The day has come...

...when I must return to work to finish up the last 4 days of school with my Senior students and prepare them for Graduation Saturday evening. This is a bittersweet return for me as you can imagine. I have been at home with my babies for 13 weeks...oh I am so sad.

Look at these 2 sweet faces, how am I ever going to leave them in the morning?

This sweet baby girl told me this morning as I was talking to her about returning to work, "Mommy, I stay home with you"...uh, rip my heart out!

This "little man" he can melt my heart any second of the day. He looks at me and just smiles all day long. He is the sweetest thing ever!

Please say a prayer for me...this is hard...it hurts...my emotions are everywhere as I type. I have been so blessed to be able to stay home this long and it is summer, so I will not have to work for long...but it is still HARD to leave my sweet children.

However, I have so much to be thankful for in Mrs. Jenny (this is who has kept Emma in her home since she was 5 months old) and she is truly a gift from God. She is a SAHM of a Kindergartner and a 3rd grader and there is no doubt in my mind she loves my sweet babies like they are her own. I could NEVER imagine a better person to leave my children with and she is so....I could go on forever, but I will just leave you with wonderful.

Thank you Kevin, Jenni, Tori & David for sharing your home with my sweet babies. We love you guys so much!

Splish Splash

We spent the day in the sun rain yesterday with family at Dwain, Marla and Peyton's house. This was Emma's first time to be in the pool this year and she loved it. She loved it so much that we were unable to take our eyes off of her because she walked right into the pool and had to be snatched up by the back of her swimsuit. Crazy kid...at least we found out early that we can not take our eyes off of her for a second. Literally she was standing right beside me and her Aunt Stacey and then boom, she was under the water. Needless to say I did not get many pictures because she made me a nervous wreck.

Emma, her Daddy, Aunt Stacey, Camryn and Hunter enjoying the pool. My SIL might get me for posting this picture of her.

We planned for this big boy to enjoy his first dip in the pool too, however because it was raining off and on we decided it was to cold for him.

Emma was begging her Nana to get in the pool and join in on the fun. Needless to say, the kids loved it even though it was a bit chilly. The day was filled with lots of food and fellowship. Marla is always the best HOSTESS and serves the best food.

Subject change...my oldest brother was involved in a horrible accident Friday evening and we actually did not find out about it until Saturday morning. Long story, but a message was left on an answering machine of a distant relative and my Mom was not contacted until the person got the message Saturday morning. He is still in the hospital and has 3 broken vertebrae in his neck and back along with a huge gash on his head. He is in a tremendous amount of pain and we are unsure of how long he will be there. Once released he will be in a back and neck brace and require a tremendous amount of physical therapy.

Thank God he is alive and the Lord was watching out for him. My Mom went to see his vehicle today and said he is very blessed to be here. We do not know exactly what happened, because he passed out as soon as he was hit and remembers nothing except waking up in an ambulance. There were 2 other cars involved and he was initially hit by a DRUNK DRIVER and then a 2nd vehicle. He is waiting to speak with someone tomorrow to get a copy of the accident report and hopefully find out everything that happened. All of that is pretty irrelevant at this point, however it is just CRAZY to me that people drink and get behind the wheel and drive. Actually it makes me SICK! I am just so thankful that my brother is alive today and hopefully the DD has learned his lesson and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Please add my brother to your prayers, he can sure use them.

I hope that each of you enjoyed a great Memorial weekend with your families, while remembering those who fought for our freedom.

Babies Galore

We went to our cousins 30th Birthday Party today (Happy Birthday Bryan) and enjoyed a great day filled with family, food, fun & BABIES. Today was the first day Emma & Gavin got to meet their twin cousins, Chance and Brynlee. These little guys slept most of the day, but we did catch them with their eyes open for a little bit. Good Luck Melissa, I hope you get to catch some ZZZ's tonight before the big day tomorrow. We can not wait to see you guys again...2 days straight...woo-hoo!

Here is Mr. Gavin (aka Andre) with his twin cousins...uhh, anyone want to take a guess in the age difference? Uhh, let me save you some trouble 1 WEEK....yes, you read it correctly 1 WEEK! These little cuties weigh what our "little man" did when he was born. We just sat and stared at them forever, they are all so cute.

