Happy Halloween!

Rosa Jane's first costume. I should have been able to predict how cute she would be in her monkey outfit, but I way underestimated her preciousness. I like being surprised by her. I dressed her in front of the mirror so that she would keep the hat on. She only tugged at it briefly. I told her "I'll be right back with the camera and to stay put," but I found her wandering around the kitchen just like this. Too cute!

And that's when cuz Becky called and said she and Braden were going to lunch at El Arroyo. So we stripped the costume and headed out the door to meet them, because who can ever pass up queso and good conversation.

Today I'm feeling happy -- happy to have family and friends so close.

Celebrating Sweet Love

Saturday night Don and I escaped daily life at the Bastrop Hyatt Lost Pines. It's a beautiful resort and we had an amazing suite, fancy-britches dinner and a wonderful breakfast on Sunday. The time was well spent reconnecting and reflecting on the last five years. Thanks to Honey for babysitting the little sick peanut for us. It was wonderful to get away if just for a day . . .

So That's How The Story Ends...

A lot has happened in the last four days, but still I feel obligated to backtrack to that fateful day at Chicago O'Hare on Thursday, the 26th so please, if you don't mind too much, humor me.

As you know we were visiting Sally & Fam and getting up and out of the house by or before 10 am is no picnic. Somehow, with teamwork, we did it. Misty rain sprinkles us as we load up and unload the car. We get to the airport and I tell Sally, sorry, but I will not be crying today. I have too much on my mind as I mentally prepare for getting the car seat, my two carry-ons, the stroller and my suitcase all in manageable carrying position. Sally is taking care of Rosa Jane and putting her in her stroller and I'm getting sad, but when I glance back at the car and see Francis sitting there with her palm on the window looking at me, I just lose it. Oh, it is tragic and heartbreaking to say goodbye to my sal pal and to her precious offspring.

Alas, we're inside security and we realize our flight to Austin is delayed an hour and then altogether cancelled. To make a long story short, we ended up catching a night flight to thunderstorm-struck Houston and my parents saved the day by picking us up.

Here's what's good about being with your best friend: you realize you do the same things without even knowing it and you get to give and trade advice and if it works for one, why the hell wouldn't it work for the other? Well, let's just say Sally's rule of carry just two diapers and just enough wipes shouldn't be carried over to travel day. We ended up spending $12 at the airport for the necessities of 8 Pampers and Wet Ones. Lesson learned.

Twenty-four hours later we drove into Austin travel-weary and with a puke-encrusted baby.

As awful as all of this sounds, it wasn't really that bad. Especially when I got to hold sweet sleeping Rosa Jane in my arms for the duration of the flight. It's a feeling I hope I never forget.

Meeting our first extended fam on the Roedner side

More KBR fun
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

Among all the fun we had visiting the Chicago Guldes, we also got to introduce my neice, Casey, to her new cousin, Rosa Jane. Casey narrates the dolphin show at the Brookfield zoo. It was wonderful to see her in action and to get a chance to visit as well. Here Casey has her first experience with a baby, baby George. She counts herself among the biggest animal lovers of all time and has handled all kinds of baby animals. It's nice to see her mothering instincts translates to the human variety, too. ;-) Click on the picture to see more of the dolphins and other stuff we did...

rosa jane's boyfriend

More KBR fun
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

meet george. rosa jane's one true love.
click on the picture to see more.

13 Months for RJ ParJay

Today was a red marker day. Sally and I both had sleeping babes in strollers at the mall and we had a great time browsing the shops in Shaumburg. RJ has been the crack of dawn riser she always is, but today she went down for a mid morning nap which was a nice surprise. I love naptime... although I miss her a lot while she's unconscious to the world, I know with rest she'll have even more fun later. The kids are all sick with runny noses and Matt got a Z pak today. Sal and I are downing Airborne like it's going out of style. Even with all the coughing and the germs, there's still no other place I'd rather be, other than with my husband, of course. It's just that it is so so good to be with Sally and her precious family. Frankie is the funniest little girl and I have try really hard not to let her know how funny I think she is. Though, admittedly, I'm a horrible liar and I don't try very hard. The Little Matt/Crazy Eddie mix that we call GEORGE just looks at me with his piercing blue eyes and who could even try to resist the powers of that. I will do anything for him. Pix to follow later.

