For you Goo at 6 months!

I never knew having a daughter could bring me so much joy. But you, Gabrielle Grace, you melt my heart! You are like icing on my cake or sugar in my tea. You are my sweet, sweet girl.
You turn 6 months old today and I don't know where the times has gone. In the blink of an eye you've grown so big...

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You are almost sitting up on your own.

You eat three small meals a day and you really enjoy your food - your menu consists of yummy carrots, beans and cereal.

You are starting to roll and scoot to get somewhere and somewhere is where you want to be.

You are always in motion - rolling those pudgy ankles and wrists in circles and doing the funny little thing you do with your thumb.

You're first tooth brought cranky to a new level.

You now SCREAM when I leave the room. You are truly a mama's girl!

You are a "hold me" baby and hold you I do - I think you are permanently attached to my hip.

You still sleep right next to me - I'm afraid the transition to the crib will be difficult for both of us but soon we must make the move.

You love to nurse and I will do it for as long as you like.

You absolutely love to watch your brother - he can keep you occupied much longer than mommy or daddy.

When it's time to change your diaper, your modesty goes out the window. You love to be naked!

You are just beautiful - your thick eyelashes curl so perfectly around those lovely blue eyes - I think the blue is here to stay.

Your blond hair still stops me in my tracks - you are one of a kind my dear!

You have daddy wrapped around your finger.

You have your brother's affection.

And you have a mama who's totally crazy about you!

I LOVE YOU GOO!

Wordless Wednesday - Samuel Unplugged

We are on the move

If you read my last post all the way through, you know that we are on the move.


We've been happy in our little mobile home for about 4 1/2 years. We started our family here and it's been our home in every sense of the word. We've painted the inside and out, planted shrubs, put up a shed, hung new shutters, the list could go on.


We have outgrown our space, and with Tim still working on his doctorate, it's just not time for a house. So, off we go to a rental townhouse. It will be an adjustment since I haven't had to share walls with strangers in a long time. I guess they won't be strangers for too long.

Samuel is so excited about moving. I was so worried about the transition, but we brought him over to see our new home and he had a blast. He absolutely loves that the townhouse has multiple floors.

Saturday is moving day, so I've got to pack up the whole house. I may get a post or two in during this crazy time, but no promises. Talk to you soon.

Bye, bye, little home, bye, bye!

Another potty training tale

Warning: This is a real life post!

So, you're sick of the poop talk, huh?

I'm sorry. Well, not really. I've got to talk to someone about it.

The other night I was home alone with the 2 kids. I was putting Gabrielle down for the night. In order to keep my curious Samuel out of trouble, I set him up at the computer. This usually keeps him focused for at least 15 minutes.

Well not that night, because duty called...
I mean doody called.

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Samuel (standing naked in the living room holding his pull up by the tips of his fingers): Mommy, I pooped in my pull-up. oops! I put it in the potty.

Me: You did what? (As I saw the brown spots on his leg and the carpet)

Samuel (smiling so proud): I put my poopy in the potty mommy!

Me: Why yes you did! (as I carried all 35 lbs of him out in front of me stepping over the landmines on my carpet)

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Yes, there was poop on my son, poop on my carpet ( 5 spots to be exact), poop on my toilet. There was poop everywhere! I scrubbed, disinfected, showered the boy and put him to bed.

This morning was a brand new day. I was putting the incident behind me. I made some tea, straightened up and decided to open the blinds to let some glorious sunshine in. And GASP, what did I see on my carpet...

FIVE LARGE BLUE STAINS!!

Apparently Spot Shot carpet cleaner works so well, it pulled the dye right out of the blue rag I was using and deposited it directly on my carpet. Right on the same carpet that I just paid good money to have professionally cleaned.

And to top it off, the woman who is putting a purchase offer on my mobile home was coming over this morning to give me her deposit. (Oh, yeah, I've neglected to tell you we are moving into a townhouse in 8 days - oops!) My exersaucer never looked so good smack in the middle of my living room. She didn't notice a thing.

The Inevitable

It was bound to happen.

