Are You Serious...2nd Grade?

Up & Ready to Go!

Walking in!

Getting Ready to Color a "Central Park Gator."

His Table With 3 Friends From Last Year!

I cannot even believe that today Jayden began the 2nd grade. I really do not know where the time has gone. We went in his room this morning to wake him up and he was all smiles and ready to go. He was very excited to start school after attending open house on Monday. I think seeing his friends and the playground put him back in the "mood." I surprised myself with being more sad this year for some reason. I guess it's just because I realize that with the beginning of each school year, that is just one more year that I feel is gone. :-( In the video that I have posted below, you can see just a little bit of hesitation on his face when entering his classroom this morning. Jeff & I were talking about how he has gone from the "I'm scared because I will miss Mommy to the I'm am scared of the unknown." Does that make sense? He is growing fast...each day we will cherish, even the ones that are "difficult." We love you Jayden and are very proud of you!

Summer 2009 - Florida Vacation

Our Beautiful Boys!

Papa & Q building sandcastles.

Putting the Little Plastic Shovel to Test!

Jeff & Jayden Striking a Pose!

Papa & Jayden at 1,000 ft.

One of their 2 dips into the ocean!

Q (before the wave knocked him down) & Jayden.

An evening playing in the sand.

Us!

Two Very Brave Treasure Hunter's!

Black Beard's Treasure!

Our Family...Summer 2009!

Saturday, August 1st, we headed to Panama City Beach, FL for a summer vacation. We flew out of XNA and arrived at noon. We had 8 full days vacation! A vacation that was much needed for the Chadd family. We seem to find ourselves coming and going on most days, so to get away and have "no" responsibilities so to speak was wonderful. My parents traveled down to stay with us the first 4 nights. The boys were super excited that Papa & Grandma were going to the beach with us.

Our condo was very nice and right on the beach. We were on the 6th floor so the view was beautiful! Our daily routine went like this... Get up, eat breakfast, go down to the beach, go to the pool, come up for late lunch, take a nap, and then either dinner in or dinner out.

Panama City Beach has a mall called Pier Park. It was an outdoor mall, with 2 sections. The 1st section being unique shops that we don't have here. The other section has your typical chain stores. We spent a couple of evenings there shopping & of course eating.

On Tuesday, we went parasailing. Papa & Jayden went together and soared 1,000 feet into the air with 2 dips down into the water. Jeff & I went 800 feet and 1 dip into the water. 800 feet was plenty high enough for me. I have decided that as I have gotten older, I am not as brave as I used to be.

Quinton loved the ocean on the 1st day. The 2nd day we went out, he was knocked down by a wave and that was the end of it for him. He wanted nothing else to do with the ocean unless someone was holding him, and that took a little coaxing. Each day he would wake up and ask to go to the pool. He would say "Not the big" (meaning the ocean.)

Jayden managed to capture 2 fish, 2 crabs, and a nice man gave him a ghost grab. The ghost crab he named Eugene and he spent 1 night in the condo with us. Of course Jayden wanted to bring him home, so we had to explain salt water versus fresh water. And Jayden also managed to find "Black Beard's Pirate Treasure." He had searched the first 4 days for pirate's treasure. So my parents purchased a shell covered chest, filled it with "gold" and pirate goodies and made a map. My Dad had gone down to the beach early on Wednesday and burried the treasure. As we went out to the beach that morning, Jayden "mysteriously" walked upon a map of Black Beard's treasure! It was so fun to watch him in all his excitement. And once he found the treasure, he truly believed that he had hit it big. His exact words to Jeff were, "Dad, we are so dirty rich!" Too cute and so fun.

We had such a wonderful time. We simply delighted in just sitting around and watching the boys play. It was a treat to have my parents there for a while. There's just something about having Papa & Grandma around. The boys were especially spoiled those days as you can imagine. It was great and we hope to go again soon! Enjoy the pictures & videos.

Papa & Jayden's Big Adventure!

Jeff & I at 800 ft.

Finding Black Beard's Treasure...

And Now We Have a 3 Year Old!

Our Little Q....June 2006

The Birthday Boy...June 2009

Proud Parents...

The Birthday Bike...

A little over a month ago we celebrated Quinton's 3rd birthday. For his big day, we took him to Wal-Mart and let him choose his very own "big-boy" bicycle. He was very excited. By the time we got to the register, he had already mastered riding. He watches big brother very closely and therefore knew exactly what to do. Quinton is a sweetheart and we love him very much. He keeps us laughing and it has been so much fun watching him "watching & learning" from his big brother. We love you Q!

Real Cowboys!

