The Schuster World: 2010

Monday, December 20, 2010

Piano Playing Prince and Princess

Okay, I just took this picture about 10 minutes ago and HAD to share! Keegan was playing the piano and wanted Lila to play with him, so I put her up there and realized she was sitting without my help. All I could grab in time was my phone, but here they are! She can sit perfectly at the piano, but everywhere else she falls over. While I know that at the piano she has something to keep her stable, I'm ignoring that fact and calling it destiny, it's a sign! ;)

Saturday, December 18, 2010

For Christmas, I Give You the Gift of....

Pictures!! I will probably not have much time to post until after the first of the year, so in the meantime, here's well over 8,000 pictures for you to look at! Starting from my trip with Jonas to the west coast in summer of 2008!

Belly Pictures (by Lisa Bryce)

San Francisco

First Pictures of Keegan

Keegan #2

Keegan #3

First Visit from Oma & Opa

More of Keegan (possible repeats)

Killer Creek Dinner

Killer Creek Dinner #2

Keegan Goes to Kennesaw Mountain

Random Fall Pictures/Move to LA

First Month in LA

December 2008

Germany January 2009 #1

Germany January 2009 #2

Germany January 2009 #3

Germany January 2009 #4

Keegan's First Birthday

October 2009 #1 (Milledgeville, GA)

October 2009 #2 (Milledgeville and Roswell, GA)

October 2009 #3 (Roswell, GA and Tuscaloosa, AL)

October 2009 #4 (Shreveport, LA and Dallas, TX)

November 2009

December 2009

Christmas in Galveston #1

Christmas in Galveston #2

Christmas in Galveston #3

Christmas in Galveston #4

January 2010

Snow Day in LA (Feb 2010)

Grand Cayman, February 2010 #1

Grand Cayman, February 2010 #2

Random

February 2010

March 2010 #1 (LA & GA)

March 2010 #2 (LA & GA)

My Dad's Wedding - -never before seen on the blog!

Delilah Anneliese

July 2010

August 2010

Luau/Labor Day Weekend

Alonzo Brown Photography - - If you want to see his website, click here!

Photo Booth Fun

September 2010

October 2010

Photography by Keegan Pierce - - can you guess what he's getting for Christmas?? :)

November 2010

December 2010

Goodness that was time consuming! Hopefully well worth it :) Please let me know if any of the album titles don't match the link, or if any of the links don't work. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Yadda Yadda Yadda!

Keegan is talking more and more every day. He never ceases to amaze me.

A couple days ago, I was watching Good Morning America when a story about Micah Andrews (two-year-old suffers horrific injury and survives) came on and brought tears to my eyes. Keegan saw my tears and got a very concerned look on his face. He went back and forth, looking at me, then the tv, then back at me. Once the clip ended, Keegan grabbed my hand and said, "Mommy, look, it's all done! Please don't cry Mommy." It was the sweetest thing ever! He said it with a look of genuine concern on his face, ahh. He's my little angel.

He has this new way of asking for candy and other things like that. He says "Mommy, I need candy! I NEED IT!" and then I'll say, "Oh, are you sure about that?" he says "Yeah, but only one more. That's it!" So (like the sucker that I am) I'll give him a piece of candy, then we start over, but he reassures me, again, "Only one more, that's it!" Haha

The kids and myself have been sick for the past week. Even though Keegan was running a fever and has had a terribly upset stomach, he still remained his sister's keeper. Last night, after their bath, Keegan said to Jonas, "Careful, Daddy. Lila's sick." He then hopped up to where Lila was sitting on the rocking chair and cuddled with her, as if to protect her.

A few minutes later, we were sitting on the couch and Lila fell asleep. Keegan looked at her closely while Jonas and I were having a conversation, and suddenly Keegan WHISPERED "Shh! Quiet, Lila's sleeping," and he kissed her on the forehead, like he always does when I am putting her to bed (whether it be for the night or just for a nap - he freaks out if I put her to bed without him giving her a kiss). Such a sweetie pie!!

Lila can roll over front-to-back and maybe even back-to-front, although I'm not sure. I've seen her go from her back to her side, but not all the way to the front, but who know what she does when she's in her bed and I can't see her. She will hold her bottle for a couple minutes at a time, and only sometimes, but she's definitely making progress! She can't sit up yet for longer than a few seconds, but she's still young :)

Rule #288. Discipline yourself to save money. It's essential to success.

