and we took a trip to the Perot Museum. Will's favorite part of the museum was pushing his umbrella stroller around. 

I absolutely love how close our kids are already. I walked upstairs one evening to find them like this. Cousins are your best friends for all your life...

Grandpa on Father's Day with baby Adilynn

And the rest of this grandkids

Right?!

I took Dad to a painting class last w/e as his Father's Day gift. We had so much fun! It was so nice to have a date, just the two of us. I treasure those moments with my dad.

And did I mention what a talented artist he is?! He free-handed his own painting. Mine was an outline I painted over that one of the art teachers put on the canvas for me. I did not inherit that artist gene!

This guy lives just down the street from us. We caught him the other day when he was out to pasture and turns out he's very friendly!