Post Thanksgiving - Pre Christmas

Ok, so I have made my traditional template change for the holidays.

Thanksgiving was good this year. We went to Shane's Mom's and waited for him to get there after work. We ate really good food. The Cowboys and the Jazz won. The kids played and played and played.

We are going to my sister's (Diane in Amarillo) for Christmas, and all of my family is scheduled to be there. It will be one full house. I am looking forward to showing off the baby and seeing how much all of my nieces and nephews have grown. I am not going to panic about Christmas this year, but I am trying to do something memorable for the kids, since they are getting old enough to know what is going on. If anyone has any fun ideas, please comment and let me know.

Thanks!!! :)

Trunk or Treat

Our kids are now old enough to attend Kid's Club on Sunday nights at our church. This is a time for them to make friends and fellowship with kids their own age in a safe and fun place. This last Sunday they held a Trunk or Treat in the parking lot. They had to say their memory verse to get candy. They had so much fun, even though it got really cold all of a sudden. What a fun and happy time!!

2 months = Really Fast

Today I took Braxtyn to his 2 month checkup. It went really well and he checked out a-ok. He is now 12 lbs 2 oz and 22 inches long. So I am not imagining it, he really is growing like a weed. A really cute weed. Two months have really gone by too quickly. I have already had to "retire" 3 outfits and that part did make me tear up. He is such a good and easy going baby. He really puts up with being smothered by his siblings and hardly complains about anything at all. The last four nights, he slept for a block longer than 6 hours. That is a really wonderful thing. He has brought us all so much happiness and fun. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family who gets along and loves each other so much.

Not to make Bryndan and Kaitlyn feel left out, I will say that they are doing well right now too. Bryndan is excelling in school and has made many new friends. You can hardly tell he was delayed at all. Kaitlyn is also thriving and has made new friends at PDO and with some kids from the Mom's Group I meet with. She is becoming quite the social butterfly, and still maintains her own sense of girl style.

Braxtyn Update

I can't believe that Braxtyn is already 2 months old. It seems like just yesterday we brought him home. The big kids love him so much and he has fit right in. This is a video I recorded for my parents so that they could see how big Braxtyn is getting. He smiles and giggles regularly now, and is a pretty happy boy!!

Family of Five

Ok...so I am really behind, but it has taken a while to get things back together here at the house.

On August 4th at 10:04 pm, we were blessed to meet Braxtyn Joel Thomas. He weighed in at 7 pounds 9 ounces and he was 20 inches long. We had been at the hospital since 6:30 am, but with delays breaking the water, (Dr. was at another hospital) and the fact that he was "sunny-side" up, it took a while for him to get here. After a long labor, he finally rolled over at about 9:45, and arrived at 10:04. He is so beautiful. He was alert and hungry right away, and just brought so much joy. Shane was with me, of course, but this time both of my sisters were in the room as well. It made for a fun, yet interesting time. It was neat to share this experience with them. Since we have been home, I have taken some pictures but not as many as I would like. I just don't seem to have the time to get to the camera before the next thing happens. It is kind of like a non stop crazy party over here. Many friends and family have helped out tremendously with food and support. It has been wonderful to have people stopping by and for my Mom to be here. Sadly, she leaves this Friday :(

Bryndan started Pre-K on Monday and seems to be doing well. He likes his new teachers and friends and has made the transition well. We had a rough time yesterday morning getting him on the bus for some reason but he had no problems today. Kaitlyn will start PDO again next Thursday, and we went up to meet her new teachers on Tuesday. She likes her new room, and is looking forward to playing with new friends.

Both of the kids really LOVE Braxtyn. They like to help and bring things for him and they let me know when he is crying. Kaitlyn especially likes to hold him and give him hugs and kisses.

I am doing well, and except for the lack of sleep I am feeling relatively good. My back had been hurting so bad that I couldn't sit or move without agony, but since I've been home and have made it past the first week, it has really been doing better. It is nice being able to move around again. Braxtyn has had no trouble learning to breastfeed and except for a few times, it has really been no problem. He just gets the hiccups a lot!!!

Well...that is it for now...the children are calling!!

Promise to blog

Ok...so I promise to do a full "new baby" blog soon. I am just too tired right now. But I will do it and post new pictures and spill all the "gory" details...

Later...

I promise!!!

:)

First swims of the summer! - And small family updates

Last night we cleaned out the kids' pool. They insisted on swimming immediately. Bryndan had a good time until he turned blue and couldn't stop shivering. Kaitlyn decided it was too cold and never sat down. Then today we tried again. Kaitlyn played a little longer and did splash around before she got out to slide and swing. Bryndan stayed in the whole time and fun was had by all.

Bryndan has one more week of school. We had a meeting with them yesterday, and they have decided to move him to the regular 4 year old head start next year. No more PPCD. This is both happy and sad news. We are so blessed that he has progressed and mostly caught up with his age group, but we are sad we are losing his teacher Ms. Wheat. She has worked so hard with him for the last year and a half and he really loves her. Next year he will have a new teacher but will still have someone to help him throughout the day if he needs it. He will also still have some speech therapy and some OT throughout the week.

Kaitlyn has her last day of spring PDO tomorrow. She had a really good time, and made several friends. She has really grown and it is amazing how much she can do. She talks very well and can count to 10. We are working on letters, and the more that Bryndan reads, she picks up. It is really wonderful to see how they interact together and how she looks to him for help.

The new little one is still on schedule for Aug 4th. We had a little scare at the end of April. I had a UTI go bad and ended up with a kidney infection. I spent 4 days in the hospital trying to rehydrate and get antibiotics flowing. I was down for another week after that, but am feeling much better now. Just the normal Mom of 2 and pregnant tired...

