The Beginning of Blastball

On February 25, 2013, Allen had his first practice for an organized sport.  He is playing blastball this spring.  Blastball is pre-t-ball.  They each take a turn hitting the ball off the tee then run to first base (the only base).  It squeaks when they jump on it!  Eric Trauthwein headed up the team as our fearless coach, but all parents still had to be hands on.  Teammates are: Braylon Trauthwein, Sophie Preston, Annabelle Mintzlaff, Jack Lindsey, Cason Alpert, and Natalie Clinkenbeard.  He's been so excited about it!  But... when he got to practice, he was not going to play!  He acted like a little coach.  He would look at the ball rolling right to him, then call out, "Come on Jack, get the ball, good job, you can do it!"  He would cheer for the others but would not play himself.  At home, he loved to hit and catch and run.  When I asked him why he wasn't participating, he said, "There's too many grown-ups looking at me."  Not sure how this is going to go, but at least I know he'll be cute in the uniform! 

  

Dinosaurs, rrrroar!

A dinosaur exhibit came to Dallas, and we decided to go with Luis, Deana, and Nathan.  Allen is becoming more and more interested in dinosaurs (aren't all kids, at some point?)  He loved the exhibit!  Nathan was scared at first; the models are large and loud.  Allen kept hugging him, holding his hand, and reassuring him that "they're not real."  I love how intuitive, kind, and caring Allen is.  I also know that if we had gone a few months prior, Allen would have been just as scared.  He is starting to understand the difference between reality and fantasy.  It's amazing to watch his growth and development - now it seems like his mind is growing as fast as his body did when he was an infant.  Thankful for fun times with family! 

Baby Girl Room

Along with preparing Allen's new big boy room, we got to work on the nursery!  It's still a little hard to think "girly", but I love the set I found.  Soft and pretty lavender, rose, and crème.  We used Allen's crib (which was Asher's), rocking chair (which was Gigi's and used with Allen), and Mom/Gigi recently gave me a baby carriage that was mine when I was a little girl.  Perfect!

Big Boy Room

Allen's room is getting a make-over.  Goodbye toddler bed, hello big boy bed!  I love his new room but wasn't quite prepared for how sad I'd feel about taking the last of his nursery decorations down.  His new room is beautiful, but it looks like a big kid lives there!  I love my Allen so much and, of course, want him to grow and develop.  I just wish I could stretch it out longer!

Pop to Heaven

I think the reason I haven't updated the blog is because I knew the first post of 2013 would be a heart-breaker, but, at the same time, I don't want to pass it up.  On January 9, 2013, my calendar is marked "Pop to Heaven."  We lost our beloved Pop and miss him greatly.  We had a great Christmas with him.  He was chatting and laughing and enjoying the holiday, the family, and the beautiful snow.  So, even though he was sick, his passing sure seemed to come quickly.  But then again, that seems just like Pop; he wouldn't have wanted to bother anyone with taking care of him.  He took a few days and then passed quickly and easily to heaven.  I feel hugely blessed to have been with him at that time.  I went to visit him after work that day; Christian met me there after he got off, and Jill kept Allen at her house with the girls.  Grandma Judy was resting in the room, Christian and the nurse were sitting nearby, and I was sitting in a chair by his bed holding his hand.  He was peacefully sleeping.  At one point I felt as though he had gone.  He had taken a breath that I remember noticing and wondering if it was his last.  I continued to hold his hand and not say anything for about five minutes.  I finally motioned to the nurse to check his pulse.  She sweetly shook her head, told me he was fine and not to worry.  She thought he still had a few days because he was so strong in helping lift himself earlier that day.  I said ok, but I knew she was wrong.  She looked at me again and then agreed to check.  With amazement, she asked how I knew and confirmed what I already knew.  The next few days were a flurry of arrangements, family, and tears.  His service was beautiful and such a testament to the man he was.  He was a blessing to his family, friends, neighbors, church, and many he never knew.  He was strong and faithful and loving.  We continue to miss him terribly but are so thankful for the life he lived and the legacy he leaves behind.  Here are a few pictures from the recent past few years.