December 2008

Happy New Year (Almost)

As parents of two kids, we fully realize our New Year's Eve plans will not involve huge parties (of the adult variety) for a few years. We had a nice, quiet, Make Your Own Pizza night at our house with Grandma T and Grandpa H. Grandma and Grandpa M stopped by on their way to a party and the kids were in bed asleep by 9. Steve and I watched a movie and celebrated 2009 with Times Square at 11 PM. It was a long year, but a good year, and we are looking forward to 2009!

Christmas Day with the Family

First Stop - The Hollander Family Christmas

We had a nice time with everyone and Zachary was a big helper passing out gifts. It was lots of fun having 4 kids with us. Zachary got a scooter from Grandma and Grandpa and had lots of fun riding it with Daddy's help. It was so nice outside and he had a great time. After gifts we had a fabulous lunch with the Higgins/Freeds and Grandma and Grandpa M. Soon it was time to go to our next stop.

Second Stop - The Moroneso Family Christmas

Sophie figured out there was something exciting going on today, and decided that no more naps should be taken. She wanted in on the fun! We opened gifts and Zachary had a great time playing on the art easel from Grandma and Grandpa. Marcia and Terry Boggs came for a Lasagna dinner and brought Ian with them. The two boys had a great time and we had a very yummy dinner. After dinner we headed back to our house and realized we had left a few of Sophie's things behind. Zachary and I went back to pick them up and he fell asleep on the way home. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Christmas Morning

Oh what a day! He was so excited to see the tree, gifts, and stockings. Santa did a great job not saying "Ho Ho Ho" (as per Zachary's request) and ate a few cookies, but forgot to wipe his feet after he came down the chimney. Silly Santa!

Zachary was so excited that Santa brought The Buzz Lightyear Show (Toy Story) and filled his stocking with fun things like M&Ms, Band-Aids, Chapstick and Hot Wheels.

He loved opening gifts with everyone and helping Sophie with hers. Daddy was quickly put to work building something with the Tinker Toys.

It was a wonderful Christmas morning with our super kiddos and Auntie!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

It is a Moroneso family tradition to read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" after church on Christmas Eve. We all gathered around to hear the 31st reading, and for Phil to pass the torch to Steven. Michael, Katey, and Dakota even joined via speakerphone.

Great Job, Honey!!

Christmas Eve at Church - A Comedy in Three Acts

Act 1:
A couple days before Christmas, Zachary got it in his head that he wanted to pass out candy canes at church on Christmas Eve and to our family on Christmas Day. So off I trot to the store to get the necessary supplies (candy canes - small and large - and a lovely jar to hold them all). We are all set and arrive at church with candy canes in hand. Zachary is handing them to anyone and everyone and being such a sweet guy about it. Then the service starts, and he refuses to sit still. So I take him into the Narthex and we have a talk about where the candy canes will have to go if he doesn't cool it till church is over. Nothing like a "Come to Jesus" meeting on Christmas Eve. ha ha

Act 2:
Zachary decides sitting with Daddy and Grandpa will be more fun than sitting with the rest of us. When it is time for Silent Night and lighting the candles I knew he would do great because we did this at TCU. Steve held him and they both lit candles and sang. Zachary is prepared for his first concert - he was waving the candle back and forth way up in the air. (Thanks Auntie for reminding me of this.) Little did I know, the whole time Steve was thinking that Zachary's hair was going to catch fire and he would have no way to stop it. Crisis averted, thankfully.

Act 3:
We are almost done with the "Children's Service". Note to others - this does not mean puppets, and things that will amuse your child. It means that people will try not to give you dirty looks when your kids are being ... kids. OK - back on track... We are singing "Joy to the World", all 45 verses, and Zachary is jumping up and down and making loud noises, but nobody can hear him because we are all singing. We finish the next to last verse and are waiting for the organ to begin the last verse, and sweet Zachary lets out a very loud ROAR! Oh My! I can hardly stand I am laughing so hard. As Grandma M says "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord". Well, he sure did!

The Encore:
After church, he resumes passing out the candy canes. If for some reason he missed you, just let me know and I'll be happy to mail you one.

