On The Stinson Scene

Family of Four and my new commitment!

2010-04-16T09:25:00.001-07:00

Howard Glenn Stinson III was born on April 2, 2010 at 10:56pm. He makes our family complete and a full even number of FOUR! I still can’t believe we have a son, simply amazing!!!

Baby number 2 means that I get to stay home most of the time with my amazing children. Glenn has a steady job that we are so thankful for and allows me to mother our children instead of paying someone else to do it while I get paid to raise other people’s children. This leads to my commitment…I’m going to blog more often!!! I PROMISE!! You’ll get crazy silly stories and pictures, but it’ll be fun and exciting. As we grow and go through new things this will change and update so I’m excited about having a place to share everything!!!

For today here are some pictures…

Introducing Little Glenn…

So far in June...

2009-06-18T19:41:00.000-07:00

Life with a one year old has been interesting. The week after her party she got really grumpy. She is normally such an easy baby, but I figured it was some "everyone left me"(after all the family left) and "I had more sugar than Mommy has ever given me". After a few days I realized she had an ear infection. In my worst moment of "bad mommy" yet I decided to wait to take her to the doctor. A little bit of "it could clear up on its own" and a dash of "insurance kicks in in a few days". But 3 days before insurance kicked it I got called from work because they couldn't get her to stop crying at daycare(not my pumpkin at all!!). I took her to Urgent Care and learned she had an ear infection and ruptured ear drum. Poor baby!!! Two days of antibiotics made her a much happier baby!!

We've had a fun few weeks too!! Finally picked up the water table Granny and Grandpa bought Makayla for her birthday! She LOVES it!!! Definately a great thing to have. She stands and splashes at the water table and uses the cup to dump the water on herself and on the ground(acutally the neighbors deck below us).

We've been to City Market, which was full of adventures. What does it say about our recession when two ATM are broke and one is out of money. We ended up walking through a drive through ATM with a few other people and cars...I wish I'd taken a picture!!

We went to Old Shawnee Days! Watched the parade with Scotty and Carol and Emma while Daddy was at work. It was really fun! Makayla found some rocks to play with. She wanted to

throw them...I was against it, didn

't think it was a good idea when I saw what an arm

she has!

Makayla got to eat her first sucker when Emma shared one of the ones she got at the parade!!

After the parade and such we went back to Old Shawnee Days of the concert with Daddy, Uncle Scotty, Aunt Carol and Emma. Makayla's first rock concert, she even punked her hair(really I don't know how this happened, but it worked so we went with it!!) Watching Knight Raider was definately not what I expected for her first concert, but it was fun to hang out with everyone!!

She also really enjoys the swings!! Makes her laugh and laugh!!!

First Birthday Stuff

2009-06-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

So I'm WAY behind on blogging...sorry!! I'll get better...or at least I'll try!!

My baby girl turned on last Monday!! A holiday birthday means Mommy spreads it out!! We had my parents, sister Tammy, Kenny and Lexi, Melissa, Ben and Alex here visiting and celebrating with us!! Of course Scott, Carol and Emma were around to celebrate too!!!

Saturday we went to Jiggle Jam(a family music festival). The kids had a great time playing in the water fountian and dancing to music!!

Sunday was the big party!!! We rented a pavillion and planned a bbq. I saw "big" in relative terms...literally. It was my best friend(like family growing up) and her family, my parents, my sister and her family, and Glenn's best friend and his family. It was a great time. Scott did a great job on the grill, the kids had fun playing at the park and I had a great time watching everyone enjoy themselves and getting some great pictures!! I can't wait to find time to scrapbook them!! For now I'll share them here...

Birthday Makayla with Daddy and Mommy!!

Hanging out...waiting and grilling....

Makayla standing on the table with Mommy

Emma and "my friend Alex". That is what Emma called Alex all weekend. "My friend Alex, come here." "Can my friend Alex ride with us?" "I want to sit with my friend Alex". It was adorable!!!

Makayla LOVES Emma!!! She is saying more things now, but for a while she would say "Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom", "More more more more", "Emamamamamama"

Alex, Glenn and Makayla on the swings. Glenn loves swinging with Makayla!

Time for cake(or cupcakes!)!!

I made cupcakes and did this cupcake tower. This is a horrible picture...they are actually pink frosting!

"Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Makayla! Happy Birthday to you!!"

Makayla was so amazed that everyone was standing around singing. This was her face during the whole song.

It took Makayla a moment to decide to eat the cake (everyone was watching her, so she wanted to watch them watch her). Then she went face first. I don't know why she wouldn't use her hands...she eats with her hands all the time. But something made her dive right in!! It was great!!!

Then she picked it up, turned it over and devoured the cake!! And next thing I knew this is what she looked like!! She gave very yummy kisses!!

Grandpa was playing with Makayla. I came back to the table and looked for Makayla. She was all the way down the path with Grandpa. She walked all the way down there holding his hand. She does a great job walking and holding onto hands, but it was sweet to see her with her Grandpa.

She also walked a lot with Granny!!!

Makayla had fun opening her gifts too!!! Thank you to everyone for the fun gifts!!

But the most exciting time of the day was seeing Makayla take her first two steps on her own!! She walked to Grandpa!!! She hasn't done it since...silly girl would rather sit down and crawl then take a couple steps!!!!

I can't believe my little girl is a whole year old!! I very vividly remember being on the phone with my mom and saying "hey, I think my water broke", then I still got the receipe for Jello Salad that I had called about!

Father God, I'm so thankful for my little girl!! Thank you for the gift and the responsiblity! Thank you for the health of our family and the love between us. I trust in your promises and your future blessings. Please give us the knowledge and wisdom to make decisions that bring You glory and help teach our little girl Your love for her and how to have Your love for humanity!!

A day in the life of...

2009-04-15T20:50:00.000-07:00

So last night and today were not fun in our household!! This is a story void of pictures because...well, because it no one wants to see pictures of today!! But I decided to tell the story. Glenn got his first full glimpse of parenthood at its finest.

Last night was a late night of work for my husband. Three days a week he closes the store and one of those he has to stay late and make note of EVERYTHING in the store, which means he gets home even later. So he came to bed about 1:30 this morning. Within 3 minutes of him crawling into bed I heard it begin. Another night of Makayla waking up screaming. I tried to let her cry it out and finally Glenn said "I'll go check on her". She got louder when she saw someone and ended up him bringing her to me. She had worked herself up so much that it took me 10 mins to calm her down, finally done by giving her her favorite toy...my cell phone!! She loves my cell phone....she looks at the picture of her and her daddy and "talks" to the silence(now if someone is really there she pulls it away from her ear). Glenn asked if we needed to take her to the er...no honey, she'll be fine!!
So the night did not get better, she would sleep and wake up over and over. I don't know how much I actually slept. Finally we got up and got our morning started, banana and Eggo waffle for breakfast, Mommy-Baby shower, then rush out the door because Mommy felt like she had lots of time...nothing unusual! Drop her off at LaTonya's and I head to work. I spent the first half of my day in rooms with sleeping kids and I just wanted to join them!! Man it's rough!!
My fabulous husband came and brought me lunch and PEPSI!!!! The Pepsi was the important part in my day and the husband was an added bonus!
Work is over, I go pick up Makayla to find out she had a low grade fever all day, 4 poopie diapers and chewing on things all day. We decide she is having trouble getting that 8th tooth the rest of the way through. I meet Glenn at Sears Grand(something we just discovered...I like!!) and get baby Oragel. We argue about weither or not it is stealing to open and use it before we purchase it...I win and Makayla got her gum numb. We do a little more shopping...trying to find me clothes, something I desperately hate!!!
Finally get home, give Makayla a night snack and bath(trying to figure out the best way to smooth this weird schedule over). She comes and is playing with Daddy and then all the sudden throws up all over him!! He looks at me like HELP! I try to find a towel, then decide to take the baby. Makayla had none on her cause it all landed on Glenn. Glenn was grossed out and he showered, I brought down a load of laundry, give Makayla another dose of Tylonal(since I'd given it to her just before she threw up) and she goes to bed.
Now I'm praying for a better night sleep for me....I mean for her!!! And Glenn saw what it means to love no matter what as he kissed Makayla goodnight!!! Yeah for Daddyhood!!!

Our apartment

2009-04-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

With all of our stuff still in storage in Colorado we rented our apartment and moved out of Scott's house!! So, here is a little tour of our new home....remember, home is where the heart is...home is where you hang your hat...home is not always where your stuff is....

Our dining room! Notice the super fancy table and chairs.

Working at the desk. Makayla is saying "Daddy I want kisses"....so Daddy gave her kisses after I translated 10 month old speak for him!! haha!

Hollywood Bath - Not sure about the name, but it's essentially 1 1/2 bathrooms all connected. First you see the "guest bath"(toliet and sink), then you go through a door to the shower/tub, then through another door to the "master bath" with a toliet and sink with counter space!

the weirdest part to me is that there are fans in both bathrooms everytime you turn on the light, but only a heater in the shower room....and no heater vent in either bathroom!

The Master
This is our fancy, high class master bedroom!! Actually it's pretty large....this is a queen size air matress.

Makayla's Room

She also has a large room!! Super excited about her having a walk in closet to keep all her toys and some of my extra junk!!!

We are talking about getting a futon to go in her room for guests...which means people will have to come visit!!

Living Room-Scrapbooking Corner

I am standing in the dining room. This corner will be my scrapbooking corner...you can see my Cricut machine and bag already is waiting for a table to work on.

Oh and don't miss the cute baby wanting to play outside on the patio!!

Living Room - Living Area

This is where the tv and stuff will go. We have a love seat and couch coming soon and it'll section off this area.

Notice the little tv turned around and NOT connected to the cable box...this well organized person forgot to pack the power cord for the tv in my car...opps!

The Kitchen

And here is our kitchen. I'm starting to really like it. We have a good size pantry and lots of counter space. Not sure where we will put a microwave.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of our empty apartment!! Hopefully our stuff will get here soon!!

The LONG way to Kansas

2009-03-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

We were moving to Kansas! Everything was set and decided. Glenn was in Kansas working as the Assistant Manager at Jimmy John's. Makayla and I stayed in Colorado a while longer to finish things up there and finish out the breaking of our lease and be in a place where I had a job. When time came for us to get ready to leave Colorado my great-aunt Jackie made a silly comment on Facebook saying we should take the long way to Kansas through Alabama and Arkansas. I blew it off and laughed. Of course things take a moment to settle in my brain, and I realized this is a great opportunity to see my grandparents and Glenn agreed.
So the plans changed! Makayla and I packed the car(and it was packed!!!) and put everything else in storage to be brought to Kansas at a later date. We left on a Thursday and drove to Oklahoma, where we spent a whole day with one of my best friends and her family!! It is always good to spend time with Melissa and it was fun to see her daughter and Makayla together.

We left Oklahoma and drove to Arkansas, picked up my parents and headed to Alabama to surprise my Granny and Granddad!!! It was so exciting and beyond a blessing to all of us!!!!

So here are pictures from our amazing few days together! My Granny and Granddaddy are the two people I respect, honor and adore most in this world. I hope and pray God will allow many more chances for Makayla to spend time with her great-Granddaddy and great-Granny, and I'm beyond grateful for this time we had together!!!

Makayla walking with her Granny

Granddaddy invited his siblings over to meet his great-Granddaughter!! I love spending time with my great-aunts and uncles and again it was awesome to see them!

This is Makayla with her great-great aunt Sibel and Jackie.

Makayla is walking with her Granddad.

Makayla and her great-Granny!! Makayla LOVED spending time with them and was so good with them!

