Day 355 - She's All Kinds of Messed Up :)

After a morning of sitting for my part-timers, after they left this afternoon, we took off to run some errands. Nothing too fun, as Andrew kept reminding me, since we normally get to have Fun Friday, and today we didn't really have anything fun to do! (he did later tell me that planting the cantelope seeds from our cantelope in the new flower pot we bought him was the fun friday event) :) But we've all had sore throats and runny noses, sneezing like crazy, so it's just been a rough week... after a small dinner out, the kids and I returned home (Miguel drove into East Texas to visit Buela who had foot surgery today - we love you Buela!) to get ready for bed. And as if Macy didn't look crazy enough from our outing - her denim skirt was all hiked up around her waist, she had french fries/celery/chicken/baby puff remains all over her face, a runny nose, her hair curled up on the sides from the humidity.... when she got home, she grabbed what I guess were her favorite toys of the moment (a box that holds mini-books, a clean sock stuffed in her mouth, and a shirt she found in her room), and toddled around the whole living room, looking cute as could be. And yet a little crazy I must admit! You'll see for yourself in the pic :)

Day 354 - New Toys Are The Best

When Macy finds something of "brudder's" (Andrew's, duh!), that she hasn't gotten to see or play with before, she gets so happy and then carries it around as her new favorite toy. That's why there's a toy gun in the photo from today :) And don't worry, she isn't allowed to put it in her mouth when she's walking, but she froze for a photo and it went right to the mouth as usual! Nothing much going on other than a bunch of playing with a bunch of kiddos :) (well, other than me getting to go out for a girl's night with Lindsey and her church group girls!!)

Day 353 - Runny Noses & Ranger Games

Today Macy woke up with a runny nose - I'm thinking it has everything to do with her teeth that are about to break through, but who knows. No fever or anything, so that's good :)

Tonight, Lindsey called and told us she had some free tickets to the Ranger's game, and that it was dollar hotdog night there as well, and wanted to know if we wanted to go. OF COURSE we wanted to go! So we got dressed and ready and headed out to the game.

Had a great time with Lindsey & Cody, and Macy was SO good the entire time we were there. Because she's walking now, I didn't want her trying to get down and walking around on the nasty ground, and she has no shoes, so we stopped by the shoe store near our house and found her some cute shoes on clearance (woohoo!). Funny thing was, though, that she was unsure how to really walk in them when we put her down :) Besides the million crickets that were on and under our seats that freaked us out (especially when one latched onto my finger and I screamed like a crazy girl!!), we had a really fun time.

And even though some of them are blurry, I have lots of pics to post :) One especially I have to post just to show Macy's new thing - pointing. She was on Miguel's shoulders and had her hand lifted to the sky pointing and chattering away. It was too dark to get a good shot of her, and then when I did, she was done. :)

Fun times!!

Day 352 - Eating Pickles & Pickle Chips

Tonight, Miguel tried to give Macy a pringle chip that had the flavor of pickles. So of course, I have to run and grab my camera for a photo of the face she'll make. But of course, our little baby girl takes after her daddy and seems to like sour things, because she didn't make a sour face at all! Not even a teeny tiny sour expression. She just gobbled that chip right up!

SO....I suggested real pickles! Yep, I'm mean like that. hahaha But you know what? She didn't make a face with those either! She chewed/sucked on the little slices until she could no more and then spit it out, looking to her daddy for more :)

And the girl will NOT stay out of my kitchen! I hope that's a sign of what's to come, because I sure would like for her to learn and love to cook one day! Every single time that fridge is open, she's on her way over, as fast as she can crawl or walk, and goes to peek inside at what she wants. Once today she pulled out a yogurt (and proceeded to eat it when I offered it to her), and tonight her joy came from tearing the plastic straws off of the juice boxes. :) Little toot. She keeps us on our toes!!