And so both of our boys have become "official" rootn', tootn' cowboys. They took their first horse ride at Papa & Grandma's this past Sunday. Quinton & Jayden are in love with Sally the horse!

Rootn', Tootn' Cowboys & Papa

And So He Pulled His Own Tooth...

Well, he did it. Yesterday afternoon Jayden pulled his very own tooth. He was sitting in the living room eating a snack after school and turned to me and said, "Mom, I can twist my tooth all the way around!" So, I told him he should go to the bathroom and try and pull it. He took off running so excited. I grabbed the camera and followed behind him. I'll let the pictures below tell the rest of the story. Enjoy!

The twisted tooth!

Mr. Brave pulling it out!

And it's out!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth!

Happy 7th Birthday Jayden!

A very proud mom...April 2002

Still a very proud mom...April 2009 (7 years later!)

This past Tuesday, April 21st, Jayden turned the big 7! Time has gone by so fast. It literally seems just like yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. We started the day off with a pan of cinnamon rolls for breakfast before school. That evening we headed to Outback. He loves their steak & bread. Then to wrap up the day, we came back home and opened a few gifts. I never realized how much you could love someone until the very first time I held him. He is a precious gift from God and we adore him. Happy Birthday Jayden. We love you!

A New Family Member

It's official. My Mom's dream has come true! She is a proud owner of a horse. She just got her last night and is thinking on the names of Sally or Sugar. Mom used to ride horses all the time when she was little, so she is excited to get "back in the saddle again." Something tells me that Quinton will be scared and that Jayden will be all about her. Jeff said that the cost of gas is getting way to high again, so she can ride her to work each day! Congrats Mom!

Through the Eyes of a Child...

Last night our church had the Lord's Supper. This was Jayden's 2nd time of participating since his salvation last June. This was so cute, I just had to share.

We had already eaten the bread and had moved on to the grape juice. As we were standing there waiting for the ushers to finish passing the juice to everyone else, Jayden looks up at me with his big brown eyes and so seriously says the following:

"Mom, when we get home, can I get something else to eat because this isn't filling me up?"

I had to contain my laughter! :-) Awe, the innocence of a child. Have a great day!

Tonsils & Adenoids

Last Tuesday, February 24th, Q had his tonsils & adenoids removed by Dr. Lee. We started the day off by arriving to the hospital at 6:30 a.m. Jayden had taken the day off from school to be with his little brother (so sweet.) Upon arrival he was greeted by his Papa, Gamma, Granny, Grandad, Uncle Larry, and Aunt Cristy. He had quite the little fan club cheering him on.

After a brief visit with the family, we were whisked back to a surgery holding room. He was totally fine with everything until the nurse came to take him away. And then he let it all out. He was not a happy camper about this stranger taking him out of the arms of mommy.

Jeff & I headed to the waiting area to wait with the family. Our Pastor and dear friend, Brandon Cox, also came to wait it out with us. Q was literally in surgery for about 20 minutes. Dr. Lee said that after 2 breathes of the cherry flavored gas, he was out like a light. His adenoids were a 3 1/2 on a scale of 4 for blockage and his tonsils were to the point of touching each other. So no wonder the poor little guy was struggling so hard to breathe at night.

Once the surgery was finished and he came out of recovery, we met him on the 5th floor in his room. He just simply wanted to be held at that point. I'm sure his thoughts were, "What did I do to deserve this." We stayed overnight at the hospital so he could be monitored. He did have a little bout with his breathing and had to be put on oxygen until Wednesday morning. They chalked that up to his sleep apnea plus a little too much pain medicine.

I have stayed home with Q for the last 2 weeks and have loved every minute of it (well, I have had a few run-ins with cabin fever.) He is so sweet and has been so brave and so strong. Jeff and I have said the hardest part of this surgery for him is simply getting him to take his medicine. He does not like the pain medicine. :-( He is doing very well & sleeps so quiet and sound now.

Enjoys the pictures.

Lovin' his sock monkey from Granny

& Grandad! (before surgery)

Shedding a few tears because he realized

the nurse was there to take him away.

Back in his room approx. 2 hours

after the surgery.

A little playtime with oxygen on.

Removing IV just before going home!

The Girls

Last November, Jeff's sister Jaclyn and her husband Chris were blessed with twin girls.  Because they live in Missouri, we do not get to see them that often, however when we do, it's always a very special treat!  Aunt Terri has really enjoyed shopping for girl clothes, hair bows, shoes, etc.  They are super sweet and we are so excited to watch them grow and become "little ladies." Being the first girls in our family, you can imagine how we will spoil them!

