Happy New Year!

Parker and I played with the camera yesterday and heres what I got. I have some funny looking cross-eyed ones too that are hilarious but I decided not to post those. I'm loving the new camera btw. These were taken with an ISO of like 1600 or 2000 and there is a little noise but not much where it is too distracting. Like I said LOVE IT!

In other news, Coley is getting tubes! We saw the ENT yesterday and the surgery is scheduled for January 14th. I'm excited he'll be "normal" again. He's very whiney lately and wants his "bobo" (binky) ALL THE TIME! We were doing good too with just nap time and bedtime and then another ear infection hit. So we'll be starting that again after the surgery. He's on yet another antibiotic that will take us close to the surgery date. So far so good on him taking it...it's strawberry flavored. Whew!

Not much else going on really! I'm tired, very tired all the time. I have the motivation of a ROCK! I kid you not. I'm now 9 weeks along and looking forward to the second trimester. Hopefully I'll get some energy back and the nausea will go away for good...the headaches too. Other than that doing great. Parker is super excited about the baby in my belly. He gives the baby hugs and kisses all the time. He also loves to see how big the baby is getting through my weekly emails from babycenter.com This week the baby is the size of a grape and he comprehends that...so cool! He's going to be a GREAT big brother, again!

Off to edit some photos on this New Year's Eve!

I hope everyone has a SAFE and HAPPY New Year!

Merry Christmas and our "bean"!

So here is our first picture of baby #3. Cute huh?! lol Looks like a blog but that blob has a heartbeat which was amazing to see flickering on the screen. And the good news is there is
only ONE baby. Woohoo! This little one is causing me all kinds of nauseaousness through the day and headaches. Whew neither of the boys did this to me. So maybe it's a girl???!!!....hoping! Bill says boy still. I have a tendency when I'm pregnant to start "disliking" something that I would normally
do a lot. With Cole it was scrapbooking. The thought of scrapbooking just made me sick. Luckily,
that changed after I had him so he does have the start of a baby book. Well with the one it's the internet. I don't HAVE to check my email 50 times a day and I'm lucky if I turn the computer on before 5 p.m. So that is affecting my blogging...so sorry! And really my nausea and tiredness is really nothing to blog about. So I'm going to try and post with pictures too. I don't think I've just
taken snaps of the boys since the christmas card pics. Bad. Very bad.

Anyway, I messed up tonight and forgot to leave cookies for Santa. I remembered when he was already asleep. Whoops! I took pics so I could show him we left him some.

On another note, Coley had a follow up appt. on his ears. The right ear is still infected. GREAT! Which means yet another 10 day round of antibiotics. This round is different than the rest and apparently tastes so bad that it cannot be flavored. SUPER GREAT! So he's had ONE full dose of meds in 2 days. NICE! It smells nasty and has a chalky consistency. YUMMO! About 5 minutes after he takes it he still gags because of the awful taste. We've tried giving him a popsicle to eat before and after the med and still tastes nasty. Poor guy! He wipes his tongue on his shirt too.

Wishing everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS from our house to yours!

Christmas pj's and our tree!

So the boys wanted to wear their Christmas jammies tonight. I didn't mind I wanted to get pics like this by the tree after reading/seeing some awesome ones on ILP. Well mine are not as awesome as the ones on there but I'm happy with it.

Sooo....

I was totally planning a blog post in which I listed all my favorite things as of late. Well, that changed about 15 minutes ago when I noticed Cole's ear at the dinner table. His left ear drum is
RUPTURED. So that is 2 ruptured ear drums, one right and now left, since Sept. 18 of this year. The left was ruptured last year as well. This child has pretty much been on antibiotics since mid Sept. and I'm tired. Tired of trying to sneak his meds into his drinks and food. He fights and spits and it just gets ugly otherwise. For those that didn't know 2 weeks ago both boys were diagnosed with double ear infections. Our re-check appt. is Friday morning at 8. I'm guessing Cole's will be
tomorrow instead now...I'll be calling first thing in the morning. Our doc is out til the end of them month so I hope this other doc talks tubes with us. I'm thinking that is the only way my Coley's ears will be pain free for longer than a week.

