the binky project

Well, for some reason, on Friday, I decided to try to work Lydie off the binky.  She LOVEs her binky, so I wasn't exactly looking forward to the task, but thought it was time to give it a go.  Friday went pretty well, a little rough getting her calmed down for a nap, but it came eventually.  She asked a few times for it, but I just said, "no, you don't need it" & she went on about her business.  We've decided to let her have it at night for a while at least, so she happily had her way with it when we gave it to her before bedtime.  Saturday was pretty easy, except for shopping {lots of crying} & naptime getting to sleep again, but Dan stayed strong while I went out with the girls & didn't give it to her until bedtime.  Sunday, she asked for it a few times again {especially in late afternoon after she woke from her nap}, but it was just a few moments of grumpies before she went about her business.  Lydie was more than ready last night to get her binky fix.  Lots of noise comin' from that binky at bedtime!  This morning she actually took it out herself & gave it to me & never mentioned a word before she went out the door to the sitter's.  Good work sweetie!  Guess this won't be our normal view of you anymore...

I have to admit, I am a little sad.  My baby is moving farther away from being a baby!  The happy thing is that we get to see her pretty little mouth singing & chattering away.  She has been giving us some serious happiness with her cute little talk & singing.  {btw... thanks Shelley for capturing this pic.  it makes my heart melt!}

ten

ten?  TEN?  I may be in denial.  yep.  July 29, 1999 this kid came into our lives & we've never been the same!  Being our first, I'm sure we've made our share of mistakes, been a little more over protective & maybe even expected more out of you, but I hope you'll forgive us for it all some day!  You are a sweet, quiet, thoughtful, loving boy who gets his feelings hurt easily & has limited patience {I don't know anyone w/ these traits}.  Oh & did I mention how cute... I mean handsome you are?  I love every bit of you.  You have changed so much over the last year & are really developing into your own person, but I hope we are always so close {even if it's not cool}. I remember those first 3 years when you were our 1 & only you were my constant companion.  I loved every minute of it & I'm so glad to have all of those moments with you Collin.  Then, you became a big brother & you have been a great one, first to Evan & now to Lydia. I'm always telling you stories about how when Evan was born, you were so eager for him to walk & be able to really play with you {now, most of the time, you just want him to go away!}.  You are so great with Lydia & she loves her big brother Coll so much.  You're a great kid, Collin.  I know we get frustrated with each other sometimes, but with a little talking, it always seems to work out.  Collin, happy birthday dude... love ya.  

{pictures by Shagganman Photography}

oh & congrats to our friends Leanne, Dusty & big sister Kodi on baby Korbin who shares Collin's b-day today!   

Collin's 10th Birthday Party

We didn't get to do as much for Collin's party as we had wanted, but it was still fun.  I can't believe this boy will be 10 on Wednesday.... he's changing so much.  If the first ten years have gone by this fast, I can just imagine the next ten :(  I hope you enjoyed your party...

What a weekend!

Ugh.  We had a rough start to the weekend when I woke up Friday morning w/ a stomach virus & was in bed the rest of the day.  Thankfully I woke up Saturday morning feeling 100% better... a little weak & a little achy from a full day in bed, but much better.  

With Collin's birthday party planned for Sunday afternoon, I still had to go shopping for his presents & stuff for his party, so along w/ my sisters, headed to the dreaded Wal Mart to stock up.  Made it through that adventure... thank goodness Dan took Lydie with him to pick up his brother Al from Ragbrai & Evan had stayed overnight at Aunt Kim's.  Collin had been having a mini vaca w/ Aunt Kathy since Thursday & he wasn't due home until Sunday afternoon.  A short stop at home to rest & then Dan & I had to work at ball tournaments in Houghton for a few hours.  

Another rude awakening Sunday morning about 3 am w/ Evan getting sick & spent the rest of the morning tending to him.  When he woke up about 6:30, he was feeling better, but body aches & headaches kept him down a little.

We had to decide, then If we were going to continue with Collin's party.  Luckily, we had already planned to have the party at Aunt Kim's, so we decided to just go ahead & see what happened.  Dan stayed home w/ Evan since he was sick.  Evan was crushed he couldn't go to the party & was so sad that he wouldn't be able to see Collin sooner {yes, really.  he was in tears & had to call Collin on the phone & tell him how much he missed him.  I'm pretty sure there were at least 3 people in tears on that one!}.  

When Collin finally got to Kim's, I was greeted with big hugs & kisses {don't tell his friends}.  Loved seeing him again, I missed him sooo much {until a little sleep deprived attitude started in}.  Although we were missing some family at the party, it was a great time together. 

Our very own movie!!!

I was thrilled to wake up Saturday w/ a message from Shelley that she had made up a movie w/ some more of the pics from our photo shoot last Sunday.  LOVE IT!  Can't wait to get the rest so I can get these on my walls & in my scrapbooks! 

You can see our movie here!  Thanks so much again Shelley!!! Love ya