3 Years

Um, and where did the last 3 years go? Not to sleep, for sure, so I don't remember a lot of it. Thank goodness Boom Boom got me that camera!

This entire week will be an EPIC TRIBUTE to Madelyn. She is that noteworthy.

Here she is in all her 8 lb 3 oz newborn baby Madee glory. What a specimen! Things I remember about being pregnant? Not being able to breathe. Watching "The Office" Seasons 1-3 all through several times. A lot of "Anchorman". Zoie barking at me if I got too heated watching some Auburn Football. Hating garlic. Loving ice cream. Lisa yelling "PRE-ECLAMPSIA" at oncoming traffic while driving me to the hospital. Brody sleepovers with copiuos amounts of AFV and giggles. More ice cream.

Falling in love with the most beautiful thing I had ever seen...


She was immediately and handful.


3 weeks old and I am pretty sure she still has this outfit in her current size.

::sigh::
Mothers of new babies?? Maybe you can't sleep, but sure as heck DON'T BLINK because before you know it, she's driving your car.

She's a full on person now, with dreams and wants and feelings. She is complex and scheming and beautifully artistic and she blows my mind daily, seriously, blows. me. away.

And I thanks my sweet Jesus that I still have little cuddly, unsure moments of this person, needing her mom like nothing else would do.


Because I just see so much of the person she is blooming into. This amazing, vibrant, sing song-y, enthusiastic, hilarious, thoughtful little person who sparkles in sunbeams and lights my world up like an illegal firecracker.



Happy Birthday my darling little big girl. You continue to take my breath away.

I Eat It

Last night was salad night, and a very special salad night at that. The lettuce was from our garden! YAY! It was our first seedling that made it to the plate, and it was DELICIOUS!

We topped it with grille3d chicken, golden delicious apples, celery, carrots and croutons. I ate mine. Then I stole Boom Boom's. I totally ate his salad and I don't even feel bad.


Other exciting developments?
A couple of bites of broccoli, just waiting to grow big enough to journey to our bellies!
This is like, actual size.



Last night Madee was scrawling on some paper on the floor and she drew this guy. See the bulging eyes? And the messy hair? She will be 3 on Monday, and we are seriously impressed with her command of a pencil!

My little artiste!
Today we are prepping and baking for the party tomorrow. Can't wait to show you pictures on Monday!

Firsts, Thirds, and Whatnot.

Dear whomever reads this blog. (Hi MOM!) Sorry I have been so stuck in the "real world" for what seems like ages, (but was really just the holidays) and many of you may already know it is almost Madee's 3rd freaking birthday so I have been just preparing for her party and whatever.

Seriously, I am just trying to make stuff to make things all precious and memorable for her and every time I get on the computer I get lured away by streamers and ribbons and whatnot.

I am SO excited!

Look at THIS face.

It's her first solo carny ride.


And THIS is the face of the AFTER her 1st carny ride.
Look at that resolve.
She LOVES growing up.
So much so, in fact, that I love it on her. (NO, I DON'T give me back my BABY!)

Okay but how cute is this?

And me on MY 1st carny ride.
Sigh.
The circle of life it is a beautiful thing sometimes, no?
Just scroll up and down and up and down and enjoy how much my kid ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE ME as much as I am doing right now.
Same face.
And a sneak peek at her birthday banner that I made my self with stuff around the house.
YAY!

My BABY! is going to be 3!

Hello 2011

The best part about living in Orlando is obvious. Families scrimp and save and plan and wait and anticipate taking their kids to Orlando. Then they get here and try to pack it into anywhere between 2 days and 2 weeks and run themselves into the ground just trying to enjoy it all.

There are so many cool places to take the kids and in this gorgeous winter weather? Seriously, we feel SO LUCKY.

And we have resolved to really take advantage of it while we have the opportunity.


The kids have finally reached an age where they can successfully play together, and it is awesome. I am looking forward to 2 completely mobile little people being our tiny partners in what we do this year. These girls are so much fun. They really complete our family in the RADDEST way.



We are excited for what 2011 brings to our picture. 2010 was really quite eventful and full of surprises, and we anxiously await the cool things we will see and great places we will go in this next year.

We are just so happy to all be together and still like each other so much. I mean, we are ALL in this house together all the time, and we still enjoy hanging out with each other.

That's HUGE.

And hey! We like hanging out with you too! (Most likely!)
Come down to our sunshine-y land and visit!

We would love to show you around!

Happy New Year!

We are all kinds of excited going into this new year. Maybe it is all the sleep we have been getting, or maybe it is the holiday spirit, but we are feeling energized and ready to tangle with all kinds of new things this year!

We hope the close of 2010 was happy and safe for you and yours, and that you have a lot of inspiration and love going into 2011.

If you are looking for more money, may you find it. If you are looking for love may it waltz into your life and exceed all of your previous expectations. If you are looking for peace, may you be given the tools and the signs to simplify your life.

And whoever you are, however we differ, may your year be filled with laughter and joy. We hope to laugh with you sometime soon!

Christmas Eve and Day

P





Oh what fun!

Also? 50+ pieces and that is only from 1 present.
Yaaaaaay.

Part of the Santa display. That Madee walked right past. Twice. And then was all, "Did Santa come? Where are the presents?


Madee playing with Eden's Santa gift. First time Eden got something Madee would want.

And the lessons in sharing begin.



Eden is trying to provide scale for Dad's new coffee travel mug.

It's GINORMOUS!

Gingerbread Houses

The concentration here kills me. I love how both of my kids tongues are usually sticking out of their mouths.

And how E is just pounding candy because "screw the freaking gingerbread man!"


WHUT?
Now for brief concentration from E, plus "I crush your head" from M.

Memories with Neener? Priceless.


Here is the entire village, including a smashed up bank (thanks E) because I turned my head for approximately 3 seconds.