Busy, busy, busy!

Let me start by saying that I can't believe it's almost July already! Its been a super busy week, and a fairly busy summer in general around here so far!

This week Kylie went to VBS at a local church and got to be in class with her BFF, as they like to refer to each other, Makenzie. These two have been inseparable all summer. Stephanie and I started to hang out when the girls were not yet quite 2, and it has been amazing to watch them develop from babies who played in the same room together, but didn't even acknowledge each other to actual real friends. Nothing makes me smile more than listening in on these two's conversations! They are HILARIOUS! This pic was taken after VBS one day this week when Kenz stayed to play dress up and do some crafts while Stephanie ran some errands. The rest of the week, Ky was more or less a McGilvray herself, spending more time over there than at her own house! But she wouldn't have had it any other way! I still remember, one day a while back, when she was driving me insane and I told her I was just going to drop her off somewhere and leave her. She got really excited and started jumping up and down yelling 'drop me at kenzies!!" This wasn't really the response I was looking for! =) Anyways, she even had her first sleep over, which she was VERY excited about.

We also celebrated my 29th bday! Although apparently I posted last year that I was indeed 29 already...what a typo. And Stephanie was the only person who caught it a year later? I mean I know I don't have much of a fan base here...but come on guys! Anyways, when you get to a certain age, I think its reasonable to not really remember exactly how old you are! (Or maybe it's just that we don't WANT to remember). Oh well, I have one more year before the BIG 3-0, but I'm sure it will be here before I know it. I would just like to get from here to there without the news of a pregnancy! hahahahaha!

Beck is a big fan of Kylie's dress up shoes. And this weekend, I found him running around the house carrying a fairy wand, wearing pink light up barbie heels, and a pearl necklace. The crazy thing was, he did a REALLY good job walking in them...MUCH better than Ky ever did, which just cracked me up....he likes the sounds the heels make on the floor. Anyways, this is one I'm saving for future blackmail purposes for sure!

A couple random pics I snapped of Stratton after the bath. He went in for his 4 mo. appt. this week and ONLY weighed 17.6 lbs! Which means he's only in the 95 percentile now instead of off the charts! I'm well aware that I can't quite call him 'lean' just yet, but at least we've slowed down a little bit! He's still doing great eating solids and we've ventured out to apples and sweet potatoes so far. I'm introducing avacado this week, which was one of beck's favorites! So far, he loves everything, and already I'm having to cut him off in terms of amounts, as he shows no interest in getting full on what is considered a 'normal' serving size for his age. =)

Stratton turns 4 months...and some random stuff!

It has only been 3 weeks since we last cut Beck's hair. And it's already long enough to spike. I think he looks so silly with his hair like this, but Kylie likes it and so we did it after the kiddos got outta the bath the other day. Notice that cheese face...

Side view...

The last 4 months sure have flown by! Here are a couple more pics of the littlest big man. Looking back at some of his baby pics, I can really see how much more curly his hair has gotten. This week, we introduced Strat to solids. With both Ky and Beck this was an event! We had to get everything all situated and we took a million pictures. Both of them made the funniest faces the first time I got that spoon in their mouth and we captured every dirty face picture we could. Last night, i finally had time to sit down and attempt it with Strat. The older kids were asleep, so J grabbed the camera and we went to work. Well, it might be the most anticlimactic event ever. I'm probably the one to blame because I was sitting on the couch in such a way that Strat could see the t.v. so he was automatically amazed, and very focused on sports center. Anyways, the spoon went in and out, he sucked it down without so much of a drop coming back out, and his facial expression never changed whatsoever. I swear, you would have thought he had been eating solids for months! Anyways, it was just some mixed fruit rice cereal, and I'm looking forward to making some other foods we can introduce him to over the next week or so.

This is the after shot of the first bite....I told you...nothing.

More interested in the t.v. than what he's eating.

This past weekend Kylie, Jason, and our friends Aaron, Makenzie, and Ashlyn went on a daddy daughter date night. Ky was very excited and had me straighten her hair and paint her nails. She LOVES when she gets daddy all to herself!

Father's Day Gift

For Father's Day, I took the kiddos to get their pics taken while J was in Portland visiting with friends and attending John's graduation. It was nice since I had both my parents around to help. I knew it was going to be tough getting Strat to look and not cry, and getting Beck to just sit still long enough to let them take any pictures. They turned out so-so, but honestly speaking, they look a lot better than I thought they would while we were taking them. I didn't intend to be in any of them, but came dressed just in case the kids weren't cooperating, and as you can see, I ended up taking almost just as many as they did. Oh well, when you're shooting a 5 yr. old, a 20 mo. old, and a 4 mo. old, what more can you expect? J liked the pictures and is taking them into work to put in his office. These are scanned in, so obviously the quality isn't quite as good as the originals.

