Morning Freedom

Yep, it's official.  Laney is down to 1 nap a day.  Already???  Yes, my thoughts exactly.  Cooper took a morning nap until he was 18 months and I think I weaned him off of it.  But every kid is different and this girl doesn't need ridiculous amounts of sleep like her brother.  The #1 pro of no more morning nap-our mornings are completely open!  We can whatever, whenever.  The #1 con-I loved my one on one time with Cooper.  We usually did non-Laney-friendly things like Play-Doh, driveway chalk, teeball, puzzles, markers, and any educational activity I could talk Coop into to.  

So, Doodles is getting up between 7:30-8 (a little later now with no morning nap, yay!), down for nap around 1-sleeps 1-3 hours-the 3 hours is a rarity so far and then back to bed by 8.  

Ouch!

Since it is finally below 100 degrees in the evening, Coop and I have been taking Lola on walks.  He either rides his bike or we race down the sidewalk...meaning I walk fast while he runs :).  Well, this time neither of us won, the sidewalk did.

Sidewalk - 1, Cooper - 0

 When it happened, I dropped Lola's leash and ran the 5 steps away he was from me.  The sound his head/face made on the concrete, I was sure there was going to be lots of blood.  Somehow, there was none!  And he has cried and whined over much smaller scratches/bruises.  He didn't cry much and hasn't mentioned it once!

Our little bruiser.

Birthday Cupcakes!

The celebration day continues...

 Here was Laney when she was supposed to be napping and I was trying to clean the kitchen.  She found her brother's craft cabinet.  She is now in here every chance she gets.  We knew no afternoon nap was going to be bad, here she was at dinner...

 Literally falling asleep while eating chicken nuggets.  She choked on one because she fell asleep!  

 At this point Adam had just put the cupcakes in the oven.  Yep, there is that procrastination thing again coming back to bite me.  I told Adam, "she can't go to bed without a birthday cupcake and us singing to her one last time!!!"  So, he took that sleepy head girl out and kept her busy until it was all ready-a success!

 She was excited but totally shy with just the 3 of us singing to her!

 Not really digging the cupcake.  

 Cooper was insistent on 'helping' her.  He would say, "Here Laney, let me show you how to do it."  Then would proceed to take a huge bite :).  She could have cared less, really all she wanted to do was go to bed.

 She never did take a bite and was annoyed by the icing, but Cooper was there to lick it off her fingers for her.  Why didn't Cooper have a cupcake?  Well, because it was 7:05 and we hadn't even had dinner yet!  We had our cupcakes hours after Laney was snoozing.

Done and done.  For sure regretting skipping that nap.  

And just like that my baby turned one.  I can't wait celebrate her with family and friends this weekend!

Happy 1st Birthday Laney Faith!

As a family of 4 (5, hello Lola!) we celebrated Doodles birthday on Friday.  We sang to her many times, played at the house, went to the pool for a bit, and of course had birthday cupcakes!

 We have a 1 year old!  Apparently she was so excited that she peed the bed!

 Laney's birthday breakfast and they are homemade!  Check out the recipe, here.  They were a hit and easy to make.  Clearly they were super nutritious too.

 Coop spent an hour working on Laney's playdoh birthday cake, he was pretty proud.

 His cake masterpiece!  Can you tell he likes to use the scissors?

 I can.not. believe that Laney is 1-no, really, where did my baby go?  It seems with Cooper we were always in such a rush to do the next thing, hit the next step-start cereal, start solid foods, get him crawling, get him walking.  We have definitely slowed things down with Laney, but it seems to have gone faster!  How does that happen?  I was a tad bit sad celebrating her turning 1 as my babies seem to be slipping thru time.  However, I am so thankful to have a healthy baby girl and I know it just keeps getting better!

 She knew exactly what to do with presents-her brother's birthday was perfect practice.

 Every piece she tore off, she would hand to me.

 Giving her baby kisses.

 She was very adamant that Dad open the box!

 Her first Cabbage Patch Kid!  Blue eyed and brunette just like her!  Just so you know, they smell just the same as they did 30 years ago.

She loves to give her baby kisses!  Her big brother has taken quite the liking to her baby too :).

Laney and her besties

Laney, Lakeyn and Gia

This was from our last visit to Kansas in July-just keep forgetting to post it!

Happy Sunday!

Smile Fridays - week 13

This week was a no brainer since today is my favorite 1 year old's birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are having a fun day at home celebrating our Doodle Bops!  Apparently too much fun-after an hour and a half of her talking and yelling mommaaaaa from her crib, she is sitting next to me taking a bottle.  Looks like someone is ready to drop her morning nap...say it isn't so!!!

