A pup's got to eat

And my animal loving little girl will make sure no pups go hungry, even if they are plastic. I love how compassionate she is with animals, no matter what kind.

Puppy was thirsty.

 And hungry.

 Lola was confused. "No Rora." Its puppy's turn.

Alright, fine. Here. Eat this.

Not done yet.

Now we're done… and bathing.

Oh boy. Cheyanne loves to get into any kind of mischief these days. As grossed out as I got when she was manhandling Lola's food, I think its pretty awesome to see her pretending with her puppy and starting to use that imagination on her own. 

When you first have a baby, everyone says the same thing. "Enjoy this time, they grow up so fast." You roll your eyes and say "yeah yeah" not completely able to agree yet. Well, I now completely agree with that overused statement. She really is growing up SO fast. I'm so blessed to watch her grow, even if it is faster than I'd like.

Happy Birthday Nana!

This day some odd years ago (you're welcome MOM), the world was blessed with what would be one of the best creations God would ever make. He created someone born with a gentle spirit, a love for life, and a desire to please to Him in all that she would do. He saw that the world was lacking in beauty and kindness, so he decided to change that… and made my Mom. And so the world got a whole lot brighter that day and has remained so ever since.

If you don't have the pleasure of knowing my mom personally, let me just tell you, you are missing out. I know everyone says that their mom is the best mom, blah blah blah. Its a child's duty to say that I think. Its in our contracts that we sign at birth. Well, I'll just say this, I'd say my mom is the best even if I hadn't. 

Those of you that know Mom, you can agree, I'm pretty dang lucky. How I got so lucky, who knows. When I think of the mom that I want to be my children, I have been given the greatest example of a mom to mimic. Unfortunately for me, I don't always succeed in calling on that half of my genes to take over in the parenting department. As much as I would like to be like my mom and as great as we get along, there are some major differences that I've yet to overcome. My mom is gentle. I am loud. My mom is mild mannered. I am quick tempered. My mom is quick to forgive. I am a procastinater. My mom is organized. I am… less organized. But what we do have in common is this. We love our children more than ourselves. We strive to see the best in everyone around us. We have put our own dreams on hold for our families and our home. 

Mom, there are a lot of things in which I wish I could be more like you. Mostly, its that I wish my husband would call me a saint too, like my husband calls you… a lot. Just kidding, but he really does, a lot. In seriousness, mostly I hope that one day my daughter can look at me the way that my siblings and I look at you, and be thankfully for being blessed with such an amazing mother. 

You're the best and I love you.

20 Months Whaaa?!

Sweet child of mine, you're growing is out of control. Its the first thing people say when they haven't seen you in a while, even if that while has only been a week or so. "She has grown!" Yes, yes you have. You are taller for sure and have put on a few lbs.  I'm not exactly sure of your measurements, but I know you are taller than most of the other kids in your play groups and gym classes, most of whom are older than you. I hope you don't take offense that I lovingly refer to you as my little giant. You'll get it one day when you realize the ironic mix of your bloodline.

You are a very quick learner. This is not an exaggeration when I say that you are learning at least one new word a day. You repeat a lot that you hear, sometimes things I didn't even know you heard. Mommy and Daddy are learning to watch what they say now. We've taken to spelling certain words that you know, for example, "cookie". Yep, that's a popular one. Although, its pretty funny when you say it because it comes out sounding more like "boobie"- Ha!

This month you've picked up on telling the difference between things like fruit. Before, every kind of fruit was a "nana" banana. This month, you've caught on to saying orange, apple, and grape. Sometimes I try and tempt you with an orange for snack just to hear you say because it is so dang cute. Tempting you isn't hard though but I'm pretty sure you're going to turn into an orange by how many you eat, its one of your favorite snacks.

You're an artist. I know that's not new this month but its pretty awesome and I'm loving it. We draw and color create every single day one way or another.

You are silly and love to laugh. You've found your deep throaty laugh this month. Its hilarious. Laughter only encourages you more.

You're Miss Tude most days recently. At.ti.tude. that is. What's a nice way of saying Terrible Twos? I'm still searching for that word.

This month, you are a momma's girl. Last month, you were a daddy's girl. Its all in phases. I'm not sure if this phase has been harder on you or Daddy. I don't have a picture to show this, but just trust me. Of course, right before this phase started, you said your first sentence. "Mommy, where Daddy?" And then it began.

