August 31, 2015
August 24, 2015
August 21, 2015
five things
{1}
We finished up swimming lessons this week.
Lauren did great and we've noticed she is very comfortable in the water {and under the water}.
The focus of the class was more on water safety than skill, but we feel like it was a great introduction and look forward to see what next summer brings.
I also loved that it was an activity that Lauren and her daddy did together.
{2}
No big girl room updates.
Why?
The bed.
Still.
I'm one frustrated pregnant mama who just wants her daybed.
But until then we continue to talk about Lauren's big girl room and she continues to be excited.
Meanwhile, she's still in her crib.
While I'm excited about finishing her room and getting to see her enjoy it,
the idea of not picking her up out of a crib makes me a little sad too.
{3}
With swimming lessons finished up, a new season of gymnastics beginning, and school starting right around the corner, I can't help but think that summer is officially over.
But, we live in Texas.
Where the summer shall live on for several weeks.
So our backyard fun, with water tea parties and homemade popsicles isn't over quite yet.
{4}
Last weekend we crossed an item of our Summer Bucket List and made our way to the beach. We went nice and early, played in the water, made some sandcastles, and even had a picnic lunch.
Lauren likes the beach.
{5}
With all this backyard running, swimming pool hopping, sand castle making, and popsicle eating, many, many of our summer nights have ended up just like this...
We finished up swimming lessons this week.
Lauren did great and we've noticed she is very comfortable in the water {and under the water}.
The focus of the class was more on water safety than skill, but we feel like it was a great introduction and look forward to see what next summer brings.
I also loved that it was an activity that Lauren and her daddy did together.
{2}
No big girl room updates.
Why?
The bed.
Still.
I'm one frustrated pregnant mama who just wants her daybed.
But until then we continue to talk about Lauren's big girl room and she continues to be excited.
Meanwhile, she's still in her crib.
While I'm excited about finishing her room and getting to see her enjoy it,
the idea of not picking her up out of a crib makes me a little sad too.
{3}
With swimming lessons finished up, a new season of gymnastics beginning, and school starting right around the corner, I can't help but think that summer is officially over.
But, we live in Texas.
Where the summer shall live on for several weeks.
So our backyard fun, with water tea parties and homemade popsicles isn't over quite yet.
{4}
Last weekend we crossed an item of our Summer Bucket List and made our way to the beach. We went nice and early, played in the water, made some sandcastles, and even had a picnic lunch.
Lauren likes the beach.
{5}
With all this backyard running, swimming pool hopping, sand castle making, and popsicle eating, many, many of our summer nights have ended up just like this...
August 19, 2015
nine
A birthday came and went in this house without the proper recognition.
Bella turned 9.
We celebrated with a doughnut for breakfast, some toys Lauren picked out herself, and Frosty Paws to share with Charlotte.
Sometimes I feel a little guilty about some of the changes in Bella's lifestyle the last couple of years. She doesn't receive near as much one on one attention, not as many trips to the dog park, and now there is another little dog to share the attention with who consistently bites at her legs {and keeps her young}.
But with all those changes that aren't so fun, came one little girl who loves her Bella and shows her everyday.
I used to think about Bella as a 'family' dog and hoped my children would get to love her just as Matt and I do.
And it's better than I imagined it.
The daily hugs, kisses, and treats, from playing in the backyard to reading together in the tent. They have a special little bond that makes my heart happy.
And then there is this one...
There's a bond there too.
It's one made up of learning to share toys and teaching Lauren new vocabulary like "back up", "No, No, NO!" and "Go outside", but it's a bond too.
A real special one.
Bella turned 9.
We celebrated with a doughnut for breakfast, some toys Lauren picked out herself, and Frosty Paws to share with Charlotte.
Sometimes I feel a little guilty about some of the changes in Bella's lifestyle the last couple of years. She doesn't receive near as much one on one attention, not as many trips to the dog park, and now there is another little dog to share the attention with who consistently bites at her legs {and keeps her young}.
But with all those changes that aren't so fun, came one little girl who loves her Bella and shows her everyday.
I used to think about Bella as a 'family' dog and hoped my children would get to love her just as Matt and I do.
And it's better than I imagined it.
The daily hugs, kisses, and treats, from playing in the backyard to reading together in the tent. They have a special little bond that makes my heart happy.
And then there is this one...
There's a bond there too.
It's one made up of learning to share toys and teaching Lauren new vocabulary like "back up", "No, No, NO!" and "Go outside", but it's a bond too.
A real special one.
August 17, 2015
August 14, 2015
Grandparents Visit & Lauren's Big Girl Room Progress
Last week my mom came to visit
{hence my lack of blog posts}
to spend with week withLauren us & help with Lauren's big girl room.
It was a busy week full of activity, two doctors appointments, gymnastics, swim lessons, lots of puzzles, books, dollies, and even some walks.
In between the hustle & bustle we managed to do some painting, stenciling, and shopping.
Papa* joined us on Friday and the fun continued. Lauren soaked up every moment of having her grandparents visit and Matt and I even snuck in dinner and a movie.
The last movie we saw in a theatre I was days out from my due date with Lauren.
*Last summer while visiting my parents we said something to Lauren about Grandpa. She responded with Papa. And she's been saying it ever since.
