Western Day

Yesterday was Western Day at school.  And as luck would have it...my parents happened to go to the Fort Worth Stock Show this weekend and bought two brand new pairs of boots for my kids.

They were so, so excited to get these boots. They have not taken them off for days. Ty's are definitely a couple sizes too big and fall off constantly but, every time they do he brings it back to me and says "boo" for me to put it back on. I never dreamed they would be such a hit but, I love that they are.

 

So, since Kinley got to wear her boots at school today, Ty was immediately jealous and went to get his. It was prime opportunity for some cute western day pics. I just love that we live in Texas and cowboy boots everyday are totally acceptable. I remember both of my brothers wearing their boots as toddlers obsessively and I can tell already that Ty will definitely be that way.

 

Before school, Ty would not hold still for pictures to save my life. Kinley tried her best to reign him in...but, to no avail.

I tried on a whim to french braid Kinley's hair and was so excited when I could do it. It's a big day for us when we have enough hair to try a new hairstyle.

 

 

After school sheriff Kinley and her deputy ran around outside in their western gear again.

 

love her.

trying to squeeze him to pose again.

Happy Western Day....

Ty - 15/16 month update

I totally had intentions of doing a Ty update after his 15 month well check but, now he is well past 16 months and I am finally getting to it.

 SO, SO much has changed since his 12 month update.  He has truly sprung into full on toddler mode.

 

Stats:

- 25 pounds 50th percentile

- 31 inches 80th percentile

It is still crazy to me that he is only 50% in weight because he has the biggest belly lately. He just follows it around and it reminds me so much of my brother Matt. He used to do that as a toddler and I just love it.

 

The biggest change obviously, is that he is walking...more like running everywhere! It took him a while. He was definitely into his 15th month before he started walking. Only about 6 months after Kinley walked but, he got there. And now, only a few weeks later I cannot imagine him not walking. He is so happy being able to go everywhere Kinley goes. When she goes room to room, he is not far behind. It is so sweet to see them play together everyday. They are truly best friends. It is a huge joy.

 

He is also a major climber. He climbs anything. He climbs onto the kitchen table, my bathroom counter, on top of the car...anywhere he can. I have no idea how he hasn't figured out how to climb out of his crib yet but, I cross my fingers everyday that he won't.

 

Ty's personality is still his completely sweet, cheesy self. His smile can melt your heart and he smiles the majority of the time but, he can definitely throw a tantrum these days. I remember this with kinley too...but, his frustration is mostly about not being able to completely communicate with me. He knows what he wants now but, can't always express it and it is frustrating to him.

 

 

He is also talking up a storm. He is so, so, so much more verbal than Kinley was at this age. It is crazy what I actually can understand. He can pretty much repeat almost anything. On a regular basis he can say (in his little toddler-speak) mama, dada, tyty, bubble, up, apple, ball, all gone, down, more, balloon, and I know more that I can't think of right now.

 

His favorite activity is still, hands down, to read. We read no less than 10 books a day. He loves us to read to him. He does NOT like tv. The only thing he will sit in front of for more than 1 minute is a Praise Baby DVD. That is only because he loves music. As long as music is on tv he is happy. He will pay close attention to a show's theme song or a fresh beat band commercial but after that, he's out.

 

He loves being outside and is getting the hang of hitting his baseball off the tee and driving his little camo car but, he mostly just chases Kinley around when we go outside.

 

He still eats like a champ. He loves any fruit and loves any juice from the juicer. He really likes velveeta shells and cheese and chicken nuggets (like any kid) but, he also will try pretty much anything Ben and I eat at night too. The biggest challenge I have with feeding Ty lately is that he ONLY wants to feed himself. He does not want me to spoon-feed him anything. He wants me to stab it or spoon it up for him to feed himself. He does not have the best aim everytime so every. single. meal. ends in a total mess.

 

I am thankful that Ty still sleeps like a champ. Usually 12 hours at night and a 2-3 hour nap once a day. Praise God for a good eater and sleeper. It is a huge blessing.

