The one where we count down...

The count down is on baby!!! Everything seems to be in order for our October 1 closing date. ANNNDDD we haven't even started packing yet! If you don't know, Josh and I are the wait til the last minute type of folks. We have always been and probably always will be. I remember being in school and not writing term papers until the night before. My brain just never kicked into gear until it was forced too. Like now, I can think of 100 different things I would rather do than pack... like shop or drink wine! After the burglary we are more anxious than ever to move. Not to mention as the kids grow, this house is getting smaller. Addison is almost mobile, so her toys are all over the floor. Alongside Coopers trucks, blocks, ropes, toy Nerf guns and animals. Oh yea, not to mention the forts I trip over constantly :) If only they had their own play room, ahhhhh seems like a dream, but its reality in a few weeks! I have a feeling we will be spending most of our time in the pool. Speaking of pool, here is a video of Cooper swimming on vacation...

So the other day, I was getting dressed to go have lunch with my friends and Cooper came in the room, he said "Mommy whatcha doin in here? You look beautiful today!". If that doesn't make your heart melt, I don't know what will. His sweet little innocent voice trying to pronounce beautiful was so precious! You know where I think he gets it from? His sweet daddy. Josh my appear like Mr. Hard guy, but he is so sweet and is sure to give this momma some compliments when they are due (I'll take them even when they aren't "due"). It goes to show how great of a father, leader and role model Josh is. Who knew Cooper was picking up so much from just hearing us talk. Glad its the good stuff, with the Gators loss who knows what he heard last Saturday! Good thing its a BYE week :)

As soon as I get the camera out, Coop is ready to run, at least one kid is smiling!

Have a great weekend!!
LOVE

The one with the family vacation...

After the robbery, we were able to still take our planned vacation to Siesta Key. A week long of no work, no schedules and no baths... yes, no baths (or hardly any...). The 2 story, 3 bedroom beach house we rented also had a pool. So I took on the motto- hey if you went swimming, you took a bath! We didn't spend much time at the beach like we planned. Cooper was more interested in the pool and Addison loved floating in the pool. Anytime she was cranky in the house, you could bring her to the pool and she would flip on her happy switch. So needless to say we are all a little water logged this week. There really isn't much to disclose from the trip, because we were such bums. The house had a grill, so we grilled out each day and night. We saw the sun set one night at the beach. Usually we were cooking or vegged out on the couch to relaxed to move to catch it every night. The beaches are gorgeous over there. Yards and yards of white sand before you get to the crystal clear water. No waves, so there weren't any surfers and no sea shells. I didn't find any sharks teeth like I was hoping. But Cooper did enjoy building sand castles, while Josh, mself and Addie sat in the shade! I must be getting older when I prefer the shade over a nice bronze tan.

Total vacation mode



Grill Master



Sand Angels

The new and trained McCarty beer runner...



We did get to see my old college roomies, Erin and Shannon. It was like a mini reunion. They came over Labor Day. Its funny reminiscing on how much times have changed. Shannon just had a baby girl a month ago, Erin and Ben are getting married next year and I have 2 kids.... what?! It seems like yesterday we were back in college without a care in the world.

LOVE

The one where we were robbed....

LITERALLY!!! And not a car break in, full on random stranger picked our locks to get in our house. Thank The Lord, he didn't make it past the kitchen. I heard the back door open around 3:15am. It took me a minute to come too, but I could see the male standing  in the between the cracked bedroom door. Talk about heart racing. I hit Josh to wake him up, ( you know, because he's "deaf" in one ear) I said josh someones in the house. It too took him a minute to figure out what I said. Again, Josh someone is in the house. And then he was gone. I'll forever ( or maybe for a while) have that image of a man standing over my kitchen counter stealing from me and my family. Fortunately he only made out with my phone, both our wallets, about $20 and my mental sanity! The cops came, but the guy was long gone.... In speaking with all the neighbors, another 3 cars were burglarized too. And why he chose to break in our house is beyond me, probably on drugs. But we are safe, so that's all that matters!

