THREE and BIG As Can Be!

Tuesday was Mags actual birthday, the 16th. We started out the day with party hats and birthday sprinkle pancakes!

Happy Birthday to you!!

 And yes, she almost caught her hair on fire. 

Miller loved the pancakes too!

Then we met her best friend, Anna Caston, at Chick-Fil-A for lunch, per Maggie's request. We topped off lunch with some much needed outside time at the Bent Creek playground!

Miller had a ball rolling around in the grass and searching for every ant bed he could find.

We got some good afternoon naps then headed over to YaYa and Pop's house for a birthday dinner and cupcakes!

 I'm trying to incorporate more family photos bc I am never in the pictures. This is our best attempt.

Miller loved the cupcakes, but really, what doesn't Miller LOVE??

Jack did too!!

Big as Can Be!

Maggie is full of JOY 99% of the time. She is neat and tidy like her mamma. She likes her hands clean and shoes on at all times. She gets that from me. She plays very well with Miller and shares most of her things. She tells me she loves me at least 20 times a day. She hugs Miller at least 20 times a day. She is very independent, and I hear, "I DO IT" at least 20 times a day. She likes to pick out her own outfit now, which is a battle each and every morning. She is the world's pickiest eater, but we are working on that as we speak! Her favorite food is mac and cheese, like her daddy. Her favorite things to play with are barbie dolls, baby dolls, and playing princess dress up! She also loves to color and use stickers. I think Miller chokes on at least 5 stickers a day, so I have to watch these 2 with their arts and crafts!!  She has just the sweetest and caring heart, and God certainly knew what he was doing when he gave Miller a big sister like Maggie! She makes my world go round and I thank him everyday for her!

I have to document some things so I remember them one day.
I have started praying with Maggie each morning before school. We always do it while we are in the car line, and we hold hands and say a special prayer for her that day. That she will make new friends, or be nice to her teachers, play well on the playground, stay safe and healthy, etc etc. Maggie loves the prayer time. The other day she was getting out of the car before dance, and she said, "Mommy, can we pray every time before dance class too?!" The excitement in her voice over praying made my heart swell. I wish we all could be that excited. I can tell it makes her feel so safe and loved. Thank you God for allowing me to have these special moments each and everyday!

Now on to her funny statements...
Maggie- "Mommy, why do I have to do what you say, when I'm a big girl?"
Me- "Because I am the boss, that's why!"
Maggie- "Well who is your boss then?"
Me- "My mommy was my boss when I was a little girl, but now that I am a grown up I don't have a boss."
Maggie- "But Daddy is a grown up and he has a boss?"
Me- "Well yes he does sweetie, but only a boss at work."
Maggie- "Oh, well I thought you were Daddy's boss."
Me- hahahaha, "well yes honey, I am Daddy's boss, but that's a whole different story!" ;)

We got Maggie a swing for her birthday and it was on backorder so it didn't arrive in time. She was a sweet heart about it and is super excited for it to come in next week.  After we showed her a picture of her new swing, she said, "Daddy, I sure hope the swing set comes with directions!"  haha. She has heard me fussing a time or two about a certain someone not following directions when he puts things together!

Her new phrase is "matter of fact." She throws matter of fact in before everything she says. Matter of fact, I'm hungry mamma. Matter of fact, I want to go outside mamma. Matter of fact, it's cold outside!

On the morning of her 3rd birthday, I asked her if she could do anything in the world today, what would it be? She screamed with excitement in her eyes, "Go to Chick-Fil-A, then Target, then Corner Market!!!" hahaha. poor kid doesn't get out much I guess. You can tell the places we go on a regular basis. I had no idea she likes Corner Market so much.  So Corner Market it was, where she picked out her cupcake mix.

I'd say it was a very special birthday. Now PLEASE sometime stop the clock.

Berry Special Weekend

This weekend we had Maggie's THIRD birthday party! It was a strawberry theme, per her request. We had a blast with friends and family and this little princess is sad all the festivities are over now.

We also had Miller's dedication this past weekend, while friends and family were in town. It was a beautiful dedication. Pastor Jeff said some beautiful things about what a miracle Miller is, and even read a few things from one of my blog post on here! He then got down on his knee to pray for Miller. It was sweet, touching and absolutely perfect. Here is the verse we chose for Miller.

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will give glory to your name forever."

