Faces with names

Most of my friends have heard me talk about my family, but have never had the chance to meet them all in person- so this is my opportunity to put some faces with names!  This past February they moved back to the Houston area...and even better, across the street from us!  Cami and Aidan can walk over anytime they feel like it, which is pretty often!  They love to go over and play with Gramma's buckets of toys, sit in Papa's chair and raid the pantry.  They would be over there every day if I let them!

My brother Todd is 12 and in the 7th grade.  He loves to skateboard and we get to see him daily playing in the cul-de-sac with his buddies.  Aidan adores him, looks up to him and wants to do everything like him.  I can convince Aidan of pretty much anything if I tell him its Uncle Todd's idea.  My sister Nicole is 16 and a Junior in High School.  Shes got a pretty busy social calendar so we dont see as much of her as we do everyone else.  She does pop over occasionally for help on her homework or to "borrow" a flat iron, bag or some other necessity...and sometimes just to say "hey".  She's getting her license in December so this is fair warning to the rest of you Katyites...coming soon to a roadway near you!

We really have enjoyed having them all so close.  They moved out of the Houston area just after I graduated from college- heading first to Arizona then to San Antonio.  It seems perfect timing for them to be back near us now with Aislyn on the way.  What a blessing to be able to have the children grow up with close family near by, hopefully they will stay put for a while!

Hmmm...now if only we could convince my sister and her family in Minnesota that Texas would be a good fit!

IKE

So I know that my out of town friends want all the gory Ike details about how we weathered the storm...so heres my official IKE POST!

We were very lucky in the grand scheme of all the devastation that the Houston area has suffered.  We never had a loss of power, cable or water services.  We had no damage to our home or property.  We have pretty much come out on the other side of Ike unscathed suffering only a few minor inconveniences.  Schools have been closed since Friday (scheduled to reopen here in Katy next Monday 22).  Because of this the children have come down with some pretty severe cases of cabin fever!  Even though we have power and cable TV still in tact, Cami has found other things to busy herself.  She has constructed every puzzle in our possession, our floors and tables at various points over the last couple of days have been littered with completed puzzles that she refused to deconstruct (although Aidan has no problem with deconstruction much to her dismay!).  She has roamed the house with a clip board and pencil copying every bit of print within her eye line of site...accumulating pages and pages of lists of random words.  She has played babies, barbies, pet shop and potato head, made a trip a day to Gramma's house and ridden her bike in circles inside and outside.  

Aidan on the other hand is much more content to watch TV, lounge and wait for an invitation to play from Cami.  He too has looked forward to his daily visit with Gramma...shes more fun, has better toys and better snacks :)  In all of the madness he has also taken to securing his valuables.  He has a bag and a box that he has been carrying around from room to room...even toted "his stuff" across the street to Gramma's house.  The bag is full of underpants and the box has his Spiderman lunchbox (with tech decks and random toys inside), his pirate halloween costume, his bunny and his blankie...you know, the necessities!

As for Ian and I, our main challenge has been gathering those basic things that we need on a daily basis for ourselves and the kids.  Prior to the storm we consumed most of our refrigerated and frozen foods in case we lost power and refrigeration.  Local stores are slowly reopening, but most are poorly stocked as far as dairy, produce and meats.  The kids are big milk drinkers and fruit eaters so this has been particularly difficult. However, round of applause to my super hunter gatherer of a husband who managed to track down two half gallons of organic milk, a dozen eggs, strawberries and bananas keeping his promise to never let his family go without!  Gas is the next challenge.  Fuel stations have also been reopening, but the long lines are a bit of a chore.  The good news is that the more Im out and about, the more it seems that Katy is on its way to quickly getting back to normal.  I predict that by this weekend, with the exception of some cleanup and debris around our town, we will be back to (or close to) business as usual.  We really do have wonderful neighbors, friends and community that are all looking out for each other.

