Father's Day... Nascar Race

What a wonderful day we had on Father's day!! My Mom and Dad came in for the weekend and we (Mike and I) took my Dad and Brevin to the Nascar Race while my Mom stayed home with the twins (Thank you Mom!!!). Now I will admit that I have never been much of a racing fan.. just not my kind of "sport".. I am more of a football kind of girl but I know how much Brevin is into Nascar and I wanted to experience a race... so off we went. Wow.. what an amazing day!! I always knew the cars went fast but never could I imagined how really FAST they go... it almost doesn't seem real... it is seriously amazing.. it gets your heart pounding! And the noise... it is SO loud that you have to wear earplugs or earphones which we all did. These drivers are amazing.... the speed that they get these cars up to... it is so fun to watch how fast they whip by you... you can't even get your eyes to focus on one car when they are infront of you.. it is like a flash and they are gone... you know how when you see something far away moving.. it is moving in slow motion?? Well not in this case.. I posted a video ... check it out and see how fast they are going in the distance!!

What a fun day with my Dad.. Mike and Brevin. We still have no idea how Brevin got into Nascar.. neither Mike or I ever really watch it but it is fun seeing Brevin really enjoy and get into this!! It was so special for us to be able to spend one-on-one time with Brevin and he so enjoyed having Grandpa with!! I can't wait till next year.. we might have to make this a Father's Day tradition!!

I think this is Kasey Kahne with someone???


This is Dale Earnhardt Jr and I think Jamie McMurray?

This is Carl Edwards (in black) Brev's favorite driver and Kevin Harvick

Lets the race begin!!

The winner below... Denny Hamlin

VIDEO OF NASCAR

See my post of our day below....

Three years ago today....

Three years ago today I gave birth to my little boy Troy who was born completely still... we to this day have no idea why... no idea what happened but that day will live with me forever!! I am blessed that I had the chance to hold him and feel him but my heart is still heavy thinking of that day... tears still flow thinking of what we went through that day... what might have been and missing him greatly.

Saying a special thanks to some pretty amazing family members and friends who remembered and sent e-mails. notes and phone calls.... means so much to me!!

Sending hugs and kisses up above.... today and always!

Is it really June already?

It has been a while since I have posted... so much going on... busy but it's all good! Brevin is in T-Ball and loving it... his last day of school is this week Friday the 10th - I am excited to have him home and be done with school for a while.

We do have a busy summer... with a wedding... Nascar race... Wisconsin Dells trip... then Brevin has outdoor day camp for one week.. then football camp the next week and then... gulp... he starts full tackle football! Yes I am nervous about this but he really wants to do this and we are excited for him... we pick up his full uniform this month.. can't wait to see him in that. It will be fun hanging out with friends watching his games this fall!! I am so proud of Brevin!

We had a great time this past Memorial Day weekend.. we ended up staying home and not going to my parents place in Ludington... we really wanted to go but glad we stayed home with how the weather turned out. We had a wonderful warm day on Memorial Day so we decided to get out and head to Kensington Water Park for the day... we packed up the twins and Brevin and picked one of Brevin's friends. We had a great time and he twins did great - it was a little hard because the twins.. especially Alex... didn't want to hold our hands.... so independant but with kids running everywhere... we had to hold onto them so they would get run over... this made them mad but they still had a great time getting soaked!!

The twins are doing great - everyday I realize how blessed I am to have them... Mike and I still to this day cannot believe we are parents to 4 boys... never in my life did I think this would happen... after losing Troy I didn't think we would have anymore kids - it was hard and quite a process but God had plans.. wonderful plans for us and he gave us 2 more blessings - I am thankful everyday for all my boys.

Speaking of Troy... I cannot believe that on the 13th of this month it will be 3 years since I gave birth to him... 3 years since we lost him... still to this day it brings tears to my eyes... it stirs up emotions that I still feel from that very day. A couple days ago out of the blue Brevin said how happy he was to have 3 brothers. He said he was sad that Troy was not here with us.... just knowing that Brevin remembers him... it means a lot to me and warms my heart in a way.

My Grandma and Grandpa gave us a lilac bush in memory of Troy and it is in full bloom right now... in June.. how special is that... I always look at that bush and think of Troy.

So in closing.. here is a picture of my beautiful lilac bush.

The twins being... twins!

18 month Appt...

The twins had their 18 month check-up today... here is where they are at...


Ian
29 pounds 15 ounces
35 1/2 inches tall


Alex
26 pounds 14 ounces
34 1/2 inches tall


They did not like being at the doctor this time around... when we got into the room.. it was the same room we were in when they had the croup... where they had to do the RSV test and the breathing treatment... Alex really started to cry when we walked in.. it was like he remembered being there. They did okay until either the nurse or doctor walked in... then they started to cry and cling to either me or Mike. Soon as they would walk out.. they would run around laughing and playing like nothing was wrong

Alex has another ear infection so we have them on another antibiotic.


