18 months old

Hannah is 18 months old! I see 18 months maybe as a milestone because you do a well-check at 18 months, or because I was 18 months old when my sister came home from the hospital (no wonder Dad doesn't remember anything about that time), or maybe just because we are just no longer a baby but a walking talking little girl!

That's right, this 18 month old who weighs 26lbs is a fascinating little girl that is extremely smart and very well natured. She can follow any command, loves to help clean up, runs but still toddles, and talks with very clear words. I was a little concerned at her last well check when her doctor said she needed to have between 30 and 50 words by 18 months. We have well achieved that, she repeats almost anything we say! She puts two words together, can name and point to all of her body parts, has figured out that she has a choice which is usually "No", is wonderful at saying please and thank you, knows exactly what time out is and when she must use it, loves to eat, loves to share our food by saying "bite, please", loves Elmo but only in the car, can count to 3, knows a couple of letters, loves milk, loves chocolate, loves Popsicles, still sucks her thumb, has gorgeous lightening curls, loves to tell people we do not know hi and bye bye, loves dogs, loves shoes (especially mine), sits in her highchair until everyone is done eating and must say "All done" before getting out, is fascinated with babies (that's good!), adores her grandparents, must use a word even if it is just "please" to get something (no whining or "ehhhs"), still generally naps twice a day and sleeps an average of 13-14 hours a night, loves to be outside and loves bubbles, and is very curious and imaginative.

It amazes me what a difference 15 to 18 months makes. I look back at pictures of her first birthday where she wasn't walking or talking and she is just such a baby. I am absolutely in love with this stage in her life. Her little voice, her little hands and feet, that huge smile, and how much she loves and interacts with us!

A quick trip!

Sitting like a big girl on the plane.
Playing at the airport before boarding.

Hannah and I took a very quick and last minute trip to Plano this weekend to visit my Grandmother. I figured this was the last possible weekend that I would be able to take her for a while and that I really wanted my Grandmother to see her at this stage. It has been about 2 months since we made our last quick trip and Hannah has changed so much. My goal was to get her there once a month so my Grandmother wouldn't miss out on anything. With the baby coming though, getting 2 kids there will be a lot more difficult.

After debating and debating on going this weekend, Saturday morning I woke up and booked us a flight that evening. I packed very lightly and with one bag, Hannah's backpack, a purse, carseat, and stroller, we headed out. The flight going was empty and Hannah had her own seat and did WONDERFUL!!! She sat like such a big girl with her seatbelt on, watched Sesame Street ABC's and shared a bag of pretzels with mommy. She was excellent!

We arrived at Love Field and Aunt Harriet and Grandma picked us up. We headed back to Aunt Harriet's house where Uncle Barry cooked us a wonderful dinner.

Hannah has ONLY slept in a crib or pack in play before so sleeping in her own bed was a challenge. She was very excited and stayed up late entertaining herself and mommy who was in the bed next to her. She did sleep until 10:30 though and we showered and headed to brunch with Grandma at the Legacy. Hannah again was on her very very best behavior and sat in her highchair and ate great. She smiled and said hi to everyone there. After brunch we to Grandma's and visited with her for a couple of hours. After that we headed back to Aunt Harriet's where I hoped Hannah would take a nap. Not having a confined space to sleep in, she decided she wouldn't take a nap which made Mommy very nervous for the flight home. Aunt Harriet and Uncle Barry dropped us off at the airport where we met up with my sweet friend Darby who we met at Chili's with a highchair waiting! I enjoyed a glass of tea and Hannah ate Darby's fries! Because I was worried about Hannah flying home with no nap, Darby suggested I get some fries for her on the plane. We boarded the very full flight (I think it was completely full!) Somehow managing for Hannah to have the last seat on the plane. (Thank you everyone on that flight for not making my daughter sit my very small lap for that hour). Again, even without a nap, Hannah did very well, watching her movie and opening and shutting the window screen. She was a little bit more wigglely but did awesome, making Mommy very very happy. It was a quick and easy trip and I know Grandma really enjoyed seeing Hannah! I didn't get any pictures while were there though :( Our next trip to Dallas... We will be a family of four!!!

