Happy Birthday!

When we walked into the hospital that cold February morning, I had no idea just how much my life would change. 10 hours of labor, one c-section, and three days of recovery later, you were in my arms, and we were going hom.




Although, the first few months were rough, you continued to grow and become the little ball of energy that you remain to be. Your smile is contagious and I can't help but love you more and more.r>

Today, sweet baby, you are two years old. You get more excited about life as you grow into such a big girl.


I know that sometimes I find it hard to keep up with your love of life, the way your bounce, yell, and play. You can be quite sassy as you try to voice your opinion to mommy and daddy, but more and more each day, we see you growing into a girl who wants to love Jesus. You are beginning to make big girl choices and you make baby steps of independence. While your strong personality can try your mommy's patience sometimes, I love who you are and who God has made you to be. I pray you use that God-given personality to love Jesus and love others.

Jesus, may Ellie Kate came to know you at an early age. May she use the talents and abilities that You have given her to win others for eternity. Shape her and mold her into the women You want her to be. Amen.

Go change the world, Ellie Kate. Mommy loves you.

To medicate or not to medicate....

When Ellie Kate had an ear infection, and my doctor recommended liquid steroids (WHAT!!! for an earn infection!), I couldn't help but think of david, his trip to the dentist, and why I avoid medicating my children...Enjoy!

I made it - just barely.

So, I just returned from our metro's largest consignment sale. And when I say large, its because I cannot think of any word that would describe its hugeness. Don't believe me? Here is the proof...





It opened at 11, and LUCKILY, I was at church and needed to run the girls home and put them in bed, before I made my way to what I thought would be a fun afternoon getaway. Little did I know, I would simply be thankful to return home with all of my limbs still in tact.

I am exaggerating in no way shape or form. I have never seen women be as caddy, impatient, and just plain mean, as I did today. Apparently, put a cute outfit and a cheap sale's ticket together, and all the restraint in the world can't stop the force of a bargain shopping woman.

I was thanking my lucky stars that I didn't have a newborn baby because the newborn-6month section was the craziest. It was packed full of pregnant women and THEIR MOMS! I thought these young mom's were crazy, but next to a soon-to-be grandma, they are sweet as pie.

Every time I went to pick up something, I felt three sets of eyes peering over my shoulder and silently saying, "Oh man, if she puts that down, its mine." There were a few times I was putting things in my bag, just so those crazy moms wouldn't snatch it off the rack the minute I put it down. I guess that makes me crazy too. At this realization, I had to get out of there.

While I did do some serious damage - 12 outfits, 2 bows, and a singing Barney - I did return home with money in my pocket, all my limbs still attached, and most important, my dignity, which is no small feat in the world of a consignment shopping mommy.

Winner and an Explanation

Congratulations, Kristy! YOU WIN!!! Hip Hip Hoorway! I hope you enjoy your teething necklace as much as I have.

Thank you all for entering my very first giveaway! I promise it won't be the last, so keep checking back, because really, who doesnt love a freebie?

Ok, so a lot of you were skeptical about the necklace being a choking hazzard. Let me explain...

While the makers of the necklace do put a disclaimer on the product because of legal purposes, they say it is very safe for babies/toddlers. The material/string tof the necklace is actually designed to snap when it meets any resistance. Therefore, if your child gets caught on it (which I have never seen anything come close to this), it will snap.

It is impossible for the child to get off. It has a twist closure that I even have a hard time getting on and off at bath time.

I let Peyton sleep in it - that is how comfortable I feel with the necklace. Lots of my friends use them and their children sleep in them as well.

Whie I totally understand each of your concerns, I feel very safe with the teething necklace. Of course, use it as you feel comfortable.

Thank again for participating. It was hard not to post for three days!!! I promise I will be back to my picture-posting, story-telling, fab-o-blogging soon. Until then...

Hip Hip Hooray! Its my very first giveaway!

Alright, all my lovely blogging friends, the time has arrived - its time for my first giveaway.

Here is the run-down...

Peyton is seven months old, so you know what that means - teeth!!!

There is nothing more pitiful than the face of a teething infant. It breaks my heart when I look at her. I mean, how would you feel if sharp bones were trying to poke through your skin. Poor baby.




When it comes to ailments - we have tried them all. Seriously. We have done the teething tablets, the frozen chewies, vibrating toys, and quite frankly, we were exhausted. Until now...

