Alayna's Cake

4 layer cake- marble cake, buttercream frosting, strawberry cake, buttercream frosting, marble cake, buttercream frosting and strawberry cake completely covered in buttercream frosting. then covered with marshmallow fondant.

Its not as "perfect" as I planned but this was my first try at fondant. Hope people still think its cute!  I will be adding some fresh strawberries on it as well.

Mom with a Catchers Mitt.

Oh the funny faces you are all making, as you read this today. I'm sure you're wondering just what I am going to post about! 

It seems as though I should be the mom you see in the park with the catchers mitt. I knew that a little boy wouldn't be handing me dollies or playing dress up, but boy was I unaware of the need for cat-like reflexes when parenting a son!  I haven't dodged a bullet like in the Matrix but I have dodged; a sippy cup, a toy, a shoe, crackers, a pacifier, more toys, another sippy cup, an entire plate of food, my own cell phone, and much more. No, this is not a new sport that you haven't heard of yet. This is just something my favorite son likes to do... Throw things at mommy! I wouldn't say he means to hurt me... more like he wants to get my ATTENTION!  Dear Boy, if you are sitting right next to me, you have my attention.. you do not need to throw a toy at my head.. in fact, the words Mama work just fine!

I can hear you giggling (Mom!) because you too have witnessed this monkey-like behavior (though i'd rather have toys thrown at me than monkey-poo). So whats the cure? What do I do? Do I try to teach him that it is not nice to throw, when in fact he could already have a career lined up for him in the Major Leagues? Or do I get out the catchers mitt and say, "Alright Buddy! Lets go!"

Ears....

Slade had his 1 year appointment. He is 28 3/4" (18%) and 19lbs 11 oz (9%) Peanut!!  He is healthy! He does STILL have fluid in his ears so he will be having tubes put in on April 1st.

He is walking about 95% of the time now. Its so cute! Sometimes he has to stop cause it is too slow, so he drops to his knees and crawls like he is superman!

Kendlee is at Papa's and Mamaw Cali's house this week. Which is nice for me because Slade is NOT sleeping well at night, so I can rest during the day!

Tonight is our big Gymnastics Parent- Board meeting! I hope we have a good turnout. We are taking pictures of the kids to send in thank you cards, too bad K won't be here! :(

Brandon got me some beautiful lillies for my birthday! But they died the next day... the flowershop is going to replace them! So, YAY for new flowers! They smell SO good!!!

I'm making Alayna's birthday cake this week. I am going to try my hand at marshmallow fondant. Wish me luck! I'll post pictures after I'm finished, If it looks nice! ;) Ha.

Birthday Pictures

Dear Slade,

 A year has past since I first held you. How precious you were there in my arms. So small, so sweet, so soft. Your tiny noises, squeaks and whimpers made my heart warm. When you opened your eyes I could see the world in them, so big and new.

With each day you have grown. More alert, more noisy (thats for sure!) and more inquisitive. You're busy, little man. You know how to keep me on my toes. And the word "no"... I know you understand this, you little stinker. But do you listen? Nope. You wait patiently for me to turn around and then you are back at it again, whatever you were doing.

Your sister loves you so much! She loves you so much that she squeezes you so hard she makes you mad! She is constantly thinking about you and talking about you. "This is my new baby brother Slade! He's a boy! He's a He-He!" Oh how funny. She would tell that to strangers and Mamaw Dell--every time! Now she calls you "Squeaky, boy boy, Mr. Boy, turtle..." "I call him Turtle. Cause he's my pet!" She just adores you. And yes you two will fight and argue (all too soon for my likings I'm afraid!) but in the end you'll end up the best buddies. You'll always have someone to play with, to talk to, to confide in.

You're a little boy now, son. Not a baby. You'll walk, talk, and explore. You'll learn things that even your parents won't understand. We will always love you, no matter what you do. We will always listen to what you have to say. And though we have the responsibility to teach you how to be a good person, I promise we will have fun while we do it. I'm excited to grow WITH you.

I love you My Guy. I love everything about you.

Happy First Birthday

Love Mommy

Big Birthday Boy!

Slade is ONE! What a big boy!!!

He celebrated his birthday with his many friends and family. The kids went swimming, the adults hung out by the pool and drank beer/pop. The pizza somehow got lost but all was well when it finally came (from a different company!) The cake was so yummy (yes I brag about my own cake!) and my grandma made a delicious cherry salad!

