my giggle girl

triathloner

This summer Andy decided he wanted to try out a triathlon. In August he packed up his bike and headed up to Eagle Lake. I'm pretty sure I was more nervous than him the entire time because he did great. I helped him get his bike all set up, watched his swim and then headed back home to get the babies [Don't worry...They weren't home alone by themselves. Mom was with them. I'm not that kind of mother]. Although it was a lot of running around back and forth it was nice for the kids to be there when Andy finished.

At the start of the swim I walked up and saw this gigantic orange buoy floating in the middle of the lake. I heard the announcer explain the swim course and that's when I broke out into a sweat. Wait, Can Andy swim that far?!? What the heck! I'm not sure if he can swim that far!?! Now, now...Andy would slap me for saying this because he's a good swimmer, but I guess because he hadn't ever practiced swimming across a lake before and because I'd only see him do laps in Mom and Dad's pool, I was freaking out. Sure enough, a few minutes later he was swimming back to shore. He even was smiling so I guess it wasn't that bad.

I walked up after his swim to see him transition to his bike but when I got there all I could see was him flying down the road! I was impressed by his speediness. He was passing all sorts of people too. I was proud of him.

I then ran back to the car, headed home...woke up, changed and fed my sleepy heads and we all went back and found a spot by the finish line to see him run in. Mom tagged along. She was my lifesaver. I typically don't go places where there are lots of people involved with both babies, by myself. It's just too much, especially with my firecracker Colt. I'd rather have a colonoscopy. I was glad she went with me.

I put together a quick video of some footage I got. Andy is in the middle of the pack wearing a white/red/black/onesie/speedo thingie [stayin classy] with an orange swim cap on. [I'm glad they gave him an orange swim cap because the entire week before his race I kept making fun of him for buying a clear swim cap at walmart. I won't tell you what I kept calling him, but he looked like he had a form of contraception on his head. nuff said.] The last part of the video was supposed to be Colt and Andy running towards each other for a hug, one of those slow motion type of moments but that didn't really happen.

Andy's actual time was 1:52 not, 1:57. I'm sure he'd want me to mention that.

Just last weekend Andy competed in his 2nd Triathlon. This time it was an Olympic length tri, a bit farther distance swim and bike. Watching the swim made me want to vomit. It was longer and he hadn't swam since his first triathlon a month previous. I kept looking and looking for him and finally I saw him start to swim in...but I thought for a few minutes there he was lost a sea. Whew!

He really liked both his experiences this summer and I can see more Triathlons in the future. His next big thing will be the Sunburst Marathon 2011. Now that I've shared his personal goals with the internet there is no turning back...I, on the other hand choose to commit to nothing.

I'm proud to be Andy's wife.

my monkeys

Inspiration for their Halloween costumes? I think so...

choose love

I've been holding on to my babies a little tighter this week. I know it stems from the loss of the little girl, Ava that I blogged about earlier this week. When someone you know leaves this earth at a such a young age you want to ask questions. There are so many things I don't understand. Being a mother it hits too close to home. That could have been my baby girl.

Andy was at work when I heard Ava had passed away. I grabbed my babies, left my house a mess and brought them to bed with me. Colt hadn't ever spent the night in my room before so I wasn't sure what I was in for I just knew that I needed to hold him tight and tell him how much I loved him. He saw me crying. He scooted his head over to my pillow and gave me some kisses. We had been praying for Ava every night so we prayed together some more. He finally fell asleep with his feet on his Dad's pillow and his head at the foot of the bed. Molly slept like an angel in her bed next to mine. I watched them sleep and prayed for them.

When my cousin Marie was 2 she was hospitalized. She had gone to the doctors office multiple times that week and was sent home every time. They said she had allergies or a cold, I forget the details. She slowly deteriorated at home for a few days until my Aunt and Uncle had had enough. They knew it was something more. They were watching their baby die. They rushed her to ER and determined Marie had double pneumonia and her left lung had collapsed. She was in intensive care for weeks in an unconscious state. We almost lost her. It was scary.

I remember my Aunt sharing a story with me that happened while she was in the hospital and it has stuck with me forever. She was sitting in the intensive care room, watching Marie sleep, talking to God...having a hard conversation. If I lose her God, will my faith be strong enough to carry me through? During her prayer, Marie's doctor came in to check on her. She walked in the silent room, didn't say anything and before she left said said to my aunt, 'You know, she's not yours'...

It's so true. We're on this earth as a loan to the people that love us. If God wants us back. He can have us. We're not any ones but his.

I have never met Ava or her family. I just know them through some friends. If I've been effected by her life like I have I'm sure there are others out there getting a wake up call. That's my prayer. Choose love. Live with no regrets. Wake up. Quit waiting. Be thankful. Forgive. Life is short. Love your family. Love Jesus more.

'twuo'

Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest, funniest kids I've ever met.

So lucky you're mine!

Colt is 2!

ima diva, ima ima diva.

Molly's Newborn & 3 Month Pictures.  She's so cute.

All photos taken my Julie Schwartz of Classic Image Photography.

porch sitting

Colt really likes to sit on the porch.  When ever we open the door he wiggles his body outside like a dog does when they try to run away.  Colt doesn't want to run away.  He just wants to sit on the porch.  Sometimes he goes with Daddy to get the mail and then sits and reads the paper.  Sometimes he waves at our neighbors...or looks for birds and air planes.  It's always very exciting times. 

pray for Ava

There is a little girl, Ava Hunter who needs your prayer. In the last two months she's gone from a happy seemingly healthy little girl to a brain cancer patient. She's had 3 brain surgeries and the doctors recently told her parents medically there is nothing else they can do. The doctors are giving her a few months to live. You can read Ava's Dad's (Josh) blog here.

