1st Bowling Trip

Keira went bowling, her first time, at Garrett Cliftons 6th birthday party. She had a blast! She wanted to throw way behind the line and I finally convinced her to move closer.

What form this girl has! Ha!

Hmmm..I don't think she was pleased with the outcome! I believe she is going to be a competitor like her mommy-I still hate to lose!

Mamaw Duncan

Mamaw Duncan turned 82 on March 12 and once again the Duncans gathered to celebrate. My sweet grandmother has battled alzheimers for 11 yrs now. Through it all she has remained the sweetest, kindest lady (i know some people turn violent), and she loves the babies. 5 minutes before this pic was taken she was trying to communicate with Brock and was making making faces, and touching him so sweetly. It was a natural response for her and that is amazing to me since she doesn't respond to much anymore, but the babies have always perked her up and she always says "Pretty Boy" The toughest part is having to watch my grandfather dealing with this, they have been married 61 yrs and I cannot even imagine what he must emotionally endure, but he has been a true witness of upholding your marriage vows as he has been by her side every step of the way and she has stayed at home the entire process and been taken care of by him and others. This has been the greatest example of love and support I have seen in a marriage, through good and bad they have stuck it out and are a true testimony to what marriage should be.

9 months

Brock had his 9 month checkup today. He is doing great- weighs a little over 22 pounds (75th percentile), is 29 1/4 inc long (81 st percentile) and his head is 47.8 cm (97th percentile) It is funny to look back at Keira at this age because she was off the charts in height and length her entire first year and I really thought Brock would be bigger than her, it is not a big difference, she was 2 pounds and an inch longer than him at 9 months. It really doesn't matter though, they are 2 different individuals. The only problem I am having right now with him and her is sleep! My kids don't like sleep! Wouldn't you think this would be a natural response, since our bodies are designed for it. Those of you who don't know, I made a huge mistake with Keira, I have slept with her since she was 2 weeks old. It started out that way b/c she wanted to sleep on her belly and of course as a first time mom I was terrified to do this. And my recovery from a c-section was not easy the first time, so I put her onmy chest and slept on the couch with her till around 6 months. Then we moved to the bed, she never slept in her crib a full night. We converted the crib into the bed, skipped the toddler bed phase. Going on 3 years later, I am still sleeping with her. Well back to Brock, I started from the beginning with him sleeping on his own, he was so easy. I could even lay him down awake and he would go to sleep, I thought I was dreaming! When he was sick, I of course held him more and rocked him to sleep, then the past month I have ended up putting him in bed with us. Yes, Brandon has a king bed all to himself. It got to the point that Keira wasn't sleeping at night, she thinks she has to get up when he does and help me, she doesn't cry or fuss, and does not want daddy to lay with her. It is actually sweet at times, when she tells me she loves me and kisses on me and Brock, but not good for her without resting. So the story goes, he wakes about every 3-4 hours. First time I put him in crib, around 4-5 am I put him in bed with us and they both sleep soundly. Well last night at midnight he wakes and I let him cry and cry, this went on for an hour and he finally caved. Keira was so tired she layed in bed with Brandon, but couldn't sleep b/c of the noise. She asked "What is wrong wrong wth him?" He actually slept till 5:45 and I put him in bed with me. I hate this for Brandon, right in the middle of tax season. I try to sneak out of bed at 7:30 and put Brock back in his crib, but Keira fells me move, b/c now she has decided to hang one leg around my waist, like she is pinning me down. Brock wakes and she has to get up, so I let them stay up since we have a doctors visit at 9:20. They are both so tired! Brandon and I both decided after the doctor said it is a comfort issue and nothing is wrong with Brock, to not give up and just go through a few nights of agony. I cannot and will not mess this one up about sleeping. We regret we didn't do this with Keira at an early age. I don't mid sleeping with her, it's just that she won't go to bed until I go. I tried to convince her I would come in later and sleep with her if she would get in bed at a descent hour. We will have to break her soon also, as she will be starting pre-school this fall. Oh the mess I have created!!

Playing

Playing in the activity center and also crawling in Keira's tunnel while she took a nap.

