Sprinkler Time!

The lack of rain and the immense heat has absolutely scorched our grass, so Matt decided to bust out the sprinkler which was a great opportunity for Reese to play in the water! This was really her first time to do so at home. Our last back yard was not kid friendly. This one, at the rent house, is not the prettiest, but it's great to run around in. She absolutey loved "getting wet"!



Daddy showed her how it was done with a few practice runs.




She screamed and yelled with joy.

She couldn't stop smiling!

"I'm getting wet!"

"I touched it!"

What a sweet face!

Staycation 2010 ~ Day 4 & 5 Hanging out and Swimming

On Thursday, Matt and I had great plans of him taking Reese to go swimming while I went for my 29 week appointment. Reese had other ideas telling us, "I just want to hang out."

So she and Daddy hung out while I went for my appointment. It went well! For the past three visits I have been measuring 2 weeks bigger than I actually am. So this week, I measured at 31 weeks. Doctor is not concerned; it could be that I am just carrying him high. I will have another ultrasound at week 33 and we will be able to tell more about how big he is, but he is definitely growing! His heartbeat was 145 bpm. Last time, it was 139 bpm. His heart rate is definitely slower than Reese's. I always remember her being in the 150's. My shots have been fine the past four weeks; thank goodness! I do have to take it easy or else I have frequent braxton hicks contractions and back aches. So I rely heavily on Matt to help run errands and do chores around the house. My goal is no bed rest this time, and I must be able to attend Maylee's wedding on September 25th!

After my appointment, I met Matt and Reese at Freebirds for lunch with some of my co-workers. Amy's ice cream is right next door, so we enjoyed our favorite treat called the Elvis which is a combo of vanilla, banana and Reese's peanut butter cups. Yummy! As per Reese's request, we just "hung out" at home the rest of the afternoon.

On Friday, Matt and Reese got all ready swim at the West U pool, but when they arrived it was closed. The hours are now limited since school started, so that afternoon we went to Mama Pat's pool instead. I sat in the shade while they played and splashed.


MaMa Pat had a new toy for Reese - a Dora pail full of beach toys.


Reese practiced kicking in the water. She said, "I'm swimming like a shark!" We'll definitely do swimming lessons next summer!

I enjoyed the scenery in Pat's back yard.

Saturday was quite relaxing. We thought we were settled on a baby boy name, but turns out we are not 100% certain. So we took a trip to Barnes and Noble and purchased a book called The Baby Name Wizard. I spent the afternoon highlighting ones I liked. Then Matt and I made a short list that evening. There are so many names I like. Matt, not so much. Needless to say the jury is still out, but we are getting closer!

Earlier in the evening, Reese did the cutest thing at dinner (we had pizza with Uncle Scott). When we sat down at our table she slung her new purse over the back of the chair. It was so cute! Amazing what my child picks up from me! Loved it.

On Sunday, we got up, picked up Shipley's donuts and headed to the park.

After a yummy breakfast, Reese and Daddy played on the swings and the slide!

Reese went high in the sky! She is so big!

I love how her hair is blowing in the wind.

What a great vacation we had this year!!!

Staycation 2010 ~ Day 3 "Art Work"

After a morning of a few chores, grocery shopping and lunch, Reese and I headed to Michael's to purchase our arts and crafts. Reese was very specific on what she wanted: assorted purple/pink fluffy dots, green pipe, green glitter glue, colorful round beads, colorful fish/ocean beads, and a Cars coloring book. I thought we could not live without: puffy butterfly stickers, colorful buttons, new crayons, regular glue, a container to hold everything and retro Dubble Bubble gum. $50 dollars later we were all set to make some "art work" as Reese likes to say.

Here is what we came up with...she needed a little help with her first necklace. She selected the pieces and I strung them. What a masterpiece!



She squirted a lot of glue for each piece. It is still drying! The finished product had every piece of craft I had set out because it was not done until all of the pieces were gone. Glad I saved some in the storage box for next time. ;)

The green glitter glue was harder to squeeze, but of course she could do it!

