Thanksgiving

I can't believe there are only 14 days until Christmas! This year has FLOWN by...especially the part that happened AFTER July 21st!

Thanksgiving was quite eventful! We drove down to Tyler, Tx to see Jim's grandparents and other extended family. It was so great that the kids got to spend some time with their great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, and cousins galore! Jim and I were more tired than we'd been a very long time, but we survived. The trip was well worth it, and luckily there wasn't too much of this(I know, not a side of my sweet little angel that we see very often):

Reagan with Great-Gram Dot

Breckin with Great-Gram Lamb

Overall, the drive went rather well. We decided that it would probably be easiest if we drove through the night both ways. I think it was probably for the best, as Reagan was pretty restless in the car when she was awake. There was really only one major episode, about an hour away from Tyler on the way there. Let's just say it's a good thing we had Breckin along because otherwise, without his wipes, we'd have had a VERY messy 2 year old. Sugary muffins, DVDs in the backseat, and many sharp turns in a row are not a good combination!!

Thanks so much to everyone for your hospitality, and thanks to Bill and Debbie for most of these pictures!

Lots and lots!

I can't believe I STILL haven't posted a blog about Halloween. Whoops! Where does the time go? Halloween was a blast with our little bee and pumpkin. It seems we've created some traditions for ourselves, as not much changed from last year to this year, with the exception of having little Breckin along this time. We did the pumpkin patch again, and took the kiddos to Treat Street at my school. And of course, we carved pumpkins. Reagan was a huge helper and picked out nearly all the seeds from the pumpkin guts. This is especially exciting considering that Jim has a passionate dislike for anything pumpkin. One new thing we did this year was to take Reagan trick o' treating in our neighborhood. She was pretty tired after having made one round at school already, but she was a trooper and made a trip with Jim and a trip with me while we took turns watching Breckin and handing out candy of our own.

I'm excited, nay, THRILLED to report that we will be leaving for our long awaited Texas Thanksgiving on Saturday instead of Monday as originally planned. I had to do some begging, but my principal said he didn't blame us for wanting to leave early, and I got the "off the record" nod.

In other news, Jim and I have embarked on a weight loss journey. We started on Weight Watchers about 8 weeks ago. Jim, because he's a man, has lost about 18 pounds, and I have lost about 12, depending on when I count my start date. It's accurate to say that I've finally lost all the weight I gained from BOTH babies. I will post before and after pictures, but we'd like to get a little further along in the program first. If luck is on our side, we'll get through 2 Thanksgivings and 28 hours in the car without gaining...

Breckin doing his job and growing like crazy. It's very strange...when I photograph him, his picture looks so much different from how I see him. I can't explain it, and I don't know why it's true, but it is. When I look in the viewfinder, I see my son. When I look at the display screen, I see a completely different (but still extremely handsome) baby boy. Here he is today while he was refusing to take a nap. I think refusing to take a nap is quickly becoming his favorite pastime.

A rolling boy!

I'm proud to announce that Breckin rolled over all on his own today!
I left him on the floor on his blanket, and decided he needed some tummy time. As soon as I laid him down, I noticed that he was holding his shoulders up higher than I'd seen him hold them before. I thought to myself, "I wonder when Breckin will roll over...could be any time now, I suppose!" Knowing I'd be right back, I ran out to get some groceries from the car. When I came in, I peeked at Breckin upon my return, and he was on his back! I said, "Hey, that's now how I left you little guy!" And then I realized that I had missed his first roll over. No problem though; I put him back on his tummy and he was happy to repeat his performance for Reagan and I. I made several (8) attempts to get him on tape, but the only one I got of him actually rolling over is about 5 minutes long. I'll try to get a shorter one so that I can post it here for you to see! He even looks like he's starting to try to get his knees up under himself...oh boy, I think this one is going to be a mover!

Ice Storm? In Colorado?

We've had some interesting weather here lately. We were iced in about a week ago, and it was the closest thing I've ever seen to an ice storm. I'm sure they're far less exciting in places like Texas, where they are much more common, but it was pretty awe inspiring here. It lasted for about 2 days! I was worried about our trees, some of which still had all their leaves. But, while some of our neighbors weren't so lucky, all of our trees survived. I got out and got some pictures of the freeze. Reagan was still in her PJs, so I let her stand in the door to monitor my progress.

Breckin is becoming a little less easy-going these days. For whatever reason, he has decided that he no longer wants to participate in naps during the day. I'm not complaining...he sleeps for 11 hours at night, but my house and my OTHER child could seriously use some attention. He wants to be held all the time. I don't mind so much, but you can only go so long without doing the dishes or laundry, and unfortunately both are tasks which require two hands. With all his being awake, I realized that almost all the pictures of the little guy I've taken are of him being, well, awake. So, two days ago I snuggled him up and got him to close his eyes in front of the camera for a few minutes...and the result, in my opinion, is pretty precious.

But when I say I got him to sleep for a minute, I think it was literally that...a minute. Next thing I knew he was wide awake again. So, I figured I'd make the most of it and take my chance to show off his chub.

And, of course, since I had the camera out anyway, I had to get a couple of the cutest 2 (and a half) year old girl ever.

Jim and I took the kiddos up to Fort Collins to visit our friends Brad and Kim. Reagan had a blast playing with their kids, and even did surprisingly well sleeping in B & K's daughter's bed. We also got to stop on the way home and see one of my best friends, Leslie.

