Christmas With the Bedards

We have had a great Christmas!! We started by visiting Mindy's side of the family for a few days. We had a party with Chris' Dad. Then a few days with Chris' Mom and family. It has been fun times. Parker is growing like a weed and is close to turning over. Cade has been talking more and more and is on the brink of full sentences (we hope). One of the highlights of the trip was everyday Cade would wake up from a nap and immediately point outside at all the cows in the pasture. He loves cows. We took a drive out to see them a couple of days ago. There was a new calf. Within minutes of being out there, we were surrounded by cows. Cade loved it. He was pointing and mooing and laughing away. It was hilaroius. We can't wait to see what happens in '09.

New Website

Hey there everyone. We have a new website. Mindy will still be writing on this blog but we wanted to have a way to share more pictures, videos, etc. We just started the site so it is still a work in progress. The site now has a video of Cade (from yesterday 12/17) and our family newsletter. Just go to this site and have fun!
http://web.me.com/twobedards2

18 Months With the Cade Man!!

Cade is 18 months today. We are so blessed have little man in our lives. Here are some pics over the past few months. Also, I wanted to tell a quick story.  Last night I came home from the MFI clinic and was able to put Cade to bed.  I love that time of night because we all read and pray then Cade goes down for the night.  I usually hold him just a little bit before I put him down and let him know how much we love him and everything.  Anyway, last night just as I was going to put him down, I asked "Cade, do you love daddy?"  Usually this is met with a blank stare and a grunt.  This time he looked at me and shook his head yes.  It was awesome.  Enjoy the pics!! We love you all!!

What a beautiful face!!

What's he doing in there?

Love the belly shot

He loves his sister!!

Team Bedard's most recent family pic!

Happy Hair!

Today Cade decided to rub his lunch all in his hair. This was the result of me trying to clean him up! We had a lot of fun today!
p.s. there are not many pictures of Parker because she's not as exciting as he is right now! I'll try to capture something with her in it soon!

Future Apple Compuer CEO!

He was sitting on the computer until he saw me with the camera! I also like how he is carrying the mouse around his neck!

Even More pics...

I finally have 5 minutes to upload pictures!! This was Halloween. We went to Megan Jeter's house. I don't have a picture of her, but Preston Watkins was over. Here he is w/ Cade. Parker was sick, so she stayed warm next to Chris. The kids were soccer players and we were the soccer mom and dad! I didn't have to buy anything to make the costumes! My cousin gave us Cade's soccer uniform from England. At one point it was so hot, so I took his shirt off and he ran around the front yard just like the real players do w/out shirts! It was so cute with his big diaper sticking out the top!!

More Pics For Your Entertainment!

All of these were taken during Homecoming weekend. Uncle Tony held Cade at the football game while he ate an icecream sandwich!!

"Hello, Change"...he said as he watched Barack's speech and took in the moment.

THIS IS A POST I (Chris B) JUST UPLOADED TO MY FACEBOOK AND MY BLOG (b-chris.blogspot.com). I AM GETTING BACK TO BLOGGING THERE WHEN I GET THE CHANCE.

I have only voted in 6 presidential elections. The first was in 1992 and the latest was yesterday at 4 pm. Mindy and I took Cade and Parker, strolled up to the polling place, and cast our votes for Barack Obama. We live in Texas. We used to live in Virginia. We were party of the minority of voters that cast ballots for Obama in Texas but would have been one of the majority that, for the first time in 44 years, voted for a Democrat for president. There were so many things about this election that are different than the first one I voted in.

I guess you could say I have liked Barack from the start. I know that in the state and town I live in now, that is not the most popular thing to say. I know there were a lot of skeptical people (and still are) who say and said he was a communist, socialist, closet Islamic radical, non-Christian, etc. There was so much smear from the far right fundamental Republican side. There was so much fear spread from that area. Yet, through out the campaign the person that stayed steady and rock solid was our President-Elect. Even last night he was in command and was poised to take on a role that is not going to be easy nor 'fun'. He can not please so many people but that is one of the reasons I like him so much. He is not trying to please people, he is trying to lead a nation into a new time. This is the first President elected that is of a new generation. He is the first 'postmodern' President. He ran on a platform of change. His platform was so powerful and effective, his competitor tried using that word change in his speeches and stumps and without much success.

So now what? I noticed today that the sun came up. I also saw that the world is still spinning and the wind blows. My kids were still sleeping safely in their beds as I left the house. Mindy was just waking to drink coffee. I got to school and began reading for the day. The stock market is just cranking up. Trucks are traveling and trains, planes, and people are going about their day. Nothing has changed really, but everything has changed. I am in awe by the events of the past months and it hit me last night as I watched and listened to both speeches. Sen. McCain was gracious and humble and just like I thought he would be. I have tremendous respect for him and I believe I even like him more now. Barack was clear and direct and a breath of fresh air. He is the first African-American voted to our nation's highest office EVER in our history. I am awed by that. I am proud of his being elected. I know some of you have trouble with that and will continue to have trouble. Some of you will never like him and I want to give you permission to NOT like him. But don't be fooled. Times have and are continuing to change. Change is not just coming anymore, it is here.

Election Night Party Down!

My sister and I had our own Election Party. We just really wanted to eat pizza and cupcakes, so this was our excuse!!! Here are some fun pictures from our party. Enjoy!

Better day & Tony B: Your Weird!

Just in case you were worried, today has been a better day at our house. Our sweet friend, Megan Jeter, helped me get the kids out and we went to Target for a little Halloween shopping. I love all holidays that give out free candy, but Halloween is my favorite. I think this holiday has the BEST candy! Anyway, thanks for all of your comments on my "Confession" blog. Jana and Erin called me almost immediatly after I posted that yesterday! They were both worried about me! Not to worry though. I just wanted to share how I was feeling publicly.

Tony Bedard, your comment cracked me up, but also scares me a little after hearing what you did this past weekend to Patrick! ha ha ha! I won't divulge any more, so we can keep that image in the family! I'm so thrilled that Cacde will grow up with you in his life, but I'm also kind of frightened!!!!!! The first time (and hopefully the only time) he goes streaking across campus with his friends you will be getting a phone call!!!! Remember, you've already taught him how to beat himself in the head with a plastic bottle! He LOVES his Uncle Tony! (And please keep your clothes on at my house this weekend... at ALL times!)

ACU Homecoming is this weekend. Go Cats! Love to all.

Isn't this where you keep your football?

Confession

I try to catch up on reading my friends blogs as much as I can (when I get the chance), and lately it seems like when I read some of them I get the feeling that everyone is in Happy Land and they are perfect and their kids are perfect and nothing goes wrong during the day. I'm sure my own blogging has given out that impression too. Now don't get me wrong, everyone wants to share the good times and the cute pictures of the kids and all the happy moments. No one wants to stop and take a picture during the tantrums, right? (BTW, the picture you see of Cade crying was taken a week ago by my sister! I don't remember why he's crying, and I'm not sure why there's a picture of it, but man, isn't he mad!) 

Well, let me confess something right now... we are not in Happy Land here at the Bedard house! Cade is asleep and that is why I'm able to write this, but before he went to sleep it was WWIII at our house.  I've already said, "Cade, don't poke your sister (in the soft spot/eye). Cade don't shake your sister while she's in her bouncy chair. Cade, don't smack your sister in the head. Cade don't drop that truck on your sister" more than I ever thought I would at this point!!!!! Today he has had 4 time-outs, the 4th one finally  got his attention!  This happens in between the tantrums for no reason, or the fits of rage because teeth are coming in (he usually gets 2 at a time or more) or because he isn't getting his way at that moment. I'm pretty sure we've hit the "strong willed" 2's already. He thinks throwing his food is a good way to tell me he's finished eating. I'm trying to teach him some sign language so he can communicate with me, but that is not going well. He just stares at me like I'm an idiot. I know most of this will resolve itself when he is able to talk more. I know sometimes he's just frustrated because he's trying to tell me something and I'm not getting it. I know when Parker is able to play with him some of this will get better and then some new problems will arise. (Please, no advice! I know, I know!!!) All I'm saying is, it's just one of those days today and I want to tell everyone about it instead of keeping up the "I'm so perfect and my family is perfect" wall.

