Chubby Monkey

Cleaning out drawers and updating baby clothes,

I came across this sweater...

Both boys have been able to wear it...

Kohler

3.5 months

Bransen

6 months

Holy chubs Kohler Monkey!

Halloween Surprise!!

Robbie and I plan "Secret Costumes" each year for Halloween.

Nobody knows what the kids will be until we show up for Trick-or-Treat.

YEAR ONE - 2007

Bransen was a baby girl...

YEAR TWO - 2008

Bransen was a piece of stepped in gum...

YEAR THREE - 2009

A play on sweet baby KOHLER's name...

Bransen LOVED his "MOOSTACH"

We completely understand that Halloween is for the kids and not just to make people laugh.

So we also let Bransen be his TV friend ELMO...

And Rob got dressed up for school too...

And I dressed up like um...

A BIRTHDAY GIRL???

Cystic Fibrosis

As many of you know on July 17th, my life and the lives of my family changed drastically. Our sweet two year old little boy was diagnosed with a life long chronic disease that affects his lungs and digestive system. Cystic Fibrosis didn't change Bransen - just his daily life. As his parents, we have tried to learn all we can to better his life and increase our own knowledge of this disease. As I have been reading and researching, I have been comforted by the spirit and spiritually strengthened that Heavenly Father is aware of us and is helping us daily. We have been blessed beyond measure. Bransen is a blessing in our lives and his disease is a part of him. It doesn't define him. Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a defective gene that causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that can clog the lungs and can lead to life-threatening lung infections. It also obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes that help the body break down and absorb food. We have daily therapies and medications along with regularly office visits with CF doctors in order to keep him healthy. Daily therapies help to loosen clogged mucus from his lungs, inhaled medications help to thin the mucus and inhaled antibiotics to control any infections. Cystic Fibrosis also causes pancreatic insufficiency's. For normal growth, Bransen is require to eat a high-calorie, high-fat diet. (jealous, right!!) His body does not absorb fats properly. People with Cystic Fibrosis need the extra calories to compensate for the malabsorption of nutrients. Bransens also takes enzyme pills with every meal, snack and even a glass of milk. These pills help his body to digest the food so that it can be absorbed properly. Our lives on a daily basis are changed forever. There is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis. There are more than 1,400 different gene mutations of Cystic Fibrosis. Luckily for us, Bransen has the most common mutation which is on track for finding a cure. Until then, we'll continue to fight the fight and keep our boy healthy and strong. Many people don't understand CF. Those who don't, ask questions. (Heck, I don't understand half of what they tell me.) We have an amazing family, whose love and support is unbelievable. We have an awesome little boy who is the greatest blessing any parent could ask for.

Updates and Happenings...

It been over 2 months since baby Kohler was born

I've finally found a few brief moments to post his birth announcement!!

HAVE I MAILED THEM - NO!

One step at a time, people.

AND...

Just to keep all my faithful readers up to date on my eventful life...

Since Monday 10.05.09 - I have not gone beyond the walls of my own home.

WHY YOU ASK?

Take a look see for yourself...

For those that may be interested...

Day 1 - 2 accidents

Day 2 - 2 accidents

Day 3 - 1 accident

Day 4 - ZERO

Day 5 - ZERO

He is the best boy in the world!!

Cute Little Chub...

You forget how fast they grow

Sweet baby Kohler will be 9 weeks in a few days...

and I've accidentally fallen into the

"second child doesn't get their pictures takes as much as the first child" phase.

I'm trying to do better.

5 things we love about Kohler

• He sleeps for about 4 solid hours through the night (eat, diaper and back to sleep)
• He sits contently while his brother kisses, hugs and loves on him all day
• He loves, loves, loves to be held
• He is trying for the world record of dirty diapers
• He is an awesome eater (as proven in the above picture)