Five Halves

What in the world is our 2 1/2 year old up to?

For starters, she's towering above most kids her age at 38 inches tall and weighing in at 34 pounds. Most of her clothes are now 3T, with a few 4T things.

She loves to pray in a quiet, shy voice that I only dream of hearing any other time of day.

Big girl bed status is official now. Most days are terrific. She's been in it for several months and we have our occasional nap time battles, but overall she's done well with the conversion. If only I could finish the design change . . .

Homer Horse, Connie Cow, Dexter Donkey and the like have taken over our conversations. See a trend? Her school teaches phonics with these clever names. So now every animal has its own alliteration of a name.

Lion King, Ice Age, and Charlotte's Web are a few of her favorite movies. She loves to sing Hakuna Matata & picked up on her new favorite phrase "Don't you understand?" courtesy of Nala.

Sassy Susan has definitely made a stop at our house lately, but they say that stubbornness leads to success later in life, right? Crossing my fingers!!

Her vocabulary has taken over our lives at this point and become practically limitless. There are days I wonder why I ever wanted her to talk more ;)

She loves to kiss Mommy's belly button and give Drake love since he's "stuck in there" I sure hope she loves her brother as much once he joins her world.

This age is more challenging that dividing with fractions (did anyone ever really figure that out?) but is so entertaining and fun too. Ryanne's personality is {mostly} sweet, outspoken, and sensitive and watching her grow gets more fun with each day. Or maybe I just get more excited for the terrific threes each day ;) Time will tell . . .

 

PS. . . You may've noticed she's picked up a lovely new "cheese" face that entails closing her eyes and grinning goofily. That face? Can go away any time it chooses and it would not hurt my feelings. 

12 Goals for 2012

1.  First and foremost, my goal is to survive the rest of this pregnancy and the transition from one kid to two while I'm finishing up my semester of nursing school. 
2. Last year, especially lately, I was pretty lousy at blogging. I love the journal that it is for our family, so my goal is to post more regularly, at least twice a week. Ambitious, huh? ; ) But I'm trying to be realistic. I know there will be times when that will be a stretch. 
3. I want to be better about photographing Ryanne {and Drake}. I'd like to do an annual photo book, but that means I've got to take more pictures!
4. I'd like to read at least 2 (non-text)books during the summer. I love reading, but have put it on the back burner lately. 
5. I want to be more patient with Ryanne and Trey. 
6. I want to be better about putting away laundry. I have decided I will not wash a new load of clothes until the current one is put away. (I'm excluding this goal from the month after Drake is born. Ha!) 
7. I want to do some type of craft/project/creative thing with Ryanne at least twice a month. 
8. I will have the TV off by 10:30 unless it is the weekend and are watching a movie together or something. I need to quit wasting so much time with the tv. 
9. I want to not worry about my weight until 2013 and just enjoy this year :)
10.  By the end of January, I want everything to be better organized in the house & to keep it that way throughout the year. I put this off when we moved in, and it is long overdue.
11. I want to be a better wife. 
12. I want to remember that I'm only one me, and that me is human. I tend to be too hard on myself, so hopefully I can give myself a little break in 2012 too :) 

I mainly posted these so that I could look back at them next year & see how well I've done, and to hold myself accountable. I just like to set goals, new year or not, to try  improve myself and our family.

Hope you all have had a great New Year's Day!

Farewell 2011

2011 was a new challenge for me, for our marriage. Every year since we got married, the "biggest" event of the year has been something positive.

2008 ~ We got married in April and then found out in October we were pregnant.

2009 ~ We welcomed Ryanne into the World in July.

2010 ~ We bought our first house.

However, 2011's most memorable event was most certainly Trey breaking his spine. What a roller coaster that was! We are so blessed that he has healed well, and is back at work. God also blessed us with the news that Drake will join us in 2012. I look forward to all that he has in store for us next year, and thank God for His protection during this past year and its' many trials.

On a more fun note, it is amazing to compare how much Ryanne has grown over the past year.

It's amazing how much a year can change things, and how quickly it can fly by. I can't wait to see what next year has in store. Hope you all have a very blessed new year!

Christmas 2011

We started off Christmas this year by opening family presents first. Ryanne got to open her presents from Mom and Dad and Trey's parents also came and we opened presents from them and they got to open our presents to them. 

 

 

Later in the week, Santa came to visit and left Ryanne the rest of her presents. We also made stops at Trey's grandparents, my Dad's, my Mom's, and both of my grandma's houses. I always feel like we are on a carousel around the holidays, but we're thankful for all of our family. 

Deck the Halls!

Some of my favorite blogs are doing a holiday tour of homes today, so I thought I would join in on the fun. This year has been kind of crazy between Trey getting hurt, and me being pregnant, our decor is kind of slim this year but I enjoy it anyway! 

This little sign and several other knick knacks are scattered throughout the house. 

Of course, you have to have some scentsy love in the Christmas decor!! 

Our big Christmas tree

This jar is surrounded by a deco mesh wreath on my coffee table

This is just a little bit of the Christmas decor in my kitchen. 

Of course, Ryanne has a little tree in her room! 

This sign and some more of my save all deco mesh is on the bar. 

This is more winter-y but it gets packed & unpacked with the Christmas decorations!