grow

Seven

2012-02-14T12:10:00.000-06:00

"An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life." -Proverbs 31:10-12

Happy Seventh Day Chels! I love you for so many reasons but here are 7:

You are the one for me.

Through the difficulties, trials, blessings, and great joys I know that I am always facing them shoulder to shoulder with you. You are my best friend and God has joined us together for a purpose…to bring glory to Jesus and show the world how great he really is. We are better together than apart.

You sympathize with my weaknesses.

I always say that one of the ways you continually love and bless me is by looking past my many weaknesses and flaws; seeing the good things God is doing in my life…patiently allowing the much needed (but often slow) sanctification to take place.

You believe in me.

Besides the power of the Holy Spirit in me, there is nothing more empowering than your steadfast commitment to selflessly love, serve, and support me. I am very driven, type-A, aggressive, and a little OCD, but still you love me. You think I can do anything and encourage me always. Your support motivates me to know Christ more in order to lead us well, pursue my career with diligence and passion, and love others.

You have a great sense of humor.

Though many who do not know us well may think we are very serious and maybe even intense (as is said about Chandler); there is always laughter. I love how you even make yourself laugh sometimes…you know when it is so funny that you can barely even tell me. Yeah, that!

You are a wonderful mom.

You love being a mom and having the ability to stay home. You have sacrificed much in order to be at home to care for our house and Chandler. Some would say that this is a less noble calling. What you are doing is the most worth-while, meaningful job. I don’t want to imagine what Chandler would be like if I was a stay-at-home dad. And praise God for little Audrey Cate! Only 8 weeks away.

You love Jesus, the Gospel, & the church.

I have seen you change so much over the years. You love Jesus, his ways, and the implications that this has on your life. You pour into other women at our church to the point of tears, sorrow, and heartbreak. I am so grateful that you love the church and give yourself to her service. Though she is not there yet, one day she will be. And on that day it will all be worth it.

You said yes.

Some may not know that we met in 7^th grade. We started dating in 10^th grade and were engaged on a very normal but unusual day. I tend to rail against the norm so Valentine’s Day is no different than any other day in my opinion. I hope to love you well the other 364 days of the year so I do not have to make up for it one day out of the year…but forgive me for falling short. Yet, on this day 7 years ago, I did the unusual (because it's Valentine's Day) and asked you to marry me (the picture above was taken just minutes after she said yes!). You said yes and I will never be the same. I also still wonder why our parents agreed to this. We were married at 20 and 21 while in college at A&M.

You are a jewel and I am thankful for you for these reasons and many others.

Baby No. 2 :: 31 weeks

2012-02-12T11:43:00.000-06:00

I'm a little behind, this is from this past week. I might wait until 33 weeks to post again that way I can get caught up! Don't you like how my belly looks flat on the front? Not sure why that is, maybe she was moving around as we were taking the picture. It wasn't the best time to take a picture because the sun was right on the porch but we just went with it! Chandler was laughing at his daddy in this one. :)

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Size of baby: {weight of} 4 navel oranges

Measurements: over 16 inches, about 3.3 pounds

Baby Milestones: can turn her head from side to side, fat accumulating on arms, legs and body

Best Moment this week: Date night with Cody on Friday (thanks to sweet Miranda). It was a long week with both boys sick but we had a great time catching up over sushi and a movie.

Gender: girl: Audrey Cate

Movement: she is a VERY active little girl, I sometimes wonder if she is moving TOO much, ha

Food/Drink Craving: chai latte, kettle corn from the basketball game (when we decided we were going, I told Cody we had to buy some!), oatmeal for breakfast

Sleep: sleeping okay, lots of crazy dreams still (last night my brother was a transporter/taxi driver and drove a bright sports car around the mall picking up people to take places)

What I am looking forward to: I'm starting to get a little antsy about their rooms being done, Cody isn't worried. :) Cody has sanded and primed Chandler's dresser, just paint and new knobs to go. Next up is building his bed. I found frames this week for both kids rooms so I am working on redoing those and finding a few other decor items.

Symptoms: more Braxton Hicks this week (which I never felt with Chandler), pain in my right ribs, but overall I am feeling really good

Wordless Wednesday

2012-02-08T11:12:00.000-06:00

Favorite Things (12-18 months)

2012-02-07T11:19:00.000-06:00

1. Black and Decker tools: This link isn't the exact sets that we have but they are similar. You've probably noticed from here and here that Chandler loves his tools. It is by far what he plays with most but he also has a daddy that uses tools frequently so I'm sure that has alot to do with it. He has run the batteries out twice and the lightbulb out once but other than that they are sturdy and he loves building with them. The only complaint I have about ours is that the drill and flashlight share a battery pack so we have to switch that off and on depending what he wants at the time and he use them at the same time.

2. Breathable Bumper: We got this when Chandler was around 12 months and have loved it. I have to adjust it every few days because it has got pushed down but it helps from loosing paci's and arms and legs getting stuck. I ordered ours on Amazon but recently saw Target carries them in the stores now. We will use this from the beginning with Audrey.

