thanks a million {or 10,000}

My blog hit 10,000 views 2 days ago. YAY! Thanks to everyone who stops by here to read about what's going on with my family. I am so glad that my friends and family {far and near}, get to watch Amelia grow up thanks to the wonderful world of technology.

Michel and I have our first Junior League meeting tonight! Assuming Poppy doesn't make an early arrival. Which would just not be fair....Amelia didn't give me that luxury of coming two days early. We are ready for her no matter when she decides to come though!! This weekend I get to become the fun Auntie! I can't wait to hold her, smell her sweet baby smell and give her back to her momma when I'm done. That's the best part about being the aunt, right? I can't wait to see what she looks like!! We hear she has lots of hair. Good thing we have lots of bows to share with her! Not to wish the next year away, but I can't wait for her to grow up, and Amelia to have a playmate. She's one lonely chick.

Last night I found one tiny box of Amelia's clothes for this spring/summer and I just knew there had to be more. So I nagged convinced Adam to pull down two big containers of clothes from the attic to find they were clothes that she could have worn last year. :( CUTE CLOTHES!!! Looks like I'm going to have to climb up there to pull down her clothes from now on. Some of them she will just barely fit in now, and thank goodness we have a warm weekend coming up so we can get some use out of them. We are going to have an outfit change twice a day to make sure we wear the cutest stuff! Saving the cutest outfit for when she goes to the hospital to meet her cousin this weekend. <3 LOTS of pictures of that and Poppy James Lough's arrival to come on Monday! Have a great day!!

Pictures from our "fort" yesterday. I've got to get better at my fort building.

 {Amelia likes to take pictures too!}

xoxo,
Cadence

milestones

I have been going through all of my old magazines that are piled up like little mountains beside my bed. I hate to throw them away, so I decided to re-read them and throw away what I don't need. Like if I kept it for a recipe, tear it out and put it with my recipes. If I kept it for a craft, tear it out and make a "craft" folder, baby articles in a "parenting" folder, etc. I am starting with the Parents magazines, and read a sweet article a grandmother sent in. She was trying to explain herself {and all you other grandparents out there} when she says that she loves her grandbabies more than her own children. She says of course that is not completely true, it's a different kind of love. Her mind isn't concerned with missing milestones, and the growth and development that you worry so much with your own children. She says this helps to be able to love them freely. She can love them with all that she has. It's true, milestones can be a little thought consuming. I guess that's part of the parenting experience though. We've had some major milestones around here lately. I feel like the older Amelia gets the more "milestones" we are going to hurdle? This week Amelia had her first haircut!! She was a little scared starting out, but nothing that a sucker and sitting in momma's lap couldn't fix. Auntie M came with us and took some pictures!! I may not be great at keeping up with Amelia's baby book, but I hope to have all of my blog posts about Amelia made into a book for her one day. Blogging is definitely more my thing.

I wrote this post about a week ago. I've been waiting on the pictures to add to the post, and since then we
have reached another milestone. POTTY time! Of course we have a good ways to go, but we are off to a good start! I know its not going to happen over night, and I am willing to be as patient as possible. That's the plan anyway. Any potty training tips for this newbie? We were doing m&m's every time she used her potty, but the m&m's disappeared quickly {& not because Amelia was rewarded so many times..}. Switched her prize to DumDum's...those have a better chance of survival.



xoxo,
Cadence

Letters to Amelia

Dear Amelia,

Last night you snuggled with me on the couch right before bed, and I reminded myself to never take those nights for granted. One day too soon they will be gone. You were laying on me drinking chocolate milk and letting it leak out of your mouth, and when I felt it hit my skin the first time I shrieked. You thought it was hilarious, so we kept on with our little game. We wasted chocolate milk and stained up my white shirt, but I can't make you stop doing things that make you smile that way. I love your gap in your teeth! It makes your smile 1000x cuter.

You got up pretty early this morning, but when I brought you to my bed you went back to sleep for about an hour. Thank you for holding my hand while you slept in my bed. I didn't get to fall back asleep, but holding your little hand was worth it. You may not be the best sleeper, but I wouldn't trade you for one that is.

You went kayaking for the first time with your dad this weekend. In JANUARY! I hope you love growing up as a beach baby. You are going to have so much fun this Spring & Summer riding on the boat, learning to swim and playing on the beach. You're such a smarty, you'll be swimming circles around us in no time. Not only do you get to be a beach bum, but your Honey has a lake house in Georgia you'll get to enjoy as well. Lucky kiddo.

