You know you need to dust when...

You find your babies footprint on the wood stacker!!! WOW---I am a horrible mother---don't worry it is clean now.

We took Katelyn for her 9 month well baby checkup-We always took Madison's photo at the doctors office during all of her well baby visits--do for one--do for the other

Katelyn weighed 18 lbs 2 oz (50th percentile) and 29 inches long (95th percentile). She is doing great!






When we got home, we went outside and Maddy had so much fun on the swing---it is nothing new---just finally got the camera out to capture the fun!







Maddy wanted a bird feeder so the "birdies would not starve" so we picked one up today. Her and Eric put the bird seed in and hung it outside-





She kept looking out the window all day to see if there were any birdies eating yet. So PLEASE COME EAT BIRDIES! It would make Maddy's day!

Katelyn climbed in Maddy's tent today-She handled it very well by saying "see Mommy, I can share my tent with Katelyn" Awww she really does love her--just as I imagined she would...

some of daddy's favorite photos

COUGH COUGH...and then a sigh

I was a weinie today and finally went to the doctor...i think i heard somewhere that guys are the last to go to the doctor and the most likely to need to go...well i waited and waited and realized that waking up several times throughout the night just to cough was getting to be really annoying. Just as i predicted i received the same batch of meds that it seems everyone that goes to a military doc gets...pseudofed and some fish eyes...i don't remember what the technical name for fish eyes is...but they help with my cough alot. The strange thing was that this time the flight doc ordered a chest x-ray and said that I was pretty close to either having bronchitis or pneumonia...geez...that's what i needed to hear. Anyhow I went home and played baby for a while...i get pretty wimpy when i get sick...my parents can attest to that as well. When I had finally shaken off some of the funk after about a 2 hour nap I went downstairs to find the house all a buzz...it was nice to come out of my cocoon to some laughter and smiles. We all went outside and piddled in the backyard. We ordered pizza and just hung out for a little while...it was nice. The biggest part of my night though was shortly after dinner. Melisa had taken Kate upstairs to have her bath...and shortly after hearing her talking to Kate and finishing in the tub...I hear Melisa say "Eric come here...quick!" Maddy and I run upstairs and Melisa says..."Kate took her first steps!"

....and then my world began to move in slooooooow motion....

You see back in Sept of 2005 I left for my deployment, leaving my wife and 9 month old daughter Madison to fend for themselves in Bossier City. It was heartbreaking...I was leaving my wife whom I hadn't been apart from since we had moved to Louisiana together...and also because I knew that I would miss so much of my new daughters life over the next 6 months...her first real words...her first birthday...her first christmas...first halloween....and lastly her first steps. Sure enough within a few weeks of being gone I would receive a video from Melisa with Maddy slowly stumbling across our living room floor...there was my first baby's first trip all on her own...she was no longer a baby. I watched that video over and over and over again...I had missed it...I knew I would...I was so happy...but it still stung.

...and then my world began to speed back up to today....

This time I hadn't missed it...i was here and I was so greatful. You know it's hard to say that I may or may not miss another important time in my daughters' lives. That goes with the job I guess...whether I like it or not...it's unfortunate and not something that I like to think about...but today I was here and I am thankful that I got to see it all with my own two eyes. It was so special and I took those few moments to sigh and take it all in. The strangest part to me about it all...is that Kate is growing up way too fast for me. Not even 9 months old yet (well by a few days at least) and she is already walking...geez...i wish my world would begin to move in slow motion more often.

Eric

Yummy Berries

We traveled to the Poteet Strawberry Festival today! Much fun...Madison rode a roller coaster (for little kids) and she thought it was the best thing since goldfish. We had the BEST strawberry shortcake ever. I forgot my camera at home so I don't have any photos to post but it was still fun! Great idea Daddy.

Thanks Nana and Pops

Maddy has been sick so my parents sent a basket of goodies on Saturday...I mean lots of snacks...there was pretzels, gold fish, fruit snacks, kisses, and handi snacks. Along with two balloons saying GET WELL SOON! Maddy said that she "was feeling better already".



Kateltn got two new teeth on top! If you look, you can barely see where they are coming through. YES I am still nursing. It is going great and she is being so careful not to hurt me. Sweet baby Kate.

She is walking like a champ behind a push toy. She has the most fun trying to keep up with Madison.

I also want to say GOOD LUCK TO KELLY AND PHIL. They are having a repeat c-section on Thursday for their second baby. Jack will be the best big brother to baby Eleanor. I can't wait to hear how everything goes. I will be thinking of you guys. Call if you need anything!

Happy House Closing

Aunt Cici & Uncle Jared.
We are so excited for you both-Owning a home is a great joy-I can't believe that the time has passed so quickly. Now it is time to unpack all of the wedding gifts and start to decorate your new home. Your style will come shining through in no time! Best wishes for tons of great memories in your married life together. This is only the beginning...

PS-And Madison can't wait to visit and see the guest room where she will be sleeping over.

San Antonio Zoo

Since Eric didn't get to travel to Houston with us, we all went together to the San Antonio Zoo yesterday.

They have a very cool butterfly exhibit and while we were walking through, one landed in my purse. This one was my favorite-black with purple spots!

There was a new Hippo exhibit and I got this cool photo of Madison with the hippo!


Afterwards, we rode the train--that is Madison's favorite part! And it was Katelyn's first train ride.

Kate is walking...

behind a push toy--can you believe it! She is not even 9 months old yet.

She tried to push the Pooh car last week but got scared and sat down. On Monday, she stood up and started walking. We were a little nervous about the floors and how fast the car might go, so I had Maddy sit on it to give the car some weight. Worked out great! Last night she was pushing the baby stroller all by herself on the floors with nothing in it! I just know that she will let go anytime---watch out world---here comes Katelyn Elise!

The Zoo

We traveled to Houston on Thursday for my cousin's bridal shower on Sunday. So Friday we met Kim and her 2 girls at the Houston Zoo. The weather was nearly perfect until it started raining, but it was at the end and we barely got wet! Lexi and Maddy played so good together and had a blast riding in the wagon. The babies, Kendra and Katelyn, were so good and barely fussed at all. The rode in the double stroller. There was a cool under water tunnel in the fish house. The girls liked to crawl under to see all of the fish.

After the zoo, we stopped at Target to pick up a couple of items and Madison fell in love with a pair of rubber boots. I literally could not get them off at night. She wore them all weekend long.

Pop was in Chireno so Madison and Nana fed the donkeys this weekend!

Katelyn wants to be like Madison and I caught her watching Madison through the glass door! So cute!

Thank you McDonalds

for giving Madison the perfect toy in the Happy Meal. She got a pair of Cinderella gloves and a ring. As soon as she finished her lunch, she RAN upstairs to get her new Cinderella costume that the Easter bunny brought. She also got her crown and glass slippers. So now she has the complete outfit---she is so excited. Every morning before she eats breakfast, she is already dressed like Cinderella. She is such a nut--

On another note-Katelyn has an ear infection! YUCK! I took her to see the doctor this morning while Eric stayed home with Maddy. Sure enough-infection--so antibiotics for 10 days--she has her 9 month checkup on the 16th so they will re-check her ear then. Poor baby Kate!