Life Lately

A few weeks ago is what will be known in the Jones house as, "The Week of Mario and Luigi".  Blake for some reason thought about their Mario/Luigi costumes from Halloween and asked if we could take them down so he and Brady could dress up in them.  So I did. And they did.  They were obsessed.  They did not want to take them off.  The morning would come and they requested their costumes be put on first thing and would wear them ALL day long. They went to run errands in them.  Went to the park in them.  We went to Grandma and Papa's house in them.  Love these boys so crazy much.

Our dress up fun came to a crashing halt when some minor sniffles the boys had been having turned into some wheezing and trouble breathing well for Brady.  He went downhill so quickly.  We were out running errands in the morning and by the later afternoon Brady was a pile of mush, not able to move he was so weak, getting warm and fell asleep in my arms on the couch, something that never ever ever happens.  While I sure LOVED those sweet Brady cuddles, once I could see him struggling for breaths and starting to wheeze I became alarmed and it was 4:00 the day before the 4th of July holiday.  Thankfully we have a great pediatrician's office and when I explained his symptoms told us to get in the car and come up there immediately.  So relieved we could get Brady set up on his needed meds before they were closed for the holiday.  Brady is a horrible medicine taker.  Its been such a struggle anytime we have to give him medicine. But the bonus of him getting older is his understanding with why he needs the medicine.  The medicine he was prescribed was awful tasting but he would tell US he needed his medicine because he just didn't want to feel sick anymore.  And he took all his breathing treatments like a champ.  I was so proud of him.  I need to write a post dedicated to Brady soon because this kid.  His personality, the things he says....he kills me with his cuteness and I just want to eat him up every second of every day.  

Our 4th was nice but we couldn't all enjoy the day as fully as we normally do since Brady was so sick.  I packed up his breathing machine and a bag full of meds and we all went to my parents house.  Brad swam with Blakers while I stayed inside watching Scooby Doo with Brady.  My dad grilled out and was nice spending the day all together.  We got the boys in their jammies and sat out on their balcony to watch the fireworks show that goes off right next door.  Can't ask for a better seat!

This past week the boys have been doing swimming lessons every day.  They are definitely improving and getting more confident in the water which is so great!  We are continuing on this week and they really look forward to going.  On Friday morning as a nice summer treat for being such awesome boys I took them to see Monsters University.  I was impressed we made it through twenty minutes worth of previews and the entire movie.  Towards the end of the movie Blake whispered, "Momma...thank you so much for taking us to the movie."  Oh my heart.  Totally worth every penny. And when I tucked Brady into bed that night he said his favorite part of the day was the popcorn.  Love.

Looking forward to this coming week with these two cuties and REALLY looking forward to this weekend for my man's birthday and a much needed date night.  WOO WOO!  

What are the odds??

*pre-reading disclaimer: I am not pregnant*  As Brad and I were trying to get pregnant with Blake and it just wasn't happening and we suffered a miscarriage and we were told our odds of getting pregnant the "good ole fashioned way" were pretty slim to none, I had lots of highs and lows.  I would find myself realllly down, just feeding the negativity.  And then I'd get to the extreme opposite end of things and start trying to be "ok" with what life would be like without kids.  We can travel!  We'll have so much time to just be with each other!  I'll focus on me and finally get a body I'm happy with!  So, I signed up for a boot camp at my work and got out of bed at 4am so I could be at my office by 5 for one heck of a crazy intense work out.  And for anyone that knows me in the slightest, me waking up at 4am???  HA!  I am the epitome of NOT a morning person!  And for working out?!  But, I was committed to this new life of mine (one where I couldn't have kids, so I thought) so, there I was waking at 4am.  And after a week, maybe two weeks?  I started feeling really awful after the workouts.  Instead of that "high" one feels after a really great workout, I felt NAUSEOUS.  Like, soooo nauseous.  I felt light headed.  I just felt icky.  And finally when I was so incredibly sick one Sunday morning at 5am, I decided to take a pregnancy test even though I couldn't possibly be pregnant.  And there on the digital pee stick was the word 'pregnant' and I of course was the happiest person on the planet.  And there ended my journey of the perfect body.  And then came Mr. Blake.  And then at around month 7 of Blake's little baby life, we decided we'd stop being "careful" so we could have years to try and get pregnant the "good ole fashioned way" and not STRESS about it.  And shortly after that I decided to join a gym and get the perfect body before my next pregnancy.  And then God decided to laugh at me.  And one or two weeks into my new gym membership I started with that icky feeling and on the way home from a workout bought a pregnancy test and yup...pregnant.  Don't get me wrong, I'd GLADLY a million times over trade "the perfect body" for my two best gifts of life ever, but, its just so funny how timing works out sometimes.  

