Two kids snacking is just cute!

Got to love goldfish! I get a kick out of this every time!

The Year of the Dragon (Big changes are coming)

A few weeks back Reese and her class celebrated the Chinese New Year. Reese got to try Chinese food and hear a story about the Chinese New Year. This is the Year of the Dragon.

Two of the parents arranged the celebration and Reese really enjoyed it. When I picked her up she showed me her chop sticks. Later that night she showed me how she could eat with them. She told me, "Chop sticks are cool!"

So cool, she had to use them again the next night.

The following weekend we celebrated Reese's birthday with the family. We learned from Jingya, Chris' girlfriend, that The Year of the Dragon is supposed to be a good year to have a baby. In addition, it is supposed to be a year of BIG change for Virgo's (i.e. Matt and Scott). So what do we think the BIG changes will be? Well I had guessed right that Scott would become a dad - yes, Lauren is pregnant and due August 28th!!! So happy for them and can't wait for baby Sicinski to arrive. (Funny story - a few weekends later Lauren told Reese she was having a baby and if it is a girl they will name her Elle. Reese responded, "I like M better!" (Get it M over L). So funny, we cracked up. Reesie!)

I am also guessing Matt will have a BIG change related to those weekend drills - hmmm .... deployment anyone? Time will tell.

Walking skills

On January 19th and 20th Lane took four steps. The next day he took four more. That Sunday he took at least five and then on January 23rd Grandma said he took eight! So he officially walked at 15 months.

He has progressed from the bear crawl to walking on his knees to taking cautious steps. The past week Lane has been walking much much more. Standing up and going across the room. He has even gone so fast that I may even call it a run. The smile on his face is priceless when he walks to me. Like he is so proud of his accomplishment. He holds his chest out for balance with his arms to his side - still getting the hang of it all.

This week he has insisted on walking up the stairs while holding both my hands (he leads the way and I hold his hands above his head). His quickest mode of transportation is still crawling on all fours especially when he is trying to find me. I'll leave the living room and head to the kitchen and Lane will bolt to locate me. A bit of a Mommy's boy I must say!

He turned 16 months on the 17th of February and he is still so lovable and gives the best hugs. 

He wraps his arms around my neck and squeezes tight! I love love love it! He smiles and laughs and is just so so sweet to us all. He and Reese are really having fun with each other too. Tonight they were both standing and he was pushing her trying to hug her. I said, "Careful Lane." And Reese said, "He is just trying to hug me!" She didn't mind one single bit.

Standing skills

Bear crawling (did I mention he loves the backyard!)

Hugging and standing with Avery. He was in love with her the night we had dinner with The Clarks.

Valentine's Day - - -

Knee walking

Following behind Reese and holding on for balance.

Happy boy, so proud!

Daddy was there to see it!

Just too cute here!!!

Freely walking at the park this past Saturday (wearing the same shirt but it's 2 weeks later).

Yes he still has that paci. The boy loves that thing. He seeks it out and will hold two at a time. Might be a hard habit to break!

Walking with Daddy and Reese after Mass on Saturday.

a Million pictures

The other night I was trying to capture these cuties eating their magic pop. 

As I snapped pictures, Reese kept asking if she could take some too.

I was trying to get one where they were both putting the pop in their mouth at the same time.

Then Lane crawled on the table so I had to get that on camera!

Reese said, "Mommy, you have taken a million pictures! I want a turn." (funniest thing I had heard her say that week - she still surprises me daily with her vocabulary)

I took one more and then

handed over the camera and here is what she did...

(Don't judge my pj's - they are so comfy - I promise I have pondered getting new cute ones)

Such a good one of Lane - she tried really hard to get it. Reese moves the camera as soon as she clicks the button, so she misses sometimes as you can see above...

She kept telling me to say "Cheese!"

She gave me a turn to get her silly face.

Then she had to get my silly face too.

She giggled with joy when she got this one of McQueen.

And this one of Innotab. She gets so excited and is very proud of her work!

She loved this one of Lane saying, "He looks small!" (meaning far away I think)

Oh girlie girl you make me smile! Most of all, I am happy when seeing the joy on your face when you do something you love. It's the best thing ever!

Welcome to the oilfield...

Those were the words I heard about 10 times after my first rig visit fell through due to the fog. We spent half a day in the parking lot of the airport near Patterson waiting for the fog to clear enough to fly out on the helicopter but it never did. So after a good visit with the OIM and RMS we drove 5 hours back home and waited for the next visit.

On Monday, February 20th we flew to New Orleans then drove to Pascagoula, MS to visit two of our rigs in the shipyard. Our visit with the employees was a success!

The guys repaired these legs where you see the black paint.

Looking down from above.

Digging the huge aviator safety glasses!

A really big Transocean rig.

The other leg they are repairing.

And our drive back to the airport to fly home after a long day.