More Fun in the Sun

We have had a lot of fun this summer. We have spent time with friends and family. We also were able to share in a little get together to celebrate baby Ryan, the second son to Laine and Dana. We are so excited to see them be parents for the second time.

Here are pics during some time spent with Ryan's big brother Jackson and our friends Colten and Caden.

Mr. Jackson looks just like his Daddy.

Jackson and Colten loved hanging out with Riggins. They were having a blast giving him water and throwing the ball. Riggins had a blast too!

Isn't Caden the cutest little man?!

Here's Miss Makena and Daddy in the big pool. She had so much fun.

Here is Miss Alli...isn't that the best bathing suit?

Here is Jackson and Laine. Jackson was actually pretty happy in his fairy life jacket and flower shaped sun glasses unlike the picture. Laine and Dana may have to keep this as a bargaining chip when he is about 13. :)

Makena floating...

Pregnancy Weeks 14 - 16

In the last two weeks, I have felt the Nugget kick twice. The first time I bent over while sitting and I felt a little jolt inside. A number of days after that I felt that little feeling pregnant woman feel when something kicks your bladder. It felt like the little Nugget did a back flip on my bladder. I know there are many more kicks to come but it was exciting to feel those first little kicks so early. It reminded me that there really is something in there. I have read that this time is hard for many women becuase you really have no day to day proof there is something living inside you until those little kicks start...other than the fact that my belly is getting bigger and the scales are moving (which has happened many times in life without another person living inside me. :)).

Life is definitely getting a little easier with less nausea and more energy. I had a tough day last Wednesday. I had to call Don to get him to come home from work. Thankfully it was getting close to quitting time and his job allows him to work from home so he finished up from here. I feel very blessed that we are in this situation. This morning I had a moment of light headedness and nausea but it was soon to go away after having breakfast. I was even able to do quite a bit of house cleaning today which hasn't happened in a while...I have cleaned but not very much at a time.

I keep wondering what the gender of this baby is. For some reason I keep thinking it is a girl but I think that is because that is what we have now. I would love to have a boy to experience both genders but will be happy with whatever the outcome. Overall, I just ask for a healthy baby. I really hope we find out tomorrow. I am 16 weeks as of today. However, we may have to wait until we are 20 weeks.

I know we still have a long way to go but I am ready to experience this little one. I wonder what Makena and the new baby will have in common and what will be different. Only time will tell.

I need to take a picture of my growing belly. I haven't taken any pics yet. Sorry little one. It doesn't mean you aren't important but Mommy just forgets.

Love both my babies and my wonderful husband for sticking close and helping through these last few weeks.

6 Steps of Success

Well Miss Makena decided to surprise me on Friday night. We went to the Big Splash Bash for VBS and Makena started doing her stand up/sit down routine. I looked down and she had taken a couple of steps but then plopped down. Then she stood right back up and took 6 steps. I started to think she was going to keep on trucking.

We left for Rising Star after the bash. While in Rising Star, she took 6 more steps on Saturday and then again on Sunday. She didn't do much practicing yesterday but took 6 more steps today. She's going to be running before we know it.

Our trip to Rising Star was to be able to celebrate Uncle Bobby and Aunt Debbie's 40th wedding anniversary. It was a great party. I think about 60 people attended.

Oh and Makena snapped her fingers on Friday. I think it surprised her but she just kept doing it. She is getting so big.

Uncle Tyler and the princess.Here's to the Happy Couple and many more years together.Makena and Great Uncle Bobby.That's my girl! Loved the tractors and trucks.After Granny stomped a bug with her foot, the bug in this pic became Makena's target. She also wanted to stomp it with her foot. She is learning learning learning.Kids playing hide-and-seek...wait I think I see Don and Tyler out there.She loved the sandbox.

Treasure in the dirt...or just a half of a pecan shell...all the same to her.
Granny decided to let Makena take a dip in Great Uncle Bobby's pool. She loved it. I need to take her to the pool more often I guess.

PC VBS

Prestoncrest has a very involved VBS. They start decorating months in advance and do a total transformation of the church for the kids to feel like they have been transfered to another place and time. This year we were taken to the high seas on a High Seas Exploration to find the treasures of God. My friend Jenny asked me to co-teach the 3 year olds with her. It was a great experience and I am glad I got to do it. Makena was able to attend since I was teaching. Kids under 4 can't attend unless mom or dad is helping. We had wonderful kids!

