No More Icees

 

This past weekend was the first time I realized how much more difficult it is having two kids rather than just one. We had our first "real" outing to Drew's softball tournament in Jacksonville. Sure, we've been to Wal-Mart, the dance studio, and out to eat once, but this was the first time we were gone all weekend.

I spent all day Saturday counting 1,2 - 1,2 - 1,2. #2 was a lot easier to keep up with since she was in my arms the whole time. #1 was a little harder to keep an eye on. I had told Livy that she could play with the other kids, but she had to stay where I could see her, and she actually did a good job but it didn't stop me from constantly worrying about where she was.

The day was going fine at the softball field. I had to go out to the truck whenever Charlotte needed a new diaper or she got hungry, but other than that we just hung out by the field. Abby had little Levi that morning, so I was dying to go get my hands on him! After Drew's 2:00 game, we had a little break, so we left to go see Brad, Abby, and Levi at the hospital in Little Rock.

We didn't get to stay as long as I would have liked to because we had to get back for more softball games. But we did get a picture of Charlotte and Levi together before we left!

We raced back to the field, dropped Drew off, and the girls and I went back into Little Rock to do a little shopping. I hardly ever go shopping for myself. Why would I when I can buy tiny little girl clothes?! But the time had come... I barely had anything to wear in my closet, and I also had a Target gift card that was burning a hole in my pocket! We got to Target around 4:30pm, and Livy and I were thirsty so I thought it would be fun to get an Icee. I bought a large red cherry Icee for us to share, and then we went looking for me some new clothes! It hadn't been 10 minutes when I heard Livy say,
"Uh-oh Mama, I didn't mean to!"

I looked down and she had turned the entire thing upside down in the buggy. Red cherry Icee was all over my phone, the diaper bag, the carpet, a little got on Charlotte's blanket, but thank goodness none actually got on Charlotte. I was furious! I just wanted to do a little shopping, but I can't even run in Target without having to clean up a mess! We made our way back up to the front of the store, leaving a red trail behind us, took the girls out of the buggy, got the whole mess cleaned up, and then went to go get a new buggy. As soon as I got both girls back in, Charlotte woke up and started crying. I knew there was no way I'd be able to calm her down because it was time for her to eat, so we paid for my one shirt I had picked out, and we left.

When I got out to the parking lot, Drew called and said the team was going to eat at Chili's. And since I was right beside the restaurant, he asked if I could go in and put our name down to get some tables. Sure, why not. So I drove across the parking lot, got the girls out of their car seats, and went in Chili's.

"Ma'am, you're gonna think I'm crazy since there's a ton of people already waiting outside, but there's a softball team of about 20 that's wanting to come eat. How long of a wait do you think that would be?"
"About 45 minutes to an hour..."
"Ok, let me see if that will work."

I went outside to call Drew, and he said that would be fine. So the girls and I went back inside.
"That will be fine. Just put it under Baker."

She gave me a buzzer and I was headed back to the truck to feed my crying hungry baby when Drew called again. He said the team was going to the Chili's in Jacksonville, not Little Rock, so I needed to take their names off the list. Seriously?! So we went back inside. Again.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry, I won't bother you anymore, but they decided not to come, so just take our names off."

I fed Charlotte quickly inside the truck, then we drove back to Jacksonville to eat with everyone else. We ordered our drinks, and after our waiter had brought them to us, I heard Livy say,
"Uh-oh Mama, I didn't mean to!"
"You didn't mean to what?"
"Drop my tea. I'm sorry!"

I just looked at Drew and said,
"You get it. I cannot handle it right now!"

Ha! I had reached my breaking point! I knew it would happen. Things had been going so smoothly since Charlotte was born, I knew we were overdue for some sort of meltdown. And this was it. Thankfully, it was nothing that a little skillet queso and online shopping couldn't fix. Online... I've concluded that's the only way to shop these days!

Amidst all the drama and drink spilling of the day, Livy did still manage to make me laugh. On the way to meet Drew for supper she said,
"It's hard being a big girl."

"I know it, baby. But I'm so proud of you when you act like one."
Then I started wondering where she was going with this, so I asked.
"Why is it hard being a big girl?"

"Mom, there's just so much macaroni."

Well, there ya have it.

Sometimes it's hard being an adult. And I wish it was because of the macaroni!

This and That

Last week, I got my hair chopped off... and I love it! My hair had gotten pretty long and I wasn't unhappy with it, I just needed a change. And maybe something a little easier to fix when I have two kiddos! A mommy-do, if you will.