By the second necklace, she was a pro and strung all the fish pieces herself.

I love her concentration face.

Got it!

She called it her choo choo train (not a necklace Mom!). She sang, "Choo choo, chug, chug, chug!"

The gestures made her song even better!

Arts and crafts was a super hit! Don't know why we didn't do it before, but so glad we finally did! We both had a great time!

Staycation 2010 ~ Day 2 Shopping & a Play date

Today's events included shopping for baby brother & Reese, playing with Brady and having dinner with PaPa Larry. For some reason, I forgot both my camera and iPhone, but thanks to Jennifer I have a few pictures of Reese and Brady playing this afternoon.

First, Reese enjoyed picking out a swaddle blanket, cars burp cloths and soft froggie teether for her baby brother. She is so sweet and is talking more and more about her baby brother. Last week, she told me she was going to share her Cars band aids and her toy clock with him. It makes me happy that she is interested in him and that she is excited for his arrival. Reese is going to be the best big sister!

Then we headed to Gymboree for the last day of the 30% off sale. Reese was actually interested in shopping. She found a purse that she had to have. She said, "I want this purse Mom!" Then she selected a pair of kitty leggings and matching top. I could not resist, she was so into it and we always need new stuff, right? Baby brother got a cute onesie which reads "Lil Brother" and some socks...always need those!

After an appointment and lunch at home, Reese and I headed to The Woodlands for a play date with Brady and his mom Jennifer.

They were all set up with crafts when we arrived. Reese strung lots of beads on pipe making a very pretty bracelet. It was fun to watch her work. She is very focused. She does a lot of art work at school, but we really have not gotten crafty at home. I think we'll make a trip to Michael's tomorrow and get stocked up!







Afterwards, we met my Dad for dinner. It's nice that he has been in town so much lately. Reese really enjoys seeing him!

Reese finished off the day playing with GiGi who is staying with us this week while her house gets painted. It was a great day!

Staycation 2010 ~ Day 1 Children's Museum

Matt, Reese and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend as we geared up for a relaxing staycation. Reese's school closes the last week in August every year, so we take the week off and hang out together.

It is amazing how much more I enjoyed the weekend knowing I had the entire week off too! There was no pressure to get everything done before Monday. Saturday morning we went to "look at the dirt" better know as progress on the house. They have completed the plumbing stack out and are ready to pour concrete by next Tuesday, August 31st.



Then we took a trip to Starbucks to read the paper followed by a trip to the park. After cooling off and watching an episode of Dora we headed to Chick-fil-a for a nice lunch. The afternoon was spent napping.

Sunday was spent at home playing and resting.

Reese was singing and having a good 'ole time.

Today, our first official day of vacation, Reese and I went to the Children's Museum with MaMa Pat. Matt, unfortunately has to work through Wednesday, so we went without him.

It was the perfect time to go because all of the school age kids started back today, so we practically had the place to ourselves.




Reese got to see what phones used to look like.

MaMa Pat pulled her up on the pulley seat.

MaMa Pat got a work out and Reese loved it.

Then we checked out the cool classic Ford Mustang. Grandpa Joe could have told Reese some stories about his Pontiac GTO.

Reese loved being in the drivers seat.

She even took me for a spin.

Reese made up her own sorting game at this station.

She loved and cow and wanted to sit on it. but the sign said, "Please do not sit."

In the "Tot Spot" Reese played along may other toddlers. She liked fastening the chain, ringing the doorbell and turning the light on and off.

And the tunnel was a hit because we love them so much!!!

I remember this toy from our last visit when Reese was little.

Driving the police car was super fun!

Luckily the Ambulance did not have a siren!

After a great trip, we headed home and took a nap. That is my goal, a nap a day for Reese and more importantly me and baby boy!

Later tonight, Reese chatted on the phone with GiGi.