Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse

Enid has a really awesome learning center called Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse.  We went there last weekend, with my cousin's wife and daughter (Avadelle and Haley) and her sister and her kids.  They have so many fun, unique things for kids to do!  Ian really enjoyed playing with the giant Lite Brite...(remember those fun toys?)  He also liked looking at at all of the animals.  

In my opinion, one of the greatest parts of Leonardo's is their AMAZING outdoor play area, called Adventure Quest.  It is the WORLD'S LARGEST, community-built outdoor play area!  Check out the full view at their website: www.leonardos.org.      Here are some pics from our day!   

Kate's 6 Month Letter

Dear Katy Bug,

We finally gave in to a nickname...Aunt Heddie called you Katy Bug before you were born, but we resisted for a long time.  Now, we just think it fits you!  You're small, feminine, sweet, and beautiful...just like a little ladybug! :)

You've been growing and changing daily.  You're in 3-6 month clothes, but still wearing some 0-3 month onesies.  I have no idea how you turned out so petite with parents like us.  Maybe it will catch up with you!  It's so much fun to dress you up in all of the various, cute clothes...complete with it headbands and bows.  Daddy's not a big fan of the accessories, but boys just don't understand, do they?!  You started eating rice cereal at 5 months 5 days old.  Mommy was hoping that it would help you sleep a little longer at night, but it didn't really seem to make much of a difference.  You weren't too sure about the rice cereal at first, but you're learning.  This past Monday, you tried your first baby food....sweet potatoes (per Ian's request).  You really seemed to like them!  It is always fun to try the different foods.  I wonder what your favorite will be?

We've been giving you lots of tummy time lately in effort to help you learn to roll over.  You still haven't really done it yet!  I guess you're just content where you're at...although you prefer your back to your tummy.  You just found your feet, so you bring them up to your hands now.  Maybe you'll figure out how to roll soon.

Sleep hasn't been your forte.  Some nights are pretty good...waking up one time around 2-3am after going to be around 9-9:30pm and waking at 6:30am.  Other nights, you'll wake up around 1am and again at 5:30am.  Mama is tired after nights like these!  I know they won't last forever, so I don't mind too much.  I like spending quality time with you. :)  Lately, you've been really fussy.  I keep thinking you're teething, but haven't seen any of those pearly whites poke through yet.  You also have a habit of scratching your head...especially when you're tired or fussy.  We have to cut your nails daily and keep your head moisturized in case it's itching that's causing you to scratch.  I think it's probably eczema-related, but not positive.  We keep you swaddled with your hands down, or we put little mitts on your hands to keep you from doing too much damage.  Your normal schedule is to wake up around 8-8:30am, eat around 9:30am, play, nap, eat around 1:30-2pm, play, nap, "dinner" (rice cereal) around 6pm, play, short nap, then bedtime around 9:00pm.

You still love bath time!  Ian likes to share his toys by putting them in your little tub.  You love to kick and splash!  You're also really enjoying your exersaucer and jumperoo!  You talk and babble to all of us.  You love playing/chewing on Sophie the Giraffe, your Little Einstein music player, and the plastic links.  I think that you also like to participate in reading time with Ian.  You like to help turn the pages. :)

Lori Chrisman has been watching you when mommy and daddy are at work, and you seem to really like her!  She watches you from 2-5pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, then 8:30am-5pm on Wednesdays.  Ian joins you there on Tuesdays.

In the past 2 months, we haven't done much traveling except to Oklahoma to visit family.  You went to Chelci's graduation and Muskogee/Coweta to see the Herringshaws and Scott, Ashley, and Hudson.  Mommy enjoyed spending Mother's Day with you!

We love you sweet girl!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Moore Tornado

Such devastation! This is a pic that my friend, Ashtin Taylor, sent me. She works at a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market pharmacy in Moore. She was not at work on 5/20/13 when the tornado hit, but this is the view outside of her store. It represent the tragic loss of many homes and lives. My prayers are with all of those affected, and all of the caring volunteers.
Sent from my iPhone

All Fenced In!

