Brody's first haircut

I decided to bite the bullet and get Brody's first haircut. He woke up that morning, and the back of his hair looked a HOT MESS! So, that kind of made me decide to do it, since there was no way to wet it and fix the problem at hand. I was kind of expecting him to cry and scream, and that it would be a huge battle....but it was none of that. He sat on my lap, very still and quiet! I was amazed and very happy to say the least. I will admit that his hair looks 100 times better, even though it does make him look like he's 2 years old already. =(


The end result, so handsome!

Some Christmas Pictures

We had a great Christmas! It was much more relaxing than Thanksgiving because we weren't doing many Christmases in 1 day. We did my family's Christmas on Christmas Eve, then Nick's family's Christmas on X-mas Day. The kids got A LOT of cute clothes, and A LOT more toys! So many that we packed up some of their older toys, so that we can pull them out around Brody's Birthday in April. Sophie opening a present

Brody trying to figure out the whole "opening presents" thing

Getting the hang of it

Sophie on Christmas morning, still a little tired

Brody in his "Woody" towel and on his new car/scooter

Hugging

When Sophie isn't stealing toys away from Brody, or pushing him down on the ground....she's hugging and kissing him! It's a love/hate relationship obviously. Here are some pictures from the tub, when Sophie wanted to give Brody LOTS of hugs! I thought I should take pictures before she starts stealing his toys again.

Sophie's X-mas Dance

I have decided, after watching Sophie in her dance class, that she doesn't really like people watching her when she dances, sings....or anything like that. I was proven right when her dance teacher invited the parents in for a Christmas party and to watch the kids perform their X-mas dance they had been learning. Good thing I had my camera out and ready to go, because after the first minute of the song she decided she wanted to sit down in my lap! The song started and out they came, hands on hips, tapping away.....then her bottom lip started shaking, and she started crying and ran to me. She then watched the rest of the girls finish the dance, and clapped for them. We will see how she does at the recital in June, when she can't just run to me and sit in my lap. So, I think we might try gymnastics next!

Visit to see Santa

Our first visit to see Santa this year, was what I would call unsuccessful! Both kids were fine while waiting in line, and even waved at Santa! But once it was their turn, I got Brody out of the stroller and he flipped out. Screaming, running behind me to hide, which in turn made Sophie start crying and running away from Santa as well! We were obviously the talk of the Santa line, everyone was looking at my crazy kids. We then walked straight through the line, and found the snowman to take a picture in front of. Even then, look at their faces.....they are NOT happy! I was hoping that this year I'd get a better reaction from Sophie, not a negative reaction from BOTH of them!

Elvis the Elf

Thankfully I don't have to talk in code on this blog, since there won't be any kids reading this post! Nick finally got our Elf on a Shelf book down from the attic yesterday, thankfully we didn't pack it in with the boxes that went to storage. Sophie woke up this morning and came into our bed to watch t.v., so I took the opportunity to tell her that an elf had arrived in our living room last night, and that Santa had sent him to watch her and Brody to make sure they were behaving everyday. She then burst into tears and said that she didn't want to see an elf in our living room, and that she was scared. Not quite the reaction I thought I'd get! So, we talked a little more about how Elvis was Santa's friend, and ours too, and then when she saw him and said hi...I guess he was a welcomed visitor at that point.

I love the whole idea, because I love being able to starts traditions in our family, and this is just 1 more we've started. I won't lie, it's also a great bargaining tool that I like to use on a daily basis, in order to get Sophie to listen to me and stop throwing fits! We look forward to seeing Elvis the Elf every morning, and for many years to come.

Busy

So I have been taking a lot of orders for tutu's, especially since Christmas is right around the corner. It has been fun ordering new colors and mix and matching them together. I am very thankful for being in my parents house at the moment, since they have a big kitchen table where I can cut the tulle, and as you can see from the pictures, great wood blinds to hang all the tutu's from. Thank you to all who have ordered tutu's and I hope to keep busy making many more!

Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we have been talking to the kids about what they are thankful for. Sophie sadly mentions only "her toys." So I told her yesterday, you should also be thankful for your mommy and daddy that love you very much, and God because he gave you your mommy and daddy. She replied, "Um.....ok, I am thankful for my mommy, daddy, God, AND my toys!" Don't know if I even got the point across, but I have been trying to think of things we can do witht he kids every year around this holiday season to make them think of others, and give to others. We have decided through our church, to "adopt a family." So, when it gets closer to X-mas we will be buying things that a particular family needs, then making the trip out to their house to give them the presents. I think this will be a good experience for the kids, and us! This is just a recent picture I caught of the kids, as they were hanging out on the couch one morning watching a movie.....too cute.

