Fantastic February

Wow..it's been nearly a year. Have you stuck with us? Probably not...judging by the analytics...and I don't blame you. I'm going to attempt to have at least a monthly update..especially for our family members who don't get the photo updates a la Facebook. So, without further adieu...here's a recap of February.

Cade turned four...I cannot even believe that we have a four year old. FOUR?! Our baby boy is four. My, how he's grown. He is such a sweet, kind boy. He loves his brother so much and seeing him watch out for and teach Dane make my heart smile. He is cautious..perhaps a bit like his momma. He's trusting and sensitive...again, a bit like his momma. But like daddy he has a smile that lights up a room and athletic ability that astounds me at his young age. He loves playing basketball and takes pride in showing Dane how to dribble and shoot. It's not uncommon to find the two of them with their shirts off playing basketball...or as Cade says, "We're just basketballers, mom...we play ball in tummies." He is inquisitive and smart and so, so funny. He loves music (especially Beyonce, Zak Brown Band and Eric Church), trains, trucks and cars. He still loves golf, as evidenced by his desire for a golf birthday party. On his birthday, Jon and I picked him up early from school and went to Clay Corner to make something. Cade painted an airplane and a mug for Auntie Lisa's birthday. At Cade's request, we went to Godfather's Pizza for dinner and ate there...it was a big deal because typically we only do take out or delivery. After pizza, we headed home for a golf cake and ice cream, complete with a visit from Auntie Beans and Uncle Kyle.

 Friday is also the month of love and for Valentine's Day, I made some heart shaped doughnuts for the boys...Cade couldn't  believe that I had to go to work..."but it's VALENTINE'S DAY, mom!" Thankfully the boys got their sugar fix in before Bella devoured the remainder of the doughnuts. 

The boys also have a Valentine Concert at school...because the Christmas holiday is so busy, they've elected to have a Valentine Concert instead. It's adorable to watch and we were fortunate that Grandma Lech, Grandma Janet and Great Aunt Jen were all able to watch Cade and Dane in action. Cade did a wonderful job singing..much better than his first appearance (around Dane's age) where he froze, cried and had to be carried. Dane, on the hand, hammed it up and turned on the charm in his love crown, appropriately titled "I'm cute."

{Cade is in the back row, far right.}

On the 18th, we had Cade's official "Fore-th" Birthday Party. It was a tee-riffic time (okay, pun fun is over) and we celebrated with Grandma & Grandpa Lech, Grandpa Tom and Grandma Janet, Gigi, Great Aunt Judy, Great Aunt Paula, Great Aunt Jen, Great Uncle Don and Jan, Auntie Lisa, Auntie Beans, Uncle Kyle, Jarrett, Lindsey and Leah. Cade got some great gifts, including a new bike and helmet from mom and dad. I was hard at work that week prepping the chocolate golf suckers, cupcakes and cake..but it was all worth it seeing Cade's excited face the day of. A special shout out to Auntie Beans, who helped me with the prep of the fruit "par-faits" and "club" sandwiches (okay, maybe pun fun wasn't over)..and don't forget the bucket of range balls (aka donut holes).

 On Sunday, we had brunch and celebrated cousin Jarrett's first birthday. The boys loved playing together and we did manage one semi decent photo of Cade and Dane showing Jarrett how to relax in his new chair.

 The rest of the month included staying busy inside since the weather outside wasn't so great...fort building, riding bikes at the shop and "basketballin'" rounded out the month of February. Dane continued his no fear attitude by learning to scale stools and climb and crawl across cabinets and the kitchen island...never a dull moment at the Felch house.

See you in a few weeks for the March Madness recap...

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!