2 Year Pics

Before Ike we had pictures set and scheduled for the Wednesday before Joy's birthday. The studio called on Tuesday and said they didn't have power and some of their stuff was damaged so the appointment was canceled, and they weren't willing to reschedule at the time.
I decided to check into the Babies R Us near us since they recently (okay probably not that recent but still new since Joy was born) put in a little picture studio there. I went in on Friday and scheduled an appointment for Monday. She did really well and we got some cute shots here they are:

These first two are the second in a yearly event I have begun, not the Minnie dress, but with the giant Mickey. Last year she had her 1year pictures with Mickey and now she has a 2 year picture with Mickey. And yes that is the same Minnie Dress as last year, why buy a new costume for Halloween when last year's fits?


The ducky pictures are because of her love of ducks this year and her party was Ducky themed. The majority of these ducks are ours. The one in the tub is from Great Grandmother when Joy was born, so if you don't like all the ducks blame her.
These last 2 are just Joy the more traditional 2year shot. The dress (which Joy calls her party dress) is a hand me down from Lily, we love the dress! I saw it in Dillards when it was originally for sale and almost bought it except for the high price tag. When I saw Lily had it I hoped it would come to us, and it has! I love it! If you can see in the pictures where the balloons gather their is a number 2. It has multiple other numbers and a couple other shapes too. You will probably see this dress again.

Joy's 1st Blog

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Joy Speak

Joy speak: I want a polypop.
Translation I want a lollipop.

Joy speak: I need an issue.
Translation: I need a tissue.

Ike, 2, and life...

Well here we are a week and a half since Ike came through and left a little bit of destruction in his wake. If you aren't in the Houston area you probably have regular programinging and haven't seen the new news and more news we are getting so here are some good photos of the hurricane and aftermath. http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/the_short_but_eventful_life_of.html I can actually recognize a few of those places in Galveston which is kinda weird.
For our Ike story it is thankfully uneventful and lacking in excitement, just like I want it to be. We left on Thursday when they announced our zip code was part of the mandatory evacuation. We packed up Joy, clothing for everyone toys for a couple of days, the scrapbooks and the computers and headed to my Mom's house in Houston. The news was saying if you are in a mandatory evacuation zone to go further away, but we felt paying for somewhere to stay further away was not something we wanted to do, nor were we interested in leaving for long (at least until we knew more about the storm and/or our home). So we spent Thursday night and all day Friday waiting for the storm to come. Joy wanted to go home and asked a few times during the day Friday, but we just told her a big storm was coming and it was safer at GrandLady's. On Friday night before the storm was really here we lost power around 9:30pm and went to bed early. The actual storm hit at night, so Joy never had any fear through it, she slept like a baby! I slept most of the night, but woke up a few times to noises and howling winds. I believe the same is true of Rob. We woke up Saturday and spent all day Saturday at my Mom's with one short trip out to see my grandmother and her home. Everyone was well, and my sister and her home were also safe. Sunday we deicded to go ahead and try going home since we were anxious to hear/see anything about our home. Rob left first and then gave an all clear and Joy and I followed. At home we found 5 shingles or less off the roof, all 6 trees standing with many missing branches, but standing and our backyard fences down on 2.5 sides. Clean up began and we spent the next 2 days outside cleaning up the debris, playing with Joy and chatting with the neighbors. We got our power back on Tuesday, and have been trying to regain normalicy since then.
Joy turned 2 on Friday after the storm and her party was planned for Saturday. She was very excited about the party and since we had power we went ahead with the plan. I was thankful for my pre-planning and only had a couple of things to finish to execute the party. The party went well and this week Rob is back at work and Joy is back at school. I will post pictures as soon as Rob puts the Mac back up and running, maybe he can make it my computer so I will have access all the time, and just maybe blog a little more!

Big Girl!

The Big Girl Bed #1 (crib without side rail)

Mommy say night night to very excited big girl.

Night Night
(this is how we left her)

This is how I found her a couple hours later

This is how I found her in the morning

Notice not only is she on the floor but so is her pillow, blankie and puppy

Talking on one of her phones

Conversation over.

Double checking last years halloween dress still fits, it does and you will be seeing it again with ears this time (we hope)

Posing for the camera

Look Daddy, I'm wearing the ears!

So that basically tells the last few days. Things are going well. She is in her big girl bed and loves it. The first day (we tried it at nap before all night) Rob told her when he got her up from nap she could get up on her own. I think that is what happened that night she got up on her own, and then found the door blocked by the baby gate. She could not get up onto the bed so she went ahead and fell back asleep on the floor. She has not gotten out on her own since then until we come in the room. Last night I put the bathroom step stool in front of the bed and that made her very happy to easily climb in and out on her own. I think today I will be purchasing another step stool for her room.
School is going... I can't say well because she has not adjusted yet and neither have I. I am giving it another day or two before I make a rash decision but we may be changing plans this year.

Pictures!!

Beginning with July 4th, Vicki and Ice Cream!

Playing Ball with Great Grandmother

Checking out Meercats at the Houston Zoo

Watching Giraffe's with Daddy

Silly Giraffe got his horn stuck!

Baby Mac (he is one month younger than Joy)

Some backyard swimming

Showing off the pony

kisses for mommy and again showing off pony (I have gotten better since this picture)

A pony and a bow!

Can you tell I am proud of the ponies.

Joy's outdoor sidewalk paint art

Wearing Daddy's socks

Daddy's socks are fun!

Talking to Tracey's kitty (she later told it while it sat on the couch to "go home")

checking out the tent

pushing her stroller

At the downtown aquarium with Lily

A little deep sea diving

Ahhh Tiger attack!

Chuck E Cheese riding the pony

Joy Burrito

And that concludes this summer's highlights. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

She didn't cry!

Today is Joy's first day of school, well daycare/school. This morning I walked my excited but somewhat reluctant child into the school and we sat together in her room meeting her friends and talking to her teachers (Ms. Lori and Ms. Faye). She looked a little stunned and was sitting in my lap for awhile. The teachers got some links down, but that did not interest Joy. Then she saw the bus! Yes, a school bus, our current fascination. She got very excited took it off the shelf, looked at me and said "up" indicating she wanted a little person to go up the steps, so I asked if she saw any people, and one of the teachers very graciously got up and found some for her. She then had a handful of people and a school bus. I had told her a couple minutes before this Mommy would be leaving in a minute (I was prepared for a sad farewell). She however was very into and excited about the new school bus, so seeing this was the moment to flee I did. I told her I was leaving she said okay gave me hugs and kisses and I walked out. No tears, no looking back at me forlornly, just see you later.
Now what? Well the original plan was I would be subbing in CCISD. However, the lack of returned references delayed this until next month. So until September 25th I have Mommy time. I have grand plans for this time. Today it included a bath (check) and updating the blog (check). Next I tackle the house and Christmas presents. I started a little while ago on some Family gifts, and I will be finishing those and making more. Since Rob and I are trying hard to budget and be debt free (Dave Ramsey type plan) I am attempting a more crafty Christmas than purchased one. I will still give a few purchased gifts, but most will be handy crafty creations from me or Joy. The house, well I need to do a through cleaning, dejunking and organizing. My craft room is project #1. So off I go to finish getting re-dressed for the day and begin the organizing and dejunking of the house. Oh and Rob, it will get worse before it gets better but it will be wonderful when finished!
Pictures of Joy from the summer will happen as soon as I get to that on my list (it's a mental list so it might be awhile!)