"SAY CHEESE!"

Last Monday, Aunt Bev came over for a super fun photo session! I had the day off, and Trace is about to be 6 mos old, so I thought it was about time. We are so incredibly blessed with Bev in our lives in so many ways! We love it when "Bi-Bi" comes over to play! Trinity did better than I thought she would and of course fell in the water right away with the first outfit I had picked out for her, so most of the pics are in her "grubby clothes" That's my girl...funny thing is, I kind of like them! :-) Enjoy the pics of my lil angles. THANKS Aunt B!

He is REALLY this happy all of the time!

Trinity and her buddy Ace!

She LOVES to be outside!

Trinity's version of posing with hands on her hips...LOVE IT!

Does Fall get any better that this?

My lil' farmer man!

I love these with the Red Hat!

This one...it should be in a magazine. Yes I am biased, but I am saying it anyway! :-)

Little miss sweet and innocent....for the moment. We know better. haha.

Sweet Man.

So, so happy!

Time to Breathe.

The last few months (the last 5 months to be exact) have been a whirlwind at our house, to say the least. However, right now the kids are bathed and in bed, dishes are done, I don't have papers to grade, and I simply have time to breathe...and I wanted to reflect on it all.

From the moment Trace was born, our lives were and never will be the same. In the best and craziest way possible. We have had a huge learning curve on how to parent two small children and have time to "do it all." I never could have been fully prepared for how different it is to have two children instead of just one. I think back to when I thought things were "tough" with Trinity and now I realize it was all "no big deal." Clint and I have learned how to truly be a team and rely on each other in every aspect of our lives. Being home this past summer with my kids was incredible, but inevitably it came time for me to go back to work. The paycheck was calling my name! As much as it broke my heart to leave my babies that first day back,(okay the first few weeks really!) the only way I can have peace about leaving my babies is to know that I absolutely love what I do and to believe, without a doubt, it is my mission in life, it is what God has called me to do. It's funny when you tell people that you teach high school, at first they look at you like your nuts and sometimes even apologize, however then when you add on the fact that you also teach mathematics, they just flat out think I am insane! I can't describe it but when I arrive at school each morning, although some mornings are tougher than others to leave my babies, I have a peace within me, I feel at home, knowing that I am where I am meant to be and that God will take care of the rest. I have the opportunity each day to influence the lives of so many young people and to help a few strugglers find faith in themselves again. If I can influence even just one of my 170+ students each year in a positive direction, then I know I have done my job. Does it get any better than that?

In honesty, going back to work this year has been much tougher than in years in the past, I have never felt pulled 100% in two directions before. I want to 100% be the best mom ever to my Trinity and Trace but I also 100% know that being in that classroom (as challenging as it is) is where God wants me to be. It's hard and sometimes a constant struggle, but I have to trust in the Lord and be reminded daily that He is sovereign (thank goodness!) and has it all under control. It has been a huge challenge finding time to balance it all and I am definatly still learning and figuring it all out. Clint is incredible and I couldn't do it without him. He is my true "other half." There have been tears, many sleepless nights, late night grading, early morning feedings, and plenty of just pure exhaustion, but when I simply sit back and reflect...all I can think about is how blessed I truly am. From breakfast to bedtime, I don't stop. I can't. But at the end of the day, it is ALL worth it. Clint, Trinity, Trace, , my students, and so much more....it's worth it.

So as I sit and simply breathe for a few moments...I am reminding myself that God is good, no God is great. My husband rocks and is truly my best friend! My Trinity and my Trace are the highlights and loves of my life and everything I do is for them; and my job is my calling. It sure doesn't suck to be me.

Nighty night.

2nd Time's a Charm...we hope.

Well today was a big day. It marked 7 weeks since Trace first got his DOC band and the change in his head shape is amazing!! It's crazy what that simple little hat can do! Let's not forget the fact that Trace should become the face of "DOC bands" across the globe! I mean that little smilely ball of love makes that chuck of plasitc look good! :-)

Unfortunately today also marked the day of the fitting for DOC band #2. Yes that is right #2. Trace went in for an evaluation 2 weeks ago and they did all of his measurements and pictures like they did on our very first consult and all in all came to the recommendation that he should get another DOC band. It's funny, when we first began this little adventure, I was very apprehensive, but really the last couple months have not been bad. I have actually grown to like the cute little camo helmet...we get lots of complements on it and it's amazing how many people come up to you when you are in public that have a "child or grandchild or friend's child or neighbor's child that had a DOC band"...they are everywhere!! Of course it's extra work to have your child in a DOC band, you have to be sure it's cleaned very good on a daily basis (especially when you have 100+ degree weather for days on end!), you have to be sure to clean your child's head thourghly each day, and you have to take a weekly trip out to Dallas for your fitting. It's alot. Especially for two working parents, but it really hasn't been too bad. However, we thought this little adventure was coming to an end and now we are starting all over. Our insurance never did come through to cover ANY of the expense, so that has been another thing to swallow. However, when it's all for your little man, it doesn't matter. We love him. We want him to be happy when he's older, we want him to be able to find a football helmet that fits someday :-), and as a parent you'll do anything for your child. So here we go...2nd time's a charm. (no not the 3rd time....the 2nd time!!)

