By age 2 he wasn't sure, but still sat on his lap...
This year at age 3 he was excited to see Santa.
The same pattern is seen with his cousing Taylor who is 1 this year :)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Visit to Santa the last 4 years....
Funny how the first year they are too small to know the difference...then when 1 year old it is frightening....
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Christmas Letter
Well our cards are going out in the mail hopefully tomorrow as they have been written and addressed for a week now. The new family picture was printed and put in yesterday...now it's just a matter of buying stamps. However we thought we would just try and update our blog to share our news rather than sending a letter...we like to think we are 'going green' rather than it being so much effort to get so many letters printed!
This year has been a year full of blessings. There was Ricky's baptism, the new baby on the way, and the new house--among so many other things. But all in all we are just so thankful for all the Lord has provided to us as we have walked this journey of faith. For more details on any of the above, just scroll through our blog and you can read more of the stories.
In short, we are all doing very well. We anxiously await our baby girl to join our lives late February/early March. Her name will be Zoe and her middle name is still being decided upon. The first time I read Zoe, it said that it means "God breathed life." After waiting patiently for her for over two years and then completly giving it to God and He being the one to make it happen...I found it every so fitting. Plus to say "Derick and Zoe"---how cute is that! So with less than 12 weeks to go I am attempting to get all I can done now...while I am still feeling pretty good and have a fair amount of energy. I still work in the travel business very part-time from home and am so blessed to have such a wonderful company who know the value of family first.
Ricky has been working hard as usual. When he is not "at work" he does alot of things around the house. While we moved into a house that is only 3 years old, he finds projects of things we want to improve...like removing an inground spa and preparing the ground for a trampoline... getting his garage organized, etc. During his Christmas break he will be busy painting both the kids rooms. I call him the Energizer Bunny. I mean who decides to run a 10K race the night before... and still does like 8 min miles? Did I mention he had not even run or jogged or anything in the previous 10 months?? Wow... I am constantly amazed with him. He is incredible...yet I will have to keep my eye on him as he is already enthralled with the idea of Daddy's little princess!
Derick is loving preschool. He has been going 2 days a week but in January will be going 3 days. He seems to learn so much and enjoys the social activity. Since I will not be up to doing quite as much in the spring I think it is an answered prayer for both of us. This year we have tried some new activites like Spanish and soccer along with our usual music class, gym class, etc. It is such a joy to see him grow and learn each and every day. Even on the rough days I try and remind myself that I wouldn't trade it for the world...and am very thankful to have such a supportive husband that allows me this incredibly time.
We send our love to all our family and friends and thank you for sharing in our lives..each one mean so much!
This year has been a year full of blessings. There was Ricky's baptism, the new baby on the way, and the new house--among so many other things. But all in all we are just so thankful for all the Lord has provided to us as we have walked this journey of faith. For more details on any of the above, just scroll through our blog and you can read more of the stories.
In short, we are all doing very well. We anxiously await our baby girl to join our lives late February/early March. Her name will be Zoe and her middle name is still being decided upon. The first time I read Zoe, it said that it means "God breathed life." After waiting patiently for her for over two years and then completly giving it to God and He being the one to make it happen...I found it every so fitting. Plus to say "Derick and Zoe"---how cute is that! So with less than 12 weeks to go I am attempting to get all I can done now...while I am still feeling pretty good and have a fair amount of energy. I still work in the travel business very part-time from home and am so blessed to have such a wonderful company who know the value of family first.
Ricky has been working hard as usual. When he is not "at work" he does alot of things around the house. While we moved into a house that is only 3 years old, he finds projects of things we want to improve...like removing an inground spa and preparing the ground for a trampoline... getting his garage organized, etc. During his Christmas break he will be busy painting both the kids rooms. I call him the Energizer Bunny. I mean who decides to run a 10K race the night before... and still does like 8 min miles? Did I mention he had not even run or jogged or anything in the previous 10 months?? Wow... I am constantly amazed with him. He is incredible...yet I will have to keep my eye on him as he is already enthralled with the idea of Daddy's little princess!
Derick is loving preschool. He has been going 2 days a week but in January will be going 3 days. He seems to learn so much and enjoys the social activity. Since I will not be up to doing quite as much in the spring I think it is an answered prayer for both of us. This year we have tried some new activites like Spanish and soccer along with our usual music class, gym class, etc. It is such a joy to see him grow and learn each and every day. Even on the rough days I try and remind myself that I wouldn't trade it for the world...and am very thankful to have such a supportive husband that allows me this incredibly time.
We send our love to all our family and friends and thank you for sharing in our lives..each one mean so much!
The Christmas Program
One of Ricky's favorite Christmas songs is Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer...as it was the first song he learned in English. When we realized this would be one of the the songs Derick was going to sing in his school Christmas concert, we listened to that song time and time again. Derick and Daddy would sing and dance on many different occasions. Derick even learned all the reindeer names and my favorite would be after naming them all he would say "Hit it!"... then continue into singing the song.
Well last night Derick performed his little concert program at preschool. The first song up was our beloved Rudolph. Derick stood the top of the stage along with all the other 3 year olds of the school and at first looked a little distracted, but once he heard the names of the reindeer begin to be played on a background recording...he straightened right up and started saying the names quietly...then the music paused...and then came the big and loud "Hit it" followed by a very loud rendering...well more like shouting from my 3 year old of his favorite song. His voice could be clearly heard over the other 29 kids on stage. Many parents around me commented.."Wow he really likes that song" or "He really likes to sing."
With that song ending, so did his attention span. For the remaining 5 songs he seemed to get a little stir crazy and was ping-ponging off the girls around him. Every 5 minutes or so he would run up on the stage and take a lap around the Christmas tree. While my sister and I just could not stop laughing, I was feeling bad for the parents of all the pretty girls in their Christmas dresses trying to be so poised yet being knocked around by my rambuncious boy. Several staff members of the school commented to me today how Derick was the little lap runner around the tree, yet reminded me he was only 3 and its always some kid every year. Well I guess it makes it more memorable. Would I really remember this down the road if he stood still and did what he was supposed to??
Well last night Derick performed his little concert program at preschool. The first song up was our beloved Rudolph. Derick stood the top of the stage along with all the other 3 year olds of the school and at first looked a little distracted, but once he heard the names of the reindeer begin to be played on a background recording...he straightened right up and started saying the names quietly...then the music paused...and then came the big and loud "Hit it" followed by a very loud rendering...well more like shouting from my 3 year old of his favorite song. His voice could be clearly heard over the other 29 kids on stage. Many parents around me commented.."Wow he really likes that song" or "He really likes to sing."
With that song ending, so did his attention span. For the remaining 5 songs he seemed to get a little stir crazy and was ping-ponging off the girls around him. Every 5 minutes or so he would run up on the stage and take a lap around the Christmas tree. While my sister and I just could not stop laughing, I was feeling bad for the parents of all the pretty girls in their Christmas dresses trying to be so poised yet being knocked around by my rambuncious boy. Several staff members of the school commented to me today how Derick was the little lap runner around the tree, yet reminded me he was only 3 and its always some kid every year. Well I guess it makes it more memorable. Would I really remember this down the road if he stood still and did what he was supposed to??
