Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
And remember...Friday is a spirit day, so no worries about a fancy 'outfit' on Fridays.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Purse purging
In a post earlier this week I talked about my friend coming over to help me finalizing my closet purging. What she also helped me do was go through my purses.
I love purses.
And shoes.
She had already helped me go through my shoes many months ago and I threw out quite a few pairs that haven't been replaced. (As a side note, I now believe that my hubby has more shoes than me, and I think this is just hilarious.)
Have I mentioned how much I love friends like this?
Anyway, in our going through purses, she pulled out a few and stuck them to the side. She put the ones I knew she would in the 'keep' pile, and some of the ones she put in the 'no' pile I felt a little twinge over. She suggested I look through them and be sure they were cleaned out before I made a final decision.
As I was pulling things out of one of them, I came across a list of gifts from a baby shower that had been thrown for me.
It brought back such fond memories. Sweet, right? Especially considering that my sweet baby Jacey is now a year old.
Except that this gift list wasn't from a shower held for Jacey.
Oh no.
It was from a shower held for TATUM.
Yes, Tatum.
Over four years ago.
That clinched it.
Any doubt I had about whether or not to let go of that particular purse was gone, as it was crystal clear that it had not been used in over four years.
But it made me wonder....why did I feel that twinge when I initially thought about getting rid of that purse? Why is it, for that matter, so hard to get rid of most anything, even things we don't use that much? Or haven't used, in the case of this particular purse, in years?
These are the things that clutter our closets, fill our homes, cause us stress, require cleaning, yet we can't bear to part with them? Why?
In the past few weeks as I've been getting rid of things it's been so nice to pass them on to other people who can use them. It's hopefully blessed others and helped them, which causes me to feel like I'm doing good, it's made my house look better - cleaner and more open, it's made it easier to keep things clean around the house, and it's caused me to want to keep purging. The more I get rid of the more it seems I want to get rid of...like a weird purging cycle.
So my question for the day...what are you holding on to that's weighing you down? (And you can go as deep with that question as you would like). What kind of baggage are you carrying? Purge it! Get rid of that excess baggage now and for good!
I love purses.
And shoes.
She had already helped me go through my shoes many months ago and I threw out quite a few pairs that haven't been replaced. (As a side note, I now believe that my hubby has more shoes than me, and I think this is just hilarious.)
Have I mentioned how much I love friends like this?
Anyway, in our going through purses, she pulled out a few and stuck them to the side. She put the ones I knew she would in the 'keep' pile, and some of the ones she put in the 'no' pile I felt a little twinge over. She suggested I look through them and be sure they were cleaned out before I made a final decision.
As I was pulling things out of one of them, I came across a list of gifts from a baby shower that had been thrown for me.
It brought back such fond memories. Sweet, right? Especially considering that my sweet baby Jacey is now a year old.
Except that this gift list wasn't from a shower held for Jacey.
Oh no.
It was from a shower held for TATUM.
Yes, Tatum.
Over four years ago.
That clinched it.
Any doubt I had about whether or not to let go of that particular purse was gone, as it was crystal clear that it had not been used in over four years.
But it made me wonder....why did I feel that twinge when I initially thought about getting rid of that purse? Why is it, for that matter, so hard to get rid of most anything, even things we don't use that much? Or haven't used, in the case of this particular purse, in years?
These are the things that clutter our closets, fill our homes, cause us stress, require cleaning, yet we can't bear to part with them? Why?
In the past few weeks as I've been getting rid of things it's been so nice to pass them on to other people who can use them. It's hopefully blessed others and helped them, which causes me to feel like I'm doing good, it's made my house look better - cleaner and more open, it's made it easier to keep things clean around the house, and it's caused me to want to keep purging. The more I get rid of the more it seems I want to get rid of...like a weird purging cycle.
