Special Weekend

This weekend was one for the books. Special memories were made and sweet Ainslee Lane was baptised. We started the weekend off welcoming Uncle Chili, A's Godfather and Lane's very best friend and cousin. He and his wife Carla and son Cinco are more special to us than I can put in words. They love our children and love us, and love the Lord. What more could we ask for? Well, I guess they could be closer than a mere 7+ hour drive away in Midland. We were so blessed to have him make the trip but were sad that Carla and Cinco couldn't come. The trip would've just been too far and hard for such a short time. We have plans to see them plenty this summer.

On Saturday, Paw (Lane's Dad) came in around noon. We spent the morning at my parent's house and Lena Kate got to play with Cousin Charles whom she LOVES and ADORES. We also got to visit with Gus and Amy. We decided to head to town to "the Orange Taqueria" for dinner. No, that is not the real name but the only name people remember. Yummy Mexican food topped of the night and then we headed home and sat out on the porch visiting. Poor Leelee (Lane's Mom) was so sick she couldn't make the trip. I know she was soo disappointed to miss this special weekend. She was here in spirit.

Sunday morning we all got up and ready for church. Everything went perfect and we were surrounded by almost all of our family and friends. Ainslee slept through most of the service and then I woke her up for her big event. She was great. She didn't mind the baptising and then wanted to play in the Holy Water. We are so very proud to be Christians and hope to raise our daughter in the way in which the Lord desires. With His help and the guidance of Jesus Christ we pray she grows up to love the Lord.

Ainlsee wore a beautiful gown handed down from her sister Lena Kate and bought for them by their special grandmother, Leelee. It has a precious bonnet but Ainslee was not having anything to do with it.

We are so very blessed with 2 precious daughters and a wonderful family that surrounds us and loves us. Thank you God for this special weekend!

9 Months

Little Miss Ainslee, aka Sugar Bear, aka Turkey, aka Bug is 9 months old! I love this age. She is learning so much and discipline isn't really an issue yet. I just have to tell her no on occasion and usually distraction works just fine. She is now saying Mamamama. I LOVE THAT. Lena Kate said doggie (dujie) and Dada first. Ainslee is a Mama's girl and happy on Mama's lap if she wants anybody. Other times she wants down and to go, go, go. She is stranding on her own for a few seconds but not quite ready to walk yet. I'm guessing in another month she will be walking around as a tiny tot. When she gets excited she squeals and whacks me with both hands. I kinda love it, but I gotta make sure she doesn't whack me too hard!

She loves to knock over the jug of FP Little People and pick one to chew on. Every thing goes in her mouth these days. She also likes to push her play table and Lion push toy around the room. She's pretty strong for a half pint. She also love to climb up on my treadmill and play with the books on the bookshelf. She may just be a climber, heaven help me. One of her all time favorite things to do is stand up with her hands in the seat of Lena Kate's rocking chair and rock it as hard as she can. She gets so tickled and great balance practice.

She still loves her baby food by the bowlfull and gets excited to eat, also whacking her booster chair, silly girl. She has learned to feed her Cheerios to Missy, but choices to eat the puffs rather than share. She definitely is going to have Mama's sweet tooth. Mimi likes to give her Oreo's at Granny's house and she just LOVES them. Oh, they make a big mess, but try to take it away from her and she will let you know with the death grip on the cookie that she really wants it.

One of the funniest thing she does is growl. She gets this exorcist growl going and it sounds so unexpected coming from her. She likes to growl at Missy. It makes my throat hurt to try to imitate her. Overall she is a good baby and happy, except when I try to work in the kitchen, then she is at my feet whining if not in a full on fit about it. The girl knows how to whine....already! She will go down for bed and naps on her own now and it is so nice. She does wake at night occasionally and not want to go back to sleep without me going in to comfort her for a few minutes, but that is not a regular thing, thank goodness. She will sleep until about 5:20am and then I'll get her and let her nurse and then crash in bed with me and Daddy after that. Unfortunately, lately she wants to sit up and talk a bit rather than lay down and go back to sleep. She will usually lay down with me and snuggle but not always go right to sleep, she'll roll over into Lane and I kinda want to giggle.

