Three Months Behind

I somehow just realized that I'm the worst Mom at remembering milestones. I can't believe I NEVER posted her monthly milestones since her birthday!! Worst! So for record sake, I'm going to just quickly recap what she's been up to and how fast she's growing in the last…3 months.

Let's start.

How is this the only picture I have with Mr. Bear on her birthday? I think too much was hitting me that day to remember to get a good picture. I swear she had lips at 12 months. She just likes to suck them in (still). At 12 months, Cheyanne's Daddy was home so life was good, crazy but good. I think 12 months might have been a little bit of a rough month because everything was an adjustment. Going from one parent to two within a day changes things. She adjusted just in time…

At her 12 month check-up, Chey weighed 22lbs 7oz and measured 29.5inches. That continued the reign in the 75th+% of measurements. Not walking yet, but she was quite the furniture cruiser. Her hair is now starting to really grow in despite being a little "mulletish" with short up front and a curly party in the back. MomMom and Dadda were regular words being used correctly (most of the time).

Oh man, I really wish now that I had taken the time to do this at the time. This is harder than I thought to remember.

On to the big 1-3 month update.

Thankfully, I remembered to get some good pictures this month.

Thirteen months was a BIG BIG BIG month. My baby evolved into a toddler, and Lordy did it happen fast. She went from no steps to three steps to twenty steps all in the blink of an eye (or about a twenty-four hours). How is that even possible? How did it happen the first time? Baby and I were outside in the front yard waiting on Daddy to come home from work. He pulled in the driveway and in normal fashion, she wanted to get to him as fast as possible. In his arms, he turned her around and said "Walk to Mommy." We both lightly encouraged her like we usually did, but something in her nerves changed and off she went! Three steps all the way to me. Hooping and hollering ensued which then led to more walking and more hooping and hollering. So on and so on. By the next day, I'd lost count after 20. I tell you what, when she catches on to something, she sure takes off with it.

Some other things that changed this month after daddy deployed were… a few extra ounces gained, an inch or two grown, another tooth popped through on the bottom which has her at 5 total, and our first ponytail/pigtails. Another big first this month, "Uh oh!" I don't guess this technically is her first word, but its definitely her first towards talking. Its the cutest thing I've ever heard. "Uh oh!" Cracks me up every time she drops something and then looks at me and says "Uh oh."Also, everyone gets a "Hi!" Hi Hi Hi!

Now on to NOW- 14 months.

Is it just me or does this girl seriously look more like a girl than a baby? Maybe its the hair or maybe its the smile, but I just can't get over how much she has changed. Her days are constant and jam packed full of fun. Finally, I think its safe to say that we have our own little routine, just us girls here. She has started a good sleeping schedule- down by 8:30pm, sleeps until 5:30am, nurses and back to sleep until 8:30am most days. We are still at one nap during the day which starts at 12:00 and lasts a solid 2 hours. Finally! 

She's becoming quite the chatty cathy saying words like "uh oh," "up," "boo" for book, "ba" for bear (Mr. Bear), "doo doo" for thank you, "dadoo" means I want, and "out." Maybe they are words only a MomMom can understand, but she's got a good start. 

Body parts are big right now. We have a game of pointing to all our body parts every day. She knows her belly, belly button, toes, nose, eyes, mouth, boobies, and fingers. That's quite the accomplishment I think. Her favorite- her belly button!

We are still nursing around 5 times a day. She is very texture oriented so its still a constant game of figuring out what she'll eat. She "can" eat most things but does not care for meats or other tougher or stringy foods. She'll eat the entire can of corn or cooked (and sweetened) carrots if I let her. And carbs. Oh the carbs. She's a little more like me in this department than I'd like. But, who can blame her? I sure can't. My way around the blank carbs on days where I can't seem to get much healthy in her, I sneak in some veggie pasta. Thankfully she loves it. Sneaky MomMom.

