SESAME STREET

 SESAME STREET

She loved Elmo and his friends at this age! Easter was so close to her birthday most times they sold Elmo eggs so I snatched some knowing I could reuse them. I did as favors! The favors were also small playdoughs that came 4 to a pack. I stuck a label I made on word with a picture I found off the internet and printed a label that fit through my printer. Slapped it on top of the label that came on the container so it hid them. We went to Chucky Cheese since it has games and food and entertainment. For her birthday we took her to Sea World where they have the Sesame Street characters that you can see! 

I made the sign that sat on the table. My mother in law has a machine that cuts shapes and paper letters so I used that for the "Hallie Street" part. The wreath part is a raffia wreath frame with miniature balloons pinned individually on and around it. YES! I did that! Over spring break week, I visited my mom but ended up gettting very sick. All I could do was sit on the couch to pass the time. She watched the little while I sat on the couch curled up. When she napped, I did the balloon wreath!

For her birthday, we took her to Sea World where they have the Sesame Street characters that you can see! If you are a teacher, you get a free pass and if your child is up to a certain age they get in free as well, so we just paid for 1 ticket!

Another Murphy Baby to come...

We get to have another child in the family!! So exciting... is it a girl or boy? We won't know for a while but our family is growing that's for sure!

First Trimester-

Cravings: None so far! I don't want to eat but I know I have to. When I do it's a little and it's light and not heavy. I want salads or soups, that's it. Nothing spicy just bland foods for now.

Feelings: I feel bloated and nauseous. No throw up but just the sickening feeling. (Maybe it's the opposite sex this time) :)

Second Trimester-

Cravings: I want all kinds of fruits and vegetables. I tried for the first time EVER Brussels Sprouts!! Mmm... (my mom would be shocked) I have a little appetite back but still would rather eat salad over a lot of things. Dried Mangos are my vice! Chase is buying me a package twice a week

Feelings: I feel faint and lightheaded more. I've been tracking my blood pressure before breakfast to see if there is anything different. My feet swell more than when I was prego with Hallie. I'm excited and a little nervous how to be a mom of 2 kids and if Hallie will like the new baby. She from day 1 has called it "Spoons". We find out what Spoons is November  23rd. 

Third Trimester-

Cravings: I finally got my appetite back fully! I want to EAT!! I LOVE Dried Mangos (now buying 3 bags a week) still want salads, apples, strawberries, blueberries, vegetables and even Brussels Sprouts

Feelings: Not as fainty but still swelling like crazy! She is always in the downward position (I think) I feel like I'm going to squish her little head when I sit. I feel larger than I did with Hallie even though I'm all belly! My Dr is watching my blood pressure because it keeps going up and then going back to normal. He has scheduled a c-section (I call it "Evacuation Day" or "Eviction Day") for March 30th if she hasn't come by then. I had Hallie 3 weeks early- 2 weeks earlier than scheduled c-section day, and 3 weeks from her due date. Let's see if this one is anything like her big sister!

Here are the pictures we took on this journey this time... 

It's a... GIRL

Potty Training or is it the Bribing?

So last year we bought Hallie a potty that sings when they go so it gets them excited about going. At the time she was only 17 months and was showing interest: going to the bathroom, knowing what people do, wanting to sit on it, waving when she flushed, wanting to do the wiping which made us think, "Wow, it's already time?" Also at school they would take her with the other kids but nothing was happening just the sitting on the toilet. Maybe it was too early? Maybe she's not ready? Maybe we were just having high hopes and she really didn't know? All things that went through my head... This summer was going to change!

So we started trying. This summer we still weren't potty trained but every now and then at home she would have the potty go off and sing but it wasn't consistent. I decided my goal was to get this girl trained by the end of summer before going back to school. I read a couple different articles about how to potty train and when was the right age and time. I read an article that I really liked called "Naked Days" is what I shortened it to. It had pictures and was an easy read. So after we got back from the beach the first part of June I decided to see if it really worked. It's TIME... Let's Do This!!! I kept her naked from the waste down for 3 days and told her I'd give her candy if she goes in the potty (ok, maybe it was not the WHOLE day) but she seems to rather be naked than want to wear a diaper. She would go and then say "Yea! Candy?" We are actually going when needing to go and knowing to go before it happens. There are days were she doesn't care about the candy and would rather be in a diaper. So not sure what's working, the bribing or she's ready.

