Tis' the Season!

WOW! What a whirlwind month this has been...we can't believe Christmas is just a day away...we are pretty much all set and patiently awaiting the arrival of the man in the red suit...we have had a great time this month and here are just a few of the highlights!

Santa visited Mommy's work and brought all the kids presents!

We made Christmas trees with Grammy and cousin Sydney using sugar cones, green frosting, gum drops, and m&m's...YUM!

We visited the Zoo Lights and Colin got a glimpse of his very favorite Christmas character - the Grinch!

We even saw one of Santa's real reindeers!

We drank hot chocolate and decorated the tree...

And we had breakfast with Santa too...Brendan did NOT like Santa this year!

Speaking of our little guy Brendan, we can't believe he's already 7 months old...he now has 6 teeth (four on the bottom and the two top) and loves to eat! He's slowly gaining more weight and will soon begin Early Intervention to get stronger and before we know it he'll be chasing his big brother! His smiles are contagious and he loves his big brother to death!

We are so, so lucky to have such amazing family and friends who have been so supportive the past couple of months...the holidays are sort of bittersweet, but we know our Uncle Rob is smiling down upon us and in a better place, pain free!

We love you Colin and Brendan and can't wait to see your faces on Christmas morning!!!!!!!

Exciting Firsts!

The past 24 hours have been very exciting for Colin...yesterday at his request he pooped in the potty for the first time!!! And from that point on he has been going pee fairly regularly! Saturday I forgot to put a pull up on him before putting his pants on and he accidentally peed in his pants...he hated the feeling, so I think that's what maybe started the toilet trend! And....today he had his first visit to the dentist...of course I forgot my camera....he did so well, sort of gagged when the lady put the mirror in his mouth, but in the end he let her get some tartar off and polish them...only a few tears...he looked so scared and was trying so hard to keep his nerves in check...the look on his face was priceless...Mommy was so proud!

Our Little Visitor

This little guy arrived on Thanksgiving...he's keeping an eye on the boys and reporting back to Santa each night...Colin is getting a big kick out of it, he loves to find him in the morning and he sure has ended up in some silly places! He ends up back on our "shelf", the staircase once he's been found...

Thankful

A little late, but I thought I would post anyway...Thanksgiving this year was bittersweet, so very thankful for so much in our lives, but so sad that Uncle Rob isn't with us...but most of all we are thankful for the two most amazing miracles who bring so much happiness and love to our lives...

Happy 6 Months!

Not only was today your 6 month birthday, but also your first official ear infection :)...You are such an amazing little boy, your smile brightens your whole face and can brighten the whole room...you little flirt! You are growing up so fast, 2 teeth, eating food, sitting up better...you love to grab your brother's face...Mommy can only imagine what the two of you will be up to someday soon :):)...We love you sunshine!

Four Years Ago...

...we were married in Portland...Happy Anniversary to the most caring and loving husband...so much has happened in the last 4 years including 2 of the most amazing miracles - Colin and Brendan - thank you for being such an amazing father...here's to a very long life together...I love you, Lisa

The Big 3!!!

What a great day we had...fun all around and the birthday boy was so excited to have his "Georgie" party finally come to reality!

Happy Halloween!

Our town does trick or treating a little early...here are some pics...Colin loved it this year, let's just say he tried to take all the candy from our neighbors, not just one or two pieces...it was fun! David "Big Papi" Ortiz

Our little Red Hot Chili Pepper!

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday!

Happy 3rd Birthday Colin! We love you sweetie and can't believe you are 3 today...We hope you love your new big boy bike...remember always wear your helmet! We can't wait for your party next weekend...we love you! XXOO Mommy and Daddy

It's Been A While...

...since I last posted. Unfortunately at the beginning of the month our Uncle Rob passed away after a very brave battle with cancer. He was a very, very special person in our life...he taught me more about life, faith, and love and I will always be grateful for that. I hope to instill those values in my son's lives to the best of my ability. His funeral was amazing and I met so many people whose lives he touched, so many. I am grateful to everyone who sent kind words and prayers it's been a difficult time, but hopefully the special memories we have will help us through...the weekend after his funeral we spent time trying to distract ourselves and went to pick a pumpkin, but the bees were horrible, so we decided to spend the afternoon at the beach. It was beautiful. We had lunch outside, played at the playground, and walked...it was very peaceful...

We also had our annual Reeves bonfire...it was a blast...thanks Kelly and Dave, Mason and Brodie!

A ride on Dave's new tractor...thanks Dave!

This is a recent picture of the boys that I took that I just love...hard to believe Colin will be three next week and Brendan is 5 months!

Fall, Family, and Five Months!

