Soccer times

A couple of months ago Mady started losing interest in ballet.  She didn't want to go when it was time to, and after a few weeks of this, she finally outright said she did not want to do it anymore.  We totally respect that and decided to take a break from it.  Later on if she wants to try it again, she can.  

New Braunfels does a Soccer Tots class for her age group. It's just a four week course that teaches them the basics of soccer, so we decided to give it a go since she's always had an interest in the game.  I thought it would be a good idea to try this before enrolling her in an actual league.  She has really seemed to enjoy it.  Forget pirouettes and ballet walks, she loves to run!  I have to give it to the coaches too because they are great and have fun with them.  Based on how well she's done, we'll probably sign her up in the Fall.  For now, we're going to try a few e different classes through the city and let her have fun trying different things.  

She insists on wearing her Aggie shirt to class

One of her biggest fans.  That hair!

Daughter Daddy Dance

A couple of weeks ago Nick and Mady went to a Daddy Daughter Dance, or as Mady likes to call it, the Daughter Daddy Dance.  The two got all dressed up, and they looked adorable.  They were both so excited.  They danced, had desserts, took a picture before heading to dinner for tacos, Mady's choice of course.  They had so much fun and Mady came home so excited to tell me all about it.  She says she wants to do it again next year.

How awesome that she has a Daddy who loves her so, so much.  She is so lucky, and I should know, because I happen to have a dad like that too!  These two are quite the pair.  She adores him, and he adores her.  She has such a great example of how a man should treat her, and he's going to raise the bar quite high.

He's One!

He's a year old.  Owen is a year old.  As much as I say it, it still doesn't seem true.  How is it that one year has passed already?  I remember my water breaking in the playroom of our house in Euless like it was yesterday.  I was excited, and nervous, and scared, and happy all at the same time.  I remember rushing to put Mady to bed because, well, my water broke and we had to head to the hospital, but also not wanting to scare her/leave her.  I remember being sad that it would be the last time she would be the "only child".  I remember worrying about how this would change her, and us.  I was worried about how a second child would change our normal that we were use to.  Now, looking back, it seems so silly worrying about all of that.  This little guy has brought us so much joy, and I can't imagine life without him.  Mady is the best big sister, and filled that role so beautifully and naturally.

Owen's birthday landed on a Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl.  How perfect I thought!  We'll be able to do a little party on his actual day, and it can be football themed!  Our parents, and even one of my best friends came in town for it.  Turns out, Nick, Owen, and I all came down with a horrible stomach virus and had to cancel the party and spend his birthday in Urgent Care.  We were so sick, it took several days for us to get over it.  To top it off, my mom got sick on Saturday night too, but with the flu!  Needless to say, it didn't turn out the way I had planned, but that's life.  We were able to do a little make-up party the following week, and little guy got to finally have his cake, and we got our picture!  Unlike his sister, who didn't try one piece of her first birthday cake, he loved it once he finally tried a bite.  His first taste of goodness!

The only picture I got of him on his actual birthday

He had his one year check-up last week.  He lost a couple of pounds since his last visit, because of this awful virus we had.  Besides that, he is doing great!  We have to go back in a month for a weight check.  Judging by the way he's been eating lately, I think he'll be ok.  Here are the stats:

Weight:  19lbs 14oz (10th percentile)
Height:  29.75 inches (47th percentile)
Head:  18.5 inches (67th percentile)

Owen did start walking before his first birthday, but he is by no means walking all over the place.  In fact, he's kind of taken a break from it the past couple of days.  I guess he figured he did it, but crawling gets him around much faster.  Typical Owen.  Every now and then he will go off and do it on his own without being prompted to.

He is still a great eater, and will eat anything!  Such a change from his picky sister ;)  He's not saying any words yet besides dada, and mama, but he is recognizing a lot of words.  He waves hi and bye, and can tell me when he wants more or he's all done with his food.

His first taste of peanut butter!

He loves.  That's it, he just loves.  He's such a sweetheart and will give hugs and kisses all day.  I imagined boys being wild, and rough.  This guy is total opposite, and is laid back, calm, and sweet.  Don't get me wrong, he can get mad when he doesn't get his way or something doesn't work the way he wants it to, but for the most part, he is a sweetie.

I remember thinking I didn't know what to do with a boy!  Now, I think, what would I do without this boy!  Owen, you are loved so much.  You only bring happiness to this family, and we can't wait to watch you grow even more.  God blessed us, when he entrusted us with you.  How thankful we are to have you in our lives!

What a week!

We kicked off the week Sunday with a trip to urgent care.  Mady thought it would be a good idea to leap off the couch, but instead, lost her balance and busted her head on Owen's wooden activity cube. I didn't see it happen, so I just heard the thump, and then see Nick lifting her up with blood pouring all over her face.  I would love to get that image out of my head.  The scene was a bit chaotic, but after all was cleaned up, it really wasn't a big cut. Just a bit deep. We headed to urgent care just to be sure it didn't need stitches.  They glued it up, gave her some gummy bears, and we were good to go.

