Christmas 2011

I just realized I forgot to post any Christmas pics, so this blog is going to be mostly for memory's sake.

I set up a little mini photo shoot around our Christmas tree to get some cute pics for our Christmas cards.

Our family Christmas tree. 

Last year Khloe was a teeny tiny two month old. This year at 14 months old, she had a BLAST with the Holidays. She would barely be done opening one box before moving on to the next. Christmas takes on a whole new meaning when you have your own babies. We had a nice family dinner and then sat down to watch Miss Khloe make a HUGE mess of wrappers and bows in our living room. Here's a few pics:

 

 

She is very much into all things girly. She always has a baby doll on her hip and a purse on her shoulder. I think one of her favorite gifts was a little purse full of baby bottles and cups. She carried it around for the rest of the night. : ) 

 We left Mobile and headed to Nana's house. Mom bought her a tent and she was very reluctant to get in until her Daddy showed her just how to do it. I LOVE Mom's reaction. Too cute.

Next up, Gigi's house. Khloe and Lauren love each other. Kloko (as Lauren calls her) loves crawling all over LaLa! :)

Love my sweet sweet family!

 Silly girl. Everything has to go on top of her head!

Let's see how many pictures it takes to get a descent family pic:

Sadly, I didn't get any good pics from Nana T's house. Everyone's schedule was very different this year so the kiddos were ready for naps by the time we opened gifts. And as all you Momma's know, pictures during the crash of nap times never turn out pretty! We did have a wonderful time there though. Didn't want anyone to feel left out!

These are just a few of the 300+ pictures we took during the holidays. The saying really is true, "It IS the most wonderful time of the year." I can't think of anything better than family, food, and fellowship with the ones you love the most!

Hallow-BEE!

Auntie Tooty found this adorable Bumble Bee costume a few weeks before Halloween and sent it to us. I still wasn't sure what she was going to be, but when I put those antlers and wings on her cute little body, it was over! We were headed to Missouri the day before Halloween so didn't get to do any trick-or-treating, but luckily Khloe's friend Maddox had a costume party the week before and she got to show off her new outfit!

 The cutest little BEE I know! :) 

 Mac Mac was a fireman and matched Khloe perfectly.
He thought her antlers were pretty fun! 

 Under the Sea at the Exploreum!

 I mean, how adorable are those wings?!

 

Mya is going to be a GREAT big sister! She and Khloe held hands throughout the day and giggled everywhere they went! Mya's mom is actually having her baby brother as I type this! :) 

And of course, the Holiday foot prints. We made Ghosts out of these! :) 

Hope everyone had a fun Halloween around your parts. (and stop judging me for posting this three months late!!!)

-Heather

Potty Training

Last Wednesday, John David and I were hanging out in the living room when Khloe came running in from her bedroom with a diaper. She handed it to me and laid down in front of me. A little shocked, I pulled her diaper off and as I slid the new one under she peed all over me. John David thought it was the funniest thing and said “Well! She tried to tell you she needed to go!”

About a week before, I unpacked her new little potty chair (that Auntie Tooty bought for her bday) and put it in the guest bathroom next to the toilet. I don’t know about your kiddos, but this child follows me EVERY where I go. I decided to sit her on it every time I went to the bathroom. It didn’t take but one time of sitting her there that she would follow me and sit on it by herself.

After the peeing on my hand incident, we decided she must be trying to tell us she’s ready for potty training! Later that night, Jd left for a work meeting and I stuck Khloe in the bath. As I pulled her out of the tub, on a whim, I picked up her naked little body and sat her on the toilet (the big one). Much to my surprise, she immediately started straining and within seconds she had her first poo-poo in the big girl potty. I tried so hard not to laugh, but my giggles made it that much more fun for her. All smiles, she strained until she raised her arms in the air and said "Awww donne" :) Yep, I videoed the entire thing on my phone, and yes, I called all of my family in utter excitement….. and I may have even updated my facebook status  about my kid pooping. LOL!

The next morning we got up really early and headed to Memphis. An hour away from home, I stopped at my Mother-in-laws to pick up a few things. I didn’t think much would come from it, but since she did so good the night before, I decided to make it a habit of sticking her on the toilet. In a total new environment and house, she immediately went #2  as soon as I put her on it! Again, I was in total disbelief.

Later that day at my Grandmas, the story continued. She didn’t have an “accident” all day. The best part was when she came and grabbed my hand and walked me to the bathroom and reached for me to put her on the toilet to again use the bathroom. The entire family was there to witness it and everyone was going crazy!

After a few days of being out of town, we are back at home, and I am happy to report she is still going! Much to my surprise, she really won’t go in the little potty chair, which can be good and bad. Good because it’s much easier to clean by a simple flush. Bad because it’s not something she can do by herself.

