Dreamer

Our new little guy sure does enjoy napping in the bouncy seat!  I thought this shot was especially cute, because he is almost pondering if maybe, just maybe he might wake up.  We are working on sleeping in bed.  Who would have thought this was such a dilemma?  Nights are getting better, and I am determined to get him to take daytime naps in bed too.  So, keep your fingers crossed that dreams and zzzzzzzz's will soon be coming from Baby "L's" comfy bed!

Sleepy Snack

Falling asleep in the recliner has become a regular night ritual for me.  I really try to stay awake, but the nights of interrupted sleep simply catch up with me!  Mr. Fixit loves, for some reason, to capture pictures of this experience.  So, I am publishing one of his snaps!

I honestly do not know what is so photographic, but here it is just the same.  I simply love feeding a sleepy baby!  He loves to snuggle, and makes the cutest little sounds.  I know that these days will soon be gone, and will be replaced by an active toddler - likely one who does not want to cuddle!  So, here is   a photo to remember these snuggle days. =)

Eighteen Months

Little "K" is now officially 18 months old!  Who would have thought this mile marker would be achieved?  Actually, looking back, it now seems that we hit this date fast, but believe me - the first four months felt like eternity!  So, what types of things is "K" up to now?  Well, here are some highlights of current happenings:

*More words.  Church, fly, "be right back," and numerous others have been added to his vocabulary.  Plus, he tries to say the names of those at daycare and Sweet "J." too!

*Silverware.  Well, we are still working on this one.  But, he holds them in his hands and tries to scoop food with them.  So, I think this is progress!

*Four more teeth.  The final four of the front lines have come through.  It has been an adventure, and I am happy to say that this is marked off in the baby book.  Now, the 2 year molars are next -- and last!!

*Milk.  Strawberry syrup is the secret to downing this dairy beverage.  "K" requests "water" every morning.  Who would have thought that this kid would actually ask for milk??

*Stairs.  My Dad taught "K" how to climb stairs, and how to get down them.  So, "K" climbs up the stairs as we head inside Sweet "J's" each day.  Yeah!

What's next?  Well, hopefully the words will keep coming, and we can have a conversation or two someday soon.  Reasoning with an 18 month old is an adventure, so I look forward to the ever developing communication skills!!

Five Roving Divas

Maternity leave quickly came to an end, so my first week back to work had arrived!  I decided to work half days this first week, as that would be a nice way to ease back in.  I was also fortunate to be able to take the little guy with me, so he has been learning all sorts of interesting information! As I entered the driveway, this is what I spotted: five cows.

My heart quickened immediately - Oh. My. Gosh. - our heifers are out!  Well, not technically our heifers, but the heifers of my husband's brother.  The heifers that were living in our pasture, and residing in our care for the summer --- those heifers.  Then, my common sense came back, and I realized these were not heifers, but instead cows.  Phew.  Wait a minute, why were these ladies in our yard?

As I drove home, I noticed a neighbor, down the road, was out mowing.  I headed back down there, and inquired about the bovines.  He knew whose they were, and was going to contact them.  Great!  So, I thought I would go home and enjoy the free lawn mowing job.  However, the soil is slightly more aerated now than before!!

Shoes?

This fashion trend all began in the bath one night.  Mr. Fixit is the chief bath giver around here, and he placed a ring on "K's" foot.  Now, this request is made by "K" each time he receives his bath.  Well, we have oodles of rings, so some are in the non-bath toy box too.  "K" brought the rings over to Mr. Fixit, and requested that he place them on his feet.

"K" then took off for a walk.  I think this would be rather uncomfortable, but since this has been a request more than once, I decided a blog post would be appropriate.  Mr. Fixit felt that we should title it, "Too Poor for Shoes," but I thought a shorter title would work too.  So, the fun continues!  As you can see, we have no lack of imagination here!

Godparents

One of the most sacred things, to me, about Baptism, is that the parents select Godparents to help them raise the child in the Catholic faith.  After we discovered that I was pregnant, with each boy, the discussion about Godparents was one we had soon after.  Much thought went into selecting those special people for each boy.

Baby "L" is so fortunate that his Godparents live close by, so we know that he will get to see them and spend time with them as he grows up in faith.  I captured a shot of the special couple holding baby "L" on his Baptism day.  Thank you both for being a part of our little guy's life!

