Is He About to have a Picking Party?

So, Melanie is now in big gymnastics where I do not go in with her. She is getting better at it each week. But, the first week she picked her nose for 3/4 of the class and at the end I had to tell her that it was not okay to pick the whole time and if she really needed to pick she could go the bathroom or wait until it was over and I would let her have a picking party....

So, the inauguration was yesterday. I thought it was all pretty cool and watched much of it (though I was bummed that at the gym Regis and Kelly wasn't on to run to...pre-inauguration stuff wasn't nearly as exciting). I was trying to get Melanie to watch a bit of it and she was asking pretty cool questions, so I was thinking, there was a chance she had a tiny bit of understanding of what was happening. She asked if Hillary Clinton was the new president ("Is she the new president?") when she and Bill walked in and I explained, no, a boy was the president. She asked why and I explained more people wanted a boy than a girl (hey, she just turned 3, there is only so much explaining that can be done). So then she asked about some of the later men that they showed, asking who they were ("Is that Obama?"). I explained no, and that he would come out later. Then when he came out and people were cheering and he was hugging and shaking hands she asked, "Is he about to have a picking party?" WHAT????!!!! That doesn't even make any sense. So, it goes to show that a 3 year old actually has no clue what is going on as the world of politics is concerned.

One other funny (well, kind of) story...Melanie smothers Natalie, hugging her too tight, getting on top of her, pushing toys at her, etc. Yesterday, Natalie was in the highchair and Melanie was smothering her with a hug and Natalie finally snapped and bit Melanie. Natalie bites me all the time and cries hysterically when she gets in trouble but payback is a, well, you know, for Melanie. We've warned her a lot and she doesn't listen, maybe she will now. Then she was concerned that Natalie got her shirt wet with slobber. Good grief!

Random Pics

Hello, so I know I have been a bit lagging lately.

Natalie had a dr appt a few weeks back as a check up on an ear infection. She gained 1.5 lbs in 3 weeks! AHHHH! The girl loves to eat! She is SOOOO BUSY! Much more busy than Melanie. She does not love to cuddle- she just wants to go, go, go. She has crawled all the way to the top of the stairs. She is too funny. She nods yes and no, likes to play along to songs I sing, and can say mama and dada. She knows "Shelby" and "Melanie" b/c she will go to them or point to them if we ask where they are. She gets into EVERYTHING! Nothing in this house is off limits anymore.

Melanie had a wonderful birthday party and is amazingly a 3 year old. She still have some fits (I guess that doesn't change overnight...) but is so smart, fun, and independent. She now can get her own water from the refrigerator using the water "stem" That is what she calls it...we don't know why.

Clint and I are continuing on our healthy life regimen. We are learning what we can and refuse to do (exp. maybe Mexican isn't the healthiest but no way are we stopping that!). Clint had a little extra encouragement when his dad had mild heart attack on New Year's Eve. He was in Mississippi visiting family but all has turned out okay and he is home and recovering and Clint is motivated to stay healthy. I attempted a super healthy dinner last night that was SO GROSS! It was a shrimp & pasta creation that we ended up tossing. We were both trying to like but trying not to gag so we are continuing to learn. I am continuing to train for my race in March. I am up to 3 miles...getting there slowly but surely. And, I finished my 1st semester of classes and I'm beginning on my 2nd, again, getting there slowly but surely.

The crazy pics are from a fun New Year's Eve Party at Chris and A's. Needless to say...the night is a little more fun after a bottle of wine. We had pack and plays set up all across their house finding space for 3 babies and Melanie. You do what you have to for a night out with adults!

My Mom's 3rd Bday Pics

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My Baby is 3!

Well, Melanie had a very busy birthday weekend. Friday, I took off work and went to her school and decorated cookies with her classmates. It was fun to see them all working together. If I do say so myself, Melanie is SUPER smart! On Saturday we had her "friend" party and had a GIANT party at Little Gym with 15 of her little friends. It was chaotic but such fun! She loved her princess cake and all of the excitement and attention on herself. Then, last night we had a family dinner and made chicken pot pie (Her request) and then gave her the giant princess castle we bought her. (It was on clearance after the holidays on amazon.com). It is HUGE! 5 ft tall and 4ft across. It was fun. It came with dress up clothes, a wand, a tierra, and a frog :) My parents gave her a dance cam so you can watch yourself dance on the TV and Clint's parents gave her a kids Dance Dance Revolution (too funny). She is not quite coordinated enough yet but she will get there. I will post all of the pics at a later date. I cannot believe I have a 3 year old and that this was the 3rd party we have thrown for her. Time has flown by. Though she has definitely tested our patience and made us take a lot of deep breaths she is getting easier and easier by the day. She is so smart and will talk to you about absolutely anything and takes care of so much by herself (picking up her toys, putting away her laundry, helping to pack her lunch and school bag, etc.) It is amazing what my little angel can do.

Happy Birthday Melanie- Mommy and Daddy love you!

Mamaw's fun Book

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Happy Holidays...a bit late

Here is a round of Christmas Eve and Christmas pics that I am just now getting to.