A Very Special Thank you.....

Yesterday marked our 2nd Wedding Anniversary! So much has happened in the past two years that I can barely keep up...ha ha!! I just wanted to say a very special thank you to my husband, Dan. I wanted to thank him for putting up with me when I am having my girl, moody moments and when I just can't think straight. He is sooo amazing and I don't tell him as much as I should! He is the best husband and daddy anyone could ask for. These past two years have been a wild roller coaster ride filled with excitement, fear, joy, uncertainty and much more, but I would not have wanted to be on this wild ride with anyone else. Thank you for all that you do for me and Joshua and all that you are! I love you very much!!!

On a side note: Yesterday, my brother, Chad watched Joshua so we could go have a nice dinner just the two of us. We went to Benihana's, where your food is prepared right before our eyes! It was a very nice evening! Thank you Chad for watching Joshua!!

I'm A Big Kid Now....

Joshua has been a very busy little boy these past couple of weeks. It still amazes me how this child can accomplish so much in such a short time. How his little accomplishments are gigantic to him and us as parents! Well, Joshua is definitely a toddler! I guess when you turn ONE, you are considered a toddler in the world. I on the other hand have a hard time looking at him as a toddler, but by what he has done over these past few weeks definitely defines the toddler stage. Bitter sweet for mommy!!! So, I guess you are curious as to what he did. Well, on Friday, Feb. 13th he took his first steps! Now everyone knows it took him until the week of his 1st birthday to crawl, so we were totally caught off guard when he decided to walk. We were so thrilled and nervous at the same time. My mom and I were just letting him walk using our hands back and forth between us and then all of the sudden he let go of my hands and went to my mom all on his own! Such excitement rang through the house! So, of course we continued to encourage him and he didn't mind, he was ready to do it over and over and over again. I was afraid that he would try and walk while we were on our cruise, but he saved it for me and daddy. What a good boy! This past week, he started feeding himself with a spoon which he actually got the hang of pretty quick. We went today and bought him some big boy shoes. Shoes for first time walkers. He got his foot measured and even got to try them out in the store and wore one of the pairs home. He also got his first haircut, well, ok a trim today. The haircut did not go as well as trying on shoes. None the less, he was a trooper and got a really cute "First Haircut" certificate and animal crackers for being a good sport. Joshua has had a very busy past couple of weeks. The kid has got to be pooped, I know mommy and daddy are. As I type this new blog entry I give thanks to God for this sweet, precious little boy! I can actually say that I have seen every one of Joshua's milestones over the past 14 months and that I am TRULY GRATEFUL! I know not everyone gets that privilege and I know that it is something that I will always cherish. I hope you enjoy the pics!

My new big boy shoes!!

My first haircut (trim)!

My first steps

Feeding myself with a spoon!

GLAD TO BE BACK!

We got back late Thursday afternoon from a fabulous week of cruising! We had a really good time with our wonderful friends. It was so nice to be waited on hand and foot! I mean they did everything for you from put your napkin in your lap at dinner to a turn down service at night. It was awesome! The weather was just perfect, except for a one or two days of clouds and cold, but hey it was February! The days they we were in port in Cozumel and Progresso were fabulous! The weather couldn't have been better. We enjoyed our time of relaxation and doing NOTHING!! So, now on to the part of the cruise that has made us decide that we are probably not "cruise people". First off going on a cruise in the winter months is probably not the best idea. With all the wind and everything it made the ship a bit rocky. There were a few nights on board that were a little questionable. I had brought some dramamine (?) which seemed to help a little. We never got entirely "seasick" but we could have done with out the swaying back and forth. I mean really, no one could walk a straight line on that ship. Everyone was all over the place. The second thing that really topped the cake for me as far as not cruising for awhile, was that there was a fire literally right above our room and we had to evacuate to our meeting place on the ship. Something you don't want to hear when you are out in the middle of the ocean is someone beating on your door at 2am saying evacuate, grab your life jackets. A lot of different emotions and thoughts run through you! Someone's luggage had caught on fire outside their room and no one knows exactly how is started. The fire was put out and everyone returned back to their rooms and we arrived back in Galvestion safe and sound. I have never been more excited to see land!! The best part about returning home was getting to hug Joshua! Oh man, did we miss him! He looked at us when we first got there, like I know who you are but where have you been the past 5 days!!! He quickly got over that and we had a great time getting to hug and squeeze him!! He would touch our faces all over, I guess he was making sure it was really us!!

BON VOYAGE!!!!!!

Our 2 year anniversary is coming up at the end of this month and since we never took a honeymoon or did anything for our 1 year anniversary we decided to take a trip this year. Our good friends Wade and Jennifer asked us if we wanted to go on this cruise with them, and without any hesitation we said YES! We are leaving to go on a Western Carribean cruise this week! We are very excited about it!! We will be going to Cozumel and Progresso. We will be gone a whole week. Just think a whole week of relaxing!!! AHHHHH!! On the downside of this wonderful vacation we will be leaving Joshua for the first time over night!!! I am really having to work a lot harder at this whole leaving him behind thing than I thought. I can't really even mention it, without getting a little nervous and teary eyed. I know that he will be in great hands, because he will be staying with his Granbee and Papa Joe, but I will not be there to comfort or hold him! I know that I will cry when we are pulling out of the drive way, it just a fact!! He will have a wonderful week!!! This is a much needed break for everyone in our little family! I hope everyone that reads this has a wonderful week and I will have plenty to blog about when we get back on land. Until then, Bon Voyage!

The Dog Book

This past weekend we went to Dallas to visit Dan's family. It was the first time that Joshua and Kaden actually interacted with each other. At first, they were a little stand offish, but the dog book broke the ice...haha! They both loved looking at this book and I was able to get some good pictures of them together. They also vacuumed together, with Kaden's toy vacuum, but I do not have a picture of that. It was really cool to see them interact. Thanks Kaden for sharing your books and toys with Joshua. We had a great visit with everyone!

Kaden: I like this puppy!

Joshua: Well, I like this puppy!

My Little Valentine!

Favorite past time: Turning the TV On and Off!

Painting with sidewalk chalk

Helping Mommy make a Pie!!

Oh how I love my son! His little personality is really starting to shine through. He is into everything and going everywhere. He is starting to engage in different activities and express how he feels rather it be happy or sad. He still loves to smile and giggle and that brings me such great joy! I get tickled watching him play, because he gets amused by the slightest things. He is such a great kiddo. He loves to throw things across the room, and loves to turn the TV on and off( which makes watching TV a little more of a challenge). He is still not walking on his own yet, but he is getting better at walking while holding on hand. He loves to give hugs and BIG kisses!!

I LOVE MY LITTLE VALENTINE!!!

Joshua and Working from Home!

So, before the holidays, I talked to my boss about working from home part time. I felt it was best, since Joshua was starting to get into everything, and I didn't expect my office to be baby proofed and I was starting to pull my hair out while trying to juggle my work load and keeping an eye on my little explorer, it just got to be too much! We tried it out a couple of days, but today was my actual first full day. I love it! I am able to remote in from my desk top at home into my work's server and have access to all the information, all the while, letting Joshua roam about freely in a baby proof environment. I know today was only the first day, but it worked out really well. Joshua was able to take his naps in his own crib without any interruptions and he had a blast getting into all his toys and books, which are everywhere right now, but none the less he seemed quite content and that was the goal. I really hope this works out for both mine and Joshua's sanity. I will work from home Mon- Wed. and go into the office, Thurs. and Fri. Joshua still goes to school Tues and Thurs, so he will only have to be in the office on Fridays! Today seemed to go somewhat smoothly and I was able to get a lot of work done.