The Favorite Parent

As much as I have to admit that it hurts...A LOT...that I am not the favorite parent, or even liked (by Tyler) right now, I am glad that they have a man like Tim to pick! What a loving father!!The way each of the kid's faces light up when they are being held by their Daddy is just priceless. I pray that I can capture just a glimmer of it in pictures so I can cherish it forever.

I thought I loved you then...

I remember the day so vividly. I remember I didn't sleep well the night before. I remember my friend Beth staying at my house with me and pressing on my fake nails for me. I remember waking up early and getting my make up done for free at the mall. I remember my friend Kristy doing my hair. We had practiced a few times before but the way she did it that day was more perfect than any of the other times. I remember looking in the mirror and feeling beautiful. I remember being nervous. Not to marry my best friend, but to be in front of that many people with everyone staring at us. I remember crying. I remember it all happening so fast. I remember it rained right as we were leaving the wedding to head to our honeymoon. So much so that we had to pull over because we couldn't see through the smeared "Just Married" wishes that were written all over our truck. I remember how much I loved Timothy Paul Schramm that day and I remember thinking that there was no way I could love him more.

6 years have gone past. 6 years exactly today. (May 28th) I was wrong. WAY wrong. My love has grown and multiplied over and over again. I will never be able to wrap my mind around the love God has given me for my husband. Its hard to believe that we met almost 10 years ago now. Looking back over time, it is amazing to see how God has worked in our lives and brought us closer to Himself and therefore, closer together as a couple. My heart will always and forever belong to Tim Schramm, my first and only boyfriend, my first and only love. I am so blessed to be able to call him my husband, my best friend...I love you Tim Schramm!

Here is a video of some pictures of us through the 9 years we've known eachother. Its been thick and its been thin, we've been through sickness and health, rich and poor, better and worse and I pray we can have 50+ more years of all of that together!!!

Happy 6th Anniversary, Tim!!

Spinning with Daddy!

This MIGHT just qualify as borderline child abuse...but as you can see at the end, they both crawl/walk back for more!!! :)

Notice Tim's lack of facial hair...so far, I'm not a fan.

Megan learned to clap!!!

Megan has been doing it for over a week now, but she learned to clap!!! (Officially started on May 13th) Its SOO cute and sweet! Once she learned how to do it, she seriously did it all day, as is evidenced by this video.

I love the part where she is off by herself in her own little world and clapping and smiling. (around 1:13) :) I love this phase of her little life!!! <3 She started waving bye-bye just a few days ago. Still trying to capture it on video. :)

Oh, and I have no idea why both of my children aren't wearing pants in this video...just ignore that part :)

Feeding Megan

Sigh...those very words in the title of this post used to make me so stressed and frustrated. Megan was a great eater until we started her first vegetable. She loved her milk, she loved her rice/barley cereal, but she HATED green beans. Actually, she HATED pretty much everything but a few fruits (bananas, apples, pears), and carrots. But Tim and I were DETERMINED to not have a picky eater, especially at age 6-7 months (at the time). We would force her, and when I say that, I really do mean literally (call us bad parents, we don't care). I know that Megan will choose for herself what she likes and doesn't like, but she wasn't going to make that decision so young. She would have her carrots and fruits for when she was being taken care of by someone else and then when she was home with us, we would make her eat the stuff she didn't like. We tried mixing it with the fruits, it didn't matter. She would spit and cry and just overall made the experience for all involved AWFUL. But, I stand today (or sit actually) with a baby that will eat just about anything we offer her, including and especially green beans. Actually, tonight at dinner she was eating all of them off of my plate! She now loves to eat and loves her vegetables. It may be just a coincidence with her developing a taste for some of those foods but at least I feel like Tim and I's hard work and frustration payed off and I don't think she was harmed at all in the process.

Tyler has been wanting to help feed Megan a lot lately and actually one day when I got up from feeding her to go get a paper towel, I turned around to see him trying to feed her. At the time, we were in a hurry so I couldn't let him continue. So, tonight, Tim sat with him and let him feed Megan. It was SOOO sweet! Megan opened her mouth good and wide and Tyler was saying "good job!" and "yum yum, Megan!" I got some of it on video, but beware, it is kind of long.

The best part of that video for me is the fact that Tyler opens his mouth along with Megan which is exactly what Tim does. :) So funny!!!