Christmas outakes #3!

I went to a friend's house last week to reshoot her boys and I "thought" I might be able to capture a pic of my boys "together!" Yeah, right! They wouldn't so much as sit by one another. It's not P either he LOVES his Coley. It's Cole. Why on earth would he sit next to his brother? I'm so glad he likes candy and I'll be able to use it for bribery in the future. So here is the ONE and only shot of Cole. And one of P and his goofy smiles...man he's getting so big!

On another note, I've FINALLY completed our christmas card. I had a super duper hard time creatively with it. Then one night it just "all came together." I'm so excited to send them, but first I must order them. So you may just get one by Dec. 25th!

We're growing...

our family that is! We found out last Monday that we expecting baby #3. I wasn't planning on telling so early, but I found out that the Swansea firemen know so I wanted to let their wives know it is true. So very sorry that you heard it from your husbands. I assure you that is not how I intended on sharing our news. (btw, I know who you are) ;)

The due date according to the web is August 4, 2009. I'm planning July. Parker was 2 weeks early and Cole was 4 so I think it's better to just say July. Tomorrow I'll be 5 weeks along. Besides being exhausted and gassy I'm doing great. My time is coming. Bill and I are thrilled at the news. It was planned but still kind of shocking once reality set in...we'll be outnumbered. God has truly blessed us as a family.

Bill's reaction to the news! Awful, awful picture but do you see that SMILE I don't think it could get any bigger. Oh and after he read the card P and I made he said, "Well you might as well write CHAOS on the front of our house!" I'm sure it will be quite chaotic for awhile but we'll have fun.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all stuff your bellies with LOTS of turkey

and remember to thank HIM for all

of your blessings!

Just playing!

The out takes to our 3 photo shoots to get a christmas card picture. I had planned to make a card this evening but well the photos aren't working really well since I don't have a family picture or one of the boys together where they don't look like zombies. So instead I played with this fun template...btw I did NOT design these.

Not much going on here.

I've been playing with my camera and inside of course because it has been really chilly out lately. It's been at night too so I've been practicing bouncing my flash. I've discovered a problem today with my new camera. It's RAW files are NOT compatible in Photoshop CS2 which totally sucks...to put it mildly. Do you have any idea how much CS3 or 4 cost? Oh like a whopping $600! Um yeah so it SUCKS! I'll get over it and move on but gee whiz.

So anyway, P has been a real camera hog lately. He wants me to take all kinds of pictures of him. None of which are this posted below. He likes the silly faces, fingers pointing and just plain silly photos of himself. I had to threaten him for this photo to sit up straight smile and look at me or I would STOP taking his picture. I NEVER once thought I would have to use that...not for my children. It's normally the opposite. Sit still, look at me, and smile and we'll be done. Just let me get one good one. haha

My "fun" thing to do yesterday was not so much a hit with Parker but it was for Cole.

I saw here http://chasingcheerios.blogspot.com/ (you have to scroll down a bit). She even has a snowman one that is pretty cute as well. I just glued a piece of felt onto a piece of cardboard. the turkey and feathers can be taken off. I was a little over zealous in cutting out feathers for this little guy but oh well. It only cost $2 too and I have lots of felt left too.

Great day!

Today has been GREAT! This morning my dear friend Stephanie H. and I went to our first auction. It was super and together we spent $14. Me 12 and her 2. I got an old ladder back chair with a woven seat, a table top ironing board, over the shoe thingy, a drying rack of sorts (not sure exactly), a nativity set, a hand held Dirt Devil vacuum, and an old card table for $12. I knew the people that were running the auction from church so that made it even better. I really didn't think I was going to catch on but I did. I believe this will be the first of MANY more to come. :)

On the way home from picking up the boys from the fire station I had to get gas. Well in KY gas is a lot cheaper than here in TN. I filled up my van for $24. Yes, you read that right $24. Gas was 1.75/gallon. I've never put that cheap of gas in my van since we've had it I don't believe. Good times. Let's hope the prices stay this low or lower for awhile.