{post lunch nap. Texas BBQ is that good.}
{first donut}
{Lauren fell asleep on the way home from lunch and we realized that we hadn't got a picture of her with both Grandma & Grandpa}
We're still working on Lauren's room.
We made a lot of progress while my Mom was here and probably should have made more.
But we didn't.
Because we're still waiting on the bed.
The bed that I ordered and was supposed to be here before my mom arrived.
Still waiting.
Which puts a bit of a pause on our project.
But it's been fun to decorate a gender specific room and so far it's turned out even better than I imagined.
While we await the bed, I continue to look for all the perfect 'Lauren-like' details for her big girl room.
And then when it's all put together, we move the big girl to her new room
I'm thinking about October, after her birthday?
And that will be fun too....
Right?
{hence my lack of blog posts}
to spend with week with
It was a busy week full of activity, two doctors appointments, gymnastics, swim lessons, lots of puzzles, books, dollies, and even some walks.
In between the hustle & bustle we managed to do some painting, stenciling, and shopping.
Papa* joined us on Friday and the fun continued. Lauren soaked up every moment of having her grandparents visit and Matt and I even snuck in dinner and a movie.
The last movie we saw in a theatre I was days out from my due date with Lauren.
*Last summer while visiting my parents we said something to Lauren about Grandpa. She responded with Papa. And she's been saying it ever since.
{post lunch nap. Texas BBQ is that good.}
{first donut}
{Lauren fell asleep on the way home from lunch and we realized that we hadn't got a picture of her with both Grandma & Grandpa}
We're still working on Lauren's room.
We made a lot of progress while my Mom was here and probably should have made more.
But we didn't.
Because we're still waiting on the bed.
The bed that I ordered and was supposed to be here before my mom arrived.
Still waiting.
Which puts a bit of a pause on our project.
But it's been fun to decorate a gender specific room and so far it's turned out even better than I imagined.
While we await the bed, I continue to look for all the perfect 'Lauren-like' details for her big girl room.
And then when it's all put together, we move the big girl to her new room
I'm thinking about October, after her birthday?
And that will be fun too....
Right?
August 12, 2015
twenty-two
At twenty-two months, our little girl...
... is busy. She's always on the move and likes to run. Fast.
... has begun to showcase a little independent streak. She likes to do things solo and uses the word "mine". But sometimes she still asks me to hold her hand.
... is building quite the vocabulary. She is a talker and is constantly repeating what she hears and adds another word to her personal repertoire almost daily. I'm in awe.
... loves puzzles. We do them multiple times a day at her request. "Upstairs, puzzles." She still loves books, her dollies, and legos or blocks.
... also loves playing outside. Even in the heat. She's a Texan.
... is staying busy this summer with gymnastics and swim lessons. Both of which she loves.
... still loves fruit, cheese, pickles, toast, and oatmeal. Overall she remains a good eater. Except for vegetables. We still struggle and we still try. We've resorted to crudité. Or allowing her to use dip.
... is truly a little girl. I can't find a trace of a baby. Well, yes I can. I still lay her down in a crib {her big girl room is a work in progress} and change diapers. But when I look at pictures of one year ago, I can't believe it. She was our baby. So, I'm going to cherish those moments when her head lays on my shoulder and we sway. Oh, she's so sweet.
August 11, 2015
week 19... again + an update
You read that right.
And if you're slightly confused, let me explain.
They moved my due date back again.
I guess if I am being completely technical, it was never 'officially' moved since I hadn't seen my doctor since the ultrasound at 13 weeks when the new due date originated. My next appointment fell around the July 4th holiday and he was out, so I saw a NP who told me only the doctor could officially change it, but that based on the ultrasound and the timing, he would likely change it.
Given that this situation occurred in my pregnancy with Lauren, I assumed I was good to go and put a 2015 baby on the calendar.
But he didn't change it.
It's still 2016.
January 2, 2016
He said he likes to go off of the original ultrasound and doesn't want to push it and have a premature baby.
While I am thankful for his precaution and focused on growing a healthy little baby, I was slightly concerned about moving the due date back when the baby measured a few days larger than my 'adjusted new' due date at the last ultrasound.
But we've got plenty of time to worry about delivery details in the future.
For now, I'm focused on this little mango,
who is actually the size of a banana.
And if you're slightly confused, let me explain.
They moved my due date back again.
I guess if I am being completely technical, it was never 'officially' moved since I hadn't seen my doctor since the ultrasound at 13 weeks when the new due date originated. My next appointment fell around the July 4th holiday and he was out, so I saw a NP who told me only the doctor could officially change it, but that based on the ultrasound and the timing, he would likely change it.
Given that this situation occurred in my pregnancy with Lauren, I assumed I was good to go and put a 2015 baby on the calendar.
But he didn't change it.
It's still 2016.
January 2, 2016
He said he likes to go off of the original ultrasound and doesn't want to push it and have a premature baby.
While I am thankful for his precaution and focused on growing a healthy little baby, I was slightly concerned about moving the due date back when the baby measured a few days larger than my 'adjusted new' due date at the last ultrasound.
But we've got plenty of time to worry about delivery details in the future.
For now, I'm focused on this little mango,
who is actually the size of a banana.
