Hook 'Em

We had to show our support of the Longhorns!! Hook 'em!!!!!! Aren't my two little ones just the cutest in their burnt orange??


We were sad to see them lose, but going to the National Championship has bragging rights on its own! Better luck next year Horns!

P.S. This was the same night that Sophie hurt her elbow, so Gabe was definitely happy with the ER and that we made it back home in time for kick-off! Lol!

It Wouldn't Be An Exciting Day Without A Trip To The ER!

It finally happened!! Zachary was a little TOO rough with his Baby Sister.

I was downstairs getting dinner and dessert prepared. The kids were upstairs in Sophie's room playing. This is something they usually do everyday. They really do play really well together (most times). They were being pretty quiet when Zach came out and said that Sophie hurt her arm. I didn't pay too much attention to it because I didn't hear Sophie crying about anything. A couple of minutes later, I hear a "boom" overhead and then I hear crying. I rush upstairs and she is laying on the floor beside her big bed. I immediately pick her up to make it all better and when she stopped crying, I put her down to continue finishing dinner. Sophie follows me into the kitchen and she is still kind of whining about being hurt. At first I just thought she needed more attention, but when I really looked at her, I could tell something was wrong. I just got this uneasy feeling. I started asking her questions, and poking and prodding her. I noticed that when I went to touch her left arm, she would get upset. And then she started telling me that it "hurt." So that's when I call on Zach. I needed him to tell me exactly what happened! He proceeds to tell me that they were "going to sleep" (pretend) and Sophie needed help getting on the bed. So he pulled her hand to try to help her up on the bed. Aha! I knew it had to be her shoulder or her elbow.
I then call Gabe to ask if it is possible for your elbow to pop out of socket. He says "yes, why?" I explain to him what is going on. Luckily, he was already on his way home.
While we waited for Daddy to get home, I sat with her on the couch consoling her. And I watched her to see what she would do. She would not use her left arm what so ever! And every once in a while she would complain about it hurting. My poor baby. I felt so bad for her.
When Gabe got home, we decided to take her to the ER clinic. There was obviously something seriously wrong. We arrived at the ER, signed in, and sat down to wait. We waited for maybe 10 minutes and were called back. Remember, Sophie does not like the doctor's office. She gets a little freaked out with the strangers, equipment, etc. We explained what happened, the nurse took her temp and listened to her heart and then the doctor came in. The doctor was really nice. She knew Sophie was upset, so she eased her way closer to her, trying to gain her trust, gave her a toy to distract her and when Sophie really wasn't paying attention, she grabbed her arm and bent it back (like she was going to arrest her- that's the only way I could explain it) and said, "There it is. It's back in place!" I couldn't believe it! That was it?? Sophie cried a little bit when she popped it back in, but that was it. No high pitch screaming/crying!!
The doctor then asked us to hang out for just a little bit to make sure she was all right and that she began to use that arm again. I mean, not even a minute later, Sophie was playing, banging on the toy box, lifting the lid, etc. It was night and day! Gabe and I couldn't believe it. We couldn't help but laugh! :)
What happened to her is called "Nursemaid's Elbow." This is a common condition which can come from pulling on the outstretched hand or forearm of a child, usually under the age of four. The doctor explained that the bone is like the end of a pencil, so it can slip out very easily when pulled on. As the child grows, the bone then begins to flare out so that it doesn't slip out as easily anymore. Since this did happen to Sophie, she will be prone for it to happen again. But she will outgrow this. Thank goodness!
So she was all better after the doctor's quick moves. We had a chat with Zachary afterwards. We couldn't be mad at him though. He was actually just trying to help his sister- this time! :)
Now, about this ER clinic... it was great!! Minimal wait time, friendly/helpful staff, clean, close to home... we couldn't have asked for a better experience. If you need emergency care, this is the place to go- 24 Hour Emergency Room on Tomball Parkway. My sisters have both had pleasant experiences there also.
Zach liked it too... he got to pick a toy out of the treasure chest and the nice nurse gave them juice boxes! He asked if we could go back again. Ummm, let's not hope for that one! :)

Our New Year Pics

We went to my parent's house to ring in the New Year. I had forgotten that I took a few pictures of the kids while we were there. As always, we ate good and spent some quality time with the family. The kids enjoyed riding "to town" with Papa, playing with Cousin Cole & Emma, riding the golf cart, feeding the fish, and hanging outside. Go figure!! :)

23 MONTHS!

Oh. My. Gosh! Somebody tell me it isn't true! My Baby Girl will be a two-year-old in a month!! I can't believe it! She has just gotten soo big lately- she's growing up too fast! I have to admit, part of me is happy that she is turning two, but a big part of me is getting a little sentimental about the whole thing. She will always be my Baby Girl, but won't always be a baby.

Having an older sibling, I know she will be a quick learner, but she has really been impressing me lately. She is starting to say short sentences, or I guess, phrases. And TONS of words!! There is no way I could list them all now. I really just need to catch her on camera one of these days, but I know she will be distracted by the camera and I won't get to accomplish what I want to.

