#1 Favorite Christmas Memory

I left a memory out yesterday. It is so special it deserved its own post!!!

The week leading up to Christmas I had Anna and Chris at home with me. Chris was in between jobs and Anna was out on Christmas break. Anna and I bought Chris a little something even though he and I weren't getting each other something. I wanted Anna to get him a little something. Anyway, I was in the floor doing the last of my wrapping including the present for Chris and several other things. Anna said, "Mama, where is your present". I told her that I wasn't wrapping one for myself. She said "OK , wait a minute" with her little mischieveous smile. She went behind the tree, took a present out of a gift bag that I hadn't closed up. She grabbed a Santa from the Polar Express movie that my Mom gave her a year or 2 ago and she put it in the bag. She then came and got the tape and proceeded to tape up the bag! She did it very efficiently going all across the top so that I couldn't peak! lol She then came around the tree and said "I got you a special present Mama." She has no idea that SHE is my special present!!! All I need is her and her Daddy! I didn't need a present but the thoughtfulness of that gesture really touched me. God has blessed me with a very precious little girl!!!

Happy Birthday My Darling Anna

4 years ago you came into this world kicking and screaming. You were a little tiny thing but you knew how to make your presence known. 4 years later you are still a little on the small side but when you decide to make your presence known there is no ignoring you. You are a delight to have around (most of the time lol). There is a quote out there that says something like Don't have children until you are prepared to have your heart walking around outside of your chest. That isn't it exactly but you get what I am saying. It is so true - I look at you and I know that you are my heart. You are the best of me and your Daddy. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You are a blessing and I try not to take you for granted even on the days when you are driving me nuts.

Here is a summary of your birth story:

Your Daddy and I got pregnant after trying for a year. I had waited much longer for you than that but you were well worth the wait! We started having problems with the pregnancy when we were half way through. They noticed you were very small and there were times when you would get really still. I started seeing a specialist and having you monitored more often. They noticed you really weren't growing much and they decided you would need to come out early. After a false start they finally set the date (Your Great Grandma's birthday). They did a planned c-section so everything went as planned. Your Daddy and I assumed you would be going to Neonatal and I made him promise me no matter what he would stay with you and protect you. You came out and they checked you out and instead of going to Neonatal they sent you to the regular nursery. There you got your first bath screaming and carrying on the whole time. They put you under the baby warmer for a while and wouldn't bring you to me until I moved my toes. When they told me that is what I had to do to get you I started doing everything I could think of to get my toes to wiggle. They said I did that quicker than most Moms. That is how badly I wanted you in my arms. You are still a Mama's girl and I hope you will stay that way.

This next year is going to be full of changing and growing for both of us. You are going to start Pre-school in just a month. You are going to make new friends and learn so much. You are going to learn that Mommy isn't the only one that can fix things or make it better. You will learn that you can do so much more than you ever believed. In fact, you have already learned that in a few cases. You had a dance camp where you learned so much in one week. You even learned this week how to go down and touch the bottom of the 8 ft pool. You amaze me with your swimming skills! You will do great in school! You will adjust to not having Mommy around (hopefully very quickly). You will be a leader and a follower each in its on time. Maybe you will even learn to share toys and take turns.

Your future is bright! You can be and do anything!!! You are smart, funny and adventurous (at times) you will go far. I want to teach you to believe in yourself and no that you can depend on yourself if necessary. But I also want you to know that you are not alone! You will never be alone! Your Dad and I will always be here for you as will so many other people. But the best one to lean on is our God! He will never let you down and as long as you remember to rely on Him everything will be ok. I hope that you will find something to do with your life that makes you happy! I hope that one day you will find out how wonderful and rewarding it is to be a Mommy. I hope that you find a man that will treat you like a Princess or if you don't that you will treat yourself like a Princess! Because you are a Princess. You have been telling me lately that you are my Princess - I guess that means I am the Queen woo hoo.

I love you with all my heart! As the book says I love you to the moon and back!!! Happy Birthday my darling! I hope it is full of fun and laughter.

New Born

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

This Year

One Proud Mama

Timy Talk Tuesday

I wish I had been writing stuff down. The stuff that comes out of Anna's mouth is not stuff I would ever dream up. Here are a few things that have just stuck with me.

* Last night we were flipping through the channels on tv and I said "TV stinks!" Next thing I know she is up smelling the tv lol. She turned to me and said "Which TV, Mom?"

