Happy Monthday...

Happy Ten Month Birthday, Emmy!!

What have you been up to lately?

Nine months was tough on you between allergies and teething it seemed like you were grumpier than usual, which for a baby that is as happy as you isn't really that bad, but still nerve racking for us. All that teething has produced zero results as you are still toothless! But I must admit, I love it... because that means you are still a baby! A precious, sweet, healthy, beautiful baby!

You are a bottle baby these days but still have momma's milk to enjoy. We are trying to get you on table foods exclusively but you aren't as big of an eater as Radley was. You LOVE pizza crust, pasta, cheese, yogurt, peas, crackers, cheese, and bread. You didn't mind broccoli or spinach and we will keep shoveling stuff in your mouth until you can't take it anymore. ;)

You weigh around 17 pounds and still wear size 3 diapers. You are wearing mostly 6-9 month clothes, but I have been able to squeeze you in a 3 month set and you have also worn some 12 month stuff. Clearly you are still the world's cutest baby... I mean I can't even stand it! 

You are all over the place! The other morning you crawled from my closet inside the bathroom all the way into the living room, which is the other side of the house. By yourself. To get a toy... which also means you are a genius! You babble all the time and giggle at all the new noises you can make. 

Your favorite place to be is still besides your brother. Radley has really enjoyed playing with you this month and I have enjoyed the independence that you are creating. Watching the two of you become friends makes my heart so happy. You adore him and he is really beginning to see the perks of having a baby sister. He loves giving you directions and loves it when you "share" your toys with him. 

You LOVE playing patty cake and peek a boo. You will hold your dots up to your face and bring them down super fast and just giggle as we say "where's Emmy?" I keep trying to catch it on film but you get distracted by the camera. 

You officially said your first word... "hi" in correct context. I walked into the room you waved at me and said, "hiiiii!". Super. Genius. Baby. I don't feel like you will be as talkative as your brother (but who is, really?) and that is okay. 

 You are still the world's sweetest baby and we are so thankful for how happy and healthy you are! I have loved watching you grow and discover new things this month. You are on the move and pulling up on furniture and toys but I am in no hurry to see you walking. Stay a baby forever!

We love you so much, baby girl!! Only two more months until we celebrate your first year! 

Tiny Tales Thursday...

What more do little boys want to discuss than poop and "peanuts"? 

Both are the topic of discussion today. Enjoy!

We made a quick trip to Sherman this weekend to spend some time with Fely. On the way back we ran into what seemed like a storm of bugs. I mean TONS of them, smacking into our windshield so hard I thought it was going to crack.

The next day Radley and I ran a quick errand and he wanted to know what was on the windshield. "Bug guts," I said with a quick explanation of what happens when bugs don't look both ways before crossing the street. ;) Later that afternoon Ryan washed off the guts from the car so that I could make it safely through the week with no distractions.

Well, on Monday as I driving the kids to school Radley noticed the bug guts were gone.

Radley: No more bug guts, Mommy?
Me: No, buddy; the bug guts are gone.
Radley: And the bird poop, too?
Me: thinking there was no bird poop, but whatever  Yes, bud. Bird poop, too.
Radley: Because some of it was white and bird poop is white.
Me: Yep.
Radley: Not like my poop. It's all different colors: brown, green, orange....

What are we feeding that kid?

On Sunday Emmy needed a diaper change and for some reason all 3 of the other Kings were in her room for the process. Radley has helped with several diaper changes, but for some reason was a little more inquisitive this time...

Radley: What happened to Emmy's peanuts?
Katy and Ryan glance at each other thinking, "Crap, are we going to have this discussion now?!?
Me: Emmy doesn't have a penis.
Radley: When is she going to get one?
Me and Ryan: Never. Girls don't have penises.
Radley: to Katy You don't have a peanuts, Mommy?
Me: No, buddy.
Radley: Oh. Why?
Ryan: Well, because girls are different from boys. Only boys have penises.
Radley: Thinking about asking one more question.... but just goes with: Ok.
Katy and Ryan silently rejoice at not having to explain any further... for now. 

Not sure if I am going to handle the birds and the bees. 

Put a ring on it...

Twelve years ago today Ryan and I went on our first official date. We had been "seeing each other" for a while, but our exclusiveness began on April 6. I was no longer in contact with a previous boyfriend, he wasn't talking to a previous stalker psycho girlfriend and we were together. Happy. In love.

I still own the dress from that night. Red. Long. Spaghetti straps. Too small to ever wear again. Chrissy Reed and I bought the same dress in different colors. We paired it with some killer shoes...

It was going to be the perfect night. 

Ryan arrived to my house right on time, with the typical Frat Daddy look... cargo khakis, Red Wings, white button shirt, sleeves rolled . I loved that look. He accessorized this outfit with a killer case of poison ivy over his right eye. 

We got in the car and headed to Cafe Eccel. Did I mention that Ryan drives a jeep? Well he does. And I have a severe love/hate relationship with this car. This night, I was definitely not a fan. Ryan, in typical male fashion, thought that since it was such a beautiful night we would take the top off not thinking about what that wonderful fresh hair would do to my hair. The jeep is also lifted, so my 5'3" self ripped my dress trying to get in. 

But it was still going to be the perfect night. 

And it was. I would not change a thing. Not from that night or any night that has followed. Each of these make up "Katy and Ryan". They make up us. I love him more today than I did back then... 

Two years later. April 6, 2001... 

I was convinced that I was going to get something special that day. I was all dressed up in the perfect outfit. I was waiting patiently for the moment to arrive. I still remember the words that were said. I still remember the people that surrounded me. I still remember the feeling of watching that little box open and I still remember the pounding of my heart when I saw this for the first time...

My Aggie Ring! Ten years ago today and I am still just as proud to wear it as that first time I slipped it on. A lot of other people thought Ryan was going to slip another ring on my finger that day. And while I would have clearly said "Yes!", I am so glad that day was about being an Aggie. 

Honor. Commitment. Integrity. Hard work. Tradition. Sacrifice. Loyalty. Spirit. Pride. Joy. Friendship. Service. Character. Excellence. All of these words signify what my Aggie Ring means to me. I have my top 3 Aggie moments just like anyone: Bonfire 1999, Being a Fish Camp Namesake and my Aggie Ring. 

I hate not wearing it.... so much so that my last name is actually misspelled on my ring and I won't turn it in to get it fixed because I don't want to be without it. I forgot my ring on our wedding day and made Ryan go back to the house to get it. I know to so many of my friends that chose to go to other schools... it all sounds crazy.... but, well... that's part of being an Aggie, too. 

Being an Aggie helped make me who I am. This school is not perfect. We have our flaws, but we also do a lot of things right...

We care. We teach. We learn. We preserve. We serve. We lead. We support each and every Aggie that we meet. I am so proud of my time in Aggieland. This school is a great place to learn. A wonderful place to work. A special place to call home.