James Morgan Turner, M.D.

Dr. James: I will make you feel all better.

Dr. James: Oh Mommy, you are very very brave.

Dr. James: Let me give you some medicine.

("Medicine" courtesy of my dear husband. Probably the prettiest and best tasting mojito I have ever had.)

New Shoes and a Caption Contest

Here is Luke sporting his new ankle supports. RAFO's to those in the know. He is walking taller, faster and without wobbling. The only pair of shoes that they work with are James' "red car" shoes. Even those needed some adjustments, mostly the removal of the padded insert. Watch out world, here comes Luker!

Luke isn't a big fan of getting these large plastic devices strapped to his feet and ankles, but he sure does smile big after a fast sprint down the hall.

And finally, a caption contest...

Rambuctious Boys

Today when we picked James up from Sunday school his teacher said "James was really rambunctious today. (slight pause) Oh, that is a good thing." Ha! Yes, he is always full of energy that is for sure! He gives his friends high fives and loves his teachers. A perfect fit.

Luke on the other hand was pouting when we picked him up. Then big smiles for Mommy when he saw he got to leave. The report on Luke, "He liked the cookies". Sounds accurate.

Luke is looking more and more like a big boy. Something about his mischievous attitude and goofy grin. I can't believe my baby is growing up so fast.

Some funny things James has been saying lately....

*James' buns of America!
*I am so proud of you Mommy.
*Zion is a puppy duppy doo.
*I want Luke to wake up. James needs to play with orange airplane. (Orange airplane is in Luke's room.)

Adventures in Potty Training

Inspired by one of his good friends, James asked if he could wear big boy underpants last Thursday. So we decided that it was time. Time to enter potty training hell. Really, there is not much I despise more then cleaning up nastiness off our floors. Thank goodness they are hardwood and not carpet.

James has been trying so hard. We have had a lot of successes and a few really gross failures. Let's just say we are making big improvements each day, but each day brings about some new challenges.

Tricks for Potty Training Success (by James)
1. Even though I love Jay Jay the jet plane and Thomas the train, I do not want them on my backside. Cars or any generic pattern will do just fine.
2. I will say I don't want to sit on the potty until you remind me I get an M and M. Then suddenly I will want to go.
3. I will baffle you because I can stay dry all through the night and naptime, but then need to go three times in one hour.
4. Just when you think you have everything figured out I will surprise you.
5. Because I am no longer wearing diapers I can still wear last summers shorts. Which means Luke and I get to share a summer wardrobe.
6. Don't worry Mom. I'll figure this out before I get to college.

18 Months

Mr. Luke is 18 months young and I can't believe it. At his well check up the other day he got glowing reviews. Both boys were rather calm for the entire visit, except for James' chanting "All done!" for the first 10 or 15 minutes we were waiting. The nurses got a big kick out of James' chanting. "All done! James is all done. I need to go and sit in the black minivan. Luke is all done too!"

Luke amazed his pediatrician when he walked, showed of his fine motor skills and she even got to hear him talk. Hooray for Luke! She is so impressed at the dramatic improvements he has made in the last 6 months, and so am I. Seriously, this kid is amazing. All that PT is paying off and he is becoming such an independent little guy.

On our to do list, though is to try and "bulk" him up a little. Little man is such a skinny guy. Although I am not sure I can feed him any more then we already do, he eats all day long.

Luke's 18m stats

Height: 38 inches (97%-100%+)

Weight: 25 pounds 12 ounces (50%)

Coming soon....Adventures in Potty Training.

A Day at the Park

Caroline and Eli came to play at the park today. We had so much fun!

First stop...pink petals in the air. James and Eli loves running through the snowing petals.


James loves Caroline. It is so cute! He likes to smile at her. "Caroline is so silly" or "I love you Caroline" or "Caroline is so sweet". James is smitten. His favorite was pushing her on the swings.

All four kiddos together. Somehow we never quite got the perfect group shoot, but I thought this one was pretty cute!

Luker loves the slides!

She is so sweet and happy!

Here is another group shoot. Such sweet kiddos!
Oh we had so much fun!

Favorite memories from today:

* Eli cleaned the entire playground with a small piece of pine needles. When asked what he is doing, "I am cleaning!" What a good helper!
*James pushing Caroline on the swings.
*Auntie Emily teaching us to roll down the grassy hills.
*Lots of slide races and going down the slides face first.

All in all we had lots of sun and giggles and happy kids.

Best Buds

Some of our favorite people are in town this week. Eli and Caroline, we sure wish you guys lived closer!

At dinner James couldn't settle down until we moved him next to Eli. Seriously, these 2 are best buds.

And Caroline is so sweet and cute! James was very insistent that he wanted to see both E-rie and Carowine for dinner.

Mr. Man being a little naughty under the table. He said he was an alligator. Whatever.

Eli looking for buddy James.

Where is Luke you ask..well somehow I didn't snap a picture of him. But I know someone else did...help me out guys! He did enjoy making eyes at Caroline and trying to get in on the action with the big boys. Little Luker is not one to stand by and watch, he wants to play too!

I had a really really really fun time!

We got to hang out with Eli this morning. He and James became fast friends, you may remember seeing pictures of them together when they were little.

Well these two little toddlers are fast moving and full of action. They move so fast, it was hard to get a picture of them in focus.

On the way home James said "I had a really really really fun time with E-rie. We need to go back to E-rie's room to play some more!" (Three reallys means BIG fun!)

Cars and Flowers

The boys have been so independent lately. James says "Mommy will not play" or "Mommy will not sing". Ok goof ball, Mommy will just sit and put her feet up.

Pretty pink flowers. There is something really nice about all the pink flowers in our garden, especially since our house is full of snails and puppy dogs tails.

Mr. Luke with his hat backwards. He did that all by himself, a little rascal in the making!

James has been a big jokester lately. He likes to call me "sister bear" and giggles when I exclaim that is not my name. He also is calling John "daddy-rascal". Luke is getting into the act by shaking his head no for everything, then giving us a sly smile. These two pranksters sure do keep us on our toes.

Hot Hot Heat

It is officially spring here as the bulbs and trees are in full bloom. Our flowering cherry tree took all of 3 days to POP! I love this time of year!

The past 2 days have been hot. Yesterday it was 93, today it should be a touch warmer. Ugh! Let's just say if we are going outside it is best done in the morning. Lots of chalk art decorates our walkway.

And James helps me every morning as we take pictures of our "pink flower tree". Luke is still snoring up there in his room.

Goof ball James. He is so silly and sweet in the morning.

Mr. Weatherman says it should cool off tomorrow when we get some rain. And next week, all in the 70's. Now that is much better then this 90 degree nonsense.