Happy Father's Day!

      I just wanted to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Dads out there, especially to my wonderful husband. I don't blog enough about how blessed my boys and I are to have such a wonderful man in our lives. Anthony is a blessing beyond measure to all of us on a daily basis. He is my everything and has supported me from day one in every way possible. He loves his boys and it shows in every word, action and thought in his everyday life.  He works around the clock to provide for us so I can stay home with our boys and for that we are so thankful.
   Anthony, the boys adore you and Alexander already wants to be just like you. You mean the world to me and I am thankful to have such an amazing, Godly man for a husband.  Your hard work and dedication never goes unnoticed and we admire you. Thank you for being you! We love you to the moon and back! 

First day as Daddy meeting his Alexander

Anthony and Camden

                                          

Happy 1st Birthday Camden Thomas!

    Dear Camden,

          The day finally came..you are officially o-n-e!  As much as I didn't want to write this post, it had to be done. I can try and deny it all I want, but its here, you are one and mommy needs to stop crying over it. In the beginning I wanted you to grow as fast as possible in hopes that your LM nightmare would finally be over. But as the weeks went by and you actually got worse, not better, I realized it wasn't going to be over for a while.  You taught me  very fast that I needed to soak up every single moment with you, not wish it away in hopes that life would be somewhat normal again.  We found a new normal and you have filled the last 365 days with more laughter and smiles than tears my sweet baby.
    Only a few things have changed since your 11 month update. You love to wave bye-bye, drink from a regular cup, and your absolute favorite thing right now is taking a bath with your brother. You are still mostly on purees due to the fact that you still gag very easily b/c of your LM and you really don't care but to chew on your sippy cup. I know we are "suppose" to take your bottle away at 12 months, but momma is throwing those rules out the window. Who made these silly rules anyways? I think it will be a slow process, but I know we will get there eventually. You have taught me not to worry about the small things, thank you for that.
    We love you Camden more than words could ever say. You drastically changed our lives in ways I never even thought imaginable. And while I thought when you turned one everything would be completely normal and you would no longer have stridor, I am finding that isn't so. You are working on your 9th tooth and your stridor has returned on and off the past few days. Its a reminder that we aren't completely there yet, but you have come so far buddy and we are so proud of you.  You are still are super sweet, cuddly, smiley, shy, easy going baby, but have decided to throw a few tantrums in the mix lately that are actually pretty cute.  Thank you for wanting to be held, cuddling with me, giving me kisses and hugs every time we pick you up.  You are a miracle to us Camden, one we will never take for granted. We hope one day these infant days are a complete blur, but we will never forget what a blessing you are to our family.
   Happy 1st Birthday Camden Thomas! We look forward to spending this next year watching you grow right a long side your big brother. You complete our family. We are thankful God chose to bless us with the gift of you. <3

3 days old

1 week old meeting Big Brother for the first time.

3 months old

6 months old

9 months old

1 year

Happy 3rd Birthday Alexander!

    Alexander,
         Happy Birthday to you, my wild, strong willed, sweet hearted, special little boy. You are not a toddler anymore, but a preschooler. In my heart you will always be my first baby. You came into our lives 3 years ago today and have taught us more about life than I ever thought imaginable. You made us parents and for that we are so thankful. Your pregnancy was super easy (unlike your brother) and you barely moved when you were inside of me. I thought for for sure you would come out with a halo over top of your head, but boy was I mistaken! ;) You came out with the "pouty lip" as we call it and still see that same look today 3 years later.
        You, Alexander, are witty. You come up with things everyday that knock your parents off their feet.  You know your colors, ABC's, can recognize all upper case letter although you still struggle with lower case ones, can count to 20, you can recognize most shapes, can read me books that you are very familiar with, can go to all our different vegetable plants and explain to me what each one is and how it is currently doing, you are fully daytime potty trained, and you still love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse just as you did as an infant.  You also still love books! You love outside and if given the chance, would stay out there, maybe even live out there. You can't get enough of fire trucks, air planes, and helicopters in books and from afar, but when given the chance to hop in to one of those you are not such a brave little boy anymore.
      One special thing about you is that you LOVE music. I am pretty sure you are musically talented. For the past year you could sing songs that you have heard a couple times and can drum beats of songs on the table while you wait for you meals to be made.You also still loved to be sung to. When we lay you down for your nap/bedtime you often say, "Sing that song to me like when I was a baby." And we will sing "Jesus Loves Me" to you, just like we have everyday for the past 3 years.
     You my love, are strong willed and tender hearted all at the same time. From day one you have had strong determination, and although hard on Mommy and Daddy, I know it will be an attribute down the road. You also have a sweet, loving, tender side. You hate to see people upset, in pain and have most of time been nothing but loving to your little brother who came in fast and stole your thunder. You will run up to me throughout the day, wrap your arms around my legs and exclaim how much you love me. Melts my heart every single time. You accepted Camden and all his special needs from the beginning and it was a blessing beyond measure. I am pretty sure you can't ever remember life without your best friend.
    One of the biggest qualities about you Alexander is your outgoing personality. You LOVE everyone. You have never, ever met a stranger. You will talk to anyone and everyone who will listen and want to befriend them. When we are out you will try to carry on a conversation with anyone, ask them to come to your house to play and even sometimes go as far as to try and hold their hands. Although I sometimes worry you would go off with a stranger if given the chance, I know that this quality too will be a huge attribute to you in life.
    Lastly, Alexander I want you to know how much we love you. The terrible two's with you were not so terrible at all. They were actually terrific. I think we might have it coming with 3's! Don't get me wrong it wasn't easy, but we loved every second of you being two. Camden was born less than a week after you turned two and you kept us going through all the hard times with him. Thank you for that my love!  God gave us you first for a reason. You made us laugh everyday and we simply couldn't imagine life without our surprise baby. You look exactly like your Daddy and Mommy wouldn't have it any other way. We love you more than you will ever know and we look forward to spending this next year with you. Happy 3rd Birthday Alexander. You are Mommy and Daddy's heart! <3

Alexander Joseph 3 days old

3 months

6 months

1 year

18 months

2 years

2.5

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