I was also able to go to the neurologist last week. I got a new medication for migraines that I can take while pregnant, and a steroid shot in the nerve at the base of my skull. So far so good...we will see how much this helps with the headaches and dizziness.

We are looking forward to a busy and fun filled summer!!! I think with the pool and playset we will be spending many hours out of doors. Hopefully we won't have too many sunburns. :)

Belated Easter and Such....

So we did have easter at our house...I just didn't blog about it. The kids helped put stickers on the eggs, (I dyed them after the first cup of dye hit the floor), and the bunny came in the night and left them baskets and hid the eggs. They really had fun hunting eggs, when they figured out what to do. Bryndan insisted that they were still in the fridge so we had to show him that they were gone. After a breakfast of cinnamon rolls, they got to put on their new easter clothes. Kaitlyn LOVED her dress and kept saying "pretty, pretty dress!!". Bryndan liked his shirt but really liked his matching socks. That was really the first time we got him "church" socks. He thought it was so cool that his feet and his shirt matched.

Other news.... we found out we are having a BOY! So exciting. I have gone through Bryndan's baby clothes and I am remembering some sweet times. Sometimes you forget how little they really were. Both Bryndan and Kaitlyn are so excited about the new baby brother coming in August. They talk about him and the blankets I am making him and that they want to hold him and give him kisses. Bryndan tells me that he will be very careful and not hurt him. I just think it is so sweet. I can't wait until they can see him face to face. (August 4th)

Ok, so now I can claim I am caught up on my blogging. I am going to go take a nap since today is PDO day and I am actually here at the house by myself. (For a few hours more.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE

This blog is dedicated to my wonderful husband Shane. Today is his birthday. The above picture is a couple years old, but is one of my favorites. Although I could write a novel on what a good husband, provider and friend he is, one of the things I love the most about him is what a good Dad he is. He might not know what physical thing one of our kids needs at the time, but he always loves them. He tries to make them feel better any way he can. Even if it means just being with them on the couch when they are sick. Both Bryndan and Kaitlyn love their Daddy and love playing, being with, tackling, chasing and talking to him. He is the best. I can't wait until this new little one joins us and I will get to see them together.

I love Shane will all of my heart and I am so thankful and blessed he is in my life. I hope to share many more wonderful years with him and the kids.

Happy Birthday Shane

Kaitlyn's 2nd Birthday

Yesterday was Kaitlyn's 2nd Birthday. I can't believe how fast the time has gone and how big she is getting. We started the day off having her well-check at the Dr. Good news, she is well. She has grown 3 inches since her last well-check and is now 35 1/2 inches tall. She weighs 31 pounds. Very healthy. She talks up a storm and loves to play with her big brother.

We met with some family last night at Beef O'Brady's. The kids like the grilled cheese there, and Nanna likes the burgers. That makes it a win-win situation. After that we went to Nanna's house and had cake, ice cream, and presents. Kaitlyn is really into Tinker Bell right now, so that was the theme of the night. She had a Tinker Bell cake and napkins and plates, and cups. She thought that was great. She got some fairy wings and pretty new clothes from Nanna and a purple piggy bank. From Bryndan she got the Tinker Bell movie, and a Tinker Bell magnet story book. From Shane and me, she got some Tinker Bell dolls, a book, a wand, and she will be getting a new Tinker Bell and friends blanket. (When I finish it.) Overall it was a great birthday.

Update

Ok, so for those of you who didn't receive frantic phone calls, here is the update you have been waiting for. (As if you really were)

After our low key Christmas, we celebrated Bryndan's 4th Birthday. We went to IHOP for breakfast because he really likes their pancakes. Then after church and naps, we went to eat with Nanna. He chose One the Border. He likes to share chicken and cheese quesadillas with her. Then we went to her house and opened presents. He got some Thomas the Train engines, and a little house/carrier for them and some Thomas the Train movies. He is really into that right now. He still loves his CARS, but Thomas is a close second.

The next day was A DAY. Due to circumstances beyond my control, the oven and the kitchen caught on fire. Yes, FIRE. We were able to get it out with the exstingwisher before the firemen showed up, but the smoke and soot were everywhere. We moved in with Shane's mom for 5 1/2 days while the entire house was being cleaned, deodorized, and painted in some areas. The insurance covered most of it, but what a pain. I don't know if I was getting sick before, but I had a upper respiratory infection by the end of the week. Not fun. It was cold so everyday I had to take the kids to a different fast food place with a playland just so they could run around a little. Boy did I get tired of that. Some friends took some pity on me and invited us to the science spectrum on that Friday. The kids had a blast. If we end up with a little money after the taxes, I may invest in a year pass for that. We only went to one room and they were occupied for 2 hours. That is wonderful if you ask me. We made it through the week with minimal trouble, but were very happy to move back to our own house. The kids got to play with their Christmas toys again, and I got to sleep in MY bed. I am still trying to find things they cleaned and moved, but at least they are clean.

I guess we really could have lost the house, so I am very thankful we didn't. It just seemed like such a big deal. I am not so good when I am not in my comfort zone. With Bryndan out of school that whole week, I felt like I was at my wit's end. It might have something to do with my other news......

Yes, we are expecting BABY #3 !!!!!

I am excited of course, but not feeling my best. My progesterone was low, so I am taking supplements daily. (they make me queasy on top of queasy). Only until week 12, then I can stop. Shane is excited too and we are looking forward to seeing who this new little person will be.

So now you are caught up with the Thomas'. Hope you all had good and safe holidays!!!