I’ve wanted to announce the birth of each of our cubs in the Baylor Magazine that goes out to all of the alumnae, but I’ve never gotten around to it before now.  I thought this go round, “It’s now or never!” so I got it done!  Stay tuned for her little picture in the magazine!

This is the first picture I got of Rose crawling across the room, showing off her new skills!

This is her talking face… she’s really loud and cute when she’s talking!

And I just thought this expression was so precious!

Here’s our Baylor bear cub!

Man, we love this kid!  What can I say?  She’s sweet, spunky, creative, and loves life!  She got all green dots during her first week of kindergarten, but her teacher did say she talked too much!  We’re working on that, but all in all, it was a great first week!

We got “The Skittles” together on Friday night for their first “soccer practice” which included playing, watching movies, making soccer bracelets and just getting to know each other!  We had a blast!  It’s so cool because 3 of the 6 Skittles have little sisters who can play with each other on the sidelines during practices and games.  We’re looking forward to a great first season of soccer!  GO SKITTLES!

This was the first time Susana got to meet Rose.  They look so cute together!

Stephen and Susana have lots of great news to share.  They are engaged and getting married this fall.  We can’t wait to celebrate with them! 

Anna Kate, Rose, and I went to Pump it up to play with friends this week!  Anna Kate asked me to take her picture “all fancied up” before we left.

Anna Kate was so excited to see Malia and Ysa and go down the big slide over and over again!

Payton, Avery, and Anna Kate having fun during snack time!

As I was putting Anna Kate’s shoes back on, this little one popped up to say, “Hi!”  She is starting to get so mobile!  Of course, I was right beside her, but still, she is on the move! 

*Rose crawled for the first time tonight!  I mean full out, on hands and knees across the room!  She’s so crawling!!!  8/25/11

When I saw Noelle’s bus, my heart was in my throat… I was praying for a happy girl!

And boy did I get one!  Whew!  So happy to have the first day completed!  Rara called to check on Noelle, and this was her face when she was telling her about her day!

Sweet Noelle!  When she got off the bus, I asked her about her day.  The very first thing she told me was, “We watched a movie about a little animal named Juanita!”  I started laughing.  She said, “Mommy, I know that is a different name, but she is special, and it would hurt her feelings if she heard you laughing.”  I grinned and said, “Noelle, I’m not laughing that her name is Juanita, I’m laughing that that is the first thing you told me about school.”  Then we both laughed.  Hopefully the movie about Juanita was during recess because it was too hot to go outside… that’s what I’m telling myself anyway.  😉

I can’t believe my first baby is all grown up… this is the beginning of a wonderful next chapter for Noelle!  I know she is having a great day right now!

She asked us both to kiss her at the same time – I’ll never forget this memory!

This is my favorite picture from today… so proud of our big girl!!!

Just had to post these pics of Noelle smiling with anticipation the night before her first day of school!

Emma, Noelle, Chloe, Noelle, and Claire got together for a little back to school party!  The girls were all so giggly and excited talking about school!

Rose had a fun day with the big girls and both Noelles have two year old little sisters the same age!  Lila and Anna Kate had fun playing together!

Noelle is so blessed to be going to school with such sweet friends! 

Gretchen made cute party favors for the girls!

In the morning, I drop my first baby off for kindergarten. I always thought crying was silly about the start of school and that it would be no big deal. I guess I was warned that it was a big step, but I didn’t take that warning very seriously. Tonight, with my heart in my throat and tears pouring down my cheeks, I totally get what all the fuss is about. My side-kick for the past 5 years is not going to be with me during the day anymore. I already miss her so much just thinking about it.

She’s going to do great!  She’s so excited and will have a blast!!! The separation anxiety on the Mommy side of things is the part that totally took me by surprise. When I was tucking Noelle in tonight, she said, “Mom, I’m sorry I won’t be here to help you anymore. I hope you’ll be okay!” I teared up and said, “Me too, girl!” Pray for us in the morning and throughout the day… what an emotional transition this has turned out to be! 

Last week, we met up with the Horton girls for spaghetti…

Crashed on the chair during our last family movie night of the summer…

Laughed that this books says “jolly as all get out!” 

Lounged with thousands of dollars of future ortho problems forming in our mouths…

Made grape cheek faces and met Noelle’s teacher!!!