He's growing up!

He's three. THREE! Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. We had a little birthday for him, but Saturday the 15th is his friends birthday party where I will get to deck the house out in Spiderman and make him his big Cupcake Cake. I can't wait until he sees it!! Here's a picture of my boy on his new bike!

Dear Austin,

I started this tradition with Sissy when she was 2 months old... I wish I would have started it sooner with you, however, better late than never.
You are three today. Three years old. You are getting so big, I can't hardly believe it! I still remember bringing you home from the hospital. You were our first baby. Our pride and joy. Your laugh lights up my life. You have become such a huge part of me that I can't even remember life before you.
You are so smart. You know your colors, and you can count to ten. You also recognize numbers as well, which I am impressed with. You love to know what time it is, and sometimes even get it right all by yourself.
You have the best little personality. A lot of love, and a little sarcasm make you who you are. You say the silliest things that make Daddy and I roll with laughter. You are so sweet with your baby sissy, and it melts my heart over and over again watching you with her. You 'hush' her when she's getting fussy, and you pat her on her tummy. Today when I was feeding her, you were rubbing her feet. Every night before bed, you always make sure you give her kisses. You are the best big brother, Austin.
Your favorite things right now are Thomas the Train, and Spiderman. You are obsessed with both right now, and it's so cute. You know the names of all the trains, and know them by sight. You love to watch ANY train in general. You love being stopped at a train track while we let a train pass by. You are absolutely mesmerized by them. You say you want to be an engineer.
As far as Spiderman goes... you love to "web" people like spiderman does. You go around the house webbing anything and everything. When you web us, you tell us that we can't move. Then you come wipe our webs away. Just the other day I was getting onto you for being on the floor at the pharmacy, and you webbed my mouth shut and told me I couldn't talk. These are the things that make you you, and I love you for them.
You know how to put on your own shoes, although, you don't know how to tie them yet. You love the park, and you learned how to swim this year up at Twin Lakes on vacation. You love walking to the mailbox too. You like to help mommy unload the dishwasher during the day, and have a new found love for throwing clothes in the washing machine. You are such a little helper!
Your vocabulary is larger than life, and you enunciate your words so well. Everyone we come across is so impressed with how smart you are. You must take after your mommy. ;)
Anyways, little man- I am so proud of you. You make me want to be a better person, a better mommy. Watching you and your antics is my favorite thing to do. Your ability to make someone laugh is uncanny, and I hope nothing about you ever changes. You are perfect the way you are. Oh- and you're a momma's boy =)

I love you little man!
Momma

A bit behind...

I realize I've been slacking this past week on blogging, and I'm sorry! Can't seem to get normal this week, and it's kicking my butt! I still have an entire album left to upload from Twin Lakes, and I'll get to it. Just not today. =)

First things first.... Sydney rolled over yesterday for the first time!!!! Are you as shocked as we were/are?!?! She's only 2 1/2 months old!!!! Austin was almost 5 months when he rolled over the first time, I am just thoroughly impressed!!! Here's a picture of her right after she rolled over: (I took one of Austin, so I had to get one of her too!)

How amazing is that?! She's so great!! And yesterday she also laughed, out loud for the first time as well. It wasn't a long laugh, just a little one... but it was a laugh none the less. And she's got a cute one, I'll tell you what! =) She melts my heart daily. She is also smiling a lot more. When you talk to her now, she grins and grins, it's so sweet. She also watches Austin a lot. When he's dancing around in the living room, or hopping, she will just stare at him. Earlier today he was leaned over her playing with her hand and talking to her, and she was just grinning away. I didn't get the camera ready fast enough, and it was all over with, dang it! Guess I should be more on top of this!

This week, I've only went to the gym twice. I feel like such a slacker. Tuesday and Wednesday I was cleaning my house, the distaster it'd become. Dad H., Nancy, and Uncle Paul came Wednesday evening to stay for the night. They are driving to a reunion in Missouri, so they all stopped here on the way. They came bearing gifts for Austin- a new train track set to go with his old one. As well as another "tunnel" piece for it. He loves it. I will post pictures of that tomorrow. (Or Monday...haha)

Weigh in day was Friday. I have lost 2 pounds. Good job and all, but I'm discouraged. I thought my first week I'd see a fairly large number.... at least 5. With starting to work out, and being on Weight Watchers strict, I thought it'd shock my body into weight loss mode. I was wrong. I wonder if breastfeeding has anything to do with it? I don't know, but I'm still discouraged about it. I'll keep trucking, because I've got far to much weight to lose to quit. I want to be healthy for my kids. Plus I want to look hot, duh, I'm a girl. =)

Well, I better get the dessert made for dinner tonight. We're off to the Rey's for dinner. Tifiney and Dan Rey. They were both in my brothers class in school, and oddly enough just moved here from Germany. Dan is in the Air Force.... crazy small world!

