Her Favorite Friend

Do you remember your favorite friend from your childhood? I don't mean a real friend, I mean an imaginary friend. A toy even. I remember having a baby doll that I prayed for when I said my prayers. I remember that I gave her baths, which caused her eyes to stop opening and closing correctly. I feel like I should issue a public apology to my parents for any and all incidents involving said baby doll. Maybe she didn't drive them crazy. But I'm a Mommy now, and I would be willing to bet that she did.

Lorelai has a favorite friend. It started out innocent enough. She got a cute little kitten for Christmas from Aunt Jan. Nothing fancy. Just a little white cat that fits in the palm of my hand. Simple enough. And she's gotten so many little toys like that. The child has a ridiculous amount of little toys! But there must have been something about this cat, because now they are inseparable. I'm not kidding...Catty (name courtesy of the creative mind of a 2 year old) is the first thing Lo talks about when she wakes up, and the last things she asks about when she goes to sleep. Catty is everywhere. And I hate Catty.

I know, I know. I'm a terrible mother. Just tonight, while Jeremy and I were in the kitchen getting burgers ready for tomorrow, I heard Lorelai having a conversation with Catty. I shook my head and said, "I will not be sad when we lose Catty." He told me how terrible I was, and I know this to be true. But I. Hate. Catty. Yes, Lorelai loves her, and she will probably be devastated when/if anything ever happens to her. And yes, I should be sad when/if that day comes. And while it will certainly hurt my heart to see my sweet Lo upset over Catty, I will not miss her. I will probably do a little happy dance behind closed doors.

It's silly, really. She's just a little cat. She doesn't make noise or move, at least not on her own. She doesn't require batteries or maintenance. She doesn't take up a lot of room. But my sweet chatter box of a child is CONSTANTLY talking to/about Catty. She's constantly throwing her or catching her or hugging her or yelling at her. "Where Catty, Mommy?" "Catty gone get you!" "Watch Catty, Mommy!" "Look at Catty! She right they-ah!" "I want Catty, Mommy!" "Here comes her, Mommy!" 

I love Lorelai. I love her imagination. I love her spunk and her humor. I love her intensity. I love every single thing about her. 

But I. Hate. Catty

Trek Hamilton - 10 Months Old

Happy 10 months Trek-man! It is blowing my mind that my sweet baby boy is almost a year old already! He is still growing like crazy.

See what I mean?! Trek is so much fun. He changes every single day. Here are just a few things he's doing this month.

Trek, at 10 months old, you:

• weigh in at 22 lbs, and you are 29.5 inches long! You are wearing 12-18 month clothes and size 3 diapers.
• still have no teeth! Just last week I really thought we were about to see some, but I was wrong! You're taking your time, just like your sister did.
• are not very mobile. You are quite lazy, content to just sit in one spot and play all day long. Still no crawling, pulling up, or cruising. But if you are really after something, you usually find a very creative way to get to it.
• are an excellent sleeper. You take 2-3 fairly long naps a day, and sleep 8-11 hours each night! Mommy and Daddy are VERY thankful for that!
• have already had 2 haircuts, and you will soon need another one. :)
• have the cutest little laugh! You do a sweet, low-pitch giggle when something amuses you, and you are constantly laughing big belly laughs at your sister.
• are very much a people person. You do not like to be left alone, and you do not appreciate being ignored. Independent, you are not!
• have struggled a little with your health. You seem to have some type of cold or congestion every 2-3 weeks. It makes us sad, but you are such a trooper!
• can finally clap! Mommy didn't think you would ever be interested in it, but you started a couple of weeks ago. Maybe now we can work more on our signs! :)
• are fascinated with shoes, feet, and anything with wheels. 
• love dogs!

I could go on forever about our boy! Since it's been so long since a "Watch Me Grow" post, I feel like I am leaving so much out!

Just a couple of weeks ago, Trek and Lorelai started going to school full time. We were very torn over this decision, but it was one that had to be made. It was becoming a little too difficult for everyone's schedules to work with ours. It makes me sad that they're not with our family all of the time, but they are adjusting really well to school. Lorelai is loving all of the time she gets to spend outside! And she's a big hit with her teachers, since she's not afraid to open her mouth and tell them whatever she thinks they need to know! :) And I am really loving having them in the same hallway with me every day. I can go sneak a peek and steal a kiss whenever I want! We are more than thankful for the 2+ years that our families have given to care for our children. There is absolutely no way we could every express our gratitude, and we will forever be grateful for the sacrifices they've made for us and for our babies.

