Easter and April

This year we did Easter just a little bit different...we spent it in Burnet at Nano and Papa's.  We also did it on Saturday, which was nice because Sunday wasn't as rushed.  Most of our family came down from my mom and dad's sides.  Crawford loves getting to hang out with his cousins, so add in Easter egg hunting and it's wonderful.

Gwen had fun too, mainly trying to fit the whole egg in her mouth.

We got a pretty good family picture also.  We will be having more done soon, which will be for Gwen's first birthday (crazy!).

Since we did Easter with the family on Saturday, we went to church Sunday morning and then tried to get pictures in the bluebonnets.  We will just say that was not our most successful endeavor.  This is the best picture we got of the kids, and didn't get one of them together. :(

We unfortunately sat Crawford in a bed of ants (don't worry, he was only bit once), so he of course would not sit back down.  Now when he sees blue bonnets he says, "Those flower have ants!".  I think we might have scarred him for life. 

This was the truck that the Easter bunny brought Crawford.  He had been asking for it for a while, so this fake smile here doesn't do it justice.  

Then it was date night out on the town for Nathan's birthday.  Nathan and I had a blast just getting to hang out together and go dancing just a little bit! Grandma took care of Gwen for us and Crawford spent the night at Nano/Papa's house.  They went to the Blue Bonnet parade, which was right up his alley.

The next day we picked up Crawford from Nano and Papa then we went to our friends' daughter's first birthday party.  This was Gwen's first time at the park and she loved it.  I see a bunch of that in our future this summer. Crawford is the best big brother and was so helpful.

Here are a few other random things...

Gwen loves to wrestle with her daddy and brother!

Crawford got a treat of frozen yogurt after his allergy shots...chocolate without soy!!

My cutie at his school parade for "Week of the Young Child"

Spring Break 2013

I was soooooo ready for spring break! Sleeping in, not having to be anywhere, and spending time with my kiddos is exactly what I needed.  Somehow though, it wasn't quite as relaxing as I had hoped for.  Monday started out great, with a relaxing morning and going to Michael's to do some painting with Crawford.  We did a project we found on Pinterest, which turned out better than I had expected.

My little helper

Finished project

He loved every second of it, but probably would have preferred getting just a little bit messier with the paint. We hung the pictures up in our kitchen because they go with the new rug my mom got me for my birthday.  Funny how your priorities change when you're 32!!!

After we finished painting I started on some homemade tortillas, also from Pinterest.  Crawford loves tortillas and is never ever able to have them because they have soy, so I found a receipe with four ingredients that he can have.  Nathan and Crawford said they were good, so I think it was a success.  Nathan might have said they were good not to hurt my feelings, but I'm pretty sure Crawford wouldn't have asked for more if they weren't good.  Yay for soy free tortillas, and they weren't difficult!

Tuesday we headed out to Lakeline Mall to meet the Goudeau girls for lunch and a train ride.  We let the kiddos ride on it by themselves, which makes me ask, how in the world are our oldest babies old enough to go without us?!  April and I pushed the littlest babies in the strollers and walked with the train, which was fine with me.  Crawford seemed to love his new found freedom.

The next day Nathan left for the valley and Gwen had her 9 month check-up.  She is doing very well for her condition, and the dr we saw that day said she doesn't look like a "heart" baby, which always makes me feel good. The drs office that day was just a blast since I waited in the TINY room for over an hour with two kids who did not want to be there. To say I was ready to leave would have been an understatement.  But Gwen enjoyed the paper on the table as usual!

