One Year

My sweet little tater tot is a year old! It seems so surreal. This past year has had it's ups and downs, sad moments, happy moments, good tears, & bad tears. I know this is just the beginning too. I look at my toddler in amazement. She's so smart and she's constantly learning new things. She's beginning to get more and more independent and it's great. I am so proud of everything she has accomplished so far. She's learned to hold her own bottle, feed herself, roll over, crawl, walk, she knows that a shirt goes on her head, she knows that a phone goes to her ear, she knows that shoes go on her feet, she knows who mama and dada is, she knows what kind of food she likes and what she doesn't like....This list could go on and on.

In the past year she has stolen so many of our hearts. Family, friends, and co-workers. She was surrounded by so many great people at her birthday party. It was a huge success. It rained for about 30 minutes in the beginning of the party, but the sun soon came out and we enjoyed the day. I am so grateful to have so many loving people in her life.

This post could get really sappy and I could show you all how emotional I am but I'm not. Today has been a great day and I can't wait to get off work so I can take my little girl home and play with her. I'm making her a yummy dinner and then some yummy cupcakes. I really hope my little girl enjoys her day today.

She's amazed me so much in the past year and I know that the years to come are only going to get better and harder all at the same time. But this is something I am so very happy to get to experience with her. She makes me feel whole and is the best thing to ever happen to me.

1 YEAR OLD PICTURES!!!

JCPenney's rocked my socks off with these photos. They were kinda pricey. It was $206 with the CD and a butt load of photos though so it's not that bad. I got half the pics at Sears and I like these better. The lady was really great with Calleigh and we got some great shots. These are only a few. I have the rest posted on my facebook so if you're friends with me on there then you've seen them.
Do you see her tutu? I made that! =)
Do you like it?

11 MONTHS!!

Calleigh made 11 months Saturday! She's such a big girl! She also decided to take 8 steps Saturday morning. Since then she's taken a few steps here and there. I love this stage she's at. She's fun and she's learning new stuff every day. Like yesterday she pushed her diaper box up to the front door, stood on the box, and reached for the door knob. Then she got down all by herself and pushed her diaper box around the house. Me and my husband sat on the couch laughing at her for hours yesterday while she played with her toys and that danged box. She even took her own diaper off yesterday! I came out the kitchen to see her naked butt crawling down the hall! I couldn't believe she learned how to do it.
I made her tutu yesterday! It is darling! I don't think I want to post a picture just yet. I want the picture I post to be the professional photo from her one year old photo shoot. I think I'm going Wednesday to do it. Either at Sears or JCPenney. I would love to do it with an actual photographer but the girls out here that I've talked to are super expensive. Today is too late to make an appointment and tomorrow I'm having a root canal. I work Thursday and I don't want to wait until Friday to do it. So hopefully Weds will work out. I'm getting really excited about her party!  

Yeah I suck at this!

Keeping up with two blogs is kinda hard! It's been about 2 weeks since I posted here last so I'll give y'all an update!
Calleigh has taken a few steps! My child is growing up! ahhh!!!
She can high five!
She can clap!
She can give you the sweetest kisses eva!

She'll be 11 months old Saturday and I believe I shall cry! She can't be turning a year old next month, can she? How can this little baby

Turn into this?

I've started planning her birthday party and I'm going with..................LADYBUGS! Yeah I know it's a bit overdone but omg I love it! And for the next 10 to 12 years she'll be requesting cartoons and stuff. So I can do what I want this year!

I may hate white cabinets but I love magic erasers

Oh dear last night was horrible! I cleaned my kitchen for 3 hours before throwing in the towel and eating dinner. I still have to clean the microwave and wipe down my fridge and stove, sweep and mop the kitchen then it's done. And the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are my new favorite cleaning toy.

Today I have to clean both bathrooms, wipe down my couch (is it possible to clean microfiber? I shall google), wash all sheets, dust living room, dining room, and dining room light, clean 4 more ceiling fans, clean Calleigh's room, and then finally clean my room. Oh dear...I feel nauseous!

