survival mode

A friend of mine said recently, "Being at the very end of your pregnancy and living with a 2 year old is just all about survival."

She's so right.

Jims been out of town a bit the past few weeks and of course, I came down with a killer cold while he was gone. Then Maddie got sick. Then she got cranky. Ugh.

Jims back now (and he's not allowed to leave again for AWHILE) and things are getting back to normal. We're all getting healthy again so thats good news.

But wow is it challenging taking care of a 2 year old while you're ginormously pregnant! Just chasing her around, playing on the floor with her, carrying her up and down stairs with groceries in hand, and wrestling her into her carseat (which she now hates for some reason) takes all of the little energy I have left in me!!! So yes, I am now in survival mode. Don't judge me if my kid has watched more Disney in the last week than she has all her life! I need the down time!

With only two weeks left - the countdown is on! I can't wait to meet our new baby girl and carry her on the outside versus the inside (is that a nice way to say... GET THIS BABY OUT OF ME!).

I'll leave you with our cutie patootie singing her all-time favorite song in the back of Pop Pops car while we were in New England a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

first haircut

Maddie had her first haircut last week. She was looking very shaggy and I knew she couldn't get away with mommy cutting her bangs any longer. I have never claimed to know what I was doing... it worked for a little while.

We took her to SalonRed Kids in downtown Decatur. She loved the cars and being able to watch Toy Story on her own personal flat screen TV. Not too shabby! Her "stylist" was great and it was quick and easy. She now looks super cute with her little curly layers and (even) bangs.

happy friday!

changing things up

I've been wanting to update the blog to reflect our upcoming new addition. We're officially retiring the Maddie-centric blog and making it family focused. Stay tuned!

baby melon

We're at 36 weeks and baby girl #2 is about the size of a melon. That seems about right as it looks like Im carrying a melon under my shirt. Wouldn't you agree?

All is well on the new baby front. I have 3-4 weeks to go and I think we'll need as much time as possible to get ready. I have washed and folded all of her clothes and bought her a "coming home" outfit. Newborn clothes seem so small and adorable - I can't wait to hold our new baby girl in my arms!

She's still nameless but we do have 4-5 we're rolling around. I think we're going to keep them ourselves from here on out and decide on a name when we see her. Jim has a few work trips over the next few weeks so pray I don't go into labor while he's gone!

We'll keep you posted!

last night in new england

We spent our last night in New England in Little Compton. Dinner and then a walk on the beach. A great way to end our mini-vacation. The picture in the middle with Pop Pops is Maddie saying "cheese!"

missing my baby

My baby took a road trip with Daddy this weekend up to Apex so Daddy could play golf and Maddie could see Grammie and Grandad. I had to stay home because 12 hours in a car would have been way too uncomfortable for a 9 month pregnant woman. Pretty much everything is uncomfortable these days! I had the very first weekend alone that Ive had since Maddie was born and although it was extremely relaxing - I miss my little one and Jim too!

I've looked at these pictures a few times this weekend when I started missing her. These were taken at my parents house with Nana's doll "Penny." Let's just hope she loves her little sister this much (well, maybe with less head squeezing).

the wedding spectacular

Laura and Jody's wedding in New England was absolutely perfect. Maddie had her debut as a flower girl and I thought she did remarkably well considering she had just turned 2 a few days earlier. She wore the cutest little dress, walked down the aisle with Taylor (I thought for sure she'd need to be held), was relatively well-behaved during the ceremony and then partied all night long. What else could we ask for?

Laura looked so beautiful and was glowing all day. She wore my moms lace jacket that my grandmother made for her wedding and it was perfect. Her dress was simple and beautiful and jewelry was handmade by a friend. She also wore cool cranberry colored shoes that you can't see in any of the pictures... how cool! I love wedding shoes.

Maddie keeping us entertained waiting to go out

During the ceremony with Daddy

It's official!

The girls

Family pic

Sweetie pie with Mommy's flowers

With mommy

Jen and Tay

The preggos!

