Halloween

Muscle Man and Minnie Mouse

Frustration and a bad mood

Lately I have had a lot of frustration and have been in a bad mood. It's not just one part of my life that is causing this but many areas. For those who work with me you understand part of that frustration. Anyway, today was another one of those days. I was so thankful that I didn't have a Dr.'s appointment because I probably would have been in trouble for my blood pressure. I'm sure it was sky high. After work Mark, the kids, and I met up for dinner and then picked up some pumpkins from the local fruit stand. We came home and Mark took the kids upstairs to play. While catching up on some blogs I found this video. Talk about calming someone down...this did it for me. The setting, the talent all I can say it is glorious. So take about 5 minutes, tune EVERYTHING else out including everything running through your mind and just absorb this video.

Snot in the ear

What a title for a post but it's pretty accurate. Reagan has had one of the worst ear infections I have ever seen. We do know her tube is doing it's job because of all of the "snot" coming out of the ear. Disgusting I know but that's what Mark and the kids have been calling it. I stayed home from work on Friday with her. Her temperature that started late Wednesday night/Thursday morning didn't break until Saturday. I think we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel but it can't get here soon enough!

The Big 4

I'm a little bit late with this post. I thought I had posted it, but I guess it I didn't. Oh well, here goes.

On Wednesday (16th) my precious little boy turned 4. I cannot believe that my first born is 4 years old. These years have been so precious and we have had so much fun. At one point in time during the pregnancy, and right after birth I was unsure if we were even going to get to have 4 years with him. I can still remember the neonatologist telling me hours after giving birth that she didn't know how long you would be in the hospital it could be months but that her goal was to make sure you lived to come home (not her exact words but close to it). I don't like to think about those moments but prayers were answered and we now have a healthy, active, caring, sweet 4 year old boy. Below you will find some pictures from the past 4 years.

Grayson you were our first child and we have loved every minute of knowing you. You bring smiles and laughter in our lives everyday. I love hearing you sing your songs and when you are helping your sister. You are full of such wonderful ideas and you care so much for others. I can't wait to see how you continue to grow and mature as you turn into a young man. I love you so much!

Here are some highlights of the first 4 years. Please ignore the dates on the pictures, especially all of the hospital pics. It was off by a day.

Mommy, Lucy, & Ginger the night before Grayson's arrival.

Moments after birth. Look at those frog legs (breech baby).

Mommy seeing Grayson for the first time.

Daddy holding Grayson for the first time.

Grayson in the NICU

Mommy's first time seeing Grayson after birth. He is one day old.

Mommy holding Grayson for the first time. He was 2 days old.

Grayson already attached to the paci. The nurse rushed us in to snap the picture before we even were scrubbed in. :-)

Grayson's first birthday.Grayson meeting his baby sister for the first time.

Grayson and baby Regan watching TV.
Grayson's 2nd birthday. Still recovering from surgery to have tubes put in.

Grayson's 3rd birthday celebrated in Disney World!Grayson with Mickey for his 3rd b-day.
Enjoying the beachProud to be an American
Handsome Young Man!

The shock is wearing off,...finally!

Ok, so yes we are pregnant we baby #3. Right now the due date is set at March 19th but I think it will be pushed back at least a week once we have an ultrasound. I am 11 weeks and have not been sick one time, so keep your fingers crossed. I have been nauseous a total of 2 times and once was during snack time at school. Just too much peanut butter. We have told the kids. Reagan likes to kiss my belly and Grayson likes to lay or sit on me and "smush" the baby. Poor thing is already being abused. Reagan wants a girl baby and Grayson wants a boy baby. He says girls cry too much. He has also said he wouldn't mind one of each!!! I think I need to talk him out of that idea!! Mark and I are both leaning towards another boy, but truthfully a healthy baby is all I want (but I wouldn't mind it being a boy). I have been busy working full time and playing with the kids so I have neglected the blog. Maybe I will do better! One thing we worked on this summer was getting Grayson out of our bed. He use to do so good but then we kind of let it slide and he ended up in our bed with us, Reagan, and the 2 dogs. Our king size bed was not large enough!! I bribed him with a new big boy bicycle if he would sleep in his bed....thinking it would take until is birthday in 2 weeks for him to earn it. Boy did he prove me wrong!! He had a very large sticker chart to fill before he could get his bike. It took him 1 month and that's with us making him sleep with us when he had his surgery! Here are some pics of him on his big boy bike and him riding his sissy around on the tricycle. Enjoy!
first crash...no tears!

Is 5 a crowd?

FIVE...5...cinco.....cinq....

Hmmm, how does that number sound to you?


I'm still trying to process it but sometime in the middle of March we will become a family of 5. Yes, there will be a new little member in the Stallings' Clan!

Reagan's 2 year old pics...A Sneak Peek

About a month ago I had Reagan's 2 year old pictures made by a new photographer. Her name is Brittney Gann and she was GREAT! She met us at Canyon Ridge golf course on a beautiful summer morning. We shot at MANY different locations and of course now I have the hard choice of choosing between all of the wonderful pictures. Grayson went also so I could try to get some sibling shots. They didn't really cooperate but she did get some AWESOME ones of Grayson, but those are not a part of the sneak peek. Here are a few sneak peeks that she posted on her blog. If you are interested in seeing the rest of the pics let me know. I have a proof book or you can enter the gallery online.

www.bgannphotography.com

The Beach

Here are just a few of the pics I took while at the Beach. They are in random order. We met up with Mark's parents and our nephews while there. They were staying at Splash so we got to enjoy some of the toys there. We had a blast and I wish we were still there....Actually, Grayson is still there. He stayed with Mark's parents and will be coming back with them Tuesday.

I'm kissing the frog so where's my prince?

This is one of my favorite pics!!! You can't see Mark but he is in the ocean waiting for the kids.

We are beach bound

The Stallings' Clan is loading up and heading to the beach...Panama City Beach. We will be back Sunday. I'm sure I will have lots of pics and stories to tell then. Enjoy these from the past couple of weeks.

~Robin

a little behind

I haven't blogged in a while. I have lots of pics to add but I have to admit I've been lazy. I am also considering quitting blogging. I'm not sure if anyone even reads it. So if you do please become a follower so I know that I'm not wasting my time. :-) I hope all is well with you and that you have a great 4th of July weekend. Stay safe!
Robin

Sand Gnats t-ball

More slip and slide action with Daddy...

Instead of going to the pool the other day we played outside on the slip and slide. The water was extremely cold and the kids wouldn't get near it at first, so Mark put on his trunks and played. Mark had to go down with Grayson and Reagan at the beginning but as you can see by the pictures it didn't take Grayson too long to do it on his own. Reagan is another story. She does not like the slip and slide or any of our other sprinkler toys. By the end though Mark had her playing on it. She's just a pool girl!

Like his daddy, can't take a serious picture!

My brown eyed girl.