Flores Four

Our Mornings

2012-01-25T12:04:00.001-06:00

I guess I should start documenting how “easy” things are right now with just the boys! I made a resolution this year to get up earlier, pick up the house daily and spend more time with the boys (oh and get to work on time!). Every morning I wake up at 6. Gene is usually in the shower so I pick up our bedroom, living room or kitchen – which ever needs it at the time. I usually have my hair & make up done before the boys even wake up at 7! Once they are up they usually get dressed and eat breakfast. Trace has graduated to the big table and he is loving every minute of it! We have managed to be dressed, teeth brushed, hair tamed, bags ready, blankies in tow & out the door by 7:45! I drop the boys at school and head to work. I have made it on time everyday since 2012!! Lets see if I can keep this up when I have 3!

I have to admit I love our time in the mornings. The boys chat at the table in the mornings and Trenton always has some extremely creative story to tell me about “Remember when I was 3 Mom”? They all start out that way. We are working on Trenton learning to tie his shoes & get himself completely dressed. Trenton loves to eat cereal from a cup (Spider Man cup specifically).

I am trying to teach Trace that every morning I am not trying to punish him by changing his diaper and changing his clothes. He is such a difficult little guy. He manages daily to unload every baby wipe, eat diaper rash cream, lose his paci, destroy the living room in 2 seconds or less & throw about 5 fits before we leave the house. All of this in less than 45 minutes! God love him!

Gene always sends me a text once I drop the boys off at school to see how our morning went. How blessed he is to get himself ready and off to work. Although when Trenton was a baby he had the morning routine because I left so early for work. It’s a fair trade. I am just glad I make a daily effort to dress my kids nicely, brush their hair & Teeth, feed them breakfast and kiss & hug them before leaving them at school. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Popsicles in January

2012-01-25T11:50:00.001-06:00

We have had the most crazy weather this year. I mean we rarely get freezing cold weather, but humidity in January is insane! I look forward to a few months of the year where my hair doesn’t look crazy! I rarely buy popsicles in January because I think it’s just too cold, but I bought some (thanks to being pregnant) and the boys are in heaven! I love how sweet they are to sit together to eat their popsicles!

My sweet boys!

Yumm-O is the look I am getting!

So handsome! This boy is so independent and refuses to let anyone help him with his popsicle. He is getting too big too fast. I also really like this sneaky look he is giving me…something I see quite often these days.

T3

2012-01-24T16:17:00.001-06:00

Well we are officially on our way to the loony bin! Gene and I found out in November that we were pregnant with sweet #3! We were shocked and overwhelmed to say the least. Yes, we know how this happens and yes we know Trace is only 14 months old, but it truly a blessing! Of course we are hoping for a sweet little girl, but would welcome another little boy with open arms. I am 14 weeks pregnant with T3 and have had a couple of ultra sounds already. I made a very hard decision to switch doctors to one more local. With two kids, a super busy husband and a job I don’t have the time to travel into Houston to see my doctor. My amazing doctor who delivered my boys! I have been blessed with the most amazing doctor and I know she will take good care of me and my T3. We are not necessarily using a “T” name, it just fits for now!

I am feeling ok. I am super exhausted, but after trying out a few pre-natal vitamins and realizing I need to SLOW down my energy level is coming back up. Chasing around Trace is keeping my weight down and sanity level in circles! I love that kid, but I think he is going to have a tough time adjusting.

Trenton is so excited. He wants a little sister so bad. He asked me if we could go to the doctor place so they can check my tummy. He wants to make sure they put a girl in there this time! I told him he had to ask God for a sister. He said “God is too far away to hear me” This sparked a conversation about prayer so that night he prayed for a sister! Keep praying buddy, Mommy would love a little girl!

Tweedles

2012-01-24T16:07:00.001-06:00

My Mom bought the boys a couple of sets of matching pj’s for Christmas and Trenton thinks it is great when they wear them! These days trying to get them to take a picture and both look at the camera is impossible. It usually goes like this:

Trace look at Mommy…

Ok now Trenton you too…keep looking at me!

Epic Fail! I will one day master both of them looking at the camera, but so far no such luck.

Trace and Trenton love to wrestle. Oh yes the joys of having little boys. Trace will jump on Trenton’s back if he is laying on the floor. Pretty much no one laying on the floor is safe from being attacked by Trace. Not even Mommy! Trenton usually tolerates it for a little while and then bumps him off…

Trace usually climbs back on if he gets the chance!

Or Big Brother refuses and you get this sad face.

New Year 2012

2012-01-09T15:03:00.001-06:00

This is the third year that we have spent NY Eve with the Jefferies Family! We have such a good time with them and feel lucky to have such great friends. We are very low key these days, so a quiet night, at home with friends is just what we needed! We brought the Wii over to play Family Feud (Girls vs Boys) Well that was a bust, but Trenton and Drew had a great time playing! We have a lot of new things to look forward to in 2012. I am not one to make resolutions, but I would like to make some changes to the way things are done around our house! I have started getting up earlier so I can be ready before the boys get up. This is hard for me because I am not a morning person. I am trying to keep the house picked up and do a load of laundry every other day so that it doesn’t pile up on me. I am trying to listen first and react last to the boys. My procrastination and ability to run late ALL of the time, makes my attitude and the boys attitude less than great most of the time. I want to take more time for the boys and Gene. I know I can do all of these things and to most sound minimal, but I let work come first and forget to enjoy my life most of the time! Trenton starts real t-ball this year in addition to Gene’s season. We are going to be very busy, but what else is new!

Typical family picture these days!

This little sweet heart never seizes to amaze me. He is so goofy and I cannot believe how well he keeps up with Trenton.

Me and my little main squeeze!

Trace will not sit long enough (with me) for a picture. He is a Daddy’s boy!

Brothers!

The boys & their cigars

Gene, Joe & Joel

The Gals

Brooke, Gretchen & me

A little Wii action

I was exhausted and cold by the time midnight rolled around!

The happy hosts'!

Riley Christmas 2011

2012-01-03T11:41:00.001-06:00

When you have a HUGE family like mine it takes a lot of scheduling to get us all together! We did Christmas on New Year’s Day this year. It was perfect, it gave the boys time to enjoy their toys from Santa before they loaded up again from Nana & Paw Paw! My parents go overboard every year with Christmas. They always have and to be honest our boys are so lucky to have them! My Mom puts a lot of time and effort into all of the gifts. She really wants to make everyone happy and in the end she does (except the parents who have to find places for all of these toys!) Our family is growing every year with our newest addition Sophia! That is my brother’s new little girl who celebrated her first Christmas! As usual the food was great, the company was incredible and the house was LOUD! I love that our family is so big! I love all of my siblings, sister in laws, brother in laws, nieces & nephews. My boys are really blessed to have so many cousins! On to the goods!

Paw Paw with his Grandbabies

Mandi, Trenton, Sophia & Trace

The happy couple celebrating their 9th Christmas together!

Playing a little basketball in the living room

Cousins: Alyssa, Logan, Celeste, Trace & Jaycie

Sonya & Tony (broken collar bone – OUCH)

Sweet Sophia!

Let the gift opening begin. This is hilarious with parents trying to snap pictures and kids throwing paper everywhere!

Trace had fun (when he wasn’t screaming)

Daddy & Trenton showing off his new race track

I think this is the look of becoming overwhelmed with gifts, if that is at all possible for a 4 year old!

Still opening…..

and more….

and more…I’m making sure he isn’t opening Trace’s gifts too.

He was super excited about this ship. I knew how bad he wanted it and told my Mom!

Drew getting lost in all the paper!

Celeste with her new softball glove

My angel love!

Trenton is helping Trace open gifts

I promise he was excited about his air compressor

Daddy & his little buddy

This is what my Mom likes to call a “stocking”

All of the girls got light boxes for next Christmas to display, bath & body stuff, gift card & candy!

The boys loot

Sisters & Sister In Laws

Sonya, Me, Laurie, Miranda, Hollie, Kym

My BFF!

Laurie & Celeste

Alyssa & Laurie

Maddie, Laurie & Jaycie

My little brother Joseph

My big brother Joe

Maddie & Jaycie

Paw Paw & Mandi

My parents!

Jaycie & Trenton (these two have so much fun!)

Laurie & Sonya (SIL)

Maddie, Mimi & Jaycie

The guys

The girls with Mom

Mom & my Sisters!

And because I was playing photographer I got a Nook which I am super excited about!

Lolly Pops make it all better!

2011-12-28T15:27:00.001-06:00

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T14:35:00.001-06:00

Thanks to being in the car for 6 hours and Trenton sleeping for the last 2.5 of the trip Santa had a LATE night. That kid was bouncing off the walls until close to 10pm. Christmas was so much more simple this year. The boys really do have an obscene amount of toys that Santa had a pretty small list to choose from. Trenton came running into our room at 7AM yelling “There are presents, there are presents!” I kindly asked him to climb in bed with us because it was WAY too early. He laid there for a few minutes before he just had to get up. The look on his face was priceless when he saw his new bike! No initial picture as the batteries in the camera died. Welcome to my life! Trace was still asleep so we made Trenton wait, but only about 30 minutes later did Trace wake up.

Who wouldn’t want to see this cute PEEK-A-BOO face on Christmas morning!

This is Trace’s 2nd Christmas! He is so big this year!

Just for fun this was LAST YEAR! My sweet 2 month old little boy!

Trace went straight for the cookies Santa left behind. I am glad to see he doesn’t like to see things go to waste!

So much excitement over the new big boy bike!

Trenton opening his stocking!

He got Ninja Legos, Candy & Transformers

Mini Transformers that go down as small as a hotwheel!

The bike looked so huge in the house, but once he got outside it was PERFECT!

Who wouldn’t love a 4 foot color in Spider Man!

I think Daddy is way more excited about this gift.

Trenton wanted to know “Why Santa only bought one controller?” I guess he wasn’t aware it didn’t come with 2. Maybe he should have read the box!

All of the little boys on the street have their own light sabers. Trenton was so happy to finally get his own!

Opening games for the Wii & PSP

That smile makes it all worth it!

Trace had a good time opening his presents. Can’t you see the pure bliss on his face?

Trace’s loot

Giant Construction Set & Bouncy Ball

Trenton’s Loot

Trace climbs on everything. I am very pleased that Fisher Price makes their toys so sturdy!

How cool is this set! The remote controls the dump truck. Trace was scared to death of it at first, but quickly learned to love it!

However, big brothers toys were much cooler!

We had a very blessed Christmas. Our boys were happy with their gifts. Gene cooked a nice ham and I made potatoes and corn. It was a nice day and then we headed to The Scalise’s for a nice evening with friends!

Christmas Eve 2011

2011-12-28T14:02:00.001-06:00

Christmas was a little crazy to say the least this year. We rarely travel for the holiday because I don’t have time off to take and honestly it is just hard to travel with presents there and back. We pack enough with two kids so gifts would just make it worse. We came home Saturday, got only the necessary things from the car since the weather was so bad and Gene ran to the store for much needed groceries. We were looking for something different to eat so he picked up lasagna and salad! So good. After baths the boys got milk, cookies and their letter ready for Santa. Trenton insisted we set it on the fireplace where Santa comes down. I tried so hard to get a picture and they just wouldn’t participate. Trace kept trying to eat the cookies and break the glass for the milk. It’s fun that he is participating this year, but that kid really keeps me on my toes!

The best picture I could get. Christmas PJ’s, Santa Snacks and giggly boys!

No Trace those are for Santa.

Shaving

2011-12-27T16:57:00.001-06:00

I really thought that I had at least 14 more years before Trenton started shaving, but apparently not! He got the most hilarious gift from Gene’s aunt & cousin. It was a Car’s shaving kid. HE LOVED IT! He wanted to immediately take a bath so he could shave! I had to show him how to put the shaving cream on his face and then he knew how to do it from there. It is so cute. He kept asking everyone “Does my face look smooth?!” Oh My Goodness!

Shaving Cream on

Shaving in progress (look how proud he is)

Can’t forget the other side

Checking himself out in the mirror to make sure he doesn’t miss any spots!

Del Rio 2011

2011-12-27T16:48:00.001-06:00

We made an unexpected and very sad trip to Del Rio last week. Gene’s Grandmother passed away at the age of 88. She was an amazing and sweet woman. She cared about her kids, grandkids and great grandkids so much. Her love was over abundant and we will truly miss her. Despite the sad reason for making the trip we got to spend some quality time with cousins that we do not normally get to see. Everyone’s kids are about the same age so it was nice watching a new generation of kids run around, much like Gene and his cousins did I’m sure! This was the first trip where Trenton didn’t seem bored because he had so many cousins to play with. Trenton got to spend a little quality time with Big Dog by taking cans to the recycling place and then visiting his baseball field. He thought it was so funny that Big Dog’s old truck made a Vroom, Vroom, Vroom noise when it took off. It was hilarious when he would tell everyone the story!

Trenton and Raelynn

Trace got a new haircut before we headed down! He looks so much like Trenton now and so much more grown up!

Gene’s parents live on some land and there is a ditch by their house. What’s more fun than playing in a ditch full of leaves?

Big Brother was very cautious to make sure Trace did not slide down the side.

What goes down, must come back up! They played in this ditch for HOURS! At first I tried to keep Trace away, but gave in and he loved it! BOYS!

Sweet Raelynn!

Playing a little Peek-A-Boo under the bridge Big Dog made

Trace finally started crawling in and out himself. This boy really has no fear!

Trace was taking it all in as Daddy & Trenton were playing baseball

It was super cold towards the middle of the week. So cold that it was almost hard to go outside and play. I am glad I took our warm jackets. My boys cannot stay cooped up inside for long.

Trace would waddle around in this jacket like he couldn’t move!

Chasing after Trenton on Grandpa’s ramp to the house

More cousins!

Trenton (4.5), Savion (3), Raelynn (3) & Trace (1)

Everything became a slide to these two!

Isn’t she just the prettiest little girl!

Now for the big cousins!

Sammy, Sergie, Gene, PJ & Luis

Savion showing me his snack!

Aleksa, Trenton & Raelynn

We had a great visit and made the trip home Saturday so Santa could make his delivery.

Christmas Gingerbread Train

2011-12-13T10:00:00.001-06:00

Our weekends in December are full of Christmas fun! Friday we headed to The Simonds house to play with friends and decorate cookies. Mrs. Shannon ordered pizza and the kids had a blast. I miss seeing everyone and watching the kids play. This past year has been an adjustment for all of us with our second babies! On the way home Trace fell asleep so I took Trenton to look at Christmas lights. He had such a great time! I love Christmas lights and some of the neighborhoods in our area really go all out!

When we got home Trenton was sad that no one could play so we decided to make the Gingerbread Train I bought. This is our first year to do this and I thought “Oh this will be easy”. WRONG! Although it was fun, I am just not great at working with frosting so it was a bit more messy than I had anticipated. Trenton had a great time and he was very particular about how to decorate it. In the end we may have had some structural issues, but it turned out very nice!

Getting the candy ready!

Not sure what’s up with the lighting, but Trenton licked the icing more than he put it on the train!

He bailed on me for a bit and decorated his cookie. He said the train was taking too long.

Very serious about adding the candy JUST LIKE THE PICTURE!

Our masterpiece TAKE 1

(see the structural issues)

Quick Smile 1,2,3 before it falls again!!

Once the icing set it stayed pretty nicely! Not too shabby for our first go around!

Christmas Songs

2011-12-13T09:47:00.001-06:00

Every Sunday in December the Pee Wees at church sing in “big church”. December 4 was Trenton’s big day to sing. He looked so nervous when he walked in. The kids were so cute and they sang a pretty cute song. Trenton had been practicing for weeks. He was at the very top of the group so my pictures are a weird angle. I was so proud of them and there is nothing better than hearing kids sing!

This is the part where they would say “Moo moo moo moo” I need to get the song because it is pretty funny!

He will be in the kinder class next year and those kids really belt it out! I love that we are a part of a church that focuses so much on children. Trenton LOVES going to church and learning about Jesus.

Christmas Tree 2011

2011-12-13T09:31:00.001-06:00

I have been a total slacker this year. I am usually so excited to get home from our trip to Del Rio for Thanksgiving that I pull out the tree that Sunday and it is fully decorated by that evening. Well not so much this year. We just got our tree up a week or so ago. Correction, I put the tree up and it stayed undecorated for a week until we decorated it. I was skeptical of putting my nice decorations on there because I knew Trace would take them off. Trenton and I had a great time decorating the tree while Trace took them all off. It was quite humorous. We may have lost a couple of nice angels (that got dropped on the fire place by little helper elf) and half of my ball ornaments are currently being used as baseballs & golf balls. I also wanted to get pictures of the boys helping and that didn’t happen. Trace wouldn’t sit still and Trenton wasn’t interested. Maybe by the end of the season I will get a picture of them by the tree!

Mom: “Hey Trenton can you sit by the tree so I can take a picture? “

Trenton: “I did all the work I just want to lay down”

Awesome!

This giant snowflake has become a deadly weapon in our house. Many tears have been shed because someone has been slapped with this thing. (It is now in the garbage)

Out tree really does look nice. I just don’t know how to get a good picture! I love that we can see the tree from our front door now. We really didn’t do much outside decorating this year. This has been the most unorganized year for our family. Two has been an adjustment!

He strikes again

2011-12-13T09:21:00.001-06:00

If you ever wonder just how long it takes a 1 year old to empty an entire can of Pringles on your floor I am hear to tell you about 15 seconds! Trace is definitely our curious child. This can of Pringles was sitting on the end table with the lid on. He grabbed it, took the lid off WITH HIS TEETH and decided to dump them everywhere. As you can see Big Brother wasn’t far from the crime scene either. He assured me he had no part in this! These boys are a mess, but I love them!

Christmas Parade

2011-12-06T14:34:00.001-06:00

Our sweet little town of League City does a Christmas Parade every year. Last year was the first year we took Trenton and we were super excited to get to take Trace this year. We ended up leaving the house later than we wanted and didn’t get a great seat, but the boys had fun either way. As soon as we got there and I pulled out my camera the batteries died. Of course! Thankfully my sweet friend Rhonda had hers and was gracious enough to snap a few shots! Both boys were tired and cranky from a long day so we didn’t last the whole time. Add to that the down pour episodes and our kids had enough!

Seriously the best picture out of 3. I look EXHAUSTED!

Parades are all about the light swords you get these days! Thankfully these kept the kids busy so we could enjoy a few extra minutes of the parade.

My sweet Trace! He really loved all of the lights on the float and the bands!

Next year I might be more prepared, look less tired and we will have a much better spot!

Thanksgiving 2011 – Del Rio

2011-11-29T10:40:00.001-06:00

Every year we make the trip down to Del Rio to spend time with Gene’s family for Thanksgiving. This year we had a much shorter trip because I couldn’t get off work until Wednesday. We packed up the car Wednesday night and headed out. We made it in decent time considering how many people were on the road. Gene’s cousin Carlos rode with us and I think he may never do that again! It was quite the adventure to say the least. Trace screamed off and on for an hour because he was tired and couldn’t get comfortable. Once I got his seat reclined and him to sleep Trenton started complaining about a headache. I turned off his DVD player and soon after he said “Mommy my mouth hurts” which is code for I AM GOING TO BE SICK! I quickly unloaded a Kroger bag, sat it in front of him and well you know the rest. Poor baby. Of course we were on a 2 lane highway with no way to pull over. Once we could stop we got Trenton cleaned up, Mommy cleaned up and Trace back to sleep we were on the road again. We were so happy to arrive in Del Rio and stretch our legs! Thursday morning I woke up super sick and pretty much stayed in bed all day. I guess I got a stomach virus which meant NO turkey for me. Trenton wasn’t feeling great either and he slept most of the day too. Friday we were all feeling better and enjoyed some Cougar Football with Big Dog while Daddy went golfing. That evening we took some family pictures. They are a little dark because trying to get everyone ready before the son went down at 6 was difficult. So it was a little dark out!

Me and my boys

3 Generations of Flores Men

Our family! I love this picture

Aunt Rachel & the babies

Grandma & Big Dog with their grandbabies

The Flores Family

Smash Cake

2011-11-28T16:31:00.001-06:00

I couldn’t decide on my favorite picture so I decided to put them all on here. Neither of my boys are into sweets. Trace kind of picked around at his cake and seemed fairly uninterested. That is until I thought he had enough and took it away from him. Then he was MAD!

