6 Month Check Up

Today Chris and I took Kal-el for his 6 month check up. I can't believe our baby is at the half way point to being a one year old! The first month of his life seemed to go by so slowly and the last few have really flown. I cherish each and every day and try to treasure each milestone and growth I see in him. He weighed in at almost 21 lbs and measured 27.5 inches putting him in the 90th and 85th percentiles for weight and height. He will seriously be carrying his Mommy if he keeps on growing at this rate. He's my big baby :) He was also tuff stuff about his shots. Still not a very fun event to watch but I'm just grateful that we dont have to go through this kind of thing more often. We are blessed that he is in such good health. Dr Melvin told us that he could have mashed up fruit and mashed potatoes. My husbands eyeballs danced with excitement. He has been trying to give him mashed potatoes since he was practically born lol I proved to be not much better when the doctor also mentioned we could give him occasional ice cream and yogurt..I burst out with .."Oh Chirs Oh Oh We haaave to carry him to BRUSTERS". I got that your a crazy person look again...whatever mashed potato man lol..We were also informed that starting next month he will be able to eat foods like crackers. We are still waiting on those bottom two teeth to pop through. You can now see them very clearly through the gum! So today went very well and we got a great report on his 6 month checkup!

Kal-el is 6 months old!

A couple of weeks ago my dear friend Bailey, and photograper extrodinare came to take Kal-el's 6 month pictures. They turned out beautifully. I was so excited that she was able to capture us as a family! Here are some of my favorites from the shoot!

Happy 81st Birthday Poppa!

Today is the birthday of one of the greatest human beings I've had the pleasure of having in my life. Thomas Laster is my grandfather. I can't even begin to put into words the impact that he has had in my life as well as our family's. He is the most upstanding, hard working, good man I've ever known. Even his stubbornness is quite endearing. He has worked hard his entire life and always put family first. He has always been very dilagent in saving money so his wife and children could have the best even if it meant forgoing things for himself. He has so many amazing talents. He is superb builder. He has drawn house plans and built homes his entire life with no formal education. He built our house as well as his own. He can basicly made anything! He always built our playsets as children. I hope Kal-el will get to enjoy him as much as I have as he grows up. He is our rock. He makes me want to be a better person everyday. He sets so many examples just by how he has lived his own life. I admire him so. Chris and I named Kal-el after him. He has been a father to me as well as a grandfather. I have always known if I ever needed anything he would always be there for me. One of the most touching parts our our relationship is how remarkably compassionate and open minded someone from his generation having lived in the south his entire life has been regarding my choice in a husband. Chris and Poppa adore each other. Its precious and a beautiful thing to see. He is equally close to Kal-el. I cant say enough about him and his goodness. I have countless fond memories with my grandfather. My first memory with Poppa was when i was about 3 yrs old and he would push me around in my little red wagon. One day as we were strolling a neighbor remarked "Heeey Thomas that sure is a pretty little boy you got there" Of course this gave my already neurotic 3 yr old mind a complex so the whole ride home I got told that I was the prettiest little girl in the whole wide world and b/c my Poppa said it I really believed it. I'm sure me reciting this phrase often embarrassed my mother. I remember every Saturday morning from the time I was 4 or 5 years old going to Mc Donalds with Poppa and ordering a big breakfast. I obviously loved food then to. I always put strawberry jelly on my eggs ...hush its really good!...and shared them with Poppa. Then we would leave in his favorite old pickup that we name named the "Lollipop Truck" B/c my family called me Lollie sometimes ..so it was Lollie and Poppas truck..Lollipop...we would head in the direction of the movie rental place while Poppa patiently waited while I inspected every movie only to grab one that I'd usually already seen at least 3 times. I talked and asked questions the whole time. He always gave me wonderfully insightful answers and would often throw in how corrupt our government is lol. I remember playing in the backyard and being terrified of bees. He was always my hero he would catch the bee by its wings and show it to me then turn it loose and we would watch it fly off. And during my teenage years when kids often want to do their own thing he always leave little notes on my car with money in case I ever went out and didnt have any. I could write a book full of all the wonderful times that we've had. I will cherish him for the rest of my life. To celebrate this special mans birthday my family did the usual Mexican restaurant outing. We had originally planned on doing a shrimp boil and swimming but after calling it on and off for a grand total of 8 times we opted against it and decided going out would be much easier! I great time was had by all and Poppa really enjoyed his yummy Choc b-day cake with Blackberry Cobbler ice cream. Happy Birthday Poppa! We LOVE you :)

