22 months is REALLY close to 2 years...

I don't know what I thought it would be like to have a girl.  I knew it would be different of course but I didn't know how different.  Meaning both that it's a lot different in general and also, in so many ways.

I do think we go easier on her sometimes because she's a little girl.  It's just human nature.  I also think she might get away with a few more things.  But that probably also has to do with being the third child.

And her personality.  Oh my.  She's full of it.  I'm guessing she could charm her way out of pretty much any situation.  She's quite the ham in public and is well loved by strangers.  But then I assume most cute, almost-two-year-old little girls are.  I know I'm a sucker for 'em.

But of course, mine is especially cute and charming.

Anyway, she's so close to 2 and I'm, as usual, in awe at how quickly time has marched on...

Here's what she's up to...

She'll start to cry for something - "WAAAAAAAAH!" And then one of us says, "but here Katie, you can have (insert thing to distract her)!" and she will immediately say, "Oh yeah." and stop crying.  Without fail.  It's a good system.

Her brothers are "Bem" and "Gaa-in".  B has taken to helping her out of her crib in the morning.  What will I do when he goes back to school?  He also likes to play with her soft hair.  She's not always so into it and will yell and swat at him if she wants him to stop.

She and G?  Well, let's just say they have their moments of sweetness together but mostly, they are at odds since she thinks his toys are the bees knees.  I'm sure you can all imagine how that goes down.

When she wants me or Tim to see her do something she'll say, "Wash-iss!" and is so excited to show us!

She likes to ride in G's carseat while he's at school.  I think she likes the view since it's in the middle.

She LOVES "ray-ray" (raisins)

Before bedtime she has to read "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?" at least once.  Sometimes B reads it to her, as pictured here.  She also loves "Goodnight Gorilla".  Then, before I lay her down she says, "rock, Mama!" And so we rock for a bit.  And sometimes I sing to her...



Her diet consists mainly of cheese, nuts, the above mentioned dried grapes, various other snacks and LOTS of fruit. We call her a "Fruititarian." (this used to be G's name...).  She doesn't like meat.  She will put it in her mouth, chew on it a bit and then spit it out.  I wonder if she gets any of the nutrients that way... hmmmm....

PACI!!!  (oh yeah that...) Argh.
(still completely in love with it.)

My niece Sarah let her play Angry Birds while we were in Texas and now she is ALL about my phone and trying in earnest to play games (or do anything really) on it.

She likes to "help" with the laundry and is just the right height to transfer items from the washer to the dryer.  She's just lookin' out for Mama's back.  ;)

She also likes to "help" empty the dishes from the dishwasher, even the dirty ones. Silly girl.

She's completely attached to her "lovey", L.C. (short for lamb chop) who is half stuffie, half blanket.  It's very cute.

Just like her.

Didn't I already say that? Oh well.

See, what I mean about the personality?  Yeah, she was kinda ready for me to stop taking her picture...

Seriously can't believe 2 is just around the corner.

Anyone want to help me plan a party?

(p.s. dress was thrifted for $3. What a steal, huh?)

We just went in to pick up a few things...

We only went in to pick up a few things. Some new sheets since my daughter, Brenda just moved in with me, and a few cans of Dinty Moore.

But as usual, things got a bit out of control. It’s just such a good store and I kept finding so many things I could use or wanted. I mean Oreo’s for $1.87 a pack?! I had to have at least three of ‘em.

Our cart was full by the time we pushed it up to the check out. But then Brenda kept finding more stuff by the entrance. And she was right, such a deal on those plastic lawn chairs.

For some reason the cashier was taking a long time to ring everything up. I’m not sure why she couldn’t speed it up. And behind us I could see HER - the young lady, with just a few things in her hand. She was glaring at our pile of purchases and snickering to the man behind her with her Coach purse on her shoulder. I’m sure she paid way too much for that bag.

I know she didn’t like that we had so much stuff. I’m guessing she was in a hurry to go pick up her snotty little brats at private school or something. I saw her checking the time on her Nokia. Her mouth opened a little as Brenda loaded another item on the counter.

