Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I LOVE Easter time, I love Spring! I love everything about it. I'm not sure why this has been my favorite time of year for the past 5 years or so? Maybe because of the weather, or maybe the fresh blooms? But, probably because something about this time of year reminds me of my mom! Not one memory in particular...just in general, Easter reminds me of Zsa Zsa! We are loving this Spring with my 2 boys. Hunter is obsessed with egg hunts, candy and Easter baskets...not the Easter bunny!! Our bunny picture was less than successful! They were both terrified! I love how Hunter is leaning away, so precious!

We are going to Dallas on Good Friday and staying with my cousin, Sarah, throughout the weekend. Scott's cousin, Meredith, is getting married this weekend. We are excited to see family and dance the night away. But, we are not looking forward to being in the car most of Easter day! We will wake up and have a little Easter morning with Sarah and her family, then hit the road! We will be missing out on the wide variety of Easter activities and services at church, but we LOVE our Dallas cousins and can't wait to play with them. Scott's cousins are so fun to be with, we always have a blast!

My family will be waiting at our house for us to celebrate Easter, Zsa Zsa style...loaded Easter baskets, crawfish etouffee, egg hunts and fun!! Easter is a lot of work for me because I have taken over my mom's "duties," and she always went above and beyond! However, I take on her duties with pride because I know how much the "small things" mean to kids! It's not the big stuff- it's those small things that will flash in their memory for years to come!

Trent is almost scooting/dragging across the floor. He lays on his belly and spins in circles!! Hunter will lay in front of him and put out his arms, wiggle his fingers and say "Come on Baby Trent- you can do it!" So sweet to already see Hunter trying to teach Trent and encourage him! Trent continues to be a massive eater!! He eats fajitas, sausage, spaghetti, all veggies, all fruits! He puts down the food....with not one tooth!! Both my boys are eaters, and they are both off the charts in sweetness!!I have loved taking pictures of these two lately. I think they are both at this precious stage! We look forward to our first Easter as a family of 4!

In Memory of Zsa Zsa

Zsa Zsa was my mom's "grandmother name." She LOVED being a grandmother. She was a kid magnet, children gravitated to her, all people gravitated to her. Her grandchildren admired her and looked up to her. She used to say that being a grandmother was her favorite phase of life. Scott and I always say that if we had one wish for our family...it would not be wealth, status or fame. No, our wish is that my mom was here to be part of daily lives. She is very much part of our life, we talk about her many times a day...but we want her HERE! She loved Scott like one of her own, and their love was mutual! We so badly desire to see her, hear her, feel her, and have her infectious joy be part of our kids life!! No doubt, she would be here everyday and babysit ALL the time! Scott always says, "our family is missing out on so much not having Zsa Zsa! Just think, if she were here we could do this or that!" My mom was an extension of me. Scott used to call us a "package deal!!" Obviously, we can't get her back. But, we can continue to honor her memory. I also continue to strive to be like her. So, I am chopping my hair and donating it in memory of my mom.

 Here is the letter that I am sending in with my long ponytail!
Dear Hair,
I am letting you go in memory of my mom. There is a little girl that needs and desires you. It is now your job to put a smile on her face, make her feel beautiful. And for at least one moment, make her feel like a princess. Most importantly, I pray that you give her the extra strength she needs to kick cancers ass!

 No doubt, my mom would be all over my precious boys!!They are so wonderful. We are blessed! Speaking of blessed...Trent is almost 8.5 months old, and I am just now buying diapers for him!! WOW! I got enough diapers at my diaper showers to last over 8 months- amazing! 

8 Months

Whew...this month FLEW by! Baby Trent is 8 months old today. We went to the Rodeo to celebrate! Hunter and Trent enjoyed sitting in the wagon as we strolled around the carnival. Hunter was in complete awe with all the lights, rides, and activity. Trent just kept looking around in silence...over stimulated!! We made it to the petting zoo, and Hunter was obsessed! However, I was NOT! A deer ate my shirt, a llama ate my pony tail and Trent's overalls broke! All in all, it was a comical and memorable day! Of course, we ate lunch on our way out. I wanted to get a funnel cake in memory of my mom, but we were stuffed! Trent ate a million french fries...hey, who cares what you eat at the Houston Rodeo!!