So some good news: Cooper is peeing in the potty! We just haven't got to the whole poop thing down yet, I guess that will come with time too. But he will go on his own now- still working on the aiming, but does that really ever get any better?! LOL The sticker/ cookie incentive worked. Look at what a few weeks did. We don't do the stickers anymore, he kinda forgot about those and the cookies I would give him! Which is probably a good thing! Anyway, we are making progress. Any tips on how to make kids poop in the toilet?

his new favorite expression, as in "No more pics Mom"

Addison had her 6 month check up. She's doing GREAT. 17lbs 3oz. and she's in the 89% for being so long, she is 26 inches. She's also getting up on all fours, ready to crawl any day now. Which the doc said they usually crawl around 9 months, but I think she is watching Cooper run around and wants to be just like him. She is all smiles when she looks at him. They are both so cute together. We are very blessed to have such a close loving family!

LOVE

The one where we go green...





We are going green or at least trying!! We started a garden! It started out with carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, corn, radishes, strawberries and green peppers all in one pot on the porch. That's right, all in ONE pot!! Since everything started taking off, corn included, we expanded and built  a big garden! We added chilies more peppers and basil! It's so awesome watching it all grow! A few weeks back my first tomato appeared! Small and green but full of life! Cooper, bless his little heart, is also excited as our garden grows! He came up to me just a few weeks ago with the tiny green tomato in his hand with sheer and pure excitement said, " mommy look, look a tomato!!" Slightly disappointed because that was the only mater, I was over it in an instant when I saw his big ole happy face smiling from ear to ear like it was the biggest and juiciest tomato ever!!!







Going Green (and GO GATORS!)









The loan green mater, that is no more....

The neighbs!!!



So, if you haven't tried pizza on the green egg, I don't think that you have LIVED. OMG my favorite cook out ever. Pizza on the egg. Fresh basil (from the garden!), mozzarella and tomatoes... as you know not fresh tomatoes this time!! But the pizza was amazing. We will be doing this again!!


LOVE

The one with the Big Princess...

Like brother like sister....

I call Addison a pretty little princess, so the other morning Cooper said Mommy your the Big Princess! Totally a sweet compliment coming from my handsome little toddler prince! Cooper is so cute and repeating everything we say. He's really becoming a sponge. I've got him counting to 5, cleaning up his mess and bringing his dirty dishes to the counter and as always saying Thanks! We are working on mommy can I please ( fill in the blank) .... Not only is he cute he will also be polite. Not being in school is tough though. He doesn't have a teacher who actually has a curriculum , its just me. And often he doesn't want to sit still and listen to me. Although he does enjoy book reading and the puzzles Aunt Kelly gave us. So I keep thinking, is he missing out on a lot? He probably won't go to school until VPK when it's free. I just can't justify spending a fortune on school when I am home. On the upside, at least he will be street smart, maybe that's even better these days!! He knows "knucks", the "people's elbow" and how to participate in a good wrestling match... Hence the broken couch from Coop and Daddy!!  LOL if only I could get him potty trained!!! Who knew it would be this hard, he's so lazy when it comes to that!!!



Cutest kids EVER!



Cooper best bud, Riley!

The little princess is almost back on track sleeping through the nights. It's not consistent yet, but we are having more full nights than not. She's eating solid foods better, to where they don't have to be mixed) and not drinking as much milk at once, which is probably why she isn't sleeping as much! When out in public and people talk and look at her she flashes her cute lil gummy smile!! And you know what everyone says, "what a happy baby!" Seriously a huge 360 she has done since her first few months here. She loves standing and being in her walker! Still a chunky money, as the doc so eloquently put it!! Holding true to herself! It's the only time in her life when cellulite and fat rolls is cute and acceptable!

News on the home front- we close on a house Oct. 1-- that is trusting everything goes smoothly! This is going to be THE house where we raise our kids. We aren't moving again ( knock on wood). It's in St. John's county, literally around the corner from my grandparents. It's 4 bedrooms AND has a pool! Perfect for our outdoorsy family! Oh yea, did I mention its on an acre? Josh is in heaven planning the landscape and his outdoor kitchen. Or outdoor man cave as I call it, since thervare no basements in Florida he has to make something his "own" space! We are beyond excited to be settled, it's been a while! Stay tuned for pictures!

