Friday, July 30, 2010

Big Girl Jammies

Just another sign that Princess Emery is getting way too big... *sniff sniff*


Now here are what the rest of the pictures look like (and how most of our picture sessions go)!






So much fun, you can't help but laugh!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) pictures (the good and the bad)
2) big brothers that are tolerant of mobile little sisters
3) new pajamas
4) new milestones
5) quick cameras!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

I just saw a sneak peek...

and it looks sooooo good! I can't wait for it to all be done!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) tomorrow is Friday!
2) Emery slept in her crib all night (only woke up once, but never got out of the crib)!!!!
3) milestones
4) new toys that bring new smiles
5) Chase got all his school supplies today, he was excited!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I have a secret...


somebody is getting a blog makeover! ;o) Details are hush, hush though so you'll just have to wait to see!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) new looks
2) new ideas
3) changes
4) people with talent
5) Monday is ova!

Monday, July 26, 2010

Faith

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation. - Elton Trueblood

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) reminders
2) faith
3) every single day
4) a baby that feels so much better!
5) better nights

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Whoever said that babies don't get strep....

is dead wrong. Thursday afternoon The Princess started running a fever and got very clingy and still. Anyone who knows Emery knows that this is not normal. She is a happy, on-the-go girl all of the time. I talked to the nurse and she said if she ran a fever for 24 hours to bring her in and get her ears checked. We had never had a fever with any of her ear infections, but since she was still running the fever on Friday morning and had been up every hour Thursday night I decided we were going in. I did not want to have a sick baby in urgent care over the weekend. Plus, she was just pitiful. :o( Normally the kids are usually better the minute we walk into the pedi office, but not today. Her temp was at 102.1 and she was not a happy girl. After an all clear on her ears and lungs Dr. M (not our normal pedi, she was booked) decided to look in her throat. That's when it went downhill. White spots and nasty. He ran a strep and sure enough, it came back positive. Do not EVER let them tell you a baby can't get strep! I'm so thankful I took her in and didn't wait it out. The thought of strep never even crossed my mind, but I should have known. High fever, didn't want to eat, excessive drooling because she didn't want to swallow. We are four doses down on the antibiotics and she has finally stopped running a fever (knock on wood) and is no longer contagious. Hopefully no one else will get it! Just 2-4 days and we'll be in the all clear. I'm just glad our Princess is feeling better and getting back to her happy little self!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) The Princess is feeling much better
2) a better night (I hope)
3) a good day
4) smiles are back
5) new and exciting things coming to my blog

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Can't help but smile when...

you watch this sweet baby girl. She has found her voice and is growling at us. It's hilarious! I'll take it over screaming any day!



She has also decided that she loves her Jumperoo



See what I mean? I guarantee you are smiling!

~ Kahla

***I am grateful for
1) Duchess is home
2) We got to SEE Duchess yesterday!
3) Silly little girls
4) cheap entertainment
5) things that make you smile

Monday, July 19, 2010

Chase earned a new belt!

On Friday Chase had his Tiny Tiger testing for his brown stripe belt. As always he did awesome! I'm always amazed at how much he has learned over the last year and a half. He is such a smart little guy! He is the only Tiny Tiger that gets to work with a bow and is the highest ranked in his school. In fact, he is the highest ever ranked Tiny Tiger since Mrs. Sophia has been teaching at his martial arts school... pretty impressive! He earned his belt with flying colors and is now only four belts (one year) away from his Tiger Belt (orange with a black stripe)!!!! Here are two videos from the big day. Enjoy! We are so proud of you Chase!






By the way, he is wearing blue pants because he was the leader for the week. Each week they pick the student that has done the best job and they get to be the leader for the next week. He's already earned it twice!!! And to be honest, he is always really, really good. I think the pants should go back and forth between him and a little girl in his class (but they try to give everyone a chance).

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) my Tiny Tiger
2) a patient teacher
3) new skills
4) proud moments
5) Chase's accomplishments!

Oops, I did it again!

Ack, I whole entire week without posting. Are ya'll still around? You know, since I'm sure you've been hanging by a thread waiting for my updates. Stalking my blog daily, hourly. ;o) Actually, we just had a really busy week. I have a whole blog post that I'm in the midst of writing that is all about Chase and his accomplishment this past Friday. It'll be up later today... I promise!

