Daddy's Weekend

This weekend, mommy and a few friends went out of town for a little 'R&R' and the daddies were in charge of holding down the fort at home. For our daddy, that meant loading us up and heading to College Station. It was really cold so we weren't able to play outside or go to the farm much but daddy did take me to the Gig 'Em Aggie basketball game! It was awesome and I was so out of breath from excitement when I was telling mommy all about it on the phone. We had a great time but we were so excited to see mommy when we all got home Sunday. I could tell she really missed us - and we missed her, too. Mommy sure was lazy though because I told her all about what we did and when I asked her what she did, she told me she stayed in her pjs until 6pm (you don't let me do that, mommy) and laid around reading silly magazines. I'm glad we went with daddy - it was more fun.

Mommy and her Camera

Watch out world - mommy is armed and dangerous! Mommy's friend is a professional photographer here is Austin and is starting to teach photography to mommies. Mommy is part of her 'test class' and she is learning how to actually use her nice camera as opposed to using it as a point and shoot. She's learning so much and I have a feeling my baby and I are going to have to put up with a lot of pictures (even more than we already do) so that she can get the perfect shot! Our blog readers will have to put up with it too, I'm sure.

Happy Birthday, Victoria!

Now, we've been to some cool birthday parties but Victoria's is pretty high on the list. The party was at her new home and it was a circus theme - complete with popcorn, cotton candy and a clown! This was not just any ordinary clown - it was Kiwi the clown and she was amazing. She made us all the coolest balloons and painted our faces. Check me out! We played games and had the best time at the 'circus'. After pizza, we sang happy birthday and ate cake. We love you Victoria Pearl and happy 3rd birthday!

Getting my face all painted
Check me out! I'm a scary dinosaur.

My baby and Miss Connie

The 'mermaid' balloon. Are you kidding?

Make a wish!

Happy Birthday, Gaby!

Today Gaby celebrated her 3rd birthday at Champions Academy. We had the best time jumping, rolling, laughing and truth be told, I don't know who had a better time - Tate or Gaby! My baby was all over the place running down the bounce path, trying to do somersaults, taking hand sanitizer from the office (which I don't think was a part of the party). Thank you for including us and we wish you a happy birthday!

The dragon and his damsal in distress

Tate ran down this bouncing tarmac about 500 times

Great balancing!

....and yet again, with Miller in hot pursuit

Maybe we have a gynastics class in our future?

Day with Victoria

Victoria spent the day with Mommy and Tate today while her mommy had some meetings. They had the best time and went to music class and lunch and then back home to play. Thank you for so much fun, Victoria! We need to have days like this more often.

Life is Good

What can be better than warm milk milk first thing every morning cuddling in mommy and daddy's bed? I can't think of anything.

Miss Connie and the park

Miss Connie spoils us rotten and whenever we're with her, we know it's going to be a fun-filled day. Today was no different and Miss Connie took us to the park while mommy was at her meeting after swim lessons today. We had a picnic and played for hours enjoying the beautiful weather. Days with Miss Connie sure are special for me - especially now that I'm in school most of the days when she has Tate. My baby is fearless. She goes up the playscape by herself and slides down the slide by herself.

Skylar's turn!
Making 'rock angels' with Skylar

Swimming Lessons

I've been in swimming lessons for a long time and I'm getting pretty good. Mommy decided it was time for Tate to have swimming lessons, too and signed her up, although reluctantly because she has to be in the water with Tate at the same time. Urgh for mommy! Today was Tate's first lesson and she cried the first 20 minutes of the 30 minute lesson.....until the swim teacher gave her an m&m and then she was all smiles. Ah, bribery! To celebrate, we headed to the donut place for donuts.

Mommy's hands were full when Tate was in her swimsuit but here is a picture of her after swimming lessons and she's all smiles.
Of course, she wanted a swim stamp like the rest of the big kids. She was so proud of her 'tortuga'!

Walking to the donut store with big brother.

Skylar is in swimming lessons now and went with us for donuts

One month shy of 4

Dearest Tripp -

I am NOT ok with you turning 4. To me, turning 4 means you're a big boy and I'm realizing I'm not ready to let go of this stage. I haven't done a good job at monthly updates for you so I'll try to include everything in this one post.

