The Hooks Family

June Days

2010-06-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

The month of June seems to be slowly creeping by. So many things arr different for us and out of our normal routine. Last Friday Brandon's sister and her family moved out after living with us for a month. They had some time in between the house they sold and the one they were buying so they came and stayed with us. Not too bad, but definitely more crowded and noisy than I am used to. Having only one kid I am not used to the noise of having 2-3 running around and playing. Although it was crowded, one person in particular has been missed...Daddy. Brandon has been working offshore for 90% of the last 3 months. Abby and I certainly miss him and are ready for him to come home. We have some special family trips planned in July so I hope he is home in time to go with us. Father's Day was definitely not what it should have been without the guest of honor at home. But his present is there waiting on him, and I know he will be THRILLED with it. Now, I know he doesn't read this blog, but I still won't say what it is...lol.

We will continue to count these days til he is home. For now, we have lots of projects going on around the house. Mommy has gotten out the sewing machine and is attempting at some cute things for Miss Abby. And we are re-doing the master bedroom. Pictures of all the finished projects to come soon.

April, May,....and Already in June

2010-06-04T12:52:00.001-07:00

WOW! I have done a horrible job for the last two months about not updating my blog. And there is really no good excuse for it since I have had a lot of free time lately.

April and May were a total whirlwind for the Hooks family. Brandon left on Good Friday (April 2) to go offshore. He spent a little time offshore around the holidays at the end of 2009, but has been home for the last 3 months. When he left they estimated that he would be gone about 10 days...and 42 days later he came home! What a long month! Abby and I missed him so much. But I would not trade anything for being there the moment that sweet baby got her DaDa back! She was so excited to see him! 13 days later he was gone again :( and has not come home yet. He will probably be gone for most of the month of June.

Abby is growing and talking and running all over the place. She just came back from spending 9 days with Brandon's parents where she learned a lot more words. She can say just about anything she wants to, and does better to copy what you say. You can ask her "Abby what does the cow say?" and she says "mmmmm". Not quite a "moo" yet, but very cute! We have also entered the fit throwing stage! Mommy is working very hard to diffuse these, cause they are NOT ok in our house.

Almost 3 weeks ago Brandon's sister and he family sold their house, but have not been able to close yet on the one they are buying. The process is taking longer than they anticipated so they have been living with us. Having 4 extra people in the house is a crowd, and an adjustment, but overall it has been good and nice for me to have some company since Brandon has been gone so much.

We have some exciting things coming up this summer. Hopefully Brandon will be home around the 20th (in time for Fathers Day), my birthday is on the 23rd, and we are going on vacation to Corpus Christi in July. Since Abby is bigger this year, I hope to set to spend more time with her at the pool and playing outside. So far she is not crazy about the water, but she will adjust.

Hang in there with me, I really do love blogging, and I PROMISE to do better!

Random pics from the last few months

Felicia fishing at my inlaws house

Abby and her Aunt Lici

Can't sit in her carseat for a trip without ALL of her loveys and blankies

Abby and Margo- our houseguest

The beautiful amaryllis growing in our yard this Spring

ALOHA

2010-03-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

It means "hello" and "goodbye" So Aloha Tomball, and Aloha Hawaii!

We will be heading out on Saturday for vacation! And I can't wait! We will post lots of pics and details when we get back.

Fancy Pants

2010-03-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

I have been working for a while on planning Abby's birthday party. Those who know me know that when I plan something I do it down to every last detail, and I go WAY overboard. She will be having a cupcake theme party. And what party is complete without the perfect outfit. I wanted something special and something homemade. I took some ideas from an outfit that Brandon's cousin made and others I have seen in boutiques and this is what I came up with.

I am so happy with how it came out. She is going to be stylin' at the party. I am thinking about making more of these and possibly selling them to anyone who is interested. If you are- email me at jessica623@sbcglobal.net

The hairbow that is pinned to the top of the outfit was made by my friend Jennifer. She makes the most adorable bows and will match them to your outfit. Check her out on Facebook at Jen Jen's Precious Bowtique

Dish Duty

2010-03-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Abby is walking now- has been for about a month. And I know I have to watch her every second but for the most part she does not get in to a lot that she is not supposed to. I was cleaning and doing dishes on Saturday and got the dishwasher emptied when the dryer went off. I went and got the clothes out of the dryer and took them to our room then went back in the kitchen to load the dishwasher again- this is what I found:

She was so proud of herself. She obviously just wanted to help Mommy. After I ran and got the camera and took a few pictures I had to teach her that climbing in the dishwasher was a "No No".

Ear Tubes and Snow Flakes

2010-03-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

Well the doctor finally decided that after 7 ear infections in 6 months that it was time for Abby to have tubes put in. Brandon and I were so apprehensive about the actual procedure, but were so excited to get a solution to this problem.

Last Tuesday, the 23rd we went to a surgical center to do the surgery. The staff there was FANTASTIC and I would recommend them to anyone. They made us feel so comfortable and had the process down!! We were in and out- pre-op to recovery in 2 hours!

