MAY.

The past few weeks have flown by!  Haven't they? Time flies by when you're having a good time.  Am I right?

Annabelle has been doing so great in school.  The first week was pretty hard for me, and a huge huge adjustment for Annabelle.  She cried every day at drop off and she seemed kind of overwhelmed.  Which is totally understandable.  Watching her cry and reach for me every day made my heart hurt. I was unsure if we had made the right choice to put her in school this young.  She is so tiny compared to the other kids.  It's also really hard that she can not totally communicate her needs with us, and she can't really tell us how her day was.  Her teachers are super sweet, and communicated really well with us all week.  They really helped me feel better about all of that.  Her teacher even sent me pictures of her at school, and a little video.  So sweet.

After that first tough week, she has been great.  She doesn't get upset when we leave for school, or when we pull up and she sees the bus, or when I hand her off to teachers.  She always looks like she is having a great time when I pick her up.   I still miss her a lot for those four hours in the morning, and I am SO excited to go pick her up every day.  We are really thankful that the experience has been a good one so far.  I still have some fears and concerns with her being at school, but I am still thankful.  We only have a few days left, and then we have our mornings back all summer!  :)

Carter is still growing like crazy.  I can not even believe he is 9 months old.  He's super busy and still loves his Annabelle.  He is clapping his hands, signing "EAT", and he waved "bye-bye" the other day.  It even sounded like he said "bye-bye".  Super cute. 

Mother's Day this year was so fantastic with two kiddos.  Craig never fails to make me feel so special.  We took it easy and just hung out with our kids.  I love my little family SO much.

OH, also in May, Craig's brother came to Texas for a visit.  It was so great having another visitor.  The time with him was so special, and I know Craig loved it!

Last Friday was our last MOPS meeting until after summer, and we had a little party.  Each table was to have a theme, and the meeting was just laid back and fun.  Our table was "Toddlers and Tiaras!"

 Annabelle at school...

Justus and Carter...

This picture cracks me up.  You can see Carter hitting him. 

Annabelle praying before dinner...

Uncle Hans...

One of my favorite pictures...

On Mother's Day weekend, we went to Dallas to see my sweet grandma...

Mother's Day dates...

Super love this pic...

We have had a lot of time together since Annabelle has been at school.  We are soaking it up. 

These kiddos are playing together more and more, and I love watching it!

Toddlers....

Annabelle reading in her corner.  :)
Have a great rest of MAY! 

Changes

The month of April has flown by, just like I expected.  It has been a VERY busy month, and our little family is going through some changes and transitions.  To assist my thoughts in to words, here are a few pictures from the past few weeks...

Carter's 8 month appointment.  Y'all, I waited about an hour before we actually saw our doctor.  He even got about a 40 minute nap in.  Surprisingly, I was very patient, but I am usually not that patient when I am made to wait that long.  ESPECIALLY with a baby.  It makes me want to leave a negative comment for this pediatrician.  But, other than that, the appointment was great.  Carter is still in about the 90th percentile for weight, and about 70th for height.  He is super busy these days, and in to anything he can get his hands on.  He has two bottom teeth poking through, and loves to eat finger foods now.  He is mostly happy and smiling, but has his share of whiney moments.  I LOVE LOVE this little boy so much. (Look how he holds his ear.  He does that when he is sleepy.  SO CUTE)

Our weather has been AMAZING this month!  Texas has a GORGEOUS Spring.  It totally makes up for the heat of the summer.  Texas really only has like 3 months of the year where it's just too hot to function, and even then, you can still go outside and have BBQ's and swim and play.  None of the weather makes me very upset here.  I say that now because it's been awesome! ;)

I just thought this picture was super cute.  She carried her little pail around, protecting the sidewalk chalk inside.

REAL ALE Anniversary party...

SUCH a blast!

We take silly selfies, and I am ok with it.  She is my best girl friend.  (so is my sister Rachel)

I want to go back!!!

I love it when I get pictures of my kids when other people are watching them.  My parents had them for a Saturday, and sent me pictures of them being the cute kids they are...