A few things I'm loving about you right now:

- the way your face lights up and you giddily giggle when you see candy
- the way you call for your dad if he isn't in the bed when I bring you to our bed in the morning
- the way you have to hold your lunch box walking into school
- the way you wave and say hey to anyone who will pay attention to you
- your perfectly gapped teeth
- the way you say {scream} Poottttssss {Pops}
- & the list goes on {and on...}

You get your first haircut tomorrow at 20 months!!! I am so nervous since the sight of a hair dryer sends you running..I think the Tootsie Pops I have for you will help.

Love you today even more than yesterday!!

Love,
Your Momma

happy friday

Tonight was like a real Friday night. We went out and celebrated the weekend! Even though right now our weekdays and weekends are really no different. But out we went with Michel & Jake to eat at Fusion Bistro, and for a scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins. Sadly, that little scoop of ice cream needs to be my last for a while. Here's to trying to lose 30 lbs before June 1st. Adam says he will run a 5k with me as long as it is 60 days out. We both need to train! You heard me. Train for a 5k...the shape we are in is only good enough to chase Amelia around the house. Not to run 16,400 feet. Ya feel me? Chasing Amelia around is quite enjoyable. We took her to the park by the sound in Navarre so she could swing, feed ducks, run around and slide the twisty "swide". She listens pretty well and stays close by, so we can let her down to do what the wants there.

 {Amelia "text"}

Michel and I went to our first Junior League meeting last night. It was really awesome. It is going to be a fun way to make new friends/connections! It's about dang time. I miss girl's nights, coffee with friends, shopping dates and movies. Not that those things aren't fun with Michel and momma. It's just nice to have your girlfriends one phone call away as well. Speaking of shopping dates with Michel, we have one tomorrow. I gotta get Amelia out of the house so Adam can clean it! He's good like that.

That about sums up our weekend. Our wild and crazy night tonight, yard sales with my dad in the morning and shopping with Auntie M. Hope everyone enjoys their weekend!


xoxo,
Cadence

the new year

Adam starts school next week, and I'll have lots more time to blog and play around on Pinterest now that he won't be hogging the computer for his video game. The man got out of the military to play military on the computer. And all day and night at that. I'm just going to stop talking about it right now, before I say ugly ugly things. About the video game, of course. The new year has been good to us so far, but we are waiting for a few things -financially- to fall into place. I won't believe it when it does happen, because we have been waiting on it for what feels like forever. Lots of changes coming up around our house! Adam going back to school, and me and Amelia babysitting Poppy when Michel goes back to work. I must get pregnant again before I bring another baby into this house. Adam won't be able to change his mind once the deed is done. It's funny how when you "try" to have a baby it seems impossible, but when you do not need to get pregnant - BAM! I know, it will happen when it needs to. And for now, these two keep my heart content.

A day with daddy = chocolate stains all down a white shirt.

xoxo,

Cadence

Letters to Amelia

Dear Amelia,

Today you showed me and your dad how strong you are by rearranging all the furniture. Thank you. I've been meaning to put the bar stools in front of the refrigerator for some time now. You go back to school tomorrow after being out for a few weeks. I am You are so excited to go back. Here's to hoping I get your room {which looks like Toys-R-Us threw up in it} back into a kid friendly/safe environment while you are in school tomorrow. There is no telling what is in that room. You've been sneaking kitty food piece by piece into your new tent. Gross. Thank you for making me feel like the best mom ever today when I let you have a sucker. You can't get out those exact words yet, but the way you cut your eyes over to me and smirked in my direction let me know how you felt. It made me want to feed you suckers all night long. But I can't imagine you on a sugar rush, and I'm really sure I'm not ready to pay those consequences. Your dad taught you an inappropriate phrase today that you two thought was pretty funny, and I can't really get mad at him. I am guilty of teaching you to sing the "We Po {poor}" song. Your dad doesn't find that song very amusing. ;-) You've been asleep for 30 minutes now, and I already can't wait to see your smiling face in the morning. I love you to the moon and back!

Love,
Your Momma

promises vs. resolutions

Happy New Year to all of my loved ones! I'm pretty glad to see 2011 go, and excited about the fun we will have in 2012. I'll have a baby niece here in just a few weeks to start off this exciting new year, and I can't wait to hold her!! I'm not going to make a New Year's resolution this year, because all of the things I thought of should be an everyday resolution that wont lose it's importance a few weeks after the new year. Let's be honest, how often do New Year's resolutions really work out for people? I'm much better with keeping promises so I will stick with those.

I promise to be the best mom I know how to be to Amelia, and hopefully another little one before this year is over. 
I promise to be the best wife I know how to be, and the best friend I know how to be.
I promise to not take for granted the wonderful things/people that have been put in my life.
I promise to do my best in letting go of fears, insecurities and anything that may be holding me back from living life the way I should be.