Special visitor

This weekend a very close family friend, known to us as Uncle Stanley came to visit. His sweet wife Mary Jane had her 50th High School reunion and they came from Austin to visit. Saturday, Dad and Uncle Stanley came over a visit.

Big Scary Spider

This spider was allegedly shot multiple times and is now somewhere in the field behind our home.

Somebody has a new room!

Here are pictures of Hannah's new room! We moved her last week to her "new" room and "new" crib. Although we have purchased a matching "big girl bed," it is stored for the time being because she does so well in a crib. The mattress has been raised back up on her old crib and Baby Brother's room is almost done. As soon as our name letters come in I will take and post pictures of his room!

A Year Ago Today - Written by my sister, Susie.

I couldn't think of better words to describe today, June 23rd, so I took this from my sister's blog. Today is just another day in our lives, like most have been over this past year, no more challenging than yesterday or tomorrow. In some ways today marks what has been the longest year of my life, in others the shortest year. We have now been through all the "firsts" without my Mom. However, I know... the "seconds" and "thirds" won't be better. It is a fact of life. Our Mom, Wife, Sister, Friend is gone, taken from us just one year ago. We have many many more years, many more holidays, many more birthdays, a birth, a wedding, etc. that we will mourn her loss and yearn for her Earthly presence.

"So much of me is made of what I learned from you.
You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart" (Stephen Schwartz, "For Good")

It was one year ago today that my life was turned upside down and consumed by the most unimaginable tragedy. I want to say thank you to all of the wonderful people who have stood by my side and given me strength and comfort throughout this difficult year. In the weeks and months following our loss, people reassured me that "things will get easier." I truly appreciate the sentiment as I know it is the genuine wish of these people to see us find comfort. However, I don't think I would ever use the word easy to sum up the challenges we have faced and continue to face. Maybe the "easiness" that people refer to is our ability to better manage the pain, the resiliency we inherit, and the acceptance of a new "normal." I do know that I could not have made it through this past year with my head held high without the support of those around me. The longer I go without my beautiful mother, the more I miss her. The pain caused by a tragedy such as this does not diminish. We don't get to move on and I am uncertain that one can ever truly find "closure." The grief is still very much a part of our daily lives and sadness lines even the happiest occasions. But with every painful memory or tear shed in sadness, there are happy memories and tears of joy. And every day I thank God for the blessings that surround me and the warmth that fills my heart when I think of my mother. Everyday, I strive to be more like her. I know that by remembering her kindness and self-lessness and sharing her legacy with others, she will live in our hearts forever. Many of you may have read these words before or heard them spoken at her funeral, but I wanted to re-post them as a reminder of who my mother was and the way she continues to bless our lives.

"It is not an easy thing, to come up with words for an occasion such as this. In times of struggle, grief and pain, words never seem to suffice. They seem to skim over loss, as a sailboat does the ocean; far too insignificant to penetrate the surface of something so vast. As I write these words, I know that they will be heard, perhaps agreed with, perhaps not. They may cause laughter, they may evoke tears, and might even warrant a smile. These are the things words can do. I could write many words about her gifts. Words that explicate what made her a such a perfect friend, co-worker, tap-dancer, nurse, decorator, chef, daughter, mother, sister, grand-mother, wife... But who am I to write about those things? The world's greatest authors couldn't begin to compose such glorious prose, so I will not attempt it.What I will attempt to write about is where we fit in. We, who are the friends, co-workers, tap-dancers, family. I have learned in my brief time on this earth that it is not unusual to know a person through those who have loved her. Her friends, co-workers, tap-dance partners, those she cooked for, and most importantly and evidently, her family offer more about Patsy than any prose could begin to. Her two beautiful daughters and remarkable husband. Each and everyone she knew and who knew her serves as a description of her. It would be impossible for anyone not to see her love and beauty alive in these people, and in that respect, she lives on a hundred-fold. She lives in the words we chose to say, and the words we chose not to say. She lives in the actions we take, and those we chose not to take. She lives in the kindness we give. She lives in the love we share. And when the inevitable day comes for all of us to be passed on into the lives of others, she will still be there, in everyone we know and love. Onward and upward and outward and everywhere.I am blessed to have been made more by her. To have been stretched, and expanded and filled. I doubt anyone would disagree that we all are. So, in this way, death is not an end, but perhaps a means. A means for those of us still living to discover what are lives are about. And a means to perhaps begin to acknowledge the responsibility we have been given. We have inherited much incredible responsibility. It is my prayer that in such confusing and shattering times, which, in life will inevitably return, we remember to soften our words, consider our actions, show our compassion and allow the Patsy that can never be taken away her fullest potential in all of us. This is our challenge. May we all rise to it. We have been given so much. " - Michael Arden

