Egg Hunt

We had an early Easter Egg hunt for the girls today at my friend Jenny's house.  She always has great holiday themed play dates for the kids and it's such a fun way to celebrate together.

The kids had fun hunting for about two minutes and then they all stopped to eat what was in the eggs.

Fun

Fun in the bathtub together.  Always lots of laughs and clearly lots of movement :)

Finally figured out how to enjoy the back yard all together.  Great garage sale find - an oversized pack n play for Gabe.  

Fun in the playhouse

And things got out of control. . . our neighbors that live right behind us I actually know from high school!  Small world and so much fun that our kiddos can play together.  I think these girls might be getting into trouble together one day . . . ;) They really did grab these empty bottles on their own and pretend to drink.  Yikes.  

Gabe Update

Thank God, Gabe woke up much better today.  I think the pain in his cheek has subsided and his fever is gone.  Thank GOD.  He gave us quite a night though, up every hour from 3AM on, but today he was just a happier boy.  Whew....

After seeing this pic, I don't even have to ask if I look as exhausted as I feel.  This was my drivers license picture day, too!

We spent most of the day with Gimmie today.  She came over this morning so I could go to the DPS and then we went over after naps because I just needed adult stimulation today since I am so exhausted!

See, alll better!

Birthday Girl and Fish hook :(

So, today was a super exciting day for Sofia because she got to be the birthday girl at school.  That meant she got to wear the birthday crown and eat special snacks.  I'm so glad I thought about it as I walked out the door to bring cookies for her birthday.  I figured with her birthday being on Saturday today could be her special day at school.  Jenny let me know that I definitely should.  I'm so glad I did because Sofia couldn't stop talking about it!  Also notice her wallet that she's using for her HEB buddy bucks and points.  Grocery store win.

The part of the day that was terrible was that I took Gabe for a very quick shopping trip for Sofia's birthday presents.  He was pretty fussy so I had to make it quick which I thought I did.  He ended up grabbing a hanger off of a rack and was waving it around.  He was happy so it was harmless, in my eyes.  Second child syndrome I guess.  Well, before I knew it, it was in his mouth.  Like a fish hook.  Yes, the hook part was stuck.  He let out a panicked scream and I had to pull it from his mouth.  Awful.  Not a ton of blood, but the kind of cry where he barely makes any noise, doesn't breathe, and then WAILS.  I called the doctor when I came home and they said as long as the roof of the mouth wasn't punctured it should really be OK.  So, I checked and the wound appeared to be under his tongue.  I think he got himself pretty good because he was really fussy today and every time I went near that cheek, he cried.  I feel like the world's worst mom.  So, then later tonight he got a fever and of course I freaked out about infection and called the doc AGAIN who assured me that it would be way too fast for an infection to set in and cause a fever that quickly and that there usually isn't that much bacteria in the mouth etc.  Whew.  Still, I feel so awful and will be bringing him back in the morning to find out what the cause of the fever is if he's not any better because apparently it's something ELSE.  Hope it's just gone, tomorrow.  Or maybe he's teething and hit a sensitive spot in his mouth.  Who knows.  I worry way way way too much.  But, talking to the nurse tonight eased my nerves a ton because I was a wreck.  More news to follow I suppose!  Pray that it's only good news.  

Aunt Jenny

Well, I hadn't blogged in about a week because we had company since last Thursday.  My friend Jenny from Milwaukee came to visit us and it was so wonderful.  I was honestly a  bit nervous for her sake because as she put it, she had never spent more than 24 hours with small children.  Yikes. And she saw it all here but took it all in stride :)  I think she still loves my kids.  Any way, it's such a great feeling to have a friend that cares enough about you to travel across the country to visit.  That friendship will always mean a ton to me, and I know we'll always be close, though far away in distance.  Tear.

During her time here we mostly focused on eating.  We had to get in a few Houston staples and I don't think she was disappointed.  We also had a night out and spent great time with the kids.  She even babysat Gabe while I picked up Sofia at school!

Sofia hit her head pretty good at school.  Apparently didn't even cry but freaked a little once she saw the blood!

Fun night at the Rockets game

Here is what happened while Jenny babysat.  Why doesn't he do that for me!  It's constant motion!

