Livin' with the Loud Lairseys: March 2013

Squishy Love

My Man-Man is just that ... squishy love. So squeezeable and loveable. Like a teddy bear. Man, I love him. As soon as I pick him up from Mother's Day out, he turns to his teacher and waves "bye - bye" and says it. He is completely content resting his head on any part of my body. It can be a foot, my thigh, my hand, whatever is available to him. If he's in need of some loving, he just crawls over to where I am and plops that head over on me. I love it. Every once in a while, when I'm holding him, he tucks his head in on my shoulder and starts sucking his thumb. Such a love-y boy. He LOVES Eve. She can get him to giggle in such a cute way. He has starting pitching fits when something happens that he doesn't like. He bends over as far as he can and just sits there. Sometimes that is accompanied by a grumpy noise or a grunt. It's not very "fit-like" compared to the girls, but I can imagine they will intensify as his little personality keeps developing. He loves to throw balls (well, anything). And is not interested in trying to walk on his own. He is perfectly content holding our hands and walking across the living room. It'll come. Coleman Jude, YOU are a joy.

Her Whole Face Smiles

This is a sweet girl. Her heart is tender for others. She loves to clap to music and dance. She LOVES "Minnie Mouse hotdog dance" and "Veggie Tales". She loves to put her hands in her pockets. She is not shy, but will hide behind mom or dad if she's not interested in playing or talking. Ellie is the calmest, quietest of my bunch ... but that doesn't say very much! She is still LOUD. She likes to squeeze in tight places, like on the inch of your lap that isn't being occupied by the other two children sitting in it :) She has a tender smile. Loves to jump, and always wants a "pin tail" because her other two sisters have one. She has a sarcastic bent at this young age. If I ask her if she wants a pop for not obeying me, she will say "yes". So I have to give her one. After she says it, she is very coy and gives a little grin. As if to say, "what are you going to do about it?". When her feet are put to the fire, she is very sensitive and can get her feelings hurt if she thinks you are upset with her. She very much wants to please Eric and I. She loves Eve, and is constantly wanting to hold Coleman's hand.

We love our Ellie Sue.

I Believe ...

... that Eve will be used in a powerful way by God. I look at her and often think how blessed I am to parent her. She is going to be something great. She is going to be a world-changer for Jesus Christ. She is strong and smart. She is unashamed and brave. Lord, use her.

She has become quite the giver. She LOVES giving gifts to others and everyone who comes to our house will leave with one (if not more) of her special toys. She also loves to write letters and notes to her friends and family. She is very good with her letters and will be reading soon. The other day, I walked into her classroom at school to pick her up. On the board was the letter 'C' with all kinds of 'C' words written around them. It was obvious to me which one Eve had volunteered, "Coronado Springs". I laughed out loud right there. My girl.

Growing Up Together

I love pictures like this ...

... because it reminds me that these babies are growing up together. They are developing friendships and bonds that wont be broken. They are making memories with each other that will last a lifetime. They are loving each other and playing with each other ... and this is just the beginning. They are brother and sisters. They are friends. And they are mine.

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Eric and I took the youth group skiing a few weeks back (ok ... it's been a bit longer than that). We had a lot of fun. Here is a picture of Eve helping daddy pack for the trip :)

And here's a picture of Eric and I up on the mountain. It was SO cold. I mean REALLY cold. I know people say they have "never been that cold before" but I really mean it. I have NEVER been that cold before. I'm a wimp from Georgia, I know ... but it was cold. :)

My Little Genius

Clara LOVES to talk, and is starting to show off just how smart she is.

Over the weekend, I was gathering sippy cups off the floor (an often occurrence at our house) and I couldn't find Clara's. I am looking under couches and tables and in toy boxes. It is no where to be found. "Clara, where is your cup??" "I drink it all." "You drank it all?" "I drink it all." "Well, where is it? I can't find it anywhere!" "Right here, momma. On the counter." She was pointing to a spot on the counter in the kitchen ... and there it was. WOW. Guess I am only used to things being where they SHOULD NOT belong :)

Clara is also VERY repetitive. She will repeat the same phrase or sentence MULTIPLE times and want you to give her the same answer each time.

"Daddy coming, Momma?" "Yes, baby. Daddy's coming."

"OK. Daddy coming, Momma??" repeat. repeat. repeat.

Another thing Clara likes to do is be ANOTHER little mama (PLEASE, God! Not another one!) If Ellie isn't obeying, Clara will look at me with the most serious face and eyebrows cocked to one side and say, "Ellie, soap, momma!" or "Ellie, time-out, momma." or "Ellie, pop on a bottom, momma."

That girl. i.love.her. So much personality. So much potential.

Everybody ... OUTSIDE!!

So ... it's really LOUD at our house (in case you were wondering) ... One of my favorite things to do when I have the kids at home in the afternoon or on a Saturday morning is take them to the park. They are MUCH happier outside and i love letting them just run around and be loud :)

At two of the parks we go to, there are only two swings .. and we have three little kids that want to swing ... so typically, Ellie and Coleman end up like this:

They love it :)

Here are some pics of playing outside at the house.

The Big 4-0!

Eric is 40. We celebrated BIG this year in honor of him. He is such a deserving man. A loving husband who is always trying to love me better, a fun daddy who is pouring his life into his kids, and a selfless friend who makes himself available to talk, text, or hang out as his friends need him. I wouldn't have been able to pull off this party without the help of Mrs. Nadean and Dr. Blevins. Ever since I told Mrs. Nadean about my idea, she ran with it ... calling me when she found any "mustache" themed item while shopping. She did an AMAZING job with the food (BBQ sandwiches, mashed potato bar, baked beans, and cole slaw) as well as with two delicious cakes and GALLONS of sweet tea. When I called Dr. Blevins about having a party at his old office, he was so helpful and the office manager at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Center were SO easy to work with. We had a blast. About 70 of Eric's closest friends came out to celebrate with us ... including all of his family (minus Michael) and all of my family. Here are some pics: