Doodle's Project

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Quick Update

Sorry for my lack of blogging... sometimes I can't seem to find the time to sit down and "talk"....
We've been busy...So, for a quick update and I will post some pics later!

Ragan....
Still Ragan... calm, peaceful, and trying to maintain the chaos in our home!! ha ha

Crystal....
I just got back from Denver. (I was gone for a week for work.) It SNOWED while I was there.... most likely the only snow I will see this Winter! Ragan managed the boys and the house without any glitches while I was gone (but I must send out thanks to the Nonnas....). The pregnancy is moving along. I have sorted out baby clothes and made a list of what I need.... only a few minor things. Only one problem with this pregnancy.... my friend took a picture of me today...I don't know if I will still be her friend...I'M HUGE!!!!! I have already mapped out my weight loss plan starting on post-partum day 1!!! ha ha

Austin....
He is enjoying tennis lessons... actually, he LOVES them. He is also still enjoying learning to play the guitar and cello. He still kicks rear in school ;-) and is really enjoying Social Studies and Science this year. I am really proud of him... he has such a huge, tender heart....I hope the pre-teen years don't steal that away!

Cooper....
Cooper is a normal 2 yr old. We are attempting to tackle potty training. Some days are better than others... he just seems too busy to slow down! (He gets that from me.) I will post pics soon, but Cooper was used for a Pediatric ED Campaign and his face is splattered on billboards, newspaper ads, and city buses. This is a first for us and we really enjoyed it.... he gets so excited everytime he sees his face!!! lol

Until next time............

Happy Birthday, Cooper!

Happy Birthday to my October baby... Mr. Cooper is now TWO!!! Here are a few pics from highlights during the past 2 years!

This past year:

1st Waterpark

1st Easter in Mangham, LA
1st Lollipop

1st Car ;-)

1st Christmas at Caney

During his 1st year:

1st Birthday

1st Beach Trip

1st Photo Shoot

1st "Sink Bath"

1st Pic Home from Hospital

Oh to Have the Mind and Heart of a Child

I woke up yesterday morning, then ventured into Austin's room to awaken him.... I found this paper taped to his wall above his bed:

In case you have a hard time reading it, this is what it says... he set two goals for himself (I'm typing them just as he wrote them):

1.) http://www.guinnesworldrecords.com/

Two witnesses must witness that they saw it

Must eat and peel 4 bananas in one minute


2.) Help Mark!

Get 5 $ every month

Let me give you a brief history behind Mark. Sunday was World Missions Day at our church. During one portion of the service, they talked of meeting Mark (a young 6th grade boy who was selling newspapers on a bus) on a missions trip to Manila, Philippines. The story was moving; however, I wasn't even aware that my own 10-year-old was taking it all in. There were cards at the end of the service that were just a picture of Mark... a reminder of the need for service and dedication to World Missions. That is the picture that Austin attached to this paper....


As far as the banana/Guinness Book of World Records goes... I HAVE NO IDEA where the child came up with that!!!! His heart and imagination are just amazing!!! lol

Conversations With Austin

As I am preparing dinner, I pull out some red glasses....
Austin: "Mom, not that it will happen soon, but I know one day it will and I don't want it to be now, but we know it's coming one day... One day when you are gone, I want to save these red cups and everytime I see them I will think of you."

Mom: "Austin, do you mean when I die or when you move out."

Austin: "When you die...I'll be sad by the way."


Austin seeing his Nonna at school after she styled her hair differently....
Austin: "Nonna, what did you do to your hair?"

Nonna: "I fixed it different."

Austin: "Did you wake up late?"

Nonna: "No."

Austin: "Did you mean to do that?"

Nonna: "Yes."

(Austin comes home later that day.....)

Austin: "Mom, I saw Nonna today at school and she fixed her hair different. I think it's like when I am rushing and can't fix my hair the way you want me to in the morning."

While Ragan and I were in our room folding clothes, putting them away, etc.....
Austin: "Ragan, I am so glad you came here. My mom never picked up her clothes before you lived here like she does now."

On the way to school one morning....
Austin: "Mom, if you won alot of money, what would you do with it?"
Mom: "Why?"
Austin: "I know what I would do... I would create a place for all the homeless people in the world to live. And I would make it real nice..."

After Austin sprained his ankle, we were discussing his day at school.....
Mom: "How was school? Did you get around okay on your ankle today?"
Austin: "Yeah, it was okay... everyone kept asking me if I was okay and what happened and did I need anything.. even the TEACHERS."
Mom: "Really?"
Austin: "Yeah, I got alot of attention... and, mom, I kind of liked it."

Talking about Science class during 4th grade.....
Mom: "Did you learn anything new today?"
Austin: "We talked about the solar system and the sun and planets today."
Mom: "What did you learn?"
Austin: "Nothing, really."
Mom: "You had to have learned something."
Austin: "Yeah, I guess, I just don't remember. But, I had something I wanted to say about it.. I bet they don't know that there was a day in history when the sun stood still.... it says so in the Bible."

