Success!

Today was Lyric's last day of swim lessons. It was 100% different than last year! Thank goodness. She loved every minute of it. There ended up being two others kids in the class with her. The only downfall was that she ended up having four different teachers! Oh well, I know she still learned a lot. I am amazed at how quickly she transformed from floaties to swimming on her own!

On the last day they have the kids jump off of the diving board. It is a little intimidating because the pool is so big! She did great and loved it!

Unusual

This is quite the usual site around our house. My kids do not ever just fall asleep like this!

This was a result of too many early mornings for this little boy! He is trying to compete with his sister, whose lovely schedule has been having her wake up around 5:45-6:00! He just doesn't quite have the stamina she does, and I don't either!

Owie

In the ER waiting to get stitches!

That evening at home, bandaged up.
Three days later.

Six days later, the day his stitches were taken out.

Last week, we were privileged enough to take Paxton to the ER for the first time. Almost daily, Mike plays baseball outside with the kids. He has a tee for them, and they each have their own bat. They take turns hitting the balls off of the tee. Lyric was about to swing, when Mike told her to wait. It was all done too fast, and the bat hit him square in the forehead. I was in the house when I hear Mike come in. I could tell something was wrong. I walked out and wanted to pass out when I saw Paxton. I couldn't tell where he was hurt because his whole face was covered in blood.

We hoped in the car and were off to the ER. I don't like going there for any old problem, but I had a feeling this needed stitches. The whole process was only two hours, which is pretty good for the ER! After it was cleaned up, I was amazed how a wound that small could bleed so much! My shirt was covered in blood, so while we were there people were looking at me probably wondering if I had just been in a murder scene! The poor guy did so good until they started doing the stitches. The "topical" they put on his forehead must have done just that, barely numb the first layer of skin!

They had to wrap him in a sheet while Mike held him at the top, and a nurse held him at the bottom. I couldn't watch. Hearing him was bad enough. I stayed in the room, but I just turned around. The older I get, the more stuff like that makes me feel a little woozy! Three stitches later, and we were ready to go.

A week later, we were able to get the stitches taken out. I'm impressed with how well it looks. I'm OK if a little scar is left, his daddy has one in the same spot :)
We now have a new rule, the person not up to bat has to stand by the tree where bats and balls can't hit them!

Two?

The little boy who made this mess wouldn't happen to be two, would he? Lyric and Mike were on a date night, so I think Paxton got a little bored without his sister. He probably figured he had scored when he found a container filled with lots of cool balls (eggs).
The same evening he somehow deleted all of the show on our DVR. I really wanted to strangle him for that one! There were so many "precious" movies and shows on there that I can't get back! Pathetic, I know. Mike and I have come to love, and don't know how we watched TV before we got DVR!
I just know I probably have a good two years ahead of me with his terrible twos, and then horrific threes! I say that because Lyric's threes were by far harder than her twos.

Boys and Their Toys

Paxton loves bringing the outdoor bikes inside. I don't blame him, I wouldn't want to ride around in the 110 degree heat either! This morning he was cruising around the house in the nude, his preferred choice of clothing, or lack there of.

The potty is now his greatest enemy and a poopy diaper immediately comes off, which leads to a quick tubby to rise off his lower half! I knew his interest in the toilet would be short lived!

Thoughtful :)

I absolutely love finding good deals on my kid's clothes for the next season. So, today I was having Lyric try on a pair of jeans for this coming winter. She's got a little tummy on her, so in order to fit around, it often means the jeans are quite long. She got them on and said, "Mom, these are too long. You can have them." How nice of her. In her eyes I must be her size, just a little taller! Ha, not quite.

Swimmer

Thanks to Jamie for the pics!

During the summer, a lady at our church lets everyone use her pool on Friday mornings. It is a fun little outing with the kids, and a good way to keep cool.

Lyric wore her water wings around for a while. When Jamie came, she brought her Safety Seal, these awesome floaty things my mom found. Lyric wanted to switch over to the Safety Seal. I took her water wings off in the pool and had her try getting around a little without anything. She immediately started swimming back and forth, from me to the step. Before I knew it, she was jumping off the diving board and swimming to the edge! I was very impressed with her abilities. She had so much fun, and such a sense of freedom without any floating devices strapped to her!

On Monday she starts swimming lessons at the high school pool. These are the ones that she SCREAMED through every single day last summer! I have a feeling this summer will be a little easier, at least I can hope :)

He Did It

On Monday night, Paxton peed in the toilet for the first time. He loves to sit on it, but had never actually gone in it. I was quite shocked! Yesterday he went like four more times, and today he's gone once. I am not officially potty training, just getting him familiar with it. I honestly don't feel ready to take that big of a project on right now! Plus, I don't know that he would really be 100% ready for it. We shall see!

