Da, Da, Da, Da!

Yay Brendan you finally starting babbling! We are so proud of you, you have the sweetest little voice...music to our ears!!!

My Boys

...are getting so big...This month has been a busy and eventful one. So many exciting things have happened with the boys. Colin decided last week that he was ready to use the potty. I think it was earning the Marvel Comic Superhero card packs that included a figuring that helped, but anyhow he did it! He has even used the "big" potty at a restaurant and today in Border's...I wasn't there today, but Ryan described it as "Daddy, Daddy I need to pee on the potty" really loud. Ryan was checking out the CD's about 50 feet from Colin...so cute! He has even pooped twice! I am so proud of him! In addition to potty training, we couldn't find his "mama" one night last week. Really we couldn't find it...he slept fine that night, so he has been without his pacifier too...I can't believe it, I thought this would be so hard to do, let alone both things at once! He is so big, something has changed, his imagination is expanding, and he just seems like a little boy, not so much even a toddler anymore...It's so hard to believe that Brendan is now 8 months...holy cow, can't even believe he's 4 months away from 1!!! He is doing so well too, we started Early Intervention, he is finally rolling and enjoying playing on his belly. He is now able to sit up and play with a toy if it's big and spreads his legs...and last night was the first night we felt comfortable having him sit up in the baby tub...He is sleeping in his crib finally and doing better at night...now only if he would stop teething...He has 8 teeth now and I swear it looks like he is cutting molars...so my boys are roommates now, Colin has done so well with the change too...I have to download recent pictures, but wanted to get my thoughts down because time just feels like it is zipping by...love to all!

Winter Time Fun!

Colin and I started the New Year with some winter time fun - sledding with the new sled Santa brought! I don't know who was more excited - me or Colin. We went to the Common, where I grew up sledding. It was a beautiful day, we packed up, dressed warmly and were off. When we got there he seemed pretty excited, I was a bit nervous looking at the hill. It is amazing how fearless you can be as a kid...So off we went, the conditions were perfect, Colin in the front, Mommy in the back...but Mommy was a little nervous and let her heels trail in the snow which equaled snow sprayed right in Colin's face...when we got the bottom of the hill, he seemed OK, was laughing, but when I asked him if he wanted to do it again, he said "no Mommy, let's go take a little break"...Because we were in NR, my mom stopped by to visit...Colin found a little hill and I pulled him down...now I was determined to get him down again..."no Mommy, I want the little hill"...that is until big cousin Maddy walked over with her sled...she had the magic and we moved to the other side of the big hill and went down several more times...it was sooooo fun! Uncle Michael and their dog Manning even walked over and the dog loved running with me down the hill...Colin lasted about an hour and then we had some hot chocolate at Auntie Kimmie's and Uncle Michael's and played the Wii...Can't wait to do it again!
At the top of the Common, taking a 'little break"!

I was shocked he even walked once back up the hill, let alone lasting a whole hour!

Maddy and Manning

Manning loved chasing me down the hill, he was flying!

I love this picture, Maddy took it at the bottom of the hill, the look on our faces is priceless!

2008

Happy New Year! Wow it's hard to believe I wrote that already...this year just went by so fast and so much happened...I am most thankful for the birth of Brendan and watching our family grow not only in number, but in love...it was also a difficult time losing our Uncle Rob...the holidays have been bittersweet...we know he is looking down on us, celebrating with us, laughing with us when the kids do something funny, and always, always loving us. Here's hoping 2009 brings love, peace, good health, and happiness to all my family and friends...Happy New Year to all!

Merry Christmas!

A bit of a late post, but better late than never! We had a great holiday. Christmas Eve was spent at Grammy and Grampy's house with all the cousins...except Casey this year :(:(...she was very sick with the stomach flu and wasn't able to make it :(...definitely wasn't the same...we went to church first and the kids did OK...had dinner, changed into the new Christmas PJ's and then opened presents...Brendan missed most of the excitement, he was sleeping, but big brother Colin did a great job helping to open his presents! We went to bed very late, woke up the next morning and Santa had arrived! Colin loved every minute...it was so fun this year! Brendan loved the excitement too, but conked out and opened his presents later in the morning...we played, relaxed, took naps, and then my mom and dad came for dinner...can't believe it's come and gone, but it was a very special Christmas!

Colin helping Brendan open his presents...Brendan eating wrapping paper!

New Christmas PJ's!

We missed you Casey!

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