Random Cuteness

Luke's well-child check with Dr. Natalie. She dresses in the pajamas while working as to not intimidate her patients. No white coats to be afraid of here.

Pretty much after every time she's been playing quietly in her room, I find Natalie dressed in some pretty great combinations of clothing. This day it was no pants, socks with sandals and baby legs. I guess she was still thinking about keeping warm with adding the leg warmers. If finding this won't make you smile, I don't know what will.

Just my cute baby boy waiting patiently for his bottle. Such a nice baby.

Under the Weather

Daddy, Natalie and Sutton are all taking their Amoxicillin together these days. Thankfully, Mommy hasn't been prescribed any antibiotics just yet. Sutton is the least healthy, but you can't really tell by his demeanor. He's still one happy kid, and for that we're grateful.

When I walk down the stairs to find these two together, it makes me smile. I've never seen twins any cuter than this pair.

What do you do when your ear hurts? Put a band-aid on it.

I love finding her with things like band-aids in her hair. Hearing her explanation as to why she has, in this case, a band-aid in her hair always amuses me.

Still Christmas

We had our last Christmas celebration with Nate's parents over the MLK holiday. This meant two more sets of gifts to include all the gifts sent in by extended family. They were nearly all wrapped in paper, which Natalie thought was fantastic. I think Christmas is finally over now.

Shoes, "just like Evelyn's" apparently.

More gifts.

And of course Sutton had to get a set of golf clubs for his first Christmas. Here's Daddy and Pops getting his golf bag put together.

More of the Snow

Just when we thought she wouldn't get much play time out of the outdoor toys...

A little slippery, but she didn't mind.

Sutton stayed warm inside, jumping.

He LOVES the jumperoo. And we could watch him jump for hours on end. Too cute.

Since we've no place to go..

It hadn't shown signs of stopping, until today. I kind of like it though.

We do have bushes under all that snow beneath our front porch.

I think it just makes the fire inside that much more delightful. :)

My Babies

As many have either lived through, or heard tell of, parenting 2 small children doesn't make for the easiest of days all the time. No sleep for Mommy, combined with small people who can't rationalize can sometimes be trying. However, because they're both still so small, it makes for some amazing moments. I think the little moments, like when your 7 month old finds your face from across the room and grins and laughs because he just plain likes you or when EVERYTIME we do "2 babies" (carrying them both up the stairs at the same time) all 3 of us smile and giggle (I smile and giggle because they start it), those are the times that get you through. Natalie is the sweetest big sister, always making sure Sutton has a toy or his paci or bringing me a spit rag or changing his diaper when I'm not looking (yep). She loves to be in my lap, reading to me. She "reads" the Bible now, telling me about Adam and Eve and the grody (thanks, Aunt Kassa for the vocab) worm that gave them that apple even though God said No No. She eats nearly anything you put in front of her. She helps clean up without complaining. And she is such a kind Mommy to her baby dolls. It's adorable. I'm tired, but I am blessed. This Mommy job just may be the best gig ever.

p.s. She loves her "Christmas Baby," formerly known as "Purple Crawling Baby."

Pictureless (you'll thank me), but Blogworthy

Natalie just came into the kitchen, looking rather proud of herself, and told me she needed help flushing poop down the potty. We've tried a smidge of potty training here and there, but aren't rushing into anything. So, no, she's not potty trained, and in fact she has been wearing a diaper all day today (somedays we do the dora panties, just for "fun"). She still can't flush the potty all by herself because it's just to tough to do, apparently. I am very grateful for this. As a child, my best friend and I flushed socks down their toilet as they were covered with the makeup we weren't supposed to have been in. We were locked in the bathroom and gettting rid of the evidence. Anyways, I need to focus...I follow her into the bathroom and indeed there is fresh poop in the potty. I asked her where she got the poop and she pointed to the trash can. There lies an open diaper, with skid marks. I start to tell her we don't take old diapers out of the trash, when she interrupts me to say, "It not old, Mommy." I feel her pants-covered bottom, and sure enough, no diaper. The child pooped in her diaper, went to the bathroom, took off her pants and diaper, flushed the poop, threw away the diaper and put her pants back on. Let me say it again, Thank Goodness she can't flush the potty all by herself. Notice, I didn't mention anything about her using baby wipes or toilet paper in any of this. I laughed really hard, and so did she. I know, I know...she's ready to potty train. I tried it this past week and it's just so bothersome. Maybe not as bothersome as finding pants with poop in them, or getting called out of SS to find out she needs more clothes because she peed on her dress. "What? She was wearing a diaper." Apparently she took herself into the little toddler potty room in her class and pulled down tights, diaper and all and tried to go pee while someone else was doing the same. Oh the joys of parenthood.

A True Lady

Listening to her play, I discovered that Natalie was taking her dog garage saling. I think wearing pj's, leggings & heels and knocking on each door individually will definitely help you find better deals.

Cleaning Up after the Holidays

Yum.

Scrub a dub dub, 3 Cousins in the tub

This is the happiest baby I've even seen.

Fish attack on baby brother.

Sutton loves suds.

Just another shot of the happy face.

Jaycee and Natalie

Our niece Jaycee, and her mom and dad, came to KC to spend a week over the holidays with us. Natalie and Jaycee had a lot of fun together.

We just keep getting more and more snow.

Playing We Cheer on the Wii.

Opening more presents.

Crayola Window Markers

Hours of fun.

Welcome to the World

Luke Auston McCallum

Aunt Kassa and Uncle Derek welcomed baby Luke into the world last week. We're excited to get to hold him and love him and return all the spoiling they've given to our kiddos over the last couple of years.

He is a perfect little angel, of course.

Waiting for Luke

We got back to Kansas City at 9:30 monday morning. Aunt Kassa was induced early that morning, so I got the chance to spend the day at the hospital with the rest of the family, waiting for baby Luke to arrive. She was in labor for 27 hours, so Luke wasn't actually born until the next morning. And I thought I might miss it!

We played scrabble to pass the time. The two grandmas played "born" and "soon" one right after the next without even thinking. Wishful thinking.

I thought it was great how Kassa's dad could be found right outside her door at any given time. This was one excited family.

Go Fly a Kite

Preparing the kite for flight.

Who knew Daddy was such a great kite flyer? That kite was HIGH.

In Grandad's arms.

Flying the kite.

That great kite flew for 2 hours while we ate lunch. Grandaddy and Natalie quickly reeled it in with another of Grandad's great ideas.

Coming in.

Got it!

I just love photos that involve Natalie, the ocean and a pier. We miss you, Crystal Pier.