Time Flies...

When you are having fun... or when you are busy watching your team win the Superbowl... or when your city gets 3 inches of snow and below zero temps, and shuts down for four days...or when your sister and nephew come to visit... or when your whole family gets taken down for a week with a nasty virus... or when your 6 month old learns to sit up on his own, ditch his newborn bathtub for just plain old sitting in the bubbles, or when he learns to say "dada"....or when you ask your toddler who he loves and he says "God," and you realize he is really listening when you talk to him!!!

Yes, this is just a little recap of the past month in the Shiver house. I'm sorry I've been away so long. I'm really trying to keep up with this for all you family far away.. I can't tell you how often I THINK of blogging, or sit down to blog only to have a baby wake up from a nap, a dog puke, or a 'fire' needing to be put out. So I'm sorry, and I'll try to do better, really.

So, to expand on the above, in a few short sentences. Yes, the Packers are on top again, the Lombardi trophy has come home! Oh man I am still on a high from it and probably will be for several years. Yes, I said years. I need to publicly apologize to Aaron Rodgers for being angry with him when Brett (who?!?!) was still around. Aaron, you have totally redeemed yourself. You are incredible, and I can't wait to see you play next year!!

At the beginning of the month we had a huge cold front and snow storm move through here. It started snowing on a Monday night, and we woke up with about 3 inches. The boys played outside in it, and daddy had off work for two days. Bad for business, but we really enjoyed the time together. The schools were shut down Tuesday-Friday due to the cold, and gas shortages throughout New Mexico. Coming from a state that has about a zillion snow storms a year, it is hilarious to me to see how this state reacts to snow!!!

Amber and James came last weekend to visit us. Amber and I were able to sneak away Friday afternoon for some sushi and shopping, while the kiddos stayed with the grandmas. I think it was fun for everyone! I know I had a BLAST and wish that the Elmer family lived here so we could enjoy more of those precious moments!

We've been battling a cold/stomach upset/fever bug for the past week. Miles V has been hit the worst, and is right now at the doctor with his daddy. In a way we are hoping he has strep throat, or something they can give him medicine for. He is just feeling terrible, and I want to be able to do something for him to feel better! Mommy and Daddy haven't been feeling the best lately either, but little Max is so far, so good! Thankful for the antibodies that I pass on to him from nursing!

Speaking of Max, he now sits up and plays with his toys!! He is such a big boy!!! Tonight, daddy even put him in the bathtub with his brother WITHOUT his tub!! It was such a joy to watch them sharing toys and 'playing' together. I thank God everyday for giving us babies so close together in age, and for giving us boys to grow up together. I would not have it any other way!!! Max is also quite the talker. He is always babbling on about something ('hi da' or 'dadadadada'). I think he learned the "constant talking" trick from his older brother :).

And yes, tonight Miles and I were watching Veggietales with Miles V and they were talking about love. I asked Miles who he loves, and he said "God." Ahh, to hear all the things we are working on teaching him come back out of his mouth... I love my boys!!

I'll post some pictures soon. I need to take some recent ones. Until then, so long, and I will try to keep this better updated!!

Love,

World Champions!!

I love my Green Bay Packers! 'Nuff said!!

Happy Birthday, Miles V!!!

How did this happen?

Is it possible that tomorrow I will be the mother of a 2 year old, and a (almost) 6 month old!?! SERIOUSLY, where had the time gone?! I feel like just yesterday Miles and I were sitting at Grandma Ann's house, eating spare ribs and sauerkraut, convinced that Miles V was never going to come out!!! :) Little did we know 8 hours later, he would be here and would change our lives forever!

I was telling a friend recently that being a stay-at-home mom has been the best, hardest, most exciting, and exhausting job of my life. But also that it is the most important. I would not trade ONE second of the last two years for anything in the world. Even despite the tears and whining (not to mention those days when the kids are in a bad mood), :0) it is all worth it to have these precious blessings under our constant care.

Before I go any further, I want to thank all of you out there that have helped us over the past two years. And to our boys grandparents especially. We are so blessed to have you in our lives!

As I said, tomorrow, Miles V will be 2. And I want to share a few things about him. First, he is a lover. He loves to give hugs. Earlier today, I told him I was a little sad. He hugged me, cupped my face in his hands, kissed my cheek, and said "Momma, no sad anymore." And he was right. I wasn't. :0) He is HILARIOUS. Here's an example of one of the billion ways he has made us laugh. He loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. We are very strict in limiting his TV time to two mickeys (about 40 minutes total) per day. So lets just say when he gets to watch, he pays attention. Well, in the beginning of the show, Mickey says "To make the clubhouse appear, we get to say the magic words..Meeska, Mouska, Mickey Mouse!" The other day, he asked for some "coccorn" (popcorn). Daddy said, "Miles, you have to say the magic word." And you can probably guess what he said: "Meeska, Mouska, Mickey Mouse!!" Haha, that wasn't exactly what we were going for, but it got a laugh, that's for sure.

