Everyone loves the Exersaucer

While I was in Houston, I asked Adam to pull out the Exersaucer and clean it up. It has been a very long time since it's been put to good use, but that was all about to change. He placed it in Taylor's room for the time being, until we were ready for her to try it out. Every time I go in her room to change either of their diapers, Mason always notices it.




One morning I was changing Taylor's diaper, and when I told Mason come on lets go, I looked over and saw he had climbed in it. I couldn't help but laugh and had to run to get my camera. I remember when his legs didn't even touch the bottom and now his knees touch the bottom.

Mason will stop at what he is doing to pose for pictures.

Yesterday, I decided I wanted to see Taylor's reaction the exersaucer. I brought it out into our living room and placed her in it. Not only did her feet touch the bottom, but she was already starting to play with the toys. The first time we put Mason in it, his feet didn't touch the bottom (as mentioned above), and he was almost 6 months old. Taylor isn't even 5 months yet.



Taylor got the hang of things pretty quickly.

Mason playing with his sister.

We're home

We finally made it back to Bakersfield. After waiting day after day throughout the past weekend, we were able to get three seats on a flight out on Sunday afternoon. My dad flew back with us, because there was no way I was going to fly with two kids by myself. I'm just not ready to take on that adventure.

Neither Mason or Taylor had taken a nap that day, so I was a little worried how well Mason would do. I knew Taylor would sleep the entire flight, but Mason would most likely fight taking a nap on the plane. He did very well for the first hour and then he hit a huge wall. He wanted to be held, but then he would get mad. It went back and forth like this for about 20 minutes. Eventually, he fell asleep in his Granddad's arms.

The plan was for my dad to catch a flight back to Houston immediately after we landed. It's always hard to say goodbye for me, whether it's quick or not, it's never easy. Adam met us in baggage claim and we were all so excited to see each other. Thank you Daddy for flying back with me. I couldn't have done it without you.

Once we got home, Mason had a second wind of energy and ran around the house exploring all of his toys again. I was able to unpack all the bags and get Taylor down for bed, while Mason got out his extra energy. Both kids slept great that night and weren't bothered by the time change, thank goodness. It's good to be home.

Mason still walks around our house and asks for his Mimi & Granddad all the time. I guess after living with them for a month, he thinks that we all live together and they will be wherever he is. Good thing technology has come a far way and we can communicate on a regular basis.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Houston Trip

We are still in Houston. Unfortunately, it's hard to get a flight out to LAX from Houston this weekend and since we are flying standby, it makes it even harder. Hopefully, we will be able to get a flight out tomorrow, otherwise we will have to come up with a new plan.

These are a random group of pictures from the past two weeks. We started Taylor on cereal and she isn't a big fan of it. I would say she tolerates it. I know she is hungry, because every time I place the spoon in front of her mouth, she lunges towards it. Then she realizes it is cereal and makes a funny face. It's okay, we will start her on Avocado soon.


Every time I come home, I always try to see everyone I can during my visit. Do you know how hard that is, especially when you have family and friends that live all over town and you are at the mercy of two children who have schedules of their own? So, if you are reading this and we didn't get to see you, hopefully we can make it happen in November.

Taylor sleeping. See her bald spot? She had a full head of hair when she was born and now it's all falling out. It is still very blonde.


Trying cereal for the very first time.

I love this picture of her piggies. It was her first time in the bumbo.

She always has her hands in her mouth.

My little Aggie. This was his hair spiked before he got a haircut.

He prefers to eat with his hands over using his spoon. However, he still loves to at least hold the spoon while eating. Most of his dinner did end up in his mouth.

All cleaned up and eating a cookie.

Yes, ladies, David is holding a baby. One of my oldest and dearest friends holding Taylor for the first time.

David invited us to have lunch at his office and Mason & Taylor had so much fun. He is a natural with my kids and they love him!

Before I was a Mom

Over the weekend, my heart ached for this family. A little boy who has beat so many odds already and who wasn't even expected to enter this world alive is now struggling for his life. A heart that beats over 220bpm for almost 3 days straight, in such a tiny little body.

