Mother's Day 2012

Spending Mother's Day with my girl was awesome.  I loved every minute of it.  Hubby treated me and my Mom and Dad to brunch and ice cream.  We went shopping for the perfect pair of sunglasses for me.    We refused nap time and played in the mud instead.  The weather was beautiful!     Olivia had an early bedtime and Joe and I cuddled in to watch a movie.  It was simple and perfect. To My Sweet Olivia,  You made me a Mother.  You are the reason I celebrate Mother's Day.  Your presence in my life has changed me in so, so many ways.  I love every single bit of you.  Your smile makes me smile, your laugh makes me laugh.  Without you I would have never known what this type of love feels like.  Being a Mother is my greatest accomplishment.  I love you to the moon and back.   ~Mama 

Terrible (almost) 2's and My Conversation with The Dog

The terrible (almost) 2's are creeping in and I'm afraid....very afraid for what's to come.  My sweet little munchkin has turned into a crying, red faced hot little mess when she doesn't get her way.  It isn't pretty. I swear she thinks it's a game and runs from one thing she shouldn't touch to another...causing me to chase after her (hence the "game")  Her obsession with water leaves a lot to be desired when she dumps the birds water dish over her head, then runs to the dogs water bowl and splashes for a bit and then moves onto the toilet to dip her chubby little fingers in the cold water....all in a matter of about 5 minutes.   It's fun.  Really it is. So, last night, after the 2nd time I'd refilled the birds water, attempted time out with my silly toddler I'd had enough.  I was definitely getting a bit frustrated since she knows, she KNOWS that these things aren't allowed.  As I raised my voice a bit to reprimand Olivia saying "we do NOT touch the bird cage" (or dog bowl or toilet) my dog stood in between me and Olivia as if she was protecting her.  My dogs protection of Olivia took my by surprise since she typically avoids her at all costs. That's when I lost my mind... kind of.  I looked at Olivia, crying because I wouldn't let her play with the water bowl and I looked at my dog who was looking at me and that's when it happened.  I started a conversation with the dog.   ...and this is how it went... "What are you looking at?  How would you know what this is like, you never had puppies!  Give me a break Jadie, it's been a long day.  She's testing her limits and kind of driving me crazy here!!!" Then it hit me.  I needed a time out.  I was talking to the darn dog for goodness sake.   Point of the story, kids can make you lose your mind.  For real.   

Bedtime and Swing Sets

Last night at bedtime, Olivia was having a hard time settling down enough to fall asleep.  She was extra cuddly and being her usualy chatterbox self.  I rocked her for over an hour and I loved it.  In between laying her head on my shoulder, asking "what's that?" and telling me she dropped something, every once in a while she'd pick her head up, hold my face with both hands and kiss me over and over.  Made my Mama heart melt. I love this girl more than I'd ever imagined.  She's just amazing.  This year, the Easter Bunny was extra generous and Olivia got a SWING SET!  She is in LOVE and wants to be outside all day every day! My husband, father and nephews worked so hard to get the yard prepped and the swing set put together and it was an awesome surprise for Olivia.  

  

 



One Point Five

I feel like I'll be saying some version of this for the rest of my life.  As a Mother, I can NEVER get used to how fast time seems to go by.  How, HOW is it that I have an 18 month old?   One and a halfAlmost 2Toddler girl How did the last year and a half go by that fast?   I swear I just brought home a newborn and now she's a walking, talking spunky little GIRL! These past 18 months have been the BEST 18 months of my life.  Watching this child grow and learn and change daily has been the best experience ever.  I've loved every second of it.  Even the sleepless nights and tantrums that go along with it.   Olivia,  I love being your Mama.   I love the sound of your little pixie voice and the way you tease me when I ask you to say Mama and you proudly say Dada instead.   I love your fearlessness and the way you love to explore everything.   I love your curiosity and the way you constantly ask "what's that?".  I love your fascination with animals, wanting to know what they say and repeating it in your adorable little way.   I love that you are so caring and gentle.   I love how you know that you're doing something you shouldn't but do it anyways while smiling that mischievous little smile at us and saying "no, no, no".   I love how you always manage to take your shoes and socks off all the time. I love how I try to sing you to sleep but it never works because you force yourself to stay away so you can clap when I'm done with the song. I love that you look just like I did when I was your age.   Most importantly, I love every.single.thing about you my dear.  Always and forever! Love, Mama  

It's been a while.

I haven't blogged in what feels like forever!   ...and now we're at the awkward phase of trying to just jump back into it seamlessly.   So, I'll catch you up on what's been going on around here via a ton of pictures!

Making adorable faces.

 

Helping with yard work



Showing off our adorable outfit of the day!



Going to see Sesame Street Live!



Enjoying the sunshine



Playing outside



...and playing so hard that you fall right to sleep.



I can already tell this is going to be a fun and exhausting summer!  

 



Guest Posting & The Social Media Buzzzzzzzz......

Today I'm excited!  It's my FIRST TIME EVER guest posting on another blog! You can find me HERE! Today, you can find me over at "My Thoughts - Uninterrupted" guest posting for Laura while she takes a Spring Break from blogging. 

I've been following Laura's blog for a while and love it.  She has the most adorable little boy, Ethan and I can always relate to something in each and every one of her blogs!   So, head on over and check out my guest post and browse around her whole blog while you're at it! I'm discussing social media and how to remain focused on the here and now instead of the apps on your smart phone! Enjoy! 

Haircuts and Look-A-Likes

I finally cut Olivia some bangs... her hair has been out of control since birth..  She hates having her hair in a pony or a clip and immediately pulls them out which makes for an even messier hair-do so, it was time.

Before and After

I love that I can SEE HER BEAUTIFUL FACE now. 



...and just for fun, I put her picture side by side with one of me when I was about her age. 

The resemblance is insane!  She's my mini me.