Snow Days

We are on our third "snow day" of the week.  I woke up this morning annoyed that school was once again canceled.. but I think I'm just antsy and ready to have this baby boy.  I'm 38 weeks now and in complete discomfort.  I'm to the point where I'm done nesting - I'm too tired.  My hips and legs hurt, I sleep okay up until about 3am, and my belly is so so tight.  I don't think it's possible for it to stretch any more (although I've been lucky enough to evade any stretch marks once again.. so far).  I think I'm just anxious for everything - wondering when exactly I will go into labor, hoping I have time to get Clara where she needs to go before I head to the hospital, etc.  I know it will all work out either way.  And I'm not the only one who's anxious - Clara keeps asking almost every day now when baby brother will be here.. and I have no doubt that my husband is tired of listening to me huff and puff.  I'm just going to go ahead and be thankful its not 100 degrees outside like it was when Clara was born.

Anyway, I thought about it this morning.. and after being annoyed about the snow day, I decided I needed to be thankful.  And I am.  Thankful for these few extra days with my girl before this new little one arrives.  Time for just me and her.  I'm a little worried with how she will be when a newborn is taking up a lot of my time.. but again, I know everything will be okay.  Tuesday I took her out to the nail salon.. and I got a pedicure.. and she had her toes and nails painted.  She thought she was pretty special.. she got to sit in these fun "big girl chairs" and all.  ;)  As she sat next to me while they finished up my pedicure, she was smiling at her sparkly pink fingers and then she turns to me and says "I love you, Mama".. heart.. melt..

On Monday we had enough snow to go out and play in.. Clara was so excited as she was watching it fall from the kitchen window.  :)

Wesson loved the snow, too.  It was pretty funny to watch him run around in it.  He's a big pain in my rear, but he's pretty cute covered in snowflakes, don't you think?  And Clara would have shoveled snow up all day if I let her.  

The snow is all melted now, it never does last long down here.. and it's suppose to be back up to the 50's next week.  At least I won't have to be worried about driving on icy roads if I go into labor (at least for right now).. and I'm hoping labor comes sooner rather than later!  I'd totally be okay with not seeing week 40...

PS- Don't forget to enter my current giveaway here (ends 3/4/15).

Toddler Fashion

Sometimes you just need to let them wear what they want.. because it makes them happy.. and let's face it, she can make any outfit look cute.

If only I could do the same!

I'm pretty sure she would be on cloud nine if she had a tutu in every color of the rainbow.  Good thing this little one has a birthday coming up in just 2.5 months (seriously?).

Bubble Guppies t-shirt,  black and white floral leggings, pink tutu, and moccasins, and a gray /white polka dot sweater...

I love that silly, sweet face to pieces.

Clara's Little Touches

There's nothing I love more, than seeing all of Clara's little touches around the house.  A couple of her dollhouse dolls sitting on the TV console, her baby doll left in her toy shopping cart, the crayons all lined up in a row, and always.. always her play food hanging around on various tables, shelves, the ottoman. 

She loves to serve us all food, have tea parties, and picnics.  It makes me happy when after she goes to bed, and I'm straightening a few things around the house.. and come back out into the living room to relax after getting my pajamas on.. I see this leftover from a picnic we had.

I love her and her imagination.

Back to the Grind

Being a part of a military family.. and the fact that my husband and I are from two different states.. I have had the pleasure to call many places home.  Wherever my little family lands, we are home.. but I will always be able to call Arkansas (my husbands home state), and Illinois (my home state) home.  This year we were able to spend a little over a week in Illinois visiting my family for Thanksgiving.  We had a wonderful visit... Clara is so attached to her Nana and Papa that it breaks my heart when we have to say 'see ya later'.  We're definitely thankful for Skype!  I hope you all had a safe an enjoyable holiday.  As I type this, we're on our road trip back home... Hopefully I can get a few photos up soon to recap our visit.

Tomorrow it's back to the grind!  5am is going to come early after this 12 hour car ride.

Veteran's Day Weekend

First, happy Veteran's Day to my  Veteran.  My sweet, handsome husband.  For everything he does for our family and for our country.  This weekend we took a little trip to go visit my in-laws because my husband spoke at their church (the church he grew up in) for Veteran's Day.  It was a sweet little speech, that brought tears to my eyes.  In a part of it, he thanked all the men that played an important part in his life.. that helped shape him into who he is today.  Well, I also thank those men... for helping to shape the husband and father that I know today.  A wonderful one he is.

Other than that we did a little walking around in Memphis.. and a bit of relaxing.  And we also went out to eat at Huey's, a super delicious local burger joint.  Also a fun place because they let you blow your toothpicks into the ceiling with your drink straw.  If you're confused, just look at the photos below.. ;)

Not sure why, but it's just their "thing".  It's entertaining to say the least!  I hope everyone else enjoyed their weekend.. and happy Veteran's Day..... don't forget to thank a Vet.

"Punkin" Patch 2013

Last weekend we took Clara to the pumpkin patch.. she loves going to pick herself out a 'punkin' (as she says).. we let her pick out one of the little baby ones.. and she'll carry it around the house for days, haha.  We went with my bro-in-law, sis-in-law, and niece... Clara loves hangin' out with her cousin.  :)

We did all the usual pumpkin patch things.. rode a hayride.. went through a maze of haystacks.. petting zoo.. and pig races.  Let the kiddos run around for a bit.  It was a pretty hot day for October.. in the 80s.  The cooler weather can come any time now.  Please.