FLY Lady

I have to share this website with you all. It is http://flylady.net/index.asp This lady is awesome! It is all about being organzied, decluttering, routines, etc. I have found this very helpful and joined her email list. I am a FLYbaby!! Some of you may have it together, but I feel like I don't at times. Especially with 2 little ones now. The whole shine your sink thing may sound crazy and I was skeptical at first, but it makes sense after you get use to it. She can be seen on channel 10 on the Style show at times. She has so many great ideas and can really help you no matter what stage you are in regarding your home and childrens ages. Some of it applies to me and some of it doesn't. That is the beauty of the whole concept, you apply what fits to your lifestyle and go from there. Sometimes I follow the cleaning zones and sometimes I don't. Once you understand the concept she is having you do, it all comes down to routines. Hope someone finds this useful!

I have not took any pics since Monday, but I will re-cap some of our week. Wed. I took Keira and Brock to the library for storytime. Ms. Barb read 2 books and then the kids do a craft. Keira seemed to enjoy this and we will go back. She didn't say much during the activities, but I have learned if she is uncomfortable or isn't sure of people she is around, she tells me "Let's go bye-bye." I asked her after we left if she liked it, and of course the answer was "No." Brock enjoyed watching all the kids, 10 if I remember correctly. We then enjoyed the rest of the day at home and then went to church. I had to spank Keira at church. I went to pick them up after my handbook time was over in Awanas and like usual, Keira told on herself first thing. She had been pushing Evan. I asked the teacher and she said it was true, so I told Keira to apologize and she refused. We exchanged words for a minute and then I took her out in the hallway and she got spanked. However, she still refused to apologize. She is so stubborn! We are working on this every day when situations come up. I have learned she is quite the bully at church, yet she talks about her friends at home alot, and she even told me on the way to church that she was going to be nice. Guess that changed in the classroom. Hopefully this is one of those toddler phases and will pass quickly. She really is sweet majority of the time. Thursday morning Keira finally got to go back to gymnastics! She had such a great time and this has been good for her. She follows direction well and it has helped her learn to take turns and wait in line for things. After lunch we came home and my friend, Sarah, who lives in Nashville now, and I miss her dearly, came by to visit. We got to play outside some and just enjoyed the company. Both the kids love Sarah. The past 2 days we have stayed home and played and enjoyed visits form the grandparents. Keira is thrilled when they come over.

Good weather!

We took advantage of finally having a pretty day and without the kids being sick to play outside on Monday. At Papaw and Mamaw Leffews house they jumped (Brock didn't like it when Keira jumped since his face hit the floor) and then we took a wagon ride to see Aunt She-She. She-She was able to get some good loving since no one has seen us in almost a month.

3 generations

3 generations of Duncan women. My grandmother, aunt, and myself. I could not get Keira to do this with us. I hope one day soon she will. My grandmother has alzheimer's and this is something I would like to put in Keira's scrapbook for her to always have. I wish I had more pics of Keira with her great-grandparents, but she will not do this.

Everywhere

Brock is all over the place now on all 4. He is into everything and loving exploring the world around him. Keira is enjoying be his "boss" and telling him "No" when he tries to grab something like the computer, etc.

Birthday

Today was Big Papaw's 86th birthday and the Duncan's gathered for a celebration. My grandfather is a dandy!

