Xavier's House

New Look

2012-01-27T09:41:00.001-05:00

Hope everone likes the new look! I am in the process of figuring out how to post to it, but hopefully this test will be successful!

Disney

2012-01-06T12:43:00.008-05:00

We had a really good time in Disney, Xavier loved the Mouse House! The weather was hot, but not overbearring.

Happy Halloween from The Angry Bird Family

2011-10-31T19:43:00.004-04:00

Fall Day at Mud Creek

2011-10-31T19:37:00.004-04:00

It was so cold but we had such a good times playing games, and riding ponys and Mee & Maw and Paw Paw's church.

Corn Maze pictures

2011-10-31T19:30:00.004-04:00

We had a blast, Xavier loved the Corn pit, corn cannons and the tractor rides!

Easter Bunnies

2011-07-12T21:34:00.004-04:00

Check out these cute bunnies! We have a good year thus far, Xavier is getting so big, work is going great and Jeremy is still cruising along in school

Happy Tet

2011-02-06T11:05:00.001-05:00

Crazy sweet boy

2011-02-06T11:03:00.002-05:00

Christmas Time

2011-02-06T10:59:00.001-05:00

Winter Fun

2011-02-06T10:58:00.002-05:00

First snowman!!

Happy Fall

2010-10-19T21:31:00.002-04:00

Xavier is very pround of his pumpkin, he drew with a sharpie! We are potty trained, no accidents in weeks, he is such a trooper!

Thank you Marcie

2010-09-07T15:55:00.002-04:00

Thanks for the helpful tips on potty training Marcie, although we did not purchase any Ebooks, we did search for the program and found some free literature online!!

Same concept, potty train in three days, no pull ups, etc.

It worked! Viola my child is potty trained!

The first day was awful, 17 clean ups with not much success.
The second day was awesome, with only 1 accident all day
The third day was awesome as well, no accidents, wearing underwear and we even made a trip to walmart and back successfully.

I think its a combination of Xavier being ready first and foremost. It didnt matter that everyone else was ready for him to be potty trained, he wasnt. And the fact that we let him run around the first 2 days naked. He then became aware of what he was doing.

Pull ups are crap! All they are is diapers that go up and down, and we are soooooo glad we are not using them.

Night time is going to be more of a challenge, we want him to get really good at going potty thru out day and then we are going to tackle nighttime.

Potty Training

2010-08-23T11:00:00.002-04:00

We are trying to get Xavier potty trained, and somedays are better than others for sure. We are trying not to rush him, but still stay persistant with him. We have a chart, for Trys, Pees and Poops and we do have stars in each catagory, just not enough. Let me be clear... I want him to be potty trained as I am sooooo over changing diapers, but I want him to be comfortable with it and not feel inadequate about it. Nor do I wnt anyone else to pressure him in the mean time either. We have tried bribes sometimes they work sometimes they dont, we try a lot during the day.

But he just doesnt seem to recognize: A. I'm wet, and I should care or; B. I have the urge to go.

So we are struggling thru this part, and cant wait when it finally clicks for him!

Jeremy is back to school today, he has 4 more semesters after this one to go, and he will be able to teach. Now we just need prayers that in the next 2 years the economy will be on the upslide!

Xavier is going to start K4 this time next year. He is excited to go, and another reason the potty training has to become reality. We have a year and hopefully we can get this goal accomplished.

Blogging

2010-07-16T15:54:00.002-04:00

I know BAD BLOGGER!!!

We have been so busy over th summer, going to the beach, a fmaily reunion, Xavier's birthday and work has been crazy too! I have some cute pictures i plan to post this weekend. So stay tuned for that.

We are building our storage building our back. FINALLY. We are in desperate need of this buidling, you have no idea. Exciting!

Summer vacations are all done now, no new and intersting trips planned in the near future. We had a blast, time to settle back into our routine

Hot Button

2010-06-03T08:54:00.002-04:00

Recently, I wrote to the US Embassy in Vietnam, regarding the future of adoptions with the US. I honestly did not expect for anyone to answer, nor did I expect the richness of the information. Below is the response I received late last night. It sounds more positive that the US and Vietnam are working together and taking the necessary steps to re-open adoptions between the countries. Its not a quick fix and is still going to take more time, but things are moving along. Of course, I am passionate about Vietnam and would love to adopt again from this beautiful country. If you are motivated by this, contact your congress men and women and ask that they support the agreement too!

Dear Ms. Johnson:

Thank you for your inquiry. As you know, the Bilateral Agreement on Adoption between the U.S. and Vietnam expired and we are not processing any new adoption cases from Vietnam.

The Government of Vietnam has a new adoption law in draft form, currently being debated in the National Assembly. The Vietnamese Government hopes the National Assembly will pass the draft legislation in its Summer 2010 session, taking effect on January 1, 2011. At the same time, Vietnam has also announced its intention to ratify the Hague Convention on Inter-Country Adoption in June 2010, also taking effect on January 1, 2011.

After Vietnam becomes a Hague Convention member state, the Government of Vietnam will attempt to implement Hague-compliant practices throughout the country. At that time, the U.S. and Vietnamese Government will decide whether to have a new adoption program. We don’t yet have a clear idea when that could happen, but please feel free to keep in touch with us. We will do our best to update prospective U.S. adoptive parents at every step in this process.

We hope that you find the above information useful.

Best regards,

Hanoi Adoptions

Consular Section

US Embassy, Hanoi

Rose Garden Tower

170 Ngoc Khanh, Hanoi

Tel : 84-4-3850 5100

Fax: 84-4-3850 5026/ 3850-5145

Public email: HanoiAdoptions@state.gov

Web-site: http://vietnam.usembassy.gov

.

