Our Mother's Group gets domestic, again.

We had our second bake sale this past weekend to raise money for our church. I have recently stepped down as a coordinator, and now am planning to organize the bake sales. Our goal is to have around 3-4 a year. As a coordinator, I planned activites once a week and sent out the evites each time. I worked with a friend, Christina, and she organized the other playdates each week. I really, really, enjoyed doing it - but I also was really, really, to be done after about 15 months of it.
Anyway, we had 24 moms bake some really yummy stuff - from pies to breads to chocolate chip cookies. There were so many goodies!
We ended up making $625! We were so thrilled to be able to hand it over the church.
Here are some pictures of the deliciousness....

Aren't these cookie bouquets incredible!! (No, I didn't make them). But, I was lucky enough to eat one of the broken cookies ... yum!

The boys had fun playing around in the grass.

And Colin brought them down to the church playground.
Thank goodness for Colin. He is the reason I am able to do any of this.
He cleaned up the dishes for me, and helped me get everything finished. Most of all, he kept the kids entertained. I am so grateful to have found him.


After the bake sale, it was time for naps. Then, we took the boys to a park not too far from our house. I had forgotten how big it is. It is really built for much older kids. Jackson went down the slide, and almost flew off. literally. it was a little scary, but he just giggled and brushed off, and screamed, "JACK OK!"

Healthy Heart

Jackson goes in for a checkup once a year (used to be twice a year) with a cardiologist. He has a small vsd (tiny hole between his ventricles) that creates a very loud murmur. It hasn't caused any complications - hopefully it will stay that way. It is fairly common for these to close up on their own - but usually that would be by age 2. So, it's most likely, since his hasn't changed at all, that he will have it forever. Anyway, we are just so thankful that is nothing more serious! We were scared when he was born that he might have a problem that would require surgery.
Anyway, his checkup was yesterday and he did great. He giggled through the entire EKG, and did great during the ultrasound, too. He did freak out a little when he had to lie on his back, but other than that he did great.
I was joking with the dr. that I would love if she could try and see if I was having a boy or a girl since she had her ultrasound - and she happily agreed! But, I'm only 11 weeks along. If our appt. had been in another 5 weeks or so, we would have been able to find out!
I'm so thankful that our visit went so well.

Thelma and Louise

This past weekend, Rebekah and I waved goodbye to our children, (neither of which seemed all that sad to see us go), and kissed our hubbies. We got in the car and drove to Shreveport, LA. We made a last minute decision to get out of Dallas and go see some old friends from Centenary perform on Sunday. When our (wonderful) husbands agreed that we should go, we took off as fast as we could! I was planning on taking pictures to document the whole adventure, but it seems when I don't have any responsibilities, I forget to do much of anything. It was SO crazy, and wonderful at the same time, to not have to worry about feeding kids, changing diapers, being back home for naps, etc.
We did make quite a pair - a first and third trimester. We both had to pee all the time.
The weekend was great - we found some fabric for Rebekah at Milling Around, got to hang out with Kristen, visit with Rebekah's family, and just enjoyed hanging out. We both tried to sleep in on Sunday morning, but we weren't very successful. Either way, it was great to relax. I wish we had pictures of some of the best parts of the trip - like when we stopped at an open house and pretended to be interested in a 5 bedroom house in Southern Trace. Or, I wish we had a picture of me almost choking to death on a sweettart. Rebekah had the situation completely under control though. She is a doctor's wife, after all!
We ate at Tacomania (yum) and did some serious shopping at the Boardwalk.
Sunday, Taylor and Nate's performance was at 7 pm. It was great to see them, and they did a wonderful job. Nate has such a beautiful voice, and Taylor plays the piano beautifully, too. After that, we grabbed a bite to eat, and made it out of Shreveport around 10 pm. So, we both arrived at our homes around 1:30 am. It was crazy, but I am so glad we did it.
I missed all three of my boys alot. Colin survived the weekend without me (of course I knew he would).
Here are a couple of pictures we did take -

Here we are in front of our old apartment - 832 Columbia. Oh, the memories.

Me, Kristen, Taylor, and Rebekah

Nate and Linda.
I made them pose in front of the stained glass.
Such a cute picture (I told you two it was worth me being picky!)

November

We have had a very laid-back past few weeks - considering that Jackson had strep and the flu for some it. Here is a video of Cooper causing trouble as always, and a few pictures, too.

Cooper driving the van. Colin was letting him play in it while he cleaned it out.

The boys on the carousel at the mall last week. I should have taken a picture of their bare feet since I forgot to bring shoes. Awesome!
It was a little tricky trying to take a picture while I held on to them. I was worried one would fall off. I got extra dizzy spinning around on it. I think I will hold off on riding it again until I am not pregnant anymore.

