Cool Girl Moment

Last night, Colin, Jackie and I were wandering, via foot, the campus of Bishop Kelley, making our way home after a nice Academic Bowl banquet. We meandered through the football field, baseball field and then to the softball field. I played softball at BK many moons ago and hadn't set foot on the diamond since. I was feeling rather nostalgic as we approached the batting cages, then the dugout.

It all looked smaller to me, like things do when you get bigger. Although that seems strange, since I was adult size in highschool. I made my way to home plate and looked out to the outfield. Then, I had a moment of goofiness and pretended to knock one out of the park, held my arms in the air and celebrated a fabulous hit, thinking I was only being watched by my equally goofy husband and daughter. Keep in mind, I am nearing the last month of pregnancy, so that should help the rediculousness of these visuals.

We shared a chuckle and continued on our journey home. I didn't even make it out of the opposing team dugout when I recieved a text from an old teammate of mine from my BK softball days, Terry Coman Smejkal, saying, "Was it a homerun?" Wow. Where is she? This is really embarrassing.

She and her Mom, happened to be driving by at the perfect time to witness the spectacle. I guess it's fitting. She would have been the center fielder to catch my wild pop ups back in the day. Love that girl - and I know she would have been pretending with me if she was on the field at the time.

Ramblings of a Soon 2 Be Mother of 2

A few moments I want to record in the blog because I don't want them to escape our minds as the busy days go by.

Jackie and I spent every waking hour over the weekend together because Colin was out of town on a student trip to St. Louis. She and I spent one night with Grandma and Grandpa, just for fun. She loves her grandparents and delights in getting to see them so often. It's a wonderful thing to see my parents and Jackie's bond. She pretends to dislike my Dad (shunning his invites to his lap), which he gets a kick out of, but she can't help but laugh at him when he teases her and when she's sleepy, she likes to lay her head on his shoulder. She snuggles in with my mom any chance she can get, almost in a territorial kind of way when other cousins are around. I'll admit, she needs a sibling. We woke up Sunday morning and went to spend some time on my parents front porch while eating breakfast. It's the best porch on earth. She saw her "green car" (the Jeep) and started whining, "I want to go home! Home Mommy, I want to go home!" As heart breaking as it was, it was nice to hear her long for normalcy with Mom, Dad and Jackie in our humble home together as a family.

Monday, Jackie spent the day at school and I walked in about 15 minutes past my normal pick-up time. I could hear a child calling for Mommy down the hall. I looked and Jackie was with her teacher and 3 other classmates when she spotted me. She ran as fast as her little feet could take her yelling, "There she is! There she is!" Then jumped in my arms ready to go home. It was the best feeling. I love her so much!

We've only approximately 7 weeks to shower Jackie Jacks with "only child" attention. We know it's silly to worry about, but there are moments when you wonder if you can ever love another child like you have the first. I worry that I won't be able to give the 2nd the same attention and care that Jackie's recieved her first 2 years of life. I know it's a silly thought, but it's a thought. Just feeling blessed to have the little family we do and enjoying it every day.

Oh Shoot!

The title of the blog was Jackie's cheer at the baseball game last night. No idea where she got that, but that was her ringing support for the Kelley Comets at the OneOK field.

The brand new stadium is beautiful and such a thrilling addition to the city of Tulsa. There is a great kids play area, comfy seats and leg room, grassy area for kids to run around or to put blankets down and watch the game. You can see the game from anywhere you stand and the view of downtown is amazing. It's been an exciting week around here and so neat to see the Driller's have a suitable home.

Way to go Tulsa!!

Name. The Pressure of a Name.

That was a line from Pretty Woman. I don't know why I remember obscure lines like that one. It wasn't even a memorable scene in the movie.

Anyway, Colin and I are 100 percent sure on a girl name. We both are in love with it. Boy names are harder this time around. We both agree on a few, but none seem to be jumping out at us like, "Yes! That has to be the name of our son! It's meant to be!"

