Tales Of A Baby Catcher

7 Months...

2012-01-26T21:04:00.000-06:00

Dang you, Carlos...

You are 7 months old.

Seriously!

Slow it down a bit...

mommy's getting a little flabbergasted.

I mean, geez, you're even holding your own sign...

Why are you so grown up lately??

This week you are 18.5lbs

and 28in long.

You are still happy about 95% of the time.

You have found your voice.

You giggle

You eat...a lot!

You still love all of the normal stuff, but now love yogurt, oatmeal with your fruit, and even like mango's and prunes :)

You move a lot.

You have a crawling technique that cracks me up...

and you can get to where you want to go pretty quick!

You've also learned to go from "crawling" to sitting all by yourself.

You had your first Christmas and New Year.

And, guess what...

They still love ya!

disclaimer...this post was shortened in an attempt to actually post it.
Sorry for the lack of pictures.

Gasp...

2012-01-20T22:48:00.000-06:00

I'm behind...

again.

I logged in today to do a 7mo post,

lo and behold there's only been one teeny post since 6mo.

Job for the weekend...

catch up.

Just a warning, I've got some deep stuff in my brain.

Still not sure if it'll make it from drafts to public, but I've gotta get it out.

But, for today I'll throw out a few Christmas pics I just realized never made it out of the camera. I've never claimed to be on top of it.

Gingerbread houses

somebody unwrapped their first present

one of the Uncle J's with the kids

(I think 3 kids looks good on him...hint, hint)

Gram and Grandpa's ~~scary~~ smart idea...

I mean, what respectable kid hasn't had a Red Rider??

We had a great Christmas!
As always, it was filled to the brim with family, food and presents.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T06:00:00.000-06:00

From our family, to yours!

Merry Christmas!

6 months...

2011-12-23T22:58:00.001-06:00

Carlos, you are 6 months old!!

I know, I can't believe it either!

You are soo big!

We weighed you Wednesday at the hospital...

you are 17lbs and 27.5 in.

You still wear size 2 diapers,

(because we haven't used them all)

3-6 and 6-9 mo clothes,

size 2 shoes

(yes we actually bought you a real pair!).

You have learned a lot of new things this month...

You can sit up for long periods of time

(why I don't have a pic, I have no clue!)

You have explored a lot of new foods...

You love peas, apples, pears, butternut squash, sweet potatoes,

You tolerate carrots if we put apples with them,

You HATE alvacado.

Dad and I are making about 95% of your food!

You still dive for Dr. Pepper's!

You are WAY more aware of your surroundings that ever,

You already love to people watch...

and people love to watch you too!

We also got a Mai Tai carrier for the handy back carry.

Some days you still just need to stay attached to mommy...

I don't mind, because those days will get fewer and fewer before I'm ready.

You are still ALWAYS happy...

Well, occasionally you get upset.

And your brother and sister...

Still love ya too!

We are looking forward to your first Christmas and what fun next year brings!

A Bug's Life...

2011-11-25T01:16:00.000-06:00

As I scrolled through recent posts, I realized that Bug hasn't gotten much screen time recently.

So, I'll just fix that for you!

She's great!

Beautiful!

Spunky!

Easily Distracted.

Still dancing.

A Great Big Sis!

(she decided to introduce him to Mama Mia! early :) )

She's fun to talk to,

and loves "girl dates"

Oh, and she's been sewing...

and getting more and more fashion savvy!

Heaven, Help US!

You just can't help but love this girl.

She's the most happy, positive person I know!

Pumpkin Pie...

2011-11-21T23:27:00.001-06:00

Ace decided this year that he wanted to make pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.

No problem, I think to myself, easy peasy, it comes in cans!

But no, Ace then goes into great detail about getting pumpkins and scooping out seeds.

So...we made it a day!

Here, I present to all of you...

PUMPKIN PIE BY ACE THE AMAZING!!

First, we got our pumpkins, cut them up, and scooped them out.

(Hubs and I helped out with the cutting...

for obvious reasons)

Then we put it on a pan and baked it.

While the pumpkin was cooking, we moved on to our next project.

CRUST!

Now, I was taught "Old School" by the amazing Granmother...

no need for that fake stuff when you've got Crisco, flour and a glass of ice water!

I went over the basics,

we measured everything out,

and Ace went to work with the dough cutter...

My Joy Boy did it great!

Then he rolled out the dough...

I helped him with evening it out and putting it on the plate,

then demonstrated the finer points of Granmother's edge crimping...

He's a fast learner!

(in full disclosure, we didn't quite bake it long enough and ended up having to steam it after we peeled the skin to get it soft enough to puree)

While we baked the crust, we moved back to the pumpkin...

We loaded it up in the food processor

and pureed away!

This is what we ended up with...

In went our other ingredients...

(Can't believe he kept posing!)

Then...

in the oven it went!

While baking,

I took a minute to scoop up the extra puree into small servings to use as baby food later!

I've been researching baby food making lately.

Anticipating that Carlos will be another big eater :)

Ok, back to the pie...

It turned out great!

Ace took it to Thanksgiving Dinner at church Sunday night...

It was a hit!

I am so proud of my new baker!

5 months

2011-11-20T23:26:00.000-06:00

Carlos, you are 5 months old!

Gram can't believe it, and neither can we!

You have grown into quite a mover and grabber...

Oh, and gnawer too!

You constantly chew your hands, or other peoples hands around you...

and Oh, the drool.

ICK!

At your last Dr appointment you were

15lb 12oz (50th%)

27in (95th%)

You're probably going to be tall!

You are wearing 3-6 and some 6-9mo clothes

(mostly bigger pants for the extra length)

We are still squeezing you into size 2 diapers

(we still have 3 unopened packages, but may soon pack those up for Bec and move on to 3's)

You have had many firsts this month.

You had surgery :(

Your first (hopefully of many) World Series

Your first Halloween

(Uncle J-Rod snuck popcorn in your monkey!)

Your first Balloon Festival

You were mesmerized by the lights!

You've also, much to Daddy's great delight, tasted your first "real foods"

It was hard to resist with a face like this...

Then there was all of the begging and the infamous Dr. Pepper Dive!

So far you've had rice cereal and bananas,

and there's no going back...you love your food!

You are so happy!

You smile, and laugh and cackle all the time.

We love you so much!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T23:21:00.001-05:00

From Jessie, Woody, and Buzz!

It's Been A Week...

2011-10-27T22:36:00.000-05:00

So, we had a first in our family last week.

Until Mr. Carlos came along, the worst we'd been through was some ear infections and allergies (the seasonal kind), and I've always been quite humbled and thankful for that.

Carlos needed some minor day surgery for a little problem that was noticed after he was born.

(Just a little side note, even minor surgery is MAJOR surgery to a mommy.)

So, I'm not going into details...

and mostly just jotting all this down

1.)because I've got some really cute pictures

2.)Hubs is watching what we are hoping will be the last game of the World Series, and when I watched the game Saturday, the Rangers lost big time.

(and I haven't really gotten over the whole rain delay debacle of last week)

and I've already read the news and stalked my blogs.

(another little side note...in the middle of the page...Hubs is so wound up about the game tonight that he's cracking me up...he's like Ace excited on steroids and sporting brown hair! I have so much to look forward to!!)

OK, back on track.

We farmed out the big kids, got up early, and were off on the dreaded adventure.

We've learned a lot of new things about pediatric surgery.

1. Children's Hospital is very good at what they do.

2. They make hospital gowns really small...

and they still involve mooning everyone around you :)

3. 4 month old little boys have NO CLUE what hospital gowns and beds mean :(

In true Carlos fashion, he woke up a happy and talking!

He even flirted with the nurses and showed of all of his kicking skills!

The parts I dreaded most were handing him over, and the time after surgery when we weren't going to be with him...

Oh, how my prayers were answered.

Hubs was able to snuggle him to sleep before the Anesthesiologist arrived, and was able to hand him off to the circulating nurse, who snuggled him up and carried him back to the OR sound asleep.

After waiting, for what seemed like forever, and talking to the Dr., we were taken back to Post-op and he was brought back to us still asleep...an even bigger blessing when we heard other kids coming out screaming.

He actually, despite our best efforts, slept for about an hour after we got him back.

We couldn't go home until he was awake enough to eat and not get sick.

Thankfully, we have a professional sleepy nurser :)

Here he is after getting everything disconnected...

Still sporting the sleepy eyes.

I'd like to report that recovery was a breeze,

but it was no fun.

I will, happily, report that he did, finally, get his very own Rangers shirt as a consolation prize!

He loves the Rangers!

So, while I don't ever want to have to go through something like this again, my heart has been reminded over and over again that we could have it so much worse.

Ace and I took him for his first Post Op visit this afternoon...

and are happy to report that all is well!!

Go Rangers!

Oh, and one more pic, just for Gram...

who love her baby feet!

4 Months...

2011-10-20T22:24:00.000-05:00

Carlos, today you were 4 months old!

You are big and happy!

and very bald!

You are holding up your head very well.
You've rolled over twice (belly to back), but are very sneaky about it.
Both times you wait til I'm distracted.
You have started "talking" to us...
especially when you are tired or getting hungry,
if we talk to you, you answer.
It is very cute!
You can laugh and "cackle" too.
We learned how to do a "back carry" with our wrap...

At first, it made Ace nervous, but it works great on days that you want to help me clean house!
You are also in the midst of your first ever Ranger's Postseason.
You are enjoying spending time in your Jumperoo watching the game.
This is how excited you were the night they won the ALCS championship...

(love those chubby hands!)
In your defense...it was LATE!
And, we had a busy day.
You were SUPPOSED to go to your first Rangers game...but we won't go there tonight.

Ok,
I have no clue how much you weigh, but we'll find out tomorrow.
You are wearing size 2 diapers,
3-6 month clothes
6-9 month footy PJ's
(you are super long, and don't like to feel constricted).

Tomorrow is going to be a hard day.
Don't feel like talking about it right now,
but your are going to do great.

We love you so much!

(and here is your ACE shot)

You two are going to have so much fun growing up together!

Moving Right Along...

2011-10-18T00:29:00.000-05:00

So, I'm not much of one to rant on the blog-o-sphere.

It's been bugging that I left last week on such a frustrated note.

So, I'm back to let everyone know all is well now.

Not that there haven't been other challenges this past week, but that I got over it.

All is well...mostly.

While ranting on and on and on, I just barely glazed over a very significant event in our family...

Ace is 5 years old!!

I can hardly believe that it I've had my "joy boy" for that long!

Love, love, love the kid.

So, instead of searching the photo archives and getting all sentimental, I'll give you a list of the funniest things Ace has said this week.
And, I use the term "said" loosely...
These are things that Ace has yelled loudly in his deep, burly, "outside" voice.
1.) for previous mentioned bday lunch he wanted "free" tacos and curly fries
2.) at our old faithful Sunday lunch locale he ran in to grab a table and yells back at me "I'll just have my usinal mom!
Usinal...as in 1 letter off of urinal...and pronounced just the same.
3.) on his bday morning he busted out crying in the car..."what's wrong?" I ask...
(in a babbling, snotty, snorty run on sentence) "everybody tells me when I'm 5 I got to go to Bug's school...and mommy YOU DID NOT DRESS ME RIGHT FOR SCHOOL TODAY!!"
He eventually calmed down when I explained that he got to finish Wee School first.
4.) after attending the Ranger game, he ran in to tell me all about it...
"MOM, NELLY HIT A BOMBDIGGITY GRAND SLAM HOME RUN, AND I JUST COULDN'T STOP YELLING!"
5.) on our way to Academy Saturday night, after the Rangers won the ALCS, Ace could not quit talking about how excited he was that our Rangers are headed to the "World Serious"!

