Our Baby Mercer: February 2017

Happy Valentine's Day!! So life with two small kids and two dogs is hectic to say the least, and we've been so busy I've totally neglected my blog. So here's a snapshot of life lately!

Our puppy, Lyla has grown so much! She's an naughty little rascal that is still chewing up EVERYTHING, having occasional potty accidents and is so full of energy, she knocks the kids off of their feet constantly. But she's so dang cute we can't help but love her. Except Abby. Abby still hates her. Abby has become a grumpy old troll who lives under our bed and barks when anyone trip traps over/under/next-to her bridge.

Jonah calls Lyla either "Why Why" or "Yay yay" and Avery calls her Lyla-Boo, which have become her nicknames from all of us. She probably doesn't even know her real name!

Jonah is such a hilarious and sweet "big guy" as he calls himself. He is at the most fun and adorable age, and quickly catching up to Avery in size! He is talking more and more and starting to put together some sentences. He is learning to count and can almost make it to 10. He's learning his ABC's and can sing quite a few other songs too. Right now he's really into singing Happy Birthday, Old MacDonald, and Don't Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchastra. He loves his big sister more than anything and hates daddy's beard. He is obsessed with Elmo and does a great Cookie Monster impression. He says "Owwwwie!" when he doesn't like something, which makes it sound like I'm beating him when I'm just changing his diaper or clothes.

Avery is such a smarty pants with the most sensitive heart. She's loves telling jokes and making us all laugh. She knows lots of sight words and is starting to read! She can count to 100 with some help when getting to a ten's place. She loves being my little helper with everything. She speaks like a little adult which is just so cute. While checking in with her during a play date the other day she said, "We had a little disagreement, but we solved it." With all her maturity it's easy to forget she's only four. I find myself holding her to too high of standards a lot of the time and I have to constantly remind myself that she's still a baby too. She is allowed to have emotional outbursts and spill things and need help getting dressed still, without us getting frustrated with her. I'm trying to be better about it, to be better for her each day and give us both some grace, but gosh, mommin' ain't easy.

Here's some favorite pictures from the past few months.

Our little turkey

Avery wore her Whataburger shirt to Whataburger and became an instant celebrity! They gave her all kinds of swag and wanted to take pictures with her!