Europe

2010-05-25T18:26:00.004-04:00

Jeremy and I are back from Europe. We had a really awesome time, and I promise to get some of those pics up too this weekend. We first flew to Oslo, Norway and explored Oslo for two days before boarding our cruise boat!

When we arrived at the pier ready to begin our cruise, we were greeted by Royal Carribean staff notifying us that the boat was being thoroughly cleaned because the "Norovirus" was on our boat! Nice right?? What were we going to do? We already flew accross the ocean!!!

We got on the boat and we cruised for a day before arriving in Belgium. We got off and explored the cobble stone roads, Jeremy had beer every time we stopped, we shared a hand waffle and ate some of the best chocolate I think I have ever had. No, really the best!! It was so romantic, the city has its way with you, literally. I was so in love with walking thru these streets with my husband, it felt surreal!

We boarded the boat and got all dressed up, as this was the formal night! Jeremy looked so handsome in his tux, and I had on my coctail dress and off we went to the captains dinner. We sat down, ordered, got some wine, appetizers were delivered and the lady two seats over form Jeremy begins puking right then and there at the table!! No really, right at the table! Nothing could begin to prepare us for the next 8 hours. The staff quickly scooped her up and off to medical, they moved us, twice, but something about that scene that really turns you off to eating. About midnight is when Jeremy started feeling sick, he went to medical and got treated and was then quarentined to the room.

Now normally this would be ok as we would have been cruising the next day, but no he got sick on the day we were ported in amsterdam. So we had to stay on the boat and couldnt get off. Oh well! Maybe next time....

We then sailed another day, boarded three planes and finally got back to our little one. We had a blast and even with the sickness we would do it again!

Zoo

2010-05-25T18:22:00.004-04:00

We went to the zoo recently for Gotcha day, and we had a really good time. I have pictures that I will get up on the blog this weekend. I am out of town at the moment, but I will get them up.

Xavier loved the monkeys and he seemed to strangely connect with them!! Several times he would stop and show his backpack monkey to the monkeys. He loved the Elephants and giraffes too. He was thoroughly exhausted when we left and promptly passed out almost as soon as we hit the car.

Xavier has gotten so many stuffed animals that we had to buy a book shelf to put them all on. He calls the book shelf the "animal house"

Gotcha Day

2010-04-14T11:37:00.002-04:00

Happy Gotcha day!!!

Xavier, mommy and daddy love you so very much, and we are so happy and over-joyed that you are in our lives. You enrich our lives each day, and really make us better people!

I can't believe its been 2 years, time flys when your having this much fun. We look forward to the Zoo this weekend and many years of watching you grow up big and strong!

Love Mommy and Daddy

Easter

2010-04-04T19:29:00.003-04:00

We had a great time hunting eggs!

Color me Crazy

2010-04-04T19:01:00.003-04:00

Our first batch of eggs were colored, and Xavier is now a pro.

Happy Tet!

2010-02-14T16:43:00.002-05:00

Today is Tet! Year of the Tiger. We celebrated with the GP's over an early lunch and a Tet cake (Red Velvet)! Xavier ripped into his red envelopes and had a great time. He has been a little under the weather having a fever of 102, runny nose, congested the whole nine yards. But none the less the celebration of the new year must go on.

Happy Valentines day too!

Monkey love

2010-02-07T18:03:00.000-05:00

Anybody that knows Xavier knows that he is completely attached to his Monkey. He sleeps with him all the time, and he drags him all over the house. We have washed the stinky monkey many times and he is holding together even thru all the wear and tear.

Here is some pics of him and his monkey and one of him in his TET outfit.

Busy

2010-02-01T21:11:00.002-05:00

Would you believe we have been super busy after christmas. Well it's true...

Jeremy started back to school, this is last full term of his AA, he hopes to have only online classes over the summer. One degree down two more to go, right daddy rabbit?

I have been working, working, working. Training others seems like a faucet that I can never turn off. Free flowing and plenty off it!

Xavier is talking more and more each day, we are doing flash cards with him and he seems to be happy to play the game, and guess the pictures. Once he can name a group of pictures we are going to start him on the actual words. He is so smart, he will knock this out of the park.

Tet is coming, and we are going to a gathering for adoptive parents from Vietnam and celebrate with them on Saturday. And then we will celebrate with the GP's (Grandparents) on sunday. Should be fun for all.

The snow is killing us, we are so over it..Covered twice two months in a row.

Christmas with MamMa and DaDa

2010-01-01T16:11:00.002-05:00

How blessed are we? VERY!!

Our second Christmas with our little monkey was such a good one. He was so much more excited this year tearing into packages and getting excited at each one. We hope everyone has a wonderful new year!

Love you

2010-01-01T16:08:00.001-05:00

We had a great Christmas holiday together as a family. Thank you for all you do for me daddy rabbit! I love you very much and always know I am always thankful for you!

Nay Nay And GG Christmas

2010-01-01T16:02:00.002-05:00

We went over to Nay Nay and GG's to celebrate Christmas with them, Xavier got a big Mac truck and a cool lamp for his room. Some books for reading and he was very excited. He loved opening the packages and helping everyone.

PawPaw & MeeMaw Christmas

2010-01-01T15:51:00.002-05:00

Xavier got an awesome remote control semi over at Paw Paw and Mee Maws, he was not so sure at first about it, but he quickly got excited over it. Xavier got some cool wall stickers, all CARS of course, some clothes and some new Hess race cars. overall we had a great time..

Mimi & Po Christmas

2009-12-19T16:21:00.003-05:00

We are splitting up Christmas for out little guy with all the grandparents at different times before Christmas because he gets so overwhelmed with all the stuff. He just wants to stop and play with everything and he gets upset, so we are visiting each grandparent and last weekend we did Christmas at Mimi and Po's. Here are some pics.