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Baby Sister
Derick is very excited to have a baby sister (as we all are) and seems to always know what she thinks or wants. One night after I had a bowl of soup he tells me, "Baby sister says that soup is yucky. Here have some of my nuts so she can be happy." Or "Baby sister needs a drink...have some water so she can have a drink." Another thing he likes to do is if he wakes up before me, he will climb on my bed and pull the covers down and shout..."Wake up baby sister, the sunshine is up. It's time to wake up now." Or another of my favorites, he says..."Baby sister needs a hug...she wants a hug from me" then will proceed to hug my belly. Sometimes if he has too much energy and I need him to calm down I will ask him to help put baby sister to sleep and he will sing her Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. He will say "Go to sleep Baby Zoe." How sweet these moments are, but sometimes I wonder what we are setting ourselves up for when she out of the belly!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
And it is going to be a....??
We feel so blessed that God has granted us another family member...we honestly feel so thankful and really would be happy to have either a boy or a girl. Fully trusting that HE knows what is best and has in store for us leaves such a peace that we don't question what we are given. It's funny as everyone around assumes we want a girl maybe since we already have a boy. I honestly didn't have one preference over the other as I could see benefits and drawbacks to both. Yet upon hearing the news I find it so interesting that so many others seemed to have stronger feelings about it than I did.
I am happy that we will have the experience to raise a little girl and will have fun watching my tenderhearted husband have a little girl... Yet I do have to admit the drama that comes with a girl truly scares me!! I guess I know what area I will need to pray ferverently about:)
This morning I asked Derick if he had thoughts about having a baby brother or sister. He said, "I know I am having a baby sister." He has been saying it pretty consistantly with confidence. While we didn't want to buy into it too much, maybe there is something to be said about it. Anyway, everything else seems to appear like it is going well at this time and baby is right where she needs to be...on the smaller side of the average scale, but Derick wasn't a huge baby so will be fine if she is in the same 7lb range. You can see the above little video clip of her rubbing her hand on her face. I am always amazed at how inticate they can see things even when babies are so small...I think she said around 9oz? Amazing work of our creator!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Good Health and Great Weather
It is nice to have both my boys back and feeling much better. The weather has been awesome this week...in the 80s. So nice to have the windows open and be able to outside or run around without roasting. We are excited as some of the neighbors want to start a Friday night dinner at the park tradition. Derick LOVES playing especially if he can make some new friends and have some consistent kids to play with.
We had an interesting week with attitudes. We had our first 'go to bed without dinner' night. He was goofing around at the table and after numerous reminders and corrections he just ran out of chances. Derick cried in his room for quite some time and kept telling me over and over that he was hungry... yet we had to make a point. How heartbreaking to hear. I did give in a little and let him have one string cheese but that was it. These past couple days he has been doing great at eating...finishes most of his food then asks to be done. Hallelujah...that message got thru...at least temporarily!
We are looking forward to hitting the 20 week mark next week and having the ultrasound that will hopefully reveal the gender of this little one so active. I have been feeling this one move around for a few weeks now. It seems this one likes to ball up and press their back out causing my stomach to be lopsided. Funny to feel so early as with Derick it was well over 5 months until I felt anything. Anyway it will be fun to start preparing either way...whether we have more blue or pink in our future. I think it will also help Derick get even more adjusted as we can start talking in a more specific relational sense rather than just 'baby' all the time. So look for the update next week...starting Wednesday or later!
We had an interesting week with attitudes. We had our first 'go to bed without dinner' night. He was goofing around at the table and after numerous reminders and corrections he just ran out of chances. Derick cried in his room for quite some time and kept telling me over and over that he was hungry... yet we had to make a point. How heartbreaking to hear. I did give in a little and let him have one string cheese but that was it. These past couple days he has been doing great at eating...finishes most of his food then asks to be done. Hallelujah...that message got thru...at least temporarily!
We are looking forward to hitting the 20 week mark next week and having the ultrasound that will hopefully reveal the gender of this little one so active. I have been feeling this one move around for a few weeks now. It seems this one likes to ball up and press their back out causing my stomach to be lopsided. Funny to feel so early as with Derick it was well over 5 months until I felt anything. Anyway it will be fun to start preparing either way...whether we have more blue or pink in our future. I think it will also help Derick get even more adjusted as we can start talking in a more specific relational sense rather than just 'baby' all the time. So look for the update next week...starting Wednesday or later!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Flu Strikes
As I am dealing with two sick boys I am posting this picture as a reminder of how my days usually are. I love having two very happy and smiley boys in my life... However the flu has struck my cute 3 year old and wiped him out. I have chatted with my hubby on the fone and he has a cold. Yikes... I have become a handwashing fanatic...trying to protect myself and the unborn baby the best I can. I am praying to God that we will be spared. 
So we missed preschool and picture day...which I was sorry about...would have loved to have the first little school picture to commerate our preschooler...even as cheesy as many of the pictures are.
So we missed preschool and picture day...which I was sorry about...would have loved to have the first little school picture to commerate our preschooler...even as cheesy as many of the pictures are.The House
So I was waiting until the house looked all put together and all cleaned up before I really took pictures to share; but since I realize that may take quite some time, I thought I would share some pictures now. I also thought I would make the effort to take some pics with my nice camera, but in an effort to get it done...here are some with the point and shoot. [*note..my house is currently NOT this clean...!]
Front of House
Front of House
Monday, September 28, 2009
6 Years
I am so happy to have enjoyed 6 wonderful years with my husband and our growing family. We took Derick to his Grandma's house and enjoyed an evening out of dinner and a movie. It's funny how those dates seemed so commonplace once upon a time before kids, but now it is a treat to get to spend time together without insisting some little one sit still and eat their food. And to watch a movie that is not a cartoon was a treat as well. It has also been awhile since both of us were able to sleep until 8am! It was an enjoyable weekend and I look forward to the many wonderful years 
to come.
to come.Friday, July 31, 2009
The Miracle of Life and Blessings!
We have anxiously awaiting this day. It has been an AMAZING last 6 weeks or so... Where to even begin??
Well after the last post and the scorpion house falling through, we just sucked it up and continued packing up our things as we knew we would have to move out of our home...regardless if we had a new one or not. We had until July 4th to be out and it seemed time was ticking...
After another round of househunting over the course of a few days, we found 2 more houses we decided to make offers on. At this point we had made 6 offers on homes and had to go well above (sometimes $35K) above asking price. We like both of these homes yet weren't willing to go up too much in asking. Based on the comps, we decided to offer $10K more than asking on both of them...as they were newer houses and foreclosures...so we thought they would most certainly go for much higher, but we better give it a shot. A couple days after submitting our offer, our realtor had called and asked us for our highest and best on one of the houses...as we were once again competing with multiple offers. Ricky and I had discussed it before he left for an out of town business trip... Ricky thought we didn't have much of a chance so just to leave it as it stands. I said we should go $5K more...as in the skeem of things what is another few grand. So he left it up to me to handle while he traveled. So I advised the realtor to go up another $5K and if it is meant to be then it will be...and if not, well it would not be our first disappointment..as we had been through 6 already. Ricky and I both wondered if we really needed a 3100 sq. foot house, but it was such a great deal if it worked that we thought we would give it a shot.
