Circus frenzy

We went to the Barnum and Bailey's circus on Sunday. I was soooo excited for Sophie to go. Well, I gotta be honest. It was a little anti-climatic! I got bored after the first 20 minutes so I can't even imagine how Sophie felt! All the kids around us were having melt downs so my guess is that they weren't really feeling it either!

After I got home I started researching how Barnum and Bailey treat their animals. Yes, I know that I should have done that before I purchased the tickets, but my honest thinking was "it's a huge, well known circus so surely they treat their animals kindly." I guess that's not technically the case. So I don't think that we'll ever be going to a circus again. And let me state that I'm not that big of an animal person. Please don't hate me after that statement! It's just who I am! But I don't like the idea of any thing being abused or mistreated!

Daddy and Sophie before the Circus.

Before the show they allowed people to get down and see the "acts". Joe and Sophie were able to get up close to the elephant. Joe said that Sophie just kept pointing to her dress which had an elephant on it as well. (She wore in zoo animal dress from Kelly's Kids)

All of these pictures are terrible quality!

Sophie was a champ and would clap when ever the crowd did! See the special cup she got? I'll be honest I think I was more excited about it than she was! When I went to the circus when I was little I got one and loved it! I was so excited for Sophie to have one too!

This morning I woke up to the sound of cows. I immediately knew that was not good. We don't have cows that close to us. Sure enough there were cows in the field behind our house. So we spent our morning trying to figure out how to get a hold of their owners! Our neighbors have a beautiful yard that they spend a ton of time in and they ended up eating some of their bushes. Our house also backs up to a golf course so we were nervous they were heading their next. They didn't though. Thankfully!

Sophie decided to take some pictures too!

Elle is just getting too big too fast! She loves to do big girl stuff! She is crawling backwards, but hasn't figured out how to go forward! I'm really not hurrying this along because I know my life will be much more complicated when she does! Sophie is not going to know what to do with her sister getting in her stuff!

Elle has been in a "mama only" stage these days! If she sees me, she wants me. If she doesn't see me, she's looking for me! I'm trying to enjoy every second because I know before long I'll be begging her to let me hold her! It does make trying to do things like cook dinner, clean the house, etc more interesting! And more than once we've broken out the moby wrap so that I could get things done!

Horses and Quack Quacks

I swear that this blogger is trying to drive people crazy with the pictures! Why does it have to be so difficult at times?? I'm sorry, y'all are just going to have to deal with double photos. Ok, that part was my fault, but it takes too long to figure out how to delete them.

Tonight we went to the park to get out of the house! Sophie was sick yesterday and I felt like the fresh air would do her good. It was beautiful weather compared to how hot it had been today!

There had been some boys that were swinging from the handles and they were struggling a bit. They were trying with all their might to swing from one handle to another and while doing so they were making the grunting noises that comes with a physical struggle. BTW, I feel like that sentence was entirely too complicated! Lord, I'm not sure how else to explain it though! Anywho...when Joe held Sophie up to the handles she started doing this hilarious grunt/cough thing! I guess she thought that was how you do it! I love her precious face here!

This picture is great for so many reasons! 1) Joe's glasses! He has misplaced his others and these are his "safety" glasses that he uses to do yard work. 2) Joe's pose. Ok, there really isn't explaining that one! Except for the fact that he looks like he's about to attack someone. 3) This was probably Sophie's proudest moment. Ever. Hanging on all by herself.

Sophie looks miserable in all of the pictures these days. She hates having her picture taken. She's never really actually been a fan, but it's getting worse.

Like I said, absolute end of the world when the camera comes out. She was the happiest thing around until she saw it. Once she did, she hit the floor in sign of absolute protest. If she was standing you would see that she is sleeping beauty. She is loving to dress up these days. And she is becoming quite good at working those plastic heels! The girl can run a marathon in them! She did get some things from her Mama!

