Fall is Here!

I really love fall in the north east. I love the cooler weather, the leaves changing colors, and picking apples and pumpkins. Mom and I took the kids to the orchards yesterday to look at the pumpkins and take some pictures. It wasn't the best photo shoot, but here are some pictures!

How is this for a flashback??? We have been to the orchards every October since we moved here. Here are pictures of Kennan from 2005, 2006, and this year! And to follow up with my last 2 posts, Kennan's school will have a third teacher in the classroom starting Monday. We are all hopeful that this will help remedy the problem and that no one else gets hurt! I am grateful that Kenny and I were listened to and that Kennan will continue to go to school. He loves it!

Update...

Now that I have calmed down a little since my last post...Thanks for the advice everyone gave. We aren't the law suit type, nor do we want to embarrass this school publicly. We feel that the way we are handling it is proving to be effective. We had a meeting this morning with another person of the day care center. It went well and he really listened to us and our concerns. He assured us that things are being done to work to correct the problem. We did say that we would not send Kennan back until we could be guaranteed that there would be a third teacher in the room every morning. He told us he would work to make that happen. If it doesn't, Kennan won't be going back. We should hear in the next few days.

I am feeling better now and really hope that Kennan gets to continue going to this school. We really love the teachers and the philosophy of learning that is implemented. Hopefully we will get over this hump and enjoy the rest of the school year!

So Much to Say...

When I sat down to write this my title said "Not Much Going On" but as I started writing I decided the title needed to be changed. There is a lot going on!!

Brayden had her 2 month check up today. She looks and is doing great! She weighs 9 lbs 12 oz and is 21 3/4 in long. I think that puts her in the mid-twenties for the percentiles. She is gaining weight well which means the breastfeeding is going well. I am glad I stuck with it and didn't give up like I wanted to 6 weeks ago. It is getting so much easier! Poor baby also got 5 shots today. YUCK!! She was a trooper and was asleep 10 minutes later. Luckily, she won't remember is for too long. Brayden is also still sleeping through the night. She usually lays down around 11 and wakes up at 6 or 6:30 in the morning. Can't ask for anything more than that!! It feels so nice to wake up with a good night's sleep. I am starting to feel human again!

Kennan is still doing great with Brayden around. He loves to help and wants to look at her all the time. We haven't run into any major jealousy issues which is nice. He still says the cutest things...Sunday on the way to church he started singing Old MacDonald. He said "kitten" and made the noises and went back through to sing another verse. He said kitten again, stops, and said "Oh wait, I did that one already" and proceeded with "horse". It was pretty cute. He has Kenny and I on the floor laughing somedays.

Kenny is back in school. He likes all of his classes and had already read 2 full books. I don't know how he does it. He is leaving this weekend for a conference in Kentucky. I decided I wasn't ready to handle both kids by myself so my mom is coming in tomorrow to help me out. I am excited she is going to be here. It will be fun to visit, play some games, and watch her play with Kennan and Brayden. We are supposed to have another beautiful weekend, so we plan to make a trip to the orchard and play outside a lot!

Our most recent excitement...Today Kennan went to school. I got a call right after Brayden had gotten her shots (she was screaming) and I heard the director of the center say that Kennan got bit AGAIN at school (it happened first about 2 weeks ago). There is a boy in the class who likes to bite and has bitten almost every kid in the class. Needless to say, I was FURIOUS. Kenny met me up at the school and we talked to the director. Pretty much, they aren't going to do anything about it. I want a 3rd teacher in the room at all times whose sole responsibility is to watch this kid like a hawk. Kenny and I called the person above the school's director in hopes to have a meeting with him. We aren't going to send Kennan back until the problem is resolved. I will not send my child to a place that is supposed to be a "safe environment" (from the mission statement) and have him get bit by a kid who wants his toy. Now I feel like Kennan is being punished because we aren't going to send him. He loves going, but I don't want anything else to happen to him. I also don't want him to start fearing the "school" setting. I want him to be able to go to school, away from mom and dad, without the fear of being hurt. Has any one out there experienced this?? Any suggestions??

3 Nights in a Row!! *UPDATED*

That's right, friends! Little Miss Brayden has slept through the night 3 nights in a row!! She is sleeping in about 7 hour stretches and I couldn't be happier! Now that I have written about it, I hope I haven't jinxed us (I'll let you know how tonight goes!). It is so refreshing to wake up knowing I have had a good nights sleep! Kennan didn't start sleeping through the night until about 12 weeks and Brayden is 7 1/2 weeks old. What a blessing! Here are some pictures of my sweet kiddos.

Sweet Girl!


Kennan and his "flat bed truck". This kid has an imagination!
This is hard work! Kennan says he's a "worker man".

*UPDATE*

MAKE THAT 4 NIGHTS IN A ROW!! YIPEE!!!

100 Things About Me...

In honor of the cool temperatures and some of the leaves starting to change colors, I updated the blog. Does it make you feel like fall is coming??

Everyone else is doing it, both of the kids are asleep (WOW), and I am curious as to if I can think of 100 things about myself. So here goes...(don't feel like you have to read it all!!)

