One Year!

This month is our one year anniversary of living in Houston. It amazes me how much has happened in this past year. Cole started crawling then walking and we celebrated his first birthday. We evacuated for two hurricanes, moved from an apartment to a house, sold our beetle and got a CR-V and we welcomed our little Texan, Avery, into the family!

What a great year it has been! Tom has enjoyed his job, I've enjoyed being at home with our two little monkeys and we have made lots of new friends along the way!

The time goes by so quickly that I need to remember to be grateful for each day and to enjoy my children while they are still little!

Here's to the many years still ahead of us!

Memories

Missing in action!

The week Tom was gone at scout camp I was kept busy by different friends. The kids and I went to a birthday party, we went to the rodeo, I had a friend come over one night for a little girl time and on another night I took the kids and we met two friends for dinner and then went back to our house for a movie. We missed our papa very much but had a fun time while he was gone!

At the rodeo.
We stood in line for a pony ride and Cole loved watching the other kids taking their turn but once it was his turn he screamed when I tried to put him on the pony. I took him down and had him pet the pony in hopes that it would help with his fear! No luck, he was NOT getting on that pony!

I thought where he didn't even want to sit on a pony that it would terrify him to be in with a bunch of free roaming animals but I thought I would give the petting zoo a try. He LOVED it! He kept crouching down to get closer and he really enjoyeed feeding them. I really enjoyed watching his excitement! I wish Tom could have been there to see it!

So serious!

Adorable boy!

"No Binky" Update #2

Thursday's nap, Cole went down and slept the whole three hours. That night he cried for a few minutes and then fell asleep.

Friday his nap went well at first but about an hour into it he woke up screaming and screamed for about an hour until he fell back to sleep then slept for about another hour. Friday night was a good night, he went right to sleep!

Today's nap he went right down and is still sleeping!

Another problem I thought we would have when we started this is that Avery has her binky and so I was afraid Cole would try to take hers and use it but he hasn't, not once, that I am aware of. He can be pretty sneaky sometimes!

~~~

I think it it safe to say now, the reason I chose this week to wean Cole off of his binky is because Tom has been gone the whole week with the scouts camping and I thought it would be a fun surprise for him to come home to.

I didn't want to post that my husband was going to be gone for a week and have some crazy person just happen to read that and some how find out where we live and come hurt us or something. Not that it would happen but it could so I just wanted to keep safe. But Tom is coming home today! Yeah!! I can't wait to tell him that Cole no longer needs a binky!

"No Binky" Update

Cole is doing quite well to my surprise!

Tuesday afternoon for his first nap without his binky went a little more of how I thought this whole experience would! He screamed for about 40 min. before he finally fell asleep. Then Tuesday night he did just as well as the first night, slept straight threw til morning!

Wednesday morning he had a bit of a melt down! He was screaming and putting his hand to his mouth where his binky should be! I could tell he wanted it but did not give in! I had to keep telling myself to be patient it would all be worth it in the end! Once we got threw that melt down the rest of the day was good.

Wednesday we had had a long day at the rodeo and so when I had to wake him up to get him out of the car and into his PJ's he didn't like that, which I can't blame him, so he started screaming and didn't want to be put into bed. I layed him down gave him his Dangles and left the room and let him scream. Normally we could just give him his binky and that would calm him right down so it was tough to just walk out. The screaming only lasted for about three minutes before he settled down and went to sleep. Thank goodness!

All I can say is, "Ahh...another day down!"

Fun and play makes for a great day!

Yesterday I took the kids to Monkey n' Around. We met some of the other mothers and their kids from our ward there. Monkey n' Around is this cute inexpensive indoor play ground that has a bunch of fun big toys for kids to play on. I am convinced more than ever now that we need to get a big toy for Cole to have at home to climb on and slide down because he LOVED IT! I must say I enjoyed it as well. Cole entertained, Avery happy and content, me having adult conversation what's not to love!

I also loved sitting back and watching Cole seeing just how much he has grown! Things that he once was unsure of or scared of now are things of the past! When did he go from being my baby to my toddler? I guess for me he will always be my baby!

This boy makes me so happy!
Wee...!!

Good Bye to Binky Boy!

This is the week! I have decided to wean Cole off of his binky! The reason I chose this to be the week? I will explain this weekend.

