Pixie Cat Graduates!

We've been to and from Ann Arbor in the last 4 days. Gotta run now with no time to blog... check out thepix!

I Said If You're Going to Walk in the Street,

then you have to hold my hand. She held on tight to my fingers for a blissful 5 seconds. Then she held her baby's hand and kept on a keeping on. These pictures really are from her 19th month photo session. Enjoy!

Happy 19 Months, Little Girl!

Stop the clock, stop the clock! Our little girl runs headfirst into the terrible twos. She heads straight for the street anytime we open the door. She's worse than the dog, really.

Despite these ever-loving challenges we love her with all our hearts and more.

Tomorrow we head to Ann Arbor for a long weekend just the two of us and the other half of Sara's family. Can't wait to see our little girl graduate with honors. We're so very proud of Sara Beara.

Now I Understand Everything

Okay, just kidding. I don't really understand everything, but I DO now understand why families drop off from the blog-world when their child hits about the 18/19th month marker. Life becomes extremely busy protecting your child from the dangers of "playing alone." A couple of times I have stepped away and come back to find RJ completely lathering up her dolls in Aquaphor and other such goodness. Yikes!

So, here I've posted some pictures doing what we do... eat, sleep, play, sing and above all else: avoid all the stores! RJ's curiosity for those perfectly folded shirts and pants get destroyed in a matter of seconds. She's all over the place. I've joked with friends that we don't just need a leash, we need the accompanying straight jacket as essential going out wear. And maybe that's why I've stopped taking her out alone. She's testing Mama and she knows which buttons to push.

We made our first trip to the zoo on a chilly morning and decided the trail was a little too rough for our made-for-the-mall stroller. Rosie is loving preschool and starting to like the other kids. She practices saying their names "Chase" and "Kylie" all the time.

Ever since Don got his guitar last month we've been graced with the rhythm of the blues. We all love it. Here you see RJ being played to while dining. Only the finest entertainment for our baby.

Enjoy the pictures. I've got to run. Bye now.

Names that Begin with R-o

Robyn's visit was all too brief and it didn't help matters that she was accidentally locked out one of the two nights she spent with us. I tried to tell her "life isn't supposed to be this hard." but when I think about all the crazy circumstances that seem to follow her, one starts to wonder...

Why, Lord?

We love you, Robyna. Next time call us and wake us up, or ELSE (I'll go move into that dirt pile)!

Of Course She Stopped *Really* Saying I Love You for the Camera

Watch the movie from last night on the front porch. It was a really magical time hanging out post downpour. The lighting was amazing. The deer were frollicking and all we got was the lousy video of RJ only half-way saying I Love You. If only you'd seen her ten minutes prior, then you'd be just as proud as us. (Okay so the embedded link isn't working... click on the small square on the right column of the video, that will take you to vimeo the host. enjoy the trip!)






RJ says I Love You and Sings Twinkle Twinkle. YAY!! on Vimeo

Taking One Day at a Time

Rosa Jane and I are transitioning through the break that preschool provides both of us. Yesterday, I found myself wishing outloud that I wish it were easier -- in that I wish she didn't cling to me & cry so much when I drop her off. I realized what a foolish wish it was right after I heard myself say it. I know it gives me comfort to know that she loves me so much and misses me when I'm gone. I also know that it's in the messy times that we grow so much. Still, I look forward to the day when Rosa Jane is just as excited to see her friends at school as she is her friends that live just down the street. I like seeing her "jumping out of her skin" excited and that's just how she is with Addison and Kate.

On our days together, we're really enjoying each other and doing stuff together and not just working around all the other stuff I feel I have to do -- like laundry and toilet bowl cleaning. I get that stuff done when we're apart. I'm feeling like a normal person again since I've let go of that struggle to get it all done when she's around. Peace of mind and deep breaths. We're taking it one day at a time and truly enjoying Texas in the Springtime. Love it!

On a side note, our friend Robyn is in town this weekend and we can't wait to catch up with her. We're also planning a trip to Beantown. I've talked to some of my ol' friends there and can't wait to see them! Kdogg, look out!! And then there's the joy of another photographer friend from Beantown who moved to CA who is quite potentially moving to Austin. Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!

And lastly we'll give a heartfelt shout out to our kitchenless friends in Chitown. May the construction go by in a blink of an eye and the places to be outside of the house be unlimited. Fire up, Buttercup and make it happen!

Happy Easter!

After a late start back in Austin, we finally pulled into bluebonnet country a little after 1pm. There's a strange cold front in the air and today the high is expected to be around 48. I am not prepared.

The bluebonnets are totally far out awesome so hot. I think this is surely what heaven looks like.

Two Peas in a Pod

Happiness is watching two girls play together nicely. Kate and Rosa Jane are just the girls to make your heart smile. Click on the picture to see more from our afternoon together.

How to Make God Laugh

Make a Plan!

I plan to start RJ in daycare. What happens? Rota Virus!
I plan to really enjoy second day of daycare. What happens? FLAT TIRE and Repair Shop.
I plan to enjoy Sunday in the family way. What happens? Don gets Runned over by a McDonald's Big Mac. He walked away. The car got towed.

I'm a little gun-shy on the making of plans these days. Life is simpler when there is no place to be but lying in the bluebonnet fields of glory. Enjoy the pictures with Addison.