Anyway...so last night after I ate dinner I was playing with Calleigh. I was holding her and had her bent over backwards and was tickling her stomach. As she was laughing I noticed that her 4 teeth nubs up top have turned into full fledged teeth! I tried my hardest to get a pic but she wouldn't let me. So my little bitty 9 1/2 month old now has 6 full fledged teeth, and 1 little bitty nub on bottom trying it's hardest to come in. She'll have a mouth full soon!

I'm trying to think of a way to ween her off the bottle. So far, we've tried 3 different sippy cups and she hasn't liked any of them. She'll drink a little but she still prefers to drink out of a normal cup! Ugh...this bottle battle is going to be horrible. I believe once I find a sippy she likes, she'll give up her day time bottles. But her night time bottle is a whole different ball park! She NEEDS it to go to sleep. AND YES I KNOW TO WAIT TILL SHE'S A YEAR OLD TO TAKE THE BOTTLE FROM HER but with only 2 months left (aaaaaggggggggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!) it's better to start trying sippy cups now than wait till later!

Smooches

If I wouldn't have turned the internet off on my phone I would be able to show you the cutest thing eva!!! Calleigh has learned how to make a kissy face! It's so precious. I've been trying to show her how to blow a kiss and normally all she does is laugh at me. But yesterday she put her lips together and pushed them out. I couldn't help myself but steal a kiss and then take a pic and text it to my family and friends.

Calleigh has 7 teeth! Just a week or two ago she only had 4. She has the two on bottom that she's had forever now. She has a small nub poking in on the bottom left, and 4 nubs on top. It's so cute! She tried a hotdog last night and she loved it. I boiled it because microwave dogs are just gross! I cut it up small enough and let her feed herself.

I feel a little behind on the self feeding and solid food thing. So far she's only tried a few things other than baby food. Like mac n cheese, homemade mashed taters, pancakes, white beans, and a few other things I can't think of right now. I've been kind of hesitant to let her eat off of our plates because usually we cook pretty spicy and I always forget to separate a little serving before adding spices. But I will make sure to start doing it now.

From what I've been reading it's time to start weaning from the bottle but I know that's a battle I do not want to have right now. She's so dependent on it for naps and to fall asleep at night. And the few nights when she wakes up during the night she wants a bottle to go back to sleep.

She isn't a fan of the sippy but she likes to drink out of a regular cup. I guess that's one thing I won't have to break a habit of is a sippy but a regular cup is so messy with a 9 month old!

On another Calleigh related note::::her 1st birthday is in 77 days! Yikes! I can't believe it. Darren and I have been discussing her first birthday party and it's going to be fun. Her favorite show to watch is Yo Gabba Gabba and Darren thinks that would be a fun party theme.

My view is that once they're old enough to talk and tell you what they want, they will always pick a cartoon character theme. The first birthday party they won't remember so we could do whatever we want for it. I'm thinking something along the line of lady bugs or butterfly's but honestly I'm not sure yet. I think those are too over done but I'm sure we'll come up with something.

Excited for Sunday

I know there is some mixed opinions on baby pageants. Honestly they don't bother me. I've never been in one. I've had friends and family that do them and love them. Anyway I found a local pageant that I am putting Calleigh in on Sunday. It's a "Sunday Best" pageant, no pageant dresses allowed. Even for the older girls. Calleigh is going to wear the dress she wore for Easter pics. It's a very light light pink Feldman Brothers dress. I think it's going to be fun.

This post reminded me that I need to post her Easter pic. I still haven't even scanned it. I'll have to remember to do it later. She was absolutely darling =)

Her crib

Okay so I figured this deserved it's own post seperate from my weekly update.

We bought KK's crib last night and a few other items we needed. We also ate Coyote Blues last night and I realized that was probably our last date their before KK comes. We'll see though...I might have to make Darren go there again one night within the next week or two.

So Darren is about to sign with a contractor. They could start on B's room this coming Monday (if the weather lets them finish up their other job this week) We're putting KK in B's old room so once they start on his room I can start packing up his stuff and cleaning the room up really good and paint it. Then we can finally start putting all of KK's stuff in her room and setting everything up. It would be so cool if B's room is built before the kids come next weekend.

