Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there and a special shout out to these dads below. First of all, I am feeling so blessed to have just spent the evening last night with my 2 dads, husband, brother in law and whole family. It was so fun to have everyone together. My dad was in town all this week staying with Julie so we got to see him more than usual and that was such a gift to us. Callie enjoyed seeing Poppy and I know Coop did too. Poppy, come visit us anytime! We miss you! The first picture of Paw Paw and Callie was taken right after Cooper was born. It's so sweet. She loves her Paw Paw! Buddy, thanks for being a great dad to us all and thanks for all that you do for this family. You are our rock. We love you! This next picture I threw in here because it's my favorite picture. Thanks Aunt Julie for snapping it! To me, this picture captures pure happiness. It is such a reminder that life is so precious.

Poppy and Cooper snuggling on the back porch.

Here we are at the Crockett Park concert last Sunday. It was great to get outside and enjoy the symphony. We are so glad Poppy was here to come to.

Callie and her new slide from Daddy! Thanks Mike! Now mommy's legs wont get beat up anymore playing steps and slide!

Buddy to the rescue! I got a flat tire this past Monday when I left mom getting her 4th chemo treatment (woo hoo! go Mom!). Mike was home with the kids so I am so thankful they weren't in the car with me. Buddy left the hospital to come help me change my tire. I don't know what I would do without him... well, I might still be on the interstate ;)

Mike and Callie playing at the Crockett concert. Callie was conducting the symphony with her lil arms. She was watching the lady do it and copying her. It was so funny!

Pooped after the concert!

Here is Callie and Daddy at the pool at the beach the other week. Cal and Coop have the best dad! Happy Fathers Day Mike. I love you so much! You're an amazing father, husband, and friend. You hold me together. And our kids adore you! You are so patient with them and they have so much fun with you!

What's missing from this post?? GRANDPA! Hurry home Grandpa! We have a surprise for you when you get home! We've missed you but know you have enjoyed your time with Uncle Matt, Aunt Mac, and cousing Emory! We love you!

The Silent Critics

I always love hearing new bands and new music. Our friend Drew Reamer has been playing with The Silent Critics. They are really good. Check out their video! And look for Drew, he plays bass. Drew, you rock!

Missing Daddy!

Mike is in DC this week for work. We miss him so much when he is gone. Can't wait to see you on friday! The kids and I love and miss you very much and want to say thank you for working so hard for us!

Funny Girl

My sweet Callie, please don't hate me when you get older for posting these pics. I just couldn't resist. You keep life so fun around here. You make me smile everyday. I love you! Callie refused to nap one day and instead took a poop, completely undressed and through everything out of the crib including the poopy diaper. Yep, thats some poop smeared on her sheets. I had to get a picture of this.

And this is a picture of Callie using my breastpump part. She is holding it up to her belly button saying "pump." She is so funny.

How Am I?

I think the past few months have been the biggest struggle of my life. My pregnancy with Cooper was so incredibly rough at the end. But thank God we are both healthy. It was hard to come to terms with the fact that we are done having kids. I wasn't ready to make that decision yet and I don't think Mike was either but with all of the complications (preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome), it is best for me and my family that we don't get pregnant again. It's too risky. Mike and I are seriously considering adoption if we decide we want to have another sweet baby. For now, we are enjoying Callie and Cooper and are so thankful God gave us these two miracles. I am also so thankful for my family and friends during this difficult struggle with mom's cancer. I remember in our lifegroup one sunday, we were praying for mom when she had her basel cell carcinoma (small skin cancer that was removed and harmless). I remember saying if anything happened to her, I'd be so angry at God. I've had so many emotions lately that when people ask me how I am doing, I've answered so many ways... I am angry, sad, hopeful, heartbroken, etc. For a period of time, I didn't even really want to talk or see fam or friends because I knew they would ask about mom. Of course they would. But I didn't want to talk about it. If I was content at the moment, a question or comment about mom would just spark an emotion and make me feel again. It would make me angry or sad. It's been such a struggle to understand why my sweet mom is having to go through this. Gastric Cancer and chemo have hindered her from doing the things she loves to do. I am finally feeling some peace about it. I know it's not for me to understand so I need to stop questioning God. He is taking care of my mom. I was telling mom the other day that with all of this uncertainty, that is certain. He loves us and feels our pain and joy and is with us everyday. I am finding comfort in prayer. That is the only thing that has calmed my fears. I know He can heal and I am resting in that. Just wanted to share a song that describes how I am doing lately. So, if you are wondering how I am doing lately, here it is... After these really tough few months "I am learning to breathe again... I am feeling awake and alive... I know that You alone can break my fall... I am living again..."

