House Update

We officially took our house off the market this week and terminated our contract on the new house. 'Terminated our contract' sounds like a big deal but basically we signed a contingency agreement that if we didn't sell our house we were free and clear of the new house. 

The new house will be completed Sept 15th and there is no way we would meet that deadline.  We spoke to the builder and we had the option to roll our earnest money into another lot and house or get our money back.  We told them we wanted our money back, we signed a form, and we are done.

We let our realtor know to take our house off the market and that is done now too.

Despite a booming housing market (that everyone we talked to liked to point out) our house didn't sell.  We don't know why. We have a very nice home that we have taken care of, but the right buyer just didn't walk through the door.

Yes, we are disappointed. However I have prayed about this A LOT and it just isn't what was meant to be for us.  Kyle and I have talked about it A LOT and we are at peace with how it turned out. 

We hate that we designed a gorgeous house and will never get to live in it.
We hate that we won't be close to my sister who is about to move to the same area we were moving.
We hate that we won't be closer to my parents and extended family.
We hate that it just wasn't meant to be.

But...
We love that we get to keep the boys at the same, amazing day-care that Cooper has been at.
We love that we will still be by our close friends David and Jen (Uncle David and Aunt Jen Jen).
We love that because this wasn't meant to be there is something else for us that we just don't know yet.

So for now we will enjoy not having to worry about house showings (I definitely don't have time for that each morning before I leave).  We will reevaluate what we want to do after the first of the year.  We may build again, we may buy an existing home, or we might stay right where we are.  The project I am on will be wrapping up (I think) in the next year so I am anxious to see what lies ahead for me.

You never know we could move to Argentina...Just kidding!

5 on Friday

Time for 5 on Friday

1. I am coming to the end of my first week back to work and it has gone well.  Overall I have stayed organized and things have gone well getting out of the house each morning.  I must say that I am very tired from getting up at 5:00 each morning and honestly I probably should get up a little earlier on days that I want to straighten my hair but I just can't set an alarm for any time before 5.  I dropped the ball on dinners this week, but we made do and were all fed!

2. I plan to make crock pot spaghetti sauce this weekend which makes about 6 meals for us that I can freeze. I also have some recipes that I want to try but I have to do better at meal planning.  I need to be realistic on how much time I have in the evenings and most importantly if it is too hard we probably won't want to mess with it. I plan to share some recipes on here soon.

3. My feet are hurting from me wearing heels this week.  I didn't wear heels all summer and I only wore them a handful of times during my pregnancy.

4. Cooper is doing amazing with potty training when it comes to pee pee.  We have taken him a couple of places with underwear on but normally when it was quick errands and he goes all day at day-care dry.  But we still are having a tough time with going #2.  He has only gone on the potty 3-4 times. For those moms who have children that only poop every couple of days I am envious especially during potty training.  My child goes twice a day every day and sometimes throws in an extra one! NOT FUN in underwear!

5. Here is some cuteness

This was after church last weekend

Casen has been so tired when he gets home that he sometimes falls asleep nursing before bed.

Happy Friday

First Day of Day-care

Monday was Casen's first official day of day-care. It also marked a new school year for Cooper despite not actually being in school yet. Sunday afternoon I decided I wanted to do something for their teachers. After a quick pinterest search I saw these and these and decided to do my own quick version.

I bought the amazing chocolate chip cookies from Albertsons.  If I had planned better I could have done something super cute with my mom's cricut machine, but instead I made do.  The color choice was weird but I thought of school buses and apples and did these tags.

I know this picture is blurry and super weird of Casen but I thought it was so cute that he kept yawning after I got him up.  He didn't want to get up for his first day of school : )

Here he is wearing the same outfit that I put Cooper in for his first day of school.  It is snug but I really wanted him to wear it.  See Cooper's first day here.

Casen has to wear bibs in the car because he tends to spit up all over himself.

Cooper threw a fit in the parking lot because he wanted me to carry him, but with a carrier and the boys stuff I already looked like a pack mule and it wasn't going to happen.  Luckily he perked right up as soon as he saw his BFF Aiden. They were busy playing but smiled for a quick pic!

This cutie was sacked out in his carrier but unfortunately the rule is that you have to take them out when you get there so his nap was short.

Then a quick picture with mommy.

Here is his crib.  The teacher made him a sign for his crib.  She had told me the previous week to make one (I made Cooper's also) so he ended up with two.

This is the one I made. The coloring on his picture is bad thank to Walmart but whatever.

He had a great day.  He didn't sleep much but I am sure he was getting used to all of the noise and the lights being on.  Tuesday he slept great including at 3 1/2 hour stretch!

Casen's Trial Day and Mommy's Day Out

Last Thursday was Casen's free trial day at day-care.  I got up that morning like I was heading to work and we did good getting out of the house.

