Very Merry

Seeing that Santa came!

already trying to climb his drum!

This year was yet again, another wonder holiday.  We were busy, spoiled, and well fed.  The holiday weekend kicked off with going to a live nativity scene at Adam's parents church.  Dylan loves it because they have a petting zoo.  Sadly, I forgot my camera, but trust me, he didn't want to leave.  After petting the animals, we went to eat with Adam's parents.  In the middle of dinner, his mom informed us that she " might have gone overboard" with gifts for the boys and she urged us to come over that night to open a few.  Now for those of you who don't know, the boys have been soo spoiled from the get go, but the fact that his mother admitted to spoiling them... my oh my!

YEY Christmas!

Dylan was really into opening gifts this year.  He would open something, look at what was inside, then want to open something else.  Now if it was a toy, and no clothes, he would want to open that right away.  Typical three year old.  Graham was really into just taking the bow off.  Typical Fenner right there. 

Christmas Eve was spent eating lunch with Dylan's Godfather, and a great friend from high school.  After that we headed to Adam's parents house so the boys could get a nap in before church.  Sadly, I have no pictures of the boys on Christmas Eve in their cute Christmas sweaters, seeing as my camera battery was dead when I got there:/  After the candle light service ( which Dylan loved by the way) we headed back to the house to eat and open some gifts.  The boys got so many gifts it was hard to keep track of.  We stopped around 10 when Graham started to get grumpy. 

Dylan was showing him how to play "tools"!

he was done with the snow

Christmas day was spent at our house. Adam and I prepared a feast, with his parents bringing a few sides as well.  We had mimosa's opened some more gifts from Grandma and Papa, aunt Erin, and of course Santa, of HoHoHo as Dylan calls him!  I would say the biggest hit of gifts this year ( so far) is the work bench that Aunt Erin and Andrea got them!  They love it! Now I just have to find a place that isn't my dining room to put it!:)



My sweet boys!

 I was spoiled this year as well, getting everything and more that I asked for.  The biggest was my new camera!  Back in September, my camera had gotten a little damp from formula, and it just never worked right after.  Granted it was almost five years old, so that might have been a factor as well, but the focus was off!  But my in laws gifted me with my new beauty!  I LOVE it.  Adam got me the necklace I asked for! It's the Tiffany initial necklace.  I got two pendants, one with the initial of each boy!  LOVE it too! 

Of course, if you live in the area, you will know that we also had a white Christmas!  Over all, I'd say it was a great end to a great year.  Nothing too spectacular happened in 2012, but I'm thinking 2013 will be a great year.  We have so much planned, and I can't wait!

Holiday Cheer!

It's offical.

I have a three year old.  On December 2, Dylan turned three.  It was such a beautiful day.  Strange to think that the morning that he was born, it snowed.  This year it was about 80 degrees.  Just goes to show you how strange Texas weather is. 

We had yet another perfect party for our little dude.  This year, it was soccer themed!  He is so obsessed with it, we figured why not!  It was compete with soccer ball cake, pinata and plates and napkins!  We stuck with simple party food, on the menu was ham and Swiss sliders, pineapple chicken salad croissants, PB&J for the kiddies, piggies in a blanket, spiced nuts, ranch dip and chips.  Cupcakes and cake to finish it off of course!  I once again tried a new bakery, I was pleased, and we had very little left over cake and no leftover cupcakes, so I'm pretty sure that it was a hit!

This year I felt I needed an activity.  We had about 8 kiddos, and luckily it was super nice outside so they jumped on the trampoline and ran off their energy until it was time for the pinata!  I'm pretty sure this was the worlds best made pinata, after two rounds of the kids hitting it, and daddy helping Dylan, I ended up having to tear it apart!  It was a hit! 



What?

Dylan was once again spoiled  by all the people that love him, he got books, blocks, new tools, a pillow, so many new toys to keep him occupied until Christmas, when I hide all of them.  I love that we have such a small group of close friends that always make their way to our parties.  I love that they all have a part in his life, and that I know they will be life long friends for him, as well as Adam and I.  

I am happy I have about a year before I have to start thinking about another birthday party in this house.  These things wear me out.  I have already figured out what I will probably do for Dylan's though!  Graham, well, he might just not get one!  Kidding of course!

" Mama, see the ROOOOAAARRR?"

