Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Snapshot....
Here's a quick snapshot into our evening tonight as we were putting Gabby to bed....
[History] I ran down to the playroom to get Gabby's favorite books and the video monitor. I could hear....
Brandon: Ok, Gabs - when Mommy gets up here you say: Thank You - I love you Mommy.
Gabby: Ok Daddy - I say Thank You, Love you Mama
Brandon: Yes, that's perfect. Let's try it again
Gabby: Thank You, Love you Mama
Brandon: Gabby - that's perfect.
[I enter the room]
Megan: Hi Gabs! Ready to read books?
Brandon: Gabby, what were you going to say to Mommy....?
[Long Pause while she thinks really hard]
Gabby: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!
Love.Her.
[History] I ran down to the playroom to get Gabby's favorite books and the video monitor. I could hear....
Brandon: Ok, Gabs - when Mommy gets up here you say: Thank You - I love you Mommy.
Gabby: Ok Daddy - I say Thank You, Love you Mama
Brandon: Yes, that's perfect. Let's try it again
Gabby: Thank You, Love you Mama
Brandon: Gabby - that's perfect.
[I enter the room]
Megan: Hi Gabs! Ready to read books?
Brandon: Gabby, what were you going to say to Mommy....?
[Long Pause while she thinks really hard]
Gabby: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!
Love.Her.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Family Pictures
We recently had family pictures taken and these were a few provided by our photographer as a sneak preview!
Pictures courtesy of: K & E Productions
Pictures courtesy of: K & E Productions
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Summer - 2011
Wow - there are so many updates to make since my last post. How does time just seem to float away during the summer?
We've went through many exciting changes here at the Williams house in the past 3 months. Here goes...
#1 - Mommy goes back to work
I was approached in May by a recruiter for a position at Marsh (www.usa.marsh.com) - a leading Risk Management/Insurance company located in Urbandale. After much thought I decided to pursue their offer as we were already talking about me exploring going back to my career. I enjoyed being home with my babies, but felt that at this point in their lives a structured and social environment would be the best thing for their on-going development. I am 6 weeks into my new position (Client Services Manager) and am enjoying getting to know the position and my staff.
#2 - "School" for G & D
Wow - was this ever the hardest decision we've made yet to date in our lives. We toured countless numbers of daycares in search for "the one". It was a very exhausting but finally rewarding experience as we settled on the right fit for our kids - Generation Next. Structure and Curriculum were the two main components we were looking for and we found them both there. The first couple of weeks were an adjustment - as this was the first time for many things...
1. Drake was without his Mommy since birth
2. Both were napping not in their own beds
3. Both were sitting at a table/chair vs. high chairs
4. Both were going off someone else's schedule vs. their own
The list goes on and on :) However, 7 weeks later we are excited and thrilled to say that both kids enjoy school immensely. They love their teachers - so much to the point that when Miss. Abby leaves the room Drake has a full-on meltdown until she returns (we're working on this!). Gabby gives Miss. Elizabeth a hug every morning and says hi to all of her "friends". The adjustment couldn't have gone any better (for all parties involved - Mommy & Daddy included). We are blessed to have found the right environment to help our children gain the skills needed to thrive in Kindergarten and beyond!
3 - Go Hawks
Brandon would be bummed if I didn't add that his daughter's most recent achievement (per him) would be the ability to say: "GO HAWKS!!".
4 - Sickness
With daycare comes sickness - and we've seen it first hand since they started going to school. In the past 6 weeks Drake has had 4 ear infections, a sinus infection and Hand, Foot & Mouth. The kids both missed school (Gabby - 3 days and Drake 5 days) last week because of Hand,Foot and Mouth, it was easily the hardest illness we've had yet at our house. Drake is on Day 9 of lingering affects but seems to be getting better.
5 - Personality
Drake has really developed a personality in the past 2 months. We had always thought his sister would be the one to give us a run for our money - apparently god had different plans! This kid is ornery - a red haired, spunky, mischievous little guy who LOVES to instigate things with his sister. He enjoys pulling hair, pushing her off the chair, tackling her to the ground, squeezing her cheeks when she's getting her diaper changed...and the list goes on and on.....
6 - 3 new Favorite Things
Gabby's new 3 favorite things are: Finding Nemo (or as she says: Eeee-moh). Peanut Butter (or as she says: Peah Buhhtuh) and Winnie the Pooh, she loves the Piglet Movie and singing along to the songs.
7 - Big Eater
Drake is still a big eater - it's not uncommon for him to eat 2 pieces of pizza...for a snack. Things he has enjoyed in the past month are Crockpot Pizza, Chicken Alfredo, Sweet Potato Fries, Avocadoes, Rigatoni Bake, Jello Casserole and Spaghetti Corn. You'll notice none of the above mention any vegetables - one thing both kids have an aversion to...so I continue to puree' them and sneak them in their meals.
