a little surprise.

I absolutely LOVE getting mail. Good mail that is. It is just so exciting to know someone was thinking of you and sent something special. Today I went to my mailbox sort of dreading what I would find. I haven't checked it in a few days and I knew that it wouldn't be pretty. I was right, there was a whole stash of stuff in there I wasn't too happy about. As I flipped through it all, something came to my attention. A little package with my name handwritten on it. A little smile crept onto my face, and I think that my heart even began to beat a little bit faster. I didn't wait until I got home to open it.

Much to my delight, Matt's aunt Stacy sent a sweet card and an absolutey PRECIOUS hat that she made for Beckham. I am so glad that it fits perfecty and I think that it is just too cute for words. Oh, she made my day!


This is the closest I've come to getting a picture of him smiling. Pretty darn cute if I do say so myself.

lazy days

We woke up to this yesterday. It was so beautiful. I can't say I am completely prepared or ready for winter to come, but I love it all the same. I have to admit that I get a little tired of people complaining about the weather. It's too hot, too cold, snowy, rainy, sunny, windy, etc. Are we never happy? I tend to get a little S.A.D. when the gloomy days drag on, but I try hard not to complain. There is a good reason for all of it! The gloomy days make the sunny ones that much more special. Yesterday we stayed inside doing very important things like watching movies, and making spectacular playdoh creations.

He went out BAREFOOT! I am the worst mom. I was taking pictures and he escaped out the door and made a loop around the deck. The snow didn't even seem to phase him. He got shots yesterday and didn't flinch. There is something a little weird about this boy...

Kaden has been totally in love with all of the Dr. Seuss books lately, so when we saw these pj's, they were a must-have. My little "thing" is adorable, even with a big owie on his chin and smoothie in his hair.

And this little piglet is growing like a champ. He was 10lb 5 oz yesterday and 22 inches. He is in the 25% for both...he's going to catch up in no time. He is smiling and making cute noises that I can't get enough of. And, he really doesn't lay in that bouncy chair all day. I realized that every picture I have posted that's where he's been. It is quite a cush place though...on the table in the sunshine where he can see all the commotion. Oh, and there is a lot of commotion.

Kaden loves his brother. He asks to hold him several times a day and is learning how to be soft. I am slowly getting the hang of juggling 2 kids. I am slowly learning how to spend entire days at home. I am one that needs a social life, needs to get out on a regular basis. It's been an adjustment staying home more. I often go to bed feeling like I have accomplished nothing, and have nothing to show for my day. At the same time, I have loved it and never want to go back to work. I am pathetic! I just want it all my way.

Sutherland Farms

Today was such a beautiful fall day. It was one of those perfect days. Perfect in every way, which doesn't happen often. The sun was shining, the temperature perfect. Everyone was in a good mood. We had good conversation and watched Kaden play and laugh. I loved it, and just kept thinking how happy this day was.

We ventured over to the pumpkin patch at Sutherland Farms. I had never been there before, and it was such a treat. A perfect place to spend a warm fall day together as a family.

Kaden had a such a fun time playing in the corn pit. He loved the chickens and rooster, the goats, and the pumpkins everywhere. I was so sad that we missed the little train and hayride...we may just have to go back.

You'll catch up soon little boy. Too soon, I'm sure.


My handsome man.

We had such a fun day together. I love lazy days with no agenda. We can just do what we want, when we want. After the pumpkin patch we met up with Amber and Tom for a delicious dinner. It was a perfect day.

I took this of little Beckham this afternoon before we left. He is 2 months old today and getting some chubs. Oh, I love those chubby little cheeks and Buddha belly!

Why babies have mothers...

Just in case you needed a good laugh today. I sure did, and this did the trick.

blessed.

Baby Beckham was blessed on September 27th by his daddy. It was such a neat experience. Matt isn't very long-winded when it comes to these things, but what he says is so special. I have had so many people come up and tell me what a warm feeling they had, what a special spirit was in the room that day. I know our Father in Heaven heard much more than the words Matt spoke. I am so overcome with emotion and feelings I can't describe every time our family, Matt especially, gets to experience things like this. We were so close to never having any of it.