Now for the not so good stuff:

My heart is very heavy today. My cousin, Rachael, the one that Chase was a ring bearer for in October 2008, lost her MIL today. She had been battling cancer and I know this was expected but that doesn't make it any less painful. I simply can't imagine losing your mother, much less losing her at such a young age. My heart it just broken for them. Please send a prayer their way, to Josh and Rachael, along with the rest of their family.

My grandmother also lost her BIL (well, ex BIL, but him and his wife had remained close to her) yesterday. Bessie and Dave were married for over 50 years, I just can't imagine losing your spouse like she has. Please send prayers to her and her son.

Third, Jeff's Great-Aunt Margie had a massive stroke yesterday. Apparently his cousin has been told that the prognosis is poor. :o( His cousin is devastated. Please send prayers to them as well.

Thanks in advance!
Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) time that was spent with family
2) memories of the past that will be with you in the future
3) prayers
4) support
5) new life

Monday, July 12, 2010

Happy 9 Month Birthday Princess Emery!!!

Dear Princess Emery,

Today you are 9 months old and have officially been out of my belly longer than you were in it!! I can't believe that in 3 short months you'll be a whole year. I swear you are growing by leaps and bounds every single day, Paw says you are growing every minute! I think he may be right. You are doing so many new things, that I'm going to have to just do a list. These last two weeks have just been amazing in the growth department.

~ You learned to suck through a straw this month and if you see someone drinking something, you will scream until you get a drink. Sometimes you drink so hard that you are completely out of breath!
~ On July 1st you really got the crawling down and you haven't stopped since. If you hear us tell you, "no!" you look us, grin, and crawl even faster! It's adorable, but tells me that you are going to be a handful!
~ You can sit up in the blink of an eye.
~ You can stand up even faster! One second you're sitting and the next you're on your feet!
~ You will try to walk holding our hands. I think you'll be an earlier walker than your big brother was, partially because you are determined to keep up with him!
~ You have started "dancing" to music. You bounce up and down and squeal with delight.
~ You are trying to stand on your own. It's crazy! Today you managed to stand unassisted for about three seconds. I know that's not long, but in baby time it's an eternity! We are in so much trouble! You get yourself to a standing position and just let go of whatever your holding on to. You are so proud of yourself when you do it too!
~ You have 7 teeth. 4 on the top, 3 on the bottom.
~ You're a great eater and don't really turn anything down. If you see us eating, you always want to taste and again, you'll scream until you get your way (I may see a pattern with this).
~ You can throw a fit big time. You lay on your back and slam your feet up and down. Hoping you outgrow this one!
~ You love to blow raspberries.
~ You had your first beach trip and loved the sand! You loved it so much, you had a big mouthful of it!
~ You start playing with your hair when you are sleepy (or my hair if you can get to it). It's a sure sign when you're ready for the sandman to visit.
~ You are very tactile and love to use your feet to feel things. You rub them like crazy against the floor and any other surface you can.
~ You've decided the jumperoo is a pretty fun toy and go crazy in it!
~ You are always pulling on your ears. I have been so worried about ear infections, but they are still as clear as can be. Dr. Q just thinks it's a habit - no ear piercing for you any time soon though.
~ You say "mama" and "dada" and talk a lot. I can't wait to hear what your voice will sound like.
~ We lowered your crib tonight, we'll see how that goes.
~ When you drink out of a cup or water bottle, you stick your tongue over the rim, it's really cute.
~ You started wrinkling your nose, it's one of the cutest things I have ever seen!
~ You look just like your big brother, good thing he's so cute!
~ You are 19.11 lbs (50-75%) and 27 1/2" (50%). You're head is 18 cm (90%), but we like babies with a big head! Also, your pedi said you perfect and actually ahead in your fine motor skills, way to go Emery (not that we had any doubt)!

Oh my sweet baby girl, you are such a blessing. You bring joy and smiles to everyone you meet. You are a very happy little girl and we get lots of compliments about that. Actually, the comments always, and I mean ALWAYS go like this, "Oh my, look at her blond hair and blue eyes! I just love her hair!!" and then, "Wow, she looks just like Chase! It's scary they look so much alike. Did he have blond hair?" and last, "She is such a happy baby, does she ever cry? Is she always this happy?" If I had a dime for every time we've heard those comments, we'd be rich!

Every single day I have to pinch myself to make sure that this is reality and not a dream, because it sure feels like I'm dreaming. I never imagined I could be this lucky. I had hit the jackpot with your big brother, so hitting it twice was just unimaginable!