So my question for the day...what are you holding on to that's weighing you down? (And you can go as deep with that question as you would like). What kind of baggage are you carrying? Purge it! Get rid of that excess baggage now and for good!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wardrobe Challenge
I've been going through my clothes, paring down. Not necessarily because I'm concerned about my space (although my hubby might like to have more than just his jeans in our 'shared' closet), but because I have realized that I have a lot of clothes. My 'a lot of clothes' may not be a lot of clothes to some, as this is certainly a relative term, but hear me out.
I work in an office from Monday through Friday. It's a fairly casual office, but it is a work environment, and depending on my schedule and meetings, there are some days that require me to be 'dressier' than others. Fridays are typically more casual, especially in the fall when you'll normally find me in a maroon shirt - many times it's my TAMU jersey, a departmental shirt, or some other A&M gear. So do the math with me here...that leaves me four days during the week for 'outfits'. Continue with that math and I need 16 'outfits' for a month - not counting Friday 'spirit' days.
Ibribed invited a friend to come over for dinner earlier this week and asked her to go through my closet with me and help me purge my clothes (again). I was mainly concerned with my tops and jackets.
Here's my newsflash: I am not a fashionista.
Stop laughing.
No really. Stop.
Ok. Now that you've picked yourself up off the floor, I'll continue.
So I asked this fashion-forward friend of mine to help with what I was hoping would be a final purge of my closet. She determined that a handful of my tops were not 'work' tops and forbade me from wearing them to work. Ever again. Then she got me into this decade and tossed out a few more shirts and jackets.
I was expecting that, which is exactly why I asked this particular friend for her help. We all need friends like this who we can trust to be brutally honest with us. I love her.
So after this purge, my inventory of spring/summer/fall work tops (hey, I'm in Texas and my 'winter wardrobe' of long-sleeve tops doesn't really count in this mix since I only wear them for maybe a month - tops...everything else can be short sleeve, sleeveless, and dressy tanks) totals 22 items. These are the tops, not the jackets and other accessories. Note: this count does not count tank tops, t-shirts, etc
If I factor in the Friday spirit day piece, and start my clothes on a rotation, this clothing count should take me over five weeks to fully wear. Let me say that a different way to fully state my point and the reason why I initially thought (and kinda still do!) I had (have?) too many articles of clothing.
If my clothes are on a rotation, I should only wear something ten times in a year (assuming weather conditions remain such that I can wear the same clothes year-round, which as we know is not the case).
Written in that manner, the amount of clothing I have still seems somewhat absurd to me. And I've purged. Really purged. Is this still too much??
I still have a few articles of clothing to the side in my closet that I'm hoping to fit back into after I stop nursing, but there really aren't that many of them (less than a half dozen tops). I also have some pre-pregnancy clothes that I'm not ready to admit defeat on quite yet.
I have realized that I'm in a clothing rut. I tend to wear the same things over and over again (at least it feels that way to me). Now that I've come to this clothing revelation, I'm going to experiment to be sure I'm wearing everything in my closet that I'm keeping. And if I don't like it, don't feel comfortable in it, or don't feel confident while wearing it, it's gone.
Period.
And I'm going to photo journal it. I'll try to post weekly on my wardrobe selection, so we'll see how that goes.
Wanna go on the challenge with me?
I work in an office from Monday through Friday. It's a fairly casual office, but it is a work environment, and depending on my schedule and meetings, there are some days that require me to be 'dressier' than others. Fridays are typically more casual, especially in the fall when you'll normally find me in a maroon shirt - many times it's my TAMU jersey, a departmental shirt, or some other A&M gear. So do the math with me here...that leaves me four days during the week for 'outfits'. Continue with that math and I need 16 'outfits' for a month - not counting Friday 'spirit' days.
I
Here's my newsflash: I am not a fashionista.
Stop laughing.
No really. Stop.
Ok. Now that you've picked yourself up off the floor, I'll continue.
So I asked this fashion-forward friend of mine to help with what I was hoping would be a final purge of my closet. She determined that a handful of my tops were not 'work' tops and forbade me from wearing them to work. Ever again. Then she got me into this decade and tossed out a few more shirts and jackets.
