6 Months

Here is an official belly picture at 6 months. Can't believe I only have 4 more to go until I meet this little boy!

A sweet picture of our first born at the Christmas tree farm. He was more into the bounce house and the lights than picking out a tree...not surprising!

PS we started potty training this week. He seems open to it (willing to sit on the potty, tells me when he is wet/poopy, and has gone pee on the potty several times) but I almost gave up this afternoon. Its day 3 and he seems really upset (cries) when he has an accident but I am having a hard time getting him to relax enough to go pee all at once. He pees a little then gets up and says all done and wants his M&M, but I know there is so much more in there and he ends up peeing his pants. Any suggestions or helpful tips from those who have been there before because I am exhausted and not sure if I should continue. Anyone potty trained a boy around 2 years old? Also, I am not suppose to leave the house until he can hold it or go on the potty consistently???

Disneyland

We got to take Wes to Disneyland for Thanksgiving! It was actually a huge group of mostly Dave's family plus my parents. So there were about 25 of us! A little crazy trying to keep us all moving in the same direction but we tried to stick together at least for the first day. The second day we split up and were able to move a little faster being in smaller groups.

Of course the bigger kids wanted to do the fast rides and Wesley and his entourage stuck to Fantasy land and the like. Highlights were:

1. The Carousel. He kept saying, "More neigh, more neigh"- so cute! Good thing there was basically no line so we did it over and over again!

2. The Pixar parade. It had all his favorite characters from the movies- Lighting McQueen, Sully, Nemo, etc! It was so sweet to see his face light up when he saw them!

3. Small World ride. It was decorated for Christmas and playing Christmas music- I got teary eyed watching his young mind take in all the wonders. I kept looking at Dave saying, "Can you believe this is our kid and we are at Disneyland with him!" Sometimes it just hits you afresh what a blessing it is to have a child and experience the world again with them- Thank you Jesus!

4. Train ride. There is a train that runs along the outskirts of the whole park and makes various stops. Wesley is so into cars and trains it was so fun taking him on a real one with a steam engine and all!

PS we are all wearing dorky blue hats because Dave's dad bought them for us and insisted we wear them so we could spot each other.....humiliating- yet effective....so we caved...

PPS- If you didn't already know we are having a BOY!!! Yes Wes will get a brother and I will be living in a house of testosterone....what is a girl to do!?! I guess get use to trucks, trains, and boy humor and try to stay as girly as possible. We are stoked and can't wait to meet our new little man!

2 nd Birthday

Lighting McQueen Birthday party! It was a blast...pizza, presents, cupcakes and pin the wheel on Lighting made Wesley feel like the King of the day! He really knew that everyone was there for him. So special. We gave him a train set that he played with for 2 hours straight! We loved every minute celebrating our first born.

Being a Pilot.

It's great the things we get to see on the road. Just wanted to share this one with you. Come on now, you know you wish you were here.

Pumpkin Time

We did our family pumpkin patching this week. Wes was more interested in the bounce house and slide than in picking out pumpkins- what a surprise. Wesley tired Dave out- he was on his own since I am not able to participate in the jumping and crashing session....oh darn. I was looking at last years pictures and we were bundled in pants and sweaters. This year it was in the 90's!

You get an official belly picture- 16 weeks! We got a little 4th pumpkin to represent our little pumpkin on the way.

So fun- I love the holidays and am looking forward to all the celebrations ahead...our 5th anniversary, Wesley's 2nd birthday, trick or treating, Disneyland trip for Thanksgiving, and all the Christmas festivities.

Big Brother in Training

Yes its true Wesley is a big brother in training because we are having another baby!!! So now you know the reason for our silence in the blog world and on facebook- first trimester has over taken me. I am now 11 weeks and beginning to feel better....which consists of mornings= good, afternoons and nights= queezey +/- the big V. But so far our little peanut it healthy and growing....we also got to have an early ultrasound and saw our precious little one at only 9 weeks! It truly reminds me of the miracle and blessing of children. God is so good to give us another one. We have so enjoyed Wes and can not wait to meet his little brother or sister....not sure he is quite as thrilled but ready or not here he/she comes (in April).

I made Wesley this shirt and had him wear it to tell Dave the good news. Took him a while to notice, but when he did he was super stoked!

The first photo ever of our new baby!

20 month old quote

20 month old bath time quote. Dave and I standing by while Wes plays with his toy ski boat....

Kristal: what does Papa (grandpa) drive?

Wesley: Baam Bam (boat sound)

K: What does Dada drive?

W: Shooooo (jet sound)

K: What does Mama drive?

W: Dada

Dave and I just look at each other and bust up laughing....maybe he's learning faster than we think...ha ha.

