The 19 Month Old

Joseph is now 19 months old! He is 22 pounds, 31 inches long and a healthy little squirt. I wish I could say he was growing like a weed and in some cases he is but poor thing is still in 9 month pants and shorts. The other day we did some swimming in his little pool and the swim suit I put on him were 3-6 months and falling off of him! We apparently have no booty.
He is a little chatter box though we have no idea what he's saying. He can however say 7 words and finally learned how to sign "more." His little personality continues to blossom and in some ways not so cute. He thinks that screaming at us is how he can get his way, but unfortunately that is currently being dealt with. He once was obsessed with closing doors and we think we have nipped that little novelty in the bud. Time-outs happen now, it doesn't seem to be a very sufficient way of handling bad behavior but we are sticking with it. It's a hard life for a toddler. :)
So the weather here has been absolutely beautiful. Not too hot. We are spending a lot of time outside playing in the pool, feeding ducks, and wagon rides around the yard. It feels nice to get out of the house and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air! It puts us all in a better mood when we're out of the house.
We are now 3 weeks away from little Jack's arrival. The house is ready and waiting and this mommy is beyond ready. Little Jack is running out of room and the swift kicks to my ribs are not as amusing as they were in the beginning. It now hurts! My doctor unfortunately had to move my delivery date to the 27th which I have cried about. We wanted the 26th for a very special reason but unfortunately whatever the doctor says, goes. If our guardian angel has anything to do with it, she'll make it happen :) She did grace us with her presence with a tropical storm when Joseph was born :) Either way, I know it will be a special day when this little man finally arrives. I'm excited for Joseph to have a playmate but a little sad that these last three weeks will be his final days of being an only child. I've enjoyed giving him all of my attention over the past year and a half...even when he's throwing those tantrums. I just hope one day he thanks me for giving him a little brother. We might be a long ways off for that to ever happen :)

Big helper washing daddy's truck

Daddy teaching me how to bounce

Splashing is all the entertainment he needs

More splashing

We love bubbles

Feeding the ducks

Ball Party!!!

While daddy was away on a work trip, Mommy had to come up with something new to keep the little guy occupied. After a successful trip to the consignment store, I had just the right entertainment for the busy bee. Our screened in porch has now turned into the second playroom. Luckily, the weather has been tolerable for us both to enjoy it.

An 18 Month Old

Joseph recently turned 18 months old. It's still very hard for me to believe. I am constantly going back and looking at his baby pictures from what seems like only a few weeks ago only to realize that I now have a toddler on my hands. Every day it seems he learns something new. Lately, he is running everywhere, not walking. He loves to torment Berkeley with his ball, teasing him with it by trying to give it to him and then darting the other way with it. And then as soon as Berkeley does get the ball, Joseph throws a fit. It never seems to be quiet in our house now and when it is, it's because he is completely passed out during a nap. He has finally dropped his morning nap and taking a much longer afternoon nap. I never thought this day would come. He has turned into such the little toddler and we are happy to see his little personality transform. We are trying to enjoy the last few weeks with just him.

On the golf course with dad

Taking hubby for a swim

Skinny Dippin

Swinging at the park before we see baby Jack

Practicing our spoon skills

Throwing golf balls

The duck call is our favorite toy at aunt Theresa's house

Catching some Zzzz's during playtime after a long eventful weekend.

What mom? I'm just playing...you can clean up this mess when I'm done.

Easter

Easter this year wasn't as joyous as we thought it would be. Unfortunately, my uncle lost his battle with liver cancer and passed away just a few days before the holiday. Joseph and I traveled to Memphis a few weeks ago to see him in the hospital and I'm so glad we did. My uncle was a typical uncle, always pestering us as kids up until his passing. I will never forget him asking the nurse if my little puppy dog (Joseph) was bothering her as he ran around the hospital room chit-chatting. He was very much apart of all of our lives and he will be deeply missed. His funeral was on Monday and so we decided to drive up early and spend the weekend with my extended family. Being that we were there for a funeral, we all still enjoyed being together. Saturday my cousin organized a picnic at the park with tons of food, games, and an easter egg hunt for the little ones. It was Joseph's first Easter egg hunt and he tackled the concept pretty quickly. 

On Sunday, we headed to church with my aunt and cousins and then drove down to Mississippi to spend the afternoon with my dads side of the family. It was nice Easter being with them. We all realized that we hadn't had an Easter together since my grandparents passed almost 20 years ago. They too had a wonderful dinner planned along with another Easter egg hunt for the kiddos. It was a perfect day. 

A few years ago after singing at my grandmothers funeral, my uncle asked me to sing at his funeral. It was a question he never even had to ask me but even almost 4 years ago, I would never have thought that this day would come so quickly for him. As hard as it's been to do in the past, it's my way of saying goodbye to those that I love so much. I was beyond happy to do it. 

We hope everyone had a blessed Easter! We are now home and counting down to baby Jack's arrival in just a few short weeks. 

