On a Steel Horse I Ride

While last year the bandana seemed to be the problem easily remedied during the Stick Horse Rodeo at the Fort Bend County Fair, this year the rodeo itself appeared to be the issue.

We arrived early, received a number, bandana, and horse, and no meltdowns appeared to be on the horizon.

And then the parade of riders started, and for us, very quickly ended.

We left the Stick Horse Rodeo, indulged in some fair food (fried Oreos included), and made our way to the much anticipated carnival rides.

Turns out, steel is the way to go!

Although his cowboy bandana stayed on all day, our little Sheriff might need a new nickname soon!

Throwback Thursday -- Are You Ready for Some Football

After these last few games, the Texans clearly need to be reminded of what they learned back in August. 

The Sheriff for 4th string QB? We might need to work on his form a bit. 

Let It Be

If you haven't read Waiting for Birdy: A Year of Frantic Tedium, Neurotic Angst, and the Wild Magic of Growing a Family, grab a copy from your library and give it a shot. There were so many relatable moments in this memoir, and I found myself taking pictures of pages to quote later.

One such quote reads:

So long as that boy is safe and sound, he can feel however he feels. 

Age three seems pretty world changing for the wee ones. (At least that's been our experience around here.) There are new feelings and explorations and independence. There are more expectations and responsibilities and goals. And to complicate all of these bits of newness is the same sweet, itty bitty babe still inside needing to rear his face every now and then and just exist in innocence. 

Then we went ahead and introduced a little brother into the picture and shook an already volatile world. W is such a wonderful brother, and my heart fully believes God knew exactly what He was doing gifting this family with these two souls. 

That's not to say we haven't had (and daily have) our share of jealousy and adjustments and acting out. Sure, it's part age three, part new sibling.

I have always wanted to fix people's feelings, set their hearts in complete peace, and I have gotten caught up in wanting to make The Sheriff's adjusting just so. But we don't grow in perfection. God works in the middle of a tangled spirit to form us into the people He created us to be.

I am so grateful for the reminder. This little guy is safe. He's sound. He knows he's so loved. So yes, he can feel however he feels.

Sometimes I just need a little reminder to simply let it be.

Rough and Tumble and a Dash of Tutus

We lost a good one yesterday.

Well, not really a good one.

It was just a tooth, a tooth that was "good" no longer thanks to an injury last year. I see so many beaux-beauxs in a future filled with boys running here and there in their rough and tumble nature.

But within that nature resides a bravery. I saw it when The Sheriff was first injured and made his ER visit, and I saw it as he sat so small in a dentist's chair not knowing what was to come.

He did it all with the heart of a champ and still has one of the best little boy smiles around!

With all of the testosterone around these parts (cute as they may be), you can also find me over at Houston Moms Blog today allowing my girly side to run free with a no-sew, Houston Texans tutu tutorial.  The fluffier the better right?

Seven

Hey There Smalls,

I can't help but smile as I look through the pictures for this 7 month post of yours.  There is this little firecracker of a personality emerging behind those blue eyes. Basically, kiddo, you are just something else.

You are such a happy boy, and boy do you love your Daddy. I am always entertained watching you turn in his direction any time he speaks, and you often get a neck workout looking his way during football games where Daddy is spouting off about this or that.  Now you just have to work on calling him. Speaking of "speaking," I'm pretty sure you say, "Mmmmma" when you are so hungry and impatient and just so ready to eat. I also think you attempt to say "bottle" with a little "B" sound coming from your mouth.  I'm not throwing first words on the situation just yet, but it's a start.

You sure do manage to look so very innocent. We aren't totally fooled though, little buddy.  From attempting to catapult yourself over the side of the baby bathtub to splash in big brother's water on the outside, to rolling and scooting however and wherever to get your hands on Brother's coveted flying machines, you are going to keep us on our toes.


We love watching how very proud you are of yourself.  Yes, sometimes it's that you have your hands on something you shouldn't. Other times it's for great baby milestones like pulling up on your hands and feet in a push-up position or an attempted clap that is becoming your signature fist clap.  Hey, it's nice:  achieves the purpose of celebration without all of that hands smacking together racket!

With a wonderfully contagious smile and an even better giggle, you light up our days. And yes, you still light up the nights sometimes too, and your sentiments are not so cordial. Regardless, we adore your happiness, sweet baby.

You cut a few top teeth this month. I've even forgotten how much trouble they gave you, but I see one or two more on the horizon in the near future so we just might be reminded.

And you have been chomping down in the food department. At first you turned your nose up at so many things. Maybe you were just mad that I just wasn't feeding you fast enough. I think you have adjusted now to the fact that "solids" don't come as fast as milk out of a bottle!

You love avocado just like your Momma (and Daddy and Brother for that matter), but not so much peas or carrots. Sometimes your entire body shudders when I try to sneak in bites of these.

You are sweet, my J, just so super sweet. We know God made you the perfect fit for our family.

And then:

Hey, what's this?

Is it edible?

What do you think, Momma?

Photo shoot over!