This boy....

I know that posting two days in a row is a little out of control for me but I had to tell you about Tyce this morning. So Tyce has a few prized possessions that he got two years ago for Christmas and has played with them every single day from then until now (no exaggeration), his miniature track hoe, skid-steer, backhoe, dump truck, grader, and front-end loader. They are all a little mangled but he still loves them. They go in the tub with him every night, the play doe, rice piles, snow, and paint, cereal, and anything and everything else you can think of. So this morning he snapped off the the bucket on his front end loader which is one of the pieces he plays with the very most. I thought he was going to have an absolute break down (like he did when we lost one of the tracks to his track-hoe). He was really sad and kept asking me to fix and I told him I couldn't and finally he sat there for a moment and said,"ok.......I guess I'll have to tow him away with the tow truck." and with sad, defeated little voice he said, "lem me go get it." It was so cute. Then he went on playing. He teaches me so much. I really love this little boy.

Cute, right?

So cute, right? Don't be deceived. This little chocolate is unreal. You have never seen a baby that throws up, burps, and explodes out the back end like this one. Tyce always says, "oh Jacey your asgusting (disgusting) baby" and its true. But we still love her.

Rustin says he cant take her with him to his church meetings anymore because no one would believe that a baby can fart like Jacey does. We don't typically use the 'f' word, but tutes, fluffs, bubbles, and all other cutesy terms, do not adequately describe the noise that this child is capable of. It sounds like a man - its truly amazing.

You would not believe that amount of Shout I have gone through since Jacey came into our home. I am here to tell you, they don't make diapers that can contain her explosions. I know, I have tried every brand Wal-mart has to offer. I don't know if its the way her little bum crack is shaped or just the pure force but holy cow - I have scrubbed more poop out of her clothes then any typical 4 children combined. It takes me 30 to 45 minutes just to get her clothes in the washer for all the Shout and scrubbing required. My favorite, was one time she blew out around her whole middle so it looked like a tire around her middle. I took a picture but decided not to post it - these pictures show all her redeeming qualities.

This beautiful little girl is also incredibly high maintenance. If you think she'll let you set her down for 2 seconds, your kidding yourself. She hates the swing, the saucer, the bouncer, and anything else that might require any amount of self entertainment. She loves to be in your arms, certainly, but usually that it not sufficient, she needs 100% interaction to be perfectly content. After having Tyce who is completely self-entertaining and mild mannered, Jacey has been a quite a shock. We have rarely had a meal where she is not screaming at us, because she is not being held. If we try to eat with her in our arms, she frantically grabs anything within her reach and throws it on the floor - her little hands are so fast! During this whole scene, Rustin sometimes says, "Jacey your ruining our lives!" which kind of cracks me up. But dont be fooled. This Daddy is pretty smitten with his little girl. He told me he has already decided to give her whatever she wants. When her little bright eyes light up, who wouldn't fall in love with this face all over again?

She threw up a lot in the beginning but she is actually getting a lot better. But the burping......wow. It is unreal.

We are really hoping she will grow into a few lady-like mannerisms eventually. Ha! I know thats going to back-fire on me some day when she wants to wear a pink princess dress for weeks at a time :)

Ok, enough ranting. Jacey really is delightful. She is a good sleeper and that makes everything bright. Like Tyce, she is quick to giggle and and very social. She has been a great traveler and she loves to go places.

She got her first tooth about a week ago and she just figured out how to roll on purpose. She has her own way of moving forward, its so funny. She burrys her face in the floor with her hands down and kicks with her feet. Its slow going, but she can usually get what she wants if its worth while.

She loves Tyce. I think she is conditioned to laugh as soon as she see's him. Its my favorite.

Jacey really is a delight. We really love her. She gets more and more fun all the time. We are truly grateful for our beautiful little girl.

One of my true loves....

My dear friend Cali gave me a Robert Duncan calendar for Christmas.

My good husband gave me my first Robert Duncan painting for our house.

Please bless these are the first of many.

I'm not sure what it is about his work that warms my heart.

Its as if he some how freezes my favorite moments in life and lets me look at them whenever I want, just so I can remember how perfect life can be in its simplest moments.

Especially now as I want so badly to be outside in warm weather, but even then, Duncan's paintings catch the treasures in every season.

His paintings let me relive my favorite childhood memories. He captures them and makes them glow, and in turn, makes me smile as I remember.

Its helps me remember to watch for all the beautiful things around me and all the things I love to see, to do, and to feel.

I hope to have a house some day with walls that are peppered with his work, what a beautiful place to live :)

He shows the things that matter most in such a beautiful setting. These paintings make me feel inspired.

Thank heaven for Robert Duncan :)