I think that catches me up to date on her milestones. Hope you enjoyed this three months crash post.

Give Thanks

This year I have so much to be thankful for.

Since Cheyanne and I are heading to North Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with the Giant's family, I wanted to send out an early Happy Thanksgiving message.

Most of all this year, I want to thank certain people in my life only after I thank God for placing them here.

I am beyond thankful for my family. I could not have gotten through the year without each and every one of you. You sent me your love, your prayers, and your support during what feels like the longest year of my life. The Giant and I are so grateful to have such a strong family around us. God knew exactly what he was doing when he put us all together.

My parents took me and my daughter in when we needed a place to stay.

My sister who has listened for hours on end to me yapping or sulking about whatever was running through my head each and every day.

My grandparents for helping spoil my daughter to no end while living back at home when we both needed a little extra spoiling.

My Aunt Jennie for being a constant cheerleader and continuing to uplift both the Giant and I with the kindest words. My cousins for never failing to make me laugh, even on days that I didn't think I could.

My in-laws for helping bring my small family together even if only for a few days of leave, as we had gone months on our own. My mother-in-law specifically for always being willing to help wherever she can.

The Giant's grandparents for showing unconditional love and pride in us.

My best friend Cara for loving me despite myself and remaining one of my closest confidants for oooohhh so many years. I love you always dear friend, you might as well be family.

I could list out so many others of you, but frankly, I don't think blogspot has enough room for that post. So instead, I just want to say a BIG thank you to you. Thank you reader. Thank you follower. Thank you friend. 

And last but not obviously not least, it goes without saying (but of course I will say it anyways), I am thankful for my Husband. My Love, I am not complete without you. You are my everything. I am a wife before all else. You brighten each of my days, whether you are here or not. You simply being in my life makes my life better. I am most thankful for you. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed and your heart does not go unmatched. One of these days, we'll be able to celebrate Thanksgiving together. What a day of thanks that will be!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!!

Diamond in the Rough Part Two (and Three)

Things are just never as easy in real DIY life as they are in my head. I'm just putting that out there ahead of time so its clear why there is a part two and then a quick and final part three.

Let's back track and remind you what I started with HERE.

Rough, I know. Set me back 2 bucks.

Part Two was the first attempt at a redo. After removing the hardware, I did a quick clean wipe down and sand job. I took it out back and sprayed some primer on this sucker.

Here comes my moment of What. Was. I. Thinking? Insert disaster!

Sometimes my laziness pays off. Sometimes (and specifically this time) it does not.

I was too lazy to go the two miles to Lowe's and search for a new and fitting paint color, so I went through the spray paints that I already had lying around and might as well have picked eeny meeny miney mo. A while ago, on  Pinterest I saw a bedside table that was glossy black with silver drawers. I had those colors already so I thought lets go for it. Bad bad decision.

This is what I got.

PUKE!! What was a I thinking? Not only is it just plain gross, it doesn't even remotely match any of our stuff. 

After I threw out a few worse than PG words and stomped my feet in tantrum, I grew up and decided the drive to Lowe's would be worth it after all.

A quick trip to Lowe's, and we were back on track. On to the quick and final part three.

Success. I think.

Valspar Frost saved my tantrum self. What do you think? Better right?! Not too filing cabinet'esque is it? 

I wasn't satisfied with the metallic hardware redo so I changed it today with a little white paint. So, technically there is a Part Three B. Picture will be up in a minute.

So here we are now. My $2 bedside table has found its new home in our very incomplete guest bedroom. I say "very incomplete" so you don't judge- so don't! Its a work in progress. The framed picture will be above the bed eventually, for now, it sits wherever I keep moving it to.

Its gonne come together one of these days.

Diamond in the Rough Part One

I love thrift stores. I think my "wanna be a DIYer"brain about explodes when I find little gems that need a little TLC. Like this piece for instance. And I got it for a whole whopping Two bucks! That's right. TWO.