8 - Pool Days
We try to get the kids to the pool atleast once a weekend as they both love the water. Gabby absolutely loves to float around with Brandon or I on a tube in the lazy river. She squeals each time we come up to a water fall in anticipation - it's quite funny. Drake enjoys the toddler area and all of the fountains that splash up from the ground. Luckily there is a toddler slide in one area, and Gabby has mastered the path of going up the stairs, down the slide into the water..repeat,repeat, repeat. We simply just wait at the bottom of the slide to catch her.
9 - New Nephew!
We anxiously await the arrival of our nephew - Brayden. My sister is due in 4 short weeks and we are so very excited. I am planning to go to Omaha soon after he is born and can't wait to hold a newborn again.
We hope you're all enjoying these Summer Months - we are trying to soak up as much family time outdoors that we can before the tides turn again and the cooler weather embarks upon us.
Stay Cool!
We've went through many exciting changes here at the Williams house in the past 3 months. Here goes...
#1 - Mommy goes back to work
I was approached in May by a recruiter for a position at Marsh (www.usa.marsh.com) - a leading Risk Management/Insurance company located in Urbandale. After much thought I decided to pursue their offer as we were already talking about me exploring going back to my career. I enjoyed being home with my babies, but felt that at this point in their lives a structured and social environment would be the best thing for their on-going development. I am 6 weeks into my new position (Client Services Manager) and am enjoying getting to know the position and my staff.
#2 - "School" for G & D
Wow - was this ever the hardest decision we've made yet to date in our lives. We toured countless numbers of daycares in search for "the one". It was a very exhausting but finally rewarding experience as we settled on the right fit for our kids - Generation Next. Structure and Curriculum were the two main components we were looking for and we found them both there. The first couple of weeks were an adjustment - as this was the first time for many things...
1. Drake was without his Mommy since birth
2. Both were napping not in their own beds
3. Both were sitting at a table/chair vs. high chairs
4. Both were going off someone else's schedule vs. their own
The list goes on and on :) However, 7 weeks later we are excited and thrilled to say that both kids enjoy school immensely. They love their teachers - so much to the point that when Miss. Abby leaves the room Drake has a full-on meltdown until she returns (we're working on this!). Gabby gives Miss. Elizabeth a hug every morning and says hi to all of her "friends". The adjustment couldn't have gone any better (for all parties involved - Mommy & Daddy included). We are blessed to have found the right environment to help our children gain the skills needed to thrive in Kindergarten and beyond!
3 - Go Hawks
Brandon would be bummed if I didn't add that his daughter's most recent achievement (per him) would be the ability to say: "GO HAWKS!!".
4 - Sickness
With daycare comes sickness - and we've seen it first hand since they started going to school. In the past 6 weeks Drake has had 4 ear infections, a sinus infection and Hand, Foot & Mouth. The kids both missed school (Gabby - 3 days and Drake 5 days) last week because of Hand,Foot and Mouth, it was easily the hardest illness we've had yet at our house. Drake is on Day 9 of lingering affects but seems to be getting better.
5 - Personality
Drake has really developed a personality in the past 2 months. We had always thought his sister would be the one to give us a run for our money - apparently god had different plans! This kid is ornery - a red haired, spunky, mischievous little guy who LOVES to instigate things with his sister. He enjoys pulling hair, pushing her off the chair, tackling her to the ground, squeezing her cheeks when she's getting her diaper changed...and the list goes on and on.....
6 - 3 new Favorite Things
Gabby's new 3 favorite things are: Finding Nemo (or as she says: Eeee-moh). Peanut Butter (or as she says: Peah Buhhtuh) and Winnie the Pooh, she loves the Piglet Movie and singing along to the songs.
7 - Big Eater
Drake is still a big eater - it's not uncommon for him to eat 2 pieces of pizza...for a snack. Things he has enjoyed in the past month are Crockpot Pizza, Chicken Alfredo, Sweet Potato Fries, Avocadoes, Rigatoni Bake, Jello Casserole and Spaghetti Corn. You'll notice none of the above mention any vegetables - one thing both kids have an aversion to...so I continue to puree' them and sneak them in their meals.
8 - Pool Days
We try to get the kids to the pool atleast once a weekend as they both love the water. Gabby absolutely loves to float around with Brandon or I on a tube in the lazy river. She squeals each time we come up to a water fall in anticipation - it's quite funny. Drake enjoys the toddler area and all of the fountains that splash up from the ground. Luckily there is a toddler slide in one area, and Gabby has mastered the path of going up the stairs, down the slide into the water..repeat,repeat, repeat. We simply just wait at the bottom of the slide to catch her.
