15 Month Check Up

I took Gracie for her 15 month check up this morning and Dr. Beeber confirmed what I already knew....That she is PERFECT! She is going to be a tall and skinny girl. She weighed 20lb and 8 oz but she was 31 1/2 inches long! She doesn't look that small to me but she is only 15th percentile for weight, however she is 85th percentile for height! She did much better on this visit, I think it helped having her big sister there with her. Hayden was very pleased that she wasn't going to be checked out today! Gracie didn't cry as much this time, she did cry when Ms. Pat tried to weigh her, so Ms. Pat left me in charge of the scale so we could get an accurate weight. Gracie talked, walked and played while she was waiting for Dr. Beeber. As soon as he came in the room and went to check her ears and listen to her heart she went CRAZY! Dr. Beeber says that she is very VOCAL! He says she is a happy, healthy 15 month old little girl and to keep doing everything we are doing and he will see her again at 18months. However, she did have to have two different shots, which Hayden was very excited about...I guess she figures it is time for someone else to have to get shots for a change. Gracie did cry when she got her shots today, but she didn't almost pass out this time so I guess that is improvement. I think her little legs may be a little sore but other than that she has been happy this afternoon. She is finally walking around a good bit now...Last time I posted that she started walking on her knees again!

I had to take Hayden with us this morning because Gracie's appointment was at 9am and Mimi had a dentist appointment at 8am. The original plan was to take Hayden to GWA this morning and let Mimi take her to school when it was time to go, but we changed it up and Mimi came by Dr. Beeber's office when she got done at the dentist and took Hayden on to school. Mimi got to walk Hayden into school when they got there. Mimi said all of her classmates were very excited to see her and that Paxton run up and gave her a BIG hug...I think Paxton may be her first preschool boyfriend, she says he has kissed her too, but don't worry Mark is prepared to have a little talk with Mr. Paxton if this continues!

Thanks Mimi for helping out! Hayden was so excited that you took her to school today!!!

Decorating Christmas Trees

Today Hayden, Gracie and myself went to put up and decorate Mema and Nana's Christmas Trees. They have the fake kind, which this is the first year Hayden didn't really understand why their trees were in a box! She thought it was really SILLY! She helped me put all the ornaments on the trees, it is really cute she always puts them in the same place, but since Mema is older she thought it was so cute...She wouldn't let me move them later. I guess every time she looks at the tree she will think of Hayden. Gracie also tried to help...She threw lots of the ornaments at the tree. I guess she was hoping that they would automatically just hang there. It was cute and luckily she didn't break but One. After we got done at Mema's house we went to Nana and Steve's. Steve had already put the tree up, so all we had to do was help Nana decorate. I think every one in my family lets me do this every year because they know how much I love it. Hayden always makes herself right at home and goes in demanding FOOD. Today she had to have scrambled eggs...and yes, she had to help cook it too. Then she needed some toast. She is spoiled rotten at Nana and Steve's. They will cook anything she wants whenever she wants it! Gracie is very attached to Steve, it is really funny, instead of chasing me around like she usually does...She didn't even know I existed. Every time he would get up and move she would cry out until he came back for her. She also showed Nana and Steve how she CAN WALK. She walked all over the place. Last night she started moving around pretty good and I realized that the shoes I have been putting on her might be part of her problem during the day. She always walks better at night in her pajamas. So I went to the Shoe Dept and bought her baby's first walking shoes today..She has been wearing all of Hayden's hand me downs. She has done much better today! It is so cute when she gets that confidence and takes off. Last night we were finally able to get it on video, but I have no idea where the cord is that hooks up to the computer to share it with everybody. Mark is supposed to be figuring out where we can get another one! I tried to take pictures of the girls and the decorated trees today, but I couldn't get one of them together(I know every one is surprised). We had so much fun with Mema, Pop, Nana and Steve today! I hope they like their trees!!!!

This was one of my favorite Christmas outfits on Hayden:

This is what Gracie thought about taking pictures:

Hayden in front of Nana's tree:

Gracie in front of Nana's tree...Until she took of WALKING!

