I love when he does this

It has become a daily ritual for Donovan to play with his fridge farm in the afternoons and dance while I watch Gilmore Girls (I never watched it before, but now it is on everyday on ABC Family). He is so stinkin cute. He is even more funny when I try to show him my dance moves. He watches me like I am a moron and when I stop dancing, he goes back to where he left off.

A fun weekend and a tribute to Hannah

Our weekend started off great. Jordan came over and watched Donovan on Friday night so Bradley and I could go out. We went to dinner at Quaker Steak (haha, I bet you are jealous Hannah!) and went to look for slip covers for our couch. If you haven't seen or noticed our couch in any of our pictures, this is what Donovan has done to it. He likes to bite and tear it. Such a destructive child! So if anyone knows where we can get inexpensive slip covers that he can't bite into, we would love to know (we only spent $200 on our couch, love seat, and chair combined so we don't want to spend more than that on slip covers).I finally got him to do some sign language on video. He loves to say "ball" and knows where every ball in the house is! He also knows where to find the balls on the sport mural out in the common area in our building.


Brad had a practice on Saturday morning so Donovan and I just played while we waited for him to get back.
I think he looks more like a little boy than a little baby in these pictures. He is so handsome.
When his daddy got home, they watched Playhouse Disney and snuggled.
Iowa Western had games this weekend, so we got to enjoy some soccer action. The women played on Saturday and the men played on Sunday. We sat by David and Joyce on Saturday and Michael Lively played with Donovan.

Joyce was tickling Donovan with the bug spray bottle and he seemed to enjoy it.

What is this face?
Michael Lively showed up on Sunday's game too and gave me a nice little break. I walked around with Donovan for what seemed like the entire first half and needed a break. Michael was very patient and followed Donovan wherever he led him while keeping him out of danger...and mud.


Here you go Hannah, Lenna and I still need to get a picture with both boys in their awesome UTEP t-shirts. We miss you, but we are glad you are having fun in Texas!!

Worst Doctor's visit ever!

Before I start ranting about our horrid 2 hour visit to Dr. Jones, I will give you Donovan's stats. He is a healthy 26 1/2 lbs and 31 inches. Still in the 90th percentile for both.

The visit itself wasn't too bad. Dr. Jones was kind as always and remembered who we were and commented that Donovan looks more and more like his dad every day, all he needs is the dark hair. He is very nice and we like him, but apparently they had a few emergency visits today because we sat in the waiting room for 1 hour. Sitting in the waiting room for an hour by myself would be bad enough, but with a one year old who wants to get up and explore everything and get into all kinds of mischief is not very fun. We also had the worst experience we have ever had with shots. An unfamiliar nurse gave him his shots and she was extremely slow. I guess we have just been spoiled with Nurse Karla, but it was horrible! It prolonged the screaming for sure and he was a little more traumatized than usual. He didn't calm down until we left the office, but we had to go to the lab to get his finger pricked to check his hemoglobin and iron levels. Supposedly that is an Iowa law, whatever. The lab tech was pretty nice but you could tell he wasn't extremely comfortable with children. Donovan did not love him. As soon as he was pricked he started screaming. It took about 25 seconds to get both samples he needed, but it felt like 25 minutes! My poor child was traumatized twice in one day and there was nothing I could do about it. Once we got out of there he was fine, but then he fell asleep in the car. I got him home and wanted to feed him lunch so he wouldn't nap on an empty stomach, but he could not keep his eyes open, so I gave him some milk and put him in his bed. I think he was asleep before his head hit the mattress. Poor little boy, I really hope he gets a good nap, he needs and deserves it. Considering all the trauma and length of time we spent there, he did very well and I am proud of my sweet little boy.

So frustrating

I love my child very much, but some days are better than others for me to show that love. He has been trying my patience a little the last week or so. He is starting to push his limits to see what he can get away with. I feel like I am constantly telling him "no" and standing in front of things that are off limits. He works pretty hard trying to push me out of the way and screaming at me until he gets distracted by something else. I'm trying really hard to be consistent but sometimes all the tantrums make it discouraging. It seems like all he wants to do is walk around, make messes, and get into everything he's not supposed to. He is a little better today, but yesterday and the day before were extremely frustrating. Sometimes I get so upset with him, and then he gets a cute little grin on his face and I can't help it, all of my anger melts away and he is my sweet little baby boy again. It really isn't fair. As much as I love him, I am in dire need of a day off. Brad has worked the last 4 weeks straight, he has worked at least 10 hours a day every single day. I guess we both need a day off!!

One more thing. I want to try weaning Donovan off the bottle soon, but I don't really know how to go about doing it. I have had a few suggestions from Lenna that I will try, but if those don't work, does anyone else have a good idea?

Happy Birthday Bradley!!!

