PJ Day and Teddy Bear Parade

On Tuesday of this week, Ella got to wear her jammies to school, and they also had a Teddy Bear Parade! They always have such cute little events at school that the parents can go to. She and I had decorated a "float" for the teddy bear to ride in. (AKA a shoe box :) ) She loved decorating it! As I was pulling out the colored paper, stickers and glitter glue pens, she said "This is going to be so much fun!"

Cooper and I went and joined in the festivities with Ella. Here are some pictures!

Digging into Literature with Ella

Now that Ella is at an age where she can sit and quietly listen for longer periods of time, I thought it was time we started getting into some "real" books for her at bedtime. Our first chapter book that I chose was Charlotte's Web by E.B. White. I figured this was a great place to start, as she already was familiar with the characters from the movie that came out last Christmas! So, we went to the library and picked it up-and boy was she excited! Every night Daddy or I read a chapter, or part of a chapter depending on the length. I wasn't sure how she would like reading the book, as this is our first book that has very few pictures in it, but she loves it! She is the one that asks to read it each night. She climbs into bed, grabs the book off her nightstand, and turns quickly to the page we left off on.

I am so glad that she loves it so much! I know she is listening too, because she sits very quietly all snuggled up with her "blankie", and every once in a while poses a question that requires the answer "I don't know, we need to read on to find out!" :)

We've just about finished up the book, and we are ready to choose something new! I am thinking another one by E.B. White, like Stuart Little or something.

If you have a preschooler, I encourage you to pass on the "fluff" books and read something a little deeper with them! You will probably be amazed at how much they actually do understand! It is such a great opportunity to present them with great literature that strengthens their vocabulary and their imagination!

Awesome Story

I don't usually post links to other people's posts, but I just read this awesome story (Click Here to Read) on my friend Katie's Blog. It's the best, and I just had to share! A must read...

Enjoy!

Girls (and a lil' guy) Day Out and a Fun Weekend

This past Saturday, in the midst of "Snow Apocolypse 2008", me and Cooper headed out with Leah, my Mom, Kelly and two other of Leah's bridesmaids-Tiffany and Stephanie- to go DRESS SHOPPING!! (Ella and Daddy had a date day, and went to a movie.) It was a blast watching Leah try on wedding gowns (and yes, she found 'the one'!), having lunch at some place other than McDonald's or Chick-Fil-A, and then going and trying on brides-BABES dresses-yes, you read that right ;) I tell you what, after being cooped up in the house for a week, this day was just what I needed! SO much fun!



Before I had left the house that morning to go dress shopping, we had decided to stay down in Alpharetta with my parents overnight, since Reid has to be at church at Butt-Crack-O'Clock on Sundays, and the weather was being unpredictable. Of course, then they cancelled church anyway, but we decided to go ahead and stay over anyway. It was fun-even Chris (Leah's fiance) stayed over in the basement. In the morning we had a big yummy breakfast, and then we just hung out all day. That night we celebrated Chris' birthday at Champps for some dinner and a cookie cake.

Here is a picture of a couple of sillies from that night :)




It was a fun weekend :) I posted lots of pictures on our website in the January section! Link is to the right.

A Sickie, Some Snow and a Couple O'Cuties

Sorry I have been MIA! Ella has been down for the count with Strep Throat (poor baby) since Saturday night-which means today was the first day we left the house since Monday, which also means my brain has turned to mush. ;) This morning my sweet husband stayed home with the kids for an hour before work while I went to the gym. He knows just what a need after being couped up! :) Ella is feeling much better now, after 48 hours of antibiotics, and was cleared to start back to her normal activities today. Here is a picture of her the other day watching a movie on our bed. :) You have to admit-there's nothing like a good pair of shoes to make you feel better!


Today was Ella and Cooper's FIRST Georgia SNOW!!!! Ella was SO excited when she looked out the window and saw it snowing! It started around 5:00 p.m., and here it is still snowing! The grass has about 1/2 inch so far, and it is starting to collect on the streets. Of course, we bundled right up and headed on out to snap some pictures. Here are a few pics! It's the best I could do holding a bundled up baby. :)






And finally-saving the best for last-here are a couple o'cuties :)

3 Month Portraits

Here are Cooper's 3 month portraits for your viewing enjoyment! :) We got them taken at Portrait Innovations. The one with the sky background we didn't actually buy, but I thought it was too cute and funny not to include in this post. :)

3 Months Old!

My baby boy is 3 months old! (ok, officially on the 11th) I can't even believe it. He is a growing boy with lots of cute rolls, and he has officially doubled his birth weight! Go Cooper!

At 3 months, he is smiling all the time, he laughs at silly Mommy, laughs when you tickle him, talks a lot, loves to play with his toys-he is even starting to grab them! He is not rolling yet, but can lift his head up really well when he is on his tummy. He isn't hating his car seat as much anymore, but it is still a bit of a struggle. The lights and sound car mobile that Papa and Yaya got him for Christmas has helped a lot in that department!

He is sleeping a total of 12 hours at night-waking up after 9 or 10 hours to eat, then going back down-woohoo! :) Ahhhh, glorious sleep! He is starting to get on a little bit of a predictable schedule because of this. He goes down to bed between
7:30 and 8:00, waking up between 7:30 and 8:00 the next morning. Up for about 2 hours, then back down for an hour nap. Up for 2 more hours, then back down for a 2-3 hour nap.(This is SOOOO awesome, because it is the same time that Ella takes a nap!) Up again for another 2 hours, and then back down for a smaller nap that usually lasts about 1/2 hour-45 minutes. This nap gets him through so he can make it to bedtime! So, we are getting there!

