The flannel

I always thought Luke was one of a kind when he began to tell me that he didn't want to wear a certain shirt at 19 months of age. I specifically remember trying to put a tank top with a big baseball on it on Luke (he loved balls and usually would get excited to wear a shirt with a ball on it.) This particular day however, he threw it down on the ground as I tried to put it on him and said "NO BASEBALL SHIRT!" After this episode, he would often pick out what shirt he wanted, and would refuse MANY clothes. He is still very particular about his clothes to this day. I truly thought this had to be the youngest that a child would be picky about clothes. . . that is until Isaac.

Isaac has been a slow talker, so it is often difficult for me to know exactly what he wants. There was one morning (about 16 1/2 -17 months old) that he started screaming as I was dressing him. I said, "what? what do you want?" It seemed as though he didn't like the clothes I was putting on him, so I began to pick up other clothes that were sitting on the changing table or on the floor, saying "this? . . do you want this? . . . " Until I came to the FLANNEL, when he excitedly began nodding his head up and down and smiling. I thought this was kind of funny, and went ahead and put it on.

The next morning there was no flannel in sight, but as I got him out of his crib, he began to immediately point to his closet. I opened it, and held him closer as he quickly grabbed a flannel that was hanging up in there.

This soon became an every day occurance. It is truly ALL he ever wants to wear, and the first thing he wants to do when he wakes up! One night, I put his PJs on, and then he handed me the flannel. I said, "you wanna wear this OVER your pjs and he said "yes" (he finally started clearly saying "yes"). I DID put it over his pjs simply because our house is very cold and it doesn't hurt to have an extra layer on. (wish I had taken a picture of that night).

I can only get him to wear something else if the flannels are dirty, or nowhere in sight. I'm not sure if these shirts are just super cozy and warm, or if he sees Daddy and Chup-pop wearing them and wants to be like them, but there is no mistaking THAT is what he wants! Babies can be so funny - I love their little personalities!






One day Yitz wanted to wear 4 - yes FOUR flannels all at the same time!!

Christmas 2010

A singing Kangaroo for Isaac from uncle Eric and Auntie K! He loves music so this is perfect for him.


From Chup-pop Andrew got Donatello and Michaelangelo. Luke got Rafael and Master Splinter. BOY DID THEY LOVE THESE!!




A GI Joe for Andrew from Aunt Danielle. Also, a Star Wars Transformer for Luke.


they also got Toy Story pillowcases from Auntie K and Uncle Eric and Star Wars puzzles.


Nana and Grandaddy got little mini video games (cheap ones that they LOVE), a puzzle and Sesame Street workbook for Andrew, a book for Luke, and a talking world Map.

Sick on Christmas

So Christmas Eve I wasn't feeling too well, but thought it was because of my pregnancy. I had taken my prenatal vitamin in the morning when I usually take it in the evening. Sometimes my vitamins make me feel nauseous, so I figured that was all it was.

We went to the children's Christmas Eve service at 4:30, and the plan was to go out to eat in between and then go back to the adult service at 6:30.

While we were sitting in the service, Andrew said, "I'm not hungry at all". This is VERY unusual for Andrew to say since he is ALWAYS hungry, but we figured it was just a fluke. . . until he threw up as we were leaving the church to go get dinner. Fortunately Cathy Skinner and Courtney were there and kind enough to help me clean up the mess.

We then decided that we would just get take out from Boston Market and bring it home. They were extremely crowded, so we went and got McDonalds (since Atlanta bread and Einstein Bagels were already closed). At this point, all I wanted were fries because I still wasn't in the mood to eat.

By the time we got home, Andrew threw up in our grass, and then two more times before going to bed. Luke ate one bite of his cheeseburger and then said he wasn't hungry and wanted to save it for later. Now, I was really starting to feel sick too. What a mess!! And Christmas was the next day!! We had just gotten sick with fevers/flu like symptoms the week before and I even said, "well, at least we're sick the week BEFORE Christmas instead of ON Christmas".

As I was putting the boys to bed, Luke said, "I'm gonna pray all night that I would only be sick tonight and not on Christmas day."

I called Mom and Dad and said we wouldn't be over the next day, even though Eric and kathleen were in from Maine. I later threw up that night too.

The next morning, however everyone was feeling better, but I only felt good if I was lying down. Isaac woke up with a TERRIBLE diahrea diaper that went all over his clothes. It smelled like rotovirus, so I determined that is what we all got. Isaac and Andrew had the vaccines for it, but you can still get a mild case of it even if you have had the vaccine. Luke had it bad when he was 18months old, so he didn't get it this time, and I suppose I didn't have it as a child.

Anyway, the day still turned out great. I had made 2 quiche the day before, and had bought some cinnamon buns, so Max was still able to have his yummy Christmas breakfast. We took our time opening gifts and enjoying one another's company. Later we watched Charlie Brown's Christmas. It was truly a relaxing day.

We postponed our Christmas celebration with everyone else for Monday.

Don't grow up

I was looking at our little boys the other day and watching them play, thinking, I really wish I could freeze time right now, and make them stay this age forever. I love how close Andrew and Luke are, and how Isaac is quickly learning how to be like them, and join in on the action.


It was one of those really great days where they didn't argue with each other, or didn't need anything from me because they were so involved in their world of play.

I love their innocence. I don't want them to be defiled by worldly ideology.

I don't want them to have to face the heartaches and worries of this world that may come their way.

I want them to stay as close to one another as they are right now for the rest of their lives. I dread the day that they could move to separate states and lead separate lives.

I want them to always have the love and affection that they have for us right now. They love to cuddle, and be held and be read to, and play games.

I love that they love to talk - about their fears, joys, toys, new ideas, funny stories. I want these open conversations to last forever.

I love Luke and Andrew's conversations and imaginative play with each other. They are constantly dressing up as Anakin, Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Storm Shadow, and are so creative and elaborate in their stories they come up with. I really wish I had all of these conversations recorded for future listening!

I love that they love to read Bible stories and learn all they can about Jesus.

I love their cute voices, smiles, laughter and excitement about life.

I love their little bodies and how they run, jump, and play.

Of course, I have no idea how their lives will turn out, or what the future may bring, so we have to cherish these days and these times and do our best to bring them up as godly men, and leave the rest in God's hands.

For right now, we are SOO very blessed!

(in the fall, before it got too cold, they would go on the porch every morning and set up their world of animals, ninja turtles, etc.)