major is walking!!

trying to anyway...he took 2 steps by himself with me and peyton on wednesday july 29 2009...then he took 4 steps that evening for roger. we all scream and clap and he just laughs and falls into me. he is so cute...all smiles...love that baby!! we will see how long it takes before he is officially walking!!!

Lots of stuff...

so i am failing miserably at this blog stuff...i try but i get caught up in facebook, the baby wakes, the girl needs a snack, the phone rings...yaddy yaddy ya....

major is trying to stand on his own, if only for a moment. i am in no hurry for him to walk although everyone around

me asks "is he walking yet?" he is saying 'up' and babbles a ton. i

love hearing him babble. i love seeing his head whip around when he hears something. just a sign that the tubes are working and he is hearing much better.

peyton completed her first season of swim team. what a blessing and what a CHALLENGE for us all. being in the heat, the hottest summer yet (of course, the first time we swim) and major was a trooper from the word go. watching peyton swim across that pool with such confidence was overwhelming at times because roger and i know what a struggle she has had in the past with swimming. she could have got fifth place in every meet...it would not have mattered to us one bit. she swam, she swam, she swam her little heart out...and she scored a few yellows, a few reds and 2 blue ribbons....her first meet and her last meet. the expression on her face is one i will never forget in my lifetime. the hug she gave me is one i will feel forever. peyton is my hero for not letting the little things her down. for standing up for herself when others aren't so nice. for being peyton, every day. i pray for her to always stand up for what she believes. she may not be the best at swim (YET) but she proved that she can do anything she sets her mind too.

we went to Galveston with our friends like we do every year. i have to say this might have been the best year yet...and i say that every year. the house was great. the water was cool. the beach was clean. the kids were amazing. the dads were awesome. the food rocked. the hermit crabs were aplenty. the breeze was lovely. it was a wonderful break from the hamster wheel of sugar land. and the add the break from the wheel...we embarked on our first ER visit with major...and i am sure it won't be our last. walking him along the beach, a wave came as he was twisting for me to pick him up and his elbow popped out of joint...called nursemaid's elbow. i knew something was wrong when he wouldn't reach for goldfish in my hand. i walked calming to the house and ryan ran to get roger out of the water. we left within minutes, got stopped for speeding, was told there was no ER on the island due to IKE and thought he had to drive an hour to Texas City. I called 1411 and was connected with an urgent care who in turn told us to go to UTMB, which was in fact OPEN...jerk cop. we walked into a pediatric urgent care and within 10 minutes after what we thought was just an exam of him left arm, the doctor told us to give major something to hold. he held my cell, bent his elbow, moved around...was perfectly fine. we thought the doctor performed magic...or we were just crazy. he explained what it was and we were out the door, back to the beach in less time that it would have taken us to drive to Texas City. a lesson learned...always, ALWAYS trust my instinct.

we left the next day...back home...to sleep in our own beds which we love. which major loves. which peyton loves.

we then went to trinity to help roger's mom pack up before she moves to new boston. it is sad. i felt incredibly sad. i remember when the house was being built. i remember going there when roger and i were only dating, engaged, meeting stuart for pre-marital counseling, being newlyweds, thanksgiving, christmas, easter, bringing peyton there for the first time when she was 8 weeks old and now bringing major there for the first time...and all of our last time there. i tried not to cry but i really wanted to. peyton was sad. i wish frank was still here so peyton and major could know how amazing of a person he was...he is. i wish so many times i could say that to him. peyton talks of him often although she was only 18 months when he passed. maybe he talks to her...she is so wise for her age. maybe he talks to all of us. i miss him very much. i can only imagine how much roger misses him. and janiece.

as it is now 1am....i do love writing. i really should do this more. i really should open up more. i will try to keep track of our lives....because i know i will regret it one day.

horsey love....

peyton is in love with ace.  ace is a horse.  ace had her crying this evening.  ace came into peyton's life and she will never be the same.  i am thankful for ace and the love, desire, and happiness he has brought to her.  

