First Big League ball game...

I've been on a roll with the blog lately, so I thought I'd (in the words of Jesus at the wedding in Cana) keep the party going.  Easter's never been one I remember for family.  But I think I've taken that for granted.  It was weird to see it approaching, knowing that we wouldn't be with any family when it rolled around.  So we decided to make lemonade and take Knox to his first big league game.  I went to my first opening day on Good Friday with some high school guys.  But we thought the Easter day game was perfect for Knox.  Here's some pics:

My first purchase when I got to Texas was a throw back Nolan Ryan jersey.  I ordered it from China (clearly).  Either the Chinese symbol for medium is "XXL" or it's counterfeit.  Either way, it was skin tight to say the least.  Over the last couple months I've been trying to drop some lbs. with wearing this jersey to opening day as the goal.  Well it fits (still tight), but we made it.

It was a blast.  Real fun.  Great time with Knox and Jess.  And our friends Hannah and Tyler (quickly becoming our great buddies).  Fail on our part that we didn't get a group photo with the Baggetts.  Her are some other ones:

Longhorns on Holy Saturday.

Our great friends Jim and Marian Cisarik had us out to their farm near New Ulm, Texas for an Easter picnic today.  It was an incredible day.  Probably the most beautiful place in Texas.

Let's cut to the chase.  The best part of the place were the longhorns.  Real cool.

They had a calf born two days ago... Lily (about the size of a Golden Retriever):

It was a beautiful day.  Grateful to be with the Cisariks on this Easter weekend.  Here's a couple more.

The boy...

Who lives.  Who changes.  Who cries, laughs, spits up.  Who craps whenever he needs to.  Who smiles, grunts, stares out EVERY window without condition, regard to time or situation.  Who never needs to be anywhere but where he is, when he is.  Who wears his feelings on the sleeve of his onesie.

The boy...

There is nothing like watching him.  I say that because he doesn't really do anything.  At least anything worth noting, worth talking about.  There's no name for what he does.  He just is.  He sits and he plays with his hands.  Beyond that, he's indescribable (I mean that literally... I can't describe to you what it's like to be with him.  He doesn't formulate thoughts, doesn't posture, doesn't pretend, doesn't let you know that he's not pretending, doesn't need to).

I'll never forget the way he holds his hands.  He folds them.  Tenderly crosses them.  Touches the ends of his fingers together slightly enough to know that he's doing it on purpose.  I'll never forget his hands.

His hands...

He'll use them to do the best of things.  He'll use them to do the worst of things.

He'll regret using them.  He'll wonder what Jesus meant when he said to cut them off.  He'll cut them, scar them, callouss them.  He'll pick out avocados with them.  He'll throw with one of them.  He'll catch with the other.  He'll shake hands with men he respects.  Shake hands with men he doesn't.  He'll hold hands with them.  Eat popcorn with them.  Burn them.  Pack dip cans with them.  Wipe away tears with them.

The boy...

He'll be three months tomorrow.  The longest three months of my life.  And possibly the most incredible.

-Will...

in love with Jess, proud of Knox.

To Tennessee & Back

This past week we made the 16 hour trek to Knoxville, Tennessee. We had to stop in Millington, Tn to see one of my best friends, Jessica Sadler and her husband Luke. Their house was super cute and makes me super jealous! She also made us a yummy homemade paleo dinner! Thanks Jess and Luke for opening your home to us!

We didn't have many plans other than hanging out at Will's parents house. They moved houses since we'd been there last in October. I didn't know how their new house could get any better than their last house, but it is! My favorite things about the house: the front porch, all the sitting areas, the old wood, the built ins, and I'm sure the yard and backyard will be once they've added their green thumbs!

Our trip was very relaxing. Will had his Fantasy Baseball Draft the first weekend, that he has been looking forward to since the last draft. Since that has now past, he has some more free time on his hands. Mainly we just hung out at the house and got to see some friends...

Aunt Katie...

and of course some plenty of Pops and Kakie time!!

 He makes some funny faces... and Knox does too!

I just can't get enough of him! I know they can't either. Bo and Holly came in on Wednesday night. It was so great for all of us to be together and just hang out. It felt like we were on vacation. Nope, just in Fountain City. 

Here are my boys watching The Bachelor on the computer... Can't wait for Emily's season in May. Wouldn't be a YL assignment without The Bachelorette going on!

He is 2!

My favorite boy is 2 months old as of yesterday! We went to the doctor for a check up. He's now 11 lbs. 12 oz. and 23 1/2 inches! He got 2 shots, 1 in each thigh. Of course to make it worse they make me hold him down. He cried and screamed like I'd never heard. It made me tear up. But after consoling him, he calmed down. After taking a good nap, he was fussy all day and would cry at random times. He didn't have a fever...I'm not sure but my intuition told me that his thighs were sore. It wore off once Cassie came over and he was himself again. 

At 2 months:

You're starting to use your tongue a lot

You're starting to drool

You hate getting your boogers out

You love to take baths and cry when you have to get out

You love to sleep during church and sporting events and shopping

You love to be held

You continue to make grunts as you poop

You fall asleep as soon as you get in the car

And my second favorite boy is 2 years old today! Happy Birthday! We love you Cam!

Rodeo

I've never been to a rodeo.  So for my first, I went to the biggest one on the planet.  Picture eight county fairs all in one place.  Add a rodeo in an NFL stadium.  Throw in a head-liner concert at the end of the night.  Three weeks.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  The whole thing is overkill.  Which is pretty much my middle name.

During the year I lived in Pigeon Forge I remember looking at the Smokies from the strip and wondering how such a neon place had such a beautiful horizon.  This picture took me back there.  Jess was the photographer (clearly, incredible eye).

I'm trying to eat better, so naturally this was the place to be.  Ended up getting venison on a stick.  You can get most things (especially meat) on a stick.

Another shot of the sky.

Jessica had to go pump for a while (we left Knox at home).  I snuck down and watched bareback bronc riding for a while.  It was pretty great.  I thought of my friend Justin a lot.  

The night ended with a Lady Antebellum concert.  These were our seats.  We left after two songs.  Great night.  Only thing that would have been better would be if we came on Kid Rock night.

Knox's first road trip!

We went on a quick getaway to Austin. A generous committee member gave us a night at The Barton Creek Springs Resort. It's about  2 1/2 hr drive so Knox slept the whole time. We got there early afternoon and explored the property then headed to the grocery store to prepare dinner (we stayed in a 3 bedroom house with a fully equipped kitchen...again very generous). We made steak, whole wheat and sweet potato gnocchi, and asparagus. yum! To accompany our dinner we watched some HGTV, Zoolander, and Conan.

The next day we went to a cool coffee place on the lake and the "trailer park" on South Congress. It's some land that a bunch food trailers are parked. Will said it's like a food court but wayyyy cooler. Will got pad thai and i got a Hot and Crunchy Chicken Cone from Mighty Cone. I saw it on tv once. It was real good and real crispy!
  

I think Knox has been going through a growth spurt...at almost 4 weeks he was sleeping through the night pretty consistently and the past week and half he hasn't at all. Knox, you were doing so good buddy! Anyways that has left me just a little sleep deprived.

After I explained the night process,
High School Girl: So it's like you just take a bunch of naps?
Me: Ummm yup.

Never thought of it that way, which makes it sound really depressing.

He hasn't lost his cute though!! Here he is in his first pair of jeans!