Easter

We went to my moms for Easter and had a good time. My brother set out chocolate eggs in the yard and Brayden had a blast looking for them. Later on in the day we were all hanging out and Brayden went around giving out all of his chocolate. For not being very good at sharing he does like to share. We all ate tons of ham, I didn't even know Brayden liked ham, he almost ate more then Ben, almost.



Brian just played all day. I think he was in heaven because Uncle Bucco held him almost all day, they laughed together, played together, and even let me take pics of them together.

We went to the park before we ate (attempting to keep them clean) and I tried to get some pictures of the boys but they wouldn't cooperate. I guess there was something alot more intresting in the tree, although I didn't see anything and and never did find out what they all looking at. I still got some good pictures but it didn't go how I wanted. The boys then had a great time playing on the playground, going down the slide and sticking their heads out of the wholes in the tunnel. They had a blast playing and I had fun taking some picture.

Ben and Brian just chillin at on the playground, Brian looks so big in this picture so I just had to post it. Would you believe that is a 12 month shirt? I'm surprised that I was able to get the boys matching shirts.

Update

So its been awhile sciense I last updated the blog, Im slacking just a little so this is my fast update! Brian is so close to crawling, He gets on all fours and rocks back and forth, just a few more weeks. Im a little scared, two mobile little kids, that should be fun, lots to get into, just have to really stick with them. I see Henry and cant believe how much they devolop in just a few weeks, wow. I see kids in the hospital all the time and think of haw fast they grow but you dont really understand until its your own child. Brayden is getting bigger too as I have had many people ask me if he is about to turn four and are suprised when I tell them that he is only two. I dont realize how tall he is until I see him with other kids his age. Now that he is getting taller he can get to the back of the counter and grab anything, this has resulted in multiple messes. He can now also get into the fridge and pour his own milk, he doesnt do too bad but this also results in a few messes. Brayden is also not doing so well in the social skills area of things and I find myself struggling to find little kids his age to play with. I am now trying to take him to the park now that it is getting a little warmer and just hope that there are other little kids there for him to play with. Im going to really miss Madison, she is so good for him, and for the most part they play well together. I hope to find him a friend soon.

The holidays

The holidays are some of the best times of the year. Families make an effort to come together and you can always count on some good food and even better laughs!




In Germany it is a tradition to open gifts on the night of Christmas Eve, This is a tradition that I have always done growing up and plan to do with my children. This works out quit nicely as we are at my parents Christmas Eve and we can spend Christmas day with Bens family. This is something that will never change. Ben and I talked about this before Brayden was even born and I'm glad that he liked the idea too. We spend all day at my parents house helping with dinner, setting the table, or even just talking. This year is a little more special to me because it will be the first Christmas without foster kids in a long time. I don't know if anyone can understand that, having multiple kids act like brats because they have to be in a strangers house for the holidays and not with their own families, can you really blame them?? This is the first year that we don't have to worry about anything and nothing can ruin that for me. Ben and I have our tradition and that is not going to change for anyone. I'm sorry every one cant have what they want but that's just how it is.

I want to see my mothers smile on Christmas Eve because I cared enough not to give up on my tradition. I love her and this is also my parents holiday and I intend to enjoy every part of it with them! I cant wait to see my grandmother although it will be hard with to see her without my grandaddy and I cant wait for her to meet her newest grandson. I know she will love them as much as they will love her!

Playing

Brian is grown so much and Brayden knows it. Brayden will now make an effort to play with his little brother and give him things. When he crys Brayden will hurry to get a bottle and throws a fit if anyone tries to help him. He loves to tell us no as he shows us that he is capable of doing it himself. He is really filling the big brother role well and I am proud that he cares and wants to help care for Brian. I only hope that they will grow to share that brotherly bond and know how lucky they are to have eachother. If Ben and I do decide to have another baby I hope that Brian and Brayden are just as helpful.
Brayden has also gotten to the stage where he wants to give you the phone. When the phone rings I dont have to worry about getting it because Brayden will pop up and run to it, and hand it to me or Ben. He is becoming more and more helpful each day, although he does still have his bad days, he can do so much.

Daddy

Ben loves Brian and Brayden and I love all 3 of them. Ben is so good with the boys and will usually opt out of other activities to spend time with them. I was going through baby clothes and finally putting the small outfits away and getting out bigger ones. Ben couldn't help but to give into to the urge to change Brian into a past favorite outfit that is a size 3-6 month. Well... it didn't fit, we could not button it up in the back. They grow way to fast! Brian is three months and he wont even fit into his clothes! I'm kinda sad, I want him to be older but just not this fast. He wont sleep through the night but i consider myself lucky that Ben gets up with him all night. Where does the time go?

Being sick

Brayden is sick. We ended up taking him to the hospital, which as you all know is the last thing I ever want to do. When I got home yesterday morning Brayden was whimpering in his room. I went to check on him and he was covered in vomit and burning up. I gave him some tylenol and waited. The fever went down for about an hour and Brayden became playful but it was like a clock and when the hour was up he fever went up and he would become lethargic again. I tried to treat him at home but this had been going on all day and and he couldn't keep anything down. I got ready for work and took Brayden with me to the hospital. I was worried that he was going to be dehydrated because he hadn't kept anything down but he had tears so I had doubts. When we got to the hospital they started an IV so they could give him fluids and took some blood. The labs all came out clean which was a relief and his electrolytes where fine so he wasn't dehydrated. They ran more tests which all still came out negative but Brayden looked like he was going to faint. The doctor wanted us to stay in an overnight observation unit, where I work, to watch him just to make sure everything really was OK because he was worried about the way he looked. We decided to take Brayden home but we left his IV in just in case we had to bring him back. Ben took Brayden home and let him sleep in our bed so he could monitor him while I was at work. I got of work early and when I got home Brayden was still restless and crying, I don't know if he got any sleep. I took out his IV to help him and consider myself lucky that he was able to drink and not vomit. Now he is running and playing with no care in the world again and I'm so thankful! He still has a fever but its not at 103 like it was last night. I'm hoping whatever he has will just pass and not spread to anyone else. Wish us luck!

Time Flys

This picture was taken when Brayden was just 3 months old, the same age Brian is now. It is so amazing how fast time goes. When Ben and I got married there were no grand kids in the family, 3 years later there are 7! That is amazing! Two years ago we all thought that mom wouldn't make it much longer but what do you know, she is kicking and fighting all the way! She has gotten so much in the last three years that she has something to fight for. Lena married Kenny, who has two kids that we love to see, and they just had a new baby of there own in July. Dan and Emily just had there newest in addition to the beautiful Madison. Brian has grown so much that I am now putting baby clothes that are too small away! I was looking at pictures of Brayden that we had done on his first birthday and he is still developing his features so much, I just want them to stay little (without the temper tantrums). I don't really remember Brayden being this small, I guess that's why we have pictures.

Benjie and I just had our third anniversary on Saturday. I cant believe its been three years when some times it feels like it has been 20. He is great! Brian still wakes up a couple times during the night but Ben always gets him. He cleans the house, at least most of the time, and does a good job at it too. He will cook for me and the boys and its usually pretty good. I don't know what made me fall for Ben but I'm glad I did, he is an incredible guy. I didn't want to do anything special for our anniversary so we took the trax and walked around downtown. We really had a great time laughing and freezing in the cold. We then went to a local pub just down the street that was delicious! I had my first fried snickers, it wasn't too bad. I'm glad that we didn't plan anything and just winged it on our anniversary. We met some neat people, on the trax and in the pub, and found ourselves a great place to go eat when we get a night out. I cant wait to see what happens on our next anniversary!