Let's be honest, ladies, the day-to-day with the little ones can sometimes get to us, and to add to that, sometimes our husbands can get on our nerves too. It's been one of those days in the marriage department as well. I don't get mad at many things, but today I've been so mad about something that happened yesterday that I can't hardly speak. Now, I know, I know, please don't lecture me or judge me. I know we are not supposed to let the sun go down on our anger. Well, we did, and it will all be okay. We plan on taking our 2 mile walk around ACU and discussing what happened. Keep in mind that Chris is going to be a marriage and family therapist, so we will be talking ALL about our feelings and this and that, so on and so on!!! Don't worry about us. I'm just trying to make the point that today I've almost reached my breaking point with the stress level and I think we, as moms and wives, need to confess that to each other. Again, I don't need any advice on this... I have a great group of women I call on when I need support. My friend, Jana, who is also busy wife and mom (and also lives close enough to visit when we both need to get out of the house and vent to each other), Erin, in Virginia, always gets an ear FULL of venting when (and if) we get the chance to talk, and the 2 that go without saying (but will say anyway) my mom and sister. There are more who get to hear my venting, but these 4 get it more than most!! Sorry y'all, but thanks for listening! 

Yes, you will still see cute pictures of the kids on this blog, but for today I just wanted to confess that not everything is so cute! I am not the perfect wife/mom, my kids are not perfect, and my marriage is not perfect. Why can't we publicly talk about that sometimes? I'd like to be real about that every once-in-a-while, so PLEASE don't think I'm complaining. My kids and my marriage are Heaven sent. I count my blessings every day, and sometimes every minute (seriously). I remember what it's like to not have either in my life, and believe me, my life is better off with them. 

There's more on my mind, but that's all I have time for now. Keep it real, ladies...

and a shout out to all you wives and moms who have these kinds of days too! If you don't have these days, well, your probably from another planet and I don't want to be your friend! ha ha!

luv, mindy

Parker Pics

Parker is doing well. She is still sleeping through the night and smiles all the time when she's awake! Her eyes get real big when she hears Cade. It's very cute! Not much to say about her, other than she's adorable and we love her! Enjoy the pictures. The one with the black hat makes her look like a ban k robber! It has a face of a kitty cat on it, but you can't see it from the picture. The two little girls you may not recognize are my nieces, Madison (6) and Sidney (almost 2). They came to Grapevine for my dad's birthday last weekend. We had a blast and stayed up way to late every night! Cade LOVES Madison, and the girls could not get enough of holding and feeding Parker. They were so sweet with her, and it was so much fun to see all the cousins together. We all thought Parker looked so much like them they could all be sisters!

No Longer A Baby!

He's all little boy now! He's into dirt, throwing the football, rocks, sometimes touching his sister's face with his foot and, yes, this is true, he giggles when he toots! I love this age!

Been A Little Busy!

So, as you can imagine, we've all been a little busy! This blog will have to be very short, but I just wanted to tell you all how we are doing. 

Cade is walking EVERYWHERE! It's been a huge help to us too. He walks himself to the car and we can get everyone into the car and go somewhere easier now. His ankles aren't looking as fat too b/c he's getting more exercise!!!!! He STILL gets mad in the car, but if it wasn't for Elmo videos we wouldn't go any where. (Thank you to the Gulick's for the DVD player! I am forever in your debt! And thank you to MiMi for all the Elmo videos!) Those videos are the only thing that keep him from crying and carrying on, however, Parker is starting to cry in the car now! Yup! It's true! I don't know what it is about my kids and this car seat, but I have another car seat I'm going to try out to see if it works better for her. 

Speaking of Parker, she is five weeks old! It really does go by so fast! She smiles and tries so hard to coo and "talk" a little. She looks so much like me (mostly like my niece, Sidney) it's weird to look at myself! She sleeps thru the night, believe it or not! Normally, she has her last bottle at midnight and then she'll sleep until 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. It's great! We were going to have pictures made of her last week, but she got the baby acne, so we are waiting until those go away. 

As far as Chris and me. Same 'ol, same 'ol! Chris still loves school and tells me everything he is learning even though I don't understand some of the big words he uses now! I drink a lot of caffeine, but still stay tired some how!!!! 

Need to run for now, she is crying.

love to all who still read this!!!!

We Are Good!!

