fun in the sun

let the season begin!

=D

so...busy...

(the teething mama and her RUBY red lipstick)

I apologize...my blogging has been just terrible. Between our on-going house remodeling, planning Paxtin's 2nd bday party, and her 2 year molar making its last stab-it's safe to say I have been a bit busy.



There is really not a whole lot going on. Pax has been feeling terrible for about a week now while the other half of her molar cuts in....which means I have been feeling terrible, too. =( I see some improvement in her today, so hopefully she is on the down slide of these FINAL teeth.



We have big things coming up. Her 2nd birthday party is next weekend and I think she is going to love it. I switched her party venue, so hopefully that will all work out. We also have some weddings and other family gatherings that are going to be a blast, too. Summer is officially UNDERWAY!!

Workin' at the carwash...

When you've got your own set of wheels, you better learn to keep them shiny. =) Her daddy has taught her well.

Old School vs. New

Duck on a string-$20 bucks at a craft fair

Playskool rose Petal Cottage-$150 on Amazon

I guess you don't HAVE to have those fancy new toys. =) A duck on a string works just as well. But, she sure does love the cottage.

I, on the other hand, would like to request a window unit for ours. Improper ventilation Playskool! It's HOT in there. ; )

Meet BIG Dora

Yesterday, I posted Paxtin's 23 month picture and you may have noticed her new buddy sitting there beside her. Meet BIG Dora.

My new obsession for the moment is garage sales. This was only my 2nd weekend at it, but I have actually found some great bargins! New light fixtures for our new house, books and clothes for Pax at STEALS, and also priceless items like this fine giant Dora.

I saw it as I was coming up the driveway at my last stop of the morning and she was priced at a QUARTER! 25 cents for a smile that will light up the room. Didn't even think twice about it. Dora was mine. I couldn't wait to get her home, lysol her up and see what Lambie thought of her!

She's in love. I just wonder if perhaps big Dora will require a car seat?! ; ) She's quite LARGE. I'm hoping I can convince P to leave her as a bed toy. We'll see who wins that battle.

23 Months Old

So, here we are. On the verge of turning TWO. I cannot express to you how sad and happy I am all at the same time! On one hand, I have a very independent, funny, smart, walking, talking toddler. But, then there's the other hand, the one that misses that little bitty baby, the drool bubbles, the ooohing and ahhing, and even the spit-up. ;)

What an amazing two years it has been with Paxtin. It would be an understatement to say that she has changed everything about each and every person in this family. Because she has done so much more than that. She's stolen all our hearts.

So let me tell you what Ms. Independent is up to as she prepares to turn two:

Pax has totally sprouted in the leg department. She has long, long legs...skinny, too! She is definitely going to have her daddy's bird legs. Well, we both have bird legs, his are just 5 miles longer than mine. ; ) She is also a solid 30 pound little lady. She eats like a horse some days and will pick and munch others. I have finally let the new mommy worries go about her daily intake of each and every veggie, fruit, or grain...she's getting what she needs. Someway or in some form, she has 3 well balanced meals and plenty of snacks. She's also started drinking sugar-free chocolate milk. She's in heaven. =)

As far as her motor skills, she is self feeding 100% with her fork/spoon and I will probably introduce a real cup to her sometime soon after she turns two. She still sits in the highchair at most restaurants, but at Nannnie and Poppy's (and eventually at our new house), she is in a booster. It is so cute to see her sitting at the table like a little grown-up! I think she feels the same about it, as well.

She has also started getting into the independent, pretend play. She enjoys being in her room alone with her babies and play house. I try to sneak a peek at what she is up to in there, but she always catches me. She often marches out to the kitchen or den to grab a random item she needs-a measuring spoon or blanket. I love it. I could watch her play and talk to her babies all day. We have also started going to the park more with friends. It is about to get BRUTALLY hot here in the South, so we won't be able to go much longer, but for now she is really enjoying it. She is still pretty sketchy about the slide, but once you help her up and get her to let go of her, she LOVES it.

I could go on and on about each and every funny thing she says and does-but, it's easier just to say that, to us, she's completely perfect. She's the happiest, giggliest, most bubbly (almost) two year old you can imagine. I can't wait to see what changes the next year will bring!!

Happy 23 months my Lambie baby.

Love you to the moon

Mother's Day-by paxtin

Shhh...I'm taking over my mommy's blog!! (It's me, Lambie. =))

This was an exciting weekend at my house. Well, all week was pretty cool. First, one day, this man with a big saw came over to my Nannie's house and cut a big hole. He pulled the black box she makes yummy stuff in out and replaced it with this shiny silver box. When my Nannie came home, she was sort of quiet.

Just staring at the new silver box! What ever it was, it made her very happy. Mommy said she got the new box because she was such a wonderful Nannie (and mommy) and I believe that. She is. My Nannie so funny.

So, then a few days later (I think) my daddy told me that we had to get mommy a present because she is such a wonderful mommy, too! I got mommy these really pretty flowers. I liked them so much-kind of wanted them for me. But, mommy lets me smell them whenever I want, so that's ok, I guess.

And I made her this card. They painted my hand at my school!

Daddy got mommy a present, too. He said he loves mommy very much and that mommy was "aching and tired" Whatever that means. So, he bought her a ticket to the spa. I'm sure she will tell me all about the spa-wonder if they have fruit snacks and juice there? I will have to remember to pack some for mommy.


Sunday was the best day ever. And not just because it was my mommy's 'day', but because her and daddy took me to the ZOO!! Oh how I have waited and waited to go to the animal place. Mommy told me all about the things I would see and she was so right. LOOK!! I didn't see Diego there, mommy said I might. He likes animals, so I do, too.