Two days later, Mady comes down with flu AND strep.  Who knew you could get both at the same time!  I've never seen her this sick before.  She hasn't thrown up since she was one, so it really scared her when she did.  She didn't know what was happening, and was just a mess.  So sad, but it was a few days of serious down time, and lots of extra cuddles, tv, and a sleepover with mommy.

Trying to make his sister laugh by dancing to Taylor Swift's "Shake it Off" at the doctor's office (it worked)

She even made me a card (with a little help from Daddy)

In the middle of all of this, Owen decided he wanted to start trying to walk!  He took his first steps on the 10th (gotta record the actual day).  He's still just doing a few steps here and there, but he gets so happy when he does it.  Might still be a while before he is walking around on his own, but it's a start!

By the end of the week, everyone was healthy, the weather was beautiful, and mommy was going stir crazy in the house.  That means we headed out to cash in our Christmas gift from Nick.  Membership to the SA Zoo!!  The weather could not have been better, and we had a blast.  We went to the zoo around this time last year, before Owen was born.  It was one of our last family outings as a family of three.  I remember it being a bittersweet time.   Now, one year later, our lives have only been made more rich because of this little guy.

Who cares about the animals, there are Cheerios down here people!

I got it!

Train time!

Christmas

Another Christmas has passed, and it was a sweet time for us.  It was Owen's first Christmas, and he couldn't have cared less for the presents, and only cared about the paper, bows, and boxes.  Mady took it all in, and it was fun seeing Christmas through her eyes.  It was important for us to have fun with all the activities that come along with Christmas, but to also keep the true meaning at the forefront.  I think we accomplished that.  The other night, after we said our prayer and I was turning out the lights, she told me "I want to go to Bethlehem and see baby Jesus".  I reminded her that baby Jesus grew up, and now is in Heaven.  She then said that she wanted to go see Big Jesus, and Lucy, in Heaven.  Well sweet girl, just hold your horses on that one!   Our girl has such a good heart, and I just love that about her.

We spent our first Christmas in New Braunfels.  Nick had to work, but he didn't have to go in until late afternoon.   We spent most of the day home, opening presents, gorging on yummy food, and relaxing.  Then we ended the day by bringing dinner up to him at his office, and spending some time there.

Since we no longer have a fireplace, we had to set out our special Santa key, to help the guy out when he made it our way.  Thanks Lita! We also set out the homemade cookies, carrots, and milk (in a Frozen cup, of course!)

Santa came!

Santa brought Mady the fish she has been wanting for a couple of months now.  Sadly, Anna and Elsa (which she named them) did not make it.  Actually, the originals were replaced (without her knowledge), but when those died too, we had to tell her.  Now we have to figure out what we're doing wrong before we add on anymore fish.  Apparently, fish are high maintenance!  

Here is our annual birthday cake for Jesus.  As you can see, it didn't come out quite as I pictured in my mind.  Turns out, a cake can be too moist.  It was not the prettiest thing, and not what you would want for a birthday cake.  Nick was quick to point out that Jesus was not a typical king either, and so this was perfect.  Thanks for making me feel better ;)

The day after Christmas we packed up the car and headed to Port Arthur to see everyone.  More fun opening presents, and visiting with everyone.  

Making fun pancakes, and snow cones.  Yes, that is an Olaf snow cone maker!

Can you spot the baby in the middle of all these toys?

This boy is such a ham!  Love him!

After opening all those toys, all they want to do is sit and watch the train.

Another Christmas gone, but great memories had.  In the middle of all of this, Nick and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary.  7 years!! It was low key, with dinner and a movie.  I love my guy, and wouldn't want to spend my life with anyone else.  2014 was filled with some big changes, like having a new baby, and moving cities.  Let's see whats in store for 2015!

Christmas Program

Mady had her first school Christmas program this year.  They gave us a CD after Thanksgiving with the 3 songs her class was going to be singing.  Being the overachievers that we are, we put those songs on our phone, and played them everywhere.  In the car, the house, every day.  I would wake up singing those songs in my head!  After the end of year program Mady had last May, where she had to potty, and showed everyone her undies, I had to make sure she didn't have a repeat, haha.  I wanted to make sure she was comfortable and confident!  I think we succeeded.  She sang those songs loud and proud on stage, with a quick solo "Yippee!" during the Rudolph song.  It was really cute and the kids did so great.  You could tell they were so proud, and of course, so were all of us parents!

"There were 2 little angels!"

Sing it sister!

And now she's showing him her tongue, oh my!

We had to celebrate with a stop at 2tarts after the program!

They're so cute!

Even my parents were able to make it in for the program and to visit for a couple of days.  That meant for extra spoiling time!

Build - a - Olaf

Little man really took to Lola this time, and was constantly found wherever she was