Silly Jilly: Two Prayers

Silly Jilly says funny things all the time these days.  But here are 2 of my favorite things from this past week:

Jillian told me a few weeks ago that she does not like the last line of the Lord's Prayer.

Jilly: Mommy, don't say "Deliver us from evil."

Mommy: But that's what the prayer says.

Jilly: Well, I don't like it.

Mommy: We can't just change the Lord's Prayer, Jillian.  We'll need to ask God if we can say "Keep us safe from every evil."

I hadn't thought too much about this conversation until we were driving home from school the other day.  I always tell Jillian that when she sees sun rays through the clouds, that means God is with us.  

Jilly: Mommy! Mommy!  God is with us, hurry and ask him if we can say "Keep us safe from every evil!"

So needless to say, we now change the last line of the Lord's Prayer.  Now that she has that one down, I have been teaching her the Hail Mary.

Jilly: Hail Mary, Fairy Grace, the Lord is with thee

Maybe I think it's the cutest thing in the world that she says that, so maybe I don't correct her...

Adorable Alex gets a Haircut

Somebody got a haircut today!!!  Though we had trimmed Alex's hair before, this was his first real haircut!

His hair had gotten so long over the past few months and it was hard to tame.  We would comb his hair before school, but he'd always come home looking like a mess.  So I decided it was time to cut it, even though I tried to wait till he was one year old.  

Some before shots

We took him to our stylist, Brittany, at Chrome.  She was the same one who gave Jillian her first haircut too.  He did not sit still like she did, as he is such a wiggle worm.

She took a little off the sides, and lots off the back.  

Doesn't he look like such a big kid with his new haircut?!

And here he is with his handsome daddy.  Now if only we could get daddy to cut his beard too.  (Just kidding babe...or am I?!)

#beardandson

Here is a Before/After shot of our handsome boy!

We love you, Alex, and your new haircut too!

Adorable Alex: Not You Too?!

Maybe you remember a story about a certain little someone who shall remain nameless named Jillian who started reaching for the bottle at a young age?!  It seems like her brother, Alex, is following in her footsteps.

Like brother, like sister...

In my morning haste, I heard a loud thump and the sound of glass hitting the floor.  It was my son...taking out a bottle of wine from our buffet...and he's only 10 months old...

Lord help us!  I'l be damned if I have 2 underage drinkers on my hands.  

But doesn't he look so cute though?!  Looks like I'm in trouble!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

Happy Father's Day to the best Daddy in the whole world!  You make us laugh and smile all day, every day.  You are always ready to play with us, tickle us, and throw us up in the air.  

You always stand behind us and support us, whether that's holding us up as we learn to walk or supporting us by working so hard everyday.  We know we can always count on you!

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!  We hope you know today and always how much you mean to us!

Love, Alex and Jillian

Best Anniversary Yet...

Thursday was our 5 year wedding anniversary.  And though it started with us taking Alex to have tubes put in his ears, we could not have asked for a better day together.  Since we had to stay home with the baby after surgery, we both had the day off and it was glorious to get to spend the whole day together.

Other than spending quality time with the baby, we also took advantage of the time together by doing what all old, married couple get excited about...cleaning our house and running errands. I know, that may sound lame but it is a rare occasion around these parts to spend quality time together like that...so judge if you must, but know that it was perfect for us.

After getting Jillian from school, we came home and did a quick dinner and bath for the kids.  We had dinner reservations at 8:30, so the babysitter came around 8 PM so we could make it on time.

Before we left, our sitter snapped a few quick pics of us. Bubsy was already asleep, but we got some quick photos of us with our sweet girl. 

Happy Anniversary, Mommy and Daddy!

She was so sweet, telling Julian that he looked handsome and giving me a "beautiful kiss because I looked beautiful."  Love that girl! 

The 5th anniversary gift is traditionally wood, so I got some wood bracelets for Julian.  But my gift paled in comparison to his gift to me -- a new Kate Spade purse.  I'm not sure what my purse has to do with with wood -- maybe it's more like "WOODn't you like an awesome new purse?!"  Uhh, yes please!  We also have plans to buy a tree and plant it in our yard to commemorate our 5th wedding anniversary.  

Off we went to our dinner date at Christopher's..."ohhh, you fancy, huh?!"  It was a great, intimate, delicious dinner for two!  The food was amazing, the service was great, and the view wasn't bad for either of us to see each other across the table...

But most of all, the dinner conversation was great.  We talked about important things, we talked about silly things, we dreamed about the future, and we reflected on the past.  

It was a perfect night and by far our best anniversary to date!  There was something a little extra special about this milestone of celebrating our 5th Anniversary.  After a long day, we called it a night after dinner and went home with a renewed commitment to loving one another and working at our marriage daily.

