Poop.

Fashionista

As I sat thinking about what to put on the blog, I hear chatter from outside. Shaye is pushing the girls (Caileigh was here again :) on the swing and the conversation was going something like this;

"Do snakes poop?"
Yep.
"Do frogs poop?"
Yep.
"Do hippos poop?"
Yep. Anything that eats, poops.
"Do birds poop?"
Uh- huh.
etc. etc. etc.

This conversation very well could have taken the rest of the night with those two! This is about hwo day to day seems to be. I know potty training is way cool and I love more than anyone that I am not changing her diapers anymore, but there are still moments of wonderment around this subject that often make me chuckle and at times make me want to hide.
Like in the middle of a resteraunt when my toddler announces (rather loudly) "Momma, I have to poop!" or discusses with me bodily functions like she won a prize, "I farted!" Then there are those public stall moments, "Momma, you pooping?" "no." "Why?" "Because." "Mommy go pee pee?" "Yep." "Why?" "Cause I have to go." and on, and on, and on...

Cool new straws.
As you drink, the straw changes the milk's flavor.

Thanks Auntie!!

This weekend took us to Fort Worth to the zoo. We got to see a lot of animals, ones our little zoo here is too small for and some a bit more exotic. This place is huge and proved to be a little much for a toddler by the end. Nap time was pressing, the heat was out in full force (upper 80's in March), and lots of people. Silly me, picked the last weekend of Spring break to venture out for family day. Overall it was a great day and we are glad we went though. We stayed the night in a nice hotel downtown where we could walk around this pretty city. Had some dinner and then took the munchkin back so Daddy could take her swimming. Unfortunately, the pool was quite cold and they spent most of their time in the 'warm' hot tub.

"I got a monkey!"

I keep thinking, one day, Maddy will be able to sleep at a hotel and then she goes and proves yet again she is quite an independent sleeper who likes the comfort of her own bed/ crib. We are thinking hard on the "big girl" bed options for our house but are reluctant to give up 'easy' at this point. That girl tossed and turned and talked and talked her way to sleep. Finally, she gave in to only wake up around 3:30 and insist it was play time. An hour later and finally asleep for a good two hours before we were awake wetting the bed and ready to be up for the day. To top that - Shaye was really hurting and just couldn't get comfortable so he didn't sleep either. Ugh. Sunday brought a leisure stroll around the city for some photos before we headed home. Promptly taking a nap once we arrived to prepare for the week ahead.

Beautiful Fort Worth.

Maddy decided to let Mommy play and was the perfect model!!

We are excited about another upcoming trip when we'll be back at a hotel adventure after Grandma and Grandpa Eichenberger visit in 3 weeks to take us all to Nascar... It'll be better then right? ;)

Hope you enjoyed the photos of another week here and we'll see you all soon! xoxo

Baby News!

#2 Profile (leg in face :)

Well, today we learned we have a healthy, busy, bustling little GIRL! Yep, Maddy's intuition was right and we will be celebrating the arrival of a little sister. Unfortunately, her naming sense is not quite up to par. So far we have a vote for baby "Puh" and "Butter" ????? No idea.

While Daddy fears no one will ever want to work on cars and that he'll have two weddings to pay for - we are very excited. We can only hope little girl number two is slightly less dramatic than her big sis! ;)

I've already felt this pregnancy was "different" because I don't feel #2 is quite as busy as Madelyn was. While this brought me hope of a more laid back child, I learned today that by simple positioning of things (the placenta), I feel a bit less movement now that I might have with Ms. Mads.

#2 Profile
The bubble she looks to be blowing is apparently umbilical chord.

Lucky for us, we will be returning to see baby again in Eight weeks. While this is typically the only ultrasound done, there is a small concern that my placenta is a bit too low. The doctor assures me that I am very "borderline" and that 99% of the time this takes care of itself, but they do want to check again to make sure all is safe for delivery. He also added, "Plus, it gives us another excuse to see the baby again." So we are good with it.

#2 Looking at you.
(Top of head on right)

Now for the star of our blog. I really need to get better about carrying around our camera but I feel that you may only want to see so many pictures of us at the park or the zoo. Although every outing with this toddler seems to turn into an adventure!

My new shades.

The stories our little girl comes up with are entertaining. Let me see if I can remember a few....

The other day I called her "Bug" and she very seriously looked at me and said, " I Maddy Melton" And when Shaye randomly busted out a little song of "Mama Mia" she stopped him yelling, "No Daddy, Mama NOT Mia!"

This morning, my princess stopped me from getting her dressed to pick out a new shirt because "No Mommy, I don't want that Pretty one." Did you know a shirt could be too pretty to wear?

We have had a lot of chats about being a "Good Listener" and listening to what Mommy and Daddy say. Now at different times, especially when she wants something (e.g. fruit snacks or a lollipop) She says, "I'm a good listener."

Well, that is all I got now. I'll have to start making a list :) Every day is an adventure with her. I look forward to all these moments with number two, and I'm sure there will be extra funny times with both of them together!

Hippy Madelyn.
New love for headbands, even if they only last about 30 minutes before "I lose it."

Love to you all, x

March!?

Reading to my baby.

Really, it's March? Well, at least it is feeling like it here. Despite all the snow our loved ones seem to keep getting, we are pleased that Texas is bringing 60's, 70's, and even some 80's these days. We have had lots of outside time (backyard, parks, zoo) and are very grateful to get this toddler out of the house! Now to just get out and do some shopping as we have also outgrown all our "warm weather appropriate" clothing these days!

At my favorite place in the zoo...

New things....

The baby bump is growing. Today is 18 1/2 weeks and going strong. The illness is there, but tolerable. I think you just sort of "get used to it". Baby check up on the 1st brought "everything looks good" and a strong heartbeat in the 140's.

In other news in this area, I have talked with my boss and made the decision to stay at home once baby arrives. Well, at least most of the time. I applaud all working mom's and am so pleased that my husband gives me the choice and that we have the ability to cut out an income. I may return part-time, but we'll know more as time gets closer. For now, I want to be a mom (at home) while my babies are little. And the thought of another deployment with 2 kids, working full time, and family so far away is more than I ever want to experience at this point in our lives.

I continue to be amazed at the things Maddy comes up with and is so eager to share. This girl, she is so observant and smart. I know I'm her mom, but really... She is a master at her colors, shapes, learning letters, patience and skill for puzzles, and boy does she LOVE art. Her teachers are amazed at her attention to detail, use of colors, and drawing skills at this point. I'm not sure about all that and so I'll take what they give - they do have 13 other two years olds to make a comparison with! Maybe we are breeding the next Monet ;) (wonder who she gets that from???)

This guy was at the zoo.
I really wanted my picture with him.... until we got next to it!

Madelyn has lots to share.....

First 'real' haircut (finally).

My Mommy took me for my first real haircut. They cut a lot off (3 inches) and I think I look amazing! The lady was kinda pushy cause she kept telling me to hold still. Finally, with a little bribe of some new nail polish from Daddy, I held my pose and made it through.

Side view...

Cheesy princess.

I have been practicing for the baby. I talk to Mommy a lot about giving it or sharing my things with it - my bed, my toys, my clothes, my food... I was pretty sure I was getting a baby sister but this week, I have changed my mind and am telling everyone it is definitely a boy. What do you think? (Place your Vote up on the right hand side of our page.)

I also was the lucky recipient of a new swing. After multiple tussles over the "baby" swing, Mommy says Caileigh and I are too big for, she bought me a cool new glider swing built for two. With some handiness by Daddy, Caileigh and I are working on our teamwork as we insist on flying up into the clouds. (Although it is not self-propelled at the moment, this is a skill we will be perfecting this summer :)

Yes, we often try to see each other.

But - we also think it is really cool that we are both on the front! :)

Love to you all, x.