Happy 9 year Anniversary Ryan!

Today is our 9 year wedding anniversary! I am as in love (if not more) as I was when we got married. We have had our ups and downs, but mainly ups and our downs were not that bad. I appreciate that we can talk about anything, work through our problems, and laugh at each other and ourselves often. I swear laughter is the best marriage secret...

I remember a few things about our wedding day that will be forever etched in my brain:
1. It was rainy...not alot, but still. I am now a believer that rain on your wedding day IS a good luck charm.

2. Tommy, our best man, was driving by the cemetery where Ryan's Dad is laid to rest...it was cloudy...but when he drove past there on his way to the church, the clouds parted and the sun shined really bright...then went cloudy again. It was like he was saying, "Tommy, make sure Ryan knows I know what is going on today...and wish him luck." Ha

3. I remember Mer's speech at the reception talking about Ryan's Derriere.

4. I remember Ryan smashing cake in my face and I didn't care less.

5. I remember dancing the night away because when you have a big dress on you can't see the horrid dance moves going on under that huge skirt.

6. I remember my Mom and I eating Chick Fil A for lunch...just the two of us...we were so calm.

7. I remember I couldn't find the right strapless bra and needed some "lift" so duct tape it was...sexy...

8. I remember twirling my dress during our vows. I had my hand behind my back and found a little hole...put my finger in and just twirled and twirled.

9. Our song..."I could not ask for more" by Edwin McCain...love

10. I remember my Dad spun me around before walking me down the aisle...and then he didn't kiss me when he "Handed me over"...we both forgot and were caught up in the moment

11. Mom and I called it our wedding because we both planned it all. And honestly, there were no arguments and we had a blast planning it! It was beautiful...perfect in every way.

Ryan (and Mom) Happy 9 years...cheers to 9 more!

(I texted Ryan the above sentence this morning since he is out of town. He promptly responded, "Let's just take it one year at a time") I'm so loved....

Tata,
Carrie

What is the latest?!

I started this post out with pictures of the babes...Hagen and Noah are attached at the hip so there is rarely a pic of just him anymore! I must do bullet points because I have alot to share, but no real importance...

1. Hazel was sick a few weeks ago with an ear infection and croup and I actually was able to rock her to sleep. Even waking up at the night I would go up, pick her up, and rock her back to sleep. It was bliss...I miss rocking sweet babies. She is so independent and easy to get to bed so rocking was never her thing...it was a few weeks ago and I loved it!


2. At dinner one night Hagen was discussing what he learned at school. It was manners week. In the middle of his "speech" Hazel farted SO loud in her High chair. We all laughed...well, except Hagen who promptly looked at her in disgust and said, "Hazel Grace, that is NOT good manners!"


3. My little sweet darling girl is the bully in class...yep, the youngest and the mightiest. She is known as the hair puller! I've recently been able to put a pony tail on her head and she even pulls her own hair! I pick her up lately and she looks like Foghorn Leghorn with her hairstyle. she also gets very jealous if I say hi to her friends before greeting her royal hiness.


4. One day I dropped her off in her class and she quickly crawled over to this tunnel thing and looked to make sure I was watching. She crawled through it and then back through and was clapping for herself! Well, another sweet little boy crawled through and came out and sat next to her and clapped too and she looked at him and stuck her lip out and immediatly face planted into the carpet and cried. He stole her thunder I guess.


5. Hagen has started going on field trips! Last week was the fire station and this week the pumpkin patch! I don't know if he is excited more about the actual place or the BUS!!!


6. I took him to the doctor the other day...he had a sore tongue...I paid a co-pay for a canker sore. I had them too, we ate too much pineapple!


7. Hagen FINALLY broke the 30 pound mark! He is 32 pounds and Hazel is 17...she will be one in a few weeks (I'm already crying) and I am so curious to see what she is! Hagen was 18 I believe...


8. The above picture of Hagen and Noah was from this past Saturday. There was a modeling search going on for Dallas Child and Kim Dawson. My sister in law was taking Noah and wanted me to take Hagen so she would have a buddy. I did and was SHOCKED at how good he did! He had to walk a catwalk ladies...and he did...he waved...he talked to the panel of judges like he owned it. I think he is adorable...wonder if we will get a call? No biggie if we don't. Ryan is just outraged and afraid I'm going to become "toddlers and tiera's" like...no chance.


