Shall we try this again?
10 years ago
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Spring Break 2012
This year during Spring Break, our whole family rented a house right outside Disney World. We had a blast minus the bazillion hours it took to drive down. We visited Magic Kingdom, Sea World, Coco Beach, and Animal Kingdom. Pictures are worth way more than words:
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Reece - Third and Fourth Quarters
Dear Reece (and Grace and Emma Kate),
I haven't blogged in a while. I've been busy. We've been busy. Busy growing, busy going places, busy doing things, busy being a family. I've been stressing myself out because I haven't been writing letters each month and documenting things as soon as they happen. I've been writing down milestones as they happen, otherwise, I know I will get confused, time gets muddled. But, the flowery letters haven't happened. Sometime last week, as I was stressing myself out about all I haven't done, a thought occurred to me. You need more than an up to date baby book. Yes, you and your sisters need more. More than you need a mama who prepares meals, or needs a clean-ish home, even more than you need a mama who takes you swimming, or does fun crafts, or leads dance parties in the kitchen, you three need a Godly mama. You need a mama who spends time reading God's word, talking to God, teaching you how to talk to God, and leading by example. Being Mama to you three precious souls is the most important task I will ever have. A task pre-destined for me by God. A task that I treasure.
This letter is a wrap-up of the second half of your first year. No, your first year isn't up yet - thank goodness! But, as your sweet sister #2 was playing on my phone, she deleted several other notes and some pictures, so I figured things better get documented before this note was "thrown in the trash can" too. Lots has happened, so get ready!
I haven't blogged in a while. I've been busy. We've been busy. Busy growing, busy going places, busy doing things, busy being a family. I've been stressing myself out because I haven't been writing letters each month and documenting things as soon as they happen. I've been writing down milestones as they happen, otherwise, I know I will get confused, time gets muddled. But, the flowery letters haven't happened. Sometime last week, as I was stressing myself out about all I haven't done, a thought occurred to me. You need more than an up to date baby book. Yes, you and your sisters need more. More than you need a mama who prepares meals, or needs a clean-ish home, even more than you need a mama who takes you swimming, or does fun crafts, or leads dance parties in the kitchen, you three need a Godly mama. You need a mama who spends time reading God's word, talking to God, teaching you how to talk to God, and leading by example. Being Mama to you three precious souls is the most important task I will ever have. A task pre-destined for me by God. A task that I treasure.
This letter is a wrap-up of the second half of your first year. No, your first year isn't up yet - thank goodness! But, as your sweet sister #2 was playing on my phone, she deleted several other notes and some pictures, so I figured things better get documented before this note was "thrown in the trash can" too. Lots has happened, so get ready!
6 month accomplishments:
Giving kisses
Getting upset when things are taken away
Sitting up really well
At 6 months you like:
sweet potatoes and all fruit
musical toys
rattles
being held
7 month accomplishments:
Your first visit to meet Micky Mouse
1st time swimming
sitting up on your own from laying down
clapping
waving bye-bye
1st tooth
1st popsicle
At 7 months you like:
watching your sisters
splashing in the bath tub
being outside
8 month accomplishments:
Crawling
2nd tooth
1st cookie
Table foods are about half your meals
Slept through the night 1 time (and 1 time only)
Pointing
Pulling up
At 8 months you like:
mashed potatoes
sweets
musical toy
cars and trucks
9 month accomplishments:
sipping through straw
standing alone
"Mama"
eating all table foods
At 9 months you like:
walk behind toys
waking me up every 2 hours during the night
getting in your sisters' toys
10 month accomplishments:
"bite"
pushing toys across the floor and making car noises
WALKING
bopping to music
At 10 months you like:
cars and trucks
food - we having found one you don't like
cartoons
stuffed animals
our kittens
Friday, July 6, 2012
Grace's Birthday Interview - Five
What is your favorite color? PINK!
What is your favorite toy? Baby dolls
What is your favorite fruit? Apples and grapes
What is your favorite tv show? Max and Ruby and Wow Wow Wubbzy and Peppa Pig
What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Chicken n Stars
What is your favorite outfit? My Justice maxi dress
What is your favorite game? Candy Land
What is your favorite snack? Popsicles
What is your favorite animal? Zebra
What is your favorite song? Crawdad Song
What is your favorite book? The Llama Llama books
Who is your best friend? Sarah and Madison
What is your favorite cereal? Special K
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play in my new sandbox.
What is your favorite drink? Milk
What is your favorite holiday? My birthday because I get all the presents.
What do you take to bed at night? Pink Flamingo and White Doggie
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Bacon
What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Longhorn
What do you want to be when you grow up? Doctor
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Grace - Five
Fingers, toes, senses, vowels. All things that come in fives. Now, we can add you to the mix because you are FIVE years old! Five. Maybe if I say it enough, it will cause the last 1,825 days to seem longer than 5 minutes, 5 blinks. Five.
One blink and you started walking. Two blinks and you were talking in novels. Three blinks and you learned to be compassionate. Four blinks and you were writing your name. Now, after five blinks, you are an independent, sassy, dramatic, hilarious, nurturing five year old. You have always been a handful, but now, Gracie Grace, you are indeed a WHOLE handful.
On the morning of your fifth birthday, Daddy and I woke you up singing “Happy Birthday” to you, and you greeted us with a smile and a squeal. In some ways, you have been at least five your whole life. You were an early walker, skipped right past babbling and went to conversations. At four and a half, you became a big sister again. Apparently, in Grace World, almost five years old is big enough to be your baby brother’s second mama. The other day, as I was getting ready, Reece started fussing. Like the big girl you are, you pulled him in your lap, situated him, and started singing and rocking him. He feels comforted by your arms, you sweet spirit. You have always been independent, definitely always sassy, and wise beyond your years. And, I guess that because of your maturity, I have come to expect it out of you. But, then comes along a sentence such as “I catched the ball!” or “We goed to the store” and my heart smiles remembering that maybe five isn’t so old, maybe not too mature.
Five. A mere five years ago, you became my first born, my teacher. You taught me how to juggle a baby, a telephone, a diaper bag, and several other items at the same time. You taught me that sleep is a treasure not to be taken for granted. You taught me how to give a newborn a bath, how to clip the tiniest nails I had ever seen, how to potty train. You taught me to love princesses and plastic meals of oranges, lettuce, and hotdog buns. You taught me the joy of the word “mama”. You taught me that going to work with baby food, spit up, lip gloss, or a plethora of bodily fluids on my clothes is a reminder of the most important job I will ever have. You taught me how to measure moments.
There are so many times when I should have handled something differently, done something, not done other things. So many times as a mama that I would like to revisit. But, Daddy and I must have done something right because you are one awesome five year old!
My precious girl, you are special. You are kind. You are beautiful inside and out. You matter. I want you to always remember those things. Stuff will happen. Good stuff and bad stuff, but as long as you keep being you, rely on God, and remember that Daddy and I will always be here for you, you will soar. I am so proud to be your mama.
Happy High Five, Baby!
Love,
Mama
One blink and you started walking. Two blinks and you were talking in novels. Three blinks and you learned to be compassionate. Four blinks and you were writing your name. Now, after five blinks, you are an independent, sassy, dramatic, hilarious, nurturing five year old. You have always been a handful, but now, Gracie Grace, you are indeed a WHOLE handful.
On the morning of your fifth birthday, Daddy and I woke you up singing “Happy Birthday” to you, and you greeted us with a smile and a squeal. In some ways, you have been at least five your whole life. You were an early walker, skipped right past babbling and went to conversations. At four and a half, you became a big sister again. Apparently, in Grace World, almost five years old is big enough to be your baby brother’s second mama. The other day, as I was getting ready, Reece started fussing. Like the big girl you are, you pulled him in your lap, situated him, and started singing and rocking him. He feels comforted by your arms, you sweet spirit. You have always been independent, definitely always sassy, and wise beyond your years. And, I guess that because of your maturity, I have come to expect it out of you. But, then comes along a sentence such as “I catched the ball!” or “We goed to the store” and my heart smiles remembering that maybe five isn’t so old, maybe not too mature.