Doin' Dishes

It has taken me almost 6 months, but I feel like since Tim went to day shift in January, I am finally learning how to manage my time during the day better. I had gotten so used to his help getting the kids up and doing breakfast and stuff that once he was no longer there, it was like I no longer knew how to do that on my own. I have had so much trouble being able to take care of the kids and get things done around the house. Sad, I know, but I guess I'm a slow learner. Anyway, one of the things that frustrated me for so long there for awhile was that I didn't feel like I could ever do the dishes because I had both kids at my feet or fussing, or getting into things they shouldn't, etc. Its a routine we've been doing for a few weeks now at least, but now, after we get done eating breakfast or lunch, I leave the kids strapped to their booster seats and give them quiet toys or books to play with while I finish up cleaning the kitchen. It has worked really well and except for having to occasionally pick up toys for Megan when she drops them, both kids seem to enjoy it as well. Sometimes, Tyler does get a little fussy and ready to get down, but that is usually only when the kitchen is exceptionally dirty. :) Anyway, they were just being too "perfect" the other day, I couldn't help but take a few pictures. Tyler was reading his Highlights magazine that my parents got for him and Megan was actually just sitting there talking and smiling to herself. It really makes doing the dishes enjoyable. :)

Here's to hoping I can learn more tricks to make being a mom and being a wife simultaneously a little easier. I LOVE my evenings together as a family and hope Tim never has to go back to second shift. So, I gotta make these mornings alone GREAT!

Tyler's first haircut...

...by Mommy that is...

With how often little boys need their hair cut and how expensive they are, I know that I am going to have to get used to cutting Tyler's hair. The problem is, I only know and feel comfortable using the clippers and I like his hair scissor cut. Sigh. Guess I have to learn and brave it out! But, we did want his hair to be short for when we go to the beach next week so that it will be easier to put sunscreen on his blond little albino head. Well, shorter it is! Its not quite a "buzz" cut, but it sure is close! I don't like it at all! I like his longer hair. Oh well. It will grow back! :)

Before picture...I was really bummed about this picture because the flash didn't go off which completely messed up the whole picture. So, a lot of editing later, this is as good as I was able to clean it up. It is such a good picture too! :(

During...

He did such a good job holding still!!After... :(
I actually cut Tim's hair first so Tyler could see that it didn't hurt and wasn't scary. Tim then went and decided to shave his goatee off (much to my dismay) and Tyler wasn't sure what to think about him. :)
Sigh...can't wait till it grows back!!!

Megan's first barrette

Megan officially has enough hair to put in a barrette and actually keep it there! :) She still only has hair on top, but it is there! She definitely has more than Tyler had at this age. Although, when his started growing, it grew fast. Her's, not so much. I can't wait till I can clip more of it over to the side like that and then do little pig tails...so much fun ahead!!!

Happy girl!

Megan is soo sweet and happy first thing in the morning. I usually hear her "talking" in her crib and then when I go in she is usually sitting there playing with her dolls but then pops right up to greet me. :) She gets especially excited when her brother comes in with me to say "GOOD MORNIN'!" Soo sweet.
So thankful that I've been blessed with two incredibly happy babies that make me smile and laugh each day. Megan has her moments where she is just strong willed and not as laid back as her brother, but overall, I really can't complain. I pray that I always savor my mornings with my sweet babies because before I know it, they will be grown and gone.

Some tickles and giggles from tonight :)

Tyler's 2-year stats

We took Tyler to the doctor a couple days ago for his two year well check visit. Other than being told that he had flat feet and being lectured on buying him shoes with arch support, he was given a clean bill of health! :) Poor guy had to get two shots. :( The last of his Hepatits A shots and then I finally agreed to the chicken pox vaccine. I still can't bring myself to let him get the MMR one. Too scary! Maybe when he is 3...

