Friday, October 23, 2009

Hello, Strangers!

I know that it has been about 4 months since I blogged. I honestly do not even know where the time has gone.

Robert came home from Singapore, we vacationed with our good friends the Vestal's and the Hallberg's at Rosemary Beach in Florida. Had a blast! Z Man turned six and we had a pool party for him with all of our friends including my good friends from Dallas, Jennifer and Allison and their respective families. School started, Z is repeating Kindergarten and I can tell a huge difference! M walked into the first day of school and has never looked back, she loves it. No crying like last year! S is enjoying some alone time at home with me or a sitter. Robert turned 36 and Gretchen turned 30, we celebrated in our usual fashion with a meal and dessert, you get your choice, so we had two. My grandmother continues to be in and out of the hospital, we hope and pray for some sort of recovery. Z Man is playing flag football, we have only had four games due to all of the rain. That is the condensed version of four months of life.

This weekend Adam will celebrate his 31st birthday, but we will not have a party until the following weekend. We are looking forward to Halloween, Z will be a vampire, M a clown and S a ladybug. I am looking forward to a girl's weekend on the 7th to celebrate the impending arrival of Allison's new baby girl. After that I can't wait for Black Friday shopping.

Happy Friday!

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Where are the Monkeys?

We have been busy, doing what, I do not know!

Z and S both finished out the years at there respective schools. M will move to the same school as Z next year and she is so excited. Z will stay at his existing school and there is some debate as to whether we repeat Kindergarten or go on to First Grade. Z will not even turn 6 until school is about to start, so . . . the debate continues.

Baby S is just cruising around, she definitely tries to make more sounds since the ear surgery, but no real new words.

This past weekend we were supposed to go tot the coast with my parents for a long weekend. Unfortunately, my grandmother got into a bad car wreck. She was being driven by one of the girls that helps with her as well as the kids. Another college girl ran two stop signs and hit them totaling both cars. My grandmother is doing OK, except that she has a broken neck, ankle and a fractured knee. Her spirits are down and she will not eat. I am a little worried. We visit daily, hope and pray for a full recovery. So, no trip to the beach. Since my parents were busy and Rob is still away we took a trip to the zoo. We met up with Jen and her crew at the zoo, Janeen was nice enough to come along for the ride. We thought that Allison may be able to join us, but it just did not work out. We had so much fun looking at the animals, having a picnic and playing at the ghetto park, I mean spray park. Fun was had by all and it was a good break.

Even though there were no monkeys at the zoo, we definitely had some with us at the zoo!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Girls Gone Wild

OK, it really was not girls gone wild, but it was a lot of fun!

This weekend we had our first annual girls trip, Allison, Jennifer and I. Allison and Jennifer came to CS on Friday night and we had dinner and visited. It was so nice! Saturday morning we took off for Austin. Much to our dismay it was raining when we arrived, but that could not stop our fun, we just adjusted our plans. We shopped, ate, talked, laughed, swam, talked, ate, shopped and talked some more. It was wonderful! We also ran into one of Allison's friends and a fellow blogger, Amy. It was so cool to put a blog and a face together. She was also there with a friend having a girls weekend. We have decided that this will be an annual thing and we are going to try to go somewhere big on the five year mark! I can't wait!

While I was gone my parents were nice enough to keep the two older children since Rob is still in Singapore. I cannot thank them enough. I came back feeling so refreshed.

Allison also took some really cool pictures of Baby S that I can't wait to see, you will have to check her blog for a post as well as a pic of us at the Round Rock outlet mall.

Thanks to two of my best friends for such a wonderful time and to my parents for watching Z and M. This is a weekend that I will not soon forget!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Week One

We have made it through our first week. There have been good times and there have been bad times.

Baby S had her surgery on Thursday and all was well. The doctor said that he has no idea how she was so happy as her ears were so stopped up and had a significant amount of fluid and puss in them. Everything probably seemed muted to her. She has been fine. Thursday she was a little groggy, but Friday all was well.

Friday night we went and spent time in our old hood and hung out with the Vestal's. It was nice to have an adult conversation and let the kids just play. Saturday we headed to the pool and the older two swam. Sunday my parents were nice enough to take the older two for a bit. I played with Baby S and did laundry and changed sheets. I am fortunate to have the cleaning lady back for a bit!

