James' Quotable and Notables

During nursery today James was watching a bunch of girls twirl around in their dresses and call each other princesses.

He looked at them and said "My mommy is a princess." Then he followed with".....and my daddy is awesome."

Whenever I grad something for James or ask him to get something for any one of us, he always adds "for baby too." It's like he doesn't want Rachel to feel left out. He is a super big brother. You can totally tell that Rachel thinks his brother is special, because he always wants to be doing what he is doing or she will even start trying to rustle with him.

The other day I was cleaning a really stinky and messy diaper of Rachel's. I look over at James and there he was bringing me a garbage bag to put the messy diaper in.....wwithout even being asked. That made me proud.

For a while James has been waking up at 7:00 sharp each morning and coming into our bedroom and wanting to lay with us. Of course that is just an hour to early for us so we let him. Yet, we don't sleep much because he moves around like a crazy guy with the wiggles. Well on two mornings last week he surprised us and made his own little bed with pillows and blankets next to our bed and let us sleep for at least an extra hour with no interruptions.

Today he actually dressed himself with no help what so ever. He got his shirt on the right way, yet his shorts were on backwards. He is a growing boy and really independent now. 

He is at the age now where he just helps himself to stuff in the fridge and doesn't even make a mess. He gets his own drink of water off the water dispenser on the fridge and he is a jabber box now days.

Today he found out that one of his favorite dogs, his Auntie Amber's dog had to get her leg amputated. I explained to him what that meant and why and he was so worried. He talked to Amber on the phone and just kept raising his 3 fingers and saying "3 legs Skeeter." He was so sad and concerned for the poor little doggy.

James' favorite new activity is making forts, and yes I am the one that taught him how to make them. Yet he has gone to a whole new level of pulling off every single blanket, sheet, pillow and stuffed animal off all the beds and dragging them to the spot he wants to make the fort. Last week I felt like I was cleaning after him continually, until I finally realized that it is ok and he is just being a total boy. Now I just let him do it and spare my time of making beds and cleaning continually all day. I just let him play and then he helps me clean it up for the rest of the day and than he's at it again the next day.

He has had such a tender heart lately. We will be doing something and he will just touch me or look at me and say "Mommy, I love you." And what makes it that much better is that it is not only a few times a day, but like 10 times a day. And he will even add, "I love you the most in the entire world. "
Oh bless this good little boys heart.

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1 Years Old Today

 

How was I so lucky to of given birth to this special little girl exactly a year ago? 

 

She has taught me so much and has grown to be so special to all of us.

 She has the smile that can light up the room.

 We have big plans for her 1st birthday. 

It's a big deal,

because she has been with us for 365 days and I have been by her side every single one of them.

This is the beginning of many girly, pink and princessy birthdays.

Family times and changes

Saying bye to Virginia beach was hard. Everyday James would ask "Beach Mom?" He loved the sand, the water and everything else involved. Before everyone had to take off we all went to celebrate Josh Nehrings dental graduation. He worked so hard to get there and I was so proud of him and Stacy for doing something so hard that took total faith. They  worked so hard for it and it was so neat seeing Josh receive his diploma. He was shining that day with pure smiles from head to toe, along with everyone else in his family.

To celebrate after the huge commencement and all the extra things you do at graduation, we went to one of the best Pizza Places. The kids hung out at the bar, just staying entertained and we sat and talked, laughed and cried together as we reminisced all the years of hard work and trial that went into getting Josh to this point. Now we call him DOCTOR.

All the family had to head home....... but we stayed.

 To help Stacy out and to spend some time with her and be there for the birth of her 4th child, I stayed an extra week and a half. She was having big changes happen. First off Josh, her husband graduated. Than her family was preparing to move so he can specialize in Nebraska. And last but not least she was planning to have her baby before the big move. Mom stayed with us too. We pretty much just watched the kids, made food and tried keeping the house looking good while packing the things we could. It was a very sweaty hot and humid stay.

 The following week and a half was spent  in Richmond, Virginia with Stacy and her family. James and Rachel had a great time in the heat and air conditioned house (thank goodness, or I would have died of heat). James had a great time with Talmage, Lilli and Izzy. He loved running through the sprinklers, playing basketball and baseball, going for walks with Nana and me, playing games, taking care of a turtle that I saved from being ran over, going to the splash pad, playing in mud, Popsicle, stories, and so much more.

