9 months

I cannot believe my baby girl is almost 9 months old!!! Maggie, you are so full of life! I just adore you.

Here are some shots we've taken over the past few days. Anyone out there have an older brother that holds you at arms length with his hand on your forehead while you try to hit him? I do. My brother used to just let me swing away - and I'd never hit him!! That's what Levi was doing to Maggie the other night and she was dying laughing!
Levi took these shots after Maggie's bath. She has finally graduated from the sink to the bathtub! She was hilarious trying to crawl all over the bathtub and drink the water.

And, look at this crazy hair!! It is really starting to grow in. And, I think she will have some curl. Yea!!

Self portrait by Levi ;)

Big girl trying to walk. She is INTO EVERYTHING.

So, we too Mags to the doctor this morning. It was a re-check for her ears as well as her 9 month check-up. Dr. Lane said she looks beautiful. Her ears were perfect (awesome!) and her stats all looked good. She weighs 20 pounds and is 29 inches long. She's tall!! Dr. Lane checked out her birthmarks and they looked fine. (She has two birthmarks that we are "watching". One is on her chest and one on her belly. They are getting smaller and should disappear all together by the time she turns 5. Strange!!) Maggie also has a spot on her head we are watching. She is the queen of weird spots!! Dr. Lane thinks it is like a mole, but wants us to see a dermatologist just to be sure. My dad says it is where her horn was!!! LOL :)

Big girl and her brother waiting to see the doctor

Love me some blue eyes ;) I hope they stay this color.

Maggie & Momma

sleep attack and a Ritz

I can't believe January is almost over!! It seems like life with two children just consumes me. I love it!! But, when my morning starts, it seems like 9pm comes way too soon and I'm exhausted! Can I get an "Amen!"?? I'm sure a lot of this will change when warmer weather approaches. :)

We had our neighbors over the other night. I told Levi if he would take a nap, he could stay up a little later. He was whining about not being tired....and a few minutes later, I looked over and saw this.
He was dead-up asleep!!! I'm sure a chiropractor would have a heart attack if they saw him like this! I stretched him out and he slept for two hours. :)


And...little Miss Maggie May had her first Ritz cracker. A-dorable. I forget how cute all these little "firsts" are.

ok...here goes

I don't really like to post about losing weight or issues like that because, let's face it, how many times do we start a diet or exercise routine and not follow through?? Um, for me?? MANY!! ;)

But, maybe this will be different. I have recently been inspired by my brother. He is a machine. He has done all sorts of sprints, mini marathons, and even did the half ironman two years ago. Oh, and he ran a full marathon last year. Recently, he decided to complete the Ironman in August this year. I know I posted about this before and here's a link to his blog: Travis' blog. Anyways, with the new year, I decided (along with some prodding from my sister-in-law, Jenny) to set a goal for myself. I am going to do the Triple Crown, which consists of a 5K in February, a 10 K and a 10 miler, both in March. Now, I'm only going to be walking these, but it's more than I've ever signed up for before! Ever. Period. She even wants me to walk the mini marathon with her, but I kind of said "Woah, Nellie" until we see how all this goes. I've even bribed Gretchen into coming in town to do them along with me!! My sis is joining us and I know of a few other people too!!

So, here is the first of my updates! I've been "training" for two weeks. I'm down 6 pounds and getting more regular at using our elliptical. I'm still not exercising every day, but that is my goal. I do have to share a funny little story. My brother texted me a while back and said "Just finished 50 on treadmill. What have you done?" I texted him back and said "Wow, 50? I just finished 30 on the elliptical. I'm almost caught up with you!" ;) Ha ha!! I'm sure his 50 on the treadmill is just a tad harder than my 30 on the elliptical!!

Ok, so there you have it. My first little update on my journey to completing the Triple Crown.

roadtrip!!!

What do you get when you drive an hour South?


GRETCHEN!!! (When she drives an hour North to meet me! YEE HAW!)
The kids and I set out for an impromptu roadtrip to have a lunch date with Gretchen and Hope. Pierce was actually in school today. It was so nice to see her face in person. :-) We started chatting about where we should eat. When I suggested finding a Chuck E Cheese, I thought she was gonna pimp slap me. So we ended up somewhere MUCH better. Gattiland. GAG. Only, this was more like Ghettoland. Don't get me wrong...the food was good, it was just a weird set-up! It was in a big warehouse and kind of like a cafeteria. Then, you had to go into a different area for the actual games. Oh well...it was fun!

So, some fun action shots!

Auntie Gretchen & Mags

Levi had one token left, so I popped my knuckles and set out to destroy on some Ms. Pac-Man!! Oh yeah!!

And, this picture is hi-larious!! I sat Maggie down and walked away. She was beside herself with anger. She blasted out some heavy "Reid" temper and came after me. SHE STARTED CRAWLING!!! Right there in Gattiland, she was crawling. And bawling the whole time! It was precious. :) What a great memory to remember her first time crawling!!!

And, a pic of her after she pulled herself together! ;)

Levi tearing it up on the bike

Racing each other...Hope had NO idea what she was doing! So funny!!

Cuties!!!!

And, for being so good in Ghettoland, we treated them to ice cream at McDonald's...

...only because the Momma's wanted a Diet coke!!! ;)

A precious little worn out Mags!