Anyway, he measured in at just shy of 37 inches (95th %), 27lb 10oz (50th %), and a head circumference of 19 1/2 inches (75th %). So, poor boy is DEFINITELY not very proportioned and continues to stay like his Daddy, tall and skinny. :) Some say you can double the height of your child sometime between 24-30 months and that will give you a fairly good representation of what they will be as an adult. So, at this rate, we will have at least a 6'2" son. :) Fun to think about anyway. It will be fun to see what he is in the next few years. I just don't want him to be taller than me until he is at least in double digits. ;)
Tyler continues to keep us on our toes and is really starting to make us laugh with the funny things he says. I can't decide whether to call them Tylerisms or Tylerese...Anyway...Tyler still loves playing basketball but has started to have a love for planes, trains, and automobiles as well.
Probably due to the many he got for his birthday! He has started to use his imagination more and do more "play" with his toys. He crashes his cars together, makes plane noises while soaring them in the air, and has really started to interact and play with Megan more.
I love when he races down the hall yelling behind him "Come on, Megan!" Much to my dismay, he has also started calling Megan "Meg" on occasion but I think since he is her big brother and that it seems to be a name of affection, that it's okay, for now. :) Tyler will repeat everything that we say and just about always talks in full sentences. He has the CUTEST facial expressions when he is telling a story. He has lately started scolding himself for going poopy in his diaper. I heard him one morning before I got him up say "Why go poopy in diaper?? Its yucky!!!" Apparently I say that alot. :) He loves to say "Good morning!!" at random intervals throughout the day or anytime someone opens the door to a room. He loves to go in to get his sister up in the morning and races over to her crib and yells in a high pitched super excited voice "GOOD MORNING, MEGAN!! HOW YA DOIN' TODAY?" Tyler's giggle makes me smile EVERY time and can turn one of my sour mood days into a good day in a matter of minutes. Here is a video of actually both Tyler and Megan watching a video of Tyler giggling on the swing. I think both of their giggles are priceless but there is just something about Tyler's giggle that makes my heart smile. :)

Tyler loves to sing and knows almost all the words to Jesus Loves Me, Zachaeus, and even though we didn't think we sang it that much, has recently been singing the ABC song! His favorite is still Jesus Loves Me and as far as Tim and I are concerned, we sure don't mind. He picked a good one to be his favorite. :) We pray he learns the truth to that song and trusts Jesus as His Savior at an early age. Tyler is a pretty good eater and even just this evening while I was eating my dinner after work was asking for a bite of my broccoli. (It wasn't even covered in cheese!) He LOVES rice, especially plain white rice, pizza, spaghetti, chicken, green beans, peas, broccoli, carrots, etc. He will eat red meats but unless its a hamburger he seems to have trouble swallowing it. He will chew and chew on steak and then spit it out unless its a SUPER small bite. He loves cookies, brownies, and chocolate milk just like his Momma. He LOVES being outside and is not one bit afraid of playing on his own in the "woods" at our house. He loves riding on the "tractor" (lawn mower) with Daddy and will sit as still as can be while Tim cuts the entire lawn.

He loves picking up sticks and pretty much just helping and working just like Daddy. He is really starting to develop a big heart and doesn't like seeing his sister cry (unless of course he inflicts the pain to cause the cry...sigh). He, for the most part, is sweet and loves to cuddle and will say "again!" over and over while being tickled. He loves to both give and receive raspberries. So much so that if you are at our house and your stomach shows, beware! :) He is two, so he has his moments of pure rebellion. He is constantly teaching me lessons for my own growth, especially in my spiritual walk...like on the way to church this Sunday and I was trying to call Tim and the phone wasn't cooperating so I threw it on the passenger seat and said "stupid phone" to which Tyler only heard "stupid" and began to repeat it over and over again...I am actually learning more and more how much Tyler's behavior shows my failures as a parent. I know that he has a sinful nature but he also learns from example too. It has been so humbling seeing him talk more and act out behaviors more. Oh how I pray that the Lord continues to change my heart since there are little hearts being affected by my actions every day! Tyler was the perfect gift to Tim and I two years ago and we are so very blessed to be able to call him our son. We love watching him grow and learn and I pray we have many many more years with him.

Thank you Lord for knowing just what we needed at just the right time!
Thank you for entrusting him to us.
Give us guidance and wisdom in how to raise him to love you and serve you with his life.
Help us to truly put him in your hands completely and know that is the safest place for him to be.

The potty training continues...

I'm trying to not be frustrated and I'm trying to rejoice in the little successes and progress that we see, but boy am I ready to be done with this phase!!! Tyler started going pee in the potty back in March and he still doesn't have it down. He never tells us when he has to go, but if we remember to take him every hour or so, he goes every time. He is pretty regular when it comes to going poopy, so if we take him and make him sit on the potty for awhile, he does go poopy at least several times a week (he goes at least twice a day). I know one day its all going to just click. But for now, I am having to be patient and well, lets face it. I'M NO GOOD AT BEING PATIENT! We have tried having him wear underwear and I made it all of one day and 3 pair of pants later, we are sticking to diapers and pull ups for now.Modeling some of his big boy undies. :)

We don't praise going potty as much anymore because he does do that so much. But he gets a sucker or marshmallow or something special each time he goes poopy in the potty. It took him a long time to get this sucker, but boy when he did, he LOVED it! It was an airplane sucker. I don't think he would have cared what it tasted like. That boy likes airplanes!
So I guess for now, I will keep persevering through this phase. It will be over before I know it and then Megan will be ready for potty training. Sigh...