 But all in all James' favorite person to play with was, Nana. He no longer calls her grandma, but Nana. They totally have a connection and I just love watching how much he just loves her and always wants to be with her.He had many funny moments as well dressing up, playing games, movie nights and trying to have sleepovers with the cousins.

 

Well the time went by fast, like always. She always has her babies 2 days before her due date. At least with her last 3 kids. So we were thinking the same thing would happen with this one. So I was there 3 days after she was due and still no baby. Sadly we had to leave on Wednesday, just me and my 2 kids on a plane all by myself. It was a little difficult, when both of them decided to go to sleep right as we were landing both times. Thankfully I had a stroller and some good people to help me out. I made it home, to a husband and daddy that we were so extremely dying to see and love. 18 days is way to long to be away from Joshy Pooh. 

But he did show me just how much he loved me and never wanted me to leave for that long ever again.
 

What can I say he just can't live with out us. Nor can we!

So my beautiful sister who was doing Zumba with me a week before she had her baby finally had 

Benson Steven Nehring 

4 days later, on Sunday. 

I didn't actually get to meet him until after they had moved and drove all the way to Utah to visit family. We met him when he was about 3 weeks old. And he is a pure angel. So dang cute and so worth the wait.

Congratulations Stacy and Josh on everything new and  the start of another chapter of life.

Lesson Learned and Working On:

It was pretty relaxing and really nice to spend so much time with my mom and get closer to her on this trip. I loved it, she would help me every night put James down to bed, because he always wanted his Nana to read books to him and cuddle him to bed. Then mom and I would end up talking and just really getting some things out that have been needed to talk about. I feel so tight with mom and just so glad that we became so close and I just look forward to more time and memories while opening up and letting her more into my life. 

sobby feelings. And do you know what? It feels really good. Not having to portray my life as perfect has really allowed me to get closer to my mom too, because we both want so much more from each other. I am so grateful for my husband who has taught me this great lesson. I have cried and been hurt and have hurt others........but have talked about it and now am on the real right track to being more real and becoming much closer than I ever thought possible to the ones I love and care for.

Rachel at 11 Months

A month ago you  turned 11 months and you have shown the most progress in this month so far. We call you our little Vampire because you started growing your vampire teeth before your middle front teeth. Another nick name you have is Our little dinosaur, because you constantly growl like a dino and will try to attack on your hands and knees. You are quite funny. I am sure you are going to have a great sense of humor, since you  already have us laughing and your not even one yet. 

You are on the go and holding onto whatever you can to be mobile. You walks along every thing with help, climbs stairs and are such a busy body.

 

You are still our  big eater. You love your  oatmeal the most and sigh.."mmmm" when you eat something yummy. You  have tasted many sweets, including your favorite, which is your brothers suckers. You crack me up around food because you love it so much. You will just grab, take, eat, repeat. If anyone takes something away from you, you totally cry or scream to get it back. You have quite the personality. You sadly got your worst case of sickness this month. You have been so so healthy this whole time for the majority of life. But near the beginning of June you totally came down with a really bad fever, runny nose and yuckies throughout your whole body. I felt so sad for you. All you wanted to do was eat orange juice Popsicles and cuddle with your mommy. Thank goodness to my obsession of essential health oils, they helped you through your sickness without pounding medication through your body. You were a total champ and I just felt so sad for you while I held you and just listened to you cry. Thankfully it only lasted a few days than you were back to yourself. The self I am so madly in love with. The one who still is a mommy's girl, but a happy mommy's girl.

This month you enjoyed the California beach almost everyday with all your cousins. You loved the sand, even though you ate way to much. The water was a bit cold, but you were so tough going out with me all the way into the waves. You even went under without fussing. I know you'll be a beach girl, cause you sure made the cutest beach baby. You were all smiles and giggles when James was around you playing in the sand. Your skin tans so great. Even with sunscreen you got some pretty olive skin, just like your mommy.