Finishing up the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we had tickets to the zoo.  Suzan, Adam's mom, had purchased something in a charity auction that came with these tickets.  She is already a member, so she didn't need them.  So to us they went.  Granted I got them in like April, I didn't want to use them in the summer, because lets be honest, who wants to go wander around in a crowded zoo when it's 115 degrees outside? No one.  So we waited.  I wanted Adam to be able to join, so a weekend it was.  I was a little weary that it would be packed, and thus no fun, since it was a holiday weekend, and a nice 60 degrees outside. We got there right when it opened.  I kid you know, there were probably only 10 people there.  It was awesome.  We got to let Dylan run around without fear of him getting lost.  We got to see all the animals up close, though lots were still sleeping, lazy animals.

He got to feed giraffes, watch big birds fly up close, elephants eat apples, alligators, lions, penguins, monkeys, all the while, we were just about the only people there.  It was heavenly.

While we were watching the alligators, do a whole lot of nothing, a lady bug landed on Adam, he put it on Dylan he thought that was pretty neat.  Dylan loved the alligators until one started moving.  He quickly retreated to behind me saying " NOOOO, he'll bite me"  Poor guy. After explaining that they couldn't get him, he wanted to watch them just sit there for another 15 or so min.

We road the monorail, but we didn't want to leave our very expensive double stroller just siting there, so just Dylan and I went, and Adam and Graham waited.  He had a great time on that, even took some pictures with my phone.  Its always fun to see things from his point of view. He also got to ride the carousel, he particularly loved that since he is really into horses right now.
Overall, it was about the perfect zoo experience.  Great weather, low crowd, perfect day.  He has asked almost every day since if we could go back to see the "ROAAAARS"  He tends to call animals by the sounds they make.  Silly Boy.

Happy Turkey Day

Late as usual.

This year our Thanksgiving was great.  Adam had the day off, and the day after! ( New job is awesome!) We had a leisurely morning, and headed over to his parents house to a turkey feast.  I only made two things.  My famous corn casserole, which is required of me for every holiday meal, and this year I tried a new recipe for a Eggnog bundt cake I found on pinterest.  I'm not a fan of eggnog, but the cake was good, but very eggnoggy. 

Graham was in heaven with the feast, as we can not seem to ever feed that child enough.  He didn't turn his nose up at anything! Dylans' favorite was fruit salad.  It was basically fruit cocktail mixed with fresh whipped cream.  He ate A TON of it.  I figured it was giving him some good calories so I didn't worry about it.  It did take at least one bite of everything else though so I was happy.  

This year, Adam's Aunt, Uncle, Grandma and step- Grandpa(?) were in town for the festivities.  We ate, drank, watched football, napped, and had a great time.  It was low key, and the great grandparents really enjoyed loving on their grand grand babies. 

Friday we spent the morning, adorning out front yard with lights, and dragging the tree out.  Dylan loves to watch us turn the lights on every evening.  We have been on several walks to check out all the other lights in the neighborhood as well.  Taking advantage of these unseasonably warm days.  

November Iphone Favorites

In a frenzy to save my iPhone, right after getting it out of the toilet, my thought was " ohhhh, noooo, I haven't loaded pictures in a while.  I plugged it in and it actually downloaded them.  I probably fried my phone in the process, but hey, I've got my pictures!:)

Morning Brawl

Mr. Independent.

Cookie Monsters

Big boy bed

Melt.

Stretching like Daddy

The couch ate him.

Loving gas prices

I guess they wanted to face that way!

Monorail ride with Mama at the Zoo.

Three

My sweet first born, baby boy turns three today.  I cannot believe it.  Where does time go?

 He is such a sweet soul.  I got so lucky to have such a loving, good natured, handful of a child.  Dylan is the epitome of boy.  He has energy that cannot be matched, other than by his brother maybe.  He loves all things sports, animals, and moving machines.  He throws tantrums that end with " Ok Mama, I'm done now", and will put up a fight with just about anything.  On the other hand, he will ask " you otay Mama? ( or Daddy) when we cough or sneeze, says please and thank you the majority of the time.  I love watching him grow and learn.  Everyday is a new adventure with him.