Five. A mere five years ago, you became my first born, my teacher. You taught me how to juggle a baby, a telephone, a diaper bag, and several other items at the same time. You taught me that sleep is a treasure not to be taken for granted. You taught me how to give a newborn a bath, how to clip the tiniest nails I had ever seen, how to potty train. You taught me to love princesses and plastic meals of oranges, lettuce, and hotdog buns. You taught me the joy of the word “mama”. You taught me that going to work with baby food, spit up, lip gloss, or a plethora of bodily fluids on my clothes is a reminder of the most important job I will ever have. You taught me how to measure moments.
There are so many times when I should have handled something differently, done something, not done other things. So many times as a mama that I would like to revisit. But, Daddy and I must have done something right because you are one awesome five year old!
My precious girl, you are special. You are kind. You are beautiful inside and out. You matter. I want you to always remember those things. Stuff will happen. Good stuff and bad stuff, but as long as you keep being you, rely on God, and remember that Daddy and I will always be here for you, you will soar. I am so proud to be your mama.
Happy High Five, Baby!
Love,
Mama
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Reece - 6 months
Dear Reece,
You turned 6 months old on February 21, 2012, and with a bang, I might add. We spent your half birthday with a 102 degree temperature and a double ear infection. Luckily, the month leading up was amazing. You have done quite a bit of growing and changing in the last month. You finally started rolling from your tummy to your back. I'm not sure what took so long for you to realize you had that little skill, but now that you do, it's made my job a bit more detailed. You don't stay on your activity mat any more, and you can't be left unattended on beds! You also started baby food. You love carrots, sweet potatoes, and all fruits, but you aren't a fan of green beans - those are promptly spewed back out of your mouth. I have learned that I can sneak them in as long as you taste sweet potatoes first. You have really discovered toys this month. You love anything with lights and music, and anything you can put in your mouth and gnaw on, really.
It blows my mind to think that half a year has passed since your whirlwind entrance into the world. I can't believe that just 6 months ago, I didn't realize how much I wanted a little boy. 6 months ago, I was worried that Grace and Emma Kate would still be upset about not getting a baby sister. 6 months ago, I went from envisioning a lifetime of pink and frills to embarking on a life of a mixture of the best of both worlds. In these 6 months, you have gone from a teeny peanut of a newborn to a chubby baby who is learning and growing at the speed of light. Your personaility is revealing itself daily, and this bond that I see forming between you and your sisters is when I realize what a gift you 3 are to each other. In 6 short months, you have captured all our hearts and got us wrapped around your little finger. We all love you more than we could have ever imagined, and can feel that you feel that way about us too.
Happy half birthday!
Love,
Mama
You turned 6 months old on February 21, 2012, and with a bang, I might add. We spent your half birthday with a 102 degree temperature and a double ear infection. Luckily, the month leading up was amazing. You have done quite a bit of growing and changing in the last month. You finally started rolling from your tummy to your back. I'm not sure what took so long for you to realize you had that little skill, but now that you do, it's made my job a bit more detailed. You don't stay on your activity mat any more, and you can't be left unattended on beds! You also started baby food. You love carrots, sweet potatoes, and all fruits, but you aren't a fan of green beans - those are promptly spewed back out of your mouth. I have learned that I can sneak them in as long as you taste sweet potatoes first. You have really discovered toys this month. You love anything with lights and music, and anything you can put in your mouth and gnaw on, really.
We also had your baby dedication at church. This is our way of making a public proclamation that we will teach you about Jesus and do our best to raise you according to God's will.
It blows my mind to think that half a year has passed since your whirlwind entrance into the world. I can't believe that just 6 months ago, I didn't realize how much I wanted a little boy. 6 months ago, I was worried that Grace and Emma Kate would still be upset about not getting a baby sister. 6 months ago, I went from envisioning a lifetime of pink and frills to embarking on a life of a mixture of the best of both worlds. In these 6 months, you have gone from a teeny peanut of a newborn to a chubby baby who is learning and growing at the speed of light. Your personaility is revealing itself daily, and this bond that I see forming between you and your sisters is when I realize what a gift you 3 are to each other. In 6 short months, you have captured all our hearts and got us wrapped around your little finger. We all love you more than we could have ever imagined, and can feel that you feel that way about us too.
Happy half birthday!
