Weekend With One

Two weekends ago, Chip left for a fishing tournament from Thursday-Sunday. His parent's have been begging to take Karlee to the lake with them for a weekend so I chose that weekend to send her since I still couldn't pick her up much. After Linda came to get Karlee late Friday afternoon, I looked at Madelyn and said "well, it's just you and me for the weekend."

Madelyn and I headed to the lake around 10:00 Saturday morning to meet up with my parents and a few cousins. I knew it was gonna be hot but the water was still gonna be cold. I had Karlee's old blow up baby pool ready for Madelyn to try out. Once her body touched the water she went to splashing and laughing. Cousin Raleigh had to come over and join her for a little bit! Then, Gibson had to come over for some smooches.




The water warmed up just a little bit so I put Madelyn in the baby float and sent her out to cousin Josh who was already in the water. His daughter Lila had to be in the water too since Madelyn was! Little M enjoyed her first lake "swimming" experience.



Sunday after church, lunch, and very short nap, Madelyn and I played on a blanket in the front yard under some shade. I pulled out the little pool again and stripped Madelyn naked. Why bother going inside for a swim diaper and bathing suit? Madelyn had a ball splashing around naked. No different than a bath tub, right? !!





Madelyn eventually made it down to her stomach and tried to drink the water. I had to keep her from doing that because I didn't know how much tee tee was in there! Do you see her getting up on her knee. Yep. She has started trying to crawl. I need to rip a brick off the house and tie it to her feet. This momma is NOT ready for another mobile child yet (nor is my house!).

Last day at Parkway

May 19 was Karlee's last day of school for the year and her last day ever at Parkway Preschool. She has been there since she was 12 months old. It was a bitter sweet day. Karlee has made so many friends at Parkway. Of which, all are staying there for the next school year. Chip and I made the decision to move Karlee to another preschool. Seeing Karlee hug Hugh Harris on the last day made me tear up bad. Those two have been together since the beginning and have really become friends. His mom and I have already talked about getting them together several times over the summer.

On the 17th, the end of year program was held in the sanctuary. It was short and sweet. The class sang two songs, This Little Light of Mine and If All the Gumdrops, and it was over! I was so proud of Karlee. She stood on stage and sang most of the songs and didn't put her fingers in her mouth a single time. That's a bad habit she has when in front of a lot of people. I only have pictures of before they sang because I was videoing the singing and my camera was acting up.



After the program, I managed to get a quick picture of Karlee with her teachers, Mrs. Kim and Miss Maddee. They have been wonderful and Karlee talks about them all the time. She wanted to color and paint pictures for them every morning before school.



It's hard to believe this was Karlee in August on the first day of school. This year flew by!

Bring out the toys

I'm not sure who's more excited about the big box of baby toys coming out of the attic, Karlee or Madelyn!

Splishin' and Splashin'

I was home recovering from surgery for two weeks. On my last Thursday of being off before returning to work, I picked Karlee up from school to have some one on one play time. I knew I had to do something with her that wouldn't require me picking her up, so out came the baby pool (I was able to roll it from under the house-no lifting involved, Mom!). I filled it up before heading to the school so the sun could warm the water a little. After a quick lunch inside, Karlee was ready to put on her swimsuit and hit the water. She had a blast!






And, Karlee can't play anywhere around water without asking for her fishing pole at some point. Her daddy has trained her well!

Silly Nights

Night time at the Baker house is like a circus most of the time. By the time I get home from work, cook dinner, sit down as a family to eat the dinner, feed Madelyn her baby food, clean the table, and load the dishwasher, I have about 30 minutes to play with the girls before the "getting ready for bed" routine starts.

Last week, Karlee came into the living room holding an arm load of Chip's shirts. She had apparently been playing in his closet! She put them all on the floor and said "Let's dress up like daddy." So, on a shirt went, she danced around (American Idol was on TV), took one off, and put on another. I'm not sure how many she went through but it was A LOT! When she put on a fishing shirt, she ran around the living room acting like she caught a fish.





And, of course, Karlee wanted Madelyn to dress up too!



When I told Karlee it was time to put the shirts up and get ready for a bath, she tried to hide under them and said "you can't find me." She's not a very good hider!

Lake Season Has Begun

That laugh says it all ... we are excited about lake weather!!!!

We headed to the lake Saturday to boat ride and enjoy the sunshine. I am soooo glad Madelyn loves the boat and her life jacket. We would have to trade her in for a new baby if she didn't!!!!



We enjoyed a nice picnic on the water and just relaxed. It was a fun day. After getting off the boat, Karlee headed straight to the steps and wanted to swim. I was hesitant because the water was still freezing (I mean it's not summer quite yet). But, how can you take a 3 year old in a bathing suit around water and not expect her to want to swim (especially when she's part fish!)? So, in the water she went for a brief swim and got out with teeth chattering. We may be at the doctor's office later this week with pneumonia!




On a sad note, we rode around looking at all the tornado damage from the April 27 storm. Parts of the lake were hit by the super storm of all storms. Total destruction in some parts, debris in the water, sunken boats, it was heart breaking. I literally got a sick feeling in my stomach when I saw it. Lake Martin has a special place in my heart. I just love it. I have literally been spending time there since I was in my mom's tummy. Looking at the total destruction of areas that I have been riding by for 30 years just broke my heart.








By land, the tornado was pretty much across the street from the road my Granny lives on. She, along with my aunt and uncle, were in the living room when the storm hit. To say they got lucky is an understatement. My goodness, if something happened to my family in that way, I just don't know how I would cope with it. I don't know how I would cope with losing that home. That place holds so many memories ... Lord, if those walls could talk! Granny's place is where I met Chip (love at first sight for me) almost 15 years ago; and then he threw me off the wave runner! There have been so many people staying there at one time, that I slept in the back of my dad's truck just to have a place to lie down! I could write a book about the fun times, the drama, the laughs, the tears, the card games, the graduation parties, did I mention the drama! Some of the best parts of my childhood happened at that lake house. I think the good Lord above, and my Papa, were looking out for my Granny that night.

Muffins with Mommy

I drove for the first time in a week this morning to visit Karlee at school for Muffins with Mommy. I just couldn't bare the thought of not being with her today. Karlee was so excited to bring me in her classroom and made sure to tell me "be careful and don't bend to hurt your boo boos!"

The sweet kiddos started off singing "You are My Sunshine" and it was too cute. Karlee actually sang and I have it on video!!



Then they gave us precious finger painted flower pots with a picture of them as a flower.



We all ate yummy muffins and fruit and had a fun time! I was so glad to be able to be there with Karlee.

9 years + 6 months

Last Wednesday, April 27, Chip and I celebrated 9 years of marriage. I would like to say it was a romantic day, BUT, it was not. Our day started at 4:30 that morning. I didn't sleep at all the night before and finally got out of bed at 4:30 to shower and clean my tummy very well. I drug Chip out of the bed at 5:15 because I was ready to get the show on the road. My nerves were in full swing and I just couldn't think of anything except getting to the hospital by 6:00 and getting some "night night" meds to calm me down and put me to sleep. It was finally surgery day to have the fibroid tumor removed (my third baby as I now call it). Surgery went well, tumor is gone (along with my uterus), pathology report was normal, and I FEEL GREAT! However, I feel like the tumor needs a name since it was 6 lb 4 oz (see, my third baby!). Any suggestions?? !!!

Now moving on, Madelyn had her 1/2 birthday on Thursday, the 28th. I still can't believe that half of her first year is gone. I feel like the past 6 months have been the fastest, busiest 6 months of my life. Ending maternity leave on the first day of tax season certainly didn't help matters.

Madelyn is the happiest baby on Earth. She laughs at everything, pretty much only cries when she's hungry or tired, and ADORES her big sister (who adores her right back). Karlee can make Madelyn smile just by walking in front of her. The way they hold hands and "talk" to each other just makes my heart full of joy. I cannot imagine our lives without Madelyn. I am so glad Karlee has a sibling to grow up with because there was once talk between me and Chip about only having one child.

