Easter 2012

For Easter this year we decided to head to Missoula to spend with Jason's parents. The kids and I loaded up the car and were on our way. The 5 hour drive was a breeze. The kids were AWESOME. I am so thankful I have children who don't mind car rides - seriously the best!

I have some mighty fine travelers. We spent a whole week playing! It was so much fun. We visited the carousel, went to the park, did lots of shopping and just hung out at Grandma and Grandpa's. We watched movies, had a BBQ and of course had lots of Easter fun.

We had an Easter egg hunt with the boys. So glad the boys could spend time with their cousin Austin, he is just 3 weeks older than Colter and he is quite the little fire cracker. It's so fun to see the differences in personality of all of our kids. Colter was so observant compared to the rest, he just takes in whatever is going on.

Our Easter egg hunt was a hit. Grandma Brenda and I stuffed eggs and Grandpa Darrell and Great-Grandpa Paul hid them out in the yard. It was a little bit chilly, but the kids had a blast and that of course is what matters.

I always love visiting family and watching the boys light up when they see their grandparents. Walker loves to go "under the house" looking for treasures. Their basement is full of fun stuff from their Dad's past, even Uncle Jeremy has fun things to look for. We always come home with more than we left with. Here are a few pictures from our week with Grandma and Grandpa.

Longest day ever.

Today was seriously the longest lasting days I've ever had. You know the kind of day where everything just rubs you the wrong way. I seriously woke up on the wrong side of the bed. My kids were all wild and crazy. No one knew what "inside voices" meant, and everyone wanted what everyone else had. Ugh! The icing on the cake was the permanent marker ALL over the house. Literally, all the walls, every door, the floor, even the bathroom scale had been "colored" by the newly crowned artist of the month: Colter. I spent hours scrubbing. Colter was safely, although very unhappily placed in his crib. Tomorrow is a new day - right?

Check-up

Tuesday, we headed out to meet our new pediatrician. This year our health insurance changed, therefore we had to change providers for the best cost effective coverage.

Anyways, after dropping Walker at school and getting Hunter to preschool we were off. Colter and I along with my little friend Aubrey who is nearing 10 months I believe (I babysit every Tuesday, get my little girl fix!) We packed up and headed to the doctors to have Coley's 2 year check-up. The couple nights before he was waking up at night, crying - which is so unlike him, that I was pretty convinced he had an ear infection, so I'm glad we had this appointment and I could get him all checked out.

Here are his latest stats: weighs in at 25 lbs and is 33 inches tall.

He is right on for all his fine motor, social, verbal and sleeping goals! He's one healthy happy boy.

The doctor was amazed how happily he followed instructions, let her look in his ears, listen to his heart - all the while with a huge smile. Mama's instincts were right, he did have an ear infection in his left ear. So, he was started on antibiotics and we are on day three of meds and he is feeling much better. He also had to get 4 immunization shots and oh baby those hurt. He could hardly walk the next morning. "Owee, Mama!" he cried, all morning. I'm so thankful for Children's Advil, in a few hours he was back to his happy self.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Colter this week. Just had to share!

Party Hearty!

We celebrated Colter's 2nd birthday this past Friday. I still can't believe that my baby is two! Gosh, he is so cute!

I am so thankful for my extended family. I'm extremely blessed with such awesome parents and lots of siblings who I love and adore. Our days are numbered here in Billings together. Come this spring my parents are moving to Washington state! Makes me a little weepy, okay a lot weepy thinking about it. So, any opportunity I have to get together with them, I'm jumping on it! No different with Coley's birthday - so we packed up and headed to Nana and Papa's house to have a party.

I love getting together with my enormous family, all the dynamics in personalities, the kids running and screaming, the noise of many conversations taking place, laughter that echoes. It feels like home. I'm sure my poor husband feels like he is thrown into a zoo, which at times isn't far from the truth. But, I love it. Love the craziness of it all.

We had pizza and some very colorful cupcakes that I did not make. Hunter was our entertainment, he sure is our little comedian. Oh man, I have my work cut out for me. He makes my heart smile...a lot. We enjoyed conversation, good food and great company. It was such a blessing to celebrate our sweet baby boy. Here are a few pictures, enjoy!

