Swim Season

We had our first swim of the year. We are lucky to have an aunt and uncle that have a beautiful pool that they heated up for us to swim in Friday night. It was a blast. When they asked us to come over it kind of through me off because I didn't really have swimsuits for the kids. Luckily, some friends gave us a bag of girl clothes for Lexie and I found one her size in there! Tripp's was a 12 month size but it fit him just fine and he was so cute. I can't say the same for me. Ha!

The last time we swam back in August Lexie was still very scary around a pool. She would run up to the edge as if she were just going to fall right in. Before she had the chance we would swoop her up so I'm not sure if she would have or not. She was also obsessed with going up and down steps or getting in and out of the pool and running around. Friday night was much more relaxing! She was more careful around the pool and we didn't have to follow her around constantly with worry. She was cautious and more aware. She mostly stayed on the top step splashing and kicking and dumping water on people. Tripp loved the water too. He looked so cute in his little swim trunks. His feet were so wrinkled when we got out of the water. It was a great night! Thank you Tina, Doug, and Dana for having us over and for the yummy shrimp dinner! Doesn't get much better than that!

he wouldn't take his eyes off the water when we lifted him out

Livestock Show

I have been going to the Houston rodeo for years and I am sad to say I never paid any attention to the livestock show part. It was always all about the concert I got to attend! :( Well, not this year. I didn't get to see anyone in concert this year, but today we headed to see all the animals they had.

All I can say is, Oh my Gosh! I was so impressed and I actually wanted to stay longer. There were many things that we couldn't do because of our kids' age or because of lines like the mechanical bull, milking a cow, and pony rides which all sound like fun! We got to see many cows, rabbits (which we got to pet), honeybees, chicks, play in the petting zoo, and sit on a big tractor. Lexie loved all of it, and she wanted to see the pigs the most and seemed to really be interested in the eggs the hens had laid. She actually wanted to stay in the petting zoo too. She loved watching the goats eat hay.

sitting on a real tractor

My favorite part was the maternity ward (ha!) It was incredible.

There were several sets of piglets nursing from their mommies. One set was just born yesterday so they still had their umbilical cords on. Aww. They were precious.

There were lambs and calves as well that were only days old.

Then they had a sheep and 2 cows that were actually in labor!!! I wanted to stay there and watch so bad, but they said it could still be several hours before the calf was born. Perhaps delivering babies is so fresh in my mind. I felt so bad staring at the cow and I could feel her pain. I thought about what a wimp I must be because they don't even get the option of an epidural. I asked the caretaker if they make noises during this process. She said they might moan or grunt but not too loudly and not very often. She seemed to be so calm. She was breathing a little heavy and was mostly laying down. The 2nd time I came around to see her she was standing up. Man, how I wanted to see her give birth! It was so cool! I am weird I know...but I wonder what animals are thinking all the time. Do they get excited about the births of their babies or is this just a process of life for them? Do they even have feelings of excitement? I know I am strange. I analyze everything.

We had a great day with our friends and I think next year will be even better.

I dressed Lexie up in western gear the best I could. She was so darn cute...

Lexie is 2!

Monday, March 16th was a special day in our house! We celebrated Lexie's 2nd Birthday! What a joy she has been in our lives. I giggle at her all day long at the expressions she makes, things she says or attempts to say, her singing, just her curiosity of her surroundings, the way she looks when she's watching her favorite shows, the way she walks and runs, and her overabundance of energy! Randall and I have tried to explain the love we have for our children and we can't...all we can say is it's just different than anything else we've ever experienced. There is an overwhelming sense of completeness and joy that overcomes me when I try to comprehend the love I feel for her and Tripp. It's like a heavenly place when I put the things of this world aside and try to wrap my mind around their creation and existence in my life. I can only imagine what true Heaven will be like.

We celebrated with dinner outside at Black Walnut Cafe. Lexie enjoyed grilled chicken and broccoli. We had been talking up the idea all day about going to buy fish for her new fish tank she received. She was so excited! After Black Walnut we headed to PetSmart to pick out her fish! She loves looking at the fish at the pet store so she was ecstatic to actually be holding fish in her hands in the bag! Her fish tank is all set up in her room. She loves feeding them when she wakes up and before she goes to bed. We had a great day...more to come from her birthday party!

my new blocks! They're so fun!

Park day

Sunday all four of us went on a jog to the park. I actually made it running the whole time with Randall (although he pushed the jogger). However, I actually felt like I got a good run in for the first time in a while. Hopefully I will keep improving!

It was a rather warm day and I actually got sunburned! I didn't notice it until Sunday night though. I guess it's time to start pulling out the sunscreen!

Nothing too exciting happened. We just did the usual....feed the ducks, play in the dirt, swing, play chase, argue with Lexie to stay out of the dirt and come play with us on the playground, and argue with her some more. That girl is in love with dirt! We finally gave in and just left her alone. She was so happy!

Here's a few pictures of our day...