Tis the Season'........allergies!!

I have found that since the start of Spring the allergies are exceptionally worse this year.  Cooper has been living with constant red eyes and rashes.  It is a fight every monring to get some sort of medicine on him.  Sometimes I wonder if he even notices the difference when he is not scratching!! As much as I love the spring..I hate it now!!   Im afraid to let them go outside because Cooper will walk in with his eyes swollen shut and another new something on his leg, tummy, neck, or somewhere else!  Park on the other hand has barely been sick throughout his tiny little existence, and if you have met Parker he is not exactly tiny for his age :)  Park has no allergies, no boo boo's, no strange rashes.  Its amazing how different and exactly the same my babies are. 
So as we blow through spring I hope no one else is going through the same allergy misery we are going through over here at the Waldran house.  Happy Spring Everyone!

Parkie ate my cupcake!!

Well as Cooper turns 3, Parkie turns to eating and I mean everything.  Today Chelsa took Park to story time at Barnes and Noble  I thought this would be something he would enjoy.  He did enjoy the free snacks but could care less about the story.  He was eating the leftover cheerios on the floor and probably stole some from the other kids when they were not looking.  Not only does Parker eat the recommended 3 meals a day plus a few snacks in between, he also eats everyone elses meal.  His new trick is to wait until everyone has left the kitchen and then he goes back for what ever is left.  Its not like he is starving I think he weighs 35 lbs!!

At Cooper's birthday party I cant even tell you how many cupcakes he stole from the other kids.  All I kept hearing was "Parkie took my cupcake!"  Even though I find myself laughing at him, I can't help but wonder if we are going to see him at the local hot dog eating contest someday!  Oh Parkie, sweet baby, I promise I will feed you but if you are eating my entire pantry at 1 what happens when you are 15??

Three

I can't believe Cooper is 3.  Where has the time gone?  I have noticed that the chubby little blonde baby is growing into a silly little boy.  It feels like yesterday that we were finishing the nursery and preparing for the 1st baby. My favorite little monster has learned many new things over the past year.  He knows his ABC's, can count in spanish (with the help of Dora), and I have taught him how to load the washing machine!! Hey,  I will take the help where ever I can get it. 
He got his report card today from preschool..as I was reading his progress I kept thinking why in the world do we have report cards at 3.  All I wanted to know was does he behave at school??  I know he can do the rest. His teachers have told me that he is very smart..BUT the big question is..Does he behave..and I pray to God he hasn't blurted out the phrase.."oh S*&T" at school!!  Yes, he has learned this phrase, probably from me.  I am trying so hard to say darn it, shoot, anything else, but when I walk into a bathroom full of water from Cooper "washing his hands" it just kind of slips out. 

So as we are fully ready to deal with the fun age of 3 I have just decided that I will no longer feel guilty for dragging out that "quick" trip to the grocery store while Josh is home with the boys!  Funny how going to target can save your sanity!! 

Here is Cooper at school on Western day.  Lets just say that daddy is hoping an praying for another FFA member in the family! 

What's wrong now!!

I am not sure what happens at the about to turn 3 stage, but the constant whining has begun.  The ongoing whining is at its all time high.  It is all day nonstop for no reason, AND it is making me crazy!!  Funny that Parker is even tired of it.  It is so annoying and funny that when Park has had enough he will waddle over to Cooper and put his hand over Coops' mouth..  Enough is enough and when the baby can't stand it anymore I know we have reached our limit.

 Parker is walking and has been walking/waddling for awhile. Cooper freaked out when Park took off, because Parker is on the prowl. He knows that Parker will get it first and scream at the top of his lungs if anyone tries to take his things. Here we go with the fighting between brothers. I try to tell them that we must share that's what brother do. Oh what sweet boys!!



I know I haven't shared pictures in a while so here are some of our favorite moments from the last couple of months.

Sweet Parkie

A box of fun!

A little static!!

Halloween School Party t shirts

Arrrrrr..a pirate in his rain boots

and his partner in crime!

