Week in Review

I just love this "week in review" post.  I find myself stopping to take pictures that I otherwise may not have captured so that I can document our week!!  So...here's to another week:

Firsts of the week:


from left to right and top to bottom:
1.  I hosted Bunco!!  I've been playing for the past year with a group of girls that meets once a month at one of our homes for food, drinks, a little bunco, and most importantly girl talk.  I know...seems like an old lady game...but it's fun and mindless and I enjoy the company.  I had hoped to take pictures of the food and drinks but only managed to get one of the tray of chips #hostfail
2.  My wedding rings fit again!  I took them off at around 32 weeks with Kate and just finally managed to get them back on.  Yippee...happy day.
3.  First glass of wine in a year.  It was amazing...delicious....better than I remembered.
4.  Addie's first manicure...or rather, just nail painting!!!  No worries...we used Piggy Paint, which is nontoxic...she loved it.  I did her toes too...in a fun green color and she was so excited.

Addie's week:


1.  "I got my own golf cubs, daddy."  Pretty sure those words just sealed her fate as a golfer..all S can talk about is taking her out on the course with him so she can hit a few around.
2.  That's Mumble...getting a first row seat to his own movie "Happy Feet."  Addie insisted on putting him there...it was certainly good for a laugh.
3.  Someone found grandma's lipstick....at least she applied it to the appropriate area of her face and managed to not get it all over the walls or anyone else.
4.  On Sunday morning I asked Addie to help me by getting a new bib for Kate.  Out of the gazillion bibs we have (reflux is no joke) this is the one Addie picked.  Clearly she can't read and didn't know what she was picking but it made my momma heart smile.

Kate's week:


1. Big smiles on "meet and greet" day at Kate's school for the newborn room.  I took Kate in and she slept the entire time but I at least got to meet her teachers and get all sorts of information on how her day will go and what she will need....phew, it's alot to remember!
2.  Cheers to this girl for finally warming up to her bumbo chair....so much so, she fell asleep in it..ha!
3.  My sweet girl snuggled in my arms napping.  I'm trying to soak up as much of this as possible...love this sweet girl.
4.  Her feet are at the end of her 0-3 month clothing...how is that possible?!

Highlights of the week:


1.  Maybe not a "highlight" but definitely a high....holy, weather.  It was insanely hot last week...I felt zapped as soon as I stepped outside.
2.  A very special girl celebrated her birthday!!!
3.  Yum...we found an awesome new recipe from the chew thanks to my daytime TV watching.  They were amazing and I plan to share the recipe soon...but if you can't wait and want to try these out the recipe is on the chew's website (hawaiian pork tenderloin sliders).
4.  This picture may seem pretty simple...but that little doll in Kate's hand just so happens to be Addie's world.  That's Prudence and Addie has to know where she is at all times.  She LOVES Prudence...so that fact that she gave her to Kate to hold...was monumental.  Watching Addie's love for Kate grow is one of the best gifts motherhood has given me.

So...if you made it all the way to the end...thanks for reading...phew, that was alot!!! 

week in review...

I had SO much fun snapping pictures of the silly little goings-on in our life this past week...amen to the iphone...what in the world did we do before we had phones with cameras!!  I'm linking up again with Kat at "Living Like the Kings" to share our week in review.

what we did:


from left to right and top to bottom:
1. i made it through another "couch to 5K" workout and broke the 2 mile mark...with the help of a new pair of running shoes.  I bought my last pair before Steve and I started dating which makes them at least 7 years old...eeekk!  Kate spent lots of time on her tummy....well, kind of.  The little girl rolls from her tummy to her back these days...so tummy time is kind of a joke in our house.
2.  we took a family tour of the neighborhood...always fun to see what the neighbors are up to.
3.  i did some crafting...made my first bunting banner...thanks to a tutorial from my dear friend Lis.  I must admit though..she glued it all together for me last time and this time I was alone and definitely glued it all together backwards and didn't realize until I went to hang it...cue the panic.  Luckily, I was able to reassemble very quickly and all was not lost.  All in honor of celebrating my mom's sixtieth...we had a surprise party at my house (i got no pictures because I was running around like a mad woman trying to do last minute things...like reassemble this banner..haha)
4.  we had the pleasure of cleaning "Lake Dunkin" out of our coffee cup holder in our truck thanks to a hole in the bottom of the hubs iced coffee.  fun times.