I am looking forward to the girl trip that I have planned for next weekend with my friends from Dallas. We will be headed to Austin child free, well with the exception of Baby S who will tag along. I so need a weekend to hang out with friends. I really miss that. We have decided that we should make this an annual trip, now if we can all just hold to this. The one good thing is that I think we are all almost past the baby stage of life and will have a little free time on our hands. Not that we do not all love a new baby!

We also got a call from a very special person, Jill Pill. The children were so excited to hear from her. She will always hold a special place in there hearts as well as mine! We are also sad that Janeen is going to leave us for nursing school, we are extremely happy for her, but sad to see her go. I know the kids will miss her as well. It is funny that they associate certain things with each of them, Jill was there first real babysitter, so to them everyone just needs a Jill for all the things that she does and teaches. There are so many little things that they still say like remember when Jill . . . Now with Janeen, I think that she will be remembered as the project girl, gum and mint girl and the one that takes them to feed the ducks. The still tell me when we pass by there is Jill's house or turn that way to go to Janeen's. Kids are so funny! So here is to two wonderful babysitters and friends that each hold a special place in our hearts and mean more to our family than words can ever describe. I am now left with Andrea and a new girl for the summer Sarah, both great girls, but not a Jill Pill or a Neen.

I have two really old friends one from middle school, Natalie and one from college, Sandy that I do a so, so job of keeping up with. I am really sad tonight that I am not better at keeping up with them. It is so hard to make time for it all. I wish there were more hours in the day to balance all that life gives you. It is interesting that some friends pass in and out of your life, I have had a few and some stay a lifetime, I am glad that I have several of those, you know who you are. You also get to make a few new ones along the way. So my last thought of the night is friends, near and far, dear and new I cherish the fact that I have gotten to know you all and for all that you have brought to my life to help make me the person I am.

Alright, I know I have been random and sappy, but that is what a lack of sleep does.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

All that's fit to print

Baby S went for her one year appointment on Friday, April 24 she weighed 20 lbs 7oz and is 29 3/4 inches. She has gotten a new tooth on the upper right side. That makes five teeth. Everything was good except for her ears, so we made an appointment to see an ENT.

We spent the rest of the day Friday, preparing for Z Man's school festival and packing Robert for his "adventure" to Singapore. We had a family lunch at a Mexican food place. While we were there we figured out that S knows how to drink from a straw. She was having so much fun that she poked a hole in the bottom of the cup so there was water pouring out everywhere and you know what I really just did not care. I know that is a shock to all that know me, but at that moment it really just did not matter. Life went on. We got home and got everyone bathed and ready for bed, then Rob and I started packing all of his things for his 8 week adventure, yes he will be gone for 56 days! We are on day 4 of 56, I swear it feels like we should be on about day 30 by now.

Rob left on Saturday morning, our good friend Evan offered to take him to the airport. It was a hard morning for all. But, we quickly had to put on our happy faces to go to Z's school festival and sell confetti eggs, 5,000! Well we only sold 1,362. I will be sure to head up this committee again, since all the work is done. It was an overall nice day. My Mom and I both bid on a few things from the auction and Aunt Gretchen and Allison both had donated there goods/services for the event. I could not have made it through the day without my Mom and Dad's help.

Monday, Baby S and I met with the ENT. Based on the amount of ear infections, her balance and speech we will have tubes put in ASAP, Thursday to be exact. I am not worried about the surgery, well maybe a little.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Baby S Is One!

It was almost a year ago that I started blogging, it was right before Baby S was born and today Baby S turned 1! I am sad, happy and bewildered. Sad because my baby is a year old, I do not have a tiny baby to cuddly with anymore and for a few other reasons that I will get to. Happy because she is healthy and in our lives! Bewildered at where the time has gone, really how has it been a year, I feel like I just blinked and it happened. It really goes by too fast!

We celebrated her birthday on Saturday with family and a few friends at the children's museum. It was supposed to be a party at the park, but with the massive amount of rain we quickly had to change plans. We had pizza, a yummy lady bug cake made by my Dad, thanks Dad, and beautiful pictures taken by my wonderful sister in law, thanks Gretchen! I will post pictures soon! She got some wonderful gifts, clothes, a stroller, blankets, she is obsessed with these small blankets that are soft and silky the girl cannot get enough, money, books, shoes and web cams. My Mom and Dad got her shoes and she looks like Frankenstein trying to walk it is so funny!

