Logan Turns 3...

My baby boy is 3 years old (well he will be on Monday anyway)! Where does the time go?! I know babies change a lot in their first year but I have to say that from age 2 to age 3 has been a time of huge growth for mister Logan.  I can still remember when I found out that I was pregnant with Logan in May 2008.  I was only three weeks pregnant at the time and Brennan and I were enjoying the end of my traveling and our second year as a married couple.  We hadn't even been trying to get pregnant that long and were so excited to get the news.

Here's my 7 week ultrasound!!

As my belly grew I got more and more excited about having a baby.  When we finally told our families at week 8 that we were expecting they were overjoyed.  Our families planned multiple showers in North Carolina and Minnesota and we were showered with love.

We found out we were having a baby boy on Sept.16th, 2008 and I have to say that as much as I really thought I was having a girl...I didn't care that it was a boy, and I know Brennan was super proud! Logan was a busy guy even inside the womb and have proven consistent throughout his life so far.

Logan has been such a blessing in our lives.  He is an incredibly sweet, active, smart, quick-witted, and charming little boy.  We have watched him this year go from an busy little toddler into a little boy.  Logan fills my heart with such joy each and every day and he has the purest soul of any child I know.  He never lies and he always wants to have fun.  Here's a few pics of the past year...

This past year Logan got a big boy bed, started drinking regular milk (he was on soy before that), started eating a slew of foods I never thought he'd touch, he became a big brother, got all his baby teeth, is 99% potty trained and goes to preschool.

Here are some pics from Logan's first birthday party...you know where we actually invited his friends instead of ours!! (It was "Cars" Themed, I know you're all shocked!)

  

 

Wow what a year it has been! Can't wait to see how much my boy grows this year!! I will leave you with a few more pics...

Here's a picture of the shirt Logan will be wearing to school on his birthday, January 30th.  You all know this is totally something I would do and although Brennan thinks it's silly, it's still happening!! 

Happy Birthday Logan Jerome! You're a big boy now!!

Love,

Diana

5 Years

I cannot believe Brennan and I have been married for 5 years!! I mean, we have two kids, so that kinda makes it more real, but still so much has happened in 5 years it's hard to believe that much time has already passed!

Brennan and I met almost 9 years ago when I was in college and he was at his first station in South Carolina.  I know it seems cliche to say this but it was truly "love or connected" at first sight.  When we first met there was just something about him that made me want to be with him all the time.  He was funny, charming, and definitely a guys guy. He worked hard and liked to play hard and we always had fun together.  Brennan told me he loved me after we had known each other all of three weeks and I have to say it didn't take me long to say it back.  My family thought I was crazy but I just knew this guy was different.  We dated all through my college years, commuting back and forth between our two apartments which were an hour away from each other.  Brennan would get up at 4am sometimes just so he'd make it to work in time.

Brennan was always supportive of my education and my extra curricular activities, including all of my sorority work.  He didn't even mind when I applied for a job where I'd travel 4-6 weeks at a time after college, even though that would be our first year of marriage...see Brennan proposed to me on March 16th, 2006.  He was in Virginia the days leading up to the proposal and drove straight to my apartment and surprised me by proposing on my doorstep. It was simple, sweet and completely unexpected which is what made it so awesome.  Brennan has even arranged to be off of work all weekend and had made reservations at a great restaurant, 82 Queen for Saturday night.  We immediately called all of our family and friends and my brother, who lived in Charleston came over with a bottle of Champagne that he has been saving for the occasion!! It seems like everyone knew I was getting engaged but me! My friends brought me flowers and we spent the whole weekend celebrating!

After our engagement we started planning our wedding and picked January 27th, 2007 as our date.  I cannot even explain how excited I was to be preparing to spend the rest of my life with Brennan. I feel so lucky that he picked me.

Here's a picture of the Grooms Cake from the Rehearsal Dinner.  It says "Smith" with Nautical Flags!! This cake and our wedding cake were made by Cake Lady Jill and were phenomenal!

