Who needs expensive toys?

He's just so cute

even if it is a little weird...

I don't even know what to say

I have been going through baby clothes and what-not in the attic to get ready for a yard sale. In a plastic container with things I've decided I didn't want to part with Jaden found this Tigger jacket that was part of his Halloween costume when he was just shy of 4 months old (and he was born 2 months early so he was teeny tiny still - it was a 3-6 months size). He insited on putting it on. When I told him that it was for a baby and that it wouldn't fit him he just threw a fit! So, I put it on him fully expecting that he wouldn't even be able to get his arms through. By some strange twist of fate he was able to get it on AND I was able to zip it up! He even put the hood on! He played in this costume, ate dinner in the costume, and even wore it to bed! He actually just woke up as I'm writing this and he's still got it on! ha, ha, ha...

Luke is 11 months old

This is probably one of the last times I'll really be able to report his age in months. After this he'll be one year and _ months (though I know it's perfectly fine to say "15 months old" or "18 months old"), etc...
He's doing great! Now that he's walking and developing his gross motor skills he's got his appetite back. I'm so happy to watch him eat just about anything you put in front of him. That's my boy! I didn't like the hunger strike.
Okay, I'm going to admit something I probably shouldn't. Today at church I had the first pang of "Oh, my goodness, maybe I should have another baby". There was another couple in the cry room with us with 4 children. As I was watching them and watching my own little ones my mind went to that bad place. I actually started thinking that this could be a possibility. I thought about how Jaden was the same age as Luke is now when I got pregnant and they would be 20 months apart. I know what that's like now, I could handle it since I know what to expect. And I've learned more this time around so, I'd be better prepared. Right? Wrong! These were my thoughts though, it's true. Then, I had to shake my head and tell myself "No!" These are crazy thoughts. Crazy. Yes, babies are wonderful but they are also a lot of work. These three are more than I could have wished for. I am so blessed.

Honestly, I don't want to have to pack any more kids into the not-quite big enough bedrooms we have and can't even think about moving again to get a bigger house! Besides, even if I could afford another baby how would I be able to afford 4 teenagers! I can't even imagine the bills for clothing, entertainment, and car insurance!

I think the moment that sparked this chain of irrational thoughts was noticing that Luke doesn't feel as "soft" to me lately. He is on the move now. He is walking about 80 percent/crawling 20 percent and that is widdling away every day as he gets better at standing himself back up after he falls down. It just makes sense that since he is getting stronger and is in constant motion he's not going to be as "soft". I'm going to miss the "soft".

I am loving watching him walk around a little akwardly still with his arms flailing above his head and his little fat legs moving faster and faster as he perfects his gait.

I know that they will always be my babies and I will see them this way even when they are sixty years old. It's just such a wonderful time! I do look forward to all of the new milestones and fun times ahead. Maybe I need to find someone with a baby who needs a babysitter? Maybe that would help me to get my "baby fix".

BTW- I know what you're thinking about the pics with the golf club...that kid looks a lot more like a hockey player than a golf player!

Battle scars of walking

Luke is doing really well walking. He is walking a little further with a little more balance all the time. But, he still falls a lot. And when he falls it usually has much more gusto than it used to - he's got momentum now!

Yesterday, he got a boo boo. My guess is that he did a face plant into the Leapfrog music table. That was where I found him (I was in the kitchen just a few feet away) and Jaden was not close by. My first thought what that Jaden pushed him or kicked him or whacked him with something. That is usually the case. It must just be the way the pecking order goes. Anna did it to Jaden, Jaden does it to Luke, Luke will do it to ??? Us, I guess? Maybe Leo? Taking his size into account, maybe he'll be the school yard bully? I promise we'll do our best to make sure that is never the case.

Superbowl Champions

A good cause

As you probably know, our son, Jaden, has a speech delay. He began receiving speech therapy services in May of last year through BACH- ECI(Brazoria County Association for Citizens with Handicaps Early Childhood Intervention).