what we ate:


1.  chocolate chip pancakes - I'm such a fan - it totally makes me feel like a kid again.
2.  steak fajitas - we used some delicious flat iron steak...marinated with lime, cilantro, salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil...and then added all of our favorite toppings
3.  strawberry champagne jam toast - My favorite jam that we pick up at our local farmers market...it's amazing.
4.  grilled caprese - I've got fresh tomatoes from my mom's garden but totally didn't feel like cooking bacon to make a BLT (my favorite summer lunch)...so I grabbed some of the basil I had in my window box...some mozarella and havarti cheese we had in the fridge and through it together for a fun twist on a grilled cheese...i highly recommend it!

my girls:


1.  addie LOVE LOVE LOVES her baby sister...she is always asking about her and talking to her....I got lucky and was able to capture this picture of the girls this weekend from my parent's house...Addie was so sweet trying to entertain Kate while she got her diap changed.
2.  a rare moment in our house...both girls napping at the same time.
3.  we went out on a family fro-yo date...Addie and Barbie decided to dine together at the "Little Dippers" table. 
4.  another rare moment of Kate actually taking her paci...I've been on the verge of picking up another brand to see if she just doesn't like the type I've got for her but she really does just fine without it most of the time...so maybe not.

kate's week:


1.  SMILES...we got smiles this week!!!!  Something that just never gets old.
2.  it was cuteness overload...I was working on some party crafting and I looked over to see this going on in my living room...can we say "daddy's girl"
3.  bath time - one of kate's favorite things to do...she just loves to kick her little feet around!
4.  bumbo time - one of kate's LEAST favorite things to do - yep, that would be her angry face.

So that was it...our week in review...fun times.

WW...our 4th...the outtakes

because this is just a smattering of the pictures we usually get when trying to "capture the moment"...but that one picture that's perfect...makes all of these funnies worth it!

Our 4th

Trey and Addie living it up on the 4th

The 4th of July has long been one of my favorite holiday...fireworks...summer...celebrating our freedom and everything good about our country.  This year further validated my love of the 4th...we spent the afternoon with close friends and family eating all sorts of amazing things (basically an appetizer dinner...my fave) and then we walked down to watch the fireworks with the rest of virginia beach...i tell no lies when i tell you there were thousands of people at our local park to watch the city fireworks...it was insane and a true test of one's patience but only one day a year so we celebrate the insanity.  I had some concerns about Addie...she doesn't like loud noises..they terrify her (i.e. the vacuum, lawn mower, blower..you get the picture) and we all know fireworks are noisy!  But that kid...she LOVED them...ate em up...wanted more...and more...and more.  We watched the NYC fireworks on TV when we got home and she's still asking daily for more fireworks...sorry, kid...its just once a year.  There sure is something magical about the good 'ole red, white, and blue and celebrating that is something special....

my girls

Wordless Wednesday...my girls

Addie's 2nd birthday preview

The party is a little over a month away but I've taken advantage of some major motivation I've had to get things together and thought I'd share some of the highlights...

"Look whoo's turning 2"...yep, that's the theme...cheesiness to the max...but shouldn't it be for a 2 year old's birthday party?!?!  We are going with the owl theme this year which was completely inspired by Addie's halloween costume last year (here are some pictures).  Bright pinks and oranges will be the colors and we are planning to host a much smaller gig than last year.  Here are a few sneak peaks of some decorations I made purchased (let's be honest...i'm trying to reduce my stress levels these days;)) for the party.  We are planning to keep the food pretty simple and as always there will be plenty of sugar to go around.  BBQ sandwiches (or maybe sliders...depending on how on fancy we decide to get), Miss Vickie's chips (a household favorite), mom's pasta salad, and red skin potato salad will serve as the main course....and for dessert (who are we kidding...thats what people really look forward to) it will be cupcakes and owl-shaped brownies (wish me luck on that endeavor) and maybe....just maybe some cake pops and/or oreo truffles (game-time decision on those).  I'd love to hear what you guys have planned so feel free to share your ideas or thoughts!!! 

