Forever February

Ohhhh February, what a very busy and fun month you were!

We started out the month with daddy heading down to Corpus Christi to play a show with The Johnny Five, which gave mommy and Mae a girl's night in. By the end of the weekend, Christa started feeling kind of sick, so by Wednesday, it was time to rest. We had already made plans for a much needed movie night with the Niemann's, so we made sure to rest up and be ready to go for that! We ended up watching the best worst long movie ever, 2012! Boy, that one took a while, but we really all had a dandy of a time. Maebry went night night pretty early and slept all the way through the movie...what a big girl! Thanks Mae!

The following weekend was Valentine's Day weekend! On Friday the 12th, Mae had her big 9 month wellness check and passed with flying colors! She is getting so very big! The doctor thought she looked healthy as can be and mentioned that we can really start pushing more and more big girl foods and let her eat some of the same things we eat (beans, bread, mashed potatoes, etc.).

That Friday night we decided to be sneaky and do our Valentine's Day celebration a big early to beat the crowds, so Teri came over and watched Mae while we went out to see the movie Valentine's Day. It was a nice break and a pretty funny movie. Then it was off to Texas Reds steakhouse here in San Marcos...they always have fantastic food and wine. We had a nice long and slow dinner, talked about the world and how much life has changed in a year since last V-Day. After dinner we headed out to have drinks and ended up at our old stomping grounds, The Den, chatting it up with our good friends Muzzy and Jason. All in all, a great night!

We spend actual Valentine's Day with our little Maester, our only other TRUE LOVE! =)

The week of Feb. 15th - 19th was deemed "Daddy Week"! Teri was off the entire week, so I had the pleasure of watching Mae Day allll week long! We had several lunches with mommy, but ended up both getting sick-ish. So we cuddled a lot and napped and just overall took it easy...but had a great time of course.

The following weekend (Feb. 20th) the three of us headed up to Captain D's in Austin to have a VERY yummy lunch with Pappaw Gary and Mammaw Charlene. They were in town for an SDBA (Southern Drag Boat Assoc.) gala, so we were lucky enough to sneak in a lunch before their big event. Mae ate crackers and had a good ole time showing off for her grandparents.

On Sunday, Feb. 21st we had an absolutely perfect day! We headed out to enjoy San Marcos and the square! First, we had lunch at Jimmy John's, which has a very special place in our hearts. While Maebry was in the NICU, we discovered a Jimmy John's across the street from the hospital. We had never been there and it was pretty darn good and VERY fast...so we would head up to see Mae, swing by JJ's and grab dinner before our nightly check in with Ms. Mae. So, we had lunch there and then we hit the square! Being that it was Sunday, several places weren't open, but we still just really enjoyed being out in the fresh crisp air, looking at all that our great town has to offer. Mae really enjoyed window shopping and people watching, so it was a trip well spent.

The last weekend of Feb. was a doozie! Thursday night the Johnny Five had a show at a new place called "Zombies" in San Antonio. It was a HUGE place and we didn't exactly fill it up, but we definitely had a good draw and a great time. The next morning it was off to the recording studio for the three of us in the J5. Grandmomma and Grandaddy K came over to watch Mae and we headed to the big city to record. We got home around 7, ordered a pizza and had a really nice time jaw jackin with the guys. Mae enjoyed getting to hear stories of rock'n'roll too!

Saturday the Kraatz family decided to be very brave and head to.....BUY BUY BABY!!! Good GRIEF does this place have EVERYTHING! They are wall-to-wall everything you could ever possibly need for baby...and it a was a blast shopping for Maebry.

Sunday we headed up to Austin to have lunch at The Cedar Door with Keith and Michelle...what a great time! We watched some Olympic hockey, talked over loud jackhammering (on a Sunday! Really?!?!?) and really enjoyed catching up with the Jone's. It was the first time for them to have some one on one time with Maebry and it was a good time for all involved!

That's it! That was our wild and wooly February...what a great month!

To all that read our blog please know that the last two months flew by "faster than Bumpkin eating her brother, Decker's, food. Enjoy the pics!!!

Here is Mae day first time with homemade play-doh, which equaled...Play doh, uh oh...
Oh no, she seemed to not like it too much. Maybe we will try it again later.

But she sure does like her feather boa!!

Next up, Mallow city, party of one.

Look Momma and Daddy...no hands. And guess what...I am eating two!!

We took Mae on one more cold wintery-day walk. How cute is the toboggan. Thank you Kinsey for letting us have this one.

Happy Valentine's Day...I mean, how cute am I?!

Is it my camera or are these two people getting cuter!



Mommy, why do you wear red like me. I am way cuter and you know this.

Here are some more Valentine's Day pictures. Boy, we sure do love this cutie-bootie!

Yummy eating and have fun with my parents on our mall day out!

Mae-day enjoying some food art with a pudding snack pack.

Too PRECIOUS for words!!

And for our last trick. Please watch Mae get really excited while Daddy shakes a glass of ice.

Try again in 2010

This is the Kraatz Motto!