My Mommy had the best day ever. She said so. She gave me lots of kisses and told me how much I am loved. And I believe her! (She kisses me A LOT. )

I love you peoples.

Pax

First swim of the season

And she LOVED it!

Glad I bought this little pool from Dollar General because I would have probably bought these same ones for her splish splash birthday party and they were TINY.

Have to pull out the big guns for the big T-W-O. =)

The Name Game

I haven't done a "Show us Your Life" post from Kelly's Korner in so long! But, I was kind of intrigued by this one today about baby names.

The theme this week is to discuss how you came up with the names you chose for your children and/or any names that you love for future ones. I have enjoyed reading some of the posts that people have added to her site. There are some neat family names and wonderfully unique ones, too.

Our daughter, Paxtin Grace, was (according to who you ask) supposed to be an Isabella. Everyone loved the name, including myself. I just always knew I would have a little Isabella Marie. Isabella just because it was pretty and girly and Marie for my momma's middle name. Well, fast forward about 2 years and 9 months ago to the day I found out I was pregnant. I had to really start SERIOUSLY thinking of a baby name-serious business. A name that he/she would carry forever. And I also for the first time put Isabella with my married last name: Lawlis. And as you can see-that is one too many L's! Soooo-the name game began. I pulled names from anywhere you can imagine; books, the web, tv shows, movies, etc. I was blank.

Girls' names were never that difficult for me, but I was totally clueless about boys. I didn't even pick one out in case Paxtin was a boy! The only name we both agreed on was LUCA (pronounced LUKE-UH) GARIN (a combination of my dad's name and cody's). We decided not to do the wildly popular trend of using family names, although there is nothing wrong with that. It just wasn't something that interested us. And there aren't that many neat maiden or middle names in either of our families.

As for girl names, we tossed around TONS. It was down to a short list of a few when I remembered a little girl who went to the preschool I worked at. She was a Paxtin and I never forgot the name. It stuck with me and I loved how unique it was without it being too weird. That's hard to achieve. =) And to my surprise, my husband also loved it. Not at first, he was a little unsure, but it grew on him and he eventually started to like it, too. I let him choose the middle name and he went with the very classic Grace. I think it is just a name he loves. There really is no other story than that! We loved the name and we agreed on it-not an easy thing to achieve.

As for our future children?? Well, I always like to keep those names to myself, but I already know that if we have another girl, she will either be a PIPER GREER or ROWAN SOFIA. Not sure which just yet. Paxi and Piper sound like a pair, right?!?! A pair of trouble makers. ; )

Boys-who knows. GARIN is still a name we both love as well as BROOKS, HENDRIX, and the old standby-LUCA.

Time will only tell what the future holds for the Lawlis babies. =)

Back to the park

Paxtin woke up the other morning and I asked her when she was up if she wanted to go to the park again. Her response, "Hay Hay park?" (Hayden, park?) She wanted to invite her little buddy, Hayden to go again! Sooooo sweet my Lambie is.

I wish this picture was a little better, but Pax was sitting in the direct sunlight and her pale complexion doesn't allow for good photography! At least, for me and my limited experience.

Paxtin is a very good socializer and I am thankful for that. I can see where her one day a week at Mother's Day Out is really paying off.


I am excited for Mother's Day weekend!! I had planned a family trip to the zoo months ago for this weekend and didn't even realize it was Mother's Day. I am BEYOND excited to take Paxtin to the zoo. She is really going to freak. With all the house renovation going on in our lives right now, a little get-a-way to the zoo will be just what we need.

Remember your mommy and everything she does for you!

The Wonder Place

Finding things to do with a toddler can be tricky, especially when you live in an area that has VERY limited activities/play areas.

We usually have to travel a good 40-60 min. to go to neat places like Gymboree or the zoo, but sometimes it's worth it. Like on Wednesday when we finally got to try out The Wonder Place.

Much like a little children's museum, The Wonder Place is all about imagination. It is packed full of fun little creative and imaginary play areas for kids from ages 2-8. My friend Ashley met us there and brought her little boy, Drew, who is a few months younger than Pax.

Drew and Ash had already visited the Wonder Place once before, so they were a little more familiar with the layout. However, it didn't take Paxi long enough to figure out all the fun little gadgets and activities.

I kind of wish I could build one of these in a house someday! She played with those velcro shapes for so long...organizing them and moving them all around. Would be a nice little thing to have on a rainy day!!


The Wonder Place is also really neat because they have tons of 'pretend play' areas. Like this little vet office. Right down to the little critter scrubs and metal exam table!! Sooo cute. Pax loved taking care of her little sick animal and giving it its 'may-cine'. =) She would make such a cute little MD one day.


Aside from all the puppets, dress-up, climbing equipment and play grocery and restaurant, Paxtin's favorite thing was the water table. Like a moth drawn to the flame, she bolted for it when she first saw it and played in it for the longest time. They had little turtles (that she later examined at the vet area...ha!) and boats, cups, etc. Really neat sensory fun.

All in all, I would give the Wonder Place a big two thumbs up. If you are in the area, I REALLY suggest checking them out and making a day to take your little one. Pax is almost 2 and I thought that was the perfect age for this place-6& 7 would probably be pushing it, some of the stuff would seem a little babyish.

Can't wait to go back soon!

Sweet Dreams are Made of This

This never, ever gets old.

I still creep into her room late, late every night...to watch her sleep. And I love when I still catch her snoozing in the morning. There really is nothing more sweet than this.