My now 4 year old, Evan

Evan turned 4 yesterday, Sept. 24! He is growing up so fast.   Today we are having his party at Chuck E Cheese and he's super excited. We did let him open some of our gifts & his grandpa's from NY. He got a Cars Scooter which he loved and some Imaginext dinosaur toys.

Here he is on the morning of his birthday!!

I'll post pics of his CEC party later today or tomorrow.  Hope everyone is having a great weekend =)

Keoni is now 7 Months Old ;)

Keoni turned 7 months old yesterday, Sept. 23.  

He weighs about 18lbs + change and is about 26.5 inches long. 

Keoni loves his big brothers & sister.  He lights up with huge grins when they come home from school especially Owen.  Yes, he loves his mom & dad too ;) There's something about Owen he just loves.  His favorite food is Sweet Potatoes (like daddy) and cereal.  He enjoys his Mum Mums Banana flavor too, goes through about 2 pks of 2 in one setting.  If I leave him on his play mat for minute, he is on the other side of the room instead of on the play mat.  He rolls & scoots everywhere.  Yesterday, I went in to get him from his nap and he was sitting up, big surprise for me!!   He doesn't have a favorite toy, he loves them all.  He does sleep with a blanket close to his face for comfort. 
Below is a list of things he is doing now.

• Chewing and biting on things
• Rolls all over the place
• Grasps and controls small objects
• Holds bottle
• Grabs feet and pulls to mouth
• Adjusts body to see an object
• Turns head from side to side and then looks up or down
• Loves visual stimuli
• Says one syllable sounds like "ma", "mu", "da", and "di"
• Recognizes us & his siblings
• Sits without support, leans forward on both hands
• Can sit up from laying position
• Bears full weight on feet
• Bounces when held in standing position and in his bouncer
• Bears weight on one hand when lying on stomach
• Passes objects from one hand to another
• Bangs objects on surfaces
• Able to fixate on small objects
• Responds to his name
• Has taste preferences (hates sweet peas)
• "Talks" when others are talking

He is just growing too fast so I'm cherishing all these little baby moments as much as possible because he is our LAST baby! 

Anniversary & Graduation

Over the weekend, Mel & I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.  It is on May 22.

We had our anniversary date on Saturday.  We were crunched for time so we didn't make it to dinner.  Having the 4th kids takes some getting used too on getting out the door on time.  Anyway, we went to Target before movie and I scanned a few things on my iPhone for shopkick to get kickbucks.  My stupid iPhone wouldn't scan a couple items...ugh!! Overall, I got over 100+ kick points.   We arrive at the movie theater and it's packed as usual.  Got to our movie (Fast Five) and there was NO one in there so we were thinking hey maybe we can be alone..yeah right!  It was packed as the movie started playing, oh well.  Fast Five was by far the best Fast & Furious movie, I think it was better than the first.  I highly recommend you guys go see. it.  Sunday was our anniversary but we spent it to celebrate my niece's high school graduation.

Sunday was our anniversary and my niece, Kayla's high school graduation.  Her senior class is the very 1st class to graduate from her high school.  That's exciting.  It's hard to see kids grow up.  I remember when I was 17 years old, I spent my whole summer break babysitting for my sister when Kayla was 4 months old.  It was the best summer I had; believe it or not!  I loved that little girl!!

My niece is the one I circled in red.

We watched her take her walk of accomplishment.  It was a great commencement ceremony.  After the graduation, we went to her mom's house, my sister, for a little celebration for Kayla with a cookout.  She got over $500 from family & friends and a awesome laptop from her parents!!  We had a great time.  She is going off to college this fall & studying nursing.  She wants to be either a neonatal nurse or neonatal doctor.   This girl loves her some babies =)

Christmas Family Get Together

I hope everyone had a great Christmas holiday!!

We had a good time at my middle sister's house celebrating our family Christmas.  We had it on Dec. 23/.  It was kinda sad w/ my dad & aunt missing their brother.  Christmas dinner was AWESOME!!  I had 2 plate fulls.  I got some other Christmas pictures & videos to past in a few days.

