PhotoStory Friday: Got What???

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

As I was in the car on the way to my parents house from the airport, this sign stuck out like a sore thumb:

It's a good thing I wasn't driving cause I might have wrecked the car.

So a few days later I pulled over on the side of the freeway (I know, brave move) and took a picture. My 5 year old Noah, who is learning to read, said "mom, that says Got Snot! Who would say that?!"

Annika Love Emmons

Annie-

Three years ago, you came into our world earlier than expected, and we have been trying to keep up with you ever since. From the moment you arrived on April 1st, 2006, your dad and I were completely in love with you. I wanted you with me the whole time I was in the hospital, and had a hard time when they needed to take you away. I rarely put you down, and for the first two nights of your life you slept in my arms. I was amazed at your tiny size and your beauty. I was so excited to have a daughter to wrap in pink blankets, and I began dreaming of the day you would first wear a tutu. Your older brother Noah was automatically infatuated with you. He came running in to meet you screaming "baby Annie!" over and over again, and then smothering you with kisses.

Your tiny size didn't last long, and soon we began calling you our "chunky monkey." We thought you were adorable to begin with, but you continued to get more so. Your smile has always been the brightest part of your face, and we knew as soon as you started flashing it, your personality would be explosive.

As soon as you started moving, Noah became the center of your world. You wanted to be where he was all the time, and he didn't mind at all. He loved playing with you and making sure you were taken care of. To this day, the two of you hug each other each morning, and you are giddy each day when he comes home from school.

As you got older, you began talking, singing and dancing your way through life. Your personality is explosive, and you are wildly independent. You make us laugh everyday and are always coming up with new ways to entertain us. Recently your dad has taught you to say "it's hard being beautiful," and you know exactly how to tilt your head and get the reaction needed.

You are a wonderful big sister to Cooper. You are always making sure he is taken care of, and are so willing to help him learn the things that you know. You love telling stories, whether they are real or make-believe, and you love to sing and dance. I always said I would never push you to be a dancer like me, but I don't think I can fight it. All you do is dance. You love butterflies, princesses and ballerinas, cookies with M&M's, strawberries, hummus and lemonade. You love to sing primary songs or any song that you have memorized, you love dancing to whatever is playing on the radio, and you love playing with sidewalk chalk. You are learning to ride your bike and love following Noah around when he is on his.

Our family would not be the same without you in it. You brighten our days and we are always anxious to see what your curly-haired personality will come up with next. I enjoy each moment I have with you, I love when you want to snuggle with me, and I love watching you run with excitement towards your dad when he comes home from work. Thank you for being everything you are. I can't wait for all the years to come. Happy Birthday, my Annie Love.

Love, Mom

PhotoStory Friday: Yoga In A Box

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Warning: Do Not Try This At Home!

Yoga in a box is only for trained, professional baby yogi's!

This is Cooper's newest trick.  When asked to do yoga, this is what happens.  He doesn't walk yet, but he does yoga.  Go figure.

Little Miss B.

I took some pictures of one of my favorite little girls here in Tennessee, Little Miss B.  She is a ball of energy, to say the least!  She never stops moving, and most of the pictures I took of her were from behind, as she ran away from me.  Here are just a few that made me smile.

Help, Anybody?

So the background on my blog refuses to change.  I have been working on it for two days, trying to get the St. Patrick's Day stuff off, with no luck.  I haven't done anything different, yet nothing is changing.  Is anyone else having issues?

How To Make A Diaper Cake

I have made a few of these, each one turns out different.  They are a lot of fun as a centerpiece for a baby shower, or a cute way to give a gift.  This can easily be done with hand towels and washcloths for a bridal shower.

Items Needed:

At least 1 package of diapers.  I always use size 1

rubber bands of different sizes

wooden dowels

ribbon

toys, onesies, washcloths, or anything to add to the cake

large piece of cardboard

This is one I made this week for a baby shower:

5 onsies and 6 wash cloths

Hanging Toys

Take each diaper and roll it up, fastening it with a small rubber band.  You should be able to see the design on each diaper- this adds color to the cake.

Once you have rolled all the diapers, start putting them into groups with the larger rubber bands.  This is where you make each layer of the cake.  A package of size 1 diapers easily makes a three layer cake, however I used a few more diapers than that to make a four layer cake.  Make sure that the design is showing, and try to tuck all the corners inside the group.

As you finish the layer, add washcloths, onesies, or whatever you have to the outer part of the layer.  You want them to be seen, not hidden.

I actually don't do the wooden dowels until the end, but I wanted to show how they are placed.

Once your layers are made, stack them up, and secure with the wooden dowels.

See the cardboard on the bottom?  Cut a large circle out, just to set the cake on.

Hide the rubber bands with the ribbon.  As you tie the ribbon, also tie any hanging toys you may have.  If they do not hang, place on top (I once used rubber duckies).

The finished product.

PhotoStory Friday: This Picture Needs A Retake

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

This picture was set up so perfectly.

She kissed the names of the fallen heroes so sweetly.

Her tiny, little fingers are so gently touching those names.

But where the heck is her face?

I WILL redo this one, with her hair tucked behind her ear.