"It's a Crying Shame"

Addison the Bubble Crazed Girl

Mommy and Daughter Mermaids

Addison and Ellie at the Beach

Monkey at Kiawah.... buying a beach pass was the best idea ever!

Addison and Ladybug Boots in the Maze at the Pumpkin Patch

So, I'm sitting at the breakfast table with Addison the other morning, eating a well balanced breakfast that I slaved over all morning long (read I made her instant oatmeal), while we are admiring her recently painted fingernails, Addison notices one nail is severely scratched and needs to be painted again, she looks at me and as plain as day says "Its a crying shame." I stop eating my afore mentioned homemade breakfast, and looked at her and burst out laughing. I laughed so hard that I was literally in tears. This is not a phrase that I use, or anyone I know uses, so you can imagine how funny it was to hear coming from the monkey's mouth. It is now my favorite phrase. If you hear me use it, I'm only sort of making fun at whatever is supposedly a "crying shame", but really I'm just smiling inside at how funny I think Fred really is. The things that come from her mouth totally crack me up.

On a completely seperate occassion, we allowed the monkey to sleep with us, (or attack us while we tried to sleep) while we were painting her room. On the first night, snuggled in between Doug and I, she looks up and declares that she is "so happy to be here". We both looked at her with this serious look on her face... and had to laugh. The monkey probably does not understand why we are always laughing at her... these are comments that I am going to have to record.... Perhaps in a greeting card or something... so that I can play them many moons later and smile and laugh. Its pretty funny to have a 2 year old tell you how excited she is to be somewhere... especially when you're lying in bed with her thinking the same thing (or perhaps not quite the same thing) about her. ;)

So... massive updating. I think most of you already know this, but, yes, we are cooking up another little biscuit as we speak. I am 11 weeks or so, finally feeling like a normal human being again (read, thankful to not be puking my brains out from morning till night only to do itall over again the next day)... and am getting some energy back... which is fantastic... being that there is a very very busy (read sneaky) lil one running amuck in this house. Being pregnant when there is already a lil one is very different. I don't get to lay down whenever I want.... if I do puke, monkey tags along half the time, telling me not to spit it out.... I still have to cook and clean and perform all duties that I would normally perform...whether I feel great or not.... and last but not least....... I have no place to channel my pregnant impatience.... cant yell at other drivers like I did when I was pregnant with Addison... there are 4 letter words that she just doesnt need to learn yet... and I'm not talking about "cake" or "bake"... I am struggling with the impatience part the most right now. I'm trying to still be a nice mom.. but as Addison is learning to follow (or not follow) directions.. sometimes I want to scream. Thats normally when we go outside.... she slides and I sit for a minute or two in the sun... trying to not go insane.

Yes. In response to approximately 589 requests... we are going to find out what the sex of the baby will be... I think it will help Addison prepare for the arrival of her baby brother or sister (she has requested sister by the way)... Also... I am nesting already... and I just don't think I can wait this time... Having Addison be a surprise till the end was great, but I feel the need to be more prepared myself this time... and with the due date and Addison's birthday so close... May 10th for Addison, and May 26th for the new Biscuit.... I just gotta know. And.. we may (or may not) tell you. We'll let you know. ;) Addison is very excited.. and so are we.... Its hard to think that this time next year... we'll be a family of 4 with 2 crazy dogs. Wow. Just need the picket fence.

Speaking of picket fences... so.... according to the lovely HOA of our hood... we can not put a fence up around our property that would really make any kind of sense... so when we had dear sweet Ranger boy, and Bayla we decided to put up the invisible fence. Then... Ranger fell ill.... passed away... and we got Samson- the bull. 105 or so pounds of 2 year old yellow lab. Invisible fences do not deter him any longer. If he wants... hes gone. So we are back to walking him with a leash. So unfun. I now have a new and very serious desire to fix this..... its been almost a year of this now. I'm thinking raised hedges along the sides of the yard (with very sneakily concealed fencing inside the hedge), and in the back... in the woods... putting up some sort of perimeter... whether its posts with some rope... somewhat aesthetically pleasing.. or chicken wire (I do think this can be done and not look bad)... we also need to work on some walkways.... with pavers.. brick... gravel... not sure yet.... I have big plans folks. And I'm a horrible gardner and outdoor maintenace kind of person... so wish me luck. Any suggestions?! I'm open to them all. By the way.. don't tell the HOA!