Today is Brad's 25th birthday. He is getting old! I met him almost exactly 4 years ago. I remember being at soccer practice and we were singing happy birthday to one of the girls and the boys started singing to Brad. We thought they were doing it to be rude, but it really was Brad's birthday...and I do think they were making fun of us a little bit. That is one of the first memories I have of him, though I didn't know it was him at the time, I didn't even see him until the next day. On our first road trip, my friend Tiva and I were checking him and Jordan outon the bus and I said I was going to marry him. When we passed each other, he winked at me and it gave me butterflies. Of course at the time I was just being a silly dramatic girl with a huge crush on the "hottest" guy I had ever seen (in real life anyway :), but when I really got to know him, I knew I was going to marry either him or someone just like him! He is such a good person. He is a great provider for our family, he works so hard! I couldn't handle the hours that he works, but he does it with very little complaint. I think I complain more about his hours than he does! He is a great dad to Donovan. Whenever Donovan hears the key in the door, he knows exactly who it is and jumps up to greet him with a big grin on his face signing "dada". He may be a little frugal for my taste, but he is great with money and has made sure that we will be taken care of now, and in the future. He may not be the most sensitive husband in the world, but he really listens to me if I need to talk and is there for me when I need him most. I know he wishes he could spend more time with us and help out more with Donovan, but we appreciate all that he does do. I need to show my appreciation more often, I admit that I get a little down when he is gone so much, but I am working on it. It is because of him that I am able to stay home with Donovan.

Happy Birthday Bradley!! We love you so much and really do appreciate the things you do for our family!

videos

I tried to post these videos yesterday but Blogger was being stupid. Here he is enjoying his awesome new toys! I even got him to blow kisses.

So spoiled

Donovan has got to be one of the most spoiled one year olds I have ever known. Yesterday, we went with Joyce to Toys 'R Us to pick out Donovan's gift from his Granny and Papa. We found an awesome Mickey Mouse toy that he wouldn't stop playing with. He screamed at me when I tried to pick it up, he wanted to keep playing! Joyce got him a shopping cart because she knows how much her grandson loves his and knows that Donovan likes to play with Mason's. His soccer Mickey has already found a home in the basket. He is so cute with his new toys, but the ones I got him for his birthday are getting neglected...oh well, as long as he is happy! Thank you Joyce! And thank you Granny and Papa, we looked at the wagons but decided we would get one when we move...someday. He loves his new toys!!

A little disturbing...

Donovan and I went to Walmart today and I overheard one of the most disturbing conversations. It wouldn't have been so bad if these little girls weren't 10 years old!! We were walking past the little girls section and I heard this skinny little girl saying, "I can't go to McDonalds, I am on the low carb diet." First of all, she was tiny. Second of all, she was 10! Am I the only person who finds 10 year old dieting a little disturbing? I don't think I worried about my weight until at least high school, and even then it was ridiculous! I know I complain about my weight sometimes, but what is the world coming to when a 10 year old girl thinks she has to be stick thin? I know this probably sounds like a total cliche, but I think the whole weight issue is getting ridiculous. Hollywood needs to stop making anorexic women look so glamorous and focus more on women like "Callie" on Grey's Anatomy, she is gorgeous and she doesn't have to be 100 lbs to be so. Or look at Jennifer Love Hewitt! I don't believe she is a size 2, but good for her for standing up and loving her body for what it is. No man on this earth can tell me she isn't beautiful. Anyway, this was mostly for me but I had to get it out somehow. Our poor 10 year olds need to develop a more positive self image that isn't based on their size.

a year and a day

Donovan's birthday party went pretty well last night. I don't think you can really call it a party though. We ate pizza and waited around for Jordan to come over before we opened presents...he took too long so we started without him anyway.Of course, Mason helped out with opening the presents. He is a professional you know. I think he had like 5 birthday parties this year.
Surprisingly enough, Donovan was actually interested in his presents and not the wrapping paper! It made it that much more fun. He was still playing with them this morning, so he likes them. He got cars and a doodle pro from Lenna, Scott, and Mason. We got him a phone and two other fun toys, I'm not really sure what they are officially called, but one of them has a hammer to hit balls into holes....he mostly likes the hammer. We also got him one of those wooden bead mazes.

I made him a soccer ball cake, I am that talented. Actually I found a soccer ball cake pan, but I followed the lines with frosting, that counts for something!

After presents, Donovan tore into his cake. Well, he was actually pretty skeptical at first...

Yes, I accidentally blew out the candle, but I have the feeling he would have tried to grab it or something so I didn't re-light it.After he tasted it, he got the idea and really enjoyed it. The mess was a little irritating for Brad, apparently he thinks messes should stay outside. He didn't have to clean it up though, so I ignored him. Don't mind the conversation in the background...



And now it's all over. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONOVAN!!

I almost forgot, Mason was being so funny. He has a monster voice and it's hilarious. He was being funnier before I could get the camera out. This video isn't as funny as it was in person.

Happy 1st Birthday Donovan!!

I can't believe our baby boy is a whole year old! The time has gone by so fast. We just went to get his pictures taken today, so you will get to see his one year pictures in a couple of weeks, they turned out pretty cute even though all he wanted to do was walk around. He has mad walking skills by now and doesn't care to do much else. He walks up and down hallways and in circles. He tries to run occasionally, but still trips. He loves to kick and sign "ball", even though his sign for ball is the same sign for "more", we are working on a distinction. We are going to have a small party tonight since we only have a few family members and close friends around. I will post the fun cake and present pictures tomorrow. You will probably get a few posts about his birthday because the Silvey grandparents sent us some money to get an awesome present and I want to go with Bradley to pick it out.

