BIRD IN THE HOUSE, BIRD IN THE HOUSE, BIRD IN THE HOUSE...

They day before Scott deployed, he and Andy were packing in the garage. When Kaitlyn and I went out to spend time with them, we noticed an adolescent blue jay trapped in the garage. It wouldn't fly out of the wide open garage door even when we tried to chase it out. It was so tired and pitiful, and would sit between the garage door and ceiling panting.

The guys had to drop their bags off in the afternoon, and I honestly forgot about the bird. When Andy came in later, I heard something above me, and the little guy had flown into our house! I was feeding CJ in the kitchen, and I couldn't really process what was going on, so all I could do was yell, "BIRD IN THE HOUSE, BIRD IN THE HOUSE, BIRD IN THE HOUSE" over and over again until they all acknowledged the problem.

I obviously grabbed my camera, Scott and Andy tried to catch it in their Stetsons, and Kaitlyn kept it from flying into our living room with 14 ft. tall ceilings. That would have been a disaster.

Here is the little guy...

He ried to fly out our window, and Andy was able to pin him against it in his Stetson. But then he got loose when they tried to take him out the door.

Then he tried to fly into the living room, but Kaitlyn was a good blocker.

He then took a little rest on an air vent near the top of our 10 ft. kitchen ceilings. Finally Scott threw his hat in the air to spook him, and...

He flew right into Andy's hat! I'm not kidding. He just flew right in and looked at us. Luckily Scott grabbed his ball cap and quickly trapped him between their hats.

Even luckier, the bird didn't go to the bathroom in either of their hats!

natalie's dance recital...

Since I don't have brothers and sisters, I never thought I would get to be an aunt. I am so blessed to be an aunt to Chris, Tyler, Kayley, Lexi, Jayden, Natalie and Nathan. I love these little ones more than I can express. Last weekend almost the whole Hetzel clan traveled to Chattanooga to see Natalie perform in her ballet recital. I know I am biased, but she was really the best one out there in both her ballet and tap piece. You know she is the leader when she is smack in the middle, and all the other little girls stop dancing, look at her, and then start again. She never missed a beat. I was so proud if my dress had buttons, I might have busted them. I also am a little jealous because I am the exact opposite of graceful, and Natalie floats.

We didn't get any pictures of her in costume, but here she is after the recital...

She received six roses from her dad this year, one for each year she has been dancing. So sweet...

And here she is with the rest of the family...

fun in the sun...

We are currently on a whirlwind, visit the grandparents, vacation tour. (Please don't rob our house now that you know Scott is deployed and we are gone...the alarm is on and our neighbors are looking in on things!) Our first stop was Chattanooga to see my niece's dance recital-pictures to come. Then CJ and I headed down to Florida for a few days. We had lots of fun with Nannie and Papa and had a nice surprise when Uncle Buddy and cousin Jayden came to play for almost two whole days! CJ loved being around Jayden. I love that they will be able to grow up together and always have a playmate.

The first day we went in the pool CJ was a little unsure; he didn't want to be out of my arms. Jayden on the other hand was trying to jump out of Nannie's arms, into the water, as soon as he got in. The second day Jayden was just as fearless, and CJ did much better.

CJ and mama...

CJ, mama, Jayden and Uncle Buddy...

We tried to get the boys to jump off the side of the pool into our arms. Jayden of course did it, but CJ was way to entertained by the squishy mat. He finally did it, but I think it was unintentional. But he still thought it was lots of fun.

When you look at this picture it looks like I am torturing the poor baby, but these were screams of absolute joy. He loved being dragged through the water on his back. It was hilarious!

He liked to go on his belly too, but I think that was because he figured out he could put his mouth in and get a drink. Silly boy. :)

Then CJ played with Nannie for a little bit. They had lots of fun splashing each other.

Jayden and Uncle Buddy...

And check out this little guy. He loved getting dunked. We couldn't get CJ to hold his breath, but Jayden did it like a pro. When he would come up he would smile and laugh. Such a cutie...

And then after a fun day in the pool it was time to play some more inside. I thought they were too cute playing together in just their diapies...

We have moved on to Texas, are still headed to Tennessee, and then back to Florida for a few more days. I have lots of posts to catch up on, so keep watching for more cuteness!

first owie...

I haven't blogged about this yet, but Scott deployed last Wednesday. :( We miss him, but accept the fact that it is part of his job. And we have been so very blessed this last year with all the extra time we got with him, I can't complain about him being gone for a few months. Luckily though, Scott was still there last week for CJ's first owie. :(

CJ's negligent mom took him to the mailbox with her, and thought he would enjoy walking up the driveway. Unfortunately, he is REALLY fast, and the moment I put him down, he did an immediate about face and started to run down our steep driveway. After about four steps, he hit his knees, and instantly started crying. Soooo sad...

but OK in less than five minutes...

just like daddy...

Scott gets to wear a cool Stetson because he is a Cavalry Officer. Pretty sexy huh? Before he deployed, one of his friends and his fiancee stayed with us for a few days. CJ was enamored with their hats, so I had to take a picture of my two boys. Thanks for letting us borrow the hat Andy!

hummm....

