Matthew's First Birthday!

Poor Puddin!

We had an adventure on Saturday afternoon! Matthew is doing a great job learning to walk, but he is still very wobbly! He was walking in the den with a toy in his hand and fell! We thought he smashed his hand and when I scooped him up to comfort him, blood was gushing out of his mouth! I darted to the kitchen and we got him cleaned up a little and discovered that he had a cut right about his lip and he was bleeding in his mouth too! He didn't bleed too long, but the cut on the outside seemed to be gapping open a little so off to the ER we went! He was a good sport! The doctor agreed that he needed a stitch so that's what he got! He was OK being swaddled and held down, but lost it when they covered his face with the sterile field sheet! It only took a minute and then I had him back in my arms. Rod and I made it through with only minor trauma! Here is a picture of when we got home!


Taylor had a "Old fashioned" sleepover as she called it! It was a fun group of girls and 2 of the guys came to hang out for a while Friday afternoon. Of course they were up all night and I think Rod heard them last at 4 AM! It was great when I went to get them up and there were 5 girls in Taylor's queen size bed! I am so sorry I didn't take a picture! It was classic!
No, the boys did NOT spend the night :)

Hey! We have had a busy week. It was back to work for me for the first time since Reagan was born :( and Rod is home with the kiddos - everyone survived the week and came out alive!

I have the position of Business Analyst for Apollo Group, Inc which is the parent company to University of Phoenix. I will be helping with the institutional reporting with in the student financial aid department. Good area to be learning with Tay 3 1/2 years from college!

We have had a fun weekend! Reagan went to a birthday party today and got to ride Ellie May! Here is a picture and a quick video! She had no fear!!





Last week Shelby put together a trip to the Herpetological Society for a bunch of us with kiddos. It was great! Reagan and Taylor got to feed the tortises and Reagan got to ride on the back of one! We saw crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, all sorts of lizards, snakes, tortises and turtles. We even got to see the crocodiles being fed - not a pretty site!



Matthew is very, very mobile and has started climbing! Here is a picture of him getting himself into trouble! Gotta love that look!

Stick a fork in us, we are done!

My B A B Y, the last, the one that we are supposed to cherish and hold as little forever has done the unthinkable - taken his first steps. I am sooooo SAD! He walked out of my arms excitedly into his sister's this afternoon.


Last night we celebrated our friend Rob's birthday with all of the families. Here is Reagan and her boyfriend - Chance van Zweeden! Aren't they cute???

Taylor is on spring break this week and is hanging out with me!

More later, I am tired!

February.....

Hi! We have had a big month! We moved (yes, again and no, we are not addicted to moving). I think we have finally chosen the best house for us! It has a playground with 2 slides, swings and two levels for climbing. Rod has an office off the living room and I have a sewing/craft room off of the den. There is a HUGE bonus room upstairs where we have toys, the kids tv and my weights. It also has a patio. And we have a cool pool that is FENCED! I can let Reags out to play without any worries (other than AZ wildlife HA HA). No, I am not unpacked completely and it may take me a year! I am being kind to myself and taking it slow - or it may be a little rebellion to the fact I need to unpack again. Our goal is to be settled here until we buy (cross your fingers!).

Taylor celebrated her 15th birthday on the 12th! It was a week of hanging out with all of her buddies! She had a dinner on her actual birthday that Jen & Amelia & a passing boy attended (no need to mention - the facination came and went with record speed) and then had school friends over for Friday the 13th! It is neat being close to more of her friends and having them coming and going!

Reagan is Reagan - my challenging one! She LOVES her preschool! I get a fight every day when I go to pick her up - "No MOMMY, I don't want to go!" Guess that is confirmation that she is where she needs to be. We are working on staying calm and not pitching fits (HA HA - any suggestions are greatly accepted!) I hope she grows out of this - but I am not yet convinced that it will happen.

Matthew is growing up waaaayyyyyyy to fast! He is 10 months old now. We have finally stopped breastfeeding - much to my dismay. He decided and let me know by biting me everytime we tried to nurse. It did not take me long to catch on and throw in the towel. He was DONE - he has not even nudged at the breast since. I am sad though. He now has 5 teeth! He is an expert at crawling and loves to try to climb the stairs (under adult supervision only!). He is starting to let go when he pulls up and will take a few steps when he is in the pack 'n play. I am sure that it won't be long until he is walking!

Christmas to MLK Day!

OK - once again we are way behind! Since Christmas we have celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary (12/30), had a great New Year's eve celebration with Margie & Ronnie and Rob & Shelby and all of our kiddos at Margie & Ronnie's house. It was a lot of fun and the kids actually were awake when we left at 1:40 AM! I was amazed.

School is back in full swing and Reagan is at the BEST Montessori school - RisingSun. Miss Anna from last year is there and Reagan is so happy. We love Mrs Mara and have found a great new school family. The half day program works so much better than full days and I look forward to her being there next year for kindergarten as well.

Matthew is growing by leaps and bounds! He will be 9 months old in a few days. I cannot believe it! His new trick is pulling up! And he does it on everything. He also has cut his two top teeth - yes, all at once!

Taylor came out with great grades for the first semester of high school! We are SO proud of her! She actually made a 97 on her geometry final.

I am really, really trying to get my butt motivated on eating smart and exercise. I really fell off the wagon during the holidays and enjoyed baking all sorts of sweet goodies and biscuits and eating everything I wanted. I have a new blog that will feature my journey from the past through me getting to my goal of 140 pounds this year. Check it out - Shrinking the Fat.

Rod's parents are here visiting and we are in beautiful Sedona, AZ. We went and walked around Midgely Bridge at Oak Creek Canyon and had a very cold picnic at Slide Rock Park. We ended up sitting on the curb to stay in the sun and Matthew & Granny in the car!!!

Christmas Morning

Good morning Everyone! Here is how we started our day!

Merry Christmas!



And here are some pictures too!