The Jolliff Family

I am attemping to post a video of Andrew creeping around... I'm having trouble. But! As soon as I get it, I will post it:) Happy Wednesday!

Andrew turned 8 months old today! We celebrated by going to Monkey Joe's, though I have no pictures to prove it:) This photoshoot business will make a guy thirsty!! And again, the sign is a challenge this month. So, I taped it above his head like my cousin Amy suggested and he wasn't a big fan of that:) I think this picture is funny and he looks so big!! Andrew at 8 Months: He has his two lower front teeth. He can army crawl around to what he wants (video coming soon!) He loves his brother and watches everything he does. He nurses about every 3.5-4 hours. He eats three meals a day and enjoys snacks along the way:) He is sleeping through the night and takes two naps a day. He enjoys bathtime and swinging in the swing. He is a charmer and sweetheart. Happy 8 Month Birthday, Baby Boy!!

As I sit here tonight, I am exhausted!! Not only physically tired but mentally as many things are running through my mind. I sit in the quiet of the house absorbing and pondering all that Hap and I have learned over the last few days during our Missions Expo. We left of Thursday for Louisville to attend and left the boys at home in the capable hands of my dad. It wasn't easy leaving, especially since this was the first time leaving Andrew and he is still nursing. All went well on the home front which made it easier for Hap and I to be away. At the expo, we learned about this specific organizations strategy, mission and vision. It was powerful! We also had an interview and small group interactions with other applicants. There are many people and few jobs due to decreased financial giving. We left excited about going and serving overseas in an effort share the name of Jesus with those who have never heard, not once. For us, the next step is waiting to hear from the organiza...

Today we went to the Children's Museum with our old neighbors (who now live in Ft. Wayne) Heidi, Aaron and Samatha. Aaron and Sam are only five days apart. We had a great time and especially enjoyed the Bob the Builder part! Sam continually loves the trains and is trying to get a good look at this one:) The Bob the Builder exhibit is temporary, so we are trying to get the most out of it that we can. He enjoyed it today more than he did the last time. It's fun to watch him do and discover new things each time! Andrew enjoyed himself too, especially now that he can scoot over to the things he wants. We really did have a good time... this picture doesn't do our fun justice hahaha! Sam and Aaron saddled up together for the pony ride and had a blast doing it! And the slide is back!! whoo hoo. Long line, but worth the wait! Tonight when we arrived home from church there was a package addressed to Sam and Andrew. Andrew received some rompers from the coldest place Uncle N...

Well, I think I am finally feeling better thankfully!! No more throat pain but I am still really wiped out! Thursday I spent all day in bed except to feed Andrew and make a bowl of Chicken Noodle Soup. Friday thanks to Susan, I was able to sleep all morning and into the afternoon. On Saturday, I napped all morning and got going in the afternoon. Carl and Jessica (Papa and Grandma) came over on Saturday afternoon to spend some time with us. Sam enjoyed playing farm with a true farmer and Andrew warmed up nicely!! We had a great time, though I don't have any pictures to prove it. I meant to get a picture of the boys with Carl and Hap yesterday at church, but forgot my camera!! Today, it rained and rained all day. After play group we just hung around the house. Sam lined up all his tractors and trucks and said he was making a truck choo choo!! I absolutely love this stage in his life. He is really getting into imaginative play and plays so intently with his toys. I know I say it all ...

Yesterday we headed downtown for the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It was a fun parade, with lots of candy, marching bands, politicians and floats!! We went down with two friends from work and the Jablonski's. It ended up being 7 boys to 1 girl!! We had a great spot on the curb and will want to do it again next year. Happy Day-After St. Patrick's Day! I came home from the parade not feeling well and went to the immediate care after church and found out I have strep throat... boooooo!! I got some antibiotics and hope to be feeling well in the next few days (or tomorrow!!!!!) Happy Thursday All:)

Well, I guess I'm back! I have been slacking in the posting. We have been busy, from going to the zoo, working, meeting friends for lunch, and spending time with the fam, so I just haven't had the energy to blog! Anyway, my little blogging vacation is over and I have lots to write about and lots of pictures to share:) I try to get out and do something different and fun with the boys once a week. It is just nice to get out of the house and take advantage of what this city has to offer. So, last week the Jablonski's and us went to the zoo together. We go often, but it is always fun for Sam when his buddies Micah and Lucas are around too!! The Jablonski's are moving in almost six weeks and I can't say how heartbreaking that is for me to think about. Susan has meant so much to us, not only as a friend, but as a caretaker for Sam. Her boys are Sam's best friends and he always asks for them when we go to church or when we go anywhere for that matter. And well, Hap is...

