Letters to Amelia...and Stella

Amelia,

You're three years old in less than two months. For 30 months I  so looked forward to seeing your sweet face first thing in the morning. The past 4 months I have so looked forward to seeing your and your sister's sweet face first thing in the morning. I didn't realize how quickly time was sneaking past me until Stella showed up, and you seemed to have grown 4 years older and 5 inches taller. Your sweet chubby hands are now slim big kid hands that help me bake cookies and follow along words as you "read" me stories. You no longer smell like Johnson & Johnson nighttime bath soap. When you don't smell like a kid that's been playing outside all day you smell like that too-grown-up big kid shampoo. I do enjoy the inquisitive little girl you've become, but I miss little baby Amelia a lot lately. I find myself searching for old pictures of teeny, chubby you. I secretly don't want to rush potty training and ditching the pacifier, because that means you're too big. Stop growing so fast, OK?

Right now you love:
*dinosaur eggs oatmeal
*Rugrats {thanks a lot Netflix}
*asking lots of questions
*chocolate milk
*reading me stories
*loving on your babies
*changing out pajamas 50 times a day

In fact, right this second you are in your second pair of PJ'S, watching RUGRATS, drinking CHOCOLATE MILK, ASKING for DINO EGGS because you and your BABIES are hungry. All we are missing right this second is story time. It's coming though. I give it 10 minutes.


Stella,

 I've been waiting a long time to add another name to these letters, and I'm so glad its you. You are the perfect addition to our family. You've reminded me that I want to spend as much time as possible with you and Amelia while you two are little little. I have talked about going back to work to get out of the house to have some adult conversation {my social skills are seriously slacking}, but lately I've had a change of heart. A lot of moms would bend over backwards to be able to spend this time with their babies. I have the rest of my life to work, but time to love on my babies is slipping through my fingers. I guess it's because we have decided that you will be our last baby that I find myself soaking you in a little more than I ever thought I would. I smother you in hugs and kisses from sun up to sun down. Sorry about that.

Our routines {sleeping, eating, pushing for milestones} with you have been a lot more relaxed than they were with Amelia. You're welcome. I love the way you love watching Amelia play. And you get so excited when you see your daddy walk past you. I love getting you out of your bed in the mornings, because your whole face lights up when you see me. You are a smiley little baby, and I love to make you laugh. I know the saying is there is nothing like a daddy and his little girl and that's fine, but you've also joined me in Amelia in what I think is a pretty great bond. My two little best friends. My two favorite reasons to get out of bed and start my day.

Love,
Your Momma

new year. new school. new issues.

We had been waiting waiting waiting for a spot at the First Methodist Church Preschool close to our house for months {close to a year}. We were driving 20-30 minutes {depending on traffic} each way for drop off and pick up 3 days a week at her old school. We finally got a call early December saying they had a spot available for us at the start of the new year. I did my happy dance and I just knew Amelia would be just fine making the switch, because she loves school. But...no. She has been 3 days so far at her new school, and it takes me about 20 minutes to sneak out of that room. It's really hard and sad to leave your two year old who is crying saying how much she is going to miss you. She will hide behind me holding on to my shirt, and as soon as I get the one hand peeled off of me she starts grabbing with the other. I bend down to calm her and tell her I will be back shortly and she holds onto the collar of my shirt like her life depends on it. Exposing my chest to all the little kids and two teachers watching me work out my escape plan... so. much. fun.

I guess it's the new faces and unfamiliar places thing that is causing such a hard transition. She was all for going back to school before she realized it was not her old school. Monday morning while I got her ready for school, she pitched a huge fit about going to school and changing out of her pjs. She finally calmed down and asked me to let her play in her room by herself for a little bit. I came back 5 minutes later to put her in the car, and she had stripped off all of her school clothes. I should have known better. Sucker.

This was her first day of new school picture. If only school mornings were still this joyous...

