Two weekends of traveling with a toddler.

We have had a very adventurous few weeks lately and Everett has gotten to experience lot of firsts. Drew's sister Carrie got married in Vegas and asked Drew to walk her down the aisle, Everett to be the ring bearer and me to be a bridesmaid. We didn't hesitate for a minute and started planning our trip to Vegas immediately.

I began to worry about how Everett would do on his first plane ride. It would only be 1 hour and 45 minutes but he is at an age where sitting still for more than 5 min. is a challenge. I shouldn't have been worried though because as usual Everett proved he is an absolute all star! We packed our bags full of snacks, our ipad full of Daniel Tiger and Toy Story and Mom full of Tylenol and were off. Many people remarked as we were unloading that they never heard a peep from Everett. He was quite content to look out the window and watch the ipad while sitting in our laps. We were so proud of him!!

Carrie's wedding was at Mandalay Bay so we all stayed there. On our previous trips to Vegas we have stayed further down on the other end of the strip so I was excited to see some things we hadn't quite gotten to before. After Everett's nap when we first got to Vegas I was ready to see the sights. The three of us walked next door to the Luxor to see an exhibit I have always always wanted to see, The Titanic Artifacts Exhibit. I was unsure of what exactly to expect and was unsure of how Everett would take being pushed through it but once more he proved I should not worry about him and rode through an hour of artifacts without making a sound. I highly recommend this exhibit to anyone who is interested in the Titanic and is ever in Vegas. I was completely fascinated seeing china that had been at the bottom of the ocean for 180 years. Seeing the pattern on the rim worn down by water. Some where in pristine condition and others were cracked or broken. Luggage of passengers were on exhibit as well has hair brushes, mirrors and some accessories. What was one of the coolest parts was they had on exhibit a 26 foot piece of the outside of the boat. What they call the "big piece" is an unbelievable sight to see and even more interesting to find out how they have preserved it and what took 4 trips to locate and a failed attempt to bring it home. The piece looks massive but when you see it on a map you realize it is a tiny fraction what the real ship consisted of. In the exhibit they have recreated a hallway and room from the third class, the promenade on the first class deck and a luxury suite. I half expected to see Leo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet running from her evil fiance'. It was so awesome and the history geek in me came out fully!

Doing Vegas with a Toddler is much different than what we have experienced before. It meant Everett and I were up in the room with him sleeping and me watching Netflix by 9:30 each night. It was nice to have an excuse to go to bed early and not stay up late in the casino. Mandalay Bay has the Shark Reef Aquarium and Saturday morning we took Everett to see the fish. It was very cool and we saw lots of incredible creatures and size able sharks. There was a portion in the aquarium where you could pet stingray's and Everett had no interest in this whatsoever. We all enjoyed our little walk through the aquarium for the most part!

We found Everett some cowboy boots to wear in the wedding to match the other guys. He was stiff walking in them at first so I put the boots on him everyday before we left for a week to help him get used to the shoes. I was so excited for how precious he was going to look walking down the aisle in his little outfit. The wedding location was outside in front of Mandalay Bay amongst several waterfalls. Everett took a nap before the wedding so I expected him to do quite well. Trouble was there was no one to keep him in the back while the bridesmaids walked down the aisle and Drew was so far away "hidden" with Carrie so no one saw her before she walked down the aisle. The result was that Everett would not let me put him down... at all! So he didn't walk down the aisle, he rode on my hip down and proceeded to cry until I passed him off to his Dad once his duties were finished where he began to wail. So out of character for this child! I grabbed him, left the ceremony to find our diaper bag with snacks and our Meyer bear.  Handed Everett back to his Dad where he continued to sit quietly and eat for the rest of the ceremony. Lesson learned was Toddlers are unpredictable!! The wedding was beautiful and we were so honored to get to celebrate a precious union with family and friends in Vegas.

Sunday most of the other wedding guests had left so we had the day to ourselves. We took Everett down to the wave pool in the morning and following a nap we went shopping.. FINALLY! First stop was the Disney Store where I was determined to get Everett a Sheriff Woody doll since we watch Toy Story like crazy. He spent the rest of the day riding in his stroller with Woody curled up on one side and Meyer on the other. I hit up H&M, Drew hit up the casino and we finished our time off with a little Cheesecake Factory and the Bellagio fountains. 3 days in Vegas with a toddler was plenty of time and although I was exhausted by the end we had a great time!

