11 Months Old

Father time, please slow down. Gavin is growing faster than I ever wished, dreamed or hoped.

It is so hard for us to believe that in one month our little man will be 1 year old. We have a busy month ahead of us, planning the perfect celebration for Gavin that we will enjoy with family and friends.

You have changed so much over the past month. You are weighing 26 lbs. 7 oz. and wearing a size 6 diaper. You continue to nurse, but have cut back significantly on your milk intake. You are primarily still eating baby food, because you choke on everything. I am not kidding, we can put a banana in your mouth and you can find a way to choke on it. We attempt to give you solids, but you scare us every time. You have learned to put yourself to sleep and go to bed on your own without a bottle. We are so proud of you.

Pulling up and cruising around furniture are among your favorite things to do these days. On January 16th you decided to officially crawl and not just scoot, scoot, flop & fly.

You and Emma have really started to play together in the past month and it makes my heart giddy. You love her so much and think she is hilarious (you are so right, she really is). Her toys seem to fascinate you more than your age appropriate toys. You will choose some fake food or the Grandma out of the My Loving Family dollhouse over anything.

You are the happiest little guy and you want the world to know. It does not matter the time of day or what is going on, you always have a big happy smile on your sweet little face.

We love you so much baby boy and can never imagine life without your precious little self. You always brighten our days with that smile and keep us on our toes chasing you around. We are so excited to celebrate your 1st Birthday with you soon. Praying that the happiness you have in your heart today will be with you for the rest of your life. You will win over the world with those big eyes and that bright smile.

Big Boy

So, so big! This picture cracks me up. He was sitting in his sisters chair opposed to his high chair with a spoon in his hand waiting to eat. She did not like it, but he sure did!

First Haircut x 2 = 1

Appointments made (check), appointments verified (check), camera (check), camera card cleared (check), battery charged (check), back up camera just in case (check), envelopes labeled for first clipping of hair and age (check), suckers (check), juice for Emma (check), everyone in the car (check) & finally the Frazier Four headed towards the salon (check).

You see, I had made these appointments a couple months back and cancelled because I was struggling with getting their hair cut, so this was the 2nd set of appointments. Something about it all made me a little sad, but I knew there was no backing out this go around.

We had been talking to Emma about it all week and she seemed super excited. "Seemed" is the key word. As for Gavin, he just goes with the flow and besides that only needed a few snips here and there. Daddy could have probably gotten the job done, but I wanted him to have it done professionally so we could document the big event.

I was so super excited that both of my babies were getting their 1st haircut on the same day, even though they are 20 months apart.

Upon arriving, the Big Sister declared that our Little Man could be first. Then she told me I could be first. At this point she started getting a little nervous, but we just kind of ignored it and Gavin and I got in the chair so David could get started. Daddy stood behind the lens and captured every detail. Gavin did great and just kept looking around.

He has an ear infection (again) so he was not our typical smiley boy today, but he sure was a good little client.

David was so patient and totally respectful of my wishes to just clean the stray hairs up that had made there way over Gavin's ears and sticking out of the back of his head. He also trimmed his little faux hawk up in the front. He was so sweet to catch all the little pieces and put them in the envelope labeled, Gavin's 1st Haircut ~ 1-30-10 ~ 11 months old (5 days shy of).

Hmm...the supervisor had decided by this point that she would go ahead and chow down on a DumDum and get a hair cut next time. I am not kidding within seconds of Gavin being finished she was well on her way to earning an Oscar. She was crying and begging not to get her haircut. She had already crawled up her Daddy's leg and made her mind up that there was no way she was getting her haircut. It was quite a scene to say the least.

There were about 10, very snotty individuals in there (that probably don't even like kids) getting their hair done and they were all just staring. Seriously, I did not know what to do so I took her in the bathroom and tried to talk to her. Needless to say she was so scared and she refused to get her haircut. Part of me wanted to force her to get in the chair, but I knew if I did the ladies around me might take their Jimmy Choo's off and throw them at me or I would be coming home with a ball headed child because she was screaming and would not sit still. I felt horrible for my hairdresser. We took up one of his appointments on a Saturday for my 2 1/2 year old to cry and walk out looking the same way she walked in.

