The Weeks Team

Monday, March 7, 2011

Friends, Baking and Potty Training...

Yes, our weekend consisted of ...
Seeing Friends, Baking and... working on potty training... The latter, I would say is all of our least favorites, but we are all trying to have a positive attitude about it (well, most of us...) and we hope that Jack will soon be an underwear lovin' and wearin' boy!!!

We finally were able to catch up with our great friends, Justin and Heather Coffee, and meet their amazing new addition, Allison. She is only 5 1/2 weeks old, but has so much personality! She is beyond sweet and adorable! Jack adored seeing both Justin and Heather, and having lots of attention!!! We, somehow, didn't get any pictures of Heather??? Not sure how that happened... but, she looks absolutely wonderful. And, is the picture perfect, glowing and loving new Mama!!!

Jack with Justin! Again, really loved having them here! And, most of all... friends to play with ... and of course, entertain!!!

Sweet Baby Allison and her Daddy, Justin

Jack and Maggie were so in love with Baby Allison. How could you not be? She is so darn cute! But, they really both adore babies... and we have a lot of friends with babies... so it's fun to see their interactions with them. Baby Allison got a lot of love (wanted or not) from Jack and Maggie. xoxo

Both Jack and Maggie wanted to be right next to me while I was holding Baby Allison. They were so sweet with her. Very gentle and careful. They loved touching her sweet little face, and especially loved it when she opened her eyes. Jack had a million questions about her... and just thought "she was sooo sooo cute!"

Maggie also seemed to adore her. Being so gentle and loving. Maggie was very interested in Allison's gorgeous hair, and even kept trying to kiss her. But, everytime she would get close to kissing Baby Allison, she seemed to get scared and chicken out! :)

We have a lot of friends who have had babies in the past several months, so they are really getting some baby time, and learning to be gentle when they are showing their love!

Beautiful

Miss Allison James Coffee

They were so interested in her every move, and especially when she opened her sweet little eyes! Jack even asked me if he could help change her diaper!!! Now, I find that kinda funny... considering he isn't potty trained... and is still in diapers (more on that later...)... so I wish/wonder if he would consider changing his own diapers? No, don't think so... but, maybe it could be a motivator for using the potty???
Thanks so much to Justin and Heather for making the trek out our way to let us meet your beauty! We had such a great time with you 3, and hope to see you all soon!!!

Today I let Jackson choose something fun to do... I just asked him "what is something fun you'd like to do today?"...

...and of all the things we could have done (played outside for a while - as it was sunny, although a bit chilly -, go for a walk to the park, maybe go to the Children's Museum, go to Jump it Up - bouncy house place, etc.), he chose to make cupcakes!

As you can see not only did he enjoy making the cupcakes... he enjoyed tasting the batter, the icing, the tiny sprinkles all along the way!

HA!!! But, we had so much fun. He loves to bake, and is really fun to have as my little assistant. Today we baked some cupcakes, and put them in silicone "pots" - then decorated them with frosting and sprinkles. The idea was that the pots were flower pots, the chocolate cupcake was the "dirt", and the frosting and sprinkles were the "flowers"... he had a blast!!! Not only with the decorating, but the whole thing! He was so helpful in making the cupcakes and frosting. He loved pouring everything into the mixing bowls, and mixing! He even cracked some eggs for me (yes, I did have to pull out a few shells...), but he did AWESOME!

(excuse the photography in these next set of photos... they were taken with my phone... - but, still show J's hard work and fun!!!)

Having such a great time!

And, can you tell, once again... much tasting was involved? :)

Perfect with every little detail!

They looked wonderful!

He was so proud... we took some over to his "friends" - our neighbors - and he was so excited to tell them that HE MADE them some special treats!

Again, way to go, Jackson.

You make Mama so happy and proud!!!

Not only with your sweet and loving nature, but your generosity.

(He didn't even eat a cupcake... he decorated them all... and although he did taste much of them along the way, we had told him he could have one after dinner... and he never asked for one. I'm sure he'll have one tomorrow!)

Maggie also helped out, by doing a lot of observing, tasting, and every once in a while she would want to try to stir. But, she was mostly our "manager"... and made sure we were doing everything correctly :) She also did some of her own "cooking" in her kitchen...

Maggie also did a GREAT job "cooking/baking"...

And, in this last picture, it looks like maybe she tasted some of her "cooking"...??? :)

Lastly, we did a little potty work today. This is something that has been off and on with Jack. He is so beyond ready ... or at least according to every book, website, friend, etc. has said in regards to potty readiness... he is showing and has been for some time, all of the signs. The only problem... is that he doesn't.want.to.use.the.potty.at.all.e.v.er.!!!

Apparently sitting on and learning to use the potty is nothing but pure torture.

We're sorry, Jackson. But, we hope that in the long run, you'll see that it was worth it.

Going to college in diapers is not cool... we know you think it is now... but, it won't be in 15 years... just trust us on this one...

