HaysDays

Happy Mother's Day, everybody! I hope you all have a great weekend! But before you take off and enjoy your children - I need some motherly advice!!  :)

This will be my second Mother's Day. Emmy was 4 weeks old last year - and now look at her!! She looks so much like her dad!

 I can't believe she is walking, almost talking (she does baby sign language), and is definitely independent (wonder where she gets that from!!). And now, in about 6 weeks, my second daughter, Lily Rae, will arrive.

It's strange because I am nervous all over again about having a baby in the house. Emmy has grown up so much - and now there will be another tiny little baby with us. But my main concern is having two children so close together (14 months apart). I don't want to push Emmy to be a "big girl" and grow up - afterall she is still a baby, too. But I also don't want to treat the girls like they are twins. Emmy is the big sister and Lily Rae will always be the baby sister.

So - all you Moms (and Dads)- any advice?? And I hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend!

Chevy Chase has his "Vegas Vacation" and "European Vacation" - but he's got nothin' on our Hawaii Vacation! LOVE those movies - and thank goodness only the beginning of our trip started out like his (picture this in the original "Vacation": Clark Griswold backing out of the garage and the luggage getting ripped off the top of the car or poor Aunt Edna being tied to the roof!).  Thank goodness no one died on our trip!!

Our trip last month to Hawaii started off a little rough - all thanks to Mother Nature! This was mid-March when the snow decided to settle in over North Texas. It took us two and a half hours to get to the airport - and we almost didn't make our American Airlines flight (imagine the tense moments in the car on the way to the airprot!!). Well - we made it with minutes to spare.. and lucky we did -  or we wouldn't have been able to sit on the tarmac for almost 6 hours before we took off on an 8 hour flight!! UGH 

I had plenty of food and drinks for Emmy - and for me since I am pregnant - but lots of the other passengers were complaining about no beverage service. After about 3 hours - American served drinks - making the group of seniors who needed liquid for their meds - very happy!! We had continuous coverage of the Storm and I did a couple of phoners from the plane with Clarice, Baron and Eagar. Of course Eagar asked the question of the day, "Heather, we know you are waiting to be de-iced and they are finally serving beverages - but really - what's the mood on the plane?? How are you and Jeff?" insert laughter here!! Yes, we've all had our moments where we wonder if the vacation will be worth the getting there... and in this case YES!!

Check out this picture. It tells exactly how fabulous the trip was. This is a shot of Emmy from the beach at our hotel - the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.

One word to describe it - UNBELIEVABLE. We had a view of Diamond Head and the ocean - and every morning we went for walks on the property where Emmy got to reach in the ponds for the fish and feed the birds with wildlife experts. There are also some penguins who live in a great area at the hotel - they are SO cute.

And the newly revised lagoon is gorgeous. The hotel spent $15 million to dredge out the salt water area next to the hotel - and refill it with brackish water. I have great pics of Emmy on a surf board in the lagoon - that I promise to upload soon!

But meantime - check out this family photo. It was also taken at the Hilton Hawaiian Village... What a great keepsake! 

Every day was wonderful - We ate breakfast every morning looking out out the ocean - SO peaceful! Then we hopped in the car - and Jeff headed to the North Shore. He rented a 12' long board and hit the waves at Sunset. He's really good - and it was fun to watch him.  He also surfed with some dear friends of mine - Randy has surfed the Pipeline for 50 years - so he showed Jeff the best/safest places to go.

I also got to visit with my former Miss Hawaii USA pageant director and see some old friends at Chaminade. It was a great trip - loved seeing my Island Ohana - and especially loved seeing Emmy's face light up every moment she was in the ocean. What a thrill!!

Since the trip - I have had SO many people ask how it went (lots of people heard the phone interview I did from the plane while stuck on the tarmac!) - and while that was a bit challenging - once we got to Honolulu - it was all worth it. So thanks for the emails and calls about the LONG plane trip - but if I had it to do all over again - I definitely would.