8 month old Trent is getting a little more vocal!! He is trying to talk, and he does have a pretty loud voice! He does this annoying and constant moan when he gets frustrated- better than crying, I guess!! This is what he is up to these days:

• He is around 20 lbs
•  Size 3 diaper
• Size 9 mo clothes
• 2 naps (9:00-10:30 and 1:00-3:00)
• Sleeps from 7pm-7am
• Says "mama, dada" but he is mainly still just making 'noises'
• Breastfeeds 4 times a day (8am, 1:00 before nap, 4:00, and bedtime pumped bottle)
• Eats like a champ! Breakfast, lunch and dinner!
• Pancakes, kiwi, pears, oranges, blueberries, banana, breads, rice, avocado, pretty much anything!
• We have not tried meat, eggs, or peanut butter yet
• Not crawling yet, but he is almost to an army crawl
• Flings his head back like Stevie Wonder when he tries to be silly
• Laughs at Hunter often
• Always sucks his right thumb
• Likes a pacifier, but doesn't care that much
• Loves music, hugs, bath time, being outside, walks
• Puts everything in his mouth
• Favorite toys are ones with lights and music
• He is very calm and quiet in the car
• Still a very calming and collected demeanor
• Starting to get a lot of light blond hair
• Stunning blue eyes
• Is great at feeding himself
• Every once and a while he shows us his "attitude" side!!
• Still loves his johnny jumper

 I love holding Trent when he is sleepy. He melts in my arms. He is a total snuggle bug when he wants to be! Scott enjoys alone time with him in the morning before Hunter wakes up. Trent and Scott snuggle and have some great bonding time in the mornings. Trent continues to bless our lives and teach me so much. I have a feeling this is going to be a big month of changes. He is on the verge of many things...crawling, attitude, and talking! 

What's up

Not much going on here, other than the normal day to day stuff. I feel a sense of peace with the phase of life we are in. All of our systems seem to be flowing nicely as Hunter officially transitions into a big boy, and Trent is also hitting some milestones.

Monteverde Rodeo Boys

Hunter is about 60% potty trained. He wears underwear at home, and I take him to the potty often. He doesn't always tell me when he has to go, so I just make frequent trips. He has "tinkle bells" that he gets to shake and sing "tinkle bells, tinkle bells, Hunter went tinkle" after he goes to the bathroom. His favorite song is Jingle Bells, so we call this song "tinkle bells!" He loves it! He also has a sticker chart, which he only wants to put his Christmas stickers on there! Hunter is obsessed with all things Christmas...even in March!! He is also totally over his pacifier. He gave it to baby Jesus as his birthday present on Christmas. He must have been ready for it, because he hasn't asked about it and is never tempted by Trent's paci. He also sits at his big boy table when he eats since Trent is now in the highchair. Hunter is an amazing, patient, helpful, sweet and loving big brother. He is also soooooo funny! He makes me laugh, truly laugh hard, every day! He has an amazing gift of pure joy! Watching him be a big brother makes me even love him more...he is so special, and he is 2.5 years old!!

Then, there is my sweet baby Trent. He still leaves me speechless. I feel like I am so repetitive when I talk about Trent because all I can say is how mild mannered, calm, content and cool he is! He is becoming this total stud with his killer blue eyes- they pierce your soul! He is a total momma's boy and he can do no wrong in my eyes. Call me a sucker, but what can I say, he is a total fairytale baby! His gentle heart exudes sweetness! He is showing signs of "scooting." He will get on his tummy and reach then drag a little. He is a little slower when it comes to physical milestones, but far exceeds any 7.5 month eating requirements! This boy EATS!!! Still breastfeeding 4 times a day and eats 3 legit meals a day. He wants the real food....beans, avocados, bread, muffins, blueberries, mango, bananas, french fries, pretty much anything!! He still eats baby food too, but he would much rather picking up his own food and feeding himself!

That's the news for now! I feel so cheesy when I say how much I love my boys, but I do, I love every little thing about each one of them! I also love that they are both so patient with me. I will say things like "I'm coming, just wait" and Hunter will say "ya, ya- always waitin'!!" I wish he had a recorder hooked up to him all the time, so I could have on record all the hilarious things he says! We are enjoying the days and always look forward to the nights with daddy! No doubt, we are blessed and I am forever grateful!