And for those of you who still need a little sentimental walk down picture memory lane...
visit this post.

Update...

2011-10-11T22:56:00.000-05:00

Well, to end this day, I thought I'd jot down...for all of posterity, of course how my day proceeded to get worse.

First, I forgot to mention dear Libby (our dog) puking in my car on the way to the groomer.

Note to self:

Self...If Libby is ever not crazy in the car,

not trying 100 times to get in your lap,

drink your beverage...

if she's just sitting at you, staring at you funny...

PULL OVER AND KICK HER OUT OF THE CAR...

SHE'S GONNA BLOW!

Second, my dear BIL offered up the use of his old iPhone until I can procure a more permanent alternative.

He, via Hubs, sent me over to his house with specific alarm-bypassing-instructions, and specifics of phone location in the office.

I called Hubs on our home phone to double check my memory of the pass code to the alarm (information I would normally store IN MY PHONE, but oh...wait! IT'S DEAD!

He doesn't answer.

I toss around in my brain waiting until said BIL is home.

I have no idea when that will be.

I go to his house.

Open the garage door with my handy presets in the car.

Open the back door,

punch in the code...

SET OFF THE ALARM.

Note to self...

Self: if you're 1 number off, it won't work.

I will say now that I'm thankful that BIL still has a land line.

One problem...Hubs still won't answer his phone.

It's the only phone number I know in my brain.

(because, once again, everyone's number is IN MY PHONE, THAT IS DEAD!)

Alarm is going off,

kids are freaked out in the car,

I have 3 phones in my hand. 2 don't work. 1 that only works if you know what number to dial.

I'm now officially waiting on the cops to show up and haul me away.

Thankfully, I played with the land line and figured out, by the grace of God, there were preset numbers stored in the phone.

Called FIL, who called BIL, who called me on his own house phone,

alarm disarmed.

I will now never for get the alarm code to BIL's house.

I will also NEVER try to enter said house again unless it's owners are home.

THE END...

i hope.

RAIN, RANGERS AND THE RANT THAT GOES ON AND ON...

2011-10-11T14:17:00.001-05:00

Where do I start??

Ever have one of those weeks where you just...

you just want to throw up your arms and scream REALLY?!?!

So, it all started with rain.

We've needed it BAD.

If you're not from around these parts,

Google the national drought map...

the whole state is covered in deep dark red.

My yard has cracks Hubs can stick his whole foot in.

My back porch looks like it's floating.

Everything is brown...

we really need some rain.

So, then there's the Rangers.

~~my former favorite MLB team~~

Ahem...the team we love and support.

You might have heard that they're marching their way through the playoffs.

May even return to the World Series.

You might even remember this post in which the Ranger's had a big impact on our family.

OK. So even though Hubs got a new TV, he's always wished he could have been at one of the playoff games. He LOVES the Rangers.

Insert the most wonderful wife in the world...

We bought playoff tickets.

Not great ones, but we even got 4, so the whole family could have some fun.

We've been cutting corners and saving all week.

What's the point of all of this, you may ask??

Well, Saturday it started raining.

Good rain.

Not just some sprinkles...

RAIN.

The Saturday playoff game has several rain delays, but Rangers won.

We start getting a little nervous...supposed to rain Sunday too.

Sunday morning we watch the radar.

NO RAIN OVER ARLINGTON!!

Woohoo!

We go to church,

we eat a quick lunch,

we go treat the kids to new Josh Hamilton shirts and hats,

we head home to change and leave...

Hubs wants to watch batting practice and let the kids try to get a ball.

Halfway home,

GAME POSTPONED TIL MONDAY.

NO, big, I say...

I'll find somebody to work for me.

(Hubs had the day off and the kids didn't have school)

But, NOOO.

The Rangers moved their game to a day that everybody in our area, evidently, wanted to have a c-section.

REALLY?!?!

I wish I could put here that I took this all well,

that I didn't act a little like a brat...

but, dang it, I really wanted to go to the game.

I was too big and pregnant to go in the spring,

and it's been too hot to take a newborn until recently.

Games are fun.

It's the playoffs!

I took a step back and remembered the guy at WOF this year that talked about how we don't have control over what happens to us, but we do have control of how we respond.

Failed that BIG TIME!

Now, if all of that wasn't enough, work was super busy...and long.

I got many txts and pics of all the ballpark fun.

The game went into extra innings.

As I finally get in my car and turn the radio on, headed out to get real food for dinner, Nelson Cruz goes and hits a walk-off-grand-slam-home-run.

The crowd goes wild.

THE CROWD THAT MY HUSBAND, KIDS AND BROTHER-IN-LAW WERE IN!

(Not bitter at all here, people!)

So, in a nutshell, yesterday SUCKED.

Today, a new day, ACE's 5th bday, the day I took off to spend with him,

it just gets better.

Took Ace to Jack in the Box for lunch.

All he wanted in the world for lunch was 3 tacos and curly fries.

I decide to take a pic and send it to Hubs.

It's no Rangers game to rub in his face, but the curly fries were good!

But wait! Where's my phone?

Not in my bag, not in the car seat, not in the car.

I am very sad to report that my iPhone is dead.

Found on the side of the country road right by my house.

Cute pink case with tire treads on it.

I'm afraid to even ask what's next.

Never mind...

the writing of this post was just interrupted to assist ACE with a personal bathroom issue...

as I walked in, he has the metal part of the TP holder in his hand.

it fell off the cabinet, I'm sure by accident.

GREAT.

Fall Fun...

2011-10-08T16:46:00.000-05:00

We've been doing our best to enjoy fall!

Ace's school had a field trip to a pumpkin patch last week and Carlos and I decided to tag along.

I ended up really wishing Bug could have come along...

we had a great time, and I was able to snap some cute pics of the boys!

I'm wishing I could take Carlos' smile from this one...

and Ace's smile from this one...

and make a perfect picture!

Oh well, I guess that's part of life :)

Carlos spent most of his day snuggled up and well behaved.

We also got to feed the animals...

I was a little worried about this part because Hubs had to work,

and last year it took him a while to get Ace warmed up to the idea of letting strange farm creatures eat out of his hands.

But, he was a champion goat feeder!

He even fed the longhorns!

and, before it was over, had me feeding them...

those rectangular pupils still freak me out!

We ended our trip with a picnic lunch and pumpkin picking.

Ace informed me on the way that he was in search of a

"firty pound punkin"

He found a great pumpkin and also picked one up for Bug too!

3 Months...

2011-09-24T10:16:00.001-05:00

Carlos, you are 3 months old!

See that smirk on your face...
Just so you remember,
I'll point out that you turned 3 months old on a crazy day...
the first day mommy had to handle a morning of shower, school, lunch packing, wee school, babysitter, work.
We all made it, on time.
Daddy usually holds you up for your picture, but I thought, no biggie we'll be fine...

You would NOT SIT STILL!
I could hear your brain...
"haha, mommy, I'm not gonna make this easy"

We moved to the chair...not much better.
We did have an eager helper though...

OK,
Enough about the picture.

Start over.
Carlos, you are 3 months old.
I weighed you at the hospital this week and you weighed
15lbs
(you did have a wet diaper though)
You are mostly wearing 3-6 month clothes.
We've started up a box for the next baby boy that comes along.
(but don't get too excited, because it won't be at our house!)
You wear size 2 diapers.
You've had a few more firsts this month.
You took your first road trip with mommy to Women of Faith!
We had a great time.
We spent some time in the nursing room, and all the women enjoyed taking turns holding you!

That's us with BFF
(You're the one in the Moby)

You went to your first football game and made it to halftime.
Daddy will tell you that you had to leave because you hated the band...
but the truth is, that by the time they hit that awesome crescendo at the end, you were so excited, that you just couldn't contain your emotions another minute...
You wanted more band, not those smelly football players!
Oh, and it was HOT!

That is you at the game with Granny Lin.

We also sent Bug and Ace back to school and had some alone time with you.
You are extra fun right now because you've perfected your smile and you love to "talk" to us when you get excited about something!

You've also found your tongue...

So cute!

You also had your first bottle since supplementing you in the hospital...

You did great.
Speaking of firsts...we had our first day apart.
Before mommy went back to work, she hadn't left you for more than 2 hours.
We both made it!
You've done great for daddy and haven't had too much trouble going from bottles back to mommy.
You are also bald right now...
your baby hair is falling out and your head is shiney :)
You are an awesome boy!
Oh, and guess what...

Ace still thinks you're cool!
We love you so much and can't wait to see what the next month brings!!

Busy,Busy!

2011-09-22T22:09:00.000-05:00

So,

I went back to work.

Everybody survived...

Hubs,

kids,

patients,

me,

everybody,

fine.

There hasn't been much blogging because we have been busy.

So, here's a brief recap.

After vaca was back to school for this lovely little lady...

Turns out, 2nd grade is awesome.

School is still fun.

The next week it was somebody elses turn...

Not as much enthusiasm from him.

But after a quick talk with Hubs promises of a bike ride after school he did pose.

The drop off wasn't pretty.

However, as a little side note...

Hubs and I had a great date day,

never went home...

great day,

great lunch,

kids were glad to see us when we picked them up!

Good day!

What, you ask...

Why would Ace pose for pics in trade of a bike ride?

Well...

We are proud to announce that Ace ditched the training wheels and is now an avid bike rider!

It took him all of 10 minutes.

Our now cooler evenings are now filled with bike rides...

and running for Bug.

It turns out...

she thinks her bike looks better with training wheels :)

We've also been trying to lay low and keep things simple.

The last one is blurry, but too cute not to remember.

Peace out!

HI HO HI HO...

2011-09-11T21:29:00.000-05:00

It's back to work I go.

Sadly, it's time.

Instead of crying...again,

stomping and screaming "BUT I DON'T WANNA!"

I've decided to focus on good things tonight.

Because it could be so much worse.

Tonight I feel blessed....

Blessed that Hubs allowed this little detour in life we call Carlos.

Blessed that I have a great job, doing something I love, with wonderful people.

Blessed that my job and benefits allowed me 12 weeks of paid maternity leave.

Blessed that I have a husband who I know, without a doubt, will take great care of my children tomorrow.

Blessed that Hubs is letting me tear up and ramble about heating breast milk and letting me know that if he needs to come to the hospital tomorrow, he will.

Blessed that my "big kids" are awesome!

Blessed that I got rock Carlos extra tonight and tell him how great he is.

Tomorrow morning is going to be so hard, but I'm going to do my best to run my blessings through my head.

I've had a great 12 weeks, even if they have gone by in a flash.

And if I'm lucky, tomorrow I'll get the chance to help another family start their new journey.

And yes, it still do cry with my new moms pretty frequently, tomorrow I'll prob. just cry a little more.

2 Months...

2011-08-22T17:39:00.000-05:00

Carlos, you are 2 months old!

I can't believe it!

You are growing so fast!

Today at your 2 month check up you were...

12lbs 14oz

23.5 in

You are starting to fill up and grow out of some of your 0-3 month clothes.

You just started wearing size 2 diapers (mostly because we have size 2's and were afraid that you wouldn't finish another package of 1's if we bought them).

Over the last month you have had a lot of firsts...

you ~~slept through~~ went to your first outdoor concert

You went to your first softball game to cheer daddy on.

(I was so hot, we ended up stripping you naked...you loved it!)

