My Little Ladybug

Last year I put together a ladybug costume for Emmalyn but had no where to take her plus she was pretty young, so it didn't get used.  This year, she was a big too big for it, but I still wanted her to be a lady bug so I searched for a new costume.  I found the body of her costume at TJ Maxx.  It is a bit on the babyish side (because I got the 6-12 month size) but I do love how adorable she looks in it.  

I tried it on her yesterday just to make sure it fit and so she could walk in it a bit before her first trick or treat outing tonight.  She didn't mind all that went into getting her dressed at all.  I think she knows she looks cute whenever I get my camera out and girl hams it up too!

On to her ladybug adventure! 

Can't wait to take her trick or treating!

Check out my newest photo shoot posted to the photography blog!

http://kaylawilkesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/tracy-ashley.html

You know you're a mom when...

~ You can't fit your groceries in the trunk of your car because it is full of baby gear.

~ You shower with bath toys at your feet

~ You find yourself saying "uh oh!" whenever you drop something even if a toddler is no where in sight.

~ Having a meal by yourself sounds more amazing than lame

~ You've had to replace not one, but two cell phones due to toddler mishandlings

~ Your "out the door" checklist now consists of: sippy cup, snack trap, diaper, wipes, and oh yea, car keys

~ You know the morning line up The Disney Channel

~ You feel naked if there isn't a child attached to you in some way

~ You give weekly manicures and pedicures, but not to yourself - and they are not pleasant

~ You've read certain books so many times that you don't even read them anymore.

~ Most outings require strategic planning

~ Your daughter has a better wardrobe than you do

~ Your mood depends on how your child(ren) are acting.

~ You are constantly monitoring and very in tune to what's on television or the radio

~ You are dreading the teen years and even more... college.

I love being a mom.  But more so, I love being Emmy's mom.

Check out my new photography post!

http://kaylawilkesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/bridal-shoot-amanda.html

IT'S A...

My best friend and her hubby found out the gender of their first little bun yesterday and had a gender reveal party last night.  I was so excited to be able to be there with her on "the best day of her life!" and celebrate with the happy couple along with their families.

Her sister in law is also pregnant with a boy!

The EXTREMELY happy daddy to be!

I love these two and little Hilton!

Move around like you just don't care...

Cause we're headed to the South Carolina State Fair!

 I have very fond memories of going to the fair with my parents as a small child, with friends after school in middle school, and with Caleb when we were dating in high school, and this year I got to introduce my first born child to it!  Even though daddy was not with us, the gang we went with took lots of photos so he could see our experiences and laugh with us!

We started the day off early - getting to the fair at 1030!  Crissy (my housemate) her parents, sister, and sister's friend tagged along with Emmy and me.  

On the way there, rain and dark clouds seemed to follow us, but after a few light sprinkles the sun showed up along with a breeze that was heavenly.  

Emmlayn was mesmerized for the first hour, just taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells.  

She enjoyed seeing some of our gang high up in the sky twirling around and around aimlessly.

Then we let her loose!

We chased her around for a little while then I thought it was time to try out the kiddie rides.  

We ventured to the tug boat and got all set to go when the kid in front of us started freaking out and climbing on his mom.  Emmy had a very terrified, concerned look on her face by this point as she watched the child scream in terror.  Not the best start to her first carnival ride.  Once it started up she kept looking at me to make sure I was okay.  I think she was a little scared, but once she saw that I was smiling it calmed her down.

Then we watched the grown ups ride a few more high intensity rides.

At one point we ventured away from the rides to see the animals.  Emmalyn absolutely LOVED it!  We went face to face with cows, rabbits, pigs, and ducks.  There was also a petting zoo complete with goats, donkeys, and monkeys.  

I think the best part of our experience from the day was Emmalyn getting to ride a pony.  I let her pet them first and choose which one she wanted to ride on.  She chose a black one, but he was a bit tall and she wanted to be able to hold on to me while riding so I put her on the white one which was a little smaller. 

Emmy was a little skeptical at first but for the most part she enjoyed it.

After all the excitement, she was exhausted!

As she slept Dani (Crissy's sister and I) rode Karen the elephant.

Then she woke up just in time for the elephant show, which was great!

The day was so good - but the whole time I was thinking about how much I wished Caleb was with us!  Maybe next year!

