Thursday in a Nutshell

It has been a rough week. I'm so happy tomorrow is Friday!

Why is it that I think the weekend will automatically make things better? 

The girls played dress up today and I took some HILARIOUS pictures with my phone and because I'm so cheap/old school I don't have email capabilities on it and can't exactly share them on here. Trust me, hilarious!

I painted my fingernails tonight for the first time in probably 4 years. Seriously, I think the last time I painted them was for a wedding I was in 4 years ago! I'm diggin' the hot pink nails though!

Is it crazy that I'm planning my weekend outfits to match my nails? :)

Is it crazy that I'm planning my weekend outfits?

I so love making baby food and it appears that I have a little girl who loves to eat it! And thankfully I have a Nanny who sends me fresh peaches (not from the grocery store) to use! They were a huge success with Mika Lynn. 

My sister and Nanny have been gone this week to Tennessee to visit some of Nanny's friends. I hear they are coming home with moccasins for all three of my girls! I cannot wait to see those little feet wearing moccasins :)

If you've read this blog for long, you know that when I'm having a hard week/day I like to sit down and list out things and it usually makes me feel better because my list is usually full of blessings. Even this list of silliness makes me feel better :) I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love.

Play Date

Today we planned a play date at Heather's house. I loaded up the girls (as P says) and we headed over to play.

The girls have been so good for me the past couple of days so I was a little worried about how they would act. Plus, Laila woke up with a low fever this morning and wouldn't take a nap before we left so I had no idea how she would handle being gone all afternoon.

Thankfully they were all wonderful and we had a great time! Mika Lynn even managed to fall asleep over there (after fussing for a few minutes) and take a little nap, sweet baby.

We were celebrating another friend, Hannah's, Birthday today, so that made our afternoon even more special!

Heather made cake for us and cupcakes for the girls to decorate with homemade chocolate frosting and Sparkles (that is what Peyton calls sprinkles!). Heather is so great! We just love her :)

I think all the little girls had fun! I know I did and I hope all the other "big" girls did too! :) Thanks Heather for having us over! You are so sweet and such a special person!

And I'm so thankful that I got to spend some time with Hannah and Heather. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better! They are both so sweet and are part of my Ladies' Group. I'm so proud of my girls for acting so wonderfully today. They couldn't have been better! And as a reward, we had Sonic for dinner!! 

What will we do tomorrow??

** Laila isn't feeling well, her fever rose throughout the day (which I know is normal) and she became a little achy. I'm hoping it is nothing that a good night of sleep can't fix. Bless her heart. It is so hard to just hold and rock her like she needs to be when she is sick and still take care of the other girls. I guess I'm still figuring out how to be a mom of three! She's sleeping now and I'm praying she wakes up in the morning feeling GREAT!

Happy Tuesday!

It Once Was a Garage....

And now it is a Playroom!!!!! The big girls spent the weekend with their Mimi so Mom and Dad could get down to business in the garage. We worked all day Saturday and for a few hours today and managed to get it done! We are worn out but it was worth it.

The Before...

That's a lot of stuff!

The After...

The view from the door.

Kitchen, toy rack, the piano that I may start playing again!!! I can't wait to teach the girls how to play when they get a little older. 

The TV and fridge - two must haves for the playroom :) The table by the fridge has all of my law books and stuff... ready for when I'm able to study for the Bar Exam.

The couch and Lucky the Horse. 

I'm looking forward to some fun times in our playroom. It brought us such joy and happiness to be able to give this to our girls. We feel truly blessed! Our girls love their room and were so excited to get in there and play tonight when they got home. Now it is time for some playgroups!!!!

Finally Friday!

What a crazy week! Right?! Was it for you all too?

I have a few pictures to share from this week so I'll put them in this post.

J and I have big plans for this weekend - Project Finish the Playroom will begin at approximately 8am tomorrow morning. We are sending the big girls to my mom's for the weekend so we will just have Mika Lynn and should be able to get SO MUCH done in the playroom. I'm hoping to finish it, but I'm being realistic too and I have no idea how things will go once we get in there.

Be looking for pictures of a super-fun playroom for three super-fun little girls!

I also gave Mika Lynn her first REAL baby food this week. We've been doing oatmeal for almost two weeks now but she got to eat some carrots yesterday. It was definitely love at first bite!

I know she is mine and all, but that is one cute baby girl! That smile warms my heart daily!

Yummy deliciousness! 

And just because I love them so much...

This is their new favorite thing - they will hug each other until they fall down and then giggle. Precious!

And my sweetie and his babiest girl...

Happy Friday Y'all!

Internetless...

We had a storm Monday evening that knocked out our power and caused the internet to mess up. I must admit that I enjoyed the break from all the connectivity. But we got it back on yesterday afternoon so I've been trying to get caught up on some things. Stick with me as it may take a few days.

I've had a big week for me though....