I believe that the Jesus we've read about in the bible who performed all those miracles is the same Jesus today. I believe in miracles. I believe they happen. I've seen them happen. Will you please pray that God will kiss Ava's little head and heal her from the inside out? From one mother to another...From one friend to another...please say a prayer right now.

growing pains

Colt turns 2 years old this week. Seems like just yesterday I was in the hospital smelling his sweet baby skin. I don't know what in the world is going on with me lately but the fact that his turning 2 is hard to swallow. I cry often thinking at how big he's gotten. He's not longer my bite size baby. He's a little boy. He knows what he wants. Sometimes it's not his momma but most of the time it is.

The first year of a babies life is amazing. They go from being a pile of goo in your arms to a walking & talking being in a short 12 months. The growth is amazing! Then comes their first birthday and it's so much fun. One of the biggest bashes of their life. You prepare, buy all the food & decorations and enjoy the special day. Turning 1 is really fun! Then they turn 2...

I feel like I'm on a roller coaster. From birth to the 1 year birthday is a gradual climb to the top...they're learning so much and becoming a little person. Now, after reaching the top, all I can do is hold on as tight as I can and try not to let life pass me by. Soon he'll be 3, then 4 and off to school and then college. Sound depressing much? I just don't want it to be going so fast.

Op, here I go. Crying again. Dang!

Control yourself woman!

Anyhow, the reason for all the tears is plain and simple. I just absolutely love my life. I absolutely adore my children. I'm so thankful I get to be their mom. I thank God every single day that I get to hold them, teach them and love them with every ounce of my soul. I should be happy that Colt's 2 and healthy, and trust me I am! I just want time to slow down a bit. I really love him.

it's a bed for big boys

Yesterday I had a bug up my butt to re-arrange the rugs in the house, move some pieces of furniture and change Colt's crib into a big boy bed. I'm not quite sure what possessed me to want to move Colt's bed around. He hadn't ever fallen out of his crib. One time while I was drying my hair I could see into his room in the reflection of my bathroom mirror and he was straddling the side of his bed like a Clydesdale horse. I snapped at him and he never did it again. So I know he's got the muscles and the height to get out...what he lacks is the balls.

I convinced young Andrew to please get out his tools and change his son's bed around. He obeyed...even though I could tell what he was thinking by the random glaces he was giving me...You're totally putting the cart before the horse here. You're also totally getting up all night with him if this backfires because after all...It was your idea, Woman. It's amazing after 3.5 years of pure marital bliss all it takes is one glance from the hubs and I can piece together 3 or 4 sentences. Sometimes we don't even need to talk. Our eyebrows do the work for us.

Bedtime came around. We said prayers, tucked Colt in like usual and started to walk away. I wish I had a picture to capture his face. It was the most adorable/break your heart kind of face. His bottom lip started to pucker out as I walked out and he made a face like...Don't leave me Mom. This is weird. I'm kinda scared.

I closed the door and he started to cry. I then heard him trying to open the door. A few seconds later the cry turned into some pretty seriously wailing. I heard the closet door. I heard him dump his toys. Five minutes later, he kicked it up a notch. Boy oh Boy was he putting up a fight. He does this funny thing lately when he's in trouble or when he's not wanting to nap. He'll call out for Betty [his great grandma, who lives across town]. Does he think she's magically appeared to save him for the wrath that is about to strike down upon him via Mean Mommy? I guess so. It makes me laugh though...Bebee! Bebeeeeeee!

Andy finally goes in about ten minutes later and tries to calm him down. Five minutes go by and all I hear is Colt still crying, but now he's crying for Betty and me. Apparently Betty needs back up.

I go in. Sit on the edge of his bed while he cries at the door and calmly tell him...It's going to be okay. We're going to bed. No other options. I'm making your mind up for you since you seem to be so very confused. He eventually lays down. I lay with him, hoping I don't break the bed. I tested that theory a few weeks ago by actually crawling into his crib with him one morning and hanging out in there for a bit. It didn't break then and I've lost a few since then so I figured I was golden.

Finally, after about 10 minutes of me talking him into a sleepy haze and him getting over his hiccups from his cry fest, I tell him I'm leaving now...I love him...Jesus loves him...Peace out little man. He falls asleep. Victory is mine.

So this morning, after last night, I wasn't really looking forward to nap time. I put him down, and he practically chased me out of the room. I couldn't shut the door fast enough. He cried [not as hard as last night] for about 5 minutes and then a hush fell over the house. I waited a while longer before I checked on him and he'd fallen asleep on his toy box [which is a really soft fabric ottoman, so I was ok with it]. About 20 minutes later he falls off the ottoman, starts crying and that was the end of nap time.

I did put him down for a 2nd nap this afternoon since the first one suuuucked and he only cried for 1-2 minutes then slept for 1.5 hours...in his bed! I was proud of his progress.

Tonight I was preparing for another meltdown or 2. Or 3. Or 4...but wouldn't ya know it after we did our routine and I tucked him in I didn't hear ONE PEEP!! Not ONE SINGLE PEEP!!!

That's a big change! I'm really proud of him for being a good transitioner. Although this doesn't make me want to start potty training any sooner :)

I kinda of feel like since he'll be the big #2 in just a few weeks that all these things [ie. potty training, big boy bed, learning to ride a bike...] need to be done soon. But really, he's still just a little nugget. Still really young. I mean, I compare him all day long to my 4 month old, when really, he's still a baby himself. I need to take a chill pill...some call it Xanax. Anyone care to share? Caring is sharing.