Charleston, Choo Choo's, and Cousins

After stuffing ourselves with turkey and all the trimmings, we set off the next morning to visit Beau's family in Charleston. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but we had so much fun. Wade was able to spend some good time with his cousins, Rowan and Ellis. They adore him and he loves copying every little thing they do. He follows them around like a little puppy.
We seriously packed so much into our 44 hours trip, I barely remember what happened. But I guess that's what blogs are for...they make you sit down and recap your life.
So here's what we did....

We got blinged out with glow-in-the-dark toys at the Festival of Lights (you can't tell that everyone is flashing neon colors)...
We tried to take a Christmas card picture for Dede and Poppa (how'd that workout?)...

We tried to take a picture of the 3 cousins (again, how'd that workout for us?)

We went swimming at the Charleston Place indoor pool (and by "we", I mean Beau and the kids)We got to see Great Grandma Marj! (all the way from Ohio)We were all there to witness the beginning of Wade's love affair with trains. I knew the day was coming, I just had no idea the obsession would come on so strong! Here he is staring at the huge train display at Charleston Place. He only did this for about 5 hours....

We rode an actual choo choo through the Festival of Lights (Wade had a perma-grin the whole time)...
We saw lots of horse, real and fake...

We had a blast! Thanks Nicci and Jed for hosting us! Here are the rest of the pictures if you want to see all the fun :)

Thanksgiving

We were lucky enough to spend Thanksgiving Day with some of my family and Beau's parents. My cousin Alison was nice enough to host - even with a 7 month old little boy! We missed both of my brothers and their families, but will make-up for lost time at Christmas :) It was a "small" crowd this year with ONLY 20 adults, 2 toddlers, and 2 babies. This is our best attempt at a family photo for the day. Wade was in "rare form" after only a short nap. Let's just say he wasn't on his best behavior.

Mom and her beautiful daughters ;)

My favorite sister in the whole wide world. She was on her way to work at the hospital, so she couldn't stay long :(

Emery and her Grandma Slagel - Linda

The only way to get Wade to chill out (notice it's Nemo on the screen). I am not above using television to hypnotize my child in times of crisis.

Wade and daddy chillin outside

The Slagel Clan (Scott, BJ, Corey holding Austin, Jerry, Linda, Ashley holding Emery, & Ben)

Nanny and Hayes. Too cute!

So much to be thankful for!

I have so much to be thankful for each and every day. I feel like the luckiest mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend in the world. And even though I try to appreciate my blessings everyday, I'm glad we have a holiday committed to just that....being thankful. Thank you God for our many blessings :)

But above all things in this world, I'm most thankful for these 2 boys and moments like these....
I just want to stare and these smiling faces all day long. Does life get any sweeter???

MckMama Meet & Greet

After pleading with my blog readers for other Mckmama fans to reveal yourself, I did find a few friends that also follow her blog and Stellan's story. But no one that actually cared could go with me, SOOOO my sweet sister Alicia agreed to go so I wouldn't have to look like the complete dork that I am and go by myself.

So let me set the scene...it's the coldest and rainest day of the year (so far) and the get-together is supposed to take place at Grant Park by the zoo. I'm thinking, surely they will cancel it, but I must've been doubting their Minnesota thick skin and devotion to their fans to think for a second the event would be cancelled. Stupid me. And since I already had my hummus layer dip ready to go, I geared up for the rain and forced my sister to do the same.

It took us awhile to find the pavilion everyone was huddled under, but when we did I was thrilled to know I'm not the only dork that cares deeply for a family that lives many states away that I've never met. No siree bob! I'd estimate about 30 other families there, with many people coming and going. I will say the rain put a damper on the day and created an even more awkward atmosphere, but I'm so glad I went. I talked to MckMama, she has a real name - Jennifer- and learned more about her. She was so open and friendly to so many complete strangers that know her entire life (down to the not-so-flattering details). Alicia was even able to use her Cardiac ICU nursing knowledge to chat about Stellan's recent successful surgery!

In addition to chatting with Jennifer and congratulating her on her son's new health, we saw the rest of the family. The older siblings were running around with new friends, and Stellan was hanging out with whoever would hold him. He is now likely blinded by the paparazzi taking his picture, but he seemed to be unphased. It was thrilling for me to see the little boy I been praying and cheering for. And to think less than 2 weeks ago his heart gave out and flatlined before surgery! Now tell me you don't believe in miracles!!

Stellan taking some steps!

Stellan with his big sister and daddy!

Wade is 20 months old!

It looks like another month has flown by chasing Wade! He is such a "big boy" and wants you to know it :)

The weather has gotten cold (and still lots of rain), so we're not able to play outside as much as we'd like. So we've come up with new indoor sports to pass the time. Jumping on the couch is his favorite. I gave up on trying to get him to not do it and instead have figured out how to strategically place all pillows to avoid injury. KNOCK ON WOOD! This kid likes to jump. I'm going to talk to Santa and see if we can't get him a mini trampoline.

