The Schmitt Family

Home Tour: Office Design

2011-08-30T09:15:00.001-05:00

We have been busy decorating (or at least dreaming of decorating) our new home since we moved in last month. Since we have rented for almost two years now, I had forgotten how much I LOVED to decorate!! I have also realized how hard it is to be patient. As much as I love the process of decorating - designing, searching for the perfect pieces, and pulling it all together, I also want the immediate gratification and I want it done NOW! Ha, I guess I will have to utilize the patience I learned over the last two years (when waiting to buy our new home).

Soooo, one of my first Home Tour posts will be on my office. Since this is the room I spend most of my time in since I work from home, I think its only fair that its one of the first rooms in the house that I complete. Don't you?

My vision for this room includes lots of natural light, pops of color (teal), and a little flare with touches of animal print. I am in LOVE with animal print (as is everyone else these days). I know that it goes in and out of style, but I am taking the leap and sprinkling it here in there in our new home.

Here is a before picture. Its the best that I have, but you get the idea. Certainly a clean slate. There are french doors and a beautify picture window looking out to the front yard. We live on a corner lot so I get a great view of the "happenings" in our neighborhood during the day. So far, just a lot of construction vehicles. Our home is only one a few completed ones on our street so far.

I was not planning on furnishing my office right away. I had a perfectly usable executive desk that I had purchased on Craig's List a few years ago when I became a full-time work at home employee. However, it certainly had seen its better days and when we put it in our new home, its better days seemed LONG gone. While perusing furniture stores for those items higher on our priority list (e.g. couch, breakfast table, guest room mattress set, etc) I came across this beauty and COULD NOT PASS IT UP!!! Can you see why?!?!

I don't think these pictures of the Aspenhome Young Classics Executive Desk do it justice.

I love, love, love the decorative drawer pulls and the design in the woodwork. I think this adds a touch of femininity to this large executive desk.

I fell in love with a rug a the furniture store I purchased the desk from but I could not justify the $400 price tag.

So I have been on the hunt for weeks to find something similar. What I found is much better than the rug I fell in love with!!! AND....it was only $100 (tax and shipping included!!)

As mentioned in the online reviews, the coloring was different than the online photo below, but I love what I got!

What a difference, eh?

I am on a serious teal kick these days. I have never been one to step outside of the neutral zone when it comes to home decorating but I have recently found comfort in teal. Yes, teal!! I found these on a recent trip (which I average about two days a week now <blush>) to HomeGoods. Love, love, love!!!

I hope to find a place for these in my office soon. They are a perfect match to a beauty I recently splurged on for my entry way (for a post to come soon). Yup, you guessed it...its teal.

My inspiration for the layout of the room came from the model of our home.

I hadn't thought of positioning the desk at an angle like this one, but I arranged mine like it and I love it! I also love the build-ins. I am not sure they will fit with the executive desk that I chose, considering its much larger than the one pictured here. I am going to measure it out and see if I can pull it off. If the built-ins are a no go then I will have to figure out what to do with my printer, phone and other office paraphernalia.

I am currently on the hunt for a chair and small table to go in front of the window. This is where I would like to highlight the teal accents in the room. Will let you know what I find...

Home Tour

2011-08-29T16:01:00.002-05:00

I love HGTV.

I love HomeGoods.

I love to decorate.

I love to shop.

I love to read blogs, especially home decor and DIY blogs.

And I love a bargain!!!!

Sooo...why don't I write about it?!?! I can't see why not. Can you?? I am gonna give it a try. I can't make any promises about keeping it up (considering I just did a blog post marathon to update my blog from April-August, ha!!). But I sure wanna try!

My mom can probably check off each of those above as well. And little cell phone pics just aren't cutting it between Mom & I. So, this will serve at least two purposes:

(1) To give me an outlet to write about something I love (and hoping the two or three of you that might read it will give me some feedback and let me know when you hear of a good sale!!!

(2) To show Mom what I have been up to so she doesn't have to resort to little cell phone pics :-) Love ya Mom!

Stay tuned to see ~~what I have been up to~~ what shopping I have done lately :-)

Is it football season yet?

2011-08-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

Go Cowboys!!!

She's on the move!!!

2011-08-21T12:18:00.000-05:00

Yup, Haley Grace is on the move. Watch out world, here she comes!!!

Haley's first trip to the pool

2011-08-07T13:53:00.006-05:00

Believe it or not its August and we are making our 1st trip to the pool this summer!! I know, I can't believe it either!!

Check out this cute bathing suit Aunt Rara got for me!!!

Daddy and Carson

Haley's first dip in the pool. She loves her baths so I just knew she would love the pool.

Big brother and 'lil sister

Daddy and Haley

Look at me standing in the baby pool!!!

July Rewind

2011-07-31T09:20:00.001-05:00

July was a super busy month with the packing, moving, unpacking and settling in to our new home in Katy, TX. Things have gone really smoothly. My parents and my niece, Alex, drove in from Florida to visit and help us settle in. We could not have done it with out them.

Carson found a new friend.

Not cuddly enough for my taste.

Carson's school had a Fourth of July bike parade a his school in Austin before we left. Here is his bike all decorated.

How cute is this?!?! This is Carson napping, all curled up in Mommy's bed.

This is how I found Daddy the other night. Love it!!!

I love it when she sleeps with her little booty in the air.

Haley blowing bubbles.

Carson's home run!

Carson's Growth Chart

2011-07-29T15:25:00.000-05:00

Its amazing how quickly children grow!!! We will see if he meets the Dr's 2 year old projection of 6'5"....

Circus

2011-07-16T16:04:00.002-05:00

The weekend we moved to Houston good friends of ours, the Ghutzman's, offered to take Carson to the Circus so we could get unpacked. I thought it was a great idea...ONLY if I could go too!!! I REALLY wanted to experience his first time at the Circus with him. We had a GREAT time!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH Butch, Barbara and Phillip. It was amazing!!!

No Circus outing would be complete without a clown nose!!!

The view from above is the best!

I am not sure who is having more fun - Carson or Phillip?!?!

Of course Carson loved the ladies :-)

Trying it on for size.

Thank you Ghutzman family!!!

Nope, he's not having much fun at all!!!

Not only did the Ghutzman's spoil Carson with Circus tickets, he got a hat, a spinner toy, cotton candy and much more!!!

Yummy Cotton Candy. Carson's first!

This picture says it all...

Moving Day & Family Visit

2011-07-15T15:32:00.019-05:00

July 15, 2011 - Moving Day!

We were super fortunate to have my parents and niece drive in from Florida to help us settle in. They met us in Katy as we drove in.

We enjoyed some fun in the sun as we watched the movers unload the trucks.

We were excited to see the moving trucks as they pulled up. They were only 4.5 hours late getting to our house in Austin that morning. So we spent much of the day hanging out in a house without any furniture :-)

Due to movers late arrival, the kids were up WAY past their bedtime. Haley finally tuckered out on Mama's chest.

Haley and Cousin Alex

Papa has been promising Carson a fishing rod for quite some time. And that is what he got! They went to Bass Pro Shops, bought a rod and real, and headed out for their first ever fishing trip. Here Papa is teaching Carson how to put the bobber on.

Instructions on how to use the fishing reel.

How to cast a rod.

Before the fishing trip, Papa had a casting lesson with Carson in the backyard.

I can remember those lessons with my Dad in our yard many years ago :-)

And off they go!

Papa getting things ready to catch fish!

Have we caught one yet?

Too cute!

All of the lakes in our community are catch and release. We choose the one just a few blocks from our house. Unfortunately, none were biting this time.

Papa's favorite place...

Alex & Carson

Haley, Mama and Alex

Haley and Alex

Papa and Haley

Farewell Grandma Karen and Grandpa George

2011-07-10T14:50:00.001-05:00

Karen and George, otherwise known as Grandma Karen and Grandpa George, have been dear friends of our since I moved to Austin almost 10 years ago. I met them at their Country Club when I worked in the clubhouse while attending grad school. I was then their personal trainer for a couple of years. And soon they became family.... We will miss them dearly, but we aren't too far away!!!

Grandma Karen, Grandpa George, Haley and Carson

Karen took these pics. Aren't they fabulous?!?!

That's my boy!

Daddy's girl...she just loves his nose. Ha!

Angel Baby

Beautiful!

Good bye Dina, Michael & Athina

2011-07-10T14:23:00.001-05:00

We had to say good bye to Austin...or at least, "see you later". Here are a few photos of our visit with Dina, Michael and baby Athina the weekend before we left. We will miss them dearly. Dina was one of the first people that welcomed me to Austin when I moved here and we have been great friends ever since. We will miss ya'll!

Sweet Athina and Miss Haley are going to be the best of friends!

Carson loved talking to Athina.

Trying hard to get a photo of all of us.

Too cute!

Love these little girls!

Haley loved Dina's necklace.

And I could not get enough of Miss Athina.

We'll miss you!!! But we are not far away!

Changes....BIG changes

2011-07-01T08:55:00.024-05:00

BIG changes are happening for the Schmitt Family. Brian got a promotion at work which requires up to relocate to Houston, TX. This brought mixed emotions for us all, but we are super excited for the move and of course the promotion!!! This January would have marked 10 years since I moved to Texas and Austin. I absolutely love it in Austin and pictured us raising our kids here. I have spent the last 2 years dreaming about where we were going to buy our next home and where our kids were going to go to school. So the idea of picking up and starting all over in an unfamiliar town brought about anxieties but excitement at the same time.

