How many showings does it take?

Hey fam and friends,

How are you all. We are doing great but asking ourselves, "how many showings does it take?" This week we reached our 12th showing (in three weeks) and two of them were second showings. Rob was in Calf all this week so the cleaning seemed very heavy! How many showings does it take? Don't know if I can handle too many more of these! The boys are great helpers with the cleanings and we have really had some great times "getting out of the house" but I am hopeful we are on our final leg.

Boys are great! We went to Caleb's 18month Doctors apt this week and he is a weed! He is in the 100+ percentile for height and in the 84th for weight, he has not gained any weight since his last apt but has managed to put on 2.5inches! He did great with all his shots and this coming Friday is Braydon's big 3yr old apt so keep everyone posted on how he is doing. So far both have been consistently off the charts with the number of words they know, sentence structure and social interactions.

When it comes to the house cleaning I have to give the two little guys props. They are great helpers. B will walk around with Pledge and spray everything that is wood and I come behind and wipe it off. Caleb helps vacum by going around with his little popper thing and vacuming as well. They are excellent at putting their toys away and over all are very helpful!

They are currently both in the bath that is filled to their chins with bubbles, the giggles are non-stop because Devo is in there eating bubbles and licking faces. Good times! Caleb just let out a shriek that could break glass. This is his most recent form of communication and also one that lands him in timeout consistently. (Now this is where I struggle as a mom, do I take his soggy butters out of the bath and into timeout to prove my point or do I just let this one go....?) I have had to start reading my parenting books again with this kid (good advice JJ). He is breaking all the rules and is throwing some really impressive temper tantrums. I feel like I am starting from scratch.

This week I was able to spend a little extra time with the kids and it was great! We went to the botanical gardens, I got started a little early on Halloween and we made pumpkins. Played Playdough and this weekend the boys made a VERY special something for Mrs. Lauren, we will not go into detail because we dont want to spoil the surprise! They are doing great and we cant wait to see you all soon.

Moment of the week: I woke Braydon up from a nap one day this week, he was really groggy and just reached up threw an arm around my neck and asked me to snuggle. :)

album 09\19\2010 (31 photos), by maureen jenkins

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Howdy

Hey guys, hope you guys are all doing well. Everyone is great here. Lots of showings this week, cute boy stories and more.

The week went pretty quick. The house got another 4 showings which is great but also a TON of work. We got really positive feedback and have our fingers crossed that there will be more to come.

Three nights this week we were unable to find Devo and each time she was fast alseep at the end of Braydons Bed. Each time she seemed to have waited about an hour after they went to bed, pushed the bedroom door open and found her spot. It was really sweet. She loves those boys soo much.

This weekend was filled with exciting things for the boys. We painted pottery Sat morning, B painted a car, Zonie/Rob painted a football and I painted a pumpkin. We had to leave them there for the week to get them glazed, B keeps reminding me that "we need to go back to the pottery store to get out things" I think he liked it!

After pottery B and I had a date day in the city. We had big plans and most got ruined by bad weather but it was just he and I for a few hours, we went to a show and then he got to pick out whatever he wanted from a bakery for a treat. We had a blast, and what a handsome date I had.

That same night Robbie took us to a VERY fancy dinner. They boys both wore button down shirts, nice jeans and brown boots. They were so well behaved everyone was impressed. The waiter commented as well as a few other people. I was very proud.

This AM was another story......from our bedroom we heard screams and what I thought was crying. I rushed upstairs and Caleb has pulled off his diaper and peed (deliberately) on everything. He thought he had invented the best game ever. B thought it was all pretty great as well. He was on his bed jumping up and down laughing hysterically!! So what I thought was crying was shreaks of fun. A bath happened, breakfast and that was wonderfully followed by Devo digging up the flowers again only this time it was in mud (tons of rain) so it was back in the bathroom, the Johnson and Johnson was put up and Lavendar Puppy was brought out.....Awesome guys...awesome....

Lunch just finished (PB & J) and Caleb finished his looking like a war victim. B was in fits of giggles. they got hosed off ( i am over giving baths at this point) and put down for a nap. It is days like this that they are sooo lucky they are cute. :)

We miss you guys!

Mo

Howdy

Hey Guys

How is everyone? The Doane clan is great and growing. We went to a football game this weekend boys had a very successful trip to the library, we survived what felt like a hurricane and the house is listed, showing are happening and Phoenix here we come.

Doane addition 5 (the dogs count) is getting big and doing great. We went in to the doctor this week and baby is thriving! Big as ever, last time we saw it on the screen it was itty bitty and now it has a full profile, you could see the little hands up at its mouth, so cute! We are excited for it to get here only another 6mos!

