...best weekend in awhile...

ahhhhh!

wwWhat a relaxing weekend. I will say it helped that it rained. It gave us GOnzenbach's some great family time.

I had a date with my two boys Friday night. We went to Nocona, Tx and ate at Times Forgotten steak house. So delicious! If you haven't been there, go! It's such an awesome atmosphere and everyone is so nice. Graham had the whole places' attention.

Once lady behind us said she "hadn't been flirt with in awhile" and that "he made her day!" Finally we got his attention back to finish some of his dinner and then a group of older ladies start blowing him kisses, so we lost his train of thought once again. These ladies were crazy about him. They talked to him and he thought "their kisses' were HILARIOUS.

They couldn't get enough of him and understood the idea to which we are so proud.

The place was FULL because it was Nocona's homecoming... oops! We had no idea.

But they got us right in and we didn't have to wait hardly at all.

On our way home we stopped at the DQ and shared a blizzard. Graham LOVES blizzards.

Who doesn't?

Then the next morning, very rainy. it seemed like a good idea to go into town and eat breakfast. So we went to the Cracker Barrel and ate EVERY bit of the Old Timer. Again, Graham loves big people food. I'd say his best times are at the table. The kid loves food! WHateVEr does NOT matter. He wants it.

That was fun.

Very fun, I don't get to hang with both of my boys this often so I feel super blessed.

We ran errands, got Adam some new jeans (he can put a hole in jeans quicker than anyone I KNOW), took back some shoes and headed home to watch Mary Grace.

Yvette and George came over right about the time we almost had them to sleep and added some serious energy to little MG! She loves George.

So Yvette took Mary Grace why we tried to get little Graham down and then I followed Mary Grace over and she played and played and played.

I left my camera for all of it. Sorry.

so since no pictures, I'll leave you with 'life's little instructions'... i love this and pull stuff from it all the time.

enjoy and enjoy your week to come!



Over the last few GONzenBacH days.

Daddy's been home for a good week and we've had some much needed family time.

One this day we went out and feed the cows with him and counted 21 babies! They were so sweet runnin' behind they're Momma's.

It's silly, I know, but seeing them with they're Momma's and watching them nurse and pair up to protect them from us made so much more sense in my head this time around.

Here is Graham getting his first encounter with a baby cow.

...this one made me laugh, it had a funky-curly do, like he'd been doing his hair..

now, Graham constantly talks, here we were trying to get a picture but he was just talking away and telling us all about it.

The next day, or maybe the day before, I took him to the Bearcat Pep rally. Here he is with some of his buddies. They all love "baby Graham" and want him included in all their pictures. Later, we followed the Pep rally with ice cream at the Dairy Queen.

At 4oclock in the evening, the Henrietta Dairy Queen, goes like this: The 70-80 year olds, women on one side men on the other and in the middle... S.A.H. Mom's with rowdy kids filling the place with noise and their table with smeared ice cream. The ladies just stare at us, I'm sure with many opinions under the breath. They probably did it a little better in their day.

However, Graham enjoyed every second of it and I wish I had brought my camera in to show their table.

Priceless.

Below: (left to right) George Slagle (the birthday boy), Landrie Parker, Sara Kline, Dally Parker, Graham Gonzenbach, Presltey Silvertooth and Piersen Silvertooth.

Watch out Clay County!

I had a dentist appointment Thursday morning and Adam was going to watch "the boy". Before I had even left Graham was on his second (of his life) Oreo! Adam hollars' at me to get the camera and I walk into the living room to this!

He loved some OREO's!

Earlier this week (i guess, I'm kinda going backwards) I took (tried to take) some pictures of my sweet Mary Grace. She is turning 2 on November 2nd. Can ya'll believe this?

I can't!

This is all I got, thank GOODness it was enough to make something cute.

(could be one of my favorites)

 Here is another one I thought was pretty. I can't believe how big she is getting.

Makes me sad.



