Happy Birthday Chey

This beautiful girl is two today!! 

Not possible, right?! 

I have a hard time even wrapping my head around the fact that she is growing up so fast. 

She was just like this a week ago, right?

Now she is this silly, hysterical, full of attitude and sparkle little girl that loves to keep me on my toes while laughing.

Oh, and for humor sake as I just am not prepared to be emotional today (I had enough of that yesterday saying bye bye to Daddy for a while!)…. here she is two seconds before the picture above was taken. Literally, two seconds. My birthday girl.

And then I made the "Cheese" mistake. You'd think I'd learn by 2 years.

"Open your eye Cheyanne!" so of course she closed them both and acted silly.

Finally. 

Happy birthday Chey Chey. We love you very much big girl. Now, lets go eat some cake for your birthday breakfast.

Don't judge. I tried to take us to Cracker Barrel for her birthday breakfast and she refused. So, cake it is today for the birthday princess.

A Cheyanne Moment

Here's a sweet moment I want to remember from tonight.

While putting Cheyanne to bed tonight, I laid beside her as I usually do doing our normal nightly ritual; read a few bedtime stories, say our prayers, then cuddle before saying goodnight. Tonight, she placed both hands on my face, pulled me in so I was nose to nose and said "A-vayou." Interpretation. "I love you."

Melt my heart.

My baby will be two tomorrow. I could not love this sweet child anymore than I already do.

Of course then as I said goodnight while walking out her door, I heard her say "night Mo-ee." Interpretation. "Night Molly." …. That's a new one. Today she started calling me Molly instead of Mommy. Uh….oh….

22 week baby update

If you have been following me since 2010 when I was pregnant with Cheyanne, you'll remember that I kept up with my pregnancy via these weekly quick questions. This time 2 1/2 years ago, this was me. 

Seeing as I'm already half way through this pregnancy, I figure maybe its finally time to kick it into gear and start keeping record so I can remember the fun details. So here it goes.

My 22 week picture. The belly has grown big time (and the hair is in desperate need of a trim. I'm not even sure what is going on in the back at this point. I blame Hubs for not letting me know before he took this picture immediately before leaving).

I had my September appointment today and things look great. He has a solid, strong heartbeat in the 140s and is perfectly active. 

How far along?: 22.5 weeks
How big is baby?: He is almost a foot long (about the size of a spaghetti squash in comparison to food).
Weight Gain?: Up until 19weeks, I had gained a half a pound total. At 22.5 weeks I've gained 5 pounds total. Yeah- 4.5lbs in 3 weeks. Uhhh… at least I look more pregs than chubs these days.
Stretch Marks?: Nope.
Maternity Clothes?: This week started my first go with any maternity wear. I'm still squeezing most of that prego butt in reg shorts but some days its really pushing it and I've had to give in and pull out the maternity shorts… I should probably start shopping soon if I want to leave the house in things other than gym clothes or pajamas.
Sleep?: I'm doing pretty well with sleep most nights. I usually wake up once during the night feeling like I'm about to pee my pants but can normally get back to sleep quickly. 
Best moment this week?: At today's dr appointment, we were listening to the baby's heart beat and Chey looked a little scared at the loud noise. I immediately told her Mommy was ok and what she was hearing was baby's heartbeat. She repeated "beat baby." The doctor and I laughed and Cheyanne just smiled.
Food Cravings?: None still. Is that weird? 
Gender?: "He" is confirmed.
Movement?: He already has his nights and days messed up. At midnight, he is partying away in there. He's a strong boy that loves to move.
What I miss?: After most days with a toddler on my own- wine. 
Belly Button?: Still there with my pretty bling.
Labor Signs?: No.
What I'm looking forward to?: Everything.
Milestone?: I've started collecting a few baby boy clothes as I come across them at the Airman's Attic. The ones I have now have been washed, folded, and put away. Girl clothes are way cuter… but our boy will still be pretty cute in them.

40th Anniversary Recap

Last month was my parents' 40th anniversary. That's so unheard of these days, and I am so proud of them for 40 years of what I describe as a true love miracle. They met when they were 8 years old, became best friends in middle school/high school, and have been together since their junior year of high school. Isn't that amazing? 

To celebrate such a huge accomplishment, my sister and I threw them a small surprise dinner party with 50 of their closest friends and family. Despite the brief monsoon that took over the park for about an house before the party started, it turned out beautifully and my parents were more than surprised. 

Here they are walking up to a packed picnic area full of familiar face. Very different from what they expected, which was my sister and brother in law were in town and taking them out to a simple dinner. 

SURPRISE! 

Everyone's in town! 

Aren't the centerpieces gorgeous? Daisies- just like in their wedding.

How cute are they? I'm so blessed.

Well done Auntie T! We pulled it off and somehow everyone kept it a surprise! Here's to never throwing a big surprise party from out of state again! :)

Our last week

This week is my last week with my first child under 2 in the house! I'm sorry. Let me repeat myself. Its the LAST week!! Sunday Chey turns 2. For reals….people…. Its happening.

How has this happened? I want to sat that these last two years have flown by, but I can't completely say that. Some periods of time have flown by a lot faster than others. Of course its been the times that her Daddy is home that seem to fly by the fastest. Doesn't it always happen like that? The times we want to slow down don't. That isn't to say that I am not in shock still about this milestone comping up. I've been dragging my feet wrapping my head around it. I haven't even gone shopping for her presents yet- horrible denial. With the Giant leaving again for a few months, we decided not to throw a big party this year for Chey. I feel a little guilty about that decision, but there has just literally been no time to get it all together with a very unpredictable daddy schedule.  Instead, we'll have just a few close friends over for cake and ice cream Friday night and hopefully Chey won't know the difference of what she's missing. Next year, I have promised myself that I will make it up to her. We'll go big or go home.

We did have a mini celebration last weekend when my parents were down visiting. If you remember, for Father's Day, my sister and I got my dad a gift we knew he'd love, a sailing lesson through the Charleston Sailing School. He was finally able to get down here to do it, so we made it a celebration weekend.

Here Cheyanne is dropping her Skipper off at his first day of sailing school.

The night before they left for home, we celebrated an early birthday. We sugared her up then sent her to bed. Ha! Just kidding- sortof.

I love this picture of her. So sweet as we sang happy birthday.

It took her awhile to like the icing, but she finished off every single bit of that cupcake before we were done.

It was too late to open any presents so we waited until morning for that part.

Some little girl was very excited about her gifts from Nana, Skipper, and her Great Grandmother.

"Open!"

"Ohhhh!"

"a house!"

Nana and Skipper helped her get everything set up before they had to leave.

And so we've spent every day since their visit playing mommy and daddy all around the house. 

I think its safe to say that she loves her first dollhouse.