Easter Festivities - Trinity Baptist

On Saturday we headed over to Trinity Baptist for their Easter Festival. It is so much fun and Lilliana had a great time. She was able to do her first Easter egg hunt this year, ride the train and do lot's of fun games indoors and make crafts. There was also a petting zoo but she was not interested in getting too close. We just looked at the animals as we rode by on the train and from afar. She is still really skiddish of animals up close although she LOVES the zoo. Who knows. I was so thankful one of our friends sent us a heads up about this fun even because it was a gorgeous day and we both enjoyed ourselves.

Cleaning Tips

Today over at Kelly's Korner, she is hosting, "Show Us Your Life - Cleaning Tips". I like to try and keep a neat and organized home, I would say a must with a busy 2 year old and working mom, and for the most part I am able to accomplish that. Of course, it helps a ton that I am off 5 days a week and only work on the weekends. I try and get most of my work done Tuesday and through Thursday because I feel like Monday's are hard after working all night and on Friday's I just like to enjoy the day before starting back to work. And, since Lilliana goes to school on Wednesday's, this is by far my most productive day. Of course, I also try to schedule any appointments; hair, doctor, dentist, on these days too so that I don't have to worry about dragging her along. But. for the most part I can get most things done on those 3 days. I have been currently working on more of a cleaning schedule, just because I'm OCD like that so I'm looking forward to reading some new blogs linked up over at Kelly's Korner for some great tips.

Lilliana usually wakes around 7:00 and our day starts. I typically try and get up around 6:30 to have some quiet time by myself but that doesn't always happen. I do think y day is so much better though when I am able to do this. Anyways, after L wakes, we eat breakfast and I typically clean up the dishes and wipe down the counters and load the dish washer with our dirty breakfast dishes before she gets out of her chair. Then, we typically have some kind of educational play time for about an hour and do our letter of the week, puzzles, read books and so on. I then typically head to the gym for the morning when is at about 8:30 - 9:30, just depends what time my Body Pump class starts and what I am going to do while there that day. After we get back, L has a snack around 10:00 and we play some more or we may still be out if we had to run an errand or 2 after the gym. I try to get all my outings done while we are out so we don't have to get back out after arriving home. Lilliana still takes a great 2-3 hour nap so that is when I can be most productive, bathrooms, vacuuming, never ending laundry! I typically do laundry throughout the week because I can't stand for it to pile up, which usually means at least one load a day! I won't lie, I am trying to work on this. I hate doing laundry everyday because I feel like it's not DONE until it's folded and/or ironed and put away. Luckily, Clay loves to iron so sometimes I can leave him a pile to do that evening when he is watching TV.

After nap, I usually let L watch an episode of Mickey Mouse or Little Einstein's and I try to get dinner started and figure out a game plan for the next day. Like I said before, we typically go by more of a daily routine than a weekly cleaning schedule but I would like that to change. Any great ideas are welcome!

As far as specific cleaning products go I love the following; clorox bleach pen, clorox wipes (always buy in bulk during my Costco run); confession: I went through a tub of these a week when L was little, I was just a little OCD about germs! I have come a long way :) and my Mr. Clean cleaner. I use the Mr. Clean for everything from the toilet's to the sink, shower and floors. It is a great all purpose cleaner, if you ask me :)









Well, these are a few of my tips, would love to hear yours!

11 weeks

This week I had another check-up with my fabulous OB Dr. W. It was a great appointment as they were able to hear the heartbeat by doppler this time and I just love that. It just makes things seem so much more real and so reassuring.

Nothing really to report at this point, besides the fact that I have already gained 3pounds! I wouldn't be so bothered by it besides the fact that just over a week ago, I hadn't gained any weight yet and then BAM! I go back on the 8th for my PAPP A which is a 1st trimester screening test with an ultrasound and I hope that Clay and Lilliana will be able to come with me. It is in the morning so I hope it will work out and then all the girls at the office will be able to see the little miracle they helped to bring into this world. :)

I am still nauseous most of the time but I haven't been sick so Zofran is still my BFF. I am hoping this will end in the next couple weeks but I'm ok if it doesn't. It helps to remind me that I have a precious miracle inside me and that things are going well so far.

Pure Joy!