She says "You hear that" then hearing the songs it plays when she goes!

Not completely trained but WAY closer than we were before the summer. I guess now I need some help from other parents in this stage to see what they do about naptime, at night, on the road and ok maybe the walking around naked part. 

It's Finally Summer!! 

(singing "School's Out for Summer!")

Once again, blogging comes back alive now that school is out for the summer. It seems as if the school year sucks all the energy and life out of me and blogging. I have the time and some extra energy when it comes to summer. 

So we started the summer off just like last year. The day I get cleared from cleaning my classroom out for cleaning and whatever else they do, Chase and I started this idea last year by going to the beach for a few days. This year was no different, when I got cleared, we picked up Hallie from school, we packed the Jeep and headed down to Corpus Christi. We got there a day early so his family, Chase, Hallie and I went to a place called "Snoopy's" for an early celebration of my birthday. 

I had heard it was really good authentic food, I didn't know it would be THIS good!! I had too many good options to choose from so I went with something I hadn't had before in a long time, Shrimp Creole...

AH-MA-ZING!!! Best way to celebrate and start the 32 year mark.

After we ate we went back to his parents house to sleep and met up with our long time friends, Megan & Tim. We left for the beach early Sat morning. Camping, fishing, beaching for 3 days without kids.

 

 

I caught two crabs in the water playing with a trash picker-upper!

Tim tried picking them up with his bare hands... Yea, that didn't work

 We had GREAT company with us! I Love this girl...

 While the boys went fishing us girls decided to make the fire for when they got back. I'd say we did pretty good considering we started it and it didn't go out!!

Chase got a Jammock for Father's Day. I was testing it out and it totally worked.

 I think 2 people could sit in it...

Hallie, on the other-hand went swimming and played dress-up with Nana, PawPaw and Jaiden.

 

We definitely started off the summer with a nice relaxing time away from home.

Next year we are thinking of letting Hallie come with us!

Joyful Blessings of 2013

Joyful Joyful Lord we adore thee...

That is song that is playing in my head while I sit back and think of the past year and what came out of it. Lots of FIRSTS for this little family of 3 and many memories made!!

January- Chase & I started the year off by going on a San Antonio Jeep Club run. (We are apart of a Jeep Club here in San Antonio. Once a month the club members go on what they call a "run". It is basically going off roadin' on trails in your Jeep with a bunch of the members and after the "run" is over then we all meet back up and someone cooks dinner, and we camp/RV for the weekend or day- depending on how long you want to stay). We went for a weekend. Hallie didn't come with us because she was too little. She thinks the Jeep is hers and will be coming with us soon! (picture in main photo above)

February- Nothing eventful happened other than Hallie got to celebrate her 1st Valentines Day! (picture in main photo above) She made my class at school a Valentine's. They loved it and I've been told by former students that they still have the picture! So cute!!

(It has a Blow Pop candy that looks as if she is giving it to you and in the box it says:

I "blow" sweetness to you! Happy Valentine's Day, Hallie)

March- Chase & I went down to Corpus and dropped off Hallie with Chase's family while we kept driving to the National Seashore on Padre Island. We were part of an organized group, The Giddings CCA Chapter who do an annual beach cleanup. Mainly we clean up trash that is on the beach so that the sea turtles can come home and nest. (picture in main photo above)

April-  Hallie turned the BIG #1 on the 10th!!!! (picture in main photo above) It was bittersweet but what a Joy she has brought to our life!! For her birthday, my dad gave her the opportunity to take professional photos since I didn't take any during her 1st year like some people do. She was a trooper even though it was freezing cold that day. On her birthday, I took off from school just so I could spend some time with her on her special day. I made pancakes and we went to the doctor. Later we went out to eat at Chuy's with our friends, M'Rhea (who helped me when she was born in the hospital and Hallie's birthday buddy) and Jason and Wesley. That weekend we celebrated her birthday by going to the Strawberry Festival in Poteet, TX for her party. She had a Strawberry Shortcake theme party. Family and friends who could come made it enjoyable. We weren't allowed to bring in outside food so we had the party in the parking lot.

