A Slice of CHEESE with that, please!!

Reese loves stickers. She would play with them all of the time and stick them on anything if I let her. She first found this love at Kroger. I hate shopping at our Kroger because it is gross but when gas was so expensive I shopped there to save us money on gas!! The baggers would always give Reese a sticker that said, "I've been Krogering". She would take it off and put it on over and over. Wednesday Reese was playing with her Disney stickers. She decided to put them on her head. She is so silly! Later that morning we were going to the library so I told her she needed to take the stickers off her head. She did not want to so I didn't bother them for the ride to the library. I contemplated just letting her leave them on for storytime but I didn't. She was SO mad at me when I took them off her head! Doesn't she look so pleased with herself in this pictures? Maybe next time I will just let her leave them on.


We have been LOVING this nice warm weather!! The other day we walked up to the playground in the neighborhood. Doesn't she look prepared for anything? Snacks...check. Drink...check. Wild hair...check!!

Our new cheesy grin!! It is so silly and funny. It makes me laugh every time she does it.

Update

I know, I know...I have been so horrible about updating lately. It's not that we have been boring around here, it's just that I have not been motivated to get on here and update.

Today we had gymnastics. We are both still loving it. I think Reese's favorite part is to watch all of the other kids and get stamps but she still does her thing too. When I tell her we are going to gymnastics she immediately says "play" and "stamp". She knows she is going to play and have fun and that she is going to get stamps on her hands and feet. She still isn't getting the swing of hanging on the bars but Miss Jennifer didn't seem too worried about that. She said she would figure it out eventually. After we finished gymnastics, we went to lunch with a little girl in her class and her mom (the one that sent me the pictures). We played at McDonald's for over an hour and the girls had fun. I had a wonderful time talking with her mom...they seem to be a GREAT family. Reese and I both enjoyed our playtime and can't wait to do it again!!

We have a super busy weekend planned. I am hoping since it is going to be SOOOO nice this weekend that we can squeeze in some time at the park. It looks like it is going to be nice in to the early part of next week too. I can't wait for spring to get here!!!!!

Here are some pictures of Reese. This one I had to take because she looked so grown up. The face cracks me up. I think she is saying, "Are you really taking my picture AGAIN?" I imagine I will get this look a lot as she is growing up!!


Finally she broke down and gave me a smile but only with the promise of seeing the "baby" on the screen afterwards. She is such a mess.

LOL

Lance uploaded a video to his blog from his cell phone...check it out!!! So funny!

AAAAAAAAmen

The other day I mentioned that one of Reese's new words is AAAAAAAmen. Here is the story...it is from when I was really young...like younger than ten (don't remember when exactly):

After the food was blessed and amen was said, a friend of my dad's would say, "And all God's children say AAAAAAmen." So we carried that on with us and would teach it to our cousins. So each morning before breakfast (my aunt kept us before school) all seven kids would hold hands and bless our food and then say "And all God's children say AAAAAmen". When we would say "AAAAAAmen" we all raised our arms up on the "AAAAA" and down on the "men".

So we started doing this with Reese. Here she is during the blessing. We tell her to bow her head and put her hands together. This is what she looks like. I can't open my eyes when I am praying because she makes me laugh every time. She looks like this and is just staring at me.


Then when we say "AAAAAAmen", this is what she looks like...but usually with a huge grin on her face. And then wants to do it "a-gen, a-gen" (translation: again).

And yes, you have to say "AAAAAAAmen" while dragging out the A!!!

Wii Fit

This weekend Lance bought a Wii Fit. It is really cool and fun! Our Wii ages were crazy! Mine was 41, Lance's was 43, and Reese's was 20. Haha!! Hopefully we can bring those down. There are a lot of fun exercises. Today I did Super Hoola and got 847 spins!! Super Hoola is three minutes worth of hoola hooping and I didn't know three minutes of hoola hooping could be so tiring. I think the step aerobics is kind of lame and can't wait until I open the more advanced version. I like the yoga poses too!! It has been fun and hopefully it will help get me up and away from this computer at least 30 minutes a day!!



Reese had fun watching and copying Daddy.

Then she decided she wanted to "play" too. Here I am helping her with the balance test. This is what determines your Wii age along with your BMI.

Friday I gave Reese some playdoh to play with...this was her reaction. Terror. I don't know why she was scared of it. She just cried and had the biggest tears rolling down her face.

