Deep Ellum Photo Scouting

Friday night we headed out to Deep Ellum so that I could do some photo location scouting.  It had been awhile since I had been down there and I like to be well prepared for photo shoots, so I managed to drag Guy and the kiddos along to make an evening of it.  

For my out of town readers, Deep Ellum is a section of Downtown Dallas that is mostly bars and restaurants.  It has a very urban, grungy feel to it - perfect for photos.  

Beckett was a perfect little model for me.  He loved exploring, running around, and seeing new sites.  Afterwards we drove over to Kylde Warren Park to grab dinner from the various food trucks.  If you haven't been to Klyde Warren, GO!!  It's a gem.  Basically it's a large park built over the interstate right in the middle of downtown.  There's a large grassy area where people play ball and lounge around, live music, food trucks, a trendy restaurant, and a children's playground.  Seriously, it was my happy place.  

So here are the pics from our outing.  It was a really fun family night!

Dear Reese: 2 Months

Dear Reese (or Baby Reese as you are always called),

You are two months.  I am shocked by how much you have grown and changed.  You have developed chubby little cheeks, little rolls on your legs,  and the most infectious grin I have ever seen.

I mean, LOOk at this smile.  You do this nearly every time I look at you.  You coo and smile at me and it just melts my heart.  I think you are the smiliest baby I have ever seen.  It's heaven.

I took you for your 2 month appointment a bit late - at 2.5 months actually.  Big brother had passed along a lovely cold to you, so I thought it was mean for you to be sick and get shots. 

Eleven Week Stats:

Weight: 10.8 lbs (35%)

Height: 22 3/4" (35%)

Head: 37 1/4" (10%) - Dr. Harpavat thought they just didn't measure correctly.

For comparison, here is a post I wrote about Beckett at 11 weeks.  It seems as though he was quite a bit bigger than you!  Dr. Harpavat predicted that you will be a petite little lady.  There's nothing wrong with that!

I am so impressed with how you are picking up a routine.  You are a good eater and nurse about 8 times a day.  I can now lay you in the pack and play (still in our room) and you will go to sleep on your own.  You like to be swaddled tight with your arms in and rarely use a pacifier.  You are still terrible at the paci and for the past week haven't used it at all.  

You hardly fuss or cry - just when you are hungry and little when you start to get tired.  You can stay in the swing or on your playmate for awhile now, but you definitely prefer to be social and held.

The boys in the house adore you.  Beckett still hasn't shown any signs of jealousy.  One day he did try to pick you up from your swing.  Dada happened to walk around the corner just in time.  Beckett said, "I just wanted to hold her."  Thank goodness you were strapped in!

We love you so much sweet girl.  You are incredible.

Love,

Momma

Week in Oklahoma

 As I mentioned here, we stayed in Oklahoma for over a week.  It sounds like a while with a 2 year old and newborn, but the time actually flew by.  Thanks to grandparent help and fun nights out it was actually like vacation for me!

Zach was finally able to meet his niece.  I kinda love this picture of him holding her - ha, ha.  Don't worry, Zach, she will love ya soon enough.

I was also SO very excited to introduce her to Nanny.  I adore these two pictures, even though Beckett was not in a mood to smile for the camera.  

We had two March birthdays to celebrate.  For Mom's we went to La Baguette.   A good time was had by all (except maybe Zach who had the pleasure of being our waiter.)

One day the weather was extra nice and we went to the zoo.  Beckett had a great time and especially enjoyed the "train" ride and petting the sting rays.

Unfortunately Beckett, Gary, and I all got an awful stomach bug.  It hit B first and then he kindly passed it along.  That was not fun.  Not fun at all.  But it was over fairly quickly and we got back to playing and having a good time.  We spent a lot of time outside in the backyard.  I crave being outside, so it was nice to get fresh air.

Beckett fell in love with the hot tub.  He had so much fun all week and really thrived on getting lots of one on one attention.  

Miss Reese wasn't hurting for attention, either :).  It was a great week and a very successful trip for us!  I believe the Mayo's will be hitting the road more often in the coming months.

Oklahoma Sip and See

Two weekends ago we traveled home to Oklahoma for our first little trip as a family of four.  We actually ended up being gone for over a week (!!!), but I will save all the details on our trip for another post.  The main reason we went was to celebrate with a Sip and See for Miss Reese!  Cori and Aimee hosted it and it was perfect.  Isn't Cori's home so pretty??  

It was a perfect opportunity for our Oklahoma friends and family to meet Reese and catch up with Beckett too.  My sweet Nama, escorted by cousins Richard and Katherine, even drove all the way from Tulsa.  

Reese got lots of lovin' and I think all agreed that she is a keeper :).

I was a little nervous about bringing Beckett, but he was a very good boy.  He really had a good time when Hayden arrived.  They play so well together!

Reese received so many beautiful and thoughtful presents.  Her closet is quite enviable right now!  Lots of pink and frills, ha!

I have said it before, but I will say it again - I am one lucky lady to have so many incredible women in my life.  Thank you to my sweet big sis and bestie Cori.  

Isn't this pic the cutest?  Reese smiled just at the right time!

It was a wonderful celebration.  Thank you to all of our friends and family!

Playin' Around

It seems like I am SO SO busy, but what I am doing?  Pretty much just staying inside my house and playing around with my babies.  Beckett has been a good boy.  He is so funny these days.  He says a new word or phrase every.single.day.  It kills me.  Here are some of my favorite things he says right now:

"I can't like it." 

"Hi Airplane.  How ya doin'?"  (I reply back - "I'm doing good.  How are you?")  "Pretty great."  

"Okay, okay"  (Always two, never just one okay.)

"Will you buckle my in?"  (buckle me in)

"I wanna hold you."  (Will you hold me?)

"That's not really good."

"Your so pretty momma."

"It's my fwavewit." (favorite)

The other day the Stoner girls came over.  Beckett was in heaven.  They are so cute together!  He had the hardest time sharing his toys though.  It's funny, he is either just fine with sharing or it's an issue.  Sigh.  

Here's Miss Reesey at 8 weeks (I'm pretty sure).  She is the smiliest thing!  She just lights up when you grin at her.  And she loooves her big brother! I think she is going to have Guy's personality.  So far she seems to be quite the social little creature.  

And she is getting better at being by herself (and not always held)!  She will stay on the play mat for a good 15 minutes or so now.  

I can't wait for warmer weather and trips to the park!  The Mayos are getting a little stir crazy!