Where to Start?

I do not know why I am so tired? Maybe that is why I have not been posting. Honestly, I really have no excuse. I should be less busy now that I do not have a full time job right?

August Recap:
Adjust to our new surroundings in what I will affectionately refer to as Small Town USA. We went to the library, to the city swimming pool (You actually have to take a rest every hour for 10 minutes, they make everyone get out of the pool and then allow you to get back in. This was a very different experience than swimming at a private pool.), researched the schools again, registered the children for school, went to Indianapolis to the Children's museum and did some shopping, bought back to school supplies and started school. Z is not in to taking pictures lately, so he refused to take any on the 1st day.























September Recap:
We went to Disney World for Labor Day weekend. So much fun, so hot, but first we must prepare to go.

As most of you know I am a clean freak or as my friends like to say I am OCD. Well, there could not have been a worse time for the news to start reporting on the bed bug outbreak, you can get them on your luggage at airport, hotel, etc. Now we are going to Disney, what is one to do? So I read up on ways to prevent getting them, pack everything in plastic bags, right before you leave spray the outside of your luggage with a bug spray, put luggage in restroom upon arrival and search room for bugs, then do not place any items on floor and when you return home put all items in kitchen and empty and wash immediately. So, what do you think that I did? You guessed right all of the above! Robert was so annoyed in the mornings when he would try and get his clothes and it would be so loud. OK enough about bed bugs.

The trip itself was very nice. We were in Disney for 5 nights/6 days. I would honestly say that this was just about the right amount of time. The kids loved the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. They were not so keen on Epcot or Animal Kingdom. They enjoyed swimmimg at the hotel as well.

The remainder of September was filled with more adjustments to Small Town USA. We attended a high school football game, now in Texas football is big and so are the stadiums, not so much here. Well the crowd was big, but not the stadium seating. We saw many people bringing in there own chairs. We were confused, but we soon learned that there is really no seating, so you bring a lawn chair to the game, remember this was a high school game that we paid to get into and had to bring our own chair. M and Z are playing soccer on a city team. Interesting group of people that we play with. You must bring a chair to the game with you also. We also attended a parade in another town and in our town. You must bring chairs to the parade with you as well to stake out your turf. The parade was neat in the other town and we learned that they through candy to the children, I thought maybe a few pieces, oh no we ended up with two gallon sizes bags and that was after I told Z and M not to pick up anymore. The parade in our town was the same. Except that there is a Hershey plant here, so Hershey had a float and literally dumped a bucket of candy to each child of chocolate. Some snack size, a few full and king size bars. Crazy! So, what does one Mom do with all the candy, remember I do not allow my children to have to much sugar. I give it to the neighbors and send some home with my Mom and Dad. YES, my Mom and Dad came for a visit at the end of September. The children were very excited to see them. We went to the parade and festival, went to an apple orchard and just hung out. Sad again to see them go and we will not get to see them until Christmas.

So now you are all caught up! Well, I still need to add pictures and do October, but I am getting closer, right?

A Weekend and Illinois

So we left Texas on Sunday, July 25 . . . A sad day, well let's just say it was overall a sad week. I am not good at saying goodbye. We had to say goodbye to our families, dear friends, baby sitters and my coworkers who had become my dear friends. I did more crying in the course of the week than I have done in I do not know how long. I still get that lump in my throat just thinking about it.

We made it to Illinois on Sunday July 25 late afternoon after a 10 hour travel excursion. You see we literally live in the middle of the corn fields. I am talking the middle of nowhere. We are fortunate that there is Internet. You have to pay your water and sewer bill in person. Everyone in town knows each other and are not so friendly to strangers. I have tried to start numerous conversations only to be given one word answers or to be shrugged off, really! That is when I get that lump in my throat again and miss all those people mentioned above. I think for a few minutes about packing my bags and heading back to Texas. But, then I remember that I need to put on my big girl pants and make it work.

