Today Devin is Three!

Happy Birthday Devin! My baby boy is three years old today May 11, 2009. How quickly the time has flown by but at the same time it is hard to believe how much has happened in three years since his birth. He talks so much and has very vocal opinions about what he wants to eat, what he won't eat, what he wants to wear or not wear. He is coming into his own. How exciting and terrifying all at the same time. But this marks the beginning of the birthday whirlwind for us. Devin's today (11th), Mom's tomorrow (12th), mine the next day (13th), two very good friends on the 26th Matt who will be 27 and Madison who will be 5, then Clara's fiance Josh on June second, Dylan's the 5th, my mother in law on the 9th, Drew's on the 12th, then Anna on the 23rd. Not to be forgotten are my in laws anniversary on June 6th and Father's day in June. Whew! I am exhausted just thinking about it. Well not a lot of time but I need to get back to updating this blog time to refocus. Oh, I am calling to follow up on an interview tomorrow so if you have a chance throw a prayer out for me. Thanks!

Love
Dora

Some great pictures of Devin and Anna

Pictures of the other two so they don't feel left out with all the pictures of Dylan at the tournament.

Anna is such a girl. She already loves the phone!

Devin had just woken up from a nap super grumpy.

Then he realized I was taking pictures and hammed it up.

"I so seepy, Mommy."

Good Morning sunshine!

Chilling in the car seat. No he did not go in public dressed like that. Those were his pj's.

Dora

4 Doctor Visits in 2 Weeks

Well we have been to the pediatrician 4 time on 2 weeks. Once was for a well baby check for Anna. She weighs 15 pounds 4 ounces and is 27 inches long she is still a little under weight but she is putting it on at least and her development is great.

Devin went twice to the doctor during week one for really dry scaly skin on his back. I was worried it was eczema, but the doctor said it was just dry patch so we need to put Vaseline Intensive Rescue lotion and use dove body was. We were already using scent and dye free detergent because of my skin so we will go from there. We are hoping it doesn't turn to eczema and poor baby seems to have inherited my sensitive skin.

Devin's second trip was after a few days after Anna's well baby appointment. He had stuff coming out of his left ear. Turns out it was puss. YUCK! Turns out he has pharyngitis and an upper respiratory infection. He is doing much better already. He had to get a prescription for an antibiotic which is his first time. We almost made to age 3 without antibiotics, we were hoping it would be longer, but what can you do. When they need them they need them.

Then the fourth trip was for Anna the night of Dylan's trip. We ended up in the E.R. because she had a 105 degree fever. They looked her over said she was OK. There has been a virus going around down here that causes high fever and vomiting she had gotten sick once. They sent us home at about 3am with orders to to give her Motrin or Tylenol. So yeah no antibiotics! She is doing much better. No fever but she does have a little cough but it is going away.

So hopefully we will not be seeing the doctor for another 3 months when Anna has her next well baby check! Talk to you later!

Love,
Dora

Karate Tournament

I have not gotten video off the video camera to the computer yet, but Leona assures it can be done and when she is yucky germ free she will come over and show me how so I can share Dylan's performances with you.

In the mean time here are some pictures that I took.

This is Dylan in his Hakama uniform. He wears this for his for his sword form. He does the form to music and without music.

Dylan and his classmates Mykayla and Wesley waiting to do their musical forms. Wesley does a form with a BO staff and Mykayla does an open hand form with lots of tumbling. Dylan took third with both of his sword forms.

Dylan waiting to get his trophy in traditional forms. He took third but there were eleven kids in his division so he beat seven other kids so we are really proud of him. I wish I had a picture but I did not see it until it was ending but Devin crashed a trophy ceremony like this one in another ring. He lined up with the competitors, stood at attention and bowed with them. He want to do Karate so bad, they are going to test him in June to see if he is ready.

Dylan receiving his trophy from the judges for his traditional form.

Dylan all geared up after his fights waiting to get his first place trophy! Here he is clapping for his teammate Joseph.

Dylan with his first place trophy. He was so sweaty!

Dylan hanging out at Luby's with some of his teammates after the tournament. Luby's had kids plates for $2 all day on Saturday, it doesn't get any better!

Dylan at Luby's. His friends Trey, in the black shirt, Wesley, in the blue, and Trinity or Julia in the back (I can't tell in the picture which one because they are twins, in person I can tell).

All the kids did great, our school got a lot of first place trophies!

