It's VEGGIE TIME!

Okay, by now, most of you know that my little peanut, Taylen Jae, has not been diggin' the whole "food" experience. She's the first one of my babies who doesn't quite know what to do with the whole process. Trey gobbled it up and grunted like an animal when I didn't scoop it in fast enough, and I'm not exaggerating when I say SCOOP. Ty wasn't quite as vocal as she learned to eat solids, but I definitely had to move quickly to keep up with her as well....so, this has been a totally "new" experience for me. I have a feeling this isn't going to be the only time Miss Tay-Tay moves along to her own beat ;)

I really don't get it because she LOVES watching me stir it up as I get it ready....totally grunts, moans, coos, and waves her arms all around like she just can't take the excitement any longer, but once the cereal hits her lips she just kinda stares at me with that, "What do I do now, Momma?" look.  Of course, I always move my mouth in a chewing and swallowing motion trying to help her along and all she does is break out in a HUGE grin...EVERY time!! And, shortly after the cereal falls onto her bib. It's actually quite comical.

At her 6month check-up the pediatrician said not to worry about the cereal thing and just start trying veggies...so, this evening, while the other two were sound asleep, I decided to try a little sweat pea action....

I took a little video so you all could see for yourself. It went just about as I expected...although I know I actually saw some tongue action and I think she may have even swallowed a few bites this time. Which means that total chowing down is right around the corner....

(Sorry about the video being sideways...I thought I'd figured that out before, but apparently I'm at a loss. Changing the orientation is usually just a matter of one click...but, that button has somehow eluded me tonight..don't get a neck cramp!)

I also got a short little segment of her sitting up...like a big girl. She still needs a little support, but she's sooooo stinkin' close! As you can tell, she's not real excited about being on camera...actually quite somber for her. But...you do get a glimpse of what it is she's always looking around searching for......

And, finally a little of Tay-Tay's 6 month babblin' for ya.....she wasn't really in the mod tonight, but I think there's a little "DaDa" in there for ya.. There are a few times that she's on the verge of bustin' out a hoot or holler, but decides against it...what a cutie!!

I'll be sure to keep you posted on the food thing....I know it's just a matter of time ;) You can do it, Taylen...we're all rooting for ya!!

Night y'all.....Happy Tuesday and here's to a fantastic second half of the week!!!

Neighborhood BBQ time...

Yesterday evening, after we got home from Grampy and Mi-Mi's house by Mark Twain Lake, we headed across to the street, where a few of our new neighbors were getting together. It was nice to meet those we hadn't gotten a chance to meet and put some names with the faces we've been seeing around...

Two of the three kiddos got a nap in on the way home and they were ready to BBQ it up....

Out on our driveway peeking across to the street to see everyone that was gathering....

Ty ready to roll...

Miss Tay-Tay hanging out...LOVE her Popeye face! She's always workin' away on that tooth of hers....

Meeting a few of the kids that live down the street....

All smiles...

What a nice get together and a fun way to spend our Sunday evening and cap off a great weekend!!! We are looking forward to meet those who couldn't make it....

And, after all that neighborhood fun, guess what Trey chose to write about in his journal last night?

Take a look for yourself.....

He definitely enjoyed his weekend....

Fishin' Fun....

was this weekend's theme as I loaded up the kiddos and headed down to Monroe City to visit my dad and step-mom, also known as...Grampy and Mi-Mi, for a fun-filled weekend. The kiddos love hanging with them and it's always a relaxing time....

The 4 hour trip took a little longer with a few bathroom and "find the binky" stops along the way. But, none-the-less, we made it and enjoyed every second.

We were sooo glad to be able to spend Grampy's birthday weekend with him and had fun fishing, boating, laughing, watching movies, eating popcorn, and just having good old face time with each other, which is something that seems to be harder and harder to make happen lately....

Thanks for the weekend, Grampy and Mi-Mi.....

Trey working on his casting skills before heading out in the boat....

Ready to Roar....tackle box and all....he's been keeping that box in a "safe" spot for the past year...all ready to put it to good use!!!

Waiting at the Bait Shop pit stop....

