10 Months...

I realize that it's 10 days late but Rylen is now 10 months. Only 2 short months until he turns 1 ! I better start planning. He just started to let go when standing. I guess he's testing himself to see if he can do it. No steps yet, he's just getting brave enough to stand for a couple of seconds. At around his 10 month mark, he went to the pedi cause I thought he may have an ear infection, well he had gained about a pound in a month! He was around 18 lbs 7 oz. Still only 27" long. So here are some recent pics of the little Arce- looking more and more like daddy everyday.

The Pumpkin "Patch"....

I use the " " s because this is not the kind of patch we're used to. We used to visit a place called Dewberry Farm right outside of Katy every fall. This was an actually pick your own pumpkin kind of patch and we loved it so much and are sad that we can't go this year.
We settled for a local church's pumpkin "patch" which is really just displayed pumpkins for purchase. It'll do I guess. It's actually kind of cute.
We picked a big one, which we will carve tomorrow. Here are some pics...

A Fantabulous Weekend...

This weekend was Crystal's wedding!! I was up at 5:30 Saturday morning so that we could be on the road at 7 ish to drive the 4 hours to Fort Wort. We would be leaving the kids for a night with my mom and dad so I made sure they had everything they needed the night before and the morning that we left. I was really debating whether to take one or 2 kids, but decided it was best to leave them behind...only for a night right? I still felt bad though.
So we got there and checked into our room, I quickly got myself made up while Bryan took a quick nap. Then it was off for the bride's house. The other girls weren't there yet due to some disaster with a certain friend who ended up "looking like a poodle" (Crystal those were your mom's words, LOL) and had to be rushed to another salon to fix it. She ended up with a classy Sarah Palin-esque up do, very pretty. So when I got there I was asked to finish up the bouquets since I'm "the crafty one". Crafty- I guess. Well I had to haul ass to wrap up 5 bridesmaid bouquets and Crystal's too. I did what I could in the time I was allowed and the supplies given. I even put Bryan to work trying to cut wire. They were by far not my best work, but I guess I got the job done. Although looking back I am somewhat embarrassed by the quality. So Alli, Crystal, and Monique- I swear I'm much better at it....I was rushed!
I was very happy to see the girls when they got back. I hadn't seen anyone since March. Everyone looked amazing, big hugs were definitely in order. They all got dressed in the apple red gowns and heels from hell (my feet are still recovering) and we left for the chapel.
The wedding was great. Short and sweet. The reception was just as great. It was really nice just catching up with everyone, in between multiple malibu and pineapples, beer for Alli. We were laughing at how I had everything anyone needed in my gigantic purse, and recanting stories of all the stupid things we had done in junior high and high school- the music we listened to, things we did, it was all hilarious. It's been way too long, and I only wish we could all get together more often. I hated saying good bye. BTW-sorry we didn't do the after party- this mom was ready for a night of uninterrupted sleep!! If anyone of ya'll have had to breastfeed a baby pretty much every hour at night ya'll would understand. It felt so good. I'm sure the drinks had something to do with it.
Well we are back with the kiddos, and of course the kids manage to get sick while we were away so I'm dealing with runny noses and coughing. I'm glad to be back with them though.
The Bride-

Putting on her veil...

The Bridesmaids...

Waiting while pictures were taken...

The Bride and Groom...

The Hubs and I...

Monique, Allison, and I...

Starstruck...

My Brityn was starstruck today! We were invited by my sister and her good friend, who is a producer on Great Day S.A., to a live show starring the Cheetah Girls!!
After waking up at the crack of dawn, we made our way to SA. We got there a little early so we signed in and patiently waited, or as patient as you can be with 4 children, for someone to come bring us back. While we were waiting we saw the girls walk up to the door and we were so excited! The girls, Sabrina, Kiely, and Adrienne were very very nice to the kids. They spent a good long while hugging the girls, taking pictures, signing autographs, and just being sweet in general. And for the record they are beautiful girls!
Brityn saw them and was frozen. I guess from a 3 yr old's perspective they're wondering how this girl who they adore on TV was right before their eyes. So after the kids in our group hogged up their time, they made their way into the studio and so did we. We cheered and "wooo-ed" and we were actually in a afew screen shots. Brityn's first time on TV. After the Cheetah Girl segment the girls got to run up and be on stage with them. Of course Brityn and cousin Bree were the tiniest fans, but so incredibly cute standing there with the big girls.
So everyone enjoyed themselves. I'm just glad that Brityn was able to do this....Thanks Aunt Stephie.
FYI- after watching myself on TV, Iam a firm believer that TV adds 10 (or 30) pounds

Kiely and Sabrina


Brityn and Kiely (she got big hugs and kisses from her)


Waiting for the show to start


Brityn and Breyana excited to run up on the stage with the girls

Oh Yes She Did...

No Words...

More...

