9 Months and Rolling (a catch up post)

Here's one of those promised make-up posts. Funny thing about this one is that I actually started it back when Brycen was 9 months but never puplished it so here ya go! :)

Yes...just rolling. I always dread the ineveitable question that all moms/doctors/friends/neighbors etc seem to ask..."so, is he crawling yet?" Aye! No matter what I do or how I try, he is content on rolling and rolling only! There have been times that we were convinced that crawling was right around the corner...you know, when they put their legs in postion and do that rocking back and forth movement. With Skylar, once she did the rocking - it was only a matter of days till she took off. Not so much with Bubba. He is not a fan of the crawling. In his defense, he is a BIG boy so it's probably pretty hard to get all that weight off the ground! And why is it that we have "clocks" on our children any how! Either way, I was pleased to learn that crawling is NOT a milestone and for those that are "milestones" at his age...well, he's meeting them so ha!!

He recently had his 9 month check up and we're happy to report that he's a healthy baby! CORRECTION: he is a VERY healthy baby! He's a strapping 22lbs 4oz and growing like a weed! I am loving every minute of it! I've recently started calling him "squishy" and Matthew hates it! But oh well! Because each time I look at him that's all I see is just yummy squishy-ness bursting out every where! He's purrrrfect!

New Blog - Makeover Edition

So perhaps you've noticed that the blog has had the dust knocked off and is now sporting a new look?! Like it?!! This is my attempt at trying to visit it more. I figured if I gave it a new look, a new name even - then maybe, just maybe I'll acutally start posting more!

Here's the thing about creativity...I sat and pondered over what I could possibly name this new blog of mine and poof it came to me! I was so excited only to be bummed that someone stole my name! Can you believe it?! Alright so maybe they had "mamalogues" first but I think I like Texas Mamalogues better anyhow so ha! Aside from just wanting a new look, the real reason I made this change is that it occurred to me that I had pretty much all of our information out there for the world to see. Our first, middle and last name and even the city we reside in! I don't know what I was thinking but at some point I really need to figure out how the whole privacy thing works on this because you just never know!

So, here's the new blog. Hope you like it! :)

Valentines Love

Now that Matthew has started his own business (don't worry, that will also make the blog...one day), we have had fewer date nights due to our busy schedules and our attempt at sticking to a budget! However, Valentines Day came and we both kind of decided that a date together was long overdue. I think our last was on our anniversary in November. So I arranged for our awesome babysitter (aka "Nana") to come by early so we could beat the crowds.

It was a lovely evening filled with stories, laughs, and tears. Yes, I said tears! For as long as I've known Matthew he's never been the real sentimental mushy type and is more likely to buy a card that has a bit of humor then one that has a romantic poem. It's not that he can't express himself emotionally. No, I think it's quite the opposite in fact. I think that beneath the tough exterior, he is such a big teddy bear that if he said what he truly felt, we'd both be sobbing. So while at dinner, I went to Facebook to post a picture because yes, I am that girl who updates her status about ten times a day and "check's - in" anywhere we go. Facebook is addiction número uno but pinterest is a very close second. Anyway, before I can upload my picture I see a post from Matthew- who NEVER gets on Facebook and his addiction is to the History channel and learning wilderness survival skills! It was a perfectly romantic sappy expression of how he felt with still adding in some humor.

I love that man! I am so relieved I took our picture together first before seeing that post because I'm sure I had mascara everywhere! Here we are:

New Year. New Beginning. New Pinterest?

Wowzers. I knew it'd been a while since I posted anything but a whole year! That's just a shame. And what's worse is I do believe this is probably my one millionth and one time of "catching" up. Fail. Thus, is my crazy life and well my lack of stick-to-it-ivness. That's a word, right?

