Sea World

This past Thursday we made a day trip to Sea World! We were prepared but a little concerned about the heat with a 2 year-old and 7 month pregnant woman but we survived. Our plan was to hit the shows early so we could be at the water park by the afternoon.
Unfortunately Jillian wasn't too happy about riding in the stroller too much so Daddy had to carry her on his shoulders a lot. At least she realized very quickly that Mommy was not going to carry her around the park.
We headed to see Shamu 1st and Jillian was really excited!
When you combine the music from the show, Shamu, and the very excited face of a 2 year old, it makes for a very emotional pregnant woman...so yes, I was the crazy person crying when Shamu came out. I felt like an idiot but I couldn't help it! Jillian just looked so happy!




Jillian wasn't very interested in the ski show but she sure did like watching the "trains" (roller coasters) near by
We found a couple of rides that Jillian could do and she really enjoyed riding the horse.

By this time, we figured it was time for lunch and to cool off so we left the park for about an hour and a half to eat in the air conditioning and not have to pay a fortune for food. When we got back we tried some more rides.
Mommy was actually able to buckle herself into this one so I was able to ride with Jillian. She liked it at first but when they were unloading kiddos and we kept stopping, she was done! She kept saying that the seat was hot so she got out of the seat belt and kept trying to stand on top of the ride. To say the least by the time we got off, Mommy was frustrated and Jillian had had enough! It was time to head to the water to say the least

We were able to cool off and Jillian really enjoyed playing in the kid water area! After this everyone was in a much better mood! We hit one more show and called it a day. It was 10 before we got home! I never imagined that Jillian or I would make it that long but it was a good day! We will be more prepared and have a better plan next time. When we were in line for our tickets someone handed us an even better coupon than the one we had and it was good for a 2nd free visit so of course we have to go back now!

Room Updates

We have slowly been working on the kid's room all summer long. I finished re-painting all of Jillian's things earlier in the summer but have never posted pictures. This past week we have been working on finishing up Grayson's side of the room. We wanted to do a car theme since James had lots of toy police cars that we could use. James set out in designing cars and he got much more creative than I thought. It was his idea to create trucks that look like Grandpa and Papa's and of course we had to have a police car to tie in the toys. Here James is working hard cutting the cars out of the foam board. He is the artist and cutter...
I was the painter
The finished product


The next step is to get the crib ready with the bedding. Mom is working on the crib skirt and curtain. Now I just need to find someone who can help me make a crib bumper so if anyone has any ideas let me know. I thought I would be able to buy one but the colors just are not working out for me.

Port Aransas

We had our annual trip to Port Aransas with James' family this past weekend. We left on Wednesday afternoon just in time for Jillian to take a nap in the car. Unfortunately she never did. By the time we arrived, stopped for groceries, got our keys, etc., it was late when we got to the house. Jillian was tuckered out but she refused to go to bed without the Dora fishing pole that we had just gotten her. I may be biased but I think this picture is so cute...she fell asleep with her fishing pole in her hands and everything.
Thursday morning Daddy was ready to show Jillian how the fishing pole worked
I don't really know who was having more fun - Jillian or Daddy?
Jillian fed birds with Papa
and explored the decks with Daddy
Then it was time to head to the beach. We walked from the house and were just going to stay a little while but Jillian was enjoying the water and having fun

she really enjoyed jumping the waves with Papa and Daddy
She even cooperated for a few pictures

Well it's all fun and games until someone gets hurt...I guess at least it was me and not Jillian. I was out in the water with James' dad when something wrapped around my ankle and then it burned and really started hurting. When we got to shore some nice people beside us helped and from what the men gathered from my description and what the wound looked like, they determined that I had been stung by a stingray! They think the tail wrapped around my leg which is why I thought it was a mouth and then got me with the one barb. I ended up with one puncture wound. Luckily the barb wasn't in me and there was some people with peroxide and bandages to help bandage me up. It bled for a while but it throbbed and stung off and on for about 8 hours and it took a while for the swelling to go down. By Sunday you could actually see the bone in my foot again.

After this we decided to head to safer ground and enjoyed some time in the pool. Jillian was pouring water on Daddy's head from the water bottle.
We went out to dinner on Thursday night and Jillian decided to be photogenic and we got some pictures with Mommy and Daddy

I'm not sure what this pose is but its a little scary... and cute

The next day we decided to head to the beach again since everyone was there. We loaded the car with chairs and 2 pop up canopies and we were set. Jillian decided to help with the sunscreen and I think she had plenty!
Jillian was a little more scared of the water this time, probably b/c she had seen me get hurt the previous day but she still played as long as someone was with her. We all stayed pretty close to shore and ankle deep was definitely good enough for me.



Jillian enjoyed playing in the sand




Chasing seagulls
and picking up shells

All in all we had a great trip and we enjoy spending time with family each year

Conversations with a 2 year-old

Jillian is talking a lot more now and she entertains us daily with some of the things she says. I thought I would share a few to see if they are as funny to you as they are to us.

Jillian's new favorite thing to say is Mommy...Mommy (as many times as it takes you to answer and yes she is very persistent) Whatayoudoing? She asks this about every 3-5 minutes and she gets very upset when you do it back to her.

Me: Jillian lets brush your hair
Jillian: Nope, I'm pretty

As James comes out of the bathroom...
Jillian: Did you go pee pee?
James: Yes
Jillian: Was it yellow?
James: Yes
Jillian: Did you flush it?
James: Yes
Jillian: Ohh

We are working on potty training and Jillian often sits on the potty for a brief second looks up at you and says "It's not working."

Finished Projects

We finally got one of our big projects finished and it was well overdue! We started the 2nd weekend in June. James' dad brought over a load of dirt on Friday and we started hauling it back to the back yard which was a pain considering there is not much room between the two air conditioner vents between the houses and a wheelbarrow barely fits.
Jillian enjoyed playing in the dirt and watching what was going on
We called in some reinforcements with my brother b/c it was a lot of work for only 2 men (even mom was helping shovel dirt while I provided encouragement and hospitality service)
After the dirt was down, James' parents arrived with the load of grass and it started to take form quickly
When it was all laid, the kids approved by running around on the new grass
It's been about a month now and the grass is looking nice and green! It's probably time for the first mowing. I am a little worried about seeing our first full month of the water bill though but it is well worth it to keep this investment growing.


We finished off the yard by adding gravel to Bandit's run b/c with all the watering we were doing it made for a very muddy dog when he went out to the bathroom