Never Want to Forget...

With Bear quickly approaching the big (terrible) two, I'm more emotional than ever about our growing boy.

Each little habit, quirk, and funny thing he does totally melts Zach and I and we wish time would come to a screeching halt. This age (we've said this about every age thus far) really is so much fun.

 

 

I never want to forget...

-The belly laughs. And the sweet snorts that come along with it.
-The squeals. I have a feeling he won't be squealing for joy thirty times a day when he's fifteen, so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

-The "hiding from you even though you can see me" game. Exhibit A:

 

-The love for Mickey Mouse. It's so innocent and sweet, and has me planning a Disneyland trip already (not for several years, if you're reading this, Zach).

-The obsession with sidewalk chalk. And writing all over everything in general.

-The bath-time standing, splashing, and bubble blowing. He certainly won't do that when he's fifteen. I hope.

-The love for Mommy and Daddy. I hope this never fades, because it's pretty much the best thing in the world.

 

-The running-everywhere-excitement. Walking just doesn't get there fast enough!

-The swinging addiction. Bear could swing all day, every day. It's kind of his thing. He points at it and says "Ing!" and there we'll be for the next forty-five minutes.



-The thighs. Not quite as juicy as they used to be but still squeezable.


I want to remember so much more, but it'd take all day to write a post on everything I love about our Little Man. Here's to soaking up the next four months of "one" before I officially have to refer to Bear as a toddler. Is this difficult for anyone else? Or am I just a big baby myself?

Sounds like nap-time just ended and I'm off to the swingset. Happy Thursday, friends!



Reading & Writing (No Arithmetic)

There's something about summertime that makes me a reading fanatic. It's likely because my brothers and I read so much in the summer growing up; it was the one time of year we could actually read what we wanted (instead of what our teacher picked for us). We went on long vacations in which DVD players didn't exist yet and the only way to preoccupy ourselves was either to sleep or read. I finished the entire Nancy Drew series in two summers, and pretty sure those were the best summers of my life. Oh Nancy, I do love you and your mysteries.

My reading preferences have changed slightly since then, but I do still love a good mystery. And romance. And just about all historical fiction. Which brings me to a good question: What are you currently reading?
And what are some of your favorite books/series? I've read about twenty books in the past two months and would love some new suggestions. Bear sleeps around twelve hours a night now which allows Mommy more time for herself! Bubble baths, reading juicy novels, and silence. Ahhhhh, the little things in life.

 

Confession: I'm also writing my first novel. I'm only six chapters in and am currently having a little writer's block (moreover, a lack of time to think let alone write), but hopefully I'll see it through to the end. And I'll let you all know when I do! :)


Hope you are having a wonderful week! It's hot in Houston. Like, really hot. Lots of playing inside and mall trips for us lately. Stay cool, friends!

Celebrating

Lately, it seems there's been a lot of celebrating going on around here. We'll take any excuse for cake, donuts, or cheesecake! :)

 

Bear turned 20 months old last week (it can't be!), I finished up birthweek events, we took advantage of National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, and lots in between.

 

 

Happy 20 months, Bear Clayton!

 

Donuts are Bear's favorite treat (thanks to my parents!), so naturally a donut "cake" was in order.

 

One last birthweek celebration at Cheesecake Factory with the girls on Saturday night.

 

I'm planning four big parties in the next four months, and it's taken over our guestroom. Two bachelorettes/lingerie showers, a baby shower, and Bear's 2nd birthday!

 

We I celebrated scoring these cobalt suede pumps for 97 cents (yes, you read that correctly) at Old Navy on Tuesday. Cheapest shoes ever!

National Ice Cream Day was enjoyed at Freddy's, of course.

And the biggest celebration of all...Daddy coming home! Just a typical, but exciting, every-weekday event.



 

Hope you're doing lots of celebrating this week, too!

Being a Boy Momma

Lately, it seems a day doesn't go by that someone doesn't make some sort of a comment about little boys.
"Oh, I'm so glad I have girls. How do you do it?"
"I really hope our next one is a girl. Boys are too much trouble."
"How do you have enough energy to chase a toddler boy around all day?"

Yes, all three of those statements have actually been said.

The truth is, I love being a boy mom. Sure, there's lots of dirt under his fingernails on any given day. And he'd rather play in rain puddles (barefoot) than sit quietly playing with dolls. He picks up worms and bugs and everything else that he thinks will make Momma squeal and squirm.

But all those things aside, he is so, so, so very sweet. And we are so proud to call him ours.

 

 

Sure, he's a rascal. He's been known to run from me in Target (cough cough, this afternoon). He begs for Dum Dums and he hates veggies. He kisses girls, on the lips, in front of their daddies. Brave little Bear.

 

 

But he is my precious little boy, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'll take the dirt under the fingernails any day as he showers me in kisses. The way his eyes light up when Daddy gets home completely melts our hearts. I see the relationship my brothers have with our Mom and know that his wife's chocolate pie will never hold a light to mine. And he'll always, always be my little boy (even when he's taller than me in a few months).

