Deployment Month Two

Top Ten from Month Two

1. I can successfully use a plunger.

2. Babies don't break if they fall off the couch.

3. Planned our post deployment vacation! 

4. I don't know how to use Shane's drill, oops. 

5. Getting out the door, between naps and nursing, never ceases to stress me out. 

6. Sunshine, playing outside, and going for walks are some of our favorite things.

7. Daylight savings time threw me off for almost a week.

8. Double digits in our countdown!

9. Successfully did our taxes, alone! 

10. Play dates and dinners with great friends keep us (semi) sane.

This month we just enjoyed getting back into our routine at home. Minus a few cold and snowy days, we've had beautiful weather, which is such a blessing.  Matthew loves playing outside most days, and I love getting exercise and the sunshine. Everyone is happier! 

Poppa and Anne G came in town for a quick trip to meet Michael and spend some time with us. We loved having them!

Michaels first time taking a nap in the crib. He normally sleeps in a pack n play in my room, but I've been trying to get him used to the boys room and crib some as well.  Matthew thought it was so cool to have Michael in his crib! 

I've been really bad lately about only taking pictures on the iPad. Shane and I have our photos synced and so we automatically see all of the pictures the other one takes, which makes it fun and easy to share pictures of the boys and our daily lives.  Although that means I have to be very intentional about getting out our real camera! 

Meanwhile we've also gotten to see some sweet pictures of Shane on the other side of the world. He is staying busy and working hard. Enjoy a few pictures from Africa of our handsome soldier!

Deployment Month One - Texas

 Top Ten Lessons from Month One of Deployment

1.Scabies are no joke and spread like wildfire
2.When you hear moo-ing coming from the crib that just means Matthews awake
3.When everyone in public stares you just say, "yes, they're 15 months apart"
4.Care packages are harder to put together than I thought
5.Ring worm doesn't have anything to do with worms
6.Tricare referrals while away from home are a nightmare
7.Driving cross country with two babies is actually possible in one day
8.Skype is my best friend and what I plan most days around
9.You can keep going even when you think pure exhaustion has set in
10.Carrying a car seat and diaper bag with a 1 year old on your hip is an achievable (and common) task

 

We spent month one of this deployment in College Station, Texas staying with my family, and just trying to figure everything out.  It was such a blessing to be around my loving family for those first weeks that were rough at times.  Combine having a new baby, adjusting to life with two little boys with having a husband deploy was a lot to take in.  Through the tears they loved us anyway, changed diapers for me, held babies for me, and shared a lot of laughs with me.  My family is hands down the best family ever.  Needless to say we had a great time in Texas and knocked an entire month off our countdown!

 

Matthew had no fear of Bobby (my parents Emu), which made this mom a little nervous.  Bobby is huge, but friendly, sometimes too friendly for a one year old!

We were so excited Nonna, Aunt Laura, and Uncle Ross all came to visit and meet Michael!

Watching the animals at Grammy and Pawpaw's was Matthews favorite activity 

Matthew loved getting to run free out on the farm.

We enjoyed some beautiful weather.

My sweet sister-in-law, Laura, and dear friend.

Meeting my first nephew baby Will for the first time!

An added bonus of being in Aggieland in February was the start of Aggie Baseball!

Matthew has yet to meet an animal he doesn't want to touch, follow, watch and imitate! Although the cows are probably his favorite.

 

 The boys enjoyed lots of fun times with their cousins. We loved having all of our family in one town together!

To say that Matthew was obsessed with Pawpaw would be the worlds biggest understatement. He loves Pawpaw, and Pawpaw loves Matthew.  Many days Pawpaw stayed home late in the mornings just to eat breakfast with Matthew, and Matthew was always waiting for Pawpaw to get home in the evenings so they could go feed to cows on the gator together.

All 6 cousins with Grammy, 4 years and under!

 Valentines Day 2014 - Missing daddy!

The triplet cousins - Blair, Will, and Michael

 

We even made it down to Houston to spend a day with my best friend Katie and her daughter Emma!

Michael - Two Months!

{at two months Michael...}

...weighs 12lbs
...is 23 inches long
...wears mostly 3-6 month clothing
...coo's more and more when happy
...smiles sweetly when talked to
...still LOVES to nurse
...nurses once in the middle of the night
...enjoys laying on his back kicking for hours
...attended his first Aggie sporting event: baseball
...is generally a very happy baby

Sadly this mama has been slacking on picture taking with month two; I have barely any pictures with just Michael.  He stayed busy this month meeting many of his loving family members who came to
visit us in College Station.

 Cousin Holly and Michael passing out chocolate for smores.

 Grammy and Michael enjoying some sunshine!

 Sweet brothers on Valentines day!

Spending some time talking to Nonna.

 Meeting Aunt Laura!

 Sweet Aunt Kristin and Michael!

Cousin Will and Michael are just four weeks apart in age!

Christmas 2013

We had a calm, but sweet and memorable Christmas in Kansas this year with our little family.  With hopes of Michael arriving at any time, Grammy and Pawpaw came to spend the week with us as well.  Much of our time was spent indoors as it was extrememly cold, but we did go out to enjoy the Christmas Eve service at our church.  Matthew was such a fun age, he enjoyed all the excitement of Christmas! 

 Our sweet, fun, energetic, lovable 15 month old - Christmas 2013

Our last picture as a family of 3, Christmas night, looking like I am about to pop!

Matthew quickly caught onto how to open presents!

We had quite a few mishaps with toys on Christmas day that ended with some extra snuggling and bruises.

All of December we had a lot of snow, and Christmas was no exception.  It was definitely a WHITE Christmas at our house!

 We opted for a different Christmas meal this year.  Shane volunteered to make his homemade chicken fried steak, and duck!

Luke 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord!

Thanksgiving 2013

These pictures were taken by a friend of mine on post in early November. Our fall is so beautiful in Kansas and I want to be able to remember it when we eventually move away.

 

Thanksgiving 2013 was a big hit for our family.  My amazing sister and her family drove to Kansas to spend Thanksgiving with our family.  Having 3 kids, and 2 pregnant ladies we planned a lot in advance and all had a great time!  Since Kansas was very cold we spent almost the entire time inside eating, playing (hours of) games and watching the kids play together. We had a very simple but wonderful Thanksgiving meal, and all enjoyed a wonderful family time.

 We did venture out to the park one afternoon, but it was very chilly!

 Everyone helped make our big Thanksgiving meal!

 The whole gang!

These cousins wouldn't stop kissing while we were trying to take pictures! 

We are so thankful for the Howell family. Thanks for coming to share this Thanksgiving with us!