Thank you again "Aunt" Katie

Why aunt in quotes?? Because Katie and Taylor often call Katie "aunt" to Makena. Probably because Katie is an aunt to Rylee Kate and out of habit therefore is refered to as "aunt" towards Makena. That's okay...Aunt Kadeee works for Mak!

Katie came over this last weekend and took some awesome pictures of Mak. Of course I don't have all the pictures yet, just the ones that she has kindly emailed to me pictured above.

My FAVORITE is the feet picture, but I have so many favorites I can't seem to really pick. I love the first two, the one in her crib...OH HECK! I love them all.

Thanks so much Katie...

Oh and do you like my ring?? I got that for Mother's Day! Thank you very much Mak Mak and Justin! Love you!

Again!

I am so far behind in this blog, I am not sure what happened before what. Anyway, Makena was bitten at school again last week.

4th time in the two months she has been there!

I wasn't very nice to the director of the school. I asked her to verify if it was multiple children or if it was the same child that was biting her. The director told me the next day it was not the same child, they were different children. WHAT!?? You mean to tell me, in a class of 12 kids, at least 4 are biters?? I don't know about you all, but the ratio of 3 to 1 does not sit well with me. She said she would talk to the teachers.

Here is the deal...I worked in a preschool. I know it is difficult to keep an eye on all 12 kids with 2 sets of eyes, but why--why is my baby the one getting bit? Granted, I am glad Mak is not one of the biters, I wish she would at least retaliate in some way though. They tell me she doesn't even cry.

Seriously--

Makena has been bit before in my presence and she cried hard and she didn't even bruise. Every bite she has had from school she has bruised from it...and the bites have all been on her right arm.

I am so sad for her--I know she is well cared for by her teachers and I am confident that her teachers are not neglecting her--I just wish these teething, non-communicating carnivoros would stop biting my baby.

James Blunt Part 2 (deux)

Alrighty then...

The evening of May 6th Katie and I left Dallas and began our 3-1/2 hour drive to Austin. We got there around 10:30pm or so and my Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Patrick were so kind to give us a place to stay.

Anyway, Sunday morning we got up, played with Tristan, my cousin who I found out was named after Brad Pitt's character in the movie Legend's of the Fall. Then, we were treated to dim sum (chinese resturant where the servers walk around pushing carts with some yummy food). It was lots of fun.

What we did after that was not too much fun really....NOT!

We headed down to The Backyard in Austin. i was already excited because it was an outdoor venue. I just knew the atmosphere would be different outdoors versus indoor. We got there about 1-1/2 hours before gates opened. When it did open, Katie and I were center left of the stage right in front! I mean smashed up against the stage. Talk about excitment! So we hung around, met a few really nice people and then the concert started.


Toby Lightman opened for him and she was FANTASTIC. I managed to get her setlist, but didn't have a chance to get it signed.

Then it was the main event. It was awesome to be outside, listening to great music and just having fun! The eletric gutarist winked at me, the piano guy shook my hand and James grabbed both my hands as he reached into the crowd. I managed to get James's set list too! It was awesome!

So then, at 10:30pm we got on the road and headed home...why you ask??

We had a date with the man himself the next morning. Seriously!

Katie and I did anything to stay awake. We sang JB songs, church songs, 80's stuff...anything...we chatted and then we took the wrong exit off I35! Anway, we made it back to the correct highway after a couple of curse words out of my mouth...hey, it was late and I was tired...give me a break!

We made it home, slept for 1-1/2 hours and we were up again and headed to KISS FM.

We hung out outside for a bit, then into the Texas Bar & Grill. They had a mini-stage setup.

They gave us an opportunity to ask questions and I quickly raised my hand. I said "Good morning James, first thank you for what you do, second, I saw you in Chicago, last night in Austin and drove home to be here this morning. I had 1-1/2 hours sleep, I wonder how you feel this morning?" James said and I paraphrase here..."did you see me turning around to the band and telling them the stalkers were in the front row?" I said "those must have been the teenagers behind us" Then he said something like "I had no sleep the night before, but I got some rest last night so I probably feel better then you do."

He answered a couple of other questions, then sang High and You're Beautiful. Afterwards, they took photos and James signed his promo photo for us all. I asked him if he would sign my setlist from last night and his security guy said no, but James snuck (sp?) his hand between his bodyguard and a radio staion worker and I handed him my setlist, he signed it and handed it back and smiled at me. After he had taken the photo with us he spoke to us and asked me my name and then he leaned into Katie and asked her what her name was. Holy cow we were in James Blunt overload by then I think.

I'm on the right side of the photo next to JB, Katie is next to me

After that, it was home and to bed...well sort of. I didn't really sleep! We headed to Nokia Theater around 5 for round 3 of JB. I won't go into too much details as it was about the same as all the other concerts we went to, except Katie and I sat for this one. It was a nice perspective from being in the PIT.

There you have it, the James Blunt chapter has come to an end...until next time!

Coming to a blog near you...

I know, I know...I haven't updated. Between work and my family, it has been a bit crazy. Not to mention seeing James Blunt twice in one weekend.

So updates you can expect...

1) JB Part Deux (2)

and

2) Mak got bit again in school!!

Pictures will be posted as well.

