Am I BIG or am I small?

Some people might say that the attitude in our house right now is caused by the terrible two's.
I actually called it that this morning.
We were headed to the grocery store and someone started "throwing fits" over everything.
I spelled it out, just like my Grandma does, to Daniel.
Like this.  "Is this what the T.E.R.R.I.B.L.E   T.W.O' S  are going to be like?"
Then I thought about it.
I remembered a book that I read just last night to Thomas.  It is called "Am I BIG or small"

I think that I am going to call this phase the "Am I BIG or am I small" phase instead of the terrible twos.
It is hard being two years old and sometimes being a BIG BOY and sometimes being too small.
I get this. But it doesn't hurt to be reminded.

Reminded that you are BIG enough to help make cookies.  But small enough to still need a chair to stand on.

Reminded that you are BIG enough to go down the water slide but small enough to go down on big daddy's lap.

Reminded that you are BIG enough to help me carry out the recycling but small enough to need to take breaks on the stairs.

Reminded that we are both learning and figuring out together whether we are BIG enough or still too small.

Big D

Big D,
Today you went to orientation.
You left at 7:30 this morning and you are still not home.  It is 9:30.
That is one long orientation.
Today you went to one long orientation and WE miss you.
We stayed really busy while you were gone so we didn't think about how much we missed you.
We picked out handles for the newly painted cabinet.
We rode on 3 lawn mowers that were red, orange and green.  Our favorite was the blue one?!
We went to your favorite restaurant and ate nuggets and fries for lunch.  We ate out on the front lawn just like we were at party park.... minus the toys.
We vacuumed, cleaned the bathrooms and did laundry.  Hopefully no one "wets" on the bed spread for awhile.
We took long relaxing naps on the couch and snuggled together.
We painted picture frames and pictures for Grandpa and Grandma.
We ate lots of cookies.  It is ok they are good for you!
We played at the playground and brought home 3 rocks that we had to leave outside.
Today was a good day.  My first day without you helping me with the boys.  It went really well.  Surprisingly well.  Our boys were so good and took care of me.  We just miss you.
Here is a photo shoot of our boys.

xoxo
Thomas, Lewis and Sadie

green

We get a green balloon every time we go to our local grocery store.
It is the highlight of our shopping trip.  Especially since I don't let him go in the fun car carts or use his own mini cart.  Getting a green balloon makes up for it.

Oh what fun a green balloon can bring into our lives on a lazy summer day.

Hiking, Camping, Fishing

Thomas went camping for the first time.  He LOVED it!
Every morning since he has come to our bedside and said, "Hiking?  Camping?  Fishing?"

Daniel decided to take him for a hike up Logan Canyon.  
Here is their fun documented through photography.

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY

DEAR GRANDMARY,

"HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY" to you.

Thomas, Alisa, Lewis and GrandMary at the hospital

We wish that we could be there to celebrate this special day with you.
We think that you have lived these last 50 years of your life with such Grace and Strength.
As I type this you should be having a surprise party.  I hope you are surprised and that you enjoy your dessert.  Because lets be honest, that is the best part of having a birthday.
Sorry that our phone died when we were chatting earlier today and that I never called you back.  I figured you would understand.
When I asked Thomas what his favorite memories of you were.  He replied, "Brady's house, camping, fire, helmets, football."  "I like it"  "I love her"
Daniel says, "Your jam and gravy are the best."  He also loved when we went to the rodeo a few weeks ago and the announcer asked if anyone was from Lewisville and you were the only one in the crowd that started screaming and cheering with so much pride!
Some of my favorite memories of you are when we sit around the kitchen table and just laugh.  It is always fun when you get giggly late at night.  Plus that is where you are in "your element."  Thanks for being my mom and my friend.  I hope that all your Birthday wishes come true this next year.  You deserve it.

We were supposed to send you a letter in the mail.  We had it written and Thomas painted you a picture on it.  That made the ink all smear together and we weren't able to get one sent in time.  So we decided to take a photo shoot instead.

CHEESE

Thomas got distracted by Lewis's shoes

Then he placed his hand on Lewis's knee... it was either that our around his neck

Helping him hold his head up

Oh nice ear "brother"

He really needed to get a good look.  Yep it is just like dads!

"I LOVE HIM"

Lewis 

Thomas

WE LOVE YOU GRANDMARY. HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY to you!

My Heart

"OH MY HEART" is filled with LOVE.
That means there is A LOT of love.
Here is why.... My men

This little guy makes the best snuggle bunny.  I have taken full advantage of sitting and snuggling ALL day long.
He is so little and cute "basking" in the sun.  He has the skinniest little legs and wrinkles that we need to fill out.
His faces are priceless.
He gives the cutest kisses.  Those tiny lips looking for food but instead finding my lips.  LOVE IT.