A few reasons I'm happy

~ Today I got to talk to Caleb for an hour!  We talked about our future together, our family, our future children, how we've grown through the ten years we've been together and how much we love and miss each other.  It was great!  I'm so blessed that God provided me with such an amazing man to spend my life with.  I'm still so in love with him and it only grows each day - even when we aren't on the same continent!

~ I have loved being a mom this week.  I have the week off which was very needed after nursing eleven, yes, eleven patients last week!  Even though Emmy has had her moments of drama this week, I absolutely love being her mom.  It is amazing, especially when she wants to do things like mom!

~ I got crafty tonight.  I haven't done a lot of crafts since Emmy has been born and since I don't have a home of my own to decorate at the moment.  I forgot how fun it is to be creative.

~ Emmy and I got the sweetest note in the mail today from her dentist.  They took a photo of her (as they do for all of their patients) and sent two of them to us - one for us to keep, and one to send to Daddy.  That small effort really meant so much to me - to know that even though most of the population doesn't have to go through or understand what it is like to have a spouse gone from you for months at a time in an area of increased risk, they try to show they care in other ways or try to help those who do go through this for the freedom of this country.  It just spoke volumes to me.  Sorry about the soap box - I'm just a proud army wife and American.

~ I watched a great movie tonight - To Save A Life.  If you get a chance, watch it.

~ I love my church.  I started going to a bible study with a small group on Wednesday morning that really helps get my mind back to Christ mid week.  I love that most of the people are so real and the teaching is bold but true.

~ I'm loving taking photos.  It really makes me happy and even if the whole business side of things doesn't take off, I'm so glad I have a hobby that I love and that I can offer to people.  It is also amazing to  be able to capture God's beauty in a snapshot.  Seeing a child's smile, a couple in love, or even big fluffy clouds - all God's beauty, and having a small part of it in our hands is just awesome!  And we still have no idea what beauty lies ahead of us in heaven!
Speaking of, be sure to look at my photography blog to see the sweet beauty that I just posted!
http://kaylawilkesphotography.blogspot.com/2011/10/sweet-baby-ava.html

Things I'm loving lately

1. Pinterest - I wish I had more hours in my day to spend on the site and then actually do the things that I find to do from it!

2. New Girl - laugh out loud at each episode.  I love how kooky Jess (Zooey) is.

3. Wild Smiles - Emmy's dentist appointment was today and went well.  The news was not what we expected, but I really enjoyed the staff and how much time and effort they put into making Emmy and me feel comfortable.  I highly recommend them if any mommies are looking for a pediatric dentist in Lexington.

4. one week off work!  Much needed because I totally feel like this while I'm there!

5. Hand written letters from my soldier - I love him and these are the best I get of him right now.

Pumpkin Patch 2011

Our first trip to the pumpkin patch this year did not exactly go as well as we hoped.  

It was a group even complete with Ellasyn, her mom, our friends Amanda, Clory, and Jenna and I got to meet Jenna's son, Eli, for the first time... Finally.  

The first thing that wasn't right about the day was the temperature.  It was hot.  Not exactly get-in-the-mood-for-fall weather.

Then, as Elizabeth got Ellasyn out of the car she yelled to us that little Ellasyn just projectile vomited all in the car (sorry for the visual, but projectile is a lot worse than just a little spit up).

We concluded that having a snack that included milk right after her dance class could have caused the sudden illness (we hope that's all it was), so Liz changed Ellasyn's clothes and the girls started running around the farm and seemed to be doing well.  

Ellasyn seemed to be doing okay, but then Emmalyn started getting tired and when she gets tired she gets selective hearing and just does her own thing.  I spent a lot of my time chasing her.  

Meanwhile, Liz was hosing off Ellasyn's carseat and Jenna was changing Eli's diaper, rocking him, feeding him, ya know, newborn stuff.

In between the chaos I managed to get a few good photos (I'm hoping Liz got a few too).  However, my child didn't want to sit with me long enough for us to get a good pic together which upset me more than it should since the only time I get photos with her is when we are with other people because daddy isn't around to work the camera.... but I digress.  

I present to you...

Pumpkin Patch 2011

The shirt was made by Liz's neighbor and a fellow LHS alum, Katie!

Emmy with Amanda (looking might chic I might add).

Baby Eli!!!!

Emmy exploring

I think this is such a sweet picture

Ellasyn trying out the mechanical horse (we didn't turn it on though)

Apparently Emmy needed a break so Ellasyn joined her

Overall it was good to catch up with friends and get outside some.  

Maybe we'll go again when the weather is a little more crisp.