Lilliana and I went shopping yesterday in search of an Easter dress. She was such a trooper and stuck with me through 3 little boutique stores and Marshall's. I was hoping to find something at our first stop but it was at our last that we were successful. She was so helpful and tried on a few choices for me so that I could decide on my favorite one. While we were looking around she decided that she was going to try on a some shoes that were out on display. She was so funny because I didn't prompt her at all, but the girl just loves her some shoes! Daddy is going to be in trouble in a few years :) When Lilliana tried on a pair of these shoes she just became so joyous! I pondered about this purchase for a really long time because I thought they would drive me CRAZY, but, the joy she exhibited when she placed them on her little feet was just so childlike and precious. I love the way Lilliana loves life and how easily she is amused. I guess we'll just have to see how long the little squeakers will stay in these things before they may go missing :)



So far she wants to wear them everywhere and when she walked in the door with them on yesterday, Clay told me to take them back. I told him how excited she was and that she just wouldn't take them off in the store. Of course the fact that they were a total of 40% off really helped my decision too! He then proceeded to ask if she took out her money and paid for them and how they got out of the store. I will say, so far, I like them because she can't get too far from me, and I can hear her coming from across the room!!

I could just eat her up!!!

Lilliana has turned into the most loving, affectionate, precious child I ever could have imagined. I hope in part, it was due to my non baby-wising attitude when she was little. :) She is constantly telling me she loves me, giving eskimo kisses and just wanting a hug or to snuggle. I absolutely LOVE it! I am loving every minute with my little family and I can't imagine our days getting much better. Of course, we have our moments, just like most 2 year old mom's can attest to but I have felt pretty confident so far in her rearing. We have been working diligently on our bible verses from school and Miss Sha told me on Monday that Lilliana was doing great with her's in class. She has started to recite her "God Our Father" song / blessing they taught her at school before family meals and it just melts my heart. Tonight while we were walking out of church she told me she sang "Jesus Loves the Little Children" at church and I asked her if she sang it loud, and she proceeded to belt out the song all the way through the parking lot. She just makes me laugh all the time with her silly antics. :)

I bought her the ABC Bible Verse book back a while ago and we have been integrating that into our weekly letters. She is doing really great and this week we have been working on choosing to be a 'peacemaker' vs. a 'troublemaker'. She seems to really get it now and I love that. Makes all this hard work or parenting worth it. On Saturday, one story I left out in my Dora and Diego post was the abrupt manner we left in. Lilliana had been playing so well and doing so good but then she just had a meltdown which ended in her slapping me. Well, me without sleep just decided there and then we were going to leave because I didn't want to reward her bad behavior. When she got up from her nap, we talked about the reason we had to leave and she said, "Momma, I sorry, I want to be a peacemaker". It's just the little things that make you feel all warm inside and just makes my heart melt.

I really need to work on getting some video to put on here because she is talking non-stop and so many people comment on how well she speaks. Of course I can understand her, but I'm with her all the time so it's nice to hear that every now and again.

I love you my little love and can't wait to see you each morning.

Spring is coming ....

The last couple Sunday's, we have had gorgeous weather around here. After leaving church we have headed home for a quick lunch and then walked over to the park that is just around the corner from us. I am so ready for warmer weather around here, especially after the long winter we have had, and I know Lilliana feels the same way.

She just loves going to the park and has gotten so independent lately and will play really well by herself. A couple weeks ago when we went, Clay decided he was going to point out a lady bug to Lilliana just after we had arrived, and that was mistake number 1. She has recently began to be afraid of almost anything! She is such a sassy little lady and has definitely been portrayed a lot lately. Well, as soon as Clay mentioned the lady bug, it was all down hill from there. She didn't refuse to play and was by no means ready to go home but she wouldn't touch anything! Anything I tell ya!! She kept her little hands folded and asked Clay and I to help her up the stairs, down the slide and up from the ground if she would fall. We felt it was somewhat comical by this point and just couldn't help but laugh and help her along her way.

She is turning into such a little lady and I just love watching her grow up.

Meeting Dora and Diego

On Saturday Nana and I took Lilliana to the Children's Museum to meet Dora and Diego. We started off by Nana meeting us at our house and bringing us a yummy breakfast from Chick-fil-a topped off with some Oh Suzannah's donuts. They were divine! Then we headed off to the Children's Museum and Lilliana did much better than I had anticipated and we had a great time. She loved bouncing in the Dora and Diego jump house and she was able to meet and have her picture taken with both characters. It started to get pretty crowded around lunch time and I was glad that we had already had the opportunity to meet both Dora and Diego by that point because the line's to meet the character's were really starting to pick up. Lilliana was able to get her fill of the 3 and under play area, playing on the cop car and fire truck, along with brushing her teeth and working on the tooth puzzle in the dentist area.

