Life Update #1: Reese

Well, Hello! It's been a while :/. Oops! I suppose I need to update our lives on here. And really this is just for me and my documentation of us, considering that most of you readers are my facebook friends and already know that Reese turned 1 in...DECEMBER, Madden turned 3 last month, and we are expecting baby #3 in NOVEMBER! (Those are the 3 most important things that have happened, and well lets face it, that I actually have pics of to show!)

So I guess let's start with Reese...(my last post was of her 8 months photo shoot! YiKES! Here's the months I missed...

9, 10, and 11 mo.

For her 1st birthday, we celebrated with Cupcakes (of course) and Hot Cocoa! I really loved decorating for her party!

We served snickerdoodle cupcakes, appetizers, and had a hot chocolate bar!

Our little buttercup was pretty in pink!

That about sums up her 1st birthday! It was a really good day (from what I remember!)

Reese is now 17 months old! AHHH! She has finally started walking! (before, she would "walk" around on her knees!)

-She eats just about anything! The girl loves food! 

- At her 15 month checkup she was 22lbs and 32" 

- She is just about the sweetest baby ever! 

- Can entertain herself for hours! 

- Gives the absolute BEST hugs and night-night kisses!

- Loves to put on shoes, and attempts to dress herself

- Is a talker: her favorite word is probably "happy" she throws her hands in the air and says it with much enthusiasm! Also says: ball, baby, water, more, thank you, night-night, blankie, water, balloon, mama, dadda, apple, car, cereal, jump, Parts of the body (which she also points to): hair, eyes, nose, mouth, belly-button, ears, animal sounds for: cow, chicken, sheep, bird, horse, cat, dog, lion. I'm pretty sure I'm missing a bunch of words...trust me she likes the sound of her voice (I don't know where she got that from?! ;))

I think that about catches us up with Miss Reese! 

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8 Months!

Slightly late...but better than never, right?!

Miss Reese is 8 months old! And it's September...where has time gone?!?

Our little buttercup is on the move. She has been scooting around for almost 2 months, and is on the verge of deciding that crawling might be faster!
~She loves to eat her oatmeal and bananas...and thinks that any time we are eating, that she needs to taste it too (today she had some ice cream and thought it was delicious!)
~Loves to play with whatever Madden has...usually cars.
~Gives the best kisses! Baby kisses are my favorite!
~Laughs at "the other baby" in the mirror
~Has a mouthful of teeth: 4 on top and 3 on the bottom!!!
~Says "dada" all the time, has said "mama" a few times and "bubba" once for Madden
~Wearing size 3 diapers
~Mostly 12 months clothes
~She is my little gym rat--loves to be with me at practice (not like she has a choice!)

There is so much more to say about Miss Reese, but I will leave it to the pics!

 

 

 

 

 

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DIY: Seatbelt Pillow

Readers, Please forgive me...it has been almost 4 months since my last post. (I'm not Catholic, but I felt the need to "confess'! :)) I must admit...when I have time to blog I end up cruising around Pinterest :/

So, here's a peek into one of several Pinterest inspired projects I am doing!

The seatbelt Pillow!

We recently purchased a new carseat for Mr. Madden! He is such a big boy in it! However, it doesn't recline as much as his old one, so I decided he NEEDED this seatbelt pillow to add some comfort. :)
My inspiration came from Super Jenn, and it was just the right reason to drag the hubs and kiddos to Hobby Lobby!

Supplies needed: an old pillowcase, poly-fil, fabric of your choice**, scissors, snaps, sew-on velcro, sewing machine!

** The fabric I chose was probably the hardest to work with. (I don't know what it is called, but it is super soft--which is why I originally chose to buy it) Super Jenn used fleece for hers. I think you could use whatever fabric you desire.

***WARNING*** I am by no means "suzy-sews-a-lot". Therefore, follow these instructions at your own risk. My sewing terminology may be flawed. Sorry. I am not liable for any of your own mistakes!

Step 1: cut pillowcase (I cut about 5 1/2" wide and 26 1/2" long) and to be totally honest, I kind of just eye-balled everything :) except for cutting a straight line!

Step 2: Sew up the sides and bottom and stuff with poly-fil or fluff or whatever you want inside, then sew pillow shut.

Step 3: measure fabric to fit around pillow- leaving room for pressing and sewing down your cut edges-to avoid fraying.
Step 4: Sew up long sides and one end.

Step 5: Sew on snaps or better yet spend the money to buy the snap pliers at the store (much less of a headache!) I, however, am a glutten for punishment and sewed them on by hand!

you can barely see them but there are 2 snaps sewn on the edge- I folded the edge inwards so in theory the snaps will be hidden!

