Weekend Recap

This weekend was prom for younger cousin, Kristopher, so C and headed down to Franklin to see him all dressed up.

Kristopher and his date, Karly...

Afterwards, we went to hang out with my parent's for a while since Brent was working late.

Sunday, we went to church and spent the rest of the day napping and playing.

She LOVES playing inside her toy bins.

Very relaxing weekend and just what we needed after our crazy travels the weekend before.  I think I finally caught up on my sleep!

A Few Things to Remember

I'm not sure what's been up with Cecilia lately but she has come up with some funny little habits.

Habit #1:  The playground at school is mulched and our little one LOVES to play in the mulch.  So much so that she thinks anywhere there is mulch, she must play whether it be an actually playground or someones landscape.  The problem with mulch is that it gets in her shoes which then gets all over her feet and in between her toes.  I'm sure for most children it's not that big of a deal but apparently it is for C.  Before we can get out of the parking lot, she has her shoes and socks off checking between EVERY toe.  I could understand if this was the only time she did it but no, she does this all the time.  We've noticed in the last couple of weeks that she will stop what she is doing to check her toes.  Ridiculous!  She even did it yesterday at school (for the first time I guess by the reaction I got) and they thought the mulch had rubbed a place in between her toes.  I had to assure them that this was just her new obsession.

Habit #2:  As if yesterday couldn't get more interesting at school, I go to C's cubbie to get her shoes and noticed her sunglasses in her basket.  No biggie; I had assumed Brent let her carry them in that day.  I headed out the door with them in my hand and her teacher commented how funny C was with the glasses.  She told me that Cecilia asks for them every time they go outside and wears them the entire time they are out.  Seriously?!  I tell Brent about it and he laughs telling me she took them in over a month ago. 

What a diva!



Family Vacation

Last Wednesday we headed out to New Mexico to see my brother and sister in law.  We were a little nervous about Cecilia flying so we talked with her about airplanes and seeing Mayo and Leslie a few weeks before.  We tried to prepare for the different environment and I think it worked.  If you asked her who we were going to see she would say 'Mo and Leslie'.  Then we would ask her what we were going to fly on, 'we fly on airplane'.

Little did we know she would be the least of our worries on the way out. 

Playing in the airport play area.

Our little trooper...

She did so good and loved having her own seat.  She watched her movies, looked out the window and had the best time.  Who knew she would like flying?  She did a lot better than me.  I do not fare well on planes.

After having to change our flight twice before we ever leaving the ground, luggage arriving 4 hours after us and overnight accomodations courtesy of Southwest, we finally made our way to Los Alamos, NM.

We love traveling to different places especially when they offer such a different backdrop than what we are used to.

We hadn't seen Mayo and Leslie since Christmas so we were super excited about spending 4 full days with them.  Cecilia loved not only getting to see Mo and Leslie but playing with their cat.

She had a mild obession with the cat and her toys.  She kept throwing the cat's bell and saying 'get it kitty' as if the cat played fetch like her dog!

Cecilia also loved the cat's scratching post.  So much so that we would find her standing on it singing or yelling 'where ares you'.

Mo playing Minnie Mouse dress up with C.

Traveling with a toddler and making sure nap time is still in tact, left us with a limited schedule.  We couldn't really be out all day and night but we were able to do something fun each day.

Thursday we just chilled and tried to get over our horrific traveling the day before.  Friday, we went to a park and feed the ducks and played with bubbles.  Aunt Leslie knew the way into C's heart.

After naptime, we head down to Albuquerque to watch a baseball game.  The ballpark was really nice and even had a playarea with slides, bounce houses and a carousel.

Hanging with Aunt Leslie.

Mo and C having a meaningful conversation...

Cecilia was slightly smitten this trip...

Riding the carousel for the first time.  Daddy being the super trooper and riding along.  Mama knew she would lose it going round and round.

Saturday, we went to Santa Fe to walk around and take in the sights.  The area still holds true to a lot of its culture and it was neat getting to take it all in.  I didn't get many pictures becuase Cecilia picked that day to cut a tooth and was in no mood to do much. We did get a few pictures a dinner.

Sunday, our last full day, Mayo took Brent and I on a small hike to see a couple of waterfalls.

Why is the sky so blue there?

A little close to the edge guys.

Sadly on Monday we had to say our goodbyes.  We hated to leave but we had to get back home.  We had a full day of travel and Cecilia did not do so good on the way home.  Let's just say the people who boarded the plane in Chicago where not happy to find a SCREAMING/CRYING kid already on their flight.  Major meltdown drama.  Thank heavens we had amazing flight attendants who were so sweet and didn't kick us off the flight.

It's not often we get to spend time together with just the 4 of us and we had a blast hanging out with Mayo and Leslie.  And they of course loved having Cecilia around even with all her meltdowns and drama.

