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.

We're still here....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

'Patting' Daisy to sleep.

No excuses. I feel like crap and therefore I sit, sleep, and puke when I am home :) Although I doubt 'morning' sickness will end, I am feeling a little bit more in control (or maybe just getting used to it) so keep your fingers crossed!

Random (see below)

Our little one is quite mischievous. She is always coming up with the funniest things to say or craziest antics. She is good at manipulating bed time and asks for EVERYTHING in order to go to sleep. She has been sleeping with her doll stroller by her bed, well, since she got it I suppose. During nap the other day she somehow managed to pull it up over her crib and was sitting there playing. I was certainly amazed and laughing hysterically!

Oh, baby is good. Check up last week with a healthy heartbeat of 160bpm. Maddy continually and pretty consistently states it is a girl. She is quite funny with her wanting to talk to the baby. She also occasionally decides she also has a baby in her tummy :)

At the zoo.

While there, we saw Caileigh and Auntie M - Neighbors.

BIG NEWS for our Madelyn! She is officially and almost completely potty trained. Last week's snow storm did a world of good when we got stuck in the house for 4 days and hand nothing but time on our hands. Maddy has been working toward this moment and just needed the opportunity to perfect it. She has been wearing big girl panties with little to no accidents. This last week was her first week at school as a "big girl" and she has not had an accident in a good 5 days now! We are so excited! We have even been making trips in public and she handles herself well telling me when she needs to go (sometimes I think it is the novelty of seeing a new bathroom, but hey, we are definitely learning!) ** So proud!

The snow. Digging up the water shut-off 'just in case'

So I mentioned the storm...
Two weeks ago, we had a thunder/ lightning, LOTS of rain, hail, sleet, snow blizzard that ended with 3 below freezing days and a (almost) complete closure of all of town. We had about 4 inches of ice on the roads with maybe 5-6 inches of snow. Even base was closed so we got to enjoy 4 full days of family. This did get a little long not being able to get out though. We also had a house that is not built for SD weather when our heater couldn't keep up and the cold water pipes on all the outside walls froze, luckily we managed to get through it! :)

Luckily, we have great neighbors. Caileigh used to be in Maddy's class at school, but she recently turned 3 and graduated to the 'preschool'. Well, the girls have been missing each other and we spent every day sending them to opposite houses (even both in the same day) to keep these toddlers entertained. I know we were definitely grateful and Maddy and Caileigh have truly gained a bond that won't be ending soon. Actually, I just had to wrestle her away from there tonight!

Best Friends.

Divas.
Pillows :)

Helping Daddy rip out the laminate (more to come on that)

Love to you all! xoxoxo

It's coming....

I know you are waiting.... I promise something soon!!

Yes, Jess - sledding pictures too!

Big News!

Have you been missing my smiling face? Well a LOT has happened in the past month and we will probably take days catching you up....

First things first... I AM GOING TO BE A BIG SISTER!!! Mommy has said I will have to learn to share. August 5th is the magic date and we are all so very excited! That brings us to part of the delay in posting. Mommy has been super sick and we are all hoping that ends soon.

Diva girl.

We also spent 2 weeks in South Dakota with lots of family fun and snow and sledding! Those are some great pictures to come!!

Finally, Mommy got a fancy new camera. She loves it but it is taking a bit to figure out and she is still getting all the pictures loaded/ sorted from the past few weeks. Unfortunately, this means you will have to wait a bit longer, but she promises to work more on it tomorrow so stay tuned!