I can't believe my boys are growing up. Avery is in his toddler bed 100% now basically, while it sometimes takes him longer to go down he's doing it. Lately he wants a dog with him, so Laila has become his night time buddy, (because RJ is too neurotic to stay behind the baby gate). I'm sure Laila is wondering what she has done to get locked up with the wild child... but all is good. Tuesday night AJ transitioned to his "big boy bed" (ie the crib). I just couldn't take another sleepless night. Sunday night and Monday night, AJ would wake up every 2 hours in the little portable crib because he'd keep hitting the sides of the crib. So instead of transitioning Sept 1 which we had picked to be his date, he moved over on the 28th. It felt so odd after 4 1/2 months of having him right next to me (in his portable crib) he's down in the "boys room" They don't stay our babies for long.
I have the greatest pleasure to be mom to the 2 most sweetest boys in the world (okay, I'm a bit bias.) While Avery is my wild child, he has the most caring disposition I have EVER known in a 2 year old, yesterday I got the greatest joy in life to witness this. Theresa had a doctors appointment so I had come home early. I had made AJ a bottle and put it on the table and went back to the kitchen for a drink when I come back in, I see AJ in his exercauser, and Avery with the bottle trying to give it to his little brother. I quickly grabbed the camera to forever remember that moment. Later that evening after dinner, I had put the boy's kids church music dvd on so I could do the dishes and i take a peek in the family room, and AJ was in his bouncy seat and Avery was sitting on the floor next to him just bouncing his seat for him.... I wanted to cry. It was the pure love for his brother that at 2 he watches over and cares for him. I know we will have our fair share of jealous days in the future, or days where the boys can't stand each other, but I know deep down inside there is pure love between them. To see AJ just watch his big brother as he dances around the family room, or Avery trying to tickle AJ's feet. They interact like that because they love each other, not because someone has told them too. I love my boys.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
We are mobile
This has been a crazy busy week and on top of it all, I've been dealing with allergy/sinus issues as the weather has taken a colder/rainy turn.
AJ has decided that he no longer wants to stay in 1 spot. I believe it was monday evening or tuesday evening, but I put him on his blanket on the floor for some floor time, and he immediately rolled to his belly (which he hates to be on, but still will roll there... but can't figure out how to get back to his back.) But this time, AJ was unsually content on his tummy, pulling up on his elbows/arms looking up at the world. then he starts to squish his legs up (poking his little butt in the air), and out goes his arm... he smiles as he realizes what he as done, and continues this motion, moving all over his blanket. He is at a snails pace... but you have to start somewhere.... now when you put him down he just start to do his little "snail crawl" all over... these precious moments, so innocent, so simple. Reminds me that life is about more than just work, money, and material things.
AJ has decided that he no longer wants to stay in 1 spot. I believe it was monday evening or tuesday evening, but I put him on his blanket on the floor for some floor time, and he immediately rolled to his belly (which he hates to be on, but still will roll there... but can't figure out how to get back to his back.) But this time, AJ was unsually content on his tummy, pulling up on his elbows/arms looking up at the world. then he starts to squish his legs up (poking his little butt in the air), and out goes his arm... he smiles as he realizes what he as done, and continues this motion, moving all over his blanket. He is at a snails pace... but you have to start somewhere.... now when you put him down he just start to do his little "snail crawl" all over... these precious moments, so innocent, so simple. Reminds me that life is about more than just work, money, and material things.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Business
Life has seemed quite busy lately. This past weekend was a wonderful weekend, and a very special weekend for the A-Team.
On Friday, we took dinner over to Mariah, Chase and baby Rachael. We had a wonderful time hanging out with them. Rachael is changing so much in just her short week of life. It amazes me how much they grow and change in the very beginning. It makes me very nostalgic thinking back to when the boys were born.
This weekend was AJ's baby dedication at McLean Bible Church. Saturday was busy getting ready for Sunday. Making sure the boys had their dress clothes together. Ordering Cakes, getting food etc for Sunday, cleaning the house... I did manage to get my hair done on Saturday... I love my new cut. The morning Avery and I went and ran errands together. I love spending 1 on 1 time with him running errands... we can be in the middle of the store and he'll just stop me an annouce he wants a "bear hug" how could you resist.
That afternoon Adam and I took AJ and went to the mall, as Avery stated at home that he wanted to stay home so he spent the afternoon playing with TT. That evening Adam went to play golf with Chase, and Theresa went to hang out with Mariah, Avery wanted to go to... so he went to spend time with his TT and his aunt, which I am sure he enjoyed.
AJ and I got to run some errands and spend time together. We went and got party decorations, and the last minute soda and chips etc. Then AJ and I just relaxed at the house we played on the floor together... laughed, rolled, and played with toys... I couldn't have had a better time... well if I had my 2 other boys there it would have been perfect!
