Merry Christmas

Danica colored a picture of the Grinch (he is in blue on the right) and Max, the dog (he is in red on the left) just before bed last night. Have a blessed holiday weekend!

11 Months Old

Jasper is 11 months old, hard to believe yes, glorious that he is becoming more and more independent......yes (I think). He is beginning to talk more and more an some of the words we have accomplished are: bath, ball, puppy, and eat and of course mama and dada. He took one step on Sunday and has begun to bear crawl on occasion as opposed to the traditional method, so I think he is on his way to wanting to get around standing up and to see the world from a "grown up" perspective. We are all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus and at this moment Danica has chosen to give Santa a very special gift this year, her pacifiers. We will see if she truly pulls it off, I have every confidence in her, especially since she believes Santa is going to give them to some babies whose parents can't get them any pacifiers. Things are good at the Green house, we have much to be thankful for and we wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and Blessed 2011!

That was then....this is now.

I guess this time of year many people begin to reminice and think about family (the good, the bad and the ugly). My brother and I have come along way since my first ride on the Murphy Trac in the barn at Mer Mer and Pa Pa's and it is hard to believe that my little ones are old enough to peddle the same tractor and even more fantastic that they can do it in the prescence of a great grandma. I guess no matter the struggles or wars of words we all need to remember where we came from, even if it isn't fancy, it made us who we are today. We may be in a place that we never thought we would be, doing something we weren't really sure we would be doing and firmly planted in something that is still growing each and every day.

As I get older, for me, this time of year is not about all the "stuff," gifts, dinners, parties, etc., it is about trying to remember, or maybe even learn who it is I really am, and how I can make things better for my children and others around me. We survived the first bought of the Holiday season, with mearly a scratch, may the Lord bless our family (immediate and extended) and friends for the remainder of 2010 and into 2011.

10 months....and a Hornet fan!

Happy Halloween!

A visit with Dr. John!

Our 9 month check up has come and gone. Dr. John signed off on Jasper with flying colors. Good heart, lungs, ears and throat. Jasper weighed in at 22 lbs 9 ozs ( 75th-95th%) and 30 inches long--2 1/2 feet tall at 9 months old.....holy heck Batman (90th-95th%). We enjoyed dinner with the Heits family after Jaspers appointment and then made it home in time for bath and bed.

9 months old....and other random thoughts from a mom.

So why is it that after you become a mom it doesn't take much to excite you, cause you to tear up at the wierdest and sometimes grossiest things, and the littlest things make you the proudest. 9 months ago I would have told you I didn't think I was going to survive raising two children, now granted I am no where near being done yet, but wow what joy it is having two children and yes even having two children 19 months apart.

I just got them both tucked snugly into bed after a good 20 minutes of crawling around chasing each other, roaring like Sully in Monsters Inc. At one point our beautiful Danica stopped the chase rolled over on her back looked in my eyes and said "we are having fun!" That is priceless, so small, but so meaningful to a working mom who sometimes feels like all we get done is putting food in our bellies and shuffling from one spot to the next. On Tuesday night I actually started tearing up when my 2 year old asked me to go to the bathroom with her, we read a Golf magazine, and she, by her own will, pooped in the potty. Yes, I teared up. There is no parenting book or magazine out there that prepares you for that moment when they finally get it--Danica, knock on wood, has had no potty accidents all week, none, not one. It is true, so many moms have told me, one day they just wake up and get it. Gross to find joy in a toddler smelly poop, yes. Weird that it makes me sad because my baby girl is truly becoming a little girl, I doubt it.

Jasper....9 months old, eating our dinners now, getting 4 teeth at this moment to bring his grand total to 6. He loves to play with trucks and cars, giggles when you play peek a boo, and is beginning to enjoy books a bit more. He has his 9 month check up on Tuesday and we are all eager to here our "little guys" stats.

It is the little things that mean the most, the little tug on the back of your legs from your youngest pulling up to get a little closer to you, the simple words "your supper is yummy" from a toddler who just the night before wouldn't touch the food on her plate, the little kiss a sister give her brother just because and the peaceful moments of reflection each evening after they are safely tucked in.......so you won't forget.