I was expecting that, which is exactly why I asked this particular friend for her help. We all need friends like this who we can trust to be brutally honest with us. I love her.
So after this purge, my inventory of spring/summer/fall work tops (hey, I'm in Texas and my 'winter wardrobe' of long-sleeve tops doesn't really count in this mix since I only wear them for maybe a month - tops...everything else can be short sleeve, sleeveless, and dressy tanks) totals 22 items. These are the tops, not the jackets and other accessories. Note: this count does not count tank tops, t-shirts, etc
If I factor in the Friday spirit day piece, and start my clothes on a rotation, this clothing count should take me over five weeks to fully wear. Let me say that a different way to fully state my point and the reason why I initially thought (and kinda still do!) I had (have?) too many articles of clothing.
I should be able to wear something different to work every day for over five weeks.
If my clothes are on a rotation, I should only wear something ten times in a year (assuming weather conditions remain such that I can wear the same clothes year-round, which as we know is not the case).
Written in that manner, the amount of clothing I have still seems somewhat absurd to me. And I've purged. Really purged. Is this still too much??
I still have a few articles of clothing to the side in my closet that I'm hoping to fit back into after I stop nursing, but there really aren't that many of them (less than a half dozen tops). I also have some pre-pregnancy clothes that I'm not ready to admit defeat on quite yet.
I have realized that I'm in a clothing rut. I tend to wear the same things over and over again (at least it feels that way to me). Now that I've come to this clothing revelation, I'm going to experiment to be sure I'm wearing everything in my closet that I'm keeping. And if I don't like it, don't feel comfortable in it, or don't feel confident while wearing it, it's gone.
Period.
And I'm going to photo journal it. I'll try to post weekly on my wardrobe selection, so we'll see how that goes.
Wanna go on the challenge with me?
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Happy birthday, Kellen!
Eight years ago yesterday, I began my parenting journey with Matt when we were blessed with you, Kellen. I still remember so many vivid details about that day. Matt and I took Bailey for a walk trying to 'move things along' and I had to continually stop for contractions; calling and talking to the doctor to check in; taking a warm bath to try and relax to discern whether it was real or false labor; timing contractions; calling and talking to the doctor again; taking our good ole' sweet time getting to the hospital in large part because Matt didn't believe I was 'really' in labor; having the doctor check me and then convince Matt that - yes, the baby WAS coming. I remember scarier things, too....having to be put on oxygen because your levels weren't looking all that great, getting pitocin to speed things up, the doctor trying to break my water only to realize there really wasn't any 'water' to break, but then you got here, and despite having a perfect knot in your cord and the cord wrapped around your neck - twice, you were perfect.
And we were parents.
Parents totally and completely in love with you.
Eight years later and we're still totally and completely in love with you.
Happy birthday, Kellen!!
You have developed into such a wonderful young man! I still call you my sweet baby because you will forever be that to me, but you are growing up before my very eyes. So responsible, you enjoy - no thrive - on helping. During school, you want to make everyone's lunches and get everyone's breakfasts ready. You take your jobs very seriously.
You were such a great helper with Tatum and are even more so a help with Jacey. When she wasn't quite as mobile and 'wiggly', you would get her up in the mornings, change her diaper and clothes, and bring her to me so I could feed her. Once she started getting a little bigger, it was harder for you to do that, but you still are at her beck and call. If she cries or needs something, you are typically the first to get to her to help. In fact, you got her in the middle of the night last night when she was fussing. It is so obvious that you ADORE her that it melts my heart. And if she cries, for whatever reason, it just seems to literally break your heart. You absolutely cannot stand it. Period. So much so that if she's crying and you can't help - you have to leave the room or walk out of the house. You can make her light up like no one else in the world. She has a smile and laugh reserved just for you, and you know it!