And I couldn't ask for anything more perfect than that...

Adorable Alex has Surgery

After 7 ear infections in the past 6 months, we knew it was time to get tubes put in Alex's ears.  It wash't a tough choice to make if we wanted our son to get better.  And so after waiting to see if he would outgrow the ear infections, it became apparent that the only way to stop them (and the constant dosage of antibiotics and side effects from those) was to go through with it.

Sad he has to have surgery

So off we went to the hospital at 6:30 in the morning.  We dropped Jillian off at the Malnars (thanks Meredith and Justin) who took her to school.  

But glad he would hopefully feel better soon

Alex was such a good baby about the whole thing.  He didn't cry even though we woke him up early. He didn't cry because I was not able to feed him since you have to fast before surgery.  He didn't cry at the 1.5 wait till it was our turn.  All in all, I think he was just happy about the extra cuddle time and two-on-one attention that Julian and I were able to give him (and that he rarely gets).

He was so cute with his Elfie (the stuffed elephant).  He has Elfie with him every night as he goes to sleep and he loves cuddling with him.  I think having Elfie with him through it all brought him great comfort.

Getting ready to get taken into the OR

All in all, he was back in the OR for about 20 minutes.  They were 20 nerve-wracking minutes filled with lots of prayers and hopes for a complication-free surgery.  He did cry a little as he was coming out of the anesthesia and he seemed out of it for about 20 minutes.

Looking a little dazed and confused

 We were back home by 9:30 AM and after a quick nap at home, Alex was back to his normal, adventurous self.  We spent the rest of the day with our little guy, crawling around the house playing hide and seek.  It was really great to get to spend the day with him since we are rarely at home at the same time, much less able to focus on just him.  As much as I'm sad that we were home with him because he had surgery, I am so grateful that he can be well now and for the special day with Bubsy.

Of course, we also could not wait to pick up Jillian from school.  She asked how her baby brother was and sang him silly, sweet get better songs on the way home.  She saw her helmet in the garage and decided that her baby brother needed to wear it to keep his ears safe after surgery.  Silly sister!  

Bubsy baby, I hope your daddy and I made the right choice to have this surgery on you.  Please know that we will always try to do right by you and take care of you the best we can.  And every once in awhile, we'll take the day off to spend quality time with just you, too!  Love you, son!

Happy 5th Anniversary, my Love!

Julian and I have been married for 5 years!  Can you believe it?!  I know I can't!

The past 5 years have been nothing short of amazing!  I look back at the life that he and I have built together and I can't help but thank God for the blessings we have had over these past 5 years.  

I just can't even believe that these 2 kids...

...became a family of 3...

...and now 4...

...in a matter of 5 years!  

Through it all, the ups and the downs, I feel so fortunate to have had my best friend and soul mate by my side.  I wouldn't change a single moment of our life together.

Happy Anniversary, Julian! 5 years down, 50+ years to go!!!

Adorable Alex: Dada's Boy

Just in time for Father's Day...Proof that our son loves his Daddy!

This cutie boy is officially a "Dada's Boy!"

Happy 10 Months, Alex!

Happy 10 Months, sweet boy!

As in, 2 months till your ONE?!  I know, you look as surprised as I am...

Where is the time going?!  Our baby Alex is getting so big!  He's just under 21 lbs. and is wearing his 12-18 month clothes already.  Alex is getting bigger everyday...sometimes, I drop him off at school and I swear he is heavier by the time I pick him up at the end of the day.

Almost as tall as his elephant!

He is a great eater and is eating more and more solid food now.  I feed him little chunks of food, like fruits, veggies, and pasta, along with Cheerios and baby puffs.  He loves his food and he is learning how to chew with his 2 front teeth.  But I think more teeth are coming soon because he is chewing on everything these days -- including his crib.

Silly boy, that's not a teething ring!

Bubsy is a happy boy most of the time who loves to laugh at Jillian playing peek-a-boo, or mommy's silly faces, but especially at Daddy.  He thinks his daddy is the best and no one makes him laugh like Daddy.  It's actually the cutest thing to watch because his face lights up when Daddy is around!

Alex is still a great sleeper and it is so cute because he sleeps with a stuffed elephant named Elfie that he loves to cuddle with.  Maybe mommy (and daddy) still sleep with a stuffed animal too, so I know where he gets this from...

Bubs loves his Elfie

Sweet boy, I can't believe that is it time to start actually planning (and not just Pinning) for your first birthday.  I wish time would stand still so I could keep you and your sister this little forever!  It has been so fun these past 10 months and I know we could not imagine our lives without you, Alex!

Jilly Bear loves you!

Happy 10 Months, Bubsy!