Christmas!

Oh what a wonderful Christmas we had!! I wish I could upload all the photos, but I took so many it's hard to pick just one! I have such an amazing family that loves joe, me, and little man so much! We got more than we ever needed, but the best part as always is just getting together, and of course the food!! We will be playing with new toys for little man until his first birthday..HA!! But the best present was double DVD players in our car!! YAY!! Little man absolutely cannot stand the car at night, and screams until he's sick...but now with a tv, driving at night is a breeze!! I hope your Christmas was as great as ours!! Now on to the New Year....

Until next time!

9 months!

Yay!! Little Man is 9 months old! He is so much fun, and has a sweet sweet personality. Since the last post, we've had two doctors visits (ear infection, and pink eye), and an eye probe! Boy have we been busy! At the last doctors visit he weighed 19.8 ounces. He is so big now, and is into everything. He crawls now with such determination it makes you laugh. And just this past week he has been pulling up to his knees. But this morning he decided to stand all the way up in his crib....whew...it won't be long before he's walking! The picture below is very typical....anything within reach of little man...is his!

He laughs now at everything, and is never quiet. We still haven't mastered napping on the weekends, but thank goodness we have a happy baby who doesn't mind being on the go! Joe and I realize everyday how amazingly blessed and lucky we are. I don't think anyone can explain the love you have for you child until you realize it first hand!

Little man, you will never know how much laughter and love you have brought into this family. You are an amazing little boy, and I can't wait to see what the next nine months will bring!

Until next time...

8 months, and Thanksgiving trip!

Well little man is eight months old now. He is so big, and this stage is so much fun!! This past months has been full of firsts...

• He has 2 teeth on the bottom. The first tooth wasn't that bad, but we've felt every ache and pain with the 2nd one. Poor baby just could not feel good!!
• He can go from his stomach to sitting. I love going in to his room in the morning, and he is sitting up waiting on me, and at times he is already pulling the bumper down looking :)
• He can CRAWL! He started about a week ago, and hasn't stopped. He's not fast by any means, but he gets where he wants to go. His favorite thing right now is the dvds. No matter where he is in the den, he goes straight for them. I think we'll be moving them a little higher now.

During Thanksgiving we went to the beach with my side of the family. It was fun, and a little restful but with 5 children in the house under 10, there is rarely a quiet moment. HA! While we were there, we got ice cream. I told Joe not to let little man have any...but one turn of the head, and looked who Loved it!! It was so cute, because of course he doesn't know how to eat it, so he just sucked it like a bottle!! The last picture sums up the two boys. Sam is laid back, and goes with the flow. Little man is wild and constantly moving or yelling. We went out to eat at Sara j's and Sam sat quietly and just played...while Joseph smacks the table and yells...and constantly laughs. Oh we are going to have our hands full with this little one..but we'll love every minute of it!!

Until next time...

Loving you is SO much fun!

Exciting news lately!! On Friday, November 13 I think I was having a guilty moment because I had been away so much.. so I went and bought little man his first big boy toy! I say big boy, because it's the first one he's got that makes noise, and sits up! He seems to like it ok....he really would rather just eat it! But the remote is by far his favorite toy!! He claps his hands when it comes near him, and cries when it's taken away!! Must be a man thing!! Another exciting thing is little man has his first TOOTH!! YAY!! We knew it was coming, he's drooled a gallon the past few weeks, and everything goes from his hands to his mouth. But poor baby, we didn't notice it until it was already cut through. Hope he didn't need tylenol!! HA!!

And lately he is loving bath time. He never really minded it but WOW at the fun he is having now! Little man used to sit, and barely play with toys...now I feel like I need to wear a rain jacket to bathe him. He constantly splashes...me, him, the floor, and everything in between!! It's so much fun and I laugh the entire time!!

Oh, Joseph....LOVING YOU IS SO MUCH FUN!!

Until next time...

2 years ago...

Two Years ago changed my life. I had waited so long for this day and it was finally here!! We had dated for 5 1/2 years, and it was finally happening. We planned, and everything was perfect. We were married. We were happy. And it was perfect!! Looking back we were so young..(haha)...and never would have imagined what the next two years would bring... I walked down the aisle that day with my amazing daddy, and into the arms of my amazing husband. He is def. everything that I ever wanted in a husband. I always say...wow look what we've been through!! But looking back, I would walk this same road again, as long as Joe was beside me!!

We have had so many ups and downs in the past two years, some planned and others not so planned!! We have cried, laughed, yelled, and hugged, but every night we go to sleep knowing whatever the world throws at us, we'll take it head on together.