We were not the only ones amazed by their cuteness...Miss Emma thought she was the babysitter today. She could not get enough of all the little ones or Mr. Hudson either. She could not stop touching them, helping with their bottles, giving them their pacis and saying, "2 babies, 2 babies, a boy and a girl, two babies."

Oh, in case you did not notice, my blog has changed thanks to Faith at A Design of Faith. She is so creative, sweet, wonderful, reasonable and easy to work with...you must check her out.

Happy Memorial Weekend to all of you.

If this doesn't...

...put a smile on your face, then I don't know what will. Look at those rolls, those cheeks, that smile and those eyes, would ya?

Oh, he brightens up ALL of our days. We got one happy boy on our hands that loves to watch his big sisters every move. Yep, this is it...short & sweet, just like him.

Only 1 more month

Only 1 more month and my baby girl will be 2 YEARS OLD! Where has the time gone? We are working fast and furious planning your 2nd Birthday Party that is going to be filled full of "Farm Fun". Yep, you have chosen to have a farm party and it is all you talk about these days.

Look who is ready for some fun in the sun. One thing missing SPF 50 that we must keep you covered in, my little fair skinned red headed child.

You are such a girly~girl, oh so prissy and love to be in front of the camera. This picture pretty much says it all.

Look at those little legs, would you? You are always up to something and your rarely ever sit still. We would not change one single thing about you Emma. You are perfect in every way.

Happy 23 month Birthday "itty bitty", that farm party is right around the corner and we will have animals roaming everywhere.

Off the chart!

Finally got to take my "little man" to the Dr. today for his 2 month check up and shots. We were a week late because of the swine flu and trying to play it safe and keep this healthy little guy out of the Drs. office until we had the clearance from our Pediatrician to bring him for his appointment.

That is a size 2 diaper he is sporting that is soon to be a 3 when the box is empty. If you look real close you can see that he weighs a whopping 16lbs 1/2 ounce and 24 inches long! Yes, my 9 week old is HUGE! He might be a thumb sucker too.

Don't strain your eyes to hard, here is one up close for all of you to see.

Sixteen pounds of pure sweetness too. Oh, he is so pretty to me. My Daddy would have thought this big ole boy hung the moon.

Look who was not going to let anyone do anything to her baby brother. She told the Dr., "no shots for my brother, no shots for Gavin."

Here we go, the first part of the vaccination has begun and he is taking it like a champ!

Hmmm....not so much for the shots. He was not happy with the nurse in this one. My poor "little man" big boy...just give him to me and let us go home.

This is the 1st time I have ever gone to the Dr. for one of my babies to get shots without the HOTY and it went quite well. I am not going to say that it did not make me a little sad, but we made it through.

Mother's Day 2009

Emma & Gavin ~ Thanks to the both of you and only you, I get to celebrate this day with all the rest of the Mommy's in the world. Some days I think my heart might explode because of how much I love the two of you.

There is nothing in this world that gives me more satisfaction than being your Mommy. I never understood how my own parents felt about me, until I had you and then it became crystal clear. I love every single thing about both of you from the hair on your head to your tiny little toes and everything in between. There is not one little piece of you that has gone unnoticed by me, your Mommy.

Everyday I thank God for blessing me with you and allowing me the privilege of being your Mommy. The one who hugs you when you get hurt, kisses you goodnight, prays with you, teaches you right from wrong, loves you unconditionally, protects you, teaches you about Jesus, makes sure your needs are met and oh so much more...my job as your Mommy will never be done.

Today as you are celebrating me, please know that every day I celebrate the two of you. I love you both more than I can ever tell you in words, therefore I will live out my days showing you.

Thank you my sweet babies, thank you for teaching me how to be YOUR Mommy!

Woo-Hoo 8 Hours

Yep, you are looking at him this morning at 6:02...my "little man" that is 9 weeks 1 day old and slept all night long. I am not usually up this early taking pictures or blogging, but this was a must.

Between waking up all night wondering if something was wrong and my boobs (yes, I said boobs on my blog) about to EXPLODE, seriously I looked like Dolly Parton when my feet finally hit the floor...I feel good great. Thank you Jesus & thank you GAVIN!