We had our wedding ceremony at the Charlotte Marriot in Downtown, Charlotte, NC.  We had aboue 240 guests and it was incredible.  It was a Jewish Ceremony and Brennan did an amazing job saying our vows in Hebrew!

This is our "Katubah" - it's our marriage license and is an original print created just for us!

Brennan and I went to St.Lucia on our honeymoon and it was amazing! We had so much fun just relaxing together and having some fun in the sun.  We went snorkeling, had a spa day and went to some awesome restaurants! 

After our honeymoon life returned to normal and I was back traveling and Brennan was back at work.  We started preparing for a move to Minnesota that summer and were so excited!! I traveled for another year after moving and got pregnant with Logan in May 2008.

Wow how our life has changed since Logan came along.  I think it has made us closer and we've really had to work at being good parents and good spouses.  It's a hard balance to find and sometimes we both struggle with it, but I couldn't imagine a better partner to be taking this journey with me.  Brennan is an incredible father and was the best birth coach a girl could ask for.

We moved to Mississippi in June 2010 and got pregnant with Emmett in September 2010.  Pregnancy was much tougher with a toddler running around but Brennan really stepped up to help me as it became harder and harder for me to do things with Logan.

I went into labor two weeks early with Emmett and as we sat in the hospital waiting for his arrival Brennan and I discussed how different his delivery was, since it was just the two of us this time.  It was so special for us to do it all by ourselves and really allowed us to celebrate our little creation together.

I have to admit that I think Brennan is extra proud that he has two little boys.  I mean, I think he would be happy no matter what...but when I see the three of them playing together I just know he's extra happy.

Please forgive the kind-of "cliff notes version" of our 5 years this blog has turned our to be but I didn't want it to get too long or too sappy.

So our first 5 years of marriage has meant: 3 moves, 2 kids, and 1 happy couple.  I'm not saying we're happy all the time but I am saying that we've survived this long, another 5 years shouldn't be that hard.  No matter how much Brennan can upset me sometimes (and I him of course) I cannot imagine living my life with anyone else by my side.  I have truly married my best friend.

                                                              "Ani L'Dodi, v'Dodi Li"

"I am My Beloved's, and My Beloved is Mine"

Here's to another 5 years, B!

Cheers!

Diana

Happy New Year!

I cannot believe 2012 is already here!! I know I haven't blogged in a while but I've had a good excuse - sick kids!! I have spent most of December nursing my children back to health...Logan had a cough, then a sore throat and fever then Emmett got RSV - the scariest thing we've had to deal with with either of our kids! Luckily we were able to buy a nebulizer and give him treatments at home.  The doctors said either we were miserable at the hospital or miserable at home, so I'm sure you know which we choose.  My mom and sister came to celebrate Hannukah with us and were so helpful when Emmett got sick, I don't know what I would have done without them.

This year has had many peaks and some valleys and I have to say I am so excited to see what 2012 has in store for us.  Emmett was born this year and has brought such joy to our lives.  I swear it's like looking in the mirror when I look at him and it's so fun to have a child who resembles me and a child who resembles his daddy...I mean, Logan is the spitting image of Brennan!! 2011 marks the year that Logan got all his teeth, started preschool and became potty trained (98%).  He's becoming more and more of a little boy everyday! He has the sweetest, yet stubborn way about him and he's so much fun to be around.  The best part is he absolutely adores his little brother. He loves to make Emmett laugh and is so excited when Emmett learns something new or becomes more physically capable.  I cannot wait for the day when they can chase each other around the house.  And Emmett...he's on the move and so curious.  Everything goes into his mouth and he's always smiling.  He worships his big brother and loves his mommy and daddy.  Both boys love to cuddle and explore the world around them.  I am truly blessed to have such an incredible family.

My step-sister Jessica had a baby this year and we are so excited for the boys to have a cousin to play with!! We cannot wait to meet Cylas and create many memories together!!

