A little outdoor fun

Thanks to some gorgeous weather, we have had a ton of fun outdoors! I bought the boys some shovels (thank you Target!) and let them dig up dirt and sticks (Harrison thinks they were dino bones) in the side yard.  They had a blast!

 Digging up bones

Dirt dirt everywhere

Cruising on my trike

This was a "CHEESE!" face

Brooks loves to watch TV on our bed... notice that zoned out look on his face!?

Atlanta Weekend

We packed up the boys and headed north to Atlanta for the weekend.  It's less than 90 miles from here so it was completely manageable! We went to the ImagineIt! museum and while it wasn't near as fun as Indy's Childrens Museum, the boys enjoyed themselves.  Now trying to get two overly tired kids to sleep in a hotel room... not enjoyable.one.single.bit!   

Brooks sorting boxes on the delivery truck

Harrison loved fishing

 ... and milking the cow

We spent Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning at Centennial Park downtown.  The boys are happiest when they are running, jumping and climbing!

Climbing away

I love this picture of the boys (well minus the trashcan that I couldn't crop out!) 

My sweet boy who is growing so fast!

Look what Brooks can do!! He cries on and on (and on) about something dramatic and once he has a mouthful of spit, he blows bubbles with it.  Hate to tell ya Brooks, the ladies ain't gonna go for that!

Our New Pup!

After our doggie adoption disaster that ended in returning the dog, we were anxious to get another pup.  We did some research and decided that we wanted a golden retriever, namely an English cream.  We found a breeder here in Middle Georgia who was expecting a litter to be born in late January.  We got word on Saturday that the puppies were born! We are getting a girl dog and she will be ready to come home in 8 weeks! 

Now onto naming her... suggestions welcomed!

Our Week

We've been busy. I had a nice relaxing girls weekend in Nashville last weekend, complete with wine, massages and uninterrupted meals (and shopping!)  

Harrison is loving school and is learning something new everyday.  He has become very witty and comes up with the craziest things.  He knows how to spell his name, count to 20, and is mastering scissors! He loves to play cars and is forever asking if someone will play with him. 

Brian built the boys a fort last night... Harrison enjoyed making shadows with his flashlight!

Harrison loves to help me cook.  We had a blast making a pizza for dinner, however he wouldn't even taste it! He is a very picky eater. He doesn't like veggies, cheese, noodles, pizza, pretzels or oranges. The list goes on and on. 

 Brooks loves to play outside.  This is at one of our local parks and Brooks will literally fall asleep in the swings. Brooks is still not talking despite being nearly 23 months old.  He says a handful of words and understands what we say to him, however I'm guessing he will be sent for a speech eval once he turns 2.  He is a "monster" as I normally call him.  Into everything, always hungry, climbing and screaming!

Harrison was on the "naughty step" for time out and he was laying and singing! I thought it was hilarious, hence the picture! 

Brian takes Harrison to Lowe's once a month for the Build and Grow workshops (you should check them out, too!) It's completely free, the kids get aprons and goggles, and they do a super cool craft! Harrison was posing and he looks like such a nerd....I love it!

Friday Phone Dump

I hardly ever use my real camera anymore, instead I am snapping pics with my Iphone.  I seriously don't know what I did before I had that phone. 

Harrison decided to dress himself the other day and this is what we got.  Shorts and shoes on the wrong feet. Honestly, I let him wear the shorts outside.  It was near 72 that day! 

Brooks cruising around sans clothes plus boots! 

I took the boys to one the pizza parlors here where they gave a tour and let the kids make their own pizza.  Harrison loved every second of it (well except the whole eating the pizza part--pickiest eater ever!)

Another shot of the great January weather! Brooks on his mini 4-wheeler!

New Years

Happy very belated New Years.  Blogger has not been friendly in allowing me to upload photos.  And seeing as how I have limited time and patience to deal with this, I have been neglecting this dear old blog! 

We finally got to crack that bottle of Dom Perignon that we got when we moved here! 

Cheers to new friends! 

Painting Fun (for Great-G!)

Hey Great Grandma, we heard that you have a laptop and check our blog now! Thought you might like to see how much fun we are having with our new paints! We will send one your way once they're finished drying!