Enter present day.  I mentioned a few posts ago that I started a very part time job.  Through a mom friend of mine I learned of an opportunity at a really awesome gym just down the street from us that I could work at a few hours a week, bring the boys with me while I work if I need to, get a few extra dollars in my pocket and get a free membership!  Sign me up!  My workout routine over the last few years has been pretty inconsistent.  But, for the last few weeks I have worked out pretty much six out of seven days of the week.  I've been feeling the best I've ever felt.  I've been training to run three miles without stopping so I could do a 5k race in the fall.  I was making really awesome progress.  And the biggest thing?  MY PAIN HAS BEEN PRETTY MUCH NON EXISTENT.  Even with the medicine I had been put on recently, I was having some pretty bad days, but since I started working out, I have been feeling so good!  I joked at dinner just this last week with a few of my best girl friends that I was kind of waiting for me to get pregnant even though I am taking precautions, just because of course that would happen!  Nope, not pregnant, but I did have something else happen that would prevent me from hitting the gym.  Knee injury.  From hockey.  Ugh.  

After EVERYTHING we went through last year with Brad's knee injury, yes, from hockey as well, I've been pretty darn upset at the prospect of having to go through anything remotely close to that.  It was just awful.  I was literally in tears Saturday morning not from the pain, but just from the realization I wouldn't be able to keep up my workouts (so ridiculous I know) and just the whole thought of going down that surgery road once again.  And then Brad started laughing and before I could punch him for laughing at me, he told me why he was laughing.  He realized last year he had surgery on his knee on my birthday and now, his birthday is only like three weeks away, and I really didn't have to go and do this to pay him back.  And then I laughed too.  And then I cried some more.  The doctor is hopeful its a sprain, as am I, with worst case scenario being a torn meniscus requiring surgery.  So, I'm on crutches and I'm having to say "No, I can't play with you" to my children once again which is ripping my heart into pieces.  When Blake is literally in tears because he wants me to play soccer with him and Brady won't play with him and he just wants someone to play with.... Ugh.  Anyways, just one day at a time.  Thankfully I have the most awesome husband who is way positive and keeps me on the positive line of thinking track more often than not. And most importantly is there to bring me ice packs and play soccer with Blake when he gets home from work.  

My Blue Eyed Boy

Oh Mr. Blue Eyes, how do I love thee!  This boy challenges me on the daily.  Some days parenting Blake leaves me feeling like a parenting failure.  I wasn't patient enough.  I didn't discipline enough.  Maybe I was too rough.  etc. etc. etc. But this boy of mine is actually the truest example that I AM doing something or hopefully some things right.  He is happy and smart and has the most loving and beautiful heart of anyone I know.  I remember when I was pregnant with Blake someone said having a boy is awesome because boys looove their mommas.  I occasionally go back to that conversation and think that person was crazy.  Blake isn't a snuggler and he ADORES his dad.  He IDOLIZES his dad.  But I've had the realization how true that comment is.  Here are just a few examples of comments Blake makes on the daily to me....

"Momma, I want to marry you.  ~  Momma, you look beautiful today!  ~  Your eyes are so pretty! ~ I have the most beautiful mom in the whole world! ~ You smell good! ~ I love you so much, you are the best momma! ~ I want to live with my family forever!"  

Oh Blake!  My heart...you are my heart.  I know these days are fleeting and before I know it you'll be saying those things to a different girl.  Stay like this forever please!  I love you Mr. Blue Eyes!!

Celebrate!

The weekend is over and I'm so sad to have it end...it was filled with so much fun and so much love.  

The summer before last we took a short little family trip to Austin and absolutely loved it.  Brad and I had decided we really wanted to make a point to go back with the boys this summer and so I decided what better time to go than the weekend full of reasons to celebrate...my birthday and fathers day!  

We had a list of things we would like to do but purposefully did not have any set agenda so we wouldn't stress and could just pick what to do based on weather, moods of the boys, etc.  It worked out great.  We had lots of outside play time, soaking up all of the love of Austin we have.  Swam at the hotel pool briefly to meet the boys' request and ate lots of yummy food.  Lots of yummy food.  

I started off my birthday morning being woken up by two very excited little boys with sweet cards they had made me and were oh so proud of.  Best start to my day!!

After a yummy lunch and amaze ice cream we enjoyed play time on what else than marble cows of course.

We walked over to a bridge with a scenic look out and Blake decided he wanted to practice his photographer skills, so the next set of pictures are courtesy of Blake.

After swimming and getting cleaned up we headed to the Capital with our soccer ball to play in the grassy areas in front.  Man oh man how I love all the park areas in Austin.  Of course, we had to get some pictures sitting on the canons first though.

This picture Blake was saying, "Watch out momma, I'm about to launch the canyon"  Yes, he called it a canyon and was adorable.

After we were good and sweaty and thirsty we headed to some good ol' bbq.  While we waited out the long wait I enjoyed my giant alcohol beverage and sat and watched the boys feed the turtles.  I was a happy girl.

View from the deck

Best birthday I've had in a long time.  Spending a whole day filled with fun memories with my three guys...heaven.

