Pumpkins and Parties

This post is about our last week in the States before heading here to Asia. We drove back to my parents house on Friday night, and then my sister (who flew up the day before) and I gave my mom a surprise 60th birthday party that Saturday.

She actually had no idea and was genuinely surprised!! 

Sarah's little girl and Paige are close in age, so we got matching outfits and Daniel took some pictures of us girls before church.

It was hard to get the girls to look at the camera at the same time-but I still love how they turned out!

My parents picked out the girls' outfits-they are adorable!

Love my sister!

Daniel's parents came up our last weekend, and we went to a pumpkin patch where you could pick apples, pumpkins, ride rides, and feed animals. It was basically a mini heaven for Paige. 

I love my little apple picker! I die over those pigtails!

Paige has no fear of animals! Petting zoos are really the jackpot.

We were never really sure what this animal was.

Paige rode the pony and we rode the swings. I thought the swings would be nice and mild-I was shocked at how fast we went! We had so much fun picking apples, playing with the pumpkins, and spending time with family. I loved every minute at the pumpkin patch-I know it will be a while before we get to go to another one!

Playing Together

Currently, my little pumpkin is pretty sick. Actually the sickest I've ever seen her. She started running a fever on Monday. She was fussy, congested, did not want to eat or drink, or even play. I took her in this afternoon and she has a really bad ear infection. So we've been doing a lot of cuddling and snuggling this week. 

However, Gogo let Paige play in the pool in her pj's. Apparently when you're sick, grandma lets you do whatever you want. 

But last week, while Sarah and I were in Branson, Paige had a great time hanging out with her cousins.

There was a lot of pool time. Paige kept pooping in the pool, which really surprised me because she doesn't ever do it in the tub. That girl!

Everyone thinks the girls are twins. You would never know they are almost 3 months apart, especially since Paige weighs more than teeny tiny Adelyn. 

My grandpa (mom's dad) came up this past weekend. He saw Paige last year when she was a few days old, but it was time for another visit!

Yay for 4 generations! Here we are just over a year ago.

Look how little that little tater tot is!! oh my goodness she has grown up so fast! 

Sudden Quick Trip

Last Sunday I was talking to my sister on the phone and we were lamenting the fact that we haven't had tons of time together while we've been in the States. We started talking about me flying to Houston to just hang out and spend a few days. It was one of those things that we were half serious half kidding. It felt a little crazy and short notice to fly to Houston, especially since Sarah will be coming up to Illinois with the kids next week. But Daniel and I were talking it out, and big picture, I don't get to see Sarah that often, and when we go back to Asia this coming September, I know opportunities to see her will be very few and far between. 

(i love this picture because paige looks like a little rag doll)

So the day was seized and I bought a ticket to fly to Houston the next day to stay for 8 days. And then Daniel decided to drive to Oklahoma for the week to see his family. He surprised his parents and had a great time with everyone! (sorry i don't have pics from his week)

Paige has flown many times in her short little life. However, flying with her now that she is mobile and takes less naps, is a whole other world. By the end of the trip back I was lecturing Paige that she would be taking a boat back to Asia because I would never fly with her again. (i'm kidding) (kind of)

Anyways, we landed after 10 on Monday night and headed to Sarah's house. Sarah's youngest is 11 weeks older than Paige. But we took them to the doctor in the same week, and they weighed the exact same 20.8 lbs and were both 30 inches tall. Adelyn is in the 7% for height and weight, bless her heart.

The girls played okay together. Adelyn was a little territorial with her toys and might have been a little rough physically with Paige. But we overcame and we will start teaching Paige how to fight back this week. :)

When we went shopping, we tried putting both girls in the little car. Paige however, refused to sit on the seat, but insisted she sit on the bottom. This picture was taken before Adelyn tried to kick Paige out of the car, ha!

We did some really fun things with the cousins while we were there! Sarah's neighborhood has a splash pad, and Paige had the time of her life! I love giving Paige experiences that I know she may not have when we move back. It makes the little things extra special.

We went to the park and played outside a lot. Paige has a mop of hair, and her head is naturally hot. Poor thing sweats on her head a lot. So to help her out, this happened and I died over the cuteness.

We got a great surprise while we were there. Our cousin, Skee, called and said he was in town! Skee lives in Europe for his job and is quite the world traveler. I haven't seen him in a few years, and he has never met Paige, so it was great getting together.

Paige loved Uncle Skee!

Sarah and I had great sister time. It's great being with someone who has a child at the same stage as yours to do life with-we can change their diapers, feed them, and take care of them like they're our own. So even though the days can seem long, having support all day long was just lovely.

The week was a huge blessing to me. Sarah and I had to much fun and our time together was exactly what I needed. We flew back yesterday and spent today recovering. 

Miss ya'll and hope everyone is doing well!

Newlyweds, family, and dedication

We had a wonderful weekend! We had great weather and great time with friends and family!

My parents get together with a group of their friends every Friday night. Everyone takes turns hosting and it's a big potluck dinner. This week it was my parents turn to host, and it was a special game night. One couple prepared all the questions for us to play The Newlywed Game.

