Happy Birthday, Baby Jude!

I can't believe it, but my baby boy is actually TWO now! We had a great party, and I am VERY thankful for all of our family and friends that came and made it so special! Jude is such a sweet little man. I would climb the tallest mountain to hear his sweet little voice say "Dank du, mommy" "("Thank you, Mommy" to you and me)...but I don't have to. He says it EVERY time I do something for him. When I hand him something he dropped, when I answer his questions, when I give him a juice. I LOVE this little man!!! His vocabulary has increased tremendously in just the last few weeks, and he is really turning into a precious little man! He and his sister get along pretty well, and it's adorable to see them love on each other. He does EVERYTHING she does, and sometimes that annoys her, lol. I really feel blessed for my precious children, and am very grateful God chose me to be their mommy! I'll leave you with a few pictures from his party. :)

LOTS more pictures here if you haven't seen them on Facebook yet.  :-)

How is the family?

So...how's the family, you ask? We're great!  Since my last posting...life has definitely changed around here.  We now have a 4 year old and a baby boy who is about to turn...ahem...2.  There, I said it. I can say it out loud.  I don't like it.  I don't like it one bit!  Kris and I are happy with our small, but full quiver of 2 children, so I know that Jude is most likely the last baby I will rock until I have grand babies.   This makes me sad, but I know it has to happen sometime, right? 

Two children keep us very busy, and life seems to be happening very fast.  Kris is happy with his job, and just celebrated 10 years with his current employer.  This physician has been very generous to us, and we are very grateful for him.  I stay busy with the resident little people, and coordinating the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group that meets at our church.  Kris tells me the title of "stay at home mom" is more a title for me than a behavior.  :)
Other than that, life for us is also about building a house!  Yes...we bought 10 acres not far from our current home, and are making progress.  We bought it last September, and had it cleared last month.  We are now looking at getting the blue plans drawn for the floor plan we have chosen, and getting bids for digging the pond in the front of the property.  We have great plans for this home, but we will not be moving too quickly since each step of the way costs more and more money!  The long-term goal is to be in the home by June of 2012.  It's exciting to dream and make plans together!
So, here I am, trying (again) to return to blogging...so I will leave you with a few pictures while I wait for inspiration for my next post.  :-)

I'll try to load more pics soon...

Don't Expect a Commitment...

But I have decided to return a little to blogging.  :)  I don't know what to talk about most of the time, and most pics are already posted on Facebook...but I do feel like I should do SOMETHING with this little blog.  So, I am currently working on updating the blog, and it's little gadgets...so stay tuned for more.  :-)  My changes will be done a little at a time, as I HAVE time....

Edited to add...anyone know how to fix my photo at the top? ..to make it stretch out over the whole header?

Hello, Blog...Long Time, No See!

Well, hello, blog world!  I bet most of my readers (b/c I'm sure they are too numbered to count, HAHA) think I have given this thing up!  Well, I guess I did for a while.  It just seems there is only so much computer time...and I (somewhat ashamedly) have a tendency to spend it stalking everyone's facebooks! 

Well, a lot has been happening around this house in the last...um 5 months.  :)  

With Emmalyn...she turned THREE!!  Can you believe it?  My precious baby girl is much less a baby these days, and turning into a sweet little girl!  A very sassy, little girl, but still very loving! :)  She loves is obsessed with anything related to the Disney princesses, loves her dance class, and takes every opportunity to show us what she is learning and to "shake her booty!"  She adores her baby brother, taking every chance she gets to smother  hug and kiss on him. 

With Jude...well, a LOT changes in 5 months with a baby!  He is now pulling up on anything he can and cruising along the walls, couches, and anything else his height.  He has taken just this weekend one step unassisted a couple of times.  I'm guessing he'll be walking very soon!  YIKES!  He does crawl VERY fast, so I can't imagine it will be that different...he already gets into everything!  He is a cuddler like no other, and I love every minute of it!  He isn't talking much (we were actually referred to the speech pathologist for this), but he does make some cute noises!  And just this weekend he started babbling a little more. :)

With Kris and Heather...well, we joined Weight Watchers back in January, and are seeing some success!  Hubby has lost about 28 pounds and I have lost 20 pounds.  (I will try to refrain from my rant about how men lose weight so much more easily than women!)  Apparently, your risk for many diseases and risk factors for heart problems decrease with each 20 to 30 pounds lost, so we are feeling good about this, and still going strong. 

