18 Months

JJ actually turned 18 months on Monday, but we had his check-up this morning. He still weighs 30 lbs. (phew!) and is now 34" tall. He is losing his adorable baby fat and looking more and more like a big kid every day. The doctor did say I could start trying to wean him from drinking so much milk (yes, he is still tanking 3 whole gallons a week!) and get him to drink more water. We'll see how this goes...he really doesn't like anything to drink except milk, but Momma will just have to be firm...

Thankfully, the weather this week has turned out to be gorgeous! We have missed the sun around here, and are taking every opportunity we get to soak it up!

What a handsome kid! I just cannot believe he is already 18 months old...where is the time going?

I think the boy and I are going to head out for a walk around town. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

It's a...

...BOY! We were so excited to find out today that Joshua will be getting a baby brother in November!

Baby was very squirmy, but the ultrasound tech still managed to get a few good shots.

Joshua's great-aunt and great-uncle recently gave him this book...we are excited to start reading it to him and get him ready for baby!

This picture doesn't really show how big the belly is, but here we are at 20 weeks...only 20 more to go!

Mike, Joshua and I could not be more thankful for this precious gift from God. We can't wait to meet you, little man!

VBS 2011 & a Visit

Last week our church hosted its annual Vacation Bible School. I took Joshua along with me each morning and he played with the kids while I helped in the kitchen and led the music portion of the day. Mike taught the 5th-6th grade class.

Having a snack with Daddy...ice cream, YUM!

On the last day of VBS, despite the fact that it was only about 60 degrees, the kids got to have a water fight. Joshua loved it!

Miss Val taught him how to use a Super Soaker!

He was so upset when Momma said it was time to come inside and get dry. But when I handed him a cookie, he completely forgot all his troubles!

And I just had to include these...

Wednesday after VBS, completely cashed out after only being home for 10 minutes!

Thursday when we got home, he went and played with his toys for a few minutes, but it got really quiet all of a sudden. I went to check on him and nearly stepped on the poor kid, who had collapsed on the living room floor! On Friday, we brought him home and put him straight to bed and he slept for 3 hours! The week's activities must have really worn him out!

This past weekend we were blessed with a visit from Mike's grandparents and his aunt and uncle. We had such a wonderful time and are so thankful they were able to come!

Hope you all have a happy Monday!

Love and blessings,

M, K & JJ

Sweet Summertime Treat

Yesterday, Joshua got to experience his first ice cream cone as a bedtime snack.

It was so cute to watch him try to figure out how to eat it. First he took a bite out of the top, but then he wasn't sure that was how it worked...

So he tried it this way...

What do you mean that's not how I'm supposed to eat it, Momma?

Oh, fine, I'll try it your way...

I asked him, "Is it delicious?" His response: "Mmmmm, 'lishus!"

Love those chipmunk cheeks!

He ended up eating the cone first, so by the end he was holding a big blob of ice cream and chocolate in his hands.

Best treat ever, Momma!

There was lots of finger licking.

Can I have another?

All done!

He was pretty proud of himself. There was quite a mess to clean up, but I am learning that with this boy, messes will probably be a daily part of life for the next 18 years or so...and I really don't mind that much. :-)

New Toy

Well, another computer crashed and burned on us yesterday (yes, we seriously have the WORST luck with computers!). We have had so many problems with PC's that we finally decided to just bite the bullet and spend a little extra money to get a Mac. We are PRAYING that this computer lasts a LONG time, haha. So far, both Mike and I are having lots of fun playing with figuring out our new toy! This is definitely a toy that will stay far from the reach of small, sticky, curious fingers!

Today was the first day of Vacation Bible School. We had so much fun - Joshua loves chasing the big kids around - but boy, are we pooped! It is going to be a tiring week, I think! But oh well...we're having a great time!

The boy just went down for his nap, which means I have 2-3 hours to either a) take a nap myself or b) get some work done around the house. My brain votes "b", but the rest of me is screaming for option "a." I am thinking the nap might just win out! The work can get done when I wake up. :-)

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Workin' at the Car Wash

Our little guy helping us wash cars today...he was having a lot more fun than Momma and Daddy were!







He won't kiss his own momma, but of course, he'll kiss his reflection on a dirty car...











We ended our busy day with the perfect summer meal...grilled cheeseburgers, fresh sweet corn and watermelon. And for dessert...strawberry shortcake! YUM!

"Gucks"

One of Joshua's favorite activities right now is to play "gucks" (trucks). Big trucks, small trucks, dump trucks, fire trucks, pick-up trucks - he loves them all!



Ramming his "guck" into Momma - he thought this was a riot!



"WARNING: Adult Supervision Required!" Haha, oh so true!

Tough Guy

As all you mommas of little boys know, boo-boo's can be a(n) daily hourly occurrence. Especially if your child is as WILD rough-and-tumble as mine. Today, while I was doing laundry, I heard the blood-curdling cries that usually signify pain. I went to check on J, and he was lying on the living room floor with nothing around him, crying as though he was in the worst pain of his life. I have NO CLUE what he did, but he has this pretty red mark (possibly a rug burn?) as a souvenir.



It actually looks much worse in person than in the pictures...poor little guy. Thankfully, he's pretty tough, and a couple snuggles and kisses later, and he was back to his usual, rambunctious self!



One of the songs I sing to him often is "Jesus Loves Me." Today I sang, "Jesus loves me this I know..." and before I could continue, he said, "Bye-buh" (his word for Bible). I was so excited that he knew what came next in the song! So I tried again. I sang "Yes, Jesus loves me..." and waited, and he said, "Yes!" It is amazing what they pick up at such a young age - it definitely makes me think about my words and actions a LOT - after all, he is watching my every move! What an awesome (and humbling) responsibility we have to raise our children up to be men and women of God. I cannot think of a better vocation!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Love and blessings,
The Hollemans