Our good friend Josh bought KK her crib. He's the Godfather and claimed this as his gift to us when we told everyone we were pregnant. We're so grateful for him buying this for her. He's such a good guy and I know this is only the beginning of him spoiling her.

I can't wait to set the crib up with the bedding set that came in last week. Hopefully everything is ready or almost ready for her when she arrives. I really don't mind her sleeping in her pack n play in our room for the first few weeks to be honest with you. The PNP my parents bought her has a co-sleeper attachment for it and I could set that right up next to our bed if her room isn't ready yet. Guess we'll see what happens.

Progress

Okay no, not that kinda progress but we're making progress on our addition. Originally, we had planned to build a 20X20 master bedroom onto the back of our house and put KK in our room. Well after getting quotes well over $35,000 for that we decided to enclose our covered patio/carport instead. Well it was kinda hard to find a contracting company that would do something so small without them trying to charge us for every.little.thing to make up for the small job.

Okay, so I was talking to my dad last night and he offered to come down here for a weekend and help Darren enclose it in themselves. My dad is so darn handy it's ridiculous. He built him and my stepmom's master bedroom and a cabana room at their house in one summer...by himself. I ran the idea by Darren and he's totally up for it!!! See, Darren isn't exactly a handy guy when it comes to building stuff. But with my dad's help and maybe even Darren's dad's help, it should be done in a weekend!!! We just gotta pick a few dates to run them by my dad and see when a good time for him to come would be. He's been working on their fishing camp in Montegut so hopefully he can tear himself away from that for one weekend to come do this for us.

And since I ordered KK's bedset Weds, it should be in soon. I'm going to try and talk Darren into letting me start taking Bailey's room apart so I can clean it really good and paint it the color I want to match the bedding. I think Bailey would be fine sleeping on the couch when they come stay until his room is built. I just REALLY REALLY REALLY wanna get started on the nursery because you never know when she is going to be ready to make her grand debut!!

Well today is my 35 week appointment. They're doing an NST scan. I can't believe how close it's getting for KK to finally be here!! I can't wait to meet our precious baby girl.

Darren made the comment last night that we need to get a bag packed for us and I was like OMG yeah that might be a good idea....it hit me last night that this could happen any time VERY soon. It's kinda overwhelming. I just hope that I can be a good mommy to this baby girl of ours.

I've waited 3 long years for this. I've had an empty spot in my heart since we lost Wyatt and even though I knew I was a mommy to an angel and a stepmom to two children...I never really felt like a mom. I've never had anyone call me mommy and I can't wait to hear those sweet words come out of our daughters mouth. I know I'll always have that spot in my heart for our son but hopefully his sister can help me heal a little bit better.

I am officially MISERABLE!!!

Okay so on top of being almost 35 weeks pregnant, I have serious swelling of my feet and ankles at night, horrible hot flashes/night sweats, a thirst that can't be quenched, and very painful braxton hicks. I mean they are so painful that they take my breath away and stop me dead in my tracks! I'm so hoping the next few weeks pass quickly. I have enjoyed my pregnancy this whole time but I believe I am getting to the point where I am done.

I worked Monday night @ the restaraunt and closed. Got home a little before 11, took a bath, ate dinner, and got in the bed around 12ish. Yesterday I was MISERABLE! I couldn't get out of the bed. It felt like my hips were going to break if I moved myself. I had to get Darren to push/roll me out of bed. I was hunched over hobbling to the bathroom. I was in pain all day yesterday at work and pretty much until I laid down in bed to go to sleep.

I believe that it's almost time for me to start giving up my shifts at work. I only work 2 nights a week (Mon & Thurs) and then whatever they schedule me for the weekend. But I am thinking I am going to give up one of my nights and then only work a night on the weekend. I hope Richard doesn't have a problem with that. I mean I am 8 1/2 months pregnant...and I've worked the whole time without any complaints. But if I can't walk the next day after working the night before at the restaraunt, then I think that's my body's way of telling me to SLOW THE HELL DOWN!!!

Now I only have to figure out which night to give up and start bugging people to see if they want my shift. I think I'll probably quit all together after labor day. I'll make my year and I can get my vacation check....then I'll be outta there! I'll enjoy my last few weeks of only having 1 job.