This precious foot covered in cake steals my heart!!

Goldfish Party

2011-11-28T16:12:00.001-06:00

We celebrated Trace’s 1st birthday with a small party on November 5. The theme was gold fish because that is his favorite snack! I ended up having it at the park in our neighborhood and it was a huge success. I am thinking we need to do all parties here! I still cannot believe my baby is already 1! We had goldfish snacks, fish shaped pizza, fish shaped cookies and tons of other yummy snacks! Trace was so great. He took a nap on time so Mommy could set up the party and Daddy could just bring him down for the fun! Thank you everyone who came out to celebrate our little man. We really do have the best friends!

The set up! My sister made the most AMAZING cake!

Chocolate covered marshmallows & cookies

The big cake

Trace’s smash cake

These were party hats that I decided to make into goldfish holders!

The cute pizzas

The birthday boy arrived post nap!

My niece Jaycie pushing the birthday boy on the swing. She was a super helper this day!

Birthday boy enjoying a drink!

Daddy got in on the park fun!

Sweet Isa showing Trace how to ride his new toy

He thinks it’s easier to just push it!

The Crisp’s enjoying some snacks

Trace loves to slide.

All the kids posing for a picture! How sweet.

My Mom, Dad, Brother in Law & of course Hubby

Thanks to staying up late finishing the decorations and running late that day this Mama didn’t get to get ready. Oh well. I got a sweet shot with my baby!

The 3 Amigos

Anthony and Isa

Yes my big boy is crawling up the steps all by himself!

Gettin’ me some lovin’

Big Brother & his Buddy Brady

Nana being silly

Snacking while playing. This kid is a master multi tasker!

Sweet Avery!

Trace getting ready to open gifts (and sharing his mushy goldfish with me)

Trenton waited ALL day for this moment!

Sweet Moments

2011-11-07T12:20:00.001-06:00

I just love sweet moments like this.

It’s all about Trace

2011-11-07T12:18:00.001-06:00

I feel like I go through phases of taking pictures of the boys. I came across a bunch of pictures of Trace so I figured I would post them! Trenton was probably outside playing or at a friends house. He is rarely home on the weekends and if he is there are 4-5 other kids so my camera is the last thing on my mind.

Trace really likes to read. He is really into this foam book and a book that I put on my face and make funny sounds! He thinks I am totally hilarious! I’m going to hold on to that as long as I can.

Showing me his “tutal” Turtle

He is very serious when he is looking through his book.

Trace also does this HILARIOUS thing. When you sing “You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around” he turns in a circle with his arms in the air! I should get this on video! This is him I am assuming about to launch this toy at my head. Something else he likes to do….

Down, Set, HUT HUT!

Doesn’t he look so mean and tuff with that paci in his mouth!

Sweet Mommy kisses!

My Dad is so funny!

Thirsty Much?

2011-11-07T11:58:00.001-06:00

I guess Trace needed a drink and I must have been ignoring his request. Mr. Independent opened the cabinet, grabbed the CLEAN container I use to fill up Slugger water bowl and took a swig!

Spooky Playdate

2011-11-04T13:50:00.001-05:00

Oh how I have missed The Brewers play dates! Kim is so good at throwing the best holiday parties for the kids! Now that she has found pinterest I know they are going to be even more amazing! The boys were so excited to get to play with the Brewer babies. Well Trenton was because he and Brady have been friends their whole lives & since the twins had them on lock down last year our time together has been very limited. We also got to hang out with The Simonds & Lauderdales – two amazing families who we haven’t seen much since babies #2 came along. What a difference multiple children make. Anyways, on to the Spooktacular party! (All photo credit goes to Kim, I may have ~~stole~~ borrowed the pictures from her blog!

The cute individual smores kits!

The delicious food that is decorated so cute!

The big boys ~~hiding under the table eating marshmallows~~ playing in the “fort”

Me, Sweet Kaden & Trace! I know these two boys are going to get in just as much trouble as their older brothers (unless Karsyn tells on them!)

How sweet are they playing together! Trace is starting to look so grown up & I have decided I like his curls so I am going to NOT straighten his hair any more. {Don’t Judge}

Big kids eating dinner!

Natalie, Margot, Will, Brady & Trenton

Big Brothers!

Thank you Kim for hosting! We had such an amazing time and I can’t wait to do it again!!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T16:50:00.001-05:00

So technically this is Trace’s 2nd Halloween, but last year we had just come home from the hospital so we missed out on the festivities. Gene and I were SUPER excited because this was the first year in 4 years to go Trick or Treating together! Trenton was sick his first year, I took him his second year while Gene handed our candy, last year I had just had Trace so we swapped! We were very glad that we decided to not hand out candy and watch Trenton and his friends run around like we did when we were little! Trace enjoyed watching everyone from the stroller. Next year we will be chasing him around too! So we had a little last minute costume change for Trace. He was suppose to be a giraffe, but apparently has grown since I tried it on him. Some friends had just given us some clothes and the cutest frog costume was in there!

Ribbit! He loved it!

A little photo session with sweet Tayven!

Tayven was the cutest ladybug I have ever seen!

Trenton LOVES super heros. He LOVES costumes so needless to say he picked the most awesome Super Hero there is:

OPTIMUS PRIME!

T: Optimus Prime, Yasmeen: Genie, William: Wolverine, Trace: Wondering what in the heck is going on!

My frog and Optimus ready to go!

Daddy had a blast pushing Trace. We made sure we packed enough snacks & drinks for the both of them!

All the kids on our street ready to go!

Brooke and Trenton

I think this was about the time he started to slow down!

Birthday Cake

2011-11-03T16:49:00.001-05:00

We had a mini birthday celebration on Trace’s actual birthday. I made spaghetti (his favorite & yes he told me this!) and bought this really sweet cake from Kroger. I think it’s important to have birthday cake on your actual birthday! Gene unfortunately had to miss it because he had to work late, but the neighbors were happy to eat his portion of cake! Trace got to enjoy cake at school and then at home too! Lucky kid!

The kids were singing Happy Birthday to him so no luck getting him to look at me!

Yummy cake!

Washing all that sugar down with a little milk.

Sweet Tayven enjoying the festivities!

Her big brother Scott

Numero Uno goofball in our house!

Trace even got to open a couple of presents from The Heins and The Clemmons

Big Brother insisted on helping (you know since he is a PRO)

Trace LOVES dogs. This one is kind of funny and kind of scary at the same time. He rolls on the floor laughing, but is motion censored so he will roll when you walk by, unexpected, scary the life out of you!

Only 1 more birthday post to come and that is for his FABULOUS FISHY Party we are having this weekend!

Happy Birthday Trace!

2011-10-27T11:09:00.001-05:00

Our lives changed forever on October 27, 2010. We welcomed Trace Daniel to our family and couldn’t have been more blessed. Trace has been such an amazing addition to our family and I can hardly believe a year has already flown by! I thought it would be easy to celebrate his 1st birthday, but it’s not. It means my little baby is growing up faster than I can imagine. He is so smart and always on the go! I feel like it was just yesterday that Gene and I were getting up at 4AM to head to the hospital! I am so blessed to be his Mommy and we are both so proud of him already!

In true Stacy fashion I felt it was necessary to celebrate his 1st birthday all week! His teachers were cracking up because they had to keep checking the date to make sure they didn’t miss his birthday! When I dropped him off today his teachers said they bought him a cake and were going to party! They love him so much! It is going to be a very sad day when he moves up to the “big kid” room in January. I don’t want him to grow up.

You may notice in all of these pictures he is eating, but that’s the only time I can get him to stand or sit still long enough for a picture!

This is his Tuesday shirt!

So what has changed now that he is a year old:

Makes car sounds
Walks everywhere
Thinks he can run around with the big kids (this includes riding the tractor with his brother)
Can say Football and Stop It

Wednesday Shirt – This is big brothers 1st birthday shirt!

Happy Birthday Trace!! This is today October 27, 2011! 1 whole year after my sweet boy came into our lives! Trace you are feisty, fearless and always smiling. You bring so much happiness to your Dad, Brother and I! I can’t believe you walk, talk, have teeth, drink milk and drink from a sippy! I can’t believe how different you are from your big brother!

I really think he looks so much older in this picture!

We will continue to celebrate his birthday tonight with cake and then next weekend his 1st Birthday party!! There may or may not be a haircut in between as well (we will see if I can do it).

Air Show

2011-10-19T14:38:00.001-05:00

We had a pretty amazing time at the Air Show. We are lucky to live so close to such a spectacular event. One of the companies I work for gives us VIP tickets so I thought I would take advantage this year since Trenton is really into airplanes! The picture above was from some of the acrobatic planes. I cannot believe they fly upside down and in circles. This girl would be very sick! Trenton thought the show was pretty cool, but I think he enjoyed touring the jets the most.

Flying in pure luxury. He just wanted to sit there & watch the DVD player

He looks so grown up! I hope one day he can charter his own flights!

Daddy & Trenton in front of one of the private jets. I think T was checking out the show during this picture!

One of his favorites by far! He looks so tiny compared to the helicopter

Me & my sweet boy

Enjoying a snack under the tent. We decided to grab lunch and then head out to look at all of the planes on display

How cute does he look coming out of this plane!

The pilot was so sweet and explained to Trenton how he flies the plane.

I think the neatest part about this plane is a female flies it. When I told Trenton a girl flies this airplane he couldn’t believe it. She is actually in the back close to the plane.

This was a neat plane. They had it open so you could view the engine & everything else that makes that plan fly!

He was super excited that he could walk under such a big plane!

Trenton decided to take his ear plugs out around this time. Well as soon as we got to the big plane a very loud F-15 or F-22 flew by and he lost it. His ears were ringing and he was scared to death. That pretty much ended our day at the air show.

Even though he was scared he still talks about the air show and about how much fun he had. We saw a lot and I hope we get to go back again next year. Hopefully he won’t remember this scene!! This was also Gene’s first time to go to the Air Show. It’s always fun to watch Gene experience things for the first time with the kids!

