Spurs v 76ers

Our supplier gave us tickets to the Spurs game last night. I have been reluctant to take them because of Kiernan but Bill grabbed them and so we went ahead and took a chance. We knew it would be hard to get him to sit still but always hate to ask people to watch him. He fell asleep on the way there so I thought we would be in trouble because he would have renewed energy. We got there early and walk around. We ate our usual hot dogs before the game started. We even took our picture with the championship trophy. KK was trying to take it with us but security jumped in and put KK in line. :)

We found our seats and Kiernan was checking out the sites. He had a good time and his favorite part was when the lights went out for the introductions.

I am not sure if he is trying to figure out where he is or if he is following in mama's footsteps and studying the game. I like to think it is the latter.

We had a good time together as a family and KK lasted until the middle of the 3rd quarter. We left early and Kiernan passed out before we made it out of the parking lot. We listened to the game on the way home and they opened up the game by almost 15 points. Guess the Spurs just needed us to leave.

9 Month Check Up

Kiernan's Height: 29 (73%)
Weight: 19lbs 7oz (31.1%)
Head: 45.5 (55%)

I was a little worried about this appointment just because I have been having a lot of trouble with KK lately. I was worried because I have a hard time getting him to eat. I felt like he didn't gain much and is just a tiny little thing. Thank goodness the doctor calmed my fears and said he looks great.
I tried to pick her brain about KK not sleeping through the night and him being fussy when he is playing on the floor. She really didn't give me much except that he is a BUSY BODY. She asked how his parents personalities are and I had to admit that YUP it's me I am a busy body. Well at least I know he is mine and I have helped shape who he is going to become. Maybe that means he will be a go getter!! She also talked about maybe since he is close to walking that once he is able to walk he will be able to go and get what he wants and reduce the fuss. I hope!!
I felt much better when I left the office and KK slept in the car on the way there and back. I took him over to daycare and her and I talked for awhile about him and our "plan". I feel much better. We both looked at each other and said we are going to be tired chasing after this one. But I am happy about where he is during the day. Ms. Ana loves KK and I know he is learning and in good hands while I work.
Kiernan is pulling up on EVERYTHING. He would rather stand and lean on something than sit. He is letting go and standing for 2 or 3 seconds and then falling. Ms. Ana said he even tried to move a foot to walk. He loves green beans and sweet potatoes. He is into the 2 Gerber. He hates peas and mixed berries. His favorite though is plain old rice cereal. YUCK!! He is still not a great sleeper during the day and has his moments at night. I get comments where ever we go about how beautiful he is.
To be honest, I think I figured out today that my lil boy is fine and maybe it is his mommy who needs to learn her son a little bit more. :) Happy 9 months kiddo!

9 Months Old

Seriously, the photo shoot could not have gone any better. I am such a perfectionist when it comes to my photos. I am borderline obsessed so I get nervous going to take professional pictures. But my little guy was happy and turned out super cute. 9 months old and full of life. Will not sit still for one minute. Would rather be standing than sitting. Pulls up on everything!! Every time I go get him from his crib he is standing up waiting for me to enter. I have a feeling he may walk by 10 months.

Teeth are still being major problems. His sleep habits are horrible. Daycare can get him to sleep for 20 minutes in morning and 20 minutes in afternoon. NOT GOOD!! He goes down around 7 and wakes up at midnight and 4. UGH!!! Makes the mommy T-I-R-E-D!! Started to eat puffs by himself. He is not into baby food anymore. I have introduced peas and cheerios.

Loves loves loves his big brothers. Speaking of...... I now have a 12 year old and a 6 year old. WOW... time sure does fly.

The Boy's Bday Party

The boys share a birthday week which for them (or Roy) it can be a little annoying. As for me, I absolutely love it. I can knock both bdays out and be done with for the year (well except now I have a new addition this year). The boys got a new .22 to shoot at the farm and down in Devine. They were super excited. I had the boys bdays all planned for an outdoor golfing adventure but the weather on Saturday sent me into orbit. I had to quickly change and we all headed to Incredible Pizza. Super duper expensive....ugh!!! Oh well. Gavin had two buddies come and they stayed together playing racing games.

Roy had his buddy and well.... I didn't see them much except when they ran out of money.

My mom did some awesome birthday cakes for the boys and did I mention they tasted delicious.

It was a little crazy for a bit but in the end it all worked out so that I could see this smile.