At my sister's house for our Christmas dinner on Thursday, Dec. 23

My middle sister's famly

My older sister's famly + her future in-laws

My dad & aunt taking a moment to remember my uncle (their bro)

Kids playing the GameCube

Kids all GameCube'd out

Mel & Evan

My Aunt Susan's hubby, Willie, my middle sister, Tina, & my Aunt Susan

Some family gathered in living room

That's about it...that's all I got...there were more people but the flashing was BLINDING...lol

In Loving Memory of My Uncle Johnny

Thank you all for your thoughts & prayers!  On this Sunday morning at 5:54am, my uncle passed away.
He is resting in a better place with no pain or suffering only PEACE & JOY!

Needing Your Prayers *Update*

 UPDATE 6:22PM:  We went to visit him and he was doing great, cuttin up with us all.  I believe we lifted his spirits & gonna fight.  This morning or mid-morning, they thought he was gonna pass because he wasn't responding to anyone and saying he was ready to go now until us nieces & nephews showed up. He made us all laugh :)   Hospice brought in a hospital bed for him which is good since he will be able to sit up & let food & liquids go down better. He may live a few more days.  I'm gonna go see him again tomorrow.  

UPDATE 1:00PM: Dad said my uncle probably won't make it when we get there tonight.  I am leaving now with my sister on her lunch break to go say our Goodbyes...

UPDATE 12:40PM:  Just got a call that my uncle is worse.  My dad said he screamed out 'He isn't ready, yet'.  Then he turned to my dad and told him he wanted to see his preacher, their mom, their sister & his grandson (they were not in the room)  The preacher is in the room w. him now, praying w. him.   He is now saying he is ready to go.   I'm sorry but I am an emotional wreak right now and my YDS is wondering why mommy is crying so much and wiping my tears.  My sisters & I are going over there tonight.  Thank you all for your support & prayers.

UPDATE 9.00am:  My uncle was released from the hospital Wednesday early evening.  Yesterday, hospice came in to set everything up.  We get a call last night that my uncle said he saw Jesus & my grandpa (his dad who passed in Jan 2009) sometime yesterday.  I believe he's almost at the end.  He is in so much pain.  I pray I can see him before he passes and pray it isn't before Saturday.  My stomach is in knots, I feel sickly but I believe it's from what is happening to my uncle.  Please keep praying for my uncle and family.

December 5, 2010
My extended family is going through a hard time right now.  Last October, my uncle (dad's brother) was diagnoised with Stage 4 - Squamous Cell Cancer.  They told him without chemo, he would live for about 6 mos and with chemo would possibly survive for 18 mos to 2 years.  He's had 3 rounds of chemo and has made it to 14 mos and was put in the hospital today due to him vomiting up blood.  We found out today that his liver & kidneys are failing.  The cancer has spread to his bones and he is in SO MUCH pain.   The doctors say he most likely will not make it to Christmas.


My sisters went up there tonight to see him and said he looks very bad.  One of my sister said he was doing nothing but sleeping.  He is staying in the hospital for 2 days to get fluids and gonna send him home to live out  his final days (his wishes) with hospice.  My cousin (his daughter) has taken FMLA to move in with him and her brother who is getting married on the 19th.

I am planning on visiting him tomorrow night, I just hope I have the strength not to get too upset when I see him.  Since he is sleeping, he isn't in any pain which I pray is the way he will leave this world..(sleeping & in no pain)

Please pray for my family & possibly put my uncle & family on your prayer list at church.

Little Man turns 3 today!

Today is my lil man's birthday.  Evan is 3 today...well at 5:09pm anyway.  He weighed 8lbs 6oz and 20 in long.  He was a big baby for me to deliver for my small frame.  He had shoulder dysplasia where the shoulders get stuck in the birth canal.  (sorry TMI) Not FUN, good thing I had an epidural.

Children grow up so fast.

Evan, 24 hours old w/ dad

Evan today @ 3 years old

We are having a birthday party tomorrow for him.  The theme is Handy Manny.  My sister is making the cake.  It's the Handy Manny tool box. (see cake below) The actual toolbox is one of his presents..sis needed the tools for the cake.  We are also having a SpongeBob moon bounce (I know not the theme) for the all the kidos to have fun.  The tribe will more than likely show up (tribe = neighborhood kids total of 10). His party will be at 2pm. The Hubs is grilling hot dogs for everyone if they become hungry and we have Capri Sun Waters too.  I think it will be a fun birthday party for my lil man.  