We found out about the promotion the first week of June and the following weekend we were in Houston looking for a home. We were a bit anxious about our house hunting trip since we would have both kids in tow for a jam packed weekend, in and out of a hot car and homes, in 100+ degree heat. It could not have gone any better! It was such a blessing. We saw 13 houses the first day and were absolutely exhausted!!! We had narrowed it down to 2 homes by the end of the day - one I loved and one Brian loved. The next day we toured both homes again and ended up signing a contract on the one Brian loved in Katy, TX, a western suburb of Houston. I ended up loving it too. It was just perfect for our family. Less then 7 days after learning of this big life change, we were under contract on a new home - something we had both been waiting for for almost 2 years!!!

The next few weeks were super busy. We purchased a brand new home and the builder was wanting to close by June 30th to allow for the sale to hit the books by the end of the quarter. Although extremely hectic, the process could not have gone smoother. It was certainly a sign this was all in God's plan. We closed on our new home on June 30th and planned our moving day for July 15th.

Haley's Stats - 6 Months

2011-06-30T15:39:00.037-05:00

You seem to have grown up over night! Where did my newborn baby go?!?! Although I miss those times, I just love interacting with you and watching you grown. You are so much fun and you are a very happy baby. You constantly have a smile on your face. Everyone comments on what a good baby you are!

Measurements

You weighed 16 lbs 6 ounces and were in the 55^th percentile for weight. You measured 25 inches and were in the 25^th percentile for height (down from 30^th percentile at 4 months). Your head measured 43.5 cm and was in the 80^th percentile. So far, you certainly look like you are going to take after your Mommy :-) And you for sure are not following in Carson's footsteps. Here are Carson's 6 Months stats. He was in the 97th percentile for his weight...weighing in at a whopping 21 lbs 13 ounces! He was in the 85th percentile for his height at 27.5 inches. And he was in the 97th percentile for his head at 47 cm.

Sleep

You are have taken a set back on your sleep patterns but it wasn’t your fault! Mommy got a little too comfortable with the night feedings when she decided to lay you down next to her to nurse instead of nursing you and putting you right back to bed. Now Mommy falls asleep with you when you nurse and you stay in bed with Mommy and Daddy for the rest of the night. Since you are right next to me, you tend to want to nurse a little more frequently for shorter periods of time and have been waking up more than once a night. Hopefully we will break that habit soon. You should be sleeping all the way through the night now. I am sure you can, lets just see if Mommy can hold you to it!

Temperament

I sound like a broken record but it is so true to say you are such an EASY baby. You have pretty much been like this since birth. You are happy almost all the time. You love to be on a schedule. You still only fuss when you are hungry or tired. And even then, its not much of a fuss and its an easy fix. You entertain yourself really well. You don't mind being in the car at all. You love your baths. I am trying to think of things that are common to upset a baby of your age and I can't think of a one that bothers you. We love it!!!

Health

If there is one thing we have struggled with it is your health. Unfortunately you are still prone to colds and ear infections although you have had the tubes put in your ears. You are on and off antibiotics, which I hate. You had yet another ear infection this month. The good news is the tubes allow for decreased discomfort so, like your brother, you seem to be use to being sick and it doesn't seem to phase you much. I guess there is a little good with the bad.

Happy Baby!

Trying baby food for the first time! Squash! This went over a lot better then the cereal went last month.

"Why must you ALWAYS have that camera in my face." Get used to it sweet heart!

Haley really took to eating her vegetables. And she enjoyed trying to feed herself. Ha! I say, the messier the better!

June Rewind

2011-06-29T16:12:00.011-05:00

We went to Chic-fil-A to celebrate the end of Carson's Spring Soccer Session with Soccer Shots. He is showing off his medal here. Of which he insists on calling his "necklace". Ha!

A rare treat, play time in the in door play area and ice cream cone from McDonalds! Anything to beat the heat!

I could not resist purchasing their school pictures this spring. Although I certainly would have dressed them differently had I remembered picture day and I would not have slicked Carson's hair to the side as they did....but they sure do look cute!!!

If only I could get them to pose and smile like this.

Carson's "blue donut". Brian and Carson started this tradition this summer. There is a bakery not far from our house in Austin and Brian and Carson enjoy going to the bakery on Saturday mornings for "blue donuts". I love the idea since I not only get a "blue donut" myself, but I also get to sleep in!

Another blue donut morning :-)

Carson loves to shop at Randalls. He loves their car shopping carts!

I had to post a pic of our furry son, Luke. This is where you can find Luke in the 5 o'clock hour at our house as he waits for Daddy to get home from work. He paces between the back door and the kitchen window that provides a view of the garage door. Its amazing how he knows what time of day it is....

Carson dusted off his Gator chants this spring as we cheered the Gators on in the College World Series.

Haley's Stats - 5 Months

2011-05-30T16:30:00.006-05:00

Our lives have settled quite nicely since your arrival 5 short months ago. We absolutely love being a family of 4! This month has been full of fun events – a visit from the Russ family, Mother’s Day and Mommy and Daddy’s first vacation since you were born!

Health
Your ears have been doing pretty good since your ear tubes were placed in April, however, this month you surprised us with two eye infections – 10 days a part!!! It was the weirdest thing ever. You went to sleep the night of May 20^th and woke at 3am on the 21^st a little fussy and cranky. I hadn’t noticed your eye as it was dark. After I changed you and you would not stop fussing, I turned the lights and to investigate and saw that your eye was swollen completely shut! Of course I immediately woke your Daddy and we called the after hours nurse. We took you in to see the doctor first thing on Saturday morning and you were diagnosed with pink eye and also had an infection in the tissues around the eye. After 10 days of antibiotics, the day you stopped taking them, you got the same thing in your other eye on May 31st!!! It was so crazy.

Sleep

You are still a very good sleeper. Mommy and Daddy took a vacation to the Bahamas this month and your Aunt Rara (Tara) flew in from Florida to watch you and your brother. She had you sleeping through the night without a feeding. I was so impressed!

New Tricks/Favorite Activities

You love blowing bubbles with your mouth
You love, love, love getting raspberries on your belly. Especially from your brother! Carson just loves to give you raspberries and you both belly laugh!
You love your feet! You have started to grab your feet and more recently have started to suck on your toes! Mamma (my mom) tells me I used to do this at your age as well. Like mother like daughter :-)
You napped in your crib for the first time this month at home. You have napped in your crib at daycare a couple of times, but you still prefer to nap in your swing.
You can sit with the assistance of you boppy.
You can roll from front to back and back to front.
You had cereal for the first time this month! You weren’t extremely excited about it but you did eat it.
You still love your exercauser and any toy that rattles and makes noise.

How cute is this western outfit Pepaw and Memaw got Haley?!?!

Check out those boots!

Haley tuckered out after her photo shoot.

Just wondering what is going through Miss Riley and Haley's minds right now...ready to go shopping?? That is just what we did!

Carson introducing Haley to the world of Angry Birds...not so sure how I feel about this one. Ha!

Haley just loves to play with her feet!!!

Carson tickling Haley. I just love how she looks at and adores her big brother.

Carson reading to Haley

I just love this intense look on her face.

Sweet as pie!

Haley's first food, baby cereal.


She's thinking its not what its cracked up to be.

Getting a decent picture of the two of them is difficult. But I think this one is cute.

Mommy is hardly ever in front of the camera.

Here is a cute video of Miss Haley blowing bubbles.

May Rewind & Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-29T16:24:00.001-05:00

I am still catching up on my posts (it's mid August and I am just now posting May, ha!). Here are a few photos from May.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day this year. Chris, Megan and Riley Russ were in town for a baseball tournament and they were here to share Mother's Day with us. It was great! The kiddos surprised me with wonderful gifts that they made at school. I will treasure these forever! And yes, I have already started a bin that is filling up of all of Carson's art work. Its so hard not to save it ALL!!!

How cute is this!?!?!

Precious!

They even made pots and potted flowers for us. I actually kept this alive for 2.5 months!!!

This is one cool kid!

Ok, I debated posting this, but its too funny not too! Needless to say, I DID NOT TEACH HIM THIS. I am sure you can figure out who did. I certainly hope he doesn't show this new skill to his teachers.

What a character!!!

Bahamas Trip - The Cove Atlantis

2011-05-16T15:31:00.016-05:00

Brian and I took our first trip since Haley was born this month. If it were up to me, I would have rather waited 'til she was a little older, but it worked out great anyway! I think I worried myself sick long before the trip and ended up having a great time while we were there. What made this trip even better was that it was free (for the most part)!!! This was an incentive trip with Brian's company so we went with some of his co-workers and the owner. It was a wonderful experience.

Believe it or not, I didn't take many pictures. Here are a few.

This was us on the beach before dinner one night.

The view from our room. It was beautiful.

I am not much for gambling, but I sure had fun when I was winning! And yes, I won and took it home!!! I am not one of those to win and keep playing. I didn't press my luck! (And no, those aren't all Brian's beers. We were on a beer run for the group. Ha!)

