Summer.

I think we'll just play with trucks all day.

Simply because we can.

ONE!

365 days of pure Heaven.

Please Summer, Hurry.

I need to spend every waking moment watering the garden,





sitting in the grass,



and staring at her beautiful face.

Whoa.

Frozen blueberries can be very dangerous.

Hippity Hoppity.

A Few Choice Faces For Ear Infections.

Good Lighting Is A Must When Reading.

Ask Me If I Care.

Exhibit A


Exhibit B


Exhibit C


Exhibit D

Hello, Brain? You Have My Permission To Return Now.

I used to think of myself as a relatively "with it" person prior to the Quadruple Years of Conception. I always remembered to put deoderant on, never forgot to take my Crazy Pills, thought people were insane that forgot their passwords, had an impecable desk, remembered what people told me about their lives, was OCD organized, and remembered just about anything long enough to at least write it down before totally forgetting it. However, four pregnancies, 9 month of nursing, and 53 Big Macs later I have deep fried any remaining brain cells and I'm beginning to be okay with it. Maybe even laugh a little about it because my brain "Can't-Get-Right".

The other day I got into the shower, water drenching me, with my bra ON.

Before Christmas, I left the car RUNNING and UNLOCKED for 45 minutes while in Target. CANNOT-GET-RIGHT.

I can't tell you how many times I've forgotten my pump, bottles, lids, etc. and realized it when it was time to pump at work. Cling wrap and rubber bands do not serve as effective lids to hold milk in while driving home, let me just tell you.

I've come inches away from backing into My Babe's vehicle TWO times, forgetting he was parked behind me.

While driving through Whataburger, a very nasty hamburger place that will remain nameless, I asked my mom FOUR times whether she wanted cheese on her nastyburger and all FOUR times didn't pay attention to her answer.

I Can't-Get-Right anymore, and I don't really care.

A Much Needed Vacation.

Last week we made the rounds to see family in Lubbock, Santa Fe to ski & sled, Albuquerque to visit a sweet friend, El Paso to see more dear friends, to the Davis Mountains, and home again. Kallie is an expert hiker and squealed with delight each time she got in the backpack carrier. She is a girl on the go!

So Sweet.

What a sweet family to do this in rememberance of all the smallest angels in the world.

She Comes By It Honestly.

Turns out Kallie likes cows too. The girl can put back some food and I love it. The only two foods she doesn't care for (but will tolerate with the help of a little applesauce) are pears and pluots. Everything else enters her mouth and goes straight to the tummy without even a wince.

To date she has on a regular basis...

Applesauce
Asparagus
Avocado
Bananas
Black-Eyed Peas (for New Year's, of course!)
Blueberries
Broccoli
Butternut Squash
Carrots
Cauliflower
Cheese
Chicken
Green Beans
Ground Beef & Onions
Kiwi
Oatmeal
Oranges
Pasta
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Pineapple
Pluots
Potatoes
Puffs
Pumpkin
Quinoa
Rice
Sweet Potatoes
Teething Biscuits
Tofu
Turkey
Yogurt

Next in line...

Bell Peppers
Edamame
Garbanzo Beans
Lentils
Mango
Polenta
Rhubarb (just for you MDK)
Salmon

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this trend continues and we don't ever hit the "I'm not eating that!" stage. Wishful thinking I know, but a mommy can dream.

I'd Like One Medium Cow Please.

Because mama can eat like nobody's business.

I'd like to resume my normal eating habits, but it's safe to say that ain't gonna happen while nursing this 8 month old chunk. Each morning I wake with the best of intentions to eat healthy and resonable portions, ask for help from the Lord above for this simple request, and then my feet touch the floor and it's all over. I immediately start salivating for junk, and lots of it. I ate pistachio cookies for breakfast 3 days in a row. As I type I can hear the Santa Claus Snickers calling my name from downstairs. An Oreo shake from anywhere would do me good right about now. But it's not just junk that I want. I ate a Garden Turkey Wrap as big as my face the other day and still wanted more food. Most of the time I can't chocolate cookies keep kettle corn a straight thought Coke.

See what I mean? Moo...

Off To A Good Start.

First Night Austin with Kallie proved to be all I hoped from last year.



Now to begin a much needed "inner overhaul" and get serious with taking care of my body, my mind, and my spirit.

Every Moment Of The Day I Am...

I Need A Weekend From The Weekend.

