"Ma you must be crazy"

This is the look Dixie has been giving me lately. Thankfully right now it's not associated with attitude. She just thinks it's funny and cracks up laughing afterwards. I am sure in a few years she will be getting popped for giving me this look:)

Mother's Day Out???

A while back Evan had mentioned me looking into Mother's Day out 1 or 2 days a week for Dixie so that I could get a break or tutor and make some money. The thought repulsed me. There was no way I was dropping off my little girl when I have the ability to be a stay at home mom. There are more chances for her to get sick..yadda..yadda. I told him NO WAY!

The past few days my child has been ridiculously clingy to me at home. She follows me around and tugs at my pant legs...whinning if I am not holding her, reading her a book or giving her my FULL attention. Maybe it's because I am feeling a little under the weather today, but it really started wear on me.

When Evan got home I told him that I thought maybe she needed more opportunities to be around other people. I have playdates with people and we have a cousin day at least once a week. I feel like I get her out as much as the next stay at home momma. I mean she is only 1. Then I realized she is cutting like 4 teeth and has been kinda cranky due to it (maybe this was the cause)

I decided I would look into Mother's Day Out just to see how much it was for 1 day. I googled a local church and before I could even find the cost..I felt sick. I can't do it!!! Maybe I am too attached. It may be something I consider later when she is older, but for now I am going to cherish my time with my little girl before baby #2 arrives and she is forced to deal with sharing me. Don't get me wrong..I don't spoil my child I think it is good for children to develop independence, play on their own, and be exposed to others. We are just going through a little "time" right now. So I will just pray for patience and endurance during this phase and be thankful that God has provided me a way to raise my daughter at home. Being home with her is the HUGEST blessing and I wouldn't trade it for the world... I love it! But some days I just want to pee without my daughter trying to crawl on my lap:)

Crafty Craving

Now that I don't have to sew or be crafty...I want to be....go figure. I am dying to make Dixie some new headbands, outfits, etc. I have tons of fabric left over from apron remnants that I should be putting to good use, but I can't figure out what to do with them. I need to get her a new Saints outfit to sport this season, but don't have the cash to buy one. Any suggestions on what I can make or ways I can be crafty without spending $?

1st Bike Ride

I'm pretty sure that Evan was ready to buy Dixie a bike seat from the moment that she was born. We couldn't decide if we should get the front rider or back rider seat. After watching some youtube videos we decided to go with the Wee rider. It is the front rider seat.

We went on our first family bike ride this week around the neighborhood and it was so much fun! Dixie wasn't overly excited, but she was ok when Evan put her helmet on. I thought she would have screamed and put up a fight. She just kind of chilled and enjoyed the ride. She liked to watch my bicycle wheels go around as I rode next to their bike.

As my belly gets bigger, I won't be able to join the family bike ride for too much longer. However, while I can still balance myself, I look forward to this fun time. By the way...I think Evan was beaming as "proud papa" the whole time they were riding:) He's already talking about getting a new seat for the baby...I think we have a little time.

Family Beach Trip

We had so much fun on our family beach trip. Maybe I should call it our family pool trip, because that is where we stayed. I think we were on the beach a total of 5 minutes, including the time it took to wash Dixie's sand filled mouth and eyes out as she screamed.

The splash pool was wonderful for her and pretty relaxing for us to just sit in. Although, I'm not sure a vacation is going to be relaxing again for a while (it's so much harder with kids). But it is well worth it. We had fun making memories. Next beach trip we will be adding on another little McGinty. Here are a few of my favorite pics:

More than words

I have heard of several people keeping journals for their children, and I thought this was a wonderful idea. How special to be able to look back 20 years from now and have my children read what they were doing and how I was thinking as a mom. I think memories are one of the most precious gifts you can give your children. So, I decided to be a copy cat and start a journal for Dixie. I will start the new baby's once they make their debut in December. I am just making little notes here and there of special, funny, and I'm sure terrible moments.

I found this journal at a gift shop and thought it was too quaint to pass up. I could have made one myself for much cheaper, but I know I never will. I find myself smiling and wanting to cry at the same time, every time my pen touches the pages to write down a memory that she will read so may years from now. I hope she enjoys reading it as much as I do writing it.

