Painting Time

The boys really love painting (when I am brave enough to bring it out). Joey was quite serious about his work and didn't crack a smile. He mixed all of his colors together, so all of his pictures ended up being brown. He didn't mind one bit.

Joey's Birth Day Memories

It was 5 years ago today that we welcomed our first child into our family.  

I was trying to find pictures for this post and couldn't find any brand new wrinkly ones.  Then it dawned on me as to why.  Interesting how you can forget things.  Here is a bit of his story.  

Joey had a bit of a rough start.  He inhaled meconium during his birth.  They were prepared for it so they had a respiratory therapist waiting when he was born.  We were all dead silent as we watched them work hard to get him breathing.  I am not sure how long it was, but it felt like an eternity.  I was able to hold him for less than a minute before they took him away.  The nurse said it was a good sign that they let me hold him.  I didn't feel all that reassured.  

Four LONG hours later we finally got to have him forever.  It was an amazing and scary time.  We had no idea what we were doing and it seems silly now the little things we worried about.  I remember calling the nurse in to see if we put his diaper on right.  Seriously, did we do that?!  At least he won't remember how inexperienced we were.  We survived the sleepless nights, the crying, and the diapers all for the love of that little baby.

We were so excited and nervous to see our first born.  

Here we are five years later.  He is now a very big boy.  He has a full vocabulary and loves using it every waking second (hmm...seems familiar).  He has an amazing imagination that seems to take him anywhere.  He loves riding his bike, shooting his bow, fishing and playing with his friends.  He has endless energy.  He loves to cuddle and hug just like his mommy.  I never have to wonder how much he loves me because he tells me all day, every day.  He has such a big heart.  

Joey, I love you more than you will ever know.  Thank you for making me a mommy.

I'm Sorry, Daddy

Joey has always loved a wooden C-17 model of Joe's, so Joe put it in Joey's room for him to enjoy. It gets played with some and a few small pieces have been broken over time. Today, Joey broke a couple of big pieces on it. I told him how upset Daddy would be, so on his own he went to our craft drawer and made his Daddy an "I'm Sorry" note. He then had me fold in into a paper airplane. It was really sweet of him.

My Ski Jumpers

Right now Andrew's favorite Wii game is the ski jump.  

Oh, no!  It's Joey's turn.

Planting Popcorn

We were eating popcorn the other day and Joey started pulling the unpopped seeds out.  He really wanted to plant them outside to see if they would grow.  He talked Daddy into digging him a few holes for the popcorn seeds.  He planted them with such care.  Then we had to water them.  Now we will have to wait and see what comes up.

Joey's Bedtime Rules

When it was time for bed tonight, Joey announced his bedtime rules.

1. No going to bed

2. No rocking

3. If you get scared, go to Mom and Dad, but don't forget Grandma

 

He repeated them over and over including the numbers each time.

First Day of Preschool

Today was a big day in the Beal household.  It was the first day of preschool for both of the boys.  Joey is now going four mornings a week and Andrew is going two mornings a week.  This is the first time Andrew has been to "school".  He was quite excited, but I think it was only because he loves his school backpack.  Joey was happy to see his old friends again and to meet new ones.  They both had a good day, no tears were shed.  Of course, we had to celebrate the day with ice cream!

Gotta show off Larry and Batman

This is Mrs. Lou-Ann and Mrs. Shannon

This is Mrs. Veronica.  She told him she loved him at the open house and again when he left today.  I love them being at a Christian preschool.

Larry and Bob

My kids are HUGE Veggie Tales fans.  They had an opportunity to meet Larry and Bob today.  Both of them were very excited.  Andrew looks a little stunned in the pictures, but he really liked it.  He kept taking Bob's hand and saying "come on".  Too cute.  He kept talking about how big Larry was.  Joey told them all about his favorite movies and how much he liked them in Larryboy and the hairbrush one (Minnesota Cuke).  He quickly figured out that there were two guys in there, but he didn't seem to mind.  

Ryanne's Senior Pictures

My niece, Ryanne, is a senior in high school.  That is just crazy to me.  I wanted to share some of her senior pictures here.  I love her gorgeous eyes!

R/C Flying

This is Andrew's newest way of expressing his excitement.  Thankfully, Joey is being a good sport about it.

Bowling Night

This was Andrew's first time bowling.  He liked it, but Joey loved it.  I just loved their cute little bowling shoes.

Andrew kept licking the air that comes out of the hand blower.

Andrew's Birthday Celebration

We spent Andrew's birthday at his VERY favorite place, Chuck E Cheese's.  Maw Maw and Paw Paw came in for the weekend.  Tyler and Canon joined us too.  Of course, we also had to have cake and presents.   

Joey really wanted Andy to open the present from him, so we let him have that one first thing in the morning.

Andrew really wanted Paw Paw to sit next to him in the car.  I don't know how he fit in it, but I almost fell over laughing when I saw them. 

Andrew's Birth Day Memories

It was two years ago today that we welcomed our second child into our family.  Andrew is such a sweet soul.  Nearly all of the baby is gone, all too quickly replaced by a full blown toddler.  What wonderful memories I have of holding him for the first time and gently kissing him.  

What an awesome gift from God when He gives us our children.  

He is only a few moments old here.

Joey was very insistent that Andrew have his Winnie the Pooh with him at all times. 

Here's Joey holding Andrew for the first time.

Oh, sweet boy, how I love you!

Baby Update

My scanner isn't working, but everyone already knows what an ultrasound picture looks like.  We had a 13 week ultrasound yesterday and got to see our little bean.  It was jumping around like crazy.  Everything looked great and we got to hear the heartbeat.  

I feel so blessed to be nearly through the critical first trimester.  We have one more month until we have our anatomy scan that should tell us the gender.  Seeing the baby yesterday is making me even more anxious to find out what we are having.  Please pray for a  healthy baby and mama.