Coffee Money

Yesterday morning before we left to go to the library for story time/craft time I grabbed some change for Joey. The library sales used books and last week he wanted some, but I had no money. I figured I was doing a nice thing for him and thought he'd enjoy it! I put the money in his pocket and off we went. The librarians read books over penguins and Joey was really interested and paying really good attention. Well, he moved a little and the change fell out of his pocket and that was it! He grabbed the money and by this time was only half-listening to the story . . . but still listening. I grabbed the money from him thinking it would help him concentrate on the book fully. I was totally wrong! He started bawling and I quickly gave the money back to him. He did fine for the rest of the story. After the books were all read we got up to go do craft time. Joey had none of that! I had to put his money in his pocket for him to color. We never got to color. Joey ended up getting mad at me for taking away his money and we left. I took him over to the book sale and he didn't want to give up his money. So, no new (used) books. The moral of the story: grab change and put it in mom's wallet until the end of craft time . . . and then let him shop for books! What was I thinking? Coffee money is not meant to be seen until absolutely needed.

In the past couple of weeks Joey has really discovered that he can undress himself. Hence, the pictures of his shirt around his waist. That's how I found him when I went to go wake him from his nap yesterday. What a cutie!

Today I put Clarissa in Joey's old walker. My little lady is getting so big! She really looks like Joey did as an infant, too. I really want to go buy a stationary for her to lounge. Maybe I'll go do that with Margaret . . . and yes! Margaret is coming today! We'll have lots of fun! I can't wait.

Below is a video of Clarissa "talking" among other things. Enjoy!

Send your good thoughts towards the Giants!

Clarissa did her first razberry today! It was adorable. I was talking on the phone with my friend Sue when out of no where she started doing them. Too cute. I don't remember how old Joey was when he did his first, but I'm sure I was just as excited!

We're getting really excited here. Margaret will be visiting starting Wednesday night! It's always nice having family and friends to come visit. It'll be a short visit - but it'll still be nice. We're making her bring some tortillas and Keith is trying to get her to bring at least a jar of hot sauce. It's so funny that we miss the food so much. I never thought it'd be so difficult finding certain things here. CRAZY.

Well . . . the Patriots are going to the Superbowl. Ugh. I don't know what it is about that team. I just don't like them and it's been like that since before we moved here. Of course, we're in Patriot Nation and everyone is really hoping that they win. It's a little annoying. I know that if we were back home and it was the Cowboys going to the Superbowl that it'd be just the same - but for a better team! So - I'm officially stating that I'd like the Giants to win. I know they probably won't, but I'd still love for them to win. GO GIANTS!

Completion

As many of you know Keith has been working on our house since we first moved in over a year ago. His first project was the playroom. He did awesome on that! He then started on the office - we'll talk about that at a later date. Then he did Joey's room and the nursery. He's finished with Joey's room and Clarissa's room. I need to take a picture of the nursery, but here are a few of Joey's room. I'm so proud of Keith. He did such an excellent job! He did wainscoting throughout the whole room, added an enormous closet, added new light fixtures, a cool fan, and had to do a lot of repair work on the walls and ceiling. He sanded the hardwood flooring in there, but still needs to finish the edges. All-in-all; IT'S COMPLETE! It's been complete for several months- but we finally took pictures for everyone to see. I'm really proud of Keith! It was a tough job.

On with our week . . . Sunday Keith and both kids wore Texas Tech gear to church. I was never able to get them all to sit down for a picture, but they all looked so adorable!

Yesterday we had Bethany and her kids over for breakfast. Ooops, I burnt the bacon. Oh well . . Joey was fine with his eggs. Last night we went to our small group for game night. It was so much fun! If anyone is in the market for board games - I would totally recommend Apples to Apples. Oh . . . a little FYI: I WON!!! Go, Rachel!

Today we had our last playgroup of imagimotion. Afterwards, we headed to our story & craft time at the library. Joey made a snowman. Now, if he'll just take a nap things will be great! I hear him rolling balls up and down his room. Hmmm, maybe Keith should wait on finishing those hardwood floors completely.

So much to do

Wow - this week has been a crazy one! Joey is in a million playgroups and I've been running around like a chicken with its head cut off! We did have a nice break in between all of the commotion. We were able to go visit with our friends Bethany and her two kids Luke and Grace. Most of you already know that Joey and Luke are buds. They're three weeks apart in age. Grace is the newest addition to the Hadley family and Clarissa and Grace are about 6 weeks difference in age. That's so nice! We were able to spend time with them both Wednesday and Thursday. I found out something, though. I do not have a name when it comes to Joey's friends. I'm am "Joey's mom." That's fine by me, but I thought it was hilarious when Luke called me, "that one." So funny!

Today was really a crazy day. It turns out that the state of Massachusetts requires you to have the immunization of Hep B. Yuck. I couldn't get my grades until I did this plus I was out of date on my tetanus shot. Ugh. So, today after Joey's therapy session and after a quick lunch we headed to Shrewsbury to go get me some shots. It turns out since I'm nursing I didn't have to get the tetanus, but I did have to get the other AND I have to go back for two more installments! UGH! Afterwards, we came home and Joey only napped for about ten minutes. So, he should be nice and exhausted for tonight. He woke up (since he fell asleep on the way home) and couldn't go back to sleep. Poor guy. So . . . we ate some more and waited for Keith to get off work so we could head into Framingham. We had to go exchange our crib bedding for Clarissa. I absolutely LOVED the one we had before, but it turns out that the comforter was missing. So, we exchanged it for this: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265897. We had to make sure that it matched the color of the walls that Keith just finished painting!