Hayden in front of Mema's tree:

Santa

Mimi and I took the girls to see Santa at Spring Street Studio Photography. It was so nice, I think they are going to be some of the best pictures ever! Mylinda, the photographer is very good with children. She had the most gorgeous set up ever! She also had Santa hide behind the Christmas tree until the girls got familiar with her, which I think was a great idea. Hayden, as always was very photogenic and Gracie actually laughed and had a good time. I can't wait to see the pictures of Gracie's real smile, usually we have to work very hard for good smiles, but Mylinda was able to catch some great shots. We started out in casual clothes because I wasn't sure what the back drop looked like. I had already told Mylinda that I brought their pajamas, after she took a couple in the casual clothes, she wanted to put the pajamas on, she was very excited about the pajamas. While she was taking some of the pictures...Gracie spotted Santa behind the tree, Santa said you should have seen those smiling eyes. Santa finally spoke to Gracie and Hayden turned around and couldn't believe what she saw. It was SANTA! He was a very good Santa...he was very nice, caring and loving. He kept telling Mimi and myself what beautiful, precious and sweet little girls we have, but of course we already know that, Right! He kept kissing them on the forehead, it was priceless! Melinda was able to get some great pictures of the kisses. Hayden wouldn't tell him anything that she wanted except that she wanted lots of surprises! Santa thought that was so sweet. Hayden did tell Santa everything Gracie wants for Christmas...I thought that was pretty funny. She was to shy to tell him anything she really wanted but was very open with what Gracie wants! I can't wait to see the pictures on Saturday, I know they are going to be excellent!

We now listen to Christmas music everywhere we go in the car...Yes, Mark is very excited about that. I love Christmas and everything about it. I try to make it fun for the girls, Hayden likes to listen to the songs very loud and she sings along. Today while Hayden and I were singing going down the road...Yeah, I'm sure every one else on the road thinks I am CRAZY...Gracie started singing and dancing too! What can I say, we have FUN!

This is going to be the best Christmas ever, Hayden is so excited, which I think personally makes it the best Christmas for every one in our family! Gracie is also excited but she has no idea what is really going on, but just wait until next year.

Black Friday

Mimi called last night and wanted to know if I wanted to go shopping this morning. I have always said NO because of the crowds, but this year I was excited about it. I called my Mama to see if she could watch the girls, but Hayden overheard what was going on and wanted to go with Mimi and myself. We weren't going to be buying anything for her so Mimi and I decided she could go too! Gracie on the other hand had to stay with Nana, she isn't much fun shopping, she doesn't like to be still that long.

I dropped Gracie off at Nana's about 10am and met Mimi at Belks. I got a new bedspread, since Hayden decided to cut a big hole in mine. I love it, it is so beautiful! Hayden had lots of fun helping us pick one out, she is definitely going to be a great shopper...like her Aunt Kim! Once we got done at Belks...Hayden looked at Mimi and said "I want to go to another store" so we left there and decided to have lunch at Applebee's. It was very good, Hayden had already decided she wanted shrimp. What can I say she eats very good and isn't picky at all, unlike her baby sister. She couldn't eat all of it so we got a to go box and brought it home. Once we got done with lunch Hayden says "I want to go to another store" so we went to Old Navy and got the girls a few things. While we were checking out she looks at Mimi and says "I want to go to another store" I guess you get the picture by now. That girl LOVES to shop! Finally after three or four more stores she decided she was getting tired and was ready to go to Nana's. We had so much fun shopping with Mimi today, it has been a LONG time since I have shopped like that! Maybe it is something we can do every year, except we need Aunt Kim to join us too! The official girls day out!

When we got back to Nana's house, Gracie was glad to see us! Nana said she was such a good little girl today. She played with Mama's little dog and all her toys I packed up for her. I made sure I packed all the loud and obnoxious toys this morning, after all those are the most entertaining. She took a 2 hour nap, I guess I need to find out Nana's secret and then ate a big lunch! I am so glad she was good because when I left she was screaming MaMa! I think Nana had fun today too, she says Gracie has an excellent personality.

While we were in town I decided to go by and see Mema and Pop too. Then I remembered that I had the to go boxes of food in the car, so I decided to take them inside and put them in Mema's refrigerator. We spent some time playing and Hayden always draws Mema a new picture for her fridge and we were all having fun until Gracie started fussing. I guess she was ready to call it a day, she was ready to come home to all her stuff. We loaded up the car and were almost home when I realized I left the food at Mema's house...Well needless to say I had to turn around and go all the way back to get it. Hayden was crying and begging me to go back because she really wanted her shrimp for dinner. I went back and Pop brought it out to the car so I didn't have to come back inside. When we got home she ate every single shrimp that was left and every single french fry too! I guess it was worth it to see her enjoy it so much!