Mo and Leslie, thank you so much for having us come and crash your house!  We loved the time we got together and hope to see you crazy kids soon!  Love you both!

Bootcamp Update

Well I am happy to report that Doggie Bootcamp is over and a complete fail.  I'm not happy that we didn't make any progress but I am happy that Dawson will be returning home today.  I'm not sure if I told you but the dog is NUTS.  Oh there were a few moments where he and Colt got along but by Saturday they had had enough so I had to play rotate the dog all weekend to give each a good balance of alone time and playtime.  Dawson is not a fan of alone time so you can imagine how well that went over.

Dawson also barks which I know most dogs do but mine doesn't.  We trained him early on not to bark and I can count on one hand how many times he has barked.  Cecilia is not a fan of barking dogs.  She was, however, a fan of taking Dawson outside to potty and letting him play with her for a little while in her room.  So getting her used to him more was a success.

We love Dawson but it is time for homeboy to go back home!  Since he has arrived at my house, I managed to fall off our bed hitting the night table on my way down, run into the door facing and jam my toes into the ottoman leg.  After the last episode, Brent was ready to lock me in a padded room.  :)

We've never been so happy a weekend is over!

Doggie Bootcamp

We've got my mom's dog for a few days going through what I'm calling Doggie Bootcamp.  Dawson, the dog, is NUTS!  He is so wild and LOVES being in your face.  He wants everything he's not supposed to have and will go to great lengths to get it.  He can just about jump up on my parent's kitchen counters if he sees something he likes.

My dog HATES him!  Dawson gets in Colt's face and tries to mess with him and Colt just isn't having it.  They typically can't be in the same room together.  We're trying to change that since both dogs are going to be around for a while and my parents are my dog sitter.

So hence the bootcamp.

Last night when I got home, it did not go well.  Cecilia loves Dawson but at a distance and with a gate between them.  I thought this had changed on our way home because she thought it was the greatest thing Dawson being in the car with her.  She giggled, talked to Dawson and wanted him in her lap.  Even when we got out of the car, she was walking beside him trying to grab his leash.  That good feeling lasted until we walked into the house.  Cue SCREAMING kid.  Great.

For the first 30 minutes, I'm trying to hold a screaming child, keep the two dogs away from one another and put up the gates so I can separate them all the while trying not to pee in my pants.  Why does nature call at the most inconvenient times?

Finally, everyone was in their perspective spots and all was well.  Until Brent came home and took the gates down.

Tempers flared, dogs sniffed hind ends and the fight for top dog began.  Have mercy!  They eventually settled down and we were able to have a semi peaceful evening.  Dawson showed us he can relax...

but my dog wouldn't let him much.  He watched his every move.

Brent is at home with the dogs and Cecilia today.  I'm pretty sure my mom and I are both praying that her dog lives to see another day.

Nobody said bootcamp was fun.  Not even for the teachers.

Tag I'm It.

I was just tagged by my good friend Emily to answer a few questions about me.  I'm supposed to make up 11 more questions and tag 11 people but sadly I don't have that many blogger friends so I'll just answer the questions.

1. What is a typical day like for you?  My day starts at 5:15am. I get ready then help Brent get Cecilia ready so they can head out the door.  I'm gone by 6:35 to head to work.  I work until 4, pick up C then spend the rest of the night picking up toys, cooking, neogiating with a 2 year old and finally hit the bed around 9:30 or 10.

2. What is your favorite breakfast food?  Hmm...tough one becuase I'm a BIG fan of breakfast.  I guess I would say biscuits and gravy but I need to have hashbrowns on the side.

3. What is your dream car?  I've always been in love with Cadillacs (I can thank my Nanny and Poppy for that one) and right now I like the CTS Sport if I had to have a car but I'm a SUV kind of girl so Escalade would be my top choice.

4. Are you a spender or a saver? I am the saver in our family.  Brent's the big spender that I have to rope in every now and then.  :)

5. What are your top 3 favorite singers/bands? Ooo this is a bad one for me becuase even though I like listening to music, I don't have favorites.  I'll just name a few cds I have currently in the car...Skillet, Selah and Train

6. What is the color you wear most?  I seem to wear a lot of black to work and I feel like I'm always out and about in a white tee.

7. If you were on a deserted island, what 3 things would you have to have? If I had a good supply of food and water and not counting Brent and Cecilia...chapstick, my blanket and Diet Coke.