So cute!

Where were you?

My Aunt did a cute little post for her granddaughter the other day after the inauguration...a kind of "where you were" moment. So I am stealing her idea for Reese...thanks "favorite Aunt Cathy"!!

That morning Reese found the bag of bows that our friends gave her. She pulled the biggest white bow out of the bag and put it on top of her head. I asked if she wanted to wear it and she said yes...so here she is...with her gigantic bow on her head.


While I watched the inauguration, Reese watched Elmo on the computer...we both win.


Witnessing History Watching Elmo

Old Navy!

If you are shopping for some inexpensive kids clothes, look no further than Old Navy! We went to Old Navy Sunday night to buy Reese some new clothes. She is quickly outgrowing her current wardrobe and was in some desperate need for new shirts and shoes. I had my reservations about shopping at Old Navy for her because in the past the sizes just didn't work. We would buy in advance for her but by the time it came around to her wearing her new clothes they were too small. Now that I know that I can buy bigger sizes than she wears in other brands. We bought 70+ dollars worth of clothes for her for $22!!! That is right! We save $50!! ALL of their sale stuff was an additional 50% off. She is set for a little while with tops!! Woohoo!! The bummer in all of this?? I had to buy her size 2T! Can you believe that??

After that we went to Target to get some shoes. We bought two pair for $20. I am also waiting for a new pair of boots to arrive anyday now that I ordered online. I think she is set for a little while now with shoes too.

Next thing I need to get her are some new dresses. This past Sunday she wore an 18 month dress that fits everywhere but in the length. It was a little short but we made do!! She has a long torso and short little legs...thanks to her Daddy!

Hopefully I can get some pictures up of some of the new clothes we bought this weekend!

18 MONTHS!!

Reese is 18 months old today!! How is that possible? I took her to the doctor this morning for her check-up. She weighs 26.6 lbs and is 32 1/4" tall. That is 79% and 76% respectively. She did so well at the doctor. They said she was right on track with everything and we are so happy to hear that. She got one shot and had her blood tested for any iron defiencies. She didn't cry when they pricked her finger but she was not happy when she got the shot!! After both of these they put band-aids on her finger and leg. She was so excited about the band-aid on her finger and couldn't wait to show Daddy. When we got in the car she took the band-aid off so I took it away because EVERYTHING goes in her mouth. She cried "da-da" all the way home. I think she was afraid she was not going to be able to show him her finger. So when we got home I put the band-aid back on and she ran in to show him with the biggest smile on her face. She was so proud of that band-aid.

Yeah...we have made it 18 months!!

Grocery Shopping

Today I set up a grocery store for Reese to go "grocery shopping".


She picked out the things she wanted and put them in her grocery cart...she bought everything.

Uh-oh, we almost forgot baby.

Baby needed a snack from all that shopping.

Then it was time for baby to go for a ride.

Boring

We are kind of boring around here this week. Nothing much to report. We are definitely excited about gymnastics tomorrow. Lance asked Reese if she was excited about it and she said "play". At least she remembers...and at least she thinks it is playing and not torture!

My favorite hair-do by far!!

Two Words

Reese has started combining two words. It is fun to hear her and know that she understands a lot more. A lot of times she puts the word "yes?" after other words. For instance, when she wants to watch Elmo she will say, "Elmo, yes?", as if she is asking us if she can watch Elmo. She also likes to say "Yeah Daddy". I am not sure why she adds Daddy to the end of yeah but she does. Her new word that she loves to say is "Amen"...but it is more like "AAAAAAA-men". So cute!! I just know that by the time she is two she will be talking in sentences. It is amazing to see her learn all of these new things!!

Two Firsts

So far today has been a good day. This week Reese has been kind of grumpy. Each morning she wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, immediately wants to watch Elmo, when I say no she pitches a fit, and we start all over the next day. Last night I prayed that she would wake up smiling this morning because I didn't think I could take another day of her being grumpy. So far so good.

This morning Reese had her first gymnastics class. It was so much fun and I think she is really going to like it. She, of course, didn't want to leave and kept saying play as I was trying to get her ready to leave. There was a little girl there today who was just a week or so younger than Reese and it was also her first time. Her mom was kind enough to take some pictures of Reese and send them to me. They are too cute.