And Tatum....oh you two are typically so good together! As she's getting older, the bickering is getting a little more common, but it's not bad. You're typically good about sharing your toys with her, reading to you, and taking turns playing something she wants then something you want. I couldn't ask for too much more. Well, except maybe for the toys to go back to their places all of the time, but you guys are actually pretty good about that, too.
As for you and your dad, this year in particular has been your fishing year. You guys have both really taken to fishing and that seems to be your 'thing' to do. You get up virtually every Saturday morning and go fishing - typically to Jack's place, or to Central Park, and fish. I'm thrilled that you get to spend that quality time with your dad! And I am really touched that it happens to be fishing...which my Pap would have loved to do with you both if he had the opportunity. I'm glad that you got the chance to meet him, even if you don't happen to remember it.
And us - we enjoy doing lots of stuff, don't we? Our 'special nights' with picnic dinners and movies; you helping me bake a cake or brownies; reading, or playing games. You are just so much fun to be around!
You're getting to spend a lot of time at your Maw Maw and Paw Paw's this summer. I'm so glad that you're getting that quality time with them and that they're able to keep up with you! Some day you will realize what a blessing this time and these memories are that you're getting to create with them. I hope that you cherish the memories you're making.
About you this last year:
Sports/Activities:
Awana's at church
Upwards Flag Football
Upwards Basketball
CS Little League
Cub Scouts
Taekwondo
(Yes, you keep VERY busy!)
You enjoy your sports, you enjoy watching and sometimes getting to go to the Aggie football games, but the best and most important thing about the last year is that you made the most important decision of your life this past fall - while fishing with Daddy at Jack's place - and accepted Jesus as your savior. We are so proud of you and pray that we help to mold and shape you to grow in Christ!
So, to celebrate your birthday, we actually had a family celebration this past Sunday (on Jacey's actual birthday, but her birthday party was the day before - so it was ok). I made a green dinosaur cake (at your request) and you opened just a couple of gifts.
But they were things that you had been asking for for quite some time....since before Christmas, I believe....
And I think you were excited to finally get them! So we all have to admit that you outgrew your Leapster....
We did a small family party because the big celebration was a trip to the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey Circus ON your actual birthday. So we gave you the tickets on that Sunday so you could look forward to the circus, then went last night. You had a BLAST!
Getting ready for the grand finale.
Happy birthday, Kellen! I hope that you not only enjoyed your birthday celebration on Sunday, but your birthday Skype with Aunt Boo, Mommy and Jacey, and your circus celebration. You had quite an eventful birthday yesterday!
Your mommy and daddy love you so very much and are so proud of the gentleman you're growing into!
And we were parents.
Parents totally and completely in love with you.
Eight years later and we're still totally and completely in love with you.
Happy birthday, Kellen!!
You have developed into such a wonderful young man! I still call you my sweet baby because you will forever be that to me, but you are growing up before my very eyes. So responsible, you enjoy - no thrive - on helping. During school, you want to make everyone's lunches and get everyone's breakfasts ready. You take your jobs very seriously.
You were such a great helper with Tatum and are even more so a help with Jacey. When she wasn't quite as mobile and 'wiggly', you would get her up in the mornings, change her diaper and clothes, and bring her to me so I could feed her. Once she started getting a little bigger, it was harder for you to do that, but you still are at her beck and call. If she cries or needs something, you are typically the first to get to her to help. In fact, you got her in the middle of the night last night when she was fussing. It is so obvious that you ADORE her that it melts my heart. And if she cries, for whatever reason, it just seems to literally break your heart. You absolutely cannot stand it. Period. So much so that if she's crying and you can't help - you have to leave the room or walk out of the house. You can make her light up like no one else in the world. She has a smile and laugh reserved just for you, and you know it!
And Tatum....oh you two are typically so good together! As she's getting older, the bickering is getting a little more common, but it's not bad. You're typically good about sharing your toys with her, reading to you, and taking turns playing something she wants then something you want. I couldn't ask for too much more. Well, except maybe for the toys to go back to their places all of the time, but you guys are actually pretty good about that, too.
