Springtime!

I've been trying to post at least once a month, but man, it has been busy.  Then, I am too tired to go through pictures, etc. because I feel like a post should always include pics (even though, they are probably on facebook somewhere).  So, here goes!  In March, we had our big annual Youth Retreat called Engage.  I was able to help this year thanks to my parents taking the girls for the weekend.  I always enjoy leading the small groups, but the past couple of years, I have helped by being a support person for Eric.  It has been fun because I have been able to hang out with all of the groups at some point during the weekend, and I can help Eric with any last minute details.  My favorite part about being a youth pastor's wife is watching kids grow and change over the years.  It is amazing to see how a shy 6th grader who never talks blossoms into a leader in the youth group who is passionate about trying to follow Jesus.

Kya went to visit my grandparents in Memphis with my parents.  She enjoyed it to so much, and she still talks about going back to see them.  I wish I could have gone, too!

Carriage ride in downtown Memphis with Nan!

Then, we got to spend time with Grams and Big Daddy at the end of March.  Our visits are always too short, but we try to make the most of them!  Bailey spent time trying to get used to Fletch and terrorizing Kya as Kya played in her "club" (Grams' play room).  Kya is still learning to share Grams, but maybe one day, she can.....

For Easter, we drove back up to Montgomery and went to the Bentwater Easter Egg Hunt, which we have come to really enjoy.  They do a great job, and it does not feel like utter chaos.  Our first year in Deer Park, we went to the city-wide egg hunt, and I was so turned off because there were parents on their hands and knees getting eggs instead of letting their 1-2 year olds do the hunt.  I was like - your kid can't even eat that candy, are you kidding me?!?  Kya almost got knocked over by one of these adults, so we never went back.  Anyways, both girls had a great time, and the Easter Bunny was even there!

                                     

So - update on the ladies:

Kya will be going to kindergarten next year, so we have been busy getting everything together for that.  I cannot believe 5 years have passed.  She will have her pre-K graduation in a few weeks, and I think I will need to carry a box of tissues.  She is still so sweet and loving.  I call her my little love bug, and she loves her little sister except when Bailey is trying to play with her Barbies or anything she is playing with (mainly because Bailey will just take things....).  She has her first Pop Show for the community theatre in a few weeks, and she has been practicing all of her songs and dances.  I cannot wait to see it!  She also just recently moved up to the 5-year-old class at school, and she thinks it is the best thing ever because she doesn't have to nap and apparently, they are the cool kids at Peggy's.  Lastly, we got her a new bike recently, and she has been riding it so well (with training wheels), so hopefully, this summer we might try having her learn how to ride without them!

Bailey.  I'm not sure where to begin.  It's crazy how much they change the first few years.  She is practically running now, and enjoys climbing on everything.  You cannot leave that child alone for a second.  She is starting to talk as well.  She says Da-da, Ma-ma, and Na-Na (banana).  Well, those are the ones she uses properly.  She mainly points and makes some noise when she wants something or wants us to look at something - trying to work on getting her to say what she wants....  She only wants to be affectionate on her terms.  If you try to hug her, she will push you off.

I am amazed at her attention span.  She can sit still and listen to you read books for a long time. I'm not sure how long because I normally stop after 15-20 minutes before bed, and she will start whining when I stop.  She knows where her belly button, head, nose, mouth, ears, and feet are.  Thank you - Where's Baby's Belly Button book.  She also just moved to the toddler room, and I think she enjoys it because they get to color (which she loves to do) and she can run wild and free in the room.  We have not had any naughty notes so far - she had like four in March-April due to biting....  She also still loves being outside.  We go on family walks a few times a week, and she would ride in her wagon forever.

Happy Valentine's Day

The month of February was a blur.  I realized I barely took any pictures.....  The girls continue to grow and change!

Bailey is up first!  Bailey started taking a few steps on her own towards the end of the month.  Now, she wants to walk holding one of our hands, her walker, the couch, random things.  She can walk several steps by herself now.  She still loves to read books.  We read for about 15-20 minutes at bed time, and she cries when we stop.  She will grab a book and hold it at our hands.  If she doesn't want to read what we pick up, she will close it and throw it.  It's pretty funny.  I'm pretty impressed with how she sits still and listens so well.  She loves the Baby books by Karen Katz, Five Little Pumpkins, I Love You Through and Through, Where's My Reindeer, some Sandra Boynton books, and a few others.  Yes, we read holiday books year-round!  She also loves to find your belly button and knows where hers is.  She can also follow some directions.  She "helps" do the laundry by putting clothes in the dryer for me and will help me put away her toys.  It's so neat to me how children can understand you before they can even talk!  She also loves to color.  She will climb into a chair at the table we have in the play room and go to town.  However, we had to hide the crayons because she would crawl around with them and scream when you would take them away from her.  Now, she's moved on to dry erase markers....(which are now hidden, too!).  We just need the biting phase to pass!

