My Baby is 2!

Little Kacy is two years old today. I can't believe how fast it's gone! I know everyone always says that, but I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday. That little bit of perfection staring up at me as she entered the world changed my life that day. Here are a few of my memories from those early days...I remember the fear I felt as the nurses took her away when her sugar levels were high. I remember those sweet moments watching her little sleep smiles. I remember trying to get her baby pictures at the hospital. She was a mess! I was so not interested in getting those pictures taken, but the photographer was so convinced she could get a great picture. Now that I look at the one I bought, she looked like a wrinkled old man! Horrible! I was so nervous for Adilyn to meet Kacy for the first time. We knew that she was on her way with my dad and Kris. She was so uninterested in Kacy. It was better than her being mean to her, but it was still not the reaction I was hoping for. Those newborn days are so exhausting! Days and nights run together, and it's just a big blur...Kacy was such a great baby, and I thought she was going to be so relaxed and laid back. She always loved Adilyn's voice, and she would always look for her when she came in the room. Once she started smiling, she never stopped! Her personality has changed a lot in these last 2 years, but she is still just as amazing as she was the day she was born.
My Kacy, at 2:
*She loves to mess with Adilyn. The girl will snatch something right out of Adilyn's hand and take off running with it. Of course, this starts a lot of fights.
*Her laugh is AMAZING! When she starts to laugh, I mean, really laugh, it is completely and totally infectious. I love it! I seriously need to record it, so I can remember how much it makes me smile.
*She runs so funny. It's this little booty shaking, shuffling little run. She runs everywhere, too.
*She really wants to potty train. She will take her diaper off, pull her shirt up to her chest, and run to the bathroom with her little butt shakin' in the wind.
*The girl is full of energy! She doesn't like to sit still. She has no fear! Jumping off the edge of the pool, climbing up on anything, or anything else dangerous.
*Wagon rides and bubbles are her favorite things to do.
*She will say, "Hi" to anyone and everyone. I guess she doesn't feel like it's enough to say it once because she says it over and over until they respond with at least a wave.
*Anytime music comes on, she stops what she is doing and starts to bust a move.
*She all of a sudden decided that she likes Minnie Mouse. The other day, she gave me the remote control and said, "Minnie, Mama. Minnie!"
*She loves to do everything herself, and she tells us that she wants to do it herself by saying, "Kacy, do do." Little does she know what that means.
*Anytime we are just sitting around, she loves to talk about what people are wearing or not wearing. It goes like this, "Mama, no dress. Kacy, dress. Adilyn, dress. Daddy, no dress." or "Boy, hat. Kacy, no hat. Adilyn, no hat." etc...her favorites are dresses, shoes, hats, and glasses.
*She randomly walks around on her tippy toes.
*When she twirls, she does this little wind up thing like she is going to go really, super fast.
*Anytime she colors something, she has to go around and show everyone. She will put on little line, and go show Cory, yelling, "Dada! Dada!" Then, she will add a circle, and go show Cory, yelling, "Dada! Dada!"
*She sleeps really well - about 12 hours each night, and still about a 2 hour nap.
*Her eating habits are up and down. Some days she eats a ton, some days she eats nothing.
*She is talking a lot, and it seems like she learns new words everyday! My favorite is anytime I do anything for her, she automatically says, "Thank you, Mama." She says it in this small little voice, melts my heart.
These last two years have been a joy living with this beautiful little creature that I get to call my daughter. I am so blessed to be her mom, and I can't wait to see her grow and learn even more all the time! Happy Birthday, sweet Kacy Michelle. I love you, baby!

Michigan Trip

We all took a trip up to Michigan, and we had such a great time! I will add some stories later, but here are some pictures of our fun adventures. We are so lucky to have such a great place to go to spend time with family and have a wonderful vacation!

Mama Back...No Cry...Play

The first time that I took Kacy to the YMCA Childwatch, it was a complete disaster! She cried for 20 minutes straight, and then ended it all by making herself throw up (she had her fingers in her mouth like she does when she gets upset). After that first day, I was so nervous to take her again, but I knew I had to. Going to the Y a couple times a week was one thing I was really looking forward to this summer. I had really gotten out of my working out routine this last year, so I was excited to get back into it. The way things went the first time, I thought my great plans were going to be ruined! I didn't like how the workers treated the kids that were crying. Well, I guess I should say that I didn't like how the workers completely ignored the kdis that were crying because they didn't do anything to help them. I know that it's sometimes better to just let the kids cry for a few minutes, but there were kids that were just standing by the door sobbing uncontrollably. It was heartbreaking. Anyway, I mustered up enough courage to take her again. This time, there were quite a few crying kids, so I knew that it wasn't going to go well from the start. Crying is contagious, especially when you are two. I went in with her, knowing that this was going to make the leaving even harder, but I couldn't just drop her in the middle of the crying madness! I stayed a few minutes, then left. She screamed for me, but I just kept on walking, hoping for the best. I ran for about 20 minutes, then I poked my head in the window, praying that I wouldn't be spotted. She was in the arms of a woman who did not look that irritated. She wasn't crying, but I assumed that was only because she was being held. I continued my workout, and I went back to get her. Of course, the minute she saw me, the tears started flowing, but we survived!

