Thursday, June 28, 2012

18 Months

My Sweet Girl,

You are 18 months old today. I can't even believe it!!!!

You weigh about 25 pounds I would think. You wear size 18-24 months clothing, size 5-6 shoe, and size 4 diapers. 

You have about 12 teeth I think and are cutting more as we speak. You have been cutting the big ones and I can't imagine how much it must hurt. 

You are talking a lot now. You call my name to get my attention and know the names of all the dogs! You wake Gizmo up in the morning by hugging him saying, "Hi, baby!" in the sweetest voice! 

You know a lot of animal sounds although you tend to get stuck on one sound at a time. Some days everything says "moo" and other days they all say "baa". You always seem to get bumble bee, snake, and dog though. 

You are starting to recognize colors and you can count to three. You know a lot of body parts and love to point them out on me and Daddy and tell us what they are. You know eyes, ears, tongue, nose, hair, shoulder, knees, arms, belly, feet, toes, and tee-tee. We're working on back and booty! 

You still climb on everything. I finally put your high chair away because I was afraid you were going to seriously hurt yourself on it. I am a little surprise you haven't attempted to climb out of your bed yet. I am so thankful - I am not ready for you to be in a big girl bed yet. 

You are still a really good eater. You love fruit, corn, chicken, and cheese still. I really can't think of anything you won't eat. You love veggies just like you love cookies. You aren't taking a bottle at all anymore and haven't for a while but you still like your sippy cup. I guess it's a security thing for you. 

You just started playing with baby dolls. I think it is so cute. You feed them and push them in the stroller. You pat their backs - and say "my baby". It is so cute!!! 

You really love puzzles, balls, playing in the pool, but your favorite thing to do is read books. You will let me read to you forever. I love that about you! 

You still hate the car seat. Not sure if that will ever change although you are much better than you used to be. Not that I am trying to go on a road trip with you any time soon though! 

You give the best kisses. You stick your lips out and give me the "mmmmwahh" sound. I love it! You give pretty good hugs too! 

You sleep all night and you LOVE to sleep in. It is crazy to me that you go to bed at 9pm and will sleep  until 10am if I let you. You still take a nap but only one now! 

You are getting a little bossy in your old age. Your favorite word is NO and you say it a lot. You will also shush us if you think we're too loud. We have had to start setting some serious boundaries with you - I feel like you're testing the waters a little early but you are so sweet most of the time. You are also pretty sensitive so usually a stern NO gets your attention. I hope you stay that way! 

 So much has changed for us, sweet girl. I miss spending all day every day with you but have come to appreciate the time I get with you even more. I love getting to wake you up every morning and see your sweet sleepy face! I love putting you to bed at night after we read and pray. Every single day you make me laugh and show me something new to love about you. I cherish every moment...even when you drive me nuts! I love you will all my heart! 



Wednesday, June 27, 2012

The Trouble With No...

No is a word I have a hard time locating in my vocabulary. It is, however, Madeline's favorite word currently. Just in the past week or two she says no ALL. THE. TIME.  Sometimes she is really playful about it but she has started saying no and throwing something down if she doesn't want it or sometimes she'll say no and run the other direction if I ask her to come to me. Monday she had such a rough day (behavior wise) and I felt terrible. It was just a crappy feeling getting on to her constantly.

I always thought my parents were lying when they told me it hurt them more to spank me than it hurt me to get a spanking. I guess I am seeing the truth to that now. I was so frustrated by the time Madeline went to bed Monday night, I was almost relieved for a break. And then I felt guilty for feeling relieved. I am guessing all moms go through this when their kid acts out but it really is a first for us. We have been trying very hard the past few days to not use the word NO and to get stern with her when she does. She seems to curb it when I remind her to be nice. I'm open to suggestions. She is a sweet girl but I feel like she is at the age where she can start to learn what is/isn't appropriate language and behavior. Anyway, the main reason for this post is so in 15 years when she is a teenager,  I can look back at how easy my life is now!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

PROUD

Terry got promoted today!!! Well, the results came out showing everyone who qualified for promotion but they do it in order of who has been in the preceding rank the longest. So he will get to "sew on his rank" sometime later this year or early next year. 

Terry - I am so proud of you and love you so much! Whether it has been seeing you off at the airport for a deployment or TDY, watching you get up when its still dark outside to go to work, or hearing you come home in the middle of the night from shift work, I hope you know I appreciate everything you sacrifice for our family. Congratulations! I love you! 

Sunday, June 17, 2012

My Dad

Where do I begin? He throws socks in the ceiling fan to see where they will land. He used to make us run through the living room so he could peg us with a ball...he also did that when we would jump off the diving board. He drove us to school in his little Honda civic when we were little. He coached my softball team and pitched hundreds of balls to me when I went through a slump and couldn't hit a ball to save my life. He was my constant source of encouragement. 

He came to my school in 6th grade and spoke during chapel. He made everyone clap for me because it was my birthday and I cried because I loved him so much and I was so embarrassed! In 9th grade he picked me from school on my birthday, took me to lunch, and bought me a pair of shoes that I had been dying to have. I'll never forget that day and how even though I was 14, I was choked up when he brought me back to school and drove off. He always made our birthdays SO special. 

So many nights we would run and when we were done he would lay in the driveway next to me after we would run looking at stars and talking about life. I had a long conversation with him one night about how God's omniscience weirded me out because I knew no matter what flavor toaster strudel I chose, God already knew. And if I changed my mind, God knew that too. It still boggles my mind! 


He always asked for forgiveness from us when he knew he was wrong. He baptized me and showed me what it meant to be a Christian. He showed me how to love others and still have strong convictions. He proved to me that you can live what you believe. He never gave up on me, even when I gave up on church. 

He is my hero. I love you will all my heart, Dad! 


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Hot, Hot, Hot!

The past couple of days it has been 100+ outside. So stinking hot. We have been in the pool some but today I decided to use the heat for inspiration for my favorite hobby. Planning Madeline's birthday party...yes you read that right. My favorite obsession hobby is planning her birthday. Here's a sneak peek...



Can't wait until December! :) 

Sunday, June 10, 2012

New Addition

My sister-in-law gave birth to my niece last night around 10:30! She was scheduled for a c-section on Monday but her babies tend to like to make grand entrances! :) 

Welcome to the world, sweet girl! We love you and can't wait to meet you! 


Addyson Makenna 7lbs 3oz 
6/9/12


Cara and baby Addy! Love you!!!!

Friday, June 8, 2012

What's Going On...

* I just finished training to wait tables at Outback in addition to hostessing...it's made for some long days but I am glad it's over.

* School started. I am taking Pathophysiology and it is fascinating but massive amounts of information. I go through each disease and all the symptoms and try to figure out if I or someone I know has any of them...someone told me nursing school would do that to me.

* We just finished the chapters on genetic diseases and I am even further convinced of what an awesome miracle a healthy baby is - so much to be thankful for!

* I am officially the old lady at work. The younger girls come to me for advice and offer to show me cute things to do with my hair. Gosh, I am OLD! I secretly like being the old one though :) 

* I have been struggling with guilt...about everything...I think its common in all moms. I am just trying to keep it all balanced and I always feel like I could do more in every area. I'm trying.

* I smell like food right now because I just got home. I am starving, stinky, and tired so I am going to bed. After I shower and eat.

* I promise I have pictures and better posts...later. Happy Friday!




Saturday, June 2, 2012

Friday, June 1, 2012

Mom Of The Year

Well, I did it! I finally got Madeline off the bottle! I keep telling myself I was even a month early! She had her last bottle Saturday night. Truthfully, she was probably ready about a month ago, but I really did have a hard time with this. She is growing up so fast, and I guess her having a bottle at bedtime just made her still seem more like a baby. Next on the agenda is potty training I guess but I'm in no real rush for that!