Tuesday night I went out to dinner with a friend. I honestly cannot remember the last time I went out to eat with a girlfriend and no kids. Actually I can remember and it was in December. Anywho, I had the best time visiting with her. Love you Katie! Jared kept all three girls at home while I went out and I have to admit that I have felt guilty about it since I left the house. I feel guilty that I asked him to watch the girls after he had been at work all day just so I could go out to eat.

Then last night I got the opportunity to meet up with my Ladies' Group. I was there when the group formed and have had to stop going to regular meetings because of having all the babies and then with Jared's weird work schedule. But I'm hoping to get back to it in the fall! So we had an impromptu meeting last night and it was such a blessing to be able to get together and pray for each other. And to see those prayers being answered (and they are being answered as I write this) is amazing!

Did I feel guilty about going to the meeting? Yes. Jared stayed home with the girls again and even as I was walking out the door I couldn't believe I had asked him to do that two nights in a row. I realize this is something I'm going to have to work through because I know I need to do things for myself some, but dang, it is hard to start doing that after so much time of not doing it.

And finally - my sweet baby girl has her first tooth! I absolutely cannot believe it - she is only 5 1/2 months old (both of my other girls had their first tooth come in at 7 months). I was definitely not expecting to feel it when I was massaging her gums yesterday. She's been teething but I just thought we were in the beginning of a long process. Guess that's what I get for thinking because there it was, a little tooth poking through her sweet little gums. Bless her heart!

I'm thinking of cancelling our internet because I so enjoyed not getting online for a couple of days.... I doubt J will go for it though! :)

Party for a Princess

My little Princess Laila turned TWO this month and we had her party Saturday. 

Menu:

Barbecue Chicken or Beef Sandwiches

Cheese Dip and Chips

Watermelon

Birthday Cake

Homemade Ice Cream (my favorite!)

Party Punch

Lemonade

*Nanny brought her a Princess Cake*

I did a few decorations... not much, but enough to make our house feel special for Laila's special day. I like to do color themes for my parties and this party was pink, turquoise and brown. I also like to try to dress myself the girls to match as best I can :)

I also had a lot of help from my mom and Nanny. I love having them here!! And a BIG THANKS to my sweetie for working himself sick outside on the yard. It looks spectacular!! I did not get any pictures so you'll have to take my word for it!

I could not be prouder of my girls. I wanted a picture with the Birthday Girl but I couldn't refuse Big Sister when she asked to be in the picture. Unfortunately I couldn't get a picture of L looking at the camera. 

*Check out Big Sister posing.... she is such a mess!*

*And I'm sporting my fresh hair cut thanks to my dear friend Katie and her salon!*

We sang Happy Birthday and I LOVED watching Laila's face - I think she felt special and loved, at least I hope so!

Make a wish sweet girl! 

It was a great party with some of our family (we have already partied with some and there are some that couldn't make it). I love having people over to our house and I LOVE doing it for special reasons like celebrating my babies. Thanks to everyone who made this a special day for the birthday girl!

Too Much To Do...

I have a HUGE list of things to do this week. I mean It covers about three pages! Yikes! I make a list for everything... I love lists! This week, however, it has gotten a little out of control! We are having a birthday party Saturday evening at our house so I have to prepare for that on top of all the normal stuff that needs to be done.

I'm a little overwhelmed at how much I need to do. I'm hoping the girls decide to cooperate with me and let me get some stuff done during the day so I can actually sleep at night rather than staying up and tackling my list. We shall see. Whenever I get this way, I always think of my grandmother and how hard she worked and how she was able to still care for her eleven children and her husband. It makes my list of things to do not seem so long and daunting. :) Nevertheless, it will be a busy week around the house.

Just so you know what I'm talking about here is an little snippit from my To-Do List:

Laundry
Unpack
Make baby food
Grocery for party
Clean blinds
Hang pictures in hall bath
Clean up flower beds
Normal housework
And much, much more!

So I'm going to go put the computer up and get back to work!

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

Weekend at the Lake

J had Friday off so Thursday afternoon we headed to my dad's for the weekend. We were both SO READY for a fun, relaxing weekend on the lake. I knew we were going to have fun when the girls wanted to jam out to Bon Jovi and Daughtry in the car on the way there! It was hilarious to see them "dancing" in their car seats.

When we got to dad's Thursday night we met him at the store to get what we needed for a cookout that night with some friends. Burgers and hot dogs... perfect. We finished the evening with cake and ice cream for the Birthday Girl.

Let me just go on the record saying that I can't believe she is two! TWO! My heart is having a really hard time with this. Thankfully she will still let me hold her.... sometimes.

Friday we hit Wal-Mart early. Pappy had to take his girl birthday shopping! We also needed a few things to take to the lake with us... yippee! Dad and I were talking Friday and we decided we needed to buy another life jacket in the 30-50 lbs size. It was time for Laila to move up to the bigger life jacket. So while we were filling up the boat at the marina, I went in and got a new life jacket. Little Girl LOVED it! This year she has been preferring to sit up on the boat and snack rather than swim.... until now. Now that she has her new life jacket she has more freedom. She was moving around and swimming on her own within minutes of getting in the water. She has never really swam on her own with a life jacket so this was a BIG deal!

