Fun at the Zoo

Ethan brushing a goat

Ethan and Oliver playing in the sand

He truly loves his baby sister

Gracie Playing

Trying to climb the vine

Ethan fishing in the pond

Ethan contemplating if he should pet him or not.

Inner Book Worm

Since becoming a Mom, reading for fun was really put on the back burner. Well recently I had a chance to read a book by Ellie Kay named 'Heroes at Home'. It was really good and I think if you are married to a military service member this book should of been handed to you along with the marriage certificate. Ellie Kay is married to fighter pilot and basically write a survival guide for all spouses but adds in the quirkiest stories. Being a mother a five she has some funny stories to tell. I have also read her 'Shop, Save and Share' book. It was really informative and now I know why her nickname is "coupon queen". I have even started clipping coupons. Hopefully, I can get my hands on some more of her books. We have been trading in our playgroup and I really want "Money doesn't grow on trees" which basically teaches your kids about the value of a dollar. Especially since "Put it on your Christmas list" doesn't seem to be getting through to Ethan in the toy aisle.

Let them eat cake!

This Saturday we were able to celebrate Gracie turning one with a pink princess theme party. It turned out quite cute and really pink. She liked opening her presents but what she really enjoyed was her cake. She went to town on it and it didn't look like she was going to slow down. Needless to say she got it everywhere so she had to get a quick rinse afterwards but it was worth it to see her with her first birthday cake. Our good friends, the Bolin's, drove in from out of town to help us celebrate Gracie's birthday as well as with some of our friends that we have met here. The cake was really good and I say that because I made it myself. It was a princess cookie crown cake. All I know is that while everyone was eating it, it was so silent you could've of heard a pin drop. Very rare for the kids to be quiet for more than a couple minutes. So if the kids liked it, it must of been good.

Cookie Crown Cake

The kids at the table.

Gracie opening a gift

She was clapping after opening all of her gifts

Mommy helping Gracie blow out her candle

This is so good!!!

Oh God Mom, please stop

Boring conversation or getting out of eating vegetables?

Our Princess turns 1!!!

Today our Gracie has reached the BIG NUMBER 1!!!. We thought Ethan's first year went by fast but we were in no way prepared for how fast Gracie's first year went. She is truly a blessing from God and brightens our day everyday. Either from her devilish smile or her ability to make you laugh, she knows how to wrap you around her little chubby finger. She can be quite silly and likes to torture her brother a little too much. She loves looking at Jager, our dog, and even calls him "yegaa". She is basically getting into anything and everything. She loves to dance and will even bop her head up and down. She likes to play in her brother's room more than in her own. She still gives open mouth kisses but you have to catch her in a good mood to receive one or just have Ethan's charm because she loves giving her brother some love. When she gets upset there is just no going back and has even learned the -throw yourself and rollover kicking and screaming- routine. She loves saying "HI" and makes us all laugh because she sometimes says it at the most random times. She loves bath times and has even gotten in totally dressed. By looking at her, you can tell she is healthy eater and sometimes will eat more than Ethan does at meal time. Other than that she is typical girl that loves all of the attention and can switch from mood to mood at a drop of a dime. In this year Gracie has gained 16lbs, grown 9 inches and yet still only has two teeth. It is really sad to see this year leave us, because she just wasn't a baby for that long. Why can't I freeze time??!!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you." - Winnie the Pooh

Day Dreamer

Gracie loves looking out of the windows and will actually stand there for awhile. Every time I see her there I always hear that Daydreamer Song by David Cassidy in my head.

She really gets into it. See if you can find her.

Adventureous Kiddos

Gracie learning to walk

Ethan has been trying to learn how to jump on his skateboard while it is going and finally did it one time looking so cool but as soon as his mother gets the camera out, he can't get it again. Figures! I will keep it on hand for next time though.

Where did my motivation go?

