A Sauna & An Unwanted Guest

What a week! My last week at home started off not so cool and ended hot & miserable.  At the beginning of the week Will discovered (after walking under it 4 times) that we had a huge black snake hanging out over our front door (on the decorative arch).  A snake was hanging out above our door!  I had no idea that snakes could crawl up walls...way to add creepiness to an already creepy thing.  Apparently, the snake was trying to get into a vent (one that we have no idea what it does) that a little bird family had made its home.  So, at midnight Will (my hero) and I were watching this BIG snake (at least 3 feet) meticulously planning a way to the vent.  This stupid snake kept us up until like 3 in the morning.  On a side note, Will, my brave man happens to have a little, tiny fear of snakes.  He is soooo not a fan!  Neither am I but more because I am grossed out by their existence.  Eventually, Will put a broom through Meli's nursery window and flung it off the window.  Will was traumatized by the weight of it.  FREAKED! We watched where it landed for a while when all of the sudden it peaked its head back out and crept back up!  The SOB was coming back!  It tried for a little while and then disappeared under a bush.  Needless to say we did not sleep very well.  We were not sure where the vent went and if there were any other possible ways for it to get into our house.  The next day, we had a pest control company come cover any possible entries.  The bird family was no more - poor things.  They also looked for the snake but was unsuccessful.  They did find a baby one in the vent.  We have spent all week trying to catch a glimpse of it so the pest guy would come take it away. 

Fastforward to Sunday.  The day our AC breaks down.  Our house was 90 degrees ALL night!  Meli slept wonderfully.  She did not wake up.  I finally woke her up at 4 to make sure she was OK and to feed her.  I did not sleep well.  I slept horribly!  Thankfully the AC people fixed it today.  Virginia is so hot and humid.  I love this state but as long as my AC works!

OK, moving on to the beautiful babies!  Meli is 12 weeks and as cute as ever.  She discovered her feet this week.  She is very entertained by them, especially when she has footed pajamas on.  She has been talking to herself and can lay on her own and will entertain herself.  My baby girl.  She has noticed the TV.  Colin was watching a show and Meli was transfixed.  She is moving all over the place.  Always laying in different directions, rolling around and if on her belly moving forward.  Whoa!

Colin still loves being a big brother.  He is sadly calling us Dad and Mom now.  Not a fan of that.  Made me want to cry.  For one it makes me sound old and second, it makes Colin sound older.  So not a fan.  I want to stay mommy.  Hopefully it is just a phase.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Red Umbrella

A few months ago we remodeled our entry bathroom. Will & I were inspired by a painting of a red umbrella.

Before:

After:

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Colin's Art Corner

Today was a craft day for Colin and I.  We were very ambitious and planned to make tie-dye shirts, wooden airplanes and boats, and paper bag puppets.  Well, we only did one wooden airplane - which is good because we can make all of the fun art projects last.  Here are some pictures of Colin's art project.

Setting up.

Colin ready to go.

Half-way through!

All cleaned up and showing off the final product!

May May relaxing and being entertained by big brother

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Cute Little Cupcake

Meli is now 11 weeks.  This past week she has been rolling around like a little monster and then trying to move forward.  She is not up on her hands and is not quite sure what to do with them yet but she is definitely scooting forward with her legs.  Kind of like an army crawl.  Still a slow one though.  That seems a little early to me, but each child is different.  Not sure if I am ready for her to be moving around.  She is just a baby! When I lay her down she has also been trying to lift her head up like she is going to sit up.  Meli - you are moving to fast for me.  Stay a baby!!  Each morning when Colin comes to wake us up we have a little bit of family bed time.  This consists of Colin trying to stay quiet but failing miserably, Meli cooing and laughing at Colin, Mommy making faces at Meli and Will too, once he gives up on trying to sleep with all of us gabbing and laughing.  Fun times! This is my last full week at home.  I will admit I am a bit sad but ready for some adult interaction.  We will see how I do.

Thank you, Uncle David - we loved everything!

Playing with her playtime mat

Such a big girl!

I love this shirt.  A friend from Canada sent it to me.  It is very fitting because we all seem to have a nickname that ends in 'cake'.  Will calls me 'Babycakes', I call Will 'Honeycakes', Colin is 'Sweetcakes' and now Meli is 'Cupcake'.  We just need one more to call 'Sugarcakes'!  Just teasing Will!

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Meli & Colin

I thought it would be cute to compare a video of Colin around the same age that Meli is now. 

Colin:

Meli:

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Married to a Rock Star!!!