peyton started a summer horse camp yesterday.   if you ask peyton what she wants to be when she grows up, it is a horse trainer.  so i decided to enroll her in a horse camp at sienna stables with her friend riley.  she was excited, of course and a bit nervous.  i was there with her in the morning and the kids were all quiet, excited about what expect.  i stayed just until the director assigned the groups and peyton and riley were assigned ACE together.  they were so happy to be together.  i kissed her goodbye.  said the usual motherly things...be careful, listen, drink lots of water (it is super hot outside!) and have fun.  we planned for peyton and riley to spend the night together which roger and i were reluctant because she has been going, going since school let out.  i called after holly picked up the girls and asked "how was camp?"  the voice on the other line was a voice like no other....pure elation, pure happiness, pure love...it was overwhelming listening to her sweet voice say "I love it mommy, I really really love it!  thank you thank you for letting me do this camp, thank you so much mommy!" she went on to talk about all they did like ride bareback, lead the horse on her own, learned safety stuff, and how excited she was to go back tomorrow.  my heart raced as her voice, so sweet, filled my ears.  i am so thankful to God that He protected her and has given us the ability to give our daughter things that make her so happy.  she wants to continue with riding lessons.  i hope we can give her that choice.  

today was another great day at camp.  she learned western riding, trotting, how to care for a horse, how they put on horse shoes...the list goes on and on.  this evening, i heard peyton crying in the other room.  i went in there and asked what was wrong.  she's crying, saying " how much she loves horse camp, she wants to go back right now and see ACE, she loves it more than anything she has ever done.  she found what she loves and wants to teach little girls when she gets older how to ride and care for horse."  seriously, she cried for at least 30 minutes.  i finally got her calmed down by saying how happy we are she loves the camp and how she needs to continue to pay attention, talk to her trainer about letting her do more things, and we will try our hardest to get her into lessons after the camp is over.  peyton said she loves us so much and she is "always going to listen to us from now on" because we love her and want her to be happy.  she is right...we love her more than words and want nothing more for her to always be happy.  

peyton is a dream.  peyton is so sensitive. kind. loving. caring. thoughtful.  inquisitive.  gentle.  appreciative.  

i love you peyton.  i hope your dream will blossom before our eyes.   i hope daddy and i can lead you in the direction to make your dreams come true.  i hope we can open doors for you to knock down with your desire to succeed.  i pray for God to lead you on the path to make others around you shine just as your light shines.  

all things are possible to him who believes.  mark 9:23

tired...

i feel so tired...peyton is extremely grumpy after a long week of VBS with stacey and lexi, swim practice in the mornings at 7am and not going to bed until late.  major is tired today too.  he is pretty much crawling on all fours although he is much faster doing the army crawl.  he is talking much more since the tubes went it...saying up, go, sis-sis, and i think he said light today...he loves to point at the lights in the ceiling fans.

i need to take a nap just like they are doing right now.  i am so tired...how times have i said that...3 now....here is another, i am so tired.  i need some pep in my step.  i need a project to work on.  i am taking dinner to a family at church today.  i want to swing by this little antique shop to see if they have any old doors for my dining room.  i need old.  i need cheap.  really cheap.  keep your fingers crossed i find them.  for cheap...did i say that already?

fear not for i am with you; be not dismayed, for i am your God.  Isaiah 14:10

cruisin' along

major is cruising...anything he can touch, pull up on, walk around...he does it.  it is so cute to watch his little face as he thinks about how he is going to get from point a to point b.  love that baby.

and peyton is spending the night at lexi's house.  swim team is proving to be a bigger deal than we expected.  getting up earlier than we had to get up for school is a challenge and we only made 2 swim practices this week.  we will try harder next week.  and she has her 2nd swim meet on monday vs. new territory.  anna and chloe swim with new territory so it should be fun.

as for me....glad our new floors are in, need to reorganize every room in the house (it seems!), and wish we would win the lottery....

Major has tubes....

just as summer began, so did major getting tubes.  peyton's last day of school was thursday, june 4th, practice swim meet that evening, then up at 5am to get to the hospital by 6am for major's surgery.  he did great...the tubes are in.  seeing him out of anesthesia was hard...he was crying and moaning for about 45 minutes.  the doctors said that was to be expected and was good that he was crying.  we came home, he ate just alittle bit, played a little as well, then took a 3 hour nap and has been fine ever since.  he has slept a little bit better...i hope that trend continues.  i am praying for no hearing loss.  we go back to dr. devorkian in 10 days to look at the ears and for another hearing test.  he is such a sweet little boy.....

this morning was little scary though...we woke up around 8am...i jumped in the shower then went in his room. he was standing in his crib and when i turned on the light, it looked like he was chewing gum.  i immediately put my finger in his mouth and he was chewing on plastic from the diaper packaging.  i have no idea how that got in his crib.  roger opened the package and all i can think of is that a piece flew off and landed in his crib.  major always finds things on the floor.  thank GOD he did not choke or swallow anything.  he scares me sometimes.

