Building a Dresser

In an attempt to begin the transition of the changing table to Hannah's bedroom, we bought Haley a new dresser from IKEA. Assemble it yourself furniture is always an adventure, but it becomes even more so with a 2 year old involved! Haley insists on helping Daddy "build," and she's very particular about her tools. She will request them by color (e.g., "the yellow one"). She was such a cute helper that we couldn't help but snap a few pics. It took a bit longer to get the dresser built, but it was worth it.

Pee Pee in the Potty

We had a very exciting Monday morning this week! After observing Kathy use the restroom, Haley reported that she needed to "go potty." She sat on the potty, and it was actually productive! She was so proud! She told the neighbors and Mrs. Frances, but she insisted on calling "Daddy" immediately to tell him the big news. We celebrated that evening by getting Amy's ice cream. Yum! The only problem is that if she does this more frequently, we'll end up gaining a few extra pounds. The positive side is that the cost of ice cream in no way outweighs the cost of diapers ;-)

"I necked, mommy!"

Haley LOVES to have her clothes off (she takes after her dad in that way!). Particularly, when she can go outside and play with the water hose, which occurs when she observes a need to "water plants." She spent hours the other day outside watering the patio and chairs, with very little green stuff getting any of the wet stuff; however, there was great joy in the whole experience. She also never wants the naked plant watering sessions to end, as evidenced by her running away shouting, "No, mommy, I necked!" Then she'll usually stop, look over her shoulder and smile slyly. Does she have us figured out, or what?

New Baby-to-be Hannah

We had another ultrasound of Hannah at 29 weeks, and it was really amazing! The doc was a little worried that she had measured small at my 28 week checkup, but she looked just perfect (apparently she was just turned funny during the office visit). She's really starting to look like a baby now! The new 3-D ultrasound technology is very cool, although Hannah was asleep with her knee in her face the whole time, and that didn't make for the best pics. She moves and kicks all of the time, though. I had almost forgotten how wonderful that feels. Haley is excited about "Baby Hannah," and she wants us to read the book "Welcome to Your World, Baby" by Brooke Shields to her almost every night (thanks Grandma Susie!). She knows it by heart. I think she might be a little sad that Hannah won't come out ready to have "tea "and "build sand castles" like in the book, but we're trying to both keep her enthusiastic as well as prepare her for the reality of a new baby. Thank goodness she sees babies at Mrs. Frances' house.

Hurricane Ike

What a mess a little wind, rain and water can do! The hurricane managed to miss us COMPLETELY (we didn't even get one drop of rain out of it). We were most worried about the farm and the fish business, but it apparently did no damage there, either. Charles reported about 40 mph winds and a little rain, but not the devistation that was initially anticipated. We had houseguests for a few days during the hurricane from Victoria. Carl's aunt Angelique, uncle Mark, cousin Alexa and Grandmother Doris stayed with us for a little over 2 days. Haley enjoyed playing with Alexa's alphabet puzzles (now I know something to get her for her birthday). The worst of the damage was in Galveston and Bolivar penninsula, which was basically wiped clean. It will be a challenge to find the line between the public beach and the private property now that the beach front is partially missing. I had a meeting scheduled in Houston on September 24-25, and it has gone to the web because the ESC down there still doesn't have power (and they are on the Northwest side of Houston!). We're just thankful that none of our friends or family were hurt.

Labor Day in Lubbock

We had an eventful trip to Lubbock this year for Labor Day. Haley LOVED all of the attention from Gammaw and Pawpaw and Nana and Pop. We came home with a bunch of new toys, books and clothes (thanks, Nana), and came to appreciate McDonalds when traveling with a 2 year old (surprising to both of us)! We went to a park in Lubbock with my childhood friend Britta and her son Patrick. The park equipment was a little bit large and challenging for Haley, but she managed to climb as well as some of the much older kiddos - she's absolutely fearless! She also traveled amazingly well for a 7 hour trip. She enjoyed looking out the window at all of the power generating windmills south of Sweetwater. We were happy to finally get home, but Haley still talks about going to "Wubbock."