The winners by a knock out...

As I said yesterday, Zachary has croup and Dimitri is sick. I have now come down with whatever great "gift" they have decided to give me and I am so sick that I have had to call in reinforcements with the boys. That's right, I had to break down and have Cicily come home from work because I am struggling with all three of us being sick (Cicily also left work yesterday to go to Zachary's doctor's appointment). Do you know that in the two and a half years since we have had kids I think that she has only missed two doctor's appointments for the boys? I just want to say that I have the BEST partner who is simply AMAZING! I know that I can call her anytime and without blinking an eye she will be here for us if we need her. I just want to say I love you and you mean the world to us. Thank you for taking care of US-we need it!

All day I have felt horrible and I thought I could take pictures of the boys and how sick they look or I could remember how FUN they can be when they are feeling better. So I found this picture I took about a week ago and it made me laugh. Zachary raising his armpit and Dimitri covering his nose as if they understand what that means at this age. Dimitri and Zachary love playing with one another and this picture is PRICELESS!

Dimitri and Zachary WON this round!

Starting 2009 with a bang...

Today, Zachary woke up and I knew immediately something was wrong. Zachary sounded HORRIBLE and we took him to the doctor's office! Guess what? Zachary has croup!

Dimitri got sick about a month ago with the flu and now he is starting to sound like Zachary.Both boys are now sick. Zachary is on steroids which should help in the next 48 hours and Dimitri whimpers in what I believe to be pain and/or discomfort. I feel like I am coming down with a cold but it is amazing how a mother's body will not crumble when needed by her kids.Poor Cicily, I know that we should put her up in a hotel room for her own safety but what is the fun in getting sick if you can't share the love!

Our 2009 is starting off with a bang!

Little things...

As parents it is the little things that we love the most about our boys! We have gone on record saying that our boys are opposites from one another in many ways, well here is another one that we would like to share.

Dimitri loves to be covered at night, everything except his head!

Every night, we tuck Zachary into bed and put his blankets on. Then we wait about a half hour after he goes to sleep and we check on him again-this is what we find. The ONLY thing that Zachary likes covered his head! Our boys are funny!

Cake, holding hands & a baby...

Last night, we went to Uncle Steve's birthday party!

Uncle Steve teaching Dimitri to play the drums!

The kids played Ring Around the Rosie's.

Dimitri is unsure why Kaitlyn's baby was crying.

Such a sweet little boy...look at him comforting the baby.

Dimitri chasing Kaitlyn around the house.

Dimitri and Kaitlyn continued to hold hands long after Ring Around the Rosie's.

It was so cute to watch them hold hands as they walked around the house.

Oh by the way...there was arm and thumb wrestling challenges made! Yes, we have pictures but I have been prohibited from sharing them but they will be in photo albums!

Happy Birthday Uncle Steve!

DISCOVER...

For family fun day we went to Discovery Gateway.

Team work

Watching Zachary play was AMAZING!
His sense of wonder and innocence is what makes him special to watch!

Where did the ball go?

Dimitri was trying to be a little gentleman and hoist this girl into the air.

Zachary and Dimitri decide they want to learn how to drive!

Dimitri loves rock climbing, look at those muscles!
Could Dimitri be the next star of Cliffhanger 2?

Ready for take off!

We had a great time today and can't wait for our next family fun day adventure!

Another milestone...

Last night, Dimitri moved from his toddler bed to his "big boy" bed!

Jumping on his bed

aka breaking his bed in (Zachary is a BIG helper too).

Perfect fit!

Dimitri only came out of his room once and that was to use the potty.

You would thinking with all the extra space he would

move around a little but he never did!

Our little boy is so sweet!

Visiting Friends...

Yesterday, we went to visit Colter and Dana!

Colter is so CUTE!

It is adorable to watch the boys play together.

It was GREAT to see you both and

we can't wait to meet your baby girl!

Happy Anniversary To ME!

Today is my anniversary! It has been 1 YEAR since my last cigarette! Can you believe it? After 16 years, I am now a NON-SMOKER!

Happy Anniversary to ME!

President's Day Play Date

Today, we went to Kangaroo Zoo with Kira and her Mom! We had a fantastic time and we look foward to our next date! Thank you for playing with us! See you soon!

Make a Smilebox postcard

Happy Valentine's Day!

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day!

WE LOVE YOU!

A day filled with love and my heart still breaks...

Eight years ago today, on Valentine's Day, my beloved Papou passed away! My papou was the GREATEST MAN I ever knew. Though my children never had the privilege of meeting him here on Earth they will know who he was and what he did to change my life forever. Dimitri (whose middle name is Constantine, after my Papou) already knows who he is by his picture and calls him Papou.

I came accross this poem and it was a perfect fit.

"When I was just a child and
you would hold my hand,
I didn't have to worry,
I didn't understand.
As I grew and
learned to stand up on my own,
Sometimes I was scared and
I felt all alone.
But then there you were standing
by my side.
You held my hand again and
taught me not to hide.
I am older and wiser now,
Now I understand.
The strength that lies within me
came from grandpa's hand."

I LOVE AND MISS HIM EACH AND EVERY DAY!
May His Memory Be Eternal!

Hoops, Balls, Rackets & Fun

Dimitri started his first "sports class", which is specifically
designed for 2 to 5 years old.

This is Dimitri's teacher Ms. Sheryl teaching the kids
"how to stand behind" her.

Dimitri throwing a ball (if you look closely at the picture
his red ball is in the air).

Jumping through hoops!

Throwing a football into the hoops.
Do we have a future quarter back for the Indianapolis Colts?

Look at the sportsmanship in his class!

It was adorable watching him run around and try new things. We are very proud of Dimitri for respecting his teacher by following her directions and at the end of class he told Ms. Sheryl "thank you".
Our thoughtful little boy...we couldn't be prouder!

This is LOVE...

Valentine's day is coming soon and our boys have been working for weeks on Valentine's gifts for those they LOVE!

Dimitri and Zachary filling out the cards.

Zachary making sure that each one is made with LOVE.

Dimitri making sure each one is perfect!

Little hands....so sweet!

After we made cards we had to make our gifts! The men in our lives will receive candy while the women in our lives will receive jewelry. Every woman LOVES jewelry right? We decided to make yarn necklaces.

Dimitri working on a necklace!

Zachary making sure that each one is sealed with a kiss!

Zachary puts on his jewelry pieces.

The TEAMWORK was AMAZING!
All the cards and gifts were made with 100% LOVE!

Did someone say birthday cake?

Tonight, we went to The Kipp's house to celebrate
Ashley and Jereme's birthday.

Happy Birthday Ashley!

Happy Birthday Jereme!

The food was FABULOUS, the party was WONDERFUL and we LOVED seeing everyone!
Thanks again for having us. WE LOVE YOU ALL!

Do you believe in LOVE at first sight?

Tonight the Hart family came over for a play date and dinner
(okay, really we were starting the process to arrange a marriage for Zachary).

This is the BEAUTIFUL Kira Hope Hart!

Dimitri appeared "smitten" too!

The two "love birds" introduce themselves.

Look at Zachary check Kira out! It seems like he is just hanging back and admiring Kira from a far. Could he be playing hard to get?

Kira did great playing the drums!

We would like to thank the Hart family for coming over for dinner and for playing with us. We would LOVE to do it again soon!
P.S.
Thanks for the cookies!