Day 351 - Pretty in Pink, Swimming, and a Walking Video

Today we didn't have any kiddos, so me, Andrew & Macy stayed in and relaxed! I got my editing done on the session I was working on, started a new one, and we went down to the pool when Macy was up from her naps. The pics of her today are cute, but please excuse the messy hair - she still had sunscreen in her hair, crumbs from her snack on her face, and a milk mustache :) I even grabbed our video camera to capture some video of her walking, so that our distant family who can't be here with us, can see my big girl walking around all over.

And I'll post the video of her being lazy too.... we were in the kitchen doing something, and as I do the laundry, I have a pile of the clothes ready to wash, laying in the floor in a pile. I guess Macy wanted to relax, so she crawled over to the pile with her crackers in hand, and laid back into the clothes and just enjoyed the comfort :) (but please ignore how much laundry there was to do!) haha

(two videos, so watch them both!)

Day 350 - Church Time & Family Time

Today we sent Marcie & family off to Six Flags as we loaded up in the car shortly after and headed to church. I had to keep the babies in the nursery again today, so that was a blessing. After church, we had to high-tale it to our Aunt Mary's house for a baby shower for Miguel's cousins... they are having twin boys, and it was a fun shower full of food, scavenger hunts, pinatas, and family. It went on into the evening and we got home kinda late, and I had to spend time editing photos for a sweet couple before bed. I was supposed to have another engagement session tonight but postponed it due to our full schedule and me having been out every single night since last Sunday. Looking forward to tomorrow and the rest I should be able to get in between editing photos!! :)

Day 349 - Visitors & The Rascal Flatts

I had a session this morning, and then after naps and lunch, Marcie, Justin, Chelsea & the kiddos came up for the night. I had won tickets to see the Rascal Flatts in concert, and M&J decided to come with me since they wanted to come up and go to Six Flags the next day. So we played with Macy for awhile and then got ready for the concert. We had a good time, but it was SO hot for me, and I was just miserable and dripping with sweat all night. Yuck. :) But Macy had a fun time back at the house with her cousins and brother. Miguel let them all get into our little baby pool in the garage, so that was fun for them. They were all out when we got home, so he must have done a good job keeping them busy :) And yes, Macy showed off her walking skills for everyone!

Day 348 - Friday!!

Today we went and let the kiddos play at McD's with our friend Laura, her son Cason, and Mia. It was sooo nice to get out of the house, especially after the busy day we had yesterday! We got free coupons for smoothies, so I got myself one, and sat down with Macy to eat it. Next thing I know, she's leaning over and drinking from the smoothie cup as I'm holding it. haha She LOVED it :) Then when I gave the smoothie to Andrew, I was just sitting there talking to Laura, and she stood up and leaned over and started sucking out of my tea cup! Little stinker!! It was too funny, so Laura had to get some pics of it :) Then I let her down in the toddler area to play, and she had a good time climbing on the toys, and had it not been so crowded with bigger toddlers, she could have played all day!

Tonight, Andrew & I went to the movies to use our free movie passes. My friend, Lindsey, went with us, and we saw Despicable Me.... SUCH a cute movie! Then we walked around the bookstore and downtown Ft. Worth before calling it a night and heading home.

Definitely a fun Friday :)

Day 347 - Is it Friday Yet??

Today we had another house full, and it seemed the kiddos were just "off" again today. Macy wanted nothing to do with eating or playing, she just wanted to sleep. Preston was tired and cried off and on all morning until he went down for a nap. Andrew was pretty okay, and even he took an afternoon nap :) Mia was good as always, and went down for a nap with no problem. I didn't get a nap, because of the 6 year old who thinks he needs to ask me a million questions when he sees that my eyes are closed. haha

Tonight I was asked to shoot photos of a comedy tour group who were going to be at our church performing. I set it up with the lead man, and went to do the pics... it was a long night, and tough lighting situations, but I think I got him the shots he needed. If so, you'll be seeing my work on his website, and I'll be going to a few more of their shows to get additional shots :)

