Happy Halloween!

We took some pictures of the boys in their Halloween costumes out by the neighborhood duck pond before we went Trick or Treating. They were the cutest Peter Pan and Anne Geddes bunny you ever did see! Our friends with precious little Kaitlin "Cinderella" joined us in the adventure.

Evan's First Hair Cut

Checking out this haircut thing..

Nothing to it!


Still going strong, Mommy!


Final Touches

Approving my photo



Picture Perfect!

On October 18th I finally took the plunge and got Evan's first haircut. I figured after strangers starting to say "what a cute little girl" it was time. I think I was trying to postpone as long as possible because if I didn't cut his hair it made me feel like he was still a tiny baby.
I took him to Cool Cuts at Toys R Us. It is the same place that Hayden gets his haircut and it was either the same chair or the chair next to where Hayden got his first haircut. They are able to distract the kids with little TV's, video games, and a car to sit in equipped with steering wheel and all.
Evan was a perfect angel. He did not shed a single tear! He was entranced with his steering wheel and little television playing in front of him.
He didn't even fuss when I initially had to make the diversion back to the store to purchase a pair of socks for him. It is against code to have babies without socks/shoes getting a hair cut. Hayden always had shoes on but I gave up with "E" because he always rips them off within seconds of getting into the car. Oh well, we got some extra socks.

Pumpkin Patch

CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE



Click above image to enlarge!

Visit to the Neighborhood Pond - Oops- 5 Weeks Old!

I must initially excuse this posting as it is only 5 weeks late (taken the second week of September). I took these pics as part of a photography class I was taking at the community college. I learned a lot of fantastic things....

1) my camera can do much more when it is not set on Auto :=)
2) I have a lot to learn about manual settings and photography in general
3) I had no idea that photography was so technical
4) I am inspired to want to be a better photographer
5) in looking at my pictures I can learn more about me - never would have thought!


Anyhow, these were actually taken over a couple of nights. The first night with Hayden wearing the baseball cap backwards feeding the ducks was a special just Mommy and son date! He got to feed almost an entire loaf of bread to a very eager crowd as you can see. I was a bit nervous that they might frighten him as close as they got but he was not scared at all. He was a bit surprised when one got close enough to grab an entire piece of bread out of his hand but all was well. ( DISCLAIMER- No ducks or children were injured in the "filming" of this production - ha)
Hayden was such a cooperative boy in letting me take my photo shoot of him though you can tell from the pics he was not all that excited but complied with my requests. I totally understood. Why pose for photos when there are hungry ducks to feed??!
This little outing was also very special to me as one of my favorite outings growing up was going to the lake with my Mom to feed the ducks.
The pics of Evan were from the second night. As you can see he was just busy staring off at the ducks in the distance and taking in the scenery. Mommy had a hard time getting his attention but at least I got some pics of those very kissable cheeks of his.

Mr. Mischief!!

So I have decided to change Evan's temporary nickname from Mr. Crinkle Nose to Mr. Mischief! (For explanation on "Mr. Crinkle Nose" you will need to look back to prior blog posting August 27th).
Anyhow, I cannot believe the feats this little boy can achieve.
The first sign he was a climber was when he climbed into his own exersaucer. I have never seen or known any infant to do this.
Whenever I am holding him on my hip these days he hoists his little feet up to my hip bone like I am a tree or something and tries to stand up on my hip so his head is level with mine. It is not comfortable for Mommy but most entertaining for him. He gets a better view. When I hold him against my chest he tries to climb over my shoulders and enjoys hanging over my back. I am not sure where he thinks he is going to go when he gets there but enjoys it none the less...
He learned already that chairs are things you can use to get on top of things. He can climb from Hayden's little chair, to the table against the kitchen island, to the island within seconds. Needless to say, Hayden's chair is no longer on the kitchen floor after meal time. It goes on top of the counter. If you happen to stop by my house without notice soon you will notice I often have things like chairs on top of my cabinets and tables now. We now have also pretty much blocked off the kitchen. You would think you could let him crawl around for a bit while preparing a bottle or something but where there is a will there is a way for my little boy.
He can climb and stand on window seals. (Don't worry - we keep windows closed and locked!) He can only reach the ones close to the ground on the first floor anyway.
We went to check on him in the nursery on Sunday to be told that he somehow managed to escape the bungie bouncer chair. They are not sure if he jumped or climbed but fortunately managed to make it to the ground safely.
I took the boys to Target yesterday. I had not turned my back for 15 seconds and "E" managed to stick his feet up back through the leg holes in the front infant seat of the cart, twist himself around in the seat belt, and was standing up facing the back of the cart by the time I turned around! Thank goodness I got him before he went overboard.
He also now uses Hayden as a "walker". I am hoping to get some footage of this soon. He stands up and grabs onto Hayden's clothes from behind and when Hayden starts walking, Evan is walking too. Evan squeals with delight and Hayden is equally amused that he can provide such walking assistance to his little brother. I have to remind Hayden to walk slow as little Evan is still learning. I have to keep them on the carpet as there is an inevitable tumble eventually. This just started yesterday. I probably am going to need to put a stop to it soon but it is precious beyond measure to watch as long as I am near by for "accident prevention."
I have to keep a close watch on this little man. He needs extra safety prayer these days too.

