"Christmas Time is Here!"

Today we enjoyed Ryan's Christmas dance recital.  For a 2 year old (the youngest in her class...and I believe even in the school!) she didn't do too bad.  Here are a few pictures from today.

We are so proud of you Ryan Claire!!

Terrible 2s (times 2)

It has been a while.

Probably because my summer vacation ended and I had to go back to work which means that I have NO time to...um...blog.

Maybe because when I read other blogs I'm so entertained by their posts that it makes me a little self-conscious about my own writing so I just give up on my own blog.

Or it could be that I have slacked in the picture taking department.  My little point and shoot is just not doing it for me anymore and the shots I capture aren't blog-worthy.

These are just a few possibilities on why it has been so long.  While these are all valid statements from me on why I haven't been blogging, the truth is that I am dealing with a more personal issue.

My sweet little angel baby (yes, this cute little girl at the top of the stairs)

is now

deep into her TERRIBLE TWOs

If I say left, she goes right.
If I say stop, she says "No, you stop!" and then I'm like "Did she really just say that?" and then we go to time out and then it's like a scene from Super Nanny.  Back and forth.  Screaming (from her) and crying (from me...and her) and R is watching (sometimes he steps in and miraculously she LISTENS) and other times he doesn't step in because, I mean, I have to learn to "control" her on my own, right? 

OR I call my mother and she laughs and says, "You were the same way.  You used to do the same thing to me." And then she says, "put Ryan on the phone".  and again, miraculously she LISTENS.

By the end of this daily scenario,  I am done.  I am exhausted.  I could collapse and sleep for days...if that were an option. The house is a mess.  I don't feel like folding the basket of laundry that awaits me that I had planned on folding when I got  home after I cooked dinner but the daily happened so now I'm like WHATEVER.

I don't understand.  Parenting wasn't supposed to be this hard.  I mean, I am the same person who considers herself a a master teacher who could control a classroom of 5 year olds with the clap of my hands and the ring of my little teacher bell.


The same person who considered herself a super organized person with a spotless house.  Not a thing out of place.

Before I had my own child I would look at other mothers and judge their parenting. (Yep, I did it.  I AM SO SORRY. I APOLOGIZE.  For real.) I would think in my mind..."I wish my child would do that to me" or "I would never..."

Well, I am eating every judgmental thought, comment, action....whichever it may be.

My child is giving me a run for my money.  

She is WEARING ME OUT.  

Most of the time, I feel like I don't know what to do.

This little girl

has rocked my little world.

And as hard as it may be, it is still the best 

"run for my money"

"rocked world"

and 

"WEARING OUT"

ever.

I wouldn't change it for the world.  I am learning to just take it a day at a time and thank God for her and all of her personality, independence, and "cuteness" because:

1. It could be worst
2. Some people wish for what I have

and I have to be content no matter what (Philippians 4:11).

Ryan, 

We have some difficult days but it doesn't matter.  I love you with everything in me.  You bring daddy and I a joy that we can't thank God enough for giving us.  You are growing up so fast.  Keep being you.

Love, 
Mommy and Daddy

Hampton Family Vacation

We took our "official" vacation a little early this year.  We headed to Mobile, Alabama and then on to Destin, Florida the week before Memorial Day.  It all began with the graduation celebration of R's oldest niece Samaiyah.  She is the sweetest young lady ever.  It's funny because I have been around long enough to see her grow up.  I first met her when she was 5 or 6.  Now here she is a valedictorian graduate on her way to Auburn University on a full ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP.  (Ryan, take note please)

After the graduation we all (the entire Hampton clan)  headed to Destin for our "Hampton Family Vacation". R and I LOVE the beach.  We are self-proclaimed beach bums.  I mean, I could lay out all day (yes, I said "lay out").  Ryan on the other hand was not instantly sold.

She did NOT like the sand.  Her shoes were off but she immediately demanded "Put my shoes on!  I don't like on my foot!"

This is where we stayed.

Casa De LaHunt 

The beach house was fabulous. 