Makayla and her great-great Uncle Frankie

Great-Granddaddy also took Makayla on walks around the house. For 2 days Makayla went from grandparent to grandparent "convincing" them to help her walk around and around the house!!

One of my requests when I see my Granny is that she make her special yummy spaeghetti sauce!! And she gladly made it!! :) Makayla crawled in the kitchen and was watching her. Then when it came time to eat, she ate it all up and oh boy was she a mess(this picture is before the first bite!).

After 2 days it was time to head to Kansas. We spent one night at my parents house...

On the way from Arkansas to Kansas I saw signs for the "Precious Moments Chapel", we were both ready for a car break so I decided to stop. We grabbed a bite to eat in the little cafe and then walked out to the chapel. It was beautiful with the Precious Moments paintings all over.Grandpa's Island is in the back ground. He built it and only his grandchildren were allowed out there!!

During the tour Makayla kept looking at the painting on the ceiling of the chapel!

Outside there were beautiful gardens! They were putting the statues back out after the winter.

Inside were these super cute big sulputes of the birthday figurines!!

And just when we thought we were on the last leg of the trip going to see Daddy, my car wouldn't drive right. The highest speed I could get up to was 45mph. I ended up pulling over when I was only going 10mph on the highway and got in contact with my great aunt and 2nd cousin. My cousin towed my car to his house, my aunt and cousin took Makayla and I to dinner, and Glenn drove down to pick us up! So my clutch is out and the car is in Joplin, Mo waiting for quotes on getting it fixed!!! That car has given me LOTS of trips and fun but couldn't get this last bit! I'm very thankful it died where it did and for my family for coming to my rescue!!

Glenn and Makayla were very glad to see each other, once we finally got to Kansas City! Makayla laid with Glenn in the morning instead of me, what fun!!!

Getting out with the baby!!

2009-03-02T21:14:00.000-08:00

Makayla is at the begining of such a fun age! We can do stuff and she enjoys it and reacts to it!!

Yesterday was such an amazingly beautiful day here in Colorado, and I knew we don't have many days left, so I made a point of getting out!

I pushed Makayla in her stroller and she loved "singing" as we were on the gravel road and it made her voice quiver. I also tried to get some good "Colorado" pictures with her.

Then we turned a corner and saw this duck pond, I had no clue it was back there!! The ducks weren't interested in us because I had nothing to feed them and the group of mom's with their boys across the pond had bread....lucky them! Makayla still enjoyed smiling and watching the water and the "weird" big kids who were amazed that there were dead fish in the pond.

Then, around the corner was a peacock. Eventually it spread his tail feathers, but Makayla didn't really care. There was a 3 year old boy there with his parents. Mom told him to say "Hi Peacock" and he shouted really loud "HI

COCK!!!" The parents and I just laughed.....kids say the darnedest things!!!

There were also cows and sheep and chickens and roosters and horses. Going to Rock Ledge Ranch was the fall back instead of the zoo and just as good....well, better cause it was FREE!!!

Then yesterday we met Tammy and Lexi for an evening of dinner and playing at Lil' Biggs. Mr Biggs is a big kid play area(bowling, mini golf, aracade, pizza buffet, ect...) in Colorado Springs and they just opened another play area for littler kids.

So after pizza and pasta eating we took the girls over to the play area. I was very glad we were the only ones there, cause it was still a little too for Lexi and Makayla.

But Makayla ate her first sand box!! She touched the sand, then licked her hand, but it in the sand and started eating it! I couldn't get her to stop....glad it's inside sand!

Lexi wasn't sure about the sand till I showed her how to shovel it into the water wheel thing they had there, then she was hooked.

We also go to put our children in jail.

But Makayla figured out how to escape!!

Then we put a hat on Makayla and she turned into a firefighter driving the firetruck!!!

And Makayla went on her first slide. She wasn't a fan of going alone, but she laughed a lot sitting on Mommy's lap!!!

