Monday, March 9, 2009
Splish Splash
So bathtime is always the highlight of the evening at our house. Leyton makes tracks to get to the bathtub ASAP when he hears the water going. The more water, the better, as splashing water on every inch of the bathroom is his ultimate goal. And the second you get him out of the tub, the ear-piercing screams let you know he isn't happy about it. :) This picture just shows the fun they have together in the tub - I know Leyton's eyes are closed, but I love the expressions on their faces.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
We're Back! (And better than ever)
I can't believe it's been over a month since my last post. It's been one of the craziest months of our lives, but lots of fun. It's taken some gentle prodding from Kristy (really, threatening to do the blog for me) to get me back in gear, so here we go!
My last post was January 29th. The next day we received an offer on our house (after having been on the market 3 days!), and after several days of back and forth, the house sold on February 3rd. Within the next 24 days, we found a house to purchase (which wasn't finished), moved out of our house, closed on the old and new houses and spent our first night here Feb. 27th! Whew! I'm tired just typing it out. :) Anyway, we are now in the new house and I'd say about 75% unpacked. Maybe more than that - but nothing is decorated, and I have a first birthday to plan for and host here in 24 days. :) No worries - I'll get it done somehow...
So an update on the boys... Leyton is ever so close to walking. He stands unassisted and can balance for quite a while. If you hold his hands, he takes off walking at warp speed. He is quite the chatterbox these days - he says 'mama', 'dada', 'uh oh', 'baby' and 'baabaa' (bubba - referring to Britton). He's into everything and is really in a fun stage! We are loving every minute with him. Britton is obsessed with letters and numbers. He can write almost every letter in the alphabet from memory (there's maybe 1 or 2 he's unsure of), and is working on numbers. He can write some words, and is working on sounding out words he sees. He's very inquisitive (as always), and loves school! He's eating more food than I think PJ and I eat put together, so I'm pretty sure we've hit a growth spurt!
So that's the latest! We continue to unpack, unpack, unpack. :) I apologize to anyone that's left me a message or sent me an email recently - I realize I've been AWFUL about returning calls/emails. I promise to do better once things settle (and I know that's no excuse)! Here's some fun pics from the last month:
Leyton's just pooped from all this moving!
Goodbye sweet house! Thanks for the memories!
One last visit to our old house, the night before closing: (maybe I'm pathetic, but I cried)
Leyton loved spending the week at Gigi's between houses!
Mimi's world has been turned upside-down as well. She's handled it like a champ. :)
The boys received a tent for Valentine's Day - needless to say, it's been a hit at our house with both boys!
My last post was January 29th. The next day we received an offer on our house (after having been on the market 3 days!), and after several days of back and forth, the house sold on February 3rd. Within the next 24 days, we found a house to purchase (which wasn't finished), moved out of our house, closed on the old and new houses and spent our first night here Feb. 27th! Whew! I'm tired just typing it out. :) Anyway, we are now in the new house and I'd say about 75% unpacked. Maybe more than that - but nothing is decorated, and I have a first birthday to plan for and host here in 24 days. :) No worries - I'll get it done somehow...
So an update on the boys... Leyton is ever so close to walking. He stands unassisted and can balance for quite a while. If you hold his hands, he takes off walking at warp speed. He is quite the chatterbox these days - he says 'mama', 'dada', 'uh oh', 'baby' and 'baabaa' (bubba - referring to Britton). He's into everything and is really in a fun stage! We are loving every minute with him. Britton is obsessed with letters and numbers. He can write almost every letter in the alphabet from memory (there's maybe 1 or 2 he's unsure of), and is working on numbers. He can write some words, and is working on sounding out words he sees. He's very inquisitive (as always), and loves school! He's eating more food than I think PJ and I eat put together, so I'm pretty sure we've hit a growth spurt!
So that's the latest! We continue to unpack, unpack, unpack. :) I apologize to anyone that's left me a message or sent me an email recently - I realize I've been AWFUL about returning calls/emails. I promise to do better once things settle (and I know that's no excuse)! Here's some fun pics from the last month:
Leyton's just pooped from all this moving!
Goodbye sweet house! Thanks for the memories!
One last visit to our old house, the night before closing: (maybe I'm pathetic, but I cried)Leyton loved spending the week at Gigi's between houses!
