Baby Ethan is here!!

More of my 2015 posting catch-up...

On November 5, 2015 something amazing happened! We welcome my precious nephew, Ethan into the world!! 

He is such a cutie pie and weighed over 6 pounds. Mom had an easy labor and arrived with less than 30 minutes of pushing! 

We traveled up to Lexington for his birth. Chase, the girls, mom and I stopped halfway and spent the night in Nashville on the fourth. My youngest sister and dad drove on through and got there about 2 am. We arrived before lunch on the fifth. Plenty of time to be there for the birth! 

They came home the day we left, but we went to visit them in the hospital multiple times. We couldn't get enough of that little sweetness! 

The girls are obsessed with him. They seriously cater to him and just want to live on him constantly. I have no doubt they'll spoil him! Calla wasn't real sure at first, with Mommy holding this new little person, but she quickly changed her tune! 

We all love baby E! We are so excited to be in his family and to watch him grow! 

Nashville Getaway

At the beginning of October, we took a mini-vacay to Nashville! It was so nice to get away--even if it was only for a few days! 

We left Saturday morning and got there about lunch. Even though it was raining, we didn't let that slow us down! We checked into our hotel and then went to grab some food! After lunch was shopping, then back to the hotel for nap. We woke up and headed to the mall to shop. We had take out for dinner back at the hotel later.

The next day we woke up and went to the zoo! It's was so much fun. Even though it took us forever to find, it was worth it! Our favorite thing was getting to pet the kangaroos! So awesome!! We grabbed a quick lunch and then spent our afternoon at the children's museum. It's called the Discovery Center. It was so cool too. The girls' favorite things were the pretend play areas, with dress up and props.  Wish we had so thing like that here--the girls could've stayed forever but we had to get some food! We had dinner at the rainforest cafe. Both girls enjoyed it. Especially the animals! Calla was mesmerized by the Tigers, and Augusta was convinced the elephant beside us was real! 

The next day we got up ready to head out. But there was one more stop we had to make. We can't go to Nashville without going to the Loveless Cafe! Their biscuits are soooooo good!! After we filled our bellies we headed home. Our little trip was the perfect way to break up the Fall semester and give us some much needed family time! 

Halloween fun!

Halloween is a fun holiday. There are usually lots of festivities. And there are lots of decorating for littles to do, and my littles love some decorating! This year, Augusta dressed up as Elsa and Calla was Anna. Yes, they are Frozen obsessed! 

We love painting pumpkins. I started it when Augusta was a baby because it was an easy way for her to get to help. And the tradition has continued. Both girls love to do it!! 

We also still carve pumpkins. The girls like the finished product, but aren't really into the whole process. And who can blame them. Pretty much the only part they can do is extremely nasty--cleaning out the pumpkin. They both tried it this year though! 

This year, the forecast for Halloween was rain. And not just a little rain, basically a monsoon. So to be safe, we wanted to get our trick-or-treating in other ways. 

We did a family trick-or-treat on campus the Thursday before the actual day. It's always fun because there are bounce houses and games. But it's also always crowded. And not the best candy haul since there are only like 5 sororities participating. But we still enjoy it. 

On Friday, some neighborhoods decided to go ahead and move their trick-or-treating due to the rain chances. Whole Daddy was at football, mommy and the girls met Mrs. Whitney and Turner and trick-or-treated Wellsgate. The girls had a ball going to the houses and getting candy. And also riding in the wagon Mrs. Whitney brought! 

Saturday night, Halloween, the rain actually cleared!! We had our traditional family trick-or-treat around Mims and Pa-Paul's neighborhood. The girls loved it!! Getting to be with their cousins always makes things fun! After making the rounds we had pizza for supper and the girls dug into their candy! It was definitely a successful Halloween!!

Pumpkin Patch 2015

One of our favorite family things to do in the Fall is go to the pumpkin patch. Our favorite one to go to is located right outside of Hernando in Love, MS and it's called Cedar Hill Farms. 

It's always so much fun with the huge playgrounds, giant tunnel slides, zip line, and tire swings! The girls probably loved the tire swings best. Augusta was into the big slide, Calla was not. Both girls tried the zip line but weren't really fans--maybe next year. 

But they did enjoy the pig races!! Augusta especially had a ball chanting for her pig as it raced! In the farm section they had fun on the train ride and liked looking at the little animals! 

Then it was off to find the perfect pumpkin. Both girls picked out smaller pumpkins, but we did get one big one to carve. Calla was almost overwhelmed--wanting to pick every pumpkin up! 

They also had fun on the giant pirate ship playset before it was time to go. Cedar Hill farms has quickly become a family tradition that we all enjoy!! 

Birthday parties in 2015

We had fun celebrating birthdays with friends in 2015! 

In August, Madelyn turned four and we celebrated with her at cloud 9! The girls had a ball bouncing around! 

Also in August, Lani turned 11 and we had our traditional Old Venic dinner on the square. We also did this for Beebs birthday, only with Yaya's to follow! (Hers was in September!)

