D-Day!

*I actually started this post on Wednesday but life pushed the finishing thereof aside.

Today our darling "baby" Danielle Nicole  

is 1.5 years, 18 months, or 547.5 days old - however you prefer to say it! 

She has been and will continue to be our greatest adventure!

I want to treasure and remember every part of this journey, so decided to compile the following list! I will fill it out monthly from now on! (HOLD ME TO IT!) 

I wish I had thought to do this for all the months past...

Favorite Main Dish  - MEAT!!! Especially shrimp and steak. She's a surf & turf girl!

Favorite Veggie - Green beans! But frozen sweet peas would rate right up there too! And French Fries! Potatoes are vegetables too!

Favorite Fruit - Strawberries!

Favorite Dessert - This one is so hard! Probably ice cream, or donuts, or anything chocolate! Major sweet tooth, this child of mine!

Favorite Toy - Her baby doll from Aunt Glenda. She gives it a paci and bottle and makes extreme sucking noises, also lovingly pats and rocks when not giving "Isla" or "Noah" high speed stroller rides!

Favorite Activity -  JD Gator rides to see Tyson & Levon's cows! She can "moo" incredibly well! I think she will share Daniel's imitating abilities!

Favorite Outfit -  Pink sequined flamingo shirt, rubber boots, Coach purse, fedora, & sunglasses. (She hasn't ever worn all of this together, but these are her go-to items.)

Shoe Size - 7. A few 6s still fit.

Clothing Size - 2T

Height - 35.5 inches! Almost a yard tall! 

Weight - 26.6 # (FYI, that's equivalent to 80 bananas! I'd much rather have my little monkey than all those bananas LOL!)

Teeth - 16 (But judging by how much chewing and slobbering are currently going on, we think 2 year molars are moving in!)

Most Recent Milestone - Peed once in the big pot! And she usually says, "Stinks, stinks!" AFTER she's already gone #2 in her diaper...argh.

Most Common Word(s) - "Nanny" (candy) she says this for EVERYTHING she wants! And "skid steer" is still a favorite word in her increasing extensive vocabulary.

 

Fascinated With - Guns! (Are we surprised?!) She loves to shoot her pink .22 and says "KaKowww!" with great excitement every time she sees a firearm or even bites a tortilla chips into a pistol shape!

Learning How To - Act out the motions while singing Peter, James, and John Had a Little Sailboat. Too cute. 

My Thankful List 08-20-17

I'm THANKFUL...

...that I'm taking this opportunity to write! Today I decided that during Danielle's  meager naps, I should try to focus on doing "forever" things like writing on this blog, recording in baby book, creating the light fixture I dreamed up years ago etc... instead of  doing "daily always" things like eating, folding laundry, washing dishes, pittering and frittering and so forth! So, here goes!

...for chocolate chip cookie dough WITH PECANS! Oh my word, why do we ever bake the dough into cookies?! It's SO much better in its raw state. And it saves electricity! Score! (Side note: I AM eating whilst I'm typing! I decided it was OK to combine a "forever" with a "daily always.")

....that Katie and I carpe diemed a day and half and transformed Miss Smith's classroom into a tasteful world of ice cream! Retro string lights, hanging cones, a wonky ice cream truck, wild fun facts, and a frosty little night light that's on its way from eBay all added to the magic! Every other year we seem to end up with a food theme...Wonder why?! 

I used this marc johns pic for my bulletin. 

#lovemarcjohnsart

...that it works to use baking soda and Axe body wash to wash filthy work clothes when you discover that you have NO, NONE, NIL laundry detergent  to do laundry in order that your husband might have the benefit of bestowing clean clothing upon himself the next day!

....for Google! How else would I know how to do laundry without the proper soap?!

...that Danl unearthed a cool brown glass bottle on his last home site clearing job! Some guys might not bring home to their wife the world's weird uniquities, but mine does! :)

 (Why isn't uniquity a word?! I should patent it. Uniquity: noun; meaning something strange or unique, not common.) 

....that Daniel kept Danielle so I could attend Katie's classy woodland-themed baby shower as a "sister" instead of a "mom." Don't get me wrong, I ADORE being a mom, but it was awesome to take in the magical decor and delicacies without worrying about my child dismantling them! #daddydaughtertime #happymeal #mcds

...that God answers prayer! Sometimes I don't know if He changes the situation or just helps me to accept it, but I do know that Prayer truly is the Power! One of my friends mentioned in Sunday School a couple of weeks ago that "You can never pray too much!" What an inspiring proposition!

...that I finally figured out how to listen to a podcast! One of those simple things that seem hard until you just do it! I've only listened to Typology Episode 1 (Is anyone else familiar with the Enneagram typing system?? I was just recently introduced to it by a friend, and I am definitely intrigued!) and How I Built This - Spanx: Sara Blakely so far. Totally fascinating! America truly is the place where anything and anyone is possible!