Left: Audrey Tanner - Right: Taylor Rae

Photo Taken January 17th

A Brave Little Boy

Today Jayden had a dentist appointment as a follow-up visit to a cleaning he had a couple of weeks ago. At the cleaning, the dentist told us that 2 of his baby teeth on the bottom needed to go ahead and come out due to "severe crowding."  He has lost the 2 middle teeth on the bottom on his own. However, one of his permanent teeth came in really crooked and the other one pretty straight. So in an attempt to get the crooked one back on the right track, he needed to pull the outside two.  

Over the last few days, we have discussed what the dentist would be doing in an attempt to "prepare" him. He had no fear, at least not while "talking" about it. He has just been focused on the tooth fairy coming since he will have lost 2 teeth.  

So we get to the dentist this morning, and the fear set in.  The minute they attempted to put the gas mask on, everything went down hill, and down hill very quickly.  So it took about 15 minutes of explaining that the mask would not hurt before he was convinced enough to give the "piggie mask" a try.

After about 5 minutes of gas, he was good to go!  He was laughing at the commercials on the TV and cracking up because his shoe kept falling off.  He was so funny to watch.

So the dentist came in and gave him the "shot" to numb his mouth.  That went over ok, but just ok.  Thank goodness for the gas, otherwise I don't think we would have made it through the shot.  It literally took all of about 1 minute to pull both teeth.  And I have to add that these 2 "little" teeth are HUGE!  I put my finger next to them in the picture so you can have an idea of just how big they are.  Jayden is very proud and can't wait to show his class tomorrow.

He kept saying on the way home, "Mom, can you believe I did it?"  "That piggie mask didn't hurt at all!"  He is very proud of himself, and can't wait until the tooth fairy comes tonight.

We had a balloon bouquet delivered just to give him a little pick-me-up.  He was very happy when he opened the door.  And so was Q...  :-)

Before the "Piggie" Mask was brought out.

After 15 minutes of pep-talk with Mom.

After 5 minutes of GAS!

Back at home showing off his 2 holes!

Look at the size of these things!

I'm A Big Boy Now

A big event happened at our house last weekend.  We moved Quinton out of his baby bed into a toddler bed.  We were sure to include him in the take down process of the crib.  We didn't want him to think he was getting "kicked out" so to speak.  He was such a big boy and was right in the middle of all the action helping Daddy.  After the toddler bed was set up, he became one of those "little monkey's jumping on the bed."  He was very excited to have a big boy bed.  His first night in the new bed he only got up once.  However, night 2, he got up 3 times.  Mommy was feeling very sleep deprived by the 3rd time up.  However, good news was in our near future. Every night since the "bad" night, he has slept all night long with no getting out of bed. Naps on the other hand, that's a different story.  He has a few toys in his room, therefore he will sneak out of his bed after we shut the door and start playing.  It's so funny.  The instant I open the door to tell him to get back in his bed, he will so do without saying a word.  He knows where he should be! It was sad saying goodbye to the crib, at least for Mommy anyways.  Our babies are growing up way too fast.  Enjoy the pix!

Helping Daddy Take Down the Crib!

Off in LaLa Land!

A Fairy Tale Ball

Jayden & Mrs. Fikes

This past Friday, Jayden's class hosted a "Fairy Tale Ball."  Jayden went dressed as a Knight! The class was divided into groups with each group telling a Fairy Tale on their make-shift stage made out of their desks.  Jayden's group was "The 3 Billy Goats Gruff."  Jayden was the "Middle Gruff."  Jayden is by no means shy when it comes to performing on stage or in front of large groups.  He had such a blast.  As the other kids were saying their lines, he was literally cracking up.  As you can imagine Jeff & I were smiles the entire time.  It was one of the cuter things we have attended!  At the end of their performance, they had a little dance.  Jayden's dancing partner was Bailey.  She is so adorable and so sweet!  They were also in Kindergarden together, so they have become really good friends.  Mrs. Fikes and her husband taught the class how to do the Box Step.  Bailey's Mom and I immediately had thoughts about the future...prom!  Oh my!  Anyways, it was really precious and I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Proud Parents!

His First Dance!

Too Sweet!

Our Little Actor!

Jayden & Bailey!

For Us, Our Family & Friends!

I am not by any means a professional "blogger", however I am going to give this a try.  One of my New Year's Resolutions (although I don't usually do "resolutions") was to begin a journal about our family and the simple but precious things in our daily lives.  The boys are growing up so very quickly, and it's all happening right before our very eyes.  So, I thought this would be a great avenue to capture things for us as well as to share with our family & friends.  

If all goes well, I will update a few times each week.  And who knows...maybe more.  Enjoy!

P.S.  This picture was taken in December on our annual family trip to Silver Dollar City.