The trip was right before Brian's birthday so his co-workers surprised him with a little celebration. See how much he enjoyed that?!?! Ha!

I am one lucky woman!!!

Haley's Stats - 4 Months

2011-04-30T14:23:00.013-05:00

We have settled into a new routine as a family quite well. Daddy and I feel we have the perfect little family and we could not be happier! You are also the light in your brother’s eye. He just adores you!! You have been doing really well adjusting to daycare. The ladies just love you and you love them too!

Weight
You didn't have a well check this month, so I am not sure how much you weigh. But you are still a little one as compared to your brother. You are are still wearing 3-6 month clothes and a size 2 diaper. You are still wearing your newborn shoes and even some of those are big on you! You have such little feet.

Health
Unfortunately you have taken on the path that your brother did and you have had a few minor illnesses and ear infections. Both your pediatrician and ENT felt it was best to not prolong the inevitable and you got tubes put in your ears on April 18^th. Your brother had surgery the same day to have his Adenoids removed, his ear tubes removed and to have balloon sinuplasty. Unfortunately his sinus/ear troubles are still in the cards. You and Carson did beautifully and we are hoping you are both on the road to recovery.

Temperament

You are still a very easy baby and still love to sleep and eat. You have been more interactive with us and will grab just about anything put in front of you. You still love to “people” watch and will now follow someone across the room with your eyes. You hardly ever cry except when there is something you want or need. You are easily soothed.

Sleep

You are still a very good sleeper. You still prefer to sleep in your swing during the day, even when at daycare. The ladies are trying to get you used to the crib, but I am afraid I initiated that bad habit. When its time for bed time you still like to be swaddled tightly in your Miracle Blanket and laid down. We can lay you down awake and you put yourself to sleep. You sleep in the co-sleeper next to Mommy's side of the bed. You are consistently sleeping 5-6 hours the first stretch and then 3 hours at a time there after. It is very rare that you wake more than once a night to feed.

Eating

You are still a wonderful eater. You have nursed extremely well from birth. You no longer have any issues with taking a bottle and you don’t seem to have a bottle preference anymore either. I am still pumping milk during the day while you are at school.

Routine

3-4 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. And right down to sleep again. This usually takes about 30 min.

6-7 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. We all get up and get ready for the day. You move from the co-sleeper to the swing when we head downstairs for breakfast.

7:45 -8:15 am: We leave for school. You are at school, with your brother, from 8:30am-5pm. You have been eating 3-5 ounces 3-4 times a day at school. You nap off and on all day. You have not yet developed a consistent eating/napping routine yet. I am sure that will come soon.

5-6:30 pm: Mommy or Daddy will pick you and your brother up from school. You usually nap on the way home and stay asleep, most days, until after dinner is ready which is great! If you don't stay asleep I put you in your Bumbo seat so you can watch Mommy prepare dinner. We eat dinner as a family every night. You stay in your Bumbo seat and sit and watch us eat. It is so cute!!

6:30-7:30 pm: This is our family play time, bath time and bed time. We usually play together as a family. We will go outside and watch Daddy and Carson hit golf balls, baseballs or play catch. Sometimes we sit and watch a baseball game, play puzzles or any other sporting activity your Daddy and brother are into at the time. You usually enjoy time on your play mats as well. Carson loves to have Tummy Time with you. Then its time for bath time and bed time.
7:30-9:30pm: You fall asleep each night as you nurse (around 7:30) and sometimes will stay in Mommy's arms until after Carson goes to bed. Daddy and I will sit and watch our favorite DVRed shows. Then its off to bed for all of us. Once you feed for the last time around 9-9:30, you usually stay asleep for a good 5-6 hours. Yeah!!

Moments/Things I Don't Want to Forget

You love taking baths with your brother. You get so excited and just splash and play.
You still love your play mat and will stay entertained for longer periods of time
You were introduced to the exercauser this month and I think this is going to be your favorite! We wrapped you with a blanket to keep you from rolling around in it.
You can now hold toys very well and you love those that rattle and make noise. Of course EVERYTHING goes into your mouth.
Carson loves to do tummy time with you. He is always asking for tummy time and will put the blanket on the floor so Mommy will out you down with him.
We took our first trip to the ranch this month for Easter. You did so well in the car and at the ranch. I think you are going to be a good traveler.

Haley and her first purse.

Daddy's little girl.

Watching big brother's soccer practice.

Loving your new adventures in your exercauser.

Carson and Haley preparing for surgery.

Haley resting after surgery in Mamaw's arms.

Chillin'

Watching a movie with your big brother.

Awwww

This would be a great "name that photo" contest.

Cute 'lil bum!

April Rewind

2011-04-29T13:39:00.053-05:00

I am soooo behind on blogging. Here it is August already and I am just now posting about April. Ha! Let's see if I can remember back that far!

Carson was working hard on his potty training this month, hence the string of photos with his skivvies on :-) Too cute, I must say. However, these photos weren't about the skivvies, yet his blossoming athletic prowess.

Carson has always enjoyed hitting golf balls. Daddy bought him a real golf club to practice with!

Daddy has also been working with Carson on pitching from the stretch. Love it!!!

Carson has recently been favoring the catcher's position. I love watching him pretend, without a glove or ball, just as the catcher's do on TV. He will squat, catch, go to his knees and throw back the mound. So cute!

Haley and Carson both had a big month in that they both had surgery on April 18th. Haley had ear tubes put in after multiple ear infections, already, at the age of 3.5 months! Our big guy had his taken out, as they had not yet fallen out after his were put in at 5 months. He also had his adenoids removed and balloon sinuplasty due to his chronic sinusitis. Poor guy.... Good news is, the picture below was taken only hours after his surgery!!! He bounced back super quick and was outside playing golf and watering his tomato plant! Bad news is the ENT confirmed both kiddos have similar sinus anatomy that is conducive to these types of chronic infections. So let's hope this does it for the both of them and they can stay well.

Note: Carson was officially potty trained this month!!! He woke up after surgery and suddenly had the desire to go #2 on the potty!!! Who knows how and why the "switch" flipped, but it did! Yipee!

Uncle Phillip came for a visit!!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T11:56:00.000-05:00

Fun was had by all this Easter! We ventured out to Pepa's ranch for Haley's first road trip and it was a success!

Carson dying Easter eggs for the first time.

Emily and Daniele enjoying the Easter egg dying festivities.

Too cute!

I love the color of Easter eggs!

Carson had so much fun!

Daddy and Haley, Pepa and Daniel relaxing and watching the coals for dinner.

Gotta love Carson's Easter morning attire: Spiderman PJ top and Transformers Boxer Briefs. Nope, I am not the "gotta buy fun holiday PJs kind of Mom", should I be?? It does make for good pics :-)

I just love the innocence of a child. Especially on holidays!!

Hmmm what else is in there?!?!

There is something in my egg Mommy!

Add caption

Carson helping Daddy with Haley's first Easter basket.

Easter egg hunts are always so much fun!!

Where are they Carson??

Look Mommy, I found one!

And there are jelly beans in this one!

Wish I could say that I got adorable Easter pictures with Carson and Haley...but I can't. I had every intention to do so. I brought an adorable pink satin dress for Haley. But it turned out to be drizzly that morning and she never made it into her dress. Keep an eye out for her 5 month pics and you will see her Easter dress.

Family Portraits

2011-04-09T15:42:00.001-05:00

I found an awesome deal on LivingSocial and we opted to get family portraits done in April to mark Carson's 3rd Birthday. I think they turned out great!!! Let's just hope they can make it in frames and up on the wall before they graduate high school.

Kelly & Josh Van Hook - April 2, 2011

2011-04-03T11:48:00.005-05:00

Josh and Kelly tied the not on April 2nd and it was a beautiful wedding!!! They were married at the Terrace Club in Dripping Springs, TX where we had our reception 6.5 years ago! It was a memorable night and brought back great memories at the same time. Congrats Josh and Kelly!!!

Christina and Kelly

Attempting to take a pic in the wind. Phillip, Christina, Kelly, Brian and Robbie

College teammates and friends. Brian, Phillip and Robbie

Phillip, Josh (the Groom) and Brian

Kelly S, Kelly V and Christina

Haley's Stats - 3 Months

2011-03-30T12:53:00.006-05:00

Three Months

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made
~ Psalm 139:14

Life has changed quite a bit for you and Mommy this month. I started back to work on March 7th after 9 weeks off for Maternity Leave. You stayed with me at home the first week I was back to work and the second week your Mamaw and cousins Kolby and Ashley were here from Lubbock for Spring Break. After that, you started daycare on March 22nd (at 11.5 weeks old). You are going to the same Montessori school that Carson goes to. It is the only Montessori school in Austin that offers an infant program. The teachers there are great and were super excited for you to start. You went for half days the first two days and then stayed home for the rest of the week due to your first ear infection. Going back to work was tough but fortunately it was a phased transition. It would have been super tough for me to start work and for you to start daycare the same day. You started going full time at the end of the month (13 weeks old).

Weight
You didn't have a well check this month, however, you weighed in at 12 lbs 13 oz on March 28th when you went to the doctor for a sick visit.

You are are now wearing 3-6 month clothes and have moved into a size 2 diaper. You are still wearing your newborn shoes and even some of those are big on you! You have such little feet.