Kya continues to amaze me with all of the things she is learning at school.  She is becoming more and more independent, which is nice with a one-year-old.  She got her ears pierced for Valentine's Day, which I think it hurt more than she thought it would, but we got both of them pierced!  She has been learning adding and subtracting and prefers doing her math homework over handwriting, which is not surprising as Eric and I both enjoyed math.  She is still enjoying gymnastics and her theater class.  I think gymnastics has really helped her coordination, so we might try her in soccer next!  She also still loves any church activity.  She wants to go up to the church anytime Eric goes and loves playing with the "big kids".  I come pick her up later on Wednesdays so she can play games with the "big kids".  We also cut A LOT of her hair.  One day she looked at me and said - "Mama, I want to cut my hair like yours.".  I think she was getting sick of her hair getting in her face and "in her shirt" is what she would say.  I love her new hair cut, too!  I can't believe that she will be in kindergarten next year!  So crazy!

Bailey's 1st Birthday!

We celebrated Bailey's 1st birthday on January 28th!  It's crazy how last year it was 35 degrees on her birthday and there was sleet and the city of Houston was shut down, and this year it was 75 degrees!  That is Houston weather for you....

We had her party the weekend before, and we were blessed to have all of our immediate family with us!   We are so grateful for our family and friends that made the day so special.

Bailey was still a little under the weather, and didn't really care for the cake, but we had a good time.

Kya had a great time opening all of Bailey's presents,

and Bailey had a good time playing with the wrapping paper.

Kya will be sorely disappointed next year when Bailey can open her own presents at Christmas and her birthday!












Update on the ladies:

Bailey had her one-year check-up, and she is 29.8 inches (72nd percentile), 22.8 pounds (88th percentile), and has an 18.1 inches head circumference (78th percentile).  We are so thankful for her continued growth!  This girl likes to eat and play!  She can stand by herself and will move from one place to another but not without letting go of something.  She is getting more interested in walking and will push her little walker sometimes.  She still loves to climb EVERYTHING.  She also loves bath time and trying to drink water out of the tub....  She can say: Ma-ma, Da-da, Uh-oh.  She still loves shaking her head no, giving high fives, waving, and Eric just recently taught her how to blow kisses.  She loves music, too.  She doesn't really pay attention to the TV unless someone is singing - she put on her own half-time show during the Super Bowl.  She was mesmerized and yelling and laughing during Katy Perry's set.  It was hysterical.  I have really enjoyed watching her grow and change, but it makes me sad that she is not a baby anymore!  I am ready to get rid of the bottles, though.  It has been a battle.... this girl takes after me with her stubbornness....

Kya continues to amaze me with how thoughtful and sweet she is.  She shows me grace when I don't deserve it and is quick to forgive.  She is really a special child.  We started her in a community theater class, and she loves it.  She is a pretty confident child, but with girls that can change in a few years, so I am hoping this class helps her to continue to develop her self-confidence.  She loves playing pretend and taking care of her babies and playing teacher.  She also loves hugging on Bailey who tries to bite her most of the time - can't wait for that stage to end!  Eric started reading Chronicles of Narnia to her, and she is loving it.  This is her first big kid book to read with one of us.  It was Eric's favorite series growing up, so it is neat that they are sharing that together.  It has been such a pleasure to watch Kya develop into a young lady, and I can't wait to see what else God has in store for her.

Christmastime is Here (or was!)

I have been so thankful this year that we have gotten to spend Christmas AND Thanksgiving with both sides of the family.  It has been so nice having everyone altogether and the girls stayed relatively well during both holidays.  I ended up getting sick the week after Christmas, but it's just not vacation without me getting sick at Christmas!

During the Christmas Eve service at our church, we did our first advent candle lighting as a family.  It was definitely interesting.  Bailey enjoys being in front of people apparently and continued to coo the whole time we were on stage.  I tried so hard not to laugh while I was reading from the book of Luke, but failed miserably.  Eric did a much better job of not laughing, but I laughed almost the whole time he was talking.  Then, Kya prayed.  It was the cutest thing, and she told us she was not nervous at all.

