The BIG 2!!!

How old are you, Madden?--This many???

I'm 2!!!!!

Don't judge, I had to use the flash. But these two pics are perfect! Today, my sweet baby boy turned two. Well...to get technical, it is 8:28 pm right now, and he wasn't born until 11:28pm, May 9, 2010 (Mother's Day), after 25 hours of labor!!! I can still remember pretty much every part of that day. Those 25 hours were totally worth it, and the best mother's day present ever!

We celebrated his birthday last Saturday, with a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta!

 I made his cake- a Cars theme--his favorite! It took me 3 days, but I was so happy with how it came out! 

 

  We went to the Dr. today for Madden's 2 year check-up. He had to get 1 shot but he did great! 

Weight: 29lbs (50th-75th%)

Height: 35 1/2 in. (90th-95th%)

Head: 49cm

We transitioned to a big boy bed about a month ago. He did awesome! My mom claims that he is not normal, because he stays in his bed and waits for us to come get him! He never tried to climb out of his crib, so I didn't know what he would do when we switched, but he has been an angel! 

We are also paci-free! (for about a week, now) This, also, was a pretty easy transition. He only used it at nap and bedtime, so I wasn't really planning on taking it at the moment, however, I went to give him a paci one night and saw that it had bite marks on it! He had almost bit it in half!!! So I offered him a different one. He didn't want it, so I said, "ok, no more paci!". He cried for maybe a minute, then fell asleep! Thus, bye-bye to the paci! 

Such a big boy now!

He LoVeS to play outside! 

He is a pro at using the IPAD! My mom has all sorts of learning games on it for him!

He Loves to eat beans! Any kind! 

He loves Reese (and all her toys)!

His laugh is infectious! 

His smile will melt your heart!

I am so blessed that God chose me to be his mommy! I pray that Matthew and I lead him and teach him to be the man God has made him to be. That we will be the example of love, commitment, and respect for him. And that he will know and have an intense relationship with the Lord! 

He is my sweet, adorable, crazy, hilarious, energetic, wonderful little boy...and he's TWO!!! Happy birthday Madden Valentine! I LOVE YOU!

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4 Months!

4 months have gone by...REALLY?!?

Miss Reese had her 4 month checkup this morning, and is a rock star!
Stats:
   Length: 26.5 inches (97%)
   Weight: 15 lbs. (75%)
   Head: 40 cm (50%)

-size 2 diapers
-3-6 month clothes..although at the moment she is wearing a 6-9 mo. sleeper!
-Loves to smile at her daddy
-laughs
-was currently sleeping through the night..however, she's a smart girl and has decided that making mommy get up at night to pay attention to her is way more fun...this all ends tonight! I am a CIO (cry it out) advocate. Don't hate me...she will be just fine.
-I'm sure there is more I am forgetting...sorry!

On another note-- Madden is about to be 2!!! What?! I think I'm still in shock about that. But to cope, we are going to have a Cinco de Mayo FIESTA! Filled with fajitas, margaritas, cascarones, and a pool for the kiddos! Party post to follow!

Here's a sneak peek from Reese's 4 month photo shoot...

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Time Out!

The soon to be dreaded words for Mr. Madden. We started time-outs this week. I have only had to do it twice...so far. The first time was a couple days ago. He was not a fan. He fought me and tried to escape--it was quite the struggle. He is very strong. The second time was this morning. Not as much of a struggle, and much shorter than the first!
Overall, I would say it has been a success! It actually works too! This almost 2 year's old fits are coming to a quick end. Hopefully. Pin It

Just the right words...Part 1

Peacefully you are sleeping
Silently you dream
And I cannot help but feeling blessed
While watching you

Your eyes
My eyes
Your smile
My smile
Your love
My gain
Your hurt
My pain
Your laugh
My joy
Every time, it's mine
You are my child

I will always protect you
Oh and I will even let you go
I'll spend the sweetest time holding you
And will let you grow

Your eyes
My eyes
Your smile
My smile
Your love
My gain
Your hurt
My pain
Your laugh
My joy
Every time, it's mine
You are my child

Don't ever be afraid
Don't ever be afraid
Cause I am here
And if you start to fear
Just close your eyes
And hear me say

Your love
My gain
Your hurt
My pain
Your laugh
My joy
Every time, it's mine
You are my child
-Plumb

As my babies are napping, I am listening to Pandora and this song comes on.

