It’s a BOY!!!

As exciting as it was to find out, we were hit with some pretty upsetting and scary news last Wednesday when I went in for a follow up ultrasound.  We were told that the baby had some “pretty serious heart issues” and were asked to return for a echocardiogram the following week to meet with a specialist.  The six days in between appointments felt like an eternity, to say the least, waiting and wondering and fearing the worst.  We saw the specialist yesterday and while we realize it may still be a long road ahead, we are feeling a lot more hopeful and positive about what’s to come.  He couldn’t give us any definitive answers, but told us that he thinks the baby may have tricuspid valve dysplasia and a possible mild case of Ebstein’s anomaly. He has referred us to a pediatric cardiologist in Phoenix for further testing and hopefully more definite answers, as far as where and how delivery will take place and treatment options for our little guy.  The good news is he says that the baby is growing and developing normally in all other areas, but just thinks that we are dealing with a heart defect at this point. 

After the emotional week we had, we decided that we didn’t want any more surprises and definitely wanted to know the sex of the baby so we can pray specifically for this little person.  I have to say I had a feeling all along it was a boy, but nevertheless, it’s always a huge thrill and surprise to find out for sure!  We bought 2 blue balloons last night and placed them in big gift bags for the kids to open and reveal whether they were having a brother or sister.  The kids really got a kick out of it.  Grayson seems super excited, especially since he realized the boys will now outnumber the girls in the household…. and of course he counts Chase & Skyler too!

This week has definitely been a wake up call for us and a test of our faith. It’s so easy to take life for granted and think that we are always in control.  Last Wednesday, I literally felt like the floor was pulled from underneath me.  Now that we’ve had a chance to digest things, it sure has put things into perspective for us, brought us closer and made us that much more grateful for what we do have.

We’ve had a couple of trips since the last time I posted, so of course, I have a lot of pictures to share.

We went to Alpine for a weekend camping trip with our church and the Goodwin family.

As the Goodwin’s like to say… A little dirt can’t hurt!

The gang… Rebecca, Carter, Grayson & Colbie

4th of July was another hit in Laguna this year!  The entire group made it again from the Hannons, Hollenbauchs, Andersons & of course, Morris fam! 

Watch out Ryan & Kim… Paparazzi!

Grayson and Colbie had a blast playing with Miss Camdyn this year!

After a long night, Colbie passed out on the chair before we could put her to bed!

Park time!  Also, second summer in a row we were talked into taking a few tadpoles home :/  Made a little aquarium for them and so far, we are down to one of four survivors!  In two weeks, the little critter has grown front and back legs and his tail is starting to shorten.  Almost time for the little guy to hop on out of here!!!

Thanks for all the love, support and prayers out there.

Happy Place

I got to spend a few much needed days at the beach with the kids and my parents this past week.  For me, there is nothing more peaceful or calming about sticking your toes in the sand, breathing in that fresh salty air and watching the ocean waves crash on the shore.  Grayson has lost all fear of the waves now and dives right in, getting soaked head to toe.  Colbie is still getting used to the idea, but will stand knee deep with me, holding my hands.  It was an overcast day at Salt Creek on Friday, but the water was still warm enough to play in.

Sleepy eyes sharing a little cuddle with Papa.

The kids wanted to take a little crab home that we had found at Baby Beach.  Sadly, he had crawled his way out of the bucket before it was time to head home!  Phew!

Being how much I love insects, especially ants, this is probably one of my worst fears come true!  Live ants in the house!  Yikes!!  We let our kids start their first real ant farm….. thanks to a semi-joke-gift from Grammy and Papa!  Blaine is super brave and captured and transferred the ants himself.  Although they are a pretty boring group of ants, the kids have really enjoyed watching them up close. 

This is Mr. Bean being his goofy self!

Took the kids to Molly’s dance recital last weekend.  Molly was absolutely adorable and the kids really enjoyed seeing Molly and watching all of the dancers.  The following day, Blaine took Grayson to his 3rd annual D-backs game with Buddy and cousin, Seis.

Grayson and Seis actually got to run the bases with a bunch of kids at the end of the game.

Colbie and I stayed home last Sunday and had a fun girls day!  Did a little shopping and played dress up with her first princess dress and accessories!  She wanted  to make sure I was included in the fun and made me where my St. Patty’s day tutu!  Luckily I don’t have a picture of that.