The event was from 10-1 and I was so glad that we had chosen to show up when it opened because when we were leaving at 11:45, the line was wrapped around the outside of the building, and it wasn't warm and sunny outside either!

Overall, it was a great day and Lilliana and I were both in desperate need of a nap by time we arrived home.

We're still here ...

I have just been lazy uploading pics to the computer and I know lot's of words without fun pics aren't much to look at! I promise to work on it this weekend. I am getting ready for work now, and then tomorrow we are going to see Dora at the Children's Museum. It should be interesting, not sure if Lilliana is going to freak out and cry, we have been really struggling with fear lately, or if she is going to faint with excitement! Nana is going with me since I have to work all night and Clay has some work to do for school. Hopefully it will go well, promise to update soon :)

today I headed to Dr. W's office for my first official OB visit with Baby #3. I had an ultrasound before seeing her and everything looked great! The heartrate was 124 and I was measuring 6 weeks 1 day. After the US, I waited to see Dr. W and was able to ask her lot's of questions that I had thought about over the last couple weeks and we agreed that I would go ahead and see Dr. S the high risk OB in the next few weeks. She said she felt that I could continue with my normal activity at this time but since I had so many restrictions last time, pelvic rest, light duty at work, 8 hour shifts instead of 12 hours, no exercise and so on and so on, she recommended me seeing him and allowing him to make the final decision. I have an apointment with him on the 17th and I am quite nervous about it. I really enjoy my time at the gym and I know that I CANNOT stop working at this point so I am just praying that at this point we will play it by ear. I definitely want to do what's best and Clay and I will make whatever changes are necessary, but I am just trying to keep my spirits up and have faith that God's not going to give me anymore than I can handle.

I think the things I am most nervous about is how this is going to change things for Lilliana. I mean, of course I'm nervous about the preterm labor and contractions but I just don't know where the love is going to come from for another child. I love Lilliana more than I ever thought I could love someone. She is my everything and I can't imagine a single day without her.

Dadda Inauguration

Last night, Clay was on his own with Lilliana, which is typical for a Friday night since I work weekends. The only difference was, Lilliana got sick. I was still driving into work when he called to ask me where the laundry detergent was because he needed to wash the couch cushions? I proceeded to ask him why he was washing them, since just 10 minutes before there wasn't a reason to go through so much trouble. He told me that as he and Lilliana were reading she all of a sudden got sick. Multiple times but then said she felt better. I asked him if she had a fever and we both were hoping her dinner had not settled well with her. Unfortunately, that was not the case as she continued to get sick through the night while I just helplessly would check on them while "helping the sick babies" as Lilliana says.

I hated not being at home to help my OWN sick baby, but I was so glad that she was with her Dadda. Today when I got home, she told me all about it and let me know that her Dadda took good care of her. She said her rocked her and got her juicey when her belly was hurting. I am so thankful to have a hands-on life partner and to know that I can really rely on him. Not that I questioned his motives before, but typically when I leave for work Lilliana has already eaten, received her bath and is essentially ready for bed minus a few snuggles and brushing of the teeth.

Unfortunately that meant our plans to attend one of my best friends from college's baby shower today was nixed but, I know they all understood. Clay had some things to take care of for school and I had intended to take Lilliana with me as 2 other girls were bringing their daughters. I was really looking forward to spending time with old friends and allowing our daughters to play. But, I sure didn't want to spread our germs, especially since L was febrile when I got home this morning and I know how annoying that can be when people expose their not well children to others. A huge pet peeve of mine.

We are just hoping and praying that it will stay confined to her and maybe Clay and I can avoid the dreaded bug, but I also know, sometimes it can take days for symptoms to show in others so only time will tell.

