New Firsts

This week had two new "firsts" in our house. Reese official got her "first" real cold which was horrible. Runny nose, low grade fever, and horrible cough. She sounded so hoarse and pathetic. It just broke my heart. So I spent the evening of my 29th Birthday in the pediatricians office with both kiddos to make sure everyone was going to be okay. After an antibiotic for Ashton (ear infection) and both kids getting tested for oxygen levels and RSV we were sent home with the "it's a cold and she will have to wait it out." On the drive home I told Ashton we had to go get his medicine. When we got back to the house Casey asked him what he wanted for dinner, in a crying/whiny voice he said "I don't want dinner I need my medicine!" So I obliged and gave him his medicine...not 5 seconds after drinking it down he said "Oh, I feel much better now!" He is a little comedian! So after dealing with the first real cold for Reese, on Friday morning I discovered her first TOOTH! I am guessing this may have been part of the runny nose/fever and restless nights. She won't let me get a good picture but it is coming in, bottom left. Just one so far. I remember Ashton got both bottom teeth at 5 1/2 months old. After talking to Nan, she asked me who found the tooth and I told her I did. She then told me my Maw-Maw used to say, whoever finds the first tooth has to buy them an outfit...so I did just that....times 6! No worries, Ashton got a few new shirts too. Anyways, I leave you with just a couple new pictures of my two angels. By the way, I really do try to take more pictures of Ashton but he is in the phase where he says "cheese" when he sees the camera but then procedes to turn his head away as he is saying "cheese!" Someday maybe I will be able to keep his attention for more than ten seconds!

Seven Months

Seven Months! It never gets old, time just doesn't stand still no matter how much you want it to. Oh Reese, you are a joy and the sweetest little girl! Your Mommy, Daddy and Brother love you oh so much. Here are a few things to remember:



Sleeping: Still the queen of the catnaps and prefers to sleep for 15-30 min intervals, even though you surprised me twice this week and took a two hour nap...what gives???? Still go to be around 7:30 but like to get up around 1 am (I could do without this) but I have to admit I do love snuggling with you



Eating: Girl, you like your food! You are eating sweet potatoes, bananas, squash, peas, peaches, pears, apples, zucchini and a few Gerber puffs. You still are nursing really well and I don't see a reason to stop anytime soon....my plan is to keep going until you are a year. You take about 4 bottles a day and have stuck with 4 oz at each feedin, occassionally you will take a little more but now that you are eating solids 3 times a day, you really don't seem to need anymore.



On the move: You roll everwhere and are working on your yoga moves. Your "plank" is perfect and you look like you could do push ups so easily (I remember Ashton doing this at the exact same age but he didn't crawl until around 8.5 months) so we shall see when you take off. You do manage to get to another place if you want to by rolling a turning yourself around.



Play: You still love your exersaucers and we can now add your Jumper to the list. I put you in it each morning in my bedroom/bathroom while I get ready for work and you just jump until your heart is content (you did it this morning and then fell asleep in it...it was too cute) You are sitting up so well on your own now and can be surrounded by toys on the ground and you just play and play. You love it when Ashton "chases" you in your walkable exersaucer...he will sneak up on you and you just giggle and smile more and more.



Reese, as I said before you are loved so much. The love between you and your brother is amazing. He is so protective of you and adores you. He loves to sing songs to you and hold your hand and will ask to see you when you are sleeping. People ask me all the time if there is jealousy there, but we have never experienced it thus far, if anything, I think their bond just gets stronger and stronger each day. The only thing we have to watch is how much he does love you...sometimes his hugs are a bit strong, oh and there was the one day when he accidentally bit your toe, but meant no harm. Reese, Happy Seven Month Birthday! We love you!

Midland 2011...Generations of Love!

This past weekend we took our first trip of 2011 to Midland. This was our first trip there since Reese has been born and was a special one since she got to meet her two great grandmothers, Mema (who lives in Midland) and G.G., who drove up from San Angelo for the day. Both kids did great on the airplane...thank you Dora & Diego and the IPad for Ashton! We had such a great time and just hung out at the house all day Saturday and Sunday and enjoyed the great weather. Saturday we got to spend the day with both great grandma's and then Sunday, Mema came back over and Casey's brother, Chris and his girlfriend Amber, joined us as well. Ashton absolutely LOVES Midland and getting to run free all over the place. For him it is like his own personal petting zoo...he got to feed the fish, see the goats, talk to Iggy (an iguana), have four dogs to give him kisses and give Fred, a rather large cat, a few hugs...oh and he loved waking up and walking over to the bird cage and saying "Hey Bird!" Ashton also got to "climb" his first tree, thankfully my back was turned away for most of it and I let dad and Grandpa handle that...made me way too nervous, but he loved it. We all are looking forward to many more trips there. I am pretty sure everytime Casey and I get through with spending a weekend with his parents we both say at least once how we just wish they lived closer...I just love watching our kids with all of the grandparents, because I really don't know who has a better time...the kids, or the grandparents????

Pictures from Christmas

Holiday Catch Up

I have been behind on my blogging as this time of the year seems to fly by in a mad dash. It amazes me how much preparation goes into the holidays and then how quickly they pass by. This year was no exception. We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with many family members. We were blessed to spend Christmas Eve and day with my family and then to have our extended New Orleans family come to Houston for a few days and then to end 2010 and ring in 2011 with my wonderful in-laws. Ashton was in heaven as everyday he seemed to have a new present to open. He really enjoyed Christmas this year and couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought. Reese of course just took it all in and would let out her squeals which she loves to do these days. Unfortunately we had to end the Christmas celebration with bringing her to the doctor to get her six month check up that came with 3 shots. Poor thing took them like a champ but wasn't the happiest of campers for the next few days. As promised I said I would post her stats so here they are:

Height: 26 inches (grew 2.5 in in 2 months!)
Weight: 15 lbs 7.5 oz (38%)
Head: 17 cm (70 % --must be smart!)

To go back to the holidays it was so nice to keep the kids home and give them a lot of quality time with family and to give the baby sitter a break. My mom, dad, sister, aunts, and cousins all helped watch them for two days and then Casey's parents had them for another two days. Ashton LOVED hanging out with everyone, especially my cousin Kayla and her precious baby Brayden who is six weeks younger than Reese. He is just adorable and such a great baby.

Like I said before this time of year just flies by so quickly and then the New Year comes and we say it again, where did the year go. It is always interesting to me to think back to where I was a year ago. I was watching a very active 2 1/2 year old keeping me on my toes and wondering if he was ever going to start talking more (no worries there now!), I was just passing my first trimester and finally starting to feel better (now I look at this precious baby girl and just smile) and last I was mourning the passing of my grandma who has been gone a year today. 2010 had many down moments I must say for my family, but the good moments by far outweigh the tough times. Reese Elizabeth's birth and watching Ashton grow seem to put everything in perspective and I look forward to everything 2011 has to bring.

PS: I am trying to post pictures but apparently blogger isn't liking me right now. I will do a picture post soon!