Landscaping- will our marriage survive?

Just kiddin' !! (sort of.) As I mentioned previously, we had a landscape designer draw up some amazing plans that we were going to finish over several years. Well, I went to work last Thursday and this is what I left.

Kind of boring but fine for now. The FIVE YEAR plan is to extend the patio and put in a retaining wall and outdoor fireplace.

I can home from work and found this.

I then called a divorce attorney. (I kid... I kid...) Matt had some fun. He rented a nice big toy and went to town. I guess he decided five years was too long and he wanted the wall and fireplace now! I mean, heck, we need that fireplace to keep us warm on those crisp June nights.

By dinner time, he made it all better.

Not.

SO... looks like our five year plan has been accelerated a bit. Stay tuned for more.

Elise- 6 months!!!

Dear Elise,

Today you are 6 months old. Exactly half a year ago we finally met you, face to face. And in exactly half a year from today, you will be one year old!!! Craziness. I look at you and wonder what I did before you arrived. (and then I remember; I worked more hours, worked out on a regular basis, went to happy hour with friends, took vacations, slept through the night..... but I wouldn't trade any of it!!!!) Your little personality develops more and more each day. You are still a very happy, yet serious and alert baby. Your watchful eyes don't miss much.

Some tidbits about you:

*You weigh 15 pounds 12 ounces and are 25 1/2 inches long.

*You still wake one time each night.

*You go to bed at 6:30, wake around 3:00am and get up for the day around 7:00am.

*You take 2 naps, 10:00am and 2:00pm. (when you're in the mood for a nap!)

*You usually sleep on your tummy but sometimes I find you on your side.

*You love to say Ahhh Ahhh Aaaaa and (with your mouth closed) Mmm Mmm Mmm.

*You adore Jaws and watch him every chance you get.

*You have only had breastmilk but that is soon going to change as we're beginning solid food this week.

*You do not like to lay on your back and you roll over as soon as I lay you down.

*You are getting close to crawling and push up on all fours all the time. You are pretty good at scooting around.

*You love to blow raspberries!

*You love your mommy and daddy and we love YOU!!!

Because you like to be on your tummy so much, this was the picture I kept getting.

When you hear one of us walk into your room, you immediately push your bumper down to see who's there.

With Daddy before he goes to work.

Fun in your Jumperoo at GiGi and Tompa's.

Pool time!

Yesterday we took Elise to the pool for the first time. I wouldn't say she loved it but she certainly didn't hate it either! In fact, not a peep came from her- even after I dunked her under water!!! It was such a nice day and it was before swim team practice, so we basically had the pool to ourselves. I have no doubt we will spend many, many hours there all summer long.

Here she is! Sunscreen on and ready to go!

With Daddy.

Love her floatie!

Video of the dunk!

Elise is on the move!

Elise is in the very beginning stages of learning how to crawl. She easily gets up on all fours, rocks back and fourth, and then usually topples over. I caught her doing the yoga pose, Downward Dog, in her crib the other day. My mom friends tell me I've got 4-6 weeks before she really gets moving. What do you think? I sure hope so! I'm not ready for a mobile baby just yet. Her favorite things to go after are the remote control or Sophie.

A quiet baby = trouble

Elise took a nice two hour nap this afternoon and woke up babbling, like she always does. She talked for about 5 minutes and then became silent. I knew something was up... there was no way she fell back asleep; she never does that. So I walked up stairs and found her... 

happily munching away on her mobile. Guess it's time to take that down. Bummer. ;)

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms and moms to-be out there! I had a lovely first Mother's Day. The only thing disappointing was that Matt was out of town working, and of course we were unable to be with Mary this weekend. Still, we made the best of it. Elise, Jaws, and I went on a nice long walk this morning. Then we got dressed and headed over to my parents' house. My mom, dad, brother, Elise, and I all went to one of our favorite restaurants, Tre Trattoria. It was wonderful, as always! Elise was a doll... she was in the best mood today. She certainly didn't stay quiet, squealing and babbling during dinner; however, she was super happy so I hope no one minded.

My babies!!!!! :)

Elise with her Uncle B!

Elise and GiGi

Landscaping- the beginning

Our backyard is big and empty; a few trees scattered around the edges and a whole lot of nada in the middle (besides some super green grass!) We think the previous owners were going to put in a pool so they had all the oaks removed. Then they decided against a pool. So we're stuck with a big empty lot. And since we spend most of our time in our backyard, we've decided it needs some work. We had a landscape designer come out and draw up some plans. She was awesome; she spent a lot of time talking with us and figuring out our needs and wants. She came back with some awesome plans- plans that we will do in stages. Our backyard is going to be pretty amazing when we're finished (think outdoor fireplace, deck up at the top of the hill, retaining wall to level out a playing area for the kids... the works.) It's just going to take a few years to get it all done. That said, we (and when I say WE I really mean MATT) have started Stage 1.

These are all IN PROCESS pics!

I swear, I married the hardest worker!

Hot pink crape myrtles are a must in San Antonio!

This area is right outside our kitchen. It will have one large retaining wall and some river rock to help with drainage. We'll fill it in with all sorts of plants. No grass here because it's so shaded.

River rock and stone for the retaining wall.

More pics to come as we (remember- "we" means MATT) get more done. And knowing Matt- I'll have a lot to show in the next coming weeks!