 

Being a boy momma challenging, sure. But parenting is challenging as a whole, no matter the gender of the child. Every child is a blessing, a gift, and we couldn't be happier with ours.
Love you, Bear Clayton.

 

Lately

Things have been really busy around here and I glanced at the calendar a few days in amazement. It's really already the middle of July? Where is the summer going?! We're making a point to hit the pool and snow cone stand a lot over the next few weeks. :)

 

 

I had the best birthday yesterday; thank you all for your sweet wishes! It couldn't have been better.

 

My sis-in-law, Scarlett, and brother, Shane, sent these gorgeous flowers. They're brightening up our kitchen!

Z came home with the prettiest, yummiest cake.

And sent beautiful flowers, too.

 

This is where Bear wants to be at all times. I, however, would rather be jumping into the pool. It's hot in Houston.

Little Man had such a fun weekend. Birthday parties, Chuck E. Cheese, and lots of time with Daddy!

We get just a little excited over Rudy's BBQ.

TV chillin'.

We went to a birthday party last weekend for one of Bear's precious friend's, Ava, and they had a snow cone truck. They were amazing.

He loves Daddy's tickles!

Happy Hump Day!

Twenty-Seven

 

I've never been one to shy away from my birthday, in fact I usually embrace my entire "birthmonth", so I'm happy to say that I'm 27 today!

 

 

It's an unimportant age, by most accounts. Not yet the big 3-0, yet no longer in the mid-twenties. My ten year high school reunion is next year, which makes me feel old and excited at the same time. I'm ready to reunite with the people I grew up with, see their families and hear about their accomplishments. I had to do a little math in my head this morning to figure out if I was turning 27 or 28; does anyone else do this? Please tell me I'm not losing my mind. :)

Really, I just feel happy. Happy to be Zach's wife. Happy to be Bear's Momma. Happy to have loving parents, sweet in-laws, the best brothers, precious grandparents, and wonderful friends. Life is good, and I can't wait to see what year 27 holds!

Learning Letters (at 18 Months)

It's safe to say that Bear has a total letter obsession. Anywhere we go, he spots a sign and immediately starts pointing and sounding out each letter. He knows the phonetics of every letter of the alphabet (though he gets them mixed up occasionally). Zach and I cracked up last week when, on a trip to the mall, all of Bear's cousins were playing in the playground. Bear, on the other hand, was pointing at the JCPenney sign saying "J! J! C! C! C!" We love our little alphabet boy!

 

I'm not at all ashamed to share our secret. We've been working on letters for awhile, mostly through books and magnet letters on our fridge. Bear loves to play with and move around the magnets.

 

 

We hit the teaching jackpot, though, when we bought this DVD off Amazon for just $7.50.

 

He only watches it in the car, several times a week, and gets so excited every time we turn it on. He still doesn't say the actual letter name, just their sounds, but we're hoping that will come soon. We're continuing to do lots of reading and afternoons spent with sidewalk chalk. Bear loves when we write the alphabet on the driveway! #littlenerd

Next up is numbers; do you have any teaching tips? Leap Frog also makes a number DVD that we're planning on ordering soon, and hopefully it will be equally as effective.

 

Cheers to the almost-weekend!

Happy Belated 4th of July!

 Happy (belated) Independence Day!

Hope you had a fun, safe 4th of July filled with BBQ and celebration! We traveled back to West Texas to visit family and had the best time. It was hard to leave yesterday, but it's also nice to be home.

 

 Pictures from the weekend:

 

My older brother gave a speech after Sweetwater's parade Friday morning. We were all in tears. So proud of our Captain (soon Major)! 

sisters-in-law at Roscoe's fireworks on Friday night

I played in a golf tournament with my Dad and brother Sat./Sun. and we had a blast. Didn't win, but had fun trying!

reading with Auntie Scarlett

 

Bear was very happy to be home in his own bath tub last night!

 

 

I can't believe it's already July 8th. Where is the summer going?! Ready to hit the pool hard the next few weeks!

Hope you had a special holiday!

Lately

Happy July!!!

This happens to be one of my favorite months of the year, mostly because it's my birthmonth :). And because we get to celebrate July 4th, hang out at the pool, have BBQs, and it's only 5 months until Christmas!

Our past week in pictures:

 

Bear got a new do! And then picked out a romance novel for Mommy.

We love Firehouse Subs!

Grandma Candy and Pops came to visit, which means lots of playing and ice cream. Bear was in heaven.

We went to Peyton's PJs and Pancakes party last week, which was a big hit with Bear. Pretty sure he ate 5 (small) pancakes.

Lots of our afternoons have been spent outside, riding in the wagon and feeding the ducks.

Bear also had his first Chuck E. Cheese experience last week, which he naturally loved.

Yesterday was a tough day. This little guy fell off the coffee table (which he never should've been on to begin with), and hit his head on our wood floor, busting both lips. After visiting three different urgent care clinics, we finally got the green light that he was perfectly okay. Gave Mommy a good scare though. Life with boys!

 

 

We attended a 4th of July pool party and BBQ this morning that Bear had the best time at...and he's now trying to set a record for the world's longest nap. This momma isn't complaining!

 

Hope you have a fun, safe Independence Day!!