I have a happy heart today.

a letter

Several months ago, as Eric and I were rooting through some boxes, I came across a few keepsakes from our wedding. Inside a book was a card. Immediately, I knew the handwriting as my Grandmothers (my mom's mom). I opened it up, and it was a birthday card with a letter inside. The date on the envelope was postmarked May 16, 2000...so it was the birthday right before my wedding in June, 2000. Grandmother passed away two years later. I read the first sentence in the letter and began crying, so I put it away to read later. { I was still going through some baby blues :-) } I put the card in Maggie's top dresser drawer so I could read it when I was ready. I've seen the letter several times since that day, but just wasn't ready to read it!

I came across it again today and decided to sit down and give it a whirl! Oh my. I miss my Grandmother. She was an extraordinary woman. Anyone who knew her would say the same thing. She was a Godly woman who gave so much to so many. I remember learning as a small child that 3:00 was a special time for her...her "special" show came on. It wasn't until later in life that I learned that "special" show was a soap opera! GASP! She loved All My Children.

As I read the letter today, a flood of memories came back. I want so badly to talk to her. One day, I will!! :) The last thing she said in the letter is that she hoped my mom and I would have the same kind of relationship that she and my mom had. We do. I am reminded again of how blessed my life is.

When my Grandmother died, my sister found something that she'd written in her Bible. She copied it for all of the cousins and I still read it all the time:

Be not miserable about what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father, who cares for you today, will care for you tomorrow and everyday. Either he will shield you from suffering, or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

I hope someone can use that today. :) Blessings...

snow day!

We woke up to snow today!! School was cancelled and we took the opportunity to play with some friends. :) Reece & Janie came over to play in the morning. We all stayed in our pj's!!

Levi and Reece pulled out their guitars and did a concert for us

Janie said they were too loud!! Ha ha
Then we headed outside in the S N O W!!

Addi, Hillary, Levi, Reece & Isabella (Janie was taking a nap!)

Levi running and jumping into his sled!

Bella, Hillary & Levi

Levi & Momma

Natalie giving Levi a sled ride! You go girl!

Levi giving Hillary whiplash! I mean, a sled ride!

Adorable Bella

I love the snow and watching the kids have a blast!! But, I must say, I'm a little bit ready for warmer weather. ;) {Remember two or three posts ago when I put up pics of this summer's vacation home? That's what I'm longing for right about now!...}

big frank

Levi has been wanting a pet for about six months now. I'm just not a pet Mom right now! I have my hands full with the kids and have no desire to take care of a pet, too. Don't get me wrong...I love dogs, just don't want one.

Several weeks ago, Levi began asking Eric if we could get a snake. WHAT THE ???? A snake? Um, no. He keeps begging and promises to keep it in a box in his room and not let it out. Um, still no.

After church yesterday, Eric and I talked about it and finally decided it was okay for him to get a snake. Levi named him Big Frank and here is the box Levi & his Daddy made for him...

Levi got Big Frank from the gum ball machine at El Nopal. Each week Papa gives the kids two quarters and this is what he wanted to buy. ;)

He has been talking to Big Frank all day. Checking on him, making sure he hasn't gotten out, and remembering to feed him his "pretend Big Frank" food. I love his imagination!!

Oh, and just for laughs, here's a pic of our little guy in his pj's, playing his DS, of course with his safety glasses on!!???? Oh my.

cute little kids

Here are the kids before church this morning. Look at Mags' adorable outfit!!! I didn't think she'd be able to wear it before Spring, but we tried it this morning and volia!

and ruffles on the rear! Love it!!

When Eric walked out and saw her, he just stared at me, shook his head and said "What is that?" Oh boy...he's in for lots of surprises!!!

Keep reading! I've done a few updates this morning. :)

when your brother buys your son an air horn

We went to Griffin's birthday party last night. They got goodie bags and among the many cute things inside was an air horn. All I can say is, Travis...GAME ON!!

villa de suenos

That just sounds cool to say, huh??!

Our vacation is booked for this summer. When Mom sent me the website for the house, I thought "surely ye jest!" But, nope...this is where we'll be spending a week this summer!
St. Simons Beach in Georgia...I love you already.

One of the cool things is that there is a hibachi grill!! Since we eat most of our meals at the house, Eric and I are going to brush up on our Kansai skills and try a Japanese meal. (Don't hold your breath!) ;)

back to the groove

This week was back to the grind. Eric was off the whole month of December. As much as I love together time with my hubby, I wasn't crying when he went back to work. ;) The kids and I got back into our weekly routine which was nice! They play while I unload and load the dishwasher, pick up their toys 8,000 times, do laundry, and take & pick Levi up from school. Some days are mundane, but I really love being home with them.

You might be bored to death, but here's a photo shoot of my bebe's. ;)

Levi loves to tickle Maggie

And little stinker butt got two teeth this week!!! Her bottom front teeth. She won't let me snap a picture of her mouth. Grrrr!!

Hide and seek: Mags follows Levi E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.

And Maggie is into everything. Cabinets, drawers, toilet paper, and especially her diaper bag. Exhibit A.

And she just acts like "What?? Meee???"

I could give her a thousand babies to play with and she always finds Levi's guns!

On Friday, Maggie started to pull up on the furniture. She's trying to get her brother's DS.

And this cracks me up! She stands up but gets so mad because she doesn't know what to do next!

I'm lovin' this stage with my kiddos!! :)