2018, Week 7 (Feb 11-17)

Sunday, February 11

My mom requested that they have the boys all day, so Lee and I had most of this day to do whatever we wanted. We started the day by going to church, then we grabbed lunch, and then we tried to go shooting (would've been my first time) but the wait was too long for the time we had left. 

My parents offered to make us dinner, so after we got to their house they made us a meal. How kind- to take our kids overnight and then make us dinner?!

Also, the photo above was taken by Luca. 

They loved their new table. 

This boy is obsessed with his daddy. But when it comes to bedtime, he wants his momma to sing and snuggle him. 

My mother in law sent me that picture and I just about died. Oh how I wish I could be invited to the Royal Wedding! 

Monday, February 12

Today, after we dropped Luca off at school, Jack and I went to Trader Joe's because we were out of all the food. I also got my first chai latte with coconut milk since doing Whole30. It was the one thing I missed the most doing Whole30 and it didn't even taste good. 

After Trader Joe's my friend Lori and her son Jett came over for a play date. It was so nice to see them- bummed I didn't snap one picture the whole time they were here.

Luca made me those flowers with my mom when he had his sleepover. He also made me a Valentine's Day card that he wrote himself.

Luca's robot creation.

Tuesday, February 13

Waiting for Pops to arrive, dressing up like a Rescue Bot

Fists clenched = super happy

Luca must've been playing in my office. It made me smile every time I looked down and saw it, so I left it there all day. 

Quick potty break for mom, with a visitor because why not. Squeezing in all the momma time he can get on a work day I suppose. 

Luca got home from school this day and was so proud of himself for writing his last name. I am obsessed with watching him learn and grow- it is so incredible to see. 

(Also, that donut means one thing- it's a "Pops day")

He insists on wearing his hood every now and then, and after about 3-5 seconds he insists that it comes off. 

I was so excited to find these Valentine treats for Luca (who loves himself a donut). 

Valentine's Day prep. 

Wednesday, February 14

I really love Valentine's Day. I think each year that passes, I love it even more. Not for all the mushy gushy love (which I am very grateful to have with the man of my dreams), but I just mostly love loving on people. I love love. I love showing love, giving love, "doing" love (thanks to Bob Goff for introducing me to that concept). And now that I am a mom, I really enjoy showing love to my boys. I mean, I show it every day. But I love showing it in extra special ways on Valentine's Day. I love making them feel special, important, seen, valued, and extra loved. I also want them growing up knowing that the day is about loving on people- all people and not just about being single or in a relationship (which is how the world perceives the day). So I went out of my way this day to make the boys feel my love in tangible ways (all three of my boys). 

The day started with the candy and gift we got for the boys. Luca loved the chocolate donuts as much as I thought he would. Jack was oblivious that his soccer heart tin held candy inside, he was just thrilled to be holding something new. 

Love books. 

Donuts for breakfast, naturally. 

I bought heart shaped plates and anything we ate all day, we used those plates. 

I am not super into matching the boys in the same exact shirt (which, I think I posted about last week) and then I went shopping and saw these cute shirts and got them both for the boys. I am still not the biggest fan of matching, but I do think they look extra cute in their new shirts. So much so, that I tried to have a photo shoot, which, is near impossible these days. The series below cracks me up though. I am grateful for these real moments just as much (or even more so) than I am the posed ones.

Jack threw his heart...

...and then walked off set. Luca, however, remained consistent and smiling. 

He came back briefly, and then left again. 

I asked Luca to move spots and that is when Jack decided he liked this new spot so much. 

In fact, he liked the exact spot Luca was in...

...so much...

...that he decided to push Luca out of the way so he could have it. 

Jack was so thrilled to be in said spot, while Luca was still recovering (but trying so hard to still be smiling). 

And then Jack was done and walked off set again. 

Gosh, I want to eat him up! 

Back again! Ok, let's try sitting this time, maybe that will work better. 

Nope. 

Trying to use a ball as a smile bribe. And I got that gem instead of some nice, pleasant smiles. 

These two photos kill me, Jack suddenly seems so pleased with his heart and apparently no longer feels the urge to throw it across the room. 

Such a great smile Jack! 

And Luca is now done. Right when Jack decides to look at the camera and give his best smiles. 

Best two I got. 

Super into his new book. 

Super into the wrapping paper roll. 

After we dropped Luca at school, Jack and I came home so he could nap. I considered taking him on a Starbucks date, but felt like his nap really needed to happen so that's what we did. After he woke up, we had a good chunk of time to hang at home together before we had to go get Luca again. Which, was really such a treat. First, we sat and snacked at their new table together. 

Which, doesn't he look so small sitting there?

Those cheeks!

This is when he realized there was something inside and he was determined to get into it. By himself of course. 

After we snacked, we read some books and played. Having time with just Jack (undistracted time) is so rare, but so important for us both. So this day, this hour in time, felt like the best gift. 

