Snow Day

We had a little bit of snow hit us here in Big D yesterday and Blake absolutely loved it! I arrived home from work to find Brad and Blake playing in the snow. As Uncle A said, he would LOVE it where he's at in Chicago where there is REAL snow! :)
Here are some pictures of Blake having fun in the thin layer of powdery stuff...

Happy Anniversary!

Today marked Brad and I's six year wedding anniversary! Six wonderful years of being married to my best friend...I am one lucky girl! To celebrate Grandma and Grandpa GRACIOUSLY offered to watch both boys so Brad and I could have an overnight celebration. I was a little reluctant to have a night away from Brady but couldn't pass up the offer. We checked into The Mansion early Thursday evening, which is where we stayed on our wedding night. I don't know who wouldn't love their stay at such an amazing hotel, but Brad and I always cherish our time there. It is a beautiful hotel and such a nice mini get away. We were upgraded to the Presidential Suite and the management also sent champagne and chocolate covered strawberries up to our room! It was so special and Brad and I loved having an evening reminiscing about the last 6 years of marriage. We both agree this past year has been one of our favorite years together as we completed our family with Brady and had the most incredible trip to Paris and Rome. What a year indeed! Here are a few pics of our amazing room...

Dining Room


Living Room


Kitchen


Bedroom


Brad tried to snap a picture of the two of us before we headed down to dinner...


Thank you SO much Grandma and Grandpa for watching the boys! We had an amazing night but it certainly was so great to see my other two favorite boys the next day! Happy six years Bradley...I look forward to the next 60!

Coughs and Snuggles

The past week has been very busy and filled with fun times and illnesses. I'm so ready for this holiday break to hopefully decompress a bit and everyone get healthy and enjoy our time together. Brad's mom was able to stop through in town for a few days last week which was very nice and the boys certainly enjoyed getting some special time with Grandma. Friday night she watched both boys so Brad and I could go to a holiday party with friends. While it was hard to leave Brady, it was so much fun getting to hang out with our friends, which had been way too long. Monday night my parents came over to our house to watch the boys so Brad and I could go to the Stars hockey game with Brad's hockey team. We had SO much fun! My parents did a wonderful job with the boys even though I know it had to wear them out and Brad and I loved getting a night out. Unfortunately I think all the festivities were wearing me down and must have worn Brady down too! We both have been hit with a bit of crud. His cough sounded so scary by Tuesday morning and had a rattle in his chest so off to the doctor we went... His rsv test came back negative thank goodness...did not want to go down that road again. He was diagnosed with bronchiolitis, which is viral so no antibiotics. Just rest, suctioning a million times a day and a humidifer at night. Thankfully Brady has been still smiling and cooing away! And the silver lining of it all was Brady and I got a day just us at home yesterday snuggling. (and another one today!) Can't complain about that!
Here is a picture I snapped with my phone at the doctor yesterday. He had to have been thinking, "Who's that good lookin little guy that keeps lookin at me?!"


Unfortunately because of all the chaos and sickies our holiday cards are waaaaay behind on being mailed. You will get one after Christmas, but better late than never, right??

Blake has totally blown all of my expectations on how he would adapt to being a big brother right out of the water. He has not shown an ounce of jealousy and just adores Brady. I put Brady in his crib to watch his mobile (one of his favorite things) while I got his bath ready. Blake was asking to go in the crib with Brady so we let him and next thing we knew he was snuggling his baby brother. Just melts my heart every time he gives Brady hugs and kisses...



I feel so blessed having these two amazing little boys! The rest of the week we look forward to getting healthy, celebrating Christmas and our 6 year wedding anniversary!
Merry Christmas!

Happy Chanukah!

I think Blake is getting on board with this whole Chanukah business and getting to open a gift each night! Happy Chanukah everyone!
Also, we finally got our proofs back from our photo session the week of Thanksgiving. Keep in mind they are not retouched yet....
www.images.bludoorstudios.com/jonesnewborn

We Made It!

We all made it through my first week back into the working world...although I have to say barely. This has been a tough tough week for several reasons. The first obvious reason is leaving behind my little guy. The past 8 weeks at home with him have been wonderful and I've enjoyed almost every minute of it! I haven't spent longer than its taken me to shower away from Brady so spending an ENTIRE DAY away was a little rough for mommy. Brady? According to his teachers has done great this week. What has made the pain of separation bearable however is knowing he's at a great place with the same teachers Blake had when he was an infant. I love the ladies in his classroom and know they are taking the same great loving care of Brady as they did with Blake. AND I also have the great privilege to watch Blake and Brady in their classes all day via my computer. Don't think I could get through my days away from them both without getting to sneak peaks at them throughout the day.
Second reason why this week has been very tough is Sunday I woke up not feeling too hot. By Sunday evening my throat hurt so badly I couldn't even talk. Perfect timing huh? I didn't think my work would appreciate me calling in sick after being gone for 8 weeks. No fever so I've been sucking it up and carrying on. But with Brady not sleeping through the night yet, I have to say getting up at 6, leaving the house at 7, working all day, not getting home until 6, cooking dinner, taking care of the kiddos, getting organized for the next day and not being able to get into bed until 10:30 or 11, and on top of it being sick, this week has been HARDER than I could EVER IMAGINE! And the last reason this week has been hard and will continue to be a little rough probably through the weekend, is my dad was admitted into the hospital yesterday. Most likely it is nothing too terribly serious, just a horribly nasty virus that is obviously so bad he's in the hospital, but hopefully will run its course soon. I am worried about him and his health though and worry about my mom who depends so greatly on my dad to take care of her with all of her health woes. I will do what I can to help them though even after this crazy exhausting week, because after all that's what families do! I just hope Brady starts sleeping through the night soon, because this momma could use some rest!

Thanksgiving Pictures

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving week and SO enjoyed spending time with all my family. Blake and Brady enjoyed all the extra love and attention too! Blake even started saying my brother's name and would repeat At Um (Adam) over and over. Too cute! Here are some pictures of our great week.

Arriving at my parents house in the double stroller. Blake adores getting to ride next to his brother (you can see he has his hand on Brady)


Blake loving his time on the playground with Grandpa and his cuz Natalie...



Brady's close up...


Brady on Turkey day...


My cousin Liz, brother Adam and me, Brad & Brady after stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving!


Adam, Brad & Blake at dinner

The same night at dinner, Brady tuckered out from all the Thanksgiving festivities...