Well Ricky left town on Sunday and Monday I start feeling a little strange. I felt all the lovely things we women get to experience on a monthly basis and knew I should be expecting my 'monthly visitor' at any time. I started analyzing all the symptoms and as I have every month for the last 2 years...wondered if I could be pregnant?!? Yet I was sooo tired of being disappointed I dismissed the thought and decided I couldn't handle another negative thing right now. Then I looked at the calender again...hmmm...has been nearly a week late now, maybe I should check. I took one test that I had leftover from my last round of disappointments [as I had been taking fertility drugs for 5 months then stopped just that prior month since I had enough stress from the house situation...couldn't handle both]. Sure enough it was positive. I had a few happy tears, yet still was in disbelief--could it actually be true, what I have been praying/hoping for...have I mentioned for TWO years?!?!! Well I found myself at Target again the next day purchasing more tests...as I really wanted to make sure, as it was just too good to be true. Sure enough...it was just good and true--Praise God!!!
So I tried to think of a clever way to tell Ricky. I had talked with Derick about it and although I don't think he really 'gets' it, he could still say the words. When Ricky came in the door, Derick started to say "Daddy, we have a surpise for you! I am going...." I ran over as quick as I could and covered his mouth just in time. I walked over to the kitchen and said let's give daddy his surprise present first before you tell him. He unwrapped the two pregnancy tests I had taken and immediately knelt down and gave Derick a long hug as the tears streamed down. I was taking a video of it all and as soon as I shut the camera off and layed it down thinking I had captured the moment, Ricky started jumping up and down shouting with excitement. It was precious and I wish the camera was still rolling...but I will always hold the memory dear in my heart!
Well after the last post and the scorpion house falling through, we just sucked it up and continued packing up our things as we knew we would have to move out of our home...regardless if we had a new one or not. We had until July 4th to be out and it seemed time was ticking...
After another round of househunting over the course of a few days, we found 2 more houses we decided to make offers on. At this point we had made 6 offers on homes and had to go well above (sometimes $35K) above asking price. We like both of these homes yet weren't willing to go up too much in asking. Based on the comps, we decided to offer $10K more than asking on both of them...as they were newer houses and foreclosures...so we thought they would most certainly go for much higher, but we better give it a shot. A couple days after submitting our offer, our realtor had called and asked us for our highest and best on one of the houses...as we were once again competing with multiple offers. Ricky and I had discussed it before he left for an out of town business trip... Ricky thought we didn't have much of a chance so just to leave it as it stands. I said we should go $5K more...as in the skeem of things what is another few grand. So he left it up to me to handle while he traveled. So I advised the realtor to go up another $5K and if it is meant to be then it will be...and if not, well it would not be our first disappointment..as we had been through 6 already. Ricky and I both wondered if we really needed a 3100 sq. foot house, but it was such a great deal if it worked that we thought we would give it a shot.
Well Ricky left town on Sunday and Monday I start feeling a little strange. I felt all the lovely things we women get to experience on a monthly basis and knew I should be expecting my 'monthly visitor' at any time. I started analyzing all the symptoms and as I have every month for the last 2 years...wondered if I could be pregnant?!? Yet I was sooo tired of being disappointed I dismissed the thought and decided I couldn't handle another negative thing right now. Then I looked at the calender again...hmmm...has been nearly a week late now, maybe I should check. I took one test that I had leftover from my last round of disappointments [as I had been taking fertility drugs for 5 months then stopped just that prior month since I had enough stress from the house situation...couldn't handle both]. Sure enough it was positive. I had a few happy tears, yet still was in disbelief--could it actually be true, what I have been praying/hoping for...have I mentioned for TWO years?!?!! Well I found myself at Target again the next day purchasing more tests...as I really wanted to make sure, as it was just too good to be true. Sure enough...it was just good and true--Praise God!!!
So I tried to think of a clever way to tell Ricky. I had talked with Derick about it and although I don't think he really 'gets' it, he could still say the words. When Ricky came in the door, Derick started to say "Daddy, we have a surpise for you! I am going...." I ran over as quick as I could and covered his mouth just in time. I walked over to the kitchen and said let's give daddy his surprise present first before you tell him. He unwrapped the two pregnancy tests I had taken and immediately knelt down and gave Derick a long hug as the tears streamed down. I was taking a video of it all and as soon as I shut the camera off and layed it down thinking I had captured the moment, Ricky started jumping up and down shouting with excitement. It was precious and I wish the camera was still rolling...but I will always hold the memory dear in my heart!
Monday, June 22, 2009
It Could Only Be the Hand of God
So we had made an offer on this house Thursday night the 11th. Friday morning Natasha sends me a text picture of a bag of scorpions from one of her co-workers houses. She knows I am paranoid about scorpions [not that I have ever seen any since living here, but have heard stories]. Well after some back and forth of the counter offers as previously described, we got the news of getting the house Sunday evening.
Then last Tuesday our realtor comes by and drops off the clue report from the owners of the house we are buying. It states on there..."A few scorpions over the years, but mostly in front near the neighbor.." Well I was not happy to hear of that news but it didn't end the deal for us, as we know it is AZ and it could very well happen in any house we get. Well we go to the bank, schedule the appraisal and inspection. Then on Wednesday morning I am glancing at the clue report again and see it is faxed from Natasha's work. I get sort of excited as I figure if we have a connection with the people then maybe they would be willing to let us pre-posses...rent it until our loan goes through to avoid a double move. I also wanted to ask them a few questions about preschools in the area, etc. So I send her an email to ask if she knows this person. She calls me back about an hour later and says she knows this guy and he works in her department. [Good news so far...] Then she asks me if I got that text picture of the scorpians...and those are from the guy selling the house. Ugghhh... And did I mention there were like 14 scorpions,which he brought 'live' in a sandwich bag to work to show. And apparently this was not the first time either. So then we hear they are both inside and outside the house...so we think these are way more than just "a few over the years". After doing some research with pest control companies, we decide it is a bigger battle/risk that we are willing to take.... so we cancelled our offer.
But to see how this string of events came about...it could only be the hand of God...as what are the odds of all the happening. I don't believe in coincidences. So we are back to square one.
Nearly half of our house belongings now reside in storage. I am feeling the disconnection from this house, as it no longer is our home, but rather a house filled with boxes and piles of stuff. It is sad as it has been a wonderful home and we have so many memories here, yet I know there will be something great in store for us one of these days :)
Then last Tuesday our realtor comes by and drops off the clue report from the owners of the house we are buying. It states on there..."A few scorpions over the years, but mostly in front near the neighbor.." Well I was not happy to hear of that news but it didn't end the deal for us, as we know it is AZ and it could very well happen in any house we get. Well we go to the bank, schedule the appraisal and inspection. Then on Wednesday morning I am glancing at the clue report again and see it is faxed from Natasha's work. I get sort of excited as I figure if we have a connection with the people then maybe they would be willing to let us pre-posses...rent it until our loan goes through to avoid a double move. I also wanted to ask them a few questions about preschools in the area, etc. So I send her an email to ask if she knows this person. She calls me back about an hour later and says she knows this guy and he works in her department. [Good news so far...] Then she asks me if I got that text picture of the scorpians...and those are from the guy selling the house. Ugghhh... And did I mention there were like 14 scorpions,which he brought 'live' in a sandwich bag to work to show. And apparently this was not the first time either. So then we hear they are both inside and outside the house...so we think these are way more than just "a few over the years". After doing some research with pest control companies, we decide it is a bigger battle/risk that we are willing to take.... so we cancelled our offer.
But to see how this string of events came about...it could only be the hand of God...as what are the odds of all the happening. I don't believe in coincidences. So we are back to square one.