You had your first trip to the park with your cousins.

You took a nap with your brother!

Had your first trip to the lake.

You went to the beach for a little while, but spent most of your time in Gram and Grandpa's camper.

You got a play mat, and enjoy playing on it...most of the time

You wore your first pair of cowboy boots :)

You have just about grown out of your bassinet.

We've put the monitor in your "big boy room" and ~~will probably start sleeping there tonight.~~

~~(If mommy can handle it!)~~
Updated: You slept there for the first time last night and did great.
Mommy survived too :)

You also traveled to 2 new states:

New Mexico & Colorado.

Saw the mountains, elk and snow for the first time...

don't worry, you'll enjoy it more next year!

You also learned a new trick...

You are smiling and cooing at us.
I especially love your smiles when you are done eating...
you are relaxed and sleepy, and if I kiss your forehead or the sweet little spot beside your nose, you give the goofiest grin that melts a mommy's heart!

You have been very busy this month!

Bug and Ace are having the best time with you too,
and are still thrilled to have you around...

We love you so much,

and can't wait to see what this next month holds!

Photos by Ace...

2011-08-20T11:38:00.000-05:00

Well, this should be the last of the Vaca. lore.

I was finally able to download Ace's SD card and now know why he kept running out of batteries...he took about 200 pics!

(and talk about random)

Here are a few of my favorites...

Bug's Photography...

2011-08-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

OK, so I know you guys are probably sick of vaca stories and pics.

But...

I mentioned in an earlier post that we gave each of the big kids and old digital camera. It was a great idea, and except for Ace running his out of batteries every day, gave them something constructive to do...and they took their photography very seriously.

Tonight I got ahold of Bugs SD card and thought I'd share...

I absolutely love the randomness.

Cute Carlos...

2011-08-18T17:05:00.001-05:00

So, I got called out by an "Anonymous" blog fan...

Where was Carlos' own vaca. blog post?

Well, here he is.

(had to sync the iphone to find enough!)

(those jammies were Ace's...make a girl get sentimental!)

Carlos wasn't in a whole lot of pics because this is how he spent most of vacation.

Here's one of his eyes! They do open occasionally!

What happens when you're stuck in the back seat with your big siblings...

Sleeping with big bro...

(for all of those who are having a stroke about the belly sleeping...I was awake and right there the whole time, and after this pic corrected the situation.)

Another sappy sentimental moment...

Ace's first halloween outfit.

and I made this hat while we were gone...

my gauge was off a bit.

It fit Ace better (and he has a huge head)

There you go "Anonymous" he is no longer left out :)

Wordless Wednesday...

2011-08-17T17:05:00.001-05:00

(Could this really have been a week ago?)

Awesome Ace...

2011-08-16T00:04:00.000-05:00

Now for a fun look at Ace...

you just never know what you're going to get with that boy!

Tip for dealing with Ace...

when he doesn't want to take a hike and you do,

walk in front of him while he's whining and exclaim that you've found a rock that there's no way he could ever climb up...

repeat as needed :)

Love this guy...he's growing so fast!

Beautiful Bug...

2011-08-15T23:42:00.002-05:00

I mentioned in an earlier post that Bug was being goofy for pics.

She's also started posing.

Here's a few of my favorites...

She's becoming such a beautiful girl!

Home...

2011-08-14T23:41:00.000-05:00

We are officially back.

I wasn't a great blogger this year, sorry.

To pick up where I left off...

Friday was our last day in Estes and was mostly spent downtown shopping and eating lunch.

We found the most lovely pizza place with an outdoor patio. YUM.

The kids, of course, tried to convince us that they couldn't live without just about everything they set their eyes on.

Hubs was nice enough to take the big kids to the playground for a bit so that Gram and I could wrap up our shopping kid free.

Carlos...slept the entire time we were in town.

He had a restless night and, I guess, was pretty worn out.

Later that evening we packed yet another picnic and headed to Endovalley.

We've never really spent any time there, but the day we went up Fall River Road we drove through and found some lovely picnic spots right next to the river.

Here's ours...

The kids enjoyed splashing in the river

the water was pretty chilly!

proud when they braved balancing the logs :)

And not to be left out...

this picture cracks me up!

He'd been a little fussy, I didn't have my Moby, I had to set him down really quick to help Gram out with the picnic supplies :)

Such a cute face!

Gram and Hubs took care of the hot dog cooking

we also enjoyed smores and roasted marshmallows before leaving.

And the mountains gave us a beautiful parting gift...

so pretty!

Hubs and I joked about finding a way to not leave this place...

this helped!

Until next year, I'll just come back here to remember !

A Day At The Lakes...

2011-08-12T00:55:00.001-05:00

OK, this morning was all about Tuesday.

For Wednesday, I didn't take any pics...except one with my iPhone that I'll just have to share later...

1.) because it's too cute not to share

2.) because I can't bring myself to walk up and down the stairs one more time today unless our cabin catches fire...in which case I'll only have to go down.

Don't judge.

I played putt putt with Carlos again tonight and probably did about a hundred squats

(because, I've found, if you try to bend over wearing your baby, no matter which carrier you choose, his head will flop around in a manner that would send a chiropractor to an early grave)

and also, as you'll see in a few of the pics I'm getting ready to share (only because I want my kids to know I was on vaca and I can't cut myself out because I also want them to know Carlos was there too) I'm not exactly slim and trim anymore.

I'll start working on that ASAP

(esp since I just saw the pics and wondered who in the world that girl in the pics holding my sweet baby were)

Enough babbling.

Back on track.

Wednesday the boys did their big guided fishing trip...

the rest of us hit downtown with highlights of the taffy shop, organic soap store and yarn store.

I bought ACE a toy bow and arrow,

Bug picked a dream catcher

both made new friends in the playground.

Guys came home, supper cooked, hung out around the cabin...

THE END.

Thursday.

One of my favorite days of vaca...

we hit the lakes.

We started out picnicking at Sprague Lake.

We met a few new friends while eating...

and decided to share

This pic is hilarious to me.

Hubs was trying to get a pic of Ace being brave enough to hand feed the duck.

And, he was brave enough...technically.

I didn't know the kid could move so fast, but quicker than our fancy camera could take a pic, Ace had already snapped his hand back and started laughing.

Love that boy!

So, Grandpa brought a fishing pole for the kids to use and spent some time fishing with them.

Unfortunately the fish weren't biting.

So, we progressed around the trail a little to play while Hubs and Grandpa got their gear on for some "real fishing" aka fly fishing.

As many times as I've visited this same spot, I'm never done being amazed by the views here!

What an awesome and creative God!

(I'm not really sure what got into Bug today, but she ~~could not~~ would not be serious for a pic at all)

Now, just for the funny factor...

While waiting on our men folk, these clouds started rolling in.

If you've ever met my children, you'll know that they HATE bad weather, and at the ages of 7&4 can already read the radar app on my phone.

HATE BAD WEATHER.

Now, if you've ever met my mom and I, you'll know that we don't get too excited about weather.

(drives Hubs crazy, he doesn't think I take the right things seriously at all...one of these days I'll tell you about a time early in our marriage at the Piggly Wiggly)

So, like I was saying,

waiting on the men

dark cloud rolls up

thunder rumbles loudly

Bug screams like she's been shot,

while simultaneously doing a Super Man jump into the stroller,

Ace steals the umbrella and demands to leave immediately.

Me and Gram...

laughing hysterically.

My dad says we're really sick :)

Carlos...

cool as a cucumber.

Never woke up.

I'm vowing that he will be my one normal child...

somebody to stand out on the porch and watch the lightning with.

(a girl can dream, can't she?)

Here's a few more pics after the little shower blew through...

(Love these two! Gram and Grandpa are awesome, for so many reasons!)

I wasn't going to include this last one.

Then I decided I'd cut myself out.

Then I just decided to leave it alone (for now) because, I love Ace in this pic.

It's not very often you get a real smile out of him,

and if you can't see how much he loves his daddy right there, then you're blind!

Next stop was Bear Lake.

We did our ceremonial picture on the same rock that we do every time.

And every time we take it...we gain a kid.

One of my goals next week is to dig up all of the pics and post them in order

(as if that wouldn't be obvious).

Love it!

And that's all for now...

if anybody's still reading this long tedious post :)

Tomorrow's our last full day here...so sad!

I Got My Golf On...

2011-08-11T12:03:00.000-05:00

OK, so Internet here at our cabin has been spotty at best.

Yesterday afternoon, when I finally got a good signal...blogger was down.

Last night, I just didn't care, I decided to keep knitting instead.

That's right, I hit the lovely little yarn shop again yesterday!!

The lady who runs it was nice enough to let me use a comfy chair and ottoman on the top floor to feed Carlos before we left. Carlos will now forever love the yarn store too :)

So, I'm behind.

I'll start with Tuesday.

Tuesday was a LONG day, jam packed with tons of activities.

We started out the day the good old lazy way...

it's become a good old family tradition that whatever men are present here get up at the butt crack of too early, quietly tiptoe out of the cabin, and go fly fishing at a spot very carefully selected after much debate, weighing in and discussion.

Any girls and small children the proceed to sleep as late as they want, eat cereal in their PJ's and maybe shower if they feel like it.

The boys usually return somewhere in the neighborhood of 9-10.

So, after that whole shindig we headed for the Old Fall River Road.

It's an old, one way dirt road up the side of the mountain.

(Bug is hollering that they built it in 1947, but I'm thinking it was before that)

Anywhoo, we went up it...

sheer drop offs to your side and everything.

I'm realizing at this point that I should have swiped and downloaded Grandpa's card, you might can sort of see the dirt road there in the corner, but you can probably get the idea of how high up we were getting.

There are several really cool spots to pull off and look at the river and waterfalls coming down

I thought I had one of the whole family, but I'll have to steal from Grandpa.

Carlos, he just chilled out most of the way...

Sweet boy.

He was in the third seat with Bug and Ace so that we could all fit in the van.

(I'm just noticing in this particular pic he's not buckled, please don't fret, we had just put him in)

Speaking of sweet boy, I'll just throw in here that he has slept until 5:30-6 every morning since we got here, the goes back to sleep until around 9.

Amazing!

And magically mommy feels so much better and rested since :)

So, one thing the we've done new this year, that has turned out to be a stroke of genius...

while cleaning up and packing last week, I came across 2 of our old digital cameras, so I loaded them up with 1 GB SD cards of their very own and packed them.

We surprised the kids Tuesday with their "own" cameras...they LOVED it.

And boy do they get serious about their shots!

(I'll have to make a separate blog post just on their pics)

And there's Grandpa!

Grandpa also enjoys taking pictures, and this year, for the first time ever on a trip to Colorado, Grandpa got to sit in the passenger seat and take all the pics he wanted while Hubs was the one who focused on keeping us from sliding down the mountain!

(He took a LOT of pics)

So, back on track, after finishing the Fall River Road, we headed down the western slopes and stopped at at favorite picnic spot, complete with fishing on the Colorado River.

We ate lunch and the guys fished.

Hubs was very patient enough to let Ace tag along.

Ace talks...a LOT...and never quietly.

Ace also likes to throw rocks in the river...not an ideal activity for trout fishing waters.

And what, you may ask, do us girls do on such trips...

We hang out at the picnic tables, of course.

And read, or visit, or whatever else we want!

On the way back to our cabin we got to see a huge herd of elk...

by this point in the day, Ace had run his camera out of batteries and resorted to his binoculars...

or as he says "bin-oc-lee-ears"

These big guys were less than probably 30 yards from where we were standing at one point!