We went to the UT game this weekend and had a blast. It was hot as Hades but the boys could have cared less. B went into the game with Rob and last the whole time!!! Not only was it late and Rob forgot to feed him but he had to stand the whole time. He loved it, Funcle was with them and B cheered and chanted the whole game. He could not believe that Bevo was a real live thing! It was adorable. Caleb and I stayed out at the Tailgate, he played with all the babies, shared toys and ate all the food at the Tailgate. It was great to see Jons again and the boys loved it!! I do have to say that it was Rob's moment of the week for sure. He loved being in there with his little guy.

There was a Library trip, multiple park trips and tons of other outings this week for the boys. Mrs. Lauren had them everywhere, they loved it!

We had our first showings this week....very exciting.....3 to be exact. I was hoping for more but am def not complaining with 3. No feedback so far on how they went, we are just hoping for more. Phoenix plans are set to go. Rob will be starting mid October, my job will be done here mid October as well so me and the boys will be on our own. Hopefully not for too long without Rob. If all goes according to MY plans we will be packed and out in no time. Things are pretty busy between now and then as well. Rob has been work events every weekend almost, he and I are going to head to Phoenix the weekend of the 24th to look for houses, the following weekend I am in Miami for a girlfriends wedding and we both wrap things up at our respective jobs and Phoenix is on!

As for the boys and the interesting part of this blog. They are doing great. They had a special dinner out with Mrs. Lauren and her family this week while Rob and I got a date night. We are so spoiled by her. Caleb is talking more than ever and has turned into a little love bug this week. He will repeat anything he hears to the best of his ability and will crawl into your lap, lay his head on your shoulder and just give snuggles. These last anywhere from half a second to a full 30seconds. I love these soo much. B is becoming more and more self sufficient. He can put on all his clothes, take them all off, feed dogs, open car doors, do his carseat belt (even the one that non of the grandparents can figure out), he goes potty by himself, scrubs and rinses himself in the bath, helps set the table, etc. It is really impressive stuff. He is always eager to be a helper and try new things. Right now Rob is getting one of Caleb's snuggles and B is building with Legos. The dogs are passed out (probably sick from eating all my flowers again) and we are having a great relaxing Sunday night.

There were so many amazing things that happened this week...where to start?

1. B has been revering to his clothes as "inside in" rather than "inside out"

2. We lost power for 6 hours or so on Tuesday and B went around to all the light switches, tried them all and then announced that all the lights were out of batteries.

3. The best this week was shared by Lauren. B went to the potty by himself and when he came out she asked if he had closed the lid "yep" and did you wipe the seat? "yep, and my leg". Classic!

Big Things with Big Boys

Howdy all...what a packed weekend! The boys didn't stop all weekend, we had birthday parties, pool time fun, lake day with Funcle, and neighbors to play with in between.

Caleb is using a new word a day, it is great to get to hear what he is thinking more and more. He has also learned to nod his head rather than say yes! Adorable, all he does is wait for you to ask him a question so he can nod or shake your way. Then he cracks up at his new communication skills. He has also mastered the art of running (his brothers constant chasing helped develop this skill) and now he is cruising. As I type he has his little popcorn popper toy that he is dragging behind him while doing laps of the kitchen. Braydon is right behind him on his hip pity hop ball and also cracking up.

Braydon has started confusing himself with Caleb in all pictures. Every time there is a pic of Caleb Braydon will say "Look mom that is me!" They are both expert dog handlers as well. Braydon will do a blind catch of Devo anytime the front door opens. Hold her around the neck and say "Stay Devo, Stay Devo you dirty dawg" Caleb knows to put any food that wants to be salvaged into the air so it is not an uncommon sight to see one or two boys with crackers or other snack help up as far in the air as their little arms can reach while walking from the kitchen to the living room. They both are excellent at steadying themselves... when dogs are spotted running their way they either find something to climb on or widen their stance, stick their bottoms out and put their arms in front of them to brace the impact that is coming! All very impressive if you ask me.

We had a blast at Lake Austin this weekend. Jonny and his roommate Russel were nice enough to take us on the boat to the lake. It was the boys first time on the water and they loved it (as you can all see by the pictures). It was a so fun!!! Thank you Jonny and Russ!!!