You love bath time with James and just love to splash and watch water spray. Once you wanted to join James, but before we could take your clothes off, James poured a whole bucket of water over your hear. You were drenched.  All I could hear was a big splash and than you laughing. I went into the bathroom and this is what a saw.

A Happy Happy Baby Girl Drenched from Head to Toe.

June weather was really on and off. One day we would go swimming at the pool or fill up the baby pool with water and hang out in the sun, than the next day it would be raining and cold out. Thus, you have dressed in your swim suite and your winter coat. You love the water, but you demand that someone (especially your mommy be right close to you at all times). But you hate the swimming tube, I guess you like the full on contact of safety with someone holding you instead.

You helped celebrate the first Father's Day that you have been alive for. Daddy loved all the kisses and love you gave him that day. You are defiantly his pretty princess. Daddy always talks about how gorgeous you are and how special you are to him. All he ever wants to do is protect you.

It is hard to believe that you will soon be my one year old BABY!! 

You bring so much joy and fulfillment to my life. 

We are so blessed to have you as ours.

Rachel at 10 months

Rachel you are into everything. You are constantly on the go. 

Pulling yourself up and than moving youself along the couch is one of your favorite things to do. 

You love to crawl around anything and everywhere.

You love to be right in the middle of everything and love to be involved in all that mommy, daddy and big brother are doing.

Your two bottom teeth are coming in real well.

You are a total grabber, especially for hair, skin, toys, paper and food.

Rachel you are just such a sweetheart and you melt my heart. 

Before I know it, you are going to be walking and turning one.

I Love You!!

xoxoxo Momma

You had your first adventure in an airplane, to the beach, meeting your cousins the Nehrings and being away from daddy longer than 2 weeks. The trip to Virginia and California will fill you in with all this and more....when the time comes.

(Again, excuse the fact that this post of her being 10 months is really a month behind.

I have had no time to blog, but a lot to blog about lately.) 

Rachel at 9 months

I am behind a month on my little one. Soon I will post her 10 month pics. As for now, enjoy her a month ago. I've been super busy, but have a ton to post.

You are sprouting like a beautiful flower.

 You never stop, but are always on the move, just like your big brother.

You are pulling yourself up on couches and anything you can stand up with. You cinch your way around places and love to be where everyone else is.

You are a complete mommy's girl and always want me to hold you. Yet if I leave you, you are completely fine until you see me again. When I usually grab you, you are completely content and just nestle sometimes into my chest with your finger in your mouth telling me you want to nurse or sleep.

You are eating anything you can put your hands on. 

It goes like this: see something, grab it, put it in your mouth, eat it or spit it out, repeat.

You love to eat. You love food and can eat for hours if I let you. You love finger foods, and best of all your oatmeal. You pound your food sweetie.
You even eat more than James ever did as a baby and even now as he is 2 and a half probably. He has never been a big eater though. I just love watching you interact with your big brother. He is gentle the majority of the time with you. But I can already tell that you love being his little sister as you get so excited when he comes and sits or is close to you most of the time.

Your hair is growing and it is a darker brown, your eyes are a light brown/ hazel (they have changed) and everyone tells me just how much you look like James or your daddy. I'm going to say that you have taken a little ( I mean very small) part of me (Hooray!) and that is my darker skin and darker hair ( I guess only darker than your brother and that doesn't say much).
You got to spend a lot of time with different cousins this month. You did pretty well staying at the Wrights house for two weeks, with 4 other children wanting my attention and than you were actually able to interact a lot more with Channing now that  he can sit up, even though you are kind of the little bully who steals his Binky or any thing he has in his hands, but you just don't know better yet. I defend you and tell everyone that other peoples things always look better anyways. 

Whenever we go anywhere with the you and Channing, everyone comments and asks if your twins. You two are totally the same size and he is even 2 months younger than you. He'll probably out grow you fast in size.

 

I am more in love with you every single day. I am so glad you are a little piece of me and that you are MINE! (or daddy would like me to say OURS!)

You are a beauty that just keeps getting more beautiful by the day, just as a flower continues to grow and without a blink you are bigger and bigger and then probebly one day I will look at you and you will be fully blossomed, and I will think to myself.... She's not so little anymore

Please slow down a little.

Love you forever and ever.

Her First Word......