This week I have been really bad on working out and going overboard on the treats that I need to kick my butt into gear. It all started last Friday night when I went out with a few of the ladies for a ladies night out. We went to P. F. Changs and had an absolute great time. I allowed myself one mixed drink, a long Island Iced Tea which I have to say was soooo good. I was tempted to order another but I had to drive home. Even though I probably would’ve of been safe because we were there for 3 1/2 hours talking! Then Super bowl Sunday came around and you cannot actually watch the game without snacking. Those two days alone started the slacking off and I have only worked out twice this whole week. What is so weird is that if I don’t work out the night before I feel so sluggish the next day that I don’t want to do anything. Well, things are going to have to go back to normal on Monday because I went swimsuit shopping this weekend and WHOA that florescent lighting either has something against me or the mirror has to be from the carnival! My goal is to be able to wear a bikini and not look like a mother of two wearing a bikini. I really don't like the tank top- skort combo. It reminds of something a nun would wear, not cute!!. I hate swimsuit shopping!

Loving the attention

She loves to push the chairs all around the kitchen

Basking in the sun

Kidding around

Caught in the act of trying to put something in her mouth

Is it nap time yet?

Family portraits by the artist formerly known as Ethan

Ethan has been busy drawing us and frankly I am a little worried. We have no bodies and huge heads which apparently grow arms. But I guess you can only ask for so much with the subjects he had to work with. One in particular was a little moody but that only seemed to enhance his vision.

Gracie's First Haircut

Today Gracie got her first haircut. It wasn't anything fancy, she just needed her bangs trimmed. She was a wiggle worm and just wouldn't hold still. By how much she moved and fussed, I am surprised she is not missing an eye.

This is the best picture I could get of her all day, she just wouldn't sit still.

Earlier in the day we were at the YMCA and the kids were playing in the tree house

There is no spouse like a military spouse!

Dear Lord,
Give me the greatness of heart to see the difference between duty and his love for me. Give me understanding that I may know, when duty calls him he must go. Give me a task to do each day, to fill the time when he's away. And Lord, when he's in a foreign land, keep him safe in your loving hand. And Lord, when duty is in the field, please protect him and be his shield. And Lord, when deployment is so long, please stay with me and keep me strong. Amen

Starting to play together

Well since Gracie is pulling herself up and exploring the world from a different level, it has given her a chance to play along side Ethan. Even though, he still needs reminding that she can play with his toys just like he plays with hers, they have been doing fairly well together. I still sometimes hear, "Mom can you come and get Gracie". Poor kid has yet to realize that this is only the beginning of having a sibling. Although I have to watch her because if she feels he is closing in on a toy she will lunge onto him with a open mouth like she is trying to bite him and start wailing away on him. Poor Ethan just sits there screaming for me to help get her off of him. I have no idea where she gets it from because Ethan was never a bitter and has never even bit her but when you are seeing it happen it looks like she has a short fuse just waiting to be lit. I think can already tell from this age their personalities. Ethan is more of a follower, he is the type that would probably blend with the crowd and kind of do what everyone else is doing. NOT Gracie, she is more of the child that would think of an idea good or bad and try it out. She will be the child to provide me with gray hairs. She is one feisty little girl!! It must be in the blood lines.


Ethan was at the kitchen table playing with this play-do and gadgets and out of nowhere ask me this:

Ethan: Mom, does Ty have play-do?
Me: I am sure he does. Do you remember where he lives?
Ethan: Yes, in Hawaii
Me: Thats right, I can't believe you remembered that.
Ethan: Looking down with a sad face "I really miss him"

Doesn't that just break your heart!!!

Gracie and Ethan playing

Gracie getting into things she shouldn't be getting into.

