THE PETERSON'S

my little lovebugs

2011-06-20T13:24:00.000-07:00

Thought I'd try to (quickly) put up just a few pics from recently...these all made me laugh hard and smile BIG!

My sweet Riley...can't believe she is almost 5!!

we've been doing A LOT of this...I mean every day before nap, after nap, after dinner, whenever...they want to be in the water! Sunscreen and swim diapers run out fast around here.

but it's all worth it to catch fun moments like these...love their expressions...

Blue Fun Dip anyone!?

You know how it goes...monkey see, monkey do...

(yes, she had a black eye, from hitting her face on the pool slide).

and we're snugglin' on the couch when we're not swimming!

Helloooo SUMMER!!!

2011-06-05T08:31:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let everyone know we're still alive and kickin'!! (I had to think about my Blogger password when I logged back in it's been so long.) I went back to work the last 3 weeks of school and that was an adjustment. Not so much leaving behind my kiddos, but having to wrangle 65 kids back into check. To be kind, I should just say that my kids gave my sub a run for her money, chewed her up, and spit her out like a piece of bubble gum! Not good. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a glorious 7 weeks for all involved at school while I was gone, but we all survived the last 3 weeks and managed to get through it with a good ending.

Summer is here and I feel like I just had a summer vacation! We kicked off summer this weekend in high gear with birthday parties and a visit to the Kemah Boardwalk...LOVE this place!! This is something that should be on everyone's "to do" list at least every few months. We haven't been in years ( since before the kids were born) and I vow not to let that amount of time pass again.

We had a blast with cousins...we had a good dinner, let the kids run and play in the water while we listened to live music, they rode some rides, and then enjoyed Marble Slab ice cream...which I'm pretty sure they jacked up the prices bc of the location. ( Yes, two cones and 2 kid cups were $20 bucks!) Oh well, that is how memories are made and we had FUN!!!

Cole wiped out more than a few times...those pavers are slick!

Reese and Riley

Misty and Chuck...(love this picture of ya'll!) Somehow I did not get a picture of Lana and JP...

This little girl (Blayke) is a ham.....

I don't think Misty put Ryann down almost the entire time we were there.

Ryann is ONE month old

2011-05-10T06:26:00.000-07:00

Ok, so really she is now 6 weeks old but I made a slideshow of all the pictures we took and figured it was easier to click here rather than to try to post them all to Blogger!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=498120222215:1288762281&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharer

We also had Chelsea make her birth announcement and I just LOVE it:

Like father, like son

2011-05-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was so glad I had my camera handy to catch these shots between my boys...such sweet and funny moments between father and son.

Easter

2011-04-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Last Friday the kids spent dying eggs... it went pretty smoothly I should say. No permanent dying of their hands or my kitchen table. Nothing spilt on the floor. Cute aprons to wear and about 2 dozen eggs to dye:

The Easter Bunny stopped too and made sure to stuff Reese's peanut butter eggs in their baskets...and then Riley said she doesn't like them! (GASP!) What kid (or adult) doesn't like Reese's? I'm sure not everyone does, but that just seems so sinister to me. So I quickly grabbed them and yes, I will eat them. All of them. Ha ha.

(And no, the Easter Bunny didn't forget about Ryann...she got some clothes and a bathing suit for summer. )

They hunted for eggs and more candy at my grandparents house...and had a great time searching all over to fill their baskets.

My mom helped them count their eggs and candy...some eggs filled with more candy, some filled with "piggy food" (money for their piggy banks)! Cole was helping count too, but missing a few numbers in between when counting. So cute.

And while the kids were searching outside, this sweet little girl just did this:

Don't you just love the ruffle butt? Ha.

Next year she just might be out there running around with them too...esp. if she walks as early as her big sis and brother did. (tear).

a sneak peek

2011-04-18T13:37:00.000-07:00

When Ryann was a week old, we had our favorite new photographer come and take her newborn pics. She did not disappoint, again! You can click here for the link to her blog to see them! Thank you Chelsea for another AMAZING job!!

Galveston

2011-04-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday the kids and I packed our bags and headed to the beach with Brian's parents. Thankfully the weather was pretty good- it was overcast and a bit on the windy side, but it still made for a great trip and the kids had a blast!

They played in the water and ran around for a few hours- collected seashells, built sandcastles, and had a picnic lunch. We packed it up early afternoon and thought we'd see if we could take them by to see Jarod, Brian's cousin, who is a firefighter for Galveston.

We were in luck! He happened to be working that day and he gave the kids an awesome experience! They got the VIP tour of Jarod's fire station and they LOVED every minute of it. I'm not sure if they liked the beach or the fire station better!

You should've seen their faces when Jarod came around the corner driving the fire truck! He backed it in and then let them climb inside...

He let them sit in his seat, right behind the wheel-and push ALL the buttons. (thank you Jarod for temporarily making us me deaf) Good grief, they had a blast...and that siren is LOUD when you're standing right next to it. ( Ryann slept right through all the noise).

so next they climbed back and sat in the cab

where he let them try and his gas mask and helmet- they thought this was super fun! It cracks me up how huge his hat was on them but I love that it was his and he let them play with it...

I can just see the smiles behind the mask!

and then he showed them how the ladder raises and they pretended to ride on the back of the truck!

He gave us an inside tour of their "bunk quarters" where he explained what happens when the sirens go off and showed the kids the fire pole...and he got his hands on Ryann too! ( sorry for the "surprised" expression, I think I caught him mid sentence. Ha ha.)

Thank you Jarod for making their day- I think we ALL thought it was very cool to get "VIP access"!

our life lately....

2011-04-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

I decided this may just need to be considered more of a random post because I've tried a few times in the last week and a half to get this done and well, obviously, haven't. I told myself today was THE day. It is getting checked off my mental to do list so I can move on. So here I sit...all 3 kids are asleep (amen!), drinking a Diet Coke, in my pj's with yesterday's hair and makeup still on...and yes, it is 2:18. P.M. Ha ha.

My house has looked like a bomb has gone off the last few days with laundry everywhere, fur balls blowing across my floor, and dishes piled in the sink. And let's not go into detail about the toy room. Normally this would not fly. I am way too OCD to let it get so bad, or well in my opinion it was bad. I say "was" because I've spent the morning and the early part of this afternoon cleaning up and putting things away. Let's not forget in the midst of all this I've had to stop a million times to settle sibling rivalries (still something I don't get as an only child. Why on Earth would you intentionally want to pester someone!? To me it is just annoying and frustrating. To all others, it is apparently utter bliss. This is something I will just have to accept. apparently), change diapers, and feed the baby. Ha ha. The house is by no means up to the standards I'd like it to be, but it is way better and I'm not that OCD to spend my whole day cleaning. So, the blog was next on my list so I just may get to the shower by the time Brian gets home. Maybe.

Our friends in Sunday school have been extra gracious to us by bringing meals and LOTS of really good food. That is such a blessing because even if you're feeling ok and getting around, you just don't want to cook. So much for trying to tame my sweet tooth post pregnancy, but I'm afraid that will never completely happen. I do try, but I fail. Almost always.

Life with 3 kiddos has kept us busy, hence why it has probably taken me so long to get back to the blog. Ryann seems to be settling into a good routine and just might be finally getting her days and nights figured out. By no means is she sleeping through the night but eating only every 3-3.5 hours is awesome (for our kids). Seems like I remember I was up every 1-2 with Riley and Cole. Yikes. That was brutal. (Maybe I should also confess that with Riley I set an alarm clock during the night and woke her up to feed. Gasp!) I quickly learned never to wake a sleeping baby. When they are hungry, they will wake you. That is how we operate.We had one rough night last week and I was like the walking dead the next day but most days are pretty normal.

That's not to say I'm not tired some days or trying to peel my eyes open when Riley and Cole wake up and come downstairs, but maybe your body adjusts more quickly to the newborn thing on the 3rd time? It's probably a culmination of a few things but it doesn't seem that bad this time around. However, there is one thing that remains constant: life with two other active children doesn't slow down just because there's a newbie in the house. Sleep or no sleep for you, they keep moving.

So this momma has tried to keep them busy and tire them out. Last week we made a few trips to the park.

Riley and Cole played and played...

they climbed and went down the slide a 1000+ times....

We fed the ducks- complete and total entertainment for them.

This momma duck had 13 babies!! The whole time I was thinking, " Oh man, you poor thing. I've got 1 newbie to take care of....definitely can't imagine having to watch out for and take care of a baker's dozen. That is when I thank God that He knows best and hence the reason why human mommies don't have this many. Good grief.

in the middle of all the running and playing, they took a breather and had snacks...on the bench where I sat most of the time ( next to Ryann of course who was sound asleep in her stroller). Ha.

and then they did more of this...

we came home, ate lunch, and then they ate popsicles...outside.

but a lot of our time is spent doing this:

We just love on her

and kiss her...

and love on her even more...

and when we're not doing that, she's normally always being held.

because the one thing I've learned is you have to hold them while you can...

and then Daddy comes home from work and steals her from us

I can't get over how much she has already changed. She is still wearing newborn diapers and some of her newborn clothes, but I see that coming to an end real soon. ( insert sad face here) and her umbilical cord finally fell off after two weeks.

She is filling out and plumping up rather quickly- this girl likes to eat! She's still got a head full of hair, dark blue eyes, and the rolls on her legs and arms are starting! I can't wait to pinch them. Ha.

One week

2011-04-01T16:46:00.000-07:00

Today Ryann is one week old and how fast it has come and gone! Seems like just yesterday we were waiting on her to be here and now that it's been a week time needs to slow down!

We've had a very low key week other than a couple trips to the dr early on. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 8 oz on Monday. The rest of the week we relaxed, took naps, watched movies, and just enjoyed our time at home. We did venture out and pay a visit to Daddy at work for a while.

I can't get over how much she has already changed in just 7 days. Her color is so much better than a week ago when she was so brusied and blue. She had a bit of yellow too due to her high bilirubin. Her face was swollen and her eyes were puffy. But this week her head has rounded out more and her color has evened out. I think some days she is somewhat of a "mini me" and other times I look at her I see some resemblances of when Riley and Cole were this small.

To me, she is just the cutest thing. Yes, I am biased so my opinion doesn't truly count. (What momma doesn't think their own kid(s) is the cutest!?) I could sit and hold her all day and not feel like moving. You quickly forget the grunts, snorts, and squirms of newborns. Riley and Cole have really been very sweet with her too. They always want to hug her or hold her, but we've had some lessons on how to not constantly stay in her face.

Most of the day she sleeps- she tries to stay awake for a couple hours but her eyes quickly roll back in her head and she falls asleep again. She is eating very well - Brian and I have been trading off at night so that helps. I usually take the early feeding around 1 AM and he takes her around 4 AM and then feeds her again before he leaves for work.

Today we had her newborn pictures taken and I can.not.wait. to see them!

Blessed beyond measure...

2011-03-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Can I say how great Ryann is!? Or have I said it already? Yeah, I think I have but she is so laid back. Maybe it's the 3rd baby personality trait- others who have 3 have mentioned theirs were the same way. Kinda like a birth order thing maybe? I hate to say it for fear I may jinx myself or have to pinch myself but so far, Ryann is just mellow. She just hangs back and takes it all in.

We got to go home on Sunday around lunch time and I will admit she did cry when we put her in her seat. Ha. Maybe she didn't quite realize how great life is outside of the hospital walls.

We celebrated Chance's birthday Sunday night at our house since we had just made it home. He's the BIG 26... so old, I know. Geez. I had already had Riley by then. Personally I think he's smiling so big because he was relieved he wasn't sharing his day with Ryann. I kid, I kid. (She definitely chose to make her appearance on her own day rather than share it with Andy, Lana, or Chance who were also family birthdays this last week.) So now we have 4 birthdays the week of March 21st.

She fussed some at her first bath at home but nothing like her older sis and brother. Oh man, did they scream. I think she enjoyed the warm water and after the initial part of getting wet, she just laid back and enjoyed it.

I'm definitely thinking she looks pretty similar to her momma here...( going to try and find some of me and post them).

Getting more sweet kisses from Daddy...

I just love these newborn eyes - can't focus on anything, but they try and try and those cute little eyes just go everywhere. Love it.

She had an awesome night last night- at 3 days old, she woke us up only twice!

We've been visiting the dr the last two days because her bilirubin was elevated when we left the hospital. We had her checked out Monday and it had increased from when they checked it on Sunday. So we had to go back again today and re-check and thankfully, her levels have started to decline on their own! I am thankful that her system is fixing itself!

Ryann is here!!!

2011-03-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

She is finally here and we are overjoyed!!

Ryann Elizabeth Peterson

March 25, 2011

8 lbs

19.5 in.

Brian and I made it to the hospital and got checked in about 6:45 AM and a few hours later, the kids came to join us. We all sat and watched cartoons and they colored while we waited to meet our newest little one... you can see how excited they were!!

They induced me around 8:15 and started the pit drip and I saw the "magic man" (got my epi) not long after and I was feeling guuuuddd. HA.

Ryann made her appearance just about 4 hours later. My theory on her being a bigger baby was right on- I joked about not having an 8 pounder and she was exactly 8 lbs! Someone "up there" has a sense of humor.

Poor baby girl came out bruised ( which is why she looks so blue in these pics) because she came so fast, but other than that, she is just PERFECT!

When she was born my dr said, " Oh wow! She's got a lot of hair!" I said, " Are you sure she's my child? Mine don't have hair!" (She assured me she was mine and told me to stop talking during labor) ;)

We thought it was wavy/curly as first but once she was bathed, she's got straight hair and quite a bit of it.

