The Jolliff Family

Andrew is 9 months old today. Dare I say it... I can't believe how fast it has gone:) But it's true. We love him and can't imagine a day without him!! His Stats: Weight- 18lb 1oz Height- 28inches Head- 45.5inches Andrew at 9 Months: He eats 3 meals a day, about 1 snack and nurses 4 times a day. He likes apples and chicken, peas and sweet potatoes but not carrots. He really likes snacking on Cheerios. He sleeps around 11 hours a night. He takes 2 naps, usually a longer one in the afternoon. He is crawling everywhere and particularly loves to crawl to Sam's toys:) He is pulling up on whatever he can. He thinks his brother is hilarious and laughs at him lots during the day. He currently has a double ear infection (notice the yuck on his nose!) He too loves to be outside. He is wearing size 3 diapers. He is wearing 9-12 month clothes. He babbles lots and started saying "da da da da" this week. He is a joy and a blessing to me, Hap and Sam everyday!!

Earlier in the month Hap and I were looking for the kids suntan lotion, we couldn't find it. However, Sam found it today during rest time in his room. This was after he was caught and before a bath... so pathetic!! And here in the damage on his room. It really was mainly on him, just a little on the carpet and wall by the door. I think he was trying to get out but the handle was too greased up haha! I can't say I was too mad about it, just annoyed that it seemingly bleached the carpet, but man it sure does smell good in his room:) Happy Tuesday!!

Sometimes it just hits me, I am so blessed. It's usually nothing big that is going on, just the everyday moments that make me so thankful that God has chosen me to be Hap's wife and a mommy to my sweet boys. Today my heart was blessed when: Andrew was belly laughing watching his brother jump around. Sam loving on his brother, rough at times but love none the less! I was able to cuddle Andrew during a restless nap. Hearing Andrew start to babble "da da da da da" for the first time. Watching both boys face light up when they see daddy pull into the drive way. Hap helped with dinner tonight when Will and Katie came over. Hearing Sam's giggles from the other room during bath time with daddy. Hearing Sam say "me love you" before going to sleep tonight. I hope you too are finding everyday moments to savor, enjoy and thank God for! "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High." Psalm 92:1

Today we celebrated Caleb's 1st birthday down on the farm style!! Susan made some darling cupcakes and Caleb was as charming as ever. He was hesitent at first with his cupcake, but caught on fast and even licked the plate:) The Birthday Boy! And all five boys one more time. The Jablonski's move this week to their new town and we were able to get a picture of those boys together! Look at those five charmers, Susan and I wouldn't trade any of those boys for anything! Happy Birthday sweet Caleb! May God grow you a man who fears Him and loves Him with your whole life! We love you:)

Since this is my "scrapbook" of sorts and will be printed off for remembrance, I had to post these pictures. Also, I am so proud of Sam and how much he loves school. He is enjoying learning new things, being with friends and doing crafts. So here is his craft from this week and last. They are learning about caterpillars and butterflies. Last week they made a caterpillar, you see it peeking out?! Last Thursday they learned about cocoons and they put their caterpillars in the cocoon. Over the weekend, the caterpillar chewed his way out of his cocoon and became a beautiful butterfly. I love it:)

Yep, you read it right... I have been decluttering the kitchen and the two hall closets. It is amazing how much stuff you can accumulate in just a short amount of time and how cluttered everything gets. I'm even embarrassed to show you some of the before pictures, but definately not of the after pictures. This all came about last week when my dear friend Susan stated she was decluttering so I thought I would join her in the efforts. (The before pictures are on top and the after pictures are on bottom) Here is one of our kitchen cabinets. While I didn't get rid of much here, I just reorganized. Our sippy cup collection has become impressive and out of control, so they were sorted through and some tossed if they were old. This cabinet is impressive. This is our spice/baking needs cabinets. It was wild in there!! Some of the spices I am embarrassed to say expired in 2006. YUCK, my apologies if you have eaten here since 2006 because I know I have used them. I also moved our medici...

