Phone Dump - February

I love to write. I love to take pictures. 

These days it seems like my writing is in short phrases and my picture taking (at least of my own kids) is on my phone. 

So, I thought I'd post my instagram pics. Seems like they do tell a bit of a story from our everyday lives. Sometimes funny. Often entertaining. Overall memories I want to remember! 

If you'd like to follow me I'm jackeeausterman on instagram.

Flavored marshmallows in my hot chocolate this morning?#whateverworks

Oh, such sweet hugs from my boy today.

She squeals like a siren. :) 

Love it when my husband goes all out while cleaning...even the toaster is gettin a cleanin! :) 

Ellie's crooked lil tongue! :)

I wasn't sure at first... But yep, I sure do like this eating thing! 

love letters to my zay...

All prettied up for church today... Complete with mommy's patent leather shoes from when she was a babe!

Every page reads the same... "no no Sam, I not like green eggs and ham"#drseuss #zaystyle

Gettin laundry done...

And Zay gettin laundry done (see previous post)... He doesn't miss much! 

goodbye 3-6 months... hello 6-9 months!

It's not even 8am and these four have me worn out! #dogsitting

He's singing... "Riley + Leyton coming... Zay-Zay so HAPPY... Yay, Yay, Yay" I'd say he's a little excited that his friends are coming for dinner!

dish washer

dish washer watcher

Quirky trait no. 789 of our Zay...he constantly asks me to cut the tags out of his shirts...itches or tickles him all day. I'm not sure this was a good idea on his shirt today...very important instructions on the tag!

I most definitely will be reminding the high school version of Zay that there once was a day when all he wanted to do was slow dance with his mom first thing in the morning. Sweet boy.

The redheads play well together!

Ellie: barely whimpering... Zay: "Ellie, I get your binky for you"#goodbigbrother

Cutest crew @ #UIHC today!#notearsforblooddraw #toughboy

Bouncing on a ball. Or off the walls.#bundleofenergy #everyday

We can't just pretend we are a dog, we NEED to dress like one. #ruffruff#hisnameisbongo

Zay was clearly not okay with daddy's choice of outfit for Ellie today... He says "Ellie wear your tutu and be a princess!" Ellie's funny face shows she isn't impressed with either of their efforts.

What we've learned tonight... If you propel yourself just right while sitting on daddy's back, you can effectively launch yourself into a full on backwards somersault. Our evening is now complete.

Ellie - 5 Months!

Here are some pictures of our FIVE month old...better get them on the blog before she turns SIX months in a couple weeks! :) Such a sweet lil gal!

Happy Valentines Day

From our lil love bugs! :)

our life as of late

I need to take more time and write about the things my kids come up with. They are so fascinating to me. Growing, learning, changing, challenging...their little brains work on overtime. 

Zay comes up with the funniest stories and reasons for doing things. We got a Little People Doll House for him (and someday Elle). His role-playing is such an insight to how he perceives the world around him. He literally takes the daddy to the next room, because daddy's go to work. And daddy's workout, so he pretends the daddy is going for a run. Mommy is obviously less motivated, but she does make dinner, answers the doorbell, does laundry, and sometimes goes on the roof of the house. Because ya know, this happens in real life. And the baby basically takes naps, but also sometimes answers the doorbell. Zay fetches his Bible, reads a story and then prays for the Little People family when they all go to bed. It's cute. Oh...and Daddy stands up to potty and Mommy sits down. He knows. :)

Elle has learned to control her little hands and knows how to give big-wide-open-mouth kisses. Oh the sweetness. And she communicates. I hate to say it, but she's an easier baby than Zay was. She can have her moments. But she's the comical-kind-of-dramatic, rather than the I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-this-baby-kind-of-fussy. During the daytime hours she is a simple joy. Very easy to please. Very content. Basically keep her fed, clean and rested and there will be no problems. We've hit a few weeks of a little temper throwing in the evening, but I think it's getting better. 

 Pictures to illustrate two fast-changing kiddos...

She's rollin. Not necessarily over, but back-and-forth, back-and-forth...until she's across the room. 

 The girl likes to play. She hits, bangs and swings all of her toys with great determination, while simultaneously squealing with delight. 

This boy. Oh my. He's a hoot. And a performer. 

Poor Bailey. Desperate for a haircut.

little feet

I'm thankful to have two sets of little feet around our house. I took some pictures this last week {like always} and these two stood out. Cute pics of some wee little toes. :)

Isaiah has his Mickey Mouse books memorized, nearly word-for-word.

Ah...Pink blanket, pink sweats, and you may think those are white socks, but they are trimmed in...none other than...pink. :)