Now I have two very tired little girls, so I guess I need to go get them in the bathtub and ready to night night! We had a great time today Mimi!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our great family. We have so much to be thankful for! Today we went to Grandmama's to eat a delicious traditional Thanksgiving Day meal. We had all the good stuff...dressing, turkey, mac and cheese, and of course all of the desserts. I am pretty sure every one left with a full tummy! Hayden had a great time, she ate a lot of mac and cheese, she says Aunt Kim makes the best! She didn't want to waste a whole lot of time eating though, she wanted to go fishing with Pop. Pop and Hayden fished almost the whole time we were there. She sure did enjoy it!

Gracie didn't want Mommy to get to far out of her sight. She ate lots of mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and she seemed to enjoy the ham and turkey! Sometimes she can be a very picky eater. She will not eat anything green, but she will eat mac and cheese every meal! After we all got done eating, Gracie opened up a little and went outside with Aunt Linda and Hayden to play with the dog next door. Today was a great Thanksgiving as always!

We also got to see Katelyn today. I think her and Gracie are going to have lots of fun when they get a little older, and Gracie doesn't have to be within 2 inches of her Mommy! Katelyn is getting so big and so pretty! We all have so much to be thankful for in this family, we are all truly blessed!!!

Oh, we put our Christmas tree up yesterday, yes I know we did it before Thanksgiving, but Mark and I think that it was a great idea. There wasn't anyone at the tree farm and we were able to walk around and pick out the best tree they had! We also got to play with the animals they had, usually when we go it is so crowded, we just pick out a tree really fast and get the heck out of there. It was nice to take our time and watch the girls play with the goats and baby cow. Gracie thought the cow was funny and she wasn't to sure about the goats. The cow liked Hayden so much it tried to EAT her shirt and of course Gracie thought that was hiliarious. It was pretty funny, however the whole time we were looking for our perfect tree, Hayden kept saying "Mommy I just want to play with the cow." We did end up getting the PERFECT tree. I am so excited, we already have it decorated. Mark took Gracie with him for a little ride last night while Hayden and I put the lights on the tree. Hayden basically carried the lights around the tree with me, but it was very helpful so I could place them right where I wanted them. The only bad thing was is after we plugged in the last set of lights, they all went out, yes every light on the tree. So if you know me...then you know that I freaked out. I had to unplug each set of lights until I found the bad ones, but Hayden and I figured it out. Everything was fine, and we decided that we would try one more set of lights and guess what...EVERY light went out again, so we had to repeat the whole process. After that we decided we had enough lights, which we really did, but I always put a ton of lights on the tree(that is what makes it so pretty). When we got done Hayden and I stood back and she said "Mommy it looks beautiful." She helped decorate with the ornaments a little bit, she hung the fun ornaments like Burt, Ernie and Big Bird, those used to mine and Uncle Randy's when we were little. Then Mimi, Pop, Kim, and Artie came over to eat with us, so she decided she would rather play with all her favorite people. Which was okay because I hung all the ornaments that were breakable! We still have a few things to put on it tonight that she is excited about!

Pop picked out some really cute pajamas for Gracie:

They liked that baby cow:

That cow got Hayden's shirt and Gracie thinks it is really funny:

Sweet girls:

Our PERFECT tree:

Hayden's 1st Hunting Trip

Hayden went bird hunting today with Mark and Ms. Sue(our new dog). This is her first official hunting trip. Mark took her to Academy Sports this morning and bought her a new bird vest and whistle for Sue. She was so proud of her hunting attire, she is an adorable little hunter. Uncle Heath went with them to hunt, he shot the birds while Mark took care of Hayden and Sue. Sue did an excellent job, Mark was very pleased with his new dog. Hayden, on the other hand has decided she might not be such a big hunter. Mark said she was loving it for the first 10 minutes and after that she got some cockaburrows on her and she was DONE. For some reason she is terrified, and I mean TERRIFIED of the cockaburrows (I guess because of the ones on the beach when we go) even after they got home she wouldn't put her bird vest back on for some pictures because she thought that the cockaburrows were still in it. She ended up crying until Mark took her back to the truck, so he decided it was time to call it a day. It was the first time she has ever been hunting, so she really didn't know what to expect. I think that she did have a good time, maybe she will try to go again and love it.