When you are pregnant with your second child you wonder if you can love her as much as your first born, and once you have them you wonder how you could've lived without her. She makes me love Big Sister even more, and Little Sister in her own special way. I just want to hug and kiss her and keep her small forever. She likes to give me nice open mouth kisses back...for now, I'm ok with that:) She will also lay her head down on my shoulder or chest if she is super tired-oh be still my heart.

Ainslee is also starting to enjoy Daddy much more now, even though she doesn't get to see him too much with tax season in full swing. She will crawl to him and grin and reach for him now, and I just love that she enjoys him these days.

Spring has Sprung

Spring is in the air and wildflowers are blooming, the sun is out, and the wind is blowing. I could do without the wind, but I guess I'll survive. We seem to think it is Spring Break at our house too. We are taking a break from anything productive and have just been playing away this week. On Tuesday we had cousins over that were in town for their Spring break and there were 9 kids running wild in and out of this little house. The walls were bustin! I made pizzas and the kids played while the moms visited. I'm happy to say there were no major injuries besides one sweet 4 year old that accidently rolled in stinging nettle-ouch! This morning we went to George West and played at the park and topped off the visit with the Jostes gang with lunch at Dairy Queen. They have chocolate ice cream yall, it is GOOD. Not all DQ's have chocolate, but if you have a chance, try it-so rich and creamy.

Kinfolk :)

We have a play date tomorrow and are going to a local parade on Friday with friends. Big plans in a small town:)

Miss Ainslee is starting to stand on her own. When she doesn't realize it she can stand for a while. I imagine she'll be walking before we know it. She is so little, not yet 15 pounds, if my scale is correct. She may be 15. She does like to eat so I think she is just going to be a petite thing toddling around. She is now saying Mama which Mama loves! She still likes to growl on occassion which will just crack you up.

wearing sister's hand-me-downs.

Zoom in on this one and check out the leaf falling...pretty sure I just told her NO and to get it out of her mouth.

Lena Kate is a typical 3 year old testing her boundaries. She is a pretty good girl most of the time but can push the limit when she wants too. I'd have to say that she whines much more than I care for. I'm working on that! She loves to sing still and plays well with Ainslee. I just love her so much. I can't wait to see what the future holds for that little firecracker:)

Singing with John Lee

Things are good in the neighborhood and I don't have many deep thoughts to share. I love living in, or rather outside of, a small town. Life is slower and I like it that

way.

Pinterest is killing me with the delicious recipes. I pin bunches of recipes and 99% of them are for desserts-not good for the figure that needs post baby help....almost 9 months post baby! Oh, and the baked chicken creamy taquitos...YUM. I will also add that the cake batter dip is delicious. I just posted some recipes on my blog and you must try the peanut butter balls. Sorry, no pictures with these posts. I guess I better break out my camera more often!

TV-do any of you watch it? I will always watch the Bachelor-good or not, I find it entertaining. I'm ready for the next season of The Bachelorette. I like Emily and wish her well. I watched a new show called Fashion Star and thought it was pretty good. Anybody else enjoy it? I also like America's Next Top Model. I really just like the photo shoots and critique of the pictures...not so much Tyra and the goofiness. Lane says it is the worst show every created. Of course, Say Yes to the Dress on TLC is one of my very favorites. I'll never get tired of looking at wedding dresses!

We've spent lots of time outside these last couple of weeks.

She is a corn eater

I leave you with this one. The boy likes to mug down, but would you believe he really loves Ainlsee more than Lena Kate. I'm sure they will hate us for this in the years to come.

Ainslee Bug

Sister Ainslee is such a joy and Mama's little snugglebug. Knowing that she is most likely our baby, meaning the last of our children, I try to soak up every snuggle I can get. She likes to snuggle! When she is a little sleepy she will just lay her head on me. She will crawl over, pull up on my leg and just lay her head down. This afternoon I was in LK's room and I had my head laying down on Lane's lap resting. She was standing up and just put her head down on my back...so sweet, I could feel her sweet head and knew what she was doing. It is like she is giving me sweet random hugs. It melts my heart. I love that she is a Mama's girl, such a sweetheart and usually my embrace can make her happy.

Face of an angel