Applejack festival 2014

We made it out to the applejack festival once again this year and had a blast (remember how much fun we had last year?). When we got there in the morning it was raining cats and dogs and seemed like it may not let up. But we along with the friends we were with decided to brave the weather and just go for it knowing that the rain would make a fun memory right? Plus we had our umbrellas and had already driven the hour away, we were not going to be deterred. Also our really cool friend brought Apple Jacks to snack on for the car ride there which was excellent!

After looking around the barns for a good 30 minutes admiring the amazing fruit concotions of butters, syrups, sauces, and spices, it completely stopped raining, cleared up to some great blue skies and we went and had a grand old time!

 The first thing we insisted on doing once we got there was to pick up a box of these amazing apple cinnamon donuts. OH MY HECK. They are definitely on my list of all time favorite donuts. Casey made sure to pick up 8 or more different boxes to find the hottest one available. The were so dang scrumptious. I think there were nay 3 left in the box by the time we left and it was only Casey and I eating that dozen… I don't regret my decision one bit.

 We were brilliant this year in that we carried Maxson around in the ergo this year! We all loved it so very much for so many different reasons for this trip.

 Apple picking we go!
Well actually Casey and max along with our friends went apple picking because that was too much walking for me…

this picture was texted to me while they were apple picking. cat nap.

It wasn't until after probably almost 2 hours Max came out of that backpack and as soon as he did he began running down the apple aisle slipping in the mud, too funny. He just hung out there for a good 2 minutes for some reason.

 Both Casey and our friend, Ross, got some good arm/shoulder workouts holding up that 30+ pound child trying to get him to pick the perfect apple, ha.

 Max was real proud every time he got an apple down.

 Our friend decided to climb the tree himself to pick a huge batch of awesome apples, we were all laughing.

 Because of all the rain, the parking lot was a BEAST. (We got there early enough where we got to park IN the real parking lot, ha). These awesome volunteers were so muddy by the time we left helping push cars that were stuck out.

 Posed picture time :)

 You guys, my belly is huge. 31.5 weeks here.

It's obvious I love Maxi dresses while pregnant but sometimes they're length just gets TOO hot! Does anyone else knot them up?

 And these are our new friends, Ross and Aly. They are some pretty cool cats. We love new cougar friends.

The end.

family pictures 2014

Hiring out family pictures this year just didn't really work for us. But that was not going to stop me from getting something this fall. Sporadically last Saturday I told Casey, ok, hurry and get ready, we're going to to go take pictures! I was already in this dress and my hair had been done earlier in the day, it didn't look like it much anymore but I didn't care too much. I told what to go dress Maxson in and then I said to Casey "Ok, now go wear something that would look good with us." He amazed me and put himself together in a jiffy and we tromped out to the area! You see, family pictures don't have to be too stressful!

Casey has become such a gem when it comes time for pictures, I swear  he never complains, he totally knows exactly what I want from him in pictures, he's not shy in front of the camera, he plays with Max, he gives me different facial expressions, he's not always looking straight at the camera, he interacts with me and Max, he's just so great, I got a good one to be a photographer's husband.

Although these are blurry I like that because it reminds me of how much Max is constantly on the MOVE. Jumping or running, it never ends,

I love Casey's playful smile right here.

FYI- if you're wondering how we did these, for the ones with just myself or Max and myself I explicitly told Casey how I wanted photos: what I wanted the focus to be on, how to frame it, to give me options of being in the middle, on the side, cut off, zoom in/out/both he'd take about 15-20, I'd look through them and critique them if they weren't quite what I wanted and then we'd keep going and he'd keep being my photographer without a single complaint, oh man he was great. 

The ones of just him and Max, well those are easy, they just be themselves and I capture it while guiding Casey to turn this way or that for me to get a better picture, sometimes I give them prompts or suggestions but mostly that's just them. Between all these when Maxson wasn't cooperating is actually when we took his individual pictures surprisingly. He'd either be running around himself, me shooting away, being chased by Casey which made him so happy, or we'd convince him to sit or stand somewhere and Casey would stand behind me and do goofy things to get him to smile and laugh, and then he'd get up after about 10 pictures and start running around again. We were constantly changing up what we did to keep him entertained and occupied. 

