Texan Pride

Having been here long enough to get reasonably settled, the idea that we may never actually leave Texas is finally starting to sink in. As it does, I'm having mixed feelings about the fact that our children may spend their childhoods here, especially when I compare that to how Ken and I grew up.

And the strangest part about it is this: Luke, Derek, and their future siblings will most likely grow up identifying themselves as Texans. Which is not to be taken lightly around here. For example, crossing the state line from any other state into Texas is much more of an experience than into any other state. Even if you miss the "Welcome to Texas" sign, most billboards and advertisements have something to do with Texas or trucks or cowboys or the Longhorns in the Lone Star State. The Texan flag is flown as often as the Stars and Stripes. People are actually proud of the slogan "everything's bigger in Texas". 

So while Ken and I have grown used to explaining that "we really don't come from anywhere", our children might make that little longhorn symbol with their hand and proudly announce that they come from Texas. They might wear jackets in 70+ degree weather and think that rain only comes in downpours. They might want to drive enormous trucks and wear cowboy boots and think that chili shouldn't have any beans.

They might have accents.

T Minus 1 Month!

Baby D just can't seem to grow up fast enough!

He has settled on a first word, which he likes to use a lot, and true to his little personality it is neither Mama nor Dada, but "uh-oh". And believe me, he knows what it means. One of his favorite things to do is to announce "uh-oh", and then chuck something over the side of his high chair or out of the tub. He has also finally started waving consistently (without any aid from mom). There are no official first steps yet, but he's so darn fast with his little bear crawl that he doesn't seem to be in a huge hurry to advance. 

Baby D has also started dancing! He has a couple of sweet new moves: if he's standing, he does some really deep squats. If he is sitting, he does some funny little shoulder wiggles, puffing out his chest and belly. And if he's in his car seat and has some sunglasses on, he will bob his head to the beat, admiring himself in his little mirror. 

Derek is charming and giggly and adorable and he totally knows it. He has already learned how to taunt his older brother (the only way to pay him back for all of those tackles and bear hugs), and will grab a toy Luke has been playing with and make a dash in the opposite direction. He can pull the lids off of spices, pull caps off of pens and markers, and grab plates from the dishwasher faster than any baby alive. He's got an eye for small, choking hazard sized objects and will scurry away with his cheeks filled if he thinks you're going to make him spit something out. 

Above all, Derek will give you the best little hugs and kisses and make you feel like you are his whole world--if you can catch him.

3.14

When your three-year-old reminds you that it is pi day, you certainly can't disappoint!

The eggy-pie (quiche) for dinner did not go over quite as well initially with Luke (although Baby D had plenty),

but his self-selected strawberry rhubarb made up for it in the end. 

Couldn't have picked a better food to have its own holiday. 

The seas and skies
envied his eyes

-S.M.M.

I am LUKE❤❤✌☺

As many on my contacts list know, Luke is a prolific message sender. Since Mere Mere came into town his enthusiasm has only increased since he can send the message, see it received, and then force the person to reply! Heaven. 

I just wanted to alert everyone, though, that he has now learned how to use the suggested auto-words at the top of the message box, so his messages now look a little more like this:

The bunks look forward, I think. ☕✉✏☎⚠⚠⚠☂★♉✌❤❤☺, and I will let you go to Mark's for a few

Hopefully this will clear up some confusion.