We love you sweet Emery!

~ Mommy

Enough with the pictures Mom!
Wrinkling that nose, adorable!

Princess Emery, so beautiful

9 month band aid shot - she would not lay down for anything

Trying to stand on her own, she is just barely holding on to my finger

Me and my Princess!
****I am grateful for
1) 9 unforgettable months!
2) great doctor's visits
3) Chase tests for his next belt on Friday
4) Duchess may come this weekend (please, please, please!)
5) opportunities on the horizon

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Emery's Taggie Minky

Today I decided to attempt my first taggie minky and used the Princess as my guinea pig. Since pink is her signature color, I chose pink and brown. It wasn't really hard, just a little time consuming because I wanted it to be perfect! It's not perfect, but it turned out pretty good. It's about 13x13 inches, one side is soft pink minky material, and the other side is brown chenille. The tags are about 1 1/2' long, double looped, and are either grosgrain or organza ribbon. I think the next one will be easier since I know what steps to take. Really, once the ribbons are pinned and sewn on, it's not very bad. Definitely a learning experience, but a good one! In fact, I'm ready to make a boy one for an upcoming baby shower for Jeff's cousin's wife! Best part was, the Princess seems to really like it!!!!

The picture doesn't really show the pink all that well, but I was trying to hurry so I could post this. Maybe if you click on it bigger, it'll show better. :o)




As an added bonus, here's Princess Emery nice and clean after a bath and happily jumping in the pooperoo (as we call it). Just look at that blond hair and those blue eyes, we are in so much trouble when she's older!!! Thank goodness I have her Daddy and Chase, I'm pretty sure they'll be watching out for her!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) new projects
2) completed projects
3) learning experiences
4) new skills
5) smiling faces

Friday, July 9, 2010

A Boy's Built-In Bestfriend

Everyone knows that boys and girls are different down, ahem, "there." I can remember when Chase was just a tiny baby that his boyhood would get stiff because that's just what those things do apparently. Of course Jeff would just smile and do the whole, "that's my boy!" thing. I, on the other hand, was always asking if this was normal because let's face it, girl stuff just isn't like that! As Chase has gotten bigger we've gotten the occasional, "my teetee hurts" an sure enough there it was standing at attention. Well this last week it has been multiple times a day and the little guy is just miserable with it. I assured him that it would go away and his response was, "how many days will it take?" Jeff looks at me and says, "Days? Has he been taking via.gra?" Oh, the joys of boys!

~ Kahla

***I am grateful for
1) my boys
2) cute comments
3) innocence of children
4) Daddy so he can handle that boy stuff as Chase grows!
5) a sense of humor

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Burp Rags are coming to The Pink Bulldog again!

I went over to my grandma's yesterday since my machine is over there and worked on some new burp rags. I found some super cute material for boys that I just fell in love with and really wanted to see what they would look like. The first set are the only girl rags I did yesterday, but I have a ton of material that needs to be cut and sewn for girls and will have more soon. I'm also about to start playing around with burp rags made w/o the cloth diapers. We'll see how it goes. Remember they measure approx. 19'' x 13 1/2'', are made with soft cotton Gerber cloth diapers, and pricing is:

1 for $6
2 for $10
3 for $15
4 for $20

Shipping will be $3.00 and if you are local then I'm more than glad to meet you to save on shipping!

Adorable for girls!

Could not get these pictures to turn right for anything! The rest on here are for boys.

Brown w/blue polka dots (looks black in this pic, but it's brown)

John Deere


Adorable monkeys!

Stripes (this one is sold, but I have material to make two more)

Circus Pets

Circus Set (again, the striped is sold, but I can make another)

This is just to show how the fabric is sewn down the middle of the cloth diaper.
If you have questions or are interested please go check out The Pink Bulldog or send me an email. If you don't see what you want listed, then conversation me and we'll see what we can do!

Also coming soon to The Pink Bulldog will be baby bandannas (like Emery had on here)!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) shelter
2) naps, oh how I love them when I get them
3) my sewing machine
4) cute stuff
5) new material

Monday, July 5, 2010

What a weekend!


This weekend turned out awesome! The drive to the beach house was horrible. Rain so hard you couldn't see 10 feet in front of you, flooded streets, and unbelievable traffic. However, despite Hurric.ane Alex it rained for maybe 30 minutes during our actual stay. The skies were blue, the wind was blowing, and the heat wasn't even all that hot.

