HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I turned 25 today. (And tomorrow I turn 22 weeks pregnant.)

And...I had two handsome guys take me out for oceanfront dining and then a strawberry sundae.

Tomorrow it's a road trip to SC. I am pretty sure it will involve lots of screaming from a restless little boy, but I'm up for it(and hey, that's what earplugs are for!). Besides, all the screaming in the world isn't going to keep me from getting EXCITED about SC. Nope. Bring it on!

Maddox Trivia

andrew maddox

age: 21 months

Some fun facts about my firstborn little guy:

*he eats everything, even feta cheese

*his latest "words of the day:" pink, proud, car go, corn

*he calls his daddy "TaTa" or "TaDa" and we have no idea why (but it's so cute)

*he is 101% mama's boy. Where is Maddox? Find me, and there he'll be!

*he bumps his head on everything imaginable and always laughs about it

*we dance every morning to our song. He expects it.

*he is obsessed with car keys, 4-wheelers and lawn mowers...anything that says vroom really

*he can poop in the potty! (when he wants to)

* tv? He pays ZERO attention to it, but he loves books and stories

*anything musical captivates him

*he mostly looks like his daddy...and acts like his mama

*he gives the sweetest hugs and kisses

*he already "loves" baby Jude...or at least he loves giving him tummy kisses

That's a glimpse of Mr. Maddox.

And I am lucky enough to see him every day and call him mine.

I can't imagine having TWO sweet boys...what fun lies ahead :) (and mischief...)

THE YUMMINESS OF CHILI MAC

I give you: Chili Mac, aka Andrew's favorite meal. I got the recipe from Emeril and if you like lots of spice and calories, it's a hit.

Every week, Andrew would suggest it...so I finally gave in, spent a zillion minutes on the prep work (lots of chopping), was careful not to inhale the simmering jalapenos and onions (made that mistake before), and in the end everything came out perfect. We have lots of leftovers. I think we can eat off this meal for five days at least! Haha, probably not, but that is a LOT of Chili Mac.

I think Maddox gives it a thumbs up!

GONE TO THE BEACH

"Toes in the water, toes in the sand...life is good today."

KEEPING BUSY

I have been slack with this blog lately.

Excuses? #1 I've had a rough time with that awful wicked thing called homesickness. #2 I've been keeping busy.

AND...we had some company!

MiMi and Grandpa came down on Friday. It was MiMi's birthday, so of course we had to celebrate. I think we were all pretty impressed with Angler's - dining on the beach (can't beat that!) and plenty of yummy food.

Having a full house was a great change of pace.

There was always someone to talk to and laugh with...Maddox had plenty of entertainment...and I didn't have to cook dinner for FIVE nights!

We played on the beach (well, I just sat in my chair) and MiMi and Maddox made a hotel chain of mini castles.

On Monday, I went for the big 20-week ultrasound and yes, baby Jude is still a boy! And a healthy boy, too, at 15 oz.

I am so thankful for the family we have and the family that is yet to come.

I hate good-byes. And so does Maddox. I hate living 9 hours away from family and everything familiar. Maybe one day (hopefully soon) I will accept it - better.

In the meantime, I am getting excited about an upcoming visit home!!! I will get to see Jody (who is coming all the way from Afghanistan), celebrate my 25 th birthday and SEE MY FAMILY.

I'm already eyeing the suitcase and making packing lists.

Until then, it's more keeping busy. Cleaning, cooking new things, entertaining a toddler, Target trips, maybe a zoo trip, avoiding snakes, and taking advantage of the beach.

SMILEY FACE

Banana smoothies on the patio + Andrew talking in a funny voice = a smiley baby.

A little smile...

a little bigger...

...yep, there's the chuckle!

The Good, the Bad and the UGLY

Maddox passed out at 6 pm. Like, really passed out - snoring included. If he sticks to his usual habit of waking up in a state of panic 3 hours after being put down, then I better make this post quick so I can brush my teeth and be ready for the "maaamaaaa" wail.

The beginning of the week was great, even though it rained for two days. Poured. But it made the house feel cozy and everyone was in a good mood, so all was ok. The aftermath wasn't so good. My gorgeous roses drowned and nearly all died; I almost picked up a snake; a million frogs suddenly appeared in our tiny backyard; Maddox became a super duper GRUMP. I could go on, but let's stop there.

Good things?

Well...fresh chocolate chip muffins, warm beef stew, a trip to Target that was complete without Maddox saying "down down" once, and a lets-stay-in-the-bed-and-watch-a-whole-movie night while Maddox slept.

Not bad.

Funny stuff?

I attempted potty training with Maddox one morning and it was going so well I thought "Why is this supposed to be hard?" I let him walk around with no diaper, explained the concept to him and then he told me every time he needed to pee. We cheered, threw tp in the potty and flushed. But just when I thought things were going TOO well, I spotted something very nasty on my kitchen floor. #2. Yep.

"That's it, it's back to diapers for today, the next time you'll get my rug."

We'll try again soon.

Chalk and Shaving Cream

This is the finished chalkboard wall in my kitchen! Now, if I can just figure out something more creative to write on it....

Maddox wanted to be like his daddy tonight.

So he got to "shave" like a big boy...or at least cover his face, hair and hands with shaving cream.