Well.. I have talked enough. Perhaps the post should have been titled... hang on tight... pregnant babbling ahead.... so...... here are some very late pics............

Beginning to Update

No explanation for the lack of blogging people.. a friend of mine recently told me that I had to quit apologizing everytime I sign in to update a new post here, and I think she's right. Suffice it to say that, as usual, I have been uberbusy.... I know some of you think that I sit at home, snuggle with my daughter all day, go on long lovely walks with my oh so well trained dogs, enjoy quiet time while my child naps, read books, watch movies, have ample "Creative time" in which I can sew if I choose, or simply paint my toe nails.... or maybe you think that I have a maid who comes in, cleans up, cooks, walks my dogs for me, or that I have plenty of alone time due to a nanny or grandparent watching Addison on a regular basis..... but please, allow me to set the facts straight for you... I would hate for you to not fully understand our days.

This is my usual Monday. Lil man gets dropped off here at 6:45. Some mornings, he will take a bottle and go immediately back to sleep, some mornings not. In the event that the morning nap does not occur immediately after bottle, I am hit with the official notion that I will have no time to myself, and aside from washing my face, brushing my teeth, and hopefully either brushing my hair, or putting on a hat, I am ready to start the day. Addison will wake up around 7:00- 7:30..... She finds lil Man awake and is the happiest lil girl ever.

Breakfast. Let Bayla out. Let Bayla in. Walk Samson out on leash because the wild beast has decided that the invisible fence is just not enough to keep him locked in our yard. Freedom is much more exciting. Have arm almost pulled out of socket as he lunges to play with Bayla. All done with one child navigating the field mine of poop in our yard (of course she will not wear shoes around our house unless they are her lady bug boots no matter how many times she has stepped in poop or come close to stepping in poop) and lil man velcroed to my hip. Picture, Momma Monkey, with lil monkey clutching on for dear life to Momma's hair while she navigates the trees in the jungle.... this is much what lil man and I look like... he holds onto my shirt with tight fists, luckily he is not jonesing to be set down because this whole walking scenario would become infinitely worse. Addison plays in dogs' water bucket...... looks for hogs (also known to most people as frogs), tries to cause chaos in general, demands to hold Samson's leash on her own (only occassionaly does this happen) and then we finally make it back inside.

Once inside snacks are promptly demanded by Addison. We have a child proof knob on the outside of our pantry now. All food must be kept far and away from my child or she will just pick and choose her own snacks and nosh away until she looks like a lil pot bellied pig. At this point, I realize that I am wet, have not set lil man down yet, and there has been a pooplosion resulting in a mudslide down his leg onto my shirt. Joy. Addison is now trying to pull open refridgerator door.... Lil man is plopped in sink bath, while I strip my top shirt layer off and remove poop from the two of us. Bayla wants out.... of course in the middle of all this. It is now, oh, lets see..... 8:00am. Multiply this in vicious cycles about 10 times, throw in some occasional dog vomit, full fledged meals, potty training, random knocks at the door that throw dogs into vicious fits of barking (their barks are definitely bigger than their bites) and add to all of this, a very mild attempt to keep some chaos amongst the toys, puzzles, and other child parafernalia, phones ringing off the hook, and the attempt to have dinner on table within 30 minutes of husbands arrival from work..... and its a crazy day. Lil man leaves around 5:30.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the same, but add 2 other children to the mix, with different drop off and pick up times, and remember that the dogs, although very sweet and gentle with the babies, do not like people at the door, so, everytime someone is picked up or dropped off I have to let them out somewhere... garage.. back porch... courtyard... what have you...... Wednesday is supposed to be my day with just Addison and I.... and Friday is the same.... but sometimes we have another child with us, and of course, one of these days is dedicated to the errand running that can not occur when I have 4 small children under the age of 3 at my house. Like I said. I am crazy during the week.