The cake my sis is making for Evan

I'll post pictures from the party Monday.

Raw Footage of a Day at the Park

I found this video of when we went to the park back in April 2010. I had to post because of the sounds Evan was making while he was swinging ;)
Excuse my loudness..lol

*Long Awaited* Vacation Photos from New York

I finally have posted my photos from our vacation that we took to New York back in the first week of June. I had over 300+ photos and broke it down to 100 photos for this sideshow (Photobucket only allows 100 images). We had a great time with The Hub's Family and got to spend time with Great Grandpa for his 83rd birthday. The Hub's aunts came into town for the birthday party. They got a chance to see us too. We always enjoy them. They are too funny. I didn't get a photo of them though...darn!

Our New York Vacation Trip

SURPRISE!!

Hello everyone!

I have a surprise to share.  

It was a surprise to us as well.  

We were totally NOT expecting this one. 

We are having baby #4

..

....

See for yourself....

...

....

......

........

Meet my new, lil munchkin due March 8, 2011

Wild right.  I went for my first OB appointment today.  Everything went smoothly & lil munchkin is growing & thriving.  We had a vaginal ultrasound as well. When I arrived at the ultrasound, the tech started measuring my lil munchkin. She was amazed and said I was a few in a million that the last menstrual period due date matches perfectly to the day on the measurements of the ultrasound. My due date will not change.  It is staying at 3.8.11.

The lil munchkin was very active at that tiny stage.  He/she was moving all over.  Heartbeat (HB) was fabulous at 169.  Everything is perfectly growing as should be.

I am having mild to severe nausea which is causing issues with me designing.  For some odd reason, the computer makes me sick. I am taking a break right now from designing on Leelou Blogs.  Hopefully, if the nausea passes, I will definitely be back designing.   My doctor prescribed me some Zofran, so I will see how that goes.   Hope everyone likes my surprise!

Vacation Approaching: June 4 -14

I can't believe my vacation is fast approaching.  I will be out of town June 4 - 14!  We are visiting The Hubs family in Long Island, New York.  We all are very, excited for this vacation.  We haven't been there since summer 2008, you can read my previous post on that here.

We do know what exactly we are doing while we are there.   First we will go into New York City Tuesday or Wednesday to the Toys-R-Us - Times Square, then off to the American Museum of Natural History and maybe Central Park Zoo.   Next, is The Hub's grandfather's 88th birthday, so the whole family will be there to celebrate this wonderful man.   One day sometime that week, we will go to the beach too.   The water is soo cold up there, hey but we love it.   We don't have beaches here..lol!   On Saturday the 12th, we will be going to Splish Splash Water Park.   We went back in 2008 and it was a blast.   They have great area for little kids ages 6 mos - 6 years.

I will of course have photos of our trip when we return.

For our trip, I had Sweet Pea's hair cut, what do ya think?

Oh yeah, I can't forget to leave out what Small Fry decided to do with my camera a couple of days ago.   He decided he wanted to take some pictures and BROKE the LCD screen.   I can't see what image I am taking.   So needless to say, I had to go buy an inexpensive camera before our vacation.   How lovely is that!

I have to say I got a really good camera for $110.  

 Samsung SL605.

Check out this video.

I almost forgot, over the holiday weekend, we had a family get together Saturday at my sister's house with swimming & grilling.   Today, both O-man & Sweet Pea have swimmer's ear in the same ear.  This is the first for both of them.   They have been swimming for years now and they all of a sudden get this before we go out of town. 
What else could happen? *knocks on wood*

Been MIA - Family Crisis

Sorry all for being MIA for several days.

Late, last Wednesday night, I got a phone call at 11pm from one of my sisters stating my dad was in the ER because he was having a hard time breathing. When he arrived, his blood pressure was 230 over 132. They stated he had all the symptoms of congestive heart failure. He was admitted Thursday around 3am to the ICU to determine what they needed to due next. I didn't get much sleep that night. I arrived home with my mom once he was settled in ICU and in stable condition.

We have heart disease on my father's side. My dad's last heart attack was when he was 42 back in 1988.