Next: we had little George Slagle's 3rd birthday. It was A BLAST! I had a little too much fun I guess at a 3 year old's birthday party. Maybe because I helped out so much is why I thought it was such a hit, jk. Seriously, though everything was beautiful and delicious. That Yvette, I hope she's able to make my last supper! That girl can cook! YUM!



Colorado. Pioneer Reunion. Graham's First fish... and an unsuccessful turtle race.

We're back!

We got brave and took on a 13 hour road trip with an almost 8 month old and a 10 month old to Dillon, Colorado.

...and were back.

Hallelujah.

Don't get me wrong it was fun.

...really fun.

But, Let me see...

..before we get into our trip I have to back up and display proof of Graham's first
Clay County Pioneer Reunion Turtle race.
He entered turtle #10, #11 and #12...

Graham's Daddy has spent the last 3 months, on days he was actually here, putting the turtles on a strict diet and regimen...last year it won us (my niece and Prestley) first place! 
So, Gotz showed early in the A.M. to transport the turtles to the track, help out before we got started and help when needed.

We re-entered a turtle from last year that did awesome buuuuuut not so awesome this year.
Needless to say we just lost.

But looked GOOD doing it...

Proud is a understatement.

so sweet...

Two Days after Pioneer we set our gears to packin' mode and filled Mema and Granddaddy's humongous van with car seats, blankets, toys, sippy cups, Mickey Mouse clubhouse DVD's, diapers, snacks, etc...etc. etc...etc.

We pulled a trailer with our luggage. Pathetic! yes.

The kids did so great!

We drove from about 4pm to 4:30am Texas time till we arrived at Dillon.

Went straight to bed and slept for 3 or 4 hours and then started our day with awesome weather conditions.

We set out to catch Graham's first fish... and after lots of attempts..

He was very interested in holding the pole.

note: when things don't move fast for Adam, see above.

Not a patient one!

 

 

alas...

 again... very proud! ALL THREE...look at that grin!

------->toward the end of our last day we had a race to catch the last fish.

Yep! Momma. Me. Adam's wifey...be proud guys!

----our 16 fish! I'd say Graham had a successful trip.

I know he's my kid and I know that I'm obsessed but honestly... look at this kid!

Is anyone else's heart melting RIGHT now?

Now: for the Family photos.

Dannielle and I made our first trip to Colorado about 13 years ago, husbandless, kidless, clueless... and NOW, look at our families we've created.

I love that we both were able to take our children. 

Picture perfect.

We are such lucky girls and have had a blast with our babies while raising them together.

We stayed in Colorado for 4 nights/5 days and everyone but Seth and Dad were ready to get home.

Seth claims he could live there while the rest of us like the open/friendly/calmer climates and people.

Dannielle and I had a lady come to the condo and give us the best massage of our lives! Graham loaded up on Nike Shox at the outlet store (see picture above), Seth found a belt, Adam... hates to shop, and Dad bought mostly stuff for Mary Grace (her birthday is coming up).

We ate WAY too much. However, everything was worth every pound and beyond delicious. We made two visits to the Mint, our favorite. Once the first night we were there and again to cap off our trip. If ever in the area, it's worth every penny.

In conclusion, when we got home we had to:

1. Lower Graham's bed :(

2. Rearrange the living room (Graham's turning into a BUSY bee)

3. and a lot of Fall fever cleaning

So, excited for the cooler months to near and even more excited to share the holidays with a little one.

Bring it on!

Next week: Graham has his nine month appointment.

Great Parent award!

Long time no update.

Last time we talked/blogged we were headed to our six month appointment.

You know that paper that they drape down the middle of the padded-table-thing at the doctors office? You know, the table where they hold your kid down and stick them with three shots and force some stinky liquid down their throats.

Graham had THAT paper shredded! I'm talkin' shreddeeeeeed into about (oh) 12,000 pieces before Dr. Sulteimier made his appearance.

Doc walks in and says "active little booger"... uh ya! Slightly.

He was perfect.

No complaints.

No questions.

