What do PJ's and the Washing Machine have in common?

I know you are thinking, "Okay Brandi, the answer to your question is quite obvious." Maybe in the real world it is an obvious answer, but here at the Hasley House it is not what you are thinking. My answer is...John Reagan of course. He has been the sweetest little thing here lately. Now in reality, we have had a few bad moments, but in the larger picture, he has been extra sweet and loving for the past 2 weeks.

To jump right into my story, John Reagan and Evie got somewhat matching PJ's for Christmas. They obviously aren't exactly matching because with a boy and girl that is just impossible, and these aren't the same pajamas they wore Christmas Eve either. These were pj's from Pawcaw and Nana...the kinds with the footies. Now I love footie pajamas for Evie because she needs them at this age, but I have never bought any for John Reagan after he turned a year old. And sorry Nana to have to admit this, but when I first opened them for John Reagan I was less than excited. I just knew there was no way I was going to get that child to wear his. But I failed to recognize at the time my secret weapon. Oh yes, I had a secret weapon. These pajamas came from PAWCAW AND NANA! All I had to do the first time was ask John Reagan if he wanted to wear his pj's from Pawcaw and Nana, and you can guess the response. So we dressed John Reagan and Evie in the matching pajamas, and they were the most adorable things. I have come to love the pajamas and love to dress them in the pj's at the same time. It's just too cute. The second time around of getting John Reagan in his wasn't as easy though. I told him we had to take a picture of him and Evie "in their matching pjs." That worked until Evie fell asleep before we got the picture, then John Reagan wanted his off. We managed to keep him in them until he fell asleep. And we took the pictures when they woke up. The third time around with the pajamas...John Reagan put them right on and told me the next morning while rubbing his pjs, "Momma, I like my pjs."

Aren't they just too sweet. Because Greg was not here I just laid Evie in the bed with John Reagan. I didn't want to fight with getting them both on the couch and Evie sitting up long enough for me to get the picture.

Now you can see what I mean about my buddy being such a sweetie. What a great big brother he is! He has also been my BIG time helper when it comes to laundry here lately. Hence the pajama and washing machine question.
He loves to help me put clothes in the dryer and help put the clothes in the washer too. There are several laundry pictures here, but I didn't want you to miss the progression.

He just kept getting farther and farther into the washing machine. Because we didn't buy the pedestals when we bought the washer and dryer, they fit his level perfectly. The first time he more or less bailed into the washing machine, all I could think was "I need my camera." So the next time he came to help me, I was sure to bring my camera. He gets so excited now when I tell him we have clothes to put in the dryer. Man I love this age.

Now that I have doted on how sweet and great John Reagan is, I have to give Evie some loves too. We have loved every stage that John Reagan goes through and always think we aren't ready for him to grow out of that stage until he hits the next one, and it has all the perks of before plus some. We are at that point with Evie. She has hit such a great age. She is so lovable and fun. She does great in her bouncy...half sitting half standing taking in all that is going on and talking up a storm.

She loves playing with the toys, and they are great chew toys. She is a good multitasker already. She knows how to play with her toys, watch cartoons, and smile all at the same time. How do you like those skills?

We can't believe she is already 6 months; yet, we can hardly remember life without her.

And no, her hair is not red. It's just the flash. In person IT IS brown.

We had an exciting week last week. Pawpaw Donnie and Mawmaw Betty came up and visited. They stayed with daddy's sister, my Aunt Mary and Uncle Gordon, who live in Bellevue. We went up Tuesday after Pawpaw and Mawmaw got here and spent the day. Everyone had a great time passing Evie around and loving on John Reagan.

Mawmaw and Pawpaw with Evie. Like John Reagan at Evie's age, Evie loved staring at Pawpaw's cowboy hat. For those of you who know John Reagan and his fetish with all things horses, bull riding, and cowboys, you now know where it came from.

Uncle Gordon put in the movie "Cars" or "Cool McQueen" as John Reagan calls it, and the men (and mommy) had a great time watching the movie. Here Pawpaw and John Reagan are engrossed in what is going on.

Aunt Mary and Uncle Gordon have a maltese named Louka. Seeing as how Evie has Duchess to stare at and love on, she understands doggies. Here she is giving Louka some "human puppy" sugars. That is how Uncle Gordon explains babies to Louka. Aunt Mary and Grandma Annie Rai are helping Evie and Louka socialize.

If you haven't put two and two together (which I am sure you have), Grandma is daddy and Aunt Mary's mother, my grandmother, Evie and John Reagan's great-grandmother. I am so good at stating the obvious, aren't I? I think it is absolutely wonderful that John Reagan and Evie still have 2 great-grandparents to love on them, and I try to never miss the opportunity to take pictures of my babies with my grandmothers, especially the kind like this one.

On Wednesday, Pawpaw, Mawmaw, Uncle Gordon, Aunt Mary, and Louka came to visit us. We made brownie bites to celebrate and for Kimberly's birthday. Shame, shame! Kimberly missed her brownies. Sorry girl! I will make you a special batch next time we get together. Anyway, John Reagan loves anything junk food, including batter. He has already learned all about scraping the bowl, and this was the only way we could convince him to come inside and let everyone warm up.

When we have family up for company, John Reagan thinks he is supposed to play outside with them. I really shouldn't generalize with the family word. When we have Pawcaw and Nana up, John Reagan does a lot of playing outside, so he thought since Uncle Gordon and Pawpaw Donnie were here, that meant let's go outside. Who cares that it was 20 degrees...not really that cold, but I am pretty sure it was one of those mid to high 20s days. John Reagan already knows who plays outside with him. An update on daddy for those of you who might not have heard...He went to the doctor 2 weeks ago for his 4 week check-up, and the doctor said he looked great. The doc also said he would release daddy in 2 weeks to go to work...which is this week. However, Daddy decided to stay off until February 1st. Thanks for all your prayers. He is doing remarkably well, and it is very clear that God had a hand in Daddy's recovery.

Just a side note, while I was typing this blog I let John Reagan play with some markers. Needless to say, Evie has a few marker spots on the face. How sweet of John Reagan!

When I decide to get off my rear and scan the picture, I will share our family picture from Evie's baby dedication, almost 3 months ago. Yes I am being slow about it.

Hope you all are well, especially you Jon and Kelsey. I am going to send you an email one day soon. Love you guys.

Brandi