This and that

My friend, Michelle, FINALLY had her baby boy on February 27th. She was almost a week overdue and so ready to be able to hold him, as was I! We've been waiting on this baby for a long time. Now Makayla has a boyfriend...she doesn't mind that he's almost a year and a half younger! I went to visit Michelle and Tyler in the hospital the next day. I wasn't able to take Mak with me due to hospital policy, so she will get to meet him this weekend. Since Mike, Michelle's husband, went home to shower while I was there, I had the privilege of changing Tyler's diaper and clothes. I was a little nervous since it has been a while since I've changed a little baby, and the first time to change a boy's diaper, but I handled it!
Such a big boy! 9lbs, 2oz!

In other news, my sweet baby girl that used to love to sleep and would cry for us to put her in her bed, has decided that sleep isn't so important anymore! I put her in the bed and she cries and cries. I try to leave her, hoping she'll cry herself to sleep but no...she just cries louder. So, Mak and I have been sleeping on the couch this week which means I haven't been sleeping much. I don't know what's going on with her but I'm hoping and praying that it's just a phase and she'll be back to her normal sleep schedule very soon. Even though she keeps me up all night, I still think she is the sweetest little girl I've ever seen. She's growing up so fast and has the sweetest personality. She loves to hug her babies and give them sugar and it just melts my heart. One of her newest tricks is opening doors. She stands on her tip toes and pushes the handle. So now I have to really keep a close eye on her to make sure she's not playing somewhere she shouldn't be...like the toilet! I have found a few toys in there already.


I have officially begun the countdown to spring break. Just one more week and I have a whole week off of work. I really need it too because my third graders are driving me bonkers. I love my job and my kiddos but we all need a break! On the 13th, we are picking up my mom from the airport. We are so excited to have Nana come spend a few days with us! I'm sure we'll find lots of things to do and probably do a bit a shopping since that's what mom and I do best when we're together.

Well, I guess that's it for now.......until next time!! :)

Baby Shower fun!

My best friend out here in Houston, Michelle, is expecting a baby boy any day now! Our friend, Tonie, and I decided to work together and host a baby shower for Michelle and her husband Mike. She and I worked together a few years ago to host Mike and Michelle's wedding shower as well. We work well together! We had the shower at their house so they wouldn't have to take all of their things back home. We had a wonderful turnout! There were about 30 people that showed up! We played the smelly diaper game, which was a hit! I think everyone had a great time and enjoyed the food and games! Here are a few pictures from the shower and all of our hard work! :)

Yeah, it's been a while!!

It has been a while since I've posted. I blame it all on laziness!! I'm not in school this semester so I can't blame it on that. And Makayla goes to bed at 7:00, sometimes 6:00 every night so I can't blame it on that either! I've just been plain lazy. I guess I'm getting caught up on my rest for when I do have to start back to school and write a thousand papers a week. :)

Well, things are pretty much the same around here. We work, come home and play with Makayla, eat dinner, and then it's time for bed. Makayla is the funniest little girl when it comes to going to bed at night. At 7:00, or earlier, if she's really grouchy, we ask her if she's ready to go "night night." If she is, she cries and walks to her bed and stands there until daddy picks her up and puts her in the bed. As soon as her head hits the bed, she stops crying and is out for the night. I think we're pretty lucky to have such a wonderful little sleeper!

We're also trying to get used to Makayla's new found freedom since she is now a walker. She thinks she's so grown and can do anything. She gets into everything and runs when she knows she's about to get into trouble for getting into something she shouldn't be in. We have also been experiencing the terrible two's even though Makayla is only almost 17 months old. She has such a temper already! When I take something away from her that she shouldn't have, she pitches the biggest fit. She will find something to pick up just so she can throw it down. I guess she wants to make sure I know she's mad! I have no idea where she gets it from. But, I have to admit that she is the sweetest little girl, most of the time. She loves to carry around her "purse" and put things in it and she loves her baby dolls. And the sweetest thing of all is how she gives kisses. She'll walk up to you with her mouth wide open to get a kiss. She gives most of her kisses to her daddy, but that's ok.

