Visitors...Liz & Sam

Through med. school and now the beginning of residency is seems like visitors are few and far between.  Iowa didn't seem too glamourous but once family came they all saw the charm and appeal of our new "home".  Now Texas is getting it's turn.  Despite all our complaints of no shopping immediately in the area (my complaint not Ben's or our bank accounts), and the sufficating heat and humidity, we finally persuaded Ben's darling sister Liz to come visit.  She brought her youngest Sam with her and it was a treat to finally meet this ball of chubby cuteness!

(Look at those baby blues...such a cute little guy)

Liz arrived Friday and the celebrating commenced.  Non-stop talking for the next 5 days!  We ate Chick-fil-a, Shipley doughnuts, Rudy's BBQ, shopping at Ross, Liz baby sat so we could have a date night, and a day trip down to the Round Rock Outlets.  Heaven people, it was just FUN!  We laughed, went on walks, talked, sipped our diet cokes, and eventually shed a few tears during our good-bye.  She had to head back home to a patiently waiting husband, and three more darling boys.  To say this girl has her hands full would be and understatement.  

In between all our running around and playing we spent a vast majority of our time outdoors since Texas decided to gift us with a cold front.  HALLELUJAH fall-ish weather.  The kids were in heaven with Sam and demanding attention from Aunt Liz.  Even Spencer got in on the action.  He didn't seem like quite the baby with an actual baby around.  (so not ready for him to get big)

 This is the classic Spencer face I get whenever a camera makes its apperance...thanks buddy!

(Love this pic...pure joy and happiness on that girls face)

 What a cute little flower!

Come back soon guys!  We miss you already.  The next trip though will hopefully include all 4 boys and a hubby.  It would be a full house, but boy would it be fun!  Imagine the late night horse laughs with that  one!!!

Fall Crafts, Pumpkins

In some areas of the country it may be Fall.  Crisp morning air.  Pumpkin Patches.  Apple Orchards.  Carmel Apples.  Pumpkin Pies.  Soups & Bread.  Fresh Baked Goods.  Leaves changing color.  Sweaters & Hoodies.  Sounds enchanting huh!?!

Well not in TEXAS.  There is no sign of Fall, no sign that it even exsists in this land of heat & humidity. Now don't get me wrong.  I know once December & January hit and I can still go to the park and be out doors that I will be praising all things Texas.  But right now, I miss Fall!

So even if it's not Fall outside, I am turning the inside of my home into cozy fall getaway.  (to be honest I'm just putting up few Fall decorations, not sure that counts as a "cozy fall getaway).

I saw THIS tutorial and instantly fell in love.  I decided to whip some up of my own.  Not to bad if I do say so myself.  This was a super EASY project and really basic.  Just wanted to share!  Happy FALL!

Banana Muffins

As of late we can not seem to consume our bananas fast enought.  They seem to turn brown so fast.  And I for one HATE eating a brown bananana.  For the record I prefer mine when they are still a hint on the green side but mainly a sunny yellow.  Still a little firm, and not too sweet.  In order to "want not waste not" we have been making batches of Banana Muffins regularly around here.  I don't think you will hear anyone complaining. Thought I would share.  I know I am always looking for somthing new to try, especially when it is fast, easy, and my family loves it!  (recipe from Aimee Heitmann)

Banana Muffins (with Chocolate Chips)

1/2 c. shortening
1 1/2 c sugar
1 c. mashed bananas (4 big ones)
4 T. milk
1 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c flour
2 eggs
1/2 a bag of chocolate chips (or the whole bag depending on how you are feeling!!!) (I like using the mini-chocolate chips...less messy for the kids)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream shortening and sugar together. Add eggs beaten, bananas and milk. Mix well. Sift flour, soda, and salt together. Add to other mixture and mix well. Add chocolate chips. Put in prepared muffin tins. Bake for 15-20 minutes depending on your oven. this make about 12-15 large muffins. Enjoy!!

**I like using a mini muffin tin. They just look cute mini.   Bake temp and time remain the same.  Check at 15 minutes.

They look a little brownish, not because they are burnt, because I used some wheat flour.  My kids love helping me makes these almost as much as they love eating them.  Perftect after school treat, or for a quick on the go breakfast!  Enjoy!

Little Man...

Spencer finally had is 15 month check up last week.  (for the record that was a HECK of a day, car broke down, etc, etc, I am super woman).  He weighs 24 lbs and I can't remember his height right now.  He is the smallest of our monkeys.  He had to get three shots, NOT FUN!  He is still not officially walking, but taking series of steps before belly flopping to the floor.  His brother and sister find this HYSTERICAL and he keeps doing it for the laughs.  Maybe he'll never walk...that might make for an awkward first day of school (him belly flopping into the classroom).