Hoping this transition gets easier very soon! I'm looking for any advice to leaving your screaming two year old behind.


xoxo,
Cadence

hi 2013

Since I last wrote I...


celebrated my birthday
had a baby
took said baby on a 6 hr car ride {2x}
experienced sleep deprivation {tried to order an eggplant latte from Starbucks}
lost a sweet family member
spent my first thanksgiving away from my family
missed my first Christmas Eve at my memommy's
started my own Christmas traditions with my family
watched my husband start up his dream of owning a charter boat business {One Shot Fishing Charters, y'all!}
celebrated engagements of friends back home {via text but celebrations nonetheless}
had Amelia's hair chopped off

I am pretty happy to welcome the new year! I am hoping to challenge myself to follow through with a few things this year, but I don't want to write them down or say them out loud. That way if I fail, I only fail myself, and not those who are counting on me. Hey! I'm a busy girl. Seriously...I'm typing this whole post with one hand.

I will say that I'm challenging myself to come here more. And maybe write some Letters to Stella {along with more to Amelia}? Stay tuned.

Some of my favorite pics of 2013 so far...

Be back soon!

xoxo,
Cadence

Letters to Amelia

Dear Amelia,

Since I last wrote you you turned two. Becoming 2x the kid, 2x the trouble, 2x the laughs and 2x the genius. You are two going on twenty one. Your new vocabulary amazes me, and worries me at the same time. I'm not quite sure what you're gonna say when I'm not around. Your imagination is hilarious. A few Amelia quotes that make me laugh (which I realize are probably not funny to those not raising a toddler) right now are:

"Just 5 more minutes."
"I promise, promise."
"Hey, I have an idea!"
"I'm so excited! I'm so excited!"
"I got to tell you somethin'."

You've started school this week, and this year you go three days a week. As much as I love the free time for a few hours three days a week, I miss you a lot. I'm so glad we didn't go with the five days a week plan.

It's getting closer to Stella Mae's arrival, and I'm afraid you are not quite ready. It's ok..me either. We will learn and adjust together! I can't wait for you to meet her for the first time. As much as I wanted to have a boy and a girl, I'm excited for another girl. There is nothing like having a sister. Forced friends forever. You'll always have a friend no matter where you are in life. You'll see. 85 days until we are due to hold your baby sister! Can't wait to watch you grow as a big sister. Until then, I'm going to enjoy my last 85 days of spending time with just you.

Love,
Your Momma

Letters to Amelia

Amelia,

You will be 2 years old next month. You have made the last two years of life seem so much fuller and happier. I wouldn't trade any days of past for my new life with you. I've learned over these past two years that having kids is like having your heart living outside of you. Much more vulnerable. I wish I could shield you from everything that makes you cry. Really, you cry a lot. When are you going to be done with the whining thing? Your dad and I are close to pulling our hair out daily. Then you do something sweet and big girl like and we forget {for 5 minutes}. Today when you wanted more chicken at lunch you said "more please" and "thank you very much". It makes my heart swell 10x bigger when you are a sweet little thing. So let's keep that going and ditch the whiny baby phase.

Your dad is your favorite person right now, and I really don't know what we would do if something happened to him. When he goes to school you ask me one hundred times where daddy is. You only want daddy to get you out of your bed when you wake up. You want "daddy on the couch" with you all the time. Daddy this. Daddy that. I don't mind though. You do plenty of "mommy, mommy, mommy" as well. I think he's your favorite, because he catches lizards, insects and fish for you to play with. At the beach we fill up the cooler with ocean water so daddy can fill it up with fish from the net. My little tom-boy. I love every inch of your dirt covered self.

