madison {isms}

Anything square that looks like a cell phone or camera.

"Cheese, smile Mommy.  Smile Carson.  Cheese"

Turns the object around

"Aaaaahhhhh, so cute.  Good job Carson!"

pic ic on it

Forever I had no idea what she was saying. Madison would hold a blanket up, toss it a few times and then start tearing up saying "pic ic on it.' 

Of course when you write it down, it seems obvious.  She is saying "picnic on it" but at the time the situation would always end up in a crying bout and Mommy helplessly trying to figure out what the problem was.

Now, once a day we have a "pic ic on it" and today it was morning snack time.  Carson, Mommy, Madison and a few choice dolls sit in a circle, pretend laugh {Madison does this on her fake phone as well} and enjoy cheese sticks or goldfish or in this case Mac and Cheese.

These are the moments I hope she remembers and tells her husband or children about. 

"My family was so much fun!  We sat in the middle of the room and had picnics with all my favorite babies."

carson {7 months}

 

Things we have learned about you:

1.) You have thicker thighs then Madison

2.) Your smile melts our hearts every.single.time

3.) You love your little belly tickled and will giggle accordingly

4.) Your head may out weigh Madison's entire body {you just hit the 20 lb mark}

5.) You are the cutest, sweetest, most patient little boy

Solids have been going well. You enjoy baby food more and more every time.  Fruits still rise to the top of favorites but carrots and sweet potatoes have been getting closer and closer.  Peas, well that remains another story.  We tried puffs but for the longest time you would just make that gagging look until I removed the piece.  You have actually started enjoying the hearts {Madison's term for the puffs} a bit more.

 

27 in long

You love watching Madison and even will giggle at her dancing or running around.  Her fits, you just watch the craziness and start playing with her toys.  Unfortunately you have been that observer more and more every week. 

 

 

 

She is very, very sweet to you.  Whenever you start crying she will pat your head or hold your hand while singing Twinkle Twinkle, your favorite.  Although her soothing 2 year old voice does not help everytime, her being near you and touching you does.  I already see the bond between you two and can't wait for more of these moments.

 

 

 

Sweet boy.  I love every moment with you and cherish all the extra cuddle time.  Sometimes I will hold you for a few moments longer or kiss you a few extra times.  You love it as much as I do.

Your daddy will give you a thousand kisses in a row and you giggle and giggle.  I think you do look like daddy sometimes.  Just certain looks. 



You are super ticklish.  On your sides and the center of you chest the giggles explode.  You will even start laughing before I get there. Your laugh is most contagious.  I can't help but laugh right along with you.  Today, we laid on the bed while Madison was sleeping.  I was touching your cheeks and sweeping my thumb across watching you drift in and out of sleep.  Your eyes were heavy.  Your sweet face was relaxed.  Your thumb falling out of you mouth. And yet you still would check every time I stopped to see if I was still there.  This might rank on the sweetest moments list your the two of us.  I get very few of these moments {being you love to fall asleep solo}.

Thank you Lord for picking us.  This little boy has made our family complete!

madison {isms}

We were washing our hands after a successful "pee in the potty."  Madison decides to pick up Ben's electrical razor.

"Hello! Hi!"

~Fake Laugh~

"Mommy, Daddy, Carson, Lucas"

~Fake Laugh~

"Okay, 2 minutes"

~Fake button pushing~

"Love you, bye, bye"

tot school {C}

Letter C

Letter Tracing and Carrot Making

The Carrot was super fun to make, color and put pipe cleaners through.  About 2 minutes after finishing M decided she was over the carrot, ripping it in half!  Children!

Coffee Sensory Bin

Was this a smart decision?  Allowing a child to play was coffee?!?!  Um, I had cheap decaf ;)  This was her FAVORITE!  The soft texture kept her going for a good 20 minutes.  The gigantic mess kept Mommy going for about 40 minutes.

