Ode To The Graco Safeseat

(first time in the Graco)

Much thanks to the Graco SafeSeat (in French Roast)! It has been so wonderful to our little Keira. Lots of memories in that chair....first car ride home from the hospital, lots of spit up in its year(s), lots of naps with Keira and the kitty's, lots of crushed goldfish, and many many miles with precious Keira. The time has come for a replacement (which was delivered today!) We will never forget you , Graco...and maybe you will once again be used by a Dwyer (not too soon though!).

Yes yes, Keira has gotten to long for her carrier and we got a new car seat that goes up to 65 pounds. It came today and when I opened the box and set it next to the Graco one, Keira jumped right in, grabbed a book, and started reading. So I guess this will work. I ordered it without even seeing it in person and I think I made a wise choice. It looks so comfy with lots of room to grow. We will still be putting it rear facing because Keira still does not weigh enough, but I think it will not take long until we switch it. I also love the fact that it stays rear facing until 35 pounds since that is the safest way for them to ride. I love the color too. I know that is the least important thing about car seats, but the big ones all seem kinda ugly to me. Brown, or khaki. The pink ones are kinda cute but I don't want to buy another one if we have a boy one day. Our new seat is The First Years - true fit convertible seat in "sporty blue". Here are some pics. It is a monster next to the Graco!

Aspen loves laying in it!

My first week as a teacher has gone really good. It is hard being the new kid on the block. Not to mention, being the only special ed teacher in the whole school. People think I know EVERYTHING! My motto is, "fake it, till you make it". So I just act like I know what people are talking about. And I eventually do figure it all out. I have not met my kids yet. I will start that on Tuesday. This week has been dedicated to scheduling. I have to schedule when my kids leave their regular ed classroom to come see me in mine. And it is really confusing because some need help with math, some language arts, some reading...and they are all on different levels. I know it will be a trial and error thing and will eventually all work out. I am just so excited to meet them though and start teaching and helping them to become better students. It will be a wonderful year, I can already tell. Although I have lots to teach, they have lots to teach me as well! Hope all you teachers are having a wonderful first week!

28 years ago today...

Today was my birthday and boy it was a great day! Keira and I started off the day sleeping in bed together. She had a little trouble sleeping last night because her ouchies (teeth) were hurting. She has one of her top front in and the other it trying to do the same. So she slept with us last night because B and I were tired of taking turns going to sooth her. It has been a long time since we let her sleep with us and it will probably be a long time until she does it again. I forget what a bed hog she is. I woke up around 8 and we came into the living room where Brodie was watching TV. He gave me a box of cracker jacks and when I opened it there was a set of beautiful diamond hoop ear rings in it. I was so excited. He is so cute like that!

So then Keira and I went to toddler time at the MAC where we met up with Kelly, Avery and Bowen. They all played and played....so much fun. When we were leaving, I checked my messages and realized that a Prinicpal wanted to interview me for a position. So my gracious mother dropped what she was doing to watche Keira while I went home, chaned clothes and went up to interview, all in about one hour. And guess what...I got the job! Yea! I am now a teacher. Such a wonderful feeling. What a wonderful birthday present. I will be the special education inclusion teacher at Richard Wilson Elementary in Fort Worth. It is an older school. My dad actually went to school there from k-5th grade. Such a small world.

I have had such a wonderful 27 years and I know 28 will be just as great!

Im posting some new pics that were taken this past week of Baby K. We went to the Ringling Brothers circus and if you cant tell....K is not a fan of clowns. I think she gets that from me! Have you ever seen IT?

My inspiration

I have been inspired by the 2009 Ikea catalogue. Since I have had a child, we have collected a plether of toys, games, stuffed animals, shape sorter, instruments, shopping carts, strollers, play cars...and the list goes on. So we decided a while back to convert our office/guest room into a play room for Keira. I have a vision in my head what it was to look like. We started this project back in the beginning of spring. We moved our computer/office stuff to the living room in a nice desk armor, moved some old furniture to storage and started throwing stuff away. Well that little project was put on hold for a few months until...it came. It, being the new Ikea catalogue. We had painted 2 walls months ago and never got to the other two. That is what I did today. The painting is finished and I am ready to start the next step. Here are some pics of the color....I love it! I plan on putting up a chair wall, some red and white polka dot wall paper from the bottom up to the chair rail, and some cute Ikea shelving/table and chairs for K to play with.

We have had a fun few days. On Monday, Brodie, Keira and I went to Susan and Shelbys moms new home for a dip in the pool. We had lots of fun. Keira loves the water and just wants to jump right in all the time. She has no fear at all. She also loves for us to dunk her all the way in the water. She even kicks her feet and moves her arms as if to swim a little. I think we have a little Michael Phelps in training! Here are some pics.

Prior to painting today, Keira and I went to the park and then to Nana's, who was watching cousin Bowen. Keira and I played with Bowen who is getting so big and oh so cute. Keira just loves playing with him, and with Nana too. Keira kept taking his passy away from him and trying to keep it for herself. She does not even use her passy that much so it was kinda funny. It is so funny how Bowen and Keira are just about the same size.

Thanks Shelby!

While going through old pictures of Keira, I stared to notice that there are lots of Keira, lots of Keira and Brodie together, and hardly any of me and Keira together. So I was so excited when Shelby sent an email to me with a cute picture of me and Keira. I am sure all moms can realte to this because we are always the ones taking the cute pictures and therefore are never in them. So here is a cute one of me and K.

Happy Thursday.

New photos to brighten your evening...

EEEKKK!! The job hunt is not over.

So, school is starting soon and I still am jobless. So crazy that we are in such high demand for teachers, but yet so many of us are still looking. My hopes are still high, don't ask me why. I do have to say though, I am having lots of fun staying home with Baby K and am not ready to leave her yet. She is so entertaining. I was telling Brodie earlier that she is at the point now where she is so much fun. Prior to being the big ONE she was fun, but she is just blooming and keeps me on my toes. Lots of walking, mischief, and words. Today, she pointed up to the ceiling and said, "Fan". Just like that. I love it. And so smart too. She does not use passes any more except bed and nap times. So tonight when we were about to do story/milk/bed time routine, I told her to go get any passe she wanted. (I have a little basket that has a variety of passe's in it on a little shelf in her room.) So, she went and got the whole basket, brought it to me, picked out a pink passe and gave it to me. Then, she took the basket (I followed her without her knowing!) and she put it right back where it goes. My little neat freak! I love how she put it right back where it goes. Brodie and I both said that we have no idea who she got that from, neither of us has that in us. Ill put up some new pics soon.