I know the web cams are a strange gift, well that brings me to the rest of my news. Robert found out on Thursday that he is being sent to Singapore for a minimum of eight weeks. I feel as if someone punched me in the stomach and I am gasping for air. He leaves Saturday, nothing like some notice! I know that the time will pass quickly and that we will make it, but it will definitely be hard. Thanks to Jenn, Janeen, Chris, Brad, A and R for the web cams, they definitely rock and we will all get use from them.

So Baby S here is what you are like at one year:
1) You suck your thumb and rub these soft and silky blankets when you are tired.
2) You walk from place to place and have been for a while now, no crawling anymore for you.
3) You love to sing a song that Janeen taught you, Little Fish and can do the hand motions and almost say bubble.
4) You do Peek a Bo and Patty Cake well.
5) You say mama and dada pretty well. Your brother Z swears that you speak to him all the time and have an extensive vocabulary.
5) You are obsessed with pointing and it is almost as if you are asking what is that so we always tell you.
6) You have a calm personality and are generally quite and content.
7) You love to be outside, I think that it is your favorite place.
8) You love dogs, love to pet them and talk to them.
9) You love to eat Gerber Cheese puffs and basically whatever else we are all eating.
10) You are loved by so many.

I love you, my special one year old! Happy 1st Birthday Baby S!

Monday, April 13, 2009

I am a terrible poster. I always intend to come and post but it never seems to get done.

What has been going on, we had Spring Break 09, came and went. We went to Austin for a day and visited Robert's family at Zilker Park, had a picnic, played on the play ground and rode the famous train.

The rest of March is a blur. Adam, Gretchen and Maddie came to visit; we took pictures in the blue bonnets. We celebrated Honey's 61st birthday complete with a yummy pasta dinner that my Dad and Mom made and a homemade ice cream cake that I made. We have been preparing for Z Man's school festival that will take place on April 25. The first weekend in April we had a marathon of activities, we attended the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum Easter celebration, Blue Baker cookie eating contest to raise money for the children’s miracle network and three Easter egg hunts all in one day. Whew. This past weekend was Easter. Friday we went to Dallas for R's 3rd birthday party and had a great time visiting with friends. Saturday we attended a school party for one of Z Man's school friends and did some grocery shopping. Sunday we went to lunch at my Mom and Dad's and played at the park.

Z continues with school and enjoys all the activities that are associated with Kindergarten. He loves having a play date! I have been trying to coordinate a summer camp schedule.

M still loves school, but has had a horrible rash on her face for weeks that they are calling allergies! She had her pictures done at school last week; we will see how they turned out.

Baby S will turn 1 in two weeks; I do not know where the year has gone. We will celebrate her birthday at the park with family and friends. The invitations turned out awesome, thanks to my talented friend Allison. You must check out her work! She is walking and has learned to put her tongue in her cheek, shake her head yes and no. She is a woman of few words, but who needs to talk when you have an older brother and sister to do so for you! She has had her 5th ear infection as of Friday, but no tubs for us, you must have at least 8, what?

All right I started this post 7 hours ago, no joke. All is done for the night, must have sleep before Baby S wakes up!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

The Story's

The kids have been big on playing together the past few weeks, the older two Z Man and M. The funniest thing that they play is Neen and Nette. I have not really figured out the game, but the love to walk around saying that they are Nette or Neen. Tonight they got a new toy from McDonald's and they decided that there names should be Neen and Nette.

We missed seeing Jill Pill a few weeks back and the kids were super sad. They keep talking about when Jill Pill will come back and if she can actually babysit them for just a little while.

We got to meet our new niece/cousin on Friday. Madelyn arrived on Thursday afternoon and is doing very well. She is adorable and at first I really thought that she looked like Adam, my brother. But, when I met her on Friday I thought that she did resemble them both. I can't wait to spend some more time with her. Z and M loved her and probably would have loved to take her home with us. I am sad that San Antonio is not a little closer.

Baby S is fully walking now. Poor thing has another ear infection and to top it off is allergic to the medicine, love it! So now we have hives from head to toe to go along with the ear infection. I could really use some sleep.

