a little piece of reese » Blog

The blog has risen from the dead.

Well, for today at least, I’m not making any guarantees for the future. My computer time is non existent these days. There is soooooo much to catch up on, a lot happens when you don’t blog for 6 months. I will warn you though, I haven’t been as committed to my camera these days, I am much more found of Instagram, so the pic quality is definitely crappy, but crappy is better than nothing, right???

We are all doing great!! Had a great fall, off season. I worked alot, but really, really took some downtime to enjoy my family and some quality hubby time-hubby was loving that. What else? Knox took his first steps on February 20, 2012. He’s now 11 months and walking and falling all over the place…extra fun when you are in a rental and don’t really have the place baby proofed.

Here’s a quick pic of my babies at breakfast this morning. Those of you who know me super well, know that I can not have a tea party without an English accent (I mean really, who can???) and I drop LOTS of, “Muoooore tea for you, Madam….” and Reese HATES it. Really, can’t stand it. She doesn’t laugh anymore. She even pouts (very UNtea part-ish…) and then refuses to participate in our pretend moment any further. Well, as soon as we got here and I spotted the booth in the kitchen, I HAD to be a waitress from the south (with an even stronger accent than I am already rockin…) and say, “Y’all two wanna corner booth in the baaacccckkkk??? (Smacking my gum with a pencil in my ear…) Totally annoys Reese. She won’t sit down til I stop.

Oh well, at least Knox isn’t old enough to give me his opinion. Pretty sure he doesn’t care as long as this waitress is serving up oatmeal in .5 seconds once he sits down…

Oh, and I’m going to try to catch up but I’ll backdate the posts, so keep checking back for more!

My favorite moments. Giggles, loves and time for me to take it all in.

We’ve had a busy but fun week! Dallas and I headed to Charleston for 3 days of alone time (well, kinda) for his Hall of Fame banquet and Gigi kept the kids! They had a blast with Gigi, of course! (And Donna, Chel & Chase-thank you so much for coming over to play!!)

But before we left, Reese had her Fall Festival at school. So cute. They all come in their costumes and Reese was Wonder Woman this year. We saw the costume in a magazine and she was like, “Who is Wonder Woman???” One look at her on You Tube plus the fact that I was Wonder Woman for several Halloween’s as a kid (look out, Punky Brewster might be next year, if we’re following the mama trend) and she was sold! She’s been doing all the moves from the show too. Here’s a few pics from school, trunk or treats at church & Halloween night:

Reese and her bestie Brooklyn (aka BatGirl)…

Showing off their Dracula teeth…

Brooklyn, Lylah & Reese…

Brooklyn, Abby, Reese & Savannah…

Waiting in line to play a game…

Cute Cole…

Daddy and Knox dancing to the music (or at least Knox was…)

Playing games…

Class picture…

Reese is OBSESSED with JEM right now (literally no one remembers her from when we were kids) from watching it on the HUB channel and I was so excited to see Savannah dressed up as Jem. Savannah’s mom was just glad that someone recognized who she was! ha! It was cute!!

My cuties just watching their big sis and baby girl have fun!

Sunday we went to Trunk or Treat at church which is always so much fun! I took a few pics before we left, but I got nothing with all our friends we saw there! I’m a camera slacker!

Posing…

Love my girl!!

The happiest little Captain America ever!!

And a little brother/sister love…

Knox out at trunk or treats at church…

Reese and Phoenix hanging out at trunk or treats…

And Halloween night, all my superheroes!! I love them so much!! (Dallas is Clark Kent, if you can’t tell…)

Saving the world with their cuteness…

And these two VERy serious about their powers…

And here they are after the last house they hit up for candy…

Dallas and Reese had fun the other day making her spider pumpkin. They are so cute together. He gives her all of his attention and time…love it.

It’s much easier to focus with your tongue out… (mommy trait)

The finished product for Reese’s table…

Happy Halloween!!

I’m seriously concerned that when Knox can read (or when he marries someone I disapprove of and she’s looking for something to be mad at me about that week…) he will realize that I took and blogged a picture of his sister every time she sneezed, laughed or even took a breathe.