* One Wednesday night on the way to church we saw the prettiest rainbow. We were talking about what it means etc. and she said "Mom, do you think rainbows get wet or do they stay dry?" She stumped me! Anyone know the answer to that one?

* Anna is all about swimming these days. We typically go to our community pool that has a specific opening and closing time. This past weekend we went to my aunt's house. They have a pool at there house. Saturday night we had a party and everyone got out of the pool for a while during the party. She looked out there at dusk and said "Hey Mama, is the pool closing now?" She was totally excited when she found out that it wasn't, that it NEVER closed!!!

For more Tiny Talk go HERE!

Spring cleaning the yard!

My yard is a huge challenge for me! No, it isn't huge but it seems to get out of control rather often. If it isn't the flower bed in the front with more weeds than flowers it is the back yard with more weeds than grass. Anna and I worked out there several hours this morning. Working with my stacks of pine straw and cutting the grass, sweeping off the porch and cleaning Anna's outside toys. We worked so hard that we earned a picnic out there. Anna loves to be outside and being able to do all of this was wonderful for her. We even soaked up some sun after our picnic. I love hanging out with Anna. She makes everything so much more fun.

Hope you all can have a great friday! Enjoy some time in the great out doors with someone that makes you smile!

Easter Picture Contest!

I am entering a new to me contest lol. I think it has been around for a while but I am just finding it. Go HERE if you want to check it out. It is called iHeartFaces!

Tiny Talk Tuesday!

Anna is 3.5 now and sometimes the things that come out of her mouth suprise me. Or just crack me up lol.

Yesterday on the way home from the store we saw a guy walking beside the road.

A: Mom, you see that guy!

M: Yes, I do.

A: That is dangrous (dangerous). He needs time out! You aren't supposed to walk in the road!

M: That is right baby! It is dangerous to walk in the road!

We have terrible sand gnats here. They are tiny little gnats that actually bite and they hurt! Having said that Anna loves to be outside. If she is awake she would rather be outside! After coming in from one of our many trips out (I can't take them for long lol).

A: Mom!

M: Yes

A: Those bugs were terrble! (terrible) They were biting my arms!

For more Tiny Talk go HERE

Rocking Chairs, Rocking Babies!

Tuesday Anna and I had a playdate with friends. Anna was feeling a little fiesty or off kilter or something. She cried any time I asked her not to do something or she would cry if the other kids were doing something and she had to wait her turn. I didn't know what was going on but we stayed and worked our way through it. When one of our friends left and it was just Anna and Allie it was as if the sun had come out. Apparently she didn't want to share her friend! We stayed a while longer and we were out sitting in the yard when this really odd bug started flying around me. I moved out of his way and then realized it was a baby and its Mommy had been under the arm of the chair. The baby landed on its Mommy's side and hung out there. My friend Shanda and I decided the baby was nursing (do bugs do that? lol) Anyway, then after watching for a few minutes we decided maybe the Mom was dead. I mean seriously, she hadn't moved in about 5 minutes not to mention she didn't mind having me sit on the chair or Shanda touch her. Finally, I saw her little legs moving so we knew she was alive. Anna and Allie kept asking what they were doing so we told them the baby was drinking milk. They continued to ask so we said oh they must be taking a nap now. Anna looked down there and said "but where is their rocking chair?" My sweet baby girl apparently thinks you shouldn't take a nap without a rocking chair lol. During the week, yes, I still rock her to sleep even though she is 3 years old. I still hold precious those moments when we get to snuggle and cuddle and just be still with one another. I love to feel her breathe on my cheek or my arm. I love to have her snuggle a little closer when she feels me stand up to lay her down. I love when she gets to bed and she looks up at me and then just rolls over and goes right back to sleep. It is like she has this complete trust that I will be there when she wakes up and I will protect her while she sleeps. I am going to cherish it as long as I can because I know it will not last forever and all to soon she will not need me (as much).

Anna's Halloween Costume!

I went to the flea market a few weeks ago which is unusual for me. I don't typical go there but while I was there I discovered 2 things.

1. They have some of the prettiest produce I have seen all summer!


2. I found the perfect costume for Anna to wear for Halloween!

We went back today and Yia Yia bought it for Anna. Let me know what you think! Well, only if you like it that is lol. I am excited! Imagine powder on her face with a little eyeliner and her hair up with some chopsticks in it. It will be very cool I think!

