Auburn's Football Season

As I have mentioned before, I think, Paige is a little dramatic at times.

Her thoughts on Auburn's football season this year...

Ok, so she really doesn't think this, but it is fun to pretend.

Even though our season hasn't been that great it is still great to be an Auburn Tiger!!

Grace's Photo Shoot

Like any parents we love to take pictures of our daughters and often times can't decide which picture we like best.  So, I decided I would share a bunch!  Here goes...

 

 

And a few more...

 

 

Let's Hit the Road

We made our first road trip to Birmingham and Huntsville back in October. 

Brad had a meeting in Birmingham so we all loaded up, dogs included, and headed that way.  Nana and Papa Joe were so sweet and met us in Birmingham to pick up Paige and the dogs since we were staying in a hotel and Paige could have some one on one time with them.  After Brad's meeting we headed up to Huntsville too.  There we relaxed and enjoyed our time with family.

Visiting with the great grandparents

 

 

Relieving stress after an Auburn loss

Visiting Granddad and Dede

 

Tate Farms with Nanny and PaPaw

This was the first time I dressed them alike and I wasn't able to get a picture - boo!  But, I know there will be plenty of other opportunities for this type of picture. 

Come Visit!

We love it when we have visitors!

Over the past couple of months we have been lucky to have Brad's parents and my mom and step dad come down for a couple of visits.

Nana and Papa Joe came down to the beach and they took Paige down for one night.  The girl had a blast!  Uncle Justin and Aunt Christina were there too so Paige had 4 people waiting on her hand and foot.  They said at one point the 4 adults were building a sand castle and Paige was sitting back directing (hmm...wonder where she gets that from...ha!).  Nana and Papa were able to then come and spend a couple of nights with us.

 

Nanny and PaPaw were able to come down 2 different weekends so Daddy could go to the Auburn games and I didn't have to spend the night by myself.  I sure appreciated the help and the company!  The first weekend we worked non-stop on different things.  Nanny helped me clean out a little then do the neighborhood garage sale while I took Paige to get her flu shot and PaPaw watched Grace.  I love organizing and have discovered I am a slight pack-rat.  I tried to clear somethings out and we made a little money.  The best part was afterwards when we took what we didn't sell to the thrift store.

We were pretty low key during their next visit.  They were able to go to the Fall Tailgate with us at church.  I think we all had a great time; I know I did!

The Story of Tinkerbell

We had a tough time deciding what Paige would be this year for Halloween.  I guess it is my fault because I let her chose and we were chosing up until the day before the Tailgate at church.  I knew I wanted the girls to go together so I started asking Paige in September what she wanted to be.  The answer was always Arieal from the Little Mermaid.  We decided Grace would be Sebastian and it was going to be pretty easy. 

Then they had the hoedown at school.  Next thing I knew she wanted to be anything and everything from a pumpkin to Jessie from Toy Story.  She settled on Jessie for a good bit and I was able to find a costume at Target.  When she wouldn't try it on I knew Jessie would not work.  So, finally I decided she would be Tinkerbell and Grace was another fairy...maybe Tinkerbell's sister?  I knew I could make a tutu and we had some extra wings so Tinkerbell seemed pretty logical and Paige went with it.

 

Checking out her loot after the tailgate

 

Our little fairies

 

Paige was so polite and loved saying "trick or treat" to everyone!

 

Big pixie stick = trumpet

Paige played her "trumpet" all around the neighborhood.  It was too cute!

 

 

And finally a pic of Tinkerbell and her family.  Paige asked me what I was going to be for Halloween and my response was Tinkerbell's mommy.  From then on, she is how she referred to me (I of course referred to her as Tinkerbell).

 

 

Sisterly Love

It is so sweet to see the bond between the girls already starting to form.  Paige really does care for Grace and you can see the love for Paige in Grace's eyes.  Each afternoon we have some wonderful play time between the 3 of us.  Paige is sweet to play with Grace and her toys and then we switch gears and Grace sits back and watches as we play with Paige's toys.  It is at these times that I think having 2 kids is easier than 1 (there are other times when both girls are crying that I think otherwise - ha!).  I wish I could get pictures of these times but I am too busy enjoying the moment.

