Our little boy...

Can you believe, 7 months has gone by since Christian was born. Wow! He is growing so fast. I wish I could slow things down. I feel like the days are going by to fast and I don't want to miss a thing. Before I know it my little boy will be a man and leaving home.

He has been army crawling for a little over a month but now it is an all out crawl (and he is fast). Now that he is mobile, I am constantly chasing him and trying to distract him. The dogs water bowl is his favorite go to item. He has found the doggy door but has not tried to climb out of it (yet). The other day, I walked into his room and he had pulled himself up to his knees and was looking out of his bed. Needless to say, I immediately lowered his bed. Christian loves his sister. The two of them laugh and play with each other. He lights up every time he sees her. He tries to chase her around the house and gets frustrated that he can't keep up with her (one day he will be running circles around her). I love watching them plaay and laugh together. It fills my heart with so much joy seeing them giggle and smile at one another.

Christmas Morning

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year. Now that we have kids, the holiday is even more meaningful and special. It is filled with so many wonderful things...family, sense of peace, and all the wonderful treats (that I should have stayed away from).

Christmas eve, Kayla and Christian opened their gifts from Mommy and Daddy. One of Kayla's gifts (from Christian) was the new Tinkerbell movie. Needless to say, we had to watch it before heading up to bed. After the movie, I asked Kayla if she wanted to put the cookies out for Santa. Her reply, "No, he doesn't need them." The next morning, I had to go wake our sleeping beauty up...it was already 9:30a.m and I knew we needed to be on the road to Hico by noon (if possible).

When Kayla came down stairs, she was a little apprehensive. She didn't quite get the idea that all the gifts laid out were for her (and there were a lot). Her first reaction was to give Christian his toys. Once she got into opening her toys, she was excited. Kayla and I played with her new tool bench. Jon and Kayla made ice cream cones with her Play-doh set and even played with her new barbie. After all of the toys were played with and Christmas breakfast was made, my little ones and my wonderful husband passed out.

The Schneider Family

After watching Jonah, Monda, Josh and Riley dancing (several million times), Kayla insisted on creating one of herself and Christian. So here we go....

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Christmas @ The Ranch

Last weekend was the traditional Christmas at the Ranch celebration. We almost did not make it to Campwood, TX. The day before we were to leave Kayla came down with a bug and was running a 102 fever. She was absolutely miserable. However, she woke up Friday with no fever and energy. So, we decided to go and celebrate with the Wensel family. This probably was not the best choice for she started relapsing on our way there (fever of a 101) and did not feel her normal energetic self all weekend. We got to see everyone which was very nice but Jon, Kayla and myself were miserable (no sleep and a cranky child makes for a very long weekend for the parents). Thank goodness Christian did not catch the bug (I could not have handled two sick kids).

Even with Kayla not being her normal cheerful self, I was glad to have been able to spend the time with the family (and of course...eat some of Mary's wonderful fried chicken and banana pudding).

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Jingle Bells

The house is decorated and we are ready for Santa. The decorating process took a little bit longer then I like but that has to be expected with a two year old and a six month old(my intention is to have the house decorated and ready the day after Thanksgiving; maybe when the kids are in college will that happen.)

Before having kids, I always decorated the house with all my angels. The tree would be adorned with valuable and breakable angels, white lights, gold Christmas balls and a beautiful angel tree topper. Well, times have changed. Now, the tree is adorned with multi colored lights, home made ornaments and a multi colored star tree topper. Use to, I would spend hours making sure that each ornament was in the perfect position, not too many in one area. This year, I watched as Kayla hung many of the ornaments in one little section. Each time she hung an ornament, she would back up and say "It's perfect." I look at the tree as I sit here and type and my heart fills with joy. Yes, the tree filled with my valuable angels was beautiful and one day I will put it up again. However, this new colorful tree is just as, if not more, beautiful for it is filled with love and wonderful memories.

I have started a tradition this year. Each Christmas the kids will pick out one store bought ornament, make an ornament and have a picture ornament. By the time they are eighteen, the tree wont have a bare limb, the tree will be filled with tons of memories and each kid will have there own ornaments (the store bought ones) when they have their first tree.

Thanksgiving part 3

Peace and relaxation. That is what I am thankful for, and for a wonderful husband. This Thanksgiving, Jon packed Kayla up (to my suprise) and took her to Rockport, Tx to Uncle Bill's Wednesday afternoon. Christian and I stayed at home and relaxed. It was nice to be able to catch up on some much needed rest. However, by Friday, I missed my little girl.

