Stuff, stuff and more stuff!!

If you have never traveled with two small children, the following picture might be difficult to imagine. We are not leaving civilization, but we don't like to buy much at the local grocery store in Red River due to inflated prices. SOOO, we take as much as we can in the way of canned food, chips, drinks, diapers, coolers full of meat, etc.. These totes are packed full of that kind of stuff! We also have several suitcases of clothes that must find their way to the mountains! And did I mention that we are pulling a trailer with the Sami, a dirt bike, and whatever else we can fit? I've set up a diaper changing station on the 3rd row seat to avoid smoky, truck stop bathrooms along the way! That Yukon XL has sure come in handy! I was able to sneak away yesterday and cash in a pedicure gift certificate that I received from my former job share partner. It was fabulous! Edee immediately noticed that the polish on my toes was different, and wanted her toes painted. This was the first time I had ever attempted it and amazingly, she was very still! I used a very faint pink color in case she decided to wipe it on the carpet! HA!

We had a playdate this morning, so I decided Edee and Reed would sport some patriotic attire. Apparently, the other mommies had the same idea because all the little girls were in red, white and blue, too!

My friend, Ashley, has a business called Basic Couture. She sent this awesome blanket for Reed and a precious dress for Edee! Her website is http://www.basiccouture.net/ if you are in the market for some fabulous custom clothing! She also sets up in-home parties!

It has been raining and raining for the past few days here. We are so thankful for each and every drop!

So Happy Together

Edee let Reed come sit in her lap and watch a little Barney one morning this week. I wish I had my good camera handy, but Edee doesn't want to hold him too long. You have to catch the moment quickly! Unkel B-Rad (Yes, I know how to spell uncle!) came for a quick visit after a meeting in Dallas. We were all just hangin' out in the shop when I handed Reed to him. I was very impressed with his baby holding skills!

They spent some time in the living room getting to know each other. Reed kept giving him the BIGGEST smiles!

I know Eric had LOTS of fun with his buddy. They worked on the Sami for hours Friday night! We sure did miss Katy, though! We hope to see the entire Flynn family again very soon!

What day is it???

So, here's the abbreivated version:
Thursday, June 17: Went for post-partum check-up and Dr. Ondrizek said the lump on my neck was on my thyroid. He told me to see an ENT for further testing. While I was there, he thought Reed looked a little yellow. I made appointments for both of us.
Friday, June 18: Took Reed to his doctor who thought he looked great but ordered a blood test, just in case. It was fine!
WEEKEND: No doctor visits! Happy Father's Day! Eric is able to work on his Sami and smoke some ribs. It was a great day!
Monday, June 21: Edee to Little Gym and to my school to meet a new co-worker. My sister arrives with her girls to babysit on Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 22: Our 8 year anniversary! I went to ENT, and he confirmed the lump is on my thyroid and ordered blood tests and an ultrasound. He also told me I was getting a sinus infection and prescribed antibiotics. I went back to school interviewed 2 candidates for my job share position and came straight home and loaded up the girls so Edee could get her ears pierced. (Thanks for holding her down, Aunt Tee!) Arrived home and fed the baby, then back in the car for dinner with my hubby at Fresco's.
Wednesday, June 23: Reed's 2 month check up and shots, followed by a visit to the lab for my blood draw.
Thursday, June 24: Nothing on the schedule besides coughing my head off, holding fussy baby, and hoping the NapNanny I ordered arrives soon! OH! And walking around in my swimsuit (lovely!) while Edee goes back and forth about going swimming!
Friday, June 25: I have my u/s at 10:45, then home to collapse!

Here's a little bit of Tuesday...Paige and Edee coloring at this table just like their mommies used to do!
Reed and his favorite pillow, McKenzee...

Aunt Tee getting a few snuggles in...

Here we have Edee in the car right after getting her ears pierced. Never underestimate the value of a few M & M's and a green sucker when trying to bribe a toddler!

Now, for a little bit of down time! We made it to our favorite Mexican restaurant in our VERY happenin' little downtown area. We had the patio all to ourselves! There were plenty of mister

fans, but no one was brave enough to get past the door! We loved it and pretended that we were sitting near the beach somewhere in Mexico!

Is it time for vacation yet? Not that I have had any time to pack, but I sure am ready to get there! Highs in the 70's and lows in the 40's! I'm SOOOOO ready!

Deep thoughts...NOT!

We had a great few days with Nonna and PeePaw. We were totally lazy and took lots of rides in the golf cart. Edee was also able to enjoy her favorite activity...eating a popsicle while inside her pool! She can't go swimming at our house without having her frozen summer treat!