This was our big vacation of the year - Have you ever been to Hawaii?? I'd love to hear your stories!  Aloha!!    :)

Dick Raasch, Twanda Twine, Forrest Green… all names of people I have met. And, yes, Dick Raasch really is a man I knew in Hawaii – a great guy by the way!! We’ve all heard an odd name and thought, “What were their parents thinking?” (or in Dick’s case wonder why he didn’t go by Richard!). But - we don’t say anything. Until now!

There’s a new book out called “Bad Baby Names” filled with thousands of colorful names given to real people by their parents – names like Tiny Hooker, Bread White, Good Dog, Monday Monday, and Fanny Large. I’d love to hear some of the names you’ve heard… and if there’s a story behind it – share that, too!!

Oh, I also remember the neighborhood sisters I knew growing up - Pearl, Opal, Ruby, and Sapphire Jones!! Thanks for sharing!!

...in the case of my daughters - lots of looking at baby name books, studying family trees, some give and take, and finally choices that made both Jeff and I (and hopefully the girls!) - happy!! All parents have stories of how they came up with their child's name - and I would love to hear yours... but first you have to read about ours...

When we found out we were pregnant with our daughter (Fall 2006) - we were SO excited. And I started highlighting names in baby books. Some of the favorites? Hannah, Hudson, Presley, Hunter, Ranger (um, guess which are Jeff's adds!!). There was also Georgia, Scarlett, and Vivian (we had just watched "Gone with the Wind."  :)

But all those names went away - after I won an Emmy. I emailed my cousin, Robin,  to tell her - and she emailed back.. and said that's the perfect name for our baby (Robin LOVES taking credit for choosing her name!!). Jeff immediately fell in love with the name, saying since I have an Emmy - he wants one, too. Emmy's middle name? Elizabeth - mine and my grandmother's.

And the name "Emmy" fits our little angel perfectly! She is SUCH a doll!! She is almost 11 months old now - is a great swimmer (underwater for 4 seconds!!), smart, funny, flirtatious, the fastest crawler (and almost walker) you have ever seen.  I can't believe she will be one in April. Whew... how time flies.

It flies so quickly Emmy's sister will be here at the end of June. So - how did we come up with Lily's name? Well, a few weeks ago we were sitting in the dr.'s office. We were minutes away from finding out the sex... so we decided right then to come up with a name. The boy's name... well, I'll keep that secret in case I have a boy next time!!  :)  But for a girl, we wanted something that sounded good with Emmy and Cecily - my 14 year old step daughter. Jeff was quickly saying "no" to every name I suggested (in truth I said names I knew he wouldn't like, so that when I said Lily he would say "Yes!").

After I said "Lily," he immediately said, "How about LilyRae?" Ray is my dad's name - and then he added "West" for his dad's middle name. LilyRay West Roberts. That's a lot of name for a little baby - but I think she's be able to handle it!! :)

OK - I know I went on and on... but it's fun thinking about how we came up with their names. Thanks for doing a story on baby names, Jeff Crilley!!  :)  Now it's YOUR turn - tell me your baby name story!!

It looks like Emmy will have a little sister this June! We are having another little girl - Jeff and I are so thrilled!! The baby girl is healthy and right on track for growth -and due near the end of June. Thanks to everyone for the emails - and keep the new baby in your prayers!!  :)

PS - Good thing our dog is a boy - because Jeff will now have 3 daughters - Cecily is almost 15 - and Emmy 10 months. Hmmm.. does this mean we need to go for another to try for a boy??    :)

         More than 600,000 North Texas teens are overweight and underage. That’s 36-percent of teens - the national average is 30-percent. Parents, that’s scary!! Doctors say, if this overweight epidemic is not stopped, this will be the first generation *not to live as long as their parents.

