Winston Buddy

Sorry I haven't posted about you dear Win. You are an amazing dog with an equally amazing train of trouble that follows you. Wow....Santa brought you last year and you grew to be a BIG BOY! Katie and Jack adore you. Hippie despises you but loves you. Katie calls you Buddy everything...Muddy Buddies, Winston Buddy and so on. You let those babies maul you and yet you have such a big boy bark at anyone that is not part of the family.

Dear Jack Henry,

I want you to remember what was on your mind at 17 months old, because you won't let me forget! Stubborn little man!
"M" "M" "M"!! for your favorite computer game
"Up, Up, UP, UP"! All Day Long
"Addy, Addy, Addy, Addy"...yes...Daddy will be home soon, I PROMISE!
"On, On, On"....I KNOW you want to turn the washer, dryer and the lights on...
"I'm the Map, I'm the Map"....yup you are a Dora lover!
"MOM, MOM, MOM"....too grown up! You should be saying Momma!
You are freakishly addicted to the alphabet. Point out all letters everywhere. Stores, magazines, on tv.
I love you so much Bubs!

Time Flies

I am sorry that I haven't kept up with my blogging about the kids. They grow so fast and I didn't want to forget a second. Then life happens, you blink and they have grown.
Jack Henry...what a happy mess! He is 16 months and ALL boy. He loves to climb, play with the remote and LOVES the moon. Did I mention M? M...M...M...M. That is the computer alphabet game he is addicted to. I can't fathom this little man sitting still for so long.
Katie....my little fairy girl. Jack makes her seem so light. She is excited for Christmas and we just got the "Elf on the Shelf" and she loves it! Katie loves seeing Chelci on a regular basis. She has a fondness of cupcakes and wishes for a unicorn each time we have a cupcake party!

Time of Special Magic

Katie is at the most wonderful age right now. Everything is "new" and the delight in her eyes proves that the simplest things are special and magic to her. Matthew took her to see fireflies in NY...and she was simply quiet and amazed. Small treats prove to be so exciting and unexpected. I think the key word is unexpected. She isn't old enough to remember things and she is old enough to appreciate them. Matthew gave her butterfly kisses a few weeks back....I will never forget her small face and the look she had. White Stallions were unicorns. Chelci came back from a visit from Grams and Poppa and Katie's face was filled with sheer delight and she hesitated for a split second as the realization that Chelci was back home sunk in. She jumped into Chelci's arms and enveloped her with a hug. Katie has blessed me with her "Special Magic". I love you Lulu!

Stanton Family Trip 2009

Wow....we really lucked out this year! All the kids were amazing. They all had so much fun and as a mom, I can't tell you a better feeling than watching your kids just to be free and have fun! No small yards, no fire ants and a whole new world to play in. Katie loved Grandpa Zip's horses. She fed them serveral times a day. They loved the starlight candies she bought them. It was amazing watching this little muffin call these HUGE horses in for treats! Nan of course had lots of cookies and treats.
Chelci, Dad and I took out hike and it was amazing! Quality bonding time for us. I pray that Chelci gets a sense of family from us. That is my biggest goal for all of us. I really want to make a impact in the kids lives that carry out forever. Chelci had a blast. Matthew helped Mom in her pond (which turned out to be an ordeal...but he was happy to rise to the challege).
I love going home. The sights, smells and the comfort of home, family and food make it so special. Even more so, that the rest of my family enojoys it as much as I do.

Sloppy Joe!

Can I just say how different Katie and Jack are? I never thought there would be that much different. Katie has always been dainty, never drooled, ate like a lady and was easy to play by herself. Jack??? Good Heavens! He is a constant mess! His shirt is always drenched and he eats like a buffalo! Not only does he eat a ton, but he just pushes food in with his fist! Graham crackers are clearly a favorite for him. He makes the biggest mess with them. He shovels them in, gets them soggy then smears the graham cracker paste all over him! Oh…and did I mention the 5 jars of baby food that little man packs away at dinner? No wonder we are ALWAYS buying baby food. That being said….he smells delicious after eating graham crackers!

Little Katie

My little Lulu....Maime reminded me that Katie used to tell on herself when she was doing something she shouldn't. She would be playing in the dog food and Matthew and I would hear her little voice saying "no, no, no, no" over and over. Sure enough....little lulu would always be into something she shouldn't!

Jack's Birthday

I forgot how quickly time goes and it doesn't seem fair that Jack was born only 10 months ago and it seems like I have forgotten so much!
He was born July 14, 2008 6lbs 14oz and almost 21 inches long. He was born in the morning at College Station Medica Center. What a wonderful day!
Jack Henry Stanton has arrived!