The best thing about these past two years was the birth of little man. I always knew Joe would be a great daddy, but I never would have imagined he would be this good. This day, and this view from the bed was the best ever...we were a family, and it was the best feeling!!

Happy two year anniversary Joe......Can't wait for the next 22!!

Until next time...

Halloween..a bit late!

Happy Late Halloween!! Here's our little pilot who was mighty adorable if you ask me!! He did great on Halloween but was give out and went straight to bed when we got home. The outfit was a little hot, so we only wore it for pictures!! This was about the best I could do for a group picture!! Ava of course always smiles, and Joseph and Sam are obsessed with each other. Joseph for some reason loves to look at Sam and laugh, while Sams expression never changes!! The night was so fun with these three!

Is he not the cutest spider ever?? We always joke that Sam get left out....it's like he's the middle child! He is so laid back and just up for anything so I thought I would make sure he had a picture of his own on the blog. He def. was the cutest, chunkiest spider I've ever seen!!

So this is what we did today!! Big Joe has been battling a head cold all week and if finally caught up with me and little man!! We mostly hung out all weekend with my mom because she was babysitting Sam and Ava....but today we were just pooped, and both of us were sneezing and coughing! Luckily we never ran a fever, so we hope after a day of rest, we both are ready to start the week feeling good!!

Until next time...

7 months.

So this is how our photo shoot went today!! Joseph was way more interested in the paper than looking at the camera! But he is such a big seven month old...YAY!! This past month little man is sitting up all the time, and loves it. We put him in the floor, put toys around him and he is good for a while....
Also this month...

• he fights us every time we change his diaper. For so long I wanted him to turn over, but now it's getting more and more difficult to put a diaper on backwards.
• he smiles at everything, and his laugh is contagious!
• he wears size three diapers
• wears nine month clothing
• eats almost 3 meals a day, yogurt for breakfast, fruit for lunch, and if he feels like it vegetables for dinner.
• he is the best baby to take out...but nosey! He will seat in his seat and play the entire time, but constantly turns to make sure he's not missing anything...(but he gets it honest)
• weighs 18.7 pounds
• adores his dad, and looks for him when he walks out of the room.
• is not crawling yet, but just scoots around on his hands to get what he wants.

He is such an amazing little guy, and every day I get to spend with him is truly a blessing. We are so lucky to be his parents, and try every day not to take it for granted. Also we are going next week to the eye doctor..they thinks its a clogged tear duct....and we've been dealing with it forever ( or 7 months at least)...so I'm relived to get this over with.

I guess since it's 12:00 I should go wash bottles and hit the hay....

Until next time...

A Letter to Joseph!

Dear Joseph,

Today you were dedicated at church. Your Daddy and I stood up front and made a commitment to God and everyone that we would raise you in a Christ-centered home. I pray and hope that we don't disappoint. We are by no means perfect, and we will make mistakes...but we will always try our best. We hope to teach you to have a heart for Christ, to love others, to not judge, to be kind, respectful and a gentlemen. But most of all to seek Christ in all you do.

After church we all went and ate, and you are so blessed and lucky. Everyone there today was there because they love you, and hope to you grow up to be a Christian man. We ate, and ate until we couldn't eat anymore, but you slept for a bit..you were definitely worn out. You let everyone hold you, laughed, smiled, and enjoyed your moment.

You are an amazing little man, and you get sweeter everyday. I am so grateful that God choose your Dad and I to raise you. We will do our best, we will love you , care for you, be there when you fail, and be your biggest cheerleader in all you do.

At the end of the day Joseph I hope that you know your Daddy and I love you more than you will ever know....but God loves you more than we ever will!
Until next time...

6 Months...

On a quick note before I start talking about the six month mark, I would like to say God is Good and prayers were answered. Last week when we went to the doctor, little man's kidneys had not changed, and that means they won't do anything right now, AND we don't have to go back until March!! (and just in case you wondered...I am at Peace!)
So...this is how the "photo shoot" went for most of the time. Little man is soo interested in things now..and loves to touch them.

But then we got this picture....don't you just love it!! Ahh I am so blessed that we have such a happy baby. I've always said little man's birth was a surprise, and the best surprise ever!!

I think back at how much our family has changed since little man was born. A few things I've learned from little man...

• A clean house is not always best...but laying on the floor cuddling and kissing on your baby is.
• Priorities change, who cares what I wear, if it's in style, or where I got it from...I have a baby now..and that's the best accessory ever!
• Sleep is no longer a priority...if you get it great... if you don't it's more time with the baby.
• The way you look at life is completely different...my days are no longer filled with knowing the latest gossip, going out at the best places, etc. But now I cannot wait until 5:00 when I can go pick up little man, and I love, love going home and hanging out with little man and big man!
• I never appreciated my husband more than when i see him being a Dad, makes you fall in love all over again with him..
• There is nothing in this world that compares to the way you feel when you walk in a room, and your child's face lights up...

