Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween everyone! Well, the costumes I had planned for the kids didn't work out. As much as they are obsessed with Toy Story, both of them refused to be either Jessie or Buzz Lightyear. Instead we were Snow White and Spiderman. Nevertheless, incredibly cute. Oh, and I can't forget our little Batman.

 

Along with this time of year and beginning of a season of festivities, there is plenty to do outside. We made a trip to Dewberry Farm west of Houston this past weekend with some friends. There was plenty to do and see. But our pumpkin photo op was limited given that it was a mere 4 days before Halloween. So, as you can see, the kids posed with what was left in the bare patch. Main thing...they had a blast doing it!

Just Some Pictures

Life is busy! So this will be quick. I've been back at work 2 weeks now and life is a serious time crunch. Sticking to a schedule is key. For the most part we are all doing great. We seem to have a small cold floating between us all with Chris actually getting sick-sick (which is odd given he usually has the best immune system, say a little prayer it stays that way). Took Bella to the opthamologist the other day as a follow-up her last eye doctor told us to do at 4 years old. Her new opthamologist says that she is ever so slightly near-sighted, which is to be expected after her ROP and laser surgery. He mentioned that glasses would be in her future but a few years down the road. As with everything else she has endured due to her prematurity... "Glasses, no problem, we will take it!!!" The boys are great, each getting bigger and each more active. Lord help us when all three of them can wrestle and scream at each other ;) A few pictures enjoying the fall season and family fun.

 

TRYING ON MY JESSE COSTUME

FUN DAY AT OUR LOCAL NURSERY

ALEX LOOKING LIKE A SUPER BIG BOY

SHOWING OFF MY MAD DANCE MOVES

FAMILY FUN AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH

Summer Vacation in the Fall

We spent the last 10 days of September making up for not being able to travel during the summer. First there was a trip to Dallas to visit family and catch the UVa vs TCU football game. Chris and I decided to take our little princess to her first college football game at what will hopefully be her future alma mater (yeah, I know, pretty bad that we already have her college picked out). We got an email back in July about the game, contemplated arranging the trip with not knowing when Alex was going to arrive, and then made the decision once we got the reminder after he was born. Kids did great in the car for a 3.5 hour drive. Gigi met us up there to help keep the boys entertained while we took Bella to the game Saturday morning. While at the game, a very sweet lady gave her a pom-pom and beads, she constantly wanted to go onto the field, and we walked half way around the stadium so she could go wave to the UVa cheerleaders. She really enjoyed herself. But probably the most entertaining part of this mini vacation was that we can no longer call hotels a hotel. They are now officially known as "TRIP HOUSE" in our household. We kept telling the kids that we were going on a TRIP. When we got to our room in Arlington, Bella came out and said, "This is our trip house!" She kept referring to it as such the remainder of the stay and thus hotels no longer exist as long as the kids are with us.

 

Next was the mother/daughter trip to Virginia. Not sure if any of you know the Nickeloden show The Fresh Beat Band, but our kiddos love them. (Super fun and catchy music, Chris and I sing and dance to it as much as they do.) Back in August I happened to see that they were playing in Charlottesville, Va and thought "what a great reason to go to our home away from home." We missed the NICU reunion in June, so this was the perfect chance to touch base with our precious medical staff that we love so dearly. The other bonus is that we got to stay with Lauren and Abby. It was so cute watching Abby and Bella play together. To kick off the trip, the four of us girls had dinner with Colleen, Sherri and Ellie at none other than BELLA'S ITALIAN Bistro - very fitting!!! Wednesday we woke up super early to see Abby off to school and then head up to the hospital. We got to see LOTS of nurses and a couple of doctors. Most importantly we got to see Dr. McGahren - the awesome surgeon that fixed Bella's intestinal perforation. I will never get tired of seeing him pick up our little girl and give her big hugs! After the first hospital visit we got another awesome, special treat...we got to have lunch with Bella's godmommy. Rebecca and her family recently moved to the DC area and she drove 2 hours to hug her goddaughter and have lunch with us...she is such an incredible lady! Next was our trip to Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard where Bella, Abby and Emily (the preemie trio) got to pick apples. The views were beautiful, the apple cider slushy was delicious, and the stink bugs were EVERYWHERE...definitely an experience not to be forgotten. And then came the cherry on top of the sundae, the concert! Abby and Bella had a fabulous time dancing to The Fresh Beat Band. I'm not sure if it was the entire setting and watching my baby girl shake her hips at her first concert, or what, but I constantly had tears in my eyes watching her get so excited while singing and dancing.

COLLEEN, SHERRI AND DR MCGAHREN

 

ALTER WHERE I WAS BAPTIZED & MY AWESOME GODMOMMY



THE APPLE ORCHARD

Bella, Abby and Emily (the preemie trio)

 (THESE LAST TWO WERE TAKEN BY THE AWESOME AND AMAZING LAUREN and instagram)

  

THE CONCERT

 

 ONE TIRED BELLA

Our final trip in the stretch was a family reunion at my brother and sister-in-laws house. It was really nice seeing so much family in one place and watching Bella and Zach run around with all of their cousins. One of my fondest memories growing up was getting to spend so much time with my cousins. It is very easy as we grow up and life changes for family to drift apart, but I will always cherish having a large family and seeing them so frequently. We were so busy running around and catching up that we didn't get any pictures!!!

All three kids are doing great! Alex is getting so big so fast. He is over 12 pounds and stretching out more and more each day. Bella and Zach continue to love on and be interested in him. Zach is doing significantly better with him, although he still has his moments of jealousy regarding both siblings. We try to give him extra attention as often as possible to head off the "middle child syndrome".

BIG BROTHER PLAYING WITH BABY BROTHER

ALEX BEING CUTE AS A BUTTON

That's the family update for now...many blessings to all and we will post again soon!!!