PaPa Charlies Pumpkin Patch

Well it wasn't the best day for a trip to the Pumpkin Patch, but as a working mom, you do what you can. Danica and I thoroughly enjoyed our trek through the hay maze and you couldn't beat the deal on pumpkins and mums. Rain or not, it was a glorious day with my children and that is really all that matters!

8 Month Old!

Holy cow....Jasper is 8 months old. Things are super busy at our house and it is hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and fall is about to begin.

LABOR Day!

It doesn't get much better than sleeping in a swing to celebrate Labor Day. We had a great day off together, well atleast 3 of us did--we missed Daddy who was hard a t work. We ate lunch with Uncle Brian, Madelynn, Mallory, and Mimi and then ran a few errands before heading back home. It was a super busy day but fun to be together!

Jasper is all over the place no corner, cabinet, table, step or door is off limits. He is pulling up to everything and we have the bumps and bruises to prove it. The latest unsafe space to pull up.....the bathtub! Boys sure are trouble : )

7 Months

As you can see we have mastered, or almost mastered pulling up to the step and crawling into the kitchen : ) Where does the time go? Both kiddos have got a case of the runny nose and it would appear that Jasper has a slight ear infection, more than likely brought on by teething--since we soaked through 3 outfits alone today. However, your guess is as good as mine as to where the next teeth will pop in? Maybe we should attempt to make some college dough and take bets? Any takers?

Saturday Fun!

A Saturday, of just being at home. It doesn't get too much better than that, in my opinion. We are headed to the zoo tomorrow to celebrate a week of pottying success at the Green house. KC celebrates the arrival of their Polar Bear on Sunday, so the Green's will be there for the big unveiling.

Have a great week!

6 Month Check Up!

Exhausted....that is me, so this will be short.


Jasper, Danica and I ventured to Liberty for Jasper's 6 month check and shots. Everybody did great and we enjoyed a nice supper out with Blythe and Madelynn too!





Jasper is 28 1/2 inches long and 19 lbs 12 ozs (90th and 75th percentile respectively)

We are taking part in the Lathrop Friendship Festival this weekend, representing the bank--will post some pictures next week!

The Hamilton Bank, Lathrop Facility

For many of you, you know we are in the process of building a new bank branch in Lathrop, MO. We are suppose to open in just about 6 weeks and I wanted to share some of the latest pictures of the outside for you to see. It is truly an overwhelming but so far very rewarding!

6 Months!

It is amazing how time flies. I didn't realize I hadn't posted since our "zoocation." Can you ever forgive me? So much has happened and we have had so many great summer days and evenings with friends and family. I won't ramble on too much, pictures speak a thousand words.....

Jasper got his 6 month pictures taken yesterday, is getting his second bottom tooth cutting to the surface and his "army" crawling like a mad man! We go for his 6 month check up next week so we will let you know how our "little guy" is growing!

Zoo-Cation!

We had a fabulous time in Omaha on our Zoo Cation, Danica is already requesting to "do again." I am now back at work after a week long hiatus and fun in the sun with the kiddos. UGGG! After we returned from Omaha, we spent Thursday tidying up around the house and then Danica and I headed to the pool. On Friday, Danica and I went to Crown Center in KC to check out the Clifford exhibit and hit the grocery store, both days Jasper enjoyed some one on one time with his Mimi and Papa. On Saturday, Kelly took part in his first Polo booster club fundraiser, a golf tournament in Richmond, Danica, Jasper and I went to Ethan's baseball game in the morning and to the pool in the afternoon. Danica, the brave soul no longer digs the zero depth entry portion of the pool but prefers to venture into the 3 foot area and "go under." She also jumped off the diving board 2 times to an awaiting momma in the water.