Oh- and tomorrow is Austin's 3rd birthday!!!! THREE!!! WOW! Where does time go?! We're headed to church in the morning, and then after that, we're taking him to Toys R Us to buy a train, then to Chuck-e-Cheeze with one of his friends. He'll come back and open some presents, and then next Saturday we're having a birthday party for him. Spoiled boy!

Ok Ok, I gotta go! Have a good Saturday everyone!!

xoxoxo
k.

Work Outs Galore!

So, since Austin's been gone, I've started my routine of going to the gym every day. I don't set a time of when I'll go, because I've come to realize that I don't do well with setting a time frame on things. If I make a plan to go at 9am, I won't end up going until 10:30... why? Just because I can. It's like I'm rebeling against myself... weird, I know. But at least I know that, so now I just say, "Tomorrow, I'm going to the gym." And I do. And it feels great. It doesn't feel like a chore I have to do, just something I'm doing for myself. And let me tell you, it's about time.
They have a new Parent Room at the gym... Austin will love it.

Speaking of Austin, I get to go pick him up tomorrow! I meet my mom in La Grande at noon, and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited, I can hardley stand it! A week away from him has been really hard... really really hard. But in another way, really nice as well. I've gotten to relax, get a routine set with the gym, get things picked up, planned, appointments taken care of, ect. All without having to chase a 3 year old around. BLISS! But anyhow, I am so stoked to get to see him again! My mom told him this morning that he was going to get to see Mommy and Daddy tomorrow. What did he say?? "DON'T TELL ME THAT!!!" Talk about breaking his mommies heart!! HA!!!

Anyhow, I'm proud of myself. Since I've been to the gym every day this week except for Wednesday. Sydney got her shots Wednesday and did NOT do well. I had a very very rough day after that was over, not to mention spending 3 hours at the hospital (military for ya....) so it was a loooong looooong day! She's doing better now though!

Wow, I get off track easily. I have tried twice now to talk about what I wanted this post to be about.... which is me working out. And each time, I start a tangent on other things. Figures.

I AM GOING TO THE GYM EVERY DAY! YAY FOR ME! I even went today. A Saturday! How awesome is that? I don't plan to go on Sunday's, I plan to use Sunday as a rest day. If God did it, so can I! ;) I know, I'm funny, right? (here I go again, talking about things other than the gym......)
I've been doing the treadmill, elliptical and the weights they have in the Parent room. They are like the Nautalis (sp?) ones that they have at the YMCA. What I'm trying to say, is that they aren't free weights. I love them. They are very controlled, and safe for a weakling such as myself. I use to be strong. Back in HS, I worked out every day, I lifted every day. (Granted, I HAD to lift, because it was one of my classes... but I loved it.) I played sports, I was fit. And what's sad is that I still thought I was fat. But don't we all? I look back on pictures now, and think, "Man, I wish I still looked like that!" (.... another tangent.....)

My first goal is 20 pounds. By November 11th. Which is my... *gulp*... 25th birthday. I have a pair of jeans upstairs that I want to fit in.... and I hope that losing 20 pounds will put me in those jeans. I guess we'll see. If it doesn't.... at least I'll be able to be in jeans that are NOT maternity, and smaller than what's in my closet right now. That will feel amazing.

Ok, I've gotta go shower now, Bryant's done, so my turn!

Have a GREAT weekend!!!

xoxoxo
k.

Twin Lakes Take Two

I forgot about Thankful Thursday! Oops.... oh well!
Just wanted to let everyone know that my MRI came back fine. No tumor, Praise God! Hopefully someday I can figure out what is triggering these awful migranes and get them under control! Haven't had any face numbness since my last episode while I was still pregnant, so that's encouraging! Here's more pictures from Twin Lakes! I still have one folder left to upload, but will do it another day! Enjoy!

Austin and his new friend Patrick playing

Daisy and Austin crashed Uncle and Auntie's sleep over!

Nana and Sydney having their daily talk

Austin in his cape

He had a blueberry ring pop... turned his mouth, teeth and tongue BLUE!