As for you and your dad, this year in particular has been your fishing year. You guys have both really taken to fishing and that seems to be your 'thing' to do. You get up virtually every Saturday morning and go fishing - typically to Jack's place, or to Central Park, and fish. I'm thrilled that you get to spend that quality time with your dad! And I am really touched that it happens to be fishing...which my Pap would have loved to do with you both if he had the opportunity. I'm glad that you got the chance to meet him, even if you don't happen to remember it.
And us - we enjoy doing lots of stuff, don't we? Our 'special nights' with picnic dinners and movies; you helping me bake a cake or brownies; reading, or playing games. You are just so much fun to be around!
You're getting to spend a lot of time at your Maw Maw and Paw Paw's this summer. I'm so glad that you're getting that quality time with them and that they're able to keep up with you! Some day you will realize what a blessing this time and these memories are that you're getting to create with them. I hope that you cherish the memories you're making.
About you this last year:
Sports/Activities:
Awana's at church
Upwards Flag Football
Upwards Basketball
CS Little League
Cub Scouts
Taekwondo
(Yes, you keep VERY busy!)
You enjoy your sports, you enjoy watching and sometimes getting to go to the Aggie football games, but the best and most important thing about the last year is that you made the most important decision of your life this past fall - while fishing with Daddy at Jack's place - and accepted Jesus as your savior. We are so proud of you and pray that we help to mold and shape you to grow in Christ!
So, to celebrate your birthday, we actually had a family celebration this past Sunday (on Jacey's actual birthday, but her birthday party was the day before - so it was ok). I made a green dinosaur cake (at your request) and you opened just a couple of gifts.
But they were things that you had been asking for for quite some time....since before Christmas, I believe....
And I think you were excited to finally get them! So we all have to admit that you outgrew your Leapster....
We did a small family party because the big celebration was a trip to the Ringling Bros & Barnum & Bailey Circus ON your actual birthday. So we gave you the tickets on that Sunday so you could look forward to the circus, then went last night. You had a BLAST!
The tigers were taking a nap before the show.
You and Tatum could have spent a very long time just watching the elephants!
Exploring the elephant tooth on display.
Did I mention that you and Tatum would have happily spend the evening just watching the elephants stand around?
You and Tatum decided to get tattoos on your hands - both of them - and Tatum quickly made friends with this performer, who gave you guys LOTS of extra tattoos.
Dress up time!
Who's the ring leader?
Tigers! Tatum was enthralled and I'm not sure she blinked at.all. the entire time this part of the show was taking place.
The Bionic Brothers. And yes, they were *THAT* amazing!
These ladies bent in ways that just made me hurt watching them. Absolutely amazing. It made me want to go home and stretch. Not that I did, but I thought about it.
Another set of folks whose feats of strength were quite amazing!
Snakes!
And this guy, Mighty Meetal, managed to hold over a half a ton on his legs.
That's weights and a handful of people just balanced ever-so on him.
Incredible. Paw Paw was duly impressed.
This was by far the act he was most looking forward to during the show!
There were SEVEN people riding motorcycles in this cage. SEVEN!!!
A little someone was thrilled!
Everything was 'awesome' and she couldn't pick a favorite!
With their costumes and bouncing around, they looked like little flames bouncing all over the place!
Getting ready for the grand finale.
The kids had such a good time!
Happy birthday, Kellen! I hope that you not only enjoyed your birthday celebration on Sunday, but your birthday Skype with Aunt Boo, Mommy and Jacey, and your circus celebration. You had quite an eventful birthday yesterday!
Your mommy and daddy love you so very much and are so proud of the gentleman you're growing into!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Shoes
I follow the Hendricks blog, and many of the posts there are some of the ones getting me thinking 'deep thoughts' here lately.
And some of the posts just open my mind to things I never knew existed.
Like sandals that could be tied in different ways.
With different colors.
Made by gals working to pay for their education.
In Uganda.
