A busy, busy, fun week!

• Thursday we picked John's parents up at the airport. 
  
• Friday John was promoted to a first lieutenant at work. Later that day we bought Gabe his first fishing pole. And with help from Grandpa and Daddy, Gabe caught his first fish! And if you happen to ask Gabe about it, he'll tell you it was really a really BIG fish!
  
  
• Saturday we explored Carriage Hill Metro Park and Gabe was happy to take the horsey ride mommy had promised him.  
  
• Sunday was Porter's blessing day. After church we threw a big barbecue at our house. Thanks to all our friends and neighbors who came to support us on this special day! 
  
  
• Monday we drove back through Amish Country so Wayne and Rose could purchase a wood/coal burning stove for their home. 
  
• Tuesday we toured the historic church sights around Kirtland Ohio. I would like to thank the sister missionary from Hawaii for recommending RJ's BBQ Pork Sandwich for lunch! That was the BEST pulled pork sandwich ever! I'm seriously considering driving the three hours it takes to get there just to get another one!
    
  
• John's parents headed home early Wednesday morning. Rose and Wayne, thanks for coming to visit us and for helping out so much while you were here. You really spoiled us and the kids! We sure love ya!

What have I gotten myself into?

I just finished registering for the USAF 10K run. Looks like I'd better start pounding the pavement and possibly lay off the Oreos!

Memorial Day

Is there anything more American than spending Memorial Day at a Baseball Game?
We had a great time at the Cincinnati Reds baseball game with our friends. We left Gabe at home with a babysitter and Porter tagged along with the adults. After four innings the game was delayed for two hours because of rain. We left after an hour and went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. Yummy! Thanks to our friends Josh, Dana, Matt, and Shersti we had a great Memorial Day!

My Gorgeous Peonies

When you're the best of friends . . .

Zach and Porter - The best of friends, they just don't know it yet! Zach is our next door neighbor's little boy who was born just six weeks before Porter. Dana and I became good friends during our pregnancies and we're sure these little guys will be great friends too!
I love the picture of them both looking at the tornado (which we call Gabe) that whirls around them!

Thomas!

Gabe LOVES Thomas right now! So as a special treat John took Gabe to see "Thomas and Friends - Live on Stage!" He loved every minute that Thomas was on the stage and apparently became quite distressed whenever he was not on stage. John and I thought the ticket prices were ridiculous, (which is why just John and Gabe went) but the smile Gabe had on his face when he got home was worth every penny! I just have to keep reminding myself of the great story President Monson told about how "the circus keeps coming back, but childhood doesn't." Gabe is growing up so fast, it always makes me happy to have fun memories like this of him!

Grandma & Aunt Annette,

Thank you for coming to see us! We sure enjoyed your visit and are so thankful for all of you did to help us! Thank you for leaving your families to come and take care of mine for a few days. We sure love you and are so grateful for the time you spent with us!

Here's the highlights I remember from your trip:

• Trip to the outlet mall
  
• Grandma showing Gabe how to use the slide at McDonald's.
  
• Finding a "breast feeding friendly zone" in Xenia.
  
• My mom making all of the cards for my cardswap (thank you!)
  
• Haircuts, haircuts, haircuts.
  
• Rearranging my living room furniture
  
• Buying seven lampshades
  
• Celebrating Mother's Day
  
• Eating at Sake
  
• Visiting the Arboretum
  
• Watching movies and The Biggest Looser
  
• Cheesecake . . . yum!
  
• My laundry being clean and folded
  
• My dishes being done
  
• Having so much help with my kids!
  

Thank you!

Happy Boy!

Our crazy haired little boy (this is what John calls Porter) started smiling when he was just four weeks old. Now at five weeks old, he's smiling frequently enough for me to catch it on camera. He is such a happy little guy!

Two Little Boys

Two little boys.

Go, go, go.
Never stopping.
Life is hectic.
Life is busy.
Life is overwhelming.

I've got to keep up.

Two little boys.

Up with the sun.
Go, go, go.
Never stopping.

Life is the park and neighborhood kids.
Life is playing with dad and cuddles with mom.
A two year old's life is spent in timeout.

Two little boys.

Running. Playing. Screaming.
Go, go, go.
Never stopping.

Life is quiet in the middle of the night.

Life is still.
Peaceful, dreaming angels.

Two little boys.
Go, go, go.
Never stopping.
Life is moving so quickly.  

Each day so exhausting.

Each day so precious.
How do I savor this life?

Forever etch these memories in my mind?

Two little boys.
Go, go, go.
Never stopping.
Life is smiles.
Life is laughter.
Life is tears.
I love these two little boys.

Life is good!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to our SUPER AWESOME moms! We love you!

7 years ago today . . .

Photo shoot of my kiddos

Thank you, thank you, thank you to Laura for taking these great pictures! Here is the link to her photography blog: Laura's Photography

Lovin' these boys!

Porter 2 1/2 weeks old.


Gabe tucked himself in for the night.
Only problem was he wasn't in his bed!

What a Week!

Home from the hospital on Friday. Papa and Grammy arrived on Saturday. Easter celebration and trip to the doctor on Sunday. Papa left on Monday. Grammy stayed for the rest of the week and helped us adjust to being a family of four. It was so great to have Papa and Grammy come visit! Gabe sure enjoyed (and needed) all the extra love and attention! Thanks for everything!

Update: Overall Porter has been a really good baby. He is sleeping and eating well, and has no problem filling those diapers! Gabe probably has had the hardest time adjusting to having Porter here, but I think we're all getting into the groove of having a new baby now. We think Gabe has finally accepted the fact that Porter is here to stay. Today he was amazingly gentle with Porter and actually played really cute with him. (We've come a long way from him wanting to head-butt the baby!) We sure love Porter and are so happy he's part of our family - It's been a great week and a half!

Brothers

Clones

Check out how similar Gabe and Porter look as newborns. Gabe's on the left and Porter on the right.

Happy Birthday Porter

Porter finally arrives, April 8th at 10:35 am after a long, often miserable and heart renching, 41 week pregnancy for Rach. But, as you can see, he looks as health as a horse, despite the bruised face (that's why his face is purplish). He was a good size boy, weighing a whopping 8 lbs 9.6 oz. and 21 in. in length. No wonder Rach was all belly by the end. Even the doctor last night kept saying "Wow" every time she saw Rach. Good job hun! I hope seeing Porter healthy and strong made all the misery worth it. I love you and I'm proud of you! And, I'll always think you're cute, even with a big baby belly.

Gabe Do It!

Gabe usually does a really good job at getting dressed by himself. However, this morning he had a little trouble. And when I tried to help him get it right, I was told, "No! Gabe do it!" So this is what we ended up with this morning. When he eventually did get his pants on at least they were on the right way. Half the time his pants are on backwards too. Aren't two year olds cute?

Easter Egg Hunt

Some girls in our ward put together an Easter Egg Hunt that I took Gabe to today. It was fun to enjoy the beautiful weather, some nice time with Gabe and my friends! It was also a good distraction to for me - I needed to get out of the house and get my mind off of being 9 months miserable . . . I mean pregnant : )
When we got to the park for the Easter egg hunt I realized there were no bathrooms and I hadn't brought a Pull-Up for Gabe to wear. So he had his first "manly" experience peeing in the woods today. What can I say? I'm so proud! He's two, he's potty trained, and he'll pee outside. What more could I ask for? Actually, I can think of several things (like not throwing his entire bowl of spaghetti at the kitchen wall like he did at dinner tonight), but I won't mention those things : ) I really do LOVE the kid!