SLIDER

Another big year!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Last Saturday we celebrated Harrison and Miles birthday together. It's hard to believe that we have a 1 year old and an almost 4 year old.

I debated (for months actually) if the boys parties should be separate, together or just throw Miles the traditional 1 year birthday and just do something special with Harrison. The decision came to me just as soon I saw Harrison's excitement of having a birthday party. His birthday actually falls on Thanksgiving day this year---so doing some "big" or "special" that day certainly won't be happening.

The next debate was party theme. I picked the Goldfish theme months ago and Harrison was set on Spiderman. I thought of decorating each room separately to accommodate each theme, but in the end it was easier to just pick one theme and go with it and Goldfish it was. Harrison will get his Spiderman cake and decorations on his actual birthday. This year it won't be pumpkin pie, but rather Spiderman blue and red frosting. Harrison's already started to talk it about it, he loves birthday parties. I think that is what made party planning so much fun this year. He had been growing with excitement for weeks before the party. I don't think a day went by in the last month he didn't talk about the party. The part I love about his age is the near explosion at anytime with excitement and for Harrison the party was never about the presents, but always about who's coming. I asked him, "What do you want for your birthday?" His response, "People to come to my birthday party." I love him.

All in all the party went smoothly minus the mishap of Doug flipping an end table hanging the streamers from our 9ft ceilings and lastly the crock pot for of hot dogs sprung a leak... I mean what better time to form a crack than at a party...right? Anyways---thank goodness for second crock pot and we were back in business. The rest of the day went smoothly, we even got a nice day for the piƱata and jumping castle.

After the party was winding down Harrison laid down for a nap. When we woke up he walked around noticing the cake and food was put away. He then turned to me and asked, "Where is the food and decorations?" My response, "I put the food away and took the decorations down, the party is over." Immediately following he started crying and saying, "I don't want my party to be over, I want people to be here." The sobbing actually made me tear up too---he was just so saddened it was all over. I think he'll be excited to celebrate soon again in just a few more weeks.

Miles did amazing with the whole day. He took a long morning nap, he was a little hesitant at first when he woke up to a house full of people, but warmed up and enjoyed the company (not to mention the food). This reminds me as well I completely forgot to blog about his 1 year well check (it was the day before the party). I'll get that up soon.

Here are a few snaps from the day (wish I had more). Thank you to everyone who came to wish these two guys a very happy birthday. We are so blessed to have such great friends and family in our lives.












October 2013

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

This is post from a little of everything over the past few weeks... It's been busy that is for sure! I decided to pull out the camera a little more after spending more than an hour uninterrupted looking through baby photos of Harrison with him. He is really into wanting to know things we did with him, where we went  and what we did. Doug printed me the first year of this blog and quite often I'll find him sitting on the couch looking through it by himself. Now if I could only get him to understand, that Miles wasn't born yet, so that I why he isn't in any of the pictures.

First up Halloween costumes... and bonus points for me getting then up even before the BIG DAY (which is tomorrow). Both costume were Harrison's ideas. This kid has an amazing imagination. I can only wonder what he will be next year.


Harrison--Halloween 2013: Easter Bunny.

This costume was ridiculously hard to find. Apparently most bunnies are pink in the world for Halloween. But yeah, I finally tackled down white costume. I'm so glad he choose something so creative. I was talking with a friend the other day and said, "Harrison isn't even close to coloring in the lines." Her response? "That just means he is creative, he doesn't need lines to stay in between." I totally get that now...and by all means kid, keep coloring out of the lines.




 Miles---Halloween 2013: Snowman

Oh goodness, the creativity juices must have been flowing for Harrison the evening during dinner he chose to be the Easter Bunny because immediately following we asked, "What should Miles be?" His response? "A snowman.

Miles costume was easier to find by far. I ordered both costumes on our road trip back from Texas (which I know...I haven't blogged yet).

Oh goodness, this snowman could melt anyone.





Next up? The pumpkin patch. And not just any pumpkin patch...Bronk's pumpkin patch. I've been going to this same pumpkin patch since I was probably Harrison's age. It only makes sense the tradition lives on. A part of me is really happy we chose to live near the town I grew up. Lots of memories here.

We planned to do the pumpkin patch a couple of weeks ago when it was warmer, but as soon as we got in the car, it down poured. Awesome. Well we spent that afternoon looking at toys at play land. I'd say it's a WIN/WIN. I even like to look at new toys, heck they are new toys for me too.

So we mad our way to pumpkin patch last weekend. It was a bit cold. I should have dressed us all a little warmer since the patch is on the hill, always breezier up there.

Harrison and Miles were an epic fail and a sibling shot... Maybe next year? I won't hold my breath.


 Muscle Man.



Kelley Family Pumpkin Carving 2013---

You won't see Miles in the mix, he preferred to sleep.

This was Harrison's first time choosing what was on his pumpkin and actually cutting the pumpkin. He did awesome. I am loving the attention span of having a 3 year old after now having two children in the home. Miles has the absolute shortest attention span, ever. Seriously (even for a 1 year old). He keep us VERY busy.



 
Our finished pumpkins!
 
 
Mommy's


Daddy's
 
Harrison's
 
Miles
 
 
Fall Baking---Cut  out pumpkin, ghost and bat cookies. And thanks to Doug for snapping the last glamerous shots of me looking my best in flannel pajamas and slippers... I totally am rocking the "MOM" look.
 


