The Sacrament of Baptism

Ella Grace was baptized at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, in Plano, TX, this past weekend. As is tradition in our family, she wore the baptismal gown I was baptized in. Her Great Auntie Barb had a beautiful new bonnet made for her as well. Ella's Godparents are Jon's brother Rick and my cousing Emily. Rick was unable to attend due to some work obligations so Josh was kind enough to stand in him at the ceremony. Ella did great, she only cried a little when the holy water was poured over her head. Her are a few pictures from the event and reception. It was so great to have our family here for her special day. Grammie, Poppy, Papa Joe, Lala, The Chicago Duds, Uncle Josh, cousins and Aunt Virg made this little girl feel so blessed.

There's a 3 year old in the house....

Jack Ryan turned three years old on Friday, October 22nd. I can't believe he is three! I am consistently amazed by this little boy. He is so smart, friendly, funny and sweet. God truly blessed us the day he arrived. I remember thinking that I had never seen anything as beautiful as he and the love I felt for him was overwhelming. Jon and I began a great adventure when he was born. We were blessed to have family from both sides join us in celebrating his birthday. We took him to the toy store to pick out some special gifts, had lunch at Dave & Busters and that evening we celebrated Papa Joe's 60th birthday. Jack had so much fun with his cousins, aunt, uncle and grandparents.

Happy Birthday to you....

Fall Fun

Well it's finally cooled down in the Lone Start State and that means we get to play at the parks and do things outdoors. This past weekend could not have been more perfect! Friday night after work we took Jack to the park to play. Jon and I were absolutley astonished that nearly all the parents there were busy on their cell phones instead of playing with their kids. While I understand that after a certain age kids no longer find it cool for you to ride down the slide with them, but maybe just maybe you should at least pay attention to them. Is it too much to ask that parents put down their phones to engage with their children? Do these parents think that at 2 or 3 their kid isn't paying attention to them? Wake up! They are! And if they could articulate it, I am sure they would ask you what was more important- them or the phone. Okay, I am stepping off my soapbox now.

Saturday we continued with our tradition of visiting the Dallas Arboretum. For the past several years we have been taking Jack to see the pumpkins at the arboretum and snap some cute pictures at the same time. This year was Ella's first trip and we got some great photos. Jack had a great time until he managed to get soaking wet. Jon took him over to play in the fountain and right as we were about to leave and continue on our walk he stepped into a drop-off in the fountain and soaked his pains and shirt. Of course I didn't bring an extra set of clothes...he was miserable. We patted him down as best we could and hoped the sun would help to dry him off, but a short time later we ended up leaving. A wet and hungry 3 year-old + 2 hungry parents= end of trip. Plus it was a great football watching day! Baylor had a great game against Kansas- Sic 'em Bears! It's been along time since Baylor has had a better record than UT.

A blessing for my children

Those of you who have close family near your young children know that when people say “It takes a village to raise a child” it really is true. It becomes even more apparent when you add another child. As parents we give and give and give. Raising children is the hardest job in the world, but the one you love the most. Neither my husband nor I would trade it for anything in the world - even when Jack is up at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday begging us to watch Phineas & Ferb or when Ella lets out an “I’m hungry” cry at 3 a.m. The second your child laughs or smiles at you with sheer delight or hugs you with all their might being tired simply doesn’t matter.

We are blessed to have one set of grandparents nearby and Jon’s youngest brother Josh. I don't know what we do with out them. So, I thought it was time to pay due to those we rely on so heavily.

Papa Joe and Lala host sleepovers and babysit when asked. Whether its an hour for me to go get a pedicure, a few hours to clean the house without having to tend to the kids, or a date night this set of grandparents really comes through, often at a moments notice. Over the summer Jack would play in the pool, Lala would tend to Ella and mommy would get a nice nap. Lala continues to help when she can on days that Jack is at the firehouse so I don't have to put Ella in daycare any sooner than necessary. Jack enjoys rough-housing with Papa and doing little projects like painting or reading with Lala. He loves all of his grandparents so much- I wish they all got to visit with him as regularly as Papa Joe and Lala do.

On to Uncle Josh. Uncle Josh is one of Jack’s favorite people in the whole world and Ella has taken quite the liking to him as well. Uncle Josh helps with all sorts of things when it comes to the kids. He helps on days when Jon is at the firehouse and I am at work. While on maternity leave this summer I was a bit overwhelmed with both the kids by myself on days Jon was at the firehouse, thankfully Uncle Josh would take Jack outside to play at the splash park or to the movies. He let me rest and focus soley on Ella for a few hours and I am eternally grateful.

Jack gets so excited when we tell him he gets to see Uncle Josh or ride in his big truck. He calls his uncle is friend and I hope as both he and Ella get older, they will continue to view him that way. He is truly selfless when it comes to helping with them. One day he is going to make a great dad. Watching the way the kids interact with Josh makes me wish my sister and Jon’s other brother lived closer. I want so badly for Jon and me to have that relationship with our nieces and for Jack and Ella to know Uncle Rick and Aunt Jess and Aunt Amy that well. I hate that in today’s world families live so far apart; because of this I treasure time with out of town family more than have before.

Time flies.....

I am just one week away from returning to work full-time. I can't believe how quickly 11 weeks went by. We have had a busy summer and it's been fun to be at home with Jack during the warmer months of the year. I learned all about Phinneas and Ferb, we painted many beautiful pictures of Buzz Lightyear and Woody, went to the splash park several times a week and attempted to work on counting, ABC's and potty training. Towards the end of the summer Jack discovered Iron Man and he has been pretending to be Tony Stark for a few weeks now. Every night we read his Iron Man book before he goes to bed.

Ella is growing up so fast! Her two month check up was last Monday- mommy and baby made it through her first immunizations (several tears were shed by both) and she weighed in at 11 lbs 3 oz. She is also 23 1/4 inches long! She has grown two inches in two months! She is smiling, cooing, and laughing. She loves to talk to the little animals on her activity mat and kick her legs.

During the last few weeks the kids also got to spend time with Mimi. She came to help with Ella and play with Jack-Jack. They had lots of fun together! We can't wait to see her again. I am missing her greatly too....we had home cooked meals nearly every night and she was kind enough to get up or stay up with Ella when I was exhausted.