Ian and Alex still have NO desire to talk so we really have to work on that eventhough I have been working on this with them.


Alex knows where his eyes and nose are when asked.. he also waves bye bye and will clap and hold up one finger when asked how old he is. He also know the sounds to a kitty... a cow and a monkey. He also will clap his hands and do all the motions to Patty cake Patty cake.


Ian on the other hand... when you ask him where his eyes are.. his response is to run and laugh and do nothing that I ask... but if I read him a book.. he will sit literally for an hour and listen to the book... he also loves that I sing and will listen to me for a long time so I know he has that attention to pay attention but just has no desire to do what I ask. We were told not to worry and to just keep working with him. It is really cute.. when Brevin plays basketball.. Ian will stand there still and watch him. Soon as Brevin puts the ball away.. Ian will go and grab the ball and will walk up to the hoop and will stand there looking up and you can tell he is trying to figure out how to get the ball into the hoop. He is very observant!!


Lately one of Ian's favorite things to do is sit on Alex... seriously.. If Alex is laying on the floor playing with a toy.. Ian will walk up to him and sit on him.. making Alex SO upset. Sometimes when Alex is playing with a toy or looking at a book - If Ian gets anywhere close to him.. he will put his hand in Ian's face and push him away.

They both LOVE to be outside - they are so fun to watch but I will be honest.. they go in opposite directions making "outside time" for me exhausting!

Ian now eats with a hat on... he loves to play with his hair while he eats so that makes for some messy hair!!

Alex is a good eater but doesn't eat as much as Ian.. but he will eat anything I put on his tray.. Ian on the other hand is much more fussy... he will eat chunks of apple but he will chew it and suck the juice out and then take the apple out of his mouth and throw it on the floor. Alex never spits anything out.. he eats it all.

I had posted earlier how Ian loves to watch me vacuum on his head.. I turn on the vacuum and he puts his head on the floor with his butt up in the air.. well.. now he does it ALL the time.. he loves to experience the world upside down.. even outside on the cement!

Alex loves to ride his scooter and he is quite fast on it.. he has no fear.. he will ride it up our little hill and then lift his feet up and go down without stopping.. making Mike and I run after him in a panic!!

They are growing up so fast and are just so much fun. Big brother Brevin is still SO good to them.. he plays with them and loves them... I am one proud and blessed Momma!!!

Here are some photo's from Easter... Good Friday we had a visit from Grandma Weller - the twins had a good time and so did Brevin... Aunt Jan and Uncle Howard came also and did an Easter Egg hunt for Brevin - we had to do it inside because of the rain but Brevin didn't care.. there was candy inside eggs AND money!!! That night my parents came in and then Jeff and Marianne and the kids came in on Saturday... the weather was great... the kids painted and decorated eggs outside and just were able to run and play. It really was a fun weekend spending time with family!!!

This first photo is on Easter Sunday... all the grandkids with Grandma and Grandpa... I tried to get a family picture of us but a no go with the twins.. they were having NO part of that!!

MOV06990.MPG

Ian and Alex playing together

The past few weeks...

It has been awhile again since I have blogged... the past couple of weeks have not been very fun. The twins have been sick - up until this point I really thought we were in the clear with sickness - they have been doing great except for the occasional runny nose and cough but nothing major. Then a couple weeks back on a Monday... I got home from work and Ian was not doing great - his breathing was horrible.. it was scary so Mike took him to the ER at St. Joseph hospital.. he left around 10:30pm and I stayed home with Alex and Brevin... I was in tears when Mike left - they didn't release Ian until 4:00am... he ended up having the croup and they had to give him a steroid and breathing treatment to get his breathing and oxygen level under control. Then Alex came down with it... I ended up taking both kids to the pediatrician later that week because they just didn't seem to be getting better -they were tested for RSV which thankfully came back negative - They had me give Ian a breathing treatment at the dr. office.. that was SO horrible... Ian was screaming because he wanted nothing to do with that maching and Alex was screaming because the noise of that machine scared them... the nurses kept coming in to try to help me but they were making it worse because neither twin wanted them.. they wanted me... wow I never sweated so much in my life from just sitting on the floor of an examining room but I got through it... Ian ended up falling alseep on me and Alex feel asleep in the stroller. They were just both miserable for that whole week... they both wanted to be held all day but I only have 2 hands - sitting on the couch and putting them both on my lap was not what they wanted.. they wanted me to themselves and I couldn't do it... I felt horrible and ended up in tears a few times that week.