Sunday Afternoon with RJ and KB

Sunday Afternoon with RJ and KB
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

These are the cutest girls in the whole wide world.

Zoo with Francis and Sally

Zoo with Rosa Jane and KBR
Originally uploaded by The Gulde Family.

We landed in Chicago yesterday afternoon and we just keep having more and more fun. The kiddos are real sweet and Georgie is just to die for precious. Everybody is trying their best to share though that lesson is sometimes wicked hard to learn. Last night we all went over to my niece's house to meet her new Old English Bulldog pup, Gus, her boyfriend, Cade, Abby the amazing yellow lab and Casey's 12 birds whom I did not catch their names. We had a wonderful time with the dolphin trainers and the pizza was delicious.

This morning we went to the zoo and tried to make the dolphin show, but Rosa Jane fell asleep at 11 and I wasn't about to wake her and take her out of the stroller to adhere to zoo policy in the auditorium. So we played vet doctor in the animal hospital. I love the children's space at the zoo and wish that Austin had something like it.

I feel like we're walking in a movie set with the quaint city/suburb neighborhood and beautiful colors in the trees. I do love visiting the city, but I know I'll be glad to get back to the country. If only I could fit the Guldes in my pocket. I know George would fit, it's the other three I'm worried about.

Click on the picture to see the other 97 photos from Sunday in Chicago.

Happy 5th Anniversary!

I can't believe we've been married five wonderful years already. Happy Anniversary, my love. You're still my most favorite monkey in the jungle and I love you with all my heart.

What a glorious Spring Day

Oh wait, it's fall. well, if Texas only had more 60ish degree days like today it would be absolutely perfect. Click on the picture to see more from our fun time in the yard with frisbee-crazed Hank Bob Speckled Pants.

Honey Takes Us to the Zoo

On Saturday we celebrated Brett's third birthday at the Cameron Park Zoo. We had a great time checking out all the animals. Rosa Jane loved it, but especially loved driving Brett's push car thingamabob. Click on the picture to see more...

the sweetest girl in the room

This week was a big one for me and the peanut. On Monday we went to our first MOPS meeting. I loved being with the other moms and getting my craft fix with magnet halloween bats. Rosa Jane didn't even seem to notice when I left, but I knew we were bordering on cranky hour if she didn't get her nap. A few minutes later she did what I thought she'd never do... she napped even while there was chaos all around her with the other babies playing. When I went back to pick her up, I didn't see her at first and that was a very weird feeling. She was the one bouncing up and down in the playpen by herself. She was excited to see me and kept leaning in to give me kisses and to receive them for herself.

Today we went to our first kindermusik experience. The kind moms of Oak Hill welcomed us, but it was Rosa Jane who stole the show... walking and dancing and kissing all the other babies goodbye on her own accord. Each kiss held the sound effect "mmmmwah!" and they ate it up.

It's really wonderful to be able to see your baby interact positively with other babies and adults. Rosa Jane is very social and easy going. It's no wonder we all love her so much.

Thank you, Ruthie!!

Ruthie, we got your package today! RJ loves her new shirt. It was wonderful to hear from you and so thoughtful to remember us. So my friend, this one is for you!

Rosa Jane's One Year Photo Montage

Tell me what you think about this photo montage. I've been trying to make a slideshow for what seems like ten years. Click the play button and enjoy! (The music is Beaumont's Kate Spade Theme song.)

Get MySpace video codes at onetruemedia.com

Rosa Jane Learns the Art of Keepaway From Hank

Watch and see what happens as Rosa Jane and Hank play ball.


Rosa Jane and Hank Play Ball on Vimeo

Sometimes, only video will do...

Rosa Jane Walks and Does the Touchdown! on Vimeo

This second video includes a cameo by Cashew the sock monkey lovingly made by Lorna Holley. I'll warn you this video borders on boring, but the good news is that it is sweet and short. Click play if you dare...

Cashew and Peanut Together Forever on Vimeo

new favorite photo

i think this one is my brand new all time favorite, favorite photo. we watched Matt and Sally get married again on the tele yesterday afternoon and so we were in a new locale for our photo session -- the only room with VHS. that sure was a special wedding! i laughed, I cried! I said HOORAY!!

then later it was bathtime and though i had sworn off no bath photos ever... well, here they are. of course there are many more, but with a toddler on my hands I am out of time. check back for more later.