I can't wait to share all of the post party pics and give credit to the wonderful folks who were able to make my decorating dreams a reality!!! 

Things I always want to remember....

These years...they will go by SO fast...I know - I blinked and my baby girl is almost 2.  As I was getting Addie ready for bed tonight...I got to thinking about everything she is doing and saying right now and how if I could just hit pause...I would.  But since we all know that's not possible...I wanted to write down some of my favorite things....

her sweet nature....while running errands the other morning i heard her in the back of the car chatting away....the words..."boo boo, you k?"...in this sweet little "mother hen voice" - i suppose she was imitating either me or her teacher at school.  she's hyper-focused on boo boos...and it just makes me smile to see her care so much if someone else is hurt.  and prudence the owl....her go-to stuffie...her baby.  she carries prudence everywhere...feeds her dinner and milk...hugs and kisses her and will not sleep without her.

Addie and Prudence

her hugs - I can't tell you how many times I've almost melted at the door when I'm greeted with a hug on my way in the door from work.  I'm amazed at how this little baby that I cuddled and kissed for months is now constantly returning the affection...makes my heart smile.

the way she explores....constantly.  like a sponge...she takes in everything around her.  in the tub..outside (always looking for bugs...always)...in the house...in the car...everywhere.  she loves trying to figure out how things work and what they can do.

 

her "addie-tude" - yea...she's still got it.  She despises nap time and bed time...and I totally remember being the same way when I was little but as much as it kills me to hear her scream..."momma..momma...help"...i know its only a matter of time before the sand man takes over.

her curls - i have no idea if they will stay or go...both the hubs and i have wavy hair but didn't have these curls as babes.  any length to her hair curls right up and i just love looking at the bunch of curls on the back of her head...i hope they stay!!!

her love of reading...books, books, books...in your hand - yea, she'll even help you flip the pages. we read the same book at least 6 times before we are allowed to move onto the next...i hope her love of books lasts her a lifetime.

her "cheese" - Addie has become quite enamored with the camera as of late...everytime i pull it out...i get "momma, cheese" and a grit-toothed smile with a loud "cchhheeessssseee..."  and speaking of cheese (like the food)...i think she's addicted...she's constantly requesting it...hands down her favorite food.

her dancing - I get so tickled just watching her jam out to some of her favorite tunes...Adele, Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffet, Brad Paisley....and even an occasional Biggie....this girl loves it all.  If you pick her up and dance with her...you can count on being her best friend for life.

the way she picks the garden....green tomatoes, red tomatoes, leaves...it doesn't matter...she's picking it.  and with a great sense of excitement...this girl loves to go out in the garden.

 

the way she tries to repeat everything we say....i get so tickled listening to her try to say whatever word I've just uttered...the most recent one that totally had me on the floor laughing...gorgeous.  something about an almost 2 year old saying something is "gorgeous" got me.

how she sticks her tongue out when she's concentrating on something.  i just noticed her starting to do this recently but she totally does it

 

her style....or maybe not.  this girl loves to try and dress herself...she changes her mind on her shoes at least twice before we leave the house every morning...the more glitter the better and dresses are all she wants to wear...girly girl, much?!

dadda's shoes...uumm, and socks...are a favorite too.  she did this all by herself...swear!

and most importantly...i just love the way she has changed my life...given me new perspective...made me a better person.

a day at the beach..

so i must sheepishly admit....we live in virginia beach...15 minutes from my driveway to the edge of the atlantic....number of times we've been to the beach this year: 1.  i know what some of you are thinking...i live 1,000 miles from the beach and i've been there more than you have this year...and that would be a true story.  BUT, when we actually made it...we were so glad we did.  I also felt like a total #momfail because my little babe LOVES the beach.  There was not an ounce of fear or shyness in that girl when it came to the waves and sand...it warmed my heart to see my girl loving the beach so much.  So, we're going to go back...seriously.  Here are some pics from our adventure:

