Being two is tough, but super cute!

Lanie has entered the wonderful 2's.  I am playing mind games with myself that if I call it wonderful then maybe she won't be terrible.  The scary thing is I have heard 3 is a lot harder ekkk!  The other day I was reading a blog by a very funny guy and he had a post called 46 reasons my child may be freaking out.  I was cracking up while reading it because Lanie does about 35 of them. Things like, I picked out the wrong pants, we can't understand what she is saying to us, she wants to do it by herself (ever though she can't), a balloon she got 6 weeks ago is suddenly gone (this seriously just happened), food is to hot even though it's yogurt, our dog looked at her wrong, she told me she has to potty but wants to go by herself but wants me to stand by the door all speaking in a language I don't I understand!

One of my good friends just told me she is going to be a Mommy for the first time.  I was so excited for her and was jumping for joy at her news.  Then I continued to tell her babies are easy, toddlers are insane!  Lanie might look just like her Daddy, but she is stubborn and bullheaded like her Momma and her and I even at two go round and round.  Mark thinks the whole thing is hilarious and just laughs at us.  That night Mark stayed home with Lanie and my girlfriend and I went out for dinner at a real restaurant that was exciting!  She asked me if I had any parenting advice and I said that I cross my fingers and pray really hard that I get something right and some days if she is safe and asleep in her bed at night then that is a win in my book!!!!!

Lanie is a fun, spunky, strong willed, full of energy, and seriously cute.  I know I am her Mom so I am biased, but really she is cute just look at some of her two year photos :)

 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!!!

Holy cow Lanie is two years old!  This cute ball of sunshine is the light of Mark and I's life.  It's crazy how such a small human can bring so many emotions all at one time.  In any given day I can go from frustrated to laughing at something she has done in 20 seconds.  So many big changes have occurred in the past couple months for this big girl.  She is 98% potty trained (pure torture ), moved to a big girl bed, is eating at the big kids table at daycare, and moving from the pac n play room during nap time to the cot room this week.  Along with all her big girl rewards and new adventures she is getting to go experience there is also challenges that we are learning how to navigate as parents. Most of the time I feel like we are complete failures and then other days I feel like we did a pretty good job, but I guess that is what being first time parents to a toddler is all about.  Who knew sitting during a meal was going to become a luxury, I now understand why my friends with toddlers very rarely go out to eat.  I feel like we are moving away from baby into full blown toddler and we better buckle up because I think Mark and I are in for a ride.  Pretty soon we will have to take on the challenge of newborn and toddler.  Even though everyday gets a tad more uncomfortable I think I am needing the few more months to mentally prepare for this adventure!!!  On to Lanie's birthday party pictures.  We had a small family party this year and it was fantastic.  Everyone had a hot diggity dog time and Lanie is one lucky girl to have so many people love her so much : )

Build a Bear on her birthday

Her new horse, Joey 

Birthday Party Time

Game time- classic Bozo game

Pin the bow on Minnie

She loves her doc mcstuffins set she is always making sure we are healthy

Picture Rewind!!!!

I know that most of the people that follow this blog are family and I also know that their favorite post are the picture post!  I finally got all the pictures off my camera and I think the total from the fall was like 200 pictures.  So if you want to see them all come on over, but here is a few of my favorites!

Happy Valentines Day

It's crazy to think that almost two years ago today I was waiting patiently for Lanie to arrive.  Feb 14th was her due date, but of course our little gal had plans of her own and she decided that Feb 18th sounded like a much better birthday for her to have.  As I think back to that time I remember working right up until my due date, my last day of work was Feb 12th and I was determined to have that baby on Monday which was her due date ohhh silly me.  I laugh at all the phone calls and text asking me why I hadn't had that baby yet, like I was holding her in or something.  I was swollen, huge, uncomfortable, excited, and scared! I had no idea how to take care of a newborn, birth a baby, or adjust to life with a car seat slung around one arm and a diaper bag over the other shoulder. I didn't know the true meaning of exhaustion (yet) or what it was to be completely selfless. As I sat there for the next five days willing this child to come out I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams how amazing being a mother would actually be.  I am not going to say every moment is magical and filled with crafts and sunshine because that is a lie and I am all about being honest!  Yes, it is hard to be a mom, but I am lucky to have a husband that is a wonderful Dad and steps in whenever I am riding the train to crazy town (I was on that train Monday). Today is Valentines Day and Mark and I are not big participators. It's not that we are against it or hate the day we just choose not to make it any different than any other day. Lanie had a party at school today so as I was preparing her Valentines for her and excited to see what type of candy I get to eat when I pick her up today (I am pregnant give me a break), I had two thoughts about love.  One is that until I had that crazy, sweet, spunky, amazing little ball of energy I never really knew what instant & unconditional love was, and two, the amazing love our God shows us daily even with all my blemishes, mess ups, and short comings. So to celebrate this day I thank God for the greatest gift of all------LOVE :)




Happy Valentines Day- Love, Lanie and all her friends!

 

Super Bowl

I love to host a good party with good friends, but at our old house we just didn't have the space.  In June we moved to our new house and one of my first thoughts was I can have our super bowl party finally!  I know some people have family things and there is about 100 super bowl parties to attend, but Mark and I tended to never have plans so we decided to go with it.  We had a great turn out and and it was for sure a full house.  With kiddos and adults we had about 45 people there with the kids almost out numbering the adults!  We had the T.V. going upstairs and downstairs, most of the men and more serious football watchers migrated downstairs, with lots of chatting and yummy food consumption going on upstairs.  I am also proud to announce even with all the excitement Lanie went potty several times and had zero accidents.  I was nervous for her because she was so excited to have so many friends to play with and getting her to sit on the potty was a challenge because she just wanted to play the entire night.  That crazy party animal was up till 10:00 and still woke up this morning at 6:45!  Mark took the day off to get some stuff done, but at least she can lounge for awhile before having to go to daycare. The 1st annual Wade SBP was a success and look forward to many more in the future :)



The upstairs crew



Serious watching going on!



Some people find beer can outside after a party we find chocolate frosting :)





Lanie getting ready for the big party!





Half Time show