Fourth Quarter Review

It's been a long, long time!! The truth is, I am just plain lazy. My laptop bit the dust several months ago and sometimes it's just too hard to actually walk into the next room and sit down at a desk and blog at Mas' computer. I was very accustomed to blogging from my comfy bed with my computer in my lap (which is what Mas says made my computer croak in the first place, but whatever). Anyways, I thought before the year was through, I could at least do an update for October before I forget what went on. So here is a quick run-through.

Saylor was a precious little ladybug for Halloween. We got to take her to Storybook Forest, which is a walk-through outdoor forest that has storybook characters handing out candy. She had lots of fun! My mom was here with Saylor the last 5 days of October so she also got to take her trick or treating--once to the zoo and once around the neighborhood.

Mas and I took a fabulous trip ALL BY OURSELVES to the lovely city of San Francisco. This was the first vacation we've taken since we got married 4 1/2 years ago. It's funny how life happens and 4 1/2 years seem to pass so quickly. We had an amazing time! We stayed in fab hotel, ate DELICIOUS food, saw lots of great things, and really really enjoyed each other. We missed our little ladybug like crazy...really...the last day, I wasn't sure if that plane was ever gonna land, and I couldn't wait to kiss her sweet face. However, it was soooo unbelievably nice to get away. Thanks again, Mom, for coming to OK to hang out with Saylor!

(The house that the first season of Full House was taped--AWESOME!)

(The Full House house along with the other "Painted Ladies" and the SF skyline)

(Haight Ashbury was quite interesting! I didn't get a picture of all the people smoking joints freely along the sidewalks)

(Golden Gate Bridge on a rainy day)

(The cable car we rode)

(the width of ONE cable that suspends the GG Bridge)

(Alcatraz)

(Napa Valley--Yountville)

Rock-a-Bye Baby

I'm writing to say farewell to a very special stage of our lives: rocking our baby before bed. About six months ago, it was pretty obvious that Saylor was over the whole rocking at bedtime thing, but she still kindly obliged because I would ask so nicely if she would come snuggle with her momma. She would fold her long legs up into a fetal position so that her legs didn't hang too far off the chair and we would rock and sing a few songs before I put her in her bed. Actually I would usually sing one and then she would sing it back to me. She would say "you don't sing it again, I sing all by self". But for about the last month--since we put her in her toddler bed--she's been just too big to cuddle in our laps and rock. Now we finish praying and she just runs and hops in her bed.

I loved rocking her. Well, usually. Of course there were the nights when she was smaller that she had fussy nights and I couldn't wait to put her back in her crib so I could put my own zombie body back to bed. Those are the nights I carefully watched her fall asleep and then contemplated if she was in a deep enough sleep that I could maybe slowly tiptoe her back to her crib without waking her up and starting the whole exhausting process over again. What I wouldn't give to have one or two of those nights back. Just occasionally!! Nothing like a sleeping baby in your arms!

Now she's big and independent and I absolutely love this stage too. I just miss rocking my baby!

Please, Please Pray!

I did not know Leslie personally prior to this, I just had the pleasure of being her nurse for a short time. I honestly cannot think of a more devastating situation. Her husband lost his first wife a few years ago from breast cancer and his three children lost their mother. Please take the time to read her blog and pray for this sweet family. They desperately need to be wrapped in prayer!!
lesliejoyevans.blogspot.com

Llama Llama Did NOT Miss Mama!

Saylor did wonderful last week at her very first day of preschool. The whole drive to school my stomach was in knots and I just prayed and prayed for her to feel safe and secure and have so much fun! He surely answers prayers!! Mas and I dropped her off and there wasn't a tear shed (although her momma got a little teary-eyed). I only thought of her about 23 million times throughout those 6 hours until we got to go pick her up....and I was thoroughly surprised again. Her teachers said that she never cried! My very cautious child didn't cry on her very first day of preschool?! Hallelujah! They also said that she was so sweet, ate very well, and talked A LOT! Of course I know those things, I just wanted her to be sweet at school as well! I am so proud of my little preschooler! And she can't wait to go back, which I am so thankful for.

*As an added bonus--my hubby and I got a date day while Saylor was in school. He took me to breakfast and to see a movie! Great day all around!

You Are My Sunshine, My Only Sunshine

Here is Saylor singing You Are My Sunshine. She is definitely my sunshine! :)

School is around the corner....

Thursday we went to Saylor's open house for preschool. She met her teachers and saw her classroom. She starts Wednesday. I am really excited and anxious for her....and me. I'll share pictures after Wednesay morning.

I saw this poem and maybe it's just the emotional momma in me talking, but I thought it was so sweet!
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
She started school this morning
And she seemed so very small.
As I walked there beside her
In the preschool hall.

And as she took her place beside
The others in the class,
I realized how all too soon
Those first few years can pass.

Remembering, I saw her as
She first learned how to walk.
The words that we alone made out
When she began to talk.

My eyes were blurred, so hastily
I brushed the tears away
Lest by some word or sign of mine
I mar her first big day.

Oh how I longed to stay with her
And keep her by the hand
To lead her through the places
That she couldn't understand.

And something closely kin to fear
Was mingled with my pride.
I knew she would no longer be
A baby by my side.

But she must have her chance to live,
To work her problems out,
The privilege to grow and learn is
What life is all about.

And I must share my little girl
With friends and work and play;
She's not a baby anymore-
She's in preschool today!
*************************************

Saylor is now also sleeping in a toddler bed!! She was still doing great in her crib, no escape attempts or anything--but we just decided it was time. She still calls me in there to get her out of bed when she wakes up. She hasn't quite figured out she can get out by herself and have a hay day yet. I hope she stays naive for long, long time!

Sleeping in her "big girl bed" and starting school this week--my baby is growing up so fast!

Labor Day Weekend

This past weekend we made our way to Midland, Texas to attend my cousin's wedding. We traveled about 1,000 miles in just 3 days. It was a little exhausting, but well worth the trip, and we we fit as many friends and family as we possibly could into that small little window of time.

We stopped in Amarillo to stay one of the nights. We saw my grandparents and our dearest friends Ross, Missy and their two boys Reid and Max. Saylor and Reid love each other so much and it just thrills me to watch them together. Seeing Ross and Missy makes me desperately miss Amarillo and all the fun our families used to have together. Maybe someday we will be reunited :)

(I know this picture is blurry, but I think it is just so cute of them yelling at the football game, holding hands.)

Saturday morning we headed through Lubbock to see Mas' sister, Angel (who is due to have our precious niece next week), brother-in-law Francois, and our sweet nephew Zach. We also got to see Mas' mom, Meme, which was a total surprise!

Sweet cousins

Saturday night we celebrated my cousin saying "I do". It was a beautiful wedding and it was so nice to see so many family members. We all had a great time and Saylor made herself at home on the dance floor during the reception. She kept telling me she wanted to dance with the pretty girl in the white dress. (I unfortunately don't have any pictures from the wedding--I'll post some after someone emails me what they have.)

Sunday morning we started the long, long drive home. Saylor did FANTASTIC!! Not a tear was shed, not a whine was heard the entire weekend in the car. I am so proud of my little traveler! Her attitude may have something to do with the awesome DVD players my very handy hubby installed in the headrests a few months ago, but whatever it takes....