Thank you all SO much for your continued prayers and support...i am so thankful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people (virtually and in the flesh) and it has really helped me.  I feel like I've really come a long way in the past week - I can actually talk about everything without breaking down and have come to terms with the reality of it all.  so thank you, thank you, thank you!!  this week has been a blur and i know i've missed out on catching up with everyone else and i apologize...im hoping to get caught up by the end of the week:)

thank you and Addie's 22 month update

I first wanted to thank everyone from the very bottom of my heart for all of the uplifting comments and emails.  This has been without doubt one of the toughest experiences I've been through and blogging about what happened really helped me get into words where my mind was at....but the comments and emails that followed...that's what helped me get through the week.  If you've never been there its not easy to know what to say and if you have...reading someone else's story and reliving your own is painful too...so thank you, for reading...for supporting me...it's meant more than I could ever express in words.  Each day has been better...I've ironed....alot.  I don't particularly enjoy that chore but it's been better than sitting and thinking.  Addie's 2nd birthday planning (which this update has kindly reminded me is only 2 months way....sheesh) and her toddler room designing has been in full swing.  Distraction is necessary.

Here is Addie's 22 month update....crazytown that she is almost 2!

and in good fun - while watching the horse jumping in the olympics yesterday addie told me she wanted a horse.  Thats a pretty big birthday request if you ask me...but I'm marking yesterday as the FIRST time Addie asked for a horse;)

in the mean time...these guys will have to do...

WW...this one's for the dogs...

WW....backyard water fun!

happy 4th and wordless wednesday!!!

weekend recap

I've feel like I've been so out of the mix for a while now...but wanted to share our weekend...nothing exciting....just the mundane thats been keeping us on the run...

Saturday morning we did our usual...off to the farmer's market to grab our veggies for the week....in the 100 degree heat, y'all....even at 9am...ick...mark the date - june 30 - i said for the first time this summer "i'm ready for fall..." here's what we scooped while navigating the crowds....

next up was a much needed trip to the va aquarium....addie's first visit and i'm pretty sure she was the most excited kid there.  Squeals and jumping up and down pretty much summed up what she did at every turn and the sight of more fish....not only am I 100% certain we totally looked liked tourists in our own town but I'm pretty sure people thought we needed to get out more....we'll definitely be making more of these trips.  I was totally amazed at how well Addie walked through the aquarium with us with 0 melt downs...thanks to charlie sheen...we now call that "winning"

so excited to see the fishies

looking in with dadda

looking for gators with momma

and saturday night left the hubs and i some "adult time" with our favorite beach bums....mexican dinner and ted....it really doesn't get much better than that these days....seriously, go see ted...it doesn't disappoint...

sunday was more of the household chore day....grass cutting, cleaning, organizing....you know the drill....

but i'd still take that over any monday....

It's potty time...

We pulled the trigger on purchasing Addie's training potty and so far its been all good.  We are obviously taking things very slowly...I've heard from almost everyone I've ever talked to that pushing it only makes things worse...plus Addie is pretty young to be seriously potty training.  We've talked about it and she likes to sit fully clothed on hers while I'm on mine...all great steps in my opinion.  She also takes great joy in carrying it around the house....as you can see below:)

the most efficient way to take care of potty duties...

so proud...and clearly she's been into strawberries

wild thing...you make my heart sing

 

I'd love to hear from you guys on any tips you have or tricks that worked well in your house in the potty training department.

Addie's 19 month update

Wow...19 months, really?!

Wordless Wednesday...almost

An evening to remember....Addie's second Tides baseball game at Harbor Park (addie's first game was blogged about here...

checking out the field and game-day conditions...

Addie with "bah-buh"

love this face...

my fave - Addie and her poppa enjoying fireworks after the game...

Hi friends...