We are trying to have a lot of fun and see a lot of people during our last days in Colorado.

9 Months Old

2009-02-27T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today Makayla and I went and had her 9 month pictures made! Of course I spent more money than I had planned, but really how could I not when she takes such stinkin cute pictures!!! Here are the "untouched" version of her pretty pictures!!!

The many faces of Makayla!!! KiddieKandids has this new thing they do called "Faces" and they took these pics and zoomed in and made them high contrast black and white. These are cute but the others were amazing!!!!

When I went in to pick up her pictures they were already using them on their "sample" webpage they have as the screen saver. Our baby is now looked at by all the parents who come into the Colorado Springs store....at least till the next cute baby comes along!!

Our social baby

2009-02-27T18:07:00.000-08:00

Makayla comes with me to daycare 2 days a week and stays with her Aunt Tammy the other 3 days. When I'm on my breaks I am able to go see her the days she is at daycare!! It's really fun to be able to check on her and play with her while I'm on my break.

Yesterday I went to see her and was going to pick her up and take her with me to the cafeteria for lunch. Her teachers were getting ready for lunch and 2 of her friends were sitting at the table. I picked her up and said "let's go get lunch! you can come eat with Mommy today". She pushed herself away from me. When I put her down she crawled to the table and tried to pull herself up in her chair. She was so excited to eat with her friends, she waved at me as a I left!! Her teacher Cindy does such an amazing job with her. We are sad to leave her and have to find another one....we've been beyond blessed with amazing teachers at both daycares so far, it's going to be hard to compare!!!

These pictures are a few months old, but show her sitting at the table at daycare!!!

Makayla and her friend Ben sitting at the table eating spaghetti 2 weeks ago!!

Opening Blog

2009-02-27T07:12:00.001-08:00

Since our life is changing rapidly and our Makayla is growing and developing quite a personality I decided to start a blog to share those fun stories and pictures.

Glenn and I are both on Facebook and MySpace and share lots of pictures there(thanks for mobile uploads), but I wanted to be able to share stories for all those who love us and want to know to read when they want!! :)

So let me start by catching everyone up on what has happened and where we are today, then I'll post the story that happened yesterday that started my thoughts to do this whole thing.

Glenn and I were engaged on Thanksgiving, 2007, our beautiful Makayla was born on May 25, 2008

On September 21, 2008 Glenn and I were married. My parents, sister, and aunt came out from Arkansas, Arizona and California. Glenn's aunt & uncle drove from Oklahoma. My good friends Melissa and Joe(haha...no they are not a couple) flew out from Oklahoma and California. Glenn's best friend Scott and his daughter Emma drove out from Kansas City. We were surrounded by a lot of our loving friends and family!!

The next fews months were a lot of adjustment, growth and realization!! Glenn and I struggled through things, Makayla grew and started doing new things (she has cut 6 teeth to date) and we really learned what amazing friends we have and those who truely love us!!

Currently, Glenn and I are living seperate. He spent the past 3 weeks in Kansas and is now in Champange IL. Makayla and I are still in Colorado Springs. Now this is actually exciting, because Glenn went to Kansas to start a new job and is in IL at "sandwich school". He is now the assistant manager at Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shoppe. Makayla and I are finishing up my job here in Colorado Springs and will be starting to pack this weekend. We will be leaving Colorado to join Glenn in Kansas on the 12th of March. We are SO excited to start new jobs, make new friends and focus on our marriage and our family. We are excited to be living in the same town as Scott and all the fun that we can have together. I am excited to live closer to my dear Melissa and are already talking about weekend trips to see each other!!! And my parents are definately excited that we'll be close enough for 3 day weekend trips. We are currently still praying for my job situation, hoping I'll be able to transfer with Bright Horizons, but still waiting to hear from the 2 centers here that are hiring.

I hope you enjoy catching up with us and keeping up with us via this blog. I will try hard to keep it updated as fun, story worthy things happen!!!