The plus side to all of this? you may ask... is that I get to stay home with my sweet lil monkey... who has remained very healthy over the past 2 years, with only a few trips to the doctor that have not been a routine check up. The down side? Honestly... I dont see one..... I am happy. Even with all the chaos, and some days are worse than others, I'm happy. I could use help getting more organized. I wish someone would just come in here, take over my house and put things where they should be put, and then allow me to try and maintain that... as it is... our house is always a wreck... but we have changed our study into a full fledged playroom and I think it will help, onces its officially baby proofed and up and running. We need a tv in there, and when a few more items sell on craigs list.... a tv will be purchased..... allowing us to free up the rest of the house from baby toy tornados.

Now, before I put my foot in my mouth, Addison does spend time with her grandparents....... Gigi and Poppy (Doug's parents) are now home more than they used to, so, they try to split up their free time by having some fun with Addison and her cousin Sophie at seperate times.... and Gram (my Mom) gets her from time to time as well. Honestly folks, I plain like having monkey around.... so I don't ship her off too often. Especially since most of the week is occupied by me having to split up my time with her and up to 3 other children. So.... I usually keep her around. I will update a few pics............. and will try and get back on the blogging lifestyle again soon! We miss you guys... and miss updating you guys on things that are going on...... but...... family life is busy...... and when you sit down at night, sometimes you just want to sit.... no thinking involved. We are back, and up and running again..... changing some of our layout and design.... so expect many more changes here in the upcoming future! XOXO!

The Bells

Strawberry Thief and Strawberry Jam

As some of you already know, Addison is a serious book lover. She has been from the very very beginning..... listening to books, chewing on books, flipping through books, ripping through books, and now, she's into "reading" books on her own..... but one of her very favorite books is Jamberry by Bruce Degen. We read this book almost every single day.....

This book is wonderful and she first learned the word "Strawberry" from it... I did not know however, until recently, how much she loves Strawberries... let me unravel the strawberry stories...... First, we went to Costco recently... walked by the strawberries, and the girl threw a tantrum as I started to walk past them... STRAWBERRY STRAWBERRY STRAWBERRY.... so of course, like a good Mom encouraging her child to partake of the delicousness (is that word) of fruits over junk food.... I grab the box, and set it into the cart. Little did I know that the next fit would occur two seconds later.. not only did she want the strawberries, she wanted them right then. As I calmly tried to rationalize with my almost 2 year old daughter that the strawberries were not clean and we couldn't eat them yet, I silently prayed that the next aisle would have someone with some sort of decadent treat.... chocolate eclairs.. thank goodness- prayer answered. Yes. I shoved her sweet little pouty mouth with a chocolate eclair just for some peace and quiet.. and quickly hid the strawberries in the cart.

So............ knowing that lil one likes strawberries...... I decided that a special treat would be strawberry jam........ I decided to surprise her with a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich with it... and while watching the Blue Angels air show out on the harbor, I pulled it out. She was literally licking the sandwhich box clean... like a little puppy. Stawberry toddler heaven. The Blue Angels put on quite a show, very impressive, and as much as Addison loves airplanes... she managed to fall asleep smack dab in the middle of the show......... as we literally had them flying right over us!

After hearing my child yell "STRAWBERRY JAM AND TOAST" every morning this week, I have one last strawberry story. The scene- Farmers Market, Summerville, SC. The subject and her parents and cousin Peter are shopping for vegetables and other produce. Subject's Mom is searching for strawberries, while holding subject's hand, an older woman leans over, and says that my daughter must really like strawberries, I look down to see my daughter has STOLEN a strawberry from another basket and is tasting it. Nice huh? I have a theif on my hands folks... that's right!

We had a great day on the beach watching the Blue Angels with Addison's Uncle Ricky, Aunt Jennifer, and cousin Fifi (Sophie).... we played and played.....ate and ate....... and of course, there was dancing............

What else............. we're getting ready for monkey to turn 2... can't believe that is about to happen................ but we're so excited....... Hope to see the family all there!! And last but not least, hubby requests pics of Blue Angels to be posted... so enjoy....