Exciting day for me!

Today "she" came. My beloved new baby. I've been waiting awhile for her. I've deemed it "her" because really its me and the boys at our house...if you don't count Cinders. Well anyway, I had to even it up a bit. My NEW camera arrived at the house this morning. Don't you hear the music! lol Bill had it all ready to go and battery charged when I came home from Mops today. I had to wait patiently as Cole went down as soon as we got home and P was home napping...he's sick. Once awake they had NO CHOICE but to come outside and run around the yard with me following their EVERY SINGLE move with the NEW camera in hand. WOW! It's just fabulous, amazing, beeautifullll, and so stinkin nice and NEW! ha I love it. These are just a few of the 200 plus I took today.

I did not pose this child. He stood by the tree (for awhile) just looking and smiling at me. Love him. He'll do that from time to time. Pose that is. On. His. Own. Those EYES! Double click on it to see it bigger...they are completely in FOCUS yippeee!

After warming up to my paparrazi moves!

Busy!

That seems to be the word I'm repeating over and over these days, BUSY! We have been on the go with a lot lately. Whether it be me and my photography or school 2 days in a row this past week or my Bible study and it being my turn to bring snacks. It's kept us busy and has carried over through the weekend. I've been trying to get photos of the boys for our christmas cards. Well the first 2 tries I didn't get much...I did but just not card worthy. Yep, I'm a photo snob! ha So along with the other 2 shoots I had Friday and Saturday morning I've added my own photos to the bunch. I'm eyeball deep in unedited photos that really need to be done by this weekend. Not to mention, my camera is acting up and hopefully I'll find a place in Nashville that will be able to clean it in house this week. I think I'm pushing my luck with that, but we'll see. I'm also in an editing funk which is why the photos below don't look so color worthy on blogger. I'll be re-editing those. Geesh!

Anyway, we've decided to go binky free with Coley during the day. He gave us the extra push we needed by throwing it at Sam's last night and I could not find the darn thing to save my life. To top it off I don't know were his 2nd binky is either. Somewhere amongst the toys I'd guess. I however, am to lazy of a mom to tear everything apart. Besides he's 2 now and too old for it (IMHO). I had to give in last night at bedtime. I tried it without, but it led to crying and lots of unsuccessful rocking. He clapped, squeezed my nose, and did everything else he could to annoy his mother. I was NOT a fighter last night. He won. I found an old old binky in his dresser. He didn't know what to think of it and still isn't quite sure but it works and he's asleep. Were going to do just nap and bedtime for a couple weeks and then cut it out all together. He thinks it's his lifeline of sorts so it will take time. He did great today without it. Asked for it a couple times, but survived and SO DID WE! ;)

My boys!

I took the boys to Billy Dunlop park this morning for a little playtime a.k.a. photo shoot. I spent more time taking their photos then I did letting them play on the playground. Mean I tell ya. Well this is about the only shot I got of the two of them standing close enough to one another without grabbing each others neck and wanting to take each other down. Seriously, they would NOT cooperate with me today. I plan on taking them out tomorrow again for another attempt to capture a good shot for Christmas cards. Wish me luck!

Rachael Ray Show

So today we were on the show! If you blink you may miss us. ;) Anyway, I looked at her website and here is a picture of some of us. http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/show/segments/view/elimination-begins-3/

Cole's party!

In random order...and horrible, awful, no good, very bad photos as well. I forgot to check my settings and of course I had a high ISO from halloween night and forgot to change it. So they are grainy but I captured bits and pieces of the party nonetheless.

The look...priceless! I've been gathering these with each trip to Target or Toys R Us for the last 2 months. He's got quite the collection now.

So big..sniff, sniff!

The cake. I'll take credit for the structure of it and the white icing. My husband and MIL took care of the black spots and the face. I was avoiding it. lol Thanks bunches!

We had a horse and a colt at the party. The colt would leave mama so she got to come along too. Baby Rachel was only 1 month old. The boys had fun riding the horses. Cole got scared by Rachel as she "neighed" because she wasn't near her mama, but he got on and rode Barbarosa.