Yeah, it definitely needs some major love, but its nothing that a little sanding, prime, and paint can't fix. I've been keeping an eye out for a simple night stand in the guest room. I think I've found it. 

So, here's where I need some feedback. Any thoughts on color? We're working with stark white walls so the possibilities are endless.

My Wild Child

Here's a glimpse into my life with a wild child. There's never a dull moment.

She and I had a few words about standing on crates, but, only after I got a picture of course.

Silly faces and wild hair. That's my girl!

And this picture just makes me smile. It was a particularly chilly day outside which is rare, so we grabbed every warm thing we could find to play outside (which lasted a whole 15 minutes…). 

Notice, nothing is out of reach anymore. Even without her step-stool (i.e. crate), she'll figure out how to reach what she wants. Tippy-toes!

It wasn't me...

Oh my sweet girl and her many wild child moments. Could I love anything more? I think not.

You know you're a deployment spouse when

1. Your one goal for the day is just to get out of the house.
2. You are constantly checking your phone's reception for bars.
3. Skype stays online 24/7 just in case your husband rings.
4. You find yourself on your knees in prayer more than you sit at your own dining table.
5. You just can't bring yourself to wash his pillow case on laundry day because his smell still lingers.
6. You have reorganized every shelf in your house moving every day things to a lower shelf within your reach instead of your giant husband's.
7. The memory of an argument about paint color choices makes you roll your eyes and laugh now instead of annoying you like it did before.
8. You think in Zulu time instead of local time.
9. You and your daughter have frequent daily conversations about what Daddy might be doing right now on the other side of the world.
10. Your  get excited at the thought of spouse get togethers with complete strangers because these are the only woman who know what you are going through right now- and because you crave an actual face-to-face adult conversation not involving any form of technology.

And since there are no pictures that really go along with this post, here's a few recent ones of my beautiful girl.

Morning moments

This sight is rare. Me. Alone. Showered. With coffee. In morning silence. Ahhh.

I needed this. With Cheyanne asleep and the house cleaned, I sit here peacefully enjoying my early morning cup of pumpkin spice coffee catching up on some good blog reads.

Yeah, I should do this more often. Early mornings are worth it, usually...

__________

Even though I did not plan this early morning, it was a nice surprise. I woke up because of an early morning surprise phone call from the Giant. Time differences have us all over the place in our conversations. He is doing well, remains healthy- unlike the rest of his squadron, and is flying constantly. I have his address if anyone would like to send him a note, just contact me- as a wife I'd appreciate all the support he can get.

Where's my baby?

Seriously, where did my little baby go? That baby seems to be long gone and has been replaced with this wild toddler child. I swear, I've never laughed so hard and wanted to pull my hair out all at the same time. This girl keeps me on my toes on a daily basis.

Today? Her interests lied in the laundry room- with the drier to be exact. I love stepping back to see things from her perspective. I mean, before she died laughing at opening and shutting the dryer door, I would have never looked at it as anything fun. But, now I can definitely see how watching clothes spin around could be entertaining. HA!

Uh oh, gotta go!! The toddler's on the move again…

What an artist

We had our first art playtime this morning, and IT WAS FUN! Finger painting is our new favorite activity, and I'll show you why.

From this

To this

Look at that smile (and tongue)!!

Finally, something that she can play with and make as big of a mess as she wants! Nothing a little bath can't take care of. I definitely should have invested in a lot more paper booklets. One page really should have lasted longer.

After spending entirely too much time on Pinterest one night, I found this really cute idea for our Christmas cards. 

Source: craftrookie.blogspot.com via Molly on Pinterest

With our finger paints out, I decided to give it a try. Notice the bottom picture. It didn't turn out quite as well as I'd hoped because a certain little someone's toes never stop moving or uncurling. We'll try again another day.

Our first artwork is on the fridge, labeled and up to be admired!

Future Monet, anyone?