tennessee (part2)...

While we were in Tennessee we had a second, small birthday party for CJ. It was really a good excuse to get some of the family together and eat...which none of us mind. :)

Here is CJ's cousin Jake. He is just a few months younger than CJ. They are going to have soooo much fun playing in the dirt and exploring together as they grow up.

Here is one of our tables with Jake at the head, telling Rebecca, Angela, Jennifer, Uncle Jerry and Troy how to do things...

And at the other table (you can't see CJ, but he is also at the head), CJ supervised Aunt Carla, Nanny, Aunt Doris, Uncle Ronny and his Gran. These boys certainly kept us in line!

Then the BEST part of the whole day came. After spaghetti, bread and salad, it was time for cupcakes!

The first bite was a little unsure...

But he quickly realized this was GOOD! Last time he just smooshed it and rubbed it all over his face.

This time he smooshed it into his mouth instead of all over his face and tray.

And here he is telling us he is all done. What you see on the tray is all that was left. He didn't waste much at all. I actually think most of the left over crumbs actually ended up in his ear and hair.

After a quick rinse in the tub, it was time to play with Jake! CJ says, "Here Jake, you want the phone."

"No, no, you REALLY want it."

"Jake, trust me, it's really cool!"

"Whatever man, here it is. I'm going for the pig."

"And since you didn't think the phone was all that great. I think I'll take it and the pig."

"But it is nice to share, so I will give you the phone back. You should really play with it..."

"Well, OK. I'll give it a try," says Jake.

They had fun playing...actually we had fun watching them play. But then it was time for presents. CJ is still a great present opener, but when he opens something, now he wants to play with it. He was so cute trying to get things out of the boxes.

Jake liked to play with the new toys too. His favorite song is Old McDonald, and this book from Jennifer sings it at the end. He thought it was really fun.

We had lots and lots of fun playing with cousins and family. I was so thankful for the time they took to all come play. I am a firm believer that the more people that love my little man, the better. And he has lots of people to love him. But after so much fun, it was time to crash...

tennessee (part 1)...

Stop two on our grandparent tour was Tennessee. Gran met us at the airport. She has figured out what elevator we will come out of, and when the doors opened...there she was. CJ grinned at her; it was so sweet.

Fortunately, the little guy was exhausted after a morning of flying. He slept all the way to Nanny and Gran's house, and when his feet hit terra firma, he was ready to play! With all the toys, what do you think he went for first?

If you know my little man, you wouldn't be surprised when he walked past the tractor, past the toys, and picked up a book.

He brought it over to me and wanted to read it. We only got through a few pages, but it still made the teacher in me soooo happy.

He also had fun reading in the kitchen with his Nanny. He brought her books, and they sat down for quite a while and read about different kinds of animals. I loved listening to them. It reminded me of the hours and hours Nanny has played with me over the last 30 years.

He also had lots of fun playing with his Gran. She is so creative, and everything became an adventure. I love how no matter what they were trying to do, they always had time for CJ. It was so sweet to see him with them.

One of his favorite games was "drag the trash can."

One trash can had a handle and the other didn't. There was a definite way to stack them so he could drag them with one hand. When the brown one would fall out, he would bring them back to us to restack. He is definitely his mama's son when it comes to being particular about things.

He also loved to play with this milk jug and clothes pins. Mom remembered after a few days that she usually cuts a bigger hole in the top, but CJ had no problem with it. I am more and more impressed with his ability to look at something, figure out how it works, and then master it quickly. This he gets from his daddy...

He is also becoming a good signer. He can ask for a drink or more. He can say please and ask for help as well. This is actually the sign for water, but it has become "help." When he would get all the clothes pins into the jug, he would ask for help to get them back out. I personally think he is a genius. :)

And check out this bed head and grin to go with it.

And here is one more clothes pin game CJ though was fun. I think you can figure out the rules to the game from the pictures...

promised land...

I think if God asked the Israelites to wander for 40 years today, they would end up in Texas. Our second stop on the grandparent tour was Texas...oh blessed Texas. We had lots and lots of fun with granddad, and mommy got to show CJ off to three of her favorite old friends.

Can you tell they were having fun?

CJ's two favorite "toys" at granddads were a basket that I unfortunately never got a picture of, and a gift card holder from Zara. He had plenty of actual toys, but for some reason he fixated on these two things. I think it is so funny to watch his preferences and creativity develop.

Last week we also got to visit three of mommy's friends and play with their kiddos. First we went to Argyle to see Chad, Kenalea and Grayson. We had lots and lots of fun at the park, but I forgot my camera. :( Kenalea saved the day and had hers, but I haven't gotten pictures yet; stay tuned for another post when I get them. It was wonderful to see these sweet friends who walked with us through good times and hard times while we were in Japan.

Then on Sunday, CJ got to meet his Baylor roommate DEACON!! My bestie from college has a little boy who is only three weeks younger than CJ. We decided before they were born that they will be best friends, both go to Baylor, and be roommates. We haven't gone so far as to say they must marry twin Chi Omegas from Baylor, but that may still be dictated. :)

We started the day with a snack. CJ stole poor Deacon's food and juice, and I eventually had to corrall him in a high chair so he would eat his own food and drink his own juice. Silly boy!

Then it was upstairs to play! CJ liked Jenny....

Aren't they cute?!?!

Then CJ decided the toys were over rated, and Jenny looked like much more fun to climb on. Deacon thought this is a great idea, and joined in the fun. She was a great jungle gym!

CJ really liked this tent. There are balls you can put through slides and doors, and CJ had lots of fun with it. The funniest part was when CJ stood up and was able to drag the tent over his head. Unfortunately for Deacon, he was in there with him at that time. He is such a little power house. We had such a fun time playing. I wish these two lived closer together so they could do this more often!

Then on Monday, we headed to Waco. CJ got to see Baylor and got a new Baylor T-shirt. I can't believe I didn't take a picture of him on campus! Again, preggo brain in action. :( But, even better than Baylor (and if you know me well, you know there aren't many things better than Baylor) we got to see Chris, Brett, Ellia and Olive. This is what happens when you go to a girl's house to play...

At one point Brett told Ellia, who is 3, to make sure CJ stayed safe because she is the big girl and CJ is a baby. She took this job very seriously. She returned with a trash can, two remotes, and a large handful of other things she took from him. Needless to say, she is going to make a great babysitter one day! It is always a breath of fresh air to see Chris. She is a great encourager, and such a sweet friend.

I keep trying to figure out how to get Texas closer to Georgia, but I haven't figured out and answer yet. We'll just have to come back again so we can play more!

mommy's little helper...

I was looking through some older pictures, and I found these and laughed. My little man is such a hoot, and I love that I never know what each day will hold. My wonderful husband put locks on all the kitchen cabinets before he left because CJ loved to go digging in the cabinets. One of his favorite things to do was pull the trash bags out of the box...such a "helper." Even after Scott put the locks on, he STILL goes after the trash bags! He realized he could put his little arm in, feel around until he felt the bags, and pull...

SUCCESS...