Camera-less

I am camera-less today. In our whirlwind weekend of activity, picture taking and fun, I accidentally left my camera at my Dad's house yesterday in a hurried attempt to get my daughter to nap at least once in the three day span. The nap attempt failed yesterday, but I am thrilled that my baby girl is napping today. And during nap time, I usually look through photos, clean off the camera and edit photos. And...given I am camera-less today, I am feeling a bit naked and not sure what to do with myself.

And so, I sit here in a quiet house, enjoying the quiet. Enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree and ignoring the pressure to find anything else to fill my time.

Gingerbread Party 2011

As a child, my mom made gingerbread houses every year for her first grade classroom. Although I could never confirm it, I like to think children secretly begged their parents to switch classrooms just so they could be a part of Mrs. Perkins gingerbread fun.

We began this morning making icing...the way any 3-year old would...messy.

Today, I hosted a gingerbread party of my own. With my precious daughter and a few of our friends. And Nana of course. What a special day it was for all of us, full of fun, friends and lots of sugar. Just the way we like it!

the houses assembled and ready for our guests

Our friends hard at work decorating...

and Elliana sneaking some candy along the way

Elliana showing off her finished house

Group shot minus Jay & Katie

And after all that sugar, we had to spend some time in our new bounce house to burn off some energy. Here, Adelyn is coming out of the house...

Elliana and Nana post party excitement or sugar high...whichever you prefer

And a picture of myself and Nana taken by Elliana...thus the large belly shot (~ 6 months pregnant).

Fall Fun

This past weekend, we were blessed with extraordinary weather for mid November. Sunny, crisp blue skies with temperatures in the 70's. Although we were quickly approaching nap time, we went outside to play anyway.

With the high winds lately, our leaf pile was smaller this year than years past, but we made the most of it. Per Elliana's request, I raked up some leaves into a pile beneath her slide. With the gusto of a child much older than 2.5 years, Elliana quickly climbed up her rock wall and slid down into the pile.

And when that got old, just jumping in was just as much fun.

Our afternoon quickly morphed into a photo chasing session, where Elliana posed cute until I raised the camera and then she turned away and ran. This pregnant momma chased her as best I could, and I actually was able to snap a few up close and focused pictures.

Sometimes it is the most ordinary, unexpected moments that truly can take my breath away with gratitude and humbleness.

Elliana's First Dance Class

Yesterday, I took Elliana to her first dance class. It was really an introductory course to see if we should sign up for the actual classes before committing to pay that much first. And so, here is a 3-minute glimpse into her first dance class. I think she did amazing and see more dance classes in her future!

Beautiful Butterfly

Our little girl chose to be a beautiful butterfly this year for Halloween. And, a beautiful butterfly she was! Her costume sparkled, shined and lit the way as we went trick-or-treating this year. Yes, her little butterfly literally lit up the night each time she pushed the magic light up button.

It didn't take long for Elliana to strut her stuff and walk with confidence up to each house and proudly announce "trick or treat!" as she eagerly chose the candy of her choice.

We were grateful to have both my parents and T.J.'s parents down to watch our butterfly spread her wings and fly! It truly was a terrific evening, full of laughter, candy and lots of smiles.

Beauty & the Beast

Earlier this month, we were blessed with tickets to see the broadway performance of Disney's Beauty & the Beast. Given Elliana had been singing the lyrics to the entire soundtrack for months, we knew that even at 2.5 years old, she would appreciate the performance.

To show Elliana the importance of going "to the theater" we all went on a family date first to the Montgomery Inn Boathouse. We all ate well and even enjoyed a basket or three of popcorn.

We took photos to celebrate the "special vacation" or occasion as we call it. Elliana even managed to snag a photo of Daddy & I though it kind of turned out to be mostly of my pregnant belly.

At the theater, Elliana was amazing. She sang along to the songs, pointed out the decorations, and clapped eagerly after each performance. I can tell already that Elliana will have a fine appreciation for the arts.

Horsing Around

Last week we had the privilege to have a private tour of a local horse stable. It would be an understatement to say that Elliana had a good time. She had no fear of the horses and even rode bare back on the bigger horse.

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at that cheesy grin Elliana developed the more the horse walked.

Bye Bye Crib!

It's been almost two weeks since Elliana made the decision to say good bye to her crib and hello to her big girl bed! She surprised us all when on a Friday night, she said she wanted her big girl bed, no night time music and no bah-bah's (what she calls pacifiers). We quickly moved her crib to a corner, slid her big girl bed in a corner and Elliana practically tucked herself in...and not a peep was heard until morning.

We were, and still are, completely astonished and incredibly proud at Elliana's transition to her big bed. She went back to using a bah-bah, but for now, we are okay with that. One milestone at a time, and we are celebrating each and every one of them!

We still have some work to do in her room, including disassembling the crib and storing it for just a few months until it will be needed again. We will hang her big girl artwork and actually put her bed in a bed frame and lift her off the ground, but for now....we are ALL loving her big girl room.

Doing the Unexpected while Expecting

When we woke up Friday morning to constant rain, our plans for the weekend looked unsure. After all, we had plans for a weekend of camping ahead of us. And not just spending the night in a cabin, or a pop-up trailer...I mean, pitch a tent, sleep under the stars, cook our own meals over a campfire type of camping weekend ahead of us. Did I mention we were camping with our friends, where collectively we had two two-year olds, two helpful Daddies, and two pregnant Mommas (myself included).