Nearly half of our house belongings now reside in storage. I am feeling the disconnection from this house, as it no longer is our home, but rather a house filled with boxes and piles of stuff. It is sad as it has been a wonderful home and we have so many memories here, yet I know there will be something great in store for us one of these days :)
Monday, June 15, 2009
An Exciting Weekend of Answered Prayers
We had such an exciting weekend that it still sinking in. I'll start with the most amazing and meaningful thing...Ricky and Natasha got baptized on Saturday night. It was nice that both our families came to share in the experience and meant alot to us all. I have a couple of videos of them that I will try and post in the next few days. Nothing compares to an experience when the Lord has touched and moved so much in someone's heart.
In other news our prayers have been answered in our quest for a new home. We had made 5 other offers over the course of the last 6 weeks and been getting pretty discouraged over the whole ordeal. On 3 of the houses, we offered well over $30K than asking price and even would have the highest offer in a case or two, but then someone would step in and pay cash for the house, which would be accepted over our higher offer. While it was discouraging at times we continued to trust in our faith and accept it as a sign it was not meant to be.
A few weeks ago I woke up in the night after having a dream and thought, what about that house on Kilarea?? We had seen it, but thought it was overpriced so moved on--yet still kept it saved in our favorites on our real estate search site...just to keep an eye on it. Well we had been talking about making them an offer for $15K less than asking price to see if they would bite...yet we didn't...we kept checking what was new on the market...along with all the other real estate vultures [you should see how people swarm to the new houses...it's crazy...three cars may be there at a time checking it all out] Well after putting a few other offers out that fell through, we decided to revisit this one. Just as God would have it, they dropped the price on the home last week. So we decided to make our offer and after some back and fourth counter offers actually got the home for $20K less which seemed more than fair for all parties [depending on how it actually appraises which will be in the next 10 days or so...].
Yesterday afternoon when we were to submit our counter offer, Ricky starting stressing over raising it. Our realtor did advise us that we were competing with a cash offer but if we raised our offer $5K then they may consider. I was in a happy/faithful mood and said "In the whole scheme of things when you are talking about so much money, it seems like such a small amount...Let's make the offer and leave it in God's hands. If it's not meant to be, then I am sure they will accept the cash...as it's way easier for them anyway...no appraisals, no waiting for our loan to close, etc."
It's funny...we found out about 9 last nite that they accepted the offer...but neither Ricky or I got super excited because we were so used to being disappointed that we stopped getting our hopes up, yet we were happy as it was an answer to prayer. I think it starting sinking in more later and it will be nice to just focus on getting packed and moved rather than packing for the unknown.
***OK, for the super cutest part of the story.... ****
Every night the past couple months I take Derick to bed, I tell him we need to pray for our new house. A typical prayer might go something like:
"Thank you Jesus for Mommy, Daddy, and Derick, and all my family.
Please help us find a house and please send me a baby brother sister together*. Amen."
So this morning I was telling Derick I had some good news for him. I asked him if he remembered that house he had found the choo choo train in the yard and played with it on the slide... he said "Yes I do remember." I told him that was going to be our new house and then he said... "And I am going to have a baby brother and sister together in that house and I am going to be so nice and share all my toys with them in that house." I smiled and said "I sure hope so...I hope God will send you a baby brother or sister soon."
[*Footnote on the above 'baby brother sister'... I think they maybe since Dora the Explorere has both a baby brother and sister who are twins , Derick thinks he will have one of each at the same time too ;-) ]
And in other good news since the last post, I am happy to report that Derick is fully potty trained, even at night... It has been so nice....at least one way I am happy to see him grow up!
In other news our prayers have been answered in our quest for a new home. We had made 5 other offers over the course of the last 6 weeks and been getting pretty discouraged over the whole ordeal. On 3 of the houses, we offered well over $30K than asking price and even would have the highest offer in a case or two, but then someone would step in and pay cash for the house, which would be accepted over our higher offer. While it was discouraging at times we continued to trust in our faith and accept it as a sign it was not meant to be.
A few weeks ago I woke up in the night after having a dream and thought, what about that house on Kilarea?? We had seen it, but thought it was overpriced so moved on--yet still kept it saved in our favorites on our real estate search site...just to keep an eye on it. Well we had been talking about making them an offer for $15K less than asking price to see if they would bite...yet we didn't...we kept checking what was new on the market...along with all the other real estate vultures [you should see how people swarm to the new houses...it's crazy...three cars may be there at a time checking it all out] Well after putting a few other offers out that fell through, we decided to revisit this one. Just as God would have it, they dropped the price on the home last week. So we decided to make our offer and after some back and fourth counter offers actually got the home for $20K less which seemed more than fair for all parties [depending on how it actually appraises which will be in the next 10 days or so...].
Yesterday afternoon when we were to submit our counter offer, Ricky starting stressing over raising it. Our realtor did advise us that we were competing with a cash offer but if we raised our offer $5K then they may consider. I was in a happy/faithful mood and said "In the whole scheme of things when you are talking about so much money, it seems like such a small amount...Let's make the offer and leave it in God's hands. If it's not meant to be, then I am sure they will accept the cash...as it's way easier for them anyway...no appraisals, no waiting for our loan to close, etc."
It's funny...we found out about 9 last nite that they accepted the offer...but neither Ricky or I got super excited because we were so used to being disappointed that we stopped getting our hopes up, yet we were happy as it was an answer to prayer. I think it starting sinking in more later and it will be nice to just focus on getting packed and moved rather than packing for the unknown.
***OK, for the super cutest part of the story.... ****
Every night the past couple months I take Derick to bed, I tell him we need to pray for our new house. A typical prayer might go something like:
"Thank you Jesus for Mommy, Daddy, and Derick, and all my family.
Please help us find a house and please send me a baby brother sister together*. Amen."
So this morning I was telling Derick I had some good news for him. I asked him if he remembered that house he had found the choo choo train in the yard and played with it on the slide... he said "Yes I do remember." I told him that was going to be our new house and then he said... "And I am going to have a baby brother and sister together in that house and I am going to be so nice and share all my toys with them in that house." I smiled and said "I sure hope so...I hope God will send you a baby brother or sister soon."
[*Footnote on the above 'baby brother sister'... I think they maybe since Dora the Explorere has both a baby brother and sister who are twins , Derick thinks he will have one of each at the same time too ;-) ]
And in other good news since the last post, I am happy to report that Derick is fully potty trained, even at night... It has been so nice....at least one way I am happy to see him grow up!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Househunting
I wish I would have taken the time to blog the other day...as I was full of so much excitement and was having one of those 'perfect' days that are so rare...one of those days that everything was falling into place...it was wonderful! I was so excited that I couldn't even sleep...
For about 2 weeks, we had spent hours upon hours the days and nights searching the internet for a house. We are thankful to have such wonderful tools nowdays... we can read descriptions, view pictures, check bird's eye and aerial views of the areas...it really is fun, yet so time consuming. It was easy to rule out homes that backed up to main streets, or homes that the backyard was just a swimming pool..no grassy areas, or maybe too near power plants or railroad tracks. Then came the the neighborhood drive bys... we spent several afternoons/evening driving around the areas we liked to get a feel for things. After this, we composed our list. Ricky was very excited about a couple, and I was very excited about a different couple. We sent our list to the realtor who returned it with the status of each house. This quickly reduced our list, as some were already sold.