With Thanks and Love

Dear Parents, Grandparents, etc. who have created "The Magic of Christmas" over the years,
Thank you a million times for your efforts. As parents of a 3 year old who is finally 'getting it', we worked very hard to make this a magical and fabulous season for little buddy. We never knew how hard it was to get it all done before this year. Thank you, thank you, thank you for the many years of hard work and love. We appreciate it all, many times over!
Love,
Your Kids

Cookies with Auntie

Zachary is so lucky - he gets to make cookies with Auntie too! He likes it so much that he forgoes lunch from "Old McDonald's" to help make and decorate the cookies. The best part, though, is licking his fingers. :)

The Annual Sand Tart Extravaganza

Zachary has been participating in this event since he was 3 months old. This year, though, he went from student to master, even giving Grandpa some direction.

When things got too rowdy... Sophie made sure everyone got back on task. Great job on the cookies, guys!!

Our First Dog (Sort Of)

Since he was old enough to express fear, Zachary has been afraid of Auntie's dog, Daisy. Zachary has been 10 times bigger than Daisy for most of his life, but still has been afraid. Until now.

Now, he likes to call her "my pretend dog" and take her for walks.

There's nothing cuter than a boy and his dog... except his dog that you don't have to clean up after. :)

Gingerbread Houses

My dad gave me a copper pot, apple cider mix, cinnamon sticks and mulling spices for my birthday right after Zachary was born. He said that he wanted Zachary to know the smell of Christmas. So each year, the pot comes out, and cidery type things get boiled in it and the house smells lovely - just like Christmas.

This year, I decided to start my own tradition - gingerbread house decorating. We bought the kit, and set out to put it together after school. I knew it would be messy and fun, and it was.

Zachary ate sweet tarts for the first time (yummy) and didn't realize that pixie sticks were edible (thank goodness), and was licking the frosting off the house almost as fast as I could get it on there. Somehow the house stuck together, even though we definitely did not let it set after assembling. It is a work of art, and I can't wait to make another one next year!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

I'm probably jinxing things by sharing this, but Sophie and Zachary have slept through the night since Wednesday night! Yippee!!! Hopefully this will continue for a while... :)

O Christmas Tree - Rah Rah TCU

TCU does a tree lighting on Sadler Hall each year. It was one of my favorite events while I was in school and so this year I decided to bundle up Zachary and take him to see the magic.
When we got there, we worked our way to the front of the crowd and sat on the sidewalk in front of the tree. It was GIANT, with lots of lights and ornaments. When they lit the tree, they did a light show to music that Zachary just loved and Santa and Mrs. Claus came around to see everyone. He was so brave and told Santa "Merry Christmas" - such a change from the last 2 years. We sang Silent Night and lit candles and had a really great time. It was a great way to start the Christmas Season!!

November 2008

Happy Turkey Day

At the end of this Thanksgiving Day, we have much to be thankful for...
good health, good family, good friends, and 2 children who were kind enough to take turns napping at Grandma and Grandpa M's (haha)

It was a wonderful meal with wonderful company!

Happy Birthday Grandma M!

Today was Grandma M's birthday. We won't mention the number... but there was a lovely dinner prepared by Grandpa M at their home and Zachary got to attend with all the grownups and his cousins. It was a very special and fun evening and we are honored that we were included!

Thanks to Aunt Mandy for a super star babysitting job with Sophie!!!

Zachary's New Friend

So there is a restaurant proprietor in Fort Worth who is a bit, shall we say, particular. He has been known to refuse service to people dressed 'inappropriately'. Needless to say, I was a bit hesitant to take Zachary there to pick up eggplant parmesan for Grandma M's birthday dinner. The thought of a 3 year old loose in a fancy restaurant terrified me, but off we went... I should have never worried because Zachary charmed this man and somehow walked out of there with a handful of chocolates and an invitation to return. Only my little buddy... :)

Go Team!

Tonight after dinner, Zachary was playing 'football game'. He was the announcer, Steve was the crowd, and I was to be the cheerleader. He said to me - "Mommy, get on the field and go shake something." Five minutes later, we are still laughing. :)

Ride 'Em, Cowboy!