We even found some snow...in August!

So, to get to the whole point of this post...

we came back, cooked dinner, and decided to take the kids to play some putt putt golf.

Ace has been bugging us for weeks about playing putt putt golf.

We went, we played, I WON!!

5 holes in 1

sometimes just shooting with one arm.

Even won a free game for making a hole in 1 on the 19th hole...

all with a "handicap" as they call it in the golfing world

(i guess)

That's right...I won with Carlos!

We're a great team!

The problem is, we won a free game, so now we have to go back and try not to prove that our stellar game was a fluke!

WHEW!

2011-08-08T22:32:00.000-05:00

It's been almost exactly 14 mo since we last came to Colorado...

a lot has changed.

Mostly, the boy next to me still kicking his legs and grinning at the ceiling.

To catch things up,

We left early Saturday morning after getting Carlos good and fed,

stopped for breakfast at what is prob. now my favorite German bakery...yum

(prob a good thing it's not within reasonable driving range for frequent use!)

Next stop was Amarillo.

I encouraged Hubs to find a Chick fil a (which was a little out of our way) so the big kids could, as they like to refer to it as "eat, play, eat, play", as opposed to just "eat (all your food, then) play" and let Carlos spend some time out of his seat.

I was most worried about how Carlos was going to travel...he had the power to make this one miserable drive.

Well, I spent more time than I would have liked in the back seat of the van, but after we eliminated Ace kicking his seat from behind and the random loud voices and yelling (anybody who knows Ace IRL knows that he really doesn't have an inside voice, and when Bug gets wound up or offended she gets high pitched) we had much smother driving.

We ended up making it to a cute town about 20 min outside of Denver before we stopped for the night.

The real fun started Sunday morning...
we hit the Denver Zoo!
We had a great time...

We were all most excited about the Polar Bear!

and were hoping to see him swimming around in his pool...

Turns out, he hates the heat.

Just sat there in the shade.

The other cool thing we saw was the 2 humped camels.

Carlos slept through the whole entire experience.

It's probably a little mean to post this picture...

as big and tough as Ace looks, he gets his feelings hurt pretty easy.

This was towards the end of the day and he had just fell off the baby hippo.

I don't think I mention enough here in the bloggy world about what an amazing dad Hubs is.
He loves teaching the kids about the animals.

I love the guy!
(here he's showing them the lions and hyenas)

(and on an amusing side note, as I'm sitting here at the kitchen counter of our cabin blogging about what a good dad he is...Hubs just told the kids (jokingly, of course) that if they come upstairs and try to get in our bed...he's going to roll them down the stairs while they're still asleep...gotta love it!)

Sunday was wrapped up, with no picture evidence, by meeting up with my dad's family in Denver and going to a really neat 50's diner with the best milkshakes!

We woke up this morning and headed to our final destination.
Estes Park!!
We are so glad to be back.
The weather is great, the grass and trees are green and the rivers and streams actually have water running in them!
After lunch, grocery shopping, and obtaining the proper fishing licenses, we settled into our cabin.
The kids had a good time playing in the stream.
This is probably my new favorite picture of Bug and Ace...

We also drove to a few places in the park, cooked dinner and enjoyed sitting out on our deck listening to the river.
It's been a good day...
now I'm going to take Carlos upstairs, feed him, and fall into a coma.
Here's to hoping tonight might finally be the night the little booger sleeps all the way through!

Whew...

2011-08-08T09:13:00.000-05:00

We're in Denver.

A lot has changed since we made this trip last year.

Well, a lot of things in our family.

Last year I updated every night we were gone...

this year I fall asleep too fast to blog.

Hopefully, once we're settled in our cabin in Estes later today I'll have time to sift through pics and do a proper update...because we're having a great time.

I will say that I am SO PROUD of my kids.

We've had a few "moments", but on a whole they have done so good!

Wish everybody could be here with us...

the weather is amazing.

You can step out of your car and not feel like you're going to die!

(and once we're up in the mountains, it'll only get better!!)

Oh My...

2011-08-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

He wonders why I call him Ace so often...

It's really kind of scary :)

Sip & See

2011-08-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

This past weekend we had a great time celebrating Carlos' arrival with a Sip and See shower with friends.

BFF and Aunt C headed up the event and showcased their most crafty abilities.

This was the table...Oh My did they ever out do themselves!

These were the cupcakes!

And the diaper cake...

it's now the centerpiece on my dining room table.

Every time I look at it I find something new hidden.

Everybody took turns holding the baby :)

K here has ogled Carlos for a while...

he's been trying to convince BFF that they need a new baby at their house.

Unfortunately, he's not making any progress!

It was just the best day.

It was so much fun to sit and visit with everybody.

Hubs and I feel very blessed by all of our family and friends who do such a good job loving us!

And extra special thank you goes to BFF, Aunt C, Gram and one of my "bonus moms" L for putting together the Sip and See.

You guys are awesome!

Also to BFF and her hubby for taking Bug, Ace and Ry to a Bday party after.

And...thanks to Gram and Grandpa for letting Bug and Ace spend the night so Hubs and I could go out on a much needed date for my Bday!

Thanks everybody for all of your love and support.

Wordless Wednesday...

2011-08-03T11:17:00.000-05:00

Just Pics...

2011-08-01T22:53:00.000-05:00

Big Love...

2011-07-24T23:08:00.002-05:00

This post has nothing to do with the TV show.

Which, thanks to Netflix, I think is hilarious.

But, throughout the course of the day we had recently, I giggled to myself several time that it's what we looked like :)

This week BFF took some hard earned vaca time.

She and her family had a "Staycation" and invited me and the kids along to a new aquarium not too far from home.

(Hubs had to work)

So, we loaded down her minivan (because, yes, she's that cool too), with 5 kids, 2 moms and a dad

and headed out.

The day consisted of touring the huge mall, a little clearance shopping, the aquarium and dinner at the Rainforest Cafe.

Here's the gang after BFF's hubby dropped us off at the curb...

The aquarium was pretty cool!

A little crowded, but the kids didn't seem to mind at all.

Probably the neatest part was the tunnel...

There was water above, below and around both sides!

Don't they look like a big happy family :)

BFF's hubby was a trooper.

Totally just went with the flow and tolerated the extra work and hassle my kids and I brought along on his day!

Totally loving our Moby wrap.

It's a little bit tricky at first, but we're getting the hang of it, and he seems to love it!

Couldn't resist a quick foot pic.

This was another neat area where you're above the sharks...

The bright pink toes are complements of a "girl date" with Bug and BFF.

We all went glittery hot pink, just because :)

My sweet Bug...quite the character.

(The snake was choking her :) )

and of course my monkey!

I'm so glad that we got the chance to tag along.

It's been a fun week, full of some much needed and fun time with family and friends and this was a great way to wrap it up!

We can't wait to go back and take Hubs along.

One Month...

2011-07-23T23:07:00.000-05:00

Well, a few days late, but just for Grammy...

Our precious baby boy is 1 month old!!

(Gram blog stalks a friend of a friend who did these monthly pictures and has been insistent that I needed to do them too...I tried 2 different locations and will prob stick with the bed.)

This was actually the first time he has ever been in his bed.

I'll be real and just admit that I had to take a bunch of stuff out of it before we could get the pic. Currently he's still sleeping in a bassinet in our bedroom because he insists that eating between the hours of 2-3 is necessary.

(I'm totally not complaining either, I KNOW it could be a lot more frequent!)

This one is in the glider (with the ever present help of ACE).

You're also getting the standard "bored and awake, so lets nurse" face.

Also, because this seems to be the random facts post, the John Deere hat that Carlos is sporting was actually a baby shower gift of Bug's by my life long friend/brother "Coach Kraig".

If I was really on top of it I'd hunt down and scan the pics I have of Bug and Ace wearing it and go all sentimental on you, but I'm not, it's late, this post is 3 days behind and I'd probably cry.

I threw this one in, because, it's the first time I've captured this, my favorite face, on camera.

FYI, it's even cuter when you see it from above while he's snuggled in your arms.

Anywhoo, we celebrated Carlos' one month bday by catching up on blog stalking together...

This was my view.

I've been a tad worried that he's getting a little spoiled when it comes to being held...

but then I remembered that this is the last time one of my babies will turn one month old and decided we were going to soak it all in while snuggling.

So, what have we accomplished in 1 month?

Carlos has...

taken his first road trip (4th of July weekend)

visited Grammy & Grandpa's camper

been back to visit our work family, whom we LOVE

sent Hubs back to work...for a couple of weeks

been eating like a champ

weighed 11 lbs the last time we checked

is wearing size 1-2 diapers

filling out 0-3 month clothes

(we'll be lucky if they fit at 2 months)

been to the movies twice...

this is the two of us on our way into HP part 2!

He did great in the movie, only made a few noises,

and thanks to a slow weekday we were able to sit far enough away from others to nurse ad lib.

(yes, I swore I'd never be an out in public nurser...but I REALLY wanted to see that movie!)

So, the moral of this late night story is...

we're doing great!

Love this boy and can't figure out what we did without him!

Good Mornings...

2011-07-09T10:44:00.000-05:00

We've had some slow lazy mornings around here the last couple of weeks.

There's perks to being that way...

we're getting to know our new guy more and more!

Here's one of my favorite parts...

Bug and Ace have done better with all of this than I every imagined!

So proud of them!

Fun Weekend Recap...

2011-07-07T13:12:00.000-05:00

I love 4th of July!

It's probably my favorite holiday of all times.

Even though I didn't get to swim and ride jet ski's this year,

Hubs and the "big kids" did and had a blast!

Our weekend was cram packed.

We started on Saturday with a 2hr car ride to my aunt and uncles house on the lake.

I was very unsure about the ride.

It was going to be our first trial run for our Colorado trip in August.

Yes, we're that crazy.

(and have been anticipating that Carlos is as good of a traveler as Bug and Ace have been)

Anyways, back to Saturday...

I actually took pictures!!

Aunt Bec and Uncle K were there,

Aunt Bec monopolized Carlos most of the day...

she had some time to make up :)

The kids spent most of the day in the water...

this would be why Ace fell asleep about 30 seconds after we put the car in drive!

(and yes, that's our Sweet Girl, jumping off the dock just like the big boys!)

(the girl is fearless)

This is where I spent most of my day, when not feeding Carlos.

The covered porch, with the help of shade and a fan, was actually quite a comfortable place to sit, visit and watch the kids.

We had a great time with my dad's side of the family.

There's always plenty of kids and lots of visiting.

On Sunday, after church, we had family nap time and headed to "Nana's".

Nana, is not actually my kids Nana, but the funny thing about growing up in a close knit church family is that you actually feel like family.

Nana is one of Gram and Grandpa's friends that they've know since before they were married.

Any-who, Nana has a pool, and a big 4th of July fellowship every year.

There was lot's more swimming, visiting, and fun.

Carlos stayed in the living room getting loved on by all of the ladies, which I was thankful for, because it gave me a chance to watch Bug, Ace and Hubs in the pool.

(They always bring him straight back at feeding time :) it's the funny thing about nursing!)

And guess what...I took more pics!

Bug with her friend Mac.

My crazy boy!

Sweet Girl with BFF.

Our goofball nephew Ry.

Ace had a great time being tossed in by "Napin!"

Anybody who has tried to pick up Ace lately now knows how strong "Napin" is!

Just a few of our church family hanging out, enjoying the entertainment.

And my sweet Bug, who wanted nothing to do with the diving board, but has proved herself as a fearless pyrotechnic this year!