Playing in the snow

2009-12-19T16:11:00.003-05:00

We had about 10" of snow last night!!!

We have not had snow like that in many years and we are kinda stuck at the house, due to the roads having sooooooo much snow on them. We have not lost power yet, thank goodness and we are making the best of it.

Xavier is so darn cute, he really enjoyed himself this morning.

Sick

2009-12-03T20:44:00.002-05:00

I have been sick going on three weeks now. Nice hugh!

First it was the gastro-intestinal virus that kept me in the bathroom the better part of 5 days.

Then I was well for a couple of days and then overnight I wake up with the flu. Spent time in the hospital with an IV, and I am just now getting over the worst of it. I still have this unbearable hacking parvo cough and of course the constant nose blowing. Im thrilled.

The other day I was keeping Xavier alone and as I sat there I realized that I had to upchuck, and ran to the bathroom with Xavier in tow. Sat him in the hallway and proceeded to download my breakfast. The first time he cried and was upset at what mommy was doing to the potty. The second time he was hovering over his potty and gagging and holding his head. How quickly he learns. He thought it was so funny to imitate me.

I guess if i had to get sick its better to get it over with now than at Christmas, I already had Thanksgiving stolen from me, I will have Christmas! we have such a busy schedule this month, getting around to all the family and enjoying the holidays.

Our tree rocks, looks awesome, and all my Christmas shopping is done. YEAH!

Pissed off

2009-11-22T14:34:00.002-05:00

That's what Xavier has heard and that's what he says in all sorts of public places. I understand, he just wants to let everyone around us know that "Mama Pissed off"!!

This is to warn those around us of the current mind set of the parental unit that's pushing the buggy. It actually could serve as a nice public service announcement.

OI!!

He says this is at that most random times, I might not even be "pissed off", but this statements has become a part of his permanent word repertoire.

Thanksgiving

2009-11-12T10:28:00.003-05:00

Almost here... turkeys to eat, cranberry sauce to shimmy out of the can, stuffing to fluff and pumpkin pie to top!

We are ready

We will be putting up our tree in a couple of weeks and Xavier is excited about that. we have been getting him ready and the cold weather sets the mood.

Work is still crazy and Jeremy still doing good in school and of course our little guy is growing like a weed. Pictures soon I promise.

Stress

2009-10-26T19:51:00.003-04:00

Today was a particularly high stress day for Jeremy, and of course I hit the road bright and early this AM, leaving my boys until Wednesday. Poor daddy cleaned up lots of bdily functions today that created havoc on his afternoon!

I love you daddy, hang in there!

Mixed Bag

2009-10-20T19:05:00.002-04:00

I love the holidays! I am so glad they are upon us, I love to cook and try new recipes out. We are frying our turkey this year, looking forward too not burning down the house. I cant wait to get our tree up and cozy up the house and have family come over and enjoy good food and fun times.

Xavier has the idea this year with gifts, and he is excited of course. I have already been wrapping and he is so curious about whats inside.

We watched Law Abiding Citizen this past weekend and I have to side with the dad, I think I would lose my mind if anything happened to my boys and no justice was served. we have such a crappy system, I dotn think it will ever be completely flawless.

Work is busy as ever, and I am always moving! I hope after the first of the year it will be calm again. New people and lots of training makes me tired. I love my job but I could deal with less fires to put out.

Jeremy school is going well, he is such a good student carrying a 4.0 average with a 16 hour course load! He is making this time count for sure

Growing up

2009-09-27T13:07:00.002-04:00

Xavier is getting to be so grown up, everyday he looks and acts like such a little boy. He is changing so much so rapidly. I want it to slow down, my chubby cheeked baby has been replaced by this walking talking rambunctious little boy!

One thing that is funny is even though he growing up in age, he still has to wear and 18 month pant, anything bigger falls off of him. He still isn't interested in using the potty chair, may as well use it as a planter outside or something. Don't get me wrong he knows when he has pooped and pee peed, he just has no interest in doing that anywhere near the potty chair. Hopefully soon I think we are really going to start pushing it after Christmas.

He is completely on straw cups though, and eating more on his own, something are still tricky and require some help of these being rice, yogurt, or anything that can't be stabbed or poked at. I'm the push over when it comes to him asking for help eating, I'm trying to do better with making him try on his own.

Here are some cute ones of our boy from my birthday.

First time Camping

2009-09-27T13:00:00.005-04:00

We went camping for the first time with Xavier, he loved it and was super curious about everything outdoors. He did great, of course I was an over-reactive mother, but hey whatever.

He had a good time with his fishing pole, didn't catch anything though. And he liked feeding the ducks every morning.

Dance your heart out

2009-08-30T09:53:00.003-04:00

A true dancer emerged last night as Xavier took to the floor with some moves that even Jeremy and I were shocked that he had. This boy can move. He heard the music and his body took over and did the rest.

A hat experience

2009-08-30T09:44:00.005-04:00

Xavier got a new hat! Well his first official hat to date. He really likes it and the fact that its a cars hat helps a lot! Isn't he just the cutest thing you have ever seen, we sure think so.

Still here

2009-08-21T08:30:00.003-04:00

Yes we are...

We have just been so busy lately. My work is hectic right now and I have been working 50 plus hours weekly to get everthing done. We have been tackling projects around the house gettig things done that we have been putting off. We cleaned out the side of the house and we are getting it ready for pavers and gravel. we also cleaned out our gutters, now we have the slickest gutters on our street.