David was so sweet to us and just kept saying, "She is fine, don't worry about it". Of course he was not going to charge us, I think he just wanted us out of there and so did all the other spectators. There was no way we were leaving without paying after that. Curtis just kept saying, "we need to pay, we need to pay". We took care of him simply because I want to go back one day soon. As for these kiddo's, they will be going to Snip Its from now on.

Well, so much for my big plans today, huh? Thank you David for giving Gavin his 1st haircut. As for Emma. she is still walking around with a semi mullet. Would you believe she just told me a few minutes ago that she wanted to go get her hair cut? I mean what in the world are we going to do with this one? I am here to tell you, we would be rich if we found her an agent and sent her to Hollywood.

Rough Morning

This "itty bitty" had a very tearful morning. Seems she woke up this morning and her diaper had leaked on her bunny. I immediately got some stain remover and started treating it and that is when the screaming and crying began. She proceeded to tell me she did not want the bunny washed and to please give it back to her. So at 6:30 this morning we put the bunny in the sink and Emma began cleaning him up (which made Mommy late for work).

It took a while to convince her to bathe him, but she finally agreed.

It was so funny to me that she was so upset about this, she is truly a drama queen. After about a 1/2 bottle of soap we began rinsing. It took forever to get all of the soap out of him. As soon as I thought I had gotten all the bubbles out and began rinsing, the suds would resurface.

When we got him cleaned and patted dry we had to put him in a ziploc bag and send him with her for the day. She refused to leave the house without him. Upon arriving to Mrs. Jenny's house, he was placed in the dryer. She just kept asking, "he will be like brand new again, my bunny will be like brand new again?"

This is one of those memories I never want to forget. This little girl had herself so worked up over this bunny. As for me, I can not think of a better reason to be late for work. Wonder what the boss would have to say about this one? I think I will just keep it to myself.

What will she be?

She has asked me everyday for 6 months and sometimes twice a day, "Mommy, can I be a firefighter when I grow up?"

Her Daddy found this dress up outfit for Christmas and she loves it. The girl can go from a fairy to a princess to a firefighter & a Dr. in no time flat. The floor of her clean room can be covered in dress up clothes in less time then I can put on a load of laundry and return, seriously! I would not want it any other way, she is the dress up queen!

Emma, you are such a dreamer and a pretender. There is no doubt in my mind that your critters come to life, fairies fly, you are rescuing dog~dogs around the world and chasing fireflies when I close the door of your room and tell you good night. I love the way your imagination runs wild, it makes my heart explode with JOY! Some things I never want to forget:

• You pretending we are at the nail salon
• Annie & Ying Yang
• Playing spa
• You coloring on my back with crayons and markers pretending to give me a massage
• Playing vet and telling your puppy to lay down for a catheter
• You and your Daddy playing Dr.
• Dressing up and flying around the house with sound effects
• Begging to be a firefighter
• You often tell me you would love to be a truck driver too!
• Playing school and you always want to be the teacher
• Cooking meals for me in your kitchen and serving up cookies in a flash

My hope for you sweet girl is that you will continue to dream and imagine that you have the key to the world hidden in your room somewhere. As for your future, I just want you to be HAPPY!

Word-filled Wednesday

Emma's favorite activity at Gymnastics. Why is it that a water fountain is so fascinating to little kids? She will pick this over the rockwall, bars, trampoline, beam and floor any day of the week.

Momma's Boy

You are looking at one big ole Momma's boy right here and he wants the world to know. This boy does not let me out of his sight these days. Yes, I am flattered and I love it and at the same time I am tired. Tired of not being able to get our of his sight without a screaming fit. I should record it for all to see, you would not believe it unless you saw it.

My MIL was here last night and she said, "I think y'all are making these stories up about this sweet boy". Hmmm...I beg to differ. He is a fit throwing Momma's boy and that is all there is to it.

