worrell wanderings: May 2011

memorial day at the lake

May 29-30, 2011- We were so excited to kick off our summer by spending part of Memorial Day weekend at the lake. College friends, Laree & Ryon, invited us for the weekend along with a few other families to a lake house that Laree's family has in Kingsland on Lake LBJ . Eight kids ranging in age from 11 months to 5 years old...and only one girl! The kids all had a blast and it was fun for us too.

We brought our boat, which hasn't been out since before Brazos was born. Casey spent at least a week getting it all tuned up and running great. And it was all worth it to see everyone enjoy their time on the water. On our first outing we took Brazos along but the uncomfortable bulk of the life jacket plus the fact he was overdue for a nap made it not too enjoyable for him (or me!). So I stayed ashore with him after that. Maybe later this summer when he is a bit more stable on his feet we'll see if he's got his sea legs.

Pecos ready for Water Gun War; his strategy: not to seek out combat; rather just park himself in the kiddie pool, wait for the others to come and fill up their gun, then blast them. It worked out quite well for him.

big haul of the day...actually, an overnight catch

boat captain and first mate preparing the boat for another outing

ready for a boat ride and tubing- can you imagine what it will be like on the lake with this crew in about 10 years?

Pecos and Calob had so much fun tubing...the highlight of their weekend for sure

when you have that many boys and a great lakefront yard you must play a game of t-ball

casey and brazos did their own swinging and observed t-ball from the sidelines

Did I mention how much fun we had? Can't wait to do it again sometime!

one year old!

May 25, 2011- Well, we made it through the first year no worse for the wear! But let's be real, the months of colic and reflux were tough. Brazos has brought so much joy and laughter to our family with his high energy and boisterous personality. He's rough and rowdy and headstrong and slightly (ok, abundantly) mischievous. Despite that, he has made this family whole and we couldn't be happier about that. The Lord has blessed us beyond measure.

Here's the stats; gonna be long and lean if he continues on this path!

Length: 31.75 inches (96%tile)

Weight: 21.5 pounds (49%tile)

Head Circumference: 18.11 inches (44%tile)

Shoe size: 4...I think; he doesn't really wear shoes except for Crocs

Hair color: barely there, blonde-ish but certainly with a red tint to it

Eye color: deep blue

Favorite food: ice cream

This is his favorite place, other than the dishwasher, to play in the kitchen. Always grabs the rolling pin first and yanks it out. Genius child there with the plastic bowls on his head. Cabinet locks have now been installed- the heavy duty kind- and Brazos was furious when they thwarted his attempt to bring mayhem to my kitchen. But rest assured, we left one drawer all for him and he daily empties out every plastic container and lid that I own.

feliz cumpleaños, brazos!

May 25, 2011- Wow! How did a year go by so fast? Just one year ago we were in the hospital welcoming our little newborn. Fast forward one year and we're celebrating with Fiesta Grande! Well, not too grande, just lunch with family and a few close friends.

The invitation I created:

goody bag loot

party décor

every fiesta needs a piñata

Brazos (refusing to acknowledge the camera) with his Godparents, Scott & Mignonne

the gifts

sombrero cake from Sophie's Choice Bakery

had no interest in cake mashing

at this point the meltdown began as more than one person commented "it's his party- he can cry if he wants to!"

he calmed down enough to take a few bites then it was off to siesta!

this is what i expected Brazos- not Gage- to look like after the cake!

desi got a little warm- and messy from the cake!

goody bags

piñata fun; Gage was so proud, or maybe just wondering if there were more prizes inside

Family photo- Casey was the only one that didn't dress in appropriate fiesta attire but that is because all he owns is blue and white shirts, Wrangler work shirts and a few random t-shirts including one from a cock fighting tournament in Mexico. But it is black and he doesn't like to wear black other than a cowboy hat. That shirt and how he got it is a long story to share some other time!

fun with the birthday gifts (in his dirty watermelon stained shirt), after a much needed siesta

After the party we decided a dip in the pool at MiMi & Paw Paw's hotel would be nice. Pecos braved the slide...the same slide he has refused to go on ever since Paw Paw didn't catch him fast enough last year and he got dunked. Every time we drive past this hotel in Fredericksburg Pecos reminds me that is where Paw Paw dunked him. I think a promise of ice cream at Dairy Queen was his main motivation for going down it this time.

the (pre-k) graduate

May 20, 2011- Graduation Day for Pecos at HeadStart Pre-K in Harper!

the graduate with mom & dad

behind the scenes at cap & gown picture day a few weeks prior to graduation

Brazos and Desi awaiting the ceremony. Is it just me or does he look like an old man?...just sitting there kind of grumpy, not wanting his picture taken.

With W as his last initial he was of course last to enter the ceremony. Not many X, Y and Z kids in Harper. They saved the best for last!

diploma in hand and tassel in eye!

picking up the diplomas so the performance portion of the ceremony could begin

tassels were a bit of a problem for everyone

This photo was taken at the very end of the program where the kids shouted "Go Longhorns" as they anticipate their entry to Harper school whose mascot is the Longhorns. I suppose Pecos has too much Aggie blood in him; please take notice that he just couldn't get his hands to make the longhorn sign.

the graduate with Oma & Opa

the graduate with MiMi & Paw Paw

one year, one great set of photos

So we've hit the one year mark. And that means a photo session to document this stage. I was honored to have my sweet friend and fabulous photographer, Tori Faulkner, spend a morning capturing the moments; you can see more of her work at http://www.barnraised.com/. She really had her work cut out for her because Brazos was on the move the entire time and let's just say he offers plenty of facial expressions yet he is less than willing to be photographed. All the jumping, clapping and waving of noise makers didn't really work on him as he had his own ideas of what he wanted to do. Tori must have magical powers because I was there at the photo shoot and did not see with my eyes what she was able to capture with her camera. Actually, she's been blessed with an amazing talent and we're fortunate that she has found the time and energy to share it with the rest of us. She is allowing me to share the proofs here on my blog- enjoy!

Like most photo sessions there are so many great photos that I love it is hard to choose a favorite. But I think this one is my favorite this time. It is so true to Brazos...the tongue sticking out as he is making funny noises, his blue eyes that may not stay this color for much longer and that innocent look that makes you melt. Yep, I think it is my favorite.

lock up your daughters, he's got those sweet baby blues

WildMan says enough crawling...ready to run now!

SILLY BOY!

the only time he sat still and it lasted only for a short moment!

Him and his tongue! We have an ultrasound photo of him sticking out his tongue. And a photo from his newborn session with it sticking out. And at least three from this session. I'm going to have a whole wall in my house of photos of him with his tongue sticking out! Sure it is cute now but in a few years I don't think so!