3 Months of Catching Up

Hello everyone! I'm back. I can't believe it's been 3 months since my last post, I knew it had been a while but how has 3 whole months gone by? I've wanted to blog for the past few weeks, but we have had limited internet and then my Mac charger broke therefore I couldn't get any my pictures off my computer.

I knew I wasn't going to blog over the summer since we were going to be home in Texas, I never do. So let me try to sum up the Summer all in one loooong post. My last post was leaving the Dominican and moving to Norway. And that we did. We left the DR May 29th and spent the entire summer in Texas. Originally we had planned on staying for only 3-4 weeks while Darrin was in Olso getting a house, car, etc. but we ended up having to change our flight and we stayed until July 31. 50 whole days away from Darrin, it was a long time. 

However, we had a wonderful time. Our friends were out for the summer and we had tons of play dates and family time. Since I was still in the beginning stages of being pregnant (which I need to go back and post about!) I was still very nauseous, had little to no energy and probably wasn't very much fun to be around. We decided to put Grayson in a day care, he's a wild man. He needs full attention 24/7, he loves to be social and play with others and needed more than I could give him while being sick. It ended up being wonderful. He loved going and I was able to take Reagan on play dates to the movies, friends houses, to swim, etc and not have to try and handle both of them all day. I needed the help. I was used to having a live-in nanny, Darrin around, and not being pregnant. Then I went to no nanny, no Darrin and pregnant. It was an adjustment in the beginning to say the least.

We had such a great time. It may have been one of our best times spent at home ever. (Did I say that last time? If so, this trumps the last time.) Here are some of the pictures I took over the summer. I tried to narrow it down, but remember this was over almost 3 months!

The first weekend we were home we took a quick trip to College Station with Reagan. Grayson stayed with Honey and Pops for the weekend and we had spent time lovin' and kissin' on sweet Hadie girl. 

Once we got back we spent every.single.day in the pool. If not durning the day, we swam once my parents got home. It's just to hot in the summer not to be in the pool and Reagan and Grayson absolutely love being in it. 

One of our many play dates was to the movie. We took them to see Madagascar 3 and Ice Age. I love this age, the kids are so fun and there are so many things to do with them. 

One morning we went with Tricia, the boys and Honey to the splash park. I thought Grayson would love it more than he did since he loves the water, but he was a little unsure. We kept having to grab him because he would make a mad dash to the park. 

Of course, Reagan loved it. And since Dylan loves it, she loved it even more. 

McKenna lives next door to my parents and I went to high school with her mom Anna. It's so nice having neighbors to come out and play when we are looking for something to do. Reagan and Kenna play together alot in the evenings and every other Friday Anna is off of work. We took them to the Galleria and let them play and have lunch in the American Girl store.

Most of our weekends we spent at Honey & Pops house. Pops works durning the week so our only chance to see him is on the weekends. Reagan and Grayson love being over there especially because their cousins are there to play with. Them 4 can turn a house upside down in no time!

Sister had a few days in a row off from work so her and Hadison drove down to see us. We spent one day getting mani's/pedi's, lunch and shopping and the other days we just laid out by the pool. 

Nonna and all her grandbabies. 

We tried to get the girls together once a week for a girls dinner. This week they all surprised me with a cake, balloons and gifts for my birthday. It was so sweet. I almost didn't even make it to the dinner, but they made sure I was there! Love, these girls. 

My monster cake April picked out. How did she know I wanted a monster cake? It's what's in the heart that counts Ape, not about how fantastic the cake looks. ;)

The next weekend Jessica, April and I drove to Houston for the weekend. As crazy as it sounds, I have only left Reagan once before and that was when I was in the hospital delivering Grayson. We have always lived away and never really had the chance. While we are home, we visit with family and friends instead of taking a vacation and actually going somewhere. But this weekend I wanted to enjoy some girl time, without kids, and celebrate my 30th. We had such a wonderful time. We met Sister and Shannon there and had dinner one night with them. Went to dinner, got mani's and pedi's, lunch, breakfast, laid by the pool, saw Magic Mike but most importantly, just enjoyed having no kids! 

Definitely something we will have to plan every time we are home! 

Sweet Bradie turned 3 and we celebrated her birthday at Little Gym. 

And a little rain didn't stop us from our daily swim, 

Reagan loved taking her umbrella and rain boots out there to play.

Grayson is fearless in the water. He loves to jump in and go under, I think he might be part fish. He actually taught Reagan it was okay to put her head under, he is more brave than she is!

We celebrated the 4th of July over at the Sniders. They live right next to the DAC, we have a good view of the fireworks and we just have to walk across the street. Perfect!

My doctor was out of town the week before we were leaving for Norway so we decided to go to see a sonographer. Since we already have boy and girl stuff, I wanted to know what we were having before we left so I could bring it. April, Jessica and my Mom met me up there, but we didn't have her reveal what the gender was, she just wrote it down in an envelope. Darrin was able to be on Skype for the entire appointment, it was so fun to be able to have him there too. 

After my appointment we met Trica, the boys and Honey at La Madeline's for lunch. My mom was supposed to come along, but her boss called for a meeting so she had to miss. Jessica wrapped a little pair of shoes for us and inside determined pink or blue. 

It's a GIRL!!!!! Another sweet little girl! I thought for most of the time it was a girl, I was sick like I was with Reagan, but in the last few weeks I started to change my mind. I thought my belly (and how wide I was) was like how I was with Grayson, so I was starting to think boy. 

Showing Darrin on Skype, it's a GIRL Daddy!

Reagan showing Daddy she was going to have a little Sister. 

The week before we left we celebrated Reagan turning 4. Originally we had plan to wait until the weekend Darrin was home, but with a 7 hour time difference, we new he might have some jet lag. Not to mention we only had 2 1/2 days to pack up, not really the right time to throw party. It worked out great. All of Reagan's friends were able to come, the weather was perfect and she loved that the party was all about her and turning 4. 

Sweet girl ready for the party!

I wish I would have recorded everyone singing happy birthday to her. It was one of the sweetest things I have ever seen. She was just so happy, so full of joy, she got so overwhelmed with happiness she just starting crying. 

It was precious. That girl has such a sweet heart and was so happy to have all her friends there singing to her. 

Love that girl. 

We had such a wonderful summer home in Texas. I love being with my girls, Reagan loves spending time with her friends and Grayson had a blast just being around so many people. 

A huge thank you to my Mom and Dad. We 3 came into their house for a whole 6 weeks. We were there waiting everyday when they got home from work and tied up any of their plans for 6 weeks. I know they wouldn't have changed a thing and loved having us, but it is still an adjustment to having a full house 24/7. My dad and Grayson really bonded. I have never seen my Dad interact so closely with a child. Grayson just really took to him and everyday he waited for his Paw Paw to come home and play with him. Thank you Dad for all your help. Taking Grayson to the park, on walks, swimming every night and even putting him to bed. Grayon loves his Paw Paw and I love to watch y'all together. 

Mom, as always you give your everything and put everyone before yourself. You have such a sweet and giving heart, I think Reagan must get it from you. Thank you for loving my babies as much as I do. 

To all out other friends and family thanks for making our Summer so special. Honey thanks for stepping in and watching Reagan so I could have alone time with the girls and Pops for always wanting Grayson on the weekend. Girls - Jess, April, Carrie, Sister you are without a doubt my net. You keep me going, I love each and every one of you and I could not have done it without y'all. 

I think that wraps up our last 3 months/summer at home. I know there were tons of little things I missed but it's safe to say we enjoyed ourselves!