Bathing Baby

I love bath time with my babies!  We start the habit early on of a bath everyday...I may have a house full of boys but by golly they won't be stinky if I have anything to do with it!

(I know, I know...they will be stinky...a girl's gotta dream though right?)

Last night, I was giving Evan a bath before putting him to bed.  He's growing much more tolerant of his baths and seems to actually enjoy them these days.  I'll put him in the bathtub and he seems to sink into the warm water and even give a little sigh of comfort.  It's such a peaceful little reaction.

He likes to hold onto my finger when I'm bathing him.  I love the security that this little act seems to bring him.

Children come into this world with an innocence and an innate ability to fully trust.  They are completely dependant on us, as their parents, and trust everything that we do for them.  It's an awesome and sometimes overwhelming responsibility.  It's the type of relationship that I know we are meant to have with God...one that is filled with a child-like faith and constant trust.  Yet, I often struggle with my side of that relationship due to my "having to be in control at all times" issues.  It is so comforting to know, though, that no matter what, Christ is ready and willing to reach down and let us grip his finger of guidance.

Deep thoughts for today huh?  Ok, enough philosophical musings for now.  I leave you with some cute pics of my "bathing baby."

Coffee Quest

We had a casualty at our home last night...

We lost our beloved coffee pot carafe.  It was the coffee pot carafe vs the floor.  The floor won.

This incident was instigated by our precious, all-too-curious two-year-old.  He reached for it up on the counter while Adam was cooking dinner.  Adam pushed it out of his way while stating, "Please don't play with that Thomas...Mommy will be really mad if that breaks."  To which I replied, "If that breaks, Daddy will be finding Mommy a Starbucks tomorrow morning!"  We spoke too soon.

Seconds later, I heard a crash and a shatter...sigh.

So, this morning, the boys and I packed up in the car to search for a Starbucks so that Mommy could get her caffeine fix.  (Yes, the need for caffeine has magically increased since Evan's been born!)  I thought, surely, there would be one nearby.  There's practically a Starbucks on every corner in every city in the world right?  Wrong!  After driving around for nearly an hour, we came up empty-handed!  The only Starbucks we came across was one in a Target in the next town, which I opted out of because we would have had to all unload out of the car.  Disappointed and still un-caffeinated (is that a word?), we headed back home.  I did settle on a mocha from McDonalds...it wasn't Starbucks but it made do...

I may need to write in a formal request for a Starbucks to the Brandon city council.  This city needs to experience the wonder that is Starbucks!  Plus, I can keep the business booming until we buy a new coffee maker!

Mosey Monday

Today, our day was filled with a little of this and a little of that...

We had a little breakfast...we (Thomas and I) are total cream of wheat junkies!  Love, love the stuff!

We had a little fun...

And we did a LOT of laundry!

Sweet 'Stache and Grape Grins

Nothing beats a big ole Saturday morning breakfast with the ones you love!  Happy weekend to all!

Outing Attempt #1

As I've approached motherhood with two, there have been a few things that I knew I would have to accomplish but have had some anxiety about them.  One was spending all day alone with both boys.  Before coming to Jackson, I had luxuries like being able to send Thomas to school during the day or having my mom around to help out.  Here in Jackson, while Adam's at work, it's just moi!  But we've finished our first week here and I'm proud to say that I did it...and you know, it wasn't so bad...whoo hoo!

Another milestone I knew we would need to accomplish is getting out of the house successfully to go somewhere.  I've been putting this off as well but when the opportunity came about for us to go eat lunch with Adam at work, I knew I needed to tackle this hurdle head on!  And that's just what I did!

The preparation for our outing was completed in several steps.  Now the Blanchers are large fans of The Disney Channel and we are also fans of "Special Agent Oso."  So as I'm writing this the "three special steps" song is going through my head...oh the joys of young children!  So...

Step one:  Prepare and pack lunch

Step Two:  Make Sure Mom is Ready

Step Three:  Dress the Dudes

Step Four:  Diaper Bag Organization

Step Five:  Warm Winter Apparel on Everyone

Step Six:  Locked, Loaded and Ready to Go!

We did it!  Sure, it took all morning to prepare and execute but who cares?  Now to perfect the process and shoot for a more early morning departure (aka, getting ready for school/work...yikes!).  That will be for another day!

We had a wonderful time up at "daddy's work."  We got to eat lunch with the other interns there and got to meet some of the people that Adam works with.  Everyone is so nice there!  Plus, we got to see his office.  Thomas quickly felt very at home there...he informed us that he needed to "sit at his 'puter and do his work."  Ah, a little workaholic in the making!

It was a great first outing and gave me great confidence that maybe I can handle this whole two-kid-mom thing! 

Evan also had a ball, by the way.  All that socializing plum wore him out!

2010 Recap: March 2010-Easter Treats!

Easter is yet another fun time for treats and surprises.  Last year was no exception! 

Thomas got a super-fun Easter goodie box in the mail from Grammy and PapaRazzi.  He had a great time with all of the tissue paper inside of it!

We also got to make these cute "carrots" for his class Easter party at school.  We called them "bunny bites."  It was cake decorating bags filled with Cheetos and tied with a green ribbon.  Thought they turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

2010 Recap: March 2010-Palm Sunday Easter Egg Hunt

Our church held an Easter egg hunt for all the children after our Palm Sunday service last year.  That service was particularly neat because it was a combined service.  A typical Sunday at our church consists of two services-a traditional service and a contemporary service.  We're involved in the band at our contemporary service, so we don't see the people that attend the traditional service a lot.  We only combine our services a few times a year, but it's really neat to see the whole church join together for worship.  We also had our annual Palm parade during the service and there were so many kids there!  It was incredibly refreshing to see the future of our church and so reinforcing to see that our church is thriving and growing.

the band playing in "big church"

Thomas marched proudly in the Palm parade this year along with all of his buds.  Then they all got to listen to a special children's sermon together before heading back to the nursery.  It was fun!

"waving the branch of a palm tree high in my hand"

John Kirklin

Mathis and Michael

Amelia

Garrett

Isaac

baby Will

Georgia

listening intently to the message

After church we all headed over to a field across the street from the church for the Easter egg hunt.  Why is it that it's always cold and rainy on Palm Sunday??  Here you've got all these nice, new spring clothes that you are so ready to wear and you either can't or you have to cover it up with a huge jacket!  The weather was such as this that day.  We pressed on though and wore some of our new spring stuff...it was a great photo opp!  Thanks to Kenny for sharing all of his wonderful pictures of the fun!

finding eggs with Daddy's assistance

enjoying the treats inside

getting the hang of this egg-hunting business

finding time to "chase" with Daddy

becoming a little distracted with a stick

coming to get Mr. Kenny

Thomas's entourage

Easter egg finding fun!