Jeremy started school back and he is settling into his study patterns. Xavier went to the dermatologist and was diagnosed with Eczema for sure this time! We are doing all the right things to treat it already but nothing is more comforting than spending that $50 dollar co-pay to ease your mind. Not when it comes to your children!

I have some new pictures I will post soon, of course our boy is just talking talking talking. new words all the time and stringing 2-3 of them together. What a joy to watch!

Hobbit's

2009-07-29T20:52:00.002-04:00

Thats what is stupid.

We remembered we have been tellin him about the stupid fat hobbits, from the lord of the rings. So yeah, that is where he got stupid from, not to mention he now says hobbit.

Kids say everything, he is picking up new words left and right.

check out this picture of our crazy boy dancing with his morrocca's!

What did he say?

2009-07-15T20:28:00.002-04:00

Stupid, Stupid, Stupid....

thats what!!

Everything lately is stupid, stupid, stupid. His cars - stupid, His sandwhich -stupid, even his monkeys are stupid. How does he even know what stupid is? Or when to use it appropriately? And where in the world did he here that. He is definately 2!

The other word he has learned is No. Do you want _____ Xavier? No. Doesnt matter what you are offering the answer is No.

He is talking more and more and repeating more and more. He dances like crazy sometimes only to the music in his head. He is full of energy and always on the go. Xavier loves rice, go figure. Cars are his toys of choice and he can name them all. He really likes to play outdoors, and we have to drag him in kicking and screaming at dinner time. Always a spectacle!

His 2 year old apointment went well, he is hitting all his marks and on a normal growth pattern. He is still bothered with the dermatitus but the doctor says he will likely outgrow out in a couple of years. So we have a more years of increasing the stock value for Lubriderm

2 yr olds party too...

2009-07-14T18:26:00.003-04:00

We had Xavier's birthday party this past weekend, and he had so much fun tearing into everything and playing with his new sandbox and tree house. He turned 2 years old on the 8th and we just cant believe how much he has grown!! The first picture is from his birthday last year and you can really tell how grown up he is.

Happy 4th

2009-07-05T12:08:00.003-04:00

Xavier ate corn, watermelon, cupcakes, smores and more... We didnt know where in the world he was putting all the food he was eating. He had fun running around with Tupper and running down the hill to Daddy. We are so blessed to have him and watch him grow up and be curious about everything.

He is so smart too, he is putting words and thoughts together. His birthday is this Wednesday and we are having a party on Saturday. Our little guy turns 2!!

Superstar

2009-07-05T12:06:00.001-04:00

No pictures please, cant even get a break without the camera out! Hos cute he is in his superstar glasses.

Cutie Pie

2009-06-30T18:00:00.002-04:00

What can I say, he is a show stealer, all those pictures of Jamaica vacation, and these three little pictures just make the page.

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

2009-06-30T17:35:00.010-04:00

We had a really good time, I have to say the all inclusive trips are well worth it. The food was good, the people were all really nice, the resort was nice and most of all our company wasn't bad either! Thanks for a good time.. WATER TURKEY OUT..

Courtney being Courtney

Pretty

Pretty

Pretty

Pretty

Meat pies, yes we ate them, yes they were good

Whats up... Ninja Warriors

Come play in the cold water

Us at the falls, climbing the rocks.

James won the contest, and also had to stay for the funny dancing

Jeremy lost, so he has to stay for the funny dancing

Jeremy entered the beer drinking contest.

Ahhh how cute are we...

They look pooped..

She is so freaking rude... She was like this all week.

WOOT

Jamaica

2009-06-29T09:48:00.001-04:00

Was a blast! We had such a good time, what a wonderful place! Pictures will be put up this evening, just trying to sort thru them at the moment. But there was meat pies, beer drinking contests, climbing waterfalls, and dance offs all included in our trip. No goat racing, much to Jeremys dismay!

Update

2009-06-29T09:46:00.002-04:00

Well here is an update on baby Emily. She has moved out of ICU, and is getting tons of therapy to get her strength back, she is in a regular room now and has a lot of work to do, but is doing better and is expected to get better each day.

Thanks for all your prayers and kind words! We all feel like family!

Pray

2009-06-17T22:13:00.003-04:00

One of the families in our close travel group is in ICU with their little girl. She is very sick and we need lots of prayers. She is such beautiful little girl with a world yet to be discovered. We want to send our love, thoughts and prayers to Margaret, Todd and Emily!

Please bend your knees and pray that Emily makes a full recovery!

Zero to Angry in less than a second

2009-06-15T20:42:00.002-04:00

Any guesses who that may be?

Yep, our little one has the unique ability to do this without cause. He is however easily distracted and this behavior diminishes quickly. I will say this though he knows exactly what time out means and doesnt want to go there. Working like a charm.

I talked to him on the phone today, and he actaully said "Hey MaMa, luv u.. How sweet! Of course again he was easily distracted by the pizza daddy was feeding him, and handed the phone back to him, but honestly that was enough for me!

I love my job, but I do miss my boys when im gone! When I get back to them this week it will be almost time for vacation! We are taking the computer and I hope to post a few pics!

Vacation, Birthdays, and more oh my

2009-06-08T08:42:00.002-04:00

This is a busy month. That being said, we have only have 14 more days to go till Jamaica will do its worst to us! We are so excited to be leaving for vacation.

Today is Daddy's birthday, Happy Birthday Baby! We love you very much and are so proud of you!

Courtney graduates on Wednesday for High School, and she will be off to wilmington for what? More school! LOL

My dads birthday is on Wednesday also, happy early birthday paw paw! We love you!

Xavier is turning 2 on 7/8, and we can tell he is entering his terrible two's for sure. He has these moments of sugary sweet goodness and then follows those with moments of tantrum ridden terror! We are using the time out method, and he knows exactly what it means to "Go to the chair" Now thats not to say that he doesnt push the envelope, but at least we have some tools in our parent toolbox.