The Kraatz family decided to ring in the new year the same way we did the past two years...at our great friends Mark and Jessica (and Brody's) house. They throw a great NYE party and Mae brought in the new year with all of her friends....even though she did technically sleep right through the ball dropping. We know she was downstairs with us in spirit!

New Year's day, Christa and I decided to cook for the three of us and invited Ms. Teri over for lunch. We fixed honey ham, yams, black-eyed peas...THE WORKS! Then, after kissing Mae Day bye, we headed out to go see Avatar in 3D! What a treat! C and I had a lot of fun, but very much looked forward to getting back to our sleeping beauty...who is ALSO in 3D! =)

The second weekend was a busy busy one! The Johnny Five played a show in Corpus Christi on Friday which was quite awesome! Then Saturday our friends Kim and Jason decided to have a New Year's Eve Part Deux party! They weren't able to celebrate with the rest of us on ACTUAL NYE, so we decided to just do it all again! We had such a great time and bringing in the new year...AGAIN, and decided we should make it a regular thing with all holidays...St. Patti's Day, Easter, July 4th...you name it!

The week following the party, Mae Day came down with her very first cold...and boy was it sad! Daddy had been getting sick the week before and must have passed it on. She did look too cute with a snotty nose and the tired eyes...but we knew she just did not feel too hot. Luckily the cold didn't stick around too long and before we knew it, Maebry was back in action! Since she felt so good...she decided it was time to ROLL OVER! And the fun hasn't stopped since! lol

Much to my surprise, the weekend of Jan. 15 Christa had a FOUR DAY WEEKEND! She had taken off Friday to accompany Maebry and I on a trip to the doctor to get Mae's Synagis shot, then we had the regular weekend PLUS Martin Luther King Day! So needless to we took advantage!

Christa's grandma Jane was in the hospital in Temple, TX. so we headed up there Saturday morning to visit her and see Maebry's Mamaw and Papaw. Grandma Jane seemed to be doing well and Christa was able to spend some time with her while Maebry and I strolled around in the parking lot in her stroller. After their visit, all of us went to eat at The Cotton Gin in Temple and had a really nice time catching up.

After lunch we hurried home so that I could meet up with Aven at the house and have Ex-Penguins practice for the first time in many moons. We made a quick stop off in Kyle first to drop Christa and Maebry off at Matt and Savannah's house to have dinner and catch up a bit. Aven and I had a blast playing and go over the old tunes and then we headed back to Kyle to pick up C and a very sleepy Mae Day...which lead to a very sleepy mommy and daddy and the end of our Saturday.

That Sunday Christa and I decided we wanted some VERY YUMMY Clear Springs in New Braunfels. So we loaded up the Maester and hit the road. Lunch was fantastic and it as such a pretty day that we decided to drive all around New Braunfels through the hills and river areas while Mae took a nice nap. When we got home we put Mae down for a bit and Christa and I knocked out a few lingering chores around the house. We ordered pizza, watched the Golden Globes and really just had a nice relaxing evening.

Lastly, since Christa had Monday off as well...and we had done so much driving and work around the house...we simply just rested. It was a fantastic end to the long weekend and Maebry really enjoyed having so much MOMMY TIME!!! =D

The following weekend we had even more grandparent problems. My grandfather, Poppo, had to go into the hospital for a week or so, and Grandma Jane was still in Temple. We headed up to Fredericksburg to see Poppo. Grandmommy and Grandaddy K watched Mae while we headed up to the hospital. We met one of my cousins for the very first time...and she is close to 40! It was pretty cool getting to meet her and her husband. Maebry really enjoyed getting some grandparent love and Poppo seemed to be doing much better.

We left F'burg after a late lunch, raced home and I headed to San Antonio where The Ex-Penguins AND The Johnny Five both had shows! Christa went to Matt and Savannah's again for more good times with the kiddos.

After a nutso month of busy weekends, we decided to take a break and just relax...which was great. Maebry always gets very loves having a peaceful weekend at home...so we owed her one.

Below are pics from our busy first start to the year. Enjoy!

The Great Maebry-ni getting ready to go out on her first walk sitting like a BIG girl!

Whaa? It's all gone??? But...where did it goooo???

Daddy and Maebry laying down some hot tunes!

Grandaddy laughing and letting Mae do her thang!

Uhhhhhh, my tummy hurts! lol

Don't worry mommy...I'll help you guide the choo choo train!

YEAH!!!! It's "National Eating Naked Day"!!!

Yeah they call her "the streak"! =D

That's the sign for "book" Ms. Teri. I'm learning!

This apple is theeeeeeeee BEST!!!!!

Merry Kraatz-mas 2009!

Maebry's first Christmas festivities began in the middle of December with Christa's work Christmas party. Mae got all dressed up and won over the crowd of County Committee members and Christa's coworkers. She even ate some homemade sweet potatoes at dinner time. Maebry made it all the way through the evening before finally passing out.

