Learning to read creates good mommy skills

Campbell's mind is just soaking up everything. She L-O-V-E-S books and is learning her numbers, letters and site words. We just love how much she is learning. Today I caught her reading to her baby dolls that she had nestled up in the boppy. Too cute.

We interrupt this Wordless Wednesday with breaking news!

Travis is crawling!!!!! He has been up on all fours and rocking pretty much all month. He has been army crawling since June. But today he took his first movements forward. They were small and brief but it was real crawling motions. I am so proud! I tried all day to get the best video of him crawling but it was as if he knew what I was trying to capture so needless to say I have a lot of video but not a lot of true crawling. Here is the one of the better video's..poor guy he's been at it so long it appears he is out of breath. However he just wasn't happy unless he was on the floor.

Wordless Wednesday

yo baby

Travis tried yogurt for the first time yesterday and loved it. Both kids have just adored the yo baby yogurt line. I was pleased to see a plain flavor for baby's first taste of yogurt at the store. This is new (at least to me) as it was not available when Campbell could try out yogurt. I love watching them taste new things and see the "oh this is yummy mommy" light go on. I also enjoy making homemade baby food for my little ones. If anyone has some yummy recipes they want to share I would gladly take note.

Campbell @ 9 months. Mommy was a new mommy and behind the curve on the introduction..being cautious is what I prefer to call it. Could be why she is a picky eater now.



Travis @ 7 months. Mommy being more experienced now, let's the taste buds dance sooner than with first child. Which he just loves.

Baptism time for Travis

Travis was baptized today. He looked so darn cute in his whites and I am thankful to his Godparents for the adorable outfit. We were joined by family and friends to celebrate this special event. Travis actually slept through the ceremony so it made the congregation laugh when the pastor mentioned "it's called resting in the Lord." I was also pleased that they played the song that I love to hear at a baptism. A big Thank You to my parents for graciously assisting us in hosting a reception at our home. My heart rejoiced today with all the love for my son and for the love he is given from the Lord.

Taking it to Him.

Their happens to be a little family out there that I am praying day and night for. My heart is breaking and I won't say anymore. The man upstairs knows what I am asking. He knows the story. He knows the outcome. I ask Him to be with them. To walk them through these dark hours and show them peace and grace in the days to come. I can offer little but my love and prayers. There are no words to express how I am feeling. I feel no gesture is great enough to ease their pain. Dear Lord, please bless this family, comfort my BFF and send them tiny kisses from above. Amen.

Happy not 40 yet LDG!!

Today is Lance's 38th birthday. Happy Birthday to our favorite daddy and husband.

This is Lance with his cake as a 38 year old.


This is Lance with his cake at 38 wishing he was 8 again.



Happy day, Happy year! We love you!

Wordless Wednesday

One Word

I found this out in the blog world. I liked it, so I am doing it. And one word is about all my brain can handle today.

1. Where is your cell phone? Office
2. Significant other? Sincere
3. Your hair? Brown
4. Your mother? Constant
5. Your father? Strong
6. Your favorite thing? DVR
7. Your dream last night? None
8. Your favorite drink? Lemonade
9. Your dream/goal? Remission
10. Room you're in? Family
11. Your hobby? Pedicures :)
12. Your fear? Illness
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Healthy
14. Where were you last night? Home
15. What you're not? Skinny
16. Muffins? Nope
17. One of your wish list items? Shutters
18. Where you grew up? Arizona
19. What are you wearing? Clothes
20. Your pets? Dogs
21. Your computer? Laptop
22. Your life? Wonderful
23. Your mood? Good
24. Missing someone? BFF
25. Your car? Crossover
26. Something you're not wearing? Shoes
27. Favorite store? HEB
28. Your summer? Warm
29. Your favorite color? Pink
30. Last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Yesterday

Join in the fun!!

How old are you? Two!!!!

Two years ago today I delivered the most beautiful baby girl I could have ever imagined for our family. She came five weeks early, I didn't get to see her until the next day (except for a five minute span in which my husband convinced the NICU doctor to bring her to my room or commit me to another wing. ), I have nurtured her, seen her reach milestones and pass the first birthday into the toddler years. I have spent this last year helping her mind to grow and watched her blossom. Before too long it was time to add another candle...which is exactly what I did this morning. Our sweet girl turned two today and we celebrated with other two year olds and even some younger siblings with a pajama pancake party. I owe the idea to a MOPS mom (thanks Amy) and it seemed to be a hit. All the kids came in their pj's, were welcomed with bubbles then we feasted on pancakes, fruit, juice or smoothies and to top it all off we had mommy & me size cupcakes. What a morning! I hope everyone was able to get their little ones to nap after all that sugar...what a treat for Campbell as juice is reserved for special occasions such as this. This is Campbell on juice. It appears she is getting her "fix" in this picture.