Here goes. I think we'll just start from today (also something I'm vaguely aware of doing in a few posts prior) and move back as time allows. ha! Well, I've recently discovered the most amazing website ever...thanks to Facebook and a few friends....PINTEREST! The best thing since sliced bread. Really. What it is you ask?! Okay, so you're probably not asking because most everyone already had pinterest long before I did but I'll explain anyway. Hmm....so maybe I'm not quite sure on the logistics of it all BUT what I do know is I can log in and "pin" things like cute hairstyles or how to make your own laundry detergent or even cool craft ideas for kids and let's face it, any busy mom is always looking for new ways to entertain the hellions er, I mean precious kids! :)

Problem in finding this amazing, wonderful, crafty site is that now I have managed to get myself into a handful of projects that I have absolutely NO time to finish. For example, I happened across a gorgeous kitchen and after wiping the drool off my face found myself with a sponge, spray bottle, and putty knife removing the wallpaper! Whaaaaat?!!! Why?!!! I have seriously lost my mind. So in between making breakfast, folding laundry, giving snacks, cleaning dishes, letting the dogs out, changing diapers, separating sibling fights, feeding the dogs, making lunch, paying bills, going to the grocery store, cleaning the house (for the 100th time), reading books, wiping tears, kissing boo-boo's, more laundry, more dishes, more snacks, make dinner, oh ya! the dogs again....ALL of THIS and what do I do...I tear down wallpaper! I will include a before and after and maybe an in-between because God willing, I will find the humor in all of this one day.

But for now, I whine! I whine because I'm just dead tired. I whine because I really wish I could just rewind and save the project for another day but now that it's started I HAVE to finish because of a little trait my father passed down to me... OCD! But mainly I whine because I have no one to blame but myself and that's just not fair! I'd love more then anything to blame my husband for all of this because he is so easy to blame for everything else but nope, he just sits there with his smug little "I told you this was a bad idea" smile. You know...no, I blame pinterest! And because my insanity knows no bounds, the projects don't stop there. Noooo...I've already baked about 10 different things, pulled everything out of my craft closet to do "kids projects," and organized and reorganized different areas of the house. So really, I've succeeded in just making a HUGE mess! I know it will all come together eventually though and then I can relax again. Well, you know - whatever that means with a 3 year old and 1 year old.

So, as you can see there will be lots of catching up to do and my pinterest addiction will probably be a love/hate one. So please, tune in next week for the continuation of wallpaper removal and the crazy rollercoaster life of mine! Ciao.

Trials & Tribulations

In efforts to avoid becoming too "heavy", I'll make every attempt at trying to bring in comic relief which is often times provided by the notorious 2 year old named - Skylar! Let's dive in! Ah, trials and tribulations - we all have them and at times we feel we're at our breaking point, right?! Well this week has been that kind of week for me! Somehow I'm being put through the ringer emotionally, physically, and spiritually! My life at times seems so out of control and I just can't seem to grab hold of it! Every day life introduces new stresses and each week provides more emptiness! Did I just say emptiness? Yes, I did. Even with the hectic life of raising two kids, planning meals, scheduling appointments, cleaning diapers - emptiness can still creep inside! Life suddenly is no longer full of surprises but rather "planned" or "rigid" and every day passes kind of like a blur! Aye! It's getting heavy - I apologize! I guess I'm writing this because today I became aware of something very interesting...that in my everyday planning and cleaning and mothering - God is always with me! And though my trials and tribulations may seem GINORMOUS, God is right there leading me through my "fiery furnace." If only I would call out to him, He is ready and willing to take my burdens for me and calm the raging sea! Today, as I rushed to get out of the house on my way to my bible study - I felt overwhelmed and frustrated! I had convinced myself that this study was not worth all of the hardships of just trying to make it there on time but alas, I found myself in the car - heading to church. I was still flustered as we pulled in the parking lot. Skylar excitedly yelled out that we're at church and I didn't even realize the importance of that! My sweet girl, who also had to go through all the craziness of the morning with mommy running around and Brycen crying the whole time - still had this joyful look on her face about getting to go to church! If we could all have a child's heart! We finally made it in and I found my seat next to my mom! It really wasn't until we split into our small groups that I realized I was right where I needed to be! I was with other women, going through the exact same circumstances as me and here we are asking God for help and direction! I'm having to learn within myself that I can plan and make to-do lists and schedules but how much time am I setting aside for God? After all, he's cleared his schedule for me! And my trials and tribulations are nothing compared to those in the Bible! But finding out that even the most Godly of women have found themselves curled up in the corner of the playroom, crying out "God help me" was eye-opening! My new commitment is to turn over the "ugly stuff" to God while enjoying moments like early this morning when Skylar climbed into bed and whispered softly "I love you mama." Or my husband thanking me for everything I do! I have a great life that God has provided and I need to start learning how to enjoy it and at it's fullest! So, as I'm in my "molding" process (from my study which I'll touch on more in a later post), I pray that God will open up my eyes to the joys around me! One more Skylar moment to leave with: before the craziness ensued, Skylar told me that she "hixed the hash light" (aka - fixed the flashlight)! I said "wow, you did huh?" (knowing full well that her daddy fixed it) and she responded "yes, I'm the best EVER!!!!!" You see, how can I complain when I have the best daughter EVER!!! ;-)

A Little Bit of Brycie Belly!

