Missing Stasa

From mommy:
Today my cousin, Stasa, died. And I am so sad. Stasa was only a few years older than me and was married with 2 precious little boys, ages 4 and 3. Two years ago, Stasa went to the hospital with complaints of a severe headache. She was life flighted (sp) to the Seattle hospital because they found out she had a brain aneurysm. They were going into surgery when they found 2 more. Medically speaking, the doctors said that this was unheard of and extremely bizarre giving her chances of survival slim to none. Amazingly enough, Stasa survived and stayed with us a little longer. Today I found out that she lost her battle and I can't explain the sadness. I realize, more than ever, how blessed I am for my health and for each day I have on earth with my family, friends, husband and precious children.

Dear Lord, We started today with a heavy heart, knowing that we will not see our Anastasia here on earth again. We are thankful that she is now in your strong arms and looking into your loving face. Please watch over her Mom and Dad, Harry and Linda, and comfort them and strengthen them. Please let them know how much you and all of us love them. Please encourage her brothers and sisters, as they feel a part of them is missing, for awhile. Lord, please watch over all the grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins, who are feeling sad and asking why one so young and dear, had to go now. We ask for your strong arms around Don, as he continues to carry this cross. And Father God, please, please watch over little Christopher and Aaron. Surround them with angels and caring people who will understand their loss and love them. Lord, only You can replace a mother. Please Father,make Yourself known to them at an early age. We thank you for your constant love over our family. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Who says diamonds are a girl's best friend?

Today I found out how much fun it is to play in mommy's jewelry box! Whenever I go in the bathroom while mommy is getting ready, I think I'll throw a fit until she puts me on the counter and lets me play with her jewelry. I bet it works like a charm!

Little Aggie Yell Practice

Before the game against New Mexico State, we had Aggie Yell Practice just for kids! I thought the yell leaders were really cool and I told daddy I want to be one when I get big. He said that would be a good idea. We practiced our 'Aggie Yells' for the big game and I think it worked because we won! Gig 'Em Aggies!

The efficient way to feed the cows

Just like Daddy!

Mommy!!!!!!!! Look!!!!! I have hair on my legs just like my daddy!!!! It's because I ate my green beans.

These feet are made for walking

In the last couple of days, my baby has been standing ALL BY HERSELF! She is getting so big and even better than that? She took 4 steps yesterday! Yeah, Tatie! Keep an eye out because I bet she'll be taking a lot more steps soon.

Hand Me Downs

My mommy loves hand me downs. I get lots of hand me downs from my Godbrothers and my baby always looks so cute in hand me downs from Emmylou and Victoria. I usually don't get as excited as mommy does but I now how a glipse of the excitement she feels when it comes to hand me downs. Check out my new hand me down rides! Awesome!

Happy 1st Birthday, Miller Miller

Miller Miller had his 1st birthday today at JW Tumbles and my baby and I got to go enjoy the party! It was lots of fun and happy birthday to Miller! We love you.

Ah, young love.
Mommy's monkey

School Days

Can you believe it? It's my 2nd year of pre-school and I'm now in the 3's class. I was so excited when I got to class today that I didn't even give mommy a hug or kiss good-bye! Oops - sorry mommy.

One would think we haven't seen each other all summer!

Watermelon Anonymous

If you want to lose an arm, try taking a piece of watermelon away from my baby.

I think we need an intervention.

To be or not to be......

If you don't know by now, my mommy is a little nutty about Halloween. This has only happened recently (since I was born) because when she was little, she never really celebrated Halloween and therefore she doesn't get into the holiday all that much. However, introduce me and now you have instant Halloween fan. For my first Halloween, she dressed me in about 20 different costumes before she decided on the 'perfect one'. Because they called me 'The Goat', this was the likely choice.

.....But before that, I had to amuse her with trying on the chicken......the lobster

....the bear, just to name a few.

In 2007, I was a skunk and of course last year, I was a pirate and my baby was the parrot. Now with 2 of us, she's having more fun than she probably should, at our expense. Here is one of her ideas - mommy's little monsters - but it's not the winner. You'll have to wait and see what we dress as for Halloween 2009!