School's out for summer...2009!

peyton is officially a 2nd grader!  she graduated from 1st grade on thursday, june 4, 2009.  wow...i cannot believe an entire school year has gone.  when she started 1st grade, major was barely 2 weeks ago.  her face has changed so much over this year...she has lost 8 teeth.  her sweet little baby teeth are all gone.  her hair has gotten so long.  her face is starting to slim.  her legs are long and lean.  she is the most beautiful little girl.  she is becoming this young lady right before our eyes.  she ended the school with an awards ceremony that gave me flashbacks to mine as a child.  mrs. tran was the most magnificant teacher on earth and peyton loved her.  peyton received a big hug from mrs. tran before being presented with her awards...best citizenship, overall best art award and the leadership award for her class, and was one of 11 first graders to receive the AR reader award for doubling her AR points.  they were only required to get 15 points but peyton attained 32 points.  she loves to read.  roger and i are so proud of her.  she accomplished so much this year...became a big sister, played softball, danced ballet and performed in her company recital of Sleeping Beauty, and is now embarking on swim team this summer.  she will also go to a horse camp this summer with riley and take a jazz dance class.  peyton is such a blessing...words cannot describe how much we love her.  now comes the challenge of trying to get her stop sucking her thumb which we are working on...we shall see how it goes.

tubes it is

we met with the ENT today...and major will have tubes put in his ears on friday, june 5th.  dr. devorkian said the ears are badly infected and do not look like they will clear on their own so he said it is an emergency to put the tubes in.  major also underwent 2 hearings tests and although he passed, his ears are in distress and that is why the dr wants to move forward with the tubes. 

i am so happy i went with my gut and did not wait for him to get another ear infection.  he is such a happy baby and i can only imagine what he will feel like once he can eat and drink without any pain.  i wonder if he will nurse better???  i wonder if he will sleep better at night???  we are keeping him on the antibiotics and i am giving him motrin to help with any pain.  i wish it were tomorrow...i am nervous and anxious at the same time.

we have so much going right.  new wood floors in the living and dining...new paint...peyton's recital on saturday, awards day on monday, practice swim meet on monday evening, last day of school on thursday, need to find a place for peyton to slumber on thursday evening, pre surgery checkup for major on thursday morning, and the surgery on friday morning.  i need a breather...

lord, please heal major's ears.  please be the with doctor.  please be with peyton...she is anxious too.  

major has ear issues...major issues.  he had an ear infection 2 weeks ago...after running a low grade fever, took him into the doctor, they said it was his teeth.  took him back 2 days later because he was still running fever, they discovered an infection in his right ear.  i took him back yesterday because over memorial weekend, his left eye was running and started getting green.  well, they discovered the original ear infection never went away with 10 days of antibiotics and it moved to his left ear.  so....he has now had an ear infection for 2 weeks.  i feel so bad!  he hasn't slept well for quite sometime.  now, i think i know why.  so....roger and i are taking him to ENT on thursday for them to double check his ears.  if.....if....he gets one more ear infection this year, we will put tubes in those precious little ears.  we do not want his hearing to be affected or his speech.

he was put on a new antibiotic yesterday...and after 2 doses yesterday, he actually slept from 9pm to 7:30am....coincidence???  maybe....hopefully the medicine started working immediately and his little ears are feeling better.

on a happier note, he ate pancakes with butter and syrup for the first time on monday, memorial day.  peyton LOVES homemade pancakes so i made those for her and major loved them too!!!  major is pulling up on everything...which is so fun to watch.  peyton is getting ready for her recital this weekend...with technical rehearsal this evening for 2 hours at the studio.

oh...and our new wood floors were delivered yesterday.  this amazing cute guy delivered them last night...i think his name was Roger.  :)  thursday that project will get started.  i will take before, during, and after pictures to document.  i need take some pictures of my 0ld shutters on the wall...A.DOR.ABLE!!!!

and....i love the bachelor....and can't stand jon and kate plus 8.  they are a train wreck...it is sad.

love to all,

c

Feeling better...

Major is finally back to himself after a week long ear infection...cough, snot, throw up, not eating and everything in between.  Peyton is also feeling better after her sinus infection and almost ear infection.  Major threw up last Thursday on our way home from ballet and choked on it.  Peyton screams "he's choking!"  I stopped the car in the middle of the road to get him out.  Then Peyton wanted to throw up too...it was not good.