How perfect.  Pin It

Time Flies...

...when you're raising babies. Or should I say 'rearing'? In the words of my 5th/6th grade teacher Mrs. Bollinger, "You raise chickens. You rear children." Anyway...2 months have flown by!

Miss Reese had her 2 mo. check-up on Friday, as well as her first round of shots :(
She is exactly 12 lbs. and a whopping 23.5 inches! Which puts her in the 75th% for both! She handled her first shots like a pro and only screamed for a few seconds. Big brother Madden was there for moral support :)

Other stats:
~Still in size 1 diapers
~Size 3 mo. clothes
~She makes the cutest noises: coos, grunts, and she will even sing with you!
~Her curly hair is still there and growing!
~She looks super cute in tights :)
~Madden LOVES her...for now! ;) If you ask him if he loves his sissy, he gives a BIG nod 'yes'.
~She has had one major blowout, which of course happened not at home, but while we were at Alamo Cafe! It was a 6 wipey-change clothes-kind of mess! (Only a mommy would smile while typing that!)
~She is a sleeping BEAUTY!

Grandmommy and I took pics of her and since I don't have time to post those here, you can check a few of them out on her website www.reparker.shutterfly.com

more on rearing these babies later! Pin It

One Month!

Miss Reese is ONE month old (and 2 days)!!!

Interesting facts:
~She is approx. 9lbs 10oz. and 21 1/2 in. She gains about an ounce a day! Although I'm not sure how, seeing as she spits up what seems like everything she just ate, at almost every "meal". :/
~She has a brand new cousin: Harleigh Katheryne, born yesterday Jan. 23, who weighs 9lbs 7oz and is 22 in.!!! I guess the race is on! :)
~Wearing size 1 diapers
~Still wears 0-3 mo. clothes! Although I put her in a 3-6 month sleep and play outfit the other day, and it fit (length wise)! ahh!
~Slept in her cradle last night for the first time and did great! She usually sleeps in her moses basket, on the bed, next to me.
~Sleeps on her belly, just like big brother Madden used to!
~Is an awesome sleeper. I would tell you how awesome but I don't want to jinx it! :)
~Holds her head up fairly well
~Burps like her momma, toots like daddy :)
~Hates a wet/dirty diaper, unless she is asleep. Then apparently it doesn't bother her all that much!
~Loves to be held up on my shoulder, not cradled like a baby. (Madden was the same way--my children like to think they are older than they are!)
~Not a huge fan of tummy time

There is so much more to this little buttercup! She is just wonderful, and Madden loves her to pieces! He gives her kisses everyday, puts her paci in her mouth when it falls out and if he finds one sitting around, he thinks it is necessary to give it to her! He loves to look at her and is going to be the best big brother ever!

I love my 2 babies more than anything! 

Here are a few pics from her One Month Photo shoot! Enjoy!

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Jumbled Mess

Everyday, I go to my blog with every intention of typing something..anything...and well, nothing. nada. zilch.
And even now as I sit here typing, I can't piece together what it is that I want to post! Trust me, with a toddler and a newborn, I have the material!
AhHa...something has wiggled out of my brain!

People always ask "Who does she look like? You or Matthew?" My response "Madden!". The first time I saw her that's all I could think, "Oh my goodness! She looks just like her brother!"

Madden

Reese

 

 

 

HA! It's crazy to me how much she looks like Madden! They have the same facial expressions, the shape of their legs are the same, they have the same cute button nose...I think it's wonderful! Some differences: 1.While Reese has the "Hickman lips" she likes to suck in her bottom one, but when she gets mad it definitely comes out!
2. She has beautiful curly hair!
3. She spits up way more than Madden did :(
4. Her feet are perfectly tiny! Madden had monster feet and super long arms!

It's hard to believe she will 4 weeks old on Thursday! Time seems to fly when I read that, but in reality, it feels like we're in slow motion! Not sure if that makes sense, but I also don't know any other way to put it! :/
Brain mush has now taken over, so to avoid confusing all of you with my own stream of consciousness, I will end with some more pics from Miss Reese's photoshoot! :)

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