Friday, August 31, 2012

Bye Bye Babies

My babies are growing up TOO fast! It's a darn good thing we have another one on the way  because I'm going through some serious baby withdrawals right now. But there is something so special about watching your babies grow up into little people.

So today marks the end of week two with Riley attending Kindergarten. Her independence & confidence amazes me. Probably because I have always felt I was lacking in these two areas. So this truly is proof that your children are a product of BOTH parents. Clearly Riley is exactly her father. Not necessarily in looks, but most definitely in her personality. And I love it! Her spirit and strong will are going to take her places. 

Riley spends a good 5 minutes each night before she goes to bed picking out her outfit for school, with comments to me like, "Mommy, I can't wear that because everyone has seen that already!". What 5-year-old do you know that thinks about this? Only in Riley's World. So last night was no different as we prepared for picture day at school. She picked out her most extravagant dress without teetering too much into the "church dress" category. It had to have ruffles (of course) and multi-colors were a must. Oh and she absolutely HAD to wear her pink glitter Mary Jane shoes with the silver bows that Daddy bought her & a flower in her hair. 

The drop off at school this morning was a show to be remembered. I have to line up with all the other eager parents in two lines for the big drop off.  You have to wait until all cars have stopped and then traffic guard motions to bring on the kids. Most kids cut over using the quickest route to the sidewalk and make their way to the gym as quickly as possible. Not my Riley. Not today. 

As she was unbuckling her seat belt, I mentioned to her she should take her umbrella because it looks like it could rain. Her enthusiasm shrieked out of her as she fumbled for her pink flower umbrella on the floor (she's apparently been waiting for the right time to show it off). She gets out of the car and straightens her perfectly selected "Picture Day" dress and opens up the umbrella (no rain in sight) and sashays her way down the middle aisle between the car lines to make sure EVERYONE noticed her!

I wish I had taken a picture but sadly I was too busy laughing to even think of it at the moment. Daddy did snap some pictures of her when she got home showing off her dress, Taylor Swift-like curly hair and her new poem book (see below). 




And then there is my other baby . . . the one I'm clinging too for as long as I can. We were faced with two important milestones this week with Zander. We "lost" all his pacifiers and just simply couldn't find them (wink, wink). I'm proud to say he has been sleeping without a paci for a few days now. And this is a kid who would suck on one and have like 5 others to hold on to and rotate in his little hands as he soothed himself to sleep. So this was BIG! 

The other thing we partially said "Bye-Bye" to this week is diapers. We started potty training on Sunday and have been in "No More Diaper Boot Camp" all week. We locked ourselves in the house all week let him run around commando style. Let's just say there were a lot of oopsies and puddles around the house - and I'm saving you the really yucky details. But we have been two days now without an accident during the day and I'm totally patting myself on the back right now. He gets it! He really gets it!!

Here are a couple of pics from the week of my big boy. Zander really loves his new big boy underwear.  I promise to start using the real camera for my next post because these iPhone pics don't justify the cuteness in this boy!

My babies are growing up TOO fast!!





Let's DO THIS!

Ever since I became a mom I have told myself over and over again that I've just got to start documenting all the crazy and funny mommy experiences I have. And seriously, being a FT working mommy made that nearly impossible. BUT, now that I have retired (temporarily) the business suits & high heels for sweat pants and flip flops I've decided it's time. These kids are too precious not to share our experiences with you guys. 

So here is a recap on our current crazy life.  We moved back to Chattanooga, TN in October of 2011.  Roger is a FT consultant working for Dell Systems and currently works from home. I'm a stay-at-home mom now - HUGE CHANGE - and surprise surprise I love my new "job". ;)

Riley is 5 & just started Kindergarten at Ooltewah Elementary School. Zander is 2 1/2 and stays home with me. Currently we are working on potty training because he starts a PT 2 morning/week preschool at a local Baptist church next week. And that leaves me 6 hours a week for ME TIME (much needed....sigh!).

Oh yeah, I'm 14 weeks preggers with our 3rd child. Total surprise and totally excited now that we got over the initial shock. I'm trying desperately to round up baby gear and clothes from friends because we totally sold everything when we agreed 2 was plenty for us. But God knows best and he just knew we were up to the challenge of 3!

So that's our crazy life. Enjoy the ride with us!