Happy Birthday!

Dear Baylee,

     Three years! As hard as it is for me to wrap my head around the idea that you are already three, I think you fully embraced it about three months ago. Your conversations are starting have more depth and are consisting of more questions  You have definitely made the transition from toddler to little girl.

Playing:

• Dolls. Every morning I'm greeted with "Mommy, let's play dolls and make them talk." And then we do. . . for the next three hours.

• Dress up. I can't even count the amount of times you change clothes during the day. You love to play princess. Sometimes you are Ariel, Snow White, Rapunzel, or Elsa all within a matter of thirty minutes!

Eating:

• Just about everything. Yogurt is still your first choice. I think you'd eat it for every meal if I would let you.

• Ranch dressing; much to your dad's chagrin. You dip your pizza in it and put it on your spaghetti. I, however, think that's pretty normal.

Reading:

• Jesus Storybook Bible  

• You are fascinated with the story Jonah and the big fish and we have read just about every version the library has.

• The Magic Treehouse series: We found one of your brother's old books and started reading it and now you are hooked. "Will you read me Jack & Annie?" is a common request during storytime. I'm looking forward to watching you grow with this wonderful series.

Watching:

• Little Einsteins. You discovered them while playing on my phone one day and so we have been checking the videos out from the library. It's so fun to watch you interact with the characters and answer their questions. You love the fact that your dad participates when you direct him to pat his legs so the rocket goes faster.

• The Voice: The "singing show" is still one of your favorites.

I love you more than you will ever know!

Ambushed!

I leaned in for a kiss and she licked me at the last second. Goofball!

The Pfunky Griddle

Last Saturday when we were in Nashville visiting family, my sis-in-law took us to this fantastic hole in the wall breakfast place called The Pfunky Griddle. The concept is that you make your own pancakes right at your table. Brilliant!! Every table has a griddle built in to the middle of it and you order your pancake batter by the pitcher (white flour or whole wheat). Then comes the fun part: the add-ins. You get one free add-in but can buy more and of course! because who wouldn't? There is a long list of choices which includes various fresh fruits, different candies, coconut, peanut butter, and too many more to mention. 

My brother Steve, and his wife April.

Hannah trying to decide what toppings she wants for her pancakes.

Cheers!

Eagerly awaiting his pancakes.

My mom ordered potato cakes and onions, cheese, and sour cream on the side. They brought her a heaping bowl of smashed potatoes and she made some for all of us. If you order eggs, you make them at your table also. I think the only thing you don't make at your table is any meat you would order.

My dad, the designated flipper.

Baylee wanted blueberries and m&m's for her pancakes.

Working hard to make their breakfast.

That's the seal of approval right there. She loved it! Well, really we all did. It was so much fun and I hope we go back next time we are in Nashville. So many of my friends travel through Nashville on their way to other places and many of them ask me about good places to go in Nashville. I will definitely be recommending this place to everyone from now on. SO. MUCH. FUN.

*(side-note: I accidentally scratched Baylee's cheek Christmas morning. It was just a little scrape; didn't even bleed. Since then, though, she has scratched it open twice and ended up with blood all over her face. I'm sick about this. I just know it's going to scar. I've been slathering neosporin on it but I think the damage is done).

around here

• Our fall decorations are up!

• I am trying to catch up on my study of the kings of Israel and Judah. They sure had some crazy names!

• It's time to drag out the holiday planner.

• Reading the story of Jonah and the whale. Over, and over, and over. 

• Working on new photo stuff. I'm really excited about what I have planned.

• Using a hanging plant basket to keep fruits in the kitchen.

• I'm really liking the way the license plates look on our freshly painted yellow wall. 

• 

Second chance day!

     Today we celebrate my husband's "Second Chance Day". One year ago today, my husband was in the emergency room. He had come home from work and asked me if his face looked funny. It did. The left side of it wasn't moving. He proceeded to tell me that he had noticed it the night before when his lips wouldn't close around a straw. I know, right??? He had hoped it would go away and went ahead and went to work. When it didn't go away, he got worried enough to ask me about it, but still not worried enough to do anything about it. After several phone calls, a trip to the Walgreen's clinic, and a few hours of me pleading, he agreed to go to the hospital.

   
     They ran some tests and gave us the news we dreaded, but expected; he'd had a stroke. He was admitted to the hospital for testing and further observation. As you can imagine, we were both scared (terrified). After the horrible blow our family had been dealt over the summer, this was too much. Over the next 24 hours, they ran tests and sent in specialists. His heart was fine and they couldn't find any blockage. The doctors were concerned that they couldn't find an obvious reason for the stroke. When Mike asked if it could have been caused by stress, the neurologist said yes, but it's rare and only under extreme stress. Mike then explained that he had lost his son just three months earlier when he was struck by a train. At that point, both doctors (the neurologist and cardiologist) looked at each other and agreed that was the probable cause. They explained that the stroke had occurred in his brain stem (one of the worst places for a stroke to occur) but because there was no physical cause for it, he could go home.
     We have learned all to well, how fragile life is and how quickly it can be taken from you. My husband was given a second chance that day and we will be forever grateful that God has allowed us more time together. We are jam packed with activities this weekend, but will be very aware through every single one, just how lucky we are.
   

What's that you say?

She sure has a lot to say! In honor of her turning 2 1/2 in a few days, I'd thought I'd share some of her regular "Baylee-isms" with you.

Things she is saying (with translations/explanation):

• "Awww, cuke!" (cute)
• Pooey Pooey (roly poly bugs)
• "Me do it" She is sooo independent and doesn't want help with anything.
• "Mmmm....smells like....apples!" She says this about everything, no matter what it really smells like.
• "Stop following me"
• "I'm sorry mommy, me too" This is said all in one sentence like she is not quite sure which part she is supposed to say.
• "Together Mommy" said when she realizes that she is not going to get to do something by herself.
• "Mommy... Mommy....Mommy" She sounds like Stewie.
• She likes to listen to "Choich muke" (Church music) on the local Christian radio station and "God stories" (stories from her Bible). She is just starting to make the connections between what we hear at church and what we hear and read at home.
• "Can I keep you?" Yes, you can Baylee. (This is my favorite)

Things I am saying:

• "What Baylee?"
• "What Baylee?" 
• "What Baylee?" 

I love you sweet heart! I want to keep you, too!