So...they got better.. for about a week anyway... Mike just took Alex to the Urgent Care last night... his breathing was really short and he just seemed to be struggling to catch his breath - seriously.. that is the most horrible sound that can come from a child - it is so scary!!! So now Alex has Bronchitis AND a double ear infection. He is on a steriod, Zyrtec and an antibiotic. I do have to mention that all this sickness really has not messed up their sleep at all.. they are still sleeping 12 + hours at night... even through all this yucky stuff!!

Can I just say that I am so ready for Spring/Summer... just warm weather to get all this sickness out!! Thankfully Brevin has been healthy and has been at school through most of this which is good - I would have felt bad for him if he was at home to... he would have not had much of my attention with how the twins were. Brevin has been so helpful and understanding... he is just such a good kid. You know... he came home from school with a sheet of paper and that had a wish on it... it was st. patricks day and I guess all the students had to write a wish on a piece of paper and you know what Brevin's wish was?? His wish was for his brothers to feel better soon. He is the best brother!!

So I guess that is it for now... hoping that we can get this sickness gone for good... so prayers would be much appreciated!!!

I do have a few other prayers requests if you don't mind... One is for a friend who is pregnant - she has gone through SO much already with pregnancies.. miscarriage and losing her baby girl twins way to early... she did carry a pregnancy to term and now has a healthy little boy who is the same age as the twins... she is now pregnant again and due in October so prayers for an uneventful and healthy pregnancy!!

Another request is for our neighbor... her Mom is in the hospital... she just had hip surgery and ended up with pneumonia and now is on a ventilator so prayers would be so much appreciated!!

I will update hopefully again soon!!

All About Alex...

On a much calmer note... let's talk about Alex

Alex is a child that if he had his way.. he would be held ALL day long - if you walk into our house and are willing to hold Alex.. he will gladly let you!!

Alex is a calm toddler - he does love to run and yell but just on a much lighter and quieter note.

He is a thinker. Instead of just climbing on the couch or chair.. he will stand there and think about it first - contemplating whether it's a good idea or not. I am sure watching his brother Ian literally diving onto the couch and then falling off because he didn't quite get the landing down helps with the decision process - I think he just figures it's not worth it.

Alex is one that will sit and play with toys for a good period of time. He also loves to be read to... but he hates it when I am done reading the book. Right now Brown Bear is a favorite but soon as I finish the last page - Alex starts crying and puts his head down on the floor - he gets that upset when the book is finished.. so I will read it again and he will be all happy again until that last page - it really is quite funny!!!

Alex tends to always be cold... he hates having his diaper changed in the morning because he is so nice and warm in his pj's and soon I go to change.. he throws a little bit of a fit and his bottom lip starts to quiver because he is so cold.

He loves to go to sleep - at night when it is time for bed - if I take Ian into the bedroom first.. Alex will grab his blankie and follow me and will wait by his crib.. this child LOVES to sleep and he never puts up a fuss going to bed - he is so happy when I put him down!

He doesn't "talk" much... can't get him to say a word but he will hold up one finger when I ask him how old he is. He also knows what a kitty says. He also loves to pull faces - he is so funny in his own quiet way!!

His new thing is that he loves to color - I give him a piece of blank paper and a couple of crayons and he will sit and color - it is so much fun to watch!! I did try with with Ian but all he did was put the crayon in him mouth and took off running. Anyway... I saved Alex's first scribbles - so cute!!

Alex is a BIG daddy's boy... Ian is a Momma's boy. Mike and I had it once where the twins woke up from their nap - Mike and I both went in their room... I went and got Alex and Mike got Ian. We both went into the living room and I sat on the couch with Alex.. Mike sat in the chair with Ian - both at the same time squirmed down from our laps and walked over to the other parents. Ian crawled up on my lap and Alex crawled up on Mike's.. we both just laughed!! It has been this way since day one!!

Alex is a good eater... he never never ever spits anything out. He will try ANYTHING! And.. he is a clean eater unlike his brother. He doesn't like to be messy and there is not much that you have to wipe off his hands and face after a meal. He doesn't eat as much as Ian but he is willing to try anything so I love that! As you can see in the picture - Alex eats with his head leaning on one hand - like he is bored.. where next to him sits Ian with his messy hair sticking straight up with food all over the place. Complete opposites!! I love it!

Alex is just a fun kid... we love him so much and are again blessed everyday with him in our lives!

So... do you think my husband will freak out when my next post will be "all about Mike"??

All About Ian

Just typing the words "All about Ian" makes me feel exhausted!!! Love this child to pieces but wow... he is certainly a wild child!!! He is nothing like Brevin and Alex - he is on the go.. go go go!!! And when he is on the go he is LOUD... loves to scream and yell as he runs. He is always climbing on things.. as you can see.. he is either on his toy chest or in it. He loves to climb up on the TV center and put his face right into the TV - we don't let him do this - we are working on the NO part but I had to get a quick picture of him doing this... check out that picture really closely.. see all those chip marks on the entertainment center?? Those are bite marks from Ian.. he is part beaver.. he chewed that all up!!! We are waiting till the twins are 5 before getting a new entertainment center.. which I can't wait.. this one looks horrible!

