Kendall's Birthday

    Kendall turned 2 on January 31st.  I've decided I'm only going to do a big party every other year.  This year we spent the day as a family doing some things we knew she'd enjoy.  Then later that evening we had cake and ice cream with our immediate family. 

   We started the day off at the mall.  Kendall loves loves the silly little train they drive around.   She hasn't rode it before because I usually have both girls by myself.  Daddy was kind enough to ride with her.  :)

    Next we headed to Chuck E Cheese.  Y'all, Chuck E Cheese is a mad house!  I guess it was worse because we went on a Saturday at Lunch time.   It was hard to even find a table.  They have the big playground of tubes and slides but we didn't let her go up that.  We were afraid that she'd get scared or bullied or whatever.  And momma and daddy were not going up after her!  Michael said next time we'll have to take our Garrett friends with us. 

    She did LOVE riding all the little rides!

 To prove Kate was there also.  

 I'm not sure how this doesn't qualify as a party.  Maybe I need to say that every other year is going to be small and easy.  Kendall loves the PBS show Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood so I went with that theme.  Since it was right at Supper time we ordered pizza.  I got a store bought cake and Michael "had to have" platters (veggie, fruit & cheese).   I threw up a few simple decorations and called it done.  It was a stress free non-party party. 

 She loved having Happy Birthday sang to her and "sang" along.  Her hat was courtesy of Poppy.  

 Playing makeup with Uncle Steve.

 Playing under the table with Uncle Steve.  

We honestly had the best day.  I still can't believe that she's 2!  I still plan on doing a 2 year post later this week.  

Happy Birthday, Big Girl!

February Goals

    I love me a good list.  For a few months now I've been writing out some goals that I hope to accomplish that month.  I thought I'd share my February goals with my blog friends because it'll make me more accountable.  And I like reading other people's goals...maybe that's my nosey part coming out.  So if you want to know my "exciting" plans for the month feel free to nosey on in :)

1. Read 4 books--I can't sit around and read all day, though I'd love to.  I read a lot while I'm nursing and at night after everyone is in bed and I should be asleep.   My goal is to read four books every month.  I'm currently reading 12 books in my kindle app.  Yep, you read that right, 12.  Surely I can finish 4 of them this month.

2. Finish Quiet Book-- I started the girls a quiet book while I was on bed rest.  I only need to finish up 2 pages then I'll be ready to sew the backs on all the pages and add grommets.  Hopefully these last steps will all go quickly. I'm thinking I'll have close to 20 pages.  They'll be removable so there won't be that many in the book at one time.  

3.  Clean out and Paint Spare bedroom--This needs to get done ASAP!  We'll be making it into Kendall's bedroom so that Kate can move into the nursery.  If all goes as planned, next month's goals will include furnishing and decorating.  

4.  Bless 3 people--I want to focus on helping others this year.  There is enough ugliness and meanness around us and I don't want to be associated with it! Last month these were simple simple things.  I don't have time anything elaborate.  I won't be sharing these.  It's not for a brag on Stephanie moment.  I do that enough already.

5.  Finish off "mega cleaning and organizing list"--I've done this the last few years.  The beginning of the year seems like a time to purge and organize.  I made a huge list of the different areas of our house.  I'm slowing going through and cleaning out, organizing, and doing a deeper clean job than I do during my normal weekly cleaning.  Hopefully when I'm done everything will have it's own place.  And we will have less clutter.  This list use to take  me a week, two tops to complete.  Here we are on month 2 and still working on it. This two kid thing is a killer.  I realize all you with 3,4,5, or more kids are laughing at me.  But it's seriously a full day taking care of their needs, doing my weekly cleaning, and fitting in some quality family time.  I need to kick it up a notch.

6.  Doctors Appointment--I am the world's worst about going to the doctor for myself (with the expectation of the baby doctor).  I need to have a couple of minor things checked out...this is the month.

7.  Blog 2 times a week (or 8 times for the month)--1 down, 7 left

8.  Attempt Potty Training--Key word "attempt".  Kendall is so interested.  Let's hope she's ready.

February is going to be a busy busy month!  My goals are pretty ambitious.  I'm hoping this list will be motivating for me!   I'll be back at the end of the month to check in on my accomplishments.  And later this week with posts about my favorite 2 year old.