And what a pic of my big girl.  She looks so old here.  Can't believe she'll be three in four days!  Speaking of which, Mike helped her sound out a couple of words last night.  I mean, she's a long way from reading but she's starting to get it!  So incredible, almost brought tears to my (and Jenny's) eyes.  Even better:  The words were "Rockets" and "Texas".  Love it.  

 Making fairies in a jar.  So cool and so easy! If you want to try it, here's the "recipe".http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Fairies-in-a-Jar She loved it.  

Wednesday

Wednesday's are usually a wild card for us. It's the one day of the week that we don't have a planned activity. Well I guess Fridays too but something fun always comes up on Fridays. So Wednesday is usually particularly challenging unless I'm proactive and plan something ahead of time for us but who am I kidding.

They are GREAT when my mom is off work, like today. We had to stay at the house is morning because the exterminator was due to be here between 9 and 12. We were all going batty when I finally begged my mom to come over and take the kids out for a walk. They desperately needed fresh air and I needed a little break from the action to get some things done.

So, in true mommy form I got 25 things done around the house in those 45 minutes ;) then, as a bonus she gave them lunch so I got to chill for a bit. She left and came back over later so I could get a hair cut. Ah, perfection. Gotta love my momma especially for days like today where she just saves me!

Gabe hears the word "no" a lot. It was his first word besides Dada and Mama. So sad but he is always getting into something! But now he does something so sweet when I say 'no, Gabe'. He looks at me and hands me whatever hes not supposed to have! Like,ok mom here you go, I am going to hand this to you because I know I'm not supposed to put this shoe in my mouth. Look at that proud face! I don't know why but it melts my heart so.

And I had to add this pic of Sofia at the end of the day. Here is what happens when Gimmie is left in charge. You can't see the spaghetti sauce all over!

Thumb, tunnels

Gabe has recently taken to sucking his thumb, it's so cute yet makes me a little worried about habits in the future but who cares at this point...He definitely uses it to soothe himself when he's tired, upset, or even just bored.

This afternoon I got a text from my best friend Nina that she was still in town (from Dallas) and wanted to do dinner. So of course I made it happen! So this afternoon was confined to the house so I could be sure and be ready. I forgot about the greatest toy ever, the tunnel. Started out building forts and when I busted out the tunnel it was all over... The kids were both in stitches chasing each other...

Kitty Cat Class Blog

I LOVE that Sofia's teachers do this blog.  I always say I wish I could be a fly on the wall in her class to see how she does but this is the closest I'll get, I suppose.  Some of these pictures cracked me up, especially the pudding one and the "Giddy Up Horsey" one. . .

On the videos, Sofia is only in the last two.

http://www.kcclass12.blogspot.com/

Pretty Perfect Weekend

It's so nice to finally feel a sense of normalcy since we've been here.  Our own house, our own groove, doing what we do as a family.  I don't claim it to be normal, but it's our normal :)

On Friday, we took Sofia to the Rockets game since it was Clutch's birthday and she loves mascots.  Gabe is not quite ready to stay up past his bedtime since he is still working on his sleeping skills!  Thanks to cousin Sheila for all the babysitting she does for us.  So amazing to have family in town.  Any way, Clutch's furry friends from some other teams were there, including the Minnesota Mascot, Crunch, who Sofia fell in love with.  She had a blast at the game, and did not stop moving and dancing.  She's such a nut...

On Saturday, we actually took a family trip to the Y Pool which was a little risky since it was in the 70s but it worked out perfectly!  The kids had a BALL and we will be spending many a Saturday at that pool I have a feeling.  Then, Mike let me do some running around while he stayed home with the kids.  Later that afternoon, we tried to be kind of productive outside and Sofia and Gabe definitely cooperated.  Sofia actually found a pet worm that she loved.  I'm pretty sure it eventually died in her hand so we told her to put him to sleep in his bed (a flower pot) and she sang him twinkle twinkle and put him "night night".  Weren't ready for the death talk just yet!

On Sunday after church, my parents invited us over for brunch.  They took Sofia to get a donut (I know it seems like she gets to do all the fun stuff, but Gabe's almost there too :)) So, we dropped the car off at home and grabbed the wagon to walk over.  How excited was Gabe to ride in the wagon?  So sweet.

