Peek-a-boo!

Gage discovered the shower curtain this morning as I was putting on my makeup and decided to play a game of peek-a-boo. Needless to say, he made me laugh and I had to snap a few pictures!

Memorial Day Weekend

Wow! Where do I begin? This weekend was so wonderful! I actually feel rested up for once! I do think it was a blessing that my Internet service went down Friday afternoon and didn't come back up until today. I'm very guilty of working too often on the weekends. I think this was God's clever plan for me to take a break and enjoy an Internet free weekend! It was so nice that I might just shut the computer off every weekend!

Our house was torn apart this week with the installation of our new wood floors. (I'll post pictures later!) I spent half of the weekend putting the house back together and "re-decorating." The new floors have inspired me to remodel my house. However, that project will probably be on hold until I acquire a raise or win the lottery!

Eric had a 4 day weekend with only one football commitment so it was so nice to have him home. We had such a great time together and really enjoyed just hanging out all weekend. We really do enjoy the simple things in life - playing with Gage, taking long walks, eating dinner together, watching movies, spending time with our good friends...

I have to take a moment to brag on my husband b/c as much as he is away from home with work, he makes up for it every second that he is home. The minute he walks in the door he takes over with Gage to give me some down time. He's not too masculine to do a load of laundry, cook dinner, do the dishes or clean up around the house. And the reality is that he is just as tired as I am at the end of the day. A Coaches' schedule is grueling, and a Coaches Wife might as well be a widow 3/4 of the year, but I wouldn't have it any other way - as long as I'm in this not-so-normal life with Eric!

This weekend was full of fun, family, and friends. And as usual we had lots of sweet moments with Gage. He is becoming more active and mischievous. His favorite thing this week was getting into the entertainment center and pulling everything out...Cd's, blankets, remotes...all over the floor!

I met up with my friend Laura Friday night at our favorite little Mexican restaurant, Ernesto's. The guys had to scout so we decided to meet up for some good food and a frozen margarita. Gage and Ava had a "date" while we enjoyed our food.

This was my favorite moment this weekend - Gage's 1st pool experience! We went to Momo and Popo's house for a cookout and went to their community pool to swim. It was so much fun! Gage took to the water like a pro! For the most part, he loved every minute of it! The pool had a beach entrance so he was able to crawl around and partly stand up on all fours. (He's starting to stand up and crawl at the same time - if that makes sense!) The only tearful moment he had was when he crawled towards the deeper end and took in a huge gulp of water! He also enjoyed playing with his cousin Erin who loves to give him raspberries on his round belly! She is such a good cousin!

I want to end this post with a "thank you" to my family and friends (especially my Dad) and for all of our soldiers who have sacrificed their lives (past or present) in war to fight for our freedom in this wonderful country we live in. I am forever grateful. Happy Memorial Day!

Welcome to blogging!

I'm so excited that my cousin Jill created a blog! She lives in Kansas so we don't get to see each other much. We were like siblings growing up. My mom and her dad are twins! Check out her blog to see pictures of adorable Colin! He is 2 months younger than Gage. We are looking forward to spending time with them in the Ozarks this summer! Welcome to the world of blogging Jill! See you soon!

http://jill-lifesjourneywithcolin.blogspot.com/

My good friend and fellow Coaches Wife, Laura, also started a blog:

http://onyourmarkgetsetwhoa.blogspot.com/

Her girls, Mai and Ava, are so cute and full of personality. Laura never has a dull moment in her house. She is always on the go! I'm sure her blog will be full of many funny Mai "isms."

Isn't blogging so much fun?!

9 Month Stats

Before I get started on the adventures of this past week, I need to give a "shout out" to 'Team De Los Santos' biggest fan - Gabe McG! I'm hoping he is sipping his morning latte while reading this week's post. He enjoys giving Eric a hard time about my blog, but secretly, I think he enjoys reading it! I promised him this weekend that his name would be mentioned in this week's posting. So here you go Gabe! Good to see you this weekend! Your wit is always a good time.

