My Photography Studio

I've been wanting to have my own "in-home" studio for awhile. I have a great husband who supports me in all I do, and he built me a backdrop. It has been awesome! I've had a few sessions now...and these photos I did just a couple of weeks ago of my cute boys. Aren't they handsome? I've been making diaper covers and photo props....if you or anyone you know wants photos done, send them my way! I'd love to get more practice!

Jayson is CPC!

After nearly three years, Jayson is finally done with training and is a certified professional air traffic controller. I am so proud of him! I know how hard and stressful training was, and for his sake, I'm glad it's over...he deserves it! He is so good at what he does and I'm so thankful for him and all he does for me and our family. He provides so much for us and works so hard so that we can have and do the things that we want...and so that I can stay home with our boys...that means so much to me! I love you so much Jayson! I'm so proud of you and am thankful for all you do! Good job getting through training...you did it!! And you not only just "got through it" you did did a great job and you are a great controller now!

Potty Training

Brody is finally potty trained! Jayson had some annual leave scheduled at work, so we decided it would be a perfect time to stick it out and potty train him together. He was being really stubborn about even just putting underwear on...he did not want to. So the first morning, we got him out of the shower and told him he was out of diapers and that Target didn't sell diapers for boys who are 3 years old. We told him he didn't have to put underwear on, but that he couldn't put pants on either unless he wore a pair. He sat on his towel on our bed for probably 15 minutes and kept saying he wanted a diaper on. I patiently kept telling him that I was sorry, but that Target didn't sell diapers big enough for him and that when he was ready he could pick out a pair of underwear. Finally, he said, "Okay, mama. Let's go pick out underwear." I couldn't believe it. I honestly thought he would stick out being naked all day. (He's that stubborn.)

The first day he had quite a few accidents...the second day, still some accidents but not many and he would stop himself, so it wasn't even bad enough to change pants, only underwear. After that, NO accidents at all for the next four days! It's been a almost two weeks and he's only had maybe a handful of accidents..but again he stops himself and says he's sorry and that he'll tell us sooner next time. Considering how bad I thought the whole process would be, I'm very pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. He's telling us now when he has to go, (we still have to remind him if it's been awhile), and he is doing so well! He's even waking up in the morning with a relatively dry nighttime diaper. I'm so proud of my big boy! He's so proud of himself and he loves to show everyone what underwear he has on for the day. His favorite are his Lightning McQueen and Buzz Lightyear. He's so stinkin' cute! I just can't believe that he's potty trained...it's still so surreal, but so nice! Now our next milestone...preschool! He starts next week...sniff, sniff.

Brody is Three!

My little stud Brody turned three years old on Monday the 15th. It seems like yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital. He has grown up so much in the past year...he really is a little boy now. When I look at him I don't see my little baby anymore, I see a handsome little guy who seems so grown up now.

He's doing things lately that I would think about him doing once he got older. Jayson and I would say to each other, "Won't it be fun when Brody is old enough to do this?" And now he's doing all of those things. We got him a Lightning McQueen bike for his birthday and that was just one of those things that we thought how cool it would be for him to be old enough to do. He was so cute "riding" his bike with his little helmet...once again, he looked so grown up.

That cute little face/smile melts my heart. He was so dang cute riding his bike. For his birthday, we had a small get together with grandparents and two of my sisters and Jayson's sister. It was small compared to last year, (I didn't go all out like with his monster party last year), but it was perfect. He wanted ramen noodles for his birthday dinner, so I decided to make everyone else my infamous burgers. I combine ground beef and ground chuck to make the patties, then I make a mixture of brown sugar and chili powder and rub it on bacon and cook it in the oven. The bacon is so unbelievably good! So, on top of the burgers are sharp cheddar, the brown sugar/chili powder bacon, caramelized onions, butter lettuce, tomato, mayo, ketchup and mustard. Very delicious! I also made sweet potato fries with my secret spice mixture. It was so good, and hopefully one day Brody will like meat so he can enjoy them too.

Brody chose a car cake for his birthday. I made a car out of cupcakes and of course made it his favorite color: red. I made it the night before his birthday once he was in bed and when he saw it in the fridge the morning of his birthday he wanted it for breakfast. He was having such a hard time waiting until his party. I love seeing him so excited about something.

