First School Picture

Ahhh...The long anticipated first school picture.  

Welcome to a lifetime of bad photos and blaming your parents for your "bad hair day" little Lauren.

The "Next" Big Girl Bed

This past weekend, Bryon and I decided to put up the Christmas tree.  And as these things normally go, that meant we had to rearrange the furniture in our living room to make room for the tree.  

Which meant we needed to move Lauren's toys out of the living room into her bedroom.

Which meant we needed to remove her crib/toddler bed.

Which then meant we had to go and buy a new comforter, sheets and pillows for her new "Big Girl" bed. 

Which now means, Lauren is wanting to sleep in OUR bed, has decorated her own room, and we are no longer allowed to come in. Exhausting!

The finished product

Straight out of the design magazines.

A dresser adorned with a princess tiara, 

a lone "Hello Kitty" slipper, 

and a fake watermelon.

Sleep tight baby girl!

Thanksgiving 2013

Lauren's preschool asked all of the children what they were thankful for this year.  Thank goodness our little girl has her priorities straight!

Not quite up to snuff

This past week has graced the Thomas house with pneumonia for little Lauren.  Three breathing treatments a day, a round of antibiotics and $35 in bribery toys later, we are finally feeling better.  Poor thing!

Halloween - Take 4

It's Halloween (or at least it was when I started this post)!  The funnest time of year where we decorate the house with pumpkins and witches, Grandma Kathy makes us a custom-made costume, and we have access to an endless bowl of chocolate candy. What's not to love right?

We started out with high hopes the day the costume arrived!

But after numerous pre-Halloween events we started to lose our purr.

And by Halloween Eve...

we were done with candy (I had to carry her to three houses), 

done with the scary decor (Lauren has been in our bed ever since), 

and certainly done being a cat!

Better luck next year!

Staycation 2013

As you are all likely aware, Bryon and I have been traveling ALOT this year. Traveling alot without Lauren.

So once she made us aware of this mishap, it was time to plan a "staycation".  Last weekend we packed up the Dora suitcase (including everything but clothes and jammies) and off to downtown Kansas City we went.

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. we....

• Went to the planetarium to see the "Elmo & Big Bird Moon and Stars" show
• Dined at the train restaurant
• Toured the aquarium and held a star fish
• Played at the indoor play place
• Saw a 30 minute puppet show
• Snacked on chocolate ice cream with gummy worms on top (not the parents...we had a glass of wine)
• Checked into the hotel
• Went up and down in the elevator four times
• Jumped on the bed
• Went out for dinner
• Came back and rode the elevator
• Jumped on the bed some more
• Played hide and seek in a 220 square foot hotel room
• Watched a movie
• Read Books
• More snacks (in bed)
• Slept (as much as you can with a horizontal toddler in the middle of your king size bed)
• Went to breakfast
• And then headed home for Halloween crafts and decor

Note: If you are exhausted just reading this, then you should imagine how her parents felt.

Lauren had a ball but was ready to come home, and her parents are still recovering till the next staycation. Fun!

Monthly Results

First, I want to apologize about the delay in not providing a blog update in well over a month. But spend one afternoon at my house and you will quickly realize that Lauren is not the picture-loving, captive audience that she once was.  We are running/tending/soothing/playing/feeding day and night!

Since my last post in early September however, we have had a slew of "firsts" and new successes.

Monthly Results:

1) Tour de Lauren!  Lauren has finally graduated from her infant tri-cycle  (thank you again Aunt Coni) to a real big girl bike complete with helmet, basket, and those stringy things that every kid in the 70's HAD to have coming out of their handlebars.  We are proud to say Lauren has had no major falls, and can even use her body weight to get herself up to the top of the cul-de-sac.  "Go Lauren Go"!

2) Off to the Fair!  Lauren rode her first carnival ride.  Although she still claims how scary it was, we know it's just the start of 10+ years of roller coasters. Oh my aching back!

3) Everyone Poops!  We are almost officially potty-trained.  True, we've been trying for the past six months, but Lauren now seems to prefer panties over pull-ups and we are well on our way to visiting every public bathroom in the Kansas City metro.  Whew!

In typing this, I see how quickly time passes and how quickly Lauren is growing.  We are so proud of you Lauren and look forward to the next month of "firsts".

A "Tail" for Tuesday

This past weekend as I was getting dressed, Lauren and I had a very pivotal, deep conversation for which her Mother was NOT prepared.

Lauren:  "Mama, why don't you have a tail like Daddy?"

Mom:  "I'm sorry Lauren, what did you just say?"

Lauren:  "Why don't you have a tail coming out of your bum like Daddy?"

Mom:  "Lauren, girls don't have tails."

Lauren: "Why not?"

