Cookie Time

I am trying to make a point of doing one big activity a week with Stephen. We go to the park alot, play with the neighborhood kids and hang out but this is time when it is just the 2 of us doing something fun together. Last week we made some "Daddy Cookies" (just regular chocolate chip). Right now Stephen want everything to be like daddy. We want to eat "daddy " cereal, wear daddy pants (jeans) and uses "daddy" tools... basically it is all about Daddy when he get home from work.

Here are some pictures from our cookie making escapade... We had a great time.....

The little things in life....

There are time I wonder what is going on... We live in a crazy world it is funny how fast things can change or pass us by. It seems like only yesterday Stephen was "to little" to do most thing. now he is "to big" to do other things. I have been home with him for almost 6 months now and I am still learning new things about him every day..... On of the biggest things I have learned is that it is not what you do but how you do it. He does not care what we play as long as we play, it can be a little as playing blocks on the ground or watching Sesame Street in the mornings. He just want time together.

Fall Happenings

Again, I keep saying I am going to be better about keeping things up to date but then again if you know me, you know this is not that bad.

Things here have been busy as usual. We survived Hurricane Ike with no damage fortunately but we did see the aftermath. To make a long story short we currently still own our old house. We have had tenants in there for the past year and just after the hurricane they called me that master toilet was "running" all that time and wanted to know what we wanted to do about it. I told them to call a plumber and shut off the water. When they shut off the water the pipe burst and flooded part of the house. (Here is where the hurricane comes in) Due to Ike all of the water mitigation people in town were "busy" and it took them 4 days to dry out the carpet and by that time it was ruined. We decided to make all of the repairs and put the house on the market. The carpet will be install on Sat and it will hit the market middle of next week.

Aside from the home repairs we have been busy around town. We took Stephen to Andrew's company picnic and he had a blast. I have not decided which was his favorite part, eating the grape snow cone that spilled all over him, riding on the tractor that was made to look like a Train, or feeding the goats. I think it was feeding the goats.

Here are some pictures:

We have also enjoyed spending some time at Dewberry Farms. It is a local pumpkin patch where we can go and pick our pumpkins straight off the vines. Andrew took me there many years ago and we have been going ever since. They have definitely upgraded things since we started out going. They only had hay rides and a corn maze. Now they have little farmers ville where the kids can go an play, pig races, an animal area, fort, goatel 6 (goat feeding), and a huge roller slide. Stephen really liked the roller slide. It was a little big for him so we wet down with him. I think we each went down it close to 5 times.

Big man on the go.....

OK OK OK I know, since I stay at home now I should be able to update this more often right? Well I am going to try to do better. It would help to know if anyone actually reads it but then again if not they don't know what they are missing...lol...

Well I have learned a lot the past couple of week. I can now speak Stephen. It is a cute little language where everything sounds the same but I am getting close to mastering it. Babble uce is Apple juice, nange is Ranger, and acie is either pacifier or daddy depending on the time of day. There are many more but I will not bore you with the details.

It has really been cool to learn more about what he likes to do. For instance, I never thought to give a 2yr old play dough. I figured it would be a huge mess but it is not and he loves it. Better yet it will entertain him for hours (OK so really like 45 min but still). He also love to be outside and go to the park. He would stay out there all day if I would let him. Luck for us Andrew built a swing set in the back yard so we can just go out there to swing.

Stephen has also gotten tall enough to ride his tricycle. He went on his first unassisted ride on Wed afternoon. He loves his tricycle but up until now he could not reach the pedals so we had to "help" him go around the block. I went to help him like normal and he pushed m hands away and took off in the drive way. It was really neat.

The First Weeks Home

And what a fun time it has been. I am now approaching my second week of being a stay at home mom. I have not really had a lot of time for it to sink in because there has been a ton of "things" to do.... you know the cleaning of the house, the pile of laundry, and finally the errands you have been putting off for weeks. Oh ya I guess there is the whole taking care of Stephen in there also. We both are adjusting to the 24/7 mommy time and Stephen thinks it is all for him. I now know the true definition of "up my butt". He always wants me to hold him or play in the game room. (I secretly love the fact he wants his mommy but come on....) The first week has has really tested the boundaries by trying to climb over the baby gates and throwing fits when he did not get his way, but on the other hand there has been a ton of fun!!!!! Play dates with the neighbor, splashing at the pool, reading and craft time with mommy and of course the all important time in the play room. All in all it has been great but busy, I can wait for next week !!!!!!

Finally

The time has finally come and I couldn't be more excited. I officially gave my notice to quit my job on Thursday so I can be a stay at home mom. I am trading in the excel and power point for poppy diapers and pb& j sandwiches. I know all days will not be "glamorous" but we feel like it is the right time for me to be at home with Stephen.

My boss took it pretty well and understood. He told me a I could come back to the office if plans or situations change and he did offer some funny advice.

• Check in to a Mothers day out program, for you sanity
• Always remember what you feel right now because that will get you through the day
• And finally, If you don't think you are an equal contributor to the relationship then leave your son with your Husband for the weekend.

My last day will be Aug the 15th!!!!!!

Things here have been crazy for the past month so here is a little update......

We got Andrew off to Africa on May 2nd. He was gone for 2 long weeks but we survived. Auntie Lindsey came over alot and kept us company. We took a trip to Tyler for Mother day and saw my parents then the following weekend we went to San Antonio with Laura and Connor. We had a great time, but Stephen was ready for Andrew to come home. We pick him up at he airport and Stephen was so happy to see him that he jumped into his arms. It was really cute. the only bad part is when Stephen see Andrew's luggage he starts to get fussy thinking daddy is going to leave again....