Then came the househunting; we set out Tuesday afternoon. It was actually so discouraging. It was hard to even come close to finding something that we even liked, much less loved. I couldn't imagine paying over $100K more for something than we already lived and loved. I started having some serious doubts about wanting to move and wondered what we were thinking to sell our home. We reviewed our reasoning... better schools, little bigger house, etc. We knew God had worked so intricately to take care of all the little details and made the home sale sooo smooth, we knew He must have intended for it to happen. So that night we put Derick to bed and once again spent hours searching the internet. We figured we better readjust our criteria...maybe give in a little on size, up our price, and/or expand our ideal areas. We composed a second list and sent it off to our realtor.
Wednesday afternoon was a little better. We definitely saw much nicer homes (probably to do with our pricing search increase), there were a couple that were decent and worth considering, yet failed to feel drawn to any particular one. Thankfully I have a husband who is so patient in this area and said we will not settle...that would be better to put things in storage and wait for the right house. I on the other hand was losing sleep and wondering where we would be living in another month. I was addicted to home searching, feeling jittery, ignoring my child, whatever I could do to help our search..., yet I knew Ricky was right. I began repeating verses in my head...and sometimes even out loud when I would catch myself worrying... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding...." Trust, Trust, Trust. I gave it all up to God, knowing He really was in control and all my worrying really wasn't going to get us anywhere.
Thursday came and I had a busy day planned. Derick had swim class and did so well, I was soo proud of him. We had lunch with friends then came home to try and get him back on nap schedule after missing it for a few days househunting. I started searching the internet again...as my work was pretty quiet and I had some free time. I used a map and thought I would search some new areas. One stood out to me that I hadn't seen before in an area that I had been checking on a daily basis (Val Vista Lakes...the place Ricky and I got married..) Sure enough it was new listing that just popped on the market that day. I called our realtor and asked if we could see it. He had only about 10 minutes before he had to meet another of his client's so I said we would take it. I called Ricky to meet us there, then woke up Derick and we saw this house. We were seriously there for 5 minutes and both Ricky and I said we really liked it and that we would like to make an offer on it. Later that night we signed the paperwork and then I started thinking..we seriously spent 5 minutes in a place we may live for years??!! Kind of a crazy thought, but we will see how it all plays out. Since is a bank foreclosure, it may take until next week to even hear back. While we keep talking like it is ours and spent some time at Home Depot today pricing out some of the projects we would do, yet we know not to get our hopes up too much until we know.
It is so awesome and peaceful to believe in a God who already knows where he will lead us...and if not to this house, He has something else in store. I spent some time reflecting back on when Ricky and I were searching for this home. There was one that we both really liked and wanted to make an offer on, but our realtor did not agree with us. I remember being disappointed. But after another day of searching we found our current home and loved it...and then were so thankful for all this one had to offer that the other one really did not. We know it will work out according to HIS plan... so we will wait patiently for a couple more days, then resume the search if needed :)
For about 2 weeks, we had spent hours upon hours the days and nights searching the internet for a house. We are thankful to have such wonderful tools nowdays... we can read descriptions, view pictures, check bird's eye and aerial views of the areas...it really is fun, yet so time consuming. It was easy to rule out homes that backed up to main streets, or homes that the backyard was just a swimming pool..no grassy areas, or maybe too near power plants or railroad tracks. Then came the the neighborhood drive bys... we spent several afternoons/evening driving around the areas we liked to get a feel for things. After this, we composed our list. Ricky was very excited about a couple, and I was very excited about a different couple. We sent our list to the realtor who returned it with the status of each house. This quickly reduced our list, as some were already sold.
Then came the househunting; we set out Tuesday afternoon. It was actually so discouraging. It was hard to even come close to finding something that we even liked, much less loved. I couldn't imagine paying over $100K more for something than we already lived and loved. I started having some serious doubts about wanting to move and wondered what we were thinking to sell our home. We reviewed our reasoning... better schools, little bigger house, etc. We knew God had worked so intricately to take care of all the little details and made the home sale sooo smooth, we knew He must have intended for it to happen. So that night we put Derick to bed and once again spent hours searching the internet. We figured we better readjust our criteria...maybe give in a little on size, up our price, and/or expand our ideal areas. We composed a second list and sent it off to our realtor.
Wednesday afternoon was a little better. We definitely saw much nicer homes (probably to do with our pricing search increase), there were a couple that were decent and worth considering, yet failed to feel drawn to any particular one. Thankfully I have a husband who is so patient in this area and said we will not settle...that would be better to put things in storage and wait for the right house. I on the other hand was losing sleep and wondering where we would be living in another month. I was addicted to home searching, feeling jittery, ignoring my child, whatever I could do to help our search..., yet I knew Ricky was right. I began repeating verses in my head...and sometimes even out loud when I would catch myself worrying... "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding...." Trust, Trust, Trust. I gave it all up to God, knowing He really was in control and all my worrying really wasn't going to get us anywhere.
Thursday came and I had a busy day planned. Derick had swim class and did so well, I was soo proud of him. We had lunch with friends then came home to try and get him back on nap schedule after missing it for a few days househunting. I started searching the internet again...as my work was pretty quiet and I had some free time. I used a map and thought I would search some new areas. One stood out to me that I hadn't seen before in an area that I had been checking on a daily basis (Val Vista Lakes...the place Ricky and I got married..) Sure enough it was new listing that just popped on the market that day. I called our realtor and asked if we could see it. He had only about 10 minutes before he had to meet another of his client's so I said we would take it. I called Ricky to meet us there, then woke up Derick and we saw this house. We were seriously there for 5 minutes and both Ricky and I said we really liked it and that we would like to make an offer on it. Later that night we signed the paperwork and then I started thinking..we seriously spent 5 minutes in a place we may live for years??!! Kind of a crazy thought, but we will see how it all plays out. Since is a bank foreclosure, it may take until next week to even hear back. While we keep talking like it is ours and spent some time at Home Depot today pricing out some of the projects we would do, yet we know not to get our hopes up too much until we know.
It is so awesome and peaceful to believe in a God who already knows where he will lead us...and if not to this house, He has something else in store. I spent some time reflecting back on when Ricky and I were searching for this home. There was one that we both really liked and wanted to make an offer on, but our realtor did not agree with us. I remember being disappointed. But after another day of searching we found our current home and loved it...and then were so thankful for all this one had to offer that the other one really did not. We know it will work out according to HIS plan... so we will wait patiently for a couple more days, then resume the search if needed :)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
We are so Blessed by the Lord's Timing
Last Friday we left to go to my parents' house for a small family gathering. We had such a great time getting to see everyone including my brother and his family. The kids did pretty well together considering they were all off schedule ,out of their own elements, having to share toys, not napping, etc. I think next time I will where a black/white stripe shirt with a whistle around my neck...as I certainly felt that I was playing the part the last couple days :) But all in all, it was fun and always a blessing to be together as a family. I am still sorting/processing thru 500+ pictures...so check back soon for more.
Before leaving last Friday, we ensured the house was spotless as it was to list on the market for the first time that day. My phone was ringing all day for the 5 days we were gone from realtors wanting to show our home. I didn't hear the final number, but I think we had about 20 showings in 4 days...not too shabby. I checked my email Tuesday morning before heading back home and saw a message from our realtor at 1:45am stating we had an offer. Then later that day we found out we had another offer as well. We were very excited and ended up accepting the first offer as it was a little above our asking price, had no other contingencies attached, and the buyer even threw in another 30 days (on their dime) after closing so we would have time to find a home and make the transition. I would say this is a huge blessing maybe even a miracle--considering the current market. Thank you Lord! I am soooo....did you get that...sooooo relieved to not have to stress about keeping our house clean every time we leave. What a challenge that would be. I don't particularly enjoy cleaning to begin with, but to have to do it multiple times a day with my two year old tornado following me around. Again I say...Thank you Lord!