Walking down to the lakeHaving fun in the water

Nana and Sydney

Austin hitched a ride on Daddy's shoulders

Papa and Sydney

Austin and Daisy cuddling with Nic

She's PASSED OUT! Nevermind the retro couch =)

Austin licking up every last drop of his ice cream

Daisy and Sydney... she loved Daisy! She asked if her and Sydney could be sisters, but just live in different houses... too cute!!!

Austin, Sydney and Daisy

Austin running to the lake

Jumping off the dock in the deep part!

Go Austin! He's our little fishy!!!

xoxoxo
k.

Time Flies

Sydney Linn is already 2 months old!!

Sydney,

You are such an amazing baby. You are so happy, and so smiley. You have brought so much joy into my life, I can't even begin to describe. I am amazed daily with you. It's the little things you do that tug at my heart strings. The little sideways smirk you get, the silly, noiseless giggle you have, the way you grab my fingers with your toes. You are just so sweet.

You have melted my heart, and daddy's heart as well. Your big brother is pretty fond of you as well. He often gives you kisses for no reason, and he always makes sure he kisses you good night. He's so good to you, you are very lucky to have him for a big brother.

At two months old, you already have incredible strength in your neck. You sit on mommy or daddy and hold your head up for a bit by yourself. Not too long though- or you turn into a bobble head. =) You are tracking people with your eyes. You know my smell. When you are fussy and I pick you up, you calm almost immediately. You also know my voice. When you hang out with Daddy when I go to the gym, as soon as I come home and start talking; even if you can't see me, you start wailing. Your hair is still dark brown, although lighter than when you were born, and growing! Your eyes are still blue, a very deep, beautiful blue. Your ears will be pierced within a few weeks of your 2 month shots, and momma can't wait. You soared through the preemie clothes, as well as your newborn clothes. You now wear 0-3 month clothing, and look soooooo darling in them. You have found your fists, and sometimes suck on them in between feedings. You take a pacifier, although gag yourself sometimes.... we think you choke on your tongue. Your legs are almost always moving. When laying on us, you "climb" up us. You also always grunt. It's amazing how loud you can get! Your lanky, skinny newborn body has been replaced with a full, adorably cute chubby body. Your cheeks go on for miles, and you have roll on top of roll. I'm happy to see that you still have your armpit wrinkles, I love those. As of right now, you don't think mommy nurses you enough. I think if I nursed you all day long, you still wouldn't be happy. You eat non-stop. Maybe that's why you have filled out so well. =)

And on that note, you are hungry.

Until next time, baby girl, I'll be loving you.

Love,

Mommy

Fourth time's a charm??

It better be! This is the 4th time today that I've tried loading these today. The last time I tried, I had ALLLLL the pictures loaded, captioned and ready... I hit POST, and it had signed me out. So I signed back in, and they were GONE! Hours of work (A LOT of pictures...) down the drain. So I have decided to load a few pictures a day until I get them all on here. I'm not taking that chance again. I was so mad!!!


Austin said he had water in his boobies, so he needed to feed Sissy!!! HAH!

Papa and Sydney

My Beautiful Baby

She fell asleep on my mom like this! Too funny!

Daisy and Austin relaxing watching cartoons

Wow, he's definitely a ham!!!

Playin' in the water

Jumping off the dock!!

Swimming in from jumping off the dock

A storm rolling in

Beautiful even when stormy!

View from the Ferry

Little grin... I just LOVE it!

She's got one of her cloth diapers on. Still big for her. When it's on, she can't bend her body... haha!!! These diapers say they fit 8lb babies... THEY LIE! Sydney is almost 12 pounds!

TEN FOR TUESDAY!!!! YAY, I remembered!!

1. I had my MRI yesterday for my brain scan. I haven't had one in a long time... since I had them for my back. I use to be somewhat freaked in the MRI machine, but I guess it's getting worse as time goes on. I did NOT like it... at all. And I was only half way in. UGgh, I was so glad when it was over. I practically jumped out myself! The results are already in, so I go to Boise tomorrow to find out what the scan says. I'll post tomorrow I'm sure on the results.

2. Sydney's 2 month well baby appointment is Thursday. I am so anxoius to see how much she weighs, how long she is and how she's doing. Lord knows she's getting huge! I keep thinking back to how skinny and lanky she was when she was born. And to look at her now, you'd NEVER know she was so thin! After this appointment, we will be getting her ears pierced. Not sure when exactly, but we have to wait until her 2 month check up so she can get her shots.