On Christmas, we woke up and did Santa and opened our gifts.  Then, all the grandparents and my brother came over to exchange gifts.  The girls had so much fun.  Bailey played with the wrapping paper and boxes and Kya was tearing through gifts.  After that, we had some brunch and hung out . watching football.  Then, we ate dinner together and I was exhausted by this point!  It was an awesome day, though.  I love how our families get along so well and we can do holidays altogether.  It's especially nice so we don't have to travel back and forth, too!

So - on to the update about the girls:

Bailey has continued to grow and change over the past month.  She can climb the stairs at lightning speed, she enjoys finding the outlets I have not put the plugs in, she likes throwing things or crawling with stuff in both hands, she is eating mainly table food now, still fighting the sippy cup!  She can also say very clearly: ma-ma, da-da.  She likes shaking her head no and seems to understand when to do it.  She prefers her daddy WAY more than me, but maybe one day she will start to love me again - when I buy her clothes and girly things!  She loves attention and music.  One day I put some Taylor Swift videos on the TV, and she was almost trying to sing or something.  She got really excited - it was so cute.  She has also moved up to a new class at daycare and has had some issues with being somewhere new.  Thankfully, one of her old teachers will go in there from time to time, and Bailey just loves her, so I think it helps.  She will get it, though.  I'm thankful I have liked all the teachers that the girls have had at their daycare!  They are amazing ladies!

Kya-bug is constantly making us laugh.  She told us the other day that she didn't have calories because she is young and pretty.  She can be so sweet one minute and then she is super sassy the next.  She argued with me one day about the sun moving, and then, said - Mom, you don't know anything.  I was glad I was driving and was able to keep my facial expression to myself!  Oh - how I corrected her when we got home!  She has also been very curious about how boys and girls are different.  She even asked Eric if he could describe how his private parts are different.  LOL.  I had a younger brother, so I never had to ask those questions.  I didn't know we would have to deal with these questions at 4!  If anyone has tips on how to handle this situation, I would appreciate it.  I don't want to lie to her or brush her off, but not sure the appropriate level of detail to give her right now.  She is the sweetest and most loving little girl.  I hope she always wants to give me a hug and tell me she loves me!

Thanksgiving!

We enjoyed getting to spend Thanksgiving with both sets of grandparents this year!  It is such a blessing to be able to share the holidays with both, and I am so thankful that our girls will grow up to know all four of their grandparents.  Unfortunately, they were both stopped up, coughing, etc. the whole break!

School Picture!

So update on the girls!

Kya:

We have been working on having table manners, and so, this means that you are not allowed to say poop or booty at the table (it was getting out of control!).  Well, Kya will get up and stand about 10 feet from the table if she needs to say poop or booty in the middle of dinner.  It is quite hysterical - and she will do this even if she is the only one sitting there coloring or making something.  Eric and I have also had to spend time in time out for saying poop or booty at the table.

She has been doing so well at memorizing her bible verses from church.  I love hearing her say her memory verse!  She has some pretty special ladies at our church that have done an amazing job with her!

She has been praying more and more on her own.  We don't push her to pray before she goes to bed - Eric or I will pray, but now, she is starting to want to pray, too.  

Kya is also getting really into telling stories and writing them.  Eric and I will transcribe for her.  I love her imagination!

Bailey:

Bailey just had her first ear infection, which is probably a miracle considering she is 10 months and has been in day care since 7 weeks!  I must say - we have reaped the benefits of breast milk!  I am thankful that I have been able to produce for this long!  Two more months!

She can stand on her own for a few seconds and is literally into everything.  She hates being by herself, too.  She will scream if you put her in the "baby cage".  If we get in there with her, she does not mind being in there.

She has had a lot of other firsts, too - she is now eating table food.  She has done so well, too.  Kya would choke on everything, but Bailey mashes it really well with her gums and four teeth.  She has tried everything I give her, and has gotten to where she wants to feed herself only.  She took her first bath with Kya, and tried to climb out several times because I think she was like - why am I not in my bathtub!  Then, she finally settled down and was giggling and splashing with Kya.

She can also climb the stairs!  This girl can wear you out!  

I can't believe how fast it is going!  She will be one in January.  I think I will probably cry the whole day since this is probably our last one.  

Halloween!!!