Where are we moving you ask? Hmm...we are trying to figure that one out too! We are looking for a slightly larger house in an area with excellent schools since our little guy is only two years away from starting Kindergarten....makes me a little sad to think about... Anyway, I guess we will spend our next couple weeks searching.
I have spent some time pondering and trying to appreciate God's timing. He knows above all else what is best for us. I know what I want and when I want it, yet don't always seem to get it...yet have complete trust He is in control and knows better than I do. So in some areas we continue to wait patiently, and in other areas such as our home...we rejoice!
Before leaving last Friday, we ensured the house was spotless as it was to list on the market for the first time that day. My phone was ringing all day for the 5 days we were gone from realtors wanting to show our home. I didn't hear the final number, but I think we had about 20 showings in 4 days...not too shabby. I checked my email Tuesday morning before heading back home and saw a message from our realtor at 1:45am stating we had an offer. Then later that day we found out we had another offer as well. We were very excited and ended up accepting the first offer as it was a little above our asking price, had no other contingencies attached, and the buyer even threw in another 30 days (on their dime) after closing so we would have time to find a home and make the transition. I would say this is a huge blessing maybe even a miracle--considering the current market. Thank you Lord! I am soooo....did you get that...sooooo relieved to not have to stress about keeping our house clean every time we leave. What a challenge that would be. I don't particularly enjoy cleaning to begin with, but to have to do it multiple times a day with my two year old tornado following me around. Again I say...Thank you Lord!
Where are we moving you ask? Hmm...we are trying to figure that one out too! We are looking for a slightly larger house in an area with excellent schools since our little guy is only two years away from starting Kindergarten....makes me a little sad to think about... Anyway, I guess we will spend our next couple weeks searching.
I have spent some time pondering and trying to appreciate God's timing. He knows above all else what is best for us. I know what I want and when I want it, yet don't always seem to get it...yet have complete trust He is in control and knows better than I do. So in some areas we continue to wait patiently, and in other areas such as our home...we rejoice!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Battle?
Derick and I seem to have an ongoing battle. He is battling to NOT nap and of course I am battling FOR the nap. He seems to be at one extreme or another. If he does sleep it is for nearly 3 hours, yet that seems to be a rare occasion these last couple weeks. I know he is nearing 3 and many seem to drop their nap around this time, yet he really could use the sleep. We have been struggling with the night terrors usually about 4-5 nights a week. He wakes up just screaming and yelling at the top of his lungs and nothing will calm him down. Eventually he passes out again and will sleep the rest of the night just fine. On the days he does not nap, he seems to fall apart about 5pm and it is rough night for all of us. I am hoping that as we start swim lessons tomorrow maybe that will be something to help wear him out to improve the sleep. We'll see.
Derick has been so funny lately with all he has to say. On Easter, when he found cracked eggs he would say "Look Mama--it's hatching". Not sure where that one came from, but glad he is learning. It tugs at the heartstrings when everyday at our attempted nap, then again at bedtime he tells me, "Mama, you sleep by me?" I saw that I have to go in my own bed, then he comes back with... "Mama, you snuggle with me?" Who could say no to such a sweet request. I then lay down by him for a few minutes when he starts with, "Mama, I love you all the heart." How precious these moments are. I try and treasure them as we already are getting to some of the..."Go away, don't look at me". Thankfully there are more sweet moments than rough ones of this magnitude...what do you do when they are teenagers and such sweet moments may not even exist? Yikes...
Our first trip to the dentist last week went well. Teeth looked good and everyone was in awe at how well he could sit still. They said next time to bring him for a cleaning as he has the ability to sit through it.
Potty training has been decent considering we have done it for only a week. He tells me about 80% of the time by saying..."Mama, the peepee is coming" and we rush off to the bathroom. He even has done it at the mall, at the zoo, and even by himself a couple times at church with no assistance whatsoever. Going #2 has yet to be accomplished in any form so we have invested in quite a large box of Pullups. I am not about to deal with poopy pants in public just yet ;) . I was informing Ricky awhile ago about teaching him to stand up and go as some of the public bathrooms are kind of gross. Well yesterday Derick walked into the bathroom while Ricky was in there so just casually Ricky said to him, "Pretty soon you will learn to go like Daddy". That was that...no big deal or elaborate conversation. Well this morning I walk into my bathroom to see that Derick had dragged his little stool over to the toilet and was standing up over it trying to 'pee like daddy'. It was so funny, as he was there arching his back thinking it might help it come out. When it didn't, he climbed down and walked over to his potty and sat down as usual.
He and I celebrated the potty training with a birthday cupcake. I tried to sing a big boy potty song, yet he proceeded to sing himself Happy Birthday :DThe house has a for sale sign posted in front, yet is still not officially listed...hopefully in the next couple days. Yet I have been trying to appreciate not having the pressure of keeping it spotless--just yet :)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
A Busy Time
Things have been a little busy in our household...a little more than usual...well, at least in my life. After talking about moving to a larger house the last couple years, we have decided to move forward with it. The market is at a very low point and the housing prices are very sad when it comes to selling. Yet since we have a fair amount of equity we thought we would give it a shot; because on the flip side the prices for what we are looking for are incredible...so we are taking a step of faith and figure if it is meant to be it will be. If not, we have gotten our house in great working order and it looks the best it has ever looked :) Anyone who knows me knows that I am so NOT a neat freak nor do I enjoy cleaning. My mom always said I wouldn't mind so much once it was mine... I am still waiting for that day ;) So I have asked Ricky if this is his clever way of ensuring our house looks great at a moment's notice. Ricky has done an amazing job of getting the house in order and the realtor said multiple times at how our house has such nice curb appeal. Maybe I will add a picture...as it does look nice. And thanks to God for making all the roses be in bloom at such a perfect time :)
On top of all this I have been enrolled in a photography workshop as well as some Photoshop classes... I am enjoying learning both, but am second guessing taking them simultaneously, as I would rather focus on one or another. But I do enjoy it and am learning more and more which will help me futher my business as time permits.
I am on day #2 of some serious potty training with Derick. I know that we as parents are not to compare our children, but when I was seeing so many more boys that are younger than him that are potty trained, I decided to crack down more. Since Derick is soooo verbal I kept hearing that he will let me know when he is 'ready' but we had yet to 'hear' anything from him...so I needed to take the initiative. He has done great so far with a couple accidents, but overall I am pleased how much he is telling me. As a reward he gets two M&Ms or robin eggs...something I am not sure the dentist will be thrilled about, but we will be finding out shortly, as he has his first trip to the dentist in less than an hour. I am also hoping the potty training is relatively quick, as we start our first intensive swim (more like the survival) classes next week and it would be nice to not have to mess with swim diapers for very long.
Needless to say, all the craziness has run our household down. I think Tash brought some germs back with her from FL last week and our woredown immune systems are fighting the battle. So we are taking it easy, but then will get in gear, as next week we are off to my parents house to visit with my brother and family who will be in town for a week.
I am hoping to post some of our Easter pictures when I have get the next burst of energy to download and sort through pictures. Until then...Happy Trails!