Love and Miss you,

Harrison and Brooks

A Few of Our Favorite Things

The boys are learning how to play better with each other, but they each have some favorite things.

Magnetic letters... unfortunately the only place to play with these on the dishwasher. Dang stainless steel fridge!

Brooksey LOVES bathtime and recently has enjoyed taking big boy showers!

Harrison really loves his new Design and Drill patterns

And nevermind the child's hair...he put too much hair gel in!

Both of the boys are OBsessed with playing games on our phones, computer, Kindle.. you name it, they want to play it.  I love this picture of all of my boys playing gadgets! 

Merry & Bright

Although we didn't travel home, we had a great first Christmas in Georgia.  The boys (especially Harrison) are great ages this year ad really enjoyed everything.  Harrison loved tearing open his gifts, while Brooks would rather have tested out each toy as he opened it.  The boys are so very lucky to have family and friends across the country who love them and sent some pretty awesome gifts!

O Christmas Tree 

A DIY Christmas Eve family pic

Handsome Harrison posing on momma's new bench (don't you just love it)!

Sweet Brooks loves his piano

And Harrison's favorite gift was his semi

A Christmas Teaser

Because I have a yuck cold and don't really feel like getting off the couch to upload Christmas Day photos, here is an adorable shot of Harrison doing a little dance with his present from Great Grandma!

More to come later this week... 

Christmas Concert Video

For those of you just dying to see Harrison sing his way through "O Come Let Us Adore Him" (we are talking to you GiGi!) here is a snip of his concert.  He took a lot of cues from little Analise!

O Come Let Us Adore Him

Harrison had his preschool Christmas concert last week and look how adorable he is! He was overheard singing O Come Let Us Adore him in the weeks leading up to his big show (especially at Chic Fil A instead of eating his dinner!) He is growing up so quickly and makes us so very proud!

Two little studs posing

Take #2

It was difficult to get a close up of him as there were are a ton of people there (insert side convo here: WTH is up with people saving seats at a fricking preschool concert? But you better bet that I am doing it next year!) Anyways, Harrison did a great job but he took a lot of clues from his friend Analise who is standing at his left. 

My Story

Before you look at the picture, listen to my story. 

I seriously debated on writing on such a topic, but due to the lack of knowledge, support, etc... I felt compelled to tell my story. There is nothing to be ashamed of; I did nothing wrong so why not share in hopes that I can help someone else. 

Brian and I were expecting Baby Luds #3 with an estimated due date of July 8th.  We were thrilled that our last baby was on his/her way! Although early in the pregnancy, we had already started making preparations, debating names, planning nurseries... 

I had a routine check-up the day before Thanksgiving that showed a healthy little nugget with a strong little heart at 7 weeks.  This being my 3rd pregnancy, I thought I was in the clear because I had seen the heartbeat.  Little did I know that less than 2 weeks later, our baby would be gone.  I started having some complications a mere 5 days after that ultrasound.  My OB told me based on my symptoms, it was likely that I would miscarry.  And I did 6 days later.  I was 9 weeks pregnant. 

I tell my story not for pity, but to say it happened.  I don't know why women keep infant loss/miscarriages tucked away as secrets.  It's a horrible reality that Brian and I have been dealing with for the last week.  We are unbelievably sad, but are thankful that we have two healthy boys who have kept us focused and busy.  We are blessed.  And while times are tough right now, we know that there is a plan for us and our family.  

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Our angel baby. Forever in our hearts. 

GiGi Came to See Us!

GiGi came to visit! And boy were we thankful to have her here!

We built a gingerbread train (some of us ate more than decorated)

We celebrated GiGi's birthday!

We made Christmas cookies (some of us ate more than decorated here too!)

 We went to the parade

And then we had to say goodbye... we can't wait til you come back GiGi!

New Buddies

Hooray, we made some friends! Yesterday we headed out to meet Santa, have lunch with the jolly old man and play in the "Georgia snow" (aka bubbles!)

Hey kids, meet Santa!

Harrison, Alden and Miss Sadie snuggled up for storytime!

I hope they're friends forever!  

Playing in the snow

Brooks was exhausted and just stood in the bubbles

Boys will be boys. Climbing trees.

My sweet little men