He is talking up a storm, says anything that he wants to, sometimes on command but mostly he is into repeating what you say. We love it when he says "Razzle" it is so funny because it mostly comes out "Azzhul" Its the little things. Of course when we are in the grocery store and he is saying it over and over and over again and everyone we pass things they have been called an A-hole, its not so amusing.

On the topic of weight I have lost 30 pounds so far, Jeremy has lost 48 and is at his goal. I would like to lose another 20 pounds and am still working hard at shedding those last 20. We have really changed all of our eating habits, for the better. I am in a size that I havent seen in quit some time! Go us!!

Aquarium pictures

2009-05-22T16:25:00.002-04:00

Here are the pictures that I promised.

update

2009-05-19T21:05:00.003-04:00

Jeremy starts school tomorrow, and I think he is looking forward to getting back into it. We are proud of him!

Xavier will be 2 in about 7 weeks, I just cant believe how fast he is growing up. I can remember so vividly holding him for the first time, and blowing on his fuzzy little head because it was so hot in Vietnam. Wow how he has changed.

We went to the Aquarium and the World of Coke this weekend in Atlanta. We had a great time, and he of course loved the "ish" and "ales"---translated Fish and whales!
As soon as I get home I will post the pictures, got some good ones!

I have noticed that Jeremy and I speak "xavier language" pretty well, but I guess most parents do. He is just going to town on the talking, he can say anything he wants to. He repeats just about everything we say, and he is beginning to sing songs in the car. It is so cute! He loves Lady Ga Ga right now, and he just bobs his head and humms the chorus.

Its great to be parents, and i think we are doing a decent job, Jeremy is so patient and knows just what tone to use when he needs xavier to respond. I also have learned more patience and which battles to pick!

We are going to use time out, we have semi started it and he is responding well to it, i like it because we dont have to get all frustrated at all, we just go to time out and he knows. Not to sound like tyrants or anything cuase he only sits there for 20 seconds if that. You would be surprised at how much he understands!

Aunt Capfee

2009-05-09T14:08:00.003-04:00

Here a couple from our visit with Aunt Capfee, as Xavier says it. We had a good visit, and Xavier and I wanted to take their dog home with us!

animal action

2009-05-09T13:59:00.003-04:00

Here are a few of our wild and crazy guy observing all the animals at the nature center. He had such a good time.

Konk

2009-05-05T13:44:00.004-04:00

Xavier fell today....

He saw a elephant on TV and he was so excited and went running for the TV, and tripped and fell and slammed his head into the entertainment center. It immediately had a blue indention in his forehead. Now it has turned a nice shade of pink and purple, and he has a know on his head. Poor fella.

I'm sure that's going to look good, not sure if he will have a big bruise, black eye or what.. It looks so angry, and swollen.

Grandparents

2009-05-01T13:50:00.002-04:00

This week has been a very emotional one for my family. Last Sunday we lost two very special people. A Grandfather and a Grandmother on seperate sides of the family. They had similiar medical issues, and in a blink of an eye they were knocking on the pearly gates, and welcomed home by many.

The memories that linger on, can be found in photographs taken, in stories that are told over and over again, and in the hearts of anybody that was lucky enough to have intereacted with them.

My Mee-Maw lives on in my father, a wonderfully generous man who would give you his last quarter if you would give him a smile in return. I thank god for him, and his presence in not only my life but Xaviers as well. For Xavier will also have very fond memories of his Paw Paw, like I do Mee-Maws.

She lived so well, she lived in each day, in every moment. She had a way about making you feel like you were the only grandchild that she had ever shared the particular experience with. Even though she had shared it with all the rest, you never felt that, it was always special. For instance, she would sing to me, all of the sudden and out of the blue "Ooh-Eeh, Ooh-Aah-Aah, ting tang walla walla bing bang" and you just knew she was singing that for your ears only.

Its memories like these that stick to the inner lining of your heart and soul. She lived well and my hope is that I soaked up enough of her to be even part of the woman she was. I will be better for it. Thanks for that.

PaPa as all the kids knew him was a gentle loving man who became a part of all of our lives way to late in life. We all wish we had known him for a lot longer. He never had a harsh word, or an empty hug. Bill always sang outloud and upbeat, a joy to have been around. I know he is scooting around in heaven singing those sames tunes.

Safari man

2009-04-25T09:16:00.002-04:00

We are all set for our Gotcha day excursion tomorrow, since it rained us out on the official day, we finally have a nice day tomorrow and we will be going to the nature center, as you can tell Xavier is excited!

He wants to send a very special shout out to his Paw Paw and Maw Maw, we are thinking about you and we love you very much. Love and kisses to everybody.

Playdate

2009-04-25T09:11:00.002-04:00

Xavier had a play date with Cheyanne (not sure of spelling, sorry). He had a blast, and she was an angel. Here are a few pictures of them playing together.

Big boy

2009-04-18T13:54:00.002-04:00

Well, there is much to talk about and I finally have a little quit time to discuss it.

Xavier is getting so big! He is so helpful, loves to help carry in the groceries, helps me empty the office garbage, he also likes to help the check out lady at the grocery store, all the while he says "Hep Hep"

We bought him a potty chair of his very own, since he not only recognizes when he poops, but also when we poop too. That was one of the first signs that they are getting ready to accept potty training. YEAH! We have the potty chair out and ready and we talk about it a lot but no action yet.

Jeremy and I are still doing good on our weight loss, still losing. I think Jeremy has lost something like 40 pounds and is at his target weight! I have lost 26 pounds and counting, I would love to lose another 25 pounds or so.. As long as its still coming off I cant complain.

