Tuesday, July 31, 2012

purple

I'm spending every free moment with ClaireBear and doing things like painting our toenails purple...
because I start back to work next week. Tears.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Friday, July 27, 2012

Cookies!

As an educator, this is what I would tell all parents how to help their kids learn at home: "Get them in the kitchen... have them help dinner... make COOKIES!"

Kids can help CALCULATE amounts of ingredients if you half or double a recipe...
They can help READ the directions and follow them for comprehension
They can learn how to DESCRIBE the changes that take place (like in a science experiment)
These are just a few...

So, you bet Claire and I are in the kitchen lots and lots! 

Today, we made Daddy's favorite cookies!
She helped mix...
 and stir...
 and clean up...
and, the very best part, watch Daddy enjoy his first bite of cookie dough!

***Sorry the pictures are so blurry... it is insanely hard to photograph a busy little body while wearing a Baby Bijorn!!!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

cute as a button





Sadie/Claire connection

 Sadie now follows me and watches my every move when we hear Claire stirring from a nap...
Although their connection was not instant like Claire and Max, I think Sadie and Claire are growing on each other!

Prayed for...

I found this sweet message when we got home from church Sunday :)
"Your Child was Prayed for Today"

Sudsy Singing

Singing in the rain (err... screeching in the bath)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Waco Breakdown

Last Tuesday, I packed the car with our overnight bags, and Claire and I headed out to Dallas to see my amazing grandparents (Mel and Kiki). I had had a terrible night of no sleep, but I was determined and missed them so much, so off we went.

Well, we got to Waco...

and I called Kiki bawling because I was so tired and Claire was screaming (probably P.O.'d she had to stay in the car seat for so long... can you blame her?). I told her that we just couldn't make it this trip :( It broke my heart. :( :( :(

But, I learned 3 things that day:

1) traveling alone with an infant is tough, even if the trip is only 3 hours in your own car...
2) you should not drive after a night of no sleep, or do anything that may make you cry in such a fragile state...
3) any trip--no matter the size and scope--require planning of some sort. impromptu trips (like I used to do pre-baby) just aren't a good idea...


Good news? I've had 5 nights of decent sleep since then :D (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the PRAYERS!!! Such power in the act of praying, people!!!) and we are looking forward to PLANNING our next trip to Dallas...

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Doggie Jail...

So, Max and Sadie spent some time in the doggie jail a week or two ago. Here's what went down:

After a visit to the in-laws, we all decided to go out to dinner. We chose to go to Trudy's, which was on our way home. We packed up the car with baby gear and pups, and went to Trudy's. Chris and I knew we were going to share an appetizer and not be too long, the sun was setting, and we parked in the shade. The dogs will be fine on this short excursion, right?!?

WRONG. The service was the slowest I have ever had in a restaurant. EVER. We even left before the bill came (thanks, Pops and Didi!).

But, when we got to the car, Chris looked concerned and started freaking out. "The dogs are gone!" I thought they had just crawled under the seat, like they do sometimes (when we are driving, not like we leave our dogs in the car alone all the time. geez), but then he found the hand-written note the 'police' left on our car (how professional?!?) letting us know that the dogs were in their custody. A rowdy bunch of ladies (who had obviously been enjoying  too much to drink) were yelling to us that we shouldn't leave our dogs in the car and they were making siren sounds (imitating the cops). And laughing. Seriously laughing. We are 99% sure these drama seekers are the ones who called the cops.

We called 3-1-1 and kept getting answering machines. I tried calling 9-1-1, but they forwarded me to the same answering machines.

That night was so long and lonesome for us. We felt so guilty and so bad that we had let this happen. I woke the next morning and made preparations to be at Austin Animal Center as soon as they opened at 11. I spent the morning searching their site for pictures of our pups, and nothing came up.

When we got there, I was greeted with screechy dog loving women serving their free time at the Center. "Are you and your precious baby here to get a dog?" they greeted me. "No, the police brought our dogs here last night after they took them out of our car." Their big happy-dog-lovin' smiles vanished and they people treated me like I was all that was wrong in the world. I was trying to hold back the tears... They did not make it very easy!

They told me to sit down and wait to talk to the APD DETECTIVE and told me they were not allowed to talk to me about the status of my dogs until I talked to him. Oh my word. Really?!? I love my dogs. Why do I have to defend myself? My friends make fun of my because I have framed pictures of them on my walls. Like, we really, really love our dogs.

I waited and waited and waited. Baby started fussing because she was getting hungry. I went and talked to the guy at the counter and told him my baby was about to get super fussy because she was hungry, and he went to the back to check on the status of the detective for me. I was about to feed my baby in front of them all-no shame. Take that, you crazy animal freaks!

The guy came back and let me know that the detective could not make it for awhile, and that I would just have to wait. Claire, as if on cue, started screaming. "She is so hungry from waiting here so long.It's just going to get worse." Good girl! This made the guy so freaking nervous, and so he went back to 'check again'... He came back and told me my dogs are fine and that I could go reclaim them in the office in the front. WHAT?!?! Whatever. I got my dogs and got out of there. Claire was happy to see them, and also happy to eat again.

Lesson learned. Don't leave your dogs unattended in a hippie city...


Thursday, July 5, 2012

a mother's prayer

my sweet baby on loan from above
no better treasure could i more love
i stand here beside your bed as i pray
i lay my hand on your head and i say:


may you grow up to serve Him in all of your days
may He lead you and guide you in all of your ways
may His hand bless your future with friendships that last
may you cherish your youth and not grow up too fast

i stare and wonder at your tiny frame
just to think that God knows you by name
He knows every hair on your beautiful head
He knows your thoughts before they are said

may God grant you peace in the midst of a storm
may God give you strength even when you're forlorn
may you answer the door when Jesus comes knocking
may wisdom guide when your mouth is talking
may discretion protect you and keep you pure
may you never stumble or fall for a lure
may your heart remain humble to the very end
may uprightness and truth be what you defend
may the world not ensnare or change who you are
may the light that's within you shine like the stars
may angels surround your body spirit and mind
may favor and peace be yours to find
may rejection and pain never reach you
may your spirit grow bold for what you are called to

as you rest in God's care, I will rest, too
knowing that Jesus is watching over you

amen.

a mother's prayer by rachel aldous


5 months

Diaper size: 2
Clothes: 3-6 months
First word: Dada

What's up: exploring textures, enjoys play time with dad, puts self to sleep, LOVES petting the puppies and bathtime, is unsure about swimming, likes banana and avocado, does not like squash and zucchini but tolerates them :)

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Introducing Callum!


Hey, I just met you...
And this is crazy! 
But, here's my number...
So call me maybe?
Callum Joshua Williford
July 2, 2012
7 lb 10 oz
He is so handsome :D
Dad to dad, your baby is handsome! 
 Family of 3!
The fan club!