Habby Birthday Shelby

I cannot believe it, our little girl is 1 today. We will be celebrating Shelby's birthday on Saturday, since we are waiting for the new camera to come in. But I just wanted to honor her on the actual day. Shelby has brought so much laughter and joy into our lives and I am so grateful God gave her to us. Our little gilr is still trying hard to walk and took the most steps yesterday afternoon that she has so far. Shelby and Gabe are a sight to see when they are sweet to each other. But Shelby can tease Gabe almost as much as he teases her. She is extremely observant of everything around her and really likes to press buttons on everything and dance to music. She also loves dogs. Whenever she sees one, she starts laughing and trying to jump out of our arms to get to it. She is still taking two naps a day and sleeping well at night. Although she does get up too early for me sometimes. But she has learned to entertain herself in her crib.

I will post pictures and video from our little family party over the weekend.

Fall Is In The Air

We are all finally feeling better and decided to visit a pumpkin patch. The kids were more interested in just running around, but we did get 3 pumpkins to decorate. Once we got home Gabe, Shelby and Jeremy decided to make a jack-o-lantern instead of just painting the big pumpkin. So we all sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful Texas weather. Shelby was really interested in what was going on and when Gabe would go inside for a second, she would actually touch the pumpkin. By the end of the afternoon, Jeremy created a very cool scary face and we lit the pumpkin to protect us from the "evil goblin" as Gabe told us.

And The Sickness Continues...

Well, Shelby has an ear infection now. We cannot seem to get over this stuff. She is on an antibiotic now so hopefully she will get better soon and this sickness will be out of our house for a while. I had no clue she had an ear ache and I feel really bad for her. The doc said her ear looked really bad, but she has not complained about it at all.

Just Plain Ill

I went to the doctor yesterday and was told I have a severe sinus infection. He said that if I had waited a few more days I probably would have gone to the hospital. I got sick Friday and this was Monday morning. I thought he was being dramatic but then he explained how a pregnant woman's immune system is lower during this time and that when the body has an infection it goes to protect the baby first then you. Well, great. So I got some antibiotics and cough syrup and now I am just waiting to feel better. Shelby is still coughing but the doctor said there wasn't much they could do for her since she only coughs at night. She has a runny nose too. A few other families we know have had the same things and it took several weeks to get over. So I am not setting my expectations too high anymore. Jeremy is in Houston until tomorrow evening so the kids and I are on our own. Lots of PB&J sandwiches and grapes to eat. And early bed times for all of us.

Being Sick Is No Fun

Since last Friday, all of us have gotten sick. Jeremy and Gabe had a horrible cough and now Shelby and I have stuffy heads and coughs. This is the first time I have been really sick during pregnancy and it stinks. It's hard to help the kids do anything and then to take care of me just kind of takes a back seat. Thankfully Mom was here this week to endure all the sickness and really helped out with the kiddos. Jeremy and I never really got any time alone, but at least we had the help. And Mom got sick as well once she got home, so Happy Birthday To Barbara. What a nice b-day present from us. Anyways, Gabe is well enough for school this week and I think Shelby and I will be on the mend soon. And since we are feeling icky, Jeremy didn't have to make an extra trip to Houston this week-thank goodness. I guess these little bugs just come with having kids.

Eleven Months

Shelby is certainly developing her language skills even though we have no idea what she is saying. This little girl loves to "talk". She gabs at the window in the van, at Gabe, Jeremy, me and anything else that will sit still. She is fascinated by cartoons and loves to get right up to the TV and touch the screen. This drives Gabe crazy of course, but Shelby doesn't seem to mind bothering him. She is still trying to walk and now gets on her knees to get around as well. The cabinets have become her new discovery zone and I usually find the tupperware scattered all over the kitchen floor. She also loves to get in Gabe's room and play with his toys. It's too cute when I find them up there playing together. This usually only lasts for a few precious moments and then they are fighting over something and fussing at each other. Shelby's hair is getting longer and I love the curls in the back. That is why I chose the picture below, because you can actually see them. Our baby is growing so fast and really surprises us on a daily basis with the new things she can do.

A Visit From Family

This weekend Jeremy's Uncle Lee and Aunt Barb were in San Antonio. Uncle Lee is Jeremy's mom's oldest borther. They came into town for Lee's annual Military Reunion. Jeremy and I were able to attend the dinner on Saturday night with them. We had a great time and it was definitely a sobering experience for both of us. Sunday we visited the Alamo and then went on a boat ride down the River Walk. Then Uncle Lee and Aunt Barb came over for a visit and we ended the evening with a great dinner. Gabe took a little while to warm up but by the end of the evening, he was giving out hugs and kisses like candy. And Shelby was friendly as always. Although she had a hard time figuring out Uncle Lee's mustache.

Drinking From A Straw

About a month ago, I finally got Shelby to begin drinking from a sippy cup. The only problem was that she refused to hold it. So Jeremy and I have been holding her and the cup. So I started just putting it on the floor in front of her to see what she would do. And she did absolutely nothing. She would just stare at the cup and then smile at us. But the other day she found one of Gabe's cups with the straw. She started chewing on it and then all of a sudden, we heard her sucking really hard on the straw. She had drank all the juice out of the cup on her own. Jeremy and I were both clapping and cheering for her and of course, she gave us that cute toothy grin. Now Shelby only drinks out of the straw cups and she does it all by herself.

Congratulations To The Brinkley Family!!

My cousin Allison has a new addition to her family today!! She delivered by c-section a beautiful baby boy, Calhan Wolff Brinkley. He weighs 7 lbs. and is 20 inches long. Now Dawson and Allison have two boys, and I bet big brother Chase is so excited.