Just like her momma too- I was born with a thick head of BLACK hair! ( It later turned very blonde)

Daddy was immediately in love with his newest little girl...

This was the first time the kids saw their baby sister and to say they were excited would be an understatement!

We came home on Sunday and she has been a very laid back, mellow baby so far. She's eating well- right on track about every 2-3 hours and sleeps all day. Our first night went pretty well too.

She's a tad bit on the high side for her bilirubin so we went to the dr. today and got her re-tested and she barely even wimpered when they pricked her heel. Such a good girl.

We are enjoying every single minute of her!

More to come...

39 weeks... and my last post as a preggo

2011-03-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

Well, we made it to the end!! It is kind of bittersweet because this went by WAY too fast and it almost feels surreal. I love every aspect of being preggo so I am sad that it's just about over but we are SO excited to meet Ryann! So here is my last belly pic at exactly 39 weeks:

She decided to make quite a bit of progress this last week. I am now at 3 cm, 80% effaced.

We are scheduled to be induced very early Friday morning!

(I'm still holding out hope she'll make her own move)...

My last day of work was today so I am just going to hang back and see what happens...

We'll keep you posted.

our other two little loves...

2011-03-20T16:02:00.000-07:00

Have I ever mentioned how much this little boy LOVES anything cowboy!? Well, he does. I think the only other thing he just loves is Spiderman, but the whole cowboy thing is definitely numero uno. I'm not exactly sure when the fascination started but it's been one that has stuck.

A couple weeks ago we went to a friends "western" birthday party and I think Cole was over the moon. The kids both got these cowboy hats, which they both loved.

Cole made fast friends with the rope he's got, which he quickly learned how to throw and wrangle. He got to take it home and he's become quite good at roping. He's even managed to wrangle the dog and his sister. Ha.

After the party we had plans with my family for dinner and he was just pooped by the time the day was over. I thought it was so cute how he crashed with all his gear.

I think I've mentioned before how much he LOVES his stick pony. This pony, now named Sassy, goes everywhere. Sassy gets to take a lot of car rides and basically goes wherever he does. Sassy hangs on the back of the chair at dinner and gets the royal treatment by his two yr old owner.

The boy loves horses. See, he's got on those horse rain boots again too. A few weeks ago Brian took him fishing at a friend's place who has horses and he actually witnessed a foal being born. He just happened to be in the rigt place at the right time. He came running to Brian and said, " Daddy, that momma horse just peed out a baby horse!" So funny.

He also happens to love his "baby gun" that Uncle Chance gave him. This is another one of those items that goes everywhere. We've had to explain many times that the pistol HAS TO stay in the car. It never comes into a store, restaurant, the church, etc. You can imagine why. But trying to explain that to a 2.5 yr old I thought would be a real challenge, but he's really good about it. But when we're home, it's another one of those companion items that is always within arms reach. The boy is always trying to "shoot" something.

And Riley...she doesn't love cowboy stuff to the extent that her brother does but she is just becoming so

sweet. She still has moments where the sassy 3's come back or she tries to push her limits but what kid doesn't?

She loves her little brother and she loves Sadie.

And I love her spunk. She is always accessorizing herself. Cracks me up.

I just know she will be a huge help when her little sister is born. She is so excited to have a little sister- she is constantly asking when Ryann is coming. I think she's asked every night for the last 8 months. This week she is going to get her wish. I can't wait to see how they will both react to Ryann.

We are counting down the final days as a family of four and we couldn't be more excited to see how life is going to change when our 3rd love makes her debut. I can already see all 3 of them running around the backyard and laughing and screaming.

38 weeks

2011-03-18T13:10:00.000-07:00

We have just ONE week left...well, if you ask me, 6 days and counting from now....she is scheduled to be ~~"evicted"~~ induced next Friday, March 25th!!! Yep, that means Ryann will get her own birthday and will not be sharing with anyone in the family....unless she makes a move of her own and comes on a different day. I am so excited these next 6 days just might be a test of patience for me. Forget the "might" part, I know they will be.

I found these pictures of each of the kids and thought it would be fun to post and see the differences. ( Sorry, I am not techno savvy enough to get all 3 side by side as I wished). Riley and Cole were both born at 39w, 1d and were only 2 oz. apart. They were tiny little things- in the 6 lb range.They came home and both wore preemie clothes for a couple weeks and newborn diapers I think for at least a month!! Riley I know wore newborn clothes for 6-8 weeks.

I'm not sure if I am the biggest now or if the differences are just in where I've gained my weight. Today I took the kids to the park and a lady said, " Well, aren't you just all toothpick legs with an olive on top!" To which I wanted to laugh hysterically and say, "First, I've NEVER had toothpick legs and second, you have no idea how much these legs will "smile" (you know, hail damage aka fat/cellulite) at you if I let them." I've never heard that analogy before. But, it's all part of the joys of being pregnant and I wouldn't trade it for anything...please don't misunderstand. I'll take the fat, the swollen ankles, the nausea, everything about being pregnant and having this blessing. I just found her comment funny and a bit weird. I am of course excited for Ryann to be here.

We are all SUPER excited and I will admit, I am a bit nervous. Not to do this a third time, but to be induced. Probably more so because I've never been before. I HATE pitosin, it's an evil, evil drug but they always give it to me. In any case, we never know exactly how it will go but I'm sure it will all be just fine. I LOVE my dr. and completely trust her so I know we are in good hands.

And we can't wait to get our hands on this baby girl and hear that cry! I even welcome the every 2 hour feedings. Bring it on!

Ryann's nursery

2011-03-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

We are D-O-N-E!! WAHOOOO!

Let's just refresh ya'lls memory (and mine!) of what her room looked like before:

Oh yeah, now I remember...a hodge podge of a mess that used to be an organized guest bedroom and quickly became the "Quick! Throw it in there on the bed and shut the door" room! Yikes, I'm a little embarrased that my organized self let that happen. So now I think it is safe to say I have redeemed myself. I feel much, much better about how this room looks now. In fact, I just LOVE it. It is so girly and just.what.I.wanted!!!

So without further adieu...

I really wanted a monogram to be in her room of some sort...so I searched and searched and eventually thought to check out Etsy which has become one of my new very favorite sites! I just love it- so many cool, handmade things that help promote craftiness and stay at home mom's business. I knew I wanted the vinyl art because I have used it in other parts of the house and really have been very pleased with it. This was THE item which took 2 weeks to get and I was so frustrated about:

Luckily Brian new how to put these on ...I definitely don't have the patience or the skill. I would have

screwed it up. For sure.

so as soon as it arrived, we were both up the stairs to get it on the wall...

It actually came with a hot pink birdie too that sat on the name but we decided to go sans birdie...

Everything in her room I wanted to tie together with the green, white and hot pink polka dots so I tried to stick with things that blended or were in the same color range...it actually all started with her bedding:

and the ideas came from there. This was Riley's crib and the pink gingham sheet was hers too but we also have a yellow one that we will alternate in and out. Riley also gave her little sister that pink bunny lovie in the crib. So sweet.

Next came the windows- this window faces North in the backyard so it is a colder room and has a lot fo light that comes in. I wanted something with a blackout liner to help with that.

Hot pink polka dots, of course...

The changing table was also Riley's...

and to finish the curtains off we chose these butterflies:

which we also used as doorknobs on the closet but they are really knobs for a dresser:

I'd say this little girl is good to go on clothes and diapers...which aren't going to last long at about 80 diapers a week. HA.

Her dresser is next to the door on the right when you come in the room and so I had this "dilemma" of sorts trying to figure out what I wanted to put on the wall...

The search was on... so I was very happy when this showed up today right as I got home from work...4 days early. I heart Target, not only because of their fast shipping...

My mom found this and I knew this was IT.

On the wall it went- no time wasted...

I also ordered this frame and put her picture in it:

So here is what you really see when you open her door and walk in:

We've got her swing, bassinet, and bouncer all assembled, and her bag is packed ( mine is NOT). Everything is washed, organized, put away or hung up. She won't be sleeping in her room for a long time but just to know it's done is a good feeling. Her pacifiers and bottles are cleaned and stored away too.

I think we are officially ready! So c'mon Ryann, we're ready when you are!

37 weeks and 2 to go...

2011-03-09T16:22:00.000-08:00

well, maybe.

(Ok, so I know I keep saying that I am going to post pictures of Ryann's finished room- and I am, I have not forgotten that I promised. I did FINALLY get the monogram I was waiting for off of Etsy...good grief I was getting worried and I thought it might never come after taking 2 stinkin' weeks.

So that is done and on the wall, but I ordered one last thing- a super cute beveled mirror and I am waiting on that. It should be here early next week so go ahead and close this window since yet again, I am posting about another week of being preggo. I kid, I kid. Kinda. So I promise I will get them on here as soon as I get that dang mirror. And next week is spring break which gives me way more time to do this....)

So other than being obviously bigger and one more week along, the "37 weeks and 2 to go" part...my dr. appt today went great- in AND out in 20 min!! I barely hit the "ready" button on the wall, got myself situated on the table, and in she comes. It literally was that fast. Not much has changed because I have been stuck at 1 cm last week and yet again this week- maybe that's TMI but sorry, it's an update. I am not effaced at all, which is way different than the other two when by 37 weeks it was more like " you're at 3 cm and 80%". My dr. is going out of town next week ( insert sad face) and so I have to see a new dr. they have in the office. I explained to my dr. that Ryann has to come before her due date on March 30th because according to the HR office for the district, I have to be back at work by May 13th so I get paid over summer. (and yes, I do want to get paid). I don't technically have to go back before summer. I just figure I'd only have about 2.5 weeks till summer and that little time at work is not worth giving up the money. So, the 13th is just about exactly 6 weeks from her due date. So I sit here thinking I have no idea how she ( my dr.) will react or what she'll want to do. Her immediate response, after checking the calendar, " Ok, so I'll have it in my notes that next week when you see Dr. Bruce that she schedules to induce you sometime the week of the 21st!" Wow! Easy Peasy.

So, looks like that is our tentative timeline. Sometime during the week of the 21st but I won't know for sure until my appt next week...depends on what is available and that can also mean that she may or may not come by her "inducement date" when I will be 39 weeks. Riley and Cole both came at 39w, 1 day...which this time around is March 24th for me. ( Lana, are you reading this!). I am hoping she comes on her own just to give her a chance. I figure it will be later during the week of the 21st when they will have something available since my appt is not until late next week. I'm shooting for the 25th or even the 28th to just see if she wants to share her day with her Uncle Chance ( keep reading).

I'd like to have her come on her own so she at least has the chance of making her own decision, if you will. And, because the way it goes in Brian's family, SO SO many of us share birthdays/anniversaries or birthdays/birthdays....I don't think I could even name them all. There is a running joke about how if you don't share a date with someone, then you don't belong. It's just a joke, obviously, because not everyone does but just something we kid about because there are SO MANY. And weirdly enough, some of Brian's family share birthdays with people in my mom's family.

The week of the 21st there are three birthdays in this family: his brother Andy on the 21st, Lana ( B's cousin)on the 24th, and other brother Chance on the 27th ( who DOES NOT want to share his day). I think that's hysterical. So you see, now there could possible be 4 birthdays that week and someone could end up sharing their day with Ryann.

All I know is 2 weeks is coming really fast and I am so glad next week is Spring Break so I can get some down time and then back to work for a few days ( maybe) and then she'll be here! And yes, I am ready, ready, ready to meet her.

oh, and on a random note I had a new indulgence last night... the new banana pudding milkshake from Chick Fil A...if you haven't tried it, GO GET ONE. They are really good and I am not a big banana person, unless it's baked into something. But after hearing all the rage myself, I got one. Don't think about the calories or whatever, just GO!

36 weeks

2011-03-03T17:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we hit the "36 week" mark and we are counting DOWN!!

Now that I am on weekly appointments, it seems like it is going so fast. And I am ready! Not that I am miserable... I mean ready in the sense that I am ready to meet her, hold her, and love on her. I am ready though to have skinny feet and ankles again- you know the kind where I can see the bones in my feet and wear my cute sandals. They've apparently swelled so much I can't. So I am wearing flip flops to work because not much else in an option. oh well. Small price to pay.

I know these next few weeks that are left will be here and gone before I know it. Just like this whole pregnancy. Gone by in a flash. I am so ready to meet her but would at the same time I try and remind myself that I need to relax, enjoy my sleep, and let it be because in a few weeks I will have a little squeeker waking me up to eat every 2 hours. oh my.

I'm still sleeping pretty good- normally drooling on my pillow by 10. Or falling asleep on the couch a little after 9. Yes, I just admitted that but I am p-o-o-p-e-d. Who knows when Brian actually turns out the light. We used to go to bed together but lately it's been cianara, see ya later, kiss ya good night, see when I wake up. Ha ha.

I am still anxiously awaiting that thing I ordered for Ryann's room and I am really hoping it gets here SOON. I ordered it off Etsy and just love it. It was supposed to have shipped last Sat but still nothing. Grrrrr.....

so, anxiously I wait.....

puzzle pieces

2011-02-24T17:27:00.000-08:00

I've been meaning to post pictures along the way of the nursery progress but the truth is that really it would've been hard to see the changes by just posting these first few pictures. So instead, I've been taking the pictures all along and thought it might be better to wait until there was some noticable differences. It's not that the differences aren't there, but it's hard to see new texture in a picture. It just still looks the same unless you were to be here in the room looking at the change.