 

 

We have been toying with the idea if getting a fence ever since we bought our house. After we got the playhouse, I realized that it wasn't as fun as I had hoped because I was having to follow Ian around everywhere to ensure he didn't run to the front (and the street)! We decided to go for it, and we are really happy with the results! It was just completed on Tuesday, and we've been outside every evening since then. Tonight, we babysat the Lucas kids, and everyone had a blast being able to run free.  Well...except the babies, but they enjoyed being outside and watching the crazy, older kiddos. :)

 

 

Enid Trip

Yesterday, the kids and I made a quick trip to Enid.  Jason works from 11am-11:30pm on Sundays, so I thought it would be nice to get out of the house.  It was a beautiful day, and it's a pretty quick drive!  Every trip to Enid involves "making the rounds" to see everyone.  My dad and stepmom were out of town, so we spent the time with my mom & stepdad and my grandparents.  Here are a few pics from our trip!



                                  

       

Canola field near Enid...so pretty!!

Kate loved watching the trains with Great Grandpa Frank!

Some of my favorite girls

Grandpa was so excited to show Ian his trains!

Ian loved spending time with his Great Grandpa Frank

Grandma Donna with her little froggy

Friends!

Neely and Kate are just about 2 weeks apart! Here they are enjoying some girl time. :) Aren't they precious?!

Go Shockers!

Although Jason and I are big OU fans, it's been hard not to jump on the Wichita State University (WSU) bandwagon lately.  The Shockers are headed to the Final Four!  It's a HUGE deal around here...not only is WSU a small school in comparison to all of the other schools, but they're doing so well!  I'm pretty sure I saw more Shocker gear on people out and about today, than I have since we've lived here!  I hope that they do well tomorrow!  Who knows....maybe they'll make it to the championship game.  It sure is gonna be good for the school and the City of Wichita!

Kate's 4 Month Letter

Dear Kate,

My, oh my…time sure does pass quickly!  You are changing more and more each day!  Daddy and I are finally getting into the “routine” with two kiddos…and you’re getting more and more used to your new family! :)

You are much more alert now, and you’re falling into more of a schedule.  You usually wake up around 8:30am or so, eat at 9:30am, play, nap, eat around 1:30pm, play, nap, eat at 4:30pm, play, nap, then eat around 8:30 or 9:00pm before going to sleep for the night.  Some nights you’ve slept up to 7 hours…but usually you have about one 5 hour stretch and one 4 hour stretch.  We’ve learned that you sleep MUCH better if we swaddle you with your arms down.  Your little hands like to move around and wake you up!  You’re sleeping in your crib now with no problems.  You’ve had a little flat spot developing on your head, so we try to put you to sleep on your side with a little blanket behind your back to keep you in place.  You’re a little wiggle worm, though, and always end up on your back again.  When you eat, you like to mess with your head/hair, and this has resulted in lots of little scratches on your head (despite mommy trying to keep your nails clipped), so I’ve been putting little mittens on you when you eat…haha.   Despite this little “issues,” you are still a beautiful baby!  You still don’t have much hair, but the hair you do have is a light brown.  Your eyes are bright, big, and blue!

You LOVE your baths now!  Every time I put you in the tub, you kick and splash water all over the place…with a big grin!  Even if you’re upset before your bath, once you hit the water, you’re happy!  Ian always tries to give you his bath toys.  He’s such a good big brother, although, mommy has to remind him that you’re still too little to play with them. :)

In the last 2 months, you had your first trip to Dallas.  You were loved and cuddled by Aunt Heddie and Cousin Edie.  You also got to meet Ashley Gonzalez and her little Wyatt, as well as Sarah Ussery and her baby Wyatt!  It was fun to show you off to our friends.  We’ve also had a few more trips to Norman and Enid.  You generally do great in the car, as long as you’ve been fed and changed.

