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.

Daddy Dates.

She LOVES her daddy. And she is going to be one adventurous little girl that will never doubt how much he LOVES her.

A Rare Moment.

We had a busy day from a swim party this morning to Kallie's first Round Rock Express game with friends. You are witnessing the 5 seconds that she sat and watched the game without crying. I do believe the spectators around us were quite thrilled.

The Joy of Discovery and Germs.

Within the last few days Kallie has discovered that her hands have a purpose and has been reaching for things and, of course, placing them in her mouth. I've been better than I thought I would be, but that doesn't mean we don't need to pray that her germaphobic mother can turn the other way when big gobs of dirt enter her mouth on a regular basis.

I admit it. I'm a germaphobic weirdo and have big issues that my crazy pills don't really seem to help. Sometimes I open my own refrigerator or door handles with my shirt. I will hardly ever open my classroom door with my bare hands. I will never, unless I am desperate, use one of my kindergartner's pencils or scissors. And I wash my hands at least 40 times per day. But, sometimes I can be okay with germs. I can follow the 5 second rule with most things -especially if it involves food because I love to eat people and will sacrifice my sanity for food. My germ phobia can be quite sporadic at times and also quite intense at times. And it's all because I am terrified of the stomach flu. Really terrified. Disturbingly enough, I think about it all the time and dream regularly about it. I would love to be rid of this phobia so pass along some advice because my germ phobia sure didn't help me out during our trip to Wimberley.

But on the other hand, it's so neat to see her discover new things. To see the wheels turning in her head as she uses her hands to manipulate the world around her. I pray that I can let her be messy. And I pray that I can be messy with her. Germs and all.

Home For Good.

School is about to be in full force, so our traveling days are over for awhile. We had another great trip spending time with family, enjoying the museum, and relaxing. Today Kallie enjoyed her new swing with GiGi and spent lots of time gazing at the trees. Next week marks my last week home before the daily grind begins and I'm not even close to ready for it.









And, do you really need reassurance?

Challenge #2.

The first challenge is going very well, so I thought just maybe...

Ever Come Face To Face With A Train?

Stomach Flu, You're A Jerk Face.

Oh, there's nothing like a lot of barf to make life interesting while on vacation.

My Babe's parents graciously rented this AMAZING home, 7 Star Ranch, in Wimberley for a few days for us to be together as a family. All summer long I've been looking forward to meeting my new baby niece, spending time with the grandparents, relaxing by the river, and working on making this pale skin semi-tan without becoming fried chicken.

Unfortunately, the stomach flu had different ideas for a fun vacation. My Babe, Kallie, my mom, my sis-in-law, and I all had the pleasure of spending lots of time lovin' on the toilet and sleeping in the bed. We're finally on the mend, but a little bummed about missing out on some of the fun. However, we did get to enjoy the river and pool a little bit prior to the sick festivities, and certainly had fun just being together. In sickness and in health.


Snuggling with Kallie's cousin.


I need me one of these here swangs.


Float you cheap thing.


There's nothing like a grandpa.


One good looking daddy and one good looking baby girl.


Ready at a moment's notice: Lifeguard Grandma C & Lifeguard GiGi

My Strongest Weakness.

This, my friends, is the ultimate challenge for me. My paper towel holder is empty and has been for five days. Five! Days! Five, I say! I guarantee you it is wondering what the heck is up. My OCD shows itself something fierce when it comes to germs, cooking, cross-contamination, and clean countertops. I use paper towels like mad while cooking, eating, washing my hands (a BUNCH), breathing, etc. Considering we are a relatively environmentally friendly and conservation-wise household, this poses a little bit of hypocrisy now doesn't it? Never fear. I'm going to lick this bad habit and maybe even my fingers too. I bought cloth napkins and fully intend to strictly use dish towels for cleaning the countertops and drying my hands. {Insert deep breath here.} Ready. Set. Go.

Sooo Big!

Soak Him All Up.

My Babe is the hardest working person I know. He currently works 3 jobs and never complains, despite the fact that he only gets a few hours of sleep at the fire station and that his other jobs take time away from his family at night and sometimes weekends. So, when he is home we soak in every bit of him that we can. Thank you, Babe, for everything you do for us. You are an amazing inspiration to me.

And So It Begins.

I picked up the key to my classroom today. I did not enter the classroom because that would just be way too ambitious, now wouldn't it? This time of year is something that I dread. Getting back into the swing of school after being off for so long is no easy task, and this year will most likely be one of the most difficult starts yet. I am more than ecstatic that My Babe and my mom will be the caretakers for Kallie while I am off teaching young minds about the alphabet, but in my heart of hearts I'd much rather be at home. I've prepared myself for this moment of continuous work for years now, but I still can't find it in my body to be completely okay with it. I want desperately to be okay with it, because quite frankly, there is nothing I can do about it right now. Someday we will be in a better financial position to rethink this working thing, or at least to find something that will give me a little more flexibility. But, the reality of today is that school will start and I will be there for it. I must begin setting up my classroom already. It's gone so fast and I feel her little babyhood already slipping away. I'm so happy to have had the summer to spend all day long with this



and this



and this.

Simplify.

I've cleaned out most of the cabinets and closets in an effort to simplify. However, I never seem to get there. There's always something to accomplish after the little one hits the crib. I need to eliminate things from my To Do list. I need to try not to run so many errands. Are they really all necessary? I need to prepare ahead of time for meals so I'm not spending so much time cooking or giving in and going out to eat. I need to be okay with not taking so much stuff everywhere with me. I need to limit my time on the internet. I need to simplify.

Do Nothing Monday.

Last night we joined the rest of Austin in seeing "Beauty and the Beast" at the Zilker Hillside Theatre. We met up with CT from the fire station and had a yummy picnic while enjoying the play.

Summer tends to be our busy time of the year. I thought having a baby this summer would slow us down but it hasn't. So, it's nice to relax a bit. Today was a day for lounging in bed until noon, leaving the blinds closed, skipping the shower, catching up on TiVo, tummy time, letting the clothes stay unfolded a little while longer, reading books, lots of smiles, making homemade pizzas for lunch, fish tacos and raspberry tea for supper, and spending time outside on a blanket with GiGi. My goal this week is to have more days like this!

Clueless.

My Babe's parents surprised us with a new camera that is WAY awesome and over my head...for the moment at least. I am determined to learn the ins and outs of an SLR and I can't wait to overcome my clueless status when it comes to photography. Thank you Grandpa and GC!

Tonight we ventured to Rebulic Square Park downtown for a movie on a giant blowup screen. Kallie hung out in her carseat while we enjoyed greasy hamburgers from Hut's. And, appropriately, the movie we watched was "Clueless."

Tiny Feet.

Cute and cuddly...just put her in her giraffes and she's out for 8-10 hours, sometimes more. I don't think we'll ever get this lucky again.

We Big Puffy Heart Outdoor Concerts.

One of our favorite restaurants, Shady Grove, has live music each Thursday during the spring and summer months. We enjoyed a relaxing evening on the blanket focusing on some much needed tummy time and lots of toys.







We had a great time and thought a lot about baby girl, MAC, that just entered the world today. Happy Birthday little one - we can't wait to meet you!