It's Been a Year...

Well today is an anniversary for me. I was laid off a year ago today and still am shocked that this happened. I just went back and read the blog post I wrote on the day I was "let go" on my old blog and I was royally pissed - but who wouldn't be. haha 

When I was laid off I had so many emotions going on. Things went haywire and I never thought in a million years I'd be where I am today. 

It took me about 6 months to get over the fact that I was let go. I had worked for 17 straight years and to all of a sudden find myself jobless was just horrifying. Now that I look at it, I couldn't be more happier.

I don't have the stress of a boss anymore. I don't work for hypocrites anymore and I am loved by the most amazing men in my life!!

I also got Colt.

Colt was conceived a week after I was laid off and in my post that I had written I had mentioned I was ready for something good to happen to Jeff and I. We were ready for a new path. Well a couple weeks later I find out I'm pregnant, then a couple months later Jeff gets a new job which is enabling me to stay home.

I guess we got our answer.

We still have a long way to go, but I can tell you that this past year has been amazing. Cash is my little buddy and loves life so much and his dad more than anything in the world. Colt just loves the fact that he can cry, eat and sleep! haha 

So would I go back to work if that company ever asked me back?

HELL NO!!

I'm happy right where I am at and I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world. 

Here's to the anniversary of me being laid off! Best thing to happen to me and my family!

Getting So Big!

 This is unusual to catch a picture of a happy Colt. Usually he is screaming at the top of his lungs, but I love him anyways! He is happy when he wants to be and can make you want to tear your hair out the next, but he is getting to be so smiley and talking a lot! He looks grown up in this pic so I had to post it!

My friend Shanda took this pic of Cash the other day (I cropped it to show him). I don't know what it is, but he looks soooo grown up in this pic!! He looks like he could be 2 instead of 15 months. Everyone thinks he is older then he is too, which could be a good thing, but a bad thing when he actually does get older! hahaha 

Anyways, just wanted to show off my boys!

Can you tell I'm a proud mama! haha

Cash's Stats!

So Cash just had his 15 month checkup and it was great! Well, besides the shots part of it, but he is doing soooo good!

Playing in mom's pans!

He keeps moving up the percentile in weight at 69% for his weight of 25.9 lbs. In heighth he is in the 76% at 32.1 inches! He has grown two inches and gained two pounds since his 12 month appointment. I figured that if he keeps at this rate, he could be over 6 feet tall! His doctor loves him to death and said he is one of the most mellow kids he has to check on. Cash is always so good for him while he is being checked. Sometimes I wonder who the kid is because when he is at home he is going 100 mph!! He never stops!

Cash has been a blessing to us. Not only is he a good brother, he is the laughter in our family. This kid is always doing something to make us laugh and he laughs just to make us laugh. We did have an incident a few weeks ago and he fell down a flight of carpeted stairs. I can tell you it was one of the scariest moments I have had since becoming a mom. I flew down the stairs to get to him and he only ended up with a good shake up and a black eye. The doc said we got really lucky and to be happy he is so strong.

Cash is starting to talk a lot now and understands more then he can say. One day I just know he is going to spit out sentences left and right, but right now I will be greatful he is such a smart boy.

Update on Colt: This kid is growing like a weed!!! He's already into 3-6 month clothes and some 6-9 month clothes and he is only 3 months old! He has been cranky still but is starting to come around. He has been a really fussy baby and it's been hard, but we love him. I've started giving him rice cereal before bed and he sleeps for about 8-9 hours before waking up. It's been great!! He is so smiley when he wants to be and is starting to talk a lot. He loves to watch Cash and smiles at him all the time. We are so blessed to have this little dude in ourlives as well and can't wait to see how he develops!

Fun Outside

Since it was a nice day today, Cash and I took a little stroll over by the park and played for a little bit while his brother was sleeping. We are lucky that we have a park that is right next to our apartments and this summer should be fun for Cash since he'll be able to play there! Sad all the rain we just got melted the snow, now it's all muddy - but hey, at least we had fun!

Colt's New Stats

So this past Monday Colt had his two month appointment and I must say - I was very proud of how much he has grown! He is going to be my little chunker and I'm amazed at how big he is getting. We have had a rough two months of crying and fussing, but ever since his shots on Monday he has turned a corner and is happy once again. He is pooping on his own finally and things are doing good! We have also put Colt into Cash's room so they are sharing now. We thought that it was going to be a rough go for awhile, but honestly it has been the best transition ever! Cash is now giving Colt hugs and kisses and not hitting him as much. He hits him for fun, but he loves to give him hugs now! Also when I have to get up and feed Colt in the middle of the night, Cash actually sleeps through it so it has been a good thing!