You think this sweet little face might be the reason she thinks it is not true?

Or this one?

Perhaps it is this one!

Trust me when I tell you that this boy is wild, crazy and loves to have his way. I think he is going teach me what it is really like to be the Mommy of a ruff & tuff little boy. I am tired Little Man, I am tired. Thank you for loving me so much, it is a good thing you are so darn cute!

31 Months..going on Five!

We love you so much sweet girl. Keep smiling!

Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Last night Curtis and I had an opportunity of a lifetime and we enjoyed every single second of it. We got to work on the job site of a 6300 square foot house that is being built for a deserving family by Extreme Makeover. When I say the sight of this was amazing, I mean it was AMazInG! The most organized chaos I have ever seen in all my life. Something you would never believe until you saw it with your own eyes. Yesterday was actually Day 5 of the build and their were about 250 people their working very hard.

Here we are after we are all signed in on the shuttle going to the job site. We actually met a very dear friend down there that has been on site for 3 days working with the design team. We were called down to help assist with the nursery for the 2 youngest children who both have special needs. Upon arriving we got our hard hats and immediately walked on the job site to get busy.

After working on some things in the design tent, yes we were in the design tent all night. Not because of our talent, but because of my friend Lollie's great work. It was crazy. This tent was a high security area where they make all the special projects. I just could not stop looking around STARING at everything and everybody. (ha ha)

I was so excited when one of the lead designers that was in charge of the 2 rooms we assisted with said we needed to go inside and get some measurements in the nursery. At that time, we got to take a tour of the entire house, both floors, all 6300 square feet. I could hardly believe I was standing in a home that construction had started on 4 days earlier. Yes, they had demolition day too...that is what I call TEAMWORK friends.

Picture of the front of the house that a very special Mom & Dad will call home with their 14 children (4 biological children & 10 adopted...can I get a WOW!) Oh, that is not it...they have been living in a travel trailer since Hurricane Ike with all of these kids, 2 whom are on oxygen.

Yes, I am a rule breaker. Actually they would let you take pictures from the spectators lot, but not on the actual job site or in the design tent they call Art World. I got a few of both places, but I am not going to share them until after the show airs in March. I don't want ABC to show up on my doorsteps and take me away, my babies would miss me.

I added this picture after Ty said, "Welcome home Beach family, Welcome home"!

Needless to say, I am EXHAUSTED and off to bed for the night. It was truly a blessing to be a blessing last night!

2 Months Away

Happy 10 month Birthday Baby Boy! Your Daddy and I have said so many times in the past couple of days that we can hardly believe that you are already 10 months old. The time has literally flown by since we first laid eyes on you the night of March 3rd, when you decided to surprise us and come a little early.

You have changed so much in the last month and have become very active and a little wild. You are everywhere, into everything, pulling up on anything you can and chewing on just about whatever you can sink your teeth into (including us).

You have decided that you do not require much sleep regardless how your parents feel about it. We have had to make some changes as far as your sleep is concerned. We realized that you did not know how to put yourself back to sleep when you wake up in the night.

You have always been accustomed to falling asleep nursing. So, the last 4 nights you have gone to sleep in your crib all by yourself with no bottle, after you have nursed. Night one you cried for 30 minutes, night two for 28 minutes, night three for 16 minutes and tonight you only cried for 3 minutes. We are so proud of you. This was very hard for us to do, but we knew it was best for you and your sleep patterns. We did not want to put you to bed with a bottle because that would be one more thing we had to take away eventually.

