It's In God's Hands

This past Tuesday I received the news at work that they are wanting me to start coming to the office every day and that I wouldn't be able to work from home any more. This left Todd and I with a tough decision to make, put the boys in a full time day care all day everyday or quit and stay home with the boys. After several days of looking at finances and praying about it, we made the decision for me to stay home. I have always felt very strongly about not putting the boys in a full time day care for someone else to raise. I brought them into this world to raise them, not someone else. Although things will be tight, we will make it and be OK. Todd and I have been through tougher times.

I am looking forward to all the time I will get with them. We now have museum and zoo passes so we will spend lots of time in both places along with the park and pool this summer!!

This has been a very scary move for me and I have had lots of tears and emotions but I know its the right things to do for me and my family. I know it is in God's hands and he will get us through it.

It went and said my goodbyes today. It was bittersweet. I work with a lot of great people and will miss them greatly.

Christmas with the 'Cranks'

So the title has nothing to do with anyone except it just popped into my head when I started blogging! We had our final Christmas with my immediate family on New Years Day....more food, more drinks, more presents and more fun! We enjoyed each others company while the kids played then opened gifts. Parker got a new kitchen from Mimi and Papi, food for the kitchen from Ryan and Jennifer and Museum passes (for both boys) from Megan and Josh. Austin got Zoo passes (for all of us to use) from Mimi and Papi, a sweet Gap onesie from Megan and Josh and outfits from Ryan and Jennifer. The are very spoiled to say the least!!

There weren't any pictures taken of Austin that day because he was fast asleep!!

Christmas 2011

This Christmas was not only a lot of fun for Parker because he kinda understands whats going on but it is also Austin's first Christmas! Christmas morning Austin slept till 9am so we got up and did Christmas with Parker first. Santa was really good to him this year and brought him a truck and gas pump. We also got him a shopping cart, pot and pans, Yo Gabba Gabba dance mat and paints. Parker was in love with his truck immediately and loves taking rides in it throughout the house. Christmas afternoon we went the my sister's for Christmas with my mom's side of the family. Madeleine and Meadow got a trampoline from Santa and Parker had a ball on it jumping with them! It was a magical Christmas especially seeing it through the eyes of Parker. I think he already loves this time of year with the twinkling lights and wonderful music.

3 months

While we were at the Dr for Austin's Sore throat virus we got a weight check on him and he weighed in at 13lbs 15oz!!! Yep he his a CHUNK! He is a growing boy! We have officially moved him from the bassinet in our room to his bed in his room for both naps and bed time, working on a nap schedule and are in the process of switching to formula.

Austin has always been a very gassy baby and if my diet ventured far from anything but cereal, it always gave him grief so for the sake of my sanity we are switching to formula. He is still on the acid reflux medicine but as long as it's given daily he is good.

Some of the things he likes to do is swing, play on his mat, hold his new sensory balls, and be held by his mama (of course). I bought the Moby Wrap carrier from Todd's

cousin to put Austin in so I have both hands free now to do other things and keep up with Parker. It has been real helpful at the grocery store, park and outside playing.

22 Months

Parker is 22 months which means he is only 2 months away from turning 2!! Seems like yesterday we were celebrating Birthday number 1 along with announcing that I was pregnant. He is in the process of getting over a double ear infections. This past Monday night after I put him to bed he screamed his head off. After going to get him and rocking him a bit he told me he had an owie in his ear so first thing the next morning Todd was off to the Dr with him. He is doing much better after being on some really strong antibiotics. I feel like I have lived at the Dr lately. If it's not one its the other!

He is still cracking us up with his funny expressions. He is really into any kind of moving vehicle now-trains, planes, cars, motorcycles...he will hear a loud one drive by and lean to the side with his hand to his ear to listen to it!

He also got a chance to really test his lawn mower out. Todd mowed the lawn the other day and Parker did the same right behind him with his mower. It was the sweetest thing to watch. He really enjoys being a big helper when Todd works in the yard. they also trimmed lots
of bushes and trees which prompted wheel borrow rides!

Muscles!

Sister Sister

Parker had another experience of having older siblings...this time my nieces, Madeleine and Meadow! Megan and Josh left of vacation for a week leaving me with their 2 rug rats! 6 days of nonstop fun, work and exhaustion! I am not sure I could have 4 kids, work and keep my sanity. We had fun but were happy to be home. We had our normal routine of school for Parker plus the girls school, piano, and dance. Not to mention we had to run to Arlington one day to take Austin to the Dr. We found out he had a virus causing a sore throat which Parker had also had several weeks prior. Nancy said his throat was sooo swollen. Poor baby.

Megan left me her camera for Madeleine's Dance recital which we totally conquered with 4 kids! I also had fun with it an took tons of pictures of Austin while Parker was asleep one day. He was too cute...I will definitely be getting one of these cameras soon!

Christmas Lights and Santa

Wow! I know I am way behind once again so I have grabbed my wine and am doing some catching up...

December 9th, We took the boys to Prairie Lights in Grand Prairie. We drove through looking at all the lights and when we got to the back we were surprised to find a tint, 2 rides and more lights. We were very excited to find out Santa was there. We bundled up the kids and in we went. Santa was first on the list before the line got long. I wasn't sure how Parker would do....he screamed!!! So now we have a Santa picture with me, Santa and the boys! He always talks about Santa now and points him out where ever we go! We also rode the two rides which Parker did not want to get off of...the kid is so afraid we are going to rain on his parade!! I loved the f
eeling when Parker got so excited about the lights..."woooow"!