DONE!

It's official...Jonas is done breastfeeding and the buffet is now closed! It's weird to be able to eat absolutely whatever I want. I could even have a drink for the first time in 3 years if I wanted too! The down side of weaning is the huge cost of formula and the pain the "girls" are causing me right now.

Great husband

Just wanted to take a minute to brag on my hubby. After I washed my phone earlier this week, we agreed that he would pick up another one for me when he had time. He's been really busy at work and had plans to help some friends move the next day, so I knew I wasn't getting a new phone on Tuesday. I took the boys to have lunch with him on Tuesday, and Troy surprised me with a new phone! I was so excited to be back in the loop again. They were able to save my sim card, so I didn't even have to re-enter my numbers!
Then, on top of that, he surprised me later that day with a new computer! Mine crashed several months ago, and we've been meaning to take it the Geek Squad for repairs. Well, he did that on Tuesday too, and they said it would be cheaper just to get a new one on sale. Knowing that I would say no to that for the sake of saving money, Troy just got the new one for me!
Now, I'm a little stressed about the credit card bill but super excited about my new stuff! I am truly blessed with a thoughtful husband!

Firsts for Jonas

Jonas has been really been busy lately impressing us with new accomplishments. A week or so ago, he said his first words other than mama and dada. It was "thank you!" He's been doing it ever since, and Melynda has witnessed it, so I know it's not just me and Troy hearing it.
Earlier this week, he also started clapping. I think we were a little behind on this skill, so I'm glad he finally started it. He won't do it when I show him though, only when Reef does it.
And finally, yesterday, he started pointing and nodding his head to questions. He's quite the communicator now!

Momnesia

So, I am definitely suffering from momnesia. For those of you not familiar with this disease, it's when new moms seem to lose their memory and forget things like where they put their keys (a daily battle for me) or what they were going to get when they went into the kitchen (also common in the Gibbins house). Today, though, I had the worst memory lapse yet when I lost my cell phone and found it in the washing machine, after the cycle had run! So, no more cell phone for me right now. Let me know if you have a cure for momnesia!

Little guy

Reef's new nickname for Jonas is "little guy." He just started saying it the other day and we don't know where he got it from. I overheard him saying, "Come on, little guy. Let's go, little guy." It's so cute that he has his own name for Jonas! Such brotherly love going on here (well, most of the time)!

Dinner at the Gibbins house

This is what dinner with 2 boys frequently looks like...
Reef showing his muscles


Jonas eating a dried banana...I know it looks like poo

And Troy, as Captain Feathersword.

I am certainly never bored!

First email

It's official, Reef and Jonas have received their first email! It was from Oma and Opa in Australia. I guess it's a good thing Reef knows how to check email now!

Weekend at Gigi's

This weekend we took a whirlwind trip to Gigi's house. It was just me and the boys since Troy was doing some tiling for some friends. We left Thursday afternoon and made pretty good time. Reef does really well in the car if we let him watch movies. Jonas had a harder time and we had to stop several times to find the paci again.

First we went swimming with Gigi. This was Jonas's first time in the pool. They both really enjoyed it. Reef even jumped off the steps and let his face get wet! A big accomplishment for him!

On Friday, we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house to see them, Aunt Cathy, and cousin Jacob.


Jonas thought he would help out by pushing Jacob in the swing.

Reef baked some cookies with Grandma.

Then he washed the car with Grandpa. He really enjoyed some alone time with Grandpa since his feelings were a little hurt that Jacob was getting all the attention. Reef did a great job washing. Too bad it rained that night!

On Friday night, we went to Houston for Jennifer's graduation party. It was a LONG drive in rain and traffic but the boys did really well. We didn't get to stay long since the party started at bedtime but it was still good to see the family.

On Saturday, we went with Gigi to the Woodlands to play in the splash fountain. Both boys had a great time! I wish we had one of these in San Antonio!

The fountain must have worn both boys out because they took really long naps that day. I was so grateful for the chance to nap myself! We spent the rest of Saturday visiting Aunt Taylor at her new apartment and having dinner with my dad. We're still working on what Reef should call my dad since we weren't sure he'd see him that much. Last time we saw him, Reef called him "this man" and the time before that it was just "no worries, mate". I finally decided he could just call him Jerry. We tried to explain to Reef how Jerry was my dad, but Reef kept saying, "No, my Jerry!" It was cute, and I think my dad really had a good time.

On Sunday, we went to church with my mom and lunch with the grandparents. It was a buffet, and when my grandma asked me if Reef could have a cookie, Reef yelled out, "Yes cookie Grandma!" He ended up with ice cream, which was even better to him.

We made great time on the way home and are very happy to be back with Daddy! We've spent the past couple days at home because we're all very tired of the van!

Sign of the times...

Reef was banging away on my mom's old desktop, and I asked him what he was doing. He looked at me very seriously and said, "Checking email, mommy." Too funny!

Weekend update

Warning: This will be long...Read at your own risk.

This weekend was the weekend of breaking things. On Friday night, something weird happened to the computer and the internet wouldn't work anymore. Troy was able to fix it the next day, thank goodness!
Then, on Saturday, we got in the van and it wouldn't start. We jumped it and went shoe shopping anyway, only to have the van die at the store. We tried to jump it again without luck. Thankfully Karen picked me and the boys up while Troy waited for AAA to tow him to the car place. It ended up being the battery, so we're all fixed now.

On Sunday (or maybe Saturday night, I can't remember), we were mounting our TV on the wall when the cable connection broke off because the guy didn't hook it up right. They came yesterday during playgroup to fix it. I think he was a little afraid of the chaos, but the kids were fascinated by him.
Also on Sunday, Melynda let me come over and visit with Jude! I was so excited since I hadn't gotten to see him in person yet. He's so cute, and I just can't believe how tiny he is!

In other news, Reef went potty on the big potty tonight! We aren't seriously potty training yet, but I could tell he needed to go after our bath. When I asked him, he told me he wanted to go on the big potty. He saw Claire use the big potty at life group and wanted to be like her. Hopefully, she'll continue to be an inspiration. He was very excited about the "black prize" (a chocolate chip) that he got after going, so we'll see if that makes him want to go more.

Here are some pictures of the past few days.
Reef and his play-doh

Jonas laughing at Reef

Reef pushing Jonas in the big red car. This is a big deal because he usually makes Jonas push him instead.

So sweet...

This is breakfast conversation for the last 3 days:
Mom or Dad prays for the food
Reef (5-10 minutes later, with hands together): Pray, Mom
Mom: We already prayed.
Reef: For Jesus, Mom.
Mom: We need to pray for Jesus?
Reef: Yes, for Jesus and for God.

How cute is that!

Jonas's 9 month appointment

Jonas went in for his 9 month appointment today. He weighed in at 21 lb 6oz and was 29.75 inches long! He did really great for his shot and didn't even cry. He was pretty cranky the rest of the day though, and Reef decided he needed to be cranky too. Needless to say it was a long day for mommy! Of course, after dinner we were all smiles and did lots of dancing to party favorites with daddy. Check out those dancing goggles...

First post

Here's the very first post on our blog! Not really much to say right now. It's been a pretty boring day at the Gibbins house. But I will post a few pictures for your enjoyment.