Reese's 2nd Haircut

Reese got her second haircut (just a trim really) on Saturday. We talked about it all day Friday and Saturday morning. I told her Mommy's friend Christina was going to cut her hair. She even said that we were getting our hair cut together, but when we got there and sat down she got scared and cried the whole time. Luckily it was early in the morning, so there were few clients to witness Christina make Reese cry. Christina was super fast even as Reese turned her head back and forth while she tried to snip. The finished product is so cute! Mom took Reese back to her house and I stayed for my highlights!

Love the curls and bangs (they look better when combed, but I just took this picture once we got home from school today).

Thanks Christina!

I think it is actually going to happen!

We have spent the past two weekends (entire month really) packing, purging and organizing what we'll need in the rent house and what can stay packed until we move into the new house. Yes we are preparing to move into our rent house this week! You know what that means...we are finally on our way to actually building the new house! I will not believe it until they demo the old house and pour the foundation of the new house, but it seems after 3 years the beginning is finally in sight.

Securing a rent house was not as easy as we thought it would be. Apparently everyone was looking for a house at the same time we were. The good affordable ones went fast! With a little persistency, I was able to lock down the perfect 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom 1500 square foot "tear down" for 12 months. It's old, but we are used to old...look at what we live in now! It is very close to the Albans house, so we will still be near Reese's school, my work and will be able to drive by the new house daily. They say the house will take 9 months to build, but it could be less, it could be more. Matt will no doubt keep you posted every step of the way.

Being pregnant hasn't slowed me down a bit, but we've had a lot of help from my Mom, Grandma Ruth and Pat. Mom and I pretty much packed the entire house while Matt was in charge of the Goodwill runs and carrying out massive amounts of trash and recycle. It's amazing how much crap you can accumulate. I didn't want to pack anything we didn't need or want.

I'm now 18 weeks pregnant and feeling great! My energy is back, better enjoy it while it lasts! The growing pains are over, I think, but the nightmares continue. What is it with pregnancy and nightmares? I have them almost every night. They range from me being captured by a robber to me being perceived as a bad mom by Reese's school. Most everyone I know is a character in the dreams. They are vivid and last forever. I wake up thinking it's only a dream!!!

My 16 week appointment went well. I'm not gaining too much weight, the baby's heartbeat is good at 156 and Baby S. is quite active. I started feeling movement at week 14/15. Way earlier than the first time. When I told the nurse I was already feeling the baby, she said "Yes, baby is active." She could tell from the heartbeat monitor.

The belly bell is out in full force and has been since at least week 15. I am bigger than this now. Pretty sure I am growing by the week!



Reese never ceases to entertain us. Here are some of her latest stories:

- She has started to talk like me (i.e. repeating my goofy sayings). She says things like hungry bears, funny bunny and tweet tweet. The other day I called her a toot toot and she said, "No, I'm a tweet tweet." Oh yes, Mommy does call you that too.

- She knows what is in my belly. When asked, she points and says, "Baby". She also pulls up my shirt and kisses my belly. What a sweetie! She still hasn't decided if she wants a baby brother or baby sister. I think she'll be happy with either just like Mommy and Daddy.

- She sings when she thinks nobody is listening or watching. We have heard her belt out the words to Twinkle Twinkle, Old MacDonald and Itsy Bitsy Spider. I've tried to capture it on video, but she is camera shy. Her voice is truly the cutest I have ever heard!

- She has expanded her movie selection to Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo, but Cars is still the favorite.

- Every little bump means that she "needs a band aid". We are actually out of both Dora and Hello Kitty band aids and I've packed the boring plain ones. Oops.

- She is very demanding and likes to tell me to "stop it Mommy", "I need ___ right now," "don't do that" etc. We are teaching her to use alternate phrases like "no thank you" and "may I have the ___ please?" She is getting there, but some times blurts out a demand which is so funny to hear. She does say "excuse me" to anything that may be in her way, even if it can't move itself. One of her toys was blocking her way so she said, "excuse me tunnel" and then she said "thank you tunnel."

- She loves sweet tea from Chick-fil-a. When she sees the sign she says "nuggets and sweet tea!" Needless to say, I am limiting the Chick-fil-a to once a week! That is the only time she gets sweet tea, ok.

A few weeks back, we had a nice dinner with Papa Larry at the Outback in The Woodlands. Reese warmed up to him immediately. I was so happy to see that! We went right after work/school, Reese was covered in sand and sweat, but Papa didn't mind.




Reese's last official day of school was before Memorial Day weekend. She graduated to a new class on June 1st. We had lots of end of year activities like the picnic lunch.



Here is Reese's bff, Chloe and her mom Gail. They also live on our street.



There was a fun band.



Reese got up on her feet to dance.



The class sat together after the band played. We have come to know many of the parents which is nice.



Reese got a hold of a cupcake and ate the entire thing. I think I managed to swipe some of the icing in an attempt to limit some of her sugar intake.



The weekend after Mother's Day, we celebrated with our Mothers and Grandma Ruth at Aunt Sharon's with burgers, ritas (non for me of course) and more cupcakes. MaMa Pat always treats us to RJ Goodies!

Reese and Matt shared ice cream after their cupcakes. Daddy loves to share his ice cream with Reesie.