We took Nana and the kids to the Cowgirl museum. Sophie slept through the whole thing, but Zachary had a great time. There is a fountain outside, the Museum of Science and History has an exhibit inside, and upstairs there is a bull ride. Check out Zachary's 6 seconds...


If you haven't yet been, I highly recommend it!

Movin' On Up

We found out last week that Zachary is moving up to a new class at 'school'. He was supposed to go the week that I had Sophie, but due to tears (on my part) we decided that was too much change for everyone.
He will start in Ms. Linda's room on Friday, and will be reunited with all his old buddies - Cason, Grant, JT, Sierra, Ella, etc. - that he has been with since Ms. Tiffany's. He's very excited about being in Ms. Linda's room!!!

October Pictures

Happy Halloween

Most kids, once they figure out Halloween means lots of candy, LOVE trick or treating. Not mine... Zachary went to a few houses on our street before deciding that he wanted to answer the door for all the 'customers'. Every time the doorbell rang, he would say "It's a customer", fling open the door, and hand out candy - including some of the loot that he picked up earlier in the night. What a generous little buddy. :)

One Down, One to Go

Zachary is officially out of diapers! We never thought this day would come. Our boy loved wearing pull ups so much - and really who wouldn't - you don't ever have to stop playing... Anyway, he has been clean and dry for 2 weeks now with hardly any accidents. Including most naps, driving to and from Dallas, a TCU football game, and 9 holes of golf with Daddy and Grandpa! Yippee!!! Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement and support, and congratulations to Zachary for being such a big boy!

GO FROGS!!!

Happy Homecoming! I got to take Zachary to the football game this afternoon. He was such a trooper, going to tailgates and meeting Mommy's friends. Then we got to sit in the end zone by the frog horn. It was so loud!!!
We had a great time at the game and the frogs won!!
Thanks to Ms. Lindsey, Ms. Jenny and Mr. Mikey for hanging out with us - and for the popcorn! Zachary really liked y'all!!!

SHE SLEPT ALL NIGHT!!!!

I feel refreshed - for the first time in at least 2 months! Sophie slept all night long. Probably was all the crying that wore her out. Whatever it was, I am thankful!!

First Parade

Tonight we took the kids to the TCU homecoming parade. Zachary had a great time, and loved seeing the band, the floats, and all the cars with people.
Sophie, on the other hand, just might be scarred for life. The TCU horn that is sounded after every score was also part of the parade, and as it passed by us, it sounded, which scared the bejeezus out of our poor girl. Yes, two month olds can jump!
The experience was capped off by roasting marshmallows and watching a hot air balloon blow up. Zachary LOVES TCU!!! Go Frogs

Fire Trucks

Fire fighters are so nice, especially to my little buddy! On their way to music, Steve and Zachary stopped off at the fire department (long story that really has no relevance).

Zachary got to sit in the front of the fire engine, meet the fire fighters, and someone (not sure who) got to sound the siren.

I think this might be the highlight of his short life!!

Two Month Check Up

Sophie turned 2 months old on 10/15 and so her checkup was today. Here are the vital stats...
Weight - 12 lbs. (79%)
Height - 23 5/8 inches (90%)

Our girl is growing well and the doctor is pleased. Poor thing had to get 3 shots and an oral vaccine. She suffered through and is doing great.

Congratulations on making it to 2 months, Sophie!!

Happy Birthday to Grandpa H!

Today is my daddy's 60th birthday! The kids and I surprised him at his office for lunch with Auntie Mandy and Grandma T. What a lucky guy!!

(Even luckier for him that Sophie decided to throw up before we left the house. Fun times for everyone!)

No More Tears

Today I decided Zachary needed a haircut. What this usually means is that I tell him we're going, he protests but gets in the car anyway, plays trains till it's his turn, and then screams bloody murder while they cut his hair and I try to hold him down. It's an emotionally and physically exhausting activity.
Until today...
We arrived with Miss Jessica and Sophie in tow, and Zachary played trains till it was his turn. Ms. Jeri gave him a lollipop (as a preemptive peace offering perhaps) and he let her put him in the fire truck chair. She put the cape on him and cut his hair without so much as a whimper out of my little guy. YIPPEE!!!!
I'm so proud!

