big girl panties, x-rays, and everything in between...

So, it's been awhile, and that means, there's been a lot going on since I last blogged! I'll touch on a few of my favorites...

About a month ago we (okay, I) decided to start potty training Madeline. I had been reading all the books, talking to all my friends who'd been there/done that, & stocked up on the candy, juice, and Dora Dora panties. We were set. We started on a Friday (lock down in the Tucker house...) and she did really well - just a couple accidents. I was so proud!! She loved her big girl panties, and really loved the candy she got for making it to the potty. During her naps and at bedtime, we'd put her in Pull-Ups (aka night night panties). Well, by Saturday night she was fighting going to the potty and I couldn't figure out why. Long story short, she had an allergic reaction to the Pull-Ups and her bottom and legs broke out in welps!! It was AWFUL!! Needless to say, the diapers came back and we took a break until I order some chemical-free all-natural pull-ups. But, she sure did rock those big girl panties!

For Valentine's Day we went with our Lifegroup (minus the Haggards) to dinner then bowling at Red Pin. We had a great time! I am so thankful for everyone in our group - God has truly blessed us!

One last story - so, this past Friday, I was getting the kiddos ready for their bath. I had sat Wyatt on his changing table to strip him down when I realized I forgot to get a shirt out for after the bath. So, I walked over to the closet and as soon as I walked in, I heard "THUD". Yep, he fell right off. He was crying sooo hard! Of course, I scooped him up and was trying to comfort him, but no avail. Even after a bath he still kept crying, so Brodie and I decided we should take him to the dr. just to be safe. I was so scared they were going to turn me in to DHS or something. After we got to Dr. Stephens' office they decided to do an x-ray of both legs. I wish soooo bad I would've taken a picture. (I will forever have the mental picture) There I was, holding my 7 month old's hand as he laid on that big ol' table while the nurse put the slides under his legs. She had put a pillow under his head, but he kept scooting down. Every time he'd move his shirt would creep up so eventually, he was laying there with his belly hanging out. He looked over at me and grinned like he was thinking, "yeah, mommy, this might be the first time, but it won't be the last!" I seriously had a flash forward of all the future trips he & I will make back to the x-ray table. I'm pretty sure he's going to be all-boy! Good times!

Little Man

My Sweet Little Man,

I cannot believe 6 months has already flown by. It truly seems like yesterday I was sitting in the living room just waiting for your Daddy to get home so I could see the shock on his face when I told him we were expecting you. You may have been a huge surprise, but you are a huge blessing. I have loved being your Mommy more than words could ever describe. I find myself wishing so badly I could just slow down time so you and your sister would stop growing so fast. The two of you are truly a joy to me. You both adore each other. If she's in the room, you will not take your eyes off her. You just sit and laugh and babble at her while she smothers you in kisses and hugs. It's the best! And you are such a Momma's boy it's not even funny! (I love it by the way.) I love that when I walk in the room you get the biggest smile and just start squealing! You and Madeline bring me such happiness. Its so true that every good and perfect gift is from above. Thank you Lord so much for allowing me to be a Mommy to these two amazing little babies! I am so blessed!!

Nighty-Night

One of my favorite parts of the evening is bedtime. We have a nightly ritual in our house when it comes to going night-night. Around 8:00 Little Missy gives Daddy & Bubba night-night kisses and hugs. Then she and I head off to her room where she picks 3 books ("I'm A Big Sister", "Goodnight Moon", and "No Matter What" are the favorites right now) then she and I crawl in her bed (with the baby doll of choice) and read the above mentioned books. She loves being read to and usually offers sound effects to go along. (i.e. in the big sister book, there's a page with the Mommy taking the babies picture. As soon as we get to the page she starts saying "cheeesse" and making camera noises.) After we've read our books we sing 2 songs. The first one is ALWAYS "Blue". This is one we've made up about the colors blue and 'lell-o'. The second is either "Jeez" (Jesus Loves Me) or "Sun" (You Are My Sunshine). Finally, we say our prayers and then we cuddle until she goes to sleep. Once she's asleep, I kiss her sweet face then crawl ever-so-carefully out of her bed. (This is a bit difficult to do with rails up.)

While I'm laying there next to her I say my own prayers and praises. I am tempted to cry pretty much every night because while I lay there cuddled up next to my sweet little girl who is growing entirely TOO fast, I have to praise Jesus for allowing me to be the Mommy to these two amazing babies. They are the most amazing little people I've ever known.

I know most people think I'm crazy for laying in her bed with her until she goes to sleep, and that's okay. My thing is, before I know it, she won't even want me in her room, much less her bed! They are only little for so long and I want to savor every minute I can. That's also the reason Little Man is still in our bed. I love hearing & feeling his sweet little breaths on me. And the way he snuggles right up next to me. Priceless. I keep saying I'm going to put him in his bed at night, but I can't really lay in the baby bed with him so... :)

twenty-nine.

It's naptime here in the Tucker house, so a blogging I will go.