Before we left Texas we were able to partake in two really amazing events, Z Man's 7th birthday party and Jill Pill's wedding.

Z decided that he wanted a party at Mt. Aggie, but I decided that we need to have a water park party at Adamson's Lagoon with our friends the Vestal's. It was also Kenley's 11th birthday, so together we rented the pool for a private party. Summer birthday's are hard since everyone is on vacation, so between the two of them I think there were 35 children and 14 life guards and then the parents. They all had so much fun! We had to say goodbye to the Vestal's, so hard they were our neighbors at our first house in College Station and became our dear friends. We have traveled with them and made so many memories.

Jill Pill's wedding was beautiful. Jill looked amazing! We went with Anna, Ross and Jen Jen and then the girls and I. Z and Rob had already left for Illinois. The children enjoyed dancing and in true typical M form she stuck to Jill like glue. M loves Jill! The rest of us do as well, but M has a special attachment since Jill babysat her from 3 months until 2 1/2. Jill is also the sister of my dear friend Allison, you know the one who takes all the amazing pictures! M had a major meltdown when it was time to leave, which made Allison, Jill and I all cry even more. I am so thankful to have Jill, Allison and Jen in our lives. They are truly like sisters to me and Aunt's to my children.

So we had some fun before we said good bye, but it was still really hard and now I am in Illinois in the corn fields . . .

Baby S Is 2!

Today marks the second birthday of Baby S. I guess that she is not really a baby anymore and I will have to refer to her as S. Things that she does at two, wow her vocabulary has grown so much. Her favorite thing to say is Bob Bill, a story for another time. But, if you see her ask her about Bob Bill and she will be sure to tell you. She is happy almost 99% of the time, quiet, snugly and loving. She has to have a nite nite at all times and a baby. To make it even more interesting she loves things in two's.

She does fight mostly with M and does like to hit, we are working on that. She loves the Z Man. She also loves to visit with her cousin Maddie. She and Maddie are almost a year apart and I think that S thinks that she can dote on Maddie.

We will celebrate this weekend with family and friends, so for now I leave you with this adorable picture, that truly describes her.

99 Things I ought to Have Done . . .

99 Things I Ought to Have Done...

Found this interesting from another friend and thought I would give it a try.

Instructions:
Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations if needed), share with friends.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm (I live in TX. 'Nuff said)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (if those caricatures count)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (Broke my hip in 8th grade)
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee (in the ear)

I have a lot to do. Better get busy.

The M Girl

M turned four on Monday. Wow 4! Where has the time gone? We had a Pinkalicious party for her on Saturday at the Children's Museum. She had a great time seeing all of her friends, school friends, Dallas friends and old neighborhood friends. My brother, sister in law and Rob's parents, sister in law and niece's and nephew also made the trip. We were also fortunate to have my aunt as well. A Pinkalicious time was had by all! Check out the beautiful picture on the invitation that was taken by my super talented friend Allison. Just love it!




















At 4 M is a true girly girl, does not hesitate to speak her mind. She is a good friend to others as well. She is definitely not the typical middle child, M makes sure that she is heard. M is very into American Girls right now as well as jewelry and purses, my it starts young. Happy 4th Birthday M! We love you!

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

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!

Christmas Time

It amazes me how much my children change their minds. We have tried and tried to explain that you must give Santa a list of what you would like for Christmas, so that way he has time to make it in his workshop. Well, if you asked Z Man a month ago what he wanted it would have been Fisher Price Imaginext, it is like a fire station and such. But, now it is all Star Wars. We had pretty much everything bought for him, but then on Saturday he tells Robert that he just wished for the really big ship, $139.00 mind you. So, now what to do take a few of the smaller things back and attempt to find the big ship?

The M girl is a little easier, we were at the mall the other day and walked past Santa, "Hello Santa. I want an Ice Cream Shop. Have a good day." That is her entire conversation with him, it was yelled to him from probably 15 feet away, because she would never think of sitting on Santa's lap!

