Holden’s cutting his molars right now, so he’s been quite fussy lately.  Now, we also have a five year old cutting her adult molars.  I thought it sounded funny when she said that she had half a tooth and when I went to investigate, it was like looking in Holden’s mouth.  I could see half of her tooth poking through her gums.  Whew, crazy around here!!  Teething strips for everyone. LOL

I haven’t taken as many pictures of Holden lately because he is ALWAYS on the move.  He hardly ever sits still now, and continues to climb on the kitchen table.  I’ve been putting the chairs on top of the table and the kitchen island so I don’t have to remove him 100 times a day.  He is still getting in to everything he’s not supposed to.  The thing that cracks me up the most lately is him dancing when I turn the vacuum cleaner on, he likes to groove. LOL  Smacking the the juke box with his hand is code for “turn that thing on” - as soon as he hears a tune, he’ll start busting a move.  He was getting Kasen to turn on musical toys today so he could dance.  I’ve never heard of a child starting to dance when he hears a drill saw, but Holden sure does.  Funny, funny boy.  He’s talking a LOT - I think he has about 20+ words now.  He asks to go “owww-side” every single day.  When he touches something he’s not supposed to, he says, “Hot” even when it’s just wet.  Falling is so frequent around here that I just look for blood immediately.  I always pick him up and say, “Oh honey.”  Soooo, now when he’s upset or he gets hurt, he comes running to me and cries, “Honeeeeeeyyyyy.  Honeeeyyyy.”  So sad, but precious.  First thing in the morning, he asks for his “Bobble” (bottle) and he asks for his “Buh-eeeeee” (bunny) every single night - actually, he’s asking for it a LOT during the day now.  He used to leave it in the crib in the morning, but now he reaches back for it and won’t leave the crib without it.  That poor bunny, it’s looking BAD.  It was washed again today.  I can’t wash it more than about every three days or it would fall apart.  I did ask my friend where she bought it for him, and I’ve already got one on order.  I’m just hoping he’ll take to it so we can retire the poor bunny that once had white paws to his memory box.

Here’s our little man - both sides, happy and serious.  Can you tell how much he’s slimmed down with all that walking?!  I knew he had, but looking at the serious picture, I can really see it.  Little man is growing up . . . way too fast!!

It looks so funny to see that big molar in his mouth just surrounded by gums.  Love those pearly whites he has~

See ya’ later!!

We had a little downpour this evening, which was greatly needed.  I walked on to the front porch to see if it cooled down this crazy Texas heat, when I was suddenly joined by my little sidekick.  We started holding our hands out to feel the rain and slowly, but surely, Kasen inched further and further on to the front walk.  Before I knew it, she was already on the sidewalk.  Soooo, I did what I always do, I grabbed the camera.   It was so cute to see her twirl, run and jump in the rain.  By the time she was finished, she was soaked, but smiling from ear to ear.  Precious.

Love her toes in this next one ~

And this is when she heard the thunder. LOL  She booked it right to the front door.

See ya ‘later!!

We heard a lot of “I can do that by myself now.  I’m a big girl.  I’m FIVE you know!”  Kasen had her annual doctor’s appointment today, and she was only too proud to wear her shirt with the big number five on the chest.  Just in case people weren’t aware that she was five, she had the shirt as a conversation starter to let them know . . . . and she did . . . . several times.  LOL  I can’t even tell you how many people know all about her birthday party too, in great detail.  She’s hilarious.

As I watched her get weighed and get her height checked, I got a little melancholy.  I remember her first time at the doctor’s office, Brad and I unbuttoning her tiny, pink, cotton outfit so she could get weighed, while she screamed her little lungs out.  How did she get so big so fast?!  Whew, it really does fly by.  All those moments swirled in my head, just wondering where the last five years went.  She did everything the doctor asked her to do, no prompting from me, no holding her down, no crocodile tears while the doctor looked in her ears and mouth.  How far she’s come.  She was quite concerned about the shot though and kept telling me that she didn’t want one.  However; when the time came, she got the shot, got her finger pricked and there were no tears.  She was SO proud of herself.  Beaming and giggling, she said, “I got a shot and didn’t even cry.  I whined a lot, but I didn’t cry.” LOL  That’s our girl.

