Our mini vacation from Hurricane Ike

We enjoyed a mini vacation from Hurricane Ike. Ok, it wasn't planned but we tried to make the best of the situation. It seemed like we drove across Texas in a car with three adults, a baby and 2 dogs but we made it and finally have power restored to our house on Friday morning--yeah! Today we got our internet connection back as the tree that fell over ripped our internet cable in half but they were quick to fix it. Now I just have to stock our fridge again and I think we will be fully back to normal. Thanks to everyone who let us stay with them!
Haley started gymnastics on Saturday and had a blast! She's not into following the group yet but she will get there. She was the youngest in her group but had no problems keeping up with the other kids. Next week Daddy is going to come too! And it turns out I knew 2 of the adults in her group from my high school/early college days - small world.
I'll post more pics later in the week from our trip to the Aquarium (Pre-Ike)!

The calm before the storm...Friday evening at Grandma's before Ike hit


Haley checking out all the limbs in Grandma's yard. What else is there to do without power?

Sommersaults in Uncle John and Nate's apartment in College Station Saturday night

Her first wagon ride with Daddy up at Great Aunt Jan's house in Burleson. (Yes, she is getting a wagon for her birthday!)


Matt at the Cowboy's game on Monday night

Great Aunt Jan pushing Haley around in a dump truck.

Ike Update

We are ok and enjoying the air conditioning and hot showers up at my aunt's house in Burleson (south of Ft. Worth). We are still without power and it may be some time before it comes back on. The damage from all the trees down in The Woodlands is amazing. We lost one of our large trees in the back that fell into the two neighbors yards and took out one of their trees as well. Luckily it missed all three houses and only caused fence damage. Minor issues compared to what could have happened.
We ended up riding out the storm at my mom's house due to all the large trees around our house. She lost a few large limbs but no house damage as well. We stayed in College Station Saturday night at my brothers apartment but 4 extra adults and 2 dogs in a college apartment is a bit much. Not to mention their roomates were coming back in town and they had school on Monday so we decided to come on up to Burleson. I don't have any pictures to post yet but we are having a good time. Matt and I even took in a Cowboy's game last night - Matt's favorite team. We are trying to make the best of the situation knowing that it could be much much worse. We are blessed :)

11 Months Old Already?

I'm back! Well, actually I was back on Monday but spending the last 3 weeks in 4 different time zones really takes it out of you. I finally feel like I am back to our normal routine. So on to the important stuff, Ms. Haley. She is walking all the time now and I still can't get over how amazing it is. It just cracks me up everytime I watch her walk with those little chubby short legs. She's been a little fussy the past week and I'm pretty sure it is just teething issues. Her two top teeth have finally cut thru but she had the massive drooling, fever and everything else that comes along with teething. Yesterday and today she hasn't seem as bad so hopefully the worst is over until the next teeth come in.

On Thursday Grandma took Haley to the library for storytime. There was only one other kiddo there, a 14th month old boy named Thomas. Apparently Haley was more interested in Thomas than the story but Thomas didn't want much to do with Haley - whew. I can't believe she's boy crazy already - what do we have to look forward to in 18 years?!!

And I have to give Matt the kudos he deserves. He did such a wonderful job being a single dad for 8 days and I know Haley had fun with Daddy. He even took her to her first Aggie game and enjoyed her first tailgate experience. Luckily for her they left before half...enough said.

Here's some pics from the last couple of weeks.

Wake up Uncle Michael!


Riding my lion


Hanging out drinking beer at the A&M tailgate with Stephen and Karen


The game is that way Daddy


Look Mom, I found a cupboard I can play in.

Looks who's walking!

Haley has kicked her walking into another gear this week. She has taken several steps and has even walking the length of the house by herself. She still doesn't have the confidence to walk all the time but she is getting better every day. I think her crawling days are almost over :)

Today Grandma and Grandpa Vara left. They have been staying with us since we got back from Hawaii to watch Haley for the week. Haley had a great time visiting with her grandparents and I enjoyed getting in an extra 20 minutes of sleep in the morning. We're still trying to catch up on sleep so every minute helps!

