Livin' on Love

“mama you taught me to do the right things,
so now you have to let your baby fly.
you’ve given me everything that i will need,
to make it through this crazy thing called life…”
-carrie underwood mama’s song

I hope that every mother feels like the luckiest person in the world. Motherhood can be hard...some days after temper tantrums and messes and timeouts, you feel you like you want to pull your hair out...or cry..or both. But the joy we experience far outweighs even the most trying days. Until becoming a mother, I never knew that my heart could feel so full. I never knew how strong I could be. And, even on those toughest of days, I pause and remind myself that if I've given my boys love and taught them by example, then I've succeeded. It's those small, seemingly insignificant moments that matter the most. I hope when Cade and Dane look back, they know that they were always so loved. If they do, then I've succeeded as their mom. That's the greatest gifts our moms have given Jon and I...love. And honesty, and goodness, and humility. We are the people we are because of our moms.

{All I am, or can be, I owe to my angel mother. -Abraham Lincoln}
Happy mother's day to all the wonderful moms out there. Enjoy your day. You certainly deserve it. I know I will enjoy my day with my two sweet boys...and the wonderful man who gave them to me.

Fam + Florida

We spent the first week in March in sunny Orlando, Florida. If you recall, J&D won an industry award and were honored at a conference being held at the Boardwalk in Disney, so the boys, Jon and I headed to the sunshine state along with Auntie Lisa, Grandma Janet, Grandpa Tom and Auntie Beans. Tom, Janet, Jon and Lisa attended conference events Tuesday-Friday so Auntie Beans (aka Alyssa aka "nanny" beans) came along to keep me company with the boys. Dane was a smooth flyer for his first time. Cade, however, had a bit of an issue on the first flight from Green Bay to Milwaukee. He was all excited as we climbed on board but as it become time to buckle up and settle in for the ride, he started crying, "I don't want to fly. Get me off this plane. I want to get off." This carried on for less than five minutes (but felt like MUCH, MUCH longer) as daddy, who was seated next to Cade, calmed him down. Meanwhile, I nervously held baby Dane and thought of (okay, and feared) our next, much longer flight. Thankfully, Cade cheered up and, upon landing, called out, "That was fun." We did all get a chuckle when the patient souls seated around us laughed and jokingly said, "Oh, we thought he got off the plane!" Thankfully, the next three flights went smoothly and Cade become a high flying ace, even during turbulence (Oooh, that was bumpy. Keep your seatbelts on!) and landing (Oooh, that was real fun. I like flying on airplanes). We stayed at a Disney property and were fortunate to be within walking distance of Downtown Disney. We had lots of fun eating (they even had a Babycakes gluten free bakery!), playing, shopping and strolling through Downtown Disney. Cade loved the pool and playgrounds at Saratoga Springs.

On Thursday night, the conference sponsored a night at Epcot. The firework show was amazing and HGTV was hosting their Flower & Garden Show. The topiaries of Disney characters were amazing! They were especially highlighting the Lion King characters, including Timon, Rafiki and of course the little lion king himself (PS the Lion King is finally being released from the Disney vault this fall!).

On Friday, everyone sans Tom and Jon (who were golfing) headed to Hollywood Studios for a day of fun. It was ESPN the Weekend so we got to see a taping of ESPN's Mike & Mike Show where they interviewed Green Bay Packer's Jennings and Driver. Cade and Dane loved the Pixar Parade and seeing their favorite Pixar characters. They also got to meet Lightning Maqueen, Mader, Handy Manny and the Little Einsteins, as well as sit in on a show with all the Disney Junior Characters including Jake and the Neverland Pirates.

On Saturday, the whole crew headed to the Magic Kingdom. Cade was especially enamored with seeing Mickey's castle. Oh, you thought it was Cinderella's castle? Well, according to Cade, you'd be wrong.

All in all, we had an amazing trip full of family memories. I suppose that's what dreams really are made of.

