Carseats:Then and Now

I am getting ready for another consignment sale, so I got the infant carriers out of the attic today. As, I'm cleaning then up I can't help but feel a little sad. Where has the time gone? Why is my baby boy in Kindergarten already and why is my baby girl already 2 1/2?

I thought it would be funny to have the kids take pictures in their old carriers, and of course they thought it was so hilarious!

Jake's first time in the car seat leaving the hospital.

Taking a ride at 4 1/2 months.

My big boy today.

Paige's first ride in the carseat leaving the hospital.

Cruising in the car at 3 months.

My BIG babies!

Even Daddy got in on the fun!

Real Life/Blog Life collide

Six months ago I had no idea what the blogging world involved. I read a few of my friends blogs, but never intended to do one of my own. Several doctor's wives that I know from med school and several others that I don't know started a blog just for us to have a place to go to talk, share, or vent. So, last night seven of us got together at the Melting Pot to "meet." I am already friends with Joy and Trisha, but I got to meet four other amazing girls. We had a great time! We are hoping next time more people can come, but everyone is scattered around the US. We are thinking Vegas might be a great place to meet....ha!

Top: Me, Trisha, Joy, Desiree Bottom: Darrica, Cindi, Allison

Check out that dessert!

Water Balloon Fun

Cutie Pie Cut

Paige got her first real haircut. She had a little trim a few months ago, but this was an actual cut. Megan took 2 inches off her hair! Paige has little ringlets in the back and then the sides are sort of straight. Megan straightened it before she cut it, and Paige looked like such a big girl!

As you can see, she's pretty happy with her new haircut. She kept smiling in the mirror saying, "Miss Megan cut my hair. So pretty." She said those same two sentences all day long...over and over!

I must admit, I feel pretty when I get my hair done too.

Happy Birthday Brad

Tonight we took Brad to eat at Speedy's for his birthday. Jake told the waitress that it was his Daddy's birthday and he wanted him to wear a hat. Brad resisted, but finally gave in because Jake really wanted him to put it on.

We came home and celebrated with cupcakes and icecream. There is nothing better than a Merritt's cupcake...yum!

Happy Birthday Brad! We love you and hope today was extra special!

A Little Getaway

Brad and I took a trip to Dallas to celebrate his birthday. We had an amazing time! We did lots of shopping, eating, laying by the pool, movie watching , and just hanging out. We missed the kids, but it sure was nice to have a weekend to ourselves.

This was left in our room. The strawberrries were so yummy!

Thank you Mom for watching our sweet babies while we were gone!

Girl's Night Out

Last night we went out to celebrate Joy's birthday. I have such an amazing group of friends here and that's what I will miss most about Tulsa. There are 7 of us that hang out all the time. All of our husbands went to medical school together, so we have a tight bond. Our kids all play together and all of our husbands are friends. It's a group of girls that I know I will keep up throughout the years. We have girl's night out pretty often and it's something that I always look forward to!

Girlie Girl

My girl is a girlie girl. She loves to wear dresses and twirls around in them every time she has one on. She loves her tutu. She loves to watch me put on make-up. She loves her bows. Every morning when I get her dressed she says, "Need bow." She likes to pick them out herself, but of course they don't always match, so I have to steer her in the right direction. She loves to play dolls and kitchen. She loves to play tea set and her "pretend" drink of choice...Diet Coke! Wonder where she gets that? She loves to wear my shoes. She loves to push her babies around in her shopping cart. She loves to take care of her brother...bringing him milk and giving him hugs. She is such a joy to be around and I couldn't be luckier to have a daughter like her. She is such a Mommy's girl and I hope she always will be!

1st day of Kindergarten

This morning Jake was really nervous about starting Kindergarten. I thought he would be OK since we had already met his teacher, but the nerves set back in for Jake (and Mommy.) He wouldn't even eat his breakfast. Brad was off work this morning, so he was able to go with me to take Jake to school. I think that really helped!

By the time we picked Jake up today he was so happy! He hopped in the car and told us school was "awesome!" He said his favorite part of the day was eating in the cafeteria. They served hotdogs today. I wish that I could have seen him walking with his tray to the table like a big boy!

Jake and his teacher, Mrs. Schuler.

I am so thankful his day went well. I thought about him all day and wondered what he was doing. I think this is going to be a great year for him! He's excited about the Mac N Cz in the cafeteria tomorrow....

Tiny Thief

I can't imagine who would have gotten my wallet out of my purse and dumped out the change?

Does the pink bank give it away?

Ready to Rule the School

This little guy is finally ready to take kindergarten by force after meeting his teacher today.

All summer long he has been very anxious about kindergarten. He even said, "Mommy, every time you talk about kindergarten my tummy hurts." That totally broke my heart! He said that he was scared because he wouldn't have any friends from his preschool class there.

Today was a different story once we met his teacher and saw his classroom. He is excited and ready to tackle kindergarten! I know I feel better. I was a little anxious too, even though I didn't tell him that!

Mmm...I smell cookies

One of our favorite things to do together is make cookies.

Paige is such a big helper!

Are they done yet?

I want this one!

What could be better than chocolate chip/M&M cookies?

Wicked

We saw the play Wicked this afternoon with the Poets. It was really good....very well written and super entertaining! It's the untold story of what happens in Oz before Dorothy.

Random piece of info:

We even saw Trisha Yearwood there. I was star struck, but no one in my group would allow me to talk to her...ha! It was probably best. Everyone left her alone, and I'm sure she appreciated that. I have always liked her. The song that made her famous was...."She's in love with the boy" and it had my name in it. "Katie and Tommy at the drive in movies parked in the very last row...." Remember that one?

Thanks to G&P for watching the kids! It was a much needed date!

Inner Peace

I took the kids to the pool today and as I'm watching them play I start to think about the summer. I think I can say without a doubt this has been the best summer I've ever had! Why? Well, I think it has to do with an inner peace I have. For the last 6 summers, I have either been:
*obsessed with trying to get pregnant
*actually being pregnant
*having a newborn
*trying to loose the baby weight (and not wanting to be in a swimsuit)
*having a toddler
*working around feeding and nap time
***Now, repeat the last 6 things over again for baby number 2!

This summer has been amazing! Both of the kids are old enough to actually enjoy swimming and other summer activities without me having to worry about the items listed above. We just "go and do" all the time and just have a blast! I have really enjoyed watching them play together now that Paige is old enough to talk and do most of the same things that Jake can do. They really are the best of friends. My heart melts when I see them laughing and playing. God has truly blessed me with this great life, and I'm so thankful for what he has given me. I have always longed to be a wife and mother. I am leading the life I always wanted.

I made a goal at the beginning of the summer to fully enjoy my kids. For most of the summer, my house has been messy. Right now, I have dirty dishes in the dishwasher that need to be unloaded. My bed isn't made. Toys are everywhere. But, do I regret taking my kids to the pool today instead of making this a "clean up" day? NO WAY!

As school starts next week and summer comes to an end, I will know that I did everything I could this summer to enjoy my beautiful children.....without regrets.

Parasailing

Myrtle Beach

We had the most amazing time in Myrtle Beach! It has taken me so long to post the pictures, because I had to weed through all 350ish of them...ha! Yes, I love my camera. I will let the pictures tell the story of our vacation. Many great memories were made!

J&P took their first plane ride. Jake loved it and was completely entertained by looking out the window and watching a movie on the Iphone. Paige, on the other hand, was entertained by candy, stickers, and more candy. Did I mention candy? She even threw a few big screaming fits when she had to get buckled for the take-off and landing. Needless to say, I sure did enjoy that glass of wine once we got to Myrtle Beach...ha! I needed it.

We saw this sting ray being reeled in by a fisherman.

This baby shark washed up on the shore next to Brad. It was still alive, but looked wounded.

Awww....ya we still got it.

Jim, Chandra, Brad, and I went parasailing. Jake went along for the ride. It was amazing! I will post those pictures later. They are really good!

Uncle John and Aunt Diana who so graciously hosted us all week!

We had so much fun burying eachother in the sand!

The guys and Aunt Diana played golf. I hope that next time we go back I will be good enough to play. Myrtle Beach has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the country!

Nana watched the kids a couple of nights, so we could hit the town! Here we are sitting on the back deck of the Dead Dog Saloon enjoying the view of the beach.

On our last day Aunt Diana took Mom, Paige, and me to Charleston. We took a horse drawn carriage through the historical sites. We toured an old southern mansion that was just breath-taking! I love the south!

Here's my southern belle on the balcony of the mansion.

Back from vacation, Back to reality!