BACH - ECI is a non-profit organization that provides services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and occupational therapy as well as educational and recreational activities for the kids and their families, respite care, a specialized clinic for children with sensory disorders, and parent support groups. The therapists come to the home, school, or day care - which is wonderful! Services are provided for low or no cost depending on financial ability. All of the evaluations were done at no cost to us. If you do have to contribute there is just one fee per month regardless of how many services you receive or how many times they come and if your insurance pays anything at all (even $5) you don't pay anything. Our cost is $20.00 but our insurance had paid initially and our first bill just came in January for just $20.00. It is worth so much more than that! That is less than my co-pay would be for one visit to a private speech therapist. I certainly would pay it if I had to but the services he is receiving are in all likelihood more beneficial to him because he gets to stay in his envirnment where he is most comfortable and Chris and I are taught how to encourage him throughout our normal daily activities. He sort of gets therapy all day long in a way. It is much more practical for this 2-year-old than trying to get him to sit down at a table for a 45-minute session :)

BACH has certainly been a blessing to us. Jaden is doing so much better. He still has a little ways to go but I have confidence now that he will get there!

There is an upcoming event this March called "Roll 'n stroll". It is a fundraiser to help support this program. Each child gets a free t-shirt and trophy just for participating - this has nothing to do with raising donations. It's not a requirement at all. I just wanted to let people know about the program because it is important to us. If you would like to make a donation please let me know. They can be as little as $5.00. You could sponsor Jaden!

Just click on the word "comment" at the end of this post and leave a message in the box with your name. You don't need an account just click on the "anonymous" box then, click "publish comment". It's that easy. Thanks for listening :)

Holiday visitors

I had just accepted the idea that we were going to be staying at home this Christmas and not traveling back east to see family and friends when we got a call to tell us we would have some company. Then, another. Then, another. Yay!!

Our first visitor was my sister, Megan. Megan was here with us the whole week of Christmas. It was so nice to have her here with us. We all got to celebrate Christmas Eve together with my Sister-in-law, Kelli, Brother-in-law, Mike, and Justin, Alex, and Nicole. It was very special.

Making Cookies with Aunt Megan

Megan got the "ornament kit" this year.

It's an old family tradition that was just between my Mom and my Aunt for years and years. They would wrap up this silly, old ornament kit each year and give it back and forth to each other. When the ornament kit was opened they would laugh so hard they couldn't talk (they still do!). A few years ago, I got it and then it was opened up to the family. This year Megan was christened with it!

While Megan was here we managed to sneak off to take some more senior pictures at the beach. The weather made it kind of tricky because it was overcast and very, very windy but we got some good shots.Our next visitors came on New Year's Day: My Aunt Clarice and Uncle Richie. We had a wonderful, whirlwind visit! The day after they got here we took off for San Antonio. We walked along the riverwalk, ate at the oldest restaurant on the river walk, and visited the Alamo. While we were there not too far away from our hotel actually (we could see the stadium from our room) the All Star High School football game was going on at the Alamodome. My cousin, Sean, is a coach of his high school football team and my Uncle helps him out and this is a big deal for them. It wouldn't even have been on my radar :). We walked over to check it out and my Uncle was able to go inside to take a picture of the field and get a program. He was so excited and I'm sure my cousin was equally as excited to see the picture and program! It was a bonus we hadn't expected.

Anna tormenting Uncle Richie with her hair clip!

Anna tormenting Aunt Clarice with her "dragon breath". She had a nasty pharyngitis/tonsilitis and her breath was horrible!The "team Tyree" knuckle bump with Uncle Richie. Our final visitor was Grandma Judy. Grandma came down on Anna's birthday. We made lots of trips back and forth to the airport but it was sooo worth it! The kids absolutely loved the quality time that they got to spend with each person. They were very spoiled and played hard.