This little guy is funnier then ever.
This morning when asked what he wanted for breakfast he said, "ice cream"  HELLO... he is just like his mama.
He loves to hold his brother.  This morning he sat with Lewis on his lap and watched about 10 minutes of Mickey Mouse.  He also really likes putting hand sanitizer on so that he can hold his "brother bear"
He is loving hanging out with dad all day long.
He is handling everything so well.  Really better then I thought.
He still hugs me and gives the best kisses, even if he is growing up right before my eyes.

This "little" guy is over exceeding my expectations and taking care of all of us.
I think that he gets a little bored sitting around and relaxing.  So he and Thomas have gotten out and done some manly bonding.
He is cleaning up after us and preparing meals.
He is putting up with me and all of my demands.

OH MY HEART is filled with LOVE because of these three little guys.
I am one lucky girl to have them to take care of me, keep me laughing and to fill my heart with LOVE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

We celebrated a BIRTHDAY today.
The best kind of BIRTHDAY.
Today we welcomed LEWIS BARNLEY PACKER into the world.

In honor of his BIRTHDAY we ate cheesecake and of course celebrated him all day long.
We even made birthday cards for him the day before.  Hoping they would encourage him to join us for the party.  It worked.
If it hadn't of been Sunday we would of had colorful balloons to fill the room.

August 8, 2010.
The delivery was very fast and and quite unexpected.  I will spare you all the details... but lets just say I am glad we made it to the hospital and a doctor was able to deliver him.
Weighing in at 6 lbs 15 oz. and measuring 19 inches long.
He is perfect and healthy.
It never ceases to amaze me how miraculous and sacred this experience is.

I am humbled to be his mom.  Humbled to love and snuggle with him endlessly.  Humbled to laugh at the way his squeals.  Humbled to hold his long skinny fingers and tickle his toes to keep him awake during feedings.  I am humbled to be able to celebrate this special day with you Lew.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Movie Theatre

Today we took Thomas to the "theatre" for the first time.  
We went to Toy Story 3.  He was so excited ALL day.  He wore his Buzz shirt and carried Buzz everywhere to mentally prepare himself.

We went to the store and got some of our favorite treats.  We knew that we would need them to help entertain.  Thomas chose M&M's.  Daniel chose Sour Patch Watermelons.  I chose Milk Dud's.
We all took a nap in the afternoon so that we were rested and ready to go.

We showed up at the "theatre" just in time.  Thomas walked in so proud with his Buzz in hand.  As soon as we found our seats the previews started.

Thomas LOVED it.
He was laughing out loud at the jokes.  Or at least when everyone else did.

He saw what he thought was a frog and yelled out "frog" three times.  Everyone else was silent and it sounded a lot more like another "F" word.  Daniel and I couldn't stop laughing.

He ate and ate his treats and was glued to the screen with his mouth wide open.  At least for the first 30 minutes.
Then the restlessness started to kick in.
He still behaved himself.  He just wasn't as intrigued with the movie.
I might of felt bad for the people right behind us except the ladies cell phone kept going off so she apparently wasn't caught up on her theatre etiquette.
The lady behind Daniel had her foot propped up on the seat next to him without any shoes on.  He described the smell as raunchy.
I also thought that the movie was a little bit scary for Thomas.  That baby was creepy.  That is the kind of stuff that nightmares are made of.

I would say for Thomas's first time at the theatre our overall experience was a good one.

The Day

Today is the day.
The day that I have been waiting for... for 9 months.
The day that I marked on my calendar with bright green marker.  Because I love green.  Then I put a huge square around it in more green.  Because this day is important.
Today is the day that I have been thinking about and preparing for like a mad woman.
I have been cleaning bathrooms for our guests.
I have been doing laundry (which I love) so that no one has to wear dirty underwear.
I have been going to the grocery store about every day just so that there are a lot of fresh options to eat.
I have been making lists so that people know all of Thomas's favorites.  Foods.  Toys.  Movies.  Even though everyone already knows.
I have been packing and repacking the babies hospital bag.  Just to look at the tiny clothes that will someday be worn.
Today is the day that Baby Boy #2 ...Name to be announced soon... was "scheduled" to enter the world.  
Today I am showing NO signs of this happening.  Even after scrubbing toilets.
Instead..... 
Today Daniel is sitting for four "yucky" hours in an economics class.
Today Thomas played with some cousins and is now in dreamland.  Still in his pajamas.  And wearing his baseball cap.
Today I am sitting on the couch in my pajamas watching Friends on the television.  I think Phoebe is hilarious.  Wouldn't she make a great friend?  Life would never be dull.
Today I have been slightly grumpy.  Ask Daniel?  He has had to put up with me.  I will blame it on the fact that today I am still 40 lbs bigger then I want to be.  40 lbs of uncomfortableness.  Because...
Today is apparently NOT the day.