We are getting excited about going to Jamaica in June, we are going to have a blast!

I hear so much about kids not sleeping for naps or night time, and I gotta say we are so blessed. Xavier loves his sleep and we hardly ever have sleep issues with him, he goes down super easy and sleeps. Thanks goodness!

We turned our back screened in patio into a playroom, and we are enjoying spending time out there. The weather is so nice right now, and Xavier just eats up any time he gets outside.

Jeremy has decided to go to school full time, and finish up his teaching degree. So he is no longer working (more about that later), so he has lots of time to dedicate to going back full time. He already has almost a year under his belt already. So in three years he will be teaching, and I couldnt be more happy for him, he has always wanted to do it, and he now has the opportunity!

Since he has been home, Xavier and daddy get to go to the park a couple times per week. Which Xavier loves, and when he comes home he is exhausted, and of course sleeps!

Xavier will turn 2 in July, and I cant believe it, he is such a big boy, but he will always be our baby.

Easter

2009-04-12T21:02:00.002-04:00

We had a great day today, we made it almost all the way thru the church service, had a good lunch with grandparents, played till we fell down and celebrated birthday dinner with Nay Nay. We put one tired little one to bed tonight thats for sure.

We have been so busy around here lately! We re-did our back screened in deck, and put down carpet and lattice to transition that room into an outdoor playroom for Xavier. He loves the outside space, he gets so excited about going out there, all we here is "side, side!!!!"

Seems like every weekend has been packed with something, not much down time. Tuesday is Gotcha day and we had a day planned at the nature center because our little guy loves animals, but its going to rain on Tuesday. Sooooo we are trying to decide what we will do.

Anyway here are some pictures from today.

Sorry

2009-03-23T08:54:00.002-04:00

Its been a while I know, but work has been crazy and we have been on the go over the weekends. I am back traveling again all this week and the better part of next week, so pictures will have to wait till then.

Jeremy is going back to school, full time. He has always wanted to go back and now he has an opportunity to do so. We are happy for him.

We are in the final throws of refinancing our house, that will be nice when its all done. We have jumped thru more hoops than ever before, a true testament to the economy.

Gotcha day is coming up and I cant believe its almost been a year since we first held and kissed our munchkin! He has grown so much, we are going to the nature center this year, should be lots of fun.

Yesterday..

2009-03-08T15:10:00.002-04:00

It was so nice outside yesterday that we went out to play in the yard, and of course Xavier was having a good time with sticks and pine cones... Getting the Resin off his hands was another story. He ran all over the front yard.

With Sympathy

2009-03-04T16:34:00.002-05:00

Jeremy and I have to say goodbye to 45 pounds we have lost.

We have lost a combined total of 2 Xaviers!!!

We have hit somewhat of a plateau, but we are not giving up, slowly but surely we will reach our targets. We have combined another 52 pounds to go.

Snow

2009-03-02T18:42:00.003-05:00

Xavier got his first opportunity since being home to play in some real snow. Last night we got about 6 inches of snow and he thought the snow was great. Here are some pictures from this morning.

We also had a check up appointment with the Urologist, he is happy with everything and Xavier has recovered wonderfully. He doesnt go back for another 6 months.

Pumpkin

2009-03-02T18:33:00.002-05:00

2001-2009

We had to say goodbye to Pumpkin this morning. She has been sick since Thanksgiving and was being so brave and loving, but ultimately we chose not to have her suffer any longer.

She was a great cat, so loving and sweet. We will truely miss her.

Voice

2009-02-19T14:00:00.002-05:00

Xavier has found his voice. Dont get me wrong he constantly chatters away about one thing or another, naming pictures and pointing to things he recognizes, calling for me, jeremy or the cats.

But this is different, he has discovered how LOUD is voice will go, and yells. A lot. About nothing... Yep he is a screamer. He isnt mad, or upset, just screaming.

I sometimes think its cute, when he does it randomly, but I have to admit it has the capability of being just piercing enough to bother my eardrums.

Weekend update

2009-02-16T09:10:00.002-05:00

The overnighter was a success, the GP's survived and even had a little fun. How could you not though, he is a sweetheart.

Dinner was wonderful, as always, everything was fresh and scrumptious! The company wasnt bad either, our 8th Valentines Day together was just as great as the first.

We ran around on Saturday with lots of errands, and stayed close to home on Sunday. Xavier is so smart, he is saying so many more words. You can get out a book and ask him where things are in the book and he points to them and even tries to say the words. I am amazed sometimes at just how hard he tries to get the words out.

We booked our trip to Jamaica Mon!!! Thats right we are going to the islands!!! No Xavier, he wouldnt enjoy it this time. We are so excited, its not until June, but we are already packed in our minds!

after 318 days, we are kid free for 1 night

2009-02-12T13:49:00.002-05:00

Well we have not been away from Xavier at night since we first picked him up at the orphanage. Tomorrow night is our first night without him. I dont know whether to sqeel and jump for joy, or whimper and worry.

Jeremy and I are enjoying our valentines day on friday, instead of saturday, so the sitter still gets a v-day. So we are going to Blackwater Grill, which I love, and then home for some dessert wine and chocolate, and then of course to bed! EARLY!

Xavier is enjoying his evening at pawpaw and meemaw's house, all night, sleeping over, not here, at all......I will miss him.

Hope you all have a great V-Day!

Park

2009-02-08T14:18:00.002-05:00

It was such nice day today that we decided to take Xavier to the park. This was his first time at a park, and he loved it. He didnt want to leave! He was a short time on the swing, but he loved the slide. At the end he could climb the slide all by himself, little dare devil!