I was able to capture this sweet time before bed one night -

Side note - these have got to be one of the most comfortable pair of PJs for Paige.  She and I both love them!

Magnolia Corn Maze

We headed to the Magnolia Corn Maze this year to look at pumpkins and get into the fall spirit.  This was our first time here and we all had a great time!  They have all sorts of fun things like hay to jump in, a hayride, a cow train, rubber duck race, petting zoo, pony rides, playground and many other things.

Paige's favorite part of was the playground, hay jumping and pumpkin patch.  I think she spent more time organizing the pumpkins than doing anything else. 

2 Months!

Grace,

You are 2 months old!  These past 2 months of have flown by and I cannot remember what life was like before you were here. 

You weigh 9 lbs 14 oz, 22 inches long and are growing like a weed.  You eat pretty much every 3 hours during the day and nights are a different story with each night being different.  You are in size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes.

Sleep - well, sleeping at night has been a rollercoaster.  Some nights are great (like the 9 hour nights) but then other nights are a struggle for all with little or no sleep for any of us.  We are working through this and I know it is just a phase we will get through.  Funny thing is that when you sleep well your sister doesn't.  I think that is how life works!  Daddy and I both plan on sleeping in a couple of years after you and your sister are a little bit older...it may be like 20 more years before we get sleep but that is ok because you are both worth it!

During this month you had your first road trip where we got to go to Huntsville.  There you got to meet your great-grandparents and a couple of other friends.  The week was so packed we didn't get to meet everyone like I wanted, but that is ok, we are going back and will meet more then.  You got to visit your first pumpkin patch.

We live and die by routine.  I am not sure if this is a good thing or not but it helps keep me organized.  Paige's school starts at 8:30 so that means you need to eat between 7 and 7:30 in order to have enough time to eat and get ready.  We have to pick Paige up at 12 (leave the house at 11:40) so this works well with that and Paige's lunch and nap time.  I didn't do the routine thing as much with Paige because I didn't have to.  She still ate regularly but didn't have the restrictions like I feel like you have.  You are a trooper and are doing great with this!

 

 

We love you so much and are so glad you are part of our family! (we even think this as neither Mommy or Daddy are getting any sleep at night - ha!)

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween

from Tinkerbell and Tinkerbell's family!

 



1 Month!!

Happy 1 month birthday Grace!!

It is hard to believe it has been one month since you made your surprise entrance!

This month has been fun and full of adjustment.  It is funny to me how much we don't remember about Paige's first month. It is a good thing we have the blog to keep the memories.  It has definitely been a motivator for me to get back to the blog.

So, back to Grace -

You weigh 8 lbs 3 oz and are 21 inches long; it is about time to move you up in clothes and diapers. You are wearing newborn clothes and newborn diapers.

We are not into a complete feeding routine but that is to be expected. You are eating every 3 hours during the day and doing whatever youwant at night. We have gone 5.5 hours between feedings at night and hope this becomes a more regular thing.

Sleep - hmmm. You sleep good when you are being held (who doesn't at this age!) and the rest of the time it just depends.  During the day you sleep in the bouncy seat or in something like that and at night you are in your crib or anywhere we can put you (car seat, arms, bouncy seat, wherever).

This past month has seemed jam-packed but in reality it probably hasn't.  Your first football season is underway.  Auburn has missed the memo that you were born.  The year Momma and Daddy got married (2004) and the year your sister was born (2010) Auburn was undefeated.  This season should have turned out the same way but like I said, the team missed the memo.  Surprise entrances tend to throw people off - hehe. 

Stop, Drop, and Roll

The last unit Paige learned about at school was Community Helpers.  This included firemen and what to do when there is a fire.

Here is what she learned...

It is amazing to me that she knows they are supposed to come if there is an emergency!  Kids are little sponges and learn so much so quickly!