You have accomplished so much this month:

• Drinking out of a sippie cup
• Quickly go from the laying down to a sitting position
• Turn toys off and on by pressing buttons
• Say night night
• Started on some solid foods (but you choke all the time, we constantly are turning you upside down and hitting you on the back)
• Opened your Christmas presents and had fun doing it
• Constantly SMILE
• Shake your head "NO" at us
• Belly laugh at your Daddy when he says funny stuff
• Took your first ride in the Bike Trailer while we rode through the neighborhood and you really enjoyed it (ended up falling asleep)
• Clap for yourself all the time
• Love to play with your sister
• Very unsure about the ducks Emma got from Santa, but like to watch them.
• You have become a real Mommy's boy, the last couple weeks you have not wanted me out of your sight and cry anytime I leave the room
• Have 8 teeth (4 on top & 4 on bottom)
• Bites like a Pit Bull (your Daddy told me to put this one when I was reading the list out of all you have done and asked if I had forgotten anything)
• Love to watch Noddy on TV ( I made a quiche for breakfast this morning and your sister ate it because we told her it was googleberry pie, like Noddy eats)
• Weigh 26 lbs, 29 inches tall & head measures 18 7/8 (you are a BIG boy)

Looks like this Mommy better get busy planning a birthday party for the cutest little boy I know.

Gavin, you are such a sweet boy with the best personality of any baby I have ever seen. People constantly comment on your smile, big eyes and how happy you are 100% of the time. We love you so much and could not be more thankful for the gift of YOU!

Thank you so much for adding balls, trucks, cars, work benches and boy stuff to our life. No how, no way could we ever imagine one day without your "ruff & tuff" little self!

Miss Independent

Blessed in 2009 ~ Hopeful in 2010

Another year has gone by and it was a great one for us. We went from a family of three to "The Frazier Four". God has given us more than we deserve and for that we will always be thankful.

This past year has been alot of work for me as a full time working Mommy of 2 babies, but God and a hands on wonderful husband helped me make it through. It was hard, it was exhausting, it was difficult, it was sleepless, it was frustrating, it was challenging but it was all WORTH it. Worth it for so many reasons. I love my husband, I love my kids & I love my life! God is so good, all the time!

Emma Caroline watching her Daddy put on his yearly fireworks (sparkler) show in the backyard.

We had a little party tonight, yes just the 4 of us that consisted of alot of little junk food. Emma was so excited and said, "Mom are we having a nursing party?" A nursing party...exactly what is that I wonder? This kid can say some funny stuff.

Seriously, does it get any cuter than that right there? They love each other and they love each other alot. I tell people all the time, one of the best gifts I could ever give my babies is a sibling. What more could a Mommy ask for? N-O-T-H-I-N-G...I got it all right here and I hope it last forever.

You my sweet boy turned our pink house blue in March making for one very happy Mommy, Daddy and Big Sister.

You got to enjoy your first sparkler show tonight presented by Daddy. Don't worry, he does it every year...maybe next year he will add some of those frogs he was talking about. You would not leave your hat on your head tonight, you kept snatching it off and throwing it down as soon as we put it on you. I can't say I blame you after all the time you spent in the cranial band, big boy.

So from our family to yours ~ we wish you a Happy New Year or a "Happy Nursing Party". A new year filled with an overabundance of blessings in 2010. I am 100% sure I will not make it till midnight, so I am off to "kiss" my husband and call it a night.

QuaCK, qUAck, QUAck

Santa landed on our rooftop on Christmas Eve with a crate in his sleigh that said "LIVE ANIMALS" making for one happy little girl at our house.

Months ago Emma started telling us all she wanted for Christmas was a firetruck and a real duck. We thought she would change her mind, but she continued to talk about these ducks daily until she got her little hands on them.

This is where she hangs out these days, on her little stool looking at her two little ducklings.

She decided to name her ducks, brother & sister. The little one is brother and the yellow is sister (bet you can't guess what made her think of those names can you)?

They are the cutest little things I have ever seen and we have fallen in love with them.

This little girl would live on a farm if we would let her. She reminds me so much of myself more and more everyday.

We plan to release these little guys in our neighborhood pond eventually, so we have been letting them spend some time swimming and bathing themselves.

I wish you could just see these ducks follow Emma around like little dogs. They literally take off running behind her all over the house.

She loves to tell them, "come on little duckies I am the Mommy". It is so sweet, until she tells them and me that I am the grandma (ha ha).

Last night we let them swim in the water table, so the kiddos could watch. Emma was trying to kiss them the entire time.