Flies

Usually Daddy is the fly-killer in our house. He has amazing reflexes and can get the little buggers with a swipe of his hat, usually on the first try.
BUT - I am so proud that I just killed the fly that has been co-habitating with us for the past 24 hours. Mama Rocks!!

Frogs

For those of you unaware, we gave Cassie, our cat, to a lady that works with Steve. Her daughter loves Cassie, and Steve and I love that we are not constantly ill with allergy/respiratory issues. It's a win-win situation, or so I thought.
Today, Zachary declared that Cassie needs to come home to our house. When I explained that wouldn't be happening, he decided we should get a frog.
I always knew that little boys would lead to frogs in my house, but I did not think it would happen this soon.
Wish me luck...

Bouncing Boys and Tackles

Another busy day in our house with 2 highlights...
1 - playing with Cason, Zachary's BFF (aka Best Friend Forever) from school, at a bounce house birthday party. It was exhausting watching these 2 guys run, jump and slide all over the place. They had a great time! And I enjoyed meeting Cason's mom, Erin, and Cason's sister, Cadence, who was born the day before Sophie and weighed over 9 lbs.
2 - Steve and Zachary went to the TCU game and sat in the first row by the end zone where TCU scored their two first touchdowns. Zachary can't wait to go to college so he can wear a helmet and tackle on the grass like the other boys. :) Big thanks to Daddy for braving the crowds and taking our buddy to his first football game!

September 2008 Photos

It's a Miracle

They are both sleeping.
In their own beds
In their own rooms
At the same time

WOW!

The Birthday Weekend Bonanza

Happy Birthday to Zachary! Can't believe our little buddy has turned 3... Seems like just yesterday we were begging him to sleep more at night and calming his colic. Mom has shed a few tears realizing how big he's gotten, but I'm so proud of him and all that he can do because he is a big boy now.
Because he is such a big boy, he gets 2 parties - one with friends and family at Little Gym, and one with just family at our house. Lucky guy! He chose the menu for his family party: grilled cheese, hot dogs, and pizza, with fruit and tater tots as side dishes, and dessert of cupcakes and ice cream ("va-illa" of course).
Mom and Dad are exhausted after the birthday bashes, but we have lived to tell the tale!
When I was tucking him in, on his birthday night, I said "goodnight, birthday boy" and he responded "goodnight birthday mama." My sweet buddy speaks the truth...

August 2008

And Sophie Makes 4

Sophia Grace (Sophie) entered our world August 15, 2008, at 8:31 PM, weighing in at 8 lbs, 15 oz, and 21.5 inches long. A little less than the sonographer's prediction of 9.5 lbs, but really, when you give birth without drugs, 9 ounces really doesn't make it that much better. :) And being 3 cm dilated already did NOT make the labor any easier. Trust me!
A big thanks to Dr. Neville for being in great shape so she could run through the parking lot and up the stairs to deliver Sophie! A few more minutes and the nurses would have been delivering our sweet girl...
The hospital was very full - full moon and storms led to a record setting number of births - so thank goodness we got a room.

Baby Update 39.5 weeks

Had a nice appointment with the sonogram tech and doctor this morning.

Sonogram tech - lovely woman that she is - informed me that my child is now 9.5 lbs. Yikes!

Dr. Deem said that they usually overestimate by 10%, but that still puts her in the 8-9 lb range. Yikes again.

I am dilated 3 cm now. Dr. says that means I'll have an easier labor b/c I'm already 1/3 of the way there. We are going in tomorrow morning to have the membranes stripped (http://www.storknet.com/cubbies/childbirth/excf5.htm if you want more info). This is supposed to stimulate labor - 1/2 of women who have this done have labor start within 8 hours. If that doesn't work, we'll induce soon.

So that's the update for the week. The best news I can give is we'll have a new baby by this time next week. Will let y'all know when it really happens.

July 2008 Photos

I hope this link works...

And so it begins...

After months of trying to get pics out to the family of sweet Zachary, I have decided to bite the bullet and start a family blog. Here's post #1... I can't guarantee anything truly hilarious, but I will try to do regular updates in some form or fashion.

For those of you wondering, there is still no name for baby sister. :)

June 2008

May 2008

April 2008