New BFF

Zofran! I have been pretty nauseous this go around. I was sick with L but didn't let it bother me or maybe it didn't bother me as much as it is this go around. I am blaming it on the fact that I am chasing around a toddler this time but anyways, I caved and filled the script Dr. W gave me on Monday. Hopefully it will start to help me feel better. I feel the worst at night which makes things difficult with working nights but either way, I know it will pass and I know it is a sign of a healthy pregnancy so I can't really complain :)

8 month's and counting

Are you kidding me? Lilliana has a spot on her arm that was an old mosquito bite from LAST SUMMER, that is officially infected. I am sure you have seen it in most of my posts because it has been there so long. I have tried to keep band aids and cream on it but they are no longer working. Although I have kept a close eye on it for the last 8 months, it doesn't matter because she is such a picker, just like her Dadda, and it now has become infected, and fairly bad at that. I noticed it looking much worse when I got off work Monday morning and then today it wasn't any better. I decided I better go ahead and make her an appointment with Dr. K. and I am so glad I did. He seemed pretty concerned about it and gave me and oral antibiotic, topical antibiotic and steroid cream. Let's just pray this will clear it up.

On another note, she was really cute at the office today. When they called her name she said, "that's me, E-anna" and we headed back to get weighed. She weighed in at 22 lb. 3 oz (with her clothes and shoes on). Then while waiting in the exam room we sang a few renditions of "5 Little Monkey's Swinging from the Tree", "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", and much more. When Dr. K came in, Liilliana said hey there Dr. K. I was surprised she remembered his name from when I told her after we arrived. Then she sat on the table and told him she picked with her boo boo and showed him her arm. He told her she looked like a princess with her big pink hairbow in her hair and he asked her who her favorite princess was. She answered him in her most Southern slang and said "Snow White". Then when he went out to get some meds for her he came back with a letter from "Snow White" that had her name on it and said that she had missed seeing Lilliana. The look on her face was priceless!! She was so excited and gave me just a hint of what joy a trip to Disney would bring for her. Hopefully soon :)

A HUGE shocker!!!

I am beginning to think this is one of the biggest surprises of my adult life ....

We are expecting again!!!

Yes! I am thrilled, anxious, nervous, scared, a whole gamut of emotions at this point and the fact that Clay is the only one that know is killing me. My Mom has asked me twice in the last week about when we are going to try again and then once she said that Lilliana told her I was going to have a baby. Mind you, she sent me an email with that last statement in it BEFORE I even knew I was pregnant!! I don't know how she, (as in my Mom) always knows without me saying a word.

No, this was not planned, we originally wanted to wait until around October to try but it looks like we will have a newborn around that time. I have been nauseous off and on so far and have other typical symptoms but otherwise I'm feeling ok.

There isn't an exciting story about how I told Clay because although I hate to admit it, I was crying and just came out and told him. I had all these cute ideas in my head for the 3rd time around but I just couldn't do it. I needed him to be there and to tell me everything was going to be ok. I needed to hear that, "God's not going to give me more than I can handle". If you recall, I am the only one working right now. Clay is still job searching, going to school and preparing to take the LSAT in order to go back for more schooling. I am stressing to say the least but I know we will be just fine. I am just praying so feverishly that I can work a lot longer this go around. I pray that I can carry this baby to term and be off over Christmas with my family. I just want a healthy baby and would LOVE a FULL_TERM BABY!!! I WANT A TAKE HOME BABY, is that too much to ask for?? Just please pray for us, that we will make wise financial decisions in the coming months and that God will just allow his Grace to envelope me and allow me to be at peace.

Happy Birthday Amelia!

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday Dear Amelia!
Happy Birthday to You!

Lilliana is getting her share of girly times lately. On Saturday we dressed up in our makeshift Princess attire and headed to the Summy Castle for a great princess themed birthday party. The birthday girl was turning 4 and, had a great birthday filled with crown decorating, wands to play with, watching Cinderella while enjoying popcorn and juice, along with lunch topped off with a Princess castle birthday cake. It was so much fun and I think Lilliana enjoyed being a big girl for the day.

Chick Fil A Nights

On Monday nights, our Chick-Fil-A just started buy 1 get 1 free night. It includes anything on the menu and couldn't come at a better time. Monday nights for me = sheer exhaustion. I am wrapping up my weekend of working and going on only about 3 hours sleep since I typically tend to get some things done after a short nap while Lilliana is still in school.

We all love Chick-Fil-A and free food combined with great family fun just makes my night!

Fancy Nancy Tea Party

After a short nap Saturday morning, Lilliana and I headed to Davis Kidd for the Fancy Nancy Valentine's Tea Party. It was so much fun and one of the first Mother / Daughter girly things we have done. I know there will be much more in the future, but this was so much fun. Lilliana thoroughly enjoyed herself and was so cute. We went with our friends, The Jones' and The Summy's. Lilliana loves her friends and was really excited to see them when we arrived. Miss Marjorie had been talking about this event on Thursday's when we go to storytime so we were really looking forward to it.

