Chuck-E-Cheese

 

Family time is so important as our days and nights tend to be a bit of a blur these days. One Saturday while the rain kept us from any outdoor activity we had planed, we decided to take the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese. While little man slept, we showed our little lady around the different game options. She was a bit nervous as it was a little overwhelming at first. Then she quickly warmed up and had a blast riding the rides, playing games, collecting tickets, and of course giving high fives to Chuck-E-Cheese himself. Enjoy a picture post of our afternoon at Chuck-E Cheese play place. 

 

While Mommy was Away...

While Mommy was away... we welcomed a new little,

 {Liam Owen- 7 weeks old and born March 24, 2016}

traveled to new planets,

 {Outdoor chalk play with family & neighbors}

became one with the earth,

 {Mother's Day Gift- family planting party}

became royalty,

{Princess Auby & Princess pal, Eva Mae}

{Pretty Princesses- Princess Cassidy & Princess Aubrey}

 {Pretty in Pink Princess Polish}

grew wings and learned to fly,

{Aubrey loves her baby brother}

rode magical horses,

{We celebrated Myla's magical 4th birthday party at the carousel}

made our bodies strong,

{Yoga with daddy}

celebrated mommy's special day,

{Mommy's world is truly made whole by the love that is wrapped in her arms.}

visited dear family & friends,

 {Liam and I came to eat lunch with my first grade team and visit my kiddos}

 

{We celebrated my first grade team leader and her nomination for district teacher of the year}

 {We loved our sweet visit. Breakfast with Aunt Becky & Aunt Rachel}

 {Family Photo}

{Aunt Rachel & Aunt Becky visit the BIG D}

 {Klyde Warren Family & Food truck fun}

While mommy was away... we surely made great memories, enjoyed new adventures, and had a lot of trial and error. After 10 weeks at home and 8 weeks with my little man, it is time that I return back to work. I am so thankful for the opportunity to end the year with my team and to say my good-byes to my kiddos. I know that I will truly miss being a teacher and our days will be both joyous and challenging but I am excited to stay home with my babes and start my new journey as a stay at home mama. So while mommy was away... we sure did play.

Watch Liam Grow- Weeks 4-7

 

Dear Liam,

You continue to grow up right before my eyes sweet boy. I absolutely adore watching your little personality grow. There is nothing cuter than your sweet smiles, our morning coos, and that side dimple. Today I look at you while you are napping and know that within only a few days I will return to work to say my good-byes before I am at home full time with my two love bugs. I'm both excited and anxious as this is a huge step for our little family. I absolutely love teaching but know this is where God is calling me to be. I know days will be challenging but so worth it. Little man we have shared almost 8 weeks together. Our days have been filled with smiles, cuddles and coos, and excitement, but also with tears, pure exhaustion, and moments of complete trial and error. You are my perfect little boy. You are definitely your own little person but I wouldn't want it any other way. It is crazy to think that within a week you'll be two months old. I have loved watching you grow and all the newness you've learned. My prayer for you is that God will continue to grow your body big and strong, that your colicky days will quickly draw to an close, and that you will learn to love sleep during the night. May you never lose that adorable grin. You are my determined little man. You are strong, active, and have an eye for your mama. You do not have a problem to let everyone know exactly what you want. That usually means to be held or fed but it's ok. I know that simply will translate to bigger things in your future. I adore your smiles. You make my heart full and I am so completely in love with you. So while this post will catch us up from weeks 4-7, sorry lack of sleep and not wanting to be put down has not allotted the time to write weekly, but it's ok. I'll continue to enjoy my snuggles as I know babies don't stay babies forever. I'll enjoy it while I can. Happy 4-7 weeks my little Liam love.

Number of weeks: seven weeks & 5 days
Measurements: We will know more at our 2 month appointment
Clothing: You are officially too big for newbie clothes. You are long and lean like your daddy. You fit comfortably in size 0-3 month clothing but can additionally wear 3 month Carters clothes. I cannot believe how quickly you are growing sweet babe.
Diapers: size 1
Eating: You love to eat! (just like your mommy) You are on breast milk but want to eat all.the.time. We are having to supplement a few times throughout the day but are doing well overall. You are showing some signs of reflux but seem to have grown out of your tummy issues that you had a few weeks ago.
Sleeping: As I write this, I do have to celebrate that last night you slept 7 hours straight. I feel like a new mommy! But to be perfectly honest, you are not a sleeper. We learned early on that you had a bad case of colic and your days and nights were switched. When you were a few weeks old, you took pretty good morning naps between 9-11 and then again between 3-5 and not for the full time. Sadly this was only if you were being held and would quickly wake up if you were set down. You have not been the greatest fan of the swing, bouncer, or bassinet. At night you have learned to sleep a 3-4 hour stretch in the bassinet from 8-12 or 10-2AM. Then sadly would wake between 1-2 hours later and would be up for the night. Daddy and mommy have been on survival mode for the past two months but are feeling that we may be turning a corner with your sleep patterns. It has also been challenging as big sister is also going through a phase of sleep refusal.
Activities: coos, more eye contact, opening hands, recognition of our voices, smiles and facial expressions, holding onto toys/fingers 
Likes: being held, fed, cooing with mommy and daddy, pacis, play mat with our fishy friends, riding in the car when it is moving
Dislikes: changing clothing/diapers, being put down, being put into the car carrier, car stops

You truly keep us on our toes sweet boy, but you are an absolute blessing. Parenting a newbie is tough, but we are better parents for it. All our love growing boy!