My kids are growing so fast! Way too fast for my liking! Lorelai is completely potty trained, and she is definitely entering her "terrible twos." While she's certainly not terrible, she is figuring out that she can try and bend the rules. Sometimes she's little Miss Defiant. But mostly she's still our sweet girl. She gives much more love, hugs, and kisses than she ever has before, and I am LOVING that! 

It's been said a thousand times before, but these kids change so quickly! If I blink, I miss it. I am so fortunate that I am able to spend so much time with them. Yes, I work...sometimes very long days. But I have holidays and time with them that others don't have with their children. For every moment, I am thankful.

It's Movie Night!

More often than not, my evenings pass in such a blur, that I don't even really know what I've done until I'm drifting off to sleep and making my to-do list for the next day. Most of them consist of cooking and cleaning up after dinner, changing diapers, bathing kids, taming toddler tantrums, and finally getting the kids to bed, usually before 8:30. There may even be the occasional load of laundry or quick sweep and mop of the floors before I finally drag myself to bed, sometime between 9:00 and 11:00. Before you roll your eyes and click away, this isn't a pity party, I promise. Hang with me!

It seems like I've been seeing a lot of posts of Facebook and Twitter about movie nights lately. You know the ones... "Snuggled up with my babies watching a movie!" or "Curled up on the couch with my loves for movie night!" I don't know about you, but these posts make me want to throw up in my mouth just a little. Not because I think movie nights or snuggles are silly. No way. It likely stems from fierce jealousy. Who do these people think they are?! Don't they have responsibilities?! How in the world is their house so clean and their children so well-behaved?! Or the best one yet...I must not love my kids because we NEVER have movie night! Well, no more excuses! Tonight, we were doing a movie night!

The idea came to me while the 4 of us were hanging out on the kitchen floor. It seems that we've been spending a lot of time there lately. Trek really enjoys the toys we have on the refrigerator, so that's usually where we "drop" him while we unload everything else at the end of the day. Then it seems like we all end up in the floor for at least a minute or two, discussing dinner plans, sharing about our day, and stealing kisses from the kiddos. It's a lot of fun really, and I'm often tempted to stay there until bedtime! Stupid responsibilities...

So Jeremy was going to be gone, and the kids and I were going to get in our PJs early, make a pallet in the floor of blankets and pillows, and snuggle up to enjoy a movie. I pictured it in my head perfectly. We would laugh and eat cheese balls (per Lorelai's request) and Jeremy would find us all cuddled up and fast asleep when he got home. And that's exactly how it happened...in my head.

Everyone did actually cooperate really well at first! Lorelai didn't find anything to complain about, and Trek was full and happy when we turned off the lights and sat down to start the movie. We were all giggling and playing and dancing to the music. It really was perfect! Lorelai is such a goof ball, so she broke out her fake laugh before the previews were even over. (Yes, we watched previews. We took it old school and watched a VHS tonight! *gasp*). Trek thinks his sister is hilarious, so he cracked up every time she laughed! We were definitely enjoying ourselves. And then it happened. My sweet boy got sick. He got really sick! To say it was everywhere would be an understatement. Just like that, our snuggles and giggles were over, and my brain switched to "gotta-get-things-done" mode.

Everybody needed a bath, and everything had to be washed. Thankfully, both kids were extremely cooperative, and by 8:00, Trek was cozy in his bed, and Lorelai was dancing to "Bibbity-bobbity-boo" in her clean PJs. The best part of our evening came when my sweet girl crawled into my lap and fell asleep snuggled against my neck. I could have put her to bed immediately. I knew she was exhausted and I wouldn't bother her by moving her. But I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead, we laid together for almost an hour. I tried my best to memorize everything about holding my Lorelai. I couldn't help but steal kisses and thank God for every single second of our night together.