Then...after a break during the weekend, the three of us hit the road for a WHIRLWIND tour of Christmases! First, we headed out to Rockne to have a great time at Lloyd, Susan and Kolton's with Mark and Cherie and the kids. We snacked and opened gifts and poor Susan had JUST broken her heel...but as always, she had prepared a great afternoon and we enjoyed it very much. Then that evening we headed over to Grandma Thompson's for the BIG Christmas get together...and the first time for many of Christa's family members to meet Maebry...and what did she do? She went to sleep about 5:30 and slept alllllll evening! So family was able to meet her...with her eyes shut and butt in the air! =) Still...it was sweet and a lot of fun. Thank you Grandma Thompson for letting our sweet Mae borrow your bed.

We headed home about 10pm, packed up and got to sleep. We woke up Mae Day at 7am on Christmas morning, bundled up the family and headed out to Mamaw and Papaw's house in Richland Springs. We arrived and Mae was up, so we went straight into opening some GREAT presents that Maebry began enjoying...immediately! She started her musical career with her Learn N Groove table and her driving career with her first car steering wheel and horn! What fun! We had a fantastic lunch and dinner, some really nice time spent with Mae's cousins, great aunts and uncles.

Finally, the day after Christmas, we had lunch with Mamaw and Papaw and headed back out on the road to Grandmomma and Grand-daddy Kraatz's house! Mae spent the afternoon enjoying the spoils of the day with tons great gifts including her ExcerSaucer which she waisted NO time getting started having a blast! She was able to spend time with Poppo and her great aunt Sandy and great uncle Ron. After all the travels and toys...she went to bed early and passed out for a long winters's nap.

Below we share proof of the joys of spoils of Maebry's very first Christmas!!!

Here is Mr. Stromberg, one of Christa's producers, at their annual Caldwell County Christmas Party. We celebrated with a white elephant exchange and dinner.

Here is Mr. Kelley, former CED, negotiating for his Whataburger gift certificate. I don't think he ended up with it...poor guy.

Here is a group shot during the Christmas party. Dusty came home with a skillet and sauces, and we can't remember what Christa came home with because everyone stole her gifts. Four different times.

Aunt Pam is holding our little miss in her cute Santa hat.

Mae looking a little surprised but her Great-Aunt Elisa is ready for all the Christmas festivities.

All those presents are for ME!!

Thank you Great Mamaw for all MY presents! MINE!

Hey there cousin Jadyn, thanks for letting me chew on your teething ring. I hope you don't want it back.

Thank you Mamaw Charlene and Papaw Gary for my awesome musical table .

Look what I got...a Sophie! I am going to give you a kiss, I mean a chew.

Grand-daddy why are we watching other people open presents.

Well, I guess my mom can open one present. This one was for me too. We both love our new Vera Bradley tote. Thanks Grand-daddy and Grand-momma.

How cute is this photo. Merry Kraatz-mas to all.

This photo looks like is suppose to be in advertisement for Exersaucer.

Did you really think I was not going to have fun with all of the toys?

Merry Christmas to me!

We had to do this photo because my mom wanted me in this Christmas outfit posing by my Christmas ornaments. Oh Christmas!

How cute are the ruffles on my bottom?

Oh boy, I hope all Christmas's are this great!

Mae Went Dashing Through December

Greetings! Wow, it's actually been a COLD winter thus far, which has been great fun dressing Maebry up in plenty of warm clothes and cute accessories...purely for added warmth, of course! =)

December has been crazy busy for both mommy and daddy. Christa has been kept PLENTY busy at work trying to wrap up a program by it's mid-month deadline, and Dusty had a big production at the beginning of the month for Genghis Grill. Thank goodness we have the amazing fortune to not only the best grandparents EVER, but our very helpful Ms. Teri as well.

Mae has been trucking along with her solids, still loving those yummy sweet potatoes best. Sleeping has been getting better off and on. We definitely have nailed down a pattern for night night time. Christa gets home and she gets to feed Maebry the solid food du jour, then we have a little bit of playtime/wind down...then as soon as we see the face rubs, we put on a fresh diaper, change her into her nightgown, then mommy sings the "greatest hits" and lulls little bit to near sleep. We lay her down and hope for the best lol...just kidding, she normally goes right to sleep and we get to eat dinner and have our own down time.

Below we have posted some of Mae's cutest winter garb and smiling faces. Enjoy!

Mmmm...BREAKFAST!

This bow is so big it brings out the smile in both mommy and Maebry!

Forget the BOW! Did someone say "CUPCAKES"!?!?!?!?

How do you even put a caption on a look that cute?

Mae letting her locks down, waiting to get rescued...or fed.

Cutest. Toboggan. Ever. Thanks again Uncle Troy!

Looks Tootsie, Gilmore Girls is on...AGAIN! Ohhh, Daddy!

"Come with me if you want to live."

You think this one's adorable...wait for it...

Now Showing: The next cover of American Baby magazine! =)

This brings our fashion show to a close...please tune in next time for our Christmas Special!

Love,
D, C and M

Mae....Meet Santa Claus

Well, 'tis the season, and we decided to brave the mall and take Maebry to meet Santa for the very first time! Dusty and Susan took Maebry to Barton Creek Mall in Austin. Their Santa was AMAZING! The official photo is to come, but here's a little clip of Santa and Mae...year one.

Mae Laughs Last!

Here's a special little mid week Mae Day treat! Make sure to watch allll the way to the end!