He loved on him.

Told us he was way longer than average. Above average on our weight...still amazing. (im proud)

...and wish I had a picture of his disaster we left, next time I'll bring my camera.

He still isn't crawling.

We are blaming it on our wood floors.

Truth is. He will do it when he is ready. I know this.

Later in the week, Adam and I were doing stuff around the house and Graham was playing on his pallet with his toys occasionally watching the Wonder Pets, so we thought, and all of a sudden we hear some "clanking". Once again, he isn't crawling...but he moves. Somehow, he can get from one side of the room to the other but no crawling.

It was the fire place tools. He had made his way to the fire place and had one of the spike-y wood stabber things in his mouth.

WONDERFUL!

He had black on top of his head, on his clothes, around and in his mouth, I promise it hadn't been THAT long since we'd checked on him.

What the heck.

That boy!

well that's all for now...

except one thing.

Adam turns TWENTY EIGHT tomorrow!

HAPPY HAPPY 1/2 a YEAr my Baby boy!

HellO Family and Friends,




Our baby is a 1/2 year old on this day!

Six months ago at 11:55 pm, Graham Riggs Gonzenbach made his debut! Adam and I can, honestly, not put into words the happiness this tiny body brings us every second of every day.

Can ya'll believe it?! I sure can't.



I'd like to thank each of you for loving this baby boy, nothing feels any better than having others love our son.



This maybe things his Momma only cares about... BUT, just to fill everyone in:

His favorite toy (adam and I agreed): is something from Storkland that his great-Mema got him, a ball with six links attached to it.

His favorite TV show: Sesame Street, we TIVO it everyday. :) He likes the Wonder Pets, too. (we are watching that now.)

His favorite food: Cantaloupe and Sweet Potatoes

TeETH:zero

Crawl: No.

Drool:Yessssssss!

He loves his baths.

He likes to swim. He keeps his legs and gets super happy!

He is very tickle-ish.

He laughs A lot!

He loves Sadie, too bad she doesn't care much about him.

He is VERY vocal. (not sure how he's gonna escape this, if anyone has meet his Dad, you know!)

He started sleeping on his tummy for the first time this week.

Blue eyes have not changed a bit, as you can see.

and still tons of blonde hair...



We have his six month appointment next week. Stay tuned.



The Gonzenbach's love you....

Sadie's illness.

For those of you who don't know, our little Sadie, our first born, has been very sick... Thanks to Audrie at Dry Fork she is with us today and progressing more and more.

I took her a week from yesterday because she has been getting weaker and weaker....and could NOT figure out what her deal was...
Audrie explained to be when I got there that she was VERY dehydrated, her temp was very low, her heart beat had started slowing down...she was very close to not being with us anymore.



This is her deal!



She has Addisons.

WHAT IS ADDISON'S DISEASE(CANINE HYPOADRENOCORTICISM)?




Addison's disease is a condition in which a dog's adrenal gland does not produce a sufficient amount of either cortisol or aldosterone.

This can cause many serious health complications, and has a high probability of being mis-diagnosed as another disease. This is because the symptoms of Addison's disease in dogs are relatively general, including fatigue, diarrhea, sweating, and muscle pain. The most difficult aspect of dealing with Addison's disease in your dog is receiving a positive diagnosis for the disease. After diagnosis, the treatment options for Addison's disease are very effective, though will require your dog to take medication for the rest of their life.



WHAT CAUSES ADDISON'S DISEASE?

There are several factors that can cause Addison's disease, usually related to improper function of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are very important for your dog's overall health, as they produce many important hormones to aid in proper function of your dog's body.



WHAT DOGS ARE PRONE TO ADDISON'S DISEASE?

Certain dog breeds are suspected to be more prone to develop Addison's disease. These breeds include Portuguese Water Dogs, Bearded Collies, Standard Poodles, Great Danes, and the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. Dogs that have had surgery near the pituitary gland or hypothalamus may also develop Addison's disease (usually Secondary Addison's, since this would be a result of damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus). Generally, many cases of Addison's disease are seen in young or middle-aged female dogs. However, dogs of any age or gender are able to develop Addison's disease.