1. I am 26 years old.
2. I drive a mini van.
3. I was born in Fort Worth...
4. ...and lived there for the first 24 years of my life.
5. I was an only child until I was 6 years old...
6. ..then my little brother, Kyle, was born.
7. I adore my LITTLE (6'6") brother!
8. I went to public school until I was in 7th grade.
9. Then a girl brought a gun to school and mom and dad decided it was time to change schools.
10. Mexican food is the best!!
11. I love to have my toe nails painted.
12. I have to have LOTS of pickles on my turkey sandwich.
13. I love ice cream from Cold Stone.
14. The day after I broke up with my high school boyfriend, I met Kenny.
15. We worked at summer camp together.
16. I didn't like camping out, peeing in the woods, or getting dirty and sweaty...
17. but I applied to work at summer camp anyway.
18. It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life!
19. I worked there every summer for the next 4 years and went back last summer to direct camp (6 summers total).
20. I have always wanted to be a teacher.
21. I taught 4th grade and 1st grade in Texas.
22. Purple is my favorite color.
23. I don't like thunderstorms.
24. Kenny's family are the only ones who call me "Jen"...
25. ...everyone else calls me Jennifer.
26. I never liked to study or write papers...
27. ...Kenny loves to.
28. I think that is a little strange.
29. I love to eat sunflower seeds.
30. Kenny and I got engaged in San Diego by the ocean.
31. We got married on August 9th, 2003.
32. I have never gotten a ticket...
33. ...or been in an accident.
34. I like to sleep on my right side.
35. I hate snow and cold weather.
36. We had our first child, Kennan, on March 16, 2005. He is so fun and teaches me so much!
37. It is fun to be a mom!
38. We moved to NJ in August of 2005.
39. I cried...
40. ...and was pretty bitter...
41. ...and angry...
42. about the move.
43. Then I started enjoying myself...
44. ...made lots of friends...
45. ...and am happy that we are here.
46. I started working at a tutoring center in town.
47. I didn't like working at the tutoring center, but did it anyway.
48. We had our 2nd child, Brayden, on August 2, 2007. She is beautiful and I love her so much!
49. I think little girl clothes are so much more fun than little boy clothes.
50. I also think breastfeeding is really hard...
51. ...in the beginning...
52. ...and now its not so bad.
53. I want to move back to Texas.
54. I am going to be a preacher's wife.
55. My kids are going to be a preacher's kids.
56. I love to scrapbook.
57. I haven't done it in forever!
58. I think digital cameras are awesome!
59. I love my family.
60. I want to have lots of kids (3 or 4) so that I can have lots of grandkids someday.
61. I love my grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
62. I miss my Nana very much...
63. ...I think about her everyday...
64. ...I wish she could have met Kennan and Brayden.
65. I want to be a fun grandma someday like she was with us.
66. I love going to the beach.
67. I like to lay out and get tan.
68. I don't like to get wet (in the pool or the ocean).
69. I want to teach school again someday.
70. 2nd grade is my ideal grade to teach.
71. Right now I like to stay home and be a mommy.
72. Tuesday and Thursday mornings are relaxing because Kennan goes to school!
73. I can't wait to get a full night's sleep again.
74. I am not a morning person...
75. ...Kenny figured this out very early on.
76. I love my husband!
77. I love to wear flip flops.
78. I would wear them year round if possible.
79. This used to make my dad mad...
80. ...but now he owns a few pairs of them!
81. I miss my girlfriends from Texas VERY much.
82. I need to lose the rest of the baby weight.
83. I am going to be in a wedding in December...
84. ...I am afraid I won't fit in my dress!
85. Kenny and I love to play board games...
86. ...I don't like it when he beats me.
87. I like to watch football with him on Sunday afternoons.
88. I love reality TV.
89. I wish we had Tivo (or something like it).
90. I hate doing the finances for our family...
91. ...That's why Kenny is now taking over.
92. I have a good memory and sense of direction...
93. ...That's a good thing, because Kenny doesn't.
94. I wish I could sing or play an instrument.
95. I love my mom and dad.
96. I love my little brother.
97. I love my in-laws and brother-in-law.
98. I want to be a good mother to my kids and a good mother-in-law someday.
99. This wasn't as hard as I thought.
100. I just came to the realization that I am not that exciting of a person.

Amazingly enough, both kids are still asleep! Now, what am I going to do with myself?

Sweet Smiles

An Update with LOTS of Pictures...

I feel like we have settled into somewhat of a routine around here. Brayden is eating and sleeping pretty well for us lately. I weighed her on a friend's scale the other day and she was 9 lbs 6 oz, which is pretty good, I guess! (We go for her 2 month check up October 2nd.) Kenny starts school on Wednesday, so it has been enjoying his freedom. He has been able to play lots of frisbee and football with his buddies. Kennan loves going to school and has been enjoying all of his time at the playground. I am enjoying being a mom of 2 and have enjoyed having Kenny around so much! The other day Kenny and our neighbor, Kevin, took Kennan and Hannah canoeing at the canal behind our apartments. Brayden and I walked on the path and took pictures. Here are some pictures of their trip!
Brayden and I enjoying the walk (she slept through most of it!)
Here is a picture of the path and the canal. It is really pretty during the fall when the leaves change colors!