The other morning I brought her downstairs and she just started pointing at everything and naming it. Crazy! She really picks up a lot from us. She is very observant (like someone else I know).

My favorite things she says now:
Luv you, Mama.
Let's go, Mama.
Look, Mama. And then when I do look, she says, "See?"
Zach! Where are you?
Ponytail. Which means she wants a ponytail. :)
Hi, Mama. Most times she is saying it just to say hi. But sometimes she is saying it to distract me from what she is doing. Because what she is doing, she's not supposed to be doing. And she knows this. Tricky.
Hook 'em Horns! I just taught her this tonight. :)

She got two baby dolls for Christmas and she loves playing with them. She pushes them in their stroller, feeds them in their highchair, and puts them to sleep in the playpen. Already such a good little mama. :)

She still follows Zach all around the house and pretty much has to do what he is doing. But when she gets a mind of her own and wants to do her own thing... Lord, have mercy! Or when they both want the same toy at the SAME time! Whew! I think the neighbors can hear them screaming and yelling. And then I have to yell just so they can hear me!!

I have to explain to Zach, "let her have it and then in a little while, she will bring it back to you." Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn't. :)
She loves music and is such a little ham when she dances. Cracks me up everytime!

And I love to watch her "pretend." She will grab my measuring spoons/cups or her "play" food and bring me meals and drinks. And she will sometimes even make sound effects while she is "cooking." Too cute!!

Oh, I almost forgot. We are a paci-free household!! Yea! We took Zach's away when he was 1. That WAS the plan with Sophie, but we never really followed through with it (obviously). Well, I figured that 2 would definitely be the time. I thought that taking it away from her would be a little more tramautic, so I kept telling her that we were going to give it to Santa. But then I started thinking, "Do I really want her hating Santa for taking away her paci?" Lol. So we threw out that plan and decided just to go cold turkey again. It worked for Zach, so it would work for her! She had it Christmas morning when she woke up, and that's when it magically disappeared! She hasn't had it since! Of course she asked for it at naptime, but after that it has been all good. I am so proud of my Baby Girl!!!

HAPPY 23 MONTH BIRTHDAY, SOPHIE! MOMMY & DADDY LOVE YOU!

It's Fixed!

Okay, I got the slideshow pics up and running again!! Check it out... you can see how you might think that my kids are a little spoiled at Christmastime! Lol!

2010...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I can't wait to see what 2010 has to offer us. Hopefully it is happy, healthy, and prosperous!!
Is anyone making a New Year's resolution?? Hmmmm? I think mine will have to be: 1. Not to procrastinate (this might be a hard one), 2. To get back on a exercise regimen (well, this might be a hard one too :))! Wish me luck!! But notice that I didn't say "to lose weight." Lol, am I smart or what? :)
Hope everyone is safe tonight, no matter what you do or where you go! See ya next year!!

Big Birthday Boy!

Happy 1st Birthday to Gage!! We got to help Gage celebrate his first birthday on Monday. He is such a little cutie pie. And he just loved Aunt Christy's cupcakes!! :)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!! I guess the kids could sense that it was a special morning... they woke up about thirty minutes earlier than normal! :) But I was glad, because it was still a little dark out, so that way Zach wouldn't see what Santa brought yet. I wanted to be sure to see his little face when he saw everything!
We made the kids stay in our room until we got the video camera going and the lights turned on. And then they got to come out to the living room. Zach's reaction was funny. He saw his train table/set and got all excited. He ran over to it and immediately started playing and forgot all about his other presents! And Sophie was right behind him playing with it too! We had to remind them to look around at all of the other gifts. They made out like bandits, and I have my living room to prove it. Sophie's big gift was a baby doll with all of the accessories (stroller, car seat, play pen, swing, highchair). They got play food for their kitchen, coloring books, toothbrushes, candy, cars, puzzles, books, games for the vtech computer, & DS games! I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
The rest of the morning was spent eating breakfast and playing with all of the new stuff. We had a relaxing morning without having to rush around anywhere.
After lunch and naps, Papo & Grandma BB arrived. We then headed over to my sister, Sandra's house for dinner and the Zaboroski Family Christmas. We had a great dinner with dessert (my pecan pie was a hit) and a wonderful time with the family. The kids (of course) got more toys!! And now that I am writing this, I am realizing that they hardly got any clothes this year! Sophie got a few, but Zach didn't get any!! Oh my gosh, how did that happen? :) Zachary got more trains and tracks, a wallet, a buzz light year, McDonald's food & cash register, and a Leap Frog reading system with books (which, by the way, is soo cool). Sophie got clothes, a Little People school, a Little People Builders wagon, house shoes (so cute), remote control scooter with a My Little Pony, and books.
Then we got to go home and do it all again!! We still had to exchange presents with Papo & Grandma BB!! Zach got the basketball goal, a Harley Davidson scooter, and workbooks. Sophie got the 4-wheeler and another baby doll. This doesn't even include presents from Aunt Kelly, Grandma Sally, and Great Grandma & Grandpa Gonzalez!!
My house is definitely the NEW toys 'r us!! Lol!
Hope everyone had a very happy, merry, and joyful Christmas!!