She got tired of me taking pictures! *tee hee

Video Friday

This will show you Anna talking clearly and then in tongues lol.



I don't wanna do that right now!

Happy Birthday My Sweet Anna

I cannot believe that you are 3 years old. It was just yesterday that my doctor said "Lets do a c-section on August 3rd." The past 3 years have been so much more than I ever imagined! You are truly the light of my life. You bring so much joy and wonder into my world. I only hope that I do the same for you.

Lets see if we can recap the year. When you turned 2 you were so grown up to me lol. I think it is funny how at each stage we think much the same thing. You continue to grow and learn at a speed that is crazy. Anyway, when you turned 2 you were using small sentences, running and playing. You were of course beautiful! During the course of the past year your sentences have turned into long complicated ones. You are using your verbs correctly for the most part and you astound me with some of the things that come out of your mouth. You have learned to run faster and to jump with both feet coming off the ground. You not only play beside your friends but with them (which I think is very cool!) You are potty trained even at night for the most part! This is my favorite newly aqcuired skill lol. You will even go do it all by yourself. One of your favorite sentences happens to be "I do it myself"! This summer you got to take swimming lessons. You can now swim underwater! You can throw a ball better than most of the other kiddos we hang out with and you are starting to get the hang of catching. You love to play with your babies. You are so nurturing and loving with them. You are starting to pretend a lot more now which I love to see. You enjoy taking pictures and are actually pretty good at it. I love that you are creative and eager to learn new skills!

Some of your favorites:

Favorite food: dessert lol if that isn't an option pizza

Favorite movie: Jungle Book

Favorite tv show: Dragon Tales

Favorite outdoor activity: Swimming

Favorite indoor activity: vacuuming or playing dolls or reading

Favorite time of day: morning

Favorite lunch: Sandwich (it isn't lunch if it isn't a sandwich!)

Favorite item in your room: Your fish tank and 4 goldfish

Favorite friends: Allie and Brooks

Favorite person in church: Ms. Lisa Stephens (Sunday School Teacher)

Favorite outfit: Your Koukyla (sp?) shirt it means doll baby in Greek

Life has been challenging this year. Between the temper tantrums that would crop up on occassion to that stubborn streak in you that comes out, we have kept things interesting. Oh and we can't forget your impatience (I don't know where you get that from ;)) All of our struggles are nothing compared to the joy you bring us. You make us laugh when we are down. You do something silly when you know I am feeling sad or you will come snuggle up for some lovin if you think that is what I need. You are incredibly intuitive for such a little person. You are not only that way with me and your Daddy but with your friends and others. I admire that quality in you. I also admire how observant you are. You remember locations and details that amaze me because I am terrible with that stuff! You obviously get that from your Daddy. You are still a Mama's girl. You had me sit on the steps at the pool during swimming lessons. It helped you feel confident enough or safe enough to go in and do your thing. Although you are closer to your Daddy than ever. I love to watch you guys playing video games or playing ball together. You always laugh and have such fun! You are a shy girl until you get to know someone then you can talk a mile a minute.

I thank God daily for bringing you into my life. You are such a wonderful blessing.

Funny Stories

I just wanted to share a few funny stories. I haven't blogged in a few days cause we were getting ready to travel and then traveling lol. So I have been storing them up and I am about to bust to get them out.

The other night I was talking to Chris. It was after Anna had gone to bed. I was telling him about a friend of ours that has a son and he was sick. She was worried about him since he had a fever of 100.5. I hope someone else can hear what I am about to say because it really happened without me knowing. I said "so she called the doctor and the doctor said". Now I don't know if y'all figured out what is so funny about that comment but my hubby informed me that I need to read more adult books for a while. That line is almost straight out of 5 Little Monkeys. I didn't even realize it.

I tend to watch Rachel Ray through the week on regular TV. It came on the other day and Anna got all excited. She said "ohh cook - shes cookin" . We had to sit on the edge of the couch and watch all of Rachel Ray. This is the kid that doesn't like TV much at all. It was the episode Teri Hatcher and her daughter were on. When they came out and all three were together she said "cute, Mommy, they cute".