Where it seems like this type of experience just doesn't happen all that often.
If you want to learn more, check out the post here!
And some of the posts just open my mind to things I never knew existed.
Like sandals that could be tied in different ways.
With different colors.
Made by gals working to pay for their education.
In Uganda.
Where it seems like this type of experience just doesn't happen all that often.
If you want to learn more, check out the post here!
An effort thwarted
So I've been trying to reduce, reuse and recycle around here, and in general, lately.
But it would appear that my efforts are thwarted on the car seat front. Jacey has now officially outgrown her infant carrier and base. I have a new (to us) car seat that I installed late Monday afternoon once I had official doctor's growth stats indicating that she had 'graduated' from her carrier.
Sidenote: The thought occurred to me...I can no longer contain her in her carrier, which was a wonderfully calming method of containment for her in the mornings as everyone else was rushing to get ready and out the door. No really...she many times would take a short cat nap in the mornings by the door and/or on the way to school. She'll now be another set of feet in that crazy run-around mix!
We still have Kellen's infant seat (the same one Tatum used) that's 8 years old. And bases...boy do we ever have bases. We have given a couple away to some cousins for their second vehicle, but I still think we have three or four of them.
And it doesn't seem like - other than giving it away to someone - that I can get rid of this stuff in any other method other than the trash. And that is just a shame because there is good life left in Jacey's carrier! (I'll accept that Kellen's is too old and needs to be trashed, or recycled, but info on how to recycle said carrier would be greatly appreciated!!)
I can't take it to a resale shop and sell it. I can't even donate it to Goodwill. So I guess I will check around for ladies I know who are close to having kiddos and see if they're interested!
Update as of noon: The carseat and bases have officially found a home and I'm beyond thrilled!
But it would appear that my efforts are thwarted on the car seat front. Jacey has now officially outgrown her infant carrier and base. I have a new (to us) car seat that I installed late Monday afternoon once I had official doctor's growth stats indicating that she had 'graduated' from her carrier.
Sidenote: The thought occurred to me...I can no longer contain her in her carrier, which was a wonderfully calming method of containment for her in the mornings as everyone else was rushing to get ready and out the door. No really...she many times would take a short cat nap in the mornings by the door and/or on the way to school. She'll now be another set of feet in that crazy run-around mix!
We still have Kellen's infant seat (the same one Tatum used) that's 8 years old. And bases...boy do we ever have bases. We have given a couple away to some cousins for their second vehicle, but I still think we have three or four of them.
And it doesn't seem like - other than giving it away to someone - that I can get rid of this stuff in any other method other than the trash. And that is just a shame because there is good life left in Jacey's carrier! (I'll accept that Kellen's is too old and needs to be trashed, or recycled, but info on how to recycle said carrier would be greatly appreciated!!)
I can't take it to a resale shop and sell it. I can't even donate it to Goodwill. So I guess I will check around for ladies I know who are close to having kiddos and see if they're interested!
Update as of noon: The carseat and bases have officially found a home and I'm beyond thrilled!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Scripture Memory (Verse 14)
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD.’” Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)
Click here for the latest LPM blog post regarding the Scripture Memory Verses.
Click here for the latest LPM blog post regarding the Scripture Memory Verses.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Happy birthday, Jacey!
At shortly after 11:34 last year, on July 17th....my beautiful babies looked like this:
This year, on July 17, 2011...my beautiful babies look like this:
What a difference a year makes.
Happy birthday, Jacey!
In just one short year you have proven that your Daddy is still a softie when it comes to his girls, your brother is still the best big-brother helper ever, and that your sister may have some competition in the strong will category.
I'm truly in awe that a year has gone by since you joined our family in person. You have certainly made your mark in this last year, and made it clear - early on - that you weren't necessarily going to follow in your brother and sisters footsteps. At least, not all of them.
Illnesses (multiple ones at that!) we had never experienced, middle-of-the-night ER runs, multiple chest x-rays, sensory issues, solid food issues, first-food sensitivities....you certainly wanted to make sure your mommy and daddy were well rounded in their parenting experiences!