Ian loves to open up drawers and grab whatever is inside - he doesn't even see what is inside.. he just puts his hands in and finds whatever he touches and pulls it out - yes.. he has grabbed scissors and pencils which we quickly take away... then he gets mad and slams the drawer shut!

Ian is challenging when it comes to changing his diaper... he knows when I am going to change his diaper and as I carry him to his room - he throws his head back and has a fit - he is strong so I have to hold him with two hands!! He will kick at me and squirm through the whole change.. it is hard keeping his hands from getting dirty - soon as I take the diaper off.. his hands go down to that area and if he pooped.. well.. more than just his butt gets wiped clean.

He is also challenging when it is time to put his hat and jacket on.. soon as he sees me with his hat and jacket in my hand.. he is off running and when i catch him.. he throws a fit and will squirm.. making it very hard to get this stuff on him!!

Ian is known for running with his eyes closed or running with his puppy blanket infront of his face.. he runs into things and falls down a lot - he has already had his good share of bumps and bruises. See the pictures.. I have one of him in action doing this!!

He has NO interest in talking... I work with him everyday with words like Duck, Ball, Blue (our dog), cup, eat etc... but still have yet to hear those words come from his mouth.. all he says is a kitty sound when you ask him what a kitty says and that is pretty much it.

Don't get me wrong.. with all the chasing around.. hauling him off of things he shouldn't be on and getting him back up after falling down from having his eyes closed.. he sure is a fun kid. Everday there is something new with him that just makes us laugh. He has a great personality - loves to hug me and loves to be read to. Yes.. he will actually sit still enough to let me get through a book.

Ian LOVES it when I vacuum - for some reason when do.. he likes to watch me upside down - I have a picture of him doing this... soon as I turn the vacuum on.. he puts his hands and head on the floor and watches me this way... makes me laugh!!

Ian also loves to listen to me sing... trust me I am no good singer but he will stop with whatever he is doing to listen to me sing. I sing a LOT everyday to get him to stop running, climbing, falling etc.... and it usually works - it just makes me smile.

Other things about Ian... he is starting to be a picky eater.. he is one that will pick up food and look at it closely.. taste it but not put it in his mouth right away.. he will pull it apart and check it over very carefully and then he will put it in his mouth - so funny to watch!! If he doesn't like it.. then he throws it on the ground in which Blue is very happy to clean that up!! I need to get a picture of Ian after eating a meal.. he loves to play with is hair as he eats so a lot of his food ends up in his hair - he is a messy eater and this is why he gets a bath almost every day!!

Ian loves bath time but he knows how to climb out of the tub - suprise suprise!! He loves to play with the water flowing out of the faucet and if it is only a trickle then he will put his mouth under the faucet and drink the water.

I know I am missing some other things to put in this post but I think you all have an idea of how Ian is... he keeps us on our feet every minute of everyday but he is so much fun! We love him and are so blessed to be his parents!!

All About Brevin

Brevin....

He is now 6 1/2 years old and in first grade - amazing!! He is a momma's boy.. always has been and still is. Whenever we ask him who he wants to bring him up to bed at night - 99% of the time his answer will be me. He always comes to me for the answers to questions he has - especially if it is something that he wants because I tend to say YES more than daddy does.

Brevin is such a good kid - he is sensative and will take words and actions to heart. If he has a friend that says something mean to him.. he will come home in tears and it will bother him for days. He is a very active boy which is so good. Right now he is in ski lessons and he loves it! In the spring he will start t-ball again and then maybe football? Not sure I want him to go there yet but we will see. He loves to dance... sometimes I will put on music from my ipod and he LOVES to dance with me!!

He seem to be making new friends everyday - he goes to school with some very special kids.. we are setting up new playdates as we speak!!

He is typical in that he hates doing homework from school - always puts up a fuss when we tell him it is time to do homework. He is doing very well in school - he is reading very well and doing math really well (he doesn't take after me in that area). He says he plays tag at every recess - he loves to run and run and run. Lately he has said that he is going to marry Lindsay... a girl in his class - they seem to get along really well and talk a lot.. hmmm... who knows!!

Brevin is very much into Nascar and Moster trucks - his room has a lot of Nascar posters and other things like that on his wall. He loves to watch the races on TV... Mike took him to his first Nascar race last summer - he had an awesome time and we hope to to this year.. maybe he will let mom join him!!

He also LOVES legos!! He got about 10 sets for Christmas and for the first few days after Christmas he wanted to put them all together - we spent a few moments in tears and frustrations but we got them complete and now he hasn't touched legos in weeks - hopefully that phase is over. He is also into Beyblades.. collecting Pokemon cards and Bakugans.