I'm sure there is much more to report, and pictures to share, but I will end here and keep you in suspense for the pictures! :)  It also looks like I have some updating to do with my slideshows and other things on the blog.  Ta-Ta for now!

Where Is That PAUSE Button ?!?!

Happy 7 Month Birthday to my sweet Baby Jude today! :) I am enjoying this age WAY to much! Can I slam on the brakes, please?! I don't know if it is because I am more relaxed with my second, but I am having a LOT of fun! But I am mourning each stage as it passes because I imagine this is my last baby. He is such a laid back little guy, and he is starting to have a funny little personality! Poor little man has been pretty sick for about a week now, he and Emmalyn both had Bronchial Pneumonia. Breathing treatments and medicines abound in our house! Not very fun, but we seem to be coming out of the fog...slowly but surely. Here are some of the things I am enjoying this month:

• He can turn over well from back to front, finally! He had the front to back down pat at 3 months, but has been "on the verge" of turning back to front for what seems like forever! Well, now he can roll either way...but still doesn't seem to like being on his tummy.
• He is very good at holding his toys, and switching them between hands. It's so cute to see him get excited about his toy and bang it against anything close... repeatedly! He is also grabbing at everything that comes close to his little hands or face. The other day, Kris was holding him while he was eating a bowl of cereal, and before he knew it, Jude slammed his hand down in the bowl, splashing milk and cereal all over both of them! I thought it was pretty funny!
• He has THE MOST cuddly, kissable cheeks EVER! I can't help but kiss that little spot where the cheek (should) meet the neck! (He's a little on the chubby side, my friend Michael likes to play "Where's your neck?!" with him! )
• He sits very well supported, but only on his own for a very short time. It's pretty funny to see him get excited about sitting up, and fall down because of it! :)
• Jude loves his cereal! I mix the fruit or veggie baby food with it b/c he doesn't seem to like any of them on their own, but he puts it away! He cracks me up when he shakes his head back and forth (almost violently) as he lunges at the spoon!
• He loves diaper changes! I have never seen a baby that loves having his diaper changed so much! He always coos, talks, and giggles while he's on the changing table. My friend Jessica said that when he is in the church nursery, they even change his diaper sometimes just because it always "cheers him up." :)
• Peek A Boo is finally VERY funny! For a while he would just look at you like you were nuts, but now we get a great giggle every time! You don't even always have to hide your eyes...just hearing the words make him laugh! :)

Two Months Ago...

My life changed forever...again. My Daddy was driving a school bus and was hit on a highway by an 18-wheeler. Right on the driver's side, he was killed instantly. HOW IS THIS HAPPENING????? How, at 31 years old, do I and my sister and brother have no parents?!?!?!? Mom has been gone now for 6 years last month. I have had days where I am numb and can talk about it all without a single tear. Other days...I can't seem to get my head out of the fog and can't stop crying about every.little.thing!

I am grateful that there were no children on the bus yet, and that the only other person on the bus, an aide, was okay, as well as the truck driver. But...REALLY??? I guess I am still quite angry. With the truck driver? With Daddy....b/c I can't figure out why the most cautious driver in the world would pull out in front of a truck? With God? I'm not quite sure. I do know I am angry, though.

I have days where it just hits me over and over. Today is one of those days. I miss him so much! I miss his laughter, his amazing hugs, his knack for knowing a little about everything, his ability to make me smile, his love for his family and friends. I could go on.

I'm not quite sure why I felt the need to blog...it appears to be the first time in over 2 months. But I guess I thought I'd let you know why I am M.I.A. on my blog, and how I'm doing...for those of you wondering. I am okay some days, not so great others.

I am in the process of organizing pictures over the last few months, I will hopefully have a more uplifting blog soon with pictures of my babies.

For now...here is the most recent picture of my daddy, taken for his church directory right before the accident. Doesn't he have a GREAT smile?!?!