Comparisons

I came across your brother's stats recently and wanted to start a comparison of the two of you.

Birth

Carson - 9lbs 5 oz, 21.5 in

Haley - 7lbs 14 oz, 20 in

2 weeks

Carson - 9lbs 6.6 oz (55th), 21.5 in (75th)

Haley - 8lbs 4.8oz (55th), 20 in (55th)

1 month

Carson - 10lbs 6 oz (80th), 22.5 in (90th)

Haley - 10lbs 7oz (80th), 21.5 in (75th)

2 months

Carson - 15lbs 3 oz (>97th), 24.25 in (90th)

Haley - 12lbs 1.8oz (75th), 22.5 in (45th)

Health
Unfortunately you have had minor to moderate congestion on and off all month and you were diagnosed with a double ear infection on March 28th (your 2nd ear infection). Dr. Ellis has advised that you see the ENT since its clear you are following in your brother's footsteps (chronic ear infections as an infant).Your brother had tubes put in his ears at 5 months old. Dr. Ellis fears you won't make it that long before you need them.

Temperament

You are still a very easy baby and still love to sleep and eat. You have been more alert and playful this month. We love to talk to you and you try and talk back. You smile all the time now and I just love it! You still have a love for your hands. They are constantly in your mouth, whether its just one finger or all 5! You have started to enjoy your tummy time and play gym mats more. You will entertain yourself for up to 10 min. After 10 min you are ready for a change of scenery. You still love your swing. The swing is your happy place.

Sleep

You are still a very good sleeper (our "angel baby"). During the day you sleep in your swing of which you absolutely love. You also sleep very well in your car seat. When its time for bed time you like to be swaddled tightly in your Miracle Blanket and laid down. We can lay you down awake and you put yourself to sleep. You sleep in the co-sleeper next to Mommy's side of the bed and no longer need the noise maker. The batteries died and Mommy was just too lazy to replace them. You are consistently sleeping 5-6 hours the first stretch and then 3 hours at a time there after. It is very rare that you wake more than once a night to feed.

Eating

You are still a wonderful eater. You have nursed extremely well from birth. You do spit up quite a bit though. You started day care this month so I pump every 2.5 - 3 hours while you are away. Pumping, packaging the milk, washing pump parts, defrosting & preparing bottles on a daily basis is exhausting yet very rewarding. I am so blessed that I have been able to produce what you need. I hope to continue for as long as I can. So far, you are exclusively fed breast milk. I was so concerned about you starting day care because you refused a bottle for so long. I started giving you a bottle around 2.5 months old but you hated it! We started a "bottle boot camp" in early March. I tried at least 4-5 different kinds of bottles. I spent as much as $10 on a single bottle that was specifically made for breastfed babies. You finally settled on the Playtex bottles with the latex nipples. You pretty much refused all silicon nipples. You had your breakthrough when Mamaw was here for Spring Break.We started you on the bottle during the work day and nursing through the evening and night routine - just as we would do it when you started at daycare. And finally, we succeeded!

Routine

3-4 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. And right down to sleep again. This usually takes about 30 min.

6-7 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. We all get up and get ready for the day. You move from the co-sleeper to the swing when we head downstairs for breakfast.

Moments/Things I Don't Want to Forget

You started day care this month (March 22nd). The infant room is right next to Carson's classroom. Carson's teacher told me that he heard you cry during nap time and he shot his head up in concern. When asked what was wrong he kept repeating, "My baby sister is crying, my baby sister is crying..."
Your eyes are constantly roaming around. Its as if you want to soak the world in. I left you on the couch with your Daddy as I walked up stairs. You kept your eyes on me the entire time. I loved seeing you watch every step that I took.
I love to watch you on your play mat. There is a mirror attached above you and you just love to stare at yourself in the mirror. You will get your legs and arms moving and smile at yourself.
You love to be around people and don't mind being held by anyone. You were held by many people at Carson's birthday party and you enjoyed every minute of it. Your head is constantly on a swivel, watching the world go by.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from this past month.

I just love how she always clasps her hands. So sweet!

Here you are watching March Madness with Daddy and Luke. You look so tiny sitting with your Daddy.

Carson just loves to play with you! Every time I put you in your crib he will go and grab his foot stool so he can look at you.


Here you are in your Bumbo chair. You just love this chair! And so does Mommy!!!

This was Mommy's first day back to work (March 7th).

Here we are again, at work.

Here you are at the doctor's office. I have tried so hard to catch you smiling long enough to take your photo.

My sweet angel baby as she sleeps. You love your swaddle blanket.

Pretty girl all dressed up!

Family and Friends

Mamaw and Haley

Aunt Net (Lynette) & Haley

Cousin Ashley and Haley

Memaw, Miss Dina, Mamaw and Haley

Uncle Josh and Haley

Grandma Karen, Shelby & Haley

Carson's Stats - 3 years

2011-03-27T14:02:00.111-05:00

3 Years Old!!!!
March 27, 2011

Our little monkey has turned 3! You aren't our little monkey anymore, you are our "Big Man". That is what we call you these days and its every bit the truth. You are HUGE in every sense of the word. Literally, you are HUGE. But you also have a huge heart. You are such a lovely little boy. Everyone who knows you just loves you. You have a sensitive side that is very special.

Carson, you welcomed a baby sister recently and you are such a wonderful big brother. You have taken to your new role better than we could have ever hoped. Mommy and Daddy worked hard at making this transition as easy as possible for you and I think we succeeded. Haley has fit into our family routine quite nicely. You are so proud of her and love to introduce her to everyone. I love hearing you say, "This is my baby sister, Haley Grace!"

I found this quote recently and wanted to share it with you. It may not mean much to you now, as a three year old, but I do hope it holds meaning when you look back at this years from now.

One Truth to Impress On the Mind of a Young Christian

“If there is any one truth I would gladly impress on the mind of a young Christian, it is just this, that God notices the most trivial act, accepts the poorest, most threadbare little service, listens to the coldest, feeblest petition, and gathers up with parental fondness all our fragmentary desires and attempts at good works. Oh, if we could only begin to conceive how He loves us, what different creatures we should be!”

-Mrs. E. Prentiss, Stepping Heavenward

Your Mommy & Daddy try very hard to share the Lord with you and to show you His love. At three years old we can already see the love you have for Him. God has blessed us beyond belief. I pray that you will always walk with Him.

HEIGHT/WEIGHT

You are now measuring 41.25 inches tall and 41 lbs!! You have grown 4.75 inches in the past year and 1.25 inches in the past 3 months! You are wearing size 5 or XS boys shirts and 5T/ 5 boys shorts. You are almost out of toddler sizes!! We just purchased size 11.5 and size 12 - wide shoes! Your feet continue to be huge!

NEW TRICKS

Carson, you are always coming home with something new to show us that you learned at school. You know your entire alphabet in sign language. You can recognize most letters of the alphabet. The Montessori method teaches sound recognition first and then letter recognition. For example, you can point to letters in a book and tell me what sounds they make before you can tell me which letter it is. You are working on writing your numbers and letters in class. You can easily count to twenty and beyond.
The potty training is still a work in progress but you have made huge strides. Mommy and Daddy just need to be a bit more consistent with you and I think you will get the hang of it!
Every week at school you learn something new in science, geography, history and music. You have been learning about the different continents, countries and their flags. You have also learned about different instruments, the sounds the make and different composers. And recently you have been learning the parts of a flower. Your school just had a gardening day where your class planted new plants and flowers in your garden for you and your classmates to take care of. We also bought a tomato plant and flowers here at home that you water.
You and Daddy practice baseball and golf techniques all the time! You are such a good listener. It is so fun to watch you!

FAVORITE FOODS

You will pretty much each just about anything we put in front of you. Your favorites remain to be:
Yogurt Raisins
Green Beans
Chicken Nuggets

Chocolate Milk

FAVORITE TOYS/ACTIVITIES:
You are still pretty much into the same things as you were 3 months ago.

Firetrucks & ambulances
Golfing and baseball with Daddy
You love to go outside and play golf with Daddy.
Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Singing to your favorite music in the car

MOMENTS I DON'T WANT TO FORGET "CARSONISMS"

Anytime you have something similar to Mommy and Daddy, whether its food, a drink, something we are wearing, you say, "Same!" It's so cute.
You are repeating just about everything we say. But, of course, its the time we say something that we would prefer you not to repeat, we hear it loud an clear.
Just the other day Daddy was getting a beer and you said, "I want a beer!"
A couple of new sayings you have now are: "Oh my gosh" and "Come on guys"
You got into the habit of asking for milk right when we get home from school and before dinner. I would always tell you that you could have juice before dinner and milk after (because you love milk and would fill up on it instead of eating). And you finally figured it out! When you got home from school the other day you told me, "Ice Juice before dinner and milk after dinner."
You tell me all the time, "You beautiful mommy." Oh how that melts my heart.
I knew the day was coming, you ask "Why?" ALL the time. Even when it doesn't even make sense.
You know your sister's cry and I just love that! When ever Haley is crying at school, you tell your teachers and you are so concerned. You were napping one day and just before you fell asleep you heard Haley in the nursery crying. You lifted your head and your teacher came to you and you told her that your sister was crying.
As your birthday approached you got lots of phone calls from friends and family, many of which wanted to sing happy birthday to you. You started to cry when they would start to sing because it wasn't your birthday yet. And on the day of your birthday you wouldn't let anyone sing happy birthday to you until your party that evening. I don't think you have grasped the idea that the day is your birthday and not the party.
You and your Daddy have a saying, "I go you go!" You and your Daddy are attached at the hip most times, especially on the weekends. You both love to say that to each other.
When you visited with your cousins recently you heard them saying "Uncle Brian" and you started saying it. You would also say "Uncle Daddy"
When ever someone touches your head you say, "Don't touch my haircut"
Everything is "beautiful" to you. You will say, "your hair is beautiful", "the sky is beautiful", "the flower is beautiful"
Your favorite saying of late is "I got an 'dea", for I've got an idea. It so cute!!!
And my ultimate favorite thing ever is that you always say "my best friend Daddy." Your Daddy is most certainly your best friend and I don't feel bad at all just being your Mommy. You and your Daddy have an amazing bond and I just love to watch the two of you. I just love it when you say, "Where is my best friend Daddy" while you hold your arms up with palms to the sky. Just too cute!!!

