Tag: 2014

December Days

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William was so excited about Christmas this time around. He loved the tree even though his interest in putting on ornaments was short lived. Christmas really is so much more fun with little kids involved. Their excitement and wonderment is infectious.

This was Lucas’ first visit to Grandma’s house.

The boys were dressed and ready for Christmas Eve at Grandma’s with all the family.

My brother, James and his wife, Romina were in town for the holidays. It was great they were able to spend time with all the nieces and nephews. I wish we had been able to spend more time with them but with a new baby and not much sleep we were a little worn out and stayed close to home.

Amazing food! I could go for a plate of this right now.

Celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday as well!

 Lucas is ready for Santa!

It was so much fun putting out all the presents after William went to bed. It was also pretty rough since Lucas was up with us and fussy the whole time. We were both exhausted and everything was a mess but seeing William’s face the next morning was perfect!

Matching penguin pajamas! I am so excited I can make this a tradition for as long as they will let me.

We went back to my mom’s on Christmas day for more presents, food and to celebrate Maria’s 3rd birthday.

Adriana made her bright pink ice cream. Tasty and perfect for a girl who loves pink!

Lucas hanging out with his Zio and Zia.

The sleepy parents. We don’t look too bad, eh?

The Sunday after Christmas we had an intimate dinner party for my mom to celebrate her 70th with family and friends. We all enjoyed a three course dinner at Sage Hill Inn. Such a gorgeous spot and the food was divine! 

Almost a month after his birth and we are dressed, looking good and on a semi-date! Woohoo!

It was quite a busy month and I am so glad I was alert enough to take photos to help me remember it all. I feel like it was such a blur after Lucas’ birth. So many good memories made!

Looking Back | Fourth Annual Beach Vacation

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Port Aransas trip number 4! This time with two babies and two toddlers and seven adults. The kids may out number us one of these years!

We didn’t stay as long this year and I was a little glad of that. I can’t say I was feeling all that great or getting enough sleep. Some of it was pregnancy related and the rest was just sleeping in a new place. I was also on “mom alert” through the night listening for William who slept across the landing from us in his own room. I shouldn’t have worried, he slept great and in a twin bed! 

We took a different route this time that was through smaller towns. It was a nice change of scenery. This was William’s reaction to riding the ferry.

We were there Sunday through Wednesday (the rest of the crew stayed a day longer) so that gave us two full days of beach time. Monday we went out in the morning until nap time and then on Tuesday we went out after nap time for an evening on the beach. I have to say evenings on the beach are by far my favorite thing.

This was Monday right before nap time….can you tell?

William was still in love with the beach. Being dirty, wet and free. He would just run into the water, no fear at all.

Love this shot of the two kids sitting next to each other.

Nathan and Jessica made some amazing tacos for dinner on Monday night. I wish I could have eaten more….

Girl’s trip to the candy store!

Video games, family and bags of candy.

William found a microphone that went to the Rock Band set so he would come down to the landing and put on shows or we’d hear him upstairs singing his heart out. Best thing ever.

Trying out the community pool and practicing some of what he learned at swim school.

On Tuesday the three of us walked down to the beach a little earlier than the others and had some family time that was nice. It was a little too windy for our umbrella but a little too hot still not to use it so James and I took turns holding it up. Have to keep the boy(s) from burning!

Ahh, beautiful evening on the beach.

Adriana and I bought William and Maria a new shovel and bucket the night before. Big hits! Maria barely put hers down.

Hot dogs for dinner on the beach can’t be beat.

James and William had so much fun playing in the waves. No wonder William slept so well at night.

Jessica took a few photos for us….next year we’ll be a family of 4!!

There was a lot of napping on the beach too.

And some crying. Love this shot.

And a group photo before we headed home on Wednesday.

Ah! Doll baby in the outfit I got for her.

We stayed in a different house this year than the previous two years. It was only one street over and a great rental. I would say it worked pretty well for us but we may need to come up with a different plan for future years until the kids are older and can actually sleep altogether in a room with bunkbeds. With a new baby I am not sure how we’ll all fit next year. It’ll be interesting!

Cousins!!

What a fun trip! It’s great our kids can grow up with these memories. I hope we can continue the tradition for years to come.

Check out my Instagram feed or #chapsbeach2014 for some iPhone highlights as well.

You can take a trip back to the third annual trip here.

Looking Back | A Week in Ohio

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Back in early July, we spent a week visiting James’ parents in Columbus, Ohio. William was about 7 or 8 months the last time we went so we were definitely overdue for a visit.

This mama, of course, was a little nervous about traveling with an active 2 year old but he did really well (thank you iPad). We had very short layovers in Dallas both ways and William loved riding the SkyLink. I also highly recommend Starbuck’s oatmeal for breakfast on the go. Both our flights were fairly early in the morning so being able to grab that and then get on the plane was easy. The only hard part was explaining to William that he couldn’t feed himself. I really didn’t want to clean up that mess.