Macy, when trying to take the pic of the day, was in a sleepy state... she looked ready to pass out for the night, and shortly after the pic, I put her in bed and she waved and waved until I put her in bed with her paci, and she didn't fight me or fuss at all, just layed right down :) She was wiped out I guess.... from all that sleeping she did today! haha

Day 346 - Growing into the New Outfits

Goodness, it's crazy how fast our girl has grown! Mimi gave her some outfits that were 12 and 18 months back when she was an itty bitty baby, and some of them are already fitting! And sometimes she gets tired of wearing onesies and stuff when we're just sitting at home for the day, so I try to pull out some cuter clothes to let her get some use out of them :) And guess what else? My girl is eating carrots and blueberries today! We tried them the other day (diced ones), and she did NOT like them. But I don't give up, so I gave them to her again. And she gobbled them up! Today we just had Mia over, and then tonight Macy & Andrew stayed home with Miguel while I went and had some grown-up time with my friend Lindsey...it was SO nice to get out and talk (and talk and talk!), to someone other than a 6 year old (or 2.5 year old, or 1.5 year old, or 11 month old!! haha). It was a decent day overall :)

Day 345 - Dogs & Walking & Sleepy Boys

Today we had a million kids in our house. hahaha Not really, but we did have Preston & Mia, and then Cason came over for about an hour, and then my own two. So yeah, it was a busy day, and at one point during the day, all kids were crabby.... so I was glad for the evening to get here! :) We spent some time outside with Miguel & Andrew, who were playing some disc golf game in the yard, and Macy showed off some of her walking skills for the camera (in one pic you'll notice big brother Andrew standing behind her, making sure she doesn't fall). The dogs got pictures taken of them (except for Harley, who stays outside in the mud and was too dirty for a pic!), and so did Andrew once he fell asleep on his daddy, who was scratching his back and head until he fell asleep. :) That's all really!! Lots of pics for today though!

Day 344 - Running Around All Day Long

I had a doctor appointment this morning, so Miguel went and kept the kiddos entertained in the lobby while I met with my doc and had my blood tests done. After, we grabbed the kids and ourselves something to eat and Miguel went to work. I had won concert tickets to see the Rascal Flatts this coming weekend, so the kids and I went to pick up those tickets near downtown Dallas. After, we had a few errands to run, and then we finally went home so Macy could sleep and so I could get some things done. Tonight, I had a photo session with the sweet couple I've photographed since they were engaged - and tonight I got to take pictures of their sweet 1 week old baby girl :) Fun day, tomorrow we get back to keeping kiddos!

Day 343 - An Evening With Daddy

Today we went to church, ate some lunch, had cookies for dessert, and then Macy stayed home while Andrew & I went and did a photo session in Downtown Ft Worth and then had some relaxation time at the bookstore before coming home. Nothing much other than that! :)

Day 342 - Swimming & Toddling

Toddling? Is that a word? Is that even how you spell it if it is a word?? Ah, who cares :)

Macy is toddling all over the place now. She takes off from whatever she's holding onto, almost as if she just knows she can walk now. More times than not, though, she makes it several steps and then goes to the ground to crawl the rest of the way. :) But she's well on her way to being a full-time walker. haha

Today we relaxed. I took Macy with me to get some scrapbooking supplies (which were all 50% off, I must add!) to put her 365 pictures in. She looked just too cute in her little outfit, so I took her with me :) Then we came home and went swimming for a bit before everyone got too tired and had to come home for naps and rest time.