I love Strat's goofy grin in this picture. You can see how big he is for 4 mo. when you compare him to me. I love my chunky monkey!

I thought this one turned out best of all, even though they're looking at me right next to photographer instead of the camera itself. Oh well, can't win them all!

My sweet Kylie enjoyed the process, but getting her to put on a real smile instead of the fake one she usually gives took some creativity.

Group shot of all of us. Seriously, I know these look like the kids were very calm, but between all these pics were MANY of Beck walking away and Strat crying...

I think my favorite part of the event was Beck on the way out of the mall. The poor boy ran full speed into the glass doors leaving the mall. He fell completely backward cracking the back of his head on the tile. I couldn't help but laugh as he sat there screaming because it really was one of those moments where you wished you had a camera. In the end, he's fine, minus a couple bruises and the evil looks I got from all the other mom's sitting in the play area right next to us. Seriously, if they knew my Beckster, they'd laugh too.

I have one other story to share. While watching t.v. this past week Ky asked me how someone can be so happy they cry. I tried to explain to her that sometimes when you get so excited or happy that you're overcome with emotions, and happy tears come out. Last night, while I was putting her to bed, we were talking about how she was going to start VBS with her friend Makenzie today, and she said in her best fake sad voice...'I can't wait until tomorrow. Did you hear me mommy? I said it very sad because I'm so excited." I just started laughing hysterically. I love that silly monkey!

First we had each other. Then we had you three. Now we have EVERYTHING.

Seven years ago a guy walked into a bar and caught the eye of a cocktail waitress trying to make a buck. Who would have known this was the beginning of it all

.

And then one day, about a year later, these two tied the knot and vowed before God to love one another forever.

And then one day, about 8 months later, they welcomed their baby girl into the world and had to learn VERY quickly how to be parents and adults and a married couple all at once.

And then one day, 4 years later, they welcomed their first son into the world. And their life felt complete in a way it never had before.

And then one day, only 16 short months later, they welcomed their second son into the family and knew that God had a plan for them that was greater than the one they had for themselves.

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad and Husband I know. And while we're at it, happy 6th wedding anniversary as well. Its been a crazy ride, but I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be on it with than you!

I love you Jason.

World's Biggest sucker...

Alright so today I loaded the kids up and headed to Kohls to pick up some stuff for Jason and a clock to hang in Ky's room. Instead, I came home with a hotwheels garage for Beck's cars, and a blow up pool for the backyard (after Jason already told me not to buy one...the trampoline is killing enough of the grass in the backyard currently). What can I say? I'm a sucker for my kids. Anyways, Ky and Beck spent much of the afternoon playing outside while Strat and I stayed cool indoors. Here are a couple pics of them enjoying their new toy. $8 well spent if you ask me =)

I have the greatest job in the world...

I also believe it is one of the hardest...and most rewarding. It is such a blessing to be able to stay home and watch my babies grow. And not a day goes by where I don't have at least one moment where I stop and think...now if I was working, I wouldn't be here for THIS, whatever this may be at the time, and I am so appreciative of our life and all that Jason does to give me the opportunity to have such an integral role in our children's life.

Beck turned 20 months this week. He's now sleeping in a big boy bed and doing great. The first night was a little questionable, he didn't want Daddy to leave his room, but since then, he's been great. And today he went down for a nap and bedtime without so much as a peep! He's talking so much now and it reminds me of why I loved this age with Kylie so much! 18 mo. to 2 yrs. old was by far my favorite stage with Ky, and I would say the same with Beck. He's a lot more difficult at this age than Ky was, but they soak up so much knowledge at such a fast pace and at no other time have I witnessed such an innocent amazement with life. He's obsessed with anything on wheels, mailman, cement mixers, delivery trucks, etc. A true boy to say the least! And for as much as I hated baby boy clothes (seriously...enough with the blue and tan stripes and teddy bears) I LOVE little 'big boy' clothes. Check out my sweet boy in his Tony Hawk outfit Nana bought him! =) I just love him to pieces.

Mesmerized while watching Dora, his newest love. When we go to pick Ky up from school, he has to stop at every Dora backpack on the wall and point and stare...and trust me, there are many!!!!!

First afternoon napping in his toddler bed.

Stratton turned 4 months this week. I really can't ask for an easier or happier baby. However, I might request one that doesn't have quite so big a head or crazy hair! Just kidding! Maybe....=)

This goober is nothing but giggles and grins. And I kid you not, he's the first of my children to have that full body smile that I would say lights up a room. He's definitely starting to teethe, as evidenced by the fact that he's constantly trying to fit his entire fist in his mouth and often times gags himself. This is so strange to see because he's never been that obsessed with his mouth prior. We go in next week for his check up, but I think he has started to slow down in terms of growth, but we'll see!

Welcome to Summer!

There is nothing like Texas heat in the summer time! And unfortunately, with a little one, it causes you to spend a good deal of time inside. Here are some pics of the munchkins from the last week.

Strat showing off his abnormally LARGE head....

I was trying to get a halfway decent picture of the boys together, but Beck and his ridiculous camera face prevents that from ever happening...

Kylie taking her 'class' of stuffed animals to the movies for a field trip...

Stratton amazed at his jumper that Stephanie is letting us borrow. He's still a little young for it, but I think he'll like it once he grows in to it.

Sharing an icee trying to keep cool!

His hair just keeps getting bigger....

No resemblance of each other at all...

Happy Birthday Jason!

Is there a sweeter way to celebrate your 30th birthday than having to kill the one creature you're most deathly afraid of? Probably, but such is life for my hubby. Many people in our neighborhood have talked of a crazy snake slithering about, including our next door neighbors. Jason even saw it slither past him while taking the trash out a couple weeks ago. Over the weekend, I got the 'lovely' opportunity to meet him face to face. I was on one of our front porch chairs watering our hanging basket when a strange sound caused me to look down. What do I see? This 3 foot snake coiled around the leg of the other chair not even a foot away from me. It unwrapped itself and slithered into a nearby bush while I ran into the house yelling for Jason to grab a shovel. An hour later, and we have him pinned behind one of the pots on the front porch, but the sucker wouldn't die. It kept lashing out at Jason with his mouth wide open. Now, I love my husband, but it is clear that snakes aren't really his 'thing.' We finally ended up killing it and later got confirmation that it is a large rat snake. Which I guess isn't surprising, from time to time you'll see rats who live in the holes in the retaining wall in the backyard. We also have a bunny nest back there, and there were baby birds who had just hatched in the hanging basket I was watering, which is what I think he was trying to get at. But anyways, I was proud of my hubs that he finally did the deed, even though it took about an hr =). Here are a couple pics I snapped after the fact. Jason ended up taking the head off. You can see it laying in the background. Even the pictures still give me goosebumps. But I knew for sure I was never going to work in the yard again until that thing was gone. Thank goodness Kiki wasn't out when I saw it, or I wouldn't be surprised if that snake had tried to get her!

Trouble...

It wasn't but 3 weeks ago that Jason and I were taking bets on how long it would be before Beck started drawing on the walls. Kylie is a huge arts and craft fan and often leaves her colors and markers around the house. Well, this week we got our answer! I was feeding Strat in the living room when I heard Kylie yell, "Beck is writing all over the wall." I thought to myself...and there it is! Anyways, this is the final product. I thought for sure I'd be more angry at this, but I just laughed. Either motherhood is making me soft...or I've learned my lesson and given up all hope of trying to control these crazy goobers!

Beck pulled his old pool hat and Sissy's goggles out of the pool bag and Kylie helped him put them on....he's such a funny little dude...

15 weeks...

At least I think that is what Stratton is now...It's sad to me when the week number gets so high that it's not easy to remember and too much work to confirm! =). The big boy is doing very well! He's giving me on average about a 7-8 hr. stretch at night, followed by him waking up around 5 am, and then sleeping until around 8. I can already tell that he isn't going to be a fan of the heat this summer. Even on our morning walks, around 9 am, it doesn't take long for his cheeks to turn pink and I can see how uncomfortable he is. He's really starting to grab at stuff and grasp your hands...or hair...pretty much whatever you put in front of him! I'm amazed at how content he is. He'll play in his play mat or sit in his bumbo, but really, he's fine laying on his pillow or sitting up in the corner of the couch for most of his awake time. He's still very verbal, and very loud, but nothing gets him going more than tickling him by squeezing his shoulders or running your fingers up his sides. Right now, this is my favorite because you can actually get him to laugh a deep belly laugh! He really goes with the flow for the most part, which in this family, is a good thing!