Miles loves his little brother. Max has just started saying "Mamamamama." Miles loves that he can now interact a little better. And Max just lights up when he makes eye contact with his big brother. I have a feeling these two are going to be best buds (and make some mischief along the way I'm sure)!

Miles is SMART. Our friend, Dana, and I were on the phone the other day. I asked Dana if she wanted to say hi to Miles. Miles proceeded to have a full conversation with her. She was amazed. As am I everyday when he learns new words, new ways to express himself. I very often find myself underestimating him. And for that, shame on me. He also consistently goes poop on the potty (its been about 2 months with no poopy diapers), and about 4 since he started pooping the majority of time on there. MOnday, we are starting to train him to go "tee tee".

Miles loves going to church, playing on the Wii, going to the library for story hour, and going to the pool on Friday nights to swim and play in the pool. He loves to go out to eat and order "Chicken nuggets and mashed totatoes", and he loves to "tackle" dada.

Oh, what an amazing two years it has been.

Miles V, I love you with all my heart. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for you and your life.

Enjoy a few of my favorite pictures from Miles's first two years!!

Christmas 2010

If you know us well, you know that Miles and I adore Christmas, and everything about it. We cannot WAIT for Thanksgiving to get here to put up our lights and decorate. Naturally we are anxious to pass our love of the holiday on to our kids. We tried very hard this year to help Miles V know what is going on. We had fun teaching him about Santa as well as teaching him the REAL reason we celebrate; Jesus's birth. Well, my husband who is an incredible Clark Griswold at decorating the house last year purchased an inflatable manger to go in our front yard. When we put it up this year we talked to Miles V about baby Jesus, and everyday when he saw the lights in the back come on he wanted us to take him outside to see "Baby Jesus" up up up! He is so adorable, and we had a TOTAL blast with him this year! Next year will be doubly as fun when Max is old enough to know what was going on!

During the holidays, I introduced Miles V to what USED to be my favorite Christmas song. "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas." I say used to because after hearing the same song 14 times a day, it kind of grates on you. :) But it gives him such joy that it is hard to say no.

We hosted our annual Christmas Eve dinner, and it was perfect! Prime rib, twice baked potatoes, sweet potato casserole, broc & cheese casserole... mmmmm. This year, we dearly missed our sister Amber, Charlie, and our nephew James. But, hopefully they will be here next year, and we did get to Skype with them on Christmas day!

Here are a few pictures to enjoy from Christmas Eve!

Santa called Miles V on Skype. It was the coooolest thing! You know Santa, always up on the latest technology!


The whole gang!






Our precious family!)


Miles's annual Christmas Eve gift (new jammies!!)




Christmas day, we got up and opened our presents as a family. As always, Santa was too good to all of us! When we were done opening, we got ready, (left a gigantic mess that took 5 days to clean up) and headed to Gma and Papa's house for Christmas #2!!! Santa was toooooo good to us there, as usual! Papa made an amazing breakfast, and we got to "see" Auntie Amber, Uncle Charlie, and cousin James!






Miles Skyping with James :)









Next, we headed to Great Grandpa Chrone and Great Grandma Jill's house for more amazing food, and fun times with the Shivers--Nancy and Jim, and Jake and Clarissa! We attempted to put the boys down to nap there, and we were 1 for 2, getting Max to sleep for awhile. After they got up, we headed over to G-Gma Jean's house for Christmas #3. We enjoyed yet MORE delicious food, gifts, and then headed outside to play a gigantic game of touch football. I have to say it, of course, my team won!!!!

After the boys actually got some sleep at G-Gma's house, we packed up our BRIMMING car and headed over to Mimi's house, where yet again Santa was too good to us. After my very strategic and organized husband packed the last remaining gifts into our car, we headed home to crash into a present/food induced coma. We layed around and did nothing for the next week. Ok wait, that was a beautiful dream I had... we actually cleaned up a bit, and did manage to get some sleep.


Christmas this year, despite really missing some of our family, was amazing. We are blessed beyond words, and I don't only mean with the material stuff. We are blessed with a God who loved us so much that he sent his son to die for us so that we would not have to be separated from Him eternally. And that is truly the reason for the season!!!

Now Christmas is gone, and we look forward to a wonderful 2011. And like my cousin Susie said, Christmas may be gone, but it looks like the hippopotamus song is here to stay!!!

God Bless!

Thoughts...

