Yeah...I know

Okay, yes, I know...I haven't posted in FOR-EV-ER. Life, as always, has been busy. I returned to in-house teaching second summer session, which had me out of the house M-TH...it was quite an adjustment for our family. For Daddy, it was the coming home to the girls, as Mommy was walking out the door. Lots of new responsibilities...which, of course, he handled with his usual chilled out style. For me, it was a serious separation anxiety situtation. Up until that point, Sommer and I had been apart for next to no time at all...and leaving her had me crying all the way to campus for the first week. For Brooke, it was a bit of separation anxiety also. She and I had quite the daily rhythm going, and she cried a bit that first week, too. For Sommer, it was food--and if you have met, or even really seen Sommer, you know that she doesn't mess around with eating. She had to go without eating for the 3 hours I was in class, and she DID NOT LIKE THAT ONE BIT!
Needless, to say, we all survived. Daddy found his own rhythm with the girls, Mommy put her big-girl panties on, Brooke remembered just how very tightly Daddy is wrapped around her little finger, and Sommer started solids a few weeks in, and therefore had other options for curing her never-ending appetite, in Mommy's absence.
After a one-week hiatus (Mommy's official "summer break"), complete with a nice little family getaway to God's Country ;) -- Mommy is back at school 4 days a week, for the Fall term, and we are all doing just fine.
It was a whirlwind of a summer, complete with 2 beach trips (one to Galveston, one to Surfside) and as I mentioned, our trip to the best cities in Texas...Austin & New Braunfels. We enjoyed a nice family weekend, at Lake Travis, where we hung out at Carlos and Charlies; Gruene, where we did a little shopping, eating, and relaxing during market days; and New Braunfels, where we hung out on the river in Landa Park, and of course did the train ride.
We took our summer family pictures (always a joy ;) --haha) in early August, which is where I will leave you...
Hugs and Love! B-J-B-S

Brooke turns 3!

Brooke is officially 3! The past year has been a big one for our sweet girl, and every day we grow more proud of the little lady she is becoming. God certainly blessed us, when he sent us our sweet, daring, helpful, demanding, kind-hearted first daughter. I am honored to be her Mommy, and heart-broken at how fast she is growing up!
Age 3 stats: 
Height: 38 1/2 inches
Weight: 32 lbs.
Shoe size: 7 1/2
Clothing size: 3T
Siblings: 1 sweet sister
Favorite foods: strawberries, blueberry muffins, mac & cheese with broccoli, cookie cake, sesame chicken and fried rice
Favorite colors: red, blue & yellow
Hobbies: being a mommy to her baby dolls, puzzles, singing/dancing, swimming, dress up, crafts, baking with Mommy, bath time
Obsessions: the alphabet, her sister, being called "Princess Brooke," Eli Young Band, the moon, palm trees, the beach
Temperament: sweet and agreeable, occasionally sassy, with a trantrum sprinkled in
Biggest accomplishments of the past year: becoming a big sister in January, learning to ride her tricycle, going down the big slide at the pool, learning the dinner time prayer, being a flower girl!

Birthday Pics:             

Before her swimming party...

 At the party, in the pool...

          Cake time...

         Just woke up, on her actual birthday...

             At the zoo for her birthday....

            Out for her birthday dinner @ Texas Roadhouse...

Recent Pictures

I know, I know, it's been SOOOOO long. I have been busy, but I am about to get busier, so I figured it was time for a quick update...
Sommer!
She is GROWING! She is just over 18 lbs, and not quite 4 months! She is a chubby little sweetie. She smiles ALL THE TIME, can roll over both ways, like a pro, she reaches for everything in sight, loves pulling Mommy and Brooke's hair, sucks on her pointer and middle fingers to self-soothe,  falls asleep as soon as she gets in the car, and takes meal-time VERY seriously! She gets up to eat 2-3 times every night, and takes 2 great naps every day. She LOVES her Mommy...and gives the sweetest cuddles in the world.
Brooke!
She is ALMOST 3! I can hardly believe it! We will be celebrating he birthday with a pool party, at the end of next month. She can be very helpful, if she so chooses, but gets a big kick out of pretending to be a baby, too! I know it's a phase, so we try to play along. She LOVES her baby sister and gives her very big kisses and smothery hugs...we are working on being gentle...although Sommer seems to find it funny! She now gets to walk in the grocery store, (not sure where else to put her) and seems to be handling it pretty well, for the most part.  She talks ALL the time, loves applesauce and riding her bike, has become Daddy's little girl BIG TIME, and loves to sing and dance.
Jenn!
I will be starting back at Lonestar in just a few weeks, teaching both summer school terms. The 1st term, I will be teaching online, which is new for me, so keep me in your prayers, I am a little apprehensive. I am so busy, keeping house, making meals and loving on my baby girls...I am just not sure how I will fit anything else in, but I know God will give me strength. Brooke and I have started some at-home preschool activities, which I hope to increase and continue. She loves it, and I think she is learning a lot. We recently paid off my Trailblazer (hooray!), and in the fall, I have an EXCITING new job offer with Concordia University Texas...stay tuned for details.
Brad!
The girls and I are so blessed to have such a hard-working father and husband. He has been working LOTS, lately, as his company is swamped. We are grateful for the times that we have him home!! He and Brooke get up every Saturday morning to make pancakes together, which Brooke loves, and recently, he built the girls a fort, complete with a slide, in the back-yard!! He does a great job maintaining our lawn and landscaping, at home, and is ALWAYS looking for a good weekend project. I am so blessed to have a wonderful partner, in this crazy-beautiful life.
We recently took a weekend trip to Galveston, for Mother's Day, and had a blast, enjoying family time. Brooke LOVED the sand and the waves, and sea shell hunting with Daddy. Sommer opted for a nap in the shade.  We hope to head back to the Central Texas lakes in a few weeks to celebrate Father's Day.
May God bless you all...thanks for stopping by,
Hugs and Love!
B-J-B-S

Easter!

