Make a Memory

Make a memory with your children,

Spend some time to show you care;

Toys and trinkets can't replace those

Precious moments that you share.

Money doesn't buy real pleasure,

It doesn't matter where you live;

Children need your own attention,

Something only you can give.

Childhood's days pass all too quickly,

Happy memories all too few;

Plan to do that special something,

Take the time to go or do.

Make a memory with your children,

Take the time in busy days;

Have some fun while they are growing,

Show your love in gentle ways.

by Elaine Hardt ©1977

Ups and Downs of Life with a 13-month-old

Wow, to say that Caleb has changed so much the past couple of months would be an understatement.  I mean he has completely transformed before my eyes from a baby to a rowdy, on the go little toddler.  He is more and more a big boy everyday.  This has seriously been my favorite age so far. I mean it is so amazing to see this little person begin to change into a person who understands commands, does silly things, and show their own personality.  However, it does have its up sides and its down sides.

Wonderful things about life with a 13-month-old

• I love how Caleb understands commands now.  He literally amazes me everyday.  I will ask him to brush his teeth and he will point to his teeth. I will ask him where his head is and he will show me. He will tell me he is one by holding up one finger. Etc etc. The list could go on and on.  I love to see what he learns each day!
• I love his personality.  He is so cute and will just break out in laughter for no reason.
• He is so independent. He wants to do everything himself. I am not allowed to feed him, I am not allowed to hold him in a public place, and I am NOT allowed to change his mind for him.
• I love how when I ask him if he wants to go night nights he walks to his bed.
• I love how he will randomly walk up and kiss me.
• I love how "Dada" is the new favorite word.
• I love how he barks at everything.  You tell him to say hi and he barks haha
• I love how he points to the correct people in pictures when you ask him who they are.
• I love how he wants to throw the ball to Sydney all by himself.
• I love how he feeds himself like a big boy.
• I love how he points and talks at everything.
• I love our morning snuggles.
• I love his excitement when he and Bella play!
• I love his walk!!! Love it!
• I love how he looks in his fall clothes.  Such a big boy.
• I love how he looks in his shoes.
• I love how he is all boy. He loves his tool sets, his cars, and any type of dirt!
• I love how he always has a back up binky in his hand, and he knows where we hide them. He will throw them under his bed to hide them and then crawl under to get one.  He will go to the diaper bag and pull them out.  He walks around crying "innnkkk" when he wants one!

I just love love love him (sorry this post is more for my own memories of what Caleb is up to right now)


Things that I do not love

• TANTRUMS! Need I say more? God forbid I tell the child no.  All h*** breaks loose. I mean he throws himself on the floor, screams, kicks etc.  However, as a mother I am in charge, and I hate that he throws tantrums, especially in public, but either I correct him when he is doing something wrong, or he goes crazy. I mean it is hard right now because I can not really reason with him.  I tell him no, try to distract him, but when he goes back to do the same bad thing, I have to tell him no again. That is when the s*** hits the fan. When he realizes I really mean NO. Oh goodness, if I could count the dirty looks I have gotten from people in public throughout the past month.  Any advice?
• He hates to shop, or be confined, or stay where I tell him in public. He hates the cart and the stroller. He wants down, he wants to explore. If I don't let him he screams. If I do let him he runs away and tries to break things.  When I keep him from doing that he screams.  I think it is his way of saying that MEN DO NOT LIKE TO SHOP.
• You can not keep them clean!! I mean I will dress him and in 5 minutes he will be dirty. I feel as though I change him as much as a newborn now.
• His face is always dirty, and he hates to have his face wiped. In turn is a tantrum!

Oh life is interesting now. My sweet little care free baby who I used to take everywhere now has a mind of his own!! I love that little mind though, even during the tantrums.  However, seriously if you have any advice about what has worked for you I would LOVE to hear it!

Prayers for a dear Friend

This is my friend Nickey

I worked with her through college, and I just love her to pieces.  We have seen eachother through the loss of a great friend in the past, and had some woderful times together as well.  This week my heart breaks for my sweet friend.  She and Stephen lost their baby girl Bella at 39 weeks gestation this past week.  I can not even begin to go there in my mind, and even start to understand what they are feeling.  My heart is literally breaking for them.  I am unsure of the exact details to what caused sweet Bella's passing, but I just want to hold my sweet friend and let her know that I am praying.  I ask that you will also join me in prayer.  We as mothers understand the love that you already have for your baby at 39 weeks, and the awful pain that would be associated with losing them.  Pray Pray Pray for this sweet couple as they enter into the days ahead. 

The Big Reveal

 So, I have to begin by saying that last night was so much fun. Nothing to big or to fancy, but just a good time spent with friends and family. I had big plans to show the "reveal video" on the blog, but the video turned out being quite awful. I am practically YELLING "CLOSE YOUR EYES", and when it was time for the big reveal Caleb broke down. We had Caleb dress in White, and at the end of the party we took him and changed him into a ____ shirt to tell the sex. I had big dreams of him walking out and clapping. Instead he broke down on the floor crying haha.