We strung the banner across the cars and laid out a blanket on the ground.

Set up the decorations, party favors, cake, etc. in the back of the jeep and had the party! Was the best idea of a party to me... I didn't have to entertain because the entertainment was the festival itself!!

(Here are a few more photos from that professional photo session and her birthday and the party!)

(this was her birthday dinner with M'Rhea)

(This was her invitation I made)

(Cupcakes and Cake were made by our dear friend Megan)

the banner

party favors

May- For Mother's Day we went to Corpus Christi and we went to the beach. (picture in main photo above) My brother, Mark, also graduated from SMU with his Masters! It was a treasure to get to go see him walk the stage and take his pictures for him on that special day!! We went to the San Antonio Zoo for Memorial Day. She LOVED seeing the animals and her face lit up when she saw the monkeys. 

Mark's graduation

Her first reaction to the monkey in the window

June- I wanted to go camping on the beach for my birthday, so we left right after school got out for the summer and spent 3 days on the beach camping. Then stayed in Corpus a few more days to celebrate my birthday with his family. We ate seafood... It was GREAT!!! (picture in main photo above and these are extras)

July- Hallie took her 1st swim lessons in College Station. The class was located at the same place that I took swim lessons when I was her age! It was a 2 week class, every day teaching her how to breath correctly, floating on her front and back, and just having fun in the water. She will be going to the next class in the summer. Since the class fell over the 4th of July holiday, we spent it with Chase, my mom, brother, and Kacy in College Station. (picture in main photo above) We watched fireworks out of our Jeep window in our PJ's. For our Anniversary, we went to Boerne and ate a really fun resturant and then went to the Guadeloupe River with some friends on a river trip. We stayed the weekend at a rental house with 3 other couples, who happen to be our friends! What a fun time we had!!

1st day at swim lessons

3rd Anniversary!

River trip with friends

August- I was able to start getting my classroom ready early so Hallie came and helped me before she started officially at her school! 

September-  The first part of the month we started potty training- sort of (we bought a "potty") We are still not yet fully there yet but I think before her 2nd birthday we will be fully trained... Hopefully! The end of the month was not a happy one, my Great Aunt Miriam died. So grateful that she was able to meet Hallie before she passed. She is in a MUCH better place and isn't in pain and is with her brothers and husband! I really Miss her though!!!

October- My mom came to San Antonio for her birthday. We spent it going to a pumpkin field full of pumpkins! She had a school Halloween party. We went and the different classrooms had different booths you could go to. Hallie's classroom had a cupcake walk. Hallie WON!!!! For "Hallie-ween" we spent it with M'Rhea, Jason and Wesley in their neighborhood. (picture in main photo above) They had a hayride take us to the different houses to Trick-or-Treat. Hallie was Scooby Doo but didn't like wearing the hat to the costume. I wore it for her!

cupcake she won at school

November- Veteran's Day, Chase & I spent a night at The Inn of Onion Creek in Kyle, TX. (picture in main photo above) We got to meet other Veterans staying, it was a lot of fun!! Thanksgiving we spent it with my family in College Station. 

 December- Chase's work had a Christmas party at the AT&T Center where the San Antonio "Rampage" team was playing. The San Antonio Jeep club that we are members of had their Christmas party as well. We won the raffle for a metal Jeep, Hallie thought it was hers so we hung it in her room. Christmas was spent in Corpus Christi with Chase's family. (picture in main photo above) Had lots of fun, celebrated Chase's birthday and everyone got haircuts! We spent New Years Eve at the house watching the Aggie Game!! They won... Whoop!!

Chase's job Christmas party

Hallie's school Christmas party

Jeep Club Christmas party

Hallie got a jeep to hang in her room

Merry Christmas!

 

she got a doll to play with

Happy New Year!

 (This is her saying "Aggies" while watching the game)

Man, What a fun year it has been!!! Can't wait to see what this next one has in store for us!

We love yall and many blessings to you from Chase, Natalie & Hallie