This is a picture of Elle crawling backwards. However, my computer went crazy. Or rather, is trying to drive me crazy.

Sophie was so sick last night! She was pitiful. It was either a stomach virus or a gas bubble. Either way it kept us up all night. This was at 4am once she started getting better. Her hair looks terrible because I wasn't about to try and fight her to brush it after all she had been through!

Mama got this horse for Sophie on her birthday and she looooves it! She'll ride it for hours (It's on rollers)! Friday she asked if Elle could get on with her. I thought it was sweet of her so I didn't want to discourage it! Mama and I were right there in case Elle were to slip. Sophie did a great job of holding her and going slow. Elle was having the time of her life! Of course, she loves anytime that her big sister shows her attention. She was eating it up!

Here is a little video of their ride!

Alright, I swear that Elle is talking! Twice she has said "mamamama" when reaching for me. The first time I simply thought it coincidence, but the second time even Joe thought she said it! Sometime with in the last couple days she started saying "quack quack". I'm sure she's just making noise, but it's hilarious! Now if I say it she'll repeat it! I was so happy when I caught it on video. Btw, she loves to be near the kitchen utensils! When I'm cooking I'll put her there and it'll occupy her for a good bit! Don't worry, I don't ever just leave her. I'm always right there! I can't promise that my meals don't have a little Elle slobber in them.

Life these days...

Every Wednesday I take Sophie to story time at the library. Mama watches Elle so that Sophie and I can have "our time". I've done this since Elle was 2 weeks old. I wanted Sophie to know that even with a baby sister she still has a place with me!

I love our library! It has the neatest area of kids! And Ms. Libby, who directs story time, has the patience of Job! Some of those kids would do me in! But she just smiles and keep on reading! Love her!

Elle has been completely out of sorts! She is getting more teeth in and they must be killing her because every couple of minutes she is fussing. One thing that keeps her attention the longest is if I put her in her swing and turn on "Praise Baby". Which has basically been the baby whisperer with both my girls. Elle never actually lays back in her swing. A lot of times she'll chew away on the bar that has the toys.

Mama bought Sophie her first Barbie. She loves it and it has been added to her pile of toys that she sleeps with. I'm not sure why but she has been in this phase of looking like a deer caught in highlights when I take her picture. She's shy and doesn't like the attention on her. Maybe that's why.

I introduced Sophie to the world of tents today! She wasn't as crazy about it as I thought she would be. Oh well. She did love the train I made out of a box. Of course. Between her and Elle I'm pretty sure I walked/ran 10 miles in my own house today.

We ate strawberries while watching "Toy Story" in our tent.

Tonight we went to my Aunt's for dinner. I put my "sesame street" chicken on hold for another night. This is what I seriously told someone I was making. I was actually making sesame chicken. You know you have a toddler when that phrase comes out of your mouth! Anyways...Sophie has been into carrying her bag which I welcome seeing as how I'm usually carrying Elle in her carrier, the diaper bag, and Soph's things. It's about time she starts carrying her weight. Kidding!

Mommy and Elle day

Today it is just me and Elle. My family is going to Cumberland Falls, which is a couple hours away, and asked to take Sophie. Elle and I were suppose to go, but she hates her car seat right now which makes for a miserable trip! Four plus hours in the car just did not sound like fun to me! So we opted to stay home.

Allergies have paid a visit to the Quesenberry women this week. We're all miserable! I never suffered with allergies until my senior of college. Apparently Tennessee, where I went to school, has the one of the highest rates for allergies. Great. And I'm pretty sure I heard somewhere that Kentucky is the highest. Even better. Either way both my babies have to be on Zrytec. I hate that they're on a medicine like this so early, but I hate to see them suffer more!

A lot of my friends children started school today and I gotta tell you, I am not prepared for it to be Sophie's turn. Thank God I still have three years! But seriously, the thought makes me feel like I could hyperventilate. Seriously hyperventilate. God help Sophie's kindergarten teacher! Forget Sophie holding onto my leg, I'm going to be holding on to hers.