Sunday was AJ's dedication. It was such a special time for us. Michele came down from B-more, it was wonderful to have my best friend there. The Caleb's came, and Mariah and Chase also came to the church to share in the day with us. Ashley and Ken met us at the house afterwards to help celebrate (she had to work Sat. night and only got off work Sunday at 8am). We had a wonderful afternoon just spending time with friends and family that was close with us. We couldn't have asked for a better way to spend AJ's dedication.
Sunday night, we all just crashed, I think just the constant running had caught up to the A-Team and we were all sound asleep by 10:30!!
On Friday, we took dinner over to Mariah, Chase and baby Rachael. We had a wonderful time hanging out with them. Rachael is changing so much in just her short week of life. It amazes me how much they grow and change in the very beginning. It makes me very nostalgic thinking back to when the boys were born.
This weekend was AJ's baby dedication at McLean Bible Church. Saturday was busy getting ready for Sunday. Making sure the boys had their dress clothes together. Ordering Cakes, getting food etc for Sunday, cleaning the house... I did manage to get my hair done on Saturday... I love my new cut. The morning Avery and I went and ran errands together. I love spending 1 on 1 time with him running errands... we can be in the middle of the store and he'll just stop me an annouce he wants a "bear hug" how could you resist.
That afternoon Adam and I took AJ and went to the mall, as Avery stated at home that he wanted to stay home so he spent the afternoon playing with TT. That evening Adam went to play golf with Chase, and Theresa went to hang out with Mariah, Avery wanted to go to... so he went to spend time with his TT and his aunt, which I am sure he enjoyed.
AJ and I got to run some errands and spend time together. We went and got party decorations, and the last minute soda and chips etc. Then AJ and I just relaxed at the house we played on the floor together... laughed, rolled, and played with toys... I couldn't have had a better time... well if I had my 2 other boys there it would have been perfect!
Sunday was AJ's dedication. It was such a special time for us. Michele came down from B-more, it was wonderful to have my best friend there. The Caleb's came, and Mariah and Chase also came to the church to share in the day with us. Ashley and Ken met us at the house afterwards to help celebrate (she had to work Sat. night and only got off work Sunday at 8am). We had a wonderful afternoon just spending time with friends and family that was close with us. We couldn't have asked for a better way to spend AJ's dedication.
Sunday night, we all just crashed, I think just the constant running had caught up to the A-Team and we were all sound asleep by 10:30!!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
The Family Castle
The Family Castle
by Nancy Rakovszky
Our castle stands atop the hills
And offers strength of spirit
Place your hand little one unto mine
And I shall lead you to it.
The family castle is now your home
The stones grow ever stronger
For the castle's built on love and hope
Alone you are no longer.
Behind these walls that rise up high
Lies a garden lush and green
It's offerings bountiful as the sea
And beauty yet unseen.
Drink the waters that beckon you near
They'll fill your heart with hope
Feast on the knowledge offered here
For that will help you cope.
Our fires will fill your soul with warmth
To cast off the chill outside
Yet stay not here within these walls
They were not built to hide.
Swing wide the gates so you can see
The world lie at your feet
For without what hides beyond
The castle's incomplete.
Mount our stallion strong and true
For he shall be your guide
His legs have carried those of us
Who've ventured far outside.
Fear not what you do not yet know
Lead on and find your star
Fill your pack with experience
That you shall gain afar.
The good times will outnumber bad
Though sometimes you shall fall
It's at that time that you should seek
The strength of the castle wall.
For no matter the path you choose to take
No matter the strength of tides
You need only look inside your heart
For that's where the castle resides.
by Nancy Rakovszky
Our castle stands atop the hills
And offers strength of spirit
Place your hand little one unto mine
And I shall lead you to it.
The family castle is now your home
The stones grow ever stronger
For the castle's built on love and hope
Alone you are no longer.
Behind these walls that rise up high
Lies a garden lush and green
It's offerings bountiful as the sea
And beauty yet unseen.
Drink the waters that beckon you near
They'll fill your heart with hope
Feast on the knowledge offered here
For that will help you cope.
Our fires will fill your soul with warmth
To cast off the chill outside
Yet stay not here within these walls
They were not built to hide.
Swing wide the gates so you can see
The world lie at your feet
For without what hides beyond
The castle's incomplete.
Mount our stallion strong and true
For he shall be your guide
His legs have carried those of us
Who've ventured far outside.
Fear not what you do not yet know
Lead on and find your star
Fill your pack with experience
That you shall gain afar.
The good times will outnumber bad
Though sometimes you shall fall
It's at that time that you should seek
The strength of the castle wall.