My Thoughts Today

I was just reading an update email on Hannah, 7 yrs old, who recently had a brain tumor removed and it was anaplastic ependymoma, cancer, and is in the intermediate stage. Praise God that the cancer did not spread to her spinal column or elsewhere, but she is fixing to undergo radiation therapy. She is an amazing, intelligent, beautiful little girl, with a smile that lights up the room. If you read this please, please, lift her and her parents up in prayer. God has already worked many miracles in this situation and Tracey(her mother) listed them in the email. Please pray for complete healing!! Since this has happened and with the passing of a 2 1/2 yr old from church last year, I have really begun to look at my babies in a different light. I have seen how precious life is and how in a moments time our lives can be changed forever. I never want to take them for granted or not tell them every day how much I love them. Brandon was telling his buddy about Hannah and he asked Brandon" As a Christian, how do you think you would respond?" Tough question, right. We discussed it and hoped we could handle it the way God intends us to handle a trial. I pray we never have to find out. Easier said when your not living in that type of crisis. We all go through trial and crisis, some more than others, but as I look around at family and friends, everyone has battles they are fighting on a daily basis, and it makes me even more thankful that I decided to stay at home and be with my kids. The Lord has made it clear to me this is my role, even though 7-10 yrs ago I never, ever imagined this as my life. I planned on coaching ball the rest of my life and becoming the next greatest coach in high school and college. I had it all planned out. Yes I could get married and have children, Pat Summitt and others have done it, and been successful at it. So why couldn't I? Do you notice what my sentences start with, I, I, I. See, this was all me, not God's will. After I got married and came back to my walk with the Lord, it all became clear and God laid it out for me. I turned my life back over to Him and followed His plan, not mine. Then Keira came along, and I knew I could not leave her with anyone else to raise. I know some people do not have a choice in this matter, but thankfully I did. After reading JohnMacArthur books, The Fulfilled Family, and What the Bible Says About Parenting, and Scripture made it even clearer and I do not miss teaching or coaching. Ephesians 5 outlines the roles of family members. I have ran into people I went to school with or they have seen my mom, and cannot believe I have children and want to stay at home. This is the happiest I have ever been in a "job" I don't know why I am sitting here writing all this, I guess it is a way to get things off my chest. As Brandon and I have changed some things in our life and are trying to live for Christ and by what the Bbile says, I am finding it more difficult to get others to see why we do or don't do cetain things. For example, Halloween is a huge holiday, but we choose not to celebrate it and our kids will have no part in the celebration. I personally, after studying Scripture and hearing preaching on t his subject, cannot understand how any Christian can take part in this. We will not do a jack-o-lantern, trick or treat, etc. Go ahead, some of you think I am taking it to the extreme, but when you look at how and why this stuff originated, then maybe you get the point. There is other areas family and friends think I am taking it too far with certain things, and I want go there, and I have come to the conclusion that it is okay if people think this or that. Brandon and I know that we are the ones going to stand before God and be judged for our responsibility of raising our kids. People's opinions don't matter anymore in this area, I am living for Jesus and will try my best to do as Scripture says. I want to please God, not man. Teaching my children the gospel is my responsibility and I cannot leave it to someone else to do. We worry about our kids health, what school they will go to, do they have the best toys, name brand clothes, etc. when we need to be concerned about their spiritual health. If I worked we could have a bigger home, Brandon could get a bigger truck, I wouldn't have to buy my clothes on sale, we could travel more, buy nicer electronic things, etc. but none of this stuff mattters when it comes down to it. It is just "stuff" and God don't care how big my house is or if I have the latest Coach purse. The Lord has given me such peace and joy with our lifestyle and I am content with where we are at right now in all areas of our lives. Again I am not sure why I wrote this, I guess because all this has been going on in my head lately and Brandon and I are pondering a major decision in our lives. We haven't reached a decision yet, but it is something we need to pray about and look to God to guide us on. I could go on and on, I have so much going on in my head, I will stop......for now. Maybe I should do a daily or weekly thought. LOL

Front Teeth

Brock now has 4 teeth!













I went to check in on Keira, who was playing in her room, and this is what I found as I turned the corner. She is a climber and will attempt to climb most anything.

Doctor Visit

I took both kids back to the doctor for re-check of their ears. Both still have ear infections in both ears!! Brock is pretty bad and Keira had some fluid left but nothing like brother. He gave us a strong antibiotic and if this doesn't help, I think tubes would be the next step. This explains why Brock has been getting up during the night frequently. He only got up 2 times last night, which I am thankful for and Keira didn't get up at all. So 10 more days of medicine and then go get re-checked again. I am so ready for spring to be here and cold season to be gone.

Crawling

Brock crawled last night for the first time. He has been trying for weeks now and then took off after Keira's plate. I guess we should have set food down in front of him earlier. Of course I didn't get a picture or video of it, I was working on the computer and Brandon yells "Look" and I turn and there he went. I had almost forgot how exciting that is watching them learn and hit the milestone of crawling. Poor Keira, she doesn't even realize what this all means in her little world. She thinks its bad now about Brock getting into her toys............ The fun is just beginning!!!

Fun

Brock was sitting in the middle of the living room and next thing I know he had scooted to the other side of the room under the ball goal.