We have had a busy month during October with visits from Grams and Big Daddy, youth Fall Retreat, FOUR birthday parties, visit to P6 farms with Nan, Pop, and Big Daddy, and Bailey plowing through some milestones!

On Halloween, we went trick-or-treating for almost 2 hours with both girls!  It was so much fun.  My parents joined us for the first half and then helped Josee and Chance pass out candy the rest of the night.

So - Bailey-Boo can do the following:
- Pull up (even when she is in her sleep sack!)
- Pronounce consonant sounds like: ma-ma, da-da, a-dah, uh-oh, ya-ya-ya
- Clap
- Turn off lights
- Eat finger foods (puffs, mum-mums)

At her 9-month check-up, she was 44th percentile in height and 87th in weight.  If you have seen her chunky legs, you will understand the 87th in weight.  I have to put her in a size bigger pants.  She can still wear 6 month shirts, but it has to be 9-month pants.

Her bottom teeth have come fully in, and now, her top teeth are coming in.  Eric and I were wondering why she was having a hard time sleeping the past few weeks - DUH, she has teeth coming in.  I didn't think to look until last night and one has broken the gums.

She also enjoys playing hide and seek where I go hide and call her name and she crawls to find me, HATES the doctor (cried entire 9-month check-up), will sit still for me to read books to her, does not like long sleeves, and she can actually flip the switch to turn off lights.  She still likes sucking on tags and her bib while we try to get her to eat, and I hope she grows out of that soon.... I am enjoying watching her grow and guessing how she will be as she gets older.  She loves to laugh and have a good time - we'll see what that means in the coming years.

Kya is your typical oldest child.  She loves to please you and hates being in trouble.  She has to do her homework - just right and things have to be put in their place.  She is very particular about the funniest things.  I get her ready every morning because she doesn't like how Eric fixes her hair, which is awesome and horrible at the same time - I face much more traffic and have to stay a little later, but I love that she wants to see me in the morning!  She also loves giving hugs especially to Bailey who pushes her away most of the time.  So, here are a few funny stories from the past month:

I got a call from daycare, and after I called back, the teacher told me that Kya had taken one of her friends' earrings out, and was so upset after it happened that they had to call me to calm her down.  She cried more than the friend whose earring got taken out.  Thankfully, I knew the mom, so I called and apologized and gave them a gift card to Claire's!

Kya: (friend from school) hit me today.
Me: Did you do something?  What did you do after she hit you?
Kya: No, she wanted my Capri Sun.  Then, I told the teacher.
Me:  Okay, good.
Kya: Then, she said sorry and we held hands and we are best friends again.

I wish we could all forgive so easily and be best friends again!

 Kya:  Mom, why did you marry Eric since he has DIABETES?
Me (trying not to laugh because of how she said this - first of all, she called her dad, Eric as if she was not associated with him and really emphasized the diabetes):  Well, Daddy didn't have diabetes when we got married (he has late on-set type 1), but I would have married him anyways.

Kya had to draw a picture using white, and she drew a picture of herself in a wedding dress and her boyfriend.  I asked her who her boyfriend was, and she said. "I DON'T KNOW, YET."

We love Fall!

The past few weeks have been filled with firsts for Bailey!  She turned 8 months on September 28th, which is Pop's (my dad) birthday!  The day before she crawled forward for the first time, and I was so thankful I got to see it!  AND I noticed that week that her bottom two teeth have finally broken the gums.  She has been sleeping terribly, but hoping it will get better soon!  

Bailey loves swinging!

Happy birthday, Pop!

Bailey and Hudson (my long-time bff's son)

Now that Bailey is mobile, I need to start baby-proofing!  Kya crawled at 10 months and only did it for a month or so until she started walking.  Bailey is also now wanting to stand all the time.  She is growing up WAY too fast!  She loves to make everyone listen to her, too and she is still very giggly.

Kya bug is a great big sister and loves helping.  She helps me with dinner and load and unload the dishwasher.  The other night she was re-organizing the silverware because someone had put the big forks in the wrong place....  Eric looked at me and said - THAT IS YOU.  She has a little OCD in her. If I turn on a light and she wanted to turn it on, she will turn out the light and turn it back on herself.  She is also doing really well in school.  She can write her name AND you can tell what it says.  She still loves reading which I am so thankful that she does.  Bailey just likes grabbing the books and putting them in her mouth, but we will continue to try to read!

We are so thankful for these blessings and we are so thankful the Bulldogs are 5-0!  Go State!