A couple weeks ago, it was hot enough for shorts and Popsicles.  A taste of summer...

Craig's best buddy, Eric came to Texas, and it was a blast!  We took Annabelle out for her 3rd birthday celebration, and somehow they got stuck with our babies for a minute.  ;)

This past week, Aunt Heidi and Nana came to Texas for a visit.  I had to take them to Gymboree, and Annabelle loved having them there.  She super loves her Aunt Heidi!  It's so cute.

We went for a walk around our neighborhood.  Annabelle pretty much hates the stroller these days, so I decided to let her walk.  It sort of slowed us down a bit, but she had a blast...

Heidi is so good with my kids.

This past Sunday, my parents and I did a 5k!  I ran it in 27:45, and was actually pretty happy with that time.  Not the fastest, but I did it! :)  I was intimidated when we started, because I could tell there were "real" runners around me.  I could tell by their clothes and their fancy GPS watches, and their awesome shoes.  I want THESE running shoes so bad, but I don't have that kind of cash to spend on running shoes right now. Someday I might, and I will look like a "real" runner. ;)  (I'll take them in a 7.5, thank you.)
After I finished, I turned around to walk the course back to my parents, and walk to the finish with them.  It was so fun, and makes me want to do another one, and someday do a 10k, and maybe just maybe a half marathon someday.  Maybe. ;) 

Pinterest gave me the idea to put sand in an under the bed box instead of an open sandbox.  With the amount of critters in our back yard, I wanted a lid on some play sand, and it has worked so well.  They love it! 

Ok, so Annabelle started school on Monday.  It was harder for me the first day than it was for her.  She did good.  She is only at school for four hours, which makes it a little easier, but it is every day.  Look how cute she is...

By Monday night, I was seriously thinking, "O my gosh, it's only MONDAY!"  I am so tired and the week really seems to be dragging.  I am ready for the weekend.  This is a big change for us.  There are some days that we don't even leave the house, and now we leave every single day.  I love our mornings, with coffee and play time and staying in our jammies.  Waking up to an actual alarm and not just the alarm of my kids, is a new thing for me too.  I know if something like this seems like such a change to me, it's got to also be for Annabelle.  I just wonder what she is thinking and how she is feeling.  She can't really tell me her thoughts, but her life is so different now.  (and it's only been three days)  She did not want to leave the house this morning.  She wanted to play with Carter.  I could totally tell, and I know I wasn't reading in to it.  She cried a lot today when I dropped her off and I had to hand her off to a teacher.  It is so so so hard to walk away from your child when they are crying.  She never does that for me where she cries and reaches for me.  I prayed for the Lord to give us peace this week. And trusted that He would.  He has.  I have some peace and I am not just sitting at home crying all week like I thought I would.  I really thought I was going to yank her out of school after the first day and never go back.  ;)  If you think of it, please keep our family in your prayers during this time in our lives.  It is different for all of us and may take some time to adjust.  I miss my girl. I am ready for the weekend, but even more ready for SUMMER.

Why I did this to myself all in the same week, I don't know, but here is another change.  I know it seems super late to be doing this, and it IS, but we finally moved Carter into his own room.  We have had many excuses over the last 8 months, as to why we never moved him.  But, we KNOW it is time.  Carter has never slept all the way through the night, so I am hoping that maybe this will help.  He has done SO great!  Much better than I thought he would.  The first night was the worst, but every night has gotten better.  These changes with my kids this week has been an emotional experience for me.  I am tired not only because I am up earlier, but also because I am feeling a little drained.  Annabelle going to school and Carter having his own room, means that they are growing up.  It has taken a little bit of me letting go.  I love every stage of these little lives so much, and sometimes I want to hold on to them so tight, that I don't move to the "next stage".  Does that even make sense?  I love these memories of my little ones.  And am looking forward to what the next milestone will be for them and also for Craig and me.  Look how peaceful this guy is....