We had a blessed Easter weekend. We went to the neighborhood festivities on Saturday. We rode the train...And met the Easter Bunny...haha. Brooke was not a fan.

On Sunday, our girls looked like fluffy princesses for church...

Sommer was so smiley in her pretty pink dress...think we have another girly girl on our hands!

Brooke got to wear her flower girl dress again! She was so excited!

Sommer's Holy Day!

Sommer's special day was a huge success!She was officially 2 months old ON her baptism day!

With all of her cousins, who came to celebrate!

Our family at church, after the baptism.

With her Godparents: Uncle Matt & Aunt Melanie Wied, & Uncle Britt & Aunt Kristen Davis.

Fab Family of Four!

I am so glad to say, that we are really finding our rhythm as a family of FOUR! Yes, there are days when I am so exhausted I can hardly survive the day...but those days are definitely the minority, and becoming less and less frequent. Sommer is a GREAT baby. She eats well, and sleeps well, and has cut her night-time feedings down to only 2, most nights. She is so smiley and happy, and is getting SO big, so fast. Her two month check up is tomorrow, and we are so anxious to hear her stats. I am thankful for the sweet, mellow demeanor of my second child, as these days, my first child demands quite a bit of Mommy's attention. I chalk this up to a little bit of insecurity over the arrival of Sommer, mixed with the "terrible twos." Brooke LOVES her baby sister, and cannot stop loving on her. She wants to help me do everything, which is so sweet, and requires a LOT of patience on my part. I am happy to say that the feeling is mutual--Sommer loves Brooke too! She smiles the biggest smiles when Brooke talks to her. Seeing my girls together melts my heart...I am SO happy that they will always have eachother...forever best friends.

Time is flying, and I know that is a cliche'--but seriously, I cannot believe Sommer is already 2 months old!

I will be teaching again, at Lone Star College, starting this summer. During the 1st session, I will be teaching online, and returning to classroom teaching in the second session. We will need LOTS of prayers, as we make this transition, as Brad has no real experience in caring for both girls, on his own, as of yet. I know he will do great...but of course, it makes me nervous!! I am also a little nervous about teaching online, as I haven't done this before, and I do not really know what to expect. Thanks so much for your prayers.

This Sunday, on Sommer's 2 month birthday, she will be baptized! We are so excited to have all of our family in town for the blessed joyous occasion.

I will post more pictures after her special day.

Hugs and love!

B,J,B,S

Sommer pictures

This is a link to a photo album of Sommer. You may have to copy and paste it into your browser.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100155148707885.2369626.34408602&type=3&l=c450c7c1fd

better late than never...

Well, as you have probably already heard, we welcomed our second daughter, Sommer Colette Davis, on January 25th!! She is stunningly beautiful, and has stolen our hearts. Big Sister Brooke loves her to pieces and covers her in hugs and kisses, daily. At this point we are in transition, trying to find a "new normal" as we adjust to our new family member. It's amazing how much difference one tiny little person can make!!

Labor and delivery were smooth and easy. Contractions started around 12 a.m. on the 25th, but we didn't head to the hospital till after 9 a.m. We were admitted around 10 a.m., at which point, I was dilated to 7 cm. Just over three hours later, at 1:14 p.m., Sommer arrived, after only 3 pushes. The only real "glitch" in the day was the out-of-control rain storm, which coincided w/our drive to the hospital, and continued for most of the day.

We are so excited and thankful for the opportunity to be parents again, and see our two baby girls grow to become best friends. We are so appreciative of the love, prayers, gifts and visits from our amazing friends and family, over the past few weeks. Thanks for sharing in this journey, again!

Hugs and Love! B-J-B & S

36 weeks!

My last tummy shot, before we leave for the hospital!

For those interested...we will be at the same hospital as we were for for Brooke--Methodist Willowbrook, 18220 HWY 249, Houston, TX 77070. The birthing center is on the second floor of the south pavilion.

Home Stretch!!

Well...today is the 16th, meaning our new baby is due in just 10 days!! At this point, it seems that it will never get here.

The holidays were such a wonderful time with family and friends, and I am grateful we had one last "only child Christmas" for Brooke. It was a special time for our family of three...

Brooke seems to have grown up SO much over the past few months. She wants to do EVERYTHING by herself. Her favorite phrase is, "No, I do it!" She especially loves getting in and out of the car on her own, taking her own clothes off before bath, putting shoes, socks, and pants on, choosing her own outfits and bows, and getting her own snacks from the pantry. Most importantly, she decided last week that she wants to wear panties, and use the potty!! It's going surprisingly well, although, I imagine we have a few weeks before it's completely mastered. She is also VERY interested in the alphabet, and can correctly identify A, B, C, D, E, F, G, I, L, M, O, P, S, X and Z, whenever and wherever she sees them! She knows the first letters of the names of everyone she loves, and is constantly pointing those letters out on signs and in books. She loves to try and write the letters, and can successfully write an "M." She loves to dance and sing, and has a serious adoration for the moon and stars. Dress up and baby dolls are THE thing to play, lately, and she is thrilled with her new "twinkle toes" shoes from Santa. I am daily surprised (and a little saddened) by her new abilities and independence. Where has my baby girl gone? She is going to be an AMAZING big sister!!

I cannot believe I get to experience this amazing love and joy all over again, in just a few short days!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. We will let you know as soon as the baby arrives!

Hugs and Love!

B-J-B & B