Snapshot

Life is moving quickly, without any documentation.

Our life has been full of trips and readjusting to real life.

Trips continue for the next couple of months.

We love seeing our families and have been taking every opportunity to do so.

In the meantime, our family is growing and changing.

Henry is at a fun age.

The hard times are rough but the good times are really sweet.

Today we spent some one-on-one time together.

During our activity, he hugged me and said, "I wuv you."

A hug to Henry means that you touch checks.

He often says, "Mom, I wanna hug your bace (face)."

The kid is full of loves.

Maggie is almost two.

And she is super clingy.

If I leave the kitchen without her, she starts crying, running around the house to find me.

She loves to cuddle and be held more than anything.

We snuggle for a long time every morning and after every nap.

She is still a big sweetheart.

A talker.

A tender spirit.

And our third child will be here in April.

I think it's a boy.

I tell people I just want an easy one--boy or girl.

But regardless of the gender, we're thrilled.

Summer Recap 2013

Our two trips made for a great summer in and of themselves, but we managed to get a lot of fun in while at home, too.

Swimming Lessons

Henry had his first set of swimming lessons. He was hit and miss with getting in the water, but made some progress. We need to keep up with swimming so his surfing-loving dad can teach him how to surf someday.

July 4th

We started the morning with going to the movie theatre to see Ice Age (3?). Thank goodness we only spent $1 per ticket, because Dad & Henry were the only ones who got to watch the movie. Note to self: do not take children under three to the movie theatre. We did the same thing when Henry was little, but I forgot 20-month-ish-year-olds don't like sitting through a movie in one spot.

The rest of the day was spent with friends and more friends. We love the good people of Lubbock and spending time with them.

(Brendon & I rocked this game)

Rain storms

Apparently it does rain in Lubbock. Consequently, Lubbock can be green. It's been a good summer seeing both rain and color. Henry initiated many play dates with the mud this summer and Maggie was quick to follow.

Playing

Other than this we did our usual morning routines of playing at the parks, with friends, swimming, and grocery shopping. We love our play time and getting out of the house!

Our second trip was to reunite with the Holmes family, complete with everybody, a feat to say the least. All twenty-four (and a half) of us were together in a cabin in Payson, Arizona for one week.


We decided to split this trip up a little bit and we spent a couple nights with some dear medical school friends (Ben & Jessica) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. No photos, but we have children the same age and it's always fun to reunite.

Our time together at the cabin was fun. I always worry about how my babies will be when they see their grandparents, but Maggie quickly warmed up to Grandma and she was thrilled. Henry doesn't need any warming up.

We played game after game after game (a dream come true for me) and there were always plenty of people who wanted to play. The funnest game was Minute to Win It, hosted by Randi. A big family with a lot of personality made for lots of laughing to the point of tears.

The children played and played and played together, which is always fun to watch, as we don't see our cousins often enough. They are close in relationship, despite living distantly.

{Hugs all around!}

Henry loved "hiking" (down the dirt roads) to find pretend snakes, bears, and monsters. He always had a stick in hand and, as usual, basked in the outdoors. Dad taught him how to throw rocks at trees. At first, Henry was not successful at hitting the trees and out of the blue sang, "Keep trying, you'll get better" from Daniel the Tiger's Neighborhood (a PBS Kids show that I highly recommend). He eventually did get better.

{We even had a moment of sibling bonding. Best thing ever!}

My favorite day at the cabin was my birthday (go figure). We went to a stream and swam in the cold water and went on a small walk/hike to a waterfall. Brendon and I hung out with our children for a good hour outside and we all had fun. Nothing better than family bonding time for your birthday. The special day was complete with my favorite summer meal: BBQ chicken, fruit salad, corn on the cob, and strawberry shortcake.

Throughout the week, Henry got whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it, which made for a peaceful week in the discipline area. Henry was either watching a movie (a Mom's gotta get her game playing in) or walking around outside. Maggie, on the other hand, was usually with me or Grandma, sitting on laps and loving the constant snuggles.

It was a wonderful, relaxing week with the Holmes family. We love this family so much. Hopefully our next family reunion will be soon.

Utah Trip

Our summer was complete with two vacations, one of which was to spend time with the Gibson family.

We drove to Utah in one day, our first ever attempt at doing a 14-hour drive which equates to a 16-hour drive between potty breaks. I could blame it on the kids, but I needed to stop more than they did. We left the morning after Brendon's night shift. Although I drove, Brendon didn't get to sleep very well between swapping out movies, picking up dropped blankets, handing out candy, and pacifying the children. But we made it (with a lot of help from Diet Coke, suckers, any other food/sugar I could lay my hands, and books on CD).

I discovered Utah for the first time, too. Perhaps it was because I was driving or perhaps it's because I live in Lubbock, but driving through Moab and Price felt as if I was seeing beautiful scenery for the first time. I drove in awe. I wish I could capture it on my camera, but I was driving and my camera isn't that amazing.

Our time with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and the dogs was priceless as usual. We tried to pack in as many things as possible and we were successful. We enjoyed dinners together and a trip to the zoo.

(If Brendon & I had to choose which animal we would be, it would be a giraffe. 

We discovered our similar interest while dating. Thus, our giraffe photo.)

Henry was thrilled with his souvenir and Grandpa was happy to spoil him, stating, "We'll see what you do with your grand kids."

We also had a lot of time to visit with friends which is always a treat. Brendon and I played volleyball with Brendon's old college roommate and his wife (Sam & Brittany) and had a good visit. We also hung out with my old college roommate and her family a lot (Brad & Cassie). Cassie and I went shopping together (without kids), we went to the park (with our kids), and had dinner together.

