Posts filed under 'Colby'
Ok yes, I know it’s not Father’s Day anymore, but I’m just getting around to posting. So I had a wonderful Father’s Day. Jenna, the Kids, and I went down to Galveston to stay at the beach house at Crystal Beach. Jenna and the kids went down with her parents on Thursday night and Cooper and I went down after work on Friday.
The weekend was full of fun. We went to the beach a few times in the mornings…
We also went to the beach at night…
Just hanging out after fishing…
And my most favorite part actually on Father’s Day, I had two kids both wearing shirts that said “My Dad Rocks”. I loved it. They wore them to lunch, on the ferry ride, and all the way home!
June 23rd, 2008
This year we tried a combined birthday party for Colby and Kennedy. Since their birthdays are only a month apart on the calendar, we figured it would be easier (and less traveling for those involved) to just have the parties at the same time. Kevin put these pictures up a little while ago, but I have been trying in vain to add captions. So, use your imagination to see what kind of party we had and if the kids had fun or not. And be sure to add the comments.
May 7th, 2008
….was my answer when my friend Shala asked me “What are y’all up to?”. Kevin made sure to clarify that it’s Kennedy we’re weaning and Colby we’re potty training. Ha. ha.
Weaning: As soon as Kennedy turned 1, I breathed a huge sigh of relief that I had made it to the “magical year mark”, and I think my body stopped producing as much. We’re slowly cutting down on the number of feedings she has, but she still wants to nurse, so I let her. (I think we’re at 2 per day now.) She won’t take a bottle and also doesn’t want to drink whole milk, so we mix it with some Yo Baby Yogurt in a straw cup. That yogurt is yummy.
Potty Training: I recently read the book Potty Training for Dummies to help me with this task. And basically, the book says to let the kid wait til he’s ready. Apparently Thursday was the day. He woke up from his nap with a completely dry diaper (first time ever, I think), so I told him to sit on his potty, and he went! First time he’s done that for me, so we made a big big deal of it and called his daddy on the phone and then told him he could start wearing big boy underwear. He chose his Lightning McQueen underwear and has been doing great ever since! (I won’t say he hasn’t had accidents, but Rome wasn’t built in a day! He’s doing great.)
We bought Colby a Baby Bjorn potty. Best invention ever. Colby got to pick out the color himself (red) and he’s totally comfortable sitting on it and reading some of his books while he… goes. 
He also wears a pull-up or a diaper at night. We’ve been reading the book My Big Boy Potty by Joanna Cole for awhile now (we checked it out at the library a couple of times). In that book, Michael still wears a diaper at night, until he learns to stay dry at night. Colby has memorized this book, so we make sure to quote lines from it so he can be “just like Michael”. Of course, all of this means we have to stay close to the potty and/or take it with us everywhere we go, which means we haven’t been on time for anything since Thursday. It’ll get better.
***Update: Now Colby is not wearing a diaper at night; he wants to wear his Lightening pull-ups and won’t wear diapers anymore. He’s averaging about 2-3 pull-ups per day. I’ll keep you posted.
Kevin and I have great kids. Thanks for reading this far on 2 yucky subjects.
April 14th, 2008
People keep asking us the question, “So, what have you been doing lately?” as if we sit around doing nothing all day. Well, mainly we’re trying to keep our sanity because the kids keep catching fevers every time we leave the house. And when we are well, we’re trying to keep the kids from tackling each other, as in Exhibit A.
Ah, Kennedy is going to be one tough cookie. I pity the fool that tries to date her - Big Brother is gonna get chu!
More updates when I can get videos of Colby reading his books and Kennedy saying “uh-oh!”
March 10th, 2008
Check the gallery. Enough said.
P.S. I will finish it tomorrow, but theres a good 150 new pictures there.
February 17th, 2008
I don’t check the weather reports much. I don’t really have to. I can tell it’s going to rain if Kennedy has lousy sleep patterns. (She did this while in the womb too.) Pretty cool, huh? Except that for the past 2 weeks or so, something has either been coming or going. Guess we’ve had a lot more weather than usual.
Since I’m on a Kennedy update, she has done quite the developing in the past month. She can sign “all done”, nod her head “yes” and “no”, and she says, “mama”, “dada”, “bubba”, “yes”, “dah” (down). She also can mimic pretty well. Kevin says, “Sss” and she does it right back to him.
