three.

Three. I cannot believe it has been three years since you were first placed in my arms. December 13, 2012 was one of the best days of my life; the day you made my a mommy. You are a precious gift, my son. You truly bring your daddy and me so much joy and laughter. Sometimes I look at you and think that my heart may burst into a billion tiny pieces.

If it has wheels or tracks, you're enamored. You are entranced by cartoons—Paw Patrol, Blaze and the Monster Machines, Team Umizoomi. But, if I would let you play outside all day, you would. You are perfectly content playing by yourself, sometimes you prefer it. You love your mama good and think that your daddy hung the moon. You still test your limits, but are quick to say sorry. You say the darndest things. You're such a funny little guy. And boy, are you smart, sensitive, loving, inquisitive, silly, timid, and courageous. You are the best part of me and I am so thankful you are mine. John Brooks, happy birthday. I love you. XO.

homewood christmas parade.

Last night, we drove the Bad Boy Buggy downtown to watch the Homewood Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Since we missed the lighting of the Homewood Star this year, due to crummy weather, we wanted to get a taste of our city's Christmas spirit…and see Santa Claus!

We ran into our buddies, Goocher and Gray, and watched from the sidelines as dancers, the Homewood High School Marching Band, firetrucks, monster trucks, and floats passed by, throwing out candy and beads. It was such a fun night!

'Tis the Season!

piggies.

AB's first pigtails:

I die.

brooks says.

While playing outside…
B: [With a serious face] "Look at that rain cloud far away."
L: "Uh oh. Is it going to rain?"
B: [Shakes head] "No, it's not going to rain. The sun is out!"
Ok, thank you, weatherman Brooks.

I opened the trunk to my car and noticed that there were boxes upon boxes of tile still there that John was supposed to get several days ago. I have asked him at least five times for him to get it out. So when I caught sight of it, I mumbled under my breath while putting Brooks in the car seat…
L: "Ooh, I'm so mad."
B: "Got be happy, Mommy!"

Picking at his cheek in his car seat…
B: "Get lunch off!" It was breakfast.
L: "Ok, buddy. I will wipe it off when we get to the store."
B: [Pointing to my center console where I keep spare wipes] "In there!"

While watching America's Funniest Home Videos and eating dinner in the den as a family, a segment on kids' reactions to pregnancies came on... 
J: "Brooks, do you want Mommy to have another baby?
B: [Poking at both of my boobs] "Mommy has two babies in der!"

While driving with one hand on the wheel…
B: "You have drive with two hands!" [Complete with hand gestures]
L: [Put both hands on the wheel]
B: "There you go."

Got a smoothie for Brooks at Costco…
L: "Can Mommy have some?"
B: "Sure you can!"

After eating breakfast he was sitting with his hands out and demanded…
B: "Wipe me up!"
L: "Excuse me? Wipe me up, please?"
B: "I don't like them!"
L: "You don't like what?"
B: "Oranges." [Even though he devoured them]
L: "You just don't like that they make you sticky? Because it looks like you enjoyed them; you ate all of them! Did they taste good?"
B: "They did, Mommy."
L: [Broooks runs off and I pick up his plate and say] "Good job, buddy!"
B: [From the den] "Good job, Mommy!"

Brooks learned how to sing "God our Father" at school. He now asks to sing it throughout the day…
B: Let's sing Fod our Gotter!"

While playing catch in the front yard…
B: [Out of the blue] "I got a penis!!!"

After an afternoon at the hunting club with John…
J: "Did you see any deer, Bubba?
B: "I didn't. Mommy, did you see any?"
L: "I sure didn't."
B: "Say 'no sir,' Mommy."

Handed him my chapstick…
B: "Hey! I love this! It's sooo cute."

Headed to the hospital to meet Charlie…
L: "Do you want Mommy to have another baby?"
B: [Pauses, thinks for a second] "You already have one, Mommy."

Going number two with Daddy (as in Daddy was keeping him company)…
B: [Looking down, face red, poops] "Daddy! Did you hear it go kapluke?!"

…'Til next time!

iron bowl.

Annie says, "War Eagle!" 

gobble.

I could seriously gobble these two babies up…

We are so thankful for them and are counting our many blessings this Thanksgiving. We have so much to be grateful for.

Riches and glory come from you, you're ruler over all; You hold strength and power in the palm of you hand to build up and strengthen all. And here we are, O God, our God, giving thanks to you, praising your splendid Name. 1 Chronicles 29: 12-13

Happy Thanksgiving (and Happy Birthday to my beautiful mama)!

movie theater.

Uncle Bradley and Aunt Lea picked Brooks up on Saturday to take him to see The Peanuts Movie with his cousins for Bennett's birthday. I was hosting a baby shower for my sweet friend, Jessica, so I asked Lea to take some pictures to document our little buddy's first movie in the theather. I may or may not have teared up when she texted me these pictures...

