Fall Memories

 I've been meaning to post for a week now but, as usual, haven't had time to stop and actually do it. I guess the bright spot of my blogging decline is that I will save some money next year when I order the blog book!  Those things are so expensive...but priceless at the same time. I have one from each year since Jay was born, basically serving as my baby books, and I guess I will have to keep it up as long as the kids are little. I can see myself pulling them each out in about 20 years and reading through each page, thinking how fast the years went by and how sweet these times really were. Everyone always tells us to cherish these years because we will want them back one day. I remind myself of that every time I have to scrub the floor and walls after Eli gets loose with a crayon. And when Jay throws a ridiculous fit because we make him come inside for supper. And as I wipe up the floors literally 8 times a day because they cannot figure out how to keep the food on the plate. It's a messy and chaotic time, but I know it is a blessed time even more.

As for what's going on with them this month:

Eli: 22months (I just started planning his 2 year party!!)
 - says new words daily. His newest word..."no", he tells Jake "no" all the time. He loves bossing something around but, since Jake doesn't consider Eli an authoritative figure, it usually isn't effective.
 - Uses short sentences. Mainly things like, "here, mama" and "hey, daddy". It's really cute when he says hey to objects. He will be walking through the kitchen and say, "hey dink!" or go in the play room and I hear, "hey tractor!" He also loves using possessive words. He will point to everything in the house, saying, "mama's shoes", "Jay's hat", "daddy's truck"... The other day he was trying to tell kitty "no" and ended up getting bit. As soon as Wes came in, Eli ran over, pointed to his arm, and said, "kitty bite! kitty bite!"
 - His hair is getting thicker and curly around his ears. Wes keeps saying I need to cut it but I love the curls...I think he is adorable, Wes thinks he is unkempt.
 - He has a bunch of teeth, maybe 14. And two more coming in. He loves to brush them himself but is not cooperative when I want to brush them. Very annoying. Thank goodness these are baby teeth and will fall out anyway!
 - He is showing more interest in the potty. We let him sit on it when he asks but, so far, there haven't been any results. When I let him run naked outside he will always tee-tee though. And has started pooping in the yard too!  I am not sure whether to fuss or praise him. He usually tells me when he poops in his diaper and when I change him just yells, "eewwww!" the whole time. He thinks it is so fun.
 - We go to a toddler music class every Monday and he is very taken with it. He has all kinds of little dances now. He stopped in the middle of Wal-mart to show off his moves the other day. This morning he ran up and down the aisle at church with his hands in the air. He may have some pentecostal in him!
 - He finally lets me rock him at night. He has even started asking for it.."mama, rock?"  It is precious. He's never liked to cuddle at bedtime so I am loving this....the bad part is he's never ready for me to put him down...so we've been crying a little before bedtime most nights. 


Jay is doing great. He loves pre-k, his teachers, and his friends. He is learning so much and I love hearing about it when I pick him up. At night, when he is praying, he almost always says, "thank you God for my new friends and I miss my old friends."  He has adjusted very easily. He loves seeing family so much and has had more sleepovers with Papa and Mama Ross than I can count. He can't get enough of his Mimi either, loves going to Gary's farm, and seeing all of his cousins on both sides of the family. He always asks me, "mama, how many cousins to I have" and "when can I see them again?" He still loves to cuddle with me and gives me hugs and flowers all day long. He is going to be spiderman for Halloween, I'm sure I will have lots of pictures this year!

In time out. He doesn't accept that it's punishment. When I tell him to go he just walks over and sits down. He has no remorse. Look at that defiance in his eyes!

At the Tift Co high school football game. Jay has been telling everyone "I went to a REAL football game!" ever since.

Playing dress-up with Gracie....I have a feeling she isn't going to allow her Daddy to put that ugly hat on her for much longer!

She is getting so playful!  And still so happy!

Trying to get a Daddy/Eli picture...not so easy

This was the only way we could get a smile that day

Climbing up to look at the birds nest

Saying the blessing....i just love this!  He keeps his eyes covered for a little while but if it gets to long he starts peeking. When we catch eyes he gives me a sly grin and peeks around his hands until its over.

Fun at lunch!

he loves swinging in the hammock

fishing trip with Papa and Mama Ross!

Passed out on the boat

Ready to catch some fish

Loving Mama Ross

"you better put on your life jacket!"

what a nap!

This was just before Eli fell overboard and we jumped in fully clothed to pull him out! We had stopped for a little while to fish and Eli was playing with the ladder. He gave it a push and went in head first!  When Wes pulled him out he was wide eyed and angry as could be. It was shallow water but still gave us a scare! 

playing with Daddy after church.

These are precious!

Running away

Caught by Mama Ross

Finally got my sweet Wes and Eli picture

This is our fire pit/patio. It doesn't look like much now but we planted grass seeds between the brick so hopefully it will turn out pretty. We will have to explain our vision to people this fall though. And try not to stub any toes on all those exposed bricks!

bobbing for apples at the Agirama fall festival

he thought that was the funniest game!

"I don't care about apples, I'm going to find some candy"

Jay ran into a friend from school so they guided us through the corn maze...we found a few dead ends before making it out.

Eli's mouth is so full of tootsie roll that he can't even walk straight

"lets go find some more of that candy"

on the hay ride...i only asked Jay to sit down and smile...

still eating tootsie rolls...

face painting...what else would he ask for than a spiderman face!?