You are “talking” up a storm!  You babble back if anyone talks to you.  You love responding to mommy and daddy’s questions.  You also like to talk to Ian!  You’re smiling a lot, too!  During the times when mommy and daddy are at work, you go to Lori Chrisman’s house.  This happens to be Mondays and Tuesdays from 2-5pm and all day on Wednesdays.  She says that you are such a good baby and happy most of the time.  She’s pointed out that you’re much more talkative now, too!  You’ve been going to the nursery at church now for about a month & do really great.  The workers say that you’re an angel baby! :)  You’ve rolled over a few times (tummy to back), but I almost think it was accidental.  You really don’t like tummy time at all, but I think that this is pretty normal for a lot of babies.  You last about 5 minutes, max, before getting upset.  You like being in the bouncy seat and “talking” to the animals on the little mobile that goes to the seat.  You’ve also started holding little toy rings and reaching for things.  You’re coordination isn’t too great, yet, but I’m sure it will improve!

You’re still wearing 0-3 month clothes and size 1 diapers.  I think that we’ll need to move you up soon…at least on diapers.  It is so much fun to pick out your outfit each day, and to choose your headbands and bows for special occasions. Daddy doesn’t realize the importance of a girl’s accessories, but that’s okay…it’s hard for boys to understand those things. :)

This Sunday will be your first Easter!  We’re so excited to get you dressed up in your Easter dress.  Last weekend, you got to meet the Easter bunny with Ian.  You were such a good girl, and you looked so pretty!  As we remember Jesus dying on the cross and being resurrected for the saving of all mankind, we are eternally grateful.  Not only for God sacrificing his Son for us, but for Him blessing us with you.  We love you, Kate!

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Ian's 2 & 1/2 Year Letter

Dear Ian,

I'm in the habit of reading the previous letter I wrote before starting on a new letter.  Mainly, I do this to see what you were doing during that time of your life.  After reading your 2 year letter, I realize that there's not a whole lot that's different now, but you're more advanced in the traits & abilities that you had at that time.

You are such a talker...still!  You are saying 5+ word sentences all of the time.  Everyone continues to be impressed with your talking ability.  Even the PA at your doctor's office pointed out that you're speaking very well for your age.  You love to sing & know lots of words to your favorite songs.   You're starting to express your emotions through words.  You'll say things like, "Mommy, I missed you," and "Daddy,  I love you."  It's so sweet to hear you tell us these things! Some funny things that you've said include asking if the diaper bag was "daddy's purse" after mommy picked up her purse, as well as calling the shed in the backyard, "Daddy's house."  When you want to be held, you'll say, "Mommy, I want to hold you."  I love it!  I know that's not exactly what you mean, but it makes a mommy feel special. :) You'll ask questions like, "Where's daddy? At work?  Oh, okay."  Yesterday while we were in the car, you said, "Mommy, I'm talking to you."  When we leave your school, you'll say, "Bye friends!  See ya next time!"

Probably the biggest change in your life since in the past few months is the addition of your new sister, Kate.  You are such a good big brother!  You've wanted to hold her, play with her, tickle hear, and give her toys.  If she's laying on her play mat, you'll want to lay down beside her and snuggle.  When mommy and daddy were in the hospital, you came to visit and were excited to see your new baby sister.  You weren't too sure of all of the commotion she was creating, though.  Nanny and Grandma Donna said that on the way home from the hospital, you said, "I don't like that baby Kate."  They couldn't stop chuckling!  I think you like her a lot, now...at least until she's old enough to take your toys.  You tell mommy and daddy when she's crying, or say, "Kate's happy" when she's smiling.  You're also a big help at giving her a paci or throwing her diapers in the trash.  You love to tell her "hi" when you've been away from her, and like to "baby talk" to her like mommy and daddy.

Your favorite toys right now are your "Disney Cars" cars and anything else that's "Cars" related.  You LOVE Lightening McQueen, Mater, and all of their friends.  You constantly want to watch the movie, and you've probably seen in 50 times!  You mostly watch it in the car when we're traveling.  After school, you say, "I want to watch cars and have a sucker."  You love to drive them around and make sound effects, but you're not too keen on sharing them with your friends.  We had a big tantrum the other day at JJ's house when Shelby pulled out a big Lightening McQueen car and we told you that you'd have to share it with all of your friends.  You would not have it!!  I think you're just passionate about them. :)  You also like to look at books, play with your Tag Jr., drive you big yellow dump truck around, and play with balls.