When they got home, Hayden helped clean the birds(yuck). She is an excellent helper with everything. We did finally convince her that there weren't any cockaburrows in her vest so we could take a few pictures with the birds. She looks so proud! I hope next time she will enjoy it more, she was so excited about it all when they left this morning. Here is how the trip went:

Hayden getting ready to put Sue in the truck...
Sue is after those birds...

Mark says this is a pretty point(whatever that means)...

Uncle Heath shooting birds for Hayden...

The Hunters(aren't they cute)

Look at these birds...

She says they are really soft(I will take her word for it)...

She was so proud of how LONG her hair was...

Until next time...

Open House at GWA

Today I went for the open house tour at George Walton Academy. I can't believe that my baby is supposed to be in K4 next year. It seems like just yesterday that I found out I was pregnant for the first time. Mark and I were so excited when we found out that we starting our family, we couldn't wait to tell every one. I must say that Mimi and Pop had the best reaction when they found out they were going to be grandparents...and every one else was very excited too! I just can't believe that was almost 4 years ago.

I know that I should be happy that she is starting big girl school, but it is kind of sad because I feel like she is growing up way too fast. I did enjoy my tour of the school, it is a very good school. George Walton will allow her lots of opportunities that she probably wouldn't get anywhere else. I know she will be excited about it, especially the part that Mimi will be there everyday. She goes for her testing on January 30th and I hope she does well. I know she is smart enough, but she is very shy. I hope she doesn't just freeze up and not want to talk to any of the teachers or other kids. She may surprise me and go in there and not be shy and want to do everything. I guess I will just have to wait and see.

While I was gone, Nana and Steve came out and spoiled the girls. I am pretty sure they stayed outside playing all day. I think Hayden and Gracie wore Nana and Steve out today. They looked more tired than the girls did when I got back home. It is interesting now because Gracie wants to do everything Hayden does. Evidently Gracie enjoyed being outside too, her knees on her little pants were pretty nasty when I got home, she knows how to walk but still thinks she goes faster on her knees. Gracie is like her daddy, she is a very, very busy little girl. She is always on the go. If she is still, she is sleeping! I love it! I love all of it. I love watching the things that remind me of myself and Mark in our girls. Hayden is very shy and never really gotten into a lot of stuff, like myself and well Gracie is a lot like her Daddy, she isn't shy at all and always into something. I love my husband and my girls with all my heart. They truly do make me complete.

I try to be fair with both of my girls and spend time with them together and individually. I always have more time alone with Gracie, while Hayden is at Preschool, so now when Gracie takes a nap I try to do something that Hayden enjoys, which lately is me jumping on the trampoline with her. Although today she wanted to cut with scissors while I put all the groceries up. Trying to be a good Mommy, I told her to go ahead and get a piece of paper and she could go ahead and start cutting while she was waiting for me. I didn't have much to do before I could sit down with her. She usually cuts a piece of paper into tiny pieces and I just tell her where to cut next and clean up the mess...Well today she decided to cut on my bed spread. You would think I would have been very upset and punished her but I couldn't. I don't even know how these scissors cut into the bedspread, they are little kiddie scissors. She came in the kitchen and told me that my bed had a hole in it...I asked her what she was talking about and she started crying. I knew immediately after that what she had done. It isn't too big of a hole, but it is right in the middle, where I won't be able to hide it. She cried for a long time, which was funny because I never even got onto her. I figured she didn't need to be punished because obviously she knew how wrong it was without anyone telling her that. I just told her it was okay, but that we only cut paper not anything else. I sure do hope Grandmama or Mimi can repair it!!!

On another note, I had bought one of those leash things for Hayden when she was little. It was a Monkey book bag looking thing. I was always scared of her running away from me...Well Mark refused to let me use it and looking back on it...I am sure glad I didn't. Well, today Hayden put the Monkey on Gracie and was dragging her around the house playing DOG. Gracie was growling and really into it. Nana and Steve came in about the time all this started. I haven't heard my Mama laugh that hard in a long time. If you ever need to be cheered up or just have a good laugh, just call for a funny story or come visit my angels!

Last night I found Hayden going to sleep in her baby doll bed. This baby doll bed has been in my family for a long time. It has been passed down to all the little girls. I had to take a picture:

She looked very comfy!