At three years old, we graduated from ECI,for speech therapy, have moved into a big boy bed, and are I'd say 90% potty trained( he still wears diapers at night).  He is a spoiled three year old no doubt, but he also knows how to hear "no".  He might not always like it, but he doesn't flip his lid.  I can't wait to see what this year brings.  We didn't have terrible twos, so that might be in store.  Either way, I can't wait.  I love watching him learn new things, and surprise me with what he knows.  He is my first born, and a big brother now, but he will always be my baby.

Happy third Birthday Dylan!


We love you!

Catch Up

I have so many posts in my head, but I'll start with this one.  This was well over a month ago probably, but oh well.  Some of you might remember me having to take Graham to the Cardiologist for a heart mummer when he was about two months old.  I was supposed to take him back six months later, but because our insurance wouldn't cover it, the doctor made his mummer sound like no big deal, I had put it off.  At his one year appointment, his Dr, said that it was still very much there, and that we should have it checked out again.  The Cardiologist, said he should outgrow it by one year.

The next week, there we were, hooked up to machines, and not very happy about it.  He was a champ though, but it did make his mommy a little sad to see all the leads on him.  And the tiniest blood pressure cuff you ever did see.  Per the usual, he was happy once he got some food, or something to put into his belly.  He also found this other really handsome baby in the room with us as well.  He was a trouper.

I had to hold him during the ultrasound that seemed to go on forever, though I know it was only ten or fifteen minuets.  But having to make him sit still and lay back, was pure torture. He was not a happy camper.

The verdict was that his mummer is almost gone, and that it will be no big deal.  The Cardiologist actually thought it was interesting his pedi was concerned about it.  But I would rather our doctor mention it is something that concerns him and we do everything we can to make sure he is OK, than for him to not, and something be really wrong with our baby boys heart.  I'm happy that he got a clean bill of health, and also happy that we don't have to go back for another year!

Case of the Monday's

Usually aside from Adam being gone, Monday is usually just another day for us.  So far today, has been the Monday from Hell.  All was fine until Graham put my phone in the toilet.  Yup, I was in the other room, but as soon as I heard it, I knew exactly what it was.  He has officially lost phone game privileges.  Shortly after, he fell in our room and hit something on the edge of out foot board.  I thought it was his mouth, upon further inspection, I was relieved to see he had all his teeth and wasn't even bleeding.  then I saw it.  He hit his head.  It was terrible.  He cried, I cried.  He refused ice, so I gave him Tylenol.He was fine.  His forehead has quite a knot.  Hopefully it will go away soon. 

 

This all happened before 10 Am.  It couldn't get any worse today right?

Productivity

It's amazing how much you can get done when you don't have kids!  Having two kids now, I hate when I hear people with one, talk about how hard getting out to the grocery store is.  Or going to dinner.  Or anything really!  With two it's that much harder.  I'm sure people with three kids laugh at us with two!:)  That being said.  With NO kids, you can get a lot done.

This past weekend, we were lucky enough to have the grandparents take the boys, for a whole 24 hours.  They took them on Saturday night.  Adam and I took a couch over to my sisters new apartments, got gussied up and went on a dinner date.  We went to a place called Tillman's Roadhouse in the Bishop Arts district.  For those of you who don't know, Bishop Arts is a block in Oak Cliff that they have really revived.  It took Adam months to convince me to go.  To me, Oak Cliff will always have a bad rep.  But it was delicious, and I'm looking forward to going back.

Sunday morning, we "slept in" until 7:30, laid around, got dressed and left for Sunday Brunch.  Adam had purchased a Groupon for a place in Downtown Mckinney!  It was yummy.  We also finished up our shopping for the boys for Christmas.  Started on the shopping for the kid's foundation kid we adopted, and got our children some winter clothes.  After all that shopping and eating, we came home, napped, watched a football game, and then got ready for dinner to go pick up our kids!  It was nice to come and go and do what we pleased, but we sure missed those little guys.  I'm not sure how we are going to go two full weeks without seeing them in February.  But I'm sure we will manage.

Weekly Menu

I managed to throw together this weeks menu:)  

Sunday: Dinner at Adam's parents

Monday: Spicy sausage pasta from last week

Tuesday: Mexican Quinoa

Wednesday: Spaghetti squash with chicken, peas and broccoli , Rolls

Thursday:  pick up something on the way to Adam's soccer game

Friday:  Pioneer woman's pot roast with baked potato's

Saturday: The boys are spending the night with the grands, so Adam and I are going out!