The only problem is that if we could get this girl to eat some solids, that would be great! The dr said it's ok to go ahead and try some solid/finger foods so that's what we're doing.  We have just skipped right over the "baby" food stuff.  That afternoon we went over to Oma and Granddaddy's house with Teetee to hang out for a little while.  Crawford had an absolute BLAST with Granddaddy.  Granddaddy knows the way to every little boy's heart and that is to go find some rocks and throw them in the river.  They were gone forever and when Crawford came back he had two giant sticks and a huge grin on his face.  I love that he gets to make memories like that with Grandaddy.  While the boys were girl, us girls went on a walk and just got to talk, which is what we all do best!!  Between Mary, Oma, and myself, there are no lack of things to say.  Crawford and Grandaddy then played a little baseball in the backyard and while we were hanging out, the girl on the golf cart with the drinks and snacks came by.  Granddaddy waved her down and Crawford got a bag of Skittles.  I wish I would have had my camera with me to capture the look on his face when he found out that someone drives around on a golf cart handing out candy!!!  This is him enjoying his Skittles and water after a busy afternoon.

Happy boy!

The picture doesn't do it justice, but I promise he was thrilled.  While Crawford was eating, Gwen had her first experience with grass!!  This is one thing I love about have kids, is getting to watch them experience things for the first time. She loved it and Teetee got some great pictures for the princess enjoying being outside.

YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, MY ONLY SUNSHINE!!

That night we went to dinner, which of course is always fun with two kiddos!  I realized during this time as well that Nathan being gone, it makes everything so much more difficult.  My sister came over to stay with us and help, and I appreciate it more than she will ever know. I hope she'll come back some day! ;) I miss my partner so much though when he's gone.  We work together so well, and make such a great team, which is a great thing since this raising kids stuff is hard.  We knew it would be difficult when he started traveling so much, but it's also just not as much fun without him around.  Nathan has such a way with our kids that makes me smile, and they love him so much!  I'm pretty sure they both think he hung the moon and stars.  We are so blessed!  (Sorry this wasn't supposed to be mushy!)

32...how is that possible?!?

I seriously CANNOT believe that I am 32!! Where has the time gone? It was such a great birthday that started Thursday when I received the most beautiful flowers ever at work.
                                     

I told Nathan a while ago not to buy me flowers anymore because I knew how expensive they are and since it comes from the same account, I figured the money could be spent somewhere else. I was so surprised when I saw them, and thankful he didn't listen to me this time!

Then Friday night we went to dinner, while Crawford spent the night at Nano/Papa's house.

Crawford and I waiting for Nano to pick him up

Grandma watched Gwen for us, so we had both kiddos covered. We haven't gone to dinner, by ourselves, since October, so I was super excited!! Before we went to dinner, we stopped by a friend's surprise birthday party, which was a blast. We haven't been able to go out with friends in so long, so it was nice!! Afterwards we went to Jack Allen's kitchen for a steak. I would like to go downtown on my birthday, but it's always during SXSW, which I try to avoid at all costs. The steak and dessert was amazing, but the company was even better!! I love hanging out with my husband more than anyone else, which is a pretty good thing, since he's stuck with me! (Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of us)
Saturday, Nathan let me sleep in (which is one of the best gifts) and I woke up to streamers, balloons and presents!

Nathan got me an amazing bracelet that I had showed him a long time ago. He is the best listener when it comes to gifts! It was made by one of Nathan's oldest friends, Brett Tatum, and if you ever need custom silver work, go to Tres Rios Silver (click their name for website).

After the gifts, we went to Burnet, to pick up Crawford and celebrate with my parents. When we got there, there were more streamers, signs (Dad's famous signs), and cake!!

We hung out there for a while and then went to one of my favorite places to eat, Opie's BBQ.  It's some great Texas BBQ on Hwy 71 in Spicewood.  If you're ever out that way, you have to try it.

My mom knows me so well too and got me Ariel plates and napkins.  The only thing that would have made it better was Mary being there with us. It was such a great birthday that I got to spend with the ones I love most!! I am ready for an amazing year !!

RSV...no thank you!

Back in August when we first found out about Gwen's heart, We were told about a shot called synagis which would protect Her from RSV. It is a very expensive shot so it's not approved or given lightly. I worked pretty hard for her to get the series of shots, with insurance approval and all that fun stuff.  It was also difficult because we were changing insurances right at the time we were trying to get her approved.  Needless to say, we got it done and she finished her "round" of shots in February.  The series consisted of one shot, once a month for 5 months.  When she was done, she got her very first certificate!  Mommy was proud and Gwen just wanted to chew the paper :)

We will Be doing this again starting in September or October but for now we are done!