We have found our ticket. If you notice, Peyton is sporting a beautiful amber teething necklace. Contrary to popular belief, it is more than just a fashion statement.

Here is the low down on these miracle accessories:
Amber, a fossilized resin, helps calm babies and teething toddlers. When amber is worn on the skin, the skin's warmth release minuscule amounts of healing oils from the amber which are then absorbed via the skin into the bloodstream. Amber's has anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties.

Blah, Blah, Blah...all I know, is they work. No, its not a cure-all, and she still is groggy and feverish, but she is able to sleep well, and be the cuddly, lovey baby that she is.

Don't have babies yet? Thats ok. You will be the coolest gift giver in the history of baby showers if you show up with one of these. No doubt.

So, how mean would I be, if I went on and on about this fabuloso baby item, and not give one away?? Therefore, here it is, my first giveaway - The amber teething necklace.

Here are the rules:
In order to enter the contest, you must do a few things -

1. Leave a comment on this post answering the following question - "Are you skeptical about the teething necklace - do you think it really works? Or are you thinking, "this girl if off her rocker?"

2. To be entered TWICE, post about this giveaway on your blog, and be sure to come back and leave a second comment.

3. Hold your breath until Friday at midnight, when the contest is officially closed.

Ok, so here goes, get to commenting and keep your fingers crossed.

WOOHOO for giveaways!

(Can't wait for the end of the contest and just HAVE to have one of these right now? Check them out at www.hip-green-baby.com She will take care of your teething, babywearing, and cloth diapering needs. Thanks hipgreenbaby!)

Valentines Day + Two kids

Valentine’s Day + Two Kids ≠


1. An Expensive dinner that costs more than a year of college tuition
2. A Romantic movie fully equipped with popcorn, gummy bears, and a soda- which when added together equals our entire grocery budget.
3. A romantic slow dance, unless you count ring around the rosey
4. A hot air balloon ride that would make both of us probably throw up
5. Breakfast in bed, because who wants to eat breakfast at 5a.m. when Peyton wakes up?
6. A romantic getaway – we are saving up for Disney
7. A trip to the Dallas arboretum because they don’t allow stroller
8. Original song and serenade, although Ellie Kate did giver her best rendition of Old MacDonald
9. A helicopter ride, because haven’t finished writing our will yet (you know, just in case)
10. A home cooked, candlelit dinner, because we don’t play with matches



Valentine's Day + Two Kids =



A latenight Chick-fil-A milkshake and a movie in bed.

My funny valentine

100 things about my funny valentine.....

(This is a picture of us when we were dating)

1. You lied to me and told me you were born in Michigan, just to impress me.
2. You are the best dad I have ever met.
3. Your jeans are always one size too big
4. Your toes are weird looking
5. You wish you could play an instrument
6. You always try to “doctor up” everything you make in the kitchen
7. You feel manly when you use the grill
8. You would dunk everything in gravy if I would let you
9. You secretly love MY pillow
10. You love the weirdest reality shows
11. You secretly love watching the Bachelor with me
12. You drive over the speed limit – all the time.
13. You want to be a contestant on “Game Show in my Head”
14. You love your extended family more than anyone I have ever met
15. You almost passed out during my labor – I know it!
16. You love to be a handyman (but you secretly call your dad)
17. You are very loyal
18. You are growing out that beard, just to drive my mom crazy!
19. You threw up watermelon once and thought it was blood.
20. You say funny things when you are around people you are trying to impress.
21. You would never buy new socks, if I didn’t buy them for you.
22. You have told me about the scar above your eye 50 times, because I always forget
23. You have a freckle on your hand in the same place I do
24. You have no birth mark.
25. Basketball is your favorite exercise
26. You like to show people your growing stomach
27. You are very particular about your kind of deodorant
28. You never wash your hair because BJ told you not to
29. You watch Sports Center at least 10 times a day
30. You have more shoes than I do
31. You never miss an Oklahoma State Cowboy football game
32. Your favorite chick-flick is Fever Pitch
33. You get your haircut by a man that charges $100 a cut
34. You get your haircuts for free, but you like to tell people he charges $100 a cut.
35. You hate green bean casserole.
36. You made me cry when you wouldn’t take a bite of my tuna noodle casserole.
37. You hate the Cha-Cha slide
38. When you preach, you often chase bunny trails
39. You got hit on by a 70 year old woman once
40. You smell so good when you wear Tommy Bahama
41. You HATE to be bitten or even to hear the word “bite”
42. You are not ticklish – ANYWHERE!
43. You wear a mask when you mow the lawn
44. You love all things Dr. Drew
45. You love to make fun of the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Cowboy fans
46. Someone actually thought you were Johnny Depp when you dressed up like Jack Sparrow for Halloween.
47. It drives you crazy when kid’s parents don’t pick up their child on time.
48. You love to befriend homeless people.
49. You hate tomatoes and onions – and mushrooms, green peppers, tuna,……..
50. You hate to read – except Sports Illustrated and ESPN magazine
51. You secretly love my blog.
52. You have never yelled at me
53. You use to bring me taquitos wrapped in a paper towel when we were in college – and poor.
54. You pants have to be hung on a wooden hanger
55. You love the Boston Red Sox
56. You hate Gilmore Girls, but watch it, just to be with me
57. You record Wheel of Fortune
58. When eating out, you always order something different
59. You were the first to bring capris for men into style – “manpris”
60. You tricked me into telling you I loved you the first time ;-)
61. You would give your family the world
62. You like it better when my hair is long
63. You get so mad when you drop your Oreos in your milk
64. I have only seen you cry three times
65. Growing up, you had one suit – and it was purple
66. When I send you to the grocery store to pick something up, you always come back with ten more things than what I sent you for

