the eyes have it

 

 

I love all eye colors but I really love all 3 of my blue eyed beauties! Posted by the only non-blue eyed member of the family :/

p.s. I know the saying is the AYES have it, but I couldn't resist an opportunity for a play on words... my husband, unfortunately, is really good at it and I am not!

Birthday Weekend / Ramblings

I have posted about Hadley's birthday and an update on Crosby because as a parent your kids come first, but now I want to take a moment and talk about MY birthday. My brother use to joke growing up that I celebrated it for 2 months and I am sure I did. It's June 30th so I get to celebrate the month of July as well, no question. I can only imagine my annoying self counting down until my birthday and then getting to celebrate it for weeks on after the fact. I know I did this. I can tell you I only had a handful of spankings as a kid and they were probably almost all on my birthday. Legit spankings. I don't know why I just assumed I could be a brat and get a way with it just because I was a year older. My mom proved me wrong every.single.time.

I am not like this anymore. I swear. In fact, I only remember how old I am by my friends birthdays' and how old they just turned. However, I do have to say I have some big plans for my 30th. It involves 2 vacations. Disney with the kids and one just adults on a beach for a week, because you know I'll be rich by 30 - ha. It is going to be amazing!

I also use to make a big deal about my half birthday. Rachel and I share birthday/half-birthdays since her bday is December 30th. She usually sends me a happy half-birthday to me text on my birthday and I do the same back - all in good fun!! I don't actually expect a cake, singing and celebrating on my half birthday, just a present. :-) I don't think that is too much to ask.

This past birthday was really special for me and Matt. We really really needed some time to relax. We had never taken a vacation since either one of the kids were born. It's funny because when Hadley was a baby I couldn't imaging leaving her. She was 8 months old and we had a wedding to attend in Austin. I invited Stacy to come along to babysit since I was the photographer and Matt was a groomsmen. Now, if there was a situation like that I wouldn't think twice about getting a babysitter to watch them at home while we enjoy a weekend away. Parents need a break.

I am not great about asking for help. I know exactly who I get this from and I have to say it is both a strength and weakness. I like taking care of myself and family and I love to help anyone else, but when it comes to asking for help I would rather suffer through before making that request. I knew Matt and I needed some time away. Life has been tough for awhile and when Stacy offered herself and BJ to babysit the kids so we could have a weekend away I was ecstatic! She knows me and knows I would never ask - so the offer was the best gift!

I picked my birthday weekend and we stayed at the Woodlands Resort and it was so wonderful. We just watched T.V., had massages on Saturday morning, went to restaurants and even a bar. It was just what we needed and I cannot even express to Stacy and BJ how much it meant to us. I never once worried, I knew they were taking great care of this kids and loved getting the funny pics and videos throughout the weekend. I cannot thank them enough but I hope they know we will return the favor one day!

Stacy and I have been best friends since high school. She was 2 grades ahead of me. I actually met her through my brother when she was dating one of his best friends. The first time I met her I was in middle school and I remember just thinking how pretty she was and that she was the coolest thing ever because she was a Bearkadette (high school drill team)! I had always wanted to be a Bearkadette(BK). My mom told me that when I was 4 one of the neighbors was a BK and I told her I was going to be one one day and have a bear sign in my yard. I probably just wanted the sign with my name on it.  I don't remember that, but I do remember always wanting to be a BK once I realized what it was all about.  I am so thankful for the organization for many reasons, but mainly because of the relationships made and kept for hopefully a lifetime.

Stacy is an incredible best friend who has been there for me through so much. I cannot even put into words what she means to me. All I have given her in return is a scar above her eye when I could have very well decapitated her from a jet ski accident (sadly that is a true story). The second I found out Crosby was a boy I became a little sad (just for a minute) only because I had imagined Hadley having this sister and sisterly bond since they would be so close in age. Then I realized, I may not have been born with a sister but I do have many and got to pick them myself!

When Stacy and I lived together in college we would do everything (mostly nothing) together. We are both so indecisive we would sit on the couch trying to figure out what to eat or go do and then could never pick so we would just do nothing! And those times were some of my favorite! Today, we went back and forth through 21 texts messages and a phone call about the right fabric for a chair she bought the kids! I could do a million post about Stacy and I but since pictures are the most fun part - I have dug up a few gems to include in this post:

*Some of these pictures go back 12 years! * My make-up skills have improved slightly *
What BFFs don't get a pair of bearded dragons and name them something inappropriate?!

Our couple photo on Andrea and Jeremy's Wedding Cruise.. the photographer assumed
our relationship was something a little different than it actually is - but we went with it! :-)

Looking at these pictures just make me laugh so much! I cannot wait to see what the next 10, 20, 50, + years of our friendship looks like!

Hadley's Birthday Weekend Part 2

I really wish we could repeat last Saturday and Sunday a few more times. I am pretty sure Hadley would love that as well!