Painting Pumpkins

2011-10-18T11:58:00.001-05:00

This Friday (10/14/11) Daddy had to work the football game so the boys & I got to do one of my favorite things – PAINT! I love watching Trenton paint and see how creative he can get. It’s the one messy thing I don’t mind (playdough on the other hand is my enemy) Well our awesome neighbors came over and all of the kids painted their very own pumpkin! This is a tradition I started with Trenton last year and hope it carries forward for years to come. I printed out some stencils for the kids to use to paint pictures on their pumpkins! It was a fun night of paining with friends and enjoying pizza (our Friday night favorite)

Trace and Tayven were too little this year, but maybe next year will join in.

Trenton painting his spooky spider!

Brooke was painting a scary cat face on hers

Yasmeen and her witch hat pumpkin

William had the happiest pumpkin around!

Scott taking his time cutting out his scary face for his pumpkin!

11 Months

2011-10-18T11:49:00.001-05:00

Well I just noticed that I haven’t documented anything about my sweet boy’s progress since he was 8 months old. Well a lot has happened this month!!

Weight: 20.2 lbs Length: Unsure

Wears 12-18 month tops and 6-12 month bottoms (that we have to roll up because your legs are so short)
Wear size 3 diapers
At your 10 month appointment you were in 13% for height and 32% for weight. Small & Mighty!
Drinking Whole Milk since 9 months
Has 6 teeth and eats real food. You didn’t care much for the baby food once you got teeth
Favorite Snacks: Cheerios, Gerber Cheese Puffs, CoCo Puffs
Favorite foods: Spaghetti, Grilled Cheese
You don’t drink out of a bottle anymore & really haven’t since you were 10 months
You started taking steps around 9.5 months and really getting brave around 10 months. You are now pretty much walking everywhere. It was so cute to watch you cruising around the couch at full speed!!
Words: Dada, Mama (when you are sad only), Trenton, Brother, Ball, Slugger, Papas, Thank you
You seem to respond better when Daddy (and Ms. Rebecka at school) talk to you in spanish!!
Signs: All done & More (you rarely use the signs because screaming loudly usually gets you what you want from Big Brother)
You have quite the temper and you know how to use it
You love baseballs, footballs and pretty much any kind of ball. You love to throw them back & forth with who ever will play with you.
You still have a pacifier, but can go without it for short periods of time
You are such a happy kid like your brother. We get so many compliments on how happy you are!
Songs you like: Itsy Bitsy Spider, You are my Sunshine, Good Morning (song Mommy made up for you & Trenton), Wheels on the Bus
You HATE getting your diaper changed, so much that the sweet ladies at church are scared to change you!
You have had a long series of ear infections over the last couple of months
October 9 – First ER visit for croup. You had to have a breathing treatment and chest X-ray. You are all better now, but scared me!
You adore your big brother & want to be just like him
Lately you have had separation anxiety when we drop you off at school or in the church nursery.
You have the cutest curls in your hair! (For the record your Dad begs me to cut your hair daily, but I refuse! They are just too cute!)

You are turning 1 next Thursday and I can hardly believe it! It seems like yesterday I was documenting my pregnancy and now you are going to be one. I love you so much and I am so happy you chose me to be your Mommy!

Hello Fall

2011-10-04T16:48:00.001-05:00

October 1 we woke up to the most B-E-A-utiful weather ever! It was amazing. We opened up all of the windows on the house, watched college football and the kids played in the back yard. I love fall. It’s so disappointing that we have to wait so long for it down here in South Texas. We welcome it with open arms and enjoy every minute because we know the next day it could spike back up into the 100’s and the humidity will come back in full force. For now, we enjoy!

Trenton and Trace are really starting to interact a lot more. It’s fun to watch them play. Trenton is very sweet with Trace even when it seems he is rough housing.

Trenton about to slide down to his brother!

Hey Brother!! Trace just giggled over and over when Trenton would slide down to him.

We had a house full of kids which is so much fun! The kids insisted I take their picture. Can you believe this is the best one I could come up with. Trace is mad and making a break for it, while Trenton picks his nose. Clearly my kids are a mess!

Brooke, Trenton, William, Scott & Trace

Then they moved locations and asked me to take it again. How sweet are they!!

This is more like it. It shows all of their individual personalities!

Trace had a rough weekend. He has 2 ear infections which landed us in the Urgent Care Thursday night. Friday he had to come home from school early because of a fever and ears. Friday night he had HORRIBLE diaper rash and an allergic reaction to motrin. He screamed for hours on end. By Saturday he was still cranky, but doing much better.

Look at that face, he just looks miserable.

My sweet honey! When the fall rolls around I smile because it means at least a couple times a week this man grills and I get a night off!

Homecoming Parade 2011

2011-10-04T16:34:00.001-05:00

I am not sure why, but I never get around to blogging about the Clearbrook Homecoming Parade. We have gone every year and I have pictures to prove it, but I have never blogged it. I am so disappointed in myself. This is the busiest time of year for me at work so I guess that’s my excuse. This is our 4th Homecoming Parade to attend. I was mentally preparing myself for having both boys this year. As with every year we were meeting our good friends the Brewers at the parade. It was going to be so much fun for Brady and Trenton to run around while Trace and the K’s hung out. Well Trenton decided to ditch Trace and I so he could ~~eat an obscene amount of candy~~ ride on the baseball float with his Daddy! Gene was so excited that he wanted to ride with them. I am so proud of Gene for participating. He really has a great set of kids to coach!

Trace and I managed to keep ourselves busy playing at the playground and eating dinner inside the school with the Brewers. I definitely like it when HC is further into October. It was way to hot to be outside!

Trace playing on the piano on the playground

This is an awful picture, but I want to be able to remember how Trace would cross his legs when he sits. SO DARN CUTE!

Trace and Kaden hit it off. I hope they grow up to be best buds like their big brothers are!

The Brew Crew and Trace

Enjoying a cookie before the parade

Kaden (18 mos) and Trace (11 mos) waiting for the parade to begin

A couple of years ago

Brady (2 yrs) & Trenton (2.5 years)

Kaden & Trace definitely showed more enthusiasm than their big brothers ever did for the parade!

See what I mean!

We couldn’t leave sweet Karsyn out! Look how cute they are!

Trace and his pacifier…..

Daddy’s Team

I cannot believe he is big enough to ride on the float with his Dad. In a few years Trace is going to want to ride too. I guess I will have to jump back there with them!

Big Brother and his Daddy!

Trenton (3.5 yrs) & Brady (3 yrs) HC Parade 2010

They just get bigger and bigger every year!

Lil’ Angels

2011-09-23T09:23:00.001-05:00

A couple of weeks ago the boys school did pictures. The sign said they were doing a Goldfish theme and I honestly thought they were going to be cheesy pictures and I wouldn’t want to buy them. Regardless of my negative opinion I still made sure the boys were dressed for pictures that day. Well Thursday when I got to the school to pick them up the photographer was RAVING over my boys pictures! That’s always a good feeling. I thought they were either super cute or she was an awesome salesperson! Hee Hee! (Negative attitude once again). Well they ended up being super awesome and inexpensive!! I think my boys are so handsome and photograph really well (but I’m there Mom so I’m allowed to be a little biased).

I believe this picture was before Trace spilled the bowl of water all over the place…

Oh My Goodness! This boy is getting so big! I can’t believe how old he is looking these days!

The curls, the curls! What a dispute in our house. You either LOVE them (me!) or HATE them (Daddy).

Trace is 10.5 months in this picture!

I’m sure this is where it all went downhill. I can see Trenton saying “Hey brother look at the fish” SPLASH!

Shouldn’t this be the other way around…

2011-09-22T12:22:00.001-05:00

Trace LOVES to push things around right now. Big Brother is currently taking advantage of this and getting plenty of free rides around the kitchen! Trace just giggles and pushes him around. Hopefully Trenton will repay the favor and push his little brother around. I took a video of this, but it ends badly (maybe with Trenton pushing forward to go really fast and Trace being drug behind him). I will save that for our own viewing at home. My boys adore each other and play well together. I hope they stay best buds forever!

Bath Time

2011-09-22T12:18:00.001-05:00

Usually Trenton wants to take a shower once I have given Trace a bath. Well with as busy as we are and as tired as I am I have managed to convince Trenton that is it super fun to take a bath with Little Brother. Sometimes it works and sometimes not, but at least I caught a sweet moment this time around. What did we do without smart phones to snap such moments likes this!

Trace “The Tank” Flores

2011-09-13T15:30:00.001-05:00

For such a little guy he sure does like to eat. He has a mouth full of teeth and is not afraid to use them. I have to admit that I am a little nervous when giving him food because he shoves so much in his mouth. I am so afraid he is going to choke! I am not sure where this kid puts all this food because he is still so little!

Yummy co-co puffs!

Look at his shirt! Oh my goodness! This is why he typically eats naked!

Mashed potatoes don’t mind if I do!

Silly Big Brother

2011-09-13T15:24:00.001-05:00

Trenton thought he was so cute putting on Mommy’s glasses! There is never a dull moment in our house.

I’ve got you wrapped around my finger….

2011-09-13T13:56:00.001-05:00

Trace has done a great job of getting what he wants these days. Uncle Luis came in town a few weeks ago and Trace fell in love! This was their first time to meet since Uncle Luis is away playing baseball during the year and Trace took right to him. I guess we have all figured out where he gets his sweet curls from! Lately Trace seems to eat ALL of the time! He is just like Trenton. I usually feed Trace dinner first because it’s easier, but he some how manages to climb in someone’s lap and eat again. My sweet growing boy. He had Uncle Luis in a snap!

Trenton has always been a super big brother and I am thankful for that. His new favorite thing to do is feed Trace, carry Trace, correct Trace….hmmmmm He wants to be Mommy! Hopefully this kindness will continue as they grow. Trenton is very good at including Trace and making sure he is safe.

My sweet boys sharing applesauce

What?!?!

We haven’t been up to much around our house. I have been sick, we went out of town (and I didn’t take a single picture). I plan to get better at taking pictures especially since someone is having a very special 1st birthday next month.

Summer Time Blues

2011-08-29T09:47:00.001-05:00

It has been very, very hot here in south Texas. We have had record breaking temperatures in the Houston area making it less than enjoyable to be outside. We have been pretty good about going outside from about 6-7 so the kids can play and burn off some of that energy! We stay cool by eating a lot of popsicles!

I decided that Trace needed to join in the fun one evening. He refused to hold the popsicle by the stick so he was shaking because it was so cold.