Peanut

2009-02-07T14:02:00.003-05:00

Here is my little cutie this morning, being amazed by the camera, he thinks electronics are the bomb!

32 pounds

2009-02-07T13:49:00.006-05:00

Jeremy and I started dieting at the beginning of the year. We both are determined to lose weight this year, and look HOTT and feel GREAT!!!

We have been eating some really good food lately, and I wanted to occasionally share some pictures and recipes. We like to eat, and the thought of dieting and eating cardboard tasting food, or starving ourselves wasnt exciting.

But we have not cut any of the flavor, we are eating some really good food! All and all we have lost a combined 32 pounds since the beginning of the year, and we are pleased with our accomplishment!!

This is an awesome white chili which is only 302 calories for 1.5 cups!!! And it is yummo!!

These scrumptily-delicisio carrot cake cupcakes are only 203 little calories. Yes they are homemade, yes they are easy to make and they wont kill your diet! All the good stuff and none of the bad, hit me up if you want to bake a batch!

Bottle be Gone

2009-02-03T15:43:00.002-05:00

We are about to assume the position, as parents we have come to place when we gently remove the bottle from our childs life. Will he kick and scream, yes. Will he throw his comical tantrums, probably. But alas it is time, according to the ped doc is was time 2 months ago.

So we will begin trying to remove one bottle at a time and replacing it with a sippy cup, until all three bottles are gone.

Any good tips for taking away babies best friend?

Hopefully Xavier will react to this like he has all the other changes we have made in his life, with ease, simplicity and without recourse.

Fill and Dump

2009-02-01T16:17:00.004-05:00

Here are some of Xavier playing with his new Fill and Dump Wagon that his Mimi bought him this afternoon. He really likes it, he emptys it and puts them all back him, and pulls it across the living room.

TET Pictures

2009-02-01T16:12:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Tet last weekend with a dinner with all the grandparents, here are some pics of Xavier on his first Tet with us!

News

2009-01-28T20:47:00.002-05:00

Well Xavier is progressing so good. He is the best patient, he is running 90 to nothing..He has no catheter anymore, and no bandages, and 95% of swelling is gone, and things are looking very normal.. A big relief for me and dad!

He has slept thru the night without any pain meds for the past 2 nights, and we are loving that again..

I am back on the road again this week, and miss my boys as usual.

Tet was this past weekend, and we celebrated with dinner with all the grandparents, I have some pictures, and will ge those up this weekend. Xavier racked up with $300 for the future!

Everyone says he is soooo lucky, but we feel like we are the lucky ones to have him!!

A bath for a boy

2009-01-21T10:24:00.002-05:00

Today, we can finally take a real bath, no more sponge baths!!! (mommy cheers)

There is just something about not getting a bath, that makes you feel dirty, I know he doesnt go anywhere or do anything and his potential for being really dirty is low..But he needs a bath too!

Today we soak off bandages, and get or first glimpse of the masterpiece!

Progress

2009-01-20T11:48:00.002-05:00

Xavier is doing better each day. He has very restless nights, he struggles with his sleeping positions. He is a tummy sleeper all the way, and well, that hurts. We are still getting up in the middle of the night to administer more pain meds.

We have moved to Tylenol during the day, but are trying to ween him off the pain meds at least during the day. It tends to make him hyper, he runs around, spins in circles and all but vomits split pea soup..

The bleeding has greatly reduced, and the swelling seems to have gone down some what.. Tomorrow we get to have a soaking bath, to soak off the bandages, for our appointment on thursday. The dreaded removal of the catheter..

After all that we take it one day at a time..

Hard at work

2009-01-18T17:41:00.005-05:00

Here are some cute pictures of Xavier working on his lion, prior to surgery. He has a case of "plumber butt"

When he gets involved in something, her really gets focused..

Post Op report

2009-01-18T17:28:00.005-05:00

Well we are 2 days post op, and Xavier is up and running around like nothing has happened. Even though the changing of the diapers tell an entirely different story!

After what seemed like the longest day of our lives, we are so thankful that it is all behind us, and we are moving thru the recovery seemingly with break neck speeds!

We go for a check up appointment to get the catheter removed on Thursday, and de-bandage, etc.. Here are a few pictures pre-op and one very dark one post-op..

It was nerve wracking, his surgery was supposed to begin at 1pm, and didnt actually start until almost 5pm, so you can imagine trying to entertain a 1 year old, for that long with no food or drink allowed. It was awful he cried and requested "mum" and it was heart breaking to tell him he couldnt have it.. They finally came in the room and started telling us about all the stuff they were going to do to him, and i had to stop them, i couldnt stand to hear it. Everything went fine during surgery, and in post op, he had a bout 17 wires hooked to him, and was really groggy, after an hour and a half we were on our way back home..

OMG

2009-01-14T14:01:00.001-05:00

only 2 days till surgery. I am getting cold feet, and dont want to go. I dont want to wear my big girl pants.

Calling all Foodies

2009-01-12T16:34:00.001-05:00

When we went to Cirque de Soleil 2 weekends ago, guess who was in line in front of Mimi???

ALTON BROWN for Good Eats!!!!!!!!!

So cool

Texting already....WHAT???

2009-01-12T16:32:00.001-05:00

This says a thousand words!

Toes

2009-01-12T15:23:00.002-05:00

Last night our guy decided to pull things out of the refrigerator, as he usually does and is scolded, anyway, and proceeded to drop it on his toe...

He screamed..
and screamed..
and screamed..

I felt terrible..

He normally chooses to take the small things out of the door of the refrigerator, but not this time, nope, he chose to take a large jar out and couldnt hold onto it.

His toe is purple.

I feel terrible.

He doesnt act like it bothers him..

He also got his 18 month shots today, he was poked 4 times.. Mean Dr..