Lunch Visit with MeMaw

Last Wednesday I took the boys to meet their Great Grandmother, MeMaw, at her place for lunch. She was so excited about our visit. She had a special table reserved for us in the dining room at her retirement community.
I brought a Happy Meal for Hayden as our best guesses would be that he probably would not partake in the meal choices available. MeMaw suggested it herself and I agreed that he probably would not eat the chickpea salad, apple chicken, and barley :=)
Hayden ate his entire Happy Meal and MeMaw gladly helped him arrange the french fries on his plate. He did eat a whole serving of red Jello which MeMaw spoon fed him the entire thing. I kind of chuckled to myself as Hayden did not once tell her he could feed himself the Jello. I know it meant so much to her. It was just precious to watch.
MeMaw could not have been more proud of her sweet grandsons. They both behaved incredibly and I could not have been more pleased myself. The lunch process there is almost an hour! She proudly showed them off to her friends and the staff at the community.
MeMaw offered Hayden a ride on her lap in her scooter. He at first was very hesitant and declined the initial offer. However, after a bit of coaxing he climbed into the chair and she showed him a few of the controls. He got to turn it on and off a couple of times and once he figured out he could make it move he was hooked! There was no getting off of MeMaw's lap. He rode around the entire community on the scooter with MeMaw and had a blast.
Hayden at one point told MeMaw, "Don't feed Evan carrots. It will make him sick." She thought that was hilarious. Carrots don't make Evan sick. She knew Hayden was protecting his brother from a vegetable he doesn't care too much for himself.
We went back to her apartment and she let the boys play around a while. Evan of course tried to get into everything but she didn't mind a bit.
It was such a special afternoon. I am thankful that God has blessed this woman at the age of 90 to be able to still enjoy and know her great grandsons. Some of my happiest memories are with her and I love her so much. The dedication and love she has shown to her friends and family over the years is beyond measure.

Happy Memory Highlights.... I will never forget playing cards with her while watching The Price is Right on the card table in front of the TV. We spent hours putting together 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. (She was amazing at Wheel of Fortune and she frequently called out the correct answers before many of the contestants and she always was working a cross word puzzle from the Sunday paper). She read to us all the time and sung us to sleep as we listened to the grandfather clock chime in her and Grandpa's house at night. There was nothing better than a MeMaw and Grandpa Thanksgiving Feast! She gave Lauren and I our best childhood Christmas ever - two Cabbage Patch dolls EACH! I still remember vividly as she and my Grandpa pulled them out of the car Christmas morning. We could not have been more thrilled and I think she was equally if not more excited to give them to us. MeMaw is one of the most graciously giving people I have ever known. It brings her nothing but delight to give to those she loves. She always made me feel that I was loved and very special. WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH, MEMAW!!

My Beautiful Boys

My friend Tammy took these photos. She really captured the boys' essence I think. Let me know if you need a good photographer :=)

First Day of School for Hayden

So last week Hayden was officially back at preschool (aka. Mother's Day Out) 2 days a week. Isn't he getting so big? He officially looks like a little boy in those pictures. Where did my baby go?!
He proudly sported his brand new orange Pottery Barn Kids back pack, lunch box, and duffle bag lovingly given by Grandmommy.
Daddy wanted to be a special escort for the big day and helped Hayden learn where to put away his sleep mat, lunch box, and drink cup in their proper place in the hall outside his classroom door. He is so blessed to have such a good Daddy.
He was warmly greeted by his teachers Miss Susan and Miss Melissa. We are told they are some of the best in program so we know he will have a great year!
He will be learning a little Spanish this year as part of the curriculum. We will see how that goes.

.... On a side note - I was sitting with Hayden eating lunch yesterday and he started pointing out pictures on the shelf in our breakfast nook and telling me who the pictures were of and a brief description of each. He looks at an old picture of himself at the Pumpkin Patch and says, "There is me in a wagon." "There is Evan in his swing." Heres comes the most unexpected and precious comment of them all...... He sees a picture of me in my wedding dress and veil and exclaims, "Look Mommy, it is you as a princess!"
That comment from my sweet son will be forever engraved in my heart. If even for one moment I felt like a real princess, it was that one.

