Who Needs Toys? ~ Day 285

When you can roll around in your brother's hamper? Ewww!

Fun With Balloons ~ Day 284

Lights @ The Zoo ~ Day 283

Tonight we took a trip to our local zoo to see the lights. It was busy! Mommaw, Poppaw, Daddy and Brenden with Kensi.

Riding the carousel

Mommy rode it too!

A Little Too Real ~ Day 282

Checking out a rocking horse while we were out shopping. After this picture was taken I discovered a "press here" button. It made the horse neigh and his tail wag....freaked Kensington out! Guess Santa won't be getting her this after all!

Thanksgiving Day ~ Day 281

Here is Kensi playing dress up with Daddy's shoes. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in our home this year with just our little family and Mommaw and Poppaw Nichols. Perfect!

Making Brownies ~ Day 280

Can you guess what her favorite part was?

2 Year Check Up ~ Day 279

Kensi went for her 2 year check up today. I love our pediatricians office b/c it reminds me of mine when I was growing up. Each room has it's own theme and a mural painted on the walls. It's not "new" looking. It's kinda old and "homey" which is part of the charm for me. Kensi loved this room today. It's the first time we have seen it.

Underwear ~ Day 278

This seems to be one of her favorite past times. Apparently this is the case with most children. Thankfully they are clean....and YES. A little big. Mommy is pregnant! I'm not sure what Daddy's excuse is though! Ha!!

Girls Day At The Mall ~ Day 277

I took Kensington to the mall with me today and we spent quite a bit of time there. She did great. She especially loved riding this little carousel.
Looking back with a smile!

New Ride ~ Day 276

We recently got a new double stroller in preparation for the new baby on the way. This will be completely necessary if I am ever gonna get out of the house for a bit with both kids. We are looking @ my freedom here! Kensi really seems to like it quite a bit. Just look @ that smile! Thanks Papa and Gigi!

Peek A Boo ~ Day 275

Kensi woke up from her nap today wanting to play in her room, which is something we don't do nearly enough. The change of scenery was wonderful. Here she is hiding from me!

Don't Give Up ~ Day 274

My little girl loves blueberries frozen. Has for quite awhile now, especially when she is getting new teeth. She is finally cutting her 2 year molars on the bottom (I actually SEE them this time). They decided to start coming in right around the same time as we got her a flu shot and the H1N1 vaccine... as if that wasn't enough already! I wonder when the top ones will decide to show? So I was trying to snap a good picture and I finally muttered under my breath "I give up!". It was hard to get a good photo using my iPhone b/c the delay on the shutter is so long. The next thing I know my daughter looks at me and says "Don't give up Mommy!" I about died! I am still amazed everyday @ how grown up she is. I just know she got the phrase from the TV show Yo Gabba Gabba. They sing a song "Don't Give Up, Never Give Up". The show is wacky and more than a little "out there but it teaches good lessons and Kensington just loves it.

Santa's Coming Early ~ Day 273

At least @ our house that is what is happening with a few of the items! Kensi seems to just love her new bookshelf. It is actually from her Mamaw and Papaw though, not Santa. Thank you!

My Betsy! ~ Day 272

Recently Kensington has went from calling our dog Betsy "Bobum" to calling her by her real name. Just as suddenly as she started using the nickname of unknown origin, she started using her real name again. Actually most of the time she likes to lay claim to her as well by calling her "My Betsy". She just loves this dog and gets upset when Mommy lets her out to potty. Here they are relaxing together on the couch. I think I am gonna miss the nickname though =[

A Box Is Always Fun ~ Day 271

What a great change of pace to have something new to play with. This entertained her for quite awhile!

Little Brother's Room ~ Day 270

"Helping" fix up baby brother's room by modeling the valance! This was close to bedtime and she just loves to be naked.

Piano Girl ~ Day 269

Kensington found this mini piano today in Itsy Bitsy World @ the mall. Look @ how much she is concentrating! So cute! She absolutely loved it. I didn't dare look @ the price tag though. I'm sure it wasn't cheap!Whoever came up with this is a genius in my book. It is just adorable.