For the ones of the 3 of us, I used my tripod and used the self timer to take 10 pictures at a time, try to frame it the best I could thinking of how I'd get in there, and just run in. The strange object (tripod) with the camera on it kept Maxson's attention enough for some of the pictures, we just made it work! I probably did that 5-6 times or so, all I was looking for was really 1-2 good ones and it worked! Yay for capturing pictures of our family of 3+2 on the way!

31/32 weeks

Every week I'm still pregnant it's like a triumph to me. Sounds silly but it's true. There are so many reasons that twins come early that are totally out of your control. It's just so strenuous on your body and there's nothing you can do about it. So good job body I'm so very proud of you!

I look at some of these pictures and think "Man, I'm really that big? I don't feel that big. Dang, my belly really is huge!"

So 32 weeks is technically on Wednesday, today, these pictures were taken at 31 weeks 3 days. And then we went to the doctor at 31 weeks 5 days, so this is really a 31/32 weeks post.

I swear every person I meet asks the same question "How are you feeling?" Strangers, friends, family, EVERYONE. I know it's all in good intentions, really people are just being kind and wondering how's pregnancy going, but oh man I'm tired of that question. Ha, everyday and week is different though. Casey is the only one who probably doesn't care "How I'm feeling" and surely never asks me because I voluntarily tell him everyday how's it going and he just knows from the activities that I say I'm willing/not willing to do, my complaints, just everything. Poor man, he's seriously been SUCH a trooper this pregnancy really stepping up to help out/do SO many more things because I physically can't sometimes. Oh how I love and appreciate him.

I'm still amazed by all the comments of "Oh you must be so uncomfortable/ you look so uncomfortable" Really, people? No I'm fine, people. Again, I know people are just trying to empathize with me and be kind but...

We had a growth scan this week and the boys were somewhere around 4# 6 oz and 4# 2 oz, which is AWESOME! I can't believe how big they're measuring at this point already it's actually so totally awesome and I'm way proud of them for growing so well. The doctors ideally want less than a 10% difference between their weights, you know, so they are growing equally/proportionately and that one isn't getting more nutrients than the other, they're at 5% which is great. They were both head down at this appt, face down too. I'm totally cool with not getting fun ultrasound pictures of their faces because Max was always face up, looking straight up at us and he came out that way too! So if they're always looking down hopefully that's a good foreteller!

My blood pressure is still wonderful amazingly enough, no swelling, not really any stretch marks thanks to either this being a second pregnancy or that I'm actually using shea butter lotion stuff religiously everyday, that might not be the case in the next few weeks, who cares. All my the weight of gained literally feels like it's right in front of me hanging on my belly, my back is taking a beating for it. I wear a pregnancy support belt that actually helps A TON. It's relieved so much pain.

Casey and I both agree that we're finally at the point where we're really excited for them to come, it's going to be here in less than 6 weeks! At the same time, we're still a little overwhelmed at how hard it may be with 2 babies at one time, but we're gearing ourselves up for the worst, ha.

We reorganized our master room layout yesterday to accommodate the babies once they come. Little steps like this is sure making it seem real! We have lots of different scenarios of what we'll do for sleeping arrangements for when they get here, all involve a white noise machine in each room, ha, got to drown everyone out!

I went through all the baby clothes I have from newborn-about 6 months last week. I really have no idea what I'm going to do clothing wise ha, should I buy more? Should I tough it out and make what I have work? So many decisions! Hope these little boys are good to me!

I had a goal to pack my hospital bag at 30 weeks, well 2 weeks later it's still on the list. I actually did something about it yesterday though and made a little list of what I might need to pack. I remember thinking last time that I should write down what I actually used from my hospital bag because I felt like I used NONE of it, ha. Anyone else feel that way? So hopefully I can get it packed this week without too many unnecessary things I won't use (like last time!)

Happy 32 weeks to me, these 2 babies, Casey, and Maxson!

A story about waffles.

Have I ever written about the story of waffles and labor with Maxson? I think I've not so I will do so now because it's funny.