 
And now...just a bunch cute fallish photos of Miles. Harrison and I have a date next week to take his official 4 year portraits.
 
 
And more :) (I haven't even finished these yet).
 

 
Oops...I forgot to add we went camping in the living room too...
 
 
 
 


Apple Orchard 2013

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

I promise to become a better blogger, I promise to become a better blogger! I still have followers out there, so I better get "act" together.

The truth is I miss documenting our life. The reality is everything happens so fast, open and blink your eyes another day goes by.

One thing I promised myself and Miles :) is that he isn't going miss the things we did with Harrison. In his short (almost) 4 years he's done a lot. I am for equality... I grew up with 3 brothers and Mom & Dad, I'll always hold you to it... "Why was I the only one that had to buy my first car?" Ok...I can forgive, but I haven't forgotten :). I don't think Harrison will be driving anytime soon, but I am trying to keep them an even as I can on daily life stuff.

A lot of everyday stuff is hard right now with the age differences between the boys. Harrison wants me to go play with him on the playground equipment and Miles wants to eat rocks, grass, woodchips (whatever is closest to grab). So saying this, we definitely don't get out as much.

We did manage to make it to the apple orchard (actually twice now) about a month ago. We had a blast picking apples, petting the animals and playing. We practically had the place to ourselves on a Monday morning! Miles sprang his first tooth the week prior... it's like he knew he needed those teeth!

Despite the sun being as direct as possible in these photos, they are perfect, barely touched, barely edited. Real life.

 
 
 
 

 A little wagon trouble...



 

Happy First Birthday Miles!

Sunday, October 13, 2013

At 2:26 pm on October 13, 2012 this guy entered our lives...



It feels as though it's surreal that I am sitting down to document his first year milestone. I don't think any words, phrases or length of a post could tell him how much we love him. Everyday is filled with so many firsts, giggles, smiles and of coarse, melt downs! It's all a part of growing up...and lets face it, as good as it sounds being a baby; when it comes down to it, it's hard work.

Everyday is such a blessing. I can't even begin to imagine a life without children. We teach our children and we learn from children. These two boys (well 3, lets not forget daddy) in my life...help me a better person each and everyday. They have shown me that family is the most important thing in life. Sometimes when things look grim all you have to do is look at the people that surround you and everything else just works itself out eventually. God truly blessed me with an amazing family.

Before I lose my emotions completely working to accepting that we have a 1 year old here is his last official monthly update.

12 months (a.k.a. 1 year)

Likes:
  • Food---any and all kinds
  • Peek-a-boo (it's the coolest)
  • Pulling himself up on almost anything and trying to find anything he can use to make a walker out of.
  • To be chased
  • Watch & play with his big brother
Dislikes:
  • Diaper changes
  • Getting dressed
  • Having his face wiped or touched
  • Waiting for anything
  • Long car rides
Biggest achievement of the month:
  • Welcoming in his two front teeth
Biggest challenge of the month:
  • tie for dressing & diaper changes
Sleep: After taking nearly 8 months to sleep through the night, he's a pretty good sleeper. He wakes up about 6:30-7:30 in the morning. 1 to 1.5 hr morning nap, 2-3 hour afternoon nap and is usually ready for bed around 7:30-8:15. He still sometimes cat naps, but that's usually on car rides or long stroller rides.

Personality/temperament: More generally happy these days. He's able to get around faster and enjoys getting into to everything keeping himself busy. He really loses his cool around meal times/nap times which is pretty typical for really anyone.

He is most happy: Playing with someone/exploring
He is least happy: Getting dressed & getting buckled in his car seat

Baby talk/communication: I am a little bummed there is no "Ma, Ma" or "Da, Da" yet. He's really in to clapping, but no waving "bye, bye" or signing. Signing helped us immensely with Harrison, I'm hoping Miles picks up on it soon. Generally speaking he was 5 weeks premature so it's expected that he may lag in some areas. Communication was always and slightly is still an issue for Harrison. Maybe it's just their personalities?

Sizing him up: Miles had a double ear infection a couple of weeks ago. At that urgent care appointment he weighed in at 22 lbs. At the most there is 10 lbs difference (3 years) between him and his older brother. He's a big guy or what we have termed...fluffy. Most of what he is wearing Harrison wore at about the age of 2. I don't think it will be long before he walks and thins out some, at the most 2 months. For now we are going to enjoy those baby rolls as much as we can, they won't always be there! And shhh... for Halloween he is going to be dressed as a snowman---Harrison's idea (how fitting).

Teeth: The number of teeth depends on the day. Some days his top teeth are visible, others they are not. There is a lot of bouncing back and forth. Today he had his two front choppers and lonely bottom chopper.

Motor skills: Turbo crawler, expert cruiser! He's well on his way to walking and climbing stairs.

Out and about: He does well shopping for the most part. A game of peek-a-boo or shopping item is fine for entertainment. Your mom is pleading with you to continue on this course.

First of the month: Learning to let go and reach on to other items for more optimal cruising around the house and face forward car riding.

Favorite baby gear: Wagon- we take it just about everywhere. This way he can move around a little more and doesn't feel as confined as he does in a stroller.

And I haven't forgotten since the last post---I still have many, many more photos to edit and get up on here! It just seems like time gets away from me and this blog gets terribly neglected. On a happier note, I didn't miss a single monthly milestone post for Miles this year!

One year in review...



 
Celebrating the beginning of one!
 









 
Now...it's time for the good stuff!
 








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