Nesting

We are now two months away from meeting our little addition and I am beginning to have all the same emotions I did when Joseph was about to arrive...anxious, nervous, exhausted....basically I'm a basket of emotions and Vince is ready to move out...I'm a little hard to handle right now. Still, he's being as patient as possible with me. I'm slowing getting the nursery back in order and soon about to tackle the kitchen to organize all baby items. The last time I did this, I had my sister here telling me where, how, and what to do with everything. As well as just doing it herself :) Now, I am on my own and being 7 months pregnant makes for a stressful task. A little each day is my goal.
This time around is definitely a lot harder having Joseph to pick up constantly. He wants to be held all the time which I love but in all honesty, I can barely hold myself up.
Mommy isn't so much fun since it's hard to sit on the floor to play. I am still trying my best to enjoy the next two months of just me and my Joseph. I know it will never be just the two of us during the day again, which makes me a little sad but then I think about the new playmate he will have and who probably will be little more fun than me.
Currently, we are searching the house high and low for our camera charger....pregnancy brain is an actual thing. So instead, I'm using the phone to capture any cuteness that Joseph gives us. He has all of a sudden become very chatty. We're not sure what he's trying to say but he's definitely got a lot to talk about. He is now saying MOMMA! It's the sweetest sound a mother can hear...until he says I love you and than he can have absolutely whatever he wants :)
He now signs the following:
"Please"
"Daddy"
"Mommy"
"Sleep"
"Bird"
"Outside"
"All Done"
"Music"
and working on "Baby" :)
It's an absolute blessing having him sign during Mass. Instead of screaming, he signs "Please" and I know he wants a snack. Makes my life so much easier...and less embarrassing :)
So here are pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Coolin off with my Pirate water table

My hired chef. If it were up to him, we'd have macaroni for dinner every night. Good thing moms the boss!

Coloring Easter things. Dad's better at it than mom. Hence, daddy's bunny vs. mommy's easter egg......

Feeding Pa K pirates booty and listening to banjos on the river

Love my spinach fruit smoothies! Moms little trick to sneak some fruit in his diet.

Little boys need accessories too!

At the races where I skinned up both of my knees for the first time. Mom didn't cry.

No 1 Wubby is ever enough

Cutie overall booty!!!

He glows in the dark, too.

16 Month old in the house

Joseph recently had his 15 month checkup...ran a little behind on this visit due to Christmas and traveling but he is now...
*21 pounds (still a little fella)
*Still in 12 month clothes (poor guy might be vertically challenged like mommy)
*10 Teeth!!! He has two molars now!
*Says "Hi!" to just about everyone and can also say "Outside" and this morning started saying "Nana" for banana!
*Using his sign language now and can sign "All Done" "Bird" "Outside" & "Sleep"
***Funny story, the other morning I opened the back door to let Berkeley out and left it open because it was so nice out, Joseph turned and started signing BIRD because he heard birds chirping! Very proud mommy moment!
*He can also make a monkey sound, a cow sound, a lion sound, and a snake sound.
*A few days ago he tried popcorn shrimp for the first time and loved it! Looks like we're good with shellfish. Lately, we're on a fruit strike so mommy is making spinach fruit smoothies for him, which he absolutely loves.
*With all the fun we do have with him we do have our rough patches during the day.....tantrums. The tantrums are brutal but Vince and I ignore him, walk away or end up tickling the frustration out of him. It doesn't seem to last too long.


And in other baby news...
I am now 24 weeks along and beginning to look 39 weeks along. We had our anatomy ultrasound a few weeks ago and were able to see his cute little body. He is a very active little guy, always kicking and moving around, much more than Joseph ever did. Everyone say a prayer that he's still just as laid back as Joseph is...please. We've decided to put baby Jack in Joseph's room since the room is still set up and organized for an infant. Joseph will be transferred to the guest room that of course we will make very special for just him :)
We recently just put in baby gates which he absolutely hates, Joseph, not Vince ;) However, mommy is LOVING them. I can now cook dinner without my little toddler under my feet. Berkeley's not a huge fan of them either...he's usually stuck on the wrong side of them along with Joseph. As long as they are away from the hot oven and safe, mommy is happy.

Mardi Gras has started around here and we've already been to 3 parades around town. Joseph's getting lots of goodies and beginning to get used to beads being thrown at his head :) Vince and I are also enjoying the parades more now that we have a little one around. He gets lots of attention and we come home with more junk goodies than we ever did before!
Here are some recent pictures from this past two weeks.

Krewe of Slidellian Parade

Little Bead Catcher

Playtime at the park before we see Baby Jack on the big screen.

Painting in the tub

Abita Springs Push Mow Parade.....slight tantrum face

I walk everywhere now! Very independent...

Lombardy's Take Tahoe

As a late Christmas present, my parents rented a cabin in Lake Tahoe so that we could all meet up and enjoy a week of family fun together. It's not often that my family can get together so planning far in advance is a must. Unfortunately, the lack of snow was a bummer but we managed to find a perfect spot for the kids (and adults) could sled and make snowmen. Joseph loved it! Even ate most of the snow that was there.
Since day one of being with Vince, he has done nothing but talk about the greatness of Lake Tahoe. I knew one day I would eventually get to see it and after 4 years I can now say that I've witnessed all that it has to offer. Tahoe is absolutely beautiful and I can see why he loves it so much. The views are outstanding and there's so much to do..even for a pregnant lady!
We are now back home and all trying to recover from a very busy week in the mountains. The trip was wonderful to say the least with lots of sledding, skiing, snowboarding, shopping, ice skating, birthdays, site seeing and sugar sugar sugar. It was a perfect week spent with my family that I hope we can recreate in the near future.
Almost 1,000 pictures were taken so sorry in advance for the overload :)

Lombardy's hit Lake Tahoe

Daddy and Joseph

Little baby, big chair

Snow Cuddles

Jojo, Pa K, and the grandkids

Sissy snow time

Mommy Daughter time in the snow

Cousins in Squaw Valley

One of his many interests..

Family Christmas 2015

Even with a black eye, she's gorgeous.

'Squeeze In' in Truckee, CA.

Shades on in Truckee, CA

Northstar Resort

Ice Skating at Northstar

The Matching Silver Bullets

Trying to stay warm with our matching scarves

Emerald Bay

21 Weeks

 Pro Sledder