Grandma "S"

What would we do without Grandma's??  I honestly do not think I could have survived the first week without some super Grandma help!  Mr. Fixit was working, because it was time for the fair, and I was trying to figure out how to balance a 17 month old with a newborn, and well, do it on very little sleep!  Enter super Grandma!!

Grandma was busy.  She cooked, cleaned, did laundry, read oodles of books to "K," played countless hours with "K" and his toys, changed stacks of diapers and was just there.  I was able to sneak in some daytime naps and enjoyed having another adult to talk to!  So, thank you Grandma for coming to lend a helping hand.  We had a great week!

Grandma "F"

Baby "L" is the 23rd grandbaby for Grandma "F," so we were excited to have her come for a visit to meet her youngest little guy!!  Grandma "F" is the best cuddler and rocker.  I know because, Baby "L" told me so.  Little "K" will have none of that rocking and cuddling stuff though.  He seems to think there are too many other things to see and do!

Thankfully, Grandma "F" was able to come and hold Baby "L" as he peacefully slept.  We look forward to seeing Grandma again soon, so she can stay in the rocking practice =)  Here is a picture of Baby "L" as he meets Grandma "F."  I think they will get along quite well!

Mom & Baby "L"

Who would have known that this summer would be one of the hottest, record setting type of summers? I have decided, that it might be better to be pregnant when it is just a bit cooler.  I honestly lost track of the number of 100 degree days that we have had.  Then it become way too hot to take little "K" on our nightly stroller walks.  But, back to the baby details!

We headed for the hospital around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 24.  Baby "L" arrived at 3:19 p.m.  He was a little shy in wanting to make his debut, but once his aquatic environment was burst, he seemed to think that maybe he would check out the world on the outside.

This picture was taken the next day.  Mr. Fixit had a chance to retrieve our camera, and snapped some hospital photos.  In this photo, Baby "L" and I are chilling and waiting until the next feeding, and, of course, anticipating the start of the summer Olympics!

Temporary Ride

Since about the beginning of July, we have experienced electrical difficulties with our car. The electronic locks stopped working one day, and doors could not be locked or unlocked with the key remote nor on the inside of the doors.  The hatch could not be unlocked at all.  The back window was also stuck in the locked position.

At first we thought maybe the batteries or a fuse needed replaced.  Not the case.  After two evaluation appointments, it was decided that a computer mechanism was the culprit.  Great - let's get a new one!  So we did.  The car went back for the third day, and the dealership discovered that the wrong part was ordered.  So, I requested they unlock the doors, because I was tired of hauling a toddler into his car seat through the window.

A new part was ordered, and we decided to wait until Baby "L" arrived.  Who knew when we would be headed to the hospital, and it is more helpful to have a car for this task.  The car went in shortly after the birth for repair.  Three weeks later, the locks stopped again.  So the car returned for another repair.  Two days later, same story = no working locks.  *Sigh*

The car is now back at the dealership for the fifth time.  We have a rental, pictured above, as they try to determine what is going on.  I received a phone call from the service technician yesterday, they are still working on it, but the car had a "boo boo."  Apparently another employee backed another customer's vehicle into the driver's side car door of our vehicle.  The report was that the door was rather banged up.  So, the car went to the body shop to receive a new driver's side door.

Our car is certainly not new - eight years old - but, we do like our car, and it is paid for.  However, I am beginning to wonder if this is a sign that we should start car shopping soon???

Zebra

I honestly never thought that this little toy - a Zebra - would become the most valuable toy in our collection.  Let me assure you though, it most certainly is!  Mr. Fixit has even become tuned into the significance of this toy, as he asked me on our way to church one morning, "Did you bring the zebra?" Yes, honey, of course I remembered the Zebra!

Anyway, we acquired this little guy in a box of clothing from my librarian friend.   This is the toy that "K" must have for sleeping.  He has a love for tags.  So, he holds the Zebra in his right hand, and rubs the tags between his thumb and first finger.  While this is occurring, he sucks his left thumb.  And, I tell you, all - is - right - with - the - world!  If the Zebra happens to fall out of bed or he can not locate it in the night, well, we become alerted to the situation right directly!

On another note, I have to sneak it into the washing machine, each week, for a bath.  Timing is everything, folks.  My goal is to have it clean by naptime!