I mean it was totally out of his control.

There was no preventing it and no way around it.

It was simply inevitable.

Tim turned 30 this past Monday.


That is a picture of yummy carrot cake that I was supposed to make but things being as they are, Eileen (my mom-away-from-home) made it for me.

Notice I spared him 30 individual candles and put the big ones on. I thought it might be a fire hazard with little children around.


That is a re-enactment of blowing out the candles. I was too slow to get the picture the first time around. Ooops!

And that is a photo of a kid in a candy store. His big gift from several friends and family was a smart phone of his choice.

Honey, Even though you're no longer twenty-something, you still look like a babe to me!!!
I love you!

Bon Jovi to the Rescue

Tension was high.

Talking about finances will do that to ya.

We decide to hug and make up.

In the midst of a long embrace, Tim says: I'm sure you can come up with a good 80's song to sing right now. You know, one that says we are gong to make it through this season.

Me: I sure can... (Then Living on a Prayer by Bon Jovi erupts from my lips along with guitar solo and all.)

Then we really made up...

Hey, who would have thought Bon Jovi would light up the night.


And if you are wondering why I posted this, Courtney told me to do it.

Her first video debut

Everyone in the house is sleeping but me - woohoo! I've wanted to figure out how to put a video up on my blog for a long time, but I've lacked the time and even more so, the patience to figure it out.

So, here's my sweetie making her first video debut:

A Potty Training Tale

Warning: This is a Real Life post

Scene 1
Tim and Samuel playing tackle football in our living room.

Tim: Did we have a poop situation go on here? (holding his pointer finger out in the air with a brown blob on the end)

Michelle: What do you mean?

Tim: Well, what's this? (As he gives it a whiff)

Michelle: Yeah, he did a poopy in his pants before but I cleaned it all up. Maybe, he pooped some more and it fell out of the leg of his pants.

Tim: Oh great, we've been rolling around in it. (Pointing to the small brown stain on the carpet)

Scene 2:
Michelle is cleaning Samuel up for a second time.

Michelle: Lay down here buddy, so I can wipe you clean.

Samuel: Do I have poopy in my heiney mom?

Michelle: Yes, don't touch.

Samuel: Oh Okay (As he puts his finger on his rear and then wipes it on his shirt)

Can you say EEEEWWW?!?!

Wordless Wednesday

Harvest Fun - Part 2

Today is Election Day. Please vote!!! It counts!

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My mother came to visit us last weekend. It was about time. We had not seen her in 5 months. We had a great visit. She played a ton with Samuel. Gabrielle adored her and I just loved having her company.

Samuel and Nana had a great time getting out the pumpkin guts.

My little Picasso got his paint brush out and created a pumpkin masterpiece.

Despite samuel's pleading, I did the carving.

Our finished product. Can you guess who our pumpkin is?

This past weekend was our totally awesome Harvest Party at church. It is a safe alternative to "trick or treating." Here are my two kiddos all ready to go.

If you read this post then you would understand why my little girl is dressed as a bee. I made her costume for less than $6. Don't you just love the pink pom poms?

Dr. Samuel and his buddy, Judah.

Samuel won best costume for the night. I was totally shocked because he was not dressed for the theme of the party "Adventure Quest." Regardless, I was so happy for him. I'm not sure he totally got what was going on, but he knew he was special when he got applause from all the other kids and parents.

Way to go Samuel-Boo!!!

Harvest Fun - Part 1

We made our annual trip to Stokoe Farms this year to pick pumpkins. It was early October and 70 degrees. It just didn't seem right to have it so warm, but it made it a bit easier for Gabrielle to be outdoors all afternoon.

The pumpkin patch was absolutely beautiful this year.

She is just the sweetest, isn't she???

I just love watching my boys from a distance.

Mr. Muscles trying to pick up a pumpkin.

Like father, like son.

Like father, like daughter too.
(Holy cow! Does she have his facial expression or what?).

The hay box was a huge hit.
Lots of laughs and lots of hay down the pants!

And oh my goodness, could it be? A family picture!
(Too bad I look like a smurf.)