Christmas 2013

We were very blessed this Christmas with our sweet 17 month old boy and one more on the way.  We attended the Christmas Eve service at church.  It was wonderful as always.  The first two pictures are from before the service.

 

 

Here are Klive and Papaw on Christmas morning having a good laugh.

 

This was Klive's idea of playing with his gifts.

 

Klive was quite talented with his t-ball set that cousin Macy gave him.

 

Playing in his toy chest handed down to him from Aunt Lisa.

 

Relaxing on the couch with Papaw and watching cartoons.

16 Months

I'm a little behind on Klive's 16 month update.  Klive has added more words to his vocabulary; some new words are shoe, no, and wow.  He has definitely been testing boundaries more this past month.

 

Here he is wearing Momma's socks.  He insisted I put them on him and wore them all over the house.  So technically this is also a show and tell of the new socks I just recently finished knitting.

 

 

Here he is showing off our new shower.  We recently had it re-tiled.

 

Klive and Papa in their sharp looking sweaters right before church.

 

This picture was taken while we were in Longview during Thanksgiving.  Klive has Grandpa's shaver and is using it to make a phone call.

 

Everyday is an adventure and full of joy with this little stinker.

Books We Love

As I've mentioned before, Klive loves to be read to and loves reading to others.  I hope to instill a great love of reading in him.  I really don't have any qualms about buying him books when I find one that I think he will enjoy.  I believe it is money well spent.  Here are several of Klive's favorite books.

B is for Bear  - This was a gift that Klive received at one of his baby showers.  He still enjoys this book after many many months.  The touch and feel pages are great. 

Trucks Go - You get to make fun truck sounds.  What's not to love?  The more exaggerated the sounds that I make, the more Klive loves it.

Hop on Pop -  Dr. Seuss... need I say more.  Klive loves the rhyming in this book.  He starts grinning the moment I read that first page.

Red Truck - Bar none this is his favorite book.  The illustrations are bright and fun.  I will read it and he will hand it back to me asking, "More?"  This will repeat about five times.


As for myself, my list is more of a what I'm reading now. 

The Hobbit - I've wanted to read this for quite some time.  I have to say that I love Tolkien.  I'm only halfway through, but I am already in love with his writing.  I plan to read the entire Lord of the Rings series next, but I have heard that it is more of a challenge to read.  I'm looking forward to digging in to those soon.

 

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth - I was told that this was a must read.  Great information if you want to learn more about labor and the progression of it.  The personal stories are a must read and so informative.  I haven't quite finished it yet, but this is going to be a great reference in general.


So little time, so much to read...

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition by Dave Ramsey

Anyone who has heard of Dave Ramsey has probably heard of this book.  If you are looking to get your finances in order and start making your money work for you, this is a book you should read.  Dave takes you step by step through paying off your debt, saving, investing, giving, and building wealth.  Scattered throughout the book are examples of people who followed these principles and have changes their lives in a big way.

My husband and I attended two live Dave Ramsey events in the past, and we have been listening to his radio show for years.  Needless to say, I already had a pretty good understanding of his principles.  Dave lays it all out in this book.  It is a quick read and it is extremely easy to understand.  I especially enjoyed reading the success stories that were scattered throughout the book.  It just goes to show that it is possible and can be done.  Dave also references scripture throughout the book.  Isn’t it strange to anyone else that in this world of ours debt is the norm and being debt-free is weird?  This book really makes you think, and I believe is a must for anyone’s library.  It may just open up your eyes to something that is missing in your life… financial peace. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Zebras and camels and goats, oh my!

Klive is a big animal lover, so over the weekend we took him to Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch in Pilot Point.  He had a great time!  Check out their list of all the animals that they have.  It is quite extensive.  The train ride tour was probably all our favorite.  The animals came right up to us and ate out of the buckets on the sides of vehicle.  We were able to pet quite a few of them.

 

 

The camels were probably Klive's favorite.  He was able to pet a few that came up to us.

 

Here he is petting a horse for the first time.

 

The goats were another favorite.  They just wished Klive had food for them.

 

I highly recommend Sharkarosa for a fun family outing.  We'll definitely be back with both boys in the future.

15 Months

Well, I'm a month behind.  Then I realized that he is just turning 16 months, so these pictures are technically when Klive was 14 and 15 months. 

