Big Girl Bed!

Before....

and after!!

On Sunday night we decided that it was finally time to turn Stella's crib into a "big girl" toddler bed.  She wasn't trying to get out of it or anything, but she is getting to be such a big girl that we decided to do it as a treat for her.  She loves it!  I went to Target to get her some new bedding.  The selection of toddler bedding is pretty slim.  I had to piece this together, but I think it turned out really precious! And I am proud to say that she went right to sleep in her new bed and slept until 6:30 am the first night!  She woke up and let the dogs out of the laundry room, then came and got into bed with us.  It was a treat to get to doze off for a few extra minutes!  Last night was a little rougher.  She got up and came into our room about midnight and slept with us.  Not so fun!  So I don't know if I should wait a few more nights to see if she gets up, or if I should put up a baby gate.   I don't even know if that would work anymore!  If anyone has any advice or tips, please pass them along! 

Charlie's 1st birthday!

The birthday boy!

I am getting these pictures up so late!  The Saturday before Easter was Charlie's first birthday!  My friends Jessica and Mark (Charlie's momma and daddy)  had a cowboy themed party at their house.  Note the AMAZING swingset/playhouse he got for his birthday!  Now that is going to be the gift that keeps on giving!  It was the most gorgeous day, and we all just hung out around the swingset, playing with the kiddos and drinking cold beer.  Sarah and Jared were there, and she had her amazing camera taking party pics.  Mimi Angela was so proud, too! Stella had so much fun, all weekend she kept saying, "Momma!  Charlie's party! Let's go!! Let's go!"

Anya's 2nd Birthday!

The birthday girl and her BFF

Last Sunday was Anya's 2nd birthday party at the park.  It was a rainy day but it held off for the party!  Stella was getting sick but she managed to play anyway.  We grilled out brats and hotdogs, the kids ran around and ate cupcakes!  It was so much fun.  It seems just like yesterday that I was taking Stella over to Addie's to see Anya for the first time, and looking at how tiny she was... fast forward two years and now look at these two!  They are like sisters now, just like their mommas!  I love you guys :)  PIC and BFFs!

Naked Spaghetti, Kat, and CROUP!

Me, Kat, and Addie

It is best to eat spaghetti outside.  And naked.  
Just hose them down afterwards!!

The picture below was us jumping and dancing for the girls.  I got a freaky "floating" effect and had to post it... too funny!

This week was a busy one, as usual!  On Wednesday one of my great friends, Kat, came to visit for a few days.  I hadn't seen her in over two years, and she had never  met Stella.  Those two loved each other!  If she went away for a minute, Stella would walk around saying, "Where's Kat? KAATTT!!" Miss Addie made her famous spaghetti at our house and the girls enjoyed it outside... thank goodness! Two toddlers and red sauce = huge mess!  But they ate like they hadn't eaten all week.  There is nothing better than seeing your baby scarf down some food!  I guess that's my old maternal instinct kickin' in.  On Friday, we had our friend Ricky (an awesome chef) cook us up some of his "native food" (New Orleans) Jambalaya. Yummy!  And WHOOO spicy!  I guess I have to get my Arkie tastebuds prepared next time.  It was Kathy, AKA Grammy's birthday!  We had so much fun!  We got her some peonies from Flora and a bench to sit out in her yard and watch Bessie the buffalo and her new baby, Blossom!  Saturday morning Stella woke up with a 102.4+ fever... and is still sick to this day.  We went to the doctor twice before she was finally diagnosed with croup.  It is the most pitiful thing!! Her cough sounds like a baby seal, and she can't sleep.  So of course, Taylor and I haven't slept either.  My eye was twitching all day today!! ha ha. I am going to try to get a few hours of shut eye before Stella wakes up again... sweet dreams!

Happy Easter ya'll!

We had a very busy Easter weekend!  On Friday night we went out to dinner with our friends Marcy and Ricky to Soul.  On Saturday, we went to Charlie's birthday party... I took so many photos, they are going to get their own post :)  Then we headed up to the lakehouse for the rest of the weekend.  I got to drive my Dad's boat around the lake... it was easier than I thought it would be!  Of course, I wasn't the one who had to get it back in the slip!  Sunday, Taylor's family came over and we had a big yummy Easter lunch.  Everyone really did it up!! Afterwards, we should have been napping but instead we all went down to the 'party level' where Brett and Stella had a mini jam session!  So cute!  We also had to hunt Easter eggs in the house because of the rain... I think Stella didn't mind one bit!  I could definitely get used to life at the lake!  Happy Easter!

More Party Pictures...

More to come! My computer is being crazy and won't let me upload any more right now...

Photos by Chris Stinson!

www.stinsonphoto.com

Hot Springs

This weekend we went down to Hot Springs to see some family and friends.  We stayed with Lee and Larry, and their daughter Dawn and our friend Rachel stayed there, too.  We saw our lovely friends, 

Taylor and Jerrick, too! She gave Stella some fancy high heels she made, see link! We didn't go to the races, but we did drink lots of wine and sweet tea vodka, and we enjoyed lots of homemade southern food courtesy of Lee.  We basically played cards and hung out.  Taylor C. and I got to go flea marketing all day Saturday... I found Stella a vintage velvet swing coat and I got some funky hatboxes and jewelry, not to mention an amazing leopard vintage jumpsuit!  Awesome!    On Sunday we spent some time with Tay's grandpa.  He is so sweet.... It was a great weekend catching up with my friends and family!  Love you guys!