 

We've been loving some Monopoly lately. Livy always starts out playing with us but eventually moves on to something else, so that's when the game gets serious. Sort of. Drew has this ability to win at every single thing he does. It's really not fair, but he's lucky I'm not that competitive, so it all works out. He always wins Monopoly because he always gets Boardwalk and Park Place. Lucky dog.

 

Last weekend, Pappy and Annie were taking the girls down to Shreveport to Gators and Friends to see all the animals. So Drew and I decided to go do some Christmas shopping while Livy was away. I had a blast spending the day with him. When we were dating, we used to go shopping together all the time! But we haven't done that in a long time, so it was nice. Between having a new shopping partner and never having much money to spend, we don't get to actually do too much shopping.

 

Drew had a few Visa gift cards that he had gotten through work that we've been saving to use for Christmas presents only. But somehow our Christmas shopping trip turned into a nursery shopping trip. I think we got Livy 3 Christmas presents, and spent the rest on the nursery decorations... and deer corn. Oh well! It was still a very fun day with my very hott husband!

The Flower Girl

In the end of October, Livy and I drove up to Little Rock for a day of shopping with Aunt Lori. We met Elizabeth at David's Bridal so we could order Olivia's flower girl dress for Elizabeth's wedding. She's going to make the most beautiful little flower girl. I can't wait to see her coming down the aisle. We're so honored that Elizabeth asked Livy to be a part of her big day!

This is just the dress they put on her to get the right size... she loved twirling around in front of the mirrors!

 

This is THE dress (just a few sizes too big). She doesn't get the concept of what a flower girl does quite yet, but she sure loves the idea of looking like a princess. The wedding is going to be gorgeous!

 

Livy, and the beautiful bride, Elizabeth!

 

 

We spent the rest of the day shopping and hanging out with Aunt Lori. 

Spring Break

Last week we were on Spring Break... ok, ok, so our whole life is basically Spring Break (just perks of being a stay at home mom!) But we did pretend we were actually on Spring Break! On Monday, we made plans with Julie and the kids to go to the Little Rock Zoo. Livy and I were going to ride with them and then get in the car with my mom after the Zoo since we were spending a couple of days with her afterwards. Well, that didn't exactly pan out. Walker and Tatum lost their car keys that morning right before we were supposed to leave town. Micah had the spare, but he was out of town. And since all 3 car seats were too bulky to fit in the back of my truck, we had to leave without them! :(

Before I begin the rest of the story, let me just add that according to my weather app, it was supposed to be around 70 degrees that week, so I packed only shorts and t-shirts. Thankfully I stuck a couple of jackets in the truck last minute because when we got to Little Rock, the temp had dropped 20 degrees and was freezing!

We met up with Gran and Aunt Lori and enjoyed lunch at All Aboard. None of us had ever been before, so we were amazed! The train chugged along around the restaurant, by a track near the ceiling, and would magically drop your food off at your table. It was awesome!

 

Then we went on to the zoo... still freezing, by the way. We had a blast, took lots of pictures, and had lots of laughs. I think Livy is the only kid who would rather spend the entire time at the zoo looking for the animal tracks in the concrete. Then she insisted upon counting each paw print. She also had a few followers with her... she has enough imagination for a whole village! Let's see, I believe I remember a little baby tiger (with cute pajamas and a bow), a little baby hippo, and 2 crocodiles tagged along behind her. She would look behind her and say,
"Come on kids!"

She said she was "tiiiiired"

Here she is counting the paw prints again. I'm pretty sure that was her favorite part!

 

After spending the night in White Hall, we headed out Tuesday for Lake DeGray. We had a picnic lunch down at the swimming hole... still freezing, by the way. We played on the playgrounds and hiked a trail. Livy said,
"This yooks yike a jungle!"

Then it was time to check into the lodge. I had made great plans to participate in some of the activities that Lake DeGray had to offer. But long story short, the sunset cruise, animal safari on the golf course, and horseback riding were all booked up! :(
That night we ate at the Lodge Restaurant. Sometimes when we're out and about, Livy likes to point at people and ask me who they are. I always tell her it's not nice to point. So that night at the restaurant, Gran pointed to the ketchup bottle and asked Livy what that was. Livy looked at me and said,
"Gran not apposed to point! It not nice!"
We all had a good laugh! She tattled on her Gran!

Throwing rocks in the water with Gran

This was our hike through the jungle

She was so pooped, she actually fell asleep on Gran's back!

 

We spend Wednesday shopping in Hot Springs and ate lunch at Fisherman's Wharf. We had a great time with lots of pictures to prove it!

She loved feeding the ducks