a little update

I'm having troubles uploading *current* pictures (I think its a virus :( ) so I thought now would be as good a time as any to share some older pictures (babies change a lot in two months, you know) and give an update on the girls.

We had a lovely wet winter and the wild flowers were fantastic this spring!

 Kelsey was working very very hard to hold her head up.  It was a lot to ask of a 8 week old

Rylee and her bff Lily

 One of my favorite pics of Kelsey 10-ish weeks

 Bubbles!

 Its hard to resist matching outfits :)

I think one of the reasons I haven't blogged much about Kelsey is that I am doing everything I can to keep her from growing.  I contemplate not feeding her every now and then. ;)  I have a really hard time boxing up the clothes that are too small and Kelsey is such a chunker its happening faster than expected. It probably past time for the infant part of the car seat to come out but I can't bring myself to do it.

Rylee still doesn't care much to hold her.  I can't say that I blame her either as Rylee is barely pushing 27 lbs and Kelsey is a solid 15 (97% height and weight).  Rylee is usually the first to hear her get up from a nap and they both get so excited to see one another again. Rylee always wants to know where she is and loves to give her hugs and kisses.  Rylee loves laying by her (especially when she's on her tummy) and ask to have their picture taken.

I'm able to see more differences in their personalities lately.  Kelsey has always loved her bed, and been very good at putting herself to sleep.  It took her a bit longer to smile and even now I still have to work for them - but when it happens its a very soft, sincere smile. (you would looked at rylee and she'd beam, just a bit different).  They are pretty much on the same sleep schedule, Kelsey just gets a few extra naps- which is fantastic.  Right now Kelsey is a no-mad sleeping in a different room for each nap, but we're wanting to have them share a room soon . . .  . maybe this week (I've been saying that for a month now)

Kels has no problem with tummy time - she rather enjoys it.  She's getting to rotate around in a circle and can roll onto her back . . . . .getting closer to rolling onto her tummy, but not quite.

Rylee has been really loving to sing right now.  She requests songs from nursery and she's starting to sing on her own too and its adorable.  She's getting pretty good at saying her own prayers too.  The second (and all thereafter) prayers for lunch/bed she has to say on her own.  And she recently requested a prayer before nap.  She requests to go for a walk (or stroller ride) everyday  - and getting the mail is a minimum walk around the block.  She recognizes most letters and a fair amount of colors too.  I give games on the kindle credit for that.

These two munchkins keep me on my toes and I love them to pieces.

Aunt "see-ya"

A couple weeks ago (has it been that long?) my sister and her daughter came to visit!

Miss Ella and Aunt "see-ya" (most of you may know her as Lisa).

We had a wonderful and relaxingly busy long weekend.  We had plans, but we did them at our leasure which was fantastic.

 We held the baby,

went on a hike. . . . and a nature walk (there is a difference you know)

 (Miss Ella is actually kneeling in this picture)

 Friday we packed a lunch and headed to Guadalupe River State Park.  We almost were rained out, so we ate in the car and sure enough the skies cleared.

We walked along the river throwing rocks and catching sticks.  We would walk a few steps and Rylee would excitedly stop and yell "more water!"  walk a few more steps and in pure shock stop again "more water!"  

 We did have a small casualty.  Rylee tripped and skinned her knees - nothing a "sticker" (aka bandaid) can't fix.

 The water was a bill chilly, but we got used to it, and didn't go in past our ankles.

The shallow water was perfect for Rylee to explore and play.  We'll have to go back soon. 

 The squirls were also a hit.

 Saturday we went to the zoo. Who knew Rylee and Kelsey's first zoo experience would be the same day.

we went inside a butterfly exhibit that was pretty cool. 

(the lady behind Michael is pointing to the butterfly on his head) 

 Michael may have been secretly happy we couldn't all fit in one vehicle. . .  .that's a whole lot of estrogen :)

 The girls  brushing the goats hair,

 followed by the princess pigs (named Ariel, Jasmine, and Fiona)

 Our kind neighbor gave us a few dozen caserones (sp?) for Easter.  Confetti filled eggs are a big tradition around here. . . . you crack them on someone's head (preferably crack them before they hit the head but you know.)