So mentioning "the belly" in the last post got me thinking that maybe it'd be fun to put all the pics together to see the belly progression while I was pregnant with Bryce!

So here ya go:

2 months:

3 months:
4 months:

5 months:

6 months:
7 months: 8 months:9 months and ready to pop:

Skylar Turns 2!!

As promised, this is one of those "catch-up" posts!

Well, because there was so much going on during the Summer - we had a really tough time picking the perfect date for her party! We didn't want to do it too early because in conflicted with other family members birthday parties and we didn't want to do it too late because Brycen was due July 1st! Oh...and let's not forget that Father's Day was right in the middle of planning too!

So after much stress, we settled on June 24th! Sound familiar?! Yep - Bubba made his entrance into the world on that date so the party was cancelled! Thankfully however, we celebrated a "small" party for her on her actual birthday of June 12th just in case mommy couldn't be there for her big party! So here's some pics of the fun...and the enormous belly! ;)

She had so much fun and I'm so glad we managed to get it done!! Matthew and I intend on making her party extra special this year since she didn't really have one last year!

I'll try and make a short list (of what I can remember) of things that she was into it at that time:

Woo - her favorite cuddly toy

Gee - her paci that would soon be taken away

Swimming - she loved spending ALL her time in Papa's pool

School - she had a mothers day out program that she enjoyed going to during the Summer

Babies - anything that was small...baby or teddy bear...she enjoyed "mothering"

Max and Ruby - one of her favorite shows on Nick Jr (she used to call it "Nuts n Ruby")

Chicken Nuggets - this became a HUGE favorite and for a while it was all she'd eat

Hide and Seek - she played this with Daddy ALL the time and would say (daddy...et's go hide!!)

...so I'll update more as I think of them but that's what I've got for now....

My Precious Skylar,

As I write this, I'm already filled with so much emotion about reminiscing over the wonderful 2 1/2 years that have flown by too quickly! Right now is, I think, my favorite time with you because you are discovering and learning so much every day! I love having conversations with you and the silly way you giggle when you tell a story! You are so full of life that sometimes it's hard to keep up! You are my little energizer bunny that just keeps on going but I'm thankful for that because you really keep me going just by being you!

I think I often times forget, now that I have little Bryce here, about the miracle of you and I'm sorry for that! But I want and NEED you to know how much you have, and continue to, bless my life! As I said in my first letter to you and will say it over and over again, you are my miracle! You came at a time in my life when I needed you most and reaffirmed how mighty and majestic our God truly is! I prayed many of nights for a sweet little baby to nurture and take care of and God far exceeded my expectations when he sent me you! You have the biggest heart and every day you teach me something new. Not just about things you're discovering but things I'm discovering about myself! For instance, I never considered myself to be a very patient person and you've taught me that! Granted, you have a way of making mommy crazy at times but it one instant of your sweet grace, all my bad days or crazy moods are wiped away!

I love that you have a heart for learning! You are fascinated with being challenged and like a sponge, you absorb everything! Your Papa often says that you're as quick as a whip and Skylar, you really are! My prayer is that God can use your gifts and talents in a mighty way!!! You also have such a tender and loving heart - even if you sometimes have to get through the strong-willed barrier first!! So far you've been an amazing big sister and you help mommy with so much! You love to do what I do and that even includes changing bubba's diaper! I know there will come a day that you two will bicker like cats and dogs but I pray you remember how much God has blessed the both of you with each other! I know and believe in my heart that Brycen will always protect you and love you unconditionally!!!

I guess all that's really left to say is that I love you! I love everything about you and I praise God for each day I can spend with you! Thank you my sweet girl for everything you do for me and for all the ways you enrich my life! You are my precious joy!!

With all my love,

Mama