Charlie's Big Boy Bed!

Meg was sick last Sunday so Tom stayed home from church with her. When Charlie and I got back from church we had a big surprise! Daddy and Meg had set up Charlie's big-boy bed! Mommy started hyperventilating immediately! I was scared that the days of naps and Charlie going to bed easily were over, but I was wrong! He loves his "new bed". I put the bumper around it to trick him into thinking he still couldn't get out, but this is the day he figured out that the ground wasn't that far away! He had gotten out of bed and was playing in Meg's room and when I went to check on him this is what I found! Charlie was too tired to crawl all the way back into bed and only got half-way there! I thought this was so hilarious! He's out like a light but still supporting half of his weight on his feet!

Meg is 5!

Our little Meg turned 5 on February 9th. She is getting so big! On Saturday, before her birthday, we went with Betsy and Seth's family to Build-a-Bear and they each made a special stuffed animal. All except Charlie of course, he has a fear of stuffed animals for some reason...don't ask me why, I think they look too real or something?! Makena and Meg made matching bunnies with cute little Valentine's outfits, Cameron made a puppy dog and Bode made a dragon (or dinosaur...some kind of reptile?!). Then we went to Meg's (and Mommy's) favorite Mexican restaurant, Chuy's, for dinner. After, we went to our house to eat Cinderella's castle cake. Meg put all of her Cinderella's figurines all around it...she loved the cake, but didn't actually want to eat any! She doesn't like cake, if you can believe that!

On Meg's actual birthday, I told her we could do whatever she wanted to do. So, we went to the pet store at the mall and she held the baby Chiuaua that she loves and a little kitten. Then we rode the Merry-go-round. Daddy came home early and brought Meg beautiful purple Irises. She felt very special. We then went to Chuy's...again! Meg's special birthday request.

We love our little Meg so much. She is such a sweet and smart little girl. She is very excited to be a big sister to our new baby very soon! She is going to be a great big helper for me.

Meg's 5th Birthday!

Meg and Daddy at Build-a-Bear...Meg with her bunny...Cam with his puppy...and Bode with his dragon! They all had a blast!

Grandma & Grandpa Kiehl Come for a Visit

Grandma & Grandpa Kiehl arrived for their visit on Jan. 27. We had a wonderful time with them. They stayed with us for the first half of their visit and then at Betsy and Seth's for the rest. Unfortunately, Tom had to work like a mad-man for their entire visit and didn't get to see them much. We did several fun things with them, however I only had my camera with me for our trip to the Houston Zoo, which we loved! The kids loved all of the animals. Makena and Meg were pretending to be scared of the snakes and lizards in the first picture. The petting zoo was a hit for my kids! I had to drag them both out of there.

We also went to a really neat water fountain show that is near our mall here. For some reason we had never been there before and it was very impressive, choreographed to music, etc. I was glad Tom's parents were able to see Meg at her gymnastics and swimming classes, I know she really enjoyed having them watch her as well. Charlie loved talking to Grandma and Grandpa all day, mostly telling them "hello" over and over again. He also loved that Grandpa liked playing outside with the boys, which is Charlie's favorite pastime! I also turned 29 while they were here visiting, which was fun. We went to dinner with them that night, to an Italian restaurant.

I went to the doctor while they were here and found out that I am measuring 4 weeks bigger than I should be, which has started a new round of worrying for me. They will do an ultrasound next week to see what's happening. That's the baby update for now...

We loved our visit from the Kiehl's and look forward to more visits soon! Hint, hint!

More Pics From Christmas Break

These are just some more pics during Grandma and Papa's visit. I love the picture of Meg and Charlie hugging. It's so nice when they are being sweet to each other...they really do love each other! Charlie found a new love during their visit also. He loves playing on the computer and has gotten really good at it. Notice the one sock! That's how he rolls!

I've gotten a few questions about my pregnancy also. Things are going well. We are having a boy and I'm due March 23, however I am measuring two weeks bigger right now. Charlie barely got out and he was 10 days early, so they will most likely induce my at 38 weeks, which will be on or around March 9th. They will do an ultrasound at 36 weeks to determine the weight and then we will schedule the induction. We are very excited and are getting prepared for the new addition to our family!

Grandma and Papa for Christmas

For Christmas this year Grandma and Papa Rayburn came to visit! We all had such a nice time. We went to Austin for the weekend and went to our favorite BBQ: The Saltlick, which was still good, but we saw some rat-sized cockroaches run up the wall next to us just as we were finishing our meal. Then they did a fly-by and flew right over our heads. If one would have landed in my hair I would have cleared the whole place out with my scream I think. So we were very disappointed after driving 3 hours to take my parents to this great Texas BBQ and then leaving there feeling yucky. But, I guess that's the Texas experience for you! We had a great time though. We stayed the night and then went to that big park we went to last time, but this time we were able to ride the train which Charlie especially loved! He's giving you the "Chu-chu" fist in the first picture! We also went to the world famous outlets nearby. They were enormous! Walking through Pottery Barn was depressing for me. It was huge and they were having a big sale. But we have no room in our place currently. I'm ready for a house!

A couple days later we went ice skating in The Woodlands. Meg loved it. She used this walker thing so she could stay up. Grandma started by pushing her around the rink on it, but Mommy had to take over...I was scared my mom would fall and I would have felt terrible. Meg had us go around the rink 12 times. Needless to say, my lower back was feeling it the next day!

Christmas Morning

You get to see all of our lovely shots from Christmas morning! We were too busy helping unwrap to take many pictures. And we all look so beautiful too! The kids had a blast, especially Meg. She loved everything! She was really into it all this year. Charlie on the other hand was not too impressed. He did not have the patience to wait and unwrap everything then take it out of the box, then put it together, and then finally play with it! Santa thought the kids would like to see all of their presents in pretty wrapping paper, but we learned that next year we will ask Santa to set up some of the toys ahead of time! We spent hours doing that! I like the picture of Tom and the kids playing the "Frog Game". Do you notice Meg's kitty cats sitting behind her. She set them up perfectly. Our poor kids have to get fake, mechanical pets! Some day! I told Meg that she gets to have a real baby instead of a real pet this year!