At 6 months: weight 14 lb 14 oz length 26 inches

* Madelyn is a big time momma's girl. She can be screaming at the top of her lungs when other people try to console her. Once in my arms, she immediately stops. She has started lifting her arms for me to pick her up or to get her from someone else.

* Madelyn still doesn't sleep through the night consistently or nap much during the day.

* We are starting the weaning process so she has one bottle of formula a day and are about to move to two. This has been hard for me because I know I will never nurse another child again. It has been special to me to be so "blessed" in the milk production department to be able to have this special bond with both of my children.

* Madelyn is eating first foods from a spoon once a day and has loved everything except squash. We are moving to stage 2 foods shortly and twice a day. She grabs the spoon and helps put it in her mouth, makes a huge mess every time she eats, and gets fussy if you don't feed her fast enough.

* Don't put anything in Madelyn's reach if you don't want her to grab it. She pulls my plate half way off the table if I hold her while trying to eat. She pulls my glasses off in the mornings. She grabs Karlee's cup if it gets put too close to her. Madelyn's hand/eye (and straight to mouth) coordination is definitely developing.

* Madelyn is officially a sitter! Karlee loves this now and they play with blocks and other small toys together so well.



* The baby seat has been retired and the tub chair is in full use. This has made for some very fun bath times (and very wet floors!). Madelyn loves the water and reaches over the splash all the time. She definitely doesn't mind water in her face.




* Madelyn's laugh is the most precious sound. She is very ticklish and just cackles when you "get her corn" and tickle her tummy.

Easter 2011

We kicked off Holy Week with an Easter egg hunt at Phil Clowdus' farm. Karlee remembered exactly what to do and took off when they said "Go." Phil and Julienne have become great friends and treat our girls as their own. They hold a special place in our hearts.





Monday after school, I had eggs boiled and ready to dye. I love dying eggs at Easter and hope this tradition continues. Karlee dropped the eggs in the dye and pulled them out all by herself. She was so excited to see them change color. She even wanted to blow on all of them so they would dry faster!




Thursday morning was Karlee's class party and egg hunt. She was excited to get more eggs (aka candy)!





Thursday afternoon was the 3rd Annual Reetz/Wynn Easter Egg Hunt. This time with friends is always a lot of fun. This year definitely didn't disappoint. When they brought out the baby chicks, Karlee was the first one to stick her hands in the box and pull one out. Her "no fear attitude" towards animals is just amazing. I thought we would be bringing a chick home when she didn't want to put it down to hunt eggs! She finally let the poor thing go and she had a great time hunting eggs again.





I made the decision to start a new tradition this year. The Easter Bunny comes to our house on Saturday morning. We have a hard time getting out the door on a normal day by a certain time. Throwing in a basket full of candy before church just did not sound like fun to me. I would be the stressed out one trying to get me and two other people dressed while Chip sat around watching fishing shows and only getting himself dressed. Karlee checked out her loot and helped Madelyn see all of hers. It was nice to get to relax and enjoy the moment rather than picking everything up and rushing to get dressed and out the door.





We headed to the Memory Gardens after church on Sunday morning to attempt some pics of the girls. I was delighted that both cooperated and I was able to get some good shots.





Later Sunday afternoon, we headed to my cousin's house for the big family lunch gathering and yet another egg hunt. This hunt usually contains money so it's fun for the adults too! Karlee (and I) found the gold egg with $20 in it!





I tried explaining Easter to Karlee but I just don't think she understands just yet. Telling her that someone died just broke her heart and she asked if he was sleeping with my grandaddy's at the dead people place (what she calls the cemetary when we pass by one). I really need to look up ways to tell children about Easter before next year. She totally understood that baby Jesus was born at Christmas and he lives in her heart. Telling her that he died just confused her so much this year.