I miss you, Daddy.

First Day of School...

I know it is a week late, but I can still share, right? :)

Emmalyn started Mother's Day Out this year, 2 days a week. She is LOVING it! She was excited from the moment I told her about it. I told her there would be lots of new friends (she is a VERY social little girl!), new toys, and lots of fun activities and crafts. She even thought it was cool that we had to pack a lunch and a nap mat. :) She was slightly apprehensive once we got there, clinging to my leg...but only for a moment. She quickly got distracted by all the cool toys...and off she went! I was a little sad that I didn't get to hug and kiss her goodbye when I left her there the first day, because I wanted to slip out while she was distracted to avoid possible tears. But, the other few days since, I have been able to kiss and hug her and tell her to have fun, then walk away as she said, "Bye, Mommy!" No tears...it is great! :) I knew she would love school, I'm just happy that it happened so fast!

I told her to say "CHEESE"...this is what she did! such a ham...I guess she wanted to show off the backpack! :)

Of course I had to take a picture by the sign on the first day, right?!

Meeting her teacher and getting her nametag...

Checking things out, a little nervous...

But,oooh.....look at all those cool toys!

Funny story...when I picked her up from her first day, I was carrying out her art project for the day. They had glued Fruit Loops to a construction paper cut-out of the first letter of their name. And she announces...."But I want to eat that cereal!!!"

She did not nap the first 2 days, but by day 3, I had figured out a way to make sure she was given her pacifier and lovey, and they said she fell asleep within minutes! :) There are 2 other little girls in her class, and the teacher says they have hit it off well and play together all day! :) I think this is going to be a great experience for her!

***Blogger is again cutting off the right side of all my photos...anyone know why or how I can fix it??

This and That...

So, I haven't felt much like blogging lately. It might be the lack of sleep around here. (Jude is still waking up anywhere from 3 to 8 times per night!) It might be the lack of TIME to be on the computer without a toddler or infant demanding my attention. It might be what I hope is just post-partum blues that don't seem to want to go away. But whatever it is...I feel inclined to write something tonight. I haven't even read my friends' blogs much lately...but tonight, I found myself relating to Micah, Melanie, and Jessica's. Micah, I could have written your post! (Well, not the teenager issues...but similar emotions.) Melanie...me too! I am sooo tired! And Jessica...I really like the idea to just point out a few things...can I steal your list style? :) Oh...and my first point will be much like yours! :) So, ladies, I am not commenting much, but I am thinking about you (and all my other friends) when I pray, and lifting your burdens to the Lord along with my own!

So, I will list a few random things going on around here...

1. Emmalyn is potty training, and doing pretty well. I have been very unmotivated to start this process with a newborn, but I, like Jessica, decided I was ready recently and just decided to put her in panties and see how it goes. Well, it went better than I expected. I say training instead of trained b/c I still can't seem to get her to do, well...um #2 on the potty! She just seems to think it needs to be in the panties! Any suggestions from you more experienced mommies about how to make her as successful with #2 as she is with #1? :)

2. We went to Galveston recently with Kris's parents and sister, and had a great time! I would post pictures, but most were taken by my mother in law, and I haven't gotten those from her yet. We went to Moody Gardens, Rain Forest Cafe, and Landry's. And the guys played golf one morning. We had a good time, and it was good to get away, if only for one night. :)
BTW...it is astonishing to see how much STUFF has to go with us for just one night with 2 little people!!! I DO NOT WANT TO EVACUATE!!!

3. That leads me to my next point...I DO NOT WANT TO EVACUATE this year! Have I mentioned here how much I HATE living in an area with the threat of hurricanes every summer?!?!?! The thought of what I have to take to keep safe (pictures, paperwork...you know...all your "non-replaceables"), the children and all their stuff, and the dog...my blood pressure skyrockets! This will not be fun, I do not want to do it!