A lot of Catching Up

OK.. Ok.... ok...... I see the date of my last post. I do enthusiastically apologize. Please forgive us. The computer crashed. Big time. But thanks to Jack, it works fantastically! Thank you Jack!

Now... lets see.... we haven't done too many things.... just been busy... the usual day to day stuff. Addison is learning words, sentences, and songs at warp speed... constantly scaring us with her knowledge.

For example, the other day Doug and I went to the phone store, and after about five minutes of being in there, and seeing all the pretty phones on display... Addison walked up to one of the displays, and pretty clearly asked, "Can I have the phone please mommy?" We both stood there like idiots... counting the words in this question above... that's right, there are 7. 7 word question... posed to us by a not even 2 year old.

Another cute story.... we're (Addison and I) looking at the "But Not the Hippopotamus" book while I'm changing her diaper.... shes "reading" it to me. Short phrases.... hog.. frog... etc... cat (then makes the cat sound)...... and gets to the page where the book says "and the animal pack comes scurrying back saying hey come join the lot of us" and Addison yells- HEY COME BACK! It was pretty funny.

She's also into asking if you ____ too? "you want ice too?" and she always asks Lucas if he "wants snack too?!" (Lucas is the lil boy I watch...) and "more" "Do you want some more"

Another phrase that we hear a lot is "I break it"... which is usually quickly followed with "You fix it?" These words are sometimes, but not always preceded with an "oops".... as you well understand, hearing those words all together especially if shes in a room where you can't see someone... instills fear in the hearts of all parents... you quickly make sure your phone is in your pocket..... hoping its not the broken object.... and run as fast as you can to where she is...

I won't bore you much more, but our other favorite phrase here is " I stuck".... lots of things can be stuck... Addison was at Gram's house the other day trying to pull the cup out of the top part of the cooler... and it wasn't coming through it.... all you could hear was "STUCK!" or.... at Gigi's house the other day I was told she kept trying to crawl over the edge of the pool and would repeat "I stuck"... Obviously folks, we don't get out a whole lot..... these things entertain us and tickle our souls... what can I say?? Life is very very different after having children... and I wouldn't change a thing! Well, that's not exactly true.. but I love it.

What else have we been doing... hmmm... Addison is still quite the bossy one. She LOVES to play with the pups, and boss them around. I hear her yelling at Samson and Bayla to sit, back, get down, all the time... but later on.. when the bossing subsides.. I can find her snuggling with one of them. Or she will do a "walk by sweetening".... where she just pets them real gently, gives them a kiss, and moves on. Its sweet. She loves sliding, and playing in the pool, or sprinkler, and is very into "coloring on paper", her term, not mine. "Mommy color on paper please?" I hear this at least 10 times a day. It would be great if that was all she colored on though- I did make her clean up her own mess on the foyer wall the other day... Red Crayola and Navaho White on the walls don't mix well... nor does it come off well, oh well. Aside from this, our lil Fred is growing into quite the well rounded beast. She still says please and thank you, and blesses you when you sneeze... so what can I say? Oh... and holidays......

Easter here was wonderful.. very busy day.... but we had a great time. Early church... at our soon to be new church, and then we went to Azalea park for a few pics of the lil monkey.... then naps, Gigi's, Grams...... it was a long day.... full of good food, family, and Easter egg hunting.... Hope everyone had a great Easter... and really, I promise to try and get better with this....

Hardest Post Ever

Sorry foks... I have had THE hardest time deciding on a few of the 200 or so pics I took of Addison in her first snow.......

Where we are in Summerville, we got close to 5 inches of snow... and it was beautiful! So odd to sit on the couch watching a movie at night looking at the snow coming down right outside the window.... some good friends came over for a warming cocktail, we all watched a movie..... and then woke up to a glorious snow.

After going out and taking pics of the snow in its white, fluffy, un-yellowed glory, (while Addison was still asleep) we let the wild beasts out..... they obviously have NEVER seen snow, and even Bayla and her cold natured self thought it was great... they were running around.... digging... rolling..... Bayla was sniffing everything cause apparently we had some deer come up pretty close to the house last night... wish we could have seen that.. but some things you just miss..... As the dogs continued to run around and play we remembered that our dogs and the invisible fence are NOT working together right now.... and I ended up having to drive out after them.... Samson even went swimming after his big jaunt...