(I wrote this a few weekends ago, but forgot to post it)

Another busy summer weekend has come and gone.  The weather was beautiful.  It actually cooled down quite a bit and was only in the high 80's.  A nice break.  We took the kids to the pool again.  Colin is getting somewhat more comfortable with the water.  We were going to take Meli in but we dipped her toes in the pool and she made it very clear  that she did not find the temperature suitable for this little princess.  Hopefully the water will be warmer next time.  The first time we went it was not cold at all.  At least Colin got to enjoy it.  Here are some pictures of the B family enjoying the sun.

Saturday evening, Will's band (The Inconceivables) played at a local county block party.  It was supposedly a big shing dig.  There was face painting, sirque de ....., a beer garden, and of course my rock star husband playing on the drums!  I sadly, did not get to go.  Colin was tired and May May is showing some signs of possible teething.  Poor baby.  I was told that the band did an amazing job!  I am so proud of Will - this was a very cool location to play and was something that was county wide.  I think that is pretty great!  Hopefully next time I will get to go.

My drummer husband:

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

My Little Honey Bunny

Our baby girl is 10 weeks today! I am really enjoying my time home with her and am a little sad that it is coming to an end. I am  so glad that I was able to stay home the whole time with her.

Some of the nicknames she has picked up so far are: Mae Mae, Mae Day, Peanut, Sis and Mae.

Her 2 month appointment went well.  She is 11 lbs 4 oz and around 23 inches long. Loooong baby.

She has been laughing a lot more.  We spend the first few minutes in the morning trying to make her laugh.  She loves when daddy tries to make her smile.

I think our poor baby is starting to teeth already.  A little earlier than Colin, or it may just bother her more.  Colin did really good with teeth coming in.
Pictures this last week:
 

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

"Oh Coconuts"

Just thought I would share a some Colin Tidbits...since he makes life so interesting and fun!

Colin loves the Disney show Jake and the Pirates (or something close to that) which is about Captain Hook and some kids in Neverland.  He now loves pirates and recently announced that he is going to be one.  So, is Meli apparently.  Colin thinks Meli should be one for Halloween.  Recently, Colin loves the idea of costumes.  The only time he really ask for toy type things is costumes (unless we are in the store and he sees a whole bunch of toys). He wants all sorts of costumes like Optimus Prime, Iron Man, a pirate and probably anything else you can think of. 

"Oh, coconuts!" is his new phrase.  It is something that one of the boys says in the pirate show. 

Recently, Colin has taken the matter of Will's "discipline" into his own hands.  He tried to make Will go in timeout a couple of times for doing something that Colin would get in trouble for.  He has also made his dad apologize for saying bad words. 

Some recent conversations:

Colin: "Daddy!  You can't say *insert bad word*.  That is bad!  You have to say 'sorry"
Will: "Sorry, Colin"
Colin: "It's OK, but you have to be good or no food for you".

Colin: "Daddy!  You can't hit mama's bottom!"
Will: *blushes* "Sorry, Colin"
Colin: "It's OK.  I am so proud of you for saying sorry"
Will: "thanks Colin"

Colin can be a bother at times but he is such a sweet boy and seems to say the right things when you need it.  Even if you need to hear something sweet because of something he said a few minutes beforehand.

Recent conversations:

(As I come out in my bathing suit)

Colin: "Mama! You cannot wear that!  You are too big!"
Mama: *about to cry* "what?"
Colin: "You're too big...only kids are supposed to play in the pool"
Mama: (to Will) "oh thank god, I thought he was telling me I was fat!"

Will: "Colin, isn't mama cool?"
Colin: "No"
Mama: "I am cool"
Colin: "No, mama's beautiful"
Mama: "Aww *heart melts*... I am cool too!"

According to Colin.  Mama and Meli are beautiful and Colin and Daddy are cool.

Will: "Colin, close your eyes and think about what makes you happy (to help him sleep)
Colin: "OK"
Will: "What makes you the most happy?"
Colin: "Mama"


My little sweetie...

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

"It's Time for Bed, Little Sheep, Little Sheep"

"...the whole wide world is going to sleep".

Meli's Stats:

Weight: guessing...11 lbs

Sleeping: A lot.  Waking up around 3 am or 4 for a feeding

Eating: A lot - starting to have formula twice a day and than breastmilk ever 2 hours or so.

Bedtime story: It's Time for Bed by Mem Fox

Yesterday Meli turned 2 months.  She is getting so big!  Well long...but she is chunking up a little, which I love.  I think that chunky babies are so adorable.  All babies are adorable but there is just something about the chub!  She does not have it like Colin did but she manages to be just as adorable anyway.  Her appointment is this Wednesday - I am excited to see how much she weighs.  I am thinking close to or a little more than 11 lbs.  We will see.