...for the lovely summer vacation we had July 17 - Aug 1! We had the best time ever with old friends and new places! I still plan to do a belated trip report another day, another post. 

....for being able to cuddle and love little Isla Francine in RealTime! So thankful Pierre and Alisha and our beautiful black-haired niece could spend a week in soggy Florida!

...that we will be able to welcome Baby "Bob" before too long! Katie's due date of September 12 is swiftly approaching! 

...for darling Danielle who turned 1 year and 5 months today! She stomps around all grown up in her little rubber rain boots, Coach purse on her shoulder; not a trace of the chubby baby she once was. Until she spies her precious bottle of milk!

 End of story.

We Have It All

I have had this picture as my phone lock screen for months....and the poignancy of it strikes me so often.

Sometimes amidst the hurry and scurry to do it all, make it all, buy it all, and have it all...it hits me that I already do!  I've almost blogged about this vast subject different times, but for one reason or another, the words never made it onto my screen. They did make it onto my lovely LED light box which is a super favorite birthday gift from my friend Moni! #nailedit

https://www.target.com/p/diy-light-box-led-room-essentials-153/-/A-52007695

Last night was one of those times that stopped me in my turbulent tracks. Danl decided to cut some of our grass before it needed to be baled for hay, and of course Danielle was more than happy to help! I was inside bustling about trying to take advantage of the opportunity to straighten things up a bit without a little Taby underfoot. I purposefully strode out to deposit a bag of trash in the dumpster when I noticed Danl waving at me to watch Danielle. He was letting her push the handles of the lawnmower, and she was beyond ecstatic to be in control; shrieking with happiness and grinning as wide as a one year old can can grin as they zigzagged crazily across the lawn! As I stood waving and gazing at them, witnessing the magic of their daddy/daughter mowing session, I consciously thought, "My heart could not be more full. Life does not get better than moments like this. Thank you, God." 

And I realized anew that truly, even though my "to-do" list would vehemently deny it, I had it all. 

All the things I was gonna get done lost their importance, and I climbed onto the gooseneck and just sat and breathed and watched them mow as the sunlight faded and the stars came out. And these lyrics that I've always loved played over and over in my mind...

Life Is Beautiful

by the Afters

Through the window

I see you waiting
You are smiling
Cause I'm coming
Your eyes are a story
An ocean of memories
Pictures of faces and places
And all of the things
That make us feel like we have it all

All of the times
That make us realize
We have it all

Life is beautiful

Living and dying
Laughing or crying
If we have the whole world or have nothing
I know there are long nights
But we'll make it
With every sunrise comes a new light
And all of the things
That make us feel like we have it all

All of the times
That make us realize
We have it all

Life is beautiful

A father's love
A wedding dance
New Year's dreams
A toast with friends
A soldier coming home from war
The faith, the hope of so much more
A brand new life
A mother's prayer
Shooting stars
Ocean air
A lover's kiss
And hard goodbyes
Fireworks
Christmas lights

These are things that make us feel alive
These are the times that make us realize
Life is beautiful

This week holds it all too...

Yesterday morning a wedding; a dream came true for Curtis & Janelle! I was privileged to have taught them both (#feelingold!) and could not be happier for their happiness! 

Yesterday evening a passing; my Great Uncle Ward laid his armor down in his courageous battle against cancer. His life was the enthusiastic embodiment of the words vim and vigor! I will miss him so much. Visiting Oakwood won't be the same without his contagious zeal and positive attitude.

And so life goes on, and the magic fades away...but then is suddenly there again, startling us to take notice of the normal, because it is so precious and we don't deserve it. It is a gift.

 I love that my little cinema box is currently reminding me of this 

every time I glance up and read these words:

WE HAVE

IT ALL

💜

Shots & Shopping

Today Taby and I loaded up quite late and headed to Pensacola for my (gasp! second to last dose, I believe!?) shots and a dose of much-needed retail therapy. Except I'm not sure that shopping with a one year old is truly therapy! With Danielle, it vacillates between being the sweetest, funnest thing ever and living in one of those dreams you are happy to wake up from! Lately, she loves hearing her voice so "echo-y" in the stores and sort of shrieks out bursts of noise! It baffles me how to cure this without appearing to abuse her.... (please give me ideas!) Sometimes I squinch her fat cheeks together and shush at her, or flick her mouth, or whisper at her to use her store voice. Mostly though, I stuff her little pie hole with Cherrios or raisins. That works the best! I have the tjxrewards credit card from T.J.Maxx and it gives the loveliest rewards! Armed with $30 reward certificates, I planned to purchase a gorgeous and well-fitting swimsuit! For some reason, I just don't buy swimwear. And that is not a good thing. After hunting through aisles of unorganized suits packed too tightly for proper observation, I plucked approximately 6 of them for the fitting room finale. Alas, either I am a far cry from model proportions (check) or a disaster of a perfectionist, (another check) so none met my criteria for THEE suit of the year. But I had fun selecting some gift items and a couple summery tank tops for Danielle. Next stop was Wendy's for our usual "4 for $4" meal deal. It's perfect for us! I eat the double stack burger, she eats the chicken nuggets, and we share the fries, Diet Coke, and Jr. Frosty that we get complimentary with every purchase due to the 2017 Frosty key-chain I bought because it was so cute! Not only is this tag super cute, it also helps support foster care adoption!