Abby and Daddy doing a puzzle while waiting for the doctor

Abby spent most of the day sleeping after we got home- which I figured she would. It was the day the weatherman had predicted snow in Houston for the third time this year! He was right. About 3:00 in the afternoon it began to sleet and snow at our house. Abby was feeling well enough that I let her go out and play in it for a few minutes.

Resting on the couch

And eating cheerios

She seemed very irritated with the mittens, but she could not figure out how to get them off.

Updating on Everything

2010-02-18T11:35:00.000-08:00

So I realize I have not posted anything in almost two months...shame on me I know. So I will quickly go down the time line for the last few weeks and write about each thing.

Christmas:

We did finally get to celebrate Christmas as a family on December 31st. We made it a whirlwind to get to all of our families gatherings within a 24 hour period, but it went well and we have been truly blessed again by all that we received.

Mommy and Abby opening presents

Weird picture of me opening gifts at the Perry Christmas

Brandon was still half asleep

Abby in shock and awe of her legos from Uncle Jay

All of Abby's loot!

Nine Months:

Abby turned nine months old at the end of December. She is getting so big! Here are the nine month pics I took:

Housewarming:
Moving on...in January we had a housewarming party to break in the new casa. It was a blast and we had lots of friends and family come by to see it. Thanks to everyone who came! I did not get many pictures, but here are the few that I did get:

Abby and Mommy all dresses for the party

Adorable cake!

Around the end of January Abby officially started walking! She is everywhere now and so much fun to watch. She is not very fast yet, but I know that is just around the corner.

January was wonderful and we are well into (half way through) February. No major events this month...thank goodness. It is nice to have some quiet down time. But we have some big stuff coming up in March. Brandon and I are going to Hawaii with my family for Spring Break while Abby spends the week with Brandon's parents in Louisiana. Then when we get back it will be time for her birthday. May baby will be ONE. I can't believe it! Time flies.....

Christmas is coming...soon I hope!

2009-12-28T18:24:00.000-08:00

The 2009 Christmas for the Hooks and Perry families has been a little slow on its arrival this year. I was devasted to hear the news on the 23rd that Brandon would not be making it in from offshore in time for Christmas! MY HEART SANK!! And yes, I KNOW it doesn't matter what day you celebrate it, and I KNOW Abby is not old enough yet to know the difference, and I KNOW that he is making lots of money. But none of that matters to me. Abby's first Christmas, her only first Chrsitmas, was not going to be spent without the most important person in our family. So here we sit...on the 28th and still no Christmas. God willing he will be home on the 30th and Santa will arrive soon after that! Until then I will keep waiting for the other half of my heart to come home so we can have our first big family Christmas!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and yours...I hope it was wonderful! More updates on our coming soon (hopefully)!

Christmas Video

2009-12-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

Just a funny Christmas video for you to enjoy! What a blast to make!! Go to www.elfyourself.com to make your own.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Emergency Rooms and Vet Bills

2009-12-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

What a night! I came home yesterday to find my house (my NEW house) completely destroyed by doggie vomit! Chassie had gotten on the kitchen counter and gotten the 2 8x8 pans of homemade fudge I had made and eaten them! I could not tell if Dossie was sick too, but I panicked and rushed both of them to the ER! I had no idea exactly what the effects of chocolate could be- but I knew for a dog it was NOT good! The vet was happy that they had been vomiting (she did not see my carpet) but wanted them both to have blood work and fluids and some medicines to dry up their system- including activated charcoal. I am on the phone with Brandon who called from offshore in the middle of all of this when she comes in with a bill estimiate of $900.00!! Now I love both of my babies very much, but $900 is absurd for dogs!! Brandon said to put both of them to sleep- which I refused to do if they were not in pain, and they weren't! I told them they had to whittle down the treatment to the bare minimum!! $500 later we left the ER

The puppies are both doing much better. Dossie came home with me last night- got home about 9:45. She threw up twice in the car from the charcoal (the car is a different story) but rested well over night and seems to be getting back to normal. Chassie stayed in the clinic overnight and was on fluids and medicines to clean out her system. They said that it took until about 4 AM for her heart rate to come back down to normal. That was their biggest concern. She said that Chassie should probably go and stay in the vets office all day today and be monitored- but there is no way that after last nights bill that we can afford that. She said as long as I did not leave her alone today that she should be ok. So she is asleep under my desk at work as I type this. And in her own doggie heaven. I could not sleep last night worrying about her- and we had a thunderstorm last night and I hated that she was alone there with the thunder.

I put some oxy clean on the carpet last night when I got home and it got a lot of the stains up. I am still calling a carpet cleaner to come and clean them before this weekend with our company. I had to throw Chassie's bed away because she had gotten sick all over it. We will have to get her a new one.

What a night! I am exhausted and definitely broke! Now I am at the mad stage where I want to beat them for getting on the counter. But thankful they are both ok! For anyone keeping score- I no longer make fudge!

This is the part where I would insert pictures- but believe me no one wants to see what my house looks like. I will just put one of poor Chassie resting with her band aid on her leg!