Hmmm….what is this cold thing!

He seems to be enjoying it

YUMMMM….

Here is what happens when Mommy decides to take the popsicle out of his hand so he can hold it correctly and finish it…

As you can see this didn’t end well. He held his breath until he turned blue. I took him inside to bathe him and he continued to scream. He screamed while I got him dressed and he even screamed while I rocked him to sleep. My neighbors who were sitting in my drive way could here him the whole time…so glad they were there to witness the popsicle scene!

After this incident I will say he refuses to hold his own popsicle. He is as stubborn as his Daddy…and maybe his Mama too!

Trace-mania

2011-08-10T11:55:00.001-05:00

My sweet Trace is getting so big! I feel like I never take pictures of him because when we go places I chase after him while watching Trenton and let’s face it the camera just never comes out. Lately I have been working on getting pictures of him. He is eating all table food now so it makes for a fun dinner in our house. I am ready for the hustle and bustle of summer to come to an end so we can sit down to dinner as a family a few nights a week!

Trace has the sweetest curls right now. Gene is BEGGING me to chop them off, but I can’t do it. When he gets all hot and sweaty they get even more curly! I am going to hold off as long as I can. I think he looks a lot like is Paw Paw with those curls!

It’s so nice to be able to give Trace just about everything that I make for dinner. Mr. Independent refuses to let anyone feed him so it’s 50% chance he actually gets an entire meal. We supplement with formula just in case!

Bath time has changed a lot over the last couple of weeks. Trenton used to love to take a bath with Trace, but now insists on taking showers. I really thought I had a few years until that, but none the less. Trace is still in his bath ring. It’s just easier than him slipping around in that big tub. He doesn’t mind it at all and loves to splash the water coming out of the faucet in his face. I always comb his hair flat right after his bath and he looks SO grown up. (This is why the curls are staying a little longer)

As soon as we get into his room he runs well crawls straight to his giraffe. He slaps the orange button on top and makes it play music and then dances around like a little naked jay bird!

There is never a dull moment in this house full of boys!

He has come a long way…

2011-08-09T15:49:00.001-05:00

We started off swim with Trenton scared to death to leave the step. He wouldn’t put his face underwater for anything. Here we are a few weeks later and he can swim across the width of the pool. He can dive in and get back to the side all alone. He can float on his back (airplane). Now, if we can convince him not to cry through the entire half hour lesson we will be in good shape. He received a compliment from one of the toughest swim teachers yesterday. He told me “He is a phenomenal swimmer and one day the crying will stop and we won’t know why”. He is growing and learning and I cannot say enough about the Academy we are sending him to!

2011 Cheetahs

2011-08-05T14:20:00.001-05:00

We had a great season this year playing mini t-ball. It’s a great way to teach kids about organized sports and some basic concepts of the game. We had fun and can’t wait for Spring to play more baseball!

After the game Coach Jennifer brought cupcakes and trophies for the kids! Trenton was super excited to get his first baseball trophy (we missed out on the party last year)

After the game we finished watching our neighbors game and then the boys went and played on the playground. On the way home we stopped for a treat at McD’s! I love baseball season, but can’t wait for football season to begin. I need a break!

It wasn’t me

2011-08-05T14:03:00.001-05:00

Trace is officially eating table food. He has decided that since he has 6 teeth almost that baby food is for the dogs! I stocked up on puffs and other foods for him to enjoy. This weekend I was sitting with him in the living room and made him a bowl of snacks. He still had a few in the bowl when I walked off to check on dinner. Apparently he felt he needed more…

What Mom, what are you looking at? Notice the puffs all over the floor and the Dad on the coach (totally oblivious)

Oh this? Oh it’s just a quick snack!

This boy is into everything!! I can’t believe he is 9 months old, crawling, trying to walk and into everything! I look forward to many future messes to come!

Fishmania

2011-08-03T13:56:00.001-05:00

Fishing has been less than great this summer. Not that our freezer supply is showing a shortage! Gene and his friends decided to fish the surf this week. He limited out twice! Trenton was super excited to show his friends all of the fish his Daddy caught. Gene has so many recipes that he wants to try and that makes me a happy woman to not have to cook dinner a couple of nights this month! He plans to go back again and see if he can get more! I love living near the Coast…sometimes!

Sweet Family

2011-07-28T08:39:00.001-05:00

This weekend we headed to Boerne for a wedding for our good friends Jake and Torie. Gretchen was kind enough to watch Trace for us so it was just the Flores party of 3. This is the only picture I took of our family and I look less than great, but oh well. A family photo is rare and although Trace isn’t in it I still love it. Trenton is such a sweet boy and had a great time with Mommy & Daddy!

Best Friends

2011-07-27T12:32:00.001-05:00

Between baseball games and swim lessons we have managed to squeeze in some fun! We have the most amazing neighbors. I don’t think we will ever be able to move away from them. Our kids are, in my opinion, best friends! Trenton cannot wait to jump out of the car and go play with who ever is outside. One weekend the Clemmon’s invited us on their boat. It was a beautiful day so we packed snacks (not enough for this crew), drinks, the tube and 7 of the 10 kids and headed to Taylor Lake. Mr. Jeremy enjoyed driving everyone around and we even took some time to go swimming. It was one of the best times we have had this summer and hopefully we will get to do it many more times in the future!

Trenton enjoying his view. He likes this boat much better than his Daddy’s

The Mom’s! Words cannot explain how blessed I am to have met these two ladies. We are always there to lend a hand or egg or detergent…well you get the picture! I remember growing up my Mom would send me next door to borrow sugar from the neighbor and I felt like such an idiot, but I get it now. I understand that neighbors are there for one another and over the last 3 years these women have become 2 of my best friends.

The crew!

Anthony, William, Mariom, Trenton, Scott, Yassmeen & Brook

Taking a quick swim!

William and Mariom (bro & sis) tubing

Brook, Scott, Anthony & T watching the tubing! (I love this picture)

The little ones were a bit more scared, but made a good effort trying!

Yasmeen & Mariom (sisters)

How cute are these kids! I can’t believe next summer we will have Isa, Trace & Tayven to add to the mix!

Of course it wouldn’t be a day on the water with our crew without a fish JUMPING onto the boat!

July 4th weekend

2011-07-11T09:44:00.001-05:00

We managed to stay pretty busy for the 4th of July weekend! Sunday we headed over to the The Jefferies for crawfish and swimming. They boil the best crawfish and we always enjoy their company! Trenton and Drew (their youngest) play very well together. According to Trenton, Drew is his 2nd best friend! {his 1st best friends are all the kids on the street} It is so nice to have friends that live so close with a pool!

Daddy and Trace swimming

Drew and Trenton having a water fight. Everyone close to the pool was a target!

Daddy is really working hard to get Trenton comfortable with swimming. He did really well after a few times out, but still has an uncontrollable look of fear on his face.

The swimming was too much for this guy so he passed out on one of the chairs

Trenton thought the goggles were great. He would put them on and look under the water at the big boys playing!

All smiles as long as he stays near the steps

This little guy LOVES the water!

He is such a happy baby! He loved sitting on the steps and splashing

Drew being silly

My sweet babies! I just love them so much!

Red Sox Game

2011-07-11T09:24:00.001-05:00

I know living in Houston area the title should be “Astros Game”, but we are just not big Astros fans; ESPECIALLY when they are playing the Red Sox. Trenton was so excited to watch Daddy’s friends play baseball. When we got there Gene took Trenton down to say hello to his friend Michael Boerne. He played with Michael in college so it was pretty cute for Trenton to meet him. Trenton was so overwhelmed when we first got there. He said “Wow, that’s a big baseball field”. He kept asking Gene “Daddy we cheering for the Red Sox because the Astros stink” Ummm…well honey I wouldn’t say that too loud!

Taking it all in

Of course we had to get cotton candy (and chicken nuggets, a hot dog and popcorn!)

Daddy and his little boy!

The game was very slow and since the Red Sox were winning I decided to take Trenton to the kids play zone. What a bunch of chaos that place is. Its kids running around like maniacs in a bunch of tubes. You just pray your child doesn’t take a wrong turn and end up on the opposite end of you!

Trenton posing with Astros Mickey Mouse

Pretending to catch the ball!

Trenton insisted on popcorn. He wanted the popcorn that came in this helmet and he ate ALL of it just so he could wear it!

Since it was 4th of July weekend they had fireworks on the Saturday game. Trenton was super excited while waiting and watching the roof of the field open.

How beautiful!

Trenton however was scared and sat like this most of the time!

I would like to give my Mom a huge THANK YOU for watching Trace so we could enjoy a little one on one with Trenton!!

Trace - 8 months

2011-07-08T12:24:00.001-05:00

Trace turned 8 months old on 6/27/11

Weighs 17 lbs
Can sit up
Crawls everywhere
Sit up from crawling position
Pulling up on Toys and able to cruise back and forth on them
Can Sign – More, Yeah, Milk and All Done
2 top front teeth are almost in
Does “Sweet Eyes” on command
Has the most contagious belly laugh
Chases big brother Trenton around everywhere
Enjoys swimming
Sits in a bath ring in the tub
Has the cutest curls around his ears (Daddy hates them and begs me to cut them)
Took his first trip to Sea World in June
Words: Dada and Den Den (I think this was is Trenton) still no sign of saying Mama
Starting to enjoy more table food: rice, potatoes, corn, popsicles
Changed his baby food from Gerber to Plums & Sprout – he started refusing Gerber and throwing it up. The Plum & Sprout pouches are so easy to feed on the go! He still eats around 3 pouches a day and enjoys 8 oz of formula in between
Last feeding is at 4:30 – he refuses to eat later than that
Stands up in his crib (and giggles while looking into the camera)
New bedtime routine (because of the standing) is being rocked by Mommy (i don’t mind the new routine one bit)
Still thinks his Daddy hung the moon. He just lights up when he sees him.
Easy going personality. He spends a lot of time in his carseat or stroller these days attending Trenton’s practices. He doesn’t seem to mind and sleeps through just about most of them
LOVES dogs
Throws a nasty fit when he is tired, doesn’t get what he wants or big brother takes a toy away from him. He balls his fists up and just screams. (He gets this from his Dad)

Trace you are getting way to big, way to fast! I cannot believe how time flies and how big you are getting. I love you little brother!