It all started with cleaning out my "guest bedroom" and re-doing the window 6 weeks ago. To me, it seems like it went by pretty fast but I bet if you asked Brian he would maybe say different since he was the one up there on the weekends doing just about everything. I've bragged on him about how hard he has worked because I really want him and (all of ya'll out there) to know how appreciative I am that he has not quit working on Ryann's room since he started. I know he's had a major itch to get outside ( i.e., do anything but work) and enjoy the weekends since the weather has just been fabulous lately. So while the kids and I have relaxed and played on the weekends he's been...well you know.

So here's almost all of what HE has accomplished over the last 6 weeks:

I have to give credit to him and Steve for the window- that's definitely a two man job. This window space really never looked that big to me ( It's 6 ft x 3 ft) until it showed up via delivery in my driveway and the frame holding it was towering over the fence. At first the guys decided they were going to install two smaller, seperate windows to span the space, but I definitely think the decision to return those and order this one big slider was a much better move.

So after that was installed, Steve re-did the corners of the window. Notice the plastic, rounded corners? With every window we've replaced in the house, he's been there to round out the corners instead of sticking with the square corners that most windows have in these older homes. We both personally like it much better and it gives it a newer feel.

Next came the texture (Steve again) so the guys covered and taped off all the edges of the ceilings and window so the overspray stayed where it needed to. The texture in the room wasn't bad before but didn't match all the other walls we've re-done. I personally didn't care in this room because I just wanted to get moving but Brian really wanted it to match and I think it was the right decision. The room now looks brand new.

Picking a paint color was fairly simple- kinda. Before we picked this green, I had totally different bedding already bought, different ideas for paint colors (chocolates and light browns) and I wanted a variation of stripes on the wall. Oh man, you should've seen the look on my husband's face when I mentioned painting stripes on a newly textured wall. He just about died. Mostly because he knew it would be him doing it AND he hates, hates, hates painting. It made for a very interesting Saturday morning discussion in which my hormones took over. You see, now, it's funny to laugh about. Not so much then. I was dead set on stripes. I had it all planned out in my head to all go with this bedding I had. And he did eventually very graciously oblidge and say he would do the stripes for me.

The problem was I had trouble finding the right curtains to match what I had and something in my gut just said, " Nope, this isn't working. I'm not completely happy with this. It shouldn't be this hard. It's not girly enough for me..." (and I'm not the kind of person who can settle on something, even if I like it. If I'm not completely happy with it it's not worth it to me). So...the bedding got returned, the decisions on what to do with the room drastically changed, and off we went to Plan B. I found Ryann's new bedding and my mind was at ease so then picking a different color was simple. It's Benjamin Moore Potpurri Green.

Brian picked up the paint after work on a Friday night and said he was just going to get the edges and corners cut in. Yeah right. Here he is at about 10 PM "cutting in".

I came upstairs the next morning to find he did ALL of it ( I'm not sure why it looks so bright green in these pics but I assure you, it's not):

We had to get new closet doors because the bi-fold doors on there were just old and dingy looking and same with the door to the room. So he spent another weekend painting doors, trim, and woodwork that would go into her room. It took him ALL weekend to get it all primed and painted, and to re-paint the door frames in her room.

These are the 1x8's that we decided on ( in lieu of painted stripes) that would go all around middle of the room.

These were Brian's idea and what a difference they make. He didn't want stripes and I didn't want just a chair rail so he came up with this idea:

Thank you to Uncle Chance for lending a helping hand in his niece's room...we appreciate your help too!!

So once they got it all hung, Brian bought some decorative panel molding and it went around the tops and bottoms of those 1x8's to give it a finished look. You can see it here:

Last weekend he spent hanging crown moulding and installing new baseboards and then had to fill all the holes and re-paint. He did the windowsill too:

So, as of tonight his part of the room is basically done!!! He hung the closet doors on Monday night and then banned me from the room while he put everything together and set it all up. We are waiting on a couple of items to arrive that will finish it and I've got to re-organize her clothes and closet.

I will put the finished pictures up once it's finished....promise. I am beyond thrilled at how everything came together and so glad that we bounced ideas off of each other and ended up going with our gut. And we didn't kill each other along the way.

So a BIG thank you again to my love...and my father and brother in law who helped and worked hard and put some love into her room. This momma is really thankful. ;)

35 weeks!!

2011-02-23T17:06:00.000-08:00

Today I hit the 35 week mark! And yes, I feel HUGE....just as I probablyI look in this picture. Definitely bigger than last week- I'm just sure of it!! Of course, my view of myself is skewed because I have a "top down" view which doesn't look all that big. Then, I get my weekly picture taken or see myself sideways in the mirror and my jaw drops. The theory is true...with each baby you are bigger and bigger.

I opted for a change in scenery in this picutre too! So, what's new this week or really since the last post which was just last weekend? Hmmm...

I've gained a couple more pounds since my last dr visit a couple weeks ago.
I've had a lot of pressure this week and had some uncomfortable moments for sure.
My nightly bathroom trips now wake me up a couple hours earlier than they were- more like at 2 AM on the dot rather than 4 AM.
My feet are still swollen- they fluctuate daily- but for the most part are still fat.

Oh, and I got confirmation from the dr. today that Ryann has NOT dropped, contrary to many people's thoughts and they way I sometimes feel. People at work have started placing bets. I've heard everything from " Oh girl, you're done! I bet you don't make it through the weekend." to " I bet you only make it 2-3 more weeks." So....don't place any bets just yet...she's hanging on, head down, and not going anywhere.

And I am ok with that. We are definitely ready and super excited to meet this sweet little girl but she will come on her own time, when she's ready. It's still a little early.

34 weeks

2011-02-19T07:32:00.000-08:00

Wednesday marked 34 weeks for us! I've decided that I need to try to get pictures these last few weeks towards the home stretch...mainly because I've been worse than ever at taking weekly pictures with this one. So I figure we'll give it a go these last 5-6 weeks and see how things change.

So many people at work have commented on how I've dropped. I'm not so sure. I've always carried them low. I think she is lower than Riley and Cole but I'm just not sure on the whole dropped issue. I definitely feel very tight and some days I do feel like she may drop out. I've been getting Braxton Hicks more frequently and she is VERY active. We may have our hands full. HA.

Last week I was checking out at the grocery store and the cashier said, " Well honey, aren't you just the cutest thing!" I tell her thank you and keep unloading. She says, " Well how much longer you have? Cause it looks like you are about strectched to your max and about to pop!?" "Ummm, yes thank you, that is exactly how I feel...and I have 6 weeks to go" I tell her. She nailed it right- I feel exactly like that some days.

The last few weeks my ankles have started swelling, which they never did with Riley and Cole. It started out minimally but it has been much worse this last week. When I saw the doc last a week and a half ago, her answer was stay off your feet and cut your salt. Easier said than done on the "stay off your feet part." It's not even my ankles anymore but all around on both feet. I can't even call them "cankles" anymore. What is the term for all around fat feet? By night time, my poor feet look like they belong to someone 300 lbs. No exaggeration. I'm used to seeig the bones in the top of my feet and they are no where to be found. The swelling protrudes out from the sides of my feet past my toes. I've been sitting down as much as I can at work so it is probably helping some but they really need to be elevated and I can't do that realistically. I'm probably pushing it more than I need to but I am not the type of person to sit back and watch Brian have to do everything. I don't sit well at all. Too much of a busy body I guess. Brian and I went on a date last night and by the time we left the movie, I couldn't get my feet back in my shoes. Not pretty people.

So we will see what the doc says this week about these feet. This week marks the start of my weekly appointments and that has really made me realize we are getting C-L-O-S-E. I'm not so much anxious or nervous about her being here but I just can't believe how fast this pregnancy has gone. It seems like the last month goes so fast because you're back at the dr again before you know it. I am getting really anxious to have the nursery all done and stuff put back in its place. Really I am just so excited to see it all come together.

I've got a few more things on my to do list to get done or buy and I think we're set. Brian is out there again in the driveway cutting wood already this morning and I know we are both hoping we get a lot of that done this weekend. I will try and post some pictures of the progress soon.

weekend fun

2011-02-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

Last weekend we spent some good time OUTSIDE!! I was so glad not to have to dress the kids in multiple layers and jackets or be stuck inside watching blah weather. (It even feels a bit weird saying somethign like that)It has finally warmed up here and it was gorgeous. My mom came out to see the kids and they had a blast playing in the back yard. I just love some of their expressions!

This is Cole's sidekick companion...he LOVES this horse. ( well, anything horse- notice his boots too!?) He rides it, carries it, and yes, it comes to bed with him. He and "stick pony" are inseperable.

We spent Sunday afternoon making Valentine cupcakes...it's not such a big holiday in our house because Brian and I have never made a big deal out of it but I knew the kids would love making something fun so we did pink cupcakes and sprinkles. They did such a good job!

And my favorite part were these-the kids made Brian and I Valentine's last week and gave them to us on Monday morning! I just adore them and think they are so special.

These are Riley's:

This is Cole's :

and last, but definitely not least, Chelsea posted a second sneek peek of our pictures she took for us if you want to check them out. I am SO SO SO pleased with them!! Click here!

33 weeks

2011-02-09T16:27:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy highlights:

How far along? Today I am 33 weeks!

Size of baby: Ryann is the size of a pineapple and about 4 lbs

Total weight gain: 23 lbs.

Maternity clothes: most definitely- except these pants I have on are normal (love my Bella Band!!) but usually I wear all maternity every day. Although I am running out of options on bottoms.

Gender: a sweet little girl: Ryann Elizabeth

Movement: mostly in the evening or when I'm trying to sleep!

I am getting feet sticking out on my left side and big moves that feel like rolls.

What I Miss: Sleeping through the night ( potty breaks are starting)

and sleeping on my stomach! Or maybe being able to bend over and not gasping for air.

Cravings: Lately it's been tangelos ( ever had them!? They are so good)...

but tonight my milkshake craving will be put to rest...for now!

Symptoms: a few Braxton Hicks and some pressure. Not a whole lot.

The usual winter/pregnancy related congestion that clogs me up at night and apparently makes me snore. HA!

Best moment this week: besides the movement!?...the nursery. It's coming right along

and I am so excited!! I have all these ideas in my head and I can't wait to put them all together! Just ready to get it all done and stuff put back in the room.

I must give a shout out to my hubby (and "Boppy", my FIL, who re-textured all the walls for us!) who has spent the last 3-4 weekends in Ryann's room working hard. He's spent Friday nights, Saturdays, and given up his Sunday naps (that's BIG ya'll) and watching the playoffs in the last few weeks ( that may be BIGGER) to be up there working. The window is done, the walls are primed and painted, he has fixed the walls inside her closet which had some minor dings and holes and repainted it all.

I think this weekend we he may be doing new doors!

What's left? baseboards, crown, and some woodwork.

So what have I done? well, when it comes to the work...NOTHING. I've been a good supervisor and distractor. When it comes to the decorative elements...that's more my area. I went with green, pink, and white. We have her bedding, curtains, and some decorative accessories.

I have so many ideas in my head of what I could do/want to do....all it takes is money right!? LOL.

I'll leave you with a sample of the wall color:

Family photos!

2011-02-06T08:13:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday we spent a few hours down at Hermann Park because we needed some more recent family pictures of the 4.5 of us. In my last post, I mentioned that we were doing them with Chelsea Davis, a friend's sister in law who does a fabulous job!

She met us down there and was so patient getting the shots that she wanted. She spent a long time with us and went through 3 memory cards! Needless to say, I think Cole gave her a run for her money and made her work for it. Once we got down there, he was so excited about the train and all the squirrels running around, that's all he wanted to do. He did cooperate at first, then decided that running and chasing squirrels and finding sticks was much more fun than taking a thousand pictures with us. He's all boy, what can I say!? As one friend put it when I explained this to her she said, " Typical boy. Typical Cole." I think that sums it up about perfectly. Even at 2 the boy knows what he wants and when we wants to do something. I call it the pitbull approach. He locks his jaw on something and that's it. ( I'm gonna go ahead and point the finger at dad on that one. Sorry Brian). Now of course I had it all planned out...you know with the outfits and what he was going to change into for a different look when Riley changed her outfit. Nope, didn't happen. Oh well, as long as he was happy so I let it slide. I guess changing into a nicer shirt that mom wanted wasn't so important. Chelsea still got some great shots of him and the kids together and I am so super pleased with what I've seen so far! I've seen some of the others from her camera and i can't wait until they're done!

So, she's posted a sneek peek on her blog....wanna see!?

Yeah, I thought so.... go ahead and click here!

photography give away

2011-01-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share a little something great with everyone! My dear friend Lindsey's sister-in-law has started her own photography business: Chelsea Davis Photography! We already have her booked for a maternity/family session next weekend ( which I am SUPER excited about) and she has graciously decided to do a give away for a photo session!

She truly has an eye for the camera has tons of talent. Who doesn't ~~like~~ love great pics of your family and kiddos!? She is giving away two regular photography sessions ( for two hours and up to 4 people) for HALF price! Great deal! All you have to do is go to her blog and enter!

You should enter...you won't be disappointed!

Oh wait! Did I mention she also has her own paper/invitation design company? Yep, she's very talented at that too! She designed Cole's 2nd Birthday invites which I LOVED all from me basically kind of telling her just the theme of what I wanted and a few ideas. You can check out all of her paper goodies here!

a sneak peek!

2011-01-19T15:58:00.000-08:00

Today we got a sneak peek at our little baby girl! I am 30 weeks today and so we had a 4D ultrasound done and she is such a cutie! She was so cooperative that it was very easy to get LOTS of pictures of her! She is just perfect with her ten little fingers and ten little toes.

She's also was a busy little thing smiling at us and sticking her tongue out. She stuck her toes in her mouth and curled up and was sleeping just like I do with her hands tucked right under her chin. I can't believe we only have 10 weeks to go "officially" before we get to meet her.

