Happy 2nd Birthday, Joanna!!!

You officially turned 2 at 9:56pm, but already acting like a two year old.  HA!  

We celebrated you all day long.  You woke up to a puppy banner, presents, donuts and we sung 'Happy Birthday' while you blew out your candles on your Krispie Kreme donuts.  

You and with Vivian's help opened all your gifts.  You received a pretend toaster and animal books that make sound from Memom and Papa, baby doll bath tub, potty, bottles, Mommy and Me book and a stuffed fish from Vivian, and Mommy and Daddy got you an inflatable pool, puppy dog beach towel and a new swim suit, Nana and Papaw gave you some money.  You loved all of your gifts.

You girls played, and fought, over the presents.  We managed to get ready for the day dropped Vivian off at school.  You and Mommy went to Mayfair for a smoothie, Barnes & Noble and World Market before heading home to eat a little lunch before picking Vivian up from school.  

After picking Vivian up from school, we had cake and cupcakes.  You smiled so big when we sung "Happy Birthday" to you.  You knew it was your special day.  You chose a puppy cupcake and decided to eat him face only, no hands.  It was so funny!  The dessert was a big hit.

 After your nap, we met daddy at Chuck E Cheese.  All three of you have never been, and I haven't been since I was a child.  You girls had fun.  You preferred sitting in the 'rides' when they didn't move.  You weren't a fan of the movement.  You also didn't want to get too close to the Chuck E Cheese band.  You preferred watching from a distance.  Together you girls won 80 tickets which got you an ant, whistle and four stickers.  That's what $10 of tokens will get you!  We had pepperoni pizza.  You girls had a wonderful time and that's all that matters.

You were not a fan.  I had to take you out while it was moving.

This was a perfect birthday for you.  You will not remember this day, but sure will.  Happy 2nd Birthday, sweet darling!!  I'm excited to see what year 2 holds for you.  

XXOO

23 Months Old

How is my baby two years old?!?!  The fastest two years ever.  Seems just like yesterday she was born.  I know the older the kids get, I will blink and they will be graduating high school.

A little update on this peanut.

Stats:  22 lbs, no clue on length.  Our 2 year well-check is Thursday.  Clothes: 18 months - 2T (Tops and dresses), bottoms she can still wear 6-12 months, but mostly 12 months in shorts, 18 months in leggings.  Diaper size 4.  Teeth all but her two year molars.  

Sleep:  Wake-up between 6:30-7am, some mornings you'll sleep until closer to 7:30am.  Nap put down at 1pm, you play a bit before falling asleep and you'll sleep anywhere between 3-3:45pm.  I wake you by 3:45 to preserve bedtime if you are still sleeping.  Bedtime you go in your between 7-7:30pm and asleep between 8-8:30pm. Knock-on-wood your sleep continues to stay on track.  Your sister was up before the sun rise at this age.  So thankful for sleep training you.  I have no clue if you can nap on-the-go since you've been napping only in your crib for almost a year now.  

Eat:  Ahh, eating.  You are more of a snacker than sit down eating a meal.  You do enjoy eating pasta, sweet potatoes, sweet potato fries, Rice Kispies cereal, oatmeal, spinach, corn, hamburger.  You love snacking on popcorn, yogurt pops, goldfish, strawberries, pomegranate.  You are not a milk drinker.

Love:  You are dog obsessed!!  You go bananas when you see a pup and get so upset if you can't love on one.  You also love watching lizards, frogs and birds.  You definitely have a special place in your heart for animals.  You love swinging and sliding still.  You will stop at the drop of a hat to pick-up rocks.  You love watching your 'peppa' (the Kindle) like your sissy.  You are my music girl.  You love to sing along to nursery rhymes and to the song 'Let It Go'.  You shout 'Go' and it is the cutest.  You don't know your colors, except for blue, but you can point out different dog breeds.

Dislikes:  Staying confined in anything...car seat, shopping cart, high chair, booster seat, restaurant booth.  Definitely a challenge going out with you kid!  Brushing teeth.  I have to hold you down on the bed to get them somewhat clean.  We only bush them at night since it is such a challenge.

Speech:  You are a one word girl.  No combining words or talking in sentences.  You repeat each word, or at least try, that I say.  You understand every thing and will do what I ask.  Your time will come when you start actually talking.  You are like your sister in this department.  Her vocabulary exploded after starting preschool.  Hoping this will happen for you.  

Personality:  Wild, spunky, silly, performer. You make your 'silly eyes' what I call them when you look up with your eyes only.  You make us laugh so hard each time you make your 'silly eyes'.  

I love you so much sweet darling!!!  I can't wait to see what kind of mark you will make in this world.  

XXOO    

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was a good one this year.  Not that it hasn't been every year since becoming a Mom, but with the kids getting older, especially Vivian, it was extra special and felt so much love.

We skipped church this morning and went to my favorite place, Airlie Gardens.  Before heading that way, we stopped by Starbucks for a coffee for me, BK doesn't drink coffee, and cake pops for the girls.  We arrived just a little after 9am and stayed a couple of hours before heading home.  The girls love smelling the flowers, picking rocks, looking at the water.  I honestly could stay all day.  So much fun!  