Sunday Breakfast: brunch in McKinney

Sunday: Dinner with Adam's parents

"Mama, no out"

Big Boy Bed

Helping take the front off

This is pretty long, and boring. It's more for my own documentation. Read at your own risk!


There have been big changes here in the Fenner House. At the ripe old age of almost three years old, Dylan is now in a big boy bed. We hadn't really ever had a reason to switch him. Many people switch the older sibling when the new baby is on the way so they can use the crib. We bought Dylan's bed intending him to use it for a long time, so that wasn't a big deal. Honestly, he wasn't ready. I don't know how people change 18 month olds. Blow my mind.

  I'd been thinking about switching his bed, well just because he is almost three. He never once climbed out of or into his crib. He loved it. I loved it. If I needed a break for a bit, I could put him up there and he couldn't get out! I'll be honest, I am so happy that he is now out of the crib. No more lugging a pack and play, or worrying about where he will sleep.

Graham was ready to sleep!:)

I decided we would do it on a Friday, in case he was up a lot at night, I wouldn't be the only person to deal with him. I talked about it ALL week. How we were making his bed a big boy bed, and how when mama and Daddy put him in there he wasn't allowed to get out. All week I asked him if he was supposed to get out. His response " Mama, No out" I told him I would spank him if he got out, so now if I ask him what happens if he gets out, he will hit his bottom! I find it funny. But at least he gets it.

Loves it!

We bought him a special "big boy" blanket, and we let him help take the crib apart. He was so excited. He watched for Daddy to pull into the driveway and asked him the second he walked into door " Daddy, this off now?" He loved it. We let him play in it, get up and down, jump off of it ( which we stopped pretty quickly.) Graham loved it. Everyone was so happy.

"Mama, No out"

Add caption

Friday night. We got him ready for bed, told him we would read him a book in bed, but as soon as we put him in there, he laid down, told us " no out" blew us kisses and that was that. Adam and I walked out and thought to ourselves," It can't be that easy right?" But it was. We didn't hear a peep from him the rest of the night. I woke up at about 1 AM, and he wasn't in bed. I went upstairs to check on him, and he was sprawled out in the middle of his floor wrapped in his blanket, snoring. I stood there for a second thinking a few things. 1) I wished that I could take a picture without waking him up. 2) should I leave him or move him back? I had decided to leave him and started to close his creaky door when he woke up. I moved him back to the bed, and he whined for a little bit saying he wanted to get out. I rubbed his head and he went back to sleep by the time I got back down stairs. He slept the rest of the night in his bed and woke up normally.

Saturday, he basically begged Adam to go take a nap, and he was just as easy at bedtime. So far, this has been so easy, and our first born has surprised us yet again. I really hope that Graham is this easy with life. Though, with the amount of tantrums I already get, I'm guessing he won't be.

Hospitality and Halloween

The last weekend in October was a super busy one in this house.  First and for most, we had our friend David in town from NYC.  We met David while at Penn, he and Adam quickly became good friends and have remained in contact since.  He came for the weekend, and probably got more than he bargained for.  We had a few things on our list to show him while he was in town.  It was his first trip to Texas, so we wanted to take him to a few of our favorite places.  We started off at Top Golf, went to Bob's Steak and Chop house for dinner, then hit up a few bars( not that we have bar favorites, but we took him to some anyway) Also on our list for that weekend was Rudy's BBQ and our favorite Mexican place, Casa Milagro.

During this weekend, we also had Caleb's First birthday party, Trunk or Treat, a Halloween party at our neighbors ( that was all one day) and then of course Hurricane Sandy.  David tried to escape Texas a day early to miss the storm, but because of a faulty air conditioner in the plane, he got stuck.  His original flight was supposed to be Monday, but he didn't leave until Wednesday morning.  Needless to say, I think he was ready to leave and get away from two little tiny tots that roam this house.



Saturday night after all of the kiddo things, we borrowed last second costumes and headed over to our neighbors with Becca and Garet.  Every year they have a costume and adults only party.  It's a good time.  They go all out, and are a little crazy with Halloween in general.  But hey, getting some drinks and getting away from the kiddo's for a bit is always a good time.  We had a great weekend, and I was very happy to see our friend.  I hope that he isn't scared off by our children, and we can plan a visit again for next year.  Maybe neutral ground though!