Jim with his in-laws

I can't wait to see the professional pictures taken. I know they came out beautifully. After the wedding they went on a mini-moon to Martha's Vineyard for 4 days. I was so jealous! Ive never been to MV and would love to go sometime. What a perfect wedding!

Congrats again Mr. and Mrs. Speer!

sneak peek

More photos coming soon!

Doesn't the bride look beautiful???

2 year check up

 

Maddie had her two year well check. She's doing great. She had one vaccine and her flu shot and only cried for 30 seconds or so. She's a trooper!

Here are are stats:
Weight: 24 lbs (10th percentile)
Length: 34 1/4 inches (50th percentile)
Head: 19 inches (50th percentile)

She's decided to potty train. Many of the kids in her class are, so she's interested in it now too. We have a potty and always bring her to it when she asks - but we're not pushing it at this point. I know it'll be soon, but she JUST turned two!!! I was hoping to have a few months with the newborn under my belt before diving into potty training. Phew! THe kids keeping us on our toes!

cupcakes and kites... its good to be two

Beautiful spot, isnt it? We had a New England Birthday Party for Maddie last week while we were home for Laura's wedding. We packed (well, Aunt Jen Jen MADE US) a picnic lunch, grabbed a few tables in the park overlooking the ocean and had a wonderful afternoon.

Maddie and Elmo Juice

Aunt Lola (Maddie's switched it from Lolo to Lola) with Maddie and her gift.. ROCKET!

mmmm... birthday cupcakes

awww.... cute pic. look at the excitment on Ms face

The kite

Tay helping Maddie "fly" her kite

After we ate, we headed down to the ocean to take a look around and explore. Maddie loved it.

Contemplating life

The best pic we could get with Mommy

And with handsome Daddy

Uncle Jody skipping stones

Thanks Aunt Jen Jen for the great party! She organized it all and made sure we had lots and lots of yummy goodies on hand. Maddie is definitely loved!

late summer day at nana and pop pops

One of the best things about going home is the hanging-out time with the fam in Nana and Pop-Pops backyard. Nana always whips us up a super-yummy meal and we enjoy the yard and the beautiful view.... and of course, the family time. We've spent a lot of time in this backyard and its still just as fun as it ever was (except we're still trying to convince Nana it would be even more fun with an inground pool).

Maddie and Tay Tay

Me and big sis

Nana and Pop Pops trying to hide from the camera

Teaching Maddie how to roll down the hill!

One of the last pictures of the "Family of 3"

Our new bro-in-law

Ring arond the Rosy

It tasted as good... no BETTER than it looked!

The weather in New England was amazing the entire time we were there. Maddie got to spend a lot of time outside exploring the yard. We miss it already!

smart man...

I came home to flowers and a clean apartment (and it was VERY MESSY from our move and trip).

Best hubby EVER!

4 years

 

Happy 4th Anniversary Jim!

happy birthday monkey joe

Phew!

I can't believe its already September! We just got back from a week at home for Aunt Laura's wonderful wedding! I can't wait to post some pictures of the gorgeous bride and groom... and the cutest little flower girl you ever did see.

But... I have to go back and finish up Maddie's birthday and a few other fun events in between and get us all caught up again to present day. Hope you all don't mind going back in time a bit.

If you remember - Maddie's birthday was rained out so we had to create a quick Plan B and had the gang over to Monkey Joe's for some bouncy fun. The kids had a blast and Maddie even got in on some on - but only with her trusty pal Daddy at her side.

As you can see- she needed a little coaxing to go down the slides.


Daddy had fun too, but I think he's a little too old. He still has some battle scars from this ride down the slide.


The theme was Little Mermaid (aka: Mermie) and although we didnt get a good picture of the cake, it was super yummy as Maddie is modeling here. It was actually a cupcake cake which is the best invention in childrens birthday parties. No cutting, no mess. Each kid just gets a cupcake! Doesn't get much easier than that!


THanks to everyone who came to her party. We hope you had as great of a time as we did!