Ethan building his Lego Gun

He is aiming his Lego gun

Goofing around

One of my favorites

Gracie and Gabrielle = BFF

Well Gracie is barely 11 months old and already has a BFF. Our next door neighbors have a little girl who is 4 months younger than Gracie. Of course Gracie just wants to hug her till she can't breathe but thats only because she doesn't know her own strength yet. Gracie just loves when she comes over and loves when they are both on the floor together. I have been watching Gabrielle to help our neighbors out until they can get stuff squared away between their family and the day care. It has been easier than I expected and she is on our schedule so thats a breeze. Heck, throwing one more in the mix plus Jager who is my most difficult child sometimes doesn't seem too big of a difference. Plus it keeps Gracie occupied because she treats Gabrielle as her own personal doll. I catch her giving her hugs and kisses, which is too cute! They have been really great neighbors so I am just glad I get to help them out. Also toting one more kid around should be helping me in the arms department. I am still working my butt off or at least trying to work it off but I think I hit a plateau. No matter how many squats or ball crunches I do, I am not getting sore. I think I need to try something else.

If Gracie sees a blanket or a pillow on the floor she
automatically lays her head on it but I think she thought Gabrielle was the best choice.

Waving

Girly Girls

Oh sh*t!

Yes, I do have a bad mouth and my most favorite word is 'oh sh*t'. You can use it with everything. I think that is why I like it so much because it works for when you drop an egg on a newly mopped kitchen floor or when you see your child running towards the street and you need to get there fast. It has to be the most versatile phrase in my vocabulary. However, the other day after realizing Gracie was pulling the little thing that takes the dvd's right out of the DVD player, I said it while trying to stop her. Next thing I noticed my little mimic, Ethan repeats my special phrase. I promptly correct him saying that he must not say that word and must use Darn't or Shoot instead. I also told him that Mommy is no longer allowed to say that word anymore. Well it must of not been 5 minutes later, I slipped. Ethan runs up to me with the most serious face and with a stern voice, "MOM, you cannot say oh sh*t Mom, That is a bad word so do not say oh sh*t. You can say darn't or shoot but not oh sh*t Mom!!!!!" Of course I thought it was hilarious but I didn't dare show it. Needless to say we both needed a time out.

The Chef and Drama Queen

We had some friends over on Wednesday and Ethan and Kaylee just couldn't get enough of each other. She even had him pushing the baby carriage. Oh what boys will do for pretty girls. Gracie was looking at another kid.

Ethan’s look on the life as a spoiled grandchild!

For many of you that don’t know, Eric’s grandparents always spend a lot of time with Ethan and Gracie when we are in Alamo and they are called by their nicknames which are Germ and Lapiz. The following takes place in Ethan’s closet after I found him and his sister hiding there again.

Ethan: Mommy, I am Lapiz and Gracie is Germ.

Me: Really, what are you doing?

Ethan: (standing on a box) I am fixing the house!

Me:… and what is Gracie doing?

Ethan: She is making papa(food) ,because Germ makes really good papa, like Oreo’s .

I rest my case!

Ethan's 3 year check-up

Ethan now weighs 31.8 lbs. and is 3 feet and 1 inches tall. On the way to the hospital I told Ethan that he was going to see the doctor for his three year check up. Then he tells me that he doesn't want to see the doctor and that Gracie can go instead. I told him it was his turn and that it was going to be fun. That is when the truth came out and he ask, "Am I going to get shots?" . I told him that he wasn't going to get shots, they were just going to weigh him and see how big he has gotten. However, once our name is finally called, Ethan is crying and not wanting to follow the nurse. He is saying over and over he doesn't want shots. That is when the delightful nurse turns and ask me If I told him he was going to get shots. Ummmm, Let me think, in between letting him watch a bloody horror flick on crazy doctors and telling him in detail about all of the shots I have been given, I thought heck why not ruin his little world and tell him that he was going to get a shot. NOOOO, I did not tell him he was getting shots, maybe he got it in his head from seeing how many times you have pricked his little sister. He does come with me when we go to Gracie's appointments so I am sure the blood curtailing screams coming out of Gracie made Ethan realize that going to the doctor sometimes is not all that fun. Well, he did survive the appointment and there were no shots. Hopefully this experience will help out with any future resistance on going to the doctor.