T Ball

2011-07-07T16:47:00.001-05:00

In addition to swimming lessons twice a week we have t-ball twice a week. It has been quite the challenge on Wednesday nights to get from swim to dinner to practice! Since we have had no rain and the heat is ridiculous Trenton has been wanting to wear shorts and tanks to practice! How cute does he look in Wolverine Red/Black!

He really does love the game! I can’t wait for next year when he plays Real T-Ball and not Mini T-Ball. Its has been a great learning experience, but I think he is ready for the real deal!

It was picture day last Thursday before the game. I think his pictures are going to look so good. (Yes I am that Mom standing behind the photographer taking my own pictures)

Getting ready to hit a home run!

I love this picture! Sometimes it take a while for the hitter to get set and hit! I guess he got a little tired on this hot day!

Bringing the bat back into the dug out after “scoring”

This one is a framer! I love how the tongue matches his uniform! This picture has so much of his silly personality too!

Swim Lessons

2011-07-07T16:36:00.001-05:00

I have learned a very important lesson by watching my first born at swim lessons. I have learned that 4 is way too late to start them. Trenton has always been scared of the water and I simply have just put off swim lessons because we already have so much going on. This year I really wanted him to go because it is important to me that he knows safe swimming. We have decided to go to a very good school called Summers Swim Academy. Everyone raves about it and I now see why. Trenton has a very small class of 4 kids. All of them are equally as scared of the water. He cries a lot during the lessons when he has to swim in the middle of the pool on his bar bells. Gene and I have made it a point to work really hard with him and we are seeing improvements. This week they focused on swimming under water and coming up on their own. I know that by the end of the 12 weeks he will be a little fish. I am going to continue the lessons early next summer! Trace will start as soon as they will let him.

Look how scared he looks

It really does break my heart to see this extremely scared look on his face, but I know it’s for his own good. At lessons on Wednesday I actually said to myself “this hurts me more than it hurts you” YUCK I am my MOM!

Ready to swim with the barbells

Only a few tears, but Mrs. Tony was there to ensure him he was safe and not going to sink!

We go to lessons on Mondays and Wednesday evenings. Its been a crazy schedule, but I know in the end it was worth it! He will see that too..one day…right?!?

Sea World

2011-07-06T15:30:00.001-05:00

One Tuesday night (6/21/11) Gene and I got a wild hair and decided to book a last minute trip to Sea World. We decided that night that we wanted to go on Friday (6/24/11) so the next day I quickly shopped around, booked a hotel, printed tickets and parking passes for our fun weekend. Trenton has been once before, but Gene has never gone! It was so nice to get away for a little bit. We have been working so much and we just feel like the routine of life has taken over! When my hubby says “Let’s go on vacation” I would be crazy to say no!! We bought Fun Passes so we can go back in the future (which I think we are going to do at the end of July!). Since the trip was last minute we took Trace with us. I knew it would be a challenge since it was going to be so hot and he is so little, but he did great! I was awful at taking pictures….it’s hard with 2 kids, a stroller, 2 bags and a million other excited people running around at the park! We also got lucky enough to meet up with our friends the Brewers while we were there!!

Welcome to Sea World!

Trenton is his new shades waiting for the Azul show. This was one of the coolest shows! It has Beluga Whales, Dolphins and Acrobatic divers/swimmers!

How beautiful is this stage! Divers were diving from those top rafters!

Priceless!

This was a picture after we saw Shamu. I didn’t get a single picture of the show because it was packed, Trace was screaming, so I made my way to the top of the arena so I could cool him off. Dad and Trenton did get splashed by Shamu’s big fin!!

So we live in Texas and it is about 105 degrees now! We headed over to the Lagoon for some much needed water fun!

Daddy and Trace relaxing

Trenton was in Heaven!

Snack break! This frugal Mama packed snacks in one of my bags so we didn’t have to spend money on food.

After Day 1 in Sea World we headed to our hotel, checked in, showered and then headed to dinner. I booked us a hotel a few blocks from the River Walk. We were going to take the trolley, but with all the traffic it was faster to walk!

Daddy and Trenton waiting to cross the street (how beautiful is downtown SA)

We ate at an amazing mexican restaurant Acinar!

Sweet boy hanging out

My boys! Trenton is so goofy these days.

A rare shot of me and Trace!

Saturday after breakfast we decided to head back to Sea World to enjoy the water park for the whole day. Friday we did a lot of the shows and felt like we were in full speed all day. Saturday was our relax and hang out at the park day!

The dolphins. We just missed our chance to feed them. Maybe next time.

Gene was telling Trenton all about the different sharks.

Mommy and Trenton enjoying a push pop

My boys

Sweet boy with his ice water bottle. This was us hanging out while Daddy rode the incredibly scary roller coaster!

Saturday evening the Hill Family invited us to dinner. They have a little boy Trenton’s age and their daughter is a little older, but was the best babysitter ever! Trace fell in love with her! It was nice to catch up with friends and enjoy the great fish fry that they had!

She gave him a balloon and he was in HEAVEN!

Trying to beat this TEXAS heat

2011-06-29T13:51:00.001-05:00

Well summer keeps coming and with that so does a drought. We are so limited on water use lately that it is making it hard to play outside. Before we got the notice to stop using water we blew up Trenton’s pool and set it up in the backyard! I love to be outside, even on the hottest days! We are working really hard on our backyard this summer. We have already extended the patio and plan to lay grass when we can water again! Gene is the grill master in our family and really puts his skills to good use! Usually we would have a backyard full of kids, but it was one of those rare days where they were home and came to play one by one! I hate that I have to work all day, but really do my best to make evenings and weekends fun!

My Grill Master!

So I am all about FUN and what is more fun than swinging into your pool!

Perfect landing!

Trenton cracked us up! He would grab the bars, put his feet on the side of the pool and push himself off so he could fly higher!

They also tried to swing in from the actual swing, but we may have had a couple of injuries so I halted that genius idea!

My loves

2011-06-29T12:20:00.001-05:00

Trenton is so kind to Trace! Now that Trace can sit in his bath ring the boys get to take baths together. It is nice because we get both baths out of the way and it’s so much fun to watch them interact. Anything Trenton does Trace will repeat. Lately I have been having Trenton do all of Trace’s signs and wouldn’t you know he can get him to say “more”, “all done”, “yeah” and “milk”. Trenton has the kindest heart. I can tell that he is going to defend his little brother all the time!! I am so happy to have such great sons!

First T-Ball Game 2011

2011-06-29T12:14:00.001-05:00

Trenton is playing t-ball again for League City Sportsplex. We tried it last year and he did ok, but really didn’t like the concept of waiting his turn or fielding the ball. We went ahead and did it again this summer and I have seen such a HUGE improvement. He is excited about playing and understands the concept a lot better! He is only 4 so I can’t expect too much out of him!! The first couple of games I had Trace or didn’t have my camera so pictures are limited, but there are 6 more games so I will have much better shots to come!

My Big boy! Their team name this year is the Cheetah’s

He picked #4 because that’s how old he is!

Trenton, Brooke and Gwen waiting for the game to begin

Strategizing their plan of attack!

Ready to field the ball

Running back on to the field! His Coach Mrs. Jennifer is great! She really enjoys the game and let’s the kids have fun while learning how to play!

Fins Up

2011-06-16T16:48:00.001-05:00

On Saturday 6/11/11 we headed to Santa Fe to celebrate the engagement of two of our good friends. The party was kid friendly which is always nice! The theme was Margartiaville so their were blow up palm trees and a pool set up for the kids!! When we arrived Trenton was sleeping so we let him enjoy his nap and re-energize for some fun in the sun! Kolton and Mickey were there so it was great for him to have someone to play with!

The boys were taking turns running and doing “tricks” into the pool!

What part would be complete with a shark fin hats!

This smile melts my heart!

Mickey

Kolton

Trenton insisted on climbing in this thing!

Swimming around like a shark

Sweet Kolton really had a great time with these crazy big boys!

Dancing with a palm tree!

Trenton had a blast and so did Trace. We didn’t let him play in the water since the big kids were being crazy, but he enjoyed watching his Daddy play washers and may have even enjoyed a nap in the grass! What a life! Congrats Jake & Torie!

Swinging

2011-06-16T16:36:00.001-05:00

Well I think summer is unofficially here! It is in the near 100’s everyday and humidity is unreal! We have also been very busy this summer since Trenton is older and involved in a lot more. We usually play in the front yard, but lately since everyone has baseball, football or swim lessons we have enjoyed some Flores Family time in the backyard! We are working on getting our backyard back in shape so we can spend even more time back there. I decided to try Trace out on the swing and of course he loved it! Anything this little guy can do to be outside with Slugger he is all over it. He kept his eyes on that dog the whole time!

A little unsure of what he thinks, but has a straight shot on Slugger’s whereabouts!

Yea, maybe this is a little fun!

OMG! This is what I have been missing all my life!

The face! I just can’t get enough of the face! (Picture is blurry probably because I was laughing so hard) Stay tuned for updates on our NEW PATIO that Daddy and Big Dog have been working very hard on!! This Mommy is super excited!

Smiles, Sweet Eyes & Standing

2011-06-16T16:29:00.001-05:00

Trace is really starting to come out of his shell. His little personality is flourishing! I have a feeling we will have a class clown on our hands. I cannot believe that he is 7 months old, trying to crawl and most importantly pulling up into a standing position! I guess he is eager to keep up with his big brother because all of this happened overnight! Trace loves to make noise. He likes his own voice, he likes to bang two toys together to hear the sound and he really likes to stand at his leapster toy and make it sing! Trenton is always right beside him ~~pushing him out of the way~~ helping him learn. My sweet boys play well together, but I think Trace needs to slow down because I am far from ready for a mobile baby!

Stopped beating his drum for a quick pic!

This face! OMG! I am working on a video because this face keeps us rolling. He loves to close his eyes and now he stretches his face really long. We call these “sweet eyes” and he will do it on demand!

He looks like he is getting ready to go!

Standing…all by himself….no big brother…no Mommy or Daddy…All Trace All by himself!

Sweet Eyes!

(Are you totally cracking up after seeing it again!)

Brothers! Trenton paused for a picture so Trace decided to get in some play time before getting his big brothers help again!