Lilliana enjoyed dressing in her homemade Fancy Nancy attire, making cookies, Valentine cards, and doing the princess walk around the bookstore. Amelia was sweet and held her hand while they walked in line and waved their little hands to all the Momma's that were there. Miss Marjorie also read them a Fancy Nancy story and the girls were so good. They were all just starting at her in awe and repeating all the fun words Fancy Nancy uses.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From Our Family to Yours :)

Valentine's 2010

Since I had to work on Sunday, Clay and I decided to celebrate Valentine's by going out to eat on Saturday night. We headed to one of our old favorite restaurants in Overton Square, Le Chardonney. I was really yummy and nice to get out by ourselves while Nana watched L. We enjoyed our dinner then headed to Republic Coffee to catch some of the Memphis game, and enjoy coffee and dessert. From there we headed to the bookstore to look around for a while and then back to the house, as it was way past my bedtime for a Saturday night!

Earlier in the day, we gave Lilliana her Valentine treats and as usual, I went a little overboard. I had been collecting things for a while and placing them in the closet and didn't realize how much I had until I put it all together. I probably should have saved some of it for Easter, but it's too late for that :) L got a couple new DVD's, some new books, a puzzle, some new jammies that included a tutu, and I think that was it.

She seemed to enjoy everything and Clay and I just got each other something small. All I wanted was some cupcakes from Muddy's, so he got me 6 of those, (and I am not going to even say how many are left, if any!!) Then I got him a new scrabble card game that I thought we would enjoy playing and some new workout shorts. He is going to play basketball and volleyball with our small group at church starting next month so I thought he could use some new one's.

Overall, it was a great day. When my mom came over to watch L, she gave me some fun stuff including The Pioneer Woman's cookbook! I was so excited and have already planned some new menu options for the coming weeks. We are so thankful to live so close to family and for their unending love for all of us.


Lilliana's basket of goodies!


Dadda was excited about his gift :)


looking at her new Angel jammies with a tutu


pretty excited about them :)


reading her new Einstein's book :)

Baby Dedication

On Sunday, our best friends dedicated the 2 children that God has blessed them with. Dorothy is 6 month's and Wilson is 3 but when he was born they were at another church and Amanda was finishing her residency so they never had him dedicated. I am glad that our church does baby dedication at any age. I know that as a Christian family, we decide to raise our children in the Lord even before they are conceived but a dedication is just more of a way for the church to get behind you.








I remember a time, not that long ago, when Baby Dedication Sunday was a hard day for me. Each time it rolls around, I am reminded how blessed I am and how much I love my little love. I can't imagine a single minute without her and will never forget what a gift she is to me.

Yes, we have our bad days around here, there are times when she drives me crazy, and times, like yesterday when I put her down for a nap at 5:30 pm even after she'd had her nap at school. Obviously it wasn't long enough! :) But, overall she is the light of my life and the joy in my heart. I love her more than I could ever put into words and I cherish our quiet times we have together. They are fewer and further between these days and I know there will be a time when I'm not cool anymore. For now though, I just want to hold her while she's still little and still wants me too. :)

Snow Surprise!

Last night just before 4:00 am it started snowing in Memphis. This was such a pleasant and unexpected surprise since it wasn't predicted at all. I was at work so that is how I knew about it so early and I just couldn't get enough of the glorious white fluff that was coming down. I was so excited to head to the house since I knew Lilliana would be itching to get outside and enjoy it! And enjoy it we did!! We ended up getting about 4-5 inches and it was just beautiful. I don't even remember the last time we had snow like that here. We typically get by-passed completely, or only get ice so it was so much fun. We had a great day playing the in snow by building a snow man, making snow angels and throwing snow balls at Daddy. We also made some snow cream after nap time and enjoyed sharing that while watching an episode of Mickey Mouse. Such a fun day!!


so excited about a day in the snow!


helping Dadda make a snowman


my little love :)


even Maggie came out to play :)


sitting on the bottom of her snowman! she LOVES to play outside in the snow, wish we had more of it!!


making snow angels with Momma :)


the final product, with some extra touches courtesy of Dadda!


enjoying her snow cream we made while watching Minnie :)