Fall Down Go Boom!

So I have to admit it.... I am an awful mama! Abby has started throwing major fits when it gets time to go to sleep, and today during one of those fit throwing moments she fell out of the recliner and hit her head. She officially has her 1st bump : ( I have never felt so bad in my life. I just let her fall out of my lap into the floor. I feel ashamed even talking about it but I think that is part of being a mom. No mom is perfect but after she fell in the floor I rushed over, picked her up, kissed her face, and hugged her so tight. I guess that is all we can do when our babies fall down and go boom....

Back to this fit throwing... Please give me suggestions! I have tried holding her to calm her down, putting her in the floor to let her throw the fit, or laying her in bed all while none seem to make her calm down and stop crying. One of these days she will hate that she didn't enjoy her naps more but in the meantime we currently hate nap time.

While I am on my favorite subject Abigail I figure I will mention she has to many nicknames. I sometimes wonder she will be confused om what her real name is! Just a few of the names we call her ..... Abby, Abs, Abs Magabs, Toot, Monster, Munchkin, Pumkin, Love, Lovebug and any combination of the above. Funny conversation about her nickname... Gotta love what kids say. Caiden (our nephew): "Aunt Jackie what's this big ball for?", Me: "It's an exercise ball to exercise your abs" Caiden: "But she is to small to exercise".   I just laughed and responded "You are correct".

Directly behind Abigail my next favorite thing is the Ellen DeGeneres's Show.. Okay that is exaggerating but I do truly love her show. It is funny, entertaining, and uplifting. Last week she showed the most amazing 12 year old boy who covered "Paparazzi" by Lady Gaga. This kid is simply amazing. Watch and enjoy!

This previous weekend was very exciting and exhausting. I will start with exhausting... 4 trips to Lowe's, entire Saturday spent working outside, 5 people helping, and a million trips from the front yard to the back we are about 95% finished with our patio. It looks fantastic and I really think it will improve our backyard experience. We still have a few cosmetic items and decorating to do but we are defiantly making progress. While I am showing pictures of the patio I might as well show off our flowers and the rest of the backyard. You are all welcome to come and have drink on our new patio! I just might do that tonight! Thanks Mom and Dad for coming down and helping with the Patio. We couldn't have done it without you.

Now I know everyone is more excited to find out what was so exciting this weekend?!?! Well I am sorry I can't tell you now because I think there are a few more people who have a surprise in store for them! It was a great surprise and thankful for the visit!

I would like to announce that I am having another nephew in October! Boys, boys, boys everywhere! This will be nephew number 5! I will not be able to afford Christmas next year with all these babies and kids. I am currently taking donations! Congrats Sis and Travis! And please pick a name other then Archie for this baby : )

Those are our latest adventure! Or all that I can remember anyways....

Love,

Jackie

Run...Run...Run

It is crazy how busy we have been over the last few weeks. We have started a few new projects, have a growing little girl, and we are loving this weather. I made the comment the other day how much I LOVE Texas! What more could a person as for then Texas Music and this wonderful Patio weather! Life is Great!

Project #1

Our Patio....

So we decided that the person living here before us wanted to live in a jungle! Our yard it covered with shrubs, trees, and plants. It is so much to maintain and takes up so much space. So we took on the project of tearing out some trees/shrubs by the house and extending our patio. This upcoming weekend my parents are planning to come and assist us in laying the patio. Here are some pictures of the progress so far....

 

We are really hoping that in a year when we decide to sell our house our new patio will be a selling point. Wish us luck that it turns out as planned and that Chad and I don't get divorced in the process : )

2nd Project

Running a 5 K......

At the beginning of the year I set a few goals for myself, and 1 happened to be running a 5K. My dearest Amanda has started running 5Ks with her family, and my boss runs them on a regular basis. So a few weeks ago Amanda emailed (We email during the day instead of text) and asked me if I wanted to run the Howe Founder's Day 5K. I said "yes" with a little hesitation since I only had 3 weeks to train. I went from setting on the couch to running almost everyday. It was something I wanted to do just need the motivation. My goal was to run it in under 40 minutes.... I ran it in 30:02 minutes and received 3rd place for my age group. It was the greatest feeling when I rounded the last curve and looked up at the clock and it said 30 minutes. It was honestly one of the best ways to start the day! Amanda had to show me up and ran it in 28:12, but this is defiantly something I will start doing on a regular basis. While we were there I saw some pretty inspirational people... a 72 year old lady that finished the run and a guy who ran it in 15 minutes. It was simply amazing to see both!

Sporting our Medals

Our Greatest Project

Abigail

She is just growing, growing, and growing... Abby turned 8 months yesterday. I can't believe in 4 months we will be celebrating her 1st birthday. I have already started thinking of party themes... Currently a Cupcake Theme is winning. She started pulling up on everything. It was crazy one day she figured it out and the next she was pulling up everywhere.

My 1st Mother's Day has been fantastic. I received a beautiful necklace from Chad and Abigail! It has 2 parts for Abby and I, so when she gets older we will give her the other half to wear. I hope everyone had a fantastic Mother's Day and as Stephanie quoted on Facebook "To the world you are somebody, BUT to somebody (your kids) you are the world!"

XOXOXO!

Jackie