Here's To 2 Years of Pure Bliss!

I can't believe Brandon and I have been married for 2 years already. It seems like this time has flown by. So much has happened in 2 years...I can truly say this has been the best 2 years of my life! After we celebrated Griffin's 2nd birthday, Brandon and I went to a nice dinner at Perry's Steakhouse. My parents were generous enough to keep Jackson for the evening so we could actually enjoy some adult conversation and not have to wake up at 6:30 AM on Saturday. Thank you mom and dad for this amazing gift! Brandon and I decided we had so much fun that we are going to do this once a month so that we can get out of the house as a couple. As much as we wouldn't take our moments away that we have with Jackson, it is still good to have amazing conversation and to be able to dress up without having formula or snot caked to your clothes.

Thank you to Gigi and Papa J for watching Jackson and taking such good care of him for us! While my parents kept Jackson, they noticed he got his 1st tooth. What a great weekend for us. First Griffin's birthday party, then to celebrate our anniversary and then our baby got his 1st tooth. He's growing up so fast. I wish I could freeze time!

Brandon, I love you so much and I can't imagine my life without you. You are the most amazing, caring, understanding, calm human being I think I've ever met. You are truly an amazing husband and Jackson (and Parker) are blessed to have such an amazing father! We love you!

While we were eating this and I was drinking a glass of wine.... Jackson was heading over to Gigi and Papa J's house for a sleepover (passed out after a hard play at cousin Griffin's birthday party)! Saturday morning my mom sent this picture of Jackson watching his HERO (Papa J) while he touched up paint and did honey do's around the house.

Ode to the Grandparents!

Like I mentioned in a previous post, Brandon and I are both so fortunate to have both of our family's in the Houston area. Sandra kept Jackson for 3 days while he had the flu and Gigi kept Jackson on Friday for us. By Friday Jackson was feeling much better than he had earlier in the week so Gigi decided to take him to run a few errands. Well, needless to say, Jackson and Gigi left the house at 9:30 AM (when he woke up from his morning nap) and they did not step foot back in the house until 4:30 PM. Jackson went to get his great grandma, Nana and they went to the bank in Memorial City, to lunch at Chick Fil A, to another bank in Sugar Land and to the grocery store. Gigi said Jackson was perfect and everywhere they went people would comment on how well behaved he is. I have to admit, he's AWESOME! :) I am so glad Jackson is able to spend time with his grandparents and great grandparents! Gigi has a new motto for Jackson: "Got wheels? Will roll!" She said he rolls with the flow and will go anywhere with her. I love the new motto! Thanks Sandra and Gigi for keeping Jackson while he was sick! I don't know what we would do without our family! Love you all!

Jackson riding in the grocery cart at the last stop of the day! "Got wheels? Will roll!"

Griffin's 2 Years Old!

We had a blast celebrating Griffin's 2nd birthday at The Little Gym in Katy. Alli's parents and brother and sister in law were in town with their kids. It was so much fun to see Griffin play with his cousins and friends. I can't believe he is already 2 years old....time flies! He is such a wonderful big brother to Ella and he celebrated his birthday in style this year! Here's a few of my favorite pictures from Griffin's birthday party. Happy birthday sweet nephew of ours! Aunt Lala and Uncle B love you so much!

Ella was such a trooper at her big brother's birthday party!

Cousins drinking their bottles together while the big kids ate their cupcakes!

Gigi, Jack and Papa J!

Gigi playing with Jackson!

I adore this picture of Jackson...he had so much fun with the bubbles!

Look at the birthday boy!

Adorable little Ella!

Cousins sharing the ball!

Look at those Gigi lips! That is her trademark!

Pitiful!

The Sunday before we found out Jackson had the Flu, I took him to Gigi and Papa J's house to visit. He had about 102 fever before I took him but I knew his Gigi and Papa J could cheer him up. When we got there, Jackson was not himself and would not smile and really wasn't ready to play. So Papa J picked him up and was holding him when Jackson rolled over and went to sleep in Papa J's arms. It was the sweetest, most surreal moment and I captured it on camera! Love this picture!!!

The sweetest moment I have captured on camera!

Peek-A-Boo!

Papa J and Jackson taking a nap

Jackson Has The Flu!

This is when we knew Jackson did not feel good...he was white as a ghost! :(

Daddy giving Jackson a bath to get all those germs off!

Grammie and Jackson on his first day home sick.

Jackson officially has his first illness (besides eczema and allergies). He has had over 102 fever for 3 days so Brandon took Monday off to take Jackson to the doctor. Sure enough, he has the flu!

