the rest of December...

I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas.  We sure had a lot going on and lots of fun...until the kids both got sick Christmas Eve night.  Poor babies have been fighting a respiratory bug, but I guess that comes with the season.  Unfortunately, I don't have any fun, present opening smiles to show off, but I'd thought I'd share some other pictures.  ;)

My honey...;)

 Coy's Preschool Christmas party...

 Right before they started feeling yucky...

 Took a short wagon ride yesterday to get out of the house...

Merry Christmas and love to all! 

3rd Birthday Fun!

It was Nana's birthday the day before...

And cousins Luke & Austin as well...

 The birthday boy was so happy!

 At the zoo!

 Cydney loves her doughnut holes...

 Checking out the Lions with Grandma...

 Ryder, aka Woody

 Cousin Colby loves his doughnut holes too...;)



 Glass was clean...not.  ;)

We had a great time at the zoo celebrating Coy's 3rd birthday.  He is such a big boy now...it just amazes me.   Thanks for all the birthday wishes...it means so much to us!  ;)



Happy (Golden) Birthday, Coy!

It hardly seems possible that our baby-turned-big-boy is celebrating 3 years of life today.  The days, weeks, and months of the past three years have flown by.  From the moment of Coy's birth, we were bombarded with all that could go wrong with him, with all that would be wrong with him.  Today he is healed...perfect in each and every way.  Through all the blur and commotion, the fear and anxiety, we were held by God, our families, and friends.  They continue to bless us with their support, love, and  prayer.

Coy,
You have grown up so much over the past year, months, and weeks.  You are beyond what we could have ever of dreamed our son would be.  Each milestone you have met, each challenge you have overcome. You are earned your 'Gritbaby' title, as daddy likes to call you.  Through it all, you are gifted with the sweetest heart, brightest eyes, and a glowing grin. 

Your sister is your everything and you are her's.  You look out for her, play with her, hug and kiss her; you are an amazing big brother.  You love your cousins and would play with them everyday if you could.  You have always adored your Grandmas, but you are really idolizing your Papas now too. 

You continue to bless us, amaze us, and bring us to our knees in gratitude.  Each and everyday is a gift.  You are a gift.  We are so proud, so thankful.  We love you forever and ever.

Daddy, Mommy, and Tissy.

your new 'smile'.

best friends

love.

family photos

 My S-I-L asked me to take some pics of her family to replace some other ones that were taken by an actual professional long before baby Eli was born.  I said I'd gladly do it because a)I love them and b) I love to take pictures.  So, I ventured out and I think I was in a bit over my head.  Kudos to the professionals that capture ALL the family members looking in the split second that it happens.  I mean, geez, that was tough.  I definitely needed a 'baby look at me person' standing behind me.  Next time, next time.  I got some great photos, however, either a) someone was looking off or b) my focus was off because my f/stop was too low or my focal point thing was acting up.  On my wish list for Christmas is a new camera, but I will most likely be using the one I have for awhile longer.  No big deal, it still works. ;)  So, these are a few that I got...not great photography, but cute people.  Enjoy! :)

Recent Adventures...

If you haven't noticed by now, I am a very very inconsistent and random blogger.  One minute I have the time and feel like doing it and something to say, the next, I don't.  I do want to remember all of our sweet adventures and things so I thought I'd upload some photos and jot a few thoughts down. 

Cydney is now 15 months.  Her personality is that of a 'bull in a china cabinet'.  She is full-on, non-stop and doesn't take 'no' for an answer.  I would say she has her father's personality.  She loves to climb everything in sight and has given me a few heart attacks in the past week alone.  We recently put in her a gymnastics class (the same time Coy goes) and she has a blast.  She is a great sleeper, eater, and everything in between.  The difference in having a (almost) full termer compared to a micro preemie is tremendous.  I'm sure it's part of the 'second child' mentality too, but everything is just easier with her.  We don't worry if she doesn't eat one night or is a few weeks later at developing something.  If she gets sick, (which is not very often) I'm not worried if her O2 sat is low or if she's gonna get pneumonia a few days later.  She ADORES her big brother and wants to do everything he does.  She is now obsessed with 'choo-choos' because Coy is too.  People always crack up at her in public because she is so 'friendly' saying "hi!" or "bye-bye!" to everyone that goes by.  I can't get enough of her and love her to pieces.  I can't wait to see how she continues to develop and grow.  We are so blessed by our 'Sissy'. 

Coy will be turning 3 years old in a few weeks...I can't believe it.  The past year has flown by.  I remember his 2nd birthday like it was yesterday.   To say that he's grown up recently would be an understatement.  He's the sweetest kid and has the biggest heart.  He loves his cousins, sister, friends, going to school, MOPS, playing outside, reading books, and gymnastics.  Poor thing is a skinny little guy.  He does eat well, but gets easily distracted at times.  His speech has really grown over the past few months and I think a big part of that is the peer influence at school.  He is still in therapy 3 times weekly for PT, Speech, and OT.  He enjoys it and his therapists are all awesome people.  We still look at him in amazement, he is such a special guy.  I can't wait for Christmas this year and watch him enjoy all the special things we will do.  I don't know who will be more excited...him or I. 



Last weekend we had some at the pumpkin patch, carved our pumpkin, and had some fun trick or treating!  At the pumpkin patch, Coy loved riding on the hayride and feeding the goats.  Cydney loved to run around...everything is new to her this year since she was just 3 months old last year.  She has such a sense of exploration and everything makes her curious.  They had a blast trick-or-treating and tried to eat all their candy.  I'm thinking they both may have a sweet tooth like their mama...




Lightning McQueen!

 

Tinkerbell



Cousins!



Tinkerbell and Lightning McQueen going to their first house...



She got a sword!



Before going trick or treating...

With Grandma & Grandpa...

Carving the pumpkin with Daddy...

At the Pumpkin Patch!

Corn maze!

Feeding the goats...

Snow cones are so good!

Sunflowers!

 

Hope that catches you up on us recently!  Have a great weekend!  :)

Bath time love.

Is there anything sweeter than laughing babies?  I think not.  :)

I love that these two have been playing together.  Although they do fight over toys already, my heart warms so much when I hear them giggling with each other.  It really is the sweetest thing ever.

language explosion.

I can't believe this guy is growing up so fast.  I adore this face.

Over the past few weeks, he's hit a language explosion.  Something we've been praying and hoping for the past year.  He is repeating us and attempting (I say 'attempting' because it's not always clear what he's saying) so many words that he never would try before.  It's amazing for us to hear and we are so excited and thankful. 

Off to put the little dude to bed or I'd write more...maybe another day!  :)

love this baby.

I took these of my nephew this weekend...isn't he precious??  He is so photogenic!