The next Friday we took off for Broken Bow, OK to the wedding of one of my college friend's Laura Beth. Everett rocked the 7.5 hour car ride down there and we had a great time exploring in the woods of beautiful Beaver's Bend State Park. Everett rocked his same wedding outfit for this wedding and since we learned our lesson he snacked the entire way through the ceremony silently! It was such a beautiful location and amazing weather! We got to spend some great time with old friends that was so good for my soul!

Needless to say this weekend we are thrilled to be spending time at home doing absolutely nothing!

Big News!!

I have taken an unitentional hiatus from blogging but that has not kept life from happening! We have lots of fun stories to share but our biggest news we found out about a week before we moved in with Mom.

Coming in April 2016... Baby Neal #2

We are overjoyed with this news and cannot wait to welcome a new precious baby into our crazy life. Drew and I are both convinced Everett will be a jealous but doting big brother with little brother or sister coming less than 2 months after his 2nd Birthday. 

Since I am now well into my second trimester my nausea and exhaustion have finally subsided for the most part. So far this pregnancy is very much like Everett's with me having run to the toilet only a few more times to vomit. We will find out Nov. 11th if our little babe will be a he or a she! Cannot wait!! We love you madly already sweet one!! 

Everett's 18 month update

I am counting it a success that I am writing this before Everett turns 19 months old, which is a week away, and not focusing on the fact that it's 3 weeks late. We have had a very busy month. We have been living with Mom for about a month now. It has been challenging but also much smoother than I expected. I have been most surprised with myself and how exhausted I am all the time... but more on that another time.

Our sweet boy had his 18 month checkup a few weeks ago and was "perfect" according to the doctor... not that we needed him to tell us that. Everett continues to be the absolute bright spot in our day. Our little bear is not so little, he is weighing in at 26.4 lbs (79%), 32.5 inches long (54%) and with a head circumfrence of 19 inches (75%).  He is a strong, outgoing, thriving little boy who is ALL boy.

Everett has adjusted like a champ to his new surroundings and is loving living with his Nana. Those two truly have a unique bond for one another. Everett loves to "entertain" people when he is around them and always knows how to put on a show. He is running and exploring everything. Picking up anything he can get his hands on including the trashcan. He likes to try and help load the dishwasher but also likes to try and get in it. Everett is so smart it blows our minds. He is obsessed with his bear, Meyer who now travels with him everywhere we go. He will not take naps or go to bed without him. Everett loves to horse around with his daddy, which is what is happening as I type this. He thinks his daddy is truly the funniest person in the world. Everett has gotten a little selfish with his kisses but always hands them out at just the right time to his Mama.

We started a big milestone this past week which I am contiunally feeling guilty about, Everett began Mother's Day Out twice a week. He has only gone once and I missed him every minute he was gone. The teacher told me he slept great on his nap mat, which I was very worried about, and had an overall really good day. I know this will be a good experience for him socially and maybe develop his verbal skills a bit more.

Last weekend Everett had a first with his Dad and they took a boys trip to visit Drew's dad in the DFW area. I was nervous about sending them alone together and Drew was a little worried about the 6 hour drive but they had a blast and a bonding experience that Drew will forever remember. Drew came home saying Everett is the coolest and easiest kid.

Everett is really enjoying giving high-fives and shaking people's hands right now. He thinks it is so funny. He is also sitting longer and more focused watching Disney movies, mainly Toy Story or Daniel Tiger's neighborhood. He drinks like a fish and will down a sippee cup in no time. He also really loves drinking from a straw from Mom or Dad's cup. He loves watching for his Dad to come home from work and going for rides in his wagon. Everett continues to have the sweetest demeanor and smile. He melts me. As his Dad says, "He is AWESOME!"

So 18 months later we couldn't be prouder of the sweet growing boy you are. We love you bear!

A big change is coming

Our little family is about to embark on a major change, one which I know God is completely and totally in charge of. This weekend Drew, Everett and I are moving out of the house we have made a home in and are moving across town in with my Mom.

This is a change that we have prayed about for a long time. Knowing that the living situation with Mom and Nana needed to change and that we were in need of more space this solution is God's answer to months of stress and prayer. That being said, I am not an easy customer for change even when it is doubling our living space and giving us room to expand. I will be sad to leave the house Drew and I spent time as newlyweds in and then brought our precious baby boy home to. The house we spent nights hanging out with our friends in and sleepless nights wondering if we would ever sleep again in after Everett refused to. This sweet little house has given us so many amazing memories and precious moments together.