A new favorite pastime is getting into the fridge and pulling out all the condiments he can reach.  He has 4 teeth on top and bottom, with a few more making their entrance.  His hair is still crazy.  Love his smile.  Love his grunts.  Love his little signs for "more" & "all done".  Love the way he jerks his head to say yes.  Love that he only says, "Mama" and not dada.  Love his little wave.  Love his speed crawl.  Love the way he bites his sippy cup so he can crawl and carry his sippy at the same time.  Love how he bounces up and down to music.  Basically....I just LOVE him!

(even when he is being naughty..but serioulsy, just look at that face)

Back To School Celebrations

(long, very long post...beware) We have been living it up this last week celebrating our last few days of freedom before school starts.  Friday we had a fun Back to School Party hosted by the wonderful and talented Shauni Frost.  Kids played, threw water balloons, and ate fun FUN food.  (a snow cone machine is now on my list of things I WANT.)

Sunday we had a celebratory dinner (grilled Hamburgers & Hot Dogs).  Natali's pink "Celebrate" banner was hung, she ate off the red  You Are Special Plate, and the theme for the year was introduced....I Can Be A Friend.  Post dinner we had a Back to School Fashion Show, which was very success.  (At one point during the evening I turned and said something to Ben, Natali with a slight edge in her voice says, "excuse me MOM, I though tonight was all about ME!")  I guess I will take that as a compliment.  Obviously the girl felt special.  We ended the evening with a back to school blessing, bath and curlers in the hair, hugs and kisses, and lots of trips to her room telling her to "GO TO SLEEP!"

Today was the actual FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN.  She was beyond excited.  She had no reservation as we walked in to the school, went to her room, hung her back pack, and found her desk.  She instantly started coloring the pages laid out.  I had to interrupt her for a goodbye hug and kiss.  I held it together to that point.  As I turned and walked out her room the tears started to silently run.  I thought  I was going to SOB, so silent tears was a big victory for me.  I turned in her lunch money (very considerate of me huh).  Then I walked back to her room and she was busy coloring and being a big kid.  She didn't even notice me.  I was happy and sad all in the same moment.

Isaac asked for her off and on all day.  He insisted on having a back pack of his own.  We picked Natali up from school and she was already asking if she got to go back tomorrow.  She survived, I survived.  We returned home and ate chocolate cupcakes and talked all about the first day of school.  Years and years of public school here we come!

I Like You

Spencer I really like you.  Please be my little buddy forever.

(and I'd really appreciate it if you didn't grow up to boss me around and talk naughty to me)

A mom can dream right!

Another One Bites the Dust

Teeth are falling out left and right around here.  Not really, but Natali lost her 2nd tooth yesterday.  I pulled it out.  I was tired of hearing about it, and it was barely hanging on.  I could see the other tooth coming in behind.  Minimal tears were shed.  There was some blood.  Overall not TOO traumatic.

Good thing this mama finished here "custom made" tooth fairy pillow just nights before. Yes, I'm pretty amazing.  Just kidding, but Natali did give me a GREAT reaction.  Thank Heavens for little girls with LOTS of enthusiasm.

Back to School (help)

So I have seen many other of you do this, and since this is the first time I will have a child entering school I decided to "copy".  I LOVE the idea (I think orginally I saw it way back in the day on nie nie) of having a celebratory back to school dinner and presenting a theme/motto for the year...Be Kind, Be a Friend, Patience etc. 

I am trying to prep as this HUGE milestone in our family is rapidly approaching.  Any thoughts, gems of wisdom you might have for me to help both mother & child prepare for this eventful step?  Any thoughts on a theme/motto?  Do you have one you're using.  I am leaning towards..."No DRAMA."  As that phrase is constantly flowing from my mouth.  Just thought I'd throw this out to the blogging world!  Thanks in advance for any advice, tips, ideas, etc! 

3 Years ago...

...things were a little crazy as we were ready and waiting to welcome our little Isaac into the world.  I was READY (to pop it looks like)!

Isaac was born, 10.9 lbs and with his lungs under developed.  Which meant we had a SUPER chubby baby in the NICU.

I remember when the nurse came in and said, "I tried to give him his eye drops, but I couldn't find his eyes....his just so chubby...so I dropped them in his little slits and hopefully they'll find their way!"


Holding him for the first time!  It was the BEST feeling!

Finally our little chuck with out any tubes.  I still don't understand where his dark hair and olive-ish skin came from.  But I can totally came his dark brown eyes.

Aunt Hollie was talking care of little Natali and here she is coming up to visit for the first time.  She could only see him through the glass, it was pretty special.  (I forgot how much curl she had in her hair)

I can't believe it has been three years.  These memories are still so fresh in my mind.  Isaac is such a special little guy.  I can't imagine his craziness and dimpled smile not being in our family.

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet little Isaac!  We love you!

