Choo Choo! Liam is TWO! ~ His party

The Saturday after our baby boy turned two, we celebrated with our family and friends. A few months ago, I bought him a pair of train pajamas and that sparked a serious love of locomotives so we decided on a train themed party!

Our plan was to have the party in our backyard since we have a new swing set and recently purchased patio furniture, but because temperatures in the high 90s coupled with serious humidity made it almost unbearable, we decided to have it inside instead. Our guest list was quite large since we had invited everyone thinking we would have outdoor space which mean we were a little cozy to say the least, but having every one here to celebrate Liam was such a blessing.

He was so excited about his party. If you asked him the theme, he would say "Choo Choo!" and that he was turning "two!" and having "cake!"

I had intended to set this up in the backyard, but we made do and had it on the porch to greet our guests as they arrived.

I never got to take a picture of the food table, but we dined on pulled pork sandwiches, sloppy joes, chips and dip, veggies and fruit, cheese and crackers, and my Mom Mom's famous "coale" (spelled that why because that's her last name!) slaw. 

It's not an easy task being both the photographer and the hostess! I feel like I missed so many important pictures.

I was happy with how the cake table and backdrop turned out though! The vintage maps added interest and the same clock we used in our engagement photos was a great addition to the faux mantle. 

I made the TWO banner from the pages of an adorable book I happened upon for three dollars! I made a longer version, too, and hung it between the living room and dining room, but I didn't photograph it! 

The names of the trains were an ode to our boy and to the town and state we live in! 

The cake ended up being smaller and not as detailed as I had planned due to time management issues, but it was yummy and Liam loved it so that's all that matters! 

For favors, we gave bags of coal which were really yummy rice krispy treats that looked like coal but tasted much better! :) Each child that attended also got a train whistle! 

Since it was so cheap, I purchased another copy of the C is for Caboose book I used for the banners and had our guests sign it as a keepsake for the birthday boy!

I displayed his train pictures on an old pallet and added a vintage suitcase and lantern to complete the look!

He was so happy to be sung to and loved blowing out his candles with a little help, or maybe a lot of help from Sissy.

Oh, I just love this sequence of pictures! My babies are so precious to me! And to be blessed with another year with them is just that, an incredible blessing.

These next pictures are blurry because he was so thrilled when he blew them out! 

Londyn Grace was, too! 

After cake, it was time for presents.

Of course, Sissy needed to help with that as well. I pray they are always by each other's sides for the big and small moments of life. Their bond is such a gift! 

He was spoiled with lots of trains, trucks and other neat toys. Pop Pop and Mimi got him the ride on Thomas train! 

And Grandpap and Grammy gifted him this cool Amish crafted racetrack. 

We never got a family picture taken, but I'm glad we have this picture of Mama and her baby boy on his party day! 

It was a great day reminiscing on the last two years with our Bubby boy!

Parties are so much fun and give us an excuse to have our family make the 3 hour drive to spend the day in Jersey and also to fellowship with our church family!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of our Liam! 

Liam is TWO years old!

Oh, sweet boy! You turned two on August 9th! Time seemed to go so much faster the second time around! I can't believe how big you are getting.

Over the last six months, since your 18 month update, you have grown like a weed. The pediatrician was shocked to find you had gained over 5 pounds and grew 4.5 inches taller in just six months! You are still on the small side based on the percentile chart, but that amount of growth is huge! You now weigh 25 pounds and measure 35 inches tall. You just moved into a size 7 shoe which is the size Sissy was wearing last summer! You're a whole year ahead of where she was in shoe size! You're wearing mostly 2T clothes. Shortalls and bubbles will keep you looking little and sweet a little longer so that's what your wardrobe consists of for the most part!

Your appetite has definitely increased hence the crazy growth! You aren't picky at all, and are my fruit lover for sure! You'd choose grapes or blueberries for a snack over most anything else! You take after Daddy in that department! You usually ask for seconds of whatever is being served at most mealtimes. You also love cheese, and will take my hand and ask to walk to the kitchen several times a day so I will get you a piece from the fridge!

Nursing has been a part of our life for 25 months now! {Four years straight for me since Londyn Grace didn't wean before you was born} I only allow you to nurse or have "BB" as you calls it at naptime and bedtime, but you do still ask for it at other times during the day. I need to let Daddy start doing bedtime, but I just can't give up such a sweet time with my baby boy, yet!

