Best Buddy Reunion!

We had been counting down the days until Landon's birthday party.

After soccer, I knew I wanted C to get a good nap before we headed out to party it up with his favorite long-distant friends, Ryder & Landon!  I happily plopped myself next to Connor in hopes of getting a nap myself.  As I closed my eyes, all I heard from Connor was...

 "Its 1:18...are we late for the party?!....Its 1:20...are we late for the party?!..."

This went on for about 5 minutes before I kindly turned the clock around & asked Mr. Chatterbox to close his eyes & get some rest!  When nap time was over, we loaded up & headed to our long awaited party!

We got to hang with one cute 2 year old!

*I still couldn't get over how much he had grown in such a short amount of time.  He talks so well!

These two bonded for a good 5 hours!  The majority of that time they were in the pool.  They are two crazy boys that play so well together.  During their pizza break, I caught them telling each other "I love you" in scary robot voices.  It must make it more manly to say it in a weird voice :).

The best we could do with wrangling all the munchkins in the pool for a photo op!

The Three Muskateers enjoyed their little reunion!  

It was bedtime before I was able to peel Connor away to head home.  He had such a great time playing--he would have happily stayed there forever if I let him!  I enjoyed having some Mama-girl time too while the kids played!  Thank you Landon & family for one great day!

Now if only I can keep bugging Danielle to move back into town ASAP... ;)

Happy Sonic!

Peewee had another great week at soccer!  Grandma Lori joined our soccer cheering squad.  Connor had some tomato red cheeks within seconds of being at the field.  He played offense as well as defense and definitely got his exercise.  He came to visit me on the sidelines for frequent water breaks, but did a good job hanging with his team on the field.  

Peewee's favorite part--the people tunnel post game.

He even tried a "Fruit by the Foot" and liked it!  *Connor's one of the only kids that doesn't like gummy snacks, so we were surprised to see he liked it!

Yay for another happy game!

An evening getaway with Papa

A 5 minute car ride lands us at our new favorite hang out with Papa--Bunch Beach!  The sand bar runs for miles (and feels like miles & miles & miles with one pokey 4 year old).  We discovered hundreds of King Crown critters as well as some cool seaweed blobs to jump & a big starfish.  Connor does a great job entertaining himself & talking our ears off... while Papa & I enjoy watching the goofball have fun. :)

Circus

Papa's office gets free ticket to the Shriner's Circus every year, so Nana was excited to take us!  It was a wonderful circus!  The petting zoo was great, giraffe feeding was exciting & the pony rides let Connor show off his cowboy skills!  The actual circus 'show' had its highs and lows (a few slow moving acts that didn't hold a child's attention very well), but Connor's fave part was the Superman Dog :).  Mommy liked the dancing bears.

The Circus was a hit!  Going with Nana was a bonus!

*Connor had no fear sticking his little hand up for the giant giraffe tongue to scoop up his carrot!

Thank you Nana for a wonderful day!

This week...

We've established a very refreshing nightly ritual of bike riding.  Well, the boys ride their bikes & I try to keep up on foot from behind.  I'm not sure if I'm more afraid to be up on a bike if Peewee wipes out or if my belly will throw off my balance & send me tumbling...but I do enjoy the view from foot & the conversation as I tag along.  Connor jabbers off Matt's ear, asking him how his day was at work, telling about the squirrel he saw to his left, or the survey marker he spotted to his right.  His lips don't stop moving :)

I catch certain glimpses of myself in the mirror & can't believe it.  This was yesterday at work.  I've officially outgrown my scrub shirts & have to wear long tanks with my lab coat from here on out.  My face expresses just about how I'm feeling these days.  16 weeks...and a ways to go!

When I'm feeling down or massive, I consider myself grateful for not being an elephant.  Mama elephants carry their babies for about a year & a half.  Thank you Lord for making my fetus a few ounces instead of a few tons.

Sidenote: We have our important ultrasound appt. on May 8th to check on the baby's development (organs, measurements, etc).  While I'm more nervous about everything being ok, we're excited to find out the gender that day.  I have no guesses and no hopes--I just want to know, so the shopping & baby nursery can get on its way!