Every time I read MckMama's blog or check for an update on her Twitter, I bow my head in prayer for this family. I can't even imagine what it would be like to have this happen to Mason or Taylor. It's a constant reminder that our children are gifts from God and that they are here on loan. They are not ours to keep, but God has trusted us to care for them and to watch over them. Ultimately, they are His. Therefore, we need to trust in Him to care for them, when we can not.

Before I was a Mom, I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations. Before I was a Mom, I had never been puked on. Pooped on. Chewed on. Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom, I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom, I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom, I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom, I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Last week in Houston

So batteries died on my camera a couple weeks ago and I have been too lazy to replace them. I even have pictures that I need to upload, but I'll get around to it eventually. I know everyone enjoys my posts more, when I have pictures.

This is my last week in Houston. I head back to Bakersfield at the end of the week (date yet to be decided) and it went by so quickly. Too bad I spent half the month sick, but atleast my little ones had some quality time visiting with everyone and getting a taste of the HOT Texas summers.

Every time I visit, no matter how long the trip, I always feel like I don't get to fit enough in our trip. There are people I have yet to see, places that I didn't get to visit, or restaurants that I haven't eaten at yet. It's okay, because one day in the far future, we will return, and this time it will be for good. We have friends that don't believe we will ever leave them in Bakersfield, but what they don't know is that they will be moving with us. Haha. A girl can wish!

Two prayer requests today:
1. My parents have an Adoption Fair with the Harris Country CPS Social Workers this afternoon. Only the Social Workers will be in attendance, but they are hoping to speak with the social worker in charge of two brothers that we have been praying about.
2. Baby Stellan - If you don't know about this adorable little boy, please go to my link of blogs and look up MckMama. Stellan has been in SVT almost all weekend long and his poor heart and body can't take much more. They are life-flighting him to Boston this afternoon to see the specialist again. Pray for wisdom for his doctors to make the best decisions regarding his care.

An Unforgettable Wedding

I was told about this really cool Wedding Entrance Video that was going around on YouTube and I thought I would share it. Talk about a memorable wedding!

Top 10 reason why I love Houston

10 Things I love about Houston:


1. Our family lives here. It's the perfect place to raise a family. Every time I come home, I can't wait to see how the city has changed, but with all of the changes, it still feels like home to me.


2. The food! I have traveled A LOT and I believe some of the best food can be found in Houston. We have amazing restaurants and not to mention, my mom is a fantastic cook.


3. The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo - Entertainment for everyone, including the cook-off (again with the food)


4. The shopping - This city has so many places to shop between all of the malls, outlets, and boutiques.


5. High School Football - There is nothing like Texas Football.


6. City Life - There is always something to do here in the city. Whether it's shopping, going out to eat, dancing, the parks, museums, sporting events, you can find something to do at almost any hour here in Houston.


7. Taste of Texas - I know this goes with the food category, but what a great steak and lets not forget the salad bar.


8. The Houston Skyline - I was talking to Grandma Kaye the other day and we agreed that the Houston Skyline is one of the best views. Whether it's day or night, it's a sight to see. I had the pleasure of watching the fireworks this 4th of July over the downtown skyline and it was spectacular.


9. The houses - sounds weird, I know, but I have seen some amazing custom homes all around this city, when I was a Senior Project Manager for P&A. I especially like to drive around different neighborhoods during Christmas. A house always looks better with Christmas lights, well most houses anyways.


10. HEB - This is my favorite grocery store and you can't beat the prices, quality of the store, or the excellent produce.





10 Things I strongly dislike about Houston:


1. It's really faraway from Bakersfield. Over 1500 miles to be exact. It's too far to drive, although I'm sure we will do that someday. For now, it's a 3.5 hour flight non-stop.


2. The traffic! I have driven in LA during rush hour and I'm sorry, but when you are stuck in bumper to bumper traffic in Houston and you haven't even driven a mile over a 30 minute span, then that is bad. At least in LA, you continue to move.


3. The humidity. While I agree that it is great for my skin, it does nothing for my hair. I don't like having my clothes stick to me after getting out of the car in the middle of the summer.


4. Allergies! My allergies are worse in Houston due to the humidity and all sorts of stuff growing all around the city.


5. Mosquito's - They are known around here as the Texas Bird. It doesn't really matter what time of year it is, those little pests are always around.


Okay, well I could only come up with 5 dislikes. I will make a list about Bakersfield next.