Love

The one where we try to keep up...

Life is busy busy... hardly a free moment and if there is a quiet moment, I am certainly not on the computer, I am vegging out on the couch. But as you know by now I have 3 kids, not 2. We considering Josh a grown "boy". hehe :) Both kids are up and watching cartoons right now, so it's hardly quiet.... It will probably take me all day to write this.

Anyhow, Addison will be 5 months come Monday next week. She started eating baby foods- so far her food of choice is green beans and squash or the plain Jane rice and oat meals. Her tatsebuds must be too sensitive right now. Her first food was sweet potatoes, just like Cooper. She did pretty good for being a first timer. Of course most of the food ends up on her face! But hey, its so stinkin cute... She isn't a fan of the fruits quite yet. Which is the complete opposite of Cooper. He used to eat everything. I guess she will get there too. Addison is still non stop. Doesn't ever sit still unless she is sleeping! She is rolling now and talking/ screaming a lot. Her crying constantly has deceased a lot, which makes Josh more willing to hold her. She is almost standing on her own, while holding onto the couch of course. She isn't pulling her self up, but she is very very strong. I don't remember Cooper doing that quiet this early. But she does sit on her own. She love love loves to be held. Typically diva/princess- loves the attention. Just like her daddy :)



giving those sweet potatoes a stare down

they aren't SO bad mommy

Addison's supportive brother

Cooper just adores Addison. When someone is over and holding Addison, he makes it clear that it is his baby. And if they are leaving he makes sure to let them know Addison stays here. He is just the best big brother. Probably due to those big brother books I read him before Addison arrived... thanks Mamaw and Papa! Cooper is just growing way to fast. His vocabulary is soaring (at least it seems like it to me). He is talking almost all the time in sentences. Our potty training isn't going too well, he is fighting it. But tells me when he goes in his diaper. I just don't know. Everything I read says they are ready when they are ready, so I try not to push TOO hard. He picks put his own clothes already.... usually doesn't like what I pick out. If Cooper doesn't like my rules, he immediately asks for Daddy. Daddy is the more "fun" parent, but hey still goes along with what I say. You have to though, right? Daddy can't be gone all day and come home with a bunch of rules, ya know?

My 2 beauties

Our 4th of July was nice! We had a great 4 days off of work and spent the day at the beach along with several other friends and their kiddos. I know I've mentioned it before, but we LIVE at the beach on the weekends. Its just so much fun for everyone and the kiddos or so worn out, its an early night for us all.

LOVE

The one where life is good...

Well, what can I say? Life is good. Hubby is happy doing well at work, Cooper is speaking in complete sentences and learning to swim and Addison is 4 months old, cooing and almost sitting on her own. And for me, well I can't complain... as long as bellies are fed, kiddos are happy and hubs is happy, I am happy. Life doesn't seem to slow down though, and I know I said that before. But I went back to work part time for the same company I have been with to help out a little bit and to make some extra cash while sitting around the house. So between work, cleaning, mom and wife duty I am a 24/7 chick. I've been waking up a little earlier most morning to walk/run the neighborhood. Still trying to burn off Addison weight, since I gained 40 lbs!! I am getting close to pre-preggers weight but there's always room for improvement! But who can really complain when you see this smiling face everyday.

We had a great Fathers day weekend. It was packed full of greatness and you know what? I have one picture to share the love. That's it.... you would think I would be on top of things like that!? I got up Saturday morning and made Josh shrimp and grits, a FAV of his. Sunday we made it out to the Suns game. The previous 2 years, we were in Atlanta and went to the Braves games, well instead of driving 6 hours for a baseball game, neither kid will remember, we decided on the Suns. I totally think we Cooper and Addison are older to travel to big time major league games would be awesome, but not while they are this young.

Potty training is going pretty good. I've got Cooper at least peeing on the floor in the bathroom... we are getting closer. I am so sick of changing 2 sets of diapers, that's been my motivation! I'm starting Addie on baby food tonight. I think she is ready.... last month doc said 4 months and she was this past Saturday. So wish me luck. Having more of a feeding schedule will help with our routines. Sending love from San Marco!

Have a great week

LOVE