The Florida vacation with friends has been planned and booked and we are all looking forward to it. I really wish my girls could get some dates down for a girl trip. I am ready for that as well. But, for now I have Spring Break insight, yes. I need a break. I hope to see some friends and Maddie.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Z Man Rides and Baby S Takes Off

The Z Man has mastered the art of riding his bike with no training wheels. He asked Rob to take off his training wheels a few weeks back, but then really did not ride. The past two weekends he has mastered it! Today the sitter took them on a walk and he rode his bike the whole way, he was very proud.

Baby S has taken around 15 - 20 steps by herself now, but still prefers the quick crawl. She will walk a few steps, then do her knee walk (I need to get this on video) and then do a quick crawl to get what she wants. She still remains so calm.

M is so girly that I do not know what to do with her, she commented the other day "look at that cute girl, oh that is me, I am so cute!" No self confidence issues with her!

Only about two more weeks until Maddie (my brother and sister-in-law's first child) makes her debut. The children are so ready to meet her and so am I. Z wants to take her a cake and M a balloon, prepare yourself Aunt Gretchen! I am predicting a St. Patrick's Day baby girl. We will see.

In other news we are attempting to plan a vacation with some friends from New York and College Station. We are all attempting to go to the beach together in June, if it works it is sure to be a lot of fun! I am also planning a girls trip to Austin with my some of my best girlfriends from Dallas. I am so looking forward to that, time alone. I cannot remember the last time I was by myself. It is my own fault, three children in five years, but I would not trade them for the world!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Baby S Takes a Step

Over the past two weeks Baby S has been taking a step or two unassisted. But, today she took 8 steps by herself. There is no turning back now. We will soon have a toddler in our house. I am so sad that my baby is not going to be a baby anymore. Can't she just stay small forever?

Here are a few pictures from the past few weeks.



Baby S at home, such a happy girl!



M Girl at the Zoo.



Look out it's a bird, it's a giraffe, it's Z Man.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Oh my, I cannot believe it has been so long. Well, Christmas was wonderful. The kids got all that they wanted and more. We have just been busy. We celebrated my Dad's 61st birthday, hosted a baby shower for the arrival of my niece Maddie, attended a baby shower for Maddie as well and celebrated the M girls 3rd birthday!

M girl turned three yesterday. She had a princess party with all of our family and close friends on Saturday at the children's museum. It was princess themed. I will have to post pictures of her and the cake, beautiful. Let's see a few things about M at three, she is 38 1/2 inches tall and weighs 39.9 lbs. She is almost as tall as the Z man. She can count, knows her ABC's and is just a pure delight. I seriously have to stop and remind myself that she is only three. She is loud, I never realized that girls were so loud. I think that she only has one level at which to speak. She is also very girly! She loves clothes and shoes and hates to get dirty. She loves to play with her brother, the current favorites are Star Wars, Mary and Joseph and house. I know an odd combination. She loves to try and mother her sister, she attempts to carry her around! She finally loves going to school. So, a day late, Happy Third Birthday!

Baby S went for a check up as well this week, she is 9 months. She is 28 1/2 inches and 19 lbs 12 oz. She is definitely built more like her brother and has the personality of Robert. She is so laid back. She is definitely the baby that everyone wants. She had an ear infection in her right ear again and she is anemic, M way's too. No worries. She can walk along everything and will just stand straight up in the middle of a room for a period. I am guessing that any day now she will take off and walk. I am not ready for that!

Z Man is 5 1/2 loves school and playing Star Wars. He truly misses living in our old neighborhood. He loved playing with his friends the K girls and just having that freedom to play outside on the street. In our current situation it is to dangerous to play out front much, just because of the college students. He is very interested in having a play date. He will have his first official play date tomorrow. He will get picked up from school by his friends mom and get to play at there house for a bit.

We have been cleaning all of the baby things out and passing some along for Maddie to use. It is bittersweet, I am glad that Maddie will get to use them, but at the same time sad to see that part of my life gone. No more babies of our own! I will just have to hold and spoil Maddie as much as possible and then give her back and let Adam and Gretchen deal with those sleepless nights! The kids are very excited about her coming, they can't wait to meet her. Z Man just wishes for a boy. He is going to be surrounded by girls, two sisters and one girl cousin on my side.

We have a few more birthday's coming and then the arrival of Maddie, I can't to meet her and hold a tiny baby again. You truly forget how small they are and just how fast they grow. I still cannot believe that the M girl is three!