Name

Paxton Joseph Smith...

That will be his name....

Shakespere said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." They say that what this quote expresses is not what something is named, but who they are.... I only partially agree. I think that if you have a story behind a name it carries on something or someone. If that story or person you are carrying on is something of strength or importance, you should share that with your child and let them know their legacy!

Ragan's grandfather's name was Patrick Joseph Guillot...I was not lucky enough to meet him, but from what I've heard he was quite a man and left quite a legacy. Ragan is a lot like him... quiet, a peacemaker, patient, loving, and not quick to anger.... oh, and he loved to fish!

I love family names and I am a firm believer that if you can, pass on a name. Austin's name is Austin James. My grandfathers, daddy Randy, and my brother all have James as a part of their name.... Cooper's name is Cooper Alexander. Alexander was part of my great-grandfather's name (on the Etier side)....

And by the way, I have a beautiful name for a girl... Sophia Sunseri. A beautiful Italian name... Sunseri was my Mimi's family name. And, no, I will not be trying to have a girl so that I can use this name. I am saving it for a grand-daughter!! ;-)

And Blue Prevails

Well, IT'S A BOY!!!!!! What does this mean?

*wonderful hand-me-downs
*more ballgames & ballparks
*an endless stocked supply of bandaids
*using my ER nurse skills for many years to come
*continuing to say "my boys"
*jokes about "My Three Sons"
*bunkbeds
*more DIRT in my house
*less expense for future weddings (sorry all you moms w/ girls...)
*lots of activity
*another future daughter-in-law that will have a hard time meeting my expectations (just being honest)
*more hunting and days at the camp with Poppa
*dirty/stinky shoes forever abiding in my home
*shopping alone... thank goodness for nieces
*did I mention hand-me downs... if so, it's worth repeating
*tripping over bikes, helmets, skateboards, ripsticks, rollerblades, bats, and balls
*kisses from a smelly boy, covered in dirt and sweat, but it still is ever so sweet
*getting to cook for teenagers that don't think they're fat
*another chance for Boy Scouts
*no one trying to borrow my clothes
*lots of repairs
*blocks, tools, blocks, tools, blocks, tools (here's hoping that they love the tools and learn to repair what they break)
*pets...forever and ever
*no new furniture anytime soon
*I KEEP MY OWN BATHROOM

Best of all..... another momma's boy (sorry, Ragan)

Snips & Snails or Sugar & Spice....

Here is a brief update... everything has been going really well.... we have an ultrasound scheduled on Tuesday and hopefully we'll know then if the theme in our home will be eternally blue or if we will get a chance to throw in some pink!!! All I want is a healthy baby...seriously.

My last ultrasound showed a marginal placenta previa, so we are hoping that has pretty much resolved itself. I have felt great.... a little tired here and there, but overall, I have felt really good. I felt some "quickening" this week... I also am bigger at this point than I was with my last two... let me tell you, that does a lot for a girl's self-esteem!! ;-) For my birthday, my husband is buying me maternity clothes (since I gave ALL of mine away)... I know, so romantic. What can I say, we are just practical people! ha ha

I also switched doctors this week...I mainly did it so that I can deliver at the hospital where I work. Our next goal will be starting to talk to Cooper about "baby." This will be a HUGE adjustment for him. If anyone out there has any advice on how to handle a new baby and a toddler who thinks the world revolves around him...send it my way!!!!

Promise....

Natalie Grant has a song that I JUST LOVE... "Held"

The past few weeks I feel like everytime I turn around I hear stories of death, tragedy, cancer, sickness, hopelessness, broken marriages...basically, just pain (ever had one of those weeks?). As a follower of Christ, I feel what is so hard is trying to make sense of these things.... and knowing that I am not exempt. Admit it... we all do it or have done it...and I don't know if we ever succeed in "making sense" of things. However, there is a line in this song that I have heard a million times, but it just stood out this week. "The promise was when everything fell, we'd be held."

What a promise... to know that when the world falls apart, when "unfairness" sneaks in on us, or when tragedy rains down, we have a promise that is greater than anything the world can offer. To be held by HIS loving arms.....
I am thankful today for my Savior who rescues me and holds me... and I know is holding those around me.

Incomparable Camp Ozark

Austin returned home after completing his 2nd summer at Camp Ozark in Mt. Ida, AR. It is a Christian Aventure Camp... it's beautiful there. Anyway, just wanted to post a few pics from the camp and drop off/pick up. I know it was only a week, but he looked, sounded (and SMELLED) different from when I dropped him off. He had a blast, though. Thanks to those of you who kept him in your prayers and sent him notes, letters, & e-mails.


A pic from Closing Ceremonies...I'll give you one guess what they are singing... Michael W. Smith's "Friends Are Friends Forever"... the eternal good-bye to something song!


This the view from Austin's cabin... I doubt he appreciated how beautiful it was.