Get into the Groove

School has started for both Cooper and Josh, and we are getting back into the groove of life.  Summer has been fun, stressful, and hot!!  Oh and Josh is not actually going to school to learn, (well maybe he could pick up a little something if he tried) but his office is at the school with the sheriff's dept, and his other offices are where ever his cell phone is.  Josh has been working nonstop.  We hardly ever see him, but kids are expensive and we have no choice.  Josh and I should have planned our career paths a little better.  A social worker and cop will never be at the top of the pay roll.  I will never understand why the hardest jobs get the least pay.  These are the jobs that change lives and effect human behavior,but unfortunately pay nothing, so that is why Josh has his other company and works a million off duties. We are very thankful that he has the energy to keep going after very long days.
  Cooper has not had any meltdowns this first week.  He seems to like his new teachers and of course Emma and Sophia are in his class so he is one happy little boy!!  Josh is at the 9th grade center this year..Oh to be in 9th grade again, or maybe not.  The flowered shirts with see through arms, and the leather shorts were the big thing when I was in 9th grade.  When Josh tells me about what the kids wear somedays..I think to myself anything is better than royal blue leather shorts, or in Josh's case..a rat tail!! :) 

We have a new babysitter, her name is Meg.  She is wonderful and more importantly she is great with the boys.  Cooper loves her.  He even tells me he loves her!! I think it could be a mix between her fabulous red hair and the fact that she lets him go outside every morning.  Parker gets so excited when she comes he waits by the front door in the mornings.  Cooper has not had one screaming fit when I go to work, and he doesn't even care when I leave.....We are making progress!!  

WE are still trying to sell our house, with no luck.   Josh tells me to quit worrying about it, but how can I?  I know it will happen at the right time, but I really really really want to move into the house we are building.  It is perfect for us, enough space for everyone to have their own little area. 

It is now time for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and pancakes.  Cooper wont eat them, but Park will.  He never misses a meal, much less pancakes!!

Happy Birthday to you!!

Parkie is 1!!  Wow how time flys.  Of course we had a party, and its not a party unless we have cupcakes.  Park ate his cupcake, every last bit, leaving few crumbs behind!! 

These two boys are growing up faster than I can blink. 

Our summer has been lazy and hot.  We finished swimming lessons hopefully a little smarter about water safety.  Cooper could care less about the pool, and Parker loves the water.  These 2 boys are as different as night and day, but isn't that how it always goes. 

Cooper starts school soon, and he can not wait!  Today we were picking out our backpacks and he told me "this one" pointing to the tractor backpack.  Poor Parkie is to little to go to Ridglea, but hopefully momma can keep him entertained and spend fun times with him while Coop is in school. 

We are kind of stuck on our big house move.  We still have not had any offers on our house.  It has only been on the market 2 1/2 weeks, but I am starting to feel panic!  Please say a prayer for us that God will bring the right person to buy our home. 

Moving to the Big B...Burleson that is!!

Well we are in the process of selling and building our home, and saying our paryers that everything works out on time.  We have decided that Burleson is the place to go because it closer to Josh's job and has a great school system.   This summer has been pretty hot and lazy.  Cooper and Parker are both is swimming lessons, which has been an adventure.  Parkie is a little fish that loves to be in the water, but Cooper on the other hand is a nightmare!!  He hates it, he would much rather be playing with the pin wheel on the side of the pool.  He screams and clings  but of course...no tears!!  I'm not really sure of the reason but we will continue swimming lessons until  the screaming stops.  In my opinion I think swimming lessons are a must for kids. 

These boys are growing fast and getting strong.  The funniest part is that Cooper will come tell me that Parker hurt him.  Both the boys are very super tough, but Parker will stay for the fight and Cooper will take his shot and run out of the room.   Josh and I know what is coming, there will come a day that Cooper won't have anywhere to run and  Parker will be in charge!  (We love you Coopie, but your time is comin'!)