She is also quite drawn to water - including Cooper’s dish and the toilet. We have changed many clothes and closed many lids since finding out this fact. Colby has taken to saying, “Kennedy, no ma’am.” when he sees her going towards Cooper’s water. He knows to put it on top of the cabinet. What a helper.
Kennedy loves to pull herself up on the coffee table. It’s just perfect for her to swipe at whatever is on top. Of course, the coffee table was taken over by Colby a long time ago as his racetrack for his Hot Wheels cars. So now Kennedy wants to try and play racetrack with Colby’s Hot Wheels cars. This turns into a lesson in sharing and being nice to baby sister.
We are so blessed to have children. I read this Verse the other day that I’m praying for them.
“My [children], do not be negligent now, for the LORD has chosen you to stand before him and to serve him…” - 2 Chronicles 29:11
January 24th, 2008
I know it’s been awhile since we updated everyone on how we’re doing. Yes, we’ve fallen off the face of the earth.
Colby - is definitely using sentences more and more. Most of them begin with “I want…” or “I did it!” He is gaining independence each day. I am so proud of him and the things he is learning. Right now he has a stuffy nose so he says cute things like “Bobby, hep be, beez.” (which of course, means, “Mommy, help me pleez.”)
Kennedy - is CRAWLING. AND pulling up to stand. Pictures and videos will come soon. Yesterday morning she woke up with a fever so it’s been rough on the girl, and she dips in and out of a feverish state. I think it hurts her head when she sleeps, so last night she woke up every hour and couldn’t get comfortable on my shoulder.
I - am woefully behind on everything. Christmas pictures have not been taken, much less sent out in the mail. I just finished my shopping on Friday and Kevin wrapped just about every present tonight. Oh, and I have a kidney stone, so I’ve been in a lot of pain for the past 9 days. Make it 10 now.
Kevin - just finished the production of our church’s Christmas musical. He did a fabulous job coordinating the sound and lights during the practices and performances, and he just finished editing the DVD recording. (I sang in the musical, which meant I had to schlep the kids up to church every night one week, but we’re glad that’s over with… bedtimes were completely ridiculous that week and it took us awhile to recover.) Kevin also just got his Christmas bonus, and I’m extremely proud of him. We are so blessed that he works for such wonderful bosses that give credit where credit is due. As a result of the bonus, Kevin says we’re going to Hawaii this summer to celebrate. Seriously.
Kevin wins the update.
December 23rd, 2007
This is an actual conversation/monologue I had with Colby the other day. Or rather, Mommy had….
Me: Okay, Mommy, Kennedy, and Colby will go into Colby’s house and Mommy will get Colby’s lunch so Colby can eat it.
Colby: Yay! Eat munch. (lunch)
Me: What does Colby want Mommy to fix Colby for lunch today? Would Colby like some chicken? Or some noodles? Colby likes soup, how about Mommy fix Colby some soup? Does Colby want Mommy to fix Colby some soup?
Colby: Colby eat soup. Colby do it. Colby blow it, it’s hot soup.
…..
I suddenly realize that I never, not once, used any personal pronouns. Why? I know he knows who he is and who I am… how did I get into this? I told Kevin about my revelation when I said, “I probably should use ‘I’ and ‘you’ instead of ‘Mommy’ and ‘Colby’ all the time.” Kevin said, “Otherwise he’ll go to kindergarten and say, ‘Colby needs to tie Colby’s shoes.’”
Do you catch yourself saying funny things to your kids?
November 29th, 2007
Not as many pictures for this round; Colby was running fever so we were more occupied with taking care of him.
However, this is a pretty grand picture of the table & food. Before we ate, as is our tradition, we each shared one thing we are thankful for. I found it wonderful that so many of us are thankful for family and for being together. We are, indeed, very blessed.
20 people ate at this table!
Colby eating carrots & ranch dressing.