Hi friends....it feels so nice to be actually sitting down to post something on my little piece of the internet - I can honestly say that I've really missed reading everyone's blogs (although I've been trying to catch up little by little the last two weeks or so) and writing about everything going on in my little life too.  I thought it might be weird if I just started back with a random post about gardening or toddler tidbits so I figured I'd just give a brief overview of everything else I've been doing over the last few months (minus the blur of January and the first half of February).  It's probably easiest if I just break it down to a few general topics so here goes it....

My favorite topic - my girl.  I truly feel like Addie has really come into her own over the last few months...she's gone from my "baby girl" to my "big girl."  She's definitely her own person these days...I'm catching glimpses of the terrible twos and her attempts to repeat almost everything we say has me in tears some days.  Her favorite word and place is "ott-side"....which is perfect because outside season is upon us.  She also really likes to tell me "no" and she is constantly testing her boundaries.  She knows to get her own diaper when I ask her and when its bedtime she grabs her "be-bes"...says "nah-night" and scampers happily down the hall (its those moments that have me wondering what happened to my baby).  We've also entered a phase of what I really think might be night terrors and bad dreams - 2-3 times a week Addie will wake us in the middle of the night with piercing screams that go on for a bit.  It's just crazy to me how much she's changed just over the last few months...she's also been going full time to pre-school/day care and she just loves it.  She has a BFF...a boy she kisses (sshhhh...don't tell Daddy) and she just adores her teachers.  I've been soooo lacking on the pictures lately but here is one I managed to snap before leaving the house on Easter....

My distraction - our home.  We're basically a few weeks away from completing a whole home renovation.  We bought our home 5 years ago and have picked away at projects like renovating both bathrooms, reinventing our backyard, adding a deck....but this winter we basically gutted and re-did everything else.  We removed walls, moved plumbing and electrical to completely change the kitchen, had our floors re-finished and new carpet installed, added a pantry, converted to natural gas, and the list goes on....  It's been long overdue and one thing just pretty much led to the next.  It was much easier to just do it all at once so after 5 years of saving and dreaming our house has really become our home.  I have so many pictures and updates that I can't wait to share but we still have some ends that need to be tied up!!

Me - I'm loving everything spring/summer these days and am so excited for all of the dust to settle around here (literally).  We've been taking more family walks in the evenings and just enjoying our time together...it's been so nice to just be our little family of 3 without the distractions of the rest of the world.  Like I said before, I've totally missed blogging and and I'm anxious to get back into the swing of things...the new blogger was almost enough to scare me off;)

Addie's 15 month update

Dear Santa, I need your help...

The hubs and I have gone back and forth on what to get Addie from Santa.  Last year, we did a few things and filled her stocking with goodies (no worries, the grandparents made up for what we lacked) but decided that setting additional money aside in her college fund was more important (boring, i know).  So, we put the bulk of her "santa gifts" in a college fund and still had trouble finding space for all of the other lovely gifts she received.  This year is slightly different...she doesn't get Santa but she I do feel like she understands "new toys" and she LOVES new things...preferably, shiny...loud...and big.  The hubs wouldn't let me buy her a Ferarri so she'll have to settle for this trike we decided to purchase instead:

She also tends to gravitate towards the Mega Bloks at Little Gym...so we decided she needed her own set for home: 

I also scooped up some Melissa & Doug puzzles for her:

But, thats it.  Lame?!  I'm torn...should I buy more...looking at what we've got doesn't seem like much (sure, there will be clothes and books in addition to the above) but at her age I don't know what else she'd want.  Space is a major issue in our house and with a plan to put our house on the market next spring I'm trying to manage the extras.  So...I'm curious...what is everyone else doing??!!  I'd love to hear what you're giving...or what you're thinking in terms of Christmas gifts this year...

almost wordless wednesday...scary santa style

but, really...can you blame her?!  She doesn't remember last year so she has no idea that this man dressed in a red suit will be bringing her presents under her tree christmas morning.  So for now...he's just someone that lost track of the days somewhere along the line and doesn't realize that halloween was over almost 2 months ago.