Oh yeah, she weighed 39 pounds, she’s in the 45th percentile.  She measured 41 3/4″  high - again, in the 45th percentile - just about perfect!

See ya’ later!!

Wow, what a GREAT day!!  Kasen woke up early and whispered in my ear, “Mommy, wake up.  It’s my birthday!” <3  She was so excited.  Brad and I hurriedly got out the video camera and led her to her first present, a makeup musical vanity table.  She loved it!  Holden gave her a play makeup kit that she adores.  Yes, he picked it out himself. LOL  I held up two and he picked.  She has been asking for a makeup table where she can put ALL of her makeup on, so it was definitely a hit.

We had a fun day of watching movies and having a picnic in bed while Holden napped.  At 5:00 p.m. we headed over to Brad’s parents house for Kasen’s family birthday party.  Heather had the table set beautifully for a princess.  We had a wonderful meal and fabulous cake - what more could anyone ask for?!  Oh yeah, and Kasen opened her presents before dinner.  You know, she hasn’t even been five for 24 hours . . . . we can’t expect her to have the patience of a saint just yet.  She loved all of her gifts and I’m always so proud of her for being so incredibly grateful.  She gave many, many hugs and many thank yous throughout the day - sweet.

I do have pictures, but I’ve lost my card reader, and right now I’m trying to hook up my camera to the computer, but it’s just not working.  Sooooo, pics to come later.

Happy Birthday to our adorable, exuberant, wonderful, charming princess.  You make everyday joyful and we can’t imagine life without you.  We can hardly imagine it before you.  You have brought more happiness and love into our lives and we are the ones who are truly grateful.  You are and will always be our light after the storm, our rainbow baby, our sweetheart. We love you to the moon and back.

Happy 5th Birthday Kasen!!!!!!!!!

Today is the day, the day we should be wishing Jay, my brother-in-law, a happy 40th birthday.  Instead, we remember.  *tears*  For most of you following my blog, you already know the tragic story.  If not, it’s all here.  Normally on this day every year, we talk a lot about Jay . . . not this year.  We filled our day by going to the circus with Kasen, then I went shopping for Kasen’s birthday presents with Holden,  Brad worked with his Dad in the garage and on the yard, and then we spent a whirlwind evening getting the kids to bed.  I haven’t really wanted to slow down and think, because honestly, it’s just too hard.  I’m always the talker, bringing things up, whether good or bad, but not today.  Instead, I reflected on the pain, the sadness of Jay being gone, and the disappointment of him not getting to be a fantastic uncle to our kids, by myself.  But it’s not just today, it’s all the time.  So many little things remind me of Jay and it still hurts.  I miss his smile, his joyful attitude, and I miss him being a part of our family every day.  Today, we are mostly silent about Jay, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t forgotten.  We will never forget, it will always hurt, I will never understand, and I will miss him silently, but as always, remember him in my heart.  Miss you Jay.

Yep, that’s little dude truckin’ down the sidewalk this afternoon.  This is one of the main reasons I’m soooo busy, he’s EVERYWHERE!! LOL

This first picture is done in watercolor, so the colors are darker.  Looks pretty cool I think.

See ya’ later!!

Kasen - isn’t it adorable?

I took her in about a month ago and she had five inches cut off.  She really wanted it shorter, but I wasn’t sure she actually did.  Anyway, I told her if she still wanted it cut short that we would go back.  Welllllll . . . . she REALLY wanted it shorter, so we went back and got four more inches cut off.  I told her it was so cute and that I loved it.  She responded by  cupping her hand under her hair, all the while bobbing it up and down, batted those beautiful blue eyes up at me, and said in her best teenager voice, “You really should have listened to me the first time.” LOL  What a girl.