3. Homemade pipe cleaner fun: This was one of our busy bags and Chandler has recently (17 mo. or so) loved the challenge of getting the pipe cleaners in the holes. He really has to concentrate and obviously not even noticing the color aspect yet. This is a great CHEAP toy.

4. Velcro fruit/veggies: My parents bought these for Chandler for his 1st birthday. These have helped him with coordination and fruit and veggie names. He can cut with assistance but loves pulling them apart and trying to velcro them back together. The only negative thing about the ones we have is that the baskets they come in are very girly.

5. Melissa and Doug animal fridge magnets: Cody's parents bought these for Chandler for Halloween and we have got LOTS of use out of them, especially the cat. He loves to take off the ones as ask him where it is and rearrange them to his liking. I was really surprised how he knew so many animals, I think from mostly interacting and playing with these. We are now working on animal sounds with them.

6. Big Picture Story Bible: This is the Bible that we use for Family Worship and Chandler loves the illustrations. Some of the chapters can still be a little long for his age but we try to make it interactive and fun. Our version didn't have the CD so I'm not sure how it is.

7. Signing Time videos: These of course are a little cheesy (especially the songs) but Chandler loves the them and they have helped him communicate with signs. We only have Vol. 1-3 which are more basic communication signs but we have definitely watched them all quite a few times.

8. Tiny Diner Mat: Our mat is green because we wanted it to be gender neutral and we ended up finding it at Toys R Us but they also have it on Amazon. This stays in Chandler's diaper bag so we have it anytime we are eating out since most high chairs don't have trays. It has suction cups that stick to the table (depending on what kind of table) but for the most part it works well. Very functional, rolls up, and easy to clean. An added bonus is that he likes the spoon, cow, and dog on the mat.

9. Flow 'n' Fill Spout: Nicknamed the "Yoinky doo"at our house. This was another 1st birthday gift for little man. I read reviews on Amazon that say that the motor wears out fast but so far so good and it has been the highlight of bath time around here. I have seen them in College Station at Jacques Toys and books.

10. Leapfrog My Own Laptop: I'm pretty sure this is only $20 at Target so maybe check that out before buying it online. Chandler got this for Christmas and has enjoyed having his "own" laptop like mom and dad. He likes to close the screen down when he's done. There are 3 modes: alphabet, music, and animals. We have pretty much only had it set on animals.

Also, here and here are some fun "repurposed" homemade toy and activity ideas.

What are your favorite things for this age?

Baby No. 2 :: 30 weeks

2012-02-06T10:21:00.000-06:00

This is actually from last week but I didn't like the picture so it took me a little while to decide to post it anyway. Cody has been a sweet photographer, putting up with all my "am I enough to the side?", "what do my bangs look like?", and "can you just take a few more" comments. We can't believe little Audrey will be here in 10 weeks or less. Everyone keeps asking if we are ready and I don't think we will ever be ready to say "yes" to that question. :) Of course we can't wait to meet her but we have lots to do before she arrives.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: {weight of} a head of cabbage

Measurements: about 15.7 inches, about 3 pounds

Baby Milestones: eyesight continues to develop, eyebrows and eyelashes are fully developed, will gain about 1/2 a pound a week until 38 weeks, hands fully formed and fingernails growing

Best Moment this week: This week was a little slower so I think it has been really awesome to have sweet time together with Chandler, rest, and get things more prepared around the house.

Gender: girl: Audrey Cate

Movement: still moving quite a bit, especially really low movements

Food/Drink Craving: avocado, chocolate, and oatmeal with blueberries, still loving grapefruits

Sleep: REALLY vivid and crazy dreams, didn't seem to wake up as much during the night though

What I am looking forward to: Confirming next appointment that she is head down. We decided to work on 1 room at a time and since Chandler will need some transition time we are doing his first. We got a bed this week and Cody started to sand his dresser. We are looking for a twin bed frame and painting the dresser will be next on the to do list.

Symptoms: still sharp pain in my right ribs and she has felt really tight this week, maybe we are hitting a growth spurt :)

Update {18 months}

2012-02-02T15:32:00.001-06:00

You seriously make us laugh so much. You love to copy our expressions, hand movements, and sounds these days. I love how much you are already like your daddy. The other day daddy was painting your room on a step stool and you had to be on the step right below him pretending to do the same. So cute.

Measurements: (not much change)

-22.8 lbs (15th percentile) and 31 inches (25th percentile)

Clothes:

-shirts and jeans: you are growing out of most of your 6-12 months but some 12-18 still seem really big, I think you will be filling them out more over the next little bit

-pjs: 12-18 month

-shoe: size 5

Sleeping:

-naps around 10:30am-12pm and 3pm-5pm

-sleeps at night from 8:00pm-8:00am

Eating:

-you still are about the same in regards to food, love fruits and veggies and don't really like meat

-you don't like tomatoes or blueberries

-you LOVE getting a treat of M&M's

New Tricks:
-YOU love dancing and listening to headphones

-you started having sounds for Elmo and Cookie Monster

-you just realized you can click our floor lamp on and off with your foot

Talking:

-you still are mostly signing but you do say yes and up "p", you have been known to attempt momma and daddy on command but don't use them yet by yourself

-we are hoping your communication will develop soon, our doctor wants us to continue to monitor it until 21 months before taking any further steps, we are thankful that you are signing so well though

-you got 3 new Signing Time videos and love to watch them, you are starting to change your signs to the more "real" way of doing them (help you were doing 2 thumbs up and now you are doing your open palm and thumbs up)

Teeth: 16

-8 top/8 bottom, left bottom canine has broken the gums (finally) but still working its way all the way in

Likes:

-your tools/daddy's tools & lawn equipment

-dancing with Daddy

-helping put away dishes

-balls
-watching Signing Time, Sesame Street (mostly just Elmo and Cookie Monster), and Wonder Pets
-brushing your teeth
-getting a spray of daddy's cologne
-mommy's blowdryer
-your tummy rubbed when being laid down for sleep

Instagram Favorites (January)

2012-02-01T10:51:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to keep up with doing 365 (or 366 this year) on my phone using the Project 365 app, so far I have managed to get a picture of something from the day. Has anyone really manage to do it for the whole year?? If so, what did you do with the pictures at the end of the year? I have been brainstorming options but I would love some ideas.

For February I am going to try something different just to change it up. I saw this (maybe on Pinterest?) and thought it might be fun. We'll see how it goes.

January books

2012-01-31T17:45:00.001-06:00

Two good books this month.

1. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic: LOVED this book, such a quick and easy read yet so encouraging and challenging. This is a book that I need to pick up and read at least once a year. There are 20 short chapters (a few pages each) that are filled with life experience, encouragement and wisdom. The author is a mom of five kids ages five and under.

2. Community: Taking Your Small Group off Life Support by Brad House: We read this to discuss at our small group leader meeting for the Spring. I mostly read this aloud to Cody as he was working on home projects. It seemed a little repetitive, especially in the beginning but overall we were challenged and learned alot from this book. Our context in College Station is a little different than Seattle but there are lots of examples and ideas to take and make work for your small group.

I have a few more in the works but am not quite done, maybe I'll have more than two in February!

What are you reading? Any books you recently read that you loved?

Monthly Recap (January)

2012-01-30T16:40:00.000-06:00

Monthly Recap is one of my 2012 goals so here we go...

We have had a great start to the new year. We didn't end up taking our tree down until a week or two into January because we did the Cates Christmas on Jan. 7 at our house.

Cody has been busy working on lots of home projects to get our house ready and organized to add little Audrey in April. He started the year by changing our front closet from a hanging rod on both sides to one side having double hanging and the other side having LOTS of amazing shelves. He did such a fantastic job. He has been perfecting it over the month and now I have the green light to fill the shelves! We are now moving on to the kids rooms, Chandler's room is pretty much a clean slate at the moment. It was Cody's office/guest room. We got rid of our big bookshelf and full bed and just have Cody's desk. Cody painted the room last week (which was the only room with no color).

We started life group back around the middle of the month and have loved seeing everyone again after the long break. We have about 25 people in our group. We have made some exciting changes and can't wait to see what God does this semester.

Another happening was that I got my hair cut... alot. Maybe more than I wanted but I was able to donate it. Ten inches, eek. It will always grow, right?

Chandler has been so fun this month. Starting to communicate and engage in everything we do. If Cody is painting, Chandler is pretend rolling beside him. If I am stirring, Chandler wants to stir too. We are still working on playing independently since little girl will be here soon and our attention will be divided but trying to soak up all those "just Chandler days" too. His 18 month update is coming soon.

Audrey is growing, we just started the third trimester so she will begin packing on the pounds over the next 2 months. We sent in our preregistration at the hospital and have started cleaning out Chandler's closet to make room for some pink soon.

That's about it for the Groves this month. We are eager to see what February brings.

Baby No. 2 :: 28 weeks

2012-01-20T16:24:00.001-06:00

When I see this picture I get a little nervous thinking, wow if I am already this big how big will I be at 40 weeks?! I think my tummy is definitely bigger than with Chandler but some how I weigh less, who knows. As I went back and read about week 28 with Chandler I realized the pain on my right ribs started about the same time.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 28 weeks

Size of baby: {weight of} Chinese cabbage

Measurements: about 14.8 inches, about 2 and 1/4 pounds

Baby Milestones: can blink her eyes (which now have lashes), eyesight developing, developing billions of neurons in brain, adding body fat

Best Moment this week: Life Group meeting again!

Gender: little girl, Audrey Cate

Movement: moving alot this week, you can see my stomach twitch and move every once in a while

Food/Drink Craving: actually I haven't really had many cravings this week

Sleep: this week was a change in sleep for sure, lots of tossing and turning

What I am looking forward to: working on both kids rooms, we bought paint for Chandlers and are still trying to find the right color for Audrey

Symptoms: mainly just pain in my right ribs from sitting, it isn't as bad when I am standing up, obviously my lower back is getting more sore these days

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-18T15:57:00.000-06:00

I have some cute new pictures on my real camera but my card reader broke so here are a few phone favorites for the week.

(p.s.- If you have a card reader you really like will you leave me a comment telling me what kind you have??)

Photo shoot Favorites

2012-01-12T15:20:00.000-06:00

Remember this photo shoot contest?

Well, we want to say THANKS again for voting because we won and now have some very special family-of-three pictures. Stancy and Katie were absolutely amazing and we would highly recommend them to anyone. Half Orange Photography is an Austin based business but they are willing to travel if needed.

It is really hard to go through an choose favorites, especially of little man but here are a few.

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T15:19:00.000-06:00

Clover Lane + Picasa = LOVE

2012-01-10T15:45:00.000-06:00

Have you heard of the blog Memories on Clover Lane? Well, I ran across it the other day and I have learned so many new things.

1. I learned how to make a blog banner without photoshop or any other fancy programs, just Picasa which I already had on my computer but didn't really know how much it could do. I followed this step by step tutorial and took my first stab at making a banner. It isn't perfect but I am excited that I now know how to do it on my own.

2. Then I also came across her personalized placemat tutorial. So cute. I again used Picasa to make six (11x17) placemats for our table. I decided not to put names so we could use them anywhere but I did make one that has pictures of me and Cody with Chandler to make them a little more personalized for mommy and daddy.

3. Finally, I've been wanting to make a Prayer book like this for Family Worship and to help Chandler recognize family/friends faces. So, I took my previous Picasa knowledge and created a little velcro book. He can choose two people each night to pray for and practice learning names/faces.

I used the picture pile setting and put 9 (3x3) pictures on each page (8.5x11). I used the third choice for picture border to create a polaroid look so I could type the name on each one.

I took the placemat and prayer book files to Copy Corner and had them print them on cardstock and laminate.

Baby No. 2 :: 26 weeks

2012-01-05T11:39:00.012-06:00

This week we found out I passed my glucose test (79) and my iron level (35.3) was normal too! Audrey Cate, you have grown alot in 10 weeks. I tried to post a Chandler comparison picture but apparently I had a stomach virus on week 26 with him. Maybe next week.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Size of baby: {length of} English cucumber

Measurements: about 14 inches, about 1 and 2/3 pounds

Baby Milestones: inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, continuing to put on fat, nerves in ears more developed and sensitive

Best Moment this week: Cody being off on Monday, getting to try Zapatos trash can nachos with Trent and Kim, and spending time with Miranda since she was off all week from school

Gender: little girl, Audrey Cate

Movement: she has been more calm this week, some movement but not as much as previous weeks

Food/Drink Craving: coffee, grapefruit, chocolate and sandwiches

Sleep: still having really crazy dreams that I remember and getting a little harder to lay comfortably

What I am looking forward to: we are working on putting all the Christmas away this week (since we celebrated this weekend with family) and cleaning out the spare room to make room for Chandler to switch, deciding on room colors soon

Symptoms: she is feeling heavy after sitting for an extended period of time, pressure in right side of my ribs

Wordless Wednesday {well... maybe a few}

2012-01-04T22:00:00.001-06:00

{seeing the nail gun}

{hearing the nail gun}

ps. He is cutting two bottom teeth and his paci is the only thing bringing him relief, hints all the paci. Hopefully they will be through the gums soon!

Goals 2012

2012-01-03T18:53:00.001-06:00

Personal Goals:

Be more diligent in using prayer cards
Adjust to having two kids (in April)
Read books on 2012 book list
Memorize scripture using Fighter Verse app (I'm going to try to do the Extended Memory 2012 which is Romans 5-8, maybe not all three chapters this year but hopefully at least chapter 5)

Marriage/Family Goals:

Date night every other Friday (family night being the other 2 Friday's of the month)
Grow in our friendship with one another
Make family worship picture prayer book for kids

Household Goals:

Continue once a month cooking
Do "big clean" every other Friday morning (or whatever time naps occur)
With the help of my husband, convert spare room into Chandler's room/Cody's office, make some adjustments to nursery for Audrey
Finish attic storage system
Organize front closet, master closet, and pantry once shelving systems are finished

Blog Goals:

Start doing family recaps (like these), be better at posting reading summaries (which means I have to be better about reading!)

Post Instagram favorites each month (hopefully taken from 365 pictures)

Continue Wordless Wednesday pictures

Continue Chandler's monthly updates until 2 years and then come up with a plan after that

Continue posting pregnancy updates for Audrey and then starting in April switch to monthly updates with month onesie

Continue posting baby/toddler favorite things as Chandler grows

Craft Goals:

Make Christmas stockings for our house
Make or buy a Noel calendar for Christmas
Finish Chandler's car caddy
Finish Quiet book
Finish a surprise gift that was started months ago
Make a t-shirt quilt from my old A&M t-shirts

2012 Booklist

2012-01-02T11:51:00.001-06:00

Ministry:
-Bible Doctrine by Wayne Grudem
-You Can Change by Tim Chester
-Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow
-War of Words by Paul David Tripp
-Community by Brad House
-A Meal with Jesus by Tim Chester
-The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller
-Holiness Day by Day by Jerry Bridges
-Becoming God's True Woman by Nancy DeMoss
-Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands by Paul David Tripp

Parenting:
-Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic
-Helping Children Understand the Gospel by Children Desiring God
-Don't Make Me Count to Three by Ginger Plowman

Marriage/Home:
-Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll
-God, Marriage and Family by Andreas Kostenberger

Child Development/Education:
-Before Five In a Row by Jane Claire Lamber
-Baby Led Weaning by Gill Rapley

Finance:
-The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley

Memoir/Fiction:
-One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
-Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
-Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Books 2011

2012-01-02T11:08:00.000-06:00

Although I didn't finish over half my list I think I could say I became more of a reader this year. If I calculated the books I've read in the past few years it is probably less than I read this past year. I have a new 2012 book list coming soon but here is the summary from 2011.

Favorites from the year:
-The Help by Kathryn Stockett
-Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
-Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley
-Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow

2011 Books:

Ministry:

-Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent (one I read a little bit a day, not a sit down and read, probably will have read through the whole thing in 2012)

-You Can Change by Tim Chester

-The Discipline of Grace by Jerry Bridges

-~~Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll~~

-What is the Gospel?

-Kingdom of Priests by Eugene Merrill

-Doctrine by Mark Driscoll

-The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
-~~Biblical Theology by Michael Lawerence~~
-Old Testament: Promises Made by Mark Dever
-Calm My Anxious Heart by Linda Dillow (about 1/2 way through)

Parenting:

-~~Slow and Steady Get Me Ready by June Oberlander~~

-~~Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron~~

-~~The SleepEasy Solution by Jill Spivack~~

-Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp

-~~Gospel Powered Parenting by William Farley~~

-Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman

-Helping Children Understand the Gospel by Children by Desiring God

-Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson
-~~Give Them Grace by Fitzpatrick and Thompson~~
-Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic (almost done)

Marriage/Home:

-When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey

-Never Check Email in the Morning by Julie Morgenster
-~~One Year to an Organized Life by Regina Leeds~~
~~-Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman~~

Finances:

-The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley

-Hundred Dollar Holiday: The Case for a More Joyful Christmas by Bill McKibben

Child Development/Education:
-~~Baby Read Aloud Basics by Catherine Blakemore and Barbara Weston Ramirez~~
-~~Great Books for Babies and Toddlers by Kathleen Odean~~

Memoir/Fiction:

-One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

~~-The Help by Kathryn Stockett~~

-Little Bee by Chris Cleave

-~~Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins~~
~~-Unplanned by Abby Johnson~~
~~-Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay~~

Update {17 months}

2012-01-01T20:49:00.002-06:00

Daddy has been working on lots of home projects lately and you have LOVED helping him. You constantly want to push his drill and hold his screw driver. The other night I went into the garage to see what you were doing and you were walking around holding daddy's air hose attachment making a spraying sound. The front of your shirt was soaking wet. Daddy said you had been doing the noise for about 30 minutes.

I wanted to use this picture for your 17 months because you totally LOVE your bear hat and ask to wear it almost everyday. Everyone continues to comment on how much longer your hair is getting!

Measurements: not sure, we will have new measurements at 18 month check up
-You seem to be filling out these days, we will see how much you have grown

Clothes:

-shirts and jeans: you are in between 6-12 months and 12-18

(your jeans believe it or not are 6-9 months elastic waist from Kohls)

-pjs: 12-18 month

-shoe: size 5

Sleeping:

-naps around 10:30am-12pm and 3pm-5pm (I think we might be moving towards 1 nap soon...)

-sleeps at night from 8:00pm-8:00am

Eating:

-you LOVE fruit
-one day you like something and the next you won't touch it
-you like limes and lemons
-you like eating Sonic ice

New Tricks:
-you love throwing things away
-all doors, drawers and trash can lids need to be in their proper position
-you stand at the fridge and sign milk when you want a drink
-you are becoming more proficient in going up and down steps
-you can get up in our living room chair now by yourself

Talking:

-you mostly sign but have said pup for puppy and up (basically you like the "p" sound)

-new signs: hurt, cereal, outside, camel, deer, helicopter (you know about 40 signs total now)

Teeth: 15 (16 coming in as we speak)

-8 top/7 bottom, left bottom canine is almost threw the gums
-I would have never guessed but these bottom canines have probably been one of your worst teeth to come in, you have bit holes in 5 pacifiers from these teeth, we have been trying to only give them to you at naps and teaching you to chew on Sophie during the day

Likes:

-your tools (seriously, you find these first thing every morning), you LOVE daddy's saw

-sweeping with the broom
-balls
-watching Signing Time or Sesame Street
-closing doors
-bath time
-outside

Dislikes:

-teething, that has really been the source of fussiness this month

Tacky Sweater Christmas

2011-12-28T22:57:00.000-06:00

I have been meaning to post this forever and am WAY behind but these are too good to pass up! Our small group at New Life had a Tacky Sweater and White Elephant exchange Christmas party.

We ate lots of yummy desserts, laughed alot during the gift exchange and took some awesome group pictures.

Kyle showed up in a Longhorns sweatshirt and said it was the "ugliest thing he could find".

We are so thankful for our Life Group and are looking forward to another semester starting this week!

Instagram Favorites (December)

2011-12-28T18:04:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday {Christmas 2011}

2011-12-28T17:52:00.000-06:00

I can't believe how much Chandler has grown since last Christmas!

Baby No. 2 :: 25 weeks

2011-12-27T21:36:00.001-06:00

This picture is really dark because we waited too late to take it and it was dark outside. I have hopes to retake it but incase that doesn't happen here is the best of the worst. I had my glucose/iron blood test done today and also went to a routine check up. Audrey's heartbeat was around 140 bpm and she thinks she is still transverse (laying sideways across my tummy) at this point but reassured me it isn't a big deal at this point, she still has plenty of time to turn.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 25 weeks

Size of baby: {weight of} average rutabaga

Measurements: about 13.5 inches, about a pound and a half

Baby Milestones: exchanging her long lean look for some baby fat, she is possibly growing more hair too!

Best Moment this week: celebrating Christmas!

Gender: little girl, Audrey Cate

Movement: she is getting a little more aggressive these days!

Food/Drink Craving: chocolate milk, grapefruit

Sleep: somehow I am not waking up every night yet.

What I am looking forward to: getting our kids rooms ready for the transition, still looking for ideas

Symptoms: feeling really good, some pressure but nothing out of the ordinary

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-24T10:26:00.003-06:00

Sweet Little Label Christmas

Create beautiful photo Christmas cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Recent Craft Projects

2011-12-19T16:12:00.000-06:00

Here is a very random collection of craft projects I have been working on lately.

Halloween 2011 Costumes:

After throwing out lots of ideas we decided since I was pregnant it would be fun to do something with "Prego". Cody was a box of spaghetti noodles, Chandler was parmesan cheese and I was a jar of sauce.

Papa's 80th Jar:

My wonderful grandfather turned 80 this year so we had a fun little family celebration. Each family member emailed me memories of him over the years and I typed them up and included each person's name. It was filled with over 80 memories and words that describe Papa. I think him and my grandmother opened a couple every morning for a few weeks.

Sweet Kate's Wall Hanging:

A group of girls made some encouragement gifts for a friend who is recovering from a serious car accident. I was hoping to try to match her bedroom stuff but also recreate some full little wall hangings I had seen on Pinterest.

Parker's Birthday Shower Curtain Mat:

My adorable nephew had a birthday recently and I thought it would be fun to make him a "modified" College Station map for him to play with. I tried to include all his favorite places: The Kettle, Shipleys, A&M, Dollar Tree, Chick-fil-a...

Chandler's stocking:

My mom's side of the family all have matching homemade stockings. They are a BIG deal. We don't really do many gifts anymore (mostly just for the littles) just stockings. We all draw (secret) names on drawnames.com and then go around one at a time watching each other open their stocking. It is a fun family tradition and so Chandler needed his added this year (usually the babies get one their "2nd" Christmas).

Knox baby gifts:

One of my mom's co-workers is having a baby and she needed a baby gift. I made a little gift set for sweet baby Knox. Can't wait to see that sweet baby boy wearing them!

Baby No. 2 :: 23 weeks

2011-12-18T19:41:00.001-06:00

Cody and I both were sick this past week which delayed the update again. I didn't get dressed or put on make up from Monday to Wednesday so it postponed my picture taking. Chandler was napping and I decided it was either take the picture or wait another week so that is why he isn't in it this week.

Also, I tried to go back and look but I really think I had a stomach virus around the same time when I was pregnant with Chandler.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 23 weeks

Size of baby: {weight of} large mango

Measurements: about 11 inches, just over a pound

Baby Milestones: blood vessels in her lungs are developing and preparing for breathing, loud noises are becoming familiar

Best Moment this week: My sweet hubby planned such a thoughtful and fun 6th anniversary date night. It was so wonderful to have a night away and just spend time together.

Gender: little girl, Audrey Cate

Movement: usually most movement at night

Food/Drink Craving: chocolate banana shake or chocolate milk

Sleep: really great but back to having really weird and crazy dreams

What I am looking forward to: Christmas with family and at home with Chandler

Symptoms: no pregnancy symptoms, just the stomach virus this week (which was PLENTY!)

21 week comparison

2011-12-15T22:34:00.001-06:00

I forgot to post this a few weeks back, here is a baby bump comparison.

(obviously, Audrey on the left and Chandler on the right)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-14T14:13:00.002-06:00

Baby No. 2 :: 22 weeks

2011-12-08T08:00:00.002-06:00

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 22 weeks

Size of baby: {length of} a spaghetti squash

Measurements: 11 inches, almost 1 pound

Baby Milestones: lips, eyelids and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, eyes have formed but still lack pigment

Best Moment this week:

Gender: little girl, Audrey Cate

Movement: lots of movement, seems like way more than with Chandler at this stage

Food/Drink Craving: anything sweet.

Sleep: good, I think not having to get up early for work helps!

What I am looking forward to: lots...~~choosing a name~~, having girl clothes in our house, deciding what to do with her room, enjoying being pregnant and sweet time with Chandler. We have officially decided to move Chandler into a twin bed instead of keeping him in the crib, I think it might be a tough switch but this way both rooms will be "done" and not in limbo when baby girl arrives.

Symptoms: some allergies with this shift in weather but other than that I've been feeling good.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-12-07T14:32:00.000-06:00

Baby No. 2 :: 21 weeks

2011-12-02T15:44:00.000-06:00

I went for a check up this week on Tuesday. Dr. A said they were able to get all the pictures they needed at the big ultrasound. Audrey's heart rate was around 140 bpm.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 21 weeks

Size of baby: {length of} a carrot

Measurements: 6 1/2 from head to bottom and 10 1/2 inches from head to heel, weighs about 12 ounces (first 20 weeks measurements are taken from head to bottom and now it changes from head to toe).

Baby Milestones: swallowing more these days, producing meconium (awesome!), eyebrows and lids are now present

Best Moment this week: Cody being off almost all day on Wednesday and all day Thursday for Thanksgiving

Gender: little girl, Audrey Cate

Movement: yes she is a mover, starting to feel more like kicking than fluttering.

Food/Drink Craving: sweets, fruit, avocado, hamburgers, diet coke with lime (pretty much nothing healthy)

Sleep: pretty good, crazy enough I still haven't been waking up alot

What I am looking forward to: lots...~~choosing a name~~, having girl clothes in our house, deciding what to do with her room, enjoying being pregnant and sweet time with Chandler

Symptoms: I've been feeling really good this week. :)

Update {16 months}

2011-12-01T20:47:00.000-06:00

I promise I really did start this a month ago, since you are about to be 17 months I figured I needed to get going and post it. You truly are so much fun these day. We love your sweet little personality. You are such a happy boy and love to cuddle and give kisses. You stick close by my side most of the day.

You love seeing pictures of people on my phone (especially daddy when he is at work). Animals are one of your favorite things ... books, magnets, pictures, sounds, videos, you name it!. Lately, everyone has commented on how long your is getting. If you see a monkey on anything you shake your finger as to say "no more monkey's jumping on the bed" from your book.

Measurements: 22 lbs and 31 inches (I think he said 15th percentile for both?)

Clothes:
-shirts and jeans: 6-12 months
(you mostly wear elastic pants because all the button kind still fall off you!)
-pjs: 12-18 month pjs fit pretty good now
-shoe: size 4-5

Sleeping: (still about the same)
-naps around 10:30am-12pm (sometimes 11-1 depending on what we are doing) and 3pm-5pm
-sleeps at night from 8:30pm-8:30am

Eating:
-you like veggies and fruit WAY more than meat
-carbs are definitely your favorite except you don't really like pasta of any form
-some random things you love: pickles, limes, grapefruit and black olives

New Tricks:
-more animal sounds (cow is your new favorite)
-you hold up 1 finger for how old you are
-you love putting objects in bags, trash cans, laundry hampers, etc. and helping pick up

Talking:
-you are still babbling alot but no officially words yet
-you mostly sign everything you need, we think you know about 20 signs now
-new signs: yes/no, cracker, ice cream, banana, apple, cold/hot

Teeth: 14 total
-8 top/6 bottom, expecting bottom canine teeth to come anytime

Likes:
-your tools (seriously, you find these first thing every morning)
-reading books, music
-singing songs (Itsy Bitsy Spider is still the favorite)
-velcro veggies
-you love your Little People Nativity (baby Jesus and the animals are your favorite)
-for daddy to spray some of his cologne on your shirt

Dislikes:
-sometimes you cry about getting your diaper changed
-when your paci falls out of your crib

Wordless Wednesday {Thanksgiving}

2011-11-30T11:16:00.000-06:00

{Cody teaching Chandler how to call the kitty}

First TV show

2011-11-28T12:29:00.000-06:00

Chandler had a rough teething day (well more like week if we were honest) last week.

He was hoping Aloe Vera would help. I reassured him that it wouldn't make his teeth feel any better.

See, while I was getting ready he even grabbed a pillow and laid down! (note: there isn't medicine in that prescription bottle, just bubble gum that makes a noise when he shakes it)

As I was trying to cook dinner, nothing was helping. He loves music so I decided that maybe I could find a show that had songs he could watch. He actually watched 15 minutes or so by himself.

I had to document his cute-little-pillow-sitting-self.

Then his daddy got home and watched a little bit with him. He lost interest because lets face it, daddy is way more fun!

Rain!!

2011-11-25T09:12:00.000-06:00

Last Tuesday we finally got some rain!! It wasn't much but we are thankful. Cody took Chandler out to see.

Do you see this mom? Rain!

Cute little boy signing rain.

He kept wondering if we noticed water was dropping on his head. :)

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-23T14:18:00.000-06:00

(I know this one is SUPER blurry but that face just cracked me up!)

Baby No. 2 Name Update

2011-11-21T17:53:00.001-06:00

A few weeks ago we announced that baby no. 2 is a GIRL.

So of course we have been getting lots of questions about her name. It is always a little difficult for us to find a name we both agree on that fits with our family.

We had a couple requirements this time around:

1. We didn't want it to be another 'c' name. I was hesitant to do it with Chandler for the fear of being stuck on 'c' names or everyone thinking we were only doing 'c's.

2. We didn't want a name ending with 'er' because it would rhyme with Chandler and my nephews names are Parker and Cooper. We thought we were covered in the 'er' ending names area. :)

3. I wanted something that sounded girly. I know this is just my opinion but I didn't want people to hear her name and be unsure if it was a girl or a boy. One of my favorite names I felt like was an "either" name and I just never felt like it was the name.

Can you guess what it is?

Seriously, you should try to guess.

There you have it, Audrey Cate.

Audrey because we both like it, it met the "requirements" and I like that it doesn't duplicate letters (not saying this is a requirement but I like it). Cate because my maiden name is Cates and we thought it would be fun to use a variation of it for our little girl.

**NOTE: Obviously we like her name but if you don't like it please refrain from anything but positive comments.

Baby No. 2 :: 19 weeks

2011-11-18T10:10:00.001-06:00

I was hoping to retake this picture since it is blurry and some of the board got erased but it didn't happen. This is the best picture we have from week 19. :)

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Size of baby: size of a large heirloom tomato

Measurements: 6 inches (length of a dollar bill), weighs about 8 1/2 ounces

Baby Milestones: brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision and touch, arms and legs are proportionate to the rest of her body, hair on scalp is sprouting, waxy protective coating is forming on skin

Best Moment this week: going to our "big" ultrasound on Monday and confirming we are having a girl, she was a squirming everywhere!

Gender: little girl

Movement: yes they have been feeling stronger the past few days

Food/Drink Craving: avocado, hamburgers, apple cider, fruit

Sleep: pretty good, crazy enough I haven't been waking up alot

What I am looking forward to: lots...choosing a name, having girl clothes in our house, deciding what to do with her room, enjoying being pregnant and sweet time with Chandler

Symptoms: well my stomach was hurting after my ultrasound because the tech had to push really hard to get certain pictures but I am feeling better, she said she was really low and curled up, not much nausea this week

First Bubble Bath

2011-11-17T07:59:00.000-06:00

I realized the other day, Chandler is 15 months old and has never had a bubble bath. We decided to change that.

He did have a little trouble finding his toys in the bottom of the bath but overall I think he really liked it. He tried to figure the bubbles out the whole time, he would stare and trying to grab them off his hands.

Have any fun bath suggestions for kids? I'd love to hear them!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T11:19:00.000-06:00

Baby No. 2 :: 18 weeks

2011-11-11T21:17:00.001-06:00

I always think ultrasound pictures are hard to tell what is what but here is baby girls head (upside down) and right ear. Her face was looking straight down at her tummy, curled up in a tight ball. Oh and if you haven't seen our gender reveal video you can go here to watch it.

Pregnancy Highlights this Week:

How Far Along: 18 weeks

Size of baby: (length of) a bell pepper

Measurements: 5 1/2 inches, weighs almost 7 ounces

Baby Milestones: busy flexing arms and legs, blood vessels are visible through thin skin, ears are now in final position, protective covering beginning to form around nerves, her uterus and fallopian tubes are now formed and in place

Best Moment this week: of course, finding out the gender and making our reveal video was an exciting part of the week

Gender: GIRL!

Movement: I think I feel her at some point everyday now, still flutters

Food/Drink Craving: citrus (mostly limes, lemons, grapefruit), sandwiches, jalapeno chips

Sleep: pretty good, any sleep pillow recommendations? I have never had one but have heard some good things about them.

What I am looking forward to: our BIG ultrasound Monday

Symptoms: my back has been hurting some this week, I think mostly when I hold Chandler alot, only nauseous once or twice

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-09T17:31:00.000-06:00

It's a...

2011-11-04T20:36:00.003-05:00