At some point during my labor with Maxson, during the 2 hours I was pushing, Casey decided he was hungry. He must have mentioned that out loud or something because the nurse said "well you better order soon before the breakfast kitchen closes." So amidst my incredibly strenuous, tiring bouts of pushing, Casey asks me "Babe, do you want waffles or pancakes?" In my overly exhausted state of mind my thoughts are "WAFFLES! OF COURSE I WANT WAFFLES! WHY ARE YOU ASKING ME THAT STUPID QUESTION WHILE I'M PUSHING A BABY OUT OF MY BODY?! HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT I PREFER WAFFLES OVER PANCAKES AND YOU DARE ASK ME RIGHT NOW!?" But all I could snap at him was a very irritated
"Do you think I care about that right now?!"




He ordered me pancakes.



Now I personally love this story because I think it's hilarious that Casey was trying to be considerate in asking me what I would prefer for breakfast but also incredibly awful timing to ask such  question while I'm exhausted in the middle of pushing during labor. I laugh at the thoughts in my head and how I could not get them out but in reality I did have a very strong opinion but it was not worth my energy to share it. And I laugh that in the end he ordered me the wrong thing.

From cookies to naps to books (and big boy toys too)

Cookie making. Maxson is beginning to LOVE helping me make stuff. Usually he stands on his stool and I'll let him dump one thing or another in the bowl to get mixed up. The kitchen on the other hand, HE LOVES that puppy. Turning it up to the highest speed naturally and then I freak out. This evening I somehow had enough energy to make the M&M cookies I'd been craving for over a week. Max was beyond thrilled when I pulled out the M&M's and wanted to pick them out every time the mixer stopped and he had a chance. 

 Once we totally him he really had to stop and get down he was distraught, poor thing.

 Brought in the camera when he awoke from his nap recently. He's a hoot at times.

 While editing some of the photos from my mini session this past week (you can see some of them that I've finished thus far on my photo blog!) I looked outside to see this, how darn cute, am I right? So headed outside to capture a moment f this fatherly-son bonding.

 Look at this cuteness. What I didn't realize was that Casey was literally waiting for the UPS man to deliver his new toy to our doorstep. This is Casey's look of excitement when the UPS man came down the street, Max was still confused.

 Opening the new toy, OH THE THRILL! As Casey was "oohing" and "ahhing" over it all, literally oohs, ahhs, and wows were the only syllables coming out of his mouth, Maxson began mimicking all his sounds and putting on his excitement face (mouth in a big oval shape with wide eyes). Sometimes I feel like I already do have 2 children...

 And look at this picture. 

I saw it happening and knew I had to race to my camera to capture it, because more than a year ago we saw the same thing!

Maximus at 21 months

(my plan is to update this with pictures, I don't think I'm going to get around to taking his pictures for a couple weeks though so I'm going to just go ahead and post this since I wrote it Sept 1st anyways, ha.)

My baby is so big. 21 months. When people ask how old he is I never know what to say. He's 1, but he's so much bigger and older than what you think a 1 year old is. He's kinda close to 1 1/2 but again, he seems much older and bigger than what you'd think an 18 month old. People without toddlers get all flustered and confused when I say 21 months trying to do all the math in their head. Almost 2 is 3 months away, he's not a 2 year old, he's still my baby boy 1 year old. Ha, it doesn't matter but it does to me. So usually I'll say, he'll be 2 in December so 20 months (that was my response during the month of July).

NO is the chosen word for nearly everything. No as in I don't want to do x. No as in I know this is a no no and I'm telling it to you. Or No as in I just like to say that word because I get a reaction out of you. Take your pick.

He is definitely a busy boy. Always into something new it seems like and going from one activity to the next constantly. For the most part he's not intentionally naughty. Of course he is sometimes, I'm just talking about the majority of the time he's really pretty great: sweet, obedient, helpful. Of course I think he's the best thing ever because I'm his mama. He's really not that destructive which is very good.

He's beginning to get opinionated and able to really communicate what he wants (even if it is with a yell/squeal, we're communicating, ha). Today for church he insisted he wear the red pants, not the khaki ones. Often times during the week he'll persistently ask me to put his church shoes on and wear them all around the house in the morning while his PJ's are one.