We pitched our tents Friday night as the dark closed in on us. The girls helped as best they could assembling tent poles, laying out tarps and entertaining themselves. By the time we all sat down by the campfire for a little relaxation, we realized it was 10:00 at night and we were exhausted! Luckily, the rain had stopped but with the rain earlier that day had come some mighty cold temperatures into the 40's. But, we camped overnight in our tents anyway. Just layered up and cuddled. And we survived. And we woke up happy.

In the morning, the girls played happily together as we made breakfast and prepared for the day.

And, after many requests from Elliana, we went hiking. The noises we heard hiking weren't normal hiking noises...instead we heard laughter, skipping, jumping, and the occasional scolding of a toddler to be quiet ("Ssshhhh...we are looking for bugs!" - Ella) or to not throw sticks ("Daddy, if I see that one more time, you will go to Time Out in the woods." - Elliana).

By night time, we all enjoyed some more campfire fun as we ate around the campfire. The girls went to bed earlier than the night before allowing the adults to actually talk a little before crashing ourselves. It was a wonderful evening.

And the morning was just as great with pancakes over the campfire, dry weather and good friends. It was truly a weekend to remember!! And so, by doing something unexpected...braving the rainy and cold weather, and just following our hearts, we were truly blessed with a joyous weekend.

A Day in the Orchard

Last week, Elliana and I took a day trip. We drove more than an hour north to the only apple orchard in the region that was allowing consumers to pick their own apples off the trees. Not only the only orchard, but the only day, the only afternoon all year that the orchard was allowing picking due to a limited crop this year. And so, off we went!

Immediately, Elliana knew that this was a special occasion. We had talked about it all week, and the morning of, Elliana insisted on wearing her apple tree dress, fall boots and looked literally picture perfect as she toted around her apple bag.

Elliana quickly learned how to inspect apples, look for spots, decay or overall health. And, after perfectly inspecting her own apples, she began inspecting the apples I had picked out and throwing some out for not meeting her standards.

And oh what a joyous occasion it was when Elliana found an apple that matched her liking.

A rare picture of Elliana and I picking apples together (as holding a toddler, a camera and posing was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated).

It was truly a memorable day. One that will always be close to my heart and captured on film forever. I am so very grateful to be Elliana's mom and am cherishing each and every moment of it.

Carousel of Life

As Elliana reminds me, like a carousel, life keeps going and sometimes seems to be going round and round and up and down, but as long as we do it with a smile we are much more likely to enjoy the ride.

Disney World in a Nutshell

We recently returned from a week in the Happiest Place on Earth...Walt Disney World. I admit, this wasn't our first family trip but it still held the magic and wonder for all of us as if it were the first time.

Elliana, now 2.5 years old, added to the excitement T.J. and I already felt about vacation. For weeks leading up to our trip, Elliana would ask every day if we were going to Disney World that day. And, upon actually landing in Florida, our excited daughter ran through the airport in circles yelling, "Come on, let's go. We are going to Disney World!"

The magic began instantly on the bus, in the hotel lobby and Elliana nearly flipped when she saw that there was a Mickey Mouse towel on our beds. I almost cried with excitement just watching her take it all in.

After checking into our hotel, we wasted no time (even though we all could have used a nap, but were too excited to sleep) and went straight to the Magic Kingdom. Before we even got through the tunnels into the main park, the characters were practically waiting to greet us.

The adventures continued all week long. We enjoyed watching opening day ceremony where Mickey and the gang rode into the park on the steam train, and Elliana and Daddy eagerly waved to their favorite characters. I just kept snapping photos as the smiles on my family's faces were far too precious to miss.

We enjoyed watching Elliana meet her favorite Princesses and have some quality time with pictures. I can't count the number of photos we have of us and various characters! :)

We enjoyed broadway quality shows, inside, outside and even in the rain. In our matching Disney ponchos...somehow just made it all more fun.

We celebrated 7 years of marriage as only Disney can. Cupcakes and personalized card at breakfast, 2 character meals, large ice cream cones and a special cake with a candle for dessert.

We rode rides, fought villians, rose into the sky and spun in tea cups. And after each ride, we heard Elliana whisper with excitement, "Let's do that again! That was fun!"

And, Daddy's goofiness finally rubbed off onto Elliana. I knew it was bound to happen...and I suppose during pictures with Goofy was the perfect time.

Overall, this Momma had an absolutely AMAZING vacation building memories and a lifetime of laughter.

Disney World Update

We've been in the Happiest Place on Earth for 4 days now, and I think
it's safe to say I haven't seen Elliana more happy than she has been
this week, and she's a happy kid!!

Wedgie Tales Song

Ellliana is at the age where she likes to sing. I hear it through the baby monitor. I hear it all day long, in the car, around the house, even at the doctor's office, my daughter serenades us with her favorite song. I now hear it in my sleep. And, because she is so remarkably cute in her singing efforts, I had to share it with you as well.

Enjoy the Veggie Tales song, or as Elliana says, "the Wedgie Tales song"!

The beauty of friendship

Recently, my dear friend Kelly brought me roses. It wasn't my
birthday, anniversary or any other special day to acknowledge. In
fact, it was just a Thursday. It made my day.

As I stare at the roses unfold, I am reminded of the beauty of my
female friendships. The beauty of talking, of both big and small
subject matter and the trust knowing those conversations are kept
confident. The joy of laughing about our parenting adventures, and I
admit, our mistakes along the way. The comfort of knowing I always
have an additional shoulder to lean on, even cry on if needed.

I strive to continuously be a better friend to my friends, and I am in
awe and utter appreciation for the friends that God has blessed me
with. And these flowers remind me of that blessing.