Thursday, he was still in ICU.  Around 4pm, we found out that he had no blocked arteries to the heart but he did have 2 blocked arteries to his right kidney and fluid behind his heart.  They prevented him from having a massive heart attack.  We are very thankful to the Lord that he was not asleep when all this happened because he wouldn't be here today.  They performed surgery Friday morning to put stents in the blocked arteries.   He also has a very, weak heart. All hearts pump at 60% and my dad's is pumping at 30%.   They released him Friday evening.   He went to the cardiologist today and they'll decide when he will get a defibrillator put in.  A defibrillator is device for arresting fibrillation of the atrial or ventricular muscles of the heart.

Again, very thankful to the Dear Lord up above for watching over my father that night.

I can't believe it...

School is over for the summer. Today is my kiddos last day of school. I will be going to check them out so they don't have to spend all day, just enough time to eat lunch and get report cards. Summer is officially here. Time for sunscreen, flip flops, sleeping in, swimming pools, vacations, etc.

We are taking our vacation June 4 -June 13. We have made a tradition that every other year, we go visit The Hubs family up in Long Island, NY (Bayshore). It will be a road trip, takes us 2 days to get there. We usually always end up in New York City Toys-R-US Time Square Store. Let me tell you, it's FANTASTIC. They have a ferris wheel that the kids ride, 3rd floor is Lego Land with gigantic lego structures...O-man loves that floor. We go to the American Museum of Natural History. Last year we didn't get to see the dinosaur fossils, we had to catch the train. This year, we are definitely going back for that. We usually go to the beach too. We also went to the Bronx Zoo which is asking for donations to stay open.  We may go to the Central Park Zoo this time, not sure though.

To check out our last trip to NY in 2008, click here to view the pictures!

New Film called BABIES

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, Mommy Diaries, and she had posted about a film called BABIES and I thought you all would love to know about this film that is coming out on Mother's Day this year.

In the film BABIES, they simultaneously follow four babies around the world – from birth to first steps. BABIES joyfully captures on film the earliest stages of the journey of humanity that are at once unique and universal to us all.

The children are as follows:

• Ponijao, who lives with her family near Opuwo, Namibia
• Bayarjargal, who resides with his family in Mongolia, near Bayanchandmani
• Mari, who lives with her family in Tokyo, Japan
• Hattie, who resides with her family in the United States, in San Francisco

This is a MUST-SEE film!
Preview below :)

Watch the BABIES featurette, featuring Director Thomas Balmès, Producer Alain Chabat and Focus Features CEO James Schamus.


ps - I'm feeling just a bit better. This post has been sitting in draft for a week now so I thought I would post it now.

My Niece, Kayla's 1st Prom

My niece, Kayla, just turned 17 on March 20. She is my middle sister's first born. Last night was Kayla's 1st prom, well, it was her boyfriend's (Bill) school prom. It was both of their first prom.

Here are some pictures I took and my sisters I got off of facebook.

Bowling Time

As you know it was spring break for my kids last week and we took them to the zoo & bowling.  My hubby and I decided that it would be best if I and the little small fry stayed home from bowling.  Reason being is because my small fry is very mischievous and will run and run so I didn't want to be running all over the bowling alley chasing him or him being stuck in a stroller the whole time.  When we were at the zoo, we tested small fry out and he did good until the end.  He did run off and out the doors at the zoo.  He did have to be strapped into the stroller at least twice during the 3 hours.  You can check out the zoo pictures in the post below.

Here are the pictures Mel took of the bowling trip.

Zoo Time

Our spring break has been good and bad. The first part of the week (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) were gloomy & chilly so we all stayed indoors. We did venture out to Walmart to get the kids a little something. We also went to lunch Monday & Wednesday so not so bad but we wanted to do more.

Yesterday (Thursday) was a beautiful spring day with sunshine and a temperature of 65 degrees...just perfect for spring break. We decided it was the day to visit the Memphis Zoo. As we were arriving, I was just a little shocked to see how many people thought that day was the perfect day too. We spent 3 hours in the zoo and boy, we were tired. We aren't usually that tired when we finish the zoo but I think it has to do with all the people there and dodging them..LOL!

Here are my pictures from our trip to the zoo.

Beginning of Spring Break

Today is the start of my kiddos school spring break and it's cloudy, wet and chilly outside, so looks like they are staying inside.   As of now, here are my plans, hopefully it all will be uneventful.

Monday & Tuesday, I am watching my 16 month old niece, so not much going on those days but playing inside & outside if the weather permits. 

