Closing & Alphabet Wall

As most of you know, we found out on Friday that we would close on the old house in a week.  That means the deal went through in less than two weeks -  wow!!  Many of my close friends and family got a stressed call on Friday morning because I didn’t know how we were going to get out so quickly.  But again, this was a blessing.  It was that push that got us going and amazingly with the help of Troy, Granny and my mom we actually stayed the night in the new house on Friday evening.  I am just so relieved that we had most of the painting in the new house completed as well as the flooring done.  Since Friday, we have got everything moved over and most everything put away.  I just lack hanging pictures and decorating.  Tonight, Sabra came over and brought us a “new house” cake.  She also helped me hang the letters in Kallahan’s room. 

This is an idea I got off Pinterest (aka, the crack for crafty people).    *More pictures to come, I just want to get everything in order. 

“Move on, It is just a chapter in the past, but don’t close the

book- just turn the page.” - Unknown

Under Contract!!

I have to start out by reporting that we are truly blessed!  God is taking such good care of us and our prayers have been answered, the “old house” is under contract!!  I joked about the desire of having a “second home” but really didn’t like the idea of having two house payments, ha!  The buyer wants to move in as soon as possible so we are getting in gear about getting the “new house” all ready.  Pretty much all the painting is completed aside from the main living area.  We plan on starting that this weekend with a short break to attend my company Christmas Party on Saturday night. 
Today the carpets were stretched (they look so much better) and tomorrow they will be cleaned.  In addition, today Tyler installed the stamped tin back splash in the kitchen.  He has been such a stud through this entire process.  I love my handy cowboy!  All the bedrooms had double chair rails that I just hated.  He was able to tear them down and retexture all the walls before we painted.  They all look great – I will post pics once the rooms are set up.  I do have a sneak peek of our guest bathroom cabinet redo (take note of the child labor).  My sister’s family was so helpful on our first weekend warrior renovation.   

I did not care for the original blond wood so we sanded them down, primed and painted them with a very dark brown oil based paint and replaced the hardware.  We also toned down the paint to a more neutral color.  I plan on  using accesories to bring in more color.   

We had a chilly blast last week at our local Christmas Light Parade.  Baby cowboy stayed with Granny since it was so cold but Tyler and Keeler got to ride in a combine while I rode in a Gator with Santa down the parade procession.

Update: I have had people asking how baby cowboy is doing with his colic.  Thankfully, he is doing so much better.  We really think that his discomfort was mainly gas.  We changed out his bottles to Dr. Browns, per recommendation of my sister in law (thanks Tiff!) and he is doing so much better.

“”Give us this day our daily bread” is probably the most perfectly constructed and useful sentence ever set down in the English language." - P.J. Wingate

 

Life in Pictures

I can’t believe it is already December!  We had a wonderful November full of family, friends and blessings.  We are starting the first day of December off by attending the annual Christmas Parade tonight.  The weather is terribly cold and windy today so we will be bundled up.  I dressed the boys up in Christmas outfits this morning.  Granny picked Keeler up from school and ate lunch with us today.  Don't they look adorable?! 

November & Thanksgiving Highlights in pictures:

“A happy family is but an earlier heaven.”– George Bernard Shaw

Happy 2 Months!

Height:  21.65" (10%)
Weight:  11lbs 14oz (50%)
Keeler @ 2mos Height: 22" (50%) & Weight: 11lbs 8oz (50%)

Dear Kallahan – You are two months old!

We can’t believe how fast two months has flown by.  You are such a little sweetheart and great addition to our family.  I am beginning to forget life without you.  You are smiling and love to be held and talked to.  Daddy has even made you giggle a couple times.  You are the perfect baby during the daytime but as soon as the sun goes down you get pretty whinny.  We did start giving you Gripe Water per suggestion of a good friend, thanks Mandy!  It has seemed to help soothe you some.  At night you are on a pretty routine schedule (waking up at 1am & 5am for feedings).  It is so cute how you start kicking your little legs when you know the bottle is coming.  We love you Kallahan and can’t wait to spend the holidays together.  Tomorrow we head out to spend Thanksgiving with both sets of grandparents.

Love Always,

Mommy

Still trying to get a good brother picture, still no such luck!

“A grateful heart is a joyful heart.”

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Too Blessed...

The little cowboys first bath together

Too Blessed to be Stressed! 

