Copy Cat

4 Months of staring at people sticking their tongue out finally paid off!

 

 

Jarrett set up his toys at a men's event for church.  He forgot some paperwork (and we missed him) so we went to check things out.

 Sitting in her big girl high chair!

New Wheels!

I finally took Stella in the Bob for a run through the neighborhood.  

 Real tears! :(  She was fussing in the car on our way home one night and had big huge tears rolling down her chubby cheeks.  As soon as she saw us getting her out, she started grinning again.

Under the weather

My first weekend home after going back to work, I started to get a pretty bad chest cold.  Jarrett was out of town, so Sunday morning I stayed in bed and snuggled with Stella.

 

 Every time I would doze off, Stella would find my chin or nose and grab it!

Monday after I got home, Mom and I took Stella and Gus to swing.  Stella LOVES to swing!

While I worked...

Tammy, Tom, and Haley flew in on Tuesday to visit.  It is so fun having them here!  My mom and Stella had a busy week keeping up with the clan.  Stella has been really great... that's what they tell me anyway.

They went to Grapevine Mills Mall to see the Aquarium and eat at the Rainforest Cafe.  Stella liked the lights there.

 

They also went to the Perot museum.

On Friday night, everyone came over to our house for dinner.

 Saturday, we went to watch Garrett's t-ball game.  The weather is beautiful.

 

Home sweet home

There is nothing better than the smiles she gives me right when I get home.  

Back to work

I felt really missed and welcome back at school the next day.  It was really hard to get there and leave Stella.  Knowing I was missing an entire day with her was tough.  "Stella" (Jarrett) sent me these flowers to school.  It was really thoughtful and sweet and it made my my whole week. I would love to have that every Monday...hint, hint.  :) 

My students had all of these letters waiting for me when I returned.

 

 

Going back to work...

The Sunday before I went back to work was a little rough.  The dread of getting up early and leaving her was pretty tough.  

Stella loves the music at church.  Jarrett usually holds her and she kicks around and looks at the lights.

 Then we stopped by Debi's house and hung with the family.  Stella tried out the bouncer for the first time (and made some funny face).

 

 

 Garrett and Gus hammed it up with Jarrett's glasses.

 Then we went home and tried to relax as I started to get nervous.

 

The past 16 weeks have been the most life changing weeks! I cannot understand how fast time can go.  At the same time, it feels like Stella has always been a part of our family.  Every day just went by without the worry (for the most part) of deadlines, running late, rushing places, etc.  We just made plans according to whatever we wanted to do!  We enjoyed storytime, attending Bible Study Fellowship, play dates, afternoon naps, and more afternoon naps.  Some days, I would crack open a book and read it all afternoon as Stella napped on my chest.  Other days, I worried about everything.  It was so nice to have the reminders from friends and family that laundry and cleaning can wait, maternity leave would fly by.  It really did.  I am so incredibly blessed to have a job that I do love and a mom that is willing to give up everything to watch Stella until the end of the year.  I am so thankful for that everyday...even when I want to cry, stomp my feet, and scream that I don't want to leave in the morning.   

Goooo Rangers!

On Saturday, we continued Jarrett's 3 day long birthday celebration at the Ranger's opening weekend.  They played the Angels.  There was lots of drama and booing Josh Hamilton, but we had fun anyway.  It was really (REALLY) windy and we had seats pretty high up.  Stella, Nana, Gus, and me went and enjoyed the game in the concession and play area.  Stella did great.  She loves to do anything outside.  The Rangers lost 8-4, but the company was good.

Happy Birthday, Jarrett!

On Jarrett's real birthday (and my last day of maternity leave), we got to hang out around the house and spend time together.  We went out to eat at Cha Cha's with the Donahos and relaxed!  

Happy Birthday to the best daddy in the world.  :)