Glasses and Great Grandma Jeanne’s 82nd Birthday

On most weekends, Reese wakes up a while before Austin and Ella.  Although we are still sleepy, it has become a great chance to get some one on one time with her.  We have to stay tucked away though so that we don’t wake up the other kids.  I figured 6:30am on a Saturday morning was the perfect time to have a Reese photo shoot.

We were practicing tummy time and she was in-between rolling over.

Austin’s great kindergarten teacher notified us that he was having trouble seeing the board.  Unfortunately it turns out he has an astigmatism and definitely needs glasses.  Right now he has to wear them all the time, except for sports.

On Saturday, Austin got to show them off to Grandma and the babysitter Lauren.  For the first time Jeff and I went out and left all three kids with a babysitter.  We actually put Reese down before we left, but it was great and the kids had a blast too. On Sunday, Austin showed them off to Mimi and Papa when he went to church with them and then we all hit Jim's for lunch. 

We went over to Great Grandma and Grandpa’s to show his new glasses off.  It was also a belated celebration for Great Grandma Jeanne’s 82nd birthday.  The kids didn’t sit still long enough for me to get very many shots, but I did get one of Austin in his glasses and one of Ella giving me a look that Jeff says I have given him many times:)    A treat and ritual of visiting at Great Grandma and Grandpa is biscuits with honey, YUM!
     

Ella Potty Training

Ok, we are still working on it.  She totally gets the concept and will ask to go if we are out, but not all that interested at home.  I have even showed her the princess panties she can wear like Addie Brown and Ella Perkins if she goes on the potty and she still isn’t all that excited.  Her teachers say (in true Ella style) she is the only one in the class who refuses to go. 

However, today was her first day where she stayed dry all day at school.  Of course she had no desire to go when we got home, but we are taking baby steps.

This is a great picture that Addie’s mom got of all three girls.  Ella is holding Addie Brown’s hand.  Thank you Addie and Ella P. for providing inspiration for my Ella:)

I also have to laugh that they are on the playground and Ella has her lamb lovey that she refuses to part with.  This of course is her school lovey, not to be mistaken for her pink and brown one that is for home.  She is never without one and I only have myself to blame as I forced them on her as a baby.  Surely she won’t go to college still clutching the loveys:)

Homework, Baseball and Parties

Wow, the 2nd week of September brought us a very busy week.  Austin got his 1st dose of homework.  It now comes home every Monday and has to be turned in on Friday.  I don’t remember doing homework when Jeff and I were in kinder, but apparently this is the norm now.  He is doing a great job, but it is keeping us busy trying to fit everything in along with a little fun before bed time.  Reese has discovered bread, so she got a carb fix while Austin dove right in to his first assignment.

Tuesday gave us our 1st baseball practice of the season.  Austin is on the Oakland Athletics and instead of T-ball it is coach pitch for 4 tries and then off of a T.  Practice was a little rough, but he did amazing at the game on Saturday and hit it the 1st pitch both innings!!

  

He played 3rd base and 1st base during the game.

After the game we had a short break and then headed off to two birthday parties.  It was a busy and exhausting day, but a ton of fun.  Sunday was filled with errands and  a playdate with Drew.  I think Ella might have been more excited to have Drew over.  She wanted to be right there with them the whole time.

But, the best part was putting a safety rail on Ella’s bed.  She had been taking hours to go to bed since she kept getting out.  I have no idea why we waited so long, but that thing was up before nap and she hasn’t gotten out once since.  Sunday night was the first night EVER that all three kids were put to bed and stayed there.  No one got up once (except for Reese, but not till 11pm) It was heaven, a gift from God!!!

   

Baby Mum Mums

Reese has found baby mum-mums and she loves them!  Only problem is the box claims they are no mess, as you can see by her shirt, I think Reese is proving them wrong.

Grandparent’s Day

On Friday, Austin’s school celebrated grandparent’s day.  Mimi, Papa, Grandma Chris and I went to his room for part of the morning to see what they do.  It was great to meet the other kids Austin has been talking about like Clayton, Peyton, Cooper, and Emily.  He did a great job raising his hand to answer questions and we all got to do a morning dance and stretch together. 