After that I started talking to her because I know that she knows more than I think. I started telling her things like, "Mama will always come back." "Don't be sad." "Don't cry." "Just play with friends." etc...Of course, I was hoping that we would get to the point like we are at her school where she jumps out of my arms and runs into her friends. I had high hopes, but the next day when we walked into the Childwatch area, immediate waterworks! I left again, but I was nervous the whole workout. Cory was with me this time, and he checked on her and said she was just in a circle reading. Sounded okay to me! She was again very happy to see us.

The next time I told her in the car, "We are going to the Y." She responded, "Mama back. No cry. Play." It was so cute! She still cried at the dropoff, but she seems to be doing better when I am gone. She painted a little thing for Cory for Father's Day, and she really likes this one girl there. I think my plans for the summer Y trips will get better and better each time!

The funny thing is now, randomly, she will go through her little routine, "Mama back. No cry. Play." Sweet girl!

Nammie Trip '11

We have gone on a summer trip with my mom every year since Adilyn was born, and this year was no different! Galveston was our destination this year, and we had a blast. We rented a one bedroom condo right on the seawall for three nights. It was a great time. Some of our adventures - playing in the sand, jumping in the waves, swimming in the pool, renting a surrey, eating at Rainforest Cafe, going on a dolphin watching cruise, and just playing around in the condo. Luckily we were able to eat at the condo for most of our meals, so that was a lot easier than eating out. The girls loved playing at the beach. Adilyn liked jumping in the waves and getting into the "slow rockers" (hanging out past the breakers). Kacy liked walking in the waves and getting splashed in the face. We dug in the sand a little bit, too. Cory drove down to visit for the day, and we decided to rent a surrey to drive around the seawall. We thought it would be hard, but we had no idea what we had gotten into! It was so hard to pedal, and it was so hot! We still had fun, but we worked hard for that fun. That night we ate at the Rainforest Cafe. As we walked in, there was a "thunderstorm", and it totally freaked the girls out. Adilyn was walking with Mom, and I looked back at them, and Adilyn had jumped in her arms like a spider monkey! Kacy was super nervous, too. It only lasted a minute or two, and then they were fine. Kacy was a crazy woman (as usual these days) and would not sit still, so it was a bit stressful. Nammie ordered some nachos, and it was one of the biggest plates of food I have ever seen, so that was kind of funny. The food was good, and we all enjoyed the craziness of all the animals moving and rainforest noises. The next day we played in the pool at the condo. It was a great pool for the kids. There was a huge shallow area, a waterfall mushroom, and a floating alligator to jump on! We had a lot of fun! Later that day we went down to the Strand, had ice cream, and went on a boat ride to look for dolphins. I didn't think we would really see any, but we did! Adilyn enjoyed looking at the huge ships more than dolphins, but either way we had a good time. Kacy was again a little crazy on the boat. She kept trying to stand up on the seats and throw things over the edge. That girl has a mind of her own these days! Overall, it was a great trip. Great summer memories were made!

Birthday Party Fun!

The girls' birthday party was on Saturday, and we had a great time! Of course, we had to get an inflatable waterslide again. I had originally thought about doing a "Pirate and Princesses" themed party, but Adilyn got really upset when I told her that we weren't going to have a slide. She convinced me to get one again, but believe me, it didn't take too much convincing! The biggest issue we had last year was the ladder was kind of hard for the kids to get up, so when I reserved this one I asked the lady how the ladder was on it. Her response was that it was one of the easiest ones she had for little ones. I was really excited because I figured Adilyn would be able to get up and down by herself. I thought Kacy would still need help, but I hoped that Adilyn and the rest of the 3 year olds would be able to do it. Not the case! It was pretty rough, even for me. I guess it's just hard to make an easy way to get up an inflatable, wet slide! Anyway, this one had a pool that you landed in when you got to the bottom, so most of the fun was had in the pool anyways! We joked that it was like a little kid water mosh pit down there! Most of the time there were at least 5 or 6 kids in a tiny pool that had people flying into it as they came down the slide. Kids were jumping off the edge, squirting each other with squirt guns, and just generally being crazy! We had a little treasure hunt for their goodie bags, which went pretty well. I love the girls' parties so much for many reasons, but the best part for me is looking around and seeing everyone that I love - in one place, at one time. Everyone is there because they love us, and it just makes me happy to see them!