1. MUSCLE WEAKNESS, GENERAL LETHARGY


A common symptom of Addison's disease in dogs is a noticeable weakness in your dog's muscles. This is easily identifiable by observing any change in your dog's normal activities. Most dogs with Addison's disease will be unable to jump up on the bed, have trouble climbing stairs, or show a lack of any enthusiasm for any activity involving physical exertion.



Dogs with Addison's disease may also seem listless or depressed. They may show a lack of interest in normal everyday activities, and will spend a lot of time lying down.

This is a telltale sign that something is wrong, and should be a good reason to bring your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible.



2. VOMITING AND DIARRHEA

Gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea are very common in dogs with Addison's disease. Dogs with Addison's disease may have either one or both of these symptoms, and their vomit or diarrhea may be accompanied by traces of blood. However, both of these symptoms are also symptoms of many other diseases, so it is impossible to positively diagnose a dog with Addison's disease purely on basis of vomiting and diarrhea.



3. HYPERPIGMENTATION

A dog with Addison's disease will often display small patches or spots of darkened skin, even in areas not exposed to the sun. This is most common around a dog's armpits, mucous membranes, or the inside of the cheek.



4. JOINT PAIN

Joint pain is very common in dogs with Addison's disease. This is usually an easily identifiable symptom, as your dog will show a reluctance for any activity involving excessive movement. A dog with Addison's disease may also whimper or yelp when walking, or may walk with a noticeable limp.



5. LACK OF APPETITE

This symptom is a definite sign that a dog is suffering from a medical condition. A dog with Addison's disease may show a lack of enthusiasm for mealtimes, and may eat in smaller portions than normal. Though this symptom is not unique to Addison's disease, it should be treated as an indication that your dog may need veterinary attention.



6. SHIVERING OR MUSCLE TREMORS

Dogs with Addison's disease may also shiver, or shake uncontrollably on a regular basis. Muscle tremors are not to be ignored, as they can be a symptom of many other serious health conditions besides Addison's disease. If your dog is exhibiting muscle tremors, or occasionally shakes uncontrollably, it is strongly recommended to seek veterinary attention immediately.

soooooo busy....

Let me start off by saying, last week was awesome!

However, let me now say, today is one of those "awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww" days.

I'm sitting here in the living room, watching KLG and Hoda, Graham is on his first nap of the day, I'm still in my pajamas, loads of laundry stacked down the hallway waiting for their turn in the washer and now, now I can update this thing called a blog.

Where shall I start.

Mary Elice went into labor/got induced Wednesday morning. She is a baby MAKER! She was set to go in the morning of the 14th to speed up this process and when she got there she was already having contractions and dialated to a 4.

Lucky!

(it took me all 24 hours to get to a 4)

She had her at 12:31...just in time for us all to have lunch and still have an entire day ahead of us.

Everything went beautifully.

8lbs 5ounces.

...and she looks a LOT like her big sister when she was first born...

The next day Momma semi-celebrated her 46th birthday.

Yvette Slagle and I (mostly yvette) whipped up some of her famous favorites...yum!

Grandy made her a sweet cake....and since the Broussard family still hadn't been released from the hospital we had cake and presents on the 4th floor of United Regional. 

 

Momma/Honey on her 46th Birthday with her 3 grandbabies!!!

I can't believe it.

In less than 2 years she became one heck of a Honey... let's hope the next 2 years don't bring 3 more. Eck!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Momma!

Friday: Started the annual Ritchie Reunion.

(at this time, Graham and I are already pretty worn out)

but not too worn out for all of these Ritchie's

we had DeEdra out for a group shot...

Love DeEdra!

and love having family.

we had THE biggest firework show of all timeS!

...the boys went all out...

Graham got to meet and hang out with tons of family and everyone fell in love with him!

love, love, love him!