Never Wake A Sleeping Baby ~ Day 268

Or Toddler for that matter! Yikes! I had to wake Kensi from her nap today to go and pick Brenden up from school. She happened to be in a deep deep sleep. Not only did I have to wake her, I had to dress her too! She usually naps in her diaper or just a shirt because her room gets so hot @ nap time. Then after dressing came the car seat, which has been a struggle on a daily basis lately, even when she is in a good mood. *Sigh* She wants to sit in the seat beside her, not in her seat. So after huffing and puffing and finally getting her in the seat, I was one worn out mama. She was full of tears and protest. It had to be done, however. We couldn't be late to pick up Brenden and Mommy still had to get gas.
Imagine my surprise when I looked back to her after I pulled out of the drive way and saw this:
Suddenly all calm and quiet! And in those sunglasses? She was definitely WAY... TOO... COOL! It cracked Mommy up. After the tantrum we had just been through it was the reminder I needed as to how charming and special this child of mine is. Challenging? Yes. Tiring? Of course. Would I change her? Not for the world!!

Outside fun ~ Day 267

Family fun outside! Too bad it gets dark so early now =[

Storytime ~ Day 266

Enjoying some library books with Brenden.

Loving Two ~ Day 265

Loving Two

I walk along holding your 2-year-old hand, basking in the glow of our magical relationship. Suddenly I feel a kick from within, as if to remind me that our time alone is limited. And I wonder: how could I ever love another child as I love you?

Then she is born, and I watch you. I watch the pain you feel at having to share me as youve never shared me before.

I hear you telling me in your own way, Please love only me. And I hear myself telling you in mine, I cant, knowing, in fact, that I never can again.

You cry. I cry with you. I almost see our new baby as an intruder on the precious relationship we once shared. A relationship we can never quite have again.

But then, barely noticing, I find myself attached to that new being, and feeling almost guilty. Im afraid to let you see me enjoying her as though I am betraying you.

But then I notice your resentment change, first to curiosity, then to protectiveness, finally to genuine affection.

More days pass, and we are settling into a new routine. The memory of days with just the two of us is fading fast.

But something else is replacing those wonderful times we shared, just we two. There are new times only now, we are three. I watch the love between you grow, the way you look at each other, touch each other.

I watch how she adores you as I have for so long. I see how excited you are by each of her new accomplishments. And I begin to realize that I havent taken something from you, Ive given something to you. I notice that I am no longer afraid to share my love openly with both of you. I find that my love for each of you is as different as you are, but equally strong. And my question is finally answered, to my amazement. Yes, I can love another child as much as I love you only differently.

And although I realize that you may have to share my time, I now know you'll never share my love. There is enough of that for both of you .you each have your own supply.

I love you-both. And I thank you both for blessing my life.

Author Unknown

Not Mommy's Best Moment ~ Day 264

Just some random shots today. Couldn't catch her while we were playing outside.I do have a funny story though. After being outside we came in for me to make some lunch. So as I was heating up some lunch Kensington was playing with what I thought was a leaf. No biggie. Until I really looked and listened to her playing. I kept hearing her say "cricket" and I thought that was strange. Sooo....

I peered around the corner and saw her set something on the couch. I went around and looked and, lo and behold.... it WAS A CRICKET!!!! I started freaking out and screaming. Laughing/crying/screaming and jumping around. The look on Kensi's face was priceless. She had no idea what Mommy was doing. Oh my! I hate bugs. Especially in my house or anywhere near me! Well, I woke Chad up out of a deep sleep from all of my screaming and also managed to give my mother a heart attack as she sat on the line on the phone that I had abandoned to the floor. Whooo! Did I need a stiff drink after that ordeal! Kensi too I'd imagine. We both settled for some juice on ice and lunch though.
I kept asking her during lunch what did mommy do when she saw the cricket? Then I imitated myself freaking out.... She thought that was pretty funny!

Throwing Stones ~ Day 263

Today was a beautiful day! High of 68 and sunny. Yes, it is November!! We took the kids to the park for a little picnic. Afterwards we fed the ducks and the little minnows. Do you think they wanna chip Mommy?
We then took a little stroll. Kensi is still munching on some lunch.
Time for some stone throwing. Look @ that arm! Maybe softball is in her future?

They just had an absolute blast doing this.

Neela giggling @ Kensi. If you look closely you can see the pebble Kensi is throwing.

One last toss!

Headed back to the cars. Everyone was "oohing" and "ahhing" over these two holding hands.

Can you blame them?

This is my favorite park. When I first moved to Columbus, before I met Chad, I would come here a lot with my Sadie and walk around the pond and throw sticks with her. This area where the girls are throwing their pebbles is right were Sadie used to run in after the sticks and enjoy swimming. This place is very special to me and I was so happy to share it with my daughter for the first time!