Happy Anniversary!

When I was a little girl I would dream of my grown up life. I would have this great husband, fantastic kids, a beautiful home - the all around perfect life. I have it, it's not a dream anymore. And it's thanks to you. I love you Big A. Happy Anniversary.

Merry Christmas

From our house to yours!

Wordless Wednesday - Oh Christmas Tree

Mommy and Me Monday

Mantel Perfection

Everyone loves a fancy fireplace mantel at Christmas. And while I start with the grandest of intentions, others have a way of getting their own decorating flair into the mix. To be quite honest, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Every year my mantel starts out this way:But by the time the tree is up and the tupperware containers of ornaments and past crafts come out, the mantel gets decorated a little bit more - Sissy's old crafts, ornaments that don't have hooks but we still want them out, crafts from this year. And like I said, while have a mantel that looks like it comes out of a magazine is great, having one with all the little pieces of family is even better. How can you not love these little beauties sitting around the house - making it feel like home:

Giving Back At Christmastime

I really want to share the belief with Little Lady that you have to give back to receive. That it is always better to help those in need. One way I plan on embracing this belief with her is to give back to the needy at Christmastime. I plan on doing this every year at Christmas. So, we cleaned out the toy boxes and the closets and we headed to the Goodwill to drop off our donations. It really warms my heart that we will be doing this every year and that as she grows older she will begin to understand and appreciate the importance of doing so and how very special she is helping someone less fortunate that her feel.

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Pretties

Deck the Halls

I love decorating at the holidays. And while my house may not look like it comes out of a magazine, it's all us. Things we love. Traditions we love. The things that make our house OURS. Here is a little of our "decked halls."

A little love at the top of the TV:
We finally got some this weekend!
Nativity set in Little Lady's room!
Even the bathroom gets a tree!

Mommy and Me Monday

Kids need more messages like this.

I have always dug Katy Perry but this video topped them all. Kids need more messages like this from Hollywood. LOVE!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw

18 Months...is it the end of babydom?

It seems like such a baby still but really it's a pretty big milestone. I'm having a bit of a rough time with this age adjustment. I mean she IS still a baby but after this there is really no more measurement of age in months, it's all in years. I'll take her to the doc tomorrow and then her next check up will be at 2 YEARS OLD!!! I can barely rap my head around it. She is becoming much more independent. Her vocabulary is absolutely exploding. She is so stinkin smart it's ridiculous. I mean thanks to the programs on Nick Jr. she prefers to say hi and count in Chinese along with thinking Boots the monkey is her best friend and she can name just about every animal they showcase on Diego, especially the whale. She can have full fledged conversations with people on the phone, identify her family in pictures, and tell the dogs when they are being bad. But then when she cuddles up on my lap for some of her beloved booby, she is still such a baby. It's almost as if she is caught between being a little baby and being an independent little toddler. And I'm caught too, caught between wanting her to stay my little baby and wanting her to excel in her growth and development. I know I can't have it both ways. I'm not sure if I'll have more children, and I feel that these pinnacle baby times are closing and coming to an end. And I know that the full fledged toddler times will be just as much fun and just as enjoyable, I'm sad a little at the thought that they are already here but so very thankful in the same breath. Thankful that she has been so very healthy, thankful that she is so smart, thankful that she is her. I love her more than any words could ever describe. I just hope that with every day that passes she knows how much I love her, how much I enjoy every single moment with her, how much she means to me, to everyone in our family, how very special she is.

Wordless Wednesday - Fall Sunsets

Playtime

Now that summer is over I have been trying to keep Little Lady busy inside the house and at play dates so she doesn't get bored. Here is just a little of what she has been up to since the weather has turned cold. We may not be outside but we still have lots of fun!

Cold, rainy days seem like a good time to rock out in a tutu and a fisherman hat!

Reading is always good - note that she is sitting in a doll chair:)Play dates at the local children's museum are always a great idea.And when it's all said and done a good nap on the couch is what's in store.

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Mommy and Me Monday

Wordless Wednesday - Fall Photo Shoot