Picking Mommy up from the dock, all ready to head out....(And, I MUST add that backing the boat trailer down the boat ramp was WAY HARDER than I EVER thought it would be. You'd think I'd never driven before. Seriously...a mini-van totally blew by me...backed down, dropped the boat off, and drove back up in the time it took me to scoot back about a foot!!! What a fun experience...one that I need a little work on...okay, a TON of work on!! Thanks, Dad, for trusting me....even though it took up a good 20 minutes of fishin' time ;)

Loving the wind in her face....

Getting the pole ready....

Waiting to see if anyone hauls up the Big One.....

Checking out the Minnows....So. Interesting.

Grampy with the first catch of the day....

Ty had NO problem holding that slimy fishy! Thatta Girl!!

Watching that bobber....wishing it would just go under.....

Tay-Tay back at the house having a ball....her fishin' time will come soon enough :)

The gang heading home....

Thanks a bunch for meeting us....we had a great time and it was soooo good to see you guys. The kiddos and I miss you already!!! Sending LOTS of LOVE!!! 

Nothing Breaks My Heart More Than....

seeing one of my kiddos sick or hurt...that helpless, "I'd do anything to switch spots with you and take your pain away," feeling is just AWFUL!!

Here's a picture that I just snapped of Trey Man, who had to be picked up today from kindergarten (THANK YOU, Grandma Marcia for ALL your help today with Dr. appointments and rides) because his temp got up to 103...

Poor. Fellow.

Hope you get to feeling better soon, Big Guy, and we'll be spending the day together tomorrow getting you all rested up and ready to head back to school.....

You'll be back to normal in no time!!!

((And...a message to those germs....please, feel free to STAY AWAY from the others!))

FALL is in the air....

and it's our most FAVORITE time of the year around the Weite House! Don't get me wrong, we LOVE our summers and holidays too.....but, nothing beats fall weather, falling leaves, opening windows, burning candles, football games, BB Q's, birthdays, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and a long list of many others!! There's just something about this weather and that cool, calm feeling that comes over....

Today, after I picked the kiddos up from school and daycare, we spent a good chunk of time outside riding bikes, walking, and just taking in the GORGEOUS weather....everyone was all smiles!

Trey Man...still working on getting those training wheels off. Is there an age limit for those things?!?!

Tylee girl wearing her favorite bunny sweatshirt (that thankfully still fits her from early Spring) and patiently waiting until she turns 3 in about a month....She knows she's getting a Big Girl Bike and she's PUMPED!

Tay-Tay having a good time and always working on a little tongue action, rubbing on that little tooth of hers....

Having a ball together....

I can't believe they are getting soooooo big!! Where is time going?!?!

Totally makes me slow-down, STOP, and enjoy the SWEET things about life....

The dishes, laundry, vacuuming, and dusting can all wait.....

It's a HALF birthday PARTY!!!

Little Miss Taylen Jae celebrated her 6 month birthday yesterday by laughing, rolling over, drooling, drinking babas, sitting up with support, smiling, smiling, and more smiling!!! What a fun day!!

What a SWEET HEART you are, Taylen Jae!! I cannot believe you, my baby girl, are already SIX months old! You're weighing in at 18 lbs, 27 1/2 inches long, and are obviously growing like a weed. You are still as happy as ever and still don't quite know what to do with rice cereal. It doesn't matter if it thicker, thinner, or flavored with yummy bananas...you just don't want anything to do with it. You continue to crack up at your brother and sister...and ALWAYS are sooooo stinkin' laid back! You have your first tooth coming in...it's a pokin' through!! You're movin' and groovin' and LOVING your stroller rides and Mommy's silly babble talk. You are even starting to make a few sounds that definitely sound like, "Da-Da!" I think I totally know what your first word is going to be....So. Cute.

I LOVE you to pieces and pieces!!!

Happy 6 Month, Sweet Baby Girl!!!

Football. Is. Life.

around the Weite house every fall and this past weekend was a DANDY!!!

The kids and I FINALLY made it over to Jason's varsity football game at East....the weather was absolutely PERFECT and we had a great time. It wasn't quite like Ottumwa's family friendly atmosphere where we were able to take over the hill by the end zone with our blankets, toys, and lawn chairs, but it was still a good bleacher-filled time.