Here is a current belly pic of me:

I am feeling pretty good still for the most part. Some days I feel like I have NO room left to grow- I guess just because of the way she moves around and postions herself sometimes I feel like it is hard to breathe, even though I'm not really trying to get air...if that makes sense. Sometimes I get told it looks like I swallowed a basketball because I am "small" and other days kids at school tell me, " Mrs. Peterson, you're really getting big!" Ha ha. Love the honest truth coming from a 4th grader.

She's got her feet in my side and her bottom up towards the top of my rib cage so I still get the hard kicks and jabs, but I am now starting to get the "belly rolls" where your whole belly just looks like a bunch of weird movements. Ten weeks are going to go by so fast that I will quickly miss these moments.

It seems like just a couple months ago that stick turned positive and she was saying " Surprise!"

nursery progress

2011-01-15T17:02:00.000-08:00

Today began a new phase of "honey-do's"... we officially started working on Ryann's room. Hooray!! I am ashamed to say that her room did not always look like this:

In fact, it used to be organized and clean and well, used as a guest bedroom. It did have a bedspread, nightstand, lamp, and floor space.You could walk around the bed, there wasn't random stuff piled in there like bassinets and a crib and well, all that ~~crap~~ baby stuff and bags from Target on the bed. It somehow became a ~~storage~~ "dump everything in here and deal with it later" room in the last 9 months. My sister in law was here not even a year ago and it was clean.
In fact, I know how it happened: Riley grew out of her toddler bed and we got her a new big bed this summer. Then I cleaned out her closet and started piling stuff in here and the cycle began. Just for the record, this behavior is not typically me. Just to put it out there. I normally can't stand anything in excess that accumulates.

BUT! today it got cleaned out. We decided not to rip out the sheetrock down to the studs like we did in Riley and Cole's room and re-do EVERYTHING. I just didn't want to mess with it. ( I say it as if I am the one who always did the work.)

I'm just about sure ( well, I know) Brian is probably tired of me nagging him to get started. It seems my urge to have it done/organized/clean/girly (does that qualify as nesting?) has kicked into high gear. Throw in a few hormonal surges at 30 weeks pregnant about design ideas and I can only imagine what he may be thinking. (ahem, crazy, pregnant wife that is anal retentive and has a running list of "to-do's"). Luckily, being the great guy he is, he seems to "forget" those moments. I guess I feel like the next 10 weeks will be here before we know it and I hate getting stuff done at the last minute. I've got baby stuff everywhere.

So today the room got a new window:

It is super nice to have a handy man around but I wouldn't probably advise that most take this approach:

he got as much as he could out cleanly...and the rest went on the roof and back porch. His dad showed up to give a helping hand and voila!

and just for giggles...this is what the room looked like when we bought the house. It was probably the most "un-wallpapered" room in the entire house. Just one wall of library books. Lovely.

We are going to add crown moulding and new baseboards, then re-paint. So that is coming soon enough. I am going to try and keep documenting the progress. But, I am excited about some ideas I have and the colors we chose.

Pismo Beach, Part II

2011-01-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

Did I say somewhere in my last post that we spent a week in Pismo Beach? I can't remember so if it's redundant, sorry! Pismo is a very quiet beach town- more of a touristy town, rather than probably a permanent spot for most, but their were some fantastic houses! Prices were high, but no surprise there, it's California. brian and I went to the grocery store to buy a few snacks for the room during the week- ha ha, what a joke. We are so lucky here. Here's a summary of what we bought:

a small pack of diapers
12 pk of root beer (to appease the preggo)
grapes
fruit snacks
string cheese
12 pk water
travel size contact lens solution
half gallon of milk
triscuits

That's it! Our total was $63!! My jaw dropped when the poor guy hit total, but I laughed. He asked us if we had a "super saver" type card for the discounts to which I said, " Um, no, but if you wouldn't mind, you could enter yours" and he obliged so we walked away spending about $50. Yes, I expected it but it was kind of jaw dropping to compare the prices. I have no idea how people live out there.

The weather was pretty good - low 40's in the mornings, highs in the 60's and sunny- for the most part. And beautiful sunsets! With all the rain in LA and california that had been happening, I think we all thought we'd get more than we actually did. It rained and rained and the winds howled on Christmas Day but the other days were great.

Brian and I packed up the kids on one of our first afternoons and decided to head North on the Pacific Coast Highway and see what we could find. We tried to do some exploring on our own and happened to

stumble across some tide pools further down the beach..

I just loved this house up on the cliff...personally, I was wishing I had their view every morning.

On the way back into town, we found this great little park- with a beachview!- and the kids had a blast! We let them run around for about 30 minutes and burn off some more energy. They loved this digger and we had to pry their little fingers off of it when it was time to go.

Daddy had a great time making them dizzy...Riley didn't hold on too well the first time and she flew right off, got up with the giggles, and jumped right back on. I just love their expressions.

and...at the end of day after day looking at the gorgeous beach ...this was our view at sunset from our room:

Pismo Beach, California

2011-01-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

So we've been home from CA officially a week, and I figured I may just do these posts in parts because I took a LOT of pictures! Somewhere around 300! Yeah, I know, crazy. But it's easy to do in a new place and on vacation. I posted some on FB and some were duplicates so I promise I won't post all of them on here, even if in parts, but I will post let's say the highlight's or the best ones.

We left on the 22nd and flew from here to LA where we had a small 2 hour layover and then caught a much smaller plane to San Louis Obispo (the kids crashed before we even took off and caught a short 45 min nap) where we all rented cars and made the short drive to Pismo Beach....on a back road, through some vineyards...very pretty. We made the trip with my mom's family, in part to celebrate my my grandfather's 85th birthday. The kids did really well on the flight over. For the most part, they sat still and we had no crying or screaming incidents. Thank goodness I was not THE person you dread having on a plane with cranky kids. It probably helped it was an early flight and not later in the day for a 3 hour flight into LAX. I always wonder when people see kids get on a plane if they are thinking to themselves, " Oh great, small kids! This should be fun." We were spared the anguish of having to deal with that. The kids each brought their own small backpacks, which they wheeled and carried themsleves, packed with fun stuff for the plane and they were for the most part entertained. Cole didn't really understand why you need to stay buckled when the seat belt sign is on or why we couldn't always have the tray table down, but sometimes you just can't reason with a 2 yr old to make them understand. LOL.

Pismo Beach is a very small town on the Pacific Coast Highway about 3 hours north of LA. Gorgeous!! Great weather, great views, and great food. We ate LOTS of seafood during the week. This was our view everyday from our hotel balcony! In the mornings, the tide would be so high you couldn't really walk down there and the water was inside the "cave" but I was just waiting to find a time to get the kids down there.

We followed that white fence to what I will refer to as the "stairs from Hell". Sorry for my speech, but they were AWFUL. Not so bad going down....easy peasy...but I was sucking air on the way back up. Go ahead and laugh because I can NOW, but then, I didn't think they would end. I should've taken a picture. Let's just say I burned some fat off of my legs that day.

But once we got down, this was the other side of that "cave"...we walked around and let the kids explore and check it out...

and run down the beach...

We found sand dollars and crabs and wrote our names in the sand...

and we made it about half way down to the Pismo beach pier....

and then turned around let the kids race daddy back to the stairs and burn some more energy...can you tell mommy walked behind them and just snapped pictures!? Good thing I did, I had no idea how awful those stairs were going to be going back up.

Oh, Christmas tree....

2010-12-20T19:10:00.000-08:00

This year I wanted to do something different to our tree...red, greens, silvers, and maybe some golds... red is my all time favorite color and I love the burst of color it brings to a room, which is why I have it throughout my house. However, I just didn't get around to it and I stuck with what we had...not that it's bad, I just wanted change. I am a person who likes to change things up and and kind of get bored with the same thing year after year.

But...I decided one more year (maybe) until we change things up. After all, all of these ornaments I LOVE and did spend a small fortune on a few years ago (because I had nothing). I've always preferred the "themed" trees I guess you could say. I covered our tree with rich, glittery browns, golds, and silvers, and threw in some mercury and glass round ornaments too...the only thing I am still missing year after year is a tree skirt. Ha! It's still on my list.

Yesterday at church all of the kids in Sunday school made something special for their Christmas tree...this is Riley's angel, made from her foot and two hands.

and Cole's peppermint handprints...

These were the extra additions to our tree this year, and I love them. So, so cute. I plan to keep hold of these for years to come.

Every year I also try to do something a little different to our mantel and around the house- next year, I guess it will be that Ryann will get the last stocking to complete our family! I am already so excited about the sheer joy (and possible chaos) it will be to have 3 kids ripping open gifts on Christmas day!! We thank God for them every day, knowing what a blessing they are.

I always put garland up...

and Santa made it on the mantle this year too...

We also added a much bigger lighted wreath outside...

We also celebrated Christmas early with Brian's family because of our trip to CA in part to celebrate my grandfathers 85th birthday!! We sat outside, yes in the cold!, around the firepit on the patio and had some laughs....

and last but not least, we ventured to the mall tonight for pictures with Santa...

The kids did so good considering we waited in line for almost 2 hours! I guess that's what I get for procrastinating and going last minute, but they waited patiently and laughed at all those babies who cried and could not wait to get to sit on Santa's lap themselves. They were ready, climbed on up, and then Riley yanked on Santa's beard! I would have expected that from Cole but not her. She said she was just trying to see if it was real. Smart kid, but an embarrassing moment for us.
This year we have been very blessed to say the least. We are all healthy (this time last year we were trying to enjoy every minute knowing it was my dad's last Christmas with us), we have good jobs and a solid roof over our heads, we have 2 beautiful children who make us smile everyday and a 3rd on the way who will make our hearts grow even bigger, food on our table, and family to celebrate with. That is all that really matters. Sure, it's nice to get gifts but it's more rewarding to give back and bless others.

Brian and I sponsored 2 families this Christmas who so desperately needed it. It is then you realize what you have that others don't. I always remember my mom saying to me, " There will always be people who have more than you and there will always be people who have less than you." To this day I can hear her voice reminding me of that. Thank you mom for that because it was such a joy shopping for them. We give thanks that we are able to provide them with some essentials and a few fun toys because we haven't always been able to in years past.

We hope all of our family, friends (and fellow blog stalkers) have a very Merry Christmas.

"Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:20

Our December...so far...

2010-12-11T13:20:00.000-08:00

A day of sugar cookie fun at their Nee Nee's house...

and Brian's 32nd Birthday!

This month is sure to stay busy- last weekend we previewed the African Forest exhibit at the zoo before celebrating Brian's birthday and we got some great pics of the kids....

We've managed somewhere in between work to get the lights up on the house this week and get a Christmas tree up and decorated- I'm a little behind this year because we've been so busy. I'm usually trying to get it done right after Thanksgiving. Seems like this fall/winter all we've done is go, go, go.

And we're off again soon enough for a week to California!

This month I will also hit the 3rd trimester and dr. appointments every 2 weeks. We get back just in time to start those. I even got a special letter from the doc to carry with me that says, "No, I may not go through your body scanner so you can look at every inch of my preggo self", but since I can't...that means they better keep hands off of this momma! All I gotta say is those TSA people better keep it to a minimum on the body check.

I tell ya, I seriously don't know what happened to the last 5 months!

Thanksgiving rewind

2010-12-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

Holy cow... I can't believe it is ALREADY December! Christmas is in 2 weeks and most of the shopping is done...well, almost. I have no idea where this year has gone and here I sit trying to catch up, yet again, on some things we've been up to. There's been plenty to post about I guess and tons of pictures so let's rewind to Thanksgiving...

This year after the "official day" we headed to Danbury to meet the rest of Brian's fam and spent the day with them...

This boy loves, loves, loves to fish! So does his sister but this boy comes running when there is a fish on the line. Talk about making daddy's heart smile.

This is Brian's side of the fam- Aunts, uncles, cousins, spouses, and then kiddos ( minus Andy and Candice). This is just from Gram and Papa and their 3 girls...I can only hope that one day God might bless Brian and I with a family as big as this from our 3 children. ( I know it's hard to see everyone in the pic, but with a fam this big, we all look like shrimps in the picture!)

Let's see their 3 daughters had 8 kids total...those 8 kids (the grandchildren) had each had on average about 2 kids each- give or take! If you kept count that is 14.5 great grandkids (the half coming from Ryann! Ha!) So....by March 2011, there will be 15 great grandkids!! What a tremendous blessing, all from two people who fell in love.

The kids made "turkey cookies" out of Keebler Fudge stripes ( some of my fav's) and candy...

and lest, I forget, the newlyweds! Love this picture of them.

These kids were POOPED when we left by dinner- they were out before we made it down the road and out of the gate!

half way there!!!

2010-11-09T16:13:00.000-08:00

We are officially at the 20 week mark and I thought I'd do something a little different...from over at Kelly's Korner I ~~got~~ stole this idea....

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far? 20 weeks

Size of baby: Ryann is the size of a banana

Maternity clothes: mostly- but there are some of my regualr things I can still wear and get away with.

( and no, they don't button. Not.Even. Close.)

Total Weight Gain: 4 lbs.

Gender: GIRL!! Ryann Elizabeth

Movement: definitely getting kicked a lot more lately- even got some rolling/flips going on.

( but she stops when daddy tries to feel her. Makes him kinda upset.)

What I miss: sleeping on my stomach and back! There is only so long you want to lay on your side and hug a pillow.

Cravings: was anything salty- pickled okra, pickles, chips, fries, and root beer.

Now, just whatever.

Symptoms: the occasional drop in blood sugar. Getting much better.