I can't wait to watch Amelia grow over the next year. As much as it breaks my heart for her to become a big girl, I love watching her do new things and say new words. I can't imagine the changes we will see in her over the next 12 months. I hope one of those changes isn't her little hands. I'm not ready to let go of those yet.

The family is coming to our house tonight for the traditional New Year's dinner. I am so glad to spend all of my holidays with my family. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else unless they were coming with me! Family is everything.


Happy New Year!

xoxo,
Cadence

to my mister {year 2}:

Adam,

Happy two year anniversary to us! Two years seems to have flown by, but at the same time I feel like we've already spent a lifetime together. In a good way, mostly. :) In two years we have moved our family to a new place and created a home. Since we've been married we have added to the mix: a kiddo {hopefully another soon}, a cat, a dog {who wasn't with us for long}, a car, a boat and lots of good memories. I can't wait to keep adding to our life and making more memories together. I am thankful that you chose me to spend the rest of your life with. You are an amazing dad and husband.  Thank you for being my shoulder to cry on, arms to run to and my personal maid. Nobody cleans house better than you. ;-) I can't wait to celebrate with you Wednesday night!

I love you!

The Beatles - When I'm 64
{song that played when we walked down the aisle together after ceremony}


When I get older losing my hair,
Many years from now,
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of wine?

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?

oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oooo
You'll be older too, (ah ah ah ah ah)
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.

I could be handy mending a fuse
When your lights have gone.
You can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?

Every summer we can rent a cottage
In the Isle of Wight, if it's not too drear
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Vera, Chuck, and Dave

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view.
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, Wasting Away.

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Mine for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When I'm sixty-four?

Whoo!

xoxo,
Cadence

Christmas Spirit

I've found that I am more in the Christmas spirit than ever this year! I am sure that is stemming from my excitement of Amelia understanding Christmas a little bit better this year. Last year we sat her up in front of the Christmas tree, and made funny faces behind a camera to capture the smile we were looking for. This year I don't think that will be my favorite photo. The pictures of her loving on her family members, playing with her new toys and singing along to Christmas songs will be my favorite part this year. Her face on Christmas mornings will stick with me forever, and I can't wait for this to be the start of many more to come. I know it's not all about the presents and Santa Claus. I know that in years to come, I will get to teach her the real meaning of Christmas, but right now her little brain can't exactly wrap around celebrating Jesus' birthday. As she grows up, I hope she learns to love all aspects of Christmas equally. For now, I'll let her enjoy her gifts, her cookies and milk with Santa at school, her magic elf, Elfis and I'll be the one celebrating Jesus' birthday. Celebrating that because of his being born so long ago, she is with me now and she is healthy, smart, funny and she is the perfect kiddo for me.

{Christmas 2010}

In fact, with all this excitement of what I get to give her, it's been more about the giving instead of the "gimme, gimme". Not to falsely lead you into believing that I'm not counting down the days until I too get to tear open that wrapping paper, dig into my stocking and eat too much food in good ol' Enterprise, AL. 12 days.

Adam and I are only doing stockings this year {good stockings - the ones with hopefully gift cards, perfume, a massage and/or pedicure certificate, etc}, and we made little wishlists on Amazon. We didn't think about the packages coming in the mail and having to look inside without ruining presents. We have had two fails and one success so far in the guessing game. Next year we should probably order from separate accounts if we decide to order from Amazon *free shipping*! How do people do big Christmas shopping without acquiring some major debt?

Gotta run and help shoot a wedding for LoughTide Beach Weddings. Tis' not the season for weddings, I know. I wish I could tell these people that they are cutting themselves short on the Anniversary gifts with Christmas right around the corner. I know this from experience. I'll be married 2 years next Monday!

xoxo,

Cadence

Letters To Amelia

Dear Amelia,

I love the way:

your eyes light up when I suggest we brush your teeth
you spit (nothingness} into the sink while brushing your teeth, just because you see momma and daddy do it
you jingled your bells in your school Christmas program
you say your words
you love candy
you chant "ho ho ho" in your crib after seeing the Santa in the hallway before I put you down
you know and love your extended family - I am so glad you get to live near at least one set of your grandparents, aunt and uncles
you can turn your CD player on all by yourself and dance around your room
you call "Pluto" "Pierre"
you've started choosing snuggling in my lap over lounging in your Dora chair at night
you have manners - "Pease" & "Tank you"
you make your dad smile
you make us both so proud
I found you hugging your baby to your side yesterday morning while you played with other things in your room

and the list goes on..

{perfect}

Love,
Your Momma