Valentine's Party & Soy

This sounds horrible, but I don't remember if Crawford had a Valentine's day party last year or not. It could have been that I had just quit a job I loved, started working again full-time & was very sad about it, or the fact that I was sick 24/7 from my pregnancy. Either way, I don't remember which is part of why I'm doing this blog again...so I have it when my memory fails me. Well Crawford is having a party this year at his "new school", which is what he still calls, even though he's been there since August. I'm not sure when the "new" will wear off. Since Crawford is having a party I am making him some soy free cupcakes. This really just means I will be making everything from scratch. That also means it usually tastes better! We have had to change so many things since finding out Crawford is allergic to soy. This has been a good thing for our family however. It also makes me feel so much better knowing that Crawford feels better. He doesn't complain like he used to of his stomach hurting. He has also learned to ask if things have soy and then and he knows that if he does eat something with soy it will make his tummy hurt. His Valentine's Day party was really the first time I felt like a mom of a kid with an allergy. I had to make him special snacks as well as special cupcakes for the party so he wouldn't feel left out. He doesn't seem to notice or if he does he doesn't care that he can't have all the other foods. I think feeling better is good enough for him!
The first picture is the homemade frosting I made. It's my Mamaw Dollie's recipe And it's a family favorite!
The last picture is Crawford opening his valentines with friends. I didn't get to go to the party because I was sick so that is the only picture Nathan sent me!

Saturday with family

This has Pretty much become our routine since kids. We love having Nano, Papa, & Teetee over as much as possible. Crawford especially loves having everyone come over and see him and has come to expect it. We have also found that Gwen does better when she's on her own turf. Crawford loves wrestling with Papa and has discovered wedgies. He even asks for them now! A little crazy if you ask me! Gwen is also wanting in the mix of everything. She follows her brother around in her walker while he is riding his bike. We are so blessed to have so much family close to us!
Crawford and Nathan are going to the monster truck rally tonight with his friend Vincent, and Vincent's dad. I'm not sure who was more excited, Nathan or Crawford. Nathan bought Crawford some headphones to wear so hopefully it won't be too loud for him! My little boy is growing up and wants to hang out with friends now! Us girls stayed home tonight and had a blast And I feel this will be the norm for us in the coming years. :) The last picture is Gwen playing hide and seek with grandma and I tonight! She loves this new game.

C. H. D. Awareness week

I just found out that Feb. 7-14th is Congenital Heart Defect awareness week! Seems fitting after my previous post about church last week! Thank you God for our little girl.

Early mornings

Anyone who knows me, knows I am anything but a morning person!! However, since having these two precious little people, it makes getting up a little bit easier. I took this picture after Crawford had finished his breathing treatment, which he has to do twice a day, every day. Gwen had just woke up for the day and it is so sweet how excited they get to see each other. I also took the picture to send to Nathan because he has been traveling more and not at home as much to help. I am beyond thankful for his job and that he is actually liking what he's doing because he didn't for so long. This does make for more difficult mornings with trying to get me ready for work and then get the two kiddos ready. Actually, that's kind of a lie, I don't have to get Gwen ready to go because she gets to stay home with Grandma, which we are so thankful for. I have always been so thankful for Nathan, but have honestly taken him for granted more than I should. He does so much for our family and is such an involved and hands-on dad that God has blessed our family with. This has become even more apparent to me since he's gone in the mornings now. We work so well together as a team and I just miss him when he's not there. Not just to help with the kiddos, but to share the moments with. Sappy I know!!
On another note, Crawford is not a morning person like his mommy and Gwennie is just like her daddy, up and at 'em!

A DIVINE meeting

A divine meeting 2/3/2013

I have to write about this because one day I want to look  back at it and remember this when I ever question if God is in control.  we have been going to Westover Hills Church of Christ now for a couple of months, after not ever really feeling "at home" at our previous church.  It wasn't one specific thing and we did like the pastor, it just didn't click.  We both feel comfortable at Westover and Crawford really enjoys going to Sunday school there.  Another added benefit is we get to see Oma and Granddaddy, which we all love.  