10,000 Maniacs

Jack is now full blown crawling...and is ALL boy. He is picking at the outlet covers every chance he gets. When you tell him no and move him, he grins and dashes back to the outlets! He is entering into the world of torturing Katie. He happened to touch one of her beloved B's and that caused a huge meltdown.
I have seen a huge change in just a few short weeks and laugh at what is to come our way. He has a determination that is unbreakable even at the young age. He refuses to be distracted and smiles at his accomplishments. I think I could almost be scared! I do not remember Katie with this much tenacity. I see a curious daredevil waiting to fully come out. 10,000 maniacs you ask? That is what I feel like I am taking care of!
Yawn.....I feel like I have been hit by a truck! Little Man.....I better go to bed as I know your learning curve is just getting going.

Bribery

Trying to get Katie fully potty trained is so much harder than I thought. Finally, I have turned to bribery. I told Katie that if she went a whole day with dry pants, she could go to the toy store and pick out a special treat! She promptly told me that she didn't want to go to the toy store...she wanted to go see her Grams!
Well Done Grams....you created an atmosphere that is way better than a toys store. Thank you for that.

Mother's Day 2009

Wow…what can I say???? I think Mother’s day is the most wonderful day of the year! This year, I was spoiled rotten. Katie and Matthew went and picked wild dewberries and made homemade pancakes for me. Katie was THRILLED to be a helper and pick out special things for Mommy. She took her time in picking out roses, a card and a balloon with flowers on it! These are the days of my life! How wonderful is she? I have clearly created something just so wonderful in this life we live in!
Jack…now he is a different story. His mother’s day gift to me??? He started to full blown crawl! Am I happy? Yes. Am I sad? Yes. I miss being pregnant with him like I was last year. He is growing so fast that every moment is so important. He crawled on Mother’s day. A gift to his Momma!
Matthew? I am so lucky that he appreciates me being a Mom and appreciates how much it means to me that I am a Mom. He knows how hard it was to get where we are. I know I love every second with the kids….even when I am tired and crabby. I love him.

Jack-Center of Gravity

I have so much to say about my little man, I can’t even find a starting point.
He was a surprise…I took a pregnancy test thinking it was a slim possibility. After I waited for the results, I was so heartbroken to see that I wasn’t pregnant. It was only later that day that I noticed the second line showed up…out of nowhere! I was sure that I would never be pregnant again and that Katie would be an only child. That is my little man…he can bring a smile from a place I never knew existed.
I can describe him as my “Center of Gravity”. Jack has the amazing ability to keep me from my state of worry with an incredible force of nature. For example, I worried about Katie for months and months while she slept. I would creep in with a small book light to make sure she was ok. I would place my hand every so lightly on her back just to see that she was breathing. With Jack….I can hear him snore over the monitor. I sleep with an amazing amount of comfort to his snores.
He made me so sick during the pregnancy. I think that he did that to keep my mind off of the “what ifs” that always seem to plague me with Katie.
Jack was a little turkey while I was pregnant with him. The doctors thought he was in a great amount of danger and they gave him to me early. I always felt we were both going to be fine. He was born amazingly healthy.
He is a clone of his Daddy….Jack is always in a good mood and is just a jolly soul. He is silly and has a laugh that makes you laugh every time. The only time when Jack taking after Matthew caused problems was when he had heartburn for weeks that went undiagnosed. Jack was in so much pain he cried endlessly. The doctor kept telling us it was colic and that colic babies were smarter later in life. I was desperate and tried everything I could think of to help. One night I noticed that you could hear the sound of Jack’s heartburn….and it dawned on me heartburn may be the problem. Once diagnosed and on medicine, Happy Jack was here to stay!
He loves Katie so much and is delighted by the very sight of her. He laughs hysterically at her and just lights up the room when he sees her.
My little man is so cuddly! He loves to cuddle with Momma and loves to be held. He has been able to hug for a while and sometimes, he clings to me as if he wants to be one with me.

Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant
And there it goes
I think I've found my best friends
I know that it might sound more than a little crazy
But I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

There's just no rhyme or reason
Only this sense of completion
And in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for
I think I've found my best friend

I know that it might sound more than a little crazy
But I believe

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

A thousand angels dance around you
I am complete now that I've found you

I knew I loved you before I met you
I think I dreamed you into life
I knew I loved you before I met you
I have been waiting all my life

Unicorns Really do exisit!