Months ago I had designed a birthday invitation for Hadley's party and was really excited about it. I wanted to do a Minnie Mouse theme. I wanted it to be a sophisticated Minnie Mouse theme, because you know a 2 year old cares about that.

However, a couple of weeks ago we decided not to have the birthday party. We were going to use the money we would would spend on a party on a day for her.

Last minute, I decided that Hadley loves to sing Happy Birthday and I really wanted people to sing to her. I thought she would love it and she did. We live on a street with 18 kids under 16 so I figured inviting the neighbors over would be plenty of people to sing to Hadley.

Turns out most people don't listen when you say stop by for cake and ice cream; it's not a party - please no gifts. I truly mean it. However, to be honest I do the exact same thing when people say no gifts. I really do enjoy buying gifts, especially for kids! I also asked my mom to make a chocolate cake. She asked if she should decorate it and I said you can put her name on it if you want and so this is what she made:

Oh and she also made her a matching birthday top! That is quite the chocolate cake (and vanilla cake, rice krispies, cream cheese butter cream, etc..;-)).

Here are a few pictures from her non-birthday party party:

I love Maddox in this picture... so serious about the ball pit!

Rhylinn joined in on the fun and she loved the tricycle!

Loving everyone singing Happy Birthday!

I'm not going to lie I am pretty sure I was just as, if not more, excited about the easel! I may or may not write on it everyday.

We couldn't resist :-) I am sure there will be many more moments like this with his big sis!

I also have a video from when Rachel mailed her a giant box of Minnie Mouse goodies.. I need to upload them to YouTube and post it - it is so funny. I laid it all out before she woke up from her nap and when she came out she saw it and looked at me like Minnie herself was standing there! Those moments make me so excited about all the holidays this year - she is going to be so amazed by everything!

I know she enjoyed the day very much! We loved seeing her get so excited about everything and everyone. My neighbor texted me later telling me how sweet Hadley was with Emma (she is 10 months old and WALKING every where!) She said she would sweetly touch her arm and say "Emma" and give her a hug. As a mom, that is the best compliment. I love hearing how sweet she is :-) there are those moments that I am just in awe over how sweet, cuddly and caring she is. Tonight, I was coughing and she was yelling "mommy otay? mommy otay?" and she also runs over to give Crosby hugs and kisses all the time. She also plays with him or shows him toys and how they work.. She is a really good big sister.  I think it just took some time to adjust to having a sibling and now that he is older, more sturdy and can laugh and smile at her - she is much more gentle with him. She really loves it when he smiles at her.

We had her 2 year appointment yesterday and she was hamming it up for the doctor. No shots or blood draws this time, just time to show off her climbing and speaking skills. ha!

Here are her measurements:

Height: 35 1/2"  and in the 83%
Weight: 27lb 12 oz and in the 76%
Head: 18 1/4" and in the 27%
BMI: 15.7

It is crazy to think her next check-up is at 3! However, I am pretty sure we will see the doctor before then. She is not the most GRACEful little girl :-)

Speaking on the topic of gracefulness, we did see a orthopedic doctor about her broken foot. It is crazy because he said that in 22 years he has not seen a toddler break that bone, but that it could be possible or it was another bone that was broken and that bone was just 'bruised'- just needs more x-rays, etc and that since she is doing so well we would take a wait and watch approach. He also told me not to let her jump and at about that point she fell face first off the chair in front of him. Awesome. Matt was watching her by they way, not very well if you ask me (that's not really fair I think I have a little resentment in me b/c this morning I woke when she dumped a bottle of water on my face and he was supposedly watching her then, too :-/) We are not sure her middle name fits, but we love our very active/silly girl so much!I still cannot believe she is 2!

Dryer Fire

I was going to post Hadley's Birthday Weekend part 2, but this just happened:

I was sitting at my computer, procrastinating from packing to go to Dallas for work, when I heard the dryer make a weird noise. It was so loud it made Zoe jump up and bark. It was smoking when I went in the laundry room. I saw my neighbor (and coworker) and ran outside yelling *I think* my dryer is on fire (Um DUH! where there is smoke there is fire). He ran over and we were able to get it outside. I use we loosely - more like I was saying something explicit and he was dragging it out with a towel because it was too hot to touch.

Our other neighbor heard our fire alarm going off and ran over to help. It took a couple of fire extinguishers and the water hose to get it out. Steve had to get the drill to open it up so we could reach the fire. It's only 6 years old. I take it apart and vacuum up the lint a few times a year and I always clean out the lint trap after every load. We have 2 hairy dogs so I know that multiples the lint.

The laundry room is right next to Hadley and Crosby's room. Lesson learned, I will not run the dryer at night or while I run an errand. I am guilty of doing that to keep things moving along. Not worth it at all.

I have a feeling this may slow down my laundry momentum, but that is okay. I am glad I still have a house and dogs that are okay. This could have a much different ending.

Hadley's Birthday Weekend Part 1

Talk about a perfect day - today was that day for us! I know Hadley may not remember this day when she is older, but I know we will never forget it.