Alright, blogspot is being weird so I'm going to wrap this up! Here are some pictures from our week!

Lord, please, for my husband's sake let our next child be a boy. He is such a great daddy to his girls, but Lord, he has to do this at night. Soph was fixin' Daddy's hair. Notice the "ponytail" sticking up on top. God love 'em! The girls watching some movie on our computer. So sweet!

Bahaha! This one cracks me up! This is how Elle sits a lot! I love how nonchalant they are! As if it's normal to have your baby sister's foot in your face while you eat yogurt.

This isn't the best picture, but I had to snap it quick because I didn't want to leave them there too long. On Sunday morning I made banana bread and the girls helped me.

Elle discovered that the tin decor made a loud noise when she hit it. She got a kick out of that! I'm not so sure her Daddy did! Sundays are Joe's day to sleep in so he was woken up by this lovely sound. Oh well. It kept her entertained!

"Chin Up"

This past weekend my Dad and Teddie came up for a visit. It was great to see them! Sophie kept her granddaddy busy, bless his heart! Teddie's parents live just down the road in Corbin. Well, about an hour just down the road :). On Sunday we met them all at Cracker Barrel. Elle does not like her car seat. She was not happy on the ride over! The only way she would be quiet is if I sang "Chin up" from "Charlotte's Web". Joe was trying to decide what was worse. Her crying or my singing "Chin up"!

Ha! Bless her heart, she was MAD about being in that car seat! She is the sweetest little thing, but Lord help, can she get mad quick if "provoked"!

Sophie has been wanting to wear her princess shoes every where these days. And I let her. It's not a battle worth fighting :)! I love her face here!

At least she coordinates her shoes with her outfits. Seriously. She wouldn't leave until she had her matching blue shoes.

Last Friday my Momma took Sophie over to my Aunt's for a visit. It gave Elle and I some time together which is rare! This baby is just so full of life! She always squealing, smiling, and laughing! She loves to have a good time! More than she loves to have a good time, she loves to chew on things. Everything goes in this baby's mouth! Especially shiny things! She is always trying to get my wedding rings! When she realizes she can't bring them to her mouth she bring her mouth to the rings, haha!

I'm not sure how Elle keeps doing this, but she has been getting the bumper away!

Look at those cheeks! Best sugar in the world!

Sophie came up to me the other day with this crown on and said, "Look, Momma, I a princess!" She also asked to call my sister, Aunt Sissy, to which her first words were, "I pretty, Aunt Sissy. I a princess." Nothing like calling someone to make sure they know you're pretty AND royalty, ha!

Happy 7 months, Sweet Elle!!!

It's hard to believe that Elle is 7 months old today! It feels like just yesterday I was begging her to come out, haha! Now she is semi-crawling and "talking" to every one and the wall paper! This sweet child of mine has brought so much joy with her! She absolutely and totally adores her big sister! Anytime Sophie walks by she tries her best to touch her! Bless her heart, Sophie is the typical big sister and doesn't have time for baby stuff. She does play with her, but it's own her terms, that's for sure!

Elle has 4 teeth and is working on a few more! Sophie was a year old before she had any teeth! She was at least 15/16 months before she had as many as Elle has now!

My friend, Sarah, was here for a couple days visiting and snapped some pictures for me of Elle. She did a great job of capturing Elle's spunky personality!

Elle is always making this face and I love it! So glad Sarah caught it!
She puts everything in her mouth by the fists full, as you can see!

Another face she has been doing a lot! I think it's because she is teething!

I don't know why, but I love love love this picture! There is nothing overall special about it. Just something about their faces that I love! Like they have their own communication going on!

