SHACK'S BACK!
If you've had any "dog talk" with me in the last 2 years, you know I've always said I'd never get another dog. I think God must have a sense of humor because Shackleford is at my feet snoring right now and my kitchen floor has drops of slobber all over it.

Browse back in this blog about 20 months and you'll find the "Dog Gone" post. That was about a month after Jake was released from the NICU and my stress level was through the roof. Shack had to go! I was physically exhausted and flat couldn't take care of him, so I found a nice family in Arlington....

Okay, fast forward to Saturday when I get this phone message from this Arlington vet saying we found your English Bulldog. "He's here, so you can come pick him up any time." What?! Apparently someone found him wondering around in their front yard and took him up to the vet. The vet ran a check on his tags and our name was still connected to those numbers. I don’t have the contact info for the family we gave him to, so I guess he’s ours again.

The timing is what really has me stunned. On Thursday last week, Henry was pushing this little stuffed dog around the house. He pulled the cart right up next to me and said,
"Mama, I want Shack-Shack back."
"Honey, we can't get Shack back. Remember we gave him to another family."
"But I miss him"
"Sorry baby but you told mommy you didn't like Shack and we got rid of him. If we take him from that family, then they will miss him. I'm sorry ~"

Henry's been carrying this stuffed dog around all weekend and keeps telling us he wants a "real dog". We told him we had a surprise for him after school on Monday. He's pretty excited. Now we need to run up to the pet store and re-buy all the stuff we gave away. I asked Henry if we should take Shack to the store with us and he said "No, I don't want him to get lost." Guess he's a keeper.

Some Fabulous Fall Photos --

Lately ~
So here's what's up:
Henry turned 4 and started preschool! Isn't he a doll? Look at those eyes! I think he's going to be a ladies' man.

and plays soccer now...

We took the boys to San Antonio for Labor Day weekend. Stayed at the Westin La Cantera -- very nice and kid friendly! Yes, those are onions on Henry's ears.















































And it's football season. Hook 'Em Horns!

Look at them grow!
Since this blog is supposed to be the place where I document life, particularly the lives of Henry and Jake, I thought I should give you an update on how they are doing...or should we say growing. It has been fun going back to see what Henry was doing at Jake's age.

Henry's birthday is in a month, so it's still safe to say as a 3-year-old he can:
-- Sleep through the night without pull-ups or diapers
-- Naps everyday for 2+ hours
-- Ride his bike with training wheels
-- Knows the alphabet and the sound each letter makes (still working on lowercase recognition)
-- Can spell and write his name; can spell his last name
-- Can count to 20
-- Not into Thomas the Train as much; it's all about Pixar "Cars" now
-- Swims 10 to 12 feet without floaties or help; jumps off the side into water; can swim holding his breath for 30+ seconds
-- Loves watching movies as much as daddy
-- Plays games on mommy's iPhone
-- Just signed him up for soccer with neighbors Brant, Mark and Goerge
-- He'll also start Karate in September (we won a free 3-month trial)
-- LOVES playing with cousin Taylor
-- Starting 3-year-old preschool in 2 weeks Monday and Friday 9-12 and Wed 9-3;
because of his birthday, he will always be one of the oldest in his class.