We came home, had lunch, put Joanna down for her nap.  I did get a workout in then Vivian and I did water balloons.  Her favorite thing to do in the summer, yet my least favorite because of filling them and picking up all the pieces so Joanna doesn't eat them.  That kid puts anything that isn't food in her mouth.  She's a wild one I tell ya!

For dinner I got BK a pork chop and me a chicken kabob from Fresh Market.  Easy and simple.  The kids are more snackers right now, so they ate from the pantry.  

For my Mother's Day gift, I got a gift certificate to Coastal Massage for a 75 minute of absolute heaven.  By far the best massage I have ever had!!  Hot stones, hot oil, aroma therapy, amazing/relaxing music.  I could have stayed there happily all day long.  Of course, they gave me sweet cards.  Vivian's card has her 'special' writing which is scribble, but she knows what she wrote.  Such a sweet heart.  

Looking forward to many more Mother's Day with my girls!!  Love them so much even though they drove me bananas all day long.  

^^At the end of this path, there were four foxes sunning in the field.  JoJo thought they were dogs and wanted to chase after them LOL

First Dance Recital

Vivian had her first dance recital on Saturday, May 6 and it was the CUTEST THING EVER!!!  My heart exploded!  I think little miss enjoyed being on center stage.  She followed exactly along with her dance teacher, Ms. Nicole.  

Vivian's tap routine was to the song, "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" by Lesley Gore and her ballet routine was from Mary Poppins, "Stay Awake."  What was really cute was when she danced her ballet routine, she spotted me in the audience and shouted, "Mommy!" and got the biggest smile on her face, then she really started dancing.  Ahh, never want to forget that moment!! 

You made mommy so so proud sweet darling!!

^^ Waiting to walk out and take her bow.

Easter Weekend 2017

Easter weekend was a good one.  We took Joanna bowling for the first time, had our church Easter egg hunt and most importantly, Sunday church service.  We ate, played, cried over the Easter bunny (JoJo, not Vivian), ate some more and really enjoyed our beautiful weekend we had.  Of course, the kids highlight was seeing their baskets filled with Easter goodies.  I know they won't remember these days, but we will.  So fun! 

Joanna 22 Months

Boy, I have been a slacker on updating this blog.  Sorry Joanna for being able to document each month for you I did with Vivian.  Life with two kids I suppose.  Well, before you turn 23 months, here's an update on the soon to be 2 year old.  Eek!  I CANNOT BELIEVE my sweet babe is about to turn 2!

Stats: 20.4 lbs, not sure how tall you are.  Shoe size toddler 5, but I think you move to toddler 5.5-6.  Size 4 diapers.  Clothes 18-24 months in tops and dresses, bottoms 18 months and also wearing 2T leggings that are slightly loose.

Sleep:  Wake around 7am (if you wake before 7, I don't come get you until 7am), Nap 1 - 3/3:30 (always wake by 3:30pm...there are days you wake around 2:30, but I leave you there until 3pm), bedtime go up at 7...sometimes 7:15pm...and you are in the crib by 7:15-7:30pm.  You take up to an hour to fall asleep.  

Bedtime Routine:  Brush teeth (which you hate), you currently love looking at the pictures of The Adventures of Milo and Otis, and Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  Go into your sleep sack, take a sip of water, lamp off, box fans on, I sing (and you sing along with me which is the sweetest thing EVER) Baa Baa Black Sheep (favorite song), Silent Night, Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves The Little Children and You Are My Sunshine.  You go in your crib, I give you your dalamation puppy, and tell you 'night night, I love you, sweet dreams, I will see you in the morning.  Good night sweet darling'.

Eating: You love pasta with marinara sauce (really most all pasta), multi-grain cheerios, strawberries, smoothies, sweet potato fries, spinach leaves, chicken nuggets, hamburgers (you will not eat it if it has cheese), soup, all desserts and sweets.  

Favorites:  You love nursery rhymes!  You try to sing along and sway you head back and forth...so cute.  Baby dolls, running/playing chase, swinging, sliding  (you aren't afraid of going down the big slides at the playground), the beach, rocks, lizards, frogs, dogs, playing with your cash register, and taking whatever Vivian has away from her.  

Dislikes:  Diaper changes, being told 'no', riding in the shopping cart for too long, leaving some where fun, having to wait (you have zero patience).

Speech:  You can say, 'mama, dada, dog, bird, peppa, more, ball, baby', to name a few.  You understand every single thing we say.  When you want to do something one more time, you hold one finger up and say, 'more' for just once more.  When you want an m&m it is the cutest thing hearing try to say m&m...you stick your tongue in and out with words coming out.  Love it!

I can already tell you're going to be the little comedian in the family. You love trying to make us laugh.  The cutest thing is when you tilt your chin to your chest then look up with your eyes, moving them around.  It's hilarious!!  

You have 'smiling eyes' as Memom calls them.  When you smile, your eyes smile as well.  When I take your picture you go 'cheeeezzee' and tilt your little head to the side.  

When you hug, you give the biggest hugs.  You love giving Vivian hugs in the bath.  When I pick you up from church nursery or if I leave the house without you and come back, and when you see me or daddy, you open your wide and scream 'mama or dada' and hug us tightly.  So adorable seeing the excitement.

We love you so much sweet darling.  This has been a quick 22 months!  You are acting more and more like a a toddler each and every day.  I can't imagine life without you baby girl. Love you always always!!