Workin' Weekend

When we go to College Station, we like to help Mama on the farm. There is always work to do and I know she appreciates my help. This weekend, the cows needed fed and my daddy and I took out hay bails using the tractor. Did you know I LOVE tractors? It's the best thing in the whole wide world and getting to help drive is even better than that! My baby came to help, too, but she's still too little to be much help to me or my daddy. We ARE the cowboys, after all.

My baby was a pretty good driver
Lining up the tractor just right

Workin' Hard and lookin' cute

Gig 'Em Aggies!

Today we went to the first game of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Football season and played New Mexico State. Of course, we won ( 41 to 6) and I expect to see a lot more 'W' in the games to come. It was fun playing with Victoria and I think my baby had a lot of fun, too. I love the Gig 'Em Aggies game and am excited that we will get to visit Aggieland often in the next couple of months.

My baby loved cheering on the Aggies!

This is what happens when you try to get 3 little ones to sit still for pictures. Bonafied Aggie meltdown.

The game is great and all, but V and I would like to watch 'Max & Ruby' now.

Worn out little Aggie.

Tate is 11 months

To my Tatie Tate Amelia Tate -

Really? Only 1 more month and you're 1? How did that happen? I think this time has flown by quicker than with Tripp and it's probably because the 2 of you really keep me on my toes and I have no real down time. No complaints from me though. I love my 2 precious children so much and I don't think you'll understand until one day when you have children.

You have changed a ton in the past month. You're cruising everywhere on your knees and are you're ready to walk. You stand on your own from time to time and you're getting a little braver when letting go of furniture. I'll be surprised if you're not walking or taking steps by your first birthday, which is right around the corner.

Lots of 'firsts' this month. To start, you have your top teeth! You now have 4 (2 on top and 2 on bottom) and a couple of others are trying to push through. You use them well - and I feel like all you do is eat. You're a bottomless pit and can out eat your brother. You're almost frantic if I'm not shoveling the food in fast enough or if I don't have enough piled on your tray! And, you want whatever he has. You don't like your sippy cup because it has handles and your brothers doesn't. If I hand you his, you're fine with it so now you have one just like him. I have a feeling that won't be the last time you want what he has. You adore him and I pray that never changes. And if you get your way, you prefer a straw because it's so much more fun and it's especially fun to spit the water out when you're done.

You're also giving kisses. Open mouth, wet, slobbery kisses and I can't get enough! You are still giving me pats on the back and you still love to cuddle but even more so when you're up from your nap or first thing in the morning. It doesn't last as long as it used to but I'll take what I can get. Waving is a big 'first', too. You've been waving for a month or so but you're not associating it with bye-bye and hi. You wave to everyone with your toothy little grin. Oh, and you're 'SO BIG'. In fact, the picture above shows you doing just that. Let me tell you little missy, you're not as big as you think you are.

Stairs are oh so fun for you and oh what a pain for me. Since we were in a 1 story in Atlanta, I didn't have to deal with this with your brother but with you, you're up the stairs quicker than I can blink. It might be because you follow Tripp around everywhere and want to be where he is but he's been my good helper and is quick to let me know if you're going up the stairs or he fetches you for me. He loves to carry you around and 'help you walk' and you're not a fan, but he means well.

Sleeping and eating patterns haven't changed much. You're still great at both and I hope that continues. Your morning nap is sometimes a struggle but I might start thinking you were a perfect baby if I didn't have some resistance from time to time. Ok, maybe not a perfect baby in reality but I think you're my perfect baby. Oh and have I mentioned feisty? I'm in for it big time in about 10 - 12 years and I've already given Grammy the heads up that I might have to send you to live with her. I'm afraid God really does have a sense of humor and is giving me a little taste of what I gave my mom. Boy, am I in trouble.

Although a handful at times, you are precious, precious, precious and I cherish each and every day with you. I can't believe you're going to be 1 in a few weeks and these innocent baby days will be a thing of the past. I'm going to hold on to it as long as I can.

I love you angel.
Mommy.

(Yep, Miss Kim took pics of me too. Check out her site! http://www.kimberleysarantakes.com/)