I wish that I could say that our long weekend has been fun and carefree, but so far it’s been rough . . . really rough.  Brad started working Friday night and is STILL working - he’s been on and off of the very same conference call since then.  I think they’re going for a record, or they’ve already set one.  Whatever, not fun.  Not fun trying to get the kids to be quiet, not fun missing him, and frustrating not getting to do fun family stuff.  Oh well, we’re still hoping for some free time for him tomorrow.  It’s been HARD on both kids.  Kasen and Holden were both acting up and now Kasen is coughing non-stop.  Ugh.

I decided we would try a mini photo shoot this morning, and that didn’t go quite well either! LOL  Kasen was really cooperative, but Holden didn’t want anything to do with our demands.  Soooo, I just shot and hoped to capture a few good shots.  And that’s what I got, a few good shots.  I’m guessing we’ll try to watch fireworks next year - crossing my fingers!

Here are the kiddos - I actually love these!  I did try to get both kids in the same shot, but like I said, didn’t go well.  Sooo, what you see is what you get! LOL

See ya’ later!!  Happy Fourth!!!!!!!!!

What can I say about Holden?!  Oh yeah, first of all, he’s walking EVERYWHERE, ALL THE TIME!  It’s precious to see that wobbly walk from one end of the house to the other, but I can guarantee you he won’t be wobbly for long.  He’s getting good.

Holden~~~

Adventurous, loves to climb on anything.  Lover of his stuffed bunny at nap and bedtime.  Screeches when he’s frustrated, but consoled quite easily . . . most of the time.  Snuggles when he’s hurt or tired.  Great belly laugh that can’t help but make you smile.  Initiator of silly games.  Very social, but will certainly check you out (quite seriously) if he’s not absolutely sure.  Warms up quickly.  LOVES his bottle, this might be a problem. LOL  Goes to sleep with almost no effort on our part.  Gives sweet kisses and gentle pats on the back.  Loves playing Pat-a-Cake.  Water is his best friend . . . the pool, the water table, the bathtub, any faucet with running water - makes him squeal with delight.  Favorite toys are things that open and close.  Great at pretending, especially with play food and utensils.  Excellent car rider.  Quietly plays in his crib when he wakes up.  Super smiley in the morning.  Tires easily . . . probably because he’s on the move so much.  Loves his big sister, but will certainly let her know when she takes something that he wants. Loving table food and if he sees us eating anything, he wants to try it too.  He can bang toys, sticks and blocks louder than anyone I know.  Huge smiles result in being thrown in the air, spun around and swinging.  If stairs are anywhere in sight, he motors to them as fast as he can, so he can climb, climb, climb.  Will look at you with those big blue eyes while saying “Owww” and proceed to pinch your arm - turkey!!  LOL  Saying lots of words and having long conversations of jargon that I just love.  Will pull out any plug that he can get his hands on and is fascinated by every single electrical outlet in the house, as well as any cables or cords.  Will spend 30 minutes crawling up and down out of a child’s chair. Throws toys recklessly over his head, one after the other, so you better watch out!  Loves to be carried. Tries extremely hard to sing when anyone else is - sounds hilarious-Brad said he sounds like Frankenstein. LOL  Think he might be able to yodel.  When he gets hurt, he makes a perfect “O” with his lips and says in a very high pitched and exceptionally sad voice, “Ohhhhhh.”  Seriously breaks your heart.  Entertains himself really well.  Sensitive. Caring. Silly. Sweet. Calm. Fast. Brave. One. Completed our family in a way we never thought possible.  Amazing, wonderful Holden - we love you to the moon and back!!

Here are a few recent pictures of the little guy!

See ya’ later!!

Recently, while I was in Iowa, I had a few photo shoots.  One of my shoots involved my nephew Lucas, and his lovely girlfriend Rachael.  They were so great and up for anything.  And it’s pretty obvious that there’s some adoration there.

Thanks guys for everything.  I actually have a few more pics that I love, but I had to narrow it down or I would never get them posted.  I hope you like them as much as I do.

Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever posted that many pics in a post before.  And I’ve got more photo shoots to work on - guess I better get back to work.

See ya’ later!!