I will be back with more on that silly little girl of mine later on today (hopefully).

Oh BOY...2 months

Snips, Snail & Puppy dog tails...that's what little boys are made of ~ I am thinking this little boy is made of lots of sweetness too. Just look at him, couldn't you just eat him up? Look at those little feet and toes, yummy! When I say that we could not ask for a better baby, I mean every word of it.

This was my Nanny's rocking chair that her grandfather made and gave her for her 1st Birthday. We took Emma's 2 month picture in it, so we had to take Gavin's picture in it as well.

Look at those cheeks...we grow them big around here. I was looking forward to taking this Little Man to the Dr. tomorrow for his 2 month check up, so I could see how much he weighed. I am thinking we will be in the 90th percentile with this little ham bone. Just look at him...oh those cheeks are so big, more for us to kiss on.

We will not be going to the Dr. tomorrow at the advice of our wonderful pediatrician, due to the swine flu (they have recommended we wait a while). Little do they know that we live with a little girl that would kiss a pig with the swine flu if she had the opportunity (ha ha).

Oh Gavin, you are such a good boy. You are now holding your head up better, rolling from your stomach to back, following us with your eyes, smiling, cooing at us when we talk to you, sleeping 6 hours straight at night, sucking on your hand and nursing like a grand champion. You love to watch your Big Sister, even though she can be a little very loud and rough at times.

You have been such a joy to us and I can not believe we ever lived life without you. You are a trooper and accompany us on shopping trips and out to eat and you are a perfect little gentleman. I wouldn't expect anything less of you...you have the perfect role model in your DADDY and he is so smitten over you.

We love you so much Gavin Thomas Frazier and I know that my heart will never be the same, it now walks around with you and Emma. Sometimes I just sit and look at you while tears stream down my face, because I feel so blessed that you have joined our family.

People often tell me (other boy mommies) that there is no love like the love between a Mommy and her son. I have learned this to be true when I hold you in the wee hours of the night and you look up at me with those big blue eyes. I look forward to the days ahead, my sweet BOY!

I am one tired Mommy!

Best Baby Gadget Ever

I must admit that being a Mommy has been much easier the 2nd time around and here is my favorite little gadget these days. I wanted to share it with all you Mommy's out there in case you have never seen it. It is called itzzbeen and is a very inexpensive way to monitor your babies daily routine. I will be the first to tell you that breastfeeding stressed me out for the first few months with Emma and I kept a journal of when she ate, how long, slept and woke up. This little gadget has made life so much easier for me and my little man.

You got it ~ this little beauty has 4 different timers that keep track of the last diaper change, feeding, sleep and we use the * button to let us know how long Gavin has been awake. It also has a clock on it, a little flash light and a button for you to indicate and remember which side you nursed on last. Works out great when the HOTY gets home or I have to run somewhere, all the information is right at his fingertips.

So, all you Mommy's out there, Mommy's to be or someone looking for a great shower gift...you can not beat this little luxury. One thing is for sure, you will always know how long itzbeen.

We might be entering...

the TERRIBLE twos a little early. This "itty bitty" has been very BOLD the last couple of days and pushing the limits with her Mommy & Daddy. I never thought it would be so hard to teach my child to do the right thing, but it is hard. Of course, we correct her every move and try to do it in a positive manner ~ but it is still hard.

She is just so darn cute and funny that many times we have to turn our heads and laugh so she will not see us, but quickly turn around to correct her behavior. It makes it really hard because she is so smart and is fully aware of the things she is doing wrong and will look at us to see if we are paying attention to what she is doing. I truly feel like she is just testing us and her test are pretty tough at times.

Last week I purchased a timer from Target to place in her room to set when she had to go to time out. The timer is just a little cheap kitchen timer that has a bell that rings when the timer goes off. I thought this would be a great way for her to know when she could get out of time out and leave her room. Well, since the day we brought the timer home she has been saying, "I want to go to time out to use my timer"...hmmm, perhaps that was not the best idea (especially since she has been going there a couple times a day here lately).