Love,
Your Momma

catching up

This poor blog has been deserted. I had to blow the dust off before writing here again. I hate that it's been over a month since I've posted here. It had become so easy to write here every other day, and then one crazy week threw me a curve ball. I didn't feel like writing that week, because I was stressed to the max. Then I just didn't think about it much, and when I did think about it I didn't feel like anyone would be interested in things I had to say. I am back though and realllly want to get back in the swing of things. Lots has happened since I've been here! Disney, Easter, NEW BABY on the way! Here are some photos for anyone who missed them over on Facebook, and I'll be back tomorrow or Thursday for a Letters to Amelia. Thanks to my friends who nudged me back into the blogging world after missing my blogs! :)

{Disney photos}

{Easter photos}

{Baby announcement}

Be back soon!!

xoxo,

Cadence

jonesin' fridays

A few things I am jonesin' for this week....

I am so glad they make cute one piece suits now!

I love this color and style too. Is there an Anthropologie outlet? ;-)

I'm itching to read this baby book! I need to get it on my Kindle ASAP.

 

I originally pinned this bracelet thinking one day I would buy it for my mom, but I kind of really want it. {Sorry, momma}

What's on your wishlist? 

You can comment on this post and any other's in the comment form below. :)

xoxo,

Cadence

mid 20's crisis

Yesterday I was in the middle of a mid-20's crisis...or so I thought. Dramatic? Maybe - but that is honestly how it felt at the time. I just sat at the computer rocking Poppy's bouncer with my foot and tried to distract myself with blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, etc. I heard Amelia around the corner start singing the words to The Wiggles songs, and instantly felt 95% better. So I relocated Poppy and myself to the couch to watch the show, because that's where I needed to be.

After this first week of keeping Poppy, Amelia has made it very clear that she is not getting enough attention. By the end of the day yesterday she was ready to send Poppy packing {only to ask where she was 2 hours later}. I'm going to really have to work at still doing the things Amelia and I normally do when Poppy isn't here. I think I've made up for it this morning. It's only 8:30 {8:39} {8:48} {8:55} and it has already taken me 45 minutes to write this little bit. And I've reheated my coffee twice..Her favorite game this morning is hiding under my covers from monsters. Confession: sometimes I don't even tell her they aren't there and they aren't real, because I love that she wants me hiding under the covers with her keeping her safe from the "monstuhs".

Our Disney trip was almost cancelled due to some unfortunate events, but Michel and my mom are doing everything they can to make it happen. Can't wait for Monday week. I need some magical moments in my life!

Vintage Disney

Happy Friday!
{look for a jonesin' fridays post this afternoon}


xoxo,
Cadence

photo blog

I'm feeling very tired and overwhelmed right now, but I don't want to neglect the blog! Someone, pamper me? And bring me a birthday cake martini? Here is a short photo blog.. And I will be back Friday {and/or maybe tomorrow} with an actual post.

 Dr. Seuss' Birthday Bash!

Gotta get back to my sweet niece and rowdy kiddo! ;-)

xoxo,
Cadence

foggy afternoons

Yesterday, I sent my mom a text after a long whiny morning that read "You will be my best friend if you take Amelia for a few hours". Thankfully, my mom really wants to be my best friend and took her off our hands for the afternoon! Some days I feel like it's all I can do to just survive some moments. Yesterday morning my whole day felt like it was off to a rough start thanks to a very sad dream I had. Amelia was showing off her best "terrible 2's" tantrums and my patience was running thin. I hate feeling like that. Like I am just "surviving" motherhood and not enjoying motherhood. That's why I knew it was important to get a few hours to myself.

The day ended well. Adam & I decided to take the boat out for our first boat ride of the year, and it was foggy and fabulous. When we left the house it was sunny & warm, and as soon as we hit Navarre we were surrounded by a thick fog. We took the boat out anyways and dropped the anchor. We sat on the floor in the boat and we washed down Chex Mix with Coors. We sat and talked, and we also sat & enjoyed moments of silence. It was awesome. I am so glad March is here, and I am looking forward to many more boat rides with Adam & Amelia {and friends & family}.

xoxo,
Cadence