Best moment of the week: Feeling Ryann be more active!

Happy Halloween 2010

2010-11-07T11:36:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin patch 2010

2010-10-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

Let me just say how much I LOVE the month of October- it's my favorite month of the year. I love the cool weather (lately not so much), brisk air, and clear blue skies. I LOVE October because that means fall has officially arrived and everywhere you go, there is a reminder of something pumpkin. I love all the different pumpkins- the gourds, the ones with the "warts", and all the different shapes you can get. Every year I burn Yankee Pumpkin Pie candles, try to get in as many pumpkin spice latte's as one can (not daily people, but maybe one a week), I just ~~finished off~~ ate a batch of homemade pumpkin muffins over the last week, and we always try to stick to the tradition of taking the kids to the pumpkin patch.

We normally go every year to the Old Christmas Tree farm which has its pumpkin patch on the weekends in Oct., and as much as I'd like to think it will be a cool, breezy day for good pictures, it's ALWAYS warm. This year we tried a place called TGR exotics and it was good but not grand. (The main reason I wanted to go was for the exotic African animals they have. Apparently that's an extra $35/person, so we defintiely didn't do that.) But it was fun, the kids had a great time running around and we came home with some great pumpkins...

Riley got to paint her own mini pumpkin and covered it in glitter, which she was thrilled about.

And Cole was happy doing some extra work helping out. He pulled it all the way back to the truck, and even gave his sister a ride. We brought home two large ones for us and two baby pumpkins for each of the kids.

We spent the rest of the afternoon carving them out, which was no easy feat. At least for me because I chose spiders and bit off more than I should have. Let's just say that Brian carved three in the time it took me to carve one. The kids had been so excited to carve them out all morning so once we got to work, they wanted nothing to do with them, except watch! This is Cole's puppy that he chose...

Brian did all of these, except my pumpkin with the spiders. My mom and I both worked on it to make it go by faster. I had no idea how complicated it would be. Riley chose hers as a cat on the moon.

We saved all the seeds and then seasoned them and roasted them. They came out pretty good and made for a good snack. I can't wait to do it all over again next year, when we will have three "pumpkins" of our own!

It's a......

2010-10-16T15:17:00.000-07:00

GIRL!!!

Ryann Elizabeth Peterson

We found out Thursday that our little love is another sweet little girl! We actually found out early at 16w b/c my dr. now offers a "non-medical" ultrasound just for gender and so when we heard that at my 14w appt, Brian about jumped out of the chair. Thursday was two weeks later and now the suspense is over. Riley got just what she wanted and Cole actually got very upset. ( I wish I had had a video of it).

I think he had it in his head about him having a brother and so when we told him, he started screaming,

" No! I want BOY!" We tried explaining that you really don't get to choose, but that you get whatever God blesses you with, and he still kept screaming, " NO! I want BOY! BOY!" and then actually hit Neika. Oh man, he was a bit upset. We, of course, were all laughing hysterically because of the expression and unexpected reaction from him. (No, we weren't actually thinking that hitting his Nee Nee was funny)

In any case, I know that they will both just love her to pieces...as we all will.

We I really struggled with a girl name...from the get-go Brian picked Ryan for a girl. (This was well before we even found out she was a girl) I went back and forth, back and forth and was determined to find something else. We had a running list on the fridge with so many names and then scratch-outs. Every one I thought of I liked, but for some reason, my mind always came back to Ryan. I just tried to talk myself out of it. My only concern was that Ryan as it is spelled that way, looks like the boy name. So I tried and tried to find something else. And I couldn't. Nothing seemed right to me. And during this whole process, Brian just sits back and listens and is probably thinking that I am driving him nuts..sending him emails at work, texting him, and talking probably non-stop about a girl name.

So then it dawned on me one day that the name Ryan actually has significance. So I started looking at the name/spelling and it occurred to me that I really would like her to have a part of her grandmother's names. (Cole has Brian's middle name and if this had been a boy, he would have been Luke Steven, middle name after Brian's dad and brother). So back on track, my mom's middle name is Anne and Neika's is Elizabeth and then it all came together. She has a name that is unique to her (that we both liked) but that also has part of her grandmother's names. It just seemed perfect, all of a sudden. I love how life just works itself out and sometimes in ways you completely never expect...

all is quiet

2010-09-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder what you're children are doing when you hear absolutely NOTHING going on!? Usually it's a sure sign of trouble - kids getting into something their not supposed to (one day I found Cole sqeezing hair gel all over my bathroom counter in an attempt to fix his hair), pulling things out of cabinets in other rooms, you name it...silence is a dead give away. All of us moms know silence can be a bad thing...let's face it, no kid is perfect.

So when I went into the kitchen for a few minutes to do something, that was all I heard. I went to investigate and was relieved to find my two kiddos passed out from sheer exhaustion...

Riley crashed in the "time out" corner while serving- when I left her she was indeed giving me some left over 3 yr old sass and telling me she didn't want to put her nose in the corner. She was only there maybe 2-3 minutes and this happened...Nice outfit right? (She adamantly decided on this when cleanig out her closet and no, she wasn't wearing this in public).

I turned around to find Cole crashed out on the edge of his chair....poor little guy went without a nap today after a busy afternoon running errands...(love the Woody hat still in his hand).

I quickly ran for the camera because this rarely happens when I catch moments like this...so sweet....and so tired....probably also didn't help their case that they both were wide awake and running around at 6AM. On a Saturday morning. ugh.

It's been busy arund here for us... seems like the days go by in a flash and the weekends even faster. I can't believe it's a.) already fall b.) almost October (hallelujah!! probably my most favorite month), and c.) school has already been going on 6 weeks. Good grief, where did this year go?

Today we spent the day running errands with my mom- Brian is gone on his annual dove hunt to South Texas and so it's just me and the kiddos so we got some very necessary things accomplished, thanks to the help of my mom who went with me. Thank you, thank you!!

Halloween!? Check... is officially taken care of- what a relief! I am a procrastinator by nature on some things and somehow, costumes usually fall into that realm. Both kiddos are done and I am so happy to say I won't be panicking at the last minute calling my mom to run to this store or run to that store because I've put it off. Cole has an extreme interest in Spiderman all of a sudden and Riley chose to be a monarch butterfly. Random huh? I thought so...but I am so glad it's not a Disney pricess this year. It was her idea and we found her a very fitting costume. I love it.
Hair cut? Check. Cole was a complete fuzz head after 2 months so we took him back to the barber shop and I got to say how I wanted it done. Ha ha. Brian asked me to take care of it so I did. And he's not scalped with a "high and tight" but I think it's one of the best he's had. ( And he has now officially had more hair cuts than Riley). How crazy is that?
Shoes for Riley. Check. Found some super cute closed toe shoes for fall and can't wait for the cooler weather...wish I had smaller feet.
Cleaning out Riley's closet. Check. (Good grief I found stuff in there 18-24 months). Now before your mouth drops to the floor and you start thinking how not on top of it I am... she is very petite but tall so she needs a 4T for length, but she's so skinny she can still fit into a 2T (but those would only be good in a flood). So she's been able to wear most if it...until this fall. Last fall it was all good.

These are all things I that have been very necessary "to do's" and I just got it taken care of today.

On another note, this week I go back to the dr. for my 14 week appt. and I am happy to say I am feeling much better ( yet still exhausted by 9 PM) but with the trade off in nausea came my issues with my blood sugar battle almost every morning.(I had it with the other 2 also but pretty bad with Cole). I get dizzy very easy and the color leaves my face ( makes me look like death) and I come real close to passing out if I am not careful and don't get something in my system right away. Not a pleasant feeling- seeing black and stars, getting hot and cold flashes, and feeling like you have no energy to even lift your arms. Kind of drains my body for a few hours...Do I realize I could have it much worse? Yep. Does it make it easier to go through again and again almost every day? Nope. But on the days where I get lucky, I am so thankful. Trade-offs, I tell ya...

So that's about all that is going on here...the next few months will be busy for us... Canton next weekend, we've got baby showers, wedding showers, Halloween, Chance and Brittni's wedding, the Warrior Dash, and then Thanksgiving! There might be a week or two in there with no plans but being this busy is highly unusual for us...and there is so much I want to do in between with the kiddos...so stay posted.

Well, that's about enough of my random post for now...my hunger is raging and I've bored you enough. lol. Signing off.

Introducing...

2010-09-12T16:40:00.000-07:00

Our 3rd little love!!!

Due around March 30, 2011

We just wanted to "officially" make an annoucement - even though most of you out there who read this probably already know, I guess a picutre makes it official. We had the ultrasound done almost 2 weeks ago ( will be 12w this week) and feel safe in saying that everything seems to be progressing well and the heartbeat is strong.

Wish I could say my stomach has felt the same way, but this one has turned me green many times. It seems to be getting better in the last week and I don't feel quite like I've been run over by a Mac truck at night so thank goodness for a little relief. I'll take it.

Random would be the word to describe this "little bean" and the effect it has had on me. Some mornings I feel fine, others I am green, sometimes it hits me at night or even in the midle of the day. ugh. Never had it with Riley and not quite this bad with Cole, although he did his fair share at dinner time. It's random with food too- what sounds good to me one day could make me run the next. The one thing I can NOT look at is a chicken breast. I don't know how ya'll eat it. Just about the most disgusting thing ever right now- grilled, in fajitas, whatever... So this kid may come out mooing because I have eaten a lot of beef. The only consistent food that is always appeasing is cheeseburgers, onion rings, ranch dressing, pickles, and root beer. We all know I can't be eating that everyday so it's been a bit harder this go round.

Other than that, we are thrilled and would ask that you please (continue) to pray for us and the health of this little one!!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!

2010-09-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

Our sweet Riley Grace turned 4 on Saturday and I can't believe how time flies! Seems like just yesterday we were rushing to the hospital on Labor Day. We have survived the terrible two's, the sassy three's, and now I think we are entering the super sweet 4's. You are the most kind hearted and gentle natured little girl. You are always willing to help and have an infectious laugh that can make anyone smile. You've got your dadd's crystal blue eyes and there is nothing about you that doesn't have your daddy all over it. From the day you were born, you look just like he does. I think you've got your mommy's smile, but that's about it.

You are always asking questions and trying to figure things out. You are so smart it makes my mouth drop. You have a "mother hen" personality, always wanting help cook, clean, or take care of something. You are defintiely know what you want and why and will stand your ground. You have a knack for choosing your clothes and accessorizing your outfits. You definitely have a lot of "girly girl" but you can fit in just as well doing boy things. You have made the last 4 years the best of our lives.We love you BIG Riley Roo Bug!

A fun Saturday

2010-08-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

Can you tell they had a BLAST!?

Bridgeland Triathlon

2010-08-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

On Sunday Brian competed in his 2nd triathlon and even managed to sucker Chance into doing it with him this time. It was a very early morning and we were all beat by the time we came home (about breakfast time for normal people). Brian got up around 4:15 and headed out and then the kids and I were up and out the door a little after 5:30 AM! I don't think I have seen that time of day since the day Cole was born. The kids and I loaded up and headed out to meet the guys and they were both in the water around 6:45. The sun was just coming up and it was H-O-T already. By the time I had met up with Brian's dad and pushed the kids in the stroller about a mile and a half from the car I was sweating. Whoever plans and then does a triathlon in August is nuts. That includes these two. But we are all very proud of them and they both did really well- Brian beat his time from his 1st triathlon in May so that right there made it worth it. I think it's safe to say we were all exhausted at the end and we had a very lazy Sunday. We had plans to go into town for lunch with my family but were just pooped. There was no way.

Way to go guys! Oh, and these two crazies signed up for the Warrior Dash in November in Austin! That should be very interesting to say the least running over and through fire and barbed wire fences. But, at least it won't be sweltering hot. That I am thrilled about.

a MAJOR milestone!!

2010-07-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

I cannot tell you how happy I am to say that Riley finally has enough hair for rubber bands and hair bows! Doesn't she look cute? I have waited and waited and yes, waited for this day to come (almost 4 years, but who's counting?)...and what's even better is that she ~~let's~~ asks me put them in her hair.

(I think I have died and gone to heaven). We've had bows and barretts stashed away and everytime I tried she either yanked them out or they fell out, much to my disappointment.

Yes, I am that mom- the one who loves bows in their little girls hair- but just had to, yep you guessed it, wait for her blonde hair to GROW. Any of you who have known her also know that she was practically bald up until her 3rd birthday and then it very s-l-o-w-l-y started growing. It is starting to fill out and she's even getting curls to it. Let's be honest, she's got the hair I always wanted...blonde, curly (loose tendrils) when wet/humid, and the ability to blow dry it straight. I'm jealous.

Let the bow shopping begin!

well, and not to leave my other child out, he likes his hair spiked. His hair was never an issue- he had his first hair cut just before he turned one at the same time Riley got her first hair cut (she was almost 3 and just needed a "trim"). Anytime we go somewhere he runs to my bathroom cabinet and grabs his hair gel and then proceeds to tug at my leg and say, "hair!" repeatedly until it's his turn.

Inks Lake, Part II

2010-07-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

a fun Saturday

2010-07-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we spent the day by taking the kids to the circus. My mom had mentioned taking the kids back at the beginning of summer and I thought it would be something that the kiddos would enjoy. I always went every summer as a kid with my friend, Jessica, so the circus to me was always something fun and super entertaining.

