Lions and Tigers and Bears

Oh My!  We saw them all at the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco.  This zoo is awesome!!! If I lived inWaco I would buy the annual pass and go once a week.  Connor had a wonderful time and walked ran the whole time.  He refused to sit in the stroller.  Poor kid, though, as we were walking to the gate to leave he sat down and said "Mimi I can't go!"  His legs finally gave out.

I couldn't get him to look at the camera b/c he was too busy pointing out all of the animals.

There is a slide that goes through water where the otter's live.  Very cool!

Even Mommy got in on the action

When we got to the Bison there was a group of girls probably ages 10-12 coming behind us. Connor ran up to each one to tell them those were bison!!

Reid was so good the entire time but he had seen enough animals for the day and crashed right before we left.  Notice he has a grip on the diaper bag.  No one better touch his food in there!!

Look at those cheeks!!!

We did lots of walking but it was so much fun.

Thanks Mimi and Papa Jud!  We can't wait to go again next year!! (if not sooner!)

B is for BAYLOR

and BOWL BOUND BABY!!!!!! This past weekend was Baylor Homecoming and as most people know, I have not missed a homecoming in 30 years. However, I think this was probably the most memorable homecoming yet. Baylor beat #22 ranked Kansas State which puts us eligible for a bowl game. The last bowl Baylor went to was the Alamo Bowl in 1995 (and yes we were all there!) We are now ranked and for the Baylor nation, this is very exciting!

But let me back up. There is a book called B is for Baylor. It's so cute and for any Alumni that want to brainwash, err, read this book to their kids I definitely recommend it. The author was in Austin last week and she read and signed a book for the boys. After the reading, the group sang "That Good Ol' Baylor Line" and none other than Connor led the group in singing! It was so cute!!

We started our Homecoming weekend early Friday morning by going with Mimi and Papa Jud to Cameron Park Zoo. This zoo is wonderful!!! For anyone looking for a day trip, I highly recommend going there. I'll make a separate post on zoo pics, but here is a quick preview:

After the zoo, Uncle Jason met up with us and got to spend time with the boys. This is the first year ever we have not gone to the bonfire and pep rally, but after a day with no naps and a very early morning to come, we figured it was best to stay in.

The next morning we headed to the parade.  We have a Baylor flag at our house and on an almost daily basis we have parades in our front yard and Connor marches around with the flag.  So needless to say, we were very excited to see the real Baylor parade!

"Blow it up, Mommy." HA!

It was just too much for Reid!

After the parade we headed over to the stadium for some tailgating before the game started.

Future roommates and class of 2032-- Reid and Miles (with Mommy Paige.) Thanks Miles for letting us play with your toys!!

Just as the game started we were delayed for lightning.  Thank goodness for the Letterman's Lounge (and thank you Papa Jud for playing ball at Baylor and giving back each year so that we had a dry place to sit and play!) 

Here are the older siblings and class of 2030 Bears.  Connor and Caroline (won't they make a cute couple?!?)

We finally made it outside (after a 2 hour delay!) but only for a few minutes until the bottom fell out again.  So Mimi and Daddy headed inside with the boys while the rest of us put on our ponchos and cheered on the Bears until halftime.

Connor played ball with Mamadou (or the DO as known by Baylor fans.) Hard to believe Connor could be that tall one day!!!  

  

We all made it out the 2nd half and even though we had a few mini meltdowns we were able to stay til the end and see a great game!

Connor kept looking through his binoculars!  When we scored he'd look up to Uncle Jason (who was sitting a few rows up) throw his hands in the air and yell TOUCHDOWN!  Then everyone sitting around would do the same thing and yell back down to him. It was funny.

The sweet smell of victory!!!!

 Growing up, we'd always go to campus on Sunday morning and take pictures on the floats.  But because of the bad weather we weren't able to get any pictures this year.    

And we can't end this post without a bath time rendition of what else, but "That Good Ol' Baylor Line"

Quack, Quack

At my grandfather's nursing home there is a lake with lots of ducks. Connor and I started feeding them and ducks came from everywhere. Of course Connor thought it was hilarious and when we were all out of food, he told them to go get in the lake.
(Has anyone else been having issues uploading pictures lately?!?)

And what was I thinking?!?  Connor sleeps so well in his crib and rarely tries to get out.  He does every once in a while when he's playing but after a nap or in the morning he yells for us to come get him. For some strange reason I decided it was time to make the switch to a big boy bed.  WHAT WAS I THINKING?!?  Mimi has been here this week to help and as always he only wants Mimi to put him to sleep. (He only wants Mimi for everything!!!!) He usually comes out 1-2 times before she puts him to sleep for good, then he wakes up during the night and wanders into her room.  Next week will be the real test when Mimi will no longer be here.:(  I guess with the potty training, folks tell me he won't go off to college still in diapers, and I'm hoping we won't have to bring his crib when he moves into the dorm.

Family Time

This past weekend Connor, Reid and I spent time in Livingston visiting with lots of family...

Mimi & Reid

Papa Jud and the boys

Uncle Cannon (Reid had just spit up on himself!!)

Uncle Isaac

Aunt Patricia

Granddaddy

Connor made a pumpkin for Granddaddy

More to come...

STOP FEEDING ME PEAS!!!

Reid was not happy with me feeding him peas (Click on the link below.  I couldn't get the video to upload so I had to post it here.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuDHVXhckpc&feature=player_embedded

As you can tell, he was not a fan of peas.  I soon started giving him chicken and he once again became a happy boy!  I'm sure we'll have plenty more "first food" pictures to come!