Got Addison up as soon as she finished her oatmeal we layered her up and sent her outside. Now, she did see it the night before... thought it was pretty cool... but going out in her lady bug boots on Saturday was a compeltely different story. She loved it! She played... Was very saddened to find that her favorite acorn dropping tree had no acorns under it.. (the snow covered them all, but no worries, they were found today!).. .she really loved it...

She boogie board sledded... and Doug even pulled out his duck hunting sled and through her in that......... All was fabulous until she realized she no longer liked wearing gloves... and that taking gloves off meant coming back in.... no matter how hard we tried to get them back on her... she was having none of it..... so..... we came in for naptime. Still.. it was a great, beautiful, day..... So wonderful to experience that with her... she kept saying "SNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW" all day... and even got to taste some falling from the sky... she loved it.

Here are a few of my faves....

Ten Things I Learned This past Week

I hope some friends of mine don't mind too much.... but I'm stealing their idea.... and this is something that I enjoy reading from their blogs so much, that I'm going to start it on my own as well. To those of you who already do this- take this as the highest form of flattery.....

1- One night out on the town, whether its to the concert with a good friend, or just down to a neighbors house makes me miss my lil girl immensely.... I enjoy getting out but when I get back, the very first thing I want to do is check on her... and if she just so happens to stand up and immediately ask me "Where My Paci Go?" and wants to be held... the better.....
2- Friends with children and friends without children are on two different wave lengths in life. The worlds are so separated that its almost scary. Getting together with them is almost impossible.....
3- Similary, getting friends together when you both have children is almost just as impossible....
4- Watching Addison chase Bayla around with her baby doll stroller is almost as funny as watching SNL used to be back in the olden days.... when there were actually good people on it!
5- When beginning to potty train..... if you happen to have to use the potty at the same time as the before mentioned "potty trainee" make sure you close the bathroom door tightly.... you will never know where you will find that little puddle.
6- In regards to number 5- do you give her a sticker still? because she pottied??
7- I love my husband. He drives me nuts, but seeing him walk through the front door, grab my lil girl kiss her and chase her and make her laugh makes me melt.
8- I am so glad that my husband and I are joining a church soon... and with good friends to boot. Doesn't get much better than that....
9- Watching Addison boss the dogs around is very entertaining... telling an 85 pound lab to sit, or get down, and him listen is funny. ;) I love it.
10- Everyday I am more and more aware that there is not enough time during the day.... and it sucks... but one day... I will get caught up... maybe... one day.

Quickie Cutie

My oldest younger cousin just turned 18!!! Can't believe my lil Rebecca has turned into a Joes jeans.... Patagonia jacket wearing....... about to be USC freshman....when did this all happen?!! Love her to death! Wish her the best............

Got a few shots of Fred outside with her Daddy.... and with a stolen balloon of Rebecca's..... love EVERYONE in these pics!

XOXO

In Keeping With Resolutions....

Thinking she's big stuff drinking my drink..... notice the scratches and bruise on her face.... she took a spill off the back porch steps....... barely cried though!

Running around at the Fort... being a goober.... cracking up at something....... who knows what!

Okey dokey folks... I know- you are all shocked and amazed that I am on here, for the second time this week.... but this is part of the New Years plan.... a lil more blogging.... keep you guys updated on the Bell House Chaos.......

So.... where to start............ The Great Samborini had a vet appt today- 84 pounds. He's lost weight. Woohoo. Last visit he was 90. We've been watching his weight in anticipation of the Great Snip.... not sure of the date yet.. but it won't be long. Hoping to curb his sudden and strong urge to roam the neighborhood..... I understand this may help... and being that we're not planning on studding him out... there's really no point for him to keep his package.... Sam was none too happy about leaving his best girl Bayla behind, and she wasn't thrilled that he left her either... but... all is well.

