I've Been Busy Today

Turkey cupcakes for Caroline's birthday party at school. This is the first time I have done anything like this. Not bad, but I think I will make some changes if I do them again.

For my Home Experience formal dinner.

Caroline has her Thanksgiving Feast at school tomorrow, and they are celebrating her birthday. Somehow between 9:30 and 10:00 I have to cook a pork loin and green beans for my group's formal dinner. I made the mashed potatoes tonight so all I have to do is warm them while the pork loin cooks tomorrow. I am not very good at timing things out so that everything is hot at the same time....I am PRAYING that it all comes together tomorrow. Christmas is going to be a cinch after this week!

Cowboys and Indians

What's going on at your house tonight?

A New Room for a New Year

I am not really sure where the time has gone. It seems like it was just yesterday that we were spending hours walking the floor with a newborn. Now she is in a big bed and has new digs! The bed still needs a little work. I will be on the hunt for new pillows and maybe another duvet cover? Not sure really... I made the bird pictures over the bed. The bed came from the farm, as did the pink table next to it. Wish I had good before pics!

Mom gave me the baby scale while I was pregnant.

I still need to do a little work here. I am going to have the lampshade covered, and I have another table that I am going to try by the chair. Derrick and I bought the rocking chair in Jefferson for our 3rd anniversary and the quilt is an old family one that was on my bed when I was little.

The happy camper sitting on her new bed. She went to sleep tonight like a dream!

Thanks for watching her this weekend, Doc and gg.

Prayers for Caroline

I love Angie's blog. When I read her post this morning, I knew that this was something I want to do for Caroline this week.

Pumpkins!

Giggles

Caroline had a rough night. She woke up around midnight very out of sorts. We rocked for about 30 minutes and she was not asleep, then I tried to rub her back while she was in bed. Every time I stopped she grabbed my hand and put it back on her back to rub some more. By about 1 am I had had enough and was ready for some sleep. I brought her to bed with Derrick and I. She tossed and turned a little and then started playing with Derrick's face and saying "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Daddy, Daddy." Derrick tried to put her in bed, no dice. Finally, I kicked Derrick out of bed so he could get some sleep in the guest bed. Around 3:30 she fell asleep. Thankfully she slept until about 8 this morning. When she woke, she sat straight up and looked me and said, "Mommy, where are we." So cute!

Well Hello Ms. Mandrell

If Lovin' You is Wrong, I Don't Want to be Right

Ten Things I Love about You

1. Your belly laugh
2. That you can order a "doke ee eye" (Coke easy ice) just like your dad
3. That you wake up in the morning ready for the day
4. Your sweet kisses
5. Your laugh when I kiss under your chin
6. That you ALWAYS want to get in your "dohlar" for a "wok"
7. That you love your bed and your nap mat. Bed time has gotten so easy again.
8. That you say "Yeah Jesus, WooHoo" after Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
9. That you recognize church and are so excited even when we pass the building. You want to "durch p-lay"
10. YOU!

Love you, Mommy

Fun on the Potty

Caroline's Dad is getting a chance to add some content finally...

Caroline has had a big week so far - she is taking way too many steps towards becoming a big girl for both her mom's and my taste. First, we went and bought Caroline a full sized mattress the other day. We may not pick it up for a few weeks, but just the fact that she will be in it soon is enough. When we had returned from the store, we figured it was time to get Caroline ready for her big girl bed, so we pulled one of the sides off her crib. Here is a picture of her during her first nap without the rails.


The day after her big girl nap, I decided to take Caroline to the bathroom to see how she liked sitting on the potty. She had just gone potty before sitting down, but I figured we could at least get her used to sitting on the potty for a little while. It started out a little rocky - she didn't want to stay on the potty without playing with the toilet paper. I finally figured out that bubbles were the perfect distraction (hopefully not too much of a distraction that she didn't realize she actually did go potty a couple times). Luckily, Mommy came in with the camera and not only did we get a nice picture of Caroline on the potty,
but Mommy also got a great video (coming soon to a blog near you).

Mommy and I think that Caroline had a case of the giggles , but she sure was loving her potty time! The only problem is mopping up the floor from all the bubbles after we are done. It is amazing how much fun I have with this little girl!

-Dad

Preschool!

Tuesday was Caroline's first official day of preschool. She was NOT HAPPY! We are praying for a better day today.

Home Encounter Session #1

Today was my first Home Encounter group for my church. I have such a neat group of ladies and we are very diverse. I am reminded everytime that I listen to Devi Titus teach how important our homes are.

He Must Really Love Me

Before: Ugly $10 garage sale find that sat in the bedroom for 8 years untouched

During: A very nice looking $10 garge sale fine...My sweet husband has worked his tail off on this!

Two is Rearing its Ugly Head!

This was the morning of preschool orientation...the day didn't get much better.


It is the best of times, it is the worst of times... Oh (almost) Two, you are the most wonderful age so far. You are also the most defiant, strong-willed and challenging yet. We have tried to tame you with time-out, but to little avail. You are a sneaky one. I am sure it was you, Two that compelled my precious child to look in my eyes while reaching into the candy jar that had already been the object of a conflict. Two, I am sure it was your hand that boldy put that candy corn in my darling's mouth as her dad and I said "no". Two, I am also sure that it was you that persuaded my little angel to utter, "Ummmmm, yummy!" as I was walking away from the time-out corner. Two, you are going to kill me!

Tourist in my own Home Town

Derrick's aunt and soon to be uncle came to visit us back in July. It was really fun to take the time to do some of the things that we take for granted. We spent one day walking around one of the smaller towns around here and then spent one afternoon in the Stockyards. I had the brilliant idea that we would go watch a cattle drive...I believe that the term was used rather loosely to describe some longhorns who were very "over it" saunterning down the road led by some equally "over it" cowboys.



Waiting for the "Cattle Drive"

Real life tourists! Apparently this doesn't happen often in New Jersey!

So "over it"

But not over this! Thank you Joe T's for some wonderful atmosphere!

We've Been Busy

Oh summer. There are no schedules, no set activities and long, HOT days. Here is a litte peek into some of the happenings of summer!


Impromtu swimming with Aunt J

Hours (and I do mean hours) of fun in a diaper box

Splashing in puddles (a rarity this summer)

and just flat out being silly!

Perhaps the Drought is Over

I haven't posted in a while. A lot has been going on, but I haven't felt like I had much to say. I read this today and wanted to share it. Sometimes it is nice to know other people struggle with the same things you do!

Cute Pics

Who Needs Disney when you have This Animal Kingdom

Snake found by the side of the house

Spider in the Garage: Before

After