On another note: I just finished reading a newsletter that we receive monthly from our friends Greg and Danica. I've mentioned them before. They're missionaries in Russia and they have an adorable son named Max that is two days younger than Joey. Anyway, it seriously made me cry! It turns out that by "accident" they spoke to the "wrong" person and he ended up accepting Christ! Once they figured out that they were able to connect with the "right" one and he also ended up accepting Christ! How awesome is that! They always have so many sweet stories and that one just really touched me. So - if you'd like to help with their mission - let me know!

Well, I better go help Keith with the kids!

She's BIG!!!

Clarissa had her two-month appointment Friday and I'm so very proud of her. She did great and didn't cry too much with her three shots and drink she had to do. She absolutely hated the drink and actually spit it all up - the nurse reassured me that it was fine. She's got a few more installments of it. Joey was the one that had a hard time. He didn't like them messing with his sister and cried when she cried and kept asking, "Sissy, okay?" Anyway, onto specifics. She's getting so big! She's 10 pounds, 10 ounces, and 22" long. Amazing! She's in the 30th percentile for her weight and 40th for her height. That's really awesome from her starting in the 1st percentile. I think all of the weight is in her cheeks . . . hmmm, and her legs and arms. She definitely could win the part of the Michelin Baby.

The Cowboys play today and Joey wore his Romo jersey and hoodie to church today to let everyone know he's a fan. So, I hope that they don't disappoint him. My dad sure hopes they don't disappoint him, too.

Speaking of church . . . I've decided I need to dress Clarissa from now on - especially to church. I picked out the outfit I wanted her to wear and gave it to Keith since we were running late. Yes, I know we're always running late to church. Anyway, after church I was changing her and noticed something odd about her dress. I hadn't really paid attention since she was in her car seat and then off in the nursery. It turns out Keith put it on backwards and never put on the matching undies. The undies were still attached to the inside of the dress. Talk about a good laugh! She still looked gorgeous - dressed backwards or not.

"We're having Jewish French Fries!"

I just put down Joey for his nap and we were reading his Bible. "We're having Jewish french fries," is such a funny line. I love that his Bible is so kid friendly. It's the story of the men being rescued from being burned. It makes me giggle every time I read that story to him. I need to buy Clarissa her own version of that Bible. This one is For Mothers and Sons, so I need the Mothers and Daughters.

Joey's test went well. It turns out that he can hear just fine . . . he's just being stubborn on wanting to talk. He's really starting to chatter a lot, but not as much as we'd like. I figure one day soon he'll wake up and not be quiet at all! I wonder if I'll ever miss the days of him being quiet?

The past few days have been pretty laid back. Monday after Joey's test we just came home and played in the playroom. Tuesday we had a playgroup for Joey and afterward just played in the playroom, again. I figure that's the plan for today, too. Anyone with toddlers - I have a question for you: Does your kid like to put everything in places they're not supposed to go? Last night after Joey went to bed I went into the playroom and put up his ball bouncer toy, because he was just putting tons of stuff that's not supposed to go in there. I already had to put up his whack-a-ball toy away for the same reason. Ugh. Monster.

If you get a chance - you should look at the new pictures I just posted. I have a picture of Clarissa in a sleeper of Joey's. She seriously looks like he did at that age. Last night I was called her Joey.

Well, both kids are napping so I'm going to take advantage of the free time and clean!

Just another typical day . . .

Clarissa is really starting to smile a lot and laugh! It's so adorable and really makes you happy when you see that precious smile or hear that cute laugh. I wish you could all be here to witness her growing up so quickly. It's really amazing - it seems like not too long ago I was super excited about Joey's first smiles and laughs. Now, Joey says, "cheese" for the camera and even has a fake laugh to make us smile. He's such a big boy, now. I really loves my kids so much!

Joey goes in for his test Monday morning - so everyone say a prayer for him! I'm starting to become a nervous wreck - I really wish I was more laid back like Keith. No such luck.

Our Friday was very interesting. We were downstairs when all of a sudden I started hearing water. Oh - we had woken up to our pipes frozen. That'll happen when your high for the last several days is still below freezing. Anyway, I figured it was just the sinks coming on since I had let it run. It turns out there was a puddle around our water heater. Of course, I freak out and call Keith. He was really busy at work and wasn't answering his phone. Finally, he did and by this time I'm a huge mess. He was able to go ahead and take off work and come home.

Only by the grace of God was it nothing serious! I had prayed (really hard) that it was nothing serious and inexpensive. It turns out that since our pipes froze the overflow pipe had melted and that was what had dripped. THANK GOD! Oh well, at least Keith had a short day and was able to get a few things done around the house.

Well, I'll keep you all posted concerning Joey's appointment Monday and Clarissa's TWO MONTH checkup for Friday. Where has the time gone?

Happy New Year's!

2008 is here! That officially means Keith is old! He has his 10-year reunion this year! What an old man.

Our 2007 was crazy! We started out the year with Tammi moving in with us for several months, got pregnant, survived an earthquake, and had a baby! Hopefully 2008 will be less hectic!