Friday Letters

Dear allergies/cold,

2 days is long enough. Time to move on!

Dear Clara,

You are such a joy. I'm sorry I've been so tired, sick and frustrated this week. I love you. Your smiles make everything worth it.

Dear Aggie Football,

Bummed the game was delayed, but it worked out because last night was i.n.s.a.n.e. in the Evans' household and we would've missed most of it. I am wearing A&M socks for College Colors Day :)

Dear Gradebook,

I *AM* going to keep up with you this year! I AM! 

Dear Puppies,

I promise you will get to run this weekend. Thank you for trying to be patient and keep your energy from most destructive activities.

Dear Bryan,

This is just a temporary phase. We will eventually sleep, snuggle and eat meals all together again. You are amazing.

Dear August,

So long!

~~~Happy Friday~~~

No more

I cannot have any more children. I'm like 2 seconds away from losing my mind. 

I'm just so tired of the night time screaming bloody murder ritual. I can't get anything done during the day, and we spend all evening just trying to calm her down. I feel like a crappy teacher, crappy student, and very frustrated mom. 

I'm so tired.

Ah-Choooo

First time to get "sick" with baby girl. It's unfortunate because my patience isn't where it usually is and she is still really needy because she's still so young and little. 

She also really doesn't like the sound of sneezes or coughs. How do you prevent them for happening though!?

Thankfully I just teach 2 classes tomorrow (I won't touch anything, will wash my hands a 100 times, and Clorox wipe the entire classroom) and then bless my wonderful Mom, she's going to help me tomorrow if I still feel this lousy. 

Sudafed, motrin, benadryl - do your thing! pretty please!

Chatty Clara

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgJdR5Ue5Hs&feature=youtu.be

Back to School Hair Cut

  

It's shorter! It's air-dry-able! I'm going with it :)

Goofy Family Photo Shoot

Just being silly!

Add Daddy to the mix:

 

 

All 5 of us don't quite fit from that angle ...

:)

Back to Work!

It's that time of year again! Although I can't believe it. School is starting back up!

This was Clara's reaction when I had to get her up and dressed that first morning of in-service.

"Can I have 5 more minutes Mom? I'm still sleepy..."

She was such a trooper during in-service. She snoozed in her car seat some, was passed around, held, and talked to. I'm so glad she's an easy-going baby most of the time!

It was a great in-service this year!

 

Can you spot Clara learning all about Legacy's policy of respect?

 

Another morning nap:

Momma set up her classroom as much as possible before co-teacher training:

 

I have more to do, but it's started! I really like to "decorate" with student work too, so that makes it more fun and colorful as the school year progresses.

 First day of school is TOMORROW!

Medical Business

Around here we've had some excitement. CB had her first trip to the ER, her 2 month shots, and saw an eye specialist all in the span of 2 weeks. INSANE.

Clara developed severe diarrhea. I didn't worry too much at first, until it lasted over 24 hours and she was started to get a bit lethargic and her eyes were no longer producing tears when she cried. I started to worry about dehydration (even though she was nursing about every hour or more all day). I called her pedi and THEN freaked out because they said, "take her to the ER immediately." AH! So we did.

Here she is after be weighed, having her temp taken, them obtaining a stool sample (ew), and in the process getting hooked up with some oxygen lines, etc. 

She is way too tiny to need to be in the hospital! (I was right next to her in case she decided to take this opportunity to learn to role. No worries.

 

Turns out she had a stomach bug. Got her all hydrated up, and she was as good as new! But I'm pretty sure I have a few extra grey hairs now.

Then came along her appointment for 2 month shots. I think I wanted to cry as much as she did. Except she didn't really "cry" per se ... "screamed" is closer to the right word. For hours. Bless her heart. Her leg got red and swollen, and she just looked so disappointed in me that I would allow that. Thank goodness my Mom was there too!

Really the only thing that calmed her down was spending time on the porch. These were a few of the only peaceful moments that evening:

 

 

And then the eye doc. CB has had a blocked tear duct since she was born. Since it is completely blocked it developed an infection. We had to use antibiotic drops for a little while, clean it with a warm wash cloth, and then see a specialist (pediatric ophthalmologist? is that right?)

They checked her out, dilated her eyes, and checked her again.

 

Not sure what's going on around here. But those lights sure are bright when your eyes are dilating.

 

Oh, well. At least I get to see Daddy on a Thursday afternoon! What a nice surprise!

 

Playing around, trying to keep her happy:

 

So cute.

There aren't any pictures after that because then he started working with her eye and she got realllllly mad. But that's what's going on with all of our medical craziness!

Way too much cuteness

Snooooze

Cutest posy you ever saw

The first of many trips to Lowes I'm sure

Baby Burrito!

My friend: the Kick'n'Play Piano Mat

"Can you say Paw-Paw?"

Ooops. Puppy kisses? We really do TRY to prevent this!

Sooo sweet

Grocery shopping with a carseat has unique challenges

Love my Nona!

Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2034 - whoop!

Silly girl :)

So cute! Maybe still a teensy bit big?

love those cheeks

Her favorite place in our house - her changer, lol

Love to swing with Momma & Daddy

"Salon a la Grebeins" - the surprise when we got her back from them watching her, haha

Snuggles

Furbabies!

Sorta-kinda-tummy-time

Evening Walks

Waiting until smiley CB turns into crazy lady

Every night (unless it's raining) we go for a 1-2 mile walk. Why? A few reasons:

1. The dogs majorly need the exercise

2. Bryan and I majorly need the exercise

3. If we don't, Clara just screams bloody murder for hours.

Pretty solid reasons, huh? :)

We've had several guest-walkers too. Neighbors, Rachel, my Mom, and I'm sure there are a few others? ahhh, I can't remember! 

Cute girlchild of mine :)

We don't strap in her in if we're not in the car. Too hot!

Daddy & Puppies

Sweaty Momma & Baby

Friday Letters

Friday Letters

 

Dear Eye Doc ~

You were so weird and awkward, but I thank you for helping us with Clara's eye.

Dear M&Ms~

Stress eating is not figure friendly. Please stop being so tempting!

Dear Kick'n'Play Piano ~

You entertain my daughter for long periods of time so I can accomplish things like laundry and cooking. You are amazing.

Dear Lady Cutting My Hair ~ 

I will see you later this afternoon for a pretty drastic change. I'm trusting you! Don't let me down :)

Dear Houston Weather ~

What in the world is going on?!

Dear Parents & Students ~

This week went so well. I was so glad to meet you, and plan for a fun school year! I pray our partnership continues to be this positive!

Dear Mom ~

You will never know how much I truly appreciate ALL of your help. I love you. Thank you!