Then while on a sugar high, they banged (I mean played) on the piano.

Here are some silly shots around the house.

I love a baby girl in a diaper! What a cute sight to see. Hopefully we'll move to panties soon...still working on that.

Reese and Mommy enjoying an ice cream snack after dinner. Yes, I am aware neither of us are wearing matching clothes.



Bath time fun!

Chillin' with Daddy wearing her Dora hat.

Then playing patty cake.

We celebrated MaMoo's birthday on May 28th. The strawberry cake was delicious!

Reese preferred to have ice cream and sprinkles.

Hmm seems like we've had lots of cake and ice cream this past month doesn't it?

House Plans

Our house plans are done!!

We hope to move into a rental home and raze the existing structure next month. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the house will be done before baby #2 arrives (baby due in November and house done in February/March . . . . we hope).

Here are some 3D renderings from Greg Swedberg, the architect (2scalearchitects):

http://www.2scalearch.com/on-the-boards

The things Reese says and does...

We are absolutely loving watching what Reese does and hearing the things she has to say. She impresses me with her new phrases and actions each and every day.

For starters, she has been in her toddler bed for at least a month now. She has actually done quite well and only took about a week and two roll outs (on to a pillow on the floor) to transition. Now, she loves (almost every night) to crawl up into her big girl bed and get all tucked in. She gives the biggest kisses and hugs before telling us good night and sweet dreams.

Speaking of big hugs and kisses, Reese loves to love on us, GiGi, MaMoo, Grandma Pat and most people who she is saying goodbye to when departing. I get the best hugs of all! Tonight we sat in the yard (going outside after dinner every night has become a ritual) and she crawled into my lap and just hugged me and hugged me. We rocked and loved making Daddy jealous. I told Reese she better get up and play catch with Daddy before he began to feel left out.

Sometimes she gets into bed with us during the night (which we love because she is so cuddly) and when she wakes up she will grab my arm and put it around her so we can snuggle. If I move it to readjust, she will put it right back. I love it!!!

The other day she dropped something on the floor at Mom's house as the three of us sat at the table. "Sorry guys!" she replied. How funny is that? I don't know where she gets these phrases, but it made me laugh and I was quite impressed that she knew to say "guys" for me and Mom. She did it again tonight for me and Matt.

She is also very polite saying please, thank you, you're welcome, bless you, etc. But what was funny was when she said to me, "Thank you, thank you, thaanks."

We have experienced some not so pleasant moments too...she is a two year old after all. Getting dressed for one can be a big challenge. Granted if we let her wear a Dora t-shirt every day she is fine, but we only own two of those which leaves 5 more days in the week. Some days she ends up in time out twice before we leave the house. One day I put her in the car seat without a shirt and let her teachers handle it once she got to school (she did have a jacket on...I didn't let her go totally bare). They had an equally tough time getting her shirt on even after giving her choices! Yes, everyone says "oh give her choices". I say "yeah right, that doesn't work either!" Some days she doesn't want to wear anything at all choices or not. However, she has been doing better lately. Matt always manages to get her to do what he wants better than I can. The latest thing is letting her pick the socks she wears...yes they may not match her outfit, but she is happy! That is fine with me because for the longest time, she would not wear socks at all. When we picked her up from school, her shoes would be full of sand and she would get tiny blisters on her feet from the strap rubbing against her skin.

Back to the really fun stuff. Reese loves to narrate everything we do. Mommy is putting on her flip flops. Daddy is taking a shower. I just love to hear her talk to see what she will say next. She is so observant. Reese will notice an airplane in the sky that I can hardly see. She never misses the tiniest detail. If you don't pay attention, you will miss it, but Reese won't.

Her favorite movie and the only one we ever watch is "Cars". Luckily I love it about as much as Reese does, so I don't mind that we turn it on every day. When the movie is over, she will talk about the characters and tell me what Doc did or what McQueen said.

Reese still loves to sing and dance. She can really get down and boogie! Moving her shoulders and all. On Saturday, she was singing Happy Birthday to no one in particular. It was crystal clear. I am guessing they sing it a lot at school and in music class for all of the kids birthdays. Her notes from school say that she knows the words to the songs they sing and now I have heard it myself.

She loves to try new things and do everything herself. It's fun to watch her become independent. Sometimes she tries to run the show, but Matt and I make a good team and have learned how to handle the tantrums when she doesn't get her way. Getting down on her level and looking her in the eye works well as does timeout and distraction if she just won't calm down. For the most part, she listens and minds us very well.

I could honestly go on and on, but I'll save more for next time!

Reese and I spent Mother's Day with GiGi as Matt was in San Antonio. We spent the night on Saturday and woke up early for GiGi's yummy waffles. It was a lovely day. When Matt got home, we ate Greek food at Niki Niko's. Next weekend we will all get together again with Mom, Grandma Ruth and Pat at Aunt Sharon's for a bbq.

Preggo Tidbit #2

Heartburn at 14 weeks...seriously?

It has begun! I had massive horrible (ok it was not that bad) heartburn last night. And it has already started today after lunch! Great; better break out the Tums.

I've got some great updates to post about Reese which I know you would rather read about. Stay tuned! BTW, have I told you lately that she is the best little 'big girl'? I love her more and more each day and can't wait to have another one to experience all of this over again!