First Pumkin Pics of 2011

Yesterday was Alexandra's preschool Halloween Parade.  They were sooo cute I just couldn't stand it!  Pics are forthcoming.  (Let's just say David has them so don't hold your breath :) )  October is going by fast.  Between preschool, Kindemusik, Regnum Christi, and having Tracy's boys over and the girls going over to thier house- we have been busy.  Add in a few MOMS Club events like going to the library and the bounce and you have a good idea what our weeks have been like.
Hannah had a bit of a cold a few weeks ago too but she is better now.  Today it's Alexandra who is coughing and we have taken our usual precautions- called the doctor for an antibiotic.  (It is a long story why this is necessary- involving many ER visits, a hospitalization, ENT and bronchoscopy)  In any case she seems fine now so that is good.
The candy coma began yesterday with the parade and candy and cookies at the Martinez house where we got to help carve a jack-o-lantern.

You can expect many pictures from this weekend of the Pumpkin Patch and then Halloween :)  Tinkerbelles or Rupunzels?  Or one of each?  We shall see...

My Respect Life post on Catholic Sistas

I've been having fun writing for a blog with some of my Catholic Mom friends.  First I wrote about politics, then about appreciation for NICU nurses.  For Respect Life Month I wrote about my experience in a pregnancy center.  Thought you might enjoy :)  I think it's fun to share our experiences and try to life each other up through this blog.  Although it is written to support Catholics, I think others will also enjoy the perspective.
Catholic Sistas

And I was doing so well... It's October!

My how time flies!  I can't believe I had the audacity to title my entry "Part One".  What did I think was going to happen?! 
Part two was meant to be... how it went.  I wrote part one while she was in school.  I never got back to it!  Let's just say it was great.  She loves it.  Sometimes she does say school is boring and she would rather stay home, but I don't think that's really true.  She has made some friends, brought home lot's of work, and learned new songs that she sings for me including, "I can spell red" "Cha cha cha, fiesta!" and Peanut, peanut butter... and jelly!"  She is looking forward to bringing the snack of Tuesday- fruit snacks! 
Hannah is just a budding little tornado!  SHe is so sweet when she picks out her books at night.  SHe loves "God gave us you" :Brown Bear, Brown Bear" "Doggies" and of course "Moo, Baa La La La". And if I pick out the wrong book she will put it back and pick out the one she wants to hear!
We have been doing the festival thing... Pecan Street Festival, Fablefest, and St. William's Fall Festival.  Whooo!!  Here are some pics to prove it :) I am tired just looking at all we have been doing. I think you will forgive me for not posting when you see this :)

Particularly cute day at school- Xandra loves to embellish her hair do with bows and clips- sometimes I have to limit this passion.

At Zero Gravity Gymnastics day with MOMS club of Leander- I was ready to sign her up but she has other ideas.  Hannah had a blast too- she loved the trampoline and climbing all over everything.

Hannah wants to ride the bike every time we enter the garage (be pushed on the bike).  I try to accommodate her as often as I can- ah the pleasure of being a SAHM :)

                                                                                     Fablefest Costumes 

First day of Karate at Vortex Martial Arts

MOMS Club Halloween party- we have already made so many nice friends :)  The girls loved the crafts- but mostly the snacks!

                                                                              St. Williams Fall Festival- loooved the petting zoo.  My favorite part was the gorditas.

First Day of Mother's Day Out Part One

 Since it was our first day, though not everyone else's, we were about 15 minutes early.  Unfortunately the doors don't open till 5 till so we had a while to sit and take some pictures.  I was hoping to talk with the teacher about Alexandra's week last week and about her doctor visit yesterday and how it's her first day.  We walked in, went to the bathroom, and Alexandra walked in like she owned the place!  The teacher kept asking her, "Do you know what to do?" But she was so excited she just threw her backpack into a cubby and was looking around the room.  Finally the teacher was able to show her where her cubby was (the first one now that they changed her name to Alexandra instead of Xandra :)  )  And then put her lunch box in the bubby, put her folder in a rack, and hang up her back pack on a hook near the door.  Then it was time for kisses.  She kissed me, kissed Hannah and said goodbye.  I headed towards the door and snapped this picture as I was leaving.

