Wednesday, December 14

Christmas Festivities

Decorating our big Christmas Tree

Milk break.

You enjoyed hanging your Hello Kitty ornament.

Daddy snuck pictures of me and all my big belly glory.

Visiting Santa. A little unsure, but no tears.

Ok I think I am done.

Being silly one evening.

Running around the yard.

That smile keeps me going.

Laughing at daddy.

Vasia came over for a visit and y'all were dressed in the same dress. Smart mommies ;)

Making our Christmas cookies.

Chef Charlotte.

Eating your hard work.

Lunch at the Soda Shop in Old Salem with Grammy.

Bright sunshine picture.

Old Salem

Happy Girl.

Wednesday, November 23

Thanksgiving Eve

Today has been one of those days. You were fussy and teething, frustrated with me asking if you need to go potty every 5 minutes. I was frustrated with myself for seemingly not doing anything right in "mommy and wife world". The dog wouldn't stop barking. You spilt red Gatorade on my white comforter. I have been super sick all day. You peed on my brand new Christmas decoration that was laying on the floor. You won't eat anything (teething)...you see the pattern. But we got through the day. Me and you, a crazy mess of a team, we got through it, and there will be millions more, with you and a new little brother. 

Our beautiful chaos.

Tonight after daddy went and got supper, and returned with flowers to cheer mommies "no good, very bad day" attitude, he gave you a bath and read you who knows how many stories. God bless him. I stepped straight into the bath and sat, deflating from the insane day, and trying to get all my contractions to stop. Once I had five minutes to breathe, I decided that it really wasn't that bad of a day at all. That is about how long it takes me to laugh off the seemingly disastrous events, and realize how much I love this.  I sat there thinking of this life that I live each day and how amazingly grateful I am that I even have the chance to be a mother and a wife with a roof over my head and love in my life.

And here I sit again on the eve of Thanksgiving listening to music and thinking about everything and getting lost into nothing.

We have so much to be thankful for in our little world, in our big world. I tell you how much I love you every day, we redden your cheeks with kisses, we giggle and cry and get annoyed with each other (in our owns ways ;) ). We go through these days with such quickness and as much as I try to soak it all in, it is impossible to take it all in.

The beautiful life that you are and soul that you have. I am thankful for that. 
The sweet love that your daddy has for you, and his constant request of kisses from you. I am thankful for him.
The growing life that we will wrap with warmth and love in just a matter of weeks. I am so very thankful for the chance to be a momma all over again.
Your strong bond with your grammy and grandaddy, and her patience to read you stories over the phone when you cry for her. I am so grateful for them.
The way you say the entire blessing at dinner, by yourself and want us to all have our eyes closed. I praise God for this. I am so grateful for Him.

Bless you my sweet thing, I am ever so thankful for our crazy, simply, lovely little life. 

Here is a song I listen to all the time, and every time I hear it I think of you.

Taylor Swift, Never Grow Up

Your little hands wrapped around my finger
And it's so quiet in the world tonight
Your little eyelids flutter 'cause you're dreaming
So I tuck you in, turn on your favorite night light

To you, everything's funny
You got nothing to regret
I'd give all I have, honey
If you could stay like that

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
It could stay this simple

I won't let nobody hurt you
Won't let no one break your heart
No, no one will desert you
Just try to never grow up, never grow up

You're in the car on the way to the movies
And you're mortified your mom's dropping you off
At 14, there's just so much you can't do
And you can't wait to move out someday and call your own shots

But don't make her drop you off around the block
Remember that she's getting older, too
And don't lose the way that you dance around
In your PJs getting ready for school

Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up
Just stay this little
Oh, darling, don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up





Tuesday, November 1

2 Years Old

Yes I am over a month late in posting this...sorry, we have been busy bees!

You had your two year old check up with Doctor Clifford right after your big birthday! She and I talked all things potty training, getting rid of your sassy at night (which she said not to fret over too much), and understanding that it is OK if you do not clean your plate every night. I was worried about you refusing certain foods all of a sudden. She said to let you manage your own choices a little, and she was right. Within two weeks of that phase you are now eating like a horse. Literally, we are talking three big pancakes, yogurt and milk for a small breakfast...and just think of what lunch brings :)

We talked about how much you talk and how well you are constructing sentences. You are now able to ask for things with a complete thought. In the past few months you have gone from, "Mommy, juice please" to "Mommy, I want some orange juice please." You are also starting to be aware of your body and emotions. When you get tired, you say, "I'm tired, can I take a snooze". This is all very helpful with the cold and flu season coming up. Saturday morning you woke up very congested and you let me know that by saying, "look mommy, my nose is dirty, lets clean it" this all followed by "I want to snuggle and watch the dinosaur movie." You are also working on the tone in your voice. When you ask a question or show concern you change the tone in your voice appropriately. I admire your compassion. The amount of clarity in your communication surprises me each day.

As you run circles around your speech, physical abilities, growth, etc. You are one stubborn little one with potty training. This is going to be a tough task, that I continue to work hard on with you. Lately you have been a little better at going to the potty if I take you. You have trouble recognizing the "need to go potty" and understanding what to do when it is that time. This is all okay, we will get it. It just looks like mommy is going to have two kiddos in diapers for a while :) As a first time mom, I am trying to learn all I can to help you in this process too. So we will just have to be patient with each other! ;)

Dr. Clifford did your stats and they are:

Height: 37 inches
Weight: 34 pounds
Head: 19.75 inches

They now do two different percentage charts. You are still in 100% for your age. But when they do the chart of with the age span 0-36 months you are in the 89%. So basically, you are still proportioned when it comes height to weight ratio, but for your exact age you are the tallest, etc. The doctor is still predicting you will be a tall girl. We will see :)

You are in 3T clothes, and size 8 shoe. Your hair is still very blonde and getting thicker by the day. We have fun playing dress up and you are very patient with me while I put it in a braid, pony tail, etc.

Your new favorite things are my makeup drawer, your play kitchen, painting and coloring, music and singing, and most of all Books. Literally, we have to take books every where we go. And you read each one over and over until the pages rip. It is hilarious. Now you have memorized several of the stories and will read them to me or your daddy.

Two years old has been quite the adventure so far, and in just 10 weeks maybe less, we will have a little baby join our fun household. Wish me luck with potty training little one ;)

Monday, October 31

Halloween 2011

Off to pick out our Pumpkin!

Of all the pumpkins, you insisted to have "the one with the bumpy boo boos, ewwwww". What can I say, you appreciate character ;) 
Trying to talk you into getting a smoother pumpkin...As you can see by the look on my face...I was rejected :)

You also took a great interest in these, but soon preferred the orange. 

Showing how strong you are by lifting the pumpkin with me!


Halloween afternoon, we got all dolled up as Cinderella. Here you are pretending with your wand. You kept calling it a "wish".


Heading out the door.

Front porch picture with one of our pumpkins.

Anna Perry came over to say hello! She was the cutest bumble bee!

Cute girls.

Family Picture!

You and Maddie giving hugs. Best Friends!

Y'all are having a conversation about something. I love how close you two have become.

Sweet Nell!

You left a serious glitter trail all over the house from your dress and the glitter I put on your eyes and cheeks. The joys of having a little girl.
Happy Halloween Sweet thing.

She's got Personality...

Chef Charlotte


Hands on your hips

Reading with Daddy.  I cherish this picture.

I have to tell you how hilarious you are. Not just candidly funny, but you say things that make you think. You come up with these stories that you tell and tell and tell. They go from lions and tigers in the bathroom closet to a princess in your shoe. At night you stuff books down under your covers and pull them out one by one. I have to go up and take them out from under your head every night. You belt out songs in the back seat...every word memorized and when the song ends, you say mommy another song please. If I try to sing, you say, "First I sing first momma, then you can sing." In other words, mom stop singing haha!! When daddy sings you just say, Stop singing daddy! The laughter you bring to me explains all of the wrinkles I have earned as a mommy. 

Your fearless personality and "never met a stranger" attitude is so much like your daddy. You two are two peas in a pod and I love it. He definitely has his hands full, his heart full and his head full planning ideas to keep the boys away!

Sunday, October 23

Old Town Fall Festival

This afternoon we took you to the Fall Festival at Old Town. You had a great time dressing up in your Cheerleader costume, and I don't think your daddy could have been more excited to see his little girl in a pirate outfit! When we asked you what you were, you said GO PIRATES, ARGH! ha!!

The weather was perfect and the food was great!

You and daddy.

Sitting with your cousin Connor. 

Feeding the goats and lamas with daddy.

Cheese.

Giving the little pig some love. He was very sweet.

A rare picture of you and mommy.

Your favorite!! Riding the horse.

Hi Mommy!

Going crazy in the bounce house.

Weeeee!

Getting your face painted like a butterfly.

You were very patient and focused.

Taking it all in.

OK, so this is where I had to hold my breath. I hate snakes, I would never, ever, ever, ever touch or hold one. But you took a major interest in the snakes.So here we go. You held the snake...for a while. I finally got the girl to just take it from you.

Saying goodbye to the snake.