Belly Button

Dixie discovered her belly button a couple of weeks ago and loves to pull up her shirt and point to it. She thinks it's hilarious.

Half way there!!!

20 weeks!!!!! I cannot believe how HUGE I am. There is no way 4 more months can squeeze into this belly:

Alphabet Shower

Thought this picture was fun. Dixie and her cousin Brooke were playing in all of my foam letters and throwing them in the air like confetti. I caught these letters in mid air all aimed for Dixie's face:) She didn't seem to mind.

Dixie's New:

Favorite Toy:

Her ice-cream truck that she got for her birthday. She loves to climb on and over it and press the button that plays the typical "ice-cream man" song. It's such a tease:)

Teeth:

She has 2 new teeth at the top and one more about to break through. That makes a total of 5!!! She looks too big with top teeth:(

Trick:

We call this move "Yoga Baby." I think it is the step in between scooting and trying to stand up without holding onto anything. She gets the bottom half up, but can't lift the top half. She thinks it is hilarious...and so do we.

Favorite thing to Kiss:

My Belly (aka the baby). She is so sweet. She will kiss it over and over. She is going to be a great big sister.

Toupee:

While my child is disparately trying to grow some hair, it seems as though it is only growing on the top of her head and not the sides...thus we have a toupee. This is the reason her daddy requires that a bow be put on her head anytime we go out. Good thing she has those big beautiful blue eyes to distract you...my poor baby:) This shirt should say: "I have my daddy's hair."

Reading Nook Chair

So I know I am supposed to be thinking about the new baby's room, however without knowing the gender...that is kind of hard. Dixie will be passing her furniture to the baby and when we save up some money, we will be getting all white furniture in her room. I can't stop thinking about making her a "reading nook." No, she can't read yet, but she LOVES books and she loves to climb and sit on things.

The reading nook area was always my favorite part of my classroom when I taught...hence having a 2 story castle in my classroom for 2 years....what a sad day when I left and they had to tear it down:(

Dixie will not have a castle...nor do I have any super fabulous reading nook ideas as of yet...I have very limited space and funds, but the one thing I have on my wish list is this chair in light pink from Pottery barn Kids:

My niece has one in her room and they are super comfortable...even I can sit in it and you can take the covers off and wash them. I love it because it will grow with her and I want her to always have a comfy spot to encourage her love of reading.

Just had to dream in writing for a minute. They are pricey...but maybe one day:) If you have any super cute reading nook ideas that are simple for a little girls room, let me know.

Club Cousins

It is such a blessing to have a great family that is so close. My sister, 3 cousins and I all grew up like sisters. 4 of us have kids and are stay at home moms. We get together every week for what we call "Club Cousins" and have lunch, let the kids play, and hang out. I am thrilled that our kids get to grow up together. There are currently 5 mini cousins (4 girls...and 1 boy) and 2 more babies on the way. Here are the 4 girls playing together in the kitchen. I love this picture. I hope they always stay close:)

And here are all the kids stuffed inside the ball bus with Aunt Lou Lou (the lighting was bad, but it's a cute picture)

And here is our Maw Maw who stopped by for a visit with all of her great grandbabies

Our Journey in Black & White

I decided that our house didn't have enough personal photos in the living room. I think they make a home feel homey. I love black and whites, so I decided to get those clear plastic box frames and I will make a small collage on the wall with these. I printed one picture from each "big" phase of our relationship to show our journey together:

Dating:

Engagement:

Wedding:

Pregnancy:

Our first born: Dixie Jean:

New baby to come soon!

Soaking it in

Dixie Jean has been a complete doll the last couple days. Hugging and kissing me, patting my back, laying her head on my shoulder, kissing my belly....it's been so precious! It makes me sad to think that I only have 4 more months alone with this sweet blessing of mine. I am trying to get in all the love I possibly can before the new addition arrives (which I am excited about). I had a dream last night that it was a beautiful baby boy with blue eyes and light barely there hair...like Dixie and we named him Beau. The baby has been kicking BIG time and I love it! For now I am soaking in my time with my girl and cherishing the little kicks from my little mango (that's the size the baby is:)

Dixie says a few names