Mom:  "Go ask your Father."

I may not know much about being a Mom, but I do know that when the conversation gets rough, send her to Daddy to address it.  Sorry Bryon!

Lauren's Week in Review

Lauren...

Is now tall enough to turn on all of the lights in our home.  Now we need to focus on the turning "off" part.

Just learned how to slam her bedroom door.  We knew this day was coming but at the age of three???  The best part is when she also tells you "you are not my best friend" while doing it.  

Has decided she has no interest in getting potty trained.  The preferred options are:  Pee on the floor; Pee on herself and then walk around in wet clothes; Or dispense of wet clothes somewhere in the house and then go back to whatever she was doing in the first place.

This past week, many of Lauren's preschool classmates have moved from the Elephant class over to the Alligator class. The rooms are joined by a bathroom.  The good news is that Lauren is going to the bathroom A LOT at school.  The bad news is that she's not actually using it, but rather using the bathroom to sneak into the Alligator room to find her friends.

Had decided that she wants to be Batman when she grows up.  Although I'm all about letting her become her own person, I think she and Daddy are watching too much TV.

Happy Friday everyone!

The Elephant in the Room

Great news!  Miss Lauren has been chosen as "Elephant of the Month" at her preschool.

Although we are new to this, I think being chosen as the Elephant is much like being voted homecoming queen or perhaps even President of her class.  Surely it's a distinguished honor since they requested photos  AND conducted a formal interview, right?

And her parents couldn't be any more proud that after three full years of endless lullabies and toddler tunes that the "Chicken Dance" is her favorite song.  Say what?

The Birthday Party

After three full years on this earth, Lauren had never had an official birthday party with pint-size people such as herself.  So we headed over to the local Splash Zone pool and Lauren got to celebrate her birthday (AGAIN) with some close friends and family.

The parents were too busy making sure the children were all afloat to take any pictures, but the pictures we took ensured that Lauren had a wonderful time!

Lauren's 3rd Cupcake Birthday Cake 

"But Aunt Jerris...I want the WHOLE cake".

"One little poke.  No one will know".

"Well it is MY cake after all".

"Now this is getting fun"

"Anyone want a piece?"

Happy 4th of July

4th of July is a favorite holiday for our family and this year was no exception!  All of our family joined us for Lauren's extended birthday weekend and I don't think there was a single holiday tradition that we failed to do.   And keep in mind, this was all in a 12 hour period!

• Golf
• Fireworks (the illegal kind in our cul-de-sac) compliments of Daddy/Uncle Bryon
• Pool Time

• A Barbecue (deviled eggs and corn the on cob included)
• 4th of July Parade (you've got to love the scary clowns)

• Running through the sprinklers
• Yard Games

• Water Balloons
• And we finished the day off with a VERY exciting Fireworks Display (based on everyone's reaction but Lauren's)

 It was a wonderful day and we look forward to continuing the tradition for year's to come.  Thanks everyone

Happy 3rd Birthday Lauren!

It's official!  Lauren is three years old and just happens to have the best birth date EVER!  It was so fabulous that it's taken me almost a full month to get through all of the fun, festivities, pictures and gifts from her big week.  So here goes!

The first key to a fabulous 3rd Birthday is to get all of your family to come and celebrate with you.  Throw them all on planes, trains, and in automobiles, and have them travel as far as Phoenix or from just down the road.  Wherever you live just be sure and don't miss the party because it's all about me turning 3!

Throw in a cookie cake, balloons, a slew of presents, and the Annual Birthday Hat from Cousin Sam and you are set to CELEBRATE.

Birthday Day Hat - Year #1

Birthday Hat - Year #3

Says Aunt Jerris to Lauren
"Lauren, this weekend is going to be all about you.
You can eat whatever you want, tons of candy, skip naps,
and I will give you anything you want"!

"Huh?  Three candles?  How did I get so old"?

Don't forget...it's all about the frosting.

"Drum roll please"

"Ahhhh!  PRESENTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS"

"Okay Uncle Mike.  I'll share my new Rapunzel Wig."

Thank you Grandpa Bob, Aunt Coni, Aunt Jerris, Uncle Mike, Uncle John, Grandma Susie and Cousin Sam  for celebrating Lauren's special day with her.  Love you all.

Happy Father's Day 2013

Bryon,

If Lauren could write, I know that she would want to wish the BEST Dad in the world, the happiest of days.

You have overwhelmed us all with your patience, love and commitment to being a Father and a friend to our little girl.  Lauren adores her "Daddy" in every way, and over the last three years you have shown yourself to be all of the things that a Father should be.

Thank you for sharing this journey with us and for loving us like you do.

Happy Father's Day!

Lauren and Sydney

First Day at Preschool

It's here!  The official start day of Lauren's 19+ year public education.