Thanks to everyone that came and for all the wonderful gifts. Campbell is really developing great friendships even at this young age. It is fun to see how these little friends are weaving their ties to one another. The big underlying theme to Campbell's party was the kitchen. She got the cutest kitchen set from Nana and Papa. She couldn't be more excited about the recent update to her playroom. However, I think the Barbie came in as top favorite. She played with that doll all day long...in her kitchen and through out the house.

This was a truly special day. Even as I reflect over how blessed I am to have her in my life, I pray that I will be granted many more years of special days and memories with Campbell. I must give a special thank you to my wonderful husband. His half meeting my half really created somebody we are so proud of. Lance really is an amazing daddy and I thank him for making it possible for me to stay home to plan birthdays, play dates, sing songs, dance and read all day every day to my children.

I am looking forward to this year of being "Two!!" It is pretty amazing to think that I have a two year old. Especially when it seems just like yesterday that we didn't even know if having children would be in the cards health wise. Thank God for healing and for being given the chance to become a mother. What a wonderful gift to be entrusted with. Campbell we have so much to do and see. The world is yours to discover. Mommy and Daddy love you!!!

Trying to figure out how to add video via another site.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Viewing Pleasure

OK, being an Army brat I feel compelled to post Lizzie Palmer's YouTube creation under my Pro Shop list. Take five minutes to check it out. Lizzie is a 15 year old proud American!

So Travis had a lot to say today. He was so talkative all day long. It was fun to have him chat it up so much. Here is a dinner clip, yes he is a messy eater but sure is cute.

Wordless Wednesday

splash of color and poof a new look!

I updated the clubhouse!!! We'll I had some help. Thank you so much Jennisa. I love it!!!

Amazing

It amazes me at just how much love our hearts can hold. When I married my husband I knew I loved him but after the birth of our daughter (first child) I loved him even more. My heart grew to love him even more during her first year of life as he grew as a father each day. When I met my daughter for the first time I never knew I could feel that kind of love and the amount at that very moment. Now as we approach another year with her it truly is amazing at just how much my heart flows over with love for that beautiful girl of mine. At this moment I am thinking I have been blessed. I have two amazing people in my life that I love so deeply. But wait there is more. There is yet another small being that fills my heart and brings me such joy. My son Travis just completely tops me off. I just cant imagine loving someone more. His smile melts me, his cuddles warm me and his laugh, oh the laugh just makes my heart sing loudly!! I really didn't know if it would be possible to love the second child as much as the first. I wasn't sure there would be room in my heart for that same love. I think the man upstairs really knows how to make it happen though because this mommy is so in love! It is like I have been given an even bigger heart to hold all of this love. All I can say is that it is AMAZING at how much my cup runneth over! ML

Each day a little bigger

Look, look. Campbell is a BIG girl. Not only is she day potty trained but she doesn't use a sippy cup anymore. It really didn't take much effort(I put them up and never looked back) and she never asks for the sippy so it was really a (snap) piece of cake. When she wants something to drink she asks for it directly using the words for what she wants. Milk is the all time #1 while water comes in a close 2nd.



Our sweet little Travis is ready to go for bike rides. Next purchase...helmet. He really seemed like a natural and seemed to be telling Daddy, "hey let's get a move on it." with his smile.





That's it for now.
ML

This week's firsts

This week we had a few firsts. Let me tell you, it is just as exciting as when these all happened with our first child, Campbell. Travis is a little a head of the curve (when compared to his sister at this age) and is already trying to army crawl. He is able to push up to the crawl position but it lasts for about 30 seconds. Sitting alone for about 45 seconds. I havent been able to capture those firsts yet on film.
So for this week this is what we have accomplished.

Sitting in the stroller like a big boy....no car seat on this trip to the park.



Finally getting the teether in the mouth when aiming for it all on his own and playing at the same time.


Sitting in his high chair and having a snack at the same time as big sister.



And eating bananas for the first time. Homemade bananas I might add but never the less his first fruit.

