YUmmy, yuMMy, YuMmY!

Guess who fed himself with a SPOON for the first time tonight? Your looking at his sweet little face covered in baked sweet potato, meat loaf and steamed squash & zucchini. He loved it all and did a great job making sure every bite made it to his mouth.

Way to go Little Man, you are such a big boy. We would clap and say, "Yay Gavin" and you would just smile the sweetest little smile.

What is this Mommy going to do with 2 independent little people?

He cleaned his plate and then helped his big sister out too. Something tells me that this little guy is going to catch up with Emma soon. Way to go with the spoon Gavin, we are proud of you.

Under the Big Top Party

Gavin's First Birthday was a blast for us. We wanted our guest to step in off the street and feel like they had entered the midway of a carnival that had just rolled into town. We decorated for days getting ready for the big event and I must say it was very whimsical.

We treated our guest to hot dogs, corn dogs, nuggets, Frito pie, nachos, chips, pickles, popcorn, lemonade, peanuts, animal crackers, cupcakes, ice cream and a cake designed for the special birthday boy.

The backyard was filled with carnival games, balloons, face painting, a duck pond, a balloon artist, swing set, popcorn machine, duck shoot, tent filled with balls, a photo banner and so much more. You could hear the sound of carnival/carousel music playing that Curtis had downloaded on his IPOD.

Kids could be spotted running, laughing, swinging, playing, singing and hitting at the clown pinata hanging from our swing set. I heard several guest say, " I really feel like I am at a carnival" and I could see others thinking, "how can we get out of here?" Kids were everywhere and having a ball.

My favorite part of the day was singing Happy Birthday to our little man and watching him demolish his smash cake. He would scream every time we attempted to take it away.

It was a blessing to celebrate Gavin's 1st Birthday with a group of about 65+ family and very special friends. He was given many very nice gifts that we are so grateful for and has been playing with non stop.

We asked our guest to sign in on this framed picture that we will cherish forever. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate our favorite one year old in the entire world.

33 + 3 = 3 years old

33 months + 3 more months = a 3 year old living in our home...

Seriously, how are you about to be 3 years old sweet girl? It seems like yesterday when we brought you home wondering if we would know how to properly take care of you. You quickly gave us a crash course on how to be parents. I must say, you have been the best teacher we know and have ever had Emma Caroline. You have taught us more in your 33 months of life than anyone has ever taught us. Most of all you have taught us what it means to love greater than we ever imagined possible. Because of you we have experienced a love that is unexplainable and one that grows more and more every second of every day.

You are so cute, sweet, loyal, kind, loving, strong willed, opinionated, charming, witty, smart, funny, happy, energetic, smiley, talkative, brave, caring, compassionate & independent.

You are a lover of many things...animals, your baby brother, MDO, Mrs. Jenny, Mom & Dad, your babies, critters, Noddy, make up, nail polish, firefighters, jewelry, Jesus, music, Beamer, your cousins, playing make believe, the Bulldog school and so much more.

You have chosen to celebrate your 3rd Birthday by having a Firefighter party. You ask us daily if you can be a Fireman when you grow up. As long as that makes you happy baby girl, you go for it!

We love you so much and look forward to spending all the days of our lives being your biggest fans. You have already made a difference to us and we can hardly wait to see the difference you make in the world.

spring break ten...

The Frazier Four are off on a new adventure and a little R&R! Shouldn't be hard to find here!

Gavin's 1st Birthday Party Decorations

I am so excited to share the Carnival/Circus Decorations with you from our Little Man's First Birthday. I will be posting the ones that include our guest, Balloon Artist and Face Painter tomorrow. There were so many pictures that I had to create two slideshows.

A bazillion thanks go out to Darla Distefano Photography for capturing the perfect pictures of our special day.

Word-filled Wednesday

My Daddy bought me my first Case Pocket Knife made of Stag on my first birthday. Just happens to be like the one he carried as a little boy and still has, my Papa Fabian carried his entire life and my 88 year old Great Grandfather, Aaron still carries. Mommy & Daddy says they will put it up till I get a little older, but they wanted me to have something very special from them on my very special day.

Glimpse of the Cake

Hope to have some more pictures posted in a couple of days. Here is a little sneak peak of the big birthday bash that has left us exhausted. Looking forward to attending the 1st birthday celebration of our twin cousins this weekend.

One of the best parts about the Circus/Carnival theme is all the bright and cheerful colors. It was big fun and the cake was so yummy, just ask my son who screamed every time we attempted to take it away.

Big Top = Big Time

We celebrated Gavin's 1st Birthday today and a great time was had by all. Kiddos are in bed, we are exhausted all the while thankful for those who stuck around to help clean up. I can hardly wait to see the pictures. Thank God for my kids Grandma by choice (Darla) or we would not have any pictures ~ this Mommy never picked up a camera.