Need I tell you that I will be heading to Barnes & Nobles soon to purchase the book, Parenting the Strong Willed Child.


Here she is this morning after trying to rip her hair down.

Swinging away at Papa Ronnie's and Grandma Margaret's house.

She really admired all Grandma's flowers and attempted to pull up an entire plant when she got caught by her Daddy. Her Grandma told her she could pick one and assisted her in her efforts.

All of you know what a dog~dog lover she is and today she decided to crawl in Toby's kennel at her grandparent's house. I am thinking we might purchase one of these to keep her in, so we can survive the terrible twos (this is a JOKE...don't report us to the authorities).

Honestly, I think we will just pray our way through the terrible twos.

Our Big Boy

Girls are awesome and oh so cute, but let me just tell you that I am loving this little boy. He is some kind of sweetness and so lovey. I can not wait to take him for his 2 month check up to see how much this big ole boy weighs, any guesses?

For the first time...

...since 3rd grade, I live in the same town with one of my Grandparents and I could not be more excited. My Maternal Grandfather's health has been declining in the past year and so my family was recently forced to make some decisions about his living arrangements.

My Grandparents (the only ones I have - my Dad's parents died before I was born), retired and moved to the country when I was in 3rd grade. I was not happy to say the least and I still remember their departure like it was yesterday. So all this time they have lived about 4 hours away. As a matter of fact when I decided where to go to college, I chose one that was 45 minutes away from their home so I could spend more time with them. That worked out perfect until it was time for me to graduate and move away again.

My sweet Grandmother, the sweetest and kindest person I have ever known in my life passed away 8 years ago and we begged for my Papa to come back home. He refused and continued to live in the town they had retired to many years ago.

Need I tell you that all the little widow women came out of the wood work when my Nanny passed away, because a single handsome man was in town. It made me sick and my family loved to tease me about my Papa having or finding a girlfriend. I would cry and cry about it, because I felt like I needed to remain loyal to my Nanny.

Well, guess what we got to do today after picking the "Itty Bitty" up from MDO? We got to go and see my Papa who just moved to an assisted living facility in our town on Monday.

I was so proud to walk in with my 2 sweet babies and ask the receptionist to direct us to Papa's room. It felt so good and I truly never thought I would see the day when he moved back here.

Here is a pictue of me & Papa on my wedding day. He walked me partly down the aisle to meet my Daddy ~ he is the sweetest little thing ever.

Papa and my sweet babies. This is the first time he has seen our "Little Man" and he was so excited and kept telling everyone, "these are my great grandbabies and that is my granddaughter."

My heart melted when I got home and saw this picture of him holding Gavin.

Emma was a little nervous about Papa being in a wheel chair. He can actually walk, but he recently had hip replacement and this makes it much easier for him to get around.

I had a lady that was passing by snap a picture of all of us. I sure wish Curtis could have been there with us, but he will go back with us soon.

It was so nice to just sit and visit with him. He is very smart, funny and awful handsome for someone that will be 88 years old in October. He told me that when he left home on Monday all the "little old ladies" were just crying and crying because they were going to miss him so much. He is quite the ladies man and is always dressed to perfection. I could not help but laugh when we got there becuase there he sat in his pressed khakis and dress shirt (he had no idea we were coming). He normally wears a straw cowboy hat too.

Everyone we walked past in the hallway just smiled and told me what a joy he was to have around. He also just kept telling me, "I can not believe I am here, I am back in the same town with all my family. I am so happy to be back with my family. I can not wait to see everyone." As hard as it was for us to get him here, I think he is thrilled to call this place his new home.

The place he moved is brand new and is beautiful. I was a little hesitant about going because I thought it would make me really sad to see him there, but it is just gorgeous and so nicely decorated. It is adorned with wrought iron, armoires, nice wall hangings, coordinating upholstered furniture, fireplaces and much more.

He has already had quite a few visitors, been to a couple of his great grandchildren's baseball games, gone to Target with my Uncle (he kept calling it Targie), gone out to dinner and watched an Astro's game with my Mom. He is very social, never meets a stranger, everyone loves him and has a million stories to tell about all his life experiences.

It was such a joy to see him interact with my children today and we look forward to many more visits with him.