9 - New Nephew!
We anxiously await the arrival of our nephew - Brayden. My sister is due in 4 short weeks and we are so very excited. I am planning to go to Omaha soon after he is born and can't wait to hold a newborn again.
We hope you're all enjoying these Summer Months - we are trying to soak up as much family time outdoors that we can before the tides turn again and the cooler weather embarks upon us.
Stay Cool!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Birthdays!!
Please enjoy the two new posts below about the big BIRTHDAYS we celebrated this month!! Brandon and I are very happy that we survived having 2 under 2 - please say a prayer for us as we embark on our new adventure of having 2 TODDLERS!!!
Happy Birthday Gabby!
Our little princess turned 2 yesterday! My, how time flies. I remember the anticipation surrounding his arrival like it was yesterday. I remember eating at Wig and Pen the night I went into labor with Brandon and his dad. I remember how every time I would do something towards the end I'd think: This might be the last time I do this before I'm a mommy. Little did I know how much I'd love being a mommy - especially to a little red-headed ball of sunshine (or thunder, depending on the day!).
Oh, Gabby. Where do I even start? You've kept us on our toes since Day 1. You were a mover and a shaker since the day we met you and you haven't stopped since. You have changed so very much over the past year, it often times seems as if dare take a breath we may miss something you've done.
You are so very smart - you love the I-Pad and often figure out things to do on it that neither Mommy nor Daddy knew how to do before! You love Dora and Mickey Mouse, they are what we would say are your "BFF's". You know all of your letters, numbers and colors. You can read simple words off flash-cards and can identify over 100 pictures on your flashcards. You have loved to learn since you were just tiny - you soak up everything and anything. You love to have a task - you find joy in starting something and finishing something - but ONLY if it's finished to your perfection.
You are starting to warm up to your brother - we know you love him as you smile when you see him. However, you are not too fond of sharing - especially with him! You love to be outdoors and see new things - you love to gather rocks, sticks, flowers and put them in your wagon.
You recently had your first procedure in which you were under anesthesia (ear tubes) - I have never seen your Daddy so scared. You are definitely the light of his life.
I tear-up just thinking about how much I love you - a love I had never known before god picked us to be your parents. Every day with you, my friend, is an adventure - I'm just grateful that you're allowing us to be along for the ride.
Happy Birthday Gabs!
Oh, Gabby. Where do I even start? You've kept us on our toes since Day 1. You were a mover and a shaker since the day we met you and you haven't stopped since. You have changed so very much over the past year, it often times seems as if dare take a breath we may miss something you've done.
You are so very smart - you love the I-Pad and often figure out things to do on it that neither Mommy nor Daddy knew how to do before! You love Dora and Mickey Mouse, they are what we would say are your "BFF's". You know all of your letters, numbers and colors. You can read simple words off flash-cards and can identify over 100 pictures on your flashcards. You have loved to learn since you were just tiny - you soak up everything and anything. You love to have a task - you find joy in starting something and finishing something - but ONLY if it's finished to your perfection.
You are starting to warm up to your brother - we know you love him as you smile when you see him. However, you are not too fond of sharing - especially with him! You love to be outdoors and see new things - you love to gather rocks, sticks, flowers and put them in your wagon.
You recently had your first procedure in which you were under anesthesia (ear tubes) - I have never seen your Daddy so scared. You are definitely the light of his life.
I tear-up just thinking about how much I love you - a love I had never known before god picked us to be your parents. Every day with you, my friend, is an adventure - I'm just grateful that you're allowing us to be along for the ride.
Happy Birthday Gabs!
Happy Birthday Drake!
Happy Birthday to my favorite little boy! I can't believe he is 1. I have mixed emotions about this milestone as I am grateful for an energetic, happy little boy - but sad that my baby is growing up.
Drake is taking after his sister and is very busy! He officially started walking the day after his birthday - because no one around here could do anything by the book! He is getting better and better and faster and faster. His attempts to keep up with his sister are getting very good - something she is not to happy about.
He weighed in at 24.8 lbs and is 31.5 inches long. The kid eats like a champ - somedays I can't comprehend how a tiny person could eat so much! He loves anything and everything when it comes to food and most recently discovered he loves pulled pork and smoked turkey over Easter weekend.
His favorite toy is anything that rolls. He got a Hawkeye Basketball for his Birthday and rarely lets it out of his sight. He enjoys pushing it with his (left) hand and then chasing it all over the kitchen. He also loves to be outside - especially when is is swinging or watching Kinnick run all over the backyard.
