Kaylee's New Trick- No No

Yesterday Kaylee showed us a new trick. I started saying, "No No" to her and shaking my head. Well, she started shaking her head back at me. She thought it was funny!

A Woman Should Have...

One of my best friends sent me this yesterday and I just love it!

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out
and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a youth she's content to leave behind...
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age...
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,
and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

a feeling of control over her destiny.....
how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

how to quit a job,
break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without;
ruining the friendship....

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,
the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
that her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

what she would and wouldn't do for love or more.....
how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .
whom she can trust,
whom she can't,
and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...
be it to her best friend's kitchen table..
or a charming Inn in the woods...
when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...
a month...and a year...

AND REMEMBER:

GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE STARS.

YOU DON'T ALWAYS SEE THEM,

BUT YOU ALWAYS KNOW THEY ARE THERE!!!!!!

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Dear Besties,

I am blessed to be loved by such great friends that make me laugh, allow me to cry, listen when I am angry, and never need an explanation...you just understand. I don't know how I could make it through each day without my besties! Thank you each for loving me and helping me turn into the strong, independent person that I am. I love you each.

Thank you to my two long distant besties for picking up where we left off like we see each other everyday. I think about you daily and love you both!

Landon's 1st Visit to the Dentist

Now that Landon is four I decided to get him an appointment to see the dentist. I had heard about a couple of different dentists, but many of them will not let you go back with your child. I personally had a problem with that. I want to be there with Landon at any and all appointments. Well, we were excited that a friend recommended Dr. Kwon, who was right by our house. He is a pediatric dentist and allows the parents to come back and sit in the room.

Landon went right back and climbed right into the chair. He seemed so big. (I have to apologize, the pictures are a little grainy because I had accidentally turned the knob to the wrong setting. I didn't realize this until the end.)

They gave him some cool Halloween glasses and you know Landon loves sunglasses!

They took the time and allowed him to touch and try everything before they started to use it on him. They were so sweet and patient with him.

He was ever good at the x-rays, or as they called it "Spider man pictures".

Little Bit and Daddy had a great time playing while waiting on Landon.

He called the x-ray cape and large bib.

Then Dr. Kwon came over and said his teeth look great! He said, "Keep it up!"

Landon got a sticker, prize, and balloon

Wes and I were very impressed with what a big boy Landon was. I don't know why we would expect anything different.

Priceless

We were all very excited that Wes would be home tonight. He landed on time, which never happens, and was on his way home by 5:15. My goal was to keep Kaylee up so she could see him since she has been saying nothing but "Dada" all day. Well, Wes hit Atlanta traffic so I had to go ahead and give a fussy Little Bit her bottle. When she was half way through the bottle I heard the garage door open. I was hoping Wes would be quiet until Kaylee finished her bottle because I knew if she heard him it would be over. Luckily, he was on the phone so he stayed in the garage until she finished.

Her face was priceless when she heard Wes talk to Landon. She turned to her bedroom door and said "Dada". I took her into the hallway and we called for Wes. When he got to the bottom of the stairs Kaylee started kicking and turned her whole upper body to reach for him. I have to say that it was the best moment in the world. I know that it had to make Wes feel really good.

Kaylee - 7 months

With all of the hustle and bustle I didn't post that Kaylee is 7 months. I am behind on getting her pictures, but we are going this week. I remember after she was born I said I can't wait until she is 6 or 7 months old. I didn't realize how fast that would come, and I was right this is still one of my favorite ages!

What is Kaylee up to?

- She is eating stage 1 and 2 foods.

- She has hit a growth spurt where she is eating everything all the time!

- She has tried eating Puffs. She likes to play with them. They are the only thing that she hasn't put in her mouth.

- She has 2 teeth and she isn't drooling as much.

- She is a pro at drinking from a sippy cup. She loves water!

- She is saying "Mama" and "Dada"

- She can sit up, but prefers to get on her belly.

- She gets up on all fours, but gets frustrated so she just rolls.

- When she wants to get somewhere or get something she ROLLS.

- She loves to lay on the floor and play, especially if Landon is with her.

- She loves to stand and hold onto something.

- Her reflux is getting much better. She only takes a half a pill in the morning, and I have cut down the cereal in her bottle.

- She is in 9 months clothes. She has to wear 12 month pajamas if they have feet. She is skinny, but very long!

- She has just started to like her baths.

- She has discovered Sophie. She will roll to her, pet her, and laugh!

- Everyone is starting to say she looks like me!

Saying Good Bye Again

Thursday morning was a morning I had been dreading for a month. I have been very blessed over the last month to have Wes home. We have been together for 11 years in December and I haven't had him around for an entire month since we were in college together 10 years ago. Our life is full of many hellos and good byes. I lifestyle that many say they could never handle, but I hadn't really understood what it is like for most people that have their husband home every night. I have never had him home over a week, so this last month I had a glimpse of how wonderful it was to have him here to help with the house, the kids, and to just spend each night with my best friend. It was priceless and full of many memories.