He is such a happy baby and we love having him in our family! :) We love you Cooper, baby!

New Pictures!

Lots of new pictures in the January section of our website! The link is to the right.

It's a Great Day!

When you have one kid, it's a good day when you can take care of that child and get lots of stuff done around the house. When you have more than one, it's a good day when you can get out of the house at a predetermined time with both kids, all of their stuff, some of your stuff and hopefully all of your clothes on! ;)

Today has been a GREAT day for me! I started back to teaching my classes on Saturday. It was a good day to start because Reid was home to take care of both kids while I went off to teach the class. Today was my first class back where I had to take both kids with me, and actually arrive on time to teach an 8:25 a.m. class. I have to admit, I was definitely nervous about the logistics of it all. I am proud to say that I had both kids up, dressed, fed and out the door all by myself! I did have some help from my wonderful hubby getting everyone and everything loaded in the car. I even got there early!

My class went great! It felt so good to be back really working out again, and it was awesome to see everyone. After class I fed Cooper, and then we headed to Ella's dance class after that. After dance (which Cooper napped through-BONUS!), we headed home, fed everyone-and then both kids went down for a nap! Then I got to SHOWER and get ready ALL BY MYSELF! I mean really, does it get any better than this??! Oh wait, yes it does....then I actually got to get bills paid, the house straightened, and my grocery list finished!!! OH! and my new aerobic shoes that I orded from Nike with my Christmas money came today! I will save my rave of those for another post.

To top it all off, it is in the high 60's today, I have my windows open, cute shoes on, and I have time to sit here and blog while they are still sleeping. Seriously, all I need is some chocolate and the day would be complete! ;)

Ahhhhhhhhh.....

Cutting out the DC

As much as I hate to do it, I am cutting out the diet drinks out of my diet, and as many artificial sweetners as possible! And no, I am not going to start drinking the regular versions of it either! I don't drink a whole lot of it on a regular basis, but enough to hopefully make a difference.

My reason? One is pure vanity, to be honest. I was reading something a few weeks ago that stated one of the reasons we have fat is to filter out toxins from our body. The more toxins we consume (i.e. artificial sweetners, refined sugar, chemicals, hormones in meat/dairy, etc...) the more our body needs to hang onto that fat. So, out of sheer vanity and an attempt to rid myself of some fat in places I would rather it not be, I am cutting out the sweetners!

And the reason that should be my number one reason, but if we are being honest here it's not-just to be healthier!

There-I said it. Now you must keep me accountable!

Random Thoughts

First random thought of the day-How do you like my new layout? How cute it is?!?! Now I need to figure out how to make a cute personalized banner for the top. Any ideas on how to do that?

Second random thought of the day-in my efforts to start the new year off with the bang I have been doing some thorough cleaning. My conclusion-my least favorite cleaning activity by far is cleaning the carpet right next to the floor boards. You know, that area that the vacuum can't get at and it just collects dust. What a pain.... And just for future reference in case you are feeling the need to do this-damp cloth, drag it along the carpet directly next to the floor boards around the entire house until your finger nail breaks.

Third random thought of the day-where are all my commenting peeps? I mean, I don't slave over my blog (HA!) for nothing! ;)

New pictures of the kiddos are coming! I keep forgetting to load them on my computer but I have high hopes for myself.

Lacking the skills...please help!

So, I am in serious need of some Blog Pimping because these pre-fab templates are not cutting it! Someone please help! Give me the information I need of where to go to make my blog cute and fun!

Happy New Year!

Hey Everyone!

Sorry I have been MIA-we have had a busy week! We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my family in Alpharetta. It is so nice to have family in town to spend the holidays with! I am so glad that my kids are blessed to have family so close by as they are growing up. I feel like it is making their lives so much richer!

We then headed to Nashville on the 27th to stay with Reid's sister Ashley and her husband Michael. Reid's parents, Rick and Gayle, were also there. It was so nice to see everyone and only have to drive 4 hours! :) We had a great time as we always do! We came back yesterday on New Years Eve and spent a quiet evening at home--going to bed early! haha Dick Clark had to do the count down without me! ;) I mean seriously, traveling with little kids is tiring!!

2007 started off with a bang, as we found out in February that we would be expecting a new precious little life in our family in October 2007. In May, Ella turned 3 on the 18th-and boy did she ever! She has kept us on our toes ever since! Ella also had her first gymnastics jubalee and ballet recital in May. We also found out in May that we were expecting a little boy! In the Summer we took our annual trips to Florida with Reid's family over the 4th of July holiday, and my family over Labor Day. The Fall brought preparations for Cooper's grand entrance including changing the nursery from purple to blue and a baby shower thrown by my Mom and sisters. Ella started preschool, attending 2 half days a week. What a big girl! Finally October 11th rolled around, my due date, and little Cooper made his grand entrance at 4:13 p.m. Life has been a whirlwind since then, as we adjust to managing two kids with man on man defense. ;)

Now here we are in 2008! I can't believe it! The change over to the New Year always fills the air with so much promise. It's almost like a clean slate, you know? I am making lists of things I would like to accomplish over the coming year, and already it seems daunting. I mean, it is only 11:00 a.m., and already I have taken down all the Christmas decorations and wiped out the refrigerator! ;) But as I make these lists of superficial things that need to get done, I need to make myself stop and be still and know that He is God. God has a plan for me and my family over this coming year, and all I need to do is listen to what that plan is. How exciting to know that he has great things in store for us this year-and all we need to do is uncover them!

Thank you, God for this New Year and all the promises that it holds!