The Dentist And The Haircut

We gottwo major things checked off our list yesterday...the dentist and a couple of haircuts. It is really cute to watch the kids at the dentist getting their teeth cleaned with the big sunglasses on. They both did perfectly, I think they are too scared to move or speak, or else they are mesmerized by the TV directly in front of them. The Dentist says the TV are just as good as nitrous gas these days. They did equally well at the hair salon for kids. I finally decided Taylor's messy do needed an update. She looks adorable!! They spiked Nolan's mini bangs....what a cutie.

Happy 25th Anniversary Grammy Dee and Grandpa!

2005 @ Boppa and Grandma Great 50th Anniversary

Congratulations to Grammy Dee and Grandpa! Today is there 25th anniversary, and we all feel so lucky and honored to be surounded by succesful marriages. I had the pleasure of meeting these fine folks when I was 15 years old. There son, Josh, was my high school sweet heart at Hanford High School. Josh was very popular and well liked, he was well remembered for being an exceptional baseball player and person. Josh joined his heavenly father his freshman year of college. I continued to come around, and around, and around. I now realize that some of my visits were sooooo long :-). Jim and Pati's was a warm inviting place that reminded me of Josh. Over the years, new relationships, and life changes they never got rid of me and I held onto them.

When Jay and I found out we were expecting our first child we brought them desert with a grandparent magnet underneith...we are so sneaky. This relationship has brought balance and grace into my life. We have been forever thankful that they were up for the task. Taylor and Nolan love their Grammy Dee and Grandpa, and we don't know what we would do without them. When it comes to family and grandparents the saying, the more the merrier is so true.

Here is to the happy couple....happy 25th!!

Fired up!

I have run into some infuriating moms lately, and realize how quickly my blood can get boiling. Last week at the park, a mother who was obviously frusterated with her child put her hand over his mouth and nose to stop him from who knows what. I first I didn't comprehend the situation, but quickly realized the boy was panicked and struggling for a breath. At this point I headed over, and she abrubtly stopped. As an adult, this would bring me to flailing, kicking, and screaming....being restrained in this way, this boy could do nothing to help himself.
Today on my way into a small retail store, the kind where you can park in front of and keep an eye on your car from any where I ran into another I-Mom. Anyway, there was a boy in the back of the station wagon absolutely screaming. His face was red and the sun was beating down on him the way he was sitting in the car. There was three other kids in the car, but not in the direct sun. It was not a particularly hot day, but enough to heat up a car in the sun for sure, and not a window cracked. I was furious!!! I ran into the store, and told the ladies that there was an absolutely miserable boy in the back of the car burning up. The mom casually says, "that's my car, and my oldest daughter is in there." Keep in mind that the oldest child in the car was maybe 4 or 5 and buckled in. She just kept on talking trying to say it is so hard to bring the kids in for a quick trip into the store. This store actually has a kids play area and a kids movie playing. I was pissed!!! I can understand making bad choices here and there to help get through the day, but really a used childrens store isn't exactly a necasary errand. She didn't even check on the boy that minute.
It is so hard to decide what is the right thing to do in these types of situations. You don't want to make an incompatent frusterated parent more frusterated and have them take it out on the kids, but I feel like being a bistander isn't acceptable either. It is so hard to watch the irresponsiblity of parents, I am definately not perfect, and have had more than one bad day with the kids, but really moms get it together.....there are moms out there like me in there third trimester with a hair trigger for fury....I am watching.

Beautiful Boy!

I know I am a biased mother, but I think Nolan is just a beautiful boy, inside and out. That has nothing to do with the West look 'o' like meter that says he looks 14% more like me. He is so hansome and fun loving. He is getting better and better with his vocabulary everyday, and some things he works so hard to spit out it just warms my heart to hear them and see what his is so excited about. Right now he says, "oh right," a lot. He pretends he knows what I was going to say all along. My little cuttle bug definately prefers to be called Nolan over all other pet names that his mom can possibly put together. In the top picture he is falling asleep doing his version of the touch down sign with his finger. You better believe that his daddy is over the moon that he is starting to show interest in sports....go Dolphins!!

Growing and Growing

17 weeks
19 weeks

30 weeks

At first when you are starting to show it is so great to show off your baby bump, and then as you can see I took an 11 week break to bare it again. Pregnancy takes such a tole on your body...it is not a self esteem booster to see the wonderful changes. Water retention, vericose veins, and stretch marks just to name a few. All in all this pregnancy is treating my well, although I could do without the heartburn. I am in the home stretch, and have so much to look forward to. This baby is a true blessing and such a gift, as are my other children. Having an element of suprise definately gave us a slightly different perspective.

