These days

These days are so treasured! These kids are little bffs. Ara pretty much wants to do whatever brother is doing. 

On Halloween we made roasted veggies shaped like pumpkins using cookie cutters.

Owen and I having a tea party at "mamas restaurant" (also known as the kitchen island). 

This one loves dogbowls. I made the mistake of letting her play with an empty metal one once and now she is obsessed. 

This happens daily!

I ran the risk of waking him up... It is just too sweet, sleeping with his monkey, as well as his baby (between his shoulder and his ear!)

Stuck between a rock and a hard place (another rock!).

A perfect Fall afternoon  at Hooverville orchards with Lainey. 

Why not pull up a chair and hug?

Furry boots, dirty bum, and rubber boots. My thoughts exactly. 

He just knows about the bigger picture. 

We love each other. I got to hang with this sweet gal 1:1. I was going to walk the girls in the stroller but Arabelle was sleeping in the car so Zoey and I had some great bird watching sessions, ant scoping adventures, and snuggles. 

Life is so good. These are a few of my favorite moments. My heart is so full lately, many blessings felt daily. 

It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving

I just love that quote by Mother Teresa. She was quite a gal.

We look forward to this time of year for many reasons. One of them is our annual UCSF toy & supply drive. We started doing the drive when Owen was an infant after we had so much support in our 4 weeks at UCSF. Of course this cause is near and dear to our hearts, as we have spent over 2 months of our lives there. The length of time used to sound long, and to some it may be- but we know the reality of many children's lives is many months in the hospital.

Supporting UCSF Child Life not only supports the children but the parents as well. Many needs are to help stock the Parent Resource Room which is a small place of respite, some place to go when your kiddo is asleep, or in a procedure, or in therapy. It has a library, a coffee maker, and toiletries if you so desire. It also has a window and comfy seats, and is quiet. We visited the room a few times, it's a nice place to go for a little break.

No matter how prepared you think you may be for a hospitalization, there is something that will be forgotten. The routine and monotony of the day can get wearing on the kids so having new items to borrow from Child Life is really a treat. Owen was able to borrow new toys, and do crafts when he was up for it.

We will get the donations to UCSF and you can contact me via email @ chelsea.britton@yahoo.com comment on here, facebook, instagram, whatever works!

Here is their wish list:

Child Life Services

A hospital stay can be a challenging and unfamiliar experience for children and their families.

UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Child Life Services creates opportunities for children, teens and families to play, learn, and discover every day at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. Thank you for your generosity in supporting these programs.

Toy Donation Guidelines These guidelines help to ensure donations are appropriate and safe for hospitalized children. Please follow these guidelines when selecting items for donation.

 Because of infection control issues, toys must be new.  Please do not wrap gifts.  No weapons or violent games of any kind, please.  Please make sure that glue, paint, markers or crayons are non-toxic.  No latex balloons.

 Limited need for stuffed animals.

Items of Greatest Need

 Infant Items  Light spinners  Art kits

Infant Items

 Nesting Cups  Crib mirrors  Interactive noise & light toys  Sock & wrist rattles

Toddler & School Age Items

 Electronic push button toys  Small cars & trucks (hot-wheels)  Barbies (clothes & accessories)  Interactive toys for toddlers  Musical instruments  Brio and plastic train cars  Plastic play food  Animals & Dinosaurs (plastic)  Toddler/School Age books in Spanish  Transformers

 Teen Items  Interactive toys

 Teething rings  White noise machines  Board books

 Plastic dolls (multicultural)  Play-doh & play-doh kits  Thomas Trains  Pop up toys

 Little People  Board Games  Dora and Diego toys  Stickers  Puzzles (24 to 100 pieces)  Medium sized toy cars

 Fisher Price Little People  Batteries (C & D)

 Plastic rattles  Plastic crib mobiles  Links

 Fisher Price doctor kits  Craft kits  Legos & lego kits  Musical toys

 Action figures (no guns)  Cartoon character toys  My Little Ponies  Books that make noise  Travel gamesTeen Items

 Gift cards (Target, Amazon, Best Buy)  I-tunes cards  Movie passes  Baseball hats

 Video games  Individual acrylic paint sets  Perfume/cologne

Creative Arts Items

 Drawing pads  Individual paint sets  Beginner music instr. Books  Paint by number kits

Games & Electronics

 CDs (children/teen music)  I-pads  X-Box 360 Console

Parent/Family Support Items

 Blank Journals and pens  Magazines or subscriptions (US Weekly, People, Spanish)  Wrapped candy, snacks & bottled water  Stamps, envelopes & stationery  Toiletries: Shampoo, Conditioner, nail clippers, hairbrushes  Individually wrapped snacks (popcorn, granola bars, etc.)  Chap stick  $5 Subway Cards  Kleenex  Slipper socks  Hand Sanitizer

