Happy Birthday Beckett!

Our little buddy is turning 2 tomorrow! I just can't say enough about Beck. He's such a good boy! He was the most mellow baby, ever! Honestly, I thought for a long time that something was wrong with his motor skills! He didn't crawl until he was 1 and walked at 15 months. Plus until almost 15 months, all he said was "dada." But talk about cute! He would just sit there all day and snuggled and smiled. (Matt blames his laziness on his mommy holding him ALL the time!)Who can complain about that? Then, almost overnight, he decided to catch up. He started talking; by 18-19 months, he was talking in full sentences; a huge change from just "dada!" He runs everywhere, usually kicking a soccer ball wherever he goes. He uses one of my collapsable strainers as a tennis racket (pretty innovative) and as a golf club. He's starting to ask to wear his "spiderman undies" and I just can't get over how cute his little bum is in them! We just love our Beckett! Happy Birthday Buddy!

About 10 minutes post birth

Beck on the day he was born!

About 2 weeks old

Getting a haircut

He loved the Bumbo

You've got to love those cheeks!

My all time favorite picture of Beck!

Playing "tennis"

Beck hitting homeruns on the Wii

FYI

My friend Veronica, from my old neighborhood, just started a blog that you or someone you may know might be interested in. It's a memoir describing her journey through prenatal and postpartum depression. It's fascinating! She is doing this in hopes of helping someone else, and I think she is very brave to share her story! Thanks Veronica!

Princess Party, etc.

London wanted to be called "Princess Giselle" all day!

London and her 15 closest friends, yes 15 celebrated her birthday with a Princess Party on Monday! It was so fun, but chaotic! We had a princess makeover station where the girls had make up applied, 4 game stations, a tiara pinata, presents, and cake and ice cream! London had such a great time! She kept saying that EVERY present was her favorite, and EVERY part of the party was the best! She just loved having all her friends here!

Getting ready for her grand entrance to her princess party!

Natalie "glamourizing" London at the make up station!

The kids playing games!
This would be the world's most pathetic "pin the tiara on the princess" game, EVER! I procrastinated and try to buy a game at the Walmart the morning of the party, with no luck! So, I improvised!
Making a wish!

Sunday was London's actual birthday, so we had a family party to celebrate! Again, a little chaotic, but so much fun! I made her a princess cake that I personally thought was pretty LAME, but she loved it. The highlight of the party for London was opening a "Giselle" dress that Grandma Jilly made her! It is so beautiful! Plus, London will be able to wear it for the next several years! She had to put it right on, and she just HAD to wear it to her princess party the next day!

London opening her "morning"present at the breakfast table
Getting ready to take her new sticker book to church!

Blowing out her candles on her princess cake!

Saturday, Matt, York, Jenny, and I went to see Dark Knight for my birthday. Great movie, just a little creepy! My great mom watched all the kids, and then had us over for cake and ice cream! It was such a fun night!

London, Me, and Camryn opening presents!
I swear this is the end of this monster post, but in closing, may I share with you something that was no small feat! Trying to be creative with a little girls hair that is finally thickening up, but still is just pretty short is a challenge, but I managed two french braids. Too cute!

Happy Birthday Londy Bug!

Our little London turns 4 today! It seems like she was just born! As this is my journal of sorts, I'd like to share about the day she was born! I arrived at the hospital bright and early, July 20, 2004,ready to be induced! I had celebrated my 25th birthday the day before. I was feeling great, finally, after 8+ months of constant throwing up. I thought I was so ready for this whole birthing thing! My doctor came into check me, and broke my water (without mentioning it to me) and I went into a complete panic! I told Matt that I wanted to leave and come back the next day. I was hysterical! It's crazy to think that I chose that moment to realize that I was going to be a parent FOREVER! I calmed down after a while, thank heavens! My epidural didn't take well, and was redone 3 times. I started pushing at around 3:40 pm, and a little over 5 minutes later, London Kate was born! She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen! She was SO alert, all day! She had her eyes open for every picture, and I didn't hear her cry the whole rest of the day!
London came at the most perfect time! She was the joy and sunshine in an otherwise dark time for our family. The happiness she enabled me to feel is immeasurable. I know that my Heavenly Father was looking out for me when he sent this little spirit to us. I doubt she'll ever know the impact she had on us! She's always been a free spirit and independent! She's fearless, hilarious, sweet, stubborn, and loving! She is a great little girl, attitude and all, and we are so lucky to have her in our family!

In order to keep this post from being the longest EVER, I opted to put some pics of my London in a slide show below!

Happy 4th Birthday, Londy Kate!

London!

Happy Birthday to Me!

Saturday, the 19th I turn the big 2-9! So, in the tradition of some fellow bloggers, on my 29th birthday, you will be forced to learn 29 things you probably didn't know about me!

1. Claymation anything FREAKS me out!

2. I consume mass amounts of salt on a daily basis

3. I'll stop watching a movie/show if I think someone will be made fun of (someone special) or if I suspect that real people will be mixed with animation...Can't handle that!

4. I still bite my nails (always trying to stop that bad habit!)

5. I've never seen Star Wars or read the Harry Potter books

6. My favorite movie of all time is Reality Bites

7. I don't eat pork (except bacon-I know, it doesn't make sense)

8. I attended 4 elementary schools, 2 jr. highs, and 1 high school

9. My brother and I ate lunch every day together until Jr. high

10. I haven't worn foundation or powder since high school

11. Just when I think I've lost my mind, I find comfort in knowing that clinically crazy people really don't think that they are going crazy, so I must be sane

12. I was blonde as a kid (what happened there?)

13. I had braces on when I was 20 years old!

14. I've broken my nose at least twice (possibly 3 times-never x-rayed)

15. I LOVE surprises! I'd much rather have an okay gift that's a surprise than a great one that I knew about!

16. I've had my tonsils taken out 2 times in the past 5 years

17. I enjoy doing laundry, but despise putting it away!

18. I'm a major stress cleaner! The crazier I get, the cleaner my house is

19. My car is never clean; I try on occasion to clear it out, to no avail!

20. To me, marriage is much easier than I expected, and kids are much harder!

21. I do a mean Axl Rose impression when singing some karaoke

22. I'm a music FREAK! I love having music playing constantly in my house

23. I have an incredible memory when it comes to useless pop culture trivia

24. I believe that I married the best guy in the world for me; he handles the crazy well!

25. I'm sort of a picky eater, but had no idea until I got married (I always liked everything I cooked for myself!)

26. My dream vacation would include: Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and maybe Kenya

27. I love to travel, and have been so lucky to have seen a lot of the world!

28. I love playing trivia, board, and card games

29. Matt and my kids are the greatest things in my life!

On Monday afternoon, the doorbell rang and Matt came back with a huge smile on his face, carrying an interesting package! He set it on the table and said nothing. After a minute or so, he asked, "so I think you'll want to open your birthday present." I'm a huge fan of surprises, so I said I'd wait until Saturday. He pestered a little bit more, and I finally broke down and opened his gift! He bought me a new camera! I'm super excited to put it to good use! I love how excited he was to see the look on my face when I opened it! Thanks sweetie! More birthday news to come...London's birthday is the day after mine, and Beckett's is 6 days after hers! It's going to be one crazy week!

This would be my present! Yay! Hopefully I'll be taking some great pics with this baby!

Memories

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.
Thanks for the idea, Jill!