MMMMM...couldn't you just eat him??

So...he is now sleeping a full 11 hours on most nights...and we are loving it. He is in size 3 diapers, and 9 months clothes....he's so long. He still likes his mommy and daddy best, but he is pretty keen on his day care worker Ms. Davelyn. He stays on his tummy alot now, and is pushing up on his hands with his arms straight. I am pretty sure if he could he would get on his knees...they are so red at the end of the day. No teeth yet, but boy do we drool, and chew on everything...especially mom's fingers!!

Until next time...

Peace.

So much has been going on lately, I've hardly had time to sit still, much less blog. Little man has now moved into his big bed...and it was def. harder for me than him. We just decided it was time, or you could say it needed to be time since he no longer could stretch out or turn over in his mini me. We thought he wouldn't do good, but after two nights of getting up at 3 and 4 he has slept all night every night since then. We are so blessed with such a good baby. Unfortunately little man came down with Bronchiolitis this past weekend and an ear infection. I know he felt terrible but little man just kept smiling. We figured his cough was just a regular day care baby cough, but when it wasn't getting any better we took him to the doctor, and I'm glad we did. He is now on antibiotics and is acting like he feels so much better. This weekend we also went to the Wentzky family reunion. Fun times to see/meet so many people i didn't know, but Joe had lots of fun learning about the history of it all. This picture below shows us after the reunion.

Well tomorrow is the day. We go back to the Pediatric Urologist tomorrow to find out about the plan for little man's kidney. It's a day I've been dreading, and looking forward to for a while now. I'm looking forward to it because I'm such a planner, and I like to know something and have a plan. We've been in the "watching" stage for a while. I'm dreading it because if they tell me they are going to take the kidney, it will be scary for everyone...but mostly Joe and I. Tonight getting Joseph ready to take a bath, Joe and I laid down beside him on the bed, and I said a prayer out loud for him. I first off thanked God for little man, and for the happiness he's brought to Joe and I. I next asked God to be with us tomorrow. The hardest part of my prayer was asking for peace. I know that I could just ask God for what I wanted, but he already knows the outcome. If they tell us tomorrow that they are going to take the kidney, I pray for peace about it. And if they tell us they are going to watch it for a little bit longer, I pray peace. And if they aren't going to do anything, I pray for peace. The plan for my baby will be God's will, and I have no doubt about that....but why does it have to be so hard to have peace about it?! Through out this ordeal with Little Man, I just want peace and I want to praise him....whatever his decision is!

So if you have an extra moment, pray for this little guy, and peace for his parents...

Until next time...

5 months and the beach!

So it's been a while and lots of catching up to do.... Can you believe my baby is 5 months old??? He changes so much every day, and I know I always say that but it's so true. Some days I feel like I blinked and he grew an inch. I want to hold him down and keep him this age... Honestly the other day I looked at pictures of a friends newborn and got all emotional, I think it was a slap of reality for me that before I know it, he will be going to school, playing sports, and most of all probably not wanting to be cuddled and kissed by his mama!! Some things little man is doing this month...

• He is finally turning over good now. He enjoys getting to his stomach, and is so proud of himself. But after a few minutes he realizes he can't get back so easily and so he bangs his nose down and grunts until someone turns him over.
• He loves, loves, loves him some vegetables. He is eating oatmeal every morning, and then eats either vegetables or fruits every evening, and cleans the container.
• We realized this week he loves prunes!! He actually kept licking his mouth long after the spoon had left it.
• He went to the beach for the first time.
• He is still sleeping in our room...and I love it! Nothing can compare to watching your child sleeping when you are falling asleep.
• He is still a happy go-lucky baby, and is mostly content whenever he is fed, and changed.
• His hand-eye coordination is amazing. Anything within five inches of his face he grabs for...once he gets it, it goes straight to the mouth.
• Not sure if he is starting the teething process but he has stopped sucking things and is now biting down on it...a finger is his most favorite.
• I cant imagine now not being a mom...he definitely has made me a much better person. I am absolutely without a doubt in love with my little man!! AHHH makes my heart smile!!!

The next couple of pictures are from the beach. We went last week with the Wentzkys and had a great time. The beach is always great, and it was wonderful to get to relax and of course enjoy spending time with little man!!

Don't you just love it?!?!

Until next time...

Life is Hard...