 Art & bead kits  Backpacks  Blank CD-Rs  Teen board games/cards  Sports balls/gift cards  Metal water bottles

 Shave kits for teen boys

 Michael’s gift cards  Drawing pads  Guitar picks  Stickers

 CD players  E & E10 Games for PS4  E & E10 Games for X-Box 360

   

 Journals  Make-up sets  Headphones  DVDs  Neck pillows  Teen male t-shirts

Modeling clay Small portable music stands Glue (tacky, mod podge) Scrapbooking stickers (baby)

 Batteries (C & AA)  PS4 controllers & USB cords

 Gum, Mints  Journals & pens  Water Bottles  Crossword/Sudoku puzzles  Starbucks Gift Cards ($5)  Massage knobs/rollers  Ear plugs, Eye Masks  Hot chocolate packs,  K-Cup coffee (Regular and Decaf)  Laundry Detergent Pods  Gas cards

Another fun option is to find actual kid's wish lists on amazon. Here is the link to that:

We are in greatest need of gifts for infants and teens.  Our full wish list can be found at Amazon.com, search for  “Audrey Muntz” under Find Someone’s Wish List or go to here: Link to individual children's wish lists.

In addition to our toy drive this year we have decided to fundraise for a very sweet family. The strong 4 year old boy Paxton has Ebstein's Anomaly like Owen. Unlike Owen he has additional medical conditions that require a huge amount of care, appointments, therapy, and add uncertainty to his world.  He also has had multiple hospitalizations this year. He has been battling seizures that put him into respiratory arrest every time. His loving mother continues to be positive, shining her light on those she meets, and keeps on trucking. She has inspired me in ways she will never know. She has held my hand and heart this whole time, supported us in our journey with Owen.  My wish is to lessen her stressors in any way we can.

Our goal is to raise enough money to fund 2 plane tickets, as they have upcoming trips to Boston to see specialists.

Click here to access the "go fund me" website to donate online to Paxton and his mom Susanne.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider any sized donation a BIG help! My mom always taught me that "every little bit helps" and I could not agree more. Thank you oh so much for reading and consider supporting one or both of our causes this season!

Leaves are falling

we went on a rainy excursion the other day to get some pumpkins. We are anti-crowd so that worked in our favor... But the rain posed a challenge for photo-ops and kids staying warm and dry. It was one of those adventures where it is pure madness, kids were soaked, cold, but we were happy to be out in the conditions, enjoying our surrounding area's offerings. Plus the hot cider was perfection!

 O had fun driving the bus, this kid cracks us up.

 Sis and the giant pumpkin... she is following basic commands... Let's go stand by the pumpkin, let's dance, etc.

 Our lil punkin is now running... and pretty stealth. She will sneak outside if the door is cracked open...Yikes!

 Spidey kid out front of his school yesterday

 Country Days preschool party

 Diggin for bones in the sandbox

 My zinnias are in their prime, next year I'm planting more and more... Already dreaming about the big garden and what we are going to do... I would love to fill the 100 x 50 space completely with zinnias...Wouldn't that be amazing!!

 Mums from the store are thriving as well.

O has been a tongue sticker outer since the SD zoo and the giraffe exhibit.

 Hours are spent on the deck, in the sandbox, out on the property a day. We do leave at times, but I still rarely feel homebound. There is too much to do around here. I've also been on an even bigger decluttering kick than normal, so I'm constantly cycling toys, clothes, etc. How do we accumulate so much stuff? The kids stay pretty entertained between dumping sand and digging in the dirt.

 I'm always attempting to stage a photo, Chris and Owen painted and created the minion pumpkin.

 My sweeties!

 Ara tries to help down by the barn. She really MUST be right where brother is, chasing him, wanting to ride the jeep power wheels, wanting to pet the chickens "Tick tick tick" she says, trying to tickle them.

And this. We are a few weeks into a rough patch with little sleep... Owen has been waking at night 1-2 times, crying for various things, and then usually when he falls back asleep sis wakes up. Chris and I haven't had any solid sleep from 3am on for days... I just keep looking at this photo when I'm feeling depleted, and it fills me up. Of course I look to my actual kids as well but sometimes you're so "in it"- wiping boogers, helping open up the baby gate, fixing meals, washing hands, all 10 times per day that it's easy to just keep running, keep moving, and not stop and enjoy the moment. Sometimes we take care of them more than enjoy and play. I was talking with my Aunt about this, sometimes as caregivers we are doing more care than actual playing, enjoying, being with our kids or anyone who needs additional care. It's tricky!  Here's to a little more energetic focus on play.