 

Happy Birthday Mr. Sunshine

Today is the day my sweet baby, Colter James, entered the world two years ago. Our home has been made warm and fuzzy with the addition of this little man's sweet personality. I can't help but look at him every day and think to myself, "there is no way you could get any cuter" but somehow, he does. Not only does he bring a smile to my face a bagillion times a day, he lights up any room he walks into. He is such a blessing to our family and I cannot imagine our lives without him.

 Colter James Schwaderer

 January 6, 2010 at 7:56am - 7lbs and 19.5 inches long

Coley's 2 year well-child check up is next week. So I'll have his "official" stats then. But in the mean time, here is Colter's year in review:

• He walks on his knees with amazing form. 

• His vocabulary continues to grow, some favorite words: snack, milk, noey (no), puke, poop, I love you and nigh, nigh (night, night), okay, gosh and ceweal (cereal) 

• He sleeps all night in his own bed from 7pm to 6am. 

• Took his first trip to the ER for 4 stitches on his sweet little forehead.

• He takes one nap a day from 10:30am-1:30pm.

• Finally walks on his FEET at 19 months! 

• He eats just about anything, except peaches.

• Loves to read books and likes to sing songs and dance.

He is generally a good natured little one who tends to go with the flow, smile lots and still likes to cuddle, ohhh that makes my heart happy!

Dear Colter,

You are genuinely the sweetest, most beautiful two year little boy in my book. You have blessed our family beyond measure with your gentle spirit. You light up our lives and remind me daily of unconditional love. I count myself blessed to be your Mama and look forward to all your new milestones this year. I pray that Jesus would protect you and soften and mold your heart in His timing and will. You are fearfully and wonderfully made little one. I love you so much, Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mama

Mr. Sunshine today.

A New Year - 2012

So, I took a year off from blogging. But I'm back! It's one of my goals for the New Year to get back to it! It's a super fun way to keep a journal. Now, to just stick with it! I feel like I have a million goals for this year....here are a few in no particular order:

• Lose about half my body weight, attempt to drag myself to the gym 3 times a week.
• Become an "avid" not extreme couponer.
• Organize my life a little better. So, actual use the calendar and day planners I purchase.
• Become a better housekeeper and cook.
• Read one book a month, so this also means we will utilize the public library more than once a year.
• Join a woman's bible study.
• Get out of debt - actually sticking to my very structured budget.

That's all I can rattle off at the moment. It's kind of exciting to plan and look forward to this new year, fresh start. I can't wait to see how things change.

As for the celebration of the New Year, well it was spent right here at home. I attempted to make a grocery list, the boys napped most of the day and I cut out a bagillion coupons in preparation for my "avid" couponing. I've rented 3 movies to watch tonight, hmmm for a moment I must have thought I was 16 again, standing there at the Red Box kiosk, I'm not sure I can make it through one movie tonight let alone three. The warmth of my bed is calling my name, along with my soon-to-be 2 year old who is throwing a royal fit about bedtime. So, I'm off to rescue him and tuck myself in. Movies will have to wait.

To more blogging days ahead...

Happy 7th Birthday, Walker!

December 9th, 2003

Today, December 9th, 2010 at exactly 4:59am my Walker Jason Schwaderer turned seven years old. Wow! I cannot believe it has been seven years. Just seven years ago I received such a great, sweet, wonderful blessing! My heart is so full.


Walker you are my shining star. You have a way of making me smile everyday. I am so proud of the person that you are becoming. You are kind, gentle, warm hearted and full of life. I am so thankful that Jesus is the Lord of your life and that you want to please him in all you do.

Walker 1 year old

Walker's First Birthday 12/09/2004

Walker, 7 years old

You are the best brother any boy could ask for. You are patient and loving, you sure are smart and share your knowledge with others. You are the best son any mother could ever ask for. You light up my days and you fill our home with laughter - I am so proud to be your Momma. Happy Birthday!