More Pictures!

Running through the sprinkler at Nana and Paw Paw's house on Mother's Day! Paw Paw and Callie

Ice Cream sandwiches

Daddy and Harley

Callie looking at Cooper. This was one of the first days he was home

She says their friends when she holds his hand. So cute!

Callie loves to set her toys on Cooper. She wants him to play with them too. Here is Cooper with Dora the Explorer

Cooper snoozing during the Easter egg hunt

Cooper snoozing at the park. Seriously, he is such a good baby!

Mommy swinging with Callie and Cooper

Playing with water outside. She loves to strip down.

Watching cousin Jack play baseball

Someone fell asleep

He adores his big sis.

Callie coloring up on the coffee table

Poor Harley gets picked on all the time!

Here we are loaded up to head to the beach on Memorial Day weekend

Callie loves the pool

This was taken in Oct of 2007. Me, Mom, Ang, and Julie all ran the Nike Women's half marathon in San Francisco. Just thought I would throw this in for fun! And this picture is special to me.

My beautiful mom before her 1st round of chemo

Here she is with her new do. She got it cut short after her first treatment.

Here is mom kicking butt! Chemo #3. Still looking great! Go Mom!

Mother's Day 2011

Mom and Cooper

My hero

I love you Mom. Chemo #4 begins Mon June 6th. I am so proud of you. I admire your strength and courage. Praying for you everyday.

Long Time, No Blog...

Here are some pics from the last few months since I've blogged... Callie loves Harley!

Poppy meeting Cooper for the first time!

Grandma and Callie hunting for Easter eggs at the Brentwood Library

Callie, me, and sweet Coop in line to see the Easter bunny.

Here is Daddy and Callie riding the carousel at the zoo

Callie loves ice cream (or ice-a as she calls it)

Jill, Kurt and Knox stopped by on Easter

The Dads

Callie turned 2 on May 4th. Her birthday party was supposed to be at the park but the weather did not cooperate so our sweet friends, Samantha and Jamie, let us move the party to their house. Thanks again Reedys, we love you guys!

Her invitations and cake were this owl design

Callie sitting in her chair from Nana and Paw Paw

Dancin around to Mickey Mouse songs!

We were so happy to have so many friends celebrate Callie's special day with us. Here is Gabriel and Audrey.

Cousin Will!

Daddy lighting the birthday candles. I almost didn't make it through "Happy Birthday" without crying. I can't believe our sweet Cal is already 2! She is growing up too fast!

Cooper is seriously the best baby! He is so calm and happy pretty much all the time. He slept through most of Callie's bday party. Callie is so good with him. He just adores her. He looks at her with the biggest eyes. She's a really great big sis! If you are wondering what the red mark is on his head, its called a hemangioma. Callie had one on the back of her neck when she was born but hers has faded and her hair covers it up. It's a birthmark that ends up going away by kindergarten or so. Cooper's is different from Callie's. His has kept growing out and is raised up on his head. He also has a tiny one on this lower back. Dr. Meneely says it will stop growing when he's about 4 months old which is in like a week! They usually only remove them this young if it interferes with vision, nose, or mouth. It doesn't hurt them and is strictly cosmetic. We may have to have it removed when he gets a little older and active. Hemangioma or not, he's perfect!

Jack and Will getting some snacks

Kim and Maggie (Samantha and Jamie's sweet baby girl born 13 days before Cooper)

Bubbles!

Check back for more photos of sweet Coop!