After we picked Luca up from school, we dumped his bag and looked at all his valentines. This is his first Valentine's Day in a school setting, and Lee and I were so excited for him to experience it. He was thrilled to go through each item and of course he was thrilled about the candy too. If you look closely at the pile of valentines, you'll see extra Rescue Bot ones. Which were the ones he gave out. The night before, he realized that he was giving all of his away and was kinda bummed he wouldn't get one of each of his own. Since I found them on Pinterest and printed them myself, I printed and cut him one of each of his own to have and play with (which he did and loved). 

During Luca's rest time, he took all the books off of his book shelf. Every single one. When I saw it, I told him he needed to sit in time out on his bed. Jack was still napping so while he was in time out I switched a load of laundry and ran to the bathroom quickly. After a few minutes, I could hear someone walking around. I thought he had gotten off his bed and was sneaking into the playroom, so I walked quietly down the hall to see. Before I got into his room, I could see him standing in his room so I asked what he was doing. Then I walked into his room and saw the books on his book shelf (the picture I snapped above). He explained, "I was trying to clean up. I was crying and then I had a thought, I could clean up the books and make you happy again. But all the books just keep melting (falling over)." After his sweet explanation, I teared up, I will be honest. I felt so proud that he had those thoughts, that he told them to me, and that he acted on them. We talked a lot afterwards about how his actions may make me feel upset or not happy, but that it is always the choice he makes and not who he is that may make me upset. Because while I felt so proud of him for problem solving on his own, I also hoped he knew that my joy/love for him will never change based on the choices he makes. 

After nap/rest time, we went outside to play because the sun was out after a week of rain. 

After we ran in the field, I let Luca watch a new show he wanted to check out. His friends at school were talking about it and he told me "they like it, so I want to like it too." Having never seen it before myself, we watched it together to see if it was a good one for him to be watching. We both approved and now Luca is obsessed. 

Lee brought home dinner after he got out of work, which is truly the best. To not have to cook and clean up? The best gift. Not only did he bring dinner home, but he also surprised me with my favorite perfume! Sweet, thoughtful man. After dinner, I bought a special dessert for us all to split. My parents stopped over and gave the boys a gift. After that, we did baths and bed time for Jack.

 I came up with a special Valentine's Day date for me and Luca once Jack was in bed. I wrote scavenger hunt clues and hid them all around the house and at the end we built a fort and told jokes inside (and played Rescue Bots, of course). It was the most fun. After Luca was in bed, Lee and I had an at home date too. It was an all around great day loving on my three favorite people. 

Thursday, February 15

This is how our mornings look- Jack is usually still asleep and Luca plays in our bath tub while we get ready for the day. I love these moments, and I know they will pass all too quickly and I will forget what they looked like. So I snapped this picture to help me remember. 

Jack loves peanut butter. So does Luca. Sometimes, I put too much on Jack's waffle and he gets a peanut butter mustache. A handlebar mustache. 

After I finished work this day, the boys were outside with Pops so I joined them. The neighbors have a dog that Jack is obsessed with. He is obsessed with dogs in general, when he sees one he likes to softly "oof" at them. 

I went to sit down and saw this little guy hiding under the chair cushion. 

Friday, February 16

I love Friday's- Luca doesn't have school so we get to be together all day which is my favorite. We ran to Target this am and then came home and played outside for a bit while I made lunch. After that we mostly hung out, played, napped/rested, and played some more. These ordinary days are my very favorite because of these two sweet boys. 

Morning hugs. 

Looking for our new friend. 

This cry face is because I wouldn't let him eat all the grapes for lunch. I think if we let him, Jack would survive on peanut butter, grapes, and blueberries. He has a little bit of a temper mixed with a flare for the dramatics. When he doesn't get his way he can throw a monster of a fit, especially if he is over tired. 

Serious side eye to you mom. We are not friends.

Just relaxing on my makeshift seat and ottoman. 

We played doctor and when Luca was the patient he complained of a broken heart. And then added he couldn't move his legs, his head hurt and he had a mark on his arm. The "broken heart" bit killed me though. 

Fixing that broken heart. 

After naps we went to the field near our house to run and play. It was 80 degrees out! I couldn't believe it, I put Luca in shorts. In February. 

Lee got out of work early this day and met us at the field. Luca loves sitting on top of that hill. He told me I had to stay up there anytime he needed to run down to get water. 

After running around, we came home and made a plan for dinner while continuing to play outside. 

Saturday, February 17

Starting the morning off reading. 

Jack got a little too hands on for Luca's liking and Jack wasn't thrilled that he couldn't rip the pages out of the book so this was short lived. It was sweet for the first minute or so that it lasted. 

We all ran a few errands this day, came home for naps, then went to church. It was the first time taking Jack back to church since he screamed and I left the experience to get him. I knew he was going to scream again, but I wasn't sure what else to do. We need to go to church and Jack needs to get used to being there and also doing things he may not want to do. I cried after dropping him off because it was hard. Church was so good though and it felt amazing to be there all together as a family. I just pray he adjusts quickly and doesn't scream cry the entire time every week.