Special Friend

This was a very big weekend around our house!  After the surprise date night with Shawn and the great time with GranSan and Patsy, one would think it couldn't get any better...well it did!  On Sunday, one of my very best friends, Alli, was in town and came to spend the day with me and the girls.  It was her first time to see Braelyn and Emerson hadn't gotten to see her since they moved from Houston.  It was so good to see her!

 Crazy to think that we have now been friends for 14 years!!!

 Emerson opening the gift that Alli brought.

OOOOH! A princess book!  Alli was so sweet to not only bring Braelyn something, but Em and Mommy too!

Birthday Duo

My mom and I always try to celebrate together for our birthday.  This time we didn't do very much celebrating together...she was so focused on giving me a break that she celebrated more with Emerson and Braelyn.  She and Patsy were here for all of 10 minutes when Shawn and I headed out for our date night and then on Saturday Emerson and I went to the football game and left Braelyn with GranSan and Patsy.  We greatly appreciate all the help!  Patsy made us chicken and dressing, sweet potatoes, green beans, and strawberry jello salad!  It is amazing!  So glad they were both able to come!

Emerson worked very hard coloring GranSan's card, apparently Braelyn's job was to help her read it!

Emerson helping Braelyn read GranSan her card!

Braelyn was much more relaxed this time compared to GranSan's last visit...yea!

GranSan's girls!

Patsy hard at work in the kitchen

Emerson trying to show Braelyn the new toy that GranSan had brought her.

Patsy and Em

Awesome!

Shawn had a game on Thursday so we celebrated my birthday on Friday.  My mom and Patsy came in town and watched the girls for us and Shawn pulled off quite a surprise.  We ate at a new restaurant on The Waterway called The Original Yucatan Taco Stand and then walked to The Pavillion for the Heart and Def Leppard concert!  It was awesome!!!!  We had so much fun.  Thank you babe for a perfect birthday!

3

Braelyn turned 3 months old yesterday!!!  She is growing and changing so much every day.  The older she gets the more I think she looks like her sister but it is very obvious that they are going to be very different!  She seems to be adjusting very well with me going back to work...she loves day care.  It has helped her to be much more calm and happy at home too.  I think it definitely came at a good time to keep her from being soooo attached to Mommy!  She is staying awake much longer during the day and sleeping great at night.  We usually put her to bed around 8:30 or 9 and her next feeding will be anywhere from 5 to 7 in the morning!  She now will move her eyes and turn her head to follow you when you move and she loves to sit up very straight.  When you try to recline her on your legs she practically does sit ups trying to get back up.  She likes sitting in the Bumbo seat which is hilarious and she loves watching anything her big sister is doing. 

 So fun to watch her little personality develop!

 All dressed up ready for school!

 Relaxing watching a little college football with Daddy

 Acting so big watching TV with Em but...

 still SO tiny!

Gets lots of love and attention from her big sister!

Cooking Like Caillou

One of Emerson's favorite shows is Caillou and on one of the episodes Caillou and his friends make their own pizzas.  I have always told her that we would have to do that someday.  After how well the cookie decorating went, I decided to give it a try today.  She did so good!!!

 First, you put the sauce...

 spread it all around.

 I like lots of cheese, Mom.

 Packing down the cheese to add more!

 Time to make a smiley face with the pepperoni...

 Well, we needed a few more than a smiley face!

 Time for a taste test.

I guess it was good!

New Discovery

Braelyn was 11 weeks this past week and made a new discovery.  She found the toys hanging down from her little play mat.  She learned that when she spins the ball on the little tiger that it will play music.  She looked pretty proud of herself!  Now we hear the music all the time!

 Hey Mom, did you see what I just did?!

I'll try again in case you missed it!

Side By Side

Ever since Emerson saw the new jogging stroller, she has been patiently waiting for the day that Braelyn could ride in it with her.  Well, we finally gave it a try and it was one of the cutest things I have ever seen!  It showed just how big Em is now and how tiny Braelyn still is!  Papa said that Em looked like she should be in the first grade not just 2 years old!  We took a walk around the neighborhood and ended at the park so that Emerson could swing and slide.  Braelyn was asleep by the time we got to the park but woke up so she could watch her big sis play.

Trial Run

I decided to try Braelyn out at day care this week before she has to be there all day when I start back to work next week.  I also needed the trial run to see how it was going to be getting me ready and both of them off to school and still get to work at a decent time!  I was a little nervous for a couple of reasons.  Braelyn has seemed to be quite the Mommy's girl and sometimes shows her temper when other people hold her.  Also, Emerson was going to be starting in a new class on top of not going for awhile.  We got out the door earlier than expected and the part that was difficult was not at all what I expected.  Emerson did not want to leave Braelyn in her class!  She started crying saying "My Braelyn, my Braelyn!"...it was pretty cute but pretty unexpected!  Apparently when I told her that she and Braelyn were going to be going to school together she took that very literally!  Braelyn did great, even took a 2 hour nap one day!  It helps that one of the teachers knows how to swaddle well-the secret to calming Braelyn down!



All ready to start back to school!

 I'm a little nervous...I don't know anybody yet.  Em told me that I would have fun!

All ready to go!

Friday Night Lights

Em, Braelyn, and I cheered the Bears to another victory last night against Spring.  The girls both love Friday nights.  Emerson is so cute just sitting beside me on the bleachers clapping and yelling "Go Bears!" and Braelyn just sits perfectly content in her carrier taking it all in.  Of course, as soon as I take her out of her carrier I have her for maybe 5 seconds before somebody else takes her.  She sat with Leslie for most of the second half and was such a happy girl.

 Emerson and Cannon were adorable sitting together cheering and dancing to the band.  Em had on her purple Crocs and Cannon had on his gold ones...wish that part was in the pic!

 I think this was right after the drumline played right in front of us...I think it stressed her out so bad she just went to sleep!

A rare picture of all four of us...Braelyn looks a little freaked out but she really was happy!

Always the perfect ending to every game!