There Katie...I posted about an update. Is this okay for now?

JB part 1 of 2

Okay, Katie and I are on the second to last leg of chasing James Blunt all over the state. We saw him in Chicago in March and tomorrow we will see him in Austin. I am actually excited to see him in OUR state of residence. I have family in Austin too, so I am so comfortable with the area. Chicago was fun, but it is going to be awesome to be in our neck of the woods. Outdoor venue too...F-A-B!

Monday morning is breakfast with JB and then his concert in Dallas. It is going to be a long two days, but well worth it! The chance to just BE and have a good time!

Part 2 will come sometime on Tuesday or Wednesday.

P.S. My final exam is on Tuesday...I will need a Red Bull I think.

P.P.S. Makena is doing wonderful and I think her and Daddy have really enjoyed their time together. Thanks to you both for putting up with me.

XOXOXO

I know...everyone is sick of this James Blunt post

So I will post about something else.

1) Makena is so sweet. Justin was out of town and came home yesterday. She thought she heard the garage door and started saying "DADDY??" It was precious. She has several new words
- Bubble
- Outside (better known as outshide)
- OH NO!! (she says it very clearly and she knows the most appropriate times to say it too)
- Bappi (we think this means paci, blankie and teddy all rolled into one...all the necessities for night night)
2) Speaking of paci...her teacher told me so far this week she has not asked for paci and she goes to sleep at shcool with out her paci! She doesn't need paci at home until she goes night night and I just can't seem to take it from her. Doesn't make her happy. I am sure she is working us!
3) Go check out Katie's blog. Some awesome pictures of Conan!

--that's all I got folks! Life has been pretty hectic since I went back to work.

As if once wasn't enough...

I realize most would think I am on the brink of obsession, but Katie and I are going to see James Blunt not two but three more times.

Originally it was only going to be one more concert in Austin. I had Dallas tickets I tried to sell, but that has fallen through and now Katie and I decided we are going to the Dallas one too.

So thats two...the third is the real kicker!

Our local radio station here in Dallas ran a contest all weekend...20th caller wins breakfast with James Blunt and a private performance...plus two tickets to the show.

I didn't win, but Katie did! I had been trying to get through since 5pm Friday. Saturday morning I was trying any chance I got and when I met up with Katie, we were on our way to Cassy's house for Rylee Kate's birthday party. I told Katie she had to call in with her cell and I would call in with mine when they announced the time to call in. HOLY COW...we were in the car all of 5 min and it was time to put our fingers to work. We literally drove 2 miles and redialed 3-4 times and Katie got through! The DJ answered and Katie asked what caller was she and he told her 20 and we all screamed! Katie told him we went to the Chicago concert and we are going to Austin and Dallas and the Dj asked her if she was obsessed. I have to admit, I was the bigger fan of the two of us...but after this, I almost bet my life that Katie is a big fan too!!

I LOVE YOU KATIE...thanks for being obsessed with me. I feel like a gitty teenager. These are the things I should have been doing in high school and college! Oh well, keeps us young!

Thanks to our husbands for putting up with MY craziness...though Katie...you are well on you way!

Daddy-UPDATED

Walk along beside me Daddy

and hold my little hand.

I have so many thing to learn,

that I don't understand.

Teach me things to keep me safe

from dangers everyday.

Show me how to be my best

at home and at play.

Every child needs a gentle hand

to guide them as they grow.

So walk along beside me Daddy

we have a long way to go.

-Author Unknown

***Click here for more sweet pictures of Mak

Life as we know it has changed!

New school for Mak, new job for me, means busy days for all of us! Makena started at her school 2-Mondays ago and has adjusted rather well. She doesn't cry when I drop her off (well sometimes) and she is already well loved by her teachers. Apparently she is attached to Ms. Jennifer...when she leaves the room, Mak cries. She has had a difficult time adjusting to naptime. She is use to being on her own in her room and her own bed. She had only been taking 30 minute naps, today she took a 2 hour nap though. WOOHOO! She has been attached to my hip as soon as I pick her up from school though. Her reaction when she sees me walk through the door is priceless. If I remember I will try to get a picture of it soon. I walk in and with her mouth wide open and this shocked look on her face and then she yells "MAMA!". Just melts me...

My job...going great, I love it! Hard to explain what I do since I don't really know yet, but I know I love it. The dynamic of the office is wonderful and they have approved my hours 7-4. This works out well for our family since Justin gets off work around 4 as well.

Here are some pictures I took a couple of weeks ago. The these where taken the eveing after her first day at school. I started the tub and walked out of the bathroom for a minute. When I came back in she had climbed into the tub fully clothed! That was when we discovered the girl could climb. There are cute tennis pictures to come.

To the kid who bit my baby...

GRRR!!!!


I picked Makena up from school today and when I got her out to the car and put her in her seat, I noticed what looked like a bite mark on her right arm. It looked fairly fresh too...I could still see the teeth mark...4 teeth on top and 4 on bottom. I went back in and asked her teachers what happend...they had no idea, she didn't cry they said! ARGH!! I know kids bite and it happens, but I am worried that if she didn't cry this time, she might not cry next time! (DEEP BREATHS)

Anyway, I still have a post coming soon about work and Mak's school and some fun pictures...they are coming.