a serious post

Today was the first day that I thought seriously about weening my giant 19 month old baby boy.  It makes me so sad.  I love that he still needs me and that he is still my baby boy.  I must admit I am thankful...I always wanted to nurse the other two longer but never made it past 14.  

Yes, I nuggle him to sleep every night...once in the night...sometimes twice in the night...every morning...before every nap...and in his car seat during car rides where nothing else will keep him quiet.  (yikes!)  As an infant, the only thing that could soothe my somewhat fussy baby was to nurse him.  Often.  But lately it's been on my heart that maybe it's time to help him grow up a little more.  I've been praying about it, and maybe the fact that Jonah peed on the floor today because he needed me was a sign.  Silas was so close to sleeping, I couldn't dare take him off.  And I thought I was going to be brave enough to lay him down awake today.  Tonight was a small victory...we went through the normal routine, and I laid him down almost asleep.  I soaked in those 20 minutes like it was the last time I would ever hold him like that.  Funny because it probably won't be.  But that's how I like to leave it.           

let's not forget

...this is what your husband does when he has the camera.

 *note- this is from July, but while looking through my picture folder it was too good not to post:)

a good LOL for the evening

I am extra motivated to post pictures tonight because my card reader is finally working after Jonah spilled water on my laptop.  Thanks daddy for taking it apart!  There was still water inside several days after the incident.  Unfortunately, my mouse pad thingie still does not work.  I guess it could have been worse!

While browsing my camera card I found lots of these...ahhh good stuff.  Here's a few that gave me a good laugh tonight.

Love the teamwork.  I can just picture it..."Jonah, hold up your swimming shorts and I'll take a picture."

Possibly my favorite- the shot of the penguin on Jonah's globe.

more snow

 The sky was exceptionally blue that day.  So pretty!

 Trying to be artistic...something cool about seeing snow on the fire logs.

And....Daddy & Jonah went to watch his cousin Clinton play b-ball tonight in Waverly.  Boyz nite ooooout!

that was close

Dear Mom & Dad,

I borrowed your vacuum a few days after you left because ours stopped working.  (how did I suck up a sock and not notice?)  Well, in just a few days I broke your vacuum too...I could no longer get it to turn off.  I am happy to report that tonight I took a screw driver to it, took it apart, and found and fixed the problem.  I guess all those years of watching you take stuff apart finally paid off.  *phew*  

Love, 

Lo

So....it was a rough night with the boys, which turned into a rough morning, and our plans to get away tonight seem to have fallen apart.  Gotta be honest, it is HARD having small children!  I think the phrase "Lord willing" should be added after every plan we make.  I suppose I'll celebrate by cleaning my floors (strange indulgence, I know), eating a scratch cupcake (thanks uncle Kyle!), and taking a nap.  Lord willing, of course.  :)  Did I mention the boys are now both down for a nap and miss Jayda is in Cedar Rapids with Cliff?  2 hours of quiet time...I'll take it.              

today

Have you ever cut up a cantaloupe when you hoped it was ripe but it wasn't?  Bummer!  At least the kids don't notice the difference.  In other news, today is the last day of my life that I will be 26.  Tomorrow we're gonna party like it's 1999 (aka I'm 14 again- a trip to the mall and out to eat, with no kids:) thanks to Grandma & Grandpa Carlson.  Also, for my birthday I would like a day of summer with a side of watermelon.  Anyone know where to find one?   

learning & growing

I've been feeling a little guilty lately about not taking the time to teach Jayda to read.  She has known her letters and sounds for a long time now, and I'm sure she is capable of reading if we put in the effort.  Most days I crawl into bed thinking, man what did we do today???  At first glance, I thought this book looked cheesy, but it really clicks with big J.  The lessons are quick and Jonah likes to join in some days too.  Yesterday Jayda read her first word in the book, "am."  It's the little things :)

And.....I'm sad to say the dinosaur jammies are finally being passed down after living in them for the last two years.  I originally cut off the cuffs because they were so long.  I remember nursing my baby Jonah in these jammies!  I can't believe how sad I am to move them to Silas' jammy drawer!

Winter To-Do List:

make a snowman- Jayda
go sledding on a big hill- Jayda
skip my nap- Jonah
start a family tree quilt- Mommy
go swimming- Jayda
have a slumber party- J &j
go snowboarding- Daddy
go to McD's playland- Jonah

snow

Thank the Lord

Silas slept through the night!  Oh Shnookums, I love you so much!

house update

Most of you know that mom & dad, AKA our neighbors, contractors, & carpenters, left two days ago to spend the remainder of winter in Israel.  They went to be servants where ever they are needed.  Awesome!  They spent lots of time finishing up some important projects here at the Carlson household...THANK YOU!

 the kitchen island- posts & skirt installed, quartz glued down.  check!

 master bath- surround built, durrocked, tiled, grouted, and faucet on.  check!

 fully-functioning dove-tail drawers- handmade, sprayed, and installed. (including super cheap temporary knobs made from wooden wheels at hobby lobby) check!

and in other news...I think I finally chose a tile for our backsplash in the kitchen.  I could give you at least five reasons why it's "perfect" but let's just say at this moment, it's my top choice.  (Have I mentioned how great free shipping and free returns are when you are building a house???)  

 and.....Yes, that is a new hutch.  It's the 4th one in the last year, but this one's a keeper.  At the moment anyways.  :)

At this moment, Jayda is at Uncle Kyle's, Jonah is watching tv, and Silas is talking in his crib.  Free time, ha!  Just wanted to share what we saw today in our backyard...I was doing the dishes (imagine that), and one turkey ran across our backyard.  Funny, until I thought about what Belle would do if she saw it.  The rest of the pack then started walking into our yard.  Oh no!  I yelled out the door, and they were wise enough to retreat to the field.  Jonah thought they were pretty cool! 

welcome

Hi friends and family!  I decided to create a new blog through my own email address (since I was apparently too lazy to log out of my email, try to remember Cliff's password, and log into his account).  Looking back on our old blog, there are so many times I wanted to post, or thought to post, but it seemed too random, or too hard to log in (ha!), so who knows what will show up on here!  Hoping to update this thing at least every week...stay tuned!