Getting bigger by the day

2011-06-16T16:19:00.001-05:00

I just can’t believe how fast Trace is growing up. We have had our fair share of issues with reflux and formula selections. Well now we are running into issues with this little guy eating baby food. He has started to refuse Gerber pureed foods. I don’t understand. In typical Mom fashion I moved onto a different brand with a slightly different texture and wouldn’t you know he loves it! I thought these little Plum pouches were just ridiculous several months ago, but now I am eating my words. It is really nice that he can pretty much feed himself. PLUS the selection is HUGE! He has enjoyed Mangos/Spinach/Pears combo, plain mangos, Banana Mish Mash (bananas/apples/pears combo). He LOVES IT! Whatever it takes to keep this little man happy!

Enjoying his mangos!

The spoon is simply a drum stick at this point to make noise with! He is banging it on his tray while gripping his puffs!

It is also sometimes a chew toy!

YUMM!

Sweet Moments

2011-06-13T12:16:00.001-05:00

Moments like this need few words! My boys love each other so much and I am so tickled when Trenton wants to cuddle with Trace. Trenton is proving to be a phenomenal big brother! Trace is a lucky little guy!

Sweet babies about to take a nap!

First Day of T-Ball 2011

2011-06-13T12:13:00.001-05:00

Well we are at it again! Trenton started t-ball 6/1/11! He really enjoys playing and it’s great to get him into the organized sports at a fun level so he will be ready to go when little league rolls around. This year I will probably have a lot less pictures since I will have sweet Trace with me at the practices and games. Our team name is the Cheetahs and our colors are Teal and White! When we got to the field Trenton was so pumped which is great! He waited his turn to hit, he followed the directions given by his coach and looked at me so proud giving me the thumbs-up from 1st base when he hit the ball! I love this little guy and I love mini t-ball for the fun factor!!

Trenton was a CB Wolverine at his first practice (He may have mentioned to the coach that his Dad was the coach…we will work on that!)

So big!

He is in such a goofy phase right now. This is what I get when I ask for a sweet smile:

T-Flo (his alternate rapper personality)

Memorial Day Weekend (Beach Bums)

2011-05-31T16:27:00.001-05:00

What a relaxing weekend the Flores Family had! Saturday we played at home and then headed to Mandi’s 5th birthday party. They had a waterslide that kept Trenton busy all night long! On Sunday we were going to take the boat out, but decided it was WAY to windy for the boys. The luxury of living near the lake and beach is when one plan fails we always have a back up. We packed up the kids, coolers, chairs and headed to the beach! Galveston may not be the most luxurious with white sands and blue water, but it beats sitting at home doing nothing! The last few years Trenton has been less than amused with the beach. He complained about the sand, wouldn’t go in the water so we were prepared for the worst. As soon as we got there he took off with his boogie board and headed to the water. umm…4 has made him one brave soul! Trace loved the sand, sun, water, YOU NAME IT! He was loving it. We had a really nice plan to set up the canopy, but down the outdoor blanket and chill. Mother Nature felt otherwise and our canopy blew over and snapped! NICE!

This is where we sat all day! We lost track of time, enjoyed some good company from friends and soaked up some rays!

Beach baby!

My big boy enjoying a snack by the water!

I just can’t believe how different my boys are! Trace adapts to any surroundings! He thought it was hilarious when the water would rush around him!

Trenton (being a toot) and Daddy

Mud = Protein….right?

Cool guy

WIPED OUT!

A few seconds after this picture he was out too!

We ended the day at the house grilling burgers and hot dogs with friends! I love long holidays. I love summer. I love my family!

7 Months

2011-05-31T13:47:00.001-05:00

My Trace is 7 months old! How in the world is he 7 months old???? A lot has happened in his 7 months of life…especially the last month! I feel like he has really changed the last month. Here is what he is up to:

Stats are limited as we haven’t had his 6 months check up since he has been battling ear infections for a month.

Weight: 16.8 lbs
Has 2 teeth on bottom middle
Says “Dada'” and “Ball”
Sits ups all alone
5/28 started pulling up on his own (OMG!)
Scoots around, but prefers his brother to pull him by his feet (don’t judge)
Sleeps 12+ hours at night
Eats everything (looking into more solid foods/finger foods)
5/29 first beach visit
5/30 first popsicle
5/30 first corn on the cob
Gives kisses on demand
Is a Daddy’s boy, but loves to cuddle with Mama
Identifies Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother in pictures
Has had 6 ear infections in 1 month
Wears 12 month clothes
Loves to be outside
Loves the sound of two toys clacking together
His teachers call him “rolly polly” because he grabs his toes and rolls around
Likes to bounce up and down
We are working on signing with him
Still a paci baby
Enjoys the long walks/jogs we take every evening
Has figured out that he can chew on his lip with his little teeth (see picture)

Sweet baby boy

2011-05-31T11:53:00.001-05:00

Just a few shots of my little man!

I am learning that second children are treated much different than first children! Trenton was never allowed a popsicle, never allowed to eat food that could choke him (until the appropriate age), I was pretty strict on what I gave him. In time I have learned that it’s ok to let him chew on the cob of corn he took off my plate and instead of freaking out about it, I took a picture!

He loved it and I have been looking into the Babyled program lately and since he has 2 teeth I think he is fine!!

Yumm-o little man!

Sitting Up

2011-05-31T11:46:00.001-05:00

So I am having a hard time balancing life as I know it! Working full time, taking care of the boys, my body, my house and my husband has caused me to fall behind on blogging. I have quickly learned that no matter how organized I am something always seems to fall behind. One week it was laundry, the next I didn’t work out and lately it has been the blog. I assume when the boys leave for college I will have time to sit and blog about all the sweet nothings that happen in my life, but until then something will have to wait!

Trace is growing like a weed! I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by. He is 7 months old now, has 2 teeth, sits up, starting to scoot and says Dada! This post is to show how my sweet boy can sit up all by himself. Now he has been doing this since Mother’s Day weekend, but I didn’t take a SINGLE picture from that day. So sad because it was full of family out on the lake! Trace has mastered sitting up on his own, playing with toys and reaching for things all while keeping his balance!! I am so proud of my little man. It definitely helps that he sits up, gives me a little break to do a few other things!

Trace LOVES to clap two toys together to hear the sound they make. He is a very noisy little boy, but that’s ok with me!

Laughing at his favorite person in the whole wide world, DADDY!

Reaching for toys is big for him too. He does really well at not losing his balance!

I love this face because I get it all of the time. He was giving me attitude (which he does when Daddy is home).

6 Months

2011-05-02T12:22:00.001-05:00

I have no idea how Trace is 6 months old. It is almost impossible to think I had this little guy 6 months ago. This means I only have 6 months to plan his first birthday!

He hasn’t been for his well child check up, but he did go in for ear infections and he weighs 18.5 lbs!

Wears size 6 month shorts / 12 months everything else
Eats baby food 3 times a day (and I believe might be allergic to something in mixed vegetables)
Eats 8 oz – 4 times a day
Rolls everywhere
Almost sitting up (really close)
Loves to suck on his toes
Loves Mama rocking him to sleep
Still has a paci (all the time)
Smiles and is generally happy
Scoots forward to get his toys
When he wants to get his Daddy’s attention he looks at him very serious and says “hey” (it’s pretty hilarious)
Adores his big brother still and will do anything to keep up with him
Plays well in his exersaucer (can turn it in circles!)

I H-E-A-R-T this weather

2011-04-28T16:22:00.001-05:00

Finally our warm weather is here! I say warm because in a about a month I will be complaining about the extreme heat of the summer! I love spring!! We have had little to no rain lately so in order to water our grass we got out the kid sprinklers and let the kids play!! I mean this isn’t excessive water use when you are trying to keep your sanity, right? On weekends like this laundry doesn’t get done, house doesn’t get cleaned, but it is SO worth it!

Brook and Trenton setting up the caterpillar sprinkler!

Shooting the water!

Doing a little sun bathing

Scott eventually joined in the fun!

These boys are very particular on setting up their sprinklers to run through!

We are a month away from summer and we are already having a great time! I can’t wait for many more days of water fun and evenings of BBQ with the neighbors!

Disney On Ice

2011-04-28T16:01:00.001-05:00

Every year we make a special trip to Disney on Ice! This year was Toy Story which is one of Trenton’s favorite movies! It was a special day because I never get to spend alone time with Trenton now that sweet Trace is here. It’s nice to be able to spend time with him and it helps with any jealous feelings he may get of having to share Mama and Daddy! My Mom, older sister and nieces went too! Good thing Nana was there to foot the bill for ALL of the expensive souvenirs Trenton insisted on having!

This is the end of the show! Kind of blurry as I was taking it in between the crowds moving!

Trenton with his sword before we walked in. What a genius idea not only put toys inside, but before you walk in as well…..

One happy kid, ready to see Buzz Lightyear!

Toy Soldiers

Jesse and Bulls Eye

Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head

Evil Dr Porkchop as Trenton calls him!

Slink

The Aliens!

OMG! BARBIE!

I have to admit I was a little excited over this one!

I think Trenton screamed when he saw Buzz Lightyear!!

Enjoying a snowcone in his super cool Buzz cup (Thanks Nana!)

Nana, Mandy, T, Jaycie and her friend Kara

Me and my baby!

Trenton & Mandi As you can see he went home with a Buzz Helmet, Buzz Arm, Buzz Sword and Buzz Cup! I have to say this special day was quite a success!

Easter Hat

2011-04-26T16:00:00.001-05:00

You know your 4 year old has had WAY too much candy when they wear their Easter Basket as a hat!

Hip Hop Easter Hunt

2011-04-26T15:06:00.001-05:00

These boys are so spoiled! They got so much from the Easter Bunny this year! We had so much fun and Grandma really did a great job with making sure no traditions were overlooked!

This Easter bunny is Trace’s new BFF! It sings and talks to him and he just giggles and loves to chew on his ears. It also plays peek a boo!

The hunt! No Easter is complete without a egg hunt! This was the first year Trenton didn’t have to fight a million cousins for the loot! I think he ended up with $14.50 and a pound of candy!

It took FOREVER because he insisted on checking every egg!

Do I hear money?!?!

Trace’s first egg hunt! He was less than impressed…

Everything goes straight to the mouth these days!

Checking out their eggs together! Trace looks like he wants whatever Trenton has!

Trenton stopped to blow a dandelion!