Prayers for Baby Clayton

“I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much.” -Mother Theresa

Mother Theresa certainly had it right. At times, it's hard to understand God's plan when we are going through difficult times. Yet, I have to believe he knows. He knows our strength even when we do not. My heart hurts for my cousins Adam and Rachel, who have been entrusted by God to watch over their sweet baby boy Clayton. Clayton was born March 2 and recently diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. It amazes me to see the strength in Adam and Rachel as parents. I cannot begin to imagine the worry they have for the health of their sweet baby boy. I truly believe you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Because of their strength and love, baby Clayton will too know unconditional love and support.

In honor of baby Clayton, Jon, Cade, Dane and I will be joining Adam, Rachel, Clayton and their three-year old son Connor, along with many other extended family members, in the Great Strides Walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation on May 15 at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Please consider donating to sponsor us in the walk by clicking on the link below. Any amount you can donate is greatly appreciated and does make a difference in finding a cure for this devastating genetic disease.

http://www.cff.org/great_strides/KatieFelch

If you are unable to donate, I ask that you please keep baby Clayton and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Seven, Eight, Ain't that Great

So, we're a little bit behind with the month by month updates for Dane so today we have a two for one deal for you. Seven and eight month updates...enjoy...

At SEVEN months, Dane Garrison....

...is still smiley as ever

...LOVES his big brother. No one can get this guy to smile like the singing or talking of his big brother Cade. What, you can't tell from this picture?
...can sit up unassisted like quite the big guy

...is around 20ish pounds from our calculations and approximately 28.5 inches
...STILL has no teeth (dear Dane's teeth - you can push your way through his swollen little gums any time now. Thanks, his loving mom)

...has a big love fest going with his daddy...there was no getting him to smile at the camera for me when daddy was waiting in the wings

...is starting to figure out his forward motion army crawl

...is really starting to squeal and "talk"

...is still sleeping through the night, with some hiccups thanks to the aforementioned teeth (again, push through any time now)

...is half in size three diapers, half in four

...still eating 8 ounces, 4 times a day and has solids in the morning and evening

...is wearing 6-12 and 12-18 month clothes

...usually naps twice a day but is starting to nap for shorter periods of time (hopefully this resolves itself soon sweet boy..you need your snoozes!)

At EIGHT months, Dane Garrison...

...is reading...okay, maybe not..but he tries...

...and he tries happily! Dane is truly such a smiley, happy little guy...

...is getting to be so big..and mobile...I had to quick snap this photo before he rolled over and went on the move...yep, he's a scootin', army crawlin' boy...

...is sitting up like a champ..and chompin' like a champ...but still no teeth :(

...is starting to dislike the restrictive nature of the bumbo seat

...loves going after big brother's toys

...is studying for his ACTs and LSATs...this smart little cookie must be taking after his mama...oh wait, maybe he's just checking out his fellow babies in one of his fave books...

...routinely practices his yoga move "downward dog"...this boy will be crawling soon for sure...

...went on his first plane ride...and did WONDERFUL

...visited Disneyworld and Hollywood Studios (watch for pics in the next post)

...really enjoys his exersaucer...until he decides he needs to move

...is enjoying more solids foods including pumpkin/banana, broccoli, pears + peas, banana raspberry oatmeal, peaches, mangoes, green beans + rice and peas + rice, among many others

...has started sampling the baby puffs but isn't quite the fan...yet...

...has started to hold his own bottle routinely

...is rockin' the size four diapers and 6-12 month and 12-18 month clothes

...drinks four 7.5-8 ounce bottles a day

...eats solids two times a day

...usually naps about twice a day, typically with one longer nap and one shorter nap (unless he's at the Y, then you're lucky if you get 20 minutes all day)

...is still such a sweet, happy, smiley boy that is so well loved by his mommy, daddy and big brother Cade

And just like that, we're nearly to nine months...be back in a few weeks for the next update!