We wrapped up our weekend with the actual 4th of July.

We made our way to Granny and Poppy's small town for their festivities.

Hubs grilled burgers and hotdogs for a late lunch/early supper, then we pulled our lawn chairs out to watch the parade, that went right by the house!

Why yes, that is Uncle Sam...in his golf cart!

After the parade, there was a mean game of baseball...

Everybody got in on the fun!

I anticipate that next year Carlos will be in the thick of this next year...

but this time, he just chilled!

And, probably the funniest part of the afternoon,

Bug giving Hubs ballet lessons!

Cracked me up!

She became quite the ballerina this year!

After all that fun, we cooled off in the house before heading a couple of blocks over to watch the fireworks.

It was a great show, and we had the best seats!

I am so proud of Ace for finally conquering his fear of fireworks...he ended up having the best time next to his Aunt LeighLeigh!

It was the most fun weekend in a while.

I'm so thankful for all of the family time!

Hubs and I have gotten so used to not spending holidays together because of our weird schedules, so this was a real treat.

Hope you all had a great Independence Weekend!

2 Weeks!

2011-07-05T10:55:00.000-05:00

Yesterday marked 2 weeks of having Carlos in our arms.

Also, marked his actual "due date.

I already wonder what we ever did without him in our family...

well, except for sleep more than 3 hrs at a time :)

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that Hubs bought a new camera in anticipation of Carlos, but honestly, I've not been using it like I should...it makes me nervous.

It takes great pictures, but I'm scared of caring it around.

But, this weekend, I decided to keep it out and use it.

I'm trying my best to soak in all of our moments this summer.

It becomes more and more real every day that these are the last of our baby days and I want to be able to remember all of this time together.

So...

Carlos is 2 weeks old.

He's in size 1 diapers

Nurses like a champ

Sleeps a lot

Has about 2 "awake"stretches a day

(We appreciate when the last one takes place BEFORE 11pm)

Makes funny faces like ACE

Is the best snuggler

Is just a sweet boy.

And I feel like, over the weekend, he grew 2 inches.

We are loving this boy!

Oh So Random...

2011-07-02T17:08:00.002-05:00

Friday we had to travel "to town" for some errands.

After hair cuts, a Dr. appointment, and a run to Sam's we were all ready for lunch.

Hubs decided to head to one of our favorite BBQ places.

What happened next will go down as probably one of the most random, exciting things for him ever.

I'm worried it may trump the recent birth of his new son.

OK, so as we walked in one door, Josh Hamilton and his wife walked in the other.

I'm not joking...Hubs could barely form a complete sentence.

He might have peed his pants.

Josh is his most favorite baseball player...

he spent the night outside in the cold with his brother and SIL for the chance to meet him this winter.

I had to take over ordering and paying for lunch, because he couldn't quit staring.

It was really cute :)

Turns out, the guy is super nice.

Hubs let him finish his lunch and took the kids out to meet him, and he spent about 5 min talking to them.

SIL drove like a mad woman with Uncle J's Josh Hamilton jersey and bat.

Here's a few pics we got...

This is ACE finally finding out who Hubs was talking about

It was priceless.

Ace loves to watch Josh hit "bombdiggities" aka homeruns!

Thank-you Josh Hamilton for deciding to eat lunch at our favorite BBQ joint...

you made my family's day!

Staying Busy...

2011-07-01T17:05:00.000-05:00

One of our biggest challenges being at home as a family of 5 has been...

being at home.

We are normally a very "out and about" family,

so I shouldn't be surprised about Cabin Fever.

It's been made worse by 100 degree outside temps.

So, we've done a lot of chilling in the AC...

and have gotten creative with at home activities...

We've turned the sprinkler on the trampoline

and I even bought Play-dough...

(for those who don't know me well, I HATE the stuff...

however, it keeps the "big kids" occupied and busy for extended periods of time)

This is Bug's Solar System...

Yes, those are all the planets.

She specifically ~~demanded~~ requested a picture be taken and

"put on Facebook or the Internet".

What is the world coming to??

We've also been trying to spend as much time in the evenings, after dinner, when the heat is tolerable outside. Ace loves to play baseball and golf. Bug has taken an interest in basketball and been practicing her dribbling up and down the driveway!

Last night some of our neighbors were shooting fireworks down the street.

Ace headed indoors (hates them), Bug and I (and Carlos) watched for a few minutes...

the poor guy was getting a little sweaty snuggled up to me, so I plopped him down in Ace's chair for a few minutes...so cute!

That's what we're up to lately...

hope all of you are finding fun ways to stay cool and avoid Cabin Fever!

We're looking forward to a busy holiday weekend...

lots of family and friends will be meeting out new guy for the first time,

we're going to try out a long day trip in hopes that Carlos is as good of a traveler as Bug and Ace were,

and Oh, do we have a fun story to blog for later!

On another quick note...

Carlos had a well baby visit this morning.

Here's his new stats...

Up to 8lbs 14oz (from 8lb 9oz last week)

and has grown a whole 3/4in!

He's a perfect, growing, healthy boy!

2011-06-25T12:48:00.000-05:00

Really loving this boy.

Our Carlos!

2011-06-23T11:41:00.000-05:00

He's here!

Yes, a HE.

So for all bloggy purposes we'll just keep with Carlos for now :)

He's beautiful.

Huge

and we are all so much in love already!

He was a whopping 9lbs 7.8oz, 20.5in!

Countdown...

2011-06-18T09:51:00.000-05:00

Carlos will be here soon.

Everything, good and bad is starting to sink in.

Sometimes it gets overwhelming.

Exciting and

Scary

I have to give birth.

Until about a week or so ago that seemed like no biggie...

I mean, I help girls through it all the time.

Now all of the potential complications start creeping in my brain.

So, while trying to keep my inner freak out at bay,

and attempting to remind my inner control freak to chill,

I've decided it's time to focus on a few of the things going on around here.

First, I have the most amazing parents in the world.

They've seen a LOT of me and the kids lately.

In my advanced stages of bigness and tiredness and Hubs being away for some long stretches, I've hovered towards my mom and dad.

Especially since we reached the time frame of when my water broke with ACE

(37 wks, which I'm sad to report did NOT happen this time, grr!)

I'm thankful that they've just taken us on.

ACE

Cracks me up.

He's been the most involved with Carlos.

Constantly hugging and kissing my belly, talking to it.

The other day, when I got home from work and was standing in the doorway of the living room, he lifted up my shirt, pulled the panel of my pants below my belly, started squeezing on either side, looks up at me and says

"Mom, I'm wreally ready for our baby to be here...

even though I know all it's going to do is cry."

BUG

Informed me the last night that

"If this baby doesn't get here by Monday, I'm out!"

Not really sure what she's out of, but I giggled anyways.

She's done a great job of helping out recently.

I think she's kind of picked up on the fact that I'm tired and just not able to do some of the things I've always done.

Love that girl.

Hubs

Well, I chose to have more kids with him for a reason.

He's great.

Currently, as I type, he's getting the yard mowed and the garage back to where I can park in it.

People that know us IRL know that he gives me a hard time, but he loves his family, and is just as excited and nervous as me about everything that's about to happen.

I'm excited that he's able to take FMLA with me this time

(with ACE he had just started at the fire dept. and didn't have much time off banked)

So, he'll be here with us for over 2 weeks straight before he goes back to work after the baby is born, and has also arranged to take off about a month later on to help get the kids back to school and me back to work.

Names,

believe it or not,

we're still not settled on.

We've thrown a few around, but could potentially see this baby and go totally different directions.

Hubs named BUG the day we found out she was a girl.

He picked a name that wasn't awful, and I jumped on it.

ACE...well, I just won't go into the details, it wasn't pretty.

We did finally name him for sure about 2 weeks before he was born, but decided since we'd gone so long without one, we didn't reveal it to our family and friends until after he was born.

This baby, who knows.

I may even be surprised :)

So, I'll quit being sentimental and teary.

Quit blogging for now, and go finish up the last check boxes on my list of things to get done before Carlos arrives.

Hubs and Ace are set to install the infant car seat today, and I'm on a clean floor and laundry mission.

Still need to pack the kids an overnight bag and a hospital fun bag.

I'm most looking forward to this experience for them.

They're both so excited.

Please pray for us this next week.

We are hoping for a quick, easy birth, and a healthy baby.

I'm not so silly to think everything will go the way I've got it in my head, but for sure know that everything will work out according to His plan.

2011-06-13T18:54:00.002-05:00

So, I'm trying to get caught up on things.

In between begging my body to go into labor,

or wishing my water to break

I've also done massive laundry,

attempting to vacuum the sand out of the van,

packed bags for the hospital.

The batteries in the camera are charged, and I'm still hunting for the video camera.

I'm even trying to catch the blog up.

Gram and Aunt Bec came over 2 weeks ago and helped out in the baby's room.

Gram ironed dust ruffles and curtains,

Bec helped with moving furniture and raised the mattress on the baby bed.

We went through all of the baby clothes and picked out all of the small sizes (boy and girl).

I even moved the bassinet into our room.

But not before the kids did their part to help out too...

I about fell on the floor laughing when I walked by this scene.

Gram didn't find it funny.

She doesn't think it a good idea for Libby to get too comfortable in Carlos's bed.

Despite all of the work we did, I still haven't taken pictures yet...

it still feels a little cluttered and crowded in there, so I'll keep working on it.

Diva...

2011-06-12T18:43:00.000-05:00

As sweet as Bug is,

this pic has me a little worried...

She looks a little comfortable :)

Lake Days!

2011-06-11T21:54:00.000-05:00

We're almost to the big D day.

I don't think I could feel any more pregnant.

So, it makes very little sense in my brain why we've just spent 3 solid days at the lake.

Except that Hubs is out of pocket this weekend...

leaving me strict instructions NOT to go into labor until after Tuesday when he's back...and Gram (AKA my MOMMY) and Grandpa hauled their camper out to the lake.

I've found that very pregnant girls hover close to their mothers.

You could probably do a scientific study about it.

So, big, huge, pregnant me has been chillin at the lake under the shade drinking gallons of cold water while the rest of the family swims, builds sand castles and fishes.

It's actually been pretty fun.

Except for the heat.

it's been high 90's.

Oh, and the sand that gets where it ought not to.

Here's a little peek.

These are just a few with my phone...

I'm not brave like Grandpa.

I did not take the new fancy camera to the beach.

One day I may swipe the card from his camera and get super fancy beach pics.

And now, I'll let sweet girl demonstrate how we're all feeling after such a beach filled weekend...

Fun Outside...

2011-06-04T21:31:00.000-05:00

Hubs surprised me this week with a new camera.

We've talked about it several times lately, but I had no clue we'd pull it off before "Carlos" arrives.

He took it upon himself to scout things out and I think made a good decision!

So, tonight I was able to practice a bit and the kids had a great time giving me things to shoot.

I don't have it all figured out yet,

and I didn't try any editing for now,

but I'm super excited to figure it all out.

We ended up going with the Nikon that Grandpa and Aunt C have,

figured the extra resources will help!

Dancing Queen!

2011-06-04T21:16:00.000-05:00

Friday brought us through 2 big events I've been looking forward to...

Last day of school

Dance recital DONE.

Bug LOVES to dance.

And she's pretty good at it too!

But jeez Louise recital is stressful.

We are SO proud of our girl though!

She's turned into quite the dancer and it's exciting to see how far she's come!

This year she danced in 3 dances...

tap, ballet and jazz.

Such a beautiful, talented girl!