We hired a balloon artist to entertain the kiddos and he was AMAZING. Look at this lion he made the Birthday Boy.

We had a great day and all our hard work paid off. It was super cheerful and so much fun. I heard several people say....this is like a real carnival (that made my heart smile inside). You know, it makes my heart happy when everyone leaves happy at the end of the party. We sent our guest out the door with loads of Sweet Treats (Hudson even left with a pocket full of M&M's that I snuck to him). Some folks had to make 2 trips to the car (ha ha).

Gavin enjoyed his cake and just decided it was easiest to put his face down in it and eat it up. My favorite part of the day was hearing my 88 year old grandfather chuckle and turning around to see him sitting in a chair behind me doubled over as he laughed hysterically watching his great grandson demolish his cake. If there is one thing he has taught me in life it is...cherish the little things. One of Curtis' cousins ask me, "Is that the Grandpa that taught you all the folk songs you always sing to your kids?" Yep, that's him and he just happens to be the best Papa I know.

Off to lay by my sweet HOTY that is already snoring from working so hard today. I could not ask for a better husband or better Daddy for my children.

I am blessed for so many reasons, but most of all because I have the honor of being part of The Frazier Four!

Giddy Up

Yesterday was Go Texan Day at this little Cowgirls school and she was so excited to get to school and "giddy up". The pictures are not great, but I was so thankful to get them on my cell phone during the day from Mrs. Jenny.

She might be the cutest little cowgirl I have ever laid eyes on. We will be spending some time at the Livestock show & Rodeo soon, so I am anxious to see that twinkle in her eyes when she sees all the animals. I am hear to tell you the girl belongs on a farm. She is a lover of animals and is now begging us for a baby pig.

She was so proud of these braids in her hair and talked about them all day. She slept in them all night and woke up this morning upset because one had come loose. Of course we rebraided it first thing this morning.

She came home from MDO with a piece of gold, a brown sponge painted vest and talking about a horse and real Cowboy that came to her school.

This picture so reminds me of something I would have worn as a child that my Daddy would have bartered for at Don's Western Wear.

I love this little cowpoke to pieces, but we are still not getting a pig.

Happy Birthday Gavin Thomas

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday Dear Gavin

Happy Birthday to you

Gavin ~ A year ago today I was blessed with the amazing gift of you, my sweet little man. That day will forever be etched in my mind and my heart. I will never forget laying eyes on you and telling your Daddy over and over again, we have a baby boy. I was so excited we had finally become the Frazier Four and so honored that God had chosen me to be your Mommy.

Holding you in my arms was like holding a little piece of Heaven. Every time I look into your big eyes, I am reminded of my sweet Daddy that went to live with Jesus 3 years ago. Oh what I would give if he could have held you this side of heaven. Your eyes, your smile, your face and so many things about you remind me of the greatest man I ever knew. I am so proud of you and my heart burst at the seams each time I hear someone say you look just like my Daddy.

Happy Birthday to you Gavin. I love you today, I will love you tomorrow and I will love you forever. I look forward to watching you grow over the years and becoming a fine young man that loves the Lord. I hope you will always SMILE the way you SMILE today. Not a day goes by that you do not bring an unexplainable amount of joy to my life. Thank you so much for teaching me how to be a Mommy to a little boy.

Love Mommy

Gavin Thomas, my boy, you have brought so much joy to our lives since you came into this world & our family one year ago. I remember praying to God to bless our family with a baby boy who would carry on the Frazier name.... and what a blessing you are! I must admit, I too take a great deal of pride in seeing all of the traits that you have inherited from your Papa Fabian.

The pure love and happiness that you exude everyday brings a smile not only to my face, but to all that lay eyes on you! From the way that your eyes light up when you see your big sister, to the way that you hug my neck when I drop you off in the mornings, you are full of love! There is something very special about you, my son and I know that God has great things in store for you. I look forward to teaching you so many things, yet I know that there is much that you will teach me as well. Know this Gavin Thomas, I could not be more proud to be your father. I love you forever, boy! Happy First Birthday Gavin!!

Love Daddy

Gavin, Your favorite time is your Birthday. I love you very much on your Birthday.

Love Emma

(This is what Emma told you this morning when Daddy asked her what she wanted to tell you on your Birthday)

Your sister loves you so much and is so protective over you. She has started begging us to wake you up every time you take a nap because she does not want to be away from you. We dare not leave you anywhere that she is not or she has a melt down. She loves to play with you and make you laugh. We took her to the Toy store on the park and she picked out 2 very special presents just for you (a red airplane and little blue car that are wrapped in a velvety material). She is so excited that today is your Birthday and loves you very much.