 It was a fun old mess.  Good thing paper is biodegradable

My sister even offered to watch the girls so Michael and I could go out on a date.  A real date, and free baby-sitting? You bet!! It was so wonderful to be able to sit at dinner and quitely eat. . . . then after the check came just sit and talk because we weren't rushed and you know, we could.  We ended the evening watching a perfectly predictable chick flick.

Thanks again for coming!! We love, love, LOVED having you!!

Mustang Island

Friday we took a trip to Mustang Island (Corpus Christi/The Gulf)

Rylee LOVED having Nana ride with us in the car to entertain her.  When the girls weren't napping, most of the drive time (3+ hours each way) was spent having Nana draw on the magna-doodle, of which has now been named "horsie".  Kelsey loved the quickness in getting her binki when she cried.

We drove right onto the beach and pitched our shade tent.

Nana snuggling Kelsey in the shade:

 It took Rylee about an hour to warm up to the feel of the sand and the waves but after a while she realized it was pretty fun afterall.

I drew her name in the sand and here she is attempting her own letters (she actually is pretty good at spotting letters and can *sometimes spell her name)

 Gettin to work with Daddy.  If you thought they were building a sand castle, you would be incorrect.

 They built a sand family: ;)  I kindof love the hair.

 There was lots of sunshine and of course the pesky at times gulf wind - perfect for flying Rylee's new ladybug kite.  The waves were a decent size and we got a couple pretty good rides on the boogie board.

 Rylee learned quickly that it's a bad idea to drop your snacks in the sand.

 Kelsey *hated* the water.  She screamed and started flailing her legs trying to escape the cold.  Sorry little one, I had to. . . . we don't go the beach often and I wanted to be sure she experienced ocean water before she turned 22 (the first time I experinced salt water/an ocean) hehe.

Daddy even remembered to pack the beach-ball. (I kindof love that little beach bum:)

Saturday morning the crew packed up to head home :(  Rylee still wakes up asking "where's megy?" "where Nana go?" "its Poc!" 'Ryan' was a bit more difficult for her to pronounce as it sounds an aweful lot like Rylee and she would get confused. :)

Thanks again for coming to see us, we had a blast!

celebrating & hunting

Since Poc and Nana were coming so close to Rylee's birthday they waited to give her her birthday presents in person.  Saying Rylee loves her stuffed Elmo in an understatement.  Every action takes twice as long now because Elmo has to do it too. Case in point: Elmo has to have his teeth brushed, turn off the light.  Elmo needs his blankie. (she was quite upset to find out Elmo's diaper doesn't come off or need changed like her own), get buckled in the swing, get stories read to him, takes naps.  He obey's the rule of holding hands while we cross the street (to get the mail).  The only difference I see with him and a third child is we can actually leave him in the car while we  go grocery shopping (for now at least, thank heaven).

 We also celebrated Michael's Mothers birthday as well.  We had brunch at another Food Network rated restaurant where we gave her the gift from Michael's siblings. 

I think she liked it (as did a family sitting next to us). Each of her children with their families took a picture holding up a sign that when put together reads "you are loved all around the world"  her 7 children live in 7 different cities in 4 states, and 2 countries.

 Rylee was getting used to playing all day and napping in the car so when we were actually HOME for naptime she refused - screaming for almost 2 hours. I gave in and let her out of her room . . . . . about an hour later she fell asleep in the swing.

 maybe next time she'll remember how painful that was and choose her bed.

 Michael arranged for a pig hunt with a contractor he's worked with that evening.  It was more or less a guided hunt. I stole this picture from Michael's phone, and am assuming it was his view of the property from the blind they were in.

 Michael and his brother in the blind:

I initially assumed it would be a boys only activity, and was surprised that his little sister Megan wanted to go.  Good thing too, becasue she was the ONLY one to shoot a pig!! Go Megan!!

even if it was a baby.

Michael kept saying "Megan killed Wilbur" :) haha. We'll eat him anyway. . . . . at least his hind-quarters.