I think we're getting close, but we'll see. We have 9 full weeks to decide, theoretically. There is so much pressure when it comes to a name. Will this be a name they are proud of? Could they be President some day with this name? (Wow Kathleen, way to set expectations pretty high). I know that sounds crazy, but I really do think about it. We want to set up our children for whatever possibilities come their way.

Maybe our sureness of a girl name means we are having a girl? Maybe the oppisite? Who knows, but not knowing the sex has added a different dimension this time around. Our family dynamics will change no matter the sex, but the gender surely makes a big difference. Will our family testosterone be leveled out or will it forever be outnumbered.

Colin loves the idea of having the chance to say, "These women are driving me ca-razy!" I can't explain him. If you know him well, it makes perfect sense. :-)

It's in God's hands and no matter what gender joins our clan, it will be as it should be. I can't wait to meet this little person and get to know him/her face to face. Right now, he/she is proving to be squirmy in small spaces. I can't blame the wee one.

Family Filled Easter Weekend

Saturday, Jackie met up with some cousins at Woodward for a little romping around.

Boy did they romp! Caroline was practicing her Yoga moves. Seriously, she stayed in that position for a long time. Impressive.

Thinking back to childhood, just running in an open field was such fun.

This is Jackie's favorite way to travel. She says, "I'm tolllll!!"

Stop, drop and roll by Abbey!

After Mass, we joined the Taylor's for an impromptu Egg hunt. Thanks Taylor's for throwing this together. The kiddos loved it!

Caroline and Abbey had matching hippie outfits on. They looked adorable!!

Managed to rally the troops for this one. I should do a post of all the crazy pictures taken. Some are hilarious.

I think this is my favorite of the weekend. Jackie's Grandpa Larry picked out her dress this year. I think it's classy and adorable. He has great taste! She really looked cute.

The dynamic duo, figuring out this egg hunt thing together.

The best part, opening them, shaking them, and pouring them out of the basket!

We joined the Dowdell cousins for dessert in the evening and another egg hunt. Check out these babies. Baby Tommy was being held and another cousin and of course Baby Manning are on the way. I don't think you could claim that we have fertility issues.

What is this stuff inside?

All of Mom and Dad's grandbabies. Baby Tommy is 8 days old in this picture. He's precious beyond words.

Jason, getting a different view.

Time out! Till next time!

Coloring Eggs for the First Time

"Silly Daddy!"

Visual Musings

Missing Daddy

Colin has been working extra hard lately given his busy time of year with the scholars program and teaching a class at TCC in the evenings. We both miss him terribly when he's gone.

Jackie's all Dolled Up!

Results of digging in Mommy's makeup drawer: Eye liner on the cheek, foundation on lips and headband in a Star Trek Next Generation angle. Pretty good for a 23 month old.

Ft. Worth Zoo Fun

One thing I love about my husband is his love (more like need) for traveling and spontaneity. He called me at work last Thursday and said, let's go somewhere this weekend. We landed on Ft. Worth because it wasn't too bad of a drive, they have lots of things for kids to do and Colin's friends from law school are there. Logan, Nell and Ezra were such great tour guides and so gracious (especially with such a last minute visit). I have pictures from the zoo visit, which Jackie loved!

Jackie and Colin's favorite mode of transportation.

Looking at the cool monkeys.

Weirdest pig I've ever seen. Super hairy!

Ezra, Nell and Jackie checking out the turtles. Ezra is almost a year older than Jackie and he was a perfect gentlemen. He made sure she got to see everything Ft. Worth had to offer and would hold her hand and guide her to the next destination. It was fun to see them play.

Monkeys from the Lion King! I can't help but think of Stephen Colbert singing the "Circle of Life."

Spotting a school of fishies!

We thought the rhino looked like it had armor on.

We had lots of good food and visited the Science museum the next day. Had no idea how much Ft. Worth has to offer. Great place and we want to go back.