This is a long one...

On Thursday my little Grady Shepherd will turn 6 months old.  Wow.  It is hard to believe he has been with us for a half of a year already.  I feel like I am really just getting to know him, and I am falling completely in love with him.  I feel guilty because I haven’t shared him enough with everyone.  It seems like every story out of my mouth begins with Owen.  Because, well – Owen is Owen.  But lucky me Grady is Grady.

Grady is tough.  He is serious but when he decides to smile it lights up the room.  He loves his brother and already encourages Owen’s foolishness with laughs and giggles.  He loves his Daddy and finds him immensely entertaining. But when it comes down to it he is a Mama’s boy. 

I had a really tough time this post pregnancy, especially those first few weeks.  I can hardly remember them now and what I do remember hurts.  My brother in law Matt and his wife Lauren had their first, a beautiful baby girl named Ella on December 1^st.  As I was holding her and looking at her tiny little self I felt everything inside me crumble and the tears were on my face before I even knew it.  All I could think of was how I missed those first few weeks with Grady.  It hurts my heart to think about it.  But also, I am thankful. 

Thankful for a beautiful Mom and Sister who helped me so much when all I could do was cry.  

 I am thankful for understanding doctors and nurses who never judged but just wanted me to get better. 

I am thankful for an amazing Grandma who prayed for me unceasingly and who always reminded me that I was going to get better. 

I am thankful for Owen whose sweet smile and beautiful face are what I could focus on and what would get me thru when I felt like I was falling apart. 

 

I am thankful for Andy, who would hold me when I felt like running out the door and would remind me that I was tough when I couldn’t get out of bed.  

 And I am thankful to Grady for being an amazingly laid back baby who just was happy to be along for the ride.

I turn 30 on Saturday; someone recently asked me if it was difficult for me turning 30.  I have to say no, a resounding No!  I am excited.  I am excited to see what the New Year brings me.  I am excited I get to be a mom to two amazing boys.  I am thrilled for every day I get to spend with Andy.  I feel like everything is just getting better and better.

How could I be upset about the future when it looks like this?

Worry about nothing, instead pray about everything.  Tell God what you need and then thank him for what he has done.

*Thanks to my friends over at Fidelis Photography (fidelisstudio.com) for AMAZING photos!  And thanks to my talented sister, for an amazing photo of her and my Mom.

Hot-Rod

If you have met Owen you know that he is full of energy.  And laughter, and adventure, and fun! My Granny tells me he reminds her very much my dad.  And then she prays for me.  Ha!

So, as you can imagine when you let them out together you never really know what is going to happen.  Thank goodness that I am a laid back Mama because if not I am sure I might have had a heart attack by now because of their shenanigans.

Grandpa Gary came to visit this weekend.  On their way in to town they passed a carnival that of course caught his eye.

Guess who got to ride a ride brought in to town on a truck?

And he loved every minute of it!

Orange, Circles, Pumpkins

This month at Sonshine School Owen has been learning all about the color orange, circles, and pumpkins.  So, when we told him we were going to the pumpkin patch a week ago you can imagine his excitement.  

It was hard getting a picture of the little guy because it was stimulus overload -Pumpkins, Pumpkins, PUMPKINS!  They were everywhere!  He could not stay still - there were too many pumpkins to try and pick up.  

This pumpkin is HEAVY!

We did get Owen to sit still long enough for one brother pic.  
What cuties!

This little guy was in heaven!  Grady just sat in his bumbo in the middle of all of the pumpkins and people watched.  

I am so photogenic.  The camera loves me!

One shot of all the Throne boys in their baseball caps!  

Side note: When I found out Grady was a boy it cemented the idea in my mind that our house would be accessory free.  Boy was I wrong!  This past weekend I was cleaning up the house and I picked up 15 baseball caps!  They were ranging in sizes to fit a 30 year old to a 4 month old.  

Until Next Time,
The Throne Family
Keeping cap makers for little ones in business since 2008

I Do It Myself

Ahhhh the four words I hear repeatedly everyday...I do it myself.  

If I do not heed these words much wailing, leg thrashing, and general unpleasantness follows.  So, I have begun picking my fights.  Winning an argument over matching flipflops is not high on my list.  

Therefore, Owen went to visit Daddy at the fire station last night in the following footwear.

"I am the coolest kid around, rockin' my mismatched "flop-flops"!"

 

Could I please point out that the 2 year old above is wearing a size 6 month tee shirt?  SERIOUSLY!  The boy only grows up.  Resulting in short shorts and high waters or pants that are actually long enough but sag down to his knees. His berry habit and high metabolism do cause him to be speedy but I do not believe he has a future as a linebacker!

Grady was not impressed with his brother or his footwear.  He did seem terrified of the 10 pound helmet his Father put on his head, but mostly just concerned about when his mother would feed him again.  Hey, You don't get thighs like that by being a vegetarian like Owen!

"How am I supposed to look cute when you are so obviously starving me?"

Seriously, how crazy cute are these three?  I am one lucky (tired) girl!

We Are Still Here

Ummm....... excuse me? Did you say my Mom has a blog???????

I CANNOT believe this!!! Are you saying she hasn't been showing me off?
She hasn't been proclaiming my cuteness? I am so mad!

I blame this Yahoo. He is always up to no good!

I mean sure, he's cute. But you should see the trouble this kid gets into.
And he never quits! He is always Go-Go-Go!

Now don't you worry! Since I have found out about this I will be on her case!
I mean, seriously it should be against the law to keep something this good looking and sweet all to yourself.

He Likes Him! He Really Likes Him!

Well as most of you know Grady Shepherd Throne was born on June 16th.

Saying his big brother likes him is an understatement.

Every day he gives kisses and hugs to Baby "Brudder", and he loves to hold Baby "Drady".

