Halloween Part 1, and Random Cuteness

Monday night, as we were clearing the table from dinner and getting ready for family home evening (Matt and I hadn't yet said anything about FHE in front of Darren) Darren ran over to the door, and very clearly said, "See Jesus." I responded with, "You want to see Jesus?" He nodded with a great big smile on his face, so I picked him up and showed him a picture of Jesus we have hanging on the wall. Then Darren said "uck," (hug), and leaned forward trying to hug the picture. And then he said "isses," (kisses), and kissed Jesus. We then had to walk all through the house, so he could repeat the same thing for every picture of Jesus we have. What a great FHE lesson!

Earlier today, Darren was pretty adamant about wanting a sucker, and I told him not until after lunch. He, of course, did not like that response, and proceeded to throw a tantrum. So, I just calmly but firmly looked at him, and said, "Darren, do you need a time out?" (Just threatening at this point). To which he responded by running down the hall into his room, sat on his bed (the usual time out place) and pouted. He saw me watching him, so he got up, glared at me, and shut his bedroom door. He came out of his room on his own a couple minutes later, a whole new happy kid! Why can't every tantrum be this easy?!

In keeping with the good ol' halloween tradition, we carved pumpkins this week. Well, Matt and I carved, Darren decorated. Darren picked out all the facial features for his pumpkin. Here are the pictures. I will post pictures of our costumes later.

Trying to clean it out all by himself (We did have to help)

He chose the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. to use.
Putting in an ear

Proud of the finished product!

The finished product!

Amanda's, Darren's, Matt's

Matt's in panarama....

....Panarama continued

2 months old already!

Little baby Joseph turned 2 months old yesterday! He is growing so fast. He had his 2 month check up earlier today, and currently weighs 12 lbs. 14 oz., and is 24 1/4 inches long. He's grown almost 3 inches in 2 short months! He smiles and coos more and more every day and has already brought so much joy to our little family. Just this week, he has started to sleep for 8 hours straight at night. HOORAY!! My bed and I are getting reacquainted!

Joseph is already starting to develop his own little personality. He seems to really like his thumb, although we're trying to encourage a pacifier instead. He's also so good natured about his brother loving him too much and smothering him. When Joseph is awake, he is very alert and seems to soak in all the information he can get! I think he's going to be a thinker and observer. He's a pretty snugly baby and likes to be held all the time! I love snugly babies! So far, he seems to be a little more sensitive than Darren, and not quite as animated - though still pretty happy. I love having him in our home and part of our family. Here are some pictures taken yesterday and today - officially 2 months old!

I LOVE this smile! It's very contagious!

He's even happy when he's sleeping!

Darren was jealous that I was taking pictures of the baby, so I had to take a picture of him! He picked his props and his pose!

Brotherly love!

Happy boy!

Again!

Aeorbics - the FUN way!

As many of you know, one of Darren's favorite things to do is to run endless laps around the couch with either Matt or myself chasing him - usually with music playing and sometimes while throwing balls back and forth, and sometimes while adding a little hide and seek in there too.

Tonight he started throwing his balls at both Matt and I, and then trying to run away. This began one of the best nights ever! Matt and I simultaneously began chasing Darren around the couch, while throwing his balls right back at him! When Darren realized he was playing his little game with Mom and Dad at the same time, his little face just lit up and began laughing a great big belly laugh. We all continued running (literally) around the couch, throwing, catching, and dodging balls and pillows for the next half an hour! The whole time, Darren never stopped laughing, and Matt and I were having a great time too! When we finally quit, we were all dripping sweat (gross) and exhausted, but very content. With how hard and how long we were playing, Matt and I decided that it totally counts as an aerobic workout, only way more fun! Even if it doesn't really count, nothing beats seeing the joy on your child's face as he is obviously having a really GREAT time!

Discipline/Humor

The other evening, we caught Darren standing on top of the kitchen table, which he's not allowed to do. Matt and I both told him to get down, and he just laughed at us - he was obviously testing the limits! So, we told him he had until the count of 3 to get down, or he would get a little swat on his bum, and WE would take him off the table - he does actually get this whole concept, 'cause it's worked before. Anyway, Matt started counting, and of course, Darren just stood there with a little mischievous grin. When Matt got to 3, he went over to Darren and picked him up off the table. While setting him down and preparing to give him a little swat, Darren responded with a big, resounding, THANK YOU!! Complete with a little nod of his head! Matt and I both busted up laughing, in spite of our efforts to remain serious and stern. Teaching moment.... gone. What are we going to do with this kid?!!!

"Sleeping"

Yesterday, Darren was quite insistent that he "sleep" next to Joseph, with Joseph's blanket (though both were wide awake!). So I laid them down on the couch together, and got the camera. Darren's kind of a blanket hog, but fortunately, Joseph doesn't seem to mind. Coincidentally, they were both also wearing the same colors that day... light blue shirt w/ navy blue pants (not that you can see the pants, but they're there!) I promise I didn't plan it, but I think it looks pretty cute!

Showtime!

A few days ago when Matt came home from work, he and Darren started playing together right away, which is pretty typical (Matt's such a great Dad!). This particular day, I was sitting on our bed feeding Joseph, so I couldn't see what was going on, but enjoying hearing father and son laugh together and Darren sqealing with delight! Then, I saw this.... I was laughing pretty hard, so they kept doing it over and over.... I eventually had Matt go get the camera. I hope you are all as amused as I was! I LOVE my little family!

When Darren gets bored......

This week, we have all been sick with colds, including the baby. I didn't think it would be a very good idea to take a sick baby out, so we really haven't gone anywhere this week. Based on his behavior, I think it's been pretty hard on Darren, and he's been really bored. Let's just say that this will be a week remembered, and I only got the camera out for today's adventures with boredom. I'll just mention a few of his little escapades this week. On Tuesday, Darren decided the walls needed some color, and colored all over them with lip gloss he somehow retrieved from a shelf way above the kitchen counter. A little later the same day, he must have thought the dining room floor looked a little blah, because he decorated it with blue permanent marker!

Today I finally got the camera out for the cheerios he dumped out, scattered, jumped on, and ground into the carpet (note the cheerio dust in the middle of the pic). And then, an hour or two later he felt the need to throw beans all over the hallway, living room, and couch (including between the cushions!). Someday I will look back on all of this and laugh!!