It was kinda funny. I took a little extra time writing my check partly because that girl pissed me off a little and also because I forgot my readers in the car. And then it was like the check-out girl didn’t even know what to do with a real check.

I’m sure that girl was so glad when we were finally done and paid up. And then I saw her drive off before we could even get all of our stuff in my little car. She practically ran to hers.

I hope she was late.



So.... I'm "that girl", by the way... I took this OLD post (which is kinda funny, reading it back) that I wrote about some ladies checking out in front of me at Big Lots and gave the perspective of one of them instead of my own.  Here is part of the prompt that got me here:  Find something that you're proud of, but something you haven't read for awhile. Do a complete overhaul. Change the point of view. Write it from a different perspective....

I miss fruit

Fruit, glorious fruit, oh how I love you so.

..

You taste so juicy and sweet...

But, this week I wouldn't know.

I chose not to eat you to aid in losing a few pounds.

So someone else I know gets to make those juicy smacking sounds. 

P.S. Fruit.  I miss you. See you next week! :-)

Sibling Sweetness

Sometimes I wonder what my children's relationships with each other will be like when they are adults.  I hope they all continue to love one another and are close no matter what happens in the future.  I even kinda hope that they have little secrets and inside jokes that even Tim and I don't know about.  I hope they get together with their own families and laugh and reminisce even after we are gone.  Yes, I certainly hope and pray that's the way it all works out.  'Cause isn't that the way it should be?


I think so.


But for now, I will cherish precious and quiet moments like this one.

I melt.


Linking up for Wordful Wednesday...

Water - i heart faces

I just love this boy and his passion for the ocean.  It reminds me of me when I was a kid.

He was even brave enough to go back in the water after hearing about a little girl that got stung by a jellyfish.  Perhaps more brave than me. Ahem.

I also love this shot of him.  So fun and all boy!

The theme this week is water at i heart faces.

First Time Mom Moment

I cleared it with my boss to leave a little early that day. I was excited to pick up my little guy and go to my favorite store. We needed to get a birthday present as well as a few other things. Perhaps I also needed a caffeinated beverage from the in-store Starbucks…

Happy as always to see my baby boy at the end of a work day, I gleefully loaded him into his crumb-covered car seat. While I drove he talked in the background and flipped through one of his favorite books, his feet occasionally kicking the back of my seat.

We pulled into the parking lot and I eyed a red cart right next to my car. We got out and I set him in the front and as I secured him I heard the familiar “click” of the nylon strap.

He smiled his cute little-boy smile at me as I pushed our way through the electronic doors and the cool air blew my hair back and refreshed me from the sweltering heat outside. I was thrilled to have a little shopping time.

I ended up in the “dollar spot” even though I’d told myself I wouldn’t. But few can resist cute socks and magnetic notepads for a $1.

After putting $5 worth of things I probably didn’t need in my cart, I pushed on to the toy section. I needed a gift for our soon-to-be-two Godson and I was sure that Ben would be excited to help me pick something out.

But I was wrong.

Instead he was completely distracted by the huge bin of plastic bouncy balls and kept saying, “BALL! BALL! BALL!!” over and over again.

I told him “No ball today” as I turned down an aisle with toddler-sized tool benches and mega blocks.

He did not care. By the time I stopped at the other end of the aisle there were enormous tears streaming down his scarlet face and I was sure the entire store could hear him hollering “BAAAAALLL!!!”.

I was determined to stand my ground.

For about 1.2 minutes.

And then I got him out of the cart and let him pick which color he wanted because my ears hurt so badly and I was thoroughly embarrassed.

That day I promised myself never to take a toddler by the huge ball container at Target ever again.

Lesson learned.




This week the prompt was: Write a post that either starts or ends with the words "Lesson learned." Word limit: 400 words  My count is 401. :-)

Have y'all heard about this conference happening the first weekend in August?

It was very questionable whether I was going to attend BlogHer this year or not.  I debated the expense of it all and since it's the week before The B Man starts school, I wasn't sure the timing was so great either.

But after Tim gave me my "bonus" and I found an awesome additional sponsor, Canvas Press* and a great roomie, I was set to go!  And Jennifer and I were lucky enough to add another roommate, Melissa from Bargain Shopper Mom. Wohoo!