We just started potty training. You like to sit on the potty, but haven't gotten the going in it part down yet! :) We will keep working. Once that's accomplish, I will work on the weaning! You look so cute in your big boy underwear! And yes, I know you won't like that I felt that way in a few years! :)

You are just the sweetest thing. I had forgotten how much fun the age of two is! You give the best hugs and kisses! I'm so excited to see you in your big brother role! You love your little cousins and the babies in the church nursery so I know you are going to adore your baby brother or sister! Londyn Grace is still your favorite! The bond you two share is just precious, and I pray you never lose it! She is responsible for the smiles in these pictures!

Trains, tractors and trucks are on your list of favorites! You will sit on Pop Pop's lawn mower for hours on end. You are still obsessed with balls! You love watching Paw Patrol on tv and sing the theme song in cutest voice ever! You can name all of the puppies and are constantly asking to watch it, usually adding "Please, Mommy!" so I'll be sure to turn it on for you!

Your vocabulary has just exploded over the last few weeks. I couldn't even count the number of words you say now! I love hearing you talk and seeing more of who you are as you express yourself better. If we ask you what your name is, your reply is "Bubba!" which we do call you more often than not! You also respond to Bubby and Brother. We really should start using your actual name! Your little Jersey accent is the absolute best! The way you say "car" and "c'mon!" is so cute! You are super polite and are always saying, "Thank you, Mommy!" and "Please, Mommy!" and "Excuse Me!" I love it!

You can identify colors, like to count to ten with Sissy, and watch her play ABCmouse.com which I know is helping you learn.

You are finally sleeping through the night and take a good 2 hour nap each afternoon. You are my early riser, usually awake around 7 AM. Some days you can't make it until after lunch and end up napping first and eating a late lunch when you wake up around 2:00!

Every time I write one of these posts, I alway feel like I'm missing so much. There's so much I want to remember about you at two years old! 

We had a train themed party this year, so we took your birthday portraits at the local railroad museum! I thought you'd be blown away by the trains, but you ended up being more interested in the rocks! :)

We are so thankful for you! 

Watching you grow and experience what it's like to have a son has just been the best! 

I know that these are my last few months with you as the baby of the family, but to me, you will always be my sweet baby boy! 

The Lord gave us such a gift when He blessed us with you! 

Happy TWO, Bubby!

As Summer Slips Away...

Wow. Over two months have passed since I began this season with intentions to blog about all of the fun things we were going to do and yet I'm just finding the time {and energy!} to update! We did almost all of the things we had on our bucket list {and hope to cross the final few off in the next week or two!} so I have A LOT to post, but I thought I'd better get this posted in case there is anyone who is still reading here who doesn't follow me on Instagram {where I am active daily}.


In mid-July,  Londyn Grace started teaching her little brother a thing or two about being an older sibling...

So that's the biggest reason I haven't had much energy to do much of anything, but we were praying that this might be a part of our summer excitement so we were thrilled to find out that our third blessing is on the way!

I am ten weeks, 4 days today! We had our first peek at him/her at 8 weeks 3 days. The heart rate was 169 beats per minute then, and yesterday, at the midwife's office, it was 172 beats per minute.

Londyn Grace is so excited. Being almost four years old this time versus just over one when we found out we were expecting Liam, she is so into it.  Liam loves to copy Sissy and kiss Mama's belly, too. He says "Goodnight, Baby" each night before he goes to sleep!

My due date is March 24, 2017! 

We are looking forward to a new little chick in early Spring! 

Ice Cold Lemonade

Since we planned to have a yard sale to make a few dollars for our upcoming vacation,  I thought it would be fun for Londyn Grace to make a little cash for the trip, too.

She loves being in the kitchen so she was super excited to make lemonade for her stand.

Daddy helped her squeeze the lemons on Friday evening while I rocked Bubby to sleep. When they finished, she brought a cup upstairs for me to try! It was so yummy, but her excitement over it was even sweeter! As she drifted off to sleep, she told me again how she couldn't wait until morning!

When she woke up bright and early on Saturday, she was raring to go! Daniel decided to take Liam with him on visitation so we could focus on the yard sale and lemonade selling, things a busy almost two year old boy wouldn't find super exciting, so it was just me and my firstborn for the day.

