Easter Sneak Peak

Chloe and I stepped outside today to get some pictures of her in the adorable Easter outfit Shorty made. It was pretty wet outside this morning so I didn't get to take the amount of time I was hoping for to get the 'perfect' shot. However, Chloe surprised me by giving me a few adorable poses. She certainly gets prissy when she puts a dress on these days.

 

When we were finished taking photographs, I asked her to "Come inside so you don't get your dress yucky." She misunderstood and thought that she had already made a mess on her dress. She freaked. There were tears galore while she sobbed, "My princess dress is ruined." Thankfully, I was able to explain to her that the dress was fine and she calmed down. 

 

These are the things she does that make me want to laugh and cry at the same time. Sweet girl, you are so very passionate about life and everything you do.

Spring Fever and the Rodeo

Spring fever is in full force around here. We've had some teaser days in the near 90s. The past three days have been 60ish. I know that's warm for some of you, but I would prefer 70-80. I'm spoiled. The truth is: we have a wonderful spring in this neck of the woods, but it's short lived. We'll be hitting triple digits on a daily basis soon. I relish this weather.

 

 

I had to include this picture. Chloe doesn't cuddle much, but she makes an exception for Dad.

See what I mean about spring fever...Popsicles are a frequent outdoor treat right now.

 

We went to the Austin Fair and Rodeo on March 16. We didn't actually go to the rodeo. It cost $25/person. $75 seems a bit steep to try and haul a toddler along. She would have loved it, but would have lost interest too soon to justify that kind of cash. We'll take her when she's older and can remember. We settled for the fair and stock show this time.

 

I underestimated Chloe this year. She ran up to this ride as soon as we walked though the fair gate  saying, "I want to ride the dinosaur!" I really thought she would get more out of the animals, but she was all about the rides and the games. She even rode a roller coaster (kiddie coaster) with her dad!

 

The picture above is when she started to get skeptical of the ride. The first two times around she was smiling. These rides went so fast!

 

Clearly wondering when this ride is going to be over. She looked like she might start crying on the next trip around. Thankfully the guy running the ride was pretty in-tune with her and stopped it before the waterworks started (she was the only kid on the ride). Of course, this experience didn't slow her down any. She still wanted to ride all the rides. Every single time she would act scared, ask to be done, and then run to the next ride to do it all again.

 

Really wanting to ride the carousel. Mom and Dad made her wait until after the 'critter expedition.'

 

Dad and Chloe looking at a pony.

 

The pony ride. We paid $3 to get the picture ride the pony, but Chloe started crying as soon as the pony started moving. Mark took her off and we were leaving, but the guy running the ride gave us back our money. How nice was that? We fully expected them to keep it. God bless people that treat others' they way they would want to be treated.

 

She does not trust the longhorn behind us. (Righly so...Wreck 'em Tech!)

 

 

Another pony!

 

Finally she got to ride the carousel! She was not this happy when we first got on board. I guess after the live-pony trauma she wasn't too sure about the fiberglass one. But after I demonstrated some over-the-top enthusiasm, she changed her tune and had a blast.

 

I have a video of Mark and her riding the roller coaster, but you can't see Chloe at all and Mark looks like a freak, giant riding in a little kid roller coaster! haha. There was another full-grown man in the seat behind him, but he looks like an elf compared to Mark.

 

Now for the bump update. I'm currently 29 weeks. The picture of me in white is the new baby at 27 weeks. The picture of me in purple is the Chloe photo. I'm feeling pretty good most of the time. I still get a little nauseous at night sometimes. I'm just excited to only have 11 weeks left! June won't get her soon enough. Little miss still doesn't have a name. I think we have it narrowed down to two. I'm just not 100% sold on either one. We may have to wait and meet her. It always drives me crazy when people won't share the name they picked. Believe me, we just don't know...it's not a secret.

 

 

 

Mini-Vaca

C and I spent a few days in Houston visiting Shorty and Pop. Once I get to my computer I have some good rodeo photos to share, but for now enjoy some beach pictures. We are so ready for summer and to meet our newest addition.

My Songstress

Chloe has quite the repertoire when it comes to music. I caught her singing "Part of Your World" from 'The Little Mermaid yesterday.

Some of her favorites to sing:

• ABC
• Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
• Bear Necessities (Jungle Book)
• Row Row Row Your Boat
• Old McDonald
• You are My Sunshine

This is her singing You are My Sunshine. She memorized it pretty quickly. I'm not kidding when I say this video brings tears to this pregnant, hormonal mom's eyes.

Tomorrow we plan to go to the rodeo. I'm hoping to have some pictures to share along with a bump photo. We only have 13 weeks left until G2 gets here. I've been working on the nursery with some help from my parents. I think it should be complete in the next few weeks and I'll post pictures.

A quick poll. What are your thoughts on a girl having the initials B.J. The middle name for this girl is set in stone, but we are struggling with a first name. We have found some 'B' names that we like, but the middle initial is 'J.' Is it a don't? Or am I just dirty-minded and paranoid about my kids being made fun of for no reason?

February Through my Lens

Our February was much busier than my camera shows.

 

 

We chased Dad on his bike.

 

We played with Dad's phone.

 

We perfected our model pout and vogued.