Happy DaDa's Day!

Yeager Building Dedication

Hannah and Pops

Mimi and Hannah

Dennis, Sarah, and Paul

Ribbon Cutting

Yesterday we headed to Colorado City for the dedication and ribbon cutting of the new Colorado City Police Department Yeager Building. Stuart's Grandfather had been police chief there and that is Pops' hometown. It was an incredible honor to be a part of this dedication. In addition, we were able to see and visit with lots of family. John and Patty came from Wylie, Stuart's cousins Casey and Pat, Stuart's Aunt and Uncle from Fort Stockton, Stuart's other Aunt and Uncle from Abilene and their daughter and grandson. We celebrated with lunch at the Sportsman Club by the lake and then went out to the ranch to see all the new improvements. It was a nice day and great way to celebrate Father's Day Weekend!

Bathing Beauty

Hannah before swimming lessons
This summer Hannah (and Mommy) are taking swimming lessons at COM. We have several good friends in our class which makes it more fun (especially for Mommy!) The rest of the class are patients of Mommy's. It is a fun group! Hannah loves being in the water but is not so much into "controlled swim." She does pretty well though but loses it when you have to do anything on your back. I love swim lessons because I get to wear a swimsuit and participate too (being 8 months pregnant! Yep! So much fun...) But, honestly, this has been a great experience for us and one we may not get to do again once I have 2 young children (unless I can convince Stuart to do it too with me and both kids!). We begin swimming with "The Wheels on the Bus" we go through lots of different verses doing different techniques and motions. We then lay on our backs (or the rest of the class does) and sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Then its time for Motor Boat. We also so Roly Poly's, Turn Around, hang on a barbell to do frog legs and dolphin kicks, zoom to wall, turn arounds, we dunk them under water and bring them right back up, freestyle to the wall, push backs from the wall, and humpy dumpty (that's where they "Fall" off the side - it's Hannah's favorite part). Then, to conclude swim lessons we play with toys in the water and sing "If your happy and you know it..." Hannah loves the part, "If your happy and you know it, splash the water..." she is really good at that!

Our 17 month old

Silly Monkey!

"I want to blog like Mommy" (check out our sweet curls!)

Am I terrible Mommy for posting a picture of my baby crying? I don't know what happened here, she must have hit her head on the desk... A few weeks ago I was telling a good friend of my Mom's that Hannah had been in time out earlier for pinching me. Her husband asked, "what did you do to Hannah to make her pinch you!"... Hehehe!

Hannah loves her "doggy." She does not go to sleep without without it. After the music box on the first one broke, her Great Grandma bought her another one. We thought it would be a good idea to make it "less new" in the event that we might need a back up. We now interchangeably use both so that there is always one in the crib and another with us at most times during the day.

Time for "Night Night"

Cousins

Swimming with Mimi

Hannah and Ellie having a snack!

(Yes, Hannah does own swimming suits -monogrammed ones to be exact- but due to the fact that she is eating a red Popsicle, her swimsuit was removed to protect it from a nice red stain!)

This week my niece and nephew came to visit (and stay with Mimi and Pops for an entire week!) Their parents took a vacation and Mimi and Pops watched the kiddos here in Midland. It has been nearly a year since we have seen them! Boy what a difference a year makes! Especially in Hannah's eyes. Last time they saw each other, Hannah wasn't even crawling and was still solely breastfeeding... Parker wasn't talking and had just started walking... Ellie was getting ready to enter kindergarten!