The kids did really well and were pretty enthralled by the whole show- which was 2 hours!! We had a small intermission so we let the kids stretch their legs and took potty breaks. We honestly weren't too sure how well they would "sit". Cole sat in my mom's lap a good majority of the time and clapped and kept saying "all white horsie", "all white zebra"...(well yeah, buddy, sort of). So cute tho complete with him just clapping and laughing. Let's be honest...he's 2 and there's a reason they call them terrible. He doesn't always sit that well...unless it's cartoons, and when he wants to move, there is no holding him back. I'm not gonna lie...I had visions of a temper tantrum complete with the ear piercing screams and then me wanting to crawl under my chair. I was so relieved and let's also add thankful. He proved me wrong. wow!

There was so much going on to keep their attention that I'm pretty sure that was why. Brian and I had a good time watching the kids have fun but it's just not the same as when we were kids. I remember the 3 ring circus, families of trapeze artists that would swing and tumble from end to end at The Summit and drop to the big mesh net, the motorcycles on the high wire and in the round cages...none of that. The animals were there doing some of the same things but it has definitely changed since our days. Overall the kids did really like it.

If you get there early enough, they have an Open House where you can walk through and see the animals and meet the clowns. I was quite surprised the kids weren't scared.

Can you tell they had a good time?

Saturday night we met up with our friends Matt and Jess and headed out to Tomball to this place known for the Mega Mel Burger. Check it out here. I can't believe in the 7 years we have lived out here, I have never been. Super cheap ($3.20 for a cheeseburger!) and super yummy. Ya'll know my love for food, and it did not disappoint. This is one of those country places everyone knows about (well except me until recently) and they pack them in rain or shine. It was packed- people waiting on the porch, on the picnic tables outside, down the side out to the parking lot. Thank goodness the wait wasn't real long. And just as packed as it was outside, so was the inside. Not one empty chair. Seriously.

We all got the famous cheeseburger (I couldn't convince Matt to eat the Mega Mel and I was a bit bummed but at $20.00 and about 3.5 lbs, I guess I can't blame him but a man did do it in 9 min!! I missed out seeing it because it happened before we got seated) and the BEST onion rings I have ever had. They were prefectly fried with a tempura-like batter- not real oily but just the right crunch. Oh.my.heavens. I ate too many.

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

2010-07-11T09:31:00.001-07:00

Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet little love....today you turn 2 and we could not imagine our lives without you!

At 2, you weight in at a little over 26 lbs. and are just over 34" tall. You can wear a 2T but mommy has to roll them over. HA!

*You have the sweetest smile and crystal blue eyes.
*You LOVE the outdoors and the water. I love how you say "watie" when you want to change into your swimsuit or go swimming.
*You are all boy- trucks, trains, tractors, guns, and anything else you can get pleases you. Riding in your daddy's "ruck" is the best.
* I love that you are a sleepy head in the mornings like your mommy and you are my cuddler.
* You are so compassionate to your sister "Wiley" esp. at bedtime when you have to give her hugs and kisses 10 million times and then say "weet dreams" before you go to bed. This also applies to Sadie, our dog, who you HAVE TO hug also before bed.
* You LOVE "b" (strawberry) or "whocolate" milk. ( I think we need to buy our own cow).
* I love how your face lights up when you recognize someone you know.
* You are inquisitive and like to figure out how things work. And when you notice something or figure it out, you go running to try and tell someone.
* You can be quite independent and when you get your mind set on what you want, good luck changing it.
* You have a pretty good appetite and will devour yogurt, pancakes, or grilled pork chops.
* I love how every time you saw a horse, you would say "moo" before you eventually figured out you had it mixed up. You even named your favorite stuffed horse Moo, who has to sleep with you every night.
* You can bust a move anytime you hear music.

Cole Matthew, you have blessed our lives and expanded our hearts! We love you BIG!

Inks Lake, part I

2010-07-06T08:12:00.000-07:00

This last week was the annual family get together in the hill country for Brian's family. Ever since all the kids (I say kids, but I mean Brian and all his 100 cousins that are now grown) were little, they've been vacationing to Inks Lake every summer. We try to go every summer and join in on the fun, sun, and family time so we took off last Wed. and spent 5 days. Most everyone made it and it was a great time for us to spend time together. I had never even heard of Inks Lake until I met his family. It's nestled in the hill country, surrounded by the mountains, and their campsites are usually straight across from Camp Longhorn.

We all had a great time even though the weather wasn't stellar everyday. There were quite a few times when all of us were soaked. Brian ended up not coming on Fri as planned but staying here since the forecasts were so grim. And just like with any forecast, sometimes its right, most of the time its wrong when it comes to rain. It rained on and off Thursday and soaked us on Friday. Luckily, against the weather predictions, it cleared out by Sat. and was that gorgeous hill country weather we love.

The kids played so hard- I knew the naps weren't going to happen- so I didn't even try on vacation. I don't know how they did it but they played hard all day long and went to bed much later than normal and still managed to stay sane. And so did this momma.

These are a start to the gazillion pics everyone took:

Reese and Riley

Gorgeous sunset Wed. evening after the rain...

These two were inseperable when together...

My Roo Bug and Jeep

This is the norm at Brian's gp's house. We stayed at their house and the deer are so tame they come right up and eat corn out of your hands (well, ok, some were brave enough. Most just looked at me wondering who I was because I look nothing like Papa who feeds them all the time) The reality is I lured one in with a fruit snack and they all came over when the saw I had corn. This is what we call welfare deer. They would've have continued to eat as long as I was willing to feed them. Ha.

Greedy thing, this one was. I was trying to be fair and feed everyone.

I know my dad was probably smiling down or maybe he was shaking his head in disbelief that I had them eating out of my hands. He never would've believed me if I had told him.

Sat. night we loaded up in the car and headed to the bridge over Inks to watch some of the fireworks going off. We caught a free show from some residents who had an arsenal on their boat dock. No pics of the fireworks...pics through a fence doesn't look so good.

More pics to come later....

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-19T18:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to the love of my life... I thank God all the time that we were brought together and that He gave us these two precious children. Thank you for always working hard and setting an example of how a father should be. You are a Godly man and you will stop at nothing to make sure these children are protected and provided for. You are dedicated, charismatic, loving, and someone who takes the time to make sure your family comes first. If your children could say it I think they too would tell you how much they adore you. They would thank you for the quality time you spend with them and the lessons you have taught them. They know the security of having a loving father and for that I am so thankful. Thank you for being the man you are and for being such an awesome dad. We love you!! Happy Father's Day!

A fun FRIDAY!

2010-06-18T13:39:00.001-07:00

Finger painting....

Cole's Dinosaur

Their feet: only a size and a half difference between them.

Riley's butterfly

As the paint was drying, we decided to beat the heat with SWIMMING!!

a little sibling rivalry....they were practicing jumping.

a picnic lunch outside

practicing kicking

"Ring Around the Rosie"....

our 1st week of summer....

2010-06-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Our 1st week of summer was a success! We were quite busy so I tried to get pictures of most of it. The kids started Mother's Day Out on Thursdays and they love it. Cole adjusted really well and I haven't gotten any reports of screaming fits and crying for mommy. I wasn't too sure how he'd do at first but he settled in just fine. Phew! Riley comes home singing new songs she learned and can actually tell me some of what she made or did that day. I am trying to save most of the things she makes in SS or MDO for keepsakes.

We went to the park on Tuesday and Wednesday! They love feeding the ducks, which practically chase you down for food. As soon as you pull up they are swimming across the lake to see what you have to offer. They know what it means when people show up and trying to teach a toddler to use small pieces is a skill. I should say trying to get him to understand why its better to use small pieces is why it's so hard. He would rather just chunk the whole thing and then come looking for more.

We got quite a bit of time in on Tue before the skies let loose and we got soaked. Riley took off running for the car and Cole and I weren't far behind as he was screaming, "rain, rain!" and laughing his little head off. I had to laugh myself. We were all soaked but it was so much fun.

They played so hard at the park that they crashed all afternoon!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This little kid is so funny ( and frustrating) because he goes through phases where he doesn't want to stay in his bed. Usually it's not a struggle but on this day he would NOT stay in his room at naptime. He's in the stage where he is trying to talk alot and can't really get it to make sense so I had no idea what he wanted. He kept repeating the same thing, over and over. I was clueless. (I'd be frustrated too if I was him...trying to say what he wants and not understanding why nobody understands and can get you what you want). He kept trying to come out of his room...(the frustrating part). I finally just went downstairs, kept the tv off, and went to do something else besides battle him.

I found him crashed out in his chair in the living room. He slept for 3 hours sideways like this...I finally figured out later that he wanted his nap mat ( which wasn't here that afternoon) and he figured the chair would have to do. He slept great that night after getting his nap mat back from Nee nee's house.

He's been fighting sleep in general some this week- even at bedtime. Maybe it's the whole change in routine with mom being home and not on his normal schedule. I have no clue.

He went 90 to nothing last night (no nap again yesterday afternoon except his power nap in the car) and
crashed in my arms. At 10:30. Yes, we tried to get him to bed at 8:45. He wasn't having it. If there is one thing I have learned, it's to pick your battles. Thankfully this isn't all the time or you can bet I would have gone looney by now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday we went to a birthday party and the kids had a blast with water balloons, slides, and cupcakes!

They had a blast and I figured they would crash afterwards when we went home. They played for two hours in the water, in the heat, running, jumping, and wearing themselves out. You'd think that would give way to a long nap. Nope. Cole crashed on the 10 min car ride home and that was all it took to wind him back up for the rest of the afternoon.

I have no idea where all this energy comes from. I was pooped and wanted to take a nap myself...no such luck on this day.

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We've done some easy updates to our backyard in the last few weeks- I always love when spring and summer arrive because I have always wanted to have flowers everywhere around the pool. There's just one catch...I have a black thumb. It's got a tinge of green but that's about it. So of course me having flowers means that they can withstand my black thumb and forgetfulness to water.

I am loving the fact that I haven't killed ANY yet and they are actually growing. That's a 1st!

Brian got me the hibiscus as a surprise and potted it for me...I love the hybrid blooms.

Yesterday we got some more flowers...once I realized I'm doing ok with the others and seeing progross, I wanted MORE.

I LOVE agapanthus...so I was super happy when I saw these and how tall they were! I could have them everywhere.

I was hoping for some Lantana by the pool being that its drought tolerant (meaning my lack of watering) and wound up with these tropical beauties instead. They are Ixora.

a small success...

2010-06-07T12:56:00.000-07:00

This is what happens when your hubby goes night fishing...they came home with a cooler full of 13 catfish...

Andrew and his little girl, Molly. So cute...reminds me of some pics I have with my dad...

Cole wasn't so sure at first but made friends with the fish real fast and then tried carrying them around-not bothered at all by their slippery-ness.

So these "fishies" as Cole would say are all fileted (?) in my freezer. Have you ever noticed how you can associate a smell with a taste? Well to me, catfish taste like potting soil smells. I like eating catfish...not because I enjoy my food tasting like dirt, but because they actually can be worthwhile as long as they are fried. And then made into some yummy fish tacos. I can't do them any other way.

He and Andrew left for Conroe Sat. night after dinner and came home in the wee hours of the morning. Andrew says his were the big ones! Good logic if you ask me. I know they had a great time getting away for a while, doing their "guy thing", and doing what I know they both love doing. And they are both really good fishermen. I realized at about 2 AM that Brian wasn't home, so I got concerned, I called and they were just pulling the boat out of the water! I should've known. So I rolled back over and at about 3 AM he made it home. Ha.

I say it's a small success because there have been many times when the fishing trips have resulted in 60-70 catfish that were caught. No, I am not kidding or making up one of those fishing stories where you hear something much more exaggerated than the actual truth. I was there, I can vouch for it...even though it was many years ago ( ok, 6 or 7). I can also tell you that when Brian goes fishing, he always catches something, if not everything. (Not kidding on that one either).

He usually outfishes everyone, much to our dismay and discontent. He's got a knack for fishing and I have no idea how it happens- I figure they just like his pole better than mine (or anyone else that's with him). We can do all the same things he does, use the same bait or lure, throw to the same spot, trade reels, and wham! They will bite his and not ours. It can be so frustrating, especially if you like fishing like I do. I know how to cast, I know how to throw, I've been fishing a time or two in my life. The man has a knack for it. He has seriously wanted to enter some fishing tournaments and with his knack for catching fish, I wish he would/could. He could be the next Mike Iaconelli if he had the ability to do this ALL the time. That would be his dream...to be a professional bass fishermen, but he'd probably take anything if it meant time out on the water and getting his pole wet.

Happy Memorial Day!!!

2010-05-31T16:41:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying I LOVE 3 day weekends...there is no "ugh" feeling on Sunday night about Monday morning and I don't have to dread the sound of that alarm the next morning. And...this 3 day weekend was even better because when Memorial Day hits, school is almost out! There is no better feeling than to almost be done for summer.

We spent our Saturday (most of it) celebrating Blayke's 2nd birthday at Lana and Jp's house...and we stayed a little later than the party cause our ac crashed. Sweet.

Good thing they didn't mind us staying a bit later and playing. No rush to head back to a hot house. So we stayed, we played, we ate...it was a good afternoon and a lot of fun in the pool with this fam.

Riley, Cole (mid-yawn), and Reese

Misty and I!

The Carter Fam:

It would be an understatement if I said Cole didn't like the hot pink cupcakes. I think it's just cake in general- or sweets- anything baked he takes after his momma. I was so glad my camera was on it that afternoon as he just made a complete mess of himself.

I think he attemped to wipe off what was around his mouth and just smeared his whole face which left a pink fade and made him look kinda sunburned with pink lipstick.

...and yep, he had pink poo again the next day. Totally threw me for a loop. I had forgotten all about the red dye. Ha ha.

Cole LOVED playing with Misty on the float. She pushed him over to the fountain which overflows into the pool...constant entertainment for a little boy who loves the water.

