Christmas 2009

This was our first family Christmas at home. We had an unusual but happy Christmas Eve. Dylan and I started off the day making Christmas cookies for Santa. He enjoyed eating the dough and using the cookie cutters. Steven's dad and Stephanie joined us for church and dinner. We were late to church - no surprise - but a nice woman offered us seats since we both were holding little ones. The boys looked so handsome and were so well behaved. When we came home from church the power was out at our house and we could not heat us dinner, etc. for awhile. We lit candles and Dylan was running around with a flashlight saying that he could see in the dark. About an hour later the lights came on and we had a nice dinner and Christmas celebration with Lee and Stephanie. Dylan was of course so excited about finally getting to open presents and he loved the tractor they gave him. After we put the kids to bed Steven and I enjoyed playing Santa Claus for the 1st time and putting out the kids gifts for Christmas morning.

About 2am I was feeding Levi and heard a lot of sirens and it sounded as if a firetruck may have even been on our street. Steven was sleeping with Dylan so I went and looked our front and saw nothing and then out back and could see smoke and flames behind our house (at least a block over). I went and woke Steven up and he went to see what was going on. The fire was 2 blocks over - and later found out was arson. Scary and eventful Christmas monring.

Levi slept through most of Christmas morning but Dylan was so happy and excited. He loved opening presents and seeing what Santa had left for him and he really liked emptying out his stocking. We also made hot biscuits for breakfast - his favorite. It was so nice to be at home and I took at 2 hour nap with Dylan - merry Christmas to me. My parents joined us for dinner that evening and we had another lovely Christmas celebration. It was so nice to be at home and enjoy our two little ones.

Another favorite memory of mine this Christmas season was getting to enjoy Christmas cookies and peppermint ice cream with Dylan. These have always been my favorites and it was special to get to share it with him. We ate them for snacks most days and he would be just as excited about it as me and still asks for pink ice cream and christmas tree cookies.

If we make it through December

We are actually having a good December but I always think of my uncle Bubba when I think of December/Christmas. We use to karaoke to that song every year and it was always a good time!

This December we have been at home getting ready for Christmas. Dylan is super excited and tries to open his presents every day. He also loves to read his Little People Christmas book which he was also obsessed with last year. This year he pretty much has it memorized and can read it to me. Levi is getting bigger and more animated everyday. He smiles and coos a lot and overall seems to be a very happy baby. He especially loves bath time and kicks and tries to swim in the baby water. I am pretty amazed by this for a 3 month old. Steven and I have also made it out a few night by ourselves. We saw Jack Ingram, Bruce and Kelly Christmas show and went to the WGA Christmas party. It is always nice to have some adult, married time with my husband. We often laugh about how we can not even talk to each other at our house because Dylan is always talking! We are looking forward to staying home this Christmas and enjoying our boys!

Dylan also had his first spend the night away from home. Steven was gone Saturday night and Dylan spent the night with my parents. He did very good for his first spend the night and it made my night a lot easier. My mom in very good at comforting him so I think that helped a lot. It is funny how the only people he wants to put him to sleep are me and my mom. I am so proud of him for being such a big boy.

Steven bought a video recorder and I have been taking videos of Levi smiling and Dylan reading , playing, etc. so once I learn how to download them I will now have videos on my blog! Stay tuned. Below are some of our December pictures.

Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and family gathering at the ranch last week. We were all missing my grandmother (Memaw) but know she would have been proud we carried on the Thanksgiving tradition at the ranch. Below is what I want to remember about this Thanksgiving.

1) Dylan and Layla had their first spend the night in the same bed. I left them alone once Dylan had fallen asleep and after I left I could hear Layla singing herself to sleep in the baby monitor.

2) Family dance party - Layla insisted on this and it was a lot of fun. River liked dancing with his Aunt Angela, Juliet loved dancing and my mom tried to teach Layla and Dylan how to twist.

3) My mom decorating the Christmas tree and mantle and Dylan and River undecorating the tree and breaking the ornaments.

4) Having 5 kids all try and sleep in the same house and 4 1/2 in diapers. Trying to take care of 5 kids in general!

5) Chasing moo cows with Dylan and Layla.

6) Me and Melinda both loosing our cool due to sleep deprivation - can you blame us!

7) My dad loving to burn the trash and work on anything he could find. Craig putting my dad's nice pillows in the fire.

8) Steven being obsessed with having fire wood and fixing the log splitter.

9) Dylan want to hunt for dinosaurs in the woods and thinking he saw baboons and ostriches!

10) Steven and Craig deer hunting - me grabbing the kids when we heard the gunshots when Craig shot his deer. Steven accidentally shooting 2 deer.

11) Having a fire in the fire place when it was not cold outside just so we could make smores!

12) Mom walking with Levi over her shoulder and Melinda suctioning Levi's nose.

13) Dylan wanting to sing Happy Birthday because we had candles lit on the Thanksgiving table. Dylan and Layla blowing out the candles.

14) Dylan telling River to share.