Why Hubs is Awesome...

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

I'm pregnant.

I get really hot...

all the time.

Those around me

(especially co-workers)

are suffering.

A couple of weeks ago I came home to this...

this is a fan...

in my bathroom!

Hubs evidently paid attention to me

~~whining~~ mentioning that I was getting particularly hot

while spending time in the tub.

This fan has revolutionized tub time!

What can I say...

the man is amazing.

Bluebonnets and Randomness...

2011-05-14T22:25:00.000-05:00

I posted a few pics of Ace in the bluebonnets recently, but have plenty more complements of Grandpa.

Several weeks ago, when we were keeping Sweet Girl for a few days, we headed out with all the grandkids, Gram and Grandpa for a photo shoot with his fancy new camera.

(Not that I'm shallow enough to get camera envy, but it's super amazing!)

Here's a few of my favorites...

Of course, there's not a single one with everybody looking at the camera,

and Sweet Girl doesn't like to do things that weren't her idea to begin with.

Imagine that :)

Gram with her redheaded wonders.

And...

Me and my goof nuts!

And for some randomness...

(mostly related to "Carlos")

We bought a box of diapers this week...Hubs idea.

I freaked him out a bit last week by bringing up how much $$ we could save using cloth diapers.

I'm huge.

I might or might not post a pic to prove it.

Carlos spent all day Easter Sunday flipping over to vertex (head down) presentation.

While I'm really happy about this, Easter Sunday was a miserably uncomfortable day...

My nephew informed my mom this week that we won't know what my baby is after it's born.

He knows this because all babies are born with short hair, so we won't be sure for a while :)

He's hilarious.

He's also a secret spy for the CIA!

You think I'm joking, but I'm not.

I'd tell you to ask him, but it's a secret.

The Birthday Girl...

2011-05-07T09:56:00.000-05:00

This sweet, adorable, dark haired angel recently did something that blew my mind...

That's right...

Bug, against my better judgement, because it's just not right that she could already be 7,

turned 7 recently!

She asked for a "3 step cake"

We celebrated with a "small" family party at home.

I tease with small, because there's really nothing small about our family.

She also did something very brave to celebrate another year...

She bravely

(and I giggle a little when I use that term because it took 2 trips, BFF, and some bribery to accomplish this feat)

picked the most expensive ear rings in the case (of course)

climbed into the chair

stared fear in the face

and...

GOT HER EARS PIERCED!

She was so proud of herself!

I was proud too!

Now she's just counting down the weeks until she can change them out.

Happy Bday BUG!

I love you so much, and am loving watching what an exuberant young lady you're becoming!

This Boy...

2011-05-05T22:43:00.000-05:00

is Adventurous...

Handsome...

Bashful...

Playful...

and all mine!

He makes me laugh a lot...he'll make you laugh later this week too!

I'm going to do my best to get caught up around here...

the clocks ticking.

Spring Has Sprung...

2011-03-24T21:56:00.000-05:00

So, I'm behind.

I stay that way lately!

We've been soaking up spring and all of the warm weather around here.

The garden is mostly planted,

weeds are taking over the yard,

flip flops and shorts are pulled out.

Yeah!!

We had a great time the beginning of spring break last week...

camping.

Yes, we packed up in "Miss Leiann's" camper and hit the lake along with Gram, Grandpa and several of our other friends.

We spent the weekend gathered around the campfire, cooking lots of food, fishing, and playing in the sand.

The kids on fish fry night.

this fish was not fried...

when the kids started fighting, Hubs gave them a hole digging challenge...

he was shocked when it kept them busy for a chunk of the afternoon.

Buster and Libby had a bone keep-away game on the beach that made us all laugh.

Unfortunately, that's all of the pictures I have from the weekend.

I'm slacking big time in the picture department.

We really enjoyed camping...

Hubs and the kids want our own camper now and don't understand why this just isn't the summer...

We're going to be busy!

This is a profile of "Carlos"

our still gender unknown, un-named baby,

who is set to arrive during high camping season this summer.

Mommy and Carlos are in agreement that we won't be up for camping this year.

Maybe 2012 will be the year of the camper.

Camping was just the beginning of our Spring Break fun,

we went and spent the day with Aunt Bec,

(waiting to borrow some pics from Aunt C before I share that day)

Oh, and I got to take the 3 hr glucose test while working one day.

Thankfully, I am not diabetic, but I now know how bad a blood sugar of 49 makes you feel.

AWFUL!

Things I don't want to forget...

2011-03-04T09:05:00.000-06:00

No pictures for now,

just need to jot down a few memories before they run off into the fogs of my brain...

Last Thursday I had my first real massage...heaven!

Friday and Sat Gram, BFF, Miss L and I took off to Bentonville.

We got to meet Kelly Stamps and Angie Smith.

We had been planning on traveling to Shreveport WOF event to hear Angie speak in April,

but that event was cancelled :(

When I heard she'd be in Bentonville (within reasonable travel distance) I spread the word, and planned the trip. We had an amazing time. Angie was a great speaker, and I was so thankful to be able to tell her face to face how her book has helped me better care for my patients that are facing the tragic loss of their babies.

Her words are amazing, and if you haven't read her book or checked out her blog, you're missing out.

Sunday morning, right after I rolled over, I "felt" Carlos kicking with my hand.

I've felt "him" rolling and kicking for several weeks now, but only down low and never from the outside. I promptly grabbed the sleeping Hubs hand so he could enjoy the experience too, but the show was over. Hubs accused me of just wanting to wake him up and hour before his alarm :)

Yesterday we celebrated the life of our great friend "Miss Emma".

She was the secretary at our church for 53 years!

It was so fun to hear every one's memories and stories of Emma and be reminded of her lifetime commitment to Jesus and how he used her at our church!

It was also fun to see old friends, some that I hadn't seen in probably 17 years!

I just giggle a little to myself at the looks on peoples faces when I tell them I'm not due until July 4th.

I know how big I feel, but I guess I'm looking it too.

And I am also surprised by the amount of people who can't wrap their brains around the fact we wanted to have another baby. It doesn't bother me so much anymore, and I'm too happy and excited to get my feelings hurt, it just surprises me that it would be such a foreign concept to so many people.

I just remind myself that some days I wonder what we were thinking too, and we'll just keep doing what we feel is right for our family.

Last night, Ace separated every piece of dirty laundry we gathered.

I was in awe!

He took charge and didn't want any help.

He was a little more specific than I tend to be, but in the end, he did a great job...

I'm now working with:

a shirt pile

a pants pile

a shorts pile

a jammies pile

a sock pile

an underwear pile

a towel pile

a bath mat pile

and a white shirt pile

I'm very happy about the help, and don't mind that he was trying to get out of going to bed a bit!

Let's Go Fly A Kite...

2011-02-20T18:05:00.000-06:00

Exactly 2 weeks ago, I posted about our winter weather.

Today, we did this...

In shorts and flip flops, no less!

Half-way...

2011-02-13T19:34:00.000-06:00

Believe it or not, we are officially half-way through this preggo adventure.

I haven't written a lot about it here, but I haven't really written about much here recently.

(Just in case you haven't noticed.)

Second Trimester has included some nesting.

Finally finished Bug's room

(one year later)

I've never been satisfied with it since we put in the real furniture.

It was like a path around furniture.

Also, we had never put the trim between paint colors.

So, one Saturday when Hubs was away...

having his brand of fun, looking for TX Rangers,

the kids and I emptied out Bug's room and rearranged it.

My lovely Chiropractor was not a fan of this project :)

We tried the furniture 2 new ways, and wound up with this...

Still not ideal, but there's definitely more room.

The other problem with this room is lack of storage.

The closet is a nice size, so Hubs added some shelves, still leaving plenty of room to hang up clothes, and also hung the trim...

The room looks much better, in my opinion.

Also, with storage space I was able to cross off phase one of the "Toy Room Transition".

Hubs and I are at odds about wether we'll be maintaining a toy room or making a nursery.

Regardless of what ends up happening, the toy room was in dire need of a purging.

And Purge I did.

The chest of drawers is filling up with little odds and ends we've picked up recently, along with some of our old stuff that Aunt C has started sending back now that Sweet Girl is growing at unprecedented rates!

Oh my! Such a sweet thing.

And, since I've just realized that this is more of a random, hodge podge, picture adventure, instead of a preggo memoir here's a few more random pics...

I picked up this cute sign/picture/plaque thing on a date with Aunt Bec a couple of weeks ago.

It matches some paintings already in my living room.

I was super excited, but now trying to find somebody to come tell me what color to paint the living room, which is on my nesting list.

Living room is in some major need of paint...and distressed hardwood floors

(that happen to be way out of my budget...sad day.)

And here's some random kidness...

Bug chowing down on some messy ribs the other night.

She ended up way more dirty, but this was after the first bite.

I haven't seen her eat so much in a while!

And here's ACE the Incredible...

Yesterday afternoon he and Hubs were working outside.

After all of the snow and ice we've had the last couple of weeks our yard is a muddy mess.

It's rare that he poses for pics, but amusing when he does!

So, to bring us back, full circle, I'll wrap up with a few preggo tidbits.

This kid...aka "Carlos"is proving to be strange.

Carlos does not like Dr. Pepper or any other carbonated beverage.

He prefers tea with Splenda.

If you don't give him tea by early afternoon, he puts off a headache.

I am not, normally, a head ache kinda girl.

Carlos does not like lactose...bad, bad, bad.

Carlos has been moving around for a few weeks now,

he's most active in the evenings.

Carlos loves Little Debbie.

I might or might not have a stash next to the bed.

The family is loving Carlos's penchant for Little Debbie's too.

Ace asks regularly if he can be my "Nutty Buddy".

Maternity jeans do not stay up.

I thought it was just me, but Aunt C verified this fact Friday.

One of my patient's mother asked me last week if I was having twins...

I politely responded No.

Some of us just started out fat, and have a uterus that, by kid 3, has given up.

Other things have given up too.

I'm sticking to my guns about not finding out the gender,

Hubs thought he could make the Dr. tell him, the Dr. just laughed at him.

Ace told Gram and Grandpa this afternoon that if

"Carwos is a gwirl, he and daddy get to buy a new guwn."

I just shook my head.

Have I ever mentioned that I had to buy Hubs a new pair of shoes the day we found out Bug was a girl?

He was flabbergasted. It never crossed his mind that he could ever have a girl.

Didn't much like me pointing out that the gender is his "contribution".

Anywhoo, that's us this week.

Hope you are all well.

Winter Wonderland...

2011-02-06T22:09:00.000-06:00

I'm sure you've all heard.

We've had bad weather.

If school is closed again tomorrow, I'm going to cry.

After days of ice, Friday brought us a nice, thick blanket of snow and warmer weather.

So, after getting home from work (Hubs) and a sleep over at Gram and Grandpa's (me and the kids) we ventured out in our neighborhood.

We went across the empty lot next to us and across the street to see this flock of geese that we've been hearing for days.

Ace got a kick out of these ducks too.

Then, of course, there were some snowballs thrown around.

Him

against them :)

it was fierce!

We made a snow angel family also!

We had a great time, and the kids were not ready to come in and thaw out.

Also, while downloading the card I came across these...

To relieve some cabin fever while I was at work this week,

Hubs and the kids went to a Texas Ranger's signing event.

They had a great time.

There's no pic of Ace because he HATES characters.

I think Hubs said, at this point, he was up on his shoulders to get away.

We're still very proud of our Rangers!

(There were also some pictures, of what I'm guessing are Rangers, but I have no idea who they are. I'm sure they were very important though.)