Addison had a great day.. she got to play with her bestie Ellie while I took Samson to the vet.... and according to Marcia, she had a blast. She was running all over the place, bouncing, "cooking", and playing with trains... happy girl..... we came home, lunched it, and napped, and then she got to meet our friends lil girl for the first time this afternoon. Mary Bennet is 2, and her Mom and I were pregnant a lil bit together, and she has been a great "hey, is my daughter normal?" friend.... we have tried since Addison was born to get the girls together, but, today was the first time. Mary Bennet even has a new sister! Harper Addison... so stinking cute. The girls had a great time together, although the sharing was a lil touch and go there for a while... they played inside..... MB showed Addison how the big girls do the stairs, and then we played outside on the slide and swing! So looking forward to getting Addison a set of swings for her bday! She loves them.. couldn't stop giggling the entire time she was on it!

Doug will of course, be duck hunting again tomorrow........... and I will probably be doing laundry. Addisons second cousin is coming over to entertain her while I get a few things done around the house... with the dogs having issues with the invisible fence, and Addison all over the place, its been a lil hard to get things done lately! So this will be a nice change to have someone watch her while I try to be productive. Keep you posted on that! XOXO to you all!

My Joy

This is my old baby doll crib.... I repainted and made new bedding to go with it... she loves her baby dolls now!

This is THE kitchen.... she seems to relaly like it......... there is a fridge to go with it as well

Uncle Parker showed her the remote to turn the Christmas tree lights on and off... oh joy

Not so into Santa Bailey.... Shes bawling..... never warmed up to him......

Hello dear bloggie friends... we've missed you.... I hope you don't think we've forgotten about you all! The holidays have come and gone, and we are all finally starting to feel like normal human beings again. I was sick with a major head cold/ sinus infection, Addison woke up Christmas Morning throwing up, and even Doug has had a bit of a bout with the cold/ sinus crud..... And all in time for the freeeeeeeezing cold weather we've been so not enjoying. It was fun the first day.... but I'm officially over it and ready to warm up... and now, to get you all caught up.

Addison was a blast this Christmas. She loved looking at the Christmas tree, and checking out the ornaments... she only fed Samson one of the ornaments... score. I don't think he will ever eat another one... so that's a bonus. She was mesmerized at the Festival of Lights... She oohed and ahhed over all the lights, and I loved watching her ooh and ahh over them. Watching that sense of wonder and awe was such an amazing feeling.... seeing her really enjoying the season was phenomenal. I, believe it or not, caught myself quite a few times getting a lil emotional this season. Doug loved it, too. She learned to say Merry Christmas and knows Christmas Tree, too. I love it. It is the sweetest sound in the world hearing her say Merry Christmas.

We had days upon days of Christmas, family, and gift giving... Addison was very into it all. She loved her gifts, and as I said, all the decorations..... she was very grateful, too. Lots of thank yous..... I did make (renovate) a kitchen for her... and she has been cooking up a storm since Christmas. Although she was sick on Christmas morning, she recovered quickly and was back to herself in no time what so ever. The only set back was that Addison was a bit cranky by New Years. Lots of days off schedule, not the usual routine, and more sweets than usual..... we were very happy to get back to "life as we know it." Thank you everyone for her fabulous gifts......

Over the holidays we have been having puppy trouble though... Samson has recently learned he can get through the invisible fence... which has brought about a lot of Brittany Spears, child in your lap, style driving around the neighborhood looking for the wild beasts... more people have seen me barefoot and in my pjs in this neighborhood now than I think is really necessary. And did I mention its been cold?! My toes have been paying for my dogs annoying new jail break habits.

Doug has been duck hunting on the weekends (although my freezer is totally unaware of this)... and Addison and I have been just enjoying running around in our pjs, sleeping in, and being lazy. We've been cooking in her kitchen, working on puzzles, and learning new songs left and right. Laurie Berkner, I hate and love you, same goes to Baby Einstein, and Wild Animal Babies... ;) We hope that you have all had a wonderful holiday, and are enjoying the new year.......

