Dear Dax

I can hardly believe you are already 5 years old. It really does feel like just yesterday we found out you'd be joining our family. I remember being so scared and excited at the same time. The joy and love you have brought to our family is  irreplaceable. You are a gem.

This was a big year for you. You learned to ride a bike without training wheels, completed your first year of preschool, started a new school year in a new school for your second year of preschool, made new friends, you can write your name, sing the alphabet and count to 15. You had your first "big kid" birthday party, got a BB gun, a 4 wheeler and a new puppy. The biggest change for you this year is that you became a big brother.

 I thought you were the sweetest most gentle boy since you were a baby but when you became a big brother this was only confirmed more. You love Ellie, yes that's right, you love her with every fiber of your being. (just want to make that clear when you get older and she drives you crazy). You look for her all the time, you make sure we are taking care of her and you give her so many hugs and kisses. You reassure her when she cries and hold her hand  in the car to comfort her when she's scared. You love her and she loves you. It's the best.

I keep waiting and fearing the time when you don't want to snuggle with me but it hasn't happened yet. Snuggling may be one of your favorite things. Especially with Mommy and Gigi- you wish Kyleigh liked to cuddle with you more when she's around. You request to be cuddled on a daily basis and love to snuggle into bed with me at night to watch a movie. I'm sorry we haven't cuddled more since your sister has been born. I try to cuddle with you every night because I know my "side cuddles" while I feed your sister just don't quite cut it. I love you and your cuddles, soon your little sister will cuddle with you like you want her to as well.

Watching you grow and learn new things is so fun. You so enjoy showing off your new skills and will often pull something new out of your backpack and want to explain what you did and how you did it. You love singing and dancing but get embarrassed sometimes when it's not just Mom and Ellie around.We often listen to music on my phone and be silly dancing and singing. You're a great dancer.

I am so grateful to have you as my son, Dax. You made me a Mom and filled my heart with so much love. I know there will be times that we do not get a long or we don't see eye to eye but I so see myself in you. I see my tender heart in you, I see my anxiety in you and I see my need to please people in you. I hope as you grow we'll be able to have some heart to heart talks about how you don't have to please everyone, you only have to make decisions that you can hold your head high about. That it is okay if people aren't happy with you as long as you know you did the best you could.

I love you, Dax. Forever and ever, to the moon and back. No  matter what.
Mama

33 weeks, side by side

Ready for another side by side comparison?

 (I feel like I'm actually writing this to myself... does anyone read this if I don't post it on FB?)

I still think I look much smaller with this baby than Dax BUT it could be the way I'm standing or my clothes... who knows ;)

Comparing... ;)

Okay... just for comparison sake and oh my gosh I can't believe I liked my hair like that... LOL ;)

25 weeks with Dax and 26 weeks with Baby #2

 Yes, think I was slightly bigger with Dax than this baby.

26 weeks!

Well, actually, today I am 27 weeks pregnant but haven't taken a picture yet and, really, haven't changed that much since last week. Baby is doing really well and so am I. Gaining weight at a steady pace and not feeling sick anymore. Sensitive to the smell of protein cooking but usually able to power through it and finish cooking... or overcook the elk steaks that had to go somewhere other than the stove top. Ha! Still struggling a bit with not knowing the sex of this little one but trying to move past that. ;) Baby appears to be growing right on track and moving like crazy so we probably will not have another ultrasound. I am thinking about asking my Dr. for another one but pretty sure I know the answer... and insurance won't pay for just a random ultrasound. So different having a completely normal pregnancy after a slightly more crazy one. Grateful for it though!

Dax has been feeling the baby move a lot lately. The other night he was laying partway on my tummy and the baby started to move around- he asked what that was, I explained it's the baby moving. He responded with "what is the baby saying?" "I think the baby is telling you to GET OFF ME!" Dax started giggling! It was very sweet. He is really very excited for this new baby and more times than not tells me that the baby will sleep in the baby bed in his room and expresses that he can't wait to snuggle the baby and help take care of the baby. I hope this continues after the baby arrives. ;)

green grass, dandelions, red barn, cowboy boots, tractor and a camo hat

My handsome farm boy

 

There is nothing like growing up on or near a farm. 

9 on 10 January

WELL this was supposed to be a 10 on 10  but apparently I only took 9 pictures! Oops!

 

One sick boy today! We were up most of the night dealing with puke. 

Finally passed out

 

Pictures from the cold, beautiful, snowy morning

 

 

How we spent the day-- Mommy working on the computer 

and Dax leaned up against me.

 What got me through the day...

 STUPID turkeys!

 If there is a bare spot ANYWHERE they are digging away

 

 why is it that the coldest weather brings beautiful pictures? 

Couldn't get over how pretty it was outside just before sunset

  

 Headed out to be sure the chickens have water

 What a difference a few hours makes!

2 naps and not being allowed to play outside-- revived!

Family Pictures 2012

Oh yes! It's that time of the year again- Family pictures!

We were so worried we'd be rained on but the weather turned out perfect for pictures.

Except for having a slightly crabby little boy who didn't want to cooperate all the time...

the shoot went off without a hitch. :) 

Already have next year's session paid for!

busy busy busy

How time flies!

Often times this blog gets forgotten, not because I don't enjoy writing on it but life just gets in the way. So my excuses for not writing the last...almost two months... full time job, full time Mommy and partner, and full time procrastinator. :)

Let's see... what has happened lately...

Kyleigh's soccer team won their championship game AND even more exciting-- Kyleigh got up the confidence to get after the ball and kicked it several times! This is big for her and it was so fun to watch her growth. She's also a FIRST grader! Oh my gosh!

Dax is... well Dax is just growing up so fast it's crazy to me. He'll be 3 in a week. That almost makes me want to cry because he is my BABY and may be my only baby. I must say though- our Dax is awfully fun to be around. He is so silly and is constantly saying new hilarious things--- he is also quite the little mimic and will repeat EVERYTHING! He is so sensitive too. He gets so upset anytime Mommy is hurt or even just says 'ow' and will say "Mommy, I save you!" He is definitely a Mommy's boy but does idolize his Dad too!

Dustin and I are just plugging away at work, being parents and throwing fun in there when we can. :)

We had two mudbog weekends in a row which resulted in Dustin being so tired he got sick for several days. We survived though and loved being able to end the season on a high note.


I am constantly reminded, it feels like, this fall as to how blessed we are to have good health and lots of love in our home. It's crazy how quickly things can change and serves to remind us to be grateful for every day.

Hopefully as things slow down a bit I'll be better about updating the blog.... hopefully... :) I tried doing a 10 on 10 but ended up only taking 4 pictures because I just plain forgot! Ha! Maybe November will be better...

August 10 on 10

 Look at me! I actually did the 10 on 10 AND I'm posting it on the 10th! Of course there is still a hick up... I definitely didn't take these over 10 hours but oh well :)

 #1 My redneck clothes line

#2

Sure must be nice to be able to take a nap every day 

and look so darn cute!. 

#3 checking on the chickens, in this picture they look ticked off LOL

#4

My favorite flowers in my beds- echinacea!

#5

These two lazy bums just barely picked up their heads for a picture- 

we've named the Dottie and Nick...
well I named Dottie, Dax randomly walked in the house with Nick
and told me "Mama, this is Nick" Ha!

#6 

Dax watching the neighbors farm,

he tells me that when he gets bigger he's going to be a farmer---

Papa says he needs bigger dreams LOL

 #7

Glad I found these guys with my eyes and not my hand like the last time!

 #8

Mama, I go see my baby chickens?? :)

#9 Houston, we have pumpkins!!

 #10 

With my little man