Cooper has found a a new place to sleep, well its not exactly new, but it is not in our bed anymore.  It is on the floor next to our bed.  It doesn't matter how many times you take him back to his room he comes back, blankie and binkie in hand and a sleepy little "mama I'm back" happens every night. We are going on about a year of this.  I know its my fault...I should not have let him sleep in our bed EVER!!  I just keep telling myself he wont be in here at 15, I hope! 

We are Done!!

Parker has graduated from the band. We are finished..Yea!!  Here is his final results.....

Hot Hot Hot

Summer is peaking its head around the corner and it is already so hot. I am scared to even take the boys outside in the afternoon because I know they will burn. They are such fair flowers, just like their momma!

What to do this summer? Swimming classes are a must, these babies must learn how to swim. Josh is not too excited because he is going to have to do them with us. Oh well, he can suck it up!! Fort Worth has a great little art studio for kids called Van Grow, maybe they will follow in their Ya-Ya's footsteps, and be little artists. Regardless of what we are doing this summer it will be a time to rest, regroup and hang out with family.

Cooper had his last day of school picnic on Thursday and of course he did not want to interact with the group. Ms. Angie and Ms. Jack as Cooper calls her, her name is really Jackie, laid out blankets for the kids to sit on and eat their lunch. Where did Cooper sit? On the steps by himself! This kid is very stubborn and very independent. He loves school, he talks about his friends, what he does during the day, and is always ready to go back, but for some reason when I show up to his class he freaks out!! Maybe I am invading his space, but does it start as early as 2 years old.? Poor baby has got a long way to go of Momma invading his space!

Oh and as for Parker's head only 2 more weeks left and we are officially out of the band.  It has been a long process, but his head looks great, or at least to me it looks great.  They have told us that it will not be perfect, but I can't tell. 

So as the weather gets hotter we will pull out the sprinklers, put on our swim suits and run wild in the backyard, or get creative with inside entertainment!!!

Moving Along

When Dora comes on our world freezes. I am not sure if this is normal for all other households or just ours. And..Dora is a girl cartoon and we have boys!!
Oh well, if it keeps them entertained we will keep watching!
Josh and I have been debating back and forth of where and when we need to suck it up and move. We have outgrown this home, we have toys in every room and most of them make some type noise! I need a room where I can throw all these noisy toys in one place.. a space where if they accidentally get thrown in the trash no one will ever notice. To our sweet ya-ya nini and nana no more, no more cars with horns, fire truck with sirens and dogs that bark..etc. We are maxed out on inside toys!

Parker has begun exploring our home now that he is able to slither around. He is constantly grabbing at my toes and following me in every room. I sometimes wonder what he thinks about this place. (in the pic above he has found a new resting spot outside his room. He gets so excited when he finds the laundry room. Could it be the constant piles of laundry that he enjoys seeing, the brighter lights, or the on going spinning of the washer and dryer. Cooper has become Mr. Independent. No one can tell him what to do, he screams at the top of lungs when he does not get his way. There are some days where I give in and some where I am a tough, firm, mean mommy. It doesn't scare him though. Cooper knows the look and he doesn't care! Oh Cooper, Mommy still loves you, but we have to work out a deal here pretty soon!! (Notice I gave in on the cowboy boots, since we were only going to Wal-Mart) So, to all of my friends that are battling it out with their 2 year olds..Stay strong!

Here is a quick on the go snack idea that Cooper has come to love. Basically if it is in a baggie he will eat it. So strange I know, but Cooper loves to eat out of baggies.

1 Zip-Loc Bag
handful of pretzels
goldfish
dried pineapple
marshmallows
and Emmy's..(M&M's)

Round 2

We continue to watch and wait as Parker's head falls into perfect shape. He is on round 2 with another band. For some reason I did not think it would be as difficult as the first one, but who am I kidding?! He pulls, tugs and cant sleep with it on. Not to mention the constant sweating. Poor Baby... the price we pay for perfection makes me wonder, what did people do before the DOC band? Would anyone ever notice if an adult had an abnormal shaped head or off centered ears. To this day at the old age of 31 I dont think I could tell which adult had an odd shaped head as a baby and never had it fixed. Regardless if no one can tell the difference we will fix it, we will make it perfect, we will not second guess what could have been.