We actually arrived in Ohio on James’ birthday, so that evening we had dinner with family and his mom made him a cake. It was a nice start to the trip. Amy also pulled out a lot of James’ old toys from when he was little. I loved seeing William playing with them.

The week was pretty low key. I really wanted to keep William on his normal schedule so a lot of outings were done in the morning. Trips to the park, like this one were a lot of fun. I know William loved them.

This little cutie attached herself to William for a good while and did everything he did. She definitely matched his energy level!

Helping Oma and Opa in the kitchen was one of William’s favorite things to do. Mixing eggs or helping Opa with his smoothie.

I love the yard surrounding Mark and Amy’s house. It’s so green and lush compared to Austin in July. The weather was pretty wonderful while we were there.

A trip to see Opa’s bus and take a ride was a definite must. I don’t think William knew what to do being so up close and personal. Looking at the pictures now, he just loves them! I’ll have to make some larger prints for his new big boy room.

They had to do a bus check prior to taking a ride. Walking around, checking the fluids and tires.

Then it was time for a ride!

This child has a growing school bus collection. I think he’s up to 6 or 7 now. He really does love them and has an eagle eye for them when we are driving around town.

Another pool day and keeping Daddy and Opa cool.

Amy’s office hosted an event at the Columbus Zoo while we were there so we spent the morning checking out some animals, riding a train, a comodo dragon and a boat through Dinosaur Island. William did not want to get off the boat. The dinosaurs were lifesize and I thought for sure he’d be afraid but he loved it.

An almost family photo. Oops!

Sunday morning while James and his mom had breakfast, I went with Mark and William for donuts and to another great park. This is the biggest donut he’s ever had and he only wanted it for the sprinkles, which he ate off the top. He also ate the whole donut save for a couple bites. Good thing we went to the park afterwards!

How cute is the wagon! Also one of James’ old toys.

More family time and a friendly poker game. Aunt Jenna and William opted for some Lego and Sophie time instead.

Our final evening, a new family photo was a must. Even new baby #2 kind of made an appearance (baby bump)!

You can also visit my Instagram feed and scroll back to July to see a few more photos of our trip.

From Crib to Toddler Bed

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Transitioning William’s crib into a toddler bed was not something I was looking forward to. It wasn’t the oh my goodness, he’s growing up, feeling. It was more of a dear Lord, please let us all get some sleep still, feeling. I’ve heard/read too many stories of moms and dads sitting outside bedroom doors for hours or walking toddlers back to their beds a million time a night. I also had a strange fear he’d get up and wander around the house while we slept. Weird, yes.

With Hafner Baby #2 on the way I knew it was bound to happen but I was thinking we’d push it off to the end of the summer at least. James, on the other hand, likes to pull band-aids off fast. In other words, why wait? So, I agreed, as long as it was a weekend. I didn’t want James to loose sleep and have to work still.

Saturday, April 26, after breakfast, James and William turned the crib into a toddler bed. Our first attempt would be nap time. 

I spent the week before preparing William for the change. We’d talk about it. I found an Elmo book about sleeping in a big boy bed and I bought him a Thomas the train clock for his dresser. It’s a regular clock during the day but at night, it lights up some stars and the moon. So it’s like you set an alarm but instead of a noise, the moon and stars disappear. William loves the moon so I was hoping this type of clock would be better than one that changed colors, like from red to green. So we told him, when the moon goes to sleep he can get out of bed. For nap time, we tell him that mommy or daddy will come and get him when he is awake. 

His nap that day was very short. It had me holding my breath for bed time that night. Bed time came, he and James did their normal routine, turned on the clock and…..nothing. He went to bed. He stayed in bed. He stayed in bed and waited for us to get him the next morning. It was amazing. He loves his bed and loves going to bed at night. He’s usually so tired anyway. James says most of the time he’s half asleep by the time his head hits the pillow.

All I can say, almost 4 weeks later, is praise the Lord. We’ve had a couple rough nap times but I think those were due more to a schedule change than anything. But his night times are great. His clock turns off around 7:30/45 and he’s usually just in there talking or playing with toys in his bed until we get him up. I was a little worried the bed rail wasn’t big enough and so far he has only claimed to have fallen (roll, roll, bump – his words) out of bed once.

The next step will be transitioning him out of this crib/toddler bed completely so we can move it to the nursery. At this point, I am in no hurry to rush that step. I think he really likes his little space. We have so much fun reading books together before nap. He cuddles with his blanket and puppy and I sit on the floor next to him. Oh my….he is growing up too fast.

MusikGarten | William’s First Music Class

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This week was William’s final MusikGarten class with Mrs. Silvia and his friends. I was a little sad to see it come to an end but it was a fun 17 weeks.

My sister, Jessica actually told me about the music class for toddlers since it was offered by Clavier-Werke where she teaches piano. I had been looking for some kind of class I could do with him and this one fit the bill – both in price and location. Mrs. Silvia is a wonderful teacher too! Oh my goodness, she has so much patience, working with our crazy toddlers.

