Last Day of School

I thought my mom was crazy a couple of weeks ago when she said that moms would be crying on the last day of school but turns out, I was one of them :) I know it's mostly due to pregnancy hormones and Mac looked at me like I was insane but we have had such an amazing year and Betsy Grace truly had the most wonderful teachers, I just hate to see the year come to an end.

Here is Betsy Grace giving love to Ms. Stephanie...

and a huge hug to Ms. Joan!

Thank you Ms. Stephanie and Ms. Joan....for a fabulous year, for all the smiles and hugs, for loving my child like your own, for all the details and tips along the way, for your kind and loving spirits and your sweet encouragement! Betsy Grace loved every minute in your care and I loved knowing how happy she was with you. She has blossomed so much since September and it is such a testament to what kind of teachers and women you are. Thank you, thank you...we love you and will miss you so!

xoxo

Funny little things...

...about Betsy Grace at 22 months that I never want to forget :)

-She loves to tells secrets. You don't even have to whisper words, just speaking softly into her ear and her doing the same, makes her smile ear to ear.

-She is still obsessed with Elmo, although we now also love Big Bird and Ernie and she can say all of their names.

-If there was one place she could choose to be, it would be in the water. She even gets excited about water in the street gutter :)

-She loves to sing and sings ALL DAY LONG...be careful, she will most likely try to get you to act out Itsy Bitsy Spider.

-She loves to pronounce words that end with an "S" sound...for instance, her grandfather's name is Brun and she has started calling him Bruce because she prefers to say it that way :)

-Anything dirty or untidy she defines with the word "mess", except she pronounces it "MAE-ess"...little southern girl :)

-And speaking of southern, she knows how to properly use her please and thank you's, although she doesn't understand that just because you say please in the cutest way ever, you don't get your way!

-She tells me to SHHHHH but instead of putting her finger over her lips, she sticks her finger up her nose :)

-As she quickly approaches her second birthday, she is told no A LOT and gets mad often. She shows her frustration by grinding her teeth...awful sound and I am sure that she knows how much it irritates us.

-Her favorites phrases to say are "I wash" and "I walk"...she is an awesome duster and wants to be independent and walk everywhere. Good timing because I don't think I could carry 2 babies :)

-She has started saying her name and she calls herself "Bae-bace".

Time is flying too fast and I fear that one day I won't remember these precious little things that seem so big now. Thank you blogger for keeping my memories nice and safe!

xoxo

The Best "BIG" Girl

With Baby Sister's arrival being in 2 months or less, we have been working very hard on emphasizing that Betsy Grace is a big girl and not a baby. I am very hopeful that big sis will not only be sweet but "helpful"when the baby comes home, so anything positive that we can point out and reinforce is key as we all prepare :) I held a baby at the birthday party, just to test her reaction and although she did not cry, she gained a very stoic look and that little bottom lip started downward...uh oh!

Mac was out of town this weekend (and is on his way home, PTL) and my little muffin was SOOOO good! I still feel great and am not having any ailments but things are a little bit more challenging at 30 weeks and BG was an angel and made this weekend so much fun. We were packed with activities, of course...we went to a festival, a birthday party, out to dinner but also enjoyed some time just playing around the house. Sister's room was painted on Friday, so the metamorphosis has begun and I think a light bulb has gone off in BG's head that something must be happening. It hasn't seemed to click just by talking about my belly and babies, so maybe the "new" room will do the trick. Over the past couple of days, Sister's room has been her favorite place to hide and play...imagine that, it's like she is trying to mark her territory :) The rug and crib come this week, hopefully, so I will keep you posted on the continued reaction.

Up to no good, with a huge smile :) Here she is trying to close the door to Sister's room so that she can have some privacy. I can see those teenage years already!