My sister and her kiddos came and so did my mom and dad and also John and Lisa. Time flew by and I missed out on getting all the pictures. Oh and I left my FAVORITE camera sitting on the table. The sweet employee picked it up and had it waiting in the closet for me when I went in panic mode. She is a life savior.

Pulling Up

Well we are just 7 days shy of his 9 month milestone and this boy is pulling up. He loves to grab my hands and I would always assist him in getting to his feet but seems like he doesn't need mama's help anymore. As he crawls around the house I look over and find him grabbing on to the bench and teething on the arm rest.

The as I am working in the kitchen he crawls through and finds another item that can assist him in standing.

Super fun but I am soooo afraid because we only have concrete floors and tile in our home. I only have one rug and that is for his play area which is not as fun anymore. I will have to watch him like a hawk that he doesn't slip and hit his head.

Bonding Brothers

Bill had to go to Dallas on Friday and decided to stay up there for the weekend to hang out with Uncle John. He took Roy with him so that left me with Gavin and Kiernan. I will warn you that this is a post of picture overload. First I thought Gavin's hair needed some trimming. I always think barber shops are so expensive but I sometimes get nervous that I am going to mess up the boys hair. I try to cut it every other time but I was just feeling confident that I can do it and I am not spending another dime on haircuts. I CAN DO THIS!! I even cut Bill's hair so there really should be no costs for hair cuts. Here is my little guy getting ready.And here he is the next morning...... Not to bad. He is of course holding his brother. They were playing on the floor while I got us all ready to head down to Devine with my family to check out the land and see my grandma.When we got to the land my mom wanted to throw out grass seeds. She had all the kids following her around spreading seeds. Me, Gavin and KK! Look how pretty the landscape was. We were down not even two weeks ago and everything was dead. We have added a little rain and WOW what a difference.I, of course, wanted to get the boys together.

Gavin just couldn't get Kiernan to cooperate. Kiernan loved sitting and playing in the flowers. He always uses his middle finger. Cracks me up!

Cutie Pie!!!

I sat KK next to his cousins, Hadleigh. They had so much fun together.

Me and my boy in the wind.

Not only are these boys the cutest little boys in the whole world but look at that background!! I cannot wait for the bluebonnets to start growing. I will be dressing up the boys and taking them back out there for pictures for sure!!

My mom found some deer bones. Gavin and his cousin Rocco thought it was so interesting. My mom is explain the food chain. They didn't understand why the coyotes wanted to eat the deer.

When we got back, I put Kiernan in the swing in my mom's backyard. Gavin started pushing him. I love this picture because this captured exactly how Kiernan looks at Gavin. He adores him. Gavin is such a great big brother and so sweet to him. I just loved watching their little relationship grow this weekend.

It was such a great weekend with the boys. I had a lot of fun with my family. I love going out to the land. It was such a beautiful day. Back to reality...... Spring Break is coming. We get the older boys back on Wednesday and we will have them through the entire Spring Break until school is back in session on Monday!! WOW.... guess I better start thinking of some things to entertain them for the whole week. Can't wait!!!!

Step Parent Part 2

I feel like after reading other step mom stories that I am not alone. I never actually thought I was all alone but it is so hard to explain situations to friends or family or even your husband because they just can't fully understand what I am feeling. Hearing other's stories has allowed me to see I am not crazy and that other people in my exact situations feel the exact same way I do at times.
As I sit back and think about the last five years of my life, they have been extremely hard but somehow we are still floating and pushing through together. When I first came around I could see the brokenness in each person's heart. I tried to help Bill pick up the pieces and provide a home instead of a house for the boys.
It was very difficult in the beginning because I think the wounds had not really healed. I had to hear all the drama and was even dragged into it at times. We finally made our relationship official and I thought things would then calm down only to find out that things had gotten really bad for Roy. We ended up in a custody battle only six months into marriage. The judge ordered for my husband and his EX to go to counseling. HOLY MOSES!!!! I thought I had completely lost my mind. It was awful to hear everything that went on. It created a huge wedge between Bill and I.
But somehow we kept going and closing doors as best we could. I had to do a lot of convincing for my husband to take his emotions out and just move on. We have tried to get better at controlling our home. Ultimately, that is all you can control and all the rest will just cause issues. If you spend more time being pissed off at the ex then you miss out on the happiness with your kids.
I kept talking about this "step mom" thing with my sister today. She kept saying,"Man, you keep going on and on about it!" But I think it was liberating for me to hear other women in my shoes and it really felt like a ton of bricks was lifted off my shoulders. It felt like my voice was heard. I am not a complainer so I always try to brush things under the rug but I definitely needed this refresher.
We just have to keep doing the right thing and influence these children as best we can. It is a roller coaster ride and seems like there are so many more things we have against us but God sure has a way of sending us down the path we are suppose to be on. I always hope that He will pat me on the back someday and say Well done!!

