Happy Leap Day/Year

I think it would be silly not to post on February the 29th since this only happens every four years.  Remember I stay home with a 17 month old, it doesn't take much to excite me!!  Lots of good news around here.  The weather has been beautiful!  They are building a house across the street, and it is almost spring!

This past weekend, we celebrated Nanny's 80th Birthday.  This is Bryan's maternal grandmother.  We helped throw a surprise party for her--everything turned out so nice, and I genuinely think she was surprised.  I think there were close to 100 people there, and Nanny was so happy to see each and every one of them.  We had a big family picture that morning, and Martin was not having anything to do with the picture.  He was ok with the big group.....but when it came time for the picture of just the 3 of us, he was NOT a happy camper.  My child the nature boy had been playing with sticks and sweet gum balls.....so in our picture he had to hold one of each.  We tried to take them away, and it led to a meltdown, so needless to say, we will happily have a little nature in our photos.  But, I still don't think he smiled!  The photographer said, that will work.  Her idea of what will work, and my idea of what will work are obviously not the same.  I haven't seen the pictures yet, but I can't imagine that they were very good.  Haha!  We also figured out that Martin does not like sleeping in the pack n play anymore.  So, he slept in the bed with us.  There was no danger of us rolling over on him, but I am pretty sure Bryan was close to having a black eye.  He kept slapping and punching Bryan in his sleep as he flopped around.  What a mess.

Monday was beautiful and Martin and I got to go walk in the afternoon with a friend in the neighborhood and her 2.5 month old.  Being around a baby that small makes me wonder where my little baby went.  I can barely remember when Martin was that small.  And, I get to watch that sweet baby Friday morning for a little while, and I can't wait!  After we walked, we played in the yard for about 45 minutes with bubbles.  What is the fascination??  I mean he loses his mind when you pull them out.  Ooh! Ooh! Ooh!!  Then we squeal with delight as we chase them, and when we actually catch one and pop it, that is a real treat!

Mardi Gras Cookie Time

I see y'all are packing!  Don't forget me.

The big kids during the pictures

This is his fresh face!  We see it A LOT.

Man on the run

I am pretty sure this is how all the pictures will look

The boys during the party.

Happy 80th Birthday Nanny!

So, I mentioned the house across the street.  We live in a very young neighborhood.  It has lots of phases and plans.  At the end of phase 3 we get two pools, and I cannot wait for that....but it is so far away.  We are nearing the end of phase 1.  So, I am excited to see a house go in across the street, because that means one step closer.  However, I am not excited about the Mexican Radio blaring from 7 am-6 pm.  Needless to say, it interferes with our Siesta, and THAT is a problem.  I am thinking of posting a sign on the front door that says--"Sleeping baby--or Angry Mommy--it's up to you!"  I don't think it would do any good.  Seriously though, I am not mad, it is just forcing me to be creative with nap time.  Hope everyone is having a great day!!  Happy Hump Day.

Almost Forgot

Well, yesterday I totally forgot to put this in my blog, and I can't believe I forgot.  DRUM ROLL PLEASE......


We are officially PACI FREE in our house.  This may not sound like a big deal, but trust me when I say, it is a HUGE deal.  The hardest part has been getting him down for naps without it.  He goes to bed without an issue.  I am so proud of this accomplishment!  What a big boy.

PS- for those of you non-moms reading, never say never, cause I swore I would NEVER give him a paci.  I think the second night home from the hospital I gave in....haha.  I also said my child wouldn't watch TV very much, and wouldn't you know it....when the TV is on, it spends most of it's time on nick jr, because someone loves all those silly shows.  But--I know that these things don't make Martin who he is.  He is a beautiful little miracle and I am so lucky he calls me Mama!

Anyone interested in how we did it??  Well, I cut the tip of it off, and handed it to him.  He put it in his mouth, took it out made a weird face and examined it.  Stuck it back in again just to test it one more time--and then threw it on the ground.  He still spots it occasionally and has to inspect it.  But, doesn't want that silly thing in his mouth.  I was so scared of taking it away---and he did great!!  So, maybe it was me that needed a paci.  I almost can't stand how grown up he is getting.  Where did my baby go??  Because, there is a toddler in his high chair screaming dowwwwwn--ready to read 20 books, and play cars.  Gotta run--duty calls!

Happy Birthday Thomas

This past weekend, we went out of town to help celebrate cousin Thomas' Birthday!  We left Friday to spend the night in Tupelo with Stephen, Ashley and cousin Luke.  The boys had a big time, even though Luke was sick--although we didn't know it at the time.  His fever hit 102 before we went to bed, and stayed there over night, so a trip to the doctor bright and early Saturday morning revealed that Luke had strep.  The kid was playing and happy and you wouldn't have known he was sick, except he was burning up hot.  So, we headed to Columbus early.  When those two play they end up doing too many, "here taste this toy" games....so as to avoid further exposure, we left early.  Sweet Luke had to miss the party, but off we went to Thomas' First Birthday Party.  It was so nice to see everyone-- especially to see Thomas the toddler.  He wasn't too sure about the present unwrapping, but loved the presents!  

Martin watching the mayhem

Look at this truck mom!

Can I please see my mom--I need to help her write what everyone brought.

Free at last....now what can I get into??

Thomas LOVING his red wagon.

I feel certain Martin was dancing at this point....this kid is a ham!!

Mom and Dad with the birthday boy

Martin had a really good time at the party....of course he had plenty of playmates to entertain him.  He played for over an hour with the Post Office stand up toy.  And, then showed another little girl how to play with the busy ball popper.  Happy Birthday Thomas!!

This week has been kind of weird.  The weather has been cold and rainy several days, so we are a little restricted to what we can do outside of the house.  There is only so much target a boy can handle.  Haha.  I am so ready for warm weather, the Easter Bunny is planning to bring Martin a year membership to the zoo, and I plan to get my use out of it.  It is less than 100 for the family for the year, and I figure if we can go 3 times, I will have gotten our money worth, but I know we will go more often than that.  The zoo here is very nice, and they even let you bring your own food and drinks in the park, so you don't have to spend a fortune on a few chicken fingers.  

Is anyone else as addicted to pinterest as I am?  Just this morning, I cleaned my glass top stove from a recommendation on there, and I must say it looks 100 times better than it does with my glass top cleaner.  I have made my own laundry soap, and LOVE IT!  It was kind of fun making, and even more fun to think of all the money I was saving.  And, of course the recipes.  I have made several things that were a big hit in our house for supper.  If you need an invite, send me your email address, but be prepared to be addicted.  I need to go chase Martin down and see about a bath, since about 50% of our lunch ended up on Martin....happy Friday everyone!