Here are his new stats:

Head Circumference: 15.4 inches (went from 10% at two weeks to 24% at 2 months!!)
Weight: 11.95 pounds (went from 10% at two weeks to a whopping 50% at two months!)
Height: 22.52 inches (went from 28% at two weeks to 27% at two months). He dropped a little bit, but if he's like Cash, he'll catch up to this and surpass it pretty fast!

Cash's next appointment is his 15 month appointment and that's at the end of the month. Then, we will have Colt's four month appointment at the first of March :-)

Two Reasons...

I love being a mom!

#1 - I get to see this little boy everyday!! I have never seen a boy filled with so much joy for life and the ability to love everyone with everything he has!

#2 - Even though this little dude has been so cranky for the past month and a half, the fact that he can look at me and have a huge grin on his face makes my heart melt! He is such a blessing like his older brother!





And to add a third reason...

It's because of this man! He is such a wonderful father and I have never seen someone loves his boys as much as he does!











Jeff - thank you for always being there for these little dudes and being the person you are. I know that they are going to grow up to be strong independent men because of you!

What a Year...

Oh boy, is it really the end of 2010? I can't believe how fast this year went and honestly, I think now that we have it behind us - I can breathe a sigh of relief.

He couldn't be a better husband!

I will start off by saying that it wasn't an easy year for us, actually the past couple of years haven't been easy. Things have come and gone, eventually gotten worse, then gotten better. Both Jeff and I have grown so much, not only as individuals but as a couple. We have been through a lot of trials, but I believe they are slowly coming to an end. Because of this, I am bound and determined to make 2011 the best year we have had so far.

Things that have happened this year - starting in January:

January

Cash is 3 months old!

I went back to work after being on maternity leave - only to find out that there was a lot going on and everything got messed up while I was gone. Cash turned 3 months old and started his round of shots during this month (we found out he doesn't like them at all!)









February
Well, after being back at work for a month, I found out on Feb. 12 that I was being laid off. Needless to say I wasn't too happy about it, but things happen for a reason. I went through a lot to try and get my severance and am so glad I'm rid of the company that I had worked for.

March
Well, it happened again - I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT! Needless to say I was in a state of shock and couldn't believe it. Jeff was stoked and that helped me feel a little better about it. Also, started receiving my unemployment.

April

At his first Bee's game!

Cash turns six months old and went to his first baseball game! He is growing up so freaking fast. Also, during Easter weekend my friend took me to the ER because I started bleeding - A LOT!! I thought I had lost the baby, but learned that it was still there. Jeff also turned 32 on April 6 and on April 22 Jeff and I celebrated our four years of being together!





May
My darling niece Bentley Brynn turned one! She is a doll and I love her so much. Jeff also started a new job during this time which is going to enable me to stay home.

June

IT'S A BOY!

Because of my insurance being taken away from me, I have to switch doctors and hospitals with the baby. I'm halfway done with my pregnancy and we find out that we are having another boy! Also, Cash started fully crawling on his 8 month birthday. :-)







July
Not much went on this month, we started enjoying Cash a lot more since he was more mobile and learned that he loves to go everywhere we do!

August
Again, not much happened this month, being pregnant and having a young one - we didn't do much.

September

Cash is 11 months old!

I turned 32! I can't believe how fast time is going by and honestly being in my 30s has been a big change for me. We decided to renew our apartment lease for another 9 months because we are unable to move up to Woods Cross.

October

Colt Jefferey Hawkins, born Oct. 29

BUG TURNS 1!!! We can't believe that our little bug turned one on October 27. It's crazy how fast time flies and it seemed like yesterday that he was just born. Two days later (at 3:30 a.m.) my water breaks a week before my scheduled c-section. At 8:02 a.m. Colt Jefferey Hawkins comes into the world! Our boys are officially 1 year and 2 days apart!





November
Jeff is working a lot! After being home for a week (and sick none-the-less) Jeff went back to work and went back to 12 hour days for two weeks. We celebrated Thanksgiving with my fam and I cooked this years dinner. :-) Cash starts officially walking during this month!

December
Well, things are crazy on the home front as Cash is into EVERYTHING!!! We struggled financially like we have all year, so Christmas was a very small Christmas this year. Jeff and I have taken one step closer to having financial freedom and we should have everything taken care of by the end of January. Cash is also getting four new teeth to add to the 8 he already has. He is growing up so fast, we don't know where the time has gone!

Well, there you have it. Our year in review... I could have gone into more detail, but that would have been boring! haha I hope that everyone has a great New Year and remember to also keep smiling.

I've definitely learned:

WHAT DOESN'T KILL YA, MAKES YA STRONGER!

My family is complete!

Here's to new beginnings in 2011~