3. Austin is still with his Nana and Papa. He stayed with them after our Lake vacation. It was so hard leaving him. It's his first time away from home. Sounds like he's having a blast though! My mom said he keeps asking for us, but over all is doing well. They went to see the trains at Waterfront park today, and went to the little Water park on Western as well. She said he had a BLAST. I so wish I could have seen it!!

4. I didn't know that the Today show was hours long. Sydney and I came downstairs at 7 this morning, and I turned on the TV and decided I'd watch the Today show. I'm never up this early, so I thought "What the heck, I'll watch it!" Next thing I knew, we were both passed back out. I woke up a couple times, and the today show was still on, so I kept thinking that I wasn't sleeping for too long since the show was still going. Well, I finally got up because I had a splitting headache, and checked the time..... quarter till 11:00!!! Come to find out, the Today show is a few hours long! HAHA!!! Oops!

5. I pulled out my girly John Deere fabric yesterday. I'm going to be making Sydney a dress, so I'm excited to get that project started. Will probably do that while Austin is away.... makes it a little easier.

6. We got Austin a bike for his birthday. Just got an e mail from Wal Mart saying it was in. (We did the site to store shipping... it's FREE!) I am so excited to go pick it up and get it ready for him. I can't wait until he sees it!!

7. We were going to have Austin's birthday party on the 8th, since his REAL birthday is on the 9th. But all his little friends will be gone on the 8th, so I think we're going to have it on the 15th instead. That way he will get to play with his friends. That's what birthday's are all about...having fun with tons of friends!

8. Speaking of his birthday... he's going to be THREE!!! I cannot believe it. I am in SHOCK. He's already three years old. Where did the time go? It seems like yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. He has brought so much joy and love into my life. I won't ever be able to thank him enough. I love that little boy so much!

9. I've decided to end my Mary Kay business. It just isn't going well at all. I have lost a ton of money in it, and it's time to get out. I wish it would have turned out different, but it didn't, so I've just got to accept that. I'll be sending all my inventory back to headquarters within the next month, so anyone that wants anything that I've got in inventory until I send it back, it's all 40% off, so just let me know.

10. I started back at the gym today. Friday is payday, so that marks Day 1 of Weight Watchers again. I did so well on it last time, and don't really know why I quit. Just got lazy I guess. But the gym felt so great today, so I can't wait to get back in there tomorrow. My first goal is that I want to be down 20 pounds by November 11th, which is my 25th birthday. Wish me luck & Cheer me on! =)

More pictures to come tomorrow!!

xoxoxo

k.

It's time.....

.....for Thankful Thursday!

Today I am thankful for....

• The Pediatric nurse who called me back so I could get Sydney seen about her spreading "rash." Turns out, it's eczema. We got some steroid cream to put on her 2x a day for 10 days for when she has bad flare ups (like now) and a HUUUUGE tub of Eucerin cream to use on her multiple times daily. Now that I think about it, and remember, what she's got going on now, looks exactly like what Austin had at 3 weeks of age. So I'm praying she quickly grows out of this!!
• Oodles and gobs of money in the bank, so when my HUGE bottle of wine explodes in the car due to the 100+ degree weather, I can just drive to Boise and buy another one. NOT.
• A [almost] 3 year old who still takes naps.
• A mom who happened to buy two HUGE bottles of the exact same wine, so I can mooch off hers. =)
• Having a liquor store on base, so I can just go pick up some Malibu and bring with me to make up for it. (on Vacation to the lake that is....)
• Mini cupcakes on sale at Wal-Mart for 1.50=happy Austin
• Being able to qualify for WIC so I can share the wealth and bring some of the food up to the lake. Less to buy!
• Furniture Row people not arguing with us when we went to exchange our furniture. (Pictures below)
• Wal-Mart brand diapers working on Sydney... don't have to buy expensive Pampers or Huggies. Her cloth diapers are still enormous on her.
• Having two vehicles so we had the ability to loan ours to a troop in Bryant's shop when he was in need. An extra couch too.

That's all for now! Here's some pictures of our new furniture set. We talked with the manager while exchanging our stuff, and he highly recommended this set. Told us that leather over fabric, with children, is definitely the way to go. Plus, we always buy warranty, and the warranty on leather ROCKS. So, pray that THIS set works for us and isn't so cheaply made!

The love seat
The Ottoman/Storage

The couch

Now all I'd love to get is an area rug for our living room. Gotta save up for that one though- those things are SPENDY!!!!

xoxoxo

k.