This is Trace sitting on the DSI machine. It takes about 6-8 pictures from all angles and then creates a computer made 3-D image of his head. This is what they use to create his custom DOC band...it's all pretty cool really. He's a trooper....already getting ready for modeling ( I mean he'll have to model...his head better be darn near perfect right?! haha)

No my child is not about to rob a bank...but if he did he'd be the cutest bank robber ever! Before they do the DSI imaging they put this netting on thier heads (like a pantyhose) to smoothe everything out for the pictures. The little guy looks so cute and didn't cry a bit. He's awesome.

Here is Trace before we are getting the DSI...cool as can be. Sweet little thing.

Looking steller in my Camo Band....hmmmm...what will be put on DOC Band #2? If the Frogs keep looking good...we might have to become a TCU football player...we'll see!

What a crazy few weeks!

Our newly painted DOC band!
When you are "working on your melon"...you still have to look good!

We are just going to hope this was Trinity praying before it was her turn to go down the isle! :-)

Mommy giving Trinity a pep talk before her big debut!

Just a sweet pic before the wedding begins!

Aunt Ash and my roly poly little man....he was so hot at the rehersal at the church, we just stripped him down!

Potty Training....no fun!

What a crazy couple of weeks it's been at the Wright house and it's only just begun!...how is that possible? To start it off, we spent thelast weekend before I went back to work trying to potty train Trinity. Notice I used the word "try." Oh my lovely strong willed little girl...I hate to admit it but she gets it from her mommy for sure! I know, I know....karma. :-) We tried a "3 day potty training method" that a few of my friends had used, and of course it worked for thier kiddos...but not for mine. She never even hit the potty once. It was, to say the least, a challenging 3 days. We went through about 50 pairs of panties, a whole bottle of resolve, and LOTS of patience. I guess we'll just keep trying!

Trace also got his DOC band...and I have to say he looks pretty darn cute! He can definatley pull it off! The first 24 hours were a bit rough, he hated it! He was cranky and pulling on it, but after that initial shock wore off, he has been great! It doesn't seem to bother him at all. I took him in last week for his first "weekly" fitting and it was AMAZING how much his head has changed already in just a week....I'll take him back this week for fitting number 2 and I am sure the change will be just as significant. Maybe these next few months of having to deal with the DOC band won't be so bad after all. :-) We also got it painted this weekend too....it's so cute! You'll have to check out the pics!

We flew to Arizona last weekend for my little brother's wedding! Aaron and Becky tied the knot! The kids were awesome on the airplane and we had the best time ever! The wedding was beautiful and Aaron and Becky are so happy. I honestly don't know if I have ever seen a more smiley bride! I was waiting for her burst! Trinity was the flower girl, and I was a bit skeptical how that was all going to work out. However, she rocked! She did fabulous walking down the isle all by herself and even stopped to pose for the camera halfway down. Precious. However, her real moment was at the reception. I think my daughter found her calling on the dance floor! She LOVED it....she crowd surfed, "dropped it like it was hot", did her solo in the middle of the huge dance circle...she had the time of her life! She's my dancing girl! All in all we had a wonderful weekend in Arizona with family and friends...but it was all over way to fast and it was back to reality.

....and reality was that Mommy had to go back to work. Yuck. It's the weirdest feeling. I hate leaving my kids. It breaks my heart. You just want to be with them every second of the day and the last 4 months of being home with them both has been irreplaceable, but it's time to go make some $$ again. This year I am back in the classroom again and I have to say, I couldn't be happier. This summer when I was unpacking my room I texted Clint and said I felt like I was "moving home," what a great feeling. When I first started teaching, I followed my heart into the classroom after I fell in love with working with high school students through Young Life, and I have to say I have followed my heart right back to that same place and it's awesome. I know so truly that God has called me to be in the classroom. It's where I belong. Being able to impact high school students in a postive way is the most rewarding job you could ever ask for...it's "home" to me. So I am truly excited about this year. It is hard though....I 100% want to be with my own kids everyday, but then I 100% want to be with those students that really need me. It's definately a hard balance and there have been many tears shed already, but I just have to continue to trust that God is in control of if it all. For that I am truly grateful!