~~~

We have been wanting to do this for quite some time but just haven't done it because of the instant gratification. Looking back at so many pictures where he has a binky in his mouth and the fact that he is almost two really made the decision, well that and I didn't want it ruining his teeth!

~~~

Yesterday, Monday the 16th, I let him have his bink for the last time during his nap. After waking up and having lunch I took his binky and a sucker and gave him the choice of which one he wanted. He chose the sucker! I then told him that he would have to throw his binky away to get the sucker. He did, he threw his binky in the garbage! I later went and got the bink and cut off the nipple so I couldn't give into the temptation and give it back! Ahh....! I must be crazy but it must be done!

That night we went over to Mana and Annettes to help celebrate Benjamins 2nd birthday. On our way home Cole was tired and cried the whole way home! I was really starting to wonder what I was getting myself into!

When we got home I took him to the garbage can to help him remember that he had thrown his binky away. I grabbed it out, it was just sitting on a bunch of papers, and showed him that it was "broken" he then tried sucking on it and couldn't, obviously. I told him that he was a big boy and didn't need his binky any more and asked him to throw it away again. He did but got frantic and grabbed it again and tried one more time to suck on it. I then told him that it was broken and that it didn't work any more and that big boys didn't need binkys so that he should just throw it away. He once more threw it away. I then took him to bed.

When I put him down in his crib I gave him Bo Dangles, his Monkey that he sleeps with every night, had him wrap his arms around him and told him that Dangles would comfort him. I stroked his head for a min. told him I loved him and what a big boy he was.

As I left the room I thought for sure he would start screaming because he usually does when he doesn't have his binky but not a peep! I was so proud of my boy! The only noise I heard during the night was a cry for about a minute and then he fell back to sleep! I was so happy! Maybe this isn't going to be as bad as I thought it would be!

So long binky days!

In loving memory!

*updates to come throughout the week.

Cole Boy!

Cole has always been quite the little climber but now he has upgraded to moving swinging objects!

Love the face!

~~~

One night after bringing in the grocery's Tom and I had left the kitchen to go put things away in other rooms and came back to find this

He loves to stack and as you can see is very good at it! The other day I had out my sewing thread and he was stacking those as well.

He is always amazing us! He may not talk yet but his brain is constantly working! He's going to be an engineer just like his papa!

Surprise!

One year ago today I went in for my annual womanly check-up. Oh so fun.

~~~

After sitting in the room for what seemed like forever my Mid Wife, Karen McBride, came in and the first thing she tells me is,"Congratulations!" Confused I was thinking, "Uh, ok... for what!?" She then gives me a clear baggy with what looked like a pregnancy test inside and then say's," it looks positive to me! You're pregnant!" Stunned and completely speechless, I'm looking at this POSITIVE pregnancy test in my hands trying to wrap my mind around what she has just told me. I was in complete shock, as you could imagine! PREGNANT! I'm Wha...Huh!!!

The week before my appointment I thought how funny it would be if I went in and she told me I was pregnant. I quickly laughed it off! Who thought it would actually happen!

After leaving my appointment and the news settled in I was extremely happy! Still shocked but happy! I felt so giddy like you do after that first kiss! I had to tell somebody right away and since I wanted to tell Tom in person I called my sister. I didn't even have to tell her, she guessed right away! After we laughed like giddy girls do I called Tom and asked if he wanted to go to lunch.

Once I got to his work to pick him up for our very special lunch date and before he came out, I got into the passenger seat and sat the pregnancy test on the drivers seat. As he went to get into the car he saw the test, picked it up, looked at it then looked at me. "Is this real? Are you serious? You're pregnant!?" He had pretty much the same reaction as I had! We were both so happy!

Who thought after trying for three and a half years for our first baby that our lives would be so blessed so soon after having that first baby! Cole was only nine months old when we found out we were expecting our second child!

One year latter we have our beautiful, 4 month old, baby girl! Little Miss Avery!

It's Here!

Ok, so I got over being mad about the whole ebay Cricut incident and today I got my Cricut. I am very excited! My only dilemma now is getting cartridges! If any one has any suggestions on any of their favorite cartridges that would be great because I have no idea!

Do Not try this at Home!

I've been banned from ebay!

Tom had a YM activity tonight and I was bored so for some fun I went on ebay and started looking at Cricut's! There was one auction that only had 5 min. left so for a little more fun I decided it would be funny to bid a little just to up the price for the other bidders. It worked, they went higher but then I decided to go even a little higher.

As the seconds wound down and I was still in the lead I was thinking, "OH NO! I didn't really want to win, OUT BID ME, OUT BID ME! CRAP, I WON!" On top of that it didn't even come with cartridges. So now I have to buy a cartridge just to use the dang thing!!! Yeah, yeah, laugh it up! Not one of my brightest moments!

Tom walked in the door not long after my win and all I could say was, "I didn't think I would win!" He came over, confused, saw what I did and asked what I had done that for. I told him what had happened he then just shook his head and said, "I hope you learned your lesson!" Boy did I ever. No more "FUN" bids for me! He told me you don't bid unless you're willing to win. I know that, I really just didn't think I would win! The lady selling the Cricut sure is happy!

I am so mad at myself right now that I thought it would make me feel better to share my stupididioty! (that's how I say stupid and idiot in one) Well there you have it! At least I have one now!

Valentines Day 2007

This particular Valentines day was one to really remember especially for Tom!

I was doing hair at Dollar Cuts at this time and one of my friends/co workers had a great idea! She wanted to rent a cutesy gorilla costume and show up to her husbands work and surprise him with a goody. She asked all of us with husbands if we wanted to go in on the costume and surprise ours as well. I thought it was a cute idea but decided I wasn't going to do it.

Valentines day she went to pick up a costume but all they had left were a dog and one other that I don't remember. Who knew that costume renting for Valentines day was so popular! She decided on the dog. One of our, single, co workers volunteered to wear the costume and go into the office of the husbands' for the surprise.

After hearing about how funny it was for all of the girls who joined in on the fun I decided I wanted in!

Since I didn't plan on doing this until last minute I didn't have a goody to give Tom so I ran over to Albertsons in hopes of finding something. I ended up with a BIG heart shaped brownie covered in red and pink frosting that had written, "I Love You" on the top and a card.

As we made our way to Toms cubicle all of his co workers stopped and stared at this big goofy dog walking through their office. Once we got just right out side the cubicle I stayed back and sent her in. She found Tom did a silly little dance then went to hand him his goody and she said he looked confused. He finally realized what was going on. She had one of the guys he works with take a picture of them together. The look on Toms face is priceless!

After we left, without Tom ever knowing I was there, he called and asked if it was me in the costume. I of course told him no and he tells me, "I almost grabbed 'your' butt! It's a good thing I didn't!" Uhh..yeah!

What a fun Valentines Day!

Priceless!

E.T. Phone Home

A few weeks ago Cole was pointing with his finger and so I put my finger to his and said, "Ouuuch." And you know how kids love repetition so we did these over and over for awhile. He got a kick out of it!

A couple of days later I went in to get him up from his nap and he extended his arm and finger to me and said, "Ouuuch." So funny!

Then just yesterday I stubbed my toe and by habit said, "Ouch!" I looked over and Cole was putting his fingers together and quietly saying, "Ouuuch." That boy is so cute! He makes me laugh!

Ouuuuch!

My Beautiful Little Blessings

As I was looking at my Facebook tonight I ran across one of my friends status and she posted," hoping everyone will fast and pray for Gracie Gledhill...www.thegledhillfamily.blogspot.com ." I went to see what this was all about.

The Gledhill family have a little nine month old baby girl that was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS). Basically for her to live she has to have a heart transplant. You should go and read her story! It will pull at your heart strings!

After reading the story of Gracie Gledhill and crying uncontralably, I moved on to others from links they have on their blog, some of who are still living and others who have gone home to live with their Heavenly Father. To read of these families trials and the strength they have gained because of these trials was a testimony builder for me.

I want to thank my Heavenly Father for blessing us with two beautiful, healthy baby's. I love them both dearly and pray that I can be the mother that they deserve! Time goes by so fast that I need to remember to cherish every little moment!

A cherished moment

Sewing+Eating=Fun

This last Saturday I went to a sewing class in the morning and learned how to make a reversible hostess apron. It was a lot of fun and I learned quite a bit and I must say I didn't do too bad.

Being the perfectionist that I am I was there a half hour after the other two had already left. Thank you Jodi for the wonderful lesson and for staying with me to help me finish up!

I would really like to get into sewing a lot more. There are so many fun things you can make when you know how to sew.

Turned out so cute!

Don't mind the chubby girl

