New Additions

This is her new playset I bought last week. She now has her very own slide, though she is scared to go down at times. She likes when we go down the big slide at the playground (as long as I'm sitting beside her!) She loves to go in the backyard. Thanks goodness for craigslist!



This is Grace's new "big girl bed." She has a hard time staying in it! She doesn't sleep well yet, so we are taking it slow. Some nights she sleeps in her crib.




Grace has a new found love for her blocks. We sit and build towers and then take them apart every day. It's funny because I have taught her the "Clean Up" song and she always says "Clean up, clean up, clean up the blocks" when I sing it. Future architect?

Recently...

Our Ella

Our little family has been changing a lot this past few months. Grace is suddenly seeking complete autonomy in public, Ella is growing stronger each and every day, I am growing larger each and every day, and Matt is being worked to death!

I mentioned in a previous post that Grace is really starting to talk more. Her new favorite words are outside, lips, yes, and help. Of course, there are the most prominent words which are always Mommy and Daddy. But, I must say that she will repeat just about anything I say. Funny how you become a whole lot more aware of saying "crap" when there are little ears listening. Granted, people say a whole lot worse things, but I don't want mine picking anything up from ME.

I am now 30 weeks pregnant! And as I mentioned, Ella is growing stronger. I have an aweful lot of Braxton Hicks contractions and it seems she is always kicking a foot out so I have an assymetrical stomach. I'm the only one who seems to notice, of course.

Matt is doing as well as can be expected. Usually exhausted when we talk to him, but I am so incredibly happy we are able to Skype with him. Grace still knows him and they play and she gives him kisses all the time. She's pretty blessed to have a daddy like Matty. I can't wait until they get to go on Daddy-Daughter dates to get ice cream. I know he's looking forward to it also.

Other than that, life is filled with a whole lot of hodgepodge days that seem to escape me at times. The days when time stands still prove difficult, because my mind wanders to how far away our Matty/Daddy is. Sure love that guy.

Grace is growing up!

I have been so crazy busy getting back into my life here in Texas and I have so much to say! Grace has really been learning a lot lately and saying so much more. She has a few new favorite words, which include: mess, vaccuum, rain, morning, cookie, and the list goes on! She started talking more in Utah, but since we have been home she has nearly doubled her vocabulary. Sometimes I can tell she is trying to say an entire sentence and I can't understand a word of it...all in good time.

I took her on the "big girl" slide yesterday at the park and she giggled and squealed so much it was hilarious! Every time her feet hit the ground, she took off to go up the stairs for another turn. I could hardly keep up with her...this belly is really starting to change how fast I move!

She also had her hair in a ponytail for the first time yesterday. Even though her hairstyles last about ten minutes it was adorable. Her hair is finally getting long enough to try new things. Matt insists that I keep trying to do her hair so she'll get used to it...I think he's right. She looks a bit like a boy when her hair is down.

Matt is doing as well as can be expected. He is often very tired and calls pretty late in Iraq time, but he is always so happy to see us as we are him. These five months have really had ups and downs for me emotionally, but since I've been home and we have seen and talked to him a bit more, I have felt a lot better. I truly love him more than I did when he left. What a guy, my Matty! He puts up with my whining a lot and still loves me! He can't get enough of Grace when he calls, either. She lights up and runs to the office when he calls.

I am now 28 weeks pregnant and Ella is kicking my gut! She is incredibly active and I have Braxton Hicks contractions so often that I am usually short of breath. But I'm still going to Jazzercise and loving every minute of it. Maybe I'll be an instructor when all my kids are in school. That's a bit down the road...

The Texas heat and humidity are rapidly approaching and I am not looking forward to watering the lawn this summer. I think I'll be waking up at 5 am to avoid the heat. I have finally hired someone to take care of the yardwork and I am sad to see the extra money go, but being pregnant and having Matt gone has brought this decision to the forefront of my mind. I had a hard time mowing the entire thing BEFORE I got pregnant...not really a good idea while in my 3rd trimester. Oh well.

Matt and I decided it is soon time for Potty Training to begin. I don't want two in diapers while he is away and she is excited when she sees the potty in the bathroom. Crossing my fingers that once she catches on, when Ella is born she won't revert back to diapers.