Twas the night before her 1st birthday

Yes, our baby Laney Faith turns 1 tomorrow and I really can not believe it!  I rocked that sassy girl to sleep tonight-as she picked my nose, picked at my teeth, and fought me every second of it.  I didn't care, I just had to soak up every last minute of her first year!  I honestly can't tell you the last time I rocked her to sleep because this independent girl of mine is not fond of cuddling, being rocked, etc.

The night before I was being induced...for the record, I was 39 weeks and 4 days, not that I was counting.  Holy Belly!!!  I remember telling Adam my belly felt like I was carrying concrete it was so heavy!

 This was how we had Laney laid out when our families came in.  It's one of my favorite pictures from the day she was born, because I can not believe how big she looks and I still remember everyone's reaction when they saw her for the first time!  Seriously, this 9 lb, 4 ouncer never felt fragile!  It is so amazing what the human body can produce!!!!!!!

Adam and I were shocked when Dr. Gardner said it was a girl, 100% shocked and I wouldn't change that moment (with both of our kids) for anything!!  The other surprise (besides her giant size) was all that dark black hair!

Now,  I am off to the kitchen to attempt homemade cinnamon rolls to have for Doodle's birthday breakfast in the morning...who's idea was this???

A weak attempt at pigtails and 2 new teeth!

After our ponytail, we (or I) had to try pigtails.  It was a weak attempt-it was dinnertime and Sis isn't happy when she's hungry!

 Told ya...weak attempt.  Apparently she doesn't have as hard as a head as I thought :).  She wasn't happy with it and those tiny bands were insane to wrap around her fine hair.

This was my attempt at trying to get a pic of the 2 new teeth that have been fighting their way thru for several days.  I just love the double chin!  The 2 new teeth are the ones on either side of her 2 front ones.

Walking...with assistance :)

I took my camera upstairs last night to specifically get some pics/video of Laney as "jello legs."  That's what we have called her because whenever we put her behind her walker, she just collapses.  As much as she loves to pull up on things, stand and climb, there has been zero interest in walking.  Well, last night she proved us wrong.

 She got behind that stroller and took off!  Ok, it was more like a stumble, but she did it and on her own!

 Love this expression!  Dad and Coopie were cheering her on and she loved it.

Yay Doodles, we are so proud!

As I am sure you are just dying to see video, here it is...Doodles walking behind her stroller

Too good not to share...

I felt like I would be doing you all a disservice by not sharing this with you!

The bracelet is 60% off at $13.60...I can't even get it at that price.  It is one of my best sellers and looks great alone or stacked.  This is what Cooper's teachers will be getting this year for Christmas...check!  Isn't it the perfect teacher gift?  Or gift exchange gift? Or gift for yourself?  Ok, I will stop there :).  See more details on the bracelet, here.

The tranquility necklace is 50% off at $29.50!  See more about the necklace, here.

Finally the river lariat is 40% off at $41.40!  Read all about the lariat and its versatility, here.

You can shop it all at my Stella and Dot website or email me at ash4545@hotmail.com if you have ?'s.

You are welcome America :).

PS- It's 48 hours only! Ends 12pm on Thursday or until they sell out of stock!!!

Doodles 1st Pony!

Last week when out feeding ducks, the boys had wandered off and it was just Doodles and I.  She usually has a bow clipped in her hair but never have I thought to put in a pony.  I tried it out and she let it be.  Laney Faith can definitely rock it!

Now, this is with my ponytail holder that was way too big for her fine hair.  But, on the Target list is tiny ponytail holders so we can attempt pig tails :).

Feeding the Ducks

It is finally getting below 100 degrees in the evening, so off we went to feed our local ducks-one of our fave things to do!  

 Coop and I are loving McDonalds ice cream cones this summer!   Doodles says hi!

 His ice cream cone eating skills have definitely improved over summer.

 Laney Faith shared a bit of my ice cream with me.  The nose was just a little scratch and seemed much smaller the next night when she knocked her front teeth on the train table...lots of blood and bruised gums. :(

 I forgot wet wipes at home-hence the ice cream face.  

 Off she goes!  

 Just love, love spending evenings outdoors and not at home with the TV on!

 She loves the grass-kept picking pieces and handing them to me.

Adam has hardly been traveling at all and we are loving it!!!

Opening presents-last birthday post :)

Well, make that Cooper's last birthday post...Doodles birthday is on Friday-so, lots more b-day posts to come!

The morning of Cooper's birthday, he opened up his presents from us.  They were very simple and of course, picked out and up the day before.  There was nothing he was really wanting or needing, so we struggled what to get him.

 Opening up his present from Sissy-The Bee Movie.  She is going to be a pro at opening her gifts, got lots of practice.

 He was excited about this Thomas the Train board game-even though he picked it out with me at a garage sale a few months ago :).

 A Doctor kit!  Remember this post?  Yep, he's pretty happy with that kit, calling Dr. Jones!

Immediately wanted to play Thomas the Train game, we have played lots this week!    Love that he is gaining the patience to sit and play board games!