One valley we experience this year was the passing of my Grandfather, Solomon Levine.  I miss him every day and am so thankful he got to have a relationship with one of my children.  I know he and my grandmother, Shirley are looking down on us.

2012 will bring many exciting adventures.  We are moving to Portsmouth, Virginia this summer and are so thrilled!! We will be so close to my family in North Carolina and I know we will spend much time together! Logan turns 3 this year and Emmett will turn 1.  We will have to say goodbye to the first school the kids have ever known and the first place where we've really been part of a community.  I know it will be bittersweet.  Brennan and I will celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary this year and I look forward to remembering where we started and looking toward our future together.  

My family has been amazingly supportive this year in all that has occurred and I am eternally grateful to have them in my life.  I am thankful for all that I have.  I wish everyone a happy and healthy year in 2012. 

Here's to looking forward...

Cheers!

Diana

November Update

November Update

We’ve been super busy this month!! After we returned from Minnesota I started working a lot and when you’re workin’ until 5:15pm everyday things start to pile up.  Luckily I’m super organized and Thanksgiving went off without a hitch…even with having to cook a frozen turkey!! Thanks to my Mom, Step-Mom and Grandmother for being available by phone to help walk me through the majority of my meal.  We’re looking forward to December and have already set up our Hannukah decorations!! Can’t wait to see what other skills Emmett and Logan acquire next month!

Me, Myself & I

Emotionally:  Busy busy busy and feeling great!

Physically:  Starting to get more sleep
Weight loss: Still working on it! I know I’m down a few more pounds because my jeans need a belt!! Haven’t weighed myself lately so I’ll have to figure that out!
Employment: Lovin’ it!! My co-teacher should be having her baby any day, so I’ll soon be in the classroom by myself!  Still getting Logan adjusted to seeing me at school but I know it’ll get better with time.
Things I am Thankful for: My job and my new friends, a successful thanksgiving feast, Logan becoming more independent (especially with potty training), Emmett’s amazing spirit, Emmett’s laugh and the month of December – my Mom and Sister will be coming to visit!! YAY!!

Logan - 34 Months

Growin’ like a weed:

Size: Height:  40” Weight: About 39 lbs...Percentile: 95^th…What this means: We've officially moved into 4T/5T clothing and size 9 shoes. 

Sleep: Sleepin’ through the night most of the time in his bed!! We moved the gate off of his bedroom door so Logan can now get up and come downstairs all by himself!!

New Skills:

Tried Something New: We attended our first classmate birthday party this weekend!! Logan had so much fun though we struggled with “present time”…Logan kept thinking they were for him…we’re working on this!!

Potty Training: Logan now wears underwear!! He just started this past Wednesday and has been doing GREAT!! His teachers are very proud of him and so are we!! Here’s to hoping we’re fully trained by his 3^rd birthday!

Likes: Playing with his friends, play-doh, hopping and jumping and showing his teachers his big boy underwear!  

Dislikes: Naptime at school!

Saying(s) of the month: 

·         “Oh I forgot….” – he told his Daddy this the other night after dinner when he repeatedly asked for popcorn and his Daddy told him he had to wait until after dinner.  He finished his dinner and got down from the table and then looked at Brennan and told him he had forgotten he wanted it!! So cute!

·         “Boys don’t cry, babies cry”…I caught him and his friend Jackson saying this at the birthday party today!! So funny!

·         “Show a fake cry”…Daddy has to “fake cry” to get Logan out of the bathtub at night!

Emmett – 6 months, week 4

Growin’ like a weed, too:

Size – Height: 27.25” Weight: 22 lbs 12 ounces Percentile: 95^th…What this means: We’re wearing 12 month clothes!!

Teething: We can see the very beginnings of his two bottom teeth – we’re still anxiously awaiting for them to “pop” out. 

Sleep:  Emmett has had a few nights where he actually sleeps through the night, meaning no bottle!! YAY!! He’s doing much better at sleeping in his crib and is adjusting to full day school too!