He found his way to Chuck ( he would be Misty's other half- if you don't know...and super funny guy) too and they had a good time and gave mommy and daddy a break while we sat on the side of the pool. (We weren't actually lounging...more like going back and forth on the phone about the ac.)

My feet needed watering too...so cute. He got in, filled it up, crawled back out, walked over and watered mommy and daddy's feet, then repeated.
We spent the night in Tomball Sat night because our house was just unbearable with two kids and 2 doggies. We kept Bella, a Golden, while her parents floated the Frio.

So once we got the air fixed ( which turned out to be not a big deal, just the compressor saver) and made it back home on Sunday, the kids wound up in the pool in their clothes. What started as dipping feet turned into full out splash mode with Bella. Too bad we didn't put Cole in a swim diaper before it all started. Oh well, it was comical. Check out his diaper...down to his knees.

Both of our kids were soaking wet and were loving this...

I'm pretty sure Bella loved the attention too- we can't seem to keep her out of the pool so I guess the kids figured why not join her? I love her expressions I caught.

Monday was sweltering HOT and we spent a while out back eating popsicles and watermelon. Yum-o. We strippedoff our shirt and let him go at it.

My kiddos love watermelon...

Our weekend was pretty relaxing overall and summer is just about here...today was the last day of school and yes, I cried. More tha once. Some of those kids who left were some I had 2 years in a row and it was not so fun saying good bye. I truly will miss them as they go to jr. high...and while I am partly sad the year is over, I am SUPER happy to home with my own babies.

The kids start MDO tomorrow for summer and I know they are going to enjoy going to church "school". Hopefully Cole adapts to it well. Stay tuned...I plan on being busy this summer! ( It's not like they are going to let me sleep in anyway. HA).

Flip this House!

2010-05-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well, this is going to be a rather LONG post but hang with me... I have lots to share... I have wanted to do this post for a while, pondering it many times, and then always posting usually about just what's happened recently. This is what's been happening at our house over the last 5 years. It's a before and after of our house...

When I saw this house on HAR I wanted it. The pool immediately got me. We looked other places and other neighborhoods but always came back to this one...we love the neighborhood- our street is super quiet...no one comes down it really unless you live on it...and well, we saw potential.

I'm going to make a general disclaimer before all of this and state that wherever I say we, I mean Brian and Steve. Those two have beenthe ones behind these pics. I personally had no hand in any of this hard work except changing paint colors and well nit picking along the way.

It's been fun, stressful, and exciting to see how far this house has come...

So here we go....the before and after's....

This is our pool- looks very inviting....yep, I saw myself in it right away.

Until you look closer and see this...the entire pool had to be re-plastered...upon move in. The owners dyed the pool that awesome blue you see above. That was not the water color- the dye clogged up our DE filters and everything was blue making it hard to see what was beneath.

So it was fixed asap and is now better. I just didn't include the pic. There are so many better things.

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You probably remember the mailbox incident in which our trash co. just cracked it right through- thank you so much. I really didn't like that mailbox!

So we had it rebuilt in limestone....

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Let's move inside.....

here is our master bath BEFORE: Take note of the two different types of wallpaper...ugh. So we stripped it and had to re-texture the walls. Then paint. Then I decided I didn't like the paint color I chose- not quite what I was going for...so it got re-painted to what you see below. ;)

We took out the fur down and panel lighting and huge mirror and changed it...

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The gameroom upstairs before:

And now...not too many changes aside from the peach colored paint and old carpet....

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My sweet Roo Bug's room before:

I have to take a moment and explain the walls- they were the 70's linen "grassy" wallpaper (ugh) that was painted that very nice lilac hue, then re-wallpapered on top (double ugh) with the brick pattern. Now, how many of you want that in your rooms? I know, your jealous, right!?

We did not strip this wallpaper- no way...we ripped off the walls and re-did everything down to the studs. (I wish I had the pics but I lost them when my old laptop died. Behind her room is a HUGE attic space which could easily be an office or extra bedroom.)

Brian and I really wanted scripture for her wall so we chose Jer 29:11

She had bi-fold doors on her closet and so we ripped them out and a friend gave us these....(please excuse my son who worked his way into the pic).

Basically everything got re-modeled in her room.

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The half bath in the LR before:

I LOVE red! (please excuse the demo from the tile- it's still not all put back together) It looks orangy-red here but it's barn red.

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The upstairs banister - which got replaced as a side job to the sagging ceiling we had caused by the AC and water heater in the attic. The banister was wobbly and unsafe... and I had visions of it letting loose and the kids falling.

After:

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The living room before:

you also might remember a blog entry about that old back door....

Here's the boys when they laid the wood floors- took them nights during the work week and the weekend too.

And the fireplace cover is now black...

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The formal living room- just behind the main LR.

Before:

After:

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The dining room- I think this room takes the cake for best decor! I did end up selling the lovely glass chandelier at a friends garage sale for a whopping $5...and the green rose carpet I gave to a lady that wanted it for hers. To each his own....

C'mon ya'll! You know you dig the mirrored walls....although it did make the room look pretty big

We got rid of everything...mirrored walls, lovely green rose textured carpet, and yep, you guessed it...wallpaper- but just a border in here. 2 of them.

Now this room is the kids toy room...so imagine it...this isn't the most up-to-date pic. The floors are painted concrete but will have wood eventually.

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This is Cole's room before:

I went with a cars and trucks theme...which suits him (and his daddy) very well. We got rid of the wallpaper border, re-insulated the walls which meant also new sheetrock, and then added crown molding and carpet.

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The famed fruit kitchen! Before:

There was wall paper floor to ceiling and it was fruit! Grapes, pears, whatever....everywhere! Had to go right away. This was one of the very first things we tackled after moving in.

There's that old dining room again in the background...

This is the way the kitchen was for the first four years after the wall paper came down and we finally got to paint. (5 layers ya'll in the kitchen. That's one of the biggest surprises of this house- just when you think you get the paper off- there's more!

But I got tired of it and thought it was too "cold" feeling with the grayish color on the wall and I wanted to warm it up and re-paint and the lack of curtains always bothered me too. I thought Brian would adamantly refuse since painting is about his very least favorite thing to do....but he didn't. We re-painted just before Thanksgiving last year...now it is a warm mocha and I LOVE it.

We demo-ed all the laminate a couple days before the tile was laid... and while I didn't mind the laminate itself, I HATED the color. I could not keep it clean and it showed everything. I despised cleaning that floor. Thank you to Sears for flooding my laminate floors because they forgot to re-connect the hose on the back of my washer during repairs!!

We picked 18 x 18" tile and had it laid diagonally...

AFTER!

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The kiddos bathroom...

Not even close to being the worst room in the house, but we tore the painted wallpaper off the walls early on after moving in and just didn't quite get back to finsihing it...along came Riley and Cole. And you already saw their rooms so that took priority. Here we go-

Of course, we wouldn't have been able to accomplish much with out the help of this little boy...and he even wore his "safety goggles".

BEFORE:

Notice the "fur down" which that big piece of empty space above the lights. Notice the long 70's lighting. Notice the wallpaper, which was painted over to a wonderful huw of peachy-brown! Oh yes, they painted over wall paper.

Good bye! We won't miss you!

A much improved way to brush your teeth! ( btw, it was painted by Brian first...then I really didn't lilke that color green we first chose, so... I had to repaint it all by myself the 2nd time. He would NOT help. HA HA. It was worth the re-do.)

BEFORE:

AFTER!!!

No more 70's ugly brown everywhere! ( No we did not replace the tub- we had it re-plastered which is the way to go if you have a cast iron tub you do not want to get rid of it. Plus, do you know how much it costs to replace a cast iron tub? WOW!)

So, we've been here for 5 years and have come quite a ways from the 70's/80's decor faux pas. There have been many days and nights and trips to Lowe's...many friends and family members who helped us rip wallpaper. It's good stress relief! ( I think though sometimes it made me more frustrated bc behind one was always another layer...and we still have one room left that has it!)

We most definitely could not have done ANY of this without my amazing father-in-law who has dedicated many, many hours to this "project" we call home and for that we are forever grateful. He has poured his blood, sweat, and well, maybe not tears, but very hard work into this house.

Everywhere you saw wallpaper and walls that are now painted are only so because of his talents. He has re-done all of those walls...and some I did not include. He has helped us with wiring, demo, baseboards, crown moulding- you name it, I'm sure he has been a part. So truly, I have a huge appreciation for all of it.

My amazing hubby Brian has done a LOT of the work too and so they, together, deserve the credit. Thank you both for putting up with me and my OCD when it comes to minute details, evenly painted lines, and who knows how many more complaints ( I mean, suggestions) I had along the way!

Stay tuned...there are many more things that will eventually get done around here...

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T15:53:00.001-07:00

Happy belated Mother's Day to all of my blogging friends out there!! I hope you had a great Mother's Day!! I was so exicted for this weekend and for the most part, it was really good. Up until Sunday. I got a stomach bug and was laid up most of the day....booooo. Of all days to be sick, I spent the majority of my day in bed and laid up on the couch.

I did manage to make it outside for a few minutes to snap some pics of the kiddos....(I apologize for some of them being a bit blurry- my camera is acting up and I have no idea why. Maybe someone will be extra good to me at Christmas get me the one I REALLY want...hint, hint).

Brian and the kids were really sweet so the day was not all bad- the kids made some precious things for me at church which I adore and they were so sweet to be quiet when I was sleeping.

I hope your day was very special. I know how blessed I feel to have these two precious kiddos that I can call mine.

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Last Sunday the guys went fishing and had a great time. The boys went by and picked up Steve and headed to Hempstead for the afternoon to a friends place. Thank you Boppy for snapping these pics...

Brian said Cole reeled it in all by himself until he got his fish in the weeds and Brian had to help out, then he screamed. I know they had a great time together because anywhere there is a pond and fish, you can bet my boys will be there. I love this picture:

Woodlands Triathalon

2010-05-04T16:19:00.003-07:00

This past Saturday was one I will not soon forget! Now, before you get all excited that I did the triathalon, let me burst your bubble and tell you it wasn't me...no way! You would have to carry me out on a stretcher. Ha. It was my awesome husband, who I am so proud of! He swam 500 m, biked for 15 mi, then ran 3.1 mi. So you can bet I am going to brag on him...

Let me tell you that he has trained so hard for this. What is even more awesome is that a group of 17 of his co-workers also did it. I have no idea how the "bug" got started with this whole triathalon in his office, but they all signed up and stuck to it. He works out on a pretty regular basis as it is with some of the other guys in his office but they really trained hard- getting up early before work to go to spin class twice a week ( at 5 AM), working out on his lunch hour swimming, running, etc. that right there takes dedication, not to mention actually doing the triathalon and surviving the mental aspect of it.

He made a huge accomplishment! We drove to the Woodlands Friday night, dropped off the bike at security, went out to dinner and headed home because it was going to be an early morning. Brian left the house with one of his co-workers around 4:30 am on Sat and I followed suit about an hour later. Can you believe I got my butt out of bed at 5 AM? That's true love! But I guess when getting up that early serves a good purpose, you don't mind it so much.

We got there about 6:45ish and found Brian and got situated because his age group started at 7:08. The sun wasn't even hardly up. I wonder what he was thinking?

They swam first and I lost his head early on- looked like a bunch of blue heads in the water and once they all took off that was it. I had no idea which one he was. You had to just hope to get a spot by the boat ramp where they came out. So I waited and waited...and waited. I thought for sure I had missed him and was getting really bummed when we spotted him... without his cap, making his way out to the transition area to bike. He thinks he didn't do so good on the swim ( his legs cramped up early on and he says the yellow caps tried to drown him- some of those men were aggressive) but just to do that in open water is something- my arms would have been limp spaghetti noodles.

He had to transition from the swim to the bike and didn't have much time to waste- every second counts and so he was off and gone with just enough time to cheer him on before he was off again....

Waiting for her daddy...

His mom was able to stand out on the road and get some other shots of him too. This was right before he came in.

We stood at the area where they finish their bike ride and are coming back in for the transition to the run and I have never been so thankful for double arm tattoos! They all blend in together with their shirts off, black helmets, black shorts. I had no idea if he had his shirt on or not so I was looking for anything familiar. I knew I loved those tattoos. ;)

When I saw him coming through the finish line, I got butterflies in my stomach. The announcer was giving recognition to just about every participant who came through the finish and when I heard his name I wanted to cry. I was one proud wife. He did this in just about 2 hours. Not bad if you ask me.
Now if you had asked him on Saturday (which I did) if he wanted another go round of it next year, he would have told you " I think I am one and done!"

He came home and slept for 3 hours to re-coup. Not that I blame him. He says he's going to do it again next year and he's already been back in the pool this week, determined to do better next time.

I can't wait for this next year! I really enjoyed watching this...I admire all of them for completing a triathalon. The oldest triathlete was 75 and the youngest, an 11 yr. old girl!!

WOW!

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T16:31:00.001-07:00

We had a very busy Easter weekend...we kicked things off on Good Friday by dying eggs at our house and the kids had a blast! My mom and Brian's mom both came over and I really didn't know how this would go. I did most of the picture taking while Nanny and Nee nee dove right in and helped the kids.