So, now that it's SO close(!!!) I'm getting really excited and I'm also curious to see how this BlogHer experience will go compared to the last one in Chicago, two years ago.

Part of my gang in '09 - Me, Christy, Lisa, April and MftM.  And yes, I was VERY pregnant!

First of all, very few of the girls I hung around with in Chicago will be there this year, besides Heather (of the EO).  And I will miss them.  But on the bright side I have several other friends to see attack with hugs and I can't help but smile at the thought of all the blogger love that will be going on around me in just a week and half!

I'm trying not to agonize too much over what I'm going to wear.  Mostly skirts and dresses and I am bringing my favorite GAP jeans (which I got for FREE with a coupon from BlogHer '09!) and some sassy pairs of shoes. It is fun to wear cute clothes and I'm sure I'll end up packing too many because that's just how I roll. A girl has to have choices you know.

I totally look like this in them. *cough, cough*

My schedule is kinda crazy, in a good way (mostly thanks to my awesome roommates) and like a fool I even signed up for the BlogHer 5K happening Friday morning at the butt crack of dawn.  This was after Tracy ALL CAPS-ED me on twitter and told me I was doing it.  Afterwards we plan to mainline lots of coffee (so much for "no caffeine").

I'm also excited to attend the sessions and after previewing the schedule I may have some big choices to make, although I do like the looks of many of the writing ones.

I've also gotten a little smarter since last time and contacted other bloggers that I want to make sure I meet/see (although not everyone, I'm sure!) and gotten their numbers or set a time to get together.  I hope not to miss anyone this year if I can help it. And, if you are going and want to meet up let me know here or on twitter!  Like I said, want to see everyone I can!

With Ivy and Steph in '09, SO happy to meet them! And yes, still VERY pregnant

So now I just need to finish getting organized and I'll be SO ready to get on that plane next Thursday morning (I actually like to fly) and see some of my internet "besties".  (Shhh... don't tell, but it really IS all about the people for me...)

Here's to BlogHer '11 (and possibly an adult beverage or two this go 'round)!

I can't wait!


*BTW, Canvas Press is having a sale right now- 20% off with the code SUMMER- Yay!

NOT my best moment(s)

Sometimes I feel the pull of life more than the push.  This week I feel like I've been pulled every which way, while trying to push myself.  But it all feels like pulling.  Does that make sense?

Despite finding my the kids' new favorite show, "Good Luck Charlie" and a little "me" time on Tuesday morning, it has not been our best days.

A certain almost-22-month-old I know and love has had a rough "go" of it in the nap department lately and has cried herself to sleep every day this week.  I shifted her nap a little later since I had to pick up the boys from VBS at noon every day.  But she also would NOT sleep for the sitter on Tuesday morning.  What's up? I have no idea.

I hollered at the boys at lunch time because they were nagging for dessert before they were even done with their meal.  And they do this A LOT.  Perhaps it's my fault for indulging them too many times in the past.  Perhaps it's just because they are kids and well, anything with sugar in it is quite tasty (don't remind me, I haven't had any this week!) and I can't blame them for wanting it.  But I also superduper loathe the nagging.  I mean, could you please just CHEW that last piece of sandwich and swallow it before you ask me 100 times for a cookie? Please?


And also?

I walked out of VBS drop off without K this morning.  Yep, uh huh.  You read that right.

Blame it on the fact that she walked in on her own (when I usually carry her), or that it's kinda crazy with all the people around dropping off their kids too.  Or the fact that I had the sitter one morning and reverted back there in my mind.  Or perhaps it is because thoughts in my mind sometimes go like this:

"Must return library books. And renew ones online that I forgot to return. Ooh! I need to marinate the pork for dinner! What colors do I want to paint the picture frames Dad gave me?  Do I need to sign the boys up for soccer already? Do I still have coffee in my mug?  What time is it?..."

I've tried to rationalize it in my head but the fact of the matter is, I left her for a few moments. And I was distracted.

I realized what I'd done after I saw an acquaintance in the parking lot and she asked if both boys were in VBS this time.  As I said yes, I realized I DID NOT HAVE!!! my 3rd child with me.  I was mortified.  She was shocked.  I could tell by her face. I ran back...