Surgery

2009-01-10T13:39:00.002-05:00

Well it has come to that time when Xavier is going under the knife...

His surgery is scheduled for this next friday, should be minor, and uneventful, but you cant convicne me of it. I am worried sick about it..

Please pray everything goes well and he is up and at em quickly. Also pray that I stay calm and collected during all this.. Dont worry I will be medicated!

Wish us luck!

2009

2009-01-02T15:53:00.003-05:00

2008 was the best year ever, I dont know how we will top it..

April 2008 We flew to Vietnam to meet our son
July 2008 Xavier turned 1
October 2008 I started a new job with Grace Healthcare

Lot of change, but ALL worth it. The changes have been so worth it and we look forward to 2009 being better.

Nah Nah Nah Nah BATMAN...........

2008-12-28T19:07:00.006-05:00

Batman was in the house tonight, complete with cape, bat car and bat cave. Xavier thought he was something..

Happy Holidays

2008-12-27T13:54:00.002-05:00

We had a wonderful Christmas, Xavier had a blast, even though he has a little cold that has left him feeling under the weather. He fought thru runny nose and all. He is the best gift Jeremy and I could ever have received, children are so fulfilling. We are blessed indeed that he is a part of our life.

We had the family over and we stayed in our PJ's all day long, let me tell you it was a wonderful thing not to have to run all over the place, but just relax and be at home.

Here are some pictures and I hope you had a wonderful Holiday as well.

New Pictures

2008-12-17T20:03:00.002-05:00

Some of our little one being Mr Independent and wanting to eat with his own little fork! And some from tonight with his new hair cut!

Sorry

2008-12-16T08:48:00.003-05:00

Sorry no blogging lately, I have been on the road spending a lot of time in Winston Salem, and when I am not there, I have been home soaking up Xavier. Can you blame me>?

I do have some pictures to post, but my battery is charging on the camera, dont worry they are coming..

Work is going good, I am liking it better, I enjoy the independence I have and the responsibility! We are looking forward to Christmas, Xavier is going to have a blast. We are blessed to enjoy it with him.

Our little playful package

2008-12-02T19:53:00.001-05:00

Here are some really cute ones of Xavier and daddy being silly. He loves to climb!

Turkey day pics

2008-12-02T19:47:00.001-05:00

Here are some cute ones. He looks like he is dancing in some of them!

Thankful, but you knew that

2008-12-01T13:42:00.002-05:00

Thanksgiving went very well, we enjoyed a family meal for the first year with Xavier. We had turkey and all the fixings, we hung out and just enjoyed being blessed. There are pictures, and I will post later, need to be on different computer. There are many who are not as lucky as we all are, and we are thankful!

I love my house, my job, and all the things that make our home a home, but if we were not so blessed, I honestly would be just as happy and fulfilled with Jeremy and Xavier at my side. My boys~~are very special too me, I am lucky to have the most wonderful husband ever, not for what he does for me, but how he makes me feel every day. I am also lucky to be able to be "MaMa" to Xavier. He melts my heart and makes my soul sing!

I love you two!!

There is a MOOSE LOOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-23T13:56:00.006-05:00

Not this crazy moose, he is always here

This is one is the one I am referring too!

There is a moose loose in our house! We decorated our tree this AM, and all the sudden this crazy mooose was running all over the living room!

Yes we have our tree up, yes its decorated and yes we are done christmas shopping and we did it all with a little one!

Just hangin out

2008-11-23T13:28:00.005-05:00

Here are some pictures of Xavier, we were just hanging out and having some photo fun! He is such a ham literally!

6 months

2008-11-13T07:32:00.002-05:00

Wow... 6 months ago today, we saw Xavier for the first time. It was the first time I touched his little hand, the first time I saw that sweet smile, the first time our child laid his head down on our shoulders or the first glimpse of his wonder. Their were many ,firsts over those first several weeks and there are many firsts now as he grows and develops his personality.

We love him more and more everyday and count our blessings! We are lucky to have been given this opportunity to raise him. Our lives have truely changed, it is true that a child changes everything, for us we rather love the change!

Xavier we love you so much, you melt our hearts with your sweet voice, I know you rap your dad around your little finger when you sit with him and read books. As for me I love it when I take you into your room to go night night and you lay your sweet head down on my shoulder and pat my back and say MaMa. Its the simple things... Thank you

Pipe down

2008-11-05T11:21:00.002-05:00

Let me just start by saying this....

Elections bring out the worst in people. Sure I voted for Obama, and I am proud that my country believes enough in progress to also vote Obama with electoral and popular vote. But that does not mean people have the right to come here to my personal site and run their mouth with terribly racial statements. I thought we had moved on, I thought we were better than that, I guess there are some who have not.

Please respect me enough, to not post things like that on my blog, I will delete them immediately. I have the control here, so go waste your time on some other site spewing your trash mouth, no one here cares.

And just so you know most of the people that read this site are from the right, and well even though they made a different choice than me, they have the respect not to be obscene. Follow Suit!

Vote

2008-11-04T08:41:00.002-05:00

Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Obama, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote, Vote,

Thankful

2008-11-02T19:45:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to take a moment and say out loud, how tahnkful we are to have Xavier. He is our everything, and we are blessed to have the opportunity to be a small part in his life. We are the lucky ones, and everyday we are re-charged by his smile and laughter. As we get ready for the holidays we are feeling extra special thankful for our son, our family and the time we will all be spending together.

Xaviers first Halloween

2008-11-01T08:46:00.002-04:00

Xavier was amazed at all the kids and their costumes, he was more interested in people watching then getting loot. We did the whole downtown main street, it was plenty.. Here are some pictures of our cutie