 

I am so thankful for my life and the gifts that the Lord continues to give. We really miss our friends and family who live far away, but we are thankful for what is here in front of us.   I have a wonderful family, awesome friends, a church that we love and I really don't know what else i could ask for.  Thank you to those of you who checked up on us this week, wondering how Annabelle's first days were going.  It meant a lot to me.  Now I need to go make myself busy so that time passes quickly.  I want to go pick up my Annabelle!! 

Womp Womp....

The past two weeks have been BUSY and super duper amazing.  We have had guests in our home, parties, meetings, and we have all been on the go non stop.  Today, the last of our guests, NANA and Heidi, left our home, and I felt sad as soon as I walked into my empty home.  It's post "stay-cation" blues.  Womp womp.  I hate it when the party is over.  WE have all had such a blast the past two weeks.  Craig's best buddy, Eric, came to Texas and it was awesome!  Craig looked like he was on vacation, too.  :)  And it is ALWAYS a blessing when Craig's family is able to come down and spend time with us and our kiddos.  We miss them and love them so much!

Annabelle is starting school on Monday morning, and I am feeling incredibly overwhelmed.  In fact, I have been overwhelmed with the thought of her going to school for the last couple months.  But, now we are two days away, and I feel like I am going to throw up.  And cry.  A lot.  We will see how it goes. 

Will try to post some random pics of the last two weeks soon... 
For now, I am going to try and keep busy by cleaning up my house.  I hate the post party blues.  :/

Anyone else want to come visit us?

School

Took Annabelle for her last test before teachers work up some goals for her. These pics/this whole process is killin me....
I mean look at her. :)

My Seven Month Old, The Bounce House and 3/21

Carter is wasting no time when it comes to milestones.  It's pretty awesome to watch, and such a gift to Craig and me.  Carter is crawling all over the place, and sometimes really quickly.  He is pulling up on to furniture, and trying to maneuver around any obstacles. We keep saying how crazy it is that he is moving around so much.  He is super curious, and is just having a super good time. 

Just getting a book...(Annabelle broke this door off a couple days ago, that's why it's just hanging there.  Dad fixed it. :/)

Comin to check me out on the couch.

The tiger bounce house.  It's a story...

This past weekend, we went to a birthday party, and they had a bouncey house for the kiddos.  Annabelle has experienced a bounce house only once before, and did not like it.  She cried when she went in, so it lasted about three seconds.  This time, she loved it.  Annabelle is still very unstable on uneven surfaces and especially surfaces that bounce under her feet.  But, it did not stop her from trying.  She would fall, get back up, fall, get back up.  Super cute.  She did not want to get out to come eat, so we just let her stay put and kept a little bit of on eye on her to make sure she did not get trampled by the bigger bouncers. 

At one point, I looked over and she had somehow made her way all the way to the back corner.  She was just sitting there, and my heart kind of broke for her.  She was observing the other kids jumping and laughing and playing tag.  I was wondering if in her sweet little mind, she was hoping she could get up and chase them, too.  I looked through the net window and asked her if she wanted to get out and if she needed help.  She did not want either.  I went in to sit with her and just watch her.  She didn't want to have anything to do with me or the help I was trying to give.  She has that very independent spirit, which I embrace.    So, I just watched and did not offer any more help.  I felt so bad for her and wanted to see her get up and play, but she was totally happy and content doing what she was doing. 

This whole bounce house thing may not seem like a big deal, but to me it was.  My heart hurt for her.  But, she was not sad or did she seem to feel left out.  I felt those things.  I don't want to be a helicopter mom.  She needs the independence that she had in that bounce house.  She needs to be the one to choose to be content doing what she is doing, and she doesn't need me to be sad for her all the time.  Does that even make sense?  I have a little video of her in the bouncey house, and my eyes well up with tears when I watch it.  Because I am wondering what is going on in her mind.  Does she feel left out?  Is she sad that she is not/can't do what the other kids are doing?  Or is she really as amazingly content as she looks? I'm thinking she really was having a good time, I've got a couple more pics to prove it...

Somehow my little fam ended up being the only ones in the tiger.  I'm serious, it was tough to get Annabelle out.  See, she was having a good time.  ;)

This girl's joy has changed my life, y'all.  Changed it in so many ways. 