Time to Play Catch Up!

Here are some pictures taken since the last time I posted pictures!

Sweet action shot of my little monkey jumping off the bed :)

Cooper

"Cheeeeeeeese!"

Here's what happens why I try to get a picture of them together...

And here's what happens if I try too hard...

Silly boys

Christmas card outfit!

And Keegan's... but that's all you get from that! I can't give it away ;)

At Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival a couple weeks ago. They had face painting, food, bounce-houses for kids, playgrounds, souvenirs, and fireworks! Lots of fun, but very cold! Oh yeah.. and I got a haircut..a big one!

Keegan's Christmas penguin!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the three of them!

He fell asleep on the way TO the festival lol

Santa Claus! Taken less than five minutes after getting Lila's ears pierced! :)

Me and fat Sophie ;)

My boys

I just LOVE dressing her up :) It doesn't happen very often, but it's so much fun!

Our Thanksgiving bird

And the oh-so-yummy dinner!

Beautiful baby boy :) Although, he's not really a baby anymore :(

Rule #287. Promise big. Deliver big.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Funny Funny

I will try to post some pictures later! I should have some time in the afternoon. For now, I just have a funny story about something that just happened.

Keegan just woke up and came out into the family room. He asked for his juice, which he gets every morning, and then we both headed for the kitchen. He was in front of me, and I said "GRR I'm a mad dinosaur and I'm going to eat you!" Keegan then turned around and stuck his hand in the air. He said "No Mommy! Don't eat me!" He then turned back around and as he walked further into the kitchen, he said "Don't even think about it!" It was SOO funny, I just about died laughing. He continues to amaze me with the new things he learns every single day.

More to come (hopefully) later!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Pictures!

I didn't realize how little time I would have to post in the blog with two kids! Sorry every time I post nowadays it's so backed up, but hopefully you'll still enjoy them just as much!

"Peace" :)

Getting so big!! She's in the 95% for weight, and the 90% for height (means she weighs more than 95% of baby girls her age, and is taller than 90%!)

My silly sweetheart

Oooooh Sophie

Keegan absolutely loves Kevin. Kevin taught him to act like he's playing the piano on the ottoman to try to get Keegan to play quietly. At one point, Kevin stopped doing it and Keegan yelled: "Kevin do it!!" haha

Keegan got to put the "krabby patties" on the wall. I think it's so cute that he actually calls them that!

His room all decked out. He only sleeps in his "big boy bed" (well, for half the night, until he wakes up and comes into our room to sleep for the rest of it!) Tomorrow someone is coming to pick up his crib, which he hasn't slept in in about three weeks now!

He was sad but trying to put on a happy face, sweet boy

This is where he sleeps the second half of the night (usually from about 3:30 on) - mommy and daddy's "grosse bett" as he calls it

She's getting closer to sitting up on her own but still probably a couple months away. She is at the age though where she would much rather be upright than laying down! Isn't she just beautiful?? :) :)

My two angels

To add to Keegan's phrases list - tonight, I was on the phone and had a rather serious look on my face (it was more just a focused look). Keegan laid his head on my lap and said "Mommy what's wrong?" He's so sweet.

I "cooked" him dinner tonight (gotta love the microwave...) and sat on the couch waiting for it to finish, and as soon as I sat down Keegan said "Mommy it's ready!" and pointed into the kitchen. There were two minutes left but it was still so cute because I've never heard him say it like that before, he usually says "Ready?" whenever he's about to jump or something and he wants me to catch him.

I turned on the Christmas tree lights tonight and Keegan got all wide-eyed and said "Wow, Mommy, look at that!"

Ahh he's growing up so fast, it's exciting, sad, and scary all at the same time. He definitely isn't a baby anymore!

As for Lila, she is just doing her thing, she rolls over front-to-back quite a bit now. She is teething so it's not the best time, but "this too shall pass." Her laugh is ADORABLE, I will try to capture it on video :)

Rule #286. Practice empathy. Try to see things from other people's points of view.