I honestly never thought I would be pondering this question. I swore my kid wouldn't be this kid. I told myself I would be a better mother than this. Then I had CJ.

When I was pregnant, I read books that said babies who sucked on pacifiers didn't latch as well when they were breast feeding, so I made the decision, CJ wouldn't have a pacifier. That worked the first two days in the hospital. When the pediatrician came to release us, CJ was fussy, and the doctor found the horrid, huge pacifier they give you in the hospital and crammed it in his mouth. It was love at first suck.

In retrospect, letting him keep it wasn't the worst parenting decision we have made, nor will it scar the little man long term. That is, unless he goes to first grade with it firmly in his mouth. I have been trying to get CJ attached to a "lovie" to take to bed with him at night in hopes of taking the nook away. You can even see it in the bed. While he thinks it is OK, he has decided his "lovie" will be nooks...lots of them.

CJ also goes from sleeping to crying in about 2 seconds. There is rarely a peaceful wake-up for this little man. Sunday afternoon he was down for a nap, and after an hour or so, we heard him playing over the monitor. Scott and I were puzzled, and I went to check things out. Here is what I found. One nook in the mouth, two nooks in his right hand, and one nook in his left hand. He thought it was the greatest thing.

So I am left to ponder the question. Is it worth taking the nook away from him now when we are going to have a baby who will have a nook in his/her mouth in 7 months? Right now, I'm exhausted, and anything that helps my sleep-hating baby sleep, it OK with me. So all you who think, "I'll never do that when I have kids," beware. It will come back to bite you in the butt.

one year...

One year ago today everything changed for the better. There have been many sleepless night, lots of learning and almost no free time, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Because one year ago today, this guy was born...

8 weeks...

Friday, I was 8 weeks. Wow, does time fly! This pregnancy has been so different emotionally. Whey we finally got pregnant with CJ, it was consuming. We had tried for so long, and from the moment the pregnancy test said, "pregnant," life changed. This time, since I am pregnant while chasing around an almost one year old, there isn't nearly as much time to dwell on all the wonder that is happening. Don't get me wrong, we are so excited, and I am so amazed that I am growing a person, but it is different.

When I first found out I was pregnant, it was a totally different feeling as well. This time I know what being a mom is; it's not some foreign concept. I know how wonderful it is. I know the awe I will feel each day as I look at his/her little face. I know that I will love him/her so much that I want to melt into a puddle every time they smile. I know how I will love snuggling and playing. And when the lady on the phone said, "Congratulations, your pregnant," I immediately looked at CJ, and burst into happy tears.

On the downside, I am also much more tired this time around. When I was pregnant the first time, I was teaching English in Japan. My first class was usually around 10, so I could sleep in if I wanted to. And since Scott got up at 4:30 for PT, we went to bed early. I realized I was getting a solid 9 hours a night. While now if I get 6, I feel lucky. By the time we get to bed, I wake up a few times to go to the bathroom, and CJ is up by 6, nine hours is a dream! My days are also much more active as you can imagine. CJ is a mover, and I am the chaser. :) But I love it and wouldn't change it for a million dollars.

So lots of things are different this time. But the one thing I am VERY thankful that is the same is that I haven't felt sick. I will take the tired and busy over being sick. I am also very thankful for how much I already love this little man/lady. I confess I am a little nervous about having a girl. I don't know what to do with girls...I feel like I know boys, but either way, this little one will be loved just as much as CJ. Just thinking about them both makes me smile and my heart feel full in my chest.

Oh yeah...another thing that is different is that this kidney bean sized baby is already giving me a poochy belly! It is like my body said, "Oh yeah...I know what to do. Spread out!" All my clothes still fit, but I think their days are numbered. I actually pulled out all my maternity clothes tonight just to take stock. Yikes! I was actually looking forward to wearing summer clothes that didn't fit my huge preggy belly last summer, but alas, it will be another year. But oh so worth it.

I took this picture on Friday. Looking at it, I realize now this shirt makes my belly look bigger than it really is, but at least you get an idea. Stay tuned for more...

calloway gardens...

Last week we were able to go to Calloway Gardens. It is only about 30 minutes from our house, so we have wanted to go for a long time. CJ had a great time exploring, and took a killer nap on the way home after so much fun.

His really liked the butterfly atrium. This is the face that is the other side of the point below. There were lots of "oooh" and "ah ah ahs."

Going in for a closer look...

at this little guy. Good thing mommy is faster, and saved the poor butterfly before he ended up in CJ's mouth!

Check out these expressions. I know I am biased, but I really think I have the cutest kiddo in the entire world...He was having such a great time.

And then we were off to explore outside. If you thought, I bet CJ found some treasures, you would be right! First he found a rock...

Then CJ and daddy ran ahead...

And then CJ found a pine cone in a super cool crack in the path.

And then it was time to chase daddy.

But if you thought, I wonder if he put that in his mouth, you would be right again! He quickly figured out you could pull the small pieces of the pine cone off, and that there were just about the size of an O or goldfish. In his mind...perfectly proportioned for his mouth.

GROSS! But I love this little boy, who is 100% boy. I don't know what I will do if the next one is a girl!