Mimi's world has been turned upside-down as well. She's handled it like a champ. :)
The boys received a tent for Valentine's Day - needless to say, it's been a hit at our house with both boys!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
the memory house
It's with mixed emotions that I say, it's official, our house is on the market. We've been looking for a new (bigger!) house for about 18 months. PJ and I finally decided that it was stupid to just look, and look, and look, but never commit to anything because we hadn't sold (or even tried to sell) our house. We decided last year we'd wait until this summer to put the house up, but when the interest rates dropped in November, we decided it was time to go!
Emotionally though, it's like a roller coaster. I'm so excited to get the boys more room to run and play, and essentially start the next chapter in our life. But it's so scary to consider leaving this house, this home. PJ and I kid that we have done a lot of growing up here. We moved in when we had only been married 7 months, and kids weren't even a thought yet. It was our dream "starter" home and we could hardly wait. We had the house built, and watched it every step of the way. We came every day to see the progress, and I remember being so excited when they finally poured the foundation. We picked out cabinets, paint, tile, carpet, and grout. It was our house.
And now, I get so excited to leave in one minute, and in the next I choke back tears thinking of all the memories we've made in this house. We brought Mia here as a two month old puppy. We lovingly painted walls, laid wood flooring, and dug flowerbeds. We found out kiddos were on the way in this house, and one rainy New Year's Day we brought home our first sweet baby, Britton Kasey. We've laughed, cried, and loved being a family in this house.
I know it's just been 7 years, which is so very far from a lifetime. I know the next house will hold many more memories just as special. But there will never be another "first" house, and this one will always hold a special place in our hearts. And I hope the next family loves it just as much as we have.
Emotionally though, it's like a roller coaster. I'm so excited to get the boys more room to run and play, and essentially start the next chapter in our life. But it's so scary to consider leaving this house, this home. PJ and I kid that we have done a lot of growing up here. We moved in when we had only been married 7 months, and kids weren't even a thought yet. It was our dream "starter" home and we could hardly wait. We had the house built, and watched it every step of the way. We came every day to see the progress, and I remember being so excited when they finally poured the foundation. We picked out cabinets, paint, tile, carpet, and grout. It was our house.
And now, I get so excited to leave in one minute, and in the next I choke back tears thinking of all the memories we've made in this house. We brought Mia here as a two month old puppy. We lovingly painted walls, laid wood flooring, and dug flowerbeds. We found out kiddos were on the way in this house, and one rainy New Year's Day we brought home our first sweet baby, Britton Kasey. We've laughed, cried, and loved being a family in this house.
I know it's just been 7 years, which is so very far from a lifetime. I know the next house will hold many more memories just as special. But there will never be another "first" house, and this one will always hold a special place in our hearts. And I hope the next family loves it just as much as we have.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
hold on to your hats
We're mobile! By "we" I mean Leyton, and I guess the term "mobile" is really negotiable. :) The big development is that he's pulling up now! So we aren't too far from complete mobility I'm afraid... He pulled up on Saturday morning, right in front of all of us in the Pack-n-Play. We were getting ready for Britton's big birthday bash and I glanced over at Leyton and he was standing! He is also crawling a little - he crawls about a foot, then backwards about three. He hasn't quite got it mastered, but hey, we're thrilled with his progress! He also has decided that his reflection is the coolest person around, and loves to give himself kisses!
In other news, we are currently a "house of germs" so don't come near us. More specifically, my kids are; PJ and I are fine (at the moment anyway). Britton has strep (AGAIN! - 2nd time in less than a month), and Leyton has an ear infection. Fun times at the Garcia house. Be sure to come on by and pick out a disease to take home with you. We've got plenty. :)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Britton and Leyton "Happys"
"Happys" is actually a term my Dad uses when buying the kids gifts. To him, it refers to a small gift, not necessarily something they asked for, but something that brings a huge smile to their face. Each year, he buys each boy a few "happys" for Christmas or Birthdays and it just makes me (and them) smile. So in this case, I'm using "Happys" in a completely different sense. To me, happys are those little things my boys do that make me smile or laugh for just a minute. Nothing earth-shattering, but those things I want to remember in years to come.
Britton continues to use some huge words that just keep me in stitches. This past week, he apparently told my Mom that dinner was "decadent." Not a word we use (EVER really), but apparently he used it correctly. He picks up the darnedest things. Over the weekend, PJ and I were kidding around and I told PJ I was omniscient, so he couldn't get away with anything. Of course Britton asked what 'omniscient' meant, and I said "all knowing." I told him that he was pretty omniscient these days. He looked and me and without missing a beat said, "Yeah, I know lots of stuff."
