Christmas Eve

I decided to host Christmas Eve this year...not sure what I was thinking, but everything ended up being great. We had a lot of family and friends over and you, Maya, and Dillon were running around like crazy lunatics. Unfortunately Reese was sick and we missed her a lot. The three of you LOVED opening up all your presents and even though I'm not sure you quite understand what Christmas is really about, you sure know its something magical. I had to force myself to stop playing hostess, and get on the floor and watch you kids. The excitement in those little faces as you guys tore through the gifts was priceless. I mean that is really what Christmas is all about, and next year is going to be even better. After the house was cleaned up and all the dishes were put away, and mostly everyone had left. I sat on the floor with you and read you "The Night Before Christmas". I'm still trying to think up all the Christmas traditions I want to do with you year after year, and I think this will definitely be one that sticks. One tradition I'm willing to give up is dinner here...so much work...maybe we will be back at Mimi's again next year! First Christmas in our new home was definitely one to remember...we are very blessed.

Dillon opening some presents!

Merry Christmas 2011

SANTA CAME!

Ears Pierced

I wanted to get your ears pierced when you were a baby, but Daddy was so against it! He said that it would make you look like a "big girl". One day out of no where he decided that you could have them pierced if I still wanted to do it. The whole way to the piercing place, I was having such second thoughts, I wanted to do it, but I felt so guilty about taking you to do something that was going to hurt you. Mimi reassured me that you would be fine, and that it would only hurt for a second. YOU WERE SO BRAVE! You sat on my lap and got each ear done one at a time because there was only one girl working, and you didn't shed ONE SINGLE TEAR! I couldn't believe it. I didn't think you would cry for long, but I never thought you wouldn't cry at all! After she did the second ear you said "owwww that hurt!" You got to pick out a present and off we went! I think you already forgot about them, you honestly haven't mentioned them all day. I have to say, just when I think you couldn't get any cuter, the earrings just look so sweet! I see many pairs in your future and Daddy can't wait to buy you some diamonds!

Happy Halloween

I wasn't quite sure how you would be trick or treating this year. We talked about it a lot prior to the day, but you didn't really seem to be too excited about it. I was thinking you were probably still too little, so we invited everyone over to our house for dinner and I was sure we would only go to a few houses and then come home. You were a SUPER STAR trick or treater! You had a blast, the first one to run up to every house, the first to knock on the door, grab the candy, and then you would run back to jump in the wagon yelling at all the other kids to hurry up! You would have stayed out all night long if we let you! You definitely had the most fun, Reese was a pretty close second, but all in all everyone had a blast! Can't wait till next year!

Pumpkin Patch

Picking pumpkins was the last thing you wanted to do at the farm! Between the petting zoo, tractor rides, live band and food you had so much fun. Uncle Brandon was home that weekend so we got to spend some time with him. It was such a gorgeous October day!

Your 2nd Birthday!

We decided to have a party for you at our new house! We had to have your party the weekend before your birthday because we had a wedding to go to the weekend of. It soon turned into a WAY BIGGER party then we had originally planned and mommy ended up inviting about 60 people and over 20 kids. Not only was this the first party I had ever planned and thrown, I was panicking over the weather! If it rained or was too cold, there was no way all these people could fit in our house! We rented tables, tents, chairs, a princess moon bounce, we had decorations galore, a pinata, pumpkins for all the kids to decorate, tons of food and I baked for days before...all the while praying for good weather! My prayers sure were hard, because it was unheard of 80 degree October day! It was a day fit for a princess! I had to pull out a summer dress for you because the sweater dress I had bought would have been way to warm! So many people came out to celebrate and everyone had an awesome, and they all thought we threw the most amazing party! You got a million presents, and had such a fun time with all your little friends! All though Daddy and I swore we would never throw a party again that big, if you could promise us perfect weather like that again, I bet we would! It was probably your one and only summer party in October!

Favorite present from Bulya and Dulya!


Looks like Christmas! One very loved little girl!

Party Animals!

Princess Moon Bounce

Mommy was sooooo mad about this cake!

Our sweet table!

Birthday Cake

You had a fabulous 2nd birthday party a week before your actual birthday, so on the day of we just did cake. You picked out your own icecream cake at the store, Strawberry Shortcake, a girl after your Poppy's heart. Mimi and Poppy came over and we sang and of course they gave you MORE presents. I think you had a very happy birthday, and I still can't beleive that you are 2!

Happy 2nd Birthday...A Letter to my Daughter

Dear Michaela,


I can still remember as if it were yesterday the doctor putting you on my chest as you took your first breath. Your coal black eyes staring up at me locking into my soul. I can still see your Dad standing over the warmer bed as they cleaned you up, looking happier than I have ever seen him in my entire life. I remember the late night feedings, the little clothes, your first steps, and your first words. How can you already be two? Of all the milestones in my life, becoming your mother was the most monumentous of them all. I often question if I am doing a good enough job, overwhelmed at times with the pressure of raising you. But at the end of the day when you kiss me goodnight and say "I love you mamma...to the moon and back", in that moment all the doubt melts away and any memory of what happened throughout the day is gone, replaced by sheer happiness in its purest form. I've probably written the words "you are the best thing that has ever happened to me" 500 times in this blog the past 2 years, but those words don't even do justice to how I feel about you. The older you get I try not to dwell on the negative, and look at all the wonderful things you are learning and doing, but I pray that you will forever love me as much as you do today. I know you will grow up and we will fight and clash and butt heads, but at the end of the day I always want you to know that I am here for you no matter what. Although right now I can fix your problems with a kiss and make it all go away, I know that won't always be the case. But no matter how old you get, know that I will always be your biggest support. I've cried all day long today, and you would think that I was writing this to my 18 year old not my 2 year old, but these past 2 years have gone by in a flash and I know that today you are running towards me to give me a hug, and if I close my eyes and blink soon you will be running out that door with my car keys. You are the sweetest thing I have ever seen, and I am the luckiest person on planet earth to be able to call you mine. You bring so much joy to so many people, and I know that this next year is going to be filled with so many fun amazing "firsts". I don't take one single second I have with you for granted, and I am cherishing every single step along the way. This has been the most amazing journey that life has yet taken me on, and I just hope that you are having as much fun as me.

Happy Birthday my Love,

Momma xoxo

Feeding Frenzy

Maybe it's because your Bulya and your Poppy like to force feed you everytime they see you, but your newest "thing" is to feed every baby doll, pony, toy, stuffed animal that you own. You go in my cabinets when I'm not looking and grab anything that you can reach to feed your "babies". You always ask me for a spoon and a bowl, and then you sit down and feed, sometimes for almost an hour straight. What a good little mamma you are turning out to be!

Petting Zoo

We happened upon this petting zoo by chance on day and you guys had such a fantastic time! You didn't want to leave and loved feeding all the animals! I can't wait to take you again.

Carnival

We went to Nonna's church carnival at the end of the summer with Aunt Eri, Uncle Andew and Aunt Devon. I can remember going to this carnival every year with all my cousins, Nonna used to work the food stand and Poppy ran the bingo table. We always had so much fun and looked foward to it every single year. You went on a few rides in LBI earlier in the summer and you really had so much fun and you weren't scared at all, but this time you even went on some rides all by yourself!!! You are so brave!