 Letter C Cut out, Coloring, and Cactus Fun

Cat Painting

Clouds ~ Learning to use a toddler scissors

 

 

Pipe Cleaners and a Strainer

Caterpillar Art

I always feel disappointed at the end of the week when we do not get all the activities I had planned done. But after writing the blog I realize how many activities we really do complete. The blog is that reassurance, yes, you did play with your children and no, did not clean the house fanatically the entire time.

madison {isms}

Prepping for lunch.  Madison has chosen a hard boiled egg (very popular choice).

She pulls the egg out of the ziploc bag and holds it up, inspecting it very closely, noticing a crack in one side.

With a very sad face and held tilt...

"Mommy, Humpy Dumpy broken!"

zoo adventure

A very tired Madison and a hungry Carson.  That was how we began our trip into the zoo.  Poor planning is really to blame and determination from the parents did not help the situation.  Maybe if we could just turn around and be home in 20 minutes would I have considered leaving but instead the trip home would be almost an hour.  We just worked hard to arrive here, we are not turning around.

 

At first the excitement was enough to keep a drowsy girl from throwing a tantrum but that only will last so long.  Unfortunately the tantrum happened in the middle of the main entrance of the zoo.  No one even noticed.  Everyone just kept walking.  I never received a disapproving look or a "what kind of parents let their child just scream in the middle of the zoo." 

 

 

Who am I kidding!

 

That is exactly what happened.  There were those few nice parents that gave the understanding nod.  But parents with the infants just looked like "that will never be us, ever."  I wanted to tap them on the shoulder and say, I was you! I was you thinking this would never be me.  My great parenting and soothing, calming negotiation voice would be enough.

 

Not quite.

 

Thankfully, after this minor 2 minute, oh, oops, I meant 20 minute debacle we were off to the zoo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madison found this new friend and they played ring around the rosy.

 

 

 

The zoo was extremely lush.  Lots of trees and greenery surrounded you.

 

 

 

 

The zoo also had this GREAT water park.  Yes, even at the beginning of April the water was on with many kids enjoying the nice cooling off {Sorry CO, SD, MN. You are just going to have to visit!}  Madison was all about running around.  She really had such a great time.  Most of the time she is timid at first {5 minutes} and then jumps right in.

 

 

Even Carson "enjoyed" the fun!

 

 

I mean, what a cute booty!  I could not even get over this.  No diaper {yay! for potty trained!}.

 

Poor little guy.  Carson sat down, enjoyed the very small puddle of rather chilly water and then here comes Madison.  Taking over the situation!

 

 

 

 

He is going to be one tough guy!

 

 

Above is before all the water sprayed from every single direction.  Really.  Up, down and sideways.

 

 

This is after.  Quick recovery thankfully!

 

 

The two sweetest little babies!  I love these fun {and trying} days!!!!

madison {isms}

M: "Hot, Mommy, Hot"

"Yes, baby I know, this car is hot! We need some AC in here!"

M: "ABC in here Mommy!"

easter celebrations

Easter. Easter. Easter.

He is Risen!

What a great way to celebrate such a special holiday with family!

Our day began with a {tardy} Easter Bunny visit.  He was extremely excited to be at the Stewart's door, he even left a few droppings. 

He filled the baskets with too many goodies.  That Easter Bunny REALLY enjoys buying for the cutest kids in Texas!  Carson's basket was filled with tshirts, Toy Story the movie, a book and a couple of toys.  Madison's basket was bursting.  A kite, barbie, coloring books, a Bugs Life the movie, play dress shoes, Peeps {first taste ever!} and finger paint.  Both the kids got a plastic golf club set.  Daddy started practicing with Madison right away!

Grandma and Grandpa spoiled the children {typical grandparent style ;)} and helped with all the fun activities of the day!

 

 

I can't even get over the cuteness of their outfits!  Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Benson for this great Easter present!  Carson looked like he was ready for some golf and Madison was my little Spring Princess!

We enjoyed Easter at the Kemah Boardwalk.  Brunch over looking the ocean and port while basking in the amazing Texas sun!  Who ever thought that is what I would be doing on Easter day.