We are off to Mason next week after Thanksgiving to spend some time with Katie's parents and my family as well. The babies are going to be Christened the Sunday after Thanksgiving at Mason Methodist Church. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Mason when we are down there. It has been since March that we have been down to the ranch, Katie was not up to any long rides when she was pregnant after spring break, so that was the last time we have been down to the Hill Country. Katie and I both need a break away from the house and a change of scenery, she really has been pinned down to this place for months now and I am not sure how she isn't completely climbing the walls yet. We are spending Christmas at the ranch as well with Katie's parents and family and my dad will be coming up on Christmas day to spend the day with us. Are the boys ready for the ranch and the hunting program or what?!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
5 months today!
We are off to Mason next week after Thanksgiving to spend some time with Katie's parents and my family as well. The babies are going to be Christened the Sunday after Thanksgiving at Mason Methodist Church. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Mason when we are down there. It has been since March that we have been down to the ranch, Katie was not up to any long rides when she was pregnant after spring break, so that was the last time we have been down to the Hill Country. Katie and I both need a break away from the house and a change of scenery, she really has been pinned down to this place for months now and I am not sure how she isn't completely climbing the walls yet. We are spending Christmas at the ranch as well with Katie's parents and family and my dad will be coming up on Christmas day to spend the day with us. Are the boys ready for the ranch and the hunting program or what?!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
17 Weeker's!
We had a real nice Halloween too! Katie's mom, Caroline came in for the weekend and we had a real nice visit. We are looking forward to seeing her and Tom again in a couple of weeks in Mason. Katie and Caroline got the costumes for the babies and since we have three, they went as not just a pumpkin, but a whole pumpkin patch!! Here are our little pumpkins! Matt,Claire and Drew.
There seems to be so much going on and the time is really flying by. Another week gone already! I promise to write again maybe over the weekend and talk about Claire sucking her thumb now and Matt taking his first big boy bites of rice cereal! Our entire family hopes that this note finds everyone happy, healthy and blessed! Have a wonderful fall weekend!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The babies are 15 weeks old day from their birth and 8 weeks old from their due date. We go to the pediatrician next week for their 4 month check up, 4 MONTHS! HOLY! In some ways the time has flown and in others its lagged a little bit, sorta weird! We are anxious to see how much they weigh and how much they have grown in the past two months. Since my last update we have started "propping bottles". We have cut so much time out of the feeding it is amazing, what used to take us 2 hours to feed all three we can get it knocked out in 20-30 minutes, max! It has really allowed Katie and I much more free time and time to get things done, like writing the blog that really we didn't have time for before. We basically put each baby in a Boppy or a little bean bag sorta thing, they are somewhat sitting up, we put a bottle in their mouth and then prop the bottles with wadded up receiving blankets. They do pretty good most of the time, we usually have to hand feed the last bit for Claire and Drew. Matt...well, let's put it this way, you DO NOT get in the way of that baby and his bottle! Here is a picture of all three during feeding time! (remember to click on the picture to make it bigger!)
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Getting better!
After the "fest" we went for a cruise over to Ft. Worth to see the newest addition to the Lichtie/Branch family, Reagan Lichtie, Katie's sister's new baby girl. We got all the cousins together for a group shot, one of MANY I am sure that will take place over the years! From the left, Matt, Clarita, Drew and Reagan. Drew made quite the pillow for Reagan! Fun times!
As I mentioned in my last post, there are SO many things that Katie and I are and have been thankful for through our time together over the past three plus years and now raising these three little munchkins. I couldn’t help but to look back at the happenings and wonder “why?”, “how come?” and the simple “your kidding me?”. Going all the way back when I moved from Tulsa to the Dallas area in 2006, I didn’t know Katie and was really just flying solo and by the seat of my pants in many different ways. When it came to purchasing a home, I really wanted a used home with a pool, those that know me, know that I normally get what I want, maybe not when I want it, but I usually get it. This is the rare occasion that I actually didn’t and it turns out there is a good reason why!
I settled on buying a new home, with a small backyard with no shot of having a pool. I bought the home when it was a slab and did everything myself from the bottom up, from design, some custom features, etc. Its 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home and just shy of 3,800 sq ft. I constantly got the question, “your a single guy with a 3,800 sq ft. house? What are you doing in that place?”. At the time I honestly looked at the house as an investment, its in a nice area, at the time the real estate market was solid and thought that if I ever had to I could turn the place for a profit.
Looking back now, there is a reason that I built this house and a reason that I settled for a place WAY too big for a single dude in a great community with a great school system. The reason is that I would soon meet the love of my life, she would bring her two dogs (they are really my dogs now!) and her cat here and really make the house a home. Not only would the home include Katie and the pets but now three beautiful babies that are healthy, happy and just perfect!
Can you imagine what it could have been like or currently be like if we were in a small 3 bedroom place with a pool that I could have bought, with the addition of Katie, 3 babies, 2 dogs and a cat? Sheer madness! Trust me, insanity. I am convinced that there is a reason and purpose that I bought this house and have now made it into a home for our family. As I continue to write about this stuff, it is really clear to see that God works in mysterious and incredible ways really when you have NO idea it is happening or why! He put us in a home where we are comfortable, have plenty of room and a place where I know he wants Katie and I to teach, mentor and love our children for many years to come. I am so thankful that he is watching over me and our family, there is a peace knowing that you are where God wants you to be and your doing what he wants you to do in your life! Does it REALLY get any better than that, absolutely not.
This is really the “tip of the iceberg”, I have so many more notes in my journal about times that God has touched our lives and taken us down a path that really is amazing. Almost surreal to be a part of, that is partly why I am concerned that I don’t miss or gloss over a important time, event or blessing that has touched our lives. I can’t wait to share them all with everyone that reads the blog! We are so blessed and thankful everything that God has given us in our lives.
In closing I hope that God touches your lives like he has touched ours in so many ways. I hope that this post finds everyone happy, healthy and ready for a beautiful fall season! Go Red Raiders and Go Bears!! Till next time! Peace.
Love,
Todd, Katie, Claire, Matt and Drew
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hopefully making some progress!
After our visit with Dr. Z, we over and met Dr. Russo and to check out Matt's tummy. The good news is that there are really no red flags or major issues that he is concerned about. His exam went great, everything felt and looked good. He did a pretty exhaustive exam on Matt and in the end and the first step we are taking is to change Matt's formula. He is concerned that he may be milk intolerant or have an allergy to something in the Neosure formula that the babies are currently on. This is the first step and we are going to give it two weeks and see if there is some progress. If the new formula doesn't help, we may move to some reflux medicine. Unfortunately, many of the infant reflux medicines in studies have proven to be somewhat ineffective and cause more side effects than they do good. Getting all cranked up on meds that may or may not work and cause side effects is the last resort.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
They are growing!
Drew is getting ready for the game too! Nothing like a good paci after some chips and salsa! (J/K!)
Matt is a big boy too and he loves when the Red Raiders score touchdowns!!
But on the other hand, Matt does NOT like when the other team scores touchdowns! Would you look at that face! He gets that forehead so scrunched up and tight it is hysterical!