I was away from K for less than a minute but it didn't matter. I shouldn't have left her.  I was upset with myself.  When I got back to the lobby she was in the sweet hands of a couple of cute teenage girls who were VBS helpers, and smiling.  But it didn't matter (alreadysaidthat,Iknow).  I felt horrible. And embarrassed.

I mean, who does THAT?!?!

Me, apparently.

Of course after thinking about it A LOT I figured I wasn't the first or the only parent to ever do this.  Does it make it any better that I did?  Of course not but I also have to remember that I am human and sometimes I make mistakes.

I just hope I never make one like that again.

And I pray this week gets better.  Right now.

Now here's a picture because it cheers me up...


And yes, I kept very close tabs her all the rest of the day and as far as I know, she's currently safe and asleep in her crib...


And no, I have NO idea how she got so big or her hair got so long...

trees, beautiful plants and little cute babies - You Capture

I did my best to cover all the topics that Noah put out there for us for You Capture this week. 

Trees (and clouds!)

Beautiful plants

Little cute babies 
(okay, I didn't take this one, my friend Kim did, but I still had to post it). Isn't her baby boy so sweet?  Trust me, he is.  I loved snuggling him and I was able to see her again and meet all of her precious kiddos last week.  
Lucky me. :)

I'm over at The Red Dress Club!

I'm SO very excited to have a guest post up at The Red Dress Club!  


I'm writing about well.... WRITING! :)


I've shared some of my earlier writing and my a bit of my heart too...


I would love it if you would visit me there and/or spread the word on twitter!


And thanks to Katie, Cheryl and Nicole for letting me guest post! 

So Much to See

It's just a picture of kids playing in a sprinkler, right?

But once I really looked at this picture I saw so much more.

On the bottom right, the baby boy that we worried for when he was born premature, almost 5 years ago...

My ten and half year-old niece who towers over my boys and wears a silly band as an anklet.

Little G laughing and on the move.

The B Man with his back to the water since he did NOT want it to get in his face.

Cousins together, playing in the same backyard I did, with the same metal sprinkler attachment that sprayed my back during many, many summers.

My Dad's garden and "junk" (he would call them treasures) in the background.

Memories for me and my kids.

I see all of that in this one photo.

And I am grateful.

Grateful for my family, my parents' home, my life.


P.S. Check out my guest post at The Red Dress Club!  I'm SO excited to be featured there today! 

Just Keepin' in Real

I came home from our week-long road trip to a husband I missed A LOT.

My friends and family were great while we visited with them.  The kids and I spent about 17 hours on the road total and they did really well.  We had a wonderful time and it was so nice to hang out and see everyone... But it's just different when you don't have your spouse.

Tonight I'm sitting here with a headache since I haven't had any caffeine all day.  It's self-imposed.

See...

I made the mistake of stepping on the scale when I got home last night AFTER eating at DQ (Dairy Queen for those that don't know) and then pizza and birthday cupcakes for my sweet hubby (yesterday was his birthday) (yes that says cupcakeS).

And all of this after watching what I ate last week.  Yeah, I watched it alright, every stinkin' not-so-good-for-me bite that went in my mouth.

UGH.

Anyway, I gained a few L.B.s

Plus! I only ran ONCE while gone.

Double UGH.

So, it's total turn-around time.  I'm breaking up with carbs again.  They done me wrong.

It's possible that I might be a tad grumpy this week. Be glad you don't live with me.

I'm off to pop some Advil.

Happy Monday?

;-)

Nurse Shoes

I wanted Blake to win but I knew he wasn’t going to.

I’d invested so much emotionally in this season and now here I was at the end of it, in a hospital bed with my newborn baby lying on my chest, painkillers making me less “me”. 

Jordan won instead.

As American Idol blared in the background, the nurse walked in and told me we were going to get this baby to breastfeed no matter what!

Eventually she was right, but it took a while and her patience and mine too.

At one point she held him in her lap, directing the few drops of my “liquid gold” from the small syringe, into his mouth. 

I looked at her shoes and wondered how long she’d been wearing them just THAT day.