Had a hard time walking in these and getting her chubby little feet through the straps, yet she insisted on wearing them!

My little princess!

I left the kids with Grammy and Papa at the beach yesterday to come home for a fun date night and quiet house with my hubby and then of course, work tomorrow!  Luckily, a short week though and then back to the beach Tuesday night for our 4th annual 4th of July with the Andersons and Hollenbauch’s!

Summer Fun!

Well, my plans of adopting this little bird for a few weeks till it was strong enough to happily fly away do not seem to be working out the way I had hoped.  Mr. “Pecky” (no longer Mr. Fluffy according to Grayson) has become quite comfortable and attached to his surroundings here.  He has now learned how to eat on his own and can even fly some.  However, when Grayson takes him out of his cage to play with him, he seems to follow him everywhere and doesn’t seem too interested in wondering off.  It looks like we may be keeping this little pest, excuse me, I mean adorable little pet bird, a little longer than we had anticipated!

Aside from Skyler and I, Mr. Pecky has made friends with everyone in the family….even Chasers!

Giving him his formula….in his chonies, of course!

Miss Colbie has been up to a lot lately.  For starters, aside from being in a pull up at night, she is completely potty trained now and is doing awesome!  She’s been wearing her “big girl panties” for a few months and (knock on wood!), we’ve been accident free for at least 3 weeks! She’s also been sleeping in a big girl bed for some time and was doing great at first.  I totally ruined that; however, by letting her lay with Mama a few nights before bed during these last couple of months.   I didn’t realize the monster I was creating at the time, but we now have terrible melt downs every night and ridiculously long bedtime routines that, thanks to me, probably could have been prevented. 

Colbie is and always has been a little chatter box.  My mom always does great Colbie impersonations and reminds me  that I need to write down some of the cute things she says and the way she says things.  She loves to sing and dance and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for example is not twinkle twinkle…. it’s “up a bu bu.”  She also has a sweet heart and any time someone is upset or she just feels you need a compliment, these are some of her regulars she uses to cheer you up… “ I LOVE your skirt/dress/etc.”, “Happy Birthday!” and “Thank you for dinner!”  She’s done this for a while now and it always puts a smile on your face.  I could be wearing a ripped shirt covered in stains, cleaning up after breakfast and it’s clearly not my Birthday, but if it looks like I’m a little frazzled at the time (which is probably most of the time!), a little hug and “Happy Birthday Mama” usually does just the trick!

She continues to be such a little Mama and loves to look after her babies…. feeding them, changing them, reading to them…. and sometimes putting them in time out!  She has also become quite the little hair stylist lately and loves playing hair salon.  She has a little squirt bottle, a brush and a few hair accessories that she brings from her room.  She’s not bossy at all either!!!  Maybe I could learn a thing or two from her because I am horrible at hair!

Singing another one of her favorites…. “All aboard the choo choo train!”

Little Mama

When we’re not playing hair or baby dolls, we are usually following brother around and copying whatever he is doing at the time.  I had to get a picture this particular day, because they both came out of the garage totally on a mission, wearing hats and Blaine’s safety ear muffs!

We signed up for the Harkins Summer Movie program again this summer and have gone to a couple movies already.  This Wednesday was by far a lot more enjoyable than last week!  Grayson really enjoys movies, but Colbie still has a hard time sitting still for any period of time!  I guess Madagascar 3 was a hit for her!

We’ve also found some time to do a little mommy and me yoga with Molly and Maggie.  Becca and I agree that while this is something fun for the kids to do, it’s totally not the relaxing, stress-relieving yoga experience that we need!

“Don’t wook at me Mama!”

Joe Cool sportin’ his new hat and shades!

Took the kids to see Rick, the Balloon Cowboy today at the library.  It was such a fun and entertaining show and Grayson even got to participate.  He was the dragon in one of his plays.

Painting rocks last week.

We also had our almost 5 month ultrasound yesterday!  We stuck to our plan and selected not to find out!  From what the tech could see, the baby is developing well and on schedule for a November 4th due date. 

Looking forward to a relaxing weekend ahead.  We have a birthday party tomorrow for one of Grayson’s friends and then hopefully a quiet and relaxing Father’s Day weekend after that.  Happy Father’s Day to my own awesome Dad (and Papa!) and to Blaine, an incredible Dada to our growing family!  We appreciate everything that you Dadas and Papas do and I love you both with all my heart! xoxoxo