Please son, know that you are my world but mama’s got a business to run, hubby to please and fat to rid off the bootay…

Just incase the above sentence makes him roll his eyes, I am trying to everyday take a new pic of my favorite man in the world (aside from my Daddy & Dallas & Penn, of course). He literally is the sweetest, cutest little guy. He has the cutest smile and squeals at his big sis all day long. He hates when his mama leaves to room too (which I LOVE but not so much when I just need to leave the room to go PEE!!). Knoxman, you are my baby boy. I plan on smothering you the rest of your life and judging every woman that enters your life…

Here’s a few of him and Daddy. They are so adorable together. Dallas is unreal with him. They gets lots of quality time since I am away at least three nights a week at shoots. (It’s good for them-that’s what I tell Dallas!!)

And here’s him eating what I called “squash” on facebook, but after further review, I think it’s gotta be carrots or sweet potatoes…

Reading to Knox before bedtime…I LOVE this. Dallas sings “That’s my Job” to him right before laying him down…melt my heart.

Daddy’s shoulders are the best!!

Penn is here this weekend (Boo’s on a girls trip) so him and Reese had a BLAST all day today! We all adore him too much.

Knoxman…

They took a bath together, here they are in their pj’s (my shirt & Reese’s shirt on Penn…)

A couple of Reese before school this week rockin the fishtail braid…

Between working and daddy time, soccer, ballet, Knox…no blogging time for Jenn! I’ll just do what seems to be the norm for the past year and throw lots of pics up to try to catch up on all that’s been going on here.

We are having lots of fun family time together. Dallas and Reese play soccer tons together, we have practice one night a week (where I get to hang with two great friends) a soccer game, we’ve had a birthday party it seems like every Saturday, Reese has ballet on Tuesdays….what else? Sounds kinda boring but I do not need anyone to rock me to sleep at night! Here’s few pics:

This was from Reese’s very first soccer game. She’s with her buds Jackson & Phoenix…don’t they look tough and ready to play???

Knox is busy these days trying to crawl. He’s a VERY active baby and can’t even be still when he’s in your arms…He’s also partial to me which deep down I think drives Dallas crazy…

Speaking of, he just had his 6 month checkup a week or so ago and he’s 20 lbs and 27 inches. He’s a big boy! Here he is sitting up in the mamaroo, we’ve had to retire it…Reese was yelling over her oatmeal one morning, “Mom, Knox is about to fall out of that thing!!!”

Reese’s class went on a field trip to Southern Belle Farms where they rode a hayride, got a pumpkin, jumped on the trampoline, saw lots of animals,etc and had a ball. I would have lots of pics but I realized that I had scheduled Knox’s 6 month checkup at the same time so I was only at the farm for a bit. Dallas got to stay and have fun with her! I did get one pic of her and Abby on the hayride…

Dallas and I did get in a really fun date night this past month! (Last night it was mexican and a trip to Home Depot…very romantic…) A few Saturday nights ago we went with some best friends to the Darius Rucker concert! We all piled in a limo for Jill’s 30th birthday and had a blast together…lots of laughs!!

Here’s the girls…

and one of me & my sweetheart in the limo…

I’ll blog more soon!

I took a few pics of Reese in her soccer uni (it was picture day at practice) a month ago and took the time to edit them, just not post them! I’m learning that the pics have to stay up to keep my daddy happy, so here’s a few!

I love these two munchkins more than anything in the world!! Sorry I’ve been mia. Between a few shoots a week and spending lots of time as a family, there’s been no blogging time. I’m really LOVING my time with Dallas and all of my shoots this fall. I feel so incredibly blessed.

I’ve finally been taking care of myself trying to keep losing the baby weight. I gained SO much with Knox, 64 lbs! Oh yes!! Between crossfit, clean eating and cardio, it’s starting to come off more. When I get skinny again I’ll sit down more to blog-seriously! Hope everyone is great!!

because we love you, miss you terribly and can’t wait to see you in a few days!