I made the mistake of putting trucks and tractors on this band. I could not have guessed that Cooper would become obsessed with the stickers on his band. It is almost funny, but I can defintely tell that Parker is getting annoyed with him. cooper is constantly touchung and turning Parker's head so he can see all the dump trucks and tractors. The curiousty of a two year old always seems to amaze us.
Happy Spring everyone, Bundle up!!

Spring Fever

The Waldran clan is happy that the snow is gone and the playground is dry. Cooper still wakes up most morning saying, "It Snow." Unfortunatley he has learned to expect snow on a regular basis from all of this crazy weather. Cooper is loving school and all of his friends. His best friend Bo is our main topic these days. He just cant seem to quit talking about him.

Parker is doing great. WE have made progress on our head, and the little(big) knot that was there has miraculiously disappeared. WE are going into our 2nd band because his ears are still quite off centered. We are working hard to get this corrected, because some of the long term effects could be chronic migraines, hearing problems and TMJ. So our ultimate goal is to get it as straight as we possibly can. But you are only as good as what you start with, so maybe we can at least get back to where he started.

Learning to Listen

Life at The Waldran's is going well. Parker's head is changing dramatically, and he looks like a completely different baby. The only thing that is killing me is driving every week to Dallas. The majority of our lives our spent in the car these days!
Cooper on the other hand is having issues with listening to his teachers. He got his first report card from school, and in the comment sections it says..."Cooper need to work on following directions!!!" Are you kidding me!? He just turned 2, we are working on it. He cant even say his name yet, he barely understands the words "leave it alone." But.. we have mastered Time Out! Something tells me he is in time out quite often at school! The next issue is that he won't say his own name. I have decided that he would just rather hear his name then say it. He responds to his name, but he calls himself momma. His teachers tell me that he is just a "free spirit." Great..what does that mean? :) One day we will get there, let's just hope that this is not the beginning stages of a little monster!!

New Boots

Well this week is Western week at school. Tonight we have our 1st school prgram. I am really wondering what all Cooper's program (the 1 year old class) is going to do in this program. Cooper's part will probably be screaming his head off!! That is why momma is sitting close just in case I have to yank him off the stage. No matter what we will have our cameras and video cameras ready to capture every anticipated moment!

So I bought Cooper a pair of boots for western week. I searched everywhere and finally found some at good ol' Walmart, and they were actually cute. Toy Story characters all over them. I brought them home yesterday and showed them to Jennifer and we both thought they were darling, and Cooper would love them. Much to my suprise his words were "don't like." I shoved his foot in there anyways and he kept telling me "all done, off, off." I thought you little monster,you are going to wear these!! This morning I asked him again, do you want to wear your boots to school? HE shouted out Noooo! I guess he will celebrate Western week in his converse!

We have Blinged Our Band

Here are some cute pics of Park rolling around with his band. Just thought everyone would want to see the front and the back.

update on Parker

Parker is doing great in the band. It does not bother him at all! We had a little bit of a heat rash the 2nd week, but nothing a little cortisone could not clear up. The back of his head has already rounded out after only 3 weeks. I think we only have 8 more weeks left. I am so amazed how quick this treatment is!!
They have told us that the facial features take a little longer to straighten up. He still has quite a bit of assymetry in his face ,but we are hoping it will start moving along a little faster since the back of his head rounded out so fast. The main issue is his ears. He doesn't look like Chunk from the Goonies, but there is a significant difference in the placement of each ear. Way to go Cranial Technologies for making my baby's head a little rounder! We have blinged out Parker's band, thanks to blingyourband.com. HIs band features the flat tires, with "just fixin my flat on the back." I thought it was too funny to pass up, and we have gotten so many compliments. People actually understand the purpose of the band when they read his, instead of blank stares, or what is wrong with your baby?
Needless to say his head will not be perfect, but whose is? As my sweet friend Lauren says, just tell them to leave a little more hair on that side when he gets a hair cut. No one will ever know the difference!