Dave's dream come true

Well if you know me you know I don't like golf. I worked at a country club in college and hated everything about golfers and their game. I thought the game was boring, lazy (golf carts) and over priced which made it exclusive. And the golfers I knew where middle aged to old, heavy drinkers and had and attitude of thinking they were better than everyone else. This was my idea of "Golf".

5 years later I meet the man of my dreams- Dave who among all his amazing godly qualities happens to be an ex-pro golfer....our dilemma. He was bummed I had such a skewed idea of his favorite game and was determined slowly to change my image of the game.

He is always talking about me just trying it and that maybe, just maybe, I would like it. He also reminds me often that Wesley will, of course, be an avid golfer and if I want to be included I better start now.

Dreams do come true. Last night we went to Chalk Mountain Golf Course as a family and Dave played 9 holes (actually only got through 7) and Wes and I ran after balls and up and down hills following Dave. We showed Wes how to put the ball in the hole and how hard his daddy can hit the ball. He loved it! AND I hit a few balls myself!!! I had a bad taste in my mouth when I said "It was actually fun", but it was true....when I strip away all my preconceived ideas of what the game of golf is all about and just hit the ball and take in the beauty of the green grass and rolling hills, I have to say I could really get to like this...don't tell anyone I said that.

PS according to Dave I actually hit the ball like a natural....who knew!?!

Lake San Antonio 2010

Annual Barnett lake trip was amazing...missing a few characters like Kelley (in Missouri), Kevin (South Korea), Tanya (Florida) and Garrett (Church camp)...but it still was a blast! Karie even flew out from Colorado to come! I think Piper was in heaven swimming after sticks in the water. We had a few visitors and we got in lots of skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and even tried a sport new to us- wake SURFING.

We all got up on the surfboard and really started to get the hang of it. Hopefully I can post a video soon. Wes loved riding on Papa's boat and even got to drive a little. I didn't get pics on my camera but Wes and I went on the tube together- I can't believe how relaxed he was...he even said "Again" ever time we hit a bump!

It was pretty hot so by the time the week was ending we were all sore, tired, dirty, over sunned and ready to come home. I was so thankful because Wesley actually slept in the tent at night without waking up too early (he slept in the RV for his naps- Thanks Nana and Papa.) but he too was ready to sleep in his own bed.

Can't wait for next year!

Mr. Cool

Wes got some sunglasses at Walmart and believe it or not he loves them and wore them almost the whole time we were outside...what can I say he's just cool!

Aquarium

Last week we got to spend a couple of days in Monterey Bay. It was hard to pull out our jackets when we left Atascadero and it was 80 degrees- but when we got to Monterey it was 60, overcast and windy- yuck! Didn't stop us from going down to check out fisherman's wharf (where Wes got to hold a real fish right out of the bay!), had the best clam-chowder-ever at a local's only place called Sandbar Cafe, and listen to some street performers on Canary Row. We ended the night in the hotel hot tub- a highlight for the the entire Thomas family.

The next day we visited the Aquarium and got to experience the deep sea with our son...so precious to watch him take in a whole new world. His favorites were the otter tank, the (creepy) eels, the sardine that swim in a circle above your head, the big wave that crashes over you (see pic below), the touch pools and of course the indoor playground!

It was a blast and I totally recommend going at this age (18 months) and you can definitely squeeze a lot before afternoon nap.

Newest Love

Not sure how many of you know this but I have fallen in love....with sewing! I have been sewing for a little over a year and have made tons of stuff like: burp cloths, baby towels, skirts, PJ pants, dresses and my latest project pillow cases...seems simple but these pillow cases have a ZIPPER! This a very scary word for a begining seamstress because zippers are a huge challenge- but thanks to my friend Kate I learned an eazy technique and how cute are these pillows? They have a different pattern on each side so I can flip them for a new look whenever I choose. The free tutorial on these pillows and tons of other cute sewing projects is Come and See the Seitz. So I ordered some new fabric and it came today, not exactly sure what I will be making but I'll keep you posted!

Gymnastics Tuesdays

I found this great Gymnastics place in A-town that has a really fun program for kids from 1-5 years old. We have been going for about a month now and Wes is a wild man in there. He has so much fun that MY cheeks hurt from smiling so much. It is so great to go to a place that is made just for kids and is such a great exersice (for us all!) Just though you might smile too seeing this boy in action.

Easter Fun

Easter number 2 for Wesley, so much fun this year! Most of my family was here- except for Kelley and Kevin who are working hard in the midwest. We celebrated in traditional fashion... Easter basket, egg hunt and worshiping our risen Savior Jesus at church. I was kinda of surprised at how much Wes understood about looking for eggs and putting them in his basket....probably helped that I showed him the candy goodness inside. Karie May was out from Colorado and got to chase Wes around and play plenty of cars. I think we pooped her out enough to send her back to get some rest doing 12hr. shifts at the hospital.