Curiously Good Time

We're crazy for George at our house. So, when it came time to decide on a birthday theme for our little guy, we knew just what he'd like. We spent Miller's 3rd Birthday monkeying around at the Jump Zone in Roswell. Being 8 months pregnant, I can't think of a better way to celebrate my little monkey's big day than outsourcing his party at a jumpy place.


Let me just say that it was a whirlwind of a good time. Blissful chaos sums it up! Miller had a ball. He was "going bananas" with 3rd birthday energy from the moment he was set loose into all the inflatables. Since we arrived 20 minutes before guests came, he got a 20 minute head start to all the fun. Our little curious, was nice and sweaty when his guests arrived. What fun it was to party it up with his little buddies!


A big thank you goes out to Uncle Clay, who played and chased with Miller up and down the steep stairs and slides. Three cheers for a fantastic uncle. Landon and I were free to enjoy our friends while Clay was Miller's personal party assistant:)

Then it was chatting time, jumping time and as you can see below...group picture time. This was the best we could do to get everyone in the shot. Who thought of taking a picture on Spider Man anyway? When our guests on the count of three were shouting "Happy Birthday Miller" in unison, all we could see were Miller's legs as he pounced over a climbing wall with no socks on. Where did those socks disappear?

Good luck getting everyone in the shot. Candid shots are the name of the game with active little ones. If only they could sit still and smile.


As soon as pizza was announced, we had a party room full of busy preschoolers, parents and babies. We loved having both of our families in attendance to celebrate in the fun and for the help during the party. Cupcake time soon followed with a rowdy birthday chorus. Miller gladly blew out his number 3 candle. I had to pinch myself that we've celebrated 3 birthday choruses, 3 blowing out candle experiences, and 3 rounds of frosted face fun. There's just something about birthday celebrations that are so special for the parents.




After cupcake fun with sticky fingers, it was off to enjoy a second room of different inflatables. These boys cracked me up. They ended up playing with the train table while entertaining inflatables awaited them to explore. Some of the kiddos were mesmerized by the ball machine. Before we knew it, monkey cookie favors were being passed out and the kiddos were thoroughly worn out.



Miller, we loved every minute of your big day. When all of the attention has been focused on Eliza Kate, it was wonderful to enjoy all that you mean to our family. You melted our hearts when you thanked Daddy for your party. Thanks for giving us a reason to celebrate you!

Look Who's Three!

Dear Miller,
Just three years ago today, mommy and daddy met you for the very first time. In some ways, the past three years have gone by in the blink of an eye and in other ways we feel like you've been a part of our family forever. We grown together as our family of three making many memories, celebrating many milestones, and really getting into our flow with just you. Daddy and I feel so blessed that we've been able to parent you for these past three years. What a precious gift you are to us!

As our days are numbered as a family of three in these last days, I squeeze you a little longer each day. Everytime, I hold your chubby hand I try to savor what it feels like to just have your hand to tote around from place to place. Daddy calls your chubby hands "fat pads". You giggle when he wants to kiss your fat pads. I love to dote on you and tell you that you're mommy's first baby. There's just something special about your firstborn. We hope you feel special.

Everyone agrees that you are such a little busy body that can't sit still. Your work each day is playing and you tackle it head on. Nothing gets in the way of your cars, trucks, and emergency vehicles. From the moment your eyes open to the minute they close, you keep mommy on her toes. You love to talk about all your friends. You smile when you see someone new and say, "What's him's name mommy?" Daddy and I smile daily at the little things you say and the new connections you're making. You talk non-stop at home. Our hearts melt at dinner time when you clasp your hands, close your eyes, and sing "God our Father". We catch you peeking at us to make sure we're closing our eyes too! Your conversation pattern is hilarious when you say the words "Well, actually..." or confirm a statement with "yes, right mommy".

The new bible verse that you quote is, "Children obey your parents, as it is pleasing to the Lord." This verse must pop in your head when you know you're about to get into trouble because you repeat it over and over. Your curiosity and attention to detail is amazing to observe. You love routine, and get frustrated when something is unexpected. When daddy and I have a conversation, you like to join right in and repeat what we're saying. Sometimes, you even tell us to "stop talking" so you can be the center of attention.
Our once independent little man has become quite affectionate. You freely give out hugs, kisses, and even "I love yous." If you're not humming, you're singing. Some of your favorites are: You are My Sunshine, John Jacob Dingleheimer Schmidt, Softly and Tenderly, Into My Heart, Jesus is a Rock, and The Hokey Pokey.