Well it's been a while since I last posted...I finally downloaded our apple picking/hay ride pictures...we had a blast. Colin loved the whole day despite having a nasty virus (roseola??) that lasted the entire week. We got home that day and his fever was 103! It took an entire week for him to be back to normal. Luckily Brendan didn't get it...He slept most of the time as you can see from the pictures. Can't believe it's October in two days - Colin is turning 3!!!! Where does the time go????? We have also spent a lot of time with family this month. My Uncle Rob finally went into hospice last week. We had a wonderful get together a few Sundays ago, everyone was there even my cousins from CA. It was a very special day. I visited with him Friday and he has really failed, not eating, becoming confused, etc. We had a really wonderful conversation and many tears were shed, but I won't forget the words we shared. He helped me a lot! And little Brendan is 20 weeks tomorrow! We went to the doctors a few weeks ago and he didn't grow as much as they had hoped so we go back for a weight check in a few weeks...we will also see his GI doctor then too, just to make sure everything is OK. We started cereal and he seemed to like it and was doing well taking it in, just not so lucky with the digestion part. Exactly 4 hours after giving it to him he would wake up screaming, so we are holding off until we see the doctor. They are also just keeping an eye on his muscle tone...he was a little slow with the head control and his shoulder girdles are lax, and his pediatrician agreed so we'll see how he is in a few weeks...he seems to be doing much better...so that's about it...enjoy the pictures!

Busy, Busy, Busy

That's why the blog posts have been few and far between these days...once things settle down I will get some recent pictures of the boys...the plan is to go apple picking this Saturday so hopefully we will get some good ones then...Can't believe fall is upon us, the weather has been so nice the past couple of days...Enjoy!

We Did It!

We all survived the start of daycare...Brendan had a great day, Mommy didn't cry or throw up all day, and of course Daddy was cool as a cucumber...Colin did fairly well with the whole thing...except having to give up his pack and play for Brendan. My mom bought him the cutest nap mat for "back to school" that he picked out, it had his name, an attached pillow and all sorts of trucks on it. We had it with us and he had to carry it into daycare all by himself and he immediately unfolded it and showed Patty his new "pack and play". He seemed so excited about it...However when it came time to actually sleep on it - no go...So we'll have to work on it. My heart sort of breaks for him...all those changes, sharing, etc...and we sent a potty to daycare for him...I am sure it will get better with time. Overall a good day!

p.s. I admit I watched most of the 90210 premiere...anyone else??????

My Boys

Dear Brendan,
Tomorrow is a bittersweet day. It is your first day of daycare. I thought it would be easier the second time around, it is in a way, but there is still a small knot in my stomach. You have grown so much in the past 3 1/2 months. You're getting stronger, smiling up a storm, talking in your own little language with such a sweet voice, eating like a champ, and sleeping better. You have made such a difference in all of our lives, Mommy's, Daddy's, and your brother Colin's. I know you will be OK at daycare, I know you will learn a ton, and grow in so many ways, but I still wish I could be there to share it with you. I can't wait for the day until you can tell me stories about your day, about your friends, and about how much fun you had. For now I will take all the smiles to reassure me that you are OK. I know that your big brother will look out for you and he can certainly put a smile on your face. I love you sunshine! Mommy


Dear Colin,

What a big boy you have become this summer. You have handled so many changes, especially the addition of your brother, so easily. You have grown, your say the funniest things, and you love to do things independently. I loved being home with you this summer. I treasured every second of it, knowing it would come to an end...back to daycare you go, I kind of wish you were going to preschool this year, but I am also very glad you will be with your brother. I know you will always look out for him, protect him, teach him things, and love him. I know you will continue to learn and grow and I can't wait to be welcomed home from a long day at work with a huge smile and a huge hug. I love you sweet pea, more than you will ever know, Mommy

Vacation in Maine

We just returned from a week's vacation in Maine...it was so, so fantastic...we couldn't have asked for better weather, the kids loved every minute, Ryan and I did too, and we created some very special memories...this is our fourth year doing it and we have decided each year gets better and better and we are definitely going to make it an annual thing...Colin said some of the cutest things and seems to have grown up even more in a week...Brendan loved being outside and sitting looking at the ocean...all in all it was a blast and here are a few highlights...now back to work for Mommy...

We started our week in Portland and took in a Sea Dogs game

Slugger

Talking sports!



Dreaming big...

I actually read an entire book and this was my view while reading...so relaxing

We got to eat outside

Brendan loved eating outside, well not eating, but loving the fresh air

We did sparklers! Notice how it's daytime...Colin was zonked out everyday before dark, he loved them even in the daytime!

We had ice cream every day sometimes twice a day!

Napping outdoors was a big hit for Brendan!

We spent time at the beach...

and doing "butt jumps" on the trampoline!

We did some sightseeing...

and made family memories we will treasure forever!


Now...back to reality!