Gratitude

Our family is going through a hard time. Life has its flows of peaks and valleys...the good and the bad. Right now, is a trying time to say the least, and this week I've been at both ends of the spectrum. I go from having a really great perspective and feeling super strong, to minutes later being in tears and feel so weak. But I'm trying really hard to be strong for Brad right now. He needs me to be the strong one right now. Its hard, because he's always that person. He's always my rock and my light in the storm. This time, its my turn to be here for him. Love will get us through, this is what I know for sure. And in light of all of this, I'm trying to pause when I'm feeling weak and focus on the beautiful things I'm surrounded by. So these are the things I am grateful for this week...
My sweet, sweet Blake. I swear he goes from acting like a total three year old one minute, to acting like a sweet old man the next. The other night I was trying to rush around getting bath ready and bed time supplies in order when Blake called me, "Mama, mama, come here!" "You have to look at this sunset!" I mean, really? My three year old was taking the time to pause and look at the beautiful sunset. The sky was a beautiful shade of orange. Oh the lessons our kids teach us.
Today was a low day for me. Emotionally I have been all over the place. And then we went to the park, and the boys were tackling me in the grass and we rolled around wrestling and laughing. I love the sound of both my boys laughing together and sharing such precious moments together. I am grateful I am able to be at home with them to experience those moments. I am evidently allergic to the grass and broke out in hives, but I told Brad...it was completely worth it and I'd do it again.
I'm grateful to be surrounded by family....more specifically I am grateful Brad is surrounded by all his family this week. All the Jones boys are together, which is a rarity. Yes, its sad it has to be in a situation as this, but none the less, I love seeing Brad with his two brothers, and nephew too. All having each other for love and support. What a beautiful thing.

ANOTHER Birthday Post

Thanks to Kristin Dunn Photography :) I got more pics...better quality pics of Blake's party and had to post them. Thank you Kristin!!



This pic makes me smile. Two brothers and Emma wanting to be part of the gang!
It means so much to me to have such wonderful friends. I think its so special I still have three of my childhood friends in my life. Can't believe August will make 25 years I've been besties with Kristen and what 22 with Breck and 18 with Kristin? Forgive me if my math isn't 100%. Crazy though. I love that we are part of each others lives still and are now watching our little ones grow together. Here are pics of their amazingly cute kiddos...

Kristen's beautiful twins, Jones & London
Breck's darling girl, Jocelyn
And Kristin's cutie, Emma

And I LOVE this pic Kristin snapped of our family minus Blakers. Look forward to her snapping family pictures of all of us soon!

The Big 20

These pictures break my heart a little bit. Brady's first pictures that really documented his sweet sweet smile. Oh, how I LOVE that smile. These are also the last pictures of him before he got RSV and all his health issues started. Look at that chubby face...where did it go? I've had people say to me as I stress over Brady's weight, "Maybe he's just going to be a small boy." Everything inside has told me otherwise. Brady weighed slightly more when he was born than Blake and he started out with such a round chubby face. I am certain had it not been for all of Brady's health woes he would be not just on the growth charts but off the charts, only in the opposite direction he's on now. I know I can not dwell in the what if's...it will only drive me crazy. I have constantly reminded myself to focus on the here and now, be grateful for what I have and celebrate the small victories with Brady's health. I remind myself things could be way worse. Some days I do better with that line of thinking than others. Friday, however, I celebrated a milestone in Brady's health journey. What would be small to most was huge for me. We stopped in to the gastrointerologist's office Friday for a weight check. He FINALLY reached the 20 pound marker weighing in at 20.24 pounds. I think I might have done a jig leaving the doctor's office. Small progress but progress none the less. I pray it continues. It is more and more evident every day that I made the right choice to stay at home. Brady is really thriving for the first time since those above pictures were taken at age three months.
I am celebrating this victory for sure.
The one thing still weighing on me today though is Brady's swallowing issue. I lessened the amount of thickener again this past week and it did not go well. I will try again before our next follow up visit next month but if no success a bronchoscopy we will go...with the threat of a possible needed surgery. UGH.
Focus on the positive right?? I am so trying.

Blakers The Science Guy

Blake got showered with lots of awesome gifts at his birthday bash. One was a science experiment kit (shout out Kristen!) and Blake kept running up to us shouting, "I want to play sciences, I want to play sciences." He is soooo his father's son!

My budding scientist at work.

Brad was so cute and patient teaching Blake..."What do you see now? How is that different after adding the baking soda? Why do you think that happened?" I had flash backs of science class.