Back track a little bit to last September, when we first found out about Gwen's heart condition, Oma gave my name and number to a woman who goes to Westover. The woman's daughter had open heart surgery to repair a whole she had in her  heart when she was about four.  We talked on the phone for almost two hours, but haven't spoken since.  She helped me so much because she knew exactly what I was feeling and talked me through everything from anger and sadness to hope and faith.  She also told me how well her daughter is doing now at the age of 7, and that she is a very spiritual little girl, who God is using in great ways.  

So... back to today! When it was time to leave for church today, Gwen was still sleeping so my Grandma Sarah said that Gwen could just stay home with her.  I debated back and forth about waking her, but you know the saying, 'never wake a sleeping baby!'  All of this to say that we had to leave AS SOON AS CHURCH was over to get back in time for Grandma to go to church.  I had left right after church to go pick Crawford up from Sunday school and Nathan said he would go get the car and meet us where we usually park.  Crawford and I hurried and walked out to the parking lot and after not finding Nathan I called him (frustrated to say the least!). He said he was on the OTHER side of the parking lot and then said he had texted me to tell me this.  I hadn't received any text so I naturally thought he was saying this to keep himself out of trouble! We later found out that Nathan had sent a text, but it wasn't to me, it was to his friend Shawn (I'm sure Shawn was a little confused when he got that one!).  As Crawford and I were walking across the parking lot, he said he had to go to the bathroom.  Seriously?! Right this second?! He said he would just go outside (thanks Papa), but I told him we were going to have to go back inside.  I'm not going to lie, I did think maybe we could go behind the building and no one would see. Fortunately my better judgement won out and we went inside.  When we got back inside I carried Crawford to the restroom (because his little legs couldn't go fast enough) and right as I was about to go in a little girl stepped in front of us so we had to move out of the way for her to open the door.  Crawford went and did his business, all the while, I was still frustrated with Nathan and the whole situation.  Nothing seemed to be going the way I wanted it to!! When we went to wash our hands, the little girl who opened the door for us was standing there as well.  She said, "Hi, what's your name?" I told her, and I am embarrassed to say, not in the nicest way.  Not mean of course, but more of I am in a super hurry and I don't have time for chit-chat.  Boy did God have another plan though!  I asked what her name was and when she first told me, I had a hard time understanding, but then the speech therapist in me realized she had a lisp, and it clicked. This was the little girl who had the same heart condition as Gwen!! It stopped me in my tracks because I had prayed for her, her mom had prayed with me over the phone for my daughter, and here she was.  She looked so healthy and happy! I told her that I had talked to her mom about her because my daughter Gwen was also born with holes in her heart.  She said "I just had one big one! Does your daughter have more than one?" I told her yes and that we would have to have it repaired in about a year and a half.  She said, "it will all be ok and I will pray for her." I just started crying and couldn't hold it in.  God KNEW I needed to meet her, and hear what she had to say, at THAT moment.  Just a few minutes before I sat in church praying for my little girl and wondered how things would turn out (in other words, trying to not worry and have faith, something I've been struggling with lately). I realize we still don't know, but it was like God was saying,"why do you doubt me and why are you afraid? Gwen will be fine, but until then stay faithful and she too will be a happy healthy little girl soon.".   I never saw the little girl's mom and I don't know how to get a hold of her now, but I want to tell her that she and her daughter both have touched me, and that yes, like she said God is using her daughter for GREAT things!!  It gave me such a peace in the one minute exchange, and reminded me that I don't need to worry or be scared; God has a plan. Something I need to remember everyday, in everything.  So next time Crawford says he has to go to the bathroom, I'll be happy to take him because you never know when or where God might be giving you what you need!

I'm sorry this is so long, but I want to remember how many things had to happen for me to be in the bathroom at the same time as that precious little girl, and for God to use her to speak to me at that moment.  

Jeremiah 29:11 and Isaiah 41:10 came to mind through all of this!!  