You truly are growing up quickly. By this time next month, you might even be in a big girl bed. Daddy and I have been talking about it recently. My heart twinges a little when I think of you sleeping all alone in a bed that's not your crib. Argh! Slow down!

We love you Chey Chey. You are the love of our lives. Thanks for keeping life fun and wildly entertaining. 

A day in the air

Shockingly, the title of this post isn't about my husband flying in the air. Instead, it was my turn today.

One of the cool things about Charleston AFB is how they involve spouses with things on base. Every year, they do a "spouse flight" for the flying spouses on a C17. Somehow, until today, I've never actually been on one. Isn't that weird? Its like not knowing where my husband's office is, but in this case, a plane is his office. Does that make sense?

This is a few of my friends from our 15th squadron that flew with me.

The plan was to fly us (about 50 women over 2 jets) out to a different location, drop us off, and do a special airdrop showing. Then, we were to get back on the jets and fly around downtown which is the part I was most looking forward to.

This the "puke bag"they gave each of us ahead of time- just in case. I thought it was funny, "don't be embarrased…" HA. Thanks Air Force for the advice. Thankfully none of us on my jet needed it despite  the bumpy flight.

Since we started the flight with a little jet problem and less than fantastic weather, plans changed right away. We didn't end up getting to land at all or fly downtown, so instead we got a little show of our own. The crew opened the back twice while in the air which was awesome! Don't panic Mom. We were safe in our seat belts. 

Unlike this guy during deployment…

We didn't get to see much from all the clouds, but it was still pretty amazing to be flying with the back open. I now get why the Giant loves his airdrop flights. And, no, we weren't as high up as he was here nor did we have anything dropping out the back so the adrenaline rush was definitely not the same, but I get it. It was cool.

This picture below shows you what we saw. It wasn't that white from the sunshine. It was just that white from the clouds. Of all the days for hot and sunny Charleston to be cloudy…  

Oh well, it was still pretty awesome to see my husband's 'office.' :) I'm so glad he could be home today and have a daddy/daughter date downtown while Mommy spent a day in the air. Too bad I don't have any pictures from their day. From what I've heard, it was just as fun.

Its Good to be a MomMom

I love being Little Miss' Mommom. I know that sounds cheesy, but I seriously do! 

It just doesn't get much cuter than this.

There is absolutely nothing in my life that has more reward than waking up to this face calling me "Mommom." I wouldn't trade my life with her for all the money in the world. And that is a true statement, peeps. True. True. True.

I mean, look at this little face that I'm blessed to call mine.

Cheyanne, you make being a Mommom the best job in the world. On our worst days, we are still the best Mom/Daughter team that I could ever ask for. Thanks for being mine, and thanks for letting me be yours. You make Mommom's Day a day to remember.

And, of course, I couldn't enjoy MomMom's Day without this sexy guy in seersucker and pink … (have I mentioned how much I love him?)

Thanks Giant for a fantastic Mother's Day out and about in downtown Charleston. Despite the bleh weather, a delish brunch at Toast and cruising the market were all I wanted. Score one for you big guy. 

Happy MomMom's Day to Me!!

And, of course, I need to send a huge Happy Mother's Day ball of love to my own Mom! 

She is the most loving, patient, and understanding person I've ever been blessed to know. She is a Godly example of a mother's grace and southern gentleness. She's never met an enemy nor a stranger. And as the Giant likes to say, "Denise is a saint." Yep, that about sums her up. I love you Mom. Thanks for letting me learn from the best.

Ready for school

Few things make this girl happier than drawing and her backpack. I caught her with both of these things and she was loving life.

She walks around all day with her backpack on her back. She even makes sure we take it with us when we leave the house. What does that girl keep in there that's so important? Oh, a girl and her purse.

She also ate her first big girl apple today. 

This is what I get when I say "cheese." Popeye.

An apple a day… will get you into school faster I think.

Saying 'See You Later's

The time finally came for me to learn one of the hardest parts of being a military family. I knew the day would come eventually but I definitely didn't see it coming this soon with one of my dearest Charleston friends.

Moving to a new town is never easy. Moving to a new town with a husband that deployed within a month of moving, that is even less appealing. Thankfully, within a short time, I met a small handful of ladies from our deployed squadron that made me feel at home even while our husbands were away. One in particular, Alison, we quickly grew close sharing stories of our young daughters over coffee and shopping.

