Reese's Pony Party

When I started planning Reese's birthday party{I would tell you exactly how many hours I thought about and planned this party but I'm afraid you'd think less of me} I showed Adam all the pictures of things I wanted to do and have at the party. I was so excited because I knew a pony party was where it was at. You know what he said? "what happened to getting plates at Walmart, going to the Ashland park where half the pavilion was flooded, and having cake and ice cream?" That's when I introduced myself to him because clearly he doesn't know me very well.

Thursday (her birthday) started off just the way one would expect the terrible 2's to start. When I woke her up she cried and pitched a fit for no apparent reason.  Then she kicked and refused to take 

her PJs off. It was all just a load of fun for her mamma. 

After her party at daycare(which I do have a few picture of, but at this point I have been uploading the pictures for this post for 3 nights and my nerves can't handle waiting for one more to upload), where she cried some more, we ate at Monte Alban (because she is a fan of the ultra healthy cheese dip) then proceeded to go home, open presents, and eat somewhere around 3 "pop-cics." 

I just pray that her behavior on her actual birthday isn't a sign of the coming year. I keep saying that the crying is because she is cutting teeth and has an ear infection, but I don't know how long we can use that as our excuse. 

I went home directly after school Friday, ran around like a chicken with my head cut off, and tried to remain partially sane while I checked things off my to do list. Jolie spent the night with us because I needed reinforcements in the Reese E Cup department, and if there is anybody that can get her attention off of me it is "Goalie." 

Since Adam isn't in the cabinet business anymore he isn't as available as he used to be, so my parents picked up the slack and did all the required running around for the party. They spent the better part of 2 weeks getting loads of gravel for our yard and picking up square hay bails etc. It confirmed my belief that if I have to work full time then I need a full time assistant.;) 

Anyway, I'm done talking. Here are the pictures.

I searched and searched for a pony. Right when I had almost lost hope LaRae reminded me of their pony Brownie. The pony party wouldn't have been the same without...well... the pony so a big thanks to Anna Kate for letting us borrow hers.

Blakely was the only little cowgirl that wasn't afraid of Brownie. She's going to be quite the trend setter:)

A special thanks to D.D. for making these stick ponies a reality.

Happy Birthday Reese {the terrible 2's have arrived}

 Happy 2nd Birthday Reese!

I was going to go on and on about how I can't believe she is 2, but then I admitted to myself that I
don't remember what life was like before her. It actually feels like she has been part of our lives for a lot longer than 2 years.

I laugh when I think back to 2 years ago when we were headed to the hospital to be induced. I was confident that I was ready. I had read, and read, and for good measure I had read some more. Plus I was huge, hot, and ready for pregnancy to come to an end.. When I saw her sweet face 14 hours after being induced I instantly knew that I wasn't prepared. Two days later when they let us take her home I wanted to stay at the hospital. At the hospital somebody was there around the clock to be sure she was breathing. When we got home I cried and wanted Adam to watch her breath while I slept.

I now know that there is absolutely no way to be prepared to bring home your first baby. It is a life changing moment that can't be described.

I also laugh when I look at her coming home outfit. The flower/bow was as big as she was....but we all know the saying....the bigger the bow the better the momma:) I love that outfit. It hangs in her room now and every time I look at it I think about squeezing her into it just to relive the moment.

 This is my FAVORITE picture of that day. So sweet.

Now she and her daddy enjoy kicking back and watching football on Saturdays.

If you look close you can see she is holding a box of Winchester shotgun shells. Just the type girl I hoped she'd be when I ordered that coming home outfit with the extra large flower accessory. 

Last night we asked her what she wanted to eat for her birthday dinner and she said, "pop-cic" and that's exactly what she'll get. A popsicle with a side of strawberry cupcakes and a cup of "mook" because being the birthday girl only comes one day a year. 

Sick Day

It's Reese's birthday week and it's not off to a good start. She's been off and on congested for 3 weeks. I am 100% sure it is because she is cutting roughly 20 teeth all at once. Her eye teeth (is that the technical name?) seem to be causing the most problems. Monday morning she refused to let go of me. I tried to put on my makeup while holding her limp in my arms and soon decided it would be one of those days that a student told me in no uncertain terms that I did not look good. Which really, there is nothing that will give you a self confidence boost like a teenager pointing out how bad you look.

So after I tried to put her in her car seat and she cried, "mommy hold juuu peasssss" I decided we would spend the day at home. She started running a fever and slept most of the day while I ate rotel dip and watched Paula Deen. It really was a beautiful thing. Except the part about my baby snoring like a 400lb man with sleep apnea.

I reluctantly took her to the doctor (Because nothing says rookie momma like taking your baby to the dr and being told she is perfectly fine) and thank goodness I did. My diagnosis was inaccurate. I did the walk of shame as we left the doctors office with 2 prescriptions and an ear infection. I officially won the title of Mother of the Year.

My favorite part of visiting the doctor is when she insist on playing with the germy toys and then starts biting her fingernails. It helps me to look at the bright side of things- at least we aren't as sick today as we will be tomorrow. :)

Adam called this morning to say his boss that he was with all day yesterday threw up all night and had to go to the urgent care this morning. Can we all please have a moment of silence and ask the sweet Lord not to allow us to get the virus and have to cancel the pony party on Saturday. That would single handedly bring me to my knees. 

Dear Fall, I'm so glad you're back in my life

Well. I'm officially a ripe, old 27 year old.

Just kidding. About it being ripe and old. I'm not kidding about being 27. Somebody asked me Thursday how old I was and I had to count on my fingers to be sure. Which should make all of you thankful that I don't teach math. 

Back to forgetting my age. Isn't that weird? Do you do that sometimes? What's even weirder (I know that isn't a word but it's the way I would say it if I were talking to you face to face) is when it hits me that I have a 2 year old. I don't feel old enough to have a 2 year old. I feel more like....um....a 21 year old. Except at 21 I didn't have a mortgage, husband, or baby.

Never mind, I don't feel 21.

 Sigh.

Thursday morning to start off my birthday I had the following conversation with Reese:
Me: Reese did you sleep good last night?
Reese: Nooooo
Me: Why?
Reese: Baby cry

And she was right. She had cried off and on all night long. I can't imagine why because she was either on top of me or laying with her arms wrapped around my neck all night long. Yet she still feels the need to complain. I don't understand it.

To celebrate we (Big Daddy, D.D., Uncle G, MeeMaw, and PeePaw) all went to Yume for Japanese. It's important that you know that my parents don't branch out and eat new things. Branching out to them means eating Outback instead of Lonestar. They are people with boring simple palates. When we sat down at the table my daddy looked around and said, "you've GOT to be kidding me." I feel like it's safe to say they won't be regular constituents of Yume (or any other non-steakhouse restaurant). But then again this is a man that started drinking Mountain Dew a few years ago to cut down on his caffeine intake. He's a strange little man.

 The highlight of my birthday for Reese was getting to see "Onk G" and getting a ride.

D.D. brought delicious red velvet and key lime cupcakes that I ate a staggering 1 of because yesterday I turned the oven on to preheat and 10 minutes later Adam discovered that my little box of cupcakes had almost gone up in flames. Sadly they were melted to a non-edible state.

Friday night we went to the first Central, or Clay Central, or what ever we are going to call it football game. Reese loved it. The band seemed to be her favorite. Her BFF Addie was behind us and was talking while the band played so Reese turned around and said, "Addie hush." We've got some work to do on our manners.

I waited till Saturday to give myself my birthday present. I got up, cleaned the house, put rotel in the crock pot, lit my fall candle, turned on the first football game I could find, and put out my fall decorations. I give myself this same gift of decorating the house the weekend after my birthday every year because it makes my heart happy. Then we loaded up and went to Adam and Adrianne's for the game. I didn't see a play of the game because I was busy catching up with friends and making sure Reese was sharing with Blakely and Sarah. I heard Auburn is going to be slightly less than good this year, but I don't really care because my love for Auburn is more than football deep. I love the town and the atmosphere and apparently so do all the other Auburn fans or we would have broken up with them last year.

Blakely still has a paci and Reese was real jealous.  When Blakely would cry Reese would put her paci in her mouth.

Hopefully I'll make it back to the blog sooner rather than later, but I can't make any promises. My mother starts pestering me about it if I don't blog consistently. As if she doesn't get to see the girl everyday;)

23 Months (better late than never)

At 23 Months:

Weight: 22 lbs.
Height: ???


Some of my favorite things she is say: "boo bus" (school bus), "get it mommy" she says it really fast, "uh callin'" (who are you calling), "Steffff" everytime I get on the phone she thinks it's Steph (which probably shows we talk way too much!) "Bubbas tub" she wants to get in the tub with bubbles. Big Daddy is "Big Buddy", "Hold juu" when she wants us to hold her, and "Onk G" Uncle G.

Since she has started repeating everything we say we do a lot of spelling at our house. It isn't that we say ugly things, but I would hate for her to go to daycare and repeat the word "idiot" because she heard us go on a tirade the night before when something concerning our current administration came on the news. It has gotten to the point that Big Daddy says he can no longer communicate with us if we are going to keep up all the spelling of words. (But between me and you there was a rumor a few years ago that he had a D on his report card in 3rd grade if that tells you anything about his spelling abilities.... I mean really. Who has a D on their report card in elementary school? Big Daddy that's who.)

She loves the Mickey Mouse app that we have on her  our ipad. Part of the app makes you say "Go Pete Go" to get Pete to finish the race. She will stare at the screen and scream for Pete to go. Then she wants us to help her tell Pete to go.

We have fallen into some what of a bad habit. Back in the summer she got a virus that was going around. Since then she has slept with us at least part of every night. Then when school started last  week I was so tired that I let her lay down in our bed several nights.( I am pretty sure I fell asleep before she did) And here's the thing about her sleeping with us- I am affraid I will regret it when she is 5 and still in our bed, but I'm more affraid that I will regret letting her cry for me when she's 16 and embarrassed by my mere existence. She cries this terrified cry while she calls for me and it is pitiful. One night she had called for me and called for me then she started saying, "Daddyyyyyyy, Dadddyyy" Adam covered his ears and said, "ohhhh nooooo I can't hearrrr you." Don't tell my Daddy because I will NEVER hear the end of it but she fell off the bed this morning. Rolled right into the floor. I picked her up, put her back in bed, and I am pretty sure she never woke up.

Has decided that she wants to give her Daddy a pedicure every night:) And he lets her.

"Melon" is the one thing she will consistently eat. 

 She loves big trucks, school buses, baby dolls, and wearing my high heels. It's just the combination I dreamed of when I was pregnant and picking out pink dresses and sparkly shoes for her.

And this is just the kind of face I hoped my kid would make;)

A day in the life...

I know that by late October I will be thinking back to these hot summer days and wondering what in the world we did every day so here is where I will give entirely too much detail about our day. If you decide not to read it I do not blame you. We aren't all that exciting unless you consider drinking coffee until 10 every morning exciting. In which case we would be best friends.

(I started this post about 3 weeks ago so lets pretend the days are correct)

We have finally trained Reese to sleep in which hasn't been as great as I had expected. Monday morning she slept until 9:15 which was great because I got up at 7 and almost had her room cleaned out and organized (one of my goals for the summer) by the time she was up. (I LOVE it when I beat her up because I can actually get something done). (When I went back and read that sentence it sounded like I physically beat her up, but y'all know what I mean.) However, she DID NOT take a nap ALL DAY LONG. Does my use of capital letters show you how this didn't make for the best afternoon at our house?

Jolie (better known as "Joey/Goalie) stayed with us last night and today which means I have basically had a free day because when Jolie is around Reese is not concerned with her momma. And who would want their boring old momma when you've got this.....?????

I guess we can call it her first real spend the night party since we let her sleep in the floor with Jolie instead of her bed.

It turned out to be the best day of Reese's whole life because Addison also came over to play. She had her 2 favorite people in one location.

Later that same week we went shopping with Allison and Addison. 

Addison was kind enough to let Reese play in her hair while we shopped. (Yes, we own our very own stroller, but they are much happier riding together.) Plus when they are not in the same stroller/buggy they try to crawl over the buggies to get together which leads to Addison falling out on her head in Hobby Lobby. You better believe that we got some ugly looks from the older generation of ladies that stood nearby. For the record Addison was not injured (too bad) and once we realized she was okay all we could do was laugh. Because we are mature like that:)

We have also spent a lot of time in the kitchen this summer. Reese loves to reorganize the silverware.

And, of course, we've spent time at the pool. The only problem with the pool is that she doesn't get a nap on those days which leads to a ton of drama in the late afternoon. She jumps straight off the diving board without blinking an eye.

I am pretty sure she is tired of me because she gets so excited when her daddy comes home. (When she was a tiny baby I thought she looked just like him, but recently I had started to think she was looking a little more like me. THEN I saw this picture and oh my goodness I don't see me at all!)

I took her to MeeMaw's one afternoon so I could cut the grass. As I was leaving she pushed open the screen door and said, "go momma go." See? Tired of me.

Her first cooking lesson....

We went to the mall with DD and I remembered seeing kids riding in those car strollers. I knew that would be a hit. $3 later I was right. She LOVED it. It was the best shopping trip I've had since before her birth mainly because she wasn't hanging on my leg begging me to hold her.

We have also spent some quality time with the pups. (P.S. We do own clothes for her, but she prefers only a diaper. I hope we break that habit within the next 2 weeks.)

Potty training is in our immediate future. Or so I hope. Every time she tee tees just a little she takes her diaper off, goes and gets me another one, and says "clean clean." She does use her potty, but consistency is our problem. 

So to sum up our summer I will say that....I have no idea where it went! It seems to go by faster every year, and I'm sure that won't change. I will be so sad to go back to work, but on the contrary I think she will be so happy to go back to daycare and play with her friends. 

If you need me next week I'll be sitting around being lazy with big plans of cleaning my house one last time. Plans that will inevitably not come to pass:)