And from Halloween. We went trick or treating in our neighborhood. Not so many houses were giving out candy. Only about 6 on our street and 3 of them were us and our neighbors. Parker was all about collecting candy this time, thank goodness. Cole once he realized he had candy well need I say more...see below. (P is eating pretzels btw!)

The party was a success. It was a busy weekend with Gramma's and Papa's and Auntie Jennie here but we had fun. Wish there was just more time to spend with everyone. Thank you for making the trip and celebrating Coley's 2nd birthday with us. It really means a lot to us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLEY MONSTER!

I cannot believe my "baby" is 2 years old today. He's such a blessing and such a joy in our lives. He can be a little pistol at times, but can change instantly to an angel with just a simple smile. Today our big guy weighed in at 28.5 pounds (55%) and 34 inches tall (35%) and still reigns in the big head dept. at 71%. We got the wonderful news that his ears are PERFECT. We wanted to dance a little jig when we heard that, but we know that could be totally different tomorrow. So we pray that he makes it ear infection/rupture free for the rest of the fall and winter seasons. Last year at 1.

On this day TWO years ago.

So here's to another wonderful year. May you be blessed with all His goodness and glory. We love you, Mommy, Daddy, and Parker

A bit of randomness from the last week.

Cole snuggled up with Parker ready for bed. It didn't last once I walked out of the room. P fell asleep right away. And Cole well he escaped...the reason he is still in a crib. Our track we built in the living room while watching a Thoms movie. My boys, well Parker, has to play with the toys that go with whatever movie he's watching.

Our campfire we had in the backyard Saturday night. It was a chilly night and perfect for a fire and roasting marshmallows. We also burned quite a bit of our pile of twigs too. Not bad.

Trunk or treating with the Moms Club Saturday. Parker has no manners whatsoever and proceeded to throw a fit at every car when someone would give him candy. I don't like candy. Put it back. Took everything I had not to PUT HIM BACK. Geesh. I kept explaining that he

didn't have to eat it and that he could give it to Coley to eat. That was NOT working. Thank goodness some gave out the bags of pretzels. I think at one stop he even grabbed a couple extra bags. Probably the only kid that did. I would rather have a Snickers than a bag of pretzels. lol Of course P isn't this picture because he refused to have his picture taken and was probably in the middle of a fit.

Look what P did today?

So my big little guy has been really interested in writing and reading since school started. I'm not exactly what his teacher does different than we do, but he is interested now. I think maybe it's we don't force him, but at school he HAS to do them. No choice. So earlier he wrote Mom and Dad on his white board and I asked him if he would write it on a piece of paper...for me to scrapbook of course. :) He did this with NO help whatsoever. All on his own. We didn't even have to write them down for him to look at. He just did it. Yay....he's getting so big.

Silly Boys!

Another costume...this is Cole's that Gramma Patty sent yesterday but it fits Parker. Hmm! I see alterations in my near future. Always a poser. Tonight I made pancakes for dinner. I get the boys' already and set them down. Without skipping a beat Parker says, "Mom we gotta say prayers!" So I go sit down with them and fold my hands. I normally say the prayer, but tonight Parker said he wanted to. This is how it went and it just melts my heart.
Father, thank you for all the good things to eat, thank you for my doggie, and thank you for Coley. Amen.
This is the first prayer he's actually said on his own and I didn't even help him one single bit. It was AWESOME and just makes me tear up thinking about it.

Another funny from tonight. I was reading or trying to read Cole his bedtime stories. Well Parker always sits with us too. Those two have been something else tonight together. I start reading and Cole starts mumbling as well. So I stop. He stops. I start and he starts. I finally caught on that he was "reading" the book with me. Parker and I laughed and laughed for the longest time as he kept "reading." He loves to be funny and he was most definitely getting the
laughs he wanted from us.

Our "hike" today for leaves!

