Curing those rainy day blues...

Joe was gone most of the week, and I'm convinced he stole the sunshine away with him to Aruba, because it didn't bother to come out the whole time he was gone! Magnus and I were getting quite tired of all the rain and gloomy weather until he found out that it can be quite fun! He went out in the rain and splashed and played under the gutter spout until he was quite a mess! (I poked my head out the garage door to take pictures. Maybe if I had super-cool froggy rain boots I might venture out too, but until then...) The last two pictures have a story behind them, and I wonder, am I a bad mommy for calling this the highlight of my day? Maybe you should be the judge. Well, Magnus got tired of splashing in mud and decided to experiment with the garden hose. (You already know where this is going, don't you?) How he managed to squirt himself (on the first try!) full force in the face is still a mystery, but he did, and Oh! the shock and *chilly* horror on his face! I think he got lucky though, as it seems to have mostly glanced off the side of his head, peeling his hat up on the side! Well, imagine me, the innocent by-standing mommy... snapping pictures of my little boy playing in the mud, and then to see this great adventure unfold! I totally lost it... totally! I was reeling in such hilarious cackles and roars of laughter, that Magnus (who was crying at his misfortune) eventually turned around to see what all the raucous was about, saw his loony mother in stitches, and decided to join me in laughter! First he gave me this silly little smile (see photo!) then he giggled, then he let out a big laugh and forgot why he was crying. Maybe I'm not such a bad mommy after all. =)

The verdict is in! It's a...

Look at that cute little hoof!

Giving Mommy a thumbs-up. =)

Our little BOY!!!!!

My whole pregnant look at 20 weeks - I could've just used a pregnancy pic from when I was carrying Magnus since I'm the exact same size... but I thought that would be cheating.

We're so excited to be having another little boy! He was uncooperative during his ultrasound photo shoot for us to get a really nice, clear shot of his profile, but at least we were definitely able to tell that he was a boy! This is good news for us, but bad news for the economy since we won't be needing to go out and buy any new clothes or toys. =) If the last half of this pregnancy goes as quickly for me as the first half has, we're going to be holding that little fella in no time!

Magnus & Sydney

I have this picture on my desktop, and though it was taken a couple months ago, I just love it for some reason and thought I'd share it! =) Magnus loved Sydney, the Yellow Lab pictured, who was Melvin & Tamela's dog before he got killed in the road. Magnus still remembers him though (we would keep Sydney whenever his owners were away) and thinks any Yellow Lab-type dog is "Nidney". He even told "Nidney" night-night today at naptime... along with the stars, moon, Jack, Meow-Meow, horses, macaroni-cheese and everything else he could think of! What a precious little boy - who says the "2's" are terrible? I think it just gets funner and funner!

The Perfect Kind of Man...

The perfect kind of man is not only Godly, just and kind... but the "kind" that loves chocolate - and knows how to make their own! =) Here Joe is showing Magnus this important quality of perfect manhood! I have the perfect men, and thank God for them every day! =) Mmm... when are those brownies going to be done, fellas?

Feb. 26th, 2009 - Magnus' big day!

Magnus actually had two big days for his 2nd birthday. On his actual birthday, he did all of his favorite things with us. He got to ride the tractor, helping Daddy scoop dirt with it, play in the freshly scooped dirt, ride the 4 wheeler and just play outside all day long! This is his favorite thing to do. =) Then on Friday I baked him a Blues Clues cake (his favorite!) and we had dinner at home with friends Melvin and Tamela. He loved the balloons, presents and cake, and he enjoyed the liberty of dipping his fingers into that yummy Blues Clues icing after everyone else had endulged. For his 2 year Dr. check-up, he measured a tad over 38" tall, and 34 1/2 lbs. He didn't even cry when he got his shot! I'd say he's doing pretty well for himself, wouldn't you? =)

First "big" snow in 7 years!

Our snowman! =)

He'd be the quickest draw in the East - if only he had some arms!

Magnus giving a big howdy to Mr. Wyatt-Frosty Earp

Mr. Cool... very cool.

We made snow-cream! It was our best yet. We added some secret ingredients. =)

Magnus got to take a 4-wheeler ride with his 3rd cousins, the Paulus twins (9).

Our house looked more beautiful than ever with it's lovely white shawl to keep it warm.

My Cowboys

The old song says something like, "Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys", but I don't totally agree. =) I think it should be more like, "Mommas, don't let your babies grow up to be bullriders!" That definitely should be off-limits, but horsies are just too much fun, and Magnus is quickly finding that out! We got him a helmet so he could go riding with Daddy and he thoroughly enjoys it! Since riding horses is a no-no for pregnant ladies, I have to walk alongside instead of being in the saddle... but that's okay, my Dr. would be proud of me for exercising! =) Magnus loves to try to hold the reins just how Daddy does, and when E-Z would stop walking he'd say, "Walk! Walk!" The next day after this photo of my 2 favorite cowboys was taken, Joe and Melvin went horseback riding together. The only problem with that was that Joe happened to mention it to Magnus beforehand, and since Magnus couldn't go he was totally crushed and just cried and cried, saying, "Melwinn? Orsies? Mannees wide??" (Translated: Melvin? Horses? Magnus ride?) Poor little cowboy! We felt so bad! But that's just the way it goes sometimes. Cowboys have to be tough!

Anytime is a good tent-time

Magnus has to play some sort of "tent" game every single day. He just has to - it's that simple. Whether it's climbing up on our bed (if it's freshly made, no problem - he just tosses pillows aside and throws back the covers!) to get under the sheets that either Daddy or Mommy hold up in the air for him, or using a blanket going from chair to chair, he loves it all. His latest bit of tent wonder and excitement came when Daddy pulled out a real, live, musty smelling, old, camouflage tent! Oh what fun! It even had a zipper for the door, which was even better. Joe and I have looked forward to the day when we can take our little "camper" on a real camping trip down in the woods - or maybe just out in the yard. I think he's almost ready, and it won't be long at all before he's a happy camper in the literal, fresh-air & roasted marshmallow sort of way!

Chillin in the Shrubs - 22 months

Showing me his cheeks.

Pointing out his nose... You can see Olly lying in the background.


Saying "cheese"!

Magnus loves to hang out in the bushes with his "meow-meow" Olly. He'll contentedly sit back there "hiding with meow-meow" as he says, and play in the mulch and dirt. They are quite the pair, and Oliver is very tolerant with Magnus' endless tugs on his tail. Not that he never swats Magnus for his rough treatment, but if he ever does, Magnus always proudly points out his battle scars and says, "Meow-Meow Owwie!"

Maymont Park, Revisited

Mr. Owl

Aunt Jessica and Magnus

Watching the River Otters play.

Clayton, Courtney and Magnus (cousins) beside the fish/turtle tank.

While part of Joe's family was here during New Year's week, the ladies and kids had a fun little outing to my favorite Richmond park, "Maymont". The men-folk were too busy seeking action during the last week of hunting season, and missed all the fun. It was a very cold day with some freezing rain, but it let up in time for us to see the bears and other outdoor critters at the petting zoo. Magnus thought it was a wonderful experience and didn't complain at all about the frigid temperatures. I simply must be a good mommy and take him back again soon on a sunny day. =) But for now, all he really wants is to just go to bed, so I am off to oblige him!