Some Scoop

Baby it's cold outside! One day we are wearing tank tops, the next we are wearing a fleece. Gotta love Houston weather. Faith Ann now has 2 teeth! They have both broken gum and growing. Her 2 bottom teeth make her look like a big girl! Where did my baby go?!

She LOVES Nutella. She has been slow to grow a passion for food. However, she gets SO excited when she actually likes the taste of something. She starts hitting her high chair tray and kicking her legs when she likes the food. Her eyes get big, like she's surprised at how good it taste! And Nutella gets the best reaction! She loves it! She also loves kiwi.

She is still rocking and looks like she is going to take off at any second. She gets around by dragging, scooting, spinning but still not formerly crawling. Faith Ann is a sleeping rock star! And loves her morning nap. I now put her in her crib right after I feed her in the morning (around 7:30.) She falls right back to sleep until I have to wake her to start the day, usually around 9:00. Then, they all 3 nap in the afternoon.

Hunter and Trent are growing like weeds. Hunter is obsessed with writing, obsessed! He is always writing names, words and drawing pictures. He is READY for pre-K. He is going to soar! Hunter is about to start T-ball, which he is so excited about. Scott is the coach. There are some of Hunter's school friends and our playgroup friends on the team. Hunter is beyond excited to be with his friends! He is definitely my social one!!

Trent is starting to speak more clearly. He is going through a stuttering phase as he learns more and more. His brain is on overflow, and his words get stuck sometimes. It could also be because Hunter always talks for him, so Trent feels "rushed" to get a word out! Trent is the quiet type- he likes to be in the "back seat." He doesn't talk over people, and with Hunter...that means that Trent doesn't ever have much of a chance to talk! When there is a moment of silence- Trent stutters to get it all out! I am slowing down and making Hunter respect Trent's turn to talk. Hopefully this helps Trent get his thoughts out! I laughed so hard at their "brother picture." So typical...they were totally over it! Boys!

That is my update on all my ducklings. They are all so unique! I LOVE watching them develop into their own identity. Happy days, and looking forward to warmer days!

Sweet Valentine

We enjoyed a 3 day weekend with Scott! I think all weekends should be 3 days long!! We had a great weekend. Valentines day was lots of fun. I decorated the fireplace with a few Valentine goodies, and the boys loved to wake up to the surprises. I got them airplanes with hearts on them. They played with them all morning! I got Scott a shoe organizer and gummy bears...I know, we are wild over here!

The kids stayed in pajamas, and we headed out to a family date for breakfast! Best Valentine date ever! We went to CoCo. They have delicious crepes. We got a few different ones and all shared. Nutella crepe was my favorite! The boys loved their bacon and egg crepe. Faith Ann was a happy camper with her banana! We got to the cafe at 7:30, so we beat the crowd and had the place to ourselves.

Then, I headed out to get a much needed haircut. I got 5 inches cut off, but my hair is still long. I can't let go of the length...long hair is just easier in this phase of my life! We spent the rest of the day playing outside in the gorgeous weather!! My dad came over that night to babysit while Scott and I went on a date. We put the kids to sleep and dad watched a movie on the couch! Scott and I ate sushi and enjoyed a long dinner.

We headed to the ranch after church on Sunday. Scott's cousin lives on beautiful property in Sealy. Scott's family is visiting from Pittsburgh, so a big group spent the day at the ranch to catch up! They have horses, 4 wheelers, hay rides and all sorts of activities! The kids had a BLAST, and we all loved getting to hang out and spend time with family!

Throw in a couple birthday parties, and our weekend was complete! Monday was rainy and cold, so we laid low. I signed the boys up for some classes this week at the Idea Lab, and the first class was Monday. Then we ate at Napolis pizza for lunch! Scott and I laughed because that was our "date place" when we were in high school. We remembered what table we would always sit at, and we said "just think, we used to sit here when we were 16 years old- we never thought we would be sitting here with our 3 kids!" We have had a fun journey together, and it's only getting more adventurous! Growing up and living our life side by side has been so special.

Happy Valentines Day and Happy Mardi Gras! Faith Ann is looking adorable in her Valentine and Mardi Gras gear!! Love this girl! Love my boys! Love sweet Scott...life is good! Cheers!

9 Months

Height: 28.25in (89 percentile)

Weight: 20lb ( 72 percentile)

Faith Ann, Sister, Sissy, Fay Fay...you are NINE months old! In the blink of an eye, you have bloomed into your own little self! You are sweet but sassy, subtle but spunky, quiet but full of life, and still the most peaceful baby on Earth! Hunter and Trent were both pretty "easy" babies. They never really ruffled too many feathers and went along with the program for the most part....but YOU...ahh, you leave me speechless with your ease, peacefulness, grace, flexibility and contentedness!

We had your 9 month appointment last week, and Dr. Brack said, "this is the type of baby that you write home about!" Your generation will have no clue what that means...but it means that you are such a special baby that you want to tell the world! On top of everything, you are just beautiful! A quick errand used to take me 30 minutes- not any more! Nothing is quick with you!! People stop in their tracks to swoon over you...children, adults, old people, young men in their teens and 20's (that usually don't even notice babies)...you have hooked 'em all!

