Seems Like Just Yesterday

This morning I walked in to find that Dallas has figured out how to stand up in her crib. She was so proud of herself and beaming ear to ear. I could already see her planning on how she was now going to get out of the crib and down on the floor where her toys are. It seems like just the other day Kyle was putting the crib together for her and I would swear that literally just yesterday he had lowered it to its next "level". I will never forget the night the nursery was officially done. I stood in there crying and Kyle walked in wanting to know if I was unhappy. I wasn't. I was crying because I was overcome with emotion that soon we would bringing home a little person to sleep and play in this room.  That and the song "All American Girl" by Carrie Underwood was playing (gets me every time). I am, in general, an extremely happy person but very few times have I actually been moved to "tears of joy". They are the most amazing feeling and ones I hope to continue experiencing throughout my entire life. 

Look at me mom!  This is awesome!

This is what tears of joy look like. When my mom found out I was pregnant with Dallas...

Sometimes You Have to Get Creative

With a 7 month old who is constantly on the go and quickly learning new things like going from laying down to sitting up to standing up on her own, or semi-crawling you have start changing the way you used to do things. As soon as you have a routine down she goes and changes it by hitting new milestones, which we are so thankful and excited for but it also makes us have to get creative on what to do next. 

Before when we were getting ready in the morning we could sit Dallas in her My Little Lamb chair and she would entertain herself. These days if you sit her in the chair two seconds later this is what she will look like...

So this morning I was letting Kyle sleep in while I showered but knew I had to come up with something else to keep Dallas confined yet entertained. I quickly saw the baby bathtub and decided to try it out.  Worked like a champ!

Do You Know What Day It Is?

It's Van Damme Friday!!!!!!!


http://i41.tinypic.com/2u8fpxc.jpg

This is for you Ruth.

I stumbled across this website http://pinterest.com/ which is amazing!!!  I have only been on it for a few days but I can see myself using it all of the time going forward. Kyle and I are constantly saving pictures of ideas for the home and other projects to our home computer but this is a much simpler way to see our ideas laid out. What a great idea to have an online personalized idea board.  Can't get enough.

People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one. ~Leo J. Burke

Sleeping in is something I used to love to do. I'd wake up late on Saturday's, grab a huge coffee and hang out in my PJ's until I was ready to go out into the world (or maybe catch another 30 minutes of z's before lunch). I could never comprehend how people were awake and functioning after only a few hours of sleep. Whether it was a function of a newborn child, work, going out or just a freakish internal clock - I didn't get it. Now that I have Dallas I average 4-5 hours a night...when I used to absolutely NEED 8-14 hours. These days I never sleep past 7am, even on the weekends -- babies don't understand lazy Sunday's. My mornings now start with a good hair pull or slap in the face from Dallas and occassionally a soft pat (usually she saves those for daddy). Who knew that having your hair pulled to wake you up could be such an enjoyable alarm clock?

I just got finished putting Dallas to sleep for the night. As she was drifting off she started to smile. I wonder what she was dreaming? My guess: either daddy blowing fart sounds on her tummy or cooter finally letter her rip his hair out of his tail.

App Obsessions

After 4 days at home with Dallas it's back to the office for me. It's a good thing too because I was starting to get pretty comfortable staying at home!

Right now I am obsessed with finding great apps for the Iphone and Ipad.  Mainly photography apps because I can't get enough pictures of Dallas but always looking for organization apps as well.  Not being a naturally organized person and a working mom is pretty tricky! So anything I can find to help put a little organization to the chaos is always welcomed.  I'd love to hear any good app suggestions (email or comment below)...

So far the best photo apps I have found are Hipstamatic and Lightbox.  Hipstamatic automatically edits the photos to whatever type of "film" you are using where Lightbox takes a normal picture and gives you tons of options for quick editing afterwards.

Hipstamatic...

Lightbox...

I haven't tried to have any of these pictures printed so I can't attest for the actual printed photo quality but they make for fun and easy ways to get different types of pictures without the editing process.

Other apps I love are: Blogger+ (for blogging from Ipad), Flipboard (for quick access to news, pictures, blogs, magazines etc.), Bump (for picture sharing between devices) and i'll admit it... Angry Birds Rio (it's a sick obsession and I blame you Christian for introducing it to me)

Daddy's Hands

We spent the morning celebrating fathers day with my dad but poor Dallas was and is still very sick so instead of getting to hang out afterwards we went home. Kyle got back into town mid afternoon just in time to take a family nap :) Dallas and I did manage to throw together a few surprises for dad which he loved and got one picture of her in her Father's Day dress with daddy.

A few weeks back I snapped a couple of pictures of Kyle and Dallas. He wanted me to make sure and not get his hands in the photos because they were covered in paint and calloused from working on the house. I explained to him that was exactly the reason I was getting his hands in the pictures - they show how hard he works for our little girl. Right now they are battered and bruised because he is has been building a home for her. In the future I imagine them looking the same way from building tree houses, dirt under the nails from mud pies and whatever else the two of them come up with.  Her daddy's hands were the first she held, have caught her when she has fallen, have held her when she was sad, have squeezed her when she was happy. They are a symbol of strength, love and good times had and good times to come!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

I planned on updating the blog more during my days off but time slipped away from me. I've been lost in baby land and enjoying every second.

Thursday Kyle had to leave for a last minute business trip to Austin and then a wedding in Fredricksburg. Cooter has slept by the front door every night waiting for him to walk through -- poor guy doesn't feel safe unless we're all under the same roof. Needless to say we are all anxious for him to return home tomorrow!! Dallas and I have been doing our best to keep ourselves busy until he gets back.