There were four little ones in the class: William, Evie, Mateo and Conor. This was our last class and the kiddos with their certificates. How cute are they!?

It’s definitely a very active class for both the kiddos and parents. I know I got my workout! There were a few times where I could tell William wasn’t interested in being there and then other times he was totally focused and playing along. The last two classes, strangely enough, he was the most active and outgoing he’s ever been. Even if he wasn’t as engaged during class, I could always tell he was paying attention. We’d get home and he’d sing the songs again or dance or do something exactly as it had been done in class. It’s just amazing to me how much he retains. He’s my little musician at home and I love his “jam” sessions with his little keyboard and drums aka empty oatmeal containers.

As long as he seems interested in music I want to continue some kind of class with/for him. Mrs. Silvia is offering the MusikGarten class again this fall so I’ll probably sign us up. If you have a baby or toddler and want more info, check the Clavier-Werke site or let me know and I can pass it along!

Hello 2014

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New Year’s Eve was a quiet one for us. I spent most of the day cleaning or doing laundry which felt strange. Usually we are with family or friends. Today, January 1, we are still at home. It’s been a quiet day which also feels odd and makes me a bit melancholy. On one hand I am grateful to not be going and doing but I miss being with family. With the arrival of a new little one and a sister moving to different cities, things have changed for us in 2013. What new changes will come in 2014?

A new day, a new year, a clean slate. A chance to start over, do better, make changes. I always start with good intentions but am terrible at goals. I admire James’ ability to make goals and keep them.

As I think about 2014 and the one word I’d like to make my goal, it would have to be PRESENT. Choosing a word for me is better than a list of goals. For me, this word means fewer distractions, fewer things and more life. More time with James and William. More time with family. Face to face conversations with real, live people. Not Facebook. Not Instagram. Real relationships. Lasting relationships. Giving of my time to help and serve others. It’s not just PRESENT for others but for myself too. Taking time for me and my interests. I know this sounds selfish but I don’t mean it that way. I need to take care of myself so I can take care of my family. That means getting back into my hobbies, having some alone time, time to learn and grow. I also need to keep taking care of myself physically. I am so proud that I’ve kept up with yoga for an entire year now! That’s HUGE for me! I really owe it all to my friend, Alisa for keeping me accountable and being my yoga buddy. Here’s to another year of keeping it up!

The planner in me wants to map out 2014 but I remind myself that the Lord could have an adventure for us that I couldn’t ever plan. It scares me as much as it excites me. I’d like to be more PRESENT in my spiritual walk. It’s suffered these past 7 or 8 years and that makes me sad. I’d like to change that in 2014. Being more PRESENT so the Lord can speak to me. So I can trust him more. Be more aware of his hand in my life. More aware of his work around me and how I can show his love to others. Not being afraid of what others will think.

Being more PRESENT in my marriage is also going to be a big priority (not using the word goal – doesn’t work!). Becoming parents changed a lot for us. We went from being James and Elizabeth, newlyweds, to full time parents. We dove in head first and gave it our all. I want to be a better parent so that means I need to be a better wife and have a better relationship with my husband. I want to have US time again and more often than twice a year. I think a budget for regular date nights will be going on our spreadsheet.

I could go on and on about goals and my to do lists for the coming year but I won’t. I’ll start with being PRESENT first and see where that leads. Opening my hands and letting go a bit and see what unfolds. Walking with my head up and eyes open so I don’t miss a thing.

Happy 2014 to my readers. May your new year be full of blessings, adventures and memories.

Oma and Opa Visit

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William got to spend some time with his Oma and Opa back in June. Last time they saw him he was only 7 months old and didn’t move much at all. This time he was pretty much non-stop. A completely different boy. I think they all had fun.

We stayed close to home since it was too hot to spend much time outside. There were the important trips though for Mexican food and BBQ. You can also check out our daytrip to Blanco here.

I also scheduled a family shoot with a friend of mine, Natalie Seeboth. It was a gift for Mark and Amy and the chance to get some photos that I didn’t have to take and try to be in at the same time. Natalie was great! I can’t wait to get some of the new photos on the walls.

It was a fun week and hopefully we’ll get to see Oma and Opa again soon!

Getting to Know Aunt Jenna

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In early August, James’ sister, Jenna came for a long weekend. She had a couple days of a yoga conference to attend and then a couple days of fun with us! William didn’t see much of her the first few days so he was a bit shy but by that weekend, they were best buddies.

We took Aunt Jenna to a splash pad then had lunch at Whole Foods.

On Sunday morning we went to the Mueller Farmer’s Market. We bought some veggies for dinner, met some cute baby pigs then played in the gravel. It was a scorcher so we headed home pretty quick.

 Ending the weekend with some couch time and books. I think William was quite impressed with Aunt Jenna’s take on Moo, Baa, La La La!