No Pictures....

I haven't been able to post anything in awhile because we have been experiencing some camera difficulties. Our old Camera that we bought before Katie was born has quit on us. So we have been shopping cameras. We finally have a new one but now we are having some weird issues with it too so no pictures on this post. I will just have to post a ton of pictures next time. I thought I needed to update the blog regardless. So The Smiths have been keeping busy with life.

Stephen is well into his program now and he is truly loving it. We both feel thankful that he has found a career that will (eventually) support us financially and that he also enjoys. He is doing really well in his class and is one of the best people at actually putting the dummy under! Starting in January he goes into the hospitals and starts working on real live people! So watch out Florida! Stephen is really excited about actually getting to work on real people soon. I am very proud and impressed with how much knowledge Stephen already has. He is doing a great job and learning so much.

I really have no news about myself to share. I am really starting to miss Fresno and my family. I have decided that everything is more fun with cousins! I was comparing this Halloween with Last years and it makes me a little sad because we are just SO alone. But we are still doing our best! We bought a great jogging stroller and found this perfect jogging area right across the street from our house! It is a paved walkway that winds through this beautiful wooded area. We have seen deer walk right in front of us! The whole loop is 11 miles and my goal is to one day jog the entire thing. On top of the paved route it also has dirt paths that lead into the woods so there is a lot you can explore and do. It has been a lot of fun to take the girls out and get some fresh air. So Anyway I hope this can help me to reach my jogging and weight loss goals.

Katie is my ever intelligent, talking, demanding three year old! She sure keeps me on my toes. I love her to pieces but she definitely knows how to push mommy's buttons! She has won over her preschool and every day her teacher or some other staff member has a new story to tell me about my Katie. She is certainly full of life. In preschool they handed out progress reports (I know it seems silly for a three year old) but I am proud to say that Katie has exceeded all of their expectations and goals set for her preschool career. Her teacher said this about Katie on the back of the report, "Katie is having a great year! She knows her colors, shapes and numbers well. She is awesome with her letter recognition and has a good pencil grip. Katie is kind and sweet. She follows our directions and participates in all our activities. katie has many many friends!" I have to say that I was shocked to hear that she followed directions because here at home...not so much! (Sigh) Oh well at least she is being good at school! As a parent I don't think I could expect more or be more proud of my Katie bug!

Last but most definitely not least is my sweet sweet Annie. Annie is officially 5 months old and I simply can not believe it! She is hitting all of her developmental milestones and is melting my heart each and every day. She smiles and laughs and goos and rolls and creeps. Nothing is truly safe anymore if she really wants something out of reach she can get to it! Annie is such a good baby she just puts up with whatever we throw at her. She lights up when you simply smile at her and she loves to be sung to. She shows her happiness with every single body part flailing her arms and legs with excitement. While I like to think she loves me the most I know the truth is that she ADORES her big sister. All Katie has to do is walk into the same room and Annie is super excited! In the car Annie spends her time ignoring the mirror we bought for her and toys we give her to stare at her big sister. Katie just has to look at Annie and say just about anything and Annie will burst into laughter. I hope that her good feelings towards her big sister stick around forever. Annie is just so beautiful and so pleasant she makes being her mommy so easy. Annie still loves being held and snuggled most of the night and during naps which has made keeping up with laundry and other such things a little bit harder but who can complain about a baby that wants to snuggle? I do worry that Annie doesn't quite get her fair share of attention since her sister is an attention seeking machine but I try and try to sing and play with Annie every chance I get. Dividing my time between both girls and housework and trying to exercise is not easy but I guess that is life!