67. When you pick out clothes for the girls, you pick out the funniest things!
68. You love to set things on fire
69. On our first date, you asked me if I believed in spanking.
70. You HATE to get Toilet papered.
71. One of your biggest regrets in life is selling your brown cutlass supreme.
72. You have more friends than I do.
73. It drives you crazy when I cut Ellie Kate’s hair
74. You want 12 kids – or more
75. You have never broken a bone
76. You laughed at me when I said I wanted an IPOD, and now you have two.
77. You love to surprise me
78. When you were a kid, you hated spending the night away from your parents
79. You never eat breakfast
80. Everywhere you go- you know someone
81. You had a girlfriend before most kids can say “girlfriend”
82. You always look for an excuse to visit family
83. You buried your flip flop in the sand at Siesta Key to leave a part of yourself on the beach.
84. Your eyes change colors
85. The only room in the house that HAS to be clean, is our bathroom.
86. You watch the Backyardigans and love it.
87. You were in a boy band in high school – called 4Real
88. After realizing you couldn’t sing, they made you lip sing, and they called you the “pretty one”
89. You wore a white tux to prom.
90. You didn’t tell my dad about your tattoo for two years
91. Your want a boxer – and the minute we have a big enough yard, you are getting one.
92. You hate sweets – except oreos
93. You took me to see John Mayer – even though you hate him
94. You are a great gift giver
95. You have no enemies
96. You picked out the name “Peyton”
97. Picking up seashells is your favorite thing to do in Florida
98. You are an impulse buyer
99. You wear your jeans until they get holes in them
And finally……..You are my favorite person in the whole wide world.

I Love You, My Valentine

Diaper Bag Obsession

Ok, so before I was pregnant, I was obsessed with purses. I blame it on my mom, really. I mean, I remember getting a purse every year for my birthday since I was six. Of course, as I got older, the purses got more expensive and more specific to my taste. Needless to say, when Ben and I got married and moved into our teeny-tiny 800 square foot apartment, we had to devote an entire section of the closet to my purse collection. Ben allowed it, probably because his hat collection was just as large.


So anyway, when I found out I was pregnant with Ellie Kate, I knew I had to have the fanciest diaper bag ever. Ben and I agreed we would get a gender neutral one so that we could use it for future children. Then....we found out she was a girl, and we, well maybe just I, went nuts. I spent $95 on my first diaper bag. It was pink, brown, and totally impractical. But who cares? It was awesome. And it was worth every penny. I loved it and got stopped many times and told how adorable it was.


I wish I could say that was the end of the story, and that I still use the same smashing diaper bag for Peyton. But no. Now, I have this...

You can play I Spy if you want and try to count them all, but I will go ahead and save you the trouble - there are 12. I couldn't even fit all of them in the picture, so some of them are stuffed inside others, just make their appearance by peeking out the top.