Did I mention that I am so excited that for the first time since 3rd grade, I live in the same town with my Papa?

7 weeks ago...

I became the Mommy to this sweet little boy that stole my heart the second I laid eyes on him.

I just can not get enough of him, really...he is such a good baby. We have been so blessed to have good babies. Thank you Jesus!

This little guy is sleeping between 4-7 hours and only waking up 1 time at night. He is smiling, laughing out loud, trying to talk, rolls from his stomach to his back and keeps his eyes on his Mommy at all times (I love that too!) I am thinking he might be a Mommy's boy.

We had our first date today...Gavin accompanied me to the hair salon to get a haircut. My hair dresser was kind enough to come in early and let me bring Gavin in order to get my hair done and it needed it bad. Gavin made it through the wash, half the cut and then under the smock he went for the rest of the time. It worked out great and David was so sweet about it all ~ thats why I love him and make the trek across town to see him.

Let me not forget that 7 weeks ago today, I also became the Mommy to TWO! It is alot of work, but oh so worth every second of it. I know that every Mommy is crazy about their little ones, but I am so blessed. I can not say it enough....I am blessed, I am blessed, oh so blessed & to God be the glory!

On our way to...

Disney on Ice!

YESTERDAY

...the little girl who taught me how to be a Mommy turned 22 months old. It is so hard for me to believe that she is almost 2 and reminds me that I need to start planning a birthday party soon.

These pictures crack me up...she was so funny during this photo shoot, but kept running away from me. I just love the little look on her face in this one and of course there she is in her famous squatting position.

Oh Emma, you are becoming such a big girl that you don't even want to be in your baby swing anymore. You love to swing in the "big girl"one and mimic us by saying,"Hold on tight, don't fall." Happens to be really cute when you say it too.

I guess you thought you were going to the Senior Prom when you struck this pose, so glad I captured it. Seriously, this is what all the girls do at Mommy's school when they are all dressed up for a formal event. I must admit that you are so STINKIN cute!

• You have been a BIG SISTER for 6 weeks now and you talk about it daily.
• You love to hold Gavin and give him his pacifier.
• You primarily talk in complete sentences at this point and repeat EVERY single thing you hear. As a matter of fact your Daddy told me I was drama tonight and you thought it would be funny to say it too.
• You love to eat and you beg us for candy everyday. Sometimes we give you 3 M&M's, but you try and grab 3 handfuls.
• You have given up your sippie cup at naps and night time.
• You are so independant and always say, "Emma do it, I do it, I do it!"
• Singing and playing outside are on the top of your list these days.
• Your favorite thing to do is go in your closet for long periods and come out dressed in the craziest stuff. It usually consist of a hat, sunglasses, a pair of shoes, 2 headbands and a jacket. Today you got all dressed up, grabbed your laptop, chapstick, bunny, purse and told me you were going to work.
• You usually change your shoes about 18 times a day and I find little shoes all over the house.
• Your favorite place to eat is "Chicka Fil A"...and yes that is how you say it...you like to add an (A) on the end of Chick. You also love "mash tatoes."
• You love animals...all kinds and you are not afraid of any of them.
• You sit down with books and pretend to read and you are really good at it too.
• You like money and you go straight to your piggy bank with it...a girl after my own heart...be a saver baby!
• You love to find bugs and spiders and chase your Daddy down to get them.
• You are extremely outgoing and talk to everyone when we go places. You usually tell them, "bye, love you."
• You are a dancing machine and you have the cutest little moves.
• It amazes us more and more everyday how quickly you pick up on things and remember everything, you are such a smart girl.
• You melt our hearts every time you say "pwease" ~ makes it really hard to tell you no.
• You are one of the most loving and affectionate kids I have ever met in my life and we love that about you.
• You always say thank you, yes ma'am (even to your Daddy), bless you and thank you.
• Your feet are so tiny, you still wear a size 4 shoe and you are short compared to other kids your age.
• Everyday you make us so proud of you and we are so honored to be your parents.
  

I better get some rest, each day is a new day with you and we look forward to seeing what you will do next. Keep us laughing sweet girl, keep us laughing.