Potty training time!

Two nights ago I told Abby it was time to change her diaper and she ran in and sat on her potty.  Let me add also, she has NEVER shown any interest in her potty before, although I bought it months ago thinking she would.  Anyway, I took off her diaper, she sat down, and she peed!  It was so exciting Bruce and I of course were all over her kissing and praising her - in fact, we may have scared her we were so excited!  So, I pulled the pack of Pull-Ups I already had waiting out of the closet, and we are off!  I have been trying to take her to the potty at least 1-2 times an hour, and she gets an M&M for sitting on the potty (although I think I may switch to stickers) and another M&M if she goes.  She has peed 3 or 4 other times since Monday night!  I am hoping she just gets it quickly and we can get some big girl underwear ;)  I might let her go to Target tonight and pick out some she likes.  A friend told me they just put their child in underwear and although they had a lot of accidents for a few days, their little boy got it pretty quickly.  I really have no clue how to potty-train a child, lets just hope it is easy . . . hahaha

Brian got a haircut!

Brian will be four months old next week, but boy did he need a haircut!  Sarah and I took him yesterday before she left.  He is still as cute as can be, but he looks so much older :(  I wanted to leave it longer so he would still look like a baby, but the rat tail/ mullet thing was getting on my nerves so I just decided to do it!

Some before and after shots:

Grandpa's Hunting Buddy

Just for Bullet

Brian in camo!

Christmas tree topper

Abby's class made these precious angels, ours will be on top of the
tree as soon as Daddy gets home to put it up ;)

Our house all lit up!

Oh, Christmas Tree!!!

We got our tree yesterday and Abby is so excited! I have yet to
decorate it (except for some candy canes and a few ornaments Abby and
Alana put on), but the lights are up ;)

Over The Hedge

In an effort to not be subjected to "Nemo," "The Little Mermaid," or "Cars" for a couple days I let Abby watch "Over The Hedge" a couple days ago.  I can now recite it.  I am just a glutton for punishment I think ;)

When do they grow out of this phase where they just want to watch/read/play the same thing over and over and over and over.  I swear the only words she says lately are "againt" (the "t" is important because it's really cute when she says it) and "Abby do it."  She is definitely turning into a 2 year old!  Oh, babies grow so fast . . .

She is so sweet!!!

Abby's first ponytail!!

I got Abby to sit still long enough this morning to get her hair up
for the first time! She is so cute!!

Brian and the Cardiologist

For anyone that doesn't already know, Brian was born with a heart defect called a VSD (that's ventricular septal defect), which means that he has a hole between the bottom 2 chambers in his heart.  Well, as you can imagine, its not really easy for me to talk about (especially at first) because I just don't want to think anything could be wrong with my precious child.  Luckily, it was noticed right when he was born so we have been seeing the cardiologist since September.  Actually, he had his first echocardiogram the day we left the hospital!  

When he was first diagnosed with the VSD, the doctor told us it was too big to close on its own (some smaller ones will close on their own) and he would have to have open heart surgery where they would close the hole between 3 and 6 months of age.  We have been going to the cardiologist every two weeks to keep a close eye on him and see if he has any symptoms, which would indicate we needed to go ahead with surgery sooner rather than later.

We had an appointment today and I have to update that he is doing great!  Brian still has a very audible murmur, and the hole has not closed, but he continues to have no symptoms and gain weight appropriately.  The doctor keeps telling us Brian is doing much better than he thought he would be doing!  I am so thankful for answered prayers!  I know that he still needs surgery, but right now he is doing so well!!

New Stroller

This was an early Christmas present, but I just had to share!  We got a new double stroller and it is great!  It's a Phil and Ted's Inline Sport (you can check it out at www.philandteds.com if you are interested) and it adjusts so we can use it with a baby and toddler or with two toddlers.  So hopefully we can use it for a couple years!  I am still trying to talk Abby into riding more because usually she wants to walk, and having a "new" stroller makes it a little easier since she wants to explore it!

The way to stroller is set up in these pictures, Abby is sitting on the seat above Brian (you can't see Brian unless you know he is there ;) ).  When Brian is sitting up, I will move the seats around and Brian will actually be sitting below Abby.

Family Reunion

This weekend we packed up the kids (including William) and headed to Sunset Beach, NC for a reunion with the Clark cousins (My Grandaddy's family).  It was a lot of fun to see lots of family that we haven't seen in a while.  I think it was our wedding 3 1/2 years ago when we last got together!  Although it was very sad to not have Grandaddy there it made me remember how great he was.  I miss him a lot, but it was fun to be reminded of him in his brother and sister ;)

I also got to introduce Abby and Brian to some of their extended family they had not met and they had a blast getting passed around and getting to meet new people.  I just realized how truly blessed I am to have my family!  I love them so much and they do so much for me.  

Of course, I forgot to bring my camera, but I will steal some pictures from Sarah later and post some ;) 

Taking care of them ALONE!

So, for the last two days Bruce has been out of town and I have had the kids alone overnight for the first time!  Just wanted to let you know . . . I have survived!  Bruce is on the plane coming home ;)

Honestly though, we have amazing children!  They are so good and so sweet!

Halloween

Watching football

Brian and Bullet watching the football game.