Reese is on a trampoline lane. They jumped up and down the lane.


Here we are on a trampoline that was really bouncy. I think she liked this the best.

Reese in the pit. She liked being dropped in to the pit and then also liked stacking the blocks on the edge so we could knock them down. That is the teacher in red.

Walking on the beam. She did surprisingly well on the beam...even the normal sized ones.

She was always checking out what the other kids were doing.

At the end of class they all got stamps on both hands and feet. She thought that was really cool.


After gymnastics I went to Target to buy Reese a booster seat. The highchair has been driving me crazy so I decided it was time to move on. Doesn't she look like such a big girl sitting at the table??

Wordless Wednesday

She's gonna hate me...

Reese is seriously going to hate me one day for this. Recently she has gotten in to the habit of fighting me when it is time to have her diaper changed. If Daddy is around, she will run to him and try to hide. If no one else is around, she just runs away or screams when I try to change her diaper. So the other day Lance told her that if she didn't want her diaper changed that she was going to have to start using the potty. Then he asked, "do you want to use the potty?" and she said yes. She got up and walked to the bathroom and opened the door. She still had her pjs on so I took them off, took her diaper off, and set her on the potty. This was her first time on the potty and she thought it was hilarious. She didn't do anything and I really don't think she is ready to potty train but I had to share the story!!
**We have a picture of her on the potty but I don't think it is appropriate to put on the internet since she is completely naked.

Starting right

So I think we have started our new year off right. We have had a lot of family time and a lot of Reese time. I am not sure what she is going to think when Daddy goes back to work full time again after these fun couple of weeks. Yesterday afternoon was gorgeous but cold. We wanted to get out of the house for a little while so we bundled Reese up under several layers of clothes and went to the park. It was surprisingly busy. We took her new stroller and let her push it around the smaller loop. About half way around she was done so Daddy had to carry it. She saw the playground and kept saying "play" so we let her play for a little while. She loves playing and watching other kids. She has learned how to get to the slide and go down on her own. But she also likes to go on the big slides with Mommy. When it was time to leave she pitched a royal fit...terrible twos...here we come. Today Reese and I met our neighborhood friends at an indoor playground. It was really fun and neat. The perfect place for a rainy, cold, and yucky day. They had a bunch of toys, play sets, a jumpy house, a bubble machine, and fun kids music blasting through the speakers. The girls really had a great time. Again Reese pitched a fit with leaving...what am I going to do with her? I am so glad we got to go to this fun place today though. It was a great find.

Here are some pictures of Reese from today. They are with our old camera...notice the difference from our new camera pics!!

Going the wrong way on the slide.


Looking out the house window.


Window number 2 checking out the bubbles

Playing in the bubbles

Christmas Extravaganza...

...is now over. This week has been full of Christmas celebrations. On the 23rd we started our Christmas celebrations at my Dad's parents house. Most of his side of the family was there (minus our Florida family who we greatly missed). We had dinner and talked (really loud as usual). We ALWAYS have a great time when we are together and I am so lucky to have ALL of them in my life. I can not imagine going one day without them. You can tell the second we get together that we are all related and have grown up together. We pick on each other, tease each other, and love on each other as if we were all siblings. I took so many pictures that I had a hard time deciding which ones to post. So I will stick with these four from the night.

Reese and I posing while obviously something much more fun was happening off camera that Reese couldn't take her eyes off of.


Daddy hugs


Probably Reese's favorite toy. She can write all over it and Mommy doesn't tell her no. It was a fabulous entertainer in the car on the way home too. Thank you Aunt Lissa (pronounced Lisa...not to be confused with Lissa).


House divided. We got my grandparents dueling rocking chairs. Hers says Georgia...His says Georgia Tech. Apparently Tech chairs are not sold so we had to make our own.



Christmas eve we went to Lance's sisters house to celebrate Christmas with them. From the moment we got there the three kids were wild and crazy. They had a lot of fun together and the boys definitely entertained Reese. Dalton started the evening off by serenading us with "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer". I, of course, joined in because that was one of mine and my sisters FAVORITE songs growing up. He was so cute dressed up as a Christmas tree.

Reese wanted to be the tree too.


