PJ Party and 8 months!!!

Happy 8 Months Jacob!
Pillow pets, popcorn, PJs, and Sleeping bag
oh and a Dora Book!
My boys!




Our PJ party was a lot of fun! Nicholas was STILL having tummy issues and I wasn't sure how the night was going to go, but it went fine. The culprit was apple juice, so we took a week off from his favorite juice. Nicholas was so excited for the pajama party that he was asleep by 8pm! It was funny :) I put Jacob to bed at 7:45 and came downstairs at 8pm and everyone was asleep. It was a nice Mommy night! Just me, my nook and a few kitties cuddling with me!

Jacob turned 8 months on January 23rd. Time is flying by. I love when he laughs when I am holding him. Not crawling yet, but getting close. Jacob doesn't cry as much when I put him on his tummy. He also has no teeth yet. Eating has gotten much better. Sleeping at night has improved 100%. For the past two weeks, he has done a great job. Hard to believe this child had me up 4 or 5 times a night!

It was a tough week, but we all survived and I am planning on hibernating with my babies this weekend - since I did not get to see them for 2 days this week!
Have a good weekend and week!

1st Snowy day!

I don't think Jacob is a big fan of the winter weather
Going to the "hill"
Niko's new sled
Hot Chocolate and a Popsicle ?!





What a week! We finally got the snow :) I put the first snowy day in the title, since it looks like we will be another snowy day today. Nicholas loves the snow. We are very lucky this year, the weather hasn't been that bad. We had to wait a long time for some snow. Chris and I thought it was time Nicholas had fun with a sled, so we bought him one a couple of weeks ago. We went to the big hill, and he went down twice. He told me he was ready to go home. After sledding, he played in the yard and Jacob and I watched him from the house.

After our Snowy day, our weekend went downhill from there. Nicholas started our first stomach bug as a family of four. Sunday morning, I heard Nicholas crying and I knew something was wrong. He was so sick! Thank goodness I missed the throwing up part, but the other end was just as bad! I had to get Chris to help. Poor Nicholas, after he was cleaned up - he just wanted to go to bed. Thank goodness, he's not the kind of kid that wants to sleep with their parents when they are sick. He slept from 4am to 11am on Sunday. He did okay during the day. He only had one piece of toast and went back to sleep at 5:45pm. His tummy took almost a whole week to get better!
Jacob and Chris both got it on Monday afternoon. I was holding Jacob and he was fussy and looked like he was going to blow. He did - three times. He fell asleep at 5pm and woke up at 2:30am. He bounced back really well. He was eating food the next afternoon.

I got it Tuesday - Wednesday. I had stomach cramps and a headache. I was able to function and went to work and probably gave it to my partner teacher. My mom also got it, but she was in the house for 5 minutes. A strong bug!

Now, we are all doing fine. We are having a pajama party tonight and playing in the snow this weekend! It will be a great weekend :) Mandy

Feed Me!

Hi Everyone,

I think I have said it more than once about how much Nicholas loves Jacob. I am very lucky that I have two good boys. Nicholas can be very independent. He wants to do things his way! I wish he would play more by himself or not get upset when I go into another room. If I am in his room and he is playing, and I decide to do something in my room, he hates being left alone and has to be with me. I can't wait for the day when I go to the bathroom by myself!

Nicholas is starting to show a little more 4. His behavior is getting better. We still have the temper tantrums, but I do see the maturity starting to take place. He got to spend all day in preschool today - I know he was excited. Baba's car got stuck in the snow, and she had to wait a very long time to get it out of the snow. We have a conference in a couple weeks with the teacher. I am excited / nervous to see how he is doing. I did register (gulp) him for the 4's. I am going to place in the PM class instead of the AM class, and I think that will work out very well.

Jacob is doing great. Slept through the night all week. A couple mornings up at 5:30 - 6:00am, but that was okay, because I was up already. He is eating so well now. Still no crawling, but we are working on that. He spent the afternoon in preschool too, and really enjoyed it!

I think Niko is getting sick and probably soon to follow will be Jacob. It's a cold, and we have been cold free for almost three months, and in my book that is pretty good.

We have been really busy. I thought after the Holidays it would have slowed down, but nope it hasn't. I like keeping busy, but I do need a break. I will be having lunch with my Mom on Monday and I am looking forward to that!

The pictures above: On New Year's Day, Nicholas HAD to feed Jacob. My mom was here, and she told me just let him do it - so I did. She told me not to worry about the clothes or Jacob's face, just go with it. Nicholas and Jacob enjoyed it. After Nicholas was finished, I ran upstairs with Jacob and hosed him off and put new clothes on.

Have a good Weekend!!!

Sunday Afternoons

Hi Everyone,

We had a wonderful vacation! This is my last day before I have to go back to work. I have missed my job, but I will miss my babies very much! Jacob got very attached to me - uh oh! A few days with daddy might do him some good :) I love that he has been so attached to me, but I do not want him to become like his big brother.

On Sundays, we try to have a relaxing day, Nicholas has not napped for me for about a week. I think the naps are going bye - bye. I really don't mind, because it is a lot easier to get him into bed at night. Jacob never misses a nap :) Lately, he has been getting me up at 4am. He is just talking, ready for the day. I might have to watch the nap schedule with him. Anyway, on Sundays, we go to church and we come home and have lunch. Then we just hang out. In the late afternoon, I get the last minute chores done, and dinner started. Our Sundays are pretty peaceful.

The pictures show Niko and Jake playing. I put Jacob on the floor and he is trying to crawl. He gets very frustrated. Nicholas, if he is in the mood, he will entertain Jacob. They are wonderful buddies :)

Have a great week!!!!!!!! Mandy

Introduction - Welcome!

The Balyeats
The Baby - Jacob Michael
The oldest - Big brother - Nicholas Anthony
Mommy and Daddy (plus Niko, and not yet Jacob)







Happy New Year! Welcome to our blog. We are very excited to be starting a new year and a new blog. Here is an introduction to our family!!

The Baby - Jacob Michael was born on May 23, 2011. He is currently 7 months old. Trying very hard to crawl. He likes to eat pears, bananas, and sweet potatoes. He is trying very hard to pop his first tooth! He also likes to cuddle with his Mommy and Daddy.

The Oldest - Nicholas Anthony was born on December 19, 2007. His nickname is Niko. Nicholas just started preschool last September and enjoys it very much. Nicholas is very active and likes to keep his Mommy moving. Nicholas is truly the Mama's boy, and there is nothing wrong with that!

The Mommy - Mandy - sorry, I am not putting my age on this blog :) I am the keeper of the blog. I am a second grader teacher. I like to read my Nook in my spare time, which is between 8pm and 10pm.

The Daddy - Chris - He works for the family business. That is how we met. He was the bus driver and I was working in the office. He was born in San Diego, CA. Chris and his mom came back to Cleveland when he was 4 years old. It took many years for us to connect - but it was worth the wait! His favorite NFL team is the Steelers.

We hope you enjoy the new blog!! Love, The Balyeats