The picture below makes me laugh!  This was after our walk down to Nana & Papa's playground/pool for play time before we left their house last night.  I find it so funny that when everyone is saying "Cheese" and making sure the child is standing still & smiling...the child ends up looking great & the adults have the dopey 'cheese face' on.  Thanks Mom & Dad! :)

Another successful game...

My big "#4" woke up on the right side of the bed last Saturday, for sure.

We rocked out to the Ghostbusters' theme song, "Down By the Bay," and Gangnum Style on the way to the soccer field.  Mr. Giggles was belting out the words to all of the songs from the back seat all the way there.

We got to the field & the chipper mood continued.  He was talking his coach's ear off.  We had read "Froggy Plays Soccer" before bed the night before, so Connor spent the practice time letting everyone know that he learned you can do anything with the ball, "But you can not touch the ball with your hands..."  It's amazing how Connor has two sides--the insecure, non confident side where he gets real quiet...and then the overly-confident, let-me-tell-you-how-things-are-done side to him!

He rocked it in practice!

When the game started, he hung with the troops...then slowly made it back to 'defense' where he feels most secure.

In the last minute of the game, Connor assisted another team mate in scoring a goal.  He was pretty oblivious & was more excited that the game was over & it was 'tunnel time.'  The cheetos and ring pop for team snack after the game kept the smiles going.  My little Sonic only has about 4 games left.  Its neat to see how much he's progressed since the beginning already.  We like going now :)

Phone picture giggles

Flashlight tag in Nana & Papa's backyard!

 

**This is Mommy's favorite time when Nana & Papa take turns hiding with Connor & Mommy gets to sit and watch :)**

 

 

We stayed at Nana & Papa's house a night this week.  I was on one of my 100 trips to the potty to relieve my overactive bladder when I heard giggles from around the corner.  I walked out & found Connor wearing Papa's glasses.  Goob! :)

 

Wednesday was one of Connor's buds, Eric (Katie's significant other), had a birthday!  Peewee sent him a special b'day message courtesy of Facebook.

 

 

And my surprise of the week was on Friday--

 

I took Peewee to Pump It Up and we headed to McD's for lunch afterwards.  On the ride over there, I asked C what he wanted for lunch (knowing that his answer is always the same...but I get a kick out of him going through his entire order..."umm...chicken nuggies, ketchup, milk, apples, and a boy toy").  To my surprise, he instead blurted out, "ughh...a fish sandwich with the white sauce."  Oh ok!

 

When I reminded him that a fish sandwich doesn't come with a toy, he was quick to tell me he'd like his fish sandwich as well as his normal Happy Meal.  While I gagged at the smell of his fish, Peewee inhaled it happily.

 

Soccer pictures to come (I'm blogging on location, so will need to load my camera pictures when I get home).

Soccer/Wedding Saturday!

Yesterday, was a HOT one.  Peewee's soccer game started a little later, so we all enjoyed the heat of the day.  Connor's cheeks were as bright as his jersey (p.s. He gets his cheeks from me).  He had an outstanding game! He began practicing with his coach, working on how to take the ball from his opponents.  Auntie Katie & Auntie Nicole were there among Connor's cheerleaders, so it was extra special!  I was equipped with an umbrella for shade & vitamin water for Mr. Red Cheeks, so Peewee made frequent visits to the sidelines to visit with his fan club in the shade.  He was very proud to announce he scored 23 goals in practice & told his coaches he was going to play defense.  I love how he likes to call the shots, even with speaking to his coaches.  He was in the game for about 80% of the time!  HUGE progress!

He even got to do kick off for his team!

Before the game was over, Peewee parked himself close to me & his Whitaker fan club.  He had decided his was no longer playing.  Maybe it was the heat.  Maybe he was tired.  Maybe there was no good reason, but I didn't care.  My little guy had made a huge breakthrough with playing with his team happily, so if he decided he was done for the day--that was ok.  He kept telling me he just wanted to sit out until the 'tunnel' at the end of the game (when the fans make a people tunnel for the kids to run through).  It's his favorite part of the game :).

After the game, we had a very special treat.  Peewee spent the remainder of the day with our family.  I long for weekend family time with Connor, so I enjoyed every minute of it.  We headed back to Nana & Papa's to play with Bobo, swim with Papa, and get ready for the Meyer/Lagana wedding.