Today we headed down to beautiful Southern Indiana to Courtney and Logan's farm to see their "kids". Well, their sheep and pig kids. Sam had a blast, of course! He was unsure at first, but Courtney let him feed the pigs marshmallows (who knew) and pet the lambs. After Logan arrived home, we let the lambs out and Sam led one around. Well, actually, who led who? He also helped Logan feed all five pigs, the two sheep and the pony. They also rode the mule to see the cows and fed them. He had a wonderful time and we will have to go visit their farm again! Thanks Logan and Courtney we had a great time. Including the close call with the manure:)

Here are a few pictures from before church yesterday morning. I am a day behind with pictures, but this should catch me up! Andrew loves to sit on his knees and play. It's so cute (or at least his mommy thinks so!!)

For some reason, blogger is mad at me and wouldn't let me post these pictures on that last post. But whatever and here is our pictures from our afternoon yesterday. After the Luncheon, my mom and I picked up Sam, who was with Hap, and headed to a wonderful park called Cox-Hill Park. There aren't swing and slides, but a pretend town that Sam enjoyed playing in. He went to jail, he kicked the pigs out of the barn and he sold me some milk at the General Store:) It was windy, but fun. 2 of my 3 guys:) Mama and Andrew The best we could do. I took about 15 pictures and here we go. They love being brothers. Happy Sunday and look for some more posts this week as we have lots going on!!

Yesterday was the Komen Race for the Cure and it was my first time participating. It was awesome, with over 41,000 participants! It was powerful to see so many survivors yet also to see so many people running in memory of loved ones. After running, the women's committee put on a Pink Luncheon. It was wondeful, with all pink food. I think all the women + Andrew enjoyed their time:) Amanda and I ran together, plus Sarah who wasn't at the Luncheon. We had a great time and are looking forward to a triple date with the Jablonski's for Run with a Mission:)

Ok, I finally got it... but it isn't perfect. To get the video go to 3:16 on the minute maker and the video will start, I don't know what happened before that with the music. But enjoy! We had a nice time in Illinois last weekend. We went to Patoka on Thursday and spent Thursday and Friday there. Sam enjoyed all the cows and the riding equipment. Andrew enjoyed the outdoors as well and playing inside with his cousins:) On Saturday, we headed over to Salem and spent the day there. My Uncle Carol, Aunt Mary and their grandson Hunter were there along with my brother who was in town. Sam had a great time being outdoors again and playing with Uncle Nathan! Enjoy the video, it's long, and remember to go forward to minute 3:16, unless you just want to hear a song:)

Ok, so while you wait patiently on the pictures from the weekend, here are some pictures of Andrew today and his newest trick! He crawled over and pushed up on his knees... Pulling a little harder... And voila', he is standing! "Look Ma... only one hand!" He pulled up all by himself yesterday and I thought it was just beginners luck, but it looks like he's got it:) My little boy is growing fast!!

We went back to Illinois on Thursday. We came back home on Saturday. I took 110 pictures during that time frame. It might be a few days:)

I am loving this weather!! Having the windows opened and feeling the gentle breeze blowing. The coolness of the morning and the warm evenings. The sun shining with no humidity. Oh, it's just great. I try and get the boys out to do something a few times a week and so today we went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Lilly House. It is free and beautiful. We packed a picnic and headed there after school and the gym. Sam enjoyed riding his tricycle and Andrew enjoyed eating the grass he was crawling in:) Sam had a fun time watching the fountain and feeling the mist blow on him. It was fun to watch him! Most days Andrew is fine with me being out of his sight but not today. I had loads of laundry to do, so I just let him help me and he thought it was funny! I love my boys and I love spending spring with them!

What a great Easter Sunday we have had!! It started off with the boys opening their Easter baskets. Sam received a baseball glove, movie and shirt. He also recieved a Lightening McQueen car which he wanted to take to church with him. Andrew received a new cup and some snacks. Obviously, the goodies get better the older the kid gets:) We had two worship services today and I worked in the nursery the first hour. Andrew and Caleb looked so sweet in their sweater vests, I just had to get a picture!! Here are my two cuties. This is the best I could do today after church. I didn't get a picture of the four of us like I wanted (of course!), but these are the better looking two of our family anyway:) After church we met Ben and Mandy for lunch. I have cooked for us the last two years, but this year we opted for a resturant. The place we were going to go was closed, so we headed next door to Steak 'n Shake. It was great fun with them, as always, but I think we are still waiting for ou...