Being silly in her doll's bed. She is such fun!

This was on Wed. and by Thursday evening, both kids have taken a relapse with the colds. We was on the road to recovery and then wham... we get hit again. The thing is they have not been out in 2 weeks, so I am not sure how they got this again. Keira is coughing her head off even as I type this. They are playing fine but I guess I will keep them isolated another week or so........

Hot Fudge Cake

Around 7:30 Keira and I decided to make a hot fudge cake (okay, just me,but she was more than willing to help) and she was eating the batter like it was going out of style. So.....close to 9 we eat it. I don't know what I was thinking - she was so sugared up, it was crazy at our house. She ran circles around the living room and would fall on her stuffed animals and die laughing and then get up and go again, this lasted 30 minutes. Meanwhile Brock got hyped up also and Brandon asked if he had gotten chocolate too. Keira then had Brock rolling around in the floor and pushing him down, and he just laughed which only caused more craziness. She was a wild child and it was actually good to see them acting this way since they have not felt great the past 2 weeks. But no more chocolate that late again!!





Little Man eagerly wanting a taste - which he did not get.

V-Day

We had just returned from Jenna's ball game at Anderson County and the kids opened cards and gifts from family and mommy and daddy.









Keira excited over a Dora card from Uncle Wade, Aunt Pam, Jenna, and Allison
Brock first Valentines. This boy loves giving and receiving love from the women already.

Babies

Keira has been acting like a baby at times: wanting a bib on, crawling, wanting her cup to be fed to her like a bottle, you get my drift. It is funny and I let her be, since this will only last for awhile.
Both of the kids are feeling better but still the sympoms of a cold are lingering. I kept them out of the church nursery yesterday and wish I could keep them isolated until spring. It has been one thing after another since Christmas with colds, virus, and ear infections. I know things could be worse, I am just ready for them to be well. Keira complained last night of a headache, first time for this, and my mind wanders with what ifs? I know worry is a sin, but it's hard not to when your babies are not feeling good. And being paranoid does nothing either. I just pray for the flu season to be over and everyone( friends an family that are sick) to get better.

Valentine Pic

Sick House

We have had a sick household going on for a week now. It all started last Wed. after the kids had valentines pics made. Brock would not smile or sit and get his pic taken, he kept looking and reaching towards me. When I picked him up he was grinning. Keira did everything the photographer asked her and smiled big, which normally doesn't happen. Afterwards at lunch Keira's eye started looking red and having discharge, so Thursday morning we went to the doctor and had our first experience with pink eye. Thursday night she coughed her head off and didn't sleep and a cold had begun too. Friday night I had both of them in the doctors office and she had ear infections in both ears, and Brock had just started the running nose. Well friday night was Brock's turn to be up all night and so saturday morning i take him back to the doctor, pink eye and some type of virus. Poor thing must have had some form of stomach thing going on, by the way he was acting. Saturday night still not sleeping good, sunday evening he started sounding like a seal barking when he coughed and sound terrible, so I call Monday morning and they want to see him immediaetly. This worried me and I am thinking pneumonia or something along those lines. He ends up having the croup and ear infections have begun. We do a breathing treatment in office and they give him a steriod. He slept most of the day and sounded so much better. There is no telling how bad he actually felt! Finally today we are on the mend and they are both doing so much better. He is back to Mr.Happy except for the remainder of his cold and Keira has a little runny nose and cough, but is playing just fine. Thank goodness this is about behind us. I thank the Lord that Brandon and I have not come down with something. Especially it being tax season!

Like Daddy

Keira wanted to go to work like daddy, and of course, she was w/o clothes which is not uncommon in our house.

All the toys came out and in went Keira and Brock.

Sissy's Toy

Sissy would be so mad if she knew I played with her toys while she is asleep. Especially her beloved scanner and cash register. Serves her right, since she takes my toys away from me when she is awake. HA!!! Hopefully all this banging with the scanner won't wake her up!

Self-Pic

While waiting for gym to start Thursday morning, Keira decided to take pics, and this one she took of herself. Don't think I will be entering this one in any contests! LOL

Fan

I hope Brock is thinking "Please Daddy take this Duke hat off"