Munchkin Moments!

If it's not one thing, it's another!

Life at the Dickerson household has been quite chaotic lately. Our air conditioner decided it wanted to stop working on Thursday the 11th. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad outside and our house is equipped with a whole house fan, which works wonders! Well, unfortunately, we weren't able to get our new system installed until Friday the 19th, which wouldn't have been hateful if it wasn't for my allergies and asthma. I had a lot of running to do on Thursday, which was one of the hotter days and apparently closed up the house at the right time because it stayed a comfortable 75 most of the day. Friday, I took the kids the my in laws, where they stayed until Saturday evening. We all ended up spending the night there. They started to install our new HVAC system (we replaced all of it since it was original to the house) a little after 2pm. They finally finished at 12:40am on Saturday. I am very thankful they were staying until it was done! We now have a very comfy house again!

Saturday, Andy and I got to do something we have not done since well before the munchkins were born. We got to go out to eat ALL BY OURSELVES!!!! Now, we are not big on going out to eat, but I must say, it was a very nice and much needed treat! We also stopped at a second hand store and bought the munchkins some extra swimsuits since our pool is now a very nice temperature and we have been getting in it alot. They had all of their swimwear 50% off. We purchases Colton 4 suits, Nora 3 suits, and a life jacket, and it was under $15! Can't beat that!

Both of the munchkins had been a little fussy and not themselves the last few days. At first we thought it was from being without the a/c, not sleeping well in the heat, and then also being at my in laws and just off schedule. Well, last night Colton didn't really eat dinner and was very clingy. The boy normally doesn't sit still, so I knew he wasn't feeling well and he was running a low fever. Then Nora was really whiny. So I decided after they got up this morning and weren't acting right or eating well that I should take them to the Dr.'s. Turns out Nora has a double ear infection and Colton's left ear is infected. I am hoping after their doses of medicine today, I might finally get a good night's sleep again! Keeping my fingers crossed!

Yay!!!

Besides Mama and Dada, Colton said his first word today! He said "Yay!" This morning, we had both Nora and Colton playing in the Rec Room. Colton was walking around and playing with his toys when all of a sudden he started saying "Yay!" to himself. Not surprising since he hears us saying it to them when the do something new. Just thought you would all like to know!

A walk on the wild side

So I have been really bad about updating. My apologies! As many of you know, we were extremely busy getting our house and yard ready for my parents' surprise party. That was pretty much all we were doing and I obviously couldn't blog about it since Mom reads my blog (and has been harassing me for not updating it)! She wants new pictures. Don't worry Mom, you'll have some by the end of the blog.

Let me just say how happy I am that my in laws live so close and have a basement. Andy and I were just discussing how there have been more tornado warnings near us since the kids were born than in the entire time we have been together. It's nuts! Sunday evening/night, I think the tornado sirens went off here 3 times and then yesterday we were watching the news when one of the reports was saying that rotation and a debris cloud were spotted on the leading edge of a storm not far from us and that he thought he saw something on the ground. Needless to say, we grabbed the kids, loaded them in the car, and high tailed it up to the front of the neighborhood to Grandma and Grandpa D's. We have determined we need to clean out under the steps and have some emergency supplies in there, just in case. Here are some pictures of the hail we got:






In munchkin news, Colton is now walking!!! He is so proud of himself too. He's now started walking with his hands in the air (as if he is doing "so big"). It's too cute! One of his new favorite things to do is to climb on top of their picnic table (pictured below) and stand on it. Problem is, he hasn't figured out how to get down without falling off. He'll learn eventually.

Nora is dying to walk. She keeps having me help her walk to me so she can dive into me like Colton does and get praised. She loves it.

Colton got his 2nd hair cut just before my parents' party. It is growing so quickly! We are just letting Nora's hair and bangs grow out for now.

May 17th was a big day for our family. We officially became members of Southminster Presbyterian Church and Nora and Colton were baptised. Their baptism took place during the 8 am service and they did great. Andy said it was the first baptism he's been to where the child being baptised didn't cry. Heck, they both wanted more water to play with!

