The French Boys

Reid (finally!) loves animal noises.  Maybe it's because I tried teaching him from six months on....or maybe it's just because he decided he liked them.  Yep, most definitely the latter.  Everything these days is about choices.  So most of the time, it's total "Love and Logic" around here:  Would you like to brush your teeth now, or later?  Which outfit would you like to wear?  Do you want to park your cars here, or there?  I'm all about giving choices, but hopefully not turning things into a power struggle.  But I digress... The animal noises are pretty darn funny.  I was a little disappointed that you couldn't hear all of them here, but lately he's come up with an interesting sound for a tiger. 

So of course, we've been working on "Gig 'em, Aggies!"  Guess it's too many syllables most of the time, so I usually settle for "Go, Aggies!"  I'll take what I can get.  In the meantime, between power struggles, I sometimes feel like a normal person! 

Jason and I went out to dinner with Randy and Reema (middle, below) at Mi Piaci...arguably the best Italian in Dallas.  We had a fabulous table overlooking the water for birthdays--mine was Saturday and Randy's was Sunday.  One of Jason and Randy's co-workers took good care of us with the table.

I wish I'd have taken pictures of each course because they were gorgeous and delectable.  Here was my heirloom tomato salad, drizzled with balsamic and served in a parmesan basket.  The picture really does not do it justice, but you can get a general idea.

 But the dessert tray (compliments of that work buddy) and complimentary champagne stole the show.  It was beautiful and delicious!

 Later, we joined the party Reema had arranged for Randy.  Fun times, karaoke, dancing with astronauts...what else could you ask for?

I am also quite thankful for my MNOs (Mom's Night Out) with my playgroup girls.  It was a small group the last time we had dinner, but very fun.  There is definitely something to be said for time with other elementary teachers, who have a kid(s) your own kid's age, where we can gab all we want.  Love this group!

And then it's back to the craziness, luke when your two year old decides a plastic bag is his new favorite toy.  Um, no.  At least he thought it was hilarious!

Dixie has become a permanent fixture on the couch lately, especially when Reid is in bed.  But she'll stick it out on occasion.  We often have the entire family on the couch (until Mommy wants a picture!).  I was finally brave enough to let Reid have popcorn...the kernels and choking hazard part have always scared me.  But he loves it, and so do we.  Enjoying a little football with Daddy...

This kiddo reeeeally needs a haircut, but I do NOT have the strength yet to even think about attempting another one after how horrid the last one was!!  He looked awfully cute on Sunday after church...after the, "No jacket! No socks!!" battle. 

"T" (teddy lovey) has become a must-have once again.  I was much happier to say goodbye to T in the mornings and not see him until bedtime since the germs on him freak me out.  Ick!  But some battles just aren't worth fighting, especially in the mornings...  Many mornings, I am totally wiped out before I even get us in the car to go to work.  I've gotten up earlier, gotten him up earlier/later, laid out clothes and diaper the night before, etc. etc. etc.  Nothing seems to help.  We always end up running later than anticipated for a different reason each day.  But how can you resist this face?

One of my absolute favorite things, though, is watching him sleep.  There is just something so sweet and innocent about a sleeping child...no matter how crazy the day!  We found him an adorable pair of firetruck pj's at Sam's recently.  Not sure if we actually got them for him, or for us...to hear the cute siren noise and see the excitement on his face when we pull them out!  Our video monitor died two weeks ago and it has been torture trying to imagine what's going on.  But we survived a night with him falling out of bed, a week of coughing, and even a night where the dinosaur audio monitor popped out of the plug unbeknownst to us.  We ordered a "cheapie" video monitor to tide us over--it has been a pain to figure out and definitely does not have the bells and whistles the last one had, but it'll do for now.  Wish I could steal a shot like this every night (or two nights ago, like when he was halfway in the bed and halfway out), but I'll take what I can get.  We are so blessed :)