They say girls are easier right??

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day weekend, the kids and I decided to go to West Virginia to be with my Mom, Grandmother, and family since Tim worked on Sunday. That way, I didn't have to be alone! I didn't get very many pictures which I am deciding I am getting really bad about. I really should take more pictures when I am around family. I will regret not having them later. :( But anyway, I did get a few. Here is a cute one of Megan with my Grandmother. Pretty sure she was whacking her on the head with a magazine. :)My sister Joanna and bro-n-law Tim and Andrew (my oldest nephew) came over on Friday night. I didn't get any pictures of Andrew the entire weekend. But Tim helped Megan out on the little horse. I really thought she would like it. But, well, obviously, she didn't. :)

or maybe it was Tim she didn't like... :P Thats okay. She makes up for it in how much she likes Joanna.

On Saturday, the kids and I woke up and I braved taking BOTH of them in the shower with me because they needed a bath anyway. It actually wasn't near as bad as I thought. Anyway, we got out, I got them and myself dressed and opened the bathroom door while I was still sitting down on the floor in the bathroom. Tyler went running out and Megan started crawling out while I (with my back turned to the door) stood up and then turned around to see Megan falling down my parents stairs. My mom and I were both there, just seconds too late. We saw her stumble down about half way and then stop and then before we could get to her, she went head over heels the rest of the way, head bouncing repeatedly on the stairs. She landed face down. Thankfully, my parents stairs are carpeted and she never once hit the wooden portion of them. It was sickening to watch and it actually makes me almost nauseous just thinking about it now. I scooped her up and held her soo tight. She cried for a long time and then I checked her out, trying to put on my nursing cap instead of my Mommy cap. She seemed to be fine, although I could see multiple places on her head that were red that I assumed would bruise. The next day she did wake up with a bruise under her eye and a couple on her head. She had more spit up that day, which was alarming for sure, but she was fine. It was her nap time, but right after it happened and she calmed down, she immediately fell asleep, actually in an almost sitting up position and without her binky. Made me a little nervous, but I know that sleeping is just another way that the body heals after a head injury. She aroused easily but I tell you, it took everything in me to not freak out about it all. I could tell my Dad was concerned too. My mom flew down those flight of stairs and my dad was in the basement at the time but he flew up them faster than I have ever seen either of my parents move. At least in a few years. :)

Here's my Dad holding Megan right after when she fell asleep.
Sigh...talk about worst mom of the year award...

Anyway, we got past that incident and then headed to the onion festival that was going on that weekend in St. Marys, in the town where I grew up. I didn't take my camera, but my sister Joanna had hers and got a few fun ones of the kids.



They had these inflatable things that I wasn't sure if Tyler would like. It was a $1 admission for all day, worth the try I figured. He didn't like them. He LOVED them! He would have played there all day I'm sure. He and Andrew both!

After church and dinner on Sunday, the kids and I made the drive back home and enjoyed a WONDERFUL evening as a family. Went on a bike ride, planted some flowers, and watched the kids play in the yard. Tim tried to get some pictures of me with the kids. Just another reminder for me to stay behind the camera.
They weren't real pleased with the process either. :) I will be thankful for these moments captured later, regardless of how I look.

Anyway, overall, it was a good weekend. Had some tough moments but we made it through! :) So thankful that I have the privilege of being Tyler and Megan's Mommy. I pray the Lord gives us more children and I pray even more that I would be able to raise them to love the Lord and show them Christ in my actions, especially in the way I discipline them. I am thankful for a godly mother that set a good example for me to follow and I pray that I can be even half of the mom that she has been to me.

