Football Season

Tyler had his first football game tonight.

We decided to grab some dinner then head to the game.  We ended up leaving at half time.  It was only about 95 degrees by 9:30 so we decided that was good for the night.  Not to mention my children and their 7 and 8pm bedtime.  The kids were great though.  It was Dylan and I that were about to die from heat stroke.

We had dinner at Tacos and Avocados in Roanoke then made a pit stop at the candy store where the kids got to pick out some candy and take a car and horse for a ride.

First Soccer Practice

It was only 105 degrees this afternoon when I took Tatum to soccer practice.  Hot for anyone, especially someone caring around a few extra pounds AND an extra human.

Yes, I am aware the shin guards are to be under the socks.  I'm a first-timer, ok.  We are working out the kinks! 

She did great and loved kicking the ball into the goal. 

Her jersey number is 5.  We picked it just for her Daddy.

Dylan couldn't make practice because it was scheduled last minute and he already had a meeting scheduled.  Tatum was telling everyone that her Daddy was bringing her next week, his name is Dylan, but she calls him Daddy.  

She sure does love that guy.

Tried to wear the kids out before naptime.  

Walked and rode the new birthday scooter to the park.  No wagon rides this time, folks. 

Ran around and even played "ice cream shop" 

My manly son, with his pink helmet, pink scooter, and matching pink balloon.

We visited the tattoo parlor

Since it was about 500 degrees (at least that's what it felt like), we had a popscicle break before heading to the pool for some swim time.

 I was successful, Druz napped for longer than normal and Tatum sat, without talking for more than 5 minutes.  That is something to boast about, people!

Tatum Turns 4!

My little girl is growing up.

We had a cinnamon roll breakfast and sang Happy Birthday before Daddy headed off to work.

First she had a dentist appointment, which is loves, believe it or not.  She got a clean bill of health, a good 'ol fashion teeth cleaning, and a couple toys to take home.

I asked her what she wanted to do today and she said she wanted to go to the aquarium.  So, to the aquarium we went.

After all that excitement we worked up an appetite.  Aunt Vicki met us for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe.

We finished the day off with another little family celebration.  We had one of her favorite meals, an ice cream cake, and then opened her gifts, of course.

Happy Birthday Tatum!

Tatum's Birthday Party

My little girl is growing up.  She turns 4 tomorrow so we threw her a little party on Sunday.  She had a great time and I hope all our guests did as well.

 Everyone just hung out in the HOT sun

At least these kiddos stayed cool...

Lots of pool time!

We had a snow cone truck come.  The kids loved making their own snow cone flavors.

 The pinata was a big hit...no pun intended.

 And our cupcakes with Ariel, Flounder, and the likes of anything else Mermaid, as requested by the birthday princess.

Zoo Fun

We hadn't been to the zoo in a while and since we had nothing planned for the day, I decided to load up my munchkins and head to Fort Worth.  

 The love the gorilla but still get a little scared when he moves.  I don't blame them, even I still jump sometimes.

It just so happened that in the last month, two of the elephants have had babies.  Today was the first day that BOTH babies were out on the exhibit.  I thought it was pretty cool.  The kids liked it too but were ready to move on after a quick glimpse. 

We stopped for a little lunch by the giraffes. 

She had to have a picture sitting on the elephant 

He had to have a picture since his sister did. 

Me and my loves on the train, heading to the exit.  It was HOT and this pregnant mama can only lug around two kids and a heavy wagon for so long!

Super Hero Party!

We celebrated our friend Jake's birthday today.

Tatum would go play then come back to hold Callie.  This girl LOVES babies! 

 My little Super Hero

Tross was hanging out with us for the day so he joined in on the fun too.  He was all but forced to smile for this picture, but he still managed to entertain the idea.  He said he actually had fun too.

Shopping for a Cause

My favorite kind of shopping!

Kendra Scott, a jeweler, joined with HDS for a fundraiser.  We made it a Girls Night Out and did a little shopping for a cause (20% of sales went to HDS), then to dinner at Mi Cocina's in Dallas.

Guilt-free Shopping at its best!

Here goes...

We have had a list of "priorities" for how we were going to get the house put together.  I decided to take it nice and slow and do it the right way, instead of just hurrying up and filling the place with just anything.  Each room in the house has been meticulously planned.  I have design boards and magazine tear outs for just about every square inch.

It was time to do Tatum's room.  I have been looking in magazines and stores for months now, putting together the perfect room for my big girl.  We found the bed on Craigslist and decided to paint it ourselves.  First, I found one on Land of Nod but with the steep price tag, I went searching high and low for a Jenny Lind bed elsewhere.  We actually found one in Austin (3 hours away) and picked it up while we were down there for our little weekend get-a-way.

While, Dylan put his all into it, it just wasn't working out.  We then moved on to painting the room.  Dylan spent his entire weekend working on the bed and the room and in the end I called a painter to come finish both jobs.  Dylan gets a lot of credit for trying but with his work schedule picking up and the weekends just not affording enough time, I had to get this project done.  I AM having a baby in about a month and we haven't even thought about that room!

 

Getting ready to start the painting in her room. 

I had to test two colors, because I wasn't sure which to go with...we chose the lighter one. 

Druz was just as excited as Tatum.  His room and Camdyn's room are next on our list.

I am waiting on a few things to arrive so once that happens, I will take pictures of the grand finale.

Maternity Pictures

I've never done maternity pictures.

I always thought, why in the world would I want to remember myself looking big and fat!  Since this could be my last pregnancy, I changed my tune a little.

I guess it wouldn't be such a bad thing to remember this part of my life, I mean, I have been pregnant for most of the last 4-5 years.

I went to school with a girl that is now an unbelievably great photographer, Melissa Zihlman.  She posted a "casting call" for a pregnant mama to do a photo session at the lake.  This is something I would have NEVER even thought about doing but I just happened to fall right into the perfect criteria...pregnant and between 30-33 weeks along.  I was 30 weeks.  I decided to "apply" and I got the gig.

I was a little nervous, ok maybe more than a little.

As the little fish were nibbling on my toes these are just a couple shots she took.

Tiny Dancer

Dance Class #2

A Weekend Away

Dylan held a conference in Austin over the weekend so I decided to tag along and do a little relaxing myself.

We stayed at Barton Creek Resort.  We ate like Kings and relaxed like people who don't have kids. It was pretty much amazing and much needed.

Dylan in his conference room

Had to get a picture of the sign.

 I'm beyond proud of Dylan for working so hard and growing Redwood what it is today.  He had his first Redwood Financial Planning Conference and pretty much planned the whole thing himself.  To put it into perspective, Nike had meetings in the room next to him.  He raised money through all the wholesalers he works with so the conference was paid in full for everyone.  He now has 7 people under Redwood.

This was our view of the Hill Country.  The weather was beautiful.

I didn't take many pictures.  I was too busy laying by the pool, eating some great food downtown, and hanging out in the spa!  The conference ended Friday so we got to spend the rest of the weekend together while Ron and Liza took care of the kiddos.

ER Visit

I had a little scare this week.

I'm feeling more and more like I'm too old to be having babies.  I know people do this even later in life, but apparently this body just isn't cut out for it.  Or maybe I just need to slow down.  Not sure which, yet.

While Tatum was at dance class, I decided to walk around the building.

Camdyn (the baby in my belly) moves a lot.  It's more pushing than kicking.  So, sometimes I get sore in places where she has been pushing.

My belly, near my belly button was a little sore but I just thought it was from her pushing.  As the day went on, it only got worse, almost unbearable.  I called the doctor, he said to come in.  I went in around 2 and at that point it was so sensitive and sore, I cried when he touched it.  He thought maybe I had an appendicitis but didn't want to miss anything so he sent me to the ER.  It got a little scary when we were talking about Cat Scans with no way to protect the baby from radiation and if it were something that required surgery, that could be a problem.

I told Dylan not to come to the Dr, but once I was admitted to the ER he said he was on his way.

They made sure the baby was ok, listened to her heart beat, did ultra sounds of all my organs, took blood, and poked and prodded me for a couple hours.  They later came back and said it was some skin infection.  I heard that as..."we have no idea what it is so instead of sending you home with nothing, this is what we are making up."  Someone once told me, "They don't call it practicing medicine for no reason."  Isn't that the truth.  Don't get me wrong, I truly respect doctors but a skin infection???

I was told to take it easy for a while and see if it improves.  I basically sat on my butt for 2 days.  Dylan stayed home to get Druz out of his crib in the morning and then once he left for his business trip, Mom came over to help.

Dylan also banned me from any kind of working out...at the gym or walking.

They also said I was having contraction while in the hospital.  Kind of scary since I was only 30 weeks.  I didn't really feel them at the time but have since started to feel them more.  They are just Braxton Hick but I never had that with either of the other two pregnancies so it's kind of scary.  Growing a baby is serious business.  I can see why most people stop at two!  I really think that is just about the limit your body can handle.  All the things going on in there is nothing short of a miracle.

I never took the antibiotics they gave me.  Bad patient, I know.  But I know my body and I knew it wasn't a skin infection.  I just think I pulled something while walking.

Everything happens for a reason and it was just time for me to take it easy, I guess.  No better way than a visit to the hospital and my precious babies life on the line.  Nothing is worth that!

So, say a little prayer for me and Camdyn.  Let's hope she holds out at least until mid to late September.  Anything after that is just one more day she can get bigger and stronger and one more day I will get more sleep!

Movies

Dylan left us for a couple days and with my recent fiasco in the ER, Mom came over to help out.  We decided to take the kids to a movie.  It was Druz' first so I was a little worried he may not get through it all.  We saw Turbo (don't let the picture fool you).

The kids were amazing and Druz was actually better than Tatum.  She kept asking when it was going to be over but said she liked it once it had ended.  Druz sat on Mom's lap, mesmerized and laughing the entire movie through.

We didn't see Planes...but maybe that will be our next movie.  They just liked the promo display for it.

Dance Baby Dance

Tatum had her first dance class today.  She couldn't have been more excited.

Gymnastics Performance

Today was the kids last day of gymnastics.  All the parents got to sit in the gym while they did their normal rotations.  That always makes for an interesting class.  Both kids loved it and Druz was so proud of himself and his first ribbon!