A horse, of course.

It doesn't take Lena Kate's Papa long to do something once he decides it is going to happen...now if he is on the fence about, it could take FOREVER. He decided recently it was time for the kiddos to have a horse to ride. This past weekend Papa got a horse for Charles and Lena Kate. Lane, Dad, and I all tested him out. He is very gentle and you gotta give him a good kick to get him going. He seems to be a great kid horse so far, he's definitely not going to take off. I think Lena Kate is really going to enjoy him. We are thinking his name is going to be Scout. Lane and I are also excited to ride too...I think he'll have a buddy pretty soon.

Here is Papa about to brush him down.

Lena Kate is a fan....notice her camo jacket she got from the Uncle Ray, Aunt Lorain, and cousin Robert for Christmas. No country girl is complete without a little camo.

I also intended to come home with a kitten this weekend to round out the country living, but they were in hiding from the neighbor dog and nowhere to be found so I came home with an empty bog. LK loved playing with all the O'Brien's doggies though. We may try again if they show up.

We've been getting outside and playing on every nice day we have. Lena Kate loves to walk and ride in the wagon, but she has to have lots of rocks in the wagon with her to throw out. She also likes to sit and play with dirt...I think I have a tomboy on my hands, she is NOT afraid of dirt. The other day she thought cow poop was a dirt clod...and it was fairly fresh. It quickly turned into yucky, wash your hands time. She thought it was special dirt I guess. We'll have to hone in those skills...that and that thorn bushes are not fun to touch. She keeps heading straight for them. The tike is keeping me on my toes for sure.

Isn't there a scene in The Lion King where the monkey looks JUST like this?

Yesterday we met her new pediatrician in Corpus and were pleased. Lena Kate has also finally gained a lb and has broken 18 lbs....but not by much. I love my petite gal. Her doctor said she looked great. Lane said he knew that already, she looks just like him...ha, so funny, that guy. I had to rephrase it so that she looked healthy!

The country life is great, and the only thing I miss is my HEB, Target in close proximity, and my sweet friends and family! I do like to go to the grocery store and know somebody...if not somebody shopping you know those checking you out. The downside is that you can't go incognito..if you look pitiful, somebody will notice. Fortunately, I always have a cutie in my shopping cart to get all the attention. She's already made good friends with Tony, one of the managers. The other sorta downside is that in the Hispanic culture if somebody thinks a baby is pretty they have to touch them so they don't get sick, but unfortunately Mama doesn't always like all the touching since in my humble opinion it just spreads germs. The little ladies are so sweet though, so I completely understand that they firmly believe in this superstition so to speak and am just happy they think my baby is precious:)

We are ready for Spring, since there has been rain I think the bluebonnets will be so pretty and I can't wait to take LK's picture in them. Things really ought to be greening up in about a month. I hope to be out running everyday by then. I just can't handle cold..or cool, with wind for that matter. I really need to get back in shape, I let all my after baby hard work go to waste with all the cookies I've been consuming. The problem is that Mom is baking something when I'm not. I have double the homemade baked goods to try to avoid. Needless to say my willpower doesn't usually win out.

The Many Faces of Lena Kate

Silly

Silly

Silly girl! This last one is the I'm standing in my rocking chair and I know I shouldn't be face. This child has amazing balance and agility...she didn't get that from her Mama that is for sure!