Oh, I almost forgot one of the biggest milestones of late. Makayla got her ears pierced! I've been wanting to do it for some time now but Jeff just didn't think we should. So, last weekend, we were out shopping and he said, I think we should get Mak's ears pierced now. So, we headed over to the mall and went to Claire's. She didn't cry when the lady did the first ear. She just sat there and looked at her like why are you touching me! But, when she went to do the second ear, Makayla screamed as loud as she could. She cried for a few minutes but that was it. She looks so cute and I'm so glad we finally got it done.

Well, I guess that's all that's been going on with us for now! Hopefully I'll post again soon and not wait 2 months. Here are a few more pics of my big girl!

Happy 15 months old!

Makayla Ann is 15 months old today! I still can't believe it! She is still the love of our lives and the most wonderful little gift from God.

Her newest developments consist of WALKING, eating and getting into everything! She started walking just a few days ago and now she is unstopable. She smiles and laughs as she's walking like she just discovered the coolest thing ever. It's so cute watching her walk around because she just gets so excited.

She gets into everything! She only has about a million toys but she would rather play with anything but toys. Her favorite things are still cell phones and remote controls. Her alltime favorite thing to do is to eat. It seems like all she does these days! She loves any and every thing....she's not picky at all! She pretty much eats whatever we eat and then some. When I ask her if she wants a "bite, bite" she licks her lips...too cute! Sometimes she acts like she hasn't eaten in forever which is never true.

I'm sad that she's growing up so fast but I'm looking forward to all of the fun times ahead. Now that she can walk I'm sure we will have lots of fun!

Polar Express Party

On the last day of school before the Christmas break, my students and I had a Polar Express party. They wore their pajamas, robes, and slippers and brought their blankets and pillows. The students found a comfy place on the floor to watch the movie as I made hot chocolate for them!

After watching the movie, it was time to party! We made Snowman ornaments, ate pizza, chips, cookies and LOTS of candy! Then it was time to exchange gifts. We played a game to see which gift they would open. We had a great party and a wonderful day. I think it was my best Christmas party yet!

Let the fun begin...

Makayla has officially learned how to walk. She started taking a few steps here and there the week before Christmas but she really began getting around while at my mom's on Dec. 23rd and 24th. Since I left my video camera at home, I captured a video of her walking and chasing daddy around when we got back in town. I really can't believe she's walking! She's definitely not a baby anymore! :(

Thanksgiving Break (Better late than never!)

I know this post is a little late but I've been so busy with school so I'm catching up!

One of the greatest things about being a teacher is the long breaks we get for the holidays. This year we were so blessed to have a whole week off. It consisted of visiting with family, shopping, going to see Santa, my birthday, visiting friends, more shopping, cleaning, being lazy bums and going to Galveston to see the Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens.

The first weekend began wonderfully as my mom and Tom came into town to visit. They drove all the way from Alabama just to spend a few days with us. We spent most of the time just hanging out at our house so that Makayla could spend time with Nana and BudPaw. We also did some shopping because Nana and BudPaw think they always have to buy prizes for Mak! :) Since I wouldn't be home for Thanksgiving this year, mom decided to cook a Thanksgiving dinner for us and it was wonderful. We had turkey, ham, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, rolls (I think that's all) and Jeff made his yummy pecan pie! On the day that they had to leave, we decided to take Mak to see Santa. I was so afraid that she would scream but she was so good! She sat in Santa's lap like a big girl and the pictures turned out great. I was so sad to have to say good-bye to mom and Tom but I was so glad that they were able to come see us.

On Tuesday, Makayla and I decided to stay home since it was a rainy day. We stayed in our PJ's and were lazy all day. On Wednesday, Mak and I did some shopping and then we went to visit our friends, Christine, Abbie, and Caleb.




On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, our friends Kareen and Aaron invited us over for dinner. Mak played with Kai and Dorian and had a great time. We are so grateful to have such wonderful friends to spend Thanksgiving with since we weren't with family this year.
Friday was also spent at home cleaning and being lazy. On Saturday, Jeff, Mak and I headed to Galveston to go to Moody Gardens to see the Festival of Lights. We went down early so that we could go shopping on the strand and go out on the beach before going to see the lights. We had a great day just being together. The lights were pretty awesome too!