Summer's coming to an end!

I cannot believe how quickly this summer has passed! It makes me sad that school will be starting in just a few weeks. Lots going on with the boys!

Riley: The potty training progress has reversed. He is no longer pooping on the potty. That's all I'm going to say about that (because anything further will result in tears!). On a positive note, Riley's recognition of letters and their sounds is really progressing. We've found a few shows on MPB, and I've downloaded several apps on my iPhone that he enjoys. I am certain these are a big part of his progress. He's become quite a fan of the hidden objects games, and we found him a great book last weekend that is a must in the bedtime reading rotation. Despite the miserable heat, he still loves being outside!

Eli: It's hard to believe my baby will be 6 months old next week! He's outgrown all of his clothes, and we had to do some shopping for 24-month clothing to get though the rest of the summer. He is rolling all over the place and trying to sit up. He just recently started "fake coughing" and shaking his head "no!" - both of which he thinks are very funny! I think he has some teeth coming in on the bottom, too! He'll start his new daycare August 2; we feel really good about the situation. The lady that will keep him has a daughter Riley's age so Eli should feel right at home. He'll start where Riley is in January (or possibly December!).

Weight loss/Running progress: I'm excited to share that I am down 53 pounds from when I arrived at the hospital to deliver Eli. I am still running - about 15 to 18 miles per week. My goal is to lose 10 more pounds by Labor Day and then maintain. I started "counting calories" a few weeks ago and while I don't know how long I'll continue that (it's a bit of a pain!), it has certainly been an eye-opening experience. I was WAY underestimating the number of calories things had and thus, my daily intake. Whether I continue it or not, it's had a positive impact on the choices I make and has led me to explore healthier options.

The Waltons are all doing well!

We pray the same is true for you and yours!

Happy Fourth of July!

The weather was nearly perfect last weekend for the Fourth of July, so I took advantage of the cooler temps and lower humidity to take a few snapshots of the boys in their red, white and blue! After about 10 minutes, I realized why I pay someone else to do it - WOW! Talk about frustrating! Getting them both to look at the camera was a feat - forget getting them BOTH to smile while looking at the camera.

Regardless, there's some sweet ones. Enjoy!

Riley @ 3 years, 3 months

Eli @ 5 months

Officially a BIG BOY!

It has finally happened! We've been waiting for months (ok, almost a year!) and Riley has finally taken the last step from baby to big boy!

He has POOPED ON THE POTTY (June 28, 2010)!!

We have promised him everything under the sun, so we are slowly fulfilling those promises (to do them all at once would probably break the bank!). The night of the big event, he finally got to play with the talking Mack truck that's been on top of the TV for months AND he selected his Lightning McQueen coloring/sticker book from the other stash of things we have collected as incentives. Tuesday night, we took him to see Toy Story 3; he loved it! He's talked about it all week. We are planning the zoo trip when Jeff returns from the youth trip (and praying for some cooler weather!).

Everyone told us, "Just be patient!" For anyone who knows either of us, you know being patient is not something that we excel at. Needless to say, his daddy and I couldn't be happier!

My Help Comes from the Lord...

So I divert from the typical posts about the boys. This morning (and I mean 6 a.m. "this morning") on my run (about mile 3) I had a God moment and I need to share...

Several months ago when I began running, I included on my route these two "enormous" back-to-back hills (Richardson Road if you're familiar with Louisville). I did this for two reasons: 1) because I wanted to push myself and these hills seemed a good way to do it and 2) because running uphill works different muscles and provides a bit of a "break" in a long run. As the temperatures have crept up, I have begun to dread them. Many mornings I run them at the beginning of the route just to get them out of the way. This morning, they were mid-route. As I was coming to the "valley" before them, I hit the most refreshing blast of cool air. It had to be at least 10 degrees cooler in that low spot. Amazing! It was as if God was refreshing me before I started the climb up what looked (and felt) like two insurmountable obstacles.

It hit me - that's exactly what He does! He gives us exactly what we need to make it through the difficult times. Whether it's physical refreshment when our bodies are tired (the cool air, a few drops of rain, shaded running routes), mental (encouragement from a friend, a new frame of reference) or spiritual (the perfect verse/song, a great sermon), He knows what we need more than we do and always seems to provide at the perfect moment.

As I began to run up the first hill, "My Help Comes from the Lord" came on my iPod...as if I needed one more reminder of His provisions. I tackled both hills with renewed energy...and a new appreciation for His timing in my life.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Jeremiah 29:11 - 13

Growing big...

May certainly flew by! We've been busy adjusting to new schedules and the wonderful Mississippi heat (AND HUMIDITY!). While I am not exactly a fan of cold weather, it has certainly been more difficult finding the motivation to run in this heat and humidity.

ELI: We took Eli for his four-month check up June 1 and he weighed 19 lbs. 12 oz. and measured 27 1/2 inches long (100th percentile for both!). He's been enjoying fruits with his cereal and we recently started tasting some new veggies. He seemed to enjoy them all so far. He's rolled from his tummy to his back and has just about figured out the back-to-tummy roll. He's smiling and laughing (especially at his big brother!) and seems to be a pretty easy-going guy. Don't get me wrong - he can certainly let us know when something is NOT right. He has recently come to know the joy of the "ball-y" his big brother loves so much (see picture below) and it has been a great comfort as he's learned to go to sleep not swaddled. He spent his first night away from home Tuesday night (Thanks, Gran and Granny!) and we enjoyed a date night and the opportunity to sleep in!

RILEY: Riley is growing so fast and although I know I'm partial, seems to be a pretty smart little guy. He loves school and church and doing anything outside (despite the miserable heat!). He still loves trains and anything train-related. He is quite the little fish in the pool, and I wish we had more ready access to one so he could learn to swim this summer. He still loves his baby brother (most of the time!) and has become a big help with calming Eli when I need to be in more than one place at once.

I'm still running (Jeff seems amazed that I've stuck it out this long...ok, so I am!) and try to get in between 15 - 18 miles a week. My long run is usually about 6 miles. I'm not fast by any means, but I get it done. I am planning to run a 10K June 26 and then I'll probably do much shorter runs for the rest of the summer until the weather cools a bit. The long-term goal is still the 1/2 marathon in Memphis December 4! Jeff has recently re-acquainted himself with the gym. He's doing mostly weights right now and easing into the cardio - he'll lose more in two weeks than I've lost in 3 months, I'm sure.

House is about to come off the market and we are planning to do some renovations (mostly in the kitchen). Start praying now for our marriage! haha

So, that's the gist of what's new with the Waltons. I'll try to find some time to post some additional pictures from last month. I can't believe how quickly Eli's changing - and we're still not exactly sure who he looks like...