My Sweet Little Dean

Tomorrow is Dean's second birthday and having another baby on the way only makes me realize how grown up he is now. The last couple days I have found myself staring at him thinking that he looks like a little boy and nothing like the baby that used to curl up on my chest. In fact he hardly fits on my lap anymore. Here are some things that he is up to lately:
1.) Organizing his toys- he loves to line up his toys on the fireplace, piano, table or anywhere else that strikes his fancy. Today I caught him putting all the stuffed animals in a nice line like they where headed off to class. He also gets really upset when he gets an idea and the toys don't cooperate.

2.) Staying clean- We gave him a cupcake the other day and when he went to pick it up he got frosting all over his hand. He panicked and tried to wipe it off on his arm but then freaked out even more because now his arm was dirty too. He now demands a fork if he deems the food not clean enough for fingers. He also came up to me crying and demanding a wet wipe because he spilled his snack and there were some crumbs on the floor. NOT Acceptable.
3.) Quick comfort- Dean is over all an independent player. He is very happy organizing and doing his own thing and doesn't need me hovering close which is really nice most of the time. Every now and then he comes up and asks for a love. I give him a quick hug and kiss and then he is off to his toys again. I'm pretty sure his bear gets more cuddle time than I do.
4.) Talking- Dean has always been a very vocal kid and hasn't slowed down in the least. He puts multiple words together and most of his words are very clear and understandable. I came into the boys room the other morning to get them up to find Dean on the changing table and Isaac missing. The first thing out of Deans mouth was "Where'd go Isaac?" before I could respond Isaac flung open the closet door and Dean shouted "There he is!" and burst into giggles.
5.) Being a big brother- Most of the time the boys play together really well. We do have our moments when they tackle each other to the floor because of a toy they both want but for the most part sharing is an easy concept in our house. If Dean does take something all I have to do is explain that that is Isaac's and Dean will go and give it back. The boys have cute little camp chairs that they like to watch movies in and the other day Isaac decided that he wanted to be in the blue one that Dean was sitting in and not the open grey one. He went over and expressed this to Dean in their own little way and without the slightest hesitation Dean said "Oh, OK." and got up and switched chairs. What a good big brother!

Here is a list of some of his favorites:

Movie: Dumbo and The Lorax

Food: Any kind of fruit or veggie

Comfort object: His thumb and woogie (blanket).

Toy: Balls or cars and books, books, books!

Time for a trip down memory lane. These pictures go from oldest to most recent starting back last October:

 The following quote is from LDS.org on what the church teaches about adoption: "Adoption is an unselfish, loving decision that blesses the birth parents, the child, and the adoptive family." I can't begin to express how much Dean has blessed our life and how much I respect and love our birth mother. I can't imagine what our life would be like without our sweet, sensitive, social little Dean. What a wonderful two years we have had together! Happy Birthday, sweetheart.

Terry Family Vacation

       So, I have been meaning to blog about this for a while but everytime I tried to long into blogger it wouldn't let me. Bob figured out that explorer would but chrome would not so we will try it this way. Just to preface for those who might be out of the loop we were placed with 2 more foster kids at the end of July. Two cute little girls ages 3 and 5 that were just returned to their mom this week. In the mean time they got to join us on our trip.

       We left Albuquerque at 6 am on a Thursday morning with everybody packed and ready to go. With 4 kids 5 and under and me being so pregnant (33 weeks on the trip) I was overly prepared and organized. All the kids fruit and milk for breakfast was washed, cut, and put in individual containers the night before so they could eat on the road. We had over three hours to drive to get to the train depot and with only 3 1/2 hours before we were suppose to check in we didn't have much time for "issues". The train was suppose to depart at 10am take us to lunch then back to the depot by 4:30. I packed a massive diaper bag with enough juice, snacks, toys and diapers to last a week and prayed for the best. I knew this was going to be the hardest day on our trip and I was anxious to get it behind us.

   Now for what really happened. We did leave at 6 am thanks to my upbringing with a military father that always left the house on time no matter how many kids he left behind. We only had to stop once for a potty break (mostly for me but I claimed it was the girls) and then Isaac decided that he didn't like breakfast on the go and threw up all over the car. We pulled over to change him but didn't have the time or ability to get into all the nooks and crannies of the car seat so spent the remainder of the trip holding our noses. Isaac got the weak stomach from me so I guess this is the point were I apologize to my mom for all the many times I got sick in the car. We made it to the depot on time and in one piece, boarded the train, and then didn't go anywhere. The train was broken and they couldn't get it working again. They told us they could either refund our money or add an hour bus ride to and from another depot. With hotel reservations already made we opted for the 2nd and prayed the kids would last the extra 2 hours on our day. And we did despite the fact that Dean threw up on the bus on the way back and there were a few minor melt downs. We had a lot of people comment on the size and good behavior of our family and I thanked them with a smile as I was trying not to pull out all my hair.