Love,
Mama
Valentine's Day - 2012
Valentine's Day has taken on a whole new meaning now that we have kids old enough to celebrate. Justin and I try to show each other how much we love and appreciate each other throughout the year, so Valentine's is now about making it fun for the kids.
Justin was traveling the week of Valentine's Day this year, so the kids and I made him a card the week before (gasp!). Thank you, Pinterest.
And, we made heart hair. Idea compliments of Pinterest.
Justin was traveling the week of Valentine's Day this year, so the kids and I made him a card the week before (gasp!). Thank you, Pinterest.
And, we made heart hair. Idea compliments of Pinterest.
We made valentines for Grace's pre-k class and valentines for each girl to give out at Sunday School. Again, thank you, Pinterest. Are you sensing a theme? No picture of the actual valentines, so how about 1 of my valentines? :)
Apparently, I forgot the lesson about gum chewing during pictures. Ahem, Grace.
So what do I love about my Valentines? Here are a few things:
Grace - I love the dimple in her chin, the shape of her hands, the sweet mothering nature with which she approaches Reece. I love her girly girl personality. I love that she loves school, sparkle, and purses. I love that she is so observant that she knows every detail of what everyone else is doing. I love teaching her how to write and seeing the surprise and joy on her face as she learns.
Emma Kate - I love the pout of her lips and the color of her eyes. I love that she is a ball of sass. I love that I have to hold my breath because the words coming out of her mouth just might embarrass me or make me roll with laughter. I love that she loves snuggling, making Reece laugh, and her new cowboy boots. I love that despite loving skirts, she hates the way that tights "hug her legs". I love that she takes pleasure in helping others and singing at the top of her lungs. I love that she loves with no reservations.
Reece - I love the smell of his skin, how his eyelashes lay on his cheeks when his eyes are closed, and how he smiles with his whole face. I love that he has found his toes. I love that he can blow raspberries and make his sisters beam with just one look. I love that he is a mama's boy. I love that he knows the face and voice of his family members. I love that he loves to be held.
Happy Valentine's Day, Loves.
Reece - 5 months
Dear Reece,
You turned 5 months old on January 21, 2012. This month, we celebrated a lot! Christmas was first up, followed by New Year's, the end of your first football season, and Daddy's birthday.
Needless to say, impressed is not the word to describe your reaction to the lights, presents, and festivities. Don't worry though, your sisters had that covered. Santa brought you a rocking horse, activity mat, and your first cars and trucks. Daddy and i gave you your first pair of Nikes and some other stuff that you probably won't appreciate until you're old like us. Grace and Emma Kate each picked out an animal rattle to give you.
New Year's was next, and we rang it in on the Sleepy Town Train. And, then we celebrated Daddy's birthday on January 13.
If you'll look back over your monthly letters, you'll see how I bragged on you for sleeping well. Well, this is the month that ended. Let me just say that it's a good thing you're so cute. You had your first bite of baby cereal at the end of this month, which you really enjoyed. Milk, cereal, you love it all!
Your hair that had fallen out after you were born, is really growing back now. And, it's blonde! I don't know if it'll stay that way, but for now, you're a fuzzy little towhead. And, your eyes are still blue. People comment how much you look like Grace and me.
I am enjoying every minute of being your mama. I didn't realize how much our family needed you, but I think we're all taken aback by how much we love you.
Happy 5 months, Baby Boy!
You turned 5 months old on January 21, 2012. This month, we celebrated a lot! Christmas was first up, followed by New Year's, the end of your first football season, and Daddy's birthday.
New Year's was next, and we rang it in on the Sleepy Town Train. And, then we celebrated Daddy's birthday on January 13.
If you'll look back over your monthly letters, you'll see how I bragged on you for sleeping well. Well, this is the month that ended. Let me just say that it's a good thing you're so cute. You had your first bite of baby cereal at the end of this month, which you really enjoyed. Milk, cereal, you love it all!
Your hair that had fallen out after you were born, is really growing back now. And, it's blonde! I don't know if it'll stay that way, but for now, you're a fuzzy little towhead. And, your eyes are still blue. People comment how much you look like Grace and me.
I am enjoying every minute of being your mama. I didn't realize how much our family needed you, but I think we're all taken aback by how much we love you.
Happy 5 months, Baby Boy!
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