Dora

Update...Sorry so Late

Well things have been really crazy here. I was Matron of Honor for a friend and helped her with last minute details a couple of days before the wedding so the kids and I moved to my parents temporarily since the wedding was in Castroville and that way Mom and Dad could give me a hand with the kids.
Then this past weekend we went to Waco for a karate tournament for Dylan. I will post pictures tomorrow. He did really great 3 third places and first place in sparring.
Drew is fervently searching for a new job as things at his current employer are not going well. Being paid commission in these economic times is not ideal. We are taking it one day at a time. We hope and pray that Drew finds a job that provides enough money so that I do not have to go back to work so we aren't paying $1200-$1500 a month in daycare. He has some leads and is working with a headhunter to expedite the process.
Have to get homework done and then run to karate practice.
I'll get some pictures and maybe a video up tomorrow (if i can get it from the video camera to the computer that is).


Love,
Dora

Prayers Please.

Well I may be going back to work. Drew's job is commission and with the economy the way it is people just aren't buying TVs, Home Theatre equipment, Speakers, etc. The last two months have been very hard. But the Lord provides and we are doing OK. The important thing is that Drew still has a job. Some of our friends have lost theirs.
So anyway I may be returning to the work force so that we can keep our heads above water.
I wish I could say more but I am not in the mood. Sorry.

I hope everyone is doing well and our prayers are with you all. It is not an easy time for anyone.

God Bless,

Dora

Scoot, Scoot, Scootin'

Anna is scootin' around on her stomach all over the floor! She will be up and crawling soon I just know it. Supplementing with formula has really helped. She has put on some weight and can even sit up by herself for a few minutes at a time. It is bittersweet though because I do still get teary eyed thinking that these are my last firsts. Last first tooth, last first sitting, last baby to watch get up and crawl. I will miss having babies and will be so excited to have Grand babies but not for at least 17 years! I also have nieces and nephews to look forward to in the future.

Sorry no pictures this time I have to wait for a while. My digital camera got washed. Dylan has been helping do laundry and somehow my camera ended up in a laundry basket then in the washer when Dylan loaded the washer for me. Oops. It was an accident I probably would have done it if I had been loading the washer. So needless to say it will be a bit before I save for a new camera.

Drew has a camera that he got for his birthday but he can't find it. He usually uses it for work but has misplaced it either in the house or at work. If I find it I will snap some pictures and share them. If Drew finds it he will forget for a few weeks to bring it home. Poor Drew he gets distracted, it took him two and a half weeks to bring his W-2 home. I do have it now and have started working on the taxes.

Well laundry is calling, talk to you soon.

God bless you and yours!

Dora

Some Pictures I Found and Thought I would Share

The boys laying in the blue bonnets March of 2007. Devin was 9-10 months old and Dylan was 5 going on 6.
Same day in the blue bonnets. I love black and white and profile shots!

Dylan competeing in a karate tournament Oct 2008. He got first place in traditional forms.

Yes that is a wrapper in his mouth. Devin couldn't wait for chocolate last Easter. (Drew in the background.) Oh and yeah he is gagging but Drew got it out after the photo- I swear!

Anna and Daddy napping. She was 10 days old.

I am so blessed!

-Dora

Signs that Three is Almost Here

Devin is most definitely almost three, more specifically the trying threes. His new favorite phrase is "I said no!". I know this is a direct quote from Drew and myself but when your two almost three year repeatedly says this I have one of two responses, neither which is great. Most often the response is a slow boiling anger that makes one see red send the child with the offensive phrase straight to the corner because in this state of mind you don't dare touch them. The other response is laughter which doesn't help either when you have to suddenly leave the room for fear of encouraging said behavior. Laughter is usually a result when he says this to his brother or dad.

The last time Devin told me he said no was this morning when I was cleaning out Anna's nose with the nasal aspirator. Anna of course screamed as if I was pulling out her toe nails which greatly concerned her brother. He kept saying "No Mommy, don't hurt Anna" and tried to cover her face so I could not get to her nose. I did not get upset at first I thought it was sweet that he was so protective. Then he stomped his foot and yelled "I said NO!". Admittedly I wanted to laugh, it was kind of cute, but he was sent to the dreadful corner.