By the way, you are a total flirt, seriously. You have impeccable timing for smiles, eye contact, sideways smiles, eye flutters, laughs and babbles! Speaking of babbles- Dr. Brack said, "how is the babbling going? Any mama or dada?" And that very second, you said "mama, dada, mama, dada, mama, dada!!!" It was hilarious. Dr. Brack was like, "wait, did she just answer my question?' I'm telling you, you have impeccable timing, and I think you are going to be sharp as a tack!

I am still having a blast dressing you up! You look like a doll with all your bows and adorable outfits. However, I feel that all the glitz and glam may get in your way as you become mobile! You are starting to rock on all fours and scoot around on the floor...your dress gets in the way, you have found your bow and starting to pull at it! Oh well, I have enjoyed all the dress up and will continue to do it as long as you let me!

Dr. Brack was so pleased with how good you are doing! You have started to plateau a bit in your 'plumpness' because you only nurse 3 times a day and starting to nibble more at food. But sister, you have some curves! You have a girls body- hips, thighs, booty, long legs, long arms! Dr. Brack predicted that you will be about 5'7 with very long legs! Daddy does not like the way this is sounding....curves, long legs, tall, beautiful eyes, glistened hair, and a flirt...trouble! Good thing you have 2 older brothers!

Oh yes, your brothers! They are OBSESSED with you! My friends and I were talking about how protective they are of you. We started imagining your dating days when all 3 of you are in high school at the same time. I said, "Hunter will be the brother that will hammer your date with a million questions and want to know everything. Trent will be the brother that says nothing and just punches him in the face if his eyes wander!" Yep, you will be protected to say the least! These boys worship you!

You are really starting to explore. You get in the cheerleader "herkie" position and scoot around. Or, you do the "helicopter." This is when you lay on your tummy and spin in circles until you get to where you want to go! You are starting to rock on all fours, so I really think legit crawling is soon. However, you have no problem getting around with your creative mobility. When all else fails, your brothers pull you around the hardwood floors so you can slide to your next destination!

You breastfeed in the morning, before nap, and before bed. Then, you eat lunch and dinner. You eat whatever we are eating. You finally like food! It took you way longer than your brothers, but you are now enjoying meals rather than storing all your food in your mouth like a chipmunk then spitting it all out! You still have a much smaller appetite than your brothers did at this age, but at least you are willing to try anything! Here is what you are up to at 9 months old:

• Sleeps 7:30-7:00
• Finally have ONE tooth peaking through! 
• Naps at the same time as brothers, usually fall asleep between 1:00-2:00 and sleeps for at least 2 hours.
• Catnaps in the car, you love your 'recharger' naps
• Size 3 diaper
• Size 9 months clothes (can wear some 6-9 and some 12 months...give or take)
• Gets around pretty good- almost legit crawling
• Will only pull up on peoples hands while sitting, not on furniture yet
• Social in a subtle, cool way!
• You gravitate to your momma- us girls gotta stick together!
• Love to clap 
• Love bath time! You bathe with your brothers and this is always a highlight for you! Splash around and laugh. Daddy loves to do bath time with his sweet kids!
• Your peace is unmatchable! Such a gift!!

And I will close with your amazing "sprinkler dance!" I thought this was so funny! Girl, you have moves!! Happy 9 months baby girl. We love, adore, admire, and appreciate you so much! 

Party Weekend

My dads 72nd birthday party was a HIT! It was awesome, so memorable! About 80 people showed up, and we filled up the Firehouse Saloon. The country band was fantastic, Ninfa's food was delicious, and dad had a blast! Tons of his friends showed up...friends from childhood, lots of my parents friends, and some of his new friends from his senior living community. All his old neighbors came and our entire family and extended family. People drove into town from all over Texas. This goes to show was a good man my dad is!

Everyone wore their cowboy boots and Western wear. Everyone danced, visited and enjoyed great food and drinks. It really was a perfect night! I had MANY people tell me that it was the best party they had been to in years. There was a wide age range...late 20's-80's!! All ages had a blast!

My dad LOVED his bucket list moment! The band called him up on stage for a surprise. I did a little announcement, then handed over the microphone to my dad for his big moment that he had dreamed of for years! Singing 'Redneck Mother' on stage with a country band. It was one of the best moments in my life...to see my dad so happy, so proud, and so admired by a room full of people! Everyone was singing along, cheering, taking pictures, dancing. Awesome! And my dad has a great voice, everyone talked about for the rest of the night!

I wore my moms old outfit from the 60's, and Scott wore my dads old shirt from the 60's. Now that's vintage!!! It was so fun to wear moms old outfit. Many of her friends remembered her wearing it, and referred to it as her "hot pant outfit!" hahaha! My friends called me "Hot Pants" for the rest of the night!

My cousins stayed with us all weekend. Sarah has a son that is Hunter's age and a daughter that is Faith Ann's age. They all had fun. We played outside with the bounce house, bikes, 4 wheeler, and lots of running! I went to a birthday party with just Trent which was a treat to spend alone time with him. It was just a great weekend with many memories made!! Isn't my cousin, Sarah, gorgeous? Her daughter, Masina, is such a beautiful doll. Sarah's husband is Somaian (he's very handsome) so their children are destined to be beautiful...inside and out!

It was also Zoe's birthday on Saturday (31st.) She turned NINE years old. Zoe has been with us from the start. She is loyal, loving and patient. Such a sweet tiny dog! She has seen it all!! Speaking of seeing it all...this was the view my cousins had as they were leaving our house. They backed out of the driveway as the boys were giving them a special "good bye!' BOYS!! Gotta love 'em!