This year, Ellie is wise beyond her nearly 6 year-old years... immensely matured and a super big sister and great help. She is very patient with her younger brother and her baby cousin. Parker just turned 2 and is such a sweetheart and stinker at the same time. He loves to copy and do everything his big sister does but those huge blue eyes and sweet voice that repeats everything anybody says, will melt your heart.

I got to see them quite a bit while they were in town and Tuesday I got to keep them. Needless to say, by the end of the day... I was WORN OUT! With the two toddlers and a the energy of a 6 year old, being 8 months pregnant, and not used to even being around more than one child... I slept so good that night!

I didn't take many pictures while they were here but here are a few from the kiddos swimming!

A boy, a girl, or a cantaloupe...

A boy, a girl, or a cantaloupe?

That is a question I got this week from a sweet four year old patient.

My Mother-in-law asked me the other day what my patients (kids) say about me being pregnant and I thought it would be an interesting post since I don't have time to post any new pictures right now.

Its funny that these kids notice that I am pregnant. The mothers usually ask how far a long or when the baby is due and what am I having just like that. The kids on the other hand tend ask mostly if there is a boy or girl in my tummy.



A while back, a patient I know fairly well who is 11 said to me... "I don't want to be rude, but are you pregnant?" What sweet manners!



Wednesday afternoon I was seeing a little boy and his father brought him in. While examining his son the dad said to me, "you are having a boy." I looked at him and said "yes, yes I am having a boy." I was slightly taken back, this coming from a man until he said, "My wife has carried 3 boys, I know when a women is having a boy." Interesting. He then went on to tell me that women carry boys only in their belly (I have heard that... however, the way my thighs have grown, I think you could argue either way if this baby is a boy or girl!)

Upon hearing their mommy ask me about my pregnancy, the child usually chimes in with a story about their mommy being pregnant. I hear a lot of funny things...

They also like to ask me what my baby's name will be. I like to ask them what they want to name it. Some even ask me if this is my only baby... The mom's usually give me a look of pity or surprise or say is a sweet tone say... "You are going to have your hands full!" (2 kids under 2... they must not know how wonderful, sweet, and perfect my daughter is!)

I guess I get more pleasure out of the kids interest in my belly and baby since Hannah doesn't have a clue. (In about 8 more weeks she may have it figured out! hehehe!) When I ask her where the baby is she sometimes points to my leg, sometimes her belly, and most of the time just repeats the word "baby" or gets her baby doll. I get her to kiss my belly and tell the baby hi a lot but she doesn't get it. She loves to stick her little finger in my ever expanding belly button and I say, "say hi to your baby brother!" but this precious little 17 month old is in a big ol' surprise in a few weeks!

Spell Check...

Spell check apparently doesn't work on titles... Please forgive my accidental middle finger slip to a "u" instead of an "i" in the word "disclaimer" in an earlier post... And for future posts, while I may not always use correct grammar and sometimes do misspell words, and even type like I am talking to you, please feel free to let me know my blatantly obvious mistakes :)

This is what happens at Mimi's

This is what Mimi gives me when Mommy and Daddy aren't here!

Swimming at Mimi and Pop's House

Breakfast with our buddies

Tuesday morning Hannah and I met up with Laura, Lillian, and Jackson, Janai, Owen, and Brody, and Elizabeth and George for breakfast at Chick-fil-A. Here are some pictures taken before George got there.

Car Exhibit (Disclaimer: Pictures of my Mom's car)

Last weekend my set up an amazing exhibit at Midland College and again at Project Graduation to educate the 2009 graduates about the dangers and consequences of reckless driving, driving under the influence, and/or driving while intoxicated. My dad put this exhibit together in less than 48 hours creating and making the signs and having my mom's car and Kailey's cars moved to Chap Center and Midland Center. At Project Graduation, the cars and signs were set up as the students entered. They given cards with questions on them, they read the signs, answered the multiple choice questions, and put them in a drawing for cash prizes and pizzas. The exhibits were both very successful and sent an excellent message to these kids. Here are some pictures.