He doesn't want to stop playing to use the potty, he doesn't want to take time away and deal with going to the bathroom and using the potty, and he is very strong willed. He definitely lets us know if he does not want to do something, and he does NOT want to learn to use the potty! But, today, he did give it an honest try... and he did pee on the potty, so we were very proud of our guy... and hope that he will continue to see how much better life is without a diaper!!! I know I will! :)

Again, how could we subject him to this?

Well, I can understand him not wanting me posting these... but, while he is 3 ~ I can still do this... and maybe will continue until he is potty trained...

I'm not above a tiny bit of embarrassment to get things going (yes, pun intended)...

No, really though... he was a good sport for most of the afternoon in regards to the potty, and we are incredibly proud of him. I promise to not have numerous potty photos... or any "detailed" potty photos... but, wanted you all to know, we are proud of our guy, and really hope he can see what a big boy he is!

Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead... and hope you enjoyed your weekend.

Lots of Love.

The Weeks. xoxo

Friday, March 4, 2011

A visit to Nana Bette's!

Today, Jack, Maggie and I went to visit Nana Bette/Grandma Bette. As she is my Grandmother, but Jack has always called her Nana, and of course, Maggie follows suit!
(isn't that what all little sisters do? Jack sure thinks so!!!)

We had such a nice time with her, and it was fun to finally catch up, play with the kiddos, have a yummy lunch and just spend time together.

Although we live very close (only about a 5 minute drive from our house to hers!), she is very busy, and as most of you know, we are too! So, coordinating schedules can get a bit tricky sometimes...!!!

Needless to say, we were due for a fun visit... and that is what we had!!!

Nana Bette not only always has fun new toys, but also always always always has a cookie jar... full of yummy cookies. Jackson is sure to remind me about the cookies at Nana's house, anytime we are headed there! :)
He loves to go over there, and play with all of the toys she has, and of course, he has taught Maggie where they all are, and she loves it too!!!

We'll be happy once summer arrives, and our schedule slows down a bit - (no MOPS, etc. during the summer months), and can spend more time with Nana Bette. Also, she'll be able to join us at our house more often then. She is really allergic to Buster :( , so coming over to our house is very hard on her... we tend to go to her house when the weather is bad... so she doesn't have to deal with the after effects of Buster... but, during the summer, we love having her over - as we practically live in our backyard during the summer...

... a BIG Thank You to Nana Bette from Jack and Maggie, and a Big Thank You to Grandma Bette from me, as it was so nice for you to have us over today. We had a great time, and LOVED seeing you.

ps. The kids both took good naps when we got home too!!! :p
Enjoy the pictures... they are, as always, a-dorable!!!

Nana and Maggie!

Love these photos of them... so.very.sweet!

Happy Jackson!

Loves Nana and Loves Nana Cookies!!!

pure.sweetness.

Serious Cookie Business

Cookie Monster on our hands!

cuddles...

Many people have commented on Maggie looking like my Grandmother...

This is a picture of her, when I think she was about 6 years old with two of her brothers...

Look at those curls and sweetness!

Below is a picture of my Great Grandparents.

My Grandmother Bette's, Mother and Father.

I, sadly, didn't get to know them. My Great Grandfather had passed prior to my birth, and my Great Grandmother shortly after I was born.

However, I have heard wonderful stories of them both.

Oh, and if you didn't know ... Maggie is also named after my Grandmother.

Marjorie Elizabeth Ann

(but we call her Maggie, or Magpie, Maggs, Magadoodle, Magbug, Maggie-doo, Maggie-poo, Miss Maggs, Gorgeous, Sweetpea, and lately... Miss Maggie with an attitud-y)

However, Grandma Bette is the original Elizabeth Ann (but has always gone by Bette)

Marjorie, is Brian's Paternal Grandmother's name...

I hope to have a post on the original Marjorie soon!!!!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Our Little Lady is 20 months Young!!!

Yep, that's right... Maggie is 20 months old today!

We can't believe, in just a mere 4 months, she will be 2!!!

She is showing us each and every day how much she is becoming a little girl, and is no longer our little baby!
She loves playing with Jackson, loves playing with her "babies", dress up, dancing/twirling/singing, reading books, is talking up a storm and is just about running!!!

We got great news yesterday at her Physical Therapy appointment... she gets to take a break, and won't need to go back until August!!! We are absolutely thrilled with her progress. She is completely up to speed (pun intended) with her gross motor skills for her age! She will begin again after she turns two, as she will be working on a whole new set of skills (such as walking up and down stairs without any assistance, jumping, standing on one foot, etc.). So, to say we are grateful and feeling blessed with Maggie's amazing and significant progress, is an understatement!
As, always, thank you to all of our wonderful family and friends who have been so incredibly supportive and have cheered Maggie on, along with us!
Enjoy the recent pics of two pretty adorable, amazing and super fun muchkins!!!
xoxo

Who knew snack time filled with apples and yogurt could be so much fun?