~~~

That night we went to a ward chili cook off. It was a lot of fun, good chili, great company & awesome entertainment! Surprisingly I didn't get too gassy after wards since I ate a whole lot of chili. TMI, sorry! Mmm...good!

Dinner was accompanied by karaoke. I myself did not sing but those who did were very entertaining.

When we first got to the church they were handing out fake black mustaches to some of the men, Tom happened to be one of them. Those who had a mustache had, or should I say got, to go up and sing, Rock the Night Away? Neither Tom or I knew the name of the song we just know it had something to do with rocking the night away. If anyone who was there or anyone that knows what song I am talking about if you could let us know what the name is that would be great! Any way, they did a wonderful performance!

*Cole with a little soul*
He wouldn't let us put the whole mustache on him



Now don't we look attractive!

I had a good picture of Tom wearing the mustache but unfortunately I took it with my phone and I had no more room to save any more pictures. Dang because it was a good one!

After the chili cook off we went home watched some Monk & Psych and then headed off to bed!

Grand Slam!

Ok! I've had this written since last Tuesday but I have been waiting for Tom to help me upload the picture I took with my phone because I don't know how. I am done waiting I'm just going to post and then maybe one day I'll get the picture on here!

~~~

February 3rd
Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., Tom, the kids and I met Mike & Mana at Denny's for the FREE Grand Slam breakfast. I wasn't sure if it was going to be worth it because after all how good could the quality of a free breakfast be?

Well, I can tell you I was happily surprised, it was good! The kids Grand Slam was even free! Even better! I'm just glad we decided to go early because I'm sure it was a mad house the later it got in the day.

And here are the pictures!

Cole enjoying his mini slam along with Mike & Mana

I made up for the early morning by taking a long nap while both kids were asleep!

Thank You Denny's!!