At school, every time they change Kennan's diaper they have him try to sit on the potty (to peak his interest in beginning potty training). So, I guess Kennan felt inspired and decided to try this at home! Today he sat on his potty for about 10 minutes trying to go...I was sitting in the bathroom waiting with him. After a while I tried to get him off, but he was determined to go. I finally left the bathroom thinking he would get up and follow me. I guess it's like they say "A watched pot never boils", because after I left he went!!! He was pretty proud of his accomplishment and decided he needed to stay on there even longer because he thought he could go again. It turned into about a 20 minute event and he decided we needed to take a picture of his "pee in the potty". I will spare you that picture, but here's a picture of the proud boy! (By the way...bed time in the big boy bed is going wonderfully!! Nap time, not so much. Out of the 7 days in the big boy bed, he has only napped in it once. We'll keep trying!)

Brayden has been smiling a lot lately. The best time to get her smiling is when I have her laying down on the changing table. The other day Kenny was getting her to smile while he was holding her. I took that opportunity to try and capture it on the camera...here's what I got.

Is It Football Season Already????

It seems like last year's football season just ended...and now here I am sitting in my rocker, watching the first Sunday afternoon football games of the season, and writing this blog. I blogged about football season last year in one of my first posts. Football season is pretty important in our house...Kenny LOVES it and I also enjoy watching the games (especially when we can do it together).

Football wasn't the original intent when I started this blog entry...I was just going to post some recent random pictures. So, here they are!

Brayden LOVES her swing! She is mesmerized by the hanging bears!
Kennan loves his sister...
Sleepy girl!

We have made the switch to the big boy bed. This was nap time yesterday...do you think he is asleep??

NOPE...just faking it!! Nap time did not go well (but bed time last night did!!)

When I went in to get him after his "nap" this is what I found...rainboots on his feet, reading a book...

A Fun Visit

This weekend our friends Travis and Jeri came to visit. Kenny and I went to Malibu last summer to visit them, and this year we got to return the favor! We had a great time showing them the sights of New Jersey. We showed them around downtown Princeton, the University and Seminary, the orchards, and we made a trip to the NJ shore. Kenny and Travis had a great time catching up (they are comic book and movie buffs) and Jeri and I had fun talking about babies! They are expecting their first baby in January so it was fun to see them with Brayden and Kennan. Although, about 2 hours before they left Travis informed me that in his 26 years of life he has yet to change a diaper...if I would have known that we could have put him to work while they were here!! Here are some pictures from our weekend. Hope everyone had a relaxing and fun Labor Day!

Travis, Jeri (and Baby Owen), a very unhappy Brayden, me, Kenny, and Kennan
Picking apples at the Orchards

Travis and Jeri

Kennan and Brayden enjoying the sun and sand

Taking a nap???

A Sigh of Relief and a Birthday Shout Out...

We can finally breathe a sigh of relief in our household!!! Our crazy month of August has FINALLY come to an end!! Brayden is here, Kenny's internship is over, and today he finished his exams! What a relief to be done with these major events! I am so proud of Kenny. He has worked so hard this month (especially the last 2 weeks). Throughout all of the stress, he continued to be an excellent father and husband, while trying to be a good student as well. Tonight we had a celebratory dinner to congratulate those who finished the exams. Here are a few pictures from tonight...

The excited PTSEM seniors who finished!!
YIPPEE!!
The even more excited spouses and significant others of those who finished!
Brayden wasn't too impressed with the party...
Kennan wasn't too impressed with the party either, but he had a blast on the playground.

This is Kennan with "Picky"...see previous post :)

Now for my birthday shoutout...

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's birthday. I am so blessed to have a mom that is also my best friend. It hasn't always been that way...I can remember times in middle school and high school when I wasn't exactly the best daughter. Ever since I went off to college, my relationship with my mom has continued to grow. She is a great listener and always has good advice. She is an incredible Grammy to Kennan and Brayden and a great mother-in-law to Kenny. I know it has been hard on her (and the other grandparents) for us to be so far away. Not once has she made me feel guilty about being 2000 miles away, rather she has encouraged us to grow as a family. She knows how important it is for Kenny to get his degree and she has been so supportive. For that I am so grateful! I can't wait until we move back to Texas so that mom and I can start scrapbooking together again and so that she can see her grandbabies more often. I love you mom!! Thanks for all you have done for me!

Imaginary Bunny???

So Kennan doesn't have an imaginary friend...he has an imaginary bunny!!! I am not too sure where he got this idea...we don't really talk about imaginary things, or bunnies for that matter. His bunny's name is Picky and he is red and green. Picky likes to eat carrots and take naps in Brayden's pink blanket.

It is pretty fun to watch Kennan use his imagination! He also likes to pretend with his food. Last night his crescent roll was a rocket ship and his pancakes usually turn into boats. To be a child again...