Every year Santa calls the boys and they get so excited. They said that Santa calls them because they are a little scared to go and see him. Some how he has to know what they want for Christmas!! Brody has been talking to him for a few years now but I think this was Dalton's first year to really understand and want to talk to him. He followed Brody around everywhere with the phone and kept saying it was his turn.


Reese was trying to figure out what they were so excited about. Here she is looking at Dalton on the phone and she looks so serious.

Christmas morning we woke up and had Christmas with just the three of us. It was nice to be able to spend some time together and enjoy celebrating. We are so excited to be able to start our own traditions as a family. Reese's big present from Santa was a kitchen. She has enjoyed "cooking" on it. She will walk up to it and say "cook". She will also stir in the pot and then taste it. So funny.


Then around 10 or so my family came over for more presents and eating. Reese really racked up on presents!! Here she is going for a ride around the house in her new wagon. She was very excited about it.

Then while Reese was taking a nap that afternoon, Lance, my sisters and I entertained my parents and grandmother with a little American Idol on Wii. It is a lot of fun. Not to brag...maybe...but I won every round!! I am definitely not a singer but for some reason I rock that game. We played for TWO hours! I am sure my parents and grandmother felt like it was all day. Here Leah was getting ready to compete against me in the finals and she dressed up like Becca. Haha!!

Reese received plenty to "push". She got this cute little stroller, a grocery cart, and a musical push toy. Now she doesn't have to push our boxes everywhere.

Today, part of my mom's side of the family came over. Half of my cousins were out of town and Leah had to work so we missed all of them. Reese and Caleb were the only babies there. We ate lunch and babies (and Grandma) opened presents. Caleb is thinking, "what is this crazy girl doing?"


We had a fun day visiting with them but I was so run down and not feeling well today. After everyone left, I put Reese down for a much needed nap and took one myself. Even though we were soooooo busy this week, Reese has been so good and has had so much fun. I can't wait to see her enjoy all of her new toys. She is going to have a blast...and now Daddy can stop complaining that she doesn't have enough toys. She has plenty now, right Daddy??

What is my deal??

Several times this week I have woken up when Lance's alarm goes off (around 5) and have not been able to go back to sleep. This morning was one of those days too. It stinks!! And now here it is 11:45 pm and I am wide awake. What is my deal? I have no idea. So since I can not go to sleep I will amuse you with pictures and stories while I am not amused AT ALL.

Yesterday morning we got up and went to run a few errands. We went to the mall planning on going in to Belk and right back out. However after we made our purchase we looked outside and it was pouring down rain. So we walked around a bit...which can always get us in trouble. We (or I) always find a way to buy Reese more clothes. So I did. At my favorite new store, Crazy 8. I have a hard time in there because I want to buy it all and it is great prices. Then last night we went to my friend Nicole's house (whose little guy is Mitchell) for a Christmas party. The kids were so cute together. We haven't really seen them interact too much together before but last night they were too cute.

This morning we had full intentions of getting up and going to breakfast before church. But as usual we were running behind. We left the house with enough time to get something quick to eat but probably would not be able to enjoy it. But half way there I realized I forgot Reese's teachers gifts. So we turned around to get the gifts and decide to just grab some donuts at Dunkin' Donuts. That is never a good idea. Finally we make it to church and heard the most amazing music EVER. I am not a stand up and praise kind of girl but the female singer sang "Ole Holy Night" and it was tempting to get emotional. I seriously have never heard it sung that beautifully before and I am pretty sure Celine Dion sings it on the radio. After church we went to my parents house to visit with my grandmother who is in town from Florida. Reese was wild and crazy while we were there. Once we got home and put Reese to bed, I headed out to shop...some more. Nicole had given me an invite only invitation to Gymboree. They opened up their back room and let you ransack it. It was all last season clothes (and maybe even two seasons ago). But everything was discounted and then you got an additional 25% off that. And then Nicole had a 20% off coupon so I got that on top!! I spent $23 and the most expensive thing I bought was $5. I also bought the bubbles from there...if you have babies who love bubbles, Gymboree is the place to buy them.

Reese ready to take her lunch to work...


Reese is cutting four more teeth so her hands are constantly in her mouth. I think they have finally all broken the gum. Once they are bigger she will officially have 16 teeth!! That is crazy!!


We seriously love playing with the new camera...it is so much fun. When we pull it out Reese immediately says, "Baby", and points to the camera so she can see herself. So most of her pictures are up close.