  Stuff the pillow inside your cute new case and TA-DAAA!!! a long. skinny. pillow. hmmm....

well, you guessed it...I missed a step! Somewhere between steps 3 &4 I was supposed to sew on four tabs of fabric that would hold the velcro which would enable this fabulous pillow to wrap around the seatbelt! DUH! Please, check out the right way/more complete instructions!
 So, because I absolutely REFUSE to rip the seams and start over, I will most likely, painstakingly, sew on more snaps. bummer. 

Overall, I am pleased with the outcome. And, if I do say so myself, it's pretty darn cute! (Big TAP on my amatuer seamstress back!)

Check back for more of my "Pinnochio Project DIY: Bringing Pinterest to Life" (clever, huh?!) Pin It

The BIG 2!!!

How old are you, Madden?--This many???

I'm 2!!!!!

Don't judge, I had to use the flash. But these two pics are perfect! Today, my sweet baby boy turned two. Well...to get technical, it is 8:28 pm right now, and he wasn't born until 11:28pm, May 9, 2010 (Mother's Day), after 25 hours of labor!!! I can still remember pretty much every part of that day. Those 25 hours were totally worth it, and the best mother's day present ever!

We celebrated his birthday last Saturday, with a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

 I made his cake- a Cars theme--his favorite! It took me 3 days, but I was so happy with how it came out! 

 

  We went to the Dr. today for Madden's 2 year check-up. He had to get 1 shot but he did great! 

Weight: 29lbs (50th-75th%)

Height: 35 1/2 in. (90th-95th%)

Head: 49cm

We transitioned to a big boy bed about a month ago. He did awesome! My mom claims that he is not normal, because he stays in his bed and waits for us to come get him! He never tried to climb out of his crib, so I didn't know what he would do when we switched, but he has been an angel! 

We are also paci-free! (for about a week, now) This, also, was a pretty easy transition. He only used it at nap and bedtime, so I wasn't really planning on taking it at the moment, however, I went to give him a paci one night and saw that it had bite marks on it! He had almost bit it in half!!! So I offered him a different one. He didn't want it, so I said, "ok, no more paci!". He cried for maybe a minute, then fell asleep! Thus, bye-bye to the paci! 

Such a big boy now!

He LoVeS to play outside! 

He is a pro at using the IPAD! My mom has all sorts of learning games on it for him!

He Loves to eat beans! Any kind! 

He loves Reese (and all her toys)!

His laugh is infectious! 

His smile will melt your heart!

I am so blessed that God chose me to be his mommy! I pray that Matthew and I lead him and teach him to be the man God has made him to be. That we will be the example of love, commitment, and respect for him. And that he will know and have an intense relationship with the Lord! 

He is my sweet, adorable, crazy, hilarious, energetic, wonderful little boy...and he's TWO!!! Happy birthday Madden Valentine! I LOVE YOU!

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4 Months!

4 months have gone by...REALLY?!?

Miss Reese had her 4 month checkup this morning, and is a rock star!
Stats:
   Length: 26.5 inches (97%)
   Weight: 15 lbs. (75%)
   Head: 40 cm (50%)

-size 2 diapers
-3-6 month clothes..although at the moment she is wearing a 6-9 mo. sleeper!
-Loves to smile at her daddy
-laughs
-was currently sleeping through the night..however, she's a smart girl and has decided that making mommy get up at night to pay attention to her is way more fun...this all ends tonight! I am a CIO (cry it out) advocate. Don't hate me...she will be just fine.
-I'm sure there is more I am forgetting...sorry!

On another note-- Madden is about to be 2!!! What?! I think I'm still in shock about that. But to cope, we are going to have a Cinco de Mayo FIESTA! Filled with fajitas, margaritas, cascarones, and a pool for the kiddos! Party post to follow!

Here's a sneak peek from Reese's 4 month photo shoot...

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Time Out!

The soon to be dreaded words for Mr. Madden. We started time-outs this week. I have only had to do it twice...so far. The first time was a couple days ago. He was not a fan. He fought me and tried to escape--it was quite the struggle. He is very strong. The second time was this morning. Not as much of a struggle, and much shorter than the first!
Overall, I would say it has been a success! It actually works too! This almost 2 year's old fits are coming to a quick end. Hopefully. Pin It

Just the right words...Part 1

Peacefully you are sleeping
Silently you dream
And I cannot help but feeling blessed
While watching you

Your eyes
My eyes
Your smile
My smile
Your love
My gain
Your hurt
My pain
Your laugh
My joy
Every time, it's mine
You are my child

I will always protect you
Oh and I will even let you go
I'll spend the sweetest time holding you
And will let you grow

Your eyes
My eyes
Your smile
My smile
Your love
My gain
Your hurt
My pain
Your laugh
My joy
Every time, it's mine
You are my child

Don't ever be afraid
Don't ever be afraid
Cause I am here
And if you start to fear
Just close your eyes
And hear me say

Your love
My gain
Your hurt
My pain
Your laugh
My joy
Every time, it's mine
You are my child
-Plumb

As my babies are napping, I am listening to Pandora and this song comes on.

How perfect.  Pin It