Our Christmas Tree

My poor, little angel. She wasn't feeling too well, but still posed for Mommy. But of course, wouldn't let go of the paci for the picture! :)

My new favorite ornament this year. My Mom bought this for us when she went on her trip to Maine. It's so cute! Thanks Mom!

Cookies For Santa!!!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve my parents came over and we got ready for the 4pm mass. We left at 3pm thinking that this would be plenty of time to get seats, but I guess everyone else had the same idea this year (because this usually works out perfect). The majority of us had to stand through the mass. I thought it would take forever because of all of the people and the two kids I had tugging at my legs and rummaging through my purse, but it actually only took a little over an hour.
We then came back home, had some cocktails and then left for Texas Land & Cattle to have dinner for my Mom's birthday.
We had some delicious steaks, Mom opened her presents and then we took some photos. We actually had our own "little, private" room with a fireplace, so it was the perfect backdrop for the family photots! :)

Mom reading her "giant" card from Emma.

Ohhh, la la. A new Dooney & Bourke from Dad.

Cutie Pies.

The Grandkids (minus Ashleigh & Sophie).

Me and the sisters.

The Fam! xoxo

Just Because

This just makes me laugh....

Beta Xi Buds!!!!

YEA!!!!! We finally got a chance to meet and catch up!!!! I was so excited! Amy and Melanie are two of my closest pledge sisters (that's where the Beta Xi comes from- for those of you that don't understand- I had to explain it all to Gabe). It had been about 9 years since we last met. Had it really been that long?? Before we met, of course it seemed like it had been that long, but once we were together talking/catching up, it didn't feel like it had been nine years! Does that make sense? :)

Well, anyways... Amy lives in Frisco and came down for Christmas. Melanie just recently moved back to Houston from Austin. So we knew we had to sieze the opportunity. It's not everyday that we are all in the same city! Speaking of... Amy, did you talk to Ryan? Lol!

Love you girls! Thanks for the night out and all of the laughs. Some things never change. Can't wait till next time!

Matagorda House Update

The kids and I travelled to Matagorda with my parents last week. I got to see the progress on the house. The tile is down, sheetrock is done, painting is almost done, cabinets are halfway, and the bathroom is pretty much complete. It looks like a whole new house! Here are a couple of pictures.

Reason I Love The Holidays!!

YUM!! The Sunday before Christmas, my Mom's side of the family had our annual Christmas get together. My Mom has ten brothers & sisters which means that it is hard for all of us to get together. So this is the one time a year that we try to do it! Cousins and all!! Because the family is so large, no one has a house this big for all of us to meet at, so my aunts try to find a place that we can rent out for the day. Sounds pretty funny, doesn't it? :)

We are all asked to bring a dish... can you imagine the food that was there? I swear it felt like Thanksgiving instead of Christmas!! And not to mention all of the desserts. I just had to take a picture. We ran out of dessert plates, so Gabe and I combined what we wanted.

Reasons I love the holidays: the food, the DESSERTS, and of course seeing ALL of the family!
(Don't worry, I didn't even eat half of what is on this plate)! :)

Zach's Christmas Program

On the last day of school before Christmas break, Zach had a party at school. They had a pizza party and they got to decorate Christmas cookies!! It was evident what color frosting he got to sample. When I picked him up he still had some green frosting in his nose!! Lol! :)

That night, he had his Christmas Program. They got to wear their Christmas jammies and brought a toy for Toys for Tots. I thought that he might actually get into it this year, considering that he kind of knew what to expect from last year and since he is a year older. On the other hand, I thought that he might say that he didn't want to go because he knew what was expected of him.

Well, he did want to go. And he was very excited to show off his jammies, but there still wasn't much participation during the program. Here he is, just watching, not singing. His expression is priceless! :)

Once he found us in the audience, he did crack a big 'ol smile and waved at us. Even though he didn't participate much, he still made me very proud!!

Santa's Wonderland

We have always noticed Santa's Wonderland when driving to Grandma & Papa's house, but we have never had the chance to go... until this year! We met the Wittschen's there and piled in the back of Gabe's truck and got to enjoy ALL of the lights and neat scenery. After the tour, you can get out and go to the petting zoo, eat, and play games, but we decided to skip that this year- the kids still seem a little too young for that. We will definitely go back next year though! It was soo pretty with all of the lights- definitely puts you in the Christmas spirit!!
Sophie trying to look inside the cab of the truck to see Daddy.

Dane chillin' with his crackers! :)

Playing "Where's Sophie?"

Being silly!!