I Wonder Who Dressed These Boys on Saturday?

So I am in the kitchen as Steve brings the boys down from their rooms proudly dressed in their Texas attire in eager anticipation of the UT/TCU game (go Frogs- ha! ha!) - My Alma Mater was obliterated the second that Steve and I got together. I won't boast that TCU was actually ahead at half time.

Anyhow, Steve so happily paraded the boys around town running various errands enjoying a good "Hook 'Em Horns" here and there throughout the day. This will be something so special for my men to share together for many years to come.

Hayden got to stay up late with Daddy to cheer on the Longhorns who were in the end victorious 34-13! It brought such joy to see Hayden so excitedly copying the many shouts of "Yes!" and jumping up and down throughout the game. I was so relieved of their win. A Longhorn loss to TCU in the Sosbee household would have made for a very unhappy Sunday.

Lunch Visit with Grammy at Work

Last Friday I took my little men for a lunch visit with Grammy at her office. She could not have been more pleased to see them. Grammy was just beaming with pride in her precious grandsons. We feasted on one of our fast food favs, Taco Bueno. Hayden shared some stories and smiles with Grammy. Evan (i.e. "Mr. Crinkle Nose" as you see on the below post) enjoyed showing his "nose pose" several times.
I so appreciate how my Mom enjoys such little things in life. There is no person sweeter. We love you, Grammy!

Mr. "Crinkle Nose"

So Evan has recently discovered this new expression over the past week that seems to be almost constant over the past few days. It was hilarious to me the first few times. I suppose it still is but it just isn't exactly the cutest baby face he could make. He seems to be trading it in for his precious smile these days.
He was cracking the women up at church yesterday as he kept wrinkling up his little nose making this devilish little look. I think he enjoys it because it evokes so much response. Mommy is starting to get concerned about the old expression that "your face is going to get stuck that way!"
See for yourself...

Old Video of Hayden Dancing to Magnum PI - Priceless!!

Click play button to view...

Check out my Slide Show!

Evan "E" is 9 Months Old!

How does the time get by? I know it sounds so cliche but I just brought Evan (we call him "E" these days) home from the hospital.
Hayden was such a big helper in taking Evan to the doctor. He held Evan's little binder that we keep with his records and carefully took responsibility to give it to the nurse so that she could update his records.
He inquired about him getting shots. Hayden said he didn't like shots because they are "very pointy." Fortunately Evan did not have to get any yesterday.
These are the stats-
weight 18.3 lbs - 15% percentile
length 28 1/2 inches - 55% percentile
head 18 1/4 inches 75% percentile
Evan is a lean, mean baby machine!
Hayden gave Dr. Dreiling the "hook em' horns" hand sign that he was very impressed with. Dr. Dreiling is also a die hard orange blood.
Hayden asked lots of questions to the nurse and doctor about what they were "doing to Evan." They gladly answered his concerns, especially about the little bag taped around Evan's private parts to collect a urine sample - too hilarious a scene! Hayden questioned and Evan sat there pulling at the bag trying to figure out what the heck they had just taped to him.
Evan did not cry a bit and was very kind to let Dr. Dreiling do his examination. He sleeps well, eats well, and no medical concerns. The doctor said he is "very boring" - just the kind of baby he hopes to see. Thank you Lord, for healthy children. I have learned seeing so many near and dear to me, many that never be something I take for granted.

Happy 30th Steve!

For Steve's 30th B-Day, I decided to make the day special and enjoy the afternoon baking a cake with Hayden while Evan napped. It is his favorite white cake and white icing (only of course the homemade icing with the recipe used by his Mommy growing up.) Hayden enjoyed having the "batter licking" all to himself. This is something he would typically have to fight for when Daddy is around.
Hayden decided that the perfect cake decor would be the cars from his favorite "Cars" movie. He said "Daddy will be so excited" about his cake. He also told Aunt La La (Lauren) all about his cake making adventure. We topped it off with some orange gel pen with a special message and attempt at the University of Texas Bevo in the lower left hand corner of the cake. It was probably the most beautiful cake my son had ever laid eyes on. Anyhow- it still tasted great and Daddy enjoyed it very much.
I surprised Steve with a custom panoramic picture of when Texas won the National Championship and had his ticket enclosed. (I had to get sneaky and go up to his work and switch out his ticket with his sister's in hopes that he would not notice the difference while it was getting made.) He fortunately did not and he loved it. Happy Birthday, Steve (Daddy)! We love you very much!