heartthrobs

In case you were wondering, I have two heartthrobs. Well, really three...but this posting only counts the two smallest. These little boys really know their way into their momma's heart.  From telling me that they like my "pwetty dwess," which is really a very old nursing nightgown, to being unable to leave my side when I actually do get pretty for church to telling me that I am who they are going to marry. They make me swoon and though I welcome their snuggles anytime and embrace them even when they are at their most sticky and boy-smelly, I absolutely adore when they are all clean and fancied-up.

At Valentine's Day, their preschool has a Valentine's Tea and all the kids are encouraged to wear their most fancy attire. I love the pictures that the teachers post on Facebook of all the kids all gussied up. The little girls come in all their frills and gloves and fancy dresses. The little boys are all dapper in ties and hats. Of course I am terribly biased, but I do think my boys are the finest looking! I attempted to snap a few pics before their party, and I got a whole lot of cheese! But there are some pretty cute ones, too. Be still my heart. 

Am I a lucky woman, or am I a lucky woman?! :) 

(little) Baller

Keagan is playing Upward basketball and it is a lot of fun!! He is all about it and has surprised us with how he is doing. If you don't know what Upward basketball is, it is Christian-based and while it teaches the fundamentals of the game, they take time out of games and practices to pray and learn about core value such as respect and gratitude. They also do a devotional at half-times of games and it is an all-around positive attitude. The kids receive a star for each practice and then after their games, coaches award the kids a different colored star based on their performance in the game. The boys on Keagan's team are Pre-K to Kindergarten aged.

Keagan still has a long way to go with learning the techniques but he has heart. And he is super aggressive. Almost too aggressive...but we will refine that with time! The big thing is he LOVES it. He told us the other day while we were watching the UK game on TV that he was gonna play basketball on TV someday. Oh baby, then mommy will be in the stands watching you!!!

Here are some pictures from one of his first practices:

At the start of every game, they announce the kids individually and they get to run out to a cheering crowd of fans!

Starting the games off with a coin toss and a prayer. (Keagan is #5 in the blue) These pictures are from the first game and there was a lot of coach involvement on the court. Now, the kids pretty much get it and the coaches direct from the side! (and don't think some parents don't get a little...um... loud...ahem...)

Look at my tough little boy! :) I'm pretty sure he refused to smile for me!

I have taken a lot of video of Keagan playing, but to be honest the quality is poor and there are several instances where I am either yelling at Keagan to pass the ball or yelling at Finn to get out of the way! And then there are lots of moments where I am clearly watching the game with my eyes and forget to move the camera to follow the game. Too much going on. So I have no video to share!

BUT I did snap this super cute picture of Keagan and his buddy Nick, who is a little boy of some friends of ours. Nick's and Keagan's teams played each other this past weekend, and though these two are good friends, they made sure to stick to their teams and enjoy their friendship off the court! These two have also played each other in soccer!

Birthday and Baby

I celebrated turning 34 years old this past week...and while life has been so insanely busy lately with work and the nightly extracurricular activities for the kids, I was able to celebrate a little with Josh and the boys. It just so happens that I was born on the greatest non-holiday holiday ever: Groundhog Day. A day where the next 6-weeks' worth of weather is determined by a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil. Because I despise winter, I put a lot of stock into what Phil has to "say." Generally Phil disappoints. But this year Phil pulled through and didn't see his shadow!!! It has only happened some 17 times in a 100 year span, or something like that (don't quote me on that...but the point is it is rare for Phil to call an early spring). With how bad I have been feeling from pregnancy/strep throat/SI joint problems (yes, I am whining...it's been rough!) and then my annual winter blues, I needed this good news!

Once I learned Spring would most surely come early (Phil is always right....right?!) I had a little pep in my step as I readied myself for the day's events. After working way more than I have bargained for lately, I decided I was taking the day off. Josh was off too. So we started the day with a doctor's appointment and an ultrasound to see the baby! I haven't documented "the bump" with this pregnancy, so we snapped a picture right before we left.

At 16 weeks pregnant, I have finally started coming out of the all-day, every-day nausea. I still get icky at night and in the mornings. As I am getting less nauseous, I am getting more belly! People have started asking me if I am expecting and I am now in full-on maternity pants! I am feeling the baby move every day, the movements aren't huge but it is obviously not gas! ;)

The boys are loving the growing belly, but it spurns a lot of funny questions and commentary from both of them! Some of my favorites are:

• "Does the baby have toys to play with in there?" -Finn 
• "I wish the baby would come out soon." -Keagan (also written on my birthday card!)
• "Did the baby taste that?" -both
• "Does the baby wear diapers? Where does it peepee?" -Finn
• "Your belly is getting soooooo big!!!! AND it's hard!" -Keagan (thank you, son...)
• "Are those your boobs?" -Finn, while patting them (who is lately obsessed)
• "Is it gonna hurt? Are you gonna get a band-aid?" -Keagan, on the baby being born
• "What's he doing in there?" -Finn

Luckily, we've only been asked once how the baby got there. And the answer of "God put it there," which was merely a stall tactic until I could come up with something age-appropriate, seemed to quench that curiosity. Maybe that answer is age-appropriate. At some point we are going to have to follow up God's miracle with a biological answer, but so far it hasn't come back up!

After my doctor's appointment Josh and I did a little shopping and then ate lunch at Moe's burrito place, then picked up my ice cream cake and headed home to take Keagan to basketball practice.

After practice we enjoyed my cookie dough ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. YUMMMMY!!!  I wanted a picture with my boys and that was basically impossible. In a span of 2 seconds this is what I got! 

Birthdays have changed a lot over the years, but I wouldn't change a thing! This birthday was a wonderful and relaxing day with the people I cherish most. And a delicious birthday cake!