So I know the title of this post sounds like it will be a ho-hum story...but it's not (promise!) Lately I have found myself worrying about everything all the time. From little man, to Joe, to family, to money, I worry all the time. Today I was having anxiety from worrying to much over something...and it's been on my mind all day. So tonight after a wonderful dinner with my family I was riding home when out of no where a song came into my mind and of course I started singing it. Tears came when I realized the words I was singing..... the chorus is...

Life is Hard,

The world is cold.

We're barely young and then we're old.

But every fallen tear is always understood.

Life is Hard....BUT GOD IS GOOD.

Singing this made soo much come to light for me. Everyone has troubles, problems, and tears but God knows everytime we do cry and the reason why...but the best part is he takes care of them, if I would just stop the worrying!! I am really going to try to give it over to him, and leave it. I can't leave half of it, take some, leave some, take some. I'm giving it all, and I will not have to worry if I am doing the right thing, I know I am doing the right thing !

Life is Hard, but God is GOOD!

Until next time...

Could he be any cuter??

Oh my what a few weeks bring! These last few weeks little man has started eating vegetables (or at least attempting to), jumping in his jumperoo and so much more. When we started carrots we soon realized this would probably not be his favorite vegetable. He all but turns his head and shuts his mouth when you even come close to him with a spoon. Since the carrot experience little man has tried sweet potatoes, and green beans. Tonight I promise he would have eaten the whole container if i let him...but we stopped at half, the result from a full container of green beans may not be so pleasant! A few weeks ago we decided to put little man in his jumperoo. At first, as the picture shows, he was not very thrilled, because he would much rather be held. But he now attempts to jump and just stares at the light. He looks so big in it, kind of makes me want to hold my heart!

Could this little man be any cuter?!?! AHHH i could just eat him! His grandpa brought him back this Bass Pro Shop hat and it looks adorable on him. We put it on him, and I think he would wear it for hours, he never seems to be bothered by it. Poor guy is only 4.5 months and already wearing camo...what have i gotten myself into?!?

And last but not least, little man has now had his first ear infection. (sad face) He started out on Saturday having a runny nose, and mild fever. By Sunday he was coughing, the snotty nose got worse, a runny eye, and fever. I called the on call nurse because I wanted to know if there was something else I could give him, but my wonderful pediatrician (Parkside Pediatrics), agreed to see us at the office Sunday afternoon. He gave him some amoxicilian, and by Monday morning he was a much happier boy. I stayed at home with him Monday and realized it was much easier with a 2 month old, than a 4.5 month old. He didn't feel good so he was very clingy..(not that i minded)! The picture of him is from Sunday. Poor little guy....

Until next time...

4 months, 4 shots, and lots of pictures!

So much has happened in the last month...little man of course changes every day, laughs a lot, and started eating cereal...Fun Fun! Of course I am THAT mom that has a bib just for this first meal...too bad it only lasted for about 5 minutes before he was over it! He kept staring at the food, I am pretty sure he had no idea what to do! We started with just plain rice, and it was probably more fun for me than for him...the faces he made were priceless!

I wish you could see closer, he had it everywhere. By the way the cereal only lasted for about 2 days. Joseph got sooo constipated and it took pear juice and alot of praying for him to go. So we waited until the four month appointment to talk to the doctor about it. I couldn't stand him crying because he couldn't go...and his stomach was so hard. So next up...oatmeal!

Here is my little man's four month pics. I am trying to figure out how to put all four of them up so we can compare...but for now this is what you get. His four month stats are:

Weight: 15.0 lbs even (65%)

Height: 26 inches (74%)

He is definitely my long and lean baby!!

And here are the sad pictures....here is one leg...hold your heart! He woke up and his tylenol had run out.....and he was screaming for about 15 minutes.

And here is my babys other leg....when we took the bandaids off there were definately bruises ...guess that just means he needs more snuggle time with mama and daddy!!!

Until next time....

This phase is gonna fly by...

Oh my goodness...i love my little man! Over this past month he has grown sooo much and has also started to show his personality, which is precious. He is sleeping through the night, and we have him in a routine for bedtime which works perfectly. This week little man has started sitting in his bumbo, and he is doing really good. Only two weeks ago when he was in it, he would slump over...but now we are holding our head up, and grabbing things. This is such a fun stage...and i know i will blink and he will be doing something new. How I wish I could stop time, just for a moment.

If you can't tell I take tons of pictures...I think he's getting used to it! Here's another one...he is getting there!

This is what he does when his daddy comes home. Lately he is a daddy's boy, and watches his every move...Don't you love this smile??

Can we say twins?? I see none of me in little man, but I definitely think he has alot of his daddy in him. I love my little family, and every day gets better!

Until next time....