Dallas has good reason to be jealous. This man has my heart & has me wrapped around his finger.  (Of course, so does Dallas…)

Reese had her very first soccer practice last week and it was so cute! She’s on the team with her friends Phoenix & Jackson, so Rebecca and Jill and I get to chat while they practice (well, not really bc we’re trying to teach soccer and make our big ones listen, while taking care of our little ones…) but so far it’s fun! We’re ready for some cooler weather to make it even better! Here’s my soccer princess…

Pink ball…

This was hysterical. I was listening in on their convo (and she doesn’t know this little boy) he says to he (as he touches her shirt…) “Was is on your shirt???” Her reply? “It’s my shield!!” They repeated this convorsation 4 times and I still think he was confused. She was looking at him like, “Have you never heard of Superwoman???”

My soccer cutie…

Practicing kicking it into the goal…

Knox was really into soccer practice…

Laughing (probably while she’s supposed to be listening to the coach)…

Getting snacks and time for devotional and prayer…

Sucking down some sugar after practice…

Baby Penn came too and was all up in the middle of practice. He was so cute & had a blast!

I LOVE this pic!!

Can you tell he was having a ball???

And this one melts my heart too…

Can’t wait to watch her play soccer this fall!!

Knox is growing so much! He is in 12 month clothes! Crazy! He’s so sweet and smiles all day long (but isn’t a fan of sleeping still, he only sleeps about 3 hours at a time at night…yes, making me crazy!!) but he’s a pretty easy baby. He’s super active. I can put him on his playmat and he can scoot across the entire room! If I didn’t see it myself daily, I would never believe it, but he is all over the place. He’s loves this too…

He cackles and squeals at her all day long. She is free entertainment (I put her to work often) and they are so cute playing together…

We went through a phase of liking the old swing more than the mamaroo but now this is literally all I can put him in that he can’t climb out of. The rock n play and the nap nanny have been retired since he can fully push his way out of them! He loves the mamaroo, thank goodness!! I’m sure he’ll find a way to escape it soon!!

Eat these toes up…

Knoxman…

and my sweet baby girl that is such an amazing big sis!!

She LOVING being back in preschool!! She’s such a little sponge and amazes me at how smart she is! LOVE her!!

Papa took all his girls (and his two boys) to Myrtle Beach for a fun beach trip in July. Reese and Penn had an absolute blast at the beach. I was in the room most of the time with Knox but Papa, Boo, Reese and Penn barely left the sun and the sand!

They were inside after lunch before nap and more pool time so I snapped a few pics…

Reese and Penn playing…

Papa and Knox..

The girl will strike a pose no matter what she’s dressed in…

Maybe next year I’ll get more pics!! It was a fun week!

I’m just gonna throw a lot up on the blog. Lot’s to catch up on!

First off, Knox had his 4 month check up (3 weeks ago) & he weighs 17 lbs 4 oz (85%) and is 26 3/4 long (93%) so he’s doing great! He’s the smiliest, cutest little guy and I kiss all over him all day long.

Here’s a couple iphone pics of the little stinker…

He LOVES playing on his mat. He screams and talks to it over and over…

and he stands all the time, so I’m having to be careful putting him in this or the nap nanny these days…

His favorite things these days are:

rolling over, pushing up, cackling at his sister, pulling hair (especially his sisters OR the tiny hairs in the back part of your neck) and mommy’s boobs. He has this adorable personality and he’s really active! I think he’s gonna be our under the radar little stinker!!

Here he is standing in the nap nanny. I sit him down, he pushes up…

Knox and Papa…

Loving on his Aunt Boo…

Knox with his Daddy…

all three of my favorites…

and one from a few weeks ago looking like a stinker with that smile…

When Dallas was home for the all star break, we all just hung out and played (and luckily squeezed in a date night too…) together as a family. Dallas was in town playing the G Braves, so we all celebrated his and Reese’s birthdays! So fun!!

Daddy and Reese blowing out their candles…

Dallas got to listen to (what I get front row seats for daily…) one of Reese’s signature performances…I would like to personally thank the Braddy family for this microphone!!!

Penn loved riding Reese’s radio flyer…

Reese and Uncle D playing McDonald’s…

I’m running 8 weeks behind on here but better late than never!!

when you are the “little brother.”

