a preview....

Here's a preview of our visit with the fam. We all made the trek to Mexico...even though Dad had an expired passport...We loved having the family visit and can't wait to see them all again soon. We'll post pictures from Thanksgiving later, Ryan and I cooked the first BIG holiday meal in our own home! (and all without a hitch...well except the whole issue of Ryan overflowing the oil while frying the turkey...but we avoided a fire so I would say everything went off without a hitch). Enjoy the pictures!
Mom and her girls

So Leslie got dressed first in this purple tank top and black sweater. I thought it would be funny to put on something identical...so we took pics to show we were "Twinkies" Reese joined in the fun with her purple as well.

Note: The Museum is only "partially handicap accessible"

At the King Ranch

The Bride of Frankenstein....Aqua Net undergoing it's greatest challenge! I think the cig makes this picture prize worthy

We left Chips in Mexico

At the border

Walking back to America!

Viva La Mexico!

Reese & Chips at the non-working fountain in Mexico On the bridge...Toto I don't think we're in Kansas anymore

Getting ready to venture across the border

She had no clue she was about to leave the country

Family pic '08

Bath time

Reese and her Coach purse (note: not her purse...she wishes)

Reese in the dog kennel....she also spent time in the wire one as well (By her own accord)

We took a small weekend trip this past weekend to celebrate my birthday. Last year Ryan was consumed with studying for his preliminary exams (which he passed) so we skipped out on any sort of thing shy of Ryan buried in a book. This year I forced him to use a vacation day on Friday and we ventured up to College Station to rendezvous with some good friends. We just hung out on Friday and it was really nice to just spend the day with my little family (minus Chewie who was herself on a vacation). On Saturday Reese enjoyed some fun time with Daddy while I went out for a girls day with the talented Victoria McKey. Reese got to hang out with Ryan's friends as well. I think the highlight of my trip was actually getting to be out in cold weather. Reese even put those fleece pants and coat to good use. I think she might use it one other time here in Corpus....land of extreme heat. It's 80 degrees today...NOT my cup of tea for November 24.
We got to eat with some good friends and I enjoyed the wonderful food of Bryan College Station that I miss so much. I think I ate my body weight in food over the weekend but it's ok, because I worked my ass off at Stroller Strides this morning. Just under two weeks before I venture off to the skies and head out to California to become a certified Stroller Strides Instructor...and then I will be back in the working world...sort of
Reese has been cracking me up lately with the things she has been picking up on. She has been carrying anything with a handle around like a purse. My favorite is when she helps me unpack the groceries and then uses our recyclable bags while walking around the house like she has a load of groceries. The funniest part about it is the bag is bigger than she is. I will take a picture next time so everyone can see. For now here are a few from the weekend...Later this week we're off on our Herbst Adventures....Chips in tow...I'll post pictures after the holiday weekend. Happy Turkey Day everyone...I am cooking Thanksgiving in my very own home this year.
Par-ty!
The purse is full and ready to go!!

Loading up her purse

Strolling around in Grampy and MiMi's condo...this weekend she even learned how to turn on the dishwasher!

Reese and I before heading out for a birthday dinner of AWESOME Chinese food...it's not WoHop but it will do

I love those little fleece pants!

Hello everyone!

Pardon my half naked baby!

Silence is golden!

Since Ryan and I started living together, I have been putting up with his snoring. On most nights I would venture to say I am up at least once, elbowing him to roll over or to lay on his side to allow me to sleep in the peace and quiet. Sunday night I had it...between his snoring and his blackberry (I HATE that phone) making a noise every time he got an e-mail, I was up most of the night. I even went as far as to go to the couch and close the bedroom door. I heard the snoring through the door.
Yesterday morning I told him enough was enough...I had him get those Breathe Right Strips to prevent his snoring. I figured I would be willing to try almost anything. Reese still whimpers a couple times a night, even though I don't need to get up, I'm still in Mommy-mode and I hear it. I don't think I have had a full night sleep in over a year (maybe one night)
Let me just tell you, this morning at 6 .m. I woke up refreshed, full of energy and wondering why this was only my first "awake" period of the night. I am in LOVE with Breathe Right strips. I sat up for a few minutes and listened. Silence. I guess Ryan and his snoring was also disturbing Reese from half way across the house because that kid didn't budge last night. If anyone needs to know what to get me/Ryan for Christmas...a pack of Menthol Breathe Right Strips would be PERFECT!
Breathe Right Strips...I love you!

Snot City!

Snot City...not to be confused with Sin City. Reese has been super snotty since last week, when she decided that after months of having two teeth she would spring into action and cut 2 and then 3 more, back to back. Last week was a bit rough, I still hate having a snot nosed kid and she seriously has the slowest moving teeth of anyone I have ever met. But as of today I can say that 5 new teeth are busting through. In fact she was grinding them today which she thought was hilarious.
Not too much to update, we had a busy weekend, think I got most of my Christmas shopping done. Just a few more odds and ends. I thought it would be so easy this year since I have no job, but shopping with a one year old doesn't always equal "easy"...so I hope to be done rather soon. Maybe some of you will get fun gifts from our upcoming trip to Mexico. Next week we're taking the semi-annual Herbst Thanksgiving Vacation...this year we're headed to Mexico and a tour of South Texas, thanks to yours truly and her new abode. I am even more excited about cooking Thanksgiving in my very own home for the first time ever.