You certainly kept the mobility trend going. You were rolling over within days of being born, and you haven't really stopped moving since. Your transition from crawling to walking was incredibly fast...although you were a little later to crawl than your brother and sister, you made up for that quickly by not 'cruising' too terribly much and virtually going straight into walking. Steps at ten months and full-out walking at 11 months. Your newest adventure in your eleventh month is climbing. *sigh* It's hard to keep up with you now!
Your personality has really started to show through more and more over the past few months. For the most part, you're pretty easy going and laid back. But then sometimes, the switch flips and I can tell that you have quite the mind of your own! You already show a great deal of empathy...I call you my 'sympathy crier'. If either of your siblings are upset - for any reason - so are you. You have no idea why you're upset other than you know they are, and that's enough.
Your adoration for your brother and sister just melts my heart. Your brother can make you laugh, smile and squeal like nobody else in the world. He's been able to do that from day one. And he loves doing it! He can't stand to hear you cry or see you upset. It truly breaks his heart. I'm not sure how this is going to work for us down the road....when one of you gets in trouble everyone will get upset?
And your sister...well, you two really enjoy sharing your room together. On nights when she isn't here I have to remind myself that when you wake up, you're used to seeing her in the bed across the room. When you don't see her, you get scared. She's your comfort. I think you two are going to have a lot of fun together now that you're getting a little older and can really play. You two already like to have tea parties and play 'kitchen'. I honestly think the 'pink level' in the house scares your daddy sometimes.
And speaking of your daddy. Oh my....you just melt that mans heart. Just this morning he brought you to me so that I could feed you and you, clear as day, said, "Da-Da". If you could have asked for a pony he probably would have bought you one on the spot. You love playing games with him...there is one he's dubbed 'hands-and-feet' because your hands and feet are together in front of you and he picks you up by them and lifts you up...you just squeal with delight when you guys play that game. The other you love is a special version of peek-a-boo, where he covers his face with his hand and you move his hand with yours so you can see his face. It's precious!
And me...well...you and I have our special moments quite often since you're still nursing. Over the last couple of weeks you have decided that the food we eat just might be ok and have gotten a little more brave with what you're trying, but up until that point, it was pretty much you and me, sweetie.
Things you like:
You wanted to get close to Joshua, and sitting in his mommy Krystal's lap was the only way that was going to happen.
Then we got ready for you to smash into your birthday cake.
You did a great job actually digging into the cake, but in true Hapes female fashion, you were more interested in the Oreos than in the actual cake. Mommy tried to feed you some, but you weren't that interested. You really didn't like the yucky stuff on your hands and wanted it off.
So after a quick wash down and wardrobe change, we let you eat and play.
And then we tried to open presents.
I say 'tried' because you were way more interested in playing in the play house than opening your presents. You did enjoy sitting on your horse and managed to figure out how to go backwards, and had lots of fun going that!
All in all, it was a great birthday celebration. Happy birthday, sweet girl. You've come a long way from being our little peanut!
What a difference a year makes.
Happy birthday, Jacey!
In just one short year you have proven that your Daddy is still a softie when it comes to his girls, your brother is still the best big-brother helper ever, and that your sister may have some competition in the strong will category.
I'm truly in awe that a year has gone by since you joined our family in person. You have certainly made your mark in this last year, and made it clear - early on - that you weren't necessarily going to follow in your brother and sisters footsteps. At least, not all of them.
Illnesses (multiple ones at that!) we had never experienced, middle-of-the-night ER runs, multiple chest x-rays, sensory issues, solid food issues, first-food sensitivities....you certainly wanted to make sure your mommy and daddy were well rounded in their parenting experiences!