      By the time we got back to the hotel and grabbed dinner it was bed time for the kids and I snuck off to go float in the hotel hottub and pool.
    The rest of the trip was smooth sailing after that. We drove up to Laramie, Wyoming the next day to spend the weekend with Bob's brother Mike and his wife Melissa who is expecting a baby in January. It was the first visit we have made up to their home and I'm so glad we finally did it. It was wonderful seeing them and we kept busy going to their park next door and hiking at a nearby trail. The weather was perfect and the kids loved climbing around and being outside.

 On our way back down to Albuquerque we stopped by the Denver Aquarium and had a great time. They have sea otters, mermaids, tigers and tons of really cool fish including one that sprays crickets right out of your fingers to knock them down and eat them. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area.



We spent our last night with Bob's cousin Gina and her family just south of Denver and were warmly welcomed. I have only meet her once shortly after Bob and I got married but we really hit it off with her and her husband. They also have a little boy that is five and two little girls that are three and 4 months that our kids had a blast playing with. Ask our five year old what the best part of the trip was and she will tell you it was hanging out with Ben. Great food, conversation, and they had outlet malls right off the freeway that Gina and I ran off to while Bob watched all 6 of the kids (Gina took her youngest). Couldn't get any better than that. We made it home safely the following day with little excitement except for a stop on the side of the freeway for a brief time-out spot for a temper tantrum. Over all it was a wonderful trip and well worth seeing all the family and sights that we got to. It did make me appreciate all the road trips that I remember going on as a kid. I can only imagine how much work that was for my parents to supply those happy memories.

.4 miles is killer

Yes, that's right. I said point 4 miles but before you give me a hard time let me redeem myself a little. We are foster parents for the state and we were recently placed with two little girls. The oldest is in kindergarten this year and I get to take the boys and her little sister with me when I take her to and from the bus stop. Its only .4 for miles one way and another .4 home but here is why I start to huff and puff.
First, I'm 32 weeks pregnant so I huff and puff when I switch over the laundry even though Bob and I try to go on regular walks in the evenings.
Second, it was in the 90's today and I am walking west then east to and from the stop so the sun is right in my face and at my back with very little shade found from the houses we pass.
Third, we live in the foot hills so the way to the bus stop is down hill and not to bad but heading home takes me twice as long because of the load I'm dragging. I stick the boys in our double stroller but pushing 50 plus pounds up the hill is tough! I am also hauling the little 3 year that LOVES to drag her feet and smell every flower along the way. I make her hold on to the stroller when she gets really bad but that just means she is adding extra resistance to the already heavy load.
At least I know I will be in great shape for labor and delivery :-) It should be a piece of cake compared to this!

one more

On night three the boys didn't make much noise after we put them down but when we peeked on them later we found both in Isaac's bed. Melts a Mama's heart.

Big Boy Beds

So, we haven't put anything about fostering on our blog so let me bring you up to date really quick. This fall we went through the approval process and for the last 4 months we have had a set of teenage twins staying with us. They were wonderful kids and we were thrilled to find a family that wants to adopt them that they just moved in with. It really was a great experience and I am going to miss all of their help and smiles around here.
Now that our extra bedroom is free, and with new baby due in just 3 months, I went into major nesting mode. I pulled everything out ( and by "I" I mean Bob while I supervised and brought him water), cleaned the walls, carpets, the works. Then I found a cute bedroom set with tractors and construction equipment at Target and new bunk beds that can also be two twin beds at Sams. I figured we could use the top bunk on the floor but keep the railing on it for Dean so that way I wouldn't have to buy a 3rd crib for baby boy # 3. Here is pictures of the progress:

We then put the crib in the left hand corner and the changing table under the window but I still need to add the cute wall decals and other stuff on the wall after we know where all the beds are going to end up. 

On Sunday we put Dean down for a nap in his new bed and he did great so Sunday night after getting home from Nana's we put Dean in there again and Isaac in his crib. They both did great and I thought we were good to go for the next couple months but Isaac had another plan. Monday night when we put the boys down for the night he screamed his head off and I finally figured out that he was mad because Dean was in a big bed and he was still stuck in the crib. Nana actually sent us home on Sunday night with an extra toddler bed and I was so glad because we brought it into the room, tucked Isaac in and they both slept in their new beds all night. What big boys! Here are some pictures to prove my point.

 (yes. That is Trix cereal that he was sticking to his face)