She is still having a few accidents, and it’s mostly because I forget to make her go often enough. I’ve come to realize that potty training is not just for the baby, but also training for the momma!  I’m not at all expecting perfection and no accidents from my 15 month old, but I think this is a HUGE start and advantage to the process!

*You know you’re a Mom when you write a blog about exciting new bathroom activities!*

Thanks for reading!

-Heather

Khloe's Birthday Circus Decor

I know everyone is dying to see the birthday pictures! I think the easiest way to blog about Khloe's OVER THE TOP #1 birthday party is to do a few posts instead of one massive blog. I know most of you are most interested in the decor, so that's what we'll do first. 

Step right up! Welcome to Khloe's Birthday Circus!

Invites!

The birthday girl!

Circus Sweets!

 

The personalized birthday banner

 

The "Big Top" Cake was the centerpiece of the sweets table.

Can you believe my AMAZING mother-in-law made this?!

You are awesome Teresa!!

To the left of the cake: Gumballs, animal crackers, ring pops, fruity pebble treats, pixie sticks, lollipops, and cupcakes.

 

To the right of the cake: Chocolate and sprinkle covered pretzels, stacked gumdrops, gummy bears, cotton candy, gumballs, and cupcakes.

My sister thought I was CRAZY when I asked her to color coordinate the skittles.

Totally worth it, right!?!

Cupcakes are always cuter with personalized toppers!

Popcorn, of course!

We served corn dogs (not pictured because I completely forgot they were still in the oven. Luckily John David remembered before they burnt! HA), chips & mexican cheese dip, and drinks. You know I had to put a little personalized label on the water bottles ; )

The smash cake

Khloe's little friends table

I made this balloon wreath :)

The kiddos place settings

The ball pit

Prizes and face painting table :)

Gift table

Bounce house

The pinata

 

Circus photo op :)

Special thanks to our amazing friends and family who helped make Khloe's first birthday a HUGE success! She had so much fun and got waaaaay too many toys! Thank you for helping me spoil her!

John David told me that I set the bar super high and he didn't know WHAT we would do for her second birthday. :) What can I say? I don't really do "small." Is it really a bad thing?! ; )

Happy 12 Months Khloe!

(Khloe's birthday is actually tomorrow, but since her BIG bday celebration is tomorrow, I'm posting one day early :)

Dear Khloe Brooke,

One year ago at 9:33 p.m., you were taken from my belly and placed in my arms. At 5 pounds and four ounces, you were the tiniest, most adorable, John David-looking, sweeeeeeeeeeeetest baby I have ever laid eyes on. Friday, October 1, 2010 my heart quadrupled in size when you made me the proudest new Mommy in this whole world!

Every day you learn and you do, and your Momma doesn’t miss a minute! You are one year old today and your Mommy & Daddy are absolutely stunned by how much you have grown and have become such a “big girl!”

The basics:

- Weight: about 20lbs

- Size: 4 diapers, 6-9 shirts, 9 month pants, some 12 month outfits. 4W shoes.

- Teeth: 6 total. Top two side teeth just broke through a few days ago.  

- Food: She had her first sips of cow’s milk on 9/18. I’m introducing it slowly, but excited to wean her from the $20 a week formula!!! She’s eating more and more table foods, but I’m still taking it slow on how much we give her. A few of her new fav foods this month are yogurt, granola bars, and bread.

A few fun things she’s learned in the past few months:

-Points to nose, foot and mouth

-Marches in place

-Makes high pitch shrills when asked “what does Bella say?” (umph umph!)
-Climbs on top of EVERYTHING

-Sits on her Dora couch and reads books constantly

-Dances non-stop

-Carries her baby around and kisses (licks!) her face

-Does sign language for “eat”

-Started playing in her room by herself

-Runs to the bathroom {super excited} when it’s bath time

-Regularly calls Daddy on her phone (hand) throughout the day, especially if she gets mad at me!
-Loves playing with Bella (Deh-Deh, as she calls her). I’ve caught her a few times trying to give her kisses.. eewww!

-Blows kisses

-Plays peek-a-boo
-Gives "high fives"
-Tries to put shoes on her feet

John David and I are absolutely smitten by this little girl. We’ve been spending a lot of “floor time” this month. We sit...she performs. The more we laugh, the harder she works for it. We can’t get enough of it.

I can’t believe it’s been one year. Honestly. It seems like it was just yesterday she made her dramatic entrance into our world. I can’t imagine where my life would be without her.

Happy Twelve months my precious Khloe Brooke. You make life so much more fun and worth-while. I hope you never forget how much your Mommy & Daddy love you! I can’t wait to see how much you grow and learn in the next year. Have no fear, Momma will be there.. camera in hand, blogging about it! ; )

Love always, Mommy

P.S. The CIRCUS is in town!! Khloe’s First Bday pictures coming soon to a city near you! Get your tickets now! ; )