Aunt Rachel and her nephews

Me and my sweet boy!

Easter 2011

2011-04-26T13:02:00.001-05:00

So I have about a million updates to do, but I figured since Easter just happened I would post these first and then go back to all of the other fun events we did!! This is the “For Grandparents Only” post I guess because it is full of pictures! I love spring colors and I love to dress our family alike for holidays (my kids will hate me one day & my hubby is a trooper)! We had a mini photo session at Grandma and Big Dog’s house. They live on land and across from my favorite winery so it makes for great pictures! Trace was in no mood for pictures. He has 2 ear infections and was a bit grumpy, but I snapped a couple of good ones! We journeyed down to Del Rio this year for Easter! We never get to travel during baseball season, but this year the head coach let us off for a weekend! (hee hee) It is so nice and relaxing and Trenton just loves running around helping Big Dog. I will do another post with Easter baskets and an egg hunt!

My sweet Trenton is getting so big! I can remember 4 years ago on Easter Sunday we brought this sweet little angel home from the hospital and look at him now!

This little creek runs in front of my in-laws house and makes for some great pictures!

This is what happens when you say “Give me your pretty smile”

Little Gene!

Melt my heart!

Our sweet family!

(look how sweet the boys are holding hands)

My babies! I love the flowers at the winery!

Trenton going in for a kiss and Trace wondering if I am ever going to put the camera down!

I promise this wasn’t a Trenton session only! Next to the winery sign.

My Easter baby with his first egg!

Super Why Birthday!!

2011-04-07T11:41:00.001-05:00

WOWEE! I cannot believe my precious Trenton turned 4! He requested a Super Why birthday party this year and I was excited!! I love any opportunity to be crafty and with 2 boys those moments will be few and far between! I was able to find some decorations online, but decided since we are on a budget these days to make everything!! I am glad I did because it turned out really cute! We had two birthday parties this year, one for friends and then family. It was just less stress on me (or so you would think) to have them separate! Trenton had a great turn out and had a blast!! We had snacks, candy and a moonwalk at the friends party. He already told me next year he wanted a Batman party so I guess I can start planning that!!

Party Hats and Candy bags!

Princess Presto Centerpiece (so easy to make I just printed a pdf image on paper and then glued it to foam board, cut out with an exacto knife!) I also made little fruit wands, but I guess I didn’t get a picture of those!

Super Why and Alpha Pig manning the snacks table

The Birthday Boy!

My friend Holly made this awesome cake! She is so talented.

The cake table with his special banner!

I loved Trenton’s face when everyone was signing Happy Birthday! He looked so excited and embarrassed all at the same time!

friends that came to celebrate the BIG 4!

All the Loot! He really has some awesome friends!! Thank you to everyone who came!

Playing with his Spider Man car

Little Brother decided to wake up at the end of the party and make his appearance! How cute is he in his Lil Bro Trace shirt and party hat!

This Mama and Daddy were exhausted, but had a blast celebrating Trenton’s birthday with such great friends. We really are blessed to have such a huge group of friends with kids the same age! It makes parenting so much easier when you have a good support system!

Saturday

2011-04-05T11:39:00.001-05:00

It seems that Saturdays are full of birthday parties, baby showers, baseball games and cookouts. I feel like we are always on the go. A couple of weekends ago we had a very busy schedule. Since our house had been battling sinus infections all week and finally out of quarantine we decided to spend our day outside. This was one of the best Saturdays in a long time. My awesome neighbors and I set up shop in a front yard and that is where we stayed until it got dark. Then we bathed the kiddoes and moved to another yard for dinner! I love our street. We are so blessed with families that have kids the same age as our kids. Families who agree that spending time outside is so much better than spending them inside with video games. Sometimes we need a little R&R. Forget the laundry, cleaning and day to day stuff! We relaxed all day!

Having a quick photo session with my new main man!

I cannot get over how much he looks like Trenton! This is one of Trenton’s old onsies too!

A smile from sweet Tayven!

Brook and Tayven

Trace and Tayven soaking up some sun!

Trace rolling over on her so he could get a closer look!

Popsicles and hot wheels what could be better!

That evening the kids enjoyed a movie in their PJs while the adults enjoyed some time outside!

Strawberry Pickin’

2011-04-05T11:38:00.001-05:00

Sunday we decided to head over to Froburgs to pick strawberries with Gretchen and Drew. We have been wanting to do this for a while, but never really have the chance and with Trace here it’s hard to do much with the boys ALONE! Trenton was super excited to pick his own strawberries! I think we will be making several trips back , PLUS their produce is just so much cheaper and fresher than the local grocery store.

We got two buckets full so we could have enough for Trenton’s birthday party!

He figured out how to find the big berries fast!

Trenton showing me how to pick the berries!

I think he said “Oh baby that’s good”

Gretchen carrying sweet boy while they picked berries!

Every time Trenton would find a big berry he would say “Look at this big one Mom”

Yummy! Nothing better than ~~dirty~~ FRESH strawberries!

Our full buckets! They were the best strawberries I have ever had!! So sweet and delicious.

On the way home we stopped for a snow cone and I have to admit Trace really enjoyed it! hee hee!

4 years old

2011-04-04T14:36:00.001-05:00

My sweet Trenton turns 4 years old today and it is bitter sweet. I love that he is growing up, but at the same time wishes he was still my baby! From the minute I met him I was in love. I couldn’t believe that I could love someone so much. Trenton means “fast moving/fast paced” and man is he ever. He never slows down. He is always one step ahead of everyone else. He made his presence in this world early (6 weeks early) and has been running full speed since that day. I look at him everyday and think of what an amazing little person he is! He is so kind hearted and caring. He is polite and very independent. I love that a kiss fixing all wounds, a hug heals a broken heart and he still cuddles with his Mama when he is sad or tired! He is the best big brother to Trace and I know soon enough those two will be running around together! He has a passion for sports (like his Daddy) and compassion for other people (also like his Daddy). I think those are two of the best qualities a Daddy can pass on to his son! We love you Trenton Gene and cannot imagine our lives without you! We cannot believe you are 4 years old!!

Trenton Gene Flores * 6 lbs 6.8 oz * 19 inches * 4/4/07

1st Birthday

2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

He is so grown up in this picture!! I can’t wait to share pictures from his AMAZING birthday party!!

School Pictures

2011-03-29T16:28:00.001-05:00

Lifetouch came out a few weeks ago to the boys school and did pictures. I am always counting on the pictures looking awful, but I was pleasantly surprised when we picked the proofs up yesterday! For some reason Trenton didn’t take any by himself, but I have a ton of him. Trace’s look so amazing! The one of the two of them is pretty awesome too! Trenton looks SO grown up! Where did my baby go!?!?

Excuse the quality I had to do some computer work to ~~steal~~ borrow the image from the Lifetouch website!

Sweet boy smiling!!

How cute are they!!

I am so proud to be a Mommy of such good looking boys! I foresee a lot of trouble with the ladies when they get older!

5 Months

2011-03-28T14:24:00.001-05:00

Trace Daniel Flores

15 lbs (at last dr. appointment)
Wear size 6-12 month clothes
Wear size 3 diapers
3/17 rolled from back to front
Rolls everywhere
Trying to crawl, but just can’t figure it out so you like to cry until Mommy rescues you
Almost sitting up on your own
Discovered your toes and you think it’s funny to put them in your mouth
Eating 8 oz every 3 hours
Tried squash – didn’t like it
Tried peas – like them cold
Tried green beans – didn’t like it
Tried a coconut snow cone on 3/27 - LOVED IT!
Smile all the time
Very ticklish on your tummy and back
Suck your thumb at night
Sucks a paci during the day
Wake up happy most mornings
Loves being outside with the big boys
You still think your big brother is hilarious
You are so-o good at your Daddy’s baseball games
No teeth yet
Will only fall asleep at night in your big brother’s bed
You are making a lot of sounds. Right now it sounds like you are saying Hi! I am working on Mama!
3/27 picked strawberries for the first time

My Mini Me

2011-03-23T13:46:00.001-05:00

Trace

He is my child alright!!

Brothers

2011-03-23T12:05:00.001-05:00

Trenton and Trace are quite the pair. They just love each other so much. Trace is very tolerable of his big brothers antics! Trenton decided to show Trace how to roll around. It was so cute to watch. Trace can roll on his own, he just never realized he could get places by doing it. Well big brother fixed that! Trace now rolls all over the living room. It is pretty funny to watch! I think he will be crawling very soon. SCARY!

Here are a few snap shots of my babies!

Both looking at the camera! Score!

Sweet Trenton hugging his brother!

Playing transformers. I believe he was telling Trace he could have that one!

I was trying to take a picture of Trace rolling and Trenton jumped in front of the camera! True Trenton fashion he needed the spotlight!

All Smiles

2011-03-21T11:53:00.001-05:00

Saturday Gene’s team had a day game against Springs! Trenton headed to the church festival with the awesome neighbors and Trace went with me! I have been trying to capture this little man’s contagious smile for MONTHS now! Thanks to my good friend Gretchen we managed to do it!

I have never been worried about my babies head burning in the sun because they have so much hair. Well Mr.Trace is going bald so I packed a baseball cap for him to wear!

A little unsure of the big black camera (normal picture expression)

A little bit better….

There we go!

A full fledge smile! GIGGLING at silly G!

I am so happy I was finally able to get his smile on camera!! He is such a happy baby these days and I feel like he always looks so miserable in pictures! Look at those fat cheeks!! At least he was smiling because I can tell you that was one rough game to sit through!

My little Shamrocks

2011-03-17T09:21:00.001-05:00

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!! I think the color green is so pretty and I love holidays when I get to dress my kids up! When you have boys you have to take full advantage of holidays to put them in silly shirts! My sweet husband is so understanding and has learned that if I can monogram it or iron it on then our boys will have it! If we had a girl we would be in BIG trouble! I made Trace a shirt last night with a cute little tie! I think its precious! Hopefully these little shamrocks will bring their Daddy good luck tonight at his game!

This is seriously the best picture I got of them this morning.

HOW CUTE IS the tie!! I love it!!

Of course he needed matching leprechaun socks!

One last attempt at a group photo! Trace staring at Trenton and Trenton cheesing it up for the camera!

We play Creek tonight so I am hoping we bring some good luck to the field!