My child didn't get a 'proper' nap that day.  So she didn't want much to do with the camera.. and was a bit of a sassy pants.  But I can't blame her, I'm the same way with not enough sleep.  I think she was out before we even left the parking lot!

She was not a very big fan of the animals.  The goats kind of freaked her out, haha.  I can't quite blame her.. their eyes creep me out too.. but on the other hand, they're so cute.  We had a good time.. we always do.  Everyone loves the pumpkin patch!  ;)  Anyone else been the pumpkin patch yet?

Her Happy Place

One of the ways to my little lady's precious heart.. is play time at the park.  It's one of her favorite places to be.  We'll get there, and off she'll run.. singing and playing.. she loves to sing at the park.  Just the other day, we were there... and she sang "Jesus Loves Me" on repeat.  At least 10 times.  Then she switched it up to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  I will never get tired of that sing-song voice.

This is obviously her happy place.

I just love her so much.  I love watching her play, and sing... I love watching her grow.  Which she tends to do a bit faster than I'd like.  That happy face, makes me happy.

Clara and Nana('s Kindle)

One of Clara's favorite things to do... is hang out with her Nana.  And where there's Nana.. there's Nana's Kindle.  The girl is obsessed with it, because.. of course.. she has all the fun games loaded on it.  ;)  My parents were able to come and visit us three times this year... how spoiled are we!  We already cannot wait to see them again... hoping we're able to go up this winter so we can have some fun in the snow.  :)

My Birthday Week in an Instagram

Well, mostly in instagrams anyway (you can follow me here if you don't already).  I love having my phone to document things like this.. especially when I don't feel like luggin' the big camera with me every single place.  But the camera on my phone is horrible and I'm impatiently waiting to upgrade.. I have the oldest iPhone on Earth.  Is it April yet?

I'm so thankful, for all my friends and family - they really know how to make a girl feel special!  My husband especially, has been so sweet... and totally spoiled me this week!  I've been living on cloud nine.  :)  Here's just a little bit of what went down this week..

1. My husband took me to get 'pampered'... mani & pedi.  I never go, because I'm cheap and just do it myself at home... so it's special (and relaxing!) when I get go have someone else do it for me.  2. Hubby made him his own little gift basket for me.  My favorite junk food (kit kats, snickers, and baby cans of Pepsi), some bubble bath, and a sweet card of course.  :)  3. We went to play putt-putt!  I don't think we've played since our first year of marriage, so it was fun.. and I beat him by one point!  I even got a hole-in-one.  4. My birthday gift - tickets to a sold out Luke Bryan concert!  I was so surprised.. he done good;)  5. Clara's cousin and grandparents stayed with us this week, so we have been out and about - and we also took Clara to see her very first movie at a theater!  We saw Turbo, and she loved it!  6. And the pretty Arkansas scenery.. that would be much better if my phone didn't suck. 

And on the night of my birthday, we went out to eat at one of my favorite Italian restaurants - Bravo!  And afterwards he treated me to some cupcakes.. he really knows the way to my heart... relaxing, Luke Bryan, and cupcakes.  ;)  Love that man!

Two Rivers Park

The best part about the military, is exploring places you've never been before. We've lived in Arkansas for almost exactly a year now (I can't believe it's been that long already).. and we're still discovering fun little places we've never been. I love exploring new places.

I also love picnics.

So last weekend we packed up a lunch and headed over to a fun little place called Two Rivers Park. There was a long pedestrian bridge going over the rivers that went to this little wildlife area... with walking and biking trails, picnic tables, etc. I would love to go back there for a run sometime.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - my child is a complete outdoors kid.  If she is inside for too long, it's not fun for anyone.  So she loves our little adventures as well.  :)  As long as she gets some fresh air and is allowed to run around like the crazy child she is.. she's good to go.  And this time, Mickey Mouse also had to come along.  :)

 She did stop running around long enough (about 2 seconds) for me to get this stunning photo of her.  Rarely am I able to get her to look at the camera.. which is fine.. it just make this photo all the more special to me.  She is such a beauty.. melts my heart.  You can bet your bottom I'll be getting a huge print of this one.

As we were walking over the bridge, she was very excited to see the river (she gets really excited about the small things.. a lesson to be learned from her!).... 'the river mama, look!'.. 'so big, mama.. river so big!'  If only the small things made everyone this happy.. she knows how to 'take it all in'.. I love her for that.  In that way, I need to be more like her.

Little Rock Zoo

We had a wonderful time visiting with my parents for a whole week last week.  It was very bittersweet when they had to leave yesterday.. and now that Clara's older, she remembers more.. and keeps asking for here Nana to rock her to sleep at night and nap time.  We were very blessed by them and the time we were able to spend with them while they were here.

One of the adventures we had, was a little trip to the Zoo!  The last time we were there, Clara was 15 or 16 months... so now that she's 2, she really got a kick out of all the animals!  I really can't wait to take her back again. 

It was really hot out that day (ok, it's hot out pretty much every day here).. like, 100s.  Thank God for the little misters they had throughout the park.  Clara loved them... her and Uncle B decided to cool down a little bit...

In the photo below everyone was really fascinated with the giraffe's.  They are one of my favorites.. and for some reason Clara kept calling everything a baby giraffe after we saw them, haha.

Clara was such a little angel the whole time.. even through the crazy heat (I get mean when I'm overheated sometimes, haha).  She took a great nap that day.  I need to wear her out more often.  ;)