            I did a story on the issue featuring a 17-year old girl named Marisol Vazquez (it airs tonight - Thursday - at 9). Marisol describes herself as “chubby” – but decided to get control of her weight when she realized the possible health issues her weight could cause. Her mother and grandmothers are diabetics – not something she wanted for herself. Marisol and her doctor set a weight loss goal of 25 pounds. Congrats, Marisol! Because of her hard work and the help of the “Dean Foods Lean Families program” at “Children’s Medical Center Dallas” – she has already lost 10 pounds – that’s terrific! In the program – she is learning diet, nutrition, and exercise techniques to take her from her teen years – to a healthy adulthood. You can check out the program at http://www.childrens.com/Services/LeanFamilies/index.c
fm

As part of the story, I went shopping with Marisol and discovered the ”fashion frustrations" faced by overweight children and teens – finding something age appropriate, fashionable, and affordable. There are now stores like Torrid (Parks at Arlington, Shops at Highland Village, Town East Mall) that cater to plus size teens. Also in that multi-billion dollar segment of the retail industry - Old Navy, The Gap, Sears, JC Penney and Stride-Rite.

Marisol and I met Town East Mall’s Torrid Store Manager, Susan Christian, during our shopping spree. Susan is a great resource for anyone looking to dress for their particular body style. Susan used to weigh 300 pounds! But not anymore!! She lost more than half that weight – so she has “been there and done that” and can definitely help any parent or teen in need.

Again, congrats to Marisol and good luck with your new healthy lifestyle! It was great to get to know you and your family!

So now that the Cowboys are out of this season's SuperBowl picture - which team are you cheering for? I know we would all LOVE the Cowboys to be there - but they won't be.  So that means you have to cheer for somebody.

My picks for a great game - the Packers versus the Patriots. And - my pick for a winner - the Packers. And who knows - if Brett Favre wins another SuperBowl - maybe this will be the year he retires.

Check out the pictures a friend sent me from last Sunday's play off game in Green Bay. The game is being called the SnowBowl of 2008! I have been to a few Packers games on snow days - and believe me - it's a blast (esp. when tailgating starts at 8:30 a.m.!!).

So - your picks for the SuperBowl???

...well, she will be this summer! Jeff and I are Blessed - and are expecting a new little bundle of joy! We are thrilled!! And for those of you wondering - there will be 14 months between the children. (I have already gotten calls about that!). At 41 years old - to have a second child come into my life - is amazing! Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers - that we have another healthy baby!

Oh, we find out the sex in late January - I'll keep you posted. This is a picture of the Baby at 12 weeks.

 Here's one of Emmy at 6 months!

And here's Emmy and I duing a shoot for "Dallas Child" magazine. An article is coming out in the January issue. You can read the artcile on line at...  http://www.dallaschild.com/showarticle.asp?artid=230a>

The Hopkins Family - Roger, Jonna, 11-year old Thomas and 6-year old Grant - have one Christmas wish this year. All they want is to be together again. November 6th - all four almost lost their lives when their home in Joshua went up in flames after a series of explosions. They each had to be taken by CareFlite to Parkland's Burn Unit. Since then, outstanding medical care - and lots of prayers - have kept the family going.

But they still need your prayers - and your good will. They lost everything in the fire. Not much more than scorched earth was left behind. In Thursday night's "Whatever Happened To" - we bring you an update on the Hopkins Family - after receiving this email: "Would it be possible to do an update on this family? They are in need of donations to replacing everything they ownd and to rebuild their house... They need a lot of help and I was hoping your viewing audience could help. We at Bell Helicopter raised $3500, but that hardly makes a dent. "

After reading that email, I contacted Jonna Hopkins' sister. She told me the boys are out of the hospital and staying with their grandparents. They are in rehab and hope to go back to school next month. Their dad, Roger, got out of the hospital this week. He will stay in temporary housing near Parkland - because his wife is still there. Jonna is, however, being moved from Parkland's Acute Burn Unit to the Rehab Hospital. She no longer needs a feeding tube - and she can walk - carefully and slowly - on her own. So each member of the Hopkins family is doing so much better and that is great news!

Please keep the family in your prayers - and check out their website when you can. www.hopkinsrelief.com They are in need of donations - clothing, household items, furniture. You can find out how to contact them - and exactly what they need - on their website. Thank you! And just maybe, Thomas and Grant's Christmas wish will come true!

