Big Girl Bed

Daddy and I decided to go ahead and get you into your big girl bed. After you crashed out of your crib one night and cried for what seemed like hours, and you could easily climb onto the railing...we thought it was about that time. I must say it was A LOT harder for me to say goodbye to your crib and nursery than it was for you. It took all of five minutes for you to crawl into your bed, shut your eyes, and that was that. It took me about two weeks to actually move all of your furniture out of your nursery and into your big girl room. Your nursery is presently being turned into your brothers room.

Here are a few final pictures of your messy nursery as we prepared to move you across the hall!

First night in your big girl bed!

The rails keep you on the bed :)

Pretending to be asleep for daddy!

Surprise, look at me daddy!!

Since you have been in your big girl bed, you have slept so much better. Fingers crossed, you have been sleeping until at least 7:15 every morning! I think you just needed some more space to stretch out :) xoxo, sleep tight sweet thing.

Great Grandpa Howard

As your mom, I am obviously proud of you all day every day...minus the spats of tantrums or attitude (yes you have one developing quickly, let us not forget you are a girl!). I watch you learn new words, memorize and recite songs, ask me how my day was...all of these things make me proud. It also makes me proud to see you smile, to see you run and play, to see you sleep...I couldn't be prouder that you are mine. With all of that said, I need to tell you about the past few months, and how proud I am to call you my sweet thing.

Great Grandpa Howard has been very sick with Cancer for the past few months. He has been sick with it for years, but they just found it recently. He seemed to fall ill quick and before we knew it he was bed ridden. I have spent almost every Sunday of my life at his house with grandma Charly and grandpa Howard. I instilled the same schedule in you and it became the norm to visit with them once or twice a week. You love being at their house. Who doesn't!

I was worried that you would see grandpa in his state and be scared, or simply not understand what was going on. The first time you saw him asleep in his hospital bed, you came out of the room running and crying. As I rocked you and tried to calm you down, I realized it was not fear you were crying about, it was sadness. It was like you realized that he was sick. Every time after that, you walked back to his room with such a casual manner. As if you were there to see how he was doing. You would crawl onto his bed, hold his hand, ask him how he was, etc. You were not scared. You were brave. Braver than your momma. 

A few times when I wasn't looking, I would find you going back to his room. Where is Paw Paw, momma? 

As his condition worsened, we moved him to Hospice for his final days. As we visited you continued to crawl into a chair hold his hand, and fearlessly sit with him and stare. Once again, braver than your momma. 

I don't cry in public, or in front of people and never in front of you. Especially in this situation because I had to be strong for you, for Grammy, for my grandma Charly. Instead, you were strong for me. Looking at you gave me strength in my faith. All the moments of swallowing my tears, as I watch my grandma sweetly rub my grandpas head and comfort him in his pain, I would look at you. Your smile was like a zone for me. 

Grandpa Howard passed away peacefully on September 17, 2011. We got to say goodbye. He was surrounded by love, and now he surrounds us.

I love you my sweet thing. Thank you for being my little rock.

Your Second Birthday!!

Abby Cadabby Party!!

This summer I began to see just how much energy you had balled up in those strong legs and arms. Playing in the yard became a bit redundant and you needed activity. I decided it was a good time for a swing set. So your daddy and I research and research and decided on a wooden swing set. Your Grandaddy Bland put it all together with your daddy and my help. (But he really did it all). During the building process I decided it would be a perfect setting for your birthday party!

So we had a early morning party with Abby Cadabby all over and lots of little friends came over to play! It was really hot and the weekend of the air show, so as everyone played, planes circled above. It was a perfect day!!

Here is the evidence:

You used to be petrified of the swings, but now you are an "old pro" :)

Playing in your house with Evie Rae.

Sweet Sally

Miss Lucy was such a great helper!

Cutie Anna Perry

Your precious friend Wade and his daddy Trent.

Your adorable friend Rand!

The little stud muffin Porter! 

Holding my sweet girl as everyone sings Happy Birthday!

You are very loved.

Blowing out your candles with Lucy's help!

Being silly.

The hilarious Charlotte Show.

You got a princess castle! Very exciting :)

On your actual birthday you celebrated with birthday pancakes with mommy in the morning. Then Daddy and I took you to school and you had juice and donuts with your friends. That afternoon we had a big cookout with your great aunts and uncles and great Grandma Charlotte.

Wearing your birthday crown!

Can't believe you are already two!

Say Cheese!

Seeing your new kitchen for the first time!

Quick family shot on our way to school1

I love this shot of you and Uncle Jimmy snuggled watching cartoons. He loves you to pieces!!

Opening gifts. You were spoiled to say the least!

A new doll from Aunt Jan.

Laying on your new pillow pet.

Blowing out the candles on your princes cake :)

That's my girl!

Nothing like kicking your feet up after a long, fun, exhausting day!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sweet Thing.

love, momma