My purse obsession turned into a diaper bag obsession. To my defense, they all have separate functions. The big striped on on the left is when both girls are going both places. Its a Fluerville bag and holds everything but the kitchen sink, so it works great for trips with both girls. The white and pink bag to the right of it are for church, when the girls are going to the same place, but go to different classes. They look the same, just different colors. The two black and white polka dot bags are for late night babysitter stays or one night trips to grandmas. Both are equipped with a place for a paci, pajamas, and any overnight items. I could tell you what all twelve of their uses are, but you get the point.



So I would just like to take this moment to thank my mom for passing on her obsession of all things over the shoulder. You'll be getting a bill in the mail soon for passing on what Ben calls, "A genetic obsession." Love you mom!





P.S. Morgan and Mason, Ellie Kate misses you so much, we talk about you everyday. I wanted to include this video of her saying hi to you! Can't wait to see you in a few weeks! -
Aunt Meredith

The Parent I Want To Be

Ok, so Ben and I have started reading this new book entitled, The Parent You Want To Be. As we were praying over the direction of our lifegroup (made up of young couples all with small children), we were perplexed with what to study. We have done video series, spiritual growth books, and even endured the dreaded, "One Month To Live" study. (Hehe, it wasn't that bad, just really cheesy).

As we were talking about our group one night, we both began to notice the same thing. It seems like we are surviving parenthood. Instead of embracing each new day as a gift from the Lord and taking the time to enjoy and love their children, it seems a challenge just to make it through the day. We both concurred- this had to stop!

So after much prayer and deliberation, we decided to devote the next year to becoming better parents, and what better way to start than with the parent themselves. That is why we chose this book....





It is a wonderful book and I would recommend any parent read it.

However, this purpose of this post is not to plug this book, I mean, its not like they gave me the book for free! No No, this post is about something entirely different.

Its about me, my conviction, and my lack of patience.

While Ben and I have already completed this book, we wanted to read it again so that we experience it right along with the rest of our group.

Therefore, like a good girl, I got up at 7am, got my bowl of granola, and sat down in our recliner. After the Lord taught me about the difference between the righteous and the wicked in Proverbs 8, I picked up The Parent You Want To Be. Today's chapter was on patience. I read it in its entirety and agreed with all it had to say. I scored myself pretty well on the patience test and gave myself a pat on the back for being a stupendous parent.

Then, my children woke up....

Ellie Kate woke up in a grouchy mood and it was all I could do to get her to eat ONE bite of her cereal. She wouldn't share with Tatum, who by the way, went through three different outfits as she wet through each of them in a matter of 3 and a half hours. Go figure. Peyton had snot running down her face most of the morning, and I seriously considered attaching a drip pan around her neck. At some point I smelled some sort of stench and after two needless diaper changes, I finally found the culprit - it was Tatum. I am telling you that girl's plumbing definitely works. It was then I found she had blisters on her legs from the tightness of her diapers, which explained the non-stop whining and moaning most of the morning. After washing my hands for the 10th time that day, I turned around and found our darling new potty trainer, peeing all over the floor in the kitchen. Nice. No child was interested in eating their lunch, and the words "Ellie Kate, stop blowing kisses and eat your lunch" came out of my mouth at one point. Was I serious?

This always happens to me. Satan likes to steal my thunder and keep me from growing into the parent I want to be! Maybe tomorrow will be better, the chapter is entitled, "Your Children Become Who You Are." Yikes. Wish me luck!

HELP!

Ellie Kate's 2nd birthday is coming up in a few short weeks, and we are having a "kitchen" themed birthday. We chose this theme because she is getting her toy kitchen for her birthday. Here is the delimna. I don't know which one to get. I have narrowed it down to two different kitchens, and I need your help. Help me decide which one is best for my little princess.

We definitely wanted a wooden kitchen, and these are the same price, so no need to take that into consideration. Which one do you like better, and most importantly, which one do you think Ellie Kate ad all the rest of our kiddos will like the best.

Picture 1 - made by Melissa and Doug

Picture 2 - made by Kidkraft

Thanks guys!

Self-proclaimed LAME-O!!

I am officially the lamest gift giver on the face of the planet. Seriously.

Don't believe me? Here is the proof: The beautiful hand-made bow holder that I have in my hand is my darling niece's birthday present. The niece's whose birthday was almost a month ago! I mean, how lame is that?

She is only one years old, so its not like she will really care if she gets it on her exact birthday, but still. Its the principal of the matter.