I have just recently gotten into my "nesting" mode. Thank goodness for the biological instinct to prepare for baby, or else this child would be coming home to a well used toy room. Energy is low, but the drive to have everything in order is definately there.

We haven't picked out a name for the baby yet, but do have some in mind. A top favorite is Jessy, a name we almost named Taylor, but it didn't go with Dee. Jay also likes the name Maya. On our mutual list I think we have Elizabeth and Jane. I like Carla, Megan, Leah, Kate,Kennedy, among others that Jay thinks are so old school. LOL. I guess names can go out of "style." I guess that is why there is a mom and a dad. We are looking forward to what lyes ahead for sure.

Happy Birthday AJ!!

My nephew AJ turned 10 years old today, he is no longer a single digit man. He is the third oldest cousin, this is making me feel a little old...I can remember when he was in diapers. AJ loves camping, boyscouts, and playing outside. These kids can last all day outside when they are here visiting. AJ and his mom had a run in with a butane tank this summer, reminding us all how dangerous camp stoves can be. They are both doing great, and AJ is still the handsome little guy we all know and love. Happy birthday to the boy with all the spunk...we love you!!

Happy Birthday Josiah!

Josiah is turning 1 today...yikes, how did the year go by so fast. A lot happens from birthday to 1 years old. This little tyke is walking, squaking (literally), and laughing. He is a joy to be around, and we look forward to spending more time with him as he learns everything he needs to know to get ahead in a one year old world.

Happy Birthday Nolan!!

My baby boy turned 3 years old today. This was definately the year of Thomas The Train, he had been wanting this particular train for sooooo long. He loves trains, planes, and tractors. We had the 2nd and last double birthday party for the kids today...Doctor Phill I am sure would have a fit. We pretty much treat September like everyday is their birthday. We had a "circle party" at Grammy and Grandpas, with a winning toddler dinner menu...hotdogs, hotdogs, hotdogs.

Nolan is the little man of my heart, he has a personality like a turtle. Very tough on the outside, but so sweet and soft in the middle, and only brings it out at special times. He usually won't let me kiss him anymore, but will do a pretend kiss in the air occasionally. Today at the party he gave me a spontanious kiss and hug...just melted my heart. He loves to hold my hand when we walk together, but beyond that doesn't prefer to be touched a whole lot...I have to bribe him to snuggle. They grow up soooooo fast. I love you so much buddy, thanks for all the wonderful memories and letting Taylor beat you in races for now. Enjoy year #3, we have a lot to look forward to. A big thanks to Grammy and Granpa for hosting your party!!

French Bulldogs

Arby has had puppies again! I put a link to a blog I am going to do on the puppies so I can easily refer people to a place to look at pictures. The puppies are 2.5 weeks old and just starting to get cute. The look like baby pigs when they are first born. This time we have 4 girls and 1 boy, 3 brindle, and 2 black and white. Arby has been a great Mamma...thank goodness, or I would never make it throught this experience.
Puppies are very similar to new borns their first few weeks...lots of crying, and you have to make sure they don't have a blanket on their head, or that they are getting squished. The kids are doing great with them, they are not overlly interested, but do like to pay attention to them at least once a day. The last time we had pups it was a disaster. Nolan would get his hands on one, and yikes. A toxic combination. A year makes a huge difference. Check out french bulldog weekly blog, they are hard to photograph now, but in the next week I should get some cuter pics.

Happy Birthday Kyra Jewell-Ann

Happy birthday to my niece, the diva of all 3 year olds. Kyra turns 3 today and really wants a mortocycle for her birthday, a real one. We have so many September birthdays in our family it is unreal. Besides Taylor and Noli, I have one niece, two other nephews, and a grandpa....stocking up on the birthday wrapping paper for sure. We love you and will miss you in Utah Kyra.

1st Day of Preschool!

Today was Taylor and Nolan's first day of preschool. It was the cutest thing to load them up in their matching shirts and bags and send them on their way. Taylor reverted back to her shy ways when she got there, but still has a very confident capable attitude about it. She painted a picture today, something that took her months to warm up to last year.
Nolan is still confused on why he is going to Taylor's old classroom, but Taylor is not. He had no problems seperating from me whatsoever. Preschool is a dream come true for him. Dirt, tractors, cars, blocks, 7:2 boy girl ratio, what else is there to say. He was so excited to see me on the red rug for story time, but then quickly sat in the teachers lap for the book. This is exactly what Taylor did every week last year. It is heart warming to know my kids are comfortable and happy in their new place.

Happy Birthday Taylor Dee!!

My little princess is turning 4 years old today...time is flying by so quick, I can't believe I have a four year old. This year my little sweetie wanted a squishy rat, squishy ball, and snow white princess more than anything. Birthday wishes were granted. Happy birthday sweet heart, Mommy and Daddy love you so much!!!