We took Haley to Market Street today and she played in the fountains. We weren't planning on this so I didn't come prepared but we made do. She loved it! We didn't bring any sunscreen since it was spur of the moment so we didn't stay too long. I'm sure we'll be back.

We have a very interesting week ahead. I will be in Atlanta for training all week coming back on Friday night then I leave for a weekend in Vegas Saturday morning. This will be the first time I have been away from Haley so I'm not sure how I am going to do but I know Matt will do great being Mr. Mom for the next 10 days. He already has plans to take Haley to her first Aggie game next Saturday!!

Here is a clip of Haley walking (and falling) from this past Tuesday.

We're back!

We're back from a week in paradise! Haley did pretty good on the flights to Kauai considering it was a total of 9 hours on a plane in the middle of the day. Once we got to the beach, she wasn't sure what all that sand was. She tried several times to eat it and of course it was all over her. Needless to say Haley had lots of baths! Overall, she did very good on the trip and we have several wonderful memories of our first vacation as a family of three (not counting all the other family members who were on the trip of course).

On the walking front, she is almost there. She is consistantly taking 5 or 6 steps on her own and has even managed up to 14! She is so close to just taking off but once she realizes she is walking she likes to sit down...silly girl.

Hope you enjoy the pictures from our trip. It was hard to pick from the 300+

Sunrise in Poipu Beach


Yum...sand


Why do I always have to wear this hat!


Hangin' with Mom


Long walks on the beach knock me out


Weee....higher Mom!


Haley with the chickens all aroud her. Here she is trying to catch the baby


Working on pointing

Walking on the beach


Here come the waves!


Whew...I'm tired. Let's sit Dad (she got in the chair all by herself)


Mom and me


Enjoying our last few hours in Hawaii


Surfer Girl


Our family

Aloha!

Aloha from Kauai! We're on vacation until Saturday and having a great time. I don't have any pictures to post until I get back but here are a few important lessons we have learned...

1. Sand apparently tastes good to Haley - yuck!
2. Sand on the hands is bad with a tired baby (ends up in the eyes when she rubs them)
3. I am NOT a sea person...I would rather give birth again then get out on a fishing boat in Kauai. About 10 minutes into our 6 HOUR fishing trip I was over the side of the boat letting it all go...and that is where I stayed. I kept praying to God a huge shark would come eat my head off while I was emptying my stomach but no luck. I have never been so happy to see land again! At least I know for next time.

The weather has been wonderful...better get back to vacation.

Mother's Day in August?

I had no idea Mother's Day came in August too! Well, actually I just finally used my mother's day presents this past weekend and what a great present it was. I spent all afternoon at the spa getting a facial and massage...ahhh...how relaxing. Thanks Haley.
Miss Haley was a joy this weekend as well. On Friday we visited a place that had a fish tank and Haley was mesmorized. She loved the fish trying to tap them as they went by. I'm seeing a trip to Sea World in our future. Saturday morning she hung out with me and Grandma while Daddy golfed and then Daddy had kid duty while I was at the spa. Sunday we went to church and Haley played with the other crawlers in the nursery. It was so funny when we went to get her because one of the kids started crying and the next thing you know they were all crying, for no reason. Sunday evening we were outside with the neighbor's 3 year old granddaughter and Haley was trying to play with all her toys. Kelci wasn't in to sharing too much, but she did offer Haley a piece of her taffy. I had to take it away and explaing Haley only has 2 teeth. Yes, she finally did get her second tooth in!
Well, I'm working from home today since our boss didn't want us out driving in the weather. It's pretty hard to really "work" with Haley around but we'll have some good Mother/Daughter time today in the rain. We'll see if it actually gets bad or is another Rita.

Haley climbing under the table - her new thing to do


Ready for Church


Outside of Church


The twins


Mom and Haley


Checking out the storm on Sunday