Life's little adjustments

Many of you know that Park got the Doc Band. Well we are adjusting!! We have not made it up to wearing it 23 hours a day,but we are getting there. I am amazed how light the band actually is. Of course we are hoping that we get it off soon, but Parker does not seem to mind it. The only problem with the bands are they are very hot. It is like wearing panty hose on your head. Thank goodness for Aunt Michael who has been babysitting this week and checking his band every hour. His poor little head gets so hot we have to wipe the sweat off. No more long jammies, he is now living in onesies with light blankets so he does not have a heat stroke!! HIs body temp should adjust soon. Hopefully sooner with the Arctic blast. I cant imagine how parents keep their babies cool in the dead of summer.I guess if he has to wear it, no better time than right now! I think the hardest one adjusting is Josh. I keep reminding him as perfect as Parker is, somethings just need a little tweeking.

Today Big Brother turns 2!! Wow,where has the time gone? Happy Birthday Cooper!! Now we must get ready for our big party. Mom of the year here planned to blow up his bounce house for the party on Saturday. What in the world was I thinking it is going to barely be above freezing... well I guess we will bundle up!!!

O Holy Night

As we hit the road for the falls we thought we were on our typical family road trip. Boy was I mistaken!! The closer we got to Wichita Falls, the harder the snow fell, the stroger the winds blew, and the more I freaked out in the car. All I kept saying was "God, Please get us there." I have precious cargo in the backseat and I dont know how much more I can take of this. Cars were skidding off the roads, people driving 10 miles an hour, and my precious hubby saying, "Babe, I got this." I did not have any doubt that he had "it', I was just so scared about the other people who may not "have it!" We finally made it in to town in about 4 hours, which is usually an hour and half trip. Thank the Lord we made it when we did because 287 shut down as soon as we got there. People were stranded on the highway for hours, some up to 12. I dont know what we would have done with 2 babies stuck in the car with all the apple juice gone and no water to make a bottle!!! God was truely looking out for us!!
Merrill and Adam and Uncle DOug had the worst night of all. Doug was stuck in the wreck on 287, and Merrill and Adam were getting stuck every 10 miles. Thanks to the Christmas Angels who rescued them, becuase Wichita Falls had shut down. Even with all of the chaos, somewhere beneath it all was a calming serene winter night. A night we will probably never see again. Even though there was no Annual Bomar Christmas Party the spirit was still there. Regardless of how old, or how scroogey you become, everyone wishes for a white Christmas at some point. And a White Christmas it was!


As the boys were snug in their bed..ie (cooper on the blow up mastress). Santa managed to make his way down the chimney in the midst of the blizzard. He filled the stockings, brought an Elmo restaurant, and several new teethers for Park, and a mound of other toys we could not even get back to Fort Worth. The boys probably wont remember this Christmas, but I will never forget it!

Its called Plagiocephaly, Look it Up!

Well We went to visit the great people at Cranial Technologies in Dallas, and Park will be getting the Doc Band January 5th. It will be worn 23 hours a day for the next month or so. He did so great, no crying, no fussing!! Parker's plagio came from being wedged in the birth canal the last trimester, so he got the short end of the stick from the beginning. Oh well, just a little cranial remolding is all we need ,and he should be back to a "normal" head shape soon. More and more babies are having asymetrical head shapes due to sleeping on their backs instead of stomachs. Back sleeping is definitely a plus to preventing SIDS, but since babies heads are still so soft it can misform their heads very quickly. Parker's was already out of whack at birth, and sleeping on his back made it worse! Nevertheless we will paint our band super cute and who knows he may even get a spot on the 2011 Plagio calendar! Watch out world Parker may be the new face of plagiocephaly!!
pics coming soon.

