Sweetie Pie

Chunko, Butterball, Porker, Bruiser, Chunk, Bucketopork, Bubba, Fatty, Healthy? These are all names (I've heard some real doozy lines too) that people have reffered to my sweet Beckett as. I guess I just don't consider them all that endearing. People think it is acceptable to call babies these names because they will never remember them and probably have no impact on their emotional well being. Are they saying it to make the parents realize how big their baby is(when they are the ones to carry them around all day long)? Can they not notice anything about a person besides the size of their cheeks or diaper size? Well enough of my rant. My boy is beautiful and I am here to tell everyone that there is so much more to him than his weight and cheeks.

On a happier thought.....The sweetest name he could be called was just two days ago and was from Caiden. Caid and Beck were laying on the floor and Caid reached over and said Beck is my SweePie. Now he constantly goes and tells Beck he is his SweePie.

On the Road Again

Well we got back on Monday night from Washington and left for Phoenix on Thursday morning. Thank goodness the climates were so different. It made packing all the easier because we were using different clothes for Washington weather than what we needed for Phoenix weather. The boys both traveled well. My three month old was frisked because my mom carried him through security and because of all the metal in her leg and back she buzzed on the way through, therefore he had to be frisked. Caiden touched both my parents after they buzzed going through and got to be frisked twice. Seriously????? RIDICULOUS!!!

Anyways, why were we in Phoenix? My godfather got remarried in Phoenix so that was the reason for the trip but not the actual highlight. Although the wedding was pretty the best part of the trip was just spending time with the people I love, my husband, kiddos, my parents, the Whalens and my godparents Bill and Cindy. For years our only trips have been to Washington and although we love going there it was nice to go someplace else.

Beck started out dressed but got heat rash really badly

My godfather, Bill

I'm so glad they like each other

So cool!

My mom and sweet baby

My dad, at Jen's request, spilled wine on Jen so she could change into something inappropriate (deemed by the bride/her dad's new wife) :)

With Two Kids It IsHard To Keep Up With This Blog Thing

So last I wrote Caiden got sick right before our trip to Washington for Mike's family reunion. We had a blast and Caid felt so much better. The boys both did really well on the flight. Going through security with both of them was a challenge but we survived. God bless all those people who took pity on us and either gave us a hand or waited patiently for us while we all undressed in line. It amazes me that they think my 2 month old would smuggle some sort of explosive in his shoe. Do they know that he can barely see them much less light his shoe on fire? Ridiculous!


Caid insisted on wearing a Band-Aid all weekend even though there was nothing underneath it.

Anyways, we had a great time! As you may have seen on some of the other family blogs, those people don't have two kids and were able to put up pictures easily (except Karine who is just a better person than I), Halloween was a blast. Caiden was the cutest dragonfly ever and Beckett was adorable as a rooster. Check out the pictures of these cute kids and costumes!

My gun slinging dragonfly

Cockadoodle Doo

Gibson was a giraffe with a huge behind!!

Maddie had the most adorable ladybug costume, if only I had gotten a picture of the skirt. I'm tellin ya, it was cute!
Look at that cutie pie
Nathan is so cool!

Oh, the Timing of it All

Last night was spent packing. Mike and I packed for the trip to Washington. We went to bed and I awoke to the tub being run in Caid's bathroom at 11:30. You guessed it! Before leaving for two trips in two weeks, Caiden spent last night up throwing up. Mike found Caiden sick in his bed and sweetly cleaned up his bed, and bathed him. He brought him to our room, where although there were towels all around him he managed to miss and puke in our bed. So Mike cleared our bed and I figured he had done far too much already and sent him to sleep downstairs. Wouldn't you know, that was the end of the throw up (at least so far). Caiden has been running a fever since and shivered like a leaf all night but woke up like himself. So we shall see what today brings. Hopefully it was just a quick tummy bug and we are done with it. I kinda consider this a blessing because now I won't spend the day at work but tying up loose ends before we leave. Funny how God knows exactly what I needed, some time at the house.

You Know You're A Mom

You know you're a mom of two kiddos when:

1. You know the concept of good sleep will not be achieved for at least 18 more years.

2. Laundry is never-ending and there is never a second when it is all put away.

3. Taking a break is when you only have to take one kid to the bathroom with you.

4. You take a shower in the dark everyday because at least one small child is asleep in your bed and better that they are asleep than standing outside the shower telling you they need to go potty.

5. You are able to comfort one kiddo while the other is attached to his lunch and yell at the dog all at the same time.

6. You know the importance of a good friend because they don't care if one or both your kids have lost it, they love you anyways.

7. A successful day is when two kids nap at the same time.

8. You know that a clean house is not realistic and never completely accomplished.

9. Poop that is outside of a diaper doesn't really phase you anymore especially when both kids have the issue at the same time.

10. Your greatest joy is seeing your kids interact and play together.

I've Got No Strings

I've got no strings to hold me down,

To make me laugh, to make me frown,

I had strings but now I'm free, I've got no strings on me.

This is what I imagine Whidbey was singing as she left our yard last night. We went to get dinner for Tuck and Whid and she was nowhere to be found. Little escape artist got out. So Mike and Tuck went out in search of her with no luck. Mike posted an ad on CraigsList, I checked the Humane Society website and after no luck we went to bed very worried. Our baby girl was out in freezing temperatures. We were hopeful that somebody nice took her in for the night.