We got to sneak away one afternoon and head to the beach. You can still see some of the damage left behind from Hurricane Ike. Jaden was very cautious at first. When the waves came up to the shore he would run away. Then, he noticed the way it felt when he would dig his toes down in the sand when the water washed away. He started to get used to the way the water felt.

Ready, set...

Go!
Then, he was just in! No more playing around in the sand. Good thing I remembered to bring some towels :)

Baby legs

I know it may not be the most financially responsible thing to do in this crazy economy but whenever I see something for a baby that is really cute I just indulge myself and get it. This is my last baby, afterall!
The other day while I was wondering around Target (all by myself, how wonderful!), I found these little things called "baby legs". They are sort of like leg warmers, Iguess. But they are lightweight and you can wear them in pretty much any season. They just protect their little legs and look super cute with just a onesie on. There were lots of different styles and I'm sure I'll be going back soon to get a couple more!

In motion! He gets really excited when he sees me (and especially the camera - he's got to try to grab it) and he tries to move way too fast.

"Why can't I have the camera?"

Anna is 6 years old!

Our oldest child, Anna, turned 6 this month. I told her that she wasn't allowed to but she didn't listen! She was so excited about it that she was even asking how many days until she turned 7. She's already looking forward to 2010. This is not fair! They should not be allowed to grow up this fast! I'm going to start a petition...

Here are some pictures of the birthday girl:

Luke is 10 months old

First of all, I am way behind! Luke turned 10 months old on January 11th. He is now like 10 and a half months :)

Here's an update:

He weighs 26 pounds and 6 ounces! He is 31 1/2 inches tall! He wears 18 month clothes, a size 5 diaper, and 6 wide shoe! He is such a big boy. But, he's still nice and soft and squishy like a little baby and I just looove to squeeze him!

He babbles a lot. Mostly mama, baba, and screaming (happy and mad screams). He still hasn't said "dada" yet. Maybe Chris will have to wait like I did for Jaden to say "mama". He said dada at like 7 months but didn't say mama until like 18 months! I had to wait for a long time.

He is walking some. He started taking some steps about a week or two before he turned 10 months old. While my Mom was visiting he took about 4-5 steps on his own before falling down. He can no walk about 5-6 feet at a strech. If he gets too excited he falls down much quicker but if he takes his time he can stop, get his balance, and move on.

He is on a food strike. Hard to tell by his size, right? He absolutely refuses anything that comes on a spoon or fork. He'll eat french toast pretty reliably but that's about it. "Sometimes" foods include cheese, blueberries, peanut butter toast, and peanut butter crackers. He's making me a little stressed but I'm trying not to get into a game with him over it. I set food down, walk away, and act like I don't care. Last night it worked a little better and he ate pretty good. I'm not too, too worried since he's got quite a bit of reserves :)

He is a very curious little guy and very fast. You can walk into another room and he's already half way up the stairs. Our warning cry for that is "code red". It's not unusual to hear Anna yelling "code red, code red" for us to come and get him. His newest things to do are close doors (leaving him on the inside unable to open them back up) and to dump things out of boxes or containers. He also loves to unplug things. He is a wee bit obsessed with outlets and it's a constant battle. The other day while I was painting I had the cover off the outlets so I could paint around them. When I stepped away I think he must have gone over and touched it because he was crying very hard. Later, after I covered everything back up he went over to sit by it and started crying just as hard as he had before. This made me think that he must have gotten shocked but maybe he'll stay away from now on. It's been a few days and he isn't messing with the outlets anymore. They will stay covered for the next few years regardless. I don't trust him.

He is so, so sweet and we love him more than anything. We are so thankful to have this little blue-eyed heartbreaker in our lives :)

All she wants for Christmas is...

her two front teeth!!!

I've been meaning to post this for a while now but the holidays got away with me and then I got sick so, I'll be trying to catch up over the next week or so. I couldn't believe the timing. It was cute to listen to her singing "all I want for christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth" around the house. Even though we all knew what she really wanted was a Hannah Montana doll!