There has been more smiling, cooing and moving around.  She is crazy with flinging her arms all over the place.  A surprise hit to her little face seems to happen quite a bit.  Her look of shock is priceless.  She is trying to grab more things and has gotten a hold of my hair a couple of times.  Ouch! Very tight grip.  Daddy got the biggest smile so far this morning. He was shaving and I guess the shaving cream was very amusing to her.

Meli is starting to enjoy tummy-time more. She also loves to lay on her back and play with all of the hanging toys from her playmat.  I love her noises. Just so darn cute! We are having her join in Colin's storytime and she gets to listen to his two books and then we pick one for Meli. The title is from the book we are reading this week. It was one Colin loved when he was little.  He even memorized it at one point. She has her eye on her big brother - he appears to be very interesting to her.  As long as he keeps his distance.  Colin still wants to be right in her face. 






Relaxation time




All sunshine and happiness!



~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family

Stars & Stripes & Everything Nice

I hope that everyone had a fun and safe 4th of July.  We had a nice and relaxing 3 day weekend, well for the most part...

On Saturday, Grandma Liz and Uncle Michael came up for some fajitas and tacos.  Yummy! It was a gorgeous day, not too hot like it has been, so we hung out on the back deck eating chips, salsa and queso dip. Another yum! Colin loves an audience, especially Grandma Liz. He enjoys showing her everything new since her last visit.  Recently, Lil C inherited some hand-me-down toys from his cousins, so he had so much to share. He has been obsessed with these toys and every morning without fail they are right back to being spread out all over the living room and his playroom.  He is an expert at making messes.

Meli is still just along for the ride.  She did have a couple of cute 4th of July outfits to show off this weekend though.  I have to say she looks pretty cute in stars and stripes, plus red and blue.

On Sunday, Will's band was supposed to play a gig at a local block party - they were able to get in 3 songs before the thunder and lightning started.  The rain started as Colin, Meli and I headed that way to watch - of course. It was a downpour, which usually makes me excited but not when you are lugging around two kids. Ones who are not as big of a fan of rain as I am.  Took my joy out of it.  Plus, I knew that Will was really excited to play. The band waited it out to see if they could set up again but it started to get too dark. Poor Will.  Thankfully he has another gig coming up at a county block party.  This one seems pretty cool.  Last year the headliner was Elliot Yamin. 

We spent the earlier part of Sunday finishing up weekly chores.  As you can see below, Colin did a lot of reading.  He has somehow talked us into letting him read during his quiet time rather than trying to take a nap.  He rarely ends up falling asleep anyways - and some days all I care about is some quiet time. Plus, I love his love for books.

On Monday, we were lazy all day until it was time to celebrate this great nations independence! We headed over to Colin's Aunt and Uncle's house for appetizers and fireworks.  Colin is not a fan of loud noises.  Never has been. So, this holiday is not his favorite.  I thought that the fireworks would not scare him this year since we were extra careful to get quiet ones and he is getting older. Not the case.  Apparently, he learned about fire recently and thought that the fireworks were the same as an actual fire.  He thought they were going to hurt him.  Poor bugger.  At least I know he would not approach a fire! His little sister did not seem to mind the fireworks at all.  I am thinking next year we will skip out on buying fireworks and just go to the park to watch the big ones that are far enough away that Colin will enjoy them.  C man did enjoy the pop-its.  He was throwing them from his safe little corner. 

After fireworks everything started going down hill - very quickly.  Meli was losing it because she was hungry and ready for bed.  Colin was losing it because he was up way past his bedtime and was still freaked out by the snake firework.  He is not a fan of snakes and bugs.  The car ride home was horrid.  We had two kids screaming.  It reminded me of one of the spoof movies that has an extended screaming screen - the person is screaming non-stop, then pauses, then picks it right back up again. Chaos. Pure chaos that can sometimes shove its ugly head into the B family's life. 

We thought if we could get Colin to sing that he would calm down.  The trick is to be sneaky though. Not to let him know we want to calm him down.  We asked if he would sing "Meli had a Little Lamb" to calm his little sister down.  Will and I started singing and Colin sobbingly asked if it could be "Colin had a Little Lamb".  So much for big brother duty!  It worked though!  We got everyone ready for bed and needless to say Colin was out within minutes!  He even slept in the next morning!  Bonus!  However, Meli did not.

Colin was so excited to help feed Meli.

~ Love, Hugs & Kisses ~

The B Family