9. Ryan is traveling again and it is hunting season...no comment except I am SO over it! I need a girls weekend that is cheap. Why is it that it is so easy for guys to get away and us ladies are stuck at home? I mean, when I leave I make sure there is food in the kitchen, activities are planned, etc. but when the men leave it's like they just make sure they have their bags packed. Ryan is a great dad and a wonderful hubby, but I'm just sick of being by myself!


10. NOW, when he is in town we do date night...we sit on the patio and drink and talk. It is FABULOUS! I have SO much enjoyed our date nights. Especially since the kids sleep in until about 8:30 so no need for too bad of a hangover!!

That's all I got!

Tata,

Carrie

Hazel...

Hazel moved up today from the itty bitty room...she is now in the not so itty bitty room...I'm sad about this but not terribly sad. I think the "I know she is my last baby" part is just not sitting well with me! Look at sweet Hazel working on her walking on the beach...
Hazel was by far the best dressed at the beach...everyday something smocked, delicate, or lacy...adorable. This bishop dress is something I got when I was pregnant with her. It is 9 months but is still SO long! It's not her...the dress is WAY long! I'm so excited to keep it for next year and she can wear it again!!

Hazel has been taking a few steps lately...2-3 at a time. She has been standing and squatting for a few months, but the walking thing she is taking her time. The thing about her walking is she moves the left foot far and the right one not so much...so she pivots like a gimp! It is so cute when she is holding one of our hands and she gets all excited and walks...It's like she is tap dancing!

Hazel also sprouted her 3rd tooth...the first one on the top. She has been working to get that sucker out for MONTHS!! Her poor little gums have been swollen for awhile now...relieved for her to get it out!!

So, at school (in the itty bitty room) she didn't nap except for a couple of 10-20 minute naps. In her new class there is a nap time and they all go down at the same time, lights out, lullaby music playing, etc. I hope and pray that she takes to this nap thing at school! She naps at home on the weekends for 2-3 hours! The thing with weekdays is by the time I get her and come home she is so sleepy! I rush to get dinner on the table and have her eat before she melts down. Usually around 5:30 she is D.O.N.E...oftentimes whining "nigh nigh". She goes down without a whimper...

She will be 11 months on October 4th...time flies when you are having fun!

Tata,

Carrie

Destin 2011

We just got back from one of the best Destin trips so far! We have been going for about 20 years now and it is such a different experience when you have kids. I still remember my first kiss was in the stairwell of one of the condos years ago...so romantic.
One thing I was worried about was how Hazel was going to react to the sand. There was no need to worry as she is a natural beach baby! She ate alot of it, but was having the best time! I think the water was a bit cold for her because she didn't like sitting in it or having it splashed up on her, so she hung out with buckets and shovels watching Hagen, Noah, and Emily enjoy the surf!

The first two days there was a hurricane producing alot of rain and wind and tornadoes (none near us) so we were locked in. BUT the house that we stayed at was HUGE and lots of running around room! We stocked up on groceries so we were good to go! Mom and I did the shopping and we were in trouble for not getting any candy or anything for adults. We usually keep bite size snickers in the freezer when we go to the beach, but we were trying to be good...we regret that decision!!

Hagen had an absolute BLAST chasing birds, catching fish (not successful), body surfing, and just running around! At one point he had to go potty (#1) and I told him to do it in the water. Not thinking about it, he turned around walked to the edge of the surf, dropped trowel and I ran up and pulled them up and told him to go in his swimsuit IN the water. I'm not sure if he just held it or actually went...the look on his face was priceless like "EW, that's besgustin Mom!!"

One of our favorite things to do is chill at the beach or shop during the day and then get cleaned up for dinner! All of us love going out to eat at different places! We ate like royalty on this trip...only staying in the last night to pack and eat leftovers in the fridge. Hagen really liked my crab legs so one night he ordered them (they were on the kids menu). Glad Ryan was sitting next to him to crack them all open! Ha!

We drank our weight in Bloody Mary's (well I did), we had dippin dots, we ate sand...best of all, we made memories that I will never forget. FABULOUS trip!

Tata,

Carrie

Random Bits!

Hi there...man, recovering from food poisoning! It was quick and fairly painless, but I was so worried I had a virus and today is so busy at work! Whew...dodged a bullet.

I have a few things to discuss...best in bullets:
1. Hazel is standing...she will be crawling around and just pop up! No need to pull up on anything either. She is so very gentle with herself going down...easy squats. She also took her first step last night! Go Hazel go!! you are 10 months old...