Here are a few pics from the week..not too many but a few:

Ready for Church on Sunday! I love how the tights that she is wearing are really 0-9 months!
These boots are made for walking...and that's just what they'll do

Funky hat from Lucy!

Ready for lots of fun...a birthday party and then shopping with Mom and Dad...how could one kid get so lucky

A Reese Burrito...one body pillow, one Reese, roll up and enjoy! The better part is how much she loved being unrolled! Such silly fun when Dad is home

Update

Reese is a chatty Kathy...talks all day, most of the time not making too much sense. I need to be one of those braggin' moms right now.
Our little list of words:
Mommy (which she has down pat and says all day long when she walks around the house)
Bacca-Chewie's name
Mimi-My Mom
Dadad-Ryan
and as of this afternoon...clear as a bell...Puppy

See I told you she wants a new puppy. She woke up from her nap, pointed to Chewie and said "Puppy" then she makes a barking sound.

Seriously this girl needs another doggie to keep her (and Chewie) company

Tailgating, Walking and Fun...Oh My!

Our trip to College Station...to Kingwood...and then back to College Station was a BIG one. Last Tuesday she took a bunch of steps out at the park after Stroller Strides but was still a bit leery about walking on her own. However Friday night at the Halloween Festival we went to Reese went crazy. She pretty much walked for an hour and a half all on her own. She took a few spills but I would blame it on the costume and lack of shoes. Saturday at the tailgate she was running down the sidewalk chasing dogs...hence the desire for a new puppy to keep Chewie company.
She really let it all out in Kingwood. She walked EVERYWHERE and I can officially say she went from beginning walking to mastering it in just a few days. What a difference a week makes is very true in her case. She was running around Mom and Dad's house all week. Needless to say I was exhausted.
This past Saturday at the tailgate marked yet another day of walking and running (at times) and thanks for "Uncle" Jess and his super cute dog Dat, Reese was exhausted yesterday. We also learned that after being in the car for three hours Miss Reese wants to get out and walk...so the last hour of the car ride back home from College Station was a bit rough.
Since we've been home I think she has done laps around the house at least 300 times. She walked all day today...the kid who normally stays up until 8:30 at night was OUT at 7:05. Enjoy the pictures. Chewie is confused..when we left Corpus Reese was still on all fours. As of today she is chasing Chewie down. Sorry Chewie...life as you know it is over (again) Sara had a little lamb

Happy as a calm at the Trunk or Treat

Hanging out at St. Joseph's Trunk or Treat...we even ran into Reese's former day care teacher

My little lamb's ass...

Depressed because she had a loosing lotto ticket....

How gambling addictions start...a mother of a 13 month old allows them to play with lotto tickets all day long. Glad to know I am supporting her new vice

All the walking around at the tailgate party, plus waking up at 5 a.m. (damn time change) made for one very sleepy baby. She passed out on page one of her book

Playing outside with Nana

Ringing the doorbell

Nana put Reese to work...cleaning the patio furniture

Kohl's gets BIG time points in the awesome department. The family bathroom has a mini potty for those little tots who are just learning how to use the potty.

They get even more cool points for the chair with harness for those of us who have little walkers...this was AWESOME...Strap her in and I can use the bathroom in peace...and not have to worry about her trying to play in the toilet water while I wash my hands. ALL bathrooms should come with one of these suckers on the wall.

She knows she needs the keys to unlock the door. Lately the things she picks up on is starting to amaze me. Guess I better work on the amount of curse words I say throughout the day...

Giving Pop-Pop kisses

Sharing some kisses with Grandpa

Playing with Grandma

Reese figured since all the old people seem to like these fun things she would try one out for herself.

My white trash baby trucking it in the kitchen!

We're BBBAAAACCCCCKKKK!

Hello world. We have returned from our great travels. Pictures will be up later tonight, because my house is a MESS (what happens when I leave Ryan and the dog alone for a week) and laundry is everywhere. Reese is strictly walking, not without some bruises to go along with it, but hasta la vista crawling, she's a full on walker. She's WILD in the streets now.
I would like to say on our first morning back we had an eventful one. I was bad and skipped class, due to the laundry list of things that needed to get done. First we picked up the dog from the kennel, she was glad to be out of her own personal hell and Reese was so excited.
However the most exciting part of my day was the foot chase I watched in the Walgreen's parking lot while unloading the kiddo. Seems some dumb girl (most likely someone already on probation) decided to steal stuff from the store and the manager was chasing her down. Now the funniest part was halfway through the parking lot she ditched the bag of stuff she stole to make a bigger break for it. So I see what she dumps...she stole the recyclable Walgreen's bag and filled it with stuff. She was the only one in the store so I guess they were keeping a close eye on her but how great is it that she stole the bag that she loaded down with things.
The second exciting thing...while I was getting my flu shot the pharmacist told me that I had really good arm muscles...never in my life have I been told that. So here's a HUGE shout out to Stroller Strides and Rebecca Haug for making my arms bad ass.
I'm off to clean.

I want a new dog

and so does Reese...she LOVES puppies. Everyone should tell Ryan that Reese needs a puppy for Christmas...and so does Mommy!