Being a Step Mom Changed My Life

I follow a blog and they have a neat link up today for step moms and I just felt moved to connect with other step moms because the task can be extremely difficult but yet rewarding in so many ways I never thought were possible. Check it out at www.kellyskornerblog.com. She has an amazing website. I cannot wait to read other step moms stories. (because one thing I am sure of WE got some stories to tell :))

I met my husband in a sort of random way. My sister got married in 2000 and I was very close to her and her husband. I would often go with her to her husband’s family functions. I became a part of the family rather quickly. He had a brother that wasn’t around much but when he came we always seemed to have a good time. He was dating someone else at the time and they had two children together. Fast forward a few years and he ended up getting married and divorced rather quickly. Then…… in 2006 we were at Christmas Eve festivities when we decided to go to the movies. We ended up going to a New Year’s Eve party together and having a blast. We began dating and at the time Roy was 6 and Gavin was 10 months old. They knew me as Aunt Summer so it was an easy transition for the boys. I have grown to love my step sons. I have noticed that being a step mom allowed me to not take things for granted. When children are not biologically yours, you tend to cherish the hugs and attention that comes your way because it doesn’t always happen. Here are my special little boys when I first entered their lives.

The older boy, Roy, has had it rough. He had a hard time adjusting but we soon found that we both loved basketball. I poured my heart into playing with him in the backyard and running out to the card shop whenever we could. The reciprocation of love isn't always there but somewhere inside him I know he loves me but I just don’t always feel the “love” from him. I take this very personal and often can get my feelings hurt. Then there are times he completely surprises me and hugs me and sits on my lap (yes, even now that he is 11). He go through ups and downs but I love him and am so thankful that he is in my life.

Gavin was so small when I came around that he doesn’t know any different. He only knows his dad and I as a couple. Because of his age we definitely have a much closer bond. He calls me mom and doesn’t skip a beat in our home. Before he started kindergarten, I would often keep him home from daycare just so we could spend time together. He loves to play outside and is always asking me to play with him. He is getting older now and I am always scared he will slowly stop calling me mom but until then I will eat this stage up. He is such a sweet natured boy. He is always willing to help me with whatever I am doing. He is always ready to love and he always loves with no reservations. I think he feels safe with me.

These two boys mean absolutely everything to me. They helped me grow up and learn to be a mom. They have taught me unconditional love even when it is sometimes difficult. I am so honored to be their step mom. It makes me feel so special when I think of the boys when I first came around in 2007 and can see my hand in helping then become who they are today. I feel like I have helped create a home for them. I feel like I have shown them love and what a wonderful loving two parent home is all about. I know that they don’t always appreciate me and don’t realize all I do for them but I hope one day they will look back and see that I did everything I could for them and always will.

Finally, we added a new addition in June of 2011. It has been amazing to see the boys become big brothers. They make my heart melt when they cuddle up with him. Kiernan lights up when he sees his brothers. Adding a child of my own has definitely changed things but I always hope that the boys feel they are all loved equally and that their dad and I will do anything for them. I am committed to this little blended family and making us grow to an amazing little unit.

Port A- Little Shell

Despite the weather predictions, we thought we would live dangerously and head out to Port A with Candace and George. KK had an awful night. We was up all night long. I think the poor thing was freezing. So everyone was on NO sleep but we decided to head out to the beach to catch some fish. KK set up camp. Daddy decided to stick him in his waders and let him fish. Kiernan thought this was fun for about 2 seconds and then he was done.

Super cute!!

He is obsessed with touching my face. He is so sweet.

The beach is a long bumpy ride so KK was extra fussy (can't say I blame him) The ride makes me pretty cranky. So KK became the pilot for awhile.

He wasn't very interested in the road. He found George was more interesting to look at.

Candace sat with him at the bonfire.

We ate sausages, roasted marsh mellows and chowed down on some chips. The perfect bonfire food.

Candace went out over the dunes and got some great shots of the sun going down. It was really cold but very peaceful out there. We caught no fish but had a fun time.