Our little man loves them too. It is so funny to watch him look at them. He is probably thinking that we have lost our minds with 2 ducks living in the house. Maybe we have!

I don't know how we will ever let them go. Each day we grow more and more attached to them. We have told Emma from the start that we could not keep them forever and she seems to be okay with it for now.

She keeps telling us that when we turn them loose in the pond, she is going to put her bathing suit on and swim with them.

So where did the ducks come from? Rumor has it that Santa picked them up from a feed store the Tuesday before Christmas when they were only 1 day old. They had just arrived from the hatchery where he had ordered them from about a month ago. Good thing Santa is a planner, right? The Jolly Old Fellow did a good job according to our little red headed, 2 1/2 year old.

These little ducks have been very loved and spoiled by The Frazier Four. They are growing quickly, much faster then we expected. I would say they have tripled in size over the past week. I am a little concerned that we are going to wake up one morning and they will be flying around our house. Emma would probably think that was the greatest thing ever.

So, the Frazier's have a farm with quack quack here and a quack quack there, here a quack, there a quack, everywhere a quack quack, oh and one VERY HAPPY little girl too!

Christmas Card 2009

Little late this year, where does all the time go? They were all mailed out the Saturday before Christmas and I am confident that everyone has received them by now.

We went with a tri fold, 5x5 linen card this year and I loved them. Our wonderful, amazing, talented photographer, Darla DiStefano outdid herself again. That girl knows how to make my heart smile BIG, every time! Thank you for being the best friend a girl could ask for and for being so talented behind the lens.

Back of the card, hopefully you can imagine it folded up. The center is the very back when it is all folded and the far right is the front of the card.

Inside of the card ~ Christmas is a time to hold dear the gifts that have already been given, those that bless us with love & joy! I loved everything about these cards and I especially love the two little people in them. Hoping that you and your families had a very Merry Christmas and are amazingly blessed in 2010.

Belated Christmas Home Tour

I hoped to participate in one of the Christmas Home Tours, but time literally just ran out on me this year. I knew that I had to capture the memories of what our home looked like for Gavin's First Christmas, so here it is. Better late than never, right? Welcome to our home this Christmas. I captured as many of our special little details as possible.

Looks like we will be busy packing things up this week and getting ready for a New Year full of blessings.

Christmas 2009

Christmas morning was a blast for the Frazier Four. There is so much I have to post about and so many memories I never want to forget. Here are just a few...

Letter to Santa, along with cookies, milk & carrots for the Reindeer.

Of course we had to battle the cold and head outside to sprinkle our Reindeer food in the yard.

Santa was very good to Emma & Gavin this year. We were so excited for them to wake up and see all that he had left.

All our sweet girl asked for was a duck, a firetruck and some make up. This was the last gift she opened on Christmas morning. The look on her face was PRICELESS. She got two little ducks, a Pekin and a Mallard. Yes, they are currently living in our house and I will have to share more in the days ahead. Let me just say that we have one very HAPPY little girl walking around playing Mommy to 2 little ducks.

This little boy smiled all day long and he had many reasons to keep on smiling. I got my first BMW when I was 30 and he got his at 9 months old. Is this not the cutest little car ever? We just could not resist. I saw this years ago and said if I ever had a little boy, he would have one of these. God is good, isn't he?

Christmas 2009 was more than we could have ever asked for as a family. We spent the days with friends, family and alone as the Frazier Four. It was wonderful, it was fun, it was exciting, it was magical and it was oh so much more!

We talked about how blessed we were in 2009 and how we are so excited about what God has planned for us in 2010. We spent time remembering our Savior and the true meaning of the season. I heard my baby girl tell lots of people that it was Jesus' Birthday and we sang Happy Birthday to him over and over.

One of my favorite parts was standing hand in hand with my husband while cradling our son in my arms, while he held our daughter closely and led our families in prayer. There is just something that excites me about hearing him profess his love for our Lord & Savior publicly to our families while holding us so close to him. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with this amazing husband and my children with the BEST DADDY in the world.

