Sneak Peak

Valentine's Day is right around the corner and I just couldn't resist making Natalie a little V-day dress to wear. They are still having their 50s party on Feb. 14 but she can wear this all month since it's not too valentine-ish. It's really cute on and fits her well. It may be a little to short for Byron's standards as a dress but it's still chilly enough (most days) that she needs leggings underneath anyways.

We are also in the process of making these for her to hand out in the classroom. I can't take credit for the idea, I found it on pinterest. But they are so stinkin' cute!

All About Harper

What can I say? She's growing like a weed. One day she can barely sit up for 5 seconds and literally over the course of a weekend is an old pro at it. She's starting to use me as her own personal jungle gym. It's so funny, she gets done eating her bottle, rolls her head up at me, smiles real big and then begins the climb up my chest. She loves to give big, open-mouth slobbery kisses and EVERYTHING goes into her mouth. She's not much on baby food but we keep trying. I don't think she has any signs of teeth, but does drool excessively. She's doesn't "talk" so much but she loves to grunt. If she can't reach something she'll just grunt at it like it's suppose to know what to do.

She loves her jumperoo, even fell asleep in it last night. We tried to get the walker out but she's not quite tall enough to reach the floor. For now she has to settle with Natalie pushing her around so they can chase after Mulligan. She's ticklish everywhere. Trust me Byron has found all her sweet spots :) Natalie still adores her, but holding her is becoming more of a challenge. Not only is she wiggly she's about half of Nat's total body weight. To quote Nat "take her mom, she's getting heavy".

I think that about sums up where she's at right now. She loves her bath at the moment. She splashes and kicks.







































Our two goobers. Yes that's the unfortunate nickname that has stuck in the house. They are often referred to as Goober 1 and Goober 2.

20 Questions with Nat - Age 4

Wow, it's all about Natalie post this month but hey it's her birthday so what's one more. These are to cute not to share. We started this tradition last year.

1. What is your favorite color?  Pink

2. What is your favorite toy? Computer & Monkey

3. What is your favorite fruit? Strawberries and/or Cantaloupe 

4. What is your favorite TV show?  Toomi Umis, Belle, Cinderella

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch/dinner?  Steak & Tatoes

6. What is your favorite outfit? Light Up Shoes

7. What is your favorite game? Penguins (LeapPad)

8. What is your favorite snack?  Pepperonis

9. What is your favorite animal? Bogey

10. What is your favorite song? Call Me Maybe

11. What is your favorite book? The Grouchy Ladybug

12. Who is your best friend? Anna Claire

13. What is your favorite cereal? Nana's (Shredded Wheat)

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play Hide & Seek with Bogey and my girlfriend (Kaley)

15. What is your favorite drink? Root Beer

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you take to bed with you at night? Pink Blankie, Bogey & Mulligan

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Pink Sparkle Doughnut

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Chips & Dip & Beans (Mexican)

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? a Mommy

Oh and we got snow yesterday. It lasted all of 3 hours. Natalie just thought it was so cool that it was falling down on her face but she still only stayed out in for about 5 minutes.

I AM FOUR

This is what Natalie proclaims every time you tell her it's her birthday. "It's my birthday and I AM FOUR!"

Despite her red eyes from crying (she'd just fallen off the bench at the kitchen table) she LOVED her candy basket from Grammie & Big Big. They had it delivered to school so I'm sure she thought she was hot stuff Monday.

Birthday Dinner

We asked Natalie what she wanted for her birthday dinner and she didn't even hesitate to say "chips & dip & beans." This skinny girl can eat her weight in cheese dip and refried beans.

We thought it might be fun to get the waiters to sing to her. Even though she didn't cry, her lip quivered a few times and I'm pretty sure if I wasn't holding Harper she would have crawled in my lap.

After the singing and spoon clanging stopped she loved posing with the sombrero. I can't believe she's 4! Stay tuned for her 20 questions this year.

Pink, Purple Princesses

Well for the 3rd year in a row we've had a party centered around the color PINK! Makes me wonder if it's just a phase and if I should just store all this stuff for Harper.

Most kids in Natalie's class either had their parties in the park (back in the Fall) or at the local bounce house. However I thought it'd be nice (and way less expensive) to let Natalie have a few friends over to the house. She's been begging us since Thanksgiving to have Kate and Anna Claire over and she also wanted to have Mary Alice. They had a blast! 

Let me just say it was a first for Byron and I as well. I mean we've had some neighborhood kids over but they usually stay out back or play in the cul-de-sac. These four got together and WOW. They immediately came in and stripped down to their Tinkerbell panties so they could play dress up. They tore through Nat's toy box exploring, they played Just Dance Disney, jumped on the trampoline , ate all but maybe 3 of my dozen cupcakes I made. It was a real hoot but I'd be lying if I didn't say about 1.5 hours into it we were ready for 4 p.m. 

Natalie came in the kitchen after everyone left as we were cleaning up and making diner and told me "Mom that was the best party ever!"  And that is what it's all about and made it all worth it.

I had the best intention to make friendship necklaces with them, but they never sat still long enough.




