 

He has almost all of his teeth now, sans 2 year old molars. He is currently getting his last couple vampire teeth (or that's what I call them) on top and once he is through that, we will be home free for a while.

 

He still takes his paci and is truly obsessed with it. I think he likes it more than Kinley if that is possible. I was so much more strict with her about when and where she could have them at his age but, she already had all her teeth and he doesn't yet. Soon, I will have to toughen up and get stricter with him.

 

If you are still reading this you are a champ. I just really want to remember all this little stuff with my kiddos. So, thank you for getting through the details.

 

Ty, you are just a precious angel to us. My heart skips a beat everyday when I get to wake you up in the morning. Your smile can turn any worry I have into joy in a second. God has given you the ability to win over anyone you meet. There is not a day that you don't make us laugh and want to squeeze you tight. I am so thankful that I get to be your mom. I can't believe you are almost a year and a half...time is flying by so fast. I am so glad I get to take a front row seat to watch you grow and learn and change and become the man God intends for you to be.

 I love you so much!

Lake Weekend

January is just flying by! 

My intentions of blogging more consistently have already gone out the window. I blame technical difficulties (internet access down and a dead computer) and a week of working more days than normal.

Oh well.

To catch up a little here are a few pictures of our first lake weekend of 2013. We had just our immediate Harrison family down for a very chill, relaxing time last weekend. We played games, went on walks, worked out, played outside, worked around the house and just relaxed. And, although Mendy and I did not put on a stitch of makeup the entire weekend. Kinley put us to shame each day because she does not go a day without hers lately.

The weather was perfect so the swingset got lots of attention.

And Aunt Minnie and Uncle Alex always make it a fun time.

A big hit of the weekend was raking the leaves. It wasn't even really on the agenda but, once we started we just couldn't stop. It made for really fun piles to jump in and kept us busy burning leaves at the fire pit.

Another big project was that Ben and Alex added a smoker to the charcoal grill and smoked ribs all day on Saturday. I think they cooked for about 5 hours but, they ended up perfect and were delicious!

 

Obviously to smoke all those ribs we needed to chop some wood for the fire and although it was my first time with the axe...I definitely chopped a few good pieces. I mean, anything to burn a few calories so I can eat more, right!?

Ty was a huge fan and was chewing those bones completely clean.

I mean, this belly is to die for.

I can't wait for more lake weather this year!

lately...

just a little iphone update on what's been going on around here in january so far.

ben had all this time off over the holidays and i got completely spoiled having him around so much. I am missing it already.

there wasn't really a day the entire time that both kids were well. it is so sad when your kids are sick but, i have to admit i love the extra snuggle time. ty would not leave my lap for multiple days. even playing in kinleys room he would just hold a toy and lay down on my lap. On new years eve Ty had a little stomach bug and a little vomit later ben rented a carpet cleaner and went to work on our living room. Best looking worker bee i've ever seen...

at the same time we decided to take down christmas decorations and organize multiple rooms in the house (who knows why!???) and just to keep it real, this is truly what our house looked like...

we tried time and time again over the holidays to go to the new perot museum and every time we tried to go the tickets were sold out or a kid got sick or something. i definitely feel a visit coming soon but, as a quick substitute we had a day at the Ft. Worth Children's Museum.

 

the kids loved it...especially the grocery store part. i came away wishing that the kids could do my grocery shopping for me and that it was really that much fun.

ben got me a juicer for christmas and i am a bit obsessed with it. i have been juicing every day. i am not sure i am any healthier but, i just like it. the best part is both my kids drink it too! i even got kinley to drink apple, carrot, spinach juice and she loved it!

also, haley had surgery about a week ago. she blew threw her acl about a month ago playing with simmonds in my parents backyard and had to have surgery to repair it. thankfully, we know the best vet surgeon ever! thanks dr. bob!

 she is truly the best post-surgery dog ever. she is patient, rests, takes her meds very easily, and lives a very sedentary life most of the time anyway. she has been getting more love in the past week than in the last 3 years probably. it is a long road to recovery but, we are doing great so far!

how is january treating you guys so far!?