Weekends have been busy too. Last weekend I had a garage sale. I loathe those. I do not enjoy the hageling one bit, and then by people who can't get one word out in English. I understand it, and can speak it a little (the Tex-Mex slang mostly) but, I don't enjoy spending my Saturday struggling to get out a sentence that makes sense in Spanish. I try though.
That morning my MIL came to take care of Ry while Bryan took Caden and Brit to the soccer game and I did the garage sale-ing. After all that I came out with only $150. Not bad I guess, but it was quickly spent at Target that evening. You know how you can't walk out of Target with less than about $100 worth of crap. Or is that just me?
So this weekend we started out on Friday at the county fair. Ry stayed with my mom and dad, and we took the older kids to the carnival along with my sister and her kiddies. Well one kid, my 10 yr old nephew refuses to be called a kid.
And wouldn't you know it....I brought my camera and the damn batteries were out.I missed a ton of photo ops, and it killed me. $80 later...the kids had a blast. Games, rides, a pony ride, petting zoo, cotton candy, and a goldfish named Sarah who I'm sure that will expire very soon.
We started out Saturday with a round of soccer of course. We played the pushy little bratty girls again. They did ease up on the pushing though. But one stupid mom kept telling her little brat, I mean, daughter that "if they push you push them back." I agree, but I didn't even see anyone pushing so why even mention. She was just ridiculous out there yelling at her kid the entire time. I totally understand cheering them on, but she was barking orders. Anyway, Caden scored 5 goals, same as last weekend and he was fine with that.
After the game I had an eye appointment in S.A. so I could get new contacts. I haven't worn them since before I had Caden. My eyes were just terribly dry when I wore them, but the Dr assured me that these new ones would not do that. Then we had lunch, and off to get the Rylen and Brityn's hair cut. I didn't plan on it, but Grandma suggested it. Then it was Target time. I came out with only $60 worth of stuff, and I'm ok with that.
Sunday we skipped church (sinners!!) we slept in late too!!! Except for Bryan who woke up early to get started on the floor in our new room. We joined him late at Grandma's house and we got to visit my Grandma and my Great Aunt who was visiting again from her nursing home. When it was time for her to go back Brityn wanted to go. So my mom took her along. The old ladies fell in love with Brit, and I'm sure she soaked it up.
Exhausting weekend for sure. So exhausting that the kids and even Rylen slept in really really late Monday.
Soccer Star...

Ry and his Big Sister...

Brityn getting her hair did...

Ry's turn...

Tadda...

Ry's Tadda...

Dad and his little helper...

Snowcones from Papa's (my grandfather their great grandfather)Snowcone stand...

Cause he's cute...

What We've been Up To...

I've been super busy lately, we're moving! It's turning out to be a looong process. A little background...last year we planned to move from Houston to Seguin (or surrounding area) around Dec. of 07 so that Bryan could help build up the San Antonio/Austin area office for his company. Well then in September his boss tells him that he'd ideally like him to begin working in this area in October. So we packed up and moved very hastily. We found a decent home to rent and moved the family over this way. I was 7 month pregnant and it was not a fun move.
So our lease is up this month and we don't want to live here anymore, it's nice but the house is just not working for this family, we'll definitely need something bigger for our family of 5.
So while we figure out what's next for our family we're moving in with my parents. Thank God they have the room for us and our crazy kids!
So all last week and this week we've been getting the rooms ready for us. Bryan's redone the walls, and installed new flooring. This week it's getting the molding up on the walls and baseboards. Then we're moving in! It's a lot of work for one man to do with a broken ankle and a big chunky cast but he's doing it! And well I might add, he impresses me with his craftiness.
So that's what we've been up to. I HATE to move too. I'm really dragging my ass this time. But hopefully when we do it next it will be the last time. Our plan is to (God willing) build our home next. That should be fun.

Just Adding....

I saw THIS STORY when I was skimming through my local news stations website. Somewhat similar situation as the woman from Ohio...AND they are pressing charges against the parents. What was so different about her situation that kept her from having charges pressed?

How Does This Happen...

While I was rocking Rylen to sleep for his nap yesterday I caught the Oprah show. It was about this woman from Ohio who left her 2 year old in her car for 8 hours in a sweltering car. You know what happened.
She said that it wasn't her normal daily routine to take her 2 yr old to the sitters, but that morning her husband couldn't do it, so she had to take her (the 2 yr old) and her older child to pre-k. She was vice principal at a middle school and it was the first day of classes. She wanted to drop off the 2 yr old first, but it was too early for the sitter so she went on to drop off the older girl first. Then she stopped to get doughnuts for the teachers. One thing struck me then...she stopped to get doughnuts, the baby was asleep, so I'll go ahead and make assumption...she left her in the car while she went inside the doughnut shop?? That was negligent in and of itself. You never leave a child alone in a car. How stupid. So she drove to school and a camera caught her unloading her stuff out of the back of the suv. Couldn't she see the baby in the car seat? She closed it and went about her day. The 2 yr old was still sleeping in the car.

I did feel compassion for her at the time, she was upset. Parents do stupid things sometimes, we're not perfect. But to actually forget you have a kid in your car is just beyond me. HOW do you do that? This lady even said she was talking about her kids that day, even passed by the child's window a few times while she was unloading stuff. She went on to say she was just so thrown off by the change in routine, the fact that she is never the one to drop off the 2 yr old, and it being the first day of school....bullshit. Absolute BS! So I guess it wasn't her routine to care for her child?? How do you become so dependant on your own routine that you forget you have a child sitting right behind you??
Has she lost sight of what it is to me a mom? Crap happens, things NEVER go the way they are planned as far as my family is concerned, something always throws us off, but that's just part of being a mom and having kids.
Was she just so wrapped up in her job and getting there- even being extra nice and getting doughnuts for the teachers while leaving the child in the car alone- and then let your child die strapped to a car seat in a 150 degree car? How, as a parent, do you lose sight of the very reason you became a mom...to care for and protect your child? That should be the very center of your life.
How ANYTHING can take precedence over that is soooo beyond my comprehension.
So after all of this, she was never charged with anything. Nothing. Not child endangerment, negligent homicide...nothing. Accident or not, it is a crime to leave a child in the car unattended. Did she get off easy? Absolutely. She put the child in the car that morning, and left her there to die. She wasn't entirely unknowing because she put that poor baby in the car, she didn't just climb up and buckle herself in. She knew she was there.
Maybe I sound like a judgemental bitch, but it just upset me to hear her give excuses about her routine. And then Oprah turns to her and says that there were 30-something children that have died this way in a year "so you're not the only one". Does that make it any better?