Lost in Translation...

2011-01-23T19:47:00.000-06:00

Ace says things funny.

Sometimes it takes some thinking to figure things out...

or we just ask Bug.

Sometimes I think she speaks ACE.

So, this week he had 2 specific requests that he fixated on.

Every day he asked for...

"Tie Run Fast Shoes"

"A Turn On Toofbrush"

Translated:

He wanted new tennis shoes with laces and not Velcro.

and

A new tooth brush that you "turn on".

Things I Don't Want to Forget...

2011-01-20T14:23:00.000-06:00

Life had been full of changes lately.

Good and weird.

I guess I need a little catch up before I make you laugh.

One of our biggest unknowns going into a 3rd pregnancy was our schedule.

Thanks to the most amazing Gram ever,

who has, for the last 4+ years kept both kids overnight AND got them up and ready for school in time for me to swing in as soon as I get off, we have been able to keep our crazy hours.
I just knew in my heart that it wouldn't be fair to any of us to keep that up with a newborn.
So, we stepped out in faith, knowing that something would work out.
As always, it did.
I was fortunate to get a new position, just created at my job, working in the same department, but 3 12hr shifts a week, all during the day.
It's still an adjustment, but for the first time since they can remember, the kids sleep in their own beds every night...Oh, and they miss seeing Gram all the time.
I'm adjusting to working with the day shift, being a lot more busy,
and loving getting to take care of more laboring moms and families,
and missing my night shift family that I've been with for 6 yrs.

Enough of that.
Our pregnancy is going great.
I'm proud to announce that I haven't thrown up in 3 mornings straight!
I've been very thankful that I haven't had the nausea bad at all this time...
and owe Hubs a lot for stepping up around the house and with the kids while I went through the tired, lazy phase of the 1st trimester.
I'm getting bigger.
No, I won't post pictures.
This week our baby will grow the size of a turnip.
Hubs and I argue regularly about finding out the sex.
He wants to find out...I want to be surprised.
Bug wants a sister.
Ace wants a brother,
but when you ask him what the baby is, he says a sister.
Hubs wants a boy.
Two couples we know who are pregnant and due within a month of us have found out they're having boys...so, if history repeats itself, It'll be a girl.
I always seem to have the opposite sex as everyone around me.
I've been reading a lot of books written by midwives lately.
I had myself thinking that I wouldn't need an epidural this time...
then we've had a run of 8&9 lb births at work.
I'm pretty sure I've changed my mind.
Who knows.

I was going to do some picture updates today, but I can't find my camera, and Hubs isn't answering my text messages asking where it is...I'm guessing his truck, b/c he went hunting Sunday.

And now for a few funnies.
We've become embarrassingly aware recently as parents that we are going to have to start watching our words a little more closely.
Recently at Sam's, while ordering their "slushy drinks", Ace was very disappointed to hear that they were out of blue...he told the man he'd take red instead, then looked up at me and asked:
"Mom, do I say RATS, or can I just say ~~dangit~~!"
(but instead used a different word)
I promptly called his father.

Sunday, while Hubs was at the deer lease, the kids and I spent the afternoon and evening at home.
They pulled out their Halloween costumes
(that you haven't seen because I'm such a bad blogger)
and helped the Power Rangers take out the bad guys.
It went on for hours.
Quite amusing...

So, when I finally mad them change into jammies, they asked for a "bednight snack"
I said OK, but just one.
It wasn't too much longer before I overheard Bug lecturing Ace about how much better her bednight snack was than his...
because her cherry yogurt is packed full of
"natural whole grains"
and
"natural whole grains"
are a very important part of a good diet.
I just laughed, and didn't have the heart to correct her.

This morning, Ace completely dressed himself, even put on shoes and socks...
then demanded I get out of my warm bed, get out of my jammies, and take him to Taco Bell.
He's lucky that the Taco Bell is also a KFC.
My stomach is treating me kinder, but I don't want to test it too much.
His persistence got him his taco.
I shouldn't be such a sucker, but it was cute...and I didn't have to cook.

And finally, Hubs txt me back.
Camera is in his truck.
But here's my super hero's
fighting with the Power Rangers.

I love these kids.

A New Year...

2011-01-01T17:29:00.000-06:00

So, I just spent an hour going through all of 2010's blog posts.

I remembered a lot.

We were very busy last year.

We traveled a lot,

had some good times.

I also read another blogger's new years post...

I'm going to copy a little.

I'm not making resolutions or big plans.

The lump of my plans are already made for me.

The whole weight loss thing is moot,

and lets face it, I'm not going to blog everyday.

Instead,

I'm just going to sit back and enjoy things.

Enjoy the last half of 1st grade,

let the 1st grader read to me a lot.

Enjoy every second and milestone of this pregnancy,

because it's a gift, and most likely the last.

Enjoy the bright faced red head who makes me giggle,

and just as often makes me crazy.

Enjoy my husband who is most graciously taking great care of me and the kids while I've not been as on top of it as I'd like to be.

We're excited about 2011.

There's lots of great stuff in store

and, of course we know, plenty of challenges as well.

Hope you all can spend some time reflecting and looking forward too!

We love you all!

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-12-15T16:24:00.000-06:00

Breath of Fresh Air...

2010-11-30T16:55:00.000-06:00

That's what I felt like I got last night.

Gram, BFF, C and her mom, our great friend L and I all went to see Luci Swindoll, Marilynn Meberg, Lisa Whelchel and Mary Graham speak in a neighboring community.

I want to be that funny and laid back and wise when I grow up!

They are some great women, and it was a lovely time just to sit back and giggle with a room full of ladies from all walks of life.

Here's the super cool pics we got!

I highly recommend breaking away with the girls occasionally.

We were actually a small slice of our normal Women of Faith group who have enjoyed going to the conferences the last several years!

It was hard to leave the house, Ace had been sick all day and Bug had ballet, I found out that I was on call at work, but I am so thankful I was able to pull it off.

Shocked!

2010-11-29T11:03:00.000-06:00

Yesterday we celebrated Sweet Girl's bday.

It's hard to believe that it's already been a year since that bunch of sweetness came along!

Well, little did we know, JJ and C had a huge surprise cooked up!

That's right, even though she doesn't look thrilled here, Sweet Girl's going to be a big sister!!

Here's the kicker...

Due July 8th!

Everybody was shocked and excited.

I still giggle a little every time I think about it!

We actually have the same Dr. and use the same hospital.

Gram thinks, since we already have so many shared bdays in our family, that we should just plan these two that way :)

We'll see.

All that to say, congrats JJ, C, and Sweet Girl!!

We are so excited.

Thankful...

2010-11-27T19:05:00.000-06:00

We had a great Thanksgiving.

And I have no pictures to prove it!

We made 3 different stops, lots of family, and good food.

(Except I figured out very early in the first meal that me and turkey were not meant to be this year. Which didn't surprise me too much, I couldn't eat any kind of poultry while preggers with Bug.)

My favorite part of the day was the ride home...

we decided to be original on the way home from Gram's and list the things we were Thankful for.

The kids came up with several...

family, friends, mom and dad, dogs...

I am thankful for our home and family,

my new work schedule and our many blessings.

Hubs, now he took the cake.

He was most thankful, in that moment, for his unborn child.

AWW, I thought! Honey that's so sweet.

Then he explained that he is so thankful that it is his quietest child.

ha ha, daddy!

Just give it about 7 more months :)

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

A Few Questions Answered...

2010-11-18T11:11:00.008-06:00

(Ok, I'm reposting this with a disclaimer...
it was not intended to be rude, bad-natured, or snarkey.
Just meant to answer some questions that kept coming up.
I decided to repost it because I've had more people complain that I took it down than I expected.
Just know it wasn't meant to hurt feelings or anything like that.)

There seem to be a few questions floating around, so I'll answer a few...

*When are we due?

July 4th

*Are we crazy?
No, we don't think so.

*What about Bug and Ace?

They are over the moon excited.

*How long have you known?

Several weeks, and yes, it's been a very hard secret to keep.

*Was this planned?

While I think that's a little rude, I'll assure you it wasn't an accident.

*How am I feeling?

Excited, and actually haven't been sick like the last 2 times, which, oddly enough has been a little unnerving.

*How did I change Hubs mind/win the battle/manage negotiations?

This is the most popular question, because Hubs has been very verbally opposed to more children...he plays a good part. He's just as excited as the rest of us.

*Why did I let Hubs put the news out on Facebook? (esp since I hate Facebook)

Well, Hubs was excited and had teased me about posting it since we found out, I figured I'd let him have his fun. It's been amusing to look at the comments he's gotten.

*Why did we keep it a secret so long?

Well, I'm just weird like that. I wanted to let the kids know first, but wanted to make sure that everything was OK, so we waited until we had been to the doctor and seen the heartbeat. We actually didn't tell Bug about Ace until we found out he was a "Brudder", but she was 2 then...not 6 & 4.

* Why another one, you have one of each?

Well, nosey again, but I don't think there's anything wrong with having as many kids as you feel led to have, especially if you can take care of them. I, personally, have never felt like Ace was our last baby (and am also the oldest of 4, so big families aren't all that strange to me). Yes, I know babies are expensive, and that we have weird schedules, and while I can't do anything about the first, our schedules won't be so tricky soon, we hope.

So, that about wraps it up for now.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Just know we are very excited and looking forward to meeting our new family member!

Thanks for all of your love and support.

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-11-17T20:16:00.000-06:00

The Gospel...

2010-11-11T14:49:00.000-06:00

According to Ace.

First, just let me get 2 things out of the way really quickly...

1.) I'd like to apologize to the Rangers, and all their fans, for the apparent curse the new TV put on the World Series. We feel really bad, but we're not returning the TV.

2.) So sorry, to all you kind fans, for the blogging hiatus. It won't happen again (you know, until it does.).

So, Wednesday morning, on the way to school from Gram's house, the kids decided that they wanted to run through some of their memory verses.

Happily, Bug memorized her whole Children in Action scripture this month and didn't need any help!

Ace's Wee School scriptures are stickered to the back of his folder, so Bug would read them off and he would chime in at random...

until...

(and this was one of these things that makes me wish I had a video camera pointing to the back of my car like the one in Cash Cab.)

He pointed his pointer finger up in the air and pronounced

"Here's one Bug...

"You got ta be KIND to won anoder,

and when da phire awarm gowes offpf

you got ta get owt ob the building phast....

and you better NOT get out ob da wine!"

I think that's just how Jesus would have said it!

You know, if there were actually "phire awarms" in the bible.

He'd want us to stay in line and be safe.

So, I just giggle a little inside and told him he was doing a great job.

And Jesus really does love it when we're kind to one another!

Why You Should Listen To Your Husband...

2010-10-27T08:03:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, as wives, we just don't listen as well as we could.

We smile and nod, say "OK, sure honey."

Well, from now on I'm going to be a little more careful.

Way back, eons ago, in July, Hubs told me

"This is the Ranger's year. I need you to know that if they go to the World Series I'm going to buy a big TV and watch them in HD."

Well, I said "OK, sure honey." and never thought about it again.

Hubs brought it up again when the Rangers started playing Tampa Bay in the play offs.

Once again, "OK."

I mean seriously.

I've been a Rangers fan for a big chunk of my life,

we all know that it's fun to go to games, but the win some and loose some, and never get past the first round of the playoffs.

Except, of course, the one time I didn't really want them to.

So, I've heard that facebook (which I do not endorse at all) has been all a-flutter.