Brad took off work Monday and Tuesday and we kept up the birthday celebrating and science theme. Monday after Blake's 3 year checkup (93 percentile weight/92 height) we headed to The Science Place at Fair Park. Both boys loved it. Here they are getting their dinosaur bone digging on...

PARTY!!!!

Last Saturday was FINALLY Blake's turn for a party! Since our party circuit began April 2nd Blake has patiently been waiting for his party to roll around and he was SO excited. Blake's girlfriend Sophie's birthday is the day after Blake's we decided to join forces and have a combined party at The Little Gym. The kiddos had a blast. The biggest bummer (for me) was I was too busy worrying about the little details I totally forgot to make sure the camera was charged. It died like 20 minutes into the party, so almost all the pics are courtesy of grandpa. I am still mad at myself about it. I didn't even get a family pic.

Bouncin fun

Brady having SO much fun

I was proud of my cupcake toppers. I'm a dork. Brad even helped me cut them out. Love him.

Birthday Kids

Our pals Jones & London lovin the cupcakes

Brady LOVIN the cupcakes

Love Emma. Sweetest little girl. Ever. She reached for me so I kidnapped her for a bit. Love this pic of her eye'ing Brad's cupcake.

Jones and London enjoying parachute time

Sweet Brynn! She came in all the way from Houston. What a cutie!

Besties!

Happy Birthday Blakers!!

Birthday Letter to My First Born

Dear Blake,
It feels like just yesterday you were born and I'm sure in another blink of an eye you will be a thirteen year old boy. This realization continues to set in more and so I find myself clinging onto any bit of your sweet babyness you have left. I recently started staying at home with you and while some days are very challenging with your strong willed behavior, I am cherishing this time with you. Our relationship has grown so beautifully. You now call for me every morning when you wake and pull my hand to your chest at night asking me to stay..."I want to keep you mommy...snuggle me." This makes my heart turn to mush. I relish in these sweet moments we share together and am beyond grateful you are mine. I am beyond grateful and proud to be your mommy. Sometimes I find myself just staring at you. I just feel so in awe of you...your beauty inside and out and I love to just take it all in. You have such a kind heart and most times share with your brother and show him the ropes. You make him laugh often and I can just see the love you have for Brady in your eyes. This makes my heart turn to mush too. Brotherly love...you have so much for each other.
Even though our bond has become so much stronger and continues to grow, no one holds a candle to your daddy. You are one lucky boy because you happen to have the most amazing daddy who loves you with every ounce of his being.
Your favorite things are still sports and hot air balloons. When asked what your favorite sport is you reply, "All sports!" This is true...you do not discriminate. If it involves a ball you are interested. And if you see a hot air balloon in the sky it makes your day. Lately, your most favorite activity with me is playing chase at the park. You say "Tickle me mommy!" This translates into chase me. But the really cute and sweet thing about it...you don't like to be caught. If you sense me catching you, you stop and put up your arms and say, "I want a hug." I love it. I am always happy to oblige.
Three, I have a feeling, may be the most difficult age yet. The tantrums as we grow closer to your birthday are growing worse. I am learning how to try and minimize them and stop them all together, but some days your stubbornness wins and my patience ends. I hope that you always know even when mommy yells or gives you a time out, you know how very much you are loved. I hope you always feel my love for you. It is endless and unwavering. Unconditional love my Blakers.
You still amaze me and your daddy with just how smart you are and make us laugh to no end. We love you more than there are stars in the sky sweet Blake. Being your mommy and watching you grow is a gift from God. Happy 3rd Birthday!

Love
Mommy

MORE BIRTHDAY FUN

Our two month birthday extravaganza continued this weekend. Sunday was my mom's birthday but since we had another party to attend and the weather was set to be nasty we celebrated on Saturday...at my all time favorite restaurant, Joe T Garcia's. Can we all say YUMMMMM?!
Blake and Brady take after their momma and their all time favorite meal is Mexican food too. And they loved Joe T's just as much as me...especially Brady. He had a clean plate in like two minutes. AND he was eating their salsa (which was on the spicier side) with a spoon. The couple sitting behind us that you can see in the pic below stopped by our table on their way out to let us know how much they enjoyed watching our boys while they ate. They have two college age kiddos and brought back lots of memories. Very sweet.

I told my mom that I feel this birthday is extra special for me...celebrating her life after her transplant. My mom has been such a fighter and we are so grateful she has fought so we could all be here together to celebrate.
Happy Birthday Mom/Grandma!!! We love you!!

Another yummm for Stein's cake!

(party Sunday was at Chuck E Cheese...no pics, but we did have fun!)
Next up...BLAKE'S THIRD BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!