This morning I was getting Anna ready so we have her hair in pigtails and I put on a little white shirt with flowers across the top. (I am sure I will have pictures later.) She looked in the mirror and pointed at herself and said "cuute"! It was hysterical.

Doesn't she sound just adorable or should I say "cute"!

These Boots are Going to Walk All Over YOU!

I put this on Anna's blog but thought you guys might get a kick out of it too!

Wordless Wednesday

Why is it

when you are alone with your child or with people they are with often they are one way and then when they are in crowds or with people not seen often they are another way? Anna is a wonderful fun loving little girl that is silly and as witty as a 2 year old can be. However, this weekend when we met our friends at a festival Anna was all shy and quiet and withdrawn. I just don't get it. When we went to the Greek Festival it took her a little while to get comfortable in the crowd but she eventually did and then she didn't want to leave. So my question really is: is there anything I can do to ease her discomfort around crowds and people we don't see often enough? Many children don't have this problem so I don't know if there is something that I need to do that will help her with this. I don't guess it is really a problem lol. It is good that she doesn't just run off with strangers but...

Home again, home again!

Boy is it good to be home! I have missed my home, my bed but most of all my husband! I feel guilty if you want to know the truth. Here I am enjoying our daughter doing things for fun and my poor hubby is stuck slaving away. Working on school stuff, work stuff and church stuff. He has been a real trooper not complaining to much lol. I hope you know my dearest, bestest friend that you are loved and appreciated and I don't intend to leave again without you for a while. Anna and I had fun but we missed you so much. Anna talked about you non stop and as you know she packed your picture in the suitcase this past weekend. She wanted to keep you close.

We had a great trip. It was wonderful getting away with just the girls. Casey and I stayed up until 1:30 am friday night just chatting. We haven't done that in a long time. Thank goodness I could take a nap with Anna the next day lol. The girls night out with Casey changed to us all going out. That was ok cause we went to this really yummy place called Joe's Crab Shack! I had a yummy steak with potatoes and corn on the cob. Anna had mac and cheese and corn on the cob ~ she cleaned her plate and then finished off my corn too lol. We ate outside on the water and Anna and I watched for alligators. We didn't see any of them but we did see some turtles swimming around below us. We walked around to the different shops and had a blast! My mother in law bought Anna a tractor with Santa driving it for the Christmas tree. She loves that ornament so much that she has been taking it everywhere. We stayed in this really cool condo called Barefoot Golf Resort. We walked to the marina each day so Anna could see the boats. She loves the water and boats and honestly anything outside lol. I didn't want to leave Sunday. It was so peaceful there but the real world called. Maybe next time we go Chris can go with us!

The sun rising above the swing bridge Saturday morning.

Anna running around acting silly one night at 9:30. She was like the energizer bunny!

Here she is looking across the marina. Work hard sweety and one day one of those can be yours!

Wordless Wednesday

You can read below about our time in the country!

A whirlwind weekend!

I have been sick for almost a week but I didn't have time to even think about it this past weekend. It started off with us heading off to see family on Thursday early afternoon so that night we could take Anna to see Disney on Ice. It was a lot of fun and Anna really enjoyed it. Her favorite parts were Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs and I can't remember what the other one is called but you can see it in the picture. Anna never sits still more than a few minutes at the time. TV has never been a baby sitter in this house. However, she managed to sit totally still and absorbed in the show for a whole hour! By intermission she was ready to go so that was the end of that. It was a lot of fun though so I am glad that we went.

Friday, we went to a garden park that my hubby and I use to go have picnics at. We went with my mil and her sister. We took crackers and stuff for a snacky picnic. Anna had other ideas for the crackers and ended up feeding them to the fish. She had a blast as we walked around the park looking around and being silly. Aunt Cindy is the queen of silly. She is super smart and uses that to her advantage. Anna was thoroughly entertained. This whole time I have been sick not like pukey sick but all of the crude inside your body sick. So that night I bargained with the inlaws and told them if they wanted to let Anna sleep with them that night & I would stay at Aunt Casey's. This way I could take Nyquil and actually get some sleep and hopefully knock the crude out! They agreed instantly of course. So that night I got Anna to sleep in their bed and headed off to an amazing nights sleep.