How handsome are these two?!

I'm always the one wanting family photos whenever we get the chance, so the wedding was a great opportunity.  Everything was great...except Peewee was not on board with wanting to smile.  His buddies, Aidan & Brody, were part of the wedding party & Connor was getting impatient waiting to play with them while they did post wedding photos.  He declared "He was angry," right before we wrangled the entire fam together.  Figures!  Peewee may not have smiled & Bobo was not present, but still a good family photo :)

The Brew-Whits

*I'm in love with my sister's 'new hair.'

*Less than 1 month until she's done with her Doctorate (DNP)!! So happy for her! 

 I wished these two lived closer.

Matt & Eric looked like twinsies :)

I look rather large, but its the price you pay!

The Mother of the bride--Pip! God blessed us the day Mom met Pip.  She is such an amazing person & it was beyond wonderful to see her so happy last night.  She & her family are an extension of our family.  We had a great night celebrating with them.

Connor had a blast with Pip's grandkids!  Aidan, Brody & Connor took over the dress-up photo booth!  They each took turns posing while the other took the picture (with the little petal on the floor).  The photographer will be delightfully surprised to see a good 1,000,000,000 pictures of goofy boys after the wedding!

Cheese for the camera!  They were TOO funny!  Aidan (who is 5), at one point, threw his hat down on the ground & goes "Oh my gosh! Gosh darnit! I can't believe that! I blinked!"...

If they weren't taking pictures, they were dancing down the hallway along side the dance floor!  They were hilarious.

At one point we made it outside to mingle & the kids made their way to the golf course sand trap.  While I cringed at the sight of Peewee rolling in the sand, it was the perfect place to entertain kids.  They were jumping off the top into the sand, hiding golf balls & recovering them with the rake like an Easter egg hunt, and just being dirty kids.  Connor made a new friend, Owen, which he hung with for quite awhile.

Spending the evening with my entire family was extremely refreshing.  Watching Peewee play with the kids just topped it off.  Yay for a lovely night!

Our week

Every week goes by & I honestly think if I didn't take pictures, I couldn't reference anything that happened.  My brain may be mush, but with the help of my camera phone...I'm able to recall our happenings from the past week :)

Wednesday we were blessed with the company of the world's happiest baby~ CJ.  Connor LOVED how easy it was for him to make CJ smile.  I have no doubts that Connor will be an amazing big brother.  He loved picking up CJ's toys, holding his bottle, checking on him in the stroller & while he was sleeping, and scoping out his dirty diapers (why are boys so fascinated with bowel movements?!?!).

This pregnancy has been going by faster than my 1st.  It's probably because I rarely have time to sit down & think about anything!  I am officially in my 2nd trimester, wearing maternity clothes, highly uncomfortable when lying down, and using the potty at all hours of the day.  If I don't have time to think about it, my body is quickly reminding me :)  We find out in a little over a month if C will have a brother or a sister.  I don't care either way...just want to start planning :)

Since I'm feeling larger than life already, I thought I was due for a belly shot.  I don't recall being this big until about 20 weeks with Connor.

Speaking of Connor...

I received this picture mail from my Mom while at work on Thursday.

You can't honestly look at this smile & not smile yourself.

He's my Goob!

And boy, does this kid look forward to his Tues/Thurs afternoons with his Nana.  She's his favorite playmate!

Every Friday night, we try to find something fun to do.  I decided that a trip to the bowling alley would be a nice family activity this week.  Somebody was beyond excited...

C's so big now.  He understood that he needed to wait his turn, got 2 turns each time, and carried/launched his ball all by himself.  Every time Matt bowled (Mommy sat this bowling night out & just served as cheerleader), Connor would high five Matt & tell him "Good game!"  It was pretty hilarious considered Matt bowled pretty bad that night...so it was even cuter to have Connor give Matt sympathy high fives!  We set the boys up to play two games (which was really pricey...sheesh) and when they were done, Connor was not ready to go.  He kept trying to explain to me that we should stay there all night. On the way to the car, Connor was trying to negotiate a way to come back bowling every night.  I think he likes bowling...

If C knocked down 1 pin or 10, he cheered the same way each time!  He'd launch his ball down the lane, start dancing & jumping, then run back.  I caught him mid-jumping dance...