You will be having a Circus/Carnival party on Saturday and we are expecting about 100 friends and family to help us celebrate you. We actually took you to a carnival to have your 1st Birthday pictures taken and we also gave you your own little cake that you DESTROYED. You loved it and it was so much fun to watch you eat it up. There were many times that you just put your face down in it to eat. It has been so much fun planning for your big day and watching everything come together to create the perfect day for you.

You will go to the Dr. on Monday for your 1 year check up. However, here are some of the things you are doing:

• cruising around furniture
• eating solid foods
• drinking whole milk (you nursed for a year, but started on whole milk Monday)
• hugging us tight when we ask you for a hug
• climbing up furniture
• wearing size 6 diapers
• 24 month -2t clothes
• drink out of a cup with a straw, you do not like a sippie cup
• follow your sister everywhere
• so attached to Mommy that you scream if I leave the room
• finally facing forward in your car seat
• love to watch Noddy on TV
• like to be outside and cry when you have to go back in
• love rides in your little blue car
• you have a very strong will and get mad if things do not go your way

Once again, we wish you a very Happy First Birthday Gavin. We love you so much and could never imagine life without you. Thank you so much for completing our family and making us...

...the Frazier Four!

...and I Love You too!

Happy First Birthday week to the sweetest little boy I know. I love you Gavin and I am so excited to celebrate your special day with you, Little Man.

I hope that you will wear a shirt like this when you are 18 too!

It is Party time!

IMagInATion

Our girl has an imagination that leaves us amazed on a daily basis. The girl loves to role play, pretend, transform the simplest things, imitate others and dream BIG. I have seen her ice skate around the house in Tupperware, diagnose and treat her Daddy for having lady bugs & butterflies up his nose, teach Gavin and Beamer to identify their letters while demanding they raise their hands, cook up google berry pie in her kitchen and fight a fire with a bottle of bubbles with her firefighter suit on.

While cooking dinner one day last week, she dug these two items out of the cabinet they are allowed to destroy. I was not paying close attention, but I continued to hear Tupperware hit the ground repeatedly. She was so proud as she screamed, "Look Mommy, I am a turtle". Her imagination runs wild non stop and I love it!

I might just have to see if I can record her latest impersonation and post it. It is her own rendition of "PANTS ON THE GROUND" and it is some kind of funny.

32 months, oops I forgot!

I forgot to post my baby girl's picture when she turned 32 months old on 2/15/10. She is wild, sassy and so much fun.

She reminds me so much of myself that it is a little scary at times. The girl is always on the go, talks up a storm, loves to stare at people, is a social butterfly, dreams big, has an amazing imagination and loves to express her opinion.

Everything is transformed into a balance beam since we started gymnastics.

I love her, she loves me...it just does not get any sweeter than that. I am so proud to have a daughter and truly believe that God picked the PERFECT little one for me!

I {heart} this Boy!

Pumping & Nursing

"Mom, I need to borrow your pump and a bottle." I ignored her request thinking she would quickly move onto something else. Not 5 minutes later I walked in my room and look what I found.

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. She decided her baby could not wait for her Mommy to decide to loan her the Medela. This girl took matters into her own hands. So thankful my camera was on the dresser.

This girl has been talking about nursing & pumping since her brother arrived. This one reminded me of something she may have seen me do in public a time or ten.

She was so serious about it. She just kept talking to her baby and rubbing her back and arm.

Okay, this cracked me up. I always have a burp cloth within reach when I nurse for clean up purposes. Emma had grabbed a wipe before she even started and then wiped herself down when she was done. If you think for one second your babies don't watch and remember your every move, well you're WRONG!

Needless to say, she is feeling better today and the La Leche League might be recruiting her soon.

My girl is RAD

We spent some time at the pediatrician's office today and our itty bitty is a sick little girl. Emma was diagnosed with Reactive Airway Disease, which is similar to asthma. They do not diagnose children this young with asthma, so they refer to it as RAD. Needless to say, we left with several prescriptions and came home with a inhaler and some breathing apparatus that she is refusing to use. I will be making a call to the Dr. first thing in the morning to see if we can get something that is a little more user friendly for a 2 year old. For now, I am off to:

• cradle my baby girl
• rub her down with VICKS
• set up her humidifier
• try to bribe her into taking a puff while inhaling 6 times
• make her comfy
• pray for her

Hoping tomorrow is cough free and my sweet girl feels better.

S-I-B-L-I-N-G-S

Too cute not to share. Pardon the quality of this picture, but it was taken from my phone. Their first ride together in the buggy at Target. Daddy calls it a motor home, Emma calls it fun. It is a little difficult to turn and maneuver, but my heart was so happy to see them side by side.

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!