When we found out we were pregnant with Max, I admit, amid all the excitement there was a tiny shred of dread as well. (Horrible, to admit, I know). Miles V was 9 months old, I felt like I was FINALLY start to get a good routine down, and had started "settling" back into doing life. I don't know why it took so long after I had him to start feeling that way, but it did. I was kinda a mess, and scattered brained for the first 9 months (example, leaving him with my mother-in-law, and forgetting to leave her the car seat so she could bring him home). Yea, that was one thing of many that happened. Anyway, so I was a little apprehensive about adding another baby to the mix. Throughout the pregnancy I tried to do as much as humanly possible to get the house organized (not just clean, but "Ang-approved" organized) so I'd be ready when Max got here. Silly me for thinking my house would ever be up to my standards. BUT, Max came, and yes, the first 2 months or so were sort of chaotic. Miles was home for two weeks, my mom was here, etc, and so we really didn't start getting into a good routine for awhile. But soon enough, much to my relief, Max (my little champion sleeper) not only was sleeping through the night, but had settled into an amazing nap schedule as well. I'm pretty sure his brother, even at 18 months didn't have his routine down quite like Max does now. Luckily for me, part of his routine includes napping at the same time as his older brother... which usually allows me two hours a day (plus more on the days that I decide to get my butt out of bed before the kiddos) to do all that comes along with being a mommy. Cleaning, cooking, planning meals, paying bills, working on Mary Kay, doing laundry, planning activities to do with the boys, etc. And on the weekends it allows me 2 hours in the middle of the day with my wonderful husband. Ah, sigh. Life is good.

My point in this whole post is just to say how bad I feel for doubting adding Max to our family. While when he is awake he seems to be much more fussy than I remember Miles V being, he is an amazing little sleeper, and his personality has had me wrapped around his little finger from day one. Watch out, ladies, he and his brother are going to be heart breakers one day, I think! And I cannot IMAGINE life with out him!!!

May I?

May I just brag on my boys for a few seconds? I was sitting here today, the house was silent, the kiddos were napping, and I was counting my blessings. I looked around at my house, and I thanked God for my husband, who works so hard for our family, who leaves us wanting nothing, and on top of that comes home at night and just wants to be with us. I hear about dads who come home, expect a hot meal on the table and the remote. Miles gives and gives and gives of himself, whether working or being with the kids, and makes our lives so full and enjoyable. (And he does get that hot meal once in awhile!!). I'm thankful that our fridge is full, our car is in perfect shape (if only I'd quit hitting the mirror on the way out of the garage!), and our bills are paid.

Then we have our little Miles. His personality is addicting. He wakes up, asks me to give "Mickey, Bear, and Puppy" hugs, and then says "Miles (pronounced 'Mawles') hug too". He is 22 months old, and his learning capacity is incredible. He counts to 10, can identify each number 1-10 buy sight, can say his alphabet (he skips about 5 letters), and he is speaking in three word sentences. He sleeps all night, naps well, and loves going to church and Costco! His favorite thing to do is sit on the couch with mommy or daddy and Max, and read stories. He could read and read and read all day. Oh, and he poops on the potty 99% of the time. He amazes me.

And then there is little Max. He, unlike his big brother when HE was this age, sleeps all night. He turns into a pumpkin around 7pm, and sleeps until 5am when mommy usually has to wake him up to get some relief (if you know what I mean)! Then he goes back to sleep until about 7am, and wakes up so I can have some time with just him before big brother wakes up. He learned to blow bubbles back to us, smiles like CRAZY, loves to 'stand up', and is the happiest little guy. Even though he is teething and has his moments, he is such an AMAZING joy in our lives!

I'm so thankful for the Lord who has blessed us with everything we need, and so much more!

Halloween 2010

So Max was just born in July, I cannot believe I already blogging about Halloween!How is it possible that 3 months have passed?!?! Well, somehow they have, and we are now into the full-blown holiday season. Fall is my absolute favorite season; even more so after living through the hot New Mexican summers! Somehow, even though it is smack dab in the middle of fall, Halloween has never been my favorite time. BUT, I think that has officially changed this year. We had A BLAST with Miles V! We decided this year we wanted the boys to be in related costumes, but not matching. We originally were planning Batman and Robin, but then we saw a banana costume at Target for newborns, and it was all over. :) So naturally, we got Miles V a monkey costume (although just about every house we went to said 'what a cute little bear'). Thank you very much for THAT! :)

Anyway, we tried their costumes on them a week before Halloween, thinking we could do their photo shoot. Here is how that worked out for us:


If you know little Miles, you know he is so easy going, rarely crys, etc, so this picture truly captures how much he did NOT want to be a monkey.


We took him upstairs, talked to him, and decided to try again. Here was Take Two:




So needless to say, I was a tad bit worried about Halloween. But, we loosened the chin strap on his monkey head, and it turned out to be the most fantastic day!

My husband calls me the sugar Nazi (or is it the juice Nazi? Anyway...).I am really trying hard to instill good eating habits into the boys. So Miles has had maybe two sips of juice in his entire life...he RARELY gets dessert, and I can't remember ever giving him candy. So when he went trick or treating he didn't really understand what candy was. But he still had a blast! Miles and I could NOT get over how amazing he did. He walked our entire neighborhood, and was out for a total of 2 hrs! Here are a few pics to mark the occasion. We are SOOO proud of him and he is such an amazing little boy! (Oh, and he did get to enjoy some of that candy that he worked so hard for!)
Our sweet, adorable, precious Max



Our little monkey





"Geez", Papa, and Mimi were there too. What a blast!!




Our little family:









What a day! Happy Fall everyone... Bring on Thanksgiving!!!