Brooks got a great report—he sat still, watched the movie, and ate his popcorn during the entire movie. We are so thankful the Moore crew thought to include him and for Bennett's sweet life. Happy 6th birthday, buddy! We love you so much!

thanksgiving snack.

Yesterday, Brooks had his Thanksgiving "snack" at school where the children listened to story, sang a prayer, and ate a trail mix snack. His teachers encouraged the parents to come for this party and I know that seeing Mommy and Daddy when he walked into the classroom in his adorable Thanksgiving t-shirt meant so much to our sweet Brooks. He was so excited! 

It was the best start to our Thanksgiving week. We are so thankful for Trinity's PDO program and for Brooks' teachers. They teach and love our Brooks so well! 

ann bennett: fifteen months.

My sweet and sassy girl is fifteen months old. Fifteen months! In the blink of an eye she went from being a baby to toddling around, talking, and holding her own. With every passing day, there is another discovery, milestone, or new trait. She is just that—both sweet and  sassy.

Ann Bennett has a total of seven teeth, four on top and three on the bottom (middle teeth, both top and bottom, and three molars). Her bottom right molar and top left tooth are breaking through, as we speak. Teeth, or no teeth, she eats like a horse. Loves: peas, corn, green beans, turkey, blueberries, white fish, strawberries, raisins, rice, cheese, and pouches. She isn't a huge fan of avocado (unless it's guac'd), but that's about it?! Annie Bananie doesn't miss many meals...

At her 15 month well check-up, Annie weighed 25 pounds, 6 ounces (92nd percentile) and measured 32.5 inches tall (97th percentile). Her head circumference was 46.2 centimeters (65th percentile). Daddy took her to this appointment and said that she took her shots like a champ. We are so thankful for a healthy baby girl.

Little bit's vocabulary has taken off. She talks and babbles all.the.time. Most of the time, we have no idea what she is saying. I will hear her in her room just chit-chatting away and when I check on her she has usually found her way up into the chair with a book. She went from saying, "mama" to "mommy." She pronounces it just like Stewie from Family Guy. I die. She also says, "Dada," "Bubba (Brooks)," "Nanie," "Pop Pop," "Pops," "love you," "blueberry," "nack (snack)," "all done," Christmas tree," "ya ya (what she calls her lovies)," "pa pa (paci)," "baby," "yummy," "moon," "aya (outside)," "trackhoe," "book," "water," and "ball."

AB is a decent sleeper. We put her down between 7:00-7:30 and she typically wakes between 6:00-6:30. She dropped her morning nap (thanks, baby) at 12 months, so naps once a day, around 1:00 p.m. Her afternoon nap ranges from 1.5 to 2 hours, but there are days, usually rainy ones, where she will give me a long, three hour nap. On those days, I raise the roof. She typically falls asleep in the carpool line on school days. If she does, she refuses her nap altogether. On those days, I curl up in the fetal position and cry…

I always joke that Ann Bennett's middle name should be "busy." I have also had strangers tell me that her middle name should be "busy." That gives you a little taste of her personality…

She loves big. If you ask for a hug, she will run full speed ahead and wrap her little arms around you. She especially loves her daddy and Brooks. If Brooks laughs, she laughs. If he runs and "falls down," she runs and falls down. I can typically find the two of them jumping on the couch together, building forts, or making a mess in B's room. If I had a soundtrack to my life, "Sis! Watch this!" would be a song. The first thing she asks for in the morning is "Bubba." If he is still napping in the afternoon, she carries around the monitor saying his name over and over again. When it's time to pick Brooks up from school, I ask her if she is ready to get Bubba and she shakes her head up and down. It melts my heart watching their friendship grow. However, it's a love-hate relationship. B tends to yank toys out of her hands, push her away/down, and hit her. So, when he draws close (to put his arm around her or give her love), she flips out and makes a run for it. Don't invade her personal space! I'll leave it at this…

If Brooks and Ann Bennett are quarreling, I'd put my money on Annie!

Ann Bennett loves to blow kisses, wave to everyone and everything, and ride in Brooks' truck and the wagon. She points to every single airplane and says, "ahhhhhhhh!" She rarely leaves Mama's side, likes to be held when I'm cooking dinner, and finds joy in emptying the sippy cup drawer. She loves to push her babies around in her stroller, make vroom noises when pushing around brother's trucks, and music. 85% of the day she is dancing or singing.

Ann Bennett, I squeeze and kiss you a million times a day, because you are too cute and such a joy. We are thankful for you, baby girl!

baby sadie.

Babies, babies, and more babies! My dearest friend, Megan just welcomed another baby girl into the world on November the 13th. Sadie Simmons Cobb was born at 2:54 p.m. weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces. I was able to go to the hospital to see her on Saturday and she is a doll baby.

We are so thankful for this precious life!