18 months already!

My baby is not such a baby anymore! Jace has his 18 month well visit and was such a trooper! Thank goodness for only 1 shot.
He is 23.5 pounds (12%ile) and 33 inches (67%ile). Like I said before, tall and skinny...just like his momma wants to be. The doctor did the M-Chat Autism screening which pediatricians do for all children at Jace's age, and he passed with flying colors. In fact, the doctor made me feel so good when he said, I'm going to give him the assessment checklist, but I can tell you just by interacting with him, I have NO concerns. I didn't either, but it does feel great to hear it from the doctor. :) So, an overall wonderful visit for Jace Man.

Spring!

I have a love-hate relationship w/ Spring. I'm most excited about now being able to wear flip flops and not having to deal w/ dressing the kids in coats, hats and gloves, but if I only could breathe out of my nose. Oh how I loathe you Allergies! How is it that allergy season in Texas is worse than Georgia or South Carolina for someone who is highly allergic to trees?? Texas has no trees! Well at least my town in Texas! So, I've yet to figure that out, but in the meantime I will certainly enjoy my flip flops.

We've had lots going on lately... Jimmy and I took the kids to Disney on Ice this past weekend and talk about a great time had by all....even Jimmy. I highly recommend you seeing it if it comes to your area. We also had our neighborhood Spring Fling / Easter party. I was on the planning committee and booked the entertainment which was a petting zoo and Easter Bunny Clown. (Scary, I know! But she was a hit with the kids.) Jace also experienced his 1st Easter egg hunt and LOVED it. He ran all over and ended up collecting his 2 eggs and eating the Tootsie Rolls inside.

St. Patrick's Day and Head Butts

Yes, you read that right. (I'll get to the head butt in a minute...)
St. Patrick's Day is a special time around our house as it was the very beginnings of what has become the Hoffner clan. Jimmy and I met 7 years ago in Savannah, GA while both on a mini vacation friends for St. Patrick's Day. If you haven't heard the story about the jean jacket, I'll have to fill you in later. Anyhow, we always jokingly say to each other, "You are SOOO lucky," -or- "You were so lucky that day to have met me." And while we both joke about it, I truly do feel like the luckiest women to have him as my best friend in life.

So, now a quick note about the head butt....We were all sitting on the couch tonight and out of the blue, Kendall leaned over to Jimmy, head butted him, and said, "That's how we do it." Well, alrighty then! Enough said....

Update on my blog

My friend warned me awhile back that I needed to make my blog private and I didn't listen. :-( Well, I've now decided to do just that after finding 2 people, whom I have NO clue who they are, following my blog. Just a little too close for comfort! So...now it's just for you...my friends and family.

Kendall's 1st Soccer Game

We had a blast at Kendall's 1st soccer game this morning. Now I must preface this by saying, my girly girl would've rather been playing dress up, but she did a pretty good job running around with her team mates. They played a boy's team and beat them 6-5. Go Pink Panthers!

Donuts with Daddy

Jimmy joined Kendall at school the other day for "Donuts with Dads." It was also spirit day and the kids were encouraged to wear Dad's tie, hence the reason Kendall has a big orange tie around her neck in the picture.
Jimmy received a placemat that had a list of questions that Kendall answered about "Daddy" along with a special picture of the 2 of them. So sweet!

Our Winter Wonderland right here in Texas!

Pics are out of order.... the 1st one is of Jace when we brought the kids back inside. Well, he wasn't ready to come inside. Can you tell?!

Jace's Follow Up Appointment

Great news! I took Jace to his follow up cardiologist appointment today and his heart is perfectly fine! Praise God! The artery kink is straightened and his murmur has closed. The dr. did a repeat EKG and sonogram. He was fighting the dr. and ME like crazy and kept pulling off the sticky tabs and cords hooked to his chest, so the next choice was sedation. That was really tough on me but the test isn't accurate unless he is calm. So, it had to be done. We are so glad to close this chapter and never have to worry about it again.

I will tell you though... I really got a new perspective on how precious life is when you go to a place like that. You see children with serious heart defects or the nurse tells you of the day old baby she examined that was going for surgery or you hear the dr. on the phone admitting a little girl to the hospital. That's when I count my blessings that Jace's heart issue was NOTHING! I was upset b/c of Jace having to get sedated....seriously?! Then, I walked out and saw the dad of the little girl. His worry... I truly can't imagine.

"POPSICLES!"

Jimmy and I began thinking it was a little cruel watching poor little Jace so focused on his big sis as she eats her popsicle after bathtime. So, tonight we decided to give him his own. Man, was he a happy little guy! Here's Kendall screaming, "POPSICLES!"Not sure why we gave him a fudge pop????Buddy, it's all gone. He didn't quite understand when we had to throw the stick away. Ha!

Additions to our backyard

Video will be posted later. Something's is wrong when I go to publish the post.

We've actually had some really warm weather this week, so the kids have been able to play on the swingset we put out back. Jace certainly can navigate his way around very well, and did I mention how much he LOVES it. Kendall's also figured out how to swing herself by pumping her legs after hours of repeating "in, out, in out".

We've also added a covered arbor out back and installed an outdoor TV and stereo. Jimmy got it done just in time for football season so come rain or shine, cold or hot, he's out there enjoying it. Spring is going to be a blast! I see a lot of parties in our future.