transitions.

Well this has been a week.

There have been about three million things going on these days. Every time I turn around, I feel like something else is popping up for us to deal with.

In the middle of all that, there have been some pretty major transitions with BG. We got word a couple weeks ago that the lady that has been keeping her was going back to work. We had been talking a bit about getting her enrolled in a more structured type program but weren't expecting it to be this soon. However, after that bit of news we bit the bullet and enrolled her in a church program here.

I know that it's not "school" per se, but the fact that my baby girl was heading off with a nap mat screamed "school" to me. And that fact made me tear up a bit. Okay, so it made me bawl when I dropped her off. Whatever.

It probably doesn't help that she also turned eighteen months the same day. What is she doing to me?!

She seemed to love it. And she came home with a perfect "report card". Okay, that's school.

Tuesday I decided to send her for a little bit while I got some things done around the house. She went right in without any hesitation and ran right up to her teacher arms outstretched. Absolutely nothing fazes this kids.

While she was gone, I decided to emotionally torture myself redo some things in her room. It's become almost a hazard to change the crazy kid on her changing table, so I did some rearranging to make her room more "little girl" friendly.

I moved pictures and gave her a "tea" table. The cradle of animals came out and toys went in. Bibs and burp cloths were packed away and play jewelry and tutu's now fill those bins.


Just a few small changes, but the room definitely no longer screams "a baby sleeps here!!".

Things are changing at a lightning fast pace around these parts. Good thing I'm so good at handling change huh?

wordless wednesday: me and my best friend

K helping BG take her shoes off. So sweet...

a farewell (again)

When my brother got out of the Marines last May, I celebrated big time over the fact that he was home safe and sound. And for good.

Don't get me wrong, the military is amazing and my family is military and I'm ridiculous proud, but I like my little brother in the USofA where I can keep an eye on him.

Then he got out and got a job doing something very similar to what he was doing in the Marines. Fun fun, whatever floats your boat and all that. Then? We got word that he was heading back overseas with this job.

Say what?!?

So he's leaving. Again. We have to say good bye. Again.

Seriously?

I hate goodbyes. Hate them. I'm such a child and want everything to stay the same and nothing to change and no one to go anywhere (cue feet stomping and whining). But unfortunately, I don't always get my way (I know, craziness).

A few weeks ago (or last month), Uncle Marine came down to spend some time with us BG before the craziness of getting ready to go set in.



She adored him. Like couldn't get enough. They laughed; they read books; they played. She flirted. Yep, she did.

His girlfriend came down with him and BG latched right on. She kept running up to her with a book going "Kis-ten" over and over. I think "Kis-ten" was a huge fan of hers as well.



When we finally got word that his departure was truly right around the corner, BG and I trekked down to his place to spend a few hours with him and my parents. Unfortunately Mr. P was out of town, but thankfully BG was a peach on this trip.

She fell asleep about twenty minutes before we met up with my family (par for the course), but was her amazing little self when she woke up. Since we were in town, we stopped by the cemetery to put flowers on my Nanny's grave. It's the first time I've taken the little one there.



After a quick lunch with the family, we went and spent a few hours with my inlaws while Uncle Marine finished packing (apparently waiting to the last minute is truly in our blood...). BG had a blast with both sets of grandparent around and this girl truly enjoyed being able to sit down for a few minutes.




After dinner, we packed it up and headed back home. Like I said, I hate saying goodbye so we gave a big "see ya later" to Uncle Marine and wished him well. It almost broke my heart when he told BG, "I'll see you when you're two". Sigh... But he'll be home soon.

He's leaving today. Only seven more months til he comes home...

project 365: week 39

Week 39. So there's only 12 weeks left in 2011?? How is that even possible?!

Sunday, September 25th:

Somebody was loving the jewels she got from Gabby's birthday party the day before. She wouldn't take them off all day!

Monday, September 26th:

BG loves saying her ABC's so I ordered the Melissa and Doug ABC puzzle to help her learn them. So far, she prefers to use the letters as little projectile weapons.
That's fun. But we're learning to play nicely with it.

Tuesday, September 27th:

Sweetest face I know. Even with the dirt ring around her neck and the mosquito bite on her cheek.

Wednesday, September 28th:

Y'all. Seriously. My heart. So much joy.

Thursday, September 29th:

Odd picture, but the little was actually cuddling with me for the first time in months! So of course I made the Mr. sneak a picture.

Friday, September 30th:

The little one has been going to a sitter since I went back to work this summer. Until next week. BG is actually starting "school" next week so Khristy won't be keeping her anymore. The little girl is her daughter whom BG adores. Seriously, she asks for her all. the. time. I'm grateful she took such good care of my babe for me for so long. I think BG will really miss them...

Saturday, October 1st:

We spent the morning at Anne's for Mac's first birthday but I'll let her show you the pictures first. The afternoon was spent recovering from a sugar high and asking for "Mimi" (Anne's mom) over and over and over. I think she was so disappointed that I brought her home with me! **Oh, and her Dad dressed her. And I don't know how to explain that hair! ;)

my weakness.

**This was supposed to post yesterday. Way to go Blogger. Grrr...**

I'm linking up this week with Kelly because she's talking about kids' clothing. And if there is one thing I love, it's shopping for my girl. I love it a bit too much. Just ask my husband.

I'll admit, I buy way too many clothes for her. But I cannot help it. She is like my little doll and I love getting her dressed up. Truth? Most of the time I look like a hobo while she looks amazing. My priorities are insane.

I like BG to look like a baby. I pass no judgement on how you want to dress your child, but for me, I want mine to look like a sweet baby until she's 20. Or until she can tell me what she likes. Until then? It is smocked clothes and appliques and monograms.

I rarely pay full price for the smocked clothes. Only for a special occasion like holidays and such.

About 95% of BG's "good" clothes come from consignment stores, sales and Ebay. Love Ebay. You can get brand new clothes for cheap. And used clothes are hardly used at all. I've also searched for monogrammed clothes and found some amazing pieces like that.

When I go to consignment sales, I only look for the "good" clothes. You usually have to get there early and look fast. We love our smocking here in the South!

Some of my favorite brands are:

Orient Expressed
Rosalina
Kelly's Kids
Peaches 'n Cream
Ragsland
Castles and Crowns
Bailey Boys
Petit Ami
Mom and Me
Anavini
... And I'm sure there are more!

I also really like customized clothes. I've ordered a few things from Etsy but I get the majority of her customized clothes from Ashley over at SheSheMade. I've gotten BG's first birthday outfits from there, holiday clothes from there and recently I've gotten a few smocked things from her. I LOVE her shop.

Recently I have gotten sucked in big time by the Facebook sales sites. There are a ton and they are cheap!

For 'play" clothes, I love Target, Carter's, Kohl's (Jumping Beans brand) and even Wal-Mart. Their Garanimals brand makes some awesome tees and leggings. For "everyday" clothes, I like Children's Place, Gymboree and the J & K brand at Belk. I don't get to much at the first two place but every now and then I find something olive. The J & K brand I LURVE.

So that's that. Clearly I have a major shopping problem.