Matthew and I got tickets to the Lipizzaner Stallions and were able to take Katie and Jack. We first started at Outback Steakhouse for a family dinner. It is so fun to start to be able to enjoy family outings! We got to the show after it had started and knew that we wouldn’t stay too long (it started right at bedtime!). The horses were beautiful and the spotlights showed off how brilliant white they were. Katie thought they were unicorns! It was adorable! She loved it when the horses were able to jump on their back legs like kangaroos. She had so much fun and it was everything I could have wished for! On the way back to the car she hopped like the horses and answered every question with a “neigh”.
Little man Jack…he slept through the whole thing! Maybe next time!

Dallas Weekend

This weekend was what we call a “Dallas Weekend”. It was a big one since we were taking Winston, out 50lb puppy with us. Good Heavens….we are so out of room everywhere I turn. The car with two car seats, a dog crate, a puppy, luggage, diaper bags, school bags….I was afraid to sneeze!
It was as smooth trip on the way up. It was a little chaotic when we got there with Winston. 4 large dogs take a little getting used to. I was proud of Winston. He is turning into a great family dog. Matthew is working so hard to train him and I am simply amazed at what he can do at 4 months.
Chelci was very glad to see us. She had a soccer game over the weekend that Dad and Katie went to. Little Man was taking a nap, so we held the fort down.
We had a fun weekend. The trips home was long and with daylight savings time a little tiring. All in all, the troops had a blast!

One at a time-Katie!

I thought I would take a moment and highlight some of the special moments of each one of the children. This could take me a while, as there is so much to put into words.
Katie was our big surprise. I was almost 8 weeks pregnant before we realized she was there. I was high risk, so the doctor kept me under close watch. At 20 weeks, Matthew and I went to a high resolution ultrasound in Houston. At 20 weeks, we have a picture of her smiling…..and it was at that moment I knew I needed a happy name. Katie was the easiest pregnancy in the world. I craved ice water and oranges with her. I ended up losing weight with Katie, since she was a breech baby.
When she came, I was amazed at her. She was the funniest sneezer in the world. Katie loved her Daddy’s voice and always turned her head to find him when he walked in the room.
Her favorite animal was and still is Barker. She takes him everywhere. I panic when I can’t find Barker.
Katie was funny, she got so used to taking a bath in the sink, and it took forever for her to graduate to the bath tub. She would cry whenever we put her in there. I got the wonderful idea to buy a big blow up duck for her to use in the tub. How much fun would that be??? He even quacked when you pressed his beak! Let’s just say….Katie did not appreciate him in the least bit!
She was our thinker and didn’t like anything new. She was and still is my routine child. She started using sign language at a young age and Matthew and I loved it. Still to this day, she will use certain signals.
I have always called Katie my “healer”. She is destined to do something wonderful later in life. She healed wounds in me that were so painful; I knew that they would never go away. The day I got to hold her, every single one healed. My wounds were old and deep. Now they are not even a memory.
Katie healed a piece of Chelci too. Chelci turned a corner when Katie came part of the family. Katie was a part of Chelci’s family and gave Chelci a role in life that would be forever with her…Big Sister. Chelci doesn’t take that lightly. Cici is the best big sister for Katie. She taught Katie how to do so much! Katie ADORES her.
These days, Katie is getting so big. I was having a hard time with a shoe with a broken buckle before work one day. Katie told me “don’t worry mommy, I will fix it!” She took my shoe away from me, threaded the strap through and brought it back telling me she did it! She is always telling me not to worry. She calls her little brother Jackie and pats him on the head as well and tells him not to worry.
Let’s not forget that she is enjoying being a cat these days. We went to Home Depot a few weeks back and she meowed at everyone!
She also has a stubborn streak that amazes me. She will sit in time out on her own rather than do what we ask her sometimes.
Yesterday…she came running to me to pick her up. When I did, she told me there was a fox in the house! Then she turned and said “shoo fox, shoo fox”. I love her imagination.
We talk about her busy day every night before she sleeps.
My daughter. She is my angel. I love her so dearly.


Martina Mcbride - In My Daughter's Eyes

In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes

And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about

It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes

In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes

Splish Splash....

Tonight, I will take pictures of Katie and Jack....I promise! Jack sat up in the tub all by himself and took a bath with Katie last night. His laughter was infectious to Katie, Matthew and me. He splashed and kicked the whole time. Katie kept making him laugh and in turn made Mom and Dad laugh. My babies....they are growing too fast. I wish that I could make time stop for a little while and soak up these moments.

