Spring, I mean Summer Training Game

Man was it hot yesterday! Ab scored some tickets to the Rangers vs. Royals spring training game so I surprised Jaycie and took her out of school early. We hardly watched an inch of the game, but we had a great time eating, drinking and playing in the grass. Here's a shot of me and Mya - she could've used some shades!

Poor Lucas, it was so bright! Don't worry, this photo opp was his only exposure to the sun that day. I love how Jaycie is snuggling up to him in this pic. I threw on Jaxson's baseball cap after awhile to avoid extreme sunburn (now it's only on my arms and chest). It was too small and only fit the very top of my head, but comfort over beauty, right?

Cutie patootie!

We all took a turn with the hat, well everyone except for the hat's owner Jaxson - oops!

Action shots of the kids rolling down the hill. The guy to the right without a shirt on was encouraging them to be a little more adventurous hence Jaycie's somersaults.

This was Lucas most of the game. I covered him with a light blankie and you can't see it but he actually has an ice pack underneath on his back for temperature control. He seemed to enjoy it!

Cousins make great friends!

Thanks Ab!

"Did you know Jungle Jim's are made of metal?"

Elliot picked Jaycie up from school today and there was something different about her when I saw her. Can you guess what it is?? She was covering her mouth up and then finally showed me her big huge fat lip! She explained to me that she fell on the Jungle Jim, how she didn't even cry and then asked, "Mom, did you know Jungle Jim's are made of metal?" It was too adorable and after I asked the how's and when's I just couldn't get over how cute she looked. Well, I admit the following is not her most flattering, but from where I stand... total knockout!

Not as obvious smiling, but I had to follow that pic with a little better one!

One boy... One girl

Our lives have been pretty busy, chaotic and wonderful lately. I apologize for holding out on all of you Lucas fans out there ( I know, y'all are Jaycie fans as well)! So here they are... drumroll... the two cutest kids in the world (it's okay if you think your own are cuter :) !

We have started a weekly date night with Jaycie and last night was my night to take her out on the town. It was really special to spend some one on one time with just us girls while Elliot and Lucas had some male bonding time at home. We went out for ice cream and she is always drawn towards the most unnatural looking flavors - this one was called Krazy Kolors!

We went to paint pottery together and this was the finished product. She was very proud of her polka dotted puppy!

This picture was supposed to go first - as you can see it's the "before shot".

Jaycie gets a little something special every time she reaches a new level of reading in her kindergarten class. She got juju berry with any toppings she chose. Her eyes were way bigger than her tummy and she couldn't even finish it! Don't worry, Mom came to the rescue!

Another out of order pic, but you get the idea. I love her concentrated look - usually the tongue comes out!

Picture perfect! It almost looks professional!

He is starting to really enjoy bath time. I have a LOT of these kind of pictures but they're not as G rated!


"Aah, this is the life!"

Me and Ab took the babes to an infant massage class. It was a lot of fun and they really enjoyed it. These guys are going to be great buddies. I posed Whitney with her arm around Lucas and they loved every minute of it!

What he does best!

You are Loved

All I can say is that this boy is sooo special to soo many people! I feel privileged to be able to raise such an amazing spirit who has already touched so many lives! Lucas you are loved!

Thank You Fawsons!!!

We had the greatest time staying with my cousin Keri and her amazing family while we were in Utah. They were the best hosts and they put up with us for over THREE WEEKS! Here is sweet Selina holding Lucas. She was in love with him and probably held him more than all of us combined!

Being silly!

Drake and Selina carried Jaycie (The Queen of Narnia) around in a laundry basket.

Lucas, Keri and Drake. Just a couple of Ma's boys!

Keri singing Itsy Bitsy Spider while tickling the kids. They had to keep their hands up - sounds like torture to me, but the kids loved it! Sorry, no pictures of James - I'll get some next time because there will definitely be a next time! Thanks again guys!!!