We got up this morning and I immediately started making LOST DOG signs. We hung them up as we left for work. After a few hours at work, Mike got a call from a really nice couple who had a strange dog come inside with theirs last night. It was Mike's baby girl!!!! I went and got her and I think I was much more excited to see her than she was to see me. She had been having a blast. Well I took her home and Tuck lost his mind when reunited with her. It was very sweet. We are very blessed and thankful that Whidbey is home. We missed her so much.

Reasons I am so glad Whidbey is back:

1. My dear husband would have to be admitted to a mental hospital if he had to live in a house with Tucker as the only dog.

2. I don't have to explain why we only have 1 dog to Caid.

3. She warms the recliner for me before middle of the night feedings with Beckett.

4. She makes me fold clothes drying on the banister because I know she will chew them if I don't.

5. Whidbey keeps Tucker in check.

6. She lets Caiden ride her, jump on her, pull her ears, eat her food, just torture in general.

7. She is not Tucker.

8. She is such a good dog! We can get over that she is a wanderer.

A Crazy Few Weeks

September brought lots of excitement. So much that I didn't really update the blog at all. Oops! In September, Mike and I turned 29, my mom celebrated a birthday, Mike went to Washington, Caiden has gotten so much closer to potty training, Beck chunked up, we went back to work more consistently, Mike moved offices, my sister and Todd announced that they are expecting a baby in May, and my biggest thrill....the Tribeca got new tires and brakes. Yay! I know I am an adult and mom because the thrill that this has brought me is overwhelming. I have not been more excited about anything (at least this month that is, okay maybe the baby coming in May). Here are some of my favorite moments from September.

Uncle Mark Has a What????

A small stick???????

Caiden is not able to say words with an "s" blend right now, like sticker, shampoo, and stick. Mike realized that stick does not sound like stick but more like a nickname for a man named Richard. So in preparation for their trip to Washington, he taught Caiden that Uncle Mark has a small stick. Caiden now says "Uncle Mark has a mall #$!&." It is hysterical! We know it is totally inappropriate but oh well. He really thinks that Uncle Mark has a small stick.

Not My Day

So today was not my day. It belonged to two of the loves of my life, Michael and Beckett. Today, Mike turned 29 and Beck turned 1 whole month. Mike spent the day as always with Mark in Washington. It seems that they have gotten into a tradition of taking turns traveling to spend their birthdays together. Mike said he was going to go there this year and to butter me up, since I have a new baby at home, said he wanted to take Caid. I looked at it as a trial and blessing all at the same time, Caid being away from me longer than ever before but alone time with Beck. I miss that I was not able to spend Mike's birthday with him but know that he shares it with Mark not me. They have spent their birthdays together since the day they were born.

Michael, I hope you had a wonderful birthday! I am so blessed to have you in my life and our sons are so lucky to have you in theirs. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for loving us! I love you and miss you!

Beckett, you have captured my heart and changed my life. You have made me so much of a better person. You are the best baby! You are so mellow, crying only when you want to eat. Which must be more often than I realize because you have grown so much in just a few weeks. You have filled out and lost hair. It is too funny! You are awesome in the car, almost always falling asleep. You love to be held and your daddy and I are always happy to oblige. You are so accepting of your brother and never protest when he wants to hold you, get in your face, or push you a little too hard in the swing. You are such a sweet baby! I can't believe you are already a month old. Slow down! You are such a joy and I want to enjoy every little second of you. I love you my sweet Baby Beckett!!!!

If You Could be a Fly on Our Walls

Caiden: (Feeding something to the dogs)
Mike: What are you feeding to Tucker?

Me: Oh, he feeds his boogies to Tucker now. (It's gross, I know. At least, he's not eating them.)

Me: (looking into my sunglasses) Caiden, did you lick my sunglasses?

Caiden: Yes! Caiden lick Mommy glasses.

Me: What do you want for breakfast?

Caiden: Artichokes! (That is so my kid)

The Olsons Are in Town

Georgetta, John and the kiddos came to town and their stay was way too short!! I so enjoyed meeting Jack for the first time and catching up with them. Caiden adored John and Joey every second they were here and is still talking about them whenever he can. We had dinner with them and Marci and Todd at my parents house on Saturday, took advantage of their hotel pool on Sunday and went to the zoo on Monday. We had a blast the whole entire time. We miss you guys and hope you come to visit again soon!!!!!

Jack! Isn't he darling?

My little ragdoll

The Tises, Olsons, and Beagleys

We all loved the grizzlies

Caiden, Joey, Jack, John

A Third????

So in the last few days, I have been getting the same question over and over again....what about a third. To myself I think a third what? Car? Dog? I know people mean a third child but dude, I just had number 2, two weeks ago. Give me a break. So the answer to all you who are wondering the same thing.....we are very happy with two. Nothing is ruled out down the road but nothing is committed to either. Now leave me alone about it! ;)

These two are perfect!!!

Being a Big Brother

Caid has taken so well to being a big brother. He is so loving to Beckett. Mike and I caught him cuddling with Beckett in the bouncer the other day. It was so precious. Sure he wants to test every boundary he can, his favorite being trying to ride in Beck's swing, but he is doing really well with the changes that have happened. So for today, here are some of the moments caught on camera of Caid and Beck.

When the Mom's Away

So the other day, we decided that everyone was going to take a nap at the same time. We all slept well and Beckett and I got up first. I took him out of our room into his and fed and changed him. He, of course, then wanted to go back to sleep so I laid him in his crib and went downstairs to get some picking up done. I heard our bedroom door open and shut and by the time I got upstairs I found Caiden in the crib with Beckett. Caiden was being so gentle with him. Sometimes, I don't think he has the concept of gentle but other times he amazes me. So instead of removing Caiden, I grabbed the camera and here are my two boys.