Most importantly it was great family bonding. I am thankful for each member of our family and it was neat to get to spend several days with them. I am looking forward to many more holiday celebrations.

Tis The Season

Tis the Season is a holiday party at Dylan's school. Steven and I took Dylan and he wanted to play with the animals in the navity scene the whole time. He also sat on Santa's lap and told him what he wanted for Christmas. We had practiced earlier in the day and I am pretty sure he told Santa he wanted dinosaurs and trains. Dylan also enjoyed playing in the fishing pond, wonder where he gets that from. Below are a few pictures from our evening.

Two Month and Two Year Check-ups

First of all thanks to my mom for going to the doctor with Dylan, Levi and me this morning. It would have been wild without her. Both boys were well behaved but even then can be a handful when they both have to get shots, etc. Both boys received a good report and their stats are below:

Levi - 2 months

Weight - 13 pounds, 9 ounces - 75-90%
Height - 24.5 inches - 90%
Head - 16 inches - 50-75%
(He is longer and weighs more than Dylan at two months but his head is smaller)

Dylan - 2 years

Weight - 28 pounds - 50-75%
Height - 90-95%
Head - 20 inches - they did not give up %

Thank God for my sweet, healthy boys!

Hospital Stay & November Birthdays

Well November did not start out too well for us. Levi came down with a fever and due to him only being 7 weeks at the time had to stay at Texas Children's Hospital for the weekend. They did several tests on him (blood, urine and spinal tab) and everything checked out fine. It was very difficult for Steven and I to see our little man getting poked on and in general being so uncomfortable. They think he just had a cold but kept him until his fever went away. We are very thankful that everything turned out OK and Levi is feeling much better and glad to be back at home with both of our boys.

The weekend Levi got sick we had to cancel Dylan's birthday party. Luckily he is too young to get upset over it. His cousins and Zimmerman grandparents still came in town to celebrate with him. Dylan enjoyed staying with his Nana all weekend and playing with his cousins. Thanks to my parents for taking such good care of Dylan while we were at the hospital and everyone else who helped out.

Well in November we have a lot of birthdays to celebrate - Dylan, my mom and dad. Dylan loves birthdays, presents, birthday cake and blowing out the candles. He has even gotten good at singing Happy Birthday! Steven's brother also had a birthday last week so Happy Birthday to Bryan! He is at Clemson so I am sure he found time to celebrate. Below are some pictures from the month and of the birthday celebrations.

Happy 2nd Birthday Dylan

Today was Dylan's 2nd birthday. At 2 years old we are so proud of him and of course think we have one of the cutest smartest two year olds ever. Dylan can now count to 15 (I think) in English and 10 in Spanish, he speaks in some complete sentences and is full of energy and curiosity. He loves to watch Dora, color, play trains and kick ball. He enjoys going to school, swim lessons, Tyler's house and the park. He is still not a big eater or sleeper but loves junk food and milk. He is still a momma's boy, an arm rubber and is not too ready to grow up because he still asks and gets him pacifier a lot. He has made a lot of potty training progress and mostly poops on the potty although sometimes does not make it in time. Dylan is not too sure about being a big brother or sharing all the attention yet but does enjoy having Levi sit by him in the car. I am sure I am forgetting many of his accomplishments this year but wanted to be able to remember him at this fun age. I am combining his and Levi's doctor appointments so we do not go to his two year check-up until November 18th.

This morning we gave him a tricycle and he wore a birthday boy shirt to school. He was very excited that it was his birthday and was singing happy birthday before school. I sent cupcakes with him so his class could celebrate with him at snack time. Nana picked him up at school (she is his preferred ride home) and she gave him his present when they got home. She gave him a basketball hoop. It was tough but with a little assistance from me she got it put together and they played hoops outside. His sweet cousins Layla and River also called and wished him a happy birthday - mainly Layla but River was trying.

For dinner we took Dylan to the Aquarium downtown for dinner. Steven's dad and Stephanie met us there. Dylan was excited as soon as we drove up and he saw the waterfall and dolphin fountains. His excitement continued throughout dinner as we were sitting very close to the large aquarium which has tons of fish, shark, turtles and sting rays in it. Every time the shark would swim by he would scream "there it is!" It was a very fun birthday dinner and I think Dylan had a very happy 2nd birthday and we have not even had his party yet.

Firetruck Party

Wyatt, a boy in Dylan's class, had a firetruck birthday party. Dylan was able to climb around inside the firetruck, act like he was driving and spray the water hose. It was a very nice party, beautiful weather and great for boys who love trucks!

Fall Festival and Halloween

Dylan's went to a fall festival for little kids at his friend Tyler's school. Dylan really enjoyed the petting zoo and riding horses (pictures below) but somehow came home smelling like animal poop so he went straight to the bath tub! Dylan really liked the duck and kept grabbing his beak and neck - poor duck.