It seems that when things are uncertain and thrown out of whack we look to the things that are constant in our lives for comfort- for those "constants" I am thankful.  Im especially thankful for my husband who always makes sure we are number one on his list, my parents who have been such a part of ours and the children's lives since the day the moved down here and my dear friends for the sanity saving play dates and girl time.  You are all my treasures and Id be up a creek without a paddle without you!  

Sugar and Spice

At my last visit, my doctor noticed that my blood pressure was elevated.  This little setback landed me on modified bed rest for the next week.  To me that means take it easy and slow down...to Ian that means sit around and do nothing.  So I've been trying to find a happy medium.  There is so much still to be done!  Washing and putting away clothes, going through lists of what still needs to be bought, packing my bag for the hospital and decorating the nursery...not to mention keeping up with Cami and Aidan, regular laundry and general household stuff.  Too much to do and not enough time!

One of the things I enjoy most on my long list of "to-dos" is going through all of Aislyn's tiny little things.  Today I took some time to photograph some of her little shoes, clothes and parts of her nursery...instant relaxation!  Its hard to believe that she will be here so soon!  By the time Cami and Aidan are putting on their costumes and getting ready to go on a Halloween candy binge, our baby girl will be here!  Whether her room is ready or the clothes are all hung or everything is washed or the house is clean- shes coming!  So now we just have to let go of all the lists and enjoy these last few weeks with Aislyn safely tucked away.  This is our last baby and our last chance to experience all the little kicks and rolls and aches and pains that go along with this miracle growing inside.  So I guess bed rest is a blessing...its Gods way of saying slow down and enjoy life before you miss it all together.  Pregancy is not always fun and its easy to wish away these moments, but soon they will be gone and we will be longing to have them back.  So Im off to enjoy a nap with my little one nestled safe and sound.  

First Day of School

Today was a big day for my baby girl (and for me). We started preparing for today last night...laid out a new outfit, packed up Cami's pink backpack with all the papers that needed to be returned from "meet the teacher" night, packed lunches and went to bed early. This morning Ian made Cami's favorite homemade chocolate chip waffles and a side of strawberries for breakfast and the day started off without a hitch! Everyone was in a good mood and Cami was so excited and ready to head off to her first day in Kindergarten. Our morning was filled with the usual hustle and bustle. I took Cami outside for the traditional first day of school photos and was a little disappointed that the humidity was causing my lens to fog...but oh well such is life here in Texas. So off we went, the whole family, to see Cami to her classroom and issue our hugs and goodbyes. We got to the school, parked and walked to the building. As we got closer, Cami said "I know where my class is! Wanna see me walk by myself?" I of course told her yes and she let go of my hand. I followed behind watching my baby girl lead the way. She knew exactly where she was going and what to do. I marveled at her confidence as she walked ahead of me with her head held high looking for the big "K" on the wall that marked the hallway where she was to turn. She occasionally looked back at me and would say "Its this way, follow me!"...and I did. When we arrived in her room her teacher greeted her with the biggest warmest smile, the kind that we remember our first teachers by, and Cami greeted her back with equal warmth and excitement. She quickly found her seat and began the desk work that the teacher had set out for the children. I took a couple more photos and knelt by her desk to give her one last hug and kiss. She hugged me back and said "I'll see you at the car rider line" (we rehearsed this procedure along with many others the night before). As I left the classroom I turned to look back one last time at my little girl sitting among all of the other children in her new classroom... sitting straight in her chair with such confidence flowing through her and I was thankful. I was thankful for all of her pre-school teachers that taught her to love school, thankful for all of her friends who have taught her to treat people with kindness and thankful that she was ours and that we would get the privilege of sharing in many moments like these with her. That was when the first tear hit my cheek. I wasn't sad that my child was going off without me, I was glad that we have done something right in raising this beautiful young lady to believe in herself and her ability to do for herself. I know now that she doesn't always need to follow me...she is capable of leading the way, but her daddy and I will always be there not far behind.

Class of 2021!