You certainly kept the mobility trend going. You were rolling over within days of being born, and you haven't really stopped moving since. Your transition from crawling to walking was incredibly fast...although you were a little later to crawl than your brother and sister, you made up for that quickly by not 'cruising' too terribly much and virtually going straight into walking. Steps at ten months and full-out walking at 11 months. Your newest adventure in your eleventh month is climbing. *sigh* It's hard to keep up with you now!
Your personality has really started to show through more and more over the past few months. For the most part, you're pretty easy going and laid back. But then sometimes, the switch flips and I can tell that you have quite the mind of your own! You already show a great deal of empathy...I call you my 'sympathy crier'. If either of your siblings are upset - for any reason - so are you. You have no idea why you're upset other than you know they are, and that's enough.
Your adoration for your brother and sister just melts my heart. Your brother can make you laugh, smile and squeal like nobody else in the world. He's been able to do that from day one. And he loves doing it! He can't stand to hear you cry or see you upset. It truly breaks his heart. I'm not sure how this is going to work for us down the road....when one of you gets in trouble everyone will get upset?
And your sister...well, you two really enjoy sharing your room together. On nights when she isn't here I have to remind myself that when you wake up, you're used to seeing her in the bed across the room. When you don't see her, you get scared. She's your comfort. I think you two are going to have a lot of fun together now that you're getting a little older and can really play. You two already like to have tea parties and play 'kitchen'. I honestly think the 'pink level' in the house scares your daddy sometimes.
And speaking of your daddy. Oh my....you just melt that mans heart. Just this morning he brought you to me so that I could feed you and you, clear as day, said, "Da-Da". If you could have asked for a pony he probably would have bought you one on the spot. You love playing games with him...there is one he's dubbed 'hands-and-feet' because your hands and feet are together in front of you and he picks you up by them and lifts you up...you just squeal with delight when you guys play that game. The other you love is a special version of peek-a-boo, where he covers his face with his hand and you move his hand with yours so you can see his face. It's precious!
And me...well...you and I have our special moments quite often since you're still nursing. Over the last couple of weeks you have decided that the food we eat just might be ok and have gotten a little more brave with what you're trying, but up until that point, it was pretty much you and me, sweetie.
Things you like:
- sucking your thumb - you seem to do this mostly when you're tired
- your lovey - when you're tired, you grab the lovey with one hand (typically you're right) and start sucking on your left thumb
- your blanket - you have 2 that are similar, just different colors; they're silky on one side and minky on the other
- your seahorse - tap on the tummy and he lights up and sings you to sleep
- your toys (and you have certain special favorites!)
- Food: refried beans; colby/monterrey jack cheese cubes; pancakes (Grandpa's! - you ate them for the first time just a few days ago); grapes; Nilla wafers; Ritz crackers; chicken; macaroni and cheese; pizza crust
- your sister's play kitchen and tea party toys
You wanted to get close to Joshua, and sitting in his mommy Krystal's lap was the only way that was going to happen.
Then we got ready for you to smash into your birthday cake.
You did a great job actually digging into the cake, but in true Hapes female fashion, you were more interested in the Oreos than in the actual cake. Mommy tried to feed you some, but you weren't that interested. You really didn't like the yucky stuff on your hands and wanted it off.
So after a quick wash down and wardrobe change, we let you eat and play.
And then we tried to open presents.
All in all, it was a great birthday celebration. Happy birthday, sweet girl. You've come a long way from being our little peanut!
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Greatest Show on Earth!
Indulge me here, but let's take a photo-heavy trip down memory lane back to the first part of May, when the fam (a LOT of the fam, including Maw Maw, Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Jonathan) went to the circus. Thank you to Paw Paw, who stayed and watched Jacey so the rest of us could go!
Excited for the pre-show!!
Tatum jumped right in on the action and had fun during the pre-show!
She wasn't the least bit shy about joining in....
it reminded Grandma and Grandpa of another little girl from long ago....
The kids just had a blast with their Uncle Jonathan!
Tatum trying out the tightrope.
Mid-flip....this was pretty cool!!
A good time was had by all! It was a great first-circus experience for the kids!!
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