Instablog

Does anyone blog anymore? Since my discovery of Instagram, my blogging has gone way downhill. That's okay. I don't have much to say anyway.

Actually, I do. Just a few things though.

Summer is half way over. Or, if I was more of an optimist I could say that we still have half of summer left. I guess that does sound better. Here's what's going on with us this summer:

James and Livy have a complicated relationship. Most of the time they adore each other. James can be bossy though and our little lady is developing quite the temper/attitude and if James so much as takes one step toward her if she doesn't want him to, be prepared for a scream. Oh boy. She's been on one lately and as much as I hope it's just a phase, I'm afraid she's going to be our little diva. Watch out world!

James has been loving playtime with friends. He can't get enough of the Fisher kids. When he and his best bud are around each other, you can hear them calling each other "buddy" and it's pretty darn cute. He has developed an over the top fear of bugs (especially bees) and doesn't love playing outside like he used to, which I suppose is okay for now since it's so blasted hot and humid outside. I pray he'll get over it quickly though.

We also went blueberry picking for the first time with friends last week and Livy hated it and James loved it. I failed to get a single picture of it. We've also been doing the Dollywood thing and James can't get enough of it.

As hard a time as I've been having with Livy lately, I've also loved this age with her. I specifically remember when James was 15 months thinking that it was my absolute favorite age so far with him. He could communicate but was still so sweet. Livy has her sweet moments. She still cuddles, she babbles hysterically, and she is pretty much the cutest little thing I've ever seen. Although she tries hard, her language isn't where it was with James at this age. He could pretty much say anything and you could understand him perfectly. Not so with this one. She does have at least 20 things she says consistently and is learning new words all the time, so I'm not too worried, just more frustrated since I can't understand her well yet. She finally got to two word sentences (can you call two words a sentence?) and that was a relief. My favorite things she says are "All done," and "bear." My heart melts every time. She's getting to be more selective with what she eats and where she eats (she's already hating high chairs! Nooo!). If I stick her in her high chair (most of the time I have to force her in there) she will not eat. The second she's on my lap, she'll do great. There's got to be a remedy for that.

Brian is chief. CHIEF. Do you know what that means!? We're down to our final year of residency. I would say "hallelujah!" except part of me isn't ready yet for the real world. I've been trying to remember to enjoy this phase of our lives and I think I'm already getting nostalgic about our "Tennessee days." There is so much I love about it here and yet so much I long for elsewhere (i.e. closer proximity to family) that I know when it's over, it'll be time. So I'm going to enjoy this last year as much as I can because I really do know we'll look back on this time with extreme fondness and probably even miss it.

As for me, I'm just staying busy with the crazy kids, trying to get them to enjoy a fun-filled summer. I'm still trying to cook up new things and failing horribly at posting them on my food blog  (just-cook-already), which is probably the most ghetto food blog around since I'm terrible at taking photos of food. I've been reading a ton (just finished "Okay for Now" and "The Rent Collector." I highly recommend both) and am open to recommendations!

Brian and I celebrate our 6th anniversary on Sunday. Good times. :)