Cool Thursday

I mentioned several posts back that we had been able to sneak out without the kids to a Beatles Tribute band at the Arboretum. Luckily, Rebekah got some great pictures -and I figured I would post a link to her post. Here is the one picture I have from the evening (besides a reallly sad-looking one of Colin and I that I will not be posting). I love the backpack chair.

Stuff

I tried to think of a cute title for this post, but it is so random, it was hard to tie everything together. I'm not feeling very creative today....
Haircuts, baby birds, sweet kisses, well check up, and a puppy dog party

This week Cooper got his first haircut. I begrudgingly (is that a word?) took him to the kids cut place, and spent $16.95 + tip, because I wanted him to be able to sit in a cool race car seat and watch a cartoon. Well, he didn't get to sit in a racecar, she just plopped him on a booster seat and said, "Is Tom and Jerry okay?" since it was already playing on the tv. Well, I think Elmo might have been a little better - since Tom was shooting holes in Jerry with a gun, and it scared Cooper. But, that was irrelevant since Cooper was already crying and begging to get "down" before she even started cutting. So, I sat down and put him on my lap. The lady cutting his hair didn't so much as smile while she was doing it, or attempt to calm his nerves. Regardless, he got a haircut, and though it's pretty crooked and way too short in the back, it's done. Here's the one picture I took (no before & after shots to compare... sorry Cooper). They also tried to talk me into the additional $4 of him for a Polaroid and a plastic bag with some hair in it. I politely declined ... I had hair all over me from holding him during the process, anyway, I could just save some of that. : )


Yesterday while we were eating dinner, which was really good by the way ... I made this and added andouille. Mmm, thanks Pioneer Woman. Anyway, while we were eating dinner, I noticed the dove fly away from right outside our backdoor. And we we peeked into her nest, this is what we saw:

Two baby doves. So far, so good. The boys are fascinated. Jackson was telling me all about how the mom flew away to go find food for the babies, but will certainly be back soon. (He's referencing one of his favorite books, Are You My Mother?, which happens to be one of my favorite books, too).

Sometime last weekend, Colin was planting some new stuff in our front yard - we're trying to make it look a little less sad. It's hard when you live next to a really nice retired couple who work in theirs everyday. Theirs always looks beautiful. I always feel bad that our looks like it does, but then I look to our other neighbors, and ours looks like it could win landscaping awards. Anyway, while Colin was working, I was, you guessed it - sitting down. Colin got a sweet picture of Cooper giving me kisses.

I hope you like the outfit I am wearing, because I will basically be wearing it every day until Charlie gets here. The pants are the only ones that still fit. and this shirt only shows my belly handing out on occasion, not constantly like all the other maternity shirts I own. I refuse to go buy more clothes. I mean, it's only 7 weeks, I can stand it, right? Today I am wearing jeans because the ugly brown pants are dirty (sigh) and I feel like a sausage. They are so tight in my thighs, and I can't stand it. In fact, I think I will go change into a pair of Colin's pajama pants now. It is "naptime" after all, who cares? If I could only get away with wearing them to the grocery store. I might have actually done that a few years ago before we knew anyone here. But now, chances are, I'll run into 15 people I know, and they will talk about "sad liz" and how I must have forgotten to get dressed that morning.
Today, we went to the pediatrician's office for Cooper's 18 month checkup. He's healthy as a horse, and was talking up a storm for our doctor. He weighs 27.5 lbs, and is 33 inches long. That's right at the 70%. His head is in the 90%. No surprise there, we all have big noggins.
He and Jackson have recently started to enjoy holding each other's hand and walking together. So, they walked up and down the hallway, checking out all the animals on the wall, and the bubble machine. I couldn't have asked for a better dr. visit - they were so well behaved! They only played in the trashcan 2-3 times a piece! And trust me, I've had some nightmare visits. The best part - the dr. gave them stickers instead of lollipops! Oh thank you Dr. Frank!! She must remember the screams last time when I had to finally take Cooper's away. He was a mess.

Okay, last thing to cover in this post ... sorry for so many words. I hope you're bored at work while you are reading this ....

On Monday, we headed over to Arlington to celebrate Henry's 2nd birthday. Rebekah threw an adorable puppy dog party, complete with a dogfood cake (it was adorable), and all sorts of puppy-inspired treats (like "pup-corn" and hotdogs).