I was going to put Casen in the same outfit that Cooper wore on his trial day but it didn't fit. I think Casen's torso is longer than Cooper's.

Cooper wasn't very excited about picture taking.

I dropped Cooper off at his room first and then went to Casen's room.

I chatted with Mrs. Jamie for a bit so by then Casen had woken up. It seems like just yesterday I walked through the doors of room 1 with Cooper.  Not much has changed.

I didn't want to leave my sweet boy, but I only got a little teary-eyed.

Mrs. Joyce couldn't wait to hold Casen. I left after just 20 minutes which involved discussing his routine/likes/dislikes.

When I left the day-care I got gas and finally remembered to redeem a $1 lottery ticket that had one at Christmas.  When I told the lady that I want another ticket and I wanted a winner she said no promises.  Well sure enough I won $2.  I decided to buy another $1 ticket and then keep the second dollar. I scratched my ticket and won another $1.  I was in the car and didn't feel like going in again, but I thought it was a nice way to start my day. Maybe by next Christmas I will redeem this $1 ticket.

I went back home and did a lot of stuff around the house and ran some errands.  Then we found out we had a showing Thursday evening so I had to do some cleaning and decluttering. I checked on him several times on the web cam and saw him laying in the bouncer here.

While at Hobby Lobby I saw this cute mirror. I have been wanting a rustic mirror for our bedroom for the longest time.  This one is overpriced at $170 or something but then again it is bound to be 50% off at some point with the way they do sales.  I have considered asking one of my cousin's wives who loves to do stuff with barn wood if she could make one.  Or I might add this to my Christmas list.  We will see.

I also saw this adorable decor for a boy's room. I love the colors and the chevron.  If I didn't already have a theme for Cooper's room I would consider this stuff.  Super cute!

At the end of the afternoon I squeezed in a manicure and pedicure at a place that has a great deal.  Unfortunately the lady working on me was super annoying and kept asking if I wanted extra things and would stop.  She insisted twice that I should get my eyebrows done (RUDE!)

After that I raced to pick up my sweet boys.  Here is Casen's first daily report. He was 'adorable and wide-eyed'.  They said that he did great.  Was very laid back, put himself to sleep, and sweet. They also mentioned that he doesn't have near the appetite that Cooper had.

This sweet boy was glad to be home and I was glad to have him home too.

Cooper liked having his brother with him and was eager to get his hands on him (trying to pick him up) when we got home.

Then we went to dinner at Chickfila during the house showing and at one point we let Cooper play in the car while we waited for them to leave our house.  Yep we still have the good old neon!

5 on Friday

1. We have a free weekend this weekend which is very unusual for us. Because we had a house showing last night the house is already clean and the lawn is mowed so we don't have that to do this weekend.  I do plan to clean out a closet or two at some point.  And Kyle plans to make more jerky.

2. I am obsessed with this jalapeno cream cheese. At first I was eating it on a bagel for breakfast.  Then my mom was eating it on crackers and since I ate it that way I can't stop! I am seriously in love!

 

3. I am also in love with hearing Cooper say Casen's name.  He calls him Casen Andrew and I love it!  He is so in love with his baby brother.  He recently wants to pick him up which luckily he can't do yet, but I am going to have to watch him.

 

4. Monday this little cutie will no longer be my boss. I have loved being home with him for 12 weeks and my heart aches at leaving him. However, he will be in great hands at day-care with Cooper and I am looking forward to being at work again.  I like my job, coworkers, and the routine.  I think I am more productive under pressure and with a routine. Despite loving my job I will be an emotional mess on Monday and counting down until time to go home.

 

 

5. I have not tried on any of my work pants yet. I have no clue if they will fit. I have been wearing shorts and dresses all summer so this should be interesting.

 

Happy Friday!

 

 

 

Casen is 2 months old!

This amazing little boy is already 2 months old and it is time to document what he is up to.

 

 

Here is your 1 month post. Your looks have changed some and you have continued to pack on the weight! I love your chunky thighs and cheeks!

 

Stats:

 

11lbs 10oz (50%)

23 inches long (50%)

 

Size 1 diapers

 

0-3 month and 3 month close but you are quickly outgrowing those in length. Even though you are the same length Cooper was at this age I think your body is longer therefore you are outgrowing onesies faster.

 

No clue on shoe size since you still haven't worn shoes. 

 

 

Exclusively breastfed and have your first bottle at almost 6 weeks old. You don't get them often right now but when you do, you do fine.  You will really get used to them soon once you go to day-care.

 

You still spit up after every feeding. Sometimes it is a lot and other times not too bad.  I still don't think it is anything to worry about since you don't seem to be in pain and are continuing to gain weight. I carry a lot of burp cloths with me and usually put a bib on you in the car.

 

You are still sporadic on what time you want to go to bed but you are a great sleeper. At 6 weeks old you slept for 10 hours straight! You usually sleep 8-9 hours, nurse, and then go back to sleep for 2-3 hours.