At Dr. Cleveland's, Danielle eyed the nurses in their sterile scrubs very warily as they jabbed ME instead of HER with their fierce needles! While waiting the mandatory 30 minutes, we sat in the back of the Yukon with the half-glass up (this looked odd to the passersby I am certain, but at least I didn't have to worry about Danielle annoying the other clients inside or have to chase her all over outside!) and enjoyed the sunshine and finished our Wendy's while FaceTiming with Nana and Aunt Alisha. We are all so antsy for little Isla Francine to be born!! Come ON, already! Can't wait to meet my sweet lil niece! Then we be-bopped over to Marshall's to do the whole bathing suit thing all over, but only bombed out again. But I scored a modest black and white striped knit dress for $24.99 that I am super thrilled about! And some flip-flops and a Father's Day present. And a too-tired toddler!!! Waaah... cancelled meeting Katie for a cone at Marble Slab, and went straight to Walmart to pickup our groceries. Once on the road, Danielle zonked out almost immediately. Poor thing. And although I have proclaimed this oft' afore, I ADORE Walmart Pickup!!! I could "Keep Calm & Shop On" while my baby "Kept Calm & Slept On!" Per Daniel's suggestion (love him!) I stopped at Tom Thumb in Molino and got a ready-to-eat rack of ribs, and sides of greens, mac 'n cheese, and apple/peach cobbler for supper! One and Done! Not sure if that slogan applies well to this supper subject matter...but I'm a mom and "One and Done" comes to mind, thanks to our favorite Huggie's wipes! When one starts writing about baby wipes, they should cease writing; therefore this post is Done and Done! 

Over and out. 

typing myself to sleep

I want to write but...

Sleep is sweeter than honey!

Wishing dreams could type...

#latenighthaiku

Five Friday Faves

1. PIZZA HUT

Seriously, our little family's favorite food! I ordered it on my app, while walking at the park in Atmore. They have the $7.99 carryout 2 topping deal again! I veered from our usual of cheese with extra cheese and added ham and pineapple and a garlic butter crust flavor! Ignoring the little pieces I had cut for her, Danielle grabbed a slice when I wasn't looking and "ate" it like a big girl tonight for the first time! Mostly she gnawed off the cheese and made a big mess, but she was so pleased with herself.  Daniel, on the other hand, wasn't so pleased with my order this go around..."What's this grass they have scattered on our pizza?!" "Ummm..Gulp. It's uh...I thought garlic butter crust flavor would be awesome! Sorrrrrry! They sorta got carried away when liberally applying it! Won't happen again!" He was a good sport though, and ate it!  

Mostly though, my favorite thing about this meal is the ABSENCE OF DISHES! And that my sweet hubby tells me often to just pick up a pizza so I can have a break from cooking and cleaning up! #lovehim

2. NANA

She gave me the best gift today! An uninterrupted hour to work on taxes! Danielle, the Duchess of Grump, had really been exercising her royal right to whine pitifully if I wasn't near enough or holding her ever since she starting running fever yesterday, so it was a blissful break even though compiling tax data is not high on my list of favorite things. Thanks again, Nana!!! 

(She didn't run fever today, but still acted like she didn't feel well..erupting molars??! I don't know..)

3. FRESH CUT FLOWERS

I dumped a seed packet of tiny white flowers in my porch pots last fall and they never bloomed until this spring! They are kind of unsightly in the pots, but make a lovely whimsical bouquet when picked! Today I added 3 red roses from our knockout bush, and this combination has just "sparked joy" every time my gaze lands on it!

4. NEW HAIR BRUSH

I love my new mint green and pale pink brush from TjMaxx!

I'm a "finisher" by nature and boy howdy, I "finished" my old brush!

 It was purchased from Fred's in Atmore years ago, and had seen it's very last day! Now it resides in Danielle's bathroom basket and she plays and chews on it while I get dressed. So really, I guess it isn't quite "finished" yet!  

5. SAYING NO

I'm still learning how to do this, albeit painfully. I was telling Daniel this week that "I'm not ever saying yes to doing ________ again!" And he replied that it had taken me 18 years to finally reach this conclusion...sigh. Slowly but surely, I'll be lesser of a "yesser!"