There were 7 couples who played, and it was SO much fun! We were by far the youngest couple, with the oldest couple celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary that night. Daniel and I enjoyed ourselves so much!! We won the game by 1 point!!! 

On Saturday, Daniel's parents drove up from Oklahoma for a quick trip. They got in right after lunch, and Paige was excited to see them! We spent the day playing outside, the weather was beautiful! 

This morning we did Paige's baby dedication at my parents church. It was extra special, because my dad is the pastor. 

We were really thankful it worked out for both of Paige's grandparents to be here for her dedication. We didn't get great pictures, but oh well! That's why we tried to take some before we left the house.

Sundays are usually the hardest day for us, as far as Paige and her schedule. Sunday mornings I'm always rushed and trying to get a good picture of her, which usually doesn't happen, ha! I love this picture just because it shows how things normally are.

I just finished watching Call the Midwife (love that show!), and am about to get ready for bed. Hopefully a long run in the morning!

love

laura

Houston Family

While in Houston last week, we had lots of cousin time! We took the girls to the mall and let them play. Most of the toys were too big for the girls, but they didn't seem to mind. 

Paige is getting to be quite the little climber.

The other day, she took this box off of the bench, then used it to climb up on. I have a feeling I'm going to have to keep a good eye on this girl!

My grandma got the girls Green Bay Packer cheerleader outfits. They are so cute, with the little pom-poms! 

We dressed them up right before nap time, so the girls weren't overly smiley at that point.

Last Wednesday, Paige and I flew back to Oklahoma. I was spoiled because our flight to Houston was so easy, I figured the flight back would be.

ha.

Even though the flight was only an hour, I wasn't prepared well for it. I didn't bring hardly any toys because Paige was going to be in the carrier and I was hoping she would sleep. Instead, she kept wanting to tickle the complete stranger man next to us, who looked less than thrilled about having a child within 10 feet of him. It was nap time, but she thought throwing her toys and food was a better use of her time. Meanwhile, I'm having a small panic attack trying to figure out how to control my 13 month old child and get her to sit in my lap like a little angel.  And this was all before take off.

So once the seat belt sign was off, I stood in the galley at the front and rocked her till she fell asleep. Then I just stood the rest of the flight. When we had turbulence and were starting to descend, I sat down and she woke up. I figured since she had a little catnap she would be perfectly delightful, so I took her out of the carrier. Instead I think she was confused and decided to cry until we landed. It was so much fun, I am already looking forward to my next flight alone with an infant in my lap. 

We've enjoyed being back in Oklahoma, but definitely missing the warmer weather we had in Houston. My goal is to blog more regularly, so look for another post soon!

love

laura

Cousins Cousins Cousins

Tuesday morning Paige and I flew to Houston, to visit my sister. It was Paige's 11th flight, but my first time to fly with her by myself. I was a little worried, but it went really well!!!! Our flight was a little delayed, but I just walked around with Paige in the carrier (love my Ergo!). She took a little nap until we boarded the plane.

I kept her in the carrier for the first 20 minutes, while Paige waved to everyone she could see. Girl knows how to work the crowd. Meanwhile, I was trying not to get sick. I never get airsick or carsick, but it was really hot on the plane and I was so close to losing it. yuck.

After I nursed her I let her play on the empty seat next to us-we had the ONLY empty seat on the plane, and I was so thankful!!! She did really well until the last few minutes when she wanted to move around more. So I distracted her with food, ha! 

We went to the grocery store the other day when the boys were in school, and got a lot of looks. I think people thought they were twins. I honestly don't think they look that much alike, but we hear that they do all the time.

(Adelyn is 11 weeks older than Paige).

Yesterday I kept the girls while Sarah and Mike had a date. The girls were really good and we had fun playing together.

(don't they look thrilled? ha!) 

 Paige decided not to nap in the morning though, and both girls refused their second nap. So Sarah and I put the girls in the car and drove around. This is what we found when we got back home. Precious!!!

Paige keeps climbing on the outside of the steps and making me a nervous wreck. She keeps going higher and could care less about possibly getting hurt.

She climbs on the higher steps, but I take her off real quick so I don't have pictures. 

Both girls have had runny noses and now we think maybe a stomach bug. The last month, Paige has been waking up almost every night crying, (which she has done maybe 5 times in her entire life). I couldn't figure it out, but thought maybe it had to do with weaning. Yesterday, I felt in her mouth and realized her 2 top molars were in ! And have probably been in for several days. The last 4 nights she has slept perfectly! I'm glad it was probably just teething and not our new norm!

Paige getting some good hugs with cousin Ethan! 

We've been enjoying the nice weather, taking walks, going to the park, and playing in the yard. I've been enjoying having nice grocery stores with organic options!! We went to Central Market and Kroger, and I practically drooled over the options, even the little things like organic applesauce make me happy. 

Sarah's boys are 7 and 5, and after just being here an hour, I now know all the words to the Lego movie theme song. It's awesome.

We are here until Wednesday, then we fly back to Oklahoma. I hope that flight goes as well as the first one. 

Have a great weekend!

love

laura