Today we joined our friends for a special play date to celebrate our Kindergartners to be.  There were friends a plenty, cake, pizza...even diplomas and Pomp and Circumstance.  Most importantly of all though were our guests of honor.  Asha, Cami, Cooper, Saylor and Jolie are all headed off to begin one of many educational milestones, the Big K!  All of us proud mommies stood beaming as we watched our babies (for most of us our first born) walk across the living room and accept their diploma...their ticket to the next step.  As much time as we have spent preparing our children and ourselves for this big day, I know there will be many a tear shed as our little ones march off into the beginning of their 13 year public school journey on Monday morning.  I know that when we leave them on that first day all of us will have thoughts of how much they have grown and how far they have come in such a short time.  We will think back to those days when they were so tiny and helpless and marvel at how bright, independent and able they are.  It is yet another reminder of how quickly time goes by.  I have so many hopes and wishes for Cami and her friends.  I wish them wisdom, patience and endurance to conquer the challenges they may face; grace in their success and the ability to dream and set goals to make their dreams come true.  I hope that their friendships with each other endure and that new friendships formed are as strong and positive as those that they carry with them today.  As for the mommies, Im sending up a prayer that we all get through Monday and all of the other big moments to come leaving our kiddos with warm hugs, proud smiles and a sense of secure knowledge that we will be there for them through it all.  I cant wait to hear everyone's "Tales From The First Day".  Im so glad that I have such wonderful friends to share these moments with.

Aislyn Revealed!

Relaxing with her hand under her chin



Index finger pointing at her foot
Is she doing crunches???
Rubbing the top of her head
Her feet and her profile

Finally she shows her face!!!  We got to see it all in live motion so we were able to get an idea of her expressions and such.  Cami was so excited watching her move and stretch and kick.  Ian and I think that so far she appears to be a really good mix of Cami and Aidan.  She seems to have Aidan's nose and cheeks and Cami's mouth and chin.  She is so very active!  So much so that most of her still shots are blurred because there wasn't a moment that she was still.  She seems to be in constant motion doing her own version of baby water ballet.  Every part of her is moving and stretching from her fingertips to her sweet little toes.  Shes definitely a busy bee!  We cant wait to finally meet her!

Whaaaat???

So all kids play dress up.  I've seen Cami dressed as a princess, a doctor, a fashion queen even a skunk...but this was a new one altogether.  Shes been putting together the wildest get-ups the past few days.  I've seen everything from the leotard/cape/boot combo to having on enough necklaces to put Mr. T to shame.  Im not sure where the inspiration for tonight's ensemble comes from and rather than question it I just chose to laugh along with her and make sure I got a picture for her senior yearbook.  Children are so incredibly funny.  What I wouldn't give to spend just an hour or so in the mind of my children.  To truely see the World through their eyes would be such an amazing experience.  We should all make sure to take time to be silly, make a mess and really see things the way our children do...even if it is through upside down Speedo goggles.

Elbows and Knees

Leg, foot and arm
Elbows, knees and a foot

Last Friday Ian, Cami and I went in for Aislyn's long awaited 4D ultrasound.  Aidan stayed at Grammy's knowing that his patience couldn't withstand this glorious event.  We were all so eager to see our little one's face...does she look like Cami, like Aidan, like neither???  Alas, all she would give us was elbows and knees- stinker.  As soon as the US tech put the wand on my belly she said "Oh these pictures will be GREAT!!!  The fluid looks so good we're going to get some really good pictures!"  Right then it was as though our little girl, already with a mind of her own, could hear the tech's words.  She turned over to face my spine and HIDE her face!!!!  For about 40 minutes we tried to turn her.  We nudged her, I laid on my side, then the other side, then the other side again...nothing.  So the tech gave me some cold water and a jolly rancher to try to get her stimulated...and it worked!!  But now she was moving so much and so fast, turning sommersaults, kicking and waving it was impossible to get a good still shot...not to mention she was still hiding her face.  So we finally called it a day.  We will try again this Friday to see if we can get a look at her face, but for now her elbows and knees will have to do.