I think Chase made five trips to the beach and Emery made two. Chase was so brave this year and did great on the boogie board (with his life jacket on any time he was in the water). He found tons of shells, dove into the waves, played in the sand. He loved every single minute of it. Emery enjoyed herself as well. She wasn't so sure about the waves, but loved the feel of the sand and splashing in the water. In fact, at one point when she was playing in the sand she had a shell in her mouth before I could stop her! Nothing like digging sand and a seashell out of an almost 9 month old's mouth!! We went into Galveston one day and just enjoyed the drive along the coast.

This little beach house is perfect and such a nice getaway. It's clean, cheaper than a hotel, and within walking distance to the beach. We've been going since 2005 and this was our fifth trip. However, my friend and her husband have decided to put it on the market since their insurance is so high and he has retired this year and they can't afford two house notes. We are so sad to think that this was likely our last trip to our little getaway, but I'm really glad we got to take Emery. On Chase's first trip we have a picture of him getting a bath in the sink, now we have one of her too. Oh the memories.

I hope everyone had a super July 4th, I know we did. Thank you to all of those that are serving/have served and make it possible for us to do just that.








*On a side note, remember that last post about getting stuck in line behind people using their medi.caid cards... I kid you not that it happened again tonight! 3 times in less than three weeks... Ugh!

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) Memories in the making
2) those serving/those that have served to give us our freedom
3) fantastic weather
4) long weekends
5) family time

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Things that totally, completely piss me off.

~ Getting stuck in line behind the people that are paying with their Lone.Star.Card (a.k.a. medicaid) that 1) can't decide on which items they want to buy 2) have to argue over the price of EVERYTHING 3) don't speak English and 4) have to try to figure out what to buy or to put pack when their medicaid won't cover all the items they want. This has happened twice in less than two weeks and I'm sick of it! Both times it has taken waiting in line for 20 minutes. Grrrrrr. The guy behind me the first time made a comment that he was paying with cash, so at least he'd be fast. To that the cashier responded just be thankful you can pay in cash, some people need the help, you don't. I thought about it and agreed for about 2.1 seconds before I wanted to say, "but I bet he also has a job, doesn't have 5 kids under the age of 5, and has enough pride to not live off the government." But I refrained, now I wish I hadn't.

~ Women that are pregnant and take it for granted. Why? Why, why, why do I have to witness stupid stuff pregnant women do? We were outside last night visiting with neighbors when a pg neighbor (three houses down, had never met her) walked up. She promptly grabbed a beer and started drinking. When the person next to her said she wasn't supposed to do that she patted her big pregnant belly and says, "it's not gonna hurt her." You dumbass. There are thousands of women that would give anything to be in your shoes, respect that precious miracle and take care of her! Dumbass (did I already call her that?)!

~ People who text while they are driving. WTF? Really? You can't wait until you're stopped to send that message? I'd rather you not kill my family thank you very much! "Honk if you love Jesus, Text if you want to see him soon." Think about it.

~ Idiots. 'Nuff said.

~ People who feel the need to comment on everything. And I meant EVERYTHING. Nobody cares what you did, when you did it, how well you did it, or that you want to do it again. So shut it.

~ People who get pregnant and 1) didn't want to be pregnant to begin with and 2) had been pregnant before so they obviously know how it happens. If you don't want to be pregnant and you know how it all works, then you prevent it. Condoms, BCPs, the big snip, etc... there are many ways. Quit being a dumbass and when it happens, don't come whining to me about how you can't afford it or you weren't ready or your house isn't big enough or blah, blah, freaking blah. I do not feel sorry for you nor do I really care what you are saying. I'm smiling because I'd like to just knock the snot out of you right now and am imagining just that in my head.

OK, I feel a little better now, so perhaps I'll just end it with that. Sometimes I'm amazed I'm a teacher because I'm totally not a people person (especially when said people are idiots).

We are going to the beach tomorrow for what was supposed to be a great, beachy Fourth of July weekend, but then damn Hurricane.Alex came and ruined that. Now we are going to the beach for a great, wet Fourth of July weekend. Oh well, could be worse, could've been like Ike I guess.

~ Kahla

****I am grateful for
1) washers and dryers
2) good smelling baby lotion
3) long weekends
4) rain, our yard needed it, but I think we have had enough now
5) my new sewing machine