He continues to be a very happy and loving little boy. Every morning (and nap) when I get him out of his crib he buries his little head in my shoulder and gives me a "hug". Yes, it melts my heart every single time.
There is no doubt that this little kid has me wrapped around his finger - very rarely does he let me out of his sight. I often refer to him as my "25 lb tumor" as generally he is either tugging on my pants, being held or wanting snuggles....all of which I'm happy to oblige.
I couldn't imagine my life without this little guy in it - he truly brings joy to my world. I look back over his first year with such emotion - I sometimes can't believe that god blessed us with two little miracles. I guess over the years, we must've done something right. :)
Happy Birthday Drakey!!
Drake is taking after his sister and is very busy! He officially started walking the day after his birthday - because no one around here could do anything by the book! He is getting better and better and faster and faster. His attempts to keep up with his sister are getting very good - something she is not to happy about.
He weighed in at 24.8 lbs and is 31.5 inches long. The kid eats like a champ - somedays I can't comprehend how a tiny person could eat so much! He loves anything and everything when it comes to food and most recently discovered he loves pulled pork and smoked turkey over Easter weekend.
His favorite toy is anything that rolls. He got a Hawkeye Basketball for his Birthday and rarely lets it out of his sight. He enjoys pushing it with his (left) hand and then chasing it all over the kitchen. He also loves to be outside - especially when is is swinging or watching Kinnick run all over the backyard.
He continues to be a very happy and loving little boy. Every morning (and nap) when I get him out of his crib he buries his little head in my shoulder and gives me a "hug". Yes, it melts my heart every single time.
There is no doubt that this little kid has me wrapped around his finger - very rarely does he let me out of his sight. I often refer to him as my "25 lb tumor" as generally he is either tugging on my pants, being held or wanting snuggles....all of which I'm happy to oblige.
I couldn't imagine my life without this little guy in it - he truly brings joy to my world. I look back over his first year with such emotion - I sometimes can't believe that god blessed us with two little miracles. I guess over the years, we must've done something right. :)
Happy Birthday Drakey!!
Monday, March 14, 2011
2 under 2: More Firsts....
Well, we had two more "Firsts" here this past weekend....
Drake got his first (but certainly not last) Fat Lip - complete with a cut right down the center.
And Gabby got her first Haircut! Brandon and I were nervous as she's not one to sit still, but she did awesome. She sat on my lap and watched the girl(s) blow bubbles and was happy as can be. She laughed a little when the scissors tickled her neck and tried to grab them once when they were cutting her bangs - but other than that she was an angel!
Drake got his first (but certainly not last) Fat Lip - complete with a cut right down the center.
And Gabby got her first Haircut! Brandon and I were nervous as she's not one to sit still, but she did awesome. She sat on my lap and watched the girl(s) blow bubbles and was happy as can be. She laughed a little when the scissors tickled her neck and tried to grab them once when they were cutting her bangs - but other than that she was an angel!
Wheeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!
We received a wonderful gift from my side of the family for Christmas - a gift certificate to a local hotel which also happens to have a neat indoor waterpark. We, along with Grandma Dawn (we never turn down backup help!) took the kids one weekend in February. Brandon and Grandma were able to take 1/2 days of vacation, so we beat the crowds and went Friday afternoon.
This was Drake's first time being in a pool, but knowing how much he loves to take baths we assumed he'd love it as much as we knew his sister would. He had a great time - he was either floating around in his inflatable giraffe or being swam around by one of the adults. He had it made - I think if he would've had his own pool girl to bring him warm towels and a margarita - he would've never come home.
Gabby was in heaven. She loved the slides and (surprise, surprise) loved the giant slides. Brandon took her the first time and I could hear her from the top: Wheeeeeeee, Wheeeeeeee, WHEEEEEEE!!! Needless to say her dad and I were exhausted by the end of the day from carrying her up the stairs...over, and over, and over again!
We had a great weekend - one that we can't wait to relive next Winter!!
This was Drake's first time being in a pool, but knowing how much he loves to take baths we assumed he'd love it as much as we knew his sister would. He had a great time - he was either floating around in his inflatable giraffe or being swam around by one of the adults. He had it made - I think if he would've had his own pool girl to bring him warm towels and a margarita - he would've never come home.
Gabby was in heaven. She loved the slides and (surprise, surprise) loved the giant slides. Brandon took her the first time and I could hear her from the top: Wheeeeeeee, Wheeeeeeee, WHEEEEEEE!!! Needless to say her dad and I were exhausted by the end of the day from carrying her up the stairs...over, and over, and over again!
We had a great weekend - one that we can't wait to relive next Winter!!
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