I thought of the hundreds of thousands of times she walked those halls with conviction, wielding the power to make mother and baby bond and become feeder and feed-ee. 

She smiled as she picked him up and delivered him back to my chest, her long, nice-smelling hair brushing my arm.

Her English accent lilted through the air as she talked to my baby and directed us both and then suddenly he was doing it and we both cried out in joy.

After a few more minutes her “nurse” shoes carried her from our room and we only saw her again briefly the next morning when she came to see how we were doing.

“Brilliantly,” I beamed.  She smiled back and left us, my baby suckling like a champ.

That was four years ago.  I wonder how many pairs of shoes she’s gone through since then… And how many mommies and babies she's helped.  I'm guessing a lot on both counts.

The sweet nurse who got us nursing and my newborn baby boy... 

the prompt was.... write about your character (or yourself) and a pair of his or her shoes...
this is more of a memory than anything else but this is what first came to mind... 

You Capture - Summertime

To me, summertime means going to special places and doing extra special things.

Like hanging out at LegoLand, for instance.

The boys and I had a fabulous time with our friends (K hung out with Tim's mom while we went), even though we had to wait a bit to get in (God bless the genius who thought to put big ole bins of Legos by the waiting line!)

The wait was worth if for sure, if nothing else, just to see the smiles on their faces throughout the afternoon...

Out Like a Light - WW

This is our friend J who passed out on Monday night at our friend's house, in the middle of his dinner.


Literally.  

His mother moved him shortly after this.  But only after we I was were done taking pictures... 

I mean, DUH. 

This might be a direct quote from someone you all know - "Wait, don't move him yet, let me get my camera first!"  Ahem. 

Anyway, he was tired.  Our kids had literally played ALL. DAY.

After his cat-nap he still went for an apres dinner swim, so I'm sure he slept REALLY well for his Momma that night. 

Kids crack me up. 

So, do you have a caption for this pic?  If not, let me know the craziest place your kid has ever fallen asleep.  :)

Baby Love - Rockin' the Baby

We went to church with our friends this morning, while here in Texas.

(Did I tell you the kids and I drove over for the week, without the Daddy part of our family? Yeah, we did...)

As we sat down I noticed the tiny newborn in the baby carrier in the pew in front of us.  She was so small and fresh from God. And RIGHT in front of me.

After one little squeak from her precious lips, her Daddy scooped up her delicate body in his hands, quietly whispering little "SHH"s as he put her soft head to his and snuggled her to his chest.

And in that moment I was so overcome with the desire to hold this stranger's baby that I caught myself holding my breath.

It wasn't a second later that my previous infant, now four years old, started whining and I wished to hold her even more.  To go back to those days when they were SO brand new, innocent and all that came out of them were tiny cries, squeaks and grunts. 

Nothing compares to those first days of having a newborn.

Absolutely NOTHING.

I just wish it lasted longer, especially since it's goes by REALLY fast with the third... 

My father actually rocking my second baby.  He's such a proud Grandpa in this photo.  I Melt.  

Tim kissing our first baby when he was just days old.  Those are my knees and my slipper on the right-hand side, as I took the picture.  This baby boy originally made us a family. We became three...
And we were forever changed...

Join in the Rockin' the Baby carnival at Things You Can't Say...

Patriotism - You Capture

I want our children to be proud to live in the this country but I think they are still a little young to understand the concept fully.  It's just a pretty BIG thing to grasp when you really think about it.  

I looked at Tim as we waited for the fireworks to begin (on the evening of the 3rd... that is when the best show happens around here) and asked him what he thought our forefathers would think about how we celebrate our Independence these days... 

You know, like with face and arm painting...

And shirts that say "Rock On America"...

And eating frozen yogurt that drips down your chin and onto your patriotic-ish, little-girl top...

Or waiting for the fireworks show while splashing your feet in a pond...

How about making dessert that is both delicious and looks patriotic...

 Or letting your young boys play with fire.   This IS what they meant by the "rockets red glare" right??

Okay, maybe not. 

Either way, God Bless America.

And by the way, I think our forefathers would be good with it.  Especially Benjamin Franklin.  He was a really cool guy.