I Am Thankful For….

I have battled with my thanksgiving post for a couple days now. I didn’t know how to do it or how I could possibly say all I want to about my many many blessings. I have seen long posts, short posts, posts about family with lots of pictures, collages of pictures, things listed 1-100, things listed A-Z…you get the picture. I figure I better post something before time continues to slip by. As I continue to think about all that I have been given my thoughts all come back to the basics.

I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for my wonderful husband and beautiful boys. I am thankful for family and friends. I really truly could go on and on, but I think most of what I am thankful for falls into these things in some way or another. I have been so blessed and am glad to have this time to reflect and remember the many blessings I have been given.

I am sad to say I didn’t get very many pictures on Thanksgiving, but here are a few in the spirit of being thankful! Andrew finger painted some pictures for Thanksgiving. He had fun painting with one finger…I had him do some handprints, but he was not too keen on the idea of the paint being allll over his hand. I love his eyes!

So I just had to post this picture because these boys make me smile. Are they not the cutest things ever?! I guess one could say I am very thankful for these boys!

 

 

 

This is what we did Thanksgiving morning. Invaded dad in bed while he was trying to catch up on sleep. Sorry daddy….Thanksgiving is family time!!! Andrew and Carter love their daddy!!!

  Annnd…this is the only picture I have of Thanksgiving dinner. It does not do it justice!!! We had dinner with Bry’s brother and his family. It was SO yummy, but my dear son does not like to eat and so this was all he had on his plate and all he did was bite the tomato and spit it out. I guess I will take what I can get!!!

Gummy Bear

Carter’s Uncle Jason has decided that Carter looks like a gummy bear. I would tend to agree – he is squishy, sweet, and oh so cute!

He is my favorite gummy bear!!!

“Out of difficulties grow miracles.”

--Jean de la Bruyere

Our little Andrew is a miracle in our lives. He never ceases to amaze us. I had the blessing of witnessing another miracle Sunday night during bath time. This may not seem big for an average child and would normally go unnoticed with any “normal” child, but for some reason it really touched me.

I was washing Andrew with the loofa like we do every night. I washed his back and went for his left arm. I pulled it up and out straight…and it went, with no pulling – no stiffness – no tightness – no contracture. This stopped me in my tracks. I actually looked at both his arms and made sure it really was his left arm I had grabbed. Normally I have to help straighten his arm by pushing against his elbow to help release the joint, but not that time – it just went! I couldn’t believe it. I tried it again and he was a bit tighter and it hasn’t happened since, but it happened once and it gave me so much hope for my Andrew. He is such a champ and I know he is watched over. He is so very special and I am grateful to have the gift of being able to raise this sweet boy. 

Rose Bud

Wow – this is my 150th post and I thought I would make it an extra special one…about a wonderful woman, my grandma. I am named Megan Rose after my sweet grandmother Lettie Rose. She initially wanted my mom to name me after her, but my mother decided to just go with the middle name (thanks mom!). When Shelley and I were little Shell used to say her middle name was Rose too…I guess she liked it as well! This is my dad’s mom and I just love her. I actually got to go back east to visit with Bryan, Andrew, and my parents a year ago . It was so fun to have her meet Bry and Andrew.

***Update – take note of the cookie in Bryan’s hand. Oh that would be a snicker doodle. I think Grandma and Leon had made dozens of these cookies. They were yummy, a bit on the crunchy side, but there were SO many…and we had to keep eating them. Thanks Lu for the reminder about the constant feeding – hence, the cookies!

Funny story – a couple years ago Shelley and I went back east with my parents to visit. While we were there my grandma had bought a big (I mean BIG) bag of mini M&Ms. She really wanted us to eat them and we did, they were good. One day we were going out for a walk and my grandma asked if I wanted some of these M&Ms. I told her I would in a little while. Well, her hearing is not as it used to be and she responded with “oh, you want them in a little bag?”  I just smiled and said sure and she brought me a tiny ziplock bag filled with mini M&Ms to take on my walk – thanks grandma!!! It is now a little inside joke…not so inside anymore I guess…when we say “oh you want some in a little bag”. I so adore my grandma.