As far as resolutions go... I hate them... but I do have a few for this year.... I think the top one is to quit stressing and enjoy life a lil more... so what if the sippy cup leaked milk in the car..... or if Addison can't seem to stay out of the water bowl..... we're all happy, healthy, and I am so blessed with all that I have- a wonderful family, great friends- old and new, crazy pups that I love to death (even if I want to kill them from time to time) and a roof over all our heads... it doesn't get better than this in my opinion.... My other resolutions are to be even more thrifty and a lil more organized..... and we have been making headway in our other resolution, which is to get back into a Church family.... I think we have found one.. and we couldn't be more excited.......

Enjoy the pics........... XOXOXO to you all!

Holiday Baking...

(I mean seriously... have u seen my child's eyes?!!)

Things here have been hectic as usual... but in a good way.......... Addison has been relatively excited about Christmas.... but of course... she really won't have any idea what's going on until the actual festivities begin.......

BUT my Mom and I did start baking......... Mom graciously brought all the cooking supplies to my house and we made Charleston Toffee, Brown Sugar Spritz cookies, Rum cakes galore, and Addison was a huge help. Well... not such a huge help, but she did lick the spoon.......

Hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas...... and if we did bring you cakes or cookies... don't worry... we washed the spatulas between licks.

Apologies... Please accept mine!

Alrighty folks.. I do sincerely apologize for the serious delay in posting here.....

I have been very very busy.. with the pups... Addison... and the 2.. thats right... 2 kids I'm keeping here at the house now adays... So... please accept my sincere apologies.....

Here's the latest.... Fred is officially 19 months old. I have no idea how in the flying Hades it happened.. but she is.... and she's 19 months going on 13. Shes sassy as hell.... and bossy... and then she's sweet and loving..... my own personal tornado....

Fred can count to 3. She sort of says the alphabet. She knows what a duck is... and that it quack quacks...... (which actually sounds like cack cack).....

She likes "Silly Sally" (a book about Silly Sally going to town, walking backwards upside down- but the picture has Sally upside down.. and she doesn't like that... so when you read it.. she is constantly flipping it so that Sally walks correctly.. upright)

She bosses the dogs... but still loves Bayla the most... she has all of her teeth (YEAH!) except for her 2 year molars..... which I'm not entirely sure aren't coming in now....

She weighs 26 pounds and is 34 inches tall.. and is in the 75th% for both weight and height... she still loves to eat.... except now she is starting to not like her veggies quite as much...

She loves Love Bunny and paci.. although the pediatrician said it was getting to be time for her to only use paci at night and naptime.. Fred has NOT agreed to this yet. Keep you posted on that.

She is busy from the time she wakes up till the time she crashes..... she likes her books.. and her puzzles.... and has finally learned how to catch a ball! WOOHOO! She can say all kinds of words.. phrases... thank you, please... and has started using 3 word sentences... "wheres my paci?" wheres my bunny? Its funny... and her favorite thing to do is take food off my plate. ;) Stinker...

Here are a few pics....

Some of them are blurry.. she rarely sits still anymore.... and yes.. thats Love Bunny in the picture with me and her!

Halloween 2009

Quickie Update........ The ONLY good pic I got of my Sweet Little Mermaid...... and her best friend Ellie the LadyBug............ We will be having another photo shoot soon... no worries.......

And yes........ scary...... but I did make the costume..........Thanks Katie... the green material is from the bridesmaid dress I wore in her wedding!! XXOO!

Catching Up....

My happy girl at the Yacht Club...... Seriously..... could she be any cuter??!!

Ever have one of those weeks where you feel like you just can't get caught up.... ? I feel live I'm living that month... But things are going well.... so........

Addison is growing like a weed...... she's running... climbing..... getting into everything...... bossing the dogs....... and being a general sassy pants... my Mom and I have talked a lot about this lately.. and we both feel when Addison gets a little clearer with her vocabulary... she's going to get beat.... a lot...... just kidding. But seriously.. for someone with limited vocabulary... she sure is sassy.

I've been taking the sewing world by storm... well.. not really.. but Ive been doing a lot of projects lately... and in general.. we have all been busy here.

Here are a few pics....

Repurposing..... and now Matching Ladies

YEAH! I finally did it... Not too long I made Addison a pillowcase dress... and I wanted to make a shirt for me to match... but not look too gag me cute. So....