I just wanted to post something today and let everyone know we are doing well. My mother-in-law is here this week and she has been a huge help!! (Thanks MiMi) I will post more pics sometime this weekend. We are still getting adjusted to having Parker home with Cade but its going well. Cade just looks at her and smiles. He does this cool thing I wanted to share. Whenever we ask for a kiss or hug, he just leans his head into us. It is really sweet and cute. Well we have asked him to kiss or hug Parker several times and most of the time he does it. Well yesterday I had Parker laying beside me starting to wake up so I could feed her. Cade comes over and looks at her, smiles then leans his head in!! It was really cool and something I will never forget. Actually he has done that a few times. He is still trying to figure out who this new person is but he's getting there.

Mindy is a rock star as usual. She has been such a trooper and I am amazed at how fast she snaps back from being pregnant for so many months out of the past 2 years. And last night MiMi and Missy watched the kids so Mindy and I could get out of the house. We drove around then ended up at Nelson park to watch softball, breath and talk. It was awesome....almost like college, except we are married now and have 2 kids and a mortgage and school loans (wait that part is the same).

Parker Noel Bedard

Well she is here. For those of you who haven't seen pics or know the specifics...
She was born at 7:44 am, weighs 7 lbs 3 oz and was 18.75 inches long. She is beautiful like her mom!! Mindy is doing great and has been resting comfortably all day. Our family was here and that was awesome!! Here is a link to an album I have publised with some pics if you would like to see them: http://gallery.me.com/twobedards2#100016

The adventure continues!!

3 Becomes 4

I wanted to write tonight or today about a couple things. My mind is racing today and I am so overwhelmed with emotions and excitement it is hard to think straight so this may wander a bit. My classes are going great and I am already learning a lot. Today, though, I found myself wandering in and out of the discussion we were having. Naturally I was thinking about things more important than General Systems theory. I just wanted to brag about someone that I think has become my hero, my wife. Mindy has been a trooper over the past 2 years. She has been pregnant for the past 18 out 24 months. That is a long time!! The past 2 months have been especially hard on her and she has weathered through like a champ!! I have been falling in love with Mindy for a long time now but the past few years have brought us to a deeper level of love and admiration and friendship and devotion. She is amazing to me and I wish everyone could see her as she interacts with Cade and talks to Parker and loves me and supports me and my craziness. I was telling someone today that one of the things that initially attracted me to her (besides her hotness) was her ability to see through my crap and tell me I was full of it. She has never judged me, only loved me for who I am warts and all. And believe me I got a lot of warts. I can not imagine my life without her.

As you can tell, my emotions are bubbling today. Our lives are changing for the better. Yes stress levels will rise and we will be living through things we were just living through a year ago, but we will be doing it as a family. Or as I like to say, we are Team. I love that concept. As we sat there waiting for Cade to be born, we just looked at each other knowing things were changing now. All I could think about was that we would have to work hard together to make things happen. We would have to encourage each other and support each other and keep each other accountable. We would have to function as a unit or Team. So we have become and are becoming. We are going from 3 to 4 in 8 short hours. Our Team is expanding and I can't wait for it to be here.

Cade Is Walking

Well, it took a bit of time but little man is even more mobile!! He is a little shaky still but he took his first true steps tonight!! The great part is there were several people here to see him. You might recognize some of our Fairfax friends in the video. Enjoy the video. Sorry its short but I just wanted to get something up tonight!!

2 Days To Go! Long post ahead...

So, everyone wants an update on how we're doing. Here it is!

Chris- overwhelmed and overloaded with reading and new vocabulary to learn, BUT loving every minute of it!Every student has to work in the MFI clinic each week which means they have to dress appropriately for clients coming in to the office. I have enjoyed this because he has to dress up more than he ever did during youth ministry! He is really looking sharp this week!

Mindy- never been more uncomfortable in my life and not loving every minute of it! No, she hasn't dropped or turned, but it doesn't matter with a c-section. I have no idea if I've dilated, or how much, b/c it doesn't matter with a c-section, so the Dr hasn't even checked. I just know that I'm uncomfortable when I'm walking, standing, sitting and laying down! I'm sore from head to toe. I could go on complaining, but it really won't help anything! I feel sorry for the women who deliver after their due date. This c-section is already 5 days early and I'm counting every hour that goes by. Need I say more? 2 more days, 2 more days...