 

Some other tid bits about her – she loves dogs, namely hound dogs and schnauzers. She loves the birds cardinals. She has some great recipes. She makes the most beautiful blankets. She even has that “grandma” smell. She had sent us a blanket a while back and I just kept smelling it for the first couple days because it smelled like her. I love my grandma and am excited to one day have a girl (hopefully) and be able to pass on the middle name “Rose”.

Two Chompers

Carter popped his second tooth today. I knew it was coming and it is officially poking through. What a trooper. I wouldn’t want sharp teeth stabbing their way through my gums…not fun. He is such a trooper though and has done very well. Way to go Carter! 

He would much rather me take pictures of his tongue than his teeth – love this baby!

 

 

He has such tired eyes – it was very much nap time -  

Brownie Points

My husband has been amazingly sweet these past couple days. I am not sure what triggered this abundance of moments and actions that go straight to my heart, but I know that I so love and appreciate everything he does for me and our boys. He started off the week on Monday earning quite a few brownie points…I just want to remember these things and take note of what a wonderfully thoughtful, helpful husband I have been blessed with. In case he ever wants to know what tugs at my heart strings here they are:

• Taking Andrew outside to play, ride his tricycle, etc.
• Playing on the floor with the boys.
• Reading books with Andrew before bed and doing the voices! (especially in “Is Your Mama a Llama?”)
• Brushing Andrew’s teeth and flossing so I don’t have to.
• Offering to sing to Andrew before bed! (this one was a kicker for me – major brownie points on this one)
• After doing the previous acts all in one night he really topped it off when I asked him to bring me a brownie with ice cream while working. He presented me with a brownie of all the edges with ice cream. He knows I love the edges so he went around the pan and cut them off for me – he is the BEST!
• Before leaving for work coming in and kissing me and the baby on the forehead.
• Coming home from 12+ hours of work knowing I had a long day and giving me a kiss that says “I know you had a hard day and I am sorry”. (Amazing one kiss can say all those things without a single word).
• Not being sick of the lunch I pack for him each day…always fruit, cheese, zonebar chips, sandwich, and maybe something extra. I know I would be tired of the same ‘ole, same ole’. He is so easy to please.
• Running errands with me on the weekends, even the grocery store!
• Taking care of Carter on Sundays so I can work in nursery.

Thanks for doing all you do Bry – I appreciate it!

Growth Stats

I took both kiddos to the doc last week. Andrew had his initial consult with his doc to establish care and go over history and Carter needed his 6 mo check and shots. After 2 long hours in the office and going over medical records it was time to get stats and do shots. Andrew got two shots, one in each leg. He hasn’t had a shot in about a year so he was devastated. Carter got two as well, one in each leg. He was pretty sad too; he was tired, hungry, and then got poked!

Andrew – 35 months (almost 3 years old!)

• Weight: 27.4 lbs **about 10% (they weighed him twice and he came in about a half a pound more the second time – we will take what we can get!)
• Height: 35.5 inches **10-15%
• Head Circumference: 46.6 cm  **5-10%

Carter – 6 months (technically 6 months 1 week at time of visit)

• Weight: 16 lbs 10 oz  **25-50%
• Height: 26.5 inches **50%
• Head Circumference: 43.4 cm  **25-50%

I couldn’t believe it when the doc said that was all he weighed and that he was more at the 25%….I mean really…look at the kid, he is a chunky monkey!! But that is what they tell me.

We’ve got Teeth!

Carter officially “popped” his first tooth today. It is his bottom left. There is barely just a little poke all the way through. I know the bottom right is soon to follow. Bryan and I decided he is officially no longer an infant and now more “baby”, not quite toddler. He is getting too big too fast!

He really is an extremely good baby. Despite his teething he has been sleeping fabulously the past couple nights, going to bed between 8 and 8:30, only waking up once to eat a bit around 3 or 4 and then sleeping in until 7:30 or 8:30. He has been a little grumpier than usual, but really I cannot complain at all. I would be a lot more cranky if I had some sharp teeth cutting through my tender gums! 

