So much to post so little time!

Well I know there is so much I should have posted by now but there has been no time! We have been busy, out of town or sick the whole time. So I will give an update while my little snot nose is occupied.

We had Jaden's party two weeks ago and it went great. I never knew there was so much work throwing a kids party! And it was only for family! I went with a duck them because she loves ducks! She had a great time but was not interested in opening the presents. Thank goodness her honorary family member Charlie was there to help!



Charlie was so thrilled that Jaden got maracas! hahaha!

Cousin Chase had a great time testing out Jaden's riding toy!

The girls loved the ballpit from Nana and Papaw!

Then it was cake time! In our family each baby gets there own chocolate cake to dig into. Jaden wasn't to sure about it at first but once she got a taste she went at it head on! She had to have a bath after she ate cake!!!










Before the party we did alittle photo shoot, thankgoodness we didn't wait till after the cake!


Pretty little Sophie just taking it all in!


Jaden's "Aunt" Amy was there to help celebrate!



Aunt Brenda and Uncle John came all the way from Mississippi!




After the party and before my parents left we decided I would go home with them since Rusty would be in Boston for the week. So we packed the van with three people, one baby, and 3 dogs and hit the road for Mississippi! It was not a fun 13 hours. While we were there Jaden got to meet her cousins, great granparents and her aunt and uncle from Arizona for the first time!



Jodus didnt think he would like his cousin but he decided she was pretty cool!


And then we came home and brought something with us! Mr. Sinusitus! Yep we all three have it. It has been such a joy around here with one whinning toddler and one whinning husband! It just doesn't get any better than this!

Jaden is the big 1!!!

Well I can hardly believe it but my little girl turned 1 today! We are having a family party for her on Saturday. All day long I have been answering phone calls from my family telling her happy birthday. My parent's even drove up from Mississippi today and my aunt and uncle will come in tomorrow!
We spent the evening dining at her favorite place, Buffalo Wild Wings. Yhea she loves it cause she can make as much noise as possible and not get in trouble!
She is no longer my little baby, she is now my little toddler. She is walking up a storm. There is no stopping her. We finally put up baby gates to keep her contained. We are really getting a workout these days!
She slept everyday last week and this week in her crib at nap time! This is a BIG step because she has been sleeping in our bed since she has come home and refused to sleep in her room! We are taking baby steps to move her to her room during the night.
Enjoy the pics and check back for the party pics this weekend!

3 Months with our girl! An update of what's up!

It's hard to believe that Monday was our three month gotcha day! At times it seems like yesterday and then again it feels like she has always been here! It is also hard to believe that one week from tomorrow my little girl is turning one! We are planning a big family party for the birthday girl. I even have family from Mississippi making the long trip.
Jaden is doing great! I could not ask for a better baby. She is so happy all the time. She wakes up smiling and goes to bed smiling! She has brought such joy and happiness to our life! I am so glad we stuck it out even though there were times I wanted to jump ship.
So what has Jaden been doing lately?
- She is taking more and more steps on her own. Each time she goes farther and farther.
- She has learned to climb a whole flight of stairs on her own!(with me behind her of course)
- She is still doing great with the potty, there have been a few days I never have to change a diaper!
- She is doing great with her sippy cup. She holds it herself and knows how to drink from it.
- She really knows how to tease the dogs!
- She is not a fan of the baby gates we have put up to keep her off the stairs and out of the kitchen!
- She went trick-or-treating for the first time and made the cutest bumble bee!
- She talks on her phone and answers it with her version of hello!
- She loves brushing her teeth!
- She has learned that she can push her chair against the coffee table and do some table dancing on top!
- She is not a girly girl, no bows or dresses for this kid!
- She is now taking naps in her crib!!! This is big news. She has been sleeping in our bed pretty much since she came home. She still sleeps the night with us but that is ok.

Now what have I learned:
- Being a mommy is the hardest and most rewarding job in the world. Its a 24/7 job.
- Being a mommy is the best form of weight lose you could have!
- There are never enough hours in the day to get it all done.
- We are now on her schedule.
- The best place to take a baby on a Sunday night is Buffalo Wild Wings. Beer, Football, and load noise all equal a blast for one baby who loves to make noise!(no she didn't get beer, nor did I)
- It doesn't matter how much pink you put on the kid someone is still going to say what a cute little boy she is!
- mommy's kisses seem to fix those hurts alittle better than daddy's!
- There is always someone who thinks they know more about your kid then you do!
- There is always someone who thinks they are a better parent then you.
- There is always someone who really thinks they should tell you what you are doing wrong and what you need to do.
- Not every baby goes by the book. Every baby is different.
I have learned that it is ok to raise our daughter how we raise her. Its ok that she sleeps with us at night. As long has we are happy and she is happy and safe that is all the matters. Its ok that she stays up till 10 or 11 because she is a night owl,she sleeps till 9 or 10 and she is happy. Its ok that I let people hold her, she likes people. But she knows who her parents are and she always makes sure we are there. Its also ok that I dont want to leave her and go out. Right now my place is with my daughter. I trust Rusty to watch her but I dont want to leave her. I dont want to miss one step, one kiss, or one bath time.
So we have both learned alot and I am so happy that I got this lesson!