Friday, December 21, 2012

Meeting Drake & Finley

We drove to Wilmington on Friday to visit our best friends Greyley and meet their brand new baby boys - Drake and Finley. Born on November 1st.

Rory and Finley 
Rory and Drake
Van and Drake


These boys were the cutest and sweetest little guys. And Haley and Grey were doing an amazing job as parents. It's so special to go through this journey with your closest friends. I did a terrible job of taking pictures the whole weekend. We did a lot of hanging out, feeding our babies and watching cartoons. Boy have our visits changed!!!!

We did get out and take all the minis to visit Santa at The Enchanted Airlie Gardens.

Waiting in line at The North Pole 





Don't they look amazing! And so happy!
Baby's First Christmas
If I close my eyes realllllllllly tight, Santa won't be able to see me! 
Utsey girls
Merry Merry
Christmas to you!


A Celebration of Life Part Two


Our little man turned 3 on December 11th!!!!!

3 years........how does 3 years go by so fast? 

Van, you amaze us everyday. We are thankful to God for choosing us to be your parents and for filling our life with the gift of you. You changed my life for the better and made me a mom. It is the hardest, scariest job in the world and I love every minute of it. From the time you wake up in the morning to the time you close your eyes at night you never stop moving or talking. Always on the go. They say having a toddler is like having a blender without a lid! I think that is a perfect description of what our house looks like everyday. It is a fun mess and you are my favorite partner in crime. You have the most vivid imagination and I wonder what that is like. I am in complete and utter awe over you. Proud to call myself your "momma". Do you know how much momma loves you little man?

Van always answers: "how much? to the moon and back."


We decided to have an intimate, family birthday party for Van out at my parents house. It was a fun afternoon and much needed family time for all of us. 

My talented friend Nicole made Van's birthday cake. He is obsessed with Toy Story!
I thought this was sweet. 

My beautiful cousin Keeley with our baby blues Rory.
Hanging in his bounce house.
So excited for cake.
Not so excited for our glorious rendition of Happy Birthday!
Thank you!
opening gifts with lots of assistance!

loved their kazoos!
Aunt Selwa and Rory
Vaeh and Mason trying to get in on the gift opening action too. 
family hugs! Rory looks thrilled ;)
Thank you to all our family who was able to be there to celebrate with us. We loved spending the day with you.

Van has been busy playing with all his new toys and doing work! HAHA! Don't you just love him???




A Celebration of Life



"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for." - Unknown


This month my family suffered a shocking and unexpected loss when my Uncle Dan passed away at the young age of 58. He was a kind, tall man with a booming voice, a deep laugh, a big personality and a love for Hawaiian shirts. He was an amazing son, older brother, husband, uncle and father. His passing leaves me speechless and there is a hole in my heart for my family in California. My parents flew out last week to be with my aunt, cousin and grandparents. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

In my Uncle Dan's honor this post will be a celebration of life. Life is precious, every day is another gift from God to hold those you love and say "I love you." Our little ones show us this everyday.

Rory turned 4 months old on December 3rd and we feel like she grows and changes daily. I took her to get her ears pierced on November 15th. She didn't cry very much when the first one was pierced but she was quite angry when the second earring went in. As soon as she saw herself in the mirror though, she stopped crying and gave me the biggest smile.



At 4 months old, our sweet Aurora is 16 pounds 13.5 ounces (90-95%) and 26 inches long (95-98%)! 
She is rolling from front to back and back to front.
Grabbing at everything and trying to put it in her mouth.
Rory giggles all the time (especially at Van).
Fits into size 9 months clothes - I feel like I am constantly having to buy her clothes and can't keep up with her growth spurts.
She's eating two tablespoons of oatmeal every night and loves it. 


Dr. Cross said Rory is very strong. She has been trying to sit up on her own and loves to stand.
Enjoys time playing in her exersaucer.
Her little legs can be found straight up in the air if she is lying on her back. She uses them to spin in a circle when lying on the floor.
We're still in the bassinet but quickly outgrowing it.



Wearing a size 3 diaper.
Has not had a bottle in over a month which means she and I are always together!!!
Nurses about every 2.5-3 hours.
Goes to bed around 10/11pm after a little 30 minute catnap at 8.
Sleeps so well at night even though she still gets up twice to nurse. 
Never cries at night, just makes little sounds letting me know she is awake and ready to eat.
Loves to snuggle. 
Is obsessed with Van and he is with her.



I am so in love with these two!


She literally laughs at everything Van says and does!



This month has been keeping us busy, getting ready for Jesus' birthday and celebrating Van's 3rd birthday! Derek and I even managed a night out with Josh!

Dinner at Dandelion
TROUBLE!

Building a gingerbread house with Nana

Decorating his own Christmas tree with the help of Baxter

Rory's 4 month photoshoot:

trying to get the camera setup and no one wanted to cooperate

there's a smile!

Baby's 1st Christmas

hey, that bear stole my sticker!
Rory we are so blessed with your life. You bring such happiness into our family. We celebrate your little life and give thanks to God for creating you perfectly. We love you to the moon and back baby girl.


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Counting our blessings


As we approach the end of another year and the beginning of the holiday season, my heart if full of gratitude that God has always provided us with enough to live (a roof over our heads, food on the table, heat, clothes on our backs) and more than enough to love the life we live (generous family, healthy children, true friends, sweet pups and each other).

Derek and I are very blessed that we get to spend our Thanksgiving with both our families, altogether, under one roof. It's so nice to be surrounded by those you love.

It was a pretty calm Thanksgiving and mom even got to sit down and enjoy some wine with me while the boys were off playing. That never happens!

I got to spend part of the afternoon practicing with my camera but a lot of the pictures I took were too dark. I feel like I'm figuring it out a little bit. Sort of.

Sweet Baxter does not leave Van's side.

My handsome hubs

Pretty Rory

Papa Luke teaching Van how to use the "noculars" to look at birds.

Handsome Van (so proud of myself for getting this picture!)

the boys watching football

so much to be thankful for

two peas in a pod

love the plaid boys!

Van is obsessed with hugging and kissing his sister

sweetness

we all fit around one table this year!

Adorable Mason

Silly Cole (love that hair)

cousins playing

And I couldn't post this last Thanksgiving but here is a photo of Van. He wore this shirt to my parents house last year to tell everyone he was going to be a BIG BROTHER! I think it took almost an hour before someone read it and got excited.