Natalie, Anna Claire, Kate, Mary Alice

Wordless Wednesday (Almost)

Look who's 6 months old and loving her bath ring! She was 16 lbs and 27 inches today at her appointment. She also has a nasty ear infection but you'd never be able to tell it.































And guess who got a new 'do? We finally broke down and got Bogey shaved. He looks like a puppy again, just a tad bit heavier :) Natalie wanted to know what this dogs name was? She didn't believe it was Bogey and said he looked funny.

The Scariest Day Ever

Last Thursday will go down in the record books as one of the scariest days of my life thus far. I get a phone call around 12:45 that I need to pick Nat up from school because she's sick. I literally had just sat down with Harper and a bottle but told her teacher I'd be there right away. I literally buckled up Harper grabbed my purse (shoved the bottle inside) and took off. I just knew her runny nose had finally became the flu or something.

Now we live maybe 5-7 minutes from the school. I get a second call saying they didn't want to scare me but Natalie had had a seizure and they had to call 911. I was barely out of the subdivision and my heart stopped. They didn't want to scare me because the ambulance might be at the entrance when I pulled up. (Needless to say, I bet them there). I immediately start dialing Byron's number. He doesn't answer. I call right back, no answer. Third time I left a message and I'm pretty sure I was bawling when I hung up. I couldn't even find his work number in my cell my eyes were so blurred.

I get to the school and the first responders where already there and the ambulance was about 30 seconds behind me. Natalie was in the office and was just limp and lethargic. She didn't' even recognize me. I'll never forget her eyes looking so blank and glassy. The teachers were trying to fill me in, Harper was screaming because she was hungry and I'm sure she could sense my panic. The paramedics came in loaded her up, asked me some questions, told me I could ride in the back with her and we were off. Someone finally got a hold of Byron so he could meet us at the pediatric ER.

She was totally spaced out the whole ride to the hospital. We'd ask her questions and she'd just stare at us. I'm pretty sure she didn't speak to even me until we pulled into the parking lot when she told me her head hurt really bad.

From what we've gathered from the teachers Natalie started making noises during nap time. When Ms. Deborah went to check on her she immediately new something was wrong and scooped Natalie up and took her to the office. Ms Darlene then just held her on her side until she was done seizing. They believed it last between 5-7 minutes but I'm sure it seemed like an eternity. Luckily there is an part-time EMT in the 2 year old room that was able to assist until the others arrived.

Later that evening after a panel of test, blood work and a CT scan was done they let us go home. Natalie later told Grammie over the phone that (in her words) "I was taking my boots off, Ms Deborah was reading and my body started wiggling. Then my eyes went wrong and I couldn't see something."  She never had a fever that we are aware of either, at least not one high enough to warrant a seizure. We are scheduled for MRI and EEG on Wednesday but I doubt if we'll ever know what caused the seizure. I just hope it never, ever, happens again.

On a cute note, Natalie thought the CT machine was pretty cool. She told Grammie she got to go inside a doughnut. When Mom asked her if it had pink sprinkles (her favorite) she just rolled her eyes and was like "no Grammie, it was GREEN!"

Let me just say, thank GOD for the wonderful nursery workers. They took Harper immediately when I walked in the doors so I wouldn't have to worry about her. I mean they didn't even hesitate. The director even offered to take her home if we weren't able to make it before closing and went out and bought formula for Harper because I hadn't planned on leaving her. It was very comforting to know she was in good hands while Natalie was in the hospital.

So there you have it, a day from hell, that I hope never repeats itself. Natalie is back to her old goofy self. Her appetite has returned full force and she hasn't complained of a headache since that afternoon. We are in full-on Cinderella, Belle, princess mode in the house and I love every minute of it.

Happy New Year!

I probably sound like a broken record when I say we had a low-key "this" or "that" but such is the life of a couple with an almost 4 and 6-month old.

New Year's Eve started just like any other day for Nat. We had to play kitchen and grill. Notice her veggies and potato chips perfectly aligned on her "grill". I think if I ever get around to refinishing that nightstand I might paint a little grill top on the top of it.

We did get out of our pajamas just long enough to run to the store for some last minute goodies. Natalie had to have a picture of herself in her new outfit Grammie got her.  

And the we needed one of Nat & Harper. Doesn't Harper looked thrilled? The closer it gets to 6 p.m. the more moodier she gets. I can't imagine where she gets that from, but the child goes to bed like clockwork at that time everyday unless we are out and about.

And as soon as she was out, Byron, Nat and I started in on making the AMAZING dessert. Byron has been known occasionally to hijack my Pinterest account. So if you ever see days where "I" have pinned a bunch of delicious and unhealthy food, it's probably him. He found this little jewel the other day known as Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle, aka heaven in a bowl. Natalie helped unwrap the massive amounts of peanut butter cups it called for.

Lots of vanilla pudding, brownies, peanut butter, milk and whipped topping were also used. It was so rich. I highly recommend cutting in it half unless you are taking it to a potluck, it made a TON.

She just HAD to get every last bit of whip cream out of that bucket. I mean look at that focus!

And after both girls were asleep we popped open a bottle of champagne and watched the ball drop. It was kinda of neat drinking a brand we had visited while out in Napa, although all of our bottles we purchased are still in Memphis with our friends. Happy New Year and here's to a great 2013!