Dylan is almost as frustrated as Drew and I am. Devin loves to tell Dylan no. It is like a new super power. Especially with toys. Dylan does not like to share his cool big brother toys so is always telling Devin no. So now that Devin has appropriately cool toys that Dylan can play with he tells Dylan no. Of course this results in the immediate response of "MOM" being yelled at the top of Dylan's lungs no matter how far away I am. Now to Dylan's dismay he sometimes does not get the desired response. Reason being that I have told Devin that there are some of Dylan's toys he can not play with and back Dylan up when Devin tries, so to be fair Dylan can not play with all of Devin's toys. I know, so unfair. But most of the time if Dylan were to ask nicely instead of trying to take Devin would usually share.

I am grateful though that Devin is not like other 2-3 year olds that we know. He is not a screamer, he does not like to cause physical pain unless repeatedly provoked or if it is his brother, for the most part I think he listens well, and as of right now he does not intentionally take a toy for the sole purpose of making someone else scream. We have a friend who's little girl does that and it is so annoying.

Well as I mentioned I was cleaning out Anna's nose so I must go do so again for Devina and her. The three of us are suffering from allergies/colds. We three are snotty, soupy and yucky. Hopefully we will be better tomorrow as we are scheduled to go to the Rodeo because tomorrow is dollar day!! Yeah!!


Today is a gift from God, Remember to Thank Him. (on a new sign I bought for the house)

Dora

Finding the Time and Just Doing it

So finding the time to keep up with this was not as easy as I thought it would be. I should have known.
I never seem to have enough time to finish the laundry, vacuum every day (i thought that would be a breeze being home everyday- ha!) so much to do and so little time. Forget having time to do things I want to do like go to the library, haven't gone in a while, Dylan is not happy with me. Or on the other days enough time but not wanting to do it. Like I hate cleaning toilets - yuck! Especially with so many boys you would think that if they could not get a small steam into such a large hole they would sit down, but no. I will admit though that I no longer forget to look before I sit, wet seats and all (shudder). But when I have the time do I do it like I should, nope. I need to just do it.


Another very important thing we should do and don't is tithing. This has been a source of argument between Drew and I. He wants to I don't think it is feasible. Ugh! I will swear though every time we discuss it I hear something on the radio or a sermon reminding me that it needs to be done and why. Does it really have to be 10% of our gross! I know in the end it will be abundantly worth it and I know it is robbing God. But dang it I am dragging my feet. There are bills I could pay with 10%! Oh and an example of these bricks that get thrown at my head, as I like to call them, I saw a t-shirt to night that said "Just Do It" James 1:22. I of course am curious and, after leaving the Christian Finance class where I saw said shirt, flipped to James and read:
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22)

I will give you one guess what our class discussed tonight. Yes, I am being told to just do it!
I give up, Drew got paid today so I came home and I wrote the check. Maybe I will be left alone now.....

Good Night
God Bless

Dora

All About Anna

Well first off she is hardly ever just "Anna". She is usually called Anna Banana or Nanners. Poor kid she is going to hate that nickname. I almost bought her a banana costume for Halloween but decided that would be unforgivable.

She is the only child I have had that insists on sucking her thumb. So to avoid that habit she gets a Binky (pacifier). Neither of the boys got one, mainly because I don't like them but they also did not turn to their thumb. Anna is so different that way. She has quite a temper, I attribute most of that to the red hair. She has also decided that if there is more than one adult present she should be held and we sometimes go round and round about that.

She loves to be able to see her brothers and laughs her head off at them. She is also the only kid to laugh at me the first time she had baby food. I could not believe it. Every spoonful made her laugh. Must be from her Dad's side, too weird.

As most daughters do she has her father wrapped around her finger and I can't wait to see what kind of trouble he gets into when she gets older. I know Drew is going to just try to give everything she wants and that will not be happening.

I do feel bad for her when he day finally comes that she has a date. Two older brothers and her Dad, not to mention the two grandfathers in the area. Poor Anna. She may never date if they have anything to say about it.

Anna is a little small for her age and we have had to supplement a lot with formula because she just hasn't been putting the weight on. For example at her appointment in Nov. she weighed 13 lbs exactly and then in Jan she was 13 lbs 8 ozs., only 8 ozs. in two months is not so good. I have my good days and bad days feeling like that is my fault but I'm working through that. Since she has been supplemented with the formula I can tell she has put on more weight which is very good. She still wears 3-6 months but they are beginning to fit just right and a few pieces are too small, but most of the 6-9 months is still too big but with the occasional safety pin or the rolled waist band you can't tell.

