A Present for Ian

While driving home from running errands on Tuesday, my mom spotted a garage sale for us to stop at. Who knew there were garage sales on Tuesdays? We unloaded the kids from the car and looked around. Instantly an old school looking espresso machine on the ground caught my eye. Sure it was a little beat up, but I thought Ian just might like it. When I asked the price and the lady said $20, I was a little shocked. This is a garage sale after all and I was hoping for something like $5. Anyway, I took a picture of the machine and went home to google it. 


As soon as I put in the name, I discovered this was in fact a high quality, expensive machine. So, I jumped back in my car and ran to buy the machine...thankfully the garage sale was in my neighborhood. Originally I thought I would save it until father's day for Ian, but I decided I couldn't wait. I gave him all these clues over the phone (think: restoration project, something way cool, something that could cost us some money, but would be worth it, and so on) and told him he would get his surprise when he got home. Someone that was on his work trip with him had him convinced that it was probably an antique clock. Nothing against antique clocks, but come on Ian. Do you really think I would say you would be excited about a clock?! Anyway...

Last night Ian got home and got his present. He was excited. It turns out, he has been trolling the internet for months looking for one of these bad boys in his price range. And to think I gawked at $20. When Ian turned it on last night, amazingly it worked. And he has a friend who works on espresso machines and said he would help him fix it up. I'm pretty excited about this little project I bought for him, that I got quite the deal on without even looking for it! 




P.S. Once we Ian gets it all prettied up, I will post some pictures. 

Treats & Trains

With Ian being out of town for work, my mom took the train to come stay with me and the kids for a few days. And since my mom's train was getting in at just the right time, Connor and I hit up the Starbucks frappuccino happy hour on our way to the train station. Up until this point in his life, Connor has yet to have a frappuccino. Ian and I never drink them, so he hasn't been exposed to them. But, I thought I could splurge and get him one at half off. I got him a strawberries & cream with no whipped cream. And, being the smart mom that I am, I waited until the train station to give him his treat...I certainly didn't want it all over the inside of my car! 


Once we were settled outside the station, I gave Connor his treat. What I didn't expect is that he pretty much sucked it down. There was no slow enjoyment. His plan was to consume that beverage as fast as his little body could handle. 

When he wasn't drinking it, he referred to it as "my milk", which I quickly corrected. There is no way I want this kid of mine to think a sugary drink is a substitute for milk! Anyway, after Connor finished his treat, he wanted to go after mine - an iced coffee (no sweetener, thankyouverymuch). I gave him a sip, then shoed him away. 


Soon enough my mom's train was pulling in. We stood close to the tracks. But not too close, don't you worry. And we saw my mom through the window. As soon as the conductor got out, Connor said "that conductor". Someone's been watching a little too much Thomas the Train Engine! 


After hugs were given, Connor grabbed my mom's hand and tried to drag her back on the train because he wanted on. Then, I was trying to take a picture of them with the train when the conductor walked up, put his hat on Connor and posed for a picture with them. Connor didn't move or speak. I am going to chalk it up to being nervous and excited. 

And like a good mom, we stayed to watch the train leave, waving the whole time. I would say it was a pretty good day for a certain little train-loving 2 year old! 

Because...

I haven't posted enough pictures lately of this adorable little gal. 

When I had Isla, I felt a little intimidated having a girl. I am not exactly a girly-girl. And I like dressing my boy, which most people don't find fun. Jeans? Polos? Funky button-ups? That is totally my thing. Bows? Dresses? Tights? I was extremely intimidated. But now that warm weather has rolled in, I am taking on my roll of dressing my girl with pride. I can skip the tights and just throw a dress and sandals on her. A cute and easy look...that I don't feel intimidated by! 

Weekend Update

Friday Night:

Connor fell asleep on the way to dinner...

And slept through the entire meal in Isla's car seat!

Saturday:

Ian let me sleep in!

A morning walk to farmers market

Huge, fresh, locally grown apples

We were late to Ian's work picnic

No one seemed to notice

In-N-Out

Ian made dinner. It was good. 

Connor had yet another entertaining video chat with my parents

Sunday:

Church

Isla slept, but woke up as soon as worship was over

Iced coffee from starbucks...I think we had it more than once this weekend! 

Family walk

Our neighbors drove past us twice and honked at us both times

FroYo!

Don't worry, I shared that ginormous cone with Connor!

Dinner in the backyard

Inappropriate text message conversation with my aunt. I love that woman!

Babies are now quietly sleeping in their beds!

Communicating

My dad got an iphone yesterday (welcome to, uh, 5 years ago, dad! Kidding!), so today we facetimed with him.  Well, let me be more specific. Connor facetimed with him. As soon as Connor saw his Papa on that screen, he was overcome with joy. It was actually really cute. He was so excited he was shouting at first. And whenever I tried to help him hold the phone so my dad and mom could actually see him, he would run away from me. He ended up getting so excited, he ran into his room and plopped on the bed to talk with his Papa and Memaw. He kept shouting things at them and touching the video on the screen. It was a very cute and comical to watch.

I'm glad Connor has found a way to communicate with people who aren't right there with him. Usually with the phone, he just smiles really big the whole time and if you are lucky, mutters a word or two. Now we know, seeing people's faces makes him really excited and ready to talk.

A Little Sleep Update on Connor

I tried waiting as long as possible moving Connor out of his crib because I feared what would happen. So far, those fears seem to have been just that, fears. Connor hasn't had any crazy sleep regression. He stays in his bed at night. In fact, our only real issue has been naps. He would much prefer playing to taking a nap. The funny part is, if I leave him in his room long enough, he will stop playing, climb in his bed and go to sleep. Pretty darn cute, if you ask me. Of course, we are only at about a 50/50 ratio these days for if Connor will actually take a nap, but that's life. The other fun thing is the look on Connor's face when he walks out of his room by himself after a nap. Its a look of pride and oh-so-freaking-cute. I know, I know, something only a mother would appreciate, but still.

Anyway, Connor has yet to fall out of his bed, despite me finding him in all sorts of sleeping positions...including him deciding to sleep on the floor one night! The best part is, he seems to always take his pillow to where he wants to sleep in bed.

My little man is growing up...sniff, sniff.

Backyard Bowling

Yesterday while thrifting with my mom, I came across this amazing find...a little wooden bowling set. It is oddly heavy (duh, Jessica. It is solid wood!) and I feared it could be used as a weapon by a certain little man against his sister. But, I swallowed my fear and got it anyway.

After eating dinner outside (yea for spring), I set up the bowling set, Ian drew some lines and Connor had some fun. By the end, he stopped throwing the ball from over his head, but I still don't think he fully got the concept. It was cute non-the-less.