2. Ryan is FINALLY done traveling! He has been gone every 2-3 weeks from Sunday to Sunday since January. He has worked so hard...never complained...good guy. So proud of you Ryan!! Glad to have him back, but I'll be honest...he messes up my routine and it DRIVES.ME.CRAZY.

3. I have been working out and I am loving it! My cholesterol was high last time I had a physical and I am positioned to possibly have diabetes when I get older, so I am really trying to get use to a program that I like and can stick with. I'll be honest, I'm doing Insanity right now...2 months of videos...I don't see me doing it forever. I like going to the gym instead of doing videos at home.

4. The other day while driving home from work Hagen said he had blue eyes. I said so do I! He asked what Ryan's and Hazel's were and I said...Hazel! He was confused. I said Hazel means a name and a color! He then asked what his eyes are named...confused little pup. I said that our eyes don't have a name and that his eyes are just blue! He then yelled, "Why didn't you name me Captain America!!!" The horror...I never thought of that name son...I'm sorry...

5. At dinner last night I got my first "Duh" from my precious spawn. I quickly looked at him and said, "NEVER say that to me again. If you do a toy will be taken and put on the refrigerator (that is the toy graveyard in our house". He accidentally said it again and now Spiderman is getting a rest from the monster on top of the fridge. I thought only prissy teenage girls say duh?

6. So Ryan has been hitting the gym too. Yesterday he went to the one in McKinney which he rarely goes to. He went into the locker room, changed...noticed it didn't smell like a sweaty locker room, went to the potty (hmm...no urinals), and then was walking out and noticed a tampon machine...right when a lady asked him if he was lost! At the gym he normally goes to the guys locker room is in the opposite place of this location. He changed (butt naked) in the ladies locker room, peed with the stall open while people (ladies) were showering, etc. He was MORTIFIED! He kept telling me, "That could have been bad...like really so bad..."

7. I am working on getting Hazel use to a sippy. She gets her morning and night formula in a sippy and gets her bottles at school. She is going to be moving up from the infant class in two weeks! She was SUCH a great eater but now has decided that carbs are the shit and doesn't want anything else. I am working on that big time.

8. Work is going great! Lots of good people are interviewing and I am feeling very productive. Still loving what I get to do everyday!

Tata,
Carrie

Hagen started Pre-K

Hagen started Pre-K last week. All new toys, new friends, new rules, and new classroom. He was so excited! It isn't anything different really...just a class next door to where he was. Whenever he moves up it is like no big deal for him.

I look at pictures of Hagen and am just in shock at how fast he is growing up. The other day I noticed that he has shoulder muscles! I received my first "drawing of Mommy" from him the other day and it was the cute bubble body with stick arms and legs and circle feet. It was the most beautiful picture of myself...I loved it!

He continues to love on Hazel every chance he can get. I feel so lucky that he genuinely likes her (for now). He shares his toys, plays with her, helps her try to walk, tells her no when she is in the water bowl or trash, and is always kissing and hugging her.

This Pre-K is going to focus on writing letters (not tracing anymore), writing his name better, better control of a pencil, etc. I have been so happy with the school I have the kids in.

He has recently become a fan of "Super Why"...it is a great show! Teaches spelling, etc. Very pleased.

I love you sweet Hagen James...I am so proud of the little man you are...you make Mama so proud!

Muah,

Mama

Hazel is 9 months old!

Aww...sweet baby girl...you are 9 months old!
Hazel is Miss Independent! She feeds herself, is into everything (loves the dog food/water area), stands for a little while, crawls good in her dresses (because she had to learn...she will be wearing dresses no matter how in the way they are), and is just so cute!

One thing that I love about her is when she wakes up, she just sits in her crib and waits to be saved. Not a sound is made from her room...so patient!! On the weekends she is in there til about 8:30 when Hagen wakes up. We are SO lucky!

Her stats:

Weight: 15 pounds 5 ounces (3%)

Height: 27 3/4 inches (50%)

Head: 17 inches (25%)

She is loved and adored by Hagen...never a sign of jealousy on his part. I'm shocked! Hazel is known as the paci stealer at school. She cruises from crib to crib in search of every one's paci's. She still only naps a couple of times at school for about 15-30 minutes. But at home on the weekends she takes a good long nap. She doesn't belly laugh, but squeals with delight quite a bit. I'm kinda hoping that she starts walking soon because we are going to the beach in a month and it will be nice to have a walker instead of a crawler on the sand.

You are such a sweet girl Hazel...and you are a joy to have in the family! You are starting to really have a cute personality and not be as serious as you have always been. You do NOT like being thrown in the air at all!

Love,

Mama