January 12, 2012

this is what it's all about.

the mommy guilt sunk in. deep. and it hit me hard recently. and i broke.
but, i am slowly learning to let it go. to not take the blame for what is not my fault. to not over analyze and nit pick at my mothering skills.
that's no easy task for me as a person or as a mom.
i think instinctively as a mother we take responsibility for things that are far beyond our control. we plan, most of the time too much. we think, always too much. we worry, always more than is really necessary. i will never stop doing any of these things. but i am trying to sort some things out in my very unorganized & broken mommy brain of mine :)
i haven't figured out all of the details of my plan yet but i am working on it. slowly, slowly but surely, thanks to the support of a few very special people that always know what to say.
the one thing i have always known for certain is that it's moments like the one pictured above that are what it's all about. it's for them. and no matter how hard it may be, it is always worth it. they are always, always worth it.
and i am more than thankful for both of those crazy little lovers of mine.

January 11, 2012

he just kills me.

no pants. sunglasses. upside down baby.
strollin' through the house.
we see this a lot.
love him.

January 6, 2012

this makes my heart so happy.

January 2, 2012

new years day.

yep...he has trouble written ALL over this little face.
my happy girl...when she is happy, she is H-A-P-P-Y!
we rang in the new year in style. oh, yes we did.

January 1, 2012

farewell 2011...

we are ready for this new year.
lots in store. lots to be excited about.
BRING IT.
happy new year!

December 31, 2011

ice cream.

it is serious business.

December 25, 2011

on christmas.

i hate that this is blurry...

Posted by Picasa

December 24, 2011

on christmas eve.

Posted by Picasa

December 19, 2011

madi's big day.

this day has been added to my top favorite days ever.
before this morning madi wanted nothing, i repeat NOTHING to do with her big girl undies.
NO UNDIES!!
i read the book, toilet training in less than a day, picked the brain of my sweet cousin, ashley, did my shopping and preparing and we were ready to go!
this day was a hit and she did so great.
my mom and dad took logan for the morning so i could have special one on one time with madi. i knew going in she'd need the extra attention. thanks, grammy & papa for the help!
i cannot tell you how many times i refolded the undies pictured above...so that she could unfold. we did this for at least an hour. worth every fold. :)
she practiced with her baby, who wore big girl undies too (but they were HUGE on her, so i had to tuck them in and twist them up the baby's back. it was hilarious.) and the moment those minnie undies went on, it took everything i had not to weep in joy!
all day...DON'T PEEPS ON MINNIE! DON'T POOPS ON TINKERBELL.
love it. love, love.
i love you, madi babe, and we are so proud of you!
(update. madi has done fabulous. i think i was in the company of some skeptics who weren't sure this was actually going to happen! it feels so so good to only have 1 kid in diapers again. DAMN. diapers are expensive.)

December 18, 2011

disneyland!

thanks to chris, we were able to spend 2 fun (and exhausting) days at disneyland!
here are the highlights of our great disney adventure:
buzz lightyear. so fun. madi loved seeing the big talking buzz. she would have been happy just watching him rather than riding the actual ride.
walking the boardwalk in california adventures. madi was so excited and was dance walking to the music on the loud speakers. my first teary moment of the trip. bundled up for the cold! which turned into rain. not.fun...
the castle lit at night. they light it to music and it is seriously magical. second teary moment and madi was asleep...i was so sad she missed it...but was more than happy that she was asleep! the rain was a bummer.
build-a-bunny. madi and daddy built a friend. loved it...love, love. my third teary moment.
bubba slept the whole time. in my arms. which were numb for the rest of the night. love him.
her finished buddy.
her face when she saw woody...she was so cute. loves woody (from afar!)
the glasses on the toy story ride. cool kid. fun ride.
collecting leaves outside the hotel.
mmm. ice cream! BONUS: we got to watch the entire parade from inside the ice cream parlor. SCORE! so fun.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
breakfast at mimi's.
the winnie the pooh ride...4 times in a row. madi's fave.
corndogs.
shopping for christmas stuff! (we took advantage of the kids napping in the stoller to spend some serious dough.) i have wanted a sweatshirt for years...finally got one! love. thanks, babe :)
seeing sully and woody up close.
the animation studio in california adventures. we love that place. kids loved it too!
seeing mickey, pluto, goofy, minnie, donald & daisy, buzz, the princess & SANTA in the parade. pure awesomness.
this is how we ended our trip. packed them in the car. drove to cafe rio. pigged out. kids pigged out! (HOORAY!)
it was a little stressful. a little chaotic. a little cold & windy...and a TON OF FUN!
thanks, chris, for the tickets.
thanks, steven, for everything else!

December 14, 2011

fairies.

mommy, i want fairy toes, too...
yep. i did it. i painted my bebe girls toes.
i loved every single second of it.
THANK YOU, MOMMY!
socks and footed jammies are not happening right now.
i want to see my fairies, please.
love her.

December 12, 2011

meet LEEROY.

leeroy is our elf from santa.
we found him on saturday morning chillin' behind the fish.
he's made an impression already, i tell you.
madi found leeroy on her own this morning. it was so cute.
she was standing by the sink looking up. today leeroy was sitting on the kitchen window.
I FOUND LEEROY!
every morning...leeroy, where are you...
so exciting!

operation rolo cookie.

mmm. aren't they gorgeous?!
drool.
i had to make 4 dozen cookies for a stroller strides cookie exchange.
i ended up making 73.
i ate 2. ONLY 2 + 1 extra rolo! miracle.
don't you LOVE rolo cookies?
easiest cookies ever. really.

December 10, 2011

christmas project #4

a spaghetti christmas tree & glass ornaments.
we love them! and they were so fun to make.