Texas

Damian is starting to show signs of understanding more and more words and commands. He knows how to “brush his hair” and “talk on the phone.” He’s waving hello and goodbye and pointing to all sorts of things you tell him to. It’s amazing how fast he has been changing.

Damian continues to impress me with his walking skills. He’s a pro now. He’s also getting better at identifying people and objects by name. He doesn’t say them (except mama, dada, Eva), but he will point to them when I ask. Pretty neat!

Eva only got two days of beach days this week, but she enjoyed them to the fullest. She’ll be three in three days. Damian has taken off with his walking. Another reminder of how fast life goes by. Damian’s biggest achievement this week is clapping. He claps when hears music or any rhythm, really. He…

Last weekend our hometown celebrated what’s known as Charro Days. I’ve written about it a bunch before, but in case you don’t know, Charro Days is a holiday that honors the special bond between South Texas and Mexico, specifically the towns of Brownsville and Matamoros. I love this holiday because it recognizes our rich history and…

The first stop on our last mini-road trip was the San Antonio Botanical Garden. We didn’t have a whole lot of time there but we made the most of it. Eva’s favorite part was the conservatory, which she called her castle. There were so many beautiful plants, and a few nice sections showcasing plants native…

Sand dunes are an extremely important aspect of Texas beaches. They provide a barrier against storms and strong surf and they are home to a diverse collection of flora and fauna. Sand dunes are very sensitive. They can be threatened by coastal development, trampling by beach goers, and natural processes. If we allow sand dunes to be…

This week our little border town (which seems to be turning into a big city) celebrated Charro Days! We had a lot of fun getting dressed up and going to the parade and Sombrero Festival. Here’s a little more of what our week looked like… Pregnancy Update: Damian’s kicks and movements seem to be a…

It’s hard to believe 2013 is halfway over. It seriously feels like yesterday I was conjuring up a recap of 2012. Despite a rough patch or two, it has treated me pretty well so far. I’m glad to be spending the half-year in Texas with my family. “Home” is always a good place to reflect…