Here are some pics of Makena (thanks Paige for sharing since this mom didn't get to take any).

Here is Makena reading her bible. Her teachers said she was great in class despite the extreme exhaustion.Here she is with one of her class mates learning about the love of God. I bet she had fun licking up that whip cream.Taking a ride to the auditorium sitting by her friend Caden.Playing in the tunnel.

She had a great time and so did I. Daddy was out of town on business during the first few days of the week so it was good to be out of the house and hanging out with our friends.

Update on the Nugget

Weeks 12 and 13 were full of more exhaustion and nausea. I can't complain too much but am ready for this phase to pass. Food has continued to taste different and I seemed to be sensitive to different textures. However, I have been able to drink milk again which had stopped after Makena was born. For whatever reason, it just tasted bad. Here are new pics of our little Nugget, who doesn't really look like a nugget any more but a little person.

Here is a little profile pic with legs extended and arm up by his/her face.Now facing toward the camera and legs bent with opposite arm up by his/her face...waving at everyone.Last pic facing the camera all curled up in a little ball. Dr. Ramos said the heartbeat was strong and the baby looked healthy. Tried to determine boy or girl but no luck as it may still be a little early and the umbilical cord was in the way.

14 Months for Miss Makena

Our baby girl is 14 months old. I can't believe it has already been that long. Time just doesn't slow down. However, we have loved every minute of our time with her.

14 Months has brought us:
- Steps being taken.
- More words..she still loves to say "Da-Da" and "Dog", but "All Done", "Hi' and "Bye" are heard many more times a day. She is also becoming more vocal and having her own little conversations.
- More time with Riggins...she loves him so much and he loves to kiss all over her until she steps on him.
- More teeth...top 4 are now coming in.

Here are some pics from the last month.

Makena still loves her books. One day she was "reading" her books and tossing them over her shoulder as she finished them. Everyone of them hit Riggins in the face and he remained in this position. Either he has a high pain tolerance, loves her, or is really lazy...maybe all three.

Here is Makena with her friend Caden. Aren't they cute?

Cabinet time!! Makena has a cabinet in the kitchen that has been deemed "Makena's Cabinet". It is nice for her to have something to keep her busy while I am cooking. Where's Makena??

Peek-A-Boo!!!

Love our little girl so much. I can't imagine our lives without her. What joy she brings us every day! She is going to be a great big sister, too.

4th of July Fun

On Saturday, July 3rd, we joined Coppell in celebrating our freedom. We happen to run into some friends at the parade. Thanks Chuck and Allynson for letting us camp with you guys!

Makena was more interested in all the dogs than the parade but she seemed to have a good time and we missed the rain. We planned on going to watch the fireworks that night but a little girl didn't nap very well and was ready for bed around 7:30. So hopefully we'll get to enjoy the fireworks next year.

I added these pictures because Makena insists on playing in the two dirtiest...or should I say germiest...places in the house. One being here next to Riggins dog bowl. Yuck! However, Makena thinks it is the funnest place along with the toilet closet in our bathroom. Luckily Riggins doesn't seem to mind that he always has company at the feeding hole (not in the bathroom, but at his bowl).

Here is Makena and Riggins (more to come on fun with Riggins in a future post).

Riggins says "time for a doggie doo".

She looks up to something in this pic...what I am not so sure.

Just thought this one showed off her beautiful blue eyes while she was looking up at Mommy.

Granny and Papa also came to see us for a night on their way to vacation. It was a great time. We missed getting to see Grammy and Gramps but are all very glad Grammy made it home from her trip to Red River and is feeling much better after a scare with altitude sickness.

Pool Time

Makena has gottten to experience a "little" pool time over the last couple of weeks. Her first experience was in her little pool in the back yard.

It didn't take long before she was ready to get out. She was cold so she put on my T-shirt. And off she went...

Time to go in Mom!

We also got to spend time with Karl Mikal and Heidi in a splash pool one day. I neglected to take my camera. It was a lot of fun!

Then we had company on Wednesday, June 30th. Miss Presley spent the day with us. After having so much fun with the splash pool, I decided to get one for us. The girls had a good time.

Ok...they really did have fun...these faces don't look very happy.

Stand up, sit down..step, step, step!!