In November we celebrated with Rowan at the park. It was a super hero party and the littles had a ball! (We also celebrated Augusta's birthday but that will get its own post!)

In December, we celebrated with Ella James at cloud 9. Augusta had a ball bouncing at this Frozen themed party and loved her buildable snowman party favor! 

With December also came Judson's farm party! It was unseasonably warm, perfect for the outdoor festivities! The girls had a ball on the tractor! 

We also had more birthday dinners with Mommy (delta steak company), Pa-paul (Gus' fried chicken and insomnia cookies) , and Gammie (meal prepared by mommy at home). We were all blessed by growing another year older in 2015!! 

2016 Resolution

Keep this blog up to date!! That's my resolution for 2016, and let's see how well I do with it! 

I almost gave up and abandoned this thing, because I honestly have no time for it. I am a wife and mother. I have a full time job. I have household chores to do and activities to cart my littles too. And other than that we love to go experience life and enjoy each other's company. That doesn't leave a whole lot of leftover time. (And any Mommy can tell you leftover time does not usually get devoted to yourself!)

But I want to keep a record of all our fun somewhere. So the girls can read it one day. So I can reread it and give our memories another dimension. So I'm keeping on! 

And to start out, I'm catching up! Nearly 5 whole months of catching up--but I'm going to do it. So here goes! 

My Littler Talker

Calla is getting so big, y'all. I just cannot stand it! I'm loving watching her grow, but is it too much to ask to keep her little a while longer? Shes only 14 months! She's my baby!!! 

She is one smart little, though. She's already so verbal. She most always talking about something. It's incredible. She mostly uses one word utterances, but she does have some consistent two-word utterances. We have heard her use up to four words though!!! Way to go, baby love!!

Here are the words she has in her repertoire. Brace yourself for a long list! 

Mama

Mommy

Dada

Daddy

Sissie

Baba

Cup

Water

Bubble

Donald

Daisy

Baby

Berry

Nummy (word for gummy)

Cheese

Bath

Pool

Poop

Doll

Dog (will do sound)

Duck

Cat (will do sound)

Horse

Cow (will do sound)

Flower 

grass

Jump

Pillow

Bed

Cover

Tent

Car

Truck

Cookie

Cake

Cupcake

Squeezee

Stomp

Paper

Cracker

Fish

Kwazi 

Papaw

Pap

Lani

Beebs

Maddie

Mims

Brad

TT

Elsa

Anna

Olaf

Belle

Lala

Fry

Chicken

Burger

Buggy

Bug

Candy

Banana

Grape

Dance

No

Bike

Turtle

Tiger

Hi

Hey

Bye

Bye bye 

Wipe

That's not even all of them, but as you can see that list was getting pretty extensive! Here are some of her phrases? 

"Where's ______?" (Insert any name or object she can say)

"I poop." (Will say when she toots or poops).

"A baby" (or any other object or person)--used when requesting

"I'm tired"

She probably has more phrases as well but that's all that I can think of right off the top of my head. 

Calla's favorite toys are still primarily baby dolls. She loves to carry them around, play with them, and even snuggle them as she sleeps. A baby doll is a must in the car--just in case she's tired! She also likes snuggling with stuffed animals, mini Lalaloopsies or any other doll, barbies, and a Me Reader book reader we have. 

She also loves her big sister. She doesn't understand why she can't do everything big sister can. She wants to follow her around everywhere, play with her, and basically be just like her. If big sissie spins, Calla has to spin. If big sissie is eating a cheese stick or anything really, Calla has to have the same thing. If sissie is practicing tumble, Calla will bend over so you can help her do her forward roll. If sissie is doing something she's too little to do, she's going to pitch a fit and let you know she doesn't think it's fair she can't participate! 

Calla still loves to eat and drink. That said, she is starting to get into that phase where she's too busy to sit still to eat. There's too much to explore and do, food can wait! She's not a big milk drinker, but she will gulp down chocolate milk. She loves all juices! Her favorite things to eat are gummy bears, berries (most strawberries and blueberries), Mac and cheese, and pizza. She loves to get messy while she eats too. It's not uncommon for her to have pizza sauce up her nose or be squeezing foods in her little fist!

Calla has also discovered all about using the bathroom. She will sit on the potty and use the bathroom and then reach for toilet paper to wipe. She had told me she had to go and I will take her and she actually uses the potty. She will go consistently first thing in the morning. We are by no means pushing this. But if she wants to do it, we definitely won't discourage it! 

Calla is also our little animal lover. She loves dogs and cats both. She always wants to pet them and hug them. She's such a sweetie! 

I also have to say Calla has one of the most expressive little faces! I love watching all the expressions she makes, they will have you laughing and cooing over her for sure! And she's already very dramatic--when she gets hurt, she's going to fake cry just so you'll look. And if she falls down she'll lay in that position, fake crying with an outstretched hand until you help her up! She is definitely a Miss Personality! 

We love our baby girl and watching her grow is one of the greatest gifts. We thank the Lord for our sweet Calla Jane!