I love you....

Tonight.
Another first.
As I was tucking Marlee into bed and telling her goodnight, I said love you, as I always do.
But tonight was different than all the other nights.
Marlee told me she loved me.
Her exact words, love you.

Although I have heard her repeat this to Daddy when he tells her he loves her over the past few days or so, this is a first for Momma.

She is growing up. Everyday.

**Another photo courtesy of my talented sister Lesley.

Already?

Today...
I went to look in on MK, who was so quietly playing in her room.
She was sitting in her rocking chair reading a book - which she does often.
I stood in the doorway watching her.
She looked up at me, got up and walked to the door, and shut it. On me.
Already?

Halloween Fairy

This year M was lucky enough to score a beautiful fairy costume from my friend's daughter. Isn't she adorable?

First, on Thursday we took M to my parent's church trunk or treat and it didn't take her long at all to figure out the whole trick or treat thing.

Since she seemed to have so much fun, Dave and I took her to a few houses to trick or treat with her cousin Haylee on Halloween.
The first of many.

Haylee the ballerina, my Sissie Stacey, and Marlee the fairy.

And let me just add that it I can slowly see how crappy future Halloween's are going to be with Marlee's peanut allergy. Not fun. Not fun at all.

My Husband...

The other day I was out in our side yard and I saw a trail of popcorn on the ground. I turned to my husband and asked him what the popcorn was for. He tells me he left it out for the squirrels to eat.
How I adore this man.

A Typical Conversation

A typical conversation with my MK last night:

While showing MK a picture of a squirrel:
Me: what is that?
MK: mouse.
Me: no, that's a squirrel.
MK: mouse.
Me: squirrel.
MK: mouse.

Moving on, now showing MK a picture of a giraffe:
Me: what is that?
MK: zebra.
Me: no, that's a giraffe.
MK: zebra.
Me: giraffe.
MK: zebra.

So, apparently my 30 years of wisdom means absolutely nothing to my - wise beyond her years - 2 year old. I'm so in for it. Oh how she is so much like me.

Pickin' Pumpkins

Our trip to the pumpkin' patch today. Or as Marlee calls it, the pumpkin store...



M set out to find the perfect pumpkin






and pet the animals




and go down the huge slide...by far, her favorite


can you tell


and even though she looks to be having a good time, this was her pouty expression for most of the morning


unless she was going down the slide, that is.

PS-yes, those are holes in Dave's socks. As he says, they are his Sunday socks...Holy. Get it?

2 Years...or 24 Months

At 2 years, Marlee Kay...
-weighs 28 pounds - 50th percentile (at 27 months).
-measures 35 3/4" - 75th percentile (at 27 months).
-wears a size 5 diaper.
-clothes size 2t.
-shoe size 7 (approximately).
-has 16 teeth, all but her 2 year molars.
-sleeps 12 hours at night and takes about a 2 hour nap.
-now puts together 3 and 4 word sentences
-counts to 10.
-has not only food allergies, but environmental too. bad.
-is so much like her momma.



Favorites...
-books. I cannot even begin to explain her love for books.
-curious george cartoons. over and over again.
-her lovey's. two. mr. bear and mickey, which she pronounces "niney".
-the library.
-milkie.
-music. the louder the better.
-being rocked before bed.
-climbing. up on the counter, out of her crib, everywhere.
-hoarding things.
-drinking out of Cooper and Mollie's water dish.
-cheese.
-being outside.
-blankie game. something we do before bed.
-medicine.
-abby cadabbie.
-testing me.
-swinging.
-jumping.
-noodle roni.
-going out the doggie door.
-her momma.


Dislikes...
-the shower. she is terrified.
-the vacuum.
-time out.
-the drive through car wash.
-meat. with the exception of chicken nuggets.




*all photos are courtesy of my beautiful and oh so talented sister, Lesley. Go check her out. You can also view more of little M's photo shoot here and here.

**PS-yes, I realize this is almost 3 months late, however most of this post was done just after she turned 2 (other than her height and weight). I am just now getting around to finishing up and posting. Better late than never, right?

Sick, Part II

She is sick, again. Another lower respiratory infection and this time she threw in an ear infection. This is two of these infections in less than two months, which is so not good. So, again, she is on breathing treatments, which I dislike. If you know me, you know I am anti-medication, but sometimes it is necessary. This is one of those times.

Don't let the above picture fool you, she fights taking the treatments. So. Not. Fun. I, the anti-bribe Mother, now bribe her with chocolate milkie or a candy corn if she will sit still for the treatments. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much.

Oh, and have I mentioned we no longer have health insurance? Why is it when we have it we don't use it, and when we don't have it we need it. Between M's frequent visits to the doctor and me with my sprained ankle, it seems I have been to the doctor more times in the past six months than all of last year. Murphy's Law, I guess.

24 Months

My Marlee Kay,

Where has the time gone? You have been apart of this world, my whole world, for 2 short years. You see, 2 years ago on this very day, you and I met, and my life has never been the same. Time is going by so fast, too fast. I thought once I got past your first birthday, things would slow down. I was wrong. I thought as I look through pictures of you as a tiny baby, I would always ache to have that time back with you, to be able to hold onto you at that moment in time for a little longer. And, although I still feel this way, I am now finding myself looking through pictures of you from a year ago, even six months ago, and missing you then. You are growing up right before my eyes. It seems everyday you are learning something new and truly amazing me in one way or another. I could sit for hours and watch your little curious brain going. You are so full of life.

You have brought so much to my life. Because of you, I now find joy in the simplest things. Because of you, I feel a sense of completion. Because of you, I feel blessed and so lucky. Because of you, my heart is so full. Because of you, I know true innocence. Because of you, I smile (and laugh) every single day. Because of you, I stop and smell the flowers.
Because of you, I am fearful. Because of you, I contemplate the what if. Because of you, I second guess everything. Because of you I question greatly.

Oh how I love and treasure everything about you, my beautiful daughter...your unexpected hugs and kisses, your imagination, your innocence, watching you run into your Daddy's arms when he walks through the door...so delighted, hearing you call out for your Momma first thing in the morning...how I love hearing that word, how you say "ne-night" when you know it's time for bed, how you tell everything "bye bye" when I tell you we are leaving, your snuggles first thing in the morning, watching you dance to music (the louder the better)...especially in your car seat, your voice..

You are a determined, curious, temper mental, giggly, impatient, loving, delightful, beautiful soul. I am so fortunate that you chose me.

I love you. So much.
Your Momma

M.I.A

Yes, I am aware that I have been horrible about posting. I have so much I want to write about and document, but I never seem to find the time. Where are the days going?
With that said, I'm getting my grove back. Stay tuned.