Just Another Day

"This is the day that the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it." --Psalm 118:24

Recently a friend of mine did "A Day in the Life of..." with her family and I thought it was a great idea.  So I too decided it would be fun to document a typical day at the Settlemeyer house (Thanks, Ronni!)  Well, there actually isn't a typical day.  We start our day around the same time (6:30ish) and end around the same time (8:00) but what happens in between is always different.  I decided to pick Friday, October 8 as a day to document our lives.  Warning: there are lots of pictures and details (of course I left several out!) so I realize most people will think it's a bit much, but I wanted to have something to look back on.

SO...here we go!!!

7:00am: Connor sleeps in for me!!  I talk him into coming to Mommy's bed and watching Sesame Street for a little while.  It actually lasts about 20 minutes.  (Side note--I had been up with Reid during the night so I was not ready to get out of bed!!)

7:28am: I tell Connor we need to go potty and a fit breaks out.

7:41am: He calms down and eats his usual breakfast--yogurt, 2 packs of oatmeal and milk.

7:45am: Mommy has a bowl of cereal

8:00am: Our morning just got exciting; Dora is on!

8:00am: After being up from 3:30-4:30, then talking from 6:00-7:00, falling back asleep for 45 minutes, Reid is up and ready to start the day!

8:08am: Breakfast time!  Today's menu is rice cereal.



8:21am: I give Reid a teether to keep him entertained so that I can run and get ready.

8:22am: Connor brushes his teeth.





8:41am: After getting ready and making the bed, it's time to get Reid changed and dressed.  Of course Connor is never far behind.  We enjoy beautiful music played on the recorder.



8:45am: Reid is ready for the day!





8:49am: Connor insists on trying on his cape



8:51am: Finally dressed

8:58am: Time out for not listening



8:59: Reid's just hanging out

9:02am: Diaper bag ready to go complete with snack & juice for Connor, size 3 diapers, size 5 diapers, wipes, bottle, formula, change of clothes for Reid, toys & burp cloth. 

9:05am: Put shoes and socks on





9:09am: Load Reid into carrier





9:12am: On the way to meet friends and go for a walk



9:30am: Ready to walk with our friends Addy and Ava

10:20am: Reid takes his first bottle today

10:34am: We're ready to walk to the playground and Connor disappears.  Hmmm..."watcha doin over there, Connor?"

10:38am: Enough said



10:41am: Addy and Connor playing on the playground



11:17am: Addy and Connor push Reid back to the car

11:17am: And Reid hangs on for dear life!

11:22am: Both boys loaded, ready to go home

11:33am: But first a stop by Sonic to get a vanilla diet coke!

11:47am: Reid takes his first nap

11:56am: Connor's lunch--grilled chicken, broccoli and cheese, grapes

12:12pm: Connor says his prayers and thanks God for Mommy, Daddy and Diego

12:33pm: spills on shirt so into the laundry room it goes

12:36pm: Getting ready for nap with blankets and books

12:44pm: Connor tells me "Buenas Noches" and goes to sleep

12:50pm: Unload and re-load the dishwasher

1:09pm: Yesterday Josh asked, "so have we done any laundry lately?" Yes Josh we are now doing laundry. xoxo

1:12pm: I start making Reid's baby food

1:15pm: 1 cup of peas, 2 more to go...

1:26pm: Reid wakes up from his nap...

1:27pm: and has his bottle...

1:53pm: and plays on his mat with his toys

2:08pm: Fill up bottles

2:18pm: Dirty Diaper

2:29pm: Jumperoo!!! (And Mommy checks e-mail)

2:57pm: I hear fussing and look over.  I think he's done!! Poor guy.

2:59pm: Nap #2

3:11pm: Connor wakes up from his nap...

3:15pm: and is in a grumpy mood

3:23pm: A popsicle does the trick

3:35pm: Reid wakes up

4:04pm: Potty Break

4:09pm: I try to put a diaper on Connor, he runs into his closet, and well, I think the can tells what happened next

4:11pm: Reid has a bottle

4:14pm: Connor finally decides to get dressed

4:26pm: Connor on one knee, Reid on the other, I read a book

4:33pm: Connor helps me make pumpkin muffins

4:44pm: I thaw out meat for dinner

4:49pm: Connor helps me with laundry

5:12pm: TACKLE!! While I finish taking the muffins out of the oven

5:28pm: While I'm changing Reid's diaper...

5:29pm: A dance party's going on in the den

5:45pm: DADDY comes home early!!

6:08pm: Dinner is ready (nothing fancy tonight!)

6:36pm: Connor plays in the sand

6:46pm: Reid takes a bath

7:06pm: My little skeleton has his pj's on and is ready for bed.

7:08pm: Connor takes a shower

7:13pm: Reid takes his last bottle and goes to bed.  Night, night Reid!

7:22pm: Connor brushes teeth and watches baseball with Daddy

7:34pm: Connor helps me start the dishwasher

7:36pm: Connor gets his blankets and picks out which books to read.  Night, night Connor

8:23pm: After I take a shower (sorry no picture for that activity) I head back into this room to do yet another load.

8:40pm: I contemplate whether to have ice cream or wine tonight.

8:43pm: DUH!!!

I drink my glass of wine, watch tv and know that I get to do this all over again tomorrow.  Josh once asked me what my dream job would be, and I'm doing it.  I have long and exhausting days but I cherish every moment.  As Dr. Seuss said,

"Today is gone.  Today was fun.  Tomorrow is another one."

And I gladly look forward to it.