Slade got SO many great presents! Thank you all!!!

Yesterday (on his actual birthday) we went to Alien Space (yes, thats how Kendlee says it!) and had a nice lunch. Kendlee won like 400 tickets in all. Again! Stinker!  Then we came home and unpacked. Half the toys go out to the shed for summer but the rest were in the house and boy did the kids destroy the place! I left the toys the way they had them because they're all about figuring new stuff out!

Slade has been cranky the last 3 days. I do hope he is getting some teeth or that its just ear problems that we can fix. Poor boy has been miserable!

pictures coming later!

I will never do that!

As we're dreaming of becoming mothers, we always say "I'll never do that!!" And insert your favorite phrase here, such as: Send a bottle to bed with baby, raise your voice, allow a meltdown at the store, ect. You know what I'm talking about. And then motherhood starts... from there you are overwhelmed with diaper changes, feedings, do this, don't do that, and the lack of sleep. Suddenly you find yourself doing the things you SWORE you'd never do, and maybe if your lucky you stick to not doing the one particular thing that you swore off the most. (I did stick to mine! I have never sent a bottle to bed with my babies!) But for the most part, you..just..give..in..

I've found myself giving in at the grocery store, even as of today! Kendlee wanted squeeze cheese. We have cheez whiz at home but apparently its just not the same since it doesn't come out of a can! I realize that part of the fun is the squeezing but I could have simulated such a thing with a piping bag and a piping tip! Oh well. I've given into "Just one more story.." And "just one more game.." And "just one more ice cream scoop!" and I've also given into the extra snuggle time I get when Slade is not sleeping well, or just plain out wants to be held. Is it right? Is it wrong? IT really doesn't matter to me, because this is MY life and things change from day to day.

I've become comfortable as a mom. Realizing that this is what I've always meant to do has really fulfilled my life! I'm satisfied and yet I'm yearning for more! (Which is good since you all know how little my kids are!)  Don't get me wrong, I have my days where I'm just fed up and could really use a bath, massage, chocolate and a strong drink, all at once! ;) But I really do enjoy being a mommy. Its exciting and entertaining.. even delightful, most of the time! ;)

As I sit here typing this I hear giggles of joy and excitement. I hear that a small fort of blankets and pillows is being made. I hear "C'mon Bud Bud!! Over here Bud Bud!" And as I peek over I see Slade walking over to Kendlee's fort. My eyes do feel with tears, how fast these times go and how much I do cherish them. I am proud of my two little "people" (I put people in quotes because they are no longer babies!) and who they are becoming. I am proud to say that these two people are my masterpieces! My very best creations!

Now wrapping up this post (which seems to have no particular subject) I have heard a whirlwind of emotions escape from the living room. Happiness, anger, the feeling of being squished by a hug, curiousity.. and once again, it all amazes me. Mostly I'm amazed at just how much I really do LOVE being a mother!

Questionaire...

I saw this on my friend Emilie's blog the other day and thought it sure looked fun! So here goes!

Four shows I like to watch


1. House

2. White Collar

3. Burn Notice
4. Grey's Anatomy



Four things I'm passionate about

1. My family

2. Taking pictures of my kids

3. My friends

4. Gymnastics



Four words or phrases I say a lot

1. No.

2. Stop fighting!

3. Good Job!

4. I love you.



Four things I have learned from the past

1. Always belive in yourself.

2. Sleep is NOT that important.

3. Family relationships can be hard, but they are worth fighting for. (Emilie wrote this and I find it so true).

4. Some problems are better left alone.



Four places I would love to go

1. Paris

2. Jamaica

3. The spa. For a week. Ha Ha.

4. Hawaii





Four things I did yesterday

1. Laundry

2. Played toys with the kids

3. Read books to the kids

4. Washed my walls. (I do this alot, incase you're wondering ha ha).



Four things I'm looking forward to

1. Slade's Birthday.

2. SUMMER!

3. Our 3 year anniversary.

4. Life!!



Four things I love about winter

1. I don't love winter...

2. I don't love winter...

3. I don't love winter...

4. Again, I don't love winter...



Four things on my wish list

1. Cricket (its a word press).

2. Warm weather

3. A day at the spa in Bismarck

4. Furniture for my living room!