Wednesday & Thursday, Mel is taking off work so we all can go bowling at the new bowling alley here in town called Strike Zone. (kids got free game passes from school). We've been several times and it's so much fun.  We also decided to go to the Memphis Zoo since we have a membership only if the weather permits.  Lets hope it doesn't rain so we can go to the zoo.

I scared my family - no phone calls

Yesterday, I was wondering why I wasn't getting any phone calls because usually my mom, sisters or friends are calling me.  I look at my phone and it states, 'Check TEL line'.  I contact my phone company and get a repair order on the books when I realize I need to speak with someone.  I finally get someone and let them know that the phone company has been up the street working on something for weeks now and all of a sudden they leave for the day and my line isn't working.  No dial tone but people can call and it just rings & rings.  My order is set for Mar 10...come on can't someone come this week...really...I need my phone.

This morning, I realize I left my cell phone at home when I went grocery shopping.  I get back and realize my cell phone is DEAD and I put it on charge.  I started to turn it on but thought it wouldn't even come on since it was dead.  (should have went with my instincts and turned it on)  I continue on my day with getting everything ready for me to post my new blogger templates on Leelou Blogs and add some new custom headers & signatures to others.  Time has flown by and was around 1pm when I heard a car door so I get up and look out the window and there is my mom, big surprise, since she never comes over to visit, it's the other way around.  I open the door and the first thing out of her mouth is 'Are you alright?  Everyone has been calling you today and couldn't get a hold of you.'  I was like,oh sh*t, I need to turn on my cell phone.  I tell her my cell phone was dead and that my home phone isn't working. She tells me both sisters tried to call my cell & house and I was suppose to go to my middle sister house to pick up some money and I never showed up. (well I forgot)  My mom tells me she called Mel, my hubby, and he informed them of our home phone issue. So now I have to call him to let him know everything is fine which he already assumes since my family are worry warts.

After all this is said and done, my mom leaves immediately after arriving saying she was in the middle of embroidering so she needs to get back.  I have to say I love my mom, she was checking up on her baby but doesn't stay to visit and tells me you can come over tomorrow and I agree.

I just wish my mom would stay and visit with me in my own house once in a while.  It would be so nice.  I'll have to tell her tomorrow that next week it's her turn to visit me or she won't see me ;)

Blogger Uncovered

Good morning all!

Adori Graphics has a post every week or so about Blogger Uncovered. and I am please to announce that I am the next blogger uncovered.  You can hop on over to her blog and find my blogger uncovered post and ask me some questions about me.   This is the time to really get to know me.

I know I started my blog just to post my free blogger templates, background & headers but now that I have merged with Leelou Blogs, my blog has become my personal blog.  I know I don't blog much about my life but this is all very new to me.  I will eventually be posting more about my life as it comes and I get used to telling about it. 

Let me truly introduce myself to all my followers:
Hello, my name is Heather and known to some as Butterflygirlms. I am a stay at home mom of 3 crazy rugrats who are Owen (O-man- nickname), my 10 year-old artist, Avery (Sweet Pea - nickname) my 6 year-old drama queen and Evan (Small Fry- nickname) my 2 year-old risktaker.  I have been married to my wonderful hubby for 5 years now - 6 years in May.  I am from the south and my hubby is from Long Island, New York.  We also have 2 dogs - Gypsy, a mix and Athena, a bullmastiff.  We also have 1 cat named Desi.  My animals are also my family.  I have a very close relationship with my family.  I have two older sisters who I love dearly but sometimes I can't understand.

I think I am spiritual than religious, in other words not sure which religion I believe whole-heartedly. I take bits-n-pieces of belief from every different religion that's why I need to find somewhere I belong or just continue my works here at home in my own church.

I learned I had a gift of designing social networks back in 2006 when I created a myspace layout and as you can see has grown.  My ultimate goal right now in designing is for me to create my very own digiscrap kits.

When I am not designing, I love to be with my kids & hubby.  Visit my parents every week.  Enjoy my family & friends. I love to read mystery novels.  We have a collection of books and need a new bookshelf because it is overflowing. (my hubby hobby is making furniture so he needs to get on the ball on that one) Go to dinners with my hubby.  I feel like I should be doing more but I am content with what it is right now.

There is much more to know so head on over to Adori Graphics and leave your questions.