I AM BACK, OH THE HORROR

Sydney and London

Harlowe is now four, I cannot believe it. Every time I look at her, she is like a little lady. My baby girl is growing up so fast. 

She painted her face herself

I don't know why I look so large in this photo. It looks like I am squishing my poor baby, ha. 

London in the pumpkin patch.

 Trysten my sweet baby is now two. He is a total mommas boy now and I love him to pieces. 

He has a strong personality and he absolutely refuses to potty train, he will yell NO NO, when I sat him on the potty. 

Dustin and I agreed we will definitely be putting him into school, come January. Maybe someone else can potty train this little boy, ha. 

He is all wet from playing in the water area, filled with boats. 

You cannot take your eyes off this little one, I turned around a couple of minutes and he was standing on top of the railing about to jump in the water area, yikes. 

Dustin and I both went to the museum and we both missed it. 

I am BACK

We have been going through some things at the Different house.

First of all: Homeless for a month, going back and forth from my mother's in San Antonio and my in laws, here in Houston.

Why you ask, our new house was being remodeled for a month which should have been two weeks, says the hubs.

My attitude during the whole remodel, not so good.

Second: When we got to move back in, the house was a disaster. We moved all our stuff in the house while remodeling, so needless to say all our belongings were dusty, dusty, dusty.

I spent 12 hours cleaning the house top to bottom one day and still was not done. Dustin has spent countless hours cleaning too and a couple of months later it finally feels clean.


Third: My job in the float pool is non-existent and this happened during the remodel. I was upset at first but if God closes one door, there is something better on the other side.

I still have a job but now I am permanent on one floor. I am blessed to have a job.

Lastly: During all this craziness, Dustin got a new dog. Buff color (but he looks white to me), standard poodle. His name is Rocco after Rocco DiSpirito, the chef, ha. I wanted to name Trysten, Rocco but Dustin wasn't going for it so I guess the dog is a close second, ha.

He is the sweetest little puppy and so good with the kiddos.

In the midst of all our drama, my baby girl turned four. We had a birthday party for her but it totally sucked, I rented a bounce house and it rained all day and I didn't get any pics.

But Harlowe thought it was the best birthday ever, how little kids view the world is so amazing. I wish I could leave all the stress behind and view the world through my child's eyes.

I wasn't on top of my game these past few months, hopefully I can get it together, ha.

Trysten's Second Birthday

I am back to work after my two weeks vacation for Trysten's birthday. I had a great time just being off and spending time with the family. We didn't have a party for Tryst but we went to SA to visit my mother for the 4th of July to see the fireworks and go to Sea World.

We started his birthday out with donuts, his favorite.

He really didn't know what to do with the candle, Dustin had to blow it out for him.

Fourth of July, waiting for the fireworks. We had so much fun, Dustin's uncle and parents came in for the fireworks.

The view from my mother's balcony, the Tower of America.

I guess Harlowe was a little excited to see the fireworks.

 The fireworks from my mother's balcony. It was so loud and so close, we could feel the vibrations. Trysten was so scared he ran inside, but eventually came back outside. Harlowe did pretty well, she wasn't scared at all.

And to tell you the truth, when it first started I was kinda startled because it was so loud.

We had a great time but poor Dustin got into some poison ivy before we left and he looked liked the Nutty Professor. Somehow he rubbed his eyes and they were so swollen, I wish I could post a pic but he would literally kill me. It was so funny but he was so miserable, I really felt bad for him. Although I guess I didn't show it enough because he said he would never want me as his nurse because I have a poor bedside manner, ha. I guess I wasn't compassionate enough.

My baby is two years old and he is such a handful but I love him so much. I just want to hug him and kiss him all day long.

He is totally a boy's boy, he loves to climb on things, jump, hit and kick. He is a strong willed little person, he knows what he wants and he is determined to tell you. He loves his sister to death and tries to copy everything she does. He will look for her and doesn't want to leave her side. It really is so cute.

Happy Birthday Trysten, you are my heart and we love you very much. You are a wild one but you are the most loving person. You love to have fun, you love for Dustin to spin you around until you are sick. You are fearless and you want to do everything yourself.

Dustin and I are so lucky and blessed to be your parents. You make us laugh, you make us smile, you make us better parents everyday.

Random

These are some random pics I found one day before Harlowe went to school.

Tryst and Harlowe are so sweet together, some fighting but mostly loving on one another.

I don't know why Tryst has Harlowe's headband on but he is so cute and here is the infamous Honey badger shirt if you haven't seen the You Tube video.