Although we've had a wonderful experience at her in-home daycare it's time for baby girl to learn boundaries, a schedule, how to share, how to potty and how to pick-up.  Oh!  And a few new phrases in Spanish won't hurt either.

Sending a toddler to preschool today is much like sending them off to college.  Required items include:  Two sets of sheets for nap time, a pillow, a teddy bear, two sets of play clothes, diapers, wipes, a water bottle, sunscreen, diaper cream, swimsuit, a towel, water shoes, tennis shoes, and every other kind of shoe that you can think of.  Top if off with a new "owl" backpack (this one's for you Aunt Coni), and we were set to go.

Lauren had a great first day. There were no tears at drop-off (for Lauren or her Mom). She enjoyed playing on the slide, made one new friend, and had fun mixing colors to create the color purple.  According to her new teacher Lauren ate, used the potty, picked up her toys and took a 1.5 hour nap (although I'm not sure I believe it).  Then we were off to McDonald's to celebrate with ice cream.

This is the beginning of a new adventure.  We are so proud of you Lauren!

The deep thinker

"Look Dad.  A Rolly-Pollie for breakfast"

 The backpack weighs half as much as Lauren

Entering the doors to higher education

Success is spelled "I-C-E C-R-E-A-M"

A Mother's Day Letter to Lauren

Dear Lauren,

On this Mother's Day Eve, we spent the evening with some dear friends and their three week old baby girl, Katherine Kendall.

As you were holding her, it occurred to me how quickly the time has gone.  How you were once that small, and yet I only have pictures to remind me. 

This Mother's Day, you are now almost three years old and yet I feel like I’ve loved you forever. I now completely understand how my own Mother feels.  A complete longing to be near you child, and the reminder that our journey together is going all too fast.  I hope I can do as well by you as she did for me.

Being a Mom is not always easy.  But the days are more blissfull than not, and I thank God every day that our path to parenthood brought us to you.  Had I known, I wouldn't have shed a single tear.  There is no doubt you were born to be ours.

Words don’t even begin to express how much more beautiful you make our life together. As you grow and take in this world around you, know that you are loved today and EVERYDAY all because you’re you! Sweet precious little you.

All my love,

Mommy

Bedknobs, Broomsticks and a BIG GIRL Bed

Well we did it. 

After spending almost three full years trying to keep our child captured (aka: safe) in her four-sided crib, Lauren now has her very own BIG girl bed.

It seems like just yesterday that we waking up every 30 minutes to keep her from rolling over. 

The fear, excitement and anticipation of this big day was tremendous.  Lauren is growing up and this transition HAD to be really special. 

So after eight hours of hard labor, we removed the front of her crib to create a toddler bed.  We toggled all of the furniture to the walls, ensured all of the electrical outlets were covered, removed chocking hazards from the drawers, added some fun new decor, organized the closet, added more lighting and bought Lauren a bright pink flashlight to keep the scarey monsters, shadows and bugs away.

Lauren just LOVES her new room.  She loves her big girl bed.  And her new pillow and decor.  She loves that she can access her books and toys.  And she is thrilled that she now only has "three walls" in her box (crib) instead of four. 

She loves it so much that she's failed to take a good nap since Friday.  She refuses to go to sleep until after 10 p.m. And thusfar has slept most everywhere in her room EXCEPT her bed. 

Night #1 - Lauren is found asleep face down on the floor using a book as a pillow. 
Night #2 - Lauren is found asleep half way on her bed and half way on the floor. 
Night #3 - Lauren is found asleep on the diaper changing table atop her dresser.  Say what?
Night #4 - We can't remember where she slept as we are both too tired now to notice.

The upside is that we will stay strong!  That we will not re-assemble the crib and admit defeat.  That this too shall pass.  That we can sustain on coffee until she goes to college.  Oh, and at least Opus the cat loves the bed.

Happy Easter!

Well the bunnies are all packed away, the Peeps are all consumed, and our family has just finished up the most wonderful Easter holiday. Joined by Grandma Susie, Aunt Coni and Uncle John, we had a great weekend filled with dying Easter eggs, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, and TONS of candy.  Blessed.

Lauren and Mommy dying Easter Eggs.  No, that's not red wine in my hand people.

The Annual Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt.  

Mommy and Daddy have been hosting this event 

long before Lauren arrived and wondered 

if we'd ever have a child of our own to enjoy it.  

The look on Bryon's face shows how blessed we feel.

Look Daddy. More CANDY!

Lauren has been working on making "good choices" 

to earn a Princess Castle. 

Some days are better than others, but the Easter Bunny

 did indeed deliver! 

"I may not be able to run 

from this Easter outfit but I sure can hide"