Poor guy sits in a purple bumbo (because why buy another one when you already have a perfectly good one sitting at home???) and then his sister puts hats on him (usually covering his eyes…) and then, she puts her PINK hat on him…

At least it’s a baseball hat, right???

I love my babies!!

My sweet little man.

He is the absolute sweetest little boy ever. He smiles all day long. I’ve never seen a 3 month old crack up like he does too. His sister is at the top of his list as far as preferred comedians. She does dance routines, squeals, runs around him, puts her hair in his face and he loves it all. He melts my heart so much. It’s amazing how I loved having a girl but this little boy has totally stolen my heart.

Here’s a pic of him from the 4th. He is 15 weeks but at his 14 week checkup he weighed 16 lbs. He’s a little chunkster. He’s still the best little nurser too. I can’t wait to watch him keep growing…it’s going by way too fast!!

I was so sad to Reese’s preschool year come to an end….we will miss Mrs. Diane and Mrs. Wendy SO MUCH. They were the most wonderful teachers to Reese and she adored them. She learned so much and grew up and into such a little lady this year under their teaching. Here’s a few pics from their party and end of the year performance…

All the kids about to start singing…

Reese is in back right…

Skylar, Reese  and Brooklyn…

All the girls…Abby, Ivy, Reese, Brooklyn & Savannah…

After the limbo…

Reese and Ivy…

After we all ate treats, Reese and Abby playing in the gym…

They are BFF’s…

Having a treat…

Posing…

Can’t wait for 4 year Pre-K to start in a month!! I can’t believe she goes to Kindergarten next year…I’m gonna be a wreck!

So, on May 16, during the beginning of a game (i might add) which as any baseball wife knows, it is not usually a good thing to get a call from your husband that is supposed to be in the game. He paused (as I was holding my breathe thinking he was hurt) and said, Joe called me in the office and I’M GOING UP TO THE BIG LEAGUES.

I screamed so LOUD!!

Then, I cried. It was such an emotional moment for him, for our family, that I will never forget. All those call ups in years past that we took for granted (mainly because he was hurt, then better, etc but hitting well) this one meant more than all of them put together. Even though we knew it was just bc a guy was hurt and was short term, it didn’t matter at all. All of his daily back pain, rehab, off season workouts, they all made sense with those words from his coach, You’re going up. Dallas’ road in baseball definitely has been a bumpy one and honestly a complete different route than we ever imagined. To see him have so much talent but never feel good, so many surgeries, it has been heartbreaking. We are now officially lifetime White Sox fans (for those of you who keep up with us, LOVE the White Sox, DO NOT LOVE the Marlins (except our friends who play for them!!). This was the coolest two weeks of our lives and oddly, even being the “bottom of the fishtank” kinda people we were up there, I’ve never felt better at a big league game. Maybe I took too much for granted in years past at those Angels games but this felt REAL. I stool at US Cellular Field and tears filled my eyes.

Enough emotional stuff, I’ll recap the trip. Reese and I flew up on a Wednesday night and I left Knox with mama. Hardest thing I have ever done!! I cried, stressed out, thought he would never nurse again, mom was thawing breast milk like nobody’s business, the works. He did great though and totally went right back to being a great little nursing boy when I got back!! Reese, Dallas and I went to Michigan Avenue a couple of times for shopping and a trip to American Girl! So fun! Poor Dallas barely made it to the field the first day we were there because we took so much time shopping and eating!

Here’s a few pics from American Girl, the field & hanging out with Daddy….

Reese got to pick her own girl and an extra outfit (I had to intervene on Dallas buying her a matching dress that was TOE UP for her and her doll, which upset Dallas, he’ll get her anything (tacky) she wants) which entertained her in the hotel room. It was an awesome trip & we truly cherished every single second we had in Chicago!! Thank you White Sox!!

Amidst all the crazy things we’ve had going on this summer, Reese’s first ever tball season came to an end and she had her party/banquet. The church does a huge outdoor party with bounce houses, food, everything. It is unreal the number of kids in tball just with the church! Crazy!! Dallas was on waivers, so he got to come, which made it even better! Here’s a couple of pics…

her trophy…

Go SeaDogs!!

