Brittney’s Bridal Shower

  Today we had a beautiful Bridal Shower for my future Sister-in-law!  It was a lot of work but had fun putting it all together with my mom!  Everything went together  and our theme was Brittney's favorite colors: black, red, and white.  It was a garden party with lots of presents.  The cake was a three-tiered "present" cake and tasted great thanks to mom!  We were pleased to have so many relatives of Brittney and Chad's to honor us  with their presence. Even Brittney's mom, sister & two grandmas came from out of town!  I want to give a special thanks to my brother Chad who graciously came over early to help set up, change diapers, dressed kids & babysat Sawyer during the shower!  We would of never made it with out you!  Here are some pics of our special day!  (P.S. I am now cleared to go into labor but as of now nothing has happened!)

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Potty Time!

So we have been off & on potty training for a little over a year.  A year ago she was actually ready to go but with David being deployed, us living in a new environment, & new baby in the house it just never worked out.  Then it was time to move, be on the road & not live a “normal” life!  It still just didn’t work out.  We tried to get serious about it a little over a month ago but once again she just wasn’t ready!  Last week I swore I would never mention the potty again until we were settled in Del Rio & she was three!  But out of the blue she brought it up.  We decided that we needed a new approach and new tools.  So the little princess got to go to the store and pick out her very own, singing, pink, princess potty!  Still off & on for the next few days we struggled but got a few successes!  Trying to decide weather to really push the potty or just let it go we choose to keep on her and see how she did.  Not being very successful or into the whole thing yesterday I thought I was safe to give her a bribe this morning!  OH was I WRONG!  She woke up talking about the potty so David put her on & she made the potty sing!  A little while later when asked she once again went sat down and the potty began to sing!  I reminded her that we would stop asking her if she would start going on her own.  I also said that we would buy her a bran new tricycle if she could get 10 stickers today.  For every success she gets a sticker on her chart & a sucker.  David just stared at me from across the room.  We are in no position this week to be buying her a new tricycle!  We live in an apartment on the second floor & every time I move I begin to contract & at the end of the week we will be closing on our second home!  I reassured him that there was NO WAY she was going to go in the potty 10 times!  By noon we had 6 stickers!  8 stickers by the time Daddy arrived home from work & 9 stickers by the time it came to go to the grocery store.  We had no accidents what so ever and just couldn’t see her fail now!  So we brought the potty chair along with us in the van & I decided to just stay in the car with the kids while they watched a movie.  Sure enough as we were patiently waiting for Daddy to return she yells out “I got to go POTTY!”  By the time Daddy got back to the van we were up to 10 stickers!!  Thinking that she would forget about the prize & that we may be able to scam the little 2 year old into getting another full day of big girl potty successes we headed home!  Once again she proved me wrong.  She walked into the apartment asked for her sucker, sticker, & her new tricycle!  With a look from Daddy I don’t really desire to see again Daddy & Olivia headed out the door to Target!  Luckily Target had a great sale this week!  I just keep whispering in his ear that 2 in diapers is WAY cheaper than 3!!! 

        

The Zoo

Most days I feel like we live in a ZOO!  The kids & I act like caged animals when we finally get out of this apartment & get to be out & about!  But this weekend was a little rainy & icky outside so when the sun came out on Sunday we decided to go to the San Antonio Zoo.  The kids loved being outside & getting to see all the animals.  Olivia’s favorite was the Elephant.  Now that Olivia knows all of her letters it was really fun to show her the signs that talk about the animals & ask her questions.  She thought it was pretty neat to figure out what letter each animal started with.  Towards the end we would ask her something & she would respond with “I need to read the sign!”  Sawyer had fun making animal sounds & just pointing at all the animals!  Most of all he just loved being outside!  Here are some pics from our day at the zoo.

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Sea World

So for one week the kids & I have been confined to our small apartment.  We only left once to go to the doctor.  This is because I need to take it easy & because we live on the top floor it is too hard on me to try to get the kids to & from the car.  Especially cause they always fall asleep!  Anyway so David decided to get us out  & get some Vitamin D!  We headed to Sea World for the day.  It was a lot of fun & perfect weather!  We took it very easy, saw a few shows & ate lots of treats!  Sawyer loved the shows & sat through them clapping, & smiling!  We finally figured out what language he speaks.....whale!  At least that is what it sounds like.  Olivia was amazed at the animals & they all seemed to be her favorite!  But we are afraid once again nothing made her happier than her bucket of popcorn!  Here is some pics from our day!

