Dallas Arboretum

Ok! Blogging is back in business! We opted for an iPad vs. a PC since we have NO room to really have an office. Bare with me while I figure out blogging on our new machine.

I have some catching up to do with pictures from my real camera so here it goes!

A few weeks ago we met Diana and Brielle at the Dallas Arboretum. They have what's called Pumpkin Village this time of year. It is exactly like it sounds and it's AMAZING! They also have a Chihuly exhibit right now. My parents love Chihuly and have seen is work in different place around the U.S.





The minute we got to the Pumpkin Village Levi was off! He's usually pretty timid and stays close, but he was all over the place the minute I got him out of the stroller.

Here he is with his sweet cousin Brielle! He wanted to sit on the hay and take his picture, then he saw a spider on the pumpkin next to him. Haha, I couldn't get a good picture after that!



They had so much fun running through the hay maze!








I've never seen so many pumpkins in all my life!





The smallest member of the group just enjoying a stroll. :)








It was a wonderful morning! We love having them close enough to meet up for play dates!!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Happy 2nd Birthday Levi!

As we took Levi trick or treating (post from that coming later,) I couldn't help but think about us passing out candy 2 years ago. I felt a million weeks pregnant and knew Levi would come into the world the next day. Trent and I could never have imagined how much joy he would bring to our lives, we are so thankful God picked us to be his parents! We had a wonderful day going to the Dallas World Aquarium!

After the aquarium we headed to Freebirds for some lunch and then made our way to Denton for Levi's 2 year check up. We also had to get Chloe seen because she was running a fever during the trick or treating excitement the night before. Long story short....she has RSV. I'll spare you from ranting, let's just say we can't catch a break around here!!

Levi's check up was great, he's healthy as a horse and showed off quite a bit for Dr. Ritter!

Here are a few more things he's up to these days....

He takes his little stool everywhere. He thinks he's so big and will pull it up anywhere and get whatever he wants!

He's definitely entered the terrible twos. He throws at least one fit every day. :(

My new favorite word is "K." I guess we say Ok a lot around here because he's repeating it now!

He tells everything bye. "Bye Bar (remember, that's water.)" "bye lake, bye truck...." the list goes on but it sure is sweet!

He likes to jump on his bed now. I know I shouldn't laugh but it's really funny!

He still goes to bed very easily, sleeps all night and wakes up happy! Naps are usually the same. If there's something going on he sometimes throws a little fit, but he's fine once he gets in his bed.

He is loving living here with his cousins!

He'll repeat anything you tell him to, but only about half of it comes out understandable to most people. Of course I can speak jibberish with him because I hear it every day. :)
                                                

I can't believe we are getting ready for his 2nd birthday party!! I love you tons Levi Jack and we look forward to another exciting year with you!

Pneumonia :(

I had to take Levi to the doctor yesterday. Saturday his allergies flared up and he was having trouble breathing again. So we stayed home and did breathing treatments for a couple of days. Evidently there was something else going on. He ran a little fever on Sunday and Monday and sure enough...it's pneumonia. We saw a different doctor because ours wasn't in that day. I was not a fan of his. He was great with Levi, but just kind of weird. His lungs sound like pneumonia but he wasn't really acting like it. He's been pretty happy, but definitely not himself. They sent us home with 10 days of antibiotics so hopefully he's all clear when we take him for his 2 yr check up next week!

Despite the coughing spells (which usually result in puking) he's been keeping us laughing as usual!

Kristie and I decided we needed a girls night out and found the perfect outing!! We went to painting with a twist and had a wonderful, relaxing time! We will most def be back!!!

4 months!?!?