8. What is your favorite perfume? Sweet Pea from Bath and Body Works

9. Flats or heels? Both.  Depends on the outfit.

10. Beach or mountains? Beach.  My dream vacations are laying poolside looking the beach reading a good book.

11. What is your favorite thing about blogging? Having it as my family scrapbook.  I don't get into scrapbooking (takes too much time and $$) and it only captures moments.  For me, blogging not only captures the moment but what I was feeling in that moment.  Plus, it gives people a little insight on who you are and what you are about.  I love reading other people's blogs and feel like we are all a little community even though we may not know each other on a personal level.

So there you have it.  A little insight on who I am.

Easter

We kicked off our Easter morning with treats from the Easter bunny.

Then got ready for church.  We had nursery this Sunday, which I was a little bummed about missing the service, but I really enjoy keeping nursery and love seeing Cecilia interact with other little ones.

After church, we headed to my grandmother's for lunch and an egg hunt.

Sunday lunches are hard for us because it is Cecilia's nap time and she is typically in no mood to entertain or be around people.  Thankfully she behaved for the most part and the egg hunt perked her up a bit.

Both my Granny and I put together eggs for Cecilia.  We probably should have gotten together to see how many the other was doing.

I think there were 30 or so eggs.  At least she had 8 adults helping her!

We headed home after the hunt because a nap was needed.  We spent the rest of the day relaxing and hanging out as a family.

Confession

I am a worrier.

I worry about things that could happen 10 years, 10 days or 10 minutes down the road.  I worry about things that could happen to my family or things that could happen to perfect strangers.  I worry about Cecilia and what type of person she is going to be.  I worry about what will happen to her if something were to happen to Brent and me.  I worry if I’m being a good mother and wife.  I literally worry about everything. 

I desperately try not to be a worrier but some days it just gets the best of me.  Last night was one of those times. 

Brent and I were watching 16 & Pregnant (don’t judge) and out of nowhere tears starting running down my face.  I tried to control myself but the minute Brent turned to me to ask a question, there was no hope.  After 9 years of being together, he knows that I’m an emotional person and knows not to look directly into the beast eyes, act calm and don’t make any sudden movements.  He’s patient and lets me unload on him but I became unhinged with he sits there so calm and rational.  How can he not worry about what’s going to happen to us when were 65?  How can he be so ‘it will all work out and be fine’ when I’m freaking out over how we are going to pay for health care when we retire?  (Yeah, it’s that ridiculous!)

I did what I do best when he's rational and calm, stormed off, sulked, cried and prayed until I fell asleep.  I hate those days when I let my worries get the best of me even though I can spout off a thousand different bible verses about worries and God’s plan for me but saying them and letting yourself believe them in a time of worry is two different things.

The funny thing is, when I’m actually in a situation where worrying would be normal and ok, I’m not.  I only had a few worries when I was pregnant with Cecilia but I knew things are out of my hands and I accepted it.  It’s when I let my mind run wild with hypothetical scenarios that have me freaked out and in doubt.
Sadly, I’m wired to worry about ridiculous things that may never happen.  As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to let those worries go out as quickly as they come in.  I’ve been taught and believe that God has a plan for me and that He will take care of everything.  I’m a control freak and hate taking a backseat but I’m slowly learning that’s where I need to be.

Be vewy, vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbits.

You can tell Easter is close when the rabbits are running wild at our house.

Friday night, there were at least 6 rabbits running between our yard and our neighbors.

Cecilia was beyond excited over the rabbits!  Every 2 minutes she was asking about the bunnies and where they went.  She was still asking about them on Saturday morning.  We figured she said bunnies at least 1,453 times in 20 minutes.  She was obsessed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday afternoon, Cecilia and I met up with Jaclyn, Sydney, Natalie and Jackson at a local Easter egg hunt.  We had talked all morning about her "hunting" eggs and playing with Jackson and Sydney.  That's when she got off her bunnies kick and said Sydney and Jackson at least 568 times in 10 minutes.

There wasn't a ton for the little ones to do and there were a TON of people so we pretty much showed up for the hunt and then left.

All the kids seemed to have a good time.

Cecilia knew just what to do and got her hunt on.

Too bad she was in a group of grown adults fighting babies over Easter eggs!

Seriously parents, if your kid is too little to pick up an egg, then leave them at home!!!  Nothing drives me crazy like grown women RUNNING to grab Easter eggs as they drag their kid behind them on the ground.

I'm so glad Cecilia is too little to notice stuff like that and she had a blast.  I think the other 2 did too.

We tried to get a picture of them but this was the best I got.  Natalie is doing flips in the background hence the "what the heck" stares.

We concluded the night with a play date at Jaclyn's house where 2 more kiddos joined us.  The kids had so much fun playing, running and destroying Jaclyn's house.

At dinner they all sat at the table and giggled and tried to see who could get the most pizza.

They were wild but they were fun to watch.

I thought Cecilia might crash early but she was wild until she closed her eyes!  Whew!  I'm tired just reliving it!