Part Time & Cookies

Monday, Paige started in the part time program at her school.  I thought I would be like all the other moms and get a picture on her first day in the new class (since I didn't do it before).  She is sporting a new AU outfit that I have been trying to get her in for 3 weeks now - either on Friday or Saturday and she just wouldn't have it.  This Monday works though - I will take it!

 

 

 

After school she and Nanny made some yummy pumpkin cookies (recipe from Pinterest).  She is really into helping in the kitchen these days and we thought this would be fun for Paige and Nanny!

 

Enjoying the melting chocolate kiss

 

The look on each of their faces is just too cute!

 

 

Theatrical Reading

While we were in the hospital having Grace, Nanny and PaPaw stayed with Paige at the house.  We were lucky enough to have Nanny and Paige put on a little show for us - a theatrical reading of 'Pete the Cat and his 4 Groovy Buttons".  I tried to read it like Nanny but just didn't do it the same.  So, when Nanny came down this week I knew it was something I needed to get on video. 

Here goes...

Check

Paige had a check list every day last week that went something like this -

1) Go to school

2) Don't cry

3) Get a pony

You see, the previous week she cried and pitched a fit every day she was left.  We are talking embarassing!  So, she and Daddy were at Walmart getting a birthday party gift and she saw some My Little Ponies that she wanted.  Daddy was on top of it and told her that if she didn't cry when he dropped her off at school the next week.  We weren't really sure if it would but boy did it!  She cracked me up one afternoon when all of a sudden she listed out her to-do's - go to school, don't cry, get a pony.  She knew exactly what she had to do! 

She did an awesome job so Friday afternoon Daddy picked her up and took her to get her pony.  She was too cute bringing them home and was so proud - we were too!  And yes, we are not above bribing if it gets to her to school and makes our life a little easier.

 

She was so proud with her ponies!

 

 

The ponies got to play at the dollhouse.  I love seeing her imagination come to life!

 

 

Songs to Warm Your Heart

 

Jesus Loves Me

 

Raindrops

 

I've Got The Joy

Appointments and Visitors

As I am getting back into the swing of blogging, I have realized I am not good at coming up with titles.  Oh well, I guess it is better to have something posted than a glamorous title.

I was lucky enough to have Brad home with me all last week.  It ended up being a great thing and he was a great help (as always!).  He was my chaueffer and errand runner all week.  Having a c-section just isn't much fun for someone who likes to do things on their own, or at least someone who likes to share the workload.  I always knew we were a team but these past 2 weeks have just proved that much more because the poor guy was run ragged.

Anyway - some of the highlights of the week included Grace getting to go to the doctor.  The doctor told us we needed to feed her every 3 hours, no matter what, until she reached her birth weight.  I was bound and determined that would happen by this appointment because I wanted to let her sleep as long as she could at night.  With great aniticipation Brad put her on the scale and she weighed 6 lb, 9 oz - wahoo!  She exceeded her birth weight!  Not much else to report from the appointment.  One thing I didn't remember them doing with Paige, although I am sure they did, was the heel prick where they had to get a bunch of blood for a bunch of tests.  Poor baby was not a fan (who would be!).

Other highlights included some visits.  We only got pictures with a few (shame on us), but I am glad we did get them.

 

Mother Hen Madi with Baby Grace

 

Relaxing after the appointment

 

Two of my coworkers, Ashley and Lauren, were able to break away from work for a short visit.  Lauren was the source of many of my maternity clothes this go around.  Thank you Lauren!!

 

Aunt Mar and Aunt Susie visiting with Baby Grace.

 

This week is my first week really by myself and I am enjoying it.  Grace is slowly starting to wake up more and for the most part is pretty content with that.  She is still getting used to things and likes to be awake for a couple of hours between 9 and 2 each night.  I know over time we will get this figured out.  What is bad, is that neither of us can remember what kind of sleeping habits Paige had at the beginning.  I also have enjoyed having a reason to get ready in the mornings.  When I was working I would see the moms dropping off or picking up their kids in their gym clothes with no make up on and here I was in my nice work clothes.  So, I have made an effort each day to look nice when I pick up Paige (may not look that nice at home, but that is ok).  Yay for being able to get out of the house!