More Birthday Fun...

That night, we celebrated at Chuck E Cheese ("Where a kid can be a kid"). Carlee absolutely loves this place. She had so much fun riding rides and playing games. Her favorite being the Barney ride. She actually beat me in the water spraying game, but not on air hockey. We ate pizza and got some prizes. Daddy hit the jackpot on one game and racked up on tickets. Even Zachary had fun. He ate some pizza dough for the first time. Yummy!!

Carlee's Bithday Party at Bear Branch Park

Carlee and I made cupcakes for her party at the park. She helped with the sprinkles. It was a lot of fun! I think they were a big hit! Notice the pictures....

Carlee had a great day celebrating with all her friends. Daddy took the day off from work. It was a very special 3rd birthday! We missed those who could not make it.

Somethings I don't want to forget about my girl.....

- How Carlee dances around our room to "Brown-eyed Girl," waving her hands in a circle, while wearing my furry brown hat and how Zachary watches in amazement with such anticipation as if he were about to jump up and join in the fun.

-How she says, "I love you" in her cute little girl voice and says it because she wants to and knows it blesses my heart.

-How she loves to read books and can't go to bed until a book is read to her.

-How she asks to play on the computer everyday by saying, "Can I do Barney?"

-How much she loves to play Strawberry Shortcake paper dolls right now and how she asks me everyday with such excitement in her voice as if I will say, "Yes" everytime. It's hard to turn down those beautiful brown puppy dog eyes.

-How she copies everything I do as if I am a queen and she is my princess in training. Such as: putting on my make-up, combing her hair, brushing her teeth, figuring out what to wear (how she only wants to wear the things she likes), even saying the things I do like when I say "What do you think about that?" (when I am looking at something in a store... so cute).

-How she is not only my daughter, but also becoming my friend.

-How I can count to five backwards and get her to obey and do the thing I asked and how she wants me to say, "one" nicely because she is just silly like that.

-How she wants me to be happy all the time and will do whatever possible to get me to smile. (this makes me cry)

-How she runs everywhere she goes and knows now the importance of holding my hand in the parking lot. Thank you Lord!

-How she can trip and fall down now without crying, but get up and laugh about it. Progress!

-How she likes to ride on the outside of the grocery cart, which is totally restricted and how she jumps on and off the cart to help me look for things. Don't worry we are very careful when doing this; however, the shoppping experience is so hysterical when she is there because she sings the whole time and entertains all the customers. Also, I love how Zachary watches her with wide-eyes and is totally enthusiatic about his sissy.

-How it has taken almost 8 months to potty train and we are still in the process, but how God has used this to keep me on my knees, supportive and pure in heart. It's been a journey and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Praise Jesus!

-How she loves to have a banana and cereal every morning for breakfast and a peanut butter and jelly sandwitch for lunch cut in a circle.

-How she says, "I'm forkin'" when she is trying to make a joke. (she said this the first time when we were eating dinner and we asked her what she was doing and she was eating with her fork, so she said, "I'm forkin'." We busted out laughing!)

-How she loves to play dress-up and be a princess and how she doesn't want us to tell her how beautiful she looks until after she has her crown, earrings, bracelets, shoes and dress on. Her favorite princess right now is Cinderilla, mostly because she loves the color blue (just like her Grammy).

I just love my girl and know she is growing up before our eyes. She will be three next week. It brings me to tears just thinking about how special she is and how great our lives are because of her. I never knew how much my heart would hurt for her when she doesn't feel good or gets hurt. I never knew she would steal my heart with just one glance into her eyes or one look at her smile. I am so glad God knew what kind of child I needed to bless my heart and keep me close to His.

From one proud mama

Thank You

Thank you all for praying for Zachary. He is sleeping well. Yesterday he slept through the night, which hasn't happened in about three months and he took three great naps. I did not want a day to go by without giving praise to my Father for the answered prayer. How good and faithful He is!!

Ear Infection

Well, Zachary has his first Ear Infection. He is dealing with it quit well. I believe he has a high tolerance for pain, unlike his sister. Anyways, he is on anti-biotics for the next ten days. Sleeping is the hard part. Last night wasn't so good.... hopefully, it will get better soon. If you think about it, please say a prayer for him. Thanks!!
Trusting in Jesus!