One reason that I was maybe a little over-sympathetic that day, is because we have some changes coming in the Annabelle department.  She turns three in less than a month.  WHAT?  When did this happen?  I remember when we first started ECI services for Annabelle, she was three MONTHS old.  They talked me through all the paper work and explained that their services end when she turns three years old.  I thought that was forever away, and, now here it is!  She can go to public school.  LIKE , SCHOOL SCHOOL.  I think I am having a mental breakdown this month.  For real.  She can even ride on a BUS.  A bus with a car seat just for her.  WHAT?!?  She can be away from me for four hours a day, five days a week.  This all seems crazy to me, and it's taking a while to sink in.  We have been up to the school twice for different assesments and testing.  Yesterday, my heart was heavy when we left.  She's my baby.  Of couse, I want whats best for her.  Most advice I have recieved about putting her in now has been to do it.  Do it because it will be awesome for her.  She will only have not even two months before summer anyways.  I am excited that she will recieve very beneficial services, but it's just killin me to think of being away from her that much.  Yipes. So, where we are now, is just praying about what is best for her.  We will continue to do the meetings and anymore testing, and see what April brings for this family.  Will update with any new, exciting news in this area.

Look at these sweet boys.  They love each other, love playing, and both loved sand!

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day.  It was a great reason to take our little family out for supper and a frozen yogurt treat...

I love this girl so much.

Sweetest little fellas I know...

Annabelle has been playing with Carter a lot more lately, and it is so awesome to watch. He doesn't leave her much of a choice though.  He follows her where she goes and I often hear him laughing with her. I love it.  Love love love it.

This picture cracks me up.  I tried so hard to get a good picture of them in the grocery cart, and this is the best one.  They looked so cute, too.  Both in green for St. Patty's Day! 

Annabelle wanted to see herself in my phone and when she did, I captured some amazing pics of the faces she was making.....

One of my favorites. Her "sass" face.

Just relaxin in the swing on a GORGEOUS day...

Cotton Candy ice cream in Fredericksburg...

Best part of making a cake, right?!?!

Still loving Gymboree.  And if we start school soon, we will not be able to go anymore.  :(  Oh, wait, maybe in the Summer!!  :)

Happy almost weekend! 

Catch UP post. Ketchup.

Since my last post, we have celebrated two birthdays, mine and Craig's.  We have welcomed SPRING in Texas, a beautiful Spring!  Annabelle had her first assessment for the PPCD class she will likely be attending.  Carter went from scooting, to army crawling, to REALLY crawling, and is in to everything he can get his hands on.  We have gotten over icky winter/spring colds and then gotten them again. Then we threw "routine" out the door for a couple of days to enjoy some of the Spring Break that my mom had.

 This little family has been having a great time, and have been keeping busy, either by spending lots of time at home, or whatever else we do.  ;) I don't know about any other moms, but there are days when I am laying my head on my pillow at night, and regret the things I did NOT do during that day.  Time is flying, and my kids are growing up quickly. I do my best to soak in every moment, of each little stage of life.

I am realizing so much lately how time is going by so quickly, as we are approaching Annabelle's THIRD birthday.  I am not even believing that she is almost THREE!!  Here in Texas, this means a few things for a child with special needs.  She will no longer receive ECI services, and is able to attend a Pre-K class at public Elementary.  My stomach turns in knots when I think of her going off to school.  In fact, I freak out a little bit.  More on that at a later date.  A few weeks ago, we went for her first assessment, which was a play based assessment.  Annabelle is smart, and showed off all a little bit of her amazing smart skills while she played in this super awesome classroom, where she would for sure never get bored.   I don't know much about how the teachers viewed it, because we have not had a follow up yet.  We are to go back soon, and I will find out more information on the kind of class she could be attending, and all the details of what the goals and services will be for her.  Again, more on this subject at a later time.  :)

WE are doing great, and enjoying time together and super enjoying the amazing weather we have been having.  We have much to be thankful for here.  :)

PICS to come sometime soon.  Can't make any promises, but will do my best!!