While I have the chance

It feels like I haven't blogged in forever. I guess it's because of my new addiction to Facebook. It's so quick and easy compared to blogging. But here I am at 5 in the morning, Connor got up at 4 and I put him back to bed about 15 minutes ago, so i thought I would take advantage now to blog a little.
I want to confess to some new obsessions I have and things I have been thinking about and that I strive for for my family.

First obsession is Facebook as mentioned before; LOVE IT!

My new obsession: watching Jon and Kate plus 8 I know some people don't like it, but I now admit I think I have seen all episodes and was happy when the new season started. I love to watch the family grow up. It definitely gives me hope to get through the day when Aedyn is having a little tantrum because i won't let him eat dog food and at the same time Connor is crying for lunch; I think that knowing that they do it everyday with 8 kids i can most definitely do it with 2.
I also had a revelation; it's different when it's your own kids. When I was teaching and running my home daycare handling lots of kids at once it was no problem, but it's different when it's your own, much harder to be steadfast and firm especially when all I want to do is play and kiss and cuddle them.

Another new mental obsession: I am also inspired to try to start planning a party or an actual ceremony for a renewal of our wedding vows. I think it would be neat. It might not happen for a few years but am planning in my mind for a lovely event anyway. It would not only be a commitment to each other, but we will make verbal commitments to our children for their everyday happiness and for their futures, too.

Another confession, I want another baby, most likely through adoption, not anytime soon maybe in 2 years, but I know in my heart we are not done. Shane worries about being too old; he keeps comparing his age when Aedyn will graduate from high school to his parents age when he graduated from high school. We'll never be that young when our children hit that milestone so might as well embrace it and have more!!!!

Connor is 3 months old

Wow time does fly! I am shocked at how big he is getting. He is almost out of the 3-6 months clothes. He is so long, and he has to weigh at least 12.5 lbs.
Connor is so alert; at our baby n' me class we went to this morning he was awake the whole time listening to the songs and books, watching all the people, and reacting with glee when I did fingerplays with him.
He coos and ah goos like crazy. I even got a giggle out of him by tickling his chin. He loves to talk and will mimic the sounds you make.
He recognizes all of our voices and he loves when Aedyn lays down beside him during tummy time.
He is overall a very pleasant baby, but definitely more clingy and needs more cuddle time than Aedyn did at this age.
We feel so lucky to have been blessed with two wonderful sons!

Embedding

I just figured out the easiest way to post videos in the blog, hooray!
so here's another video or two:)

video Connor rolling over

click on the link below to view Connor rolling over

Connor rolled over!

Chillin'
After he rolled over
In the middle of rolling over
Before he rolled over (we think Connor will have red hair, at least strawberry blonde, the angle of this picture makes his hair really seem red).


On Saturday February 7th Connor rolled over from his tummy to his back for the first time. He is just 3 months so it shocked me. I had put him on his tummy on the floor to practice his neck strengthening skills and he did so well, then he just got a little flustered started kick his legs and pushing up on his arms and he rolled over. Of course I didn't get it on film so I rolled him back to his tummy so he could try again and he did it again, at least 6-7 more times BOTH WAYS!

For those of you who have Facebook I will upload a picture of Connor rolling over. I'll try to post it here but it usually doesn't work anymore.

Who knew Disneyland could be so upsetting?

Kat relaxing with her nephews
Plastic man Aedyn (still smiling even in the rain covered in plastic)


Well, the weather man wasn't quite right about the percentage of rain in Anaheim yesterday. So when we got to the park, like good little troopers we packed up the boys in the stroller bundled and covered in ponchos. We met Kat at the entrance gate to D-land but never went in. She had been there earlier; it was sunny skies then gradually got cloudier and eventually started raining. She didn't want to stay to get wet so we agreed to go back to her house to have lunch and hang out.

What is even sadder than rain at D-land on your birthday? Getting into an accident in the d-land parking lot. Kat had a little fender bender with a metal gate. They were ok, car was not it had to be towed; just a terrible thing to happen on your birthday. But the day ended nice with lunch, movie, and Wii at Kat and Jon's.

My sissy!

I can't believe my sister is 30 years old, I thought it would never happen. I always knew I would grow older but thought my sis would stay young forever. Well, obviously she looks a lot younger than 30, whereas when I turned 30 someone commented on how I looked like her mom! People i am only 2 years older than her!

Today is her birthday and we are meeting her at D-land to enjoy the day and celebrate her being 30 years young!

I just want to say that I love my sis! She is a strong, beautiful (inside and out), intelligent, kind, warmhearted, funny woman. I am proud of the person she has become, she inspires me on a daily basis. My life is better because she is a part of it. I love her very much, she is my best friend. How awesome is that to have your sister for your best friend!

Happy Birthday, Kat!

My funny boys

Aedyn and Daddy
Daddy and Connor
Aedyn helping Mommy do laundry

Mr. Buckethead
Smiling Connor

Silly brothers

Amber's visit

Amber and Aedyn, weeeeeeeee!
Aedyn and Amber (she commented on heavy he was)
Amber meeting and holding Connor
Shane, Amber, and Squishyface (as Amber has nicknamed him)
Aedyn and his birthmommy, Amber
Aedyn checking out Amber's special heart locket that her grandma got her that has pictures of Aedyn in it.
Beautiful! This is the word that describes this picture for me, because open adoption is just beautiful to us!

So finally after over a year we had a wonderful visit with Amber. She drove down this weekend with her friend Ben, which was convenient for us for the court hearing. Our planned visit was really set for Saturday but because she drove with us to and from the courthouse she was able to see Aedyn Friday night as well. Saturday was quite laid back, we just hung out talking, watching Aedyn play, Nina and Brian came over and we played a game of Cranium, more Aedyn playing, cooking, eating Potato soup, etc. Amber gave us a couple of kid friendly cook books that belonged to her growing up, which we will have fun exploring. It was a very relaxed happy day. Aedyn on Friday night gave Amber a kiss goodbye, a beautiful moment to remember. Although on Saturday night he was being stingy with his kisses with everyone. It was bittersweet when they had to go, but we know that there will be more visits just as happy as this one. Knowing Amber is truly a blessing and she feels like family, who IS family.