We continue to cheer on our little girl as she learns and grows. Last weekend while in Rising Star, Makena stood up without hanging on at Granny's house while she was playing in the yard. However, I missed it. Yesterday and today she has been practicing her "stand up, sit down" routine a lot. (I have yet to get it on video yet...maybe tomorrow.) Well tonight she was hanging out with Jack, Caden and Daddy at the church while Jenny and I were in a VBS meeting and Don says she tried to take a couple of steps. So once again I missed it. I have decided I am going to ignore it and her first time can be when Mommy is watching. Is that fair??? Anyways we are cheering her on each day but not in a big hurry for her to be on the run.

Love you Makena! We thank God for you daily!

Moments...

I can't stop thinking about something Makena did at Granny and Papa's this weekend and I knew I should write it down. We were all sitting on the porch and Granny needed to run inside for a minute. When Granny went in the door, Makena crawled all the way to the door, stood up and reached for the door knob with her little grunts. Then she knocked on the door trying to get Granny to come back. It was the cutest thing in the world.

Also, she has learned to blow her nose. So anytime she picks up a cloth of any kind she puts it on her nose and blows. When I say any cloth that includes her dress, her blanket, wipe, paper towel...so funny. After blowing her nose, she laughs! too cute!!

Weekend with Family...ohhh the eggs

Don, Makena, Riggins and I took a little trip to Rising Star for the weekend. On Saturday, Granny was hosting a mini-Callaway reunion. We saw some cousins, aunts and uncles. Makena is getting closer to walking but no steps by herself yet. She started letting go while standing over the last couple of weeks. She had a lot of fun with Granny, Papa and Uncle Tyler. She loved being outside crawling all of the porch and getting in the grass. Papa got a rocker for Father's day and she spent some time rocking with him. We got to play Ticket to Ride (board game), which is always fun! On Sunday, we sent Daddy home and we enjoyed a few more days at Granny and Papa's. We visited Great Uncle Bobby and Great Aunt Debbie's. Makena would not have much to do with Great Uncle Bobby, which is kinda funny because the last time she spent a while cuddled in his lap after getting sick (which will get further explained in a minute). We had lunch with Papa on Tuesday and headed home on Wednesday.


We also found out on Tuesday that Makena is allergic to eggs. After an instance a couple of weekds ago when her little chin turned red after touching her face with some scrambled egg (while attempting to eat tortilla filled with egg), we went in for allergy tests. Last Thursday I took her to the doctor to have blood drawn. According to the nurses, she did great during the process even though they had a hard time finding her little vein. (And I managed to hold it together!) The test came back with eggs being high while wheat and milk registered low on the scale. The doctor described to us that the wheat and milk are probably not a real issue since she has shown no signs of allergies with these. Egg on the other hand is an issue. We were instructed to contine to give her anything that she hasn't reacted to but to "be aware". We are now equipped with an epi pen and benendryl in every bag.

As I stated above, the reaction to the scrambled egg was what set my mind to turning that she may have allergies but I ended up retracing some previous unknown reactions back to eggs. One of which being a reaction she had after having some homemade ice cream which contained raw eggs. Another reaction, which was the worst, was after having french toast. This reaction included head to toe hives along with throwing up. We are so glad we discovered the problem and hopefully it will prevent reactions in the future. Her last reaction was last Thursday after the test to cheesecake. (of course i felt horrible that I gave it to her)

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! We also got to celebrate Father's Day while in Rising Star. I love my husband for being a great Dad among many other reasons. He loves to make his little girl laugh and enjoys putting her to bed at night. Makena's face lights up when Don walks into the room. After being away while we were in Rising Star, she was excited to see Daddy walk in the door. During the week, most good-bye's and hello's take place in her high chair. She is usually eating breakfast when Don leaves for work and already eating dinner when he gets home. Most of the time she wants him to pick her up before he leaves and as soon as he walks through the door. Makena and I love you, Don!..and Riggins loves you too!

Also Happy Father's day to my Dad, Ron and "big" Don. Dad, you are the best dad a girl could ask for. Ron, thanks for taking care of Jeanette and loving us. Don, Wish I could have met you. I think you could shed share a secret or two about my Don. :) Love to all...

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 1-11 have been pretty uneventful except that have have been tired and nauseous. It has been different that I remember with Makena. I don't remember being this tired. I can't wait to meet the little nugget, but know that we still have a long time to go.