Mmm...chocolate bunnies...

Wow, I really had a lot of catching up to do...three updates in two days! Easter was filled with lots of egg hunting, even more baskets, and lots of candy for mom! Our neighbors even hid eggs filled with money in the backyard for him!! Brixon had so much fun.finding all of them, and putting the money into his piggy bank! He was also fascinated with meeting the Easter Bunny. We had to get some more bloodwork done on Friday, and going to see the Easter Bunny was my last-minute bribe to get him to sit through more labs! He wasn't at all dressed for the occasion, but the picture was so darn cute, we got it anyway! He is saying more and more funny things; lately every time he agrees with something, he'll say "yep, mmm hmm, exactly." Today we were leaving school, and he said "Bye Ms. Tina! See you tomorrow! I'm going home to see my family now!" Our car rides home are filled with much chatter; "God made mommy, and daddy, and cars, and birds, and houses, and the sun, and stop signs, and lawnmowers. God made everything!" And he thinks saying 'Holy Moly' is hysterical! He is also not afraid to try new things, which I love. The other night, we were at dinner, and he reached over and grabbed a black olive off my salad. He ate it with no hesitation, and said "Mommy, can I have another one of your tires?" He sure fills my days with laughter. A few weeks ago, he wouldn't go to bed without his mittens on! What a goofball. I've included some of his two-year photos below! Baby Hudson is also giving me a little break on the nausea. I thought it had gone away a few weeks ago, but it returned with a vengeance after two days! I'm hoping it's going for good this time! We will find out if he or she is a boy or a girl in just a couple of weeks!

With his cousins



After lots of egg hunting!

Brix and dad in their matching outfits :)

An update on my little man...

On April 13th, Brixon had his immunology appointment at All Children's Hospital to check out that swollen lymph node. This thing has had us all over the place, with Brixon getting poked and prodded, trying to figure out just why it is always so enlarged. Well, it looks like we have somewhat of an answer. He was diagnosed with Transient Hypogammaglobulinemia of Infancy (quite possibly the longest word I have ever said or typed). Basically, two of his immune system markers are showing to be deficient, and he will likely grow out of it as he gets older. Although he didn't get out of this appointment without having to give yet more blood. This time, they are not only doing a complete blood count, but are also testing for each and every vaccine he has received to ensure that his body is properly fighting against these diseases. In the unlikely event that his body is not, he would have to receive the vaccines again, and also receive a hemoglobin transplant to assist his improperly functioning immune system. Soooooo...we wait. But again, the likelihood is that it is something that we really don't have to worry about, and that he will grow out of. Just like his obsession with 'Cars,' the instinct to bite the dog when she steals his toys, and his need to eat pickles every night before dinner :)

April showers bring May flowers. And lovebugs. And really hot weather.

It seems the Florida summer has been ushered in early this year. Nonetheless, we have been filling our warm days (and nights!) with as many fun things as we can! For a little town, Punta Gorda sure has a lot going on! And if we can't find something to do, we make our own fun. Like throwing a party for 1,500 people from all over the country! FunkFest II was held on Friday, April 8th, and was even more fun than the first! As many of you are aware, I am married to a born entrepreneur. He has already founded and operated two successful businesses, and enjoys throwing concerts with his dad once or twice a year on the side. Last year, he brought in a great band called "Here Come the Mummies" (if you've read this blog even only once, you have likely heard me mention them.) It was freezing (literally. Ask our friends and family that were down from Michigan), but there was such a buzz after the concert that they decided to do it again. If you missed out, accept my apologies for missing out on an absolute blast! These guys know how to put on a show, and not a soul left downtown disappointed that night! If you love great music, and have a good sense of humor, don't miss out on the next opportunity to catch this band!

Oh, you are definitely two!

Two has become quite the challenge. This child is SO much fun, but he has become fiercely independent! He wants to be involved in every decision, whether it is what he wears, what cup he drinks out of, or what movie is on (if I have to watch 'Cars' one more time, I will probably gouge my eyeballs out). It is definitely a test of patience! But these moments are short-lived, and are always overshadowed by all of the great things that he is doing! He continues to surprise me every day. He loves to sing (he knows all of the words to 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'), and there is nothing funnier than when he sings it and plays his drums at the same time (who knew there was a rock version?!). He can count to 13 (then he skips to 17, and 24!), and constantly says 'Grace' ('God is great, God is good, let us thank our food...AAAAAmen!)...haha!!! We keep trying to remind him that it's 'thank HIM FOR our food,' but he won't have any part of it! He learned the first part of the Pledge of Allegiance at school, and he loves to say it on the car ride home! He speaks so well, and converses in seven and eight-word sentences. We are constantly amazed at the things that he comes up with! We were reading a Sesame Street book the other day, and it said "Ernie says 'pretend you're sad'". Brixon said "No, mom, I'm not sad. I'm good." :) We love to listen to him chatter away in his room before we get him up in the morning. Yesterday, he was calling 'Mommy! Mommy! Mommy Casey!!!' And he certainly is charming! He told Nick "you have a nice haircut, daddy," and after I cooked a gourmet meal of grilled cheese and tomato soup, he said "You did a good job cooking, mommy!" Each day is better than the one before!! There are some pictures below of the air show that we went to last weekend. The new baby is easing up on me a little bit; I'm not feeling quite as nauseous as I have been, so that's a relief. Work has been especially crazy, so it is nice to feel a little better during the long days! I found out a few weeks ago I had been promoted, and then last week at our meeting in Dallas, I received the Vice-President's Club award (top 10% in the nation). I received a cash award, and a trip (I can choose from six different places, but we have decided on Rome after the baby is born) with an extra week of vacation! It has been quite the month! And we have another exciting weekend coming up, with the Mummies show in Punta Gorda next Friday! Whew! I may need to take that vacation a little sooner than planned ;)

Dancing!

He loooves fire trucks! He can make friends anywhere!

I never let him eat like this, and in two photos, he has ice cream and potato chips :/

Waving to the fighter jet!

Love those chubby cheekers!