Routines

Life continues to move forward at a fast and furious pace for us. I can't believe this little one will already be 11 weeks tomorrow. I could just eat her up with all of her smiling and cooing. With each new day and week, we are slowly starting to get into new routines.

Any parent can tell you how important it is to establish routines and we are definitely no different. We had routines set into place in the beginning with Ella and she certainly thrived being on a schedule. That being said, having some flexibility and being able to go with flow in certain circumstances is also important. So, we are working on putting Maddie on a schedule but also understanding that we have an almost 3 year old that can't be confined at home all day while Maddie naps and some days Maddie can't be fed at the exact time she wants because I am taking Ella to preschool, etc. On days when the stars align and we can do both, it is a great day!

This weekend, we did a little of both and weekends are definitely easier to coordinate with 2 people at home. We watched Mike play soccer, he is number 5 on the red team fyi. Ella and I used to go and watch all the time but this season has obviously been more challenging but we made it to a couple of games.

Little miss Madeline Grace enjoyed watching her Daddy play soccer and was actually awake for the entire time we were there. I think she is going to be a soccer star one day!

She is trying so hard to find her thumb to suck. Her hands are always by her mouth.

And while Maddie and I enjoyed watching the game, this is how big sis spent the time, sleeping. As Maddie starts getting into routines, our big girl is fighting routines and trying to break them. We are going through what I would like to call Nap War 2012. At the ripe old age of 2 years and 9 months, she has decided that she doesn't want to nap or stay in her room for nap time. We have the same routine, read books, sing songs, etc and most days she will stay in her bed and sing and play for a little bit before coming out with the million requests. She has to go potty or get a sip of water or who knows what. We play this game on and off for awhile until it's finally too late and I sadly realize there will be no nap that day. No nap would be one thing if she didn't need the sleep anymore but she does. Case in point, the day we went to watch Mike play soccer, she wouldn't nap but the minute we were in the car on the way, she fell asleep in 2 minutes and slept for 45 minutes proving she is exhausted.

So, she naps in carseats or on late afternoon stroller walks but in the comfort of her own bed, no way! It's not everyday but it's about 50/50 these days and the only person that needs Ella to nap more than her is me. I need some time to recharge when I don't hear "Mommy" every minute. So, I am going to continue to battle this one and hope that she realizes that naps are a good thing I mean come on, I wish someone would put me down for a nap everyday, I know I wouldn't fight it.

Even though she is driving me crazy with no napping, is there really anything sweeter than a sleeping baby/toddler?

This weekend, we also had a big Cinco de Mayo meets Kentucky Derby party with a lot of the neighbors. They pulled out tents and tvs to watch the derby while munching on delicious Mexican food.

The weather has turned H-O-T so it is time to pull out the inflatable pools and bathing suits. The kids could obviously care less what holiday or sporting event it is as long as there is a pool and water to cool you down.

And in between the soccer games and parties, there was time to just hang out at home. I can't get over how big and grown up Ella looks next to her baby sister.

And this little one is growing like a weed also and is so alert these days. I think she is going to be nosy rosy just like her big sister.

Double sister smiles!

I can't wait to dress them in coordinating and matching outfits. Yes, I will be one of those moms, at least for as long as they will let me. This week to school, Ella wore her new whale shorts that Uncle Court gave her and so I dressed Maddie up in her whale outfit as well.

Ella was not happy about posing for a picture, can you tell?

Just relaxing and hanging out before heading out for the day.

I hope more good routines continue and the bad ones change quickly. If anyone has any tips on getting Ella to stay in her room and take a nap, please please let me know, I am desperate! Otherwise, hope you all are having a great May and enjoying this beautiful weather and sunshine!

Hippity Hoppity

We are celebrating all things Easter Bunny around here these days! The weather has been so nice which is perfect for adorable girls in spring dresses and Easter Egg hunts!

The first one was her school Easter party on Thursday and she was so excited to see that Mommy, Daddy and Maddie came to see her. We first met in her classroom and the kids all got their bunny ears they made in class on and ready to head out to the playground for a hunt.
And she's off! Of course she picked up a pink and blue one. She loves all things pink and blue lately. She gets 2 jelly beans after she goes potty at home and she always asks for pink and blue every time and always wants to wear either her pink or blue dress.
Look, check out the cool egg I found!
They did a neat concept at school where all the eggs outside were empty so after they found them, they would put them in a large basket so no one got more or felt bad. Then when they left school, they each got a bag filled with treats.
Climbing a tree to find the purple egg.
After all that running around, it was time for a sweet treat, ice cream cones! Sitting with her best buddies from school patiently waiting her chocolate ice cream cone.
And here comes the mess! This is the child who hates to be messy or dirty but when it comes to eating anything sweet, she doesn't mind and will get dirty as possible!
After the ice cream, the kids loved running around and showing the parents what they do on a daily basis on the playground. Here, Ella, Caroline (her bff in the pink dress), Wyatt (her boyfriend in the back) and Merritt were having a "dance party" on the stage. Her great aunts would be so proud that she found a stage to dance on, just like a Dougan girl!
A little more play time before heading home.
I can't say enough how much we love her preschool and teachers. She has really grown so much this past year and I know a lot of that is due to her preschool experience. The teachers are always so patient with them but also pushing them to be more independent. Here is Ella with her beloved Miss Ginny. We will certainly miss all her friends and teachers once the summer comes.
Today was our neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt at an estate house up the street and we got a perfect afternoon for a hunt. We got some quick pictures on the deck before we left while Maddie snoozed in inside.
Another day, another adorable Lilly dress!
Mommy and Daddy loving on our big girl.