Then she opens it up again, just to make sure that I am still there...my little love!

xoxo

Firemen on Duty

Betsy Grace's friend, Jack, turned 2 and had the most fabulous birthday party this weekend! He had a real live fire truck and firemen come to celebrate with him and the kiddos went WILD! They were able to climb in the truck and stand on the front and when they left they played their siren as they went down the street, BG just about died with excitement!!! Thank you Jack for having us, we had a blast!

Margaret Blount, BG and David...very proud to be on duty :)

The fire truck was a wonderful distraction to the cupcakes that were sitting on the table in the front yard (which she b-lined for after the truck departed). Little miss piggy lives for birthday parties, so that she can get some sugar (just like her mommy),

good thing we have Aunt Haines in the family!

xoxo

Mothers Day 2011

My family made Mother's Day so special yesterday, Mac cooked a big breakfast, we went to early church, took a long walk, all napped and then went to Anne and Carl's for dinner with B, SanSan and Grandmommy. BG had the best time exploring the house and found her own little seat :)

Very proud to find something her size!

B and BG

With cousin Braden

Being a mom is one of the best and most rewarding parts of my life. Certainly, its hard and challenging some days but the love that I have for my child is so pure and amazing. My heart feels so full right now, I can't imagine the feeling of having 2 but we can't wait...just 2 more months!!! Thank you Mom for being the best mom that I could ever ask for! I can't imagine doing this without you, you are my best friend, my counseler, my guide, and my 24/7 support. To all of the wonderful mama's that I know, hope you had a very happy day!

xoxo

Barksdale Beach Trip 2011

May kicked off with a wonderful Barksdale family week at the beach and it was a blast! Everyone was able to make it and there was not a dull moment, with 5 grandchildren under the age of 7, we were all kept very busy :) Our days were full of early mornings (none of the kiddos slept in) yummy breakfasts, long walks, sun time on the beach, lots of playtime and amazing dinners where we laughed until our sides hurt. Betsy Grace LOVED all of the action and is obsessed with her cousins! I was already excited for her to have a sister but this trip made me SO excited, she will have a best friend and playmate for life :) We weren't so great about taking pics, we were busy chasing our little one but we did manage to get a few.

Isabelle has a book called The Dog Book and BG fell in love with it.

She went to bed gladly if that meant we could read it:)

Ellie and Brun

Silly girl, finding entertainment on a rainy afternoon

All of the grandchildren listening to The Dog Book

And then it's morning time, little miss bedhead is up and ready to go!

Barksdale Family 2011, pre-sister arrival

Beautiful sunrise

On the beach with a mouthful of PB & J, eyeing the water. It did not matter how cold, she wanted to be in the water, obsessed is an understatement!

"Whoa, look at the waves coming up!"

She couldn't even take a time out to look at the camera. This water was so COLD, sweet Daddy had water duty, Mama happily was in charge of sand activities :)

See ya!

Love this...looking at her reflection

Such a happy beach baby

Catching up on the daily news

"It is so great that everyone laughs at everything I do!"

Thank you Brun and Ellie for a wonderful week, we have memories that will last forever and loved every second of our vacation! Y'all are the best!

xoxo

Easter Fun

We had a fun and family filled Easter this year and we loved every minute of it! Betsy Grace had become a pro at egg hunting but the time the actual holiday rolled around and she had the best time being with her cousins. We had a brunch after early church at Ellie and Brun's and not only was Mac's family in full attendance, mine was as well! Ellie is the hostess with the mostess, for sure!!!

Here is the yummy and beautiful cake that Haines made...unbelievable!

My brown eyed girl

Getting excited about those easter eggs!

BUBBLES!!!!

Ready, Set, GO!

Family Pic, I think BG is still looking for bubbles :)

Macon and Betsy Grace having a little tea party :)

Easter reminds me of all that I am thankful for, especially the ultimate gift of my salvation. Our church service was beautiful, I cried through every hymn (probably due to pregnancy) but I felt so deeply rooted and intimate with Jesus that day.

Hope everyone had a blessed Easter full of wonderful moments like we did!

xoxo