We love Utah, mostly for the people who live there. We'll be back soon!

Maggie is 18 Months Old

My dear, sweet, Maggie is eighteen months old (as of a month ago). And she is just that: sweet. She's been that way since we first laid eyes on her.  She looks it, acts it, and everyone who comes across her sees it within seconds of being around her.

Maggie is content and easy going. She enjoys sitting on my lap and will do it for long periods of time (this is something very new to me). We'll read together or simply sit. Contently. Anytime Mom and Dad are sitting cross-legged on the floor, Maggie will walk up to us, turn around, and plop into our lap. Sometimes, she will happily play in her crib after a nap, alone, for up to twenty minutes. Maggie has always been happy doing anything and going anywhere, which is a blessing as we cater to our busy boy.

Independent. After watching Henry say, "I do it," with buckling his car seat, Maggie quickly picked up on it. She is often saying, "I do," while I'm buckling her into the car seat or a grocery cart. She often says, "I do," while pointing to the toilet, the sink (to wash her hands), and vacuum. She wants to do anything and everything she can on her own, aside from sitting in the booster chair (I don't understand why she hates it so much). Which brings me to my next point...

Although she isn't affectionate with hugs and kisses (I have to steal my kisses from her), Maggie is a big cuddle bug and prefers to be held. She refuses to sit in her booster chair and if I happen to successfully get her into her chair, she'll pretend she's done eating after five minutes, get out, and promptly sit in my lap. A few months back, Maggie would wake up and we'd go cuddle on the couch for awhile before starting our day. Now she is constantly at my legs, begging through cries to be held--usually while I'm getting ready for the day or making dinner--you know, really convenient times. But oh, how I love that she stills lays her head on my shoulder. It's my absolute favorite baby position. I can prolong the goodness with a soft tickle to her head, belly, or back.

Maggie is mellow. In Henry's 18 month post, I mentioned that he will have "high highs" and "low lows" throughout his life. Maggie's temperament is constant and somewhere in between high and low (maybe something she got from Grandma Sue). We have to work to get Maggie laughing, but the laughter is rewarding. Don't get me wrong, she laughs often, just not at everything and not when she's in a somber mood.

Developmentally, Maggie is on par or better. She can count to three, knows several animals and their sounds, and picks up on new words each day. My absolute favorite is when she says "kank u" (thank you), which she has been saying for months, thanks to brother's good example. I love when she roars and scares us. I love when she walks into the bathroom and excitedly yells, "Dine-sour!" (see potty training post). And I love "koy-le" (toilet), and when she says, "Dada!" and when she says "Goo gob" (good job), which is usually said in the bathroom after Henry or I go potty. Her newest words, as of yesterday, are "peas" (please), and "pan-kee" (blanket).

Our tall, skinny girl is taking time to grow into her body. Maggie loves to jump but can't yet so she'll bounce without letting her feet leave the flour, then take a step to where she wanted to jump. She loves that game and it is so fun(ny) to watch. While learning to walk, Maggie was not very coordinated for several months and has improved; however, she still has her awkward moments when she can't seem to catch her balance and falls to the floor.

We obviously have male sibling influence by the words Maggie says, but it is also apparent by the activities Maggie takes part in. She loves the outdoors, eating sand, dirt, and chalk, throwing dirt on her head (Henry started doing it to her and now she enjoys doing it to herself), playing with trucks, roaring, etc. On top of all things boy that she embraces, she is one tough cookie. She takes a lot from her brother and often cries, but overall she handles the dog piles and pulling and punching and pushing very well.

Recently Maggie has mastered a silly face. My older sister did it when she was little and my parents always talked about it when I was growing up, so when I saw Maggie take part in this silly face, I did everything to laugh and mimic and encourage her to do it again and again. And now she does her silly face again and again and it is funny every single time. It's even cuter in person.

We love this girl and count her as a great blessing every day of our lives. And that's not an exaggeration.

Maggie, Maggs, Baby, Maggie Sue...we love you and are so grateful for your sweet presence in our home!

Dear Daddy,

Thank you for being our Daddy.

But not just for carrying the title of "Dad,"

but for being a dad, our Dad.

Our "Dada," our "Brennon," our "Daddy."

A daddy who plays with us,

who prays for us,

who adores us,

and who lets us know you love us.

And we know you love us.

Not only by the words you say,

but also by the things you do.

You are so good to us.

Thank you for providing for our physical needs

and our emotional needs.

Thank you for being a source of spiritual guidance 

and for leading our family in righteousness. 

You have a lot of demands placed on you

and we are forever grateful that your family is your number one priority.

We're grateful that you see us as a source of true happiness.

The main source of happiness.

Dad, you make us happy, too.

Thank you for being silly with us,

for making us laugh,

for comforting us,

for tickling us,

for cuddling with us, 

and for wrestling with us.

Thank you for your big hugs,

your gentle kisses,

your sweet good-byes,

and happy hellos.

Thank you for being a dad who teaches

by example,

with patience,

with sternness when appropriate,

and always with love.

Thank you for being a dad who plays with us:

reading,

building,

swimming,

playing pretend,

throwing us in the air,

teaching "Superman" tricks,

and riding on the skateboard with us,

just to name a few.

Most importantly, thank you for loving us so completely.

You appreciate us for who we are.

You cater your activities and level of roughness with us by the things we enjoy

and you involve us in the things you enjoy.

Lastly, thank you for loving Mommy the way you do.

So perfectly,

so completely.

We love you, Daddy!

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Henry and Maggie