November 2012

Oh my goodness it has been way too long! There has been so much happen since I last posted that I don't think I could even fit it in one post, even if I tried. A short synopsis, I was pregnant for 9 months and had a baby girl, Gwenyth Elise Mattox on June 11th, 2012.  She is so precious and lots of fun.  The big thing with her is that we found out she has multiple atrial septal defects, (click here for an explanation) which means she has multiple holes in the atrium of her heart.  We found out August 29th, after she went to her two month old appointment and the pediatrician heard a heart murmur.

This is a picture of her the afternoon we found out... As you can see though, she's not too bothered about this whole thing!

I remember this afternoon like it was yesterday and so many things kept running through my mind, but this is also one of them,  and it gave me peace then, and still continues to.

To say that we were shocked, devastated, confused, scared, and/or hopeful would be an understatement.  We have definitely had time to come to grips with this and Gwen is doing well right now, so we are very thankful for this.  She was also approved for a Synagis shot, which is kind of like a vaccination for RSV.  This is a VERY expensive shot, so I am so thankful that she was approved and even more thankful that we don't have a copay for this.  Since this isn't a vaccination she has to get a shot once a month, which we had our first one in October, and go back for our next one on November 19th.  We will be going back to the cardiologist after Thanksgiving and I'm not expecting a change, but I hope that he will be pleased with her growth, which is one of the concerns with this condition. We call her "Chunky Monkey" and poor girl got mommy's cheeks and thighs!

January 2013

Update from the above post...We went to the cardiologist and Gwen is doing great! The dr still heard the murmur, which was expected, but did say he is very pleased with her growth.  He also said that she doesn't look like a "heart" baby and that we don't have to go back until June, when Gwen is one.
At that time the dr will do another echo-cardiogram to see if there are still holes, how many there are, and the size of them. He did say though, to continue to think that she will need to have these repaired when she's two, which will first involve a catheter procedure.  If they aren't able to repair them that way, she will require open heart surgery.  This is something that is difficult for me to think about, so we are just continuing with prayers of healing.
My 7 month old with two teeth (but still not wanting to eat!)

As you can see, no problems here with growth, which I am so thankful for!  If I could just get her to eat some solid foods, we'd be good.  She acts like I'm trying to give her lemons, and then squeezes her lips together and won't budge.  We can tell that we are going to have an opinionated, independent, and strong-willed little girl on our hands.  She is already "bossing" everyone around!  But how can you say no to this face?!

On to this little girl's handsome brother!  I cannot believe that he is 3 1/2 years old! He is turning in to such an amazing little person, who is also the best big brother any little girl could ask for.  He loves her so much, and tells us that regularly, which of course makes my heart melt!

He also loves to be silly, which is good for me because I'm not naturally "silly" and I love that he brings that out in me.

This picture was taken at his allergy Dr's office.  He now has to get allergy shots 2-3 times a week, which he has become a CHAMP at.  Again, I'm so proud of him!!  He handles it way better than his bullriding daddy :) We also found out that he is allergic to soy and have since had to completely change his diet.  This has made such a difference in how he feels, which means that he eats more, has more energy, and is generally in a better mood because he doesn't feel bad all the time.  It was so hard having him feel bad all the time and always complaining of his stomach hurting.  I thought for a long time that he was just saying it to get out of eating, but the day he turned down the cookie at the grocery store because he said it hurt his stomach, I knew something more was wrong.  It's amazing to find out how much they put soy in!!  He has learned to ask me before he eats something if it has soy in it, which also tells me that he can tell a difference when he eats it.
He also LOVES to play baseball, and I realize I'm a little bit partial, but he has a pretty good swing and loves to hit them over the fence and go get them.  His daddy and Papa have become pretty good pitchers too since he has them play all the time.  Crawford wakes up wanting to play and goes to bed wanting to play baseball!!

He said he wants to be a fire fighting - baseball player!! I've told him he can be anything he wants to be! :)

I am definitely going to be better about keeping up this blog, because I love looking back at it and want to be able to have these memories.