Happy birthday, dear Cade...

The last of the third birthday posts...

A Day in the Life

Remember how we said that Cade constantly makes us laugh? Well, here's just a snapshot of his hilarity...

Daddy: Cade, do you know what happened to my screwdriver?

Cade: {hands on hips, pondering look on his face} Hm, daddy, it was here a second ago...

{Cade running to the toilet to go "potty" and yelling from the bathroom}

Cade: Oh man, mom...I almost fell in the toilet!!! {laughing hysterically}

Daddy: Cade, what are you doing?

Cade: I going potty..

Daddy: You don't have your pants down, buddy..

Cade: {Laughing} Oh man, I'm silly....{More laughing}I'm funny, daddy...I'm funny and you're da man

{Cade discussing his upcoming sleep over at Grandma and Grandpa Felch's house}

Cade: I sleeping at gamma and gampas house by the fire and it be real warm, mom...

Mommy: Oh, that sounds nice bud. That will be fun.

Cade: Yes, yes it will. {Pause} You want to come and join us?

Mommy: {this kid knows the word join?!)

I made lunch for Cade the other day and put a few chocolate bunnies on his tray with his strawberries and noodles. He looked at me incredulously and said, "You gave me bunnies?!?! Cool!!! {putting his hands up on the air}"

And, last but not least, a few weekends ago, we made snowman pancakes complete with a bacon scarf. Cade was so excited, then looked at me with a look of seriousness and said, "Moooommmm, you forgot to make his smile." Silly me, I only put on eyes so I had to complete the frosty man's look with a syrup smile.

Aw, these are truly the moments life is made of....

A "Fin-Tastic" Time

As you know, our sweet boy recently turned three. On his actual birthday (2.1.11), we had a mini chocolate cake for the little man, complete with an insane amount of self decorated sprinkles on top. Daddy thought it would be funny to have Cade take a bit of his cake, and as he did, he face planted Cade right into the frosting...Cade, of course, thought this was hilarious. "Aw man, that's so silly daddy" and five minutes after finishing eating his sprinkled frosting with a side of cake, "Aw, man I got a sprinkle in my noise." A sprinkle which, coincidentally, he then proceeded to eat. Ah, three year old boys..yuck.

Cade wanted a fishy themed birthday in honor of his new fishy friend, Emery. You see, we promised Cade that when he turned three, he could get a fish of his very own..which then turned into a whole fish themed soiree.

Here's the little man deep in present opening...

Of course, we had to have a fish themed menu, complete with a fish cake, fish shaped cheese mold, assorted goldfish crackers including cheddar, cinnamon and chocolate and, last but not least, swedish fish which first time eater Cade thoroughly enjoyed.

For dinner, we dined on Cade's selection..pizza. The little man's pizza was even shaped as a fish...

After dinner, Cade was all about the fishy cake...

"I'm this many...."

Waiting patiently for the candles to be lit...

Cade with mommy and daddy...

Cade with his godparents, Uncle Kyle and Auntie Lisa...

MMM...cake....

All in all, it was a great day with family..one that we hope Cade will always remember...especially since the memories will likely long outlast the life of the pet fish that kicked off this birthday party theme!

For Love of Family

“Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” - Anthony Brandt

The world lost a truly great man this week. My Grandpa had an unmatched generosity of spirit. He believed in the good in people. He was always so positive. He was the type of guy you met once, but felt you like you knew forever. And he was witty...oh, he had one liners that would make you roll on the floor laughing. He was an honest man, hardworking but with a heart full of gold. He was someone who could really light up a room. For that and so much more, we will miss him dearly. He's truly one of the greatest men I've ever known. The only saving grace is knowing that there is quite a bit of him in this guy...

and this guy...

...and quite possibly this fourth generation of Lech.

We love you and miss you dearly, grandpa and we know you and grandma are now looking down upon us.