We are so blessed to have our family in the Houston area. Brandon's mom, Sandra came to our house to take care of Jackson Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. She is a lifesaver! I have to admit, it was nice coming home to dinner cooked, laundry washed and folded and the floors vaccumed and mopped. I told Sandra I could get used to this. Not only did she keep Jackson all day for 3 days...she also took care of Brandon and I. We are so thankful Grammie! Thank you so much for all you do!!!

Cheers to Lindsey!

Gigi and I had a great day celebrating with Lindsey today at her bridal shower at Ousie's Table. It was so great spending the afternoon with Gigi, Bop, Aunt Ramona, Rebecca and Lindsey! There was great conversations and amazing food and of course a few mimosas and bloody mary's. It was so great to see Aunt Ramona be as optimistic and as strong as she is as she endures chemotherapy. She is such a strong woman and we love you! We can't wait for Lindsey to become a part of the family (she already is like family). Josh is a lucky guy and I know Lindsey is lucky as well. We can't wait for the wedding! After Lindsey's wedding shower, Brandon and I decided to take Jackson to the park. We took a long walk around the lake and then let Jackson swing for the first time in a "big boy" swing (daddy held him of course)! It was such a beautiful day today!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

When it rains, it pours! Well, where do I begin? A couple of weeks ago Jackson and I were really sick with "the crud". Jackson had a double ear infection also. So he was put on Amoxicillan and I got a Z pack. After our medicine ran out, we still did not feel better so I called the Doctor back and they put me on Amoxacillan and increased Jackson's strength and dosage. So I am finally better and can hear out of my ears again and Jackson seemed to be on the mend for about 2 days. Then I was suddenly in the Emergency Room getting 5 bags of saline due to dehydration from ulcerative colitis, hernia, etc. The same day, Gigi goes in the emergency room in Louisiana (while she was on a business trip because she got what Jack and I had). So then we survive that and of course, Brandon gets bronchitis and has fever. So I am thinking okay...things can only go up from here! Nope...Jackson now has 101.4 AGAIN!!!! The most frustrating thing as a parent is when your family is sick and can't get better. Not only that....I have a BRAND NEW niece that I have only been able to see three times. We can't wait to get our hands on sweet Ella again soon! Love you Ella Kay and Griffin James!!!

Welcome Home Ella!!

Jason, Alli, Griffin and Ella came home today as a family of 4 (Saturday, February 12, 2011). Alli's parents are staying with Jason and Alli for a couple of weeks to help out. We were all chomping at the bit to get over to Jason and Alli's to see our precious little girl. We are so excited to have a girl in the family (it's been 13 years since we've had a girl). Ella is so special to all of us in so many ways already! She is so loved and you can tell by the pictures posted below. Me, Brandon, Jackson, Gigi, Papa J, Candace, Mike, Luke, Lindsey, Lluvia, Roberto, RJ (Griffin's best friend) and Sebastian all came over to visit. Alli was such a trooper considering it was her first day home from the hospital. I am so excited and happy for Jason and Alli and their new little family of 4! Ella, I can't wait for all of the girly lunches at Sandy McGee's, lake trips, zoo days, shopping sprees, etc. You are so special and we love you so much! Gigi and Ella Me, Jason, Alli and Ella

Brandon, me, Jackson, Alli, Ella, Jason and Griffin

Jackson intrigued by what his cousin Griffin is doing!

Alli and Griffin reading the book Aunt Lala brought him! Ella already has all the boys wrapped around her little finger! I love this picture!!! Just wish Conner was here! :( Gigi, Papa J and Brandon checking out Ella Papa J and Ella Kay! Gigi, Papa J and Ella Kay! Griffin getting his dad a Bud Light! :) Jackson teething on cousin Griffin's golf club. Gigi and Ella Aunt Lala and Ella....she is such a doll! Jackson acknowledging his cousin Ella for the first time. He already loves her so much! :) Aunt Lala talking to sweet Ella. Lluvia, Roberto and Ella Jackson opening his Valentine's gift from Gigi. She got the boys a precious shirt from Cozumel and Ella got a precious little sundress! Papa J (The Baby Whisperer) and Sebastian. Sebastian is so adorable! Jackson entertaining himself. I think they were trying to get Griffin to eat his dunner. :)

Welcome Ella Kay!

Ella Kay Stephens 8 lbs., 1 oz. 20 in. 12:31 P.M. Alli and me the night Ella was born!

Uncle Brandon holding his niece for the first time!

Aunt Lala telling Ella about all the girl trips we will have! :)

This was Jason telling us through the nursery window that Ella weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz.! We had bets going on how big she would be. I lost....I said she would be 6 lbs., 7 oz. HA!

Gigi and Jason patiently waiting on Ella's arrival....Gigi had to fly to New Orleans for work immidiately after she was born. :(

Aunt Lala, Gigi, Papa J, Nana, Jason, Mimi and Mike!