What I did was...... I took a tank dress that my Mom bought me years ago for my honeymoon... its still on sale in the Victoria's Secret catalog... BUT it never really fit me right. The torso was too long on my short waist... so I cut it. Used the top of the tank and then sewed the rest on... I attempted to give it a free design (which Doug doesn't like) but I like it. I wanted the middle part to be longer on one side... and the bottom part to be longer on the other side... sort of a fun look... I'm going to attach a little fabric flower with the same fabric on the top side... will show you later.. but I was so excited that I finished this! Yeah! My very very first REPURPOSING project.

Now- honestly- is it tooooo gag me cute? Or is it cool? I'm in love with it either way... so... you won't hurt my feelings.

Thoughts......

First things first...... Doug and I just celebrated our 3 year anniversary. Its hard to believe how quickly the time has flown by... but when I think about it... really.... and realize that the first date we ever went on was way back in the early fall of 2000.... I can't believe we haven't been married longer!! That was sort of a joke... ;)

Anyhow.. we spent the evening out in the harbor... we had a picnic right after sunset... and had a wonderful time. 3 years..... wow. It really has flown. He is a wonderful wonderful husband, wonderful father, and wonderful man all around. I am truly blessed to have him in my life.

On other thoughts....... I have been doing an OBSESSIVE amount of blog stalking lately... not facebook stalking... but blog stalking. There are some very very creative people out there in bloggy land... some of you ladies know exactly who I'm talking about... BUT I can't name any of you bloggy friends by name! If I did... my lovely ladies here in Summerville and Charleston would steal you away.. and then know where all of my creative secrets keep coming from! So- I want to thank all you ladies- and you know who you are- for being so darned creative. You've inspired me to take on more projects (even if I have really no idea what I'm doing) but I'm at least not afraid to try! So- thanks. Seriously. And I can't wait to show off some of my latest projects. Very very soon! Promise!

Swansboro, N.C.

Come.... have a seat with us..... Doesn't it look inviting? Doug, Fred and I packed up on the Thursday evening before Labor Day and headed to our good friends, Charles and Lea, place in Swansboro, NC. For those of you out there who have no idea where I'm talking about... and that is probably most of you, this is North of Wilmington, NC... very close to Camp Le Jeune. Charles and Lea live on the intercoastal waterway in North Carolina. They have a beautiful place with a huge porch over looking the waterway.. and this is where we spent most of our time. Addison loved the hammock bench....

These are the steps to the porch... surprisingly enough, Addison never did fall of the porch.. but she did find great entertainment in climing up and down them.

The chairs in the yard also provided hours of entertainment.. up and down.. up and down....
That's my Mom on the left... supervising....

This is something Addison did not do a ton of... sleeping. We were out on the beach and finally got her to take a lil nap on the boat while we were all close by.... she looked so cute I couldn't help but take a quick photo of her....

And the beach.... Addison loved it. We loaded the boat down with chairs, toys, sunscreen, tons of food and drinks.. and spent pretty much the entire day out there. Yes, shes not wearing a bathing suit top. She is only 16 months and quite frankly, I love her little tan lines from the bathing suit bottom.. I mean.. if you could go topless.. wouldn't you? Anyhow.. she had a blast. There were other children out there, and she enjoyed playing with them almost as much as she enjoyed snacking. Last year Addison was only abotu 3 months when we went.... obviously there was a huge difference between last year and this year. We barely got to sit down at the beach.... I guess I had better go ahead and get used to that though... I have many many more years of not sitting down ahead of me.. huh?

In short, our trip was magical. It was so nice to spend time with family and good friends, and not worry about a thing the whole time we were there. Honestly, the weather could not have been any better, even with the cloudy day we had, and although Addison didn't sleep well in her pack n play, she was great the whole weekend. She ended up with a little allergy cold, but was a trooper. We had so much fun and we can not wait to go back next year... hopefully we can make it for Memorial Day. We missed the dogs (or at least Addison and I did) but it was nice to not have to worry about them... and on that note.. I hear them barking outside as we speak.. gotta run!