On Halloween, Steven and Dylan carved a pumpkin and then we went over the the Getz house to celebrate with them. Dylan had a great time playing and trick or treating. Nana bought him a dragon costume which he enjoyed wearing and was good at telling people what he was dressed as. He would also roar when asked what a dragon says. Dylan was not too sure what trick or treating was but once he realized there was candy involved he was very excited about it. We had to hide his pumpkin basket at home or he would eat all the candy in one sitting. He loves sweets!

Where did October Go?

We stayed very busy in October. We backed out of our house offer, but the house inspection, floor samples, etc. took up a lot of our October time. We were sad to not be moving to a new, better neighborhood and a larger house, but relieved at the same time to not have to deal with it right now. Moving sounded like a lot of work.

Levi is growing, growing, growing and has been more fussy this month. Our doctor said peak fussiness is around 6 weeks and I believe him. Levi is already a better sleeper than Dylan so their is hope for me to one day get some sleep. Dylan had been staying busy with school, swim lessons and playing with Tyler. Another perk to not moving is that Tyler is right around the corner. Below are some new pictures of Levi.

Big Baby Boy

Yesterday I took Levi to the doctor for his 1 month check-up. He was very well behaved considering we had to wait over an hour and a half. I was all mad but then our doctor is such a nice guy I did not even complain. Levi got a good report and seems to be growing fast. His stats are below and he is over 1 lb. bigger than Dylan was at 1 month. I am hoping this means he will be a better eater and sleeper.

Height - 22.5 inches - 75-90 %
Weight - 11 lbs, 2 oz - 75-90 %
Head - 15.5 inches - 75-90 %

Today I took Dylan to school for the first time since Levi was born. It went smoothly until I had to leave and Dylan got upset. I was expecting this - he has not been crying for Steven but I think since I had Levi with me he thought we were going to go have fun without him. Hopefully he calmed down quickly after I left. Before we got out of the car he asked if Nana (my mom) could pick him up. I thought that was very cute and sweet - she has been picking him up for almost a month now. I told him Nana was on vacation and he said please Nana pick me up. Too cute.

Weekend and House News

We put an offer on a house in Nottingham Forest 8 this weekend - which is exciting and scary! If all goes well we will close on November 20th (although probably not move until mid December) so now we just have to work on selling our house. Steven and I are both excited about moving to a safer, more family oriented neighborhood but getting a little sad about leaving our wonderful neighbors and cute, little home.

This weekend we have been enjoying the beautiful weather. On Friday I was adventurous and took both boys to the park behind Town & Country. It is a great park and we saw 3 girls from Dylan's class there. Dylan loved all the green space to run around and chase the birds. Yesterday we went to Natalie's baptism. It was a very nice ceremony and then dinner and the Getz house. Below are some more cute pictures of my boys - do you think Steven has his hands full?

Sweet Baby Boys

Last night Steven had a work function and I had both boys in Dylan's bed trying to get Dylan to go to sleep. I could not read to him because I was holding Levi (who would fuss if I put him down) so I just had to snuggle with both my boys and sing them bedtime songs. I was a teary eyed mom because I felt so blessed to have such sweet, healthy, beautiful baby boys. It was once of those moments I hope I remember forever.


New picture of Levi.

Hello and more pictures

We are surviving and actually doing well. Dylan and Levi are both sweet little boys although they both like to be awake at night. Must be something in our genes! Levi appears to be growing - we go to the doctor next week for his 1 month appointment and will see how much he weighs. I have been pretty much home bound with Levi but for those of you who know me know that I kind of enjoy that. We did escape to Steven's office last week and I did invoicing for one day. Levi was very well behaved at the office. We have also had a lot of company which has been nice to socialize for awhile.


Steven has been doing his best to keep Dylan busy. They have been to birthday parties, swim school, Gymboree and playing with friends as much as possible. On days I have both boys by myself Dylan is pretty good at staying in his pj's with me and just hanging out at home. Steven was not too impressed when he came home from work yesterday and Dylan was still in his pj's at 5pm.


Sleepy boys:


Our attempts at potty training:


Dylan and neighbor Ethan:

Dylan and Tyler:

Dylan loves school

Dylan is loving school. We had his first teacher conference today and he is doing very well. She said he is good at communicating and socializing with the other kids. Below are pictures of him getting ready for school and actually taking a nap at school on his nap mat. We are so proud of our big boy!

Levi's 1 week

Today we took Levi for his 1 week doctor appointment. His stats are below and I compared them with Dylan's and they were pretty much the same size at 1 week. Levi has been eating well and sleeping a lot (better during the day of course). Dylan is starting to show more and more interest in him and now likes to kiss and touch him.

Levi at 1 week:
Weight: 8 lbs. - 50% - Dylan was exactly the same weight
Height: 20 1/4 inches - 75% - Dylan was 1 inch longer
Head: 14 inches 1/8 inches - 50% - Dylan's head was exactly the same size

Steven and I are tyring to adjust to the busy lifestyle with a newborn and a almost two year old. My mom and Madalena have been a tremendous help!


My precious boys!


First bath at home.