...Because I did it through my daughter's eyes. Of course, right now, she's just wondering who the guy with the hairy, friendly face is! But in a couple of years, she will know exactly who Santa is - and wonder how he can make it all the way around the world in one night delivering all those toys to good little girls and boys. But Jeff and I have already agreed that Emmy will grow up understanding the true meaning of Christmas. Not the tree and toys, presents and parties - but the faith and family behind the Christmas Season.

This weekend, we took Emmy to meet Santa at NorthPark Center - and what a great time we had!  

But if you are thinking about doing the same thing - let me pass on a few tips. As soon as you get to the mall, get  your "number" to see Santa (on the second floor outside Neiman Marcus). This is a free family event - but you do have to have a number. We were number 103 - and they were on number 48 when we got there! So, we shopped for a couple of hours before our number came up! Don't show up with your children perfectly pressed for photos - because you might have a wait!!

Also - be sure to bring your own camera (I thought we forgot ours - because every time I leave the house is like I am moving somewhere I have so much stuff!!). Santa has a professional photog ( who takes great pictures) - but you can take your own pics too - and save some money! Also, mom and dad - jump in the photo!! I saw entire families lining up in their Christmas best to take a photo with Jolly Old Saint Nick - what a great holiday tradition.

I look forward to seeing Santa Claus through Emmy's eyes every year - and seeing how she changes. This year - it was bright  eyes and curiousity. She didn't cry at all - which I hear alot of kids do. Next year? Things will be a lot different. But for right now - I am hanging on to the wonderful memories of our first Christmas!!

Why is this under the Weather Blog... Read on!! But first "gettin' dirty" is all for a GREAT cause - Kids!! FOX4 has put together a Muddy Media Team - and we are gonna get down and dirty at this year's Mud Run in Fort Worth (www.mudrundfw.com). I didn't know much about the Mud Run until a few weeks ago (thanks Robert for getting me on the team!) - but I do know that come Saturday, November 10th - I will be dressed in camo, military boots, and my Muddy Media tshirt - ready to race in the 10k muddy military-style obstacle course!! Steve Eagar keeps asking if I am training yet (he ran 3 miles in his boots a few days ago) - guess I keep thinking I will get to the gym - it just hasn't happened yet!!

Not only will there be 2500 folks taking part in the Mud Run, there will also be thousands of spectators - cheering us on or laughing at us- as we struggle our way through the mud! But really it's all about giving back. Money raised from this event will go to Toys for Tots, the North Texas Young Marines Program, and the North Texas JROTC.

Come on out and join us if you can - otherwise, wish for warm weather and NO RAIN!! I'll let you know how we do!!  :) See - now you know why this is under the Weather Blogs!

From the Komen Dallas Race for the Cure - to the State Fair of Texas - what a great weekend to be in North Texas! And what a joy to share it all with Emmy!! Now I feel like a true Weekend Warrior (I have the soreness to prove it!) - because we were so incredibly busy. I have the Mud Run coming up in a few weeks - so I can just imagine how sore I will be after that!! But... back to this weekend...

First I want to say "Thank you" to all the volunteers and supporters out at NorthPark Center for the Race for the Cure. It was such a moving morning - to see a Sea of Pink (breast cancer survivors) surrounded by more than 26,000 supporters was incredible. This is the 5th year FOX4 has been the TV sponsor of the event - and every year I am so inspired by the strength of the survivors. Emmy (who is now 6 1/2months) joined us for the event. How wonderful it would be if - by the time she grows up - breast cancer is no more. Maybe then we can have a Race for the Cure Celebration 5K - to celebrate that a cure was found - instead of raising funds while we still look for a cure. Either way - Emmy and I started a new tradition - a "Mommy and Me" 5k. This year she was in her Baby Bjorn on my chest (so I am sore!!) and she fell asleep at about mile one - but we had a blast! In a few years she will be walking it on her own! And thanks to Krystle Gutierrez for walking with us Saturday. It was a morning to remember!