I was very sad that I didn't take any pictures of Muffin with the babies. She arrived on Tuesday and had a WHOPPER of a story to tell about her nephew who had just been married in New Braunfels the previous weekend. Here's the short version: The bride and her family were staying in their RV the week before the wedding and it was WASHED AWAY during the flooding last week! Her wedding dress, rings, passports, family brooch, etc. were all swept away. They lost their vehicles, but were somehow able to come away ALIVE! Unbelievable!!
Meanwhile, Reed has been working hard to find his thumb. He absolutely refuses to take a pacifier and acts like you are choking him when you try to put it in his mouth! I have tried EVERY one on the market! The boy is not interested! I guess he is going to be like his Mommee who was a thumb sucker, too!!

The countdown is on for cooler temperatures and fresh, mountain air! I know it is two weeks away, but a girl can dream can't she?? :-)

Mommy's check up

I had my post-partum check up today, so Reed and I ventured to see the world's greatest OB/GYN! Eric was working and Edee was playing with G-Ma and PawPaw. The nurses kidnapped Reed as soon as we walked in the door and were gracious enough to entertain him while I was with Dr. O.! Does Reed look content or what?? Our family is very thankful for this man! And here we are two years ago when we took our little ballerina for mommy's check up. She doesn't look very happy, huh??

We are so blessed to have found Dr. Ondrizek when we moved here. I just picked his name from my provider list. Throughout all of our struggles, he has been such a patient, caring, positive, and optimistic caregiver! I'm pretty sure my file is the thickest one in their office! We are going to retire it and start from scratch! HA! Actually, they are going to computerized records next week, but it might take someone a month to enter in all of my information! :-)

I DID IT!!!!!

I did something today that I have been dreaming about AND dreading for the last 7 weeks: I took both of my babies to Target AT THE SAME TIME! The three of us have ventured to a few play dates at someone's home, but today was the first time that I took them both to a store by myself! I know that may seem uneventful for some of you, but the thought of it was a little overwhelming for this mom of two little ones! I even showered, put on real clothes, dressed my babies cute and made it out the door by 9:30! WOW! I just have to shave off 2 and 1/2 hours and I'll be able to make it to work on time come August!

OH! And things went so well at Target, I made it to Tuesday Morning! Edee was a complete and total angel! She brought Minnie Mouse, and they enjoyed looking around and calling out the names of everything they saw or just saying, "What's that?" Reed cried in his carseat at Target, so we used the Ergo Baby at Tuesday Morning. What a difference! He slept in it and never made a peep! I'm learning what works best for everyone!

My sister found these pictures from the Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros show on Facebook and tried to get me to join. She gave up and sent them to me via e-mail. It is not that I am against Facebook or have anything to hide, I just know my personality. I'm very afraid that I could get caught up in looking for people or checking to see what EVERYONE is doing. I just can't be tempted with another "time vampire" at this point in my life. (That is Eric's term. I love it!)

Anyway, that is Eric and I front and center! Are we mesmerized or what???
Okay...we're off to a 3oth birthday party for a friend. I remember when I turned 30...barely! ;-)

It's beginning to look a lot like...SUMMER!!!

Edee enjoyed some time in Tiki Cove while we were filling it up. The water was about a foot high and she loved bouncing around! The only flat spot in our yard is now occupied by the playground, so we had some guys come out and level a new spot for the pool. While they were here, they cut down a tree so that we can have a little more sun this year. It was pretty chilly last summer! At one point, Edee pulled her legs out behind her and began floating on her tummy. Out of nowhere she said, "I'm floating in outer space!" Where did she come from????
Reed is not quite ready for all the fun in the sun, but he sure does look plump and precious in his bouncy seat! He's not the best sleeper at night, but we're learning to live with it. LET ME REPHRASE THAT...He is not the best sleeper in his bassinet! He is just more content on Mommy's chest! Fortunately, we have been able to make it work for both of us by finding a spot in the big, comfy chair!
Just a few more days and we are going to visit Nonna and PeePaw! Eric has a sales meeting in East Texas and it coincides with Muffin's annual trip to Texas! :-) Hooray for Reed's first road trip!

OH! What a night!!

Sunday night, Eric and I had our first date night since Reed arrived. Actually, it was our first date night in a VERY long time! We kicked around the idea of going to FW for some music but could never make the commitment. I made an executive decision and called his folks to arrange for babysitting. He knew we were going to a small accoustic music venue, but apparently didn't hear who would be playing. We took this picture with my phone and then had to crop out the baby in the bouncy seat. You can't have a date night picture with a baby at the bottom!Just before we left the house he heard that we were going to see my VERY favorite band, Walt Wilkins and the Mystiqueros! I pulled this picture from the internet. I think we were actually closer to them than this! NO JOKE!