It was easier for me I think, since it had been delayed for a week already so I was emotionally prepared.  As I was putting Hannah down for her nap she said "Sissy?  Sissy?"  I told her Sissy is at school.  I know Alexandra is having a great day.  I can't wait to hear about it.

Four Year Shots Stink a Lot

After having a fever Monday night and all day Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday Alexandra was finally better.  Of course Thursday- I was sick, though I had more of a stomach thing. And Friday it was David's turn!  Poor baby :)  Saturday we were all well. 
Sunday we got to enjoy mass and lunch with my parents at our house with a fancy dinner compliments of Chef David.  He made roasted garlic spaghetti and Zuppa Toscanna.  Then that evening David and I got to play softball for the Block House Mutts.  We beat the Dentists by 1 point!!  Though I had many errors and struck out twice :(  I also managed not to strike out when we were down by one point and it would have ended the game.  The highlight of the game was when my boyfriend scored a grand slam!! This is his second for the season.  Boy, that is one good looking pitcher ;)
I think I finally got the hang of the single crochet.  I know this little square is a mess but it's the closest I've gotten so far.  Maybe I'll try to make something. 

Today Alexandra had her real well check up and her hearing and sight were fine, as well as her growth and development.  The dreaded shots were about as horrible as you would expect.  I had to hold her down and she screamed bloody murder and I felt terrible.  When it was all over she cried and cried.  And poor Hannah was scared to death- but it's over!  They both got flu shots too so I'm glad that is done.  We went straight to Sonic for ice cream (joined by Grandad and Charlie) then Alexandra played normally till the end of the day.  Right now she says she can't walk, I'm sure her legs are sore- there were two shots in each leg.  If there is anything Alexandra wants this would be the time to ask.  Pobrecito!!

One other note- it has been 18 months today since Samantha passed away.  She has been on my mind in a special way today and it felt good to cry a little at breakfast.  I lit my candle and got some lillies.  It's so hard sometimes to admit that she was here and now she's gone.  But acknowledging her sweet little existence is somehow healing for me.  We didn't make it to the cemetery today with the doctor and the Maczuga boys came over, but I hope to go soon.  St. Samantha, pray for us.  We miss you every day.

Cuteness Personified!

Hannah enjoyed her Malt-o-meal this morning as you can see.

Although we are still coping with ongoing illness, yesterday me, today David and now Xandra has an upset stomach... I feel inspired to share the cutest things Hannah has done lately.  And isnt that one of the main reasons you read this anyway?
1.Hannah: "Zsink, Zsink!" Mommy: Where is your drink?  Hannah puts her hands up as if to say "I don't know"
2. We have a fan in the kitchen so she stands there and talks into it to here her voice tremble.
3.  THis morning she handed me a clip and pointed to her hair.
4.  When the credits roll after a tv show she says "All done!"  and hands David the remote.
5.  She sings twinkle twinkle.  I'll work on a video of this.

6. Hannah dances.

7.  Hannah gets surprised. Sorry the video is sideways.












That's all for now.  Hopefully everyone will be fully recovered soon and we can start our regularly scheduled program next week.  Preschool here we come!

Alexandra's Four Year "Well" Check Up

This is the girls at the doctor this morning.  Monday after our lovely day Alexandra had a fever of 101.  She seemed ok other than that but Hannah has had some congestion so we went ahead and took precautions to head off the effects of Alexandra's condition. Of course I knew she would get sick, since she was supposed to start preschool yesterday.  So instead I had my first experience calling the school to them she was sick.  She had fever all day yesterday and was burning up last night- 103.  We are upping the fever reducers today after seeing the doctor.  She was supposed to have a well checkup but instead had a sick checkup.  She couldn't get her shots- she wasn't disappointed about that- but she will have to go back to do that and eye and hearing checks.  She was 44 lbs 4oz (90-95%) and 44 in. ( >95%).  Practically perfect in every way.  He said she was average height for a 6 year old.  She seems to always be about one pound per inch!  That is always nice to see- since it is the weight by her height that they watch.  She won't be going to school tomorrow either but hopefully next week she will be good as new.  My poor baby!  Don't worry we are keeping the ice cream coming- Daddy took her to a "big movie" to help pass the resting time and take her mind off not feeling good.