You are so incredibly precious to me and I love the true innocence you possess. You're also such a big help to me...when you want to be....and love your sister with all your being....when you want to. Isn't that how it goes with most things? You have a funny sense of humor and you crack yourself up. Ok, I admit it, I think you're pretty funny, too. You love to sing and dance and you are pretty good at staying on key. You're also a little sponge when it comes to music. You hear a song once and you can pick up most, if not all of the words, and sing it over and over and over again. Your latest favorite is 'Waving Flag' by K'Naan. Screaming the lyrics at the top of your lungs is your current preferences. I try to explain that it sounds much nicer when you sing and not shout but you're not convinced yet. You still love 'Just Imagine' and this semester you're in sportball. You love your friends and you have a very sensitive and emotional side that I don't see in the other boys your age. Most of your friends are girls and you don't seem to mind so much. I can't blame you because they're all cutie patooties. You love school and you always ask mommy what we're doing the next day and what's on your 'schedule'. Your vocabulary is scary sometimes and the way you put sentences together sometimes makes me just stop and look at you. I think you get it from daddy. The other day, we were leaving a playdate and you stood in the driveway with your hands on your hips and told me calmy, 'I'm not interested in leaving yet'. You also use the word 'actually a lot'. Although you don't say 'Feva' and 'Emmy-you' and 'Bob Bidder' anymore, you still say things like 'Bicktoria' and 'grills' (for girls) which makes me smile. I'll never correct you as long as I live.

Every morning you still get your 'warm milk milk' but now you insist on giving your baby her bottle too and having her lay next to you in our bed. It's a great cuddle time for all and I'm afraid this stage will pass too quickly and one day you won't be interested in cuddle time. You tell me 'Mommy I'll always be your lovebug even when I'm bigger' and yesterday in the car you told me that when you're big like daddy and get a house, you're going to get one across the street from me. Can I get that in writing? Of course you can live across the street from me - assuming, that is, that I let you leave my house before the age of 40.

I just love you. There isn't another way to say it. You always tell me you love your baby and then ask 'Does that make you smile and make your heart happy?' Yes, little guy. YOU make my heart happy and YOU make me smile. That will never change and although I'm sad you're growing up so quickly and in a month will be 4, I am looking forward to the new chapter and watching you explore, discover and wonder and I will be by your side every step of the way.

I love you.
Mommy

The many faces....

...of Amelia Tate all within a couple of minutes. Mommy was just trying to get a cute picture before church.

Off to a good start

Or maybe not

Mom, I'm not interested in pictures today

Don't make me throw myself on the floor

You asked for it

Not picture happy

Do I ever remember what I'm upset about?

I look so pitiful.

But don't you feel bad for me?

Ok - I'm over it. Cheese!

Happy girl again

...who is so big.

How painful was that?

Shopping with Mommy

Mommy needed some new jeans and came up with a brilliant idea! We would go to the Outlet Mall because they have lots of shops....and lots of kiddie rides. So, we loaded in the car and headed north. The morning started well and the deal was for each store we went in to and behaved, we would get to ride on a ride. This went on for about an hour - 1 store for mommy, 1 ride for us. It worked well until it didn't. After 1 pair of jeans and about 10 melt downs, we headed home. I don't think it was as productive as mommy had hoped but we sure had fun on the rides.

Tatie's New Baby

Meghan is too big for babies now so she gave some to Tate, complete with rocker and high chair. Tatie loves her new babies and rocks them often and showers them with kisses. She's a good little mommy!

The Best Balloon Man Ever!

Sometimes when daddy is out of town, we get to go to one of my favorite places to eat in Austin called EZ's. I love EZ's because on certain nights, they have balloon art and I'm a huge fan. The balloon artists in the past have been pretty good - making monkeys, swords, frogs, etc. but this time, we hit the jack pot! Jake and Sophie said they're too big for balloons but not me! Mommy, Tatie and I stood in line for 20 minutes after dinner and the balloon man made me an entire balloon pirate costume- complete with parrot! I told mommy I want to go there every night but she said man cannot live on chicken fingers alone.

Arrrr - don't make me make you walk the plank!

Prayers for Haiti

To Baby Bear, Amos, Isaac, Angelina, Story - meeting you has touched our lives and know that we are sending constant prayers for you, your familes and the rest of Haiti.

Liz - I am also praying for you and that your sister is found. Please keep me updated!

Conversations with Daddy

Mommy was not in the car because she was with clients today.

Tripp: Daddy, I want mommy to have more babies.


Daddy: Really? How many should she have?


Tripp: 40

Potty #2 for Tatie!

....and yes, we mean #2 but we won't show you any pictures of this one. What a big girl!

Tate's Music Class

Today Tate and Miller started music class together while Emmylou and I were in school. The other children seemed to really enjoy the time with their mommies and would listen to what Miss Vanessa would tell them - except of course for T and M. They danced to their own tune all around the classroom but seemed to have the best time so I don't think anyone minded much. If I remember correctly, Emmylou and I did the same thing when we were in music class together! Hmmm. Mommy figured since she had me in music classes at 6 months old, it was about time to get Tate in one before she turned 2. Poor second child.

Tate's check up

We're getting there. We're no longer in the 10% range but we're up to the 30% for weight and height. Tate weighed in at 21 lbs 11oz and is 30 1/2 inches long. She still has a big head and is in the 75% category. Three shots......no fun!

Back to School

It's my first day back to school after the holiday and I can't wait to see all of my friends! Secretly, I think mommy is ready for me to go back too but I don't think she'd admit that out loud. She'll miss me too much. Here is this year's school picture. So handsome!