So maybe we didn't have the perfect movie night. Maybe we didn't even make it to Cinderella's breakfast delivery. Maybe we never got to eat those cheese balls. But we did make some wonderful memories!

Watch Me Grow - 5 Months

If it seems like this is the only time I ever blog, that's because it is! Once a month is apparently all that I can handle at the present time. We work and play too much for blogging, but I do like to brag on my babies any chance that I get!

Last Saturday, Trek-man had his 5 month "birthday!" To say that my boy is getting big would be an understatement. I weighed him on Saturday, and he tipped the scales at a whopping 18.2 pounds! For those of you who are keeping up, that's just 3 pounds shy of tripling his birth weight, which is what most babies do by their first birthday. Check out these uber-sweet pictures of our handsome little dude!

Trek Hamilton, at 5 months, you:

• Weigh 18.2 pounds, and are wearing 6-12 month clothing
• are beginning to show your sweet personility! You are very smiley :)
• love to talk and squeel! Just last week you really found your voice. We think it is so funny!
• sleep very well at night. Occassionally we have to get up and soothe you back to sleep, but we have completely cut out all night time feedings.
• love your sister the most! She loves to talk to you and play with you, and you just laugh and laugh! We are very excited for the 2 of you to be friends. :)
• have made the adjustment to formula well. Your tummy seems to be responding just fine!
• love to eat your cereal at night! Since you've learned to blow bubbles, you think it's pretty funny to spit your cereal and watch Mommy laugh.
• are more schedule orriented than any of the rest of your family. You like your bedtime routine, and you very rarely let me leave out a step!
• finally started bearing weight on your legs this month! Mommy was beginning to be very concerned about this, even though everyone told us that you would do things slower because of your size. You're still pretty lazy about it, but that's ok with us!
• really love to snuggle. You're going to be attached to your blankets just like your sister is!
• are working on sitting up unassisted, but I think we still have a couple of months to go. You still need to build up those back and neck muscles to support all of that weight!
• do NOT like to miss your naps! You are usually only asleep for 2 hours at a time before you are ready to sleep again. That's okay with Mommy, because you still sleep so well at night.

I cannot believe that our kids are growing so quickly! Lorelai is changing so much, too. She is quite the chatter box. Just the other day, Jeremy and I were having a conversation in the car. We were discussing something pretty important, although I don't remember exactly what it was at the moment. Any time one of us would stop talking for even a second, Lorelai would start to repeat what we were saying! At one point, we both just looked at her and laughed. It was like she was so interested in what we were talking about! She is so funny to us!

Lorelai loves the Rangers. I know, we've raised her well! She knows when they're on the tv. And when she hasn't seen them in a while, she starts to ask about them. During the long stretch after they won their division and all of the other teams were playing, she would often bring us the remote control and say, "Rangers!" We would just laugh and say, "Sorry Lo! They're not playing tonight!" It may be a long off-season for us at the Mitchell house...

We wouldn't be able to do the things we do without our families. Everytime I sit and reflect on the fact that all of our grandparents, and nearly all of our great grandparents are in town, I am overwhelmed with gratitude to my King. I am so very grateful that the Lord has allowed us to live in the same town with our families. I don't know how I would make it without them. They are so essential to my survival! :)

We are blessed. We are thankful. We desire to bring glory to the Father in all things.

Watch Me Grow - 4 Months

It's hard for me to believe that our Trek-man is already 4 months old! As insane as our life has been since school started, I knew I had to sit down and blog about my growing boy before it totally escapes me. It's funny the things that you think you'll remember but that totally escape you with time...but that's a post for a different time...

On September 15, Trek Hamilton was 4 months old. On the 17th, we headed to the Dr for his check-up. I know my boy is growing at an alarming rate, but it always shocks me to see the numbers! So, for your information, here are some fun facts about my Trek Hamilton. Trek, at 4 months old, you:

•  weigh a whopping 16 lbs, 12 oz! And you are 26.5 inches long. That's the 95th percentile, big guy!
• are very good at rolling over from your belly. Gramps says he has seen you roll from your back, but no one else has witnessed this just yet:)
• really enjoy tummy time! And you are getting to be very strong on your belly. Mommy and Daddy are so very proud of you!
• are beginning to recognize your name...I think. Just the other day, you started to respond when Mommy comes in the room and says your name!
• are still very fascinated with your sister. You always respond to her better than anyone else, smiling and kicking when she talks to you.
• love to cuddle and snuggle! Mommy absolutely LOVES this about you! It may make getting chores done a little tough, but your sweet snuggles are totally worth it.
• drool...a LOT! Everybody always asks us about teeth, but I think you're just full of slobber!
• love your sleep, and you tend to be a bit cranky-pants when you don't get all of the rest that you need.