One Week Old!

Lucas is one week old today and it was definitely time for some new pics and an update. He has continued to make progress but is still in NICU learning how to eat like a big boy. He is off of all fluids and got his UVC (belly tube) taken out earlier today. Here he is with his feeding tube - sorry, can't get away from all the wires and tubes!

If I had one word to describe him I would say - SLEEPY! Actually I would say perfect, but you get the point.

My mom givin' some lovin! He always turns his head in to reciprocate.

When he is awake, he just stares at us. I think he has a wise soul!

Here he is with the middle finger - OOPS! Reminded me of sweet little Emersyn and I just know that they are kindred spirits. Friends in heaven who can't wait to be reunited!

This is the special outfit that our wonderful birth mom gave him. She put it on him when I wasn't there and I just cried when I saw it! There are no better words for this little guy. He truly is a miracle!

Our new family (well, minus Lucas)!

Proud Daddy!

This was the very first time that I was able to hold him and he actually smiled! It was like he had been anticipating it as much as I was.

I love love LOVE this boy and his serious little face! Hopefully he can join the real world very soon! Love and miss you all!!!

He's a Big Boy!

Lucas has been improving by the hour! Yesterday he was moved to a less critical unit of the NICU. He is maintaining his body temperature and had his arterial catheter that was in his belly button removed. Since he no longer needs the heating lamp he was a big boy all wrapped up in his blankie. He even had a little shirt and a hat! This morning we found out that he has been taken off all oxygen and will be ready to take a bottle sometime today!

Lucas Ryan

We wanted this special boy to have a very meaningful name... My favorite brother Zach (don't tell Kyle or Ashton) has the middle name Lucas. We asked our birth mom to give him a middle name and she chose Ryan because it is her Mother's maiden name. We LOVE it because it's two families coming together in the most miraculous way.

Lucas was delivered by emergency C-section on Wednesday January 7th at 12:14pm. Weighing in at 7lbs 12oz and 20 1'2 in. We were lucky enough to be able to watch the surgery. He has some respiratory issues right now, but is expected to be fine after a few more days in the NICU. Here is a pic of him after he graduated from his oxygen space hat to a nasal cannula.

He loves his binkie and I thought it was too cute that he was holding it in with his finger!

This is what he did when I took the binkie away:) Sorry the pics aren't too original, but we have not been able to hold him, feed him, or change his diaper - So... more pics to come as Lucas gets better!

We are exhausted emotionally and physically, but soooooo grateful! It has been an amazing experience that we will never forget. We loved him from the instant we saw him and can't wait to bring him back home to Phoenix to meet all of you!

Tagged by Jaymie - 7 Random Things About Myself!

One - I have not been home since December 21st! We have been travelers, first to Colorado and now awaiting the arrival of our special baby boy in Utah! Our birth mom is being induced in the morning so expect updates - I'm gonna be a mama!

Two - I'm learning to crochet. My first project is a blessing blankie for Jaymie's little Emersyn. Hope she doesn't mind a few crooked edges - oops!

Three - I LOVE popcorn and have a horrible habit of eating it often. This wouldn't be so bad if I didn't pile on the butter, salt and oh yeah the Whoppers!

Four - Once we get back to the Valley of the Sun I am without a car (my husband totaled it while I was gone). Don't feel bad for me, it was only a matter of time before she passed from old age anyway. Oh and Elliot's okay too!

Five - I take baths way more than showers.

Six - My sister Brielle loves this about me, but when I am alone in the car and a great song comes on the radio I just belt it out as loud as I can. That's not the weird part, though - this almost always makes me cry. I can't explain it, it's just me having a moment!

Seven - This is the number of years that I have kissed my husband on New Year's. 2009 was an exception however. He was back in Phoenix while I watched Shaggy Dog (the 1st one) and ate popcorn with my mom and Jaycie. I'll have to make it up to him when I pick him up from the airport tonight :) !