Cade- having a rough week. He has 4 teeth coming in at once, and they aren't small teeth. This time the teething is giving him major stomach problems. It started Sunday night when he didn't want to eat dinner and he had 4 (or was it 5, I lost count) stinky diapers in a row. We were trying to watch the closing ceremonies, but kept running to his room to change him. It's been so bad that this morning he had poop coming out of his diaper and all down his leg, and all over his sheets. Between the 2 of us, Chris and I have changed 6 poopy diapers since that one this morning. He is also trying to walk. Every day gets better and better, but this is such a slow process for him. He is almost too cautious. He takes 2 very small steps and then falls. We're waiting on that 3rd step before we video tape him. If he sees the camera he won't do anything. He's too fascinated with the camera and wants to push all the buttons! Lastly, his little sister will be entering HIS world on Friday. I know he doesn't understand this yet, but I believe he knows there is something new going on. He spends time with me in her room, and plays with her dolls. He mainly just throws them around the room! This next week will be interesting to see how he reacts to her being around 24/7. Pray for our little man! He's got more going on than the rest of us, and he's just so darn sweet about it! I don't know how I got such a sweet child. Quick example: I was getting some wet clothes out of the washer and, by accident, I dropped some of them on the floor right in front of the dryer. Being as big as I am it's so hard for me to bend over, but my little man came to my rescue! I didn't even have to ask him, he crawled up to the dryer and threw the clothes right in perfectly! I was so proud of my little helper! He just thought it was a game and giggled at his accomplishment, but I'd like to think he saw my frustrated face and came to my rescue! He is truly so sweet!

Parker- I'm pretty sure she already knows how to crawl! She moves ALL the time. I did not experience this with Cade. He was swimming in all the extra fluid I had(which some believe was caused by the IVF, but we'll never know). I felt him move, of course, but not like this little gymnast! This is good news to the Dr, but it gets annoying when it's happening to you! Today she was laying in a weird position which made my right leg and my left arm and hand numb for hours. Right now she is moving up and down, up and down. I can see what I think is her head moving up and down and pushing all over my insides! She gets the hiccups a lot too, but not as much as Cade did. Hers are different. They aren't as violent as his where, but they happen more often and last longer. Other than that, heartbeat is fine, measurements are fine. The Dr thinks she will weigh more than Cade, but that's a no brainer b/c he came 3 weeks early and didn't have those last days to fatten up! She is plenty fat! My guess weight is 7.8; my mom says 7.2, and Chris says 7.5 We'll know in 2 days!

That's it for our family update. All of our parents come in Thursday night for the exciting festivities happening at 7:30 am the next morning. I won't blog any more until she's here, so check back for pictures of her this coming weekend. Coming soon!
Love to all,
mindy

Back To School!!

For everyone not keeping up with our life we are about to have 2 pretty significant things happen to us this week. The first one is tomorrow. I (Chris) am going back to school. I did not think I would ever say that again 8 1/2 years ago but tonight as I type this, I am so very excited. I can't wait actually. I know that may sound weird but I have been looking forward to this day since early March. I know it will be different and it will take some time to get used to it, but I look forward to the challenge. As a family, we are ready to take on a new kind of being busy (after 7 plus years of full time ministry). It will be a 2 year crazy journey, but it will be one we do together as a family.

And speaking of family, the second big event this week happens on Friday. Our little girl, Parker, comes into the world around 7:30 am Friday morning. And as excited as I am about starting school, it pales in comparison to the birth of our second child. But more on this later this week.

Me and Jana @ church last Sunday. We have our ACU Wildcat spirit going! Jana was one of my roomies during my incarceration (ha ha) at ACU! Her husband, Brandon, (one of Chris' former roomies) is teaching in the Graphic Design Dept at ACU. We are so happy to hang out with them again, and especially their kids! It's so fun to watch your friends as parents. We all grow up too fast!

We tried to get Cade and Jana's little girl together for a photo shoot for the ACU magazine, ACU Today. As you can see... Cade is afraid of girls! He loves Jana's little boy who is 4. He follows him around and tries to imitate him, but Skylar is a different story! For some reason EVERY time we got her near him he would FREAK out! I just kept telling him to get used to little girls, Buddy! There's one coming to our house very soon!!!