Happy 2nd Birthday, Nora!

My dearest Nora,

Happy 2nd Birthday!  You've changed so much these last few months.  Your language has EXPLODED!  You say so many words/small sentences now, but my favorite ones are banana ("balalalala") and Nora ("mora").  We started Little Gym together this month and you went from being the shy little girl who wouldn't leave her mama's lap to the running/jumping/climbing social butterfly. 

You love to dance and request trolls and moana often.  You are mostly patient unless there's food involved.  You love to chase your brothers around the backyard and when they let you climb on their back and "tackle" - they are so gentle and sweet with you.  I hope that is always the case. 

You wake up in the morning and first thing you ask about is you "Hammy" and your "Jack Jack".  You know you're daddy is at work, but you love to ask about him too.  And your babies - you just LOVE your babies.  You sleep with one and usually have another close by in your stroller to push around.  You beeline for the real strollers with babies at parks too. =)

Love are loved baby girl!

Mama

Happy 6th Birthday, Jack!

My dearest Jack,

Tonight I took you on a little date night to take your pictures.  We picked a shirt together but you insisted on bringing your cowboy boots to complete the ensemble.  We played at the park long past bedtime - hide and go seek, sliding, swings - just the two of us.  The moment I told you we were going to get snow cones before we went home, you got giddy and ran to the car but not before being worried that Sam wasn't coming.  As you ate your rainbow snow cone I laughed and said you might poop green tomorrow because of it, but you quickly replied that it takes 3 days to get through the digestive system.  Science and math are you things and you absorb facts like a sponge.

This year you completed your bonus year of preschool.  You made brand new friends and were challenged in new ways.

My favorite day this year was the day you made you swim team.  You've been swimming for awhile now, but 25m is far for a little body especially one that decided that flipping on your back to breathe was "for babies". You loved the idea of being on the team but had no idea what that entailed.  And you did it.  The progress you've made in two months has been amazing.  I was so proud of you my little fish.

You are sensitive and cautious, but not when it comes to meeting new people or anything with water. You love collecting rocks and can spend hours building and rebuilding legos.  You and your brother can fight, but you are such a good protector and always include Sam when you have friends over.  And Nora.  That girl is well loved. 

A few of my favorite quotes from the year -

-"I counted to 60 20 times because I thought that's how long my rest time would be" (and he didn't rest! ha!)
-"I'm going to love you forever even when you go to heaven.  I'll cry when you go to heaven before me  (in tears...the sweetest)
-"I don't have anything cool except my family and jewels"
-"Chewing gum reminds me of Jesus dying on the cross.  Do you know why? Because I'm chewing it and then it gets bad.  So I spit it in the trash and it gets good again like when Jesus rose again"

I love you my Jack boy

Mama

Happy 4th Birthday, Sam!

My dearest Sam,

This morning you ran into my room, crawled up into my bed, puffed out your chest and said "See how four I am?!.."  I couldn't help but laugh. You are so very to eager to be just like you brother.  He started riding his bike without training wheels a few months ago.  You followed his footsteps a week later.  I want to allow you to grow, but it's hard not to want you to stay little.

You are endless energy and have the best belly laugh.  At bedtime you always mix up your high with your low and giggle. You love to play hide and go seek, legos, swim, and climb everything.  Your favorite food is hot dogs and "Mexico" food and you want to be a school teacher when you grow up.

We celebrated with a hot wheels party at Westwood!  On the day of your birthday we had chocolate chip pancakes, hot dogs, and an adventure at Brazos Bend counting the alligators.

Dream big, Sam.  You are a natural leader, little one. Happy 4th Birthday!

Mama

Happy 18 Months, Nora!

My 22 pound ball of sass!  You are one of those tiny babies that always surprise people when you pop up and walk so well.  You are small, just like your mama.  Your brothers have made you tough though.  You love to tackle, give hugs, and dance.


18 Month Highlights
-you started running this month which has been hilarious and scary since you can get places FAST
-you love to repeat words and sounds
-your favorite book is "Today I'll be a Princess" and you always giggle at the last page of the girl playing in the mud
-ever since we night weaned, you are a champion sleeper
-you've started climbing more than we are comfortable with (coffee tables, bunk bed ladders, stools, etc)
-you're favorite foods are yogurt, any fruit, and pasta and you've finally come around to the idea of (some) whole milk
-we are down to nursing only at night (insert tears....)

Happy New Year 2017!

We opted for bowling and balloon drop in the morning, fireworks with the Torrey's, and our annual monkeybread breakfast!  Great start to the new year.

 

Snow and Christmas Preschool Performances!

IFly - Happy 66th Dad!

My Dad has always been hard to shop for so this past summer in July, Kim and I gave him an experience gift for his 66th birthday. Indoor Skydiving.  I could tell he was a little nervous, but never turns down an opportunity so show us how "young" he really is - ha!  We did it over Christmas so Kim could join - she watched from the sidelines though, since she's pregnant.  We had a mini class about what to do, put on a suit, then sat on benches and waited for our turn, which was the most nerve wracking part.  We survived though and it was awesome - highly recommend trying it out at least once! Dad also couldn't stop smiling, so I'd say our birthday gift was a success. =)