Mommy & Me

Today Allie and I had a little "mommy and me" picture session with a dear friend of mine at the Highland Road Arboretum.  Allie was sick ALL last week (literally, 6 out of 7 days) so I really didn't know what I was in for.

It is so funny how you really only look for 4-5 good pictures out of a 45-minute session.  Maybe I am too easy to please, or maybe it's because my child rarely cooperates, but I will say, my Allie P did not disappoint today.  My whole goal with this is to have pictures to frame in her big girl room of just the two of us, before our new addition arrives in 15 weeks. 

I didn't want the "pull up your shirt to show your stomach" pictures but merely something that is tasteful, meaningful and fun.  Are these adorable or what?

All photos were taken by Kasey Gary.

RCR's New Digs

Sunday we made the move - Allie slept in her big girl bed for the first time ever.  Of course it wasn't by herself for the first 4 hours, as Ben fell asleep with her until 1 am, BUT nonetheless, I was proud that she stayed in her bed until 5:45 am. 

Yesterday she was sent home from school with pink eye.  We went to the doctor and not only does she have a very severe case of it, she has an upper respiratory infection to top it all off.  SO, she slept with us last night.  :)

Wish us luck that this whole "big girl bed" thing remains positive.

I ordered bedding for the nursery almost 3 months ago and it arrived Friday.  I absolutely love it. 

I remember when we found out we were having a girl with Allie, I envisioned a loud, vibrant pink, green, brown, ecru room from the start.  It is quite ironic that the theme of her room matched her personality 100%.  With this being said, I went for a more subdued, simple, some may say "plain" gender neutral room for baby #2 - off white Irish linen bedding, off white and brown decorative crib sheet, goldish/bronze accent pieces, Peter Rabbit pictures, etc.  I cannot explain how serene the room is.  Perhaps I am praying for a calm, easy going child?  ;)

This room is by no means finished.  I have a goldish/bronze chandelier that is being installed tomorrow - I am extremely excited about this, especially after seeing how the one in Allie's big girl room really tied the room together. 

I've attached a few pictures of some of the decorations I hung tonight.  I still need a couple Peter Rabbit pictures, a cute decorative pillow for the rocker, something big for the middle of the changing table...the list could go on, BUT I absolutely love doing this kind of stuff.  I'll find what I'm looking for.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

Proud Momma!

As a parent you go through days when you are so proud of your child, and days when you're not so much (hopefully this isn't just me!).  Today was one of those days when I would have frozen time to keep my Allie Parker at this age / stage in life.

Our good friends Anna and Jared got married today in New Orleans.  They have kept Allie for us since she was 3 months old so they not only hold a special place in our hearts, but Allie's as well.  When Anna and Jared are here, we do not worry about a thing when we are away.  They asked Allie to be their flower girl right after they got engaged so several weeks ago we bought her "Cinderella dress" (as she calls it).  Last night at the rehearsal Allie was not having any part of it.  She was tired, irritable, wanted me at 24 weeks pregnant to hold her the entire time, kept asking to "go home" - needless to say I was a little worried about the actual wedding...BUT...

...my Allie P did not disappoint, and if anything, she kicked her groove up a notch.  She was sassy, sweet, spunky, and one dancing fool at the reception.

Walking down the aisle she did ok.  Ben waited in the back with her, and I was up front waiting with her new plush friends Ben brought home with him from Disney World - Nemo and Crush (the turtle from Finding Nemo).  She tossed 5-6 petals, then took off pretty fast down the aisle to me, which was fine by us...at least she made it.  After the ceremony we "2nd lined" through the quarter for 20-25 minutes...I never thought this child would have enjoyed it as much as she did.  The weather was perfect - sunny, 75 degrees, mild breeze.  Check her out in these two videos:

2nd Line by Herself

 

2nd Line with Daddy

Ten minutes or so after the 2nd line ended, Allie hit the dance floor (literally), where she stayed for almost 3 hours.  She was absolutely fascinated with Anna, in fact she called her "Tinkerbell," so this dance to Mustang Sally meant the world to her.

Dancing with Anna

The bridesmaids were so cute with AP.  Anna's sister, Molly, was also one of Allie's idols.  At one point Allie ran to me pulling her dress up.  When I asked what the problem was she said she wanted her dress short like Molly's (the bridesmaids wore short dresses)...just way too cute.

Just like all fun Louisiana weddings, one of the last five songs had to be Calling Baton Rouge.  Check out this little ham:

Calling Baton Rouge

The Ross' are thrilled for our Anna and Jared...we absolutely love and adore the two of them!

I love fall!

The older I get the more I realize that fall truly is my "favorite" season. I love the decorations, the fact that they can stay out from first of October to first of December (2 full months) - there is nothing to stress about during the fall. I love Christmas and everything it is about but it's so hectic and busy - I don't feel like I get to truly enjoy the holiday.

Every year I collect more fall decorations. I haven't completed even 1/3 of what I plan to do but this was our start tonight!

I still have to finish getting plates washed and set on table with pumpkins and cornucopia decorations, decorate 4 more pumpkins (this one needs her nose and mouth stickers put on),I need to get bails of hay to set out for the scarecrows (they normally don't sit on chair) - and last but not least, I need to buy some yellow and orange mum baskets.

I'm even thinking about decorating the outdoor fireplace with fall greenery and several pumpkins...in my spare time. :)

"Dog hair is disgusting"

Since Toby had his surgery I have really tried to give him some "extra" love / attention. Perhaps it's my guilt given he and Roxy have definitely been moved to the back burner since Allie was born. They still get attention, it's just not always "positive" when Allie smacks them over the head with a broom or baby doll.


Anyway, last night I brushed Toby while Allie was in the bath and as I was throwing away the dog hair, I hear Allie, in the cutest little voice say "dog hair disgusting mommy." I looked over at her and of course ;looking stunned I said "excuse me" and she repeated it.

After she got out of the bath I had her repeat what she said just so I could prove she really said it. Where does she get this stuff? I laugh at her daily at the funny things she says.

http://youtu.be/PXm3_ZyMCiw

Allie's new pillow...

...is my large stomach. At night we lay on the couch for quiet time and watch a Disney show or movie...this has been her favorite spot the last couple weeks.

Dress-up, anyone?

Before bed Sunday night Allie put on a fashion show for - she is a hoot in a half. A bumblebee costume, ballerina tutu, Mardi Gras beads, and at one point (not in this picture), a bakers hat.

Going back to my video post last week, where Allie says it herself, she really is "something else!"