Kate is 3 Months Old!

Kate Alaina, you are three months old!

You have grown so much since last month!  You like to smile and coo at us.  You are a very easy calm baby now!  

 

We are still working out your schedule.  We've had a lot going on with Christmas, and Daddy working nights, we haven't quite got it all figured out yet.  During the day you are usually awake for an hour and a half.  And then nap for an hour or so.  Our goal is to really get a schedule down this month.  You like to be swaddled for rest and we also play a sound machine. 

 

  

   You are still a champion eater.  You have put on quite a bit of weight.    

 

You rolled over at 11 weeks from your stomach to your back.  You'll do anything to avoid tummy time :).  

 

You are wearing a size two diaper.  And I just bumped you up to a 6 months in your clothes.  

       You are still sleeping in Mom and Dad's room.  I finally convinced you to like the bassinet (it sleeps flat) although we still use the rock and play some (it holds your head up higher). 

     Daddy got out the jumperoo a few days ago.  You like it for a short time.  It's still a little hard to hold your head up for longer than 5 or 10 minutes.  Momma likes to think it's all the brains that you are toting around. 

   You will take a pacifier for short periods of time. 

   You are pretty consistent at sleeping through the night (and for that Momma thanks you!)  Some mornings you'll sleep as late as 7 but it's usually more like 6. 

You are the perfect baby to make us a family of four.  We love you so much!

 

Watch you grow

 

Kate's Baby Dedication

We had Kate's Baby Dedication last night at church. 

       We are so thankful that God has entrusted us with her little life.  It is a huge responsibility.    Our prayer is that she will always seek him first in her life. 

 

And if you are curious...Kendall's Baby dedication was posted here.

Reading 2014

 

Source

     I have always loved to read.  I remember getting grounded from reading as a kid (really mom, who does that?).  Reading is magical.  My favorite subject to teach in school was anything literacy based!

    As a kid I can remember reading being part of our nightly bedtime routine.  We didn't really spend the night with my nanny much at all.  I imagine there was like one or two occasions but I can still remember curling up to her as she read Brer Rabbit to my brother and I in bed.  My clearest memory of fifth grade?  After lunch everyday Mrs. Bredwell would read from a Goosebumps book.   The highlight of my reading existence was when my mom agreed to sign me up for the Babysitter's Club Reading Club.  Imagine my giddiness each month when 3 new books arrived in the mail.  I still remember the clear bag with the white snap handle that they came in.  I am still proud to say I read every book in the series (probably twice) and my daughters are also gonna be huge Babysitter's club fans, whether they want to or not!

 

Source

    College was such a busy time for me.  Reading took a back seat and what I was reading was out of obligation to class and not for enjoyment!  It took every moment I had to keep up with classes, homework, and working lots of hours.

 

Source

    But the love of reading is much like riding a bike.  It doesn't leave you!  I love reading all genres. 

 

Source Unknown

   I have high hopes that my kid's will also love reading.  Kendall and I read together everyday.  She likes to flip through books and "read" to herself.  Makes this Momma really happy!

 

Source 

 What I read in 2010

    2014 was a huge reading year for me.  I've kept up with most of what I read on my pinterest board.   I read 96 books.  A chunk of these were read while I was bed rest.  When I ran out of physical books, I started buying "free" books to read on the IPad.  These were not always what would have been my top choices of reading material but they kept me busy and entertained none the less.  Since Kate got here, I've spent hours reading since I'm already confided nursing and pretty handicapped on what I can do during that time.

   My favorite book of the year was The Power of a Praying Parent By: Stormie Omartain--so good but convicting to me as a parent.  I borrowed this from a friend.  After reading it I asked for a hard copy for Christmas.   I need to read every year!

     I'll probably be more picky with my reading choices in 2015 because hopefully I won't have the luxury of spending 10 weeks on the couch and Kate's nursing is starting to slow down.  Some books that have been recommended to me or I've saw and want to read:

Here's to many happy reading hours in 2015.