Chris "Bear"

A year ago today I was exchanging vows with my best friend. It was a long time coming being that we have been together for four years. We got engaged in 06 and I began planning a to die for Winter Wonderland themed affair complete with fur ensembles, a lavish mermaid style gown, J-lo replica brides brides dresses, snow adorned birch branches,a wintery dessert reception, a crystal bouquet, enough hair extensions to shane a horse's backside and a honeymoon in Aspen spent mushing with doggies in the snow.themed enough for ya?..the list goes on lol...It was over the top in true Lauren form...I spent over a year doing some major obsessive wedding planning. The date was officially set for Jan 17th 2009. We were thrilled! I had a few pounds to get off before I could get into a size 2 gown that was snug from the time I ordered it luckily I had some time to get into shape for it...LOL or so I thought. July 28th, last year my Mothers Birthday, we got some wonderful, yet unexpected news. We were going to be parents! I don't think either of us could of been any happier. We knew we wanted babies pretty soon. We had 4 years of "our" time and were really ready to start a family. Of course that meant that the size 2 wedding dress was a no go since I would be roughly 6 months preggo in Jan so we decided to go ahead and have an intimate family wedding the following month. We still plan on having the big one a little down the road when Kal-el is old enough to enjoy it. But it was so nice just having the people that truly love and support us by our sides a year ago today. It made it so much more special. Chris and I have been through alot together and I wouldn't take back a single day or trade it for anything in the world. I cherish the early days of our relationships, admire the progress we have made and the lessons that we have learned during the hard times, and look forward to the future with the man I love and a growing family. I can honestly say that I don't think there is anyone else in the world that understands me the way my husband does or puts up with me lol I couldnt ask for a better husband or a better father to our son. I'm grateful for this year...I look forward to many more.

Rollie Pollie :)

This week my sweet little man has reached another developmental mildstone. He has begun rolling over. First it was tummy to back and as of last night during a temper tantrum, back to tummy got added to the list. Now that he has the hang of it he flips like a fish, its precious. In food news we started veggies and to our suprise he is really into green beans. I'm glad b/c mom here can count the veggies she likes on one hand and the word fried is usually in the mix :) The only thing he is not wild for is peaches but he still finishes the jar. He is growing more everyday. I adore this age. His gummy smile melts my heart.

Mimsy's Birthday, splashes, and goodbye swing!