Funny Things Keegan Says

No pictures right now, I'm on my laptop and all the pictures are on my desktop! Maybe tonight, after Jonas wakes up.

This morning, Keegan said "Candy?" I said "I don't think so mister." So he said "Okay, candy after dinner." He's so smart.

Yesterday, Avery was over here and she and Keegan were playing in his room. Jonas went in there to join them and Keegan yelled, "No Daddy WAIT! Get out! Close the door!" and he pushed Jonas out of the room! He's so silly.

Both kids have runny noses and are pretty congested right now. Keegan saw Lila with a runny nose and said, "Uh oh Mommy. Lila sick. Lila big boogies."

We don't get on Skype very often to see family, but we did yesterday and Keegan remembered all of my siblings! He was dancing for them and having a good time, he loves video chat.

We had a pepper spray incident recently. I wasn't thinking and I left my purse within reach, and my pepper spray was inside. It has a rather tricky lock on it, but somehow Keegan managed to open it and spray it when I was in the restroom. I hear him calling me and asking for a drink, repeatedly and kind of in a panic. As soon as I opened the door to the restroom, the smell was suffocating me. Keegan and I were coughing and gagging, I just threw the door open and let Keegan and the cats run out. It was so bad, I had to step outside to catch my breath, run inside as fast as I could to grab drinks for Keegan and myself, and grab sleeping Lila (her door was closed and the smell hadn't reached her room, but I didn't want to take any chances) and we had to spend the next 3 hours outside. When Jonas got home (my hero) the smell wasn't so bad and he was able to stay inside for a little bit to set up some fans and spray some air freshener.

Anyway, I was telling Jonas's coworker Kevin the story, and Kevin thought it was hilarious that Keegan was crying and yelling "Drink!! Drink!" so Kevin cracked up and said "Drink" like it was so funny. Keegan saw him do this, and now every time he sees Kevin, Keegan throws his head back, laughs, and says "Drink." He remembers the silliest things!

He likes to sing songs, but he only sings them partially. His favorite song to sing is "Tomorrow" from the movie Annie (the sun'll come out tomorrow), it's so cute.

I have some recent videos, I will try to post them. Things are starting to get hectic, with the holiday season and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Hopefully tonight I can post a lot before tomorrow comes and I start really stressing out about Thanksgiving dinner!

Saturday, November 13, 2010

"Cheeeeeese"

I told Keegan to say "Cheese" for the camera right after he woke up from his nap today, and this is the picture I got out of it. It's cute and creepy at the same time, I think it's funny! He's getting so smart. Whenever he does something he shouldn't, I say to him "Why'd you do that, Keegan?" and he says back, "No, no! Why'd you do that MORE Lila??" as if to say that Lila was doing something worse, so it's okay that he did what he did. It's adorable :)

Rule #285. Never overestimate your power to change others.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Eskimo Baby

Bring on the cold, Louisiana!!

Rule #284. Never underestimate your power to change yourself.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Sweet Voices

Sorry I have no pictures right now, just wanted to update about new things in our lives. Keegan is talking so much better, and just in the last couple weeks. He's picking up words and phrases that we didn't even realize. A few nights ago, Keegan grabbed a book, jumped up on the couch next to me, and said "Read the book, Mommy!" The next morning, he was walking around the kitchen with his arms in the air saying "Where is it? Where is it?" He now says things like "I love you", "Please", and "Thank you" without being asked to. And he has the memory of an elephant! I can't tell you how many times I've misplaced something, and I just ask Keegan if he knows where it is and he will tell me! Yesterday, we were looking for some of his missing Schleich animals, and we couldn't find one. I asked him, "Keegan, where is your grey kitty cat?" He thought for maybe three seconds, then said "Under the table!" Sure enough, there was his toy! He is so cute and sweet, I can't believe how fast he's growing up.

As for Lila, I'm beginning to think that her rolling over for the first time was a fluke, because she hasn't done it since. She for sure did before, but it was just a one-time thing. She is really getting her laugh now, and it's so adorable. She has also started teething, but not crying much about it, more drooling. She started out as a pretty tough baby, with the colic, but she is now such a sweet angel and just the most adorable baby. She has pretty almond-shaped blue eyes and the roundest and cutest cheeks ever! She other day, Keegan told me her name wasn't Lila, that her name was Lolo (pronounced like Low-Low), and I thought that was the cutest thing.

Perhaps I'll grab my camera and finally take some more pictures this week. Keep checking back for them!

Rule #283. Don't use a toothpick in public.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Notice Lila's Timeline?

Lila is now sleeping through the night! Also, for the first time today, she rolled over front-to-back. That's 13 days exactly before Keegan rolled over his first time. She was sleeping through the night about 5 weeks after he did, but rolled over before. I was overly excited when I found her on her back when I had put her in her crib on her stomach only 10 minutes earlier. Now I am just waiting to see her in action! I hope ya'll have enjoyed these overdue updates, I will try to post more often!

Rule #282. Find a good tailor.

October 2010

Sorry to put it all in one post, but here are some pictures I took during the month of October!

Eating his Pokemon Mac & Cheese

Lila's first bath with Keegan!

At Pratt's 2 Year Anniversary Party, Keegan and our babysitter Morgan

Getting his face painted at the party!

At first he was a little scared of Spongebob

But he soon warmed up to him!

After the party at home

Lila's first day at Mother's Day Out (October 14th) - she goes in the morning time twice a week. It's great because that way Keegan and I have our alone time again!

Painting with Moma

Sweet boy

Ah yes.. he found some styrofoam and I figured it's better than something like markers on the wall! We had some fun with this

But it did take a while to clean.. those little suckers like to stick to things, making it difficult to sweep up!

We love this picture. Anytime Keegan sees someone with sunglasses, he says "cool guy" (yes, even if it's a woman wearing them) so he calls this picture "Cool guy Keegan" :)

Keegan has more fun with the walker than Lila does

Pretending to go potty... not quite there, lol

Mother/daughter

So I know this isn't a great picture, but it was looking at this very picture that I first noticed how much Keegan and Lila look alike. Something about the angle and how they're both kinda looking up, you can see the similarities between them!

This sweet girl is FINALLY colic-free! :)

And they are so good together - Lila really is happiest when Keegan is nearby

Oo so serious hehe

Holding hands :)

Father/daughter :)

I had the opportunity to be an extra in the upcoming film Trespass, featuring Nicole Kidman and Nicholas Cage. I showed up right on my call-time, and immediately got sent to hair and make-up; there were about 50-60 extras there for the scene we were shooting, and only about 10 of us got sent to hair and make-up. I took it as I just didn't look good enough haha. So as the guy is finishing my hair (which I was getting done right next to and at the same time as Sara Paxton), they said all actors and extras had to get on scene a-sap. I got up to the house we were filming at and immediately, one of the Assistant Directors brought me to the back of the house by the back door and told about 20 people outside to form a group around me. We did a couple practice runs and then Danny Dimbort (the guy who produced "Rambo", among other films) grabbed me and told me to go to the front of the house right next to where the main actresses would be walking into the house, and the way the camera angles as they walk in, I am almost positive I will get some screen time! It took us about 4 hours to get a 20-second scene shot. In between shots, I had the privilege of meeting the main director/producer, Joel Schumacher (known for "Phantom of the Opera", "8mm", the 90's Batman movies, "Phone Booth", among many others). I had looked him up beforehand and seen that he and I had the same birthday, so when he walked by me and asked if my partner was lively enough for me, I told him that I could manage and that we had the same birthday. He got a happy look on my face and grabbed my hand and said it was great to be a virgo, and then proceeded to dance with me. I never thought that a big shot like Joel Schumacher would've ever been so nice to me. Needless to say, it was a lot of fun and I anxiously await for the movie to come out in theaters!!

Keegan Keegan Keegan. On Sunday, October 24th, Keegan got a hold of some super glue and managed to get the cap off and squirt it in his eye. I was occupied with Lila at the time (which I feel AWFUL for :( I should've kept a closer eye on him) and he came running to me with his eye glued shut. I immediately ran it under some water and called Jonas home. Keegan went to the ER, where he had his eye irrigated and injected with dye, so that the doctor could check for damage. He had an abrasion on his cornea, which we are still giving him drops for. The glue finally came off and allowed him to totally open his eye on Saturday, just in time for Halloween. This picture was taken on Sunday night, after he got home from the hospital.