From your first smile, first laugh, first curl, first step, first word, first sentence, we've cherished it all. We still get glimpses of your babyish side when you suck your thumb and want your blankie, but most of the time you're really looking like a big kid....a BIG brother! We just love this 3 year old stage with you little man!



Nothing makes a third birthday better than Lightening McQueen cupcakes and presents from Miss Karen & Mommy and Daddy. We can't wait to party it up with you on Saturday.

Happy, Happy 3rd Birthday!

Love,
Mommy

31 Weeks: Stay in There

While most moms are so anxious to pop their newborns out, my prayer is always "stay in there, I've got too much to do!" I almost had a panic attack this week with all the things we need to do to get ready for Miss Eliza Kate. Between full weekends from here until mid April, working half days,reunions, friend's showers, delivering meals, birthday parties, organizing Sunday School events, and all the other mom duties... I'm a bit overwhelmed. There are just not enough hours in the day to get everything done! Landon and I had a heart to heart this week goal setting and discussing how to say no sometimes. We both love to stay busy, but we've been stretched thin lately.


Eliza Kate's bedding did come in last week which leaves us seven weeks to pull this nursery off! I've been collecting accessories, but holding off to paint until I see the right shade of pink. Who knew pinks could be so tricky? My mom's been a huge help this week hunting for paint samples. I went on a wild goose chase finding a fabric store today for a pillow I'm having made. God's been teaching me true patience!

This pregnancy is flying by faster than the first. We're so thankful to be adding a sweet little girl to the family

Happy 100th, Kappa!

What a fun weekend commemorating Kappa's centennial celebration. Since 1910, 100 AdiPi pledge classes have graduated from Samford. Brittany and I journeyed over to Birmingham for the weekend to join in all the festivities. Sisters from all the decades from Samford were in attendance. It was special to witness women with gray hair reuniting with their pledge classes from way back in the 1950's and 1960's. We proudly took our seats with 18 girls from our pledge class in the 90's section:) In fact, our 1997 pledge class was proud to have the most sisters in attendance! We've always been a tight group.

We lunched together at Ross Bridge, a beautiful new resort in Birmingham. There was lots of singing, chatting & revisiting chapter history and events. We loved seeing a slide show of sisters past and present.
We had to laugh receiving eye cream in our centennial goody bags. Are we really that old? I'm sure the younger pledge classes received lip gloss instead. Terra was such a wonderful hostess for the weekend. I drank up every minute of time with her twin one year old boys.
Saturday night, Melissa hosted us over to her house for appetizers and dinner. It wasn't long before we brought out all the old step sing videos to laugh at.
I needed this weekend. Maybe, it's because I know that my independence is going to be rocked in a couple of months.
I left with a renewed since of sisterhood and a thankful heart for friendships that stand the test of time. Since Alabama just might be the monogrammed and smocked capital of the states, I also left with some fun goodies for Eliza Kate.

Her Namesake

There's just something about family names that I love. Our baby girl has a rich heritage of lovely names to choose from. Miss "Eliza Kate" is named after her great grandmother on my mom's side of the family. I never got to meet this wonderful, Godly woman, but have heard many a story growing up. She passed away when my brother Clay was just a toddler.

Eliza was born March 12, 1898. Her parents Sarah and Isaac Muxlow came to America from England to Brown City, Michigan. As a girl, she often wore high button laced shoes and formal dresses. Her mother Sarah was a hat maker, so I can only imagine that she made this fancy lace hat for Eliza. She was a very proper young lady. Miss Eliza grew up in a large family of 13 siblings which boasted seven bachelor brothers. They all lived and worked on a dairy farm that's still in existence today. I researched the genealogy online this week as my aunt and cousins were in town and they know a lot about the family.


Eliza married Wilbert Aldridge whose mother coincidentally was named Emma Eliza Shay. To put it in perspective, she shared her name with her mother in-law.

My grandmother Eliza was left a young widow when her husband Wilbert passed away from lung cancer when my mom was only five years old. Eliza was left with three young children to raise on her own. No easy task for one woman to conquer. Her strength of character, resilience and faith in God are all qualities that are to be commended. Despite her hardships, she loved to laugh. This character trait has been passed down throughout the generations as my mom and I like to laugh too! As a woman, she addressed her friends as "Mrs. Kelly" even though they called her by her first name. This reflects the formal standard to which she was raised as a girl. Imagine Jane Austin's "Pride and Prejudice" formal way of speaking and social rules.

Now Eliza thought her name was old fashioned when she was growing up, so her family called her Liza. Her family continued to call her Liza, but when she started her new married life in Detroit, she introduced herself as Elizabeth.

The family tree has a strong thread of Elizabeth running throughout the generations:
Here's how the Elizabeth chain works...