Getting ready for the day

Abby brushing her teeth before we head out for the day!

Good Morning!

Brian is awake and so happy this morning!

Long day ...

Brian sleeping in his chair after a long day of fun.

Brian sleeping in the leaves

While Abby played Brian slept like usual ;)

Cleaning the rake!

Raking leaves

Fall in VA

Abby playing in the leaves at Bebe and Bullet's. Probably won't see
much of this in SC ;)

Abby's new train set

Bebe and Bullet pulled out Uncle Will's old train set which Abby loves
to play with!

First visit to Lynchburg

Brian finally made it to Bebe and Bullet's house after an eight hour
car ride! He slept most of the way, only waking to nurse twice.

So it's been a while . . .

I was informed by my awesome sister that I haven't posted in a while.  So, I thought I should update on Brian's first 6 weeks (Yep, he is SIX WEEKS OLD already!) and how the rest of the family is.

We had a couple visits from family - Bebe and Bullet, Aunt Sarah, and Nana, and it was nice to have the help of some more adults ;)  And then the dreaded day came when Bruce went back to work!  I was terrified of keeping Abby and Brian alone, but we have worked out somewhat of a routine now and it is not nearly as scary as I thought it would be.  They are just such great kids!  And, of course, the cutest kids I have ever seen :)

Big sister takes a break

After playing at the park and My Gym with Daddy, Abby settled back
with a snack and her balloon to watch Nemo :)

Naptime

Taking a nap on Saturday afternoon!

Actually we all got naps today ;). Bebe had to go home today, but will
be back next weekend with Bullet. We miss her already! Aunt Sarah
got here last night though, so we still have some good help ;)

First bath

Since Brian has lots of hair he really needed it washed! He did NOT
like his bath, but he looked and smelled better afterward :)

Finally home

Once we made it home we had to take a nap ;). He is just such a sweet
baby!

First car ride!

OK, I know this is a little delayed, but I am just now catching up!
This is Brian getting in his carseat to come home on Thursday!

End of Day two

Well it's the end of Brian's second day and as you can tell he is plum
tuckered out. Little does he know it will only get better from here!!!

More flowers

This arrangement was from Kay's cousins Greg and Mary who live here in
Charleston. We forgot to put it near a window so sadly it wilted a
some. :-(

Flowers from Kay's grandma and papa

Kay's grandma and papa sent us this red rose to congratulate us on the
new arrival.

Flowers from Kay's mom and Dad

Kay's mom and dad sent us these beautiful yellow roses. Thank you some
much!

Abby and Brian

Well Abby got a chance to hold Brian in her arms today and as the
picture shows, I think she is going to be a great big sister!!!

Emily visits

Another one of Kay's friends, Emily, stopped by the hospital on her
way home from work today.

Sleeping baby

Well if this isn't the cutesy baby ever...

Melissa

After everyone left from earlier, one of Kay's friends, Melissa, dropped by.

Craziness in the hospital room

Well this evening was a big evening. We had a lot of visitors all at once! We had: Bruce's dad and stepmom, Bruce's dad's cousin, Gordon, and his wife, Bruce's cousins David and Mary Beth, Kay's mom, Abby and of course Bruce, Kay, and Brian (the camera wasn't wide angle enough to get everyone in one shot). Count 'em - that's 11 people in one little hospital room. Who knew it could happen.

Here's a cute story about Abby. Well Abby was excited to see everyone but she went through a rollercoaster of energy. When eveyone first arrived she was quiet and shy, then she opened up and got really hyper then she crashed. In the end she was hungry so she tugged on her mom's hand and said "chicken". Kay obviosly could go so we told her to go with Bebe (Kay's mom) so she grabed Bebe's hand and pulled it toward the door as cute and as happy as could be. Then right befors she left the room, Kay said "I love you Abby" and Abby stopped in her tracks, turned around and said, "I love you"!!! (well it was more like "I wuv you") It was just the cutest.

Mary Beth visits

Well Bruce's cousin Mary Beth dropped by yesterday evening and had a chance to hold Brian.

Mama and her babies

Here is photo of mama and her babies.

Family photo

Well Kay's mom picked Abby up from her mom's morning out program and
brought her over to the hospital. She really seemed like she didn't
know what to make of her new brother but she warmed up to him pretty
quickly. She just stared him down at first but then found her baby
brother's toes and was as excited as could be. But like all good
things this had to come an end so Abby could go home to eat lunch and
take a nap.

Jess visits!!!

Jess had a chance to stop by this morning. Apparently her four year
old daughter had a little sit down with Abby yesterday. She tried to
explain to her that a baby is coming out of momma's tummy and that
Abby will be a big sister. Apparently all Abby got out of the story
was... BABY! BABY! BABY! Oh well she will learn soon enough.

Visit for Pastor Mike

Our pastor, Mike Fitze, dropped by this morning to see the new baby
and send the congregations best wishes.

Brian + Bebe = very happy

Well as soon as Kay's mom heard about the early arrival, she hopped in
the car and started driving. She was able get here a little before
11pm and boy was she happy when she finally got to hold little baby
Brian!

Kisses

Brian gets a great hug and kiss from his dad.

Dad and Brian

The new Dad and his new little buddy.