After the lake we rushed back to a dinner/kid party for one of our friends birthdays, the food was amazing and we had a blast then it was back to the house for what should have been bedtime but turned out to be an hour or two with the neighbor kids. A late 9:30 bedtime later the evening ended and it was lights out for me as well. Next morning started before it felt like I had even rested. Rob was on the golf course by 7 and then the boys and I had a quick trip to the store then babies came over with moms for Mimosas and play time. That went to nap time and then we were loaded up in the car for POOL PARTY! More sun time fun for the Doane's. Caleb is a Mocha baby, clearly taking after his dad, it doesn't seem to matter how much sunscreen we put on him he gets darker and darker. Braydon loves the water and had so much fun floating around with his dad all day. Dont, think the day ended there. We had a big neighborhood party and the kids were adorable, running around in the dark outside with flashlights and glow necklaces! Caleb totally kept up with the big kids too. It was really neat to see. Braydon was a great big brother, he kept turning around to make sure his bro was still in the mix and doing ok! So sweet!

Today seemed to be a bit more low-key. We went to Chuck-e-Cheese for a b-day party!!! The kids played games and each got to use their own coins and do everything!! It was great. Tonight is fam time and lots of cuddles!

We maxed out Labor Day weekend and Loved every minute!! Wish you were all here to share it with us. Miss you guys!!

Check out the link to the snapfish pics below

MOMENT OF THE WEEK: I had a craving for coco-crispies and we all got a bowl one morning. Braydon said "mmmm, mom I really like this black bean cereal"

MOMENT OF THE WEEK: We were on the front part of the boat and the wind was really strong, Caleb loved putting his face in the wind closing his eyes and then would occasionally stick his tongue out to get a taste. We were on the boat for 30min when Caleb's head started swaying, he was fast asleep in his Funcle's arms!! Adorable!!!

album 09\06\2010 (70 photos), by maureen jenkins

I'd like to share my Snapfish photos with you. Once you have checked out my photos you can order prints and upload your own photos to share.
Click here to view photos

Hello

Hey guys, sorry we are a day late on getting the blog out.

The Doane clan is great everyone is growing, recovering (Devo) and getting ready for the new fate that awaits us in Phoenix.

They boys are just amazing! It seems like they are on growth steroids or something, every morning when I go in their room I am amazed at what changes seem to have taken place overnight. Caleb is getting skinny!! His face is thinning out so much and his gut (though still there) is really shrinking. Braydon is growing out of shoes like it is going out of style and his 3T clothing is starting to be look "fitted". SOMEBODY STOP THIS!!! I love it and I hate it all at the same time. They are amazing and their little personalities are something else, I love getting to know them as little people but I want babies to snuggle and smooch on!! Anyone out there feel sorry for me?? If not I am doing a good enough job of feeling sorry for myself so no worries.

Caleb's new cute things: He puts his little finger up to his lips and says Shhh!! He also pats on his leg when he calls the dogs. Pat, pat "dawggs, dawwggss" it is so cute. He also has started lashing out at his brother, for the past few months when B will take something from him Caleb has just started screaming but as of this week he throws his arm back and wails on his brother, landing the blow anywhere from top of head to barley making contact on his back. This move is immediately followed by timeout but I can assure you....he doesn't care. Timeout is like (a second home) I mean... a place to sit to watch the action where his brother can not touch him, he kinda loves it there. So this poses the question....."Who is winning this battle?"

Braydon is 90% loving brother 10% devil reincarnate. You can find these two playing together for hours without problems and then out of nowhere we see the 10%. Just yesterday Braydon and Caleb were in the driveway and B had Caleb by the back of the shirt and would not let go. He got Caleb turning while he was holding on, Caleb managed to stay on his feet for longer than B had hoped so he walked up and shoved him. That was bad but the worst was that he pushed him over a scooter and Caleb fell nose first onto the cement. He now has a big cut on his nose and a raspberry on his forehead. Nice work 10%!. The 90% Braydon is an angel and I cant get enough of him. He says please and thank you, throws "mom" onto the end of every statement which is adorable. "I have to go potty, mom" "mom, can you get me some juice mom?" "Can I take my car out of my pocket now mom?" "Awww mom"....ok, it doesn't sound as cute in writing but it melts me.

I would love to report that Baby 3 was measuring in the 200th percentile but unfortunately that is just how my stomach is measuring. The info online is telling me that this week the baby is the size of a fig.....some fig.....from the outside it looks a lot more like a large grapefruit.

I know at the top of every ones list of questions is "How is Devo" Have no fear, she is great and only a scar and a week of peace for Rob and I to prove she ever had a break from driving me nuts.

Phoenix, here we come!! Rob got an amazing offer from the position in Phoenix and we are meeting with Realtors this week to get this house listed and moving. Keep your finger crossed the house goes fast! When the house goes, we go!!!

We miss you all and love you guys!!