They also are both no longer taking bottles (Yippie! No more formula!) and are eating what we are eating. They both love berries! Colton is comical and practically pounces on them when you put them on his tray. You would seriously think we never feed him by how he eats! He is so messy too. Nora is dainty and meticulous in her eating. It's so funny how different they are!

Writing this blog today has made me realize I need to get some more pictures! Homework for myself. Hopefully I will get some new ones posted this week. For now, here are 2.

Can you tell they like their picnic table?!? They put themselves there!

A year ago today

A year ago today, life as I knew it changed forever. After years of wondering if I would ever become a parent, I became the mother of a daughter and a son within one wonderfully terrifying minute. We had travelled down a rough road to reach this wonderful moment. We wanted so much to hold a baby in our arms. We went through months of medicines, test, shots, and procedures to fulfill our dreams. Little did we know our dreams would be fulfilled bigger than we had imagined. We weren't being blessed with one baby, but with two.

It seems like yesterday when I was being rushed into the operating anticipating our first meeting. Even though you were 6 weeks early and I knew what problems could arise from you being so early, I was overwhelmed by a strange sense of calm and relaxation. They brought you both over for me to see you for a brief moment and then they whisked you off to the NICU. I never thought I could love someone so much!

Our first year with you has been filled with joy, worry, sleepless nights, love, stress, patience, giggles, and smiles. I have loved every minute of watching you grow, change, and learn new things. Some days I feel like I am living a dream, and I am. I can't remember, or imagine, life without you. Happy Birthday my little ones. Mommy and Daddy love you both!

Easter

I wanted to share some pictures of the munchkins from Easter and other recent events with you all. They are both doing great. Colton is now standing without holding anything on occasion, only for 15-30 seconds, but it is still on his own. He also has one of his top teeth through and the second isn't far behind! Nora is about to cut hers through too! Enjoy the photos and I hope everyone had a great Easter!

"Helping" Mommy clean!

Our 1st Easter Egg Hunt

Playing with our goodies in our Easter baskets from Grandma and Grandpa Dickerson

Family photo

Nearing a year

Well, it's April. I can't believe Nora and Colton are almost a year old or how much my life has changed in the last year. I've found myself reading my journal posts from dailystrength.org from this time last year. A year ago today, Andy thought it would be funny to call my mom up and play a prank on her. He told her that I was having contractions and we were on our way to the hospital. Little did we know, that night, I would start having contractions. Keep in mind, my due date was May 24th, so even though we knew I would likely deliver early, we never thought I would start contracting so early. Our little ones had other ideas! Christ Hospital became my new home. I even had mail delivered there, no joke! And now, I have two little miracles who are getting into everything and loving every minute of it!

Speaking of getting into everything, on Sunday, Andy was watching the munchkins while I was getting some paperwork done. I was in the room with them, but he was watching them. We hear them behind the chair laughing at each other, which they do from time to time. They just kept giggling for a few minutes. All of a sudden Andy jumps up. He realized why they were laughing. One of them had gotten the box of tissues off of the end table next to him and they were pulling the tissues out of the box, and of course trying to eat them! They had half of the box emptied!

Nora has now pulled herself to standing up. She isn't doing it constantly, but she can do it. And she has definitely mastered crawling! That girl can move when she wants to! Colton has now realized he can flip over his toy tub and climb on top of it to get to things. What can I say, he is his father's son!

Both of their ear infections are cleared up now. I had to take Colton back to the doctor on Monday because he was covered in a rash. Turns out he has a viral rash that is caused sometimes when they have a virus or are getting over one. It's not contagious and looks like it is clearing up already.

They are both loving the weather and going outside and going places. It's comical. They get excited when I bring their jackets to them and when I carry them to the garage door or go to put them in the car or stroller. I'm glad they enjoy going outside or going places. It makes it so much easier!