Andy and I like him just a little bit too! :) Although I do have to say being the mom to two boys is a lot more work than being the mom to just one! Also, a lot more laundry, a lot more diapers, and a lot more love too.

I have more recent photos that I need to upload. And, I want to tell all of yall about this great new addition to the family. I am getting a bit better at managing my time everyday. Hopefully I will get even better and get some computer time back! I am way behind!

Now I have to go remind Owen that Baby Brother does not have teeth to eat fruit snacks, but thank you very much for sharing!

-Angela

Camping, Swimming, and Baby Update

Yes, yes, I know. It has been forever. I hope the following pictures will make you all happy!

5th Annual Throne Camp Out

In the middle of May we went on our 5th annual Throne Family Camp Out. We met up with Nana & PaPa and Matt & Lauren at Cedron Creek for a nice weekend of outdoor fun. Owen had a blast.

Owen showing off his camping chair

Doing what little boys do best, getting dirty

He LOVES the water

Pool Party

On Saturday we sent Owen up to stay a week at grandparents. Half the week with Grandma & Grandpa and half the week with Nana & Papa. His week was off to a great start when Grandma & Grandpa had a pool party for him and Taylor yesterday. His love for swimming is probably tied with his love for watermelon! Judging from the photos I received I think he is in for a good week!





Baby News

In baby news, any day now...............

I forgot how impatient, whiny, tired, crabby (and did I mention impatient?) I feel in the homestretch. I had a doctor appointment this morning where I was told that I am progressing and that Grady Shepherd Throne SHOULD be making his appearance this week.

I am still impatient...

I have an appointment on Wednesday to see how things are moving along and if there is anything we can/need/will do to make them move faster.

Praying for patience, contractions, and labor!

A Busy Spring

We have been having a busy Spring so far! We have been loving the weather and spending as much time as possible outside. Here are a few of our Spring memories so far.


Here is a scene from Aunt Chelsy's birthday party. Owen loved the cake just a bit. For some reason the look on his face in this photo makes me laugh every time I see it. He majorly looks like a Phillips!



Easter weekend Owen and Taylor spent two whole days together. And they really did quite well. It is only a matter of time before the two of them are quite the team - she is the brains operations and he is fearless in completing their task. Usually he is always pestering her but we got one snapshot of them playing together.



Owen really loved dying Easter eggs, and for a boy who doesn't pay attention to anything for longer than 5 minutes he did really great.



Sunday was church day and the two little cousins dressed up in their finery!
Let's look at them just one year ago...

Now Easter 2010, quite the dapper couple!


Here is one of Owen cheesing it up.

And finally, a laugh for you. I received an email from my dad with the subject line of "I Think He Is Going to Be a Vet". When I opened it up here is what I found...



O brother!

And speaking of brothers, in baby related news... Things are going great. Still no name yet, but we will figure that out soon enough. Although it might be sooner than we expected! I had an appointment this morning and Baby No-Name was measuring in at 3.5 lbs! So, since big babies don't run in either of our families they measured my tummy and I was clocking in at 3 weeks ahead of schedule just like baby! So, instead of July 1st we are thinking more along the lines of June 16th. Yowzers!

The Boy Keeps Us Hopping

We have been super busy...

Exploring

Eating Ice Cream Cones

Exploring the zoo with Taylor

Picking up sticks

Owen Update

So, the little goober is 17 months old. I think he must have quite a few New Years Resolutions he is trying to accomplish because he is doing new things left and right. Here is a quick update...

Attention! Attention! Crazy driver headed your way!

After the first of the year he started talking and he can't bring himself to quit! Some of the words in his dictionary are: Dad, doggie, Hi, Bye, Night-Night, juice, cat, horse, pig, strawberry, berries, more, please, thank you,mouse, Manny, tools, Oh Toodles!, ball, and Bekah.

Did I mention he is cutting his eye teeth?
He is chewing on everything, even the walls!

He is getting really good at identifying body parts and saying the words along with it. His favorite is finding your eyes. He does this to everyone, every toy, and every drawing in a book.

He has continued to be our champion eater! He finally refused to eat a food the other day, cooked cabbage, which is not completely unreasonable. He is still Bekah's little forager as he will eat fruit and veggies all day if you will let him.

I love this picture!
And, No, I have no idea what he is holding, nor do I want to.

He loves going to Sonshine School. Every Tuesday and Thursday he gets excited when we pull into the parking lot. He starts asking "Ah-ree?" "Ah-ree?" Aubry is he partner in crime at school. the two of them give their teacher a run for her money!

What? You don't let your kid accessorize with koozies?
Also, waaaa I miss the hippie hair!

He had his first major haircut. I cried, my stomach felt sick, and for a few days I couldn't look at him without feeling horrible! But, I am remembering my own words now, "Hair grows back", and he loves to spike his hair!

In New Baby news, I am 19 weeks along and feeling pretty good. I am pretty tired and I have a sporadic appetite this time around. The baby is a mover and a shaker. I got a little worried last week, I felt pretty bad and I had Braxton Hicks contractions all day long. But then I was told that you can have them earlier and more with a second baby so that put me at ease.

We get to find out if Owen is having a baby brother or baby sister next Wednesday! I am excited and I am hoping it will help us out in the naming department. I forgot what a challenge that is!

Christmas in Pictures

We had a great Christmas. Or should I say Christmases? We got Christmased out that is for sure! Here are some pictures to enjoy!

Checking out his treasures from Aunt Lauren and Uncle Matt.

Owen in his new coat.

Playing with Taylor's Cinderella baby doll. He loved it!

Handy Manny - The boy loves him!

Helping Dad unwrap.

Checking out his loot from Santa.

Helping Mom make Christmas breakfast. He is such a help!