Getting this picture proved to be a challenge. Kaden was being ornery, I'll admit I was totally grumpy, Beckham was hungry, etc. We didn't get any pictures of the 4 of us (in fact, we still don't have a picture of all four of us together), and I didn't get any of Beckham. So, 2 weeks later, we got a few. He gets cuter every day anyway, and the outfit fit him a whole lot better.

What a little sweetheart. I am in love with this beautiful blanket Traci got for him.

I am so happy to have this baby in our family. I love the feeling a new little life brings to a home. Our house is chaotic at times and some days we are sleep-deprived, but what joy it is having our little ones.

Oh, I love baby feet. They are just so perfect.

I love this little angel.

Mysterious missing nap...

Oh please don't tell me the napping days are coming to an end. They can't be! The last few days, I have put the munchkin down in ordinary fashion: Snack, lots of stories (which by the way, how many times must I read about the runaway hot air balloon and the Grinch?), hugs, kisses, prayers, and "I stay in my bed Mama, I wov you!".

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He's a good boy, and he does stay in his bed, for the most part. He puts his legs on the wall and kicks it over and over. He gets out every book he owns and "reads" them, scattering them all over his bed. His blankets end up in a giant pile.

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I go in over and over reminding him to sleep. He smiles his big, squinty grin, "okay mama!" He is too cute to get upset with! After a few hours, I relinquish my stand on the nap and let him escape his room.

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Today he said, "Good morning mama! I had such a good sleep!" YEAH, RIGHT! I am hoping this little glitch in napping resumes the normal 2-hour period of silence (and maybe a little resting for me!) soon.

Absolutely Perfect.

I caught a few good pictures the other night. Baby boy was so awake and happy.

Beckham is a snacker. He doesn't eat much at one time, despite my efforts, so we find ourselves awake a lot in the night. He hardly cries, but wants to be held and cuddled. He will be fast asleep, then I lay him down and he wakes up and lets me know he wants to be held. I can't complain about that...although it does make getting things done and entertaining Kaden a little trickier.


I am loving staying home with the boys. I wish I could stay home indefinitely. We have had such a good time these last few weeks.

Beckham likes to suck his bottom lip in and I think it's adorable. To me, everything about this baby is adorable.

Crisp

Saturday, after I dropped Matt off at work, the little boys and I enjoyed a beautiful walk along the river. I was completely in Heaven enjoying the colors, cool air, and my babies.


I love Durango so much. I love living here.


Kaden was so excited about his new McQueen glasses. He loves riding in his stroller. We stopped at a skate park along the way to watch tricks for a while. Kaden was quite enthralled with that.

We walked a few miles to a park in the middle of town. The leaves were falling and watching Kaden run around and giggle made my heart happy.


He is growing up so fast.

We ended our afternoon with a yummy lunch and then shared oreo ice cream. He was so happy, smiley, and excited, and that makes me the happiest girl in the world.

Simple things like this have always been what make me the most happy. I hope that my kiddos grow up appreciating the simple things in life. I hope that they are content with little and are able to notice the little gifts in each day.

I love the fall.

this is awesome

Today I watched my Mr. ride this. Seriously, one of the coolest things on earth. It is awesome. It has tons of gears and he FLYS on that thing. Finally, something that can satisfy Matt's need for speed that he can actually do. It's a big deal.

Our subdivision is really hilly. So, it's fun and a good workout. He steers and breaks with his hands down by his waste. The gear shift is on the right handhold which has taken some getting used to. Matt's right hand isn't very coordinated, but he is getting the hang of it. This recumbent trike is so good for him. He gets to exercise his body, feel the wind on his face, break a sweat, use his stiff muscles, and go fast. Who would have ever dreamed he would be doing something even close to this 4 years ago? My man is a miracle.

It is so exciting that we have something we can do together, that isn't frustrating for either of us. We always used to be outside, on the go, with some activity or another. It is one of the things I miss most. I am so excited to put the miles on, riding all of the fun paths around here, toting our little ones behind us.

It was hard to get a good shot, because he really was flying. Go, baby, GO!