We had a wonderful time & plan to go back again soon.

Connor had already begun convincing me that I should have a bowling birthday party for my birthday (in December, remind you).  He said we could have a bounce house & pizza there too.  Funny kid.

Happy G.G. Day!!!

We want to wish our wonderful Grandma (aka G.G.) a very very very very happy 85th birthday (tomorrow)!!!

We love you very much & hope you have a relaxing, cake-filled day!!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Phone photos from the week!

Fun phone photos from the week :)

Connor was being himself the other night & hiked up his shorts as high as they'd go...then announced he was "Ferb" from "Phineas & Ferb."  Great resemblance!

Mommy was brave enough to sport a swimsuit in public the other day & we headed to the pool.  We spent a good 2+ hours swimming, fountain-ing, and being silly.

Yesterday, C & I decided to bake cupcakes for a Gender Reveal party that night.  C loves to break the eggs & lick the beaters.  While I avoid eating raw cake mix while housing the fetus, I figured a little beater licking wouldn't hurt Peewee (since I have eaten a good amount of batter in my day & survived!).  C barely let me mix the cake before he was grabbing for the beaters :).  He is soooooo my child!

And our big announcement for the week...

After 4 years of alligator wrestling/screamfest haircuts, we finally had a happy experience!  Mama's solution: During C's buzzcut, he was allowed to take all of his haircut hairballs & make a Chewbacca out of it!  My best Mom suggestion to date!  He wanted me to keep cutting his hair, so he could make a bigger Chewbacca!!! Once the haircut was over, he kept saying "Mom! I didn't even cry."  We were both so proud!! :)

I know after having another baby my heart will grow to love the next one just as much, but right now its hard to imagine loving anyone more than this little guy.  He holds my heart :)

My Happy Sonic!!!

Today was our first soccer game without tears (from Connor or Mommy!).

I least expected anything from this week.  Connor has been telling me the past few days how he doesn't like soccer anymore and doesn't want to go to soccer on Saturdays.  He said he'd rather stay home with Mommy & Matt instead.  I explained to C that since he was part of the Sonics' Team, we needed to go each Saturday to support our team.  If he didn't want to play, it was ok.  If he decided to play, it was ok.  Most importantly, we just needed to go.

Connor warmed up to the idea of going without a fight.  He told me he had plans to sit with his Nana and watch the game.  I told him that was fine.  I was not about to push him out there.  If my strong willed boy is pushed, he pushes back even harder.  We went to the game with the idea that Connor was going to sit & watch the game with us.

C sat out for practice.  His two coaches came to him & said "Hey Connor! Ready to play?!" ...which was directly answered with a head nod- "No."  It was about 5 minutes into the game when one coach suggested Matt come out with Connor & Connor agreed to it.  Matt & C headed onto the field!

They did a lot of chatting and a lot of watching, but he wasn't quite ready to play.

Matt suggested C play defense & keep the team from kicking the ball in the goal.  Although they don't have goalies in this league, Connor played the role & was willing to play!!  **Breakthrough #1!**

The first time the other team headed his way, Connor kicked the ball away from the goal!  Nana & Mommy clapped with pride & our precious C was in the game!!  *Breakthrough #2**

Once he got that little ounce of confidence from kicking the ball, he ran right into the crowd of kids & joined the game!! **Breakthrough #3!!**

If he felt overwhelmed, he just made his way back to the goal.  Our little unofficial goalie blocked two goals!!

The game ended before we knew it & C was thrilled to run through the 'people tunnel' at the end of the game.  He got a high five from his coaches and the one of the coach's sons (who was about 10 years old) actually came up & gave Connor a $1.  He said he was so proud of him for blocking 2 goals & playing in the game that he wanted to give him something.  I really felt awkward letting him accept $1, but he insisted.  C enjoyed teddy graham & juice team snacks after the game & was so happy!  It was beyond a relief for me!

Who knows what next weeks game holds, but it was so very refreshing to have a happy game!!

Yay yay!

Oh and **Breakthrough #4**--Matt & I were talking on the ride home & he mentioned that he could see himself coaching one of Connor's teams in the future after working with Connor today.

Happy day!