Not much other than that! Photo session in the heat tomorrow! Looking forward to it but also looking forward to it being over! :)

Did I also mention that she's now signing "more" and "eat"??? If not, well, she is :) We'd been working on it for so long, and finally she knows how to do them :)

Day 341 - Fairies & Funny Mirrors

Today was Fun Friday! We had a photo session that included 6 little cousins, all 8 and under. It was fun, but very very hot! After the session, I took the kiddos to the mall. I told Andrew that instead of spending the $8 at the museum we decided not to go to, that he could buy one thing at the mall. He picked a stuffed puppy, of course. He loves his stuffed animals and especially dogs. :) He was very good as we strolled through the mall, window shopping and talking. Then we went to the playground in the mall and he and Macy played their little hearts out. Macy could climb up and down and all around those floor toys just like the bigger kids, it was too funny. Then we saw a lot of kids carrying balloons from the Nordstrom store, so we headed that way for our free balloons. Macy loved hers :) Near the dressing rooms at Nordstrom, they have fun house mirrors, so Andrew and I had a silly time playing in front of those. He thought it was hilarious how he turned so short and then soooo tall in the next mirror :)

Came home, and relaxed with Miguel....had some chocolate chip cookies!....and Macy stayed awake for the majority of the day, only napping briefly in the stroller in the mall. She was SO good, too, despite not having her 6 hour nap! haha

Oh, and the picture of Macy sitting in the stroller with her hand up by her head - that was her scared face when the hand dryer came on in the restroom! It scared her so bad, but of course I had to get a picture of it :)

One more thing - that has to do with the title! I had gotten Andrew a treat for his zhu-zhu pet that he had been trying to save for(he helps with chores during the week that he earns an allowance or treats for doing).... But I told Miguel I wasn't sure when I would give it to him, as we like to hold onto things for him for doing well in school, acting good for me during the week, etc.... But Miguel came up with the story of the "Fun Friday Fairy", who would come and visit our house when we were out doing our Fun Friday things, and that it would leave Andrew something special in the bathroom/toilet/shower area. After we talked, we decided that "the fairy" would put it somewhere that started with an F. But then Andrew woke up (we told him of the fairy last night), and went straight for the shower, thinking the fairy was visiting overnight.... So anyway, we left for the session/mall/etc., and "the fairy" forgot to leave the gift! So as soon as we pulled in the driveway from our day out, I had Andrew go get our mail, and I ran in and made sure the fairy did its job. Andrew had completely forgotten about the fairy, so I had to remind him. He got up and ran into the bathroom and looked in his shower, to find his zhu zhu pet accessory. He was SO excited. During our trip out, he told me, "mom? nevermind. I don't want to say anything, because what if he doesn't come if I say this? But I don't think it's real, the fairy I mean." I told him we'd have to wait and see. :) I just hope he doesn't expect the Fun Friday Fairy to come every week! Otherwise we'll have to start doing Fun Friday on different days, so the Fun Friday fairy won't be able to make it. haha

Day 340 - Out And About

Since Miguel was home because he wasn't feeling well, when Mia went to sleep for her afternoon nap, I took Macy with me to run a few errands. Got some good grocery game deals at Kroger, and stopped by the church to see some friends.

After being home later in the evening, Macy bug started taking more and more steps, so we pulled out the video camera again, in hopes of getting a good video of it finally. We got one of her going about two tiny steps, but then I just sat back and let her do her thing, and ended up getting a really good one a bit later...I'll post the link to that video here for you to watch :) After the video, while she was playing in the living room with Andrew, we caught her taking lots more steps without really even thinking about it. I believe by next week she'll have it down pretty well. It's crazy! Many people are sad that she's not really a baby anymore - I understand that sentiment, but at the same time, I love this stage and age, and I can't wait to see her grow more and learn the love her brother really has for her, and learn to play more with him... it's amazing the relationship they already have :) Yes, I do miss the baby stages, of course, but I know I can't keep her that way forever, it's inevitable, really. :)

And thank you, Auntie Donna, for the puzzles. Macy loves them, as they are her first :) Now I know what to get her for her bday :)

Goodnight all, and don't forget to watch the video of her walking (just click on the link to view it).... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtfHrTdszCQ