Friday, August 31, 2012

Disney

My parents were able to get us into Disney for free so we decided to take Madeline. It's another one of those things that I swore I would never do - you know take a 1 and a half year old to Disney - but alas I am full of parenting hypocrisies! We had a pretty good time - although I did pay $31 for a stroller rental that she refused to sit in. I think it was a little overwhelming for her but she really had fun! 

On the bus to Magic Kingdom


My niece, Baleigh, on the ferry ride  



Terry was obsessed with this man and his capri pants - we have several pictures of him!

Madeline on the ferry - she was SO excited on the ferry! 




The ferry 

Can you tell when Terry had the camera??? This person was not a member of our party...

At the entrance to Magic Kingdom

My sister and Madeline outside the shop where Terry bought a $15 rice krispy treat - it was  a huge Mickey Mouse head. You know Terry, always a sucker for anything with sugar! That was his souvenir! 

As soon as we got there, they started the parade and we had an awesome spot to watch it. Madeline was mesmerized by it! It really was my favorite moment of the day! 










We went to a Monsters Inc show where they use members of the audience to be parts from the movie. Madeline was chosen as Boo, the little girl from the movie. It was SO cute! Later in the day, people would say "hey, look its Boo!" when they saw us! haha


Madeline and Terry with Buzz! 

Terry was pretty intense on the Buzz Lightyear ride! 

I just thought this picture was neat - it was taken on the Buzz ride. 

Madeline's face looked like this most of the day! 

The only characters we got up close and personal with were Chip and Dale.  It was just too crowded and the lines were too long to wait to see the others. Madeline really loved Chip and Dale and didn't want to leave them. BTW, did you know Chip's name is Chip because his nose is a chocolate chip? You're welcome for that useless info! 


And then this happened. The bottom fell out of the sky and we had to wait in a restaurant with the other billion people trying to get out of the lightning. It was no fun! 

After the lightning stopped, we rode the teacups. It was still raining so we were soaked but it did cool us all off.  The above pic is right before the ride lady told me to put Madeline down so I never did get a picture of her in the teacup because she was too short to see over the cup! 




Madeline and Terry on Dumbo. Madeline wasn't the slightest bit scared on anything we did.  She had so much fun! 


We rode It's A Small World last I think. It's my favorite ride and Madeline loved it so much! I think it is so cute! 




The Magic Kingdom

We headed home around 5 or so. I think when Madeline is older we'll go and stay for the night parade and fireworks but it just wasn't worth it at this age. She fell asleep sitting up on my hip and we were just all ready to go.  We had done pretty much everything for her age anyway. Not everything about it is magical but we had so much fun! I think next time, and for sure if we were paying, we would try to go when it is cooler and when school is in so it would be less crowded. It's always crowded but it was crazy the day we went. We had a good time though and its something we'll always remember! I think we'll wait until she's three before we go back....or until someone suggests it and I can't say no! 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Update...

I am avoiding the Disney post because it is going to take forever but in the meantime, I wanted to keep my loyal followers (haha) abreast of the "Don" situation. Apparently, he and Gloria (yes, I have figured out her name!) have made up since I told her that he was spending the night out because she has been calling regularly again. I know some of you were concerned about their status but things are looking good for now. I'll keep you posted! 

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Vacation

The following posts are mostly for my memory so if you can hang with the boredom, be my guest! :) 

The trip to get to Orlando was a small adventure but after a small puking incident and one pee incident, we made it safe and sound. I should have packed more clothes for Terry...just kidding. It was all Madeline. But she did have no pants on when we landed - just her diaper and her shirt which is so ironic considering I put a lot of thought into the outfit she wore that day even though my parents really couldn't care less what she wears. Anyway, we went straight to my parents house, ate dinner, and crashed. 

Thursday we went to mall so Madeline could ride the carousel and Terry and I could shoe shop. I needed white tennis shoes for nursing school and let me tell you it is no easy feat to find white tennis shoes that look like they are made for someone under 75. Terry just needed new shoes and luckily we both found ones we liked for a steal! Madeline LOVED the carousel and can now spot a horse from a mile away! 


My dad had to be the one to take Madeline on the carousel. Instant hero.  

My niece flying the helicopter


The above picture reminds me of a verse in the Bible, " Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is older he will not turn from it. " Proverbs 22:6
Just kidding but I really was kinda proud - she got the new shoes off the shelf, took hers off, and proceeded to try the new ones on. Genius!


Riding the horse! 


My niece got this crown and these awesome extensions at the mall. In some ways I am looking forward to Madeline getting older but I am not sure if neon extensions is one of them! 



The guys went bowling that night so the girls ate at one of my fav restaurants - its kind of a dumpy bbq place but I really love their food! Terry hates it so it worked out perfectly. Madeline was so bad in there - she had ranch and powdered sugar all over her by the time we left but she sure looks sweet in this picture! 


My mom got Madeline this Minnie Mouse and Madeline was in love. She carried it around all week and everywhere we go now, she can spot "mouse". She is also recently obsessed with Elmo... I am guessing from her books because I don't think she has ever even seen Sesame Street. It is crazy but in the last week she asks for Elmo ALL THE TIME! You can imagine the excitement over this giant Elmo. I can't count how many times she fell trying to carry him everywhere. 

We went to bed semi-early to get ready for Disney World on Friday!!! 


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Behind...

I am way behind on blogging...we just got back from vacation tonight. I believe there are two things that really test marriages - traveling and Disney World!!! I am proud to tell you that Terry and I survived them both...barely. Just kidding. Sorta. Overall, it was a decent trip but I guess I am going to have to come to grips with the fact that there is no easy, quick way out of San Angelo. We flew out of Austin this time to save money and it was actually quicker than flying out of San Angelo because it's a direct flight so no layovers to deal with and the flight is just over two hours to Orlando. Madeline was really so good. I hate to even type this, but seriously, compared to a few other toddlers on the plane, we were so grateful. Although, I did stuff a bag full of toys she hadn't seen before and tons of snacks. Lots to blog about...tomorrow! Here's a sneak peek at my cutie at Disney World...


Sunday, August 12, 2012

Secret Sunday...

Madeline's wore her hair in a high pony tail to church today because I didn't feel like brushing it out. Mom of the year! She did,  however, get a bath tonight and is tangle free...until tomorrow!!!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Halls That Haunt Me...

Military medical facilities hold painful memories for me. Especially labs in these facilities. I have had countless amounts of blood drawn over the years to monitor  hcg levels for babies who didn't make it. When you have a history of miscarriage, they check these levels every other day to check the progress of the baby early on. I have had far more many "bad news" calls than good. I can remember looking at my bruised arms wondering why I would put myself through those tests over and over to get the same result. I can distinctly remember being in a place in life when I really believed I would not carry a child to term. 

 As hectic as our day was on Wednesday, I literally choked up as I held Madeline's hand walking down the halls of the clinic on base to the lab. All of those memories came flooding back to me for some reason, and for a second I really couldn't believe  the most painful journey in my life lead to the sweetest blessing. The miracle of her is never far from my mind, and I can't believe how much God has blessed me through her sweet little life. 


Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Judge Not...

Not gonna lie, I used to get so irritated at parents who brought their kids to daycare when they had a day off. I really never wanted to be that parent.  I was off today but had a lot of errands to run, one of which included taking three of our dogs to the vet for shots. As with my parenting skills, my dog training skills lack a little discipline and they tend to show out in public. But I decided to keep Madeline with me today rather than take her to daycare while I ran errands. I mean, I have one child, how hard could it be?  haha

Well, I almost drowned in my own sweat by the time I got the dogs loaded (and Madeline) after covering every inch of my interior with blankets to keep it from getting scratched or barfed on. (Phoebe gets carsick sometimes) By the time we got to the vet, I was frazzled but I managed to get them all in, get their shots, and get out without too much embarrassment. Madeline really was an angel, but got a little mad at me when I wouldn't let her take their copy of Cat Fancy home with us. At what age do kids understand, "Thou shalt not steal"?

So we took the dogs home, went to walmart, grabbed lunch, gas, filled up our 5 gallon water thing, and headed to my doctor's appointment on base. Yes, not only did I think I could take Madeline to the vet with all three dogs but why not let her come to the doctor too? Brilliant! I just had to have my TB test checked but it looked suspicious which involved a second opinion, measurements of the injection site, etc. Well, by the time we got out of there, I knew we were on the verge of total meltdown mode. She wanted to walk so I held her hand in the parking lot, and as I was putting my shot record (which is now worth a small fortune to me) in the front seat, she tried to run away from me while I was holding her hand. Somehow she twisted her arm and started screaming. 

Well, I kinda thought she was being dramatic so I put her in her seat where she proceeded to get more upset. She had her arm across her chest with her wrist flexed and wouldn't move it. So I pulled over to look at it but it seemed ok. She kept crying and about halfway had worked herself up so bad that she vomited. I got her home, cleaned up, and she still wouldn't move it. After an hour, I called the pediatrician who said go to the ER and get an x-ray. So I got Madeline ready, put my shoes on, and as I went to get her to put her in the car she was turning pages in one of her books with the injured arm. So I decided to leave it alone and she has been just fine all night. Seriously, what age do they start faking things? She's too young, right? I am still perplexed about the arm thing today.

This is the lesson I learned today: Moms who take their kids to daycare when they have horrifically boring and difficult errands to run are SMART. I am not. 

Monday, August 6, 2012

Mundane Monday

Today's post brought to you by the letter B...

Back to School... I spent most of today getting ready for school to start in the fall. I picked up my scrubs, lab coat, and other medical supplies I'll need. I still have to get notebooks and pencils but other than that I am pretty much ready. I did have to get 5 - that right FIVE shots today for school!!! Don't let the picture below scare you but I am about to be a legit nursing student! haha I am so excited!!!

Bald...I feel like a lot of times when my hair is up in pictures, it makes me look bald?! 



Backpack...I LOVE Madeline's backpack. My sister got it for her for our trip and it is SO cute! I had to get her name put on it! 


Busted...I totally busted Madeline stealing my study supplies and using them to decorate the furniture!!! 



Boring...this post is so boring but we really don't have much going on. I have 3 - count them - one, two, THREE days of school left for the summer! I am so pumped!!! 

Happy Monday!!!