Our little Chloe Grace is flying through her first year! She had her 4 month check up today and got a wonderful report! She's a teeny tiny little thing. She weighs 11lb 9oz (5th%...yes 5th!) and is 23.75 (21%) inches long. Despite me always worrying about her not gaining enough, she's perfectly healthy. Dr. Ridder says she looks great! I really like our new pediatrician. The preventative things she gave us for Levi's allergies have really helped him. I'm afraid Chloe's got them too though :( She's got her watery eye and clear snotty nose again today and Levi's coughing and sneezing are worse. Unfortunately we can't give allergy meds until 6 months for Chloe, but we are prepared for Levi!

Here are a few more things she's up to!

She can roll from tummy to back

Still loooves bath time

Wears size one diapers but I think
we're gonna have to move up soon

She's grabbing her toys on the play mat now and is playing with little toys when we put them in her hands. Her favorite is her little lady bug.

Sleeps 11 hours at night! Mom and dad LOVE that!

Likes to be swaddled when she's sleeping. She acts like she doesn't like it but sleeps much better when she's all bundled up!

Watches her brother like a hawk...you can tell she can't wait to play with him!

Levi is so sweet to her, this morning he was talking to her while pointing at me and saying "mom!" It was like he was teaching her who I am. :) He's started throwing toys at her, in the sweetest way possible. He's not being mean, he's just giving her toys and hasn't learned how to be gentle quite yet. I'm really impressed that he really doesn't show aggression towards her at all!

I still don't know what I did to deserve these 2 little blessings, but I sure am thankful for them!

Just a taste..

We have been so busy! Busy with fun stuff... But still! Here are just some shots from lately :)

Audrey Kate!

Mom, Chloe and I ventured to crane labor day weekend to celebrate sweet Audrey's shower! It was of course a fun weekend with the bates girls!! We missed the boys terribly and I was also bummed that Levi didn't get to go to Gage's 2nd birthday party but the trip was much more doable with one kid!

Audrey arrived 2 weeks ago and we can't wait to meet her. For now, face time dates will have to do!

Here are a few more ransoms from the last couple of months...

Dear Blog, I have NOT abandoned you!

As you read in my last post...it was telling me that I was out of storage. Well our computer died (so sad) so I haven't uploaded any pics from my camera in like a month, nor have I posted anything! I'm hoping with this post I can get going where at least I can blog from my phone!

The ole' blog has missed A LOT! I've been making notes on my phone of things I need to put in so that I won't forget them!

We'll do Mr. Levi first.

He's learned to tell you how old he is, and I must say I've never heard anyone say "one" in any cuter way!
He LOVES to put money in his piggy bank. He's got quite the stash in there now.
He hits the golf ball pretty stinking good now, hardly misses anymore!
He went through a phase where he called me "mom mom." It was adorable...but it's already passed. :)
He loves trucks and busses! He can spot them and hear them from miles away.
He calls cereal zoo.
Just Monday he counted to 3 all by himself!!! Then this morning he counted the pumpkins on our porch! There are 4 of them. :) One proud momma I tell ya!

Chloe:
Sleeps all the way through the night now! Wahoo!! She's been doing it for about a month now, but seems to wake up when we have company. A couple of weeks ago one of Trent's friends came to visit and she woke up in the middle of the night and last weekend when Mimi was here she did too. I just reswaddle her, give her and paci and put her back in bed. Now that she's proven she doesn't need to eat at night, I don't feed her. She sleeps from about 8pm - 7am.
She HATES loud noises! Dog barking, doors slamming, Levi screaming....no likey.
On 9/11 she rolled from her tummy to her back! She doesn't do it very often because she actually enjoys tummy time.
She loves the bath! She always laughs when we wash her tummy and her palms.
She watches Levi anytime she's awake! She smiles as he runs around doing all the Levi things he does. :)
Yesterday she started kicking the toys on her play mat. She doesn't grab too much yet, but she'll hold onto toys if I give them to her.

Being mischevious! But, oh my, does he bring joy to our lives!

 I absolutey could not wait to put these sweet Uggs on her that Tia Diana gave her! We are loving the cool weather!

 We went to a dog competition at the Lodge while Mimi was here, he LOVED looking at all the big dogs!

 How is this even possible??