We have completely hit the "I want what I want and there's no way you're talking bribing me out of it!" stage. Like many toddlers, he can go from happy go lucky to "exorcist" in no time. I will admit it's VERY frustrating to have the kicking & screaming child of the group, and I start to sweat when I realize there's no way to avoid the pending tantrum, BUT I have learned we just have to leave the situation and go home. If we are home...well that's easy...he can just flail and kick on a nice padded surface away from sharp objects. These pictures below show happy Wade so excited to be riding the carousel. He wouldn't stop making horse sounds and bobbing up and down like he was making it go faster. A priceless childhood moment. Then the aftermath (not caught on film) was a kicking and screaming child trying to get back on the carousel no matter how many people were waiting in line behind us. There was no stopping the fury. We had to leave the premises immediately. Another priceless childhood moment.

Oh well. But let's focus on how happy he was on the carousel...Awwwwww.......

I know I've blogged before about how stingy Wade is with hugs and kisses. They do exist, but you have to be very patient to get lovin' from the Wade man. Unless you are a turkey...

He loves to makeout with this turkey!

He also thinks it's hilarious to kiss you through a window. Here he is making out with daddy...

As active as he is, Wade has become a little bookworm. He LOVES books, but is very fickle as to which ones he wants to read at any given time. Before bed, he carefully selects which 16 books he'd like to read, then will get particularly tickled by 1 so we have to read that one over and over again. Our bedtime routine has become very lengthy. I don't mind, I like the quiet time with him. In return for reading books, I make him cuddle with me....so we're even :)

"Oh look mom has the big black machine in her hand...CHEEEEEEESE!"

I think we can realistically put the high chair away. I try to strap him in for meals, but all he wants to do is sit on the bench at the big table with mommy. He gets so happy when he gets to sit there like a big boy (that is until 2 minutes later when he's jumping off the bench on top of the dogs, and smearing his dinner on the wall). Gotta love toddler independence!

He really does change everyday and we love to watch him grow. We'll take it all...the good, the bad, the ugly.

We love you Wade!

US Olympic Gymnastics Team 2024?

Have I mentioned that Wade loves to swing on monkey bars (or anything closely resembling)? Well he does. Any handrail or horizontal bar is fair game in his mind. And I must admit he's getting pretty good at it. My heart skips a beat everytime, but he just smiles and says "WEEEE"

This was one of the first time he did it at an actual gym. He loved it! The landing was his favorite part. He didn't always stick it, but he had fun trying....

MckMama Visit

So go ahead and make fun of me (like Beau does)....laugh, ridicule, think I'm a dork. I'm okay with it.

You know I follow a blog about a mom named "MckMama", has a son with a heart condition, 4 young kids, lives in Minnesota? If not, click here or on the "praying for stellan" button on the right panel. Anyway, she's coming to Atlanta this weekend with her family and is planning a gathering of her many blog friends/followers. AND I'M SO GOING TO GO!!! But my partner in blog reading indulgence, Michelle, can't go with me. So I'm wondering if any of you that read my blog also read MckMama's blog??? (her real name is Jennifer) If so, would anyone like to be a dork and come with me Sunday afternoon? I'll be your best friend :)

Let me know!!!

Weekend of Birthdays

MAGGIE TURNS 3!!!

Wade was in heaven at his favorite indoor gym, lots of fun friends, pizza, cake, AND a Capri Sun....
(BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!)

(Sam and Wade chowing down)

CHRISTIAN TURNS 31!!!

Becky threw her hubby a fun get-together complete with fire, fourwheelers, football, cornhole, and lots of yummy food. What more could a grown man ask for???

(Most of the men, and some of the kiddos. There were women and the party too, I just didn't get a picture)

(Wade, Will and Sarah couldn't leave the ipod and billy bass the singing fish. big hit.)

(Will dancing as Wade spins some tunes)

(Bug watching...)

MASON TURNS 4!!!
Sunday was the most perfect weather for a party in the park! Mason had all of his buddies at the Chastain Park playground for playtime, cupcakes, a scooby doo pinata, and of course more Capri Suns for Wade (he had 2 in 10 minutes)...

(Birthday boy Mason)

(Wade taking on the curvy slide)

(Singing happy birthday...Wade cares more about his Capri Sun than his cupcake. I mean, I do water down his juice in his sippy cup but please! You'd think the kid had never tasted "real" juice!)

THANKS to all the hosts for all the fun this weekend!!! Who's having us over for Capri Suns and cake this weekend??? We have to keep up the sugar high. Any takers?

Bubble Boy