On top of all this I have been enrolled in a photography workshop as well as some Photoshop classes... I am enjoying learning both, but am second guessing taking them simultaneously, as I would rather focus on one or another. But I do enjoy it and am learning more and more which will help me futher my business as time permits.
I am on day #2 of some serious potty training with Derick. I know that we as parents are not to compare our children, but when I was seeing so many more boys that are younger than him that are potty trained, I decided to crack down more. Since Derick is soooo verbal I kept hearing that he will let me know when he is 'ready' but we had yet to 'hear' anything from him...so I needed to take the initiative. He has done great so far with a couple accidents, but overall I am pleased how much he is telling me. As a reward he gets two M&Ms or robin eggs...something I am not sure the dentist will be thrilled about, but we will be finding out shortly, as he has his first trip to the dentist in less than an hour. I am also hoping the potty training is relatively quick, as we start our first intensive swim (more like the survival) classes next week and it would be nice to not have to mess with swim diapers for very long.
Needless to say, all the craziness has run our household down. I think Tash brought some germs back with her from FL last week and our woredown immune systems are fighting the battle. So we are taking it easy, but then will get in gear, as next week we are off to my parents house to visit with my brother and family who will be in town for a week.
I am hoping to post some of our Easter pictures when I have get the next burst of energy to download and sort through pictures. Until then...Happy Trails!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Family Fun and Another Milestone
So I love my boys...and I love that my boys let me take pictures of them...though the younger of the two is not always very cooperative...yet every now and again we can capture something fun.
This week has been a little extra challenging on the home-owner side of things, as we have had two relatively large problems to deal with... the sound of running water which ended up being a slab leak and resulted in getting a plumber who cut holes in our walls to cut and reroute some pipes...as well as a leaky patio roof [well this one has been going on awhile, but this is the week we decided to tackle it]. Needless to say, we have spent a couple of nights eating out and shopping at Home Depot. Derick has been a little trooper and seems to tag right along with what needs to be done.
Well yesterday Ricky worked on tearing off the existing patio roof from the time he got home from work until just after dark. Derick is used to getting his attention during that time of day, so he struggled a little with it, but did the best he could. When Daddy took his tools outside to work, Derick grabbed his Handy Manny toolbox and followed right behind him. Obviously, Ricky had to climb up the roof and Derick wasn't allowed to follow. So he did the best he could...he drug his climber slide over and carried his tools to the top, then proceeded to shout at his daddy. First he asked to trade buckets (as Ricky had grabbed one of his little sand buckets to use to throw in his loose nails). When that didn't work he started saying "Dad, you come down from there." Hmm...sounds familar. Still no luck succeeding, he gave it another attempt. "Dad, watch out...there are spiders up there." Ricky and I couldn't help but chuckle at that one...it was cleaver on his part.
As it got later and later, I opted to make dinner...as I had been waiting for Ricky to finish, but it was taking a bit longer than anticipated. Derick and I had dinner together while Ricky continued working on the roof. Again, this was a bit challenging for Derick as he is used to having his daddy help feed him and was looking for attention/interaction. Natasha tried to help bribe him with a surprise. As a two year old would do when not getting his way, he started acting up and flipping food off his fork/plate...so I declared there would be NO surprises. We finished up and Derick disappeared into his room.
A few minutes went by and it was dead quiet (usually a scary thing) so Tash went and checked on him. She returned with a report that he was trying to dress himself. I snuck up to the doorway with the video and captured him putting on his pajamas all by himself. He was struggling with the top, could get his arms in, but the head was upside down... Needless to say the hole for the head got veeerrry stretched out as he pulled it up and down on his body. We quietly watched as he sat down and put his feet in the leg holes then stood up and struggled to yank it up over his diaper. It was about this time that he saw us and said "Mama I need help" then yelled "Don't look at me auntie Tata". Rrrr... a little snappy. I told him how proud I was of him that he was such a big boy and you could see his pride light up his face. I am sure I will enjoy the days that he is more independent, yet my heart is a little sad knowing that he will need me less in these ways. So it is exciting yet bittersweet as we hit this new milestone. I don't think I will feel the same way about the potty training...as I don't foresee myself missing changing stinky diapers....yet it doesn't seem we are there yet, so time will tell!
Friday, March 6, 2009
Apparently Not....
So these past two months my question has been answered...My two year old has NOT been an angel. The face here shows how we have been with each other lately...constantly battling. And it has been quite challenging!! I decided that I should make an entry after an extremely long and rough week...as I do need to remember some of these more difficult times as well. In previous entries on his baby journal website:[ http://www.babysites.com/sites/derickruiz ] I seemed to sit down and write when I was more on the happy side of the spectrum...as there as so many incredible cute moments that I wanted to be sure to record. Yet, I do also want to accurately be able to recall some 'real' but not so fun times...so that way when I am old and gray, I can't tell him that he was a perfect angel all the time :)What has made the week so challenging? Well #1 probably was that Derick was sick. He had a mild fever which over a course of a few days seemed to spike pretty high over 103, so I did take him to the Dr. We found that he had an ear infection. I was very thankful as that is a pretty quick recovery once we started the meds. However, during the time he was feeling lousy, I think I may have cut him a little too much slack on his poor behavior. I kept thinking that he must feel awful and really doesn't have any way to express it, so I let some bad things slide...from some kicking at me, to the shouting of No, to outright disregard for the requests I would make of him. Well now that I have had more than 4 hours of straight sleep I realized I should have put my foot down regardless of how he was feeling. Needless to say we are getting back on track and it seems half the day is spent in time out or else talking about timeout. It's probably not that bad, but those battles seem endless some days.
This next picture is how I feel....like screaming!!Yet, we have had some fun. I love, love, love listening to his sentences getting more complex. He is so curious and wants to know the names of everything and will still repeat anything new he hears. His natural inclination to learn astounds us! It has also been so funny that he still likes to tell on himself. He will say, "Mommy, I hit Max." or "Mommy, I throw the ball and it hit that." Or when I pick him up from somewhere, he will tell me what his caregiver has told him not to do... "Wayne say no throw rocks." "Erin say no hit with bat in the house."
Yet the sweet moments are as tender as ever. "Mommy, I love you." "Mommy, here is a kiss for you." and my all time favorite, " Mommy, I love you with all my heart" while stretching his arms so wide. It is also the taking of my hand when we are walking...he says, "Watch out, there are cars." It's this moments I try and bank as I am sure I will need them come the teenage years!
We thank and praise God for the blessing we have in our family. His grace is infinite and gifts are endless. We thank Him for leading us gently.
"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
He gently leads those that have young."
Isaiah 40:11
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A Two Year old angel--is there such a thing?
We had a wonderful and truely enjoyable Christmas. We spent a couple of days just across town with Ricky's side of the family. It was relaxing to be away from home and was so much fun to be around so much family. Derick had so much fun running around with his cousins. It was like having an instant playmate when he would wake up. Not to mention getting to share in the fun of playing with one another's presents. All three of the little boys are into Thomas, so it seemed there were little trains all around!
Santa stopped by our home a couple days later and when Derick awoke from his nap one afternoon he found a big gift wrapped with a note from Santa. He was so excited to rip off the paper and discover a Power Wheels Truck. He climbed inside and immediately pressed the gas and crashed into the coffee table (no damage done). So he and his daddy went outside for some driving lessons. It was fun to watch Ricky chase him around helping him try to control the steering wheel. It really only took a few times and now Derick is a little pro. He can drive from the backyard to the frontyard, through both gates and down around the driveway path without crashing or any assistance. Every afternoon he jumps in his truch and goes for a little drive around the yard.