His favorite tv shows to watch are Minute to Win It, Wipeout and Phineas and Ferb. He also loves Tom and Jerry and Thomas and Friends.

Brevin has been attending church school on Wednesday nights and seems to really like it.. we started going to a new church and we just wrapped up a Starting Point class.. learning more about the church - we really like it and everyone there seems so nice.

Brevin is a picky eater... one thing that he eats a lot is cous cous - he loves that stuff!! Pizza is always a plus! He loves taking those pizza lunchables to school for lunch - I let him do that once a week - other than that I will make him a sandwich.. a cheese sandwich - he won't touch lunchmeat or peanut butter lately. He loves fruit.. strawberries, grapes and apples are his favorite along with raspberries! He will eat carrots and broccoli but that is about it. He will eat fish on occasion and steak and chicken. Other favorite snacks are Pop Tarts, fruit snacks, Teddy Grahams and vanilla wafers. If we would let him.. he would eat cereal with milk at every meal!! Every morning he eats vanilla yogurt with chocolate chips or cereal. He likes pepperidge farm cinnamon bread and pancakes.

Brevin doesn't require a lot of sleep... eventhough we try! He goes to be at 8pm and wakes up between 6 and 7am. If we have something going at night where he doesn't get to bed until later.. he still will always get up between 6 and 7am. He never really fights us going to bed and hardly wakes up during the night - occasionally he will come into our room during the night because he had a bad dream.. we always just let him sleep with us then. He will also come in bed with us during a thunderstorm.. I don't mind that a bit because I never liked thunderstorms and I still don't and I wouldn't want to be sleeping alone during a storm!!

Brevin has been such a joy in our lives - he is so wonderful!!! He is such a good kid and such a good big brother - he plays SO well and so nice with the twins.

Never did I imagine how much I could love someone - I love Brevin more and more with everyday that passes. It is so much fun watching him grow up - I will admit that I hate how fast it is going but he is learning so much and just turing into such a great person.

We are SO blessed to have him in our lives... Thank you God for giving us such a wonderful child.. for choosing Mike and I to be his parents!! We love you so much Brevin!!

Patience Patience Patience

I seem to be telling myself this a lot lately. My frustrations are getting the best of me.

You know... I remember a friend of ours... and a Pastor... telling me that he never asks God to grant him patience because instead of just giving us patience.. HE may teach us how to learn patience. So.. instead of asking God for that.. I am just asking Him to help me get through the frustrations.

Lastnight.. my 6 year old son was playing the wii... super mario bros and he is trying SO hard to beat this level - well... after many attempts.. frustration and tears.. I decided it was time to quit and settle down.. it was bed time anyway and he went to bed grumpy. So I decided to try to beat this level for him and guess what.. I did. I ran up and told him and he was so happy. The next morning he was up extra early so he could play a few games before school... well... I must have done something wrong and possibly didn't save the game... thought I did but must not have. He was so upset and the morning started off like this. It was then 5 minutes before we had to be at the bus stop and he reminded me that it was library day at school so do you think I could find his book to return.. nope... Brev was mad at ME for not finding his book that was somewhere up in his room.. so off to the bus stop in tears we go. I know I can't expect a 6 year old to remember where he left his book - he doesn't even remenber if he ate supper an hour after he did eat supper!!
He is on the bus and off for school.. I e-mail his teacher explaining the morning and the reason he doesn't have his book - which I did eventually did find - he will just have to bring it with him tomorrow.

Now on to the twins.. getting them ready now to head to the gym.. I am trying really hard to get some exercise in during the week - I have a free membership because I work at the gym so I decided it was time to put it to use. I change both diapers - both boys pooped so we are good to go... I get the twins in the gym.. which is a workout on it's own and I get them settled in the nursery room... I head up stairs to start some cardio - about 15 minutes in... I get called down.. Alex pooped - so I go down to change him and as I am doing this.. Ian starts to poop. I finished up Alex and now on to Ian. He managed to poop all the way through his clothes so I had to change him AND his clothes and this child really dislikes diaper changes so it is a battle alone to just change his diaper and now I have to change his clothes to... well.. after all of that I lost my motivation and neither of the twins was happy about me leaving them again to finishes my workout.. so I pack them up and headed to the car - I decided to go to Biggby Coffee and treat myself after the morning that I had. Whew... I made it and now the twins are down for a nap and i am thinking of napping myself but to much to do... laundry, cleaning the kitchen etc... Anyway.. so I guess this is just a vent post - not all days are like this and I know I will look back and just laugh at this post.