Wordless Wednesday

Perspective Gained.

My son is a tummy sleeper. Has been since about week six. I am now past the guilt part of that statement. If he hadn't slept on his tummy we would still be waking up every 20 minutes. The problem is that when he started to roll over he did it backwards than most babies. He went from his tummy to his back. Well most of you know that when it is done the opposite way (back to tummy) their is the startle cry followed by the little quiet aah ha moment. Well for us it has been not so wonderful. Travis struggled with what I would call fear of being on his back (I think from the beginning) but it came to a head when he rolled over and was not able to get back over. This issue has finally resolved itself as he can roll continually now. We are now rolling on to our next issue. The issue of getting stuck in the "L" position of the crib. Let me tell you...mommy is tired.

My once peaceful sleeper is now getting up twice at night and the only way to comfort him back to sleep is to nurse him. I don't mind the feedings but the fact that he is waking up more than once is wearing on me. Now don't get me wrong for his age group he is still two months out from technically being cut off from night feedings but this mommy wouldn't mind if he dropped the need sooner. Campbell quit night feeding right at 9 months and mommy actually helped that one along because one night for the first time she didn't want to go right back to sleep. So mommy decided she was going to let Campbell cry it out, which lasted 20 minutes. Luckily, the next night no night waking for milk. Hopefully this will happen as easily with Travis...but I am doubtful. OK, I know what some of you are thinking....let him cry it out now. Yes, I have tried that on the second waking but it just kills me to know that he is just stuck and scared. It isn't as simple as him just waking for milk the poor little guy is stuck. I have tried to let him cry and work himself out of that darn "L" position but that just intensifies the screaming...which when you have a toddler next door, there is the potential to have the mother load of screaming begin if she is awoken from dreamland. So I promptly arrive at his crib to help him out. What we do for our babies and besides the getting stuck phase will soon pass.

One morning (early) in my tired state I started browsing the blog world. I stopped by some of my favorite sites and then happened to come across a particular "blog roll" that lead me to a blog based strictly on its name. The name intrigued me. Little did I know that I would soon be given a gut check when I came across surviving life's curveballs.

This couple's blog brought me to tears and made me question how such a thing could happen; how tragic. They also have inspired me. They are so full of faith and they are able to get up and put their feet on the floor each day. This couple lost their beautiful daughter while she slept (SIDS) and I am sure that their hearts will be hollow for a very long time. I would imagine that if that Richard and Jenn read this particular post they would have inspiring words for me but would yearn for such a problem. My struggle seems so insignificant now having read their story and visiting Lilly's Pad. I must admit that I had a reality check and don't view Travis' sleep issues to be a problem but rather a small blessing that I bear.

I continue to be at odds with how SIDS happens. Lance and I suffered through several miscarriages but we both agree that nothing could be worse than losing a child after you have held them, loved them, watched them grow and learn. I know that people die. It is a part of life but when that someone is so small it just seems so unkind and senseless. I think that one day I will ask God why such a life was taken, why her parents had to experience joy and pain in their and her lifetime. Only He will have the answer. So for now, I count my tiny night owl as a blessing in my life. I also pray for continued peace in Richard and Jenn's lives; people I have never met but who touched my life the morning I came across their blog on a "blog roll."
ML

Happy 4th of July & the making of a gambler?

So today we celebrate the birthday of our country. Happy Birthday America! We have a neighborhood parade and in the coming years I am sure the kids will decorate their bikes and ride in the parade. But for today we were spectators and waved at all that went by. However, the kids were NOT fans of the sirens from the firetruck, ambulance and police cars. Not to mention the (forgive me) darn old people parked in the car behind all of us at the corner who honked their horn every time something "big" went by. Ugh! But it was a fun way to see the neighborhood out and about.Now on to the gambler in the family or the making of one (kidding). Travis has really taken to sitting in the Prince Lion heart Bebe pod chair. He loves to play with this juke box toy when I put it in front of him too. The funny thing is that when Campbell received this as a gift from my parents, my first thought was of Vegas Baby! It just reminds me of a slot machine. Maybe it was a flash back to when I won big and then blew it all again. I just knew I was going to get the triple American flag 7's. NOPE! Anyhow this toy really makes me think of Vegas when it is in front of Travis in his chair and how he slaps at it and giggles at the lights. Maybe he will hit it big one day and WALK AWAY!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday