Salsaritas, Sour Cream, and Starbucks

Last night, we met our friends Dewayne and Melissa for dinner at Salsaritas. Blake and I have never been there before, and it was really good. It kind of reminded me of Moe's, and I actually liked it better. I had chicken nachos. Blake ordered a steak quesadilla, and we planned on Claire just munching off our plates, and I had packed her a few things, too. Sister devoured my nachos! She kept dipping the chips in the guacamole and sour cream, and then proceeded to lick the sour cream ramekin clean.

Love these two! They are growing up way too fast!

We were heading to try the new frozen yogurt place at Hamilton Place (Menchie's), but it was very crowded, and I was unsure if my posse could handle it, so we headed to Barnes and Noble. It was pouring rain, and my resourceful hubby found a way to stay dry.

And, look who loves some Starbucks like their mama?

The Zoo...and I am going to have a Niece!

Yesterday, after preschool, the weather was way too nice to just come home, eat lunch, and take a nap! We met up with the Coffman's and had a picnic at Warner Park, and walked around the zoo again. We had the best time. The children all rode the carousel, and just enjoyed being outside. They have the nicest little playground there...we stayed in that area for over an hour.

Last night, we went to Brad and Lydia's house for the gender reveal! It's a girl!!! We couldn't be more excited!! We are so excited to meet Josie in August! We are thankful we can start praying for her by name each night. Ribbons, and Bows, and SHOES, oh my! :)

17 Months Old

On March 14, Claire was 17 months old. Seriously? How did that happen? She is doing great...and so much fun!

Some notes on our favorite girl:

Probably weighs around 22 pounds. She is wearing mostly 18 months, or 12-18 months in clothes. She wears a 3.5 in a shoe, and a size 4 diaper. She is really petite. I don't really think she is that tiny, until I see her around other babies that her size, and she is very small.

She has lots of hair, and it is super fun to fix. She wakes up each morning, and asks for her bow.

Her appetite has not been so great this month, and she has suddenly became very picky, and throwing her food on the floor and refusing to eat anything she does not want. This concerns me, but I am hoping she will grow out of it. This month, she began refusing to eat oatmeal, applesauce, bananas, and vegetables, all of which are staples in our home. Our new, revised, list of things that she likes:
Breakfast: pancakes, biscuits, cheese toast, yogurt
Lunch: sweet potato, grilled cheese, cheese stick, baby food bananas
Dinner: I offer her whatever I fix. Some things she likes: Baked chicken, rice, couscous, corn, spaghetti, pizza.

Napping: Likes to nap between 10:00-12:00, and a short nap later in the afternoon. She goes to bed between 6:45 and 7:00, and usually sleeps until 8:00 or 8:30 the next morning. Can we say great sleeper??

She is talking a TON! She can now say Eli, Abby, Melissa (Me-Me), Livi, Ria, I want my seat (I want to get in my car seat), I want pizza, stop it, I want to slide, I want to swing, cat, I so cute, need my purse, need me a paci, that's time, I go nite nite, and let's go outside. Those are some of my favorites. She also bows her head and folds her hands to pray. So sweet!

She still loves music and dancing, and reading books. She also likes to play blocks and Little People.

She has taken a few steps this month, and has started spending more time on her feet. She will push things around the house, and will say "I gonna walk" and take a step or two. She is getting there, but is not walking yet. We are working with her, and she is showing progress, which I know is important. I have had several strangers say some pretty rude things to me about her not walking, and giving unsolicited thoughts and opinions on why my daughter is not walking at 17 months. Kind of awkward, but I just smile, and hope they have a nice day. :) What are ya supposed to do? Love 'em, I reckon.

She is doing great, and we love her so very much!! She and Jackson are best buddies, and he is so protective of her. She cracks up at everything he does, and is such a cuddle bug. I love that about her. I love how she always wants lipstick on, carries a purse, and puts on her sunglasses. Most of all, I love when she says, "Mommy, I wuv you." I love you, too, Clara Beara!

Sunday Snapshots

Sunday Choke Hold, anyone?

This one was right before Claire hit Jack in the head with a drumstick, or cymbal mallet.

And, that's a wrap.

^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:6,7 (The Message)

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6,7 (NLT)

The above scripture is from today's sermon about prayer.

Thankful Thursday

After school treat!

Why, hello there, female version of Blake.

Yesterday, I met Blake's cousin, Mindy, at the mall to walk. This is her little baby Leo. He is so sweet! This was the first time I have met him, and I sent this picture to Blake. He responded, "Try to contain yourself." Ha! He knows how much I LOVE babies! I am very excited that I am going to have TWO babies (that are not mine) to love on this fall. My brother's wife, Jill, is also pregnant, and due in September.

Every day when I pick up Jackson at school, the school smells like freshly baked bread. Every morning, the director bakes a loaf of bread, and one student gets to take home the loaf of bread from the day. It is really sweet to do this, but I think the reason behind it is really interesting. According to research, young children remember experiences with their senses, their sense of smell being the strongest. So, the school smells amazing every day while the bread is baking, and their hope is the students will associate this wonderful smell with all of their great experiences at school. We enjoyed eating our bread last night with our leftover roast, couscous, and pinto beans last night!

Monday Morning

Look what I woke up to Monday Morning! I had just finished reading my Bible, and opened the door to let the dog out, and look what I saw!! I couldn't help but think about one of my favorite verses:

22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22, 23

Monday, we played.

And played.


And bounced.

We made pretend campfires.

We drew on the driveway.

And jumped some more.

Fun at the Zoo

Jackson's school offers Stay Day on Tuesdays, which means they have the option to stay and play on the playground and eat lunch until 2:00. He has never wanted to stay before, but decided he wanted to stay on Tuesday. I am sure it had nothing to do with his buddy Cheng Yu staying. Ha!

While he was at preschool, Claire and I met my friend Amy and her daughters, Kenzi and Livi, at the zoo.

Claire liked the ducks and coyote, which she referred to as a dog. Mostly, she liked the playground.

We left the zoo, and met Blake at Taco Mamacita for lunch. He didn't have students on Tuesday, so that was a nice treat. I have never been there to eat and it was so delicious!! After that, we made a little Target trip and it was time to pick up the Jack-Man! We missed him, but he was having a great time, too!

Sunday Snapshots

Sleepover

Tonight, Jackson and Claire were laughing and playing before bedtime. Jackson asked if he and Claire could have a sleepover in her room. We said yes! We made two rules: Do not get in Claire's crib, and do not get her out of the crib. They both fell right to sleep. I would not be surprised if this becomes a new tradition!

Some Spring Things

The other day, Blake got my "Spring Box" out of the attic. We have a cute little egg tree, a table runner (with flowers picked from the yard by Jackson), and I love this egg wreath. My mom bought it for me a couple of years ago.