The birthday boy

We had so much fun visiting with everyone. Jackson got so excited that he had an accident on Henry's carpet. Poor guy, it had been a long time since he had an accident. Anyway, other than that, we had a great time. I even got out of a ticket on the way over. I missed my turn somewhere between McKinney and Arlington, even with my navigational system. whoops. I ended up in the airport, and I couldn't escape for 5-6 miles. Turns out I was going 55 in a 35 mph. Hmmm. So, I got pulled over, but the cop took one look at my giant belly and the boys in the back and I guess he felt sorry for me or something. (hah!) He came back from his car, and said he was going to give me a verbal warning since I had no tickets on my record, and gave me directions. It's true, I've never had a speeding ticket, because I usually drive like a grandma.
Back to the party... here are a few pictures:

And here is a link to Rebekah's blog, so you can see more of the cute details.

Not much has changed

I just got a kick out of seeing some of the old slides from my parents. The "baby gear" has come a long way, but really, not too much is different from 30 years ago.

Strollers:

(Me: 1981)

(J & C: 2009)

Ride on toys:

(Daniel: 1977 or so)

(Cooper: 2009)

Walkers:

(Daniel: 1979)

(J: 2007)

Swings:

(Me: 1981)

(J: 2007)

(Not looking too happy- never did like the swing)

And Baby Seats:

(Me: 1981)

(C: 2008)

And since I'm talking baby gear - I should let you all know that we finally picked a name for baby #3. Charles Hatch Delaney. (We'll call him Charlie). Hatch is Colin's middle name, which was his grandfather's middle name, and before that a maiden name ...) Anyway, now it feels so great to know his name, and we can't wait to meet him (in about 7 weeks). We're scheduled for to be induced on June 9 (the due date is the 12th). We will see if he waits that long. Jackson came early, and Cooper didn't want to come out. So, who knows! Colin and I have been taking guesses on who he will look like - Jackson or Cooper, or neither! It's so much fun waiting to meet him! Let's just hope he is a happy baby. Everyone, really. If you are going to pray for us, please pray for a happy healthy baby, and while you're praying, feel free to throw in "and don't let him spit up and cry all the time..." : ) It doesn't hurt to ask!

Ode to Daniel!

Today is my brother, Daniel's 34th birthday! Whoa, that's old : )
Here is a little photo montage celebrating you, Daniel!.

A son that makes his parents proud,

A lover of lawn ornaments,

A cowboy,

A swimsuit model,

A musician,

A great big brother,

and a special grandson

A godfather,

A brother in law and good friend,

a child at heart,

And the boys' favorite uncle!

I hope you have a happy birthday, Daniel.
We love you!

Candyland Party

Jackson skipped his nap on Saturday afternoon, and the two of us went to a birthday party for twin 3 year olds, Ashlyn and Adyson. Jackson had so much fun! Between the bounce house, pinata, games, and of course, candy, he enjoyed every second. And it was so nice to have some one-on-one time with Jackson (and very relaxing).

Shelley (the mom behind all this cuteness) has her hands full with three girls, and another baby on the way! She has her own website/blog with lots of cute ideas and inspiration. Here's a link where you can see more ... Divine Party Concepts.

Breakfast & Farmers' Market

Saturday morning we woke up and got the boys out of the house early. We met Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Aunt Ali, and Aunt Coco for breakfast at Spoons cafe - which is in downtown McKinney. The boys ate their weight in food.

Jackson was VERY SERIOUS about his chocolate chip pancakes. Yum!

Cooper ate everything we put in front of him.

After breakfast, we went around the corner to the farmers' market. It was a little drizzly, but we still had a nice time walking around.

Cooper got a kiss from this sweet dog.

And Jackson got a turn to pet him, too.

Jackson wanted to carry a bag,
but kept tripping on it when it was over his shoulder,
so we just put it around his neck. cute, heh?

Here's Jackson when he spotted a chicken.

Cooper and Mawmaw

We came home, and the boys had a wrestling match with Daddy.

And the boys played with their "new" train track that everyone helped build for them.

Weekend with Mawmaw & Pawpaw

On Thursday, Colin's parents arrived for a visit. They were here for only a couple of hours before Colin and I headed out on a "date." We met our friends, Rebekah and Tom (and baby Margaret) for a "Cool Thursday" concert at the arboretum. We caught up with each other and listened to a Beatles tribute band. It was so nice to get out without our kids! And we really enjoyed visiting with friends.
If I was smart, I would have taken pictures of sweet Margaret, or some of all of us. But, I didn't. I only took a picture of Tom carrying a backpack chair, and then we got a silly one of Colin and I when it was already dark outside. So, hopefully Rebekah will post some on her blog and I can steal them : )
Then next day while Colin was at work, the boys and I took Mawmaw and Pawpaw to a park nearby. The boys fed the fish, and then they burned off some energy on the play structure.

Cooper now chooses to go down slides on his tummy.


Taking a break


Could have played in the bike rack all day.


Jackson raced Pawpaw back from the pond.


I'll post more soon from Saturday.