Max loves tractors. And trucks.
Nick loves balls. And watching football.
Gracie loves talking. And singing.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Story time at Gracie's school
I read to Gracie's school this morning. I was under the impression that I'd just be reading to her class, but it was the entire school - maybe 40 students. It was all good. I welcomed the larger audience :)
Gracie picked out the story last night - I Love it When You Smile. It's about a little kangaroo was wakes up in a grumpy mood and everything his mom does to make him smile doesn't work. They go out to breakfast and on the way, while hopping side to side, Roo's mom slips and they both wind up in a muddy pool at the bottom of the hill. Roo can't do anything else other than smile. :)
The kids loved it and Gracie was so proud and happy. I enjoyed being there for Gracie. These are the moments that I can never replace and certainly never have back.
I felt the story wasn't long enough, but Steph assured me that if they wanted me to read more, they would have asked me to.
Gracie picked out the story last night - I Love it When You Smile. It's about a little kangaroo was wakes up in a grumpy mood and everything his mom does to make him smile doesn't work. They go out to breakfast and on the way, while hopping side to side, Roo's mom slips and they both wind up in a muddy pool at the bottom of the hill. Roo can't do anything else other than smile. :)
The kids loved it and Gracie was so proud and happy. I enjoyed being there for Gracie. These are the moments that I can never replace and certainly never have back.
I felt the story wasn't long enough, but Steph assured me that if they wanted me to read more, they would have asked me to.
Mr. Mom
Long time, no talk. I apologize for the lapse in communication. The work transition has kept us busy, needless to say.
I have been playing Mr. Mom since Wednesday afternoon. Stephanie is teaching at the State thespian conference in Corpus and has been planned for months now, I'm taking the reigns.
Busy and fed - as in, keep them busy and keep them fed - has been my strategy and so far, it has worked. Wednesday after we dropped Steph off at the airport, we went to Target (after our hour drive back to Wylie) and rolled around there for awhile. I had multiple snacks at my disposal and even though they might have curbed the kids' appetite for dinner, they got us through.
Yesterday, we did the Ikea trip. While Gracie played in the playland there, the boys were enthralled with the store and the new environment. Again, snacks in hand got us through.
Yesterday afternoon, we went to the choo-choo train park at Firewheel where they could run and play. And they did. Then I fed them.
In between each one of these outings, they get fed some more and put down for bed. While all that's going on, I try to squeeze in as much work as I can.
My mom is coming today (YAY!) and while I don't think I need the help, it will certainly be welcome. It honestly hasn't been as challenging as I thought it would be. To do this day in and day out, that might be a different story. God bless Stephanie (and all the other stay-at-home moms & dads out there) for doing this everyday.
I have been playing Mr. Mom since Wednesday afternoon. Stephanie is teaching at the State thespian conference in Corpus and has been planned for months now, I'm taking the reigns.
Busy and fed - as in, keep them busy and keep them fed - has been my strategy and so far, it has worked. Wednesday after we dropped Steph off at the airport, we went to Target (after our hour drive back to Wylie) and rolled around there for awhile. I had multiple snacks at my disposal and even though they might have curbed the kids' appetite for dinner, they got us through.
Yesterday, we did the Ikea trip. While Gracie played in the playland there, the boys were enthralled with the store and the new environment. Again, snacks in hand got us through.
Yesterday afternoon, we went to the choo-choo train park at Firewheel where they could run and play. And they did. Then I fed them.
In between each one of these outings, they get fed some more and put down for bed. While all that's going on, I try to squeeze in as much work as I can.
My mom is coming today (YAY!) and while I don't think I need the help, it will certainly be welcome. It honestly hasn't been as challenging as I thought it would be. To do this day in and day out, that might be a different story. God bless Stephanie (and all the other stay-at-home moms & dads out there) for doing this everyday.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Our (sick) day at the "Festival"
Gracie and I were the only non-sickly Cearleys so we decided to lug everyone down to the Festival. They loved it. Especially Steph. :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
The flu of swine
The swine flu has infected one of us. Max - poor guy - got it, really out of nowhere. Ironically, we thought Nick and Gracie might have it, but the doctor cleared both of them. At the time, Max, too, had a clean bill of health. Overnight, it changed.
His breathing has been the most concerning, but today, a day into taking medicines, he sounds much better. It's weird, he's not even showing signs of the 'flu.' No fever, no tummy issues. i don't know if his body aches, but by his demeanor, he's just normal ol' Max.
Last night, Nick started running a fever, but we've been able to control it with Tylenol and Motrin.
Stephanie has a twinge in her throat. Most of all, she's got a serious case of cabin fever. Woo-sah, baby, woo-sah.
His breathing has been the most concerning, but today, a day into taking medicines, he sounds much better. It's weird, he's not even showing signs of the 'flu.' No fever, no tummy issues. i don't know if his body aches, but by his demeanor, he's just normal ol' Max.
Last night, Nick started running a fever, but we've been able to control it with Tylenol and Motrin.
Stephanie has a twinge in her throat. Most of all, she's got a serious case of cabin fever. Woo-sah, baby, woo-sah.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Another new chapter
Man, once things get away from you, time flies by. I have not written here for quite awhile. We are alive!!!!
Boys are boys and that is probably the biggest reason for little written communication via this friendly blog. The boys, it seems, have leaped right into the terrible 2's phase and are giving us a run for the money. I don't know how Stephanie is able to keep it together some days. Max can probably knock the door down, if he really tried. He's already figured out how to open it, and when he doesn't get what he wants, after asking in his baby-talk way, he just keeps on and on. Persistent little man. Nick is right there with him, but he lets big brother lead the way and rope him into all sorts of mischief. His hair is finally growing in and in a way, he looks like a little, skinny Max.
Gracie is Miss Smarty-pants and quite the performer. We catch her singing to herself, mostly made-up songs. Sometimes we'll hear a rif from The Little Mermaid or The Lion King. She dances, too. And loves to act out plays. I think she mostly likes to dress up and then "put on plays" which really consist of a song and a courtsey. It's the cutest thing ever.
Steph and I are trying to ride the wave of transition in our lives right now. I accepted another job with another company, which I start next Wednesday. It is a really good opportunity for me and one that I'm really excited about. I'm sad, too, because I've been at imc2 for 4 years now. Made lots of friends. Done lots of really good work. But it is time to move on.
Our friends, Melissa and Scott Thrasher, have moved out of their house and are living back home in Alabama. Melissa was such an incredible friend to Stephanie. It's a huge loss to not have her right across the street anymore.
A new chapter in our lives has definitely begun. Hopefully, I will do a better job documenting this one than I did the last.
Boys are boys and that is probably the biggest reason for little written communication via this friendly blog. The boys, it seems, have leaped right into the terrible 2's phase and are giving us a run for the money. I don't know how Stephanie is able to keep it together some days. Max can probably knock the door down, if he really tried. He's already figured out how to open it, and when he doesn't get what he wants, after asking in his baby-talk way, he just keeps on and on. Persistent little man. Nick is right there with him, but he lets big brother lead the way and rope him into all sorts of mischief. His hair is finally growing in and in a way, he looks like a little, skinny Max.
Gracie is Miss Smarty-pants and quite the performer. We catch her singing to herself, mostly made-up songs. Sometimes we'll hear a rif from The Little Mermaid or The Lion King. She dances, too. And loves to act out plays. I think she mostly likes to dress up and then "put on plays" which really consist of a song and a courtsey. It's the cutest thing ever.
Steph and I are trying to ride the wave of transition in our lives right now. I accepted another job with another company, which I start next Wednesday. It is a really good opportunity for me and one that I'm really excited about. I'm sad, too, because I've been at imc2 for 4 years now. Made lots of friends. Done lots of really good work. But it is time to move on.
Our friends, Melissa and Scott Thrasher, have moved out of their house and are living back home in Alabama. Melissa was such an incredible friend to Stephanie. It's a huge loss to not have her right across the street anymore.
A new chapter in our lives has definitely begun. Hopefully, I will do a better job documenting this one than I did the last.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Boys 18 mos. appt
Max is 26 lbs. Nick is 20 lbs. Max does NOT like the doctor, even when he is just checking his breathing. Nick doesn't mind. Max wanted to get out of there ASAP. So did Nick.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
July Catch Up
So, we had such an insanely busy July, we didn't do it justice on our blog. Mike does the best he can, but I (Stephanie) should contribute a bit more. Thus, my first blog!
July 5-11 Whirlwind trip to Austin, New Braunfels/Schlitterbahn for Cearley/Key family reunion, San Antonio for Virginia's wedding. Had a GREAT time. Lots of bonding time, water sports, bbq-ing, and Wii competition. Gracie's birthday was celebrated there for the first time. Her actual birthday is July 17th, so we made cupcakes at home for that.
July 26 - 27 We had the family (my side included, this time) in town the next weekend for her Pool Party. What a great time - she had her cousins and friends all around her. The plan was to have her leave that afternoon with my sister, Uncle Matt, and the cousins to go to The Woodlands for 5 days. It was to be the longest she's ever been away from us, but, we knew how good it would be for her, my mom and us. Well, the time came to leave and she was having NONE of that, screaming, crying, etc. This really equalled the excitment of the whole day, her exhaustion and it being past her naptime. She slept a SOLID 2 1/2 hours (all the while, my brother was stuck at the car dealer - another long story..)and was ready to blaze to Houston upon waking!
The week was very difficult for Mike and I, missing her so much. But, she LOVED it! She swam almost every day in Yiayia's pool, played with her cousins, went to her very first movie in the theatre with Amalia and Yiayia - UP! Meanwhile, I was just counting the days, as believe it or not, it was very quiet around the house without her. We left bright and early Friday morning for The Woodlands, as I was planning a surprise "Diaper Shower" for my sister. I was brave and attempted making a diaper cake and it came out so cute! We told Ange that the gathering at mom's house was for her birthday (which was the next day) and managed to pull off a surprise for her. As nice as it was, it's still a bitter-sweet thing to have a gathering and my dad not be there. We all had moments of disbelief that he wasn't there. I think Andrea really enjoyed the Shower and better yet, the 4th baby Balfour will be set for at least 6 months with diapers! After all the hooplah of food, cake (provided so generously by Athena) and presents, we all spent the afternoon swimming. Gracie had improved her swimming so much over that week. We were all amazed that she didn't need her floaties at all! Papou would have been proud.
On our way back to Wylie, Mike and I both agreed we needed some non-travelling R&R time. Unfortunately, the R&R turned into a month of home improvements - as you'll see in Mike's blogs.
Mike's birthday is July 31st and our anniversary is the 28th of July. For whatever reason, those two dates get sorely overlooked every year. We did have a "date night" to celebrate our anniversary, though. He is such a hard working husband, father and provider. I need to take more time to plan better to celebrate him. They say "Everything happens for a reason." Well, our opportunity to go to Austin City Limits Festival this year and go backstage to meet our all-time (mine:) favorite Dave Matthews Band was taken away. We're very sad, but are still planning on going to Austin the same weekend and Terri has agreed to babysit while we go camping. This will be his birthday party - just he and I. First time in 5 years. Happy Birthday, love!
July 5-11 Whirlwind trip to Austin, New Braunfels/Schlitterbahn for Cearley/Key family reunion, San Antonio for Virginia's wedding. Had a GREAT time. Lots of bonding time, water sports, bbq-ing, and Wii competition. Gracie's birthday was celebrated there for the first time. Her actual birthday is July 17th, so we made cupcakes at home for that.
July 26 - 27 We had the family (my side included, this time) in town the next weekend for her Pool Party. What a great time - she had her cousins and friends all around her. The plan was to have her leave that afternoon with my sister, Uncle Matt, and the cousins to go to The Woodlands for 5 days. It was to be the longest she's ever been away from us, but, we knew how good it would be for her, my mom and us. Well, the time came to leave and she was having NONE of that, screaming, crying, etc. This really equalled the excitment of the whole day, her exhaustion and it being past her naptime. She slept a SOLID 2 1/2 hours (all the while, my brother was stuck at the car dealer - another long story..)and was ready to blaze to Houston upon waking!
The week was very difficult for Mike and I, missing her so much. But, she LOVED it! She swam almost every day in Yiayia's pool, played with her cousins, went to her very first movie in the theatre with Amalia and Yiayia - UP! Meanwhile, I was just counting the days, as believe it or not, it was very quiet around the house without her. We left bright and early Friday morning for The Woodlands, as I was planning a surprise "Diaper Shower" for my sister. I was brave and attempted making a diaper cake and it came out so cute! We told Ange that the gathering at mom's house was for her birthday (which was the next day) and managed to pull off a surprise for her. As nice as it was, it's still a bitter-sweet thing to have a gathering and my dad not be there. We all had moments of disbelief that he wasn't there. I think Andrea really enjoyed the Shower and better yet, the 4th baby Balfour will be set for at least 6 months with diapers! After all the hooplah of food, cake (provided so generously by Athena) and presents, we all spent the afternoon swimming. Gracie had improved her swimming so much over that week. We were all amazed that she didn't need her floaties at all! Papou would have been proud.
On our way back to Wylie, Mike and I both agreed we needed some non-travelling R&R time. Unfortunately, the R&R turned into a month of home improvements - as you'll see in Mike's blogs.
Mike's birthday is July 31st and our anniversary is the 28th of July. For whatever reason, those two dates get sorely overlooked every year. We did have a "date night" to celebrate our anniversary, though. He is such a hard working husband, father and provider. I need to take more time to plan better to celebrate him. They say "Everything happens for a reason." Well, our opportunity to go to Austin City Limits Festival this year and go backstage to meet our all-time (mine:) favorite Dave Matthews Band was taken away. We're very sad, but are still planning on going to Austin the same weekend and Terri has agreed to babysit while we go camping. This will be his birthday party - just he and I. First time in 5 years. Happy Birthday, love!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Another project finished
The screened in patio project is finished. Technically, it needs another coat of white all the way around. Steph thinks it could use another coat of green, too. But I am calling it quits. For now. We need to do the floor, but it will wait.
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