This morning Parker wanted to do something "fun." So I came up with the idea of heading to Rotary Park to hike on the trails in search of leaves. Leaves for what you ask? Well for animal art of course. The boys loved the hike and our search for the best leaves to collect. We even had time for some creek stompin and rock throwing.
My poser. He turned around and bent down after I told Parker to turn around and look at me.

Looking for a walking stick like his brother's of course.
Parker announced we were taking a rest here.

Afraid the water was deep enough to go in his boots.

We had fun on our hike today, but we didn't get a chance to do our animal pictures yet. Maybe tomorrow. We have a lot of leaves to choose from thanks to our handy dandy leaf pickers.

Coley is not tolerating this new antibiotic-Augmentin. This morning he threw up twice from it and then had diarrhea this afternoon several times. It hurt/burned so bad that he would walk to me in a straddle postition after he went. He hiney is RED. I'll be calling the doctor in the

morning. All that after only 3 doses. I didn't give him a second dose today. Poor thing.

Pumpkin Patch

So yesterday amidst all the moodiness between our boys we managed to make it to the pumpkin patch. Parker looks like a tourist that just flew in from Cali (that lost his tan on the way). He INSISTED on wearing shorts during this brisk day. And the bag, it's his camera...he also INSISTED on wearing it so he could take pictures. And this would be the perfect child, wearing the perfect clothes for pumpkin picking, choosing the perfect pumpkin, looking at his Mommy with a PERFECT smile to record this glorious brisk fall day. This is the "perfect" look he gave me. To me it totally screams I am 4 and willing to do whatever it takes to ruffle my parents feathers...and maybe get few laughs too. Love him. A better touristy shot. I talked him out of the green pumpkin. ;)
And sweet Coley holding his pumpkin...that we didn't get. He held onto this pumpkin forever and then all of a sudden put it down to search and keep on searching for another one. We think
he grabbed it because it was the perfect size of a football. If you know Coley at all he LOVES balls.
He was so giddy and just dancing around all the pumpkins saying, "punkin, punkin" over and over again. Notice his shirt it says "Little Monster" which is totally fitting for him.

Before we headed to the patch we had to make an unexpected visit to see the doc again. Coley's ears are no better. He's on another round of antibiotics. This time I asked for chewables so I could crush them and put them in yogurt, applesauce, or oatmeal. Well this morning it worked in yogurt, but this afternoon it somewhat worked in applesauce...he only ate half of the applesauce. He is strong willed just like his older brother. Next time, I may just have to ask for the shot. Even if we do have to pay for it out of pocket.

This evening we went to our church bonfire/hayride. We had a good time and the boys loved the inflatables. The best part was I have someone that may be able to bring a pony to Coley's party on the 1st. So excited about that.

God is good! Yay God!

A glimpse of our visit at Disney!

Parker was all SMILES as you can see to see Lightening McQueen. At Typhoon Lagoon...the weather was good just long enought to get our fill of the water park.
P's favorite at the water park.
Coley doesn't look like he liked it here, but he really did.

He wanted to swim in the lake so bad. Yuck and thankfully there was no swimming allowed.

Our COZY cabin at Fort Wilderness.

Lol, parents night out. I actually rode the roller coasters at Magic Kingdom. Not bad and TONS of fun. This was probaly taken about midnight, hence, the curly hair and sweated off make-up.
On the safari at Animal Kingdom. So cool.

Minnie before she gave P a kiss.

Lol, Coley didn't have a clue Mickey was behind us. If he did he would have jumped across the table to Daddy who took this picture.
The Goof troop...looking so HAPPY to be at Disney World.
Us. A favorite for sure.

My favorite photo...love some Buzz Lightyear!
Notice our bright colors...this was Friday our "Just Be" filming day for the show.
Grammy and Papa got the kids hats...love it and so did P.



We had such an enjoyable time. Naps were missed, way too much food was eaten, humidity is NOT good for my hair, and lots of bus rides and boat trips were taken. And for those that didn't know we were filmed for a segment on the Rachael Ray Show called Hey, Can You Cook? It'll air on Monday, November 3. It was a TON of fun. I'll post another reminder as it gets closer.