In Color

Here are some more photos from our little photo session.  I read this quote today and I thought it was SO applicable to how I have been feeling lately... "The days seem long but the years go fast."  Some days feel like a bad version of Ground Hogs Day (think Bill Murray).  And at other moments I feel like the luckiest person in the world.  Oh the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood.  Right now I feel all "lovey dovey" about my sweet, beautful, wonderful children as they are all passed out in their beds sawing logs.  But this morning I was NOT feeling so "lovey dovey" while Isaac rammed his head into the backs of my legs and pulled on my shirt trying to prevent me from leaving to go to the store.  (he did not want to leave but wanted to instead keep watching Super Why).

Building in my heart and stomach is the fear of sending this little girl off to Kindergarten.  I mean, SERIOUSLY, when did this happen?!?!?  I know I will be fine.  I know she will be fine (in fact I think she will LOVE it).  But my motherly instinct overrides and I send myself into near tears when I wonder,  "Who will love her as much as I do, who can scold her like me but then turn and give her a sincere kiss on the forehead, who will protect her feelings when someone says something unkind, or who will help her to make sure she is including everyone and trying to make friends?"  I love her, and I have a feeling this is all natural.  It will be nice to have one less human to haul on errands with me, but at the same time she provides entertainment and help with her little brothers.  I am losing my little mother hen helper!

And then I feel pure gratitude that I still have this little guy to snuggle and kiss on.  He brings the kind of happiness that only a baby can bring, and despite the fact that he is now 15 months old he is still 100% my baby.  He still ins't walking, loves to crawl over us like a bridge when we lay on the ground, and has taken a strong liking to playing with Star Wars & GI Joe guys.  He loves his momma, and really refuses to say Dada, although he can.  He loves to be with big brother and sister and just beams in the morning when I go in to his room.  Such a sweet guy!

Swim Time

Texas is HOT!  And the number one activity of choice is swimming.  Thankful despite the fact that we don't have a pool, we do have fabulous friends who do.  (man aren't we lucky)  So at least once a week if not more we load up with towels, snacks, sunscreen, pool toys and head out to beat the heat.  I just got these floaties for Isaac...and I LOVE them.  So does he, he wants to wear them all the time.  Even when we are not at the pool.

Photo Shoot

Spencer Chase: 15 months

Isaac Roger:  3 (almost)

Natali Lynn: 5

I love these three little kids.  They keep getting bigger.  They are full of life and keep me on my toes.  Thanks so much to Meghan for taking these pictures marking the kids milestones.  Love them!

Isaac

Sometimes he just makes me laugh!

Quiet Time...

...is NEVER really quiet.  Okay, maybe sometimes, but not on this particular day!

Besides the mess, when I walk in he says, "I poopy mama."

Quilt-Boys Room

So knowing eventually while here in TX both boys will be sharing a room I wanted them to have matching bed spreads.  Ideally I had this vision of a beautifully crafted Pottery Barn bunk bed, with the top of the line Pottery Barn for Kids matching bed spreads, pillows, and decor.  AND then I woke up! :)  One can dream right!

So instead a bunk bed from IKEA.  Then, I decided use the piles of denim I had already started cutting out and got some random plaids, stripes, colors, etc and attempted to make a quilt.  This has been a on going project for a LONG time now.  With the help from my mom we completed both tops of the quilts while she was here.  I finally sewed the back on, tied it, and now it's officially on Isaacs bed.

Now I need to finish the one for Spencer to go on the top bunk (although Spencer will not be joining this room for awhile).  I  would like to use the left over material to maybe make a sham or something for the window.  Ambitious, huh!

Found some fun things to hang on the wall in the boys room and a lamp at Hobby Lobby (love that store)!  I think we are just about done with the boys room.

First Texas Visitor-Grandma!

This past week my mom made her voyage to visit us here in Texas.  I warned it would be HOT & HUMID.  I told her we would go to splash pads and play in the sprinklers.  So, of course the minute I pick her up in Austin it starts raining....then pouring!  It continued to rain off and on the entire time she was here.  (it had not rained once since we moved here prior to her arrival)

In between rain storms we got a lot done.  We HAD to take her to some authentic BBQ.  So down to Salt Lick we went.

We still played outside, just in our rain coats.

My mom helped me make the tops of the quilts for the boys beds.  Spencer is still in his crib, but I figured I better make matching ones now for the bunk.  I think it will take her awhile before she ever wants to hear the sound of the sewing machine again.   We shopped for new home decor, and put some finishing touches in the kids rooms.  It's always nice to have someone who will give you their honest opinion and ooh & ahh at all the right things.

We toured Temple, showcased the local 7-11,  indulged in Shipley doughnuts, made our ritual visit to Cracker Barrel and really just enjoyed being together.  Her time here always goes way too fast.  I tired to get a verbal commitment on when she would be coming back.  I sure hope sooner than later.

Thanks Mom for the fun trip!  Come back soon...please.