Here are a few pics of the party

Team Mckinlee

Team Paxton

Nick's Mama was neutral so we just took a pic of her and her kiddos.  I know they all look exactly alike!  

So, are you ready for the big reveal??? Well, since Caleb did not coroporate last night I had fun today. 

It's A ......

GIRL!!! Can I get a AHHHHH!!!

I am just beyond excited, and I may be partial, but if Mckinlee looks 1/2 as good as her big bro does in a dress then we are in TROUBLE!!!

Everyone is pretty excited!!

Oh, and by the way Debbie, here is the website!! Start working your negotiation magic because Mckinlee NEEDS all of these clothes!!!

Just for giggles I will entertain you with the AWFUL video!! haha

Bundle Update

So, I haven't done a weekly post in 2 weeks. I have always been bad at that.  However, we had our ultrasound this morning.  You know the really important one in which we find out if bundle is healthy and what the sex is?? Yep! We know what the baby is, but we can not tell you until friday!! Sorry.  Think of it this way though, it will give you something to look forward to. I mean weekend blog reading is always soo boring!! Anyway we are glad to announce that bundle is growing great, is healthy, and is measuring 17 weeks 6 days.  I am 18 weeks 3 days, so we are right on track. 

Now, I am placing a quiz on the side of my tool bar! Cast your vote and let me know if you think bundle is a Paxton or a Mckinlee!!

Random

So, I have a random blog post coming today.  This week is just filled with so many emotions and activities that I do not even know where to begin. 

First of all I would like you all to keep us in your prayers. I am currently in the interview process for a nanny position in which I would work 9-5 mon-fri, and I would able to bring Caleb along with me.  It is only for one 8 month old baby, and the family is so great.  It would be a true answer to prayer. I would be able to work throughout the entire pregnancy, take bundle with me after he/she arrives, and spend the days with my child.  It is like being paid to be a stay at home mama. Also, it would help Caleb get used to the idea of having another baby around me all the time before bundle arrives.  I have a follow up interview tomorrow night to meet  the dad of the family, and I am praying they choose me.  Fingers crossed.

Second thing that is running through my head this week is the ultrasound tomorrow.  I am so excited to find out if bundle is a boy or girl, but at the same time I find myself getting nervous.  I keep allowing myself to ask the scary questions.  What if something is wrong, what if the baby is not healthy, how would I handle that?  You know all the questions that we should keep ourselves from thinking.  However, it is hard not to.  I hear of so much heartache in the world, and I can't help but wonder why I would be so blessed.  Why would God choose me to have 2 healthy children when others who are so much more faithful than me are suffering so much?  I keep going there.  I know I shouldn't, but with the ultrasound coming up tomorrow morning I keep getting a knot in my stomach.  Say a prayer for me if you think of it.  Say a prayer that bundle is happy and healthy and growing great.  I would appreciate it.

Third prayer request is that you pray for a girl named Sam May.  She is from my hometown and she was in a really bad car accident last night.  They transported her by air to the same hospital they took my cousin to after his accident.  Last I heard she was alive, but had a lot of broken bones and internal bleeding.  She is only 19, and I can not imagine what her parents are going through right now.  I know how hard it is to be the family sitting in that very same waiting room praying that your loved one will be okay.  Pray hard for her. 

Fourth I am excited about the gender reveal party.  It is going to be so hard to keep a secret, but I am so excited to reveal it on Friday to everyone.  I am going to attempt to be crafty this week and make a few small decorations.  Nothing to ellaborate.  Keep me in your prayers that I can actually pull off a craft that looks half way decent.  That is one gift God did not bless me with.  Lets just say I am crafty challenged. 

Fifth we are teething again.  Top tooth #2.  Cranky, congested, non-napping baby.  Tooth fairy please pop the tooth through soon.

Here are some recent pics of Caleb because I know everyone at Commonwealth are hoping for some :). None of these are that great.  He is to wild to take his picture nowadays :)

Getting used to sitting in his big boy car bed!

Painting the deck with water with Presley

Are you Ready?

Thanks for all who participated in guessing bundles name!! Hubby and I had so much fun checking back last night to see if there were any new guesses.  I am sure if I would let you all wait in anticipation until tonight I would get a lot of Monday Night Bloggy Catchup guesses, but I can't stand to wait anymore....

R u ready....???

Well, first I have to tell you the names that were most popular in the guessing game.  They are...

Boy:

1. Parker
2. Preston

Girl:

1. Madyson
2. Madeline

All were cute, but the only one who got it right was my friend Chelsea.  She knew my girl name but she sent me a text with the correct boy name....

R u ready yet...I mean I know you are just bouncing in your seat in anticipation....