Our Field of Blue with the Babes

 

I absolutely adored taking family photos in a field of beautiful blue.

 

 Aubrey Rose- 2.5 years old

I have to say my 2.5 year old spunky monkey really enjoyed herself. She may have even picked a flower or two (parent fail) but overall sat pretty well during our little family photo session.

My two week old little man looked so handsome in his bow tie. He may not have been a huge fan of our photos and being put down on the ground, but with paci in hand ready to pull at the right minute, he really did amazing.

 Liam Owen- 2 weeks

Aubrey loves her little Liam. My two little love bugs holding hands. While it may have been a little forced, I am so excited to see their little sibling love flourish.

Our family photo
I love this picture but laugh to myself as I know what the real moment looked like. By this time my two year old was over it and my two week old was shouting at the top of his lungs because he was cold and hungry. Aubrey had also spotted a few ducks in the pond behind the trees and wanted to go feed the "wah-wahs" (her new nickname for ducks as it's the sound ducks make) But in all truth our afternoon was perfectly imperfect. The rain held off and we bribed our two year old with goldfish which later were fed to ducks in the pond. Smiles were had by all and I'm thankful for this sweet moment captured in our field of blue with the babes.

Bluebonnets, Butterflies, Baby Boy, Play Time, Date-i-versary Fun, & Park Play

The days have begun to blur into each other, but one thing stands true. Each day is definitely filled with adventure. Many days during our week, we stay at home in our jammies, making silly faces, and cuddling with my littlest. At nights and on weekends, I live for the moments to play princesses, explore at the park, and spend time with my family of four. Time surely is flying by and my babe is now a month old. I'm soaking up this sweet time with my little boy and cherishing the moments watching my daughter grow into the role of big sister. This of course comes with it's challenges. We have definitely had our share of two year old tantrum of wanting the right cup, jammie pant, sock color, being asked to potty in the big potty, and or dinner option, she truly has a heart for her little brother. When he cries, she rubs his little head and says, "It's okay Liam" and of course what's cuter than when she refers to him as "my Liam." I'm additionally thankful for my husband who is so patient with me and truly is the greatest partner. He's an amazing daddy and the best friend and husband. While our time together is very limited, we definitely seek out those little moments to sit back and enjoy the company. We've certainly shared some great moments over the past few weeks. Enjoy a picture post of our latest family and friend funtivities.

{My Littles in a Field of Blue}

{Little Liam Love}

{My beautiful butterfly; May she spread her wings and learn to fly.}

{Love to my Zellner boys}

{My spikey hair boy}

{Play mat fun with my littles}

{I love his sleepy style fist bump. 

He could also be next for Heads Up 7 Up}

 {Prestonwood Play Date & Chick-fil-a with our Fantlets} 

 

Outside the play area, the girls found a duck sitting on her duck nest. We explained how we only look with our eyes. This picture was taken only moments before my little girl reached out to pet the duck. Seconds later, Aubrey says, "Dat duck bite me!" I was so surprised she really didn't get that upset. It was definitely an experience for us all. I do love Miss Emily's face in this picture staying out of the duck's reach.

{Fist bump to Liam's Monkey}

{Play time from a different perspective- 4 weeks}

 Aubrey & her Mattie Pup 

{Park Play fun on our new trike}

{14 Year Date-iversary at IHOP}

As a junior in high school, 14 years ago today (4.21.02), I met the man of my dreams in an IHOP after our spring dance show. He took my Dr. Pepper but he also stole my heart. It may have taken him 6 days to call me, but we have been together every day since. From spending almost every moment together, graduating from Texas A&M, moving to Dallas, getting married, buying our first hoe, raising two adorably perfect little humans, and making countless memories together, I am truly thankful for this man and this little life together. So what better to do on our 14 year date-iversary after almost no sleep (cue new parents) breakfast at IHOP and a nap.

On this beautiful and sunny Saturday, our little family of four made our way to the Heard Museum in McKinney. We had a fun morning exploring the pioneer village and animals of the world with our littles. I cannot wait for our little man to be right beside his big sister, but for now, he enjoyed snuggling with mommy as my little turtle.

Our Sunday started off as anything but super! From an early morning wake up call, two fussy kiddos, my little lady having an accident on her church clothes and on mama, to already being late before we had even started, led to a sour morning. Our family pictures would be later that afternoon as well which would limit afternoon naps. This quickly led to a change of plans, some delicious donuts from the Donut Kitchen, 

and an afternoon at the park. With all the running around I completely forgot that our little man officially turned a month old on this day, the craziest of days. 

 

But even with the craziness of our morning, I have to say moments like this make your heart full and even skip a beat. We are truly blessed!

 

In our first month we have endured sleepless nights, lots of tears, newborn baby cries, and toddler tantrums, but we have also experienced more love than imaginable, sweet moments with our littles watching our big girl take on the role as big sister, adorable squishy faces, and amazing moments in our new adventures as a family of four. We are in love.