Today, was all about Hadley. We started out at the Children's Museum and spent a couple of hours there before we finished the afternoon off at the Aquarium. These 2 places were on my bucket list of to dos with Hadley this summer. She really enjoyed the museum and on the way out she got 2 balloons that said happy birthday. She really loves balloons! On the way to the Aquarium, there might have been some chanting of fishies, fishies, fishies going on! The Aquarium did not disappoint!

We were concerned about cost but it really wasn't that bad. It was the first time we tried eating out with her in a long time (in fact I cannot even remember the last time we went to a restaurant with her). I loved that I didn't have to worry about how loud she was and that there was plenty of things to entertain her. That made it worth every penny.

We did the carousel, but she wasn't all that thrilled. Then we had lunch, rode the train, and walked the exhibit. She was getting tired but she was a trooper and never whined. At the white tiger exhibit, she asked if she could go in and play with the kitty. haha! That cat is a little different than the neighbors cat, Hannah Montana.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from today:

Matt's expression makes It looks like I am holding them up or something.. he's a good husband/dad and does all the silly poses I request

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that smile and it was permanently plastered on her face ALL.DAY.LONG

She loves her play kitchen at home and at Elsa's - we should have known the HEB in Kidtropolis would be her favorite place

Daddy and Hadley put on a puppet show and she is showing us her piggy nose

Even the walk into the Aquarium was a blast for her and this is my favorite picture of the day! LOVE those two!!

This must be her I am so excited face I cannot keep my eyes open! I have a dozen with her making this expression

Checking out the sharks on the train ride

Sorry baby girl you came by those cheeks naturally :)

Fishies, fishies, fishies!!

Mom, dad and birthday girl! Birthday girl didn't even make it out of the parking lot before she was out!

Tricycle from Grandzu and Grand-T! She loves it and practiced into the evening tonight. She is determined to get it

I cannot even tell you how happy she was when we sang "Happy Birthday" she requested it a few more times and we may or may not of obliged ;-)

Enjoying her 4th or 5th sweet treat for the day. It took some convincing for her to go to bed - wonder why?!!!

Grand-T and Grandzu babysat Crosby while we had our Hadley day. Then we came home and celebrated with them and Terry. I think it was a win win for all! I know we enjoyed our last day with our 1 year old very much. We are looking forward to spoiling spending time with her tomorrow (technically today now that I look at the clock!) on her actual birthday. I was just too excited about our day to go to bed, although I am exhausted.

I am in the middle of writing her 2 year old birthday letter to her for her to read when she is older. I am sure she will think I am the biggest sap/cheesiest mom ever but l hope one day she will love reading them. She better! ha!

Crosby 4 Months

My little butterball is doing really well in the eating department. We had his 4 month check-up a few weeks ago and his stats were:

Height: 25 3/4" in the 84%
Weight: 14lbs 12oz in the 41%
Head: 16 1/2" in the 67%

I am pretty sure he has packed on some more weight (what feels like pounds not just ounces) in the last few weeks. It's hard to believe he could gain so much when he spits up SO MUCH. We go through at least 15 bibs a day. I'm not talking a little mess on them so I change them, I'm talking soaking wet within a minute after putting a new one on him! We HAVE to wash them everyday or they would be disgusting.

He is eating oatmeal and some veggies/fruits now. He doesn't turn much down. I feel like he is going to be my good eater. Although the first time he had rice cereal he just sat there with it in his mouth and would not swallow.. I don't blame him! That stuff is nasty! Hadley wanted some of his food so I let her take a spoonful. She immediately started gagging; I started laughing so then she started crying. Neither one of my kids like that cardboard tasting stuff.

Crosby went from size 1 diapers to size 3 with only one package of size 2 in-between. I think that means I left him in size 1's a little to long. He is also wearing 6-9 month clothes now.

Last night he slept un-swaddled for the second time. He slept through the night (12 hours) on Monday night and then every other night started waking up 2x a night because he was getting out of the swaddle. So we decided it was time for us to stop that. Last night I only got up with him at 5:10 am so he slept 9 hours straight. The funny thing is when I went in there to feed him he wasn't really hungry, he just stared at me while I was rocking him. So I laid him back down and gave him his paci and left. I think he just wanted to make sure we will still come if he calls for us :-)

I couldn't resist taking the pics above! I'm honestly surprise Hadley didn't yank her Po (pillow) and Mimi away. 

Naked sister came running to his crib before bed time..
she always wants to lay in his crib and play with his mobile

Not really sure about her look there!

It's funny because he has the exact same facial expression in all 3 pics:
Do I look like I am having fun?!

Poor guy.. he was not happy about this!

My sweet boy! When he looks at me and smiles I just can't help but kiss those chubby cheeks!

Look at that look she is giving him - sums out how she feels
about the little rugrat :-) (Also note the spit-up coming out at the exact moment)

first meal

Giving him "tisses" or biting him.. one or the other ;-)