 

We raked leaves.

 

 

We told Dad which leaves to rake.

 

 

Then we rolled around in the raked leaves.

We played with our cars. (I can't believe how entertained the painters tape highway kept her.)

 

 

We made silly face for the camera.

 

I love this little girl!

 

 

Mourning a True Matriarch

I don't write about my in-laws often and it's not because they aren't involved in our lives. We live in the same town as them and see them often. There are multiple reasons for my silence, but mostly I'm not sure how they would feel about having their images and likeness shared somewhere people can so easily access it.

I discussed this post with my husband and he's okay with me writing it. Despite my best efforts and the fact that I've been writing it in my head over and over, I probably won't be able to convey my feelings adequately. I'm not going to presume to know what my husband or the other members of his family are feeling. So this post is more of an effort for me to therapeutically write out my feelings and preserve them so that someday when my daughters ask about their Grandma, I'll be able to share with them. Let's face it. The human mind is so unreliable. Even with the best effort, we sometimes lose memories that we try so desperately to keep.

Suzy in high school

My mother-in-law, Suzy, lost her battle with brain cancer on February 4 after a nearly 5 year stand-off with the disease (obituary). She endured more physically and emotionally in those short 5 years than many of us will in a lifetime and I wouldn't wish the pain on anyone. In that time, she remained upbeat and I never once heard her complain about the hand she had been dealt nor be bitter about her circumstances. I only mention this because I feel like that's the way many people would react and nobody could blame them. I'm in complete awe over her attitude.

Of course when I was a little girl, I imaged what my married life would be like. Those thoughts came complete with anxiety over my relationship with my in-laws...I do mean anxiety. I was dreading having a mother-in-law. Early on while Mark and I were dating, I had a pretty strong suspicion that he was the man I was going to marry. When I met his mom, my fears of a future mother-in-law were erased. Never once in the entire time we dated nor during our marriage did she make me feel like anything less than a friend and daughter. She allowed me to accompany her and Mark on a road trip from California to Texas one of the first times I was around her. She opened her home to me and my dog while I was looking for an apartment after college. She was a lot of fun to be around and she brought the party with her. Always.



My mom, me, Mark, Suzy
Texas Tech graduation May 2006

One of my favorite moments was when she was going in for brain surgery shortly after they discovered her tumor in 2008. We were all waiting with her in pre-op before she was wheeled to surgery. Her children and husband were giving her hugs and wishing her the best for the long, nerve-wrecking operation. I was hanging out in the back of the room behind Mark trying not to get in the way of this vital family moment. (Mark and I had only been married for a little over 6 months so I was still learning the ropes.) Suzy asked, "where's Kim?" To which I promptly responded with the hug, kiss and 'I love you' that I was too shy to volunteer. I love that moment and at the same time I hate that it signifies the beginning of what was a terrible journey for us all.

Unfortunately, Suzy was sick most of our marriage. In the eight years that I've known Mark, Suzy was sick for five of them. Most of the other years we were living in a college town 6 hours away. It really prevented me from getting to know her the way I would have liked. But, make no mistake...I love and am going to miss my mother-in-law.



Chloe and Suzy
My favorite photo of the two of them.

I miss her for my husband, myself and my children. I'm angry. I'm angry for my husband, for myself, my children and the rest of our family. We were all cheated out of so much of her life. At the same time, I rejoice that she is no longer in pain. I'm thankful that she was able to see her youngest son come home from Afghanistan, I'm thankful that she was able to meet her first grandchild (Chloe) and that she was here to learn that she would be having a second granddaughter. I'm thankful that she was able to fight for nearly five years when the best doctors thought she wouldn't have more than 18 months with us. But guess what! It's really hard to be thankful when you are hurt and angry. I know this is normal. I know 'this too shall pass.' So for now, my little family clings to each other to rejoice in the good, mourn for our loss and find our new 'normal.'

20 week bump

I've been really bad about taking bump progress pictures with this baby. I'm really glad that I was so good about it with Chloe. It's been kind of fun to go back and compare each week.

I finally remembered to take a photo last night.

 

I think it's a little bigger this time. Maybe? Oh well. At least I don't get stretch marks since my belly takes it's time 'popping.' ha

 

Let me also say, "Hooray for being half way finished." I really am trying to enjoy this in case it's the last time for us, but I really am not enjoying this pregnancy much. The only thing I've enjoyed is feeling her kick. She is strong.

 

 

Look, the bump is even smaller when the shirt isn't covering it up...

At 20 weeks, I'm finally back to my pre-pregnancy weight!

 

 

 

For good measure, here are some highlights of Chloe's week.

She is starting to drop her nap. Sometimes even though she doesn't want one, her body does a force shutdown. Here, she crashed out on her little couch. How cute is this? I tried to wake her up for dinner, but she wouldn't budge.

 

We took her to feed the ducks and geese. If you don't know, geese are pretty aggressive. I got bit by one while we were feeding them. But, we kept a really good eye on Chloe and she was untouched. Don't think I won't punt a goose if it attacked my precious daughter. ha.

 

Chloe and her buddy Rocco coloring.

 

Rocco and Chloe rested for about 5 seconds before they resumed chasing each other in their game of tag.