I opened my eyes in a bad mood today and I stayed that way. I've learned that not enough "down time" on a weekend makes for a craptastic start to the week. Too many errands to run, too many undone tasks, and the beginning of the holiday rush makes my head hurt. My efforts to simplify haven't truly worked yet, but I will press on and find a way to carve out time for the important things - My Babe, Kallie, and the park.

Defeated Just a TINY Bit.

Who cares. We had a fabulous weekend walking around campus, spending time with family, and enjoying the sights at the game. We're starting our Future Aggie out early!

Fear Factor For Babies.

The first day of a new food is not the favorite around here. We've tried avocado, sweet potatoes, carnival squash, and pumpkin so far. She likes them all now, but certainly didn't when we started. The gagging and shuddering were so sad, but she's been a trooper ever since!

Half A Year Already.

Tootsie Roll or Flying Nun?

The Cutest Feet Ever.

Thanks CB & KB!

Exactly What I Deserve.

I grossly underestimate how long it will take me to get out of the house on a regular, okay...daily, basis. I'd like to blame this on Kallie, but she hasn't been around for 32 years. I have really good intentions prior to getting ready and then I start doing other things (read: stay in bed or obsessively try to clear off counters) that hinder me from finding my way to the car on time. Sabotage again and again.

Today Kallie and I missed baby yoga and I'm still so mad at myself that I could just spit. We could have walked in 10 minutes late...people do it all the time...but I don't feel right interrupting the class due to my tardy problem. It's such a nice, fun, relaxing time together and I messed it all up. Kallie has serious yoga shoulders and she can do a half moon like nobody's business. However, she might not ever get to practice her craft until she's 16 and she can drive herself there because her mother will continue to act a fool when it's time to get ready.

All this I write at 9:03pm when I should be doing parent conference forms because conferences start tomorrow. I have not done one form yet. Remember my staying up late problem? Brilliant, I tell you. Just brilliant.

The Best Kind Of Pumpkin.

Is It Possible...

to gain 14 lbs. over a weekend?

Because I truly think I've accomplished that. My stomach is still rebelling from a fabulous weekend with my team (part of them, at least) on our weekend girl's trip to Rocky River Ranch.

Rocky River Ranch is a camp I attended as a young buck at the ripe age of 7, so it was neat to return and enjoy the activities as an adult with a women's retreat. We attacked the climbing wall, ventured to Wimberley market days, relaxed with a horseback ride, laughed until we slightly wet our pants, ate our way through a cow, and kicked serious butt in "Catch Phrase." It was a complete blast and I can't wait to plan our next adventure when everyone can go!

Thanks Grandma C and Grandpa for taking care of Kallie while My Babe was working hard!

I Think We Have Crazy Hair Day Covered.

Note to self: Getting home at 4:15pm allows for a much more fulfilling evening. Work will never be completely finished and who cares. YOUR baby needs to see you laugh, play, talk, learn, and pour your everything into each minute of the day just like you do all day with OTHER people's children.

She Doesn't Miss A Meal.

Oh how I love this kid. We'd have 22 more if it didn't involve pregnancy or money.

Game Day Is Serious Business.

Do You See The Drippage?

I have sweaty feet. Hence why I'd wear flip flops year round if my naked feet wouldn't draw attention to myself in the stark middle of January. But this kid has SWEATY feet. I mean dripping with water looking like she just came out of a pool sweaty. Next will come the stench, I'm sure of it. When I was 8 months pregnant, I knew immediately when the three year old sitting behind us in church took off her shoes. I was blown over by the smell and warned My Babe that we were about to become mobile if she didn't put them shoes back on stat. Kallie is going to be that girl. Poor stinky baby.

It's Been Awhile.

Kallie is growing like a weed, laughing often, rolling over, nursing like a champ, teething, and sitting up quite well on her own. I miss her terribly during the day, but am so blessed to have My Babe and GiGi with her during the week. I can't say that I would rather work, but I will say when I get home I am much more focused on her and am able to let the dishes, laundry, emails, and cooking wait much longer than usual...and that is a great feeling.

Trying to find balance between school and home has been challenging this first week back. It's hard when your job really begins at 3:00pm as there is no way you can do a thing while the children are there and still teach effectively. I've been staying a lot later than I should, and must get better at that.

I'm finding it difficult to swallow that my favorite baby activities are only offered during the day so I am unable to attend, but I have decided that a monthly day off to attend such things just might be the cure I need.

For now, I'm just happy for this three day weekend - and a beautiful 4 month old.

The Swing Is Loved Around Here.