Valentine's

After many trips into Build-A Bear at the mall, mommy finally told Carlee she could get a bear for Valentine's Day and bring it home. Carlee was delighted and knew exactly what to do from watching all the other kids from previous trips. She picked out her spotted leopard kitty and got in line. She then picked out her sound to put in it's hand and then picked out a heart. Once we got to the lady who stuffs the bear, Carlee was in total excitement until she pushed the button that started the machine. Then all tears were released and lots of loud screaming began. Carlee does not like loud noises at all and the machine was just a little too much for her. Not only was Carlee crying, but Zachary too. However, the trip to Build-A-Bear did get better as the machine quieted and Carlee realized this was her very own bear to take home. She has been taking her kitty everywhere and loves it so much. Maybe one day we can go back and pick out some clothes for her to wear.
On Valentine's morning, mommy made some yummy blueberry muffins for breakfast. Carlee opened her Care Bear card from us and enjoyed sticking her stickers all over her shirt. She loved wearing her bee ears all day long and celebrating Valentine's at church with her friends.
Thank you Grammy and Pawpaw for the Cinderella card. She feels like a pretty princess in her crown.
Mommy enjoyed having a new Valentine this year to love on. Zachary is such a sweet boy, who steals his mama's heart.

Accident's Happen

Today was one of those days you either laugh or cry. I did neither, but got through it with grace. Thank God! Anyways, I had just finished the laundry and Carlee wakes up from her nap with her clothes off at my bedroom door and tells me she had an acciddent and we needed to change her sheets. I looked at her with a smile and said, "that's okay." I got out of bed from my 15 minute nap and proceed to get things cleaned up. An hour later, we are at the park and Carlee has another accident and she is dripping wet. We walk home and change clothes and go back to the park. After being at the park for 5 minutes, I see Carlee hiding from me because she is going poopoo in her panties. Lovely! I tell her that everything is going to be fine and that we need to go home so we could get cleaned up. This picture was taken today after all was said and done. Carlee's accident's seem to be the theme of our lives lately, but I am getting through it better than ever. It's taken me a long time not to get upset or frustrated when she has an accident. I know all children have acciddent's and Carlee will continue to. I thank the Lord that I can get through it with a smile and grace now. I've come a long way. Progess!

Playing School

When I was a little girl, I would set my animals in a circle and play school. Here Carlee is doing the same thing. She loved reading her color book to them and showing them the pictures. Too Cute!
Zachary loved it too! He really admires his sissy!
I love my Girl!!

Family Fun

This past Friday night, we spent time with my Memaw and Pawpaw Herdejurgen opening Christams presents and going to The Cheesecake Factory. It was alot of fun! They both got some really great toys. Thank you Memaw and Pawpaw for such a lovely evening!! Here Carlee is wearing her Sleeping Beauty dress and crown. This was a favorite! She literally screamed when she opened this gift. Thanks Aunt Barbara!

8 Months

Another month has gone by and Zachary is growing to be a little man. He is 18 lbs. and 29 in. long Zachary is waving hi and smiling a lot.. His smile has definately changed with his 6 teeth in his mouth. This has been a fun month. He is scooting around on the floor trying to get to his destination (not crawling) it's more like an army crawl on his elbows and knees. Very cute and boy-like. He is loving the solid foods. So far he has eaten avocado, banana, squash, green beans, sweet potatoe, peas, carrots, pear and blueberry. We've spent a lot of time inside latley because of naps. He has been taking two good two hour naps each day. We're trying to get him down to just two, but sometimes he still wants a nap in the evening before bedtime. Zachary is waking up at night still and nursing. Mommy is ready for a full night sleep, but I know this will not last forever. He is as sweet as can be with his precious little grin and his cute fuzzy hair. Everyone loves his hair and how it sticks straight up on top of his head. What a blessing he is to our family. Carlee is really loving him more and more. They're becoming quit the team. Anytime Carlee gets in trouble, Zachary cries (just like I did when my big sis got in trouble). It's pretty sweet, but you can only imagine the sound of two crying at the same time. Lots of noise!