Pumpkin Carving

We carved a pumpkin with the kids on Saturday, and they had a lot of fun. Well, I wasn't helping much, because I just think it's gross. And the kids only stopped by to see what was going on, then they'd go off and play in the driveway. So I guess it's fair to say that Nick did all the work! They actually touched the pumpkin "guts" this year, which is more than I can say for Sophie last year! It ended up looking great, it was a bat....but Sophie called it "Batman."

New Game

It's funny to watch the kids play together these days, because Sophie will think up a game, then teach Brody how it's supposed to be played! So, lately this is the game they've been playing. They laugh for 30 minutes and run around the kitchen island holding each end of the blanket. No idea why it's so funny, but I LOVE watching them play together and laugh!

The Zoo

We went to the zoo today, and it was Brody's first time. We had a great day, saw lots of animals, and had a picnic. We went through the Dino Exhibit first, which Sophie really loved, but Brody didn't appreciate very much. He thought the Dino's were okay to look at from a distance, until they moved or made noises. I actually found out today that Sophie is the real animal lover, and that Brody doesn't care too much. I guess I just assumed the kids would be the same! Even at the petting zoo, Sophie could have stayed there forever. Brody would brsh the goats, then brush his own hair next! I think he actually pet 1 goat with his actual hand, then made a bad face. Overall we had a great time though.


After eating lunch

Brody brushing a goat, then assuming the brush was his!

Sophie was a bit scared when the T-Rex came around. She looks soooo little!

She had a great time with MOST of the Dino's

Don't Let Her Fool You

Sophie and Brody have gotten to an age where they really love to play together! It's fun to watch Sophie sucker Brody into playing a game that she wants to play, and just to hear them laugh hysterically while playing. But today I went out to my car, in the driveway, to see if Sophie had left a toy in there. When I walked out of the door Sophie and Brody were both standing there, as if they were going to wait for me. I was outside for maybe 5 minutes, and when I walked back in only Sophie was standing inside waiting for me. I just assumed that Brody had walked away to go play.....but as I was walking into the living room I saw Sophie open the bathroom door and let Brody out! She had suckered him into going into a pitch black bathroom and then she shut the door! She looks all sweet and innocent, but don't let her fool you!!

Going to "The Farm"

I took the kids to Dewberry Farm this week. We usually go more than once each year, once Fall starts. Being there reminded me just how fast time flies! Last time the family was there, I had Brody in a Baby Bjorn Carrier because he was so little, and Sophie was just a crazy mess running around the farm! Now, a year later, and Brody was out there running around like a crazy man, and Sophie walked around knowing exactly what she wanted to do and see. They had a great time, and Sophie continues to ask every morning, "are we going to the farm?" They each got a "baby" pumpkin, got to feed and see lots of animals, and ran around and played on things for hours! I look forward to going again on a weekend, so that Nick can see how much fun they have.

Sophie on the bridge...I swear I didn't tell her how to pose!

Crawling through the tunnel

Deciding which pumpkin is her favorite

Brody found his pumpkin, after throwing quite a few like baseballs!

We made it out alive!!

I am sorry to say that I have never been to Brazos Bend Park, despite living here my whole life. So, our Mom's Club was going, and I decided that we should just go for it. Even though I had images of Brody wanting out of the stroller, as usual, and wandering off into some alligator den and getting chased and eaten.....just shows how much I know about alligators. Before going, I asked Nick a million times if it was safe for me to take both kids by myself! He thought I was being ridiculous, and just laughed it off. So, we actually went last week and had a GREAT time! We only saw 1 gator while we were on our hike, and he was in the water, far enough away from the kids that I felt safe. We ended the trip with a picnic and some playing. Sophie loved this HUGE tree that we showed her, and kept wanting to get back in it. Sadly, Brody was as usual moving too fast during this trip, so the only picture I have of him is 10 minutes after we got in the car to drive home. Just goes to show how much fun he had there though!

the things I resort to.....

