Ms Amie

One of Eli's teachers is going to work full time, leaving his class. I know the new teacher will be great but we will miss Ms. Amie! She took great care of Eli, giving him love and support away from home. Thanks Ms. Amie for everything!

Mainstay Farms

Mainstay Farm is a pumpkin and Christmas tree farm south of FW. This year they were open over spring break so we drove down for some fun!
Tess (Mimi), Georgia, Eleanor, Eli, Luke, and mommy (me) headed down Thursday morning ready for fun!
The kids bounced on the 'Blob' in the sand, road trackers, had fun on the slide, did a maze, went on a hay ride, ate lunch and ice cream, then bounced some more before heading home for much needed naps!
Here are a few pics of the day:)

51 weeks

Only one week until I have a one year old!
Love this boy!!

Family Pictures

We went up to McAlester this weekend to have family pictures taken. We have NO pictures (other than a few snap shots that I won't frame) of the four of us. With Luke almost a year old we decided it was time. Luke, also took one year pics, since we aren't doing a big party like we did for Eli.
Since I love outdoor pictures it was raining when we got to McAlester, this is no surprise since it rained for my Sr. Pictures and my bridal pictures. But we did get a few great outdoor pictures between waves of rain! I can't wait to show them off.

We also got to spend great time with my Aunt LaDell and Uncle Mark (the photographer) plus my cousin Stephen came by for dinner and lunch on Sunday. We also saw Grandad and Grandma Emmons (Uncle Mark's patents).
I love cooking and talking with Aunt LaDell and the boys love playing with everyone.

Here are a few pics that I took, family pics to come.

50 weeks

I can't believe my baby is just two weeks from a year!

The only new thing since last week is that.........

Luke has started drinking out of a SIPPY!!!

For most not a big deal but since he didn't take a bottle or sippy cup that meant mommy had to be on call every few hours.

Here are a few pics of Luke. And a few of both boys.

8 years

Eight years ago today Brandon and I said I Do!
It has been a crazy eight years. We have lost a few babies, had two wonderful boys, welcomed a new sister-in-law, welcomed three nieces and three nephews, said goodbye to my mom and a few friends moms, and we are about to welcome a new brother-in-law, bought a few new cars, bought a new house, and much more!

Thank you Brandon for your amazing love. For taking such care of our family. I love seeing you as a daddy. I love waking up next to you every day. I love you!!

Keller Fair

We finished the weekend with a trip to the Keller Fair! It was cold but Eli loved it! Poor Luke was a little over bundled but happy. We enjoyed a few rides and some cotton candy! Eli calls it 'cot cand' for short:)

Also, Luke is 49 weeks today!

Luke's parent dedication

We had Luke's parent dedication at Christ Chapel today!

But first Eli had a soccer game, scoring 5 goals! We had a family BBQ at the house! Then dressed and headed out to the church.

Brandon and I pledged to raise Luke in a Christ centered home. Thank you for all who came.
Papa Bruce, Aunt Kelsey, Uncle Jason, Aunt Carrie, Benjamin, Brock, Aunt Karen, Uncle Clark, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Tarah, Broolynn, Britton
Papa Flash, Mimi, Uncle Michele, Aunt Amy (Yaya), Georgia, and Eleanor

Pics of the family to come, they are on Flash and Aunt Carries cameras, but here are my cute boys!

March 6

Today was a day of remembering, celebration, and tears.

Celebration:
Today was my brother, Blake and sister-in-law, Lauren's 3rd anniversary. It was also my Aunt Debbie and Uncle Clark's anniversary.
Remembering and tears:
It would have been my parents 37th anniversary.
Today a good friend said good bye to her mom in a wonderful ceremony, with a party after.

It's alway hard to say good bye to someone, but when it's a close friends mom, that I knew, it makes it harder. It brings back so many memories of my grief and pain. My friend is expecting a baby, like I was. Her mom won't know this grandchild, won't hold him/her, there will be no pictures of CC with a sweat new baby. Just like with Luke. It makes me think of all the things I want my mom to know, yet she is not here to tell.
As the weeks and months pass I know my friend will deal with the same hurt and empty feeling I sometimes have. Missing your mom sucks.

BUT........
There is hope. Both our moms are believers in the One True God. Both loved Jesus!
What hope and peace that gives. When our hearts are hurting The Lord is there to heal, to hold.

Thank you mom for everything you taught me, for your legacy of faith.

Thank you Carol for your amazing gift of giving, for your legacy of faith.

Thank you Jesus for giving your life for me, for your legacy of grace and mercy.

Luke 48 weeks

Luke loves his silky, he sucks on it like a paci. Kinda gross, but very cute. He also plays pic-a-boo with it.
And one with his tongue out:)

11 months

Luke is 11 months old today!
I can't believe it has been 11 months since we were blessed with this sweet boy.

Things Luke is up to:
Climbing, he climbs the stairs, on furniture, and on people.
He can escape from his 'no chocking zone' area down stairs so mommy had to put a gate up at the bottom of the stairs.
Luke has no fear and will try and go head first down the stairs. He has gone head first down the playroom stairs (only 2 steps) and he lands face first and keeps going!
Pulling up, on everything, pushing chairs around, walking around the furniture
He always has his tongue out. It's very cute.
Luke has two teeth on the bottom.
He sleeps 8-11 hours at night with two 1-2 hour naps.
Luke is nursing 4-5 times a day and eating baby food twice a day. Mostly yogurt, fruit mixes, sweet potatoes (made by mom), avocados (made by mom), and oatmeal. He eats what everyone else is having some. Plus puffs, yogurt melts, gram crackers, and veggie straws for snacks.
Luke won't take a bottle or sippy. We are working on a sippy so mommy can wean him at a year.
At Luke's last doctor appointment he was 23 lb and 29 1/4 in. But this was a sick appointment so those aren't diaper free.
Luke has lots of sounds. Mamamama, dadadada, bubububu, lalalalala, and nunununu are his favorites.
We are working on signing more but that's it right now.
Luke loves to dance when he hears music, he enjoys music class with Eli, he is pulled in anytime the TV is on.
Luke doesn't cuddle often. He nurses then wants down. He didn't even cuddle after surgery.
Luke puts everything in his mouth. Shoes are a favorite.
He also loves to play 'where's Luke' even holding up his silky (mini blanket) himself.
He doesn't have a passy but lives his silky.
Luke is wearing 12-18 month or 18 month. He is in a size 3 diaper.