Life is hectic with 3 kids.. two of them toddlers and one of those toddlers that LOVES to climb on anything he can find to climb on.. if I am not quick enough.. he falls off and bumps his head or something.. he even likes to run with his eyes closed. Yes.. he does this... he has run into things and tripped and fallen into things.. we have had a black eye... bitten lip and bump on the head. But with all this said... I am thankful for a FULL life... Thankful for a husband that will take my calls during the day and just let me vent to him... Thankful for friends who will hear me out and eventually we end up just laughing... thankful for the 3 amazing boys that I have and that there is never a dull moment.

Okay.. enough typing.. on to laundry now!

2010

I cannot believe how super fast this year has gone - the boys are growing up so fast - I still cannot believe I have a first grader and twin boys who are going on 1 1/2. This has been a good year - we did some really fun vacations up to the cottage in Ludington - a wonderful vacation to the Wisconsin Dells with some really good friends and Mike and I even squeezed in a couple date nights - we are hoping to do more of these this new year!

I haven't posted in a while on the boys.. so here is an update!

Brevin is doing so well in school - he was student of the month in October - we are so proud of him. He is reading well and writing well and learning SO many new things. We finally started going to church again - we got away from this when I was pregnant and had the twins but we found a church that we really like and Brevin is already involved in their Wednesday night program and he seem to really enjoy it.

I still struggle with giving Brevin the time that he needs with us... the twins take up a ton of our time and I feel horrible not spending more time with Brevin - he doesn't complain at all but it just tugs at my heart that I can't give him more of "me" time... but as the twins get older.. I am sure more of that time will come - I just have to realize that I can't do everything and any time that i can give him is quality time - even just playing a Mario game on the Wii with him seems to make him so happy - he doesn't ask for much at all. I just love him so much - he is such a good kid and such a good big brother!!

As for the twins.. they are doing so well. Ian is running all over the place and he loves to make a lot of noise.. a lot of LOUD noise - he literally hurts my ears he is so loud. He loves to have someone on the floor playing with him. He loves to "wrestle" and climb on me and Mike - soon as we sit our butts on the floor - he comes running up and literally tackles us!! He still loves to eat and loves a sippy of water. We have to watch this a bit because to much water makes him spit up.

He still tries to bite me... when I say "no bite".. he will look at me and then bite me and see what my reaction is.. it makes me laugh but I still need to say no.

He doesn't talk much but he is loud with noises. He says Da Da and will raise his hands up when I say SO Big. He claps his hands and will dance. He is a lot of fun and he is the one that get me exhausted!!

Alex is still not walking - he "walks" on his knees. He loves to be held. He gets very annoyed with Ian and now has started to push him away when he doesn't want him near. He loves his little blankie - he carries it every where in the house. He says Ma Ma and will say "Mmmmm" when he eats.. it is so cute!! He is starting to make kitty cat sounds when I ask him what a kitty says. He does So Big also and raises his hands up. He is much more of a sensative boy - he will cover his ears when I first turn on the vacuum. He isn't much of an eater - he would rather throw down his food for Blue. But I do have to say that he will try anything I feed him.. Ian will spit stuff out of his mouth but Alex never does that - he will eat anything but just doesn't eat as much as Ian.

Alex follows me everywhere I go and gets really mad when I say no to him and will cry. He is more layed back - not as active as Ian.

Alex LOVES to go to sleep - never puts up a fuss going down for a nap or for Bedtime - Ian still always cries.

I know I am forgetting some things but I just wanted to put up an update. This year really has been good - I am so blessed with having the 3 most amazing little boys and one amazing husband - I love them all so much!!

Here are some pics from Christmas!!

Nine years ago my life changed for the better...

Nine years ago I had no idea that I would be where I am today... and I am SO happy!!

Nine years ago I met my husband and 6 months later... yes, 6 months... we got married.

Yes.. it was a fast courtship and maybe we were both a bit scared with how fast things were going but WOW.. God knew what he was doing. Every year with my husband just gets better and better. Here I sit looking at all that we have gone through these past nine years - yes.. some hard times... some very hard times... but many more good times. I am so blessed to have Mike in my life and I love my life with him.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband.... and here is to many, MANY more!!!

Love you!!

Thanksgiving...

I am seeing a lot of posts and blog posts about Thanksgiving and what we are thankful for.. I want to do the same thing but I am going to do this in one post... so... here I go.

First and foremost.. I am SO thankful for my God. He has brought me through so many storms and has blessed me with so much - I am thankful for all that He has given me and all that He has taught me and continues to teach me.. He is always listening and there for me. Thank you God.. for my life and everything that is in it!

I am SO thankful for my husband... you know what.. he really is the best - I am thankful to God for putting him in my life. He is always there to hug me.. support me.. and hold my hand whenever I need him to. He has helped me through some difficult times and NEVER leaves my side. He works so hard... SO hard to provide for us and so that I can stay home with the kids. I can't imagine my life without him! I love him SO much!!