Your diet hasn't changed much at all...hot dogs, mac and cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets, "beggios" (spaghettios), and PB & J.  Your newest thing is that you want a "banna" each evening before bed, so mommy will give you 1/2 of a banana to have with your milk.  You always insist that it's in a little bowl, too.  You want a "big banna," meaning you don't want us to cut it up.  You love milk and apple juice, and occasionally get to enjoy some chocolate milk.  You love sweets, especially ice cream and cupcakes...although, you're idea of eating a cupcake is to lick the icing off then ask for another. :)  Last night, you asked for some "chocolate chip ice cream."  This made us laugh because we probably haven't even bought that kind before, and somehow you knew about it.  Your favorite snacks are goldfish and fruit snacks.

You're schedule has changed a little now.  Since Kate is here, we had to find a daycare provider that would take infants.  We found a sweet lady named Lori Chrisman to watch her, and she watches you some, also.  You go to Discovery Place Preschool all day on Mondays and Wednesdays, then you go to Lori's house on Tuesday afternoons from 2-5pm.  When I come to pick you up from school or Lori's, you say, "Mommy, I'm ready to go home and play."  If you're in the car when we pick up Kate, you always welcome her by saying, "Hi Kate!"  You still wake up around 8:30-9am and go to bed around 8:30-9pm.  Naps are a hit and miss for you.  You generally don't want to take them, but you're a lot happier in the evenings if you get your rest.  You're sleeping in your "big boy bed" now and doing great!  You always have to have your glow seahorse turned on and your Dreamlites bug that projects stars all over your room.  You also have to have your cars in bed with you. :)  You still like to read books and have mommy sing to you before bed.  You love, "This Little Light of Mine," "The Wheels on the Bus," "Alligator Eyes" (aka - Mommy's Soup Surprise - a song that I learned in elementary school), "Jesus Loves the Little Children," "Chuggington," and "Little Einstein."

Besides the "Cars" movie, you love watching "Little Einstein" and other Disney Jr. shows.  You also like "Curious George," "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," and "Doc McStuffins."  Grandma Donna got you a little doctor's kit and you like to give everyone a "check-up" with your stethoscope, just like "Doc McStuffins." You still like to watch "Chuggington" and will always want to go downstairs to play with your train table.  You like to ask, "You play trains with me?"  When Uncle Alan and Aunt Carrie or Papa came to visit, they played trains with you, so you continue to ask them and everyone else.  You love to have an audience! (You just don't want to share your trains...hehe).

You still have a few close friends that you love to see, including JJ Shinkle, Joshua Nelson, Brennan Lucas, Paige Gibbs, and Silas and Karly Kemper.  Wesley Ashour came to visit recently, and you enjoyed seeing him again, too! You're generally very sweet and friendly, but you all usually "parallel play," and don't really play together well (nobody really wants to share what they have...haha).  You love going to the Cove at church to play with your friends.  In January, we went to Red River, NM with the Herringshaws, and you loved playing with Cole and Conner.  You continued to ask about them for a long time after we returned.  You went sledding with them and loved playing in the snow.  Speaking of snow, we recently had a record-breaking 14.2 inches in one day here in Wichita, so you got even more snow time!  You love to play outside and will probably be out a lot more this Spring.  Santa got you an outdoor swingset for Christmas, and Papa is coming next week to help daddy put it up in our back yard.  You're going to love it!

You're still tall and thin.  You're wearing 2T clothes right now, and love wearing your "Cars" and "Chuggington" shirts.  Your hair grows so fast, so we usually have to get monthly hair cuts.  You look forward to them because you get a sucker.  We've been trying to get you interested in potty-training, but you won't have it.  You told us you don't like the potty because "it's too cold," so you won't sit on the little potty chair or the big one with a foam ring.  Hopefully you'll change your mind in the near future!  You're starting to get bothered by your wet/dirty diapers.  Mommy has a feeling that potty training is going to be a challenging task with you, so we haven't really even started yet!