Leyton has realized that he can see me in the mirror in the car (you know, the mirror mounted in the backseat so that I can see him when he's rear-facing). He will lean towards the mirror, and go "AHHH!" As soon as I look, he starts laughing at me. It's the cutest game you've ever seen, but a little tricky to play and drive at the same time.
Britton continues to use some huge words that just keep me in stitches. This past week, he apparently told my Mom that dinner was "decadent." Not a word we use (EVER really), but apparently he used it correctly. He picks up the darnedest things. Over the weekend, PJ and I were kidding around and I told PJ I was omniscient, so he couldn't get away with anything. Of course Britton asked what 'omniscient' meant, and I said "all knowing." I told him that he was pretty omniscient these days. He looked and me and without missing a beat said, "Yeah, I know lots of stuff."
Leyton has realized that he can see me in the mirror in the car (you know, the mirror mounted in the backseat so that I can see him when he's rear-facing). He will lean towards the mirror, and go "AHHH!" As soon as I look, he starts laughing at me. It's the cutest game you've ever seen, but a little tricky to play and drive at the same time.
Friday, January 2, 2009
the big 4 year old
So Tuesday was a big day for the Garcia household... The biggest reason being that my first baby boy, Britton Kasey, turned four! I can hardly believe it. Of course we are thrilled with each birthday, but it comes with mixed emotions as it's a reminder that my babies are growing up. FAST. I know he's still relatively young, but the idea of the great milestones to come is a hard pill for me to swallow. Right now, I can keep him safe, cared for, and sheltered from the world. Once we enter the realm of kindergarten (fall of 2010), it's a whole new ball game, and that really scares me. He's a wonderful, caring, intelligent (smart as a whip), happy four year old that I love with all my heart.
He made a list of things to do for his birthday, and we did just about everything! He requested a vanilla scone for breakfast, so I went to Starbucks first thing to get that. We went to Red Robin for lunch, rode his bike to the park to play, and I made him all his favorites for dinner. We had our little birthday party at home after dinner (just the 4 of us), and enjoyed homemade chocolate cake (at his request), and opened presents. He also finally had his first piece of gum (as promised for well over a year now). All in all, I think Britton would say it was a wonderful birthday. :)
The other big event of the day was that Leyton's cast was taken off! We have never been so excited to go to the doctor, and we made it a family event. His leg is healed completely, and he's back to his old self, happy as ever. We are of course a little behind now on the gross motor stuff (no crawling or pulling up yet - all things he was starting to do when this happened), but he's made up for it with fine motor. He's saying several words, does pattycake along with us, points, waves, etc. We are so proud of his resiliency. Here's some pics from the big day!
The long anticipated first piece of gum:
Lunch at Red Robin:
He made a list of things to do for his birthday, and we did just about everything! He requested a vanilla scone for breakfast, so I went to Starbucks first thing to get that. We went to Red Robin for lunch, rode his bike to the park to play, and I made him all his favorites for dinner. We had our little birthday party at home after dinner (just the 4 of us), and enjoyed homemade chocolate cake (at his request), and opened presents. He also finally had his first piece of gum (as promised for well over a year now). All in all, I think Britton would say it was a wonderful birthday. :)
The other big event of the day was that Leyton's cast was taken off! We have never been so excited to go to the doctor, and we made it a family event. His leg is healed completely, and he's back to his old self, happy as ever. We are of course a little behind now on the gross motor stuff (no crawling or pulling up yet - all things he was starting to do when this happened), but he's made up for it with fine motor. He's saying several words, does pattycake along with us, points, waves, etc. We are so proud of his resiliency. Here's some pics from the big day!
The long anticipated first piece of gum:
The birthday boy with the cake, with sprinkles, as requested! On a side note, my cakes sure are ugly, but they taste good! There's got to be a class or something I can take - I just don't have the gift of making "pretty" cakes...
Lunch at Red Robin:
Happy 4th Birthday Britton! We love you!!!
more christmas festivities...
I feel like I should do all the Christmas posting in chunks or it's going to be incredibly long. :)
Probably my favorite tradition is making Christmas cookies in the days before Christmas. (Probably because my favorite activity is eating, especially anything sweet. Britton tends to take after his mother.) We did this every year when I was growing up, and I feel like it's a tradition I definitely want to pass along to my children. Jill made us the CUTEST little Christmas bag with all the "fixins" for gingerbread cookies. Britton, Leyton and I had a wonderful time making (and devouring) the little gingerbread men! Thank you Jill for the wonderful surprise!!! You truly have a gift of creativity.
Waiting not so patiently for the cookies to finish cooking...
