A Continuing Tradition - State Fair of Texas 2011

Since I was a little girl, the State Fair has always been a big deal to me. I have my own silly traditions that I stick to every year. From the order of our day to what I eat and the order I eat those things in! I'm weird, I know! I'm so excited for AB and her little sister/brother to love get to know the fair and hopefully love it the way her Daddy and I do.

We started our day off by going through the livestock (as we do every year). Except this year there was something very big on display...

...a very, very big pig. He weighed over 1,000 pounds. Check out those teeth. That's a lot of bacon!

Then we stopped to look at the little bunnies, chicks, ducks and puppies on display. AB was really into all the animals this year.

We made our first food stop at the tater twister stand. This is MY FAVORITE!!! AB enjoyed them, too!

After a nutty bar, we stopped in to see Texas' biggest cowboy. I can't say that AB enjoyed this very much at first. He was all she could talk about, but when she finally got up close to the big guy, it was a little scary for a two year old. Note the crying face...

...and at times it was hard to look.

But we got through it and were able to sit there and listen to him say, "Howdy, Folks!" I think she warmed up to the idea, but two months later we are still hearing about Big Tex and how he is a little scary and loud!

AB spotted a big sign of Bob the Builder. We had to go say, "hi."

There was actually a Bob the Builder exhibit where kids could do construction activities...but AB was perfectly happy with standing and talking to the sign for a while. She was fascinated.

We ended our day (like always) with the petting zoo. Of course, by the time we get there, the animals are full...except for those darn goats. AB really enjoyed this, though. This was the first year she was able to feed them herself.

On our way out we said, "hi" and "bye" to the baby pigs. We started our day out with the big one and ended it with the little ones.

AB loved the fair and talked about Bob the Builder and Big Tex until she finally crashed in the backseat. The Fair takes a lot out of a two year old (and a pregnant 28 year old, I might add). Looking back, I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I thought, but we have the memories!

Our Big Announcement

God is good. He gave us this gift to join our family in late April.

It was hard for me not to announce it sooner, but we waited until I was 12 weeks along to tell everyone our big news. FINALLY, AB was able to sport her big sister shirt I bought her back when we were pregnant the second time.

This time around she understands as much as a two year old can. She often points to my belly and speaks of the baby in there. Obviously, she doesn't understand to the extent of it...but she gets the gist. She will be such a wonderful big sister!!

This pregnancy has been really difficult. Nausea and fatigue have been at an all time high and at times I have a hard time functioning. Poor AB watches a lot of Caillou. We lay down together and chill in the afternoon. This mommy hasn't been the fun, playing one lately. I'm told that she won't remember and not to feel guilty...but I can't help it. I've developed hyperthyroidism, and am losing weight instead of gaining. I will have to go to an endocrinologist to have it monitored. They will check me after delivery to see if it goes away, or if it is something I have to deal with my whole life. I'm not look forward to that, but getting down to my pre-baby weight is nice.

We are thankful for our wonderful friends and family who have been so wonderful and supportive through this new and exciting time. Still, all prayers for our sweet Baby #3 would be appreciated until we are able to hold him/her in our arms in April.

Get The Beat, The Fresh Beat Band...PARTY!

Before I go on and on and on about this wonderful day, and one of the funnest birthday parties I've ever been to, I have to stop and thank one, amazing friend - Jillian Palomino. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work, blood sweat and tears (not really, but close) that you put into helping plan and prepare this party. I think it's important to mention that I would have ZERO pictures to blog about if it wasn't for her. Jill picked up my camera, and among many other things she did at the party that day, she took pictures of EVERYTHING. So, AB, when you're reading this years and years down the road, and you think, "Wow, Mom! That was a great party you pulled off. Think of your Aunt Jill, too. I couldn't have done it with out her. I often think people roll their eyes at me for my extravagant party planning and think I'm just being flashy or superficial. It's really not true, I honestly love spending my summer off planning fun birthday parties you would enjoy. Instead of telling me I was going over board or laughing at my ideas, Jill added to it and even made some of the ideas better. Thank you, Jillian Palomino! I love you!! I'm embarrassed and sad to say it, but I didn't get ONE picture of Jill and AB at her party. So, the picture below is dedicated to Jill. This picture is pretty accurate of how she helps me out when it comes to AB. I never have to worry, if I'm busy doing something, I know that AB is in good, loving hands. Thank you, Aunt Jill! We love you!

The day started out a bit stressful, only because Austin was leaving to do a fantasy football draft at the church! It was ok, he told me he wouldn't go to stay and help, but I knew what a fun opportunity that would be for him. So, in return for Austin's help, Jill came over early in the morning to help! Turns out, I got WAY more accomplished with her there (no offense, Babe!), and she helped tremendously! Take my awesome door hanger, for example.

I already had the guitar and the V.I.P and backstage passes to put on the door. I just didn't know how I was going to do it. Jill whipped up this precious structure out of Styrofoam, tulle, and part of a boa in minutes! It was the perfect solution, so I didn't have to tape anything to my front door! I loved how it turned out!

All the decorations were up and ready for the most part (that Jill had come over the night before to help do that, too!!) we were just busy getting the food prepared. Luckily, I took time out of my busy morning to snap these pictures of AB before the mayhem began. I love them.

Jill spent most of her morning making the food labels look super cute. I LOVE how they turned out! I was so pleased!

The party favors were ready to go.

I even had a Groovy Smoothie bar. This is where the kids could make their own Groovy Smoothies in their their own cups with their names on them.

Everything was ready to go. Now for the guests to arrive!

 I was so happy that Laura brought her niece, Alexandra. Her and AB hit it off. Looks like we'll have to have another play date with the two of them!

The music studio saved us! We converted the front room into the "music studio" and put nothing but musical instruments in there for the kids to play with. Noisy? Yes. But the kids stayed in there and had a blast.

The cake turned out amazing, thanks to Lisa's Cakes in Wylie. It was exactly what I had envisioned, and I'm thankful to Lisa for taking all that time to create the perfect cake for my sweet girl.

It was a WONDERFUL day of friends and family. I loved it. I love having my house full of people (this is also where I'm called, "crazy.")

Then it was present-opening time. AB was glued to Daddy for this. It was a lot more fun than last year, because she was really excited about all of her gifts this year.

I loved this. Nicole got AB, Milo and Odis. So sweet. Nicole said that Audrey LOVES that movie. It was one of my childhood favorites.

Check out this darling dress that Kim, Laura's sister, made for AB. I see this dress in our Christmas card pictures!!!

My second family, the Jennings', brought AB a Barbie purse with cell phone, make up, credit cards, etc.. She loved this! She loved playing with Andrea and Kathryn's at their house. Now she has one of her own!

Since she got her very own kitchen for her birthday, what little girl doesn't need a grocery cart to put your baby in! EEEK! I was so excited! Thank you Melissa, Andrea and Kathryn for the amazing and thoughtful gifts.

Aunt Julie did it again. She got her, her very own Fresh Beat Band necklace!!!

Cake time! Oh, boy!!

Overall, a verys successful Fresh Beat Band birthday party, I think! The birthday girl was pleased. Oh, and I have to mention our shirts. I've made a such a sweet friend from a girl I met on Etsy who put a lot of time in designing AB's birthday shirt. I asked her only a couple of weeks before the party if she could whip up a shirt for me to wear to go with AB's. Little did I know she would make it so perfectly special!

The guitar on my shirt has a little,"ab" in the middle of it! It brought tears to my eyes. What a thoughtful thing to do!!!! Thank you, Kristina!

Oh, AB! I had such fun planning and throwing your party! You make Mommy so happy and I only want to do the same for you! I love you, sweet girl!!!

Before the night was over, I snapped this picture of AB and my Granny, whom she calls, "GG." I thought it was a precious picture! It means so much to me!

Happy Birthday, AB!!!!!