Reese just finished her first year of dance and she loved every second of it. She has the cutest little ballet class with sweet little girls. She was so excited that the costume was a cowgirl and it was to the “Woody’s Roundup” song from Toy Story. The big day was June 9 and we were so sad that Daddy had to miss it! We did get him a video though so he can watch it when he gets home!!

Reese and her Boo who drove over with Penn so she could be there!! Jess and I laughed throughout the whole thing with Papa…

Cowgirl Reese…

Cheese…

They were so cute up there and Reese really did good remembering the moves. I was proud!! Of course, all recitals come with funny things kids do, so leave it to my kid to be the one to do that!! Reese and her partner Kaitlyn have practiced that they are partners in the tap routine for months now (and Reese does not forget to do what she’s told) so when Mia’s partner was a no show, Mia went to get in on Reese and Kaitlyn’s circle and leave it to my child to deny her access. Everyone was laughing and I was dying, but then Mia turned and started to cry. OMG. Great. I know we will all look back and laugh, and really it wasn’t Reese’s fault, she was doing it the way she practiced every week but I still felt bad! At least all the girls are back together next year, so maybe Reese can make up for it! Afterwards, Papa took us all out for dinner and we had a blast!!

and here’s a few of Knoxman hanging in his mammaroo…

He’s the easiest baby and smiles all day long. All he wants is someone to sit and laugh & talk to him!!

He was 14 lbs at his 2 month checkup. I can’t wait to see what he is at 4 months!! He’s a little chunkster! Another of him chillin while his sister plays in the backyard with our neighbors!!

Okay, so turns out being a mom of a 3 year old, newborn, traveling to see the hubby 2x a month, still working, trying to lose weight….all kinda hard to do and still find time to blog about all of the above. Dallas says that he can’t see “freeze time” one more time. Sure, honey, I’ll get right on that! LOL! So, I’m back. Desperately trying to get back on the blogging track. We just got back from 5 days with Dallas and me traveling with two kids ALONE! What else? Let’s see…

Reese started swim lessons

I drove up with just Knox and I for 4 days alone with Dallas a couple of weeks ago

Reese had her first ever ballet recital…so cute and hysterical

Reese finished up her inaugural tball season

Oh, and uhm, Dallas got called up!! It was a short stint, but we’ll take it!! Reese and I headed up for some girl time to Chicago to see Daddy! That was so much fun!!

We’re home for a bit now. I have lots to do and Dallas comes back to play in Atlanta just in time for Reese to turn four and the allstar break! Lots to look forward too!! Okay, so let’s see if I can throw some pics up of the kiddos too!!

On our way back from Charlotte, we stopped by Daddy’s to spend Father’s Day with him and D, Boo & Penn! So fun! I LOVE my Daddy and he is an amazing Papa!! He’s way too good to his girls too!!

Knox chillin at Papa’s house…

Serious Knox…

And Reese wearing Papa out playing with him, Boo and Papa found Boo’s old Strawberry Shortcake dolls ( and Reese is SO into SS right now) so Reese was in heaven…

and here’s Dallas and Reese in the pool at the apartment in Charlotte. Wednesday was an off day so a group of the guys/wives/kiddos all hung out by the pool and grilled out. It’s such a great group here!! I’m so glad Dallas has made such great friends!!

I promise to catch up on the blogging pics this week!!

If I could make nights like this never, ever go away I would. I want my mom here and my babies little, loving every second of her for the rest of my life. Mom helps me so much and I have no idea what I would do without her. She’s my best friend (and these days my husband too) and I hope I am half the mom as she is to me and Gigi to my kids. Along with everything she does for me (like laundry, cleaning, taking Reese to school so I can sleep in with Knox) she takes the kids at night so I can exercise or do work stuff. I loved coming down the hall and seeing this…best thing in the whole world. God is so good.