For no matter the path you choose to take
No matter the strength of tides
You need only look inside your heart
For that's where the castle resides.
family
You never realize how special, important family is to you until you have events that draw you all close. These past few weeks have been filled with family "events" first my brother and his family move to Italy, and then Adam's sister has a baby. It is just amazing how while you think you were a tight-knit family before... something like these things happen and it draws you even closer.
We went and visited Mariah and Baby Rachael at the hospital yesterday. While AJ is only 4 months, he is already out of that "infant/baby" phase.. that newbornness is gone. Rachael is soo precious, so innocent, so sweet.
Mariah and I did a few laps around the halls yesterday when we were there.. It was so nice to just walk around with her, and chit chat... I definetly feel that our relationship as sister in laws, as grown and now can say that we are truly friends as well as family... I look forward to years of drawing closer in our relationship and sharing life between our families.
We went and visited Mariah and Baby Rachael at the hospital yesterday. While AJ is only 4 months, he is already out of that "infant/baby" phase.. that newbornness is gone. Rachael is soo precious, so innocent, so sweet.
Mariah and I did a few laps around the halls yesterday when we were there.. It was so nice to just walk around with her, and chit chat... I definetly feel that our relationship as sister in laws, as grown and now can say that we are truly friends as well as family... I look forward to years of drawing closer in our relationship and sharing life between our families.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Baby Rachael is here
Well this weekend just turned out not as planned but WONDERFUL.
I received an email from my SIL on Friday saying she was having some odd pains (her due date was August 11th). So I knew right from there it wasn't going to be the "quiet" weekend.
Friday around 6:45 we got the call she was headed to the hospital. We got Avery to bed and got a neighbor to come sit with him, and Adam, Theresa, AJ and myself headed up to the hospital about 8:30. Mariah was having contractions about 2-6 minutes apart but was not "moving" at all... so a little before 11 they decided to send her home. SO we all went home to try and get some rest. When we got up on Saturday, Adam's mom told us Mariah went back to the hospital about 3:30 in the AM.. and she was dialating. I dropped Theresa off at the hospital around 6:45ish and I also went in for a minutes to visit before heading off to work.
That DARN ROOM 13
By 11:30 Mariah was calling me at work she was 6cm, and due to her blood count couldn't get an epi... she was confused on what to do. I left work, to meet her over there, and Adam and Avery were headed up as well. Thanks to our friends the "Caleb's" who watched AJ for us that day so we could focus on Mariah.
Here is where the long wait begins. What a WOMAN she is, so strong, so beautiful, she found a strength I could only dream of. It was determined that since she couldn't have an epi, that they would do a C-Section at 4pm, (couldn't do it earlier because she had crackers that morning to take meds. Well... at 4pm, they came back to do blood work to take her back but her levels were even lower so the Spinal was now out. They decided to get her some steroids to see if it would boost her levels.. after an hour wait... it didn't. So it was determined that she would be put under and a C-Section would be done to take the baby.
Mariah was taken back about 7:10 that night, and Rachael Raye (aka BGP, aka Gerdie) was born at 7:29. She is absolutely beautiful. A FULL head of hair, wide eyed... I don't think there was a dry eye when they annouced her arrival and when they brought her out. It had been such a long day for Mariah and Chase, (and the rest of us bystanderards). But what a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL reward. Adam took Avery home and picked up AJ after Rachael's arrival and I stayed with Theresa so she could see her daughter before heading home.
Sunday we went up to see the new family, and Mariah was doing WONDERFUL. After some sleep she was doing much better... but was still waiting for a real meal. We got to hold little Rachael, how sweet and innocent... we look forward to going over on Friday and getting to spend some family time with them... and enjoy our new neice!
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Rough Day
My brother and his family leave today for Italy. We've known for over a year this was coming but it doesn't make it any easier. While we have never been the closet of siblings we have always been there for each other when in need. It saddens me in a way that now that we both of families we aren't going to be near each other to share in watching them grow.
Adam calls me crazy, but I feel bad for not getting closer to my brother and his family now that they are leaving. I wish I would have visited them more (they were in NC the last 2 years). I wish I would have called more, emailed more... Just tried to have them be a bigger part of my life. A regret I have for my past, but something I can change for my future.
It isn't until someone isn't touchable, reachable do you realize how much they really mean to you.
Adam calls me crazy, but I feel bad for not getting closer to my brother and his family now that they are leaving. I wish I would have visited them more (they were in NC the last 2 years). I wish I would have called more, emailed more... Just tried to have them be a bigger part of my life. A regret I have for my past, but something I can change for my future.
It isn't until someone isn't touchable, reachable do you realize how much they really mean to you.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Where did the time go
It was a busy crazy weekend...