Waldran Family Christmas

Yesterday was our big Christmas with Nini, Papa, Mason, Aunt Mimi and Uncle Matt. I definitely do not feel so bad about going a little crazy buying at Christmas. Lets just say Nini takes the cake!! Everything from dancing PT cruisers, shopping carts, dora back packs and basketball goals, I think we got it covered. The funniest part was that Cooper is obsessed with Wow Wow Wubzy and Nini found the doll, but Cooper was scared to death of it. I guess Wow Wow needs to stay on TV! Of Course Parker and Mason are still in La La land about Christmas, but their time is coming. Sweet Mason was just as happy playing with the dogs than looking at his new light up toys! So after a day of BBQ and play houses everyone was ready for night night. Now we will just do it all over again when we get to Wichita Falls.

Oh and by the way Aunt Merrill and Uncle Dum Dum (Cooper has renamed Adam) are getting married! The Bomar girls are definitely adding a lot of boys to the family lately. We are super excited so congratulations to new beginnings!!

Just a little knot

The Waldran's are getting ready for our Waldran Family Christmas today. It will be big fun with Nini, Papa and Mason today. Can't wait to see what we get! I will post pics soon.
Some of you may know that Parker was born with a little knot on his forhead. Well as our little chunk has gotten bigger so has the knot. After we went to see our doctor she suggested that we visit the Cranial technology center in Dallas. So of course we are very on top of that, and will go to our first appointment on Tuesday. Parker will have to wear the Doc band around his head for about 5 weeks. This band is worn 23 hours a day, and applies slight pressure to help mold his head back into place. If you are curious about it check out at cranialtech.com. Chalk this next adventure up to another joy of parenting! Say a little prayer for him on Tuesday that everything will even out the little knot on his head.

Its too cold for a walk!!

Cooper loves the outside like most boys do. But on the coldest day of the year all he wanted to do was go for a walk! As I kept telling him no, its too cold he went from room to room looking for his shoes. Needless to say I was not about to get Park out in the freezing cold tempatures. So Josh graciously offered to stay inside with the baby. I bundled both of us grabbed my IPOD and we were out the door. The things we do for our kids, needless to say we had a great walk!!

My next agenda for the day is to try and work while the boys take a nap. Of course Paker is all bundled up in his bed, and Cooper is passed out on our bed. I made the biggest mistake of letting Cooper sleep in our bed from early on. Now we can not get him out of our bed. We have to wait until he is passed out on our bed and then we will carry him into his. I know that you are not suppose to sleep with your babies, and they should sleep in their own beds. I even work for the agency that eastablished that message, but what can you do when they wont fall asleep anywhere else? :)So for now Josh and I will suffer through another joy of parenting ,and give up a few more feet of our bed to let Cooper get some rest.

No Girls Allowed

Well as life begins to fall into place and our 2 boys are beginning to finally sleep I figured I would give you some updates on our family. AS most everyone knows we have 2 boys, Parker and Cooper. Parker is the baby who is all things sweet and cuddley. Cooper is our firey little almost 2 year old that runs wild, but is super lovey. He definitely is a momma's boy! But from what I've been told "Little boys sure love their mommas!" WE have had an exciting 2009 for the Waldran's. Not only do we have our crew but we have our 1st cousin Mason Waldran( 2 months older than Park)So as you have guessed it, The Waldran's are a "Boy's only" group!!

AS we jump into this holiday season I am reminded of how blessed our family is. Today especially with our annual foster kid Christmas party that is put on by the great people of the Dallas WOrld Aquarium. Even though only 75 lucky kids get to attend it was eye opener, (and that is somewhat strange for me today because I have been doing this job for a very long time.) Multiply those 75 kids by 20 and thats about how many kids are in foster care just in DFW. So, why we are with our families this Christmas they are not. Tonight I will hug my little munchkins and my hubby a little tighter.