3rd Annual GG's Beach Trip!

This is the 3rd year that our group of girlfriends have gotten together and rented a beach house in Galveston during the summer. Every year our group grows bigger with the addition of more baby girls! Ella was the first baby girl to attend in year 1 and Auntie Shelly was prego with Lauren then. Year 2 it was Ella and Lauren and Auntie Deanna prego with Elyse. This year it was Ella, Lauren & Elyse, me prego with baby girl #2, Auntie Shelly prego with baby #2 and Auntie Jen prego with Sofia (along with first timers Julie and baby Lila). Next year we might just need a condo complex to rent. We had such a great time hangin' on the beach and hangin' out together as our ever-increasing group of little divas gets more sassy each year. Ella is still not super excited about the water, but she's getting there. Maybe by year 5 she'll actually step foot in it without me forcing her to kicking and screaming...

Back to School Ella

So she said she was excited about going back to school... When we actually showed up, she was less than excited to go in and even more distraught when she found out that she was going to be in a different class this year. Yay for crying toddlers who won't let go of Mom's leg and cry and scream "Don't leave me, Mommy!" It made me feel like a million bucks! Mommy of the year award type emotions. Oh well, I started her a week earlier than I had to go back so that I could pick her up early and make the transition easier on her. Not sure if it made a difference or not, but it's a good theory. This is how excited she was to be home that afternoon...

Summer's Coming to a Close...

Another breeze by summer, almost time for Mom to go back to work and Ella to go back to school. A few more play dates with friends, more swim time, lots of lying around the house while Mama grows bigger by the second and dreads going back to work in the hundred+ degree heat (it is now officially the 2nd hottest summer in recorded Austin history; what a super summer to be pregnant!). Ahhh.... I think I'm already ready for summer 2010... I guess I'll have to wait on that one!

Family Vacay

We went and stayed for a few days on Lake Dunlap and had a great relaxing weekend with the whole Fleming clan. Boating and jet skiing and swimming with all of Ella's favorite people, especially her cousin, Parker. We were sad to leave, but look forward to next year's family vacay with yet another addition to the fam :)

Meltdown Mania!!

Today started out with a meltdown and did not seem to improve significantly through the course of the afternoon. I guess we all have our days. I thought a lovely little tricycle ride down the street might be fun since she is getting so proficient at riding, but God forbid we ever have to turn around and go back towards home. Now that, my friends, is terrible. SO terrible, in fact, that she felt the need to get off the tricycle, throw herself on the ground screaming "I don't want to turn around! I don't want to go home!" in someone's front yard as cars raced past (probably wondering what the hell I did to the child to make her so upset) and refuse to get up for a good 3 minutes. I decided to start walking away, which backfired and made her cry and scream even louder. Hmmm... what's a mom to do in this situation? Well, I probably didn't make the wisest choice in grabbing her under one arm, the tricycle under the other and start walking home. I bet this was an even better sight to see driving by! I kid you not, she did not stop crying and screaming ALL THE WAY HOME and then continue the meltdown once inside (as evidenced by the video). This post was all for you, Miss Ella, so you would never have to wonder as a grown woman if you had your "moments" (read: days) too. I adore you!

Krause Springs

If you haven't been to Krause Springs in Spicewood, you really need to go (except not while 6 months pregnant and with no ability to heft yourself out of the water without assistance; thanks random guy who felt sorry for me and all but carried me out of the water after watching me attempt, many times, to get myself out!). It is just beautiful! Maybe next time we'll try going on a not so crowded day, but even with the crowds we had a great time in the water and enjoying the views.

Fly By July

Summers always go fast and this one's no exception. We swim, we have no schedule, we see friends a bunch, Mama's belly continues to grow rounder... Pic's with the Reus kiddos and the Robb twins With old friend Eva We've mastered the art of tricycle riding Mama's belly at 26 weeks Playing drums and dancing with Papa Ballet dancing Tricycle

Bathing Beauty

Taking a bath, lookin' real cute!

4th of July Fun!

Ella and I headed straight from Houston to San Antonio to celebrate America's Independence at the Fleming ranch on Lake Medina. Swimming was scarce due to the 40+ foot shortage of water in the lake, but hanging out with family, eating a bunch and watching fireworks was fun! It was another very long, napless day! The water would normally be almost up to the pavillion at the top of the picture! Wading through the muddy water with Aunt Michelle Playing with cousin Shane Popo, Great Grandma Fleming and Saucy Loving time with her Aunt Michelle!

Houston

We took a trip to Houston to do some visiting. Played with cousins and friends and had a big family dinner. I wish I had visual evidence to show, but again, laziness with the camera = not a whole lot of fun pics. But, I did happen to catch this one, which just might indicate the issues our household could possibly be facing come October with a new baby sister in the house...