With all of this said you now know why I was dreading Thursday morning, but it finally came. I had tears when I said good bye and tears when I got to school. It was just tough for me because I had gotten used to the extra set of hands, and now had to get used to it just being me again. By the time my students got to my classroom I had pulled it together and was ready for the day.

My plan, at the end of the day, was to get out of school, pick up the kids, have a quick dinner, and head back to school for Fine Arts Night at 6:30 with both kids. I had been dreading this just because it meant that the kids would get into bed late, but with Wes gone I didn't have another choice.

I shut everything down at school and headed out a little earlier than I usually do. I got in the car, started to pull out, and felt that my car was acting funny. So, I decided to pull back in. What did I find when I got out of the car? A FLAT TIRE!!! I yelled, "Really of all days. Wes has been home for a month and the day he leaves this happens." Needless to say the tears started back. When I got back into school, with tears still flowing, my girlfriends jumped into action trying to find someone to help me. Michelle's husband was close and he came right over. Michelle and I walked outside to meet her husband and what else, but it started raining. At that point I just had to laugh because I didn't think there were any tears left. Luckily, it only rained for 10 minutes and stopped by the time Don got there to help me.

Long story, short, he got the tire changed, I scooped the kids up from Irene, stopped by Wendy's, ran home, fed both kids, and made it back to school in time. Both kids were WONDERFUL! They both loved the music and I was a proud mommy!

I have never been more excited about getting into bed and starting a new day. It was an emotional day that I would be more than happy to forget. I am surviving and getting back in the swing of being the only adult in the house, but I look forward to Wes being home Sunday!

Kaylee's Bath Time Realization

Today I took Kaylee up for a quick bath time because time had gotten away from me and she was ready for bed. I did her quick wash and then sat her at the big girl end of her baby tub, like I do every time. I guess I want to see if she is ready to sit up like a big girl in her tub. Well, last night she decided she wasn't as tired as she thought. She SPLASHED and laughed like crazy. I got her turtle, filled it with water, and squirted her belly with. She thought this was the funniest thing. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures because I wasn't expecting it. I will have to try it again, but this time with the camera. I guess I will have to give up the quick baths to let her play a little. Let the fun begin!

The County Fair with Cousins

Uncle Jeff, Aunt Alisa, Brooks, and Hadley invited us all to the county fair with them. We were very excited.

Landon's first ride was the motorcycles. (I think that these were the same when I was a kid at the Indiana State Fair.) Last year he was nervous about the rides, but since we just went to Disney World he was all about it.

He looks like a little daredevil.

While Landon was riding the motorcycles, Hadley went on Nemo.

The the big Sturgeon boys decided to ride on the swings as we watched them.

Kaylee was getting restless and ready to eat, so Aunt Alisa cuddled with her a little bit.

These make me feel so nervous!

I took a break and fed Kaylee while Hadley and Landon went on the caterpillar rollercoaster. They loved it!

He was excited to see the Dumbo ride just like Disney.

Aunt Alisa, Hadley, and Brooks went on the Pirate Ship. Landon wanted nothing to do with it.

It was great to have Brooks there because we had an excuse to go on some of the bigger rides. He was so much fun!

I couldn't stop laughing!

Little Bit and I cuddled at the end because she was tired.

We had a great time. We are so glad that we are close for the cousins to grow up together!

4th Annual Sturgeon Chili Cook Off

This weekend we had our 4th Annual Sturgeon Chili Cook Off. We host this every year. All of our friends are invited over to bring their chili. This year we added a fun twist. We actually had voting and gave a $25 gift card away to the winner.

The fun thing was that the TN vs. GA game was on. So, Landon and I had on TN shirts and Wes and Kaylee has GA gear on. I guess we are the house divided.

My friends Allison and Kristi helped me with Kaylee so I could be a good host. When I came in to sit with them for a minute Allison had put her in her pink toy box. Kaylee LOVED it. It was too funny!

Those eyes MELT us!

This was our biggest cook off yet. We had 9 chilis that were all delicious!

The appetizer table was good too!

The play room was a mess, but that only means the kids were having fun!

Wes bought a projector and borrowed the blowup screen so that we could all watch the game outside. It was really neat! I am excited to have movie night outside.

Our neighbors allowed us to borrow the blowup slide for the kids to play on. It was a hit!

This cook off was a lot of fun and I can't wait for next year.

Halloween/ Fall Decorations

Wes and I said that this year we wanted to decorate for Halloween along with our normal fall decorations. Last weekend we went to Michaels to buy some Halloween decorations. We had a little of fun! While we were there we also bought some supplies to make spiders. Landon was so excited!

Wes and Landon painted them that night...

...while I started decorating the house.

The next night Landon and I put on the legs.

Wes' favorite buy was the 2 picture frames. They are a normal picture, but as you walk buy they change to skeletons. They are funny!

Landon loved this skeleton.

We got out our family scarecrows out too, but we added Landon's spiders.

Since my planters died at the front door we decided to add the RIP signs. It is funny!

I love this time of year. Decorating the house is fun!