We had a great time sliding, being silly, eating great food, and just hanging out with everyone. The girls got lots of cute clothes and pajamas, some Barbie toys, and a really neat microphone to sing into. Adilyn loved opening the presents, but Kacy was done after about three! We had a great time, and I will never forget the fun we had. Four and two...I can hardly believe it!

My 4 Year Old

I remember the four years that I spent in high school feeling like an absolute lifetime. The four years that I spent in college also felt like they lasted such a long time. But, these last four years with my "little" Adilyn have gone by so quick! I can't imagine why time feels like it's going so fast now. Now is the time in my life that I want time to feel like it stops! I want to enjoy every moment and remember every second of what we are doing before it is over. Adilyn is so amazing in so many ways. I love her laugh, her sweet spirit, her silliness, her funny ideas, her hugs, her love of dresses and all things princess. She drives me crazy with her dramatic screams when Kacy bugs her or when she falls, her procrastinating, her fear and timidness, and how she won't sit still through a meal. My favorite things to do with her are dancing, being silly, snuggling, reading her princess stories, and teaching her things.

Dana always asks her boys questions on their birthday, and I think it's so cute - I stole her idea!

Here are the questions and answers:

1. Who is your bestfriend? Abby

2. Who else do you like to play with at school? All my girls, oh, and Jeffrey

3. Favorite color? Pink and purple

4. Favorite thing to do at school? Art and playing

5. Favorite food? Mac and cheese and candy

6. Where do you want to live when you grow up? Fort Worth

7. What job do you want to have when you are older? Ballet

8. What are your goals this summer (this took some explaining)? To ride my bike, to swim, to do ballet, basketball, write my letters

9. What is your favorite thing about Kacy? Playing princess with her

10. Favorite thing to do? Dance and wear dresses

I always knew that I wanted kids, but never, in a million years would I have thought that my kids would change my life as much as they have. Adilyn has changed the way I look at things, the way that I see my future, and the way that I love. Although it makes me sad to think about how quickly she is growing up, and how quickly these younger years will go by, I am also excited to see her grow up. I can't wait to see what type of person she becomes. Who will her friends be? What activities will she be in to? When will she have her first broken heart? With every age come different challenges and different good points, and I look forward to experiencing each stage together with love, and hopefully coming out on the other side in one piece! :)

Happy 4th Birthday, Adilyn Kade. You are a huge piece of what makes me whole. You give me joy that you will not understand until your have children of your own. Your laughter can make a bad day perfect. I love you, and I am grateful everyday that you are in my life! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. As I look into your eyes each day, I have the same love, same joy, and same happiness today as I did the day you were born. You are amazing!

The Last Day of School, What a Year!

The drama with my job has still continued. As I type this, I am sitting in my classroom, boxes packed, still with no idea where or what I will be teaching next year. They have said that they will let me know by June 3rd, so we will see if I find out anything tomorrow. It's such a strange feeling to be "given" a job with no say at all. Many have told me, "Well, at least you have a job." Now, whether they are saying that to be positive or just nice, it doesn't matter. The fact is that there are many jobs that I don't want. I am not a fan of teaching the grammar and writing part of English. I taught it at Beck, but it was never for more than 3 class periods each day. To be honest, those class periods were the least favorite part of my day. I loved teaching Health and PE, but I just did the English because I had to. I wouldn't mind teaching 8th grade English or any level in high school, but it's literature and grammar combined. I have tried not to obsess about it, I know that God is in control, but "just having a job" is not the same as enjoying your job. It would be like telling a pediatrician that they have to now be a geriatric doctor. It's two completely different worlds. Age, subject, school...they are all different atmospheres which require unique approaches and mindsets.
Anyway, it seems that my life in elementary PE is over for now, so as the year finishes, I will reflect on my one and only year doing the easiest job that I have had in the last 10 years!

What I will miss:
*Cute little smiles and little faces
*Excitement for learning and playing
*Hilarious/random stories about their life and thoughts
*No grading!
*Playing with the kids
*Being silly
*Tiny hugs
*Random time off when there are assemblies/field trips

What I will NOT miss:
*My co-worker
*Always having to do EVERYthing in lines and "on silence"
*Morning traffic duty
*Tattling
*Crying for no reason
*Overly dramatic falls and accidents
*Random throwing up in the middle of class
*Peeing in their pants
*Picking their nose and eating the boogers
*Being gross in ways I never imagined
*The later hours
*Not getting to know/connect with the kids as much
*The squirminess of the little ones
Overall, my experience with teaching elementary school has been a good one. I do not feel like elementary PE is my calling. I would totally do it again because it's fun and easy, and I would love to teach where Adilyn and Kacy went to school, but it's not what I am meant to do. I enjoyed it, but like I said, there is something more for me out there. Who knows what my next adventure in education will be?