Our new situation will have a lot of benefits. I will get to be in one place and not spending my days traveling back and forth between Mom's house and mine. I won't worry so much about how she is doing or what she is doing or how Nana is handling her when I am away and can hopefully be more "present" for my days. Of course with the benefits there always comes challenges. Mom will most definitely be a challenge. Her attitude always seems to be better when she is around me and Everett always makes her smile. Drew has a very special relationship with Mom and makes her laugh more than anyone. For these things I am thankful and know that even though we will have hard days, long days there will be moments of laughter and happiness and for that I am excited. Above all Drew and I consider it an honor that we get to spend time helping Mom and taking care of her for as long as we can. I will treasure the memories Everett will make with his Nana and the gift he will have growing up with her in his home and the compassion he will learn from caring for those in need. Throughout all the good and bad days we will continue to trust that this is God's plan and that his plan is perfect for us and our family.

I am most grateful for Drew and his compassionate heart. His willingness and insistence that we move in with Mom and help her as best we can. I married a true winner and man after God's own heart! He has a heart for helping Mom and loving her like his own. He gives me strength and laughter when I feel like I have none left in me.

I am beyond thankful to my Nana and her sacrifice the past 4 years as she has given every single moment of her day to care for Mom in her declining health. Nana has given unconditional love, sleepless nights, and exhausting days one after another amongst more  so that we didn't have to take on such a challenge before we felt ready. Nana has fiercely protected Drew and I's time as a newly married couple and then new parents by giving her own life to care for Mom. This sacrifice I can never begin to thank her enough for.  I pray that as Nana moves into a new chapter of her life, living on her own for the first time, and reconnecting with the things she loves and has put aside to care for Mom that she will find happiness and a new joy for life. And also know that I will always and forever need her help and support!

So if you think to keep our family in your prayers as we embark on changes following the path God has laid out before us!

Everett 17 months

Oh our little Everett is 17 months old and absolutely FULL of personality!! He has become quite the expert walker and is really enjoying his version of running. Everett is into everything, I mean EVERYTHING!

Everett has gotten a few spankings lately for misbehaving but we are learning to pick our battles with him. He is also learning how to wrap his parents around his fingers with a sweet little smile... we are in trouble for sure.

Everett remains the sweetest little boy. He makes everyone laugh around him and usually gives out sugars to those who ask, unless he thinks you want them too much then he makes you wait. He loves to wave to anyone and everyone.

Everett has a little bear, named Meyer, whom he has gotten very clingy too. He has slept with him for the past several months and is now carrying him everywhere with him and will not get out of his bed without him. I secretly love it!

 

I love bedtime and nap time but I miss you so much when you are sleeping my little love. You continue to make everyday and absolute adventure! I am ridiculously blessed to be your Mom and am so grateful for the opportunity to stay home with you everyday! I love you so much little bear!!

Our very own little Walker

We had a Great 4th of July spent at our Powell Family Reunion here in Amarillo. Drew and Everett got to meet family from Nana's side that I haven't seen in years and we had a wonderful time catching up. But the best part of our 4th came later that evening when our little bear FINALLY decided to walk!!

Everett, my love,  you take your time and do things at your own pace. For the past 6 months I have been watching you work on your walking skills but not wanting to take the leap for more than 5 or 6 steps on  your own. Your doctor credited this to your amazing crawling skills and you being comfortable getting around so quickly crawling you haven't felt the need to walk. You spent the past few days watching your little relative Issac walk around and you must have gotten motivated. During our family meal at Ruby Tequila's you were outside playing with your Dad and took off walking. You are the cutest little walker I have ever seen and I am so proud of you!! As your Aunt Cindy said she didn't think your personality could blossom any more but you have flourished even more since learning to walk.  I love seeing  you take risks and challenging yourself with new things! I love and adore you! Let the chasing begin!

Hiking in the Canyon

While Ryan was in town we took a little outing to Palo Duro Canyon. Drew had only been once in his life and Ryan hadn't been in many many years. We loaded up Mom, Everett and the three of us in the car and hit the canyon road.

First up was a little splashing in the creek which was full of water from all of our recent rains. Drew and I got Everett in and shortly behind us Mom came plunging in. She kept saying "I love this, I love this place" and "can we stay forever here." It was pretty precious! We then took a short little hike down a path and Everett got to ride on his Dad and Uncle Ryan's shoulders the whole way. It was a quick little outing but we all enjoyed it... especially Mom who can't wait to go back.

 

 Clearly Everett was not a big fan of the creek and yes we do look a little redneck.