Probably my favorite tradition is making Christmas cookies in the days before Christmas. (Probably because my favorite activity is eating, especially anything sweet. Britton tends to take after his mother.) We did this every year when I was growing up, and I feel like it's a tradition I definitely want to pass along to my children. Jill made us the CUTEST little Christmas bag with all the "fixins" for gingerbread cookies. Britton, Leyton and I had a wonderful time making (and devouring) the little gingerbread men! Thank you Jill for the wonderful surprise!!! You truly have a gift of creativity.
A few nights later, after said gingerbread cookies were long gone, we made homemade sugar cookies! This activity generally keeps Britton's interest until his tummy is full, then PJ and I are left to frost the remaining cookies after the boys' bedtime. And PJ's a willing participant, although we never seem to have as many cookies in the end as we started with when he's helping. Hmm...
The supervisor of the entire operation:
Waiting not so patiently for the cookies to finish cooking...
Friday, December 26, 2008
garcia CRAZY (but fun) christmas!
Christmas was a whirlwind of excitement this year! I don't think I sat. For like 2 days. Seriously. We spent Christmas Eve getting ready for the big event (to use a technical term that Jill and I discussed - I think I wrapped a "Bazillion" presents Tuesday night and Wednesday), exchanging gifts with our little buddy - Mark Thomas, going out to dinner before church, going to the Christmas Eve service at church, sprinkling Reindeer food on the front lawn (of which my OCD child Britton had to place just so), putting out cookies and milk for Santa, and attending the annual Garcia Christmas Shindig at PJ's parents house. On Christmas morning, we did the Santa gifts at home, then spent the better part of the day at my Mom's for gifts, lunch and family time. We did our annual 'tour of lights' on Christmas night (which consisted of Britton backseat driving, and Leyton sleeping through the whole thing). Whew! I'm worn out just typing it out.
The best part came Christmas morning when Britton and I were discussing the true meaning of Christmas, and I was so impressed to hear he truly understood the story of Christ. He rattled off answers to all of my questions with ease. PJ and I were so thrilled that all of our talk of what Christmas really was about had actually sunk in!
As for gifts, the boys CLEANED UP. I'm serious. If we don't own every toy ever made at this point, I'd be shocked. We have no more room. Santa brought Britton his first "Big Boy Bike," which he has been riding non-stop (Thanks Nino and Nina for letting Santa store it at your house!) Good thing he also threw in the helmet, knee and elbow pads because we've already had one crash. Leyton's big gift was the Learning House - we've seen this at friends' houses and it's always been a hit... I think once he can sit up again (the cast comes off Tuesday - YEA!), it will thrill him. It's hard to play with a toy like that when you are on your belly. :) My husband 'won' Christmas this year when he came through with a complete surprise - a new diamond ring! It's actually an eternity band, which is what my wedding band is. However, when we picked out our wedding bands, mine was so skinny (although beautiful - I LOVE it), the jeweler said it normally looked better with 2 bands - one on either side of the engagement ring. Since we funded our blessed event ourselves, I decided we'd just skip the second band for the time being (for cost-cutting purposes) and PJ could get it for me at some later anniversary or something. I'd honestly completely forgotten about it until yesterday. I told him he could get me diamonds anytime he wants! :)
The new big boy bike:
Leyton way excited about the Learning House:
Our annual picture by the tree:
The best part came Christmas morning when Britton and I were discussing the true meaning of Christmas, and I was so impressed to hear he truly understood the story of Christ. He rattled off answers to all of my questions with ease. PJ and I were so thrilled that all of our talk of what Christmas really was about had actually sunk in!
As for gifts, the boys CLEANED UP. I'm serious. If we don't own every toy ever made at this point, I'd be shocked. We have no more room. Santa brought Britton his first "Big Boy Bike," which he has been riding non-stop (Thanks Nino and Nina for letting Santa store it at your house!) Good thing he also threw in the helmet, knee and elbow pads because we've already had one crash. Leyton's big gift was the Learning House - we've seen this at friends' houses and it's always been a hit... I think once he can sit up again (the cast comes off Tuesday - YEA!), it will thrill him. It's hard to play with a toy like that when you are on your belly. :) My husband 'won' Christmas this year when he came through with a complete surprise - a new diamond ring! It's actually an eternity band, which is what my wedding band is. However, when we picked out our wedding bands, mine was so skinny (although beautiful - I LOVE it), the jeweler said it normally looked better with 2 bands - one on either side of the engagement ring. Since we funded our blessed event ourselves, I decided we'd just skip the second band for the time being (for cost-cutting purposes) and PJ could get it for me at some later anniversary or something. I'd honestly completely forgotten about it until yesterday. I told him he could get me diamonds anytime he wants! :)
Trenton and Britton looking very cool in their new sunglasses:
Leyton and one of his new favorite toys (which happened to be the toy Britton picked out as a gift for Leyton from him). I LOVE this picture, especially the big brown eyes!