And yes…that is really a picture of his tooth. I took quite a few attempts and finally got a fairly good shot while he was in the bath!

Too Cute For Words….

…or maybe not.

 

I am not sure how I lucked out on getting such attractive pictures of my children in one sitting, but I couldn’t help but share. These pictures just made me laugh!!!

Open Wide

We started Carter on solids today. I wanted to wait until he was 6 months to start and he has been so interested in what we are eating. Even though he had shots today and was a bit tired he was reaching for my dinner so I figured now was as good a time as ever to try a little rice cereal. He just looks so excited doesn’t he…. He opened wide for the first bite and handled it quite well. Poor baby was so tired, but wanted to eat like everyone else. He lasted about 5 good spoonfuls and swallowed well. After a while he started gagging so I figured he was done. I wish I got more pictures, but Bry was doing the video camera while I tried to snap a few shots while feeding. What a good boy he is!!!

**I thought seeing Carter eat would make Andrew want to eat, but it didn’t work so well. Maybe it will eventually!**

Little Minds

I left nursery on Sunday to feed Carter and when I came back I was greeted with a question…

“Are your legs dirty?”

I had to take a glance down and realized I had on black nylons/tights. I guess to a 2 year old my legs did look a bit on the dirty side.

**No, those are not my legs – not sure whose they are!**

Nibbles ‘n Bits

Yes, babies are cute, cuddly, squishy, and even yummy so to speak…well, apparently Andrew thought so too tonight when he decided to take a bit of a nibble on Carter’s little foot.  Carter was not too pleased about this…thus started the chain reaction of crying – Carter, then Andrew. I don’t think Andrew will be taking another bite of his baby brother anytime soon, or so I hope!

6 Months Old

I can hardly believe that our little miracle baby is now 6 months old. Was I seriously pregnant over six months ago…going into labor at 7 am and having him at 3:58 pm. We have been so blessed these past six months watching this little man grow, improve, change, and bring so much joy to so many!!! We love every ounce of his chunky legs and cannot get enough of his contagious smile!!!

• Loves to touch and grab my face with his sweet chubby fingers while feeding.
• Does not really like to be covered with a blanket while nursing…makes it harder to nurse while we are out and about that is for sure.
• Talk about a rolling machine. He can move 360° on his stomach and rolls all over.
• Can hold the “crawling” pose for quite a while, but can’t get up onto all fours by himself quite yet.
• Can sit pretty well on his own, but topples over quite easily. It must be hard to sit with such a chubby bum and being shaped kinda like a ball!
• Loves to sleep with mommy….I have become a fan of the laying down and nursing…I get more sleep and so does he. I am sure I will regret this later down the road, but for now I will enjoy our time together.
• Is so intrigued by trees. He is very wide eyed when we are outside and loves to look up at the trees.
• Adores his brother. I know he wants more attention from Andrew, but the kiddo is so busy these days, but when Andrew does pay attention to Carter he just soaks it all in!
• He has tickliest chin, feet, hands, sides, neck, bum…heck, he is just a tickly kid!
• Loves to eat his toes, especially when he has footie jammies on with cute animals on the feet.
• I believe he is getting a tooth on his bottom left…but Bry says I am mistaken. Only time will tell!

I’m so glad when Daddy comes home

I have come to really cherish the time I have with Bry. We had an exceptionally good night together with the boys and I am so grateful. I just want to remember the simple things that make me smile and bring me so much joy.

We went out to eat (rare treat with our family) and it was rather pleasant. Andrew even ate chips dipped in my salad dressing, black beans, mango, tomatoes, and a piece of chicken. Way to go Drewbie!!!! 

I love how much Andrew loves books. We went to Barnes and Noble to look around and Andrew had so much fun running up and down the isles. He especially liked the kids section and found books with tractors. He is really into diggers and such these days.

Outside there was a water fountain. It is getting cold out and it was about 7:45, but Andrew wanted to stick his hand in the water. I rolled up his sleeve and he went to town. I didn’t have a penny for him to throw in so I grabbed one from the fountain (naughty, I know) and told him to throw it in. That was all he needed….he kept fishing them out and throwing them in. He would bring me each one and say “money!” and run back and throw it in. The passers by found him quite entertaining!!! Bry got out our cell phone and took some pictures. SO CUTE!