Art posted throughout the camp..

Waterslide.....

Austin setting up his bunk!

This is on the day of pickup!!! You are lucky you can't smell this!!! :-)

Waterslides!!!!!

Pulling in... a pic of one of the rock climbing walls.

House in the Ozark Mountains... what a view!

Inside the dining hall!

View of a few of the cabins... Austin's was the one at the bottom.

View from the camp grounds.

The "shuttle bus" to your car. (They valet park it for you! ;-)) By the time you get on the shuttle and back to your car, you have a new appreciation of AC, need a shower, and feel guilty for leaving your child in that heat!

My mom singing "Pharoah, Pharoah" at Closing Ceremonies... she is going to KILL me for posting this!!! ha ha

Austin's counselors... Will & Tyler.

View from Vesper Point.. Not sure what takes place here everyday.

View of the dining hall entrance.

Art posted throughout the camp.

I love this pic... he had a top bunk and this was his "window."

The entrance to the row of cabins where Austin bunked for the week.

Pulling into camp! Those big balloon things are called "The Blob." They jump onto them and then into the lake.

Calem (my road trip buddy) stealing a hug before we let him go!

Right before we let him go!

First Haircut

I will not even go into details regarding Cooper's 1st haircut... I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Needless to say, at the end of the day, he had a little boy haircut, but the curls remained (more like waves & loops). As you can see from below, I will not be returning for a "touch up" until we absolutely HAVE TO!

The Transition of the Bed.... Or Not

See that beautiful bed.... well, it is a "grow with me crib"... I think it is beautiful and when I picked it out, I did so because it would "grow" with Cooper and transition as needed - from crib to toddler bed to double bed. Well, Cooper has recently learned to climb over the rail, so we decided it was time to transition the bed to the next step! However, this is no easy task... it requires tools, sweat, patience, and a few hours with no interruptions. Tools we have, we just don't use them alot...sweat, I hate....patience, a virtue I am always needing to work on... and a few hours with no interruptions HA HA HA. So, you see, I had to mentally work myself up for this task (and coerce Ragan as well).

Do you see that pile overflowing out of the storage bin in the corner of the room? That is the clothing from the first year to year and a half of Cooper's life. I pulled it out a few weeks ago to begin sorting it into keepsake outfits and give away outfits. I have so many friends that have young baby boys and I was ready to clear this tub out and bestow the mess upon their homes and get it out of mine..... I have only gotten through 0-3 months so far....

Well, looks like neither of the tasks will be nearing completion anytime soon........ you see, Where the Wild Things Are is about to get a little wilder..... we're expecting!!!! That's right, we are adding to the brood....

I was very hesitant to even post this blog so early on, but I guess you can say between faith and a family that is about to bust a gut with this secret, I guess now is as good a time as any. After multiple miscarriages (and heartbreak) prior to having Cooper, we saw a Reproductive Endocrinologist. He helped us along before & during my pregnancy with Cooper. Because we are not under his care now, I do have some fears and reservations, but I am just handing that over to God.

So, to answer a few questions... were we planning on another? (even though it's really nobody's business but ours..lol) No, we weren't. Are we excited? Initially I had to be scraped off the floor and nearly sedated, but I am more than okay now. (I am a planner, an organizer, and I don't do well with surprises or changes to plans without my consent!) Ragan is ecstatic...I know what a blessing children are and not every woman in this world has the ability to bear children, so I feel truly blessed. When are we due? The day before Ragan's birthday...the first week of February.

So, keep up in your prayers... this ride in life is about to get a little wilder....

xoxoxo
Crystal

Great Wolf & a Great Time....

Well, we took off this past week on a new kind of vacation.... a kid-friendly resort... it was AWESOME. One struggle we face (not sure if struggle is the right word) is finding a place that we can take both boys and they both enjoy themselves. A ten-year-old wants one thing and a toddler something completely different. I really did not want to tackle Disney World with Cooper just yet, so we settled on The Great Wolf Lodge. It is a wilderness-themed lodge/resort with an indoor/outdoor waterpark in Grapevine, TX. www.greatwolf.com
I know I sound like they paid me to do an advertisement, but they didn't (but they can if they want)... I was just really impressed and for those of you who might be looking for something for your family, it's worth checking out!!!!
Here are some pics....

This is part of the outdoor section...it has a few tubing/waterslides that Austin stayed on

He is getting so grown-up!


I will pretend that this moment did not involve Austin teasing Cooper, but I doubt it!

My 3 favorite people....





Another shot of the outdoor spot.....


He LOVED the water!!!

A shot of the foyer/lobby

Austin playing with his MagiQuest wand while waiting for the evening storytime... he could have cared less about the story, he just wanted to play with his MagiQuest wand...the story was for Coop!

A shot of a portion of the indoor park.... that big bucket dumps water every 30 minutes...Austin loved it!

Getting ready for storytime around the Big Tower Clock!

What vacation is really about!! lol