We have so much to be thankful for

We've had quite a rough few weeks with the boys but things are slowly becoming "normal" again. Both boys have been pretty sick, first with a cold then it turned into ear infections for both of them. In the last 3 weeks, we have been to the doctor 3 times and to the ER once. Austin had quite a rough few nights, the antibiotics he went on didn't take away his infection so it became way worse. He had 3 nights of being up most of the night in pain. It makes me so sad just thinking about it. One night he was in our bed because would not sleep for longer than 15 minutes and could barely get comfortable, that night I was headbutted in the eye and kicked in the head. AHHH! I've cried so much and have felt such sympathy for my little boys that I couldn't even focus on the fact that I was sick too. Mike has been so great and has been right there with me cleaning up throw up, rocking the boys back to sleep, giving countless doses of tylenol, and wiping snotty noses. It has made me realize how lucky I am to have a husband who really does just as much as I do, then he goes to work on top of it. I can't say enough about him, he truly is such a good man and an amazing Dad. He is sad when they are sad and happy when they are happy.

Through all the tough times we have been through in the last weeks, I can't help but be constantly reminded of how lucky we really are to have kids that are healthy and happy. That things could be so much worse.

Things that I am thankful for...

• My amazing husband
• Our beautiful boys
• Our cute little house
• Our health
• Our parents
• Our brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents
• That we live in a beautiful place
• Our friends
• Our jobs
• the love we have in our hearts because of all these things

I pray that these things drift constantly into my mind to remind me why I wake up everyday and keep on living life.

Taken this time last year!

Austin's 1st haircut

We broke down and gave Austin his first haircut. As many of you know, I have had a really hard time even thinking about cutting Austin's hair. I just love his whispy curls and I think he looks adorable. Yesterday, at least 6 people referred to him as a girl...Doesn't really bother me, I can see how someone might think he was a little girl. It's the big blue eyes and the long curly hair. The hair in his face has really been bothering him. Now he looks like a little boy. There is no mistaking him for a girl any longer. It turned out super cute.

Before

During

After

Halloween 2008

It's hard to believe that Halloween has come and gone! It's crazy that we are already 4 days into November! What?! We had a good Halloween this year. This was Austin's first year where he kinda knew what was going on. Uncle Bobby and Aunt Stacy arrived Friday morning and we spent most of the day playing with the boys in the back yard. When Daddy got home from work and the boys were up from their naps, we headed out to the village for a little trick or treating...

Honestly, we probably won't go back next year. I have to say I find it really lame that they don't close down the street for this event. They have yellow tape up along the street, but anyone knows that yellow tape is not going to stop a toddler from running into the street. There were just way too many people and way too many cars. People were walking in both directions and it felt like a constant traffic jam. I just didn't find it very fun this year being down there. Halloween in itself is already incredibly overwhelming for kids, add a little bit of candy and hundreds of people and that is the recipe for a toddler melt down!!! After coming home from the village we decided that we would skip the trick or treating through the neighborhoods. We have the rest of their childhood to introduce them to that. It just wasn't worth it...We certainly didn't need or want more candy hanging around the house either. :) Kaden had lots of fun getting all dressed up in his pirate costume and Austin looked absolutely adorable in his dinosaur costume.

Later that night, after Austin was lost in dreamland, we decided to take Kaden on a walk to try and calm him down. We were walking through the neighborhood and we saw a coyote running through the street!!! I guess weirder things have happened on Halloween. We spent most of Saturday being lazy and shopping. The boys were spoiled once again by their Uncle Bobby and Aunt Stacy, Kaden got a new fire engine and pet monkey. Austin got a toy dog with a leash. Bobby and Stacy left on Sunday morning before we were awake. We had a blast with them and the boys were really sad to see them gone when they woke up.

Kaden is doing much better sleeping in his bed. He now goes down pretty easily at night and usually stays in his bed till 5 or 6am...Then he comes in bed with us. Better than him being up several times during the night and going into Austin's room and waking him up!!! Yeah, that was happening for about a week. It was torture... He is finally getting used to his bed and we are so proud of him.