Family Ties

It is always hard when someone you know loses a loved one. It is strange to me how it takes something like that to move aside everyday life and makes you really appreciate those around you. My boss lost his younger brother this week and the funeral was today. I was amazed at how much it meant to me that Matthew was there with me. Matthew grounds me and I was ok with him sitting next to me. I reflected on how much Matthew, Katie, Jack and both our families mean to me. I love my family. All of them.

A quieter weekend

This weekend was a quiet one for Matthew and me. Katie went to Grams and Poppa’s house for the night on Saturday and we got little man to bed and had a steak dinner with some wine. It was amazing. Mathew even got up with little man and I am amazed at how a full night sleep feels. I am ready for Jack to start sleeping through the night. We have a checkup appointment on Friday, so hopefully the doctor will give me some tips.

Katie was not happy to leave her Grams. She cried almost 20 minutes in the car. She has such a good time with my in-laws and it makes me feel so good that Katie gets the chance to be with them. Makes me a little sad that my parents are so far away.

Katie and Daddy play Skunks at night while Katie eats dinner and it is the funniest thing to watch. Basically, there is a deck of cards with animals on the back. Katie and Matthew yell “Skunks” when the skunk card gets flipped and Katie laughs so hard. She also loves to play patty cake with Daddy….Matthew always has some twist on things that make them more fun.

Little man Jack is now sitting up all by himself. Katie played with him this weekend and it is the most amazing feeling to see you kids playing together. That being said….Jack likes to grab hair and his sticky hands can really bring tears to your eyes. Katie was not impressed at all with that.

Winston….let’s see….toilet paper shredded in the back yard, mud all over the kitchen, grabbing the kid’s toys just for attention and chasing Hippie. I did mention to Matthew how impressed I was at how well he is being trained. Even thought Winston is a twerp, he sits, stays, lies down and speaks. Not too bad for a 15 week old puppy!

Wow...what a night!

The Stanton house was a little loud last night. Baby Jack who never cries, was up all night with a very painful cry. I thought it was a new flavor baby food I gave him for dinner. Finally, at 4:30 am, I figured out that Jack had his first tooth popping out at me! My poor little man. He didn't need gas drops, he needed Tylenol! After that, he finally fell asleep and was very proud of his new tooth. Mark the calendar that he is 7 months and 4 days old! I am such a happy Mommy...but am reminded that they grow up so fast.
Katie got up early with me this morning and we decided to have a talk about her birthday party...in June. I asked her if she wanted a Princess cake and she replied that she wanted a Kitty Cat Cake! Also, she wants a hat and to take cupcakes to school. I love this age...she is just so innocent and delighted with everything. Made my tired morning happy!

Valentine's Day Update

Valentine’s weekend was so much fun. It is really fun for me to watch Katie get so excited about “new” things. Sure, this is technically her 3^rd Valentine’s Day, however, it is her first one that she understands. She took pink cupcakes to her school party and got to put heart stickers on her valentines.

Katie and I made Chelci a big cookie cake for her belated birthday. Katie had more fun with that. She loved eating the chocolate chips. We also decorated it with frosting….and she could have eaten it with a shovel! She was quite hyper afterwards. Had to send the big cookie back to Dallas as she was trying to eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Katie was delighted to see her sister. It is amazing at the bond that they have. It seems like it was that way from the day Katie met Chelci. Now that Katie is a small person, and talks, it is adorable how much she loves her Cici! She wanted to wake her up early Sunday morning. I still think Cici would have been fine with it!

Little Man Jack started to feel a little better this weekend from the flu. He still wasn’t himself. Eating was a little hard for him, but he was certainly snuggly!

My Valentine? Yes…he did ask me and I got the most WONDERFUL box of chocolates. Coco Moda chocolate boutique in Calvert. I am glad to have a valentine. I still remember all of those years that I wasn’t anyone’s Valentine, so small days like this remind me how much I love being in love!

Valentine's Day 2008

We are just getting over Jack having the flu this week. He has been a trooper, and we are glad he is feeling better. Katie has been a hoot lately....and it seems like she is the only one that can get her baby brother to belly laugh. She jumps up and down and Jack thinks she is hysterical. She calls him Jackie, which is too funny as neither Matthew nor I call him that. Hard to believe that Jack is already 7 months old.
Katie took cupcakes to school for her Valentine's Day party and she was very excited about them.
We are looking forward to Chelci and her friend to come visit this weekend. Should be happy pandemonium with 13 year old running around!