 

Klive loves the school playground near our house.  He love picking up and playing with the small rocks.  It's never pleasant when we have to leave.  I'm so thankful that the weather has been so nice for outdoor play.  Klive loves nothing more than to be outside.

 

 

Klive's school recently had a fall carnival.  It was so fun to see all the little ones dressed up.  Klive went as a hobbit.  I got the furry feet idea off of Pinterest and the sweater vest I knitted myself. 

 

The following Saturday our church put on their annual First Fest.  It was a little warm so the cape did not stay on long and the furry feet fell off soon after.

 

Klive's favorite part of the evening was this sweet pup.  Papa had to show him how to pet gently.

 

Looking all grown up in his sweater vest.

 

 

Not the greatest pic because it came off of my cell phone.  This was not mommy's smartest move.  I ran to the bathroom quickly and left him eating a small bowl of cheerios.  Well, mommy forgot to place the box out of his reach.  It was just too irresistible.  I came in to see him running his fingers through the pile of Cheerios.

 

We didn't make it to a pumpkin patch this year, the plant store was the next best thing.

 

And I just love this picture.  Klive and his Papa at Home Depot.  Too bad Klive didn't have on his overalls as well.

Adding to the Brood

It's official... Klive is going to be a big brother!  We are due around the end of February with

Baby #2.  And we will be having another BOY!  We are so blessed.

 

I don't have any belly growing shots, but here is a pic of our little boy that was taken last week.  This one we believe has Kevin's nose.

 

 

I'm sure if Klive understood that he will soon have a little brother, he would be thrilled.  I can't wait to see them play together. 

14 Months

Our big boy is 14 months now.  He is always on the run.  He loves reading his books.  He has been known to "read" books to friends at daycare, and he also "reads" to us at the house.  One of Klive's favorite past-times is pulling all of the books off of the bookshelves.  He enjoys snacking on grapes and strawberries.  We're really going to miss strawberries when they go out of season.

 

 

He has been known to throw temper tantrums when he doesn't get his way.  I know... gasp!  Here he is getting frustrated when the wagon gets stuck on something and he cannot pull it.

 

This is right before he flung himself down on the floor in tears.

 

Klive loves to watch Baby Einstein in his chair.

 

His latest skill is turning the washing machine and dryer on and off.  He also knows how to start a load or turn one off.  He recently turned off the machine mid-cycle.  Momma was not very happy.  Why do they have to make those buttons light up and glow blue?  They are just way too appealing to pass up.

 

Klive enjoys eating with a spoon.  It makes dinner time more fun.  And he LOVES spending time outside.  He can run up our steep driveway in no time.  Fall can't get here soon enough!

Noah's Ark

I actually did make something for Klive for his 1st birthday.  I got this amazing book from Amazon.  I just knew that I wanted to make him this as soon as I saw it.  I didn't make near as many of the animals as I would have liked to.  After all, you have to make two of each.

 

Here are his crocodiles.

 

 

And the ark with his lion and lioness as well.

 

I do have a another pair of animals on the needles, but it has been a little slow going.  Maybe he'll find a few in his stocking for Christmas.

13 Months

Our sweet boy is very busy these days.  He's no longer just walking but running.  He's into everything more than ever before.  He enjoys rides in his red wagon and going outside with Papa in general.  We're looking forward to cooler weather so we can take more walks and go to the park.

 

This is Klive's baby model look.  He truly looks like he's posing for a magazine.

 

 

Klive went to his first pool party/birthday party a few weeks ago.  He finally was able to wear his fashionable little bathing suite.

 

I stuck this picture in because you can actually kind of see Klive's teeth.  He doesn't show them very often.  He has seven right now, but the eighth is soon to arrive.

 

I love this picture.  He was watching his friends play in the pool.

 

Klive was a little hesitant about the water.  The water was pretty cool. 

 

Klive is still a great eater.  He loves a wide variety of foods.  Just the other day I made a lentil veggie stew and he ate every single last lentil off his tray.  It was somewhat spicy, but he seems to like spice.  Fruit is still his favorite.  He hasn't met a fruit that he didn't like.  And it is nearly impossible to eat anything without him begging for some.  In this picture he is enjoying stuffed zucchini with ground beef and marinara.

 

Also, he has said his "first" word besides Momma, Dadda, and Papa.  It's uh-oh.  I guess you could say it's his first word; at least I'm going to claim that it is.  It's pretty cute.  He also lets out an audible "ahhh" after every drink out of his sippy cup.  I think his Papa taught him that one.