Most of this week was a whirlwind, but it ended well with a great weekend. I'm getting better about keeping my office door shut during the weekend and using my time for fun, family, and friends! This week I decided that I wanted to become a brunette! As I get older, my hair is getting darker and I was so tired of keeping up with masking my dark roots. So, I did it. It really wasn't a hard decision as I find change fun and adventurous! Rachel, my stylist (the best stylist and hair colorist ever!), gets a good kick out of me b/c I always want something different. Something about a new "do" just makes me feel pretty and refreshed. I truly look forward to getting my hair cut and colored every 6 weeks! It brings me PURE joy - and I have a good time talking and laughing with Rachel! Gage also got his haircut (4th hair cut!) This kid has more hair than most adult men! So, here is my new do. In my heart, I will always be a blonde though! I DO think that blonde's are more fun!

Gage turned 9 months old this week. I can't believe it! I really feel like he was just born a few weeks ago and in 3 months I will be planning a 1 year old birthday party! Each day gets more fun as he grows and develops his personality. I keep thinking, "this is the most fun stage" and it just gets better every day. Gage made a visit to Dr. G's office on Friday for his 9 month check up (BTW...if you are looking for a Pediatrician in the Frisco area - he is highly recommended! I just think he is great!)

9 MONTH STATS:
Height: 29.8 (95%)

Weight: 21.9 pounds (75%)

Head Circumference: 18.8 (100% - I like to think that is all brains!)

Physical Exam: A+

Development: A+

We are so thankful for our healthy baby boy!

This week he picked up some more speed and encountered a couple of bumps and bruises. This is where it gets hard for mom to try not to be too overprotective! My favorite moment this week was playing "chase" and "hide-n-seek." Of course, this involves Eric and me getting down on all 4's and crawling too! Gage thinks it is so much fun to crawl with mommy and daddy on the floor and he loves trying to find us. We will hide behind a corner and he will crawl to find us and peek his little head around the corner and laugh hysterically when we say "boo!" So much fun!

Friday night was a fun night with my coworkers. We had dinner and a few drinks at Blue Mesa. (They have the BEST blue margarita's!) Since most of us work from home, it's always a fun time when we get together. I think our group is phenomenal and I am so inspired by each and every one of them! Here are a few pictures of me and some of my favorite gals.

Saturday night we celebrated our friend Courtney's graduation. She finished her Master's and we are so proud of her! Courtney is a Coaches wife so it will be nice to have her back for our social gatherings! She had a great graduation party - we had so much fun! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was good to spend time with the Wives and catch up. Only a couple more months before we gear up for football season and lean on each other for moral support! Here is a picture of some of us. Such beautiful ladies - inside and out!

Today was such a beautiful day outside. I enjoyed a nice run this morning. I'm finally back into a running routine since I've had Gage. Running is my stress relief time and although I always dread the latter part of the run, I feel so good when I am done. And I think it's finally paying off - I finally got into my size 2 skirt that I have been wanting to wear. Needless to say, this day started off well! After church, we went to lunch with some of our closest friends, Devin and Nicole, and then we came home and we actually took a nap! Yes, a nap! It was WONDERFUL! I don't remember the last time I took a nap. It was much needed. I always look forward to Sunday evenings for Desperate Housewives (one of my favorite shows). Tonight it was 2 hours long (Season Finale) and (as usual) filled with lots of drama. So, now I'm anxious for next season - who is that man that Susan is kissing? What happened to Mike? Oh my!

Joyful Moments

This week was filled with many joyful moments. Gage started crawling last week and picked up some speed this week! We're moving in the fast lane now! His favorite things right now...mommy's laptop, the vacuum, and trying to pull the plastic coverings off the electrical outlets. Needless to say, we are keeping busy! When we say "no-no," he just smiles and laughs. It's hard not to laugh with him - especially when he has such an infectious grin!