I am SO thankful for my sons... Brevin, Ian and Alex.. and for my little guy in Heaven, Troy. All my boys are such miracles - they make me smile and laugh - I love the hugs and kisses I get from them and I love watching them grow and learn new things. Nothing could ever prepare me for motherhood - I had NO idea what to expect. It is literally the best thing and so rewarding. I have the best kids in the world. I am so blessed... a thousand times over each and every day!

I am SO thankful for my family... Mike and I have such great and caring parents - they love their grandkids unconditionally and do such wonderful things for them and with them. I am so thankful to have the best babysitters in the world - our family!! They never hesitate when we ask them to watch the kids and always seem excited to come and help - yes.. they do leave tired and exhausted but they always come back!!! Thank you!!!

I am so thankful for friends.. we have some of the greatest friends... I get calls everday from friends that just check in with me to see how things are going...that means the world to me. I still get some yummy lunches from a friend knowing that I am usually to busy to make myself lunch. Those friends near and far - you are all the best - thank you for being you!!

I am so thankful for our home - like I said before.. Mike works so hard so that we can have the home that we live in and I am proud of our home and all the love that is filled inside of it!!

I am so thankful right now to be listening to Christmas music - I LOVE the holiday season!! Please don't get on me for listening to Christmas music before Thanksgiving.. if they played Thanksgiving music.. I would be listening to that.

There is so much to be thankful for... I could go on and on. I am just so thankful for all that I have gone through to get me where I am today - I would not change anything. I really sincerely hope that everyone that reads this post has a very happy Thanksgiving.. a Thanksgiving that is full of family and friends and lots and lots of love!!

Thursday, November 4... Surgery

Yesterday Ian had surgery... similar to a hernia surgery to correct a right communicating hydrocele. I was so nervous about this because his surgery was scheduled at 10:45am at UofM health center in Livonia. I was a little mad because they told me his surgery should be first thing in the morning and 10:45am is not first thing. He could not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before - how in the world do you get a one year old up in the morning and not give them a sippy of milk or even water? Mike came up with a plan to put Ian to bed at normal time (7pm) and then wake him up at 11pm to feed him and give him some milk and then hope and pray that he would sleep in the next morning - well... Mike's plan worked!!! We woke Ian up at about 10:45pm.. gave him some cereal and fruit and a sippy full of milk - he ate and drank and played a little.. then Mike put him back to bed around 11:45pm and he went right to sleep - he then slept in till 8:15am!!

Mike took Brev to the bus stop and I got Ian changed - kept his jammies on him... got his coat and hat and soon as Mike got back - we loaded him up and we were off to Livonia - my Mom came in to help us.. she stayed back and took care of Alex for us. Thank you Mom!!!



Not a peep out of Ian the whole drive over. Soon as we got to the Health Center - we checked in and a nurse came out almost immediately and brought us to the "prep" room. We got Ian undressed and put on this cute little toddler gown.




For not having anything to eat or drink.. Ian did AMAZING!!! He was walking around visiting everyone that worked there and even visited a few patients. They all seemed to love him! We waited literally till almost 10:45am.. so from 8:45 to 10:45 we waited and waited - the dr. was running behind and the anesthesioloist was sick that day so they had to call another one in. I still am in disbelief with how well Ian did for 2 hours.. again.. with nothing to eat or drink - we walked the hallway a million times keeping him as entertained as possible and he did SO well.


At 10:45am... the Dr. came and talked with us and then a nurse came to give Ian some liquid drug that made him really woozey - after about 15 minutes 3 nurses came and to take Ian - it was hard leaving him and I got really teary but he did great - he was already groggy that he didn't even care who was holding him. Then Mike and I walked to the waiting room - it was hard for a little bit so I went out into the hallway to call my mom and to walk around a bit and that helped. The time went by fast - the procedure was about 45 minutes. Soon as that time was up.. the Dr. came in and brought us into a conference room and told us that everything went great!!! He told us exactly what he did and what we need to do with Ian over the next few days. He then told us that soon as Ian woke up.. someone would come and get us - he told us that would be in about 20 to 30 minutes. Well.. we waited and waited and waited.. an hour went by... the Dr. came in and said that he was doing great but that he just didn't want to get up - he was taking advantage of getting that nap in!! After another 15 minutes a nurse finally came in to get us. I was really nervous walking to the recovery room - I have been told my many that most kids wake up screaming and just out of control. As we walked into the recovery room - I heard NO noise.. I looked around and there was Ian.. laying on a bed with 3 nurses around him and he was just looking around not making a sound. Soon as I walked up to him and he saw me.. he started to cry a bit but the nurse immediately picked him up.. had me sit in a recliner and placed him in my lap - it was such a sweet moment for me - knowing he was okay!!