Baby S well, I really do not think that she cares one way or the other. But she is in to everything! She went from nothing to crawling, sitting up and pulling up all within the matter of a week. I feel like she will probably be walking before too long. I am very sad about this, since I know that she is my last "baby" I did not want her to do anything, basically I wanted her to be slow at it all!

I am off to make some sausage balls for work before the day starts . . .

The tooth, the ear and the arm

Well, it all started about two weekends ago, well make that about three and a half now. I started this post a week and half ago. OK now, seriously a month ago. Baby S got her second bottom tooth, bottom left on October 18. She proceeded to get a really bad ear infection, in her right ear. I took her too the doctor a total of three times for the ear in the past three weeks. We went today for a late six month check up and they are supposedly "all cleared" up. We will see as she is still pulling on the ear. So at 6 1/2 months, we are 18 lbs 2 oz and 26 1/2 inches long. We had to get 5 shots, not a happy girl. On November the 12th Sophia started crawling and sitting up on her own. She has also started baby food and has tried sweet potatoes, squash and bananas. She is allergic to bananas. She prefers to have what we are eating a french fry, soup with noodles, etc. She loves to suck her thumb and all things that have a chenille type feel.

The Z Man, well he broke his arm. On Tuesday, October 28, we were playing outside and he feel catching a football on the driveway. He ran inside and held his arm tight and complained about it till bed. I did not think that anything was wrong, so at 11 pm I am calling my Mom, Dad and Robert in Houston trying to figure out the logistics of taking him to the ER. Looking back it was comical. Three weeks in a cast and now we are almost as good as new. We are supposed to be taking it easy, ha! Obviously this doctor does not know my 5 year old!

The M girl started school and thinks that it is okay, she really does not understand why she cannot go to Z's school with him. I think the realization of being a middle child and turning three in two months has hit. Yesterday out of the blue she bit Baby S on the leg! Not happy with her at all. She is doing okay on the potty training and has good days and bad. My goal is completely potty trained by the end of Christmas break.

We had a great visit from our Dallas friends and enjoyed some time with them. Robert took the older two to see Bolt, they apparently liked it and we enjoyed some retail therapy at Target, we each both spent about $29, not bad. Except that it was about my fourth trip this past week. I think I need a job at Target instead of my current one it may save me some money. We hope to make it to Dallas over the holidays to spend some time as well. We have also been to Austin to see Robert's family. The kids enjoyed seeing their cousins.

It is only a few days before Thanksgiving and I am so excited about the shopping. I love the thrill of getting the item that I want for a great price and there are some good deals this year.

School Day's

Today was the day! The M Girl started school! I thought that I would cry, but I held it together, it was great that my Dad was able to go with us. I appreciate my parents so much and the fact that they are involved with the children. My Dad and M are very close. She is with my Mom as well, but her and my Dad have a very special bond and I love it. When we arrived she was a little nervous, shaking a bit, but I quickly got her settled, gave her a kiss and hit the road. We will see how she does. I am going to pick her up after lunch today.

The Z Man went on the first field trip of the year with his school today, the are learning about cotton. They went to a cotton field and gin today, so much fun!

So, it is just Baby S and I. We have had some breakfast and I am about to get dressed to go to pick up the children and go to work. Not much down time, but I know it is so worth it for them.

A New Phase

We went today to enroll the M Girl in school. We found out on Friday that we made it to the top of the wait list and had a spot. The only catch we had to decide by Monday. So, I called yesterday and told them that we were interested in would be in today for a visit. M has been so excited since I told her. My Mom took her shopping for a back pack and lunch kit and a few new clothes. She really looks so grown up. It makes me sadder to think about her going to school then it did the Z Man.

So, anyway we went to check out the room today, meet the teacher and see the other children. She was very excited, at first a little nervous, but she warmed up right away. She will start next Thursday, October 2. She will go two days a week for part of the day. I hope that she really enjoys her first experience with school.