Well, I've really got nothin' tonight. Only that Sam told me today on the way to church that "me want girls to come to my house!" Huh... What's a mom to do? Hopefully I'll get out of my blogging funk and get some pictures up here soon.

Andrew had his first taste of Animal Crackers and he LOVES them:) Man, I'm sure smitten about the little boy with the blue eyes!!!

This weekend didn't turn out exactly as I had thought but that's fine. On Saturday, the two little ones and I planned on meeting my mom half way for lunch. We headed to Aldi's first to pick up some milk. Sam had been fussy and grumpy but I thought he was just tired. Well, we walked into Aldi's and he threw up. In his hands, which immediately went to his hair and his vest, then in an attempt to stop it from going everywhere it ended up in my hands. Well, I didn't have anything to clean my hands up with but thankfully a sweet old lady emptied her purse out and gave me napkins and kleenex. I was very thankful and had a mothering rite of passage right there in Aldi's:) He obviously chilled out the rest of the day and seems to be better today! Andrew was feeling good and somehow managed to roll and scoot himself over to Sam's backhoe while I was tending to Sam! Yesterday was nice here, but we didn't venture out since Sam was still sickly. But today,...

Doubtful, but it certainly feels like it today in Indy. The sun is shining and it is beautiful, so we made a last minute decision to head to the zoo after we went to the gym this morning. Sam was so excited and could hardly wait to see the giraffes. Unfortunately , many of the animals were not out because it is still cool but he had a great time running around! One funny story from today- As we were getting ready to leave, I told Sam we would need to go potty before we got in the car. He was a few steps behind me and so I turned around to push the stroller. A couple planning their wedding with a staff member of the zoo looked at me and started laughing. I turned around and Sam had pulled him pants and underwear down and was going potty right there, in the middle of the path!! ha ha ... I had to inform the couple that he would be an extra charge if they wanted that during their reception!! I was laughing so hard and Sam was proud of himself for doing it by himself!! Just another day...

Last week, the two little boys and I headed back to Illinois for the weekend. We hadn't been back for almost three months, so we were due a trip and of course we had a great time! On Friday, my mom was off work so the four of us headed to Fairview for some shopping and Monkey Joe's. Monkey Joe's is an indoor blow up play area for kids. Sam had a great time jumping and running around. He even braved some of the bigger slides (which I don't have a picture of because I was couldn't see him until he appeared at the bottom!!) and I am sure next time will be even more brave. I don't know who the random lady in the background of this picture is, but it wasn't busy which was another nice thing. I think Sam is attemping to take down Monkey Joe in this picture!! He fell in love with this car and even let Andrew in his cool ride with him! Andrew had a great time too playing. It is all soft, so he was able to roll around and practice trying to crawl! On Saturday,we he...

Well, it's finally finished and Sam has a new look to his room! We are so thrilled with how it turned out and Sam seems to enjoy Lightning McQueen on his walls and his increased floor space! We had a hard time deciding how to decorate it and what color to put on the wall, but we decided it is a kid's room and so let's make it one! And we did and it turned out better than I thought. So take a look around yourself... This is looking in from his door. We moved all his clothes into his closet and moved out the dresser so that he would have more floor space. He is loving having his basketball goal in his room and my dad rigged it so that it can be higher! We kept his bedspread but I repainted his boxes and stars and made a new curtain and pillows to match. All his toys are tucked away for him to play with and the cow pictures are gracing that side of the room. And Sam's favorite part, his Cars posters. Pre-kids I would have never thought about doing a room like thi...