......MOMMA!

Today I was in Rachel's room with Daddy adjusting her crib ( because now she pulls herself up to stand and if she would have became top heavy she could have seriously fallen out) and I heard Rachel babbling her baby talk and making her way into her room on her hands and knees. I could hear her kind of moan and grown and then suddenly she turns the corner and stops. She looks at me and clearly says "Momma". I had to question Josh to see if he heard what I heard and sure enough he said it was loud and clear that she had just said her first word. And how special did I feel that it was my favorite word my own child could say...... Momma. 

It was one of those proud mommy moments.   

She is defiantly a mommy's girl. I just love seeing how excited she gets when I enter a room or when I hold her. She is my little princess and I just love how happy she makes me. She is a pure light to our family.

Well, she is only 8 months old and I would usually say that it was probably just her mumbling baby talk, but this was clearer than ever and I am going to believe that my name was her first word. We will see if she says it again I guess. 

Rachel at 8 months

You are to die for.

Just looking at you makes me want to eat you up.

Holding you I have to be careful not to squeeze you to hard, as my love for you just wants to explode.

You  have learned so much this last month. 

You are CRAWLING like a big girl. 

You learned about a week before you turned 8 months. You were doing the army crawl for a while and then one day, with no help you learned how to do it on your own. You were a champ and got around so fast. It is crazy how much you want to pull yourself up now. You love to stand when someone helps you. I can already tell that you are going to be a big time mover, because already right now you are on the move. You seem to find me anywhere. All of a sudden I'll look down and there you are tugging at my pant leg with your adorable little smile and bright eyes, as if saying- "momma pick me up". 

You are a great sleeper. You sleep anywhere from 9 to 12 hours straight most night. You are still a big time nurser- which momma loves. I love how you yearn for me when you wake up and get so excited as I get ready to nurse that you start sucking your thumb and making little noises of joy. You still play with my hair a ton when nursing and you love holding my fingers too. Momma doesn't enjoy when you grab my chest and squeeze tight or bight me where it hurts with your bottom 2 teeth that have come through over a  month ago. 

You love most food and we know it because you always sigh "Mmmmm...." When you don't like something you do the opposite and make a disgusted look and spit it out. You love your oatmeal, mixed cereal and whole wheat cereal. You are still a fan of most vegetables, besides green beans and mixed vegetables. You love love fruit and crackers. You are amazing at picking up food with your fingers and feeding yourself. When we eat in front of you and you want it you grab for it, sometimes you get it, other times you get sad when we eat it up ourselves.

You are incredible at soothing yourself. You have never been a binky baby, but a total thumb sucker. When it is time to lay you down I place you on your blankey and you place that little thumb in your mouth and try to fight that you are tired or go right to sleep. You are not a cuddle bug, you have learned how to put yourself asleep and therefore love routine. If you do cry, you don't cry over 3 minutes usually and then you are out. You love sleeping with a blanket right close to your face, next to your thumb. You go to sleep around 8 and wake up around 7 , give or take a few hours, depending when you do go to bed (because mommy and daddy still have a life and are out doing stuff with you too).

Church is a struggle once you get tired. It is hard because it is right during nap time and you want your bed.

You have nap time usually around 10:00, sleep for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, wake for another 2 hours than another nap 2:00, sleep for another 2 hours usually than up again to play with daddy when he gets home from school. Daddy always talks about how beautiful you are and he loves showing you off.

Daddy tickles you like crazy and you squeal at the top of your lungs and laugh adorably. 

You are such a happy little baby and you have made having 2 kids fun and easier than I thought- time consuming, but worth it.  

You love your big brother so much. If you see him playing in his room , you crawl right over to him and love just being near him. I have watched you guys a number of times just looking at each other and laughing.

 James continues to give you kisses and says "Love you baby" on his own. When you wake up from a nap, James often times says "Momma- Baby" and heads on into your bedroom to get you. You start kicking your legs up and down and have the biggest smile on your face. You love people, especially your momma. 

You are a total Mommy's girl, and I love it. I hope and pray that we are tight and close as you grow up and always. 

You are adored by ME.......and Daddy.

I will always love you. 

I find myself more and more in love with you as each month passes.