Hopefully the rest of the holiday will be a little more low-key!

Meeting Mr. HO! HO!

2009-12-15T09:12:00.000-08:00

Abby got her first opportunity to see Santa Claus this past weekend when the church hosted cookies and milk with Santa. I was curious how she would do with it since it was her first time, but she generally does very well with strangers and LOVES men with beards. She just sat there and stared and stared at him- never would look at the camera, but never cried either! Such a big girl!

Abby asked Santa to bring Daddy home in time for Christmas! I think he manage that one, don't you!

Family Pictures

2009-11-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we got together and took some family pictures to use with our Christmas cards this year. We have not had any family pictures made since Abby was born! Shame on me I know...

I had a park in Tomball all picked out for where I wanted to go. There is an old train station there with a caboose and a gazebo and they had already put up a gigantic Christmas tree! In my head I had some great poses picked out. Now when it comes to taking pictures, especially if I am in them, I am way overly critical. Happy about it or not, this is the way I look right now and the magic of the camera is not going to change that! By not taking pictures, I am only depriving Abby of those memories for later on and that's not fair to her. On another note, God decided to bless us with some rain on Sunday afternoon and we could not get the shots I really wanted. However, the ones we did get came out great (even with me in them) and I am excited to put them in our Christmas cards this year!

Here are a few of my favorites:

Despite the weather, Miss Abby was all smiles!

Christmas is only 37 Days Away!! I am ready!

Moving On

2009-11-03T11:46:00.000-08:00

We have officially moved out! Last weekend Brandon and I moved into our new home and left the old one behind. With the exception of some cleaning and scrubbing we are done. I know that the purchase of our first home is special and we will have lots of memories there, but I am sad to leave the old one behind. For me it will always be our first home.

Some good memories:

Dossie perched on her spot on the couch

Hurricane Ike- September 2008

Chassie's Biggest Oops!

Baby' Abby's Room

Bringing Abby Home

So long 19814 Falling Stream! You have given us some good times and wonderful memories. Now on to bigger and better things!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

I love Fall! It is my favorite time of year! I love the craft shows and festivals, the cooler weather, and all of the pretty oranges reds and browns that come along with it! We have been trying for a few weeks to get Abby to the pumpkin patch. She has been sick and the weather has been yucky so last weekend was our first opportunity. We let her pick out her own pumpkin (already Miss Independent). She was a little distracted by all that was going on, but she found a good one. Daddy and I selected a few more too! I think next year will be better since she will be able to run around and play on all of the attractions.

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This year will be Abby's first Halloween and I couldn't think of a more appropriate costume for her than a ladybug! It took me forever but I found the perfect one at Carter's! I used the pumpkins we picked out at the pumpkin patch and posed her in her costume for a photo shoot in the front yard. They came out sooo cute!

Cleaning, Packing, STRESSING!

2009-10-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

I know I have not written anything in a while and I apologize for the delay. Things in the Hooks Household have gone from semi nuts to outrageously out of control in the last two weeks. 8 days from today we are scheduled to close on our first house!!! Yay and AHHHH!! We are so excited but it has been nothing but appointments and paperwork leading up to this point, and apparently we have still only scratched the surface! On top of that the company we are leasing our current house from wants to put it on the market to get it leased by the time we move out. AHHH! So last weekend we spent lots of hours packing the clutter in the house and cleaning cleaning cleaning so that the house looks acceptable for strangers to look at. If you know Brandon and I we are not neat freaks...it is a real challenge to keep the house "View Worthy" all the time now. Side Note: The house if for lease now. A 3/2/2 1590 sq. feet for $1050/ month! Tell your friends! And on top of that Abby is at home with a viral infection and a high fever that will probably last for close to a week. Double AHHH! So we are living it one day at a time right now.

If all this wasn't enough, my friend Melissa and I have decided to venture out and start a business on the side selling baby accessories and specialty stuff. We will have pacifier clips, daddy bags, wipes holder, specialty clothes, hair bows and holders, nap mats and blankets, and more! We are still in the process of launching the website, but keep checking it for updates.

Buggy T's Baby Shop

More from us when things calm down. We will be moving Halloween weekend. Keep us in your paryers that everything continues to go smoothly for us!

2009-09-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

We are getting a new house!!! It's official: The contract is in place and we will close on October 23rd! More details to come after we move in!

12266 Lavon
Tomball, TX. 77375

GO POKES!

2009-09-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

Football season is officially here and Abby has been rooting for the Oklahoma State Cowboys alongside her Uncle Jay. Last Saturday when I went to pick her up and Nana and Grampa's she was wearing Uncle Jay's hate and laughing at him!

Oops, I did it!...But I won't do it again!

2009-09-23T12:37:00.000-07:00

So somehow I have deleted the original blog site! I hope everyone is able to find us here. I should have things back up to normal soon, but unfortunately all posts prior to this are lost! Long story of how I did it....

Thanks for continuing to track along with us.

Coming soon: THE NEW HOUSE!!!