Arabelle Mae's First Birthday

I've had these pics loaded for a week but haven't made the blog a priority this week. Sleep, yardwork, exercise took the lead...Oh yea, and being with the kids. That takes up some time, ha!

We decided to have a small family dinner to celebrate Arabelle's first. Here are the two papas chatting it up.

Papa Schlitz hanging with "the O man" as he calls him.

Ara and O, such loving siblings.

Auntie Court came up for the day to spend it with us! So special.

Zo is quite obsessed with "A.Mae" as she calls her. So heartwarming to see this kids grow together.

The older cousins went down to the chicken yard to put them in for the night. The coop is their "lockdown" area, then the smaller area where the kids/chickens are is the smaller enclosed yard, which leads to their larger yard that is fenced but not covered. They roam in the large yard (probably 100 ft x 60 ft) 5/7 days.

Aunties and Nana enjoying the cool fall evening.

How many kids can we fit in the sandbox? This sandbox was a handmeover from cousin Mike, (now 21) and my kids play in it every day!

Mother & Son

Uncle Chris showing the kids the animals.

Peepers!

Grammy came as well! This was very very special, she hadn't been to my house since Owen's second birthday. This lady has been such a light in my life, so much love and sweetness she has enriched our family with. All of these ladies are just the best!

A little beach balling never hurt

Dirty deck climber

Walking since 10.5 months she's got it down... mostly!

Auntie Amanda made some amazing cupcakes and large cake for Ara. She is the family baker and darn good at it.

Tacos

Colin- the great tortilla flipper.

Happy sandy kids

Getting tired.

Chilling around the fire

Great Grandkids and their grammy!

COUSINS!

The birthday girl didn't sit like this very long. She was over it...Also I'm pretty sure it was the most chaotic present opening time ever. And I've seen a few. It was just crazy!

The smart family members hanging out in the back, away from the kiddos

Having fun exploring her new headband

Sissies!

It looks calmish but it was not.

Who is that from? What is it? I sorted it all out the day after, but was confused the entire opening time.

She just leaned back taking it in.

Brother always has a hug for sis.

Sweetness!

I took a break from picture taking for a bit.

My sweet mama and beautiful Sis.

Precious babe!

Zoning tired girl.

Baxters!

Ready for cake!

It was all going well, she was into it, checking it out...

Contemplating her first bite..

And then she went for it! AYAYA.... Mom was photoing, Dad was filming! OOPS! Parent fail. 

She got a blister that faded a few days later. She was still a little scarred when I brought the cake out the next day so I broke it into pieces and mixed it with my pumpkin cookies. She enjoyed it then.

                        This past year has been the hardest of my life. Being pregnant and having an older (yes VERY easy & mild tempered) child poses it's own challenges. After birth, there was a lot of physical healing going on for me for months. We were so blessed to come home the day after she was born, and that Chris took off weeks for us all to bond, heal, and just be together. Ara ate like a champ from the beginning, this was so healing for me, unable to feed Owen that way made my heart so happy. It also made me realize what we missed out on. I had never reflected in that way as I didn't know any different. Now that I do, wowsers! It was and has been like night and day. The normal hard stuff (sleepless nights, etc) is so different from the abnormal hard stuff (heart surgeries, appointments, therapy, unknown treatment, higher risk for colds and flus....) . Then, of course, Owen having his 3rd heart surgery when Ara was 6 months old was the peak of heart lessons. We made it through! What a sense of accomplishment!
                     Of course there was a lot of ease, peace, love, and light in this challenging year. There was more days of laughing than crying, and more minutes of awake than asleep!! Being a parent of two  (or more, I'm guessing!?) children is the easiest way to ensure you will never be lonely. I can't sit on the floor for more than 2 seconds without being mobbed, loved, hugged, wrestled, drooled on, and tickled. Sometimes I would love to do a quick yoga pose without being sat on, or pulled, or "smushed with love" (as we call it around here), but I'm trading most free time for the hugs and snugs.
                       Ara Mae, Arabelle "princepesa" aka "pesa", you are my sweet n sassy toddler. You waddle around talking on your hand like it is your phone, say hi, bye, mom, dad, dog, lalala, and bro, continue to eat anything we give you, sit in front of us to get your shoes on (on command), steal brother's hat, put it on, and walk around like you own the place, follow simple directions, and of course give the best hugs. We just love you so, and cheers to your first year!