~~~~Happy Friday~~~~

LOL

Sorry for the double-post day, but this made me smile :)

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/hello-stranger-on-the-street-could-you-please-tell-me-how-to-take-care-of-my-babyHow do I take care of my baby?

Friday Letters

Leah wrote here about an awesome idea of Friday letters she found here.

Love it!

Dear Clara ~

So sorry you are having such a hard time with your eye, but the guilt trip I get when I have to give you eye drops is rough. Feel better lady bug!

Dear Maverick & Goose ~

I'm proud of y'all for remembering not to bark more than once! But now let's work on minimizing ear infections and vomiting in the house.

Dear Husband ~

It's almost football season. Please remember that life still happens between Saturday games. I love you.

Dear Work ~

I am exhausted. You'll have to accept my 50% effort over the weekend. I promise I'll amp up next week.

Dear Grad School ~

We start on Monday. Be gentle please.

Dear Mother Earth ~

The heat is unbearable. Let's get some fall weather up in here!

~~~Happy Friday~~~

What a week

Well, I had some pretty serious ups and downs this week, but overall it was a bit rough. I have pictures, but I'm too tired to mess with uploading them now, sorry. I promise a picture post will come soon.

This weekend: On Saturday was Clara's first trip to the ER :( A stomach bug caused her to get dehydrated. It was really scary, but thankfully she's okay now. Otherwise we ran errands and tried to keep Clara happy. Managed to make it to church & Erin's bridal shower on Sunday though, thankfully.

Monday: Teacher In-Service with Clara (unfortunately after a night and weekend of extremely little sleep, this day was really rough for me personally)

Tuesday: Teacher In-Service with Clara - she did really well, great session with upper school teachers, but I was still so exhausted

Wednesday: Teacher In-Service with Clara. It was a really good day at in-service, but a few things happened that made me sad. Plus when we woke up I saw that Maverick had somehow developed a horrible ear infection (how did I not see it the day before?!) and was covered in yuck coming from his ear. Needed to make him a vet appointment, but I was at in-service, so Mom was the bomb and took him for me. She was home with the dogs when I got home, and for the first time in weeks I just burst into tears. Mom took Clara and sent me to soak in the bathtub. Again I say, Mom you are the best! Plus she took Clara for one feeding that night so I could get more than 4 hours of sleep, which helped SO much!

Thursday: Clara got her 2 month shots. She did not enjoy this, one of the legs she got a shot in is crazy swollen & red, and her eye is infected and we have to give her eye drops 4 times a day - she took it great the first time! but it did not go well after that :( She's been crying pretty much every moment she's awake since she got them this morning. Goose is vomiting all over the house, and Maverick is refusing to let me give him his ear meds. 

Meanwhile, I'm trying to get lesson plans done. Oh, and do little things like laundry and make dinner. Sigh. Sometimes I'm reminded of just how human I am ... thank you Lord for reminding me to lean on you right now!! And thank you for putting awesome people in my life to help me out.

Thankfully this week is almost over and we can try again on a better note next week! Hopefully Clara, Goose & Maverick will all feel better QUICKLY!

Our family has grown!

This is mostly just a bunch of pictures of our growing family! Goose is almost 3 years old, Maverick is 1 1/2 years old, Clara is 2 months old. Thank you so much for taking these wonderful pictures Mom!! I've really been wanting some with all of us.

 

 

 

 

Love these 2 so much!

3 Generations :)

Mommy & Tiny

 

 

Real life, haha

 

Phew. Taking pictures is exhausting.