Ashton's Second Birthday!

Poor Ashton woke up with a temp of 103 on his birthday this week. He felt awful all day and we watched a kazillion Thomas shows while I tried to keep Collin away from him. I let him eat whatever he wanted which included honey at every meal and an ice cream sandwich for lunch. For dinner we had hotdogs wrapped in crescent rolls. Instead of cake, I made some dairy free sugar cookies with some great construction cookie cutters I found at the Williams Sonoma outlet. I loved them way more than he did. Here is the hammer and drill. When Wes and I sang happy birthday he looked at us like we were crazy but afterwards said, "that was great!" He loved opening his presents and afterwards said, "is that all the presents?" I hated it that he was sick on his birthday but he was better that night and we are celebrating with his party next week. The t-shirt he wore was his cousin Edwin's shirt when he was 2 given by Wes' parents! Happy Birthday sweet Ashton!!! We cannot believe you have been here two years already-God has given us more joy than we could ever imagine through you!

Collin's Birth Story

Check out how much I look like my bro-see pictures to the right to compare! These boys could have been twins!

Waving to our blog readers!

My parents in the hospital-check out our view from Northside!

First Bath-hated it!

Love both of their faces in this picture!

Proud Grandparents

Great Grandfather Earl and my sweet aunt Jeannie

Great Grandmother Barbara-check out that sweet arm position!

Visit with his other Great Grandparents and my cousins Heather, Matt and their daughter Maddie!

The train set from heaven!

First Family Walk

Our new family the day we brought Collin home

Collin's car ride home

My boys!!!!! I can hardly believe it!

So I finally have a minute to record Collin's birth story! I was scheduled to have the C-section on July 28 but when I went to my doctor's visit on the 26th she said since her birthday was the 27th, she didn't really want to get up early the next morning after her birthday for the c-section and did I want to have him today? I was very anxious for Collin to arrive so I agreed wholeheartedly. I was so uncomfortable and also wanted my brother to be able to see him and he was leaving town the following day so it worked out great! The problem was that we had to say I was "in labor" to get an OR room that night since they were all full during the day. I had been having contractions that were irregular for over a week and she said that was good enough. I arrived at the hospital several hours later and told them I was having contractions and they told me my doctor had called and said my water also had broke. I told them, "well maybe a little!" Haha. I felt a little strange about the whole thing, but my contractions were actually getting stronger and more frequent. They hooked me up to the monitor and I was having contractions every 3-4 minutes! It was all pretty funny. So Collin arrived at 8:07 pm and the C-section went well. He weighed 7 pounds 3 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long. It was so emotional again to hear his first little cry and so wonderful when they brought him over to me. Plus, we were able to be with him right away and he did not have to go to the transitional nursery like Ashton did so we were so thankful for that. This little guy stole our hearts immediately. He loves to cuddle and is such a "good" baby. I never knew what that meant, but now I do since he rarely cries except to eat and be changed. He sleeps really well and seems to go with the flow. So we are adjusting to two boys! Ashton did not want anything to do with Collin at first. He told Wes in the hospital to "put Collin in the bed." The first night we were home, he had a meltdown which was really hard. He was crying so hard at bedtime and it was difficult for Wes and me both. I think all four of us were in tears that night. But things are getting better. He likes to tickle Collin's feet now and this week fed him a bottle! We are trying to teach Ashton to be gentle. One day I caught him in time as he was "tickling Collin's eye." It's still hard when I have to nurse Collin so often and Ashton constantly tells me "sit down mommy and play with me." He has been kept busy though with his new Thomas the train track which Collin brought with him from heaven as a present! Thank you to all our friends and family for your calls and sweet cards and gifts. We are so thankful for a second healthy baby boy in our lives and are praising God for his safe arrival!

York party of 4!!

Collin's Birthday 7/26/10

things are bit busier around here lately with this precious addition but I promise more pics to come soon!!

Countdown to Collin

Some pictures of the boys' room that we finished this week. Thankfully, Pottery Barn sells the matching comforter to the bumper and quilt set we used for the crib so the beds match! Notice Ashton's firetruck sheets which he loves as well! He has adjusted so well to the twin bed over the past few months. We added more stars and Collin's name to the wall as well as shelves for all the knick knacks. We really love the way it all came together.At first there were tears shed about having to have all this stuff in the one tiny room but we made it work!

These are all special things we got when Ashton was born and we hope to add Collin's stuff soon! The giraffe is from my brother's Safari in south Africa shortly after Ashton was born and I love the mother and baby elephant picture also from that trip! The cross is from my parents for Ashton's baby dedication and the other picture is all of our family on his dedication day. The silver cup is from Wes's sister and her family and the wagon had flowers in it sent to us from work.

This chest of drawers was in my mom's room when she grew up, and then my room, and I took it to college and painted flowers all over it. Wes has worked on stripping and refinishing it this summer and I found some cute baseball knobs-it turned out great!

The crazy packed changing table full of stuff! We're crammed in alright!

Random picture-Helping daddy blow up beach balls last week.

Last week was crazy!!! Ashton's ear swelled up from a mosquito bite-poor little guy. Looked like Will Smith in Hitch. It was HUGE and everyone at the pediatrician's office was impressed! Then last weekend, we ended up having Ashton's foot x-rayed because it got caught in a closet door and his ankle looked pretty bad. It turned out fine but this poor kid gets stuck at the doctor too often!

He was still smiling though!

Thomas the train day at Toys R Us! He is now completely brainwashed and LOVES Thomas. He carries around his Thomas toothpaste everywhere! It is pretty cool stuff!

A few random pics from a work shower I had a few weeks ago. I am so blessed to work with such sweet ladies! We got some great stuff for Collin and lots of essentials! We're ready for you and eating eggplant parm tonight buddy-please come on!!!!

Ashton's funny quotes.

I wanted to write down some funny things Ashton has said lately since I am awful with the baby book. Our blog will have to be our memorybook! He talks so much and so well to us but he's so shy that other people don't get to enjoy it.

1. At his babysitter's last week, she told Ashton, "I'm sorry Ashton. I've had trouble getting the lid on your cup all day." His response was, "yep!"
2. He has started asking us in the car lately if we see the trucks, cars, tractors, airplanes, bikes that he is quick to point out. He says, "Have you seen firetruck daddy?"
3. At our snacktime standoff I was trying to get Ashton to eat some ricemilk cheese and he kept begging for more strawberries. Finally he said, "I want bed and cry in bed"
4. Wes has taught Ashton to say, "All done, boss" to me when he is finished eating. I'm sure you can imagine how much I love this.
5. He is always saying, "Watch this guys" or "hi guys" to us! It cracks us up.
6. Tonight Ashton would not eat his chicken and kept begging for toast. I told him he could have some if he ate one more bite of his chicken. He ate three and spit them each out. I asked him again to eat another bite and he said, "I can't." When I asked why he spit them out he said, "Because...(they're) on bib." It was really hard not to laugh!

lately...

We went to see fireworks in Norcross this weekend. It as Ashton's first time and he was actually indifferent to them! He was way more excited about the train we saw and the golfcart full of policemen and the chips and salsa!

We also spent a day with my grandparents this weekend and enjoyed going to the park and playing with the cars and trucks my dad also played with!

My grandfather on the swing!

Me at 35 weeks!

Visit with cousin Edwin last week

We celebrated recently with a Texas sized farewell to our sweet Margaret since she and Daron will be moving this month. We're so sad to see her go but excited about their new adventure!

My cousin Laura and I at her baby shower. Grayson and Collin gave each other their first high five!