All Better

Jack's symptoms were nearly gone by saturday morning. Cooper seems fine. Colin and I have been stuffy/coughing/sneezing, but don't really feel bbad enough to be the "flu." Guess we just have a really mild touch of it. I don't know. Unfortunately, Cooper and I have 7 more days of tamaflu which tastes REALLY bad and isn't so easy on his little tummy. Jackson will be done after tomorrow.
We're so thankful that we didn't have any complications with it, and it was so short-lived. Jackson had one pretty miserable day, and that was that.
Thanks for all of your prayers.
We're still hanging low in case we're contagious - but we will be out and about soon. I HOPE!

Flu

So, this morning Jackson woke up happy as always, but didn't eat much for breakfast. That isn't all that unusual, but it did get my attention. Anyway, we left to go run errands, and were playing in toys -r -us at the train table, when he turned and looked at me, and his face was so pale. I asked him if he was okay, and he said, "mama - I'm so cold." I picked him up and sure enough he had developed a fever. He just got over strep about a week ago (and it was pretty bad - didn't eat much at all for 5-6 days and ran a fever the whole time). So, I called the Dr. right away because I just had that gut feeling this wasn't a little virus. We hadn't been on any playdates this week. In fact, since Cooper's party we haven't been anywhere (besides the park and on walks) except the dr. office on tuesday for cooper's well visit (and to get flu shots) and then to target yesterday. Well, I brought he and coop to the dr. at 1:30, yep, naptime, and turns out he has the flu (H1N1). We didn't get that vaccine - just the seasonal flu vaccine -- but even if we had i think you have to wait two weeks before it is effective. So, since then, he has thrown up once all over himself and the couch. which was a terrible disaster since the only thing in his stomach was milk from earlier in the day. And about 20 minutes ago, just before he got in bed, he threw up the juice we coaxed him into drinking which had the tamaflu in it. AHH! so, now he is asleep (but moaning) on his mattress which is on the floor of our bedroom. I couldn't stand the thought of him throwing up in the middle of the night alone. I just hope we can get some medicine in him in the morning. He needs the tamaflu and the tylenol to help his fever.
Our dr. prescribed tamaflu for cooper too, as a preventative measure, and also for me since I am pregnant. I am saying prayers that we somehow don't get it. I'm worried about Cooper getting sick, and not being able to explain any of it to him. It is miserable to see Jack feeling so bad, too, but at least he can tell us what is wrong (to some extent).
I'm also worried about what effect it will have on the baby. Hopefully if I do get it, I won't have much fever, which I think is the biggest risk.
Please say some prayers for us sickies! We will be quarantined for a week or so. I'll keep your posted. Don't think I'll have any exciting pictures for you anytime soon.

Call Us Crazy

Well, we are having another baby in June. Three babies from 2007 -2010! You might have to come visit me in the mental hospital. We are thrilled and excited to meet the next one! I am ready to get past the first trimester sickness, and I am sure Colin is ready for that too. (He has to listen to me complain). And, he has been on his own for fixing dinner for himself and the kids. Hopefully in a few more weeks that will all be over.
Of course, we would love a girl. But what is most important is that he/she is healthy. It sounds cliche, but after we had a scare when I was pregnant with Cooper, things were put into perspective. Let's also hope this baby is easy-going, and please, please, pray that this one doesn't spit up every 10 minutes.
So, my prayers are for strength and patiend, and also prayers of thanksgiving that we are blessed once again with a little one. It's crazy how much has happened since we moved to McKinney 4 years ago. We couldn't be happier.

Cooper's Birthday Party

Here are some pictures from Cooper's birthday - we had a great time.
Thank goodness for my family. Everyone stepped in and helped. Courtney, Alison, Kevin, Cynthia, Mom, and Daniel - I can't begin to say THANK YOU enough. You helped so much. Without you, none of the details would have happened - from the invitations to the food to entertaining the kids, we would never have been able to do it. And Colin, thank you for everything you did too. You're amazing.

Scare on the Square

I'm so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. It's been a crazy week. I spent the week trying to get ready for Cooper's first birthday party. I'm pooped.
On Friday, we went to something called "Scare on the Square" in downtown McKinney. All the shops close early, and the owners sit outside and hand out candy to the kiddos. It was CRAZY down there. I have never seen so many children in costumes. The boys had a a great time, and we met both of our families there. Colin's mom and dad had just arrived and so had my mom and brother. When we first got there it wasn't too crazy, but it quickly got very crowded.

Woof Woof!

What can Brown Do for You?

JAckson with friends, Abby, Julia, and Natalie.
Aren't they cute with their coordinating costumes? A butterfly, a flower, and a ladybug.

Jackson and Cooper were both very excited to see the policemen on the horses. Cooper was brave enough to pet them, ... the horses, not the policemen. I wish I had a picture of Jackson. He sat down on the ground and just looked at them. We all had a good laugh.

A family shot ... minus a few.

Wish I had thought to take off my glasses, but still love this picture of us together.

Examining the loot. There was alot of it. He was most excited about the toothbrush. More to come on Halloween day - Cooper's Party.