Thankfully, everyone is feeling much better although Roger seems to have a cough now....

And...Major is officially pulling up to standing!!  He waves "HI!" and says HHIIIII....too cute.  And he loves toast, butter and jelly in the morning.  I need a picture of that.

Roger and Peyton are going on a "date" tonight...dinner at Japaniero's, our favorite sushi restaurant and to see "Night at the Museum 2".  She loves her daddy dates.

i love my family.

Update on Peyton...

Peyton is 6 and a half years old.  First grade is 2 weeks away from ending...the time has flown by so fast.  

*loves ballet...her 4th ballet recital is next week.  "Sleeping Beauty" is the show and she is a "Woodland Glade Fairy".  I will post pictures...her tutu is gorgeous.

*enjoying swim team for the first time this year.  Swimming has not come easy for Peyton.  If your child swims easily, be thankful.  Peyton swam the length of the pool on Monday, June 11th.  She cried, I cried.  She was so proud of herself...those were her words exactly...I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!  Roger and I are too.  It was an example of how hard work pays off...she was determined to be make the swim team...and she proved she can do it!!

*54 lbs...don't know how tall but she is TALL!

*loves her brother...she is so helpful...beyond words and we are thankful!  

*loves her friends...Stacey and Abby are her best friends

*finished her 2nd softball season with Roger coaching "GO BLAST!"  She did great...hitting with out the tee, making great plays, and even received the most improved player award.  Abby and Stacey were on the same team and Stacey's dad coached as well.

*loves her ipod...singing and dancing

*loves TV...too much

*loves manicures and pedicures (smile!)

*loves shopping at Justice

*loves her Bible class on Sundays

*loves to help cook

*loves to play with her friends

*loves "blankie"...says she will NEVER EVER get rid of blankie...EVER

Peyton is the sweetest, most thoughtful child.  I pray it always stays that way! :)

Update on Major...

Here is an update on Major, in a nutshell, over the past nine months.  

*army crawls...fast...down the hall, into bedrooms, where ever mommy is, Major is

*has 8 teeth...cut first 2 bottom teeth at the same time on Oct. 30, 2008.  Even his doctor was shocked he had 2 teeth at 2 1/2 months.

*still doesn't sleep through the night...he is usually up at least once...every once and a while he likes to surprise me and walk up at 8am

*eats everything...loves spaghetti (Smile!)...green beans, peas, carrots.  I have made all of his baby food so he pretty much eats what we eat. 

*still nursing!  woohoo!

*at his 9 month checkup he weighed 23lbs and was 30 inches long...95%...

*waved "HI" yesterday (5/19) after waking from his morning nap.  He was sitting up in his crib, I walked in and said HIIII....he smiled big, raised his left hand and brought his fingers in and out...and sounded like he tried to say IIIIIIII...so sweet!  I was super excited and that made him even more excited...

*play "peek-a-boo" with a blanket...he pulls the blanket over his head, we say "where's Major?" and he pulls the blanket down and we say "PEEK BOO!"  over and over....I love it!

*while getting a snack for him yesterday, he had one of his lovies at the high chair...I kept hearing "booboo" over and over....I looked at him from the kitchen and he was playing peek-a-boo with himself!  How sweet it that!!??!!

*says "mama, dada, sis sis, good, booboo" for peek a boo, and I think he said "tootoo" for thank you the other day...and "Donna"...Donna is Peyton's best friend Stacey's mom...I promise...he says DONNA!

*is getting over another ear infection...this has been a bad one...he has not been a happy camper until yesterday afternoon.  

*loves his bath

*loves animals...especially Lucy next door

*loves other babies...he nearly dove out of my arms yesterday at the dentist office with Peyton...another little boy about 15 months...Major was reaching for him, talking to him...I really need to find a playmate for him!

Major is an absolute joy....so thankful for him.  He has truly made our family complete.  More updates as they come!

love,

C

Ahoy!

Since I have failed to write daily in my old school journal, I am attempting to join the blogging world to record memories of my life...my children's life...my husband's life...my family's life.  Along the way, I hope to bring a little laughter to everyone to who reads this...sprinkle with a little of my creative endeavors (much to my hubby's dismay!)...stay connected to family and friends...meet new friends...and maybe learn a thing or two about myself, parenting, painting, distressing, creating, loving, God...so welcome aboard my journey....