Katrina, Grandfather, & my Dad
Grandmother & Kevin’s mom
Kennedy sees something…
Oh, it’s a lamp! Can I keep it? (And yes, she really did pull the strings to turn the lamp on & off…)
Kennedy is pictured with Kevin’s dad. Kevin’s parents have made the trip to Bryan for the past few years, so it has become a tradition! Usually they stay over a night, but with the Texas game the next day, they opted to come here and back in the same day. It’s not too bad of a trip (about 3 hours each way) when you don’t have kids.
Today, while teaching my exercise class, I had everyone call out the name of a food we ate this weekend while we did crunches. “1-sweet potatoes!” “2-dressing!” “3-pie!” “4-cranberry sauce!”
November 26th, 2007
This is the first Thanksgiving of 2007, which happened last weekend. Notice the warm weather clothes.
Our Christmas pictures will be so much fun… kids not looking at the camera.
Kevin’s parents got a new dog, Berkley, who loves Kennedy.
The boys watch tv (and jump on the couch) while we put things on the table.
The bird.
Kevin’s dad carving the bird, a great pic of Kris & Mark’s new kitchen!
The other half of the kitchen (it’s too big to fit in one shot), I’m putting pickles on a plate.
And a nice bath to end the day. Rub-a-dub, dub. Three dudes in the tub.
We took out all the naked photos so as to not embarrass The Three Amigos when they’re older.
Colby’s shampoo mohawk. McKay makes a funny face while looking at Ryan’s mohawk.
November 25th, 2007
So I have been holding off on posting about this until I saw my Dad last weekend. You see, when he got a new car, he refused to tell me what kind it was. Apparently this was some sort of payback to us for not sharing the names of our babies with them before they were born. Oh well… I decided to hold off what kind of car I bought until I could show it to him in person. I have always loved the Lexus IS 300, which is now the IS 250 and IS 350. I guess my Dad decided he liked them too, because that is what he bought. So, I certainly couldn’t get one of those now… because that would just be weird.
So, if you haven’t guessed it already, I did get a new car. Its not “new new”, just new to me. It’s a 2003 BMW 330i with the Performance Package. I don’t have a fancy picture of it yet, here’s one of it in my sister’s driveway last weekend when we were celebrating Thanksgiving. Just ignore the boxes in the back:
It is in really great shape as the former owner took really good care of it. I look forward to driving it for a while. So can we please all have a moment of silence for the old ‘95 Civic? (Silence). It served me quite well since I obtained it in 1998. I drove it for nine and a half years and it is still kicking quite well. If you or someone you know is looking for a car with great gas mileage, good condition, and an excellent stereo with integrated iPod hookup, send them my way.
And finally, you may be wondering why I titled this post this way. Well, “Daddy’s Siber Car” is what Colby calls it… I’m not even sure I got the spelling right, but he is obviously saying “Silver”, but it really kind of sounds like “Super”. I tend to agree. I’ll leave you with a video:
Get the Flash Player to see this player.
November 24th, 2007
So you are in for a double blog today, folks! It is my turn to tell you all what I am thankful for not only this day, but every day. I probably won’t say it very eloquently as Jenna did, but nonetheless it is true from my heart.
As I told them both today, I am thankful for both sets of our parents. I am not ashamed to say that they provided for Jenna and me as we went through college. I am thankful that they gave us just enough, but not too much. Many of our friends will have student loans to pay off for years because either their parents didn’t or couldn’t afford to put them through school. I do not say this in a proud or conceited way; I am truly thankful because without this debt hanging over us we are able to begin saving for the kids’ college and our retirement. We are able to own our house and buy things without creating more debt. I hope to be able to pass on this blessing to my children and hopefully someday payback our parents in some way.
Recently in our small group we were asked, “What one thing/activity/place stirs your affections for Jesus/God?” It is the thought of my children. Never in my life have I understood more clearly the depth of the sacrifice that God made when he gave Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. The thought of giving Colby or Kennedy to die for someone else is completely beyond comprehension. If ever I need a reality check of the depth of God’s love for me (and you), this is all I need to think about. So with all that being said, I am thankful that God is not selfish. God is not proud. God is faithful to me even when I am not faithful to Him. God can forgive. God can forget. God loves me, and He loves you, too.
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
– 1 John 4:9-11
What are some of the things you are thankful for?
November 22nd, 2007
No, I’m not talking about the TV station. This is the name of my current Bible study - Community Bible Study.
