Unexpected Trait

Neither Joe or I have them, but Reese does.

Curls! Curls! Curls!

Lots of little curls on the back tips of her hair.

I am not going to question where she received this hair gene from too much, because I like it! 

I mean she's beautiful without them, but they do add a little something extra special.

Don'tcha think?

I have no idea whether this unexpected trait is here to stay or just passing through. I guess time will tell.

Valentine's Day

I totally stole our new Valentine's Day tradition.
I admit it.

When Joe's sister Tiffany had younger children her family did a "Lady and the Tramp" themed Valentine's night.

Basically, you eat spaghetti and meatballs for dinner

and watch the Disney movie Lady and the Tramp.

I absolutely LOVE traditions, eating, and Disney movies so adding this to our Valentine's Day festivities was right up my alley.

I am not sure what Reese loved most about her first spaghetti eating experience.

Was it the act of eating it?

Slurping it?

Playing with it?

Or slinging it?

Whatever the reason I now know 2 things:

1. Reese loves spaghetti.
2. Spaghetti might be a once a year experience for us.

What a MESS!
A lot of post-dinner clean up is required for sure.

After dinner and a (much needed) bath it was time to open gifts!

Reese received a basket full of goodies from Cupid.

The tissue was her favorite part of the gift basket.

Daddy got her new black converse sneakers.
Her favorite part about them was playing with the cool box they came in.

She also received a new pair of red socks.
Her favorite part about the socks was (of course) playing with the tag that came attached to them.

When am I going to learn all Reese wants is a big bag full of paper, boxes, and tags?

So. much. cheeper.

I must have been living right to deserve a gigantic box of Godiva chocolates and these flowers for V-Day.

Who were they from?
Well, the chocolates came from Joe, but who the flowers came from is still an unsolved mystery.

You see, I have been receiving flowers from the SAME secret admirer since I was a child. Do you have any idea who it could be? Yeah, I'm stumped, too. Never the less, I do call to thank my dad each year. He swears it is not him, but if I want to give him the credit he'll accept it.

All in all, I'd say we have a pretty awesome Valentine's Day tradition started. Joe's excited about it, too.

Even if I did have to steal it.
Now, if you wanna steal it you have to say you got the idea from me. Sorry Tiffany.

I love my family.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! (a day late)

Parents Night Out

Joe's birthday was on Groundhog's Day. He turned 32.

He started off the morning celebrating by sharing a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with Reese.

We tried to show him lots of love that day by showering him with gifts of cards, movies, and his favorite lunch. I had also planned another birthday surprise for the following day. It was a parents night out. As in no kids allowed kinda evening.

We went to dinner, a Thunder's basketball game, and then we stayed the night at The Skirvin Hotel downtown. We had a couple of drinks at the bar, rented a movie, and ordered room service the next morning for breakfast.

It was a great, relaxing way to celebrate together.

You might be wondering who stayed with Reese?
Aunt Kate and cousin Karson of course!

What in the world did they do while we were on our Parents Night Out?
Luckily Kate sent me photo updates of their adventures.

Reese and Karson played and snuggled together.

She ate pizza and fruit for dinner.

Then took a bath with her cousin Karson. Kate said Reese didn't know what to think about having a bath time partner!

They ended the night with a showing of Baby Einstein.

Reese has her Winnie the Pooh Bear and looks quite comfy.

The next morning I received a picture of Reese dressed up and ready for the day!

Reese was well taken care of and had a good time in our absence it seems. She was awfully happy when we returned home. 

Joe and I were refreshed and ready to tackle the parenthood life again and Reese got to spend quality time with loved ones. 

Win-Win I'd say.

Chip off the Old Block

I am talking about Reese and her daddy.
And their love of technology.

As long as I've known Joe he's been into gadgets, gizmos, technology, tinkering with things...you know the type. I am not the type of person who likes these things, however, I'm ok with that.

See, this is one of the areas Joe and I differ. We are very much an "opposites attract" kinda couple. I'd like to think that's what makes us such a happy, successful pair.

Recently, Joe found Reese age appropriate games on the I-Pad and she's in heaven.

Lets see...there's the popping bubbles game she enjoys.

Sometimes Reese pops the bubbles by kissing the screen.

There's the game that allows her to play the piano.

My budding musician. Tear.

Take her I-Pad away from her and she'll probably shed a tear, too. She did the other day.

Yep. Reese is a chip off the old block.

I am happy Reese is becoming technologically savvy.

Maybe she can teach me a thing or two one day.

Bananas or Oranges

"An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away."

At least that's how the saying goes.

Unfortunately for Reese and I that hasn't held true. See we share an apple (almost) everyday.

But between her and I we've been to the doctors a lot!

The other day Reese actually stole the apple that we were sharing. I guess she decided she no longer wanted to share with me and wanted it all to herself. It was just as well. Golden Delicious apples aren't my favorite and this independent act was one of the only times I saw this sick, teething girl happy that day.

I know kids are going to get sick, but I am sick and tired of her or I being sick and tired.

Maybe we ought to switch our fruit of choice?

I see bananas or oranges in our near future.

You Know You're a Mother When...

You wear stuff like this and actually think it looks ok.
I haven't left the house like this.
Just give it time. I'm sure it will happen.

You know The Sesame Street Gang, have memorized all the songs, proudly sing the songs because it makes your child happy, AND...

You find yourself giddy each morning because you can't wait to see which celebrity guest makes their appearance on the show! You also discuss the show with your husband over dinner that evening.

Your idea of a vacation is going to a place like this,

however you are willing to settle for 20 quiet, uninterrupted, blissful minutes here instead.

You go out for a rare, romantic dinner with your husband

and all you can (happily) talk about is how awesome your child is. She is pretty awesome. See!

You don't know how you would function without this.

Enough said. Is there really a need to elaborate on motherhood and coffee? I think not.

You are shocked whenever you discover it's 10 o' clock at night and you're still awake. Then you call yourself a party animal, roll over, and are sound asleep within minutes. In your mind you picture yourself looking like this while you sleep.

You have ever stalked the windows at the front of your house around 5 o' clock. This way you could hand your child to your husband the exact second he walks in the door, make no eye contact with him, and then quietly walk away. You needed to be alone (if only for a few minutes). This actually happened recently when my teething child looked like this all day long and had an attitude to match it.

You would do anything for your child (ren). They need to snuggle? You gladly do it. Encouragement? Always. They need you in the middle of the night to clean up their puke? Been there. Done that. They need a kidney? You betcha. Ok, that might be a bit extreme, but I would give Reese my kidney if she needed one.

Ahhh, motherhood! Isn't it the best? I truly think so. 

Mothers, What would you add to this list?