Graduation and Family

So for the last few months life has been day to day.
Doug sent me on a wonderful vacation in March as a Christmas gift (I lost my luggage in route, hence no pics) and since I returned I have struggled to keep my head above water. Doug has been winding down at school and trying to send out resumes. I have been working full time and trying to complete a project at work. Luke is busy being a 2 year old and we are all trying to spend some non-sleeping time together.

We have survived so far.... and I am very pleased to announce that Douglas graduated from the S.J. Quinney School of Law on May 14th. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work. He is so smart and articulate, and I am confident he will find the perfect job to fit his personality and talents.
We were very fortunate to have Doug's mother, Joyce, visit us as well as his sister and brother in law and their children to celebrate this accomplishment with him. We Have were able to play for a few days and let Luke soak up lots of cousin time, which he absolutely adored.
(there are only a few pictures. I have been having trouble downloading to the blogspot Sorry!)





The three graduates Doug, My brother Keith who graduated in engineering, and my Dad who recieved his MBA. Congratulations to all of them!

Very proud Mom!


My grandparents and the graduate.

OUCH!!

Today I am mourning the loss of my sons adorable little smile.
I was watching Luke while Doug was in the chair being examined by the dentist. Luke was trying to open my wallet and take out all the contents. I reached to try and take it from him and he got so angry he flailed around to throw a tantrum and dramatically cast his face into the wooden arm of the chair I was sitting in. He fell to the floor completely stunned and began screaming and bleeding intensely. When I finally got a look at the tooth I could see that the right front tooth had been forced about half way back up into his gum.
Fortunately and somewhat ironically Doug and I were at the dentist office getting our teeth cleaned. The dentist was very nice and came out to do an emergency examination of Luke's mouth. Unfortunately there isnt much to do at this point. He said the tooth may come in another color...I assume maybe gray or dark and that we need to watch it for possible infection due to nerve damage....UGGHH!
I still want to cry every time he smiles at me. It looks so awful. His gum is all purple and red and you can barely see the tooth when he smiles....
It is extremely distressing!!
I am not sure I am going to make it until he is an adult.

Its a New Year

So here it is the middle of Janury, and I am just getting to blogging about the holidays. It was wonderful to have a break. Doug was off of school, which he enjoyed, and was home in the mornings so I could nap after work...so it even felt like a vacation for me.

We kicked off the season with a trip to see the lights at Temple Square a few days after Thanksgiving.





We decided to get a real tree this year, but went small so that we could keep Luke from pulling off the decorations. Doug of course though the tree was rather silly, but I though it was very cute. It smelled delightful. We enjoyed many evenings together by the light of the tree listening to Christmas music.




Luke thought the tree was very exciting as you can see.


Luke was spoiled by all of his Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents. We actually let him open a present a day the week of Christmas so he could enjoy all the toys. I think next year will be magical....






Stockings have always been my favorite part of Christmas morning. So many little treasures in one package. I think Luke really like his stocking because he could see all the goods. He dug in giggling at one thing after another.


The boys snuggling underneath the blankets Grammy made them.

We had a wonderful traditional Polish Wigilia with our good friends on Christmas Eve, and spent a few days relaxing at Grandma and Grandpa Bradfords house. It was a wonderful Christmas. We did however miss our Eastern family very much and look forward to spending some time with them soon.

We hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas as well, and look forward to seeing you this year. We have a lot of changes to look forward to with Dougs graduation this spring!
Save the date Friday May 14!!

One of those days...

You know its bad when your husband is pacing and tense and your baby brings you a jar of peanut butter crying, and tells you he is hungry.
Days like today make me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Poor Doug has been searching for a job to no avail, stressing about school grades, and passing the bar. I sat down to talk to him and, reassure him that things will work out. He looked tired and proceeds to tell me that he hasn't eaten all day. Meanwhile Luke has not taken a nap, and is whining at my feet and I just couldn't help but laugh.
So much of our lives for the past year have been in what feels like survival mode.
I think we do a pretty good job of enjoying our little family, but many times we all need so much that we forget to take care of each other.
While I know we are in for more craziness this year, I am making it my new year's resolution to try and focus a little less on my needs and give a little more. I tease Doug more than I should about being the money maker. The truth is that I am very proud of him and thankful for all he does. He is a great father and husband. I am so lucky to have him in my life, and I am happy to have this opportunity to help him achieve his goals.
We are also very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends who help us and cheer us on. We couldn't do all this without you.

Halloween

We hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween! Sorry it has taken me so long to post some pictures.
Our Halloween festivities started a couple of weeks ago, when a friend recommended a pumpkin patch, and we picked up a few pumpkins to carve. Luke would not hold still long enough for me to catch a great picture, but he had a great time running around and playing.



Picking out his first pumpkin.

Some of you have probably seen the video Doug took of our pumpkin carving on facebook. We had a great evening carving. Again, Luke would not hold still for very long, but I think he enjoyed the evening as well. I was glad to just get one picture of him with his hand in the pumpkin, for posterity.



Cleaning the guts out of his first pumpkin.


Luke was a pirate for Halloween. I know I am his mother, but he looked pretty adorable. Luke was able wear his costume all weekend. The law school held a trick or treat for the kids on Friday, and we went trick or treating at my moms house on Saturday.



Trying to open up his treats.

Chillin and eating M&M's

Sugar high.

Just Cute.



Trick or Treating.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes

So today has been an eventful day at the Wawa household.

First off, Doug got his braces off!!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Next, I am trying to learn how to swim. Which Doug thinks is hilarious...But I am determined. I really want to compete in a triathlon this spring. Anywho, I had my first lesson today, and I gained a whole new appreciation for how difficult competitive swimming is.

Lastly, Luke figured out how to get out of the crib today. Luckily no injuries were sustained in his first jump, but I am not willing to take another chance, so we were forced to come up with a solution.

A. Put a net over the crib
or
B. Switch over to a toddler bed

We went for plan B. I guess he's gotta learn to sleep in a real bed sometime, but I am mourning the loss of my baby. He isn't even 18 months and he is getting so big.


The landing pad he created for himself :)


Mommy is tired, I think I will try out this little bed.
We did go out and get a side rail to put on the bed. Luke is very excited about his new found freedom.


My two tired guys... here is hoping for a good night in the new bed.

Linus