Austin runs through the house now. He is getting his first year molars in right now, but he is taking it like a champ. Poor kid has been chewing and gumming anything he can. He continues to be a daddy's boy and I love that too!!! I'm debating whether or not to cut his hair. Last night Mike suggested we buzz his hair and I nearly choked...Ummm, you mean his curly adorable hair? Absolutely not!...I can't cut those curls off. His hair goes down to the middle of his back when it's wet! He has the cutest little curls I have ever seen. I'm not ready...

We are looking forward to Thanksgiving in Napa this year. We can't wait to see everyone. There are family members that we haven't seen since last Thanksgiving. Thanks for reading yet another update....

Fall is in the air...

So much as gone as since my last post. I really would love to get better about posting on here, however Kaden and Austin are keeping me pretty busy. We are all doing really good though. In the month of September Austin turned 1!!! We celebrated with tons of family and friends and had our first birthday party in our backyard. It was so much fun! As you can see below, Austin did NOT like his cake, but he had lots of fun opening presents!




So far the month of October has flown by. I really can't believe that Halloween is almost here. This will be Kaden's 3rd Halloween and Austin's 2nd. Kaden is going to be a pirate and Austin will be a dinosaur. Both of them look adorable in their costumes. We are excited to have Uncle Bobby and Aunt Stacey for Halloween this year...

Kaden is at a great age! We can't believe the things that come out of his mouth. He is now talking in full sentences. We bought him a toddler bed about a month ago, a race car bed...It has been kind of a rough transition, but we are getting there. The other night I was laying in his bed with him after an hour of him getting up and out of bed. I was talking to him about his bed and I asked him why he wasn't sleeping in his new cool bed. I told him that when he slept in a crib he went right to sleep and slept all night long. So, I asked him "why won't you go to sleep?!" He says, "I don't want to be a big boy anymore, I just want to be Kaden...I want my old bed back". It made me smile and broke my heart at the same time. Last night we were in his room singing some songs before bed. He is already into Christmas songs and he wanted to sing "the snowman song" and "the santa claus song"...So, I would sing a few words and then I would point to him and he would sing. I was surprised to hear that he knows most of the words! It was adorable...Last week, I noticed that Kaden had found an old tube of mascara, not thinking that he would actually open it, I wasn't too worried about it. Turns out, I should have been a little more on top of taking that away from him. Kaden also had his very first dentist appointment yesterday and he did amazing. We have been talking with him about the appointment for months, preparing him for what the dentist would need to do (look in his mouth, brush his teeth. etc...) He opened his mouth right up for the hygentist and let her brush his teeth WAY better than he lets me. No cavities and everything looks great. It was a success!

Austin is amazing right now. We love him so much. He is now not only walking, but he is running! He is enjoying the freedom he has now to get around so much faster and without bruising his knees. He is constantly "talking", it's mostly baby babble, but some words he can say are: "mama", "Daddy", "Kitty", "hot", "get down", "Doggy"... I'm sure there is more. That boy is really starting to become a "daddy's boy"...I was sad about this for about 2 seconds and then I realized that everytime he goes to his daddy, it's more time for them to bond and also a much needed break for mama. He is a teething machine right now and I think he may be getting every singe tooth he is supposed to be getting RIGHT NOW all at the same time. Needless to say, it has been kinda brutal. Kaden gets up every morning when he hears Austin and goes in his room and gets in his crib with him. I love waking up every morning to the sounds of them giggling in Austin's room. Not to mention, it allows me to sleep for an extra 20 minutes or so...



Thank you for taking the time to read this! Gotta run...The boys need their Mama! xoxo

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Austin!!!!

September 12th 2007


Dear Austin,
One year ago today I was waiting eagerly to meet you...Finally at 11:07pm you made your grand entrance into this world and we finally got to kiss your sweet little face. It's been quite a busy year and you've grown from a beautiful, chubby, angelic newborn baby to a walking, talking, energetic little boy. Words can't really express how much we love and cherish you. Your big brother Kaden is so proud of you and loves you dearly. You may never believe this, but when you were a tiny baby he would kiss you every chance he got. He may not do that so much anymore, but he does love you so much. Thank you for constantly melting my heart and making me proud. We love you sweet baby Austin...more than you will probably ever know! xoxoxo