How sweet is my sleeping boy here?

I love sleeping photos! This was taken in January. Doesn't Carson look HUGE here?!?!?

Carson's 3rd Birthday Party

2011-03-20T16:27:00.020-05:00

We had a fantastic time at Carson's 3rd Birthday Party!!! He is really into all things Mickey Mouse Clubhouse so that was his theme this year! I tried really hard to "tone it down" this year, but it is so hard to do!!! I just love parties, love throwing parties...especially for my kids!!! In fact, my Mom and I were already discussing Haley's 1st B-day party and she is only 3 months old. Ha!!!

Didn't this cake turn out great?!?! Believe it or not, I got it at HEB!

I could not resist these! Carson's picture was printed on sheets of sugar and laid over iced cookies. So fun!

Carson's 1st B-day Sign

Carson's 2nd B-day Sign

Too cute! Carson had more fun tackling this balloon than anything else.

Chow time

Carson and Austin playing baseball

We are ready to open presents!!!

Gotta love the face. This was as good as it got in terms of getting a smile for the camera.

Oh boy, I have a lot of explaining to do here... the Texas jersey was a gift from a die hard Texas fan (Thx Robbie!). AND - he got Haley a Texas cheerleader outfit as well. I said it was OK that they wear them just as long as it wasn't on a Florida game day. Although my kids bleed orange and blue, they are Texans.

This was Carson doing the Gator chomp while wearing the jersey. He knows what is good for him!

This video is so cute! Carson is saying thank you to everyone. And then I ask him if he wants to have cake. He has it in his head that you have to sing Happy Birthday before you have cake. Makes sense to me, right?!?! Well, his birthday party was on the 19th and his actual birthday is on the 27th. When we celebrated his birthday on the 27th, family and friends were calling him to wish him a happy birthday and to sing to him. Every time someone started to sing on the phone, he would start crying, "Its not my birthday yet. I don't have a birthday cake." We weren't having his cake until that evening. Ha!

Singing Happy Birthday wearing our mouse ears, of course!

Waiting with baited breath for the candy to fall out of the pinata!!!

Carson was getting a little confused with his pitching and hitting techniques. Check out this video where he lifts his leg before swinging the bat. Too cute!

My boys

2011-03-08T15:42:00.001-06:00

My boys.

We interrupt this family for baseball season

2011-03-08T15:39:00.000-06:00

Ok, not really, but I love the saying!

The weather is nice, we have attended our first baseball game of the season, Carson has dusted off his bat, ball and glove and now he is OBSESSED!!! The first thing he grabs when he gets home from school is his ball and glove and comes to Daddy or Mommy and says," Play Catch!" Its in the blood, what can I say?

Daddy teaching Carson how to pitch

Hitting off the tee. He is such a natural!

This will be the first thing we build in our new house...

Luke relaxing in the shade

And of course Daddy and Carson had to sit and watch videos after their "practice". How cute is this?!?!

Check out this video of Carson hitting off the tee.

Carson's first soccer practice

2011-03-07T15:06:00.002-06:00

We recently signed Carson up for Soccer and he had his first class this past weekend. We were so excited! I was a bit nervous that he might get a case of separation anxiety and not want to participate. He sure surprised me and did wonderful! I took a few photos but the quality is pretty bad. I still have to post to document his first organized sporting activity!

Before class they encouraged parents to go out on the field and play with the kids. Brian and Carson really enjoyed this time.

It was too cute to see a bunch of 3 years olds stretching.

I am officially a "Soccer Mom," right?!?!

Haley's Stats - 2 Months

2011-02-28T11:20:00.000-06:00

Two Months

"From the fullness of grace we have received one blessing after another." John 1:16

I can remember my dear friend Danielle asking me before her 2nd child was born, "How can I possibly love another child like I love my first?" I found myself asking the same question shortly before Haley was born. I am sure this question comes into your mind due to the anxieties of "neglecting" your first born after your second is born. And the fear of not giving him/her the same amount of attention as you are used to giving. I am sure all moms have this fear. I think it is similar to not really knowing and experiencing the love for a child until you have your own. You just don't know what it feels like until you experience it first hand. And now I know....

The answer I have for myself is that I do not love Haley like I love Carson. It is a completely different love. It is so hard to explain but I feel it. Its like the love I have for Brian. Its so different then the love I have for Carson and for Haley. I now know that different isn't bad, its SOOOO good. I am so full of love that I feel as if I am bursting at the seams. It is such a wonderful feeling. I know it sounds so cliche, but I do feel complete...

Weight
You weighed 12 lbs 1.8 ounces and were in the 75th percentile (down from the 75th percentile at 1 month)

Height

You measured 22.5 inches and were in the 45th percentile (down from the 75th percentile at 1 month). You had quite the growth spurt from 2 weeks to 1 month and seemed to have slowed down a bit.

Each month I plan to take pictures next to your "Haley Snuggie" (shown above). I got this idea from our friend Valerie (Thx Val!). This will provide a wonderful visual each month of how much you have grown.

Head

Your head measured 39.5 cm and were in the 80th percentile (still measuring in the 80th percentile). Poor thing, looks like you will have a big head just like your Mommy! We can thank Papa for that. Ha! I guess it doesn't really matter if you have a head full of hair to cover it. That is yet to be determined, your hair has yet to make much of an appearance :-)

Health
Unfortunately you got your first ear infection this month (right ear) :-( I certainly hope you don't follow in your brother's footsteps with 4 ear infections before he was 5 months old and got ear tubes at 5 months. You never let on that you were in pain, thankfully! You just had a little nasal congestion and runny nose and a low grade fever for one day (never over 99).

You are still wearing 0-3 month clothes however I have already retired a few outfits. I have on my To-Do list to get your 3-6 month clothes out of storage. You are still wearing size 1 diapers but I think we will be moving you up to size 2 before too long.

You still have a love for your hands. I just love to watch you clasp and suck on your hands. You never have really taken to a pacifier so you will just suck on your adorable little hands. I have tried countless times to get you on video when you start to smack on your hands when you get hungry. I have never succeeded since you always start to cry before I get the chance. You go from 0-60 when you decide you are hungry. Just like your Momma, when you are hungry...you want it NOW!!

Temperament

You are still a very easy baby (as compared to your brother at this age). You love to sleep and eat and that is pretty much all you do with exception to a couple more hours of wakeful time during the day this past month. You are starting to use your voice a little bit more. I just love it when you squeal and shriek. I look forward to hearing you more. Thankfully you are still pretty easy when it comes to trying to figure out what you want when you cry. Whether you are hungry, tired, hot/cold or have a dirty diaper it usually doesn't take us too long to figure it out and make you happy. And thankfully your "witching hour" has shortened drastically and sometimes is nonexistent. We have learned that you are just ready for bed! At this time we let you "cry it out" and generally it only takes about 5 min or so to soothe yourself to sleep.

Sleep

You are still a very good sleeper (our "angel baby"). Thankfully it appears you know the difference between day time naps and night sleep. During the day you sleep in your swing of which you absolutely love. You also sleep very well in your car seat. When its time for bed time you like to be swaddled tightly in your Miracle Blanket and laid down. We can lay you down awake and you put yourself to sleep. You sleep in the co-sleeper next to Mommy's side of the bed with the assistance of the noise maker. Your preference is the sound of the heartbeat. This puts Mommy right to sleep as well :-) You are consistently sleeping 5-6 hours the first stretch and then 3 hours at a time there after. And just recently you slept a 7 hour stretch. This makes Mommy and Daddy VERY happy!!!

Eating

You are still a wonderful eater. You have nursed extremely well from birth. You do spit up quite a bit though. I understand this is very common for breastfed babies. I am continuing to pump but I have reduced it to 1-2 times a day. Our freezer is packed full already!

Routine

3-4 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. And right down to sleep again. This usually takes about 30 min.

6-7 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. Mommy, Daddy and Carson get up and get ready for the day. You move from the co-sleeper to the swing when we head downstairs for breakfast and to get Carson ready for school.

9-10 am: Up for the day. Nurse, burp, bath and ready for the day. You are usually awake for a short period and then go down for a morning nap.