So Friday we swam, then came home and had pizza and hung out. It was a perfect Friday, in my opinion.

Simply beautiful.

There is a big fireworks show on the lake on Independence Day Eve. My girls have never seen a fireworks show... I know, I know, I'm a lame mother. :) It just hasn't ever worked out with their ages and with Jared's work schedule and such. But this year we did it right!

Saturday morning we got up and had a huge breakfast (thanks Dad) and early naps before we headed to the lake. We got out about 2pm and got ready for a long, fun day on the water. Let me just say, my girls were nearly perfect. I only had to get on to the big girls a few times and Mika Lynn was as good as can be. We swam and swam and snacked and played. We met up with friends and tied up together.... think of the song "Redneck Yacht Club" and that was pretty much us!

Sis and me! I know I desperately need a tan, but it is so hard to get one when I spend most of my time outside making sure Baby Girl stays in the shade and cool. 

This is how it goes when I try to get a picture of all three girls....
Take One:

Take Two:

Take Three:

The last one would have been good if my hand hadn't been in it. They are such a mess, these girls!

Mika Lynn and I hung out in the back of the boat, in the shade. She was especially fond of Pappy's Captain's Chair.

Ooooh, I love this baby. :)

We were out on the lake for over eight hours. I am still in awe at how good my girls were. And I must say that I had a great time. The girls spent the afternoon and evening jumping off the boat and swimming. They had a ball and I loved watching them. As long as my girls are having a great time, I don't mind being the palest person on the lake!

Seriously, this is one of my favorite pictures - how cute are these two "Whitneys"?! Laila Whitney and her Aunt Whitney, they are big buddies!

SPLASH! I kept trying to get an in-air shot of Peyton jumping but she jumped too fast and I was always too slow with the camera. Eventually I'll get a good shot of her jumping. She did so good!!! I'm so proud of her for jumping and Laila for swimming and jumping so well. They amazed me!

A little sass for the camera! She was posing and showing off some dance moves on the boat. Needless to say, we were cracking up. So much personality wrapped up in such a small package - love it!

Here we are, our little family, waiting on the fireworks show to start. The girls loved it! Peyton got super excited over the red ones (her favorite color). And after each firework went off, Laila would either say "Oh that one did" (I think she meant that one exploded) or "that was cool". They had a great time and I loved every minute of this special day with them!

I hope you all had a wonderful celebration of our country's independence. We definitely did!

Happy Birthday Laila-Bean!

A Little about my Laila Whitney. Her birthday was yesterday, but I waited to do her birthday post today...

July 1, 2008 we welcomed our Laila Whitney into this crazy world. She was a full three weeks early and her birth was a surprise. 

I had my first actual surgery because of her - c-section.

She was so sweet from the beginning, but she was a hard baby. 

There was some serious Mommy Attachment in the first year of her life. She hated for anyone else to hold her. I had to leave a funeral once because the babysitter called me crying and said she couldn't get her to calm down. Oh my. 

She has always been a good sleeper. She never wanted to be rocked (sad) and still doesn't. 

She has some serious, real love for her blankets. She started with one.... we lost it. So we bought her another to "replace" it, but she decided she needed six replacement blankets. And that is how many blankets she sleeps with now - 3 big blankets and 3 small ones. 

Every morning she comes out of her bedroom with all 6 blankets in her hands. 

Laila was also my pacifier baby. P didn't take one for long but Laila did. We took it away last winter. She had gotten to where she wanted one pacifier in her mouth and one in her hand (which she would put up to her eye). Two pacifiers and a few blankets and she was ready for bed!

Laila has always had the sweetest smile and funniest expressions. Her big blue eyes are full of life! I love it that she almost closes them completely when she really smiles.

My girl loves to eat. She has only met one food she didn't like - cucumbers. She will eat and eat until she throws up, so I have to be careful how much I put on her plate at meals. She gets so excited to eat sometimes, it is precious. And if you ask her what she wants to eat (for any meal) she will tell you Macaroni and Cheese. Every.Time.

Did I mention her love for powdered donuts?

Laila also ALWAYS has a baby doll. She loves them. They are her babies and she takes very good care of them. She also loves books. That makes this Momma very proud, as I love books too!

She loves to play outside...

And ride Pappy's horse...

And she LOVES her sisters! 

Laila, you are my little doll, my buddy. I have enjoyed every minute of watching you grow over the past two years and I can't wait to watch you keep growing into your own person. You are hilarious. You constantly make me and Daddy laugh. You have such a big heart. If someone seems hurt or upset you quickly go love on them, rub their face and whisper "its ok, I'm right here." 

You love to sing and dance and do anything your big sister does. Peyton and Mika are so lucky to have you as their best friend. I'm so blessed to spend my days with you. Daddy and I thank God daily that we have you as our daughter. You are a special little girl.

Happy Birthday Baby Doll!