Dora Visits The Zoo!

Rachel still seems to be a little Dora fanatic. There is a unique zoo less than a mile from our house. As a back to school promotion Dora visited the zoo. Rachel is actually the one who noticed the commercial on TV so we decided we just had to go! She was a bit afraid of Dora as we got closer, but eventually warmed up and got a few really good pics. The zoo is fairly expensive to get into, but it was worth every penny to see her enjoy herself so much! Gma Skiles went with us, and Gma Oakley kept Noah. Thanks so much to both of them!

10 Months!

Noah's 1st birthday is really starting to creep up on me! I cannot believe he is already 10 months old. He isn't doing a whole lot more since the 9 month mark, but a few things. He has been pulling up on EVERYTHING for a while now, but he is just now starting to get brave and move from item to item. Example: pull up on couch and move to my wheel chair while still holding on. He is so careful when he does it. He lets go occasionally, but after no more than 2 seconds he gracefully sits down. Total control,but he just won't stand on his own. I guess we won't have to worry about him walking before Momma! His sister was walking by 11 months, but I definitely think he will be a year or so before...unless he picks it up really soon! For his 10 month pics I just took a few with my new camera when we were out in the yard. Even if he's lazy, we love our sweet boy!

Knee Surgery Update!

(for those of you who go o church with me, this exactly the same thing that went out on the prayer chain! Just thought I'd save you some reading!). :)

I had my 6 week post-op appointment today. I came away with better news than I expected, but we still aren't out of the woods yet. Beginning today I am able to drive; however, even though I have been cleared to drive I will be on the crutches for up to 4 more weeks. I am now able to put 25% of my weight back on my right leg as I crutch this week. Next week I will hopefully do 50%, the third week 75% and then close to 100% (but still with crutches) by the 4th week. The recovery for this knee surgery has been unbelievable! Although things seem to be progressing nicely, I am still unable to take care of my kids on my own, so things are still very stressful. Please continue to pray for my recovery, as well as the stress of taking care of our kids since my mom and Monica return to work next week. (They have been helping all summer because they both work in elementary schools.) There is light at the end of my tunnel, I just have to wait patiently for the ride to end!

Kid Pics June 2011

It's pretty safe to say it's nearly impossible to get a good pic of my children together! The last one looks like a prison photo!

Finger Painting Fun

Aunt Jenn introduced Rachel to finger paint a couple weeks ago at Gma Oakley's. It is definitely a favorite past time at home now!! This is the first night we bought her her own set!

Rachel's Special Day

Friday is Daddy's Saturday so we had Aunt Monica keep Noah and took Rachel to see Cars 2 for her "special day." She enjoyed popcorn, candy, and shared a drink with Momma. She was getting restless about half way through the movie, but overall she enjoyed the experience, as did we! They grow up so fast!

What Happened To June?

It sure went fast! This is just an update to remind myself later of milestones that Noah accomplished that were a whirlwind to me! The day after we returned from our trip I caught the little guy pulling up to his feet in his crib. He now pulls up on anything and everything that has stability. He's crawling fast, can give high fives, and can gum a hot dog better than any baby I know that doesn't have ANY teeth. We thought maybe he was going to get one of the bottom ones, but we are STILL waiting! He's responding to his name very well, although just like his sister, his listening skills need some work. Everyday he pulls the Wii remote charger off the TV stand and has to get a swat on the hand and still just comes back for more! He loves the door stoppers. He crawls around the house whacking them until he gets them to come off the wall so he can play with it in his hand. He could care less about the funny noise they make. He only cares to play with it. He pulled 4 of the 6 off the wall in one day. He seems to be doing lots of things all at once, but the thing I love the most is how he wants to play with his sister. It is sooo sweet to see them roll around on the floor cracking up...BUT he tortures her at times too! Already at such a young age he knows how to push her last button. He seems so laid back at times, but he has the fiery side too! I see Brett in him every day! Similar in looks as well as personality too!

Rachel hasn't had too much to report on lately. She enjoys singing soooo much. Everything turns into a song. Just after my surgery she was able to attend a VBS at the church where Daddy grew up. It was neat to see her be so excited to go and come home sining songs I sang in VBS several years ago. This little lady may look like her Daddy, but is so much like her momma! Talking, singing,...talking, talking, talking...That is all we do! She says things that make memories for us every day! One more thing she really seems to be into lately is BALLET! She has a pair of "ballet shoes" (they are really only a mary jane style, she just calls them ballet shoes) They were getting a little snug, so we actually bought another pair today. She was super excited so, Im sure she will show them off when she gets to wear them. (and Jess, in case you're wondering...Yes, I wrote it down!) :)

Well, that's the update on the kids! I just recently posted lots of pics on Facebook, so check for them there!!