Kayla had a great time with her Opa, Uncle Jerod, Uncle Bill and her Daddy. Thanks to Uncle Jerod, there were some great pictures that were taken. Kayla got to fish and even caught her first one. One of the best pictures was during their boat outing when Kayla needed to go to potty.

Thanksgiving part 2

Our second feast of the month was the weekend before Thanksgiving. This year it was my turn to host the traditional Thanksgiving weekend. Before the weekend festivities, Kayla helped me make personalized place mats, leave garland and Thanksgiving Turkey kitchen towels. She even helped me make some of the casseroles the day before. I am always nervous before everyone arrives, do we have enough food? did I forget something? where is everyone going to sleep? Well, it all worked out and we all had a great time. The weekend menu consisted of two 18+lb turkeys, tons of appetizers, casseroles, and three scrumptious pies (treadmill time!). Kayla and Jonah wore themselves out. Even Christian played hard. I so enjoyed having everyone here and visiting.

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Thanksgiving Part 1

(First I want to say I am sorry that this has taken so long to post. My camera battery decided to give out on me and had to wait and get pictures from Monda (thank you Monda). )

Food, family and giving thanks for all that we are grateful for; that is what our November consist of. This wonderful time of the year started on November 8th for our family. We all headed to Palestine, TX for Thanksgiving lunch with Jon's Dad and Susan before riding on the Polar Express that evening. We had a wonderful lunch and enjoyed spending time with the family. Kayla and Jonah enjoyed playing together. Kayla, Jonah and even Christian made their traditional "hand" painted turkey place mats. Kayla and Jonah played chase in the back yard and pulled each other around in the wagon. We tried to put them down for a nap before riding on the train but that didn't work out so well. The two of them laid in Opa and Oma's bed reading and watching videos. They never fell asleep.

Kayla having a great time. Thank you Oma and Opa!!

Jonah and Kayla...two of the cutest kids.

Story time...not nap time.

Christian had a good time!

What a month...

I feel like the days are rushing past me. I have no idea where the past month went. I cant believe almost three weeks have past since Halloween. Before I know it, Christmas will have come and gone.

In the past three weeks, Christian has grown and developed so much. He is out of our room and in the nursery now. (I guess it is time for me to get all the pink out of the room) He is rolling over with no problem (front to back and back to front). He is starting to try and crawl. He gets up on his hands and knees but tends to push backwards rather then going forward. He loves eat his socks (he loves to eat everything). Overall, he is a very easy going and happy child.

Precious smile!

Kayla is growing up to be such an amazing little girl. She is by far a Daddy's girl. If I tell Kayla, "I love you" she replies back "No, I love Daddy." Kayla's favorite color is by far PINK. Inf fact the other night, I was able to go out by myself while Jon kept the kids. My intention was to go shopping for me. Instead, I ended up buying Christian three new outfits and Kayla four outfits and a new PINK vest. I don't think she has taken it off since, not even to go to bed.

Beautiful little girl!

The box

It goes from one room to the next. It started out as something to hold Kayla's train set. Now, it is Kayla's personal stepping stool. She uses it to turn the lights on and off, to wash her hands, to get up on the counters (which is a no-no). Now that she has learned to open the fridge, she uses her box to get the milk out herself. We are in trouble!!!

Halloween 2008

We have been building up to this day. Kayla told everyone for the past 3 weeks that she was going to be a tiger and baby was going to be a monkey. We practiced saying trick or treat and even practiced eating the candy I had bought for the trick or treaters. Thanks to Jenn, Halloween was a success. Christian slept most of the evening. Kayla loved going up to the houses. Several times she insisted on getting more then her share of candy (especially if it was M&M's). The candy was exciting at first, but then all the kids in costumes and the decorations became the main focus of the night. Kayla amazed me in her lack of fear. She wanted to follow and touch some of the scariest costumes that we saw. There was one house that had creepy music playing and frightful decorations. I was scared when we walked up to it. Kayla, no, she walked right up to the house with no fear and said, "Trick or Treat!" We ended up staying out for a little over an hour. Once we got home Kayla was exhausted. She insisted on one sucker. However, she didn't even finish it before she was ready for bed. Overall ,the night was frightfully fun. Thanks again Jenn for your help.

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Not a baby anymore....