I loved watching Bry lay on our bed tonight with both the boys.  They were only in diapers and just so cute! We were getting ready for bath and they were all in there together just enjoying having daddy home.

Bry read books with Andrew tonight before bed and even read an extra one to get him to have more pediasure. He said he would do anything to get the kid to get more calories. He is such a good daddy!!!!

I guess you could say I love my boys…Bry, Andrew, and Carter. I am so blessed and love spending time with them!!!

Gymboree Gripes

I have no gripes with the store itself, but I had a definite problem with the mom and her children I encountered today. I made a quick trip to see if I could find some cute shirts on sale for the boys for family pictures to use with my 30% coupon (thanks Christine). We were in luck – the line I really like still had some good pieces in stock! Now, Andrew LOVES the little chairs there with the little TV and is usually very well behaved, except for today. There were three kids all sitting in the chairs already. I told him it was okay and to just sit on the floor.  All was well and dandy until the kids started telling Andrew he couldn’t sit in the chairs. Andrew doesn’t do well with negative talk and telling him things he cannot do – we use positive enforcement with him. So, inevitably, he had a breakdown. **Mean kids** These weren’t just little kids either, it was a sibling group of ages 3, 5, and 8. One of the older ones would get up and leave just to have his sibling guard the chair so no one else could sit there. I even asked if Andrew could have a turn…but no. Their mom even came over and I was trying to be patient and said Andrew just wanted to sit, but she just told her son to sit back down. I mean, really…he is eight and there were lots of other little kids wanting to sit in the chairs. Have they ever heard of sharing?! I ended up leaving the store and taking Andrew outside so he would stop crying until that lovely little family left. I saw them leave and we headed back in. The little boy say Andrew and stopped in his tracks in the road…he knew Andrew was going to sit in the chair – well too bad so sad!!! Andrew was a happy camper from that point on. We now have two cute shirts and a hat for family pictures and their Christmas jammies – yay! (now I just have to tell Bry that I went to the forbidden store…..)

Blokus

Sunday night Bry asked me to play Blokus with him after the kiddos were in bed. It is not often we get time to just sit and enjoy one anothers company without any distraction. We decided this time to try and work together on getting all of our pieces on the board. He was red and green while I was yellow and blue. We were able to fit all the pieces even though it got a little tight at the end. I just enjoyed spending the last bit of the Sabbath with my honey. I am so grateful for the weekends.

We’re Going to the Zoo, zoo, zoo

It is a Raffi song…you will have it stuck in your head now if you know which song I am talking about!

We did finally get to the zoo this past weekend. We have been meaning to for a while now and finally went! We decided to invest in some zoo passes. The boys are so little and it is so expensive to go for one day for a couple hours that it will be better now we can go more often and for the short amount to time that the boys last and enjoy the time we are there.  Carter was a happy camper, as you can tell. His favorite part was the ducks. Imagine that – a zoo full of animals and the kid lights up like a firework when he sees the ducks!!!! Easy to please, my kind of kid!!! It was nice though, we sat and watched the ducks for about 20 minutes since we weren’t in a rush.

 

The flamingos were a hit as well. I have some pretty good lookin’ boys if I do say so myself. I just wish I got more of Bry’s profile in this one.

   

The monkey exhibit was Bryan’s favorite. You walk into a cage area and you can’t have anything hanging out of pockets, food, etc or else the monkeys could come and snatch it!!! You can’t really tell how close we are to the monkeys by these pictures, but it is really close. They said when it is not so busy the monkeys come right by your feet! We will be visiting that exhibit each time we go.

Shell and Rich also joined us on our Zoo trip and it was fun to have them there, as well as a couple extra hands to help with Andrew. He is a busy little man. Overall it was a fun day minus the HEAT. Yes, November 1st and it was very very hot. It will be nice when it cools down a bit more – I miss long sleeved shirts!