I think Ella was slightly confused that she got to keep all the eggs she found in this hunt since she put them back in her school hunt.
But quickly caught onto the game.
Man, this basket is getting heavy with all these eggs!
The grounds of the Van Landigham Estate are beautiful with all the flowers in bloom. After the hunt, we had to get some pictures.
Check out my pretty flower.
Look how sweet Ella and Wesley are sharing their eggs with each other.

Look, there is candy inside these eggs...
and it is yummy!
Holidays are so much more fun when you have little ones to share it with! I love seeing the excitement and innocence through Ella's eyes.

So, this post was obviously filled with mostly Ella pictures but Maddie is doing great and I will post more pictures of her soon. She is growing and changing everyday. As you can tell from the top picture, she is starting to lose her hair and is getting the receding hair line. I thought I might have one baby with hair but it looks like they both might be little bald headed babes. We survived all last week with no help and did quite well. She still doesn't love her carseat so cried to and from preschool drop off on Tuesday but did slightly better on Thursday. We also made our first trip to Target the three of us and managed to escape without too many dirty looks. Actually Maddie slept the entire trip and Ella was great so it went well (minus the car ride of course!). But, I am happy to have so more visitors this week. My Mom and Grandma are coming up tomorrow for a couple of days and then Uncle Court is coming back next weekend. We are looking forward to some more Easter fun and celebrating Daddy's birthday next weekend (oh and Daddy would probably say he is most looking forward to watching the Master's.)

Hop Hop Hop!

What does a bunny do??

In our neighborhood, we have lots of rabbits and bunnies that usually Dakota chases after so it is not rare to see them and lately Ella is really into animals and the noises they make and what they do. So, with Easter coming up quickly, our favorite animal is the bunny and whenever we see them, Ella says "bunny bunny" and while I am holding onto Dakota for dear life on the leash so she doesn't rip my arm off, I say and what does a bunny do? And right on cue, she replies, "hop hop hop." So, we were so excited for Sunday and the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt with a big bunny to hop around!

Before the Hunt, we went to church for Palm Sunday. Ella stayed in the nursery while Mike and I enjoyed the service and I hope she likes it because Ella will be attending preschool there in the fall. It is just 2 mornings a week but I think she will enjoy it.
After church and some lunch, we were on our way. It is only about a mile from our house but since the hunt started close to Ella's naptime, we wanted to drive so we could have a quick getaway in case things headed south. As you can she, she was excited for her big hunt and to carry around her basket.

The hunt was held at this historic home that has since been converted into an Inn and Conference Center where they hold lots of events and weddings. It is overflowing with flowers and bushes and they were all in full bloom and it was gorgeous.

I think someone is excited to get started and find lots of "eggies."

And the grand marshall of the event, the Easter Bunny, kicked off the event and then we were off. Of course, miss shy girl was cautious at first, just checking everything out.

But then she got the hang of it and realized you were supposed to pick up and keep the eggs. Getting her first egg!

Oh wow, there are eggs everywhere, this is really fun Mom!

And then Dad and Mom switched camera and hunting duty so Dad could help spot some eggs.

Quick mid point break to check out all the goodies we have collected, she was very fascinated by all these colorful eggs that rattled with something inside.

And we are off again to find and collect more eggs. Where to look, where to look?

There are a lot of kids this way, maybe I will follow them to see if it will lead me to find anymore.

Quick pose in front of the pretty flowers so my Mom and Dad will stop nagging me about taking a picture.

Ok, you got your one picture, I am out of here find more eggs and candy.

Me and my little bunny.

And I think that's a wrap folks, and I only had to trip 2 kids and throw 1 elbow on my pursuit to collect the most eggs possible! (Obviously I am kidding, no one was hurt in the making of Ella's egg hunt.)

Before the hunt started, Mr Easter Bunny himself came out on the porch to say hello and start the hunt and Ella was obsessed! The entire time while she was getting eggs, she kept saying, "bunny bunny" and was pointing toward the house. So, after we got the eggs, we waited in line to see Mr E.B. himself.

Now, this is the little girl who is terrified of strangers and don't even mention Santa Claus so I was really hesitant but she was so excited. Even trying to cut the line to run up immediately to see the Easter Bunny. Here we are in line, finally made it to the front, things are looking good... And then when she got close and realized how big he was, she freaked out. She literally clamped onto my arms with the jaws of life and was not letting go for anything. We tried to even stand next to the bunny but she didn't want any part of that so I guess she is like her Mommy and a little terrified of dressed up characters.

And of course as soon as we walked away, Ella turned and said "bunny" with the biggest smile like she wanted to go see him again. I don't think so little one, not going back in that line again. Maybe next year when you are a little older and less scared.

But it was such a fun day and the weather could not have been more beautiful and it is so cute to see Ella start growing up and be able to participate in these rites of passage. And maybe one day she will sit on the Easter Bunny's lap.