We've been swimming (she literally shrieked with excitement when she saw the pool), shopping, lunching with the girls and having an overall great time -- that is until Friday night when Dallas got a fever. We went to the doctor this morning and he said no ear infection and probably just a bug. The only time she has really been herself today was during bath time. Did I mention this girl loves water? Right now she's sleeping, snuggled up to me feeling like a hot potato. I just got finished watching the Tooth Fairy with the Rock (are you judging me right now? Haha) and am going through my mental checklist of all the things I need to do before Kyle gets home. Hopefully Dallas sleeps through the night and wakes up 100%.

Sorry for the lack of "flow" and pictures with this post. I'm running on 3 hours sleep :). Kyle took off with the home laptop charger which means I couldn't upload good quality pics but I managed to snap a few on my iphone and bump (great app) them over to my ipad. hope you enjoy.

Date night with Uncle Ry

After lunch with Colin & Eloise

Slumber party at granna's

I love bath time!!!

Night night, sleep tight

Staycation Begins Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the beginning of my "staycation". Currently on the agenda is pool time with Dallas, a few DIY projects (we'll see if I can actually finish any), the Mavs Parade and countless errands that I have been meaning to run.  I told Dallas the news and she is totally pumped!

Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day. ~Gene Perret

Fifteen years ago this coming February Kyle walked into Mrs. Bishop's algebra class in his Nautica shirt and Doc Martin sandals and stole my heart :).  We celebrated our six year wedding anniversary this past Saturday! My love for him continues to grow.  Being married to Kyle can be summed up in one word, fun.

Love you babe!  Looking forward to a life time of laughing so hard I wet my pants.   

High School Years

College Years

 Enagement Night (I was completely surprised)

Married Years

Dux Dogs

Last night it occurred to me that I hadn't posted anything on two of our special family members Cooter & Daisy.  They are our very loved and currently very neglected dogs. Before our real baby came these were our babies. They slept in the bed with us, went to run errands.  Rarely did they leave our side.  Since the arrival of Dallas they haven't gotten as much attention as they are used to but seem to be ok since they now have a nice big yard to chase squirrels in - rather than being on a leash with snow boots on. 

So here they are, our wonderful dogs!

Viva La Cooter!  Cinco de Mayo 2011 marked Cooter's 10th birthday! Cooter has always had a Pinocchio-esque life... always longing to be a real boy. He loves to lounge with the humans - laughing at their jokes, sipping on their wine, and occasionally babysitting their children.  I remember when Kyle called from Lubbock to say he bought a 4 week old "border collie" puppy. The kids down the street were selling him for a whopping ten dollars and told Kyle that if he didn't buy the puppy they were just going to stick him by the dumpster. Kyle, a softy for all animals, borrowed ten bucks from Brendan and the legend of Cooter began...

Coot's Favorite Spot (in mommy's lap)

Coot's a Die Hard Mavs Fan (Photo from 2005)

Scouting out the ladies in Central Park

Cooter is most happy when he is wearing a bandana. 

Sweet. Crazy. Daisy! Kyle gave Daisy to me for an early 27th birthday present. What a gift she turned out to be! We got her from a rescue shelter in Tennessee that drives dogs up the east coast for delivery. So in September we rented a car and drove out to New Jersey to pick her up at 5:30am at a McDonald's on the highway. Daisy enjoys nothing more than chasing squirrels (she has gotten two so far - yuck), eating shoes and undies (TMI?), snuggling morning noon and night, and torturing Coot on a daily basis by invading his personal space and biting his ankles. 

First Day as a Duke

Daisy's Favorite Spot to be (in daddy's arms)

 Her Favorite Car Riding Position - She's always been a little off 

Daisy Doesn't Believe in Personal Space - Sorry Coot, hang in there bud!

Kyle and I are both big on only having rescue dogs for our family. There are so many wonderful dogs out there looking for loving homes.  http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

Seven Month Birthday!

Dallas turned 7 months old today! She is such an active little thing.  When she wakes up in the morning she is ready to go go go for the day. She wants to bounce up and down. She wants to sit up and try to crawl.  She wants to pull up on the side of her crib. She only likes to be held facing out so she can see whats going on.  It's amazing the energy such a little body has! Looking forward to all of the milestones 7 months will bring.

Six Month Old Photo Shoot

Dallas had her 6 month old baby pictures taken 2 weeks ago.  We just received the link for the "sneak peak" and couldn't be happier with the results!! 
http://www.clairesmith.com/blog/2011/dallas-dallas-baby-photographer/ 

DIY Hubby

Kyle is not only handy with the tools but also extremely creative and crafty. This past weekend he was putting more stuff in the attic which included 1 of our 6 costume tubs.  Somehow Kyle looked over at the vintage fridge he bought back in the Texas Tech days and decided he was going to turn it into our costume closet.  I would have never thought to do something like this and of course it turned out amazing!!!

Weekend of First's

This weekend Dallas had a lot of firsts...

She slept in her crib all night long (big first for mom & dad)

She went to her first Neiman's Saturday lunch 

(something my mom, aunt and I have done for the past 20 years!)

Nonnie got Dallas her first real shoes AND bikini 

She had her first dinner date! 

She went to her first birthday party. 
She found out a lot of boys were going to be there so she put on her finest party dress

Saturday night I was telling Kyle what a great mommy and daughter day I had with Dallas.  How she was such an easy baby all day.  Smiled and laughed with people when we were out and about, took her naps on time and for long periods with no fuss, and sat through a 2 hour dinner entertaining herself and being happy the entire time.  My little girl is growing up so fast.  It is so exciting to see the growth and development Dallas' is going through but sometimes I worry that it is already going too fast. I savor every time I get to rock her to sleep, every time she reaches for me, every time she smiles that wide open smile, basically every time she does anything at all!  

"Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children."
Charles (Chuck) Swindoll