Psalm 86 11-12

*I think it's appropriate to document another special occasion this past week. I got baptized. I was baptized as a baby, and have been arguing the "immersion" topic with my husband for 6 yrs now! For anyone who comes from a Methodist/Baptist marriage, you feel my pain! We LOVE First Baptist here though, and we became members about a year ago. Lately, God has really placed it on my heart to get baptized through immersion. I also thought that it was time I honor the word, and honor the tradition of the Baptist Church.  My grandmother always told me that when I was baptized as a baby, I screamed bloody murder through it and my grandfather leaned over and said, "she's upset because she wants to be a Baptist." Well my grandfather is looking down from heaven smiling, I'm sure. I guess you were right all along JoJo!

Ok, here are the pics from the weekend!

This pic cracks me up! Mags won't dare look at the camera and Miller was NOT happy about his outfit. Poor little guy is outgrowing his clothes too fast and everything is tight on his chubby arms and legs!

He did so good during his dedication. Seriously just the sweetest little guy alive!!

Her first Barbie was a huge hit! She even went to school with her today.

 This picture cracks me up. Miller looks SO BIG in this picture. Well actually he is this big. My healthy baby boy...such a blessing.

Seaside 2012

Last week my wonderful parents took us all to Seaside, Florida! It's a place that gives me the warm and fuzzies since I have been going there since I was Maggie's age! That's hard to believe! We have so much fun on our family vacations and being able to take Miller on his first one was pretty special! Jack(Alison's son) and Maggie played so well together this trip and it was fun to watch them interact! Miller was a doll baby the whole time, except for the last night when he developed a little cold. He wasn't too sure about the beach or the pool, but you take him on a stroll, and he was all smiles!!!

Her best friend, Anna Caston, just happened to be at the beach the same time we were! :)

We rented a golf cart for the week! Best.Idea.Ever.

Love this picture of YaYa and Maggie! She was fearless and wanted to run and chase the birds, then run into the water.

Jack and Maggie hard at work.

Ahhhh my love bugs.

Family photo!

My drama queen:)

I took this picture and I'm pretty proud! Aren't my parents just the cutest? I think they win cutest couple award!

Late night swimming in regular clothes is always the most fun time!!

PRISS!

Sweet Cousins

Is Jack not a stuf muffin or what? He is just the sweetest little thing! Busy Busy!!

Those eyes make my heart smile!

I think they look just alike here.

More late night swimming!

LOVE

Last night out! Miller had a blast at Stinkys Fish Camp and even got to try his first table food. Crackers, mac and cheese, and carrots. He loved everything!

Thanks YaYa and Pop for a vacation to remember!! 

9 months

My main man turned 9 months old on the 8th! Where has the time gone? We had his check up today. He weighed 22 lbs. 3 oz and was 29 inches long??(ok I can't remember how long!) All I know he was in the 75th percentile for head and weight, and the 50th for height.  Developmentally, he is meeting all his milestones, which is a huge blessing. He is trucking along just fabulous!

Miller is full of life, and full of energy! He is army crawling all over my house now and starting to pull up just a little. He is very assertive, and lets me know exactly what he wants when he wants it. I call him the boss. And that he is!!  Maggie loves him soooo much and sometimes is a little into his personal space too much, and he will give her a nice little push. ha! He is a strong little guy. He is saying Dada, Mama, and Baba. He can wave bye bye. He is wearing 24 month clothes and is full of rolls!!  He is so ticklish sometimes I think he is going to cry. He is eating some solid foods now, and is going to eat me out of house and home soon. Boys will always be boys I guess. He is sort of over baby food now and wants to eat things he can feed himself.  He is STILL not sleeping through the night, and lately has been cutting his top teeth so he's been up every few hours. We are pretty tired around here. But if a lack of sleep is all I have to complain about, I am counting my many blessings!!  He has his bottom 2 teeth in, but that is it! We are working on the top right now.  This boy has taken over my heart. We love this little guy to the moon and back, and so does his big sister!

I have a prayer request that is near and dear to my heart. A family in Hattiesburg lost their little boy this week. He was born in March with Hypoplastic Left Heart, and went through the first 2 surgeries just like Miller did. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worst after the second surgery and he was put on life support. He has been in Jackson in the PICU waiting on a heart transplant, and today the doctors decided to take him off life support. I have been hurting all day for this family that I don't know. You might have seen the group Prayers for Alexander on facebook. Most people who don't know much about HLHS would assume that Miller's case is how they all go, and well, Miller is definitely the exception, not the rule. This just confirms to me even more what a precious miracle I have on my hands. I thank God every day for the smooth journey we have had.  PLEASE pray for this family. I cannot imagine what they are going through, and the dark days ahead.