This weekend was great! Friday night started off with a yummy dinner at Rosie's with my cousin Zach and his wife Lea. They are always tons of fun and we all laughed til we hurt. Saturday we celebrated my moms birthday. Our birthdays are one week apart so this weekend in many ways really resembled last weekend which was fine by all of us! I got up super early to pick up my Mom's petit fors at Victorian Tea room. I quickly realised that I should of ordered a cake instead. They were just really not what I expected. We have always been SUPER happy with their yummy cakes in the past but I guess it just wasnt my day. So I went ahead and purchased them anyway as I was really pressed for time. Then I did the only thing I could do. Drum roll.....................I purchased a cake from Wal-mart. I know, whats the freaking big deal your thinking? Well....my Mom is a cake snob..BIG TIME....we are all very down to earth people but I suppose everyone has their thing...mine is photography from my modeling days ..I hate crappy or even mediocre photography...then as I've mentioned theres Chris with his Hallmark card snobbery lol its all kind of funny...anyway..I found a seriously adorable polka dot cake from wal-mart ..so I just prayed and went for it. I figured we could start with the two dozen petit fors first then move on to the "normal" cake afterwards and pray she didnt know it...My mom is a funny woman , I love her to pieces shes sometimes harsh but its very endearing and she wouldnt hesitant to ask me "What the &%$% is this ^%$#?? LOL I headed home to get my hubby and baby ready. Chris and I decided to spend some time cleaning and moving furniture around in an effort to be officially rid of "the swing" dun dun dun...by night fall. This past the time nicely and before we knew it we were headed out the door for Mom's Birthday.We decided to try a new Mexican restaurant this year and were super pleased. The food was fab and we had entirely too much fun posing like the pictures on the wall. We filled up on fajitas and petit fors and never even cut the cute infamous Wal-mart cake. We all decided that we would go for a swim at Aunt Shanes afterwards. Chris loves to swim and hasnt goten to all year so I was glad that we were going even though I'm not ready to be in a swim suit yet I enjoyed watching Kal-el get to put his little feet in the water. Zach and Chris were so funny in the pool. I have hysterical pictures to prove it but my husband threatened my life if I post them. After swimming we dropped some furniture off at Zach and Lea's new house. I'm so happy for them their first home is really neat! Then it was time for us to head back home. Mom, Dad, and baby were way tired :) When we got home we fought the urge to put fetch the swing from storage and put the dang thing back together but Chris pulled a super parent stunt and was like "no we must do this tonight's the night". So we gave it our 100% AND ..a need another drum roll here...........................KAL-EL SLEPT IN HIS CRIB ALL NIGHT!!!!!!! Ok so he got up 3 times but we couldn't be happier ..he woke up scared we took turns walking into sooth him and he finally got the hang on it ..in one night. My hubby is awesome for being so determined I may have given in had it not been for him. Needless to say we are both very pleased and Mommy is getting a new bookcase in our bedroom b/c now there is NO pack-n-play and no swing and plenty of room. What are great place to store my culinary mysteries like the Fudge cupcake murder and the keylime pie murder. Shut up. Life is great :)

Birthdays, Bumbos, and Baby food

This weekend was great! I only wish it were longer. Saturday we had an early celebration for my 27th Birthday which is this Tuesday. When we have a birthday in our family we almost always go to Fiesta Mexicana and have Victorian Tea Room almond birthday cake! This year was no exception to this tradition thank goodness lol..I always love spending time with my family and this year we have an extra member..Baby Kal-el. He has brought so much joy to all of our lives and I'm so proud to be his mommy. He had a great time socializing with all of us. I feel so blessed that all of my family esp my grandparents are alive and well. I'm really treasuring these times. I received such thoughtful gifts. My husband almost always gets me a beautiful new pair of heels for my birthday. I adore shoes but i don't splurge on expensive ones but every so often so I look forward to July every year. The heels he got me this year were super HAWT toe cleavage and all lol! And of course it would not be a birthday without cards from him that ALWAYS make me cry. I think he does this on purpose! Sometimes Chris can be of few words but he is such a card snob. Its hilarious. He will only buy Hallmark and it MUST read perfectly for the situation. But the best part is the heart felt words that he writes in them. Melts my heart into little pieces. This year I cried an eyelash off b/c he also wrote an extra card from Kal-el to me. Too sweet. After the birthday dinner we headed home and watched some movies.

     We got Kal-el something this weekend that he loves and I think we will get alot of use out of. It's the Bumbo chair. It helps babies learn to sit up on there own. He is already really indepenent and ahead of the curve in a few things we thought we would see if he would like this little chair. He sat in it for a long time yesterday and was still not ready to be taken out but he was starting to slouch so we removed him. In food news my sweet guy now eats and loves apples. This was his baby food of choice for the entire weekend. Well he has only had two kinds but I kind of think he digs the apples a little more than "nannas". Don't even ask me about the imfamous swing and how the transition to the crib went. I'll plea the 5th! LOL Lastly I was reminsing on some old photoshoots that I've done over the years and I ran across one that was totally Birthday appropriate ..enjoy!