Saturday, we hooked back up and had some silly time. An early lunch because we had a photoshoot that afternoon. Nap was perfectly timed and for once everything actually fell in place. She woke up just before I was about to go get her. We got her dressed and ready and out the door in record time. She did pretty good with her photo shoot we got about 3 good pictures. I even got a few on my camera too. She enjoyed playing in the water fountains they had there and then for the best part (in Anna's eyes) she got to ride a lawnmower (tractor). She wouldn't ride it when it was on but she enjoyed "driving" it. She spent the night with them that night too and that night really was the most amazing nights sleep. I slept like a log. I won't say a baby because we all know babies don't sleep that great lol.

Sunday, we headed back after lunch and I am so glad to be home. It is fun to go away but I love coming home. This coming weekend Anna and I are going to a family reunion. It will be a 4 hour drive that we will probably turn into at least 5 hours. Hopefully it will go well and we will have fun.

It's WAY to early!

Well, my inlaws are visiting. Which is great I love them as if they were my own family. Can you hear the BUT there lol. BUT this means that Anna is sleeping in the bed with me and my hubby. Not a good thing! She likes to spread out and apparently likes to have her own pillow now. I finally gave up sleeping at 6:30 but the reality of it is I should have just gotten up at 5. I don't understand how someone that weighs 23 lbs, give or take a few, can take up SO much space. At one point I woke up and she was flopping around trying to spread out and she layed her head on my belly. Another time she put her head at the foot of the bed. Mostly though she would just wake up and say "I done" in this whiney little voice kinda how I felt at 6:30. As soon as I sat up you could hear this sweet little sigh as she stretched out across the bed.

By the way, my hubby snored all through this. I think he woke up once cause I kicked him (on purpose). When he would get wound up she would get disturbed. I should say that he doesn't snore all the time. He went and played poker last night and stayed out late. When he gets overly tired is usually when he snores the worst.

My Week in Review!

What a fun week this has been. It started with us going to the real park on Monday. All of that cool, well not cool but cooler, air was amazing! Then Tuesday we went to the indoor playground because we were out anyway. And yesterday my hubby stayed home from work because he didn't get any sleep. So Anna and I went to check on my car. That was fun. We had to sit for a while with an elder lady that LOVED to chat. Well I shouldn't say chat because I didn't converse with her but she loves to talk that is for sure. We talked about her grandchildren that were my age. Her dog that died a while ago. Her car and working at Publix. She was quite a lady. I bet she would be interesting to talk to if we weren't sitting in a hot little mechanic waiting room type place. So my car needs a new coolant fan. That little sucker is going to cost us $260.00 can you believe that. I tell you what, cars are just a royal pain when they start getting older. Anyway, after we got that lovely news we left and went to the playground so my hubby could get a little more sleep and Anna could burn off a little energy. She is getting to where she plays really well with other children. Before she would watch them or play in the same area as them but now she is actually interacting with them. Of course, a lot of that was her trying to love on them lol. I am raising a touchy, feely kid lol. Which is ironic to me since I am not a touchy, feely person. I wasn't raised that way. I honestly wanted to make sure Anna knew it was ok to hug people or to touch their hands or whatever. So I have made a concious effort to make her comfortable. I just didn't realize she would be an extremest lol. After that we came home and spent the rest of the day with Daddy! Anna loved having him here. She had him coloring, blowing bubbles and anything else she could think of. And of course he loved every minute of it. I enjoyed the break. I felt like I had a vacation day lol. I let the Daddy do all the work and I chilled out. It was great! Today we didn't go anywhere. We stayed home and did a little housework and played. It was kinda rainy and Anna's mood matched it. The best part of today was that it was actually cool enough to have the windows up ALL day! It got toasty in the late afternoon. But I love being able to have the windows up. I feel like the house needs to breathe sometimes. I know I am crazy but eh who isn't. Tomorrow, we will have to finish our housework and laundry and get ready for Yia Yia and Pop to come see us. We might go to the park if we get moving early. We will just have to see. So that has been my week. It has been pretty great. Anything fun or exciting happening in your life?

The picture with peanut butter was snack time today! She sure does love her butter lol.

Updates: Gina is making improvements every day. She is now critical but stable.

My friend Catherine has cervical cancer but they seem to be benign. She has finished her 2nd treatment. which consists of scraping the cervics and a little radiation. She has a 10 month old that is staying with his Daddy while this is happening. She is doing better after this second round so hopefully she will recover soon.

& I keep forgetting to ask about Anastacia. I need to send them an email right now while I am thinking aobut it.