Later that day, Gabe practiced his walking.  He was speeding back and forth in the playroom!  Getting closer... yikes! Exactly 11 months in this picture.  

Cabin Fever

This Spring Break has been brutal for us!  Gabe started with a fever on Monday and Sofia with an ear infection so we've been home bound all week!  Don't remember the last time we've gone this long without leaving the house.  Our outings consisted of walking Baxter around the neighborhood b/c it was far too nice out not to.  So yesterday was one of those days that I surprised myself.  We had to get out of the house so we went to the grocery store.  I have always been a bit nervous to do that with both kids but will do it for quick trips.  But, I was desperate to get out of the house so we went to HEB which is where I'll be going far more often.  The difference a racecar cart makes and stickers at the end at the check out.  Such a geek that I got a kick out of the grocery store but I think it was more the fact that it was almost "fun" with both kids :) One of those super mom moments . .  .yea, I know plenty of moms do it all the time but it takes practice. Then, with both kids feeling better we went to the park that afternoon and for the first time in months, had family dinner all together, and a family dance party to top it off.  My kind of day.

Gabe loves chick fil a waffle fries.  I can't believe the things I give this kid.  I think I waited two years to give Sofia her first fast food fry. And it was in a billion small bite sized bits.  

Here are just some funny videos of the kids being crazy at mealtime.  They really are insane.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9_WrzyojpE&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbzoL5g5GxY&feature=youtu.be

Galveston

Mike's parents had been planning to visit us for a couple weeks and get a place in Galveston for the second half of February.  So much fun!  If only the weather had cooperated, but whatever. . . it was the beach and it was vacation and it was not being home which is always fun :)  I hope they decide to stay longer next year because we had a good time exploring Galveston.

The first day, we just walked on the beach, finding shells and getting wet :) The next day we ventured out to the Strand for some lunch and ice cream, and finally on our last full day there explored the Moody Gardens Aquarium.  Such fun and loved having Mike's parents so close again!

Sofia taking in the salty Gulf air. Super windy day!

Mother daugher stroll.  I think I was actually trying to catch her here.  

searching for shells

Grandpa and Gabe having ice cream.  Gabe couldn't keep his eyes off of the spoon.

Sweet moment with Aunt Erin - "stealing a bite"

Finally got his bite :) and many more

 Sofia's favorite were the penguins

Think Gabe was tired?

SECOND Hair Cut

Yes, Gabe was only ten months and he got his second hair cut of his life.  He still did not like it at all.  He was happy when he first sat down because he had no idea what was about to happen.  But for the entire duration of his hair cut (maybe 4 minutes) he screamed his head off.  Once I took him out of the chair, he was perfectly happy again.  

 Even tried to bribe him with a cookie.  Worked for .5 seconds.  

 Ah, back home and happy

Rodeo

So excited to experience the rodeo with my kiddos! I remember going since I was a young child so to bring my own kids there was pretty cool.  So Texas!  :)  And Sofia LOVES being a cowgirl so this was quite the outing for her.  She wanted to ride ALL the carnival rides but lucky for me, they weren't open yet b/c I'm not sure I'm ready for that.  Most of them, she probably didn't even meet the height requirements for any way but still . . . 

Some pre-event pics at home:

 Shockingly, Sofia LOVED the pony ride

She got to hold a baby goat!  She was thrilled with this and asked if we could take one home.

 Gabe got to pet it too!

 On the way home.  Boots off, hair down, yawning.  Tuckered out...

All-Star

Houston got our second NBA All-Star this year and it was so different from the last time!  In 2004 (I think) was the last time it was here and I was all about the parties and the fun.  This time, of course, it was all about the kids.  :)  The only VIP event we went to was for Jam Session before it opened to the general public and that was just fine with me.  It was of course exciting and always great to see Mike's sisters since they always work All Star as well so it was quite the family affair since Mike's parents were here too!  We had just moved into our house a day before the festivities began so it was insane but definitely had a good time at Jam Session and the game itself!  

Gabe in the Tot section

 As you can see from his face, he LOVEd boucing on the ball

Sof enjoyed coloring with Aunt Erin

 Sof loved Clutch as always and Gabe was entranced.  Similar to the Santa reaction

 Story Time with Clutch

 Sofia with the Rockets