And speaking of only having one job....I start interviewing people next week. I'll probably interview for a few days, then choose a few people for a 2nd interview, then train for a week or so or until we're both comfortable with him/her working WITHOUT ME OVER THEIR SHOULDER and then I'll probably start working half days here at my day job.

I have a doctor appointment Friday. It's an NST scan and he's going to check to see if I'm dialated or softened or anything like that. I honestly do not believe I am going to make it to October 1st but we'll see.

Doctor Appointment

Well yesterday was my 32 week appointment. I had an ultrasound and 30 minutes of fetal movement monitoring. The ultrasound went great. KK is weighing 4lbs 8 oz and she is HEAD DOWN! She is loaded and ready to go (well in about 7.5 weeks) She is all curled up to my right side of the belleh and during the U/S she was waving her little arms at us. She's in the 51st% of growth or something like that. She moves alot and the U/S tech had problems getting measurements for a few minutes so we just let KK move around and we watched her and laughed at her. She finally calmed down and let the Dr. do her business. She's growing right on schedule with my due date of 10/1 so lets hope it stays that way. I only gained 2 lbs since my last apt, which is good. I guess giving up my late night binge fest of oreos and milk kinda helped huh?

Sunday is my shower at the restaraunt and I'm getting very excited about it! I can't wait to see what my girls have in store for me and KK. Saturday me, Becca, and Britt are going shopping for something to wear to the shower. I don't know if I'm going to wear the same thing to both of my showers but we'll see!

I really need to post an updated pic. I've been putting it off because I was getting my hair highlighted and cut this past Saturday and I really haven't had time to stop and take a picture this week while at work. I promise I'll do that today though!!

She's running outta room!!!

Movement has gotten painful.. Well not painful but uncomfortable! Last night I was laying in bed and I swear to you if the light would of been on you would of seen body parts protruding from my belly!!! I could feel either a hand or a foot stuck in one position for a few minutes. And while that was on one side of my belly, on the other side something very hard was pressed up against my stomach for a while too. I'm thinking either a head or a butt or a back. It was a very weird feeling and if Darren hadn't been sleeping like a baby I would of woke him up. I was scared!! I thought she was trying to claw herself out!!! Like I said before, it didn't hurt but it was just really uncomfortable. Like I was thinking it should hurt but it didn't. She kept me awake for about 45 minutes while she did this. I chalk it up to the slice of turtle cheesecake I had before bed.



Lets hope she simmers down tonight! Momma needs her sleep!

Babyshowers, Maternity shoot, & an OH SH*T moment!

I really am lucky to have such great family and friends. My best friend of 10 years (who is also babygirls godmother) has been gracious enough to host a shower in September. And my very good friends that I work with at the restaraunt have offered to host a shower at the restaraunt on August 16th. I'm very excited! I will be shopping for shower outfits soon!! Yay!!

I also need to pick out a dress to wear for our maternity shoot we're doing. I'm thinking of wearing a white maxi dress that I seen at the mall a few weekends ago and seeing if I can find a sunflower hair clip thing somewhere on the internet. Since the nursery won't be done anytime soon I'm guessing we'll do the maternity shoot at either the city park. It's really pretty and has a small man made pond with ducks. It also has the Bayou Teche flowing through the park and huge old trees, so that would probably make for some good shots.

On a seperate note, I'll be 30 weeks TOMORROW!!!!!!!! I am seriously in shock. I can't believe I'll only have 10 weeks or so left. I haven't even signed with a contractor yet...I've met with a few but I'm waiting on their drawings and quotes to choose one.

We chose a name!!

Last night we were laying in bed trying to go to sleep. I was snuggled up against Darren's back in a way that his booty was right in front of my stomach. We were talking names and I think we decided on a name (squeee!!). Well I'm guessing baby girl wanted to voice her opinion because she started kicking really hard. Darren felt her kicking his booty!! It was hilarious!!

Don't ask what name we chose because we aren't telling. You'll have to wait until baby girl makes her big debut! It's really pretty and it's not "trendy". We have no family members or friends that have this name so we're really excited about that. Now we have to start thinking middle names!!