He was also so excited about getting presents...and of course he got spoiled. Besides the bike he got from us, Jayson's sister Heather got him a Lightning McQueen helmet, and some new cars from Cars 2. My parents/sisters got him a shark, (something he's wanted forever and that we haven't been able to find), and a workbench with tons of tools...he loves it! Jayson's parents got him an awesome shake and go race track that has been keeping him busy also.

He had such a fun birthday, and I loved to see him so happy. He is such a special little boy and he brings so much joy into my life, (and some headaches here and there...but what else are little boys for?). He loves to make people laugh and he is such a great big brother to Ryker. His favorite thing to do is run...and he can run fast. I love that he has a favorite color now and that everything he wants is red. His favorite animal is an elephant....he loves to pretend to be a baby one and for me to be the mama. He can count to 15 and knows his whole alphabet and all of the basic shapes. It's so crazy to me how fast he catches onto things and what a great memory he has. He loves to read books and loves anything Dr. Suess or Curious George. He says to me all the time that Ryker can't do things like him, but that he'll be able to once he's big like him. So cute. He has so much energy and can get really angry, but at the same time he has such a big heart and makes everyone around him happy. Even though I'm a little sad that he's not a baby anymore, I'm so happy to see him grow up and become an amazing little person. Plus...he's still my baby, and he will be even when he's grown with his own children. I love you, Brody! Happy 3rd Birthday!

4 Month Checkup

Ryker had his 4 month checkup with his pediatrician. He weighs 13 lbs. 14 oz., which is the 28%tile; and he is 25.79 in. long, which is the 80%tile. His head is 16.9in. which is the 69%tile. He's gotten quite a bit taller...3 in. taller, so he's thinned out a little bit...which makes his head look pretty big...haha. It's funny to see when he doesn't have any clothes on...his head looks ginormous. He is so stinkin' adorable though. His smile is so infectious...he just melts my heart.

The doctor says he looks great and that we can start him on rice cereal anytime. I think I may try it soon, I think he needs just a little more practice sitting up in his Bumbo seat first..he's still a little wobbly.

His shots were absolutely horrible this time. He was screaming bloody murder and couldn't catch his breath. I hate shots so much, I tear up every time. He got sick again but not quite as bad as last time. Poor little guy. I'm so glad that he is right on track and healthy, I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm so blessed to have him!

4 Months Old

Ryker is 4 months old. Don't I have the cutest little man you've ever seen? He is getting so big and is learning/doing something new everyday. He is still the happiest baby and rarely gets upset; and he is still sleeping great. He's gone a couple of nights without even waking up, and for the most part only gets up once each night. I'm hoping he just eases into sleeping through the night so I don't have to do the "cry-it-out thing." That was such torture with Brody...absolutely heartbreaking, and I don't want to have to do that. We'll see what happens.

Ryker is constantly chewing on his hands. He's done this since he figured out he has hands, but the habit is getting progressively worse each day. I was so worried he was going to be a thumb sucker...or suck his fingers...but he just likes to chew. He sometimes gets his whole fist in his mouth, then gags himself, which results in more spit up. But, his reflux is getting better. I've been able to cheat a little bit with my diet and it doesn't usually result in anything too bad. Hopefully by 6 months he'll be even better so that solid foods aren't too much of an issue. He also loves to chew on his bib. Once a bib is put on, it doesn't take much longer than 30 seconds before he's shoved it into his mouth. I guess he's just going to put everything in his mouth and chew on it. I've had a few talks with Brody about once Ryker is crawling and getting into things we'll have to be careful about what toys we leave on the ground. I'm mostly just worried about his cars ending up in his mouth. We'll definitely have to be careful.

Something else that Ryker has discovered are his feet. He'll be laying on the ground and just chill with his legs straight up, and then he'll grab his feet and chew on them for a little bit and then they'll go straight back up into the air...it's hilarious to watch. He's becoming much better at grabbing and holding onto toys; his favorite toy is a Winnie the Pooh rattle we have. He loves to watch Brody play and will stare at him forever. He also loves to watch Dexter. Today he was watching Brody harass Dex and was encouraging it by laughing when Brody would run his legs under Dex's to try and trip him. Poor Dexter...although I think he likes any attention he can get around here.

Ryker has the cutest little giggle and his smile melts my heart. He also loves to cuddle and I can't get enough. I'm so glad he is my little boy and that I get to be his mommy. I love you, Ryker!