August in Bullets

Life happened. Life got in the way of the blog this month, and I'm OK with that. Cause life is good, and I can't complain. Our trip to Canada for the wedding was the obvious big event of the month, but I figured I would bullet out some of the non-wedding related highlights from the rest of our month.

• Eli completed another cycle of his karate class and successfully earned his blue stripe.  His skills are really coming along, and we couldn't be more proud of him. He is signed up again this fall in hopes of earning his green stripe and his camo belt.  The camo belt is all about attitude, self-control, and focus...something that is a challenge for Eli, but he is rising to the occasion and is well on his way to earning both. I love seeing his confidence and passion for karate grow.

• Jude has decided to start acting like a big boy this month. Talking up a storm, speaking in more phrases and sentences, and dropping some of his baby talk (*sniff sniff*) Early in the month, he started telling me consistently when he had to go potty. How can I argue with a kid if he says he is ready? So despite my doubts that my not-quite-21-month-old was ready to use the potty, I got out the potty for him. He showed me! The kid will use the potty with about 80-90% accuracy if he is naked.....put underwear on him and it is a whole different story. For now, I'm not pushing it, but when we are home, you can bet he is usually bare bottomed and using the potty without prompting or tangible rewards. He is happy with cheers, high 5's, and flushing the toilet. Who knows, maybe he'll be potty trained by 2. (I probably just jinxed myself, didn't I?)

• While in Canada, Matt and I celebrated our 12th anniversary! Being married for 12 and together for over 17 years sure seems like a lot, but it still feels a lot like yesterday. So happy we picked each other to share our life long adventure together. Knowing he will be by my side until "death do us part" is incredibly comforting.  Blessed doesn't even begin to describe it.

• Eli had another huge milestone in his short life. He had his first day of kindergarten. He started a new school this year and has loved it from day one. None of my attempts to bribe him with daily batches of fresh baked cookies could convince him to stay home with me. It took some adjusting, but he is learning what is expected of him and is well on his way to a successful first year of elementary school. (I can't believe I just said that about my baby!)

above pictures from the Back to School Bash held the week before school started

• **Side note**  Mommy handled the first day without too much emotion. My heart swelled with joy and love as he ran off and didn't even look back to say good bye to me, Or blow a kiss. No hug. Nothing. I did my best not to be stung by these action, and instead chose to find peace in this. My little bird was ready. Ready to fly. And fly he did. When I called to him as he ran to line up, all I got was a quick, "Mom, the bell rang!" Duh, Mommy. Where did the time go? 

• On this first day of school, we also got a new car! Our air conditioning went out on the CR-V almost a month ago, and in case you didn't know....summer is HOT! No AC and sweaty babies in the back seat was no fun, so it was a good excuse to take the plunge and get a new car.  Meet Batman. Guess who picked the name. Not sure if the name will stick, but regardless we love the new car. Soooo roomy and it has AC. The last part is the best...rear vents and rear controls to make sure my babies aren't sweating anymore. I'm over the fact that I drive a minivan....almost. Thank goodness Honda has tried hard to revamp the body style in the last couple of years so that I don't feel like a frumpy minivan mom. And I like to think the black helps make it look a little bit more (as Matt likes to say...) rock and roll. Even if it doesn't, we will pretend it does because we do really like it so far.

• We found a lot of ways to celebrate the first day and week of school. There may or may not have been a few trips to get ice cream and frozen yogurt that week.

• New school and new year = New morning routines for all of us.  Jude and I walk Eli to school as long as it is not raining. School is 0.6 miles from our house, so the walk is perfect. I love the time with the boys in the morning. 

• All of the new busy morning routine led to an inevitable event that I thought would never happen on its own. Jude weaned himself! I am both distraught and excited about this. I figured it would be a battle, and instead....it just happened. Just. Like. That. Don't get me wrong, he will still ask for it every other day, but thankfully he is easily distracted. I already miss the cuddle time (and not to mention the increase in my metabolism....) Thankfully, with nursing for almost 2 years, he still loves to sit and love on his mama. Love my little stinker!

• As if that week wasn't big and busy enough with school starting, a new car, and weaning, Mommy and Daddy left the boys with Aunt Kristi and Uncle Steve to go on a work retreat for Daddy. It was the first time we've left since Jude was born. Everything went smoothly back here with the boys. Kristi and Steve were super great and not only took great care of them, but they sent enough texts and pictures to keep Mommy happy. We stayed at a resort in Long Boat Key and it was just gorgeous. When not schmoozing with other lawyers from Matt's firm, we lounged by the pool and did a whole bunch of nothing. It was perfect!

• And finally, we are ending the month with a bout of what I am thinking is the flu for Eli. Thankfully no one else has gotten it...yet. {*fingers crossed*} He has had a fever since Monday afternoon, and it just won't seem to go away. Along with that, cough, sore throat, head and body aches, lack of appetite. His diet consists mostly of popsicles, water, and some sherbet. After being out of school this week, we are hoping he doesn't lose all of that positive momentum he was building up for an awesome year. I'm sure he won't. I think I am seeing a hint of healthy Eli today as he as actually gotten off the couch to play a bit. Here's hoping we are on our last day of fever, and he is ready to head back to school on Tuesday!

What a month! September is bound to be just as crazy. We are eagerly awaiting tomorrow afternoon when Gator football kicks off. It is hard to contain my excitement about the return of college football and fall. Eeek! Pumpkin spice lattes. Mmmm...

 I'm not making any promises to be around here more often. I shall try though.