Shala told me about CBS last year. Her biggest joy was the children’s program, which Colby I have come to know and love. My wish is that if I am going to learn about the Bible, I want my kids to learn the Bible too. (Kennedy goes to the children’s program too, but the curriculum starts at age 1.) Colby learns wonderful songs and can tell me the Bible story each week. They put Bible verses to music, and he loves it.
This year the name of the study is Servants of God. We have already been through the book of Joshua and are currently finishing up Judges. Next is Ruth. After that comes…. (can you tell me?) We’ll finish in May with 2nd Samuel.
So why am I mentioning CBS right now? We did just meet today, but Thursday, November 29th is “Bring a Friend to CBS” day. If you are in the BCS area, please let me know if you want to be my friend and come to Bible study with me! I have thoroughly enjoyed the study and the core group I’m in, and I think any of you would love it. (Email me if you’re coming, especially if you have kiddos and need “childcare”.)
November 15th, 2007
I always knew there was a difference between boys and girls, despite the obvious. But, now that we have a son and a daughter, it has proven to be fact. About four years ago, I read the book Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. He speaks of the innate differences between boys and girls and how our culture has taken to emasculating males, in so many areas. (I highly recommend it, whether you have a son or not; it is very appropriate in dating/marriage as well.) So many early childhood experts want for boys to play with dolls or have exposure to the same toys girls have. And, they want girls to play with cars and balls and swords too.
Colby is a wonderfully compassionate and caring child. He is incredibly empathetic to his baby sister and to his friends when they cry. BUT - he is ALL BOY.
We have a bubble sword. Colby wants to chop down our trees with it. Colby has a play kitchen outside. He cooks acorns, makes sure they’re “not too hot”, and then throws them in the air. Kennedy has baby dolls. Colby kisses them, then throws them in the air. (After all, they are toys.)
When we bought our house, it came with a makeshift wooden playground in the backyard. It’s actually not so much of a playground as an A-frame with a few steps and a plastic slide. We move the slide often because it collects water when it rains. Colby likes to move the slide himself, to dump out the water and to play on it. One day I noticed he had moved it to the fence. Here is one of the sweetest and most boyish moments I have captured with the camera - Colby, as King of His Castle.
(He is throwing acorns down the slide.)
Then, he runs down the slide to collect more acorns.
Sometimes he falls off the slide, but he just looks for more acorns!
I told Colby to stand on top of his slide and say, “I! AM! COLBY!” He said, “I, COLBY!”
Oh, how we have been praying that Colby would be like Joshua, a brave and courageous man. And, as part of my CBS lesson last week, that Colby would be like Gideon, a mighty warrior!
November 12th, 2007
(Has anyone seen that funny SNL skit from the 70s with Dana Carvey as the Church Lady?)
It is just hitting me that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away, and Christmas is about 6 weeks away… I haven’t started my Christmas shopping, I haven’t even thought about our family picture and Christmas cards, and it’s not helping that our high temperature outside today was 85. Who can think about decking the halls and roasting chestnuts by a fire when it’s that warm outside?
Regardless of what I need to do before December 25th rolls around, this Christmas Kevin and I are debating about what to do with Santa Claus. This is the first year Colby is going to pay attention to the gifts, at least I’m assuming. Kevin and I really like the idea of giving three really big gifts to the kids - like the Three Wise Men. (I know it may not have been Three wise men, but I do like tradition, and however many there were did bring three gifts.) The gifts for the kids would be things they like and have asked for, but limiting it to three so as to not go overboard. And, with that, I just assume the gifts would be from us. I’m all about giving credit to where credit is due, and I don’t really like the idea of Colby thinking we didn’t get him anything for Christmas.
But, Kevin and I did grow up with the notion of Santa Claus every Christmas, and we enjoyed it. I felt really special when I was 8 and I found out who Santa really was… but I couldn’t tell my sisters! Even now, my parents have said that Santa will stop coming when we stop believing. I think Katrina still believes in Santa, at age 17. 
But when Kevin found out Santa didn’t really slide down the chimney and come from the North Pole, he cried. I think he was 6.
So, what do you do for Christmas with your kids? Santa, or no Santa? Any other traditions you want to share?
November 10th, 2007
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