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Update

Ok we realized that we haven't really updated on what went on last week & how we are doing this week! So here is our run down with little explanation! :) Olivia is finally doing well! She has been fighting a cold, allergy, ear infection sense the beginning of March! She is weighing in around 30 lbs & is 36 inches tall! She knows her letters, & learned to spell her name. She misses her grandparents, friends & kids in general. There is no one here but us so it makes it hard to have play dates & just other little people for them to interact with. Sawyer is finally doing better as well. He has had on and off two ear infections sense we got here in February. A few weeks ago he and Daddy found them selves in the ER due to having Bronchitis & an ear infection. But finally he has been cleared of any ear infections according to the doc and just needs to stay on his asthma medication. He is weighing in at 25 1/2 lbs & 30 inches long. He is busy running around, playing with Olivia & trying to learn the word NO! I had a hard time finding a doctor when I got to town. Apparently some doctor offices don't except you as a patent unless you start to finish with them during a pregnancy! Which I know that my dream has always been to run around the USA trying out new doctors & then randomly picking a State, House, & Hospital to have a baby! But anyway I finally found one on the list of approved insurance docs and made an appointment. David & I were highly disappointed but figured we would tough it out & make it work for this short 5 months! Went back by myself for the second appointment, came out in tears & never wanted to see him again! He is horrible, rude, & just plain stupid! But I decided that I probably could make it through just two more appointments with him until I can get to MONTANA! Well, then last week came and blew that theory out of the water! I began spotting, contracting, cramping and things were not going well. Called him got an appointment for the following day. I had to take the kids myself due to last minute & David needed to fly. I figured couldn't be that big of a deal since he made me make an appointment for the next day! OH WAS I WRONG! I landed myself right into the hospital gown, IV & two kids running around a labor & delivery room! David got there as soon as possible & I laid there on monitors for 30 hrs. I was given steroid shots just in case but after the rest everything seemed to quiet down. The baby is doing very well, right on target, & they think the preterm labor was due to an infection & stress! I went in for a check up this week and everything is still going well. As long as I am taking it easy I don't seem to get myself into contractions and so far medicine is helping! (Plus the fear I have to go back to the hospital/doctor!) I will go back in two weeks and get checked out again. Ok and last but not least David! He is such a great man, with a lot on his plate! Sense being here has missed out on the sick part until this week! He is fighting a sinus infection but hasn't missed a beat! He is here learning a new jet (weird not all jets fly the same!), learning how to teach someone else to fly this new jet, new co-workers & new patches! He has also had to drive us down to Del Rio (6 hrs) to go house hunting. Our first time wasn't very successful but did see a few houses. We really liked one but figured it wasn't going to work out so didn't do to much pondering about it. Went again and found a few we really liked. When we got back from looking last week we decided to put in an offer. But due to some wrong information we ended up putting in an offer to the house we really liked from the first trip! After a few negotiations we ended up getting the house! Would love to tell you all about it but we don't seem to really remember! ")So he is busy working on that, selling a car, refinancing our other house, cooking, cleaning, being a Daddy, working, taking care of me & even does laundry! We are currently all still breathing but that is about it! We have turned it over to God and realize that he is in control & the reason for doing every stressful thing in life all at once is the plan! We just want to thank you for all the prayers, thoughts, and patience. We appreciate you all bearing with us! We know we will get through this.

Easter

We hope you all had a wonderful Easter!  We had a very quiet Easter Sunday.  We did find a new church that is a lot closer to our apartment & felt a lot like our church back in Utah.  It was such a crazy, busy, scary week for us that we were longing for comfort!  Who knew that God would send us to church to find it! ;)  Afterwards we came home David made a wonderful ham dinner with cheesy potatoes, green beans & jello!  Jeremy, who is our good friend & lives in our apartment complex, came over & we enjoyed Easter dinner together.  The Easter Bunny did come and so did many packages in the mail!  David & I are still getting used to the idea that every "holiday" is like Christmas!  The kids think that the Mail Box is the North Pole!  But we are not complaining and really appreciate everything that you all send us!  It truly is a treat!  Here is a few pics from our day!

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Disney On Ice

 

Today we got to go to Disney On Ice!  David & I were a little worried how everyone would do but they did great!  Olivia is in love with Minnie Mouse & absolutely loved the whole show!  Especially the popcorn & cotton candy!  Sawyer did great for the first part until the snacks came.  He would just sit & watch, sometimes even point!  When the snacks came he got a little preoccupied and towards the end fussy.  He did enjoy the music & we would find him raising his hands and rocking to the beat!  We highly recommend it if you ever get the chance!  Here are some pics of our time!

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Sawyer’s 1st Birthday

Sawyer turned one and we just can't believe it!  Just yesterday he was a small little baby!  Now he is a 24 lb toddling toddler with a huge smile on his face!  Over the last few weeks he has just taken off!  We are having fewer stumbles and sometimes we are almost in a dead sprint!  He can say "Hi" and even though he doesn't have many words his mouth is always chattering!  A huge change from Olivia!  We were in Montana to celebrate his big day.  We were so excited to have our family & friends there to help us celebrate!  We had cake and ice-cream, opened gifts and had lots of great conversation!  We were all lucky enough to have all our living grandparents there except Sawyer's 101 Great Great Grandfather!  We want to thank all of you who were able to come and for all the wonderful gifts!  He is one spoiled little boy!

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

What a day full of LOVE!  We all had such a great weekend spending time together! Today we got to open presents, make cupcakes, and just be together!  The kids may not make it romantic but they sure make it special.  All their giggles, love & hugs are just priceless!  Hope you all had a wonderful day.

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Thank you Papa Steve & Grandma Sue for the Packages!

Olivia & Sawyer

Here is a clip of Sawyer starting to walk around! He is getting braver and braver by just letting go! He even will walk through a pile of toys! Sawyer also got his first haircut! He no longer looks like our baby but our little boy! Olivia loves her new table & chairs from Papa Steve & Grandma Sue! She spends most of her days coloring & writing. She loves having a room of her own and loves bringing toys back and forth between her room & front room! Olivia has also learned the Pledge of Allegiance! (well with a little prompting especially when the camera comes out!) Olivia coloring everything!