Clint has also been really busy these last few weeks. Work for him is going really well. He is always booked up for months out, which is a huge blessing and a huge testiment to how great he is at what he does. Besides his day to day jobs right now, he is still working on the "Fort Worth House." It's getting closer and closer to being finished and we are excited to see what happens. Clint has worked his hiney off on that house, working late nights, weekends and every moment in between when he has a spare moment from his "jobsite," and it's has turned out so cute! He did get a call on in last week from a mom of a TCU girl, and they are looking to buy a house for thier daughter that goes to TCU...we'll see! It's a super cute house, so that little TCU girl would be so lucky! Just praying that is sells....however with the amazing work that my husband does, I am honestly not too worried!

All in all, the last few weeks have been good, but exhausting. Having two full time working parents, with two kids is tough. It's going to take some getting used to, some organization and some routine, but with Clint and I as a team I know we can conquer it. He is the best "partner in parenting" I could ever ask for! So if you get a chance, keep us in your prayers these next few weeks as we adjust to our busy and hectic schedules......hopefully we can squeeze in some sleep soon! :-)

Working on the Melon

Wow. It's hard to believe that my little (or not so little at 18 pounds!!) Trace is already 3 months old! As you might know already, since he was about a month old I have been concerned about his head. I noticed early on that he favored his right side greatly. He would always look toward the right and whenever he was laying down he would sleep toward the right. It wasn't much later that I noticed he might be developing a "flat spot" on the back right side of his head. Of course as his mommy I was concerned and particularly self conscious of my little man. I just want him to be perfect! :-) I brought it up to the pediatrician at his 2 month appointment and he gave me some exercises to do for his neck muscles to limber up. He mentioned that Trace may have something called Tortacolis, which is a tightening of the neck muscles in babies. As for his head shape, we decided to keep an eye on it and re-check it at 3 months.

Well, being the "rule follower" that I am, I did his exercises religiously each day and did notice some improvement. When I would check on him during his naps I would sometimes "catch him" with his head to the left...I wanted to jump up and down and do a cartwheel! haha. When it came time to take him for a check at 3 months, I thought we were sailing free! However that wasn't the case. The doctor did see improvement in his neck muscles, but as for his skull shape it hadn't gotten better, but worse. The flat spot had progressed and he pointed out that Trace's ears were asymmetrical. The right ear is closer to his nose than his left ear. It's funny, whenever I would hold Trace to look straight at me, it always seemed like his head was at an angle and I couldn't figure out what was going on, I just couldn't put my finger on what I was seeing. Now it all made sense, I was seeing one ear closer than the other, so it appeared to be at an angle.

Dr. Hopkins referred us to a place called Cranial Technologies, saying that Trace would be an excellent candidate for a Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOC) Band, or what many may refer to as a "Baby Helmet." This would correct Trace's asymmetry of his skull and ears. Of course at first I was crushed. How could I put a big piece of plastic on my baby's precious little head. I went home from the doctor's office that day and just kissed his little head a million times. But after the initial shock wore off, I just started to count my blessings. This is nothing. My baby is happy. My baby is healthy. This will be short lived, fixed and we can move on. I am just thankful there is a remedy to fix it.

So on Tuesday of this week we went for our initial evaluation at Cranial Technologies. It was incredible. The staff couldn't have been better and I learned so much! I was amazed at how many kids were in and out of that office in the short couple of hours that we were there. These DOC bands are EVERYWHERE. Trace is not alone. The visit was super interesting to me as they took multiple pictures of Trace's head from different views and then took many measurements. They were determining the severity of Trace's case. After the "modeling session" we met with a Occupational Therapist who took a look at Trace's neck. She was awesome! She was so good with my little man! She gave us some different exercises to do with him to help increase the flexibility of his neck, which by her account she said wasn't too severe, but we needed to keep working with it.

Then we began discussing Trace's skull. This was so interesting to me. First off, they think that Trace's "condition" of tortacolis (neck muscle tightening) and his flattening of his skull (which is called plagiocephaly if you want to google it!) started in utero. Being Trace was such a big baby and I am not a huge girl and I carried him so low they think that he probably got lodged inside my tummy in utero and this is how it all began. His head was probably turned to the right (causing him to favor that side ever since) and if he was pushed up against my pelvic bone, his misshapen skull probably began before we even met the little guy. I have to tell you, as a momma, it made me feel better to hear this. I blamed myself for Trace's head shape and continued to second guess myself. "What if I had positioned him better during sleep? What if I had worked with his neck more?, etc." This just all meant to me that it wasn't my fault and that it started well before I could have done much to help it.

What was concluded by the end of our appointment was that Trace was indeed going to need a DOC Band. On a scale of Mild, Moderate or Severe: Trace has a heavy moderate to severe case. He has flattening on the back right side and the front left side. This is pretty common for the opposite sides to become flat. This has also caused a little asymmetry in his face. His right jaw has shifted forward a bit causing his right cheek to be more full (come on they are both pretty full to me! haha!) and his right forehead is a little more forward than his left. And of course his ears also have the asymmetry with the right ear being closer to his nose than the left. Whew! That was a lot to take in at that visit, but it was all so very interesting to me.

Trace will probably have to wear his DOC band for 8 weeks, possibly longer but we are keeping our fingers crossed that 8 weeks is it. If we have to go longer than that, he will have to get another DOC Band, because babies grow so fast ( especially mine!) after 8 weeks it will not fit him anymore. I have talked to a friend that has gone through this process with both of her little boys and she has been very encouraging that it's "not that bad." Trace will have to wear it for 23 hours a day, everyday. You can only take it off for an hour to clean it and of course to kiss on your babies head! I will also have to take Trace to Dallas once a week for a visit to Cranial Technologies so they can adjust the band according to the improvement and growth of the skull. Of course the office has to be off of the busiest freeway in Dallas, but we will survive the traffic!

So where do we go from here? Well I have Trace's next visit to Cranial Technologies set for next Tuesday (Aug 10..Happy Birthday Ash!). This will be his "D.S.I" appointment. This means they will make a digital 3-D image of Trace's head (pretty cool!) for his band to be created from. Then we will go on on the 17th (the day before we leave for Arizona) for Trace to receive his band.

It's been a process already and it's only just begun, but I am so thankful for modern medicine that can fix this! DOC bands have only been around since the late 80's and before that the only remedy was surgery...so thankful we don't' have to go that route! I know this is minor in the big scheme of life and I am eternally grateful that my little guy is healthy and happy and this will only be short lived (we hope!) and in a few months it will all be a thought of the past!

A few people have asked me what happens if you don't do the DOC band. Is it just "cosmetic"? The DOC band is not a cosmetic device, but it is fixing something that is abnormal and making it normal. There are not a ton of studies to indicate exactly what can happen if you opt to not put your baby in a DOC band if he/she needs one, but in some cases it can lead to vision and developmental problems. If you are interested to read more about this whole thing check out the Cranial Technology website: http://www.cranialtech.com/

So for the next few months around the Wright house, we will be "Working on Trace's Melon"...it will be the most perfect "Melon" around when all is said and done! :-)

P.S. Oh I forgot to mention that our insurance does not cover "cranial bands".....$$$$. Isn't that nice? It's just another one of those sacrifices you make for your children!

Oh how I love that face! My precious little guy!

Which chin is your favorite?!!

Day at the Zoo

The last time we tried to visit the Fort Worth Zoo, there was record heat and record crowds...I vowed to never do that again. And we didn't! :-) Aunt Amy was in town for her last "hurrah" before heading off to Arizona and we wanted to do something fun with the kids...so the Zoo it was. The weather was cloudy, even a little rainy and there was hardly anyone there...beautiful! Trinity was so fun! She is the perfect age to love the animals...of course most of them were sleeping due to the heat and she kept telling them "Wake up! It's morning time!" It was too cute! She danced like the penguins from Happy Feet and "ooh ooh aah aah" like a monkey. She loved every second! Trace of course is too little to understand any of it, but he was a trooper! We had a great time and added another memory onto our summer!

Trinity LOVED the alligators! She loves the movie Princess and the Frog and so we HAD to see the alligators!
This was pretty cool. It was the bird exhibit and you could buy this bird feed stick for $1 and then feed the birds. They would sit on the stick and eat. Trinity kept scaring them away, but she tried!

This is Trinity's pose when you ask her to smile for the camera...what a cheeseball!

The sun came out just before we were leaving. Here's me and my little chunk! Love me some Trace!

Trinity got to ride the merry go round. She loved it!

Getting sleepy as we are heading out!

Only my daughter would find the most exciting part of the zoo to be the sprinklers that help you cool off! She was soaked! :-)

Hippos!

She loved the elephants...well the real ones.

The monkeys were the first thing we saw. She loved them!

Our little man!

Rocky Mountain High.....

Because driving over 1400 miles in 10 days is just too easy....that's right...it's for the birds! This time we were driving about the same distance, but all within a 4 day time span...yeah we are nuts!


So after we recovered from our Iowa road trip, it was time to load up the truck again. Aunt Amy joined us again this time (she's a trooper!) and we were ready! We had our snacks, our pillows, our movies, and we were set! This time we were headed to Colorado Springs, Colorado for my cousin, Indy's wedding. We got up around 5:30, fed Trace and we were off! The ride wasn't too bad, at least it was new scenery! We made it in about 11 or 12 hours, not bad for having to stop and feed the baby every 3 hours! We met up with a lot of family in Colorado, all excited for the wedding! Trinity loved the hotel, of course...it had a pool and it had "alligators" (most people call them elevators...but in Trinity's world she called them alligators!). The rehearsal dinner was a blast! There was singing, singing, and more singing and then some dancing! There was talent everywhere!
The wedding was beautiful! Indy and Cassie are blessed with so many people that love them and support them! Trace was a hit in his "tie" that Aunt Amy made him and Trinity fell in love with Cassie, the bride, whom she referred to as the Princess. It was so cute! Cassie came and danced with Trinity at the reception and Trinity's eyes lit up...she was dancing with "The Princess!". Although it was a long drive and a quick trip, it was well worth it and we had a great time!

Food:$

Gas: $$

Hotel: $$$

Two 12 hour road trips with the fam and Aunt Amy within a 3 week time span: Priceless!

Trinity and Mommy after the wedding!

We can't wait to officially call Becky our "sister!"

I must say...a good lookin' bunch!

I am truly blessed!

Trinity and her Aunt Amy...she loves that girl so much!

From the moment she heard the music at the rehearsal, Trinity was dancing. She liked to hang with her cousin (or I guess technically 2nd cousin) Makayla.

Look momma, that guy can sing!

Bubba and his bride-to-be Becky...they are so cute!

After 9 years...we still lookin' good! :-)

Summer Travlin'

We have definately had quite the adventureous summer this year. We didn't let a two year old and a two month old stop us from getting to where we needed to go! In June we drove to Iowa to visit my family and to welcome Ashley and Joe home from the Peace Corp. It was awesome! It was incredilbe to finally see Ashley and Joe in real life and not on a "Skype Screen" But in all honesty, once we saw them and hugged them...it was as if they had never left. I guess that is the greatness of family...even oceans apart you can still be closer than ever. Aunt Amy conquered the open roads with us, so we had quite the journey, all 5 of us in Clint's Truck. Nope...I didn't stutter....all FIVE of us in CLINT'S TRUCK. Open roads here we come!

Grapevine, Texas to Sioux City, Iowa: approx 770 miles!!

Amy will kill me for posting this pic, but I love it. Not because she is sleeping, but I think it captures the exhaustion of riding in a car of 12 hours! Love you Spamy!

Trinity fell in love with her Aunts in Sioux City. It was so fun for me to share my little princess with my sisters! Trinity doesn't know how blessed she is!


Ashley was in heaven....a baby to snuggle! And Trace wasn't too bad off either!

Trace was not lacking in the snuggle department from anyone, but especially from Grandma!

While we were in Sioux City, Trinity got her first pedicure! It was so fun! She loved it and I have actually never seen that girl sit still for so long!

The fam....being lively!

Whenever we are home, we always have to make a few visits to my Uncle's pool. The big joke is that I have to go home to Iowa every summer to get my tan....it's sad, but it's the truth!

Trinity got to play with my cousin's little boys Brady and Colton. They were so sweet to her.

Another thing that has to happen when we make our "yearly trek home" is we have to eat at certain local places. The first night home we had Jerry's Pizza. My uncle made a vow a few months before Ash and Joe came home not to eat Jerrys' Pizza (which is usually a weekly event) until Ash and Joe were back in Sioux City...this was the victory slice!

While we were home we drove to my dad's for a few days in Okoboji, Iowa. Trinity had a blast being by the lake and it was definately evident that she is her "daddy's little daredevel girl!" She loved the jet ski! She wanted to go faster and faster!

Playin' on the beach!

Uncle Joe and Aunt Amy hanging out on the sand!

Aunt Ashley was lovin' the time she got to spend with her neice and nephew!

Boat Ride!

Once again..Trinity loved going fast!

Grandma Lila Mae and Grandpa Jack came up to Okoboji to see our munchkins and it was so fun to see them!

Daddy was tired after all of the driving! What a good daddy!

We were sleepy, so we let Trinity drive for a while.......haha!

oh road trip....here we come!