If you have never dyed eggs with small kids, make sure you have lots of helping hands and trash bags and newspaper galore. We dumped a couple egg cups and that dye is really strong. I thought I was going to have a blue table. Cole absolutely loved it- he thought it was like a science and got so into it he said to heck with using the egg wire they give you to put the egg into and get it out of the container full of dye. Nope, not this boy. He wasn't about to use that so he dove right in with his hands, which is why you will see why he and Riley both ended up with Shrek hands! Well, and she accessorized by adding glitter to hers. But they really did a great job. The best part was the "Spin an Egg" that made swirly, marble-ized looking eggs. Super cool. These kids were fighting over getting a turn and spinning that egg around. So for next year, we are prepared and got an extra one so they each have one. But overall, they did a really good job and surprisingly, they liked eating them...minus the yucky gray yolk in the middle. Even I don't go for that...and we all know how much I LOVE food.

We started off Easter early Sunday with the Bunny dropping off some major loot at our house. Riley was so excited about her findings and the first thing Cole said was "ball!" The Easter bunny gave Riley an adorable dress, but after a major temper tantrum and some coaxing eneded up wearing her lady bug dress. Who says 3 year olds don't like deciding on their own outfits? I had it all planned...an adorable dress, hoping for some great pictures in said dress, and making mommy happy. Nope. She ended up telling me nicely, " It's ok Mommy, I don't really like it and you can take it back. It will all be ok!" Ha ha. I almost died laughing at her seriousness after battling with her to wear the dress the "bunny" picked out. Pick your battles people.. pick your battles...this momma is getting her money back..but it's so cute I don't want to turn it loose. (I know some of you reading this have had these battles over outfits? Surely right, esp. if you have a girl? It must be paybacks.)

Easter was such a busy day between going to my grandparents after church for lunch and then heading to Brian's parents to eat Easter dinner and doing even more egg hunting. I don't know who was more tired...me or the kiddos. I fell asleep, mouth wide open, in the car after leaving my grandmother's house. (I bet all the people on 290 loved that. I never do that.)

You'll see a picture of Cole with his bucket on his head, screaming, just furious that he had to wait to go outside because they were hiding the eggs. I guess he thought it was his hat, stuck it on his head, grabbed the baby stroller, and he was ready to be off. Once he got outside, he stuck that bucket in the stroller and ran and ran looking for his "animal" eggs. All I can say is a couple years makes a big difference in the "understanding" department. Riley got the purpose of waiting, did really well, then took off outside.

We were w-i-p-e-d put after dinner and we all hit the sack early. I felt like a train had hit me. So a good nights rest was in order...

Hope you all had a great Easter...

what we've been up to....

2010-03-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

well, once again I have found myself not keeping this blog as current as I hoped to. I think it's been about 2 weeks so that's not sooo bad, but thought I better get these thoughts up and counted for before Easter comes and then I am really behind.

So aside from the daily grind which keeps us busy enough and the kiddos recuperating from the AWFUL stomach bug that is getting almost everyone , we had a pretty fun weekend. Spring break rewind is still to come- we definitely were busy and had some fun do-ings there.

So let's see, our poor babies got sick last week and we were dealing with the un-pleasantries of stomach viruses on and off for most of last week. Poor baby Cole got it Sunday morning, the day before going back to work, and unfortunately spread his little germies to his sister and well, almost everyone else. It took down Riley, got the best of their Nee Nee, and made friends with Abishai and Candice too who flew in to have some fun with us. So when I say almost...Brian and I escaped. Yeah, I know, I probably just jinxed myself but we somehow avoided it. I have no idea how that happened. I will take credit for the million germ encounters I have daily at school and well, Brian just got lucky.

So thankfully the kiddos were back to normal by the weekend because Cole was in desperate need of a haircut. He was becoming Mr. Fuzzhead so my mom and I took him for his first experience in a barber shop. How cool- I found a winner ( Hargrave's) and we will go back and the best part? Super cheap.

There is something cool about the old timey shop with the men laid back in the chairs getting shaved with straight razors and the spinning red, white, and blue classic barber "thing" outside the door. So we walk in and Cole is cool, calm, and collected. We waited a few minutes, the place wasn't packed but more so than I thought. I figured for sure this was going to involve some bribery to get in that chair with clippers. Nope.

I was so proud. No lollipop or anything ( ok, he had the paci but he didn't need it). He climbed up, sat down, and sat perfectly still. Who is this kid? Seriously, this went way better than I imagined. Way better than the three previous attempts at haircuts in his life. So he got his "high and tight" and we went on our way. Yeah!

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We spent the rest of the afternoon celebrating sweet Rowan's birthday at Lupe Tortilla's. Love.that.place!!

These girls have so much fun when they are together.

The kids had a great time- and we enjoyed the friends and weather outside on the patio. Cole was a bit gun shy of the sand at first- his toes did not like that. I don't blame him- I HATE sand in between my toes. Y-u-c-k. It's only suitable at the beach.

But Riley jumped right in and little man eventually warmed up it too so we all had a good time. And I'm not sure what it is but they loved the concrete statues. I was more worried about them falling off. Kids have no fear- they climbed on, grabbed the ears, and made friends with the cow, the donkey, and Pancho Villa.

Rowan had requested a hot pink dinosaur cupcake "cake" which was super cute and super pink. The kids had pink teeth, pink lips, pink fingers, and even pink poo. Yep, sorry if that is too much TMI but it caught me by surprise too. You know as a mom at some point, you have talked about your kids poo with someone and you've definitely seen a fair share. I had no idea what was wrong when I got surprised and then Brian reminded me...pink icing! I thought it was the return of that dang stomach bug. Just when I thought I had seen it all, I hadn't.

So I will leave you with Riley and Pancho Villa.

Be back sooner rather than later with Easter when the bunny hip hops to our house.

( Ok, that was corny, but I am out of thoughts. That was bad).

Hope you all have a great rest of the week!

rodeo

2010-03-15T12:26:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon we took the kids and my mom to the rodeo- the kids had never been and now that they are getting older and able to understand more things, Brian got us all tickets to Blake Shelton. We spent a couple hours walking through the arena with the kids and made a long stop at the petting zoo where I think we all had a good time.

We paid a small price for the feed, which they give you in ice cream cones, and send you on your way. Well...nobody tells you those goats and llamas practically chase you down for that feed. The signs I remember reading said these are docile & cud chewing animals so they are calm and relatively clean. Great!! We were busy chasing kids and making sure we didn't lose them and I got some practice refining my skills of not getting trampled by hungry animals. They mostly just followed you until you gave them something, but I had many climb up onto my lap just desperate to get a bite.

Thank you to this nice llama for being somewhat polite- until I turned my head and he bit off half of my cone. That was the end of his turn and onto someone else. Thankfully he didn't spit on me either ( which they do tend to do over food).

The goats were much sweeter (some of them- namely the bigger ones...the smaller ones were desperate to get a bite) who let Riley get a hold of him.

This is what happens when all your feed is annihilated and you need a refill in your cone. Just a quarter and a turn of the machine is what you need, until the goats heard the turn of the machine and it was like a kid in a candy store! There is no waiting patiently- they came over to stick their tongues up the gumball slot and lick away half of your "refill" before you even get it out of the chute! It took me about 3 times just to get enough to refill our cones. And then I was out of quarters, butmaybe that was a good thing. We were dying laughing, this really was very funny. ( See the hand? That was my mom...she was the lucky one who got licked and slobbered on). Hee hee.

One of the "puppy ogs" that Cole found. His knowledge about animals is pretty simple: the goats, sheep, llamas, and pigs were all "puppy ogs" and bigger animals like a horse, a cow, and maybe the donkey were all "moo's".

We did take the kids to see the grand champion steer and Cole wanting nothing to do with him. He stood there, made some "moo's", but would not come near him. No way. I guess he thought having his conversation with the steer from a few steps back was good enough.

We made sure to get the kids a good rodeo dinner: french fries, funnel cakes, dippin dots, and oh yeah, more ice cream, which is what these "hats" were for. They were actually ice cream bowls. Don't worry, there was a hot dog in there too somewhere.

Determined...

2010-03-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you have a very determined little boy (who LOVES going outside) and just can't seem to reach the door handle?

It seems my little boy managed to finagle the toilet brush onto the handle of the screen door at Nee Nee's house and use it as leverage....now, I know he is mine and I love him so I am biased BUT! if you ask me- (which you didn't but are getting anyway), that is really clever for a child at his age to realize it has just the right size opening to insert onto the handle. Sorry if I'm bragging on him but that was smart. Out of all the things he could have found to help him on his way, he chose the toilet brush.

So as if that wasn't enough, once he did get the chance to go outside, he made sure to grab the plunger and run and chase the dog with it. (That's not clever, just funny and gross).

I know all you germ-o-phobes are probably eww-ing right now...(it's ok, I did too because I am one. I always have Lysol wipes attached to my hip) but this is priceless. And let's face it, it's not nearly as bad germ wise as eating kitty bon bons or other things, which have happened to mine and other friends.

( No offense Linds- as long as we're talking about germs and what our kids have done- that was truly priceless).

our weekend

2010-03-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was a busy one and I love those, but I also despise them too in another way. It means that we're busy and have fun things to do, but it also means that it goes by so fast it's over. Although, I can say that spending last Saturday with friends and family was just what the dr. ordered after the going through a rough week of emotions after losing my dad.

And, don't get me wrong, those emotions still catch me, but the days are getting easier and I am keeping my feet moving forward. (Thank you again to all of our friends and family who sent cards & flowers, called, emailed, and was just there to give me a hug and say you care...even though it made me cry, you have to be thankful that they care enough to want to do something for you.)

So back on track...last weekend was b-u-s-y. Our kids woke up early as usual, because let's face it, they seem to know when the clock strikes 6 or 7. They make their way downstairs and come and bother us. I am thankful they can both get out of their beds, make their way down the stairs, and find the couch. And the couch = cartoons. No more screaming behind doors because they can't get out. We're loving that.

So we headed to a birthday party to celebrate Jake's 2nd birthday and the weather was great. You couldn't have asked for it to be prettier. We ran, chased, climbed, and then repeated. Yes, that would be us doing all that after the kids...because they were doing it too. It's safe to say that it took both of us to watch after them but they had a blast running and playing. So when one goes one way, you follow and hope your hubby has his eye on the other. The true reality of having two kids who are very active. But the party was a success- lots of fun- and good times with friends. Of course on the way home, Riley crashed and Cole didn't. I have no idea where the boy gets this never ending energy but there was no way he was about to take any shut eye on this gorgeous day.

I did take many pics but I'd be sitting here all night waiting for them so here's just a few from the park:

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A couple hours after we got home from the party we headed back out to have dinner with my mom's family. We all went to dinner to celebrate birthdays- my grandmother, Oma, was 81 on Sunday! She looks good, feels even better after her knee replacement, and had the smiles to show it. I can only hope I am still around at 81 and as healthy as she is.

This is my Opa & Oma, my mom's parents- so happy after all these years. They met on the day my dad was born, 11.28.49, and have been together ever since. WOW! That's 60 years for those trying to do the mental math. He is 84 and still so sharp. I love you both very much.

This was our attempt at a four generation picture- pretty good I think.
Riley and her great-grandmother. (I didn't manage to get one with her and Cole but he is the 1st boy in our family in 46 years! I'm hoping that is accurate- maybe it's 48).

Riley and Aunt B ( who came in from Ft. Worth)- this is really a great picture but it's even better because every time Riley sees her Aunt B, she can't talk to her for a good 10 min. She clams up, attaches herself to my leg, and hides. Go figure. But once Aunt B works her charm, there is no getting her away from Aunt B. She tricked her into talking about her dress. She fell for it.

Now, any of you who are around Riley often enough know that she can talk the paint off the wall...she must have gotten that from her daddy. Ha! (and I bet he won't know I just said that)and when she gets going, so do the hands and facial expressions. She can be so emphatic.

The other thing I love about this picture is her smile! She can be so ornery when taking a picture it can be exhausting trying to get her to show that sweet smile. She defintely got that from her daddy too. And I'm not picking on him, this is very true.

So that was Saturday and Sunday was a whole 'nother busy day...bathroom reno is in the works. Daddy and Boppy banging around, being noisy, and covering themselves in lots of sheetrock dust. I wish I had snapped a picture.

Well, stay tuned for more pics to come this weekend. We are venturing to the rodeo with the two kiddos and hoping to entertain them with Ag Venture and Blake Shelton. Should be fun! (and exhausting).

Adios...

My Daddy...

2010-03-01T17:48:00.000-08:00

Most of you know my dad lost his battle with cholangiocarcinoma on Friday. Losing a parent is by far the hardest thing I have ever experienced, but he fought a really brave battle and slipped into the arms of Jesus very peacefully. And for that, I am so thankful that he is no longer suffering and is now set free. I know that he is up there in Heaven shining down on us and will get to see us all the time in his perfect form. So while I struggle with maybe not seeing him for decades, I know it will seem like moments to him.

Thank you dad for instilling in me a love of the outdoors- hunting and fishing- and for making that our special thing. Let me just say too that this man was a PHENOMENAL bbq-er. No lie...he could smoke some of the best ribs. (This is no small exaggeration when I say this, I think it was his calling and he missed it.) But I find some peace in knowing he is up there in Heaven chasing hogs, catching fish, and eating some good ole grub, laughing and loving being with all those who have gone before him. I will forever miss him and his stubborn ways...

I can't write too much without crying buckets (just when you think the well is dry, it fills up again!) so I will leave you with a few of my favorites from childhood- these are some that I will always cherish:

My uncle took this picture at the deer lease when I was probably about 6- it is my favorite and I think was my dad's too. He had it framed next to his bed until the very end...

This is one of the best I have of my parents & I.

I received one of the sweetest cards today that made losing him a little easier:

" Perhaps they are not the stars

...but rather openings in Heaven,

where the love of our lost ones...

pours through and shines down

to let us know they are still with us."

Frank L. Thayer
11.28.49-2.26.10

I will forever miss you.