A Sporting Good Time

I first uploaded each of these pictures individually, but it wasn't as enjoyable to look at. So, I made one of my fun collages! Aren't you excited!

If you have met Jonah, then you know he loves to play ball. Any ball, he's not picky. But, he doesn't limit himself to just balls. He likes anything that is done outside, or anything athletic (although he doesn't yet know the word or meaning of 'athletic')

above you see Jonah:

• wearing a bike helmet (the way he thinks it should look)
• sporting BEN's tennis racket (it had to be Ben's)
• with his fave....the basketball
• ready for swimming

• being Joe Cool
• playing t-ball with Molly
• drying off after swimming

below you will see Jonah playing his own little made-up game...

Football on the Hammock, or "weeep" 

(since that's what I call the word he keeps repeating):

I did not put the ball on the hammock.
This was all Jonah's doing...no form of weird parental torture! 

My Favorite Jonah Quote!

Tonight Jonah said something really cute. It might be my favorite thing of all the cute things he's ever said! I smiled myself to happy tears. (but, then, that doesn't really take much when I'm pregnant)

He was sitting on my lap; we were face-to-face, or, more importantly, belly-to-belly when he said: 

"What's that?"

(me: what's what?)

"The girl, she's knocking!"

I guess his little sister had moved right when Jonah settled against my belly. It was a moment I will treasure for a long time! 

Weekend Update: Perfect Friday Night

My recipe for a perfect Friday night includes two boys, some fun puzzles, and a pizza!! I've listened to lots of laughing and dried a few tears...we're living it up! 

(what they don't know is that we're all going to bed early too)

Flooring Makeover: Part 1

As I mentioned the other day, we recently tackled the living/dining room with laminate wood flooring. Jonathan's parents came up on a Thursday and helped out. I don't have the final "after" pictures taken yet. I was going to wait to take those after we got all the last bits of trim installed. Those bits of trim haven't come in yet, so I might just go for the pictures without. Anyway. Today I'd like to share pictures of Jonah helping out! 

Playing with some toy cars. He had to keep changing locations because of our  moving things around.

Daddy's little helper. I just love this photo!!

We Jonathan had to scrape up the backer board from where the linoleum was in the foyer. It was a rough yucky mess.  

Here we see our faithful helper lounging on the oddly arranged furniture.

All of the above are pictures that involve removing the nasty carpet. It took 2 1/2 days to get it all out. Then we got to move on to the exciting part. There was a LOT of measuring and RE-measuring. (that's the part they don't show you on those home improvement shows).  This last photo shows a bit of the finished product. Jonah was helping hammer the baseboard back in place.

And....the best little video....Jonah "measuring and marking" like his Daddy!

Potty Time!!

Well, as I have mentioned before, we have been potty training around here. We started the week of Valentines and I think I can officially say we are THERE! He's doing SO great! 

These are all the supplies (plus underwear and pull-ups) that we used to get going. Since the first week I've often asked myself why I didn't just use the normal "m&m rewards" like every other potty-trainer out there. Especially when he goes right before bed. Oops. Clearly, I didn't think ahead on the reward system.

clorox bleach spray with paper towels...on hand at ALL TIMES, lollipops, tootsie rolls, and stickers! 

Not only do we reward him for going(tootsie rolls for tinkle and lollipops for poop), but we have a sticker chart he's filling up each day that he stays totally clean all day. When that one is full, he gets a BIG reward!  

We also use this nice potty seat that fits on the regular toilet. (he's decided he likes standing better...and that is actually more clean most of the time)

Last night Jonah slept in underwear. He'd been waking up dry every day for two weeks. And he'd been asking to sleep in the underwear all week long, so I figured we'd give it a try. 

IT's A......

Drum roll, please......

*

wait for it

*

*

* 

The ultrasound revealed that we are having a....

healthy baby.....

and ......

Her name shall be Elizabeth Anne. I might just call her Eliza. I can't help myself! We are so in love with her sweet feet and cute little toes that she kept moving for us to see!

Ultrasound Day!

Do you like the shirt my sister found for me? I thought it was pretty clever. This is me at 20 1/2 weeks. The black is a little slimming...and the photo just doesn't show much of the baby bump, but it is there. 

We have an appointment for an ultrasound this afternoon. We hope to learn the gender of our sweet little baby and maybe decide on a name! We are still certain of our girl name, but may be hung up on the boy name. I've taken full advantage of my present state and changed my mind! 

Jonah has decided on the name he likes...no matter the gender. He thinks we should name the baby:

"Chesco Nollie" 

(aka:Franchesco Bernoulli)...

...after this Cars2 character! 

Sorry, sweetie. that isn't going to happen. 

February Hodgepodge.

I realized today it's been a while since I posted anything. I've still been taking pictures, I just haven't taken time to share much lately. 

So, here are some pictures I took last month:

Jonah modeling his awesome coat and hat that Grammy Pammy made for him.
The picture was taken on a Sunday; when it was actually cold!

Jonah with his favorite color of lollipop.
(more about lollipops later. hint: they are a reward for a very specific thing)

This was one of those moments that Jonah got into mischief and I took a picture. He dumped out all 10lbs of potatoes I had just purchased. He did put them all back in the bag after the two of us struggled through a minor disagreement on the matter.

Today we began the process of tearing out carpet and installing laminate wood in the living/dining room. I've documented quite a bit in photos already. There will be some good footage for a post or two soon!

David and Goliath

Jonah has a favorite Bible story. We usually read one at bedtime and he usually asks for David and Goliath. Here lately he has been telling the story to us, so I recorded it! 

Crazy Obsessions

TLC has a new show coming out. I don't get this channel, but I saw a sneak peek on a morning show today. OH. MY. GOODNESS. When Hoarders was introduced I was in awe of the subjects featured. But, I can kind of follow the psychological reasoning with that one. THIS show leaves that craziness in the dust. Take a look.

My Crazy Obsession video link.

(the third one on the list is a short sweet synopsis...the first one is pretty incredible, though)

Leap Day 2012 (Tornado Footage)

Many, if not all of you, know about the tornado that ripped through our little town early Wednesday morning.  It has been all over local and national news. We were not nearly as devastated as some other places were on the same day and the damage doesn't even come close to what our neighbors in Joplin faced last May. 

Lots of family and friends called/sent text messages to check on our family. We came through just fine. Our trashcan blowing over (not unusual) was the only evidence of any kind of storm at our house. For that I am thankful. I know people who rode out the storm in closets and others who no longer have a house or car. There are many many businesses that were destroyed/damaged beyond doing business anytime soon. 

This video shows some footage of the destruction. It covers a portion of "The Strip" (Hwy 76), then moves to the Mt. Branson area where the iconic Candlestick Inn overlooks The Branson Landing, and then switches to helicopter footage that covers the eastern portion of Taney County. I personally had a hard time following the camera in the helicopter...it gave me motion sickness. 

If you are wondering about joining in the relief effort you can check out Volunteer Branson by clicking here. It might be a few more days before any projects officially get going. Thankfully most places have electricity again. (and wouldn't you know...the city of Joplin sent some reinforcements in to help us out)