Jake is 19 months and here's what he's up to:
-- Had swim lessons with mommy and can swim underwater for 6 seconds
-- Knows lots of words, "Mommy, daddy, dog, car, please, book, juice, eggs, bubble, ball, more, Hi Gigi, Go Diego, bye-bye, baby, yes, no, hat, shoes, Elmo, cracker...Can't say Henry yet
-- Follows simple commands, "Jake, go put your shoes in the cabinet."; "Put the toys in the basket"; "Go play in Henry's room"
-- Will not ride in the stroller or sit in a highchair more then 15 or 20 minutes ... we're eating out way less these days
-- Great eater, better than Henry at most meals
-- At his 18 month appointment, he was 25.3 lbs and 32 inches tall (48%/52%)
-- Loves watching TV with Henry; favorite show is Go Diego but also likes Baby Signing and Elmo
-- He has to put everything on his head and says, "hat" this includes food, dishes, toys, sand, water, everything! His hair is always sticky or dirty. He laughs and says "hat"
-- Total mama's-boy; will not let anyone else hold him if I'm in the room
-- Will go to Mother's Day Out just on Wednesday's from 9 to 3
-- Loves playing with Henry!
Our morning routine usually goes like this:
When I hear Jake, around 6:30, I jump up, change his diaper and put him the middle of his room with juice, books and toys and head back to bed. 10 minutes later Henry gets up, grabs his juice, gummy vitamins, makes a stop by the toilet then into Jake's room and they play for a good hour! They are so sweet to each other this time of day. They love each others company...probably because mom and dad are no fun, barely awake and still in bed. Around 7:45 Jake comes to the side of my bed, gets in my face and says, "Eat-Eat-Eat". There's no snooze button, but it's okay. I'm happy to have had an extra hour of extra sleep!

Did I mention that Gigi is living with us now? We have an apartment attached to our garage. It's a good spot for her to sleep and read. Then when she's hungry or wants a little stimulation, she'll shuffle inside. The boys absolutely love having their great grandma here!

Oprah Tickets -- SCORE!
If you are an Oprah fan, you know how impossible it is to get tickets to her show. I've been trying for years and finally got tickets! Three to be exact. So mom, Erin and I traveled to Chicago on Wednesday. No we didn't see her "Favorite Things" show or win a new car, but we did get FABULOUS seats so look for us on the 9/11 show. We are sitting on the 3rd row, centered right in front of Oprah herself!

The topic was "Summer Headlines" with 3 guests: Lisa Ling (sister's imprisonment in N. Korea), Erin Andrews from ESPN (stalker hid camera in her hotel room), and the Catholic Priest Alberto Cutie (caught kissing his girlfriend). Immediately after, our luck continued and we scored standby tickets for the next taping! Not sure when that show airs but the topic was interesting -- Mermaid Girl and the lady who got the first face transplant. Again it's hard to get tickets to Oprah but I've now got the inside scoop , so email me if you're planning a trip to Chicago.

Summer Vacation ~
We went to Breckenridge Colorado for a week in June with the Bryarly's. Henry and Jake LOVE hanging with their cousins from Minneapolis. We swam, rode horses and hiked. It was so nice getting away from the Texas heat. It's been over 100 for the last few weeks. Did I mention Jake is walking now!

To see more Colorado pics, click here >>.

For the 4th of July we went to Possum Kingdom lake and partied as much as any couple with 2 kids in tow could. We've been going to Amy and Pete's lakehouse for 5 years and Matt FINALLY got up on the wake board. I guess his ankle surgery was a success. Note to parents: sparklers are not fun when wearing flip-flops. Ask Henry.



I just got back from San Antonio. We moved my grandma here to Dallas. There was a bunch of resistance from my aunt and cousin from Mexico. The week played out like an episode of 'Cops' but all is good now. Gigi is tickled pink to be here with her 4 great grandsons!

Jenny and Me are like Peas and Carrots ~

We just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Hawaii. Instead of giving you the play-by-play, I just added the pics to Kodak gallery. (Click here to see 'em). I even added little titles above each pic in case wanted details. Here we are on our honeymoon in Hawaii just 10 short years ago.

May 1999

Our boys went to Camp Bryarly in Victoria. Read all about it here >>.

Easter Egging
As soon as the plastic eggs arrived in stores Henry was asking "When are we going Easter egging, mama?" When the time came, Henry got lots of "egging" in with multiple hunts scheduled -- Hughs Family Hunt, the church hunt, and two opportunities in Victoria. He didn't even care to eat the candy inside. It was the thrill of the hunt, I guess. Such a man.