Reagan had a special visitor all the way from California. Jim's cousin Katie sent us her Flat Stanley! I have always wanted someone to send us a Flat Stanley...and I'm so excited that I have cute kids so that other cute kids want to send us one! If you don't know about Flat Stanley, he's a VERY cool way for elementary school-aged children to learn about history, language, geography, etc. Thanks for picking us, Katie!!

After going back to work for a week, I get to have another two weeks off. It makes transitioning back into work a little tough. But, I'm SO glad I was able to go half time. It is really wonderful to be able to come home and still have the majority of my day to spend with the kids! Now if we could just get Breckin to consistently take his bottle...

I survived!

Today was my first day back at work! The time off went SO fast. Despite a few horrible dreams and several days of anxious anticipation, I went to work today and everyone lived to tell about it. It was strange to only be there for 2 class periods, but it was so great to get to come home to my kids at 11:00am. My substitute insisted that my 2nd hour class was full of horrible children. That's only partly true. It does have some kids whose bad side I want no part of, but come to find out they were a good bit of fun. Since my high school is on a rotating schedule (periods 1-4 on A days, periods 5-8 on B days), I only have one class tomorrow. And, I just have to make it to Friday and then I get another 2 weeks off! Today was a "B" day. My B day kids are full of opinions, which always makes a government class exciting. I am very excited to get to know them better!
From what I hear, Reagan was absolutely ecstatic to have Katie back to play with her. Breckin was disappointed that his favorite food dispenser, AKA: "Mom" was not available for his 8:30 feeding, but he was asleep again before he could make too terribly much fuss about it. Hopefully he'll warm up to Katie and his bottle in no time.



Speaking of Katie, that young lady went off and got married last weekend! Katie and Brian were in my government class together when they started dating 4 years ago. Granted, I had nothing to do with them getting together, but I still think of them each giggling when I asked if they were dating. Reagan was her flower girl, and with much help from my wonderful mom, I was able to pull off making her dress. I'm still working on the pictures from Katie's wedding, which I had the pleasure of taking. You should head over to the "business blog" for a sneak peak of Katie's wedding, and all the other business I've gotten lately! I'm grateful that my business was booming during my maternity leave!



Reagan ran in her second kids run yesterday. They gave out ribbons, and she was so proud and thrilled to get one!



Reagan has really warmed up to her little brother nicely in these last few weeks. When we have our "lay on the floor and play time" with him, she'll start rambling on to him about all the things she wants to teach him and do with him when he "gets bigger". While she was carrying on with this 1-way conversation the other morning I heard her add "and we'll drink coffee" to her list. Pretty adorable.

It's Still July, Right?

It just doesn't seem possible that it's already the middle of September and little Breckin is already 7 weeks old. Not at all.

I remember wondering if I'd have enough love to give to Jim AND a dog. I did. Then, when Reagan was on her way, I remember telling Jim that I wasn't sure I had enough love for all 3 of them. I did. And yet, I still worried, when I was pregnant with Breckin, that I wouldn't have enough love in my heart for all 4. I think it was my cousin who said, "I think your love grows with each one." I can tell you that she was right. Every time I look at Breckin, my heart jumps into my throat, and I'm overwhelmed by just how much I love the little guy. I must say, I have enjoyed these first weeks much more the second time around. It's nice to not feel that sense of panic EVERY time he cries. Perhaps it's a difference in the temperament of the children, but it's also very nice to have Breckin respond in a positive way to the things I do to try to accommodate his needs.

I go back to work in 3 short weeks. I can't bring myself to believe it! I am excited to see the kids, and I keep telling myself that working 1/2 days will probably be a completely different world from working full days, and therefore I'll probably enjoy it a lot more...it's still hard to accept. Especially since I spend my days with these sweet faces!

Growing Up SO Fast!

I can't believe that Breckin is already 1 month old! He's starting to beef up...a nice pay off for all the nursing I've been doing! He still sleeps for a good long stretch at night, which is much appreciated. It would be nice if I could eek another hour or 2 out of him, but for now I suppose I won't complain.




This weekend I discovered a little thing called the Just Between Friends consignment sale. What a wonderful thing! I spent about $60 and walked out with a BUNCH of stuff. The sling that Breckin is sleeping in in this picture, for example, goes for about $28.50 at Target, and I got it in great shape for $7.50. Among other things, I got Reagan an adorable Halloween costume, but you'll have to wait until October (at least...) to see that!

Speaking of growing up, and Reagan...here she is before her nap and after church on Sunday. Who on Earth is she possibly imitating?? I must say, she looks very stylish...if she'd just let me fix her hair! :)

Buena Vista & The Leadville 100

So Amanda says I need to contribute to the blog, so here goes. We went to Buena Vista last weekend to visit all of the Lamb family. Since we were up there, Reagan, Bill, Debbie, and I decided we should go see the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race. We met Mikey and Julie at the race course on the Twin Lakes dam.

There was some nice scenery, but we really came to see if Lance Armstrong could make up for his second place finish in this race last year.

He was at least 10 minutes ahead at this point; we didn't even see the second place rider before we left Twin Lakes for the next spectating point.

Julie heard that the best place to watch the riders in this race was on the power line hill, because they go slow enough that you can actually see them up close. Here's Lance on power line:

For once, it actually looks like it's hard for him... It was really cool to be able to get this close to a seven time Tour de France champion.

The race finishes in downtown Leadville. There were thousands of people in town to see Armstrong. He finished the race on a flat rear tire...

...and still broke the course record by over 16 minutes.

Then it was back to Buena Vista and the Stevens' estate. Reagan, Breckin, and Amanda thought it was great to get to go to the mountains for the weekend. Thanks to Allen and Ashley for inviting us up to the house.