With a few months notice, the day finally came to say our final 'see you later's.  There are no goodbyes with us military folk, yall. Alison, her husband Kevin and daughter Kalina have been stationed at the Pentagon, and I couldn't be happier for them. Still sad but very happy for them. I will miss them dearly.

I guess this is just part of what we signed up for. It takes a little getting used to the idea that everyone I grow close to will sooner than later leave, but so will we as the 'game' continues. I am grateful for the friendship that I gained with Alison and the others that have formed since being here. I'll get used to saying "see you later" at some point.

More importantly, wow who will I drink Starbucks with?! Ali I sure will miss you.

My birthday Giant

I definitely didn't mean to pass over the Giant's birthday which was just a few days ago, but somehow things have been a little unpredictable around here. I feel like I live my life in blog posts and then forget or run out of time to actually make those blog posts come into fruition. I know I have a TON of things to catch up on here, and I promise I will. So let's backtrack a few days and give a big shout out to my giant. I love you Sweetheart. You're simply the best and all I could ever hope for. Cheyanne and I are blessed to have you.

I wish I could say we had done more for his birthday, but with the most unpredictable career field imaginable (seriously people- planning ahead goes out the window before I can even get it open), we improvise a lot. We had planned to spend the day downtown since he wasn't scheduled to fly that day. Thankfully, the flying part didn't change but he did end up having to go into work for the first half of the day which ruined our downtown plans. Instead, once he was home, we did some much needed wardrobe shopping at the Tanger Outlets. The poor boy hasn't bought new clothes in about three years. It was long overdue. We ended the birthday night with a nice dinner at Sake House which had a spicy tuna roll to.die.for. Trust me. I'm a pro at sushi rolls.

Why I took a picture of random Japanese food instead of our delicious tuna roll, I have no idea. Why I take pictures of food at all, I really don't have a clue. But, I sure do love some yummy Japanese house salad. I swear they put crack in that ginger dressing. Mmm delish.

Somebody just couldn't wait to get into Daddy's birthday cake. My guess is the one with the sticky fingers.

We did finally make it downtown for a special birthday lunch at East Bay Brewery the next day a few hours before he had to leave on his next flight. We've been eyeing this restaurant for months. Maybe I put too much hype into it, but it was not nearly as amahzing as we'd hoped it'd be. The tomato garlic cheese app didn't disappoint but the rest of meal definitely didn't knock our socks off. A slight disappointment. I felt sort of bad sending him off on his flight with less than super food to satisfy. 

Oh well. At least we got to spend his birthday together. That was the main goal of the day and I think we did just that. 

Happy belated birthday my love. 

A beach day

Today has been one of the best days that I've had in a long l-o-n-g time. The biggest thing missing was of course the Giant, but what's new there (insert begrudging sarcasm here)…? Today- Ninety degrees. Nothing pressing to do. No stress. No appointments to make or bills to pay. Just me, my girl, a good friend, the hot sunshine, and one beautiful warm ocean. It was fan.tas.tic.

The best part? I thought I was a beach girl. No. My girl is the real beach girl.

Just look at that face. She was so excited, she couldn't contain herself.

And check out at the beach hair. No words needed.

This picture below has a cute little story. I brought a few of her digging toys to the beach knowing she'd like to have a digging fest in the sand. I was filling her bucket with water and digging holes to pour it in to and Cheyanne jumped in to help. Watching me do it a few times, she dumped water in the holes and then stared at it for a few minutes confused as the water disappeared. She would point at where the water had been and then look at me with the most confused look and grunt like saying "What the?" It was a fun little learning moment showing her something new. This picture shows her staring down as the absorbed water in confusion. Cute, right?

And then the birds found us. I hate birds. Especially pesky beach birds that circle and dart for food. Chey was cool with them…until they got a little too close. (And that's my friend/neighbor/squadron pal Leslie that is due with her first baby boy in June. Doesn't she look great for being 7+ months pregnant?)

"Come to me bird!"

I wish I could have gotten pictures of Chey jumping the waves. This girl LOVES waves. She blew me away with how brave she was in the water. I was sure she would be timid like she normally is with new things, but she could not get enough of being in the waves. She was one brave little cookie today.

And of course no beach trip is complete without tasting a little salt water, right?

That was my beach day! Gosh I love living in Charleston!