Austin trip

Hello darling! We went to Austin for spring break last week. Daddy and I were having our babymoon, before we become a family of four.

We spent the weekend at YaYa's house altogether, you loved being at YaYa's playing outside on the big slide. We took you to Central Market to play on the playground and chase the birdies. You got very upset at one bird for stealing your blueberry...you ran after the birdie and told him, "No!" It was very cute. You hung from the monkey bars, and enjoyed the Texas sun.

We went over to the Curby's and got to see everyone, including Neicey and your Godmother, Enna. We played in the backyard, looked at Julie's garden, played with Penelope, the kitty, and ate yummy food.

On Monday morning mommy and daddy left to start our babymoon. You stayed with YaYa through Thursday morning. You went to Zilker Park, rode the Zilker Zephyr train with YaYa, picked up Crash and went to Julie's again. You read books together, played, went to story-time at the library, went strawberry picking at Sweet Berry Farms on Tuesday, went to Neicey's Tuesday night, swam in the hot tub, helped YaYa with errands. You had a blast spending quality time with your YaYa and cousin Crash.

Then Thursday, YaYa brought you to our hotel downtown, we ate breakfast tacos together and we showed you our hotel. Then we met Papa, Gigi and Crash for lunch at Shady Grove. We all had a yummy lunch and played in the sun before Papa & Gigi took you both to the Thinkery museum. Then Papa took you back to his house in New Braunfels for a few days.

Daddy, YaYa, and I drove to Papa's house on Saturday morning to be with you for the day. You were napping when we arrived, but Papa and Gigi said you had such a fun time together. You played in the pool, went to the park, helped with errands. Spent awesome quality time with your Papa & Gigi. On Saturday, Crash, Uncle Chase and Jager arrived, then Crash's other cousins: Logan & Kennison arrived with their Nina. And Gigi's family arrived. We all ate yummy food, played outside, you got in the pool and we had a big Easter egg hunt. It was so fun watching you hunt for eggs this year, you were excited about the whole thing. It was a great day for family.

Sunday was Easter, you woke up and saw your Easter pail all filled up. So many awesome things: The Land Before Time movie, sidewalk chalk, jelly beans, bunny animal crackers, bunny gummy bears, a book about welcoming a new baby in the family, a book about Easter, all kinds of fun games and stuffed animals. Yaya, mommy, daddy and the Easter Bunny did a good job this year! But we made sure to remember Easter Sunday is about Jesus, he sacrificed his life for us and rose to show our sins would be forgiven. We are so thankful for his life, his sacrifice and his word. It's how we can enjoy all the beauty everyday.

Then Uncle Matt came over, you played with him in the backyard, and we ate a yummy brunch. You were all dressed up in a beautiful Easter dress YaYa

bought you, along with adorable tights and white fancy shoes. Eventually, Uncle Chase, Crash and Jager arrived. You helped Crash open his Easter basket, and you kiddos played. We got some special family pictures before we had to head back to Colorado.

You were great in the car, we just love our little girl. Daddy and I loved trading off sitting in the ack seat by you so we could play, talk, and watch fun movies. We love you so much Halen. You

make our lives better in every way possible. Daddy and I look at each other all the time and ask, "How did we get so lucky?" We cherish every moment with you.

We want the next 8 weeks to be special since it will be our last time as a family of three. But being a family of four will be so wonderful, you are going to love having a little sister.

Love you my muffin,

Mama

Big Girl Bed

Daddy went out and bought you your big girl bed today! You've been out of your crib since you were 16 months old, for six months you slept on your crib mattress on the floor. But we decided it was finally time, for you to have your own big girl bed.

We decided on a white trundle bed, it has drawers below you and we can add a mattress for future sleepovers.

Daddy brought it home on Thursday night and immediately started putting it together, you wanted to help with every step. You would hand daddy his tools and sit in his lap to observe his work. It took him two nights to finish. Then I bought you sheets and on Saturday night we made your new bed and we were so excited to show you. We brought you upstairs and showed you your new BIG GIRL bed with excitement and your response was, "No." And you walked into our room. I coerced you back into your room, we got in jammies, read books and I snuggled with you until you fell asleep.

Then you woke around 1:00 a.m. and I went back into your room to snuggle with you, you woke again at 2:30 a.m. and I wearily went into your room for more snuggles. But THEN after that you stayed in your room for the REST of the night! I think we are making big steps sweet girl.

At times it is very hard for mommy to watch you grow up. I still cannot wrap my mind around you being 22 months old... two short months away from turning TWO. But, I know with each new month, each new milestone, comes new joy and memories.

I love you so my darling Halen girl.

Love,

Mommy

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