The Celebration

We had Jamie's family over to celebrate Paxton's birthday. Jamie made the cutest baseball cake. That boy is so obsessed with balls! We ate pizza and then yummy cake. Afterwards, we went outside and the some kids got wet, and some practiced a little baseball! Fun memories to make!

Two Year Old Boy

Today my baby turns two! I think this year went twice as fast as the first! He rang in his second birthday by being particularly obnoxious today :) He knows he now officially holds the title of being in his "terrible twos," and he's not afraid to let it show.
Last night, we didn't end up doing any fireworks. It was one of those nights where the kids had to be to bed early for the sake of every one's safety. We told Lyric we were going to do fireworks for Paxton's birthday, and that worked just fine. Funny enough, he, the one who likes the loudest, biggest, and most boyish things, was terrified of the fireworks! I actually couldn't stop laughing. He held a sparkler for two seconds, and then was totally done. He curled up on the sidewalk and didn't even want to watch them.
Paxton is just blossoming into such a fun little boy. His vocabulary is expanding by the day! Here are some facts about Paxton at two:

-he weighs about 33 pounds
-he can count to ten
-he will throw ANYTHING that has a round shape to it
-he loves sitting on his daddy's lap while he plays games on the computer
-he loves his blankie and Mickey Mouse
-his sweet tooth might actually be bigger than mine!
-he could watch anything with a machine run for hours
-when diaper less, for even three seconds, he loves to "mark his territory" on walls, shoes, and the front door

I know there are so many other fun things about him that I can't think of right now. I just love watching his curiosity for life. To see life through the eyes of a little boy is so fun. Boys kind of feel like unfamiliar territory for me. I love seeing what is so naturally ingrained into him. He is my tiny baby boy! Tomorrow we are going to officially celebrate his birthday.

Trying to fix the vacuum. This is the face he makes when I tell him to say "cheese" for the camera.

Paxton loves watching football on Mike's ipod. He will bring it to Mike and say "football."

Trying to hide on the ground

A little freaked by a loud firework!

The two seconds he held a sparkler, then totally freaked!

2190 days and counting.......

Today Mike and I celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary. We spent a romantic day out and about with our little family in the lovely 108 degree heat. Mike is taking next week off of work, so that is when we will actually celebrate it. Two kids in six years, that means I have another six years to work on the next two, hahahaha. I'll take the next six years and enjoy my two :)

I really love looking back and seeing the growth we have made in our marriage. Our foundation is stronger, and our relationship is better. Marriage takes work, and lots of it. It feels good when you can see progress being made. I love the person Mike is. His motivation and determination pours over into every aspect of his life. Here's to another year!

Fro Man

Last Sunday we were all hanging out at Jamie's. We were attempting to play some Rock Band, which didn't happen cause the XBOX ended up crashing. I wanted to show everyone what kind of a fro Paxton could sport, so I grabbed a brush and started combing his hair out. Can you believe how big it can get! I was laughing so hard. Mike thought I was being mean by having Paxton be the joke, but I got a good kick out of it. His hair absolutely amazes me. It literally gets curlier as it gets longer. When I wash his hair, it easily reaches a few inches past his shoulders. I won't cut it until I absolutely have to!

Here is a "normal" shot of his hair, taken by Jamie's friend, Tiffany, while she was here.

What Happens When...

This is what happens when you are a little boy constantly surrounded by girls. Paxton watches me paint my nails and Lyric's, and always wants his done. That is not something Mike particularly approves of, so I respect that. Well, Paxton took it upon himself to do his own toes when mommy was gone and daddy was distracted with sister. I laughed so hard when I got home. He actually did a pretty good job!

Recital 2009

Yesterday was the big recital. Lyric was so excited for it. This year was extra special, because cousins Jordyn and Lexi were in the same class as Lyric. They did their dance to a really cute song called "Baby, Take a Bow." The week leading up to it was crazy busy filled with pictures, recital practice, and then the real thing!

This was Lyric's third year in her Tap/Ballet/Jazz class. This summer she is going to try a straight ballet class. She has expressed interest in this. I love watching her confidence and talents grow. She absolutely loves dance class, and I hope she always will!

I Wish

Paxton has a deep fascination with the potty. He's never actually gone in it, but he likes to pretend. He loves joining anyone who will let him in the bathroom with them. He especially loves to follow cousin Peyton and watch her go potty. I wish I could blink my eyes and have potty training over with! I am not going to rush him into it. I am going to let him take the lead!