12-1 pm: Nurse, burp and diaper change.

3-4 pm: Nurse, burp and diaper change. You usually have a longer awake time between lunch and your mid-afternoon snack. You will move from your tummy time mat to your bouncer, the floor and the swing. Mommy loves to play with you and get you to coo and smile. This is usually when we do your daily "photo shoot" to send pics to the grandparents :-)

5-7 pm: Nurse, burp, diaper change and awake time. This is when we sit down to eat as a family and play with Carson. We like to go outside and watch Carson kick around a soccer ball, hit off his tee or take a few swings at his golf balls.

7-9 pm: This is usually your fussy time and we have discovered its because you are ready for bed! You generally snack a couple of times and then have one last long feed before bed time. You are changed for bed, swaddled and laid down in your co-sleeper. Mommy and Daddy usually find themselves getting ready for bed between 8:30-9 pm as well. Once you feed for the last time around 9, you usually stay asleep for a good 5-6 hours. Yeah!!

Moments/Things I Don't Want to Forget

I know all too well how quickly infancy goes by. I want to do my best to try and slow it down and embrace it all.

You smiled your first intentional smile on February 13th and it was for Daddy! We were all sitting on the couch that Sunday morning having our coffee and chocolate milk and Daddy had you propped up on his legs looking at you. I was happy I was there to witness it yet a little jealous it was for Daddy ;-)
You love to have your feet stroked. I didn't think babies like to have their feet touched but you love it!
When you get hungry you start to suck on your hands and when you get really hungry you make a loud smacking noise. It is so cute!!!
You love to watch your brother. You will follow him around the room. And he loves to entertain you!
Carson still has not shown too much jealousy towards you. Mommy and Daddy try real hard to keep him entertained and to share our attention so this doesn't happen. But there are a few times when he looks for attention. Just last night Daddy was in the kitchen cooking dinner and Mommy was nursing you. Carson wanted to play catch so he came up to me and tried to take the Boppy out from under you and laid his glove on you and said, "Here Mommy, play catch!"
Carson will always announce to us "Haley awake!" When he sees your eyes open.
When you are tired and I am holding you, you will try to burrow your sweet little head into my neck to get comfortable.
I love, love, love it when you fall asleep on my chest.

Here are a few (ha!) of my favorite photos from this past month.

You and Luke relaxing on the floor.

Lovin' from your brother.

More lovin'

I LOVE it when you fall asleep on my chest :-)

Sweet sleep.

Valentines morning...you weren't having it!

Daddy's Valentine! Haley and I surprised Daddy at his office with lunch and treats for Haley's first Valentine's Day.

Going out to lunch with the ladies :-)

And now a little comparison. Do you think Haley looks like Carson??

Carson - 2 weeks

Haley - 2 months

I think so!!!

One to Two Month Comparison

Haley's Nursery

2011-02-27T14:07:00.002-06:00

I just LOVE how Haley's nursery turned out! It is such a fun room. I am not a bumble gum pink and frills kinda girl so I think this suits me well...and Haley too, of course! And I especially love that I was able to incorporate my love for animal prints in here too!

My favorite part of the room is her name. I think this turned out fantastic! My mom helped me put this together when she was here last fall. The details are so fun from the curly cues on the letters to the little oval shapes on the ribbon (which you can't see) that match the shapes in the bedding.

The baskets under the TV work perfectly for her blankets, shoes, hats and headbands.

This is by far the most comfortable rocker ever! I have spent many of hours in it already.

I love the see no, hear no, speak no monkeys. These were in Carson's nursery :-)

I am so happy with how this hair clip holder turned out. I found this fun brown and pink animal print ribbon that matched the room perfectly! We have since added a few more clips to it. Ha!

I look forward to being able to paint the walls and add a little more to this room when we move into a new house...hopefully later this year!

February Rewind

2011-02-27T14:01:00.001-06:00

Our February was full and wonderful as we adjusted to being a family of 4!

Brian and I co-hosted a couples baby shower for Dina and Michael who are due with their first, a baby girl, in May. Unfortunatley Haley had a runny nose and the doctor suggested we stay away from large crowds with her so I went to help set-up and my wonderful husband stayed and helped with the hosting duties. He is the best!!

Here are all the ladies that co-hosted the party for Dina and Michael.

Carson had the day off from school for President's Day so we headed to Round Rock for a play date with the Gordon's.

The kiddos enjoyed lunch on the patio while Amanda and I caught up. How cute is this!?!?

Riggs was fascinated by Haley. Too cute!

Jerold and Johana joined the Schmitt Family for our first baseball game of the season. We went to a Texas State game in San Marcos.

I am not sure Brian got to see much of the game because all Carson wanted to do was through his baseball. I guess Daddy can't complain too much about that :-)

Haley enjoyed snoozing out in the fresh air.

Haley did sit and watch some of the game. She was very content. As she should be at a baseball game, it runs in the blood!

We have been enjoying the sping like weekends as of late. We have ventured out the last couple of weekends to our neighborhood parks. This past weekend Carson got a soccer lesson from his dad. He starts his very first organized sporting event in a couple of weeks - soccer! We are very excited!

And finally, Haley and I attended my monthly Girls'Nite event. Haley and 'lil Miss Charlee Kay (3 months) will enjoy these a little more in the future :-)

How precious is Charlee Kay? She looks EXACTLY like her Momma, Somer :-) Haley was a little fussy, as you can see in this photo.

Too cute!

Danielle and Brady's Visit

2011-02-07T13:49:00.001-06:00

My dear friend and college roommate, Danielle, came to visit and meet baby Haley with her oldest (of two) sons, Brady. We had a fantastic visit and I was so excited they could make it!


Brady (4) and Carson (2)

The boys had such a great time playing together. I so wish we weren't 1400 miles apart :-(

Brady just loved baby Haley. He was very interested in her and asked lots of questions about her.

He just loved that she held on to his fingers. Every chance he got he would have her grasp them.

Danielle and Haley

Honor God With Your Body

2011-02-07T12:04:00.000-06:00

God is simply AMAZING!!!! This is not something I should be surprised about, but I just LOVE how He speaks to me when I need Him.

Before sharing how He continues to amaze me let me preface by sharing a story. I was extremely lucky when Carson was born in terms of getting back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I was in pretty good shape before I got pregnant, working out an average of 3 days a week doing both cardiovascular exercise and strength training. I had a great partner who encouraged me to get out of bed at 5:45 am to be at the gym by 6:15 am 3x a week. (Thanks Karen!!!) I continued this regimen through my 8th month of pregnancy when I became just too big and uncomfortable (and sleep deprived!) to make it happen. I believe this is what allowed me to return to my pre-pregnancy weight 5 weeks after giving birth!

Fast forward to my last pregnancy with Haley (2.5 years later). I did not work out much during this pregnancy simply because I have seriously slacked off and did not have a consistent regimen in place before the pregnancy. I knew that there was a good chance that I would not get back to my pre-pregnancy weight in 5 weeks but I was still hopeful :-) Here I am at 5 weeks and 5 days after her birth and I am still 9 lbs away and still in maternity clothes... This has been heavy on my heart the past couple of weeks. I am torn between the reality that I am ONLY 5 weeks post delivery and I ONLY have 9lbs to loose (not bad, right?) AND I am nursing. I know that I need more calories to continue to produce what Haley needs. However, the other side of me is pained that I am far from fitting into my regular clothes. I look in the mirror and wonder who's body is appearing before me...that can't be mine, right?

So where am I am going with this?? What has been heavy on my heart is not so much the weight that I want to loose but rather the desire for the motivation and self control needed to get there. The lack of self control is more consuming than anything else. So what had God done for me?

(1) He sent two Godly women and two of my best friends to come and visit me this past week. I shared my fears with them and they uplifted me, encouraged me and reassured me. Thank you Jenni and Danielle. I love you!!!

(2) He sent me this email, a daily devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministries (http://www.proverbs31.org/)... No, He didn't really send it, but you get the point.

Nothing Tastes as Good as Peace Feels by Lysa TerKeurst

To get the gist of the devotional, here is the prayer that she provided for the day:

Dear Lord, help me to see how the temporary sting of sacrifice will be worth the peace I will find in You. Please help me to have the courage to say no to things that distract me mentally, spiritually, and physically. I long to be empowered with Your strength and Your peace today. I admit I need You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Lysa recently released the book Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food

(3) He encourage me to go to a blog I frequent, Bring the Rain. Check out what Angie wrote about today! http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/2011/02/made-to-crave.html

Her post was about Lysa's new book!!

Wow, wow, wow!!! God is good!

And to answer my question from above, " ...who's body is appearing before me...that can't be mine, right?" Right!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body," (1 Corinthians 6:19–20)

My prayer today is to let go and let God. I pray that I can release my fear and anxiety about losing this weight and let God lead me to honor Him with my body.

I am off to the bookstore to buy Lysa's book so I can Do The Work.

What are you doing today?

Snow Day 2011

2011-02-03T13:17:00.011-06:00

Carson experienced his second snow fall this year. I am not sure he liked it much considering the boys were outside for less than 5 minutes. It was a bit too cold for him. Luke, however, seems to love the snow. He wanted to play ball!