Sarah Rippen Muxlow named her daughter Eliza(no middle name). Eliza then named her daughters Sara Elizabeth and Mara Jane. Mara Jane named her daughter Erica Elizabeth. Erica Elizabeth will now name her daughter Elizabeth Katherine. We have a little trend going on and we didn't even coordinate it:)

On Landon's side of the family, his great grandmother's name was Elizabeth.

Now Miss "Eliza Kate" will only see her formal name on her birth certificate and formal documents. We plan on always using Eliza Kate until she wants to drop the Kate and just be called Eliza. However, she has options with her formal name later in life.

28 Weeks: The Home Stretch

We are now in the third trimester, the home stretch. I'm still feeling great, but definitely need an afternoon nap a few times a week. This is a luxury I didn't have the first go around as I was working full time and on my feet all day. I'm hoping that my kankles won't swell with baby girl. Landon refers to them as "oompa loompa" feet. Lovely, I know.

Baby girl is most active late at night or after I've had a tall glass of ice water. She's a mover and a shaker. I'm sure this will be her sleep pattern to break as a newborn. Ahh, switching those days and nights on me.

At the grand weigh in last week, I've gained 21 pounds so far. My iron levels looked really good. You can tell I'm much more relaxed this time as I didn't even remember to ask about the results of my glucose screening. Totally slipped my mind. I thought for sure I failed it as I found out later you're not supposed to have juice that morning. The doctor gave me no directions or cheat sheet before the test. I guess she assumed I remembered the low down from 3 years ago.

My dear friend, Mr. Braxton-Hicks has greeted me with stomach tightening throughout the day. Nothing uncomfortable, I'm just aware of it this go around. With Miller, I just thought he was changing positions in utero until my midwife felt the contraction and told me what it was.

Baby girl's birthdate was set for Thursday, April 29th, 2010. If she cooperates, she'll make her grand entrance nice and early in the morning. My earliest date to deliver was the 27th, but I know I'll need a couple of days to wrap up all the details around here.

There are lots of things left to do on the checklist:
Paint the nursery
Purchase a new pack n' play
New bottles, burp cloths, all things pink
Start journaling in her baby book
Clean off all the equipment
Order new high chair strap covers
Organize her drawers and closet
Carpets cleaned
The list goes on and on!

Landon has been a huge help accomplishing my "honey do" list during the week and on the weekends. We went to buy bed rails for Miller last weekend at Babies R' Us, and just browsed the pack n'plays. We had a Chicco Sahara that broke when Miller was 15 months old. Landon kept gravitating toward the pink Graco pack n' plays! He's already in love with this little miss. I can assure you, we won't be getting any pink equipment. Who knows if we'll ever have a little boy in the future?

In other news, we have a name! You just have to hear Miller call baby girl by her name..it's simply precious. We had a heart to heart the other day before nap as he was patting my belly. I'm trying to prepare him as much as possible that there is not a baby truck in my belly. He asked me what baby girl was doing in there and I told him she was swimming. He asked, "Is she running too, momma?"

Can you guess what baby girl will be called?

Birthday Season

We've been partying it up with some of Miller's good buds over the last few weeks. Nothing beats the cold winter blues than an indoor birthday party on the weekend. I have learned not to mention the upcoming party to Miller in advance as he gets upset when we're not driving to the party that day. The mere mention of cake, or friends' names, or the party venue in conversation to Landon prompts Miller to bombard me with a flurry of questions. That party animal!!

We had a jumping good time at Caden's birthday. Notice me holding Miller back from touching the Cars characters. He even gave a practice blow after the birthday chorus. I swear I pulled a muscle on the inflatable slide. Sometimes, I just forget I'm pregnant and think I can keep up with all the action.

We rang in the big three with Miss Caroline at Chuck E. Cheeses. All of Miller's friends from Miss Karen's house were in attendance. My parents have taken Miller to Chuck E. Cheese several times, but this was our first time to experience the blissful chaos as a family. I love taking Landon to these events,because we tag team with Miller so we can actually have a conversation with the other party guests. We loved watching Caroline wear a princess crown as the whole crowd sang to her. Miller even met Chucky himself. He's not much of a fan of confined rides yet, but just loves costumed characters.


From about February to June, we enjoy sharing in the birthday season. I'm sure it will be a year round season once Miller's in school. We're in party planning mode at our house too. Our family does an every other year friend party for Miller. The big three is his year again to invite friends. Don't get me wrong, in a few years he'll be old enough to ask for a party. We won't be able to get away with the every other year bonanza!

*Forgive the quality of the last two pictures. I'm still learning the functions on my new portable Canon.