Here they are :)

Boy:  Paxton David (hi daddy :))

Girl: Mckinlee Brooklyn

You like?? :).  I have to admit that we have had Mckinlee picked out for years, but Paxton came out of nowhere.  I knew a Paxton from my hometown, but I had fogotten about the name.  Hubby and  I were looking through baby names the other day and it just jumped out at us.  We wrote our favorite name on the back of an envelope and on the count of 3 revealed it to eachother. Paxton David was the winner!! I LOVE IT!! I really want a girl, but I would love love love to have a chance to use our baby boys name.  :)  

Oh, Caleb loves the names to...I mean he is basically dancing for joy! (this is his sexy dance)

It's Time for a Guessing Game

Hey Hey Hey bloggy friends. So as you know we find out this week what bundle will be, and I have to tell you that hubby and I are exstatic!! We can not wait to find out.  We spent this past weeked nailing down on baby names, because we want to incorporate the names into our gender reveal decorations. 

Now for the fun part......GUESS THE NAMES (don't guess if you are some of my bestest friends who already know the names :)).   I wanna see what names bloggy friends come up with before the big reveal, and it is all in good fun.  So I am asking begging anyone and everyone who reads my blog to play along.  I mean come on entertain an 18 week prego mama who is anxiously awaiting Wed.  Results will be revealed tomorrow, so make your guess today!!

Boy name : begins with a P

Girl name: begins with a M

Guess away.  I am anxiously awaiting your guesses, and I will be sure to post the most common/my favorite/the real names we have picked tom!

It's A.......

Gender Reveal Party!!!

I know I know the title was a mean tease!! I mean I am sure you clicked on this post thinking you would find out if bundle was a girl or boy, and I let you down.  However, the good news bloggy friends is that you will find out next week!!!!! Next Friday Sept 24 we will be hosting our first ever Gender Reveal Party, and I am oh so excited. 

I sent out our e-invites, and this is the cute little saying that was on the front...

It's a....

Boy or Girl

What will it be?

To find out

Showing up will be key!

Sport your guess with a cute

Pink or Blue Tee!!

Can't wait to reveal it with you all either....look next weekend for the Gender Reveal Video!!

Prayer Request

I recently came across a blog of a girl who I attended CRU with at UK.  She is pregnant, and I enjoyed reading about her journey.  However, I had missed the unsettling news about her little man.  She was told in her first trimester that her baby had anacephaly.  It is basically a neural tube defect, in which the baby can not live outside of the womb.  She chose to continue the pregnancy, and she is now in the hospital preparing for delivery.  I can not imagine the emotions she is feeling as a mama right now, but her faith is inspirational.  Please keep Brooke, Brian, and baby Briar Allen in your prayers.  You can read more about her story here.
 

Bundle's Weekly Update

• How far along?: 16 weeks  
• How big is baby?: About the size of my palm 
• Weight gain?: 1 lb (starting weight 106)
• Stretch marks?: No just that fat point where you don't look pregnant but you don't look that great either. Ughh.  
• Maternity clothes?: Just jeans so far.
• Sleep?: Has been great this week
• Food cravings?: Greasy, salty, non-healthy foods. Oh with a few strawberries or watermelon thrown in there.  
• Gender?: Well we all know I am hoping for a girl, but we shall see.  
• Movement?: Still the same small kicks, still not sure if they are really kicks or not.
• Belly button?: Turning into a cave.  
• What I miss?: Wine. Fitting in my skinny jeans.  
• Labor signs?: No!!! Hopefully not for a LONG time.  
• What I'm looking forward to?: Finding out if it is a boy or a girl, and feeling consistent movement.  
• Milestone?: um...scheduling the gender/anatomy ultrasound today!  :)

 (I did not take consistent week by week pics with Caleb, so I do not have a picture of me at this point with him). 

Ladies Man

Have I mentioned before that Caleb is surrounded by attractive little ladies all the time? Have I mentioned that he is just the cutest, sweetest, little man around all of them? Have I mentioned that he loves all of them, and they in turn love him?  Have I mentioned that I have arranged his marriage many times in his 13 months of life?  Well, let me introduce you to Caleb's loves. 

First there is Miss Isabel.  Caleb has known her since the womb, and her mama and I have decided that they will more than likely be more like brother and sister and less like boyfriend girlfriend.

Then there is Miss Presley Kate.  How can you resist this cute little face, with the bow to top it off? I have to admit that I fell in love with her from the moment we met her in library class. I mean her little baby chunks were just to adorable to not love.  Caleb loves her too....maybe they will date in the future and make cute blond hair, blue eyed, chunky babies?

Then there is Miss Madison (aka Madi) (aka the future Mrs G) (aka My future daughter in law).  Her mama and I are pretty sure they love eachother. 

 They always give eachother looks like this. 

They also pat eachother, cuddle and kiss. Pretty much a match made in heaven.  Their babies would be pretty gorgeous as well.  Don't you think? :)

No matter what girl he ultimately chooses, I happen to think he is starting out right.  I mean what other little man is surrounded by beauty like this on a regular basis?

Wash Your Balls :)

Hilarious commercial.  Please tell me you have seen it....if not you have to watch it!!