The last two times now taking the boys to Austin we've stayed at the Embassy Suites.  It is such a great place to stay with kids.  We brought the blow up mattress, set it up in the living room and the boys get to sleep in the same bed which they get the biggest kick out of, and we can close the door off so Brad and I can watch tv in the other room without keeping up the boys.  Its such the perfect set up.  Plus I love love love listening to little whispers and giggles as they fall asleep together and then again when they wake up, in the moments before the door flies open to jump in our bed.  

What's better than after celebrating your birthday to keep up the celebrations with Father's Day?!!  The boys couldn't wait to bring Brad his card and presents and was a really sweet morning.  After some good rest and good breakfast, we loaded up and headed to Zilker Park.  The boys got snow cones and played on a really great mostly shaded playground and rode the miniature train around the park.  It was a blast and a great way to end our time in Austin.

As the ride went on the boys got closer and closer to each other.  Love.

Snow cone smile!

Words can not express how much love I have for this man.  I am the luckiest girl to have him as my husband and our boys are the luckiest boys to have him as their daddy.  So grateful.  Loved spending an entire weekend together!

And because we hadn't eat enough food (yeah right) we had to make a detour on the way back out of town to one of the best rated donut places in the U.S.  And oh my word, totally worth the calories.  I can just hear myself getting fatter.

The drive to and from Austin was extra scenic as there were fields periodically of beautiful sunflowers.  It looked like blankets of yellow.  Gorgeous.

When we got back in town we made a stop along the way to have dinner with my parents.  I have one pretty special dad and a pretty special papa to our boys so we couldn't let the day go by without celebrating our love for him either.  We enjoyed dinner and then went back to their place for ice cream cake to celebrate my birthday.  Oh lordy I have some working out to do this week!  

(please excuse my disheveled appearance.  After being outside the first half of the day and in the car the second half we were all pretty beat up looking)

My loves!

I hate to see this weekend come to an end!  Happy Fathers Day Brad and Dad/Papa!!  And thanks Brad for helping make my birthday filled with so much love.  

My Little Beethoven

Blake started piano lessons just after the first of the year.  We quickly learned a few things about Blake.  One being Blake inherited Brad's dad and younger brother's gift to play the piano by ear.  Its pretty amazing.  He can turn his back to the piano while his teacher plays random notes and Blake calls out every note he plays.  Its so crazy to witness a four/five year old do this I must say.  The other thing we learned, well, that I knew, but became more apparent...Blake is kind of a perfectionist.  He wants to be the best at whatever he is doing.  And if he struggles with something?  Well, he's over it in a New York minute!  Enter his love/hate relationship with piano.  Learning the piano, like lots of things in life, takes practice, practice practice, and it would frustrate Blake to the ends of the Earth not to get it on the first try.  It has taken lots of patience on my end to sit with him at the piano and work with him on certain practice pages until he could build the confidence on his own.  Blake's teacher is verrrrry strict.  Like piano is the most serious thing in the entire world to this guy.  Which is great and all, but he definitely pushes Blake to be his best which Blake doesn't always like.  So, Blake started to say things like "I hate piano" and "I want to quit."  I never wanted to be the "stage mom" pushing my kid into something he hated.  But his recital was also really close and I wanted him to see it through, so we told him he could quit as soon as his recital was over.  But then a funny thing happened.  Blake practiced his recital piece and once he had more confidence I took his music book away and he played his recital piece by memory and he became so incredibly proud of himself.  He couldn't wait to show his teacher that he had committed his piece to memory.  He played it every chance he could.  You could see the pride bursting out of him.  You could see the sense of accomplishment Blake felt.  I was so incredibly proud of him and happy that he had learned such an AMAZING lesson at just five years old too!  Sometimes things in life are hard, they might not always come easy, but if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you set your mind to.  
The day of the recital we dressed the boys in their finest duds and I just about died from the absolute cuteness from the boys.  Oh how handsome they looked.  On the way to the recital Brad asked Blake if he needed to go over the music in his head to prepare and Blake said, "No daddy!  I am awesome at my recital piece!"  I mean, that confidence!!  What I would give to have a fraction of his confidence!!  I could tell Blake was a little nervous once we were seated and waiting for the recital to begin, but he didn't have to be pushed to go perform, he just went to the piano when they called his name and nailed it!  We were so proud of him.  Brady even said, "BLAKE YOU DID SO GOOD!"  *melt my heart*
The recital was held at Glen Eagles Country Club and once it was over there was a little luncheon reception and was so nice.  And my little guy who a month earlier said he hated piano and wanted to quit, couldn't resist going back to the piano as the families were finishing eating to play some more.  We went back to my parents afterwards and he raced to the piano to play some more.  He even tried to "teach" his brother how to play the other day.  Pretty cool to see such a transformation in Blake.  I'm so proud to be his momma!

Selfie of Brad and Brady before we left

Blake with his teacher as he was talking about his new students

Blake watching another student perform

Blake serenading everyone as they ate

Teaching Brady how to play

Click below for video of Blake's performance

Blake's Performance