I didn't reserve a table since I wasn't sure if we would be able to go. We found a table at the back of the room, which was behind the bar where people were standing. I was disappointed but was determined to make it a fun night. Not two minutes after we sat down, a couple came in and told the girls at the door that two of their friends weren't able to attend. She pointed us out and they said they would be happy to share their table with us. We introduced ourselves and started making our way to the table.

Out of the bathroom walks Walt! He comes up to our table mates and they all hug. They say, "These are our new friends, Eric and Wendee." He shook our hands and said, "Hey, I'm Walt. Nice to meet you." AS IF I didn't know who he was! DUH!!

We proceeded to their table and it was front and center! We tried to act gracious without appearing to be completely OVER the MOON! We later learned that Leslie and Bill live in Royse City, which is on the east side of Dallas. I told her I grew up in Mesquite and she announced that she did too! We were at rival high schools, but we put that aside quickly! :-) Turns out that Walt and the Mystiqueros played at their wedding almost 2 years ago. We had so much fun visiting with them and hope to see them again at another show!

The music was INCREDIBLE and just when we thought things couldn't get better, Walt announced some of their upcoming stops, one of which was New Mexico. After the show, we asked John. another Mystiquero, where they would be playing, and they will be in Red River at the Motherlode while we are there!!! WOO-HOO!! We spent the drive home brainstorming our babysitting options in Red River. Fortunately, we have lots of wonderful friends in town who will be able to ensure that we have ANOTHER awesome date night in the very near future!

For those of you not yet fans of the Mystiqueros, here is a clip of one of my favorite songs. :-)

Sami Sweetheart!

After getting a slow start, we somehow managed to make it to the early service at church this morning. We enjoyed a little breakfast playing at McDonald's and came back home for more fun! Daddy took Edee to the shop while he continued to work on the Sami. What you can't tell from the picture below is that there is a little monkey climbing inside the Sami while Daddy is working! She pretended to talk on the CB...

Then, she figured out how to honk the horn...

She was very proud of herself for honking the horn and scaring Mommy and Daddy...

This child was a filthy mess when I came out to check on her! Yes, folks! That is good ol' East Texas red dirt left over from the Sami's last trip to Gilmer! It is smeared all over her face! I promptly plucked her from the shop and into the bath tub! She would have stayed out there and played happily, but she was just as excited to be plopped into the tub!

She is absolutely, positively her Daddy's girl! Fortunately, she does it all with a big bow in her hair! I guess I HAVE had some influence in her life!

Mr. Fix-It and family!

Eric is busily working to get the Sami ready for our annual 4th of July trip to Red River! I thought it was ready to roll after he drove it to the car wash last night. He has been working to rebuild the power steering and repair the body damage from his rollover in March. However when I went to the shop today, he had the wheels off and was replacing some springs! It is his very own tinker toy!

Reed's onesie says it all...(He hates this swing, by the way! Edee hated it, too!)
Edee is fascinated with buckles these days! When I go to put Reed in his carseat, I can always expect to find the buckles attached by Miss Edee! She also insists on buckling the safety strap in her booster seat and changing table. So, I found this awesome toy online...

His name is Bucky and he has 4 different buckles, each of them a different style. She hasn't mastered how to unbuckle them yet, but she loves matching them up and hearing the CLICK!

Mommy fixed her post-baby wardrobe problem by hitting the sale at Old Navy today! I'm all about long flowing skirts and tank tops this summer!

Reason #9,999 why we love Ms. Laurie!!!!

Going to work and leaving your child in the care of someone else can be a scary experience. No matter how much you love your job and the people you work with, it is still hard to be away from your baby. However, we have been touched by an absolute angel this year having Ms. Laurie for Edee's teacher! She has loved Edee like she loves her own little girl! She made these shirts for each of the kids in the class. So adorable!! Can you imagine having the patience to take on arts and crafts with FIVE 2-year-olds???

She gave us a scrapbook at the party yesterday and it is so special! There is a page for each letter of the alphabet with Edee's artwork on EVERY page. She is so creative! There are also pictures starting from the first day, each holiday and special celebrations. I can't imagine the time it took to put it all together!

This picture was taken when Edee, Reed and I went back up to school for the end of the year party on Thursday. This is Edee's class sporting their cool t-shirts! You can see that Edee is the only girl! I think she gets a little extra TLC from Ms. Laurie!

Ms. Laurie taking her little Wobblers back to the classroom after time on the playground.

It is absolutely amazing to see all the things Edee has learned this year! She can recognize and name almost all of her letters, knows her colors, is fascinated with books, and the list goes on and on!

Edee had wonderful and caring teachers as an infant, also. We're going to be saying our prayers that Reed will be so lucky! Ms. Laurie told us yesterday that they are moving her to an infant class next year, so she might be his teacher! We have all summer to wish for that!