Tonight I was in my closet and I heard this sweet voice singing "Jesus loves me". When I came out into the room I saw Soph rocking her Buzz Lightyear (of all things) to sleep and she was singing to him. It was the most precious sound to this Momma's ears! Then in the song she started singing, "Jesus loves Momma, and Daddy, and Elle, and Buzz, and Jesse, and Gigi, and Pappy." It just made my night. She kept going on and on and on naming people that Jesus loved :). Thankfully I was able to video tape it all! This clip is from later on and not so long! Please excuse the spaghetti sauce on her face, ha! She hadn't stopped long enough for me to give her a good wiping down :)!

Beloved Southern Clothing - at a discount

I was recently introduced to some companies on Facebook that sell Southern style clothing at a discount. I think it's fair to say that my husband curses the day that I was told about them. I looovee anything smocked, boutique-looking, etc. but they can be expensive!!!! Which is why I was thrilled to find them at such a great deal! They have both boy and girl clothing, but not a whole lot of baby sizes. Sorry Elle.

All you have to do is "like" these companies on Facebook to see their sales every night. Each company has their own specifics on how to "bid" so make sure and look for their "how to bid" sections. Here is a list of the companies:

Lolly Wolly doodle
Smock it to me
Smockadot kids
Smockaholics
Smocked Auctions

Check them out! Be warned though...it requires a great deal of self-control to see their sales every night and not buy everything :)!

The "ickies"

Alright, y'all, I am getting serious about this blog! I have got to get on the ball with documenting our daily lives so that I can always remember each stage with the girls. There have been so many funny things that they have done and I've forgotten all of it. Already. It's terrible really! So every night I am going to sit down and write a little about our day. I'm sure most will find it boring. Some days I'll probably find it boring, too. But when I'm 80 I know that I'll cherish the memories. Here we go...

Today we've all felt a little "icky". I think it may be allergies. Unfortunately, both girls suffer with awful allergies! I never did until I came back to Florida from college in Tennessee. I sure hope whatever is causing these ickies doesn't come back tomorrow! It was a hard day! Both girls were extremely clingy. That's not very unusual for Sophie, but it is for Elle. Which is why I always hold her when she needs it! This sweet baby does not require much! She is honestly the best baby I've ever been around. It's rare for her to cry, but Lord have mercy, when she does it's pitiful! Just breaks your heart right on the spot.

With Elle wanting to be held I decided to break out the ol' wrap for her while I was preparing dinner. She's awfully wiggly so it didn't last long though... *these captions are a little confusing. I don't have the patience right now to fix it. I'll do better next time. :)*
So I busted out the teething biscuits! This was her first time having them and I think the were a hit judging by this....

She had it every where!! Which is why we did this next (in the middle of trying to prepare dinner)....

Bath time. In the kitchen sink. This is her new bathtub for the time being. It's much easier on my back!

Isn't there some crazy saying about washing the baby with the dishes. Or maybe that was a commercial. Either way it was hilarious. And obviously true in our house ;). Ok, not really, but I couldn't help but laugh at the picture! Look at how much hair Elle is getting. It's going to be dark - much darker than Sophie's!

Understandably, Sophie is having a hard time learning to share her toys with Elle. She loves her baby sister. As long as she doesn't get into her toys. Well, Elle is getting into her toys. So we have a new rule. If Sophie is playing with something she has to get Elle a toy too. Because "it's the nice thing to do". Well, tonight Momma (Nanny to the girls) gave Elle a toy. Sophie looked at her and said, "Nice, Nanny". We all cracked up! At least I know she is listening when I talk!

That's it for now. See y'all tomorrow night!

Big girl gymnastics

Tonight they started the Fall schedule at Soph's gymnastics. I wasn't paying attention to the calendar and showed up at the summer schedule time. They said that since we were there and needed to make up a class anyways that she could join the 3-5 year olds. I was a little nervous because mother's don't go with their children in this age group. Not wanting to embarrass her I reluctantly walked up to the observation deck area. She did awesome! I was so proud of her! In fact, I may ask if she can permanently move up because she enjoyed it so much!