Tyler's 2nd Birthday

BEWARE!!! Huge picture post below!!! :) But hey, I am documenting a momentous occasion! TYLER IS NOW TWO!!! Yes, it was a couple weeks ago, but I am a bit behind in updating! :)

April 29th, 2009 was a day I will never forget. I had always wanted to have a baby in March/April but since my due date with Tyler wasn't until May 21st, I figured I would just have to be happy to be close. To my surprise, my water broke on April 28th, over 3 weeks early and then, in the early afternoon of April 29th, I got to hold my newborn son for the first time! I admit, at the moment, I wasn't exactly feeling a lot of happy emotions toward him being a boy or even the rush that they had always talked about after having a baby. I was just glad to be done! He was out! I was done with labor! I didn't even look to see what he was after 9 months of waiting to find out! It was about 30 minutes later that reality sunk in and I was able to truly hold and admire my son. My heart, in those moments, bonded with another human in such a way that will never be able to explained. Those of you that are moms understand the feeling I am talking about. :) Tim and I hadn't found out the gender of the baby we were having and really didn't have a preference. But now, 2 years later, I can't imagine anyone else but Tyler. Sigh...I love that ornery, stubborn, big hearted, sweet faced little boy more than words can describe. Watching him turn two, was, for me, a lot harder than seeing him turn one. I have loved EVERY stage with him (minus the first 2 months when I just LIKED it ;)) and seeing him officially leave his babyhood stage behind was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be. I love watching him grow, watching him learn...but I want him to stay my little boy that fits in my arms forever! Reaching this little milestone of age 2 is going to be a fun journey and certainly a learning opportunity for me but I am excited for it and know that God has great things in store for Tyler's life. His little life has already transformed mine.

So, on April 30th, along with all of our closest friends and family, we celebrated Tyler's birthday. My family was able to come in for the whole weekend and Tim's parents had come out early in the week as well (see previous posts). Because of Tyler's love for basketball, we had to do a basketball themed party. What an unexpected answer to prayer it was when a huge box of decorations and party necessities covered in basketballs were given to us for free. Tyler loved them all. :)Tim's parents got Tyler a little balloon for the occasion too.

My friend Hope made this ADORABLE basketball jersey cake complete with little basketball cupcakes, one of which was just for Tyler :)
My birthday boy!!

Tyler doesn't have too many friends yet, but Benjamin and Noah are DEFINITELY some of his favorite people that he is frequently heard singing their names while playing in his room. Pretty much, we hear about Benjamin and Noah, Andrew and Daniel (cousins), and Aubrey and Reese. All good kids with good parents, so I can't complain. :) More recently, we have started hearing about Sophie. Sophie is about 6 months younger than Tyler, but I think they will get closer and closer the older they get. Anyway, random little tangent to introduce to you, Benjamin. :)Tyler loves Benjamin, but since they ARE both 2, they argue and say "mine" alot when they are in close proximity to each other. This too will pass. :)

The "little kids" table including Tyler, Daniel, Benjamin, and Sophie. :) The big kid table (in the back of the picture) was where Andrew and Noah, and then Tim and I sat. Upon sitting down, Noah said to me "you are going to make the table sink." The ground was soft from all the rain and yes, it did sink upon me sitting down but there is nothing like a little truth from kids mouths to set you straight!! :)
After having some yummy hamburgers and hotdogs, it was time for cake!! I SOO wish I had a video of us singing to Tyler, but you will just have to enjoy the next few pictures instead. It was PRICELESS to see his face go from a little confusion to looking around at everyone singing to him and him realizing that this whole party thing was for him! His face just LIT up and was SOO sweet.

The wind blew at just the perfect moment to help him blow out his candle since he still doesn't get how to do it correctly. :)

He definitely enjoyed his cupcake and grazed on it for quite awhile.

Time for presents!!!

He had a lot of help with opening his gifts. :)

Love his face in this one :)New tent/travel bed from Grandpa and Grandma Carr!

Megan being held back...she wanted in on the action too! Your turn is coming baby girl! All too soon...Bubbles!!!! Another good view of Tyler's lack of being able to blow correctly.
So sweet! Sophie loved the bubbles!

The balloons were a hit!!

It ended up being a lot more chilly than I had originally thought. You can never trust those weathermen I tell ya. So cousin Cherith did a lot of snuggling. :)

The wagon was also a hit with the kids! All 3 of the boy cousins together...Andrew, age 3 1/2, Tyler, age 2, Daniel, age 2 1/2

Sophie and Tyler LOVED it after all the other kids had gone. Could be a cute picture someday if they ever date. ;) jk

Megan may not have been able to have any cake or ice cream or open any of the presents, but I don't think she was left out. :) She had a great time too! She loves her Bubby, that's for sure!

We are so very blessed to have so many people in our life that love and care for our kids and are there to encourage and support us along our parenting journey. Happy 2nd Birthday, Tyler!!! Here's to many many more!