She provided entertainment free of charge while we waited for customers. Such a silly girl!

We started the day with her table up in the driveway, but it was hard to be seen by people driving by. I suggested we should go down to the sidewalk to advertise!

I never want to forget how precious she was waving her lemons and yelling "Ice Cold Lemonade!" or how she replied "No! You're my Mama! You don't have to pay for it!" when I asked her if I could buy a cup! 

I'm pretty sure she drank her weight in the sugary liquid so much so that she wasn't hungry for lunch!

She was such a hard worker though and stayed at her table all day! Between stirring the lemonade and counting her profits, she stayed busy!

She learned about George Washington and Abe Lincoln, too!

She had so many sweet customers! Some of our church friends stopped by, and she loved serving them! One man who made a u-turn when he heard her advertising gave her a $5 bill and told her to keep the change for all her hard work! Another bought a second cup since his first was so tasty! And her personal favorite was an older gentleman who shared a name with the mouse at Disney World!

I love this picture of her pretending to be sad when we had a lull in business for awhile and several cars passed without stopping! 

It took a lot of convincing to get her to close up shop for the day, but when all was said and done, she had made $21 dollars! Lot of people gave her way more than the 50 cent asking price!

She had so much fun, and we made the best memories!

She sure missed her Brother though! I think it was the longest they have ever been apart! 

She was so excited to see him coming up the street!

Daddy delighted her with his juggling skills!

So we can now cross "Have a Lemonade Stand" off of our Summer Bucket List, but if a certain pigtailed little girl has her way, I'm almost sure we'll be having another before the season ends!

Sweet Summertime

I can hardly believe it's June already! This year is flying by and since we don't have any one in school yet here and don't have to wait for the last day of classes, our Summer officially begins on Memorial Day!

We are looking forward to an exciting Summer ahead! This is the first Summer that we have two walkers who are old enough to enjoy all of the activities and a mama who isn't expecting so she can ride rides at amusement parks and for the most part have the energy to keep up with them while they do so!

This past Monday, we crossed off an item on our Summertime Bucket List. Mondays are always our favorite because Daddy is home with us, but they are extra special when we plan a fun activity to do together. Late last week, I saw an advertisement for strawberry picking at the farm where we go in the Fall for pumpkin picking. When I mentioned it to Daniel, he agreed that it would be fun to go!

We live about 35-40 minutes from the farm so we got up early, grabbed breakfast on the go, and headed out to Chester.

Londyn Grace was excited to pick strawberries, and Liam couldn't wait to see the tractor!

It's wasn't too busy when we arrived except for a few school groups so we were able to get right on the hayride to take us out to the fields!

But the cows caught their attention first so Daddy purchased some feed, and they enjoyed letting the animals eat from their hands.

The berry patch is pretty far from the main entrance so we had a good bit of time to feel the breeze and look around the farm at the other produce they are growing while we rode the hayride.

Bubby just kept ooing and ahhing over the tractor! 

When we got to the field, Daddy showed him how to pick the berries. Watching him lift the leaves and look for them while saying "berries" over and over again was so precious! 

Londyn Grace didn't need lessons, she just got right to work! 

I just love this capture of my sweet girl! She was so proud of her pickings!

Liam enjoyed it, too, but had a hard time with not eating them until we paid!

Daddy and Goosey worked hard filling our baskets.

I think she would've picked for hours if we let her. She absolutely loved it!

I'm so glad Daddy snapped this picture of me with my girl! Brother wasn't wanting his picture taken at this point so we just did one with Londyn Grace! I don't have the chance to be in front of the camera often so I love getting to be in the shot with my babies!

Once we filled our baskets, it was time to head back to the barn to pay for our bounty.

Londyn Grace loved the baby ones! 

After the ride back from the fields, Daddy paid for our strawberries while we looked at more animals and climbed on the hay mountain! 

On our way home, Daddy suggested lunch at Cracker Barrel which made our pancake lovers super happy! 

After a few phone calls to my Mom Mom back in Maryland, Londyn Grace and I canned six successful jars of jelly on Tuesday. Before it even cooled, we enjoyed it's sweet flavor straight off of the spoon! 

She has loved sharing it with family and friends and has already asked to make more.

It was the perfect beginning to what is sure to be a sweet sweet summertime of memory making with our little family!