Heading South

Kevin signed today to play next season with the Houston Astros. We had to make a decision between signing back with Detroit, or taking our chances somewhere else. In the end, Houston was a better fit. They say that Kevin will by vying for a utility spot out of spring training, and if he doesn't make the big league team, then he will be the everyday 2nd baseman at AAA Round Rock. So, either way, we are headed to Texas next season.

Kevin, Lucy and I will miss all of our friends we have made in Toledo over the past few years. Toledo has been a wonderful place to spend our summers and we will always have fond memories. The biggest adjustment will be Lucy having to get used to a new mascot, she still talks about Muddy and Muddonna!

As Thanksgiving is tomorrow, our family has so much for which to be thankful. We are thankful for our family, as it continues to grow, for our friends, and for all the opportunities that have bestowed upon us. We wish everyone a happy, healthy holiday season!

Lucy Says the Sweetest Things

Just a few of the things Lucy has said in the last day or so that have struck a chord with me!

• "I'm going to take care of you" This is said with a big, tight squeeze.
• "Let's take a walk. We need to hold hands and look both ways."
• "An apple will be yummy to my tummy."
• She pulls me close tonight while I was tucking her in and says "I have a surprise. When wake up in morning, we go have cinnamon rolls." That is her favorite breakfast.
• "I pretty like Belle." She is into all things princess right now.

And the one not so sweet one:

• "LEAVE ME ALONE"

Big Girl Stuff

Last night was the big night in our house. We converted Lucy's crib into a toddler bed, a.k.a. her big girl bed. Kevin and I have been extremely nervous about doing this, for fear of what she would do. Would she go to bed ok? Would she be in our room by 2 a.m.? Would she be up and down all night? We were prepared for a few sleepless nights. Lucy was so excited that she could get in and out all by herself, and must have run back and forth to her room 1,000 times last night. Then, it was bed time.

Lucy and I did our normal bedtime routine of "girl talk, NO BOYS ALLOWED" and rocked, and within about 2 minutes she was ready to get in her bed. I layed her down, tucked her in with her 2 blankets and left. Kevin and I just sat in the family room waiting for her to come out. And waited. And waited. She never came out, never even moved, she just fell asleep like normal. Lucy ended up having a great night, and came waltzing in our room around 7 this morning, climbed in between us and fell back asleep til 8:30. We were thrilled with our "big girl"

Not only is Lucy sleeping in a big girl bed, she also gets to wear big girl panties now! Yep, she has mastered potty training, thanks to Baby Jaguar. The Fisher Price toy catalog came the other week and she picked out Baby Jaguar from "Go, Diego, Go" as something she wanted. I found it that weekend on sale and picked it up to put away for Christmas. Well, little sneak found it and we told her she could keep it if she would poop in the potty. If she pooped in her diaper, Baby Jaguar was going back. Almost 2 weeks later, she still has Baby Jaguar! I guess it is all about finding motivation!

House Addition

We just wanted to let everyone know that there is going to be another addition to the House of Hooper in June 2008! I am 8 weeks pregnant!! Kevin and I are so excited to have another little one, and Lucy can't wait to be a big sister! If you ask her what is in Mommy's belly she says "a sister." So, I guess we all know what she wants! We just want another healthy, happy baby, who sleeps like Lucy does!!

I had my first doctor's appointment this morning and she said that everything looked great! I have my days of not feeling so good, and of course I'm tired, but for the most part I feel pretty good! Now, mommy duty calls....naptime (for all of us)!

Trick or Treat

Lucy dressed up as her daddy for Halloween this year! We got the uniform when Kevin was called up in 2005 and we got to participate in Family Day. The organization makes all the kids uniforms, but the smallest they come is in a 2T. So this was the year it fit perfect. Lucy absolutely loved being a "baseball." She wasn't too keen on the idea of wearing eyeblack, so thank goodness I had some darker eyeshadow that worked perfect!

She was so cute ringing doorbells, just said "thank you" over and over for the chocolate! After 5 or 6 houses, she was done and we had collected a pumpkin full!