The Nap Bandits

Naps are precious in our house and I've worked really hard to get the kids on a compatible nap schedule. Normally Grace naps from 9:30ish to 11:30ish, and then both kids take an afternoon nap around 1 or 2.

This was not the case on Saturday. Grace missed her morning nap because we went to a baby shower. I put her down right when we got home around 11:30. 30 minutes later, Ben came home from T-Ball practice. He had his lunch, we read a story, then he went to lay down at 1pm.

I had just enough time to rotate the laundry, when I hear little bit awake in her crib. Grrr... I knew this was going to happen. No down time for Mommy! Oh, well. Suck it up... moving on. I put Grace on the play mat with some toys while I made my lunch. She played for a few minutes, then wandered into the hallway. I brought her back. She played for a few more minutes, then wandered back into the hallway. She's going to wake up her brother, I think. But my lunch is getting cold. I'm hungry! I choose lunch. There she goes. She's whining and fussing because she can't get into her brother's room. Wait, no, she's quiet. It's really quiet. Why is it so quiet?

So I get up to check things out. Just as I stand up, I hear her squeal with delight and giggle. I walk into the hallway to find Ben's little fingers reaching under his door, wiggling away. She's slapping at them and cracking up. I run off to get the camera. Right before I get it turned on, he says, "Graaaa-aaaaace." She starts bouncing and clapping and laughing. I want to be annoyed, but they are just so pleased with each other. I let them be and walked away to finish lunch and clean things up. When I checked on them again, I found her surrounded by books that Ben was shoving under the door for her. OH MY WORD. Game over. Mommy - 0; Nap Bandits - 1.

I opened the door and turned her loose in her brother's room. Ben was so relieved to be rescued from nap time. Grace is just excited to be in her happy place - her bubba's room.

"Kitty" Park

Grammy came to visit us during Spring Break, so we decided to take the kids on an outing. On Friday morning, we got an early start and headed to the zoo... along with everyone else in San Antonio and it's surrounding counties. FAIL.

OK, Plan B... Kiddie Park! Ben's only been once (almost 2 years ago) and he loved it - so we headed that way. Plus, it's literally around the corner from the zoo. Upon arrival, we found it wonderfully un-crowded (not surprising due to previously mentioned zoo invasion).

Grammy got a wrist band for Ben and off he went.

He went on the boats first.

Boating is to be taken very seriously, apparently...

Oh, hey guys! Check out my boat!
Airplanes were next....

Then the helicopters.

Where was Grace this whole time, you ask?

Well, getting spoiled with snuggles from Grammy...

And cutting up with Mommy...

And getting some quality time with Daddy...

I LOVE you, Daddy!

Waiting for Bubba to get off his favorite ride, the school bus.

I see him - he's coming around again! Hi, Bubba!

Finally, it was Grace's turn to get in on the fun.

Here she is on a helicopter ride with Ben.

He was so sweet to keep his arm around her the whole time!

Check out her hair - she's looking a little windblown. :)

Here they are riding the pony.

This thing nearly gave them both whiplash.

Grace enjoyed it more than Ben,

who had a very worried expression

on his face the whole time he was riding.
Despite the day starting on a sour note with the "Great Zoo Let Down of 2010" (in Ben's defense - this was the second time in under a week that a trip to the zoo had failed), we ended up having a great day! (Thanks so much, Grammy!) My favorite part happened as we were leaving. Ben said, to no one in particular, "I guess none of the Kitties wanted to go on rides today. Maybe they'll be here the next time we come." It was then that I realized that he thought we were going to the "Kitty Park" instead of the "Kiddie Park". Poor little guy had been on the look out for some "Merry-go-round" riding feline friends that never showed! Oh, my Ben, you never fail to make my heart smile!

Happy Mardi Gras!