The first day of the New Year we (along with my parents and sister) headed to Colorado to visit some friends. Derick really enjoyed the drive as it was like sitting in first class with mommy on one side, and nama on the other. He was snuggled in his lounger (plush car seat), watched a variety of movies, and was handed drink and snack on demand. No wonder the kid didn't sleep the entire 8 hour drive there nor the way home!! Derick also really enjoyed playing in the snow. Thankfully we were able to borrow some clothes, snowpants, and jacket from a cousin so we was well prepared for the cold. Derick really liked sledding and we would even make him carry his own sled up the little snowdrift hill to help wear him out sooner. He would slide down and before getting up, would immediately say, "I want to go again!" So up and down the hill he went over and over. That was the ONLY day he took a nap on our little vacation. Considering Derick had complete lack of sleep, was somewhat sick, and was completely off schedule---the kid was angelic if there is such a thing for a two year old. He was completely happy the entire time! I am sure being surrounded by people who off constant attention (thank you Nama) was a huge help!
Returning home I was sure I was going to pay the price, as is usually the case. Everyone goes back home and off to work and Derick would have some extremely rough days and just test my sometimes beyond my limit...I was not looking forward to it. Surprisingly and thankfully he continued with his angelic state. I think he has only had maybe two tantrums these last couple weeks which still astonishes me! He has been so incredibly sweet that I just can't seem to give him enough hugs and kiss his little chubby cheeks.
Since all has been going so well I though it would be a great time to introduce the big boy bed (thanks again to a cousin for letting us borrow) and see how things we go. Sunday night we set it up and rearranged his room to make room for both his crib and toddler bed...just in case he wasn't into it and would get out of bed I could still put him in baby jail (as my sister refers to his crib.) We were so happy that Derick was so excited about sleeping in his big boy bed with Thomas the Train that he has done wonderful these first few nights. I am not sure why, but he still asks for his baby crib during nap, so I have let him be in there... but I am hoping that soon we will have fully graduated to the big boy bed.
One other accomplishment, we had our first success doing #2 on the potty just tonight. He seems to think about it as it takes some effort. He looks at me and says, "Mama, I'm pushin." So I asked him if he wanted to go to the potty and he tells me..."I go potty, I get M&Ms." I agree and rush him in and set him down. A few minutes later, he earned his M&Ms. At this very moment, Derick is currently wearing big boy undies for the first time, as I want to see if he makes the mental connection of feeling wet..as those diapers are just so absorbadent that I don't think he really feels it. [This will be a work in progress I know, but we were ecstatic at the first stepping stone!] I am just not sure how his pants will stay up, as his skinny little butt needs the diaper to hold his pants on...hmmm
We continue to be amazed at Derick's verbal abilities. He is such a great talker for his age that it really is fun to hold conversations with him and listen to all he has to say. This week he has started to say, "I have an idea.." then proceeds to tell us what he is thinking about. He usually makes sure that when he talks about colors of things that he says it in both English and Spanish. And my personal favorite is when I bang my hand or get hurt, he tells me "You be okay mom. You be okay" then follows it with a kiss on my leg. Or if we are laying on the couch or bed, he pulls my head to his chest and tells me, "Come here mom, you be ok" and pats my head. Sooooo cute, I just love it. I know people say they love every stage their kids are in, but it's hard to imagine beating listening to a very vocal two year old form such long thoughts and sentences!
Santa stopped by our home a couple days later and when Derick awoke from his nap one afternoon he found a big gift wrapped with a note from Santa. He was so excited to rip off the paper and discover a Power Wheels Truck. He climbed inside and immediately pressed the gas and crashed into the coffee table (no damage done). So he and his daddy went outside for some driving lessons. It was fun to watch Ricky chase him around helping him try to control the steering wheel. It really only took a few times and now Derick is a little pro. He can drive from the backyard to the frontyard, through both gates and down around the driveway path without crashing or any assistance. Every afternoon he jumps in his truch and goes for a little drive around the yard.
The first day of the New Year we (along with my parents and sister) headed to Colorado to visit some friends. Derick really enjoyed the drive as it was like sitting in first class with mommy on one side, and nama on the other. He was snuggled in his lounger (plush car seat), watched a variety of movies, and was handed drink and snack on demand. No wonder the kid didn't sleep the entire 8 hour drive there nor the way home!! Derick also really enjoyed playing in the snow. Thankfully we were able to borrow some clothes, snowpants, and jacket from a cousin so we was well prepared for the cold. Derick really liked sledding and we would even make him carry his own sled up the little snowdrift hill to help wear him out sooner. He would slide down and before getting up, would immediately say, "I want to go again!" So up and down the hill he went over and over. That was the ONLY day he took a nap on our little vacation. Considering Derick had complete lack of sleep, was somewhat sick, and was completely off schedule---the kid was angelic if there is such a thing for a two year old. He was completely happy the entire time! I am sure being surrounded by people who off constant attention (thank you Nama) was a huge help!
Returning home I was sure I was going to pay the price, as is usually the case. Everyone goes back home and off to work and Derick would have some extremely rough days and just test my sometimes beyond my limit...I was not looking forward to it. Surprisingly and thankfully he continued with his angelic state. I think he has only had maybe two tantrums these last couple weeks which still astonishes me! He has been so incredibly sweet that I just can't seem to give him enough hugs and kiss his little chubby cheeks.
Since all has been going so well I though it would be a great time to introduce the big boy bed (thanks again to a cousin for letting us borrow) and see how things we go. Sunday night we set it up and rearranged his room to make room for both his crib and toddler bed...just in case he wasn't into it and would get out of bed I could still put him in baby jail (as my sister refers to his crib.) We were so happy that Derick was so excited about sleeping in his big boy bed with Thomas the Train that he has done wonderful these first few nights. I am not sure why, but he still asks for his baby crib during nap, so I have let him be in there... but I am hoping that soon we will have fully graduated to the big boy bed.
One other accomplishment, we had our first success doing #2 on the potty just tonight. He seems to think about it as it takes some effort. He looks at me and says, "Mama, I'm pushin." So I asked him if he wanted to go to the potty and he tells me..."I go potty, I get M&Ms." I agree and rush him in and set him down. A few minutes later, he earned his M&Ms. At this very moment, Derick is currently wearing big boy undies for the first time, as I want to see if he makes the mental connection of feeling wet..as those diapers are just so absorbadent that I don't think he really feels it. [This will be a work in progress I know, but we were ecstatic at the first stepping stone!] I am just not sure how his pants will stay up, as his skinny little butt needs the diaper to hold his pants on...hmmm
We continue to be amazed at Derick's verbal abilities. He is such a great talker for his age that it really is fun to hold conversations with him and listen to all he has to say. This week he has started to say, "I have an idea.." then proceeds to tell us what he is thinking about. He usually makes sure that when he talks about colors of things that he says it in both English and Spanish. And my personal favorite is when I bang my hand or get hurt, he tells me "You be okay mom. You be okay" then follows it with a kiss on my leg. Or if we are laying on the couch or bed, he pulls my head to his chest and tells me, "Come here mom, you be ok" and pats my head. Sooooo cute, I just love it. I know people say they love every stage their kids are in, but it's hard to imagine beating listening to a very vocal two year old form such long thoughts and sentences!
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