I have an explanation for this craziness. Its two-fold really.
1.) I loathe the post office. I would rather do any errand than go to the post office where I have to get two babies out of the car, stand in line for 15 minutes and over pay to ship my item. Therefore, I have banned post offices from my life. They aren't healthy for my psyche.
2.) I don't own a single calendar. Crazy huh? I think I missed the part of the mom oath that said you would always have an up-to-date fridge calendar or perfectly planned out desk-top calendar. Whoops.

The sad thing is, I remember all the birthdays, and I always buy a present, its just getting the present to the recipient that is the problem.

I told you - I am a self-proclaimed lame-o!!!

No wonder I am likened to a sheep...

Some days it can be so easy to take for granted all the little things in life.

You may have noticed on the right hand side of my blog the "Praying for Harper" button. The Ramsey family is truly praying for Harper and all the Stamps family. She is a sweet little girl that was born with severe pneumonia in her lungs. These sweet parents thought they would give birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl and bring her home in two days, like "most" women do. Like I am blessed to do.

She is healing and the Lord is doing great things through her challenges. We continue to pray for them everyday.

Harper's mommy asked for prayer for another hurting family a few days ago who lost their unborn baby at 38 weeks of pregnancy. After going in for a routine check-up that would eventually change her life forever, she then had to be rushed to do an emergency C-section and give birth to her unborn little boy.

I can't imagine what either of these moms are going through. Most women who give birth to healthy, beautiful, "normal" children can't imagine a situation such as these. I would even venture to say that most of these women forget to thank God everyday for the lives that he has entrusted to them. I know I fall into that category.

Sadly enough, not only do I forget, I take for granted all the little things. Instead of noticing the tiny wrinkles that God placed as he was forming that hands of my child, I notice the smug marks that those hands make all over my fridge. And instead of marveling at the sounds of my baby, I notice the frustration those noises are in the middle of the night. I even forget to put down the laundry and the dirty dishes, and bend down to listen to my child as she tugs on my pant legs.

For several months, Ben and I have been torn over our belief in birth control. After conceiving our first two children very quickly, we began to worry about what that meant for the fate of our lives. "What if we have thirteen kids!" "What will people say about us?" and the most common -"How could we ever afford this?"

As I have been reading the stories of these two amazing women, I began to notice my selfishness. Here I am worrying about having too many children, when these families lose their one. As I pray that the Lord "give us a break," these women are on their faces before the Lord THANKING Him for the tragedy of their innocent baby's life. For they know, there is a purpose, and there is a plan.

Why am I so quick to forget that God is in control, and has a better plan for me? I am so quick to step into the driver's seat because maybe God doesn't know what he is doing. Haven't I learned yet?

Needless to say, the Lord truly has done a work in both our hearts these past few days. I want to leave you all with this verse:

"Behold, children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They shall not be ashamed, When they speak with their enemies in the gate. " Psalm 127:3-5

Oh, how blessed am I, epecially if I have a quiver full.

My children are the only eternal possession I have except for my own soul. I pray God restores to me a respect, a love and a desire for my most precious possessions — Ellie Kate, Peyton, and beyond...

http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/

http://www.cynthialovespictures.blogspot.com/

My Predicament

Ok, so here is the Dilemma. The Ramsey household hosted a super bowl party for the youth group today. We had a great time playing the Wii, talking about "the" Rick Warren quote, and watching the Super Bowl. Ben was even thrilled with the outcome as he is a super Steelers fan.

So whats the problem? You just have to see it for yourself:



Leftovers. Ugh.

These are all the leftovers of our high-calorie, artery-clogging, straight to your thighs food fest. You can tell the food choice was not mine, but a general mixing of the teenagers major food groups - bratwursts, taquitos, mozzarella cheese sticks, chips and salsa, skittles, and M&M's. As one student told me - "it is all your major food groups; from the fruit in the skittles to the veggies in the salsa." Yikes. That is all I have to say.

So here is the problem - what do I do with all of these leftovers! I'm surely not giving it to my family, who already have a difficult enough time eating their vegetables and I don't need any help from the junk food fairy.

I seriously contemplated throwing it all down the drain, until my husband "the pacifist" reminds me of the starving children in Africa.

My sights then turned to the dog, but I even love him to much to feed him food that will send him to an early grave.

Then, you came to my mind - all my blogging buddies. You will surely know what to do. So tell me, ease my pain, and pull me out of the never ending piles of junk food accumulating in my refrigerator. What do I do with it?????