Sunday we went to the State Fair of Texas - ate corny dogs, got our picture in front of Big Tex (another tradition!), and comforted my sister after she got a "not so good" feeeling after the anti-gravity ride! I think I needed all that walking at the fair to work out the Saturday stiffness!

Well, they say kids keep you young - but on this Monday, I am feeling every bit of 40!! But I wouldn't trade a single moment of this weekend of first's with Emmy!! Now let's just what next weekend brings....  :)

Whew - we made it!! Our first family plane trip! We went to Maine for my brother's wedding - and the baby was perfect! Me and Jeff? Well, that's a different story! The first roadbloack - leaving for the airport with no less than 14 bags! And with a two bag per person limit, I figured that might be a problem. But what could I do? I had to pack Emmy's bottles, bottle sterilizer and warmer, clothes (lots of clothes!), toys, books, dolls and diapers. Not to mention the stroller, car toys, car seat, and window shade for the rental car. And somewhere in all those bags, I managed to stuff a pair of jeans and a dress for myself!

But the luggage issue was nothing compared to - Airport Security. I figured I have traveled enough to know the drill - if I take my shoes off, put the laptop in its own bin, throw away food and drinks, have no more than 3 ounces of liquid per see through container... then I whiz through security. Um - all of that went out the window when traveling with a baby. First of all, Emmy's stroller is - how should I put it? Not so compact. She's too young for one of those umbrella strollers with no support - so we brought the granddaddy of all strollers. Maybe not the best idea - because Security insisted we cram it through their screening machine. UGH - it would not fit! I tried - but it just wouldn't get small enough. So, finally they put it back together and scanned it with their eyes, instead of the xray. Emmy's stroller passed - but then the machine sounded because I left her milk in my carry on - underneath that pair of jeans I managed to grab!

So - yes, I stood there, baby on my hip, unpacking the carry on to prove that it was indeed Emmy's milk in the bag. By this time, Jeff had gone on through security - because, well, let's just say it was at hot day in Dallas!!  :) It was better for Emmy and I to go it alone!! So, after they were satisfied with what the liquid was, we put our shoes back on, gathered up our belongings, stuffed the milk and the jeans back into one of our many carry-ons, loaded down her stroller and headed for the gate!

I have never been happier to board a plane than I was that day! And Emmy was having the time of her life! She smiled, cooed and laughed the entire flight - and the pilot even told us after the flight what a good baby we have! And, yes, we took a photo of Emmy in the cockpit with the Pilot - I will post that this weekend!! We had a wonderful time at the wedding (pics to come), and our first journey on a plane was worth every stressful moment. Emmy was just a doll - and I learned a lesson. Anything I need for the baby - they sell! Pack less and buy more when I get there!  :) 

Happy and SafeTravels this Labor Day Weekend!

Today marks a first for Emmy Elizabeth! My little one turned completely over for the very first time! For the past two weeks she has come awfully close - but her little arm would get stuck underneath her. Well, today - she turned over and pushed herself up to check out the world around her!!

Like a lot of working moms who miss milestones in their children's lives, I missed this one. But - my mom didn't. She is in town to take our "3 Generations" pictures tomorrow. She called and was so happy to have been the first to see Emmy's Rock Then Roll! So working moms - if we can't be there to see the first steps or hear the first words, hopefully someone who loves our babies just as much will be there to cheer them on!

But only if you love what you hear... and I promise you will!! My friend, Darla, has made it to the "Top 10" in the search for the best singer in Ocala, Florida. And now the competition has moved online. So that's where you come in!  :)

You can help her win by clicking the link below and voting for her. Darla is in the upper right of the listed finalists.
http://www.ocala.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=o

svfinalvote

Voting only takes a few seconds. So please help her make this dream come true!! Thanks everyone!

PS - Darla is also my brother's girlfriend - and he shot the video for her to enter the competition - Nice job, Chris!!