Here is a video of Carson throwing his first snowball at his Daddy (even though Daddy had to make the snowball for him :-)

Here he is last year on our only snow day. As you can see there was a lot less snow and about the same enthusiasm for the snow :-)

Haley's Stats - 1 Month

2011-01-30T10:42:00.321-06:00

One Month

"I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart ..."

Jeremiah 1:5

Wow! I can not believe you are one month old! You have changed so much in your short life so far. Each new day has brought us so much joy.

Weight

We went to your one month check up and I was absolutely shocked at how big you were. My guess going into the appointment was that you were approaching or just over 9lbs. I thought for sure you were going to take after your Mommy, however, I might be wrong. Only time will tell. You may just be a wonderful combination of Mommy and Daddy. However big or small you will be, you are perfect!

You weighed 10 lbs and 7 oz and were in the 80th percentile (up from the 55th percentile at 2 wks) . You gained 2 lbs and 3 oz in just two short weeks!

Height

You measured 21.5 inches and were in the 75th percentile (up from the 55th percentile at 2 wks). You grew 1.5 inches in 2 weeks!!!

Head

Your head measured 37.6 cm and were in the 80th percentile (down from the 85th percentile at 2 wks). This is up from 36.5 cm at 2 weeks.

You are fitting into 0-3 month clothes quite nicely now. For some reason I thought I would get once last chance to put you in your newborn clothes before I realized how much you have grown. The outfit in your one month photos above are newborn. Ha! I promise that is the last time I will do that to you. It certainly shows that you have grown :-) You are also wearing size 1 diapers now.

You have incredible head control. You have held your head up almost since birth. You turn your head from side to side during tummy time. You love your hands. I love the way you clutch your hands. You have even folded them together with your fingers entwined. Just last night you were napping on your tummy and you had the side of your hand in your mouth. It was so cute!

Temperament

Your temperament has changed quite a bit in the last couple of weeks. You are still a very easy baby (as compared to your brother at this age). Thanks to the help of friends and family that have visited we are starting to learn your preferences. You are beginning to get a bit more vocal. You cry when you are too hot or too cold. You cry when you start to get sleepy. You don't like the hiccups. You cry when you get your diaper changed (unless we are using warmed baby wipes). You absolutely love to lay on your belly (just like your brother!) Your "witching hour" is generally in the 5-9 pm time frame. Unfortunately this is Daddy's time with you.

Sleep

You are still a very good sleeper (our "angel baby"). Thankfully it appears you know the difference between day time naps and night sleep. When its time for bed time you like to be swaddled tightly in your Miracle Blanket and laid down. We can lay you down awake and you put yourself to sleep. You sleep in the co-sleeper next to Mommy's side of the bed with the assistance of the noise maker. Your preference is the sound of the heartbeat. This puts Mommy right to sleep as well :-)

Eating

You are still a wonderful eater. Yeah! This is quite apparent in the 2 lbs 3oz weight gain in 2 weeks!!! You have nursed extremely well from birth. This was one of my greatest anxieties since your brother did not nurse well and was mainly on a formula diet from day one. I realized then how important nursing was for me and I prayed that you would nurse well. I love this time with you. It just you and me baby girl... I started pumping a couple of weeks ago to ensure you have everything you need and to increase my supply. So far so good! We just might have to buy a deep freezer! Ha! Thank goodness for the 2nd refrigerator/freezer in the garage. I am pumping on average of 3-5 times a day, depending on our schedule for the day.

Routine

I know that a daily routine is still hard to come by at this point as it will continue to change. And it will soon change when I go back to work. So far, you are pretty consistent which is wonderful.

12-1 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. And right down to sleep again. This usually takes about 30 min.

3-4 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. And right down to sleep again.

6-7 am: Nurse, burp and diaper change. And right down to sleep again. Mommy, Daddy and Carson get up and get ready for the day. You move from the co-sleeper to the swing when we head downstairs for breakfast and to get Carson ready for school.

9-10 am: Up for the day. Nurse, burp, bath and ready for the day. You are usually awake for a short period and then go down for a morning nap.

12-1 pm: Lunch time.

3-4 pm: You have been snacking quite a bit in the afternoons lately. You will usually start "snacking" at this point and will want to nurse again in 60-90 min. I am working on getting you to take a pacifier at this time to curb the snacking.

5-7 pm: Dinner time and fussy time :-) We try to entertain you with tummy time and play time with Carson to curb your fussiness at this time. Sometimes we are successful and other times, not :-)

7-9 pm: One last feed before bed time. You are changed for bed, swaddled and laid down in your co-sleeper. Mommy usually finds herself getting ready for bed between 8:30-9 pm as well.

10-11 pm: Depending on when you went down for bed (and how many times you "snacked" before bed time) you will wake and eat or skip this feed and wake for your 12-1 am feed. This is usually the longest stretch of sleep which is nice. You will usually sleep 4-5 hours before you wake to feed again. Love it!!!

Moments I Don't Want to Forget

I know all too well how quickly infancy goes by. I want to do my best to try and slow it down and embrace it all.

I absolutely love all your noises. You grunt like a little piggy. You generally grunt when you are snuggled and are starting to wake before you feed at night. You start grunting softly and the volume begins to raise before you start to cry.
You will squeak like a little mouse. You squeak off and on when you sleep and when you stretch.
I love watching your little mouth and the faces that you make. You have discovered your tongue and will move it around in your mouth, in and out, as you lay on your back and explore what is around you. Your legs and arms are usually moving all over the place which always makes it difficult to take a good picture :-)
I love watching Carson with you. Just yesterday I was nursing you on the couch and Carson was snuggling up next to us. As he was focused on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse he gently tapped on your head as you were nursing. Oh so cute!
Carson loves to help burp you. He is so gentle. In fact, he loves to try and help with everything. It is pretty funny when he tries to help Mommy while I am pumping. Ha! He knows how to turn the pump on and off.
You shed your first tears this past week. Tears just tug at my heart strings. To this day, my heart still aches when your big brother cries...even when he is having a fit. I just hate tears.

Carson loves being on the floor and playing with Haley

She is so active its hard to snap a photo. She is "striking a pose" here.

I just love this sweet 'lil outfit.

Gotta love the yawn pics

Sleeping beauty

My dear friend and college roommate Jenni came for a visit and we had a fantastic time!

Carson loves to hold his baby sister

Do they look alike?

Every shot I have of Carson kissing her lately she is whaling. Ha! I am sure she will loves this as a teenager.

Jerold and Jo joined us for dinner again this past weekend.

Carson loves playing with his stickers. And yes, we all had stickers on our face as well :-)

I just love, love this outfit! This was a splurge of mine that I found at Neiman Marcus Last Call. Although the original price was $60+ I got it for $19.

All dressed up and ready to go to Girls' Nite

Every month a group of ladies here in Austin get together for Girls' Nite. We just celebrated our 10th anniversary of Girls' Nite. Yeah! This time we had a "make your own personal pizza night" at Dina's house. We all brought different fixins' for pizzas. Yum!

Haley's First Girls' Nite

Jenni, Haley and Kelly

Kelly, Haley and Carlie

Christy, Kelly and Haley

Andriel, Kelly and Haley

Kelly, Haley and Dina ( 6 mo preggo with her 'lil angel, Athina - yeah!)

Haley and Jeanne

Haley's stats - 3 weeks

2011-01-20T16:02:00.079-06:00

Baby girl, you are 3 weeks old today! It's hard to imagine life without you. We are all working hard at adjusting to be a family of four. But I can guarantee, we love it! This week has been a little challenging though. Both your brother and I battled a nasty cold last week and this week we both are on antibiotics for sinus infections...yuck! Carson has been home with us all week.

You are still living up to your "angel baby" nickname. You are sleeping wonderfully well both during the day and at night. You continue to enjoy your swaddle blanket at night with your arms tucked in nice and tight. You have been feeding much more frequently during the day, sometimes as often as every 75-90 minutes. This is a bit tough to get used to, especially since you are still refusing to take a bottle :-) Let's just say its very difficult to make plans or to get much done around the house. However, I enjoy every moment staring into your angelic little face.

We have had a week full of wonderful visitors. There are so many people who have loved you since before you were born and they have been eager to meet you.

We enjoyed a wonderful evening with Jerold, Johana and Luke on Saturday night.

Jerold, Johana and Haley

Luke and Haley

The Gordon Family came for a visit on Sunday.

Finley, Amanda and Haley

Amanda and Haley

Brian and Haley

Kelly, Amanda and Haley

Grandma Karen and her grand kids Trinity, Shelby and Austin came by for a visit.

Austin reading to Carson

Trinity and Haley

Shelby and Haley

Grandma Karen and Haley

Aunt Rara (Tara) flew in from Florida this week.

Aunt Rara and Haley

Aunt Rara saying goodbye to Carson. He was not interested in taking a photo :-(

Aunt Rara saying goodbye to Haley

Here are a few random shots from the week...

Carson joining Haley in Tummy Time

Love the hands!

Snoozing on the couch

We went for our first walk this week.

Walking with Luke

A photo shoot

Trying on hats

Angel Baby

Who does Haley Grace look like?

2011-01-14T15:29:00.000-06:00

Who does Haley Grace look like to you???