A Good Report

Since Gabe has been acting up at home a bit, I wanted to know if he was doing the same at school. Actually, I really didn't want to know but felt like I needed to ask. So when I went to pick him up today, I asked his teachers how he has been doing. Both ladies just smiled and said that Gabe has been doing so great. He is friendly to everyone, he listens to them and does what he is told. I was so proud. Then they asked why I was even wondering about his behavior. I explained briefly about the issues at home and Ms. Polly said that she was shocked. He has yet to give them any problems and is such a "charmer". Well, at least he is behaving at school. I just need to get him to listen to me more. But I remember Janet telling me that Jeremy did well at school, but home was a completely different issue. I guess he takes after his Dad.

Just Cute

Here are a few pictures of the kids this morning. I can't believe they were sitting so nicely together while watching Clifford.

Gabe's First Day of School

Gabe did really great last week. He cried the first day, but when we picked him up he couldn't stop talking about his teachers and the things he did. I think he is going to be just fine. And he looks so big :)

Videos

Here are a few videos from the past couple of weeks.

This one is from the Wildlife Ranch. It's like a mini safari.

Change

Finally. I have been wanting to make some changes to this blog for months and today I actually got the chance. I have had those little birthday tickers on my myspace page forever and kept meaning to put them on here. And I wanted to find a cute background without all the downloading and thankfully I took a look at Rebecca's blog and stole her idea. Now I just need to put some videos on here that I have been forgetting to do for about 3 weeks.

Paci Withdrawls

I never thought I would say this, but I kind of want the paci fairy to bring those plugs back!! Gabe has had a really hard time this week without his security. He did great at school and is still using the potty without any problems. But the temper tantrums have increased and he has made several trips to time out and his room. I feel sad for him and wish it wasn't so hard. And I know this is just something he has to go through, but I hate it. Hopefully within the next week or so things will calm down for him and he'll get used to being without his beloved pacis.

Baby #3 Update

I had my 11 week visit today. Thankfully, I have been feeling better and not nearly as nauseous. I am just tired by 6 pm. I was able to hear the heartbeat for just a few seconds, it seems this baby doesn't like being pressed on. Then we did an ultrasound. The midwives got a new ultrasound machine that is just like the one at an OB's office. We found the baby right away and HOLY COW!!! HE/She was kicking like crazy! The baby was laying on its' back and kicking those little legs up in the "air". It was really funny to watch. Then the little hands kept going by its' head and we were able to make out the eye sockets and see a teeny nose. I can't believe all that movement is happening and I don't feel a single thing! I have a few pictures that I will post tomorrow, although it's a little hard to make out everything. Next time I go, Mom will be here and she is going with me. We may be able to find out the sex, but it's not likely. I am a little more excited now after seeing an actual baby in there instead of just a little lump.

Potty Training Success and The Paci Fairy

There have been a few big strides made in Gabe's life that have taken him from the toddler world to the Pre-K world. Last week, he finally began pooping in the potty. SUCCESS. After almost 9 months, he finally has it. He still wears a diaper at night but that is something we will tackle later. Gabe has been so proud of himself and we are proud too. It's a great day when there is only one bottom in the house to clean.

And the paci fairy finally made her way to Gabe's room last night. We had been telling Gabe that is was time to give the pacis to another baby that needed them. We explained how sweet and kind the fairy is and that she would make sure the right baby got his sacred plugs. "She" left Gabe a Spider Man lunch box, a tri-ceratops and Transformer underwear. He was more excited about the underwear than anything else. Tonight was hard for him, but after singing about a dozen times and Jeremy and I both giving lots of hugs and kisses, Gabe finally went to sleep. I can't believe that changes he has made over the summer and just this past week. And tomorrow, he starts Mother's Day Out. Our baby is not a baby anymore :)

Ten Months

Shelby has taken some big steps this month. She is trying so hard to walk, it's really cute. Her personality keeps on coming through too. She laughs almost all the time and loves to play chase with Jeremy and Gabe. She has 4 teeth coming in right now but hasn't really complained much. Climbing has become a new hobby for her and I have found her at the top of the stairs or in Gabe's room several times in the past few weeks. She also loves to climb on the toy box and sit in her pool float. Shelby's hair has really grown and I love putting it up in a barrette, she looks so girly. We are also giving her all table food now and trying to make the transition from formula to regular milk. And we are trying to get rid of the bottle. I'd like a little time without any newborn tools before we have to break them out again.

Sugar Land, TX

We went with Jeremy last week to Sugar Land. It's right outside of Houston. The drive was about 3 hours and the kids did pretty well. We had a good time while we were there and the kids and I had plenty to do. We visited the Natural History Museum, The Houston Zoo and the Children's Museum. I actually got to order room service one morning, which I haven't done since our honeymoon. It was a good trip, but I was exhausted at the end of each day. This pregnancy is tiring and having two kids does not allow for much down time at all. Here are some photos from the trip.

E.T. Phone Home

Gabe loves E.T.. We were using it for a while as a reward for potty training, but then had to back off. Last week he received a huge surprise in the mail from Rick-E.T.. Gabe went completely nuts when he saw it and has not left it alone since. We had to take him to church with us and he "took a nap" in the van while we went inside. E.T. also lays with Gabe during his quiet time and hangs out with him in his room. Jeremy and I were afraid that Gabe would be scared of him since he has been having trouble with nightmares, but he is not afraid at all. He actually tells E.T. that he will protect him. Aah, the imagination of a 3-year-old, gotta love it.