I have been so frustrated lately about my inability to get any decent pictures of my kids. So naturally, now when we go places I rarely bring a camera. We just happen to go to a park the other day, and saw a friend there. She, of course, had her camera....like a good mom! All I could think of while she was getting pictures of her kids, was "I hope she gets a picture or 2 with my kids in them!" She had this professional type camera, and yes...she got some pictures of my kids! Now I keep thinking that maybe if I had a professional kinda camera, then maybe I'd get some decent pics of my kids, or maybe that's wishful thinking. So, in them meantime i guess my plan is to always forget my camera, and hope that someone where we are will get a good pic of my kids.....the things I resort to! Here they are...

Picture taking skills going downhill

I have realized that it's getting harder and harder for me to get pictures with both of the kids in them. I try and try, all the toys and food in the world won't get my kids to even stand next to each other for more than 5 seconds! This is the most recent picture I tried to take of the kids, notice that Brody is on the right, walking right out of the frame......I guess I will have to freshen up my picture taking skills!

Imaginations Run Wild

We spent the day hanging out at home, which we NEVER do! And this is what the kids decided they wanted to play with. So much for those expensive toys!

Big Sister??

I took a picture of the kids yesterday, and usually I say "Hey Sophie, have Brody sit on your lap so I can take a picture!" Now I realize that I can no longer say that, since her little brother is getting to be bigger than her! Last time I took the kids to the Dr. Sophie was 24 lbs. and Brody was 22 lbs.....so Sophie might not be the big sister for too much longer.

First BIG boo-boo

We went outside to play the other day, and Brody got to running so fast that he fell and scraped his knee. Now, don't get me wrong...this isn't Brody's first boo-boo, he's had his share of running into tables, and knocking his head on things. But this was his first boo-boo that bled, and needed a band-aid. So, we put a band-aid on it, and for days he pointed out his boo-boo to everyone. Sad, but cute! Now the band-aid's off and in this picture he's pointing it out.

Change is Inevitable

For those of you that know me, you know how much I dislike change, and how bad I am at dealing with it! But I guess these days God is making sure that I experience enough change in my life in order to make myself okay with it!

For starters, Nick got a new job. It is a great thing for Nick and for the rest of us! It will mean more money (and me not having to go back to work), plus the millions of perks that come with the job. The only drawback will be that Nick will be travelling 1-2 nights during the week. So, it's probably a good thing that we are living with my parents, so that I will have a little help to start off with. He starts on Monday, and is very excited!

Then, I cannot believe my little girl will be turning 3 this weekend! I still call her "peanut" to this day because she was born at a meager 4 pounds 12 ounces. I literally feel like I just had her...where did the time go?!? Lately, I have been feeling very bad for her and all of her visits to TX. Children's. The latest is that she went to see a motility specialist..don't ask, but still don't really have any answers to her 3 year long reflux problem. They ran a lot of tests, and we will see what comes from that.

So, wish me well with all these changes that are happening, and maybe in the future I won't get so stricken with anxiety when things change all over again!!

My Super Swimmer

Last summer, at the end of the season we had finally gotten Sophie to jump off the diving board. Then starting off this summer she was reluctant and ever did it. For some reason today, when we got in the pool she decided that that was all she wanted to do! She didn't count or anything, like she normally does before jumping. Then, after doing this about15 times she swam to me and said, "Mommy, I think I'm very tired." Too cute.

Sophie's New Room

We have finally gotten things settled into my parents house, and this is Sophie's new room. It's much bigger than her old room, and she loves it! Currently there are workers outside her room everyday promptly at 7:30am, so she doesn't like that much. She wakes up and comes in our room to say "Mommy, the workers were too loud and they woke me up too early!" Poor thing, but they will be finished soon!

Her favorite chair and her books

Her bed....I feel like she's outgrowing it a bit, big girl bed here we come!!

Costa Rica

We are finally getting back into the swing of things are being in Costa Rica for 5 days for my sister's wedding. We had a great time without the kids, but missed them a lot everyday! We stayed in a beautiful house in Costa Rica with the rest of the bridal party, and Nick and I shared a room with my recently married cousin Carly and her husband Chad. We had a lot of fun spending time with them, and even conquered a fear with them on the zip lines! I'm not big on heights...but after a couple zip lines it got much easier. We also enjoyed my sister's wedding on the beach, although monsoon winds came through, it was a beautiful and fun wedding!

Here are just a few pics from the trip.

Nick and I at a restaurant that had the BEST food!

Nick and I at the rehearsal dinner...what a great view!

After the wedding, crazy wind=wild hair!

Just one of the 5 iguanas that waited on our doorstep in the mornings. They backed off once we fed them some fruit!