Not So Picture Perfect

A couple of weeks ago, J & I took the kids to the Arboretum to try to get some pictures with the pumpkins before they were gone. I had intended to go earlier in the season, but rainy weather & J's travel schedule kept us from getting there. Better late than never, right?

Perhaps I was a bit too idealistic about this process, but I had hoped to get some cute posed shots of the kids together. After all, professional photographers somehow convince their subjects to sit still. Why shouldn't we be able to do it? Apparently there's a reason those photographers are professionals! Despite an exhausting photo shoot & two rather wiggly kids, there are still some cute ones. Not quite the perfectly posed shots I had envisioned, but super cute, if only because of who's in them. Enjoy!
Mal was fascinated with the leaves & mulch.

We had some camera setting issues during this pose, so it's focused more on Jake than Mal, but we caught some classic Mal expressions, so I had to include them.





Double trouble!

In case you didn't know, this is the correct way to "smell with your nose."

The end of our adventure was urgently signaled by Jake falling down in the mud & covering his cute outfit in muck.
"Can we please leave?!"
Good thing Mommy loves OxiClean!
Stay tuned for Thanksgiving with the Chamblees!

Tupperware Party

Life is good when you've got an open cabinet & some tupperware.

Master Bedroom Redo: Phase 1

After five & a half years of sleeping in a double bed, J & I are finally updating our bedroom with furniture that fits our space in the new house. It really hasn't bothered us to sleep in a small bed since neither of us are very big, but after only a few nights in our new digs, let me tell you, space is nice!

Here are the before shots of our room. Please ignore the terrible lighting & the random bedding items peeking out in the right corner of this pic. It was the night before the new bed was delivered, & I just wanted to capture everything before we changed it.

Phase 1 of our update is just the bed. We decided that we wanted to piece together this room, rather than buying a set, so it will be a work in progress for a while. We found this headboard & our mattresses at The Dump for a steal! Have I mentioned how much I loved that place? We had really planned on getting a queen bed, but I fell in love with this headboard, which was a one of a kind piece & is a king.

The bedding is Michael Kors & was also on sale, at Macy's. The giraffe print sheets are my favorite part!
Our old bed was relocated to the guest room, & we'll slowly be transitioning pieces up there as we replace them in our room. I love re-decorating!

15 Month Stats

As of Sunday, Jake & Mallory are 15 months old. Time flies with two busy toddlers!

Jake now weighs 21 lb 2 oz (8%) & is 29.75 inches tall (11%). As always, his head is his highest percentage at 77%.
Jake is looking more & more like a little boy instead of a baby each day. He is constantly on the move & loves to run. He is our shy child when in new places or situations, but he's a big talker at home. He says Da-da, Ma-ma, Mal Mal, Jake (usually Jake Jake, for some reason), done-done (all done), hi, shh (shoe) & bye-bye. His "hi" is hilarious because it's become this big, Southern sounding "Haaaaaii," which has multiple syllables. He just got his seventh tooth this week. Jake loves to read & be read to, & he is the best hug-giver. He gives them over & over throughout the day & says "Ohhh" every time he hugs you. But watch out for his kisses - they're usually open-mouthed! My dainty little Mallory now weighs 18 lb 4 oz (<5%) & is 29.25 inches tall (15%). Her head is holding strong at 76%.
Mal has become such a funny, spirited little girl. She giggles constantly & loves to do just about anything that will get a laugh. She is our social butterfly & loves to talk to anyone who will listen. Mal says Da-da, Ma-Ma, Jake, uh-oh, up, go & shh (shoe) most often, but she also picks up all kids of words that we say & repeats them. One night during bath time, Justin asked if they were ready to get clean & Mal responded, "All right!" Yesterday, when looking out the window at Ms. Amy's apartment, she exclaimed, "Woo-wee!" She literally keeps us laughing all day long & is well aware of the fact that she's funny. Mallory's new favorite game is Ring Around the Rosie, & she thinks it's hysterical each time Mommy falls down.
I could go on about each of them, of course, but I'll leave you with that. We love our two angels so much & are so blessed to have them!

Ouch

The kids were pretty much horrible this weekend. Jake especially was just rather whiny & clingy, but they are one-year-olds, so occasional whining & misbehavior comes with the territory. Well, apparently there was more reason for it than that. We went to the pediatrician this morning for their 15-month well visit & were told that they both had double ear infections. Out of four little ears, we have four ouchy ones. Makes a little more sense now!
They have one dose of antibiotics in them, as well as some Tylenol, & seem to be improving already. Long naps are helping, too! Mallory's morning was particularly traumatic since she had to have lab work to check her iron levels, in addition to the four shots they both received. If you were anywhere in DFW today & heard a child screaming, it was most likely Mal. That girl does not do well with being poked & prodded!
We are especially grateful for Grammy today, who endured the super long & always adventurous trip to the pediatrician with us. Thank you!

Here's to happy babies on the horizon!