So far it looks like she will stay a redhead, her eye brows and the top of her eyelashes are red. So happy about that! She is not crawling yet but the pediatrician said that was to be expected since her weight is low but I am sure she will be going before long. She already pushes herself backwards around the floor.

I feel like I have hardly talked about her but since she is only 7 months old there isn't as much to tell as there was about Devin and Dylan. I'll keep you posted and sorry it has been so long since i wrote time got away form me.

"And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (Matthew 10: 5-6)

Dora

Jeremy Camp Concert

Went to the Jeremy Camp Concert tonight!! It was awesome! We bought two CDs. I can't wait to see Third Day when they come to Sea World in March. It was great to go to a concert and not worry about what is around, being in a huge church with thousands of other Christians rockin it out was a lot of fun. I will admit thought that I was starting to think that I might be getting a little old at heart when I was thinking it would be nice if there were subtitles because I couldn't understand it all, when I thought everyone should sit down, and when I thought it was a little loud. Drew laughed at me and said I need to act my age. I would have to say the best part was that the concert was free and they provided child care (the concert was from 6:30 to 8 so great for school night too)! WOO HOO!

God Bless You, Have a Great Week!

Dora

All About Devin

Devin is a BIG boy. He will be three in May and at his last DR checkup Jan. 4th he was 37 inches tall and 36.5 pounds. He has been in the 100th percentile since he was born. I imagine he will be my Dad's build and Drew's height. BIG. He is so very sweet and gentle (most of the time) for his size. He is constantly telling me sorry when he bumps into me, steps on my toes, or any numerous times where he feels he may have injured or cause pain. He loves stuffed animals it is a normal occurrence for us to have to hug 5 to 10 animals if we happen to run into the stuffed animal display at the store.


Now he usually only shows how sweet he is when there are no other guys around. When Dylan comes home I have my one personal WWF/E (whatever it is) in my living room. Anna squeals and cheers just egging them on and the dog flys around in excitement. But with Dylan being five years older I'm sure your concerned that he will be too rough on Devin, not so. Devin gives just as good as he gets and then some on occasion.


As it seems with most boys this age he love Cars from Pixar/Disney. Lightning McQueen and Mater are the stuff! He has the cars, shirts, books, and wants more! Now he has discovered Kung Fu Panda and that feeds his karate obsession which is a direct result from watching Dylan at karate practice. Sometimes Devin will grace us with a view of his "form" where he runs around the room giving dramatic looks and imitating karate moves he has seen. The first time he did this I thought I would pee my pants it was too funny! He can't wait to join karate.


Now I have to confess that my son has an abnormal obsession. Vacuums. I am not sure how it started but he loves vacuum cleaners and owns two himself (real owns). Before he received his real vacuums he had two toy ones. The real first vacuum he acquired was about 5 months ago when we went to a store called House of Vacuums to get a replacement part for our carpet shampooer. I advised Drew that we should not take Devin in that it would be like taking an alcoholic into a drug store but no he took him in anyway. Devin went crazy looking at all the vacuums and pointing, oohing and aahing. This tickled the store owner so much he gave Devin a Dirt Devil Vibe vacuum. Devin had to be able to touch the vacuum all the way home or he would freak out and no one else was aloud to touch it. He received his second as a Christmas present from his Mama and Papa (Drew's parents). I have a picture of him cradling his toy vacuum that went everywhere until he got a real one. I suggest that if Devin ever designs a vacuum we all snap it up because it will probably be amazing, he takes his apart a couple times a week and I can see the wheels turning. Oh and we avoid the vacuum isle at stores all I can say is when we go down that isle it gets embarrassing....



So to recap don't get between Devin and his vacuum. The other thing you don't get in between is Devin and food. He gets very defensive when he feels his food is in danger of being removed from his possession. But if you ask nicely he will usually, but not always, share with you. Devin is our night owl he loves to sneak downstairs when we are up watching TV or catching up on house work. He is and will be a great big brother. Any time Anna cries he runs over and tells her "it's OK Anna, I here, my Devin here". That is another Devinism "my Devin" if her gets hurt he will tell you "hey don't hurt my Devin" and if you tell him no he will say hey, turn his head to the side and smile at you like you are kidding but as you continue to tell him what he does not want to here the hey turns from a your joking tone to a why are you doing this to me tone. Devin is a joy and loves to ask "What happened?" not why. He has a beautiful smile and a very long fuse but when it blows look for cover. I am so blessed with two boys and the fact that they are so similar yet so very different. I love that I have more to experience!