I don't think they actually made a group for him, but once Hubs posted this little wager, he's had a lot of people rooting for him.

Sigh.

So, to everybody that's been wondering if I'm good on my word...

I am.

To quote Hubs, here's your

"55 inches of LED HD Gloriousness"

right in my living room.

He'll be parked here on the couch with buddies tonight by 7pm.

Don't call him, he'll be busy :)

Forget the Apple...

2010-10-22T17:37:00.000-05:00

Bugs had a loose tooth for weeks.

Just a little know fact about me...

I can't stand wiggley teeth.

ICK!

I know, I'm a nurse.

I can handle all sorts of grossness, but wiggle a tooth and I'm out!

So, Gram has been our tooth checker and puller of choice.

Well, this morning, Bug would not let Gram close enough to pull it.

I warned her that today was a sleeping day and I could not get up and come to school if something happened.

Much to our surprise, this afternoon at our ritual Braums trip, Bug had quite the surprise after a bite into her icecream cone. (Pistachio Almond in a waffle cone)

That's right!

Just fell out in her cone!

She was very proud and excited.

Here's the new look

(try to ignore the katsup on her face)

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-10-20T07:03:00.000-05:00

What To Do...

2010-10-19T18:51:00.001-05:00

What is a Hubs to do when his favorite Rangers have a playoff game and his family has season tickets to the local football game???

What any respectable guy would do...

download the mlb.com app on his phone,

and beg headphones from his wife.

He'd dedicated!

He even shared :)

for a second.

Here's some more random pics from the night...

(and they say Bug looks like me)

(I don't see it)

And like any good daughter, she tried to take her daddy's mind off the fact that the Rangers game ended tragically!

Such a ~~silly~~ sweet girl!

Our Day At The "Festival"...

2010-10-18T18:24:00.000-05:00

Hubs had to work Sat, and the kids and I decided to go to a local "festival" to watch K&K be scouts in the parade. Trips without Hubs are always interesting.

But, we can't just sit at home and be bored.

We met up with BFF before the parade, and waited patiently.

Well, Ace woke up on the wrong side of the bed, so there wasn't anything patient about him at all.

We were excited to run into Grumpy Phil!

Grumpy was very nice to hold up Ace, who wasn't tolerating the sirens on the fire engines.

Oh the irony.

That's saying a lot, because Ace tipped the scales at 53lbs at his most recent visit to the pediatrician.

Bug enjoyed the face painting!

After the parade we said by to K&K and headed for the game section...

This is where I came to a big career decision.

For as much at these folk charge a kid,

I need to cash in my retirement and buy inflatables!

Geeze, Louise!

Then it was time for corn dogs and old fashioned root beer!

Yum!

We had a great time.

The kids were troopers when it came to the long walk back to the car.

A few tips so remember next year...

don't go near the inflatables,

tin cups of root beer get really cold,

2 tin cups of root beer get heavy on the long way back to the car,

bring Hubs, he's good at carrying heavy stuff.

If you feed your kids corn dogs at 1100, the monsters will eat your chocolate stash at home by 230.

I Tried To Get Us A Guest Blogger...

2010-10-17T18:17:00.000-05:00

But he looked at me like I was stupid.

So, Hubs came home from shopping last Sunday very excited,

very excited, and going on and on about pictures and my blog.

Call me cornfused!

Usually the only things he says about my blog are complaints about his picture being there...

and accusations of embellishments.

There are none...just so we're straight on that.

Facts only here...

I can't help it if our life is that crazy sometimes.

Focus.

OK, now for Hubs' story.

He'd been sick, didn't feel up to church, so he dropped off the kids and picked up some groceries I needed for the party later that day.

When he stopped to get gas at the WM he pulled up by the Gator Country truck.

Gator Country has their own show on CMT,

Hubs and the kids love the show

(which I think was named Gator 911, but we're not 100%, and can't agree)

(I know, insert smart comment here....)

Hubs asked the guy if he could take a pic of the truck to show the kids when he picked him up and he said yes, then went' above and beyond...

Check it out...

(I'll bet you guys didn't know Hubs could smile that big!)

Hubs said Gary Saurage was a really nice guy,
he even told Hubs if he could brink the kids to his show later that afternoon, he'd work them into his show!
Unfortunately there was no way they could make it because of Ace's party.

So that's Hubs' story.
We'll just pretend he agreed to guest blog.
Thank-you, dear for thinking of my blog when you saw the Gator Country truck!
We appreciate ya!

Pumpkin Pie...

2010-10-14T09:36:00.002-05:00

So, last Monday I wrote a whole whiny post about Ace being sick.

I was bad...involved mucus, vapor rub, and the lengths we go to as moms to heal our people.

I caught myself before I posted it, and eventually deleted it.

You guys don't come here to hear me whine,

HOWEVER,

I will just casually mention (because it leads into my story) that by Monday afternoon I was ready to join the circus. Ace was too sick for school, but plenty well enough drive a mommy CRAZY.

So, last Wednesday was Ace's class trip to the pumpkin patch...

except he told BFF all about his trip to "The Pumpkin Pie!"

So, we headed out to "Pumpkin Pie" with his class.

His teachers were very excited to see him after missing 2 days of school.

We had a blast!

We started out by feeding some of the farm animals.

There were longhorns, sheep and goats to feed.

And, I don't think I can ever accurately or adequately shout out my love for Hubs.

He's awesome, and a great dad!

And without him at "Pumpkin Pie"

Ace and I would have donated our food cups to another family.

It wasn't long before he proved that no harm would come to either of us, and we weren't going to loose any fingers showing kindness to God's creations.

But because I like to keep it real here, I'll admit that those sheep were too aggressive for me...and their tongues were too big...I stuck to the small mouthed, non drooling little goats.

So, after we were all out of food, we headed over to the hayride, were we were on the lookout for the hay farmer who had been missing...

and we found him :)

(please know that no farmers were actually harmed at the "Pumpkin Pie")

We wrapped up our day by picking our pumpkins and having a picnic.

And once again we were glad to have Hubs with us.

Boys who have been sick for a week solid like to pick big pumpkins, get gripey quick, and refuse to carry their pumpkins to the car...

The man is amazing!

And now that I've officially mortified Hubs on the WWW I'll leave you with a random tidbit.

I can't remember where I read it recently, but somewhere it said that goats have rectangular irises...I wasn't buying it.

REDICULOUS! I said...

One word for you...

CREEPY!

(I did not feed the creepy goats BTW)

Wordless Wednesday...

2010-10-13T08:00:00.002-05:00

Party Animal...

2010-10-12T19:50:00.000-05:00

Ace had a great party Sunday night.

Just a small party with our family.

In lieu of candy filled goody bags, this year I decided we'd make candy apples!

The kids loved them, and they were so easy to do!

I had several different toppings layed out in bowls.

We had chopped peanuts, sprinkles, marshmallows, and mini m&m's.

Hubs was in charge of dipping the apples and the kids each decorated their own.

It was a real hit!

After the apples were decorated we moved them to the freezer in the garage to let them set.

Well, almost all of them,

Uncle J couldn't wait.

Evidently I missed the picture of a lifetime when Hubs caught Uncle J in the garage eating his apple :)

Ace was also very excited about his cake.

Granny Lin has a signature bday present...

1 bag of monster cookies,

2 Dr peppers,

$5 in your card.

Mommy loves this present.

Monster cookies are the best.

Well, this year, Ace had different plans.

When Granny Lin asked about what cookies he wanted this year, he threw a curve ball.

He didn't want cookies...

He wanted a "phootball"cake.

He insisted.

So, she did what any respectable Granny Lin would do...

she made that boy his "phootball" cake.

And she did a great job!

He was so proud of his cake.

(and I love his cheesy grin!)

...just got called into work early, TBC...

4 Years Ago Today...

2010-10-11T16:58:00.000-05:00

Our family grew by 8 lbs 9oz!

This sweet boy definitely changed our lives!

We were so happy, and very surprised that he decided to arrive 3 weeks early!

Daddy was excited to break record land speeds after he got the call,

Bug was excited to stay the week at Granny and Poppy's,

I thought I was going to get a cute 6 lb early baby.

This boy changed our family.

He was the happiest baby!

Here's 1 yr old

2 years...

and 3...

Ace,

You have brought us so much joy!

You're a big boy now,

you've gone from 8lbs 9oz to 55 lbs!

You love to eat, run, and do anything outside.

You are always smiling and make us laugh all the time!

Daddy, Bug and I love you so much and can't wait to watch to grow even more!

Random Facts About Us This Week...

2010-10-01T09:30:00.000-05:00

Lately it feels like we've been running around a lot.

I'm guessing we're starting that phase of family life.

Here's a few things we've had going on...

* Ace is sick this week. He's asking for Zyrtec regularly.

*Bug is taking dance 2 night/week this semester. She's really missed ballet since her normal class changed to tap/jazz last year, and in a moment of goofiness, I thought doing both would be fun. She loves it, I'm already sick of driving "into town" already.

*BFF and I are putting our heads together to throw Trunk-r-Treat in our church's neighborhood for Halloween.

*I'm really getting excited about the cotton candy involved.

*Hubs The Great mopped the kitchen floor AND cleaned the garage Wednesday while I was sleeping.

*No ladies, he's not available, and his brother is happily married too. Should have beat me to him.

*I found out today that we get to take Sweet Girl to our family reunion Sat!!

*Thursday I went to a funeral for a co-worker. She's one of the nurses that helped train me up from a student nurse to a good nurse. She's my mom's age. Ouch.

*I can not figure out how my kids keep the back of the van sooooo dirty. I cleaned it out the other night. ICK!

*Libby seems to have made a full recovery, but I think she may have a little PTSD. The other night I accidentally tapped her in the face with the laundry bag when I picked it up and she had a little screaming fit. I felt awful.

*Ace still loves school.

*Bug can't stay out of the nurses office. I'm embarrassed to say she went during recess the other day for and ice pack for her "booty" after she swung into a pole. She told us it was "really serious."

*Maybe we should get the school nurse a nice gift for Christmas this year
*Ace overheard me telling Hubs the other day about scheduling his 4 year well visit with the pediatrician.
*Last time we went to the pediatrician we had to hold Ace down while they water picked his ear wax impaction out...
*Ace is now telling everybody that asks that he is not going to turn 4 and is not having a birthday party...
because he doesn't want to go to the "DOWKTER"
*Bug is cracking me up lately with random funny faces and bits of 1st grade humor, she's still my "Miss Matter of Fact." It seems that we will never have to wonder what's going on in that girls brain, she just says it.
*I laughed really hard today because of you tube...if you want some church humor click here and if you want some gross, sick, hilarious humor...well, I just decided not to link that one. But Gram thought it was hilarious too.

5K...

2010-09-30T16:00:00.001-05:00

No Way!

No, I did not run a 5K.

But I'll admit before we get started that I did download the "Couch to 5K" app on my phone.

I think it looks pretty, and no, I haven't used it yet.

It's only been 2 or 3 weeks.

Grandpa, now he did run a 5K.

We were so proud.

We got up extra early that morning to cheer him on.

BFF was walking the 5K that morning too for her Biggest Loser team.

I felt really bad for all the runners because it was a horribly hot and humid day, but that didn't stop them.

There's Grandpa running to the finish line...Go Grandpa, Go!!

And there's BFF.

I think we may have embarrassed her a little by cheering loudly.

We're proud to announce that Grandpa placed 2nd in his age division and received a medal for his great running.

The kids thought that was the coolest thing ever!

Congratulations Grandpa!!