What we've been up to

Lately, we've spent a lot of time just hanging out as a family. Lane was sick with the flu last week and we kept our distance but in this small house it was still nice to have him home and near. It has been cold and rainy which leads to time indoors and a warm cozy fire. Lena Kate loves to say, "Play with me, play with me," and so we play-alot:) She was actually in her jammies ALL day for the first time in forever-maybe? She is at such a fun age with new words and phrases everyday. My favorites right now are: Ready not, here I come, tickwee, tickwee (tickle tickle), Deeewishous (delicious), love you too Mommy (or Daddy, or Missy, or some inanimate object!), be right back..and many more. She is pretty much talking in sentences now without the prepositions. You can understand most of it...or I can anyway. She is sweet and likes to cuddle and read books at night, but not usually so sweet during the day. She is quite defiant and testing her boundaries for sure at times. You can tell her to do something and sometimes she will do as told and other times she will ignore you and dance off fully acknowledging that she heard you-quite the little stinker! The other night I was sleeping in her room since Lane was sick and she woke up in the middle of the night and hugged her monkey and giraffe that she sleeps with and said, "Aww, love you guys" and then went right back to sleep. It was such a sweet unexpected moment.

Her favorite pals: monkey, giraffe, and Dodo blankie...silly crooked smile

She is definitely her Daddy's child. she would eat a bag of chips over cookies any day. She comes up to me and says, "More chip, more chip, please ma'am." How exactly do you say no to that?! Her new favorite is pickles, pickwees as she says.

She also has a memory much better than mine. She will thank Uncle Gus for crayons he gave her months ago when she uses them. She also thanks Santa Claus for her toys when she's playing with them. A few weeks ago Lane asked Lena Kate where she wanted to go. She answered with her usual, "Mimi's house." He said why don't we go somewhere else, like the beach. From then on every day she has asked to go to the beach. She doesn't forget! She is now asking to go to other places-Leelee's (weewee) house, Great Kelley's house to see Sammie Jo (their dog), Justin's house. Also, when I'm reading to her or she sees something on tv that she wants to do, she says, "Go fishing too?" or "Skate on ice too" whatever it is that she wants to do. I just love her blooming personality. What a blessing she is and keeps us on our toes. We sometimes end up laughing when we should be disciplining. I told her to get off a box she was standing on the other night and instead of listening she just started dancing...and kept on dancing as Lane and I tried not to laugh hysterically.

These Megablocks were a great investment. Lena Kate always wants to build a tower or a house.

Mmmmm, cold wawee

Cheese me, Mommy!

Fond of her tower.

Petting Missy girl

Lena Kate often announces, "So happy!" Yes, dear you are so happy and so are we!!! It is going to be interesting to see her grow as a big sister in a few months:)

Speaking of the wee one in my belly, I'm feeling somewhat better these days. I'm still up 2 to 3 times a night having to eat something so I can go back to sleep. I hope that ends soon. My belly has popped out a bit this week it seems. I'm definately in that in between stage which is not great for wardrobe options, but since I don't usually go anywhere it really isn't that big of a deal. Those at the local HEB get to see me in all my glory often. Gotta love workout pants and baggie t-shirts. I'm always looking my best-ha!

I did dress up a little and Lane and I escaped on a much needed date night. We went to Outback and I didn't even eat any meat-believe it or not. I had a blooming onion (shared of course), salad, and mixed veggies...plus plenty of bread. Needless to say I was starving when we got home, but it was just what I wanted. We went to see True Grit after an early dinner. We both enjoyed the movie and night out. I think Lena Kate had a great time with Mimi and Papa too, she was going strong when we got there. Apparently, Papa changed the channel to "footfootball" as she calls it and she told him, No no no Papa!" Somehow that doesn't surprise me, she usually whines, "my turn watch" when I change it. I think she got over that quickly:)

God is good!