 

 

You have become so smiley this last month.  You are a very happy and content baby.  I love when you smile at me.  You also have a serious face and have serious eyebrows. You like to play with your tongue and have really started cooing the last 2 weeks.

 

You have gotten a lot more new hair this month and it is light brown.  I don't think you are going to be a blondie like your mommy and brother.  Looks like you are going to take after daddy.

 

You had your first blow out the day after you turned 1 month. I know that is weird to document but I was shocked we made it that long.  And even crazier...you still haven't peed on me or daddy! Cooper had done it several times by this point. I really appreciate you not spraying me!

 

 

You continue to grab things but at this point it isn't intentional.  You have started to love your play mats and the toys that dangle from your car seat.

 

You know mommy, daddy, and Cooper's voices.  When you hear us you try to look for us and will watch me walk around the house talking.

 

At 5 1/2 weeks I left you with Babi. This was my first time to be away from you ever. I still haven't been away from you overnight.

 

This month mommy had kidney stones and due to medicines and a procedure I couldn't nurse you for some feedings.  This was hard on mommy both physically and emotionally.  I couldn't wait to nurse you again.

 

 

At your 2 month appointment you were diagnosed with thrush which I knew before we went, but needed to be diagnosed for sure.  You responded to the medicines quickly and were doing better just 24 hours later.

 

Your brother has become more interested in you this month and I know it will only increase as you get bigger.  He loves to talk to you, give you kisses, put your paci in your mouth (even when you don't want it or are sleeping), and hold you.  He also wants to do things with you like read books, take baths, tummy time, and hold your hand.

 

I sing 'Casen Andrew' to the beat of 'Let's go Ran-gers' and you love it! Not only do you love it, but so does Cooper.  He sings it to you all of the time and claps or move your hands when he does it.  It is so sweet.

 

 

I also sing 'C-A-S-E-N, Casen Andrew is my man' Yes it is corny but I want to remember these things.  I have little songs for your brother as well.

 

You love baths now! And I started using a special shampoo and your cradle cap is gone now.

 

Your hemangioma has continued to get bigger and is now more raised. I really don't like it, but just keep hoping that at some point it will stop growing, get smaller, and eventually go away.

 

 

Casen, you are such a sweet little guy and a wonderful baby.  Every day I think of how blessed we are to have you.  You are perfect for our little family and I love seeing how our lives change and grow with you in it. I love you so much.

 

Mommy

 

Cooper at 2 months

 

5 on Friday

 

1. This sweet boy was diagnosed with thrush earlier this week but it is clearing up fast.  He was showing me the improvement on his tongue earlier this week.

 

2. My company picnic is coming up in September and they always do a raffle drawing early.  It has tons of amazing categories and you choose which one you want to enter.  Some of the prizes are hotel rooms, gift cards, gym memberships, and other stuff.  This year I entered the drawing for a membership for the Fort Worth Children's Museum and I won!  I can't wait to take Cooper.  It will be fun to go in the winter when it is cold and in the summer when it is too hot.

 

3. Potty training is continuing to go well and I am hoping we had a break through yesterday on going poop in the potty.  We will see.

 

4. I have been craving my Aunt Sandra's homemade banana pudding recipe for a while now.  I am tempted to make it but it makes so much and Kyle doesn't like it.  Maybe I will make it once I go back to work and I can take it up there.

 

5. I went to the car dealership 3 days this week- oil change/tire rotation on my car, go back because they messed up a sensor on my tires, and then to get the oil changed on Kyle's truck.  I hate having this done but decided it was time since I am still on maternity leave.

 

This sweet boy accompanied me each time and did great. He smiled and cooed at everyone. Today he passed gas loudly several times. Finally he finished and when I checked his diaper poo came running out onto my finger and the car seat.  So we got there in this outfit.

 

And left in this one.

 

 

I am linking up with Darci for 5 on Friday

 

Have a great weekend!
 

Brotherly love

It seems like each day Cooper loves his brother even more.  He talks to him, holds him, and plays with him more lately which probably has to do with Casen being awake more. 

 

Last night Cooper wanted to read his favorite book to Casen and Casen watched him the entire time.

 

 

Showing him the pictures.

 

He loves watching his brother.

 

Then he asked to hold Casen

 

Then he wanted to give him kisses.  I know Cooper is a blur in this picture but I love that it looks like Casen is ready for the kiss.

 

 

OMG my heart stops.

 

Funny thing is that after the kiss above he went for a second one on the mouth and Casen stuck his tongue out and licked Cooper.  Cooper jumped back and looked shocked.  It was so funny.

 

Then they decided to hang out for some tummy time and Casen just looked for Cooper the entire time.

 

 

 

I can't wait to watch the bond between these two grow.  I know they will keep me on my toes, but I look forward to them really being able to play together.