Jake is 14 months now. He's not walking yet, but keeps up with Henry on all-4s just fine. Anytime a dog passes by, Jake points and says, "Dooooog, dooooog, dooooog". Same with balls. If he sees a ball, even across the room, he points and with a high pitch says, "Ball!" He also says mama, dada, book, yes and no. He loves Mexican food like mommy. He'd be completely satisfied eating rice, beans and avacado at every meal.Quote of the month:
Matt: "Henry do you like your brother?"
Henry: "Actaully...I love him"

It melts my heart!

I've Stumbled Upon Simplicity ~
I don't want to jinx it or anything but I'm feeling underwhelmed. Really I'm usually this ultra-busy body. I've usually got 'stuff' goin on, projects in the works and a tight schedule with too much to do...but not lately. And you know what? It's great!

It's all relative I guess. When I compare my life today to myself last year at this time, it's a cake walk. Think back:

• Recovering from a c-section,
• Just brought tiny baby home from NICU
• Lots of doctor appointments
• Breastfeeding not going well
  
• Entertaining 2-year-old
• Still getting house organized after the move and dealing with contractors
• Severely sleep deprived
• Trying to be the no-nag wife so my "it's busy season" husband doesn't have added stress in his life. (Okay, I did have one "It's bulky trash day!" meltdown, but we'll save that story).

I'm not a frazzled, super-stressed, drama queen. I'd say I'm usually pretty easy-going, the I-can-handle-it type. The happy-to-be-busy weirdo.

Fast forward to today:

• Caught up on Tivo and no magazines left unread
• Laundry's done, dishes clean, and toys picked up
• No home-improvement prjects in the works (but I have a list of things I want done, just not by me)
• Boys play together now (which is why couples are crazy enough to have a 2nd...and a 3rd)
• Both sleep through the night and take good naps
• I sleep through the night and then some
• I'm working from home just a few hours a week and love the extra mall-cash (just bought a fabulous new bag!)
• Matt's in busy season but makes time for us and is not half as frustrated as he usually is at this time.
• We are all healthy, happy and very blessed

Tomorrow is a new day. While I know all the above will eventually fade away and we will get crazy-busy again, I'm cherishing the simplicity of it all; the I have nothing going on so maybe I'll lounge on the couch or play trains with Henry or read books with Jake or "Let's go to the park!" kind of day.

I just turned 34 last week, and although that number seems old, my boys (including Matt) make me feel very young. I love my life... even when I'm crazy-busy.

From this... to this in just 1 year!

Click to enlarge

Jake is 23 lbs. (55%) and 29 1/4 inches (45%). You'd never know he was a preemie. We celebrated his first birthday on Wednesday, then had his party on Sunday during the Super Bowl. Our house quickly filled up with about 30 adults and 15 kids. Luckily it was a sunny afternoon so all the kids played outside.

I ordered this cute car for Jake online. It arrived with a big hole in the side so they sent me a replacement. Now we have two. Henry's happy, despite the hole because now he doesn't have to share with Jake.

Aunt Mel took Jakey's 1-year pics. These are my favorites:


Why?
Is it okay to say Henry is REALLY annoying right now? I mean, as his mom, I really shouldn't say that...you be the judge:
#1
Me: It's time to go to school, go put on your shoes.
Henry: Why?
Me: Because it's time to go to school. Hurry up. Go get your shoes.
Henry: Why?
Me: Henry, you're wearing me out. Don't ask why, just go.
Henry: Why, mommy?
#2
Me: Henry don't hit your brother. Now he's crying.
Henry: Why?
Me: Because you hit him. Don't hit Jake. It hurts.
Henry: Why?
Me: Would you like it if Mommy hit you? That would hurt, right? We don't hit.
Henry: Why?
Me: UGH!

This "why" habit is a stall tactic that just gets me all flustered. He learned it from cousin Taylor who's been playing the "why" game for months now. I kept them busy one icy afternoon with fireplace s'mores. YUMMY. I didn't hear "why" for about 30 whole minutes.