My little honey badger is slowly getting a little better but not much. Last time we were visiting my mother is SA, this little boy was playing with the Starbucks door and two elderly ladies pulled open the door to come in and he commenced on hitting at their legs.

Oh, the embarrassment, Dustin gave him a stern talking to and maybe a tight squeeze but this little boy doesn't care. He is total chaos but I love him to death.

My beautiful princess, she is 3 1/2 and a complete girl's girl. She likes to pick out her own outfits, complete with hair accessories and she will stand in front of the mirror admiring herself. Oh Lord, we are in trouble.

She has the confidence and I am so glad because growing up I was teased as a kid and I did not have the greatest confidence. I think she gets this from her daddy because her daddy thinks his poop doesn't stink, ha.

Feeding the ducks at Herman Park in the spring of course because now that it is summer it is so HOT! Yesterday our car thermostat registered at 105 degrees, ouch.

We finally sold our house and now we are moving again but luckily not to an apartment, thank the Lord.

But it looks like we are going to move into another house that we will try to rent out after we fix it up, although it has a pool so that is good.

Soon we will be expecting our new addition to our family, a standard poodle puppy, I don't think they are very cute but this is the dog Dustin wants. He has never had a dog of his own so it is his turn, I miss my poor old Harley. He was my first dog that was really mine and I loved him to death. I know the kiddos will love our new addition.

Hope everyone has a good Fourth of July, we are going to visit my mother in SA for fireworks, Sea World and a little boating. It is Tryst's b-day on the 11th so we will be celebrating, my baby is turning 2.

My Little Swimmer

This blog is going to be picture overload so beware. And the pics are not that good we had to take them through a glass window.

I signed Harlowe up for swim lessons at the Houston Swim Club near our house, and I am so impressed with the progress they made with her.

If you are in Houston I highly recommend these lessons. Halowe was a little timid around water and around males. 

The first couple of days were a challenge, crying and bribing her with a surprise of her choice at the end of the two weeks if she did not cry.

The first day she was a mess, I literally had to throw her in there and run away, for her to stay. She cried the whole thirty minutes with another little boy, he cried so hard he threw up his eggs. 

Dustin and I just sat there and felt so sorry for her teacher. 

Although after a couple of days she really enjoyed herself and loved her teacher. I was afraid she would not want to take swim lessons again but now she is loving the water and really enjoys herself. 

So, these pics are the last day of her swim lesson. She totally knows how to swim by herself and she knows how to float on her back if she gets tired. Dustin and I are so proud of her. 

She loves swimming and now she is going once a week and is about to move up again to another class. Whoop, whoop, ha. 

Needless to say we are going swimming every day I am off. It is so hot outside, I cannot stand the heat so the pool is the perfect choice. 

Harlowe swimming to her teacher, Mr. Chris

She is such a good floater, she can float forever

She can now put her head under water and swim with big arms, freestyle, kinda. We are getting there.

Tryst enjoying a snack and watching his big sister. We are totally putting Tryst into swim lessons, but you have to be 2 1/2 before you can start. He always wants to follow Harlowe into the pool area when she goes, it is so cute.

She is going down this frog slide and not to go to fast she hangs on to the side, she is such a chicken, ha.

A class full of boys and my baby

Mr. Chris throws the kids up in the air and they are supposed to float on their back. It teaches them if they fall into the pool, go onto your back and float to the side.

This was the best money I think I have spent on an activity because it makes me feel so much safer knowing she knows how to swim somewhat. Because as you know I almost drown her twice last summer.

My little feisty boy, the terrible twos have hit and are not fun with this little one. He has a strong willed mind and wants his way all the time. Dustin and I are having a hard time with this one, he seems to always be in time out.

But despite all the woes I love this little boy to death and he has my heart. He is a challenge but when he is sweet, he can just melt my heart.

My baby with her graduation ribbon and they have a sucker bowl, so every day after lessons she hits up the sucker bowl for her and Tryst.

I just wanted to add one more thing, Happy Father's Day to my father who isn't here with me today. I wouldn't be the person or mother I am today if it wasn't for him and the lessons he taught me. I miss him everyday and wish he were here to see my children.

Happy Father's Day to the best husband in the world, I love you more each and everyday. It takes a special man to raise kids, especially ours, ha. You are a great father and a great husband and I appreciate all you have done for our family. Thank you for being such a great father, my best friend and a wonderful husband.

Happy Father's Day to Mitch, my father in law, thank you for not killing Dustin when he was younger, ha. Thank you for raising such a great son and thank you for welcoming me to the family with open arms.

Happy Father's Day to my brother, Fred. You have grown up to be a wonderful man and father. I know we don't talk that often but I always think about you and am blessed you are my brother.