Warm Hugs on a Cold Day

Due to various activities it has been a few weeks since Shawn and Landon spent their usual Sunday with Nan and Peeps . Shawn was absolutely thrilled this morning when I told him where we were going! I could tell he wondered why it took so long for me to suggest one of his favorite places. On the way there his poor little eyes were getting so heavy and as I looked at him in the rear view mirror it was obvious he was trying hard to stay awake. He was THAT excited to go to his great-grandparents house! Shawn made it there with no nap... a few french fries in hand... and a warm hug at the door.

And as always, a few pictures from our visit. Enjoy!

"Toot Toot!"

How could I have forgotten how fun the first few months of solids are? I put Landon in a high chair for the first time today. He did really well sitting in it and even better flinging food with the spoon! This photo opportunity was way too good to pass up. My little guy had goop everywhere but in his mouth. I think Mommy had just as much fun as Landon.

After getting Landon down for a short nap it was dinner time for Shawn. He's been doing this "act" where he fake cries and says "I'm sad. I cry." Well, he started this at dinner and he even managed to squeeze out a few real tears. All of a sudden... "Ptthhhppppppppppp!" How could I help but burst into laughter. Shawn looks up at me and starts giggling "Toot!" In all his effort for those tears he surprised himself by that maneuver. "Yes Shawn, you tooted" was all I could say.

Motherhood is wonderful ;)

Vacation in November

It has been a wonderful week so far having Jon home on vacation. Even though November is not the typical vacation season, after this long year, we will take it!

We took this kiddos on a shopping trip today to Toys R Us and to Olive Garden for lunch. It was a nice get-a-way from home. Shawn was so amusing to watch go through the toy store with a little twinkle in his eye! It was a sneaky little way to check off a few things that he'd like for Christmas.

"We'd rather be watching Baby Noah!"

Busy Busy

It has been a very busy and fun weekend here at the Rawlings household. It was wonderful spending some quality family time with Jon's parents, brother/future sister-in-law, and Pap. It was extremely sad to see them all head to their respective homes. The boys had such a fun time with their Aunt and Uncle today. Shawn just adored Uncle Cody. Only one time since Landon was born has Shawn been jealous of someone holding his baby brother. When Landon was born and my mom brought Shawn to the hospital to meet the newest addition Shawn got extremely upset at his MeMe holding another child. The green monster struck again tonight when his precious Uncle Cody was holding Landon. It was a rather cute sight to see ;) And we know that Landon left his mark on Aunt Lynda (or rather a drool stain!) Shawn and Landon are very lucky to have such an awesome Uncle and Aunt :-)

Family Fun!

The sweetest couple!

"Toobeeeee!"

Wow, what a busy past couple days! Yesterday Jon and I took the boys over to his Pap's to say goodbye for the winter. He will be moving down with Jon's parents to South Carolina and return home in the spring.

Shawn certainly stole the show by chasing after Toby (Pap's tubby little dog who Shawn calls Toobee.) I rounded up all the guys outside for a four generations photograph. What a neat picture... The boys Great-Grandfather, Grandfather, and Father all in one shot!

That evening Jon's brother Cody and his girlfriend Lynda came by for a visit and to meet Landon. If I can say one thing, these two will make awesome parents some day. The boys really enjoyed their company. Aunt Lynda was so good with Landon (and all his squirming.) Shawn adored his Uncle Cody (and his beanie hat which he wanted to wear.) After we got the kiddos to bed Lynda and I went out for a girls night... dinner, shopping, and a movie. We had so much fun! Jon and Cody did some catching up and played X-box for the night and ordered in pizza. We really wish they lived closer to us :( Tomorrow they will be heading back home (2 hours away from here) and all of us will be sad to see them go.

The boys... and Toby.

Jackpot!

I wanted to take a few minutes to express how blessed I feel as a mom to have a son like Shawn. Four days before his 2nd birthday he became a big brother. And for the past five months Shawn (as a whole) has been more patient, more kind, and more helpful that I could have ever imagined him to be. Only two times can I recall that he actually was jealous of Landon (or something Landon was doing.) And those two times did not end in a tantrum or a time out. They ended rather comically and we went about our day. Shawn may not want to hold his brother, or shower him with many kisses (most of which are posed). However, he holds a great deal of understanding and consideration for the needs of a five month old baby, a mom running around like a crazed monkey, and the fact that things can wait and it does not need to be "now now now." For two and a half years old I would say that isn't half bad ;) We certainly hit the jackpot with this little guy!

***Now, the next time that I am sitting this wonderful little boy in the 10th time out for the day, I will need to come back here and read this blog.***

Our names have been changed, but we still remain the same.

For the past few days Shawn has decided that Jon and I are no longer "Daddy & Mommy"... we are now "Jon & Ashley."

Jon was upstairs getting ready and I was out in the kitchen and I hear Shawn pitter pattering around (obviously looking for us.) All of a sudden he yells "Don! Ashy!" Then he goes to the door to the upstairs "Dooooon!" And then to the gate at the kitchen... "Aaassshhhyyyy!" I kindly reminded him we are Daddy and Mommy.

Then at dinner time Jon and I were discussing the events of the day and Shawn started whining for something he wasn't allowed to have. I told him "just a minute, Mommy is talking to Daddy." So he looks at me and says "Ashy Ashy!" And once again, we kindly reminded him that I am Mommy, and Jon is Daddy.

I can see why now after all these years my grandmother refers to my grandfather as "Dad." My own mother pulled this trick as a little one and Nan just got into the habit of calling her husband "Dad." Oh the things kids say ;)

(and a few pictures of the kiddos from today... its a shame I can't put my camera down for a day, huh?)