New Skills/”Firsts”: We’re officially crawling!! Emmett has even started pulling up on things too…

Food: Still loves his fruit way more than vegetables!! He ate a whole thing of Banana Raspberry Oats for breakfast!! He’s still working on drinking from a sippy cup…we send one to school everyday for him to practice!

Likes: Emmett loves his big brother and anything he may have to say to him! He also loves it when Logan tickles him and plays with him on the floor.  Emmett also likes being at school and has a lot of friends.  He’s having fun exploring the house and all of the toys we have.

Dislikes: Being left alone in a room, not being held by his mommy when she’s in the room and having toys taken away from him.

YAY for the Month of December…I know it’s gonna be super busy and super fun!

Diana

So Thankful

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is over!! I planned for weeks to ensure that my thanksgiving would be a success and it came and went in a flash.  Originally I wasn't going to cook an entire turkey since it was just going to be Brennan and I, but then he invited some people from work and I was forced into a whole turkey.  To say I was apprehensive about cooking a frozen turkey is an understatement! The last time I cooked a turkey it was fresh and I didn't have to worry about thawing.  This time I had an 18lb turkey to worry about.  I took it out of the freezer last friday to ensure it would be ready in time for me to prep it wednedsay night.  Luckily I checked it regularly because if I hadn't let it sit in water tuesday night it never would have been ready!

I was fortunate to only have to work a half day wednesday so when I got home I started preparing the house and everything I could prepare the day before - green bean casserole, Deb's beans, and my turkey.  I had made my pumpkin breads the previous saturday and they were safe in my freezer.  My refrigerator was strickly thanksgiving food, thus the reason for eating Taco Bell wednesday night for dinner!! I felt pretty comfortable with all I had accomplished wednesday and went to bed early knowing I would have to wake up at 5:15am to get my turkey in the oven.

Thanksgiving day went off quite well and our guests couldn't believe it was only my second time cooking a thanksgiving meal!! Yay!! My turkey was AWESOME and so moist and ready in plenty of time for me to cook all my casseroles, etc.  Brennan even helped carve it!! I would post a pic of the carving but I can't figure

out how to post vertical pics so oh well!! 

Here's what we had:  Turkey, cooked carrots & celery, stuffing (bought from a restaurant in town), cranberry sauce, Sweet potato casserole, Green bean casserole, and crescent rolls. For dessert I made something called, "The Next Best Thing to Robert Redford" - it's a layered dessert with chopped pecan crust, a cream cheese, sugar & cool whip layer, a chocolate pudding layer & whipped cream on top, plain and chocolate chip pumpkin bread & a pecan pie.  We were supposed to have four guests (thus the 18lb turkey) but we ended up only having two...needless to say we will be eating leftovers all weekend!! Yay for not having to cook again till next week!!

I am so thankful for such a great day and for all the blessings in my life including these incredible guys:

I can't imagine my life without them and am so thankful to have such a supportive and wonderful husband and my two amazing little men!!! Here are some more photos from Thanksgiving Day:

Emmett loves this Chuck Truck!!

Gobble Gobble till you Wobble!!

Hidin' under the table...he did this all day!

Logan took this picture!!

Emmett missed his afternoon nap during thanksgiving and this is what happened later that night...he was rocking with Daddy when he just leaned over and fell asleep!! I could have died it was so cute!!

I must also give thanks for my incredible family.  They have been so wonderful and are so great in dealing with our moves and living far away.  I could not live a military life without them!!  And thank you Mom for being available all Thanksgiving day for all my cooking questions - it wouldn't have happened without you! I am also thankful for my friends, old and new, especially my newest family here in Greenville, First Presbyterian Preschool!! I am really enjoying my new job and all the new people I've met along the way!!

Can't wait to decorate the house for Hannukah this weekend and get ready to start teaching full time on Monday!! December is going to be so much fun!!

Until next time...Happy Thanksgiving!!

Diana