Concordia had a grandparent's day celebration as well.  Reese's sweet teachers captured her footprints.

My Babies at 6 months

Reese had her 6mth check-up this week and it got me thinking.  Every time, I have been amazed and a little sad when the kids reach this age.  On the one hand it has become so much fun because they are laughing and happy and sometimes even sleeping a little more.  But it also makes me sad because they are growing so quickly and I know that in the not so distant future they won’t be a baby anymore.  I love their little snuggles and every night think, “oh my goodness, they will never be this small again.” 

I usually get over this by the time they are 18 months old because they become even more fun.  Knowing Reese is our last child and I really won’t get to do this again makes me try to cherish all of it, even the 2am calls.

Her check-up went well, she was 15lbs 9 ozs (45%), 26.5” (65%) long and her head is in the 75%.

At 6 mths Ella was 15lbs and 26.625” long

At 6 mths Austin was 17lbs 6 ozs and 26.25” long.

 

Here are shots of me and my sweet babies at 6 months old.

Right now, Reese likes playing peek-a-boo and laughs at pretty much anything Austin and Ella do.  She is becoming a champ at sitting on her own, has just started getting upset if you take away something she is playing with and loves to stick her tongue out at you and giggle.

 

I love this shot of Ella because it is an expression she still makes.

Our original little longhorn Austin.

Reese is 6 months

This past Saturday marked Reese’s 6mth birthday.  It was also the first Texas game of the season, so we all put on our gear.  We enjoyed the game at Grandma Chris’ house with Aunt Leslie, Uncle Joel, Great Grandma & Grandpa, and Grandpa Al and Grandma Liz. 

We have had many highs and lows in our family in the last six months and we have definitely learned to appreciate our wonderful moments we have together.

 

Couldn’t get everyone smiling at the same time, but at least we are all looking at the camera:)

 

Our little longhorn 6 months and sitting by herself!  We love you Reesie!!

This was our 1st UT game as a family, Sept 1, 2005.  Austin was 4 1/2 mths old at our house in Redondo Beach, CA.  Why does Jeff look the same, but I do look 5 years older??

  

Here are Austin and Ella’s 6mth shots.  Aaah, we love you little munchkins too!

 

Our Ride Home

Now that we have finished Austin’s 2nd week of kinder, we seem to have our routine down, which includes me picking up Austin, then going to Concordia to get the girls.  The ride home from Concordia is very short, sometimes the kids are talkative, sometimes they are grumpy and want me to leave them alone.  

We had just piled in the car yesterday, headed home, and the following conversation happened in a span of less than a minute.  I thought it was sweet and hilarious!

Me: Did you have fun at Chapel today Ella?

Ella: Yes

Austin: I don’t go to Chapel anymore.

Me: Do you miss it?

Austin: Not a lot…I miss God.

Me: Really? We can always talk to God and pray to him.

Austin: We can only pray to God when we are sad.

Me: No, God wants to hear us all time, when we are happy or sad.  We can go to church on Sunday if you want to talk to God.

Austin: God’s not at church, he is in our hearts.  Mom, remember when Ella bit you on the butt that one time? That was funny!

I thought it was sweet and hilarious!

We got home and I was able to snap a few pics of the kids.  Had to document Reese turning 26 weeks old.  We will have our full blown 6 month photo session on Saturday:)

   

Reese just started doing this weird thing with her tongue and she is constantly “singing”.  Also started saying da-da-da-da today.

 

Still rolls almost immediately off of her tummy to her back.

1st week of Kinder Celebration

Austin completed his first week of kinder and we decided to celebrate with the family.  We all headed to El Mirasol on Friday night for dinner.  It was the first time the whole family had been there and Reese didn’t nap well at school that day,  but all three kids did amazingly well…not one meltdown!!!

Austin said his favorite part of the week was riding the bus and finding crickets during recess with Clayton and Peyton.  We are so proud of him!  It warmed my heart to be surrounded with good food, margaritas, and a great family!