Archie

We found out we were becoming parents to our little "runt" last month. Walter, Felix and I had talked about the name of our next dog months before and settled on Archibald after the Marine, Archibald Henderson. We loved that we would shorten it to Archie!..and the way Felix says Archie is priceless! 

Archie's first mom posted pictures constantly to keep all the new owners up to date on how the sweet babes were doing. We melted every time we saw a new one and talked about how we couldn't wait to snuggle our new little boy. Felix painted pictures of he and Archie and wrote stories about him. A couple weeks back we decided to buy a blanket and little stuffed bunny to send to our sweet boy. Felix slept with the blanket for two nights before we sent it, he wrote a card and was so excited the morning we mailed it off.  

We originally thought we weren't going to get him until Mother's Day weekend, but on Thursday the pups were cleared to go to their new homes. We told Felix daddy had to work all day on Saturday. It seemed as anyother day for Felix, but the thought of surprising him with Archie, was so exciting. 

Felix opened the door and teared up seeing Archie in Walter's arms. I love animals, Walter loves animals and a lots of children love animals, but I have never met a child that loves animals as much as my four year old. He eats, sleeps and breaths all living creatures. 

Welcome Home Archibald Garcia! We have been waiting for the perfect addition  and I think we hit the jackpot with you! You are one beautiful Vizsla and I cannot wait to watch you grow into best buddies with your older brothers! 

Before his eyes opened.

Archie's special delivery!

Archie with his new blanket and bun. 

Archie and his brother Blue

Archie's special last moments with his momma! 

Daddy finally has his dog! Archie in Walter's arms at last! 

Let's Go Indians, Let's Go!

This tee ball thing has turned out to be a great first team sport adventure for us! Felix's coaches are great, Daddy gets to help and Felix is doing so well! 

I cannot imagine coaching ten, 4 and 5 year olds! His coaches have so much patience and treat all the kids as if they are their own. They work with the kids individually to help with learning all the fundamentals of the game. We really got lucky with the coaches! 

Felix is starting to understand how to field the ball and how to run the bases. We still have to work on his throw (it's quite hilarious)! His favorite part of the game is hitting, and he is actually doing pretty well with it. He is doing a great job with concentrating and paying attention to what is going on. 

This season has started out great, Oscar even knows how to clap for his big bro! 

And his coach even had their names embroidered on their hats! ❤️

Death to a 4 year old

This past year Felix has lost a lot of pets; Camo, Gabby (parakeet), Moon Fish, Chickens (we had to give them away), and recently Goldie (goldfish)...

Explaining death to our 4 year old in the most simplest terms and seeing his eyes fill with tears pulls at the heart strings! We have had to say goodbye to a lot of our family (pets), and for a young child it can be confusing, scary and bring up a lot of questions. 

As a child I was terrified of dying and leaving the people I love and not having my mom. Just this past week Felix has shown all the same fears. He asks repeatedly if "Daddy and Mommy are going to die soon?" I am a firm believer in teaching children the truth, but in words they understand. I explain that Daddy and I have a lot more life to live and that we are healthy and young. And each time, he looks at me with his big brown eyes and cries, "But I am going to miss you". 

Dying is the unknown (with or without religion). No one knows what really happens, and no one can explain it perfectly. All I can do is show my boys unconditional love, comfort and be truthful with them. There are still times when the thought of dying scares me, but now it isn't just about leaving the people I love and my mom. It's about knowing my boys will be alright and that they will look out for each other. 

I love you Felix Rene and Oscar Vincent. Daddy and I will always be a part of you, no matter where we all are! ❤️

Fun Family Weekend

We do holidays big in our family, especially because we have kids to celebrate for. Our house was decorated for Valentine's Day and we had presents throughout the day. I came home to a delicious home cooked meal from Walter, along with an exchange of presents. This year, for some reason, Felix came up with the "Heart Fairy". It was fun to play into his imagination and keep this spirit alive. My mom always made celebrations the most fun and I love passing that onto my kids! Watching Felix light up when the special day arrives is so much fun! 

Saturday, Felix started soccer again. He had more control over the ball. I love watching him gain confidence in the game and pump his fist into the air when he makes a goal! He then glances over to me to make sure I saw and gives me a thumbs up, I of course tear up! That evening we signed him up for Tee Ball! He is a little more hesitant to start a new sport, not knowing any kids. He signed his very first "Code of Conduct", and again, it made me tear up. Walter and I are so excited for this next chapter. Watching baseball was such a major part of my adolescence, and Felix has some of the best people to help him learn the new sport (Uncle Brandon and Uncle Mond)...not to mention when Walter was featured on Wednesdays Child, as a young boy, he was playing baseball with Jeff Gianola!

Finally, Sunday afternoon we were able to celebrate Felix's birthday with family and friends! He had all his special people around to sing him Happy Birthday! Felix chose a Snowbaby theme and I don't think I could have came up with a better party idea then that. He received amazing gifts and had fun running around after his cousins, best friends and playing with Sully! It was a long afternoon, but so worth it! I am glad we were finally able to make it happen and that everyone still came! 

A two week celebration came to an end! I love celebrating my family, I love watching their face light up with joy, I love making someone feel special! We had a great family weekend! 

One last Happy 4th to my sweet baby! I love you FRG, you rock my world! 

Hello 4

3 came and went so quickly! I loved it all! He became much more independent and grew so much; fully potty trained with no pull-ups at night, becoming a big brother, starting school, first soccer class, first train ride. 

He makes me so proud of the person he is becoming. He is compassionate, confident, happy, polite and loving. His love for life brings a smile to everyone around him. He cares deeply about animals, his family and as he would say, "Mother Earth". 

Felix Rene, you are my sunshine! You are my happiness and I couldn't be more in love with you! Thank you for being you and bringing us all such joy! I love every inch of you, including every beautiful chocolate spot! Happy Happy Birthday Groundhog! Here's to a great 4th year! 

2014

Bittersweet! I had a wonderful 2013! There were hard times, but the birth of my sweet baby outweighs it all! 

2013 Pros:

Easy (high risk) Pregnancy

Birth of my Ox

Watching Felix become a big brother

Felix starting school

Felix's first train ride

Felix playing soccer

The G Fam visiting

A beautiful Summer vacation

Expansion of my extended family

Oscar's first beach trip

Oscar's first Christmas

I know there were many more memories made...this year was one of my favorites! 

I know 2014 will be great! I cannot wait to watch Oscar and Felix grow and develop...I just wish it didn't happen at such a fast pace!

   

December

So much...

Oscar turned 6 months, I turned 31, we celebrated many special occasions, Oxy had his first snow and I felt like I was home more with my babes! 

I took a few extra days off around my birthday to be home with my boys. I had a great celebration and it felt so nice to be home with my family.

December 10th, Ox had his half birthday. We celebrated with his 6 month check up! Ugh! He showed Dr Birk all his new talents and was so brave with the shots! He weighed in at 16lbs 12oz and was 28.25 inches, still long and lean. He had tried more food and seemed to be getting used to the textures. He still loves to be held, loves to be talked to and LOVES his mommy, daddy and brother. His smile and little giggle melt my heart! I could listen to that sound all day! 

Christmas seemed to really creep up on us! My mom and I took Felix and Oscar to the Queen Anne Victorian Mansion, Peacock Lane and The Grotto. This year he really seemed to understand the magic of Christmas. Oscar liked the lights and seemed to really be taking in all the new experiences.