4. I sprained my ankle last week. I have done this way too many times I care to admit, and honestly...it just makes me mad. I hate being a klutz! But MAN, it hurts! Every day gets a little better, but the swelling and bruising on the outside of my ankle is pretty ugly, and I am getting a little tired of limping and hurting! But, I have discovered that I am VERY grateful again for the meals that we still had in our freezer that we made or people brought us when Jude was born. It has been nice this week to just limp out to the freezer and pull out a meal and not have to cook! Oh...and we have noticed we have a LOT of food in the freezer that we need to eat with hurricane season breathing down our neck. Last year's loss of a LOT of food was very depressing.

5. Emmalyn is doing a little better with her sleep at night. I didn't write about it here, but I mentioned it a lot on Facebook. We went to see my family back in June, and she cried to go to bed every night while we were gone, and for over a month and a half once we got home. She was also waking up screaming during the night, taking up to an hour or more to get back to sleep. It was VERY stressful around here. It is a lot better the last week or so. Praise the Lord!!! She still whines at night like she never did before...but I can handle whining over blood-curdling screaming any day!

Well, those are a few things that are going on around here, and what has been on my mind. I am off to read more about what's going on in YOUR lives.................

4 Months

I can't believe it, but Baby Jude is already 4 months old today! Poor baby is teething, and very unhappy today. :( He can roll over from tummy to back now, and gives lots of precious smiles! He giggles now, and is actually very entertained by his crazy sister. :) He can hold his head well enough now to sit in the Bumbo, and he loves it!

What did blogger do to my 2nd and 3rd pictures?! Oh well...too tired to figure it out tonight...I'll come back tomorrow to battle with Blogger!

Smile pretty!

Well, I ventured to Sears today for the first photo shoot with TWO babies! It actually went REALLY well...much better than expected! :) My sister in law went with me and helped with the bribery for the 2 year old to smile! M&M's did the trick! Jude was a trooper, even though he was tired, he even gave a few smiles. Wouldn't you know that as soon as we were done, though, he gave us some huge grins and giggles in the waiting area! Here are some of my favorites from today...

If you just can't get enough, HERE are the rest of the pictures. :)

Favorites from the 4th of July...

I know, I am again behind, but I got some really cute photos on the 4th of July that I wanted to share. :)

A fun family photo...
Excited to be decorating cupcakes with Mommy...
Such a happy boy...

Sweet sibling love...

Just the girls...

More photos HERE. :)

Better late than never...

So, I uploaded these videos 6 weeks ago! and am just now posting the blog. I guess I forgot, or was planning to type something witty and intelligent to go with it. Well, I just don't feel like I have the energy to be witty OR intelligent these days...so the videos will have to suffice. :)

Emmalyn LOVES to dance, and these are just a few videos I captured of her while dancing to American Idol.

Summer Vacation 2009

Last week, Kris and I loaded the car (to the brim, I might add) for a 4 day trip to Central Texas to see my family. It was especially exciting because my brother would be there from Portland. We have not seen him since last September. He brought with him his new girlfriend, and we all decided she was lovely! :) I think she needs to stick around! While we were there, we had a lot of fun going to the zoo, sharing good food with the family, spending time at the pool, and the girls had great pedicures at the townhome! :) Here are a few of the highlights in photos...

Loving the mist sprayer on the sidewalk at the zoo...

Having a conversation with a jaguar...
The cute couple, Cal and Analiese (Cal...would you correct my spelling in a comment, I am sure I did not spell her name right. :)

Sibling love....man he looks HUGE!

Grandaddy, Honour, and Baby Jude

And some of the lady pedicure action... (I don't know why this picture is so small...but it is cute, just click on it to make it bigger. :)

We were able to visit with one of my best friends, Pennie while we were there. (And introduce her to Jude. :) (She has a precious one year old, and is pregnant again! :)
The day we didn't let her nap.... (she NEVER falls asleep in Daddy's arms anymore...this was a crazy sight!)

My other best friend, Jenn was able to join us at the zoo! :)

The vacation was pretty great...I really enjoyed seeing all of my family and some friends! We had fun, but Emmalyn was not a very happy camper. She apparently does not sleep well in a strange environment, and would scream each night at bedtime. And now, she has decided that her room here at home is scary, and we are having a very tough time getting her to go to sleep without tears. Please pray with us that this passes quickly...we are all VERY tired around here!!!

There are LOTS more pictures at my PICASSA SITE. :)