Kelly

Haley

Brian

Haley

Kelly

Brian

Haley

Kelly

Brian

I just love these two pictures!!!

Haley

Carson

Haley's stats - 2 weeks

2011-01-14T13:28:00.000-06:00

2 Weeks

January 13th, 2011

Haley Grace, you are two weeks old today! I can not believe it. It is still hard to imagine that I have a little girl. I am so blessed and my heart is so full.

The last two weeks feel like they have flown by and yet your birth feels like so long ago. My emotions have been on a roller coaster but I know that is to be expected. Thankfully, there have been many, many more highs then lows. The lows really aren't that low considering what I have in return. There are moments when I think back on my pregnancy, especially at the end. I think about how it was just you and me baby girl. Although pregnancies seem to be pretty tough on me, I will never ever forget those moments when it was just us. I loved carrying you in my womb. I feel so very blessed that God allowed me to bring you into this world.

I look forward to watching you grow and become a little girl. However, I vow to not let these days slip away. I hope to cherish each and every day with you because I know all too well that you will grow up fast.

1/3/11

At your first doctor's appointment at 5 days old you weighed 7 lbs 3 oz (50th percentile), you were 19 inches long* (25th percentile), and your head was 35 cm (80th percentile).

*Although you measured 20 inches long at birth, apparently the pediatrician's office measures you differently then the hospital does.

You are still wearing newborn clothes. The 0-3 month clothes swim on you.

1/13/11

At your 2nd doctor's appointment you weighed 8 lbs 4.8 oz (55th percentile), you were 20 inches long (55th percentile) and your head was 36.5 cm (85th percentile).

You are certainly taking after your Mommy. I was a little porker as a baby (not that you are...yet) and I was short with a big head (still am, ha!).

You are now wearing 0-3 month clothes. The newborn clothes are too short on you in both the arms and legs. You are still in newborn diapers.

You can hold your head up very well. You are able to turn it from side to side when you are on your tummy. You sleep well when you are swaddled in your Miracle blanket. You haven't liked to be swaddled in your Woombie. I think its because you can move your arms in it. When you are in your Woombie you grunt a lot while you are trying to get your arms free. I just love the miracle blanket because you look like a caterpillar in it. You sleep in the bassinet beside our bed. During the day you nap in either the bassinet, the swing or your bouncy seat.

You haven't taken a bottle yet. We have only tried a couple of times. I assume I will start bottle training you in the coming weeks so you are able to take one when you start at daycare when you are 12 weeks old. You pretty much eat every 2-4 hours. You go longer stretches at night which is wonderful! I try to make sure you eat every 2-3 hours during the day. You will take a pacifier half the time. I am hoping you will start to like it a little more, especially when you get in your "cluster feed" moods and I feel like you are at my breast all day (and all night long). You love to suck on your little hands and it is so cute when you have just your thumb in your mouth. You have the longest fingers. I don't ever want to forget how adorable it is when you are rooting and trying to find me. Your head shakes from side to side and your hands are in and out of your mouth. When you are hungry, you are hungry!!! Once again, just like your Mommy. You will nurse for about 30-40 min at a time. You get really sleeping so I have been changing your diaper about half way through so you will wake up.

You and I went on our first outing by ourselves to your 2 week doctor's appointment. It was about 35 degrees outside so I had you bundled up. It went really well. So well, we ran a couple more errands while we were out. One thing that is very different from when your brother was this age is that he was on formula for the most part and you are not yet taking a bottle. Thank goodness for window tinting! You and I were in the back seat of my car for about 20 min outside of Target while you nursed :-)

Here we are at Target

I look forward to our time ahead but I do hope it slows down a bit. We love you baby girl!!!

Haley Grace - Week 2

2011-01-12T11:42:00.001-06:00

Our first few days home have been wonderful! Haley has pretty much earned the her nickname "Angel Baby". Fingers crossed it stays this way, she is so easy! She only cries when she is hungry or when she is getting changed. She has slept well at night, for the most part. She has a couple of wakeful times during the day and the other times she is in someone's arms, in her bouncy seat, or in the swing. And she continues to nurse well.

Poppa has been and always will be the baby whisperer. He loves to hold babies. Here he is catching a snooze with Miss Haley.

Phillip and Christina came in town for the weekend to meet 'lil Miss Haley Grace. We were all very excited for their visit....

Carson especially!!! He loves his Uncle Phillip!!

Carson will just have to adjust to Phillip's divided attention. I think he handled it pretty well. Phillip was multi-tasking here... a little Haley time combined with "Horsey time" with Carson.

Not sure what was going on here...looks like some deep thoughts :-)

Uncle Josh also made a visit over the weekend!

As you can see, Carson and Haley weren't spoiled at all :-)

The rest of the weekend was spent lounging around with plenty of adorable opportunities for photos.

Haley enjoying tummy time on the couch with Daddy

Carson shared his stickers with everyone

Momma and Poppa getting a few more moments with Haley

Momma and Poppa left on Sunday morning after spending Christmas and Haley's birth with us. They were here for 19 days! We were so very fortunate to have them with us again at this very special time. They were so busy they just wore themselves out. Brian and I never cooked a meal, washed a dish, vacuumed the floor...etc. while they were here. It was wonderful! We are all still trying to recover from their departure.

Just had to snap this photo - check out that face!

Ever since getting this Little Sister onesie as a gift for Miss Haley, I have had this photo opp in my head. I hope to get more...but here are a few cute ones :-)

Monday was a tough day for me as my parents had just left, Phillip and Christina went back to Houston, Carson went back to school and Brian back to work. I spent the day in my PJs and this was my view. I guess it wasn't so bad after all.

Thankfully Karen came for a visit on Tuesday. This is how we spent our time...Haley was so comfortable cuddling with Karen.

I could not resist posting this photo. This is how Brian found Carson in bed the other night. Doesn't he look like he is 5 here?!?! He is wearing 5T PJs in this photo. Looks like they may not make it through the winter!

Haley Grace - Week 1

2011-01-05T14:44:00.006-06:00

Our hospital stay was full with visitors and lots of different nurses and doctors. Since it was a holiday weekend there was quite a bit of turnover but we really enjoyed each and every one of the nurses and doctors that cared for Haley and I. This was a much better experience then Carson's delivery. Our hospital stay was a bit stressful, to say the least.

Haley did great her first week! She nursed well, slept well, peed and pooped well (ha!) - all the important things. She did, however, drop a little too much weight. Almost all babies drop a little body weight after birth but doctors do not want to see it go above 5-10% of their birth weight before they start gaining again. Haley dropped from 7lbs 14oz to 7lbs 7oz the first day and then down to 7lbs even (almost 11% of her body weight) on the 2nd day. It was then that we started what is called the SNS technique. This is where I supplement her nursing with formula without having to introduce a bottle by utilizing a tiny little tube while nursing. It was really cool! That did the trick. The next day she was up to 7 lbs 2 oz. At our first doctor's appointment with her pediatrician, the day after she was discharged from the hospital, she was up to 7lbs 4oz. We went back to the doctor 2 days later for a weight check and she was up to 7lbs 8oz!

Haley soon earned the nick name "Angel Baby" because she slept so well the first week. We even had to start waking her to feed. She easily would go 3-4 hours at a time but the doctor suggested we continue to feed her every 2-3 hours to ensure she continues to gain weight.

So far she only cries when she is hungry and sometimes when she is getting her diaper changed. She doesn't seem to mind having a wet or dirty diaper and she is pretty content being held or relaxing in her bouncy chair, swing or bassinet. Carson was quite the opposite so this is certainly a welcomed treat!

In the first week Haley usually had two periods of awake time where she was alert with her wandering eyes. This was Poppa's favorite time and she was usually in his arms :-) Her longest stretch was generally around dinner time.

**********************************************************

Our dear friends Josh and Kelly (soon to be Mr and Mrs., yeah!!!) came to visit on New Year's Eve.

We also welcomed dear friends Johana and Jerold (also soon to be Mr. and Mrs., yahoo!!!)

New Year's day was spent relaxing, watching football and getting to know our little girl. Here is Daddy and Haley watching their first football game!

Welcome Home Haley!

Luke meeting his new baby sister

Carson getting to see Haley up close for the first time since being sick the day of her birth

Momma holding grand daughter #3 (and 5th grandchild)

My boys are happy :-)

Kisses from Daddy and Carson

First Tummy Time

Catching a snooze

Saying goodbye to Daddy...he was heading to work

Kisses from Big Brother

Carson holding Haley for the first time

It was Carson who decided it was time he held his baby sister for the first time. The 2nd night we were home from the hospital Carson grabbed his chair and brought it to the center of the room and declared he wanted to hold Haley.

Above is a video of Carson holding Haley for the first time.

The next morning he was ready to do it again!

Haley's First Bath

Haley's first bath at home went as well as could be expected. She pretty much screamed through the whole thing :-)

Love, love, love this pic!

Haley's first photo shoot

Of course I had to get Haley all dolled up after her bath. Well, if you can consider putting a bow in her hair dolled up :-) I didn't expect Haley to be so small so she has yet to wear any of her 0-3 months clothes. She is still in newborn clothes of which I had only 2 outfits. Mom had to run out and get a few more until she grew a bit more!

She kinda looks like she is trying to smile here