We have been working up to this day. At school, Kayla is the last one in her class to still wear diapers and they have been working with Kayla. It has been no rush on my part. I figured when Kayla is ready, she will let me know. Well, I woke up Tuesday morning with the intention of having Kayla try and wear her panties to school. However, Kayla insisted on wearing a diaper. So she wore a diaper and I packed several change of clothes and some special panties. After dropping Kayla off at school, Kayla's teacher, Miss Lori, got Kayla so excited about her "Tinkerbell" panties and the three M&M's that she would get (this is the treat each kid gets after going potty). She got Kayla to put the panties on and go the restroom on the potty. As I watched through the window with tears in my eyes, I could see both Kayla and Miss Lori jumping around in excitement. To my amazement, Kayla kept her panties dry all day. No more diapers (except at night). Each time Kayla ask to go potty, she reminds me of her M&M's. I wonder if she sometimes ask to sit on the potty just so she can get some M&Ms. I try to give her just one M&M, but she knows that she gets three each time she goes to the restroom.

Happy Birthday Dad

This weekend we celebrated my dad's 65th birthday in Rockport, Texas. It was nice to get together with everyone for such a special occasion. Kayla really enjoyed playing with her cousins and fishing with her Daddy. At the end of the trip, we all passed out from exhaustion.

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Brave Woman!

Monday, I sacrificed my home for Messy Day. Most people would probably think I am insane to host an event that focused on 10 toddlers getting messy. Yes, 10 toddlers with shaving cream, face painting, icing and spray paint. What was I thinking....actually it was not so bad. Kayla had a really good time and my house stayed clean (to my suprise).

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Weekend with Uncle JJ...

This weekend Uncle JJ came down to visit. We all had a really good time. Saturday was filled with fajitas, football games and playing golf and football outside.

Daddy teaching Kayla how to hit a golf ball.Kayla learning to catch a football.Don't strain to hard. Time to relax.

Fire Safety Week

Today, we went to the local Fire Station with some of Kayla's friends. Kayla enjoyed climbing up into the trucks and sitting in the driver's chair. She found surgical gloves in one of the trucks and had to try them on.

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First Haircut

I finally broke down last week and took Kayla to get an official first haircut. She did so good. She sat there in amazement and excitement. That night Kayla asked Jon if she could cut his hair. Shockingly, he let her. He is brave!!

Before the haircut!!

Kayla started off a little scared.

But, that did not last long.

After the haircut, Kayla enjoyed her lollipop.

Mommy's Little Boy

Christian is 4 months. Wow!!! We went to his four month wellness checkup last week. Christian weighed in at 16 lbs 14 oz and 25 inches in length. I can't believe he is growing so much. The doctor said I could start him on rice cereal. I was sad but happy at the same time. I want to keep him at this age and not let him grow any more but at the same time maybe I can get out of the house by myself for more then three hours at a time.

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New Addition to Our Family

We have adopted a new family member. This new addition keeps Aspen busy. Kayla enjoys watching him and tries to creep up on him (with no success).

MUD DAY

Today at Kayla's school was Mud Day. What fun! There was shaving cream, paint, water and MUD!! Kayla was all into the water and the shaving cream. That is until the end. Towards the end of the festivities, Kayla found a mud puddle and enjoyed herself. We started out clean and definitely did not end that way.

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The Wiggles Shirt

If it was up to Kayla, she would wear her famous red Wiggle's shirt "EVERY" night. Many times I tell her that it is in the washer (nights when I can't find it or when it is actually dirty). Well, after Kayla's bath tonight, I was to tired to look for the shirt so I told Kayla that the shirt is being cleaned and she can wear it tomorrow. So, we put on another nightgown. About 30 minutes later, Kayla came running over to me with her red Wiggles shirt in her hand explaining to me that it is clean and that she is going to wear it. She was correct. Kayla pulled the clothes out of the dryer and found her red Wiggles shirt. All I could do was shake my head and smile. The amazing thing is Kayla put the clothes back in the dryer once she got her shirt. Thank you Kayla!

I'm growing like a weed...

I cant believe Christian is almost 4 months old. Where has the time gone? He has been such a joy. He loves to be around people (and hates being left in a room alone). He loves his big sister. He will watch her for hours. He is already trying to sit up. I have to be careful when he is in his bouncy seat. Otherwise, he sits up and falls forward. And, he is drooling everywhere. I don't remember Kayla drooling so much. A bib is a must for him. Tummy time is an adventure. Within five minutes, he has managed his way off the mat or blanket.

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Texas A&M Family

College football season has started and we are ready!!! Our team may not have a winning season this year but we will be be cheering the Aggies on each week. Gig 'em Aggies!