Jasper got his first taste of the pool on vacation and really seems to enjoy it! He is 5 months old now and is sitting up on his own for a few seconds and is scooting on his belly in a complete 360 degree turn. We quickly discovered on vacation he was ready to eat a few more meals of real food and he is now doing formula throughout the day, only nursing in the middle of the night, and has 3 meals a day of fruits and veggies. WOW how time flies!

I enjoyed a fabulous week off with my family and am already planning our next zoo outing!

1....2 Checkups! Plus a little birthday news!

WOW! What a weekend. We had such a great time at Danica's birthday celebration on Saturday, only to be followed by a great celebration, and somewhat more relaxed, on Sunday for my birthday. We started Saturday by painting Danica's toe nails blue, as requested, and with her favorite at the local diner, bisquits and gravy. She is her Papa's girl : ) After breakfast with Mimi and Papa we were home to receive our birthday "Elmo" cupcakes and get ready for our 2 year birthday pictures. After birthday pictures, which were taken beautifully by our friend Kelly, we took a nap to rest up for our party. With nap over it was on to a few presents from Jasper, mom and dad--books, a trike, some jammies, and a swing set, all concluded just in time for our first guest to arrive, then it was on to playing, pizza, cupcakes and presents! It truly was a great day!Danica and Jasper both had regular check ups with Dr. John this evening. Danica is 37 inches tall (>95th %) and 30 lbs (75-90%). She was excited to see Dr. John and did fantastic.
Jasper was also in good health and Dr. John said we were going to have to just put up with his spit as long as he was having good wet diapers and was happy, which he is. Can you say laundry--our washer is always going. He was 261/2 inches (75-90%) and 16 lbs 8 ozs (50-75%) and his head circumference was 16 3/4 inches (50%).
We did enjoy a little Red Robin with the Heits' before our doctor's appointment, always such a blessing to get a little extra time with them and to see the girls together!

Bring on the Summer!

This weekend brought us fabulous weather and we enjoyed some much needed time outdoors. Danica has been conquering the potty quite well and one of her rewards was time in her swimming pool. She absolutely loves being outdoors and if water is involved, life is that much better!

16 Weeks!

Jasper is 16 weeks old and rolling over, you can't leave the little guy lying just anywhere anymore. We are still battling some congestion and spitting up and were back to the doctor on Monday. They checked his weight and Dr. Paul was not real impressed with his weight gain, only 7 ounces in a month. Therefore, he is having us give him a higher dosage of Prevacid and we do another weight check on Monday. We will keep our fingers crossed.
Danica is battling her 2 year molars, which makes for some nasty diapers...morning, noon and night. I don't think either Kelly or myself have ever felt any worse for her than Wednesday morning when got her from her bed and she was covered in her own "dung," it was a mess. Poor thing--
Both kiddos are happy babies and truly a delight!

15 Weeks!

Jasper is 15 weeks today and is going strong. Just broke out the exersaucer yesterday and he enjoys it for about 5 minutes : )

23 Months

I know a mom must say it a million times, but it is completely hard to believe that Danica is just 1 month away from her 2nd birthday....and what an amazing little girl we have. She has just grown so much in the last few months and is talking up a storm. Some of mommy's favorites right now....Oh Geez, Uh Oh Spagettios, Outside, Help please, and of course I love you. She is truly a blessing and we can't wait to celebrate her 2nd year, Elmo style, next month!

14 Weeks!

Life doesn't get much sweeter! Jasper is such a joy and he and Danica are really beginning to have fun together--he simply smiles at her when she looks at him.

12 Weeks

Jasper is 12 weeks old....now that is hard to believe. We have moved up the straps in his car seat and removed the infant support, he has outgrown his 0-3 month clothing and most of it has been boxed up, and last night in the middle of the night he rolled over from his tummy to his back. How is it possible? I continue to struggle with being at work everyday, but we are getting along. Everyone is beginning to come out of the terrible colds we had, finally! We had Jasper back at the doctor on Monday and he was put on a different round of antibiotics, we finish them tomorrow. But the little booger weighed 14 lbs! Danica is wild as ever and loving being able to play outdoors.