I am praying for God to promote us in 2010 in our marriage, our family, our finances, our careers, our relationships, our children, our country, the perfect church home & most importantly our relationship with HIM. The truth is, I am praying this for all of you TOO!

Two and a Half !

This baby girl turned 2 1/2 years old last week (15th) and I am just now getting around to share her sweetness with all of you. Emma Caroline, these have been the best 2 1/2 years of my life and I know there is so much more to come.

You are so ME! Everything about you reminds me so much of myself and it is a little scary at times. I often ask your Grandma (my Mom) if I were like you as a child and she says not till I was much older. I am just more and more amazed everyday at the stuff you come up with and the conversations you initiate with us. There are things that concern you that I am confident concern no other 2 year old. You are so sweet and compassionate about others. Here are just a few of the many things about you these days:

• Love to eat "Chicka Fila" and Macaroni & Cheese
• Want to dress yourself everyday and tell us not to help you
• Love to play Spa (you talk like the ladies who work there)
• Super excited about Christmas and want a firetruck and a real duck
• Extremely protective of your baby brother
• You are a Daddy's girl all the way
• Still love Beamer
• Enjoy talking on the phone, bath time & any type of craft
• Like to sing at the top of your lungs
• You are sometimes a bit bossy
• Super social and try to talk and make friends everywhere we go
• You are a bit dramatic, I am thinking it comes natural to you
• Continue to sleep with 15 stuffed animals and can call them all by name and know if one is missing within seconds of getting into bed.
• Love all your friends and teachers at MDO
• Participated in your 1st Christmas program ( you twisted and danced the entire time, singing very little)

You are an amazing kid and fill our days with laughter. There are times you are so funny, but we should not be laughing at you, so we have to hide our faces to keep from laughing out loud.

Happy 2 1/2 year old Birthday Emma Caroline. We love you more than the stars love the sky baby girl. Every single day with you is a blessing!

9 months = 26.8 lbs

I can hardly believe that my big ole boy turned 9 months old today. It is even harder to imagine that he has been on this earth for as long as he was inside of me. It has been an awesome 9 months of celebrating each day of this sweet boy's life and continuing to be thankful for the blessing of him daily.

Month 9 has brought about some changes:

• Weigh 26.8 lbs and wear size 6 diapers
• You are standing up on your own
• Continue to say Mommy, Daddy & Emma
• You are very active and all over the place when we put you on the floor
• Got to have your helmet removed and your head looks beautiful
• Your Daddy had to cut a little piece of your hair because it was hanging over your ears
• You are madly in love with your big sister and think she is so funny
• You are scooting all over the house and are really fast
• Have become super attached to Daddy this month and often prefer him over Mommy these days
• Enjoy playing in Emma's room
• Started pulling up and standing up in your crib while holding onto the rail
• Love our dog Beamer and get very excited when he is by you
• Noddy has become the TV show you love the best
• Car rides and baths are your favorite times
• Celebrated your 1st Thanksgiving with us at the Carnes
• You are a wild man, you like to squirm around during diaper changes and when we are holding you
• Have 8 teeth and love to bite us
• Enjoy being outside
• Traveled with us on our 2nd vacation & you were wonderful
• YoBaby yogurt remains your favorite food
• You are quite the ham when we pull out a camera and start smiling instantly
• Get super excited and scream when you like something
• Taking 3-4oz. pumped bottles a day and nursing at night, still exclusively nursed {you refuse to try formula}
• Wearing 12-18 month clothes and 6-12 month Pedi Peds
• You look just like my Daddy {oh what I would have given if he could have just held you this side of Heaven~you would have had a pony by now for sure. He would have been smitten over you}
• You constantly laugh and smile

Gavin, you are a pure delight. We love you so much and your smile is contagious, Son. We are so excited to have you with us this Christmas and to celebrate the Holidays as a family of four. Happy 9 month old Birthday, baby boy. We continue to thank GOD everyday for the blessing of you. Keep Smiling!