And Knox doing what he does best…sit there and look really, really cute. He’s 6 weeks in this picture. I have to say, he is the sweetest baby. He smiles all day long. Anyone talks to him, he’s smiling. He’s just my little sidekick. This is such a different experience (so far) compared to Reese. It’s nice not having him screaming all day long like she did. He steals my heart all day long. Here he is just hanging in the nap nanny…

The Thursday before Mother’s Day, her preschool had Muffins for Moms in the morning. It was so cute. I got lots of presents and got to hang with my favorite girl in her room. I just LOVE her teachers and I’ve missed seeing them so much since I had Knox. It was so a great celebration and Reese was so excited for me to get all my gifts!

Here’s my bag full of treats…

This was a poem and a questionaire her teachers filled out after asking her each one. It was hysterical to read. It said my mommy weighs____ and is _____ft tall. She said I was 8 lbs and 50 feet tall. Seriously, after just having a baby and with all the absurd weight I gained, having her say I am 8 lbs was the BEST MOTHERS DAY GIFT OF ALL…love her!!! It also said that she wouldn’t trade me for: a bunny picture. That my favorite thing and what I know most about is: flowers. (If you know me, you know I HATE FLOWERS!!) but my sweet daughter thinks that where most of my knowledge falls. It also said that I am happiest when I am: feeding her brother. WOW. Gotta love how kids see things…ha!  I will say, mine was better than Dallas’. His asked how old my dad is: She put 40 years old. Then, she made him a #1 DAD button but was highly upset because “He is not #1, he’s #8.” She’d like his button to read “#8 Dad.”  Awesome.

Smiley Reese…

Brooklyn hugs…

Reese and Abby…

Knox was just along for the ride…

We had another fun (but hot) weekend here. It started with a tball game at 9am, where Reese asked Gigi 100 times…”When is Abby’s party?” Reese was SO excited about her best friend Abby’s party at Southern Belle Farms. To make it even better, Boo, D & Penn came in for the weekend too!! Whoo hoo!

Here’s some pics from the party. I was so excited to be able to go with Reese and share in the fun, hang with the moms and get some fun mommy/daughter time with Reese. I’ve been super missing our time lately… Here’s Abby with Justin & Brooklyn. (Brooklyn is another bff of Reese’s!!)

The whole gang. Most are from preschool and they’ve been together 2 years now. So cute, they all love each other…

Reese and the boys! She loves Skylar so much…

So happy!!

Her and Brooklyn on the tractor…

Watching Abby open presents…

Pretty Abby…who we love so much that my Mother’s Day card had “I Love You, Reese” and Abby’s name on it too…

We all took a hayride out to the strawberry patch to pick strawberries. It was hilarious watching them. We tried to help convince the, the big, red ones were best but most picked whatever looked good to them which was usually the really small, smooshed ones. They were so cute filling up their baskets! Some actually ate more than they ever put in their basket, but how can you not???

After the strawberries, they all went to jump on this huge jumping pillow that Reese LOVES!! As soon as the party was over we all went to dinner then Reese and Penn enjoyed some cousin playtime. They are so good together. Here’s a few pics…

Playing in all the pink toys…

and Knox loving on his Aunt Boo…

On Easter weekend, when Knox was just 4 weeks old, we took off for North Carolina to squeeze in some Daddy time. Luckily, on the way is Boo’s house, so we stayed long enough to have an Easter Egg Hunt and for me to nurse. Reese was so excited to get time with Penn!! I have no pics of the entire weekend because I sent my camera in for a cleaning but here’s a few of them in the yard…

They had the cutest easter baskets filled with goodies (not these in the pics) and I got not one picture!! We did have the best time ever visiting Dallas. You have never seen a little girl more excited about seeing her Daddy. Literally, one night (Gigi and mom were asleep in the den on a blowup mattress and I was nursing Knox on the couch) Dallas left to go grab a few things at the store. The room was quiet and Reese says, “I wish my favorite guy didn’t leave.” Melt.My.Heart. She says this kind of stuff all the time.

They played cards together and had a ball in the short two days we were there. On that Sunday, my Daddy, Boo, D & Penn all came up along with Dallas’ family too and everyone went to the game. Reese got to go on the field with Dallas and have an Easter egg hunt with all the other players kids. I got there with Knox at the end to watch them. It was so cute!! It was a wonderful family weekend, even though we were exhausted, it was worth every second. We miss Dallas so, so much!!