This week we introduced the "protein" food group to Gage - turkey baby food. All I have to say is P..U..! I don't think anyone could pay me to eat that stuff! I couldn't help but laugh at the silly faces he made after each bite. I don't think he enjoyed it, but he ate it. However, he did enjoy the biter biscuit. There should be a WARNING label on the box that all babies MUST eat the biter biscuit naked and in a high chair. What a huge mess! He enjoyed every bite though and I enjoyed taking the pictures!

My favorite moment this week...Gage trying to work out with his mommy. I was doing some ab work on my aerobic step and he crawled right on up to join me. After each rep of my exercise, he would laugh hysterically. It was the cutest thing! Then he got stuck in a "push up" position and couldn't quite figure out how to get out of his predicament. He wouldn't drop to the floor so he was holding that little "push up" as long as he could - and then (muscles burning I'm sure) he belted out with a "help me" cry! I'm so excited that he is taking interest in fitness already!

We have really been taking advantage of this great weather with daily walks. Eric is finally out of "season" and home somewhat early so we look forward to a long walk in the evening as a family. Gage loves his daddy and just lights up when he walks through the door. Eric is such a great dad! And a wonderful husband! I am so lucky!

Today we celebrated Mother's Day. What a special day. It takes on a whole new meaning when you have a child of your own. I look forward to many more to come!

Prayer Request

Please pray for our friends.

Our dear friends, Holly and Landon, lost their precious baby boy. Carrington "Cash" Wren was born very premature and his little lungs were not fully developed. He fought for one day in the NICU, but his little body just couldn't keep up. Please pray for the Wren family during this most difficult time. Please pray for their strength and God's grace. Please pray for my Supervisor and friend, Jennifer Thomas, as Mother's Day approaches this weekend. Jennifer and Richard lost their sweet baby girl, Lilly, in March to SIDS. I know this coming weekend will be extremely hard. You can send thoughts and prayers to the Thomas Family by visiting their blog - Surviving Life's Curveballs. Jennifer's good friends also lost their baby boy this past weekend. Please pray for the Marlowe family as they go through this very difficult time. I truly believe in the power of prayer and thank you for lifting up our dear friends into the Lord's hands. Don't forget to thank God for your blessings!

One more year...

This past week I celebrated my 29th Birthday! I had a great week of celebration with friends and family. My good friends Julie and Katie took me to Macaroni Grill. The waiter welcomed me to the table by saying I might need a "walker!" He had fun giving me a hard time about my age, but ended the night well by bringing me a piece of chocolate cake - instant forgiveness! Yum! Thanks Julie and Katie for a fun night! You can check out Julie's blog in my favorite blogs. I am so proud of her - she just finished the MS 150 this past weekend!

I took most of the day off from work for my Birthday. Each year it is MY gift to myself and I love every minute of it! Gage and I had a play date with a good friend to celebrate. Eric took me out that night to the Cheesecake Factory for a fantastic dinner and piece of caramel cheesecake! Overall I had a great day. I was truly touched by the cards, emails, and phone calls from family and friends. In particular, from some of my old co-workers and clients who remembered my special day. It was nice to hear that I had made an impact on their lives. The smallest gestures bring me so much joy!

My sister came out to the house and spent the night with us one night this past week. She is 31 weeks pregnant and looks so cute! Having a baby girl! I'm so excited! We had fun with Auntie Jen. Thanks for the cute flip flops and gift card Jen! I also spent some time with my parents this past week. Mom has been watching Gage a couple days out of the week while I work. He loves his Grammy and Grampy! They set up a mini-roller coaster in the back yard and Gage had a blast! They bought me a Roomba for the new wood floors we are putting in the house this month. I am so pumped!

We had some good friends over Friday night for a cookout and to watch the Stars Game. It's always fun hanging out! We met up with my best friend, Cassidy, on Saturday night to celebrate both of our Birthdays. She also has an April Birthday. We enjoyed some fine Mexican food and margaritas! Early Cinco De Mayo! We ended the week with dinner at Eric's parents house last night. Gage spent some time with his Momo and Popo. His cousins, Max and Erin, stopped by to visit and play. Thank the Good Lord for wonderful family and friends! Now, here's to ONE MORE YEAR of the 20's!