I am so excited to watch you grow, sweet boy! We are making so many memories with our sweet kiddos. It is a blast just watching them interact with eachother. Lorelai loves "Tick-mayan" so much! Her sweet face just lights up whenever she sees him, and she loves to share tummy time with him. It is our prayer that they will always be such good friends. Our Father has blessed us beyond anything we deserve. May we always bring him glory in everything that we do.

Watch Me Grow!

On August 15, our Trek-man turned 3 months old! He has changed so much in the last 90-ish days. Just check out these pictures!

Trek Hamilton at his first Dr appt at 1 week old. Check out that sweet yellow baby!

Trek-man at 1 month!

Such a huge change between June and July!

Happy chunky monkey!

Our blue-eyed boy is getting more fun every single day. He is grinning and talking and beginning to have a little personality of his own! He's not quite at talkative or social as his sister...yet :) I don't have any new stats on him. I don't keep a scale at home because I find it depressing, so I don't know how much he weighs at the moment! But I do have some fun facts about Trek at 3 months old.

Trek, at 3 months old, you:

• are adjusting well to your new schedule of babysitters. Mommy is so grateful for all of the people around here that love you so much!
• really like your sister. You always respond to her voice and her presence. And she takes good care of you most of the time :)
• are sleeping throught the night! With the help of a little cereal in your bottle at night, you are sleeping anywhere from 5 to 9 hours at a time! WOOHOO!
• are no longer nursing, but you are still on Mommy's milk. Bottles just seems to be a better solution for everyone involved.
• really enjoy bathtime. Even when you're fussy, it always calms you down. At least temporarily!
• are a little spoiled, but it's your Mommy's fault. She just couldn't seem to put you down all summer! This is proving to be somewhat challenging now that Mommy is back at work :)
• squirm and wiggle so much! The only time you are still is when you are sleeping. But this doesn't surprise Mommy...she was convinced you never EVER slept while you were cooking.

I have so much more to share about my sweet boy, but it would probably only be interesting to me! :)

In other news, Lorelai is SO MUCH FUN! Her vocabulary is outta control. Seriously, the girl speaks better than some of my school kiddos! She is such a sweet girl, and she loves her baby brother. Lorelai is definitely a little helper...most of the time. As long as she doesn't think he's getting too much attention, Big Sister will do whatever she can to help out with Baby Brother. It's a very rare occassion that I get any pictures of her, much less of the 2 of them together. This girl is one of the most busy kids I've ever been around. She literally NEVER STOPS! It absolutely wears me out, but I love it!

Never in a million years would I have imagined my life being this much fun. My heart is full! I am more than grateful.

Silly Sayings

My Lorelai Roxane is talking like crazy these days! She has a very strong personality, and it is certainly evident in her speech. When she wants something, she's quite demanding! And she doesn't forget, so there's no distracting her and getting away with not fulfilling a wish.

Some of Lorelai's favorite things to say are:

"Peeese!" - Please
"Tat-to" - Thank you
"Welcome"
"Ha-shu?!" - Hold you!
"Mommyyyyy!"
"Daddyyyy!"
"Shh...nigh nigh"
"Wuf ooo!" - Love you
"Gog" - Dog
"Mum on" - Come on
"GO!"
"Tek" - Trek
"Phong" - Phone
"Moo-wa" - More
"Dah Dawar" - DDar
"Ya Ya" - Lorelai
"Tiss It" - Kiss it
"Sah-ee" - Sorry
"Anges!" - Rangers!

She is such a motor mouth! I really want to try and capture the way she says things, because I know that all too soon she'll start to learn how to say them the right way. And while that will make me oh so proud, I just want to hold on to her cute little language for as long as I can!