Anyway, we love our little cutie so much, here are a few (okay, way more than a few) pictures from the last year.




He is such a little sweetie and makes our lives so much better. He has a big heart and a fun personality. We are so blessed to have him, even if we weren't planning on him being here with us for another 2 years :). We wouldn't change a thing!!

It's true, he can really kick the soccer ball

I think he dribbles better than I did in college, but I was still faster (I have to beat my child at something, he's only one).



He was going for the David Beckham look, notice his chiseled abs and pecs.

Donovan's tag

List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself.

3 joys:
food
Mickey Mouse
My parents, most of the time

3 Fears:
This does not apply to me, I have no fear. I still go head first off the couch.

3 Goals:
Learn how to go down stairs so my mom will chill and let me play on them.
Walk faster! I still can't keep up with Mason
Wean myself from the bottle before Wednesday (yes, it's my birthday and I am expecting some awesome presents)

3 current obsessions/collections:
I am obsessed with Mickey Mouse
My parents collect all things soccer for me, I think we have at least 7 soccer balls in the house
I love phones, I cry when nobody lets me play with them

3 random facts about myself:
I have a raspberry sized pyogenic granuloma on my stomach from when I was born, it is fading but still there.
I can kick a soccer ball all by myself, and I have only been walking for a few weeks.
My parents were going to name me Owen until I was born, after another soccer player, Micheal Owen. They are obsessed, someone should tell them to get a life, I can't imagine what they would name a girl if I ever had a sister.

I tag nobody, this ends with me.

I was tagged...

I have never been tagged before and I was okay with that, but now it has happened. Thanks a lot Raelynn ;)

How to play this game of tag: Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names.

3. Joys.

Donovan

Bradley

Running and reading (though I hardly ever take time for either)

3. Fears.

Needles (I hate shots more than anything in this world)
Spiders

Something bad happening to me or anyone in my family (I am a little paranoid)

3. Goals

Buy a house

Get in better shape!

Be a more patient mom

3. Current obsessions/collections

Blogging

Donovan's 1st birthday!

I seem to buy a lot of candles/air fresheners. I get so bored with one smell. It drives Brad nuts.

3. Random facts

My parents thought I was going to be a boy before I was born and called me Nicholas while I was in the womb (if I recall correctly), and when I came out my dad wanted to call me Lou Lou.

My two favorite places besides home are North Carolina and Disneyland.

I like watching Food Network during Donovan's naps and after he goes to bed...I have actually found a few pretty good recipes.

I tag Kirsta, Lenna, Tia, Hannah, and Heather (or Caleb, whoever has the time)

It seems like I haven't blogged in a while. I have been immersed in Breaking Dawn since last night and it seems like a week has passed. If you haven't read the Twilight series yet, you should. I know it sounds like a silly teenage girl series with all the little girls swooning over Edward (I admit, I am one of them), but the books are very well written and the story is captivating. I am now finished and I will only say, for the sake of those who have not read it, that I am satisfied with the ending and my life can go on.

I have to admit that I did neglect my child and husband a little today, but Donovan was fed and still got his naps, I think I am entitled to a Baby Einstein day every now and then. Don't worry, with the guilt of today, Donovan will have plenty of his mother's attention and love tomorrow. Now onto my cute little boy and all the fun new things he is learning...This was after he I found out that he can climb on the couch by himself. What a cute little stinker.Jordan is nice and lets Donovan play with his phone sometimes, it is more indestructible than ours. He puts anything and everything up to his ear nowadays and says "hello", well sort of, that is what he is trying to say at least. Now anytime he sees a phone he puts his chubby little hand to his ear and makes his "hello" attempt. It is so stinking cute I can hardly stand it.

He also likes to make elephant sounds. He lifts his little arm like a trunk and does the "brrr" sound. I will have to take a video of it some time because it is so cute. He does it randomly, but mostly when he is working on his puzzle that has an elephant (thanks Tia!).

I can't believe he will be 1 year old a week from today. The time has gone by so fast, yet it seems like we have had our little Donovan forever.

Way to go Donovan!

I guess I will stop holding out. Donovan is getting really good at walking. He actually prefers walking over crawling most of the time, unless he wants to go really fast. He tries to run sometimes, but it doesn't end well, so he doesn't do it very often. I can't believe he will be a year old in less than 2 weeks! He's getting so big!


Brad and I went to see "The Dark Knight" last night and Carver came over to watch Donovan. Supposedly he was very good and went to sleep pretty well, but about 10 minutes before we got home, he woke up. I felt bad since we had left him, so I got him out of his bed and let him hang with us for a little while before we went to bed. He watched "Baby's first signs" with his daddy. He was pretty happy about it.
It's so fun to see him get excited about things. He says "sss" for yes. It is his excited word because I say it when his shows come on.