The new big boy bike:
Leyton way excited about the Learning House:
Our annual picture by the tree:
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
tugging (ripping really) at my heartstrings...
During our stay at the hospital, my sweet boys (and nephew) brought some sunshine through the storm clouds... The first night, my Mom said that as she was putting Britton to bed, he got a very sad look on his face and said, "I'm very worried about my baby brother." So sad, but in the same breath, so sweet that he was so concerned about the littlest member of our family.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Mr. "I tell it like it is"
Some funnies from Britton this past week that made me smile (and right now, believe me, I need it):
1. On Tuesday afternoon, Britton and Gigi came to visit baby Leyton, Mommy and Daddy at the hospital. The nurse tech had come into the room and was chatting with us just a bit. She started to leave and asked if there was anything else we needed. PJ said, "We want a happy baby." (of course he said it with a big smile - it had been a very long day and Leyton still wasn't feeling well) Britton, who repeats everything we say, turns to the tech and said "I want to have your baby." Needless to say, he misunderstood what PJ had said and we all got a very good laugh. Britton was the hit of the nurses station long after they left that afternoon. :)
2. Apparently at school on Thursday, as Britton's class was washing hands, Britton had the following conversation with his teachers. Just to set it up a little, you should understand that they send the kids one or two at a time to the sink to wash.
Mrs. M - "Britton, do you know why you are always one of the last I call to go wash your hands?"
BK - "Because I'm talking." (I'm sure said very matter-of-factly. He sees no problem with socializing)
Mrs. M - "Well, maybe if you put your voice away next time, you could be the first one I call."
BK - Thinks about it for a minute, then says, "No, I like to talk."
And there you have it folks. Britton tells it like it is. Gotta respect the honesty. :) And apparently he has the "gift of gab" - just like his Mommy and Gigi.
For Leyton, I thought I'd post some positives from his week, which has been extremely hard. He started saying "Ba ba" (referring to Britton - who we call "bubba" a lot). He also started saying "Nah Nah" (night-night) when he's getting tired. It's so darn cute. He also had his forth tooth break through last week, so we now have the cutest 4-toothy grin on the planet. He's also mastered the art of mobility with a huge cast on his leg. He barrel rolls across the floor faster than you thought possible. He's not real happy about not being able to sit up, but he's finding other ways to play!
1. On Tuesday afternoon, Britton and Gigi came to visit baby Leyton, Mommy and Daddy at the hospital. The nurse tech had come into the room and was chatting with us just a bit. She started to leave and asked if there was anything else we needed. PJ said, "We want a happy baby." (of course he said it with a big smile - it had been a very long day and Leyton still wasn't feeling well) Britton, who repeats everything we say, turns to the tech and said "I want to have your baby." Needless to say, he misunderstood what PJ had said and we all got a very good laugh. Britton was the hit of the nurses station long after they left that afternoon. :)
2. Apparently at school on Thursday, as Britton's class was washing hands, Britton had the following conversation with his teachers. Just to set it up a little, you should understand that they send the kids one or two at a time to the sink to wash.
Mrs. M - "Britton, do you know why you are always one of the last I call to go wash your hands?"
BK - "Because I'm talking." (I'm sure said very matter-of-factly. He sees no problem with socializing)
Mrs. M - "Well, maybe if you put your voice away next time, you could be the first one I call."
BK - Thinks about it for a minute, then says, "No, I like to talk."
And there you have it folks. Britton tells it like it is. Gotta respect the honesty. :) And apparently he has the "gift of gab" - just like his Mommy and Gigi.
For Leyton, I thought I'd post some positives from his week, which has been extremely hard. He started saying "Ba ba" (referring to Britton - who we call "bubba" a lot). He also started saying "Nah Nah" (night-night) when he's getting tired. It's so darn cute. He also had his forth tooth break through last week, so we now have the cutest 4-toothy grin on the planet. He's also mastered the art of mobility with a huge cast on his leg. He barrel rolls across the floor faster than you thought possible. He's not real happy about not being able to sit up, but he's finding other ways to play!
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