This past week was my birthday. You'd think there wouldn't be too much exciting about turning 29. You get a lot of the expected "wow, you're almost old" but that's about it. I will say, before this birthday, my 21st was my favorite. My parents surprised me with a trip to NYC and I was on The Today Show on my actual birthday. Dream come true. It's actally the reason I moved back for a summer. I didn't get enough of the city in a 3 day weekend so I went back. (Summer wasn't long enough either. I so adore that city.) All that being said, good ol' 29 kicked 21's bottom. This is how it went:

• Wake up with both my babies on top of me "happy birth day mommy" (birthday was 2 words for her, thus the reason they are seperated.)
• Have a yummy breakeast made by Brodie & Madeline. Omlettes & Coffee. Yum.
• Put on my new (almost) skinny girl pants and tank top. Yes, TANK TOP. In Janurary. 77 degrees. Freakin' Awesome! Naptime...
  
• Meet Mom and Jason with my babies at, you guessed it, Cafe 501, for a tasty Cali Club (minus sprouts and mayo) and Spinach-Pear Salad birthday lunch. So tasty.
• Left lunch and headed to dessert (of course!) There's a new little joint in town called Cuppies & Joe. I highly recommend it! Delicious cupcakes and awesome coffee. Mom's skinny hazelnut latte was so good - dare I say better than Starbucks??
• Off to the park! We had to take advantage of the beautiful weather and get our swing and slide on. Madeline & Wyatt had a blast!
• Back home to get ready for dinner and wait on Daddy to get home from work. Madeline took another nap! (2 naps in one day is a present all in itself...)
• Dinner with Mom, Dad, Jason, Heather, Brodie, & the kids at Budda Tao for sushi. Madeline had to carry her card she got me in her purse with her to dinner. She wouldn't leave it at home. It was really cute.
• Back home for cake, made by Madeline! I loved it!! She was sooo proud of it too! I got some good gifts (money, williams-sonoma goods, and a massage by Harold..ahhh yeah!) but more importantly, finished up a great day with my family, cake, and coffee. What could be better??!

Now that I typed it out, it sounds like we did nothing but eat! I just really enjoyed spending the day with my babies and family! I am so incredibly blessed!

Taking A Sick Day

So, it's been a couple of weeks since I've blogged due mainly to the fact my babies are STILL sick. They've been fighting sinus infections, croup, and bronchitis since the day after Christmas. This is my first go 'round with sick kiddos. I don't recommend it. I mean, I caught projectile vomit with my bear hands - no gagging. Impressive, I know. :)

Then there was the night they were up from 1:00 till 5:30 (yes, AM). At one point, around 4ish, Brodie & I just looked at each other and started cracking up. I mean, really, what else can you do?! (Good news though, Noggin plays cartoons 24 hours a day! Who knew!)

Thankfully, I think the end is in sight and they are both starting to feel a bit better! I'm ready for snot, goopy eyes, and coughing to be gone. Keep them in your prayers!!

the difference between a "M" and a "Y"

mom-mom and madeline after her first hair cut - 12.23.08

so, for sometime now, madeline has called me "mom-mom" - and of course, i loved it. she's just original like that. well, yesterday, out of nowhere, she walked in and very clearly said "mommy" (emphasis on the "momeeeeee"). it took me by a bit of surprise, but i didn't think much of it, that was, until she did it again. and again. and again. it sounds silly i know, but it's like she grew up a little bit. again. it's adorable, don't get me wrong, i actually love hearing her say it. but, it did bring me to the reality that she's getting too big too fast. seriously.

i cannot believe my sweet baby girl is pushing two. i can't believe i'm getting ready to buy big girl panties. and what's the deal with sentences? one day it's "ughh ughh" while pointing to the pantry, and then "candy" and now "mommy, candy, pleasssseee". it's the little things that i don't want to let slip on by. so, i'm hoping, i'll get at least one or two more "mom-mom"s for purely selfish reasons. and if you have any tips on how to slow this all down, please let me know!

*yes, i feel the same way about my son too, but that's just too much for this mommy in one post!

this land is our land.

so, for a while now, we (my parents, brother, brodie, and i) have talked about how great it would be to get a bunch of land and all build houses on it - 'cause we love each other THAT much. well, my daddy (aka big lovie) went and bought himself 55 acres in arcadia for just that reason. is he amazing or what! needless to say, we are all sooo excited, but it's definately a work in progress. the boys are out there every free chance they get cutting trees, hauling trash, wearing workboots, working the land...

the day after christmas we took the kiddos out and played around on the new tractor and other toys big lovie bought (cause you can't own 55 acres without farm toys right?!) both madeline and wyatt loved it! it was the first time i had actually seen the whole property, and can i tell you how PUMPED i am!! it'll be a couple years before brodie and i start building out there, but this city girl cannot wait.

so much to say...

well, it's that time again...new year, new plans, new lists. and on my list is to start blogging (again). really, more than anything, it's a forum for me to show off my gorgeous little family and tell entertaining stories that happen daily in our house. it will also just be a place for me to get out what's on my mind. so, that being said, thanks for stopping by and please do come back often! (you won't want to miss the pictures i promise!)