Friday Adam and I both escaped work early and met at Starbucks for a quick coffee date. It was quite wonderful.. just a nice quick time to catch up and spend some QT together. Friday evening we met up with some friends and went to Ned's to hear my friend Darron's band reflix live. We had a wonderful time... my voice that I had already started to lose Thursday/Friday was gone by Saturday. I don't recall the last time I had such a good time.
Rise and Shine Saturday... Adam went and played golf with Chase and I went to help Mariah get ready for BGP.... or Gertrude as I call her. Avery went and we spent the morning getting her room together... we put the crib together, (who says a woman can't do stuff like that) and got her room a bit more ready for her arrival any day now. We came home and we all went down for a quick nap (thanks to the late nap), then headed over the Caleb's to celebrate Caleb's birthday (which is this coming Tuesday). We had a nice time over there but called in an early evening and headed home.
After getting the boys to bed, Adam and I watched The Pursuit of Happyness... what a wonderful movie... depressing for the first 1 hr and 50 minutes, but the last 5 minutes made up for it..lol
Sunday, we got up early (like always), and Avery and I hit the road up to Joppa, MD to visit with Michele for a bit. It was a nice time visiting with her... she is doing WONDERFULLY for just being so fresh from surgery. It was amazing to see how loved she is and the outpouring of support she is getting. She is truly a wonderful person.
Avery and I got home and we both took an afternoon nap.... and then we just rested with the rest of the family for the rest of the day.
Sunday evening, AJ was laying on his floor gym and Avery came up and laid down next to him... and it was just priceless to see them play. AJ would reach out and touch Avery's face.. or hold his hand and Avery would just laugh... or lean in and kiss his little brother... I will post pictures that we took of it... but it was just absolutely priceless.
Friday Adam and I both escaped work early and met at Starbucks for a quick coffee date. It was quite wonderful.. just a nice quick time to catch up and spend some QT together. Friday evening we met up with some friends and went to Ned's to hear my friend Darron's band reflix live. We had a wonderful time... my voice that I had already started to lose Thursday/Friday was gone by Saturday. I don't recall the last time I had such a good time.
Rise and Shine Saturday... Adam went and played golf with Chase and I went to help Mariah get ready for BGP.... or Gertrude as I call her. Avery went and we spent the morning getting her room together... we put the crib together, (who says a woman can't do stuff like that) and got her room a bit more ready for her arrival any day now. We came home and we all went down for a quick nap (thanks to the late nap), then headed over the Caleb's to celebrate Caleb's birthday (which is this coming Tuesday). We had a nice time over there but called in an early evening and headed home.
After getting the boys to bed, Adam and I watched The Pursuit of Happyness... what a wonderful movie... depressing for the first 1 hr and 50 minutes, but the last 5 minutes made up for it..lol
Sunday, we got up early (like always), and Avery and I hit the road up to Joppa, MD to visit with Michele for a bit. It was a nice time visiting with her... she is doing WONDERFULLY for just being so fresh from surgery. It was amazing to see how loved she is and the outpouring of support she is getting. She is truly a wonderful person.
Avery and I got home and we both took an afternoon nap.... and then we just rested with the rest of the family for the rest of the day.
Sunday evening, AJ was laying on his floor gym and Avery came up and laid down next to him... and it was just priceless to see them play. AJ would reach out and touch Avery's face.. or hold his hand and Avery would just laugh... or lean in and kiss his little brother... I will post pictures that we took of it... but it was just absolutely priceless.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Prayers for Michele
My very best friend Michele went to the ER last night with stomach pains. It turns out her appendix had ruptured. She had it surgically removed last night. Please pray for a quick healing for Michele. Also the doctors noted her appendix didn't look right and so they have sent it to pathology. She will know the results in 2 tuesdays. Please pray for good results.
The A Team's prayers go out to Michele as she recovers.... you'll be flying off buildings in no time Michele.
The A Team's prayers go out to Michele as she recovers.... you'll be flying off buildings in no time Michele.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
little man
So Avery was at the Doctor today, and we were seeing a doctor that he has seen since he was 4 days old.. but he hasn't seen her in probably 9 months (no more ear infections) she say him at his 18 month well baby visit then at his 2 year visit she was out on maternity leave. So she walks in the room yesterday and she says "where's our baby gone to... this is a little boy" She took the words from my mouth. In the last few weeks it seems Avery has grown leaps and bounds. He is starting to just talk up a storm.. and full sentences.. you can almost carry a small conversation with him. I am 1 proud mama of my big boy!
Babies in Trees
yesterday I was with Avery at the Doctor and this picture was hanging on the wall.. Avery looks at the picture and says "look mommy, babies in trees" it just made me smile. Then he looked at the picture and says "no no babies in trees"
Priceless moments!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