The kiddos were very well behaved (which actually surprised me because I thought for sure we'd have to leave a little early due to long days at school and the lack of naps for the older two...) Trey and Tylee brought along a bag full of toys and had the perfect little "town" set up, complete with a few Smurfs, Rex, Phineas, Ferb, My Little Pony, and two Ben 10 figures...needless to say, it was VERY interesting to listen to them all interacting via two very imaginative little minds and mouths.....

Jason having a blast doing what he loves to do....

Tylee only yelled, "Hi, Daddy!" at least a hundred times. I told her Daddy knew she was cheering for him, but probably couldn't hear a word she was saying. That didn't stop her....she loves her Daddy....Priceless.

Tay-Tay taking it all in...what a sweet baby girl. Not one cry...not even a whimper the entire night!! My little angel! 

My munchkins and Daddy's #1 Fans.....

Even though Daddy's team wasn't able to pull out a victory, the other team we LOVE to cheer for during football season had a HUGE win on Saturday afternoon. The Cyclones don't win too many of the Cy-Hawk match-ups, (which is the game played once a year between the two biggest rivals in the state: the Iowa State Cyclones vs. the University of Iowa Hawkeyes) but Saturday's show down blew all their previous meetings out of the water and was BY FAR the best Iowa/Iowa State game I've ever seen....

We all geared up and headed over to a little BBQ with a few friends to watch the big game. It's always fun watching with Cyclone fans...we were ALWAYS out numbered in Ottumwa...for some reason, almost EVERYONE roots for the Hawkeys in southeast Iowa. But, now that we are smack dab in the middle of the state, things seemed a lot more evenly matched now. The triple over time game was a nail biter......but the kind we LOVE to see.... 

Regardless....we had a ball and couldn't think of a better way to spend a weekend during football season....

I think this was the only play Trey watched of the game...playing outside and jumping on the trampoline was definitely a better time for the kids....

Daddy's little Cyclone....

Go Clones!!!

Looking more like a girl with the bow in her hair ;) Little cutie!!!

Tylee was out...by the time we got home. Football parties are So. Much. Fun. She may not have watched any of the game but at least she knew who won!!!

This will give us bragging rights until next year, which usually isn't the way it goes.

Go East! Go Iowa State! We are looking forward to great seasons.....



What a fabulous weekend....

with my mom.....

It was definitely better than anything the doctor could have ordered and was EXACTLY what I needed ;)

Labor Day Weekend has ALWAYS been a favorite weekend of mine, mainly due to the fact that my birthday is on September 2nd and usually consists of a three day weekend celebration (which I decided on myself many, many years ago). It marks the beginning of my favorite season of all time and, overall, just has sooooo many great memories associated with it.....

This past weekend, my mom, AKA MawMaw Cindy, came up for a little visit that consisted of about four days of the chit-chat and face time that I sooooo needed and was loooooong overdue. The kiddos had an absolute blast with her and she was able to get her grand kid fix in for the time being.

My mom has ALWAYS been nothing but supportive and has ALWAYS taught me to be strong and independent. She's soooo good at being a sounding board and sooooo good at sharing her two cents without telling me what to do and when to do it.

Now that I'm a mother, I'm beginning to see just how selfless of a job it really is. As I continue on with all the trials and tribulations that lie ahead, I can only hope that I'm half the mother to my kids that my mother was, and still is, to me.

So, Mom.....THANKS for the visit and THANKS for knowing exactly what I needed and when I needed it, just like always!!! I love you!!!

(We had such a fabulous weekend that I didn't even get my camera out as much as usual...so, below are the few snapshots I got...and, are rather random!!)

MawMaw Cindy her three little grand-munchkins.....

Taylen loving bath time with MawMaw Cindy....

Tylee taking a little snooze on Friday around 5 PM...there was NO WAY we were having a late movie night without naps. I found her asleep with the baseball...PRICELESS!

The kiddos all ready to bust open Mommy's birthday pinata!!

MawMaw Cindy stayed with the girls on Friday and got the house all decorated while I was at work. Balloons, a birthday banner (pics on her camera), presents, cake, and a pinata!! Coming home Friday after work to kids yelling, "Happy Birthday" was PERFECT!! Thanks, Momma!!!

What a PERFECT Labor Day/Birthday Weekend....

And, I usually don't get this sentimental, but I found the perfect quote to put the final touches on this blog entry....

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.  ~Washington Irving

Love you, Mom, and we already MISS YOU like CrAzY!!