This is what I keep telling myself lately when I start focusing on a few things that are causing me worries, like selling our house, buying the new one and work deadlines.  To top it off Kallahan & myself are not feeling well.  We both went to the doctor today.  I got antibiotics for my sore throat and the doctor instructed us to keep draining Kal’s nose and continue breast milk so that he will get antibodies to fight the same infection that we apparently have caught.  Today the littlist cowboy is 7 weeks.  At the doctor he weighed in at 10lbs 10ozs – Big Boy!! 

Keeler seems to feel good, I just hope he stays well.  He has been such a little character lately.  He got to help brand cows with his daddy this weekend.  He loved it!  Kal and I sat in the car while he worked since it was windy and chilly.  When Keeler was done, he got back in the car with us.  On the way home (dirt on his face and all strapped in his carseat) he informed me (in his deep man voice), “you have to be tough like me and daddy to work cattle.”  I just love this little cowboy. 

Funny story to document:  Keeler has recently seemed interested in figuring out who belongs to who… For example:  He started quizzing me one evening, “Mommy, who are granny’s grandsons?”  I responded, “you are her grandson, daddy is her grandson….  well, actually you are her great grandson.”  His response, “Who is her bad one?” 

“A good memory is one that can remember the day’s blessing and forget the day’s troubles.”- unknown

Treats & Tears

Fire Chief Keeler and Dalmatian Kallahan had a great Halloween!  
Keeler's costume was bought at our local gift shop this summer for play.  It's a Melissa & Doug role-play outfit.  He has enjoyed it so much.  I wanted the little cowboys to be a pair and since Keeler was set on fire chief I had to think of something.   What better than a fireman and a fire dog!  I picked up the dalmatian ears at a Halloween store and hand sewed them onto one of his many beanies.  I painted a white onsie with craft paint, paired it with little black pants and voila!  :)

Sabra and I took the boys downtown to the local main street trick or treat trail and then in the evening Tyler and I took them around town to a handful of family and friend’s houses.  Keeler was so cute making sure that he said “trick or treat” and most importantly, “thank you” after each treat.  I loved seeing the enthusiasm in his little eyes over the holiday.  He marched up the streets saying, “I’m not scared!” – to the tune of Going on a Bear Hunt. 

2010 Halloween Throwback:

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Right now, it’s way past our regular bedtime but for the past three nights Tyler and I are getting accustomed to little to no sleep.  Our baby cowboy is having a hard time.  He has been sleeping less and crying for a large majority of the night.  We try to comfort him but nothing seems to help.  We are pretty sure it is just colic and hope it plays is out soon.  I have done some research and asked around and the description seems to fit him to a T:  Colic - a condition in which an otherwise healthy baby cries or displays symptoms of distress (cramping, moaning, etc) frequently and for extended periods, without any discernible reason. The condition typically appears within the first month of life and often disappears rather suddenly, before the baby is three to four months old, but can last upto 12 months of life. The crying often increases during a specific period of the day (lucky us – right when we are ready to go to bed).  We know that we will get through it and just hope that this precious little cowboy gets over it soon.  Well, now he is sweetly sleeping in my lap so I better seize the opportunity to catch some sleep myself.  Night!

“Babies are always more trouble than you thought and more wonderful.”- Charles Osgood

Happy One Month!

Dear Kallahan – You are one month today!

The last month, our family has had so much fun getting to know you.  You are so sweet and precious.  You have been such a good little baby and never really fuss unless you are hungry.  You LOVE to eat.  Everyone that has seen you in the last couple of days has commented on how much you are growing and filling out.  You are starting to be mommy’s little chunky monkey.  There’s nothing better than a fat, healthy little baby!  Daddy is not even calling you little rat baby anymore.  Big brother is so good with you.  Last night he worked on getting you to stop crying by getting on the floor and telling you about his day.  He just adores you and loves to “pet” you.  We know that you and your brother have many fun times ahead once you get a little bit bigger. But that being said, don’t grow up too fast!

You love to be held and snuggle.  Since day one you have been cold natured and shiver when you are cold.  We try our best to keep you bundled up and warm in our cold house.  You can sleep through just about any noise.  Last night you had your best night yet, you slept for almost 5 hours straight.  Mommy and Daddy thank you for that because we feel so refreshed today.  You are starting to smile a little but I can’t wait to see a full out grin.  I know it is only days away!  We love you Kallahan and thank God for giving you to us.

Love Always,

Mommy

*Thanks again Kristin & Andrew for the darling Sticky Pickies!