(For more pictures of the inside visit the website www.oceanreefresorts.com  Click on "property search" and find "Casa De LaHunt".  We got EXACTLY what's showed!)

We had our own pool.  

 She played. 

We got ready for the beach.

 

We waited on our shuttle.

Time for the beach!

 We had plenty of family time. 

It was probably the BEST vacation I've ever had.  I must admit, I was a little concerned about having this big "family vacation".  Turns out, R's our family is pretty awesome.

I love the Hamptons.  

The only downside was that R's parents could not make it.  PawPaw has been ill so they decided to stay in Mobile instead of taking the chance on the ride to Destin with us.  Hopefully next year Shammie and Paw Paw will be well enough to make it.  (Because I think this should now be an annual family trip!) 

Introducing.....

Yes, she is only 2 years old (barely).  Yes, I am probably living a little vicariously through her already...

We are officially dancing.

Tapping. 
Balleting. 
Even a little tumbling.

 I decided to start with Summer Dance Camp to see how she would like it.  This is the picture from the first day in class.

Then they kicked all the mother's out of the room.

We had to watch via LiveStream next door:

But in the end it was all good.

 I mean, we must start early so that she can be the next Judith Jamison.

Spring Baby

Ryan took Spring pictures last week.  Adam (Restless Photography) did a fabulous job considering my Miss Drama had an attitude.  The start of the session (as in the first 10 minutes) were ideal.  The sky was blue the weather was cooperating.....and then the WIND started to blow.  To the point that I wished I had a jacket.

I felt like I was being a bad mother continuing on (I mean, the wind was really blowing).  She was chili but in the end she (we) toughed it out (SuperModel-Style) and the pictures came out pretty cute!

Then towards the end we had "the bike"....As I said, it was the perfect park day (other than the wind).  Families were out, people were jogging, kids were flying kites and riding bikes.  As we were walking to a new spot to take some pictures my child decided that she wanted a bike that was sitting on the back of someone's truck.  In my best mommy voice (because I really wanted to finish out the shoot) I explained to her that she couldn't ride the bike and that it wasn't ours.  Needless to say, this was the grand finale:

So I guess I know what to buy this sweet baby girl for her upcoming birthday.

Happy Spring from Miss Ryan!

The Pot

The time has come.

A time that, only a few months ago seemed  an eternity away. 

We are officially (as in "fbo").....
potty training
(*disclaimer--thanks to my Sister in Law Crystal for donating the potty)

Apparently my child thinks that she is already trained.  The past couple of weeks have been full of:

1. Chasing her naked be-hind around the house because she takes her pamper off whenever she can
2. Her telling us "stink stink" AFTER she has done it......and taken her pamper off....and made a mess that I HAVE TO CLEAN up....and wash another load of laundry AND bathe/wash her--for the 3rd time that day
3. Finding her in secret places (i.e. on the side of the couch or any other place where she thinks she can't be seen) grunting
4. and lastly, again TAKING HER OWN PAMPER OFF TO BE CHANGED

I am told that these are all signs that potty training should commence.

"Potty over here!"  Whoo hoo!!!

Happy Easter!

We had a beautiful Easter.  She seemed to enjoy the day.

From the photo shoot...

To playing with her bestie-cousins

And then of course her own backyard Easter egg hunt (thanks Uncle Evan for hiding my eggs!)

Until next time, be blessed!

Too fast

The past few weeks have been full of amazing milestones for my little girl.  She is growing so tall and her language is now full of new vocabulary AND complete sentences...The girl can talk.  NONSTOP.
And I love it.

I haven't posted any pictures of her for a while so here are a few of my recent favorites.

As you can see, posing for the camera has become one of her favorite things....just like mommy.

Ryan,

I love you with all my heart.  You amaze your daddy and I with every breath you take.  You are such a blessing.  A miracle.  I love that you love the same things I do; pizza, french fries, and cereal (Froot Loops) I'm still hopeful on the Mexican food....You even love to talk and dance!  This past weekend you started to say "I like to dance" whenever the Fresh Beats come on.
I pray and thank God each and everyday for you because there is no way that a love like this could exist without the love that He has for us.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy