A Day in the Life of Grandma B!

We got our family picture preview and I have to say, I think Liam stole the show! That is one photogenic child!

Two weeks ago, we did our normal thing, of going to story time and on a play date and then staying in on Game Day Saturday! Oxford, MS is known for their tailgating for Ole Miss games in "The Grove", where basically they pack THOUSANDS of people into this itty bitty little field and they drink and celebrate all day long until it's time for the game and then those lucky few who have tickets head to the stadium while others gather around their flat screen TVs to watch the game. In the days and hours leading up to game time it is almost impossible to drive anywhere or do anything normal. Thus, I stay inside with my boys. We play with Play-Doh, watch movies, Liam drives me crazy, and then finally Daddy comes home and we watch the game together.

The Grove at Ole Miss

Grandma Bello came to visit us on Monday. We cleaned the whole house before she arrived by shuttle right to our doorstep! We picked Jason up a little later and went out to eat at Ajax, a BBQ restaurant on the Square. On Tuesday, Grandma and I took the boys shopping for some cowboy boots for Liam. He is going to be a cowboy for Halloween, but needed his own boots (so he didn't have to wear Daddy's). Not only did we find an adorable pair of boots, but we also found light up Lightening McQueen sneakers, which I don't think Liam has taken off his feet since! We then went out for Sushi for lunch and spent the rest of the day at home.

Liam stealing Daddy's boots.

Liam cleaning the house for Grandma's arrival.

On Wednesday we took Grandma with us to storytime at Square Books Jr, where Miss Jill reads a story and plays her guitar and sings with the kids. She is SO much fun. Definitely worth a trip to Oxford. We did a little shopping on the Square and then took the boys home to nap. We picked Jason up later and went out to eat at the Tacky Shack, a personal favorite of mine. On Thursday we drove by the cemetery, but didn't stop (will write more on the cemetery later), then went to St. Peter's to pick out a pumpkin. Liam had fun going to different pumpkins and pretending to grunt and strain to try and lift it of the ground. Until... he found the littlest pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, which we decided to take home with us (along with a GIANT pumpkin the size of Liam). We then went to the park and then picked up some fried chicken on the way home.

On Friday we went to storytime and a puppet show at the library. They gave Liam a little cup of popcorn and then we headed to the grocery store. Liam could barely keep his eyes open on the short drive home and then REFUSED to take a nap. Actually, he fought sleep the entire time Grandma was here in an apparent effort to spend as much time as he could with her! Even not going to sleep until after 8 and then waking up before 6! He was a major grump by the time Friday night hit. Absolute hysterics, let me tell you. So we cleaned him up, put him to bed, put the baby down, annnnnd Jason took me on a date! We went to the Rib Cage on the Square. It was a miracle we got a table so fast since it was another game day weekend. We shared a meat platter and then hit up Burger King and Sonic for some dessert. It was awesome getting to spend some alone time with him, especially since I don't get to see much of him nowadays!

On Saturday we stayed in, Jason took the car, and Grandma got bossed around by Liam all day while I washed and folded the laundry. Today we drove to Memphis to drop Grandma off. I decided to tag along for a change of scenery and boy did Ezra think that was a terrible idea! This child HATES his carseat with a firey passion. We made it to Memphis, ate lunch at Corky's BBQ, dropped Grandma off, tears were shed (mainly by Liam), and then made it home to Oxford. I was so relieved to be back home. It really is starting to feel like home and even after only spending an hour in Memphis today, I have to say I am so thankful we ended up in this sweet little town! I am grateful that Grandma Bello came to visit, to talk, to play with my boys, and to eat way too much food with me!

Y'all let me know when you're fixin' to visit now that you've had a glimpse of what your week (and menu) would be like!

Swing Swing

On Monday, Ezra had his 2 month appointment. I really loved Liam and Ezra's pediatricians in Vegas, so I was really nervous that I would not like the random doctor I chose for this appointment! However, he was awesome. Also, he had never met anyone from Las Vegas! We waited for a long time, and Liam would not stop playing with the drinking fountain in the waiting room. They finally called us back and weighed Ez, who came in at 13lbs! Then the doctor came in and poked and prodded my little man, which was FASCINATING to Liam. He pointed to all of Ezra's body parts for the doctor and was especially excited when it came to look at Ezra's "EARS"!

The nurse came in to give Ez his shots which is always so sad to see, and it made Liam sad, too. He told me "crying crying" as I calmed his little brother down. We then got to the car, and as I went to open Liam's door, he pressed the button that locks the doors, so it got stuck. I then had to slam the door, to get it to relatch so I could unlock it again. Little did I know, Liam's finger was trying to open the door and I slammed it inside. :( Liam and I then sat in the parking lot and cried with each other for a minute. I felt so bad that I then bought him some fries and took him to the park. Good news is, his finger is fine now!

On Wednesday, we went to the park again with a few of our friends. We love this park! The first time I took Liam, I literally had to drag him home. We play in the "Tot Lot" side, which has a giant castle complete with secret tunnels and a slide, two digging sand pits with tractor diggers, musical pipes, a schoolhouse with actual chalkboard, a train, a helicopter, a bouncing tire, an alligator, swings, and a table with checkerboard on top. Around the playground is a fun nature walking trail that we have done a couple times with our handy dandy double stroller. Okay... I'll just show you too many pictures now.

The tractor digger

The helicopter

Liam driving the train. In front of him is the schoolhouse, to his right is the statue of liberty, and you can also see the bouncy tire thing.

The musical pipes.

Swinging with his buddy, Ross.

On the slide of the castle.

Oh yeah, Ezra was there, too. He also loves the park... I think.

On the nature trail.

Jason had a big statistics test on Wednesday which he was super worried about and he studied so so hard for! And guess what? He rocked it! he got a 93! We are so proud of him and all that he is doing. Thursdays are laundry day. This means I let Jason take the car to school and Liam and I pop popcorn and do loads and loads of laundry all day while watching movies. I've been rewatching Harry Potter, starting with #5, which is pretty fun. On Friday, I decided to take both boys to the grocery store with me, so I wouldn't have to go on Saturday which was a game day for Ole Miss, which means it's impossible to go anywhere! The fun thing about being in the South is that people will stop you and talk to you. I had a lot of people stop me and tell me what a good job I was doing with my two well behaved boys.

Liam and Ezra sharing popcorn and watching Harry Potter.

On Saturday, we took family pictures at Rowan Oak, which is William Falkner's home. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product! On Sunday, the bishop came over to visit with us, and then we had the missionaries over. I baked two loaves of pumpkin bread which turned out Ah'MAZing. In fact, I can't stop eating it. Here is the recipe: http://www.chef-in-training.com/2012/09/easy-pumpkin-bread/

Ezra takin a snooze on Mama.

Rowan Oak

Mississippi!

I promised my sister that once I got to Mississippi I would be much better about updating my blog. So far, I have not upheld that promise. Sorry, Katy! I am trying to make up for the last month of not blogging now.

I guess we would begin after Ezra's birth. Lucky for me, I got to go stay at my parents' house while I recovered and Jason "got" to finish packing up the house and then "got" to drive our car for three days to Oxford with no screaming children in the backseat! Liam, Ezra, and I all shared a bedroom for 3 weeks, which was kind of a pain in the behind and we didn't get much sleeping done. However, Liam managed to get Grandma and Grandpa wound very tightly around his little finger very quickly, which meant he got to eat cookies and candy whenever he wanted, rearrange all the cupboards in the kitchen, interrupt all of Grandpa's phone calls, and jump on Grandma's bed. Ezra got to be cuddled whenever he so much as made a peep and I got to relax and recover much more quickly than I would have had I been home on my own. We were so grateful for our fun time at their house and we were sad when it was time to leave, but we missed our Daddy WAY too much!

Liam watching baseball with Grandpa.

Liam liked to water the plants for Grandma while she sat on the porch with him.

Before Jason left, we blessed Ezra at the church with as many of our family as could come and with our beloved bishopric from Mission Hills ward. While the boys and I were still in Vegas, we got visits from my sister Katy AND my sister Maggie who wanted to snuggle Ezra before he moved across the country!

So many cute cousins with Grandma and Grandpa!

Ezra's blessing, with Gma and Gpa Bello and Gma and Gpa Elton.

Before we knew it, it was time to get on a plane to fly to Tennessee! Luckily, "Pa" (Grandma Elton) came with us! Boy did I need the help, with two babies, two carseats, a stroller, a suitcase, and two carry on bags!!! Liam did great on the airplane. Each time the plane took off, he wanted to pat pat on his lap and then raise his arms and "Blast Off!" (Little Einsteins rocket style). We barely had a 45 minute layover in Charlotte. We made it to our tiny airplane on time to board. It was the kind of plane where you had to walk outside to the plane and then go up the stairs. As I was checking the stroller outside, I turned around to see a line of people forming at the bottom of the stairs and my two year old climbing up the steep steps of the plane all by himself! It was a funny moment. Ezra also did great, but he got to be held all day long, so why wouldn't he do great?!

Liam insisted on sitting in the window seat on our second flight.

Liam fast asleep on our first flight.

Jason picked us up in Memphis and we were all so excited to see our Daddy!!! We ate at Corky's BBQ in Memphis and then drove an hour South to Oxford, MS,our new home! My mom stayed with us for the next 4 days and was a huge help to me as we got settled in our house. We unpacked boxes, washed clothes, found places for everything, hung curtains, and cooked food. It was a lot of work! That Saturday, my mom watched Ezra while Liam, Jason, and I went to our first Ole Miss football game. It was a lot of fun and a great introduction into Southern football culture.

It was a long walk to the game. Luckily, someone stopped and gave us a ride.

At his first ever football game!

My mom left me and I was so sad! Some girls in my new ward were getting together that night and invited me over, so I didn't feel so lonely. It was fun to make some friends so quickly! I spent the following days orienting myself to Oxford, discovering parks, the library, and finishing getting the house set up. I am finally feeling settled, and I am very happy to be here. I will try to be better about updating the blog so I can share our adventures with you in more detail. Here are some pictures to tide you over in the mean time.

We're always so happy when Daddy comes home! 

Liam is a good big brother.

Liam's first bike! In his pretty green front yard.

Ezra is getting so big and is learning to play with his big boy toys.