If he wants food he'll go find it, unless that area is locked (mwahaha! parenting victory with child locks!) The other day before we had the fridge lock on, he opened it, got out yogurt and brought it to me. He had already had one that morning so I told him no and why and asked him to put it back. He goes bcd to the fridge puts it back, and then brings me the bottle of whip cream. I thought that was jus so funny that I obliged with a little squirt in his mouth, he thought I was so awesome (and I kinda did too a little;)

He sings let it go, I kid you not. If somehow he's triggered to remember the movie (which really he hasn't seen that much) he'll start singing "gooooooo! (pause) goooooo!" It's flipping adorable. I need to catch it on video before he stops.

He's been playing with toys longer than he used to which is so much fun and great for me. Tonight he got out a little bag of army men I picked up years ago at a Goodwill and I taught him to line them up on the bottom little ridge of his crib, it was great.

Along the line of toys, shape sorting and puzzles he's been getting fantastic at. It's fun to see that progress from even 2 months ago.

He's my little shadow. I go upstairs, he goes upstairs. I go down, he goes down. I go to the bathroom he goes in the bathroom (to then play in the sink). I like it.

Although he does love me so very much, he's been obsessed with Casey lately. Constantly asking for "dada? dada? go? dada?" And it just keeps going. He's always very concerned when dada is not around. The other day Casey ran into the bank for about 15 minutes and Maxson's eyes were welling up with tears, it was so sad. He was so persistent on dada. I keep telling Casey he likes him more than me but he reassures me that he does the same thing with "mama" when I'm gone, who knows if that's the truth.

He loves playing in the drives seat with the "teeees" (keys).

He gets very excited to go next door to play with Julie and Grace (and all their toys).

His new words these days are apple, iPad, poopoo, peepee, tractor, choochoo, popsicle (pop pop)

It's funny how kids automatically translate words into repeated syllable representations and are more attracted towards sounds like that: mama, dada, papa, poopoo, peeped, pop pop, buh buh. The only word we can think of that he says as just one syllable is ball

His yes is still a grunt. Not necessarily a man grunt but more of a short "hmm" grunt. We keep trying to get him to say "yaya" in response to a yes questions because he can say that but sticks with his "hmm" grunt int he end.

When he says/repeats the prayer for his turn, he does that same "hmm" grunt for every word except dear, mama, dada, and babies.

He loves to point out people who are not folding their arms for the prayer.

He's getting pretty dang close to pedaling. He can kinda do it on a few different tricycles, I bet within the month he'll be pedaling. One of his favorite activities is riding his little trike down our driveway and all along the sidewalk of of our house. He's been SO awesome at not going into the street anymore, hallelujah.

He loves all things animals, especially dogs. In the car, he spots them immediately in front or n the side of our car even when they're far away. I really wish we could have a dog for him (and to clean up all the messes he makes on the floor during mealtimes). If we're outside and someone is walking  dog we HAVE to go pet the dog, it's his favorite things I swear.

He's an excellent sleeper, sleeping 12-13 hours at night and naps anywhere from 1-3 hours depending on the day's activities and timing of naps (and if the lawn is being mowed, grr).

He's a great cuddler when the time is right, in the mornings, going to bed, sitting down to watch a special occasion movie. For some wild reasons he let me hold and cuddle and rock him for about 5 minutes sat church and my heart wanted to burst. It was the best.

Sometimes if he gets a short nap he wakes up really crabby which is the worst. I give 1/3 of an otter pop and he usually turns back into my happy baby. I eat the other 2/3. This morning while getting ready for church he fell off the edge of the bathtub (that's where he stands to play in the sink) and must have gotten hurt somewhere. It was so sad. I gave him a popsicle to help him feel better plus I saw a little bit of bloody saliva coming out of his mouth so I figured a cold popsicle would be good for it. Well since it 10 am I didn't want my part of the popsicle. Maxson was very concerned I wasn't eating the popsicle, ha. Kept quizzically looking at me with his hands in the where'd it go look and saying "pop pop?"

Things that give him the most excitement in life: dogs, bubbles, our new bounce house, going over to Grace and Julie's house, dada coming home, being chased by dada, getting out of his crib in the morning