Tuesday, June 24, 2014

HELLO FROM THE WALDO'S

We're not very good at family pictures and my better half doesn't like them, so when they actually happen, it's a moment to document. :) This is us right now. 


WE HIT THE FRIEND JACKPOT

We just had an awesome week with Jen while she was here to visit. The kids had such a great time with her and now that she's gone, I miss the extra pair of hands to help around the house. Thanks for using lots of your vacation time to come and see us....it means a lot. :)

This picture was taken back in 2012 when the Jen and Dennis came to see us for Christmas. All I can say is that I think we hit the friend jackpot. We miss you. 

JAINA MAE :: THINGS TWO YEAR OLDS SAY

"Ah, man!"

"Ok, fine!"

She draws me a picture and says, "Fise! For you! I made it for you!" (surprise)

She knows she's going to get in trouble and says,"I wufa you, Mama." After she gets in trouble she she says, "I wufa you, Mama" with tears rolling down her cheeks. Then she gets a wipe and dramatically wipes her face. She melts my heart.

"I want nola bar!" (granola bar) Remember when Ava used to call it a "go nudie bar?" 

"Don't touch it! Ever again!"

"Don't do it! Ever again!" (wonder where she's heard that?)

"Moen a wawn" (mowing the lawn)

"I dotcha." (got you)

"I mermert!" (Mermaid)


"I want up a canter." (counter)

"I want apple, pheese! I want apple!"

"Yeah, I sink so."

"I run faster mama!"

"I poop again!!!"

Monday, June 23, 2014

JOHN & VICTORIA {ENGAGED}

photo credit: Sheleen's Photography
There's no other way to put it. These two are perfect for each other. My brother John is the luckiest guy. The whole family is looking forward to next summer when these two will finally tie the knot. Welcome to the family, Victoria!
Painted by me for the happy couple. Congratulations!

Friday, June 13, 2014

SOME DAYS ARE LIKE THAT

Days after the nights that you haven't slept.
Days when they wake up too early. 
Days when the full cereal bowl flips off the table...and it wouldn't be such a big deal but you've cleaned up a dozen messes already and you haven't been up for more than an hour.
Days when they don't take no for an answer.
Days when they don't stop fighting.
Days when they don't stop whining.
Days when they just won't listen.
Days when the baby is fussy all day because he hasn't pooped in a week.
Days when you feel like crying and sometimes you just have to.
Days when you feel like you've been mad all day.
Days when you lock yourself in the laundry room to fold piles of clothes because it feels like some kind of relaxing therapy.
Days when the the baby falls asleep and the doorbell rings.
Days when there isn't a spare moment to take a shower...or maybe there is one but you use it to just close your eyes and breathe instead. 
Days when you eat breakfast standing up so that they don't know you're eating breakfast...otherwise they'll eat all of your eggs and yogurt and you have to make a whole new breakfast.
Days when you feel like you haven't accomplished anything.
Days when the breakfast dishes are still in the sink at 8 pm and you realize you've left the milk out all day.
Days when you put them to bed early just so you don't go crazy...or maybe you've already gone crazy....
Days when you wouldn't trade them for the world but you secretly wish for 30 minutes to yourself.
Days when you fall asleep and hope that the next day will be better.
Days when none of this is funny... but looking back on it, it kind of is...

Let's get real. Sometimes we need a good dose of reality. :) There are lots of days like this. Life isn't perfectly perfect but my comfort is this:

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: 
 He shall gather the lambs with his arm,
 and carry them in his bosom,
 and shall gently lead those that are with young."
                                   Isaiah 40:11

Thursday, June 12, 2014

OSCAR DEAN {2 MONTHS}


  • 15 lbs 13.5 oz (over 95%)
  • 24 3/4 inches (95%)
  • head 16 1/4 inches (80%)
  • size 3 diapers
  • mostly 9 month clothes
We couldn't ask for a better baby! He's been sleeping 7-8 hours straight at night...last night he went to bed at 6:30 pm and woke up at 4 am. Almost ten hours! He ate and went back to bed. His favorite sleeping position is his tummy.
He doesn't seem to be affected much by what I eat which is nice but he's a once a week pooper so the day or two before it happens is usually when he's most fussy.
He's a smiley, talkative baby. He love his sisters. :) I think his favorite thing (besides his mama's lap) is when Ava sings to him. He cheers right up and starts cooing.
I don't know who he looks like yet...Donald thinks he looks like my Dad and brothers. I think he has his Daddy's eyebrows. :)
He finally likes his swing and he's usually pretty content in the car unless he has gas or he's hungry. 
He prefers to turn his head to the right so it's getting a little flat on that side...need to work on that. Maybe it's time for the Bumbo? I think he needs more tummy time first. :)
I wonder if it's time for a haircut? Only the top is growing!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