He cried for a little bit but not much - he kept leaning his head way back.. he was still so out of it. Mike got his sippy of milk out and gave it to a nurse to warm up for us and he drank that fast - we tried giving him some snacks of graham crackers and blueberry bread but he really didn't want that - we have him more milk and he loved that. After about 10-15 minutes we were told we could go home... so we got him dressed and they gave us a prescription for some pain medicine... took the IV out of his hand which made Ian a little mad.





The nurse went over a few things with us and we were on the road by 1:30pm!! The whole day went so fast - God is SO good... I prayed and prayed and I was not expecting the day to go well at all but God had different plans He made it so peaceful for us!!


Ian didn't make a peep the whole way home... he was so relaxed and layed back - he had his eyes open but was totally out of it. Mike dropped us off home and then went out to get his prescriptions. I sat in the rocking chair with Ian for about 15 minutes... My mom made me a grilled cheese sandwich but Ian pretty much ate the whole thing so she made him another one - I put him in his highchair and let him eat his sandwich and a few cheerios - he was doing great!!! The Dr. told us that they gave Ian a spinal medication that made him numb from his tummy down so he would be wobbley for 6-8 hours.. until that wore off. He was trying SO hard to stand and walk and his legs just were not letting him do that - but he was crawling around like nothing ever happened.. he was so happy. Here is a picture of him about 1/2 hour after we got him home.




I was excited for Brev to come home. It was hard trying to explain to a 6 year old what Ian had to go through - that he had surgery.. that he was going to have an incision from being cut by the doctor etc.... so it was nice to show Brevin how well Ian was doing - he was very interested in seeing his incision and his hospital tag on his foot and the bandage around his hand from the IV - I kept it all on Ian so I could show Brevin. He was glad his brother was okay.


All-in-all it could not have gone any better - all the prayers that were prayed for Ian were definitely felt by Mike and I. Thank you God for getting us through that day and mostly.. getting Ian through. We are so blessed by Him for a wonderful experience. Thank you to everyone who kept Ian in their prayers!!

Busy Busy... what we are up to

This past couple weeks have been one thing after another!!! Last week Thursday morning Brevin woke up and was very teary - not really crying but very close - I asked him if he didn't feel well and he kept saying he didn't know... so I decided to keep him home from school and I am glad I did. He took a nap in the afternoon and when he woke up - he was screaming and look terrified - I felt his head and he was burning hot so I gave him some motrin and that did the trick. The twins were also not feeling the best because they are cutting their one year molars so their noses were VERY snotty!! Anyway.. that night we had an appointment for family pictures - we loaded the kids up on meds and off to the park we went - I think the pictures went well - we will see in a week or so how things turned out.. it was a beautiful day!!

That night I had Brev sleep in our bed - he was only asleep an hour and he woke up again screaming but this time he was shaking and talking really weird... it scared Mike and I, so Mike picked up Brev and off to ER they went - he must have spiked a really high fever and had almost like a seizure. The Dr. checked him for strep throat because his throat was red but it came back negative.. he still put Brevin on an antibiotic - he was such a brave boy in the ER - that is a scary place for kids - I am so proud of him. He had another repeat of Thursday night on Friday night - woke up screaming and shaking but this time we gave him meds... the dr. told us to alternate Motrin and Tylenol for a good 48 hours... that seemed to work. So that weekend Judy and Roger came into town to watch the kids while Mike and I went to a wedding - a co-worker of mine got married. The wedding was fun and it was fun hanging out with "Gold's gang".. here is a picture of some of us girls.

Brevin was still not feeling the best but better than he was the night of the wedding. Thank you SO much to Judy and Roger for still being willing to come in and watch the kids for us so we could have a date night - it really was nice to go out.. especially after being stuck inside with sick kids for almost a good week!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Brev is back to feeling great and back to school - so happy and relieved that he is all better!!

Now onto Ian.. we had an appointment yesterday with the urologist - Ian does have a communicating hydrocele that needs to be fixed.. so surgery is scheduled for thursday, November 4 - I am really scared about this.. I thought I would be fine - after doing research online I kind of knew that he would have to have surgery but to have the dr. actually tell me and then going over things with the nurse - I am really nervous and overwhelmed about this.. Ian is going to be put out for this so the wake up and recovery is what really worries me.. but I have such wonderful family and friends so I know I will have the support that I will need.

Now about Alex... I am SO excited to report that he FINALLY pulled himself up!!! On 10/10/10 he pulled himself up on the couch to get his blankie. Then the next day I went in to get the twins in the morning and there was Alex standing in his crib!!! He pulled himself up on the window sill to look out and now today is pulling himself up on his toys!! We are so excited about this because he should have been doing this by now.. the pediatrician wasn't too worried but she wanted to see him doing this by 18 months!!! Yeah Alex... here is a picture of him standing!!

I think this is about it for now. Life is crazy but life is so good!!!

I love my kids!!!