You know all of your family, and love to see your grandparents and great-grandparents .  When we go to their houses, they all have a special toy stash for you, and you know right where to go!  The funniest thing is how you interact with Grandpa Chuck.  If Grandma Donna is around, you always want to know, "Where's Chuck?", "What's Chuck doing?", and say, "Hi Chuck, how are you?"  You like to pair everyone up.  If Nanny is around, you ask about Papa, and vice versa.  We recently went to Dallas for a visit, and you loved playing with cousin Edie and Aunt Heddie.  Uncle Alan likes to call you, "Eee-on," and you say, "I not Eee-on, I Ian!"  It's hilarious!

Oh, I feel like I could go on forever, and I'm sure I'm leaving stuff out.  I'll add it later if I think of it.  We just want you to know how much we love you, sweet boy.  You add so much to our lives, and we can't even begin to imagine it without you.  We continue to look forward to the light you infuse in us each and every day.  We constantly thank God for the blessings He's provided us in you!

With Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Snow & Back to Work

Today was my first day back to work after an amazing 12 weeks of maternity leave. It was interesting, to say the least, due to the snow! I left to work 40 min early and made it there safely. There were quite a few people that called in (employees and patients).

Cousins....

We just got back from a trip to Dallas! We stayed with Jason's sister, Heather, and her family in their beautiful new house. Ian had great fun with his cousin, Eden. Heather snapped this adorable pic while they were out playing.

Kate's Baby Dedication

Today was a special day!  We were able to dedicate Kate's life to the Lord.  As her parents, I know we have a huge roll in her upbringing, and one of the most important things to Jason and I, is to raise her in a way that honor's God.  He has provided us with sooo many blessings by following Him, and we want our children to experience the same type of joy.  We dedicated Ian when he was just about a month old.  As it turns out, he was dedicated at the same time as Zoey Lucas, and her mom, Jessica ended up babysitting Ian during several months out of his first year!  We didn't know the Lucas family at the time, but looking back, it's so neat to share that special day with them.  On that note, they dedicated their daughter, Neely, today also!  We did ours at the 9am service and they were at the 11am service; however, it's so neat to share in this special day together.  There were a total of 6 children being dedicated today!  Praise God!

 

The church provided each of the children with their own little personalized cake!  So sweet!

They also gave Kate a storybook bible and a dedication certificate with her precious little footprints

Lots of family came to witness this special day!

Isn't she adorable?!

Brrrr....

Yep, we are crazy enough to get frozen yogurt on a day when it's ice cold outside (even snow)!

Two Month Letter to Kate

Dearest Kate,

You're 2 months old today!  I keep saying that time flies, but I think it's actually getting faster.  You first blessed our lives on November 29th, and have been continuing to do so every single day.  You are just a perfect addition to our family, and you're well-loved by so many people!

As with Ian, you are a beautiful baby.  We get comments daily on how pretty and sweet you look!  We couldn't agree more!  You have a perfect little face, hands, feet, etc.  You were born with some dark brown hair.  Some if it has fallen out on top, but it seems to be coming in as a lighter brown/blondish color.  Your eyes are a beautiful blue.  You just moved from newborn clothes to 0-3 month clothes last week, so you're pretty petite.  You're even still wearing a few newborn sleepers!  It's been pretty cold over the past 2 months, so we've kept you bundled up with blankets and your fuzzy, pink, butterfly booties. :)

You are SUCH a good baby!  You hardly ever cry or fuss unless your hungry or your tummy hurts.  You slept a ton during the first several weeks, but you're awake more these days.  You eat about every 3 hours, but you've started sleeping a little longer through the nights.  A few nights ago, you gave mommy a 6 hour stretch..woo hoo!  You're also getting faster at nursing, so mommy doesn't get as much time to goof off by playing on her phone...hehe.  You love to sleep in your Rock-N-Play sleeper, but you're not a huge fan of sleeping on your back in a crib.  We've tried different methods to make it more comfortable to sleep on your back...swaddling, raising up one end of the Pack-N-Play, paci, etc.  Last night, you slept 2 stretches in the Pack-N-Play, so that's great.  We still have you sleeping in our room.

Ian has been such a great big brother to you!  He's so sweet and always tells you "hi" and "don't cry, Kate," if you're upset.  He loves to lay next to you on your play gym mat and look up at the toys.  He also always wants to share his cars and trains with you.  He will even give you your paci and take your diapers to the trash can for mommy...such a big help!!  We've been referring to you as "sissy" and him as "bubba," but lately, he's been calling you "bubba."  Haha!

You weren't too sure about about bath time at first, but now you enjoy it if we keep you warm.  Grandma Donna got you a nursery warmer that keeps your towel warm...you like that!  Ian likes to watch you take a bath and makes sure you have plenty of toys in your water.  :)  You like your little lotion massages after your bath.

You seem to enjoy laying on your play mat now.  You're very interested in the hanging toys and lights. You're starting to "bat" at them. You don't seem to like the bouncer too much...you prefer the Rock-N-Play or being held.  You make lots of little grunting sounds, but haven't really started "babbling" yet.  You look like you're getting closer to rolling to your side, so mommy and daddy better watch out!  You will be keeping up with your brother in no time!

You've already had your first vacation!  We went to Red River, NM during the first week in January.  You did great on the trip and while we were there!  Mommy and Daddy were a little nervous to travel with you being only 6 weeks old, but you were wonderful.  We considered letting you play in the snow, but decided to keep you bundled up instead. :)  You also traveled to Enid and Norman to see friends and family for Christmas!

Our favorite milestone in the past 2 months was when you started smiling at 5 weeks and 6 days...yay!  We were so looking forward to seeing your little smile.  We still have to "work" at getting you to smile (mainly by baby-talking and smiling at you), but I'm sure you'll be a little more generous with them over the coming months.

Thank you so much for making our lives so full of joy!  God truly blessed us with a beautiful daughter and sister to Ian.  We love you, Kate Laurel!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

Recent Happenings...

It's been a while since I posted anything, so I thought I'd post a few recent pics!  Things have been pretty busy lately, but we're adjusting to our new life as a family of 4!  I've been on maternity leave for 8 weeks, and have 4 remaining.  Time sure does fly!  I've been taking advantage of the weekday time off by hanging out with some other stay-at-home mom friends and their kids.  We've also been able to help welcome some of our friend's new babies.

Ian and JJ

Aren't they adorable?!

Sleeping beauty

Shelby and baby Finnigan - born 1/19/13 (JJ's little bro)

Kate is 8 weeks old today!!

Kate and her friend, Neely (born only a few days apart!)

Dress Up & Camera Fun

My Christmas gift this year from Jason was a new digital SLR camera!  My friend, Jenny, helped me pick out one.  She has taken nearly all of Ian's milestone pics, and I've always loved how they look....granted, she has some serious talent in photography.  I liked my point-and-shoot camera, except for I was always missing the "looks" I wanted from Ian because of the delay with the shutter.  Anyway, I ended up getting a Nikon 5100 and I love it! 

 

Recently, another friend, Chelsea Foster, came to take some newborn pics of Kate.  She got some wonderful pics, but Kate was pretty cranky with all of the outfit changes that I wanted to do.  So, a few days later, I played dress up and photo booth with her.  Here are some of my favorites. :)

I made the purple outfit after seeing an identical one on Etsy...yes, I know the flower is giant, but isn't it cute?!?!  I thought it was cute on the Etsy newborn. :)

 

Now, I just need a Photoshop review from Jenny....("hint, hint" :)

Welcome, Kate!

Okay, I figured out that I had to delete pictures from my blog account in order to free up space.  I'm starting with the oldest pics, but don't worry...I'm ordering printed copies of my blog to keep! :)

 

I just wanted to post a few pics from Kate's birthday!!  She is such a beautiful baby, and we're so blessed to have her!  We had a great stay at the hospital, and everyone has been doing great since we've come home.

Ian's first look at his sissy!

I loved her little "bow" hat

Our first family pic...we can't ever get any with everyone smiling at the camera!

Kate is Here!!

We were blessed with a sweet little angel, Kate Laurel, on November 29, 2012.  She was born at 7:40am, weighed 6 lbs. 9.5 oz., and was 18.5 inches long.  We are both doing wonderful!

I would post pics, but for some reason, I'm out of photo storage space on Blogger.  If I can figure out how to add additional photos, I will.