I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. (1 Samuel 1:27)


Dora

All About Dylan

There is so much to say about Dylan...I don't know where to start. He is a very sweet child who gets his feelings hurt easily. He is a prankster and loves to find ways to freak me out. His favorite is with spiders, usually plastic but not always. His most recent was to hide a spider in the hooks on the back of the bench seat in the van. My sly son knows mom hangs grocery bags from these, as that is what they are for, unfortunately for him he was not with me the day I went grocery shopping and went to hook the bag and will admit jumped a bit. I have left it there though so that way later I might freak for him just because i love to here him laugh- it is so contagious!



Dylan has had his share of trouble this school year, but we are working on it and hope to finish the rest of the year without issue. He has gotten over trying to gross hos classmates out because he thinks it is funny (eye roll), boys are so odd. On a happier note second grade started out better then first grade did. The third day of first grade my son fell from the monkey bars and proceeded to break all three bone in his arm, what an over achiever. So aside from discipline issues this year has been a breeze. He is a straight A student and is a whiz in Math, unfortunately his class clown act can take away from how smart he is.



Dylan is now a red belt in karate/tae kwon do, I guess it is a combination, I really have no idea I just take him to practice and know most of the rules for forms and sparring so I can help him at home. We go (me and all the kids) three to four times a week and I could hold my own. In theory that is as I have learned from watching not actually doing. Dylan has his fourth tournament coming up in March. We will travel to Waco for him to compete in sparring, a traditional open hand form (doing moves in sequence), a musical sword form (moves to music with a sword), and a non musical sword form. Surprising to me martial arts is very beautiful to watch and Dylan has a way about his forms that are so fluid and graceful i just love to watch him. Not that I am the least bit biased, at all.



Dylan's favorite things are transformers, Lego's, something called bakugan (Japanese thing) and books. I am particularly happy about the books but the other things are good too. The Lego's are great for imagination and I think a building set like K'Nex might be in order for his birthday in June.



I love that Dylan is a great older brother. Devin will run to Dylan a lot when hurt or upset and Dylan is always ready to champion his brother against others (sometimes getting in trouble doing so). Anna loves to watch Dylan and gets very excited when he plays with her. He is so gentle and loves to hold her. I have a picture I will need to put up when I find it of him holding Anna on his chest. So Precious.

Dylan is a joy to know and be around. I thank God for blessing me with him and giving me the privilege of raising him.



Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
(Psalms 127:3-5)

God Bless,
Dora

Whatever happened to "Gramdma"?

Just a passing thought...
What happened to Grandma being Grandma? For example my mom wanted to be called Oma (german for Grandma) because she like it better than grandma and got the idea from when we lived in Germany. Drew's Mom (Becky) wanted to be; now to say it correctly stand or sit straight, shoulders back, nose slightly in the air with a hint of British; Grandmama. Dylan, sweet Dylan, heard this when she was trying to teach him to say it and promptly shortened it to Mama, so henceforth she is Mama and Drew's Dad (Mike) is Papa (he wasn't too hip on Grandpapa anyway). I have to give my Dad props he is just plain ol' Grandad. Another example Drew's Grandmother is Grandmere (french) in french it sounds kinda like Granmare but we pronounce it Grameer, and she is never to be referred to as Grandma. Other friends have Meemaw, Mamaw, Mimi, Granny, Pap Pap, Pappy, and my future bro-in law (Clara's) calls his grandmother Honey.
I notice that most of the time Grandma wants to not be Grandma and granddad/pa just go along with whatever.
So what happened to Grandma??????
Just an odd passing thought....

God Bless

Well Here It Goes....

I am starting this blog after following my cousins for the last month. What a great way for my family and Drew's family to keep informed with us. Now the task will be to remember to update it. I don't think it will be a huge problem, nap time at 12 sounds like a great time to return probably close to everyday as no day is boring in our house. With two adventerous, mischievious, beautiful (ok handsome) boys and one very opinionated (even at only 6 months), absoultely beautiful, firey haired little girl we stay very busy with karate, Bible study , God's Plan for Your Finances class(only for the next five weeks), friends, and not the least Family! As soon as I figure out how to add pictures I will do so. Hopefully it won't take too long as I am a licensed insurance agent not sure how that helps but it sounds good to me. I will have to return a little later as Sir Devin has requested some attention..........

God Bless,
Dora