A Few Cute Pics.....

I'm sorry--I'm over the top with posts these days! I have this new camera, and I'm having so much fun playing with it! Only, I turned off red-eye reduction, and I have an old vs. of photoshop that is too annoying to do anything with...so excuse the glaring red eyes!! ;) Brooke is sitting up by herself (until she goes kerplunk :), and is starting to crawl. She goes a couple of "steps", and constantly rocks back and fourth in the crawling position. A few more days and she'll probably be all over the house!!! Uh-oh, time to start picking up all those little toys Connor constantly leaves around the house! :)

I'll have a little "dress-up" with that, please....

The other day I was making a spinach salad. Connor was eyeing it, so I asked him if he wanted a bite. Crazily enough (the kid is not a fan of veggies--I'm always trying to "hide" them in food he likes), he took a couple of bites and LIKED IT!!! I said "Connor, would you like me to make you your own salad?" He replied, "Yes Mommy, with "dress-up" on it, please! :)

She's a Walkin' Fool...(Move over, Exersaucer)!! :)

Okay, so she's not *quite* walking, yet....without the help of her little friend, the walker! :) Grandma and Grandpa found this at a yard sale a couple of years ago, and yes, my friends, it's an old school walker. Despite all of the warnings and recalls, Ms. Brooke looooves this thing! It gives her a new sense of freedom and independence.

For the record, we are very careful when she's out and about--keeping doors shut, gates up, etc., and, you must watch your ankles when she's on the move. I've been slammed right in the ankle bone a handful of times now....not so pleasant! But, I loooove the walker, too, as it gives me a whole new sense of freedom and independence! (I say this while Ms. Brookie-pie sleeps in the ergo carrier against my chest as I type)! Ha!

Fall is in the Air!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh my goodness, what a glorious day!!! (And happy birthday to Papa on this glorious day, by the way! :)

The kiddos and I went for a walk and soaked up the sunshine and the crisp autumn air...bright blue skies and perfect 70 degree temperatures....ahhhh!!! I love fall!

PagWag and Weezie (r.i.p. little weezie :)

Nana and Papa gave Connor a check for his birthday, and I promised him we could go to the toy store after his doctor's appointment on Tuesday. While in the waiting room, Connor was (as always) sooo entertained by the aquarium fish. He gets such joy out of watching those fish, that he *almost* forgets where he is....*almost*. :)
As we were leaving the doctor's office, and he was begging once again to stop and see those "fishies", I was struck with the idea to forego the toy store, and go to the pet store instead!

Some of you might remember our devestating story of the goldfish we tried to get for Connor's 2nd birthday that died an untimely death due to a "tap-water" incident...sorry little fish! And, the fish that I had in my room when I was three who I thought might want to try some of my "snoopy snow cone" juice...apparently "Chulie" and o.j. didn't mix. So yeah, our track record with fish hasn't been the best...so this time, I made sure we did everything right, or by the "goldfish" book!

Connor picked out two little fishies...both orange, and small. The fish cost $.49 each, and our total bill at check-out was $27.00, so really, I tried to get everything possible to keep these fishies kickin! He was sooo excited, and fondly named his fish "PagWag" and "Weezie"....I totally don't know where he ever came up with these names, but I think they are pretty hysterical! We got their bowl all set...I added BOTTLED water, pretty rocks, the little fake plant, and even special drops to help *de-stress* the fish (yep, those $.49 fish sure do require a lot of pricey accomdations :). And, so swam PagWag and Weezie...happily residing in there new little aquatic habitat.

Until the next morning. Tommy was carrying something in a spoon over to the toilet. Dear, sweet Weezie. He bit the dust, bless his little heart. So, PagWag was left to swim in his little bowl all by himself, and Mommy was left to explain to Connor what happened to his beloved fishy. Thank the good Lord for short attention spans, and lack of complete comprehension! I explained to Connor that "Weezie went to be with Jesus in heaven, so now there would only be one fish in his bowl". He was completely unaffected, and was just as excited to see PagWag! Now he spends his days creating play-doh sculptures of the departed Weezie, who went to be with Jesus in heaven! ;)

I'd take a picture, but the bowl is all cloudy already. I forgot why I don't like little pets...one more thing to maintain!! It was all my idea, though, so I can't complain about a thing! Ha! :)

Our "Baby" Boy is THREE!

My Connor. Words can't even describe how tremendously you have blessed our lives. I remember the first time I saw your beautiful little form. I was in the OB's office--my very first prenatal appointment. I was 10 weeks pregnant, and still trying to grasp the reality of it all. Our doctor was talking to me about my job, which led to her telling me about her artistic daughter, etc., etc.,...she dimmed the lights and began the ultrasound procedure...and all of the sudden, everything in the entire world stopped. There you were, on that little computer screen, dancing around in my belly. Your tiny little arms were moving, and your little legs were going. I had never seen anything so amazing or cool in my life. We counted your limbs, and looked at your tiny little heart beating away, and right at that very moment, you stole MY heart forever. Those 10 minutes of "meeting" you for the first time are minutes that I will never, ever forget.

Daddy and I have learned so much from you, precious boy. We were sooo clueless when you were born! Petrified to clip your tiny finger nails, and nervous to give you your first bath. But, we did those things, and many, many more things, until they became second nature! Of course, sending you off into the surgery ward when you were exactly three months old taught us one of the hardest lessons a parent can learn...that no matter how much we try to control everything that happens to you, and protect you from the scary things in this world, ultimately, we are not the ones in control. We have been given a gift, a precious, beautiful, and wonderful gift. We are reminded of this each and every day, and each and every night, we give you back to the One who made you, as we ask Him to bless your every step. We are so very thankful that God created YOU to be a part of OUR family, little Buggy. Happy, happy third birthday. We love you more than words can say, precious boy.