A GOOD WAY TO SPEND A BIRTHDAY {JAINA MAE}

Yesterday, we had your birthday party. Today, we ate leftover cake. :) This morning we went to meeting and after lunch I bribed you with cake and ice cream to get you to smile for a picture. It didn't really work. :)
 After your nap, we went for a ride on the boat with Ken and Kathy and then went out for supper. You dipped all your food in the guacamole and slurped down your ice cream.
 After we ate, we went down to look at the "bish"...You love fish.
 On our way back to the boat, you sat down and said, "Phease?" You wanted your picture taken but then wouldn't look at me because you were worried everyone was going to leave without you.
 To say you love the boat is an understatement. I think it's one of your favorite things to do.
 A day in the life of Jaina. It was a good way to spend a birthday. 
Happy Birthday, sweet girl. 

JAINA MAE {2 YEARS}

Dear Jaina,
You turned 2 years old today. Where has the time gone? 
One of my favorite times with you is when you wake up early and run into our room. Your little eyes peek over the bed and you whisper "Up!". You crawl up, lay on my pillow and snuggle under the covers. Sometimes we whisper, sometimes I rub your back and sometimes we just lay there quietly....until you say, "Mama, cereal." 
I love when you tuck yourself under my arm when we read a book together...Or how you love to help me in the kitchen. "Counter phease?" 
You like to get ready with me in the bathroom...brush your teeth...comb your hair...
You like to do big girl stuff like your sissy. You both race to let the dog out or wash the windows with Daddy. 
You've started singing and I absolutely love it. Your latest song is, "Tomorrow! Tomorrow! Tomorrow!" It's so cute when you sing with Ava.
You've got spunk and a stubborn streak a mile wide. I rarely trust you to be alone a room for fear of what you'll get into. There are days (most of them lately) that you test my every nerve and every bit of patience but at the end of the day, I still love you and you're still my little girl. The silver lining is that you're very sensitive to discipline. One tiny little tap on your bum and you melt into tears.
You love to go to town! Every day you ask me, "Mama car?" 
I'm wondering what happened to my awesome eater?!? You're getting more and more picky about what you like and there are lot's of things that you won't even put in your mouth. If you do, you spit it out and say, "Yucky!"
You really love to ride on the boat and you really don't like to have your picture taken!
We have been talking about your birthday for a couple of weeks now...Ava was so excited for your birthday and for you to turn two! I tucked you into bed one night and whispered, "What do you want for your birthday?" 
You whispered back with a huge smile, "Party!"
"What else do you want for your birthday?"
"Bish!" (fish)
So, we had a party and a fish cake. You loved every minute of it. From the pinata to the cake to the presents. 

You can pretty much carry on a conversation now...I can't record everything you say but these are a few of my favorites. "Walk? Walk! Me Me!!"
"No bed! Cared (scared) me!"
"Baby done eat? Baby eat again?"
"Yeah sure!"
"Watch me, mama! Aaahhhhh!"
"Wook me, mama! Aaahhhh!"
"I doodit!" 
"I gotit, I gotit!"
"Odder Dean."
"Sorry, Mom."
"Careful, Mom."  
"Sissy naughty naughty!!"
"Ah yah I know..."
"Yeah sure, I want to!"
"June bug come again. Care me!"
"Why? Why? Why?"
"Share! Sissy share!!"
"Nakin phease. Thank you much." (Napkin please)
"Wuv Mama" (Love Mama)
"I can't! Enty more! (any more)
"I fine!"
"Yeah! I wuv it!!"
"Fine mama!!" (little attitude with this one)

You're growing like a weed! 

  • 30 lbs (85%)
  • 36 inches (95%)
  • head - 19.75 inches (96%)
  • 3T - 4T clothes
  • size 6 diapers (soon to be underwear I hope)
  • size 8 shoes
I'm so thankful for every day that I have with you. Daddy and I love you so very, very much. Happy Birthday, sweetie.