In the middle of February, I flew to Louisiana with Ben & Grace to meet up with Gavin on his R&R from Afghanistan. As an added bonus, it just so happened to be Mardi Gras that week. I got to hang out with my little bro and his new girlfriend, Holly, AND I was able to give the kids a little taste of carnival season (complete with King Cake and Uncle Curtis' dazzling drum line impersonations).
It was a bit chilly that day, so we had to bundle Gracie. (This picture was taken just after I rescued her from a gross LSU blanket and replaced it with a more appropriate Saints one - WHO DAT?!)

Ben getting hugs from Aunt Cindy. Not sure where Uncle Curtis is...

probably practicing his moves in the middle of the street.
Grace didn't last long in the stroller... she wanted in on the action.
Uncle Gav was happy to oblige her request.

Here we go.... throw me something, Mister!

Ben showing off some of his loot.

Grace had a pretty nice haul, too.

Whew, that was so fun!

All Ben cared about was throwing sticks in the Bayou.

As soon as the parade cleared, that's exactly

what he and Sweetie went off to do.
Paw Paw and Ben playing by the bayou.
Hugs from Dee!

Uncle Gavin & Holly Bear :)

It was a fun trip - it was great to see Gav. He only has 4 or 5 months left on what will hopefully be his LAST TOUR EVER! Let's be praying for him and his friends: for their safety and morale and the loved ones that are back home missing them! I love you, Bubba!

Sick baby :(

Poor Gracie - she's been running a fever since Tuesday night. We took her in to the doctor on Thursday, but they couldn't tell us much. Chest clear, ears clear, snot clear...

I'm guessing she has a little stomach virus, because her spitting up (which she usually does a little after each meal) has reached epic proportions. She even let the Doctor have it. Blueberries. Sorry we stained your pants, M'am. I understand, as I am on my 3rd outfit of the day.

So, we're sticking close to home and she's getting lots of sleep and cuddles. Thankfully she responds to being under the weather by sleeping MORE and not less. I got her up this morning, fed her, then sat her on the floor to play. I walked into the kitchen to fix Ben's cereal, and when I came back to get her, this is how I found her.

Mommy, I don't feel so well...


She reminds me of how another little one I know acts when he's sick. Like brother, like sister.

First Day of "School"

Today was Grace's first day of Mother's Day Out at Grace Point Church. This is where Ben has gone since June 2007. I predicted she would be just fine being left there (which she was) and that she would have a rough time napping (which she did). I think the sweet ladies ended up wheeling her crib into their food prep/kitchen area so she could have some quiet and dark to nap and she did a little better. They said she ate great (both her bottle and solids) which confirms what we thought - it's not that she doesn't like bottles. She just VERY SPECIFICALLY does not like Brian to give her bottles. Little weirdo. She was happy to see me when I picked her up at 2, and she chatted with her brother all the way home. When we got home, she crashed until I woke her up to feed her at 4. Overall, I think the day was a success. She'll just be going one day a week for now (Ben goes Tuesdays and Thursdays). We'll switch her to two days either this summer or next fall depending on our work schedules and how she's doing. Anyway, another milestone! Congratulations on your first day of school, Gracie Belle!

Yippee Yi, Tewwy

While I was shopping for new boots with Mom, Ben told her that HE wanted some boots. This led to a trip to Shepler's to look for toddler cowboy boots. Ben sized up his boots in the store by choosing a stick horse and riding it ALL OVER THE PLACE. So, of course, Sweetie let him take the horse home, too (spoiled rotten!). Ben named her (yes, it is a female horse) Telly. He LOVES her. He rides the horse constantly (the boots are a constant prerequisite) and she sleeps on the floor next to his bed (her stable). Each time, before he takes off,he says, "Yippee Yi, Tewwy, wet's go, NEIGHHHHH!" Here's Ben and his newest best friend, Telly:

Ma-Ma

Ok, so it's not REALLY clear in this video, but I swear, she says it! I know it's not in context, but it is still exciting, because Ben said "Da da da da" first!